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Horsetrader Hits the Highway:
ApHC World Show Day 11
The End

By Pam Hargesheimer / Horsetrader guest blogger - November 5th, 2009

Well it has been a blessing to have had the past 10 days to experience my last Worlds.

I am leaving today and sharing driving with my co-pilot, Patty Kanegae, since Dean got called to work early Sunday. It’s just the two of us girls and our caravan pals behind us with their horses heading back to California.

We left Will Rogers in Fort Worth around 6:30am. I have the wheel now and we are lucky to have great weather ahead of us. It’s now 2:00pm and I am starting to worry about my 3 y/o gelding. He’s been on SMZ for 5 days with a cough. I decided the best plan at this point is to drive straight through and get all the horses home quickly. I made a quick call to the others in the caravan and they mirrored my feelings.

Wow, that was a hard drive. We made it work by taking quick 10 minute stops for gas and gave water to the horses on every other stop. That way they drank more readily. So far, so good. We find gassing up at the Love’s truck stops works best for us so we keep our eyes out for those signs. They are usually easy access and have diesel. I was glad I carried water onboard to make it easier, too. We finally got into Riverside at 3:00am on Monday. I am going to sleep for two days when I get home…just to recover. UGH!

We did have so much fun and success this year. Having our friends travel and stable with us kept it light and we had built in cheering sections. Somehow sharing a good go, or even a bad go, with friends makes it all the more fun.

We finished up with a Reserve World Championship in Masters Trail, a 3rd in Hunter in Hand 4 & Over Stallions, and a tenth in Masters Western Horsemanship with our stallion and a 3rd place in Masters Hunter Under Saddle with my 4 y/o gelding. Win Win!

If I can share anything of value it would be to pack carefully so you don’t have to iron shirts or get dry cleaning done (if you do, most shows offer a cowboy cleaners service). If you take hay be sure it is weather protected, put your sheets and blankets in trash bags for safe travel, take work saddle pads and show pads, take an ice cooler and pack crackers and peanut butter for those moments at the show when you’re too busy to stop and too hungry not to eat. Don’t take more than you need, and remember to carry a small bucket for water & a flashlight for those nighttime stops.

This was my last Worlds and I will miss it….or maybe I can do it one more time in a year or two….oh yeah….I am a horse addict. And I am…..out.

Horsetrader Hits the Highway:
ApHC World Show Day 9/10
The End is Near

By Pam Hargesheimer / Horsetrader guest blogger - November 5th, 2009

This was one long day as the only one without classes was me. I played groom and gopher most of the day, gladly. I got to watch the futurities and a variety of other classes. California still rocks and rolls in the Top Ten department.

I need to work my boys, clean tack, and start packing so we can get an early start on Sunday. It’s bittersweet to think my two weeks of vacation and my last Worlds is almost over. I really do miss my doggies and own bed. I feel like a kid after Christmas.

It’s late and I have all the horses bedded down. Time to head for the hotel. It is surprisingly warm after our cold wet morning. No tornados and I am beat. More tomorrow night before we head home.

I am…..out.

Horsetrader Hits the Highway:
ApHC World Show Day 8
It Is Nearly Over

By Pam Hargesheimer / Horsetrader guest blogger - October 30th, 2009

When we woke up this morning the news said around noon we’d have 80 mph winds, large hail, and a tornado warning. I am a Californian and that scares me worse than earthquakes. At least those can’t pick you up and take you to the next state.

I never had any weather problems once we got to the showgrounds. I had a cinnamon roll while the horses ate and then watched a few of the Californians show. Halter was light but the ones in the arena were really tough. Riding classes have had 15-30 entries and given the current economy I can’t complain. Plenty of good competition.

Horsetrader Hits the Highway:
ApHC World Show Day 7
It’s the Big One, Alice

By Pam Hargesheimer / Horsetrader guest blogger - October 30th, 2009

Wow…today was another amazing day for me. The sun is shining birds are chirping and all is right with the world.

As I sat on the rail after my Masters Hunter Under Saddle class waiting for the judges cards to be read I had a huge moment of bittersweet. This is my last Worlds and this is the last and best class I have ever ridden on my 4-year old gelding.

Horsetrader Hits the Highway:
ApHC World Show Day 5/6
Let the Games Begin

By Pam Hargesheimer / Horsetrader guest blogger - October 30th, 2009

Well yesterday was a super day for the California exhibitors. The show team of Patty & Missy Hiebert did very well at their first show. Our club, Calizona Appaloosa, had a cheering section in the stands and we kept the noise level high for each of our peers as they were picked in the individual placings. In non-pro Western Pleasure Missy got a first place call-out under the first judge! She had no other call-outs so the overall awards did not pin her go. That was not the case in her Mom’s non-pro western horsemanship. There she was called out first under one judge and scored under all judges and finishing tenth overall. Her daughter won Saddle Seat Equitation championship that evening. It doesn’t get much better than that.

Horsetrader Hits the Highway:
ApHC World Show Day 4
Game On

By Pam Hargesheimer / Horsetrader guest blogger - October 30th, 2009

Thursday is finally here and the competition starts today. I feel so ready to rock n’ roll with all the nice folks at Will Rogers Coliseum in Fort Worth.

Finally the weather looks more like California (not really, but close!) and we are in the zone. It’s “Worlds Show” time. We’re heading off to Ol’ South for breakfast and then get the day started by washing, banding and doing all the things that make us smile.

Horsetrader Hits the Highway:
ApHC World Show Day 3
Are We There yet?

By Pam Hargesheimer / Horsetrader guest blogger - October 30th, 2009

We wanted to leave at 2:30am, but woke up at 3:30am. After scrambling around and putting our old clothes back on we got to the ranch. Now we have all five horses and six adults loaded and on the road by 6:30am. A little later than hoped for, but still a nice start. We grabbed a cup of coffee and extra gas at exit 133 and were back on the road by 6:40. It isn’t raining anymore, although there are lots of clouds on the horizon and that worries me. We expect to hit Fort Worth at 5:00 pm.

Horsetrader Hits the Highway:
ApHC World Show Day 2
On The Road Again

By Pam Hargesheimer / Horsetrader guest blogger - October 30th, 2009

On the road again and it feels like the first time. I can’t forget that for me it’s the last time. I want to feel, hear, and taste every moment. I can tell you the trip is always the hardest part. It’s so boring to drive through the desert, but as we leave California and Arizona the terrain is so beautiful. The rocks are red and black and there are real clouds there. Nice to see.

Horsetrader Hits the Highway:
ApHC World Show Day 1
Before We’re On The Road

By Pam Hargesheimer / Horsetrader guest blogger - October 30th, 2009

We’ve spent the last 4-6 weeks preparing as much for this final Worlds event as possible. And, to make it real, mostly so we don’t have to wear ourselves out the last weekend trying to cram all we own into our 3-horse trailer and then start the journey in complete exhaustion.

Today, the day before we leave has been rather uneventful. I have to admit having such glorious weather and being on vacation is such a reward after a year of hard work and
preparation.

Horsetrader Hits the Highway:
AQHA Select World Championship
Days 9-12

The Horsetrader's Cece Campbell and Cynthia Cantleberry head to Amarillo, Texas. Follow us!

By CECE CAMPBELL / Horsetrader staff - September 8th, 2009
Dennis & Kathy Creighton & Just Plain Nic Friday started out with a great class of cutters and wild run-away cows. Carol Williamson on Mr San Olean made the finals, so we’ll cheer her on tomorrow morning in the finals.

Dennis & Kathy Creighton & Just Plain Nic Friday started out with a great class of cutters and wild run-away cows. Carol Williamson on Mr San Olean made the finals, so we’ll cheer her on tomorrow morning in the finals.

Days 9 & 10

As each of the finals are run, more trailers leave, so the parking lot is beginning to be a lot less crowded. Our friends, Kathy and Dennis Creighton from California (Dennis competed in the Reining on his horse Just Plain Nic – see photo) left yesterday. They had a wonderful time and Dennis had a good run in the Reining, but backed up one too many steps (boy, those judges are picky!). With 61 entries, he was not able to make it back in the finals, but says to watch for him next year on his new horse!