Gulf Coast AHC - Christmas Show

Dates are 12/4/09-12/6/09

I spoke to Julie Redding (from their web page) who advised that they are having the show this year. The premium list (dog show term for entry book - I don't know what you call this in horse show terms) is being reviewed by the Board of Directors and will be posted ASAP.

Blaze will now get halfway in the trailer, so (if I have to tie all four feet and hang her upside down like meat in the trailer) we are going to be there!

I would love to know if anyone else will be going and would like to set up together as Ammy Army exhibitors.

Also, I would like to "Buy A Class" for HA/AA Hunter Pleasure AOTS - do you think this is too far fetched?

Also, do any of you know of the GSWEC has shower facilities, or should I reserve a room at Motel 6?

Hey! OK, I am planning on going, obviously! So of course setting up together would be great! I'll get the stall stuff from Natalie. I know of one other who's going for sure, so if everyone wants to send me entries, I'll be point person, and I'll mail them all in together.

An AOTR class is not at all far fetched! Go for it if it isn't on the list!

Not sure about the showers. Someone here will know, tho!

I think the AOTR class will already be on the list. I was hoping to add an AOTS (Amateur Owned Trained and Shown) to weed out the BNTs. (See I'm catching on to the lingo!)

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Go for it! This show is small, so I think anything they can get would work! Can't wait to finally meet you! I'm going to be a basketcase at the Shoot Out, but all the shows right now for me are dress rehersals for scottsdale. I hope he doesn't flip, but we'll see...

What classes are you showing in at the Shoot Out? I'm still going to try to drive over and see it. Heck, it's only 4 hours from here....

I'm showing Friday in the morning, all the Gelding halter classes. Whether he flips out or not!

The 2009 Show Premium List/Show book or whatever you call that entry thing has been posted at: http://www.gulfcoastarabians.com/Shows%20&%20Events.htm

Thanks for the update! For all those going, are we just putting "AMMY ARMY" under "stall with"? Never done it before, so... just wondering!

Okay, that link didn't work, but the class list, program and entry form are up on the website: www.gulfcoastarabians.com.

I emailed Sherry McGraw, the show secretary today, and asked if we could put "Ammy Army" in the "stall with" section, so that we can be together. I also suggested that we would be open to a specific date to having them in her office so that we could be together.

If that doesn't work, I guess we need to coordinate with someone to send all our entries to, so they can be sent together in one envelope.

I'll let you know as soon as I hear something from her.

Okay guys - I heard back already. Per Sherry:
"As long as you all get your entries postmarked by the deadline and put "Ammy Army" on it, I will put you together. No problem."

She also said, "Look forward to getting Ammy Army's entries!" How's that for exciting???

I'm thinking about a "buy a class" for HA/AA Hunter Pleasure Maiden Rider. Sherry said that "HA/AA Hunter Pleasure Maiden Rider - AOTS - Bay Mares Only" Probably wouldn't fly....

LOL! Then does that mean I can buy a 2 y.o. Maiden Bay Gelding AOTH class? Well, I'm going to send my entries in early next week! I'm definitely looking forward to showing with everyone!

I think you should go with the AOTS over the AOTH. AOTS keeps all those people out of your ring that pay professionals to house and train their horse, but walk in with the leadline. Those of us without a trainer have our own ring with AOTS.

Funny, when I emailed Sherry, she hadn't heard of that acronym before, so I sent her this quote out of the USEF Arabian Division Rules:

AR113 Abbreviations of Class Specifications.
g. AOTS - Amateur Owned, Trained, and Shown. Classes may be offered in any section.
Exhibitors, attendants, and headers must meet the specifications for amateur status
(refer to GR1306 and GR1307). Horses are not to have been professionally trained for a
period of one year immediately prior to the competition (riding and driving instruction for
the owner to be excluded). In addition, horses are not to be exhibited, prepared,
groomed or schooled with the aid of or by a professional while on or off the competition
grounds immediately before or during the competition. Horses may be stabled with a
professional during the competition, and hauled by a professional. Professional help for
situations relevant to safety is permitted. Owner must sign as owner, trainer, and
rider/driver/handler on the USEF/AHA entry blank.

Maybe we as the Ammy Army could start a trend with "buy a class" and start insuring that most shows offer this type of class. What do you think? Del???????

I think that's an awesome idea! Can't wait until Boss is ready to go in the ring! I'll buy a AOTS Western class FOR SURE!!!!! Love Love Love the idea!

Okay Guys, Blaze and I have been doing the Hokey Pokey and yesterday was all four feet in the trailer! Blaze got in the trailer 5 times and stayed in each time for about 3-4 minutes. Each time, I waited for one of the signs of relaxation and on the last time, she even cocked one back leg while standing in the trailer eating some cookies.

No one at bowling last night understood my excitement, but I had to tell them anyway!

I have been working hard at trying to get her ready to come to this Christmas Show, but she is on her own schedule so, I've decided to back off of my class A show dreams until next spring... I am, however, going to come and watch and cheer and help and cheer and ask questions and cheer and learn stuff. Did I mention that I will cheer you guys on!!!

I think it's silly for me to spend class A money and not be class A ready! No only have we not cantered yet, I'm having fears of her handling the stalling, the show noises, not to mention the clippers, etc.... So, I will be around, just not competing yet... Did I say "yet?"

you should bring her anyway, not to show, but just so she gets use to traveling etc......

I thought about that, but it's an almost 5 hour drive from here and I think I would be a basket case just getting her there. Then there's the stress of how she might act with all the hubub and being stalled. Where we are now, she doesn't have a stall...

But, a stall may be coming. We have an opportunity to buy my farrier's place of 11 acres, 1250 sq ft (5 year old) home and 2400 sq ft barn with 2 arenas... (Fairy Tales can come true - they can happen to you........)

Hi all, I will also be at the Christmas show in Katy. I am stalled with Cody Ralston, Western Cross, he has my new half Arab western horse. We'll be in the AATR and AAOTR Half Arab Western classes (promise not to laugh, it's been a while). I'll be the 40ish lady with a Rottweiler (or two) wandering around starting Thursday. I have a purebred gelding I am hoping to show "myself" next year, maybe Waco?

Would LOVE to meet other Ammy Army members at this show. Please....come by the stalls and visit! I hope to do several shows next season and really want to meet other Region 9'ers

Julie Miller
www.keerocka.com
Knights Big Gun (Allionces Knight+/ X Miss Rippin Rascal)
SoFine Strait Man (Cahafra Inferno+ X SoFine Passing Fancy)
Shahfame (Fame VF X AH Shahrazade)

Hi Julie!

I'll look for both you and Kristen when I come to watch.

My fairy tale came true and we signed the sales contract today on my new place! So, we will be closing and moving in about mid-December. Then my horse, my cow and my two goats will have a home in an 8-stall horse barn on 11 acres. Woohoo! My dream has come true!

Congrats on the new place! That's awesome! Have you tried trailering your mare with a quiet buddy? That helped Boss a lot and got us through the worst of it and his panic attacks. I also fed him in on the trailer. 2 weeks ago we broke our trailer tie, turned around in the trailer, and freaked. Last weekend we hauled him with a quiet buddy, and Thursday I hauled him 3 hours to Glen Rose completely happy.

I haven't tried the buddy thing yet, she only has her cow here... I guess I can start trying to tie Cowboy, the cow, in the trailer and see if she'll load with him in there...

My only thought is, if this works, how are the show people going to understand that I had to bring my Jersey steer with me to the shows for Blaze???

Lol! Lol! Honestly, my friend used to bring a goat with her mare everywhere to help calm her. That was her buddy.

What I ended up doing is hauling Boss with another gelding. I pulled them around together for around 15-20 minutes. Short ride. Then I pulled them both off, waited another 15-20 minutes and did something else, loaded Boss up, and took him for a 15 minute ride alone. Do you know how far you are from Conroe?

Yep, I'm 3-3.5 hours from Conroe. I'm up here at I-20/Hwy 59 - just west of Shreveport...

Hmmm... Well, if you'd like, I can come up and help you one weekend. It would have to be after the Xmas show, but I'm willing...

I'll let you know how it goes. She's gonna have to get in the trailer by mid-December, because of the move. I'm going to work with her some more today (and every day that I can).

Sometimes it's scary trailer training is what I learned! Boss banged around, pulled a bar off one of my windows rearing, and broke the manger. But sometimes just going and keeping going is the best thing to do . My former trainer, who's trained more horses in her 60+ years told me that he'll probably fidget and maybe make a huge deal out of it, but to just keep going. He did and I did and now he hauls like a gentleman. I was scared hearing him banging around to start, but it was worth it. That's all I can tell you from my experience. Sometimes all the time in the world spent waiting for signs of relaxation (which I did, and he was fine standing til the doors closed) doesn't make up for just get in and go!

You may be right. I want to get her to stand tied inside over the next few days, then we'll start driving around.

I've been torturing her with plastic bags, which she will now accept everywhere but her head, so we're making quick progress there too.

I tied Boss with both a bungee and a regular in case he broke one. The bungee helped him a lot, but he also had issues tying (which I have since fixed with a tire inner tube, a couple leads, and a tree...). I wish you all the luck! I just went through it, so I totally understand your fears! Tie her and maybe feed her on the trailer? We did that too. I'm glad you've made so much progress with the bag! Boss is the opposite! HE accepts it on his head, but still tenses over the rest of his body. Tho he is getting better. Think we can combine them for the perfect horse?

Excellent, I hope to meet you at the show.

Also, I had a QH a few years back that had HORRIBLE trailer issues. As a result, I have watched (and purchased) about every natural horsemanship video/DVD available. I primarily follow Clinton Anderson's methods. If we meet up at the show I can give you the abridged version and tell you all the things that worked for my scared and stubborn QH!

I would also recommend that you get the Aussie tie ring (or a version of it) asap. They are GREAT for horses with any tying issues. I always use them in my trailers now, even with horses who have never had an issue (it only takes once). With these rings you can take any horse who sets back and help them stand quietly, even under stressful circumstances.

Congrats on the new place, how wonderful!

Julie

Thanks Julie! I look forward to meeting you too and gleaning all that I can from your experiences.

I did purchase a tie ring at Clinton's seminar in Monroe, LA. I figured it was the one affordable thing I could purchase that day that would do the most good - and it has.

Tonight, Blaze went in the trailer with me beside her and let me feed her part of her dinner. I have the tie ring in there and will probably put her helmet on along with her front boots and try tying her for the first time tomorrow... I'll let you know how it goes.