This Horse Life…President’s Message

I believe in home, a place that should restore us.  I also believe in family, and that everyone deserves a seat at the table and stories to tell.  I believe in friendship because friends who are like family are priceless and nothing is better than a solid family.   I believe in hobbies that help us find the balance between the hustle of daily life and providing us with contentment and feeding of the soul.  As Iowa Pinto members we love our time with our horses.   This looks different for each of us.  I truly love choring and stall cleaning time.   It is the time of the day when I can slow down, and enjoy each horse by scratching, brushing, or rubbing them in their favorite spot.  It reminds me that each day is a gift I’ve been given to be blessed with these large creatures who rely on and trust me to care for them.   I also believe in human kindness.  My Grandma always said to toss sugar rather than salt.  Knowing that we are all better when we work together.   This year marked the 3rd year of Iowa Pinto putting on the Combining Colors show with the Nebraska Paint Horse Club and our 2nd year of offering the Midwest Cash Incentive Challenge Classes (MCIC) as part of our show to promote the equine industry in the Midwest.   Over $46,000 in cash and prizes were paid out in 9 classes.  This is a huge undertaking and was a significant success for the 2nd year.   Horses and exhibitors from Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Colorado, Iowa, North Dakota, and Minnesota came to compete for their share of the prizes.   While MCIC is a bit different than traditional stallion futurities the excitement to breed, own, and exhibit a horse from the Midwest is strong.  I had countless people at the show bring their horse registration papers to me asking if their horse qualifies to participate in MCIC in 2024.  The majority of the time, the answer was YES.   While Non-Pros and Pros compete together in MCIC classes, there are added incentives for Non-Pro exhibitors.  Notably, the highest placing Non-Pro exhibitor in each class walked away with additional prizes equivalent to $500, which underlines the event’s commitment to promoting talent at all levels.    A HUGE congratulations to all the winners this year.  I believe in supporting others and that is exactly what Combining Colors and MCIC is doing.                I also believe in doing good work that matters and nudging others to do the same.   At our October 20-22 Iowa Pinto show in Cedar Rapids, you will see our youth at work as they raise money for the youth scholarship with the Silent Auction.   Board members have been busy planning activities for our exhibitors.  I believe that newer isn’t always better and we have had such great success with the annual pumpkin carving contest, stall decorating, Pie In The Face, costume class on Friday night, Thursday showmanship clinics, and exhibitor dinner on Saturday… those things won’t change.   I love seeing all the creativity with the stall decorations and costume class.  I believe this year won’t disappoint.  I encourage you to walk the barns, spread some smiles, shout “Good Luck” and perhaps reach out with a hug to someone who may need extra encouragement.  I believe that is the Pinto way and there may be nothing greater than a life filled with giving back to an organization you love.  I look forward to seeing everyone in October! Carol Timke President, Iowa Pinto