MApHA February Issue

Focus on MApHA NON NON--PRO

NEW for 2014 MApHA Incentive Program

Horsemanship 101: Trail with MApHA Professional Patty McCartin

On the Cover Meet A Member: Gay Mullen.………………..………...3 MApHA Non-Pro……………………………………………..4 Horsemanship 101……….………………………………..14 *NEW* Incentive Program……………………………...10

In This Issue Newsletter…………………………...…………………………2 Raffle Gelding………………………………………………….2 Current 2014 Board of Directors………………………...7 Business Directory………..…..……………………………11 Meeting Minutes………………………………..………….16 Become A Member TODAY!...................................17

Newsletter Greetings, with continued excitement , I bring you the February edition of The MApHA Magazine. This month we feature MApHA’s NonPros.

ly” of the newsletter and meeting minutes, that option is still available.

If you have anything you’d like to submit, please contact Dustin Boehmer at 269-4201242 or e-mail at boehmer3@msu.edu.

Occasionally, I will be calling on you to be apart of this growing online publication. As always we’ll continue to share show related news and ways you can support our club and it’s Until next month, members and continue to get all general information that you as a member (or potential member) need to know.

Please take a moment and share this issue and the following issues on all of your social media sites! Get the word out there and support your local Appaloosa! If you would like to continue to receive a “printer friend-

2013 MApHA Raffle Gelding Raffle tickets are $2.00 each or 3 tickets for $5.00 Tickets are available from MApHA Board members The drawing to be held Sunday, March 9 at 4:00 p.m. at the MApHA booth during the Michigan Horse Council Stallion Expo & Trade Show (License #X85654 to Michigan Appaloosa Horse Association Inc. Winner may choose gelding or $500.00)

Gay Mullen This month we had the opportunity to speak with and “Meet a Member”, MApHA’s newest member, Gay Mullen. Thank you for taking the time to sit down and answer my questions!

Please help me to welcome Gale as she comes out to support and join our wonderful organization!

What originated your love for the breed? How did you get started with Appaloosas?

As a youth I had an Appaloosa and completely fell in love with the breed, from that point on I knew I wanted to show Appaloosas.

What brings you to show with us this year?

My entire life I’ve wanted to compete on the circuit level with Appaloosa’s. I’ve achieved many of my other goals in various other organizations, but now that I own an Appaloosa, I plan on crossing this goal off my bucket list!

As a follow up, do you plan on being involved with the organization past your bucket list goal?

For now that is yet to be seen. I plan on owning Appaloosa’s and showing for life, but I don’t know what opportunities exist to further my involvement with the club. I’ll be using this year to figure out where I belong!

Besides showing in general, what’s your biggest goal for this year?

I’d love to win a year end award, and become more comfortable in a Hunt Seat saddle.

After attending the banquet, what is your first impression of MApHA? I was very impressed that MApHA uses social media. I found out about the banquet from Facebook and follow updates religiously. Special thanks to Joanne Raver for reaching out to me and encouraging me to come to Banquet.

Everyone was wonderful and accommodating! I couldn’t believe all the awards that the association provides for it’s members. I also enjoyed that everything seemed thought out and organized. Though it was smaller than expected, I was really excited to be part a part of this group for 2014 show season.

MApHA Non-Pro As we take time this month to Focus on MApHA’s Non-Pros, I sat down with Tami Vickery and Joanne Raver to discuss some of the wonderfully unique aspects of our Nations only regionally organized Non-Pro Appaloosa Board of Directors.

MApHA’s Non-Pro Association goal is to enhance every Non-Pro members experience with MApHA. This includes, but is not limited to several add-on events to our regularly scheduled show day. What is the most wonderful thing about these extracurricular events? All proceeds earned are then turned around and donated back to the Non-Pro Association, in the form of giveaways, door prizes and their fantastic year end awards, pictured in this article!

HALF the proceeds go to the Non-Pro association. Participating in the silent and live auction at the Banquet. Purchasing raffle tickets for various prizes at our shows and annual Banquet.

Lastly, enjoying the Non-Pro pattern book provided at all our shows.

The annual Open Barrels Calcutta is the largest fundraiser for MApHA Non -Pros. For those of you that might be inquisitive , a Calcutta is an event where horse and rider are auctioned off to the highest bidder. The money is divided between winning rider, that teams buyer in the auction and host, in this case MApHA Non-Pros. As you can imagine, bidding on nationally recognized, world champion AND MICHIGAN NATIVE, gaming horses can be pretty intense and As a member, or a visitor to our hilariously enjoyable. This enshows, your are encouraged to engage and support this wonderful affili- sures high profits and extreme benefits for everyone involved! ate association. Some activities include: Buying a laminate, permanent The Non-Pro association would back number to show with for the like to thank MApHA for it’s season. Enjoying a massage, where wonderful camaraderie, fantas-

tic events, and huge support. They promise to uphold the standards of the parent association and continue to aid and enrich the Non-Pro experience.

This year’s MApHA Non-Pro Board of Directors are: Tami Vickery - President Amanda Kutchey - Vice President Joanne Raver - Secretary/Treasurer Jim Hollis Jenny Schwab Susan Ogier

Board of Directors Bobbie Best—President 25401 Dunning St Cassopolis, MI 49031 Home: 269-445-3357 Cell: 269-214-0097 Email: Best Farms Term Expires: 2016

Jennifer Schulte—Classic Show 1760 Ranch Drive NW Grand Rapids, MI 49504 Cell: 616-826-8004 Email: jennifer.schulte3@gmail.com Term Expires: 2016

Cathy Wood—Vice President/Youth Advisor PO Box 173 Mason, MI 48854 Cell: 5172566548 Email: cwoodshowhorses@aol.com Term Expires: 2016

Lee Fischhaber—Summer Sizzlwer/Trail Coordinator 22341 M Drive N Marshall, MI 49065 Home: 269-781-3453 Cell: 616-403-1073 Email: Jlee4140@gmail.com Term Expires: 2014

Judy Biber—Executive Secretary/Treasurer 28328 Dixboro Rd South Lyon, MI 48178 Home: 248-486-0695 Email: Judybiber@comcast.net Term Expires: 2016

Dean Wintjen 3234 Moryer Rd Williamston, MI 48895 Home: 517-655-2763 Email: deano327@aol.com Term Expires: 2016

Kay Bowen—Banquet/Minutes Keeper 9245 N Wyman Rd Barryton, MI 49305 Home: 989-382-8952 Cell: 231-3577366 Email: c4amile@dishmail.net Term Expires 2016

Kari Klein—Youth Advisor/Website 415 N Gould St Owosso, MI 48867 Cell: 989-382-8138 Email: Kariklein@hotmail.com Term Expires: 2015

Dustin Boehmer—Newsletter/Summer Sizzler 6466 McCue Rd Holt, MI 48842 Cell: 269-420-1242 Email: boehmer3@msu.edu Term Expires: 2014

Amy Zeigler—Open Awards/Show Bill 10327 W Grass Lake Rd Barryton, MI 49305 Home: 989-382-8138 Cell: 989-600-9922 Email: Appy_pharm06@hotmail.com Term Expires: 2015

Frannie Wintjen—Classic Show/Show Approval 3234 Moyer Rd Williamston, MI 48895 Cell: 517-719-8941 Email: dsfancy499@aol.com Term Expires: 2014

Amy Schweiger 1805 Riley Center Riley Twp, MI 48041 Cell: 810-602-8998 Email: amyschweiger@yahoo. Com Term Expries: 2016

Bob Clark—Spring Show 2776 Bellevue Road Leslie, MI 49251 Home: 517-589-9711 Email: clarkappaloosas@yahoo.com Term Expires: 2014

Dustin M Boehmer PERFORMANCE HORSES 269-420-1242 boehmer3@msu.edu — www.msu.edu/~boehmer3

Incentive Class $100.00 Added To Each Class For All Three 2014 MApHA Shows

Classes Eligible For Incentive Money

$ $

AGED GELDINGS JUNIOR HUNTER UNDER SADDLE JUNIOR WESTERN PLEASURE OPEN CAMAS PRAIRIE STUMPS

AGED MARES SENIOR HUNTER UNDER SADDLE SENIOR WESTERN PLEASURE OPEN NEZ PERCE STAKES

Pays National Point Fee Non-Pro and Youth members only in the following classes: Rules:  $100

Aged Gelding, Junior HUS, Senior WP

added to each class listed above and paid to the top four placing's.

 Additional

Money for the highest placing MApHA youth exhibitor. Must be three youth exhibitors per class to be eligible for payout.

 Additional

Money for the highest placing MApHA Non-Pro exhibitor. Must be three Non-Pro exhibitors per class to be eligible for payout.

 Incentive

class will run concurrently with regularly scheduled class on show bill.

 Exhibitor &

Owner of the Horse must be MApHA members to be eligible for payout.

 Class

will be placed under a “Call Judge” determined at random immediately prior to beginning the class.

 No

added entry fee to be eligible for the incentive money.

 Payout

rency.

are to be made in Cash, USD cur-

Showing - Lessons - Training - Sales Mason, MI - 517-256-6548

Thank you to everyone for their continued support. If you are interested in placing a business card in our monthly newsletter, contact me using the information provided on the Board of Directors page for information.

Horsemanship 101: Trail Tips

by Patty Trail has become quite popular and will challenge any horse and rider. However, the scoring system has helped make this class easier to judge on quality, presence and deductions viewpoint. Most professionals will agree that the easiest way to improve your trail score is to avoid penalty points. The following are my thoughts on how to do just that, while maneuvering through some of the most common trail obstacles.

We will begin with the Rope Gate; a slowdown and breath obstacle. As you approach the gate stop with your shoulder beside the rope’s end. This is your first tip to stay out of the penalty box. As you have to adjust you or your horse’s position to comfortably handle the gate, your penalty score will increase. Pick up the rope, then proceed to the back. If you’re horse hasn’t developed a straight back, make certain that you cue his hip away from the gate while completing this portion of the maneuver. Again, avoiding the penalty box by avoiding the gate itself. Stop and relax a moment when your horse’s nose is in the center of the gate’s opening. Turn towards the gate opening and walk thru. If the gate includes a walk pole, be conscious and soft in your turn.

Walk over with good pace as not to tick the pole, but not to disturb your flow either. Keeping this consistent pace is a big factor in your overall score. As you walk over, turn in the direction to keep the rope between you and the gate. Stop

as some days one foot up is all you’ll get.

Be happy and reassuring as you begin this obstacle. As you approach the bridge make certain that you maintain a nice, easy, but confident, 1-2-3-4 walk cadence. Several feet before stepping up on the bridge your horse should look for the bridge, showing some expression as you walk carefully over the center of the bridge. Keep your eyes forward and your pace set for the next obstacle, not to rush or lag.

Lastly we’ll bring our focus to ground poles. Pace and cadence are key to maneuvering any combination of poles. Obviously, horses with a longer stride should easily get over the pole but horses with a short stride will have to move out when you are thru and parallel with the to maintain their pace and cadence, gate. Take a moment to collect yourself which in turn will keep their strides while and access your landing spot. Back completing the obstacle. Just as in the straight, if you have a straight back and bridge, your horse should be alert, aware side pass gently over if needed, not to hit and traveling over the center of the poles the pedestal holding the gate up. You’re (in most layouts or configurations) . With almost there! Hook the rope back on the canter poles specifically, your focus gate. Final tip for staying out of the pen- should be on the length of stride in your alty box for the gate; Take a moment to horse. Horses will a lengthy stride should stand quiet and collect yourself after the approach a pinwheel towards the outside obstacle, switch reins if need be and do of the wheel. Horses with smaller strides not let your horse touch any part of the should aim more near the center to gate! maintain optimal performance.

This bridge is all about expression and cadence. Though, before you can achieve the finishing touches you have to become accustomed to the bridge itself. I think the best way, albeit not the easiest is to commitment and time . Make the bridge part of your daily routine. As you start a horse on the bridge patience is key

In closing, keep your focus forward and your pace consistent while maneuvering thru all obstacles and you will be successful in your endeavors. If you are interested in learning more, feel free to contact Patty McCartin via Facebook or phone 419-706-2861. Thank you for all your wonderful advice.

SH O WI NG • LESSO NS • T RAI NIN G • SA LES

M ASO N, MI - 51 7 - 2 5 6 - 6 54 8

SUPPORT MApHA YOUTH

Cut the proof of purchase from any Tribute bag and turn in to a youth member or advisors.

TRIBUTE will generously donate a portion of their proceeds back to our organization. If you’re interested in purchasing TRIBUTE Feeds to help support MApHA Youth, please contact Cathy Wood using the information provided in our Business Directory.

Thank you TRIBUTE for this wonderful program.

December BOD meeting was cancelled. Stay tuned next month for January’s Minutes. Enjoy some of our MApHA youth kids doing what they love instead!

Become a Member Today Why? MApHA offers a unique opportunity for those owners and enthusiast to engage in relationships and competition with fellow members of similar interests.

For years MApHA has been considered a great family organization and though we may not be related by blood we do share a undeniable common interest in the horses that we care for dearly.

Aside from the companionship gained from our wonderful organization are many other opportunities. Annually we award our top showmen at the MApHA Banquet, held in conjunction with our friends at WMAR. MApHA provides it’s youth members the chance at a yearly scholarship for educational purposes and provides youth with many other unique opportunities to grow relationships and responsibility. We also provide absolutely free advertising to you members in our monthly magazine, which in it’s first month reached 1000 viewer! While we remain proud of our Michigan residents, competitors come nation wide to enjoy the professionalism and proficiency of our shows. Time and time again, we here that we have some of the best shows and our national standings annually only prove the satisfaction rate!

We also engage in community events to help grow friendships and interest by attending tack sales, encouraging open shows via an annual high point award and supporting other organizations such as the Michigan Horse Council.

At the Stallion Expo & Trade show MApHA hosts an information booth and raffles off a gelding to help promote the breed, engage the public and grow our organization.

Whatever reason you choose, we hope that you choose MApHA and all the wonderful people that make us great. Thank your for your consideration. We hope to be having a great 2014 with you, whether it be in or outside the show pen!