Horsemen Against Cancer benefit event slated for June 7

The Palomino Horse Association, headquartered in Nelson, is sponsoring its second Horsemen Against Cancer event on Saturday, June 7, at Saline County Fairground to benefit The American Cancer Society and Fitzgibbon Hospital's Community Cancer Center.

Many events and seminars will be held throughout the day. Participants can see a 3- to 4-year-old Clydesdale horse saddle-broken and ridden for the first time by a Whisperide trainer using the Noavel Headstall.

According to www.whisperide.com, Whisperide is committed to enhancing the way horses are trained and ridden through a process of persuasion, patience, kindness, respect and trust, ultimately improving the traditional relationship between horse and rider, insuring the rider is able to fully enjoy the real love of horses, understanding the true nature of a horse and having the horse understand the needs of the rider to achieve their mission.

Whisperide will be sending two clinicians to the event to present demonstrations and answer questions, Patty Rebuck said.

The Horsemen Against Cancer event came about when past leader Raelene Rebuck passed away from cancer.

Patty Rebuck, current director, said Raelene had "seven different types of cancer. She fought it for several years."

The first benefit was in 2007 in Love Valley, N.C. Rebuck said Love Valley is a little western town with a boardwalk and the only way in and out of the town is by horseback or buggy.

"No vehicles are allowed in the town," she said.

Rebuck said she is excited about having the event in Marshall this year and hopes it's a success. She also plans to have one every year in Marshall to benefit cancer research.

Also on the agenda are horse clinics throughout the day with Whisperide trainers featuring the Noavel headstall.

"Anyone can bring a horse in with behavioral problems (and Whisperide will work with them)," Rebuck said. There are only 10 to 12 spots available for this type of clinic so spots must be reserved ahead of time. The cost of the clinic is a $50 donation per horse. That donation will go straight to the charities.

Oakwood Clydesdales, Burr Oak Belgians and Clearcreek Percherons will do presentations on grooming and harnessing.

Rebuck said demonstrations would be given on mane braiding and tail wrapping. Wagon rides will be given for donations and in return the donations go straight to the charities, she said.

Presentations on horseshoeing will be done by Wes Clancy of Quarter Circle C Horseshoeing. He will also be available for actual shoeing of participant's horses during the event.

Rebuck said that Clancy said he would "give great deals" on shoeing horses.

A small animal adoption clinic will be taking place simultaneously during the event.

The Gorsett Family from Carrollton will be providing entertainment through the sounds of blue grass from 2 to 6 p.m.

The live charity auction will begin at 6 p.m. Ron McCoy will be the auctioneer and "he has graciously donated his time," Rebuck said.

She said that since the Saline County BBQ is the same day, a sealed box will be placed with each item for a paper bid. The paper bid would require name, bid item, phone number and maximum bid.

"If you have previous engagements, you don't have to try and be at two places at once," Rebuck said.

For example, if the ending bid is $45 and there is a higher bid in the box, the item will be sold for $5 higher than last auction bid ($50) to the highest box bidder. A rule board will clarify this method the day of the auction.

Auction items already donated include a Montana Silver necklace and earring set, Montana Silver "big" belt buckle and a statue from Kleinschmidts Western Wear.

Rebuck said the best part of the event is that "everything is being donated." All demonstrators are donating their time and the items that will be auctioned are donated, too.

"We are not keeping anything," Rebuck said. "Everything is going directly to charities."

Vendors and concession stands will be available for the event. The event will happen "rain or shine," according to Rebuck.

Anyone interested in participating or donating an auction item can contact Rebuck at 660-859-2064 or 660-202-9905.

"This event is in memory of Raelene," Rebuck said.

History of Palomino Horse Association

The Palomino Horse Association is the Original Palomino Registry incorporated in 1936. Today's Palomino Horse Association is the continuation of the registry, which officially began in California in 1935, when Dick Halliday registered the golden stallion El Rey de los Reyes. Halliday researched the golden horse for many years. He started writing magazine articles that brought the Palomino into public attention. His articles created a great deal of interest in the Palomino, and within a few years, hundreds of breeders were specializing in the production of this color.

The word "Palomino" is a Spanish surname. Many feel that Palomino is only a color and not a breed, which is true because the color of Palomino comes in all breeds; however, the Palomino of Spanish origin was as close to being a breed as any strain of horse.

The Palomino is a multi-purpose horse, admired not only for its beauty, but for its versatility, maneuverability and endurance. They are found in ranching, racing, rodeos, pleasure riding, parades, shows, fiestas, jumping, trail rides and all other equine activities.

Palominos that made the big screen were Mr. Ed, Trigger and Trigger Jr., which were registered with The Palomino Horse Association.

The Palomino Horse Association is a registry that does not discriminate against any breed. It recognizes all breeds based on color and conformation.

"We register Palominos from ponies and miniature horses all the way up to draft horses and everything in between," Rebuck said.

The ideal color is that of a gold coin, but the shade can vary from light to medium to dark gold. The mane and tail should be white, ivory or silver, but PHA allows 15 percent dark or sorrel hair mixed in. In the last few years, PHA has opened its doors to creme-colored horses with blue eyes. It has been researched and proven that these light-colored Palominos always produce a Palomino; therefore, they are definite breeding stock for the Palomino.

The Palomino Horse Association, which originated in California, was moved to Jefferson City in 1972 under the leadership of Robert E. Dallmeyer. After Dallmeyer's death in 1992, PHA was moved to Dornsife, Pa., under the leadership of Steven and Raelene Rebuck. After the passing of Raelene Rebuck in 2005, the PHA was moved again to Nelson, under the direction of Vincent and Patricia "Patty" Rebuck.

Rebuck said she and her moved to Nelson because they "wanted to move to the country." Her husband received a promotion and needed to move to the Midwest from the suburbs of Pennsylvania.

The PHA has many sanctioned shows and members throughout the United States, Canada and around the world.

"We have horses registered with us in many different countries," Rebuck said.

On the Net:

http://www.palominohorseassoc.com/

http://www.whisperide.com

http://www.lovevalley.com/

Contact Rachel Harper at marshallcity@socket.net