For Lori Watkins at Black Creek Crossing, there is heightened excitement on the arrival of the 2013 foals. According to Lori, moving Vested Pine and Pure Dynamic to Cooper Quarter Horses in late 2010 has proven to be wonderful for the stallions and mare owners. Also, adding, young sire, The Good Ranger to her stallion line up has completed the full spectrum of bloodlines that Lori can offer to mare owners.

Fourteen judge applicants were approved by the AQHA Judges Committee to take the AQHA all-around judges’ exam April 30 - May 1 in Gainesville, Texas. Based on test scores and other criteria, the Judges Committee then approved a list of prospective new all-around judges, which were then reviewed and approved by the AQHA Executive Committee.

Teammates Megan Ryden and Must Be Sensational (Mikey) of Fort Worth, Texas are a perfect match--both are full of personality and they love to show. "He’s overloaded with personality and you can’t leave anything around him or he’ll try to eat it," she says and laughs. "He’s such a funny guy though – he loves wine. He’ll practically knock you over to get some win--probably not a great thing since I do show the showmanship!"

It was a mare named Bold Starlette who turned Novice Amateur Jerry Allen’s head back in 1982. The Tennessee native was at the World Show Sale, saw the pretty bay in the workout arena, and knew she was the one. It wasn’t until Jerry got her home to Tennessee that he learned “Lucy” didn’t really lope. She preferred to buck. For most riders looking for a show horse, that would have been the end.

Rock Star Horse Show's NCQHA District V Spring Show was just held May 10th through the 12th in Williamston, North Carolina. The exhibitors loved the $315.00 flat fee that included one stall and unlimited AQHA classes/divisions for one horse. Also lots of great prizes were awarded randomly from their sponsors Tag Heuer, American Express and Tiffany & Co.

It is often said that, "April showers bring May flowers." As snow continues to fall across many parts of the country into May, many would argue that statement. However, May always brings further excitement about the summer shows and futurities.  May is also the time when a lot of cute babies are on the ground as evidenced by this month's beautiful cover, featuring multiple AQHA World Champion sire, Vested Pine.

"I'm incredibly excited about the 2013 APHA judges. They are a very talented class and worked very hard to achieve this accomplishment," says Dave Dellin, APHA Director of Judges. "We look forward to them being a representative of the APHA."

"The Lucky 7 was a great show," says Meg DePalma, amateur rider, who shows in the all-around events with her horse, Zip Back N Yak. "We have never shown in Tennessee so we weren't sure how it was going to turn out. The amateur classes were three to four pointers, and with six judges, it was definitely worth the trip from Georgia." According to Lucky 7 Show Secretary Pat Kress, the estimated total for the six shows was over 5400 entries!