SEPTEMBER 1997 BACK ISSUE

Part of Horse Previews Magazine website. Posted on 9/1/97; 10:00:00 AM.

World Championship Appaloosa Show Coming to Fort Worth

Moscow ID. The 1997 World Championship Appaloosa Horse Show will bring together the elite of the breed October 31- November 8 at the Will Rogers Memorial Equestrian Center in Fort Worth, Texas.

This invitation-only event (participants earn the right to attend), is expected to attract nearly 1,000 horses competing in 132 classes ranging from Reining and cattle events to Jumping and Pleasure Driving.

After a successful fifth year and a purse of $26,150, the Breeders Cutting Futurity is again expected to showcase some outstanding cutting performances at the World Show. Doc O'Lena Doll ridden by Doug Jordan and owned by Jimmie Miller Smith of Geary, Oklahoma, held a captive audience last year when they took the top spot with a beautiful run and a 2.5 point lead. The futurity not only awards cash to the top ten competitors, but the owners of the sire and dam of each winner receives 20 percent. This year's futurity, November 1-2, looks to be the most successful yet with the top cutting competitors in the Appaloosa breed vying for first place.

Team Penning kicks off Saturday night, November 1 and is being sponsored by J&B Tack & Western Wear. The $3000 added money and the growing popularity of Team Penning makes this class especially competitive and fun to watch for the spectators.

The annual Freestyle Reining and Toys for Tots will once again be held in conjunction this year. The Spotlights, decorative costumes, and spinning and sliding tuned to the exhibitor's choice of music has been likened to the finesse of figure skating--only horseback. Not to be forgotten is the $5000 added money to be divided among the top five exhibitors. Sky Appaloosas has also jumped in again with a $1000 cash award to the highest placing Non-Pro. Folks are encouraged to bring a toy or cash donation as admission to the Freestyle Reining performance Friday night, November 7. Proceeds from this event are given during the holidays to the less privileged children of the Fort Worth area.

Another crowd favorite unique to the Appaloosa breed are the Camas Prairie Stump races run horse-against-horse rather than against a stopwatch. With this fast-paced action going on in the arena, it is easy to find yourself on the edge of your seat cheering your favorite to the finish line.

Admission is free, and in addition to a variety of classes, there is an Appaloosa Sale hosted by Dale Segraves & Associates, Wednesday, November 6 at 7pm. There is also a trade show (open daily 9am-7pm) to offer great western shopping opportunities and much more. Throughout the show, buckles, trophies, trailers, saddles, cash and ribbons will reward the World Champions.

An event of this magnitude is possible because of the sponsors that contribute to its prestige and success. Some of these special sponsors are as follows: Sergeant's Western World, Berry's Tack & Riding Apparel, Featherlite Trailers, R.A. Guthrie Co. Cowboy Silversmiths, Western Horseman, Huffine's Chevrolet, Dale Segraves & Associates, and Green Oaks Manor.

A horse once part of the carefully bred Nez Perce herds, the versatile Appaloosa is cherished by its owner today. The ApHC boasts approximately 30,000 members in the United States and worldwide, with over 580,000 registered Appaloosas since the ApHC founding in 1938. The Club approves about 800 regional shows where points are earned and accumulated for World Show entry. Additionally, the ApHC recognizes about 600 races annually and sponsors four trail rides across the United States. The Appaloosa Journal is the official publication of the ApHC and is an award-winning monthly publication dedicated to the promotion and improvement of the Appaloosa horse.

Exhibitors and spectators will not want to miss this year's show, the show of excellence. Deadline for entries is September 30. Classes start daily at 7:30am. See for yourself and bring the whole family to enjoy the breed with something extra. For more information or the daily class schedule, contact the Appaloosa Horse Club, 5070 Highway 8 West, Moscow, Idaho, 83843, (208) 882-5578. After October 30, call the Information Hotline at the Show (817) 335-4498.