Top Ten Things Judges Hate in Showmanship
January 31, 2024 Comments Off on Top Ten Things Judges Hate in Showmanship
When it comes to Showmanship, there are some horse and handler pairs that make the discipline look effortless. They are precise, efficient, correct, and have a special flair that sets them apart from the rest.
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There is seemingly no end to those surreal horse show experiences that are remembered for years, and referred to with laughter by those who hear about them. Horses that run away with exhibitors in classes, a horse and rider performing a beautiful pattern from the in-gate cone instead of the start cone, or getting all mixed up in a trail pattern are just a few of the bloopers many have experienced. While unintentional, they are great for bringing people together to share a laugh and for creating memories of a great show.
Continue reading …Cases Of West Nile Virus In Horses Are On The Rise
January 19, 2024 Comments Off on Cases Of West Nile Virus In Horses Are On The Rise
West Nile Virus (WNV) has been in this country for 24 years. This disease of birds is spread by mosquitoes and sometimes affects horses and humans as end-stage hosts. The virus entered the U.S. in 1999 with birds brought to the Bronx Zoo in New York. It is a common disease in Africa, west Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
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It’s one of the most anticipated Showmanship maneuvers to watch and the most stressful to per-form–the challenging pivot. The multi-tasking that is involved for exhibitors to execute this technical maneuver correctly can be overwhelming, and it’s equally as demanding for the horses that show in this class.
Continue reading …Opening Pathways To Exhibitor Access
January 15, 2024 Comments Off on Opening Pathways To Exhibitor Access
When Select Amateur Debby Brehm set out to write an AQHA rule change proposal that would allow herself and her Amateur daughter to share a single horse, she didn’t know it would take eight years of attempts to make it happen. This annual rule change proposal she brought forth for consideration year after year at the AQHA Convention affectionately became known as “Debby’s Rule.”
Continue reading …Anne Oldfather – A Passion for Excellence
January 13, 2024 Comments Off on Anne Oldfather – A Passion for Excellence
When Anne Oldfather of McKinney, Texas, stood in the show pen at the 2018 All American Quarter Horse Congress–listening to the numbers being called–she was thrilled just to be in the top ten. Then, as all the numbers but hers were called, she realized that she had won the Level 1 14-18 Showmanship championship with her beloved partner, One Exclusive Cookie aka “Cash”. Not only did they win over a talented group of over 150 other competitors, but they did it at their very first trip to the Congress.
Continue reading …Two For The Money; Three To Go Show
January 11, 2024 Comments Off on Two For The Money; Three To Go Show
Exhibitors may explore a side hustle when their main hobby or source of income is centered around a four-legged partner. This is done for a multitide of reasons. Whether the side hustle provides a secondary source of income or the opportunity to explore another passion, it also provides a unique opportunity to utilize skills and connections made within the industry.
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The phrase, “work hard, play hard,” implies we have the potential to have a successful balance between our professional and personal lives. Many exhibitors view any time spent away from their real job as a break, a vacation even–especially if they’re headed to a horse show where the hard work isn’t really considered work. After the mane bands are pulled, the horses are returned home, and the trailer is unpacked, some exhibitors go back to working hard at very interesting careers.
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Abraham Lincoln famously said, “To ease another’s heartache is to forget one’s own.” It is part of the human condition to want to help one another, especially in times of crisis. One of the most outstanding aspects of the horse world is the fact that when someone in the industry is in need, a majority of horsemen will readily step up to help.
Continue reading …Youth Profile: Lane Kail And Battarang
January 5, 2024 Comments Off on Youth Profile: Lane Kail And Battarang
The Triple Crown: the accolade marks a significant achievement in both horse racing and baseball; how fitting then that youth exhibitor Lane Kail and his equine partner Battarang have achieved what few other exhibitors ever will. Going into the 2023 show season, Kail had one goal—hit it out of the park with Battarang and bring home the youth western pleasure triple crown.
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