The 2009 Equine Affaire in W. Springfield, MA is gone but not forgotten. While the perceived attendance numbers were down, interest was high and a strategically timed breed demo brought people to the booth in droves. Deb Putnam, the breed coordinator at the country's largest equine event, asked in advance of the show how we felt about being on the schedule directly in front of John Lyon's for the breed demo - hmmm - didn't need to think about that for long!! We profusely thanked everyone who came early to get a good seat to see John Lyon's for coming to see the Nokota breed demo as a bonus!! And while other breeds, for whatever reason, didn't show up at all this year, we were thrilled to see even that many more people stopping and inquiring about the sturdy, beautiful and well-behaved Nokotas on display. It's been particularly interesting over the years of attending this expo to observe the representatives from other breeds casually coming by the Nokota booth to visit and pick up our brochures - we've had several converts already and it won't surprise us to see more as time goes on. And to us that makes more of a statement than almost anything!

Frank and Shelly Kuntz attended from North Dakota, along with nephew, Brandon Deile, and stalwart supports, Jim and Judy Mackler from Long Island, NY. Leigh Garber and her assistant, Mary Duffy, attended from Cazabu Farms in Cazanovia, NY with their two Nokota "stars" Amigo and Nahimana. Also on hand this year were two young Nokota geldings straight off the North Dakota prairies, Missouri Medicine and Crimson River. They handled the crowds and confines in true Nokota style and made us more than proud!

Among the many supporters who stopped in to say 'hello' and lend a hand in the booth were Dr. Castle McLaughlin and her friend, Kelly, Nokota owners Pearl and Karen Neve, Linda Barcomb, Siv Farrell, Sandy and Suzanne Page, Manette Pachenko, Valerie Shemeth, and Rob and Sue Pierpoint. And we coudn't have been happier (or more surprised) to see Hannah Cooper show up from Philadelphia to assist with the horses and the booth. To all goes a HUGE thank you for your unfailing support and efforts on behalf of the Nokotas.