By the time you read this, QuarterFest will likely have kicked off. And we’re partying like it’s 2009. See our photo gallery for proof!

By Holly Clanahan, America’s Horse editor

MURFREESBORO, TENNESSEE -   The gates of QuarterFest will be opening in just a few hours. The first clinics start at 9 a.m. Friday … and the excitement just keeps building! As part of our preparations today, we reviewed the schedule for the weekend. And the more closely you look at that – and the more you hear clinicians and AQHA staffers talking – the more you realize just how cool this event really is. There are so many interesting clinics and demos, you’d really like to be in at least three places at once!

And the Extravaganza? Holy cow. A rehearsal was held Thursday afternoon, and this collection of talent is nothing short of amazing. There’s a six-horse stagecoach hitch, chariot races, charro Jerry Diaz, a laugh-til-you-can’t-anymore performance by Tommie Turvey, reined cow horse demos by Bob Avila and Paul and Amy Bailey, music from the singing cowboys Sons of Tennessee … and much more! Tickets are value-priced at $15 or $20, and the experience honestly is worth several times that.

Performances will be held both Friday and Saturday nights, and tickets are still available. If you’re anywhere in the vicinity of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, you’d better just come on out! You can also buy general admission tickets to QuarterFest at the gate.

Check out the slideshow for more on what’s happening at QuarterFest.  Click on the photos to see the descriptive captions.

Once you get to QuarterFest, enjoy our “spend-$50-get-free-Extravaganza-ticket offer.” It applies to ALL QuarterFest vendors! Yippie!!!

American Quarter Horse fans are gathering for QuarterFest. Do you have your tickets?

To celebrate the final 10 days until QuarterFest opens with a bang on May 1 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, we’ve launched a “Top 10 Things About QuarterFest” Countdown.

QuarterFest Starts TOMORROW!

We can’t believe it’s really almost here. As of tomorrow, all the QuarterFest fun and excitement will be in full swing. That means it’s time to unveil what we believe is the number 1 very best thing about QuarterFest….

are you ready?

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Number 1: The opportunity to celebrate America’s Horse with other owners, riders and enthusiasts from across the world!

AQHA’s first equine expo, QuarterFest gives members and fans a unique opportunity to connect with one another. Moms from Colorado can meet 4-H leaders from Virginia, who can meet saddle makers from New Jersey and breeders from Michigan. QuarterFest will play host to people who are involved in all aspects of the horse industry. With a little luck, everyone can learn together and learn from each other.

Plus, did I mention the shopping?

Start off by seeing the latest looks at the QuarterFest Fashion show Friday and Saturday evening.

Have you had your eye on a pair of boots feature on hautecowgirl.com? Well by golly, I bet you can buy them at QuarterFest!

There will be vendors galore and you can enjoy our “spend $50-get-free-Extravaganza-ticket offer.” It applies to ALL QuarterFest vendors and Quarter Horse Outfitters www.aqhastore.com

There are so many things going on at QuarterFest that we can’t possibly list them all … but we’re going to try!

Don’t miss: QuarterFest trail ride, Equine Extravaganza, Dude Ranchers Association dude ranch vacation giveaway, QuarterFest Fashion Show, Hannah Montana’s horse, Blue Jeans, AQHA onsite services, trade fair with all the vendors, backcountry camping with Bo Winslow, clinics with Curt and Tammy Pate, Julie Goodnight, Jeff Griffith, Bob Avila, Christy Landwehr, Breyer Kids Corral, AQHA’s Conservation area, Wounded Warrior tribute, trail and ranch center, trail trials, Quarter Horse Outfitters store, American Quarter Horse “Walk of Fame,” Outlaw Annie, Tuff, the American Quarter Horse superstar from the award winning motion picture “Appaloosa” and and and so much more!

Today is the last day until QuarterFest: a three-day, education-packed celebration of the horse! That means you’d better get a move on it for those tickets. You still have time to make QuarterFest your destination for loads of horse education and FUN.

Get your tickets before they run out!

Quick tips to reduce your horse’s stress at home and at shows.

You can buy this photo of multiple AQHA Racing Champion Dashs Dream at the AQHA Photo Store.

From AQHA Corporate Partner Merial

You are probably already aware of the stress a heavy competitive schedule can have on your horse. But did you know that stress from other activities like training and trailering can affect horses, too?

Whether your horse spends his days hauling for high-point titles or trimming down the grass in your front pasture, he is still vulnerable to stress. When traveling, horses can continue feeling the stress even after stepping off the trailer. Read the rest of this entry »

The excitement builds, as Middle Tennessee State University morphs into QuarterFest headquarters. See photos of the conversion!

By Holly Clanahan, America’s Horse editor

MURFREESBORO, TENNESSEE – I’m feeling like a little kid at Christmas … we’ve got movie horses rolling onto the grounds of QuarterFest, we have Hannah Montana banners, autographed posters and T-shirts, with which we’re promoting the appearance of her movie horse, “Blue Jeans,” and we’ve got the beginnings of a horsey shopping mecca, otherwise known as the QuarterFest trade show. It is e.x.c.i.t.i.n.g!!

Things are shaping up quickly around here, and the momentum is building.

The QuarterFest gates open tomorrow, May 1. There’s still time to get tickets to AQHA’s first equine expo in celebration of America’s Horse, but you’d better hurry!

If you can’t make it during the day on Friday, stop on by for the All-Star Equine Extravaganza.

You can also catch the show on Saturday night. The best words to describe this fantastic event for the whole family? Crazy! You’ll be treated to non-stop horsey action. If you have never seen Equine Extremist Tommie Turvey in real life, I’ve just got one thing to say to you; “extremist” doesn’t quite do him justice!

Check out the slideshow for more on what’s happening at QuarterFest.  Click on the photos to see the descriptive captions. And remember … the festivities start Friday.  If you’re not here already … you’ve still got time! It’s a party you don’t want to miss!

Once you get to QuarterFest, enjoy our “spend $50-get-free-Extravaganza-ticket offer.” It applies to ALL QuarterFest vendors! Yippie!!!

In 2010, American Quarter Horses will have one more event in which to shine — dressage.

Rugged Lark paved the way for American Quarter Horses in dressage.

I would like to thank everyone for all your comments on the blog. I’ve enjoyed reading the comments and appreciate you taking time to offer encouragement and ideas. I’ve been busy since my last post. I’ll give you a quick update before I share some big news.

On official AQHA business, I traveled to Waco, Texas, to the Read the rest of this entry »

University of Findlay takes top western honors and Centenary College takes top hunt seat honors at 2009 IHSA Nationals.

AQHA high-point western rider Jennifer Nagel

From The American Quarter Horse Journal

The 2009 Intercollegiate Horse Show Association Nationals were held April 23-26 at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

The University of Findlay, Ohio, took the AQHA Trophy western team title in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, home of QuarterFest: A celebration of America’s Horse. Ohio State University came in a close second.

Jennifer Nagel of the State University of New York won the AQHA high-point western rider championship with Findlay’s Katelyn Morehead taking the reserve. Read the rest of this entry »

The great clinicians at QuarterFest will help improve your horsemanship.

To celebrate the final 10 days until QuarterFest opens with a bang on May 1 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, we’ve launched a “Top 10 Things About QuarterFest” Countdown.

Number 2: Clinics Galore

If you want to become a better horseman, then QuarterFest is the place for you. With your without a horse, you’ll get a chance to learn from clinics all weekend long. Education opportunities abount with nationally recognized clinics and AQHA Professional Horsemen.

Clinicians include Julie Goodnight, Bob Avila, Curt and Tammy Pate, a husband and wife from Newell, South Dakota; Jeff Griffith, Christy Landwehr and Bo Winslow. There will be a limited number of spots available for people to participate in clinics with their horses.

As of today, there are only TWO days until the start of QuarterFest: a three-day, education-packed celebration of the horse! That means you’d better get a move on it for those tickets. You still have time to make QuarterFest your destination for loads of horse education and FUN.

Get your tickets before they run out!

Use these tips from Certified Horsemanship Association instructors to properly and safely bridle your horse.

When bridling your horse:

• Stand on the horse’s left side and place the reins over the head around his neck to keep them from falling to the ground and to control the horse. The horse should always be untied before bridling.

• Hold the crown piece of the bridle in the right hand and the bit in the left. Reach over the horse’s head and move the crown piece toward the horse’s ears.

• Place the bit between the horse’s lips. If the horse doesn’t open his mouth, put your thumb in the side of his mouth and press down on the horse’s bars (the area where there are no teeth and where the bit lies). Read the rest of this entry »

Hear the story of the American Quarter Horse like you’ve never heard or seen it before!

To celebrate the final 10 days until QuarterFest opens with a bang on May 1 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, we’ve launched a “Top 10 Things About QuarterFest” Countdown.

Number 3: All-Star Equine Extravaganza

At the QuarterFest Extravaganza, you’ll be amazed as the story of the American Quarter Horse is brought to life as never before!

Chariot races, a thundering six-horse stagecoach, laughter with Equine Extremist Tommie Turvey, stunning performances with Jerry and Staci Diaz, a special presentation of Tuff, the American Quarter Horse superstar from the award winning motion picture “Appaloosa,” and a tribute to our armed forces you will not forget will fill the Miller Coliseum.

Don’t miss this exciting event geared toward the whole family!

To make things even more exciting, May 1 and 2 you’ll have a chance win a trip to a Dude Ranchers Association dude ranch in Arizona or Colorado. The drawings will be held during the Extravaganza.

As of today, there are only three days until the start of QuarterFest: a three-day, education-packed celebration of the horse! That means you’d better get a move on it for those tickets. Don’t worry, it’s not too late to make QuarterFest your destination for loads of horse education and FUN.

Get your tickets before they run out!

Treatment for sarcoids, the most-common skin tumor in horses.

Question:

My horse has a sarcoid. How can I learn more about sarcoids?

Answer:

Our friends at the American Association of Equine Practitioners recently published this article, which explains sarcoids in horses and ways to treat them.

A Texas veterinarian is taking a novel approach to sarcoid treatment, removing portions of the tumors, freezing the tissue in liquid nitrogen and implanting it in the same horse’s body.

“This is basically a very archaic viral vaccination attempt,” says Dr. Benjamin Espy, a private practitioner who says the technique has been successful in 12 of 15 documented cases so far. “We are trying to get the body to recognize the sarcoid as foreign and mount its own response. This is an autologous vaccine, meaning it’s made from the same animal you give it to – a very common technique in other livestock species.”

Sarcoids, the most-common skin tumor of horses, are believed to be caused by the bovine papilloma virus. They can be treated with chemotherapy drugs, such as cisplatin, or removed surgically or with lasers. However, Dr. Espy says, if any trace of a growth remains, the sarcoids will return.

Read the rest of this entry »

We’re twying new ways to promote a really cool event.

Holly Clanahan

Here at AQHA headquarters, we’re working fast and furious to prepare for next weekend’s QuarterFest. It’s going to be a blowout party in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and we’re all excited!

It seems like every day, there’s a new development that just makes it all the more exciting. We’ve had big-name clinicians like Bob Avila sign on. We’re bringing in movie-horse trainer Rex Peterson and one of his stars who was in the movie “Appaloosa.” (I cannot wait to see Rex’s session on trick training!) There will be a tribute to the armed forces, featuring a soldier who was wounded in Iraq and returned home to help other soldiers recover – with the use of horses. (That’s another one that will keep me on the edge of my seat and probably wiping my eyes before it’s over.) Oh, and for the younger crowd … Hannah Montana’s movie horse, who can currently be seen in theaters, will be there for photos with fans. And actually, I could keep going. The coolness just keeps on coming.

So, one of our challenges with this event has been: How do we let the world know *how cool* it really is? And at least part of that answer has been found in social networking sites. Facebook and MySpace updates have been plentiful, thanks to a marketing intern who rocks those online worlds. Then there’s this little service called Twitter.

Twitter is a “microblogging” service. It simply lets users say what they’re doing at the moment in 140 characters or less. Kind of like a haiku. For some users, it’s pretty mundane. But for others, it’s a way to get real-time updates on a variety of situations – everything from earthquakes to political revolts. For AQHA, well, we hope there isn’t any sort of revolt at QuarterFest, but we do plan to offer plenty of real-time updates from the event - everything from where the best parking can be found, to quick tips from the clinicians.

Cool? Yes, absolutely. But it’s making us all talk a little funny.

When you post an update on Twitter, it’s called “tweeting.” And those who tweet are called “twitterers.” And to tweet from my Blackberry phone, I had to download an application called “twibble,” which can also be used in verb form. So I’m tweeting, I’m twibbling, I’m twying to remember to pronounce my R’s.

I’m also having to step outside my traditional-publishing comfort zone, learning how to navigate new waters – like flickr.com, which allows us to post slideshows of photos. Check back on americashorsedaily.com for a slideshow from each day of QuarterFest.

And, in the meantime, do you mind being my guinea pig? Sit back and relax … and let’s see if I can make this new slideshow thing work! You should be seeing some pics of what my weekend was like! It was … not so relaxing! Ya gotta love spring storms!

It’s the best of both worlds! Meet Hannah Montana’s movie horse, Blue Jeans.

To celebrate the final 10 days until QuarterFest opens with a bang on May 1 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, we’ve launched a “Top 10 Things About QuarterFest” Countdown.

Number 4: Hannah Montana’s horse, Blue Jeans!

Your ticket to QuarterFest gives you the chance to rub elbows with some celebrities. Horse celebrities, that is!

Blue Jeans from Hannah Montana: The Movie, will be at QuarterFest. If you are coming, you can meet Blue Jeans, the movie star, while you’re there. You’ll even be able to get your picture taken with him!

The Hannah Montana movie was filmed mostly in and around Nashville, just about 20 miles from where Blue Jeans – who is registered with AQHA as Blue Steel Man – lives with his owner Bobby Brooks of Franklin, Tennessee. Murfreesboro, Tennessee, where QuarterFest will be held May 1-3, is just 30 miles from Nashville.

Another movie star will also be at QuarterFest…Keepin Charge, an American Quarter Horse who starred in “Appaloosa.” Keepin Charge is the son of Docs Keepin Time, who was featured in the movie “Black Beauty.”

As of today, there are only four days until the start of QuarterFest: a three-day, education-packed celebration of the horse! That means you’d better get a move on it for those tickets. Don’t worry, it’s not too late to make QuarterFest your destination for loads of horse education and FUN.

Hurry, tickets are going fast!