Over 1,180 colorful Appaloosas
converged in Oklahoma City to compete for champion titles at
the 59th National Appaloosa Show and World Championship Appaloosa
Youth Show June 26-July 8. The two-week event included more
than 4,300 entries and 15,000 spectators.
Exhibitors competed in 210 classes in three
divisions: Youth, Non-pro and Open. Exhibitors and Appaloosas
in each class received points based on particular criteria such
as color, conformation, agility, athleticism and ability.
While at the show spectators and exhibitors
also enjoyed the Best of the West Gift Expo, where vendors displayed
the latest tack, jewelry, western apparel, and fine art from
across the country.
Exhibitors and spectators also attended a free
clinic sponsored by Horse & Rider magazine, featuring world-renowned
clinician Chris Cox.
YOUTH DIVISION
During the first week of the World Championship Appaloosa Youth
Show, youth up to age 18 competed in 71 classes. Over 2,270
entries competed in classes of different age and skill divisions.
Youth from across the nation showcased their skills and talents
in several classes including halter, Western equitation, reining,
games, trail, hunt seat and team penning.
Additionally, youth took part in a variety of
extracurricular activities including Appaloosa Youth Association
meetings, a speech contest, a dummy roping contest, a stall
decorating contest, a coloring contest, and the Team Tournament
Parade. These events provided youth the opportunity to meet
new friends while also becoming more involved with Appaloosas
and showing.
A special feature at the Youth Show was the
Annual Challenged Riders' Leadline class - a unique class not
limited to youth or Appaloosa horses, but open to all ages and
all breeds. Each participant was honored with a trophy, a ribbon
and other awards donated by sponsors. The ApHC thanks all sponsors
and exhibitors who participated in this special class.
"The Youth Show was a tremendous success,"
says Mandi Knapp, Youth Coordinator for the ApHC. "We had
an unbelievable number of walk/trot exhibitors, and we also
saw a large increase in the number of youth exhibitors, and
there were more events and activities offered this year than
ever before."
At the conclusion of the Youth Show a special
award ceremony took place, recognizing high-point winners and
World champions. Additionally, the Youth Supporter of the Year
Award was given to Jack Junker. The Youth Supporter of the Year
Award was started in 2000 by the Appaloosa Youth Association
Board of Directors to recognize people who are especially supportive
of Appaloosa youth.
Other awards given at the award ceremony were:
ApHC All-Around Youth- ALEXIS GRATKOWSKI of
Harrisburg, Penn., was the winner of this award which included
a Featherlite aluminum trailer for one year's use compliments
of Featherlite Inc., the official trailer for the ApHC, a Silver
Mesa trophy saddle by Sergeant's Western World and a custom
designed trophy buckle from Gist Silversmiths.
High-Point Youth Overall- MACKENZIE ALLEN of
Bellingham, Wash., was honored with the Shatka Bear-Step Award,
receiving a plaque to keep as well as having her name engraved
on a permanent plaque. Megan also received a custom-designed
sterling silver belt buckle and a silver show halter compliments
of Kathy's Show Equipment.
High-Point Youth 18 & Under Equitation Rider-
MACKENZIE ALLEN of Bellingham, Wash., received a custom-designed
sterling silver belt buckle designed by Gist Silversmiths, sponsored
by Meghan Elliot and Family of Deerfield Farm in Washington.
J Bar J Western Store also provided a gift certificate for the
winner to receive a pair of Lucchese boots.
High-Point Walk/Trot Exhibitor-Hannah Dixon
of Pine Bluff, Ark., was awarded a sterling silver show halter
from Kathy's Show Equipment, a custom leather-backed director's
chair from Judy Leister, owner of Judy's Custom Chaps, and a
sterling silver belt buckle from Gist Silversmiths, generously
sponsored by American Metals.
Reserve High-Point Walk/Trot Exhibitor- CAITLIN
BECKWITH of Sheridan, Ark., and Caitlin Beckwith of Sheridan,
Ark., received a custom-made belt, compliments of Judy Leister
of Judy's Custom Chaps, along with a custom-designed Gist Silversmith's
belt buckle.
High-Point Youth 12 & Under- ALEXIS GRATKOWSKI
of Harrisburg, Penn., received a Silver Mesa trophy saddle donated
by Sergeant's Western World, a custom-designed sterling silver
belt buckle from Gist Silversmiths, and a gift set from Breyer
Animal Creations.
Reserve High-Point Youth 12 & Under- BROOKE
K. MOORE of Dover, Del., received a sterling silver Gist belt
buckle sponsored by Ron Landeck of Moscow, Idaho, along with
a model horse set compliments of Breyer Animal Creations.
High-Point Youth 13-15- MACKENZIE ALLEN of Bellingham,
Wash., was awarded a Silver Mesa trophy saddle donated by Sergeant's
Western World and a custom-designed sterling silver belt buckle
from Gist Silversmiths.
Reserve High-Point Youth 13-15- RYANN BLUHM
of Issaquah, Wash., received a sterling silver belt buckle sponsored
by Twelve Oaks Stables and a $40 gift certificate to Bar F Products.
High-Point Youth 16-18- KYLIE MILLER of Scottsdale,
Ariz., received a Silver Mesa trophy saddle donated by Sergeant's
Western World and a custom-designed, sterling silver belt buckle
from Gist Silversmiths.
Reserve High-Point Youth 16-18- ERICA M. LAWRENCE
of Seattle, Wash., received a custom sterling silver belt buckle
and a $40 gift certificate to Bar F Products
High-Point Novice 18 & Under- REBECCA LYNN
BARNHART of Oxford, Mich., received a custom-made sterling silver
belt buckle, sponsored by Shawnee Hills ApHC, and a year's use
of a Featherlite aluminum trailer, compliments of Gary Raak
of Twin Cities Featherlite.
(ALL Champion Games and Cattle Exhibitors received
a custom-made belt buckle from Last Day Lite, Hyman Young Jr.,
and Julia Jordan Young of Velvet Ridge Ranch)
Champion Games Exhibitor 10 & Under-Kate
Herder of Frankfort, Ill.
Champion Games Exhibitor 13 & Under- HANNAH
HUQ of Angola, In.
Champion Games Exhibitor 14-18- DAVID ARCHER
of Norwood, Ontario, Canada.
Champion Cattle Exhibitor 18 & Under- LEE
BENNETT of Madison, S.D.
Dee Cole Memorial Youth Sportsmanship Award-Audra
Snyder of Noblesville, In., received a custom-designed sterling
silver Gist Silversmith's belt buckle, sponsored by Jim &
Sandy Jirkovsky.
Speech Contest, Division I - "My Most Memorable
Moment as a Member of the Appaloosa Youth Association"
Team Tournament Champion-Pacific Pride. Team
members included Erica M. Lawrence, Brittany Billow, Ryann Bluhm,
Kaci Cluzel, Mackenzie Allen, Chloe Baker, Haley Davies, and
Araceli Meagher-Reyes. Each team member received a director's
chair and saddle case from Schneider's Saddlery and embroidered
by Tioga Territory.
Team Tournament Reserve Champions-Texas Cruisers.
Team members included Austin Peacock, Trysten Ann Taylor, Courtney
Cruise, Kyra Cruise, Sierra Skye Gordon, Felicia Shartle, Shelby
Clark, and Anna Bowers. Each team member received a bridle bag
from Schneider's Saddlery and embroidered by Tioga Territory.
Little Buckaroo Dummy Roping Contest, 9 &
Under Division-Mackenzie Caster
Little Buckaroo Dummy Roping Contest, 9 &
Under Novice Division-Aubrey Ehrman of Braceville, IL
Little Buckaroo Dummy Roping Contest, 10-13
Division-Cody Hutchinson of Chapman, KS
Little Buckaroo Dummy Roping Contest, 10-13
Novice Division-Colton Cruse of Santa Fe, TX
Stall Decorating Contest, Individual Division-Anja
Wutte of Austria
Stall Decorating Contest, Team Division -The
Stellar Sixers. Team members included RYAN ROBERT CLARK, MAEANNA
J. STOVER, DAVID ARCHER, KEVIN ARCHER, LINDSAY RAE COX, CAYLA
ANNE ESSENBURG, HALEY GLEESON, and KIMBERLY BRATTON.
Following the award ceremony, youth exhibitors
and their families celebrated at a party sponsored by Last Day
Lite, an Appaloosa stallion owned by Hyman Young, Jr. and Julia
Jordan Young of Marshall, N.C.
NON-PRO & OPEN DIVISION
Friday June 30th marked the beginning of the Non-Pro and Open
division of the 59th National Show. Spectators experienced fierce
competition as athletic horses and talented exhibitors worked
hard in the show ring to achieve national titles and championships.
Classes in both divisions ranged from showmanship and hunt seat
to cutting and trail.
The ever-exciting team penning competition,
the games classes (Nez Perce Stake Race, Camas Prairie Stump
Race-a.k.a. barrel racing, and pole bending) and the Most Colorful
at Halter class kept spectators and exhibitors in awe as horses
used their agility, speed, athleticism, color and conformation
to display their talent and ability.
Throughout the week awards were given to High-Point
winners and National Champions. Several competitors also received
special awards and were honored for outstanding achievements
during the show. Non-Pro and Open award winners are listed as
follows:
NON-PRO AWARDS
All-Around Non-Pro- LINDSAY PETERSEN of Newbury, Ohio, received
one year's use of an aluminum Featherlite Trailer, compliments
of Featherlite, Inc. Lindsay also received a Silver Mesa trophy
saddle from Sergeant's Western World and a custom-designed sterling
silver belt buckle made by Gist Silversmiths.
High-Point Non-Pro- DAVID W. BECK of Stockton,
Cal., received a custom-designed sterling silver belt buckle
from Gist Silversmiths, a silver show bridle from Kathy's Show
Equipment and gift certificate to Bar F Products.
Reserve High-Point Non-Pro- MALLORY ALLEN of
Bellingham, Wash., received a sterling silver Gist Silversmiths
belt buckle and gift certificate to Bar F Products.
High-Point Masters Non-Pro- RANDI F. YOCUM of
Fayetteville, Tex., was awarded a sterling silver belt buckle
from Gist Silversmiths and a gift certificate from Bar F Products.
Reserve High-Point Masters Non-Pro- LORI CONGER
of Norman, Okla., received a Gist Silversmiths belt buckle.
High-Point 35 & Over Non-Pro-Dawn M. Bluhm
of Issaquah, Wash., received a custom-made sterling silver belt
buckle designed by Gist Silversmiths and a gift certificate
from Bar F Products.
Reserve High-Point 35 & Over Non-Pro- LORI
CONGER of Norman, Okla., received a sterling silver belt buckle
designed by Gist Silversmiths.
High-Point Novice Non-Pro- RACHEL ALEXANDRA
RIZK of Blacksburg, Va., received a sterling silver belt buckle,
sponsored by Brian and Deena Raggio of Raggio Ranch in Murrieta,
California, and a gift certificate to Bar F Products.
Reserve High-Point Novice Non-Pro- KATE TOOMEY
of Bryan, Tex., received a sterling silver belt buckle, custom-made
by Gist Silversmiths.
Champion Non-Pro Halter Exhibitor-David W. Beck
of Stockton, Cal., received a custom-designed sterling silver
belt buckle from Gist Silversmiths, sponsored by Gary and Nicole
Bergquist of Answered Prayers Ranch, Manitowoc, Wisconsin.
Champion Non-Pro Western Exhibitor-Randi Yocum
of Fayetteville, Texas, received a custom designed sterling
silver belt buckle from Gist Silversmiths and a gift certificate
to Bar F Products.
Champion Non-Pro English Exhibitor-Lindsay Petersen
of Newbury, Ohio, was awarded a custom designed sterling silver
buckle from Gist Silversmiths and an English saddle package
donated by the official English sponsor of the ApHC, Schneider's
Saddlery.
Non-Pro Showmanship/Equitation Exhibitor- Lindsay
Petersen of Newbury, Ohio, received a Gist Silversmiths belt
buckle and a gift certificate from J Bar J Western Store for
a pair of Luchesse Boots.
Non-Pro Sportsmanship Award-Stephanie Marcus
of Antioch, Ill., received a custom-designed sterling silver
belt buckle from Gist Silversmiths, sponsored by long-time members
of the Appaloosa Horse Club, Lew and Jo Eklund of Carlin, Nevada.
Non-Pro Champion Cattle Horse-Kyle Castor of
Rogers, Ark., riding JACK TAP, received a custom-designed sterling
silver belt buckle from Gist Silversmiths and a gift certificate
to Bar F Products.
Non-Pro Champion Games Horse- RON RENNER of
Bowling Green, Ky., won a custom-designed sterling silver belt
buckle from Gist Silversmiths and a gift certificate to Bar
F Products on ROCKET TWO STEP.
OPEN AWARDS
Grand Champion Halter Stallion-Jonathon and
Susan Been of Clark, Wyo., received a Grand Champion trophy
and a check for $500 from the Appaloosa Horse Club for DIVERSIFIED.
Grand Champion Halter Mare- STEVE CRUSE of Pilot
Point, Tex., and Lewis and Marilynn Feuerstein of Creston, Cal.,
received a Grand Champion trophy and a check for $500 from the
ApHC for ALWAYS SOMETHIN.
Grand Champion Halter Gelding- Lewis and Marilynn
Feuerstein of Creston, Cal., received a Grand Champion trophy
and a check for $500 from the ApHC for ALWAYS COOL.
Champion Cattle Horse-JULIA JORDAN YOUNG or
Marshall, N.C., received a sterling silver Gist Silversmith's
belt buckle along with $1,000 paid by the ApHC for LAST DAY
LITE.
Champion Games Horse-Richard and Jeff Lankford
of Princeton, In., received a check for $1,000 from the ApHC
and a sterling silver belt buckle custom-designed by Gist Silversmiths
for CLASSIC ORDER.
Champion Western Horse-MARGARET and DEAN VAN
CAUWENBERGH of Troy, Ohio, received a $1,000 check from the
ApHC and a custom-designed sterling silver belt buckle sponsored
by Equisure for ONE HOT CHIP.
Champion English Horse- ERICA LACHER of Newbury,
Fla., and Elise Lacher of Seminole, Fla., received a check for
$1,000 from the ApHC as well as an engraved bridle and embroidered
bridle bag from Schneider's Saddlery, the Official English Sponsor
of the Appaloosa Horse Club for HAND ME A ZIP.
SUMMARY
The National Appaloosa Horse Show, an annual event that first
started in Lewiston, Idaho, in 1948, is the nation's oldest
single-breed championship event. The show has grown from its
first show of 47 entries to over 4,300 entries this year.
The 59th National Appaloosa Horse Show has ended,
but exhibitors and spectators alike will gather again next year
to compete and take part in the athleticism, versatility and
color of the historical Appaloosa breed. Many of them will also
congregate in Fort Worth, Texas, where the World Championship
Appaloosa Show will be held October 27 to November 4, 2006.
The ApHC gives special thanks to the many generous
sponsors who contributed to the success of the show: Featherlite
Trailers; Nutrena; Sergeant's Western World; Gist Silversmiths;
David Stanley Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge; Schneider's Saddlery;
Twin Cities Featherlite; Tioga Territory; Oklahoma City Convention
and Visitors Bureau; and Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce.
The Appaloosa Horse Club would like to thank the following hotel
sponsors for their support: Biltmore Hotel; Crown Plaza; Regency
Hotel; and Embassy Suites Hotel.
The ApHC also commends each participant on his
or her hard work, determination and commitment.
The Appaloosa Horse Club is the international
breed registry for Appaloosa horses and is located in Moscow,
Idaho. Since 1938, the ApHC has been dedicated to the preservation
and promotion of the breed. Agile, intelligent and distinctively
colorful, Appaloosas excel in a variety of events and are beloved
around the world for their even temperaments and reliability.
Contact: Krystina Burns, ApHC Director of Marketing
at (208) 882-5578 ext. 229 or marketing@appaloosa.com
