2005 Event Update

Although the actual Open House didn't start until Saturday morning, April 30, 2005, there was a lot of behind the scenes taking place earlier in the week!! We had the unexpected pleasure of being invited onto the local TV station, KXLY Channel 4, in Spokane for their early morning news show, Good Morning Northwest!

This live program runs from 5AM to 7AM, so early was the right word!! We met with their morning meteorologist, Shaun Stevens, at the Valley Mission Arena at 4:30AM. The horses and humans present for this were Margo Mossburg, Event Manager, Kathy Nyborg, Assistant Event Manager, her husband, Wayne Nyborg, and Roy Forbes of Spokane. Only three horses were able to make this Friday morning meeting. They were the Nyborgs, Futurity Cobra's Promise, (stallion), and NR Mountain Lily, (mare), along with Roy's gelding, Windborne Tycoon aka Hollywood Howard.

The three Morgans and handlers did a wonderful job. They were lead, lunged, and Howard was driven for the camera during the weather clips approxamately every 10 minutes! At the end of the broadcast Shaun Stevens, a new to horses novice, was handed Lily to lunge. They did great, and Lily lunged Shaun without problem. Yep, Lily stood in the center while Shaun ran around her. It was a hoot to watch, but by the time the camera was rolling Shaun had figured it out, and they were doing it correct, in a manner of speaking that is, HaHa. Word got out! At the Open Barn several folks were talking about seeing this on TV!

So the early morning was well worth the effort, and we made new friends at the News4 station! My thanks go out to them for taking an interest in this event, and helping get the word out about it on such a busy weekend as Bloomsday too! (Bllomsday is a huge joggoing road race with about 250,000 people descending on the town for the weekend.)

We had a beautiful day Saturday, both weatherwise, and eventwise! We estimate about 300+ folks attending to see our beautiful Morgans. We stopped counting at 300 people because we got too busy. Some from as far away as Canada!! Several folks stated that they did a several hour drive to come, and that it was worth their time to do so. Several are already looking to come back to next years event. The local paper was there doing an article as well. The Spokesman Review Sunday had a nice article about the event and centered on a couple that were there specifically to find that "just right" stallion to cross to their Arab mare, Peanut.

There were 11 Morgan barns on hand with some of the most stunning Morgans to represent them. Stalls were set up nicely with many flyers on hand for those who were interested in collecting them. The arena was left open for anyone who wanted to work a horse in it, whether for the crowd or an interested client. It was kept full with many wonderful Morgans doing many different disciplines.

I caught glimpse of horses under western tack doing reining, and western pleasure, under English tack moving with that ever present look at me, and under harness with two wheel carts much to the audiences pleasure! Others where simply walking around, or being lunged. There was even a small breaking demo at one point, although with our sweet Morgans it was never a rodeo when Wayne Nyborg hopped on the never ridden 9 year old mare while lead by his daughter, Rusan. Wayne and NR Mountain Lily were quickly out there with Wayne just using a halter and no saddle, all on their own, exploring the arena.

I am pleased to announce that Lily found a new home with Mike and Jan Williams of Walla Walla, WA by the end of the day! Congratulations to them on their new mare!! She will go to Daryl Hopson for her initial training, and then be Mikes riding mare, along with their granddaughters trusted mount for parades, and just plain pleasure.

Roy Forbes and his gelding, Howard, once again graced the arena with a beautful driving demo. Many folks were waiting to see that!

Several stallion breedings were booked to some of the most beautiful stallions! Eleven stallions where on hand, including Morgan stallions: Wheatland Double Dare, Devine Lucky Star, Futurity Dynamite, JMF Moonlight Express, CCM The Patriout, Very Lucky, RS Mtn Cheyenne Warrior, C Echo C Spanish Copy, and Futurity Cobra's Promise.

Red Hawk Horse Ranch also brought their Pre-Pure Spanish Andalusian stallion, Lorezo, as well as their Overo Tennesee Walking stallion, Beautys Rolling Thunder. What fun to have quality stallions of other breeds on hand to see!

Barns that participated included, Wheatland Morgans of Palouse, WA; Camieau Morgans, Addy, WA; Thunderhead Farm, Moscow, ID; Summerfield Rowe Morgan Ranch, Melba, ID; Clear Creek Morgans, Kooskia, ID; Robie Creek Morgans, Boise, ID; Anadyr Morgans, Spokane, WA; Red Hawk Horse Ranch, Deer Park, WA; NR Morgans, Pinehurst, ID; and Dragoon Training & Morgans, Airway Heights, WA.

Also available for purchase where some very nice horses of all ages, and a wide variety of prices!! I could have brought home several myself!! And our color assortment was represented nicely too, with Morgans of Palomino, and Buckskin coloring to go along with the usual blacks, bays, and chestnuts! We had a Part Morgan attend, a very cute Morgan/Walker Pinto colt, showing folks that their horse of another breed would cross nicely with our Morgans as well. Margo and I are still receiving calls from folks asking addresses of horses for sale.

The Dachshund Rescue NW folks set up by the arena, well out of the way of the horses. They had a good turn out as well with folks interested in how their group works to rescue these cute dogs, and adopt them out to good homes. It was a pleasure to have them there. They were very unintrusive, and a joy to have on board.

We also had booths set up with Morgan liturature by the Inland Empire Morgan Horse Club (IEMHC) based out of Spokane, and the Big Sky Morgan Horse Assoc. (BSMHA) based out of Montana, as well as the Western Working Morgan Assoc.

Another table set up was by Rathdrum, ID leathercrafters, Woody, Jackie Atkins, and Kit. Some of you may recognize Jackie's name. She is an old Morgan owner herself! They specialize in fitting the tack to the horse, and do a beautiful job with their craftmanship! Prices where quite decent too, I may add. Woody also does leather pictures with the photo imposed right onto the leather! He made up one of Cobra for me, and it is beautiful. If interested in seeing it, I plan to have it along with me at Regional's in June to show folks. These would make wonderful awards too!!!

Alleyways were full of people, and we met and made friends with many! All in all, it was one of the busiest events I have ever attended of any breed! A huge success in my eyes! Margo, and Kathy would like to extend a big "Thank You" to all who participated, promoted, and attended this event. We look forward to seeing you again next year!

Event photo's are available to view at the website now! www.nonprofitnw.org/openhouse Enjoy!

Morganly,

Kathy Nyborg,