The Official Newsletter of the Texas Endurance Riders Association
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Volume 12, Issue 1, Winter 2013
Trail Markers is published Quarterly in January, April, July, and October. It is distributed solely to members of the Texas Endurance Riders Association, and is comprised of both their input and the opinion of the editor, neither of which represent the organization’s views or official stance. Of course, if there is no input from members, then you’re pretty much stuck with the editor’s opinions. Which don’t amount to much, really, but they can sometimes make interesting reading. Other times … well, the term “bird cage liner” comes to mind.
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Advertising rates are as follows (these are for black and white): Full page - $80 Half page - $55 1/4 page - $32 Business Card - $22 These are one time rates. Contact Todd for yearly rates. We are also offering a classified section free to TERA members. Non-TERA members -.50¢ a word. Deadline for the next issue is April 8th, 2013.
Editor’s Musings - p3
Board of Directors - p3
Things You Should Know - p3 Finding our Spots - p4
Unwritten Rules Part 1 - p5
Reminiscing Through the Rides- p6-7 Our 2013 Board Members - p8
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TERA Ride Calendar - p2
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In This Issue:
TERA Year End Award Recipients - p10 Identifying Lost or Stolen Horses - p11
TERA
Wanna be published? Get it in!
Cover photo: Jasmine Gammel and her horse WWA NATACHKA round the corner at Wacky Waco ride.
Trot Out - p12
Photo by: John Nowell - http://www.remuda.smugmug.com
2013 TERA Sponsored Rides Racing Stripes I & II February 16-17, 2013 Priefert Ranch, Mount Pleasant, TX Khristin Seymore 903-563-6639 HorizonAggie@aol.com
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Heart of the Hills Benefit March 2-3, 2013 Hill Country State Natural Area Bandera, TX Eron Howell 830-537-4604 eronh@gvtc.com Texas Tango March 17, 2013 7IL Ranch, Cat Springs, TX Debbie Linebarger 281-703-0909 Texas-tango@hotmail.com 2
Shanghai Trails March 31-April 1, 2013 Pierce Ranch, Pierce, TX Cindy Kolvalchuk 281-961-5810 cindyatsaddlebrook@yahoo.com Post Oak Challenge April 14-15, 2012 Trace Trails, Athens, TX Thomas Booth 903-288-1877 tbooth000@gmail.com
Unicorn Hunt Sept. 1, 2013 Davey Crockett N.F., Kennard, TX David J. Fant 936-655-4048 (dfant2007@hotmail.com)
S O C I AT I Llano Estacado Challenge June 8-9, 2012 Lake Meredith, Armarillo, TX Doug Blashill 806-622-8583 dblashill@clearwire.net
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2013 Board of Directors President Vickie Roden 373 Langston Ln McKinney, TX 75069 972-978-0072 M Vickier_is@yahoo.com
Education Director Valerie Bixler 3598 CR 406 McKinney, TX 75071 214-514-3618 bixlerdvm@gmail.com
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See you on the trail, somewhere Hopefully... Safe Riding, Todd Hezeau
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Publicity & Awards Vice-President Director Donna Shiffette Khristin Seymore 2400 Yorktown #67 PO Box 559 Houtson, TX 77056 Daingerfield, Texas 75638 713-264-1210 903-563-6639 donna@equinemonitors.com HorizonAggie@aol.com Secretary Membership Director Sylvia Fant Tammy Powell 3901 North Possum Walk Rd. 9011 Latma Ct. Kennard, TX 75847 Houston, TX 77025 936-655-4048 832-689-3820 sfant2008@hotmail.com sterling222@sbcglobal.net Treasurer Ride Manager Director Robin Howze Debbie Linebarger 845 Wilson Road 39748 Chambers Road Waxahachie, TX 75165 Hempstead, TX 77445 214-244-5909 979-826-5301 rhowze@sbcglobal.net ridehappy@hotmail.com
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Well, we are into the 2013 ride season and TERA has a new set of officers for the next 2 seasons, possibly longer, and I’m sure we’ll see some changes in a good way in our organization. So welcome, to our new officers! I have to give a great big huge shout out to the exiting officers as they have been the rock for the organization for last number of years and have done some wonderful things for TERA and I am glad for the effort that they had put forth to improve TERA. Thank you!!! I don’t really have anything to talk about as Winter has been, as usual, non-eventful, but I hope everyone and their mounts have a great ride season and stays safe and healthy. I look forward to seeing you at many rides.
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The Editor’s Musings...
Editor, Todd Hezeau 7259 CR 3223 Lone Oak, TX 75453 469.261.8733 maccwall@yahoo.com
TERA
News you should know...
If you have been attending TERA rides long enough, then you know our wonderful ride photographer, John Nowell, whose ad for Specialized Saddles is to your right. He took photographs at all of the Mortl Challenge rides, as he does at most of our TERA rides. What you probably don’t know is that John donated what he made from selling the Mortl Challenge photographs, over $200.00, to TERA. Thank you John for that wonderful contribution. If you are interested in John’s photos, they can be viewed at www.remuda.smugmug. com. Do youself a favor and buy one of his photos.
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Sp e c ia liz e d Sa d d le s Th e L a st Sa d d le Yo u Will Eve r Ne e d ! “T he One with the Adjustable Fit”
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Why are Specialized Saddles taking the horse world by storm?
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• Width, arch and angle can be independently adjusted to achieve a perfect fit – the ultimate in comfort for horse and rider • Easy to adjust as horse changes shape or you change horses – no tools required • Lightweight, durable designs begin at 14 lbs complete • Six models cover virtually any riding discipline; trees also available for extra wide horses and mules • High-quality, best value: prices begin at $1349 • T ry before you buy; ask about our demo program
Specialized Saddles www.speci a l i zedsa ddl es.com
Contact John Nowell, Regional Distributor, for more information specsaddles@msn.com (972) 672-8250
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Written by an anonymous rookie!
Everyone wants to belong to something. Whether it’s in a family, a job place, or a sport, no one wants to be out of place, looking in from the outside. And yet, anytime we start something new we start from the outside looking in. Sometimes it’s hard to find our “spot.” I’m happy to say, that in the world of endurance, it’s relatively easy compared to most to find that spot where we feel that we belong. I have been involved in many sports throughout the years and have found that fitting in sometimes comes hard, but if our sport is going to continue on for others to enjoy for years to come, we need to make it easier for newcomers to find their spots. What is my spot? What is your spot? Some spots are easier to see. We have the most obvious spots, the vets, the ride managers, the trail workers, and the volunteers to fill in the big ones. No one can miss these and in my opinion everyone should find a spot at sometime as a volunteer. It doesn’t have to be every single ride, but everyone should help in some way when they can. The other spots are sometimes hard to see. These come in many forms like the mentors & sponsors, seasoned riders offering their time to explain our sport in detail, the encouragers, the riders who may be temporarily grounded or riders that just go out of their way to encourage someone who’s having a tough go at a ride and we have the welcoming committee: those who make it a point to make anyone new to the sport, or the area, feel at home. That’s where my story really begins. My start in the endurance world is rather laughable, now. It wasn’t starting out but now I can see the humor in it. It started way before I even started conditioning. I met an AERC member who was going to help me learn the sport and show me the ropes, but things went…well...they went south pretty fast, leaving me with a first bad impression on the people in the sport. But, having been involved in sports my whole life I knew that there are always bad apples in every sport, so I started my conditioning routine with an online mentor from Canada! My mentor was very patient with me, even when I had 47 questions in one day! The next bump in the road came when one week before I am to try my first 25 as my one and only competition horse came in from the pasture with a horribly swollen leg. I spent hours the next few days with ice, water, liniment, and anything I could possibly use to get him ready. The day before we were to head out the swelling was finally down. Off to our first ride! The ride itself was all I could ask for. People were nice, my horse did well, and I knew I liked, no loved, the sport, the challenge, and the fact there was so much to learn, but I still did not feel that I belonged…yet. My next ride things went a bit rough there too. My horse and I completed, but we were unprepared for the course, or the weather, and had some other problems including our horse obliterating our fence and going gallivanting through the entire camp. Thank goodness no one was hurt and the horse was recovered though damage was done to one horse trailer. I left that ride still not having found my spot, and a little discouraged with everything that had happened so far. And then along comes our next ride, which we never make it to as my vehicle dies halfway to the event. Time to give up? No way! Endurance riders are supposed to “endure,” right? At least that’s what I told myself. Two weeks later we try again…..this time off to the ride by myself. No one but me and my horse. Not really knowing anyone yet, we pull into camp ready for another go. This time though I would find my spot. Walking up to check in I met several of those that belonged to the welcoming committee. Three times on my way people called out my name and asked how everything was going. To them it was almost nothing, but to me, they had taken time to know my name, and reached out and made me feel welcome. I could have gone home from that ride right then and been completely happy because they made me feel like I belonged and that was a good thing. My totally unflappable horse who had never bucked even once in his life took it upon himself to toss me 5 minutes before the start of the 25 the next morning, right in front of ride management! But then along came the encouragers. As they caught my horse, they made sure that I could breathe (that was debatable for a while) and got me back on my horse in time to start the ride. After the ride they came over to chat, offered some tips, and in general made me feel very welcomed. On our ride the next day we experienced our first ride in the rain, cold rain at that, but all was well and I had found my spot, and I “belonged”. Now my question to you is, how many of our first time riders find that spot where they feel like they belong? Sometimes it can be difficult to make sure you speak to each newcomer, but that first “Hello, I’m so and so, can I help you?” can be critical at making a one timer become a full timer. Sometimes they only give it one try….one and done. We may only have one shot at them. Let’s make it count! Then also, how many of our seasoned riders have not found their spot? Because I believe there are many that come and go to each ride, doing their thing, but they have not found that spot where they belong. They stay to themselves, well, maybe I have a couple friends to chat with, but they never really get involved. I may be new to this sport, but I can at least go up to someone, introduce myself and try to be friendly. You may be surprised at how much that could mean to someone. Help them find their spot. So this rookie says get out there and find YOUR spot!! And if you have a little trouble finding that spot, my appaloosa and I can loan you one (or two)! See you on the trail!
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Unwritten Rules Part 1 Howdy fellow TERA members! And welcome to a new ride year. We are already 2 rides into the 2013 season with many more to look forward to. And we are very excited to see so many new riders and members. One of the things that fascinated me when I became involved with the sport of endurance was the willingness of the riders to help their fellow sportsmen, on the trail and in camp. No matter whom they were or where they were in their ride, these riders stopped to help fellow riders who were having “issues”. This was not your run of the mill cut-throat sport! Riders actually sacrificed their ride to help another rider or horse in trouble. So over the next few months, we will be focusing on trail and camp etiquette. We all need to be reminded of these unwritten rules that keep our riders and our horses safe as we compete in our extreme sport. So let’s get started. IN CAMP *Be aware of space – whether setting up your camping site or driving through camp selecting a camping spot. Don’t take up too much space for your horses’ pens. Be aware of where other riders may need to set up pens. And be aware of mares and stallions and communicate with your neighbor as to how to set up camp for the most stress-free experience. *Be aware of where your horse and other horses are at all times – whether in the PR line, the vet line or at the water/cool out area. Horses kick. Horses react. Horses are unpredictable. Avoid crowding. We have had riders injured while waiting in line to have their horses vetted. *Always WALK your horse in camp, both to and from the beginning of the trail. We have horses walking in to cool down and we want those horses to have every chance for a successful recovery. We also have volunteers, ride management and veterinarians who are on foot. And we can’t afford to lose any of these folks as they are essential to the success of our rides. ON TRAIL *Be aware of other riders on trail. SLOW DOWN when approaching another horse/rider team, whether approaching from behind or riding toward them. Remember that there may be inexperienced horses on trail being ridden by both “newbies” and veterans. Announce that you are approaching and express your wishes (may I pass? On the Right? Left?). This goes for ALL riders – those competing for top 10 and those wanting the miles. I know that some think of these rides as races. But that doesn’t give those faster riders license to forgo their manners. We are sanctioned by the American Endurance RIDE Conference. *When at a watering hole/trough, approach at a walk. Horses will drink better. Don’t crowd other horses at the water. Even if your horse doesn’t drink, stay at water until other horses finish drinking. Ask if it is OK to leave the water before WALKING away from the trough. Walking gives your horse time to absorb some of the liquid in the stomach. *If you come up on another horse/rider team and are riding at the same pace, ask if you can ride with them. Then take turns leading and following. Leading takes a lot of energy for the horse and that horse will usually need a break. If the other horse does end up leading most or all of the way it is courteous to allow that horse to finish that loop or ride first. It is very bad manners to race them to the finish and beat them when they have been leading most of the way. Of course, they may not care and give you permission to finish ahead of them…but ask. These are by no means all of the rules of etiquette. We will be revisiting more of them throughout the year as issues come up. But think about these few things and always be aware of how your behavior can affect the behavior of those around you. We want to present our sport in a good way. We are ambassadors for not only our sport, but all equestrian sports so take your manners with you when on the trails conditioning, as well. Your TERA Director of Education, Valerie Bixler, DVM
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Reminiscing Thr
Diller Dash 7IL Ranch Oct. 20
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Trace the Trails Trace Trails Nov. 10-11
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Photos courtesy: John Nowell (with exceptions of two) http://www.remuda.smugmug.com
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Wacky Waco Lake Waco Dec. 8
Lone Star I & II HCSNA Nov. 23-24
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Photo courtesy of Bobbie Jo Liberman http://www.bobbiejo.smugmug.com/
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Photo courtesy of Bobbie Jo Liberman http://www.bobbiejo.smugmug.com/
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Our 2013 Board Members
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Photo courtesy of Sallie Gilispie http://www.sagalp.com
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They are from left to right: Publicity & Awards Director Khristin Seymore, Education Director Valerie Bixler, Ride Manager Director Debbie Linebarger, Secretary Sylvia Fant, President Vickie Roden (Queen Victoria), Membership Director Tammy Powell, Vice-President Donna Shiffette, and Treasurer Robin Howze.
Exiting are Dianne Campbell who has served as President for seven years and was on the board for even longer cand Scott Godwin as Vice President. They both did a fabulous job bringing TERA to where it is and keeping it there. A great big thank you to both for your service to our organization.
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Specializing in custom made Beta BiothaneŽ Equine tack and Dog Accessories, plus lots more! Lisa and Paul Douglass, Colorado Springs, CO, USA Phone: 716-439-2472 • Fax: 208-902-0966 www.mossrockendurance.com lisa@mossrockendurance.com
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Is now a dealer of
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I carry the regular strap-on hoof boots, Pro Comp glue-ons and parts. Please visit my website: www.barefootequine.weebly.com/store.html for more information or call me at 469.261.8733 or e-mail me at maccwall@yahoo.com.
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TERA Year End Award Recipients
OBJECTIVE AWARDS 1. Limited Distance High Mileage 1-Deanne Prusak 2-Robin Howze 3-Donna Thompson
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Lightweight Call Me Magnificent Cypress RC Zarahna PWF Wayward Wynd
280 miles 175 miles 155 miles
Middleweight Khadin Einstein TA A Shirazz Aleandro de Vaz Coins Diamond Nugget
205 miles 160 miles 150 miles 150 miles 150 miles
Heavyweight Special Edition MD Hatchs’ Lonesome Kadmon Denato Demaara
225 miles 225 miles 150 miles 150 miles 105 miles
Junior Dazzel EM Elon Elite TA Wizard Eida
125 miles 75 miles 50 miles 50 miles
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Featherweight Ramses Mr. Midnight DJB Tessarah Kozys Komedy
500 miles 400 miles 350 miles
High Mileage 1-Dianne O’Conner 1-Khristin Seymore 2-Amanda Fant 2-Lee Ann Rost 3-Sue Phillips 3-Khristin Seymore
Lightweight DJB KD Karina HRZ Raq Stetti Eddie PWF Lee Wynd GS Mystic Magnum Sussie Prize HRZ Bask O Fire
350 miles 350 miles 250 miles 250 miles 200 miles 200 miles
High Mileage 1-Jim Matthess 2-Mike Maul 3-Ross Carrie
Middleweight Beacons Nite Lite Rroco-My-Sol Diamante de Zeta
550 miles 450 miles 275 miles
High Mileage 1-Al Prescott 2-Gunner Frank 3-Lisa Skalski 3-Katrina Mosshammer
Heavyweight QT Lefty Mi Clever Ansata Korbel TA Hungarian Perle
300 miles 250 miles 225 miles 225 miles
High Mileage 1-Kaityln Timmons 2-Windsor K Mundy
Junior Syrena DJB DC Mac Proof
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3. Overall High Mileage Rider
Darolyn Butler
(625 miles)
4. Overall High Mileage Horse
Beacons Nite Lite
(550 miles)
5. Husband and Wife Award
Gunner & Alanna Frank
(950 miles)
6. Family Award
Frank Family
(1,050 miles)
SUBJECTIVE AWARDS
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350 miles 260 miles 150 miles
2. Endurance High Mileage 1-Alanna Frank 2-Judit Dabis 3-Paulette Brehob
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High Mileage 1-Jaime Lemon 2-Cindy Kovalchuk 3-Ann Goolsby High Mileage 1-Douglas Carberry 2-Maria Berger 3-Yvonne Ambrose 3-Virginia Conner 3-Vicky Rogers High Mileage 1-Belinda Ralston 1-Bob Rogers 2-Michele Petty 2-John Sturgill 3-Lee Bateman High Mileage 1-Ragan Kelly 2-Emilynn DiBassie 3-Jordan Israelson 3-Hanna Johnson
Featherweight Punky El Capitan Thee Jameel
300 miles 100 miles
1. Rookie Rider of the Year
Emilynn DiBasssie
2. Volunteer of the Year
Al Prescott, J.J. & Becky Jimenez
3. Veterinarians
Dennis Seymore, Gail Conway, Carter Hounsel, Val Jaffee, Valerie Bixler, Kris Anderson
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4. Ride Manager of the Year
Debbie Linebarger
5. Horse and Rider of the Year
Amanda Fant & PWF Lee Wynd
6. April Mortl Sportsmanship Award
Bob & Vicky Rogers
7. Alex Wallis Junior Award
(Trophy) Ragan Kelly
8. Hall of Fame Person Mike Maul 10
Identifying Lost or Stolen Horses A big tree limb falls, knocking down part of your fence, and your horses decide to go exploring. After a tornado devastates your area, ponies are seen wandering in a public park. Horses tied to a trailer at a show are there one minute and have disappeared the next. Before this scenario takes place, what can you do to make it easier to identify your horses and get them back home? First, get pictures of each horse. Take clear, well-lit, high-resolution pictures from the horse’s front, rear, and each side. If your horse has markings on his face or legs, get separate pictures of those features. Print the pictures and put them in an album with a separate record page for each horse. Add details such as the horse’s breed, size, weight, birth year, registration number, and a description of distinguishing marks. Next, make a second copy of the photos and information and send this to a friend or family member who lives some distance away. If your only photos and descriptions are accidentally erased from your computer, blown away in a storm, or ruined in a flood, this extra set will be invaluable in identifying and reclaiming any horses that might be missing. Methods of permanent identification include brands, lip tattoos, and microchips. These markings or implants stay with the horse forever and are the best idea to guarantee your horse can be positively identified. Microchipped horses can be reunited with their owners even if they are found several states away, while brands might be familiar only to people in a relatively small local area. If a storm or flood is predicted, temporary identification can be done in a variety of ways. Some suggestions are clipping your phone number into the horse’s coat; braiding a luggage tag into his mane; using spray paint or permanent marker to write on his coat; branding or writing a phone number onto a hoof; and having him wear a halter or neck strap with your name and phone number. Don’t count only on information on a halter nameplate; halters can be lost, broken, snagged on debris, or taken off by whoever handles the horse. While natural disasters can’t be prevented, there are some steps you can take to make it harder for a thief to steal horses from your barn or pasture. Keeping gates locked provides some security, though it’s inconvenient to stop, unlock gates, pass through, and lock them behind you. If you do secure your entrances, use strong chains and locks, and chain both sides of the gate to heavy posts so the gate can’t be easily lifted off its hinges. Locking barns and stall doors is generally not advised, as it hinders quick evacuation of horses in case of a fire or other emergency. At shows or trail rides, minimize times when the horses are left tied to a trailer with no one around. It’s easy for a thief to walk up, untie a horse, load it into a trailer, and leave the show grounds without anyone noticing. If you have reason to think your horse has been stolen, notify police immediately. Posting a description on one or more websites that have been set up to locate stolen horses is also a good idea.
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Printed with permission from the Kentucky Equine Research Staff · August 13, 2012 http://www.facebook.com/KentuckyEquineResearch http://www.ker.com/
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Winter 2013 Texas Endurance Riders Association
Trot Out
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% Robin Howze 845 Wilson Road Waxahachie, TX 75165
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NOW OPEN
Rough Riders’ Retreat Boutique Bed and Barn Vacation Rental Cottage next to miles of riding trails at McKinney Roughs Park between Bastrop and Austin. Minutes from two golf courses,
There is definitely love between Kirby Killingsworth and her horse Sundays Saving Grace Photo by John Nowell
Austin’s entertainment district, Circuit of the Americas, Bastrop dining and shopping. The cottage sleeps 4-6 and the horses have round pen with shelter. Call for rates, reservations (512) 826-3211 www.Facebook.com/RoughRidersRetreat