It is hard to believe that we have owned the Corral for three years. On one hand, it seems like we have always been here and on the other, it seems we’re just starting this venture. During the last three years, we’ve realized the strength of our region and focused on being somewhat unique. We’re the only magazine that I know of who is tied into a radio show, Horsin Around Ohio, hosted by Joe and “coming from the studios of the Horsemen’s Corral magazine”. We have an interactive website that allows you to post show dates and classifieds. We have a Facebook page and eBlasts that provides immediate information when warranted and shares a little laughter when needed. Michelle has done a great job of managing our electronic media. But perhaps the most important thing we do is logging miles to promote the Corral, our advertisers and our clubs with many personal appearances.
I don’t talk a lot about the personal appearances because it is mostly what Joe does with his company, Rodeo Voice Entertainment, LLC but I do travel with him when I can. This past month, we had the opportunity to attend four events that where quite special:
The end of September was the Tri-County Trail Association Ox-Roast and poker run. The weather was a little questionable on this one but that did not dampen the spirits of the riders or the cooks. Kathy King won the poker run riding her Missouri Fox Trotter, Louie. We’ll get to see Kathy again as she rides with us through downtown Cleveland for the Cleveland Mounted Police Unit benefit.
Emily Schramm Scott put together a quick horse show in Ashland to help the families of Cheyenne Spidel and Brooke Lewis, two beautiful young ladies lost in a tragic car accident earlier this year. The show had set a goal of raising $4,000 but ended up raising closer to $20,000 as horses and riders from all over Ohio attended.
The Pennsylvania Quarter Horse Association hosted their 15th Anniversary Ride at the Battlefields of Gettysburg, Pa. This year they included an American Quarter Horse Association Trail Challenge. Joe was the emcee and had the pleasure of working with a vocalist from New Jersey, Bobby Milan. The two of them kept the crowd entertained and engaged from the campfire Friday night to Cowboy Church on Sunday. Our own Sonya Morse won the AQHA Masters Class while Joe and one of our rescue horses, Special Ed won the All-Breed Masters Class (He was the only one entered)! This is a ‘must do’ event for 2015.
The last event we attended was the Tough Enough To Wear Pink horse show held at Roberts Arena in Wilmington, Ohio. Joe has volunteered his time for this event the past four years. Last year, the donation to the Stephanie Spielman Fund for Patient Assistance was $65,000. This year’s number is not yet available but I can tell you the entries were up nearly 20 percent. Be sure to look for the article in the November issue of the Horsemen’s Corral.