Off to App World!

Tomorrow morning, Erin and I are headed over to the Will Rogers Coliseum in Fort Worth for the Appaloosa World Show. We'll be scoping out the scene, takin' pics, talking to competitors and spectators, and handing out plenty of free mags. So, if you happen to spot us (we'll be sporting our H&R shirts), PLEASE come say hello! We'd love to meet you.

AND, to top off the already fun-packed day, Erin and I will be attending a cocktail party hosted by Breyer, which will feature "Roxy," one of the newest Breyer models. (Just in case you're out of the loop, Roxy is Stacy Westfall's famously fab mare...who performs, flying lead changes, sliding stops, and spins without a bridle, saddle, or any other type of tack. Stacy is magic, of course!) 

The party will be held at the Cowgirl Hall of Fame Museum, so we'll sure to check that out as well! Then, on to the big deal of the evening, the "Toys for Tots" performance in the John Justin Arena, which will include the Ladies Pleasure Rope Race Calcutta, freestyle reining competition, and the ApPHA Open Two-Year-Old Snaffle Bit Western Pleasure Futurity! Wow...what a day!

We're pumped, though. Will take lots of pics and report next week! And, don't forget to say hi if you're there!

Alana :-)

***Below: a photo I shot at last year's App World...

Thanks to Caryn! Scottsdale Arabian Show...

I just wanted to give shout-out to Caryn Sappelli, who responded to my "Congress Report" post. Thanks Caryn! After returning from Congress, I wondered what were your other fave shows or events to attend...so we can make an H&R event "wish list"! 

I hope you guys read Caryn's post, but just in case you haven't seen it yet, she said her favorite is the Scottsdale Arabian Show (obviously in Scottsdale, Arizona). Caryn says of the show, "What could be more beautiful than a schooling ring with gorgeous horses of every color and discipline from Western pleasure to park to hunter hack, from seniors...down to kids!"

I'm uber-jealous! I've never attended this show before, but our head editor, Juli Thorson, went a few years ago. The below photos were taken by our contributing photographer Cappy Jackson during their trip. If you happen to have a copy of our June 2007 issue, we ran a beautiful feature on the show called, "Paradise Arabian Style" (H&R Road Trip). BTW: If you're ever interested in ordering a copy of a past issue, don't hesitate to call our main office at 940-497-4600.

This year, the 55th Annual Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show will be held February 11 to 21, 2010 at Westworld, Scottsdale, Arizona. Here's the Web link if you want to check it out the details: http://www.scottsdaleshow.com.

Caryn mentioned she sometimes works in a vendor booth, so if you head to the show this year, be sure to say "hi." Caryn, if you want to tell us what booth you work in, please do!

Caryn also claims this show is one of the best for cute cowboys! Hmmm...wonder if hubby would mind? If it's in the name of work, surely not! Hope H&R sends me there some day! And, thanks again Caryn! We greatly appreciate your feedback!

Enjoy the photos, and please let us know what others events are at the top of your list!!!

Trophies Galore!

I'm currently working on a slide show of Team H&R member Charlie Cole's facility for one of our company's Web sites, EquiShopper.com, and I came across this photo of one of Charlie's trophy rooms. 

If you happen to subscribe to our sister publication, EQUUS, you'll be receiving a copy of our EquiShopper magazine with your November issue. (Erin and I wrote the barn-tour article about Charlie's place.) 

Anyway...just wanted to share this pic, as Charlie and team will be returning from the All American Quarter Horse Congress in the next few days, and we can't wait to see how many awards he'll have to add to this collection! 

We'll keep you posted! And, if you want to check out the slide show (which will include pics of Charlie's exotic tortoise collection), go to EquiShopper.com/charliecole in the next week or so.

Congress Report

WOW! It was a whirlwind trip, but I'm very glad H&R sent me to the All American Quarter Horse Congress in Columbus, Ohio. I've been to quite a few of the big shows, but as friends and collegues described, Congress is the show of shows. In fact, I needed at least two more days there to really soak it all in, but another deadline beckoned me back to the office.

I meet up with coworker Mary Watts at the airport, and we headed straight for the Ohio State Fairgrounds. Team H&R member Robin Gollehon and her husband Roger had a booth in "Stallion Alley," showing off 6-year-old stud Crashed The Party. They were kind enough to let us park our "stuff" (coats, purses, extra tripods, camera case, etc.) at their booth so Mary and I could "work" the floor. As I'd been warned, the shopping ops were out of control. "A lot of vendors" doesn't begin to do this trade show justice. And, obviously we won't know until the show concludes, but attendance seemed pretty strong to me...strong enough that I wouldn't know our current economy is not at its best. We noted scores of new, innovative products, many of which you'll read about on the pages of H&R. And, dogs, dogs, dogs...everywhere...even saw a baby crib filled with baby piglets for sale! (I really wanted one, but hubby would have killed me.)

We ran into other Team H&R members...Andrea Simons was there with her daughter and judge-in-training, Sarah Simons. Charlie Cole and Jason Martin with there with their massive entourage. I've rarely seen so many gorgeous, pristinely groomed horses in one place; not to mention the competitors. Color and lots of it is apparently hot, hot, hot right now as far as show clothes go. Never have I seen so many candy-colored chaps or brightly hued blinged-out blouses. We're talking tangerine-suede fringed chaps paired with a saffron-sequined blouse. Bright amethyst chaps, indigo boots...spin the color wheel and it was there. 

I got to watch some of the events, but truly wish I'd had more time. Will share more photos later, but included a sampling below. Enjoy! AND, while we're talking shows/events, can you guys let me know what events you've attended and enjoyed, either as a competitor or observer?  Plus, if money were no object what event you'd love to attend or compete in? We're creating a wish list!

Congress 'R Bust

Ahhhh, huge sigh of relief! We just sent our December issue to press (i.e., this has been a very stressful week for H&R staffers). Lack of time perception is definitely an occupational hazard of working for a magazine, as you never seem to know what month it is. I have to remind myself that yes, it's currently October. We just received our November issue. And, yes, we just sent our December issue to press. And, next week we'll be working on our January 2010 issue. What?!?!

But after a brain-draining week of editing and proofing and working the production cycle, I've reached one of the bright "carrots" of my job at H&R. This Sunday, I'll be heading up to Ohio to attend the All American Quarter Horse Congress. Traveling to events and big shows is definitely one of my favorite parts of the job. The only downside is lugging my huge camera around the airport, etc., but in the big picture, a small price to pay.

I'm way excited, as I've actually never been to Congress before, but have heard everyone rave about it for years. Have any of you guys been before? Anything particular I should be sure to check out?

Several of our Team H&R members will be there...Charlie Cole (for sure); I think Stacy Westfall will be there for a few days; Bob will likely be there, too; Lynn & Carol; and I know that Robin Gollehon and her husband Roger will have a booth in the "Stallion Alley," so if you're going, be sure to stop by and say hello to them. (Robin is very down-to-earth and so much fun to talk to, so don't be intimidated to chat her up.)

I was checking out a few facts about the event that I thought I'd share, as I was pretty amazed, especially with our current economic situation:

>17,000 horse show entries

>Within three weeks, the event houses more than 8,500 American Quarter Horses

>The event attracts more than 650,000 people to the Columbus area

>Brings more than $110 million to the central Ohio economy

(All, I can say is WOW! I haven't been to a show this size...EVER!)

Throughout the three weeks, the event entails:

>AQHA-approved Quarter Horse show

>AQHA-approved racing events

>More than seven acres of equine-related commercial exhibits

>Youth tournament (hmmm...will have to check out what this is, exactly!)

>Horse bowl, hippology, various demos

>Collegiate and 4-H horse-judging contest

>Educational lectures

>Queen contest (wonder if I'll be a candidate?)

>Super-Sale horse auction

>Million Dollar Stallion Avenue

>Pro Bull Rider tour at Nationwide Arena in downtown Columbus (super-cute cowboys?)

Alas, I'll only be there two full days, so not sure how much of this I'll get to soak up. My only concerns: I CANNOT max out my credit cards on all the fabulous shopping available (perhaps I should leave them at home, but just in case there's something I REALLY have to have...; it's been in the 80s in Dallas and think it's supposed to be uber-cold in Columbus this weekend (this cowgirl editor is the biggest cold-weather wimp ever); and, of course, I just hope I have enough time thoroughly soak up the experience.

I would love to hear from any of you who've been before, OR if you happen to be attending this weekend, please try to find me and say hi! I'll be wearing either a tan-colored H&R shirt or a deep blue H&R shirt. I'm kind of tall, dark curly hair (likely in a pony tail), always carrying lots of camera equipment, etc. You can't miss me!

If I do miss you, I'll take tons of pics and report back next week! 

Hope everyone has a great weekend and gets to ride their horses. It's been raining here for two straight weeks, so poor Memphis hasn't been ridden in ALL that time. (I'm sure he's heart-broken.)

Barn Cats Beware

I know it's October, but this actually doesn't having anything to do with black cats crossing your path on Halloween. Instead, I have quite a sad story to share. And I tell it to you only to help protect your beloved barn felines. 

My parents live in a very urban area of Dallas proper, so they obviously never expected to encounter a predator more menacing than the neighbor's German shepherd. A few months ago on a rainy afternoon, I was out shopping with my mom. We had just returned to my house, when I noticed my dad had called seven times on my cell phone (highly unusual, being that he doesn't know how to answer his cell phone). I finally got a hold of him. "Alana, is your mother with you still?" I could tell he sounded panicked. "Yes, she's right next to me." He replied, "Can you go in the other room please."

From one off-tone from either of my parents, and I can immediately tell something's wrong. I raced to the back bathroom. He continued, "Our neighbor just called and asked if the Siamese cat with Teddy-Bear round ears was ours. I said, 'Yes, is he sick? Hurt? Do we need to come get him?'" 

Our neighbor's reply: "No, he's not sick. I do have his head, though." WHAT???#$%#^@! I have no idea what possessed her to announce this horrifying tragedy, as if she were describing a particular weed in her backyard. Apparently, either a coyote or a bob cat had attacked poor Katmandu, decapitating him and dismembering the rest of his body. This was months ago, and I CANNOT get it out of my mind. 

The following day at the barn, I sat stroking our barn puss, Spice. I've seen coyotes once or twice before around our barn and surrounding area------even though we're still in the heart of the city. It seems with all the recent construction (that is, until the recession), these wild animals are being banished from their natural habitats. I can't blame them for being hungry, but why did one have to eat Katmandu?

Anyway...I just wanted to send out a warning to all of you with barn kitties. Try to be cautious. I know, especially in rural areas it's extremely difficult. But our barn cats ARE part of our horse lives. Spice loves Memphis. She sits on the fence post, begging for a lil' kiss. And, she does keep those poisonous spiders and unsightly rats at bay.

So, my next question for you guys: Has something this tragic ever happened to one of your barn cats or dogs? Any suggestions for keeping them safe? Or, how to keep these predators away? Should I start hanging steaks from the trees? I would greatly appreciate any advice, as my heart is still breaking over my Katmandu.

BTW: The above photo is not Katman. It's my dad's part Russian-blue named Scout after Harper Lee's young heroine. And, guess what? Scout does NOT ever go outside. It's kind of a shame, but I'd rather her get stir-crazy than the alternative.

Thanks guys! R.I.P. Katmandu

Clever, clever

We receive lots of books here at the office, submitted by the publisher or the author to be considered for review in the magazine. So I didn't think much of it when another package arrived. BUT, I was definitely surprised when I opened it. So much so, that I have to give nods to the publisher for their creativity!



The book came complete with a bedding of straw, apple, carrot (which is a little shriveled now), and greeter -- doesn't this guy look like he's reaching right out to take a chomp of that apple! In a time when competition is stiffer than ever, this is one clever way to get your reader's attention.

I can't vouch for the book at this time, because I haven't read it yet (you can bet I will though), but if you're interested, it's Horse Lover's Companion: 365 Days of Tips and Inspiration for Living a Joyful Life with Your Horse, by Audrey Pavia and published by Quayside Publishing Group.

Hitched in the Texas Hill Country

As Alana mentioned, I was recently married to my best friend, Tanner :) We celebrated our 4-year anniversary of dating just 2 days before our Sept. 19 wedding. 'Bout time we got hitched!

The wedding took place in a part of TX that's near and dear to my heart, the "Hill Country" -- and area of rolling hills and rivers. We've had a family home on the Guadelupe River in New Braunfels, TX, and we got married in nearby Buda, TX, which is just south of Austin.

Sticking to our roots, we got married at a horse barn! Well, it was a little more elaborate than that :) Kali-Kate is a boarding barn, but past the pastures is a cedar-beamed pavilion complete with a limestone fireplace, bar, and walls, and surrounded by gardens and ponds.



Just as everyone warned would happen, the wedding day and celebration seemed to fly by. The cherished moments seemed to rush too quickly past! I think it's impossible to avoid that feeling -- when you're having the best time of your life, you want everything to last forever. It truly was the most wonderful day I've experienced.



It was an wonderful, indescribable feeling to be surrounded by such love -- our love for each other as newly "crowned" husband and wife, the love from our families, and the love from our friends. We were deeply touched that so many people we care about chose to attend and shower us with support, encouragement, and sincere love. I was deeply humbled when dear friends thanked us for including them. The honor was all ours, and we were so built up and strengthened.



After the wedding, we were off to Maui, Hawaii -- which has it's own fair share of cowboys, among many other things. We were awed by breath-taking landscape and weather, relaxed by the waves and the sun, and entertained by tons of fun activities. Luckily, we had Tanner's best man who was graciously taking care of our pets and horses so we could enjoy our trip!



Now, it's back to reality and back to work! Can't wait to see my new name in the magazine!