Sportaloosa
Photo by Julie Harris, Edgy Jeans
QUARTERLY issue 1, 2014
sportaloosa.com
Happy first quarter to you all! Greetings from Sportaloosa HQ
It seems like we’ve blinked and the first 3 months of 2014 are done and dusted. What have we done? As usual, we’ve been more than a bit busy.
New web site
When you’re a modern, go ahead and progressive registry, you need a super strong presence online. Early this year, we launched our brand new site. It’s smart enough to work out whether you’re using a desktop computer, smartphone or tablet to check us out and it automatically rearranges itself so you can see the best of the whole site rather than scrolling sideways or getting out a magnifying glass.
Welcome to new members
A very warm welcome to Elise Whittaker, Romy Grammer, Jodi Strobl, Belinda Wynne, Alexandra Morton, Lee-Anne Taylor, Ellie Pringle, Bianca Brooks, James Shreeve, Peter Wallace and Lisa Stuart. Thanks to much to everyone for joining this positive and active registry for promoting spotted horses!
Competing, breeding and selling
Within Sportaloosa International, we have keen competitors, spotted horse enthusiasts, owners and breeders. Each member type is equally important... none of them can exist without the other and we’re share an enthusiasm for a horse that’s sound, sane, spotted and smooth to ride. Through our membership list and Facebook page facebook.com/sportaloosa you can keep up with what everyone’s doing and stay in touch with people with common interests. If you’re not following us yet, please do!
Sportaloosa International - Australia, New Zealand, the world - www.sportaloosa.com
New on Sportaloosa TV
As we all become more removed from daily interaction with horses in a working sense, it can become very hard to work out what we should be looking for in a good horse. In days gone by, we would have grown up with good working horses and would have learned from those around us, as well as from trial and error, what constituted good, sound conformation for the job we needed done. The best Sportaloosa brains (with a total of 75+ years experience) have come together to produce a video that summarises the most important elements to take into account and what to look for. This video features real live Sportaloosas and we hope we’ve made a good job of summarising what you need to know. Take a look on our YouTube channel www.youtube.com/sportaloosa
New web site
When you’re a modern, go ahead and progressive registry, you need a super strong presence online. Early this year, we launched our brand new site. It’s smart enough to work out whether you’re using a desktop computer, smartphone or tablet to check us out and it automatically rearranges itself so you can see the best of the whole site rather than scrolling sideways or getting out a magnifying glass. We hope you enjoy and as always, thanks for being with Sportaloosa International
Sportaloosa International - Australia, New Zealand, the world - www.sportaloosa.com
5th annual video foal futurity entries close 30th April Time’s running out!
Make sure you film your foals while the weather’s hot and they’re sleek and shiny... time’s flying by so don’t leave it until the last minute.
A very rewarding futurity
Every year, there’s $1,000 up for grabs in the Sportaloosa foal futurity. The champion takes $400 and a magnificent perpetual trophy. Reserve champion takes $300, 3rd place gets $200 and 4th gets $100.
To do list
This year’s judge: Bryan Lowcay of New Zealand
als 1. register fo 2. video foals on 3. send video rtaloosa DVD to Spo l, Internationa ipo 1165 Whangar RD2 Valley Road, 972, Wellsford 0 New Zealand
Every foal is assessed by a judge skilled in evaluating performance potential across a wide variety of body types and heights, so winning or placing is a true reflection of quality and a huge honour.
Entry is free.... for the last time
There’s no cost to enter the 2014 futurity; you just need to register your foal and post your video. From next year, we’ll have an entry fee and an increased prize pool to match!
Truly an international event
Last year saw 3 Australian and 3 New Zealand horses in the top 6 placings in a transTasman face off but there’s no barrier to entry for foals in other countries. Just film them and send them in!
Sportaloosa International - Australia, New Zealand, the world - www.sportaloosa.com
2013 Ride A Sportaloosa results
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Throughout 2013, keen Sportaloosa riders and handlers logged their hours to compete for the title of the rider or handler who spent the most time with their Sportaloosa. Finally, we’re delighted to present our winners. Congratulations to you both! Diane Johnston and Marlene Holahan both spent well in excess of 200 hours in the saddle and working on the ground (not including grooming) as well as showing their spotted horses in open company. We couldn’t ask for better ambassadors and we have special commemorative (and very practical) Sportaloosa feeders coming your way.
Ride A Sportaloosa Competition 2013 Overall Ride A Sportaloosa rider - Diane Johnston
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Overall Ride A Sportaloosa handler - Marlene Holahan
2 minutes with... Krissy Hulme-Moir, NZ Krissy owns, trains and rides the Sportaloosa mare Radically Blue. Paddock name: Midge Age: Rising 7 Hight:14.3hh Sire: Ultimately Radical (QH) Dam: GB Blue Angelique (Ap)
Louise Anderson,Vic Louise owns, trains and rides the Sportaloosa gelding Cayuse Just Too Dun. Paddock Name: Romeo Age: 4 years old Height: 16.3 Sire: Cayuse A Grand Illusion Dam: Cayuse Just Too Beautiful Achievements: His fabulous trainability!
Proudest achievements
Placing 2nd at qualifier for Horse of The Year at freestyle to music and getting placed over 65% regularly in her first year at dressage coming from western training. Top things you love about your Sportaloosa: • I love her temperament always wanting to please she’s obedient and considerate of my disability. • I wish I had owned her when I was younger!
Top things you love about your Sportaloosa: • His loving, kind nature • I love the way he follows me around the paddock(even trying to get into the tack room)! • I love riding this lovely forward horse that is so willing to please and kind. • He is the most comfortable horse I have ever ridden, his canter is amazing! • I love that he loves cuddles and the fact that you can leave him for a few weeks and he is the same as the last ride, Clever horse!
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2013 high point award winners High point led horse
Fairisle Meant For Me owned and shown by Diane Johnston of Tasmania
Oh So Subtle owned and shown by Katrina Lewis of NSW
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High point ridden horse
Cayuse Global Warrior owned and shown by Rebecca McDonald of NSW
tied with
High point amateur
In hand - Karen Fischer of Victoria
Ridden - Bronwyn Preston of New Zealand
Runner up (by just 1 point) Radically Blue owned and shown by Kristina Hulme-Moir of New Zealand
Valmai Jones
Breeder profile
Sportaloosas in the Northern Territory The moment Valmai set eyes on the imported stallion Mighty Storm Song she decided that she wanted to breed Appaloosas. He was everything she wanted in a horse: the colour, conformation and temperament. When Valmai purchased the young stallion Mighty Windstorm she was extremely happy to find that he is the only stallion of his colour in the southern hemisphere and maybe even the world!
Article written by Chelsea Johnson
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shows the Appaloosas in halter, also competing in stockhorse challenges, campdrafting, barrel racing and so on - mainly working horse events. When I asked how the horses coped with the wet season I was surprised to find that they handle it really well. As most of the horses are run on a 3000 acre paddock they have a choice of many different surfaces.
As he is homozygous for black and dun he produces intriguing and unusual colours, with no possibility of chestnut.
The landscape can be rocky, mountainous, sandy or flat, so they can choose where they are most comfortable in all weather conditions.
When it is more than 550km to your local show you have to be really committed to showing as it takes a lot of time and effort. Valmai doesn’t do lots of shows in a year but when she does, she
The horses’ feet are naturally trimmed by the rocks and ground so they generally have very good tough feet. Their feet are only trimmed when the horse is being stabled or paddocked on the flats.
Savannah Appaloosa Stud Renner Springs, NT
The flies can be bad when it is wet and some handle them better than others, but usually a bit of spray keeps them at bay. Sportaloosas are open to a wide range of disciplines being very versatile and easy to work with! Valmai said, “I like how with Sportaloosa International I am able to compete at home as such, in the photo and point competitions. For me Sportaloosa International would have to be the top of all breed registries. It is affordable and well put together”.
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breeding seasons. “Storm is very rideable and there is nothing that he won’t try!” Like all horses Storm has some funny or strange habits. One of these is when his out with his mares he’ll fall asleep, unaware of what’s happening around of him, the mares will walk off. When he wakes up he’s often like “where have they gone???” He likes to come into the stables to be shown but he also loves to be out with the other horses in the paddock doing what horses do best.
In the future Valmai is aiming to be recognised for breeding blue, black, dun and grulla coloured horses. “I want to breed my horses so you can work show horses and show workhorses”.
‘Storm’ has had quite a few places and wins despite not being to many shows. A couple of his recent results are open overall champion in halter, reserve grand champion open stallion.
To achieve this, the horses have to be breed in such a way that they have both good conformation and workability. Valmai has begun to achieve this having Mighty Windstorm’s progeny competing in a wide range of disciplines. Whether they are competing in showjumping, dressage, endurance or even with kids you can count on them to be in the ribbons.
‘Storm’ has won overall Appaloosa of the show three times and has also won Appaloosa colt/stallion of the show.
Mighty Windstorm (AKA Storm) was broken in at 18 months and hasn’t had heaps of training since, just on and off between the
‘Storm’ has now been retired to stud duties though Savannah Appaloosa Stud does have another stud colt that will be shown as a yearling and a two year old.
Check out ‘ Storm’ on the Spor taloosa stallion sho wcase sportaloosa .com/ stallions
Who is Sportaloosa International?
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Samantha McAuliffe, Australia
Petra Davidson, New Zealand
Chelsea Johnson, Australia
Mission Our mission includes promotional objectives for the breed as well as promoting the vital integrity, excellence, strong relationships and friendships that unite people with a common goal.
If the answer to any of these questions is no, we don’t say, do or decide it.
since the mid 1980s and has been breeding them since 2003.
Our people Sportaloosa International is run out of Australia and New Zealand by Samantha McAuliffe and Petra Davidson.
She works full time as a senior marketing practitioner, runs Sparkling Acres Appaloosa stud and fits in volunteer roles with Sportaloosa International and the Appaloosa Project.
Reality checks There’s a 4 step acid test we apply to the things we say, do and decide for the registry. 1. Is it the truth? 2. Is it fair for everyone involved? 3. Is it beneficial for the breed and everyone involved? 4. Will it help build better relationships and strong friendships?
Samantha and her husband Vince have run Cayuse Appaloosas since the early 1970s. They’ve bred, shown, ridden and promoted hundreds of their own spotted horses since that time, importing and promoting a variety of stallions and breeding spotted horses that succeeded in a variety of competitive arenas. Petra has owned and ridden Appaloosas
Chelsea Johnson is the official Sportaloosa correspondent. She owns and rides Sportaloosas and she’s taken on the role of writing articles in the Sportaloosa magazine as a good way to learn more about horses and meet new people that have the same passion and interest as she does.