\n
<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n America<\/span><\/em><\/span>\u2019s Horse, May 5, 2009 \u2013<\/span><\/em>Damp conditions didn\u2019t dampen the spirits of the horse lovers who attended the first-ever QuarterFest: A Celebration of the American Quarter Horse, May 1-3 in\u00a0Murfreesboro,\u00a0Tennessee.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n <\/span>\u201cHorse 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,\u201d said Tom Persechino, AQHA Executive Director of Marketing and Communications. \u201cWe were so honored to meet members and horse owners from\u00a0Montana,\u00a0Idaho,\u00a0Oklahoma,\u00a0Indiana,\u00a0Georgia,\u00a0North Carolina,\u00a0California\u00a0and many other states who hauled in for QuarterFest.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cAnd we couldn\u2019t 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.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Hannah Montana\u2019s horse, \u201cBlue Jeans\u201d; Shinelikefourmillion, the four millionth horse registered by AQHA; the two-hour smoke, lights, music and horses Extravaganza, which brought tears to everyone\u2019s eyes; mounted shooting with Outlaw Annie Bianco; horsemanship clinics; a trail ride<\/span><\/span><\/span> through the beautiful <\/span>Cedars of Lebanon State Park<\/span><\/span><\/a>;<\/span><\/span><\/span> and horse activities for the kids were hits with the attendees.<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n 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\u00a0Newell,\u00a0South Dakota; Jeff Griffith of Gallatin Gateway,\u00a0Montana; Bob Avila of\u00a0Temecula,\u00a0California; Julie Goodnight of\u00a0Salida,\u00a0Colorado; Christy Landwehr of\u00a0Aurora,\u00a0Colorado; and Bo Winslow of\u00a0Estes Park,\u00a0Colorado.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWithout question, the rain kept some people away; that\u2019s understandable. However, those who did come could not say enough about the event,\u201d Persechino said. \u201cRecreational 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\u2019ll let everyone know what\u2019s in store for 2010.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Read\u00a0America\u2019s Horse<\/em> Editor Holly Clanahan\u2019s posts about QuarterFest at\u00a0americashorsedaily.com\/quarterfest-day-1\/<\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n 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\u2019s most versatile horse \u2013 the American Quarter Horse. Event sponsors included Tractor Supply, B&W Trailer Hitches, John Deere, Justin Boots, Merial, Nutrena, Professional\u2019s Choice, Bank of America, Montana Silversmiths, Farnam, Breyer, La Cense\u00a0Montana, Priefert Ranch Equipment and Wrangler.<\/span><\/p>\n
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