Selecting and Starting the Ideal Yearling Longe Line Prospect
December 31, 2014 Comments Off on Selecting and Starting the Ideal Yearling Longe Line Prospect
Longe Line classes can be a great way to show your yearling and have fun introducing him to the world, but it can also lead to burnout and dismal under saddle performance. With futurities and incentives luring exhibitors with big payouts, more and more young horses are being campaigned. The popularity of these classes increases while some are cautioning restraint. Are we pushing too hard on young minds and bodies? Three highly successful Longe Line exhibitors share their insight about how they train, show, and win without ruining a young horse’s prospects for a long show career.
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Claiming the No. 1 spot is a coveted position in the horse show world, whether it’s class-by-class, show-by-show, or even more sought after, a win in Year-End All-Around standings or High Point categories. The race for the title each year is a long and competitive one that kicks off in January and continues until the last class of the last show in December.
Continue reading …Persistence Pays Off For the Dempze Family
December 29, 2014 Comments Off on Persistence Pays Off For the Dempze Family
After twenty long years of making trips to Columbus, Ohio, the venerable Dempze family achieved a lifetime goal of winning a Championship at the 2014 All American Quarter Horse Congress. Trainer Gil Gaylean presented Rewind And Repeat, aka “Rerun,” to the highest favor of the judges in Junior Western Pleasure. Following that success, Jenna Dempze took the reins, rewound the tape, and repeated the performance to take top honors in Amateur Western Pleasure.
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This is my 13th “On The Fence” article and yes, I’m still concerned with all the unattended problems of our Association that still exist to this point. I believe I have thoroughly explained the relatively simple and affordable enjoyment we were initially privileged to be a part of years ago. We had no desire to change anything. Occasionally we found some concerns that were disturbing but it seemed most of them were easily addressed and acted on. Our officers and leadership appeared to be in proper control of everything, and our membership was steadily growing.
Continue reading …From the Publisher – Priceless Moments
December 27, 2014 Comments Off on From the Publisher – Priceless Moments
It’s an hour or two before dawn and the brisk winter air is nature’s alarm clock as it stings your face on the way to the barn. The stalls are eerily silent as you enter an aisle that is dark except for a faint light at the far end. You are greeted by sleepy nickers from the other residents as you pass them on the way to the illuminated stall. They all know why you are there and as you peer through the bars you know the eleven month journey was was worth every minute. There, before you, is your newborn foal.
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“I’ve had studs for 30 years, and Kruzer is an exceptional horse. I really expect him to be the very best all-around sire for years to come.” That’s quite high praise coming from stallion manager Mike Hay considering The Krymsun Kruzer’s breeding career is still in its relative infancy. At the age of ten, the striking bay stallion, by One Hot Krymsun and out of Pure N Passion, has three foal crops on the ground, and Hot Shot Hit, Gracious N Fabulous, and Her Irons Are Hot are just a few of the great mares expecting foals in 2015.
Continue reading …What Direction Should AQHA Take Going Forward?
November 15, 2014 Comments Off on What Direction Should AQHA Take Going Forward?
This past year, AQHA Executive Vice President Don Treadway announced his intention to retire in 2015 after forty years with the American Quarter Horse Association. Mr. Treadway has seen AQHA grow from a few thousand horses in America to the largest equine breed registry and membership organization in the world. The growth and popularity of America’s horse has been phenomenal until recently.
Continue reading …Sharing Knowledge Between Generations – Part 2
November 14, 2014 Comments Off on Sharing Knowledge Between Generations – Part 2
Last month, we gained some insight into what veteran horse professionals find to be the most important aspects of being a successful horse trainer. Dedicated to passing this knowledge forward, they make it a daily practice to help, share, coach, critique, and comfort the younger trainers following in their path.
Continue reading …Confessions Of A First Year Scribe
October 10, 2014 Comments Off on Confessions Of A First Year Scribe
I was a former eye-roller. You know that conversation, when you’re sharing your opinion about a judge’s results and someone says that everyone should have to stand inside the ring, just once, to see what it’s really like? Cue the eye-roll. Admittedly, I wasn’t blessed with a poker face. Oddly enough, I have found the cure and it came while standing inside the ring.
Continue reading …Can a Boarding Contract Save a Horse’s Life?
October 8, 2014 Comments Off on Can a Boarding Contract Save a Horse’s Life?
Boarding contracts are very important documents. Among their many elements, these documents can establish payment schedules, confirm services that will be provided, address additional services and fees, identify late payment fees and interest on unpaid balances, explain health requirements for incoming horses, discuss stable-wide vaccination and de-worming programs, address how either party can terminate the contract, and many other elements. One very important clause, which boarding contracts sometimes miss, explains how the stable may handle veterinary emergencies when the owner cannot be reached.
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