Just 1 week til Iowa Falls!!!!

WOW! Where did the time go? We have just one week til the Iowa Falls show! That's just crazy! Well it looks like I need to get going on getting stuff together again! With as busy as I am with work, school, and the shows, I will post the results of both shows after Iowa Falls.

A few reminders about Iowa Falls:

- each horse needs a stall

- 1 bag of bedding is included in the stall fee

- PROGRESSIVE BARN PARTY SATURDAY AFTERNOON (4:00ish)

- games on Saturday; regular show on Sunday

- horses may arrive Friday at 5:00 pm....and anytime on Saturday or Sunday

- CLICK HERE FOR THE SHOW BILL

- PLEASE GIVE US FEEDBACK AT THE SHOW

Hope to see you all there!

I got tired of wrestling with videos....but here's what I have so far from Waterloo...ENJOY!

Hi Everyone!

We had a smaller crowd at Waterloo this year but we definitely had some serious quality and some really serious fun! I can't even put it into words!!! Just check out the clip below...this one is from our Liberty class. I'm going to try to edit some of the video to have a DVD playing at Iowa Falls....let's see if I can even get it done in time.

Enjoy the clip!

Waterloo Show TOMORROW!!!!!

The Waterloo Show activities start tomorrow! Horses can come in at 3:00pm and please be aware of heavy traffic - there is TONS going on in Waterloo/Cedar Falls this weekend. We'll start the grill around 6:00 so bring something to grill and something to share with everyone!

The show starts at 8:00am on Sunday. We will be adding a Hunter Hack class...not sure where exactly yet, but we'll let you know on Sunday.

As for me, this will be my last post until after the show. I hope to get some good pics and video this year and I will definitely post it as soon as I can.

See you all this weekend! If you need anything please just call Sean 319-231-9826.

What does 'this' mean???

I've gotten a few calls about our class names and how people don't know what they mean exactly. That's why the blog is here people. I get questions and I respond to the world...its how I roll. Let's start with some terminology.

Class 16. Novice Horse Pleasure

Novice means the horse cannot have won more than 3 1st place ribbons in the discipline that it is showing in for that class. Example: if a horse has 6 1st places in western pleasure and 2 in hunter pleasure, the horse is eligible in hunter and english, but not western. This all based on the honor system.

Classes 26 & 35. Independent Amateur Pleasure

Independent Amateur means you train your horse as an amateur. This means that your horse has not been at a trainer after January 1, 2011. If you took lessons with a trainer, that is fine.

GAMES CLASSES

Games have different names I've noticed. So I'll list them class and all the names I know them by. I'll have patterns posted at the show so you can figure out what's what and what you know it as. Also, these games are open to all ages and all breeds.

43. Poles - Pole Bending

44. Stake Race - Speed

45. Barrels - Barrel Race

46. Flags - Texas Flags - Texas Flag Race

CLASSES UNIQUE TO THE ARABIAN BREED

These classes are all open to any breed even though they are

unique to the Arabians.

9. Most Classic Arabian Head

In this class the only thing judged is the head. In class 'A' shows and futurities horses where a cooler so the judge cannot see the rest of the horse's body. We're pretty laid back here so we don't require that - especially if its over 90 degrees outside like it has been in the past.

18. Liberty

In this class the horses will perform at liberty. You usually have 2-3 handlers in the ring with the horse. When ready, the handlers release horse by taking off the halter. The horse has 2 minutes to perform to whatever music the handlers decide before the class. After 2 minutes the music stops and the handlers have 2 minutes to catch the horse.

Important Waterloo information

Hi Everybody

I haven't gone over this stuff in a while so I'll recap it again. These are the dates and times you should be aware of for the Waterloo show.

Saturday, June 25

3:00pm Horses may arrive at the fairgrounds

Arena will also be available

6:00pm GRILL OUT - this is our social event for the show (see more below)

Sunday, June 26

6:00am Arena will be available

Show office will try to be open (at least by 6:45 I promise)

7:45am Arena will be closed so we can drag it

8:00am First class

Here's some other information you

may want to know. Let's start with the grill out. This is our big social event for the weekend. This is our claim to fame - not the grill out specifically, but the fact that we are more than a horse show. We are all here to have fun. This type of activity really lets everyone get to know each other a little better and promotes friendly competition. We are a very laid back group and that is what brings people back every year. So, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Please bring your own meat to grill and a dish to share. We'll provide everything else :)

Another bit of info you may want to be aware of is that there is another event going on at the National Cattle Congress this weekend. It the Two-Cylinder Club Expo (I think its something to do with tractors) - just checked the NCC website. That goes Thursday-Saturday. They think there will be enough time for them to get everything taken care of but please be aware that there could be a lot of traffic on the fairgrounds. There is tons of space to manuver but I don't know how big this event is. So just be ready for it. This only effects you if you show up early on Saturday. If you plan on showing up Sunday morning or even doing jump-out, this has no effect on you because they will be gone by Sunday.

If you plan on driving a long way to get here and need help finding a good hotel, please let me know. There are some to stay away from based on some reports I got from exhibitors last year. I'm not going to post it on here for respect of their business but if you call me, I will tell you the ones to avoid.

I think I covered just about everything. Later this week I will go through the show bill on here and explain what some of our classes mean since our terminology may be different from what you are used to.

We hope to see you all at the show next weekend!

What happened?!?!? We're only 11 days from our first show!!!

Well, I have been super busy lately! We have a some real trophies this year and I'm looking for some feedback on this. Would you guys like trophies like this in the future or should we go back to our standard stuff that you can actually use - like our thermos cups or duffle bags we've had in the past? So that will be new. We will still have those nicer trophies for our Halter Championship, Most Classic Arabian Head, and Liberty classes.

I still have tons of stuff to get ready for the show...getting all the office stuff ready (BORING!!!) but there's fun stuff to get ready for too! We're grilling out again this year! Super pumped for that! It was a great time last year and hopefully the weather cooperates again this year - hopefully for both days this time. I just got more ribbons in, just in case we do some adding of classes - that usually happens.

Well, as busy as I am, I should get back to it. It's off to work and once I get home - show time! See you all June 26 in Waterloo!

WOOHOO!!! THE SHOWS ARE SET!

Alrighty everyone, I've been off of here for a while...been working pretty hard to get some stuff done. The shows are set in stone - for sure - nothing more will change. I haven't checked on my links to the show bills to see if they are updated but I'll shoot Laura another email if they aren't. So this is what the shows will look like this year:

Sunday, June 26, 2011 - National Cattle Congress, Waterloo

Judge: Connie Peters - super fun lady and she knows her stuff! We're gonna have a blast with Connie this year!

Saturday/Sunday, July 16-17, 2011 - Ellsworth Equestrian Center, Iowa Falls

Judge: Stephanie Wetherell - this lady has done her fair share of showing in multiple breeds and disciplines...she is also way fun!

See a trend here? We try to make all of our judges really fun and easy to work with. That's what we are all about - these are the shows where you take you young/inexperienced riders to learn. A lot of our judges give feedback to the riders and are fun to work with too!

Any questions about the shows just let me know and I'll answer them as soon as I can! sean.thurm@yahoo.com or 319-231-9826

See you guys this summer!

Where do I look for show updates???

Alright everyone. I got this question a lot last year. Always check the blog first. This is the place that I post any and all updates for the Waterloo and Iowa Falls Open Shows. Why here? Yes, we have a group on facebook, but in order to reach everyone, this is the best place. You don't have to be a member to read this blog, whereas on facebook you have to be a member of our group to receive the updates. Here, on the other hand, some random person in China that knows nothing about horses can be surfing the internet, find our blog, and find out that the Iowa Falls date has been moved...which by the way, it has. It's now July 16-17 and still at the Ellsworth Equestrian Center.

So anyway, ALWAYS check here for updates FIRST. After that, I will post to facebook. It may not be a huge issue now, but maybe the Cattle Congress Fairgrounds flood again this year...but worse and I have to call the show or postpone it 2 hours or something. Please make this website (http://open-horse-shows.blogspot.com) a favorite and just check in every so often to keep yourself informed with what's going on. If you have any questions, just shoot me an email or call/text me (319-231-9826).

See you all this summer! And remember these dates are correct:

June 26 - Waterloo

July 16-17 - Iowa Falls

IOWA FALLS UPDATE

Ok everyone, thing have been quite interesting the last few weeks. 1) Finals week was insane as always and 2) Iowa Falls double booked our date. It happens. Anyway, our show has been moved. SO THIS IS WHAT'S GOING DOWN:

IOWA FALLS SHOW WILL BE HELD AT ELLSWORTH EQUESTRIAN CENTER ON JULY 16-17 AND HORSES MANY ARRIVE AT 5:00 PM ON JULY 15. THE SHOW BILL WILL BE THE EXACT SAME WITH THE EXCEPTION OF DATES (AND ARRIVAL TIME CHANGE). I AM WORKING ON GETTING THESE POSTED ONLINE ASAP. IF YOU WANT ONE, JUST EMAIL ME AT SEAN.THURM@YAHOO.COM OR CALL ME AT 319-231-9826.

Wanted: Gamers

Hi Everyone!

So I've done A LOT of talking about the Iowa Falls Show so far...it's my new show and we have tons of changes that I think will be awesome, but I need to make sure the info gets out there. One major change form last year is that we have 1 full day of showing devoted to games. Usually our shows have 6-8 game classes at the end but I'm throwing in an ENTIRE DAY of games this year. In this one day we will be offering SIX JACKPOTS!!!! I am working to get some sponsors to make this show even more fun yet. But here's where I'm at with games. I have no gamer connections. None. Does anybody know of any groups of gamers? I have classes split out for young riders, experienced riders, and obviously - the serious, JACKPOT riders. If you have any ideas of individuals or groups that might be interested, please let me know!!!! Email me their contact info or have them contact me at sean.thurm@yahoo.com. I really want them there, and if they are on the fence about it, I want to know how to get them there. That goes for everyone else too by the way! Well, have a great day everyone!

Sponsorships

Hi Everyone!

Something we're adding to our shows this year is sponsorships. Do you have a horse for sale? Do you give riding lessons? Do you put on other horse shows you want to promote? Do you own a business you want to promote to this group? Our sponsorship opportunities are very inexpensive and hit a large group of people.

Class Sponsorship: $20

For a class of your choosing, we will read a tid-bit about your business (that you will provide) at the beginning and end of the class. We will also post a link to your website (if you have one) or any other contact information on the blog; this will remain posted through the end of the year. In addition to the contact info being posted, we will devote an entire post to your business to thank you sponsoring our shows!

Show Sponsorship: $50

For a show sponsorship, you can choose up to 4 classes to sponsor. This is definitely a better buy! We will read a tid-bit about your business (the you will provide) and the beginning and end of the classes you choose. In addition to that exposure, we will post a link to your website and any contact info you choose on the blog. We will also devote an entire post to your sponsorship as well to thank you for sponsoring our shows!

Go ahead and shoot me an email (sean.thurm@yahoo.com) or call/text me (319-231-9826) if you are interested in sponsoring a show this year! See you all this summer!

Vendors anyone?

Hi Everyone!

I had somebody ask me about vendors today so I checked into it. It turns out that we can have vendors in Iowa Falls but not Waterloo. Waterloo really doesn't have a great place for vendors anyway but I checked. Now, to be a vendor at Iowa Falls, it will cost $65 and we will try to find you electricity if you need it. The one person that asked me does need it and the folks at Ellsworth Equestrian Center said they'd find a way to make it happen. There are other vendors at the facility permanently, but I'm not too sure what they are...I'm sure some will have tack and show clothes and stuff like that...always fun to look at and buy :)

What are some ideas if you plan on being a vendor? Maybe desserts like cookies or pie or bars...or maybe you know a photographer that would be interested...or maybe jewelry...or maybe a sandwich shop type thing...the possibilities are ENDLESS!!! Oh wow, just another thought! Maybe somebody wants to do an omelet bar type thing in the morning and then do hamburgers or hot dogs or something the rest of the day???? Sounds AMAZING to me :)

If you want to do something like this just let me know...I don't have a vendor form yet since I just got addressed about it today, but I'll have one shortly. Have a great day everyone!

SHOW BILLS POSTED ONLINE!!!!

Hi Everyone!

I just got word that the show bills for BOTH fun shows are online! I'll find somewhere easy to display them on the blog but for now I'll post them here. I am the contact for both shows this year. On the website it says Erin for the Iowa Falls show but please contact me...I'll see if I can change that. Well, its getting late and I have big plans for tomorrow so I better get to sleep! See you all this summer!

Waterloo Fun Show - June 26

Iowa Falls Fun Show - July 23 & 24

So what is a Progressive Barn Party?

A Progressive Barn Party is, for lack of a better word, awesome. Yeah, that helps a lot I know. Picture this: A barn at a horse show full of horses and people form different farm. Each of those farms bring some sort of food to share, and everybody walks around the barn to eat and socialize with everyone. That is basically the idea here.

So what can this do for you when you participate?

This is a great networking tool! Maybe some of you have horses for sale or a stallion at stud or give riding lessons. This is a chance to meet tons of new people! Maybe you're looking to buy a new horse for your young rider - maybe somebody you meet here has a friend that couldn't make it that has the perfect horse! Also, a variety of food to munch on is incredible!

What makes a great barn party?

The first thing that make a great barn party is a variety of people and a variety of food. You want to have the best food in the barn. Keep in mind this doesn't have to be expensive. Who can argue with Sloppy Joe's? or Cookies? Maybe you want to go in the direction of drinks...how about Sparkling Punch? There are endless possibilities! Don't worry about the plates and silverware - we'll take care of that. We'll also try to get some music going during the barn party, but I haven't been down to look at the facility yet so we'll see what happens with that.

Other notes:

I'm going to try to get a barn map put together for that day so people will know what food is where. So be sure to tell me what you want to bring and where you want your stalls to be so I can put you on the map :) That will also allow you to be sure you are bringing the same thing as someone else. Keep in mind this is for the Iowa Falls Show only - not the Waterloo Show. If you have any questions don't hesitate to email me - I'm always available for questions :)

Wow...its been a while...sorry guys...

Alrighty, I've really slacked on keeping you all updated...my bad. I've been super busy since I last got on here - school, work, and SHOW STUFF!!! So here's what I have for the 2 shows this year...there might be some stuff you guys have already hear or know about but this is everything I have TENTATIVELY planned for the shows this year...keep in mind, this is subject to change.

WATERLOO - NATIONAL CATTLE CONGRESS FAIRGROUNDS

June 25

3:00pm Horses may arrive

4:00pm Open Arena

6:00pm Grill out

June 26

6:00am Open Arena

8:00am Classes begin

We have some things that are a little bit different this year. Because of an event prior to ours, horses will not allowed on the grounds until 3:00pm...I can't stress that enough! I would hate to have people waiting around in Waterloo with horses for hours. I hope to have things set up in the office by then but no guarantees I guess.

I will definitely have the arena open as soon as I can and I'm planning on that to be around 4:00...could be sooner though. Something that we did last year and liked a lot was the Grill Out! We are planning this again this year...its very simple. You bring stuff to grill and a dish to share...we'll bring the grill and we'll all have a great time socializing!

I will open the arena as soon as I get to the grounds the morning of the show...we are starting an hour earlier this year. Hopefully this will get us out a little bit earlier so we're going to start at 8:00am.

Keep in mind we are still doing our high point awards for the overall HORSE, YOUTH, and ADULT!

IOWA FALLS - ELLSWORTH EQUESTRIAN CENTER

July 22

12:00pm Horses may arrive

1:00om Open Arena

July 23

6:00am Open Arena

8:00am Classes Begin

Game classes only - 6 JACKPOT CLASSES!!!

4:00pm Progressive Barn Party

6:00pm Open Arena

July 24

6:00pm Open Arena

8:00pm Classes Begin

Halter, Pleasure, and Games - 3 MORE JACKPOT CLASSES!!!

Ok...this is a bit new for me. We are making this a 2 day show this year...it was like this last year, but we will have a different format this year. Saturday will be a show with just game classes. This includes 6 OPEN JACKPOT CLASSES!!! We will try to be done by 3:00 or 4:00 so that we can all be ready for the Progressive Barn Party...if you don't know what this is keep checking the blog...I'll post that later this week or this weekend to explain the whole thing. After the classes are done, there will also be an open arena for all that want to use it.

On Sunday, I'll open the arena once I get to the fairgrounds and it will be open until we drag before classes. These classes will be set up a lot like the Waterloo show. We'll have halter right away and then pleasure followed by games to close the day. Keep in mind for BOTH DAYS we will have overall highpoint awards for overall HORSE, YOUTH, and ADULTS!

Remember that if you have any questions, just shoot me an email :) See you all this summer!

Waterloo Show - June 25-26

Hi Everyone!

As promised I will highlight some plans for each show we have this year. I'm going to hold off on Iowa Falls for a little bit. We have a Board of Directors meeting on the 23rd and I'm going to propose some changes for that show - once those are approved I'll let you all know what kind of fun we're going to have!

So...the Waterloo Show...I'm still working on the final touches of the class list but it'll be basically the same as last year. I won't be changing and updating any additional classes this year until the show so if you don't see something you want, just shoot me an email and I can put it in somewhere the day of the show :) We are still planning on another grill out for Saturday night! There was some really good food last year...hopefully we get even more people to come out and hang with us this year!

Another change is we will be starting at 8:00am this year. Hopefully by starting just 1 hour earlier we can get everyone home before in gets too late. We know you guys have jobs and this is just a fun hobby so we'll make sure we take take of you guys that way.

As for the classes, I have split some that eventually got split last year. I still left Showmanship as any age, but I ready to split it if someone asks for it. I did have 1 addition from last year though - Ride-a-Buck. How I'm going to do it this year is you will pay your entry fee ($5) and then you will supply your own "buck." All the "bucks" that hit the ground will be a jackpot prize for the winner! Sound good?

As always, we are about fun more than anything else. If you have any other ideas that could make this a better show, just email me - I'm always looking for new ideas! And of course, always check back here for updated info.

Thnks to Jodie Elson for taking some pictures at the show last year! If anyone has any pictures from any show, I'd love to get them! Pictures are a great way help us promote the show and make it better every year! The pictures I have in this post are both Jodie's. Thanks again for the support everybody! See you on June 25-26 in Waterloo!

Ok...its show time...well kind of...

Hi Everybody! I hope everyone had a great holiday season! I am personally really getting back ino the swing of things in terms of show season. I'm working on class lists right now. I already have dates for our shows - I'll blog the changes for each show individully in the next week or so.

Is it just me or is it weird to be thinking about the show season already when there is still snow on the ground and more on the way? I was looking back at pictures from Waterloo last year. WOW! We know how to have fun and get things done! Saturday night we grilled out and had a great time getting to know everyone - not mention INCREDIBLE FOOD! In pictures from the grill out people were wearing shorts...imagine how awesome that would be right now! As crazy as it sounds, our first show is not that far away!

Something new for this year, I will be running both shows - Waterloo and Iowa Falls. I'm brainstorming social events right now for Saturday night. I have a few ideas and I'm trying to find the best one. Keep checking the blog for more info and to keep up to date. I'll post stuff about Iowa Falls within the week.

Fortunately for us this year, we don't have any website issues. Our website for anything you could possibly want to know about our club is http://www.iowaarabianhorseassociation,com/.

Alright, well I have tons of stuff to do today that isn't horse show related. So I will let you all go for now but keep checking back for info on each of these shows. Have a GREAT WEEKEND!!!!