Director's Corner with Julie Hedden

Happy Holidays Region 4!

With the holidays upon us, I find myself looking at the calendar wondering where the year has gone.  This year has been especially hard on all of us.  Between the COVID-19 pandemic to the incredible wildfires we experienced, 2020 will be one for the record books and not easily forgotten.  With all the adversity 2020 had to offer, it is also the year the human spirit triumphed and communities came together. 

2020 also showed how well we can adapt and how extremely innovative we can be. The pandemic brought us social distancing and limits on the number of people at gatherings, which meant words like Zoom, Go to Meeting, and Virtual became common place.  The 2020 AHA convention this year used this technology to great success, having more than 380 members registered to take part this year.  Some of the highlights are listed below.

*For the upcoming 2021 competition year, the Board of directors voted to waive qualifications both Regionals and Nationals. 

*Congratulations to Amy Pike on her 2020 AHA National Service Award! Amy was recognized for her efforts helping to move animals out of harm’s way during the devastating Northwest wildfires.

*Congratulations goes out to our 2020 Regional volunteer service winners, Barbara Garcia and Dawn Gossler for all the hard work and dedication they put forth in this challenging year!

Please welcome Elizabeth Jensen as the new Region Vice Director.   Elizabeth lives in the Boise, Idaho area with her husband and three boys.  She was introduced to Arabian while at college, and that led to her establishing her own breeding program, Moss Rose Farm.  She shows at local, regional and national levels in both main ring and sport horse disciplines. 

Lastly, thank you for the great honor and privilege you have bestowed upon me as your Region 4 Director, and I will do my best to represent you.  I have been involved with Arabian horses since 1975, when I acquired a half Arabian pinto gelding that I showed extensively as a youth rider in both the Arabian and Pinto divisions throughout the Northwest under the tutelage of Dean Miller. In the early 1980’s I worked as an assistant trainer for Arabett’s Arabians and went on to train for Century Hill Arabians and KCSA Farms, showing in the Halter, Western and English divisions.  

During the 90’s life changed, and my focus shifted to working vehemently for Crime Victim’s Rights, but my love and passion for horses never waned.  I currently ride as an amateur under the guidance of Karla Moffitt, showing my Half-Arabian gelding, Master Vaquero, in Western Pleasure, Showmanship, and Horsemanship at local, Regional and National shows.   

I look forward to the opportunity to keep sharing my passion for the continued growth and development of the Arabian horse.

Winston Churchill once said, “We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.”  I thank you all for giving yourselves to this amazing breed.  Have a wonderful and joyous Christmas!

Julie Hedden

1011 Johnson Street 

Oregon City, OR 97045

(503) 312-1399

Email