Friday at Fall Festival

Friday night at Fall Festival was fabulous. . . and it was halter. There was an showmanship class that put some of the pizzaz back into watching handlers show.  All very proper.   Exhibitor party was fun, and very casual. It was held next to where Sweet Things is located. There were lots of youth activities, and the fun classes. Very nice.

Fall Festival - Set Up

Have the "Hut" up.  Many thanks to Carol, Bobbie and Mary Lou for getting it done.

Looks like there are about 150 horses at the show.  Not bad for the weekend after Nationals.  It will be interesting to see how the judging works with two judges/two show concept.  I am trying to imagine how they award two sets of ribbons.  I'll keep you posted, and hopefully have some pictures for you tonight.

Fall Festival Update

We have been successful in selling the class sponsorships. Thanks to everyone who pitched in and sold.  Thanks to those of you who bought them!   Only two of the Reining classes and two of the dressage sponsorships were sold.    Not sure why, but it happens every year. Too bad.


Friday night of Fall Festival is the Exhibitor Party and AHAA member party. Come on down.


Saturday is Meet a Horse, Barn Tours, and the Liberty Charity Challenge. Fun busy day.  Brings the kids down to meet Rosie and Clancy and have a picture taken with them.

FALL FESTIVAL SPONSORSHIPS

Selling the sponsorships is a major fund raiser for the Amateur Committee. It is one of the reasons we are able to sponsor the charity challenge and provide the prize money to the charities. Sponsorship sales are slow this year. Our usual leader for this was unable to coordinate it for us so we aren't getting the job done. Please take time to 1) sell a sponsorship to someone, or 2) sponsor a class or classes yourself. Follow the link to the form and send it in with a check, or call  480-515-1500  and do a sponsorship over the phone and request to be billed, or use a credit card. Please help us out! Thanks.

AC Poker Ride at Rio Estancia

OK!!  Our first ever Halloween Poker Ride held at Rio Estancia October 24th was a BIG success.  It contained the elements of a regular poker ride with having to complete an obstacle to earn your card. There were nine obstacle so if you completed them all you had a better chance for a winning hand.   There was a prize for the high hand as well as the best costume.  The costume prize was decided by high card draw.  It was just a great day.  Low key and well organized thanks to mary Lou.  


We had twelve riders.  There was plenty of help on the ground.  The weather was perfect, and the food and beverages afterwards were very tasty.


I'll let the pictures tell the story.  Thanks to EVERYONE who came and participated.  I am looking forward to riding next time.

HO HO HO Trail Ride December 12

The Arabian Horse Association of Arizona’s Amateur Committee is hosting it’s Annual Ho Ho Ho Trail Ride. It is Saturday, December 12, 2009 at McDowell Mountain Regional Park. Be saddled and ready to ride out at 10:00 AM.  The ride is approximately two hours.

McDowell Mountain Regional Park is located in the northeast valley on the eastern side of the McDowell Mountain range. For a map of how to get there follow the link.  We have reserved Ramadas 1 and 2 at the main trailhead. As you enter the park there is a volunteer at the gate. The volunteer will give you a map of the park and directions. There is a park entry fee of $6.00.

Plan on arriving by at least 9:30 AM to give yourself time to saddle up. If you are a little hungry there will be coffee, orange juice and breakfast snacks available.

We like to split into groups of riders with similar riding styles. So if you like to mosey down the trail at a walk or trot and canter up the wash there is the right pace for everyone. We ride out promptly at 10:00 AM.

After the ride the AHAA Amateur Committee hosts a great B.B.Q. lunch. Yep!!! It is a FREE LUNCH!!! Please RSVP so we have plenty of grub. Send us an email at ahaa-ac@cox.net , or contact the AHAA office at  480-515-1500 

You don't have to ride an Arabian horse to come.  Just come on out for a good day of horses and fun.  Hope to see you there

Passing of a friend

We would like to offer our thoughts and prayers to Bob Battaglia and Battagla Farms riders and friends, for the loss of an Ambassador of the Arabian Horse, judge and great horseman, Russ Vento. Rest in Peace.

Wanted: Volunteers for Fall Festival

Fall Festival is November 6-8th.  The Club is looking for volunteers to help with the show.  I don't know specifically what "jobs" volunteers are needed to staff.   I am sure some of them are opening and closing gates, or ribbon presenter.  If you are interested contact Jody Dukerick at 480-515-1500, or arabian@scottsdaleshow.com.

This weekend. . Equestrian Expo in Queen Creek

Remember the Expo at Horshoe Park and Equestrian Centre in Queen Creek this weekend.

Poker Ride?

We are thinking about doing a Poker Ride as a fund raiser for a horse rescue group.  What do you all think?

A new adventure. . . FaceBook

OK.  We made a FaceBook page.  If you are a member of FaceBook search for Arabian Horse Association of Arizona.  You can add the words Amateur Committee.  Please become a fan, and pass it on along to others.  Doing this came from a PR meeting, and so, we just had to do it.  Thanks, Jennifer.

Equine E-News

I found this link today as I was working on the PR for Fall Festival.  It has comprehensive information about events and resources around the state.  I like it.  Equine e-News

Equine Youth and Career Day

Arizona Horse Council aka Arizona State Horseman's Association, is sponsoring an Equine Youth and Career Day October 3 and 4th. The AC will be very busy.  Go to this link for more information.  Equine Youth and Career Day   

Fall Festival 2009

Family Fun at Fall Festival Arabian Horse Show

Spend the day with the Arabian Horse Association of Arizona kicks off its 2009-2010 show season. The Arabian Horse Association has been part of Arizona excitement since 1955 with an origin of 12 members. This amazing club has grown to over 750 members, setting the pace in the Arabian horse world.

The Fall Festival Arabian Horse Show will be held November 6-8 at Westworld, located at 16601 N. Pima Road. Arabian & Half Arabian / Anglo Arabian horses will be competing in a wide variety of classes throughout the three days.

Admission is free, providing everyone the opportunity to come out and share in the beauty and grace of the Arabian horse.

While onsite, visit the “Amateur Hut” located at the SE corner of the Equidome.. The Amateur Committee is hosting afternoon and evening activities on Saturday, geared towards an up close and personal experience with the trainers, riders, and horses.

The “Meet A Horse” program provides the opportunity for people of all ages to mount a horse dressed in an Arabian Costume, and have a free picture taken! Not interested in getting up on a horse? You can just stand beside our horse for a photo.

“Meet A Horse” will be held near the “Amateur Hut” on Saturday at 11:30, 1:30 and 3:30.

Following the “Meet A Horse”, the Amateur Committee is hosting guided tours of the show grounds, including “Behind The Scenes Barn Tour The Barn Tour provides a great opportunity to have all your questions answered about what’s happening in the show rings, warm up rings, and how the horse and rider prepare for showing. You will meet horses up close, and see a fully functioning barn from the exhibitor’s viewpoint. Barn Tours will start at the “Amateur Hut” and are held on Saturday at ”. The tours are at 12:00 and 2:00.

The focus of Saturday night is the three charities the Arabian Horse Association donates to on an annual basis: March of Dimes, Cox charities, and Phoenix Crisis Nursery. The Liberty horse class starts the evening session with each charity cheering on their selected horse. Charities win a portion of $5,000 based on their attendance and participation. The liberty horses are turned loose in the arena one at a time, running freely to selected music for a period of two minutes. It’s an exciting class showcasing the ultimate beauty of an Arabian horse fluidly covering ground without a handler’s guidance.

Joins us for the day. Food and beverages are available on the grounds, as well as shopping at various vendor. Come by the Amateur Hut during the show. for more information about becoming part of the excitement. Visit the following Arabian Horse of AZ website to see upcoming events; http://www.scottsdaleshow.com/ , or visit our blog at; http://arabians-az.blogspot.com.

Office Changes Location

The AHAA office is moving.  It will be in it's new location on Monday, August 31st.  The only thing that has changed is the address.  Phone and fax remain the same.   I haven't seen it yet, but will try to get some photos and post them.  It is, and I haven't been there yet, much bigger.  


New location  A Google maps link.


AHAA
15455 N Greenway-Hayden Loop  #C-18
Scottsdale, AZ  85260

Fall Festival Dates

Fall Festival  November 6th through 8th


It is no longer two separate shows running on different days.  One show was a Region 1 qualifier, and one show was a Region 7 qualifier.  The two qualifying shows have been combined into ONE show.  There will be two separate judges, one for R1 and one for R7.  There will be one class, two judges and two separate results.


The show is only 3 days. It occurs very soon after Nationals this year.  I always liked the two shows so that when I screwed up in one I had a chance to redeem myself. LOL


It is my understanding that Halter Championships have been included this year.


Fall Festival      This is the link to the AHAA site with FF info.  The show schedule that is posted is from last year.  I am not sure if we pay double entry fees, and can't tell from the website. I am hopeful that when the new schedule is posted all will become clear.

Summertime. . .

The Amateur Committee has more or less taken the summer off.  We had a busy winter and just needed to lay-low and re-group.  I am going to post several updates, and will get back in the blog saddle and try to keep you posted as our fall and winter activities get started.


Feel free, and I encourage you, to post comments!  Share ideas.  It keeps me motivated to keep it up to date.

We did it!! March for Babies

It was a great day.  The weather was perfect.  We has a great parking spot for the trailers.  The March of Dimes folks were very supportive and appreciative of us being there.  Mary Lou and I has the privilege of presenting the check from AHAA for $30,000 to the March of Dimes.  It was pretty cool.  Take a look at the slide show.

Mary Lou and I scooped poop. . . for 4 miles.  Now, that is a work out.  Donna and Smokey, Betty and Callie, and Gene and Shah delighted the crowds.  People love the horses and they love the costumes.  It is great  feeling to represent the breed and club and to feel admired and appreciated.  I highly recommend you come ride with us next year. Or, scoop poop.

The after ride venue was perfect.  The chain barrier kept people from crowding to close and from  getting behind the horses.  We were there for an hour and a half answering questions, passing information out.  We left when we ran out of giveaways, and the horses really needed a break.

I am sad to report that a week or two after the parade Shah died.  He was the apple of Gene's eye.  And you can see from the photos what a great Arabian Ambassador he made.  Very sad.  

Shah was 23.  I thought we had another Clancy in the making.

April Trail Ride

I am just a little slow in getting the blog updated.   There is a new slide show on the site , "Trail Ride April 2009."   Really original.  It was a great day for all riders and their trusty steeds.  I'll let the pictures tell the story.  If anyone can identify who some of the riders are in the photos let me know.   Also, if you want one of the photos you can down load it at the Picasa site.  Just double click on the slide show and it will take you there.

March for Babies, April 18th!

March for Babies 2008 --This could be you this year! 

The March of  Dimes is one of the the Arabian Horse Association of Arizona charities.   

The AHAA Amateur Committee parade group has been invited to lead off the 2009 March for Babies. The walk starts at 8:00 AM, Saturday, April 18th.  It begins at Wesley Bolin Plaza, 1900 W Washington right in front of the State Capitol.

If you would like to be part of the AHAA kick-off group contact Donna Vollmer at donna.vollmer@med.va.gov  or call her at 602-277-5551 ext 7895.  Riders are wanted, as well as pooper-scoopers and Greet the Horse helpers.

Spring Trail Ride April 4th

The Arabian Horse Association’s Amateur Committee is hosting the annual Spring Trail Ride Saturday, April 4th, 2009 at McDowell Mountain Regional Park, 9:30 am.

McDowell Mountain Regional Park is located in the northeast valley on the eastern side of the McDowell Mountain range. For a map of how to get there go to www.maricopa.gov/parks/mcdowell/Directions.aspx. We have reserved ramadas 1 & 2 at the main trailhead. As you enter the park there is a volunteer at the gate. The volunteer will give you a map of the park and directions. There is a $6.00 park entry fee.

Plan on arriving at 9:30 am. If you are a little hungry there will be coffee, orange juice and breakfast snacks available. We like to split into groups of riders with similar riding styles. So if you like to mosey down the trail at a walk… or trot and canter up the wash there is the right pace for everyone. The ride starts promptly at 10:00 am.

After the ride the AHAA Amateur Committee hosts a great B.B.Q. lunch. Yep!!! It is a FREE LUNCH!!! But… we need you to send us an e-mail at ahaa-ac@cox.net or call us at 602-620-1881. This way we are sure to have enough food!

Hope to see you there!

2009 Scottsdale Photo Contest Winners

Finally, pictures of the winners.  Many of the photos are multiple winners.  See the postings below for details.  I had to scan them myself so the quality doesn't do them justice.  Colors are a little weird, but I didn't want to tweak them.  To view larger images . . . .

Follow the link to PICASA

The People's Choice Champion picture was taken from the display on the last day, and it's category ribbon.  So, no picture of it.

Please post your comments at PICASA.

Photo Contest Honorable Mention Awards

This are the list of entries who won Honorable Mentions. This means they were on at least one of the three judges cards. 

HM- Connie Witte - No Caption -- Foaling Around
HM -Connie Witte - No Caption -- What a Clown
HM -Julie Walker- No Caption -- Beautiful Arabians
HM -Kristine Walker- "The Gremlin" -- What a Clown
HM -Mikaela Durfey - No Caption -- Foaling Around
HM -Mikaela Durfey - No Caption -- Horse and Buddy
HM -Mikaela Durfey - No Caption -- What a Clown
HM -Patti Morabito - No Caption -- Horse and Buddy
HM -Sandy Fedora - "She's got legs. She knows how to use them" -- Foaling Around
HM -Teresa Burnett "Epitome of Arabian Beauty-Padron" -- Beautiful Arabians

People's Choice Awards

And the people have spoken! 287 votes! Votes were scattered over many entries, but these were clearly the Peoples Choice. Congratulations!

Ranking Name Caption Category
Champion Eric Archer "First Kiss" Horse and Buddy
R-Champion CD Harbridge "Ingenuity" Foaling Around
Top Ten Rachel Harrington No Caption What a Clown
Top Ten CD Harbridge "Rounding the Far Turn" Horse and Buddy
Top Ten Sally Leitzen "I'm Adivah" Beautiful Arabians
Top Ten Erica DeHaas No Caption Horse and Buddy
Top Ten Erin Pringle "Having fun at a young age" Horse and Buddy
Top Ten Mikaela Durfey No Caption What a Clown
Top Ten Donna Shelatree "Play?" Horse and Buddy
Top Ten Mikaela Durfey No Caption Beautiful Arabians

SCOTTSDALE PHOTO CONTEST WINNERS

It was a quality year. Thank you to everyone who sent in a photograph.

People are enjoying viewing them and voting for the Peoples Choice. I will post the PC winners, Champion, Reserve and Top Ten after the show is over.

The Championship Class consisted of the winners in each category. A commercial photographer, a professional equine photographer, and a professional horseman a.k.a trainer. Honorable Mentions got on one card.

I will blog on what made a winner from "insights " gained from watching them being judged this year.

And after I get the Champion, Reserve and Top Ten scanned I will post them for everyones viewing pleasure.

And the Winners are. . . .

CHAMPIONSHIP
Champion Eric Wagner No Caption Beautiful Arabians
R-Champion CD Harbridge "Childish Delight" What a Clown
Top Ten Maggie Paul "Dude" Silver Baloo Beautiful Arabians
Top Ten Donna Shelatree No Caption Beautiful Arabians
Top Ten Donna Shelatree "Play?" Horse and Buddy
Top Ten CD Harbridge "Ingenuity" Foaling Around
Top Ten Barbara Weed "Liark DM Foaling Around
Top Ten Donna Shelatree No Caption Foaling Around
Top Ten Patti Morabito "You're it!" Foaling Around

Foaling Around
1 CD Harbridge "Ingenuity"
2 Barbara Weed "Liark DM"
3 Teresa Burnett "Youthful Togetherness"
4 Donna Shelatree  No Caption
5 Patti Morabito "You're it!"
6 Katie Walker "Walking on Tiptoes"

What a Clown
1 CD Harbridge "Childish Delight"
3 Donna Shelatree "I've fallen and can't get up."
2 Katie Walker "O M G!"
4 Gene Clark No Caption
5 Patti Morabito  No Caption
6 Ronald Walker "Don't PANIC!"
HM Connie Witte No Caption
HM Mikaela Durfey No Caption
HM Kristine Walker "The Gremlin"

Horse and Buddy
1 Donna Shelatree "Play?"
2 Maggie Paul "Knight Hope - Our Best Friend!"
3 Kristine Walker "Hi, Daddy!"
4 CD Harbridge "Rounding the Far Turn"
5 Katie Walker No Caption
6 Eric Archer "First Kiss"
HM Mikaela Durfey No Caption
HM Patti Morabito  No Caption

Beautiful Arabians
1 Eric Wagner No Caption
2 Maggie Paul "Dude" Silver Baloo
3 Sally Leitzen "I'm Adivah"
4 CD Harbridge "Spring Beauty"
5 Donna Shelatree No Caption
6 Norma Walsh "Yee haaa! Free at last!"
HM Teresa Burnett "Epitome of Arabian Beauty-Padron"
HM Julie Walker No Caption

Let the games begin. . . . Scottsdale 2009

I am going to try to update the blog everyday with a picture that will tell you about what is happening.  In between many things,  work and showing Bolero and Lily,  I am going to give it my best shot.  Let me know what you think.  Comment, or send an email to  

ahaa-ac@gmail.com.  I'd like it!!

OK, photos are 2/3's judged.  More to come on the results.  109 entries.  The Foaling Around category could be big.

#1 Picture: Saturday, let the set up begin.  Snapped it Saturday when I went up to pick up the last photos for the contest.  Show starts on the 12th.

Meet a Horse??? Barn Tours??

There have been several emails with questions about what is Meet a Horse and the Barn Tours. Check out the slideshow for a visual explanation.  I'll try it in words, too.

TIMES:  During the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show the activities run from Saturday to Saturday.  Meet a Horse starts at 10:30 AM, and Tours are start at 12 Noon.

MEET A HORSE:  This is one of the Amateur Committee's  first breed promotion activities. We started doing it about 4 years ago.  Clancy, the initial star of Meet a Horse has had over 1000 + people mount him and have a picture taken.  The ages range from 8 months to 80.   It's great.  Clancy is Mary Lou Houge's retired reining horse.  Lois's Rosie, a most excellent trail and parade horse,  now pitches in and has star billing with Clancy.  People come back each year to see them.  The photographs are free thanks to the support of Tempe Camera.  

It takes 6 people and one of those "wild" Arabians for us to pull it off.  It starts with the horse and handler plus two people to help "riders" mount.  We use a mounting block and are very careful.  We need a photographer and someone to print the photographs.  Crowd control is important so we need a gate person to organize the people who are waiting.  I counted 30 "riders" in line last year at Scottsdale.  An extra person is always appreciated.

BARN TOURS: Four years and still going!  The Barn Tour's objective is to give folks  an opportunity to see what goes on in the show barns.  It takes a barn willing to have 50 to 100 people come visit. The barn spokesperson pulls out a horse and talks about the horse, what the barn does, the tack, the grooming,  the riders. . . anything horse or show related.    The tour groups loves the up close and personal encounter with the horses and riders.

The hard part for the Committee is to find barns that will let us come visit.  Many thanks to Bill Flood, Bob Hart, Battaglia Stables, Rio Estancia, and Wolf Springs for welcoming us.  There are seven time slots to fill this year.

To pull off a tour we need a knowledgeable horse person who can talk about what the group sees and answer questions.  Two or three folks are needed to help shepard the group as they walk to the barn, and be able to answer questions and explain, also.  This is important for our big groups during the Scottsdale Show.

CONTACT:  If you are interested in helping us out contact Eloisa at ahaa.az@gmail.com 

Scottsdale Show 2009 - Volunteers Wanted!

This is the fifth year the Amateur Committee is participating in activities during the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show.  We are at it again with the Photo Contest, Meet a Horse, Behind the Scenes Barns Tours, and raffle ticket sales.  Why we are successful is a reflection of why the show itself is successful, VOLUNTEERS.

Take a look at the what the Amateur Committee does by viewing the slide show at the top of the blog. 

The Amateur Committee needs volunteers to make Meet a Horse, and the Barn Tours successful.  Meet a Horse (10:30 -11:30 AM,) and Behind the Scenes Tours ( 12:00 - 1 PM) are February 14th to February 21, Saturday to Saturday.   If you are interested in being part of the fun, and it is fun, email ahaa-ac@cox.net .  

If those times don't work there are other volunteer opportunities during the entire show.  Check out the Volunteer Job Descriptions on the AHAA website.  Links are located there for a Volunteer Application, and other contact information.  Mary Lou will really appreciate it.

There are advantages to volunteering.  Free admission to all the show sessions is top on my list.

Wow! What a meeting!

The Amateur Committee met last night, Wednesday, January 14th.  There was a full agenda, but we got through everything by 8 PM.   Pizza, beverages and brownies helped fuel us.  Here are some highlights.

Trail Rides:  Planning a ride in April.  We move from the Ho, Ho, Ho Christmas Ride to the Ha, Ha, Ha - April Fools Ride.  We will keep you posted on dates, time and location.  There was discussion of holding it some place other that the McDowell Mountains.  If any one has suggestions send them on to us, or make a comment on the blog.  

Parades:  No plans to ride in any parades this spring.  We've found the Cave Creek parade a little scary with the traffic situation, and the Ostrich Festival was judged by the riders to not be horse friendly.  Count on us for Gilbert Days next year, and we'll keep plugging away to see if we can be accepted for the Fiesta Bowl.  People groan when I mention the Rose Bowl.  Gotta have dreams, right?  

The Parade Group will be leading of the March of Dimes March for Babies April 9th in Phoenix.

Thanks to Donna Vollmer for all her time, energy and effort.

Education:  Focus is on the Educational Seminars during the Scottsdale Show.  Check out the link for more information.  The time for Meet a Horse is incorrect.  It is 10:30 everyday.  

Website:  Thanks to Scott Woods for keeping the Amateur Page on the AHAA website updated.  We talked about linking this blog to our Amateur Page as a way to keep information flowing.  It was decided to give it a try. 

Treasury / Budget:  We have one, and we are with in it!  And, we need to sell, sell, sell those Raffle tickets to keep it that way.  I smell a volunteer opportunity. 

All for now, except more info about our Scottsdale Show plans.  It is a different story.

Photo Contest

I hope everyone had great holidays.   December has flown for me.  Instead of sugar plum fairies dancing in my head I am keep thinking about all of the Amateur Committee activities we do during the Scottsdale Arabian Show, the Photo Contest,  Behind the Scene Tours, and the ever popular Meet a Horse.  PLUS we will be selling raffle tickets to help out the Youth Group.  Yikes.  

Take a look at the Photo Contest slide show for the past winners.  Get the word out about the contest, or better yet enter it yourself.  We've tossed around the idea of having an audience favorite;  I think this will be the year for it to happen.

Take a look at the slide show at the top of the blog.

Follow the link for rules and entry forms.   http://www.scottsdaleshow.com/contests/index.html