The following tribute was presented during the ceremony by Aimee Davis, Shanna Crowe and the 2025 AMHyA Youth Committee.

“It is both a privilege and a pleasure to stand before you tonight to recognize a man whose life and legacy have shaped the miniature horse world for over half a century. Tonight, we honor Tony Greaves—breeder, visionary, educator, and true steward of the miniature horse breed.

Tony’s journey began more than 80 years ago, when he first fell in love with the spirit, elegance, and unique charm of the small horse. That passion would grow into Little America Miniature Horses, a name now synonymous with quality, consistency, and world-class breeding.

Together with his wife Carol, Tony built not just a breeding program, but a legacy—one that has inspired generations of horse lovers, breeders, and youth alike. From the heart of Buda, Texas, the Greaves family has raised thousands of miniature horses, each one embodying the traits that Tony has long championed: correctness, conformation, character, and kindness.

Tony has produced horses that are celebrated across the globe—not just for their size, but for their spirit. Horses that have stood just 25.5 inches tall, and yet stood tall in competition, bringing home National & World Championships and Reserve Titles in halter and beyond.

But beyond the ribbons and recognition, Tony’s influence runs deeper. He is a mentor to many, always ready with advice, encouragement, and stories from the barn. His commitment to educating others, whether through conversations at shows, articles, or his well-known social media presence, has helped countless breeders improve their programs and better understand the heart of the miniature horse. Tony has spent 12.5 years on the AMHA board as executive secretary. He’s won 2 “A” awards – both volunteer & lifetime.

Tony doesn’t just breed horses—he builds connections, cultivates community, and shares the magic of these tiny equines with the world. Tony has specifically touched the lives of so many youth kids that have come up through his program – some of them got their start at Little America and are with us tonight to celebrate Tony. We can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done for the youth program of AMHA.

Tonight, we honor not just a breeder, but a trailblazer, a teacher, and a true original. Tony Greaves, your work has touched so many of us—through the horses we raise, the lessons we carry, and the joy we find in this community.

On behalf of everyone here, it is my distinct honor to present you with this Guest of Honor Award, in gratitude for your extraordinary contributions to the world of miniature horses and the lives you’ve shaped along the way.

Thank you, Tony.

Aimee Davis, Shanna Crowe and the 2025 AMHyA Youth Committee”

Mary Gullett, Christina Head, Taylor Hudson, Kathy LeBaron, Breanna Loesch, Mary Morrison-Bundy, Kyla Petkanics, Beth Richardson, Elaine Sulser

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Supplies For Spiral Reverse Tie-Dying a T-Shirt

Note: We’ll receive commissions for purchases made through the Amazon links in this supplies list.

• Colored AMHyA World T-Shirt
• Bleach
• Squirt Bottle
• Rubber/Disposable Gloves
• A way to rinse out the shirt
• Three or more rubber bands

Instructions to Reverse Tie-Dye Your Horse Shirt

1. Wet the t-shirt and wring it out.
2. Decide where you want the center of the spiral to be, then pinch that spot and begin twisting the fabric around, creating a tight spiral.
3. Once the spiral is complete, place the rubber bands around the shirt to hold it tight. I used three rubber bands which left me with six sections of the shirt.
4. Put your gloves on and fill the squirt bottle with bleach.
5. Place the shirt in the sink or somewhere that won’t be damaged if the bleach touches it. You can also use a cookie rack or something similar to keep it up off of the surface if you want.
6. Cover every other section in bleach! You’ll see the color start to fade pretty quickly. Don’t about getting too much on the section, you can be pretty generous. Just make sure to do every other section.
7. Once you’re done, flip it over and do the other side too. I made sure to bleach the same sections on both sides. I’m not sure if it makes a difference, but I thought the bleach might bleed all the way through and that would at least keep it in those sections.
8. Let it sit for a while! I let mine sit for only 10 minutes and I wished I’d left it for longer, and had used more bleach. My squeeze bottle was tiny so it ran out pretty fast. Here’s what it looked like after 10 minutes:
9. Once you’re done waiting, carefully remove the rubber bands and rinse out the shirt. You’ll want to be sure to get all the bleach out. Let it dry and voila! Now you have a reverse tie-dye shirt!

Cropping and Rolling the Sleeves

Up for a little more work? You can crop the shirt by cutting off the bottom part, or if you’re up for it, sewing it up then cutting off the excess (I prefer this to cutting then sewing.. a little easier to get it straight). Just make to put the shirt on to measure! I made the mistake of sewing a new hem without measuring and ended up having to take it out and shorten it more.

Once I was done with the hem, I also rolled the sleeves a couple of times and sewed on the top and bottom to keep them rolled permanently.

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There are several different tools used in the driving world to help horses have better action. Some use weighted boots, others chains, bands, or there are “flip flops.” Flip flops for driving horses consist of a strap that’s buckled around the horse’s pasterns with a length of hose hanging off. When the horse moves, the hose dangling makes them pick their legs up higher and helps get them in better shape and stepping bigger.

Supplies Needed to Make Flip Flops For Your Driving Horse

• 2 9″ lengths of hose
• 2 1 1/2″ split key rings
• 4 or more #10 split/lock washers
• 2 nylon dog collars
• 2 or more #10 x 32 – 1″ machine bolts with nuts (these are 1/4″ longer)
• Lighter
• Scissors
• Pliers
• Drill and 3/16″ drill bit
• Optional: Leather punch
• Optional: Duct tape

Steps to Make Flip Flops For Your Single or Country Pleasure Driving Horse

1. Cut the dog collar to be 10″ long, then use the lighter to burn the end so it doesn’t unravel.

2. Use either the drill or a leather punch to punch holes in the newly shortened collar and the lighter to burn them and prevent unraveling.

3. Next, take one of the key rings and install it on the collar’s leash loop. In the past I’ve used solid metal rings for this, but they had to be sawed to install on this piece, so I’m trying key rings this time. We’ll see how it goes! Another option is to have solid rings and put them around the collar itself, I just prefer to keep the metal off of my horse’s legs.

4. Fold the hose in half and use the drill to put holes going straight through both ends of the hose (four holes).

5. When the holes are drilled, slip the ring onto the hose so it hangs in the fold.

6. Place one washer on the bolt. Using your pliers to help squeeze the hose down a little bit, run the bolt through the four holes to hold the flip flops together. Once you get it through all four, place another lock washer on the other side and the nut. Make sure to not squeeze down on the hose too much, you don’t want a lot of excess metal from the bolt sticking out.

7. Optional: For extra durability and to help cover up the metal portions on the hose, wrap the flip flops in duct tape.

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Have you ever wondered how people get boots that perfectly match those jewel-toned, bright red, deep gray or whatever color showmanship outfits? They’re probably a custom paint job! I have to thank a friend from the ring, Jillian H. for exchanging multiple texts with me sharing all the details on how to pull this off flawlessly.

Matching Paint to Your Showmanship Outfit

Obviously, you’ll need paint that matches your boots as one of your supplies. There are two ways to achieve this match.. but first, an important note: You SPECIFICALLY must buy water-based (aka latex or acrylic) paint! I’m told oil-based will peel off of your boots.. not a good look! Anyway, back to color matching:

Run a Color Match Against Your Showmanship Fabric

If your local hardware store offers this service, it’s what I would recommend! In my case, I went to Home Depot. So you don’t risk losing stones from the top… take the pants from your outfit into the paint department and let them know you need a water-based satin finish paint sample that matches the fabric. If they offer the service, they’ll be able to scan it and get a closer match than would happen with paint chips. Mine cost only about $4.. not bad!

Compare Your Fabric to Paint Chips

If you don’t have access to hardware stores that have the color matching option, no problem! You can get a pretty close match using paint chips. Head to the paint department of your local hardware store with the pants from your outfit. Take a look at the walls of paint chips (color samples) and pull a few that appear close to your outfit. A tip from my friend: “some store lights lie!” Take the fabric and chips out of the store into the sunlight to get a better grasp on the right match.

Once you’ve found the right one, ask for a water-based satin finish paint sample in that color. Easy peasy!

None of them close enough? Try another store if that’s an option! I first went to Lowes looking at paint chips, then to Home Depot where I discovered the color matching option and did that instead.

Supplies for Painting Cowboy Boots

Note: We’ll receive commissions for purchases made through the Amazon links in this supplies list.

• Tailored show outfit (matching top+pants)
• Boots to paint
• Painter’s or masking tape
• Water-based primer OR fine sandpaper to prep boots
• Water-based satin finish paint sample matching your outfit
• Cardboard
• Paintbrush or paint sponge
• Smaller paintbrush for details

Instructions to Paint Boots to Match your Horse Show Outfit

1. Tape the areas of the boots where you don’t want paint. I taped around the soles but it wouldn’t hurt to tape where you want to stop before the upper portion too, assuming you’re not going to paint the entire boot.

2. Setup a spot to paint. I used cardboard to keep the paint from getting on the ground or anywhere unwanted.
3. Stir or shake your water-based primer then paint your boots. If you have multiple brushes, use the bigger one to do most of the work then touch up with the small brush. Some of those crevices, in particular, around the seams, are difficult to get.
4. Let the primer dry for an hour or so.
5. Stir or shake your water-based fabric-matching paint and get started using the regular paintbrush!
6. Followup with the smaller paintbrush for the detailed areas to really make sure they’re covered.
7. Once the colored layer has dried completely, cover in a second coat to eliminate any streaks.
8. Let the paint dry then carefully remove the tape. Voila! You’re ready to hit the ring with your horse!

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Story Behind the Supplies

I used to apply crystals using bent end tweezers and would dip the crystal in glue then apply it, one by one. It worked. It also was painful.. it took FOREVER! At the American Miniature Horse Association World Championship show earlier this year I saw a vendor working on a shirt using some amazing tools, so that’s the process covered here. I’ve linked to the vendors and tools I purchased in the supplies section. The shirt I’m blinging in the video is a custom made one by Show Off Designs. That said, there are plenty of shirts available off the rack or on eBay that are great for blinging!

The syringe recommendation came from some trial and error. For my first purchase, I bought small squeeze bottles with even smaller gauge blunt tip needle caps. I thought they looked like what I saw the vendor using, but when I got them the opening was too small to get the thick E6000 through, and the needle tip was too fine as well. The syringes I’ve linked below though work well. Whatever you use, I wouldn’t recommend getting a blunt tip needle much smaller (higher number) than 14 gauge for E6000. The smaller the gauge number, the bigger the needle circumference and more glue will come out quickly.

For glue, I always use E6000. It’s what the pros use and does not disappoint! A good tip to keep your glue in working order is to run vaseline around the threads of the opening to the glue bottle the first time you open it. This will keep the sometimes stringy glue from sticking and gluing the lid shut! The glue is VERY strong and has toxic fumes, so be sure to use it only in a well-ventilated area.

For rhinestones, I ordered this time from Dreamtime Creations, but I also sometimes pick up stones at M&J Trimmings. The stones used in the video are Swarovski Xirius Rose 2088 flatbacks (style) SS30 (size) in crystal and light siam (colors). I’ve also used the same style and colors but sized SS20 on this shirt to fill in when there are gaps SS30s are too big to fill. The opposite of needle gauges, with rhinestone sizes, the smaller the number, the smaller the size crystal.

Finally, the jewel pick up tool! The tool I linked below is fabulous because it’s several tools in one. It has the pick-up/clay tipped end for picking up crystals. To get the clay to flow out, just gently twist the tip of the pen to get it flowing, then twist back in the opposite direction to stop the flow. These instructions are written (though VERY easy to miss) on the outside of the pen. Then when you look at the other end, you can pull the bevel edge tip out of the pen to reveal a blunt tip and a little slot in between the two that you could use for a key to press glue out of the tube if you have a small enough bottle of E6000.

Supplies to Add Crystals to Horse Show Clothes

Note: We’ll receive commissions for purchases made through the Amazon links in this supplies list.

• Shirt to decorate
• E6000 Glue
• Syringes with 14 gauge blunt tip needles
• Flatback Rhinestones
• Silhouette Pick-Me-Up Jewel Tool/Setter
• Paper towel
• Mousepad with rubber grip back (optional)
• Glue respirator (optional)

Instructions to Bling Show Clothes

1. If your stones aren’t already face-up, pour them out on the back of a mousepad. Gently run your hand over the top of them to get them to all flip right side up. This is much faster than doing it individually by hand!
2. Plan out where you want to put what. If you need to, lay some of the crystals out to get an idea of the sizes and look so you know where to apply the glue and how to space it out. Also, think about your breed and event before you begin! For example, I show miniature horses, so I’ll typically wear shirts with a number clip that hangs from my collar. Because of that, I left a gap in the crystals on the collar so the clip has a comfortable spot to go.
3. The E6000 glue is toxic, so make sure you’re either in a well-ventilated area or wearing some sort of filtering protection! Trust me, this stuff is STRONG.
4. Twist or press (depending on the type) your needle onto the syringe and insert some glue into the syringe from the opposite, wide-open end. Start with just a bit! A little can last a long time, and you don’t want to leave the glue sitting in the syringe when you’re ready to stop for the day.
5. Gently press down on the plunger of the syringe to get the glue flowing. Apply small dots of glue where you want to apply crystals, keeping them smaller than the crystal size you’re using since the glue will spread under the flatback. Be sure to leave enough room in between the glue dots so there’s space for the crystals to fully sit on the fabric and glue instead of on each other. E6000 can be very stringy if you’re not careful and it gets on the stones and is hard to remove, so press/drag the needle gently on the fabric before moving to the next dot to cleanly move. When you’re ready to stop, gently pull back on the plunger to bring the glue back into the tube.

   

6. Use the paper towel to wipe off the tip of the needle as necessary–the glue will dry and build up the longer you go.
7. Take the jewel pick up tool and gently touch the top of the crystal you want to pick it up, then touch to the glue. Don’t worry about pushing it too firmly into the glue–just touch enough that the glue pulls the crystal off of the tool. I’ll sometimes twist or roll the tip off of the stone as sometimes coming straight up just pulls it back off of the glue.

   

8. Once you’re done covering up the glue dots, you can use the beveled or pointy end of the setter tool (you can pull that end out to reveal both types of ends) to firmly press the crystals into the glue or adjust it as necessary.

   

9. Repeat until you’re done! Then clean out your syringe. I use up all the glue in the syringe, then use water and a safety pin to clean out the syringe and needle. You can get lots of uses out of a single syringe if you do a good job of cleaning it. I recommend leaving a safety pin through the needle until you’re ready to use it again., then leave the safety pin through the needle until you’re ready to use it again.

There you have it! Now you know how to bling show clothes. Now go get busy!

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I thought it might be fun to offer an aerial tour as well.

The picture above shows most of the ranch; it’s just missing one corner, the pasture where we keep the stallions in the winter.  This is the only photo that shows the back pasture where we keep many of the horses in the winter.

You can see evidence of the drought we’ve had in this picture, it’s been a very dry year!

We have three major barns that we use for the horses.  The one at the top of the photo above is our main barn.  The show string, our geldings, yearling and two-year-old colts and fillies live here.  The barn farthest to the right in the picture is our hay barn as well as a shelter for horses in that pen/pasture.  And finally, everyone’s favorite, the foaling barn is at the bottom of the photo.  The foaling barn has six stalls with closed-circuit cameras that run to the house where we can watch for mares to go into labor.  The mares who seem to be farther from foaling spend the night in the lot to the left of the barn so they can be checked on during the night.

The view above really points out the terracing of the land, which helps prevent erosion in those pastures.  That land is split into several pastures by electric fences.  During breeding season, we put one stallion and a specific group of mares in each of these pastures.

A big thanks to my friend Matt for flying me around the ranch and putting up with all of my cameras!

Here are some video clips from the flight:

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