Out of Season

Dear Horse Catalog Senders:

ENOUGH ALREADY WITH THE CHRISTMAS CATALOGS!!! Seriously, I've gotten 5 of them since last Friday, and I just can't take it anymore....I'll order I promise, just give me another 2 weeks free of holly berries and adorable horse gifts!

Happy Halloween!
Margo

Parntership Through a Lens

Dream of Black





Me!


Margo & Dobby on a lazy Sunday




Dobby checking the treat pocket


Yes I kiss my horse!

A very special thank you to Donna and Caroline Kilday for all their work with us on Sunday afternoon. I will cherish the results forever!

Donna will take event photos and portraits as she is available. Check out the rest of her work at www.djkphotos.com!

Thinking of you

To Horse Owners in Southern California that are facing the scary and daunting task of evacuating you and your horses:

Please know that we are thinking of you! You are in our thoughts and prayers! There is a large horse community out here just waiting to help if you need refuge.....even all the way in Nebraska!

Some truths in the horse world

WHAT DO YOU DO ...

To induce labor in a mare?
Take a nap.

To cure equine constipation?
Load them in a clean trailer.

To cure equine insomnia?
Show them in a halter class.

To get a horse to wash their own feet?
Clean the water trough and fill it with fresh water.

To get a mare to come in heat?
Take her to a show.

To make sure that a mare has that beautiful, perfectly marked foal you always wanted?
Sell her before she foals.

To get a show horse to set up perfect and really stretch?
Get him out late at night or anytime no one is around to see him.

To induce a cold snap in the weather?
Clip a horse.

To make it rain?
Mow a field of hay.

To make a small fortune in the horse business?
Start with a large one.

The Other Man

Like the good friend I am, I've been babysitting Durango for the past couple days while he stays at LEC. I feed him, take him for walks, groom him, clean his stall and assure him that his mother (Jamee)will be coming back for him on Monday.

The one bad move I may have made over the course of the past couple days was to put Durango in the stall next to Dobby. Dobby, is well, a bit spoiled and I maybe dote on him just a little bit. The notion of me talking to, grooming, walking feeding and assuring another horse is horrifying to him. I'm his lady, he doesn't want to share.

So Yesterday morning I went out to feed, and was greeted with nickers in stereo. When I was in Durango's stall, Dobby glared at me, when I went to Dobby's stall Durango gave me the evil eye. I can't say hello to one, and not the other. If one guy gets an apple, then the other must too...and on and on we go until finally I proclaim that both of them are acting like total babies, and walk off.

Multiplying my issues is the fact that Dobby and Durango also LOVE each other. I'm reasnably certain Dobby and Durango bonded over a mutual love of automatic waterers. I walked by their stalls, and they are both eating their hay under the waterer, or taking a nap, side-by-side. It was really cute until I took Durango out for a walk, and ended up in the middle of call and answer between Dob and Durango. Pathetic. Vice versa when I took Dobby out for Sunday Spa day.

It's funny how quickly horses form friendships, but then again Jamee and I hit it off right away when we met, so there should be no reason that our horses (who are reflections of our own personalities) wouldn't also get along. Durango leaves LEC tonight after his demonstration ride for Purnia Mills. Maybe when Durango hops onto the trailer he'll miss his dopey warmblood buddy just a little bit. I know Dobby will miss Durango. It's always nice to have your friends in town and sad to see them go.

Learn to Fly

If by chance, you're looking for something fun to do with your horse this weekend, you should come to LEC on Sunday for it's very first Combined Training show. Dressage and Jumping, two great disciplines that go great together!!!

LEC is offering Dressage classes in the morning (Intro - 1st) and Jumper classes (micro x-rails to 3'3") starting around 11am. Though the entry date has passed for CT classes, there are a VERY limited number of ghost times available for late comers who want one last dance in the Dressage arena this year. Day of entries for jumping classes are both welcomed and encouraged. You can sign-up in the morning, or as you're walking into your jumping class.

The jumps will be set in the large outdoor arena, and because of the predicted rain, dressage will be done in a small arena, indoors. Warm up will be in LEC's outdoor dressage ring (which has had footing removed since the Almost Summer Galas)

I encourage all of you to come out and join in the fun. Get your jumper to come through, and behave himself in a dressage test, challange your dressage horse to fly. Dip your toe in a different style of riding!! This will be a no pressure, fun day! And maybe if you're lucky you'll catch a glimpse of me and Dobby hopping over micro x-rails!

Regionals: A BIG DAMN DEAL!

USDF Region IV Championships will be held this Friday thru Sunday in St. Louis Missouri. Many of our fellow NDA members and friends have qualified to ride in the championship this year. I'd like to take a moment to congratulate all of them for achieving that goal.

In order to qualify to compete at USDF Regional Championships, a rider must earn a qualifying score from two judges, at two separate USDF recognized shows riding the most difficult test from a given level (Ex: First level test 4) A rider must enter into a special USDF Qualifying class, the qualifying classes generally cost an additional $10.00.

Qualifying scores are different depending upon your level, and division. For example the current standards for Training, First and Second are:

Training level: Open-68% AA-63% Jr/Yr-63%
First Level: Open-66% AA-62% Jr/Yr-62%
Second Level: Open-64% AA-61% Jr/Yr-61%
(click here for full detail on qualifying scores and regulations)

Once you've gotten your scores, you submit your tests along with membership cards for you and your horse (both horse and rider MUST be members of USDF & USEF) to the show management and start working. A person may ride the same horse at two different levels (ex: Training and First)in championship classes. You can also ride multiple horses in the same championship class. However, once a horse and rider combination has won a Championship at a particular level, they are not eligible to compete in the same championship class again.

Whew! Are you still with me?

Having in my past, ridden in several Regional Championship Shows, I can tell you the pressure of the event is great. A whole year of showing comes down to one test, ridden from memory without your whip (those are the rules). It is nerve wracking! All the other riders in your class have made it here, so you know you're up against the cream of the crop. A win at Regionals is a great accomplishment.

Again, I congratulate all who have qualified for this weekend. I wish you the very best of luck!

A Bright Shining Light Amid The Fog of Dressage

Reinbow equestrian center hosted a clinic by Jan Ebeling this past weekend. For the first time in years I was able to participate in the clinic, and I was thrilled. Nervous at the outset, but thrilled with the results.

Jan has one of the very best qualities a clinian can have. He is able to break down your problems to the most elemental parts and work with you until you can solve them. He gives you simple steps you can take at home, that are within your abilities to improve your own horse.

All the participants I spoke with seemed very pleased with their lessons. Virginia Mattson rode her lovely gelding Floyd on Saturday, and came back Sunday to audit. She exuded happiness "Lighbulbs! Lots of lightbulbs!" she could be overheard saying.

Heidi Basler rode her stunning mare Stella and a few of her client's horses. The mare is such a nice mover my dressage neophyte boyfriend commented that she "seemed to float." He also thought it was fun to watch all the different horses move.

Jamee Amundson-Folmer brought her gelding, Finale. They have really developed into a lovely pair. It is amazing how much can be achieved in one year. In one of the sweeter moments of the weekend, he asked about his favorite spotted horse with no tail. Durango, sadly had to stay home, so his partner can focus on the next generation. He was missed.

All of the riders in the clinic should be proud of how well they rode. I saw improvement in all the riders who I had a chance to watch. I learned a great deal from not only riding, but also watching everyone work. Way to ride ladies! I left the clinic on Sunday feeling happy and inspired. Lots of work to do this fall and winter. I can't wait!

Special thanks to Sharon Tepley for providing her lovely facility for all of us to use, as well as the great care she gave to the visiting horses. We apprceciate it!

TD Talk-Competition Evaluations

As a competitor at USEF/USDF shows, you have the ability to "score" show management and competition officials after the show. It's your turn to judge the judge or rate the management. After all....dressage shows are a customer service business and you are the customer.....therefore your opinion matters!!

USEF publishes two evaluation forms on their website. These evaluations for show management as well as show officials are available here. Then click on the Evaluation Forms.

PLEASE fills out these forms when you get home. It doesn't take long. Don't feel like you have to fill them out ONLY when there was a big problem. Fill them out when things are bad, fill them out when things are mediocre and fill them out when things are wonderful. USEF does not have the ability to police each and every show and/or official. They need the help of competitors to know how things are going. If you felt a judge did a great job, write that on your evaluation. If you felt like the TD was an over-bearing fruitcake, write that on your evaluation. Without feedback from competitors, USEF has no way of knowing about rogue judges or exceptional judges. They have no way of knowing that a competition's license should be reconsidered.

You pay a lot of money at a recognized show. Be sure that your voice is heard!!

More Press for FOBB

Traver DeMaranville is an FOBB. He is the son of NDA secretary and Hilltop Ranch and Tack owner, Janelle Stelk.

Traver is very supportive of his mother's dressage endeavors and is a kind soul and a wonderful helping hand.

He runs a horse drawn business that was featured in this article in the Trade West Newspaper.

Keep him in mind for your weddings, anniversaries, funerals, special occasions and parades!!

The Clinicians Are Coming!!

October 6-7 will be another busy weekend for dressage enthusiasts!

There is a Jan Ebeling clinic at Reinbow Dressage Centre. Debbie Sedlacek's barn is hosting Brad Kutchall this weekend as well!

If you get a chance, try to check out one of these great clinics this weekend. A rider can learn a great deal simply by auditing a clinic. It doesn't matter what sort of horse the participants are riding or at what level, many times simply watching others ride is a good learning experience. You may find yourself inspired by someone's great seat, or feel comforted that someone you admire has struggles in the saddle as well.

In my experience as both a clinic rider, and auditor, a good clinician is always willing to answer pertinent questions from auditors. If you've always wondered about the mechanics behind the half-pass a clinician is a great person to ask. He or she may even have the rider demonstrate the answer for you. Clinics are learning experiences for everyone involved, so when you go, whether it is this weekend or future clinics, be an active auditor!

Due Date NEAR

Just a quick reminder to everyone who would like to win NDA end of the year awards. The due date for score reporting is October 5, 2007. They are to be mailed to Julie Huffless, her address, and the reporting form is under the "awards" menu on the NDA website.

If you are using scores from the LEC Almost Summer Galas, you need to make photo copies of both sides of your test and send them in along with your scores.

End of the year awards will be handed out November 17th at the NDA Annual Banquet. Don't miss out on this opportunity to be recognized by NDA for your efforts in the show ring.

Friends of the Barn Blog (FOBB)

An FOBB, Andrea Garry (2007 NDA Schooling Show Training Level Open Champion) was quoted in a very heart warming article in The Grand Island Independent recently. Andrea is the riding coach of a young lady from Central Nebraska with Neonatal Onset Multi-Inflammatory Disease. Click here to read the article that discusses Janelle's struggle with her disease and how her horses help her through the tough times.

Way to go Andrea and Janelle!! We should all strive to have the ever present smile and perseverance that Janelle does!

Work Can Be Fun

Lincoln Equestrian Center is home to a riding club called "The Pony Posse." It is an all ages all disciplines club. We'll be hosting a combined Training Show October 14th, you should all come and have some fun! Contact me via email and I would be happy to get you some entry forms!

Sunday, the "LEC PP" assembled at LEC to work on our developing Cross Country Course. We all worked together with donated materials to make some really cool jumps. All in all it was a productive and fun day. Working on these projects together really makes the Posse feel less like a club and more like family.


One man's junk....

...is another barn's jump

Men? At the barn?

Admiring the day's work

Power tools, heavy lifting and kids don't go so well together, so Libby and Ana focused on developing inovative new hair styles for the ponies.

Fall brings chilly weather and hunting concerns

By Heather Smith Thomas and taken from The Horse.com e-news.

Horse owners often worry about safety of their animals during hunting seasons, especially if the horse's color might be mistaken for a deer or other large game animal. Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can take to help distinguish your horse as a domesticated animal, rather than a potential target.

Visibility is key for horses pastured during hunting season, particularly if the animal is similar in color to common large game.

In Pasture

Fenced pastures are generally off limits to hunters without landowner permission, but it still helps to put signs along the fence stating it's private property. Check the hunting laws in your state--some state regulations require signage on the property to show no hunting is allowed.

Painting every few posts fluorescent orange can also help to alert hunters.

If you feel your horses might still be at risk, take steps to protect them. If they are turned out only part time, avoid putting them out during times of poor visibility, such as dawn or dusk, or during foggy weather. If you have options, keep them in pens or pastures close to your house and barnyard during hunting seasons, rather than in an outlying field.

To make sure horses are easily identifiable as domestic animals, bright colored cloth or ribbon can be braided into manes and tails. If your horse wears a halter, make sure it's a bright color. Hunter-safe horse clothing is also available. Protectavest, a Windham, Maine-based company that touts "If it can be shot at, we'll cover it in blaze orange," makes bright orange pasture "vests" for horses. The vests are basically the front half of a horse blanket. They also offer orange tail bags made of the same material. An orange horse collar that goes around the neck and fits under the throatlatch is safe for a horse at pasture, as the hook-and-loop closure tears loose if the collar becomes caught on something.

While Riding

If you have a choice, avoid riding on public land during hunting season, especially in wooded or brushy areas. The more bright color on your horse, the better. Some riders put a red or orange blanket over their regular saddle pad. Protectavest offers trail sheets to fit over the pad and under the saddle, covering the entire hind end of the horse like a quarter sheet. The company also makes orange dog vests, since many riders take their dogs along on rides.

When riding, always wear brightly colored clothing, such as bright blue, red, or orange--something that would never be mistaken for a wild animal. Avoid tans, browns, white, or light colors. A blaze-orange vest to put over your shirt or coat can be purchased at any sporting goods outlet. A bright orange helmet cover can also be used.

Another tip when riding through wooded or brushy country where visibility is poor: make sure a hunter can hear you even if he can't quite see what you are. Some riders tie small bells to their breast collar or other areas of tack so there is constant jingling as the horse moves. Singing and talking are good, but the bells give a constant signal that you and your horse are not a game animal.

By taking a few simple steps, you can make your horse's identity clear and reduce the risk of an accident.

Congrats

Congrats and thank you to all of the riders and volunteers that made the Nebraska Dressage Association Schooling Show Championships and the Movin On Up Schooling Show a success.

It was a brisk and chilly day but that certainly wasn't the feeling with all of the warm smiles!

You could tell that all of the riders had worked very hard to achieve some goals and all deserved to be there. Way to go!

The results will soon be posted on the NDA website.

High quality, excellent photos of the days events can be viewed on the DJK Photography website. Thank you Donna for capturing the best moments!!

Way to go horses and riders. We can't wait to see you next year!

Good Luck Dressage Stars

To all of our faithful blog readers, wherever you may be competing this weekend:

• Movin On Up Dressage Schooling Show
• Nebr. Dressage Association Schooling Show Championships
• Midwest Championships
• Any other shows we may have missed......
  

We wish you the very best of luck!

Support the USDF "L" Grad program

Pheasant Open I & II- Huron, South Dakota. Sept. 29 and 30th.

Home to the L program session D1, where they practice judging tests…

From Show Management:

"The show is taking late entries – and we’re especially looking for riders in Second level test 4 on Saturday and First 4 on Sunday. "

All info is on the DDE site www.DakotaDressageAndEventing.org

Its two show numbers, an in hand qualifier Saturday a.m. & the USDF BC west central series finals Saturday night…. with freestyle, & materiale classes too.


Best of all, INDOOR SHOW, with INDOOR WARM UP

Free Poster Give Away

First 2,000 registrants at PreveNile.com to receive free poster!!

Be one of the first 2,000 people to visit PreveNile and sign up for a FREE full-color 18"x24" poster featuring the PreveNile horse. It's perfect for home, office, or stable. Preserve this beautiful and distinctive artwork as a reminder of a product just as unique.

PreveNile is the only label approved "one-dose" West Nile virus (WNV) vaccine available. One dose protection makes PreveNile the perfect choice for foals, horses with unknown vaccination history, and as a booster for horses previously vaccinated with other West Nile vaccines. Act now while supplies last! Visit PreveNile.com today - this free poster is available to the first 2,000 registrants only.

Ask your veterinarian today about PreveNile - the superior, single-dose solution for WNV. I have one of these posters and they are great for the tack room!!!

Clarification

Attention all persons who have signed up for the Movin' On Up Schooling Show and or the Schooling Show Championships:

The two shows have been combined. Please check your email for ride times, and a full detail of the changes.

To all volunteers and spectators, the show will be held ONLY on Sunday at Fonner Park.

If you have further questions about changes, refunds, or other concerns please email or call Steve Gerdes.