The combined convention of the United Professional Horsemen’s Association and American Hackney Horse Society in Lexington, Ky., Jan. 10-12, had a laid back casual feeling and well attended auctions, meetings and banquets. The weekend was filled with both poignant moments that brought many to tears and entertaining speakers that brought plenty of laughter. In-between there were informative presentations, group meetings and seminars.
Wednesday evening, Chapter 9 held the Bluegrass Futurity Dinner and Stallion Auction.
A big crowd was on hand and the bidding was fast and furious.
The first Bluegrass Futurity weanling class will be held in October at The Kentucky Fall Classic Horse Show where the winning weanling could earn approximately $45,000. This program was created to promote the breeding of the American Saddlebred and to give money back to the breeders of these animals. It is felt that the breeders are the backbone of our industry and with a decline in the number of large breeding operations, small breeders need help and incentives to continue to breed quality Saddlebreds. It was with that thought that The Bluegrass Futurity was developed to put money back where it is needed.
Melissa Moore stated, "This program was developed with the input of some extremely smart and talented individuals that I would like to thank; Jerry Hutson, Joan Lurie, Carter Cox, Adam Clauson, Gaynor Shane, Bret Day, Lynn Weatherman and Pat McConnell. Also, I would like to thank The Breeders Guide for their support and for their wonderful publication along with The American Saddlebred Reference Guide. Moore stated she would like this futurity to be known as a futurity for the horseman, both professional and amateur. She also encouraged suggestions and criticism as they are constantly striving to improve this program to benefit all involved.
Eighty-six stallions were offered for 2002 with Callaway's Gold Rush topping the auction bringing a bid of $7,200 from Spencer Mains. Supreme Heir followed with a bid of $5,300 from Misdee Wrigley with Supremacy's High Time going for $4,200. Patricia Misko was the high bidder. Periaptor received a bid of $3,200 from Brad Bacon and the Merchant Prince service was purchased by Liz Thomas for $3,000. In all approximately $87,000 was raised with several stallions still available.
Thursday evening brought the attendees together for the AHHS dinner and fund raising auction. The annual awards were presented as well. The Mr. and Mrs. John Costello Breeder’s Award was given to Darrel and Sandy Kolkman. Rich Campbell accepted the award from presenter Georgia Blevins. The Anna Lee Spires Judd Exhibitors Award was given to Isabel Robson and was accepted on her behalf by Gib Marcucci.
Crystal Harmon was awarded the AHHS Youth Award and was joined by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lester Harmon, and trainer Roy Harris for the presentation. Dinwiddie Lampton, Jr., accepted the Lydia Luhman Pederson Distinguished Service Award from presenter Georgia Blevins. Gib Marcucci returned to the podium to accept the Bill G. Robinson Trainer of the Year Award.
Dr. Carl Hurley was the featured entertainer and his humorous take on life brought laughter from the crowd and was a topic of conversation at banquet tables and in elevators all weekend.
The auction offered quite an array of spectacular items with one of the biggest sellers being a likeness of the Kolkman’s chestnut cobtail stallion, Heartland Equality, created as a carousel horse by Tommy Lovell. Other items included “Excitement”, a bronze created by artist Connie Foss. Steve Zindars donated a week’s stay at a villa in Jamaica, and Mary Gaylord McClean donated a resort package at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Col. Janet Crawford Hicks and Jessie Pettie both donated paintings and Embry’s of Lexington donated a fur coat. Walt Robertson served as auctioneer for the event.
The Board of Directors including new AHHS officers for 2002 played a big part in the success of the evening. They are as follows: Vern Houston, president; Steve Golden, vice-president; Christy Weaver, secretary; and Judy Lowry, treasurer. The board also has five new directors for 2002; Matt Shuckert, Josh Greer, Marilyn Macfarlane, Ed Frickey, and Julie Wilson.
The UPHA Convention Saddlebred, Roadster, Hackney and Equitation AHSA Rule Change Forum on Friday brought several rules up for discussion.
The proposed rule changes for the Hackney, roadster, saddle seat equitation and Saddlebred divisions were also discussed by the USA Equestrian Board of Directors on Jan. 13, 2002 at their annual meeting in Charlotte, N.C.
At Friday's meeting, most of the rules were unanimously agreed upon with the exception of the rule concerning shoeing of the Country Pleasure Horse, which was voted to be left out. Many felt it was an unnecessary rule change.
The roadster division requested a change stating "Any driver, rider, horse or pony in the roadster division exhibiting inappropriate or dangerous behavior or whose actions would in any way threaten the safety of any other exhibitor, their entries or the safety of class officials will be ordered from the ring." All present felt this was an appropriate recommendation.
Friday’s associate members meeting, led by president Sally Jackson, featured a panel consisting of Ed Bennett, Mary Gaylord McClean, Donna Pettry Smith, Dena Lopez, and Kayce Bell. Former president Tom Pettry and Sally Jackson moderated the discussion of horse shows and how owners and exhibitors decide what horse shows they want to attend. In other words, “What makes a good horse show?”