Monroe, Washington is a slice of paradise at the fork of the Skykomish, Snohomish, and Snoqualmie rivers. To the west, it’s a 30-minute commute to the bustling cities of Everett, Seattle, or Bellevue, and to the east lies the rugged terrain of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest and the magnificent Cascade Mountain Range. Mike and May Edwards settled on their beautiful facility built in 1999, and together they have created a thriving business on their 8½ acre farm that’s surrounded by the best nature has to offer. In this bucolic setting, they are developing some of the country’s most accomplished competitors in Youth, Amateur, and Select divisions. The depth of their knowledge is impressive. Mike is a carded judge with AQHA, NSBA, NRCHA, and ABRA and May often judges locally.
Continue reading …Around the Rings – AQHYA With G-Man
August 10, 2020 Comments Off on Around the Rings – AQHYA With G-Man
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Dealing With Hoof Cracks: Managing the Feet for Health and Strength
July 30, 2020 Comments Off on Dealing With Hoof Cracks: Managing the Feet for Health and Strength
Pat Burton, a farrier in Texas, has developed effective ways to rehabilitate feet that suffer from cracking, using management rather than bar shoes or other types of special shoeing. “Every day, the hoof grows and changes. My philosophy is to try to encourage good hoof growth and try to minimize anything that would inhibit that growth or put pressure on the affected site,” he says.
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The past year has been an exciting one at Ryan Cottingim Show Horses. In July 2019, Ryan and his fiancée, Amanda Gately, purchased their dream farm in Shelbyville, Tennessee, located an hour south of Nashville. Now, settled on 33 acres of sweeping fields and lush forest, they’re taking their successful sales, training, coaching, competition, and fledgling breeding program to a new level. Ryan Cottingim Show Horses caters to riders of all levels and ages, from youth to amateur and select. They specialize in Western-based All-Around, but with strong backgrounds in a variety of disciplines, they offer training, instruction, and the opportunity for clients to compete locally, regionally and nationally.
Continue reading …Smart Schooling – Seven Rules for Proper Schooling
July 26, 2020 Comments Off on Smart Schooling – Seven Rules for Proper Schooling
Michael Jordan once said, “Always turn a negative situation into a positive situation.” Although Jordan was not an equestrian, his words are paramount to the success of any athlete, regardless of their sport. Similar to any other top-level athlete, equestrians are continually striving to be better and to achieve the ideal performance in the show arena. However, many pieces must line up to create a winning ride. Unfortunately, it only takes one misstep to derail an otherwise winning performance.
Continue reading …Around the Rings – Madness With G-Man
July 24, 2020 Comments Off on Around the Rings – Madness With G-Man
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The Overtraining Phenomenon – How to Peak Your Horse at Exactly the Right Time
July 24, 2020 Comments Off on The Overtraining Phenomenon – How to Peak Your Horse at Exactly the Right Time
There are an enticing array of high profile horse shows scattered across the country and the calendar. As a result, it can feel as though you must be at your absolute best for every show. Yet that can take a toll on the physical and mental well-being of both horse and rider. This overtraining phenomenon often leads to a discouraging show experience and can unwittingly spur on even more overtraining, perpetuating the cycle.
Continue reading …COVID-19 Strikes a Blow to the Horse Show Industry
July 22, 2020 Comments Off on COVID-19 Strikes a Blow to the Horse Show Industry
There’s a line in an old Alabama song that says, “You can’t keep a good man down.” If there was ever a time to apply it to the horse industry, it’s right now.
Continue reading …Show Ready Strength: A Full Body Exercise Routine for the Busy Equestrian
July 20, 2020 Comments Off on Show Ready Strength: A Full Body Exercise Routine for the Busy Equestrian
Any successful equestrian will agree that consistent practice leads to trophies and titles. In addition, any successful partnership is strengthened through time spent in the saddle. But another integral piece of the puzzle is the physical fitness of not just the horse but also the rider.
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When Barbara and Tom Gonzalez married and began to raise their kids, the thought of being a horse show family was never on their radar. “We weren’t raised around horses and didn’t know anything about horse shows,” explains Barbara. Barbara and Tom with their three daughters, Meagan, Molly, and Melissa, enjoyed taking family vacations to various parts of Colorado and New Mexico. On their vacations, riding horses was one of their favorite family activities, and they discovered their love for horses together. “One memory that stands out is when we were on vacation in Colorado and our youngest daughter, Melissa, instantly fell in love with riding when she took a ride on a pony named Pete. She was three at the time and was smiling from ear to ear. After that ride, she never stopped talking about horses and has been horse crazy ever since,” Barbara says.
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