Second Post of the Day
It was in 1995 that NAMHSA held the very first NAN (North American Nationals.) NAMHSA itself began first as some chat on Haynet (the granddaddy of early internet groups) and then a meeting was held at BreyerFest (and later that summer, Jamboree) in 1994 where the formal organization of the North American Model Horse Showers Association was discussed and finalized.
It is quite a testament to those early NAMHSA and NAN volunteers that they were able to hold the very first NAN the following summer! I can only imagine the hard work that went into it.
While going through the boxes in my closet, I came across a whole lot of information from that very first NAN.
The invitation letter to compete in the show.
Instead of giving out NAN qualifying cards at the shows back then, the show holders sent the NAN cards to NAMHSA for those who'd won them. Then, NAMHSA sent out invitation letters to those who had qualifying models.
NAN show tags for some of my models and my name tag (looks funny to see Illinois on there instead of Indiana!)
The class schedule that was sent with that invitational letter. (The highlighting is mine as are the names of the models I was planning to enter.)
After confirming which horses I was bringing and sending back fees and the entry form, another letter arrived a few weeks before the show was to be held.
The cover letter from Kate Cabot, the NAN 95 Registrar. (Kate is still active in the hobby and is a very nice lady.)
A list of my horses and their classes. (My name has been put down by mistake in 3045; Windsong Sherif's name should be there.)
A benefit action for NAMHSA was also being held.
Auction Lot #1 - Kathy contributed a gorgeous western saddle and two headstalls. She's very modest about her tack making skills, but she is really, really good.
The final class list; circles are mine so I don't miss my classes.
The show's program that was given out on the day of the show to all entrants.
The names of those incredible volunteers who made that first show happen in such a short time. (If you were one of them, then thank you!)
The entrants were listed by state. Kathy and I came from Illinois and all those other Illinois ladies are still active in the hobby except maybe Andrea Morden-Moore. (She fulfilled a lifelong dream shortly afterward, went back to school at the University of Illinois, and became a veterinarian! Way to go, Andrea!)
Many, many familiar names of people, some from the past and many more who are still in the hobby. Beth Dickinson (Pennsylvania) and I have been hobby friends since 1971!
Next up? Photos from NAN 1995!
I absolutely love these Breyer history posts!
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