OCTOBER 1997 BACK ISSUE
Part of Horse Previews Magazine website. Posted on 10/1/97; 10:00:00 AM.
AMHR Nationals - Columbia, MO
September 1st-9th, 1997Not unlike `95 and `96, 1997 proved to be a "hectic" AMHR National Show for many IEMHC club members. After weeks of preparation, hard work, and STRESS, we were Nationals Bound. Or... as we tried to tell ourselves, we were on `Vacation!"
Representing IEMHC were Wayne and Janet Dawson and "Copper"; Jani Martin & "Major," "Chip," "Sharakah" & "April"; Lori Guglielmo & "Highlite," "Reno," "Wampum," "Shaboom," "Passion," "Sweetheart," "Cowboy," and "Lacy." Tagging along were Cathy and Jessica Matheson, Tammy Curtis, Carmen & Sue Millhorn. With 14 horses, this was beginning to sound like a "working vacation!" Joining us from the coast were Glenn & Sandy Nicolls & "Monte," "Tina," "Lilly," & "Tatoo." From Montana, we had "Hot Wheels," minus her mom, Rosemary Chapel. New horsey friends from the coast were, Joanne Hambidge & Jane; with horses, Scout, Duchess and Dream Weaver. And, Jim Evers and horse, American Express.
As we departed the plane in St. Louis, the temperature at a "balmy" 95 degrees at 6pm - humidity at about 95%. There was a shortage of stalls in Columbia, due to a late running Quarter Horse show, enhanced by a broken down truck or two... so, we had horses in tack stalls, tack in the aisles, decorations hanging from the ceiling, and a general feeling of starvation! Needless to say, the 2 hour time difference had not caught up with our tummies or appetites! But, we were on vacation, Right? Even though we were looking at a shortage of stalls and food, there seemed to be an abundance of flies and crickets... at least enough to keep a herd of frogs happy for several years. Each time we moved anything in our tack stall, an army of black crickets would leap out at us, after a while, even Carmen ceased to scream!
After settling in, we were up and ready early Wednesday morning for the first day of the show. At precisely 8:30 am, 72 exhibitors entered the arena for the A Stallion Class, accompanied by "delightful" organ music. By mid-afternoon, however, this delightful organ music took on the sound of a funeral dirge. We retreated to our tack stall for a little Bob Seger and Arlo Guthrie.
At this point, we discovered that our tack stall, as well as many others had been broken into. Jani & Lori had been robbed. Jani lost cash, Lori lost her wallet and cash. Several other exhibitors at the show were robbed. Lori was fortunate, in that her wallet was returned, minus the cash. This was definitely the low point of the trip, but possibly the high point as well, do you know how many people offered cash and/or help to Lori and Jani - just because? What a nice group of exhibitors at this show, almost as nice as being back in the Northwest.
All these things aside, the show went well. Rain, on Thursday was a welcome relief, cooling everything off. The classes were so large that we usually crept into bed after 2 am and by Friday we were all in a state comparable to a coma. Everything was funny, everybody was silly, and all was well with the world.
Janet and Wayne dug right in and became master groomers. Tammy made up a good luck magic dance (hence, she is, The Dancer), Cathy and Sue became the permanent Moms - complete with cameras, huge pockets for grooming supplies, etc, and a special place of Christophers' Tomagachi...
Lori and Jani put in many hours in the arena presenting all of theses horses; but I secretly think that they were there because they enjoyed that organ music! Oh, to be a trainer, rather than a MOM - Sue did show Sweetheart in the "Owned and Bred By" Class, bringing home a National 7th, an Excedrin Headache, $400 and a vow to NEVER show again! I think we'd make a fortune if we had an Immodium AD booth!!
Saturday Nite: Jessica Matheson donned her sapphire blue evening gown, complete with faux diamond necklace and earrings to compete in the Youth Driving Class. Her First Ever....I do believe MOM Cathy had tears in her eyes, as lovely Jessica proudly presented Wampum in his class. What a picture of Class and Elegance! An 8th under judge Eitel was spectacular, especially in a class of 22 exhibitors. Good Job Jessica and Wampum.
On Saturday Night, the National Show organizers announced the winners of the trainer award, stall decoration award, and the winners of the many donated prizes. Imagine the screaming and "Oh, My God-ing" that went on when they announced the winner of the Grand prize, a Jerald Custom Driving Cart - Horse #349 - Lucky Four Haligonian Highlite!! Sue proudly drove the cart out of the arena, with her trusty steed/ trainer Lori, in the shaves! And what a thrill to hear Horse #352, Knight Stars Shahboom, as the winner of a Silk-Ez horse blanket - this was definitely our show for door prizes! Sam Guglielmo, eat your heart out!
Wayne Dawson, carefully studied the jumping course he was to maneuver with Copper, and had Janet in a nervous frenzy. Wayne & Copper were fantastic! Wayne however, "bumped" into one of the obstacles - knocking it flat - I believe they were considered off-course. A valiant effort on both Wayne and Coppers part. However, Janet may STILL be holding her breath on the North side of the building.
Sunday brought this show to a close. We all walked away with top ten honors, great memories, and new found friendships. I guess it was a vacation, after all! Lori, Sue, Janet, Jani, Wayne, Jessica, Cathy, Tammy & Carmen...it was great! And in the words of our infamous announcer, for the 188th time. Good Job!! Well Done!! Congratulations!!
