Well, by the time you read this, we will be all done with the partying and festivities of the WMAR and MApHA banquet weekend. Hopefully everyone had a good time, received lots of cool awards and spent lots of money at the live and silent auctions.

In case some of you didn’t realize it, the WMAR has their own Incentive Fund. There are three divisions, Open Halter, Open Judged Performance and Open Gymkhana. A one time payment of $35.00 and a nomination form is all it takes to apply for each division. WMAR points are counted, with the two WMAR sponsored shows giving double points, and at the end of the year all entry money is divided on a dollar amount per point basis and paid out at the year end banquet. You can contact Tami Vickery for application forms and more information.

While we’re on the subject of showing, I’m still looking for ideas for some show high point awards. I have one show taken care of, but would like some ideas of what you, the exhibitor, would like to take home with you.

Also along the show line of thinking, Jackie Wintjen and I are in charge of the June show and are still looking for some volunteers. We can use a good ringmaster, whether it’s for one day or both, in gate and out gate help, maybe an announcer apprentice and helper, and just some general helpers over the weekend to set up games, trail, western riding, etc. Please let us know if there’s a particular job you excel at and we’ll gladly let you show off your talents, even if it’s just for a few hours. Shoot, we’ll make sure everyone knows how good you are by bragging you up at the show. Here’s your chance for a little fame….sorry there’s not fortune to go along with it.

If you’ve been contemplating breeding your mare this spring, keep in mind that Amy Schweiger still has a few very nice stallions available from the 2009 WMAR Stallion Service Sale. This Stallion Service Sale will be taking a short hiatus due to the poor economy. The SSS Futurity will still be held for those foals resulting from 2010 breedings as well as for the previous sales. We just won’t be holding a Stallion Service Sale in 2010 and will be making a decision on 2011’s sale later in the year. Some changes are coming for the 2010 Classic Show/Futurity. Probably one of the biggest will be classes will start at 3:00 p.m. on Friday afternoon with the WMAR SSS Futurity and then moving into all the regular halter classes and the MI Appaloosa Breeders Futurity　halter classes.　 Hunter in Hand and Showmanship will still be on Saturday.　

For up to the minute (well almost) information, be sure to check out our website at www.wmarapp.com You will find lots of WMAR information as well as fun photos from last show season.

The next WMAR BOD meeting will be February 13, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. at the MSU Pavilion in one of the classrooms. Everyone is always welcome to attend. There will be no March meeting due to the MI Stallion Expo and Trade Show.

‘til next month............

Sharon Clark