Members of Congress meet with American Horse Council

July 15, 2011

This year’s American Horse Council National Issues Forum, entitled “Congress on a Diet: What It Means for the Horse Industry,” highlighted the current budget environment in Washington. The issues forum was part of the AHC annual meeting held from June 19th to the 22nd that also included the annual Congressional Ride-In, AHC committee meetings, and a Congressional Reception.

Several Members of Congress spoke to attendees during the issues forum including Congressman Hal Rogers (R-KY), the Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, Congressmen Dennis Cardoza (D-CA) and Brett Guthrie (R-KY), who are the co-chairs of the Congressional Horse Caucus, as well as Congressman John Yarmouth (D-KY).

“The AHC is grateful to have had so many Members of Congress come give us their perspective on the fiscal challenges facing the country. There were several different viewpoints, but the message was clear that when it comes to spending it will not be ‘business as usual’ in Washington,” Said AHC President Jay Hickey. “Without a doubt we will be seeing less federal spending and that could impact the horse industry in many different ways.”

The remainder of the issues forum included presentations from several individuals from federal agencies, state health officials and other organizations. Dr. John Clifford, Deputy Administrator and Chief Veterinary Officer for USDA’s Veterinary Services, and Dr. Guy Hohenhaus, President of the National Assembly of State Animal Health Officials, discussed some of the issues USDA and state veterinarians face in responding to and mitigating equine disease outbreaks under current budgetary constraints.

“Contrasting the current fiscal environment with recent equine disease outbreaks, such as Equine Herpesvirus, further underscores the importance for USDA, state animal health officials and the industry to maintain a strong partnership and collaborate in our continued efforts to safeguard the health of our horses and our industry,” said Dudley Hoskins, AHC Director of Health and Regulator Affairs.

“Presentations by Robert Perrin from the Bureau of Land Management and Anne Merwin of the Wilderness Society drove home the point that recreational opportunities on public land could be in danger,” said AHC Legislative Director Ben Pendergrass. “It will be important to fight to preserve adequate funding for public lands, but equestrians are also going to have to explore public/private partnerships with federal, state and local government to keep trails open to equestrians.”

Additionally, attendees received updates on the national equine health initiative, the activities of the Unwanted Horse Coalition, the status of the national animal identification system, the Americas Great Outdoors Initiative and a discussion about how the horse industry can improve its political activities with a focus on the 2012 elections.

“I believe we had a very informative National Issues Forum this year,” said Hickey. “We brought together Members of Congress, key federal agency officials, and leaders in the horse industry and everyone came away with a better understanding of the challenges we face in the coming years.”

July 14, 2011

Breyerfest brings model horse collectors and live horse entertainment to Kentucky

Horse Illustrated

July 14, 2011

Equine fantasies and fairy tales will come true for more than 6,000 Breyer fans and horse lovers when BreyerFest, the annual horse fair and model horse collector festival hosted by Breyer Animal Creations®, prances into Lexington, KY for its 22nd consecutive festival at the Kentucky Horse Park. BreyerFest will be held Fri.-Sun., July 15th-17th rain or shine. The three-day family festival features nationally known equine entertainers, a trade show, petting zoo, free pony rides, fine Artisans’ Gallery, model horse customizing workshops, a free craft & activity tent, dog agility and more! Most importantly, BreyerFest is a place where kids and horses can connect.

Matt McLaughlin’s Pecos has claimed the coveted spot as the 2011 BreyerFest Celebration Horse, the horse whose Breyer portrait model comes with each three-day ticket. Pecos is a gorgeous Andalusian stallion descended from the Champion of Champions Legionario III of Spain (also honored as a Breyer model). They will perform their signature garrocha act daily.

Also performing daily will be the Awesome Aussie Guy McLean, dubbed the “Steve Irwin of horses.” He has brought his four Australian-bred horses out of the Outback and into America dazzling crowds with their mesmerizing performances. Mark & Dusty will prove to you that there is no limit to what you can teach your horse to do. Mark Peterson and Dusty have traveled the country showcasing Dusty’s astonishing ability to learn new tricks and skills on command! The All American Cowgirl Chicks, a team of daredevil, trick riders whose performance partners are rescue horses and rehabilitated mustangs, will dazzle audiences delivering thrills and chills as well as demonstrating the importance of equine rescue and rehabilitation.

BreyerFest will also welcome Kentucky’s own knight in shining armor, when Dan Peterson, director of the Don F. Pratt Museum, Fort Campbell, KY brings his Medieval Pavilion to life. The 30’ pavilion is complete with artifacts, period clothing, furnishings and full suits of armor.

As always, BreyerFest is the place where kids can connect with the horses that inspired the Breyer models. This year’s event features a stellar assembly of the most portrait models ever. Breyer Portrait Models include: KONG, the legendary ‘wheeler’ of the famed Priefert Ranch Equipment Hitch, a massive Percheron, who performs for more than six million people each year. Sato, a Jockey Club registered Thoroughbred stallion that is an extremely rare palomino pinto sabino. He has flashy Paint coloration and the elegant conformation of a Thoroughbred. Kripton Seni II, stunning Andalusian was a USEF Horse of the Year honoree and has more than twelve (12) National Championship titles to his record. TS Black Tie Affair, a 7/8 Arabian Pinto that has won an astonishing 22 Pinto World and Reserve World Championships and two Pinto All-Around Pleasure High Point titles. And Grand Central, grandson of Prince Jester, a Missouri Fox Trotter stallion that is a three-time World Grand Champion. Prince Jester has sired 15 World Grand Champions, six Reserve World Champions, and six Futurity/World Champions.

Other Activities include:

40 unique and thrilling equine performances: Friesians, minis, Pony Club Mounted Games, and much more!
Breyer Craft Activity Center – FREE craft activities for children!
FREE pony rides
Exotic petting zoo with camel rides
Dog Agility (on Saturday only)
Autograph sessions with guest horses and speakers.
65-Booth Trade Fair featuring equestrian collectibles, equine art, jewelry and more.
Breyer Store – Find models made ONLY for BreyerFest plus much more!
Model Horse Shows: Open, Youth and Children (pre-registration)
Model Hobby Workshops (pre-registration required)
Free Seminars: Learn to Collect Model Horses, Valuing Your Breyer Collection and more!
Artisans’ Gallery featuring top equine artists/sculptors at the Clarion Hotel
A Swap Meet for buying, selling, swapping model horses at the Clarion Hotel

TICKETS: Tickets are available for purchase on-site at the BreyerFest Ticket Booth at KHP.

Single Day Tickets: Adults: $20 / Children 7-13 yrs: $10 – Each paid ticket comes with a Ltd. Ed. Breyer Stablemates® model horse available only at BreyerFest while supplies last.
Three Day Tickets: Adults: $85 / 7-13 yrs: $55 – Comes with 2011 Celebration Horse model, Pecos, a Ltd. Ed. Traditional® Breyer model valued at $40 – available only at BreyerFest while supplies last.

Visit www.BreyerHorses.com for more information or call 973-633-5090.

July 13, 2011

Horse Illustrated Super Senior Contest

Enter your senior horse into this Horse Illustrated contest for a chance to win!

July 13, 2011

Helmet Safety Symposium scheduled for Saturday, July 23

Abigail Boatwright

July 13, 2011

Dressage rider and USEF Safety Committee rider representative Reese Koffler-Stanfield will be one of the panelists at the Helmet Safety Symposium. Photo: Leslie Potter

The equestrian helmet awareness campaign Riders4Helmets will be presenting the second Helmet Safety Symposium this weekend in Lexington, Kentucky.

The previous symposium, held last winter in Wellington, Florida, was very well-received. This follow-up will feature presentations and panel discussions on a wide variety of topics related to equestrian safety and injury prevention. Topics include traumatic brain injury, the role of professional riders in helmet awareness, safety standards for equestrian helmets, and how to increase acceptance of helmet use among equestrians.

Presenters include John Long, CEO of the United States Equestrian Federation, retired jockey PJ Cooksey, Grand Prix dressage rider Reese Koffler-Stanfield; eventer Cathy Wieschhoff, Riders4Helmets co-founder Lyndsey White, and other equestrians and physicians.

Additionally, a video presentation titled “Expect the Unexpected” by Olympic dressage rider Courtney King Dye will kick off the event. King Dye’s 2010 riding accent that left her in a coma was the inspiration for the Riders4Helmets campaign.

The symposium is free and open to the public, but pre-registration is encouraged. To learn more, visit www.riders4helmets.com

Dressage for everybody

July 13, 2011

Snoopy kindly tolerates my whims, from trying out dressage to posing with the resulting ribbon so I can have a photo to post on the Internet. What a good boy. Photo: Leslie Potter

They say dressage is good for every horse and rider. It’s just correct training, right? So when the announcement for my boarding stable’s annual dressage and combined test show series came up, I said, “Why not?” and signed Snoopy up for Intro Test A.

I rode dressage for a semester in college and even showed. Of course, I rode a knowledgeable schoolmaster back then, and that was right around ten years ago. Snoopy’s dressage history was even shorter, which is to say, he didn’t have any. He was bred and trained from day one to be a saddle seat horse for the Morgan breed circuit, and he was good at that. But I’m quite certain he’s never had a real dressage rider on his back.

Still, how hard could a walk/trot test be? It’s just a couple of circles and diagonal lines. But in the days leading up to the show, I was feeling nervous. I wasn’t worried about not doing well. In fact, I fully expected not to do well. But I was worried I’d do something stupid, like forget to salute or enter the ring at the wrong time. I felt like a stranger in a strange land, but I didn’t want to make it obvious to everyone else that I was.

On show day, I went out to the barn in the morning so I’d have plenty of time to get ready and maybe watch some of the earlier rides before my mid-afternoon ride time. Upon arriving at the barn, I realized my white saddle pad was sitting at home, right where I’d left it after washing it the previous day. I looked at my alternate saddle pad, which is a lovely shade of bright purple, and decided I’d better hurry. I retrieved Snoopy from the pasture and gave him a quick bath, then drove the twenty minutes home to retrieve the pad.

Lesson 1: Always use a checklist when packing for the show, even when it’s at your own barn.

I made it home and back without cutting it too close. Since Snoopy’s long, Morgany mane is unpulled, I put it up in a running braid before tacking him up with the freshly cleaned white pad and the jumping saddle that just screamed, “I’m not a real dressage rider!” I put on his bridle, trying to avoid getting slobber on my white shirt. I toweled off my boots, climbed aboard, and off we went.

After a brief spook at the bit check lady, Snoopy relaxed. Or maybe he decided it was too hot to put energy into worrying about all of the strange people and horses that appeared at the farm.

The rider ahead of us completed her test, and off we went. I prepared for a major spook, but Snoopy trotted right by the judge’s booth without batting an eye as we circled the arena. After trotting both directions, I brought him down to a walk and started wondering if I had to wait for the whistle, or if I could just go in any time. My thoughts were interrupted by the judge yelling that she’d already blown the whistle. Oops. I thought that was just someone cheering over at the jumper ring! I turned Snoopy around and headed in.

Lesson 2: Know what the whistle sounds like before it’s your turn.

The next few minutes are kind of a blur. I remember that Snoopy had his game face on as we boldly entered the ring, and that he still didn’t give the seemingly scary judge’s booth a second thought. I had solicited advice from dressage-riding friends prior to show day, and they’d told me I should focus on accuracy. With that in mind, I concentrated on making sure my circles went all the way out to X and my diagonal lines were as straight as possible.

Somewhere near the end of the second and final 20-meter circle I realized that it had taken us a really long time to make it around. The next instruction was to transition to a walk between C and M. I had intended to trot to M and transition there, but Snoopy must have been studying the test and knew he didn’t have to keep going. At C, he slammed on the brakes. I pictured a fuel gauge on the back of his head with the needle pointed at E. Fortunately, all we had left was a free walk, then a medium walk to X, halt, and salute.

I have Snoopy big pats as he sauntered boredly out of the ring. I thanked the judge, and she replied, “Your horse is adorable!”

“Thank you!” I said.

“Hooray!” I thought, wondering if the “horse cuteness” score had a coefficient of two.

After cooling Snoopy out, giving him lots of treats and putting him back in his paddock, I went to find out my score. And there it was: 58%. I knew that wasn’t great. If it was a math test, I would have just earned an F. But was it okay for our first time out? It was good enough for fifth place, anyway.

I’m finding that there are two things to love about dressage shows. One is that they tell you exactly what time you’ll ride. No guessing necessary. The second is the judge’s remarks. It’s nice to know why you scored how you did. For us, we started really strong, earning an 8 on our entrance! But after that, we quickly declined to mostly 5s with consistent comments about needing more bend and more impulsion. Our final halt and salute earned us another 8. It was a hot day. Snoopy was really into halting.

In the “further remarks” section, the judge wrote, “Cute pair!” Aw, yeah we are! Not surprisingly, this was followed by advice to work on bend and impulsion to improve future scores. In my quest to be accurate, I guess I did sort of forget to RIDE. I’ll know for next time. And there will be a next time. Move over, Ravel. Snoopy is a dressage horse now.

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Back to The Near Side

Watch the Shetland Pony Congress live online this week

Horse Illustrated

July 12, 2011

History in the making has been the theme every year for the last 65 years of the National Shetland Congress Show. It started back in 1947 with a very dedicated man who gave extraordinary time and energy to coordinate the 1st National Shetland Pony Congress. Mr. William A. Simpson was held in high regard as one of the best Welsh, Shetland and Hackney breeders in the United States at that time. The event was held during one of the largest fairs in the world- the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, Iowa. The show was meant to be a “Breeders’ Showcase” that encouraged breeders to show off their achievements in Shetland Pony breeding. The ponies were judged by a standard of perfection set by the American Shetland Pony Club (ASPC).

The National Shetland Pony Congress continued on into the 1950s with upwards to 300 quality Shetlands presented annually. It was 1997 when the 50th anniversary of the Shetland Congress was celebrated. That year the Classic Congress was held in Mason City Iowa and the Modern Congress was held in Columbus, OH.

Watch a live feed from the 2011 Shetland Pony Congress Below. Click here if you are unable to view the feed.

The 2011 American Shetland Pony Congress will be a history making event! The Opening Ceremony will be held in the original Congress Arena in the Iowa State Fair Coliseum with a presentation of past Congress Champions. Although Mr. Bill Simpson is no longer here to witness this awesome commemorative reenactment of his 1st National Shetland Congress, Mr. VanDeWalle will be here from Iowa, who was the 1st Official Ring Master of the 1947 American Shetland Congress Show! He will be included in this ceremony along with many other ASPC members whose families and relatives have participated over the past seven decades of the Congress Show. ASPC is expecting over 500 ponies to compete this year for Congress Titles.

When asked what keeps the family involved Amy Roberts said, “There’s something about these ponies, these events and the people involved. No other equine organization can boast of anything even close to the Congress and what such an event means to its people in terms of tenure and both the ability to attract new people AND retain so many long-term stables.”

The Roberts Family of Willow Hill Illinois has their 5th generation of family showing American Shetland Ponies.

“We look for this to be a spectacular Congress,” said ASPC President Pat Sanders. “I see this as a destination which Congress has been looking for several years and we hope it will become the permanent home for the American Shetland Congress Show.”

All are invited to join the ASPC in celebration of the 65th Annual American Shetland Pony Congress. The Event is going back home to where it all began and will continue this history making event for the future generations of the American Shetland Pony!

Question of the Week: Finding a Trainer

July 12, 2011

Q: I need help finding a credible trainer who won’t bankrupt my budget. I’ve heard so many horror stories. What should I look for in a good trainer? What questions should I ask? What’s a reasonable amount to pay for training?

A: Since horse trainers aren’t required to undergo any sort of licensing or certification in the United States, pretty much anyone can declare they are a professional and charge a fee for their expertise. While it seems like bad word of mouth would soon force them out of business, that isn’t often the case. They either rely on a continuous batch of new, naive clients or they simply pull up stakes and relocate. Yet don’t let these bad apples keep you from your quest. There are plenty of wonderful professional trainers out there who have the skills, talent and personal integrity to help you and your horse. Here are a few tips on how to find them.

Begin by having a clear vision of what you want done with your horse. Do you want professional training so your horse can compete in a particular discipline, like jumping or reining? Then you’ll need someone whose focus is on that area with current, documented success. They needn’t be the trainer of a World Show champion, but they should be producing ribbon-winners at the level where you and your horse fit. If you’re more interested in general, all-around training, or your horse needs schooling to address a bad habit he’s acquired (like bucking or bolting) then search for a trainer who promotes their ability to work with green or “problem” horses. Essentially it’s like shopping for a specialist. Beware of any trainer who says they do everything. Unless they manage a staff of assistants, such multi-tasking is unrealistic.

Once you’ve narrowed your search to a few trainers, visit their stable and watch them in action. Do the horses seem fit, healthy and happy? Just as important, do the clients seem to be having fun? The overall atmosphere at the barn is especially important if you intend to take lessons, too. Though you’re hiring a trainer for their horsemanship skills, you won’t be happy if their personality and teaching style are unbearable. When the trainer has a free moment, ask plenty of questions and expect direct answers. Does the training fee include board? How many rides are included each month? Are lessons extra? What happens to the schedule if the trainer is away at a show or becomes ill or injured? A true professional should have printed material handy that explicitly spells out set fees for services. Your monthly bill shouldn’t be a surprise.

Predicting a reasonable charge for training is difficult, because it can vary from region to region. In general, trainers working in metropolitan areas are more expensive, because land for horses is at a premium. But expect some variation in rates charged in your immediate area, regardless of where you live. For example, someone with a string of national champions in their barn, and who offers posh services and amenities, may charge more than a no-frills trainer who caters to pony club riders and backyard horse owners. Yet don’t rely simply on price to make a decision. Sure, training fees must fit your budget, but every dime will be wasted if you don’t do your homework and find a trainer who’s a true professional.

–Cindy Hale

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Road to the Horse International tickets on sale now

Horse Illustrated

July 11, 2011

Dan James rode in the opening ceremonies at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. He will compete for Australia at the 2012 Road to the Horse International. Photo: Leslie Potter

The format has been released, the competitor names announced and tickets are now on sale for Road to the Horse 2012 International. Taking the floor of the Tennessee Miller Coliseum in Murfreesboro, TN on March 9-11, 2012, six of the world’s best clinicians from Australia, Canada and the United States will represent their home country and compete for the title of World Champion of Colt-Starting in a first ever international competition dubbed playfully, “A Horse of a Different Color”.

Road to the Horse 2012 International will feature the all-star lineup of Guy McLean and Dan James on Team Australia, Jonathan Field and Glenn Stewart on Team Canada and Craig Cameron and Pat Parelli on Team USA. While still working in partnership with one another, each competitor will bring their own skills and natural horsemanship talents to the table in a competition that is sure to showcase rapid-fire excitement.

Clinician Pat Parelli, shown here at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, will be one of the two competitors for Team USA at the 2012 Road to the Horse International. Photo: Leslie Potter

Past Road to the Horse winners include Stacy Westfall, Chris Cox and Richard Winters

“We are ramping it up this year! Going International has given me the opportunity to bring the best horseman in the world to Road to the Horse. If you love Road to the Horse then you can multiply that by 6 this year in Clinicians and double it with horse power. The 6666 Ranch will be bringing the largest remuda of horses to the event ever in our history and I can’t wait to see that beautiful remuda come rolling down the alley and bust into the arena! Now that will be something to see!” says Tootie Bland, Road to the Horse owner and producer.

A variety of seating tickets are available ranging in price from $80-100 for general seating to $150-200 for premier seats. A special seating block is available for Road to the Horse Nation members, where they can cheer on their favorite competitors while enjoying camaraderie with fellow members and horsemen.

To buy your tickets today, visit www.roadtothehorse.com or call 877-772-5425 to order over the phone with the assistance of a customer service representative.

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