January 14, 2008
Volume 2, Number 4

Happy New Year and hello friends!    The October thru December quarter for 2007 has come to a close -- and along with it, more news on our Ambassadors!
We have events, news and highlights for your review in this newsletter.  And, as always, remember to continue to keep me posted on your activities . . .

Nancy
Nancy Shearer
Land O'Lakes Purina Feed
(817) 269-0779
E-Mail:  Nancy.Shearer@PurinaMills.com
 

January

April
 

For entire calendar for rest of year, Click Here  _  2008 Purina Mills National Events Calendar

Tune in SUNDAY MORNINGS at 6:00 a.m. KTPK 106.9 am radio (Country Legends) Topeka, KS for the Better Horses Radio show starring Ernie Rodina (Bronco Ernie) and co-host, Dawn Dawson. Ernie highlights popular trainers and horse happenings.  For additional radio station coverage and more information, go to www.betterhorsesradio.com.
 

• Purina Mills 2008 Horse Owner's Workshop events will begin soon!

  Be sure to check Purina Mills' website to watch for HOW events being scheduled     across the country during 2008.  Events will start to be listed as Purina Dealers begin     to schedule their workshops.  Click Here to visit website.                             Click Here to preview our 2008 ad program:                     "I live in a house . . . but I'm home in the saddle."

   

• Proposed Bill Concerning Trail Riding
   

  Washington State Trail Riding has been in the news recently.  But there is a bill being proposed that will affect all of the USA, not just Washington State.  Gary & Kathy Miller of Plainview Stables in Belton, MO have submitted the attached information for you. More land across the nation is being closed to horse use every year.  To learn more about this issue and what you can do to affect the outcome, Click Here. Then visit:  www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_SN_2283.html#toc3

   

• HITS Names Purina Official Equine Feed for 2008!
  HITS announced in December that Purina Mills will once again be the Official Equine Feed for all HITS Horse Shows, The Marshall & Sterling League and the Marshall & Sterling League Finals.  Purina will also be the title sponsor of the $50,000 Purina Grand Prix held on February 10, 2008 at the HITS Desert Circuit, the $50,000 Purina Grand Prix on March 2, 2008 at the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit and the $75,000 Purina Grand Prix held on June 15, 2008 at the HITS Saugerties Show Series.  For more details, Click Here.
   

• Women LUV Horses Sponsors Essay Contest
  Lynn Palm, Women LUV Horses equestrian event founder, held a three-day celebration of horses and women at California's Industry Hills Expo Center near Los Angeles in December.  To read more information regarding this event, Click Here.
   

• Purina Mills Offices Moving to LongView at Gray Summit, MO by End of 2008
  A strategic expansion and facility upgrade at the LongView Animal Nutrition Center at Gray Summit, MO will be completed by the end of 2008.  This will enable the St. Louis area workforce to be consolidated at a single location.  Click Here to view details.
   

• NRHA Futurity Pro Equine Event
  Recently, at the NRHA Futurity, we served BBQ Brisket sandwiches courtesy of Ernie Rodina at Purina Mills.  Ernie and company fed over 400 people before the Open finals.  Purina Mills Ambassadors showing at the NRHA Futurity were honored and Ambassadors, current customers and prospect customers were served a great meal.  Thank you, Ernie, for all your work at this event.  Click Here to view pictures.
   

• Animal Makeover™ TV
  Animal Makeover™ TV airs on RFD-TV on Tuesday's at 7:00 pm CST (started May, 2007).  You can view clips from the shows and find additional resources at our website, www.BetterAnimals.com. 
   

• RFD TV Monday Night Live
  We hope you have had the chance to catch some of these episodes featuring our Ambassadors.  NRHA Inside Reining airs each Monday night, so it's just as close as your Dish or Direct TV satellite.  (Direct TV 379 and Dish Network 9409). Each program is run three times and the program runs Mondays at 4:30 pm, 10:30 pm EST and Tuesdays at 8:30 am EST.  Check the RFD-TV website (www.rfdtv.com) often to see schedule of upcoming programs.
  
  
  
   

• Welcome National Ambassador, Roger Daly!
  Roger Daly has fitted and sold numerous champions over the years.  Welcome to the family, Roger!  Click Here to view article by Susan Morrison on some tips from this veteran sales preparer for a program that will make the most of your horse's second year of life.
   
• Purina Mills Welcomes Sergio Campos, our Newest Stadium Jumping Ambassador
  Capturing the top spot in the Open Welcome Stake sponsored by Classic Equine Equipment in Atlanta, Sergio Campos commented, "A little vacation never hurts anyone."  Click Here to view details on Sergio's recent win.
   
• Welcome Ashley Holzer, Our New Dressage Ambassador
  Ashley is from New York and has recently won numerous dressage events.  She has her sights on the 2008 Olympics!  Welcome, Ashley!  Click Here for more details on Ashley.  Click Here to view website
   
• National Ambassador, Charlie Trayer, Retiring
  Long-time National Ambassador for Purina Mills, Charlie Trayer, is leaving Cottonwood Falls, KS and is headed to Texas.  Charlie is selling all of his cow dogs and horses and picking up a set of golf clubs!  Best of luck, Charlie, on your new venture!  
   
• Four Ambassadors Score Well in the 2007 NCHA Futurity Finals!
  National Ambassadors, Kory Pounds and Roger Wagner, each had one horse in the finals.  Kory finished 8th.  National Ambassadors, Lindy Burch and Matt Gaines, also had horses in the semi-finals.  Congratulations, team!  Click Here for 2007 Futurity Results.
   
• National Ambassadors, Craig Schmersal and Brent Wright, in NRHA Finals!
  2007 NRHA Futurity Results left National Ambassador Craig Schmersal with 2 horses in the finals and National Ambassador Brent Wright with 3 horses in the finals.  Click Here to view NRHA Futurity Finals.
   
• U. S. Equestrian Team Olympians Cheered by Millions in 119th Rose Parade!
  With more than a million spectators lining the 5½-mile parade route, the 12-member all-Olympian squad representing the U. S. Equestrian Team paraded in the 2008 Rose Parade for the first time in history.  Click Here to view detailed article on this event, information about the participants and pictures.   Comprising the 12-member mounted squad representing the USET Foundation at the parade were: 
                              Olympic Show Jumpers:   Margie Engle, Anne Kursinski, Beezie Madden and Melanie Smith Taylor
                              Dressage Olympians:        Sue Blinks, Debbie McDonald, Guenter Seidel and Steffen Peters
                              Eventing Olympians:          Darren Chiacchia, Nina Fout, Kim Severson and Karen Stives
   
• Grand Marshalls RE & Martha Josey Led Christmas Parade in Marshall, TX
  RE and Martha Josey were the Grand Marshalls at the HUGE Christmas Parade in Marshall, Texas.  Marshall is known all across the country for its elaborate Christmas light display.
  
  In other exciting news, Wiley College is premiering the new Denzel Washington movie.  RE and Martha were invited to Hotel Marshall to visit with Denzel for the December premier!
   
• Allen Bach Wins at WNFR!
  Allen Bach won Reserve World Champion Heeler at the 2007 WNFR and is featured on the Prorodeo website.  Click Here to view website.
   
• Sam Powell at Music Row Celebrity Chili Throwdown in Nashville
  In the spirit of the holiday season, this event, held on December 12th, was a collaboration of efforts that involved a number of entertainment industry firms and local businesses.  Attendees could bring toy donations for their meal ticket, and the toy drive was hosted by Toys4Tots.  Good cheer was also spread to a local, deserving school, the Murrell School, which is located just around the corner from Music Row.  Sam Powell joined the many great chefs for this special event.  Click Here for more details.   Click Here for picture.
   
• Todd Minikus' Long Journey to the Horse Show Circuit
  Todd Minikus' first exposure to show jumping was cleaning tack and watering horses for riding lessons.  From there, it just got better and better.  Click Here for an interesting article by Sharon Robb on Todd's experiences in the Horse Show Circuit.

• 2008 Ambassador Contracts Are in the Mail!
  Ambassadors!  2008 Contracts are done and in the mail.  There should be 2 contracts enclosed in your envelope --  so keep one and mail one back to Kathy Farris in St. Louis, MO.  Once we receive the signed contract, we will issue you a 6-month supply of coupons and a Purina Mills binder that will help some of you explain our products better or how to direct potential customers who have questions on our products.
  
  Please let me know what wearables you need for your area and signage for your arenas.  If you need brochures to carry with you on the road, let me know what you need to stock up on.  Communication is the key!  Thanks for all that you do for Purina Mills!
   
• Keep Those Sales Leads Coming!
  For those of you sending in your lead sheets, thanks!  We are having some great conversations and contacts with your sales leads.  This is what it’s all about.  Keep them coming!
   
• If Given the Opportunity, Let People Know Who Sponsors You!
  Take advantage of it, let people know who sponsors you!  I’ve noticed several of you have been gracious enough to plug your sponsors, including Purina Mills.  Let the public know who you endorse.  Give us a little plug or two; let us know you appreciate your sponsors! .
   
• Reporting
  Be sure to keep me posted on what you are doing!  You’ve got our expectations and responsibilities for each of you, so help me make my life easier at the end of the year at evaluation time.  Keep me informed on what you’ve been doing to promote Purina Mills and keep sending in your sales leads.  Sell and promote Purina Mills!
   
• Purina Mills National Horse Ambassador Program - Responsibilities  
  Don't forget about your responsibilities!  Click Here to review/print our list of responsibilities and expectations.  Display and talk "Checkerboard" at every opportunity!
   
• Need Business Cards?
  Let me know if you need any of our business cards to use at your clinics or on the road.  These cards include our current and updated website address and toll-free customer service or our website for further information.  Call or drop me an e-mail.  Click Here to view card layout.

Equine Senior^®

Our product feature this month is Equine Senior^® -- this product was formulated to provide owners with a complete feed that furnishes optimum nutrition for the older horse.  It is made up of pre-processed alfalfa and grain products that are high in nutrients and more easily digested by older horses than whole grain feeds, loose hay or pasture.

There was an excellent article on Equine Senior^® in a recent issue of Western Horsemanship.  They specified many of the reasons that this product is a great choice for aging horses. 

           Click Here to view article.                 Click Here to view Features/Benefits, Guaranteed Analysis and Feeding Calculator for Purina's Equine Senior®
 

Useful Websites for Horse Enthusiasts:

        http://horse.purinamills.com - Purina Mills Horse Page
        http://www.horse.purinamills.com/star/ambassadors.asp - Ambassador Section on Purina Mills Horse Website
        http://www.betteranimals.com - Purina's Better Animals Website
        http://betterhorsesradio.com - Ernie Rodina Radio Show
        http://www.nchacutting.com - NCHA
        http://www.nrha.com - NRHA
        http://www.ustrc.com - USTRC
        http://www.hitsshows.com - HITS
       

Questions & Comments:

We at Purina Horse Ambassadors would love to hear any questions, comments or suggestions you might have, and we are always looking for items to add to this publication.  To contact us, please send an e-mail to Nancy.Shearer@agbusinessmail.net.

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Purina Horse Ambassadors
10715 Kahlmeyer Dr.
St. Louis, MO  63132