Area Horse Riders Ready for Limelight

WHO’S YOUR FAVORITE TRAIL HORSE?

Three area ladies and their horses are among the finalists to compete for the title of “America’s Favorite Trail Horse”. The competition, sponsored by the American Competitive Trail Horse Association (ACTHA), will air weekly on HRTV (Channel 404 – DISH Network), beginning September 13 (7:00 p.m. Central). A little like American Idol (only for horses), America’s vote will determine which horse will be “America’s Favorite Trail Horse”.

Regional auditions were held in 25 locations across the United States, with over 1000 horse and rider teams competing for a chance at the title. Horses performed four ACTHA trail obstacles while being judged on style and time by ACTHA staff. Judges looked for personality, finesse, cadence and athleticism. 100 finalists were chosen and invited to ride in the National Finals held May 8-12, 2011 in Austin, Texas. HRTV crews filmed the finalists riding in a one-day, six-mile Competitive Trail Challenge, plus two days on the obstacle course. Finalists received coaching/schooling from well-known celebrity clinicians.

America will have the opportunity to vote online for their favorite horse in each weekly episode. From each episode, the horse receiving the most votes will move into the final competition for the title of America’s Favorite Trail Horse.

Southwest Kansas was well-represented by these fine horses — Please cast your vote for your local area horse and rider teams!

HOW TO VOTE:

All voting will be through the ACTHA website: www.actha.us

For each episode, ACTHA will have a voting page with photos of each horse and rider team. Voters will have 48 hours following the first airing of each episode in which to cast a vote for their favorite horse.

Kathryn Russell, riding (#318) Champain Fitz, will be featured in Episode 4 on October 4;

Patricia Sizemore, riding (#329) Joses Mohave, will be featured in Episode 5 on October11;

Tammie Durfey, riding (#334) Cowboy Gold, will be featured in Episode 6 on October 18.

Champain Fitz and Joses Mohave each have a fan page on Facebook.

“LIKE” us!!

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Kathryn Russell and Tammie Durfey both were raised in Beaver County, Oklahoma. Kathryn teaches physical education at McArthur and Lincoln elementary schools in Liberal.

Patricia Sizemore grew up in Liberal, and is office administrator for Sharp McQueen law firm.

Tammie is self-employed and resides in Fowler.

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HRTV has confirmed airing for AFTH as follows:

Tuesdays

8:00 pm Eastern

5:00 pm Pacific

Same episode Repeated – 3 hrs later

11:00 pm Eastern

8:00 pm Pacific

Repeat Sunday

10:00 am Eastern

7:00 am Pacific

Voters will have 48 hours from the first airing of each episode to select their favorite horse in that particular episode. The 10 episode winners will move into the final episode where, once again, America will cast their vote for “ America ’s Favorite Trail Horse”.

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About ACTHA (American Competitive Trail Horse Association)

ACTHA’s Founders, Karen VanGetson and Carrie Scrima were tired of long drives to multi-day, timed competitions. They wanted a venue where they could enjoy their horses and the wonderful scenery around them. Of course they wanted some challenge and a chance to learn as well as show off their horse’s talents. But most of all they wanted beauty, comaraderie and fun!

ACTHA is a national phenomenon with rides all across the USA . Wonderful sponsors and participants flock to ACTHA SANCTIONED rides and enable a Higher Cause…feeding starving horses by donating to Horse Rescues and charities. Up to 50% of ACTHA’s proceeds are directly donated to horse charities.

ACTHA enables others to hold these wonderful casual competitions through its “Affiliate Program”. An Affiliate can be an individual, club or any organization wanting to raise funds. ACTHA provides assistance and aids, as well as a consulting member of ACTHA’s management team that joins with the Affiliate every step of the way.