FOBB

Friend of the Barn Blog, Cathy McCloud was spotted in The Grand Island Independent on January 16th, 2008. Cathy was the 2007 Nebr. Dressage Association Schooling Show Championships Training Level Adult Amateur Champion.

Photo by Independent/Barrett Stinson

Holdidays vs. Horses

Is it just my schedule, or are the holidays positively THE WORST time of year to be a horse owner. Seems like there is never any time to get out to the barn, and when you are there you're thinking of 10,000 other things you're supposed to be doing instead of futzing around on your horse.

Last night I went out to the barn and rode. While I looked at Dobby's mane, grown out longer than I like it, I thought "No, his mane can wait until 2008" and put my pulling comb down.

Real life and horse life are hard to balance anyway without the extra burden of the holidays. When I get stressed, I want to be at the barn but when I'm there I'm not getting the other stuff taken care of. Maybe I should talk to Cheri about getting wi-fi at LEC so I can shop online while Dobby cools out!

Agriculture Census

Don't forget to make your Horses Count!

The American Horse Council (AHC) is reminding all members of the horse-owning community to participate in the 2007 Census of Agriculture being conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The USDA census, taken every five years, is a count of U.S. farms, ranches and the people who operate them. A link to the census can be found on the front page of the AHC’s website at www.horsecouncil.org or at https://www.agcounts.usda.gov/cgi-bin/counts.

USDF Convention: An Overview

Disney World in sunny Florida was the sight for the 2007 United States Dressage Federation Annual Convention. From November 28th through December 2nd the Coronado Resort was packed with horse people from all over the country.

This year I served as the delegate for NDA. It was an interesting job, I greatly enjoyed participating in the Board of Governors (BOG) and interacting with other leaders from GMO's in Region IV. The BOG is a body comprised of GMO delegates and participating member (PM) delegates from each region. It meets annually to discuss issues from all the committees in USDF.

A highlight for me was on Saturday when the BOG heard from David O'Connor, the president of USEF (and Olympian). He discussed the upcoming World Equestrian Games, and how USEF is preparing to host the event. From his testimony, it seems Kentucky is well on it's way to being ready for 2010. O'Connor was complimentary of USDF's commitment to working with USEF, he praised our organization for offering joint membership status checks online.

In addition to meetings, the convention also offered lectures. This year's focus was on horse health. Well respected farriers, and veterinarians spoke on all aspects of the horse. I attended a fascinating lecture on the structure of the hoof. Other lectures covered lameness, footing concerns, sport horses, and alternative therapies.

Not only is the convention packed with meetings and lectures, but there is also the annual awards banquet. Think NDA banquet on a MUCH larger Scale. If you have medaled or won Rider or horse awards through USDF you can pick them up in person. This year, Floriano, Steffen Peter's former mount won the coveted horse of the year title. Not a bad way to end a career together!

Of course, when speaking of the Convention, you can't leave out the trade fair. Over 40 different vendor's were on site. Everything from breeches to supplements, stationery, decorative items, pajamas, organic horse treats and every thing in between. Truly a budget buster!

In 2008 the USDF annual convention will be held in Denver, Colorado. Next year, in conjunction with the convention there will also be a Symposium. The USDF Symposium traditionally attracts the best of the best from US and international trainers, so mark your calendars! The Convention is open to all members and even non-members of USDF.

Horse Dictionary

Arena: Place where humans can take the fun out of forward motion.
Bit: Means by which a rider's every motion is transmitted to the extremely sensitive tissues of the mouth.
Bucking: Counterirritant.
Crossties: Gymnastic apparatus.
Dressage: Process by which some riders can eventually be taught to respect the bit.
Fence: Barrier that protects good grazing.
Grain: Sole virtue of domestication.
Hitching rail: Means by which to test one's strength.
Horse trailer: Mobile cave bear den.
Jump: An opportunity for self-expression.
Latch: Type of puzzle.
Longeing: Procedure for keeping a prospective rider at bay.
Owner: Human assigned responsibility for one's feeding.
Rider: Owner overstepping its bounds.
Farrier: Disposable surrogate owner useful for acting out aggression without compromising food supply.
Trainer: Owner with mob connections.
Veterinarian: Flightless albino vulture.

for more humor like this check out Equerry.com

Let's Buy a Horse!

Our little Q-horse just isn't going to work for us. He goes back to his home this afternoon after 4 days on trial. I'm certain he'll make a great horse for someone, but I don't have the time and my mother doesn't have the know-how to make it happen for our family.

Green horse, green rider, per my instincts was a BAD COMBO. One of them has to know what their doing, otherwise it is misery for both of them. My mom is a little heart broken over the "loss" of "her" horse, but when it got down to it, no matter how cute the little fella was he didn't fit into my purchase parameters.

My mom's goal in horse ownership is to get out of the house come to the barn, and get on for a ride. She doesn't want to show, she doesn't even really want to canter. She just wants to ride. Her only requirements are: the horse is small (that's 17hh right?)and quiet. As far as I'm concerned, I don't care what it looks like or how it moves. All I'm interested in is finding a safe horse for my mom to ride that is within our price range.

To me, it is very important for people to ride horses they enjoy riding. After all, equestrian sports are supposed to be fun. Few of us riders are professional horse trainers obligated to ride green horses for our clients. My advice to all horse buyers is this, make sure it is someone (the horse) you enjoy working with. Think about your goals and if the horse you are looking at will help you achieve those goals. DO NOT let the owner, your friends or those big beautiful brown eyes persuade you into comitting yourself to a horse you are not confident you can handle.

Here are a few things to consider when buying:
Training (what does it do now?)
Mentality (does he/she have bad habits?)
Rideablity
Physical issues (sound? quality hooves? scarring etc)
Age
Price
Goals for Horse
Potential
Looks

And just because you're on a tight budget, doesn't mean you can't find a great horse. Take your time, ride the horses. If you can, get a horse on a trial basis. If you're serious about your prospective buy, get a vet check. Above all, be pragmatic and honest with yourself.

All horses are beautiful, and there are plenty out there, so don't rush into buying if something isn't as close to perfect as possible. Don't invest your money and time into some one with a problem you not sure you can handle. Don't buy a horse simply off breeding (unless its gonna be a brood mare), or looks or because your trainer can ride it. Spend the time to find the horse that best fits your needs, and you will be a happy rider.

Mothers and Daughters and Horses OH MY!

23 years into my career as a dressage rider, I come to find out my mother has wanted to ride this whole time.

Mom found a little black quarter horse he's not quite ready for prime time, but she likes him. I picked him up last night, now he's on trial with me for the next couple weeks. He can be young, but he's got to be kind. I don't care about looks, movement anything. Any horse my mom calls her own must be quiet. In spite of all the years on the side-lines my mother is a little out of touch with certain realities of the horse business, last night she was a little hesistant.

My initial thoughts are that a green-is horse, and a green rider is an awful idea. There is a lingering part of me that thinks maybe it will be okay, and they can both learn together. Of course it will be a lot of work for me to teach the two of them. The horse needs to learn, the rider needs to learn, and I'm the bridge bringing them together. Maybe though, it will be good. My mom and I will both learn how to communicate with this fella, and maybe, just maybe communication between mother and daughter will improve. Horses do have a way of breaking down barriers.

We haven't decided yet if we're keeping him yet. My mom hasn't decided how dedicated she will be to her riding. All she knows at this point is that he's cute and she really wants to give this a shot. Both of my parents have supported me in my riding all these years, even when I quit. My mother has been especially wonderful, I owe this to her after all that she's done I can share this with her.

For those of you who know my mom, wish me luck!

FYI: Sarah Martin

Lincoln Equestrian Center will be hosting yet another event this weekend! Sarah Martin, USDF certified instructor though 4th level, and graduate of the judges "L" program will be instructing riders of all levels on Saturday and Sunday.

Sarah Martin teaches out of her Taka Chi Stables in Blanca Colorado. Her career in the horse world has taken her across the country, and through a variety of different disciplines of riding. Martin started her horse career in the Arab world, moving into Endurance riding back to Arabs and eventually, into dressage.

I'm sure that having ridden so many different types of horses in a variety of different disciplines will make Sarah a very knowledgeable and understanding clinician. The USDF certification process does produce good quality instructors who are prepared to teach riders at all skill levels. This is a great opportunity for riders in the area to come, watch and learn!

The clinic is open to auditors, please bring your own chairs. There is no fee to audit. A limited number of lunches will be available to auditors, at a cost of $7.00for a deli sandwich, chips, drink and desert.

Reminder

NDA Members: The Annual Banquet and meeting is this Saturday November 17th. During the meeting new board members will be selected, and new officers on the executive board will be elected. Members present at the banquet/meeting will decide. However if you are not present, you can still be accounted for if you send a proxy vote in with someone who is going.

Check out the nominees for this year's board in the November issue of the Contact. A good executive board is the key to a well run organization. Proxy make a difference, your voice will be heard!

Pop Equi-z - Your Eye Q

The farrier asks you to fetch the "walleyed" horse from the barn. Which one do you retrieve?

A. the one peering at you thru the knothole in the stall wall

B. the one with the whites of his eyes showing

C. the one with a blue eye

D. the one with small eyes



I shall reveal the answer later..........

Dressage Horses without Arenas

On Sunday, October 28th, Rafter J Dressage took the arenas away from dressage horses and went for on a scenic, quiet Poker Ride.

Tweleve horses (not all dressage horses) began at the Folmer Ranch in Palmer, Nebraska and rode a mile down a gravel road to some lovely wooded property along the Loup River. It was a brisk morning, but MAN we had fun! It was a very refreshing time. No pressure. No rules. Just us, our horses, and the scenery.

We spiced up "your average trail ride" by putting 5 buckets along the trail. In each bucket were two decks of cards. Each rider was given an index card at the beginning of the ride with each side of the index card represented one Poker Hand-5 Card Draw. Each rider drew two cards from the bucket and tried to assemble the best two poker hands they could. At the conclusion of the ride, the *twist* was revealed.....points were randomly assigned to each Poker Hand and it was conceivable for the person with the WORST hand to actually win.

Amber Handcock won $10 and a $10 gift card to Tractor Supply by not actually having a poker hand....she had the highest score simply from totaling her individual cards.

Cathy McCloud and Phil Sydzik both came in second with two pair.

After the ride we had a potluck at the Folmer Ranch and everyone agreed that we ate WAY TOO MUCH!

We had a wonderful time. I encourage all riders to use the last of this wonderful fall weather to get your horses out. Forget about your training goals and your program for two hours. Just enjoy your horse and the weather!

Happy Halloween

If you've ever been to one, you know that holiday parties at the barn are a lot of fun! (Especially when there are costumes). Horses and ponies must get into the spirit of the holiday as well, why else would they let us dress them up?? Here are some great photos, from the LEC Haloween party, courtesy of Sandie McConnel. Sandie, and her mare Onya came as a couple of witches.















Alyse Hunt and Poet came as hippies. Alyse did an excellent job designing our dressage trail course. It was both challenging and fun!
















Caroline Kilday and Reggae were Mummies. Did you know ancient Egyptian horses were traditionally wrapped in Vetwrap?

















Cheri Harker, and her sport pony Sam were victims of a nasty spill at the Hunt. Kudos to Charli Harker for doing an excellent job on her mom's make-up. She looked really REALLY bad!
















Kristin Feese got in touch with her inner child by dressing Celbrity (Britt) as a My Little Pony. Swat, I was told, is the key to this costume.
















Libby Pollack and Cappy were the winners of the Junior Costume class with their CUTE Bunny outfits. Both the pony and the girl had fluff ball tails. It should be noted that Libby rocked the trail course also!



Margaret Harre put everyone else to shame as the Queen of Halloween. A simply fantastic costume. Her husband could be heard bemoaning the early arrival of the full moon, as apparently his costume comes and goes. An odd rental policy indeed!


If you have photos of you and your horse (or dog/cat) in Costumes please send them to me at margndob@hotmail.com I will post Halloween shots until Friday!!

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!