DESPITE RECORD RAINS, QUARTERFEST DEEMED SUCCESSFUL

America’s Horse, May 5, 2009 –Damp conditions didn’t dampen the spirits of the horse lovers who attended the first-ever QuarterFest: A Celebration of the American Quarter Horse, May 1-3 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

“Horse lovers came from all over to attend clinics, watch demonstrations and have their pictures taken with many of the famous horses who were stabled along the QuarterFest Walk of Fame,” said Tom Persechino, AQHA Executive Director of Marketing and Communications. “We were so honored to meet members and horse owners from Montana, Idaho, Oklahoma, Indiana, Georgia, North Carolina, California and many other states who hauled in for QuarterFest.

“And we couldn’t have pulled off this first-time event without the generous support of our 14 corporate sponsors, the professional horse trainers and the 50-plus volunteers.”

Hannah Montana’s horse, “Blue Jeans”; Shinelikefourmillion, the four millionth horse registered by AQHA; the two-hour smoke, lights, music and horses Extravaganza, which brought tears to everyone’s eyes; mounted shooting with Outlaw Annie Bianco; horsemanship clinics; a trail ride through the beautiful Cedars of Lebanon State Park; and horse activities for the kids were hits with the attendees.

The sold-out horsemanship clinics ranged in focus from working cattle horseback to colt starting to negotiating trail obstacles. Clinic attendees improved their riding and horsemanship skills with seven AQHA Professional Horsemen and -women: Curt and Tammy Pate, a husband and wife from Newell, South Dakota; Jeff Griffith of Gallatin Gateway, Montana; Bob Avila of Temecula, California; Julie Goodnight of Salida, Colorado; Christy Landwehr of Aurora, Colorado; and Bo Winslow of Estes Park, Colorado.

“Without question, the rain kept some people away; that’s understandable. However, those who did come could not say enough about the event,” Persechino said. “Recreational riders and home-based horse owners were extremely complimentary of this first effort, and I believe they will spread the word. After we recap everything and visit with the (AQHA) executive committee, we’ll let everyone know what’s in store for 2010.”

Read America’s Horse Editor Holly Clanahan’s posts about QuarterFest at americashorsedaily.com/quarterfest-day-1/.

QuarterFest was a three-day, education-packed celebration, where horse enthusiasts from around the world gathered for fun, entertainment and festivities to honor the world’s most versatile horse – the American Quarter Horse. Event sponsors included Tractor Supply, B&W Trailer Hitches, John Deere, Justin Boots, Merial, Nutrena, Professional’s Choice, Bank of America, Montana Silversmiths, Farnam, Breyer, La Cense Montana, Priefert Ranch Equipment and Wrangler.

AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit www.aqha.com/magazines.