We are thinking….for every horse, there is at least one dog to accompany them to a horse show. Dogs are a horse show fixture, and folks are pretty darn proud of their little buddies. So we went around and asked for their best dog tricks…and made a little class for you to judge…lol.

It’s always interesting to hear how people came to be involved with different parts of the horse industry. How random acts of fate, or calculated actions, led them to riding at the Futurity, watching their kids show in the Short Stirrup or running a breeding operation. Honestly, I don’t think if you’d asked me at 21, going to school at OSU, roping at every college or women’s pro rodeo I could hit, I’d have guessed what I’d be doing today. Neither would I have guessed my path to the Reining world would have taken me to a seven year stint in Amarillo, or to nearly every Quarter Horse racetrack in the country, or ended up with my rope horse in the pasture for extended periods of time What’s even funnier to me are the common people I’ve been in contact with – no matter what segment I was involved in. How amazingly our paths were connected. As the wide-eyed kid outta school, I was put at the reins of a rather large equine youth association. I leaned on a couple of folks for guidance and support – one being Betty..a kind, knowing youth adviser from Ohio…by the last name of Flarida…another was an energetic Youth Committee member from Montana. I see her now working at every NRHA event in OKC (Ms. Marilyn Randall). I could name quite a few more examples like this, but you are probably ready to hear from some fellow reiners on the video ……..so, I guess the point of my 1 a.m. ramblings from the Media Office equate to being amazed at how ironic and amazing life can be…and how those of us that have a love for the horse can be so connected…even if it takes us a while to realize it.

We all have our favorite tunes. The ones we like to play with the window rolled down on a summer day. The ones that put us in a better mood when the day’s not gone so swell. The ones that make us get pumped up and put our game face on. So it made us think…We wonder (we thought to ourselves), what songs would NRHA members like to hear blasting in the background when they go out there and gun for the big win? hmmmm…. guess you’ll have to watch to find out….

So some of you may noticed that we moved the NRHA Booth, NRHA Outfitters and the Sire & Dam Online auction kiosk to the West Concourse. We are really excited to have this area for everyone to stop by and compete NRHA work (like renewals and transfers) with one of our staff members…maybe do a little shopping (Check out the ‘bling’ Renee has that she can put on any piece of clothing in the store. She also has 2009 NRHA Futurity artwork to put on clothes too)….and bid online for 2010 breeding to a leading Reining sire. The NRHyA Silent Auction is also there with tons of cool items (I’ll be bidding on some awesome photos shot by a Youth member).

Here’s some photos of the NRHA Zone…and some of my fave logoed items. Make your way over there and load up on some great gear! )I’m kinda bummed I can’t sport the camo cap while I’m working

(Click on the thumbnail to enlarge the pics)

We asked people at the Futurity what they made sure to load up first when packing for a show…and what they typically forget…For me (when working a show), I pack my computer/air card first. It’s pretty hard for a marketing/pr chick to work without those two things. AND I usually forget either a good stock of pens or sunglasses. Luckily those aren’t too hard to round up….

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s question….

So, I have this thing for cool horse names. I’m sure I’m not the only one who scans through a sale catalog or draw sheet and giggles a bit when I see something clever or catchy. Here’s a few that caught my eye this week so far…..

Shiney Spurs, Shes Loaded, A Sexy Pistol, Bubbasthrtyeghtspcl, Slide Me A Bud, R U Kidding Me, Im Justa Vaquero, Bo Flex, Ben Done Before, Baby Step, Mistress With A Gun, Hez Got The Jack……

If you find some other cool names, go to http://www.facebook.com/nrhareining and post them on our wall. We’d love to hear from you and find out what names you like!

We will be out and about asking questions of the day at the show. If you see us running around with a little video camera, stop by and give us your two cents! So…here’s the first installment!