February 28, 2006

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Quick... I need to get you all updated since I have not done so in a long while. I apologize!

It feels as though I have so many problems to solve on a daily basis. We have people calling every day who must place their horses and do so quickly. There are so many personal stories that touch my heart, and I really feel for those that are unable to keep the horses they love so much due to finances or other issues. We are so glad to have the privilege of helping as many as we can thanks to all of you who step up to the plate.

Even though we help many, there are some we don't get to because of time constraints, lack of space, and lack of help. Whiskey the Pintabian has disappeared and we knew it would be hard to get him moved with just a few days notice but we tried. The horses Chad's Hat and Summitsville Czar were not picked up soon enough and no one in Indiana expressed interest in seeing them so they found alternative placement (let's hope it was a good choice). Each time we don't get there soon enough I feel as though I have let a horse down. I know, I know, I hear the voices shouting, "You can't save them all!"... and I fully realize that. It just seems as though there could be more help - and how do we get the word out to each of the surrounding states about our program, our services, and all the wonderful horses needing help? Would any of you consider placing an ad in your local paper on our behalf? We just need more workers in the field and I know we can do it!


The Illinois Horse Fair is this weekend and we are excited to be a part of it. The Illinois Standardbred Owners and Breeders Association has graciously given us four stalls and we are thankful for Maggie Fehrm and Springtime Beauty, Dondi Polzin and Christopher Too, and Lake Hills Texas and Janimal for their willingness to take part. I think Randy is going to kick back and relax this year... although I can use him for backup, as Tex has not been to a horse expo and don't know how he will do. If he is as steady as he usually is it shouldn't be any issue at all. Randy, at 25 this coming year, is deserving of a break!

We will travel to South Dakota to the Black Hills Horse Expo in Rapid City on March 25-26. We are happy to have two horses to display there and will have a table. They are only charging ASAP $35 for each stall and $35 for a table! What a great chance to spread the word further west about this wonderful breed.....

DVD's are being developed and our public service announcement is almost ready for Los Angeles and the HORSETV channel where they will run free spots for ASAP (thanks to Adryn Miller out there and John Stevenson of La Crosse Radio Group and Tiger Eye Productions for donating it all!)

Jane Caulket is writing a book and we are proud to announce that our day campers, girls scouts, and special education students will be a chapter of it! She has been busy interviewing all the kids who take lessons or come to hang out here at ASAP and is also compiling pictures which will appear in the book. Chief, Cricket, Brandy, Janimal, and Randy will all be featured too!

I hope you enjoy the picture of little Julien and my daughter Rachel. He is growing like a week and finally is able to really get a good look at his "na na" and maybe soon I will get a smile! Aunt Rachel who just turned seven really adores him as well.

I will have pictures from the Illinois Horse Fair after the weekend and will update you then. In the meantime thank you, everyone, for your support, love, encouragement, and dedication to the horses of ASAP Inc. Don't forget to gear up for John Lyons in July!

Susan