Horsebytes blog - Full Article
by Monica Bretherton
I saw a quote from UW geneticist Joshua Akey this morning, "The great problem of evolution is that it's a lot easier to break things than to make them better."
You could apply that to the design of horse gear, too.
So it takes real passion and commitment to develop a new product for the equestrian world, where you will not only have to buck that rule but to market a new idea in a culture steeped in tradition. Fortunately, there is a field where the quest for a competitive edge combined with a traditional disregard for appearances has created an ideal test market - endurance riders.
That's the theory I developed the Pacific Northwest Endurance Ride convention in Portland last Friday and Saturday, anyway. Maybe because long hours in the saddle give people time to think, or the accumulated aches and pains of humans and equines are a powerful motivator, it is almost a given that the vendors at were riders themselves. They either designed the products they offered or were power users -- and often top competitors -- in the field, willing to put their name behind what they sold.
More...
Monday, January 25, 2010
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Lady Long Rider up date
Teamcolorado.typepad.com - Full Story
01/22/2010
I have been thinking a lot about my friend Bernice Ende
Bernice was raised on a dairy farm in Minnesota, and riding has always been an integral part of her life. After pursuing a career in classical Ballet and teaching dance, Bernice moved to the northwest corner of Montana, to live in a cabin on the mountainside. She continued teaching ballet and gave riding lessons when dance classes were not in session.
Her retirement in 2003 brought not a lack of activity, but rather a change of focus. Drawn back to riding, Bernice felt the pull of the open road and adventure inherent in serous riding.
In 2005 she made her first long-distance ride on a Tennessee Walking Horse, a young gelding named Pride.
After her first year of riding, Bernice realized that Long Riding was an occupation she loved and longed to pursue.
More...
01/22/2010
I have been thinking a lot about my friend Bernice Ende
Bernice was raised on a dairy farm in Minnesota, and riding has always been an integral part of her life. After pursuing a career in classical Ballet and teaching dance, Bernice moved to the northwest corner of Montana, to live in a cabin on the mountainside. She continued teaching ballet and gave riding lessons when dance classes were not in session.
Her retirement in 2003 brought not a lack of activity, but rather a change of focus. Drawn back to riding, Bernice felt the pull of the open road and adventure inherent in serous riding.
In 2005 she made her first long-distance ride on a Tennessee Walking Horse, a young gelding named Pride.
After her first year of riding, Bernice realized that Long Riding was an occupation she loved and longed to pursue.
More...
Extras Wanted
For our feature film "FIGURE OF EIGHT" we are looking for participants to be part of this production.
We are looking for Horse Endurance Riders with their Horses / Trailers and support groups .
Our Base camp is the center of the Race and provides for the atmosphere.
On the trail we need Riders and Horses to be extras and compete with our cast. A professional consultant will overlook the endurance race at all times. It will be authentic and true to the sport.
We are planning to shoot this feature film in July/August of 2010 in the Pacific Northwest.
Once the perfect location is chosen, the production of "FIGURE OF EIGHT" would like to invite you to participate in this production.
We provide the space for your rig and horses. Credit / food / make up and professional footage will be provided.
If you are interested , please be able to commit to at least a six day stay with your rig / horse / support group / and of course yourself.
Please provide pictures of your rig / horse / yourself and your support staff for consideration.
Event Organizers : The production needs your skills to organize such an event.
Contact: 100dingo@gmail.com
For more information see www.figureofeight.com
We are looking for Horse Endurance Riders with their Horses / Trailers and support groups .
Our Base camp is the center of the Race and provides for the atmosphere.
On the trail we need Riders and Horses to be extras and compete with our cast. A professional consultant will overlook the endurance race at all times. It will be authentic and true to the sport.
We are planning to shoot this feature film in July/August of 2010 in the Pacific Northwest.
Once the perfect location is chosen, the production of "FIGURE OF EIGHT" would like to invite you to participate in this production.
We provide the space for your rig and horses. Credit / food / make up and professional footage will be provided.
If you are interested , please be able to commit to at least a six day stay with your rig / horse / support group / and of course yourself.
Please provide pictures of your rig / horse / yourself and your support staff for consideration.
Event Organizers : The production needs your skills to organize such an event.
Contact: 100dingo@gmail.com
For more information see www.figureofeight.com
Friday, January 22, 2010
Get R Done 2010, MONK wins Best Conditioned 100 mile horse
A Horse Named Monk blog
Right to the point, inquiring minds want to know the results before the story, so the highlights first, story second. MONK and Lindsay came in 2nd, approx. 20 min or so behind team mate Heather Reynolds.
MONK looked great all day long and Lindsay kept to her game plan and kept us on track for WEG.. MONK won Best Condition, his 3rd or 4th in a row, depending on how you look at his double win at AERC champ ride. This was our last qualifying ride for the WEG and should put us very high on the National Training List.....we are currently 22nd, this ride we should maybe put Lindsay in top 5 or so....not supposed to matter as long as your on the list.
No more rides (FEI) until June when they do the selection ride in Bend Oregon.
You may or not know that when you do a FEI ride you are required to have a team of at least 3 riders. The team can be on any distance. They have a short meeting and express their goals for each and then talk about if they accomplished their goals. Our team was Heather and Jeremy Reynolds. Heather rode the 100 and Jeremy rode the 75..
This ride was held in Lucerne which is close to Ridgecrest, high desert just north of Red Rock canyon. I held my breath the whole weekend as the weather was perfect, no wind, little cloud cover, my theory was that if you said the word "wind out loud", we would be in for it. Crew had a nice warm truck, but no so for horse and rider. All riders started at the same time, all 3 divisions. All crewing was limited to the crew area which was designated. Only other crewing was at one water stop and one place right off of the main road. I think there were 5 loops in all.
Another perfect weekend. Crewing went well with only a couple of mistakes that made no difference. Lindsay trots all the way to the timer, she unhooks breast collar from top of the saddle, after she dismounts she unhooks snap on cinch and pulls bit. Susie takes MONK, I grab saddle and pull it while Steve starts pouring gallon jugs of water on MONK as we walk to the water trough led by Susie. Lindsay takes care of In-timer and then helps at the trough. I dump saddle and return with HR monitor belt and check HR. I help with the water jugs or sponge. Lindsay either pours more water or scrapes water off. If we have no horses in front, which is often the case we move at 64 (which has been the requirement at all FEI rides we have been to). You only get two chances to hit your target so you have to make it count.
[...more]
Right to the point, inquiring minds want to know the results before the story, so the highlights first, story second. MONK and Lindsay came in 2nd, approx. 20 min or so behind team mate Heather Reynolds.
MONK looked great all day long and Lindsay kept to her game plan and kept us on track for WEG.. MONK won Best Condition, his 3rd or 4th in a row, depending on how you look at his double win at AERC champ ride. This was our last qualifying ride for the WEG and should put us very high on the National Training List.....we are currently 22nd, this ride we should maybe put Lindsay in top 5 or so....not supposed to matter as long as your on the list.
No more rides (FEI) until June when they do the selection ride in Bend Oregon.
You may or not know that when you do a FEI ride you are required to have a team of at least 3 riders. The team can be on any distance. They have a short meeting and express their goals for each and then talk about if they accomplished their goals. Our team was Heather and Jeremy Reynolds. Heather rode the 100 and Jeremy rode the 75..
This ride was held in Lucerne which is close to Ridgecrest, high desert just north of Red Rock canyon. I held my breath the whole weekend as the weather was perfect, no wind, little cloud cover, my theory was that if you said the word "wind out loud", we would be in for it. Crew had a nice warm truck, but no so for horse and rider. All riders started at the same time, all 3 divisions. All crewing was limited to the crew area which was designated. Only other crewing was at one water stop and one place right off of the main road. I think there were 5 loops in all.
Another perfect weekend. Crewing went well with only a couple of mistakes that made no difference. Lindsay trots all the way to the timer, she unhooks breast collar from top of the saddle, after she dismounts she unhooks snap on cinch and pulls bit. Susie takes MONK, I grab saddle and pull it while Steve starts pouring gallon jugs of water on MONK as we walk to the water trough led by Susie. Lindsay takes care of In-timer and then helps at the trough. I dump saddle and return with HR monitor belt and check HR. I help with the water jugs or sponge. Lindsay either pours more water or scrapes water off. If we have no horses in front, which is often the case we move at 64 (which has been the requirement at all FEI rides we have been to). You only get two chances to hit your target so you have to make it count.
[...more]
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Scottsdale Dynamite Dash Endurance Ride Elevator 50/75/100
January 19 2010
Are you looking for a challenging, yet fairly easy, 50 or 75 or 100-mile ride in the dead of winter?
Craving a ride under the full moonlight?
Wishing for a (possibly record) affordable 100-mile ride? (All distances are $100.)
You'll find all of those at the February 27 Scottsdale Dynamite Dash Endurance Ride 50/75/100 Elevator, which will take place north of Scottsdale, Arizona, from the Checker XII Ranch, on trails in the Tonto National Forest.
As an Elevator ride, If you're having such a good ride and you don't want it to end just yet, you can elevate up one distance at the completion of the ride you entered (you do give up he first completion when you continue on down the trail).
Ride manager Rusty Toth says, "The trail is fairly flat, and mostly easy footing, but still challenging: single-track, twisty, and double wide trails with almost no rock, some washes." Not to mention the views of the saguaro cactus desert and rugged mountains are extraordinary.
"We have an excellent head veterinarian, Robert Washington, from Idaho, and excellent prizes with sponsorships from Easycare, Farnam, and Endurance.net. Friday night's dinner will be prepared by L'Amore restaurant of Phoenix, owned by endurance riders Greg Rose and Kim Abbott."
Normal weather for the end of February is highs around 72, lows around 50. "Due to our recent rains, we will have grass growing and a stunning green desert!
"Don't forget your sunscreen and sunglasses and camera!" Rusty advises.
Pre-registraion is obligatory, as the number of rigs is limited.
For more information, a video sample and photos of the trail, and entry form see http://sites.google.com/site/dynamitedash/.
Are you looking for a challenging, yet fairly easy, 50 or 75 or 100-mile ride in the dead of winter?
Craving a ride under the full moonlight?
Wishing for a (possibly record) affordable 100-mile ride? (All distances are $100.)
You'll find all of those at the February 27 Scottsdale Dynamite Dash Endurance Ride 50/75/100 Elevator, which will take place north of Scottsdale, Arizona, from the Checker XII Ranch, on trails in the Tonto National Forest.
As an Elevator ride, If you're having such a good ride and you don't want it to end just yet, you can elevate up one distance at the completion of the ride you entered (you do give up he first completion when you continue on down the trail).
Ride manager Rusty Toth says, "The trail is fairly flat, and mostly easy footing, but still challenging: single-track, twisty, and double wide trails with almost no rock, some washes." Not to mention the views of the saguaro cactus desert and rugged mountains are extraordinary.
"We have an excellent head veterinarian, Robert Washington, from Idaho, and excellent prizes with sponsorships from Easycare, Farnam, and Endurance.net. Friday night's dinner will be prepared by L'Amore restaurant of Phoenix, owned by endurance riders Greg Rose and Kim Abbott."
Normal weather for the end of February is highs around 72, lows around 50. "Due to our recent rains, we will have grass growing and a stunning green desert!
"Don't forget your sunscreen and sunglasses and camera!" Rusty advises.
Pre-registraion is obligatory, as the number of rigs is limited.
For more information, a video sample and photos of the trail, and entry form see http://sites.google.com/site/dynamitedash/.
She Rides, I Pay: Endurance
Chronofhorse.com - Full Article
January 18, 2010
By: Elizabeth Howell
Who's crazier? The endurance rider or runner?
Here in Vermont, there's an annual event I have volunteered at for several years. It caters to two groups of elite athletes. It's the Vermont 100 Mile Endurance Race.
There are actually two races happening simultaneously: one for runners and one for riders.
I have only ever participated in two sports: horseback riding and running. This event is the most fascinating apex of the two. When you pull into the parking area (a huge field) there are tents, portable paddocks and horse trailers. The runners are as fascinated by the horses as the riders are by the runners. There is one thing these two groups have in common: no fear of porta-potties.
More...
January 18, 2010
By: Elizabeth Howell
Who's crazier? The endurance rider or runner?
Here in Vermont, there's an annual event I have volunteered at for several years. It caters to two groups of elite athletes. It's the Vermont 100 Mile Endurance Race.
There are actually two races happening simultaneously: one for runners and one for riders.
I have only ever participated in two sports: horseback riding and running. This event is the most fascinating apex of the two. When you pull into the parking area (a huge field) there are tents, portable paddocks and horse trailers. The runners are as fascinated by the horses as the riders are by the runners. There is one thing these two groups have in common: no fear of porta-potties.
More...
Friday, January 15, 2010
Additional Endorsements of National Welfare Code of Practice
TheHorse.com
by: Press Release
January 15 2010
The American Horse Council (AHC) is pleased to announce the American Endurance Ride Conference, the American Paint Horse Association, the National Cutting Horse Association, and the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association have recently endorsed the Welfare Code of Practice further broadening the industry support of a national code. The AHC drafted the Welfare Code of Practice, which outlines in generic terms what it means for an organization to be committed to the responsible breeding, training, care, use, enjoyment, transport, and retirement of horses.
Many associations have undertaken studies, reviews, and initiatives that indicate their commitment to the welfare of their horses. This generic code is simply a continuation of that effort.
"The American Horse Council's Welfare Code of Practice demonstrates the equine industry's commitment to the welfare and safety of the horse," said Dan Metzger, president of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. “We wholeheartedly endorse these principles and encourage other equine organizations to do so as well."
In endorsing the code, Laura Hayes, Vice President of the American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) and Chair of the AERC's Welfare of the Horse Committee said, "We are pleased to endorse this document as an extension of our commitment to the health, welfare and longevity of our equine partners."
"The American Paint Horse Association (APHA) is and always has been committed to the humane and proper treatment of all horses," said Lex Smurthwaite, Executive Director. "By supporting and endorsing the Code of Practice, APHA's leadership has taken that commitment to an even higher standard. We are pleased that the American Horse Council has provided a vehicle for all associations to join together to see that the welfare of our horses continues to be our primary concern."
"The 20,000-member National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) is proud to add our organization to the list of those in the horse industry that have adopted the AHC Welfare Code of Practice," said Lindy Burch. Burch is Past-President of the NCHA and currently serves as Chairperson of the NCHA Horse & Cattle Welfare Committee. "Adopting this policy and having our members abide by its standards is just one of the many ways the NCHA is proactively ensuring the welfare of our horses in cutting horse competition. We appreciate and respect the leadership exhibited by the AHC in formalizing this Code of Practice so that all disciplines can work together in this important initiative."
"We are pleased with the positive feedback and continued interest we have received from a broad spectrum of equine organizations since the Welfare Code of Practice was announced this past November," said AHC President Jay Hickey. "This latest round of endorsements further demonstrates to the public the industry’s unified commitment to the welfare and safety of horses, and we hope to build upon this momentum to bring in as many organizations as possible to further reinforce the industry's commitment to safety, health, care and welfare of all horses."
The AHC's Welfare Code of Practice has already been supported by the American Association of Equine Practitioner, the American Quarter Horse Association, the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, the U.S. Equestrian Federation, and the U.S. Trotting Association. The Code is not intended to replace or pre-empt those activities or any rules and regulations specific to a segment of the industry. Rather it is hoped that the endorsement of a broad, more generic Welfare Code of Practice by as many organizations as possible will be another indication to the public, the media, federal and state officials and the horse community that the horse industry "Puts the Horse First."
To view the complete Welfare Code of Practice please visit the AHC website at: https://www.horsecouncil.org/newsroom.php.
by: Press Release
January 15 2010
The American Horse Council (AHC) is pleased to announce the American Endurance Ride Conference, the American Paint Horse Association, the National Cutting Horse Association, and the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association have recently endorsed the Welfare Code of Practice further broadening the industry support of a national code. The AHC drafted the Welfare Code of Practice, which outlines in generic terms what it means for an organization to be committed to the responsible breeding, training, care, use, enjoyment, transport, and retirement of horses.
Many associations have undertaken studies, reviews, and initiatives that indicate their commitment to the welfare of their horses. This generic code is simply a continuation of that effort.
"The American Horse Council's Welfare Code of Practice demonstrates the equine industry's commitment to the welfare and safety of the horse," said Dan Metzger, president of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. “We wholeheartedly endorse these principles and encourage other equine organizations to do so as well."
In endorsing the code, Laura Hayes, Vice President of the American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) and Chair of the AERC's Welfare of the Horse Committee said, "We are pleased to endorse this document as an extension of our commitment to the health, welfare and longevity of our equine partners."
"The American Paint Horse Association (APHA) is and always has been committed to the humane and proper treatment of all horses," said Lex Smurthwaite, Executive Director. "By supporting and endorsing the Code of Practice, APHA's leadership has taken that commitment to an even higher standard. We are pleased that the American Horse Council has provided a vehicle for all associations to join together to see that the welfare of our horses continues to be our primary concern."
"The 20,000-member National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) is proud to add our organization to the list of those in the horse industry that have adopted the AHC Welfare Code of Practice," said Lindy Burch. Burch is Past-President of the NCHA and currently serves as Chairperson of the NCHA Horse & Cattle Welfare Committee. "Adopting this policy and having our members abide by its standards is just one of the many ways the NCHA is proactively ensuring the welfare of our horses in cutting horse competition. We appreciate and respect the leadership exhibited by the AHC in formalizing this Code of Practice so that all disciplines can work together in this important initiative."
"We are pleased with the positive feedback and continued interest we have received from a broad spectrum of equine organizations since the Welfare Code of Practice was announced this past November," said AHC President Jay Hickey. "This latest round of endorsements further demonstrates to the public the industry’s unified commitment to the welfare and safety of horses, and we hope to build upon this momentum to bring in as many organizations as possible to further reinforce the industry's commitment to safety, health, care and welfare of all horses."
The AHC's Welfare Code of Practice has already been supported by the American Association of Equine Practitioner, the American Quarter Horse Association, the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, the U.S. Equestrian Federation, and the U.S. Trotting Association. The Code is not intended to replace or pre-empt those activities or any rules and regulations specific to a segment of the industry. Rather it is hoped that the endorsement of a broad, more generic Welfare Code of Practice by as many organizations as possible will be another indication to the public, the media, federal and state officials and the horse community that the horse industry "Puts the Horse First."
To view the complete Welfare Code of Practice please visit the AHC website at: https://www.horsecouncil.org/newsroom.php.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Emmett Ross – Endurance’s Best Kept Secret
Centralequine.com - Full Article
January 11, 2010
By Diana De Rosa
This Man Truly Understands the Landscape of Endurance Riding
When I went to the very first World Equestrian Games held in Stockholm, Sweden in 1990 one of my fondest memories was watching Becky Hart and her little Arabian, R.D. Gran Sultan, cross the finish line first. I think it was that victory that inspired me to one day do Endurance riding. That was a dream I never fulfilled but speaking with Emmett Ross gave me a vision of Endurance that I hadn’t expected.
Though I was not familiar with Emmett, I was expecting him to tell me about how he’d grown up in the saddle and worked with horses all his life. Instead I uncovered a man that has done numerous things, lived many places and has arrived at a point in his life where he is happy and content. Emmett's 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games title is Endurance Manager. He is undoubtedly the best person for the job because Emmett Ross has been involved in every aspect of this sport. He's competed in endurance competitions, managed events, bought and sold endurance horses, trained riders to win major events and won many titles himself. He understands the terrain of both the course the riders compete over and the landscape of the job.
More...
January 11, 2010
By Diana De Rosa
This Man Truly Understands the Landscape of Endurance Riding
When I went to the very first World Equestrian Games held in Stockholm, Sweden in 1990 one of my fondest memories was watching Becky Hart and her little Arabian, R.D. Gran Sultan, cross the finish line first. I think it was that victory that inspired me to one day do Endurance riding. That was a dream I never fulfilled but speaking with Emmett Ross gave me a vision of Endurance that I hadn’t expected.
Though I was not familiar with Emmett, I was expecting him to tell me about how he’d grown up in the saddle and worked with horses all his life. Instead I uncovered a man that has done numerous things, lived many places and has arrived at a point in his life where he is happy and content. Emmett's 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games title is Endurance Manager. He is undoubtedly the best person for the job because Emmett Ross has been involved in every aspect of this sport. He's competed in endurance competitions, managed events, bought and sold endurance horses, trained riders to win major events and won many titles himself. He understands the terrain of both the course the riders compete over and the landscape of the job.
More...
Friday, January 08, 2010
Get in on the Action: Ride like Hidalgo
Americancowboy.com - Full Article
Endurance Riding - Canutillo, TX
By Mark Bedor
"Endurance riding is on the increase in the U.S., is among the fastest-growing equestrian sports in Europe, and is the largest in the Middle East," says Tracy Webb, who operates the program.
"Sounds like the movie Hidalgo," I told her. "Well, the concept is the same, but you don't have to go to the Middle East to participate," she says. "Endurance riding is a rewarding opportunity to bond with an equine athlete and test your mental and physical strength" by participating in races of 25 to 100 miles.
Riders of all ability levels and ages attend training sessions, and then compete on the school's Arabians.
"Your age and skill level is not nearly as important as attitude," Webb says, as demonstrated by the performance of a 70-year-old lady who completed 110 miles over two days on her first endurance outing. The King of Malaysia is also a program graduate.
More...
Squak Mountain trail is a winter delight
BND.com - Full Article
Wednesday, Jan. 06, 2010
By LYNDA V. MAPES - The Seattle Times
SEATTLE - Between Issaquah Alps' Cougar and Tiger, Seattle's cabin-fever Rx is just waiting to be uncorked: Squak.
Squak Mountain that is, the lesser known, and delectably less-used option between the headliner mountains. Squak, just a half-hour from downtown Seattle, rewards the winter hiker or equestrian dying to get out.
Forget the summer crowds and sweat. It's the winter trails that soothe the soul, too long cooped up in the car, the office, the mall. On a recent frosty morning, the equestrian trails on the south side of the mountain beckoned with their solitude, and bracing refreshment.
Sword ferns and cedar boughs glowed green in the low slanting light of the winter sun. Horses' breath steamed in great white plumes as the animals ascended the trail, and the only sounds were of saddles creaking in the cold, and laughing conversation among the riders. For there is virtually no road noise here.
Easy even for rank beginners, the trail starting out from the Squak Mountain State Park trailhead winds up the mountain through cedars, firs and maples, and an understory lush with ferns.
Even serious, long-distance riders come here for quick refreshers when their schedule doesn't permit a longer trip, said Sue McClain, an endurance trail rider out on her horse for a deep breath of cold,
More...
Wednesday, Jan. 06, 2010
By LYNDA V. MAPES - The Seattle Times
SEATTLE - Between Issaquah Alps' Cougar and Tiger, Seattle's cabin-fever Rx is just waiting to be uncorked: Squak.
Squak Mountain that is, the lesser known, and delectably less-used option between the headliner mountains. Squak, just a half-hour from downtown Seattle, rewards the winter hiker or equestrian dying to get out.
Forget the summer crowds and sweat. It's the winter trails that soothe the soul, too long cooped up in the car, the office, the mall. On a recent frosty morning, the equestrian trails on the south side of the mountain beckoned with their solitude, and bracing refreshment.
Sword ferns and cedar boughs glowed green in the low slanting light of the winter sun. Horses' breath steamed in great white plumes as the animals ascended the trail, and the only sounds were of saddles creaking in the cold, and laughing conversation among the riders. For there is virtually no road noise here.
Easy even for rank beginners, the trail starting out from the Squak Mountain State Park trailhead winds up the mountain through cedars, firs and maples, and an understory lush with ferns.
Even serious, long-distance riders come here for quick refreshers when their schedule doesn't permit a longer trip, said Sue McClain, an endurance trail rider out on her horse for a deep breath of cold,
More...
Thursday, January 07, 2010
Mountain Region Convention
Mountain Region Convention - Feb 12-14 in Denver, Co
Information:
http://www.mrer.bravepages.com/MRER_Convention.htm
Information:
http://www.mrer.bravepages.com/MRER_Convention.htm
Wednesday, January 06, 2010
American Shagya Registry - ASAV horses journey to Qatar
ASAV - North American Shagya-Arabian breeders and owners association: 2009/2010 winter newsletter (download pdf file) .
ShagyaRegistry.com
ShagyaRegistry.com
Tuesday, January 05, 2010
Monday, January 04, 2010
Tevis Trail Maintenance Projects
Six trail maintenance projects have been scheduled on the Tevis trail for 2010:
* January 31
* February 28
* March 28
* April 25
* May 30
* June 11-12
They will be co-led by Bill Johnson (WSTF), Matt Lambert (WSER) and Mark Falcone (WSER)
Event #1:
Robie Point to Pointed Rocks
Date and Time:
Sunday, 1-31-10 -- 9:00AM
Meeting Place:
Confluence HW49 and Old Foresthill Rd. -- WS Trail Head
Directions:
Go To Auburn. Take Elm exit go South towards downtown. Left Lincoln/HW 49. Follow 4 miles to HW49 Bridge and the WS Trail Head.
For more information see http://www.teviscup.org/the_trail/the_trail_work_parties.html
or contact the WSTF Office at wstf@foothill.net
* January 31
* February 28
* March 28
* April 25
* May 30
* June 11-12
They will be co-led by Bill Johnson (WSTF), Matt Lambert (WSER) and Mark Falcone (WSER)
Event #1:
Robie Point to Pointed Rocks
Date and Time:
Sunday, 1-31-10 -- 9:00AM
Meeting Place:
Confluence HW49 and Old Foresthill Rd. -- WS Trail Head
Directions:
Go To Auburn. Take Elm exit go South towards downtown. Left Lincoln/HW 49. Follow 4 miles to HW49 Bridge and the WS Trail Head.
For more information see http://www.teviscup.org/the_trail/the_trail_work_parties.html
or contact the WSTF Office at wstf@foothill.net
Saturday, January 02, 2010
Back Country Horsemen of America Receives Development Grant
December 23 2009
Back Country Horsemen of America is pleased to announce that they have been awarded a Technical Assistance grant by the Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance (RTCA) group of the National Park Service. It is anticipated that this grant will provide BCHA members with the tools to continue and to develop effective, long-term relationships with land managers of all levels of public lands (federal, state, local).
"BCHA is a volunteer-driven, grassroots organization," stated Terry Morrison, Chairman. "This grant will provide the technical expertise needed to develop programs so that members will have the information they need to respond quickly and successfully to issues related to recreation use on public land. It will be a tremendous benefit to us."
The RTCA program provides technical planning assistance to help local citizens to build and maintain trails and conserve open space. For this project, staff member Mary Hanson will work directly with BCHA to create an educational program so members will have the knowledge and skills to improve their local park and forest horse trails.
BCHA is a non-profit corporation made up of state organizations, affiliates, and at large members. Their efforts have brought about positive changes in regards to the use of horses and stock in the wilderness and public lands. If you want to know more about Back Country Horsemen of America or become a member, visit their website: www.backcountryhorse.com, or call 888-893-5161.
For more information about the RTCA program, contact Mary at 402-661-1554 or mary_hanson@nps.gov.
The future of horse use on public lands is in our hands!
Contact: Peg Greiwe
Back Country Horsemen of America
1-888-893-5161
www.backcountryhorse.com
Back Country Horsemen of America is pleased to announce that they have been awarded a Technical Assistance grant by the Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance (RTCA) group of the National Park Service. It is anticipated that this grant will provide BCHA members with the tools to continue and to develop effective, long-term relationships with land managers of all levels of public lands (federal, state, local).
"BCHA is a volunteer-driven, grassroots organization," stated Terry Morrison, Chairman. "This grant will provide the technical expertise needed to develop programs so that members will have the information they need to respond quickly and successfully to issues related to recreation use on public land. It will be a tremendous benefit to us."
The RTCA program provides technical planning assistance to help local citizens to build and maintain trails and conserve open space. For this project, staff member Mary Hanson will work directly with BCHA to create an educational program so members will have the knowledge and skills to improve their local park and forest horse trails.
BCHA is a non-profit corporation made up of state organizations, affiliates, and at large members. Their efforts have brought about positive changes in regards to the use of horses and stock in the wilderness and public lands. If you want to know more about Back Country Horsemen of America or become a member, visit their website: www.backcountryhorse.com, or call 888-893-5161.
For more information about the RTCA program, contact Mary at 402-661-1554 or mary_hanson@nps.gov.
The future of horse use on public lands is in our hands!
Contact: Peg Greiwe
Back Country Horsemen of America
1-888-893-5161
www.backcountryhorse.com
Thursday, December 31, 2009
14th Annual Mt. Adams Endurance Ride and Mt. Adams Ride & Tie Saturday, May 15, 2010
Saddle up and ride the glorious trails of the Gifford-Pinchot National Forest and the surrounding timberlands. Everyone's welcome to participate in the 14th Annual Mt. Adams Endurance Ride. We have events for all levels of trail riders: 12- to 25-mile trail rides for beginner endurance riders to 50- or 75-mile divisions for the more experienced competitors. Due to unexpected logging operations on a few of our trails, we will not be holding the 100 mile distance this year. Riders could also opt to compete in our 12- or 25-mile Mt. Adams Ride & Tie division where one horse and two rider/runners make a Ride & Tie team. News flash: The Ride & Tie World Championships will be held here in 2010.
Ride Camp Location: The ride camp is located at the Mt. Adams Horse Camp in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in Trout Lake, Washington.
Directions: From Oregon's I-84, take exit 64 (Hood River), go north across Columbia River, west on Hwy 14 for 1 mile, north on Alternate Hwy 141 for approximately 4 miles, continue north on Hwy 141 about 20 miles to Trout Lake. In Trout Lake, bear right at Chevron and follow signs to ride camp or the Mt. Adams Horse Camp.
Weed Seed Free Hay is now required in the Gifford-Pinchot National Forest. We will have a flatbed of certified WSF hay for sale at the ride site on Friday and Saturday. It will be a grass/alfalfa mix. There should be plenty for everyone who needs it.
Trail: Ride through the forests above Trout Lake Valley in the shadow of a snowcapped 12,276-foot volcano. Excellent trails and old forest service roads. Good footing, beautiful loops, and views.
Vets: Head vet: Mike Foss, DVM. Vet-in starts at 3 pm, Friday, May 15th.
Meetings: Pre-ride meeting 7 pm on Friday. Awards are Sunday morning.
Meals Included With Entry Fee: Friday and Saturday dinners are included with ride entry. Additional meals for non-riders may be purchased on site. Proceeds from meals go to support various classes at Trout Lake School and/or Trout Lake 4-H.
For more information see www.troutlake.org
Horseman recalls Pony Express centennial
StJoeNews.net - Full Article
by Ken Newton
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Lee Shifflett tells the simple story of a man and his horse.
He would be the man, and Tony Boy would be the horse. But the story also has 55 other horses and 51 other riders. Plus 31 vehicles, a parade of horse trailers, a veterinarian, a press contingent and a trailing truckload of picked litter.
Trying to keep this circus in motion, the sleepless horseman also had to dispel rumors of a roped antelope.
Oh, yeah, and revisit history.
"They thought I was crazy," Mr. Shifflett says, "and they had me convinced I was crazy."
History recalls Johnny Fry as the first westbound rider of the Pony Express, departing St. Joseph on April 3, 1860. One hundred years later, give or take a few hours, Lee Shifflett mounted Tony Boy with a mochila of mail and headed for the Great Plains.
More...
by Ken Newton
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Lee Shifflett tells the simple story of a man and his horse.
He would be the man, and Tony Boy would be the horse. But the story also has 55 other horses and 51 other riders. Plus 31 vehicles, a parade of horse trailers, a veterinarian, a press contingent and a trailing truckload of picked litter.
Trying to keep this circus in motion, the sleepless horseman also had to dispel rumors of a roped antelope.
Oh, yeah, and revisit history.
"They thought I was crazy," Mr. Shifflett says, "and they had me convinced I was crazy."
History recalls Johnny Fry as the first westbound rider of the Pony Express, departing St. Joseph on April 3, 1860. One hundred years later, give or take a few hours, Lee Shifflett mounted Tony Boy with a mochila of mail and headed for the Great Plains.
More...
Thursday, December 24, 2009
New Zealand: Bring it on, says endurance rider
Marlborough Epress
24/12/2009
Few riders in next month's South Island Endurance and Competitive Trail Riding Championships will be more familiar with the course than Kim Swan.
While the Chestnut Valley course may be a long way from her Rai Valley home, Swan has covered most of Marlborough either on foot or horseback.
An avid pig hunter, Swan took up trail and endurance riding 12 years ago and hasn't looked back.
"Basically I was widowed and had my hunting, but nothing else I was committed to. Del Bissell found me an endurance horse. He was a big fat blob and getting him back to work and into shape gave me incentive to ride."
Riding with the Marlborough Endurance and Trail Riding Club, Swan quickly moved into the open grade for trail riding and has since graduated to endurance rides.
For the January 9-10 South Island champs, Swan will ride 12-year-old mare Roselea Shady in the 103km endurance event.
Swan said it was hard to judge how long the ride would take, but the maximum cut off time was 10 hours.
The prospect of spending long hours in the saddle may not be thrilling to all, but Swan said she was attracted to trail and endurance riding by its laid-back nature and because it was illegal for riders to use whips or spurs, meaning horses weren't forced to do anything they didn't want to.
"It's a horse sport anyone can do. If I can do it anyone can. I've never been to pony club or anything. You can ride any horse and wear any clothing. There's no dress code or uniform."
Swan also found her vast knowledge of the Marlborough back country gained through years of hunting and working in the forestry industry was in demand when it came to finding tracks for rides.
[...more]
24/12/2009
Few riders in next month's South Island Endurance and Competitive Trail Riding Championships will be more familiar with the course than Kim Swan.
While the Chestnut Valley course may be a long way from her Rai Valley home, Swan has covered most of Marlborough either on foot or horseback.
An avid pig hunter, Swan took up trail and endurance riding 12 years ago and hasn't looked back.
"Basically I was widowed and had my hunting, but nothing else I was committed to. Del Bissell found me an endurance horse. He was a big fat blob and getting him back to work and into shape gave me incentive to ride."
Riding with the Marlborough Endurance and Trail Riding Club, Swan quickly moved into the open grade for trail riding and has since graduated to endurance rides.
For the January 9-10 South Island champs, Swan will ride 12-year-old mare Roselea Shady in the 103km endurance event.
Swan said it was hard to judge how long the ride would take, but the maximum cut off time was 10 hours.
The prospect of spending long hours in the saddle may not be thrilling to all, but Swan said she was attracted to trail and endurance riding by its laid-back nature and because it was illegal for riders to use whips or spurs, meaning horses weren't forced to do anything they didn't want to.
"It's a horse sport anyone can do. If I can do it anyone can. I've never been to pony club or anything. You can ride any horse and wear any clothing. There's no dress code or uniform."
Swan also found her vast knowledge of the Marlborough back country gained through years of hunting and working in the forestry industry was in demand when it came to finding tracks for rides.
[...more]
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
USEF Announces Date and Location for the 2010 Adequan FEI North American Junior/Young Rider Championships Pending Final FEI Approval
Release: November 12 2009
Author: By Joanie Morris
Lexington, KY – Pending final FEI approval, the USEF is announcing the following date and location for the 2010 Adequan FEI North American Junior/Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC). The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has received preliminary approval and is awaiting final allocation from the FEI Bureau.
Pending this approval, the NAJYRC will be held at the Kentucky Horse Park July 28-August 1, 2010. This is a unique opportunity to use a venue which has been completely redesigned. Less than two months later, the world will begin to arrive in Lexington, KY, for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.
As competitors begin to plan their 2010 competition seasons the USEF is providing this information so juniors, young riders and their chef d’equipes can plan accordingly. In 2009, the Kentucky Horse Park welcomed a record number of juniors and young riders for these championships in the three Olympic disciplines of dressage, eventing and jumping and the Western discipline of reining.
Vaulting will again hold an exhibition during the championships and endurance will run a CEIY** concurrently in Louisville, KY.
For more information, please contact Joanie Morris at jmorris@usef.org.
Author: By Joanie Morris
Lexington, KY – Pending final FEI approval, the USEF is announcing the following date and location for the 2010 Adequan FEI North American Junior/Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC). The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has received preliminary approval and is awaiting final allocation from the FEI Bureau.
Pending this approval, the NAJYRC will be held at the Kentucky Horse Park July 28-August 1, 2010. This is a unique opportunity to use a venue which has been completely redesigned. Less than two months later, the world will begin to arrive in Lexington, KY, for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.
As competitors begin to plan their 2010 competition seasons the USEF is providing this information so juniors, young riders and their chef d’equipes can plan accordingly. In 2009, the Kentucky Horse Park welcomed a record number of juniors and young riders for these championships in the three Olympic disciplines of dressage, eventing and jumping and the Western discipline of reining.
Vaulting will again hold an exhibition during the championships and endurance will run a CEIY** concurrently in Louisville, KY.
For more information, please contact Joanie Morris at jmorris@usef.org.
365 Days of Excellence in Equestrian Sport: USEF Athletes Win Around the World in 2009
USEF.org
Release: December 22 2009
Author: Joanie Morris
Lexington, KY – Talk about busy. 2009 has been a whirlwind, new champions of all kinds, title defenders, legends and innovators made headlines this year. The line between winning and losing has become increasingly fine as all the USEF competitors in every discipline continue to up their game, hone their skills and make the US Team proud both locally and across the globe. With the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) looming on the horizon, less than a year away – all eight FEI disciplines have been busy making sure that medals won’t leave our home turf without a fight as the WEG leaves Europe for the very first time.
Here’s how the year unfolded, January seems like a very long time ago:
January:
The US sent four of its most promising show jumpers to the Australian Youth Olympic Festival. Taylor Land, Mavis Spencer, Jennifer Waxman and Kylie Wright went across the world, rode borrowed horses and Land came home with an Individual Gold medal. The team barely missed Team Bronze, after jumping off with Great Britain – they settled for fourth: http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/newsdisplay/viewPR.aspx?id=4011&star=true.
The USEF annual meeting crowned all kinds of champions, none more deserving than Chester Weber’s Jamaica who was named the 2008 Farnam®/Platform™ USEF Horse of the Year. The 18-year-old KWPN gelding was rescued on his way to a slaughterhouse in Europe after misbehaving in the tourist carriage industry. He was the stalwart of Weber’s 2008 Silver medal-winning World Championship Team: http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/newsdisplay/viewPR.aspx?id=4009&star=true. Relive Jamaica’s achievement: http://www.clubequestrian.com/videos/watch/1002639701.aspx and see Weber’s acceptance speech: http://www.clubequestrian.com/videos/watch/1002309339.aspx.
The next night, Gene Mische was honored with the USEF Lifetime Achievement Award. No one may have discovered Wellington, FL without Mische, whose Stadium Jumping Inc. took the sport of jumping and turned it into an industry. Mische’s acceptance speech: http://www.clubequestrian.com/videos/watch/1006266323.aspx .
Look back at his amazing life: http://www.clubequestrian.com/videos/watch/1006325585.aspx.
Steffen Peters won Equestrian of the Year for his amazing accomplishments with Ravel in 2008 – but also for his uncanny sportsmanship. He accepted his award remotely, as he had a longstanding commitment in Florida to honor: http://www.clubequestrian.com/videos/watch/1006266320.aspx.
Vaulter Mary McCormick headed to Europe at the end of the month and took the CVI Leipzig by storm. She vaulted her way to the top of the standings with Tjekko. http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/newsdisplay/viewPR.aspx?id=4032&star=true.
The final major event of January was the inaugural Exquiss World Dressage Masters in Wellington, FL. Peters proved how much Ravel had matured since the Olympic Games, beating Individual Gold Medalist Anky van Grunsven in the Grand Prix, US rider Michael Barisone opted for the Grand Prix Special and was rewarded with the win on Neruda: http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/newsdisplay/viewPR.aspx?id=4047&star=true.
February:
WEF in Wellington and HITS in California and Ocala were busy places as horses and riders jumped in World Cup classes. Ashlee Bond’s name was heard more and more as the 24-year-old dynamo was winning at an alarming rate in California. Beezie Madden won the first Palm Beach Jumping Derby with Crème Brule and Todd Minikus won the ESP CSI2* Grand Prix – momentum was picking up across the country: http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/newsdisplay/viewPR.aspx?id=4147.
March:
Sapphire stormed to victory in the $150,000 CN CSIO Grand Prix for McLain Ward. The 14-year-old mare was nearly invincible in 2009; it started in Palm Beach: http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/newsdisplay/viewPR.aspx?id=4165. The following week the pair won the $200,000 FEI World Cup Grand Prix CSI4* presented by CN, proving that their Gold medal form from 2008 was holding: http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/newsdisplay/viewPR.aspx?id=4178. Sapphire completed a trifecta picking up top honors (and a big check) winning the $400,000 FTI Finale Grand Prix CSI5*: http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/newsdisplay/viewPR.aspx?id=4237.
The Pin Oak Charity Horse Show in Texas was the first to receive USEF Heritage Competition Designation: http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/newsdisplay/viewPR.aspx?id=4205&star=true.
April:
The Rolex/FEI World Cup Final was the first major international championship of the year and Steffen Peters and Akiko Yamazaki’s Ravel swept the Dressage title. Dry eyes were hard to find and the entire Thomas & Mack Arena shook at the conclusion of his freestyle. He was the first American World Cup Champion to be crowned in the US.
Not to be outdone, Sapphire continued her assault on the Jumping title for McLain Ward. She was unfortunate enough to come up against two-time champions Shutterfly and Meredith Michaels - Beerbaum. Ward and Sapphire settled for second despite faultless jumping.
US Dressage legend, Brentina was retired in front of thousands of her adoring fans.
All the World Cup coverage(photos, blogs, photos, videos and news) is available here: http://www.clubequestrian.com/coverage/fei_world_cup_2009.aspx.
The next week brought the eventing community to the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, and Australia’s Headley Britannia took home top honors for Lucinda Fredericks. Buck Davidson was crowned USEF National Champion with Carl and Cassandra Segal’s My Boy Bobby. Relive it here: http://www.clubequestrian.com/coverage/rolex_3day_event_2009.aspx.
Before the month was over, Team USA had won Team Silver at the 2009 Pan American Endurance Championships: http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/newsdisplay/viewPR.aspx?id=4353&star=true. The Team of Steve Rojek, Valerie Kanavy, Gabrielle Mann and Cheryl van Deusen put in an amazing effort in Uruguay and were just six minutes off the Gold medal pace.
More...
Release: December 22 2009
Author: Joanie Morris
Lexington, KY – Talk about busy. 2009 has been a whirlwind, new champions of all kinds, title defenders, legends and innovators made headlines this year. The line between winning and losing has become increasingly fine as all the USEF competitors in every discipline continue to up their game, hone their skills and make the US Team proud both locally and across the globe. With the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) looming on the horizon, less than a year away – all eight FEI disciplines have been busy making sure that medals won’t leave our home turf without a fight as the WEG leaves Europe for the very first time.
Here’s how the year unfolded, January seems like a very long time ago:
January:
The US sent four of its most promising show jumpers to the Australian Youth Olympic Festival. Taylor Land, Mavis Spencer, Jennifer Waxman and Kylie Wright went across the world, rode borrowed horses and Land came home with an Individual Gold medal. The team barely missed Team Bronze, after jumping off with Great Britain – they settled for fourth: http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/newsdisplay/viewPR.aspx?id=4011&star=true.
The USEF annual meeting crowned all kinds of champions, none more deserving than Chester Weber’s Jamaica who was named the 2008 Farnam®/Platform™ USEF Horse of the Year. The 18-year-old KWPN gelding was rescued on his way to a slaughterhouse in Europe after misbehaving in the tourist carriage industry. He was the stalwart of Weber’s 2008 Silver medal-winning World Championship Team: http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/newsdisplay/viewPR.aspx?id=4009&star=true. Relive Jamaica’s achievement: http://www.clubequestrian.com/videos/watch/1002639701.aspx and see Weber’s acceptance speech: http://www.clubequestrian.com/videos/watch/1002309339.aspx.
The next night, Gene Mische was honored with the USEF Lifetime Achievement Award. No one may have discovered Wellington, FL without Mische, whose Stadium Jumping Inc. took the sport of jumping and turned it into an industry. Mische’s acceptance speech: http://www.clubequestrian.com/videos/watch/1006266323.aspx .
Look back at his amazing life: http://www.clubequestrian.com/videos/watch/1006325585.aspx.
Steffen Peters won Equestrian of the Year for his amazing accomplishments with Ravel in 2008 – but also for his uncanny sportsmanship. He accepted his award remotely, as he had a longstanding commitment in Florida to honor: http://www.clubequestrian.com/videos/watch/1006266320.aspx.
Vaulter Mary McCormick headed to Europe at the end of the month and took the CVI Leipzig by storm. She vaulted her way to the top of the standings with Tjekko. http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/newsdisplay/viewPR.aspx?id=4032&star=true.
The final major event of January was the inaugural Exquiss World Dressage Masters in Wellington, FL. Peters proved how much Ravel had matured since the Olympic Games, beating Individual Gold Medalist Anky van Grunsven in the Grand Prix, US rider Michael Barisone opted for the Grand Prix Special and was rewarded with the win on Neruda: http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/newsdisplay/viewPR.aspx?id=4047&star=true.
February:
WEF in Wellington and HITS in California and Ocala were busy places as horses and riders jumped in World Cup classes. Ashlee Bond’s name was heard more and more as the 24-year-old dynamo was winning at an alarming rate in California. Beezie Madden won the first Palm Beach Jumping Derby with Crème Brule and Todd Minikus won the ESP CSI2* Grand Prix – momentum was picking up across the country: http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/newsdisplay/viewPR.aspx?id=4147.
March:
Sapphire stormed to victory in the $150,000 CN CSIO Grand Prix for McLain Ward. The 14-year-old mare was nearly invincible in 2009; it started in Palm Beach: http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/newsdisplay/viewPR.aspx?id=4165. The following week the pair won the $200,000 FEI World Cup Grand Prix CSI4* presented by CN, proving that their Gold medal form from 2008 was holding: http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/newsdisplay/viewPR.aspx?id=4178. Sapphire completed a trifecta picking up top honors (and a big check) winning the $400,000 FTI Finale Grand Prix CSI5*: http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/newsdisplay/viewPR.aspx?id=4237.
The Pin Oak Charity Horse Show in Texas was the first to receive USEF Heritage Competition Designation: http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/newsdisplay/viewPR.aspx?id=4205&star=true.
April:
The Rolex/FEI World Cup Final was the first major international championship of the year and Steffen Peters and Akiko Yamazaki’s Ravel swept the Dressage title. Dry eyes were hard to find and the entire Thomas & Mack Arena shook at the conclusion of his freestyle. He was the first American World Cup Champion to be crowned in the US.
Not to be outdone, Sapphire continued her assault on the Jumping title for McLain Ward. She was unfortunate enough to come up against two-time champions Shutterfly and Meredith Michaels - Beerbaum. Ward and Sapphire settled for second despite faultless jumping.
US Dressage legend, Brentina was retired in front of thousands of her adoring fans.
All the World Cup coverage(photos, blogs, photos, videos and news) is available here: http://www.clubequestrian.com/coverage/fei_world_cup_2009.aspx.
The next week brought the eventing community to the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, and Australia’s Headley Britannia took home top honors for Lucinda Fredericks. Buck Davidson was crowned USEF National Champion with Carl and Cassandra Segal’s My Boy Bobby. Relive it here: http://www.clubequestrian.com/coverage/rolex_3day_event_2009.aspx.
Before the month was over, Team USA had won Team Silver at the 2009 Pan American Endurance Championships: http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/newsdisplay/viewPR.aspx?id=4353&star=true. The Team of Steve Rojek, Valerie Kanavy, Gabrielle Mann and Cheryl van Deusen put in an amazing effort in Uruguay and were just six minutes off the Gold medal pace.
More...
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Great Britain: Experienced Dalton rider Penny Pearce has won Cumbria’s top award for endurance.
nwemail.co.uk
19 December 2009
Pearce gained the most competitive mileage points last season, riding her horse Oakthwaite Suddara.
She won the Best Arab trophy, from points accumulated from riding 834 kilometres in competitive rides and gaining 1,645 points.
Pearce and Oakthwaite Suddara did so well they were placed in five other trophies at the recent Cumbria Endurance Society's AGM awards.
Said Pearce: "I'm so chuffed about it. I finished fourth last year and I so wanted to win it this year."
Pearce, who has been riding for 20 years and competing in endurance rides for 15 years, is a Cumbria committee member and promotes the endurance riding sport as a great way to keep fit, and enjoy riding over beautiful terrain.
She said: "We're trying to encourage as many people as possible to have a go at the sport, which is great fun."
Riders and horses can compete in anything, from 15km pleasure rides to 160km day treks, and you don’t need a special horse. For more information contact www.egb.co.uk
19 December 2009
Pearce gained the most competitive mileage points last season, riding her horse Oakthwaite Suddara.
She won the Best Arab trophy, from points accumulated from riding 834 kilometres in competitive rides and gaining 1,645 points.
Pearce and Oakthwaite Suddara did so well they were placed in five other trophies at the recent Cumbria Endurance Society's AGM awards.
Said Pearce: "I'm so chuffed about it. I finished fourth last year and I so wanted to win it this year."
Pearce, who has been riding for 20 years and competing in endurance rides for 15 years, is a Cumbria committee member and promotes the endurance riding sport as a great way to keep fit, and enjoy riding over beautiful terrain.
She said: "We're trying to encourage as many people as possible to have a go at the sport, which is great fun."
Riders and horses can compete in anything, from 15km pleasure rides to 160km day treks, and you don’t need a special horse. For more information contact www.egb.co.uk
Friday, December 18, 2009
2009 Hoof Boot Contest Winners Announced
The 2009 EasyCare $10,000 Hoof Boot Contest has come to an end and it's been quite a year! We are pleased to announce this years winners. These riders have done an incredible job not just logging impressive mileage but representing EasyCare and showing just what our hoof boots can do! They've done great at every distance. From single day 50's and 100's to multi-day rides of 250 miles or more. Proving yet again that it is possible to ride distances in Easyboots!
Each year our contest grows in popularity. This year we had 63 riders logging an incredible 21,301 miles using Easyboots over bare hooves! That's over 4,500 miles more than last year! Top ten riders are being awarded a total of $10,000 in cash. Seven riders also qualified for bonus mileage payouts throughout the 2009 season. A total of $5,100 was given out in bonus cash.
Carla Richardson 1,560 miles $3000
Terri Tinkham 1,525 miles $2000
Christoph Schork 1,330 miles $1000
Natalie Herman 1,115 miles $850
Dian Woodward 845 miles $750
Kadee Felton 823 miles $650
Kerry Greear 810 miles $550
Carol Layton 721 miles $400
Joyce Stoffey 660 miles $400
Laurie Birch 530 miles $400
It was a neck in neck competition for first place but Carla Richardson and her horse SS Kharady Khid are the winners this year! They beat out last years first place winner Terri Tinkham and horse Oliver Twist by just 35 miles! Carla and SS Kharady Khid logged 1,560 miles this year. What a team! Way to go!
The 2009 contest may have come to an end but the 2010 contest has just begun. EasyCare will award a total of $10,000 to the riders who complete the most American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) or Australian Endurance Rider Association (AERA) miles during the 2010 AERC ride season (Dec. 1, 2009-Nov. 30, 2010) using two or four EasyCare hoof boots over bare hooves. Throughout the year special promotions and discounts will be made available to those participating in the EasyCare Hoof Boot Contest. Riders will also be elegible for bonus cash after completion of 300 miles (482km) and 400 miles has been reached. So get out there and ride, ride, ride! Click here for contest information and entry forms.
For more information about hoof boots or natural hoof care please call EasyCare, Inc. at 1-800-447-8836, or e-mail: admin@easycareinc.com
Each year our contest grows in popularity. This year we had 63 riders logging an incredible 21,301 miles using Easyboots over bare hooves! That's over 4,500 miles more than last year! Top ten riders are being awarded a total of $10,000 in cash. Seven riders also qualified for bonus mileage payouts throughout the 2009 season. A total of $5,100 was given out in bonus cash.
Carla Richardson 1,560 miles $3000
Terri Tinkham 1,525 miles $2000
Christoph Schork 1,330 miles $1000
Natalie Herman 1,115 miles $850
Dian Woodward 845 miles $750
Kadee Felton 823 miles $650
Kerry Greear 810 miles $550
Carol Layton 721 miles $400
Joyce Stoffey 660 miles $400
Laurie Birch 530 miles $400
It was a neck in neck competition for first place but Carla Richardson and her horse SS Kharady Khid are the winners this year! They beat out last years first place winner Terri Tinkham and horse Oliver Twist by just 35 miles! Carla and SS Kharady Khid logged 1,560 miles this year. What a team! Way to go!
The 2009 contest may have come to an end but the 2010 contest has just begun. EasyCare will award a total of $10,000 to the riders who complete the most American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) or Australian Endurance Rider Association (AERA) miles during the 2010 AERC ride season (Dec. 1, 2009-Nov. 30, 2010) using two or four EasyCare hoof boots over bare hooves. Throughout the year special promotions and discounts will be made available to those participating in the EasyCare Hoof Boot Contest. Riders will also be elegible for bonus cash after completion of 300 miles (482km) and 400 miles has been reached. So get out there and ride, ride, ride! Click here for contest information and entry forms.
For more information about hoof boots or natural hoof care please call EasyCare, Inc. at 1-800-447-8836, or e-mail: admin@easycareinc.com
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Denmark: Mosridetet 2010 - FEI***
Denmark will be hosting a CEI*** event in June. Enclosed is the latest newsletter regarding the danish endurance-ride Molsridtet.Download newsletter (pdf)
Monday, December 14, 2009
My horses have taken care of me
Thenational.ae - Full Story
December 03. 2009
My work is my passion, and my lifestyle.
When I left school at age 16, in 1987, I had no qualifications. I never really thought about money or having a job to guarantee me a good salary. It was the opposite: horses were my passion, what I wanted for my life.
I was born in Biarritz, in south-western France, and started riding when I was seven or eight. I'm now 38. I don’t know where my love of horses came from. No one else in my family rode.
I now work as the senior riding instructor at the Royal Stables in Abu Dhabi, and I manage all the horses there. We have about 100 altogether, including 40 liveried horses that we stable, feed, groom and take care of for a monthly fee.
More...
December 03. 2009
My work is my passion, and my lifestyle.
When I left school at age 16, in 1987, I had no qualifications. I never really thought about money or having a job to guarantee me a good salary. It was the opposite: horses were my passion, what I wanted for my life.
I was born in Biarritz, in south-western France, and started riding when I was seven or eight. I'm now 38. I don’t know where my love of horses came from. No one else in my family rode.
I now work as the senior riding instructor at the Royal Stables in Abu Dhabi, and I manage all the horses there. We have about 100 altogether, including 40 liveried horses that we stable, feed, groom and take care of for a monthly fee.
More...
Thursday, December 10, 2009
APEX 2010 Clinics
APEX (A Partnership for Endurance Xcellence) is pleased to announce three clinics have been organized (thus far) for 2010. We hope you can join us!
Clinic 1 (classroom): January 9: Equine Digestion and Nutrition
January 10: Conditioning Performance Horses
Location: outside Atlanta, GA
Clinic 2 (with horse): March 14: Susan Harris and the Painted Horse, followed by Centered Riding
March 15: Susan Harris and Centered Riding
Location: Biltmore Equestrian Center, Asheville, NC
Clinic 3 (classroom): April 29: Endurance in the Future
Location: Biltmore Equestrian Center, Asheville, NC
More Information here
Wednesday, December 09, 2009
Stephen Rojek Wins 2009 Maggy Price Endurance Excellence Award
Hunterjumpernews.com
December 9, 2009
Lexington, KY – Endurance athlete Stephen Rojek was named the recipient of the 2009 Maggy Price Endurance Excellence Award. The award, sponsored by Gold Medal Farm’s Larry and Valerie Kanavy, is given out annually to the Endurance Rider who earns the most points in a competition year at designated FEI Endurance competitions.
Rojek (South Woodstock, VT) won the Ocala CEI3* with Sambet and had top 10 finishes at the Williston CEI2*and the Morriston CEI3*(both in Florida) and at the Chester CEI3* in Georgia.
Rojek was honored to receive this award in honor of his great friend Maggy Price. Price is considered by many to be responsible for bringing USA Endurance into the international spotlight. The Endurance community suffered a huge loss when Price passed away in 2007.
"Maggy was a great friend of ours," said Rojek. "I met Maggy and her daughter Meg in a corn field in Maryland while we were on a 100 mile Competitive Trail Ride in 1977. The following year we traveled together to ride and complete the Tevis Cup and we have been great friends ever since. Dinah and I traveled extensively with Maggy to exotic places like China, Tibet, Morocco, India, Ladakh, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico. It was Maggy Price who urged USEF to acknowledge Endurance Riding as a recognized discipline. Maggy Price exemplified Endurance Riding with class and flair and it is a real honor to accept this award."
Written by Joanie Morris
December 9, 2009
Lexington, KY – Endurance athlete Stephen Rojek was named the recipient of the 2009 Maggy Price Endurance Excellence Award. The award, sponsored by Gold Medal Farm’s Larry and Valerie Kanavy, is given out annually to the Endurance Rider who earns the most points in a competition year at designated FEI Endurance competitions.
Rojek (South Woodstock, VT) won the Ocala CEI3* with Sambet and had top 10 finishes at the Williston CEI2*and the Morriston CEI3*(both in Florida) and at the Chester CEI3* in Georgia.
Rojek was honored to receive this award in honor of his great friend Maggy Price. Price is considered by many to be responsible for bringing USA Endurance into the international spotlight. The Endurance community suffered a huge loss when Price passed away in 2007.
"Maggy was a great friend of ours," said Rojek. "I met Maggy and her daughter Meg in a corn field in Maryland while we were on a 100 mile Competitive Trail Ride in 1977. The following year we traveled together to ride and complete the Tevis Cup and we have been great friends ever since. Dinah and I traveled extensively with Maggy to exotic places like China, Tibet, Morocco, India, Ladakh, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico. It was Maggy Price who urged USEF to acknowledge Endurance Riding as a recognized discipline. Maggy Price exemplified Endurance Riding with class and flair and it is a real honor to accept this award."
Written by Joanie Morris
Monday, December 07, 2009
First Coal Strip Mine in Utah Threatens Air, Water, Tourism and Bryce Canyon National Park— Environmental Organizations Challenge Permit
Suwa.org
Salt Lake City, Utah - Local and national environmental organizations filed
a petition yesterday afternoon to halt the proposed Coal Hollow coal strip mine, which would sit just west of Bryce Canyon National Park. They argue that plans for the strip mine fail to adequately account for the potential for harmful impacts on the area’s water, air, wildlife and cultural resources.
The petition was filed with the Utah Board of Oil, Gas and Mining by the Utah Chapter of the Sierra Club, the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, the Natural Resources Defense Council and the National Parks Conservation Association.
On October 19, 2009, the Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining of Natural Resources approved the permit for the Coal Hollow strip mine, which would be the first coal strip mine in Utah. The permit allows for mining of 2 million tons of coal per year for approximately three years. The permit was approved shortly after a meeting between the mine developer—Alton Coal Development—and Utah Governor Gary Herbert.
"We are taking this action in response to concern from local residents and others that this mine will damage the pristine air and water quality and wildlife of the area, increase dangerous truck traffic and have negative impacts on tourism and the visitor experience at Bryce Canyon National Park," said Clair Jones, of the Utah Sierra Club.
Hatch resident Tom Stechschulte also opposes the mine. "If this mine opens it will affect all of the surrounding communities, and will result in the irreversible transformation of our pastoral, peaceful environment to one that is dominated by coal dust, diesel fumes and noisy trucks," he said.
Mining operations will require up to 300 coal truck trips per day traveling 110 miles one-way from Alton to Cedar City, which could result in one truck leaving the site every seven minutes. The coal-haul route would run through several small towns along State Highway 89, including Panguitch, a town recently placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
"It is a documented fact that when coal mines come into communities, there is a negative impact on "Mom and Pop" retail businesses,” said Bobbi Bryant, a small business owner in Panguitch. "I own a shop that is right next to the haul route, and the noise and fumes from the trucks will make traveling to Bryce Canyon less pleasurable and much more dangerous. Most shop, restaurant and motels owners, myself included, will not get as many customers, and we could be faced with closing our business."
David Nimkin, Southwest regional director for the National Parks Conservation Association also opposes the permit because of the impact it will have on the park. "Bryce Canyon National Park is one of Utah’s greatest assets. Its pristine night skies, clean air and magnificent views are threatened by the dust and light pollution generated from this proposed mine only 10 miles from the park boundary. These mining activities will most certainly impact the quality experiences of over 1.5 million visitors to Bryce each year."
"Because I have asthma, my husband and I spent years looking for the perfect place to spend our retirement before finding our home in Panguitch. This mine will essentially shatter our dreams of living in a pristine and beautiful place with good air and water quality, and if the strip mine ever opens, we will be forced to leave the town that we thought we would grow old in. I never would have thought we would face this kind of threat living so close to so many public lands," said Panguitch local Luella McMahan.
"This initial approval by the Division of Oil, Gas, and Mining is just the camel's nose under the tent," said Stephen Bloch, Conservation Director for the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance. "The Bureau of Land Management is currently analyzing a proposal by Alton Coal Development to lease a larger tract of public land immediately adjacent to the just-approved mine, one that would vastly expand the size of the project to the tune of 46 million tons of coal that would be strip mined over the next 15 years."
"This strip mine would be huge step backwards," said Sharon Buccino, Director of the Land and Wildlife Program for the Natural Resources Defense Council. "There's no need to threaten the environment and economy around Bryce Canyon with one of the dirtiest, damaging, and out-dated fuels out there. The region is blessed with incredible renewable energy potential to take advantage of that would be far preferable and safer for the surrounding communities."
More information, and to see the petition, look here.
Salt Lake City, Utah - Local and national environmental organizations filed
a petition yesterday afternoon to halt the proposed Coal Hollow coal strip mine, which would sit just west of Bryce Canyon National Park. They argue that plans for the strip mine fail to adequately account for the potential for harmful impacts on the area’s water, air, wildlife and cultural resources.
The petition was filed with the Utah Board of Oil, Gas and Mining by the Utah Chapter of the Sierra Club, the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, the Natural Resources Defense Council and the National Parks Conservation Association.
On October 19, 2009, the Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining of Natural Resources approved the permit for the Coal Hollow strip mine, which would be the first coal strip mine in Utah. The permit allows for mining of 2 million tons of coal per year for approximately three years. The permit was approved shortly after a meeting between the mine developer—Alton Coal Development—and Utah Governor Gary Herbert.
"We are taking this action in response to concern from local residents and others that this mine will damage the pristine air and water quality and wildlife of the area, increase dangerous truck traffic and have negative impacts on tourism and the visitor experience at Bryce Canyon National Park," said Clair Jones, of the Utah Sierra Club.
Hatch resident Tom Stechschulte also opposes the mine. "If this mine opens it will affect all of the surrounding communities, and will result in the irreversible transformation of our pastoral, peaceful environment to one that is dominated by coal dust, diesel fumes and noisy trucks," he said.
Mining operations will require up to 300 coal truck trips per day traveling 110 miles one-way from Alton to Cedar City, which could result in one truck leaving the site every seven minutes. The coal-haul route would run through several small towns along State Highway 89, including Panguitch, a town recently placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
"It is a documented fact that when coal mines come into communities, there is a negative impact on "Mom and Pop" retail businesses,” said Bobbi Bryant, a small business owner in Panguitch. "I own a shop that is right next to the haul route, and the noise and fumes from the trucks will make traveling to Bryce Canyon less pleasurable and much more dangerous. Most shop, restaurant and motels owners, myself included, will not get as many customers, and we could be faced with closing our business."
David Nimkin, Southwest regional director for the National Parks Conservation Association also opposes the permit because of the impact it will have on the park. "Bryce Canyon National Park is one of Utah’s greatest assets. Its pristine night skies, clean air and magnificent views are threatened by the dust and light pollution generated from this proposed mine only 10 miles from the park boundary. These mining activities will most certainly impact the quality experiences of over 1.5 million visitors to Bryce each year."
"Because I have asthma, my husband and I spent years looking for the perfect place to spend our retirement before finding our home in Panguitch. This mine will essentially shatter our dreams of living in a pristine and beautiful place with good air and water quality, and if the strip mine ever opens, we will be forced to leave the town that we thought we would grow old in. I never would have thought we would face this kind of threat living so close to so many public lands," said Panguitch local Luella McMahan.
"This initial approval by the Division of Oil, Gas, and Mining is just the camel's nose under the tent," said Stephen Bloch, Conservation Director for the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance. "The Bureau of Land Management is currently analyzing a proposal by Alton Coal Development to lease a larger tract of public land immediately adjacent to the just-approved mine, one that would vastly expand the size of the project to the tune of 46 million tons of coal that would be strip mined over the next 15 years."
"This strip mine would be huge step backwards," said Sharon Buccino, Director of the Land and Wildlife Program for the Natural Resources Defense Council. "There's no need to threaten the environment and economy around Bryce Canyon with one of the dirtiest, damaging, and out-dated fuels out there. The region is blessed with incredible renewable energy potential to take advantage of that would be far preferable and safer for the surrounding communities."
More information, and to see the petition, look here.
The $5 Horse Endures!
Ibn at AHA Distance Roundup Ride in March
A "Horatio Alger" horse story
By Nancy Brannon
Everybody loves a good "Horatio Alger" horse story, and Steffanie Waddington has one about her Arabian endurance horse.
A few years ago a woman she knew passed away from cancer, and part of her husband's job in finalizing the estate was to find a home for his wife's two horses. Steffanie’s friend Jana Smith found out about the horses, got the husband's phone number, and the two made plans to go see the horses. Both were Arabians, and she and Jana liked what they saw and decided each would adopt a horse. The husband didn't want to give them away, but thought some meager compensation would be acceptable. So Steffanie paid $5 for the horse she chose: a bay gelding named Ibn Tom Terrific. "In Arabic, Ibn means 'son of,'" Steffanie explained, "and he is the son of TC Tom Terrific. He was bred in Williston, TN and born in 1993."
Steffanie took Ibn, boarded him at Cherokee Valley Farm and Stable in Michigan City, Mississippi and started taking riding lessons on him. The folks at Cherokee Valley specialize in endurance horse training and conditioning. Meanwhile, Steffanie was competing in 25- to 35-mile endurance rides on Rumor, her other horse.
In March 2008, Steffanie planned to ride Rumor in the City Slickers Endurance Ride at Shelby Farms in Memphis, TN, but a week before the ride, Rumor was injured. So Steffanie had to take Ibn instead, on the 25-mile ride. She rode with a friend whose horse was in good condition, but the rider was not. Before completing the ride, her friend dismounted, said she could not ride a step further, and encouraged Steffanie to finish the ride. Steffanie did, but came in dead last - 41st! However, their next ride one month later was a different story: Steffanie and Ibn placed fourth in a 30-mile ride.
More...
Friday, December 04, 2009
Older Horse Elmer Bandit Ready for Winter
Thehorse.com - Full Article
by: Marsha Hayes
November 29 2009, Article # 15364
With four days of consecutive dressage lessons that ran from Nov. 20-23, Elmer Bandit, the 38-year-old National Competitive Trail mileage holder, observed Thanksgiving by resting at his Independence, Mo., boarding stable home.
How has Elmer prepared for winter?
"He has grown an inch of hair, at least, and is very soft and furry," reported his lifetime owner, Mary Anna Wood. With the fluctuating Kansas temperatures, Wood hosed sweat off the gray half-Arabian gelding after one of his recent dressage workouts. Elmer has donned his special blanket from his fans at TheHorse.com twice already this fall.
More...
by: Marsha Hayes
November 29 2009, Article # 15364
With four days of consecutive dressage lessons that ran from Nov. 20-23, Elmer Bandit, the 38-year-old National Competitive Trail mileage holder, observed Thanksgiving by resting at his Independence, Mo., boarding stable home.
How has Elmer prepared for winter?
"He has grown an inch of hair, at least, and is very soft and furry," reported his lifetime owner, Mary Anna Wood. With the fluctuating Kansas temperatures, Wood hosed sweat off the gray half-Arabian gelding after one of his recent dressage workouts. Elmer has donned his special blanket from his fans at TheHorse.com twice already this fall.
More...
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Back Country Horsemen team up with Wilderness Society
Wilderness.org - Full Article
By Andrea Imler on November 12, 2009
Aldo Leopold, co-founder of The Wilderness Society and a preeminent voice in the conservation world defined wilderness as "a continuous stretch of country preserved in its natural state, open to lawful hunting and fishing, big enough to absorb a two week's [horse] pack trip." In his most famous book, A Sand County Almanac, he provided two examples of "primitive skills in pioneering travel..." one of these is canoe travel, and the other is travel by packtrain."
A Horse Rides Through It
The Wilderness Society honors the rich history of horseback riding in wilderness through a new partnership with Back Country Horsemen of America.
The two groups first met in the spring of 2009 when Back Country Horsemen of America approached The Wilderness Society to request their help preserving opportunities to enjoy wilderness riding and packing and interpreting the history and significance of pack and saddle stock for managers and other wilderness advocates.
"A partnership between the Back Country Horsemen of America and The Wilderness Society makes sense, especially in light of how many of our visionary wilderness leaders, like Aldo Leopold, Howard Zahniser and Mardy Murie, saw many of their greatest moments of clarity, insight and inspiration while riding a horse deep into the wild country of America," said Bart Koehler, senior wilderness campaigns director at The Wilderness Society. "These moments gave them a bedrock solid sense of direction and helped them lead the way to securing protections for special wild places thanks to The Wilderness Act."
More...
By Andrea Imler on November 12, 2009
Aldo Leopold, co-founder of The Wilderness Society and a preeminent voice in the conservation world defined wilderness as "a continuous stretch of country preserved in its natural state, open to lawful hunting and fishing, big enough to absorb a two week's [horse] pack trip." In his most famous book, A Sand County Almanac, he provided two examples of "primitive skills in pioneering travel..." one of these is canoe travel, and the other is travel by packtrain."
A Horse Rides Through It
The Wilderness Society honors the rich history of horseback riding in wilderness through a new partnership with Back Country Horsemen of America.
The two groups first met in the spring of 2009 when Back Country Horsemen of America approached The Wilderness Society to request their help preserving opportunities to enjoy wilderness riding and packing and interpreting the history and significance of pack and saddle stock for managers and other wilderness advocates.
"A partnership between the Back Country Horsemen of America and The Wilderness Society makes sense, especially in light of how many of our visionary wilderness leaders, like Aldo Leopold, Howard Zahniser and Mardy Murie, saw many of their greatest moments of clarity, insight and inspiration while riding a horse deep into the wild country of America," said Bart Koehler, senior wilderness campaigns director at The Wilderness Society. "These moments gave them a bedrock solid sense of direction and helped them lead the way to securing protections for special wild places thanks to The Wilderness Act."
More...
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Arabian Horse Foundation Begins Swayze Scholarship
NPR.org - Full Story
by the AP
November 27, 2009
The Arabian Horse Foundation has established a scholarship in honor of the late actor Patrick Swayze and his wife.
Swayze and wife Lisa Neimi owned Arabian horses and competed in shows for several years. The foundation is the charitable arm of the Denver-based Arabian Horse Association.
Foundation President Larry Kinneer of Dayton, Ohio, said Friday that the scholarship honors Swayze for his career and the couple's "love of the Arabian breed and contributions over the years to AHA youth programs."
More...
by the AP
November 27, 2009
The Arabian Horse Foundation has established a scholarship in honor of the late actor Patrick Swayze and his wife.
Swayze and wife Lisa Neimi owned Arabian horses and competed in shows for several years. The foundation is the charitable arm of the Denver-based Arabian Horse Association.
Foundation President Larry Kinneer of Dayton, Ohio, said Friday that the scholarship honors Swayze for his career and the couple's "love of the Arabian breed and contributions over the years to AHA youth programs."
More...
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Great Britain: Small companies sharing a big market
Nebusiness.co.uk - Full Article
Nov 25 2009 by Andrew Mernin, The Journal
You don't have to be a mammoth corporation with a bottomless pit of capital to make it big overseas. Andrew Mernin finds out how a growing band of the region's small businesses have become exporters on a shoestring budget.
A HORSE called Tiffany with a bad back was the unlikely catalyst for the creation of a globally successful firm in a tiny village in Teesdale.
Tiffany's owner Les Spark, an endurance riding enthusiast, set about designing a saddle which would allow him to ride the horse without being thrown to the ground in anger at her own discomfort. And so the flexible, and apparently ultra-comfortable, Free N Easy saddle was born.
Seventeen years later, the saddle is sold in 20 countries across five continents and has given the village of Low Selset, near Barnard Castle, its own international success story.
More...
Nov 25 2009 by Andrew Mernin, The Journal
You don't have to be a mammoth corporation with a bottomless pit of capital to make it big overseas. Andrew Mernin finds out how a growing band of the region's small businesses have become exporters on a shoestring budget.
A HORSE called Tiffany with a bad back was the unlikely catalyst for the creation of a globally successful firm in a tiny village in Teesdale.
Tiffany's owner Les Spark, an endurance riding enthusiast, set about designing a saddle which would allow him to ride the horse without being thrown to the ground in anger at her own discomfort. And so the flexible, and apparently ultra-comfortable, Free N Easy saddle was born.
Seventeen years later, the saddle is sold in 20 countries across five continents and has given the village of Low Selset, near Barnard Castle, its own international success story.
More...
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Virginia: Trails to open soon, Residents already using
Vancnews.com - Full Article
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
BRODNAX — The Virginia Tobacco Heritage Trail Roanoke River Rails-to-Trails segment from Brodnax to La Crosse has received a walk through approval and is already being used by visitors.
The Trail that runs through La Crosse and Brodnax is already attracting walkers, equestrian enthusiasts, bikers and nature enthusiasts.
The Tobacco Heritage Trail, according to the Web site, is a system of long-distance recreational, multiuse, non-motorized trails that provide an opportunity for all Southside Virginia to participate in a viable undertaking that will unify diverse communities, enrich lives, and help rebuild the economy.
Officials say the Trail will assist economic development - through tourism and business enterprise - and will serve as a quality-of-life tool by providing both residents and tourists valuable health and recreational benefits. In addition, the trail will be preserving a greenway and will serve as a link to nature for all its users such as: pedestrians, hikers, bicyclists, and horseback riders - with portions accessible to those with mobility limitations.
More...
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
BRODNAX — The Virginia Tobacco Heritage Trail Roanoke River Rails-to-Trails segment from Brodnax to La Crosse has received a walk through approval and is already being used by visitors.
The Trail that runs through La Crosse and Brodnax is already attracting walkers, equestrian enthusiasts, bikers and nature enthusiasts.
The Tobacco Heritage Trail, according to the Web site, is a system of long-distance recreational, multiuse, non-motorized trails that provide an opportunity for all Southside Virginia to participate in a viable undertaking that will unify diverse communities, enrich lives, and help rebuild the economy.
Officials say the Trail will assist economic development - through tourism and business enterprise - and will serve as a quality-of-life tool by providing both residents and tourists valuable health and recreational benefits. In addition, the trail will be preserving a greenway and will serve as a link to nature for all its users such as: pedestrians, hikers, bicyclists, and horseback riders - with portions accessible to those with mobility limitations.
More...
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Endurance Horse Study Reveals Common Complaints, Resolutions
Thehorse.com - Full Article
by: Marie Rosenthal, MS
November 15 2009
A lot of things can happen over the many miles of an endurace event. California veterinarians recently tracked the incidence and resolution of equine medical issues encountered during endurance competition.
C. Langdon Fielding, DVM, Dipl. ACVECC, of the Loomis Basin Equine Medical Center in California, and colleagues, looked at the records of 30 horses that required emergency treatment after being removed from endurance competition.
Some of the issues the researchers encountered included colic, esophageal obstruction (choke), poor cardiovascular recovery, myopathy, and synchronous diaphragmatic flutter (thumps). They studied the horses' examination, lab work, age, breed, and other parameters to see if they could spot specific indicators that could help them catch the problem earlier.
More...
by: Marie Rosenthal, MS
November 15 2009
A lot of things can happen over the many miles of an endurace event. California veterinarians recently tracked the incidence and resolution of equine medical issues encountered during endurance competition.
C. Langdon Fielding, DVM, Dipl. ACVECC, of the Loomis Basin Equine Medical Center in California, and colleagues, looked at the records of 30 horses that required emergency treatment after being removed from endurance competition.
Some of the issues the researchers encountered included colic, esophageal obstruction (choke), poor cardiovascular recovery, myopathy, and synchronous diaphragmatic flutter (thumps). They studied the horses' examination, lab work, age, breed, and other parameters to see if they could spot specific indicators that could help them catch the problem earlier.
More...
Friday, November 13, 2009
Uruguay: ENDURO SARANDÍ GRANDE
ATENCIÓN
FAVOR COMUNICAR A LOS INTERESADOS:
ENDURO SARANDÍ GRANDE
CLASIFICATORIA
SABADO 21 de NOVIEMBRE
ADMISIÓN DE 16.00 a 19.00 hs
DOMINGO 22 DE NOVIEMBRE
ADMISIÓN e INSPECCION PREVIA
DE 7.00 a 9.00 HS
HORA 10.00 LARGADA 74.1 KM En TRES etapas
HORA 11.00 LARGADA 45.3 KM En DOS etapas
Asociación Uruguaya de Enduro Ecuestre.
Canelones 982- Montevideo
Tel- fax: 903 09 85
Pagina web: www.enduranceuruguay.com.uy
FAVOR COMUNICAR A LOS INTERESADOS:
ENDURO SARANDÍ GRANDE
CLASIFICATORIA
SABADO 21 de NOVIEMBRE
ADMISIÓN DE 16.00 a 19.00 hs
DOMINGO 22 DE NOVIEMBRE
ADMISIÓN e INSPECCION PREVIA
DE 7.00 a 9.00 HS
HORA 10.00 LARGADA 74.1 KM En TRES etapas
HORA 11.00 LARGADA 45.3 KM En DOS etapas
Asociación Uruguaya de Enduro Ecuestre.
Canelones 982- Montevideo
Tel- fax: 903 09 85
Pagina web: www.enduranceuruguay.com.uy
Saturday, November 07, 2009
New Import Requirements for Horses Coming into Colorado from Texas
November 6, 2009
For immediate attention
www.ColoradoHorsecouncil.com
New Import Requirements for Horses Coming into CO from Texas
State Veterinary Office representative to attend CHC annual meeting Nov.15
Colorado Department of Agriculture has announced movement restrictions or additional entry requirements for horses from Texas due to the detection of equine piroplasmosis in South Texas.
To answer your questions, a representative of the Office of the Colorado State Veterinarian will be at the annual meeting of the Colorado Horse Council, at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 15, at the Pro-Rodeo Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs. Anyone interested is welcome to attend; call (303) 292-4981 for more information.
Equine piroplasmosis is a serious tick-transmitted blood disease of equine animals, such as horses, donkeys, mules and zebras; the disease may be carried and transmitted by as many as 15 species of ticks. Although ticks have been collected from the South Texas ranch for testing, final results are not complete, and it is not known whether any of the ticks can serve as a host for the disease.
The Colorado Department of Agriculture has issued the following requirements:
Equine originating from any premises under quarantine for equine piroplasmosis shall not enter Colorado. Equine originating from Kleburg, Nueces, Kenedy, Willacy, Jim Wells, or Brooks County or any other county in which piroplasmosis is diagnosed, may enter into Colorado providing they are accompanied by a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) issued by an accredited veterinarian within ten (10) days prior to entering Colorado. The CVI shall contain the following information:
* Negative piroplasmosis cELISA and CF tests for Theileria (Babesia) equi within the past 90 days prior to import into Colorado including an original copy of the test or National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) accession number. (The NVSL is the only approved laboratory for equine piroplasmosis testing);
* A negative Equine Infectious Anemia test within the past twelve (12) months;
* A Colorado import permit number; and
* The following statement by the accredited veterinarian signing the CVI, "I personally inspected the equine listed on this certificate. They do not originate from an equine piroplasmosis quarantined premises, were inspected for ticks, and were treated prophylactically for ticks at the time of the inspection."
(Treatment for ticks shall include any topical pyrethroids or other equine labeled tick treatment product.)
Imported equine that remain permanently in Colorado shall upon arrival at the destination premises be held separate from all other equine until they are:
* physically examined by an accredited veterinarian approved by the state veterinarian;
* retested 30 days after import and determined to be cELISA negative;
* any equine that subsequently tests cELISA positive to piroplasmosis shall be quarantined and shall not remain in Colorado.
Changes in import requirements may develop as new information becomes available to better define the extent of the outbreak. For updated information refer to http://www.tahc.state.tx.us/ or http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/Agriculture-Main/CDAG/1183672504470 or call 303-239-4161.
For immediate attention
www.ColoradoHorsecouncil.com
New Import Requirements for Horses Coming into CO from Texas
State Veterinary Office representative to attend CHC annual meeting Nov.15
Colorado Department of Agriculture has announced movement restrictions or additional entry requirements for horses from Texas due to the detection of equine piroplasmosis in South Texas.
To answer your questions, a representative of the Office of the Colorado State Veterinarian will be at the annual meeting of the Colorado Horse Council, at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 15, at the Pro-Rodeo Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs. Anyone interested is welcome to attend; call (303) 292-4981 for more information.
Equine piroplasmosis is a serious tick-transmitted blood disease of equine animals, such as horses, donkeys, mules and zebras; the disease may be carried and transmitted by as many as 15 species of ticks. Although ticks have been collected from the South Texas ranch for testing, final results are not complete, and it is not known whether any of the ticks can serve as a host for the disease.
The Colorado Department of Agriculture has issued the following requirements:
Equine originating from any premises under quarantine for equine piroplasmosis shall not enter Colorado. Equine originating from Kleburg, Nueces, Kenedy, Willacy, Jim Wells, or Brooks County or any other county in which piroplasmosis is diagnosed, may enter into Colorado providing they are accompanied by a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) issued by an accredited veterinarian within ten (10) days prior to entering Colorado. The CVI shall contain the following information:
* Negative piroplasmosis cELISA and CF tests for Theileria (Babesia) equi within the past 90 days prior to import into Colorado including an original copy of the test or National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) accession number. (The NVSL is the only approved laboratory for equine piroplasmosis testing);
* A negative Equine Infectious Anemia test within the past twelve (12) months;
* A Colorado import permit number; and
* The following statement by the accredited veterinarian signing the CVI, "I personally inspected the equine listed on this certificate. They do not originate from an equine piroplasmosis quarantined premises, were inspected for ticks, and were treated prophylactically for ticks at the time of the inspection."
(Treatment for ticks shall include any topical pyrethroids or other equine labeled tick treatment product.)
Imported equine that remain permanently in Colorado shall upon arrival at the destination premises be held separate from all other equine until they are:
* physically examined by an accredited veterinarian approved by the state veterinarian;
* retested 30 days after import and determined to be cELISA negative;
* any equine that subsequently tests cELISA positive to piroplasmosis shall be quarantined and shall not remain in Colorado.
Changes in import requirements may develop as new information becomes available to better define the extent of the outbreak. For updated information refer to http://www.tahc.state.tx.us/ or http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/Agriculture-Main/CDAG/1183672504470 or call 303-239-4161.
Former Blountville resident explores West on horseback
Timesnews.net - Full Article
By Leigh Ann Laube
November 7th, 2009
James Brown set out from New Mexico in April bound for Canada. Instead of enjoying the sights by plane, train or automobile, Brown traveled every mile on horseback.
Brown, a former Blountville resident now living in South Carolina, joined a group of riders who took the organized, 2,228-mile ride with the Best of America by Horseback Trail Club, headquartered in Virginia and owned by Tom Seay. The adventure was captured on video for an upcoming series on the “Best of America by Horseback” television show broadcast on RFD-TV.
Traveling with - and carrying - Brown was his American Paint Horse, Rocker.
Brown grew up in Blountville on a 93-acre farm. After a stint in the U.S. Army, he earned a bachelor of science degree in business from East Tennessee State University. He and wife Lorraine moved to Greenville, S.C., in 1970. Their daughter Michelle King and her family live on the farm now.
Brown learned about Best of America by Horseback through The Trail Rider magazine. He became a member of the club, then went through an application process to be selected for the ride. One requirement was that he had to have his own horse and trailer.
More...
By Leigh Ann Laube
November 7th, 2009
James Brown set out from New Mexico in April bound for Canada. Instead of enjoying the sights by plane, train or automobile, Brown traveled every mile on horseback.
Brown, a former Blountville resident now living in South Carolina, joined a group of riders who took the organized, 2,228-mile ride with the Best of America by Horseback Trail Club, headquartered in Virginia and owned by Tom Seay. The adventure was captured on video for an upcoming series on the “Best of America by Horseback” television show broadcast on RFD-TV.
Traveling with - and carrying - Brown was his American Paint Horse, Rocker.
Brown grew up in Blountville on a 93-acre farm. After a stint in the U.S. Army, he earned a bachelor of science degree in business from East Tennessee State University. He and wife Lorraine moved to Greenville, S.C., in 1970. Their daughter Michelle King and her family live on the farm now.
Brown learned about Best of America by Horseback through The Trail Rider magazine. He became a member of the club, then went through an application process to be selected for the ride. One requirement was that he had to have his own horse and trailer.
More...
Friday, November 06, 2009
Endurance horse racing as a hobby
Lane Community College - The Torch
An LCC instructor finishes 10,000 miles of endurance horse races
Simon Kemp
Issue date: 11/5/09 Section: Features
Two likeminded instructors at LCC have found that riding and training a rare breed of horse for endurance races is a good way to unwind after a long week of teaching, and also get outside and enjoy exercising.
Susie Morrill has been endurance riding since 1986 and recently completed 10,000 cumulative miles raced. She doesn't just race but also breeds horses, specifically a cross between Morgans and Akhal-Tekes, and trains them specifically for endurance racing. She is also an instructor in the Media Arts and Technology Department teaching photo classes, and has been for 23 years.
"One, it's a long term goal. Two, it's a really tough sport. You really have to have your act together to pull off these long distances," Morrill said. "A 50-miler you have 12 hours to complete; a 75-miler you have 18 hours to complete, and a 100-miler you have 24 hours to complete. So you're riding just extremely long times, in the dark, over mountains."
Susan Lowdermilk helps Morrill exercise the horses on weekends and other spare time, and also attends summer races with Morrill across the country. The two met at LCC through a mutual student who introduced them. They have since become not only good friends but riding partners as well. Lowdermilk is an Art and Applied Design instructor.
"It's like a marathon so there's people looking to win and people looking to finish, and I'm never looking to win because I'm a novice rider. I think even after six years there is a lot to know, but it's a great way to be outside and see the woods, and just learn something new, get exercise and communicate with this incredible animal. So it's really fun," Lowdermilk said.
Morrill started riding endurance because she had bought a Morgan horse that was too hyper to do a lot of other disciplines, and was told by a friend to try out endurance racing. The Morgan was good at endurance racing, but she just wasn't cut out for it. With a thick skin and high pulse, the Morgan could never compete for anything beyond pleasure.
Once Morrill became passionate about the sport and gained an understanding of the riding style, she realized that the perfect horses for the job would need to span long distances without straining themselves or take many breaks. She then decided to invest in a 20-year-old Seal Bay Akhal-Teke stallion to breed with her Morgan for the purpose of endurance racing, and has since had immense success in the sport because of her horses' abilities to span great distances without getting tired or even needing to stop very long to rest.
Meeting an Akhal-Teke is like meeting a piece of ancient history. The breed is not only one of the oldest breeds of horses on earth, but is also one of the most unusual and distinctive. The origin of the Akhal-Teke breed is the Turkmenistan Desert oases, and can be traced back over 2,500 years. They were considered heavenly horses in Chinese lore and the Russian Cossacks were often mounted on Akhal-Tekes because of their ability to handle climate extremes. They were the sole reason for many raids throughout history, and have been the prized mounts for many rulers. However, they are not to be taken on by an amateur. Akhal-Tekes are renowned for nothing more than their demand for a competent rider and their temper. Bred for survival through extreme heat and deprivation, they make the perfect endurance racing horses.
What sets endurance racing apart from other styles of horse racing is that the outcome is not dependent on how fast or hard somebody rides their horse, but on how well they know the horse and how they ride them. If one rides full sprint all the way to the veterinary check station then they will have to wait for their horse's pulse to return to normal again before finishing, whereas the rider who knows their horse's limits and maintains a steady rate just below that will hardly have to stop and wait for the pulse to drop back down before continuing.
"It's gorgeous. You're riding in snowstorms, you're riding in hundred and seven degree heat, it's everything. I mean half of it's the weather," Morrill said. "It's a nice family sport, and for horse sports, it's really down to earth people. It's just too hard to be less than gracious."
Morrill has been in races all over the United States including Arizona, California, Kansas, South Dakota as well as Alberta and Manitoba, Canada. Although she likes to stay mainly in the Northwest where she's close to home, friends and family.
An LCC instructor finishes 10,000 miles of endurance horse races
Simon Kemp
Issue date: 11/5/09 Section: Features
Two likeminded instructors at LCC have found that riding and training a rare breed of horse for endurance races is a good way to unwind after a long week of teaching, and also get outside and enjoy exercising.
Susie Morrill has been endurance riding since 1986 and recently completed 10,000 cumulative miles raced. She doesn't just race but also breeds horses, specifically a cross between Morgans and Akhal-Tekes, and trains them specifically for endurance racing. She is also an instructor in the Media Arts and Technology Department teaching photo classes, and has been for 23 years.
"One, it's a long term goal. Two, it's a really tough sport. You really have to have your act together to pull off these long distances," Morrill said. "A 50-miler you have 12 hours to complete; a 75-miler you have 18 hours to complete, and a 100-miler you have 24 hours to complete. So you're riding just extremely long times, in the dark, over mountains."
Susan Lowdermilk helps Morrill exercise the horses on weekends and other spare time, and also attends summer races with Morrill across the country. The two met at LCC through a mutual student who introduced them. They have since become not only good friends but riding partners as well. Lowdermilk is an Art and Applied Design instructor.
"It's like a marathon so there's people looking to win and people looking to finish, and I'm never looking to win because I'm a novice rider. I think even after six years there is a lot to know, but it's a great way to be outside and see the woods, and just learn something new, get exercise and communicate with this incredible animal. So it's really fun," Lowdermilk said.
Morrill started riding endurance because she had bought a Morgan horse that was too hyper to do a lot of other disciplines, and was told by a friend to try out endurance racing. The Morgan was good at endurance racing, but she just wasn't cut out for it. With a thick skin and high pulse, the Morgan could never compete for anything beyond pleasure.
Once Morrill became passionate about the sport and gained an understanding of the riding style, she realized that the perfect horses for the job would need to span long distances without straining themselves or take many breaks. She then decided to invest in a 20-year-old Seal Bay Akhal-Teke stallion to breed with her Morgan for the purpose of endurance racing, and has since had immense success in the sport because of her horses' abilities to span great distances without getting tired or even needing to stop very long to rest.
Meeting an Akhal-Teke is like meeting a piece of ancient history. The breed is not only one of the oldest breeds of horses on earth, but is also one of the most unusual and distinctive. The origin of the Akhal-Teke breed is the Turkmenistan Desert oases, and can be traced back over 2,500 years. They were considered heavenly horses in Chinese lore and the Russian Cossacks were often mounted on Akhal-Tekes because of their ability to handle climate extremes. They were the sole reason for many raids throughout history, and have been the prized mounts for many rulers. However, they are not to be taken on by an amateur. Akhal-Tekes are renowned for nothing more than their demand for a competent rider and their temper. Bred for survival through extreme heat and deprivation, they make the perfect endurance racing horses.
What sets endurance racing apart from other styles of horse racing is that the outcome is not dependent on how fast or hard somebody rides their horse, but on how well they know the horse and how they ride them. If one rides full sprint all the way to the veterinary check station then they will have to wait for their horse's pulse to return to normal again before finishing, whereas the rider who knows their horse's limits and maintains a steady rate just below that will hardly have to stop and wait for the pulse to drop back down before continuing.
"It's gorgeous. You're riding in snowstorms, you're riding in hundred and seven degree heat, it's everything. I mean half of it's the weather," Morrill said. "It's a nice family sport, and for horse sports, it's really down to earth people. It's just too hard to be less than gracious."
Morrill has been in races all over the United States including Arizona, California, Kansas, South Dakota as well as Alberta and Manitoba, Canada. Although she likes to stay mainly in the Northwest where she's close to home, friends and family.
Equestrians saddle up for local endurance ride
Orovillemr.com - Full Article
By KYRA GOTTESMAN - Special to the Mercury-Register
Posted: 11/05/2009 10:36:50 PM PST
OROVILLE -- Come rain or shine, more than 100 riders from all over the northwest will be saddling up for the 11th annual Lake Oroville Vista Endurance Ride on Saturday.
The LOVERide, featuring both 30- and 50-mile events, is among the most popular and renowned American Endurance Ride Conference sanctioned rides on the West Coast.
"With the stunning vistas our local trails have to offer, this event has put Oroville on the equestrian map of places to trail ride and horse camp," said Laurie Anderson, one of the ride's volunteers and participants. "We've had riders come from as far away as England come to participate in this event. We've had as many as 200 riders in past years and this year we expect well over 100 from California, Utah, Nevada and Oregon. Some riders come back year after year."
The LOVERide is managed by Oroville resident Kathy Papa and sponsored by the Mounted Assistance Unit of the California State Parks, in cooperation with the Department of Water Resources, which provides the staging areas and security for the annual event.
Both the 30- and 50-mile ride start and end at the Diversion Dam and loop up to Loafer Creek. The 50-mile ride continues with a loop on private property across Highway 162 and then back to the Diversion Dam.
More...
By KYRA GOTTESMAN - Special to the Mercury-Register
Posted: 11/05/2009 10:36:50 PM PST
OROVILLE -- Come rain or shine, more than 100 riders from all over the northwest will be saddling up for the 11th annual Lake Oroville Vista Endurance Ride on Saturday.
The LOVERide, featuring both 30- and 50-mile events, is among the most popular and renowned American Endurance Ride Conference sanctioned rides on the West Coast.
"With the stunning vistas our local trails have to offer, this event has put Oroville on the equestrian map of places to trail ride and horse camp," said Laurie Anderson, one of the ride's volunteers and participants. "We've had riders come from as far away as England come to participate in this event. We've had as many as 200 riders in past years and this year we expect well over 100 from California, Utah, Nevada and Oregon. Some riders come back year after year."
The LOVERide is managed by Oroville resident Kathy Papa and sponsored by the Mounted Assistance Unit of the California State Parks, in cooperation with the Department of Water Resources, which provides the staging areas and security for the annual event.
Both the 30- and 50-mile ride start and end at the Diversion Dam and loop up to Loafer Creek. The 50-mile ride continues with a loop on private property across Highway 162 and then back to the Diversion Dam.
More...
Thursday, November 05, 2009
The EQUUS Foundation/USEF Youth Convention—Reaching Out to the Equine Industry's Next Generation of Leaders
November 05 2009
By Phelps Media Group
Young equine enthusiasts from around the country are expected to attend the EQUUS Foundation/USEF Youth Convention on Saturday, January 16, 2010, in Louisville, KY. The Youth Convention, now in its third year, is held in conjunction with the USEF Annual Meeting for the purpose of uniting youth as well as for growing equine interest and participation.
Attendees will learn to become better horsemen, develop awareness of educational opportunities to pursue a career in the equine industry, and gain leadership skills to serve as future committee members. This all-day event will include a Star Power Panel of top athletes from USEF-recognized breeds and disciplines who will speak with youth about their experiences, backgrounds and enthusiasm for the horse, as well as answer questions. Experts in the equine industry will also be brought in to conduct breakout sessions regarding horse health; vaulting basics; interscholastic riding programs; college and career planning; affiliate youth programs; and a special session for parents, covering the basics of purchasing a first horse and competing. At the end of the day, attendees are invited to the Pegasus Reception and Awards Dinner, followed by a youth dance.
Colleges and Affiliates will have the opportunity to showcase information concerning their equine programs, equestrian teams and youth programs. Displays will remain up during the Youth Convention and the USEF Pegasus Reception on Saturday evening. Sponsorship opportunities are also available and donations of $25 or above will receive recognition in the EQUUS Foundation/USEF Youth Convention program.
The Youth Convention is an outreach program of the USEF Youth Council comprised of USEF members, 22 years of age and under. Youth Council members represent a variety of disciplines and organizations, including the American Connemara Pony Society, American Driving Society, American Endurance Ride Conference, American Morgan Horse Association, American Road Horse and Pony Association, American Saddlebred Horse Association, American Vaulting Association, Arabian Horse Association, International Andalusian Lusitano Horse Association, International Friesian Horse Society, National Reining Horse Association, National Show Horse Registry, Para-Equestrian, Paso Fino Horse Association, United States Dressage Federation, United States Eventing Association, United States Hunter Jumper Association, United States Pony Club, and the Welsh Pony and Cob Society of America.
The Convention is sponsored by The EQUUS Foundation to support the Youth Council goals to: 1) Provide strong and creative youth leadership for all equestrian sport in the United States; 2) Promote the pursuit of excellence in horsemanship from the grassroots to the top levels; 3) Advance the level of horsemanship across all disciplines throughout the United States; 4) Generate interest between competitors and enthusiasts from all breeds and disciplines; and 5) Educate members and the public about equestrian sport.
To learn more about the USEF Youth Council, visit the USEF website link at www.usef.org/_IFrames/Youth/council.aspx. Please direct any inquires to Jennifer Mellenkamp, USEF Youth Programs Director, (859) 225-6955 or jmellenkamp@usef.org.
For more about The EQUUS Foundation, visit www.equusfoundation.org.
By Phelps Media Group
Young equine enthusiasts from around the country are expected to attend the EQUUS Foundation/USEF Youth Convention on Saturday, January 16, 2010, in Louisville, KY. The Youth Convention, now in its third year, is held in conjunction with the USEF Annual Meeting for the purpose of uniting youth as well as for growing equine interest and participation.
Attendees will learn to become better horsemen, develop awareness of educational opportunities to pursue a career in the equine industry, and gain leadership skills to serve as future committee members. This all-day event will include a Star Power Panel of top athletes from USEF-recognized breeds and disciplines who will speak with youth about their experiences, backgrounds and enthusiasm for the horse, as well as answer questions. Experts in the equine industry will also be brought in to conduct breakout sessions regarding horse health; vaulting basics; interscholastic riding programs; college and career planning; affiliate youth programs; and a special session for parents, covering the basics of purchasing a first horse and competing. At the end of the day, attendees are invited to the Pegasus Reception and Awards Dinner, followed by a youth dance.
Colleges and Affiliates will have the opportunity to showcase information concerning their equine programs, equestrian teams and youth programs. Displays will remain up during the Youth Convention and the USEF Pegasus Reception on Saturday evening. Sponsorship opportunities are also available and donations of $25 or above will receive recognition in the EQUUS Foundation/USEF Youth Convention program.
The Youth Convention is an outreach program of the USEF Youth Council comprised of USEF members, 22 years of age and under. Youth Council members represent a variety of disciplines and organizations, including the American Connemara Pony Society, American Driving Society, American Endurance Ride Conference, American Morgan Horse Association, American Road Horse and Pony Association, American Saddlebred Horse Association, American Vaulting Association, Arabian Horse Association, International Andalusian Lusitano Horse Association, International Friesian Horse Society, National Reining Horse Association, National Show Horse Registry, Para-Equestrian, Paso Fino Horse Association, United States Dressage Federation, United States Eventing Association, United States Hunter Jumper Association, United States Pony Club, and the Welsh Pony and Cob Society of America.
The Convention is sponsored by The EQUUS Foundation to support the Youth Council goals to: 1) Provide strong and creative youth leadership for all equestrian sport in the United States; 2) Promote the pursuit of excellence in horsemanship from the grassroots to the top levels; 3) Advance the level of horsemanship across all disciplines throughout the United States; 4) Generate interest between competitors and enthusiasts from all breeds and disciplines; and 5) Educate members and the public about equestrian sport.
To learn more about the USEF Youth Council, visit the USEF website link at www.usef.org/_IFrames/Youth/council.aspx. Please direct any inquires to Jennifer Mellenkamp, USEF Youth Programs Director, (859) 225-6955 or jmellenkamp@usef.org.
For more about The EQUUS Foundation, visit www.equusfoundation.org.
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
Update on ACTHA Funding
Horses Hope and Healing….pretty much says it all... and ACTHA/Cavallo decided to help.
Recently ACTHA (The American Competitive Trail Horse Association) and Cavallo Horse and Rider Inc. teamed up with other ACTHA sponsors like Trail Blazer, Rick Lamb, Trail Town USA, Mayatex and others too numerous to mention, to see what could be done for the cause of Tiffany Oreglia and The Staff at Horses Hope and Healing, a non-profit in Sacramento California(www.horseshopehealing.com). "This is our business here at ACTHA" states Karen VanGetson Co-Founder of ACTHA, "and this was one we relished!"
In a nut shell HHH combines kids at risk with horses at risk (rescues). Together each finds a friend and each is bolstered in their travels through life. When Tiffany Oreglia, Founder of HHH was originally asked by Greg Giles of Cavallo as to how he could help, Tiffany said she had need for a new pitch fork and some other modest supplies.
Greg called Tom Scrima at ACTHA and shared his admiration of what this wonderful organization was doing with such modest funds. Together they embarked on giving what they could…a fishing pole and a few fish.
Through ACTHA's and Cavallo's help Tiffany and her crew at HHH were able to put on a ACTHA sanctioned ride where almost 100 riders came, competed, laughed and had a great time. With ACTHA and Cavallo's leadership sponsors flourished and great prizes were won by all. At the end of the day several THOUSAND dollars was raised by HHH and the work goes on.... smiling kids and grateful horses. Best of all HHH now has a proven way to consistently raise funds for their needs.
"In a perfect world this is how it should be, and who says we can’t strive for perfection?" states the 2 representatives from Cavallo and ACTHA, Greg Giles and Tom Scrima.
To date ACTHA has helped and enabled more than 100 wonderful charities and Causes like Tiffany's at Horses Hope and Healing.
We're proud of our members, sponsors and affiliates for making this possible...lets make it 1,000 !!!
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
U.S. Nationals Vendor Needs Your Immediate Help! - Stolen Truck and Trailer
November 3, 2009
Arabian Saddle Company's (ASC) truck and trailer, along with their entire show stock were stolen from the parking lot of the Extended Stay Hotel on Saturday night after packing up from U.S. Nationals in Tulsa, Okla. The goods alone are worth several hundred thousand dollars. If you or someone you know is offered a significantly reduced price on any of ASC's products, or you see their products advertised anywhere (ebay, local retail store, etc.), other than their official website or from an authorized dealer, please contact the Tulsa Police Department 918-596-COPS (2677) immediately.
Arabian Saddle Company's (ASC) truck and trailer, along with their entire show stock were stolen from the parking lot of the Extended Stay Hotel on Saturday night after packing up from U.S. Nationals in Tulsa, Okla. The goods alone are worth several hundred thousand dollars. If you or someone you know is offered a significantly reduced price on any of ASC's products, or you see their products advertised anywhere (ebay, local retail store, etc.), other than their official website or from an authorized dealer, please contact the Tulsa Police Department 918-596-COPS (2677) immediately.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Endurance Rider Ranking List "We made it"
A Horse Named Monk blog
The Ranking list is supposed to be the top 35 riders in the USA.. I think because of how they do the points you have more then the 35 because of maybe duplicate points. They calculate those points off of two rides, most riders need at least two 100 mile rides to have any chance of getting onto the list. 100 mile ride points count for 100%, 75 mile rides 75% and 50 mile rides 50%. So, even if you have a win at 50 miles or a 2nd at 75 miles like we do, just a finish at the 100 mile distance will give you more points.... It is much more complicated then that, but you get the drift. Lindsay made the list on our two top rides of a 75 mile ride and a 100 mile ride.
So, Lindsay Graham, is on the list in 22nd position. They say it makes no difference as to where you are on the list, once you are on the list your are on the list. We have one more ride to do in January, so her position may change some.
What this does is give us a INVITE to compete in one of three selection rides that are held across the country in June of 2010. Western USA will probably be held in Colorado.
After the three rides are completed the selectors will select the horses that they want to go back to an area somewhere around Kentucky for the final selection. This is about 6 weeks before the WEG... We don't know how many horses will go back, but we are guessing at about 20.. All but 6 of those horses will have the long drive home.
Our current game plan is to have MONK in tip top condition for the June selection and then fine tune him a little for the final selection with a peak for the games.
I have every confidence that we will make it to the final selection, where we will see if he is as good as we think he is. Proof is in the pudding and if he is not chosen we will go home with our heads held high.
Posted by Chris Martin
The Ranking list is supposed to be the top 35 riders in the USA.. I think because of how they do the points you have more then the 35 because of maybe duplicate points. They calculate those points off of two rides, most riders need at least two 100 mile rides to have any chance of getting onto the list. 100 mile ride points count for 100%, 75 mile rides 75% and 50 mile rides 50%. So, even if you have a win at 50 miles or a 2nd at 75 miles like we do, just a finish at the 100 mile distance will give you more points.... It is much more complicated then that, but you get the drift. Lindsay made the list on our two top rides of a 75 mile ride and a 100 mile ride.
So, Lindsay Graham, is on the list in 22nd position. They say it makes no difference as to where you are on the list, once you are on the list your are on the list. We have one more ride to do in January, so her position may change some.
What this does is give us a INVITE to compete in one of three selection rides that are held across the country in June of 2010. Western USA will probably be held in Colorado.
After the three rides are completed the selectors will select the horses that they want to go back to an area somewhere around Kentucky for the final selection. This is about 6 weeks before the WEG... We don't know how many horses will go back, but we are guessing at about 20.. All but 6 of those horses will have the long drive home.
Our current game plan is to have MONK in tip top condition for the June selection and then fine tune him a little for the final selection with a peak for the games.
I have every confidence that we will make it to the final selection, where we will see if he is as good as we think he is. Proof is in the pudding and if he is not chosen we will go home with our heads held high.
Posted by Chris Martin
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Arabian National Endurance and Competitive Trail Rides Underway
Horsechannel.com
Endurance and show Arabians compete simultaneously in Oklahoma this week.
October 28, 2009
endurance vet checkFor the first time ever, the Arabian Horse Association (AHA) has combined the Arabian National Endurance Ride and National Competitive Trail Ride into one week of exciting competition, October 27-31 at Lake Carl Blackwell in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Both National Endurance rides are American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) Sanctioned. An open AERC ride will follow the championships.
Competition began Tuesday with the 100-mile and 50-mile endurance races. The National Competitive Trail Ride runs Wednesday and Thursday. Winners will be given a special awards presentation during the final evening of U.S. Arabian Nationals in nearby Tulsa on Saturday, October 31.
To qualify for the AHA Championship Competitive Trail Ride, horses must have completed 100 miles of AHA recognized CTR, placed in the top five at a recognized regional CTR, or placed in the top ten at a national CTR.
The National Championship Endurance Ride includes a 50-mile and 100-mile ride. To qualify for the 50 mile, horses must have completed 200 lifetime miles of 50 mile or longer recognized endurance races. Qualifiers for the 100 mile must have completed 300 lifetime miles. In endurance competition, completion of a race means that not only must the horse and rider complete the entire route, but the horse must be pronounced fit to continue by an attending veterinarian.
The dates of the National Endurance rides coincide with that of the U.S. Nationals in Tulsa, Oklahoma, about an hour and half away, giving horse lovers in Oklahoma plenty to see. Arabians, Half-Arabians and Anglo-Arabians, known for their versatility and athleticism will be on display at the Distance Nationals and U.S. Nationals for the public to enjoy everything from the grueling 100 mile endurance ride to the glitz and glamour of Country English Pleasure.
Endurance and show Arabians compete simultaneously in Oklahoma this week.
October 28, 2009
endurance vet checkFor the first time ever, the Arabian Horse Association (AHA) has combined the Arabian National Endurance Ride and National Competitive Trail Ride into one week of exciting competition, October 27-31 at Lake Carl Blackwell in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Both National Endurance rides are American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) Sanctioned. An open AERC ride will follow the championships.
Competition began Tuesday with the 100-mile and 50-mile endurance races. The National Competitive Trail Ride runs Wednesday and Thursday. Winners will be given a special awards presentation during the final evening of U.S. Arabian Nationals in nearby Tulsa on Saturday, October 31.
To qualify for the AHA Championship Competitive Trail Ride, horses must have completed 100 miles of AHA recognized CTR, placed in the top five at a recognized regional CTR, or placed in the top ten at a national CTR.
The National Championship Endurance Ride includes a 50-mile and 100-mile ride. To qualify for the 50 mile, horses must have completed 200 lifetime miles of 50 mile or longer recognized endurance races. Qualifiers for the 100 mile must have completed 300 lifetime miles. In endurance competition, completion of a race means that not only must the horse and rider complete the entire route, but the horse must be pronounced fit to continue by an attending veterinarian.
The dates of the National Endurance rides coincide with that of the U.S. Nationals in Tulsa, Oklahoma, about an hour and half away, giving horse lovers in Oklahoma plenty to see. Arabians, Half-Arabians and Anglo-Arabians, known for their versatility and athleticism will be on display at the Distance Nationals and U.S. Nationals for the public to enjoy everything from the grueling 100 mile endurance ride to the glitz and glamour of Country English Pleasure.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Stable Scoop Episode 62 – Extreme Horsewomen Revisited:
Stable Scoop Episode 62
October 25 2009
Race Car Driver/Eventer Liz Halliday and California Highway Patrol/Endurance Rider Kassandra DiMaggio return to give us an update on their Extreme Horsewomen lives. Listen in as we speak again with these amazing women….
Listen to the Radio interview
October 25 2009
Race Car Driver/Eventer Liz Halliday and California Highway Patrol/Endurance Rider Kassandra DiMaggio return to give us an update on their Extreme Horsewomen lives. Listen in as we speak again with these amazing women….
Listen to the Radio interview
Monday, October 26, 2009
Work begins to extend Centennial Trail north of Arlington
Heraldnet.com - Full Article
October 26, 2009
By Noah Haglund
Herald Writer
ARLINGTON — Walk onto the old railroad trestle north of town and you'll see the Stillaguamish River at a dizzying distance below.
Anybody brave enough to venture too far would run into a sign: "This corridor is closed to all public use."
Before too long, this sign could turn into a welcome mat.
Work is expected to begin today to extend the Centennial Trail, Snohomish County parks' most popular attraction, by 8 miles north from the trestle. By early next year, this path to the Skagit County line could open a window to rural landscapes, and a new portal for tourism in Arlington.
"This next portion, it's just really different. It's more rural, more wild country," said Beth Hill, a horse-riding enthusiast from Marysville and the Centennial Trail Coalition's incoming chairwoman. "You're very much riding through woods and woody hillsides. It's just got a different feel to it."
The first 6-mile section between Snohomish and Lake Stevens opened in 1989, Washington's centennial.
Now, the trail goes from Snohomish north of Marsyville with few interruptions. The only major gap in the 17-mile run to Arlington is a mile or so where it spills onto 67th Avenue NE, a two-lane county road.
More...
October 26, 2009
By Noah Haglund
Herald Writer
ARLINGTON — Walk onto the old railroad trestle north of town and you'll see the Stillaguamish River at a dizzying distance below.
Anybody brave enough to venture too far would run into a sign: "This corridor is closed to all public use."
Before too long, this sign could turn into a welcome mat.
Work is expected to begin today to extend the Centennial Trail, Snohomish County parks' most popular attraction, by 8 miles north from the trestle. By early next year, this path to the Skagit County line could open a window to rural landscapes, and a new portal for tourism in Arlington.
"This next portion, it's just really different. It's more rural, more wild country," said Beth Hill, a horse-riding enthusiast from Marysville and the Centennial Trail Coalition's incoming chairwoman. "You're very much riding through woods and woody hillsides. It's just got a different feel to it."
The first 6-mile section between Snohomish and Lake Stevens opened in 1989, Washington's centennial.
Now, the trail goes from Snohomish north of Marsyville with few interruptions. The only major gap in the 17-mile run to Arlington is a mile or so where it spills onto 67th Avenue NE, a two-lane county road.
More...
Friday, October 23, 2009
Great Britain: Code to make horse feeds safer for competition horses
Horseandhound.co.uk - Full Article
Charlotte White, H&H deputy news editor
22 October, 2009
A new voluntary code has been introduced by UK horse feed manufacturers and the British Equine Traders Association (BETA) to reduce the risk of naturally occurring prohibited substances (NOPS), like morphine and caffeine, getting into feed.
The code was implemented on 1 October with commitment from leading manufacturers including Baileys, Blue Chip, British Horse Feeds, Dodson & Horrell, Natural Animal Feeds, Red Mills, Saracen, Spillers, TopSpec and Dengie.
The companies have signed up to stringent quality management procedures in the sourcing, storage, transport and manufacturing processes of their products.
Suppliers of raw materials will be regularly audited and staff will also undergo rigorous training to ensure strict adherence to the code.
More...
Charlotte White, H&H deputy news editor
22 October, 2009
A new voluntary code has been introduced by UK horse feed manufacturers and the British Equine Traders Association (BETA) to reduce the risk of naturally occurring prohibited substances (NOPS), like morphine and caffeine, getting into feed.
The code was implemented on 1 October with commitment from leading manufacturers including Baileys, Blue Chip, British Horse Feeds, Dodson & Horrell, Natural Animal Feeds, Red Mills, Saracen, Spillers, TopSpec and Dengie.
The companies have signed up to stringent quality management procedures in the sourcing, storage, transport and manufacturing processes of their products.
Suppliers of raw materials will be regularly audited and staff will also undergo rigorous training to ensure strict adherence to the code.
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Monday, October 19, 2009
Cloud Returns to PBS Nature Series in New Program
The Cloud Foundation
Cloud: Challenge of the Stallions premieres Sunday evening, October 25th, 2009 on PBS stations nationwide. This program is the next chapter in the exciting life of the charismatic stallion, Cloud, and the wild horses of the spectacular Arrowhead Mountains of Montana. This new adventure captures the twists and turns of a complex family drama in a unique wild horse wilderness. Cloud: Challenge of the Stallions is a tale of two stallions, Cloud and Shaman, who raise each other’s sons: Flint and Bolder. When the loveable colts mature into adult challengers, they battle the very stallions who raised them. Five years in the making, this unpredictable tale is both epic and intimate, tragic and joyful.
[...more]
Cloud: Challenge of the Stallions premieres Sunday evening, October 25th, 2009 on PBS stations nationwide. This program is the next chapter in the exciting life of the charismatic stallion, Cloud, and the wild horses of the spectacular Arrowhead Mountains of Montana. This new adventure captures the twists and turns of a complex family drama in a unique wild horse wilderness. Cloud: Challenge of the Stallions is a tale of two stallions, Cloud and Shaman, who raise each other’s sons: Flint and Bolder. When the loveable colts mature into adult challengers, they battle the very stallions who raised them. Five years in the making, this unpredictable tale is both epic and intimate, tragic and joyful.
[...more]
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Back Country Horsemen of America Participates in Trail Work Days Across the Country
October 15 2009
by Sarah Wynne Jackson
Back Country Horsemen of America is the leading organization in saving public lands trails for equestrian use, but they share their passion for protecting our wildernesses with a wide variety of other organizations from coast to coast. Some of those groups promote conservation of the natural character of the land while others are more focused on a particular activity such as hiking or mountain biking.
In an effort to make the public more aware of their cause and to give folks a can't-miss opportunity to get involved, many of those organizations host special events throughout the year. In order to develop and sustain valuable relationships with other trail user groups and public lands advocates, Back Country Horsemen of America seizes upon these designated days as perfect occasions to improve and maintain trails for everyone's use.
As BCHA members labor alongside those from other organizations, a unique camaraderie and mutual understanding emerge, and the differences between them disappear as the lands we all care about are preserved.
Take Pride in America Day
On May 2, the Hoosier National Forest held their 23rd annual Take Pride in America Day. Located in the hills of south central Indiana, the Hoosier National Forest encompasses 200,000 acres of rolling hills, back country trails, and rural crossroad communities, along with some rare ecosystems. Take Pride in America Day is a special time set aside to encourage volunteerism and enjoyment of our nation's public lands.
Hoosier Back Country Horsemen of Indiana couldn't resist the chance to get involved with caring for a national forest. HBCH covered 36 miles of trails in the Charles C. Deam Wilderness on foot, de-berming and cleaning water bars. They also picked up trash on the trails and around the campground. In all, 151 water bars were maintained in Hoosier National Forest and 37 cubic yards of trash were removed.
In the true spirit of Back Country Horsemen of America, HBCH worked alongside other trail users, such as hikers, Boy Scout Troops, and school groups. They were some of over 200 volunteers that took part in various work projects, making it possible to accomplish more than had been planned for Take Pride in America Day.
The Deam Wilderness in Hoosier National Forest is one example of the need for horses and mules in maintaining back country trails. Since its designation as a wilderness in 1982, visitor use in the area increased to a point that significant damage was occurring. Regulations were put in place to protect these 13,000 acres from the impact of people. Because those regulations prohibit the use of wheeled vehicles (including non-motorized carts and wagons), pack stock is the only way to bring in the gravel, tools, and other materials that are needed to maintain the trails and campgrounds.
Horses and mules are also used as a replacement for mechanical equipment, such as tractors. A Vulcan hillside plow, a traditional horse- or mule-drawn agricultural implement for plowing on steep ground, is used to dig trail corridors before the trails are graded to a smooth surface. Without this natural "horsepower," the Deam Wilderness would be subjected to excessive damage from wheeled vehicles or would have to be allowed to deteriorate.
National Trails Day
The American Hiking Society, a fellow organization in the pursuit of preserving wild lands, held their National Trails Day on June 6. An annual event since 1993, NTD is a time to inspire people nationwide to discover, learn about, and celebrate trails while participating in educational exhibits, trail dedications, gear demonstrations, instructional workshops, and trail work projects. Of course, Back Country Horsemen of America members see it as the perfect opportunity to put their hands to the worthwhile effort of caring for our wilderness trails.
Bob Gish, President of Back Country Horsemen of Washington, encouraged local BCHW chapters to organize NTD projects in their area and urged the formation of partnerships with public land management agencies. Ten BCHW chapters responded by getting involved with various projects throughout Washington State: Lewis County, Pierce County, Ferry County, Scatter Creek Riders, Inland Empire, Buckhorn Range, Oakland Bay, Okanogan Valley, Grays Harbor, and Northeast chapters.
The Lewis County Chapter of Back Country Horsemen of Washington celebrated National Trails Day by organizing a work party to clear two Packwood Lake trails in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. The popular trails lead to the pristine Goat Rocks Wilderness and are usually cleared before Memorial Day weekend. This year, however, winter snow accumulation and a late spring snowmelt kept the two trails into Packwood Lake covered until after the end of May.
The Southern Appalachian Back Country Horsemen of Tennessee also participated in a National Trails Day project last year. SABCH volunteers put in 86 hours of work constructing a bridge over a segment of the Bullet Creek Trail on Starr Mountain in the Cherokee National Forest. The bridge was needed for control of natural and man-made resource damage to the banks at the creek crossing. This is a multi-use trail with horseback riding and hiking use.
The project was submitted to the American Quarter Horse Association for their 2008 National Stewardship Award. The SABCH group was awarded one of ten regional prizes of $1,000 for the completion of this project. SABCH has been and is currently involved in a number of trail building projects in the south portion of the Cherokee National Forest, and donated over 1300 volunteer hours in 2008. In the last three years, they have built 41 additional miles of trail and flagged an additional 33 miles for projected clearing in portions of the Cherokee National Forest.
About Back Country Horsemen of America
BCHA is a non-profit corporation made up of state organizations, affiliates, and at large members. Their efforts have brought about positive changes in regards to the use of horses and stock in the wilderness and public lands.
If you want to know more about Back Country Horsemen of America or become a member, visit their website: www.backcountryhorse.com, call 888-893-5161, or write PO Box 1367, Graham, WA 98338-1367. The future of horse use on public lands is in our hands!
Contact: Peg Greiwe
Back Country Horsemen of America
by Sarah Wynne Jackson
Back Country Horsemen of America is the leading organization in saving public lands trails for equestrian use, but they share their passion for protecting our wildernesses with a wide variety of other organizations from coast to coast. Some of those groups promote conservation of the natural character of the land while others are more focused on a particular activity such as hiking or mountain biking.
In an effort to make the public more aware of their cause and to give folks a can't-miss opportunity to get involved, many of those organizations host special events throughout the year. In order to develop and sustain valuable relationships with other trail user groups and public lands advocates, Back Country Horsemen of America seizes upon these designated days as perfect occasions to improve and maintain trails for everyone's use.
As BCHA members labor alongside those from other organizations, a unique camaraderie and mutual understanding emerge, and the differences between them disappear as the lands we all care about are preserved.
Take Pride in America Day
On May 2, the Hoosier National Forest held their 23rd annual Take Pride in America Day. Located in the hills of south central Indiana, the Hoosier National Forest encompasses 200,000 acres of rolling hills, back country trails, and rural crossroad communities, along with some rare ecosystems. Take Pride in America Day is a special time set aside to encourage volunteerism and enjoyment of our nation's public lands.
Hoosier Back Country Horsemen of Indiana couldn't resist the chance to get involved with caring for a national forest. HBCH covered 36 miles of trails in the Charles C. Deam Wilderness on foot, de-berming and cleaning water bars. They also picked up trash on the trails and around the campground. In all, 151 water bars were maintained in Hoosier National Forest and 37 cubic yards of trash were removed.
In the true spirit of Back Country Horsemen of America, HBCH worked alongside other trail users, such as hikers, Boy Scout Troops, and school groups. They were some of over 200 volunteers that took part in various work projects, making it possible to accomplish more than had been planned for Take Pride in America Day.
The Deam Wilderness in Hoosier National Forest is one example of the need for horses and mules in maintaining back country trails. Since its designation as a wilderness in 1982, visitor use in the area increased to a point that significant damage was occurring. Regulations were put in place to protect these 13,000 acres from the impact of people. Because those regulations prohibit the use of wheeled vehicles (including non-motorized carts and wagons), pack stock is the only way to bring in the gravel, tools, and other materials that are needed to maintain the trails and campgrounds.
Horses and mules are also used as a replacement for mechanical equipment, such as tractors. A Vulcan hillside plow, a traditional horse- or mule-drawn agricultural implement for plowing on steep ground, is used to dig trail corridors before the trails are graded to a smooth surface. Without this natural "horsepower," the Deam Wilderness would be subjected to excessive damage from wheeled vehicles or would have to be allowed to deteriorate.
National Trails Day
The American Hiking Society, a fellow organization in the pursuit of preserving wild lands, held their National Trails Day on June 6. An annual event since 1993, NTD is a time to inspire people nationwide to discover, learn about, and celebrate trails while participating in educational exhibits, trail dedications, gear demonstrations, instructional workshops, and trail work projects. Of course, Back Country Horsemen of America members see it as the perfect opportunity to put their hands to the worthwhile effort of caring for our wilderness trails.
Bob Gish, President of Back Country Horsemen of Washington, encouraged local BCHW chapters to organize NTD projects in their area and urged the formation of partnerships with public land management agencies. Ten BCHW chapters responded by getting involved with various projects throughout Washington State: Lewis County, Pierce County, Ferry County, Scatter Creek Riders, Inland Empire, Buckhorn Range, Oakland Bay, Okanogan Valley, Grays Harbor, and Northeast chapters.
The Lewis County Chapter of Back Country Horsemen of Washington celebrated National Trails Day by organizing a work party to clear two Packwood Lake trails in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. The popular trails lead to the pristine Goat Rocks Wilderness and are usually cleared before Memorial Day weekend. This year, however, winter snow accumulation and a late spring snowmelt kept the two trails into Packwood Lake covered until after the end of May.
The Southern Appalachian Back Country Horsemen of Tennessee also participated in a National Trails Day project last year. SABCH volunteers put in 86 hours of work constructing a bridge over a segment of the Bullet Creek Trail on Starr Mountain in the Cherokee National Forest. The bridge was needed for control of natural and man-made resource damage to the banks at the creek crossing. This is a multi-use trail with horseback riding and hiking use.
The project was submitted to the American Quarter Horse Association for their 2008 National Stewardship Award. The SABCH group was awarded one of ten regional prizes of $1,000 for the completion of this project. SABCH has been and is currently involved in a number of trail building projects in the south portion of the Cherokee National Forest, and donated over 1300 volunteer hours in 2008. In the last three years, they have built 41 additional miles of trail and flagged an additional 33 miles for projected clearing in portions of the Cherokee National Forest.
About Back Country Horsemen of America
BCHA is a non-profit corporation made up of state organizations, affiliates, and at large members. Their efforts have brought about positive changes in regards to the use of horses and stock in the wilderness and public lands.
If you want to know more about Back Country Horsemen of America or become a member, visit their website: www.backcountryhorse.com, call 888-893-5161, or write PO Box 1367, Graham, WA 98338-1367. The future of horse use on public lands is in our hands!
Contact: Peg Greiwe
Back Country Horsemen of America
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