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Arabian Horse Association Taps Private Sector Exec for
Top Position
After a four month
search, the Arabian Horse Association (AHA) has named Gary Zimmerman as its new
Executive Vice President out of a field that included 120 candidates.“Gary’s
quick and direct answers to the Board proved to be the deciding factor for all
of us,” says AHA President Myron Krause. “He welcomes the opportunity to use his
talents to meet our mission. After listening to his confident explanation of
what he can bring to AHA, the Board and Executive Committee felt he was the best
match for our Association.”
Zimmerman has an M.B.A
from the University of Denver, Denver, Colo., with an emphasis on marketing.
Over a span of 20 years, he served in executive management positions in
corporate environments at the regional and national levels. He has proven skills
in leadership, technology, consultative services, strategic planning, sales,
marketing, financial analysis and budgeting. His ability to develop
high-performance teams in merged companies and execute successful business plans
are particular strengths.
Most recently, Zimmerman
was Vice President of Business Operations at the Denver Operations Center of 180
Connect, Inc. As North America’s largest satellite/cable/security/home
technology services company, 180 Connect has 105 branches and over 4,000
employees. Zimmerman was responsible for security installation and services
nationwide and oversaw staff operations and field technicians coast to coast.
Zimmerman enjoys
recreational horseback riding and is an avid tennis player. He and his wife
Peggy live in Greenwood Village, Colo., with their 16-year-old son and
13-year-old daughter.
GROUP MEETS
AT U.S. NATIONALS TO DISCUSS NEW ARABIAN SHOW
A group of
owners, breeders, trainers and other breed professionals met during U.S.
Nationals in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Friday, October 28, to discuss
the possibility of creating a new Arabian horse show. Brothers Jeff and
Rich Sloan, of Birmingham, Michigan, spearheaded the meeting. The Sloans
recently imported the stallion *Piaff and mare Pianissima (on lease from
Poland) along with the mare Elandra, and others purchased in the Polish
Prestige auction.
In an E-mail the
Sloans sent to 20-some individuals invited to the meeting, they wrote:
“There has been talk among owners, breeders, and trainers that there is
a need for a European-style show here in the U.S., and that it would be
widely supported. A group of us has decided to move forward on this idea
and develop a plan to bring it to fruition. The most logical and ideal
place for a show like this would be Las Vegas. Everyone feels this city
would add much needed excitement, great venues and incredible potential
for attracting new people to our shows and industry.
“The objective is to
create an entertaining and lively purebred Arabian competition in the city of
Las Vegas. We want to put the ‘show’ back into the show ring. The event would
include entertainment and educational opportunities for Arabian horse
enthusiasts and newcomers alike.”
More than 60
people arrived for the discussion, eager to share their thoughts and
ideas. While there were many differing opinions on the mechanics of the
show, all agreed on the need to provide a showcase event in a setting
geared to attract newcomers to the breed. Also discussed was the need
for major sponsors and prize money. The group plans to meet again before
Scottsdale and appoint committees to explore possibilities and develop a
strategy to make such a show happen.
Arabian Horse
World is strongly in favor of all opportunities to showcase the Arabian
breed’s beauty and versatility. We will keep our readers up-to-date on
this group’s progress.
Arabian Horse
World 1316 Tamson Dr., Suite 101Cambria, CA 93428Toll free: 800.955.9423
Phone: 805.771.2300 Fax: 805.927.6522
info@ahwmagazine.com
10-Year-Old Receives Yes I Can! Award for Arabian Horsemanship
On April 5, 2002, Ramona Kinyon helped her 10-year-old daughter
Emily maneuver her wheelchair on stage at the Hilton New York in New York City
to accept an international Yes I Can! Award and bronze statue from the
Yes I Can! Foundation for Exceptional Children. The companion who helped Emily
achieve the award, a 24 year old Arabian mare named Marias Crystal, was munching
hay in a Galata, Montana, pasture, waiting for her return.
Emily was nominated in the extracurricular category by her
fourth-grade teacher Darla Torix. She was one of only 35 children chosen from
thousands of applicants because of her passion for horseback riding and her
poise, control and discipline as she performs at 4-H Club functions. Emily says
competing "makes my heart sing."
This inspirational exhibitor has been riding since she was
born-- in a backpack or in front of her mom. When she was 3, she graduated to a
pony and later rode her mom's Arabian.
"Because of the cerebral palsy, she couldn't balance herself, so
we would hold on to her leg as she rode," says Kinyon. "Last year she got her
balance, and now we only have to walk beside Crystal's head just in case there's
a problem."
Two years ago, Emily's grandparents Betty and John Nichols,
long-time Montana Arabian breeders, gave her Marias Crystal (Serrabi x TPR Bint
Shahtara), one of their last breeding mares. "My dad claims that horse takes
care of Emily," says Kinyon.
Crystal readily learned to lead from Emily's wheelchair. Emily
taught the ranch horse how to be a show horse. "It's difficult for Emily to
teach showmanship from a wheelchair," says Kinyon. "Her right hand is not
strong, but she has trained Crystal to back up, turn away from her and set up."
The extraordinary relationship between Emily and Crystal is
particularly evident when the pair exhibits at local and state 4-H shows in
showmanship and in the disabled classes. At the 2001 Montana State 4-H Horse
Show last August, Emily performed a freestyle pattern to Billy Gilman's "There's
a Hero in Everybody's Heart." With just her mother walking beside her, Emily
guided Crystal through a series of cones beginning at the walk and then cued the
mare into a posting trot. When she reached the judges, she stopped Crystal and
backed her up.
"Being in a wheelchair is not a barrier for Emily," says Torix.
"Her achievements (with Crystal) have given her an overwhelming confidence and
pride in herself."
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