Thursday, May 31, 2007

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Eastern NE Weather Update

Per the request of a competitor from Central Nebraska, I want to let all of you competitors/grooms/instructors/supporters know that to date the LEC show is still on for this weekend. Repeat: NOT CANCELED. If there should be some change in plans I will post them on the blog immediately!

To date (and I've probably cursed it now) Lincoln hasn't gotten that much rain. Both the show rings will be outside. Last I heard the rings were a little slick, but not too bad.

My interpretation of Accuweather's Forecast for this weekend in Lincoln is that there will be some showers/storms on and off for the rest of the week but it should be clear on Saturday and Sunday for the show.

There is indoor warm-up at LEC.

Scratched Off

I haven't shown in a dressage show in a long time. Of course, this means I don't have some of the things you regular competitors already have on-hand. Last week I made myself a little list of all the things I would need to compete this coming weekend. I paid special attention to the little things that I always seem to be missing.

Yesterday, after work I started on my list. Sure, the show isn't until Saturday but do I really want to run around town like a crazy person on Friday night looking for a black belt? Not so much. Last night I had the time to find most of the things I needed, in the colors I wanted (did I mention I'm crazy about coordinating colors?). I can take: polo shirts, a black belt, hair restraints, knee high socks, pink gatorade and towels off my list.

After work today I need to track down a better looking rain coat, a pair of black gloves, and some Clorox 2. After that I'm good to go! I'll be ready to pack my groom's bag by Thursday night!

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Friday, May 25, 2007

Let's Talk Tack

Given a choice between folding my laundry or cleaning my bridle, I would clean my bridle every time. I am that rare creature who actually enjoys cleaning tack. At a bare minimum I clean my bridle and girth each time I use them. I use regular saddle soap, and of course I wipe all the gooey slim and disgusting green gunk off my bit.

It's a habit.

In my opinion, it should be every one's habit. I've tried to rub this habit (and sweeping) off on the young ladies at my barn, but to be honest, I'm not having much luck. Sighhhhh, if only I could get Gwen Stephani to come out to LEC with her Harajuko Girls and do a little song and dance number about the "awesomeness" of daily tack cleaning.

That would be dope. ;)

Regardless of your age, you should take your tack seriously. It's expensive stuff! Beyond the expense of it all, it's sort of uncomfortable stuff. However, the more you clean your tack, the softer it becomes. I can only assume softer means more comfortable for the horse (if you apply the Universal Comfort Theory of Penny Loafers).

It's not that much work, especially if you do it everyday. I challenge the readership of the Barn Blog to try cleaning your tack after each use for one week. I bet you'll be surprised how much you come to enjoy the process, not to mention, the lovely feeling of putting clean tack on your horse each day!

By the way, I would entertain an offer of exchanged services: bridle cleaning for laundry folding!

Thursday, May 24, 2007

Foals have a purpose


I received this from another horsey friend. Very cute!

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

LEC Closing Date UPDATE

The closing date for the LEC Almost Summer Galas I &II has BEEN EXTENDED to May 25th. All entries must be postmarked by that date.

Sign up today!

Lincoln Equestrian Center is a great place to show. We have lots of warm-up area, both indoor and outdoor. Our new outdoor dressage arena has been completed. The footing is lovely! There are semi-permanent stalls for competitors, as well as some openings inside the main barn.

Not to mention the competitors party, that will take place June 2nd after the last ride. What fun. Oh, and I have it on good authority that there will be door prizes.

So sign up already!

Friday, May 18, 2007

Well Wishes



Best wishes to all the competitors participating in the Cornhusker Classic Schooling show today, and the Cornhusker Classics I & II over the weekend!!

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Sharing Christensen Feild

To all of those participating in the Cornhusker Classic Schooling show, and those planning to arrive in Fremont on Thursday. You will be sharing Christensen Field with the Shrine Circus.



If you don't believe me, check out this article from the Fremont Tribune

No need to panic though, the last performance is on Thursday evening. Well before anyone needs to be concerned about sharing the schooling area with elephants and camels.

:)

The Call

Yesterday while at work I got the call horse owners dread

"Margo, you gotta get out here, Dobby is down, looks like colic"

Oh god no!

Out the work door I went, home to change into comfortable clothes. I ran through all the varied possibilities of colic (Gas, constipation, sand...twist), and I reminded myself this probably isn't anything big. Dob's just gonna get tubed, he'll be fine. In my past I had a gelding die of colic, the sight of which has never fully left my mind. But I also had a mare who would colic with the change of season, and still another gelding who came to me from California with a sand colic. Both of whom lived long and happy lives.

I arrived out at the barn to find Dr. McIntyre standing by his Explorer, with his pad of paper, almost laughing to himself. After the show Dobby put on that afternoon, which consisted of: throwing himself on the ground, refusing to stand, walking like a sedated horse, you would have thought he was dying. But no, he just had some gas, and the dose of Banamine Cheri gave to him before I arrived pretty much did the trick.

I walked up to his stall to find my horse munching on what was left of his hay, slightly bloated, but otherwise, acting like the normal happy gelding I see everyday.

Ugh!

I was glad to see Dobby was in good shape. And I am so appreciative to Juan, our barn man for noticing Dobby's odd behavior, and getting him to stand up, Cheri(barn owner) for walking him, and Sybil (barn manager) for calling the vet and contacting me. I'm so thankful to all of them for working together, and for taking such good care of my horse when I am not there.

So Dobby gets more banamine today, and probably the day off. Over lunch and after work I'll go out to walk him. And after all this drama, I've gotten the medical community to agree with what I've known about my horse all along: he's a wussy.

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Cornhusker Classic FYI

If you are riding, grooming, training or volunteering at the Cornhusker Classic this weeekend take a look at the NDA Website. Ride times for the schooling show and both USDF recognized shows are available, as well as the stabling chart.

Monday, May 14, 2007

LEC Closing Date Reminder

Closing date for the LEC Almost Summer Gala I & II is MAY 18th. That's THIS FRIDAY!!!

P.S. This would be a GREAT show to squeeze in those needed NDA Volunteer hours! How many have you racked up this year?

Glorious Spirng

Ahhhh the delightful warm days of spring. Their numbers are limited in comparisson to the miserable frigid winter days, and broiling hot oven-baked spells of summer.

For some of us, the arrival of normal tempuratures, and the passing of early spring monsoons means that we can take our riding out of the confines of our indoor ring and head out of doors. I'm particularly fond of riding outside, especially since the majority of my days are spent in a cubicle. I greatly enjoy the warm air, sun shine and of course, as summer approaches, the subtle reminders that I should ride with my mouth closed.

So to all our readers out there, go forth and enjoy the lovely, fleeting spring weather. GO OUTSIDE! Soon enough miserable hot, and her lover, stifling humidity will be upon us.

Happy riding!

Friday, May 11, 2007

Animal Planet to Televise 2007 Rolex FEI World Cup™ Finals This Weekend



The Animal Planet television network will televise a special 90-minute broadcast of the 2007 Rolex FEI World Cup™ Finals on Saturday, May 12, beginning at 9:00 p.m. (EDT). The telecast will include the finals in both jumping and dressage.


Las Vegas, the world’s premier city for exciting entertainment, was once again the backdrop for the Rolex FEI World Cup™ Finals in both jumping and dressage when they returned to the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, April 18-22.


In 2005, the FEI World Cup Jumping and Dressage Finals were held in the same location simultaneously for the first time in history. The record-breaking success of those dual finals prompted the FEI to bring them back to Las Vegas again this year


BE SURE TO SET YOUR DVR AND VCR!!!

Wednesday, May 09, 2007

The SOGGY Horse Show

Congratulations to all the competitors who came out to the Shaggy Horse Show this past weekend. I'm so proud of all the competitors who managed to make the best out of less than ideal circumstances. Not only did everyone ride well, but also gained valuable showing experience. None of you will ever be concerned about a rainy show again.

I'd also like to take a moment to commend the Cornhusker Pony Club show managers who worked very hard to make their show a success. They were faced with truly miserable circumstances, and still managed to run a show.

Good work everyone!!


It was a dark and stormy horse show!


Jamee and Finale stop to admire their reflections in one of many impressive puddles


Owners of the Lincoln Equestrian Center, Jim and Cheri Harker made the Shaggy a family affair with their daughter Charli, and loyal mutt Skip in tow. Both Cheri and Charli successfully showed their paint River.


Karen Stricklett and her lovely mare Audi managed to stay spotless in the mud


Kristen Feese and her adorable mount were big winners at Intro. Way to live up to your name Celebrity!


Jamee and Finale were all smiles and laughs after completing their final ride at their VERY FIRST horse show together


Neither rain, snow, or darkness of night can keep Jamee and Margo from having a good time!

Thursday, May 03, 2007

Watch Foal Care Live


Sponsored by Intervet
Monday, May 7 at 8 p.m. EST
Presented on RFD-TV
From the first day of conception to the first steps toward a healthy life, we'll cover what you want to know.


Tune in to RFD-TV for a live show about broodmare and foal health care. You can call in and ask Wendy Vaala, VMD, and Cynthia Gutierrez, DVM, questions relating to foals and pregnant mares.


Topics covered will include:
1. New Intervet Foal Care Programs
2. Vaccination
3. Deworming
4. Mare care
5. Foal and newborn care



RFD-TV Monday, May 7 8 p.m. EST Read about the new Intervet Foal Care Program at http://maestro-trk.bloodhorse.com/trk/click?ref=zqoqmnmb8_0-1cfx3667x145221&.
Intervet Foal Care Program is a service mark of Intervet Inc, or an affiliate. © 2007 Intervet Inc. All rights reserved.

Tuesday, May 01, 2007

Conrad Schumacher coming to Nebraska


Conrad Schumacher will be giving a dressage clinic at Jami Kment's Providence Farm - Palmyra, Nebr. on May 28-30. The clinic has already closed to riders, but don't miss this great opportunity to audit a clinic with one of the great German Masters!!


Auditing is $100 for the three-day weekend or $50 per day. Auditing space is limited, so be sure to contact Jami if you are interested: kjkment@aol.com or 402-450-3902.

AAEP'S Healthy Horses Workshop


AAEP HEALTH LINK: AAEP'S HEALTHY HORSES WORKSHOP SLATED FOR JULY
The AAEP is proud to present the Healthy Horses Workshop, an educational day designed just for the horse owner, scheduled for Saturday, July 28, in Fort Collins, Colo. This full-day event will feature seminars and demonstrations full of practical, cutting-edge information led by AAEP-member veterinarians.
Scheduled topics include: chiropractic and acupuncture, Cushing's syndrome, lameness, colic, biosecurity, and immunization. For more information on the Healthy Horses Workshop or to register for the event, visit the Healthy Horses Website.

Rolex TV Coverage

Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event on NBC!

Sunday, May 6th, 5:00-6:00 pm Eastern.
Don’t miss this one hour show of exciting highlights from the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event Presented by Farnam this Sunday evening. One of the three Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing competitions, it features the best Eventing riders in the world competing at the Kentucky Horse Park, site of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Don’t miss it on NBC Sports!