Looking Ahead

New year, new start.

Every January we step on the scale, make our lists of resolutions and look ahead.

As a club, CSPHC is looking forward to a lot. The Rocky Mountain Horse Expo, The Denver Queen City Horse Show and the Colorado State Fair are circled on the calendar right now.

As much as I love shows, I’m putting a gold star next to the Expo; it’s the first on the list (March 11-13). This is a fantastic venue for promoting our breed. Tens of thousands of horse lovers from throughout the region will converge on the National Western Complex in Denver to ride with experts, hit the trade show floor and enjoy equine performances in the Mane Event.

I really believe we have to reach out to the larger horse community to help sustain our breed. As much as I love hanging out with other Peruvian aficionados, we need to make connections with other horse lovers. We have a lot to offer, and a lot to learn.

Last year’s Queen City show is proof of that. It was a beautifully run weekend, we had a great turnout and enjoyed sharing the facility with the Saddlebred folks. I’m looking forward to more of the same this year (July 21-23).

So from where we stand as a club, we have lots of opportunities to make the most of our horses and our equine connections.

From where you’re standing today, what do you see?

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State Fair Show is Canceled This Year

I’m quite bummed to report that this year’s Peruvian Horse Show at the Colorado State Fair has been canceled.

We really appreciate all the hard work that went into the show and the folks who registered, but we just didn’t get enough entries to justify the show from the fair’s perspective. They’ve offered us a spot during the actual fair next year, which is a good thing. Some exhibitors told us they only wanted to show during the actual fair. This year, we were scheduled for the week before the fair. Typically we can only snag a time during the actual fair every other year.

I also heard from folks who said they were willing to travel to Colorado from out of state once, but not twice.  We had a great turnout at the Denver Queen City Horse Show, and several ranches promised to return next year.

So we’ll see how things pan out for next summer. I’d love to hear feedback that would help us plan for next year.

Out-of-staters: What would bring you to Colorado? Would you come to two shows in Colorado? If you only come to one, would you rather show in Denver at the National Western Complex (indoor arena/nice facility, joint show with Saddlebreds, larger city), or in Pueblo (no indoor but covered outdoor, less expensive classes, cash payouts for winners)?

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Plantation Hat in Hand

I hate asking people for money, even when I know it’s for a good cause. I work for a nonprofit that helps military families  in real life, so should be better at drumming up sponsorships for shows.

I know we’re in a recession. I know even in the best of times, horses are an expensive hobby. And that Colorado is a long way from Texas, California, Tennessee, Alabama, Missippi, Louisiana and so many other states that are home to nice horses and the good people who own them. I also know it’s asking a lot for people to support our shows with either sponsorships (from $25 to $1,500) or entries, but I really hope we’ll have good turnout this year. We’ve got two great venues: the National Western Complex for the Denver Queen City Horse Show July 22-24and the State Fair Grounds in Pueblo Aug. 20-22.

Even better, we’ve got a great group of people out here who enjoy hanging out, talking horses and having a good time. And yes, I will be bringing frozen spiked basil lemonade again this year.  I really hope we get some more great folks to join us.

So here I am, plantation hat in hand asking for help. We deeply appreciate whatever you can do to support our efforts to showcase the Peruvian horse and celebrate our friendships. For more information, e-mail me at kerrymcg@aol.com  or Mark Renn at mrenn@gcm-careers.com.

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