The Pinto Congress will host the Color Breed Cash Challenge, a series of events where Appaloosas, Palominos, Buckskins, Paints and Pintos will compete together for cash prizes.

Open to any horse registered with ApHC, PHBA, APHA, PtHA, IBHA or ABRA, the Color Breed Cash Challenge classes include halter, western pleasure, English pleasure, trail and longe line. Even Solid-Bred Paints, Breeding Stock Pintos and Good As Gold Palominos are eligible to compete in these events.

Complete rules and entry forms are available at www.pintocongress.com/forms. For questions, email congress@pinto.org or call (405) 491-0111.

We had a group of Nez Perce youth riders as well as representatives of the Nez Perce Appaloosa Horse Club and Chief Joseph Foundation. Folks were there from all across the U.S., Canada, England, The Netherlands, Germany and Norway. I’ll have a separate story about the gents from Norway who decided more than a year ago to plan a ride of the complete 1300-mile trail in one year. Now they’ve modified the route a bit to include “only” the more difficult and scenic parts of the trail, but they’ll still be riding through September.

I want to add a special thanks to Susan Fredrickson, who stepped in late in the game to serve as ride manager. She and husband Mike helped in so many ways to ensure a successful adventure. Andy Shaw, camp crew supervisor, Norman Shaw our chef and Ervin Gross the camp manager (and ever-patient parking director) all provided outstanding support. The list of people we depend on is very long. Their reward comes when riders acknowledge that they had a wonderful time and were spoiled.

The Chief Joseph Trail Ride is a commemoration, a history lesson and a family reunion that the ApHC is proud to be associated with.

We’ll have more photos in the Flicker album very soon.

Equi-Rescue provides full roadside assistance for members in the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico. As part of the agreement, ApHC members will receive a special discount on both basic and enhanced plans. Normally, the basic plan is $64.95 and the enhanced plan is $119.95 annually.

Rick Young, along with his late father Roy, has been involved in the ApHC since the beginning. Rick will serve as the marketing representative for this new affiliation. “It does everything the AAA type plans do, but we also cover the big rig trucks, trailers and family cars at a cheaper price” says Rick. ApHC members can learn more about Equi-Rescue or enroll online at www.equi-rescue.com/aphc. For additional details, members can email info@equi-rescue.com or call Rick directly at (985) 507-4417.

Policy/Rule changes effective immediately:

•The ApHC adopts the American Horse Council’s Welfare Code of Practice.

•Establish a Hall of Fame Committee to include non-director members and change the voting process to a yes-or-no ballot, with a two-thirds affirmative vote required for induction.

•ApHC resolves to establish a stronger relationship between the ApHC and the Appaloosa Horse Breeders Society of South Africa.

•Confirms that four judges will be used at the World Show in 2010 and beyond.

Policy/Rule changes effective January 1, 2011:

•Establishes that heritage class exhibitors are responsible for compliance with Federal laws regarding the use of feathers.

•Clarifies eligibility for Foundation Pedigree Designation.

•Endurance and limited distance competitions approved by ApHC will follow AERC guidelines; age requirement were adjusted — minimum of four years old to qualify for an ROM, five years old to qualify for a medallion.

•Novice youth points will be tabulated regardless of ownership status of the horse.

•Confirms that registration names must not conflict with previously reserved breeder, bloodline or ranch names; and the ApHC has discontinued the practice of reserving names for future use.

•ApHC will award a 1,000-mile Trail & Distance Medallion for recreational trail riding for horses enrolled in the Distance Program.

•Men’s and Ladies’ Heritage will be separate classes at ApHC-sponsored shows, but may be combined at regional shows at the discretion of show management. The new rule also substitutes “Appaloosa history” for the “old west period.”

•In single-judge, fee-waiver shows, non-Appaloosa horses may compete in the same class with ApHC registered horses at the discretion of show management. The rule further explains ApHC class placings and entries.

•Provides owners of Appaloosa race horses with the option of purchasing either a “Race Medallion Permit” ($100) or a Performance Permit prior to becoming eligible to earn medallion points.

•“Act of God” rule for regional clubs forced to reschedule a single-judge show. Allows the show to be combined with another previously-scheduled single-judge show approved under the fee-waiver provision.

•Establishes some flexibility for the CEO and Executive Committee to issue a Performance Permit to a non-characteristic Appaloosa born prior to 2007 that cannot be parentage verified.

•Reinforces guidelines for ApHC judges and outlines a procedure for notice, hearing and appeal of any Judges Committee action to consider revocation of a judge’s card.

•Establishes a “Limited Participation Membership” for use by an individual at one ApHC-approved or sponsored event except the National Show, World Show and Chief Joseph Trail Ride. The one-event membership fee is $15.

October 3 – 9, Daniel Boone National Forest, Kentucky;

We will schedule a regular 5-day ride as in the past, but we will also provide two 3-day rides for those who prefer a shorter time away from home. Riders will receive credit from the ApHC for the Distance Program and the Trail Hall of Fame.

This year’s ride will be at the Red Hill Horse Camp near Livingston, Kentucky (the Daniel Boone National Forest); www.RedHillhorsecamp.com. Paved roads lead to the camp. Cost of the full ride is the same as last year — $335. The cost for a three-day ride will be $200. This will include campsite with water and electric, a stall for your horse and meals. Restrooms and showers are available. All horses must be stalled.

We now have a website: www.sheltoweetrailride.homestead.com

Ride applications should be mailed to Roland Haun, 872 Nacke Pike, Cecilia, KY 42724. If you have specific questions, give Roland a call at 270.862.9357.

Officers elected to serve on the Executive Committee for the coming year incude: Chuck McWhirter – President; Steve Bennett – Vice President; Jack Zuidema – Finance Committee Chair; Diane Rushing – Rules Committee Chair; Laura Lyon – Planning & Review Committee Chair; and Lonnie Ledbetter – Marketing Committee Chair.

My blogging is obviously in lag mode, but it’s been a good week in Jackson. As with most horse shows, we’ve experienced a variety of twists and turns. Most of the city was affected by a major water main break and was without water for part of Thursday.The response from the city was quick and helpful, with a tanker truck full of water and some of those cute little blue portable “restrooms.” At the other end of the spectrum, we’ve had too much water in the form of a thunderstorm. What the experts would call “minor” flooding occurred in a couple of barns. Exhibitors worked together to manage the crisis.

The Awards Banquet Sunday evening was very nice. Ward Fenton brought most of his family from Montana for his official induction into the Hall of Fame (a ceremony to honor Victoria Ennis will be scheduled for next year in Tulsa). The combined open/youth/non-pro event seemed to be a plus.

We’ll have a collection of photos on this site, Larry Williams Photography will also be providing candid photos on their website and there will be additional photos and links from the daily Network — an online publication this year. Class results will be in the Network along with feature stories, schedules and sponsor information. You can also keep up with the action via webcam.