New Orleans Bound! 2014 AQHA Convention Blog #1 With Lainie DeBoer

Hello, my name is Lainie DeBoer and I have been chosen to be one of the official EquineChronicle.com bloggers at the 2014 AQHA Convention in New Orleans, LA this year. I’m sitting at my airport gate, albeit a bit early to race the spring breakers, checking in before I hit the “Big Easy.”

I’m always excited to go to the Convention each year because it’s a chance to get reinvigorated about the direction our Association is taking. I serve on the Show and Contest Committee, and I have read all the letters sent in by members for potential rule proposals. We get our books weeks in advance, and it’s our duty to read each letter (yes, my book is about two inches thick) and be as informed as possible so we can help guide our industry in the right direction. The letters that are sent in are always interesting to read, because it makes me step out of my discipline of choice, English, and see how others are trying to improve their areas of expertise. It’s always a good meeting filled with an amazing group of people that are passionate about the horse show world.

I’m also looking forward to spending time with all of my friends. No horses to ride, late night schoolings, and early mornings. We get a chance to go out for dinner and laugh over drinks. I love this time to catch up with each other, and we all clean up pretty well! I always laugh because a lot of people never recognize me in my “civilian clothes” with my makeup on (I never wear any at the shows) and my hair down (I live in a hard hat).

I’m excited to try NOLA cuisine, and I’m going to hunt down Cafe Du Monde, as they are well known for their famous beignets. I also get to meet new friends, from all walks of life, and it’s good for me to venture outside of my small group.

I will be reporting on the meetings I attend, the awards banquet, rule change proposals, the foundation luncheon (one of my favorite things to do) and all of the fun we are having. I’m going to need a vacation from my vacation! If you have never attended an AQHA Convention before, I highly recommend it. I know the minute I get there I will be feeling #AQHAProud!

Stay tuned to hear from another one of our official bloggers, Michael Tidwell. If you plan on attending the AQHA Convention, or if you’re at the Pinto Horse Association Convention in Oklahoma City, we’d love to hear about your experiences in a blog or see your photos. Contact b.bevis@equinechronicle.com for more information about how to participate.