While riding in the groomed arenas of the 65-acre Del Mar Horse Park, you can almost smell the salty twang of the Pacific Ocean wafting in from a mere two miles away.
Continue reading …Often enough taxpayers who are audited in connection with their farming or livestock activities are questioned on the issue known in the tax law as the “material participation test.” Under this legal test, you are permitted to deduct losses against outside salary and wages only if, among other things, you “materially participate” in the activity. Many duties, such as training of animals, showing of show horses and racing of race horses, are delegated to qualified experts, and sometimes the IRS will question the validity of your own participation in decisionmaking, in an effort to say you have failed to meet the material participation test.
Continue reading …Do you think it’s right to post show patterns online, often weeks prior to an event? Or, do you think this practice takes “true horsemanship” out of the equation?
Continue reading …When it came time for the competition, winning exhibitors were rewarded with gift cards from iTunes, Amazon, Sephora, McDonald’s, Subway, Chili’s, Applebee’s, and Target, which were presented in Novice, Youth, and Amateur classes.
Continue reading …Recently, Mark Harrell Horse Shows put together this helpful list of the Top 10 Horse Show Do’s and Don’ts they’ve learned from judges during the 2015 show season so far.
Continue reading …Nationwide, 46 states (all but California, Maryland, Nevada, and New York) have some form of an Equine Activity Liability Act (as of March 2015). All of these laws differ, but many share common characteristics. Several of them include an exception for a “dangerous latent condition of the land.”
Continue reading …If you don’t mind being flung through the air by 1,800 pounds of snorting bovine brawn, then riding a 16 hand Quarter Horse must be a stroll in the park. Even though bull riding and hunt seat riding are different, trainer Andrey Ferreir approaches both the same. “Riding a bull is 90% mental, and showing a horse is 90% mental,” Andrey says. “If you can stay cool and focused, you’ll do alright.” His crossover approach is certainly working for him, as his success in the AQHA show arena attests.
Continue reading …New classes added for 2015 are Youth and Amateur Ranch Riding and Novice Select Western Pleasure and Horsemanship.
Continue reading …It has been a whirlwind year for competitor, judge, breeder, trainer, and coach Jarrell Jackson, Equine Manager at Three Nails Ranch in Cisco, Texas. Two years ago, he joined ranch owners Billy and Suzonne Franks to expand their Halter horse operation at the sprawling 1,800 acre-ranch just west of Fort Worth, TX. Jarrell brought a solid background in horses to the table along with a Bachelor of Science degree in Equine Studies – Reproduction. His extensive knowledge of horses stems from a life of observation and involvement in all aspects of the industry.
Continue reading …While watching a recap of the first round of the NFL draft on ESPN this morning, there was an interview with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell that was quite interesting. Being the head of the most popular sport in America certainly comes with its challenges. Goodell was asked a few questions relating to the scandals that rocked the NFL in 2014-15 such as Deflategate, violence by players against women, Aaron Hernandez’ murder trial, and drug use. He answered all with the direct responses and aplomb you would expect from the CEO of a multi-billion dollar corporation.
Continue reading …