It’s a small world. I knew I was supposed to interview Michael Phillips and thought his name sounded familiar. We met at a St. Louis Ag Club meeting a couple years ago.
Michael was here at the National Appaloosa Horse Show to speak with the International Marketing Committee. He’s President/CEO of U. S. Livestock Genetics, Inc.. He talked about export assistance programs using money available through the government. Here’s what USLGE does.
USLGE is a nationwide livestock-specific, not-for-profit, trade association representing the International Market Development interests of the U.S. dairy, beef, sheep, swine and horse breeding industries. Our representation encompasses the embryo and semen industry, livestock export sector, plus leading State Departments of Agriculture from top livestock producing states across the United States.
From what I understand ApHC has already started this process and Michael was here to talk about how they can take things to the next level and really connect with and develop relationships in foreign countries. He says he was very pleased and impressed to see the participation here at this show from people in other countries and spent some time talking with them. One of the things he says that ApHC members were very interested in hearing about is a personalized branding program that’s different than the basic breed promotion program.
You can listen to my interview with Michael here: appaloosa-national-07-phillips.mp3
2007 National Appaloosa Horse Show Photo Album
I overheard someone say that a horse show isn’t a spectator sport. Well, tell that to the people here in the stands. There usually aren’t a lot. Mainly people interested in the current class or event but they do get loud when they cheer for their family or friends.
If you had asked me before today I would have told you that a farrier has something to do with horseshoes but that’s about all I could have told you. Now I know a lot more about it. That’s because I met Kirk today in between jobs where he’s set up as a show farrier in one of the barns. You can find 
I think I’m learning a whole new language here at the National Appaloosa Horse Show. For example, take pleasure horses. There are actually several different classes here in the show for pleasure horses. At first I thought it might have something to do with horses on which riding is a pleasure but no . . . 
I’ve been joking that maybe we should call this the National Appaloosa Dog Show. There are dogs everywhere. All kinds of dogs. I’m a big dog lover and there are some beautiful animals here. For the most part they seem very well behaved.
Do you remember this guy? Steve Taylor, now CEO of the 
If you want to be one of the first to see a very patriotic new music video by Michael Peterson then you need to go to 
It’s time to leave the ring for today. But before I go here’s an interview with Dennis Dean from Apple Valley, CA. He’s currently president of the Appaloosa Horse Club. Dennis presided over the annual meeting of the association this afternoon at which members were provided an overview of organizational activities and plans.
I’m here in Oklahoma City and the National Appaloosa Horse Show is in full swing on Independence Day. This is one big show that takes place over a couple weeks since it’s combined with the World Championship Appaloosa Youth Show. I’m just going to be spending a couple days here at the end.
I don’t know about you but I think it’s time to relax and start celebrating our Independence Day.