February, 2001 Features

Features Index

53rd Annual Gold Rush Days Wickenburg, Az.

Named as one of the Top 100 Events in the United States, Gold Rush Days is a celebration of Wickenburg's rich heritage. For three action-filled days, thousands of visitors and participants enjoy the multitude of activities that make-up this special event. Festivities begin with the Opening Ceremonies on Frontier Street - Friday, February 9th at 10:00 a.m. - this officially kicks off a wild rootin' - tootin' western weekend. You'll find beautiful classic automobiles on display on Frontier Street throughout the day. The show draws some of the best collectors around the Valley of the Sun. Spectators line the streets on Saturday morning as one of the largest parades in Arizona passes by. Over 1000 horses and 125 entries participate in the parade - this year's theme is "Wickenburg - The Real West." Special guest and parade Grand Marshall will be Rex Allen Jr. The parade starts at 10:00 a.m. continuing for over two hours, making its way from the Westside of Wickenburg to the downtown historical district. Cowboys from all over the country gather on Saturday and Sunday afternoon to compete in the Senior Pro Cowboy's Rodeo, held each day at 2:00 p.m. Tickets available from the Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce and Ticket Master or at the rodeo gate each day. The festival area around the Wickenburg Community Center - 160 North Valentine Street in the historic downtown, activities all three days will find over 200 arts/crafts exhibitors, food booths, family carnival, gem & mineral exhibit, gold panning and free stage entertainment. On Saturday, starting at 11:00 a.m. a delicious barbecue is available for lunch at a nominal charge inside the Community Center and is sponsored by the Wickenburg Saddle Club. Next door at Coffinger Park is the annual Horseshoe Tournament, where contestants compete for $600 in prize money. Saturday Night brings great western music by "Western Electric" inside the Wickenburg Community Center - 8:30 p.m.-12:45 a.m. Tickets are $7 per person. An old west Saloon, manned by the Knights of Columbus, will serve alcoholic beverages and soda drinks. Wickenburg is the oldest town north of Tucson celebrating its 138th year, and has traditions as old as the Town itself. Some of the events are enjoyable to watch and educational as well. See the Mucking & Drilling Contest and the Arizona Gold Panning Championship on Sunday, just like the miners used to do years ago. Visitors from all over the world mix and mingle with cowboys and garter girls, at this true old west celebration - Out Wickenburg Way. Call for information at The Chamber - 520-684-5479 or email us


Bring Your Own Seats to the Scottsdale Jaycees Parada Del Sol Parade
Bring your own seats to the traditional, free Scottsdale Jaycees Parada del Sol Parade presented by APS on Saturday, February 3rd beginning at 9:00 a.m. down Scottsdale Road from Indian School to Oak followed by the family fun Trail's End Celebration. Enjoy a couple of hours of horses, floats, bands, community groups and much, much more down Scottsdale Road as you relax and cheer for your favorite entry. Follow the fun and excitement to the Trail's End Celebration in downtown Scottsdale including live and local country entertainment, food, drinks, craft booths, the SunAmerica Kids Zone, and other entertainment booths. The Parade and Trail's End Celebration kick-off the Parada del Sol week of events leading into the five (5) Rodeo performances at the WestWorld of Scottsdale Equidome. The whole Parada del Sol festivities have shifted back one week starting with the Parade on Saturday, February 3rd and the Rodeo on February 9-11th. Portion of the proceeds raised by the Scottsdale Jaycees is donated back to the community at the end of the year. An Executive Committee decides which organization will benefit from the hard work and numerous volunteer hours devoted to the Scottsdale Jaycees events and promotions. Over $40,000 was donated back to the Valley in 2000. For more information, please contact Lacy Hill at 602-628-9982 Free Rodeo Concerts at the Parada del Sol Rodeo The Scottsdale Jaycees Parada del Sol is proud to announce two FREE Rodeo concerts held at WestWorld of Scottsdale's Equidome. The Scottsdale Jaycees are proud to bring Harry Luge and the Gila Monsters on Friday, February 9th and National recording country artist Darryl Worley at the KNIX Rodeo Concert on Saturday, February 10th. Darryl Worley's new album, Hard Rain Don't Last, was released in July 2000. With top hits like "A Good Day to Run" and "The Way Things Are Goin', it's a cinch to see why he is such a powerful performer. When Darryl Worley sings, he draws you in with an intimacy that's created only by someone utterly comfortable with who they are and where they come from. For the pride of Hardin County, it all comes down to one thing, being himself. The Scottsdale Jaycees and KNIX are proud to present Darryl Worley at its Saturday night concert out at WestWorld. For Friday night's entertainment, Harry Luge and the Gila Monsters will heat up the stage for a free concert that you won't want to miss. As an electrifying crowd pleaser and spectacular vocalist, you can be sure to see a terrific show. So don't miss Harry Luge and the Gila Monsters on Friday, February 9th. Both concerts will be held in the Equidome at WestWorld of Scottsdale immediately following the rodeo performance. Concert admission is free with your ticket to that evening's rodeo performance. Tickets can be purchased through TicketMaster at 480-990-3179, or at the gate. For more information, please contact Lacy Hill at 602-628-9982.

Beethe Arabians

Larry Beethe & * SF Psyche Cynead
Living and training horses in the valley of the sun has been a dream of the Beethe family for several years. Every February as they spent the several weeks in the sunshine during the Scottsdale Show, they would joke about the day when they would call Arizona home. This dream became reality at the end of the 2000 season when the Beethe's made a family decision to move west. This was no little undertaking. The Beethes had a thriving horse business in Kansas City. They had long-time customers and friends who have been supportive for years. Larry and Mary are native Kansans and have lots of family and friends in the Midwest. Larry's love of horses started as a child. That love was renewed in the early 1970s when he bought his first mare and half-Arabian filly. This love grew and became his livelihood as a halter trainer and breeder. Larry has had many wins at the regional and national level. He also manages and active breeding operation. Mary is a veteran teacher at a large suburban high school in North Kansas City. She is completing her 32nd year in June and retiring to join the family at that time. Mary was a late starter in her riding career but is proud of her Top Ten wins in Western, Hunt and CEP. Mike Beethe has long been involved with the horses. He was a very active Junior exhibitor and adult in the Arabian business. He has been nominated as Adult Amateur horseman of the year three years running. Mike graduated from the University of Missouri, Kansas City Law School and was practicing in the metropolitan area. His practice included an active equine practice. His law articles can be read monthly in the Arabian Horse Times. Mike's show record include National Champions in Western, Driving, Costume, Country English Pleasure, Halter. Shannon was named Youth of the Year by IAHA and AHSA (the first Arabian youth to win this award) in 1994. She won the Horseman's Award as a youth that same year. Shannon continued to train and show horses through her college career. In 1999 she graduated from Park University of Kansas City in Business Management. Shannon has garnered wins at the national level in halter, English, Western, Costume, Side Saddle, Hunt, Country English Pleasure and Combination. Beethe Arabians is now located at 4511 East Peak View Road. Twenty-eight horses made the trip to Arizona with Beethes. SF Psyche Cynead (x Padrons Psyche) has been shown to Canadian National Champion Stallion AOTH by Mike in 1998, U.S. Reserve National Champion AOTH in 1998 and 1999, and U.S. Top Ten Open in 1998. He and his get will be seen in the show ring this season and the future. Also standing and being shown in halter with the Beethe Farm is a young Bey Shah son, MAF Whirlwind. Larry heads up the breeding and halter training part of the program. Shannon will be showing and training the performance horses for herself and her junior exhibitors and adults. Mary and Mike are the family amateurs. The family works together promoting a winning tradition. Beethe Arabian made their first debut at the December show at West World with several wins. They look forward to the February show where they will be presenting 19 horses in many divisions.

Arizona Touch of Class Miniature Horse Show WestWorld of Scottsdale, March 3rd and 4th, 2001

Larry Strubhar & Moonman
250 of the finest Miniature Horses from over 15 states will be on hand for your viewing pleasure at the Arizona Touch of Class Miniature Horse Show at WestWorld of Scottsdale, March 3rd and 4th, 2001. This year the show will be raffling off many spectacular items. 100% of the Charity Raffle proceeds will go to The Emily Center at Phoenix Children's Hospital. The Emily Center is a non-profit library and resource facility focusing on the health and wellness of children. With no admission charge, the Arizona touch of Class Show welcomes your family and friends to enjoy fun, food and vendors. Starting at 8:00 a.m. Saturday and Sunday the class lineup offers the finest American Miniature Horses measuring 34" and under exhibiting their natural beauty and performance skills under the watchful eye of four recognized judges. Join thousands of spectators from all over the state to see these tiny horses strut their stuff. Watch the horses maneuver through obstacle and jumping courses, running free to music in Liberty class. Watch a keen rivalry for the title of Supreme Halter Champion, the single horse of the finest conformation. Let these diminutive horses show you what they have to offer. For those wishing to purchase a Miniature Horse, Saturday's half time entertainment will be a "Parade of Sale Horses." Sunday's half time will grace us with the nationally acclaimed Petite Elite, Arizona's own Miniature Horse precision driving team. Will the FUN never stop?! Join the fun on March 3rd and 4th at WestWorld for a fantastic weekend with these powerful, beautiful, tiny horses. They will surprise and delight you. We promise. For more information call Nancy McCurry (602) 569-2119, or Marjo K. Berry (602) 971-4679.

Ride the Arizona Trail

March 9-12, 2001 The Arizona Trail, ride 4 days $1600.00 per person. The Arizona Trail is a multiple-use trail benefiting hikers, equestrians and mountain bikers. This 750 mile trail (when completed) will traverse the state from Mexico to Utah, winding through seven life zones from saguaros of the Sonoran Desert though ponderosa pine forests, past the natural wonders of the magnificent Grand Canyon. In 1994, the Arizona Trail Association, a nonprofit organization was created to facilitate the completion of the trail. Today some 500 miles of the trail is open to the public and there is still much work to be done. The Arizona Trail needs the support of outdoor enthusiasts everywhere, our presence on the trail with Michael Martin Murphey will help raise awareness to the financial needs of the Association and their efforts to build this resource for today and future generations to come. This special ride will fill up fast, make your reservation now. Our base of operation for this special ride will be the Apache Springs Ranch near Sonoita, Arizona. It was here at the base of majestic Mt. Wrightson that Indian tribes gathered in peace to share the waters of a stream that runs year round through the adjoining canyon. Apache Springs Ranch was homesteaded in the late 1870s by Thomas Gardner, a horse and cattleman who had come west to seek his fortune. From our campsite at the ranch headquarters, we can ride the Arizona trail north and south, as well as miles and miles of original trails of the Old West in the surrounding Coronado National Forest. Total cost for this 4 day adventure is $1,600 per person and includes everything necessary to make this a true western adventure you will never forget. We furnish your own personal horse (or there is a $100 per day if you bring your own) all food, tents, guides, wranglers, cooks and chuck wagon camp. Showers are available at the ranch, as well as private stalls for your horse if you wish. Space is limited to 20 guests and $800 deposit is required to reserve your space. We accept Master Card, Visa or checks. To make reservations or more information, call (303) 670-9758 or toll free at (877) 856-2815.

AQHA/AzQHA RIDE 2001 INFORMATION FORM



Bruce and Diana Johnson President - Valley of the Sun Arabian Horse Association

Bruce Johnson & IBN Sabbah Bedu+*
Shows involved in - Saguaro Classic (in partnership with the East Valley Arabian Horse Association (EVAHA) and the IAHA Region VII Championships at WestWorld. Bruce and Diana Johnson have been raising Arabian horses in Buckeye since 1980. They initially became involved with Westside Equestrians and learned how horse shows run while helping to put on monthly schooling shows at various locations around the valley. "It was quite a learning experience," Bruce recalls. "It was like a three-ring circus with Dressage or jumping classes in one arena, trail classes going on in an open area and a regular horse show being held in a third arena. At times we are running all this with only about 6 people doing it about 10 times a year!" Late in the 1980's, Bruce and Diana "retired" from the show scene to focus on their breeding operation. "We raise Babson Arabian horses," Diana explains. "These are horses that trace entirely to a group of horses that Henry Babson imported into the United States from Egypt in 1932. Babsons are known for their correct conformation, quiet dispositions and willing temperament." In the Arabian world, Babson horses are categorized as Straight Egyptian, Al Khamsa and Sheykh Obeyd, referring to the origin of the bloodgroups of the horses in their pedigrees. There are approximately 150 Straight Babson horses, tracing in all pedigree lines to only that 1932 importation, in today's Arabian horse population. The addition of a fourth Babson Stallion in 1994 caused the Johnsons' to reenter the show arena. Its breeders, John and Betty Fippen of St. Joseph, Illinois, had started the stallion Ibn Sabbah Bedu in Dressage. After a summer to acclimate to the desert heat, the Johnsons took the stallion to Jackie Alkin's Royal Salute training barn in Cave Creek for an evaluation and initial training. Jackie schooled Sabbah starting in September 1994. "He was doing well enough that we entered the 1995 Scottsdale show in First Level Dressage," Bruce remembered. "He won his first two classes and we knew we had something very special." Jackie worked on Sabbah's education, bringing him up through the levels to where the pair are now competing at Prix St. Georges. Jackie also taught the stallion to jump and he has competed successfully in winning several Regional Championships as well as National Top Ten honors. Competition in both divisions forced Bruce to become knowledgeable with the rules which has helped him organize, assist and manage competitions in those divisions later on. Bruce and Diana followed their stallion's success by increasing their participation in Arabian shows, moving up the ranks by announcing at the Valley of the Sun Arabian Horse Assn. Mini-Circuit shows, and then getting involved in the Class A circuit with the Saguaro Classic All-Arabian show. "At the time, I had just been elected president after just one year on the Board," Bruce recalled. "Then they told me, that the president is automatically a member of the Show Committee so off I went, wondering what I had got myself into! "I have been very fortunate to have become associated with very knowledgeable and hard working people from both VSAHA and EVAHA clubs who have helped me learn the hundreds of details it takes to put on a good show with the exhibitor in mind. These are people like Kevin and Rowena King, Fran Switzer and Layna Taylor among many others. The Saguaro Classic show and its continued success is due entirely to a team effort between members of these two clubs. "The Saguaro Classic is a progressive show and we pride ourselves in listening to the exhibitors and then trying to introduce new classes and even divisions. Our Dressage Division is the largest at an Arabian show in the Southwest after the Scottsdale show. This is just the third year of offering Dressage," Bruce said. The Saguaro Classic was the first show in the United States to hold official Arabian Sport Horse classes in 1999. And for 2001? "We are planning an entire Working Western Division with its own judge and arenas to fully support the reining classes that have been in very high demand at our recent shows." Bruce also helps at the Region VII Championship show, which is held at WestWorld at the end of April. It just grew out of the work we had done at the Saguaro Classic so it was easy to gather the core of volunteers and work in the Hunter/Jumper and Dressage divisions. "Diana should get equal credit for anything I end up doing," Bruce related. "While I am off living at a horse show for 6 days, not to mention driving everywhere for a year to planning meetings, it's Diana who tends to our 19 horses along with the boarding horses we have at our 10 acre irrigated farm in Buckeye. Bruce's advice to others thinking about showing is "Get involved through your local club, no matter what breed you favor. Every club needs volunteers and will welcome you with open arms. You will be amazed at all the fun and satisfaction you get while helping others get to show their horses!"

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