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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Oh my goodness? It is October and we are approaching the end of the year. We are still in a dilemma with regard to our leadership. We haven’t heard anything regarding Don Treadway’s successor but we have hired a new staff member. He is Pete Kyle, a likeable horseman who I hear has thoughts about reorganization. We have either fired or shuffled around 14 members of our staff for reasons only known by those who AQHA feel necessary. It shouldn’t surprise any of you to hear that AQHA is still discussing more ‘levels’ of competition to further confuse our exhibitors and our show managers.
Continue reading …Olivia Hoecker – A Passion for All Things Equine
October 6, 2014 Comments Off on Olivia Hoecker – A Passion for All Things Equine
Olivia Hoecker is the founder and owner of Pine Meadow Quarter Horses. Through hard work and dedication she has created one of the premier American Quarter Horse breeding programs the breed has to offer. Her stallion roster reads like a ‘Who’s Who’ of Quarter Horse bloodlines, and the horses produced through her breeding program are consistently at the top of today’s level of elite competition. She is living every horsewoman’s fantasy, but she has worked long and hard to reach this personal goal of making her lifelong dream into a reality.
Continue reading …Cathrin Gutmann – Transatlantic Equestrian
October 5, 2014 Comments Off on Cathrin Gutmann – Transatlantic Equestrian
Cathrin Gutmann exudes positive energy. When you see her competing in Hunter Under Saddle, she presents a picture of elegance and poise, clad in tasteful show outfits that complement her top Quarter Horse contenders. But there is much more than meets the eye when it comes to this young, energetic mother and competitor. She is a true Renaissance woman, whether she is playing with her adorable three-year-old daughter, Emilie, competing with her string of blue-blooded Quarter Horses, or immersing herself in the extensive restoration of Gut Jaidhof, the historic family seat in Austria.
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Marilyn Masterson and her five year-old mare, Suddenly Its Time, aka “Suzie,” are busily wrapping up an impressive show season. Recently, the pair was named the Reserve NSBA World Champions in Amateur 50 and Over Western Pleasure and fourth place in Western Pleasure at the AQHA Select World Show.
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