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Featured
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Backcountry Horsemen
of California
trains riders in wilderness use
Sherli Leonard |
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It’s dirty, it’s hard work,
and it can be dangerous. Packing into the backcountry with livestock
can challenge the most rugged equestrians, but one quiet ride on
a single-track trail through a high mountain meadow with a good horse,
a solid pack mule, and good companions could convert most folks into
backcountry horsemen. |
Imagine riding four or
five hours in spectacular country, finding an isolated meadow,
off-loading your pack animal in the tree-covered hillside nearby
and setting up a small camp. You hobble your stock out to graze,
then set up a propane stove to brew some strong cowboy coffee.
(Of course, “strong cowboy coffee” is redundant.) Settle
back against a rock and listen to the hawks guiding their young,
the trees shifting in the afternoon breeze, the soft munching of
the horse, and nothing else. These are the perks of the dirt, the
hard work, and the danger.
Now imagine riding into that meadow
and you find bare spots where the stock have overgrazed, holes
around the trees where the horses have pawed the ground, several
blackened fire pits, and bits of toilet paper floating around.
That’s a different scene, and that’s what the Wilderness
Riders of the Backcountry Horsemen of California (BCHC) want
to prevent.
“We want people to use the backcountry,
but not abuse it,” said Wilderness Rider Jo Johnson, education
chair for the San Joaquin Sierra Unit of the BCHC.
Using the backcountry, whether on horseback,
on bicycle tires, or on foot, carries a responsibility to be gentle
with the land, to leave no trace behind, and to be considerate
of the horse and the other users. According to the Wilderness Riders,
the essence of responsible and enjoyable backcountry use is leaving
it in a condition that you would like to find it. This means riders
plan ahead, come prepared, and use courtesy and care.
“You have to know where you’re
going and what kind of camping you will have,” said Johnson. “You
need to be prepared for emergencies for riders and stock, know
the right places to set up camp, pack out any waste you create,
store your supplies so bears and other wildlife can’t get
them, and stay on the trail.”
According to the BCHC Web site, a major
consideration for backcountry stock users involves gentle stock
management. Horses simply can’t go from a meal of alfalfa
hay one night to grass or pellets the next. They need to be conditioned
in advance of the trip to prevent colic episodes many miles from
any help.
Riders need to practice with their
horse before they go into the backcountry so the horse knows about
highlines, hobbles, pickets, electric fences or loose grazing.
They also need to be accustomed to crossing noisy wooden bridges,
logs, rocky trails, and dark and spooky water crossings. The first
hour of a five-day pack trip is not the time to be training a horse
to calmly climb a steep, rocky trail in a single-file line of stock.
According to Johnson, there are 47
active certified Wilderness Riders in California, and each one
has been through a rigorous week-long practical training process.
The course is usually taught by a representative of the United
States Forest Service, a representative from the State Park Service,
and two Leave No Trace Stock Users Masters. The training is designed
to teach Gentle Use and Leave No Trace techniques to qualified
BCHC members who then are charged to go back to their individual
units and teach the principles to more people.
“As a Wilderness Rider, you really
should have a love of teaching,” said Johnson. “The
main thrust of the program is to spread the word about Low Impact
Camping and Packing techniques. It’s the most incredible
thing I had done in a long time.”
BCHC San Diego Unit President Cheryl
Wegner agrees.
“I went in the summer of 2007,” said Wegner. “It
was a great life experience for my horse and me. We each were given
one Leave No Trace component to teach, and we had to come prepared
with all our materials. It’s a fabulous program. I was honored
to be selected and excited to learn from the dedicated experienced
instructors on our trip.”
BCHC has about 3,200 members in 26
units throughout the state of California, from Yreka to San Diego,
the bay area to Bishop. Formed in 1986 to preserve the historic
use of trails for recreational pack and saddle stock, the group
works through education and public outreach programs, activities
and events, public service, and advocacy to encourage safe and
enjoyable wilderness and backcountry experiences for all users.
For those dedicated equestrians who
can’t get enough of the backcountry-horse combination, the
Wilderness Riders program is just the ticket.
“It’s an absolutely fun thing to do,” said Lynn
Joiner, BCHC treasurer and long-time Wilderness Rider.
Wilderness Rider candidates apply for
training every odd-numbered year. The process involves a written
application and an interview to determine the candidate’s
level of commitment and capability to perform the required tasks.
Once accepted, candidates prepare their instruction assignment
and gather at the designated training center, a different place
each year. In 2007, the training involved ten students, two cooks,
and three instructors including Forest Service Region 5 LNT coordinator
Ken Graves, and took place in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest.
They spend one day learning and practicing
packing techniques before heading out into the wilderness. After
a four or five-hour ride to the base camp site, they work together
to set up camp including cleaning the restrooms, setting up a kitchen
and putting up the highlines and tents.
For the next five days, candidates
learn how to weigh a load, saddle a pack animal, throw a box hitch,
manage livestock in the backcountry, minimize campfire impact,
pack and prepare food, all the while respecting the environment
and the wildlife.
Once certified as a Wilderness Rider,
the trainees have their own responsibilities. They are required
to serve two stints in the backcountry each year, patrolling for
problems at campsites and generally helping all backcountry users
have a more enjoyable experience.
At the Golden Trout Wilderness in 2007,
Joiner contacted lots of hikers and riders.
“We carried backpacks for them, fed the backpackers, found
the lost, and generally helped wherever we were needed,” she
said.
They also have to make at least one
Gentle Use and Leave No Trace presentation each year. For Wegner,
being able to go back to her unit to conduct education and outreach
was a main reason for taking the training.
Current Wilderness Riders meet every
even-numbered year to review their training and Gentle Use techniques.
Candidates for the 2009 training will
be interviewed at the 2009 Rendezvous, the BCHC’s annual
three-day expo usually held in March in Turlock, California. The
BCHC Education Committee will conduct the interviews and do the
screening.
“We’re looking for candidates
who have the capacity to carry out the training and fulfill their
obligations,” said Joiner. “We don’t consider
ourselves elite, unless you consider cleaning up a dirty camp or
helping a sick backpacker a special activity.”
For complete information about the
BCHC Wilderness Rider program, visit www.bchcalifornia.net.
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Ollie's Story
By Deborah Norwood |
| We got Ollie in June of last year. At the time he
didn't look too bad...we were buying him for next to nothing ($500,
WITH a saddle, that we ended up giving to a friend) from a woman
who had pretty much rescued him from a home where he was just out
in a pasture with several other horses, given water and eating the
naturally growing grasses, but not much else in the way of health
care. I was told that when Cheri first bought him and brought him
home, she told her friends not to laugh...because he was so shaggy
he resembled a long-haired billy goat. His hooves were so grown out
he was nearly lame. She shaved him, had the farrier work on him,
and thought he'd be a good pony for her daughter. But after a couple
months her daughter had really lost interest...so she was trying
to find a home for him. That's when we came into the picture. |
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We took him on knowing he might have Cushing's...and
we only knew that because another person at the place he was being
boarded told me to 'be careful' because she'd seen him when he first
came in...and his long hair was a sign that he might have Cushing's.
Knowing NOTHING (at the time...now I can tell you ALL about it),
I looked it up online and saw that it was a treatable disease. My
9 year old daughter had been taking riding lessons off and on for
about 3 years at that point, but her confidence was low after a series
of falls. Since she only rode when she was having a lesson, she wasn't
getting much practice. Ollie was very gentle and very well trained.
So we decided to take him on.
This is what he looked like when we first got him (6-07):
He's been freshly shaved and he looked pretty good. He was WONDERFUL
with Monica...and we thought we'd made a very good deal. Shortly after
we bought him, Hawthorne closed down their boarding facilities, so
we moved him to San Pasqual Valley Ranch, with some friends of ours
who also ride and have 2 horses. At that time, we were told about a
great vet, Dr. Matt Matthews, so we called him to give Ollie a once-over,
and to talk about the possibility of him having Cushing's. He said
there are a few other things that can also cause the long hair growth...which
is caused by the natural cortisone level being too high in the horse...something
that naturally happens during winter to help the horse grow a 'winter
coat'. His first recommendation was a diet change. He'd been on Bermuda
hay when we bought him from Cheri. We'd changed him to Orchard (because
a friend recommended it), and I'd also added Gleam and Gain, just to
help him put on some weight (he was thin). The vet recommended adding
some good vitamins to that (which we did), and said, with the pellets
they feed at SPVR added in, too, he would probably do well. He seemed
to be doing much better...until the fires hit in October.
Then he completely crashed. This what he looked like when he came home
from the Del Mar Fairgrounds:
The stress of the fires threw his Cushing's into a full-blown crisis.
When the vet tested his blood, his thyroid levels were so low they
didn't even register in the blood. His blood was thick with fat, which
had backed up from his liver, which was shutting down. Basically, Cushing's
is a disease that causes the pituary and adrenal glands to not work
correctly. That in turn caused the thyroid to stop working, which caused
him to be in liver failure. The fatty blood caused him to be high risk
for a stroke, so Dr. Matt Matthews DVM gave him daily liquid aspirin
shots for a while. When he developed a bloody nose, he cut back on
the dosage, but continued to come out daily to test his blood and check
on him. After much work on his part, a lot of work on our part, and
some fabulous medications (Pergolide, a neurotransmitter medication
that was first created for human Parkinson patients, but was pulled
after it was shown to cause heart problems in adults, then re-released
for equine use after the Veterinary Medical board pushed for it's use
in horses...it is a miracle drug, in my opinion), and thyroid medication,
Ollie now has the chance to live a fairly normal life. He'll be on
these medications the rest of his life, but that's fine with us...as
long as it keeps him healthy.
One other point you should know...Dr. Matt didn't charge us one red
cent for all his work. He billed it all through an Equine Recovery
Fund that he runs, and as far as we're concerned, he just about 'walks
on water'.
This is how he looked after he'd recovered enough to be ridden a little
(still with the long, curly coat caused by Cushing's...sadly, some
people called him the "wooly beast" at the ranch):
This is how he looks now (May 08):
6-1-08 Monica wins two 4th place ribbons at the Vista Palomar Riders
horse show (doesn't Ollie look PROUD?):
SO...I hope you've enjoyed hearing Ollie's story. He's sure come a
long way and we are so proud of him. We love him more than words can
say. :)
Hugs, Debby |
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The San Diego Interscholastic
Equestrian League |
SDIEL |
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There’s an exciting new opportunity forming
in San Diego for junior high and high school equestrians called
The San Diego Interscholastic Equestrian League (SDIEL).
Forming the SDIEL developed from the awareness
that we could provide our children with an extra dimension in
riding… the ability to represent their school with what
they love to do best… ride. We are very excited to give
our children the opportunity to be a part of a “high school
team” and to promote the awareness of this sport at the
high school level.
The primary goals of the SDIEL are: to embrace fair
and friendly high school competition and high school team spirit;
to encourage a knowledge of horsemanship and the development of
superior riding skills in young riders; and to support and develop
athletes for regional and national competition in equestrian sports.
Who to Contact for More Information?
An Organizing Committee dedicated to supporting the
creation of the SDIEL has been established. Until our SDIEL website
is up and running, the individuals listed below are those to contact
if you have further questions:
Hunter/Jumper Division Representatives:
Shayne Berridge-Wireman, President, GSDHJA, contact via email at
chestnuthillec@aol.com
James Waldman, Vice President, GSDHJA, contact via email at jwqhf@sbcglobal.net
Parent Representatives:
Debi Gibney, contact via email at debigibney@aol.com
Manou Allison, contact via email at akemo5@aol.com
SDIEL Overview
Creation
The San Diego Interscholastic League (SDIEL) is being created in
the image of both the Los Angeles Interscholastic League (IEL),
and the Orange County Interscholastic Equestrian League (OCIEL),
two organizations that have many years of competition behind
them; we are not starting from scratch. We invite you to explore
their websites at www.ociel.org and www.theiel.org. Please keep
in mind that modifications will be made to their rules and regulations,
however the premise and format will be largely the same. A website
for the SDIEL will be established and is forthcoming.
Membership
Any school interested in participating in the activities of the SDIEL
and willing to subscribe to the bylaws and rules of the SDIEL
is eligible for membership. A SDIEL High School Membership Form
will be required, and will be properly signed by an official
of the school empowered to do so. Said form shall also identify
the Team Representative and/or Coach.
Fees
Specific fees are yet to be determined, however, the fee structure
will be similar to the regular fees incurred at a county level
show.
Show Format/Divisions
The show season will fall somewhere between October and March (dependent
upon facility availability), and will consist of six one-day
shows over a total of three weekends. The SDIEL will offer classes
in Hunter/Jumper, Dressage and Western riding at the Novice,
Freshman, Junior Varsity and Varsity levels. The SDIEL class
list is as follows:
Hunter Novice
A beginning division, open to riders who have not shown successfully
in any recognized show association (ie. OCIEL, IEL, PCHA, OCHSA,
GSDHJA). Fences will be set at 2’-3”.
Hunter/Jumper Freshman
Open to riders who have not shown successfully over a 3’-0” course
at any recognized show association (ie. OCIEL, IEL, PCHA, OCHSA,
GSDHJA). Fences will be set at 2’-6”, and medal and jumper
classes to be set at 2’-6” to 2’-9”.
Hunter/Jumper Junior Varsity
Open to riders who have not shown successfully over a 3’-6” course
at any recognized show association (ie. OCIEL, IEL, PCHA, OCHSA,
GSDHJA). Fences will be set at 3’-0”, and medal and jumper
classes to be set at 3’-0” to 3’-3”.
Hunter/Jumper Varsity
Fences will be set at 3’-3”, and medal and jumper classes
to be set at 3’-3” to 3’-6”.
Western Novice, Western Freshman, Western Junior
Varsity and Western Varsity
Open to riders… (to be determined).
Dressage Novice, Dressage Freshman, Dressage Junior
Varsity and Dressage Varsity
Open to riders… (tbd).
Ribbons/Points/Trophies
Ribbons will be awarded to 1st through 12th places, and prizes will
be awarded to the 1st place winner in each class. Individual
points shall be awarded for all classes and counted for all riders.
High Point and High Point Reserve Individual and School ribbons
will be awarded at each show in each division, and overall for
each show. The best 4 of 6 show points will be counted for individual,
division and school. No rider shall be considered for year-end
awards unless they attend a minimum of 3 shows. Year end/perpetual
trophies will be awarded at the end of the show season. Each
division will have a high-point school and individual winner.
The SDIEL Horsemanship Award will be awarded on a
yearly basis. It will consist of a written section and a practicum
(with horse) that will test the student on general knowledge of
horse, tack, and animal care. The highest scoring individual in
each of the English/Dressage (combined for this award) and Western
divisions will be awarded a perpetual trophy for their achievements.
Senior Scholarships
It is the goal of the SDIEL to offer scholarships to high school
seniors on an annual basis. The criteria for awarding senior
scholarships are yet to be determined.
Sponsorship Opportunities
At this point, the SDIEL is a non-profit corporation awaiting approval
from the IRS for charitable status. The success of the SDIEL
will be dependent upon the generosity of our supporters. Opportunities
for sponsorship for businesses/families will be made available
as early as possible.
Looking Forward to Riding at the College Level?
There are two ways to participate in riding at the college level:
the Interscholastic Horse Show Association (IHSA) and the National
Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
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NEED MORE INFORMATION?
WE ARE ASKING PARENTS/RIDERS
TO CONTACT
our parent representatives:
Debi Gibney via email at debigibney@aol.com or
Manou Allison via email at akemo5@aol.com
Organizing Committee members: Shayne
Wireman & James Waldman |
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State Park
Closures
A Threat we can't allow |
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The Facts
As We Know Them
Cutting The Budget
At California State Parks And
Closing Any Park or Beach Is Plain Wrong |
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Just a 3 mile drive from
Santa Monica, Topanga State Park is 2.5 times larger than that
city. It was visited 470,000 times last year, and the Governor
thinks it should be closed!
Schwarzenegger's Proposal
To close a projected California state budget
deficit of $16 billion, Governor Schwarzenegger has
proposed a 10% across-the-board reduction for state agencies.
The total budget amount - $101 billion. If this passes, 7000
state employees will lose their jobs in the next 18 months.
State Parks has been forced to draw up plans
to close 48 parks and cut seasonal employee hours in half.
Although savings of $17 million is expected, closures will
cause a loss of income of almost $4 million. Last year
the public visited the parks listed for closure 6.5 million
times.
Three parks close to us are on the closure
list - Los Encinos State Historic Park (located at Balboa
and Ventura in Encino), Topanga State Park (in the Santa
Monica Mountains) and Will Rogers State Historic Park (entrance
via Sunset).
We are still a bit stunned and wholly outraged.
The state park system is to be decimated over just $14 million!
We're not here to say where the money should come from, just
that it should be found. California CAN afford it's
entire State Park system.
Assembly Bill 2392, which would have started
the process to sell the closed parks has been completely
changed to serve the legitimate conservation purpose of protecting
the California Condor, our enormous and threatened vulture.
So ONE threat to our parks is gone, for now. But this experience
showed us where the tax-cut folks and their big money allies,
the developers, are headed. And what can happen if we don't
speak up - we could lose Topanga to subdivision.
Schwarzenegger has an enormous budget problem.
We can take this seriously or we can waste time -
- guessing about the Governor's real motives,
- believing that he can't really be serious,
- waiting for the Legislature to do the
right thing,
- ignoring the permanent damage
that can be done to State Parks,
- imagining how we personally will get
into the park anyway,
- ignoring the risks of injuries and fires
in an unprotected park?
Or, are we going to defend our parks? Let's
take action to
- protect our own beautiful Topanga State
Park,
- make common cause with our neighbors at
Los Encinos & Will Rogers State Historic Parks
- join the statewide Save Our State Parks
campaign
- protect the natural and historic conservation
purpose of all state parks,
- protect the long-term financial viability
of the state park system.
What's At Stake?
- CLOSED: 50 mi. of trails
for hikers, mountain bikers, runners & equestrians
- CLOSED: 18 miles of the
famed Backbone Trail
- CLOSED: Unique outdoor
classroom for 1000s of schoolchildren
- LOST: 700,000 visitor trips
past businesses near Topanga/Will Rogers
- RISKED: Damage from unsupervised
visitors
- RISKED: Sale of parklands
(legislation recently introduced)
- RISKED: Long term survival
of State Park system
Frugality At California State Parks
California State Parks has a 25 year history
of staff and funding cuts in response to state budget crisis.
A first response, begun during the fiscal crisis
of the 1980s, was to temporarily put off maintenance to roofs,
bathrooms, roads, fences and trails. What was supposed to
be a temporary delay has become permanent. The department
estimates the cost to complete deferred repairs at about
$1 billion. Periodically the legislature addresses the
backlog as it did with a one time $250 million appropriation
in 2006/2007. It seems like a lot of money unless you understand
that the backlog will increase about $117 million this
year.
During a budget crisis in the 1990s, California
State Parks cut 572 positions and 30% of managers and supervisors.
Over the last five years General Fund revenue has been reduced
by $65 million and only partially replaced with fees
and transfers. The net result has been a $10.5 million loss
of revenue to the department during that time. In 2003/2004
California State Parks eliminated 90 more positions and moved
field staff out of leased buildings into modular units on
State property.
The proposed cut for 2008/2009 is $13.3 million
out of a total budget of $149 million. Staff will be
cut by 136 permanent positions and 100,000 seasonal hours
will be eliminated. The department has been authorized to
have 2,467 permanent staff and approximately 2,700 seasonal
staff.
To give a sense of the scale of these cuts,
California State Parks estimates that in 1990-91 they spent
$4.16 per park visit. The 2008/2009 budget proposal will
bring that down to $2.80 per visit in inflation-adjusted
2006-07 dollars. People may talk loosely about "waste
and fat in government," but they'd be wrong to talk
that way about California State Parks.
Closing Topanga State Park Hurts
Real People
According to the California State Park System
Statistical Report, our park gets almost half a million visits
a year. Only 13 of the 134 California State Parks and State
Historic Parks get more visitors. Why does the Governor want
to close such a popular park? You know some of the tens of
thousands of people who’ll be hurt: children on field
trips and scouting expeditions, joggers, hikers, picnickers,
equestrians, mountain bikers, families, neighbors: in other
words you and me. We’re the people who worked hard
to get this park in the first place!
Can 13,000 Acres Of Wilderness Park
In Los Angeles Really Be Closed?
Our park’s 30 mile boundary is unfenced.
Only the parking lots have gates. It’s accessible from
the Backbone Trail, the unpaved portion of Mulholland, and
hundreds of back-yards. People can’t really be kept
out with fewer staff. What are the risks from unsupervised
visitors? Is it fire-safe? What will be lost when maintenance
is cut back? How can this actually save money?
Topanga is so beautiful this spring.
Here's a link to an excellent
show of photographs
taken at Topanga State Park by photographer Gary Valle
(who joins us in opposition to any State Park closures).
Thanks to Gary for showing why we love this place.
It's not just Topanga State Park!
Five Parks to be Closed in LA County & Four
Beaches in Orange County.
The five parks: Topanga State
Park in the Santa Monica Mountains (12,666 acres of wilderness);
Will Rogers State Historic Park in Pacific Palisades (189
acres & Rogers history); Los Encinos State Historic Park
in Encino (living history); Pio Pico State Historic Park
in Whittier (school tours); Santa Susana Pass State Historic
Park in Chatsworth (671 acres of wilderness). The beaches
are Bolsa Chica, Doheny, Huntington, and San Clemente. San
Onofre State Beach, actually located in San Diego County,
is also listed for closure. Here's a list
of all 64 beach and park closures by County.
None of these parks should be closed!
Who are we?
We're a group of private citizens
and Topanga Canyon Docents asking California's Governor and
Legislature to keep Topanga State Park, Will Rogers State
Historic Park and all California's State Parks and Beaches
OPEN. |
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Trail Trials
by Sherli Leonard
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Horses and trails go together like a good car on
a good road, and the Redshank Riders of the Backcountry Horsemen
of California want to help riders and horses make the most of
their time on the trail. The Third Annual Trail Trial on Saturday,
May 17 will challenge riders and horses in an event designed
to test their skills on the trail.
“This is one of only a few qualifying events
held in Southern California for the State Finals in Trail Trials,” said
Stacy Kuhns, Redshank Riders president. “It is sanctioned
by the California State Horsemen’s Association and will
be judged by a Senior Judge.”
The closely monitored competition will include a minimum of 10 obstacles
over a real trail course which will take approximately two hours to
complete. While the obstacles will be typical of what a horse and rider
might actually encounter on the trail, Kuhns declined to describe the
obstacles for this event.
“We keep that information secret, but competitors
can find out the possible obstacles by going to www.trailtrials.com,” said
Kuhns.
A much more practical application of trail riding
skills than a typical Trail Horse class at a horse show, the
trail trials competition emphasizes a rider’s understanding
of Leave No Trace trail riding techniques. Complete information
about Leave No Trace and Gentle Use techniques is available at
www.bchcalifornia.net, and more information will be available
at the event.
In the competition, riders must carry a hoof pick,
knife, supply of water, halter and lead rope, and a pair of pliers
or leather-man tool. Carrying a first aid kit will earn extra
points. Riders may use any style of saddle and bridle or hackamore.
They may wear any type of clothing suitable to riding, and must
wear appropriate riding footwear with heels. Helmets are required
for all juniors and recommended for all riders.
No stallions are permitted and no dogs are allowed
at the event. Also, alcohol use and smoking are absolutely prohibited
while on the trail trial course.
According to Kuhns, riders may participate even
though they do not compete.
“Some riders are just getting into this,
so aren’t ready to compete,” Kuhns said. “They
can participate for a schooling fee of $20 and ride the same
course as the competitors. It’s really awesome experience.”
Riders can also just ride along to accompany competing
horses and riders without negotiating the obstacles. This companion
horse category costs $20.
The entry fee is $45 per competing horse, and prizes
will be awarded in each category: Advanced, Intermediate, or
Novice in three age categories, 17 and under, 18 to 49, and 50
and over. Entries are limited to the first 75 registrants. A
$5.00 discount will apply to all registrations postmarked by
May 5.
Entry is opened to all riders, whether or not
a Backcountry Horsemen of California member. BCHC memberships
will be available at the event.
The local 4-H group will be the food vendors for
the event, earning money to send their members to state competitions.
Little Creek Ranch is located on Hwy 371 in Anza.
Watch for BCHC signs.
To register, contact Paulette Johnson, 951-767-7099
or go to cricandthree@aol.com. For more information, contact
Stacy Kuhns, 909-633-1705 or go to stacykuhns@aol.com.
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Could I benefit from lessons?
by Susie Tommaney |
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How did we all learn to ride? Countless
numbers of us do it and own our own horses so let’s take
a moment to reflect and ask ourselves. Was it a ride on the
Merry go round strapped to the pole, a coin operated galloping
horse in front of the grocery store or when you were a kid
did you go to summer camp and absolutely fall in love the with “‘best
pony named Freckles! ”Oh Mom, Dad can we buy her please”“ I
promise to take out the trash, clean up my room and do my homework
please pretty please?” Sound familiar? |
Probably the hardest thing you ever did was to groom
Freckles one last time & say your good by’s to ”Freckles” only
to dream about her for weeks on end as you drifted off to sleep. |
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How did you learn to ride? Are your skills built on a solid foundation
of correct posture and seat? Building blocks that have been with
you for years since your childhood summer camp or did you just wing
it and say forget the lessons I can do this just fine by myself,
hopped on, and went! Everyone... can benefit from lessons.
Today’s horseback riding techniques and skills have greatly
improved. There is a visible difference between a “True horseman/woman” and
just someone that rides. Today’s horsemen and woman have learned
to embellish the fundamentals of classical Dressage and incorporate
them into just about every riding discipline there is within the
equine community.
There are so many things “You” can do to help your
horse’s balance and drive from the rear by learning how to
properly ride your horse’s gaits. Posture, proper hand and
leg contact and lightness will make every ride more comfortable and
enjoyable for both you and your horse. Have you ever thought to ask
someone riding behind you, am I sitting up straight? Heavier to the
left or right? Is it my hip? shoulder?, or am I collapsed in the
rib cage! Do you know enough about your self- carriage while riding
to pinpoint which of theses areas have issues? More than likely you
are unaware of these common riding faults within yourself unless
a more educated person is overseeing your riding.
Why should I spend the money and take riding lessons? I haven’t
fallen off yet and don’t intend to! One can certainly entertain
that train of thought and logic, however, why not invest in yourself
and your horse. Let advancement and enhancement of your existing
skills carry you to the next level. Wouldn’t it be nice to
communicate with “Old Dobber” in such a manner that he
is so willing to do what you want he gladly does it and quickly!
Do you think your horse has a rent string mentality and doesn’t
listen to your commands? Well then, it sounds to me like you could
benefit from some lessons. Here are some simple guidelines to follow:
What to look for in a riding instructor? First and foremost, someone
that practices and preaches SAFETY AROUND HORSES! You are dealing
with 800-1200 lbs sometimes more, of raw power so you better learn
how to posture yourself for safety around that. Does that person
have to be a “certified instructor” by an accredited
school or program to be a good instructor? Not necessarily. Word
of mouth reputation speaks volumes because those people that can
readily recommend someone are already satisfied customers. Watch
and ask people with riding skills and techniques you admire where
they learned what they know and see if it is a local instructor.
Set up a meeting with that individual and ask for references from
them. Most instructors will gladly give you names of satisfied customers
they are either currently helping or have helped. Find out what the
instructor’s accomplishments and disciplines are and how long
they have been instructing. Does that instructor need to have World
Champion accolades to be a good instructor? Not necessarily. After
meeting this instructor what is your gut feeling about your meeting.
What constitutes a “Good” Riding Instructor? Someone
that has the ability to clearly and concisely explain to you, a specific
point, process, or technique, in such a manner that it easily shows
how that point, process, or technique should be applied effectively, & how
it benefits you and your horse as the end result! This instructor
should have the ability to watch the horse you are riding, read their
body language and notify you when to accurately apply and execute
a specific technique to either eliminate a bad situation (buck or
spin) or enhance the horses performance. With horses, getting what
you want is all about good timing on the rider’s behalf. Any
riding instructor you choose should have the patience, patience,
patience, to work with both horse and rider as each learns at different
levels for different applications A forthright instructor will educate
you and your horse to the best of their ability and be honest enough
to tell you when you have gone as far as they can help and when it’s
time to move on..
Secondly, you need to be able to identify your problem areas. What it
is that you would like to learn for yourself, or learn how to teach your
horse. Not everyone or horse learns at the same speed and your instructor
must be flexible enough to find a comfort zone at which you can learn
new skills and have patience with the horse you own. If you are happy
with your horse and he is suited to you for what you want to do with
him (show, pleasure, trail) then don’t be pressured into buying
a horse that your riding instructor has because he is “trained”.
Your horse is not disposable like tissue after you blow your nose! Give
him or her a chance. You chose him for a reason so stick with it unless
it becomes too dangerous! Any good instructor should be able to develop
a foundation of building blocks for you & your horse that challenges
you to continually grow & succeed. They should be able to help you
pinpoint a starting, mid-point, and graduation from that goal. Foremost,
remember that your horse could be learning new things as well so expect
that you will both have ups and downs but the end result will benefit
both from taking lessons and just have fun with it!
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Biography:
Susie Tommaney is a freelance writer who established her own Mobile
Horse Training, Lesson and Vacation care business Susie Q’s
Horse Training and Equine Services 13 years ago at the request
of some of her clients. Susie’s forte is bringing horse
and rider together as a team. Whether they show, ride pleasure
or trail, Susie’s clients can attest that she loves
what she does and their horses love her too! Look for future
articles seen here by Susie on “Preparation for your
vacation care” and more. With over 40 years of horse
experience you can bet she has a lot up her sleeve and she
is willing to share with the beginner to the advanced! |
Don't let this happen to you!
Call Susie Q's! |
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WSHE Mustang Challenge |
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Local Horseman Steve
Boyles Selected
to Compete in Mustang Challenge
Challenge contestants train wild
horses
for a purse of $7,500 |
Steve Boyles of Santa Clarita California,
has been selected by the Mustang Heritage Foundation to compete
in the Western States Horse Expo Mustang Challenge June 6-9 in
Sacramento, California. Trainers selected from applicants across
the nation were invited to compete in the competition following
a rigorous application and selection process which narrowed the
field to a total of 34 horsemen who will have 100 days to gentle
an American Mustang. Trainers scheduled to pick up their horses
that were preselected on March 6-8 in Sacramento, California.
“The success of the Extreme Mustang Makeover
in Texas, along with a heightened awareness of the value of these
unique horses, caused the birth of the Challenge events as so
many people wanted to see how these trainers worked with these
Mustangs,” said Mustang Heritage Foundation Executive Director
Patti Colbert.
About Steve Boyles
Steve’s love for mustangs began in the early ‘90s when he
attended a Bureau of Land Management Wild Horse and Burro Adoption at
the Los Angeles Equestrian Center. He was immediately captivated by the
sight of the mustangs. Even crowded in their sales pens, the horses struck
Boyles as something special. “I liked the spirit they had,” he
said. Boyles was so taken with these wild horses that he adopted his
first two mustangs at the sale. Since then, he has been committed to
rescue and adoption efforts and and is typically recommended by the BLM
to transport and train wild horses.
Boyles credits his experiences with wild horses with enriching his overall
understanding of horse behavior. According to Boyles, getting a mustang
to approach a person and allow itself to be handled takes patience and
perseverance, but the rewards are well worth the effort. “Finding
the horse’s aura, his energy, and blending your energy with his......it’s
an amazing thing once you do it”. -About Steve Boyles by Mari Fukuyama
About the Chanllenge
During competition, trainers will be evaluated on the body condition
of their American Mustangs, as well as their ability to handle the
horse “in hand” through a series of maneuvers which include
picking up the horse’s feet, maneuvering it through obstacles
and loading it into a trailer. Following the “in hand” course,
trainers will mount their animals and complete a “horse course” that
will include a series of obstacles and require the trainer to demonstrate
the level of competency the horse has accomplished. Three skilled
horsemen, including well-known clinician and speaker, John Lyons
of Parachute, Colo, will judge trainers.
The public will be invited to participate in adopting
one of the Mustang Challenge competition animals June 9. Even
though the animals will have been handled and trained, the same
conditions will apply for the new owner when the animal is adopted.
Potential adopters will apply for the opportunity
to be included in the competitive bidding process at the event
with BLM personnel available to review and approve the application
on site. In order to apply, applicants must be at least 18 years
old, have no prior conviction for inhumane treatment of animals
or violations of the Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act and
be able to demonstrate that adequate food, water, and facilities
will be available to humanely care for the animal. Specific facility
requirements pertain to type and height of enclosed space, as
well as shelter from the elements.
The Mustang Heritage Foundation (MHF), in partnership
with the US Bureau of Land Management (BLM), created the Mustang
Challenge event to highlight the recognized value of mustangs
through a national training competition. The Challenge events
are the progeny of the highly successful Extreme Mustang Makeover
first held in September 2007. The 2008 event, to be held September
18-21in Fort Worth, Texas, offers a purse of $50,000 and 200
horses. The purpose of the Mustang competition series is to showcase
the beauty, versatility, and trainability of these rugged horses
that roam freely on public lands throughout the West, where they
are protected by the BLM under Federal law. One hundred percent
of the horses place for adoption at the 2007 Extreme Mustang
Makeover were adopted.
The Western States Horse Expo is the largest and
most comprehensive equine exposition and trade show in North
America. Created to bring together horse enthusiasts and the
businesses that serve them, the Expo has evolved into a three-day
extravaganza serving the interests of every type of horseman
in an entertaining and informative atmosphere. Since 1999, the
Western States Horse Expo has attracted a half million equestrian
enthusiasts and industry professions from around the world.
About the Mustangs
The mustangs selected for the Western States Mustang Challenge are from
an area known as the Coppersmith Herd Management Area (HMA). This
area lies 30 miles southwest of Cedarville, CA in Lassen County,
California and Washoe County, Nevada. This area is comprised of approximately
70,500 acres. This HMA has an Appropriate Management Level (AML)
of 75 wild horses with a range of 50-75 animals. This area contains
horses thought to originate from Spanish stock diluted with ranch
stock and US Cavalry remounts prior to and during World War I. Many
of the horses in this area have characteristics common to Morgans
and Quarter Horses. Predominant colors are bay,
black, and brown.
About the Mustang Heritage Foundation
The mission of the Mustang Heritage Foundation and the goal of the Extreme
Mustang Makeover are to increase the adoption of mustangs across
the country. The Mustang Heritage Foundation created the Extreme
Mustang Makeover event to showcase the recognized value of mustangs
through a national training competition.
About the Bureau of Land Management
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for managing 258 million
acres of public lands, located mostly in the West. Wild horses and
burros roaming public rang elands are managed in a manner consistent
with BLM’s overall multiple-use mission, as set forthe in the
Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976. Since 1973, the BLM
has place more than 219,000 horses and burros into private care through
adoption. For more information, visit wildhorsesandburro.blm.gov
or call 866-4MUSATANGS.
VISIT STEVE AND HIS MUSTANG AT:
WWW.STEVEBOYLESHORSEMANSHIP.COM |
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It Could Happen To You
By Marta Zarrella
Mpzarrella@gmail.com
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Colic, lameness, and
the price of hay, those are the normal concerns for all of us
who own horses. Theft is not generally in the forefront of our
horse related thinking. However, theft, especially during tough
economic times, should be of concern to every horse owner.
Recently, a young trainer arrived
at work in a well-kept, clean, supervised facility to find
her horse trailer missing. The horses were where they were
supposed to be; her trailer had been safely parked in the lot
along with many other trailers when she went home on Sunday.
When she came back to work on Tuesday, the trailer was not
there. A confident someone helped themselves to the trailer
and everything that was stored in it. This was a crime of opportunity
executed brilliantly by someone who knew what they were doing.
The trailer was taken from a well-lit, fenced, gated, monitored
facility with people probably mulling about as they often do
on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. Researching this story, I
read a report of a horse trailer taken from a driveway at someone’s
home while the owner was inside the house. The owner, according
to the report, stepped in momentarily. The driveway theft was
in Riverside County, the barn parking area theft was in San
Diego County. In tough economic times, desperate people do
desperate things. Any one of us at any time in any place is
susceptible to theft. Our horses, tack, equipment, trucks and
trailers are not immune. There is a market for everything of
value.
Crime Prevention Specialist Darlene
Duncan of the Poway Sherriff’s department recommends
that we have several layers of security to protect our assets,
especially as absentee owners in situations like a boarding
stable or a horse show. “Unfortunately, gated communities
or a small town feel create a false sense of security.” Even
if a facility has gates and access points which are monitored,
it is our responsibility to secure and label our belongings.
How often do we leave our trailers unlocked and our horses
tied to them at horse shows? The editor of this website, told
me of a situation where a truck was stolen at a horse show
with all the owner’s English tack and attire. The truck
without trailer was parked amongst the trailers. Stolen while
several people in their group were preparing for classes in
the general vicinity. |
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 Autumn
hanging out alone at a show...
Notice key in trailer door.
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Times are tough;
we cannot feel confident and safe even in a familiar place. That
mentality is what thieves look for. The more layers of protection
we have, the less likely a thief will put forth the effort required
to steal. Most property crimes are crimes of opportunity. |
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Layers of protection
at an equestrian facility could be motion sensing lights, fences,
monitored access, and locks. Keep a lock on your trailer; lock
your tack room door. Do not keep your tack trunks out in the
open; put them away behind lock and key. After lights and locks,
labels are important. Specialist Duncan recommends engraving
a unique identifying number on all of your things, preferably
in two different locations, such at the cantle of your saddle
or the hitch of your trailer. Engrave that same number in some
hidden location also, the flap or fender of the saddle perhaps
and the underside of your trailer. The young trailer would agree
with that advice since everything labeled with her name was inside
her stripped trailer dumped in a field. Things she had not labeled,
like her tires, were gone.
Take pictures of your things,
especially the expensive ones. Include a good photo of that
identifying number. Because of identity theft, do not use your
social security number or even your driver’s license
number. Come up with a unique number or brand and make sure
it is clear in the photographs you take. Specialist Duncan
recommends that every facility where groups of people keep
their horses and equipment should implement a neighborhood
watch. Any law enforcement group would be very happy to come
help a barn organize a neighborhood watch program. Through
the Neighborhood watch programs, barns can build a relationship
with law enforcement also. A “neighborhood watch” sign
on entry gates adds another layer of protection.
So, how do we protect the most
valuable asset, our horses? Dr Daniel Ohman, of East County
Large Animal Practice in El Cajon, said horses are as much
a target of theft in tough economic times as any other valuable
object would be. However, how practical is it to lock them
in their stalls? In case of fire or other emergencies, keeping
horses safe by locking is not practical, safe or smart. There
are better ways, the most simple of which is to have a record
book for each horse. In that book, keep a record of medical
treatment especially procedures that could leave a scar, document
height, weight, markings anything that will help identify your
animal. Keep a current photo of your horse, clearly showing
all those identifying marks, cowlicks, scars, etc.
Microchipping and registering
the chip is a very affordable and effective option. The microchip,
a digital transponder the size of a grain of rice, is inserted
by a veterinarian into the horse’s neck. The chip carries
a unique number that is registered along with the animal’s
details. A scanner is able to read and display the number allowing
the horse to be identified when lost or stolen. Dr Ohman noted
that during the 2007 Wildfires, horses were routinely scanned
for microchips at evacuation facilities. Because of that, owners
were reunited with their horses much sooner, on average, than
during the 2003 wildfires.
Owners can opt to have the identifying
number from the chip also freeze branded on the horses neck,
giving potential thieves a more obvious deterrent. Tattooing,
as is done on racing horses, is another more complicated and
expensive option for horse owners. Freeze branding leaves a
permanent white brand, which can be unattractive. Tags on stalls
or halters noting that an animal is microchipped might be enough
of a deterrent, along with the lights, gates, locks and vigilance.
Speaking of vigilance, the tale
of the stolen trailer in San Diego has a somewhat successful
conclusion. On Tuesday, when the young trainer noticed that
her trailer was not where she left it, she sent an email alert
out to her friends, fellow trainers and clients. The notice
was in my inbox four times - the Horse Community rallied. By
the time an abandoned, stripped trailer was seen dumped in
a field and reported to law enforcement word was out all over
San Diego county. The deputy who found the trailer contacted
local trailer shops in his effort to find the owner. That was
all the deputy needed, the tight knit horse community knew
who the trailer belonged to. Even before law enforcement took
a report from the owner, the trailer had been found thanks
to the close connections within our horse community.
GOOD JOB, HORSE PEOPLE!!! |
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Beware
of Horse Buying Scams |
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The Federal Trade Commission
reports that "check overpayment" scams are the fourth
most common scam on the internet today. Typically, the person you
are doing business with sends you a check for the price of a horse
advertised online that is more than the amount they owe you. They
tell you to deposit the check, keep part of the amount for your
own compensation, and then wire the rest to a shipper. The results
are the same: the check eventually bounces and you are stuck, responsible
for the full amount, including what you wired to the scammer. The
FTC offers the following tips for avoiding the check overpayment
scam: |
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Know who you are dealing with-independently
confirm your buyer's name, street address, and telephone number. |
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If you are selling something over the Internet, say "no" to
a check for more than your selling price, no matter how tempting
the plea or convincing the story. |
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There is no legitimate reason for someone who is giving
you money to ask you to wire money back. |
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More advice about how
to be on guard against Internet fraud is available at OnGuardOnline.gov.
Consumers are asked to report check overpayment scams to their
state Attorney General, the National Fraud Information Center/Internet
Fraud Watch, a service of the National Consumers League at www.fraud.org or
1-800-876-7060, or the FTC at www.ftc.gov or
1-877-FTC-HELP. |
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| SoCalEquine.com thanks the AHA Broadcast
E-News for this article. You can visit the Arabian Horse Association
online at www.arabianhorses.org. |
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LOOKING FOR A FEW GOOD HORSES!
The Intercollegiate Horse Show Association
is seeking horses for use at the 2008 IHSA National Championship
Horse Show
to be held May 8-11, 2008
at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center in Burbank, CA.
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Show Association? |
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The IHSA is a non-profit organization
established in 1967 as a way for college students to ride and exhibit
horses even if they do not own a horse. |
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More than 350 colleges and universities, located
in 45 states and Canada, are IHSA member schools. Over 6500 riders
compete each year in IHSA-sanctioned events. |
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Major sponsors include the United States Equestrian
Federation, the American Quarter Horse Association and the National
Reining Horse Association. |
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Championship Show? |
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Individual riders accumulate points at IHSA-sanctioned
shows to qualify for the Regional Finals. The top two riders in
each division at the Regional Finals advance to the Zone Finals.
The top two riders in each division at the Zone Finals qualify
for the National Championship Horse Show ("Nationals").
Additionally, the top Hunt Seat and Western teams from each of
the nine zones compete for National Champion Team honors. |
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The riders who qualify for Nationals are part of
an elite group. Only the top 18 IHSA riders in each division are
allowed to compete at Nationals. |
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General information about the IHSA and the 2008
IHSA National Championship Show may be found on the official IHSA
website, http://www.ihsainc.com. |
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| Why do we need to borrow horses for
use at Nationals? |
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The IHSA was founded on the principle that any college
student should be able to participate in horse shows, regardless
of his or her financial status or riding level. |
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Students ride horses that are furnished by the host
school and chosen by drawing lots. Use of students' personal tack
is not allowed and schooling is not permitted. This structure equalizes
the economic variables typically found in equine competition and
provides a true test of the riders' abilities. |
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Given the size and prestige of the National show,
it is impossible for the host colleges to provide all of the horses
needed for the show. Therefore, we rely on the generosity of local
horse owners to donate use of their equines for the National Championship
Show. |
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For more information or to donate
use of a horse, please contact Jen Earles at 951-675-1763 and
email jdearles@csupomona.edu. |
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BACKCOUNTRY HORSEMEN
OF CALIFORNIA SCHEDULES MAJOR RENDEZVOUS,
MARCH 21 – 23 IN TURLOCK. |
Two centuries ago, mountain men gathered
twice each year at a rendezvous to swap lies and buy supplies for
their treks to the backcountry. Today, the Backcountry Horsemen
of California members and horse and mule enthusiasts all over the
state meet for three days in Turlock, California to do almost the
same things.
Since 1988, the Backcountry Horsemen of California’s
Rendezvous has evolved into California’s biggest equestrian
event focusing the backcountry and front country trails. This
year’s statewide event will be held at the Stanislaus County
Fairgrounds in Turlock on March 21, 22 and 23.
For pack veterans or newbees and anyone curious
about trail riding and packing into the wilderness, Rendezvous
offers an array of activities packed into three full days, all
in the interest of bringing horse lovers and the wilderness together.
At Rendezvous, you can check out the scores of
horse equipment vendors, sample gourmet Dutch oven cooking, learn
from the top experts about Gentle Use, Leave No Trace and packing
dos and don’ts, enjoy demonstrations and exhibitions, and
totally immerse yourself in the world of backcountry and front
country trail riding.
Even if you usually limit your riding to the front
country – established trails in regional and state parks – you
will learn something valuable at Rendezvous. Joe Peacock will
present workshops on natural barefoot hoof trimming, Jim Bell
will teach about map reading and GPS for the backcountry, Garry
Stauber will do a program on long riding, and Martha McNeil will
teach about miniature horses for kids. Jo Johnson, Carol Jo Hargreaves,
and Peter Kriger will present workshops on de-sensitizing and
preparing the pack animal. More workshops and clinics are being
planned.
Besides the clinics, Rendezvous participants can
attend classes on Gentle Use, participate in contests for awards,
and enjoy catered banquets in the evening.
They also can shop for all their horse-related needs, from top-quality
hats to endurance equipment to trail guide books. This year’s Rendezvous
features a new enlarged show of art works about the West.
And on Sunday, participants can attend a special
Cowboy Church for Easter morning.
Whether towing a string of pack stock, or riding alone on a sweet single-track
trail, riding the backcountry and front country beckons. Come to Rendezvous
2008 and get hooked.
For information and reservations, contact Chip Herzig @ 951-769-3781
or John Black @ 209-537-1516. And check out the Web site, www.bchcalifornia.net. |
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No Kidding!
John Pearce and his mount Archie Bunker win
the $50,000 Purina Mills Grand Prix at HITS Thermal |
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THERMAL, CA (February 11, 2008)— Canadian Olympian John
Pearce negotiated the fastest double-clear round aboard Archie
Bunker to secure the top prize in Sunday's $50,000 Purina
Mills Grand Prix to conclude a very exciting week of show
jumping at HITS Thermal.
Pearce collected $15,000 in prize money as he outlasted 43
combinations in the first round and 10 pairs in the jump-off.
Pearce was fourth to go in course designer Anthony D'Ambrosio's
jump-off course and set the Great American time to beat at
a lightning fast 37.20.
The jump-off featured four clear rounds, including Mandy
Porter and Summer who followed Pearce and Archie Bunker in
the order. They navigated the course without dropping any
rails and stopped the clocks in 39.09. That time was good
enough for second place as Pearce was nearly two seconds
faster than any other competitor in the round.
"I was feeling it today," said Pearce. "I knew with ten in the
jump-off I had to be fast and clean. So, I went into the ring, didn't hold anything
back and won some great prize money for the second week in a row!"
Pearce has been cashing in as last
Sunday in the $125,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented
by EMO he was second aboard Archie Bunker and
sixth aboard Chianto collecting a total of $33,750
in prize money for the day.
Jill Henselwood was eighth to go in the jump-off aboard Stacie
Ryan's Black Ice . The Pan Am Games Gold Medal winner had
her first double-clear round of the circuit and stopped the
clocks in 39.60 to finish in third place. Henselwood is just
getting warm, as she had the flu and missed the first couple
of weeks of competition.
Following Henselwood was Jill Humphrey and her mount Lou
Bega . The pair posted a clear round in 42.00 to finish in
fourth place for Equistar, LLC. Humphrey finished the class
with three horses in the money.
Rounding out the top five were Richard Spooner and his mount
Cristallo , who had the fastest time of those with four faults
in the jump-off. They stopped the clocks in 38.26 to secure
$3,000 in prize money for Show Jumping Syndication.
With the win, Pearce also earned some valuable points towards
the $200,000 Invitational Grand Prix to be held on Sunday,
March 16 during the all new Championship Week at HITS Thermal.
The top 30 pairs based on prize money won on the 2008 HITS
Desert Circuit will be invited to compete in the class.
"The quality of show jumping here compares to some of the best I have seen
anywhere in the world," said Pearce. "This place is nothing short of
exceptional and I am proud to show my horses here."
"Its been great couple of weeks," said Porter, who competed at DC II
and DC III. "HITS has really stepped up this year and has done some great
things. The footing in the Grand Prix ring is excellent as well as all of the
other jumper rings. I am thrilled with the facility!"
Porter also continued to praise the VIP Oasis Club. VIP Chef
Ric Orlando has brought a unique dining experience to the
VIP Oasis Club at the 2008 HITS Desert Circuit. "It
is a fantastic place to be," said Porter. "Concierge
Michael D'Ambrosio truly makes you feel like a VIP. Plus,
the food is amazing!"
DC II also featured several run out-of-ring activates, including
the first-ever HITS Thermal Equine Idol held on Saturday
night. Hundreds watched as more than 30 exhibitors dueled
it out for fantastic prizes donated by the generous vendors
at HITS Thermal. The judges for the contest were Mark "Randy
Jackson" Bone of Huntover Farm, John "Simon Cowell" French
of Waldenbrook Farm and Kathy "Paula Adbul" Hobstetter
of ShowBiz Magazine.
On Sunday, the ever-popular Kids Day returned to HITS Thermal
and featured an afternoon filled with family fun, including
a very special Grand Prix rider autograph session after the
$50,000 Purina Mills Grand Prix. Among the gracious riders
who participated were Pearce, Porter, Ashlee Bond and Thursday's
winner of the $25,000 Ariat Grand Prix, Kim Farlinger.
The Purina Mills trailer was also on hand for Kids Day and
gave out temporary tattoos to the children. They also sponsored
the HITS Thermal Equine Idol as well as being the title sponsor
of the Sunday Grand Prix. "It was a great weekend for
Purina Mills," said Marketing Director Nancy Shearer. "We
are thrilled to be associated with all of the HITS horse
shows."
In other action at HITS Thermal during DC III, Catie Verano
secured the Central
Equine Junior Medal and John French of Gilroy, California
rode Obelix to the Adequan Hunter
Championship to highlight an exciting week of competition.
For more information on Central Equine please visit www.centralequine.com ,
and for more information on Adequan please visit www.HitsShows.com/press/pdf/adequan.pdf.
The HITS Desert Circuit now takes a one-week hiatus. Then
competition at HITS Thermal returns on Tuesday, February
19 for four consecutive weeks of shows and runs until Sunday,
March 16 when the new Desert Circuit Championship will close
out the season with 17 different championship classes, including
the R.W. Mutch Equitation Classic and the first-ever $200,000
Invitational Grand Prix of the Desert.
HITS, Inc. is a special events management
company primarily focused on producing hunter/jumper
horse shows. Based in upstate New York in the village
of Saugerties, HITS produced its first horse show
circuit in Gainesville, Florida in 1982. Since that
time, HITS has grown into a nationwide company with
world-class hunter/jumper circuits in California,
Florida, Arizona, New York and Virginia.
For more information and a complete
schedule of classes and events, visit www.HitsShows.com
Media should contact Chris Mayone at
845.246.8833 or e-mail Media_Info@HitsShows.com
HITS
Thermal (DC III) Video
Courtesy of Show Jumping
Unplugged
©Flying Horse Photography
John Pearce and Archie Bunker win the $50,000 Purina Mills
Grand Prix at HITS Thermal
©Flying Horse Photography
HITS' Senior Vice President Tony Hitchcock and representatives
from Purina Mills congratulate John Pearce and Archie Bunker
at HITS Thermal
Placing |
Horse |
Rider |
Owner |
Prize
Money |
Rd
1 Faults |
JO
Faults |
JO
Time |
1 |
Archie
Bunker |
John
Pearce |
Allison
Moore |
$15,000 |
0 |
0 |
37.209 |
2 |
Summer |
Mandy
Porter |
Wild
Turkey Farm |
$11,000 |
0 |
0 |
39.097
|
3 |
Black
Ice |
Jill
Henselwood |
Stacie
Ryan |
$6,500 |
0 |
0 |
39.604 |
4 |
Lou
Bega |
Jill
Humphrey |
Equistar
LLC |
$4,000 |
0 |
0 |
42.003 |
5 |
Cristallo |
Richard
Spooner |
Show
Jumping Syndication |
$3,000 |
0 |
4 |
38.267 |
6 |
Chianto |
John
Pearce |
Alison
Moore |
$2,500 |
0 |
4 |
38.486 |
7 |
Chivas
Z |
Ashlee
Bond |
Little
Valley Farm |
$2,000 |
0 |
4 |
41.275 |
8 |
Sulleyman
De Wulf Selection |
Guillermo
Obligado |
Adria
L Mashburn |
$1,500 |
0 |
4 |
41.349 |
9 |
Rockford
I |
Keri
Potter |
Keri
Potter |
$1,500 |
0 |
5 |
50.902 |
10 |
Felix
380 |
Jill
Humphrey |
Equistar
LLC |
$1,000 |
0 |
16 |
45.164 |
11 |
Kaskaya |
Jill
Humphrey |
Leone
Equestrian |
$1,000 |
4 |
|
|
12 |
Kasoar
D' Uxelles |
Laura
Teodori |
L&M
Ventures |
$1,000 |
4 |
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HITS CORPORATE
OFFICE: HITS, Inc., 319 Main Street, Saugerties, NY
12477-1330
phone 845.246.8833 fax 845.246.6371 www.HitsShows.com |
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Update on the
Silverlakes / Belstarr Proposal in Norco
by Peggy Hosking |
|
Last night (January
16th) the Memorandum of Understanding between Belstarr Sports Management
LLC and the City of Norco was brought before the Norco City Council
for approval. After a detailed and thorough presentation by the
real estate consultant for the parties, the floor was opened for
public comment and the residents of Norco and representatives of
the Parks & rec commission, RURAL, Norco Horseman's Association
and the Norco Conservancy expressed their appreciation for what
one man called "an Equestrian Disneyland." |
|
After public comment
concluded, Norco City Council voted unanimously to approve the
MOU. The MOU will essentially govern the relationship between Norco
and Belstarr Sports Management, LLC over the next 18 months or
sooner if certain benchmarks are reached. |
| |
Now that the MOU is
in place, a due diligence period of investigation will begin. During
this period, which expires April 30, 2008, the developer (Belstarr)
can conduct environmental and other investigations on the property
to determine what, if any, environmental clean up or other "problem
solving" is required. Concurrently, an Environmental Impact
Report will be generated and the CEQA process will begin. The CEQA
process may likely be the longest portion of the investigation
and approval process. Realistically, it could take 18 months. However,
all consultants, the City and Belstarr are optomistic that a more
aggressive target of October 2008 will be realized. While all of
the environmental reports are being generated, the City and Belstarr
will continue to negotiate the details of the final agreement.
The final agreement will go into more specifics - size of arenas,
type of footing, size and type of buildings, access points, rates,
availability to various community groups, etc. |
| |
All of these activities are directed toward the aggressive goal of ground
breaking by the end of the year (2008).
We certainly hope that the City,
Belstarr and the Consultants are able to reach their goals by
the end of 2008!
Margaret "Peggy" A. Hosking
Associate
Best Best & Krieger LLP
3750 University Avenue, Suite 400
P.O. Box 1028
Riverside, CA 92502
Phone: 951-826-8359
Fax: 951-686-3083
margaret.hosking@bbklaw.com |
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World Class
Show Facility in Norco
by Peggy Hosking |
Last s | |
