Spring 2003 Youth Members Report

THE NEWSLETTER OF THE ApHC(UK) YOUTH DIVISION
encouraging & supporting the next generation of Appaloosa horse lovers

It is time to wish all Youth members both old and new a very happy new year, although by the time you read this, 2003 will be well underway. If you are anything like me you will have already broken all of your new year's resolutions already! Never mind.

It is also time for a bit of an apology. I know all of you eager members will be awaiting your latest separate Youth Spotlight , which is now going to be a rather belated Christmas/New Year special! Due to busy times for both me and Joyce Nutland who so kindly sends out the Spotlight to you all, this issue has been somewhat delayed, but it is on its way as I write this. In fact, by the time you read this, I hope that you may already have had it!

Anyway, due to the delay, I think there may have been some confusion re. the 2002 Youth Points Competition as I have not received even one single completed form. Now the closing date was an absolute age ago, but as I have also been a bit slow I am announcing a points form amnesty. That means if you get your form to me before the end of April, you will still be eligible for that fantastic year end high points prize - a gorgeous Appaloosa Breyer model, kindly donated by Utterly Horses . So please, please, please, send in those forms a.s.a.p.! I know for sure that some of you out there have got loads of points, so don't waste them, claim your hard earned certificates and stand a chance of winning that fab model horse!

CALLING ALL ADULT MEMBERS!

Okay, now I have got the moan to the Youth members over with, here is a moan for the adult members too! (Gosh, I hate moaning really, but you guys just seem to drive me to it)!!!! Last issue I made a plea to you to write in with any short articles either about your Appaloosa horse and/or stud, as so many of the Youth members want to read Appy profiles. pedigree and performance details along with character and personality traits would be the sort of thing members might like to hear about. Even if you are really busy, perhaps you could just find the time to jot down the bare details and I will make a piece out of it. Remember, these Appy mad Youth members are the future of the club!

While I am still IN MOAN MODE (note the use of serious capitals!), last issue I ALSO APPEALED to some of the adult members to assist the Youth division in the form of supporting a Youth trail-riding points program (for DETAILS SEE last issue). as yet i have had nobody interested in sponsoring this. please show the youth members that they are important to the club. i am not talking anything big, even just offering to provide small prizes for completing each 'level' of hours would be really appreciated.

FOR All contact DETAILS please see list of area representatives at the front of the newsletter.

Phew! Serious, moany mode finished, we can get on with some more Youth news.

Firstly, a big welcome needs to be said to.

10 year old Rebekah Carnall from Nottinghamshire

16 year old Kris McGuire from Stirlingshire

13 year old Chantelle Cotterell from Shrewsbury

13 year old Isabelle Nowicki from Nottingham,

13 year old Melissa Mitchell from Bromsgrove

15 year old Natalie Dare from Worcester

11 year old Felicity Lowe from Wiltshire

11 year old Casey Belsher from Cornwall

It is absolutely great to have so many new members. I can't wait to hear from you all. Remember if you have any questions or queries, give me a bell and I will do my best to answer them.

Secondly, here for you all to enjoy are the winning entries to 2002's fantastically supported Youth division Art and Essay Contest. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did - all the members who took part really did themselves proud. The standard was extremely high.

ART & ESSAY CONTEST - Prize winners

Youth Photo - Shula BakerClick on the picture to view full size

Above is Shula Baker's winning entry in the art category of the contest, a beautiful painting of an Appaloosa head. Shula was also a runner-up in the essay category with a very mature poem, which made use of some lovely imagery. To top it all she was named the overall winner, earning herself a year's free membership. I'm sure you will all join me in saying a big 'congratulations' to Shula!

Now time for you to all sit comfortably as here is a short story from Katie Semler . This original and entertaining entry, called 'A Not So Happy Appy', is written from an Appy's point of view and won Katie first prize in the essay category - well done Katie!

"Hi ya, I'm Nala and I'm a not so happy Appy. D'you wanna know why? Nah, you probably don't. It would bore you to death. But for some of the curious people out there, I'll write it down. (I can write, what do you think of that?)

It all happened when my boss (no wait, that should be my carer, I'm the boss!) suddenly put a new pony in my field. She started drinking out of my bucket and ate my hay. That really got me. I went over to her and asked, 'What's your name?'

'Missy.'

'Where are you from?'

'America.'

'I like your spots.'

'Thanks.'

'What do you think you are doing in my field?!?'

Missy stared at me. 'Your owner put me here, right? So I suppose she wanted me to eat and drink and graze.' I can't say I was too happy about that. I'm not a jealous pony, on the contrary. But, hey, how would you like it if your mum put some other kid in your bedroom?

Missy tried to make my life a misery. When I did something naughty, she'd go and suck up to our owner. Then our owner would take Missy out for a hack and leave me alone in the field. So I tried to get my own back by making nasty remarks about her. I said things like: 'It's a pity there is no prize for the ugliest Appaloosa. Missy would certainly have won the first prize.' I know I was mean, but I couldn't help it. Missy was just so, well, irritating and sly. She really got on my nerves. One day while I was reading 'Horse News' (did I mention I can read?) Missy pulled the paper out of my hooves and started to read it! When she was finished she tore it in to little bits. She is soooo childish!

And so, now the two of us are deadly enemies. Oh well, I'll survive. Maybe one day someone will buy her, or she'll run away or the fairies will take her. Okay, okay, I know I'm exaggerating, but I don't care. I just hope something will drive that pony away from me, the sooner the better!'

Well I don't know about you members, but I would really like to know what happened next to Nala and Missy, the two feuding Appaloosas. Perhaps Katie will write in with another episode soon!

It is time to say good bye now, so until next time Youth members, please keep the news, letters, photos and ideas flooding in. All the best, Catherine and BB xxx.

PS: Spring edition of the separate full colour Youth Spotlight , featuring a member under the spotlight, plus all the usual features, will now be amalgamated with the summer issue. Don't worry though; I will make it an extra bumper edition!