Region Four Experience – Day 2
July 17, 2009
Denny Hales is sorely missed at this year’s Region Four Experience.
Show committee chairman Bruce Brown adjusts a jump to prepare for a working hunter class at the Region Four Experience.
Last year, when I covered the Region Four Experience in Columbus, Ohio, I was impressed by how smoothly it ran. So, I did a story with the organizers, discussing how they took representatives from five affiliates — Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, West Virginia, Indiana and Ontario — and melded them into one big, well-oiled show committee that knew how to take care of business.
A true spirit of teamwork was the key, Denny Hales told me. He made sure I interviewed other key people in an effort to spread the credit around. But without exception, they all credited Denny, the executive vice president of the Ohio Quarter Horse Association.
“Denny’s the kingpin,” one said.
Sadly, Denny passed away in March, after suffering a sudden heart attack. I can’t even imagine how big of a void that left in the Ohio Quarter Horse Association, the All American Quarter Horse Congress, the Region Four Experience — and in the hearts of his friends and family.
“It’s devastating,” says Skip Salome, president of the Ohio affiliate. “Not only to us personally, but also because of his contributions. He was such an asset.”
Keith Bode of the Indiana Quarter Horse Association echoes those thoughts: “It’s just hard, when you lose somebody like that that knew every move to make. But everybody has stepped up. … It’s the same crew; we just miss our Denny.”
Jim Rudolph, the Regional Experience show manager from Murray, Kentucky, says, “It has been tough, but this committee has stepped up and taken up the slack. What you have to realize is that Denny had the groundwork laid, and that made it easier … but it is tough.”
Jim also credits the office staff of the Ohio Quarter Horse Association. Rhonda Harter, in particular, has been a key player in the Region Four Experience, but everyone in the office pitched in to make this a success.
“It truly, honestly is a labor of love,” Skip says.
That holds true for Bruce Brown of the Kentucky Quarter Horse Association. He’s the show committee chairman and a longtime family friend of Denny’s who put in particular effort to make this year’s show a success.
“This meant a lot to him,” Bruce says. He hopes that a successful Regional Experience will be a fitting tribute to Denny.
“We want this to go well because it was close to his heart,” Bruce says.
From what I’ve seen this year — entries are up, clinic attendance is good, and there are lots of smiles on exhibitors’ faces — I’m quite sure that Denny would be proud. Good on you guys.
To see some of those smiling exhibitors, check out the slide show below. Click on the photos to see the captions.
Happy riding!
Holly Clanahan
Editor, America’s Horse magazine
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