Hello Region 9!

I just wanted to bring this show to your attention as the show manager is looking for any possible feedback on how to make this the most exhibitor friendly and rewarding show you attend next year.
Last year, the Main Ring classes ran under two judges, concurrantly. Double the points with only half the cost and time!! Well, this year, the Sport Horse ring will ALSO be running as a concurent show with two judges!!! Get qualified for R9 right then and there, no muss no fuss.

If you'd like more info, you can ask me or you can contact the show manager, Karen Blankenship, directly at kblanke838@aol.com

This show is held in Katy, TX which is just outside the city limits of Houston.

Okay, Natalie, you've been to this one. What can make it better?

I've shown dogs down there in the winter months and some years it is absolutely freezing! How about an exhibitors warm up area, with heaters and hot chocolate and coffee? Would be a nice place to gather and maybe meet some new friends.

Also, can we suggest (I think the term is "buy") a class for us amateur exhibitors? Maybe a "critique" type class - where the judge(s) can print out in advance what they are looking for in the class (i.e. hunter pleasure, western pleasure, sport horse under saddle, CEP, English), then give a short written critique on some areas of their particular pet peeves or concerns for that type of class to the entries. Maybe they could be limited to first enter, first judged and announced to the audience, like cattle shows sometimes are. That way the exhibitors and spectators could learn something about the arabian and that judge....

Yea, sometimes it is downright FREEZING out there. It was BLISTERY this past year.

If you can get some specs on what this class would be like, I bet Karen would entertain it. Something like a representative of each dicipline to be judged against the dicipline standard? That sounds pretty interesting!

Based on the conversation that Karen and I had yesterday, all of these items you suggest (hot choc, heat, etc) can be incorporated, but it will take volunteers and donations to make it happen. All the folks you see there associated with the show, are paid. That really eats away at the bottom line. I know that Karen takes a lot of pride in her show - which is why she supplies the beautiful garlands to her champions.

I talked to her about having an in-ring photographer for Sport Horse. I told her we don't need to set up a fancy center ring (which is why there was no photgrapher there in the past). I know that us ammies LOVE to get our win shots and those are very important to us.

I'll try to see what I can dig up from dog shows on the "specs" for the class. Probably should have 3 different horses in the ring, so the judge could tell the spectators of his comparisons and reasonings.

Maybe the Ammy Army could host the hot chocolate and coffee table in the morning for an hour or so. Or, better yet, maybe we could set up some coffee urns, one for coffee and one for hot water, for a make it yourself set up. I've got 2 5 foot tables, so I can bring one or both. We can cover them with camo material and make some signs advertising out group. Maybe we'll get some more enlistees that way.

I like the double judged idea.

Unfortunately, I'll never make it down to Houston in Jan. Weather's just too darn unpredictable in KS and OK...AND since my horses live on pasture and I hate blanketing, they'll never be body clipped in Jan.

I've been going to some paint shows lately and have picked up some ideas from them that I think would be great to incorporate into some of our Arab shows.

Paid warm up classes--Basically, people pay for an unplaced warm up class. Usually at the beginning of a section. No specific attire required. Horses can wear schooling equipment. Class is called like a regular class. No judge present, no placings given. At most of the paint shows I've been at, someone just stands at the gate and collects money. When they close down the warm up arena, you either ride by and give her a $10 to stay in the arena for the 'pseudo class' or you leave.

Green horse walk trot classes, adult walk trot classes, open walk trot classes--Green horses classes for horses that aren't to canter at the show...ridden by anyone (rider is allowed to canter at the show but on a different mount)...and shown at only the walk trot--a good place to get young horses out that you don't feel confident enough to canter in a class setting yet. Adult walk trot classes for riders who aren't to canter at the show--good for those adults who don't feel up to cantering in general or on a particular horse or just want to get their feet wet in the ring without the stress of cantering. And Open walk trot are just that--open. Any horse/rider combo (and both horse and rider are allowed to show at a canter during the show in other classes). These are usually considered warm up classes by the exhibitors (often held after the paid warm up classes--though they require appropriate attire and no training equipment is allowed). These are HUGE classes at all the shows I've been to. Fabulous horses and fabulous riders. And they are more competitive than many of the other classes--everyone wants to win the Open Walk Trot class, they consider it great bragging rights. I didn't really understand until I tried one at a dirt circuit--even that tiny dirt circuit show had over 20 entries in the Open walk trot class. To walk out of the ring with a ribbon was an accomplishment (part on my Arabs in a stock horse venue! AND I rode Hunter...everyone else was riding western!).

And the hardest one for Arabs (because our shows are more expensive to run than your average paint show due to our USEF membership). All day class entry fee--Pay a set fee and enter as many classes as you'd like. I think at least in the Arab world, this might be useful for youth. Youth love to ride everything...and I think they shoudl have the opportunity to do so--else how are they going to figure out what they like and are good at? I think more shows should think about adding an all day show fee for the youth riders.

One thing they tried and had some success with up North at shows were classes that were specifically classes for Ammy owned and trained horses. They did one for each division. ie: Ammy owned and trained western horse, english horse, CEP, etc. It gave some people the confidence to go into a class where the weren't competeing against BNTs.

I suggested the AOTS Hunter class to Karen and she responded that there were plenty of other classes to show in. I would really like to have the AOTS, where we aren't competing with any of the big barns. Would be nice to have a "truly ammy" classe for us!

We had success in at least one class for each division! The horse cannot have been in pro training for 3 (I think) years and those classes ended up packed! I for sure would do it once my boy is going in western! I totally agree with you! Especially in these smaller shows, it gives those Ammys who wouldn't otherwise show against a BNT the ooportunity to!

Okay, what's a "BNT?"

Big Name Trainer

Aha! I have so little time and so much to learn....

Updated info about the show. I don't think she is doing the double judge due to lack of sponsorships.
Hello Everyone,

The NEW Show dates for the HOUSTON ALL ARABIAN SHOW are January 15, 16 & 17 2010 due to USEF Rotation for leap year. The Show will run concurrent again next year with Van Jacobsen, MN and Debbie Thomas, CT judging. A lot of you will remember Van as Ring Master for Youth Nationals for many years. The class list has been changed to prevent the overtime we had this year with the many halter classes I offered. I've moved most of the specialty classes like Liberty, Trail and some of the Youth classes, with more focus on Performance Classes. The good news is that following Monday is a National Holiday for most of us. (Not Me)
I have a few Pages left for advertising. The size is 8 1/2 x 11, Black and White and can be designed for you or can be digital and e-mailed directly to Dee Hoffmann at deehoffmann@att.net. HIGH RESOULTION PLEASE The prize is $250.00 and I take all major credit cards or pay by check, but must be paid before the prize list goes to print.

SINCERELY YOURS,

Karen Blankenship-Chairperson
Houston All Arabian Show
281-351-0772

I'm happy to see some info about this show. A few of us are hoping to go...love the idea of one fee for all-you-can-ride. Shootout does that for the Jr. riders and it definitely helps...plus it encourages kids to try a class they might not otherwise do. Any idea when the premium will be available?