C. JARVIS INSURANCE AGENCY INC.
READERS'
CHOICE
C. JARVIS INSURANCE AGENCY INC.
READERS'
CHOICE
the 2014 C. Jarvis Insurance And AHT
Readers’ Choice Awards by Kara Larson
240 | ARABIAN HORSE TIMES
The beginning of the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show brings a great deal of
excitement. One of the first shows of the year allows every corner of our Arabian industry a spotlight, the C. Jarvis Insurance and AHT Readers’ Choice Awards
being one of them. Held on February 16th at Monterra at WestWorld again this year, it was a ceremony that recognized and rewarded the people’s choice for the
top horses, breeders, trainers, caretakers, shows, youth exhibitors, advertisements, and more. But most importantly, it was an evening built by and for people with
immense passion for the Arabian horse. With over 520 people in attendance, the 2014 Readers’ Choice Awards certainly honored this passion.
Volume 45, No. 11 | 241
the donators of the incredible live auction items. These auction items included a Kentucky Derby package, a New York shopping experience, 2015 U.S. Open golf premium trophy club package, breedings to Zefyr, Afires Heir, Undulata’s Nutcracker, Onyx A, Baske Afire, Nutcracker’s Nirvana, Khadraj NA, and Sundance Kid V. The people responsible for these generous donations are Laura Koch and Bert Sanders, Bill and Shirley Reilich, Swanson Investments LLC; Richard, Gail, and Anne Whitaker, Barbara Chur, Shawn Stachowski, Larry Jerome, and Frank and Sara Chisholm. Photographer Stuart Vesty also donated his time and talent, making sure every winner got a photo with their well-deserved trophy.
Co-sponsor of the event, Arabian Horse Times, is lead by publisher Lara Ames, who shares, “I think the event this year was our best ever! It might have helped that the weather was perfect and everyone got to enjoy a magical evening at the lovely Monterra.” The event was also supported by C. Jarvis Insurance (co-sponsor), Ames Construction, Arabian Reining Breeders Classic, Coulter Cadillac~Buick~GMC, Jade Creek Arabians, Osteen/Schatzberg Photography, Schneider Saddlery, and Show Season Inc. Also on the list of integral contributors to the evening were
242 | ARABIAN HORSE TIMES
Inspired by the horses, the generosity of the people who love them, and the speeches of the evening, Lara offers, “I think this is a great event to honor people, horses, advertisers— everyone in the industry. We were privileged to have such an amazing group of people there. We also had some incredible auction items. And the profits from those went to the Arabian Horsemen’s Distress Fund, Arabian English Performance Association, and the new Arabian Western Performance Association.” Some major honors came for a few legendary members of the Arabian breed as they were inducted into the Hall of Fame. The first was Howard Kale, whose resonant video and speech reminded the crowd of his deep influence in
“I think this is a great event to honor people, horses, advertisers — everyone in the industry.” — Lar a Ames
introducing and breeding the Russian Arabian horse. The second legend to be inducted was the great *Bask. Another incredible video introduced this eminent stallion and then, Gene LaCroix spoke on the stallion’s behalf. He ended his speech thanking *Bask for all he has done for the Arabian horse. “He was a fairytale come true and an inspiration for future generations,” shared LaCroix before asking the crowd to join him in applause for the deserving stallion.
Another very special moment came for Becky Nash as she was awarded the Volunteer of the Year award. She shares, “I am so honored to receive this award and be among those deserving people that were nominated. I must thank my friend, Mary Trowbridge, for without her there would be no AHDF. Jennifer and Josh Quintus and my husband, Bob, for being my backbone, and so many others that worked so very hard to support the AHDF in the past few years.
Volume 45, No. 11 | 243
I have met so many people and formed so many friendships through volunteering.” A heartwarming speech from Barbara Chur ended the evening in her merited acceptance of the Overall Sire of the Year award. “I am so excited that Baske Afire won this great recognition. It is a great tribute not only to Baske Afire, but also to his foals!” Chur adds, “He is a wonderful horse, as well as a tremendous sire, and I love him very much. Strawberry Banks Farm is so fortunate to be owned by him!”
244 | ARABIAN HORSE TIMES
Since its origin, the Readers’ Choice Awards has been about bringing those who love the horse and deserve to be recognized into the spotlight. Lara shares, “In my opinion, these events are important to our breed as it gives everyone a chance to get out of the barn and into a relaxed atmosphere with friends. Since its conception, I found it very important to have an event that everyone could come to and have a great time while honoring those who have achieved great things in their sincere love for the Arabian horse.”
2014 AHT/Jarvis Insur ance Readers’ Choice Award Winners Favorite AHT Advertisement Of The Year
Favorite Horse Event Of The Year
Favorite AHT Editorial Of The Year
Best Horse Moment Of The Year
Favorite AHT Front Cover Of The Year
Best Team Spirit Of The Year
Rohara, September A, designed by Brandy Johnson
Bob Battaglia--A Study In Inspiration, by Mary Kirkman, April
May—Al Maliik, owned by Al Maliik LLC and photographed by Stuart Vesty Favorite AHT Calendar Month Of The Year
September—Beloveds Farm, owned by Patricia M. Dempsey and photographed by Jerry Sparagowski Photographer Of The Year Mike Ferrara
ArabHorse Farm Tours, Scottsdale
Arabian Soul owner’s reaction when Soul of Marwan AS was named Champion Jr. Colt, U.S. Nationals
Oak Haven Arabians
A/HA/AA Sport Horse Of The Year
Al-Marah Silver Charm, owned by Kelley Clark
Arabian Working Western Horse Of The Year Im The Real Deal, owned by Audrey Zinke
Half-Arabian Working Western Horse Of The Year
Show Of The Year
Hollywood Blockbuster, owned by Vallejo III Ranch LLC
Judge Of The Year
Arabian Specialty Horse (Driving, Show Hack, Side Saddle, Native Costume) Of The Year
Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show
Irina Stigler
Instructor Of The Year Julie Daniel
Caretaker Of The Year Andy Carroll
Marketer Of The Year
Arabians International, LLC Volunteer(s) Of The Year
Thunder Struck LR, owned by Lindsay Rinehart
Half-Arabian Specialty Horse (Driving, Show Hack, Side Saddle, Native Costume) Of The Year James Brown, owned by Lindsay O’Reilly French Arabian Hunter Horse Of The Year
Malieka, owned by Julie and Hannah Feldman Half-Arabian Hunter Horse Of The Year
Maybelline CA, owned by Rachel, Laurie and Dale Enns
Becky Nash
Volume 45, No. 11 | 245
Arabian Western Horse Of The Year
Halter Trainer Of The Year
Half-Arabian Western Horse Of The Year
Show Hack/Hunter Trainer Of The Year
Zefyr, owned by Laura Koch and Bert Sanders
Capt Jack Sparrow PGA, owned by Remington Monroe Equine LLC Arabian Saddle Seat Horse Of The Year VJ Royal Heir, owned by Kelli Aguirre
Half-Arabian Saddle Seat Horse Of The Year
ERA Moonlite Serenade, owned by Norma and John Diver Arabian Halter Horse Of The Year
Wieza Mocy, owned by Michalów Stud Half-Arabian Halter Horse Of The Year
I Believe FF, owned by Perry and Suzanne Perkins Rising New Star (Trainer Under 30 Years of Age) Of The Year Brandon Flood
Western Trainer Of The Year Stanley White III
Saddle Seat Trainer Of The Year Jessica Clinton DeSoto
Working Western Trainer Of The Year Jessica Bein
246 | ARABIAN HORSE TIMES
Andrew Sellman
Wendy Potts
Versatile Trainer Of The Year Rob Bick
Youth Exhibitor Of The Year Emily Moore
Adult Amateur Of The Year Robin Porter
Halter Sire Of The Year
QR Marc, owned by Paul Gheysens Performance Sire Of The Year
Sundance Kid V, owned by Palmetto Arabians Overall Sire Of The Year
Baske Afire, owned by Strawberry Banks Farm Breeder Of The Year
Varian Arabians – Sheila Varian Hall Of Fame
Howard Kale Jr and *Bask++
Greg, Kara, and Terrie Larson.
Trotwood Farms Crew
Perry and Suzanne Perkins.
Mike and Beth Whelihan.
Marty and Tim Shea.
Susan Chase and Jean Abbott.
Ellen Handel, Lara Ames and Laurie Husband.
Dennis and Lisa Wigren.
Volume 45, No. 11 | 247
Brandon Flood and Emily Maita.
Alison Pigott and Dru Cederberg.
Darla and Steve Miles.
Barry Keleher and Barbara Chur
Tom and Leola Hansen.
John and Leah Golladay.
John Ames, Vicki Humphrey, Ellen Handel, Laurie Husband and Liz and Tom Moore.
Murray and Shirley Popplewell.
248 | ARABIAN HORSE TIMES
Conway Arabians Crew
John and Connie O’Brien.
Rob Bick and Caralyn Schroter.
Jessica and David Bein.
Marissa and Gary Walker.
Vicki Humphrey, Jeanne and Raven Gropp.
Michelle Harris and Jim Diver.
Irina Stigler and Crew.
Volume 45, No. 11 | 249
Terry, Chloe, and Melissa Holmes.
Lori Conway
Koy Moody, Sarah Esqueda, Maddy and Molly Schwanz, Peyton Randle, Allie Cederberg, Raven Gropp and Caitlin Pigott.
Becca Marr, Sarah Porter, James Porter and Rachel Paulsen.
Paul and Sabrina Glans and Darcy and Bill Flood.
Jack, Debbie, and Jacquelyn King.
Colonial Wood Crew
Stuart Vesty, Troy White, Austin Boggs, Lori Watson and John Loibl.
250 | ARABIAN HORSE TIMES
Janice and Jody Strand family.
Claudia Pease and Michelle Pease Paulson
Anne and JT Keller.
Rachel Ginter and Cathy O’Connor.
Shan Wilson
Oak Haven Crew
Rhonda Nelson and Robin Porter.
Jamie Gilmore, Laurie Ann Salmi, Wendy Griffith and Jennifer An Schmitt. n Volume 45, No. 11 | 251