GKCAHA Pony Express Show update!
We have found a group that will run the
concession stand at the Pony Express Show. Some of the items they
will have are hamburgers, hot dogs, polish dogs, chips, and their
specialty, homemade fried pies in flavors of apple, blackberry, cherry
and peach.
GKCAHA advertising rates
If you are interested in advertising on our
website you can click
here to check out our rates.
Ron Payton Article
Many people know Ron Payton in the Arabian
world. Click
here to read a article about Ron by
his daughter.
Don Ferro
Dominic "Don" Ferro passed away Friday, May 15,
2009, at the age of 96. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m.
Wednesday, May 20, at the Church of the Nativity, 3800 W. 119th, Leawood,
Kan., where the Rosary will be prayed at 7:30 p.m. Mass of Christian
Burial has been changed to 10 a.m. Thursday, May 21, at St. Michael the
Archangel, 14201 Nall, Leawood. Burial will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions to St. Jude's
Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Don
was born the son of Antonino and Sebastiana (Bessy Orlando) Ferro on
Jan. 3, 1913, in Camporeale, Sicily, Italy. Don's family was his number
one priority and he enjoyed traveling with them. He had a passion for
training and competing with Arabian horses, and riding at trail rides
until the age of 85. Don was preceded in death by his brother, Steve
Ferro. He leaves behind his wife, Angelina; daughter and son-in- law,
Beth and Frank Oddo; son and daughter-in-law, Don and Gloria Ferro;
grandchildren, Rick and Karen Oddo, Jeff and Karen Oddo, Brad and Liz
Oddo, Jennifer and Matthew Winston, Greg and Tiffany Ferro; 10 great
grandchildren; brother, Frank (Mary) Ferro; and a large family,
including many nieces and nephews. Arr.: McGilley State Line Chapel
(816) 942-6180.
(information provided by
kansascity.com)
MO-KAN Border Bonanza article
The Mo-Kan Border Bonanza was relocated this
year to the American Royal Complex in Kansas City, and the results were
increased entries, and no interference from the weather.
Over 240 horses were entered, and everyone
enjoyed the new huge warmup facility, as well as the many amenities
available on the grounds and nearby.
The Greater Kansas City Arabian Horse Association sponsored the first
show, on April 23-24, with Brian Murch as the judge. Most classes had
entries, and the judge put in two full days of work. The last class held
was the Trainer Calcutta, which proved daunting for riders and the
judge, but Alan Clanton prevailed over Jody Strand, even though they had
to trade horses before declaring a winner in “Brian Says!.”
As with any horse show, volunteers are vital to the success of the
event. Many people volunteered for GKCAHA during Show I, including:
Chris Fahrenholz, Kaisu Rosewall, Dave Copas, Sarah Hopkins, Liz Goede,
Pamm Payne, Angela O’Neill, Laura Wilcox,
Brenda and Megan Dominick, Heather Jochens, Carol Baker, Chris Simon and
Mary Dobson. We especially appreciate the expertise of Glen True, our
show manager.
(Written by Mary Dobson)
2009 High Point program
Make sure you get signed up for the 2009 High
point program. Contact Myron Engeman at 816-213-6547 for details!
Mid-Winter Wrap-up!
Mardi Gras was celebrated somewhat early by the
attendees at the GKCAHA Midwinter Banquet and Awards party on January
24. Tables were decorated in purple and green, and covered with Mardi
Gras beads and confetti. Everyone feasted on traditional red beans and
rice, as well as many delicious side dishes brought by members.
(photos
courtesy of Myron Engeman)
“Chef” Mike Norris treated the group by cooking
a “shrimp boil” outside in front of the building. Everyone enjoyed
the shrimp, corn and potatoes, and Mike said it was authentic, because
his parents live in New Orleans! Sharon and Glen True provided King
Cakes as part of the traditional Mardi Gras feast, which ended the
dinner on a very festive note.
After the dinner, high point awards for 2008 were announced by President
Carol Baker. Another fun part of the evening was the Bag Auction, during
which 15 gift bags are auctioned off to the highest bidder. The winner
of the $100 bag was Alan Clanton and the winner of the $50 bag was Mason
Barnes. GKCAHA also gave away a free tack stall to a sponsor of a class
at the Border Bonanza I show.
Thanks to everyone who helped with the setup, decorations, dinner and
cleanup. It was a great way to celebrate the end of one year and the
beginning of the new year. Best wishes to everyone for a successful show
season.
Click
here to see more photos on
the gallery page.
Presidents Message Updated!
Read the latest
newsletter from our president.
GKCAHA donates to the HELP
Humane Society
Sharon True met with the representative from
the HELP Humane Society in Belton to present GKCAHA's donation from the
Border Bonanza. This is a no-kill animal shelter that is GKCAHA's
charity of choice for the show. This years show raised $750 for
the shelter.

Mike Norris & TM Tenacious are
Reserve National Champion!
Mike Norris showed TM Tenacious to Reserve
Champion in Arabian Gelding In-Hand AAOTR with a score of 336 at US
Nationals. Congratulations go out to Mike and 'Tee'. Here
are some pictures of them from Nationals.
 
Liberty Meadows in the news!
Liberty Meadows wins the Saddle at the Gold
Star Futurity!" JA Liberty Bey, owned by Ali Moore and trained by
Alan Clanton, both of Liberty Meadows Training Center in Raymore, won
the big prize at the IA Gold Star in Des Moines over Labor day weekend.
'Libby' , with Joe Frizzel aboard, won the PB Western ATR Maiden horse,
and the saddle donated by Uncle Bob. Congratulations to Ali, Alan
and Liberty Meadows!
Liberty Meadows in the AH Times!
Ryan Strand and Liberty Meadows just did a 34
page spread in the Arabian Horse Times. It is a great read with
lots of information about the team that makes up Liberty Meadows.
Click
here to read the article!
Updated Ask a Farrier now
available!
Click
here to read it!
Click
here to view archived news.
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The Greater Kansas City Arabian Horse
association turned 45 this year. We thought we would start off
with a little trivia.
When was the first GKCAHA show?
June 22-23, 1968 at the American Royal
How many classes were held?
There were only a total of 66 classes for the entire show
What current GKCAHA board member
exhibited in the 13 and under at the 1970 show? Kevin Jochens
Does anyone know the answer to these
questions?
What was a masquerade class?
Who designed the cover of the
first show book?
Stay tuned for additional trivia
and other questions along with some copies of old show programs from the
early years of GKCAHA!
GKCAHA Pony Express
Show update!
Saturday August 1st, 2009 at 6pm at
the Longview Horse Park. Chris Patterson from Harrisonville will be
judging the Foxtrotters. Click
here to download a show bill.
Volunteers are needed for this show to work the entrance gate and other
various activities.
Updated Ask a Vet now available!
Dr. Kerby Weaver, DVM a second generation
veterinarian from Wilhite & Frees has written this months article
regarding lacerations. You will find a archive of previous
articles at the bottom of the page.
American Royal Arabian
Horse Show
The 2009 American Royal Arabian Horse
Show will be held September 25th - 27th, 2009.
Next GKCAHA Board
Meeting
Tuesday June 23rd, 2009 6:30pm
Creekside Pub & Grille
Mid-Winter Celebration
date!
The annual GKCAHA Mid-Winter
Celebration is January 23rd, 2010 at the Lions Club in Peculiar.
GKCAHA Election
results!
President: Pamm Payne
Vice-President: Sharon True
Secretary: Chris Norris
Treasurer: Mary Dobson
Corresponding Secretary: Mary Dobson
Delegate 3yr term: Cindy Kunkel
Board of Directors:
1 yr. term: Liz Goede, Kevin Jochens, Kari Kemper
3 yr. term: Carol Baker, Cindy Kunkel, Noel Ison
Mike and Chrissy Norris’ US Nationals Experience

We had a wonderful time at Nationals this year.
We have wanted to go for a few years but did not have a horse that we
felt we should take. With Tenacious that all changed. Mike has been
showing through the years, mainly to keep himself amused while at the
shows. With the purchase of Tee I think he found a niche where he feels
comfortable showing. We knew going in to Nationals that we had a very
nice horse. Mike was always joking with his customers that he was going
to win Reserve Champion with him. Mike and I had not been to Nationals
before. This was our first time, so he wanted to go and watch a little
of a halter class so he could get his plan down. After watching some
classes he decided how he was going to enter with his horse and go about
showing him. Tenacious did his part, upon coming in the class he was
very upright and looking around at everyone in the arena with this
attitude that said Look at Me. He looked so confident and so did Mike.
They went around and did ‘Mikes plan’ like they had done this hundreds
of times before. Tee just followed Mike everywhere he went all the while
looking around at all the commotion outside the ring. To those of you
that do not know Mike and Tee, they have a very special bond. For some
reason this horse just LOVES Mike to pieces. When it was time for Tee to
stand up, he hit his pose and stretched his very long neck out and was
awesome. Mike said all he had to do was stand there and it seems that
Tee was there to show, and show he did. All the while I was in the
stands biting every nail I have off my fingers. When the scores came in
and Tenacious was 6 points above last year’s Reserve Champion and 10
points higher than any other horse at that point, I was in a little
shock, I have to admit. I was very much hoping we would pull off a Top
Ten. Bruce was always so confident that Tenacious would be a top
contender in the class. Of course only one horse came close to the score
that Tenacious had and he beat our horse by one point. We were so very
excited and it seemed very surreal to us that this had just happened.
When I first picked up Tenacious when we bought him, although he was a
few hundred pounds underweight, I could just see this beautiful animal.
I remember telling Mike that he looked like the horses in the magazines.
So at Nationals he has shown us that I was right, he is a horse that
belongs in the magazines. I do have to admit on the way home from Tulsa
we were still in shock a little and then it started wearing off and I
just started crying a little bit, to think we actually have a Reserve
Champion Gelding and that darn little horse statue that I had been
wanting for so long. Still have to say I would have liked the Reserve
Champion jacket for myself, Mike of course got his, but my point was
that Tenacious is my horse too. When Mike first started trimming Tee,
a few years ago, he always told me how special he was and how he was
going to go places. He is so very proud that he saw this in Tee and that
other people saw the same beauty in Tee that we do every day.
My first experience at Nationals was a little intimidating for me.
Sitting down in the warm up ring, watching people unveil their horses
was intimidating. I kept seeing all these beautiful horses getting ready
to go in the ring. But as far as showing at Nationals, I thought it was
very easy and very clear to understand what they were asking us to do.
You hear stories of the people in the Arabian world that are above
everybody else, I found while walking down the aisles and in around the
stalls that I met some of the nicest people. When I came out of the ring
it was very exciting to meet Sheila Varian, David Boggs, Andy Sellman
and others that I have seen in the Arabian industry, they were all very
nice to congratulate me on a job well done. Honestly after that, it just
seems like a whirlwind of events. I really look forward to showing at
Nationals from here on out, but I also realize that this was a chance of
a lifetime that might never come again for me. Now I am really
concentrating on getting Chrissy to Nationals on one of our new English
horses. Most of all I am thankful to Tenacious for going in the ring and
actually wanting to show. He will always be a very special horse in my
heart.
I think with the halter score changes for Nationals next year; it will
make things a little bit more exciting. When we went in for the Top Ten
and Champion presentations, we already knew we had Reserve. We
celebrated and congratulated each other in the warm up area before we
went in. We really cannot compare the two systems, since this is the
first year we have shown halter. We haven’t had any problems with the
new system at all. It is actually very educational for us to look back
and see where our horse placed low or high. Then we had the chance to go
back and say, yes I can see why he would place high here or low there.
Next year it will be nice to show your horse and then go back to your
stalls when you are done, as the classes did seem to last a very long
time
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