SWPFHA's Booth at the

Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo 2000

by Mickey Beddingfield

Our Paso Fino booth at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo this year was a grand success, thanks to the efforts of many of our SWPFHAers!; 

While it was a hectic three weeks for some of us in the Southwestern Region, I think all of our many volunteers had fun visiting with the friendly folks that stopped by our booth to find out more about our wonderful Pasos!  The kids seemed to get a thrill out of the Paso coloring books, and everyone enjoyed watching our Paso video in the booth.  Many visitors went away with Southwestern and National PFHA literature, copies of Amigo or Conquistador Magazine that were provided free of charge, and fliers about our local and national farms.  We’ve even heard that some actually visited our local farms and bought a Paso after visiting our booth.

We had visitors from every state in the US, South America, and Europe; some from places I can’t even pronounce.  It’s amazing that the HLS&R seems to be an event that really reaches out internationally and attracts people from all over the globe.  At times I wished I spoke seven languages, but the beauty of our horses seemed to bridge the language barriers over and over again.  I think I got the biggest kick out of seeing the smiles on the faces of our Columbian visitors, and one gentleman seemed to want to adopt our booth and help us sell our horses!

Over and over again, we were asked if our horses were at the Livestock Show & Rodeo this year, but unfortunately we had to tell them “No, but maybe next year will be different.”  I almost wish we could have had a live Paso in our booth!  Wouldn’t it be nice to have a Fino horse parading up and down right by the booth?  Oh well, maybe next year…

Thanks to the design skills of Cathy Starbuck and Laurie McGrath, our booth was absolutely beautiful.  Many visitors took pictures of the booth, and remarked on how nicely done it was.t definitely had a western look, which was a requirement of the Rodeo Association, but Cathy and Laurie were able to blend in the National’s showcase, so it also had a Paso feel to it too.  While Cathy and Laurie came up with idea after idea on how to make next year’s booth even better, I think it was absolutely perfect!  The unbelievable thing is that they did all this with less than three week’s notice…amazing and thanks!!!

And thanks too, to the many volunteers who helped us with the booth this year!  I know I will overlook someone, if I start naming names, but thanks to the following

Donna Beddingfield,  Nelda Burch,  Dianne & Bob Burghart,  Don & Melinda Campbell,  Belinda Duncan,  Nancy Flick,  Wally & Beverly Frick,  Selena Foster,  Alan & Terri Greatorex,  Lita Gregory,  Kitty Harvey,  Carlos & Tara Tobon,  Ken & Cynthia Webb,  Terri & Ashley Williamson,  Mary Womack

Tammy Ivey,  Bob & Gail Keller,  Richard Ledbetter &  Cathy Starbuck-Ledbetter,  Laurie McGrath,  Chuck & Elaine Mohr,  Mike and Lisa Niccum,  Glenn & Maddy Speece,  Ron Santangelo with Nextel Cellular,  Bill & Ruby Saylor,  Jeremy Scott,  Suzanne Seal,  George & Kitty Self,  Mark & Gretta Sleeper,  Vicki Smith,

for their help with the booth…we couldn’t have done it without you!!!

{Inserted by Cathy Starbuck}
"A special thanks to Mickey Beddingfield who's help with coordinating passes & scheduling, & keeping the website updated, he was absolutley vital.  To Ron Santangelo with Nextel Cellular who donated a cellphone and free air time for the duration of the booth.  To Terry & Tom Williamson  for donating an apartment & transportation for me to be able to stay in Houston to oversee the booth the whole time. "

Again, I think this year’s booth was an outstanding success at the HLS&R, and I for one look forward to this rewarding experience next year.   I believe Cathy summed it up best when she said, “What an excellent opportunity this gives us to promote our wonderful Paso Fino breed, and to educate such a far reaching audience”.  I have to admit though that I’m glad it doesn’t happen more often, as we all deserve a much-needed rest!  We look forward to seeing you at our booth next year!  Mark your calendars for February 16^th through March 4^th, 2001, and we’ll see you there!!!  

Anyone interested in changing or aquiring cellular service,
please consider;