Full Circle: A Horse, A Trainer, And The Mentor Who Taught Them Both
It’s good to remember that when we achieve success in life, it’s due, at least in part, to those who have come before us.
When Super Select Competitor Rodger Call was interviewed on camera by The Equine Chronicle after winning the L3 Select Pleasure Driving at the 2024 AQHA World Championship Show with Unforgettable to Me, he said modestly, “We had one of our very good drives today.” This humble competitor put in a stellar performance and when asked what he likes about Pleasure Driving, he joked, “After I turned 82, my daughter said, ‘No more jumping for you, but you can at least do the pleasure driving,’ so that’s what I’m doing!”
Continue reading …The Art Of The Halter Horse With Kathy Smallwood
January 8, 2025 Comments Off on The Art Of The Halter Horse With Kathy Smallwood
After 49 years spent as a professional horse trainer, it’s safe to say that Kathy Smallwood knows a thing or two about creating champions. Not only is she an AQHA Professional Horseman and multiple World and Congress Champion in her own right, she’s also a breeder who’s worked with multiple World and Congress Champions across breeds like AQHA, APHA, PHBA, and ABRA.
Continue reading …Down the Horse Show Road – Weighing The Benefits Of Weekend Shows And Large Circuits
January 6, 2025 Comments Off on Down the Horse Show Road – Weighing The Benefits Of Weekend Shows And Large Circuits
Poet Robert Frost famously wrote of two roads diverging and the choice one must make of which way to go. Many horse show exhibitors can no doubt relate to Frost’s choice as they are weighing their show schedule at the beginning of each season. Many exhibitors look back with nostalgia on the days of small weekend horse shows that saw one or two judges in the center of the pen and a full schedule of classes to show in each day.
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We may find a foal able to stand within twenty minutes of birth, and within two hours he might be ready to run. However, at this point in his young life, he will possess only 15 to 20 percent of his mature bone mineral content and he will only have reached approximately ten percent of his ultimate body weight.
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The heartbreak of losing a horse is immeasurable, so finding an appropriate way to commemorate this kind of loss can be quite a challenge. Everywhere you look there are memories, from first and last ribbons, buckles and trophies, embroidered jackets and bridle bags, to the engraved nameplate on the door of an empty stall.
Continue reading …Hunter Under Saddle Ring Etiquette
December 31, 2024 Comments Off on Hunter Under Saddle Ring Etiquette
In Hunter Under Saddle classes, it can be hard to know if you’ve positioned your horse in the arena in a way that shows them to the judges in their best possible light.
Continue reading …EC Youth Profile – Georgia, Isabella, And Elizabeth Cook
December 29, 2024 Comments Off on EC Youth Profile – Georgia, Isabella, And Elizabeth Cook
Most kids who’ve grown up in the horse industry go in one of two directions. They either rebel completely and want to try something new, like football or dance, or they’re all in, following in the footsteps of their horse-loving parents.
Continue reading …Double Duty – Breeders Discuss The APHA Rule Change
December 27, 2024 Comments Off on Double Duty – Breeders Discuss The APHA Rule Change
At its 2024 Convention, The American Paint Horse Association (APHA) passed a rule change that, according to APHA’s March 5 press release, “combines the Regular Registry and Solid Paint-Bred Registry for competition purposes at APHA-approved events. Beginning January 1, 2025, all registered Paint Horses will compete together in APHA-approved events, regardless of their registry classification.” The rule change passed with a 66-32 vote in favor.
Continue reading …Miller Quarter Horses Relocates To Texas
December 25, 2024 Comments Off on Miller Quarter Horses Relocates To Texas
There’s a new family in the town of Boerne, Texas– Keith and Sydney Miller of Miller Quarter Horses.
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