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Watch as some of the non-horse Arabian Horse Association (AHA) staff try to guess what the different equine products are and used for; and different phrases we've all heard our horse trainers tell us before!
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Read the monthly dish in the Arabian horse industry.
Murray Popplewell, along with his wife Shirley Popplewell, have only been in the Arabian horse industry for the last 15 years or so. Don't let the amount of time spent in the industry fool you though. The Popplewells own and operate
Rae-Dawn Arabians
in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, and Scottsdale, Arizona and there they run a full-time breeding operation and training facility. Rae-Dawn Arabians premiere stallion, Bey Ambition, is known internationally and his offspring are known for their well-balanced mentality and exceptional movement, which makes them a phenomenal force in the show ring. The Arabian horse breeders interview with Murray Popplewell is your chance to step inside one of the most prestigious Arabian horse breeding operations and hear first-hand, how it all happens.
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AHA Corporate Partners & Sponsors
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Sponsorship Webpage
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Corporate Partners
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Corporate Sponsors
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May 1, 2017
Start of #ArabianHorseMonth
June 1, 2017
Performance Futurity/Maturity Nominations
Club Nominations For Board-Elected Positions Due
June 30, 2017
Final Club Membership Count To Annual Convention Due
July 1, 2017
Performance Futurity/Maturity Nominations
August 1, 2017
Performance Futurity/Maturity Nominations
August 4 - 5, 2017
AHA Board Of Directors Meeting
Aurora, CO
August 15, 2017
Convention Resolutions Submission Deadline
Club Excellence Awards, Awarded At AHA Convention
August 31, 2017
Regional Volunteer Service Award Nominations Due
September 1, 2017
Deadline For Submission Of Nominations For Ambassador Award
Deadline For Submission Of Nominations For Open Competition
List Of Certified Convention Delegates And Alternates
September 15, 2017
Nominations For AHA Convention-Elected Positions Deadline
Club Level Volunteer Service Award Nominations Due
October 1, 2017
Early Bird Registration Discount For AHA Convention
For a full list of dates and deadlines click here.
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Every month, the AHA Insider showcases one of our employees. We want to give our readers an insight as to who works for AHA and what they do for the association.
Kristen Williams
Art and horses were early passions from the start and the blame can be laid on my relatives. My mom was an artist who owned a Morgan/Thoroughbred cross when she was a kid and she supplied me with art supplies and Breyers (which I often painted). My auntie, also an artist, was a proud owner of two Arabian horses and through friends in 4-H I was also surrounded by Quarter horses, Appaloosas and Paints. 4-H horse shows were also my first business venture as I sold my photos of the contestants and their horses. While my family couldn't afford our own horses in my youth, I had the opportunity to learn Saddleseat and Western on Missouri Fox Trotter and Peruvian Paso mares.
My life with horses was largely put on hold when I went to college for graphic design and marketing at Colorado State University-Pueblo. I managed to cram in a little time sculpting and painting tiny palm-sized horses and attended horse shows as a spectator-anything to stay connected with my favorite animal. The day I got the call from the Arabian Horse Association was the day it felt like everything came full circle and I am thrilled to be using my favorite skills to promote one of my favorite breeds.
Outside of horses and design, I love hiking my home-state of Colorado with my camera, standup paddleboarding various ponds and lakes with my boyfriend, and spending time with the fur kids (a very small cat and a very large dog).
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Get all of your official AHA gear here!
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Do you like to ride or drive your Arabian or Half-Arabian horse? Now you can get rewarded for your hours in the saddle or buggy. Log your non-competitive hours you are riding or driving and when you reach hour milestones, AHA will ship YOU rewards!
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Become an AHA member and get the NEW AHA magazine.
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Get a Top Sires logo on any shirt from the AHA Store! Order yours now before they sell out!
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May is Arabian Horse Month - You Don't Want to Be Left Out
May is the month of the Arabian horse and the Arabian Horse Association is CHALLENGING YOU to get involved in an outreach event that showcases and brings awareness to the Arabian horse breed. If you, your club or you and a group of Arabian horse enthusiasts need outreach ideas, take a look at our
Marketing Toolkit. Make sure to use #ArabianHorseMonth so we can see what you are up to for 'Arabian Horse Month'!
Not only can you be involved in a NATION WIDE effort, but you can win a $50 Visa gift card, be showcased in
Arabian Horse Life magazine and on AHA's social media platforms by participating in the Arabian Horse Month Challenge. Check out challenge details by clicking
here.
Want to win even more cash and prizes? Sign up for the Time to Ride Challenge and start earning that $$$!
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Time to Ride Challenge Officially Started
 The
Time to Ride Challenge through the American Horse Council is back for 2017 and it is your chance to share the Arabian horse with newcomers, and to win cash and prizes at the same time! Challenge registration began March 1, 2017 and is free to join. The Challenge started May 1, 2017, and continues through September 30, 2017. Arabian Horse Association (AHA) members can win additional cash by participating in the Association Challenge portion too. Just remember to sign up as an AHA member when registering for the Challenge, and you will automatically be eligible for a portion of the $5,000 cash prize.
The 2016 AHA Challenge winners, Rushlow's Arabians of Romulus, Mich., brought a total of 807 newcomers and received prize money of $3,500 from AHA. The AHA Challenge runner-up, Rusty Bar Ranch of Roy, Wash., attracted 232 newcomers and received prize money of $1,500 from AHA. For more information about the Time To Ride Challenge and how to sign up, visit
www.timetoridechallenge.com.
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Do Your Entries The Fast, Easy Way - Online!
You can now do all of your AHA National Shows entries ONLINE! It is easy to do and you won't have to waste money on postage, have the hassle of sending in photo copies of your membership/competition cards and the stress of having everything arrive on time to the AHA office. To access online entries, login with your member ID and password on the member sign-in page. The national show entries are located on the left task bar under AHA Events.
Remember, the earlier you complete your online entries, the less time you spend worrying about them! During entry registration time, the AHA Office becomes very busy processing all of the entries. To help alleviate this busy time, online entries are a great help to us and they save you time!
Online entries will be available until the closing date for each National Event which are listed below:
- Youth Nationals: June 6, 2017
- Canadian Nationals: June 27, 2017
- Sport Horse Nationals: July 18, 2017
- U.S. Nationals: August 29, 2017
To do your entries online, go to the National Shows webpage. Click on the Enter Now button to the right of the page and start entering online now!
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Win Big with Your Youth Entries Online!
Make sure to do your entries for Youth Nationals ONLINE! (if we could link the online word to the page for online entries) The first 20 entries will receive a $50 gift card from Kelly Herd. Don't wait!
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Youth Nationals Important Dates & Deadlines
Youth Nationals #ahaYNL17
July 22-29, 2017
State Fair Park Oklahoma City, Okla.
- Entry Closing Dates
- o Closing Date without Penalty
- o Dressage & Sport Horse In-Hand
- o Final All Entries (Classes & Horses)
- Wednesday July 19, 2017 by 5:00 PM at show.
- Stalling
- o Monday July 17, 2017 - No arrivals before noon
- o Sunday July 30, 2017 by Midnight - Stalls must be vacated *NO EXCEPTIONS*
- o Stable Request Forms
- o Patron Stalling Preference
- Tuesday June 6, 2017 with fees paid in FULL
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Sponsorship Opportunities
There are plenty of opportunities to help sponsor Youth Nationals. Sponsorships come in all shapes and sizes, so if you are interested in becoming a sponsor please contact:
Brittney Kaiser
303.696.4588
Here are a couple of opportunities that will go towards making Youth Nationals an amazing show.
- Jacket/Belt Buckle & Arena Sign Sponsorship
- Patronship
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Youth Nationals Updates!
AHYA Activities at Youth
Check out all of the activities happening during Youth!
The VIP RV lot is based upon a first come first serve basis. Make sure to get your reservation in before it is too late. Forms can be found on the
Youth Nationals page.
Please visit the Youth Nationals page on the AHA website to find all information pertaining to Youth Nationals.
Also, follow on social media using the hashtag #ahaYNL17.
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A Learning Journey of One CHA Instructor
The Country Life: At Youth Ranch East of Colorado Springs, a Love of Horses, a Love of God
There is a beauty in horses, Susan Kamlan says, that she always has loved.
But she didn't have any real experience with horses until age 11. Her family had moved from Japan, where her father had been stationed, to Colorado Springs, and she found some ponies near her home.
"I would walk over to them all the time," she recalls. Then she got her own pony and took care of it and the little herd nearby. But, she says, "I had so much to learn - and would learn it the hard way."
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AHA Convention
Mark your calendars! The 2017 AHA Convention will be held November 15-18 at the Denver Marriott Tech Center. Hotel reservation link and more details coming soon!
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Looking for Qualifier T-Shirt Sponsors
Interested in finding a way to support our youth this year? Become a Youth Nationals Qualifier T-shirt Sponsor, starting at $250. All proceeds go back to youth programs and your name gets added to the back of the qualifier t-shirts received by every exhibitor at Youth Nationals. Click here to find out more information or to become a sponsor!
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AHYA Raffle is Back with an Amazing New Prize
This year, the Arabian Horse Youth Association (AHYA) will be selling raffle tickets for a chance to win a Trails West, two-horse, slant load trailer, donated in part by
Trails West Trailers.
As one of the AHYA's largest fundraisers of the year, this year's raffle item provides a safe an functional way for you to get your Arabian horse wherever they need to go, in style! This 2017 Adventure MX two-horse, bumper pull includes: 
- steel frame with aluminum skin
- head side drop down feed windows
- tail side sliding windows
- rubber wall mats
- 6'9" wide, 7' tall
- 4-wheel electric brakes
- easy lube hubs
- radial tires
- aluminum fenders
- steps and front gravel guards
- rubber bumper
- 1-year limited warranty
- tack room with dome light
- tack door brush tray
- 16 bridle hooks
- blanket rod
- clothing rod
- camper vent
- carpeted floor
- swing out saddle rack
- spare tire
- water tank
- door mounted tack organizer
- load lights by each side and rear gate
- rubber floor mats
- slam latch dividers
- tie ring in each stall
- double rear doors
You can purchase your raffle ticket for this utility vehicle for $100 by emailing AHYA. Hurry before they are sold out! Only 300 tickets will be sold. AHYA would like to thank Trails West Trailers for their sponsorship and support of the Arabian horse youth! All ticket sales directly support AHYA.
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Daily Happenings at Youth Nationals
#ahaYNL17 and the 25th Anniversary of Youth Nationals is right around the corner and we are gearing up for an exciting week of activities! Mark your calendars now; you don't want to miss out!
- Thursday, July 20:
- Fourteenth Annual APAHA Clinics Combined with Stan Morey's Judging School 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.
- AHYA Board Meeting 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.
- Friday, July 21:
- AHYA Convention 12 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
- AHYA Committee Meetings 1:30 p.m. - 2 p.m.
- NEW! AHYA Dance and Ice Cream Social 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.
- sponsored by Jim and Christy Egan & RESULTS
- Saturday, July 22:
- Exhibitor Welcome Dinner 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
- sponsored by Oklahoma CVB and State Fair Park
- Sunday, July 23:
- Parade of Regions 5:30 p.m.
- NO MOTORIZED VEHICLES
- sponsored by Long Meadow Arabians
- Monday, July 24:
- Stick Horse Workship 12 p.m. - 3 p.m.
- Stick Horse Contest 6:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, July 25:
- Flying Pigs Fundraiser after afternoon session in Jim Norick Arena
- Wednesday, July 26:
- NEW! Something Old, Something New
- AHDF, Friends of Vale Foundation and AHF AHYA Board Scholarship Fundraiser
- Thursday, July 27:
- College Fair 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- sponsored by Hesten Park and the Hoffman Family
- Dog Costume Class 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
- 12th Annual Dog Races 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
- Friday, July 28:
- Patriotic Day!
- Arabian Horse Hippology Contest 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
- Saturday, July 29:
- Hippology Awards Presentation 12:30 p.m.
Fundraisers and Ongoing activities:
- NEW! AHYA Scavenger Hunt - search the grounds for clues and work towards prizes!
- Congratulation Bears - send your best friend/daughter/son/sister/brother/barn friend a congratulatory bear that will be delivered to their barn!
- sponsored by Avalon Photography
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Subscribe FREE to the AJC's Quarterly E-Newsletter for More on Arabian Racing
Curious about the world of Arabian racing? It's fast, fun,
friendly and more affordable than you might think! Subscribe to the FREE AJC Global Arabian Racing E-Newsletter to receive the industry's latest news and events on Arabian racing in America and abroad.Sign up
here
!
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Members Tales
An Unconventional Bridal Editorial
Story sent in by Lerin Hendrickson, President of Wisconsin Arabian Horse Association
Now and then, you get involved with something fun and new. This time my sister, WI AHA member Kristin Hendrickson, roped me into an unusual bridal editorial
photo shoot
with Audrey Koehler of Hart & Fig Photography. I rarely say no to unique experiences, and this
was not an exception. We decided it would be a great chance to showcase the Arabian horse, to a very different audience. After all, what horse would look the most elegant next to a wedding gown? The sleek, fluid
body line
and soft expressive eye of the Arabian Horse are always a knockout! I interviewed Audrey to get the photographer's side of the experience.
Audrey explained the shoot came together in pieces:
"I should start by saying my photography is meant to tell a very authentic adventurous narrative. I am always excited when a client or someone in the creative field has a unique idea for a story I haven't told. It all stemmed from Kristin Hendrickson who started sending me glamorous photos of horses and models. After offering her horses for something similar, I thought; how unique it would be to incorporate horses into a Midwest bridal scene. Something understated & authentic, but slightly transcendent."
"I have been lucky enough to work with some unique brides and couples. Couples that trust me, couples that are ready for an adventure and brides who don't mind to get their dress a little dirty for the sake of fun, adventure, and a glorious photo. This editorial encompassed all those things I love about working couples willing to do all that. The models were barefoot for most of the session and there was a lot of wind-blown hair. I have never had the privilege of working with horses before. Having to ease into the shoot was not something I am used to. Lerin & Kristin did a great job of keeping the horses calm, while we eased them into getting used to things like lighting."
"My goal for this bohemian editorial was to create a scene that encompassed all the carefree feelings of the 70's. This carefree authentic feeling is something I look for in each and every photoshoot. I love a moody and timeless look that is achieved by waiting for the perfect lighting and moment. We live in a society where we are so used to seeing couples spend nearly a down payment on a house for their wedding. While food and venues are expensive for large families, I see a lot of couples feeling the need to purchase beautiful items to "make for good photographs". I want to show people that beauty doesn't need to cost. Beauty can be found in authenticity within a couple, a free spirit, lighting, creativity and the willingness to give effort on both sides of the camera."
Kristin handled most of the details and the two of us groomed my purebred gelding, BB Don Amigo, better known as Utah, for the occasion. We were not sure how to make him look bridal or bohemian, so we dug out the clippers and got him ready for a show. We set aside his silver covered western tack and cleaned up a work bridle, to leave the attention on the horse... or the bride. Knowing that the photographer, Audrey, did not have a lot of experience with horses, we tried our best to interpret her vision. I asked Audrey about her and the model's horse encounters and she said, "
Yes, whereas my experience was a bit traumatic, one of the models grew up riding horses as a hobby. I think this really helped during the photoshoot. Their interactions were the best and the most authentic."
After the shoot, I asked what she thought of the show ring grooming she saw, compared to the natural horses in the pastures,
"When Lerin & Kristin brought Utah out for the first time, it was like a big reveal! He was beautiful waltzing out from the stables. His tail looked like long dark human hair and his coat was shiny. He looked like an absolute star in his florals. It was impressive. I could have done a photoshoot with just him."
It was a great time to let Audrey and the models know a bit more about Arabian Horses. I explained that Arabian horses are the oldest light breed of horse. They are known for beauty, stamina and their connection with humans. She noticed some of these breed's traits in the photoshoot and I asked her how working with a horse compared to working with the human models.
"Utah was very curious from the beginning. One of the models grew up riding horses and took to her pretty quickly. I was able to capture some photos of Utah putting his head on her forehead and into her chest. It was really interesting to watch their interactions."
"My experience with working Utah is very similar to human clients. Most everyday clients have never been in front of a camera before, or if they have, it isn't often. Most clients have never been photographed in an authentic way either. They are used to simply being posed and photographed with a smile. With humans and horses, it is all the same. It takes time to ease them into an authentic situation. This is why I never have time limits on my sessions because each client is different as far as how long it takes them to get comfortable."
The shoot went well and Utah handled the props well. All survived the wind taking one of the umbrella light stand, sending it at the model and Utah. They day was gloomier than expected, but Audrey handled the obstacle well. I asked her how she would adjust, "
Lighting & Editing. Lighting & Editing. Lighting & Editing! This is the artistic part. This is the part where I finalize the mood and the story. This is where I piece together the narrative. For this editorial I chose to work with pink undertones to give it a haunting look. I also kept my photos slightly underexposed. Growing up in the Midwest I have seen a lot of those tornado skies. They are eerie and usually slightly pink. That was the look I decided to go for after realizing it was going to be a dreary evening. As far as the mud goes, I choose to keep the models in ballerina flats so we they stayed comfortable, brought lots of wipes and sheets to go under the rugs I used."
In the end, the images will be circulated for promotional purposes for Hart & Fig Photography, as well as the models, stylist, hair & make-up artist, and florist. An Arabian horse will be making his way through the Midwest wedding circuit. A special thank you goes out to all those who made this possible: Audrey Koehler of Hart and Fig Photography; models Amy Schneider, Falen Gillespie, Eddie Curran, florist Wood Violet Events, venue Jalin Acres in Cambridge, and visionary Kristin Hendrickson.
And of course, about the horse- BB Don Amigo is a purebred Arabian Gelding who has shown in Region 10 and at AHA Canadian Nationals. He has earned several regional championships and Canadian National Top Tens in Western Pleasure, Showmanship and Horsemanship. The author, WI AHA President, Lerin Hendrickson, owns him. This is his first modeling gig!
"You don't take a photograph. You ask quietly to borrow it."
- Unknown
If you or another AHA member has a story that you would like to share in the AHA Insider, please email Mikayla Boge at Mikayla.Boge@arabianhorses.org with the subject line: Member's Tale Story.
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