Congratulations go to Carla Salsbury for 50 years of involvement in the Arabian Horse Association of Nebraska. Carla received a special award from AHAN at the Annual Banquet in January 2004. Carla also received a lifetime membership to AHAN for her dedication to the Arabian Horse Association of Nebraska and the Arabian Horse.
The Arabian Horse Association of Nebraska was organized in Grand Island, Nebraska on August 30, 1953. The purpose of the organization was to encourage the breeding, showing and selling of the Arabian horse and to study the history and characteristics of the breed. Mr. C.W. Burch acted as chairman, the following officers were elected: C.W. Burch of York, Nebraska, President. Fred Gaibler of Eustis, Nebraska, Vice-President. Ethel I. Robert of Broken Bow, Nebraska, Secretary and Treasurer. By the end of the first year there were 21 members.
In 1954 and 1955, the same officers were re-elected. Trail rides in the National Forest Reserve near Halsey on June 26th, 1954 and one at Central City on September 26th, 1954 were the big activities of the year. In addition, the membership voted to join the International Arabian Horse Association (now the Arabian Horse Association) and Paul Jenkins was our representative to International.
Activities for 1955 started with a trail ride n the National Forest Reserve near Halsey on June 12th. On August 24, the first Nebraska Arabian Horse Show was held at the fairgrounds in North Platte, Nebraska in conjunction with the Lincoln County Fair. In connection with this show, a competitive endurance trail ride of about 32 miles was conducted. A constitution and by-laws were drawn up and later the association formulated Articles of Incorporation. Paul Jenkins was again the International representative.
The only change in officers for 1956 was the election of Paul Jenkins for Vice-President. On June 3rd a third annual trail ride was held at the National Forest near Halsey. In connection with the Lincoln County Fair in North Platte, Nebraska, the Arabian Horse Association sponsored a show for 4-H club members on August 21st. On August 22nd, the second Nebraska Arabian Show was held in North Platte and again a competitive endurance trail ride of about 32 miles was conducted.
The same officers were elected for 1957. The big activity for 1957 was the Branding Bee as the Wiggins Ranch near Brewster on May 25th. Paul Jenkins resigned as Vice-President and Esmond Crown was appointed to serve.
In 1958 the only change in officers was the election of E.G. Daniels as Vice-President. An All-Arabian show was held at Fonner Park in Grand Island, Nebraska on July 13th. Ethel I. Roberts was elected as representative to International for two years.
In 1959, E.G. Daniels was elected President, C.W. Burch, Vice-President, and Mrs. Mike Salsbury, Secretary and Treasurer. Mr. Daniels started sending out an interesting newsletter each month. Later, Mr. Daniels resigned and Mr. Burch filled out the remainder of the year. An All-Arabian show and clinic was held at Fonner Park in Grand Island, Nebraska on September 6th. In 1959, three members rode their Arabian horses from Central City, Nebraska to Estes Park Colorado, a total of 500+ miles. Some Nebraska Arabians were used in the rerun of the Pony Express ride.
1960 started out with new officers. Norman Sullivan of Arcadia, Nebraska, President. Esmond Crown of Blair, Nebraska, Vice-President. Mrs. Jim Kolle of Omaha, Nebraska, Secretary and Treasurer. The president continued the practice of sending out a newsletter each month.
Thorough the years, picnics, pot lucks, Bar B Q’s, Parades, Grand Entries at rodeos, booths at shows, fairs and shopping malls, displays, open barns and learning clinics have been used for promotion of the Arabian and Half Arabian horses.
In western Nebraska, several ranches for working cow horses use Arabian horses. In the late 60’s or early 70’s, the Rushcreek Ranch Horse trials were held in Lisco, Nebraska with Arabians being judged by actually working the different duties of a ranch horse: heading, heeling, driving, cutting, penning and branding cattle. In 1973, three-matched grey Arabian gelding won the state 4-H Horsemanship Team event.
Nebraska has produced several tip competitive trail and endurance Arabian Horses and over the years, we have had many National Champions and Top Tens in many different categories. We have had youth judging teams that did well at the National level. Our club has had a Queen every year to represent us. Nebraska youngsters have done very well at Youth Nationals in horsemanship and equitation. Reflecting the top Arabian trainers available to us in Nebraska and the excellent youth programs.
Some of our delegates have had very important jobs in Region 8 and the Arabian Horse Association. Nebraska also has some well-known artists who do Arabian oriented works of art. Some Arabian horses from Nebraska have been very successful on the racetracks. In 1974, exhibition races were held in Lincoln, Nebraska and in Broken Bow in 1990.
Nebraska has approximately 3500 Purebred Arabians plus many Half-Arabians. The Arabian Horse Association of Nebraska currently has 150+ members.
AHAN welcomes all who are interested in becoming involved in all aspects of promoting and owning of the Arabian horse. If you are interested in becoming a member of AHAN, please contact Deanne Allen at da63439@alltel.net or 402-464-4995. And for the latest news and great advertising opportunities ask her about AHAN’s newsletter “Hoobeats” .
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