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Inspired by people and horses

$2.50 Vol. 36 / Issue 4 / April 2013

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STAMPEDE RANCH FOR KIDS

Once owned by Guy Weadick & Flores LaDue / p6

KADE MILLS Explains his ‘Approach and Release Scale’ / p34

THE WEST IN PICTURES Heather Beierbach’s ‘Ranchography’ / p27

S P EC I A L F EAT U R E

THE

MANE EVENT Canada’s top equine expo in Red Deer / p15 Publication Mail Agreement 40069240

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HORSES ALL • APRIL 2013

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Inspired by horses and people

HORSES ALL • APRIL 2013

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CONTENTS

Volume 36 · Number 4 · April 2013 EDITOR Craig Couillard craig.couillard@fbcpublishing.com (403) 200-1019

SURVIVOR

SALES ACCOUNT MANAGER Crystal McPeak crystal@fbcpublishing.com (403) 360-3210 (866) 385-3669 (toll free)

AMY CARVER Team penner comes back from horrific wreck

SALES ACCOUNT MANAGER Natalie Sorkilmo natalie.sorkilmo@fbcpublishing.com (403) 608-2238

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SUBSCRIPTIONS 1-800-665-0502 PUBLISHER Lynda Tityk lynda.tityk@fbcpublishing.com (204) 944-5755 PRESIDENT Bob Willcox Glacier Media Agricultural Information Group bwillcox@glaciermedia.ca 204-944-5751

THIS MONTH’S CONTRIBUTORS: Kade Mills, Ted Stovin, Luke Creasy, Amie Peck, Robyn Moore, Cindy Bablitz, April Clay, Craig Couillard, Wendy Dudley, Dianne Finstad, Heather Grovet, Darley Newman, Dr. Carol Shwetz, Glenn Stewart, Carol Upton, Terri McKinney, Natalie Sorkilmo, Mark McMillan, Jody Seeley, Ty Faber and Deb Miskiw.

PHOTO: SUBMITTED

PROFILES

INSPIRATIONS

HORSE, HEALTH & HOME

HAPPENINGS

PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY: Farm Business Communications 1666 Dublin Avenue Winnipeg, MB R3H 0H1

Matt and Allie Lait

Cochrane Art Show

Liberty training

Corb Lund

ADVERTISING DEADLINE Second Monday of the month.

Making marriage, rodeo, and careers work

54th annual show and sale, May 4-5

Glenn Stewart explains ‘why’

Heritage showcased at Glenbow Museum exhibit

SUBSCRIPTION RATES (includes GST) 1-800-665-0502 One Year: $30.45 Three years: $63.59 One Year Overseas & US: $62.00 Make cheques payable to Horses All. We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund (CPF) for our publishing activities.

Published Monthly by Farm Business Communications ISSN 0225-4913

CANADIAN POSTMASTERS Return undeliverable Canadian addresses (covers only)to Circulation Dept., P.O. Box 9800, Winnipeg, MB R3C 3K7.

Return undeliverable US & foreign addresses (covers only) to Circulation Dept., P.O. Box 9800, Winnipeg, MB R3C 3K7.

US POSTMASTERS HORSES ALL (ISSN 0745-7294) is published monthly for $62.00 per year by Farm Business Communications. c/o U.S. Agent, Transborder Mail, 4708 Caldwell Road E, Edgewood, WA, 98372-9221. Periodicals Postage Paid at Puyallup, WA, and additional mailing offices.

U.S. POSTMASTER: Send address changes (cover only) to Horses All c/o Transborder Mail PO Box 6016, Federal Way, WA. 98063-6016, U.S.A. None of the material, written or artistic, may be reprinted or used in any way without the specific permission of the editor. The opinions and statements expressed in the articles and advertisements found in Horses All are not necessarily those of the staff or owners. Therefore, HORSES ALL will not be responsible for those opinions or statements included in the articles or advertisements. However, the staff and owners of HORSES ALL would appreciate written notice of false advertising. The publisher reserves the right to refuse any advertising. While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of material published, no responsibility will be assumed for advertising received by telephone and in no case will liability be assumed for greater than the cost of the advertising when errors or omissions have occurred. HORSES ALL may not be held responsible for the loss or damage of any photographs, drawings, logos, manuscripts, etc., that are sent or brought to the office.

NOTICE OF COPYRIGHT Full, complete and sole copyright in any advertisement or editorial content bought or produced by HORSES ALL is vested in and belongs to HORSES ALL. No copyright material may be reproduced in any form with out the prior written consent of HORSES ALL. Horses All does not accept unsolicited manuscripts. Those received will not be returned.

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COLUMNS A Breed Apart . . . . . . . . . 9 Back Country Travels . . . 39 Doing it my way . . 11 & 12 Equitrekking . . . . . . . . . 41 Eye on the Industry . . . . 51 From the field . . . . . . . . . 4 Get a Grip . . . . . . . . 33 & 34 Going Down the Trail. . 42-49 Going in style . . . . . . . . . 18 Hands on horsekeeping . 40 Homeward Bound . . . . . 14 Hooked on bulls . . . . . . . 48 Horse Health . . . . . . . . . 35 Horse Heroes . . . . . . . . . 37

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FEATURES In it to win it . . . . . . . . .

Inspirations . . . . . . . . . .

My Tunes . . . . . . . . . . . .

New on the Easel . . . . . .

Our Way of Life . . . . . . .

Rhymes from the range .

Riding out of your Mind .

Talking Back . . . . . . . . . .

Time to chill . . . . . . . . . .

Two -Bit Cowboy . . . . . .

Western Art . . . . . . . . . .

Where are they now? . . .

Women of the west . . . .

43 27 31 32 8 31 36 4 32 4 30 5 10

@ HORSESALL.COM We're busy updating the Horses All website to bring you more exclusive content about people and horses from across the country. Watch for new features, contests and more coming soon. Visit today and sign-up for the Horses All enews – get the latest news delivered to you via email.

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The Mercantile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Profiles of exciting new product offerings from local businesses

Association News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50-51 The latest happenings and goings-on

Calendar of Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Stay up-to-date on upcoming horse events

Marketplace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53-55 Classifieds and horse related businesses

Place your classified ad in Horses All! Call toll free: 1-866-385-3669 or email: crystal@fbcpublishing.com

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HORSES ALL • APRIL 2013

OUT FRONT Welcome to Ho rs e s A l l Stayin g you ng

CO NTRIB UTORS

The ‘Why’ in the X & Y generations Can associations, event planners, and horse magazines think younger?

TWO-BITS FROM A TWO-BIT COWBOY Craig Couillard - Editor

A

big “Thank You” to Mark McMillan and his wife Kathy for inviting Kim and I to the recent Kamloops Cowboy Festival. It was a great weekend of cowboy singing, poetry, and trade show.

Mark is a regular contributor to Horses All so we had a brief email exchange when I got back to the Two-Bit Ranch. I had expressed how impressed I was with the Rising Star talent show and, while Mark agreed it was great, he wished the younger generations would also come out to watch.

I had to ponder that comment a bit. Yes, the Rising Star performers were mostly young people. But then I remembered looking around the concert theatre on Friday night. Kim and I are in our mid-fifties… we were probably the youngest people there.

There were a few more young people watching on Saturday and Sunday but, for the most part, it was an older audience of ranch-

ers and cowboys. Even most of the performers would be categorized as +50.

In terms of marketing, the Kamloops Cowboy Festival was definitely on target. It was a sold out crowd — very appreciative and supportive. But as this group ‘retires,’ where does the Festival go from there?

Not an easy question. And one I suspect most horse associations and events struggle with as well.

That question also made me think about our demographics here at Horses All. Last month I told you that the majority of riders in Alberta (and probably western Canada) were ‘western female recreational riders.’ The age demographics would be in that 30 to 60 range.

Attending the Kamloops Cowboy Festival reminded me that Horses All must do our part in educating and keeping these next generations enthused about the horse industry. So I had to look in the mirror and here’s what I saw.

We profile Young Guns each month and I’m personally inspired by some of their accomplishments.

Each issue we strive to present both the pros and joes, and expose

goin gs on

In the field Snapshots from our field editors

The cowboy poet winner of the Country 103 Rising Star Showcase at the Kamloops Cowboy Festival was Rae-Lee Fraser. The next generations were well-represented at the Showcase. Photo: Donna Smith

all of our readers to a variety of breeds and disciplines. We think it’s good for horse people of all ages to have a broad perspective. In fact, many of the best trainers now promote cross-training in various disciplines for both rider and horse.

We try to make sure our training tips and horse health topics are relatively easy to understand.

Young and old have another thing in common — a love for art, bling, and horse-related getaways

r ea d ers s pea k

Talking back Reader feedback – Send your comments to: craig.couillard@fbcpublishing.com Correction: The couple featured on page 20 of our February issue were introduced by Country Introductions, not Country Match as stated in the article.

— via e-mail Thank you for the kind words in the last issue of Horses All. Much appreciated!

— Bruce Roy via e-mail

 Our Editor, Craig Couillard was thrilled to be an invited guest

at the recent Kamloops Cowboy Festival. Horses All contributor Mark McMillan was the Event Chairman while our regular contributor and award-winning cowboy poet Doris Daley was one of the featured artists along with Tim Hus, Hugh McLennan, and Dave Stamey. Cowboy singer Matt Robertson stopped by for a visit... you might remember we featured this young up-andcomer in our January 2012 issue. . photo: kim couillard

so we bring you some of that each month as well.

In order to do all of this, we use a number of freelance writers (21 in this issue). I looked over this month’s roster to see how ‘young we are.’

In addition to our regular young contributors Ted Stovin, Robyn Moore, and Amie Peck, we are pleased to welcome this month two-time Mane Event Trainer’s Challenge Champion Kade Mills, and three-time CFR bronc rider, Luke Creasy.

It’s a good start but there is obviously more we can do. Please contact me if you have some innovative new ideas of ensuring we are relevant and interesting to the younger horse crowd.

I guess old dodgers like myself need to somehow think young.

And because we can’t turn the clock back, I need to surround myself with as much young blood as I can.

If you haven’t been to a cowboy festival yet, I highly recommend it, regardless of age, breed, or discipline. You will enjoy it and help preserve our western heritage That’s my two-bits for this month. Stop by our booth at The Mane Event for a visit.

Thanks for publishing the article about my work in Horses All. I really appreciate it. It will go a long ways in helping aboriginal youth, particularly Nakoda youth at the Stampede Ranch and Oilfields High School. Wendy’s article will also help advance my screenplay, which is moving forward nicely and potentially may mean a lot to Alberta’s film industry. Again — many thanks, — Paul Rasporich via Facebook Let me... compliment you on the most recent edition of Horses All. I thoroughly enjoyed every page of it. Your coverage on the Waldron Grazing Co-op I particularly enjoyed, as an eastern slope romantic.

— Ian Allison, Spruce Meadows via e-mail

We have recently begun receiving your Horses All publication and I always enjoy reading the articles, especially those that are relevant for any of the disciplines, not just specifically geared to western.

— Sabine Schleese in Ontario via e-mail I’d like to thank you and Horses All for the wonderful story on Val Beattie. It certainly brought tears to my eyes, but also brought back some very fond memories of time spent together at horse events and on the trail. I know that many of her friends from the Sundre area felt the same way, and were grateful that her story was told.

— Anne Allison via e-mail Great March issue… just got mine in the mail today.

— Wendy Dudley via Facebook Thanks so much as I received the copy I wanted. Enjoyed all the articles especially the one about my son Roger.

— Norma Lewis via Facebook

Horse training has always been a very important part of Kade Mill’s life. He began home schooling when he was 15 to train full time with his dad, five-time Mane Event Trainer’s Challenge winner, Doug Mills.

Since then, he has trained on his own all over Canada, the U.S. and Europe. He has started colts for renowned Quarter Horse breeders in both Canada and the U.S., one of which was Carol Rose Quarter Horses of Gainesville, Texas. He was also a four-time National High School Rodeo Finals qualifier in both Team Roping and Calf Roping. He credits his father’s ‘Training thru Trust’ program for being a very easy program to both practice and teach because of its black and white results. His favourite accomplishment was being the 2011 Mane Event Trainer’s Challenge Champion both in Red Deer and Chilliwack.

Luke Creasy is a 24-year old journalist, artist and bareback rider from Brownfield, Alta. A graduate of Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas with a Bachelor’s in English, he has written for the ProRodeo Sports News, the Canadian Rodeo News, and EverythingCowboy.ca. He is a proud single father, and spends down time between rodeos with his son, Cash. Luke is a threetime qualifier for the CFR and competes in PRCA rodeos across the continent.

Ted Stovin grew up in Drayton Valley, Alta., and attended college on rodeo scholarships in Hobbs, New Mexico and Las Vegas, Nevada. He’s a bull rider, writer, traveller and promoter of the sports of rodeo and bull riding in Canada through his website, EverythingCowboy.ca. You’ll find him at events such as the Calgary Stampede, Canadian Finals Rodeo, PBR World, and Canadian Finals and National Finals Rodeos throughout the year. Ted Stovin currently resides in Calgary, Alta. and will be profiling various athletes in his regular Horses All column — ‘Hooked on Bulls’.

BEHIND THE COVER Front cover photographer

Cover photo Total Delight by Heather Beierbach with Slippery Moon Ranchography. 306-299-4512

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HORSES ALL • APRIL 2013

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profiles Stories from People who Live, Work and Compete with Horses rodeo veteran

Bruce Robinson gets new lease on horse business with promising stallion Roper, trainer and now horse breeder, this pro cowboy never tires of quest for better horses WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Catching up with heroes of the past

By Dianne Finstad Red Deer, Alta.

S

uccessful calf ropers are quick to give credit to their horse. But while there is considerable human skill involved in roping, catching and tying a calf in under 10 seconds, for Bruce Robinson, it’s all about the horse.

And it’s the quest of the ultimate working partnership between man and horse which still drives Robinson today.

Raised in the ranch country of Sundre, Robinson has always been around horses and rodeo. He attended college in Wyoming, and actually began his rodeo career competing in steer wrestling, as well as team roping and tie-down roping.

“I remember winning Austin, Manitoba in both the steer wrestling and calf roping.

But I didn’t have a bulldogging horse, and it’s so huge to me to be riding my own horse. I didn’t love the steer wrestling, and decided to dedicate more to the roping.”

That dedication and focus paid off, taking Robinson to the Canadian Finals Rodeo in Edmonton 12 times as a tie-down roper, with close to $300,000 in pro rodeo career earnings.

All through his two decades of rodeo, he and then-wife Rayel, a champion barrel racer, took in and trained horses at their place near Alix.

That’s not an easy way to make a living as any trainer can attest. It takes a lot of time and patience, and is hard on the body. The return on investment is often a gamble.

So Robinson has been backing away from some of those rigours. Oh, he’s still dabbling in rodeo, mostly in the senior pro ranks. You will still find his name on the odd pro lineup, including Camrose last month.

“I’ve got a horse I’ve brought along since 2007, and he’s ready to be a pro horse,” explained the 51-year-old. “Shoot, I wish I had him 15 years ago!”

“But they’re not giving money for horses these days unless they’re proven and can take the crowds. So I need to enter a few with him.”

“I feel as healthy as I have in six or eight years. I’m not riding as much. I’m healed up and my sore spots have gone away. I don’t feel like I can’t compete anymore, especially if I have a better horse.”

“But am I trying to make the Finals again?

No, I’m not going to hit the trail.”

These days, Robinson is pursuing a different fork in the road in the horse business, and is a lot more excited about the prospects.

It was a rather unexpected turn for Robinson, and a rodeo buddy of his from Arizona, Brent Lewis. Lewis is a million dollar cowboy, who qualified for the National Finals Rodeo in tie-down roping 11 times. Lewis is also a horse trainer, and the two worked on colts and roping when Robinson spent winters in Arizona.

In 2009, the two went to the JB Quarter Horses Sale in Texas to offer a horse they’d been working on.

“We had no intentions of coming home

Twelve-time CFR qualifier Bruce Robinson had a solid tie-down roping career. PHOTO: Kirby Meston

“To have a great sire, you need looks, breeding, a mind and trainability.

There are a million stallions, but most are missing something.”

— Bruce Robinson

Bruce Robinson purchased Fiesta Royale (aka King) in 2009 in Texas and feels he is one of the best rodeo studs in Canada. PHOTO: Submitted

with another horse,” stressed Robinson. “We both needed the money out of the horse we brought.”

The Dash Ta Fame gelding wound up the second high seller of the day, going for

$30,000. But that wasn’t the highlight for these horsemen.

“We saw this Fiesta Royale, and I stopped, and looked, and looked.”

“A great horse is a great horse. I’d seen tons of really good ones. But I had not seen one that did it to me like he did.”

The well-bred grey stallion was offered by team roping and barrel racing promoter Booger Barter.

“I knew his pedigree. I knew he’d have the run. He had everything I liked. But until I

saw him… Neither of us had any business or the kind of money to buy him. But like I said to Brent, we can’t afford NOT to own him.”

There was speculation the flashy stud was only being offered in the sale for promotion purposes, and Lewis and Robinson weren’t sure they’d be able to touch him. But after getting a signal Barter did intend to sell, and with the financial help of a third partner, Rick Kieckhefer, the horse was purchased for $22,000.

Robinson still isn’t sure why the horse didn’t go for double that money. But he speculates some buyers may have shied away because even though the stud they call King was a coming three-year-old, he was only halter broke.

“To have a great sire, you need looks, breeding, a mind and trainability. There are a million stallions, but most are missing something. I felt the only thing we were taking a chance on with this one was his mind. But he had a beautiful eye.”

The instincts of the horsemen were right, and it became clear within the first month of training, the horse was able to deliver on that end, even beyond their expectations. By Fiesta’s fifth ride, Lewis was able to rope and treat yearlings in the pasture on him.

“He never got scared,” stated Robinson. “It was amazing. We’ve both dealt with so many different horses, but to see his mind work was just incredible.”

By the age of five, Fiesta Royale had winnings of $30,000 in three different events; barrel racing, team roping and tie-down roping. B.C.’s Katie Garthwaite campaigned him on the barrel racing futurity trail last year for Robinson, who bought out his two partners and now is majority owner of the horse.

“Katie would like him in her trailer for a shot at the CFR, and that’s probably our plan for this year,” he commented. “I used him at the Senior Pro Finals and placed in the ribbon roping. He’s actually farther along in the calf roping than in any other event, but hasn’t really been shown much there yet.”

While Robinson is busy fielding inquiries about the stallion, he’s also helping his 13-year-old daughter Reena pursue her own rodeo aspirations.

“She’s roping good, and barrel racing at the Junior rodeos. She always loved to ride, but it took her a while before she wanted to go fast. It wasn’t until about half way through her first Wrangler Junior rodeo year when the competitive edge kicked in, but now it really has. She thinks it’s a lot more fun to win,” he chuckled.

Robinson now has a more steady income, thanks to a bale hauling business he purchased. With his partner Laurel Thompson holding down the fort at home in Alix, and doing conditioning on the horses, he keeps busy on the road. As well, he grasses some yearlings on the place, and puts up a bit of hay.

But always, it’s the challenge of ‘making’ the perfect horse that intrigues Bruce Robinson.

“Everyone that’s been successful in rodeo will tell you it’s because of a great horse.

The cowboy’s roping abilities are all so close these days, it’s like comparing apples to apples, until you put the horse in the equation.”

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HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • APRIL 2013

PROFILES / STAMPEDE RANCH FOR KIDS EDUCATION

Horses are true counselors at Stampede Ranch For Kids Equine therapy plays major role in healing and educating youth in southern Alberta

By Wendy Dudley Longview, Alta.

N

atacha Sibbet used to be an angry young woman, striking out at a world she felt didn’t understand or care about her. She fought, she stole and had a contempt for authority.

And then she found a heart that changed her life. Sox, one of the horses used in equine therapy at the Stampede Ranch For Kids, became a friend, listening to her without judgment. “Horses stand there and listen and no matter what you tell, they will still love you in the end.”

Natacha was only 13 when she arrived at the ranch, and she came with a fear of horses, having had to bail off a rearing and bucking animal during a noisy small-town parade.

For two years, she and Sox were pals. The “big, good ol’ boy” taught her how to fall and get back on again, especially when one day he burst into a gallop to chase a running steer. Taking a sharp turn, he pitched Natacha to the ground.

“We said he did this because he wanted to be a steer wrestler. The ranch taught me how to take and make a joke about life and myself.”

But there was something else about Sox. The tips of his ears were missing because of frostbite. And that made him the butt of jokes, something Natacha herself had experienced.

“Sox taught me a lot about myself as I was always made fun of and laughed at and made out to be a joke. And some of the kids made fun of Sox, laughing at him because of his ears.”

Natacha admitted she too initially judged Sox, thinking he looked odd with no tips to his ears. And then she discovered his trust and his smooth ride.

“He helped me not care what other people thought of my clothes or my skin colour (her mother was Blackfoot). If they couldn’t like me for me, then that was their loss.”

The Stampede Ranch is a youth residential home in the foothills of the Rockies west of Longview, Alta. Once taking in both girls and boys, it now just houses males, from ages 10 to 16. Many are homeless, or come from abusive situations. Most arrive with complex behavioral issues, and all are referred by Child Welfare and Family Services.

“They don’t like rules. They don’t want to be controlled, so we don’t have that approach,” said Fawna Bews, the program’s co-director.

The centre is a family affair, with Fawna’s late grandfather beginning the program in 1975. “He didn’t want it to be an institution. He always said you can’t teach a dog that’s tied up.”

Each child arrives as a “fresh start,” Fawna added. “We don’t treat anyone differently. We assume everyone who comes to us has been traumatized.”

Rather than assign a horse, staff allow the horse to pick which boy will be responsible for its grooming and handling.

“The horses pick based on instinct. Some are drawn to the kids that are gentle and others go to the kids that are confident and more of a challenge,” said ranch administrator and horse trainer Kendra Edey.

The youth centre at the Stampede Ranch for Kids includes a school and separate buildings for residence.

PHOTO: WENDY DUDLEY

Artist and high school teacher Paul Rasporich helped one of his students design a logo for the Stampede Ranch, originally owned by Calgary Stampede founder Guy Weadick. The horse and eagle feathers figure prominently in native culture. PHOTO: PAUL RASPORICH

Youth learn about horses, but also about themselves through equine therapy at the Stampede Ranch for Kids. PHOTO: STAMPEDE RANCH

People can’t hide their inner emotions from a horse, and the boys quickly learn that most horses will not tolerate abuse or anger, she added. “The horse becomes the greatest teacher.”

The horse program, which begins indoors with grooming, saddling and safety, is optional. “We are not a cowboy factory,” said Fawna.

In some cases, there is initial fear, but the smiles come once they are loping circles. “It gives them a sense of achievement.”

The boys also may help with halter-breaking, or just sit on a rail and watch. “It can be meditative. The horse becomes the counselor,” said Fawna.

Equine therapy provides a break from the boys’ special education program which operates on-site with three teachers and an aide through the Foothills School Division.

For Natacha, the centre’s life skills training was equally as important, teaching her about cooking, baking, hygiene, and wilderness skills.

“They helped me become the person and mother I am today. They also taught me how to work for my money,” said Natacha who lives in Lethbridge with her five-yearold daughter. Eight years later, she still misses the ranch, and especially the horses and the magic they worked.

Kendra Edey witnesses such transforma-

tions every day. “A boy can have a bad start to a day, and then come down to the horses, and I just tell him to forget what happened.

Stop the rampage. Begin now, begin here, with the horse. We’ll then go for a ride for three hours and come back all happy. That’s what horses and nature can do for you.”

Of the 14 boys taken in at any one time, about 80 per cent are First Nations. While most are unaware of their history as a horse culture, the connection between native students and horses is instinctual, said Kendra. “They’re all naturals. It is a quiet, more non-verbal communication, and you see the horses respond to that.”

Many return to the ranch as adults, to say thanks and visit the horses. And some even build careers as barn help or trainers.

Perhaps Natacha sums it up best when asked about her memories. “I miss the fresh air, the horses, riding in the back country, feeling free while riding. I miss the summers where we would go down to Flat Creek on the hot summer days and just jump in the cold mountain water, so refreshing. I miss the staff members, the teachers I had, the friends I made. They taught me how to reach my goals, and on those really long and hard hikes they always pushed me until I could go no more.

“If it wasn’t for the staff and programs at the ranch I am not sure where I would be today,” she said. “I think the ranch helps kids learn how to accept yourself for who you are, not to be someone fake.”

HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • APRIL 2013

PROFILES / STAMPEDE RANCH FOR KIDS EDUCATION

H O RSE BREEDERS

Legacy of horses lives on at Stampede Ranch Edey families have developed impressive breeding operations that Guy Weadick would be proud of

By Wendy Dudley Longview, Alta.

Mervyn Edey (wearing the hat) purchased the Stampede Ranch in 1963, and began operating it as a youth centre in 1975. He also raised horses and Murray Grey cattle. Now deceased, his son Ross runs the ranch. This photo is at the ranch, as part of its archives. PHOTO:WENDY DUDLEY

Spirit of Calgary Stampede founder strong at historic ranch Guy Weadick and his wife Flores LaDue originally operated the Stampede Ranch as a guest ranch

By Wendy Dudley Longview, Alta.

T

he sun streams through a weathered window, bringing to life corners full of artifacts, from western saddles to beaded moccasins and braided bosals.

It’s not that hard to drift back 90 years to when Guy Weadick and his wife Flores La Due hung their hats in this spacious log room, warming up in their willow chairs in front of the fieldstone fireplace, their horses grazing just beyond the back door.

Still hanging on the walls are framed letters from cowboy artist Charlie Russell, a 1912 rodeo poster, and time-faded photos of the famous Stampede couple.

Tucked away is a guest book with their friends’ signatures from around the world, and albums with Guy’s receipts for tack purchased in nearby High River.

This was Guy’s and Flores’ Stampede Ranch, a gathering place for working cowboys, celebrities, and friends from their time with Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show.

Snugged up next to the mountains west of Longview, the ranch and its memories are a big part of renowned horseman Don Edey, who helped out when his dad bought the ranch in 1963.

“At the time, all of the artifacts, furnishings, art and books were in place from the Weadick years.

More importantly, a lot of the guests were guests that had stayed and visited years before, so the stories were told,” said Don. “In the early years, the barn and corrals remained virtually unchanged so it was true preservation of history. I felt a part of the Weadick history for sure.”

Weadick, a tall and lanky man from New York, was a top-notch promoter and was the figure behind the Calgary Stampede.

Worried that the cowboy way of life was about to vanish — the era of the big cattle ranches was over, ranges were being fenced, and cars

The Stampede Ranch, once owned

by Calgary Stampede founder Guy Weadick, exudes a sense of history.

A letter from famed cowboy artist Charlie Russell hangs on the wall.

Weadick brought Russell to the first Stampede in 1912. PHOTO:WENDY DUDLEY

Fawna Bews, the youth program’s co-director, with a Stampede Ranch poster, from when Guy Weadick was its owner and manager. Weadick was the founder of the Calgary Stampede. PHOTO: WENDY DUDLEY

were beginning to replace horses — Weadick believed that Calgary was ripe for a celebration of cowboys, pioneers, and members of the Treaty 7 First Nations.

With the financial backing of corporate ranchers Pat Burns, A.E. Cross, George Lane and Archie McLean, the first Stampede was staged in 1912, and was a huge success.

Guy and Flores bought their ranch in 1920. Often used as a movie location (it was featured in the 1947 film, the Northwest Stampede), they entertained the likes of actors Neal Hart, Tom Mix and Hoot Gibson.

As Canada’s first guest ranch, it was promoted in posters as having neither snakes nor poisonous insects. Guests dined on fresh bread and meat, and savoured the rugged scenery.

La Due wasn’t just an invisible woman riding behind Weadick.

She was the World’s Champion Lady Fancy Roper, having won in Calgary, Winnipeg and New York.

She grew up in Minnesota, riding English, but her horsemanship skills came from her friends on the nearby Sioux reservation, where she learned to rope and ride bareback.

Born Grace Maud Bensel, she changed her name to Flores La Due when she ran away to the circus to become a trick roper.

In later years, she would teach Edward, Prince of Wales (who owned the EP Ranch next to the Bar U) the basics of roping.

Six years later, she met Guy, giving him roping lessons. He ran away at 14 to be a Montana cowboy. The two married in 1906, travelling as part of the Miller Brothers 101 Ranch and Real Wild West Show.

Weadick’s last Stampede was in 1932 (the board fired him for his drinking), but he returned to ride in the parade in 1953.

He and Flores left the ranch in 1947, moving to a small house in High River. Flores died in 1951, and Guy passed away in 1953. The two are buried in the High River cemetery.

The ranch continued to operate as a guest ranch under Dick and Ruby Meechum, and then Mervyn Edey purchased it in 1963, turning it into a family operation with sons Don and Ross and daughter Pam helping out. Merv raised horses along with Murray Grey cattle. He began the kids’ ranch in 1975. Mervyn and his wife Bernice have since died, but the ranch remains in the Edey family, run by son Ross and wife Gail. Their daughter and son (Fawna Bews and Joel Edey) co-direct the youth centre.

But Guy and Flores are never far away. “Sometimes you can hear footsteps at night,” said Kendra Edey, Joel’s wife. Added Fawna: “Others say they have seen Guy standing in the window upstairs.”

Guy Weadick’s horse Snip may be gone, but horses continue to play a major role at the Stampede Ranch.

When Mervyn Edey and his wife Bernice bought the guest ranch in 1963, they ran a string of trail horses recalls son Don Edey who was then 18 and spent his summers taking out dude rides.

In the following years, Mervyn built up a breeding string with a strong presence of Two Eyed Fox. “Being friends with Allan Baker, Gerry Going and Jim Cartwright, there were numerous horse trades and deals made so we always had an influence of the Bar U breeding. Holly 4 Jinx from Gerry’s great stallion and two or three part-bred Arabian geldings from the D ranch were in the herd,” said Don. “Merv to my knowledge never sold any of his breeding. Trades, yes, and a lot were worked into the ranch needs.”

When Merv passed away in 1978, Don inherited some of his dad’s breeding mares. A respected horseman, he focuses on working cow horses at his own ranch near Longview. Brother Ross now runs the Stampede Ranch and he breeds performance horses.

“My brother and I went on to develop two strong and independent mare bands. Ross built his program with more emphasis Don Edey on running blood lines to develop timed-event horses for his rodeo needs,” said Don. “In our case, our focus was working cow horses. In the end both programs have produced good horses in the total world of “using” horses.”

Ross’s son Joel and his wife Kendra

Kendra Edey is a professional barrel racer and horse trainer. She is also a counselor and administrator at the Stampede Ranch for Kids, where equine therapy plays a major role. Kendra, along with husband Joel, raises running Quarter Horses. PHOTO:WENDY DUDLEY

(both work at the Stampede Ranch) focus on running Quarter Horse bloodlines, with some of their horses’ pedigrees boasting such legendary greats as Peppy San Badger, Driftwood and Hempen, the latter being a top race horse.

The horses used in the youth program (co-directed by Ross’s daughter Fawna and son Joel) have silver-screen pasts. “They’ve been around a lot, and are forgiving.

They’re used to so many different riders,” said Kendra, also a professional barrel racer.

Freckles,used in the kids’ equine therapy, was the model for the ranch’s new logo, depicting a running horse with feathers flowing from its mane. In earlier days, Freckles was a stud, standing under 15 hands but siring such greats as Kendra’s barrel racer Captain, a twotime Canadian Finals Rodeo qualifier.

Under the Edey family, the legacy of horses from the Weadick era remains intact, in the hooves that still wander trails along the streams and ridges of the Stampede Ranch’s Highwood Valley.

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HORSES ALL • APRIL 2013

P ROFILES Tranportation

New way to hitch a ride Canadian company seeks to improve horse transportation in North America OUR WAY OF LIFE Making a living with horses

By Amie Peck Cochrane, Alta.

T

he idea came to Jamie Brown a couple of years ago, while she sat at her kitchen table making phone call after phone call.

“I owned a horse that was showing in a futurity,” explains Jamie.

“I had to get the horse back home to Manitoba so I started making some calls to friends, horse haulers and associates.” The experience was frustrating and time consuming. It was there that the “Hitch a Horse” idea took shape.

“I thought to myself, ‘Wouldn’t it be great if there was a tool where I could just search for somebody going this way?’” she remembers.

Jamie started to create a website that would facilitate quick and easy links between horse haulers and horse owners needing transportation.

“The goal of this website was to ultimately make moving horses

in North America easier,” Jamie explains. “I wanted it to suit everyone looking for a ride, or coming back from a rodeo or show with an empty trailer stall. I think it will be a great asset for the horse industry.”

The website offers two types of listings — one for professional horse haulers as well as locals with room on their trailer for an extra horse or two.

The other is owners requiring transportation for a horse, whether it’s to a neighbourhood show or across the country. It is free to list horses requiring transportation, only a small fee is paid to see the hauler’s contact information if a match is found.

For a limited time, all new users are offered one free month’s subscription to the site and all its features.

Already there are users on the site from Manitoba to Kansas and everywhere between, although Jamie admits that one challenge has been encouraging people to try something new.

“Our biggest obstacle has been getting people to trust the system,” Jamie reflects. “We did our home-

Jamie Brown, creator of “Hitch a Horse” is at home with her husband Daryl, daughters Shelby and Jessica, her gelding Uno and Bubba the dog.. photo: submitted

work before starting this business — we know this site is the first of its kind. Once people sign up, they start realizing how easy the process can be, and of course, the more people that use the website, the more options for transportation exist.”

Owning an equine business

has been natural for Jamie, who attended her first show at six months of age. Her family has been involved in almost every aspect of the industry from Quarter Horses to Hackney ponies and even racehorses. Her depth of experience has paid off immensely in starting the

website and striving to help fellow horse enthusiasts.

“My advice to others in equine related businesses and start-ups is that it’s not always easy, but if it is something you believe in, then you give it your best shot. We have been fortunate to have one of the best web designers in the business help us to make this dream a reality.

We are excited to offer something unique to the horse industry.”

Jamie does have future ideas for expansion, such as offering overseas transportation. For now, she is happy to see new users signing up every day.

“I really believe that ‘Hitch a Horse’ is going to become an essential tool for moving horses,” she says. “Our hope is for everyone to be able to come to one place and find what they are looking for — no more frustrating nights desperately calling everyone you know to find a ride for your horse.”

For more info

www.hitchahorse.com

Team Penning

Young gun has penning in her blood Taylor Sinclair wins back-to-back team penning Championships at Calgary Stampede YOUNG GUNS Up and coming stars

By Amie Peck Cochrane, Alta.

T

o say that Taylor Sinclair has been on a winning streak would be an understatement.

In 2010 Taylor Sinclair, her mother Cathy and her grandfather George de Jonge, entered the No. 7 Class at the Calgary Stampede Team Penning competition. Entering the final round in first place, they were seconds away from winning, but unfortunately walked away in fifth place — still knowing they put forth a solid effort and great rides.

The following year, the family made the trek from their home in Langley, B.C. to the Stampede Team Penning for a second time.

Out of 149 teams in the No. 7 Class, they captured the win with a four round combined time of 137 seconds.

“It was so surreal,” Taylor remembers.

“I didn’t believe it at first, until my Mom and Grandpa became so emotional. My grandpa just kept saying that it was the best thing that ever happened to him. It was fantastic to win — it was even better to win with my family.”

It was only natural for Taylor to start team penning as she watched her mother and grandfather compete. At the age of eight she started showing and never looked back. The support of her family, especially her grandfather, has been instrumental in her success.

Taylor Sinclair with her two Calgary Stampede Team Penning prize money cheques and her championship mount, “Bugs.” photo: Submitted

“Without my grandpa I would not be riding,” she explains. “He bought the truck and trailer and took me to every show... I am very lucky.”

This past summer, Taylor entered the No. 10 Class with Sandy Price and Debbie Molnar — two women she regularly trains and practises with. With the Calgary Stam-

pede offering the biggest payout in Canadian penning history, along with three Vic Bennet Centennial Trophy saddles in honour of the 100 year anniversary of the Stampede, it attracted a lot of attention. In fact, an impressive 295 teams decided to try their luck.

“Our strategy for the competition was to

pen smart, not fast,” explains Taylor. “Riding well is just as important as winning.

During the final round when we penned our second cow, I remember us all looking at each other like — ‘No way.’ We knew that we had a good chance of winning at that point.”

The team finished the final round in 40.28 seconds and claimed the championship with an aggregate time of 132 seconds.

“To win the No. 10 Class was another shock,” Taylor says. “I thrive on the big competitions though. You are up against tough teams, tough competitors, and it makes you better.”

What made the two championship titles even more exciting is the story behind the horse Taylor was mounted on.

Just days before the 2011 Calgary Stampede competition, her regular mount pulled up with an injury and their chances of competing were starting to look slim.

Taylor managed to find a horse to ride — and won on the borrowed horse. She wisely decided to purchase the gray gelding, known as “Bugs,” and rode him to the 2012 championship as well.

Taylor has decided to take some time off competing to focus on her studies. “This level of competition takes a lot of time and effort,” she explains. “I needed to take school off the back burner if I want to graduate before I’m 30.”

The heart wrenching decision was made to sell Bugs, but fortunately he found a good home. “My grandpa decided to buy him,” chuckles Taylor. “He even paid full asking price!”

HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • APRIL 2013

P ROFILES Sport Hors e

Quality not quantity for Alberta sport horse breeder

Creekside Farm produces top quality horses bred for eventing A BREED APART Horse breeder profile

By Robyn Moore, Airdre, Alta.

T

he atmosphere was electric; there were ample amounts of champagne and the bleachers were packed with people eager to start bidding on the horses up for sale.

So began the first ever Canadian Sport Horse Association (CSHA) Select Sale last September at Creekside Farm in Calgary, Alberta. The sale ended with the fall of the hammer. The high selling horse sold for a cool $60,000.

That five year old mare, Cabernet, was the first horse to be born at Creekside Farm by their stallion Ikoon. Linda Ackermann comments, “My family has been involved with Ikoon since he was very young, so nearly 20 years. He came to Canada in 2001 and when my husband and I built our facility, he came to live with us.”

Ikoon enjoyed a successful show jumping career in Europe at the National Grand Prix and Interna-

tional Nation’s Cup level. He is the sire of 2011 World Cup Finals Competitor, Ulriche R. Creekside Farm produces four to six foals a year in a breeding program that is based on producing quality. “We breed for outstanding athletic ability with kind temperament, says Linda, “This starts with the mare. I won’t breed a mare that I wouldn’t want to buy.”

“With spring coming, Ikoon is getting excited and likes to show he’s still ‘all that.’ I’m always amazed to look out my kitchen window and see him leaping around in his paddock. After dislocating his pastern a few years ago and having it plated it makes me nervous, but I won’t compromise his quality of life.”

There’s another resident stallion at Creekside Farm, Regardez who has been garnering more and more attention due to his successes in Hunter Derby. The many championships he won in the 2011 show season make him the most successful Derby horse in Canada.

Regardez was the recipient of the Prince of Thieves Award at the 2011 Royal Winter Fair in Toronto for winning the most points Nation-wide in the Canadian Hunter Derby Series.

Regardez, competing in Hunter Derby, is from Creekside Farm outside of Calgary.

“Regardez, who my mom bought a few years ago, has been a joy to have on the farm,” says Linda, “He’s allowed me to accomplish the one goal I never did when I was a young rider. I’d always wanted to compete at The Royal in Toronto and in 2011, I did with him. Many people told me I was nuts to take a stallion to The Royal being an amateur myself. The ambiance, the crowds, the craziness with heavy horses and hackneys and carts, the ramp, all of it! Turned out to be nothing but fun with him. He’s just so kind and easy to handle, even the warm-up ring was just simple and jogging for ribbons, he was perfect.”

Six year old Double Rivers Really Cool by Regardez won the 2011 Intermediate American Event-

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ing Championship while being the youngest horse in the competition.

“The Regardez’s are brave,” says Linda.

While it’s hard to predict the future, it’s safe to say Linda plans to keep “doing what we’ve been doing and never compromise on quality.” And it’s a sure thing that the world will see more talented offspring from Creekside Farm in show rings nationally and internationally.

“I won’t breed a mare that I wouldn’t want to buy.”

— Linda Ackermann

Robyn Moore is the Manager of Horse Industry Association of Alberta.

If you own or know of an exceptional horse breeding operation, email rmoore@ albertahorseindustry.ca, and we’ll chose one that stands out from the herd to feature each month.

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Ulrike R by Ikoon competed at the 2011 World Cup Finals.

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HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • APRIL 2013

PROFILES TEAM PENNING

Amy Carver survived horrific wreck Team penner recovers from serious injury at 2010 Calgary Stampede WOMEN OF THE WEST Personal profile

By Cindy Bablitz Calgary, Alta.

O

n July 11, 2010, 32-yearold Amy Carver and 14-year-old Quarter Horse Alvin were vying for a penning prize at the Calgary Stampede when suddenly, Alvin dropped like a stone, pinning Amy beneath him.

Amy’s head hit the dirt-covered, concrete floor of the Saddledome and she went immediately unconscious. She lived intubated in a coma for nine days... and a few weeks later, walked out of the hospital on her own steam.

This is the true grit that gives Women of the West their reputation as long suffering, determinedly inspired, and humbly gracious. And, as we’ve told in so many Horses All tales of survival celebrating the western spirit, this story has just enough miracle thrown in to keep us all humble.

“My benefit possibly is that I don’t remember any of it,” Amy says.

“I obviously lived through it, but since I don’t remember going through it, I don’t have bad memories of the accident to replay in my mind.”

From about a half hour before the competition and for most of the 2-1/2 weeks after the accident, including the nine days in coma, Amy’s memory is blessedly blank.

“I probably would be scared to ride if I did remember it. But I’m not.”

It didn’t take long for Amy to climb back on the horse. With her husband Steve and her daughters Ashley, now seven and Kate, now six at her side, Amy rehabilitated from a fractured scapula and a brain injury in record timing that, were it a competition, would have taken the purse hands down.

And, last summer, in celebration of the Stampede’s Centennial, helmet-clad Amy held herd for the penning competition.

“It was just something to get over. Something I needed to do.

Even though I didn’t compete, I still got back in that arena and rode. And I’d do it again.”

Still, this mom and wife throws no caution to the wind these days.

She’s aware of her good fortune, and she has no mind to tempt fate impetuously. On the way to the hospital that fateful July day 2-1/2 years ago, “they had to intubate me because I had stopped breathing,” Amy says in the understated humility perhaps solely the territory of only those who’ve walked the fine line between breathing and not.

And this brush with that fine line has made Amy appreciate the gift of life and mothering as top priorities to keep safe. The simple joy of appreciating the privilege of horseback riding that is her family’s legacy, (Amy’s parents and brother all ride and compete, and her mom, Debbie Thompson is a horse trainer and a long-

standing member on the Calgary Stampede’s Western Performance Horse Committee) is a pleasure she will always enjoy, and one she wants her daughters to enjoy too.

Competing isn’t a priority these days, that’s all.

As for Alvin, he died tragically but completely unpredictably, doing what he loved. He’d competed with Amy two days prior, earning a second place spot. He was sound, toned, prepared and perfectly healthy.

Amy has little comment for those who want to point to her accident as a cause for concern about the morality of equestrian competitions. “He’d been in the penning competition ring every year for at least eight years, so the event wasn’t something new to him. It’s not like he was unfit.

He got rode all the time and was a seasoned penning horse. If they had done a vet check before, I’m not sure that they would’ve found a cause for concern. He wasn’t autopsied, so we’re not sure exactly what happened, but we know that aneurisms and heart attacks can be random and unpredictable, in humans and horses.

“My injuries were very dramatic. But they could have been a lot worse. It is thanks to my dad and brother and all the team penners with their quick actions that helped me. I also think that even in his condition, Alvin was trying to protect me.”

In this simple way, life carries on for this plucky — and lucky — woman of the modern west.

“I probably would be scared to ride if I did remember it. But I’m not.”  AMY CARVER

Amy Carver, shown here competing on Alvin, was a top-notch team penner, qualifying for the prestigious Calgary Stampede Team Penning championship. PHOTO: SUBMITTED

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Breed cyber show

Used innovative social media format Fun, suspense, awards and new friends on a budget!! All of these words were used by breeders and owners as they remembered North America’s first annual Australian Stock Horse (ASH) Cyber Show.

The Australian Stock horse is an emerging breed with a population of less than 100 ASH horses available throughout North America. The breed is recognised for its versatility, hardiness and superior performance amongst work and leisure breeds worldwide.

Breeders of the Australian Stock Horse are scattered across the continent making it burdensome and uneconomical for owners and breeders to assemble at one location for an annual show. So it was proposed by Jacquie McArthur of McArthur Stud Farm in Alberta, Canada to host a North American Led Cyber Show.

The concept for the North American ASH Led Cyber Show was simple and used social media as a platform for communications and results. The show offered ASH owners and breeders both a purebred and part-bred division.

These two divisions were then categorized into classes based on the age and sex of the horse. Requirements for each entry included four clear photos: one of the front, one from the rear, and one of each side. Three regional judges were participant nominated to judge each entrant’s photos including Ryan Smith of Champion, Alta.

Entries were very competitive as the show results were announced and the judging was close including a double tie for the Champion Purebred Winner that required each judge to revote to determine the ultimate winner — Haydon Satalitte.

Overall the 2012 ASH Led Cyber Show proved to be an educational and social event for breeders and owners across North America, and it’s expected to become an annual event.

For more information about the Australian Stock Horse breed, go to www.australianstockhorse.ca

HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • APRIL 2013

11

P ROFILES Stock contracto r

Dave Atkinson –

breeder and bull fighter

Former bull rider has risen to the top of the bull breeding industry in British Columbia I DID IT MY WAY Personal Profile

By Mark McMillan Meadow Springs Ranch, B.C.

W

e often take in a rodeo or two every year as we love watching, and appreciate the athletic ability of both the cowboys and the animals. Our favourite event?

Hmm… hard to say, but most folks, I’m sure, would say the bull riding — the hype, the music, the adrenalin rush, and the pure power displayed by both cowboy and bull.

Where do the bulls come from? Well, just north of 100 Mile House, B.C., you’ll find some good bucking bulls owned

by Dave Atkinson and his family — Diamond D Bulls.

“Mom was at the house, jumped off the deck, cleared the arena fence, and got the bull away.”

— Dave Atkinson

Dave started his interest in bucking bulls on his parent’s dairy herd in Chilliwack.

The family moved to the Cariboo when he was five and their neighbour at the time was National Finals qualifying bronc rider, David Reid.

“He was my idol and I was there all the time. I couldn’t figure out why my parents wouldn’t let me ride the bulls with those guys” says Dave.

Dave was 15 when he entered his first rodeo as a bull rider and didn’t stop until he was 29, when his daughter was born in 2008.

He didn’t stop working with the bulls though and continues to raise them and bull fight.

In about 2002, Dave started working with and supplying bulls for C+ Rodeo Stock Contactors — Earl and Roy Call from 150 Mile House. Together they supply 30 plus BCRA and Pro rodeos in B.C. annually, as well as some of the PBR and all of the BCBR shows.

“Bulls are voted on by the cowboys for the CFR and NFR but if B.C. cowboys have qualified, then chances are they’ll vote for our bulls,” said Dave.

They’re not an easy animal to keep around.

“I’ve seen a bull lift a whole fence made of six-inch logs by getting his head underneath and lifting the anchored posts right out of the ground. The fence went back to looking like it had never been touched,” said Dave’s wife Nicki.

Dave added, “We have one bull that’s appropriately named Houdini that didn’t like the look of his cows and kept heading to the neighbour’s… I guess he preferred red heads. They weren’t impressed with our Brahma in their purebred Limousin herd.”

Often when a bull gets out, they have no idea how or where he escaped, and sometimes they just plow through a fence and leave. Dave says, “I’m sure that’s where road construction crawlers got the name “bull dozer.”

Whether they’re at a rodeo or at home, they get treated well.

“The animals come first — we eat after they’re fed and watered.

We love them all, too,” said Dave, “and even the old ones don’t get shipped. If we retire them, they stay around and enjoy life. When they die, we bury them and give them a grave marker.”

Dave’s parents are totally involved. His mom is a pretty tough lady too.

“We had a rookie learning to ride on a young easy bull,” Dave told us, “His head met the bull’s, he got dumped — out cold. I ran to bull fight and was bunted in the chin so I was dazed. Mom was at the house, jumped off the deck, cleared the arena fence, and got the bull away. Once she got the bull clear, she woke the cowboy with a bucket of cold water in the face.”

Dad often makes fun of the guys and he’s a bit of prankster.

Dave said, “But he’s tough. One time I saw dad get flattened by a gate with a bull on top. We got dad up, he shook himself off, and

said, ‘boy, I look like I’ve been in a domestic dispute,’ and walked away to look after the bull.”

Dave’s no wuss either. Earl Call said he had Dave look after the rodeo in Pritchard last year. He saw Dave the next night when all the stock was home. “I looked at Dave’s hand when he took off the electrical tape and rags that had been put on after a ramp, with a bull on it, fell and crushed it. It was just about off from the base of his thumb up. Wow — you need to go to the hospital.”

He did, and after being temporarily fixed up, was sent to Kamloops for surgery on tendons, nerves, and bones, with a cast to follow.

But the livestock came first.

Breeding bucking bulls is not the only thing stock contractor Dave Atkinson is known for… he’s also a darn good bull fighter. photo: Mark McMillan

Ra isin g b u l ls

Facts about the Diamond D rodeo bulls • Dave says if he can’t move a bull somewhere he’ll get his Mom — she’ll use a bucket of grain and have no problem.

• Nicki says, “They’re the reason we can’t open Christmas presents until the afternoon — the bulls come first.”

• Mom does about 50 per cent of the chores — starting at about 3 a.m.

• Their bulls are crossed — a

little Brahma, some Watusi, some longhorn, and sometimes a little of whatever other ranchers can’t handle.

• All the bulls used for rodeo have to have their horns tipped to toonie size.

• They have bulls that still buck in rodeos at 14 years old... and they’re still breeding too.

• The bulls start at two years old with

a remote control electronic dummy to see if they have buck in them.

Before the electronic one was invented, Dave was the dummy.

• Some of the names are quite appropriate: Houdini, Wu Tang (after the rap group), Fat Albert, Skittles, Mellow Yellow, and Kenny’s Mistake (Kenny was drunk when he branded the bull 666 instead of the proper 999).

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HORSES ALL • APRIL 2013

P ROFILES M a r r i ag e

Meet the Lait’s

marriage, rodeo and the horse industry What it takes to carve out a living and marriage in today’s rodeo world DOING IT MY WAY Personal Profile

By Luke Creasy Brownfield, Alta.

may 2-5

archie, mo

may 11-14

tehachapi, ca

may 17-20

ellensburg,wa

may 24-27

kelowna, bc

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cochrane, ab

june 7-10

rainer, ab

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M

aking marriage work for a rodeo cowboy and a travelling horse dentist should seem a difficult task, but for Matt and Allie Lait, it’s just their daily life they are well adjusted to. They are a picture of dedication and understanding.

Allie has been practicing equine dentistry for four years.

She works with Chad Hewlett and Brittney Wise of Energy Equine Veterinary Services. “It’s my primary income but I train some barrel horses, some of my own and also some outside horses on the side as a supplementary income.”

“Lait Equine is an ambulatory service, meaning I travel to clients from Nanton all the way to Edmonton, working on all types of performance horses.”

Allie received her horse dentistry training at the Texas Institute of Equine Dentistry in Weatherford, Texas. She also completed online courses to graduate from Olds College Animal Health Technology program in July 2012 to add vet tech skills and services to her repertoire.

Though Canadian (CPRA) rodeos didn’t start until Camrose March 15-17, husband Matt is already on the rodeo trail, making a winter run south of the 49th. “My first rodeo was San Antonio, I won about $6,400 out of there. Then I went to San Angelo — no good there, and had to turn out of Tucson for the San Antonio short-go. It kind of sucked cause I had a horse to win the long-go at Tucson. But that’s a good situation to be in, (having to turn out a good one to go to the short-go of the biggest regular season rodeo in the PRCA).”

That would have been the end of Matt’s winter run but as Matt said, “Having done so good at

It’s not your typical marriage but then Matt and Allie Lait aren’t your typical couple. The seven-time CFR bareback qualifier puts on the lonely miles each year with wife Allie back home building her successful equine dentistry practice, and supporting him where and when she can. photo: Submitted

the first one it made me want to go to more. So I entered Scottsdale and placed fourth with a 77, and plan on staying down till after Austin which ends March 21st.”

Allie and Matt met during their high school rodeo days and have been together since 2002 shortly after high school. They were married in 2008 and on January 26th celebrated their fifth anniversary.

“What it takes more than anything is support. We support each other in what we do even though we don’t work together all the time. Sometimes, when he can, Matt comes with and assists me, and even rides colts for me,” says Allie.

Matt, ever appreciative stated, “Luckily Allie grew up around it so she understands what it takes to keep going. Sometimes she practically pushes me out the door when I’m tired of the road and it all seems too much. She knows you don’t make money sitting at home.”

Allie credits her mom in helping to deal with Matt’s travel by stating, “My mom rodeoed professionally for 15 years, so I’m accustomed to the lifestyle. Sure, we miss each other when we are

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Matt Lait if off to a good start this year with a strong showing in San Antonio, and finishing in the money in Scottsdale. photo: Submitted

apart, but it’s his job and I support and stand behind him in it.”

Rodeo isn’t all roses Matt noted, “My worst times were two years ago when I missed CFR. I’m not a young kid anymore.

After awhile you just expect to be there. It was a bit of a shock… not easy to take. But that got me re-dedicated and working at it a lot more. Last year I noticed a big difference… I was in a lot better shape and rode a lot better.”

Like Allie, Matt opened his own business a limo service — Rodeo Drive Limousine. However, Matt sold the company because, as he put it, “When it needs to be busy, I wasn’t around enough. I could see myself getting back into it, but with rodeoing there just isn’t enough time to put in the effort to make it work. Three days a week doesn’t cut it when you own and operate your own business.”

In today’s age of technology, the days of waiting on the payphone phone calls are long gone as Allie stated, “Technology helps a lot. We talk and text, and when we both have wifi, we Facetime from our iphones. So, even miles apart we can still communicate… in that way it’s as good as it gets.”

Though Allie’s job is in many ways as demanding as Matt’s rodeo career she says, “If I have the opportunity to go see him when he’s away, I will, and try to come watch him at rodeos when I can. We want to see each other succeed, even though it means we can’t be together all the time.”

Bareback ri der

Highlights of Matt Lait’s career Though Matt is “no longer young,” his re-dedication to his career indicates his best years in the arena may still be ahead of him.

• Two-time Canadian High School Finals Rodeo Bareback Champion 2000-01 • CPRA Permit Award Winner 2003 • CPRA Bareback Riding Season leader 2004 • Canadian Wrangler Tour Champion 2010 • Seven-time Canadian Finals Rodeo Bareback Riding qualifier • Six-time Calgary Stampede Bareback Riding competitor • All-Around Cowboy Stavely 50th Anniversary Rodeo Allie has been a professional cardholder since 1998, but has been taking time off since 2009 to pursue scholastic roles, and plans on continuing her professional rodeo career in 2014.

HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • APRIL 2013

PROFILES ADDICTIONS

Horses used in innovating treatment of addictions Sierra Tucson’s equine-assisted therapy uses horses to help fight addictions OUR WAY OF LIFE Making a living with horses

By Cindy Bablitz Calgary, Alta.

A

ddictions come in all shapes and sizes. Their origins are complex intersections of physical, emotional, mental and spiritual factors... and overcoming them is an even more complex journey often leading to an intricate and convoluted dissection of early childhood traumas, dysfunctional belief patterns and learned coping habits.

Unravelling addiction is tough.

And, horses can help.

“People dealing with addictions and other mental health issues tend to have unmet developmental needs from childhood,” explains Liz Dampsey, equine assisted psychotherapist at Sierra Tucson, a premier residential facility specializing in treating co-occurring disorders ranging from substance and behavioural dependencies to pain management and trauma recovery.

“Those unmet developmental needs can lead to attachment issues later in life, making it difficult to have successful relationships. I believe that horses have the qualities we need for healthy attachment to take place: they’re unconditional, non-judgemental and emotionally present.”

Liz explains that horses mirror what we bring to our interactions; they give us reflections of ourselves.

Also, the fact that horses are prey and humans are one of their predators sets up a really interesting dynamic. On the one hand, horses are essentially vulnerable to us but their size and power makes us vulnerable to them.

“I think that duality holds a lot of the potential for healing in equine assisted therapy,” Liz says.

Clients in recovery at Sierra Tucson participate in individualized treatment plans incorporating a wide variety of innovative and integrative therapies in a multi-disciplinary approach including western and eastern medicine practices, with equine therapy but one part of a holistic healing strategy.

“Because horses are so sensitive to their environment including our feelings, they reflect back to us through their non-verbal behaviour what we present to them,” Liz says.

She gives the example of a client approaching a horse gruffly or quickly, without sensitivity or a sense of regard which is often met by the horse moving away. Many people dealing with addictions or other disorders are unaware of how they impact others around them, and in equine therapy, mirroring from the horse’s behaviour will often reflect

the kinds of repeating experiences those who suffer with behavioural dysfunctions encounter in their human relationships too.

“What often happens in a scenario like this,” Liz explains, “is that when our clients can begin to open up and start talking about where else in their lives this kind of rejection has been experienced, we see the horses start to come around again. In this way our clients get to experience some inner personal reflection, getting the message that it’s OK to be real and honest with what’s going on.”

She adds, “From a neurobiological perspective, the way horses live is similar to the way the right hemisphere of our brain functions: non-verbal, creative, emotional, intuitive and very much about connection and community. Horses live in a herd, and being a part of a herd is very important to them.”

Human beings are also herd animals. Very often what we see in the dynamic of persons suffering from substance or behavioural addictions and other coping disorders are dysfunctions in creating, nurturing and sustaining workable relationships and healthy interactions with others. Navigating the unravelling of the barriers to healthy attachment relationships is a meandering complicated process, and it’s almost never one that can be singularly accomplished by ‘thinking’ our way through it.

“Most of us spend much of our time in our left brain,” Liz says, “and what we learn about ourselves and each other in equine assisted therapy is that being around horses supports right brain functions such as emotion and creativity — and that can become a healing point.”

Sierra Tucson is located on 160 acres at the foot of the Santa Catalina Mountains near Tucson, Arizona and is known for its holistic, bio-psycho-social-spiritual treatment approach... including equine assisted therapy. They’ve been providing recovery treatment programs for 30 years and are widely regarded as one of the leading psychiatric facilities in the States.

Sierra Tucson’s equine assisted therapy has been a huge success in helping men, women and families in crisis, providing insights into behaviour and motivation. It’s an innovative form of experiential therapy, allowing recognition of dysfunctional patterns of interaction helping clients define for themselves the influences and parameters of healthy relationships — a cornerstone to mental, emotional, physical and spiritual wellness.

Liz has been with Sierra Tucson for 12 years. Though she was born and raised in Manhattan — far from a horse-centric life — she’s grown to

develop a deep passion and abiding appreciation for the value of equine assisted therapy in recovery from addictions and other mental and physical health challenges.

“I’m actually working on my doctorate and am planning to research the effectiveness of equine therapy particularly from a neurobiological perspective.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION

For more information about Sierra Tucson, surf to www.sierratucson.com or phone 800-842-4487.

Patients at Sierra Tuscon in Arizona find that horses help them with their detachment issues and feelings of rejection. PHOTO: SUBMITTED

CloCk, StoCk & Barrel STOCK DOG TRIALS Saturday, april 13, 2013

youtH rodeo featuring BuILD A COwBOy saTurday, april 13, 2013 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.

eXtreme CoWBoy raCe

COMPETITION SuNday, april 14, 2013 All events above are held in conjunction with Aggie Days

Corral, Stampede park Complimentary admiSSion

New Dates for 2013 Canadian HorSeSHoeing

ChAMPIONShIPS Thursday, OcTOber 24 to saTurday, OcTOber 26, 2013

For more information please visit: www.calgarystampede.com/ag or call 403.261.0162

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HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • APRIL 2013

P ROFILES P o lo hors es

Greg Garvan -

a Kiwi love for polo ponies and people One man’s enthusiasm changed the face of Alberta polo HOMEWARD BOUND Celebrating lives lived

By Heather Grovet Galahad, Alta.

G

reg Garvan of Okotoks, Alta., was born March 22, 1955 in New Zealand, growing up surrounded by sheep, cattle, horses and working dogs.

As a young man Garvan rodeoed in New Zealand, where he competed in saddle bronc, bull riding and calf roping. Garvan even worked as a rodeo clown after noticing clowns always brought home a regular paycheque, unlike most rodeo contestants.

While in New Zealand, Garvan picked up a hitchhiker, only to discover he was a visiting Canadian. That encounter lead to a long friendship that eventually brought Garvan to North America.

Garvan took his farrier training in Oklahoma, and then apprenticed under Doyle Blagg (2010

Horseshoeing Hall of Fame) in Texas. In 1990 Garvan became a Canadian citizen.

Garvan played polo in New Zealand, and brought that passion with him to Canada. Bert Wort of Sherwood Park credits Garvan and his wife, Lynne Steele, for helping promote polo in Alberta.

“People think polo is for the rich and elite,” Wort says. “But polo really it’s about the lifestyle, it’s about family. Sometimes you’ll see three generations playing together.

Greg loved that aspect of polo, and he loved its history.”

Garvan spent several years as Field Director for Polo Canada. “This wasn’t just a job to Greg,” Wort continues. “It was his mission to help Canadians develop a great foundation for the sport. He loved everything about polo, especially the horses. Greg had an amazing way of looking at a horse, and seeing what others couldn’t see. His ability to pick a polo pony was uncanny. His horses weren’t always easy horses, but they were always outstanding.”

Garvan’s wife agrees. “Greg had several legendary polo ponies,” she says. “One was Russel, a Thoroughbred we imported from New Zealand. Russel was an outstanding polo pony, but he could also be a challenge. I’ll never forget the time Greg and I taught cowboy polo lessons at the Bar U Ranch. Russel made a pest of himself, pulling gloves out of pockets, tipping over containers of balls and knocking mallets off the wall. You couldn’t even tie him up because he’d always untie himself. A lot of people couldn’t have worked with Russel, but Greg enjoyed his antics.”

“Greg loved horses the way a 12-year-old girl does, except he took it one step farther,” Steele continues. “He was interested in learning about horses to the very end. A few days before Greg died, a friend sent him a photo of a horse with problem feet, and asked for suggestions. Greg was an outstanding farrier, and he really studied that picture, then offered

Greg Gavan is next to his polo pony Russel, wearing one of his polo team shirts.

According to his wife Lynne, Greg played No. 2 except when he rode Matilda when he was No. 1 because she was so fast and could scoot out front to score before someone caught up to him. photo: Submitted

Steele agrees. “Greg wanted people to be as honest as their horse,” she says. “He said ‘If the horse is upset, he’ll tell you.’ He wanted us to do the same thing.”

Garvan passed away January 9, 2013 after a long fight with POEMS syndrome, a rare blood disorder that damages the organs, nerves and other parts of the body.

“Greg wanted people to be aware of POEMS,” Steele says.

“Even though he described the syndrome as being rarer than rocking horse poop.”

his advice. He was dying, but he still cared about people and their animals.”

Lee McLean, a friend from the Bar U Ranch, describes Greg as a master farrier, a keen intellectual, a shit-disturber, a cat lover, a quick witted humorist, a horseman, a gardener and a wry observer of the human race. “Greg saw the good in most people; but he was unerring in his ability to point out falseness, phoniness, any inconsistencies or dishonesty,” McLean says. “Sometimes this tendency of his rocked a lot of boats!”

YOUR 5 STAR STORE FOR TACK, SADDLES, GIFTWARE & FEED SUPPLIES

The Horse Industry Association of Alberta will be running their popular Horses 201 seminar about equine behavior, conformation & movement and equipment. Presenters are well known horse industry professionals Les Burwash & Muffy Knox.

- Seminar time is 9:00am –12:00pm, Door Prizes!!!

- Pre-registration required at www.albertahorseindustry.ca or 403-420-5949

20th Year Anniversary Celebration

April 6th and 7th 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Huge Sale, BBQ and PRIZES

The Mane Event, Red Deer

April 26th – 28th Visit our booth at The Mane Event & Enter to win great prizes

equine days

come on out for a great day of education, prizes and free bbq!

• Come meet with Dr. Chris Belan from Animal Care Center of Strathmore order your Vaccines now for May 4th and book your horse's annual dental care • Visit with Eric Andrews from MasterFeeds LLC (FeedRite) and Tyson Lybert from Hi Pro (Viterra) for feed info and free Feed Samples!

• Murray McGonigle the importance of saddle fitting & equine chiropractic • Vetoquinol representative Donna Van Gorp will be here to consult about deworming protocols

Ken & Karen Mix

245022, Range Road 265, Calgary

serve o t h g u o n e ig B “ ugh you, small enyoou” to know

• Chat with Sandy Avery from Equine Care & Keep about horse care • Local farrier Tom Collins about healthy hoof care • Jardi Clark will be doing a beginner Horsemanship clinic (to book you and your horses for clinic inquire about details today!)

• There wil be great specials on: dewormers, fly sprays, nylon & cotton sheets and fleece coolers!

Please RSVP at 403-934-5835 or kkstoreinfo@gmail.com McKnight Blvd.

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Tel: (403) 934-5835 or (403) 651-4625

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HORSESALL.COM

SPECIAL FEATURE

HORSES ALL • APRIL 2013

the mane event

April 26 - 28

red deer, alta.

Canada’s top equine expo trainer

The Mane Event

Horsemanship

CLINIC It might change your horse’s life

Good communication is essential for your horse whether used for cutting, dressage or trail riding

By Heather Grovet Galahad, Alta.

P

roper understanding of your horse, good communication and equine psychology are important ingredients in Don Halladay’s horsemanship clinics at this year’s Mane Event in Red Deer, April 26-28.

Halladay, who hails from Rocky Mountain House, Alta., competes in cutting, reining and reined cow horse, plus is Canada’s highest rated Parelli instructor.

“I took my first Parelli clinic 18 years ago,” Halladay explains. “I had been ranching and working with horses all my life, but took some Parelli courses to improve my colt starting abilities. My horses and I benefitted so much from those courses that I stuck with the program, and eventually learned to be an official instructor. But anyone who wants to improve their horsemanship should consider my clinics; you don’t have to stay with Parelli to still see benefits.”

“For example, at one of our

Don Halladay has taken 35 dressage lessons from Olympic trainer Walter Zettl which may surprise readers since Don also competes in reining, cutting and reined cow horse. Don is a big believer in cross-training, and has seen the benefits for himself and his horses. PHOTO: Submitted

Don Halladay placed second on Smart Koki Joe at a recent cutting competition in Florida. He also uses this horse for dressage. PHOTO: Jim Davis

recent three day clinics, we had a fairly green rider on a horse that was occasionally rearing up on her,” Halladay says. “After watching the pair closely, we discovered the rider was trying to collect her horse physically before he was ready. The horse had no understanding of what she was asking, so he got emotional, which of course scared her. We took the horse back to the basics, and slowly began to teach him how to shape his body. We taught him a little piece at a time, and by the end of the weekend he was well on the way to understand how to collect properly. And I should add, we also taught the rider what to do if her horse reared again, because he used rearing to evade her cues.”

Halladay notes that horses of all breeds and disciplines can suffer when they miss some of the basics. “I’ve seen dressage horses that refuse to go into the arena because they find their job stressful,” Halladay says. “They dread the show ring because they’ve been forced with fear and intimidation instead of taught properly.

With those horses we find the missing pieces and fix them, and we give them a new job for a while. We might work them on cows, swing a rope from their backs, or take them on trail rides. Once they’re ready

we’ll go back to dressage, and they’ll often do well.”

Cross-training is an important part of Halladay’s philosophy. “This week I competed in Florida on my cutting horse, Smart Koki Joe, and won second place,” Halladay says. “But it would probably surprise many people to know that I also do dressage on this horse. I’ve taken over 35 dressage lessons from Walter Zettl, an Olympic level dressage trainer. These lessons make my cutter a better horse, and they’re good for me, too.”

Keeping your horse confident is important to Halladay, whether the horse is used for dressage, cutting or trail riding. “We want our horse to feel confident, and we also want to teach them to cooperate,” Halladay says. “Often people say they want an obedient horse, but we think cooperation is better than blind obedience. With cooperation you can have a real relationship with your horse.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION

To learn more about Don Halladay or sign up for one of his clinics, go to www.donhalladay.com

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HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • APRIL 2013

SPECIAL FEATURE

the mane event

April 26 - 28

red deer, alta.

PHOTOGRAPHY

SNAP

Happy

Arto Djerdjerian teaches horse owners how to improve their equine photographs

A friend took this photo of equine photographer Arto Djerdjerian and his working cow horse Wesley, a solid paint. Arto’s photography seminars sell out each year at the Mane Event.

PHOTO: Submitted

By Heather Grovet Galahad, Alta.

T

errible horse photos; we’ve all taken them. Perhaps there’s one showing your prize steed, with his legs camped underneath him, his eyes half closed and his ears pinned.

Or maybe your horse’s feet are straight and his ears forward, but somehow you’ve managed to make his head distorted so it appears twice as large as his butt.

Arto Djerdjerian offers suggestions on solving these common problems at his equine photography presentations at the Mane Event in Red Deer, April 26-28.

Djerdjerian is a familiar face at Canadian horse shows and other

“I enjoy showing people technical ways to improve their photographs, and I also want to help them capture the essence of the photograph — the emotions.”

— Arto Djerdjerian

equestrian events. As a professional photographer, he produces commercial, equine and commissioned works, plus teaches photography for Red Deer Culture Services.

“This will be the fourth year I’ve had a booth at the Mane Event,” Djerdjerian says. “Last year there was standing room only at my presentation ‘How to Photograph your Horse.’ I enjoy showing people technical ways to improve their photographs, and I also want to help them capture the essence of the photograph — the emotions.”

“People sometimes tell me, ‘I love your horse photographs; you must have a great camera,’” Djerdjerian says wryly. “But if you talked to a great chef, you wouldn’t say ‘Boy, I bet you have amazing pots and pans’ because we know there’s more to good cooking than good utensils. Photography is the same. It takes more than a good camera to take good photographs.”

Horses have been a lifelong interest for Djerdjerian. “My godfather had racehorses, and I grew up admiring them,” he says. “As a young child I’d play horse, or saddle up the couch arm to ride. As I grew older I began to draw, and one of my main topics was horses.

Horses aren’t a new interest to me, and they aren’t just a business thing. I’ve owned, shown and trained my own horses for years.

I think a horse is a beautiful crea-

ture, and I believe they provide us with many moments that are worth saving and exploring.”

Quality equine photographs provide lasting memories, and they can also be an essential part of selling a horse or promoting a stallion.

“I think we’ve all seen advertisements for expensive, well trained horses that feature an unflattering photograph,” Djerdjerian says.

“The owners invested a lot of time, energy and money into that horse, but the horse doesn’t interest buyers with the poor pictures. More than once I’ve seen the owner finally hire a professional to take some really good photographs, with the horse clean, sleek and well groomed. Often the horse will sell within weeks.”

Djerdjerian has recently returned from New York where he spent several weeks attending photography workshops with established National Geographic photographers.

“These people produce iconic pictures, Pulitzer Prize photographs,” he says. “The time I spent working with them was a real milestone in my life. I learned a lot, and I also discovered that my work really can stand up against other top professionals.”

FOR MORE INFO:

To learn more about Arto Djerdjerian and see some of his work, go to www.artophotography.com

Catering to your spirit of individuality with our quality western and southwestern furniture, art and giftware - all 100% north ameriCan made!

Come by and visit us at the Mane Event - Booth #2212 and at our gallery near Aldersyde (Exit 209, only 2 minutes off the QE2) Be sure to check out our website:

www.silverstetsongallery.ca

Bay #9, 64146 - 393 Loop East, Okotoks, AB QE2 - Exit 209 (near Aldersyde) Tel: 403-982-5523

HORSESALL.COM

SPECIAL FEATURE

HORSES ALL • APRIL 2013

THE MANE EVENT

April 26 - 28

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RED DEER, ALTA.

BREEDER

The birds and the bees — all that your horses need to know Ann Egan shares tips for the average mare and stallion owner

By Heather Grovet Galahad, Alta.

A

nn Egan of North Point Farms, Connecticut, will be speaking at the Mane Event on equine breeding and reproduction.

“I wish we could have actual demonstrations, but with our topic that’s a bit tricky!” Egan laughs. “But we will be using photos and visual aids to keep the lectures interesting.”

Egan’s topics include Mare Management (from heat to foaling); Stallion in a Box (AI chilled and frozen semen); and Moody Mean Girls (why does my mare act like that?).

Egan and her husband, Tim, run a USDA approved facility in New England that collects semen from stallions of all breeds year round; recovers embryos; and freezes and stores semen. They also breed, raise, train and show Percherons.

“I grew up with riding horses but then had a horse-free existence for

20 years,” Egan says. “One day Tim and I were at a fair, and we saw a Percheron we really admired. We wandered back into the barn, and now five years later, we’re raising National Champion Percherons!

Horses are like potato chips, so we didn’t stop at one, but even as we were buying horses I kept telling Tim ‘No stallions, no, never!’”

But yes, the couple eventually purchased Wincredible, a Percheron stallion from Canada, with the plans to lease him to other farms.

“We still weren’t planning to manage our own stallion, but when Wincredible came back from that first lease, he had lost some of his good manners,” Egan says. “I turned to my husband and said ‘I guess we’re now in the stallion business.’”

“At first, we spent so much on vet and breeding fees. I finally decided that we needed to learn to do those things ourselves,” Egan continues. “Tim and I went back to school, taking numerous courses.

Ann Egan’s Percheron stallion Wincredible started her and her husband Tim down the path to learning about breeding and reproduction. PHOTO: KEN SIEMS

Tim is now the mare expert, and I’ve ended up as stallion manager, which is a bit unusual for a small, middle-aged woman! I learned on an 18 hh, 2,200 lb. horse, and once you’ve worked with something so massive, everything else seems like a piece of cake!”

Egan notes that in today’s economy, mare and stallion owners need to be educated on equine reproduction. “We have excellent working relationships with our vets,” she says. “And I understand they need to make a profit to continue in business. But if people are trying to save

costs, there are a lot of things they can learn to do themselves.”

Ann not only manages the stallions at North Point Farms, she also is a professor at Post University, teaching equine reproduction. She also is the breeding expert for Horse & Country television in the United Kingdom. Plus she still finds time to show her Percherons in-hand and in ladies driving classes.

“Tim and I show horses because it’s a necessary part of our business,” Egan says. “But our real passion is breeding and reproduction. These things are a mystery and wonderful, but they aren’t complicated once you learn about them. I want to share that passion with others.”

FOR MORE INFO:

Check out www.northpointfarm.com to learn more about Ann Egan and North Point Farm.

Come see our innovative line of equine products at Booth #1704 at The Mane Event, Red Deer, AB; April 26–28, 2013!

Insist on the best.

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horse. Nutrequin Elite’s formulation provides optimal levels of vitamins and chelated minerals in a wheat germ base. The enhanced bioavailability of chelated minerals is important for your horse’s health and performance.

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HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • APRIL 2013

SPECIAL FEATURE

the mane event

April 26 - 28

red deer, alta.

Hat making

New hats under construction Construction superintendent Cam Johnston plans to ‘retire’ to full-time job GOING IN STYLE Equine fashion and flair

By Cindy Bablitz

T

here’s no shortage of good old fashioned work ethics in the western world to be sure, but still, you just can’t help but tip your hat to a job well done. Especially when it’s an artisan’s work of a nature that’s simply not run-of-the-mill.

Cam Johnston — by day a commercial construction superintendant — founded Double D Custom Hats for no other reason than that he simply loves cowboy hats. He loves the craftsmanship of hat making, he loves the look of a well suited cowboy hat properly fitted to the head it’s sitting on, and he loves the art of designing an heirloom, as certainly a custom created hat is destined to become.

“Any job worth doing is worth doing right,” Cam smiles, recalling the tried and true wisdom passed down from his mom and dad.

“When people leave wearing a hat I made just for them, I always tell them, if you have any problems, give me a call and I’ll work with you to fix anything. I haven’t ever had a recall.”

Cam’s been making hats for about three years. In fact, Double D Custom Hats is Cam’s retirement plan. You know you’re onto a true calling when you start investing in the work you’re going to do when you stop working. And, invest in his work he has.

He was on his way back to his home in Sherwood Park from a biking holiday south of the 49th parallel when his passion for hats had him stopping in at a custom hat maker in Darby, Montana, (a thriving metropolis of 720 souls at the 2010 census). There he met Jimmy “The Hat Man” Harrison, founder and artisan of Double H Hat Company, and the pair struck up a friendship that endures to this day.

Jimmy and Cam met up again at the National Finals Rodeo in Vegas in 2009, where they met a fellow rodeo enthusiast from Utah. Cam returned south that Christmas to meet up with his newfound friend and, following his passion for hats, couldn’t resist seeking out the area’s renowned Jim Wittington, known affectionately to all as J.W., at J.W. Hats in West Valley City, Utah — a hat making enterprise that can trace its origins to 1853 when Brigham Young and his British hatter, Mr. Tatton, founded what would go on to become the largest volume supplier of custom made fur hats in the United States.

“I asked if he wouldn’t mind me hanging around and watching how they make hats and, seeing as I showed far more interest than your average tourist, J.W. said to me, ‘Next time you come down, spend all the time you want,’” Cam recalls.

So he did. Just a few weeks later, Cam was on his way back to Salt Lake, where he spent the next nine weeks learning every-

Cam Johnston of Double D Custom Hats is relatively new to the industry but already is making a name in the market. Based out of Sherwood Park, Alta., he has set up his own manufacturing plant to custom make unique cowboy hats for today’s trending market. photo: jim smith

thing he could about hat making... and lining up the purchase of all the equipment he’d need to set up shop back home in Alberta.

“I was always interested in hats, and how they’re made, but I didn’t know if I could do it. Spending that time with J.W., I got all the kudos I needed to make the decision to buy the equipment and start up my own operation. I was

of the wearer. Jimmy “The Hat Man” has fashioned hats for Garth Brooks, Willie Nelson and Emmylou Harris. J.W. was working on a line of hats with John Denver when the 70s icon met his untimely death.

For now, Cam lays claim to having fashioned custom hats for local celebrities 2012 Airdrie Pro Rodeo Princess Samantha Bilsborrow and 2012 Miss Rodeo Airdrie Nicole Briggs.

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HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • APRIL 2013

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HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • APRIL 2013

SPECIAL FEATURE

the mane event

April 26 - 28

red deer, alta.

horse expo

What’s new at the Mane Event?

World class horse expo introduces VIP seating for Trainer’s Challenge

By Heather Grovet Galahad, Alta.

T

his will be the seventh year the Mane Event has come to Red Deer, bringing top clinicians and trainers from around the world, horses of every breed and discipline, and over 260 venders.

Is there any way to improve on an event like that? Organizers Gail and Ron Barker have decided to try.

“First of all, the Mane Event will be celebrating their tenth anniversary in Chilliwack, B.C. this year,” Gail Barker says enthusiastically.

“To celebrate we’re going to offer some amazing door prizes at Red Deer. Each adult ticket holder will have a chance to win a prize such as a Painted Pony, driving harness, or, best of all, a 2014 Mane Event package which includes lodging, some meals, and of course, tickets to the 2014 Mane Event.”

There will also be some changes to this year’s Red Deer event itself.

For example, if you love the Trainer’s Challenge, but sometimes find it a bit challenging to get a seat, you may want to consider purchasing a VIP Guaranteed Seating ticket.

“The Trainer’s Challenge has become extremely popular, and that means some people end up standing at the round pen, or during the finals,” Barker explains. “This year we’re offering a limited amount of reserved seating in both areas for the price of $140.”

With the VIP Guaranteed Seating, ticket viewers get a three-day admission pass with full access to

True die hard horse training fans can now buy VIP Guaranteed Seating which will save you a seat throughout the Mane Event Trainer’s Challenge going April 26-28 in Red Deer. Photo: Heather Grovet

all the clinicians and trade show, discounts at the Mane Event booth, access to the Exhibitor’s Lounge, a VIP gift, and an opportunity to meet the judges and trainers.

“We’ve had people from all across Canada ordering these tickets already,” Barker says. “They’ve told us ‘The Trainer’s Challenge is important to me, but I just can’t stand for hours to watch.’ This is a way to solve that problem”.

Another change at this year’s

Mane Event is the Equine Experience. “In the past we’ve been overwhelmed with huge crowds who want to watch the Saturday night performances,” Barker says. “This year we’re going to have the Equine Experience on both Friday night and Saturday night; hopefully that will allow everyone a chance to see our entertainers. And we’re also offering a limited number of Guaranteed Seating for these nights, at $10/night.” (Spectators must

‘Best of the Breeds’ will be new this year on Saturday afternoon at the Mane Event in Red Deer. In addition, the popular Equine Extravaganza will showcase their talents on both Friday and Saturday nights.

Photos: Heather Grovet

already have their basic day or weekend pass already.)

Also, this year the Mane Event will have a Saturday afternoon “Best of the Breeds” demonstration. “We’ll continue having breed demonstrations between the clinics every day,” Barker explains. “But the ‘Best of the Breeds’ demonstration on Saturday will allow viewers to see everyone at once as they show the beauty, style and finesse of their horses.”

And that’s what the Mane Event is about — the horse. You can’t get much better than that.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Go to www.maneeventexpo.com to purchase in advance your VIP Guaranteed Seating for the Trainer’s Challenge.

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SPECIAL FEATURE

HORSES ALL • APRIL 2013

the mane event

April 26 - 28

21

red deer, alta.

Driving

Stagecoach driver been to Europe in wild west show Kentucky Horse Park’s performer Clay Maier comes to the Mane Event

By Heather Grovet Galahad, Alta.

I

f you’re interested in learning to drive your horse, or improve your driving skills, you won’t want to miss Clay Maier at the 2013 Mane Event in Red Deer.

Even if you never plan to drive, you can still enjoy Maier, who brings a unique perspective to the discipline. Maier, who is currently a trainer and performer at the Kentucky Horse Park, has an equestrian history that reads like an interesting book.

“I grew up in California, where my father marketed driving horses to private owners and businesses such as Knott’s Berry Farm and Wells Fargo,” Maier says. “When I was 18 years old, Yosemite Park came to our farm and purchased a team to pull a stagecoach through the park.

My father did the talking while I drove the horses for them. When we were finished, they told my father the horses were great, and they added ‘And what about this young man? If he’s willing, we’ll give him a job.’ So I spent three years in Yosemite, driving a stagecoach past tour buses, golf carts and bicycle marathons.”

Eventually Maier left Yosemite. “I did some rodeoing, riding saddle broncs plus a bit of steer wrestling and bull riding,” Maier says. “Then I completely changed my focus. In 1979 there were 15 Friesian horses in North America, and nine of them were living near my father’s ranch. I was hired to prepare those Friesians to drive in a six horse hitch.

I worked with the Friesians for eight years. We drove in the Rose Parade, competed in combined driving, and entered most of America’s major pleasure driving competitions.”

But then Maier received an offer he just couldn’t resist.

“I ended up spending several years travelling to Europe and Asia with a Wild West Show,” he explains. “It was an amazing experience. Imagine us performing in China, with our own rodeo stock, stunt men, trick riders and Native Americans!”

“As a driving clinician I can use all those experiences to help my students,” Maier continues.

“Through the years I’ve driven stagecoaches, chuck wagons and For more information

Clay Maier has a great website at www.claymaier.com if you want to learn more about his upcoming clinics, training DVDs, and on-line driving videos.

anything else you could hook to a horse. If students want to drive recreationally, I understand and enjoy that, and can help them.

If they want to compete, I can assist there, too.”

“Two months ago I was in California at a clinic, and worked with a 79-year old gentleman who had a nice horse he wanted to train to drive,” Maier says. “He didn’t have a lot of horse experience, and didn’t know if he

could do the job. But with some help he’s done very well, and I’m proud of him.”

“I enjoy working with students of any age, and I like all breeds whether they’re miniatures, Belgians or mules,” Maier concludes. “If the student’s horse is really green we’ll do ground driving. And I want people to be excited about that phase of the horse; I want them to enjoy the journey.”

Clay Maier, shown here with one of his Friesian horses, has driven a stagecoach at Yosemite Park and been to Europe and Asia with a wild west show. photo: Spark Boemi

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HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • APRIL 2013

SPECIAL FEATURE

the mane event

April 26 - 28

red deer, alta.

Healing linimen t

“All I have to give you is my recipe” Melanie Fiske discovers her father’s recipe can change lives for both horse and rider OUR WAY OF LIFE Making a living with horses

By Heather Grovet Galahad, Alta.

M

elanie Fiske grew up in Lawrencetown, Nova Scotia, the daughter of a livestock dealer. “My dad bought, sold and traded almost everything,” Fiske says. “He was like the Simpson Sear’s catalogue; he dealt with sheep, cattle, horses and machinery. Somehow in the 1950s Dad met a rural vet named Dr. Simms, who gave Dad an old recipe he used to treat scratches and other lower leg injuries.”

“Years later my dad was driving a unicorn hitch at a show and another team broke free,” Fiske continues.

“My dad was struck by the team. He flew through the air, and the team landed on top of him. They had a terrible time getting Dad free of the horses without injuring him further.

Dad eventually healed, but that accident really affected the way he could work with horses.”

To keep connected with the horse world, Melanie’s father began to produce Dr. Simms’ mixture using a pro-

pane stove and old stew pot. “A lot of the draft horse people would come by with an empty paint can, they’d pay $10, and take some formula home,” Fiske says. “Dad also sold the product at expositions.”

Meanwhile Fiske was working as a bank teller in Nova Scotia. After she went through a difficult divorce, her father passed her a piece of paper. He said “Maybe the formula can make you some money.” Fiske admits that she appreciated the gesture, but didn’t recognize the value of the product.

“I wasn’t a business person,” she said. “And I didn’t know what to do with the recipe. I had it almost three years before I used it.”

Fiske decided to make a large batch of the product, but that came with some challenges. First Fiske had to find a pot large enough for the job.

“I wondered if a maple syrup kettle would work,” she says. “But then I found a 100 gallon electric doubleboiler at a local bee keeper’s place.

And even buying the ingredients was difficult since many of the suppliers would only sell to large businesses.”

One change was made to the original formula. “Dr. Simms’ original recipe called for tallow, but I didn’t

more information

For more information on this healing liniment, go to www. fiskes.ca or watch for them at The Mane Event in Red Deer, April 26-28.

Melanie Fiske’s first trip to Alberta took her to Spruce Meadows where shortly after she sold her Fiske Hoof, Skin and Wound Care products to Equi-Products owner Katie Trafford (centre) while Mr. Team Canada, Ian Miller looked on. Photo: Submitted

want to use animal products,” Fiske says. “So we made two variations on the formula. Our Hoof and Hide Balm uses canola oil as a base, and the Skin and Wound Salve uses solid vegetable oil and shay butter.”

Eventually Fiske’s hard work began to pay off. “When Fiske Hoof, Skin and Wound Care got too large for my basement, I began to work with Burnt Out Solutions, a Nova Scotia company that makes candles and soaps,” Fiske says. “They use

employees that need a second chance in life, which fits perfectly with my personal philosophy.”

“Alberta has been a big part of my success,” Fiske continues. “In 2007, I visited Alberta for the first time.

I went to the Calgary Stampede, of course, and then drove to Spruce Meadows. I had a little flowery bag full of my products, and introduced myself to the people at Spruce Meadows. They looked at the product, and then said ‘We’ll take a case.’ I was so

excited I was shaking as I wrote out their receipt!”

“The Mane Event has also been a huge boost to my confidence,” Fiske says. “At the Mane Event, countless people came up to me and shared how the formula really helped their animals; sometimes they even said the formula saved their horse’s life!”

Recently Fiske’s products have been imported to Iceland and France. “The France distributor has seven countries in Europe that are now taking the product,” Fiske says proudly.

“This year I was actually able to pay myself a salary. And I’d like to tithe some of that money. I don’t have any children to pass the formula on to, but I’d like to find a way to use it to help the community, or people who need a second chance in life.”

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SPECIAL FEATURE

HORSES ALL • APRIL 2013

the mane event

23

April 26 - 28

Trainer

What do mustangs, dressage horses and reiners have in common?

Horsemanship clinician Steve Rother helps riders communicate better with their horses

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Trainer and clinician Steve Rother uses a variety of techniques and aids to help his horses build confidence and overcome potentially stressful situations. PHOTO: submitted

By Heather Grovet Galahad, Alta.

H

orsemanship can mean different things to different people. To Steve Rother, Mane Event clinician, horsemanship means communication between horse and rider.

“Good communication is essential no matter what breed or discipline you’re involved with,” Rother says. “At our clinics we get students who initially look very different, but often their problems are more similar than you’d expect.”

“For example, at one of my last clinics we had six horse and rider teams,” Rother continues. “Three were mustangs that had only the most basic handling before this.

We also had an upper level dressage Warmblood, and a pair of Quarter Horses, one used in reining and the other in cutting. As you’d imagine, we had to spend quite a bit of time helping the mustangs gain confidence, and to develop some try. But interestingly enough, the other three horses had problems very similar to the mustangs. They all had holes in their training, and these missing pieces were causing problems when they performed.”

Rother grew up with a ranching background, and by age

14 was already starting colts, training older horses, and coaching students. Later he had the privilege of working with Ray Hunt.

Rother now is a two-time winner of the Mane Event Trainer’s Challenge, plus had been featured on RFDTV’s “The Horse Show” with Rick Lamb. He also conducts horsemanship clinics across Canada and the United States.

“I would estimate that I’ve taught at least 20,000 horse/rider teams through the years,” Rother says. “And I’ve learned a lot from those people, too. The modern client needs something different than riders needed 20 years ago.

Many don’t live on a ranch anymore, so we’ve developed a program that’s educational and fun, and can be used in a stabling facility or backyard.”

“Sometimes we’ll run a clinic called overcoming extreme issues,” Rother says. “We advertise for horses that are biting, bucking, bolting or rearing. You’d be surprised how many people have these problems, and this clinic may be the horse’s last chance. If he doesn’t change, he’s about to go down the road. Many of these horses turn around after a few days of work with us.”

Rother notes that often the horse’s problems come from a

lack of understanding on the owner’s part.

“Many people ride their horse from their perspective, and not from the horse’s perspective, and this doesn’t work,” Rother says.

“I’ve seen extremely well trained horses quit performing because they’re bored and frustrated.

They live in a 12 foot stall all the time and they’re only taken out for a rigid riding lesson. The horse is never ridden without pressure, and he always has to perform at his best. Finally he rebels.”

“The owners are sometimes scared to take a clinic because they’re afraid they’ll wreck their horse’s training,” Rother chuckles. “But he’s already wrecked, so they have nothing to lose. I help those people step out of their box, do something different with the horse, and then go back and reassemble his initial training. It can be amazing how much this helps.”

Information

Steve Rother is based out of northeastern Washington state and conducts clinics and camps throughout Canada and the U.S. Check out www.horseteacher.com for more information.

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HORSES ALL • APRIL 2013

SPECIAL FEATURE

the mane event

April 26 - 28

red deer, alta.

Judging

Judges sometimes see things differently Stan Jacobs shares how judges evaluate the popular Trainer’s Challenge

By Heather Grovet

never forget the animal in the process. That is made very plain to the trainers and the judges.

So that’s the number one thing I keep in mind when judging these trainers; are they doing what’s best for their horse?”

Jacobs should know a bit about colt starting. He’s cow boss at Canada’s largest working cattle ranch, the Douglas Lake Ranch, where they run 20,000 head of cattle on 500,000 acres, doing everything on horseback. Jacobs rides horses on a daily basis, and covers many rough miles while doctoring, sorting and handling cattle.

Galahad, Alta.

H

ave you ever wondered how the Trainer’s Challenge is judged? What’s the difference between winning the competition, and placing second or third? Stan Jacobs, who has judged the Red Deer event for five years, has some information on the process.

“The Trainer’s Challenge is all about the horse,” Jacobs says.

“The Mane Event uses the Trainer’s Challenge to educate people and show them different methods of colt starting, but they

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“The Trainer’s Challenge judges sometimes see things differently than the crowd,” Jacobs says. “For one thing, we watch every session of every trainer, and many spectators don’t catch it all. Next, you need to keep in mind that a good entertainer isn’t always a good trainer. As a judge I’m more interested in how the trainer helps the horse learn instead of what kind of showman he is. I’m always watching to see how he prepares his horse in the round pen for the tasks he’s going to do at the final session in the arena.”

“For example, there can be a world of difference between how two trainers drag a log 20 feet with their colt,” Jacobs continues.

“One fellow has already introduced the concept to his colt in the round pen, so in the arena he picks up the rope, lets the colt see the log, and then carefully pulls it.

The next fellow might just ride by, grab the rope, and with some luck pulls it the same distance. But you know he’ll never be able to do it a second time, for him it was luck more than skill. The crowd can’t always see that.”

Jacobs notes some horses simply accept a task, while other horses do the same thing willingly. “A horse that accepts a task does it with an attitude of

The judges at the Mane Event Trainer’s Challenge are looking to see if the horse is simply accepting a task, or doing it willingly. photo: Heather Grovet

‘Let’s get this done so I can quit,’” Jacobs says. “But a horse that’s willing says ‘Okay, let’s try that, and then when we’re done, let’s find another job to do.’ That’s what we really want to see from these horses, a willingness to work with their rider.”

“Most of these trainers have a real ability to read their horse,” Jacobs says. “They are talking to the crowd, working on a task, and

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still can spot the slightest thing — maybe the horse relaxed his jaw. That type of trainer knows the horse suddenly understood what he was asking and eases off, but another guy who missed that signal would keep on pushing.

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HORSES ALL • APRIL 2013

THE MANE EVENT

April 26 - 28

TRAILERS

Rollin’ down the road

A wide selection of trailers showcased at Mane Event’s equine trade show

By Heather Grovet Galahad, Alta.

N

eed a pair of English spurs?

Or a reining saddle? How about a cart for your driving pony, or a flashy western show shirt? If any of these things appeal to you, you’ll want to attend Canada’s largest indoor equine trade show at the 2013 Mane Event.

One exhibitor at this year’s Mane Event is Bar T5 Trailers of Millarville, Alta.

“The Mane Event is different from any other event in Canada,” Bar T5 employee Jim Cobbe says.

“Here you’ll find horse people from every discipline; English, Western, recreational and driving. Some will be experienced professionals and others complete beginners.

The wide audience at the Mane Event makes it a bit challenging to know which type of trailer to bring.”

Fortunately Bar T5 has a large selection of trailers to choose from.

They carry eight brands of horse and stock trailers, with several hundred on their lot. “We’ll try to bring a diverse selection to the Mane Event,” Cobbe explains. “We’ll probably come with a budget priced

“A trailer that fits a small cutting horse perfectly probably won’t be the best choice for someone with a Warmblood, and vice versa.”  JIM COBBE

trailer, a luxury living quarters trailer, and then a few styles somewhere in-between.”

“We’ll be prepared to give potential clients the best possible advice when they’re trailer shopping,” Cobbe says.

“I always want to know what type of horse the client rides, what discipline they’re involved in, and what else they do with the horse. A trailer that fits a small cutting horse perfectly probably won’t be the best choice for someone with a Warmblood, and vice versa. I also always ask what pulling vehicle they’ll be using so I can offer safe, suitable choices. I would rather lose a deal with someone then sell them a

trailer that their truck couldn’t safely handle.”

“This winter I sold a trailer to a lady that owned an enormous Warmblood/draft horse cross,” Cobbe says. “Her horse was miserable in her existing trailer, so she was looking for something that would suit him better. She ended up buying a Cimmaron 2 Plus one gooseneck trailer from us. This specific trailer has two large straight load stalls at the rear, which were perfect for her oversized horse. In front of those stalls was a roomy eight-ft. box stall. It had a rear and a side ramp, so it would be easy for her horse to load and unload. The lady was really excited with the box stall; she figured she could use it to groom and tack up her horse during bad weather at shows. Other people use the box stall to haul a mare and colt, or to carry their hay, wheel barrel, buckets and other bulky supplies.”

“But selling that trailer caused one problem,” Cobbe laughs. “I was supposed to take it to the Saskatchewan Equine Expo the following week, but couldn’t do that once it was sold.

Someone else wanted to view the trailer there, and they were disappointed when we came without it.

Hopefully we won’t have that happen at the Mane Event.”

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HORSES ALL • APRIL 2013

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the mane event

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DROP BY OUR BOOTH AT THE MANE EVENT

World famous rider and coach comes to Red Deer George Morris shares his show jumping philosophies at the Mane Event

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• Annual Proudly Supplying the Horses used in the 2013 Mane Event Trainers Challenge, RedDeer, Alberta held April 26, 27 & 28

SPECIAL FEATURE

Production Sale 1st Week of September Selling approx 50 foals

f you’re interested in show jumping you won’t want to miss the opportunity to watch or ride with George Morris at the 2013 Red Deer Mane Event, April 26-28.

Morris, one of the world’s best known show jumping riders and coaches, has a long list of achievements which began at age 14 after winning both the AHSA Medal Final and the ASPCA Maclay Final.

Morris then competed with the U.S. team at the Pan American Games in 1959, where they brought home team gold, and in 1960 at the Rome Olympics where they earned silver. Between 1958 to 1960 Morris rode on eight winning Nations Cup teams.

“I also know that I would personally be interested in watching another Olympic level competitor as they work as a teacher and clinician. It would give me a chance to see another side of them.”

— George Morris

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Morris is equally famous as a coach, and is known for his philosophies of self-discipline and proper horsemanship. He has written three popular training books, and continues to coach and run clinics around the world, working with riders of every level including Olympic medalists.

In fact, the 1984 gold medal team included three of Morris’s students! Morris has also been the U.S. show jumping team’s

Welcome to your nge! home on the ra

TOP HAND WESTERN SHOP

Jumping coach George Morris is a much sought-after instructor, and will be instructing a three-day clinic at the Mane Event in Red Deer, April 26-28.

chef d’equipe since 2005 (a chef d’equipe is a team’s manager).

Morris has been a clinician twice before at the Chilliwack Mane Event, but 2013 will be his first time at Red Deer.

“Normally I don’t coach at horse expos,” Morris says. “I enjoy watching other clinicians at similar events, but since I’m getting older I find expos quite tiring because I have to set up the courses and do the sessions in a strict time limit. But I’ve made exceptions for the Mane Event because I like the organizers.”

“My clinics are based on classical principals, and deal with the very basics,” Morris explains. “Students will start with flat work, where I’ll evaluate the horse and rider. If they are having problems in their flat work, you can be certain it will carry on when they jump. Next we’ll do cavaletti work, and address what we see there, too, before progressing to the jumps. I don’t mind if we have beginners or intermediate riders, but I will need the groups to be uniform so they can all work at the same height.”

Morris has one goal — to see the horse and rider improve.

“We can accomplish a lot in three days,” he says. “And I think it will be very interesting for the spectators to watch the group’s progress.

I also know that I would personally be interested in watching another Olympic level competitor as they work as a teacher and clinician. It would give me a chance to see another side of them.”

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HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • APRIL 2013

INSPIRATIONS Inspired by People and Horses

Heather Beierbach’s

Ranchography

By Cindy Bablitz Calgary, Alta.

H

eather Beierbach with Slippery Moon Ranchography is one of Canada’s best-know western photographers. Ranching in the Cypress Hills of Saskatchewan gives her a broad canvas to work from.

“I find things so beautiful… and wishing I could hold certain moments locked in more than just my own memory of them,” says Heather.

Her ranch calendars, day planners, journals, and note cards featuring her simple but telling portraits of ranching life have become an annual staple of art and storytelling since 1998.

“It’s a bit of mission of mine. I try to tell the truth about ranching without romanticizing it. But when you’re sitting on the back of a horse, on top of a treeless hill, looking out on miles and miles and miles of treeless rolling prairie, not seeing anyone or anything, it grabs hold of your heart.

You can’t help but feel a certain awe.”

Heather’s products are available at most western stores or you can call her at 306-299-4512.

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HORSES ALL • APRIL 2013

• 2012 CANADIAN DFI OPEN BRIDLE CHAMPION • 2011 CANADIAN OPEN DERBY RESERVE CHAMPION • 2010 IDAHO OPEN DERBY CHAMPION • 2010 IDAHO INTERMEDIATE OPEN DERBY CHAMPION • 2010 SRCHA OPEN DERBY CHAMPION

INSPIRATIONS WRITER

Go west young woman... to the Heartland Quebec-based Leila Basen is a gifted horsewoman and writer on hit TV series

By Cindy Bablitz Calgary, Alta.

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Agricultural Fairgrounds, Olds, AB Invites Consignments of Horse Drawn Equipment, Harness, Tack, Shoes, etc; Purebreds, Crossbred & Grade Draft Horses; Draft Mules & Mammoth Jacks 2:00 p.m.

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FOR INFORMATION CONTACT: Barb Stephenson Box 96, Turner Valley, Ab T0L 2A0 403-933-5765 (8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.)

Email: dbsteph@telusplanet.net or Visit www.wrdha.com ADDITIONAL CONTACTS:

Fred McDiarmid 403-575-2181

Bob Lewis 403-556-7589

Connect with the Horses All community via facebook!

David Carson 519-291-2049

Inspired by people and horses

www.horsesall.com/facebook

hat began as an idea for a two-hour madefor-TV movie inspired by a book series set in Virginia by Lauren Brooke has now grown to become one of Canada’s most beloved and most successful TV series, now in its sixth season.

And some of Heartland, set and filmed in the heart of Alberta and celebrating the western horse-centric culture and lifestyle, is scripted by a Quebec-based writer who prefers her riding English-style.

Leila Basen — one of five writers contributing to Heartland — is no stranger to script-writing, with an impressive resume of TV and feature film credits to her name, including series work on Emily of New Moon, Mental Block, Blackfly, The Odyssey, Road to Avonlea and some 103 episodes of Heartland to which she has contributed her wordsmithing and/or creative production to script development.

“Before Heartland, I used to say that my writing paid for my horse habit,” laughs Leila, who grew up with horses from the age of five and who has spent a lifetime immersed in the equestrian lifestyle.

“But now I get to use all the horse-centric folklore I’ve been thinking and reading about and experiencing myself and with family and friends my whole life in my writing work — it’s a wonderful serendipity!”

In fact, that serendipity has earned Leila a nomination for Best Writing in a Dramatic Series from the Writers Guild of Canada Screenwriting Awards, set to be announced in Toronto on April 22 at a gala event Leila will attend.

Though her home, her “long suffering” husband Don and her adult daughters, Aly and Anais remain based out of Quebec, Leila spends about six months of the year now in and around Calgary, to be close to the production of Heartland which is filmed on location south of Calgary and on set based out of the Currie Barracks.

She’s trailered her two horses – 14 year old hunter jumper Memphis, a black Hanoverian Thoroughbred cross, and eight year old Pepsi, a Welsh Paint cross — back and forth across the country from Montreal to Calgary twice each year since 2007.

While in Calgary, she boards her horses south of the city and also

Although separated from her family in Quebec for six months of the year, one of the perks for Heartland writer Leila Basen is riding her horses in the Rockies.

PHOTO: SUBMITTED

shares a seven year old Dutch Warmblood named Andros with her friend and Okotoks-based trainer Caryl Doty. Leila herself used to compete with Memphis as a hunter/jumper, and sometimes, Heartland’s hero horse Spartan is stunt doubled by Memphis.

“Being able to ride my horse in the foothills and in the mountains makes my work with Heartland a double blessing. Just taking my horses from the east where the equestrian life is often perceived as such an elitist activity and getting to experience how integrated the horse is in western society was a huge learning curve and so interesting!

“Being able to ride my horse in the foothills and in the mountains makes my work with Heartland a double blessing.”  LEILA BASEN

“When you’re in Alberta, where the horse owning population is so vast and so diverse... where there are so many different kinds of people in horse communities and so many different ways to own horses... it’s kind of great!”

In her research for the series, Leila has been privileged to enjoy

some of that true diversity off the beaten path, and far from her world of English riding back home in Quebec.

“One of my favourite episodes I got to research and co-write, (with David Preston) was from Season Two, (episode seven) called Sweetheart of the Rodeo,” Leila says.

“I got to travel around that whole year to a lot of local rodeos and really go backstage into that world. We toured everywhere!

Stavely, Caroline, Millarville, Innisfail, High River... we went to high school rodeos and little britches rodeos and all different levels of rodeos getting to meet a lot of really interesting and brave people!”

She adds, “I hope I get to use some of what I learned on that research trip again, in a future project.”

Leila’s writing inspirations for Heartland are constantly coloured by her real life experiences with her own horses over the years, and the real life stories from her wide community of friends in the equestrian world.

She’s enamoured with the cowboy life, with the cowboy characters she’s met out west and with the simple yet majestic beauty of the landscape in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.

“I’m always on the lookout for good stories... and there are so many good stories in the horse world!”

Heartland airs Sundays on CBC and Leila along with the other series writers and crew have already begun writing and production work on Season Seven.

HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • APRIL 2013

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INSPIRATIONS

THE

MERCANTILE

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ITCHING TO GET BACK IN THE SADDLE THIS SPRING? Well, so is the team at Horses All. To make up for our winter weak legs and fresh steads we, like many, will likely strap on our spurs. Yet, we caution that it is important to consider carefully whether horse and rider are ready for spurs prior to purchase.

Lammles

Tom Balding

 If you don’t have the time to order custom spurs, but still want a solid spur, we recommend you visit www.lammles.com for a selection of Professional’s Choice spurs. Pictured here this antique brown and silver engraved set are from the Bob Avila Collection. They feature a 2” floral shank, 1” band, 10 point rowel and are available for $69.95 today

Pleasant Ridge

 This set of Polo Spurs from Tom Balding are crafted with a purpose that is easily overshadowed by their workmanship. These spurs feature a 1”Hellband, Polo Shank, and stainless Polo Rowel in brown finish. The floral detail on the shank and heelband are stunning and outshined only by the custom initials or brand you choose to include. Available from www.tombalding.com for $640.00 USD

 These English engraved spurs are a great choice for the young female rider.

Topped off with pink bling they are sure to add personality to her performance, while the 1/4” neck will ensure that her cues remain subtle. Available for $39.95 from www.pleasantridge.ca

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Heartland Saddlery

 Have the time and desire for a pair made just for you, boot size and all? If this is up your alley then you must visit www.lynescustomcowboyco.com Vernon Lynes has been silversmithing and making bits, spurs, and buckles since 1988 and his site pictures many designs including that pictured here. With a base price of $225, you can design a pair to fit your boots and suit your budget.

 Is your horse super sensitive, but not adverse to the need of a gentle reminder once in a while? If so, Spursuader’s spurs offer the rounded edges and larger contact area you need to reinforce your signals while riding. Made in Canada and designed by a Level 2 Equine Canada coach, you can give your sensitive mount the kinder cue for just $54.99 from www.heartlandsaddlery.com

Close contact ‘Slim Line’ spurs are typically used in English and allow for precision movements and accurate departures without your cues being noticed. Traditional western spurs are larger to fit the cowboy boot itself, as well as longer to accommodate for the rider’s leg position in a western saddle. Lastly, the rowel in many cases offers a softer spurring with its rolling ability.

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HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • APRIL 2013

I NSPIRATIONS Art show

Western and equine art assembling in Cochrane Some of Canada’s finest artists will be at the Cochrane Art Club’s 54th Annual May Show and Sale GOING DOWN THE TRAIL Places and events of interest

By Cindy Bablitz Calgary, Alta.

T

he Cochrane Art Club is arguably one of the oldest established art clubs in western Canada. Founded in 1959 by a group of seven artists (no, not that Group of Seven), the club has maintained its vitality as a thriving collection of western Canadian artists all local to the region west of Calgary, centering around Cochrane for some 54 years.

Not bad for a population base that didn’t warrant a graduation from its village status until 1971.

(Today, with a population of over 17,500, Cochrane is the second largest town in Alberta and one of the fastest growing communities in all of Canada.)

Next month on May 4th and 5th, the Cochrane Art Club’s 54th Annual May Show and Sale will feature the artwork of some 50 local artists in more than 180 pieces at the Cochrane Ranche House, a new venue for the club’s biggest drawing card of the year.

“Some of the artists in our club who will be presenting their work at the show are quite accomplished,” says A.J. Pearson, water colour artist, sole proprietor farmer and rancher, a past president of the Cochrane Art Club, and the organization’s current communications director.

“You’ll see work offered at the May Sale that you’ll equally see on

display at such prestigious western art venues including the Pendleton Art Centre (home of the world’s largest collection of artists under one roof), the Charlie Russell Art Auction, and the Calgary Stampede Western Art Showcase.”

In fact, an artist featured in the December 2012 issue of Horses All, Judie Popplewell is one of the Cochrane Art Club’s newest members (though she’s no newbie to art), and her celebrated work will also be exhibited and offered for sale at the May event.

There are many western and equine artists of note in the Cochrane Art Club who will be featuring pieces at the May Show and Sale with prices ranging from $150 to $5,000 including Dixie Edge, Shannon Luyendyk, Darcy Presiloski and Marlene Dusdal.

“Not only are they terrific artists, but they’re very involved in the operations of the club. The dedication of our members who bring wonderful artwork and skills to the club has been the mainstay, giving our club its longevity,” A.J. says.

“In 1981, the Cochrane Art Club registered as a non profit society,” explains A.J., “making us one of the first artist collectives in the province to establish and develop the support and sustainability of our work as individual artists working together cooperatively within a longstanding club. Our contributions to the community have been many... the most recent being our donation of the Art Learning Centre housed at the Nan Boothby Library for everyone in the community to enjoy.”

Drink Up Bud artist: Dixie Edge

Jim’s Point of View artist: Dixie Edge

Shooting the Breeze artist: Darcy Presiloski

Dust in the Wind artist: shannon luyendyk

for more info

For more information on the Cochrane Art Club 54th Annual May Show and Sale, surf to www.thecochraneartclub.blogspot.ca or phone 403-932-5715.

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HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • APRIL 2013

INSPIRATIONS COUNTRY MUSIC

Against the Grain

New release by Blake Reid MY TUNES Music reviews

By Jody Seeley High River, Alta.

B

lake Reid is living the dream, which for a singer/ songwriter includes years of writing songs, performing, traveling around, and balancing family and work life. But when you ask Reid about it, he wouldn’t have it any other way.

Born and raised on a farm near Cremona, Alberta, Reid understands that hard work is part of life. His five generations of family have farmed there for over 100 years, staking their claim in 1902.

In fact he has a cool country music connection to his family homestead. Back in the 40’s, Canadian country music icon Wilf Carter moved out to Alberta. In the early 50’s, Reid’s Grandfather bought Carter’s farm.

It was a deal of 40 steers for seven years and a cowboy’s handshake. You sure don’t hear stories like that anymore.

Reid says he has lots of pictures of his family with Carter and the stories to go along with it. Along with farming, Reid has been working in the country music industry

for 20 years... and it wasn’t until his latest album Against the Grain (released in August 2012) that he really found a connection to singing about what he knows instead of what he thought people wanted to hear.

Against the Grain has 11 songs about life, farming and community. The bonus track called ‘On This Farm’ was recorded in the old farmhouse and tells his story.

Both of Reid’s grandparents were in bands. His mom and dad love country music so it was really inevitable that Reid would jump on board too. ‘Take Me Back’ was the first single he released to radio and got some support across Canada.

‘Against the Grain,’ the title track of the album can be heard on radio now.

The whole album has a great feel. Songs about prairie towns, little country stores, farming, and love. Listening to this album is an experience... a real collection of authentic stories.

To find out more and get your copy, go to www.blakereid.com or find him on Facebook or on Twitter @blakermusic.

RHYMES FROM TH E R A N G E

BLOODLINES

By Ken Cook,

Martin, South Dakato

Our horses aren’t the kind whose bloodlines run real deep.

More often ours are horses that we acquired cheap.

There’s been Shetlands, nags and colts the kids have rode for free, Geldings saved from the killer’s truck by a cowboy poor (me).

“Dad, please buy us this one, we’ll feed him every day!”

I kid you not, on the drive home, that dang horse passed away.

Mounts borrowed from an uncle, Grandpa, and the boss...

A one-eared stud by Satan’s Pet that bucked his bridle off.

Bid to buy a well-bred one, I’m a Son of Peppy San Cash was scarce, so passed him over for Catch Me If You Can! A pin-fired jug-head off the track, that horse could flat-out run Problem was, he had no whoa, so stopping wasn’t fun.

Owned several that were rope shy, cinchy, hard to load.

A paint that wouldn’t move at all, the children named him Toad.

That cribber who needed a muzzle, a thin one, we got his teeth floated, Still couldn’t eat hay, so my girl fed him oats; six bags later the poor thing bloated.

A sorrel, a gray, oh yes and a black, can’t say color was ever to blame More often than not, if I told you the truth, I’m bettin’ I bought ‘em all lame.

Now over the years, our horses improved ‘cause me and my crew did the same.

Gosh, I enjoy horseback in the sand with cowboys who share my last name.

No matter the job, or which neighbor we help, very seldom we’ll be poorly mounted As their dad, I’m amazed by the kids that we’ve raised, our blessings are gratefully counted.

Still, our horses aren’t the kind who bloodlines run real deep...

But the cowboys who are riding them...their bloodline is mind to keep.

Martin, South Dakota cowboy Ken Cook credits his Grandpa Buckles for showing him which end of a cow means business. His award-winning poetry springs from decades in the saddle, polished by his love of English literature. Ken was the 2010 Academy of Western Artists Top Male Cowboy Poet of the Year. www.kencookcowboypoet.com

Offering Training lessons and clinics.

Please contact for info on upcoming Bridle Work, Horsemanship and Colt Starting Clinics.

TRAINING OUT OF OLDS ALBERTA

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HORSES ALL • APRIL 2013

I NSPIRATIONS

what’s NEW on the EASEL

b o ok review

The Little Red Book of Horse Wisdom This month’s new painting titled Dakota Crossing is from the easel of Kim Penner. www.kimpenner.com

This little gem was edited by Yvette Grant with an introduction by Buck Brannaman TIME TO CHILL

FIRST TIMBER’s First Foals Are 3 Years Old Of 2013.

2013 Fee: $1,250 Canadian

First Timber

(Oak Tree Special si 107-First Prize Dash si 101, Dash For Cash si 114)

Eligibilities: Alberta Stallion Stakes, CBHI and Black Gold

si 98, $46,029

Reviewed by Wendy Dudley Priddis, Alta.

“When you’re young and fall off a horse, you may break something.

When you’re my age and you fall off, you splatter.” — Roy Rogers

T

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Grade 1 All American Derby Finalist!

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Book and movie reviews

his is just one of the gems found in The Little Red Book of Horse Wisdom (Skyhorse Publishing, 2012, Hardcover, $19.95), a delightful book packed with wit, humour, and sage advice for horse lovers in all disciplines and at every level of expertise.

As renowned horse trainer Buck Brannaman states in the introduction, no matter the event, whether it be English or Western, or whether you are from the country or the city, riders share one thing in common — they are all attracted to this noble creature called the horse.

There is something here for everyone. Maybe you don’t own horses, but dream of them from your armchair. This is one of those books to be kept close by, handy for a smile or for inspiration.

A compact and fun compilation edited by Yvette Grant, it is a collection of observations, philosophies, and feelings flowing from various sources in a spirit that embraces the horse at a walk, trot and canter, and in pleasure, harness, sport, war, and wildness.

Some of those quoted are well known, while others are less familiar, but all speak and write from the heart, and many from the funny-bone.

There are words of advice from trainers and veterinarians, such as Craig Cameron, Ray Hunt, and Dr. Robert M. Miller; prose from equine authors like Anna Sewell (Black Beauty), Thomas McGuane (Some Horses) and Marguerite Henry (King of the Wind); and quips by actors such as Gary Cooper and John Wayne.

Where it misses a beat is in the list of Those Quoted; a reference to page numbers would have been a nice touch, sort of like adding a finishing brush of hoof polish.

Covering all terrain, this little book takes us on a lope through history, on a trot around racetracks, on a charge over battlefields, and on a gallop across western arenas. We meet Secretariat, Mr. Ed, Fury and Flicka, and a mule called Black Ruby.

The Little Red Book of Horse Wisdom, available at many book stores or through Amazon, ropes the topics of horsemanship, riding, horses in literature, legendary equines, and corral humour.

At its heart are words expressed not by a famous equestrian but by an anonymous Montana rancher: “If God had intended man to walk, he would have given him four legs. Instead, he gave him two —one to put on either side of a horse.”

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HORSES ALL • APRIL 2013

33

HORSE, HEALTH & HOME Inside and Outside Your Stable training

Liberty... what’s the point?

Glenn Stewart explains why Liberty should be part of your horsemanship program — when it is relevant, when it is not, and what that looks like GET A GRIP Ask the trainers

By Glenn Stewart Baldonnel, B.C.

A

while back I was emailed a thought-provoking question: “Hi Glenn and Dixie: I have a question for Glenn — “Why does his program include Liberty? Or should I re-phrase that to state… should we really be doing any Liberty outside of a round pen? Outside of the round pen are we just making our horses annoyed with us and doing it because we think it’s cool. Is there a benefit to our horses, or is the only benefit to us humans being our egos and the WOW factor? I guess as I get further in my horsemanship I have started to become more critical about what I see with those top level clinicians doing liberty to WOW the crowds… pinned ears, bad shape, poor expression, etc. Curious to hear your viewpoint.

How’s that for a philosophical question and possibly an article idea for you? P.S. I drafted this letter during my lunch hour!”

Unfortunately a lot of the things people do are to impress someone else. If people are doing liberty to impress others, their horse knows and it shows. If they are doing liberty to see how much of a relationship they can build, that also shows.

Making them circle or follow you around until they start pinning their ears is not good horsemanship and is pointless other than it might impress the neighbour but it still isn’t impressing the horse.

The more you can ask or do with a horse, and the horse thinks it is interesting, and the play drive and curiosity is kept alive, the better the horsemanship. If Liberty is done with this in mind, then there is a point and a purpose to it.

The depth of trust, timing, feel, understanding, athleticism, heart and desire in both the horse and the human has to be developed and protected, especially in the horse because it’s our idea and we initiate it.

I often see horses doing liberty and a lot of things are strictly for the human’s enjoyment in one way or another. When things are done from this place of selfishness, it never ever gets real good, and definitely has a ceiling to it. We need to try as often as possible to make it as fun for the horse as it is for us.

From a more pragmatic look, liberty with ol’ Dobbin is easy. But trying to take the liberty techniques we use with Dobbin and apply that in a practical setting such as with the wild horses in the mountains is quite another story.

It takes some real savvy to talk one of those horses into allowing you to touch them without a rope.

In this photo, Az is completely engaged in what is going on. His interest is high... we are playing what I call the cutting game. If you have seen a horse in a cutting competition, this is basically what is going on here. I run left and right, holding a straight line, and Az stays in front of me. Photo: Nicky Hemmingson

What we learn working with Dobbin will be a start but there generally needs to be a much deeper level of understanding to do liberty with a wild horse.

It would be very handy to have the skills to use in a setting such as this real life situation. The wild mountain horses we play with won’t accept mediocre timing, too much pressure, too little pressure, poor angles, or lack of feel and flow.

Liberty is also used to develop self-carriage and impulsion, and should be something horses can have fun with. The more we learn, the more we can see these things.

The more we learn to see the things that may be or not be there, like play, drive or self carriage, the more we can develop these areas.

Many times ‘it’ was there, but it’s gone now. Why did it go — where is it, and can I get it back? When I say where has ‘it’ gone, I’m talking about everything from the try a horse has, the play drive, his self carriage, suppleness, roundness, to respect and confidence.

Liberty is another way to develop ourselves and our horses that you can’t get by only doing three of the four Savvy’s (Online, Freestyle and Finesse). I really believe the more gadgets, devices, equipment and tools we take away from ourselves, the better we get.

The tools and equipment we use are a safety net to use while we learn, and should be thought of as a

way to help the horse make the right choice easier, and helping make the answer easier to find.

The less we use our tools, or buy equipment for the purpose of making the horse do something, and the more we can learn the skills needed to become or develop into things we do together with the horse, the closer we get to becoming a ‘horseman.’ You might have heard me say, “You can fool the fans but you can’t fool the players,” you can add that we sure “can’t fool our horses.”

How’s that for a long-winded answer to the question? If you visit our website and look under Articles, you can see a little video clip you might enjoy. It shows a bit about how a horse’s confidence can be built using liberty. Have fun and enjoy the time with your horse!

Glenn Stewart travels extensively conducting clinics, demonstrations, and colt starting sessions, and also offers Camps at his home The Horse Ranch. He rides 30-60 client horses per year, including young horses, restarts, challenging horses, and foundation training. Glenn is a former Calgary Stampede Champion of the Cowboy Up Challenge and was chosen as one of the Canadian representatives in the 2012 Road to the Horse, the World Championship of Colt Starting in Murfreesboro, TN. More information by calling 1-877-728-8987 or visiting www.thehorseranch.com.

Az has a curved shape in his body towards me, and a respectful confident way of going in this picture. His ears are in a thinking, self awareness position, and he is mentally completely in the moment with me. He is neither afraid nor bored to death of what I have asked him but rather he is very alert and attentive.

Bottom photo: And here shows more of the level of engagement and commitment he has to the session, and how he is completely confidently and respectfully with me because he wants to be which is at the heart of Liberty. Yet his innate exuberance and the play drive is right there close to the surface. His attention is locked on, and he is balanced mentally, emotionally, and physically. It’s a beautiful thing when it happens. Photos: Nicky Hemmingson

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HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • APRIL 2013

H ORSE, HEALTH & HOME Training

Kade Mills

ground driving versus halter work

Trainer’s Challenge winner shares some of his championship training tips GET A GRIP Ask the trainers

By Kade Mills Innisfail, Alta.

W

hen we are starting colts, we are always looking for that safe and effective way to gain control of our horses from the ground. My goal is to have enough control before I mount so, if they spook or buck, we can shut them down and talk them through it.

Ground driving has been around for years and for good reason. I myself have always had trouble creating a soft face while ground driving.

The Training Thru Trust program designed by my dad Doug Mills has proved to be not only helpful to me but easy to follow and teach. With it I have been able to help students from the apprentice trainers to the first time horse owner.

The halter work program has the same goals as the ground driving.

The goal is to prepare our horse for riding to ensure our safety and give our horse the best chance for success by simulating on the ground what we hope to accomplish on their back.

In the beginning, the horse’s first introduction to people is with the halter. This is why I believe riding them in the halter is the easiest way to make the transition from ground work to work in the saddle.

“This approach and pressure scale will stay consistent through anything I ask him to do with halter or rein.”

— Kade Mills

We must first establish a line of communication so I start with simple pressure and release. With slow soft pressure, I start to pull down on the halter, and when the head follows the feel and comes down, I release.

What makes this a great place to start is that we don’t have to ask them to move their feet and we can be very precise about following the feel with their face. As we start movement, it ups the energy in us both and makes precise timing difficult to achieve.

One thing believed by all trainers is that horses learn from the release so I am always practicing my timing to keep my communication very clear.

When I look at the best riders in the world, one thing I notice that is consistent is great timing in both hand and leg.

Once I feel the horse understands pressure and release, I can start to ask for some movement from my horse.

Kade Mills, shown here at The Mane Event Trainer’s Challenge, uses approach, pressure, and release cues to create trust while the colt is still at liberty.

The way I start is to add pressure with my taps on a scale of one to 10.

One starts at lifting my halter rope, and the release comes from as soon as they move. This is how I show them we will always ask slow, and give them a chance to move from low pressure. This will also promote an attentive and willing attitude.

This approach and pressure scale will stay consistent through anything I ask him to do with halter or rein.

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When my horse will move with confidence from pressure, I can start to ask for face and body together.

Now I can start to relate the pressure from my taps to how I will use my legs on their back.

This is an area where I find a good halter work program has been more effective for me than ground driving.

With this exercise, I can teach them to respond to pressure, not react to it.

When a horse responds to pressure, he will confidently give you a desired movement because he understands what you are asking.

When he reacts, he is trying to get away from the pressure . I find this can cause hard spots in the body and face. The key to a great relationship with any horse and rider is the understanding of pressure given.

Our horses will often be a direct reflection of how we deliver pressure. If we are quick and abrupt, their movements will be quick and abrupt.

If we are dull and mundane, our horses will be tough to move and not want to move from pressure.

If we are smooth and consistent with our delivery of pressure, we will see our horse become soft and willing from the motivation of precise pressure and release.

Now that our horse understands to follow a feel with their face and to confidently move from pressure, we start to motivate them to become softer in their face by moving the feet until they decide to give.

This gives them the choice to be soft and lets them find it willingly.

The ability to wait is something in this moment I could not find while ground driving. When they get stiff while ground driving, I find I force it on them which creates a rushy horse with a brace in the face I also use the flag to teach my horses how to accept and understand pressure. There are a lot of different ways to flag a horse, some want them to stand still and some want them to move from it. I like to be able to flag them why they are standing

Kade is getting this colt to drop its head through a series of pressure and release requests. He notes that how we build the pressure and the timing of the release are the key ingredients.

still as well as move them with the flag. Some horses will lock up and not move and give us the impression they are accepting it, then when they move, it’s fast and fearful. Once I can move them with the flag with smooth confident movement, I know they have accepted it.

I believe we should never ask our horse to do something we have not prepared them for. If I lay out a stepby-step program for them to follow, I make sure the foundation is solid before I move on to the next step.

With these tools, I can give my horse the best chance for a successful start. A good thing to remember is the more we wait for them in the start, the more we can ask for in the finish.

Kade Mills is a two-time winner of the Mane Event Trainer’s Challenge, and four-time National High School Rodeo Finals qualifier. He has started colts and trained horses for renowned Quarter Horse breeders in Canada, the US, and Europe using the Training Thru Trust program developed by his father, Doug Mills.

HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • APRIL 2013

H ORSE, HEALTH & HOME Hoof Abscess

Causes and treatment of hoof abscesses in horses Often an abscess is the result of damage to the corium or nail bed within the hoof capsule HORSE HEALTH Expert advice

By Dr. Carol Shwetz Westlock, Alta.

A

n abscess within the hoof is a common cause of sudden, severe, non-weightbearing lameness in horses. Pain is the one unmistakable symptom of a hoof abscess. Horses will completely refuse to bear weight on the afflicted foot. Owners unfamiliar with this cause of lameness often feel that their horse must have a broken bone.

Pain may be so severe and unrelenting that veterinary involvement and imaging may be necessary to rule out laminitis, a severe bruise, or a fractured coffin bone. More commonly though, a diagnosis of hoof abscess is made by localizing the source of pain and heat to the hoof and coronary band. Other clinical signs include a bounding digital pulse with swelling and congestion in the pastern/fetlock region.

Hoof abscesses occur for a number of reasons. They can occur when foreign material or bacteria gain entry into the hoof capsule via an entrance point. Such entry can occur through defects along the white line or through hoof wall cracks/fissures. Hoof abscesses are also a possible sequel when the horse’s sole is punctured or as a result of a misplaced farrier’s nail.

More often an abscess is the result of damage to the corium or nail bed within the hoof capsule. Such damage could be caused by bruising/ trauma to the sensitive structures within the hoof, a recent episode of laminitis, lack of circulation, or as a result of incorrect hoof form or shoeing. When the underlying corium is damaged or devitalized, the stage is set for the abscess process.

Enzymes released in the abscessing process lead to tissue necrosis and the development and accumulation of a grey/black exudate. Increasing pressure within the unforgiving structures of the hoof capsule leads to pronounced lameness. The acidic nature of the exudate dissects along soft tissue planes, finally exiting out the coronary band, heel bulbs, or point of the frog, wherever it finds the easiest path. Once drainage is established the horse’s lameness generally subsides.

Treatment The most important aspect of treating a hoof abscess is to establish drainage. The size of the opening needs to be sufficient to allow drainage, yet not so extensive as to create unnecessary damage to the hoof structures. If pain can be localized in the hoof and a small black line or tract identified, a small, well-placed hole may be made with the use of a hoof knife or loop knife. Drainage of a black or brown exudate often provides immediate relief for the horse.

When the specific location of the abscess cannot be identified or is too deep in the hoof, no cutting or holes will be made. Abscesses can and do find their own exit. Poulticing is a practice which expedites the body’s own abscessing process, minimizing the amount of discomfort for the horse.

Two equally effective options are available to the owner to poultice the hoof. One option is to soak the horse’s hoof a number of times daily in Epsom salts and very warm water.

Another option is to fashion a poultice boot using Animalintex or any number of home remedies within a special treatment boot. When poulticing the hoof, it is important to incorporate the coronary band in the soak or the boot. Poultices are an osmotic which draw the abscess bringing resolve relatively quickly.

Carol Shwetz is a veterinarian specializing in equine practice at Westlock, Alberta.

One treatment option is to fashion a poultice boot using Animalintex or any number of home remedies within a special treatment boot.

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HORSES ALL • APRIL 2013

H ORSE, HEALTH & HOME Staying cool

How are you at keeping your cool?

Psychologist April Clays defines some of the problems to staying cool, and how to overcome negative emotions RIDING OUT OF MY MIND Equestrian sport psychology

By April Clay Psychologist, Calgary, Alta.

I

n the sporting realm, keeping your cool means not being derailed by events that come between you and your goals. When such situations do arise, the cool rider takes things in stride, maintains composure and looks for the solution.

Self-control is essential to cool riders. This means using your emotions instead of letting them use you. It’s not that the cool rider has no emotions, they have just mastered the art of redirecting them.

Self-control also refers to the ability to regulate inter-

nal states. This kind of rider has practiced shifting from a stressed and frantic mind to a clear directed state.

Cool State of Being Your ability to think in a cool and clear manner is very much influenced by your state. If you are vibrating on the inside, rest assured multiple thoughts will be ping ponging around your cranium. That is the unscientific description.

Real scientific research suggests that when we are under stress, the natural judgment system is also turned down and more primitive responses take over — this is a time for action rather than deep thought. Our ability to think clearly and problem solve is compromised. Not surprisingly, a person cannot coherently organize

You would not allow a horse to misbehave so do not let yourself do the same when angry or feeling other negative emotions.

Just as horses can benefit from ‘cool talk,’ so can riders by repeating words or mantras like easy, soft, slow, pause, chill. photo: Thinkstock

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thoughts and reason while in the grip of a stressful state.

One reason for stress is feeling out of control. From this place, many of us make the error of trying to then control our environment to feel better. We might over ride, over think and generally over function.

Cooling Emotions Cool riders learn to develop the ability to distinguish between feelings and actions. We know feelings to be a collection of sensations, but what we choose to do with those sensations is entirely separate.

So often we hear people say “I got so angry I had to do it”. Do not buy into this! You always have a choice about how to respond to your emotional cues.

That’s just what they are — signals or cues, information.

So if you find yourself feeling angry while riding one day, make a conscious effort to remind yourself of what riding you are trying to do in that moment. Do not let your emotions ‘take over’ and dictate your actions.

Just as you would not allow a fresh horse to misbehave, do not let yourself do the same when in the grip of a feeling. If your horse was acting fresh and goofy, you would lead him firmly back toward his work, and this is what you need to do with yourself too.

Cool Thoughts We all know that our perceptions determine how we will respond

“Cool riders learn to develop the ability to distinguish between feelings and actions.”

— April Clay

to our environment. Think disaster, think negative, think worried… and you can and will create a ride that will blow your horse’s mind.

Firstly, it is well-known that hot horses (as well as hot riders) can benefit from ‘cool talk.’

Repeating words or mantras like easy, soft, slow, pause, chill.

This is the art of using cue words to guide your ride.

Think of what you would like to achieve and experiment with words that describe what you’re after. Talk to yourself. Kindly, calmly and with much reassurance. It can work as well for you as it can for your horse.

Another strategy is to watch for the ‘what-ifs’ in your language. ‘What if-ing’ is another thinking trap that undoubtedly leads to higher stress levels and of course less cool rides. This kind of thinking has you searching out every possibility and its corresponding solution. Your mind becomes literally overloaded with thoughts. Not surprisingly you feel frenzied and out of control.

One essential key to combating what if-ing is to use the

phrase ‘what is’ to direct you back to the present moment.

What iffing takes you far into an all too imaginably horrid future. What you need is to come back to what is, which is almost always a preferable place to reside.

When you ask yourself the ‘what is’ question, make sure you answer it in your head.

Even repeat it a few times. Your response might be something like “what is, is that I am riding around a warm up ring preparing for competition” or “what is, is that I am feeling frustrated by my horse’s behaviour.”

Now, if you get really good at answering this question (and you will), you can then insert some reassurances into your answers: “What is — is that I am riding in the warm up ring, preparing for competition with all the tools I have learned in training” or “What is — is that I am feeling frustrated with my horse today but I can work through this by choosing one approach at a time.”

Good luck cultivating your cool ride. Your horse will thank you.

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HORSES ALL • APRIL 2013

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HORSE, HEALTH & HOME Peptoboonsmal ($18 million Dollar Sire) by Peptoboonsmal ($18 million Dollar Sire) by Sweet Lil lena Sweet Lil lena (earner of $123,268.00 and an Equi-Stat top 30 all-time leading cutting producer) Dam of: of Sweet Lil Pepto($236,843.00) • Pepto Sweet30 Lil CD($106,185.00) (earner $123,268.00 and anTaz($132,449.00) Equi-Stat •top all-time leading Sweet Lil Boo($70,772.00) • Granddam of: High Brow CD($494,734.00) • Shady Lil Starlight ($65,017.00)

REINED COW HOR S E

cutting producer) Dam of: Sweet Lil Pepto($236,843.00) Dosen’t it just make cents to breed to a line of winners • Pepto Taz($132,449.00) • Sweet Lil CD($106,185.00) Peptoboonsmal ($18 million Dollar Sire) by Sweet Boo($70,772.00) • Granddam High Brow Sweet Lil lenaLil (earner of $123,268.00 and an Equi-Stat top 30 all-timeof: leading cutting producer) DamCD($494,734.00) of: Sweet Lil Pepto($236,843.00) • Pepto Lil Taz($132,449.00) • Sweet Lil CD($106,185.00) • Shady Starlight ($65,017.00)

Dr. Suzon Schaal and Genuine Brown Gal just keep on winning

Sweet Lil Boo($70,772.00) • Granddam of: High Brow CD($494,734.00) • Shady Lil Starlight ($65,017.00)

Doesn’t it cents justtomake to Dosen’t it just make breed to acents line of winners breed to a line of winners

A fear of cattle doesn’t stop this horse from winning World Championship in Reined Cow Horse events HORSE HEROES Profiles of exceptional horses

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T

he partnership between Suzon Schaal and Genuine Brown Gal has been an undeniable success. However, Suzon wasn’t interested in a new horse in 2007 when her friend Marion Stav, the horse’s breeder, suggested she try her Quarter Horse mare affectionately called Ginna.

Genuine Brown Gal was born in 2003 in Turner Valley, Alberta.

She is by Listo Pollito Lena and out of Genuine Emerald.

At the time, Suzon was taking cow horse lessons from John Swales on a horse that she already owned and Ginna had recently returned from a trainer who felt that she wouldn’t be able to overcome her fear of cattle to become a competitive show horse.

“On several occasions when I was at Marian’s place she suggested I try Ginna and see what I thought of her as she felt we would be a good match,” says Suzon. “I refused the offer several times as I did not want to take on another horse at that point in time. Eventually I gave in to her persistence and took Ginna for a few trial rides. After a trip to John’s to try her on a cow, John felt she showed some promise despite her fear and suggested I purchase her.”

Suzon purchased Ginna, and they began their cow horse adventure together, starting in boxing class, then fence work, and competing in ranch cutting classes.

Growing up in Millarville, Suzon attained a DVM from the Western College of Veterinarian Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan in 2004. She moved back to Alberta and practiced at Okotoks Veterinary Clinic for the past eight years.

Riding Ginna late at night and showing around her busy schedule has paid off with many accolades in the show ring, including five trips to the National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA) World Championships starting in 2009.

At the 2010 show they captured the Reserve Championship in the Non-Pro Two Rein Class, as well as a championship in the Novice Non-Pro Bridle Class. In 2011, the win was repeated in the Novice Non-Pro Bridle. 2012 saw them winning the Intermediate Non-Pro Bridle. And earlier this year at the 2013 World Show they managed to win both the Inter-

Come to the ranch and

mediate Non-Pro Bridle and the Non-Pro Bridle classes.

In addition, Ginna was the 2012 National Non-Pro Bridle Champion; she has been the NonPro Bridle Champion at the Calgary Stampede three times; has won at the Canadian Supreme; and won numerous year-end Alberta Reined Cow Horse Association (ARCHA) awards.

“Ginna can be very quirky,” says Suzon, “She will still on occasion behave totally terrified of buffalo or cattle especially if they challenge her but she has yet to let me down in the show pen. Despite her fear she really loves her job and tries her best to please me. She is athletic and smart and things naturally come very easy to her.”

So, what’s in store for these world champions? “I don’t really ever make any specific plans, as long as she is healthy and happy I will continue to show her and see where it takes us!”

“A huge number of people have contributed to our success. I want to thank everyone involved in the ARCHA and NRCHA for their hard work in organizing shows, fellow competitors for pushing me to a higher level, all the cow horse family and fans who have cheered and given support and encouragement, all my family and friends who have provided companionship while travelling or have stayed home to do my dirty work while I’m off playing, all my colleagues for covering for me at work and John Swales for his endless expertise and patience.”

If you have or know of a horse hero, tell us why, send us a photo and each month we’ll feature a horse that stands out from the herd. Robyn Moore is the Manager of Horse Industry Association of Alberta, email rmoore@albertahorseindustry.ca.

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HORSES ALL • APRIL 2013

H ORSE, HEALTH & HOME Givin g back

New meaning to ‘tough enough to wear pink’

Hi Hog Farm and Ranch Equipment has partnered with the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation

NEWS ITEM Keeping you in the loop

By Cindy Bablitz Calgary, Alta.

E

very once in awhile, you hear of a good deed that can’t help but make you grin over the cuteness quotient. Get ready to grin.

In 2013, for the second year running, Hi Hog Farm and Ranch Equipment has partnered with the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation to raise awareness and funds in support of breast cancer research and a shared vision of a future without breast cancer.

“We’ve had people in our company have their lives affected by breast cancer,” says Doug Bidulock, territory sales manager with Hi Hog Farm and Ranch Equipment — a company serving North America and specializing in horse stabling and livestock equipment including corrals, feeders, stalls, fencing, chutes, even bleachers and other rodeo and park market products.

“Breast cancer affects a lot of lives... and it seems there is a lot of awareness promoting events happening in cities and in the immediate surrounding areas.

We’re out in the far rural areas, and we thought we could promote awareness and exposure about the

Hi Hog Farm and Ranch donated a set of pink panels as a door prize at Farm Fair last year which was won by Karen Subasic and her daughter Hanna (shown here). photo: Submitted

Hi Hog Farm will make a donation from the sale of their pink panels to the Breast Cancer Foundation. photo: Submitted

Breast Cancer Foundation in our day-to-day work.”

In a unique and creative partnership, Hi Hog took a product they already produce — portable horse corrals — painted them pink and now provide a donation to the Breast Cancer Foundation from the sale of every order. (And yes, you can still get horse panels from Hi Hog in traditional green.)

In addition, they brought their pretty-in-pink panels to the Canadian Finals Rodeo and Farmfair International held in November, 2012 at Edmonton’s Rexall Place

and encouraged attendees to donate to the Breast Cancer Foundation. Doug says the effort was so successful — raising almost $2,000 — Hi Hog will bring their pink panels to Farmfair, the Mane Event in Red Deer and Chilliwack, and other major trade shows at Spruce Meadows and Northlands again this year.

“We had a gentleman in his 70s come into the booth and make a large donation,” Doug says.

“He shared his story of surviving breast cancer. He was diagnosed at 17 years old, and had

surgery to remove lumps then and again a few years later. He’s a survivor of more than 50 years!

That was something I really didn’t know — that men can get breast cancer too.”

In a further demonstration of Hi Hog’s philanthropy, they donated a set of three panels as a draw prize at the Farmfair booth, which was won by Karen Subasic and her daughter Hanna. Other dealers in the Hi Hog distribution chain have jumped on board the idea, likewise offering the pink panels as draw prizes.

‘little donkey’

“Robbie from Rona in Black Diamond gave away a set of panels at the Spruce Meadows Show,” Doug says.

“It’s been a good program and we’re proud to support the work of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.”

FOR INFORMATION

You can learn more about Hi Hog’s pink panels by surfing to www.hi-hog.com or phoning 403-588-0528.

Most of us think of burritos as flour tortillas wrapped around a filling of refried beans and shredded beef, but did you know that the word literally means ‘little donkey,’ derived from ‘burro,’ the Spanish word for donkey. In Mexico, burritos are known as tacos and were once carried on the backs of donkeys to sell to American tourists.

Photo: Wendy Dudley

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H ORSE, HEALTH & HOME TRAINING

Learn more about your horses by having coffee with them | Part II Outfitter Terri McKinney shares her experience observing her wild horse neighbors in their high country camp BACKCOUNTRY TRAVELS Trail riding tips and information

By Terri McKinney Kingman, Alta.

T

his is a Part 2 of a series about what I’ve learned just hanging out and observing my horses. My comments last month were about the horses around our home place. This month it my observations and what I’ve learned from the wild horses that are our neighbours in our high country camp.

One morning we had a wild stallion galloping hard with a mare in front of him. Well he was mad at her and was biting her with ears pinned.

Later that day she had foaled, and he stood with her for three days protecting baby and mom.

Another thing I observed is ‘coffee time’ as I call it where all the herds come together for some time to mingle. Then all of a sudden it’s over, they fight a bit, get back in the herds, and carry on in groups away from each other.

I find it really cool and without knowing, I’m developing this with my own herd.

A herd needs a leader, and that leader is you. Horses want a leader… they don’t want the stress.

When you go into a pen of 30 horses with a pail of oats, can you stand there without them fighting with each other, or running over you?

When you watch your boss horse eat, do they let anyone else eat if they don’t want them to? So why do we let them run us over?

I use this example because I will teach a clinic and we get all the respect in order. Then folks go back to the trailer and their horse runs them over for the hay. Would we let our kids grab the steak out of mouth? So why let a horse do it?

We are parents all the time, not part time. Same with horses. In a herd, the boss is the boss and will have to fight sometimes for it but will remain if he keeps the trust and respect.

In that moment of a wreck on the side of a shale pass in a blizzard or when you spot a bear, will your horse look to you for answers or pull the instinct card and run?

Every herd, wild or domestic, has its herd leaders. Are you the leader of your herd? photo: thinkstock

I ask these questions because it goes back to ‘speaking horse.’

Watching both domestic and wild horses in the mountains, I have learned a lot about how they communicate so I encourage you to turn off the TV and turn on your life horse channel. Have a coffee with your horses — watch and learn.

For me and how I train, I have learned and am learning from the horse. They are not a house cat to spoil and they need rules but when you have a pure relationship, it is heaven on earth. I could ramble on and on about horses but to hear more you will have to come to camp over a few pots of coffee.

But I do have one more story that put a lot into perspective for me and what I teach in the round pen at our clinics. I talk about alpha and how horses speak in survival language.

One morning at our high country camp, my mare Kita was missing. Not a big thing as we have loose horses around but then I remember seeing the three young ‘wild’ studs earlier the day before.

These three young studs are looking for their own herds but all the older studs with herds have kept them from stealing or getting any mares. The stud brain wants to fill the meadow with his own kind, and have a family to protect.

Now these young studs hadn’t bothered us save for a few times when they came close to look but were easily scared off. I also had my stud in camp so I knew Kits my mare was not in heat.

I grabbed the jeep and went for a drive. Found her with the three studs, two soaking wet and fighting… and one with her. I called for her and she started towards me

when this stud stopped her, putting his head to the ground telling her “your not going anywhere.”

I had my vest in my hand and went to chase him off, but he told me loud and clear he didn’t care who I was — to back off or fight him. I

threw my vest but he never even shied but gave me a split second head start to the jeep.

He chased me hard and fast right back into my jeep and it put shivers up my back. But once I got in my jeep, the fight to keep my mare safe kicked in and I fought for her.

But so did he. She was trying to get back to camp and he was taking her away. I drove like mad and for a split second I got them apart. She ran to camp and he ran away with me honking and chasing him.

The lesson was that they ‘speak horse’… period. And he wasn’t mad at me, he was doing what instinct told him. Be born, learn from mom, learn from the herd, get kicked out of the herd, find a herd breed, eat and protect.

I love talking with folks about horses and thoughts and theories.

The old boys say around a fire “God

Terri and Chuck McKinney outfit with their daughter south west of Rocky Mountain House, Alberta in the Bighorn Backcountry. They teach horsemanship clinic’s, do packing demo’s, train horses in the mountains, and offer trail rides and pack trips. They put on over 1,500 miles a season and hold Canada’s ONLY Working Mountain Horse Competition & Select Sale each fall.

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gave you one mouth and two ears so listen twice as much as you speak…”

I learn so much from the horse and am blessed to be in the lifestyle I am. With so many, there are several chapters in watching them, and each chapter helps me to understand them more. This is a life-long book, one I am blessed to keep going!

See you next time and may your trails be clear, your pack string safe and your camp just around the corner.

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HORSE, HEALTH & HOME ORPHAN

A Grand Dam — Welli’s Lady Victory Friesian brood mare accepted orphan foal and raised ‘twins’

By Deb Miskiw Cochrane, Alta

W

e often read of the incredible strength and talent of horses in the show ring, and our awe and respect for them is certainly deserved. But breeders especially know of the stars who reside behind the scenes — the brood mares who carry, give birth to, and nurture those champions for the ring and our own pastures. The Grand Dams.

This is a story — a tribute really — to one of those Grand Dams. Welli’s Lady Victory — affectionately known as Vicar — at age 24 had given birth to 20 foals. The arrival of the 20th foal was expected to go as smoothly as the previous 19.

The only difference was that she was a week overdue. She’d never been overdue. In fact her due date was so predictable even a little lateness was a concern. Was there a problem? Was her age catching up to her? These worries swirled in the back of her owners’ minds, Dawn and Len as they carried on the work of their breeding operation, Whispering Hills Friesians near Athabasca, Alberta in the spring of 2010.

A week beyond Vicar’s due date, Dawn and Len were desperately trying to save another brood mare, their Thoroughbred mare Kaylas Star. Kayla was a gift from Dawn’s son. She had a sweetheart personality and had previously produced four beautiful foals by Donius W. But this time Kayla wasn’t doing well and, sadly died while giving birth to a healthy Friesian/TB cross filly.

Just as Dawn is realizing the mare would not survive, and her mind racing to thoughts of colostrum, nurse mares, and the need to hurry and make these arrangements, she was told that Vicar had just given birth to her foal — without assistance.

It is rare that two mares foal at exactly the same time at

Whispering Hills Friesians. It seemed like Vicar waited for this exact time to foal for a reason.

While Dawn attended to Vicar and her new colt (later to be named Germanicus which means brother), Len and a neighbour were slowly bringing a very wobbly filly to the foaling paddock, not sure what to do.

Vicar was standing beside her colt as the afterbirth was expelled from her body. Dawn thoroughly rubbed the newly orphaned filly in the afterbirth and gently brought her to Vicar’s head.

Vicar was still in her post-birth relaxed mental state and it took her a moment to glance down. When she did, the double take was worthy of a slapstick routine. Her eyes got big as she looked at this foal on the left, then back to her own foal on the right, back to the left and so on. Her facial expression said it all, “What the heck, when did THAT happen?” But would she accept this little orphan?

Vicar stretched her neck down to the right gently sniffing and confirming her colt’s familiar scent. Then she stretched her neck over to the orphan as Dawn and Len nervously watched, ready to leap to the foal’s rescue if necessary. But there was no need. Vicar gently nuzzled the little filly from head to toe and without hesitation accepted that, “Yes, she’d had ‘twins.’ Imagine that.”

She raised her head, licked her lips and showed no distress or worry about this second foal. Her surprised alarm at finding two foals a few minutes earlier was gone. She immediately accepted her ‘twins.’ “Oh well” her demeanour seemed to say, “that was easy!”

And throughout the spring and summer she demonstrated that, for her — a Grand Dam — it was. Her colt, Germanicus is doing well, and so is, his ‘twin’ sister, Godiva (which means gift).

Welli’s Lade Victory, known as Vicar, accepted an orphan filly in 2010 when another brood mare died on the same day as Vicar delivered her own foal. PHOTO: SUBMITTED

In appreciation and consideration of the extra effort she gave to her own and the orphan foal, Vicar wasn’t bred last year and is officially retired. Instead, she had an easy winter with her buddies. But I have a feeling that great mother will be wondering later this spring “what the heck, where’s MY baby!”

You can visit the breeder’s website to view their stallion, Donius W, brood mares, and offspring at www.WhisperingHills Friesians.com.

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HAPPENINGS Events and News of Note EQUITREKKING

Emmy-award winning producer Darley Newman goes back in time where no motorized vehicles are allowed

Exploring Mackinac Island

By Darley Newman Bethseda, Maryland

I

f you want to visit a place where horses still rule, head to Mackinac Island, Michigan. This small, historic island in Lake Huron between Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas banned automobiles over 100 years ago.

The only way to get around is to walk, bike, ride horses or take a horse-drawn carriage, meaning you can truly step back to a simpler time.

On my visit, I met up with Don Eckhardt and his wife Lisa, who teach riding and driving skills to many of the Mackinac Island cottage owners.

This instruction is helpful for those wanting to ‘drive’ themselves around the island.

Don took me on a carriage tour of the island in a two-seat surrey carriage pulled by two beautiful Friesian horses — Hercules and Gysbert.

Friesians are horses that knights used to ride into battle and they are striking, with shiny black coats, long, thick manes and a graceful trot. This trot makes them great carriage horses.

Trotting along in our carriage, we passed by other horse riders and cyclists and onto forested driving trails.

Over 80 per cent of Mackinac Island is within Mackinac Island State Park and there are over 70 miles of natural and paved trails inside the Park to explore. It was really pretty to ride along listening to the clip clop of hooves and see the leaves just starting to change and the sun streaming through the trees.

Don talked about the island’s horse culture.

Almost everything is moved around with horsepower, including garbage pick-up and UPS. Lots of things that we might take for granted as folks who don’t live on an island where there are no vehicles, people on Mackinac Island think about frequently — everything from how to get the materials to put an addition on their home or barn to how to stock up and transport your groceries home.

Our carriage ride took us to Grand Hotel’s carriage barn and stables, where I was able to explore ALL PHOTOS COURTESY DARLEY NEWMAN

antique carriages from Mackinac’s past, and then through more wooded trails to the island’s new Community Stables.

At the Mackinac Community Equestrian Center, I met with Steve Rilenge, who gave me a tour of this new facility, which serves the Mackinac Horsemen’s Association, the 4-H horse program, and the general public.

Just to break ground on the stables has required a lot of planning and fundraising. You can only do construction on the island during a short season, as in the winter, most people leave the island and things shut down. Plus, it’s just too cold. In the winter, materials have to be hauled to the island over an ice bridge via snowmobile or other costly and timeconsuming means.

The stables are nice with new stalls and outdoor paddocks and arenas. What’s most unique about the stables is that they are open to the general public and meant to be accessible to kids and youth, so the strong horse traditions on the island can be carried on for future generations.

We ventured on further with our Friesians leading the way to Fort Holmes, the highest spot on the island. There, we took in views of the town below, Fort Mackinac, Mackinac Bridge, Round Island and Round Island Lighthouse, and the Straits of Mackinac. With blue skies and water, the views were awesome.

My favourite part of the ride was hearing from Don and his friend Pete about life on the island and horse culture today. It’s refreshing to go to a place where you really have to slow down to take it all in and a place where horses still play such an integral role in modern life.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

If you’re interested in this adventure or any trail riding experience in the world, go to www.equitrekking.com

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H APPENINGS Heritage

Corb Lund’s heritage showcased at colourful Glenbow Museum exhibit Known for preserving the west with his songs, Alberta’s own Corb Lund brings history to life heritage, and he’s known to be a history buff.

His relationship with Calgary’s Glenbow began when he served as the artist-in-residence for 2012.

Part of that assignment includes having the artist spend time in the galleries to come up with some kind of a related presentation done in their own way.

“When Corb came in, he got to go back in the archives and explore our collections,” explained Jenny Conway Fisher, the Glenbow’s Manager of Communications and Marketing.

“After seeing all the things there, he felt he would like to do an exhibition. We thought that was a cool

GOING DOWN THE TRAIL Places and events of interest

By Dianne Finstad Red Deer, Alta.

I

f you’re looking for a unique adventure back in Alberta’s history, with a musical flair, let the path take you to ‘No Roads Here’ at the Glenbow Museum this month.

It’s Corb Lund’s Alberta. The award winning musician has family roots that go deep with the province’s. Lund’s story-telling songs often pay tribute to the western

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idea, and had never been done before by an artist-in-residence. So he and our Vice-President of Collections, Melanie Kjorlien, worked closely together.”

Fisher remembers Lund’s delight as he ‘played’ in the extensive collections, seeing ordinary objects from the past, and learning the interesting stories behind who owned or used them. He even found photos of his own family in the archives.

Lund and Kjorlien decided the exhibit would focus on stories he wanted to tell, which could link back to his songs. Nine songs were chosen to be the pillars of each section, and the theme for the collections.

Lund’s own background riding horses and chasing cattle served as an ideal platform for a look back at Alberta’s ranching history. But there were lots of other topics that fascinated him and that he had a family connection with.

That ranges from Mormonism to oil rig work. The section on gambling includes a pair of fixed dice, owned by Lund’s great grandfather, a professional gambler.

Another area focuses on the Lund family’s history in rodeo, with a pair of spurs front and center used by three generations of Lund rodeo riders. Corb himself used them in his own steer riding ventures as a youngster.

The veterinary profession through

Alberta’s history is showcased with the old shingle from his father D.C. Lund’s practice as a centrepiece.

“One area looks at the relationship Alberta has with nature and wildlife,” adds Conway Fisher. “It shows how wild Alberta has been and still is, but how it’s changing.

Corb looks at how we balance the use of the land with preserving it.”

Items from Lund’s own family collections complement the Glenbow archives, and Corb makes the exhibits come alive by including personal notes and anecdotes in each section.

“Because Lund isn’t a formal curator, he brought a fresh perspective by looking at objects and trying to figure out what it was important, interesting, and affected ordinary life,” noted Conway Fisher.

“It’s a new way to look at what we’re preserving — a personal take on legends of Alberta. But it’s also about seeking nuggets of history that don’t often get pulled out and examined.”

The exhibition opened January 26th and Conway Fisher says it’s

THE TRADITION

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bringing in people who’ve never been to the Glenbow before.

“Corb has a real following, and people want to see what he has to say.”

The exhibition included a sold out concert at the Glenbow, where Lund was able to tell stories related to the exhibits and perform some of his songs, while those attending visited the exhibition afterwards.

Museum officials are enthused about what the Corb Lund exhibition is doing.

“It’s a first for the Glenbow and we’re excited about it,” emphasized Conway Fisher. “And it was new for Corb. Not everyone gets to build a museum exhibit. It expanded both our worlds.”

More information

No Roads Here: Corb Lund’s Alberta is on at the Glenbow Museum until April 28th.

More details are available at www.glenbow.org

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43

H APPENINGS Working cow boy

Searching for the King of the working cowboys

Lakeland College competition showcases the variety of skills working cowboys use daily IN IT TO WIN IT

M il lar brothers

Competitor profile

Championship quest all in the family

By Dianne Finstad Red Deer, Alta.

I

t’s the cowboy way to take pride in everyday chores done well.

But there’s also a competitive spark that can lead cowboys to checking out how their ‘best’ compares with their compatriots. Your chance to see that kind of fun comes April 12th at Lakeland College in Vermilion, Alta.

The third edition of the Working Cowboy Competition will be held in conjunction with the Working Cowboy Horse Sale which has become an industry benchmark event over its two decades.

“Our equine marketing course students put on the sale and competition,” explains Ron Hoffman, the head of the Western Ranch Cow Horse Program at Lakeland College.

“A good number of people who compete are alumni of the program.”

“It’s designed to give the working cowboy some visibility and credit for what he does on a daily basis.”

The competition features tasks which are realistic in a working ranch setting, including ranch roping, a stock dog trial, and even bronc riding. Contestants who take part in at least three events have their points added up in search of the cowboy with the greatest range of skills in a working environment. Money is paid out for placing in each of the individual contests, but there’s $2,000 and a buckle for the overall winner.

“Most of what they’re doing is judged, as opposed to being done in the fastest time,” outlined Hoffman.

“Stockmanship is a priority, along with horsemanship. We’re looking for them to be efficient and effective, while creating the least amount of stress.”

The competition is picking up momentum with entries last year doubling over the inaugural year.

Hoffman expects entries, which close April 8th, to go up yet again.

“This year we’re putting on an evening performance to increase the public interest. We want to create more of a show so it will feature the ranch bronc riding, and the extreme ranch horse competition which is a combination of the former ranch horse and doctoring contests.”

The competition compliments the sale, and also works well for some sellers to showcase horses they’re offering the next day.

“We select horses from across western Canada for the sale, and

A team of Lakeland College students competed last year in the Novice Ranch Roping. PHOTO: Lakeland College

it’s become one of the strongest consignment ranch horse sales in Alberta,” states Hoffman proudly.

“We have everything from rope horses, to experienced ranch horses, to younger ones being brought along. But they all must be rideable, there are no lead-in horses allowed.

People know what to expect when they come. Last year’s high seller brought $11,500, and they usually average over $4,000.”

Putting on the sale, with all the related duties is also a learning experience for the students. Combined with the competition, Hoffman sees it as a valuable way to cap off the program.

“It ties a lot of learning together, and exposes them to some high quality horses, and good cowboys. They

often make connections which can lead to jobs. There are some viable opportunities if people like working with cows and horses. We see three times as many jobs as there are students. Our program is the only one in Canada that marries cattle with horses.”

Who will claim the buckle and title as Canada’s Greatest Working Cowboy in 2013? Chances are good you’ll have to beat a Millar to do so. The defending champion is Steve Millar of Foam Lake, Saskatchewan, who was runnerup the very first year of the competition to his own brother Clayton.

“Yea, there’s a little bit of rivalry,” chuckled Steve. “But this year we told Dad it was his turn to win!”

It truly is a family of working cowboys. Steve and Clayton are actually third generation PFRA Pasture Managers, with Steve at Foam Lake’s pasture; Clayton at Swan River, Manitoba, and Don at the PFRA Cadillac location.

Steve is an alumnus of the Lakeland College program. He competes regularly in Ranch Rodeos, as well as showing horses on the Saskatchewan Reined Cow Horse scene.

“I used to ride broncs and rodeo quite a bit when I was younger,” admits Millar, who picked up novice titles in both the CCA and the MRCA.

In 2012, Millar placed in all the individual events, but won the ranch roping at the Working Cowboy competition outright.

“I’ve won that every year they’ve had it. It seems to be my lucking roping for the year. The thing we don’t have as much in these ranch contests is the bronc riding. Lots can do the rest, but aren’t too excited about getting on a bronc. But that’s definitely one of the funnest for me. I can’t wait for that, but I haven’t been too lucky there!”

Millar already has been tuning up on the horse he’ll be competing on this year, a six-year-old dunn gelding called Gunner, owned by John Regier of Medicine Hat. And he’ll stick with his older dog Bo for the dog trial. He’s excited about the opportunity to take part in the competition again.

“It’s not often you can see people competing in all those events at one place. It really showcases the guys with the broadest set of skills, and picks out the guys handiest at all kinds of things. It helps get a guy’s name out there too.”

Sandy Ridge Stallion Station A Classic Guy

Own son of the Nation’s #2 Leading Barrel Sire Frenchmans Guy with offspring winnings of over $6,000,000!!!

Working Cowboy Champion Steve Millar is in winning form during the stock dog trial event in the competition. PHOTO: Lakeland College

For more information

Anyone interested in the Working Cowboy Competition can contact Ron Hoffman at 780-853-8598 or email him at ron.hoffman@ lakelandcollege.ca. There’s also information on the college website.

Also Standing:

• Fast Moon Chic, son of the Nation’s #7 Leading Barrel Sire of the Decade, /Marthas Six Moons • Root Beers Boots, son of 1987 AHA Hi Pt Jr Working Cowhorse, /Root Beer Doc • Hezgottabefamous, son of the Nation’s #1 Leading Barrel Sire of the Decade, /Dash Ta Fame • Crimson Jess, son of the Nation’s #1 Leading Race Sire of Money Earners, /Mr Jess Perry • Prime Time Chivato, by Dash to Chivato si96, sire offspring of $3,279,722

“All out of producing mares!!!”

More info: Doug & Carol Schaffer, Bassano, Alberta 403-641-2511

www.sandyridge.ab.ca

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HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • APRIL 2013

H APPENINGS Horse vacation

Cruising the water and shores of the Caribbean Guest ranch owner Mark McMillan and wife Kathy enjoy a horse adventure on the Island of Bonaire GOING DOWN THE TRAIL Places and events of interest

By Mark McMillan Meadow Springs Ranch, B.C.

I

n January we were lucky enough to join Billie and Hugh McLennan on their 12th Annual Spirit of the West Cruise.

This year we were on the Emerald Princess for a ten-day Caribbean cruise that was absolutely awesome!

“The coral and lava rock on which we rode is so different than what we’re used to seeing.”

— Mark McMillan

Before the cruise each year, we always look into at least one place to go horseback riding. Folks with us say, “you do that at home for a living… why would you do it while on holiday?” Well we enjoy riding, and figure that seeing different countries on horseback is the way to go.

This year proved to be a little harder than normal though, as we found very little about riding in the Caribbean (at least on the Islands where we were stopping).

We did come across one though, and so we booked in at Rancho Washikemba on the Island of Bonaire. Bregje (Brigit to us) picked

Horses All contributor Mark McMillan and his wife Kathy took a day-ride on the Island of Bonaire while on the Spirit of the West Caribbean cruise with Hugh and Billie McLennan.

us up at the cruise ship and drove us through town to the outback… from the Caribbean Sea to the Atlantic Ocean (not that it’s very far away, about a 20 minute drive).

Brigit moved from Holland to

Bonair about 10 years ago when her husband’s work relocated them.

They have built and run the riding business over the last three years.

She has eight horses — a quarter horse (she wishes she had more of

PerlICH bros. auCtion MaRket ltd.

2013 sPrING Horse sale Friday, May 3rd @ 6:00 p.m. & Saturday May 4th @ 11:00 a.m.

CataloGue DeaDlINe: MoNDay, aPrIl 15tH raNCH sHoWCase & sale

saturDay, May 4tH Demonstrations at 9:00 a.m. • Sale at 1:00 p.m.

2 Day Horse sale Selling over 250 Registered and Non-registered horses.

Come out for a weekend of fun and horse buying!

Visit www.perlich.com for consignment forms and more details and updates.

Let our auction team go to work for you!

2012 Highest Selling Ranch Showcase Horse

Website: www.perlich.com email:auction@perlich.com Phone: 403-329-3101

*Ranch Horses *Performance Horses *Prospects *Breeding Stock *Yearlings *Much More

accepting entries now!

Please call in or email for a lot number.

Contact: Nichole Perlich

Located: Lethbridge, AB 3 Miles East of Lethbridge on Hwy #3 & ¼ Mile South on Broxburn Road.

them), three Columbian Pasofinos that she say are the real Pasofinos (different than Peruvian Pasofinos), one Paso cross, two thoroughbreds, and one Welsh.

Now if you think it might be inexpensive feeding and keeping horses on Bonaire… think again!

Brigit’s hay comes from Holland, South America, and Canada… each bale compressed to a small rectangle in a plastic bag. It’s more like haylage and is chopped to about three inches.

Our ride was good , and we definitely saw the country far better from the back of our horses than we did from the pickup. Things we never see like lizards and iguanas, (Kathy said she was glad there was a horse between them and her), the many different types of cacti, the amazingly coloured birds, and even Flamingos!

The coral and lava rock on which we rode is so different than what we’re used to seeing. Donkeys are wild animals here, and goats, although owned by people, run wild with them.

We ended up in a beautiful little sheltered bay where Brigit has tie rings for the horses in a huge lava rock formation. Here we unsaddled and headed into the warm ocean for a refreshing and fun swim on horseback.

Knowing the business, I asked Brigit if she could share a memorable moment with us. Just about immediately she said, “You know this is still hard for me to believe, but I had a couple of hippies from Spain one time. As soon as they were mounted, they galloped off before I could do much. Thankfully they rode pretty good, but when we

One of the highlights of the ride was swimming their horses out in a beautiful lagoon in the Atlantic Ocean.

arrived at the beach, they jumped off their horses. The guy stripped down to absolutely nothing, and the girl to only a bikini bottom! I guess the shocked look on my face made the girl ask if this was ok… she said this is normal for them. I just tried not to look and carried on with the ride into the ocean where less could be seen!” There was even a hint of pink in Brigit’s face as she came to the end of her story.

Quite a change from the modeling agency she used to own in Holland, but Brigit did have her own horses before she moved to Bonaire, and it’s obvious that she knows horses. I think she’ll do nothing but improve the business over the next few years as long as the huge expenses don’t deter her.

If you go

If you end up on Bonaire and want a fun horseback ride, check out www.RanchoWashikemba.com.

HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • APRIL 2013

HAPPENINGS SHOW JUMPING

SPRUCE MEADOWS New events in 2013 Show jumping facility not resting on its laurels but continues to strive for new heights

T

he Spruce Meadows team has worked hard since the conclusion of its 2012 season to offer you a wonderful opportunity to compete for some of the world’s leading prize money, while enjoying the unique Spruce Meadows experience.

Spruce Meadows was recently recognized as No. 1 for the third consecutive year by the North American Riders Group. This is a most inspiring and cherished award. We promise you that we will continue to improve each and every year to provide you with the very best in competition and sport.

With a distinctive blend of seven different world class grass rings for competition, Spruce Meadows has attracted top course designers from around the world to give athletes a truly memorable sporting experience.

Whether 2013 will be your first time to Spruce Meadows, or you are a returning competitor, the Spruce Meadows team is completely dedicated to you and your success at Spruce Meadows.

Each year, in an effort to improve, Spruce Meadows listens to its constituents. In 2013, Spruce Meadows is offering more speed and parcours de chasse events, the newly introduced 1.45 metre Derby competitions and will continue with the everpopular Paramount Resources Prix des Nations Junior/Amateur team competitions this summer.

We are also proud to offer a Furusiyya FEI Nations’ Cup Series Regional Qualifier. These initiatives are in response to the suggestions and feedback we have received from many individuals and to the valuable feedback we receive from NARG. The Spruce Meadows Tournament prize list can be found on the official website. Spruce Meadows is pleased to once again be offering the Early Bird Discount for any riders who submit circuit Summer Series entries in full by Friday, April 5, 2013. The Sum-

mer Series entry deadline is Friday, April 19, 2013.

Mark your calendars and come join us! June can be wet.

However, in general, both June and July are lovely months to be in Calgary — with beautiful weather, long sunny days, and many activities for the entire family, be it experiencing Banff, or visiting the Calgary Stampede.

In response to feedback from riders and fans, Spruce Meadows has added more events in 2013.

PHOTO: SPRUCE MEADOWS

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Activation fees apply. Early termination fees apply. Subject to site check. Site check fee may apply. Taxes will apply. See dealer for details. 2Actual speed online may vary with your technical configuration, Internet traffic, server and other factors. Traffic management applies to all packages. 3For complete details of Xplornet’s traffic management policies and 30-day money-back guarantee, visit xplornet.com. Xplornet® is a trade-mark of Xplornet Communications Inc. © Xplornet Communications Inc., 2013.

1

FBC SAT HALL PLAN ADMAT 01/2013

By Lisa Murphy

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HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • APRIL 2013

F

F U N DRAISER

master ed the rized tom-made

Horses Hounds and Homecookin

Working Hats – Don Weller

Hat Materials

T

53339 Highway 21 Sherwood Park AB Canada T8A-4V1

on makes using the made in g, cutting, crowntices that have owboy ed to hat.

HAPPENINGS

SPECIALTY HatS featuring Lisa Hewitt

H Equine Learning Association Whitemud hosting fundraising BBQ and dance Staff writer

T

53339 Highway 21 Sherwood Park AB Canada T8A-4V1

Jaz Poco Goldun Blue

Phone: 780.719.2740 doubledcustomhats@albertacom.com 1994 AQHA Grulla Stallion

By Little Steel Dust (Grandson of Poco Bueno) and out of a mare by Pocos Gray Comet www.doubledcustomhats.com 26 (Grandson of Poco Bueno)

h

Don Weller - The ArTisT

orses and drawing were early passions for internationally renowned artist Don Weller. Growing up in Pullman, Washington, he drew constantly when he wasn’t riding horses.

He graduated from Washington State University with a degree in fine art and moved to California where he had a successful career in graphic design and illustration. He also taught at UCLA and the Art Center School in Pasadena

Whether for working, rodeoing, or an evening on Homozygous Dun - ALL his foals WILL be red dun, the town, your custom hat will have the distinctive dun or grulla, regardless of the dam’s color! 24 mark of quality, style, and comfort to make you look the best you can. With Double D, your hat is your 23 choice. Hats may be designed in a combination of colors and styles to create the perfect hat for you.

HERDA N/N GBED N/N Double D hats offers a full line of felt hats made 1994 AQHA Grulla Stallion fromN/N the finest wool, fur, and beaver felt. The Don’s watercolor paintings depicting contemporary western PSSM

By Little Steel Dust (Grandson of Poco Bueno)

scenes and ranch life have been printed in national magazines collection also includes straw and the new hybrid and have outbeen of a mare and posters, and his illustrations and photography hatsby – hats constructed from both felt and straw. of Merit used for children’s books and a coffee-table book. HeAQHA has(Grandson paintedRegistry Pocos Gray Comet Poco Bueno) Weofspecialize in a variety of children’s hats and five U.S. postageHomozygous stamps.

Dun - ALL his foals WILL be red dun,

(ROM) Reiningcowboy hats for dogs and horses as well. occasionally

Don and his wife, Cha Cha, live inor Oakley, a rural farm and dun grulla, regardless of the dam’s color!

IBHA Registry of Merit ranching community in Utah. Visit www.DonWeller.com to view Double D hats his Western art gallery images.

(ROM) Reining stands behind each hat to ensure your

25

2

22

21 20 19 18

17

HERDA N/N • GBED N/N • PSSM1 complete satisfaction. N/N

16

AQHA Registry of Merit (ROM) Reining 2001 Open(ROM) ReiningReining Circuit IBHA Registry of Merit

Champion 2001 Open Reining Circuit Champion 2001 MHBHA Working Cow 2001 MHBHAHorse Working Cow First Place Horse First Place 2000 NRHA Limited Open Res. 2000 NRHAChampion Limited Sandhills Open Res. Slide Champion Sandhills Slide 2000 NRHA Limited Open Res. 2000 NRHA LimitedHigh Open Res. Champion Desert Slide Champion2000 High Desert Slide Working Cow Horse Circuit Colorful 2000 Working CowChampion Horse Circuit Colorado Champion Colorful Colorado MHBHA Reining 1998 MHBHA1998 Reining Champion Champion 1998 AQHA Junior Reining Colorful Colorado AQHA Junior Circuit 1998 Champion Reining Colorful Colorado 1998 IBHA Open Reining Colorful Colorado Circuit Champion Circuit Champion 1998 IBHA Open Reining NRHA Colorful Money Colorado Earner Circuit

Colors

1

27

he Whitemud Equine Learning Association (WELCA) is hosting a unique fundraiser on Friday, May 24 from 3-11 p.m. under the big top at the Edmonton Classic Horse Show.

The barbeque and dance will feature Canadian country recording artist, Lisa Hewitt.

The Tent opens at 3 p.m. and the 3Horse & Hounds class will run from 4 p.m. This will be a three ft. course 4-6 5 6 as well as an agility course for horses for the hounds. Best combined time wins. Bet on7 your favourite team and 8 you will be entered to win some fabu9 lous prizes including Skybox Tickets at Spruce Meadows.

10 Thanks11to CW Carry and Tudor Equestrian for sponsoring this event.

If you would 12 be interested in sponsoring, please contact WELCA. 13 The BBQ gets underway at 7 p.m.

14 with burgers, hotdogs, chicken, beans, corn on the cob and more.

Then, get ready to dust off your dancing shoes as Lisa Hewitt & The Trads bring their country classics to the stage.

For more than a decade, the White-

15

Country music star Lisa Hewitt.

mud Equine Learning Centre Association has been quietly helping to develop people of strength and contributors to the Edmonton community.

WELCA is a non-profit association providing easy access for anyone wishing to discover the joys of equine activities, and those who wish to rekindle their love for horses. Their centrally located services help young urban people develop self-confidence and self-esteem, and their horses are instrumental in providing therapeutic services for people living with mental health issues or diseases such as multiple sclerosis.

For tickets, go to www.welca.ca or call the WELCA office at 780-4353597.

Join us for a day of action-packed fa mily fun!!

2012 Stallion Search for Fee: $950

JazBurwash Poco Goldun Standing At: EquineBlue Services Ltd 403.242.1913 • www.eslvet.ca on Facebook!

Fresh cooled or frozen shipped semen Champion available anywhere NorthEarner America NRHAinMoney

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More stories…

And more features... online at...

April 6, 2013

Magrath Ag Society Building

Fundraiser in Support of Tree of Life Orphanage in Z a mbia, Africa Troy Fischer Silverworks Steer Wrestling

Trick Riding & Liberty Performances

by Niki Flundra

Custom Troy Fischer buckle to the champion Prizes for 2nd & 3rd, plus payout NFR Performer & Niki will be signing Canadian Specialty Entries close at 10:30 am - Start at 11:00 am Act of the Year autographs as well!!

Open Steer Wrestling by !"Full Concession ! signing h 3 Head ap gr Auto l aka Top 12 to the Short Round Marshal BC !"Lil’ Buckaroos Rodeo !

Amber C it h e $150 entry fee - CASH ONLY th !"Silent Auction !

‘Amy’ on rtland!! ea Lots of amazing items already donated!! series H

Trophy Saddle Roping

Kids Barrel Race & Tandem Pole Bending

10x Frontier Saddles to the Champions Events at 9:30 am Prizes for 2nd & 3rd, plus payout 12 & Under age Limit - Enter in advance Limited to 25 entries per event Entries close at 1:30pm - Start at 2:00pm Phone 403-752-3368 April 3 - 7-9 pm #11 Team Roping with #9 Incentive $15 per Event ** Prizes will be given Open to everyone, straight draw 3 Head Progressive WE WILL BE AUCTIONING OFF A $35 per draw -   14’ ALUMINUM HORSE TRAILER CASH ONLY PROVIDED BY VANTAGE TRAILER SALES

Inspired by people and horses www.horsesall.com

Contact Jessie or Billie Heggie for more info 403-752-3368

FIND US ON FACEBOOK at “Cowboys for Kingdom House” to keep posted as details are finalized!

All proceeds raised from this event will directly benefit our goal in building a house on the Tree of Life Orphanage in Z a mbia, Africa. This house will be a home to 12 Orphans and will stand to bring impact for generations to come. *Poster donated by Diamond Communications*

HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • APRIL 2013

47

H APPENINGS Family fu n

Extreme Cowboy Race coming to Aggie Days Calgary Stampede annual event also includes stock dog trails and Build a Cowboy program Places and events of interest

E

veryone is invited to come on down to Stampede Park the weekend of April 13th-14th, 2013 to experience a weekend of unique and engaging events being held in the Corral as part of Aggie Days presented by Encana.

The Calgary Stampede Clock, Stock and Barrel Stock Dog Trials take place on Saturday, April 13, starting at 10 a.m. The Clock, Stock and Barrel is a timed trial that challenges handlers and their stock dogs to move three sheep through a defined course and into a pen in the fastest time.

These dogs are eager athletes that have a natural instinct to herd.

Both the handler and his loyal assistant know that keeping the sheep under control and on course can save valuable seconds, which count towards the final time!

The handler controls the dog either through whistle or voice commands. The handler must stay in the circle until all the sheep have come through the chute. Time stops when all the sheep are in the pen and the gate is closed.

This can be quite a challenge as it depends upon the mindset of the sheep as well; just when you may think all the sheep are in the pen and the gate is ready to be shut, one can sneak past you and get back out!

The handlers are very humble as many try to steal the credit for their timed wins, but state that 90

per cent of the package comes from their partner athletes: their amazing dogs. It’s doggone challenging — and fun!

While the dogs take a welldeserved break, another particularly exciting event on Saturday will be taking place — a Youth Rodeo featuring “Build a Cowboy.”

This program focuses on working with young cowboys as they learn the ropes of Bareback and Saddle Bronc riding.

Kids aged 12 to 15 learn the techniques of spurring and safe riding practices, first on a specialized mechanical ‘horse,’ then on a saddle horse, and finally on a steer. This is your opportunity to cheer these future rodeo stars on. The performance also features young barrel racers and trick riders. This exciting Rodeo event starts at 11 a.m. in the Stampede Corral.

The stocks dogs will be back center stage at 12 p.m. and will run until 4 p.m.

Sunday, April 14 is the Spring Extreme Cowboy Race, which takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Extreme Cowboy Race, founded by famed horseman Craig Cameron, is a multi-faceted equestrian sporting event that showcases both horse and rider as they maneuver through a series of obstacles, demonstrating both their amazing horsemanship skills and incredible speed.

Cameron’s advice for spectators of this event is to “hold on tight!”

This is an ideal opportunity to experience the Extreme Cowboy style of racing and/or serve as an opportunity to audition for con-

RANCH HORSE ROUND UP INVITATIONAL RANCH HORSE SALE

APRIL 27, 2013 4 MILES NORTH AND 1 1/4 MILES WEST OF

SPRUCE VIEW, AB

PREVIEW @ 10AM • SALE @ 4 PM 20 - broke ranch horses 10 - green broke horses registered & grade

If you’ve never been to a stock dog trail, April 13 at Calgary Stampede Park is the place to be for the Clock, Stock, and Barrel event.

sideration to compete at a future “Cowboy Up Challenge” during the Calgary Stampede.

This weekend full of time trials and racing is sure to get your heart pumping as you cheer on the competitors! The excitement doesn’t end here though, as these events are being showcased in the Stampede Corral in conjunction with Aggie Days! There will be displays and loads of hands-on interactive activities including equine presentations, cow milking, flour milling, sheep shearing and horse harnessing!

Admission to Aggie Days and all of the weekend events is complimentary so please feel free to stop by and enjoy all the fun and education these events have to offer. For more information on these exciting events please visit www.calgarystampede.com/ag.

PEPINICS MASTER

Some of Canada’s best horseman will compete at the spring Cowboy Up Challenge on the Calgary Stampede grounds, April 14.

PERFORMANCE

CIRCLE BAR GRAY GUN

POWERED

PHOTO CREDIT: CHERYL SMYTHE PHOTOGRAPHY AND DESIGN

GOING DOWN THE TRAIL

BY PEDIGREE THE PROOF IS IN THE PROGENY Pepinics Master’s performing offspring have earned $550,000 in cutting, working cowhorse, reining, and barrel racing (Equi-Stat).

Circle Bar Gray Gun is sired by Playgun who is the Equi-Stat #9 Leading Cutting Sire and an NRCHA Leading Sire, siring the earners of over $6,900,000.

view entire catalog of horses at

www.ranchhorseroundup.com or contact Cory Glenn @ 403-598-2499 All horses will be previewed: Ranch horses will be shown working cattle on sale day

Ed & Connie Masson Cadogan, Alberta • Phone: (780) 857-2254 Email: ranchboss@myterraranch.com

www.myterraranch.com

A Once in a lifetime offering of Pepinics Master Daughters... For Sale

48

HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • APRIL 2013

H APPENINGS Bull Riding

PBR Canada Event of the Year: The Clunie Cooper Memorial Bull-riding families run deep in Prince Albert, Sask.

HOOKED ON BULLS Profiles on the PBR

By Ted Stovin Calgary, Alta.

I

n the summer of 2011, a plane crashed in northern Saskatchewan, killing all five passengers.

They included 44-year-old Wade Cooper and his 40-yearold brother Cam Cooper, older brothers of Pro Rodeo Entertainer of the Year, Ash Cooper.

Young 15-year-old Max Cluine was the son of Rusty and Sharon Clunie of Prince Albert, Sask.

Twenty-one year old Danny Mantyka and Andre Gagnon, the 32-year-old pilot from Sherbrooke, Quebec also perished.

Wade Cooper and Max Cluine were instrumental members of the Prince Albert PBR committee (formerly known as the Ryan Byrne Invitational).

“The name was changed for Max and Wade for last year’s event,” says long-time family friend Tanner Byrne and a professional bull rider from PA himself. “That’ll be the way it is forever now.”

Since he was about seven years old, Max would help Blaine Fyson with the arena set up.

Usually Blaine’s help wasn’t this young, and usually the person he

might sit around during his day off at two-day event but not in Prince Albert.

Last year the bull riders were all invited to Rusty Clunie’s for some team roping and a steak.

One of the most entertaining parts had to be the people entered who really didn’t know how to rope.

Tanner won the roping last year with Ty Pozzobon so just another reason to like the event.

“I’m pretty biased too because I’m from here and everyone love’s me so much. “Tanner added jokingly.

For the second year, Tanner’s second oldest brother Jesse along with Bull Rider Luke Snyder are hosting a bull riding and bull fighting school. Last year it was a huge success with a ton of special guests at the same time.

“Word on the street is that a lot of the PBR’s top talent are making their way up here at the start of May,” Tanner concluded.

had running the bobcat would be at least old enough to have their driver’s license. Not Max though. That didn’t matter to him.

“He ran the show,” Tanner commented on his friend Max. Young Max left an enduring legacy on the community of Prince Albert and bull riding in general. His sticker, Max Power is found on the hats and gear of all the top bull riders in Canada.

Power is in reference to all the equipment he learned to run at such a young age.

The first ever Max Power Ring of Honour was created in 2012 in honour of Max Clunie and presented on Saturday night of the bull riding.

Blaine Fyson was the recipient in the award’s first year.

“We give the award to someone who approaches life like Max did,” said Tanner. “The award doesn’t have to go to a rodeo person either. To get that is pretty special I’d say.”

“It’s a great bull riding event in my opinion… in everyone’s opinion actually,” the youngest of the three Byrne brothers explained.

“I think it’s the best one of the year… not because of the event itself either but because of how the committee treats everyone.”

Bull riding is just part of the Prince Alberta event for the bull riders. Sometimes a bull rider

Event details

• Clunie-Cooper Memorial PBR • May 3rd and 4th in Prince Albert, Sask.

• Art Hauser Center • 7:30 p.m. both nights • $15,000 in added money • Produced by 3D Bullriding Inc.

Jason Davidson presents Rusty Clunie with the PBR Canada event of the year plaque in November at the 2012 PBR Canadian Finals. photo: Submitted

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HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • APRIL 2013

49

H APPENINGS travel

ICELAND:

Horses, food, drink, and friendship

This is one adventure you should add to your bucket list GOING DOWN THE TRAIL Places and events of interest

By Ly Faber

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rolls, elves, gnomes? The Lord of the Rings? Nope — Iceland. That’s what it felt like looking out at the beautiful landscape from the back of my sturdy horse. It was as if I had been transported back in time to a World of Legends.

I took a tour to Iceland with Icelandic Horse World tours in the summer of 2012 where I got a good taste of what this almost unknown country is all about.

And by taste, I don’t only mean in the metaphorical sense, for this is where I had the best lamb ever along with rotten shark fin — yup you read that right. In this country rich with tradition, eating shark fin that has been left in the ground to rot for weeks, followed by a good shot of brennivín, or “black death” (a strong alcoholic beverage) is one among many interesting traditions.

Cats Merada

if you go:

For more information or to book you Icelandic adventure, go to www.icelandichorse world.com

High Brow Cat Merada Lena

Somebodys Sindy

2009 Sorrel Stallion • AQHA Reg. # 5297790 Stud fee $1200.00

Introductory special of $1000.00 for mares booked before Mar. 1, 2013 Special consideration for proven mares and multiple mares Chilled or frozen semen

High Brow Hickory Smart Little Lena Freckles Merada Catalena Kate

Somebodys Smart Dox Little Cindy

Smart Little Lena A Busy Body Peppy San Badger Doc’s Cindy Bar

Trainer: Les Timmons Performance Horses Contact (250) 851-6295

photo credit to James Hudyma

PHOTOS: by Monica Jahrig

painted mountains. It was such a surreal experience and I was blown away!

I sat in a natural hot spring in the middle of the wilds with my colleagues. What could be better?

It was all a perfect moment. In one place you are up so high you can almost see all of Iceland. It’s so cool!

Icelanders are incredibly friendly.

It’s easy to become submerged in their lifestyle as they invite you into their homes and treat you like family. We shared drink and tales, laughed under the midnight sun, and left the country amidst warm hugs and promises of return.

Travelling through Iceland was definitely one of the biggest highlights in my life, and I cannot wait to return there this year!

Another tradition in Iceland which permeates the entire culture is the amazing horsemanship.

When you come to Iceland, you cannot help but notice it.

Iceland has its own breed of horse that has remained pure for 1,000 years. The raw elements and powerful natural forces have created a unique advantage for this breed which has an amazingly strong constitution.

Since there are no natural predators for these horses, the only obstacles they’ve had to overcome are natural ones. Water, stone, fire, and ice are tackled head on and without fear. All this has resulted in a horse with amazing endurance, steady footing, and a loyal, friendly nature like no other. Riding these beautiful horses in the land that shaped them is something everyone must add to their bucket list.

The highlight of this trip for me was Landmannalaugar — one of Iceland’s hidden treasures — where we crossed this mystical land in the style of the old west. We rode alongside a herd of 50 horses, routing them through beautiful

SINDICAT is the earner of $27,309:

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Canadian Supreme Nominated Stallion

MADISON AVENUE Lyle Pambrun, Janet Hotte 780-817-0896 Hinton, AB

For breeding please contact Les 250-851-6295 or Janet 780-817-0896

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ASSOCIATION NEWS Chinook Pleasure Driving Club

Alberta Professional Chuckwagon & Chariot Association

The Chinook Pleasure Driving Club is comprised of members from the Central Alberta area, from Carstairs to Red Deer, east of Olds, and west to Sundre and Rocky Mtn. House. Members enjoy activities such as cutter rallies in the winter, pleasure drives in the summer months, clinics and lessons, and a competition hosted by the Club in July. Emphasis is placed on safety, education, and enjoyment. Don’t forget to check out the Chinook Chapter/Stonebridge Driving Club booth at the Mane Event in Red Deer on April 26-28. Upcoming Events also include: April 11 Meeting at 7:30pm, Calouri Pavilion, Olds; and April 20-21 Driving Lessons with Rise Massey, Rockspring Farm. For more information, please contact Patty Carley at 403-346-2146, or pcarley@telus.net.

In March each year, the APCCA holds it’s two annual tarp auctions. They were both held on the same weekend. The 1st one was in Rocky Mountain House on Friday March 15 at the Lou Soppit Center. The second tarp auction was in Drumheller on Saturday March 16 at Dinosaur Downs Stampede Barn starting at 6:30 p.m. For result or more info, contact a director at www.chuckwagon.ab.ca in the Directors link.

Wild Rose Draft Horse Association

Alberta Ranch Horse Versatility

The Supreme Champion of Champions at Denver’s 2013 National Western Stock Show was Eaglesfield Lexandra. One of the youngest draft horses ever to lift this prestigious award, Brian & Colleen Coleman, Eaglesfield Percherons of Didsbury, Alberta, bred and exhibited the Percheron mare.

Horsemen have eye-balled this three-year-old since she made her tanbark debut as a filly. Sound as a brass bell, Eaglesfield Lexandra was Reserve Grand Champion Percheron Mare at the Central Alberta Draft Horse Classic (Olds) and Calgary Stampede Heavy Horse Show in 2011. More than a halter horse, she is designed to perform. First in the Rail Cart Class and first Pattern Driving, which tests a two-year-old’s schooling, Eaglesfield Lexandra was also shown on halter, winning Ponoka’s 2012 Wild Rose Draft Horse Futurity.

Shown on halter, Lexandra defeated the Supreme Champion Stallion and Supreme Champion Gelding at Denver. Shown in the Open Mare Cart Class, the brilliant performance of the Alberta-bred three-year-old was applauded by the cosmopolitan horsemen gathered ringside.

Before leaving Denver, the Coleman’s resolve was tested. They refused a handsome five figure offer for Eaglesfield Lexandra. For more info visit www.wrdha.com

Dale Albrecht and STR Colonel Brenna execute a sliding stop in the reined work portion of the Ranch Horse Versatility Competition. The Alberta Ranch Horse Versatility Association has seven shows planned for the 2013 show season as well as clinics in April and May. The ARHVA will also be attending the Mane Event again this year so please stop by our booth to buy your membership or learn more about our association. You can also email ranchhorseversatility@ gmail.com or ‘Like’ us on Facebook under Alberta Ranch Horse Versatility Association to get the most up to date information. You can also call President Rachelle Laitila at 403-597-7276.

Alberta Morgan Horse Club

Chinook Team Penning Association Rolling Mix Concrete #7 Class Aggregate Hi-Point Team: Don Poole, Janice Wiebe, Brad Dingreville (Cory Bond of Cam Clark Ford)

On March 9, 2013, the Alberta Morgan Horse Club held its annual spring meeting and annual zone awards. Pictured are some of the many youth members who take part in shows, trail rides, and educational opportunities offered by the club. On April 12 &13, the Club hosts the National Morgan Horse Convention in Leduc, Alta. This weekend will be filled with informational seminars for any attendees and a separate youth agenda as well. For more information about this convention or becoming a member of the Alberta Morgan Horse Club, please visit us at www.albertamorganhorseclub.ca.

The Cam Clark Ford & Trailers Series — traditionally the first of the Season — was a great success as always. Sunny skies, dry roads and gift cards from Irvine Tack for the aggregate Hi-Point Teams in the Open, #10, #7 and #5 Classes topped the weekend off just right!

Check out chinookpenning.com/standings to view results for all competing teams that weekend.

Saturday, February 23, 2013 Open & Pajak Engineering Ltd. Open – Suzie Emms, Russell Armstrong, Ben Thorlakson Canmark Roofing #10 Class – Bob Bolin, Josie Abraham, Suzie Emms Rolling Mix Concrete #7 Class – Rhonda DiStefano, Mason Cockx, Laurie McIntosh O’Reilly O’Rena #5 Class – Holly Farkes, Laurie McIntosh, Rene O’Rourke

Hi-Point Teams Open Class - Kurt Robson, Brian Dick, Harold Bayes CANMARK ROOFING #10 Class – Suzie Emms, Bob Bolin, Josie Abraham ROLLING MIX CONCRETE #7 Class – Don Poole, Janice Wiebe, Brad Dingreville O’REILLY O’RENA #5 Class – Laurie McIntosh, Holly Farkes, Rene O’Rourke

Sunday, February 24, 2013 Open Class – Debbie Thompson, Lindy Barron, Jaycee Spangler Pajak Engineering Ltd. Open – Bob Bolin, Corinne Smith, Tony DiStefano Canmark Roofing #10 Class – Ron Scott, David Pyke, Cam Clark Rolling Mix Concrete #7 Class – Drew Parker, Marci Green, Dale Glover O’Reilly O’Rena #5 Class – Laurie McIntosh, Holly Farkes, Rene O’Rourke

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HORSES ALL • APRIL 2013

ASSOCIATION NEWS Alberta Donkey and Mule Club Four mature mules and one miniature mule journeyed to the Saskatoon Equine Expo in February to represent the Alberta Donkey and Mule Club. Members included Russ Shandro with Ruger, Katherine Cook with Dixie, Colleen Campbell with Ruby, Nicole Kroetsch with Doug and Heather Shandro with Turbo - the mini mule. Participants received a lot of positive feedback from the large audiences and many more new longears fans were made. Our youngest team member was 16 year old Nicole demonstrating with Doug, her five year old, 17.2 hh mule. Doug was given to Nicole a year and a half ago, and the duo has made great progress in a short time. During the demos, Nicole took Doug over jumps and even roped a jump standard and pulled it behind him. She states, ‘’Doug is still very young for a mule, but It’s hard to hold him back as he learns so quickly.’’ Nicole hopes to participate in our upcoming Jerry Tindell Clinics in order to learn more about training and mules in particular. If you want to expand your mule, donkey or horse training knowledge, you won’t want to miss our May Clinics with this outstanding trainer/teacher from California. The clinics may likely be full by now, but auditors are welcome at the door. Visit our website for more information at www. albertadonkeyandmule.com or call Marlene at 403 783-5210.

a s so c i at i o n news

Horses 101 and 201 seminar series coming this spring EYE ON THE INDUSTRY News from the equine community

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orse Industry Association is happy to announce a seminar series in the Calgary-area in the spring. The Horses 101 seminar focusses on horse selection, feed and nutrition, care, stable selection and keeping horses at home. It is taking place on Tuesday, April 23rd at the Airdrie Agriculture Building from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. This seminar is presented by industry professionals Ron Anderson, Les Burwash, and Muffy Knox.

Horses 201 builds on Horses 101.

Muffy Knox uses live horses to demonstrate horse behaviour, reading body language, and equipment. Unique to this seminar, conformation and movement will also be examined and assessed with Les Burwash. Join us on Saturday, May 4th for Horses 201 hosted by K&K Livestock from 9 a.m. to noon and stay afterwards for a free burger lunch!

You don’t need to take the 101 to attend the 201!

Go to www.albertahorseindustry.ca for more information or to register. The seminar is $35 and bring a friend for $30.

Alberta Mounted Games

Above we have a Mounted Games rider skillfully knocking down a Joust target! This is our most popular and fastest race! We will be at the Red Deer Mane event from April 26-28. Come check out our booth! For more information about our club, please do not hesitate to contact us! Shelby Masse: smasse@live.com 780-660-9041 Also check out our blog! We keep this updated all the time with upcoming events and news - albertamountedgames.blogspot.com

Heather Mitchell-Matheson and her horse Gio demonstrating curious horse behaviour at a Horses 201 seminar held last year. PHOTO: Robyn Moore

Alberta Friesian Horse Association

During these cold, snowy winter months, we often think back to the long, warm summer days and the wonderful times we have with club members, friends and our Friesians! The photo above was taken at one of our trail ride/drive events. Gerard Paagman with four-in-hand, Wim Floryn with a pair, Lynn Diepenbroek astride and many more riders, not pictured, are all enjoying a romp in Gull Lake. A few of us swam our horses far out into the lake, enjoying the incredible feeling of freedom that comes with floating along with your powerful friend swimming beneath you. Great weather, great trails, great horses, great food and great friends! What more could we ask for? For more info: www.afha.ca

TWISTING TRIO

The musician winners of the Country 103 Rising Star Showcase at the Kamloops Cowboy Festival were the Hanson Family, shown here performing their ‘musical twister’ where they play each other’s instruments. Photo: Jerry Stainerand.

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HORSES ALL · APRIL 2013

calendar of events Send your announcement by email to: Itkdbell@yahoo.ca and we'll include your event or announcement here free.

CLINICS & SEMINARS

APRIL 3 Innisfail, Alta.

Sorting Night at San Emideo Ranch (Geoff Hoar). 7 p.m., weekly until April 3. For details, contact Meghan: 403-507-3126 or email: meghanmarshall@hotmail.ca 5-7 Innisfail, Alta.

Cinched Horse Training with Geoff Hoar. For details, contact Tracy Olson: 306-435-2577 or Holly Hollingshead: 306-4352651 or email: cinched@hotmail. com 9-11 Saskatoon, Sask.

Natural Horsemanship with Glenn Stewart. Horse Development Spring Tune-Up. For details, contact Wendy: 306-492-4995, email: wmethoward@live.com or visit: www.thehorseranch.com 12-14 Saskatoon, Sask.

Natural Horsemanship with Glenn Stewart. Natural Horsemanship Workshop. For details, contact Wendy: 306-492-4995, email: wmethoward@live.com or visit: www.thehorseranch.com 19 Smithers, B.C. Natural Horsemanship with Glenn Stewart. Stage 3/4 Clinic.

For details, contact Anika: 250846-5494, email: gattiker@telus. net or visit: www.thehorseranch. com 20-21 Smithers, B.C. Natural Horsemanship with Glenn Stewart. Advanced Stage 1 Clinic. For details, contact Anika: 250-846-5494, email: gattiker@telus.net or visit: www. thehorseranch.com 20-21 Qualium, B.C. Island Barrel Racers Barrel Clinic with Charla Nikkels. For details, contact Kelsey Noble: 250-7146055 or email: kelseynoble@shaw. ca

22-23 Cochrane, Alta.

Dena Kirkpatrick Barrel Racing Clinic. For details, contact Lisa Kohut: 403-652-6447 or email: lrhaida@hotmail.com 27-28 Stonewall, Man. Natural Horsemanship with Glenn Stewart. Stage 1 Clinic. For details, contact Penny: 204-4678789, email: pfidler@rainyday.ca or visit: www.thehorseranch.com 29-30 Stonewall, Man. Natural Horsemanship with Glenn Stewart. Stage 2/3 Clinic.

For details, contact Penny: 204467-8789, email: pfidler@ rainyday.ca or visit: www.thehorseranch.com

MAY 1-4 Stonewall, Man. Natural Horsemanship with Glenn Stewart. Stage 5 Clinic. For details, contact Penny: 204-4678789, email: pfidler@rainyday.ca or visit: www.thehorseranch.com 2-5 Westerose, Alta.

Jerry Tindell Riding Clinic.

Geared for those that have previously taken a Jerry Tindell clinic and/or can safely walk, trot and lope their stock. For details, contact Marlene Quiring: 403783-5210 4-5 Whitecourt, Alta.

Horsewomanship Clinic with certified Chris Irwin trainers Birgit Stutz & Kathryn Kincannon. For details, contact Raven: 1-877-394-6773, email: info@ crhrisirwin.com or visit: www. equiana.com 9-12 Forestburg, Alta.

Jerry Tindell Open Clinic. This clinic will concentrate on safety and groundwork with young, green or problem animals. For details, contact Caroline Boddy: 780-582-3995

Riding out of your mind

equestrian sport psychology services

April Clay, M.Ed., Registered Psychologist Seminars and Consultation in Equine Sport Psychology • Individual or group sessions • Keynotes • On the ground or mounted • Email consultations

The perfect topic for your next association meeting!

Call or email to find out more: 403.283.5525 april@ridingoutofyourmind.com www.ridingoutofyourmind.com

10-12 Calgary, Alta.

Natural Horsemanship with Glenn Stewart. Stage 1 Clinic. For details, contact Teresa: 403-2464924, email: jthenry@telus.net or visit: www.thehorseranch.com 11 Dunster, B.C. Equine Behaviour and Body Language Workshop with certified Chris Irwin trainer Birgit Stutz. For details, contact Birgit: 250-968-6801, email: fallingstar@ valemount.com or visit: www. fallingstarranch.ca 16-19 Olds, Alta.

Jerry Tindell Introductory/Mixed Clinic at Eagle Hill Equine. For details, contact Julie Leavens: 1-877-762-2767 17-20 Stavely, Alta.

Sid Cook Colt Starting & Horsemanship Classes. 4 p.m. start Friday, 9 a.m. start SaturdayMonday. For details, call Marge: 403-646-5595 or visit: www. sidcookquarterhorse.com 23-August 9 Fort St. John, B.C. Natural Horsemanship with Glenn Stewart. 12 week intensive Horsemanship Course. For details, contact The Horse Ranch: 1-877-728-8987, email: dixie@ thehorseranch.com or visit: www. thehorseranch.com 23-June 13 Fort St. John, B.C. Natural Horsemanship with Glenn Stewart. 3 week intensive Horsemanship Course. For details, contact The Horse Ranch: 1-877-728-8987, email: dixie@ thehorseranch.com or visit: www. thehorseranch.com 24 Dunster, B.C. Horsemanship Demo with Chris Irwin at Falling Star Ranch. For details, contact Birgit: 250968-6801, email: fallingstar@ valemount.com or visit: www. fallingstarranch.ca 25-26 Dunster, B.C. Horsemanship Clinic with Chris Irwin at Falling Star Ranch. For details, contact Raven: 1-877394-6773, email: info@crhrisirwin.com or visit: www.chrisirwin. com 25-28 Fort St. John, B.C. Natural Horsemanship with Glenn Stewart. Stage 1 Horsemanship Course. For details, contact The Horse Ranch: 1-877-728-8987, email: dixie@ thehorseranch.com or visit: www. thehorseranch.com 30-June 2 Fort St. John, B.C. Natural Horsemanship with Glenn Stewart. Stage 2 Horsemanship Course. For details, contact The Horse Ranch: 1-877-728-8987, email: dixie@ thehorseranch.com or visit: www. thehorseranch.com

EQUINE EVENTS

APRIL 6-7 Calgary, Alta.

K&K Livestock Co. 20th Year Anniversay BBQ & Sale. For details, visit: www.kklivestock.com 12-14 Brandon, Man. Horse3 at the Keystone Centre.

For details, visit: www.keystonecentre.com/horse3 13-14 Calgary, Alta.

Aggie Days at Stampede Park. For details, visit: www.calgarystampede.com 26-28 Red Deer, Alta.

Mane Event Expo at Westerner Park. For details, visit: www. maneeventexpo.com

MAY 4 Calgary, Alta.

K&K Livestock Co. Equine Days.

For details, visit: www.kklivestock.com

SALES

APRIL 13 Vermilion, Alta.

Lakeland College Working Cowboy Horse Sale. For details, visit: www.lakelandcollege.ca 19-20 Brandon, Man. Rocking W Horse Sale at the Keystone Center. For details, visit: www.rockingw.com 19-20 Billings, MT Montana Real Ranch Horse Invitational Sale. For details, email: realranchhorses@hotmail.com or visit: www.realranchhorses.com 20 Saskatoon, Sask.

Prairie Quarter Horse Breeders Horse Sale. For details, call: 306544-2727 or visit: www.prairiehorsesale.com

MAY

3-4 Lethbridge, Alta.

Perlich Bros Spring Horse Sale.

For details, call: 403-329-3101, email: auction@perlich.com or visit: www.perlich.com 25-26 Billings, MT Cow Country Classic Catalog Sale.

For details, visit: www.billingslivestock.com

SHOWS & COMPETITIONS

APRIL 6 Stettler, Alta.

Stettler Roughstock Rodeo. $1,500 prize money. For details, call : 403740-3550 or 403-742-3921 13 Olds, Alta.

National Bank Financial Group Free Jumping Challenge at the Olds agricultural Grounds.

13-14 Calgary, Alta.

Rocky Mountain Show Jumping Carrots & Cocktails Signature Series III. For details, visit: www. rmshowjumping.com

20-21 Ponoka, Alta.

AEVA Spring Fest 2013. Equestrian Vaulting Competition at the Ponoka Ag-Event Centre. For details, contact Melanie: 403-5596877 or email: mgmatt@airenet. com

MAY

25-26 Battleford, Sask.

Hidden Meadows Ranch Spring Fling Open Show. SHF Heritage Classic and Prairie Cup classes.

For details, visit: www.hiddenmeadowsranch.com 31 – June 2 Calgary, Alta.

4-H on Parade at Stampede Park.

For details, visit: www.calgarystampede.com

WESTERN PERFORMANCE

APRIL 13 Whitewood, Sask.

Saskatchewan Sabre Quarter Horse Ranch Winter Cutting Series. For details, visit: www. scha.ca 20-21 Claresholm, Alta.

Chinook Team Penning Association Competition at the Willow Creek Ag Society. For details, visit: www.chinookpenning.com 20-21 Madden, Alta.

Reining Alberta Show at Prairie Mountain Ranch. For details, visit: www.reiningalberta.net 20-21 Onoway, Alta.

Reining Alberta North Branch Show. For details, visit: www. reiningalberta.net 26-28 Manning, Alta.

Reining Alberta Peace Country Branch Show. For details, visit: www.reiningalberta.net

MAY 4-5 Nisku, Alta.

Reining Alberta North Branch Show. For details, visit: www. reiningalberta.net 11 Madden, Alta.

Reining Alberta Show & NAJYRC Qualifier at Prairie Mountain Ranch. For details, visit: www. reiningalberta.net 22-26 Ponoka, Alta.

Black Elk Cutting Classic. NCHA, ACHA & CCHA Approved. For details, visit: www.acha.ca or www. blackelkcuttingclassic.com 24-26 Fairview, Alta.

Reining Alberta Peace Country Branch Show. For details, visit: www.reiningalberta.net 25-26 Ponoka, Alta.

Reining Alberta North Branch Show. For details, visit: www. reiningalberta.net

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HORSES ALL • APRIL 2013

marketplace

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To Advertise call toll free: 1-866-385-3669 Or email: crystal@fbcpublishing.com

Your Resource for All Things Equine CLOTHING WESTERN & SPECIALTY WEAR

CLOTHING WESTERN & SPECIALTY WEAR

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1-866-385-3669 Or email: crystal@fbcpublishing.com See below for rates & deadlines

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Terms: Payment due upon receipt of invoice.

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Your complete name and address must be submitted to our office before publication. (This information will be kept confidential and will not appear in the ad unless requested.)

HOT SILVER PISTOL

Jaz Poco Goldun Blue

Home: 403.882.3811 Gord and Cindy Conley Gord: 403.575.4146 Box 917, Castor, AB T0C 0X0 1994 AQHA Grulla Stallion

By Little Steel Dust (Grandson of Poco Bueno) and out of a mare by Pocos Gray Comet (Grandson403.578.8372 of Poco Bueno) Cindy: www.dandeerioranching.com

Phone: 780-719-2740 doubledcustomhats@albertacom.com www.doubledcustomhats.com

Working Hats – Don Weller

Homozygous Dun - ALL his foals WILL be red dun, dun or grulla, regardless of the dam’s color!

Working Hats - Don Weller

COLLECTIBLES

COLLECTIBLES

GBED N/N Hat Materials PSSM N/N

AQHA Registry of Merit H T Grulla Stallion 1994 AQHA (ROM) Reining

By Little Steel Dust (Grandson of Poco Bueno)IBHA andRegistry out of a mare by of Merit (ROM) Reining Pocos Gray Comet (Grandson of Poco Bueno) Homozygous Dun - ALL his foals WILL be red dun, 2001 Open Reining Circuit Champion dun or grulla, regardless of the dam’s color!

2001 MHBHA Working Cow

2013 Stallion Fee: $950

doubledcustomhats@albertacom.com www.doubledcustomhats.com

Owned By: Ryan Smith | Champion, AB, Canada 403.634.0042 | 403.897.3787 | ryan@fleetwoodfarms.com

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skilled craftsman, Cam Johnston makes Double D Custom Hats today using the same authentic, time-tested tools as hats made in the Old West: blocking, steaming, dying, cutting, marking, and measuring with an antique crowncalibrating device. These traditional practices passed down through time – procedures that have made hand-blown glass and hand-made cowboy hats stand the test of time – are combined to make Double D hats a quality, lifetime hat.

EQUINE CLINICS

Trained under traditional craftsmen and master hatters in the hat trade, Cam has perfected the skills used to make the Old West hats prized possessions and can create a quality, custom-made Double D hat for you.

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“Exclusively Equine” Full Service Veterinary Clinic

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Don Weller - The ArTisT

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orses and drawing were early passions for internationally renowned artist Don Weller. Growing up in Pullman, Washington, he drew constantly when he wasn’t riding horses.

He graduated from Washington State University with a degree in fine art and moved to California where he had a successful career in graphic design and illustration. He also taught at UCLA and the Art Center School in Pasadena

EQUINE CLINICS

Burwash

Double D hats offers a full line of felt hats made from the finest wool, fur, and beaver felt. The collection also includes straw and the new hybrid hats – hats constructed from both felt and straw.

SERVICES LTD. We specialize in a variety of children’s hats and occasionally cowboy hats for dogs and horses as well.

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Don’s watercolor paintings depicting contemporary western scenes and ranch life have been printed in national magazines and posters, and his illustrations and photography have been used for children’s books and a coffee-table book. He has painted five U.S. postage stamps.

EQUINE

DUALLY CAT

Don and his wife, Cha Cha, live in Oakley, a rural farm and ranching community in Utah. Visit www.DonWeller.com to view his Western art gallery images.

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Whether for working, rodeoing, or an evening on the town, your custom hat will have the distinctive mark of quality, style, and comfort to make you look the best you can. With Double D, your hat is your choice. Hats may be designed in a combination of colors and styles to create the perfect hat for you.

Double D hats stands behind complete satisfaction.

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championauctions@gmail.com

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00 STUD FE E $10

Canadian Supreme Breeders Hall of Fame

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403-625-0122 • 403-687-2360 Box 30, Granum, Alberta T0L 1A0

Ph: 403.242.1913 Fax: 403.242.9361 email: eslvet@telus.net Visit our website for more information: www.eslvet.ca

HORSE TRAILERS

HORSE TRAILERS

Inspired by people and horses

www.horsesall.com 2012 Calgary Stampede Wrangler Open Futurity Champion

2009 Sorrel Stallion • AQHA Reg. # 5297790 Stud fee $1200.00 Special consideration for proven mares and multiple mares Chilled or frozen semen

STALLIONS AT STUD

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STALLIONS AT STUD

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VISIT WWW.JUSTABOUTARANCH.COM OR CONTACT DALE & TERI CLEARWATER AT (306) 544-2421 OR EMAIL JUSTABOUTARANCH@GMAIL.COM

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• 2012 CANADIAN DFI OPEN BRIDLE CHAMPION • 2011 CANADIAN OPEN DERBY RESERVE CHAMPION • 2010 IDAHO OPEN DERBY CHAMPION • 2010 IDAHO INTERMEDIATE OPEN DERBY CHAMPION • 2010 SRCHA OPEN DERBY CHAMPION

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Search for Champion, AB, Canada FEE $1200 Jaz Goldun Blue 7Poco STUD 403.634.0042 403.897.3787 for periodic exclusive Facebook offers 8

Drs. Burwash, Nyrop, Butters, Penttila & Quaschnick

Illustrations and logos are allowed with full border.

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Ryan Smith CAUGHT ME LOOKIN

www.hansmacuttinghorses.com

Minimum charge $30.10 per week.

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StandingColors with Pride

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“R-Cat”

DUA DAM: SMOKIN E NCHA PRODUC OVE R your each GSensure NINto EARhat $311,000

2012 Stallion Fee: $950 Standing At: Burwash Equine Services Ltd 403.242.1913 • www.eslvet.ca

Fresh cooled or frozen shipped semen available anywhere in North America

Advertising copy deviating in any way from the regular classified style will be considered display and charged at the display rate of $30.10 per column inch ($2.15 per agate line).

NOON on the Wednesday following 10th day of the month for publication.

Horse First Place 2000 NRHA Limited Open Res. Champion Sandhills Slide 2000 NRHA Limited Open Res. Champion High Desert Slide 2000 Working Cow Horse Circuit Champion Colorful Colorado 1998 MHBHA Reining Champion 1998 AQHA Junior Reining Colorful Colorado Circuit Champion 2 Reining 26 1998 IBHA Open Colorful Colorado3Circuit 1 Champion 4 27 NRHA Money Earner 5

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SPECIALTY HatS

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53339 Highway 21 Sherwood Park AB Canada T8A-4V1

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Minimum charge: $8.25 per week for first 25 words or less and an additional 33 cents per word for every word over 25. GST is extra. $1.50 billing charge is added to billed ads only.

F

CIRCLE BAR GRAY GUN

NOON on the Wednesday following 10th day of the month for publication.  RegulaR Classified

9 0

STRONG AND ATHLETIC, GREAT CONFORMATION, AN EXCELLENT MIND, HE REALLY HAS IT ALL! 2012 FUTURITY EARNINGS IN EXCESS OF $30,000

FIESTA ROYALE 2007 GREY STALLION (ROYAL SHAKE “EM X FIREWATER FIESTA) COOLED, SHIPPED SEMEN OR AI ONSITE ($200 CHUTE FEE)

AT DIAMOND N RANCH STETTLER, AB MARE CARE - $8/DAY DRY, $10/DAY WET TY CORBIELL DVM $

BREEDING FEE 1500 CONTACT BRUCE AT 403-747-2223 BRUCEH317@HOTMAIL.COM

For breeding please contact Les 250-851-6295 or Janet 780-817-0896

photo credit to James Hudyma

To place a classified ad call toll free:

STALLIONS AT STUD

Sandy Ridge Stallion Station Hezgottabefamous

An ‘own’ son of Dash Ta Fame

The Nation’s #1 Leading barrel sire of the Decade!!!!

Also Standing:

Fast Moon Chic, son of Martha’s Six Moons, #7 Leading Barrel Sire of the Decade, A Classic Guy, son of Frenchmans Guy, #2 Leading Barrel Sire of the Decade, Crimson Jess, son of Mr Jess Perry #1 Leading Race Sire of Money Earners, Root Beers Boots, son of Root Beer Doc 1987 AQHA Hi Pt Jr Working Cowhorse Prime Time Chivato, by Dash to Chivato si96, sire offspring of $3,279,722 “All out of producing mares!!!”

More Info: Doug & Carol Schaffer, Bassano, AB 403-641-2511 | www.sandyridge.ab.ca

54

HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • APRIL 2013

MARKETPLACE STALLIONS AT STUD

STALLIONS AT STUD

PEPINICS MASTER

PHOTO CREDIT: CHERYL SMYTHE PHOTOGRAPHY AND DESIGN

To Advertise call toll free: 1-866-385-3669 Or email: crystal@fbcpublishing.com

CIRCLE BAR GRAY GUN

Pepinics Master’s performing offspring have earned $550,000 in cutting, working cowhorse, reining, and barrel racing (Equi-Stat).

Circle Bar Gray Gun is sired by Playgun who is the Equi-Stat #9 Leading Cutting Sire and an NRCHA Leading Sire, siring the earners of over $6,900,000.

Ed & Connie Masson Cadogan, Alberta • Phone: (780) 857-2254 Email: ranchboss@myterraranch.com

www.myterraranch.com

COLLECTIBLES

Horse Hair Pottery Ceramics Western Home Decor Something different for the horse lover in your life...A piece of Art to enhance the decor of your favourite room.

Each piece is its own original masterpiece.

Maxine Walroth

403-337-2807 chinook05@xplornet.com Carstairs, Alberta, Canada

VARIOUS EQUINE SERVICES

parks Dealer for the TR3™Rake nnovations ARenA RAscAl PRO • sOIl MOIsT #1 Ground Groomer Canada Wide

sPARKs InnOVATIOns Allan & Joyce sparks • RR#2, Innisfail, AB T4G 1T7 Fax: 403-227-2421

403•227•2241 cOMe see us AT

The MAne eVenT

www.sparksinnovations.ca

Doris Daley

A Once in a lifetime offering of Pepinics Master Daughters... For Sale

www.rafterdiamondk.com | 780-449-0749

RDK Chex N Dun

VARIOUS EQUINE SERVICES

www.horsehairceramics.weebly.com

TACK/SADDLES

GEORGE’S HARNESS & SADDLERY

Fine western entertainment for conventions, campfires and everything in between.

“Doris’s poetry blazes with brilliant wit; her stage presence sparkles with an infectious love of the West. On stage and on the page, she represents the best of the best in cowboy poetry today.”

— Margo Metegrano, cowboypoetry.com

Bookings/info: www.dorisdaley.com

MARKETPLACE Whata Lethal Weapon

Red E Impression

3 Versatile Stallions

Producing talented versatile offspring; HYPP N/N Champion Bloodlines, Champion Producers Offspring available for sale A Sharper Image - Photography Colt starting, boarding & rehab training also available

TACK/SADDLES

TACK/SADDLES

HARNESSES MADE RIGHT HERE FOR 35 YEARS “Quality for you & your horse” Our customers ask for all types of harness Leather, leather-Nylon, Biothane & Granite

LETS HAVE A BARN RAISING AT YOUR PLACE!

www.georgesharnessandsaddlery.com harnsad@mcsnet.ca Morley Knudslien 2nd generation saddlemaker Jason Lusk 20 yrs Harnessmaker

Toll Free:1-866-500-2276 www.affordablebarns.com

Box 29 Ryley, AB, Canada 780-663-3611

Inspired by people and horses

www.horsesall.com

CUSTOM MADE

CHAPS, CHINKS & BRONC NOSEBANDS SEE YOU AT THE MANE EVENT LORNA AMLIN, Site 8, Box 35, RR 2 Tofield, AB T0B 4J0 (h) 780-662-0052 (c) 780-405-1058 (e) chap.shop@xplornet.ca facebook: Lorna's Chap Shop

VARIOUS EQUINE SERVICES

VARIOUS EQUINE SERVICES Equine & Equestrian Facility Insurance for Albertans

VARIOUS EQUINE SERVICES

COMMERCIAL BEEKEEPING

Unique 45 week certificate. Study bees & the business of beekeeping!

Paid work practicum. beekeeping@gprc.ab.ca 1-888-999-7882 Fairview, AB

www.gprc.ab.ca

STALLIONS AT STUD

STALLIONS AT STUD

Shaw Insurance Agencies LTD 1.866.980.9803 admin@shawinsurance.ca

www.shawinsurance.ca STALLIONS AT STUD

AMERICAN FURY

THIRTYS JESTER

JH LEGACY IDOLIZED

16HH Dark Bay Thoroughbred Mr. Prospector, Seattle Slew & Northern Dancer Bloodlines!

Disposition, Conformation & Athletic Ability.

All in one Package!

Earned over $200,000 AQHA, ApHC, APHA Approved Stud Fee: TB $1,000; Q&H Sporthorse $600 Others $500 LFG

16HH AQHA Palomino HS Thirty Thirty/Jest The Good Times, Windchester, Stormy Jester & Tonto Bars Gill Bloodlines A pedigree that can do it all!

Arab Assoc. Breeders Sweepstakes Nominated Stallion Stud Fee: Quarter $600 Arb $500 Others $450 LFG All breeds welcome.

15.3HH Gray AQHA Stallion Wiescamp, Windchester, TE N TE Bloodlines Size, Style, Athletic Ability APHA Approved Stallion A pedigree that can do it all!

Breeding Fee: Quarter Horse & Sport Horse $600 Others $450 LFG All breeds welcome

GW EQUINE SERVICES Sherwood Park, AB *780-662-3013 *www.gwequineservices.com

MARKETPLACE

For Your Vermeer Parts, Sales & Service

Call For a Demo Today Airdrie Tractorland Greg Jensen 1-877-948-7400

Calgary Tractorland Derek Bell 1-877-240-1977

Don’t miss out!

The deadline to place your classified ad in the next issue of Horses All is noon on the first Wednesday after the 10th of the month. Call toll free:

1-866-385-3669 Inspired by people and horses

HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • APRIL 2013

MARKETPLACE

To Advertise call toll free: 1-866-385-3669 Or email: crystal@fbcpublishing.com

MARKETPLACE

MARKETPLACE

SUPERIOR EQUINE FEEDS ONE BAG FEEDS ALL!

Superior Equine’s omega fixed formula uses only the highest quality of ingredients. The consistency and quality of the feed will never change because the same ingredients are used in every batch.

Omega Fixed Formula

“Making Horses Shine in the Winner’s Circle” DROP BY OUR BOOTH AT THE MANE EVENT Gerry & Sherry Moyen 306 767-2757 cell 306-862-8317 Email: germoyen@hotmail.com • WWW.SUPERIOREQUINEFEEDS.COM

OXY-CAlm

™

Containing the original

formula

FOCUS ON COMPETITION, WITHOUT THE STRESS

MARKETPLACE

27

$

Only

HUGE SPRING SALE

1 30 For Year

Featuring In-Store Specials On Trailers, Corral Panels, Round pen Packages, Feed, Tack, Saddle, Vet/Grooming & Giftware

th st April 19 21 2013 Fri 9-5:30 PM • Sat 10-5pm • Sun 12-5pm

Just $60.56 for 3 years – taxes included!

1-800-665-0502

ENTIRE STORE UP TO 50% OFF

Inspired by people and horses

www.horsesall.com

✔ WHEN HORSE ACTS OVER-REACTIVE

403-931-2212 Electric Fence to cut hay costs and rotational graze

866-571-7537

Located on the Cowboy Trail 10 Miles S.W. of Calgary on Hwy #22 at 274th Ave

ASK FOR OUR CATALOGUE

FERRIS FENCING

NOW AVAILABLE AS A PASTE

✔ WHEN HORSE EXHIBITS ANXIOUS STALL HABITS OR IS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL

Libi Susag

MARKETPLACE

BAR T5 TRAILERS

Get Horses All delivered directly to you!

Never miss an issue!

Inspired by people and horses

✔ WHEN HORSE DISTRACTS EASILY

MARKETPLACE

Subscribe!

A new product that provides your animal a calming effect without taking away its ability to perform. Based on the oxygen formula to provide better respiration and yet still comfort and collect your animal.

✔ WHEN HORSE REFUSES TRAINING

✔ WHEN HORSE IS DIFFICULT-TO-RIDE

55

TOLL FREE: 1-800-665-3307 • TEL: (250) 757-9677 • FAX: (250) 757-9670 INFO@FERRISFENCING.COM • WWW.FERRISFENCING.COM

www.oxy-genca.com ACREAGES/HOBBY FARMS

ACREAGES/HOBBY FARMS

HawkRVaanlclhey

• 106 acres total.

• 2 separate titles.

• 90 acre home property and an additional 16 acre parcel.

• Ranch house yard has 6 paddocks.

• All new fencing.

• Automatic watering.

• 2 hayfields.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

COUNTRY INTRODUCTIONS

23 YEARS

OF MATCH MAKING SUCCESS Are You Single & Looking for your lifemate? I have quality clients age range 25 - 70+ Personal Matchmaking Service includes personal interview. Criminal record check required. Honest down to earth clients need apply.

Go to www.countryintroductions.com For more info or Call Cheryl 403-348-7471 Visit us at: www.facebook.com/CountryIntroductions

This ranch house is 1212 square feet of luxury living space. Complete with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Central Vac. Air conditioning.

Sundeck. Paved driveway. Many upgrades inside and out.

PAINT

PAINT

CANADIAN PINTO HORSE ASSOCIATION

Registering Canadian Pinto Horses & Ponies – Since 1963 Color Your World With A Pinto!!

A Colorful Organization Where People are the foundation of our success...& Friends are made for Life WHY WAIT CALL TODAY Your horse may qualify for Registration (ONE Registered Lighthorse Parent Sire or Dam)

Canadian Pinto Horse Association 26117 Hwy. 16A, Acheson, AB Canada T7X 5A2 Ph/Fax. 780-470-3786 www.canadianpinto.com | E-mail: info@canadianpinto.com

State of the art stables with In floor heating in alleyway & office, bathroom 16 stalls, 2 convert to foaling stalls complete with camera systems.

Indoor turnout area, Complete wash bay with hot and cold water, Stall drains.wall treatments. moisture control and air movement systems Office and utility room and tack-feed room. Over hang shed. Exterior metal roofing and siding on buildings.

The spacious workshop is 40’x 40’ and has 14’ ceilings. 220 wiring. Ceiling fans. Large workbench, exhaust fan, infrared heating. Concrete slab floor with floor drain.

Price for this property is

1,100,000

$

It's easy!

To place a classified ad in Horses All. Just call toll free:

1-866-385-3669 You can also place classifieds online at Horsesall.com

Trades will be considered.

Gene Ingham Phone: (403)505-1707 Email: info@hawkvalley.ca www.hawkvalley.ca

Inspired by people and horses

Placing a classified ad?

Don’t miss the deadline!

The deadline to place your classified ad in the next issue of Horses All is noon on the first Wednesday after the 10th of the month. Call or email for further details…

TOLL FREE

1-866-385-3669

EMAIL

crystal@fbcpublishing.com

Inspired by people and horses

PLACE CLASSIFIEDS ONLINE! Visit our website to place prairie-wide classifieds! www.horsesall.com

56

HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • APRIL 2013

BAR T5 TRAILERS

HUGE SPRING SALE Featuring In-Store Specials On Trailers, Corral Panels, Round pen Packages, Feed, Tack, Saddle, Vet/Grooming & Giftware

April 19 21 2013 Fri 9-5:30 PM • Sat 10-5pm • Sun 12-5pm th

23.00 per bag

$

st

ENTIRE STORE UP TO 50% OFF

All Saddles up to 30% off

30% off selected Winter Horse Blankets

DOOR PRIZES FACTORY REPS! FREE HOT DOGS

SAT & SUN All muck Boots 12 ft. X 5.5 ft. H 25% Off Galvanized Panels Sale Price $95.00 each

20 % Off All Rodeo Gear

FULL SERVICE SHOP & RENTALS

Servicing all makes and models of trailers & RV’s.

Construction Trailers, Horse Trailers, Goosenecks & 5th Wheels

60ft round pen packages starting at 1795.00. Save the GST on all round pen packages

BRING IN THIS AD AND RECEIVE

F F O 1SH0OP% LABOUR RATE Expires 4/30/13

DETAILS ON OVER

300

TRAILERS!!!

CHECK OUT OUR NEW WEBSITE

www.bart5trailers.com

2013 Elite Colt 3 Horse Gooseneck with 8’8” shortwall Living quarter $

45,995

2013 Cimarron 4 horse Gooseneck with 12’ shortwall living quarter with Bunk Beds $

67,995

403-931-2212

2013 Royal T Bar T5 model bumper pull (available in 2, 3, and 4 horse) – starting at

12,895

$

2013 Circle J Longhorn Stock 16’ bumper pull

10,395

$

Located on the Cowboy Trail 10 Miles S.W. of Calgary on Hwy #22 at 274th Ave