Page 49 - May 2021

“I also admire their ethics — their work ethics and their ethics for humanity. They don’t just treat people the way they want to be treated; they treat them better. They’re the most humble, hardworking and successful people I know.” – Debra Laney
Among the Lazy A horses in line to prove themselves are:
• Saki Moon, by First Moonflash and out of Dash Ta Moon daughter Osaka Moon
• Surfers Nightmare, by Corona Surfer and out of Sochi Moon, by FDD Dynasty
• Kiss My Hot Socks, by Kiss My Hocks and out of Vancouver Moon
• Flash The Diamonds, by First Moonflash and out of Diamonds And Rainbows, by Rabbits Rainbow
WHAT IT TAKES
Norma’s favorite functions on the farm include sales prep and going to the sales. She also loves working with the crew members who consist mostly of high school- and college-age ag students with ingrained work ethics. “I’ve had very, very good experiences with having kids come to work,” she says.
She also gives back to the industry in her role as trustee on the NMHBA board, a
position she’s held for 16 years. “We work really hard to clean up the industry and keep it so it’s fair and good to the horses,” she says. “Cheating is always a problem, and we just have to stay on top of that. The Quarter Horse industry is really trying hard to do a good job at that.”
Another challenge that the racing industry faces, of course, is COVID-19. “I hate to say this, but our governor did not help us last year,” Dosi says. “She basically shut down the industry in New Mexico.”
“We had to have our sales in Oklahoma
last year,” Norma adds. “We were so locked down that we knew nobody would come to the sales, and it was tough to watch people in the industry suffering. This year there’s hope.
“This year’s plan is to stay alive and enjoy life,” Norma says. “The farm and especially the horses give us great joy and any time I feel bad, I can go out there and hang out with them and pet them and love on them and just enjoy our life. I’m very grateful and very blessed.”
The Alvarez’s friends in the industry consider themselves blessed, as well, to be associated with the family. “They want to build a legacy and they’ve been so successful with just the original bloodline they started with,” says Debra. “And they’re great partners. They’re probably the only ones I’ll have from here on out. We just think alike; we agree on how the horses should be treated.
“I also admire their ethics,” adds Debra, “— their work ethics and their ethics for humanity. They don’t just treat people the
way they want to be treated; they treat them better. They’re the most humble, hardworking and successful people I know. Norma is very willing, for people who are just getting into fitting horses, which is her forte, to tell them everything she does to get her horses to look so good. A lot of people wouldn’t. They genuinely want to help people.”
“They’re just good people,” concludes W.L. “They try hard at it and that’s where success comes from.”
“We work really hard to clean up the industry and keep it so it’s fair and good to the horses. Cheating is always a problem, and we just have to stay on top of that. The Quarter Horse industry is really trying hard to do a good job at that.” - Norma
Norma gives back to the industry in her role as trustee on the NMHBA board, a position she’s held for 16 years.
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