Along for the ride was one very special member. A legend among the trail community and ApHC Trail Hall of Famer, Anne Mischel has been on every single Chief Joe. We are pleased to share her story with you.

Anne Mischel has become a living legend among Appaloosa Horse Club trail riders by participating in every Chief Joseph Trail Ride since it began in 1965. For this and many other reasons, both Anne and Jim, her husband of 62 years, are members of the ApHC Trail Hall of Fame.

It all started with a last minute “invitation” from George Hatley for Jim to document the ride as its official photographer. “We had other shows on the calendar and four kids to deal with, but we figured it out, left home at midnight and made it to Wallowa Lodge just as the riders were mounted up and ready to go,” Anne says. “But George took us into the lodge and fed us breakfast while everyone else waited!”

For the next 25 years or so, Jim made thousands of pictures and the couple made hundreds of new friends. “We always knew we’d always do the ride,” Anne states. “It was rough and tough for a while and the fees were steep ($50), but we were one big family and everyone pitched in to make it all work.”

During the early years, logistics were much less complicated and the list of “necessities” was much shorter than today. The inaugural ride included 34 riders, a pack horse, two trucks and camp stove. These days, the club has to enforce a limit on the number of rigs in order to fit some of the campsites and the motorcade includes a refrigerated truck, a kitchen and a trailer for trash.

“In the beginning,” Anne explains, “we had a harmonica player, someone may have brought along a guitar and we always enjoyed visiting with the ranchers and hearing their stories. That was about it for entertainment—okay, I take that back —sometimes the best entertainment was the Monday morning rodeo when everyone was trying to get going on the first day of the ride,” she adds. “We had 11 buck-offs in one year and I think that’s still the record.”

One of Anne’s most vivid memories of the trail came from a near disaster. “I’d have to say that Jim’s wreck at Ryegate stands out for me,” Anne says. “He rode out to take pictures, but his mare wanted to come back to camp, so she bucked him off in the rocks and stepped on him.” For the rest of the week, Jim rode in a motor home while Ann took over the photography and horse care duties. The story ended well, as the mare in question was top-selling horse at an auction. “All I said to the prospective buyers was that she hadn’t been ridden in a couple of months,” Anne explains with a slight grin.

Many veterans of the “Chief Joe” can also tell stories about the span of time Anne spent as one of the scouts for the ride.
Most of the accounts seem to start the same way—“Anne was not interested in excuses and she didn’t put up with anyone who didn’t follow orders.”

The specific word mentioned most frequently when describing Anne is “tough,” and it would seem that genetics helped a lot. “Three sides of my family pedigree came out on the Oregon Trail in covered wagons,” Anne explains. “People need to realize what a tough bunch the pioneers were,” she adds.

High regard for those who blazed our trails is a lesson that is reinforced on the Chief Joe. Anne especially appreciates the participation of Nez Perce adults and youth on the ride and, beyond the lasting friendships, hopes that the atmosphere of mutual respect remains a key component. For anyone considering the Chief Joseph or any other significant time in the saddle, Anne offers some basic advice…”Get in shape, get your horse in shape, prepare for anything, don’t complain, don’t crowd other riders but keep up and expect to have fun.”

We have to assume Anne Mischel knows of what she speaks. From 1965 until 2009, she had not missed one day in the saddle on the Chief Joseph Trail Ride!

“I can’t remember when I didn’t ride horses,” Anne says. As a kid, her day’s activities would be arranged so that she would be available to ride one of the work horses in from the field. Her first ownership experience was the purchase of a neighbor’s under-used roping horse that cost Anne $125. “That took every penny a farm girl could get,” she notes.

From there it was rodeo races, where enough prize money was earned to pay for winter feed. Then it was Pony Express races. “They probably changed the rule about going directly from one horse to another because of me,” Anne admits.

Her competitive spirit was also on display when Anne played basketball. She played all through high school and later in what we would call semi-professional leagues in Portland and Seattle. “I absolutely loved basketball,” Anne says. “They even tried to get me to travel with a professional team, but I didn’t really want to leave home.”

Home in Amity, Oregon, is still a favorite and busy place for Anne. According to Jim, she has an almost-unreasonable passion for gardening and is especially happy when her roses and irises are doing well. Spending time with their grandchildren is an even larger source of pleasure for the pair.

“We’ve had so much fun on the Chief Joe and anyone who’s even thinking about coming along should just go ahead and do it,” Anne says. “The ride is educational, the country is beautiful, you get to meet lots of good people and the food is great!” And then, the former scout in Anne Mischel comes out as she adds a bit more advice. “Remember to be darned sure your horse is in condition and just go with the flow.”
By Steve Taylor
Photos by Kristin Reiter & Lori Richards

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It began as a dream—to reinvigorate our regional show. Each year for the past number of years we would have several brainstorming sessions in the office at the barn, either the family or family and clients, with visitors to the farm from different regions of the country.
The goal was to try to figure out ways to increase participation in our regional shows and to get everyone in our state and region banded back together for one big event of the year. We were also always searching for new and better ideas to invite other horse show people to participate in one of our Appaloosa shows to see how much fun our breed can be and how friendly our people are. This “friendliness” is what drew Doug and me to the breed over 40 years ago. At the time of his death, Doug had been trying to get together all of the trainers in Florida to unite and try to re-establish a solid core base for our regional show participation.

Jenifer took over that dream and began what was to be the very first Doug Schembri Memorial-Summer Sunshine Experience that we plan to continue as an annual event. We had an outpouring of support from numerous sponsors, large and small. The hope behind each one of those was to enhance and improve our Appaloosa breed shows and invite new people in.
We could not have put the event on without the help of numerous volunteers who gave a lot of their time and efforts toward promoting and actively working the show. One of the largest draws was the cost of entries and stalls, which for the entire weekend was $100.00. The only add-on was for the Appaloosa point fees when applicable. The show was held at the beautiful Florida State Fairgrounds main arena, which was an enjoyable experience for all including many open show folks who do not regularly have access to those facilities. We had an abundance of all breeds and many old Appaloosa faces that had been MIA for a while. The show ran over two days with two judges, Whizzer Baker and David Johnson, and had 568 entries per judge totaling nearly 1150 entries.

Fun and special events were featured during the show including:
* Award drawings for great prizes every couple of hours. These were randomly drawn by horse number so that each horse was entered in the giveaways.
* Silk-screened T-shirts and visors were a big hit.
* Nationally renowned AQHA youth and non-pro clinician, Andy Moorman, gave a clinic.
* A Retro-Trail class that included some quite inventive obstacles.
* A Stick-Horse class that was enjoyed by youth, non-pro, owners and trainers alike.
* A coloring contest for the younger attendees.
* A potluck dinner hosted at the Char-O-Lot stalls and had prizes for everyone.
Something new we tried was handing out welcome packets at the front gate for all incoming exhibitors to let them know about all the special events that would be happening throughout the weekend.

Ultimately what we were trying to accomplish was to bring new people into our breed by showing them what a good time we can have at a horse show for a reasonable weekend fee. We did not quite cover expenses but we went a little overboard with the prizes. Overall we consider this show to be an overwhelming success for our first year and hope to attract more and more entries and new Appaloosa members each year.

Submitted by Sue Schembri
Photos by Steve Thibodeaux

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History was made at the 2011 NRHA-approved Italian Reining Horse Association (IRHA) Open Maturity held in Pontedera, Tuscany, July 13-16 when an Appaloosa won at the prestigious event for the first time. Ridden by Giuseppe Prevosti, Boemil Twin Topleus slid into the top spot as co-champion Open level 4 and 3, and champion Open level 2. The six-year-old stallion, owned by Dr. Emilio Boniperti, hit the top score of 219 in a dead heat with The Cocked Gun, ridden by Gennaro Lendi, and Murphy Chex, ridden by Adriano Meacci.

Dr. Emilio Boniperti is Vice President of the Italian Appaloosa Association (AIA) since 2006, board member since 1999 and is also Vice President of the European Reining Appaloosa Association (ERAA). He is a tireless ambassador for the breed and we are pleased to bring you this interview with him.

Q: Thank you for taking the time to visit with us. Will you tell us a little bit about Boemil Twin Topleus and your breeding program?
A: You’re welcome, I’m glad to be here. Topleus is a very special horse I bred six years ago. He is out of Boemil Valentwin, who is by Taris Valentine (QH) and out of Pepita Tec. Pepita was my first reining horse and a great mare that came from old lines—Chargers Hi Hopes (ApHC Junior Reining World Champion) and Miss Tuffske.

Boemil Valentwin has never competed because she had problems from birth through the first months of life from being a twin. She was not strong enough to become a competition horse, but she was broke to ride and then started her breeding career.

When she was four I bred her to Topsail Speckles, a very colorful stallion I had acquired in the meantime. He is by I Am Topsail Cody (QH by Topsail Cody x Great Pine) and out of Bionic Princess, a mare imported from Texas who is a halter ROM earner but with cutting bloodlines.

Regarding Topsail Speckles, I had noticed him due to his numerous successes. In 1994 he was AIA Reining Futurity Champion, European Champion in Junior Reining in 1995 and he has competed in 120 official reining competitions.

Q: What is the importance of this bloodline?
A: Every year I try to have an Appaloosa in training to bring on and compete. Boemil Twin Topleus is the result of twenty years of work in selecting horses for the reining discipline. In the second generation I had competitive individuals in the Open categories. At the moment I have five broodmares. Topleus has always represented a project of crossed bloodlines that have particularly interested me.

There have been other Topsail Speckles foals with very good results before Topleus. For example Boemil Likeamohawk who was AIA Futurity third place, AIA Maturity Champion and APCR Novice Horse Open Champion of the year. He definitely has on his side a very fascinating coat, athletic body, beautiful neck and strong conformation. When he was 2 years old the trainer Alessandro Milani showed interest in him. He had been made curious by another Topsail Speckles colt, Boemil Topapody (out of Boemil Mescalina) AIA Reining Futurity Champion 2007 ridden by Davide Legnani, who used to work with Alessandro Milani. Boemil Topapody was more limited than Topleus in his conformation but showed talent and a good inclination to be trained.

Right from the start when we began training Topleus we noted his natural ability and predisposition, especially for stops. After just five months of training, we could see that he was a horse with good possibilities in Open categories.

Q: What was his competition history going into the Derby in Tuscany?
A: He started competing as a 3-year-old in the ERAA Futurity ridden by Alessandro Milani at Americana in 2008. He won the first edition of this NRHA-approved event reserved for 3- and 4-year-old Appaloosas and we can surely say that compared with the other horses his performance was definitely superior. In fact, right from the beginning he drew a lot of interest at the European level. From there his career has been enriched by every special event reserved to Appaloosa horses. He won the AIA Reining Futurity. The following year he won the AIA Maturity and was fourth in the 4-year-old IRHA Intermediate Open Futurity. He actually scored the third best result but finished fourth as there was a dead heat in second position. Last year he took part in the IRHA-NRHA Derby and scored the highest in Intermediate Open and went through to the Open and Intermediate Open final. He won the AIA Reining Maturity for the second time and then the ApHC Congress in Junior Reining. He was the ApHC International year-end reserve champion.

This year he is ridden by Giusseppe Prevosti. He took part again in the IRHA-NRHA Open Derby and went through to the final in Level 2. They didn’t mark the best score, but not bad considering Prevosti hadn’t ridden him for long. The competition was good preparation for the IRHA-NRHA Maturity in Pontedera, Tuscany.

Q: The IRHA-NRHA Maturity in Pontedera was a very prestigious event with thrilling and close competition—can you walk us through what it was like?
A: Yes, it was very exciting. Giusseppe and Topleus entered the arena third before last. The pattern started with a central sliding stop and back which immediately captured the attention of the judges and the public. In fact, he got +1/2, +1/2, +1. He spun to a +1/2 in both directions. His circles were fast with good transitions and changes but not perfect. In the first of the three final stops he got 0, +1/2, +1/2. In the second +1/2, +1, +1/2 and in the third +1, +1/2, +1/2, which gave him the final score of 219. They were the only pair the entire audience applauded for after the third stop.

At the end of the competition there were three competitors with the same score in level 4, two in level 3 and only Topleus at the top of the final result of the level 2. All the trainers decided together not to do the run-off, but rather save the horses for another effort.

Q: What does this success mean to you?
A: Success with an Appaloosa like this makes all the energy and sacrifices of the last twenty years worth it. It is not always easy to go against the current. Not everybody thinks a lot about reining Appaloosas, but the mentality is changing and I believe needs to be changed even more. It is always challenging to keep up with the level of competition, which gets higher all the time. To keep up with the rhythm of the genetic improvement of the Quarter Horse, which has big numbers, is not always easy. In my opinion, having done so much already Boemil Twin Topleus is a seriously good horse. Success like this means everything.

Q: Will you tell us a little more about Appaloosa reining in Europe?
A: When I started reining the barn I went to had both Quarter Horses and Appaloosas. When I bought Topleus’ grandam she was, at the time, the best horse in the stable for that discipline. The Appaloosa is a special breed and also I think a work of art. Each coat pattern is like a painting. Every time a foal is born the expectation grows for the unknown color. But the Appaloosa is not only color and I love horses that can run and move well.

Reining is a discipline that fascinated me more than the others because it permits the horse to be an athlete. The passion for the breed and the specialty are always growing naturally together. The bad talk of the colored horses that I have met along the way has been incentive to carry on in order to change a wrong mentality. It has been an uphill battle.

I remember an inquiry published a few years ago in which trainers were asked why there were so few Appaloosas in reining. I remember the answers almost by heart, generally all negative. I knew the history of the breed and felt I should battle for it. Nowadays some people can make a little joke but I am very proud of the fact that from the Reiners there is a lot of respect for my horses and me.

Lara Lorengo is having a lot of success with Boemil Twin Robotop, a 5-year-old full brother of Topleus’, and another 3-year-old full brother will be competing at the AIA, ERAA and IRHA-NRHA Futurity this year. Topleus’ first foal crop hit the ground this year, so it will be very exciting to see how they grow up.

Q: What do you think it will take to continue to strengthen the breed in Europe?
A: It is clear that it is necessary to create a base of competitive and definitively specific bloodlines so that it is obvious to everybody what a reining Appaloosa, what a cutting Appaloosa, what a pleasure Appaloosa and what a halter Appaloosa is. Nowadays selection is the solution to improve the quality. To the trainers of that article of fifteen years ago I would like to say that it is the proportions that need to be taken into consideration. Amongst ten Quarter Horses that go to a trainer maybe only one does not have a reining bloodline and among them it is possible to select the most competitive to carry on to a higher level. Amongst ten Appaloosas that go to into training maybe only one has a reining bloodline. The proportions are inverted, as there are so many more Quarter Horses than Appaloosas. To find that ten percent is not easy; it is the reason I invite everybody to concentrate more on the bloodlines for more effective selection.

Q: Congratulations on your winnings. Is there anything else you’d like to share?
A: Thank you! And thank you to all the people that support, believe in and will carry on believing in the Appaloosa as a
performance horse.

By Serena Montanai with Dana Russell
Photos by Studio di Fotografia Andrea Bonaga

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Janice Schoonover, co-owner of 1,100-acre Western Pleasure Guest Ranch (www.westernpleasureranch.com) in the Cabinet Mountains near Sandpoint, considers geocaching an added bonus to saddling up and heading up beautiful back-country trails.

“The advantage to equine geocaching is that it combines the game with my greatest passion, horseback riding,” she says. “We love to get out and ride the mountain trails, but then to have a cache to hunt just makes it that much better.”

Like millions of geocachers from virtually every country in the world, the Schoonovers got hooked in 2009 after finding their first cache “Stumped at Grouse Creek,” placed by cacher 2fatboyz. They’ve been searching for containers with trinkets and log books ever since, hoping to average 100 finds per year.
A cache near Tombstone, Arizona, and one in Elk River, Idaho, where “we visited the oldest cedar tree west of the Mississippi” rank as their personal favorites.

Roley and Janice have also put out four of their own caches while plodding down mountain trails.
Their children, Isaac and Danielle, who work with them on the ranch, have taken up the sport. Son-in-law Landon Otis placed a cache near the Western Pleasure Ranch upper cattle guard. Granddaughter Emily accompanied her mom geocaching for the first time at one month old.

“[Now nearly 2] she really enjoys the fun prizes inside the caches but hates having to get in and out of her car seat,” Danielle says. “She would prefer us to hike to caches so she can ride in the backpack on Landon’s back.”

Danielle Otis enjoyed the sport so much that she coordinated an equine geocaching workshop at Idaho’s Farragut State Park as part of her North Idaho College resort/recreational management course study.
A dozen riders and many 4-H’ers, showed up to search for 8-10 temporary caches.

“We gave a short lesson on how to use the GPS before heading out,” Danielle explains. “We broke the riders into two teams of about six people per team. Each team went a different direction.

“Their guides helped to keep them on the correct trail—caches contained horse-related quizzes,” she adds. “At the end, the team who had the most correct answers and most retrieved caches won the event.”
Brief Primer on Geocaching

Basically, geocaching involves two facets—searching for hidden containers or virtual caches almost anywhere in the world or placing caches, filled with interesting items, for others to find.

Geocachers use a hand-held GPS or a GPS-enabled mobile phone and the Geocaching.com website, owned and maintained by Groundspeak, Inc., in the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle, Washington.

After receiving a free membership, participants generally select an identifying “handle” such as WP Ranch, as Roley and Janice are known, or 2ndGenWPGR, which Danielle signs in cache logbooks.

While visiting the website, cachers select a zip code, leading them to an ever-growing list of caches available in specific areas where they’d like to set off on treasure hunts.

Before appearing on the site, caches are reviewed for safety, legalities, location, etc.

Containers for caches vary in size from “smaller than a thimble with only a tiny piece of paper to log your find,” explains Kelly Ranck, a Groundspeak, Inc. marketing assistant. “Others are large plastic containers with items for trade, and others [like fake rocks] are camouflaged to blend into their environment.”

“Geocachers are incredibly clever when coming up with containers,” she adds. “Their only limitations are that the container must be waterproof and contain a logbook or log sheet on which people can note their find.”
For each find, www.geocaching.com encourages geocachers to sign the logbook and, when taking an item from the cache, “leave something of greater or equal value.” Containers should be returned to exact location of the find. Once back at the computer, cachers can log their finds online and leave comments about their impressions and experiences.

Since its inception in 2000, the sport has spread around the world with approximately 1.4 million caches and 5 million active geocachers.

Belgium and France reviewer Nick Brown (aka sTeamTraen) from Strasbourg, France, started caching seven years ago. He’s found caches in 15 countries.

“It gives me a goal to achieve while subversively getting some exercise,” Brown says. Although he’s never found caches aboard a horse, he believes equestrians would enjoy treasure hunts “pretty much anywhere in the lower parts of the Black Forest of Germany.”

“The hills up to about 2,000 feet at the back of the villages have big, wide paths, moderate elevation gains and often some beautiful views in the clearings.”

Meanwhile, Irishman Niall Harran (aka dino-irl) from County Donegal views caching as “an excellent way to plan a holiday and identify places that are interesting and worth visiting.”

“We did this in Portugal a few years ago,” he says, “and I visited places I wouldn’t have known about if not for caching.”

He believes cachers on horseback would love the Spanish Stroll, the Tulland Strand or the New Kingfisher Cache on the Northwest coast of Ireland.

The Spanish Stroll, like many geocaches, incorporates a sense of history (in this case the Spanish Armada) with the challenge of finding the cache in an area of spectacular beauty.

“Many of the Armada attempted to return to Spain via the North Coast of Britain and Ireland,” Harran explains. “They hit further storms, and many of them wrecked off this coast—hence, the name of the cache.” The beach is close to nearby stables specializing in “horse holidays.”

In addition to what individuals derive personally from geocaching, Groundspeak, Inc. continually generates new components/features to add to the fun.

These include travel bugs [designed to travel to designated places via cache to cache], Cache In-Trash Out practices, dozens of online products, special geocaching events or geocoin gatherings.

Information about all aspects of the sport is available on the main www.geocaching.com website.

“One of the many reasons that geocaching is popular is because it is a diverse sport,” Ranck says. “Geocaches can be found under water, in trees, on top of mountains and even next to bus stops—various modes of transportation and equipment are required to find particular caches.”

“For example, ScubaCaching is a popular form of geocaching amongst the certified scuba community,” she adds. “One can use geocaching as an addition to whatever sport/hobby he or she already enjoys.”

Tales along Geocaching Trails
Schoonovers run a busy year-round guest ranch for corporate, community groups and vacationers. Therefore, occasional geocaching adventures not only enrich their knowledge of the area but also provide a pleasant outdoor break from the bustling pace of their special brand of Western hospitality.

“Our first cache “Jct. of Grouse Creek Trail 488 and Ponderay Divide Trail ” was placed on 9/11/2009,” Janice Schoonover says. “With us that day, to place the cache, were two friends/guests from New York whom we first met at the ranch a week before 9/11/2001. Because the cache was placed late in the year, it was not found until June 2010, by “Grandpapa (aka Pat Broehl).” It was his 50th first-to-find.” Being the first to find a cache provides a special incentive to many geocachers.

Another cacher, Aussieposse, searched for the cache twice, first by foot in May, unsuccessfully, thanks to five feet of snow, and two months later by horseback.

“I decided to attempt it again in July by horseback as I didn’t really want to hike the 488 Trail again,” explains Gayla Roady of Columbia Falls, Montana. “We picked up another cache at the bottom of the 488 Trail before heading up to the Pend Oreille Divide.”

“I like being in the mountains and riding horses,” she adds. “I have found ten caches on horseback and plan to seek out the two that wpranch placed in the Boulder/Divide area—one of my favorite places to ride.”
One of those caches is at Divide Lake in the Cabinet Mountains.

“[It’s] just a spectacular ride,” Janice says. “[It has] many different ways to get into the area (Trail Creek, Grouse Creek, Twenty-Mile Road or even come in from the Montana side), which I think adds to its uniqueness.”
“The ridge where Divide Lake is located and northward is such a top-of-the-world experience,” she adds.
A desire to preserve local history inspired Schoonovers to place a cache next to a spot in scenic Boulder Meadows southeast of Bonners Ferry, Idaho, called Sheppard Rock/Inscription Rock.

“Many locals at some point have seen the Sheppard Rock,” Janice explains, “but because of the way the area changes and the trees grow, it is hard to find today.”

After placing the cache, she described its setting on www.geocaching.com.

“This cache is located at a little-known landmark called ‘Inscription Rock,’” Janice writes, “I’m not sure when I first visited this rock, as Boulder Meadows was a destination for many overnight horseback trips.”

“One of the highlights of these trips was to ride to the rock,” she adds, “and read the words written upon it: Jesus, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.—Ephesians 1:7 KJV.”

Local lore suggests the words (now very faint) were etched by a sheepherder sometime in the 1920s. After decades of serving as a summer pasture to sheep, the lush, green meadows became a destination for local cattlemen pasturing their cowherds.

The Schoonovers, like many avid geocachers, cherish their own personal cache of memories and envision endless possibilities for the sport, especially involving their horses.

“We have walked, ridden horses, canoed, boated, driven ATVs, driven our Geo Tracker, Dodge Durango and F-350 pickup to find caches,” Janice says, “but by far my transportation of choice for geocaching is by horseback.”

By Marianne Love

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George B. Hatley, past executive secretary of the Appaloosa Horse Club and one of the breed’s most tireless supporters, died September 16 (2011) in Moscow, Idaho, of causes related to age. He was 87. He was widely known in the horse world as “Mr. Appaloosa” for his efforts to preserve and promote the Appaloosa horse, and is a member of the Appaloosa Hall of Fame.

Hatley was born July 18, 1924, to Ray and Neva Dole Hatley on the Hatley ranch south of Pullman, Washington. He attended elementary school at the Irene country school near Union Flat Creek, riding horseback to the schoolhouse. He was exposed to Appaloosas and stories about them at a young age. A great uncle had fought in the Nez Perce War of 1877, and a smattering of area farmers, cowboys, and native Americans still possessed the occasional Appaloosa.

In 1936 Hatley’s family moved to a farm west of Moscow, near the present location of the Appaloosa Horse Club. He graduated from Moscow High School in 1942. He acquired an Appaloosa stallion, Toby II, during this period, and after reading an article about Appaloosas in an issue of “Western Horseman,” joined the newly created Appaloosa Horse Club as member No. 45.

Hatley worked on the construction of Farragut Naval Training Station and later took basic Navy training there. After discharge from the Navy , he met ApHC founder Claude Thompson, who soon appointed him to be his assistant. Hatley took the reins as executive secretary in 1947, the same year he married Iola Golden. He attended the University of Idaho on the G.I. Bill, graduating in 1950 with a bachelor of science degree in animal husbandry. The couple’s son, Craig, was born in 1955.

Hatley worked as executive secretary of the Appaloosa Horse Club for 31 years, the early ones without pay. He started the association’s magazine, “Appaloosa News” (now “Appaloosa Journal”), published its first studbooks, implemented the first National Appaloosa Show and Sale (held in Lewiston, Idaho, in 1948 and 1949), and started the Appaloosa Museum. He wrote hundreds of articles and several books, including “Horse Camping,” a classic now in its third printing.

He was instrumental in development of the Chief Joseph Appaloosa Trail Ride, and rode the 1,300-mile route of the Nez Perce War Trail twice. He also completed the 100-mile, one-day Western States Trail Ride, or Tevis Cup, across the Sierra Nevada. Hatley enjoyed horse racing and had two winning lines come from his breeding program. The Appaloosa racing stallion Double Patch won 22 races, and another stallion, Apache Double, won 18 races and went on to become an all-time leading sire.

He was a longtime cattleman who also enjoyed driving horses and collecting horse-drawn vehicles. He made his Deary, Idaho, ranch available for Pony Club, dressage and combined training, 4-H trail rides, and driving events. The Apalousey Trail Ride and Dutch Oven Dinner, a benefit for the Appaloosa Museum, has been held there the past 14 years.

Hatley received numerous honors throughout his life, including membership in the Idaho Hall of Fame and a showcasing in “Sports Illustrated.” In 2004, the United States Pony Clubs designated Hatley a legend for his efforts on behalf of USPC.

He greatly prized an honor presented to him during a Lewiston Roundup by the Nez Perce tribe, where he was presented with a pair of beaded buckskin gauntlet gloves and a Pendleton blanket.

Hatley is survived by his widow Iola at their Moscow home, along with son Craig and daughter-in-law Cheri Hatley in Deary, plus grandchildren Justin Hatley and Danielle Hatley Pierson (Derek), and a sister, Veletta Frink. He was preceded in death by his parents and by a sister, Berneda Hamilton.

Details of a memorial service are pending. Burial of ashes will be at the Hatley Cemetery south of Pullman. Hatley left an epitaph for his gravestone, which is to read, “He has returned to the hills he loved as a boy, and will be a part of them forever.”

Memorial contributions may be made to the Appaloosa Museum, 2720 West Pullman Road, Moscow, ID 83843, and the Hatley Cemetery, P.O. Box 1035, Pullman, WA 99163.

NOTE: A memorial service will be held in Moscow at the University of Idaho Administration Auditorium at 2:00 pm on Saturday, Oct 15th. A reception will follow at the University Inn Best Western at 4:00 pm.

Trainer Of The Year

Congratulations to Dawna Harwell of Collinsville, Texas

The coveted Trainer of the Year award originated in 1993 when Lew Eklund and Jack Stewart purchased a bronze of Chief Joseph, created by then ApHC Director Mary Ann Barrington, to use as a perpetual trophy. The award recognizes outstanding trainers for their impact on the Appaloosa industry. Nominees must earn a majority of their income from training Appaloosa horses, must participate at both the National and World shows for the year honored; must exhibit superior horsemanship skills, good sportsmanship and a friendly, positive attitude; and must promote the Appaloosa breed.
Editors’ note: look for an article about the Trainer of the Year in an upcoming issue of Appaloosa Journal.

The thrill of Appaloosa racing!

Fair Meadows Track, located on the show grounds, offered several races featuring Appaloosas in July. Fans, enthusiasts and first-timers made their way across the parking lot from the horse show to the track almost every day. Some of the thrills included Moon Bully, Allies Apollo, Big Brown blasting his way to a Friday night win in the Appaloosa Stakes and Captain Bucko breaking the World Record for 350 in a blistering 17.5.

Non-Pro Sportsmanship Award

Congratulations to Lindsay Rader Ringtown, Pennsylvania

The Non-Pro Sportsmanship Award recipient exemplifies good character, attitude and enthusiasm toward fellow exhibitors and the Appaloosa breed both in and out of the show ring.

The American Competitive Trail Horse Association (ACTHA) held auditions across the U.S. looking for finalists from all the breeds for America’s Favorite Trail Horse, a show that will air in 13 one-hour episodes beginning this September on HRTV and cable.

Among the nine hundred contestants trying out for the finals in Austin, Texas was our own George Ehmer and Joker from Milton Freewater, Oregon. Giving it their best efforts on camera to maneuver obstacles including jumping over logs, crossing water in steep terrain, rock bridges and an up-hill back over a root in a narrow alley, George and Joker made it into the elite group of 100 finalists.

Now it’s up to us. The winner will be chosen by America’s vote. To support your favorite team, vote on-line at www.actha.us.

Champion of Champions

The return of the ultimate equitation competition, the Champion of Champions, was a huge success with some of the most elegant and difficult maneuvers performed by some of the best Appaloosa youth competitors in the nation.

In a true test of creativity, difficulty and originality—the winners of the equitation classes from the four disciplines of bareback horsemanship, western horsemanship, hunt seat equitation and saddle seat equitation competed head to head, executing patterns of their own design and set to music.

Congratulations to the Champion, Colton Cruse! Colton won the Youth Western Horsemanship 13-15 on Wednesday the 6th, riding Mistys Leading Man.

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Youth Supporter Award

Wade Smith
Annually since 2000, the Appaloosa Youth Association recognizes people who are especially supportive of youths.

The honoree for 2011 is M. Wade Smith of Geary, Oklahoma. He received a glass plaque in appreciation of his continued support and dedication at the Youth World Show in addition to the National and World Shows, which has helped strengthen and develop our growing group of AYA members. Congratulations and thank you to Wade Smith for giving tirelessly of himself to support the AYA.
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Dee Cole Memorial Youth Sportsmanship Award

Regan O’Donnell
This annual award honors the youth who best exemplifies the qualities of kindness, friendliness, willingness and high levels of participation during the show, and demonstrates outstanding sportsmanship both in and out of the arena. Though the winner is determined by a panel of secret judges, the candidates are nominated by their peers. Please join the ApHC in congratulating this years’ recipient, Regan O’Donnell of Milliken, Colorado.
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Randy Cutbirth Award

Congratulations to Steven Hedges, the 2011 winner of the coveted Randy Cutbirth memorial trophy.Randy was an inspiration to many in the Appaloosa industry and a hero to many of our youth reiners. In honor of his memory a silver buckly, donated by Friends of Randy Cutbirth, J/S Training and Mike & Jeanie Buscher, is presented each year to the highest scoring youth reiner.

All the performances were wonderful and fun to watch. It was a spectacular way to end the 2011 World Championship Appaloosa Youth Show. Congratulations to all of our youth on all of their achievements.

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AYA
First Place 14-18
Emilie Johnson, 17

Second Place 14-18
Ginny Carulli, 17

First Place 13 & Under
Jacqueline Frimodt, 9

Second Place 13 & Under
Jacqueline Frimodt, 9

4H/FFA
First Place
Morgan Rich, 14

Second Place
Mikaela May, 17

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ART

2011 Winners: 8 & Under
1st: Calais Radcliff, 8
2nd: Abby Wolfe, 8
3rd: Regan Yost, 7

2011 Winners: 9 – 13
1st: Madeleine Davison, 13
2nd: Samantha Bell, 12
3rd: Madison Mier, 13

2010 Winners: 14 – 18
1st: Olivia Mayer
2nd: Olivia Mayer
3rd: Alyssa Langaas

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ESSAY

The Appaloosa: My Breed of Choice

BY GINNY CARULLI, PA, Age 17
First Place, 14–18

Sitting in the saddle, feeling the smooth rhythm underneath me that I have grown greatly accustomed to and fond of, I knew we had won that class. My horse that year was a registered Appaloosa gelding named Zippo’s Captain, who I named Scout. It was our first year at the county fair together and I did not know if he had previous show experience or not. He did spectacular and we took home four trophies. He and I took first in Western Horse Showmanship, Western Horsemanship, Trail Horse, and Horse Versatility at the Jefferson County Fair, Ohio, in 2008. We also took English Equitation High Point Award at the Steubenville Saddle Club that year. It was the first year I won any competition with a horse.

In late 2007, when my parents informed me they planned on buying me a horse, I started my search immediately. Of course, at fourteen, without the best riding experience backing me up, I was not completely aware of what I was looking for. I recall my first thought, “I do not want a sorrel or chestnut colored horse. There are too many of those around here.” I did not want a quarter horse either, because I am one of those people who strays from the crowd. I did not want a horse that was popular in this area. Looking back now, I realize that this thought of buying a horse based solely on color was slightly unreasonable; nevertheless, I am happy I kept to that motivation. I am a unique person with a unique personality and I wanted a horse to match my disposition. I knew an Appaloosa was perfect for the job. In January 2008, just after my fifteenth birthday, I knew the moment I set sight on that bay roan Appaloosa gelding with the small black and white spots on his rump, that he would be the one.

His owner said that I could change his name. When I told her I liked “Scout” she replied, “I’ll start calling him that now, so he can get used to it.” We took a second trip up just two weeks after to make our final payment and bring him home. I knew we had some wonderful God-given bond awaiting us that February morning when I got out of the car and called, “Scout!” He immediately walked out of the barn and came right to me. That name switch just proves the intense level of intelligence Appaloosas have. I have owned Scout for three years now and these years have been the best and also hardest to live through. Zippo’s Captain and I had great successes as well as devastating traumas. In 2009, we won first in three of our county fair classes and earned the Saddle Club High Point awards in Halter and Horsemanship. In 2010, we earned Saddle Club High Point awards in Showmanship, English Equitation, and Trail. But we went through issues with his feet and legs and we never truly understood his many health issues. In May 2010, my mother drove him to the hospital and the doctor diagnosed him with Navicular Disease.

Everything about this wondrous Appaloosa, Scout, pulled me through each experience and taught me strength, wisdom, courage, and determination. Our experiences illustrated to me that what I want to do most with my life is to work with horses, this breed especially. The reason I believe this breed is the best choice for me is because of his enduring strength to pull through this disease. He fights his pain and overcomes it, I believe, all for me. He is a fantastic horse who has done miracles before my eyes. Training Scout has shown me how to treat horses even better and taught me to patience and understanding. This past week, when I got out of surgery, he was all I wanted, the only thing I called out for. I do not think I will be able to have that kind of strong relationship with any other horse, let alone a different breed. There have been so many times that he has had a long layoff, and when I go back out to ride him and bring him back in shape, he never fails to do exactly as I ask. Everything he does for me he does very responsively. He even picks up quickly on new things. I believe this is a trait characteristic of the Appaloosa breed. It just comes naturally to them, especially Scout, to think everything through thoroughly. I feel, without this horse, I honestly would lose the will to do anything productive. The Appaloosa has such spirit, endurance, and power not just physically but mentally. They are stubborn, but so am I, and I relate greatly with this attitude. Scout and Other Appaloosas I have worked with are always willing to please and eager to learn. Scout’s people-oriented attitude makes me feel like I have a much stronger connection with him than most other people have with their horses. They are strong mentally and physically. You can see in their eyes and bodies how they work out a problem or situation. These horses are colorful inside and out. The orey-eyes show human emotion, which is very vivid and vibrant, and really connects them with people. Even the solid-colored Appaloosas have such intense influence on people, like their spotted brothers and sisters. Anyone can tell an Appaloosa just by his or her distinct personality and attitudes. I want to show everyone that the Appaloosa is my breed of choice for many amazing reasons and that there should be more of them in everyone’s barn.

If My Appaloosa Were a Movie Star

BY MADELEINE DAVISON, Wexford, PA, Age 13
First Place, 13 & Under

If I had an Appaloosa and that Appaloosa was a movie star, well…
“Cut! Cut! Cut!” The director cries, impatiently waving his arms at the cast. “Sandy, your horse is supposed to look like he’s about to fall over the cliff. Not like a lazy horse snatching a bite of grass at the edge of a ravine. This is a western action movie, for Pete’s sake! Dusty, you are a cowgirl, not a fashion model anymore. And yes,” he adds quickly as the celebrity fashion model opens her mouth to correct him, “I am the director and I am going to call you ‘Dusty’; it’ll help you get into the spirit of things. Now let’s try that scene again. Places everyone! And…ready…Action!”
The camera is rolling. Out of the distance comes a lovely blonde woman, her trim figure barely disguised even under layers of heavy leather and ‘authentic’ cowboy clothes. She rides atop a dashing palomino blanket Appaloosa whose golden spots are the exact same shade as her hair. She leans back and pulls him to a thrilling sliding stop as cries ring out from the gully. It’s another cowgirl, and she’s in trouble.

The blonde runs to the edge of the ravine leaving her trusty steed ground-tied a ways back. She reaches down (though nobody can see what she’s doing- that’ll be for the computer, later) and helps the brown-haired damsel in distress to climb out of the ravine and get onto her own horse, a flashy buckskin Quarter Horse (who, all this time, has not been looking the slightest bit interested in playing his part, but instead has been sampling the delicacies growing along the edge of the cliff).

The two gather up their authentic cowboy reins and, spurring their steeds, gallop off into the sunset.
The director looks pleased this time as the group gathers round. “Better, ladies,” he says, “I believe that one day you may get it.”  He reaches over to rub the Appaloosa’s head. “This young man has proved his worth. Only two years, six months old and he’s standing ground-tied already! Well done, Leslie!” The blonde woman smiles and looks bashfully at the ground. It seems as though the director has forgotten to call her the name of her character. “Well, let’s go through that scene one more time, OK? Places! And…action!”

The scene replays itself. The brown-haired actress screams and pretends to fall over the edge of the cliff. Leslie rides in, ground-ties her Appaloosa, and runs over. Then something goes terribly wrong. Leslie trips, and real screams echo all around. Her fellow actress reaches out as she scrabbles for a handhold. Then something huge and golden sweeps past with a thundering noise. Huge teeth grasp hold of the authentic cowboy shirt and yank up. Leslie comes flying over the edge of the cliff, past the shelf where the brunette is standing, until a second ago pretending to need help, and past the lazy buckskin gelding who, for once, is not grazing but watching with an expression of mild interest on his face.

The Appaloosa drops his charge on the sandy desert ground and takes a step back as the crew comes rushing to her aid with water, Band-Aids and icepacks.

It is the spring of the next year. The director is standing up, receiving his award for the best western movie of the year. He is asked if he would like to make any acknowledgments. “Yes, in fact, I would,” he says smiling at the crowd, “to Golden Man, our resident Appaloosa, for giving me the great idea for the plot twists that won me this award.”  He pats the trophy fondly. “He is a true example of an amazing equine actor. Not only is he handsome, quiet, smart and strong, but he is brave as all get-out.” The director beams as the crowd erupts into delighted cheers. They have never heard anything like it before.

Years later, our friend Golden Man receives his own Oscar for best actor in a different great adventure movie. He is acclaimed by the press as “The finest Appaloosa movie star ever.” And he is.
The End!

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