More From Murfreesboro/QuarterFest
Yesterday had so much activity that by the time I got back to The Castle (which is what I have taken to calling the living-quarters trailer I'm staying at during QuarterFest), I was too pooped to post! So I'm catching back up with you this morning.
I have a partner in crime on this trip, with Horse&Rider's associate publisher Rick Swan from Scottsdale, Arizona. Rick is with the magazine's ad-sale team, knows everyone (or so it seems), and is some of the best "up for anything" company a person could ask for. He's
in the peach-colored shirt, standing with Extravaganza performer Tommie Turvey (on the roan horse).
Tommie's part of the Extravaganza with Pokerjoe, an amazingly trained horse, brought the house down every night. It's one of those things you really have to see to believe...I'm mystified as to how he gets that horse to lie flat on its back and stretch single legs straight up in the air on cue (among other things).
The gal toting the saddle is Team H&R's Julie Goodnight from Salida, Colorado. At this event, Julie gets my personal award as the hardest-working woman in show business. She's been conducting clinic sessions all weekend. Her mic'd voice was the first one I heard yesterday morning over the P.A., and the last one I heard before the evening Extravaganza began. The folks who bought clinic passes to ride with her at QuarterFest are definitely getting their money's worth.
I love anything having to do with driving horses, so was quite drawn to the stagecoach pulled by six matched black Quarter Horses. The biggest hitch I've ever gotten to drive was four horses, and that was challenging enough at a walk out in the open. So it must be something to drive SIX horses in a hitch, at a gallop in an arena! (I wouldn't have minded riding in the stagecoach, either.)
For one of those personal rock-star episodes you wish your mother got to witness, I was headlined at the AQHA booth, where I got to meet H&R readers and talk about careers in the equine industry. I even signed some autographs! (Blushing the entire time, I'm sure.)
Today, I may finally get a chance to attend some of the horse camping and trail-related presentations. I'm glad I made arrangements to be at QuarterFest the entire three days, because otherwise I wouldn't be able to get all the way through the program!
Labels: Julie Goodnight, QuarterFest, stagecoach, Tommie Turvey
posted by Juli Thorson @ 9:01 AM
11 comments
11 Comments:
Wow, I sure sppreciate your posts and pictures of the quarterfest. Makes me wish I could come some year. Thanks for taking the time to share with us.
Hum it, you know it: You're a shining star, no matter who you are, shining bright to see, what you can truly be ...
That sounds like a super fun event! I really need to plan a trip south to hit an event like that as well as a rodeo somewhere. We just don't seem to have big events like that in my region. (With big-name magazine folks!!! :-)
OK, looks like you had WAY TOO MUCH FUN!
The "Castle" looks really cute and cowgirl glammy...so glad you got to have this wonderful week-end and now it's back to the everyday chores of the real world,,,but at least you have your memories...
See ya in June. Sent you a letter by snail mail...
sister hugz
>^..^<
That is so neat that they headlined you! It sounds like lots of fun, something I may be more inclined to go to than the Regional stuff.
No picture of the whole matched team?! **pout** ;)
Juli -
We cannot thank you enough for being part of Team QuarterFest! Eh...so the rain kept the numbers down but it darn sure didn't dampen anyone's spirits!
You should have seen those AQHA staff members in the airport yesterday...dazed...staring...detwisting after what we all agreed was a really cool event - tailored to the "right" audience. I for one am going to do everything I can to convince the leadership here that QuarterFest is a good event for AQHA. It'd help if your readers who were there sent us their thoughts!
There was so much that will be memorable to me about QuarterFest (I LOVE Tommie Turvey -- he made me feel like a kid again!!!). But probably the coolest thing was meeting recreational folks from Oklahoma, California, North Carolina, Illinois, Vermont(!), Kentucky, Tennessee and so many other states who trusted AQHA and attended this first-ever event. I was hugged by more people on this trip than any other I've ever attended for AQHA. It was so neat meeting people who just love their American Quarter Horses and want to do more with them.
Thanks Juli - you're part of the team now so next year we expect to see you in a matching T-shirt!
On behalf of all the staff - our love and thanks to you!
Tom Persechino
P.S. The weather followed us back to Amarillo!
Hi, Tom,
It was truly my pleasure to attend and be part of the very first QuarterFest. A person doesn't get to join in on something historic all that often!
Totally agree on the pleasures of meeting the home-based horse owners who came out to the event for enjoyment and education. I really loved talking to the Horse&Rider readers who came to my daily Meet & Greets. (Thanks for that opportunity!)
Your team has now seeded a fertile field, and the growth of QuarterFest will be exciting to watch.
Hey Juli
I know you are off having fun...but I got the following email that I thought I would share to get the word out. Read it, if you think it should be posted be my guest.
Catherine Adamic
A long time reader in print and your blog...
cjcimada@yahoo.com
From: Leigh OBryan leighobryan1@yahoo.com
Subject: Fw: Horsewoman in need. End of life request help for her animals.
To: "Leigh O'Bryan" leighobryan1@yahoo.com
Date: Monday, May 4, 2009, 6:48 PM
----- Forwarded Message ----
Contact is below. Please read and forward. End of life request help to place her beloved horses and cats.
SO Sad:
(read to the end-there are also socialized barn cats that need homes too and equipment for sale to pay for her last needs)
Conejo Valley Arabian Horse Association
URGENT: fellow horsewoman in need
Dear Sheryl,
Please read this and see if there is any way you can help this lady.
She also has driving equipment. Please read to see if there is anything you might like.
At least pass it on to your horse friends. Thank you.
Hi all! This is a letter to inform you what's going on. This week I was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer which has spread into most of my organs. I have been given a little more than 6 months.
And now for the hard part -- I have eight horses that I will need to place. I would prefer show homes, however, my most important goal is to find loving, caring forever homes for my horses. The horses are detailed below - everything from experienced show horses to an unbroken two-year old. Every horse going to a show home will come with a Big D sheet and blanket.
All are registered and will be signed over to new owners. All horses can be verified through AHA Data Source. Photos will be available upon request. All of these horses are experienced travelers, easy to load -- will jump in the trailer, easy to clip, bathe, trim, blanket, hood, etc. Up to date on shots and worming. All are people pleasers, people lovers, pocket ponies.
Najadah - Double registered Pinto/Half-Arabian mare foaled March, 2003 15hh, Chestnut and while Overo with flaxen mane and tail. Pinto Registration number 116861; Half-Arabian Number is 1A350735. Sire Sir Charles McCue; Dam LT JA Zamora . Najadah has been shown extensively in halter and was 2008 OPAC High Point Pleasure-Type Mare. In Arabian shows has placed consistently high in halter. Showed successfully under saddle and is great Western Pleasure horse.
Tristan RDM - Double registered Pinto/Half-Arabian gelded foaled May, 2006, 15 hh, Black and white Tobian. Pinto Registration Number 131863; Half-Arabian Number is 1A363606; Sire is A Black Tie Affair; Dam is High Buttons (PTHA). Tristan is well started under Western saddle and ready to show.
A Black Tie Affair - Purebred Arabian Stallion foaled May, 2000; just shy of 14 hh; Homozygous, non-fading black; AHA Registration Number 0600978; Sire: Black Lord Darkhan; Dam: Bella Noche. He has been successfully shown at halter and carriage driving. Consistently in the ribbons in carriage driving. Mane down to his knees. Can be gelded. Not "study" and has been turned out with geldings.
LC Copper Rakahn -- Purebred Arabian gelding foaled March, 2005; 14.2 hh, Chestnut with three stockings and blaze. AHA Number 0618213; Sire: Serix Sundance; Dam: LC American Girl. Rides and drives, well broke under saddle, will go western or hunt; super big mover. Is an awesome carriage driving horse. He is ready for the show ring.
RDM Sheiks Cadillac - Purebred Arabian black bay gelding foaled April, 2006; 14.2 hh with three stockings and blaze. AHA Number 0625282. Sire: MFFA Gun Smoke; Dam: LC American Girl. Started ground work, not under saddle. Excellent disposition, very sweet; would make a great youth western horse.
RDM Zamdra Fair -- Purebred Arabian bay filly foaled February, 2007; should mature to 15 hh. One stocking and star, strip and snip. AHA Number 0629100. Sire: A Black Tie Affair; Dam: LT JA Zamora. Halter broke and excellent with ground work. Bold mover.
High Buttons - Double-registered Pinto/Paint. 14.2 hh, Sorrel and white Tobiano. Foaled May, 1985. Pinto Registration Number is 46814; Paint Registration Number is 107081. This mare has Register of Merit in halter, western pleasure, English pleasure, Discipline Rail, Color, Multiple Pinto Horse of the Year awards in halter and color.
In addition, I have five sprayed/neutered barn cats that would also make excellent house cats. All the cats are used to dogs as well.
In addition, the following items are for sale to help cover my medical and burial expenses:
2000 F-150 Pick Up Truck, red. Standard cab, short bed, 4-speed manual transmission. $2,000..00 OBO.
2004 GMC C4500 4-door, low mileage (approx. 84,000 miles) $25,000.00 obo.
2000 Circle J Rieta 4-horse slant load with mid-line tack and large dressing area. Complete with 75 gallon water tank. $7,500.00 obo
16' Kiefer Bavaria long billet dressage saddle in Havana brown. $800 obo.
Semco silver show saddle, 14 〓' equitation seat, dark oil. $1,500 obo
Bill Cook light oil with silver accents. 15' seat. $1,500 obo
Champion Wilton side saddle complete with breakaway stirrup and balance strap. $1,500.00 obo
Several Arab show halters, leads and accents. $50 for complete set obo
Miscellaneous Romals and show bridles.
Big D blankets, sheets, hoods, flysheets. Call for sizes and pricing
Five (5) Smuckers Deluxe Harness - 4 Cobb and 1 horse $600 each obo
Several wooden show carriages, Dartmor marathon carriage and jog carts. Brass carriage lamps and other miscellaneous appointments. Call for prices and pictures.
For now, you can contact me, Deborah McDowell at (575) 546-4345
As things progress, please contact Terri Hernandez at terrih@mgmsg.com
or call days: (915) 532-2000 (ext 271); or evenings (915) 585-2966.
Thank you for taking the time to read and perhaps you can assist her by purchasing something.
Sincerely,
Lee Murray, Vice President
Conejo Valley Arabian Horse Association
What a fun time you must have had! I love all things related to coaches and wagons too. Come to the Draft Horse Classic in Sept in California- you won't be disappointed!
And Tom Turvey- too Cute!
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Juli! Great to see you! I wrote about the weekend on my blog, too. Thanks for the hardest-worker award. . . .
Julie, you more than earned that hardest-working award! I was impressed....
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