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Inspired by people and horses

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KADE MILLS Training tips on the loose rein / p36

FATHER FRED Priest, photographer, rodeo enthusiast / p40

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HORSES ALL • AUGUST 2013

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Inspired by horses and people

HORSES ALL • AUGUST 2013

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CONTENTS

Volume 36 · Number 8 · August 2013 EDITOR Craig Couillard craig.couillard@fbcpublishing.com (403) 200-1019 SALES ACCOUNT MANAGER Crystal McPeak crystal@fbcpublishing.com (403) 360-3210 (866) 385-3669 (toll free) SALES ACCOUNT MANAGER Natalie Sorkilmo natalie.sorkilmo@fbcpublishing.com (403) 608-2238

PROFILE IN COURAGE

AMBERLEY SNYDER

Back barrel racing after paralyzing accident

12

SUBSCRIPTIONS subscription@fbcpublishing.com 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: Bruce Roy, Amie Peck, Kade Mills, Kelly Sidoryk, Glenn Stewart, Ted Stovin, Luke Creasy, Robyn Moore, Cindy Bablitz, April Clay, Craig Couillard, Wendy Dudley, Dianne Finstad, Heather Grovet, Darley Newman, Terri McKinney, Natalie Sorkilmo, Doris Daley and Dr. Carol Shwetz.

PROFILES

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

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Transitions from breeder to media manager

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INSPIRATIONS

HORSE, HEALTH & HOME

Janina Pazdan

20

Gift of Love and social media launches career

COLUMNS A Breed Apart . . . . . . . . . 14 Back Country Travels . . 33 Doing it my way . . . 5 & 15 Equitrekking . . . . . . . . . 37 From the field . . . . . . . . 4 Get a Grip . . . . . . . . 31 & 36 Going Down the Trail . . 39 Going in style . . . . . . . . . 30 Hands on horsekeeping . 34 Homeward Bound . . . . . 9 Hooked on bulls . . . . . . 8 Horse Health . . . . . . . . . 35 Horse Heroes . . . . . . . . . 14

Terri McKinney on the quick release knot

33

Darley Newman goes equitrekking unspoiled north country

37

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

Inspirations . . . . . . . . . .

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 . . . .

Young Guns . . . . . . . . . .

21 25 8 26 32 4 29 4 25 13 10 16

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.

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Association News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42-43 The latest happenings and goings-on

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HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • AUGUST 2013

OUT FRONT Welcome to Ho rs e s A l l Devastati n g flood

CO NTRIBUTORS

Down in the mud with God Kindness and helping hands abound in flood recovery TWO-BITS FROM A TWO-BIT COWBOY Craig Couillard - Editor

O

n July 4th of this year, I encountered God. No, it wasn’t at a celebration south of the 49th. Nor was it one of my frequent forays into the Rockies on horseback, or the birth of another grandchild.

It was in a dark, smelly, muddy, sewer-infested basement suite in High River, Alberta.

The sludge was calf deep. Mud was on every wall and on every thing. Sediment was 3 inches to 4 inches thick on counter tops, appliances, beds, and dressers.

The sidewalk outside and the stairs going down into the suite where a slippery mess.

Everything was saturated with water, mud, and who knows what else. It was all we could do to put one blanket or a few books in a bin, and haul it upstairs.

The younger men trudged through the muck to bring up all of the appliances. The fridge was so heavy that it broke the dolly.

We had to pitch bins and pails of material up through basement windows. We were covered in mud from head to toe as we did the ‘clean and jerk’ lifting up over our heads to the window sill where others grabbed it and chucked the contents into a dumpster on the street.

My daughter, Lindy Borggard (far right) organized a group of volunteers from the land department at Bonavista Energy in downtown Calgary to help in floodravaged High River. There was no generation gap, nor was there a split between rural and urban. In fact, thousands of young city people really stepped up to the plate to help their rural neighbours.

And the smell! I worked quite a bit in the bedroom which had one small window. The closet was full of ‘stuff’ that had to be separated and placed in bins to haul out.

Even though I had a mask on, there were times the smell was overwhelming.

The work was physically demanding and emotionally draining.

I don’t tell you this to elicit some sort of congratulatory response.

My contribution pales considerably to what others have done to help, and for those actually living this tragedy.

To be brutally honest, I had been comfortably watching the TV coverage of the devastating effects of the flooding in various areas around southern Alberta. My wife and I had made financial donations but I still couldn’t get past the feelings of inadequacy or even of guilt about not doing more.

But no amount of TV could have prepared me for what I encountered when my good friend Jim McLellan invited me to go with him on July 4. Eight feet of water destroyed everything this poor woman owned. Everything.

Being in a basement suite, she lost all of her worldly possessions including her two cats who unfortunately didn’t survive the flood.

So you are probably thinking, “where is God in all of this?”

He was there... firstly in the sunny countenance of this displaced woman. There was not an ounce of ‘poor me’ in her. She wasn’t able to help too much but whatever she could do, she did with a smile. And so appreciative.

God was also present in the family and friends that showed up to help. And in the total strangers, randomly stopping to offer water, food, clean socks, and even warm towels to wash our faces.

I found kindness... and thoughtfulness... love and encouragement.

Even humour at times.

I thought of Mother Theresa and how she encouraged us to simply serve... and do it with a smile. Sometimes we can get all twisted up about religion and its rules. But it can sometimes be as simple as putting on your rubber boots and wading in.

Just like the folks that reached out to rescue horses that Wendy Dudley reports on in this issue.

It’s an inspiring article.

Yes, God has been present throughout the devastating floods in Calgary and southern Alberta.

I have been blessed watching and reading about all of those who have been unselfishly serving others.

Born and raised in the urban setting of Calgary, Robyn Moore was the only one in her family to catch the horse bug.

Robyn worked at a dude ranch and kid’s riding camp to earn enough money to purchase her first horse when she was 14.

Robyn still has her first Quarter Horse who is now retired, and has a young Appaloosa prospect that she hopes to have in the show ring next year. She is the Manager of Horse Industry Association of Alberta.

Dianne Finstad Chasing cows on horseback was the best kind of work Dianne Finstad enjoyed growing up on a ranch in southern Alberta. But she found another great way to combine her passions — as an agriculture and rodeo reporter. She’s been able to work in her boots and jeans for three decades, covering rodeo and farm stories across western Canada from a home base in Red Deer, on TV, radio and in print.

goings on

In the field Snapshots from our field editors



The Nanton Ag Society invited all High River flood evacuees and volunteers to enjoy an evening out at the Nanton Nite Rodeo on June 29.

Wendy Dudley likes her equines with long ears, tin-can voices, wispy tails, and lots of attitude. That’s why donkeys and mules are her beasts of choice. She’s owned horses, but they weren’t a match for her brayers. But equines are in her blood, as her grandfather was a jockey, and her dad trained western horses on the Circle M Ranch in Ontario. She’s been telling stories for over 30 years, turning to horse-related fodder after two decades in news reporting. She is the author of Don’t Name the Ducks, a book about living in the hills.

BEHIND THE COVER Front cover photographer

 Horses All Field Editor Crystal McPeak was on hand at the Calgary

Stampede to congratulate $100,000 winners Cort Scheer (above) from Elsmere, Nebraska in Saddle Bronc, and Steer Wrestler Wade Sumpter (bottom right) from Fowler, Colorado in Steer Wrestling.

Photo journalist Wendy Dudley captures Canadian show jumper Tiffany Foster on Southwind.

Look for our ‘Masters’ feature starting on page 17

HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • AUGUST 2013

5

profiles Stories from People who Live, Work and Compete with Horses Old West volun t e e r

Henry Fleck:

king of the stagecoach but humble servant Keeps proud western tradition alive with the Ponoka Stampede Stagecoach I DID IT MY WAY Personal Profile

By Dianne Finstad Red Deer, Alta.

I

n the days of the Old West, when horse power meant four legged instead of four wheeled, one of the most coveted jobs was driving the stagecoach. It was a position that required horsemanship, strength and trust.

These days, demand for stagecoach drivers is nearly gone, but one Alberta man has done his best to uphold the tradition.

Henry Fleck has a deep respect for history and preserving the past.

That led him to becoming a collector of various wagons and sleighs.

In 1996, he ran across an opportunity to good to miss. Fleck told his hometown rodeo committee about a beautiful, hand-built replica stagecoach available for sale nearby, and before he knew it the Ponoka Stampede Association was the proud owner of a Concord six-passenger coach and a team of Suffolk Punch horses to pull it.

Now all they needed was a driver, and they knew exactly who to call.

Fleck, who lived just outside of town, had all the qualifications needed, and had a true passion for the stagecoach. The soft-spoken farmer became its lifeblood as the coach was used to represent the proud western heritage of the Ponoka Stampede at about a dozen parades every summer.

Each day of the Stampede, dignitaries or champions being honored are brought into the infield in fine style in the stagecoach. Henry Fleck was proudly at the reins for 17 years.

It was an ideal fit for both, plus it kept a treasure close to home.

“A lot of our replicas are going to the United States,” noted Fleck.

“We’ve got to protect them and keep them here, because we’ve got to retain our heritage. If we don’t do that, we’re going to lose it. That’s exactly what’s happening.”

The Concord stagecoach itself is unique, both beautiful and functional.

“It is the only American designed carriage,” explained Fleck. “All of the rest are English-designed. It’s got an eggshell body, which gives a low centre of gravity, but also strength, just like a chicken egg. These stages were around from about 1875 to 1885. It was a very short era, because when the train whistle blew, and the tracks were in, the era was over. Then they did the short runs into the main areas where the trains ran.

“It’s something that hits your eye when you see them, because they’re ornamentally made and very fancy.

“The driver would walk to the

Long-time stagecoach driver, Henry Fleck was recently presented with the Bill Kehler Memorial Award by the Ponoka Stampede.

stagecoach when it was hooked and all the lines were in order. He would climb up, and nobody went up on that driver’s seat unless they were invited. They were held in high esteem, and some of them drove for over 20 years.”

Being able to drive a stagecoach himself was like a dream come true for Fleck. Although he’d never been able to do that before, he’d had plenty of experience at the reins.

“I drove multiple hitches. I was experienced in 12 on a road grader, six on a harrows, four abreast. My brother-in-law, Glen Crandall was in the antique business, and he would thresh 40 acres every year with eight teams.”

At 71, Fleck remembers fondly when driving a team was an everyday task on the farm.

“I got in on the haying and the harrowing. The hay rake was the big

Due to a broken ankle, Henry Keller was unable to drive at this year’s Ponoka Stampede so Ron Cosgrave jumped into the driver’s seat to help out.

thing the kids always got to drive.

I’ve been around horses all my life.

My Dad was kind of a horse trader down in Saskatchewan.”

Fleck credits his father for a lot of his horse knowledge. He recalls how his father would bring new horses home and put them into the four horse hitch and simply work them.

“The first day there’s not much change, the second day quite a bit of change. The third day when the sweat comes out, the brains fall in,” he chuckled, with a twinkle in his eye. “In two weeks, he’d have some of the best horses in the country, just by doing it that way.”

While Fleck believes hard work under harness can make most horses useful, he has fond memories of a favorite team featuring Jack and Jill, Lady and Daisy.

“I had four little bays that you could refer to as ‘you could thread a needle with them.’ They were very easy on the lines. If you tipped a hand, they were already turning. They were astronomical. I will never, ever get another team like that of a four-up. They didn’t have a silly bone in their body.”

Putting together a sharp team of horses is never an easy task, according to Fleck.

“You have disposition, you have size, you have colour. It takes a long time to put a four-up together that will work nice. You can drive perd’near anything, but to get those factors together is something that’s hard to do. But it is a thrill.”

The Ponoka stagecoach was Fleck’s pride and joy. Unfortunately, he broke an ankle recently, and it’s been taking numerous surgeries to get it fixed. So Ron Cosgrave was asked to step into the role of driver at this year’s Stampede.

But Fleck still showed up daily to

check on the team and the hitch, just to make sure all was in order.

And to his surprise, but fittingly, the Ponoka Stampede Association presented him with the Bill Kehler Memorial Award during the rodeo.

“Henry has been a real statesman for the Ponoka Stampede,” commented the Association’s Blair Vold.

“He’s been an ambassador for us. You couldn’t ask for a better person to do it. He was proud of his job, and the heritage and tradition of the Stampede. It was an honor for him to get the award, and for us to give it to him.”

Fleck was indeed moved by the recognition.

“They treated me like royalty. You can tell when you shake a man’s hand whether they’re sincere. When they gave me that token of appreciation, every one of the (Ponoka Stampede Board) shook my hand, and every one of them was a sincere one. That meant a lot.”

Ranch-raised Dianne Finstad has covered rodeo and agriculture stories for thirty years, on radio, television and in print. She now works from her home in the Red Deer area. You can follow her on Twitter @DianneFinstad.

Stable of wago ns

A trip to Fleck’s farm is a trip back in time “I’ve restored two complete chuckwagons that were used to feed the cowboys when they were rounding up cattle. I’ve restored a 120 bushel grain tank.

I have four reconstructed democrats, and one original, and parts of another and one complete buggy. We still have a threshing machine, hay racks and I’ve got four bob-sleighs that I completely redid.”

“We used to do 27 to 30 sleigh rides in the winter, and it gave us an opportunity to get those horses used to people and get them broke. We had good times doing that.”

If you want to know anything about the history of stagecoaches, Fleck is a wealth of knowledge.

“Stagecoaches were made with sleigh runners too, and they had lamps on them. A lot like the old school horses, they could drive it at night because the horses knew the route.”

Fleck has numerous books on the subject he recommends, including ‘Knights of the Whip’

by Gary and Gloria Meier. He adds you can see one of the stagecoaches used on the route between Calgary and Edmonton on display in Fort Edmonton.

6

HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • AUGUST 2013

PROFILES FLOOD RESCUES

RIDERS on the STORM Animal rescue groups rush to aid of horses marooned by flood waters

By Wendy Dudley Millarville, Alta.

W

hen the call came in that there were horses trapped in flood waters on the Siksika Nation east of Calgary, Heather Davis dropped everything and headed to the submerged community.

Davis, along with her father Ross MacInnes, founded Equi-Health Canada, a national organization that provides training in emergency preparation and equine first aid. It is based out of Okotoks, Alta.

Arriving on scene, her volunteers got down to business. Fences were cut, allowing the majority of the 40 stranded horses to head to higher ground. “They either drown, or you set them free,” she said.

That left four marooned horses; a gelding, two mares and a foal. The rescuers circled the horses, forming a human round pen, then slowly moved them towards a trailer.

“You had to be careful because these were wildies, and the mare’s instinct was to protect her foal,” Davis explained. “They’d never been caught, they’d never been trailered.

So we had to figure out how to catch them and load them.”

One truck got stuck in the mire, and was left there for several days.

In the end, the three horses and foal were successfully loaded and taken to Higher Trails, the family’s home ranch west of Okotoks.

The Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society (AARCS) was also in action at Siksika, moving two horses into

Members of the Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society waded into Bow River flood waters to rescue penned horses on the Siksika Nation, east of Calgary.

PHOTO: COURTESY OF AARCS

a partly submerged house. “When we got there, they were already up to their backs in water,” said executive director Deanna Thompson.

“It was too deep to get them to shore, but we were able to move them into a house. We used a boat to get feed and water to them. After three days, we were able to walk them out.”

AARCS was in the midst of rescuing the reserve’s dogs (its usual role) when approached by a distraught owner needing help with his horses.

“We did the best we could, but there were two that didn’t make it,” said Thompson. The society also ended up with a couple of pigs and chickens.

Such dire straits were playing out across southern Alberta.

Andrew McCrae of Millarville swam to reach his neighbours’ horses. After cutting the fence, he wrapped his shirt around the only horse that was halter-broke, leading it to safety. “But the pony and foal had to swim. My buddy hung on to the pony’s neck, and I got behind

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the foal, because it wouldn’t have made it. It was so cold and it was getting tired of trying to stand up.”

All were saved.

But stories soon emerged of horses that didn’t survive. Animals kept on open range could head to higher ground, but those penned risked drowning or becoming entangled in debris. Vet clinics tended to a number of horses that suffered lacerations during the floods.

Rescuing horses isn’t for the unskilled, said Davis who serves as Equi-Health Canada’s national training co-ordinator. Her father Ross MacInnes, a former police officer and top dog trainer, is its national director. Equi-Health is governed by a board which includes veterinarians and a farrier.

“Think of us as the Red Cross or St. John Ambulance for horses,” Davis said.

Frightened horses may rear, kick, or charge ahead taking out whatever or whoever is in their way. “They’re in a flight or fight state,” she said. It takes a calm approach, patience, and people who understand herd behaviour.

“In five minutes, you can pick out the herd leader, and the alpha mare, and those at the lower end of the order. If you are trying to get them to move, you sure don’t pick out those on the bottom, because no one will follow. You get the leader, and everyone else will follow.”

For those who put themselves at risk to save horses, the reason is simple, said Davis. “The life of the horse is so important to us. They bring so much to us.”

A woman dangles from a helicopter cable, as she is hauled to safety from her submerged farm near Millarville, Alta. Her horses remained safe on the last bit of high ground. PHOTO: WENDY DUDLEY

When flood waters made it too difficult to get horses to land, some were lead to partly submerged homes, where they stayed until waters receded enough for rescue. Boats were used to get food and water to them. PHOTO: COURTESY OF AARCS

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E M E RG E N C Y P R E PA R E D N ES S

Do you have an emergency plan?

Here’s some tips to develop your horse emergency plan: • Know ahead where you can take your horses, and who to call for transportation assistance • Use indelible ink to write your phone number on the horse’s neck. If the horse is dark, then put the number on a break-away halter • Set your horses free if you cannot take them with you. A horse at liberty has a better chance of survival than one that is left confined in a barn or pen • Have your horses micro-chipped for easy identification, and keep a list of all your horses with identifiable markings. Have photographs of each

• Keep a first-aid kit fully supplied, with all medical supplies and tools, such as wire cutters and duct tape, and emergency contact numbers • Ensure your horses’ vaccinations are up to date, and keep a copy of those records in your emergency kit • Make sure your blue emergency number is posted at your property • Register your property through Alberta Agriculture’s Premise Identification program In the aftermath, if you are not experienced with horses, it is best to step aside during rescue operations.

Sources of Information: Equi-Health Canada; Horses of the Storm Emergency Preparedness Guide

HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • AUGUST 2013

P ROFILES Helping ha nds

Equine community unites to help flood victims Horse lovers heed the call for donated tack and feed

www.whoadust.com

By Wendy Dudley Millarville, Alta.

N

o matter their discipline, horse owners united when massive floods hit ranch country across southern Alberta.

Pastures were inundated. Tack, sheds and feed were swept away.

Horses were evacuated to emergency shelters.

“People are married to their sport and style, but everyone helped out. It didn’t matter whether you were English or Western,” said Heather Davis, the co-founder of Equi-Health Canada, one of five organizations that spearheaded assistance.

Equi-Health — along with the Alberta Equestrian Federation (AEF), Higher Trails Equine, the Canadian Standardbred Network and Country Living — collaborated to set up donation collection sites in the Edmonton, Red Deer and Calgary areas. The AEF also accepted cash donations at its Calgary office, and compiled a list of horse owners in need of aid.

“If it could float away, it did,” said Vicki Kudelis, manager of Country Living Okotoks, one of the drop-off locations. “Tack sheds were washed away, hay was destroyed, trailers no longer had electrical wiring that worked, fences were gone.”

Retail tack stores across the province also accepted items.

Stables, agricultural societies and individuals opened their barn doors and pastures to animals requiring emergency placement.

The equestrian community is close when a crisis hits, said Kudelis. “We had a lady call from Ontario who wanted to help. She paid for $150 worth of goods on her credit card.”

Two women from the Edmonton area — Melinda Hagell and Bronte Majeau — loaded their horse trailer full of donated items, twice making the trip to Okotoks.

“The response was overwhelming,” said Majeau. “People just cleaned out their barns and wallets.”

A volunteer stands amongst donated horse blankets, feed and other supplies to help flood victims and their horses. photo: wendy dudley

Salt and mineral blocks, feed buckets, saddles, blankets, fencing tools, hay bales, bagged feed, fly spray, halters, lead ropes, and rubber boots were among the many items that arrived from across the province and the rest of Canada.

No one should be embarrassed to ask for help, said Davis. “Cowboys are proud, and don’t tend to ask for help, but now is the time.”

Other equestrian groups also pitched in, with the American winners of the Prix des Nations at the Spruce Meadows’ Canada One tournament donating their prize money to Calgary Flood Relief. The facility also sent crews to Calgary and High River to help with clean-up, opened its pastures to displaced horses, and made its trailers and pumping equipment available to the city and MD of Foothills.

Down at the Calgary Stampede, the sponsor of chuckwagon driver Chance Bensmiller (Xtreme Oil-

“The response was overwhelming…

People just cleaned out their barns and wallets.”

— bronte majeau

field Technology) sold off the rights to its tarp on the second Friday, with all proceeds going to flood relief.

And one of the best-loved horse shows on TV, CBC’s Heartland, held a fund-raiser for the devastated town of High River, the site of the program’s fictional town of Hudson. The event was held at its Calgary studio, with attendees meeting the show’s horses and cast.

“Horse people are very, very close,” said Kudelis. “When something like this happens, they are right there for each other.”

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Vaccinations

Wet conditions ripe for mosquito-borne viruses

By Wendy Dudley Priddis, Alta.

Flooding and hot temperatures have created the ideal environment for mosquitoes that can carry the potentially deadly West Nile Virus (WNV) and sleeping sickness.

Veterinarians are encouraging horse owners to vaccinate their animals against WNV, since there is no cure for the disease that can cause swelling and inflammation of the brain.

Risk of WNV is highest in late summer and early fall.

A sick horse will be weak, and may have difficulty get-

ting up. Other signs include muscle tremors, paralysis, seizures and lack of co-ordination.

Once infected, only the symptoms can be treated, through intravenous fluids and anti-inflammatory drugs. Antibiotics do not work.

Death occurs in approximately 25 to 40 per cent of infected horses showing symptoms, and those that do survive are often lethargic and weak, and have gait and vision, as well as behavioural problems.

In recent years, the incidence of West Nile virus in Western Canada has been low, said Dr. Wayne Steiger of Diamond Valley Vet clinic in Turner Valley. “But there’s a lot of standing water around now, so there will be some good batches of mosquitoes.”

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HORSES ALL • AUGUST 2013

PROFILES EQUESTRIAN PAR K

B U L L RIDING

Time to get out of the ditch Saskatchewan friends developing a safe horse park OUR WAY OF LIFE Making a living with horses

By Heather Grovet

10th Annual Glen Keeley Memorial Bull Riding

Galahad, Alta.

C

olleen Kellett keeps two horses on her 10-acre property located at South Corman Park near Saskatoon, Sask.

“I enjoy riding and spending time with my horses,” Kellett says. “But in the last few years our area has become extremely developed with small acreages, and horse owners now have no place to ride except the ditch. And road traffic has become really heavy, full of drivers who don’t understand animals.

Many people honk as they pass riders — they have no idea sudden noises can startle a horse.”

Kellett’s friend, Charlene DalanBrown, shares similar struggles.

“There are a lot of women in our area who have had a lifelong dream to own a horse,” Dalan-Brown says.

“Some, like me, are retired and finally have the time and funds to live their dream. But we don’t have a safe place to ride. Ditches are less than ideal, let me tell you.

Two years ago I was riding my Morgan gelding beside the road with a friend. A truck came close to me, so I moved my horse deeper into the ditch. He stumbled, fell and I was knocked unconscious. Thankfully my friend was able to prevent my horse from running loose in traffic, and I wasn’t seriously injured. But those sort of experiences take the fun out of trail riding.”

HOOKED ON BULLS Some of the founding group of the proposed Grasswood Horse Park just outside of Saskatoon ride in the 60 acre parcel the group has leased to develop a horse park. They envision a well-fenced outdoor riding arena; competitive trail obstacles; and a series of paths leading to the park. From left to right they are Colleen Kellett, Terri Richardson, Lauretta Hannay, Laurie Klassen and Charlene Dalan-Brown.

The solution for these women’s problems seemed obvious; a horse park was needed in the area. “South Corman Park doesn’t have a fairground or any public horse areas,” Kellett says. “But one day my husband, who’s a Saskatchewan land surveyor, discovered a 60-acre parcel of land nearby that was zoned as a public reserve, but instead was being used as a hay field. We spoke to the Rural Municipality and asked if it would be possible for a group of us to develop a horse park there.”

Kellett, Dalan-Brown and other friends helped spearhead a group called the Grasswood Horse Park which recently received a 10-year lease on the property.

“We’re now in the planning stages of developing a public place for us to ride,” Kellett says. “Currently the area is a grassy field, but our first goal is to build a well fenced outdoor riding arena in the centre of the property. Then we’ll install trail challenge obstacles nearby. Ideally we’ll have a series

of safe trails coming from the surrounding areas to the riding park.

This sort of thing has been done in California and Arizona, and we’re trying to do something similar here.”

“There are 40 or 50 people that have already shown interest in our park, but now we have to harness that energy,” Dalan-Brown says.

“We need to put up fence and get things started so people can use the property. It will be affordable, useable and a social area for anyone who enjoys horses. This park will offer people the opportunity to ride someplace safe, with others around who share similar interests.”

Kellett nods her head. “Recently I was riding in a field near my home, and a young kid on a quad drove right up to me,” Kellett says. “He drove up fast, and literally skidded to a stop beside me. He didn’t have a clue he would scare my horse. I’m tired of that sort of thing and look forward to having a place specifically for horseback riding in our area.”

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Profiles on the PBR

By Ted Stovin Calgary, Alta.

O

n the Saturday of every Labour Day weekend for the past 10 years, the tiny town of Stavely in southern Alberta swells from a population of about 400 people to about 2,000 for one night.

Why you might ask? Some of you already know. It’s to remember a man who is said to be the rankest bull rider ever born on Canadian soil.

For those of you who have seen Glen Keeley spur a bull, you know what I mean.

At the age of 13, Glen won his first Canadian Championship in the Steer Riding in 1983. Just six years later in 1989, he would win the Canadian Championship in Bull Riding.

Glen passed away at the pinnacle of his career due to injuries sustained from a bull on March 24, 2000 at the Ty Murray Invitational PBR Built Ford Tough Series in Albuquerque, NM. Growing up around Nanton and Stavely, Glen made a lasting impact on his community and everyone he came in contact with.

“I can remember a friend of mine saying Glen used to write about being a world champion bull rider back when he was in kindergarten,” said younger brother Justin Keeley.

I met up with 1998 Canadian Champion Bull Rider Merle Freeman recently at the Calgary Stampede who said, “I’ve never met anyone that didn’t like him (Glen Keeley).”

Canada’s Oldest Indoor Pro Rodeo had an off year in 2004 and didn’t end up running. With it being a few

years after Glen’s passing, a group got together to put on a memorial in his name. The youngest of John and Donna Keeley’s seven children, Brad Keeley stepped up to the plate as the first sponsor, which was then Blacktail Welding, now B&B Welding.

As of today, the Glen Keeley Memorial Bull Riding has twice been selected as the PBR Canada Event of the year (2009 and 2010). With $15,000 in added prize money in 2013, it’s now bigger and better than ever. You’re likely to see a score or three in the 90’s every year too. With the rankest bulls in Canada and the best bull riders, it’s bound to happen. $180,000 in scholarships and donations have been made to local charities via the event. “It’s the basis of the whole thing,” said Justin. “A big portion of that money comes from the calcutta.”

The calcutta is where a person can win $50,000 or more sometimes, making it one of the biggest and best in the country. Groups team up to really make it pay well and benefit the community.

After the bull riding on Saturday night, everyone heads to the hall for the cabaret.

Kicking off the weekend on Friday night is a smaller calcutta and supper for the bucking bull futurity sanctioned by Canadian Bucking Bulls Inc. For those interested, a golf tournament takes place on Saturday morning followed by a steak supper at the arena leading into the bull riding starting at 7 p.m.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

For more information, go to www.glenkeeleymemorial.com

HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • AUGUST 2013

9

P ROFILES Photograp h er

Gary “Doc” Houston: talented photographer and good friend Leaves a photographic legacy of the Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede HOMEWARD BOUND Celebrating lives lived

By Luke Creasy Brownfield, Alta.

G

“

ary was dedicated and diligent with everything on the grounds, especially with rodeo. He contributed greatly as a volunteer. His photography was often used in promotional advertisements for the rodeo or other events. He helped with three or four events: the spring rodeo, chuckwagons in June, the summer rodeo in July, and December’s Livestock pen show,” said Jim McArthur, current GM of the Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede in remembering Gary “Doc” Houston who passed May 22, 2012.

Gary was born November 29, 1941 to Max and Beth Houston in Shaunavon, Sask. Raised in Shaunavon, Gary was an avid sports fan and participant from a very young age. He played hockey, baseball and took part in track and field. He loved fishing and hunting, in particular, pheasant and goose.

Besides his athleticism, Gary loved music. As a young boy, he studied piano and trumpet for several years, but sports eventually won out! He loved and listened to classical, country and gospel music.

After graduating high school, Gary attended Regina College for one year, and then transferred to the University of Alberta, College of Dentistry. Graduating in 1965, Gary established a dental practice in Shaunavon for 13 years. In 1978, he moved to Medicine Hat to practice until his retirement in 2000.

Gary became interested in photography in his teen years.

With an eye for spectacular Prairie vistas, Gary’s photographs are unparalleled.

“I got to know him well the last 10 years, “McArthur claimed, “Gary had a real interest in animals and landscape.

He strove to preserve western heritage through his art. He also used his photography to help his volunteer work for Ducks Unlimited.”

“Gary always had his dog with him, and loved a good joke,” McArthur said with a dry laugh. “Everyone has memories of that dog running around saying ‘Hi.’ We looked forward to Gary’s visits to the Exhibition office, which were frequent even though he lived out by Cypress Hills Park, Sask.”

Dann Sodero, former GM of the Exhibition and Stampede

got to know Gary during his time as well. “Gary never took payment for his photography, just payment for development of the pictures, and I doubt we even paid the majority of that. All he wanted was a pin and a pass to get around behind chutes and around the grounds so he could take more pictures. I never found a better dentist either.

“Gary was very, very talented.

Unlike most photographers, he was never in your face. When you are putting on a Stampede, the last thing you need is someone in your face snapping pictures, and Gary was never in the way, but always got the shot. And was such a genuine guy… he never hesitated to do anything you asked.”

“When Gary passed, a lot of

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his pictures were sold… the pictures, not even paintings. Great pictures of setting and composition that grabbed your attention. He’d take pictures at the rodeo that maybe the cowboys wouldn’t like, like a bareback rider getting tossed, feet up in the air. But it’d always be visually appealing work. He didn’t even mind following the queen contest around snapping pictures, and that’s not for everyone.”

“He appreciated the digital age as much as we did. There were books and books filled with photos from before the digital age archived at the Exhibition office, and we have Gary to thank for all of that.”

“He was a really good volunteer and a good friend. Personable fellow… volunteering meant a lot to him,” said Sodero.

Gary gave of his time and energy to another cause near and dear to his heart — Ducks Unlimited. He was the Alberta Provincial Chair from 1995 to 2000.

For many years he worked tirelessly in the name of conservation. His love of animals is legendary.

Ever dedicated to the Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede, Gary made arrangements for another photographer to take up his responsibilities, in spite of his unexpected passing. Though Gary is gone, his memory lives on through his photography and his volunteer work.

10

HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • AUGUST 2013

P ROFILES Seni or rider

Janice Reid: 64 years in the saddle And still going strong WOMEN OF THE WEST Personal profile

By Heather Grovet Galahad, Alta.

J

anice Reid was given her first horse at age five, a blue roan gelding named Smokey.

Sixty-four years later the woman continues to own and ride horses, and has no intentions of stopping for a while yet.

“My dad always had an eye for fast horses, so I guess I came by it naturally,” Reid says. “When I was a kid, most county fairs had races.

My dad and uncles owned some

“We’d long trot them through the hills, then lope two miles, and finally walk home. Those horses got broke.”

— Janice Reid Janice Reid doesn’t ride race horses anymore, but she’s still very active, preparing to compete in the B.C. Senior Games in Mountain Trail. She is riding her four-year-old AQHA mare, Jacked N Pretty while practicing at the Vernon Riding Club.

running Quarter Horses which they would race at those fairs. Eventually we started improving our bloodlines, and traveled to B.C. to run on the race circuit there. As a young

person, I would help train and exercise those horses, and even rode in a few girls’ races, even though I wasn’t an actual jockey.”

There was no racetrack near the

family home, so Reid helped train the race horses in the hills, riding in stock saddles. “Those running Quarter Horses were good to work with,” Reid says. “We’d long trot them through the hills, then lope two miles, and finally walk home. Those horses got broke. You could say they were saddle horses that were able to run, not just race horses!”

Reid went on to earn her BA in education, and also was one of the first women in the state of Washington to get her race trainer’s license.

“I taught 37 enjoyable years,” she says. “In the winter I coached basketball — 30 years in total — and in the summers I raced horses. In 1977 I married a Canadian, and moved to Kelowna, B.C. The marriage didn’t last, but I stayed in British Columbia, and became extremely involved with The North West Breeder’s Society. At that time, B.C. had a good race circuit and we were kept busy with futurities, derbies and feature races.”

One of Reid’s most successful horses was an AQHA gelding named Mervin Leroy.

“Mervin was out of a Quarter Horse mare and a Thoroughbred stallion,” Reid recalls. “He was a deep chestnut standing about 15.1 hh. Mervin was a nice horse to be around, and he could really run. He

earned over $50,000 on the tracks for us, a lot of money in those days, especially considering the small purses they had to offer. Mervin won over 35 races, and was nominated for the Northwest Horse of the Year.”

“Mervin opened doors for us,” Reid continues. “In Washington it could be hard to get stalls at the track, but they would automatically save a stall for Mervin. That sort of thing doesn’t happen often, especially with home-raised horses.”

Through the years Reid earned a number of awards including Leading AQHA Trainer of the Year and Breeder of the Year. Three of Reid’s horses have gone on to earn a spot in the B.C. Quarter Horse Hall of Fame, and Reid is also in the Hall of Fame herself.

“Sadly racing has gone downhill so much that most of the B.C. tracks we ran at no longer exist,” Reid says.

“Everything changed when casino gambling came along.”

Reid’s horseback riding has slowed down — somewhat. “This year I’m competing in Mountain Trail at the B.C. Senior Games on a four-year-old AQHA mare named Jack N Pretty,” Reid says. “I’m not expecting her to be the best because she’s so young, but it’s a great chance to compete.”

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Janice Reid, who often trains at Twisted Terrain Horse Park in Hope, B.C., is shown here on PB Docs Bonanza taking part in a Damarhe Training Mountain Trail Clinic.

HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • AUGUST 2013

11

P ROFILES Horse 360

Talk horse like a professional Australian company develops a fun method to learn horse anatomy

since anatomy textbooks can cost hundreds of dollars.’”

Danny Cook took Well’s challenge and came up with the idea of developing a Smart Phone app to pass this knowledge on to the average person.

“Danny turned anatomy into a game, and made learning equine body parts fun,” Wells says. “I’ve seen kids as young as seven do amazingly well on the app’s introductory level, and some of them have never seen a real horse before. I know what you’re thinking — yawn, no one has fun with anatomy — but you can with this app.”

While Wells admits that their main audience is young people who love technology, he also notes that adults can benefit from the app.

“I know from personal experience that when you understand how something works, you have a better chance to fix it if anything goes wrong,” Wells says.

“Knowing your horse’s anatomy can be invaluable when you’re talking to your vet or equine chiropractor.”

OUR WAY OF LIFE Making a living with horses

By Heather Grovet Galahad, Alta.

W

ould a better understanding of your horse’s anatomy come in handy when you’re talking to your vet? Do your children or students need to improve their knowledge of a horse’s muscles, bones and organs for 4-H or hippology contests? Then you might want to consider buying the Horse 360 app.

Horse 360 is the brain child of Australian partners Danny Cook and Gary Wells. Wells works as a neuromuscular therapist, treating both humans and equines. (A neuromuscular therapist uses manipulation and pressure to adjust muscles.)

“I was treating one of Danny’s horses, and Danny kept asking me questions about the process,” Wells says. “Danny didn’t know the names of his horse’s muscles and body parts very well, so I was

Horse 360 is an innovative mobile app that is used as an educational tool to study the anatomy of a horse.

having a difficult time explaining what I was doing. I finally said to Danny ‘I should lend you one of my textbooks, but really, some-

one needs to invent an easier way to learn anatomy than reading a dry book. They need to invent an easier way, and a cheaper one, too,

The app is now supported by the Future Farmers of America, the American Humane Association, and some American 4-H Clubs. Horse 360 also has a group of 27 equine professionals that are endorsing the app.

“You probably know of Clinton Anderson, the Australian trainer and clinician,” Wells says. “He is one of our supporters. We also have Dr. Andrew McLean on our team; he uses equine techniques to train elephants. And we have Paul Raybould supporting our product. Paul works for the American Humane Association when they deal with Hollywood’s animal actors.”

“But we’re still most proud of the kids that use our app and appreciate it,” Wells says.

“Recently a 12-year-old girl in Arizona entered a huge Horse Bowl competition, winning against students much older than her. When someone asked her how she beat all these kids, she grinned and said ‘I have Horse 360.’”

For more information on Horse 360, or their sister program, Dog 360, go to www.horse360.com.

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HORSES ALL • AUGUST 2013

P ROFILES Barrel R acer

Amberley Snyder Courage and determination has her barrel racing again YOUNG GUNS Up and coming stars

By Amie Peck Cochrane, Alta.

A

mberley Snyder’s life can best be described as consisting of equal parts passion, courage and determination.

The vivacious 22-year-old has loved horses ever since she can remember. The daughter of former Los Angeles Dodger Cody Snyder, she was riding by the tender age of three. When her father retired from professional baseball, the family planned to move to Utah.

“I told my dad that I would only move if he bought me a palomino barrel horse,” Amberley laughs. “A very specific request — but it worked!”

Rodeo events were a natural fit for the talented rider with a strong competitive spirit. “Rodeo caught my interest mainly because of the speed...

I love riding against the clock.”

Amberley quickly worked her way up through high school rodeo competitions, making it to the National High School Rodeo Finals in pole bending.

One of her most memorable career highlights was winning the National Little Britches Rodeo AllAround Title in 2009.

It seemed that the aspiring star had nowhere to go but up... until one fateful winter day.

“I don’t care if you have to strap me to the saddle — I will ride again.”

— Amberley Snyder

On January 10, 2010, Amberley was on her way to a Stock Show in Denver, Colorado. After a quick glance down at her map, she realized that she had drifted over to the right lane, and suddenly overcorrected.

Her truck ended up turning sideways and rolling down the embankment at high speed.

At that moment, Amberley realized the mistake she had made only once in her life — her seatbelt wasn’t fastened. After filling up with gas a mere 10 minutes before, she had simply forgotten to put it on.

“As the truck was rolling, I could hear all this banging and crashing,” Amberley remembers. “I thought I was going to die. I felt myself leave the truck at some point and ended up against a fence post on my stomach. When I opened my eyes, it seemed that my entire life was sitting in pieces around me.”

“As I was lying there, I made sure I could move my fingers — but I couldn’t wiggle my toes. I touched my legs and felt nothing. The sensa-

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Amberley Snyder vowed to return to barrel racing after a tragic accident paralyzed her from the waist down.

tion was that of lying in warm water when in reality I was on a snow bank.”

The diagnosis was hard to bear.

Amberley had stretched her spinal cord and damaged her T11 and T12 vertebrates. The doctors told her the heartbreaking news that she had almost no chance of walking again.

“They told me that if I would have had my seatbelt on, I most likely would not have been paralyzed,” Amberley says. “That was the first time I cried at the hospital. My one mistake cost me everything.”

During her recovery process, Amberley never wavered on the notion of riding again. “I would have got on my horse the day after the accident if I could. I told my mom at the hospital, ‘I don’t care if you have to strap me to the saddle — I will ride again.’”

And ride she did. About five months after the accident, Amberley sat astride her horse for the first time. Slowly she developed a system to help compensate for the loss of feeling in her legs such as a seatbelt to hold her in the saddle, and Velcro straps to keep her legs in place. With

each adjustment she felt one step closer to her old self.

Re-learning to ride was a process rife with both emotional and physical highs and lows. “I tried to give up riding several times during the first year back,” Amberley remembers. “It was frustrating to realize that I would never be able to ride like I used to. I tried to find something else — cooking, guitar lessons, even bowling. I always went back to riding — it’s what I love to do and it’s who I am.”

These days, Amberley is back on the rodeo circuit, and thanks to some hand control modifications, gaining independence by driving her own truck and trailer.

“I’m not the best I ever was, but I am keeping up and doing my best,” Amberley says of competing this year. “Without the support of my family and friends and my faith in God, I could never have accomplished as much as I have.”

Her words of advice are poignant for all riders. “Just because the situation is hard, doesn’t mean it’s impossible. Don’t let anyone else tell you what you are capable of.”

With some modifications to her tack and truck, Amberley Snyder is back on the rodeo circuit.

HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • AUGUST 2013

13

PROFILES LEGENDARY BARR E L R AC E R

What happens to tough little cowgirls?

Monica Wilson has earned top awards and respect throughout her long career WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Catching up with heroes of the past

By Heather Grovet Galahad, Alta.

M

onica Wilson of Cardston, Alta. grew up a tough kid in a cowboy’s world.

By the age of eight she was riding long hours on a remote ranch in B.C. “I was horseback from breakfast at 6 a.m. until supper at 6 p.m.” Wilson says. “Every summer we moved cattle a 100 miles into the mountains. It sounds difficult, but it was a glorious life.”

School wasn’t quite as wonderful.

“We were miles from the nearest town,” Wilson says. “In grade three we drove an hour to school at the Gang Ranch, but the roads were impossible in the winter. I ended up living with the nuns at Rosary Hall from Grade 4 to 10. Mom drove three hours each way to bring me and my brother and sister home on the weekends.”

“I’d been a free-roaming kid at home, so school was tough,” Wilson laughs. “There was a big, high fence around the school, and almost every day I would get up on the fence and walk it like a caged cat. I’d get caught by the nuns, and then have to kneel in the corner!”

Wilson was happy anytime she could be back on the ranch and involved with horses.

“I won my first horse in a card game,” Wilson

says. “My dad and uncle bought eight AQHA mares, and we played poker to see who’d get first pick for them. I chose a little bay mare nicknamed Sheba. When I was 13, a group of government people came to our area; they were naming all the mountains and creeks.

After meeting up with us, they named one of the mountains at the back of the ranch after my horse. Honest — there’s a Mt. Sheba somewhere out there.”

Eventually Wilson met a steer wrestler and calf roper named Bob Wilson at the William’s Lake Stampede. They were married a few years later.

“I’d watch my husband rodeo and think, ‘I should be doing this, too,’” Wilson says. “Finally I bought a few horses in Utah, and started training them for barrel racing. I learned what to do by watching the other competitors and taking a few clinics. I had two young children by then, Riley and Randa, but still found time to ride and train those horses, plus I started running barrels as an amateur. When the horses were broke, I’d resell them... and buy others.”

“One of the best horses I’ve ever owned was a gelding from Texas called Doctor Gizmo,” Wilson continues. “Gizmo was both good and bad, but when he was good he was really good. I went to nine Canadian Finals Rodeos on him. That would be another career highlight, I guess.”

Wilson has worked in administration positions within the sport of rodeo, being the ladies barrel racing director for 13 years at the Cana-

“I won my first horse in a card game... I chose a little bay mare nicknamed Sheba.”  MONICA WILSON

dian Professional Rodeo Association, where she helped women get equality at the CFR and Calgary Stampede.

“Rodeo has always been a man’s world,” Wilson says. “So if I were to pick some career highlights, I’d have to say that winning Cowboy of the Year at the CFR in 1999 was one. The amazing part was that it was the men who voted for me! I’m also really proud of winning the Guy Weadick Award at the Calgary Stampede for showmanship and leadership qualities in 1996.

I’m the only woman who’s ever won the award.”

Wilson admits to being 60 now, but she continues to ride and train barrel horses, working in partnership with her daughter, Randa.

“I ride nine horses most days, plus I teach barrel racing at the Westwind Rodeo Academy four days a week. When I was 55, I had a meltdown looking at the three foals I’d raised that year. I thought ‘I’ll be in a rocking chair by the time they can futurity.’ But guess what? I’m competing on one of those horses right now, and loving every minute of it.”

Still training and competing on barrel horses, Monica Wilson was voted by her peers as Cowboy of the Year at the 1999 Canadian Finals Rodeo.

Monica Wilson is the only female to receive the Guy Weadick Award at the Calgary Stampede. PHOTO: CALGARY STAMPEDE ARCHIVES

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HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • AUGUST 2013

P ROFILES T h era py hors e

Congratulations, Snowball!

Snowball wins 2013 CanTRA Therapy Horse of the Year HORSE HEROES Profiles of exceptional horses

By Robyn Moore Airdire, Alta.

T

he phone call received on May 28 should have been met with loud and ecstatic cheers.

Linda Rault with Little Bits Therapeutic Riding Association in Edmonton (LBTRA) spoke to Daphne Davey, President of Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association (CanTRA) in Guelph and heard the news. Their applicant, Snowball, had won CanTRA Therapy Horse of the Year 2013.

The news was tainted with sadness, however as Snowball had been euthanized less than three weeks earlier on May 9. “[On] Wednesday evening she carried her two Little Bits riders outside for a trail ride and was then tucked away for the night in her stall,” says Linda, “Thursday morning she was showing signs of colic and was transported to the veterinary clinic. An ultrasound revealed a twist in her hind gut and she was humanely put to sleep

with two of her ‘keepers’ from the staff of Whitemud Equine Learning Centre Association (WELCA) at her side.”

Although it is a devastating loss for the staff and riders, the award will honour Snowball’s life and career as a devoted therapy horse.

“We are so very honored and blessed to have worked with this special pony. Congratulations Snowball!” says Linda.

Born at Still Meadows Ranch east of Edmonton in 1975, Snowball came to WELCA from Maxine Rusnak in 1996. This w h i t e , p a r t- A ra b i a n s t o o d only 14 hh and had been used mainly as a Western pleasure pony. She was used as an English lesson pony by Jean Archer at Whitemud until Jean sold her business in 1999. Snowball was purchased and donated back to Whitemud for use by Little Bits and the lesson program.

“When Jean was selling her business, I was asked to list the horses in order of importance to Little Bits, and Snowball was at the top of my list,” comments Linda. “She is truly worth more than her weight

in gold and she can never be replaced.”

Snowball was retired from jumping in 2006 and right up until her passing, she worked six hours a week with Little Bits and six hours a week as a beginner lesson pony. Snowball rarely missed a day of work because of sickness or lameness.

“She was the pony we used for the very nervous first-time rider,” says Linda. “She would tolerate anything you can imagine from screaming, crying, laughing, squirming, flailing, hugging and standing still for a very long time. Snowball had endless patience and was able to cope with four people (rider, leader and two sidewalkers) in her personal space with no reactions other than what is requested of her.”

Linda and the rest of the staff at Little Bits and WELCA will miss Snowball’s loving nature and her friendly nickers that greeted everyone passing by her stall. At a ripe old age of 37, it is remarkable to think of how many children she taught and inspired a passion for horses in. A dedi-

Snowball, shown with rider Ana and Little Bits volunteer Janet, gave years of therapeutic rides and lessons until her recent passing at age 37.

cated therapy horse is rightfully honoured for her work.

Congratulations Snowball, indeed!

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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The Akhal Teke

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redited with breeding the first Canadian-born Akhal Teke, Bold Vantage Farm out of High River, Alta., is determined to continue breeding this rare breed to expose it to more Canadians.

Originating in what is now Turkmenistan, there are now fewer than 4,000 Akhal Tekes in the entire world. Just over 400 of these desert beauties can be found throughout North America and Canada is home to around 75.

Bringing it back to Alberta, Cynthia Swensen of Bold Vantage Farm has 25 purebred Akhal Tekes, and produces three to five foals a year.

The horses produced at Bold Vantage Farm are being readied for the disciplines of show-jumping and eventing primarily.

“It’s just really hard for people’s perceptions to change as to what the ‘ideal’ is for their sport,” comments Cynthia. “And honestly, at first glance, an Akhal Teke doesn’t usually fit the perception. We need more people in the horse world that know ‘not to judge a book by its cover!’”

Bold Vantage Farm started in the early 2000’s with Cynthia, her

Seljuk, a 2010 gelding, was graded by a Russian Studbook Inspector as the highest Akhal Teke foal in North America for that birth year.

mother Valerie Broadfoot, a retired veterinarian, and partner John Kidd, a former British Equestrian Team member in show jumping.

“I originally started with Irish Draughts,” says Cynthia. “For me there is something about the rare breeds that I find compelling. When I discovered more about Tekes, it became clear to me that increasing the numbers was vital to raising the profile of the breed, as well as just plain saving it.

“However, I came to no good end with them [Irish Draughts]. I broke my neck in ’06 at an eventing clinic on an Irish Sport Horse, so not only did my riding career basically end, but so did the allure of the bigger, more robust horses.

“I really found Tekes captivating as I was researching it and, when I got to know the horses themselves, I was hooked. The antiquity of the breed is quite compelling, as is its very little known influence on the Thoroughbred.”

Bold Vantage has one stallion, Murgab, who was imported from Russia in 2004. In addition, they have frozen semen from three other stallions.

“In 2010, the main Russian Studbook inspector visited Canada for

the first time and we produced the number one graded foal in all of North America and had another tied for third, so I guess we a producing a product that the mother studbook recognizes as quality,” says Cynthia.

“Our primary stallion was also graded on that tour and received nine out of 10 for Movement, which is one of the main criteria animals are graded on. He is the only Akhal Teke in North America with that score in that category.”

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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HORSES ALL • AUGUST 2013

15

PROFILES LONG-TIME RANC H E R

WAYNE SCHLOSSER: a lifetime in the saddle Patriarch of well-known rodeo family still ranching I DID IT MY WAY Personal Profile

By Luke Creasy Brownsfield, Alta.

W

hen asked what he loved about ranch work, why he has done it for so much of his life, 70-year old Wayne Schlosser said, “It’s the country you ride, the things you see. Doing things in a nice easy manner, letting the cow go the way they want to go. It might not be where you had planned but they end up in the same place anyways. It’s about being smarter than a cow.”

With all his years in the saddle, there’s no doubt Schlosser has developed a patience and understanding of the bovine mind that would be tough to top.

Schlosser has worked on various ranches throughout his life, most notably 27 years with the A7. “I guess Jack and Allie Streeter (neighbours at the A7) influenced me,” said Schlosser when asked how he got into ranch work, “I knew them before then. They would put cows on cover crops, and I helped ’em move cows from one field to the next.”

“I went to work for Neil Reilly for a couple years, and then a job came up at the A7 when I was married. I worked the Flying E for a bit stacking hay, but they got bought out, or at least part of ’em did by the A7.”

When asked if he’s still working, Schlosser merely replied, “I’m still riding, let’s say that. I don’t do much other work.”

He’s a man who selects his words wisely and dispenses little to spare, but I did manage to get Schlosser to part with a couple of stories.

I asked if he had any bad wreck stories. “Worst one was probably when I fell out of a chuckwagon at the High River old-time rodeo. I drove over a barrel. Ended up with couple broke ribs and a punctured lung. Spent a couple days in hospital, but the broken ribs were probably the worst part.”

As he thought a little longer, he came up with another incident, “Broke my leg one time, too. Was roping heels in the branding pen, horse fell with me. That was 50 years ago or so, though.”

When it came to humourous stories, Schlosser couldn’t bring one to mind, “I don’t know about funny though, nothing I’d say was ever comedically funny.

“I’ve rode a lot of horses, none sticks out above the rest. Trained ’em? Wouldn’t say that. Broke more than a few, but wouldn’t say I was a trainer. Could get by on ’em though.

“I did about everything that comes with ranching I’d say. Did a lot of fencing, and haying. We used to butcher our own meat and cut it up, too.

“Have a brother who went into ranching too… has his own ranch west of Nanton. And my sister married a farmer… they started principally farming but ended up with a few cattle, too.”

As for his own piece of land, Schlosser stated plainly, “We accumulated a little land, nothing you would call a ranch, but a couple sections and had some cattle.”

Wayne and wife Maxine, celebrating their 59th anniversary August 6, have left more than years of ranch labour for their time here. After having five kids, it’s plain to see western values have carried on in the Schlosser line.

Son Ronnie has land east of Stavely, and works for an oil company. He and his wife Leslie (NFR

barrel racing qualifier) have a boy and a girl.

Son Blake, a horse trainer, former pickup man and 2011 CPRA Cowboy of the Year, has two boys and a girl.

Son Greg, a Canadian AllAround champion and three-time Bull Riding champion has a small ranch west of Stavely and two daughters.

Wayne’s daughter Tina lives in Cochrane, and is married to Kenny Ullery. They have three boys.

Wayne’s son Lloyd, a former FCA

At the spry, old age of 70, Wayne Schlosser still spends a good part of his week in the saddle, working with cattle.

champion bareback rider, passed away after a bout of leukemia.

He’s a man of few words who lets his life and legacy speak for itself.

It’s men like Wayne, the back bone

of the ranching industry, the mind and muscle behind the herds who are the patriarchs to families such as his that keep the west alive in these changing times.

We’re in it for life.

Ag for Life delivers educational programming that will serve to improve rural and farm safety, as well as build a genuine understanding and appreciation of the impact agriculture has on lives.

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HORSES ALL • AUGUST 2013

P ROFILES Hig h school rod eo

Wo rking stock dog

A horse, a dog, and a cow

Lexi and Ty Hicks Brother-sister going stateside to rodeo YOUNG GUNS Up and coming stars

By Robyn Moore Airdrie, Alta.

I

t was the best experience of my life!” says Lexi Hicks, an eighth grade student from Mortlach, Sask.

Lexi travelled to Gallup, New Mexico, as part of the Saskatchewan National Junior High School rodeo team in June. She qualified to compete at the National Junior High Finals Rodeo in the events of barrel racing, goat tying, break away roping, and ribbon trying.

“I met so many new people and seeing the competition down there was a real eye opener,” says Lexi.

“You could tell that when everyone was about to enter the arena, it was all them and their horse, and they meant business. But outside the arena, they were the friendliest people you’d ever meet! Plus the shopping was amazing.”

Lexi uses her laid back gelding, Beaver, as her rope horse and her sassy mare, Rocky, as her barrel horse. And, although barrel racing is

“

“I’m not gonna lie, I like the adrenaline rush riding broncs.

It is addicting...

— Ty Hicks

her favourite, she never shies away from any event.

“This year, at one of our SHSRA rodeos in Herbert, I had only had my Barrel horse for three weeks and decided I was gonna try her in Pole Bending,” remembers Lexi.

“As soon as I got her in the arena, it was a runaway! I had just barely gotten control of her when I turned around the first pole. Then the over exaggerated weaving began! When we turned around the bottom pole to come back up to the first pole, she stopped dead in her tracks.

She would not move! Before I knew it she was acting like an angry bull looking for a clown to take out! Finally she started to move and we finished the run. I had never seen an animal be so stubborn, that’s when I knew we were gonna get along!”

Lexi’s 16-year-old brother, Ty, also competes in High School Rodeo, but prefers Saddle Bronc. “I tried it once and absolutely loved it,” says Ty. “And then I stuck with it and started meeting people. But, I’m not gonna lie, I like the adrenaline rush riding broncs. It is addicting, once you try it you can’t quit.”

He recently returned from a bronc riding school in Oklahoma and hopes to continue his success next year.

However, our youth talent of today can’t succeed on their own. Ty and Lexi parents, Karla and Jason of Bluestone Stock Farm, spend countless hours encouraging their children and hauling them around the province.

“The kids have always enjoyed rodeo events and they had a strong desire to participate,” says Karla.

New variation on traditional sport IN IT TO WIN IT Competitor profile

By Kelly Sidoryk Lloydminster, Alta.

I

“We asked around and heard great things about the program, not to miss mentioning the great educational component with the benefit of scholarship dollars that you can win. High school rodeo only allows you to participate if you keep your grades up which is great!

“We really believe they’ve been successful because they are doing it out of their own desire. When you go into the arena, of course the fastest time wins the day money but you are competing against yourself for your own personal best. Our kids have grown so much since joining and it’s been such a positive program for them that helps them with their success as well.”

t takes a high degree of stockmanship to handle a horse, cattle and dog all at the same time.

To put it all together and maneuver through a course, ultimately loading the cattle in a trailer in under four minutes takes even more. But those competing in the cow dog trials recently in Lloydminster made it look easy.

The group organizing the event, along with the Lloydminster Exhibition Association, have been holding working dog trials for close to 10 years. They have held a number of competitions as well as clinics, bringing in well-known stock dog trainers to help them hone their skill.

Some of the time they work with sheep but in the last five years they have also been trialling cattle from horseback. It was a natural progression.

“From the beginning, people were suggesting we work with cattle,” says committee member, Sheila Phillips. There are three competitions of this nature in the LloydminsterVermilion area.

Winner of the Lloydminster event, Pat Lawrence from Beaverdam, Alta. says for him it was a “natural thing for us to do.”

They are ranchers already using dogs and horses, so competing with them makes sense. Yet, it does take a level

of finesse when going to town, adds Phillips.

It usually takes 1-1/2 to two years to have a well-trained dog but it depends on the trainer and the dog. Most Border Collie dogs are born with a natural instinct and the handler has to learn how to work the dog.

According to Phillips, it takes a shift in thinking. “As cattlemen, we are always trying to drive cattle, but the Border Collie is a gathering dog.”

Working off horseback is much more of a team effort. “It is amazing how the horse and dog will work together. The rider is really just setting up the flow,” Phillips adds.

In the Lloydminster competition, there were three categories: novice, pro-novice, and open. The three levels are to encourage beginners to have an entry level.

Competitors needed to take three head of cattle around a truck and trailer; along the fence through panels; through a panel chute in the middle of the arena, and finally load on the trailer.

They have four minutes and they are scored on each of the obstacles. The event is sanctioned by the Saskatchewan Stock Dog Association.

Winner of the open division was Pat Lawrence with second place going to Sheila Phillips.

The pro novice was won by Darren Hannis of Paradise Hill and Darryl Feland from Malaig won the novice.

The group often hosts clinics as well as a trial every November at the Lloydminster Stockade Roundup.

Competitors at the Lloydminster Fair, like Sheila Phillips from Paradise Hill, Sask., competed in cow dog trails work from horseback.

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HORSES ALL • AUGUST 2013

SPECIAL FEATURE

17

spruce meadows ‘MASTERS’

The world’s top show jumpers compete ch amp ion retur ns

Lamaze returns to sport with a positive outlook

After recovering from stress and grief, Lamaze is back in game with new Grand Prix horses IN IT TO WIN IT Competitor profile

By Wendy Dudley Spruce Meadows, Calgary, Alta.

H

e’s soared to the top, and sank to the bottom. He’s given the sport his all, and the sport has given back. He’s flirted with quitting, and he’s dreamed of re-building.

In the end, he decided on the latter. But first, he had to walk away.

Canada’s Eric Lamaze, one of the world’s top show jumpers, spent the last year walking a tight rope, putting on a brave face, but breaking up inside. He buried the grief of losing his legendary stallion Hickstead.

But in the end, it all caught up with him. He needed to take a deep breath, to reflect, to turn his back to the barns, to travel, to disappear, to disconnect from the watchful eye of the equine community.

“I was beat up. I was burnt out. I didn’t have the will to win.”

— Eric Lamaze

His world had been slowly unravelling, with no real direction, but he had galloped on, ignoring his horrific loss.

When Lamaze won Olympic gold five years ago, he emailed me, describing the moment as magical.

He was on top of the world, and his Grand Prix titles continued, ranking him the world’s best, on top of the best horse in the world — his small, but big-hearted stallion Hickstead.

He was considering another run at the 2012 Olympics, when the unimaginable happened: Hickstead dropped dead from a ruptured aorta just moments after jumping a grand Prix in Italy.

Some thought Lamaze would come undone, but he kept a stiff

upper lip for Canada, travelling to the London Games with the Canadian team to put on the best show they could muster with horses not at their peak of development.

Then his team mate and student, Tiffany Foster, was disqualified over a hypersensitivity issue with her horse.

Lamaze returned to Calgary and Spruce Meadows last September, where he officially announced a sabbatical from the sport just minutes before the start of the CN International Grand Prix, an event he had won the year before on his beloved Hickstead.

It was just too much, he said, as I caught up with him at Spruce Meadows this summer.

“I didn’t really deal with the loss of Hickstead. I went right back into the sport to show the world how strong I was. But it took its toll and I was beat up. I was burnt out. I didn’t have the will to win.”

And he’d had enough of being the focus, all eyes on him, with the expectation he’d win.

He spent his days golfing in Florida, hanging out in Mexico, going on safari in South Africa. “I disconnected myself completely. I had to stop, step back and refresh.”

After a winter of stress-free months, he began working with his three new and young horses.

That satisfied him for a while, but Lamaze is competitive, and to watch high-level competition from the sidelines is not his style.

“It bothered me, I missed it, so I thought about coming back this year.”

So just 10 days before the opening of the Spruce Meadow summer season, he acquired ready-to-go jumpers. In collaboration with Artisan Farms, he added Selle Francais gelding Quelmec de Gery, formerly ridden by France’s Penelope Leprevost and Powerplay, a Holsteiner gelding purchased from Swiss rider Pius Schwizer.

“We went with world-class horses to be at the top of the sport and play the game with horses that can really do it. It’s changed my summer plan completely.”

The new horses didn’t kick off with victory gallops, but they jumped well, proving they belonged in the International Ring. “I was super happy with how it went. I just took it easy, I’m just getting to know them.”

But Lamaze did begin the season by winning a 1.5 m event on Wang Chung M2S, a horse he’s had for two years.

“It’s great going into a competition, feeling like I can play to win.”

He’s back in the game, with a smile to prove it.

G

Above: After a reprieve from the sport, Eric Lamaze returned with new Grand Prix horses, ready to play again at Spruce Meadows’ summer tournaments. One of those horses is Powerplay whom he rode in the Nations’ Cup held during the Continental Tournament in June.

Left: Eric Lamaze returned to the winner’s circle on Wang Chung M2S, a horse he has had in his string for two years, during the Spruce Meadows’ National Tournament in June. Photos: Wendy Dudley

P th n

h T

L

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HORSES ALL • AUGUST 2013

SPECIAL FEATURE

spruce meadows ‘masters’

Billionaire’s daug h t e r

Nineteen-year-old wins Rider of the Day at Nations Cup U.S. Katie Dinan is a young rising star in world of show jumping YOUNG GUNS Up and coming stars

By Wendy Dudley Spruce Meadows, Calgary, Alta.

S

Nineteen-year-old Katie Dinan is a rising star in the world of show jumping. She recently acquired a new Grand Prix horse, Glory Days, a grey Warmblood gelding once ridden by Swedish equestrian Daniel Zetterman. Photos: Wendy Dudley

he can dissect a course with the precision of a surgeon, and speaks with the wisdom of a rider who’s been there, done that. She’s only 19 years old, just entering the ring of Grand Prix competition.

But this summer, Katie Dinan served notice that she can compete with the big guns — and win. Under the tutelage of U.S. gold medal Olympian McLain Ward, Dinan is making a name for herself.

In June, she was named Rider of the Day at the Furusiyya Nations Cup held during the Spruce Meadows Continental Tournament. Of 28 riders representing four nations, she was one of only four to ride two clean rounds.

“I was thrilled to go double-clear.

Getting that award was the cherry on top of a great day.”

It was only her second Nations Cup. That honour is one of many she has collected over recent years. In 2011, she took home individual Gold at the North American Young Riders Championship. She won her first Grand Prix in early 2012, and in the same year was awarded the

Maxine Beard Show Jumping Rider Award.

“I’ve trained with McLain for 2-1/2 years. He’s obviously taught me a tremendous amount, but it takes a while to truly understand what is being said.”

No matter the size of the jumps, it still comes down to having the proper seat and balance. “You can’t let the basics slip through the cracks. We talk about riding position every day.”

“Getting that award was the cherry on top of a great day.”

— Katie Dinan

And equally as important, the veteran equestrian has taught her how to cope with the sport’s mental roller-coaster. “There will always be ups and downs, and how you handle that will define you as a competitor.”

Having a star equine partner in her barn also helps. Two years ago, she got Nougat du Vallet — whom she fondly refers to as Nu Nu — a chestnut Selle Francais gelding.

“In the barn, he is really sweet. He likes to cuddle and lean on you. The more spoiled he is, the more attitude he gets, but in a good way.”

Her other Grand Prix mount is Glory Days, a grey Warmblood gelding purchased from Swedish rider Daniel Zetterman.

Once under saddle, Nu Nu gets down to business. “He tries to do his best in the ring. He gets very excited, and adds a few play bucks. He also likes to do things his way. I try not to interfere with him.”

Katie could be an elitist snob; her dad is billionaire Jamie Dinan, the founder of York Capital Management. The family runs Staysail Farm in New York.

But there isn’t an uppity bone in her body. Articulate and respectful, she says her family taught her ethics and hard work. “My dad told me and my two younger brothers that things are not handed to you.”

And the sport keeps one humble, she added. “You can think you’re on top of the world one day, and then the next day things can go drastically wrong.”

Katie can thank her mom for her love of equines. She leased her a white pony when she was four years old. That same year, Katie wrote a note in her Grade 1 class declaring she wished she could ride like a professional.

“As long as I can remember, I always dreamed of riding in a Grand Prix.”

Her years of equitation are evident in how she rides. “It taught me a very correct style of riding.”

She copes with nerves by having a solid strategy. “I am a very analytical person, so I walk the course and have a plan. And McLain’s taught me not to look at the other scores. I go in and do what I know is best for my horse.”

And for added luck, she has a shadow. Delilah, her five-year-old Chihuahua, follows her everywhere.

“She’s sitting right next to me now.

She’s my good luck charm.”

While Katie loves the sport of show jumping — she describes sailing over high obstacles as being on a winged horse, its four feet in the air as it arcs in fluid motion — she isn’t sure whether it will be her entire life.

This fall, she will begin her second year at Harvard University in Massachusetts. She is considering a career in biology, chemistry, or education. She tutors elementary school children in inner city Boston.

“With horses, so much can change, so I want to finish school.

But right now I’m loving the jumping. And I just love the horses.”

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U.S. rider Katie Dinan jumped her Grand Prix horse Nougat to a double-clear in the Nations Cup at Spruce Meadows in June, earning her the Rider of the Day award.

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HORSES ALL • AUGUST 2013

SPECIAL FEATURE

spruce meadows ‘masters’

Working behind t h e sc e n es

Meet

Maggie Tattrie Media Manager at Spruce Meadows

Breeder and competitor now lends her talents to the world-renowned venue WOMEN OF THE WEST Personal profile

By Amie Peck Cochrane, Alta.

A

s an accomplished breeder, trainer and rider, Maggie Tattrie was excited about the prospect of retirement in 2006.

She was planning on travelling and spending time with her horses on some mountains trails. However, a single phone call in 2007 changed her plans — and her life.

“It was Linda SouthernHeathcott on the line,” Maggie says from her home in southern Alberta. “She asked me if I would come to work for Spruce Meadows. I said thank you but no — I’m retiring from work altogether. Linda was quite firm, however, insisting that I should come and support Jon Garner, Competitions Manager, with the many competition rings during the tournaments. I’ve been there for over six years now, so you could say she was pretty persuasive,” Maggie laughs.

Her position as Media Manager at the esteemed show jumping

venue has Maggie wearing many hats.

“Primarily I work in media and other initiatives under the direction of Ian Allison, Senior Vice-President, Media Services,” she explains. “My favourite time of year is of course the tournaments, especially Summer Series (five weeks of International competition running through June and July annually). I’m an outdoor person so I love being out on the grounds, interacting with the riders and horses.”

Maggie was an avid horse lover from an early age, although she worked hard for every opportunity in the saddle. Growing up in the Vancouver area, she rode her bike to the stables every day after school, mucking stalls and grooming in exchange for the chance to ride. It didn’t take long for her talent to be noticed and she was soon riding and training client horses at what was then Thunderbird Equestrian Centre, the largest equestrian facility in Langley, B.C. “Riding didn’t pay all the bills however,” Maggie says. “I worked full-time during the day as an Animal Technologist, only to

Maggie Tattrie used to own, train, and show her own show-jumping horses, but now, when not working at Spruce Meadows, she enjoys quiet rides in the mountains.

rush over to Thunderbird every evening to ride as many horses as I could manage. I needed another job to support my horse habit!”

After years of success in B.C.,

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Maggie and her then husband Alan Brand decided to move to Alberta in 1979.

“We moved to Alberta in December of that year,” Maggie remembers fondly. “There we were, driving through the mountains in a VW convertible in a terrible snowstorm. The top was up, but I am sure there were more than a couple leaks in the roof!

We had our whole lives packed up — horses, jumps and equipment.”

“I always laugh thinking back to when my parents said I would grow out of horses and here I was with 30 of my own!”

— Maggie Tattrie

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The couple eventually bought land just down the road from Spruce Meadows and started an extremely successful hunter/ jumper show and school horse facility aptly named SeaFever.

The program created many top level riders and trainers under both Maggie and Alan’s tutelage.

“We generally had about 60 horses on the property,” Mag-

gie says. “About 30 of those were my own horses, either breeding mares, competition horses or the school string. I always laugh thinking back to when my parents said I would grow out of horses and here I was with 30 of my own! They didn’t think I was really serious about riding growing up, which was an understatement for sure,” she laughs.

One of Maggie’s fondest memories of Spruce Meadows came at the completion of a tournament some years back.

“Mr. Southern was driving around the grounds, checking on who was still in the barns. He asked me if I would like a tour of the property — of course I jumped at the chance. We went all over, to each of the rings and out into the fields. He even introduced me to a couple of his prized broodmares. While we were standing in this beautiful lush pasture, he told me his vision for Spruce Meadows. I couldn’t believe that one person could dream that big — and accomplish everything he set out to do.”

As for retirement, who needs that when you love what you do?

“Every day that I drive down the laneway at Spruce Meadows,” Maggie says, “I think how blessed I am to be doing exactly what I want to do with my life, in this absolutely magnificent place. I am a lucky girl.”

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spruce meadows ‘masters’

SPECIAL FEATURE

Pro file

Asselin triumphs on home turf Former Olympian and son-in-law of Spruce Meadow’s owners wins major derby IN IT TO WIN IT Competitor profile

By Wendy Dudley Spruce Meadows, Calgary, Alta.

J

onathan Asselin had been mulling over hanging up his competitive spurs. But then along came a horse called Showgirl, a fiery red chestnut that may just have the right stuff to let him go out on a winning streak.

She demonstrated her prowess by carrying the Calgarian to victory in the gruelling Cenovus Derby, the anchor event of the Spruce Meadows’ North American tournament held in July.

Asselin rode clear, taking just a single time fault. He was the only rider to leave all the rails up.

Only 17 riders have ever jumped the marathon course clean and within the time allowed since it was built in 1990 by the late Pamela Carruthers.

Showgirl is one of those talented mounts that can handle a Grand Prix course, as well as the natural obstacles — steep banks,

dry ditches, the Devil’s Dyke and open water — that make up a cross-country derby. Her first derby was last year, and she placed sixth.

“I would really like to try for the World Championships and the next Olympic Games, because I think she has it in her,” said Asselin, 55. “I like the thrill of big competition, and she’s a good mare.”

It would be ideal for the two, as neither is getting younger, he noted. “She’s 13, and I’m getting on.”

The last major event Asselin won at Spruce Meadows was the Texaco Derby back in 1986, on Brigadoon. In the year 2000, he placed third in the Chrysler Classic Derby on Spirit of Xerox, the horse he rode to a 15th place finish at the Sydney Olympic Games. He was an alternate for the 2008 Games in Beijing.

Showgirl came to his Attache stables near Priddis two years ago. Shortly after, he rode her to ninth (he was the top Canadian) at the Pan Am Games in Guadalajara, Mexico.

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“It feels great to be here again.

I’ve been trying, but it’s taken a long time,” said Asselin, upon receiving his $35,000 cheque. An added bonus was having his wife, Nancy Southern (Spruce Meadows’ executive vice-president), quietly cheering him on from the middle of the arena, where she was seated with Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s wife, Laureen, who grew up just down the road in the rural town of Turner Valley.

“It’s just so great to have special people, and the stands pretty

“She is French blood, and a woman, so she’s opinionated.”

— Jonathan Asselin

much full when you get a win like that,” said Asselin who lead the victory gallop in front of almost 40,000 fans.

“I had a lot of luck today,” said Asselin, who’s known for his quiet manner and solid horsemanship. “To be honest with you, someone else could probably do better with her,” he said, speaking of the Sellle Francais mare.

Because of a chronic back condition (he wears a magnetic brace), Asselin doesn’t put in the number of daily rides that most professional riders do.

On top of that, Showgirl isn’t the easiest horse to manage. “She is very bold, and she has a little character. She is French blood, and a woman, so she’s opinionated,” he laughed.

When he first began riding her, she was spooky. She’s matured into a bold horse, but still requires work, he noted. “She’s got scope, she’s got blood, she’s careful, and she’s brave. It’s just her mouth, her rideability. She’s not that easy.”

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horse to open up on long galloping lines, he said. “They’re not boxed up. It’s a nice change for the riders, and it keeps it interesting for the horse.”

It’s a victory he will savour for a long time. “It’s a real treat to win here at home. It’s a big win for me, and one I won’t forget.”

Asselin hopes to continue his winning form at The Masters this September.

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Calgary’s Jonathan Asselin is all smiles as he makes the victory gallop on Showgirl. The two won the Cenovus Derby, the anchor event of the Spruce Meadows’ North American tournament in July. photo: Wendy Dudley

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HORSES ALL • AUGUST 2013

spruce meadows ‘masters’

SPECIAL FEATURE

seni or horse

Champion show jumping horse Flexible at age 18

U.S. competitor Rich Fellers has helped horse defy age and past injuries to stay on top

By Wendy Dudley Spruce Meadows, Calgary, Alta.

W

World Cup champion and U.S. Olympian Rich Fellers, along with 18-year-old stallion Flexible, were named Horseman and Horse of the Year in 2012.

Photos: Wendy Dudley

hether human or horse, age creeps up with a nudge and then a kick, reminding us that we only get older, not younger.

It’s a fact of life that world champion jumper Rich Fellers keeps in mind when training his equine athlete, Flexible, the stallion that carried him to a World Cup win in 2012, and to an eighth place finish in the London Olympics. The U.S. pair were named Horse and Horseman of the Year. Not bad, considering the chestnut Irish-bred dynamo is 18 years old. He even has his own web page www.flexiblegrandprixjumper.com “He’s no different from me,” smiles the 53-year-old Fellers. “I’m not the same as I was several years ago. You don’t quite have the same strength. So I’m sure what he goes through is similar.”

To keep Flexible sound, he’s cut back on the horse’s competitive schedule, saving him for the big classes. Keeping him fresh and in shape is crucial. He feeds him a bit more grain, but no special senior supplements.

Fellers, from Oregon, focuses on flatwork rather than jumps. “I just want to keep him toned and stretched. Fitness for the older athlete is really, really important.”

Leading up to a competition, Flexible is worked under saddle twice a day.

Flatwork keeps him responsive to the aids, with walk and trots keeping him loose and limber. “I really stretch him out, getting him long and low and pushing from behind.

It really stretches his top line.”

Because senior horses are at higher risk for injury, Flexible is not jumped between an event and a jump-off. “I’ve done football, track and soccer. I know that when you’re warmed up, you don’t need to do it again,” Fellers said.

He’s not pampered in a spoiled sense — “I still have to be firm with him at times,” said Fellers — but there’s a special bond between the two. Not even 16 hands high, Flexible has suffered possible careerending injuries that demanded top care, patience and persistence. “We really wondered at times. It was such a dismal outlook. But we never stopped believing in him. We just kept looking for that light in the tunnel.”

In 2004, intermittent lameness turned out to be a rare blocked vein in his right front leg (it usually occurs in the hind legs). Successful angioplasty was performed. Then two years later, he fractured his left scapula, which also damaged the nerve. Then he suffered a suspensory injury.

Flexible was out of commission for four years, which has contributed to his longevity, said Fellers.

“A horse only has so many jumps in him, and he wasn’t jumping for all those years.”

Today, he shows no signs of stiffness, his injuries having fully

healed. While it doesn’t inhibit his performance, there remains reduced blood flow in his right leg, causing the vein to swell after exercise. “After he’s jumped, it gets engorged, big and ugly,” said Fellers.

Despite Fellers six-foot-plus frame, Flexible carries him like a rider in the pony express. Their hoofbeats and heart beats mesh.

They’ve been together since Flexible was six.

When Fellers refers to him as the “old man,” it is a term of endearment, born from a bond of trust.

“Every time I get on him, I feel lucky. I enjoy every ride. It’s part of the bond of believing in each other.”

Turning a top horse out to pasture isn’t an easy decision, but the horse usually lets you know when it’s time. “I did that with McGuinness, and I cried so many tears,” said Fellers, speaking of the recently retired 18-year-old bay gelding that carried him into many winner’s circles at Spruce Meadows. But the horse was stiffening in its movement and shortening its stride. “So I knew it was the right thing to do.”

For now, Flexible is still in top gear, jumping as well as horses five years younger. In the warm up ring, he’s revved and ready to enter the big ring. “He gets very energetic, always up and on the bit. It’s like he grows, and is on his toes,” Fellers said. “I’m not feeling anything different in him. I think he could have another run, and be at the top.”

Spectators can savor the magic between Fellers and Flexible when they return to Spruce Meadows in September for the Masters Tournament.

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Rich Fellers saves his horse Flexible for major classes, focusing on flatwork to keep him fit and supple. He also does not jump him before a jump-off.

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The Legacy of Hickstead

Spruce Meadows releases DVD to celebrate a Canadian champion TIME TO CHILL Book and movie reviews

Reviewed by Wendy Dudley, Priddis, Alta.

I

t’s been almost two years since Hickstead, the fiery stallion ridden to greatness by Canada’s Eric Lamaze, tragically died. And while the show must go on, and while Lamaze is once again back in the International ring, fans still miss the little chestnut that could.

Many have commented that jumping at Spruce Meadows just isn’t the same without the dynamic duo that captured the hearts of a nation and the entire world.

No, there will never be another Hickstead for Lamaze, nor for the fans who flocked to Spruce Meadows to witness the pair make history.

Memories will have to do.

And it is memories that canter throughout the DVD, The Legacy of Hickstead, released this summer by Spruce Meadows Television.

While Lamaze’s accomplishments are known to those who follow the sport, it is the emotional and thoughtful comments by other riders that make this such a keepsake, particularly the contributions by U.S Olympians McLain Ward and Rich Fellers, both who rode in jump-offs against the stallion.

Ward (who beat Lamaze and Hickstead in the 2009 CN International), and Fellers (who lost to the pair in the 2011 Queen Elizabeth II Cup) knew they were jumping against the best horse in the sport.

“He was almost freaky,” says Fellers. “There was such fire in his heart.”

For Ward, he recalls it as the proudest moment of his career.

We also hear from Beezie Madden, Leslie Howard, Canada’s now retired chef d’equipe Torchy Millar, and Hickstead’s owner John Fleischhacker.

Lamaze shares with us special traits about the horse that was passed over by Britain’s Michael Whitaker and Canada’s Mac Cone — both comment that it was the biggest mistake they ever made.

Hickstead did not like warm-ups, and was wild and almost unrideable in the early days. He was a fighter and sensitive in the mouth. He’d balk at water, he’d run back to the barn. Still, Lamaze liked the way he jumped.

The pair were made for one another, both learning to trust.

They grew together, and took on the world. They shared an intense seven years, lining shelves with top Grand Prix trophies.

“This was his love-affair horse,” notes Fleischhacker. Winning became almost a guarantee.

“I was always happy for the horse,” Lamaze says. “He’d never accept anything less than perfect rounds.”

The interview clips are woven into replays of Hickstead’s greatest moments, including his gold medal performance at the 2008 Olympics, his Grand Prix win at Aachen, and his bronze medal at the World Equestrian Games in 2010, where he was also named the Best Horse.

There is the emotional press conference following his death, and the tearful unveiling of his bronze statue at last year’s Spruce Meadows’ Masters Tournament. Spruce Meadows is where Hickstead and Lamaze grew up and matured. It is where the ashes of the horse remain.

For me, Lamaze and Hickstead defined my career in covering this sport. They began competing at the venue around the same time I began reporting on show jumping for various equine publications. It was through their accomplishments that I came to understand the rigors of the sport.

I cried tears of happiness along with hundreds of others when they won the Olympics, and I wept with thousands more when Hickstead collapsed and died in 2011. I knew I would never see the likes of this pair again.

The Legacy of Hickstead keeps his magic alive, and his spirit soaring.

The DVD ($19.95) is available at the Spruce Meadows tack shop, or can be purchased online at www. sprucemeadows.com.

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INSPIRATIONS Inspired by People and Horses

Engaging artist

Janina Pazdan

Gift of Love

launches her career

Thanks to social media, Gift of Love has garnered international attention and gained Janina Pazdan thousands of new followers.

By Cindy Bablitz Calgary, Alta.

F

ine art painter Janina Pazdan is getting a lot of recognition from equestrian art appreciators these days because, when she was a girl in Poland, only one family on her street had a TV. Well… there are a few more intersecting points between then and now, but essentially, Janina’s love for western equestrian imagery was born in the years when all the neighbourhood kids would gather at the one house on the street with the TV… in the heyday of the western movie genre.

“I was just fascinated with the stories of Bonanza and Zorro… all the western shows, I loved them. Even before I was old enough to go to school, I had a dream to go west. I wasn’t sure where west was,” she laughs, “and of course had no idea where Texas was, or California. I just wanted to go to a ranch with horses, and to learn English.”

Janina’s dream came true, because she’s been living in California now (and speaking English) for 23 years.

But that’s not the best part of the story.

About two years ago, Janina bought a canvas, a huge canvas, almost 16 square feet. She made several attempts at an image to paint — she wanted it to be about love — and even contemplated painting a text from scripture.

Somehow, nothing seemed quite right.

Until she stumbled across a photograph, and something in Janina stirred. She knew it, she felt it, this was the inspiration she had been seeking.

“I saw this image, and I said, ‘Oh my God! I see the love I have for my son in this image… I

want to express that love, for my son, through this painting,’” Janina remembers.

She went to visit her sister’s garden in San Clemente, California. She said, “Just leave me alone for three or four days. I don’t want to talk to anyone. I just want to paint.”

And she painted. What emerged was a Gift of Love on the silver and grey background she had prepped on the two-year-old canvas that was sold even before it was complete.

A few month’s hence, Janina’s son Jacek and his fiancé Kamila came to visit her in Costa Mesa, California. Here’s where the story gets fun.

Janina Pazdan studied art in her native Poland, but has honed her craft in North America.

Although not a typical equine artist, Janina Pazdan fell in love with horses and cowboy life watching western TV shows in Poland. White Horse is another example of her work.

Jacek loved the painting, and wanted to encourage his talented mother to better promote her beautiful artistry in this online age.

He set up a website for her, and posted an image of Gift of Love, along with a select few others of her works.

Their visit over, Jacek and Kamila returned to Poland and… his iPhone, receiving notifications every time a “Like” on Facebook was clicked, went crazy.

“It was like an accident… a miracle actually,” Janina beams.

“Somehow, someone from Heart of a Horse, (a non-profit organization with a prolific fan page on Facebook) saw my painting… they’d been looking for an equestrian mother and child image… and posted Gift of Love on their site. My son, who built my website, had himself as administrator, and every time someone liked or shared my painting, a notification went to his phone in Poland. He called me and said, ‘What did you do?! My phone is burning!’

“I said I did nothing… and can you imagine!

I went to Facebook and there were 12,000 people all over the world liking my painting, or making a comment!”

Janina is still reeling from the attention.

“Gift of Love is the best painting I’ve ever done. I knew it when I was painting it, I felt it.

And the response to this painting is the best reaction I’ve ever got. People love it, love it, love it!”

Like all true artists, Janina’s love for her creative expression began when she was too young to edit her natural inclinations. She used to draw, using bits of broken brick for her medium, and the walls of construction work sites as her canvas.

When it was time for middle school at 14, Janina rejected her family’s suggestion of the local economics school, instead sourcing an arts school 40 km away. Later, she would attend the Wroclaw Academy of Fine Arts near Krakow, Poland.

Once in North America, Janina honed her passion, and painted copiously, including a large number of massive murals.

However, interestingly for an artist who’s received her highest renown for an equestrian painting, Janina has spent most of her painting career imitating or emulating the style and content of Renaissance impressionists Monet, Degas, Van Gogh and has actually filled relative little of her resume with equestrian art.

No matter.

Gift of Love is just one of those special pieces — perhaps the kind of thing that only comes along once in a lifetime — that captures the heart of all who see it.

“I painted in my sister’s garden. I was so happy painting Gift of Love. I put so many feelings in this painting. When you put this energy into your work, this loving joy, it attracts people. People feel real feelings, some people cry when they see something real. When the artist is so honest and true with her feelings, people can’t help having their own feelings stirred too.”

Where to buy it

Janina’s website is www.janinapazdan.com where you can custom order a giclée of Gift of Love.

26

HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • AUGUST 2013

INSPIRATIONS C H ARITY TRAIL RIDE

BOOK REVIEW

Manitoba’s Ride for a Child’s Wish

HORSES, HARNESS AND HOMESTEADS The History of Draft Horses in Saskatchewan

By Merlin Ford TIME TO CHILL Book and movie reviews

Reviewed By Bruce A. Roy Cremona, Alta.

H

orses, Harness and Homesteads is a review of the role the draft horse played in Saskatchewan when first settled over a century ago.

This book is a photo album of historic pictures found in the possession of Saskatchewan families, whose grandparents were some of the province’s first settlers to cultivate the Saskatchewan soil.

Photographs the public has never seen attest to the pioneering spirit of these settlers. Their livelihood was dependent on the draft horses they employed — to cultivate the soil, cut hay, harvest grain, feed livestock, trans-

port goods, drill water wells, move buildings, build roads, fight fire, etc.

Countless photographs of the equipment used and the hitches these settlers employed illustrate half of the book’s 240 pages.

This book also pictures Belgian, C lydesdale, Percheron, Shire and Suffolk horses brought to the province. Breeding stock imported from Great Britain, France, Belgium and the United States produced draft horses with the athletic ability, size and weight provincial farmers and ranchers sought.

There are wonderful little seen photographs of Saskatchewanbred stallions, mares and geldings that once offered fast competition at Chicago’s International Livestock Exposition and Toronto’s Royal Agricultural Winter Fair.

Easily read, this book is a review of how the Saskatchewan

settlers employed their draft horses and why the horsemen who raised breeding stock were of such importance in the first half of the 20th century.

Merlin Ford deserves praise for the collection of historic photographs he has gathered for this book. The photo captions in Horses, Harness and Homesteads are both concise and informative.

WHERE TO BUY IT

You can order this book by contacting Merlin Ford at his website www.clippityclop.ca, by phone at 306-592-2132, or by email at clippity.clop1@ gmail.com

Horses All is online!

Visit us at www.horsesall.com or like us on facebook: www.horsesall.com/facebook

The Ride for a Child’s Wish in Manitoba is celebrating their 25th anniversary this year, and will also cross the $1M mark for total money raised.

PHOTO: GARTH SACKRISON

The Ride for a Child’s Wish and Family Fun Day is set to go on August 17 in Woodlands, Man. A strong committee supported by lots of volunteers has been planning the 25th anniversary ride for several months.

The Ride started out 25 years ago with 12 riders, and 25 people for supper raising $750 the first year.

It has continued to grow every year with 2012 being their largest ride yet to date. 202 riders, 11 wagons, 1,018 people for supper raised over $96,000.

That’s amazing considering the committee usually spends less than $500 to put the Wish Ride on. Everything is donated — the food, the drinks, the entertainment, and well over 100 auction items.

Riders and other participants are given poker hands, and are asked to bring in pledge sheets.

The riders leave around 11 a.m. and go for a 10 mile trail ride. There is kid’s entertainment, followed by a huge supper consisting of four pigs, 1,000 chicken pieces, homemade beans, coleslaw, and buns, with corn on the cob, too.

After supper, they pull the winning bids for the Wish auction, and then finish off the night with an old fashioned barn dance.

The committee also gets contributions throughout the year from other people, groups and businesses who bring in money from a variety of different venues like a golf tournament, a steak and lobster dinner, and a charity casino night.

This year, the committee will hit a milestone as they are going to celebrate 25 years and over $1,000,000 of contributions to the Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada.

For more information, go to their website at www.rideforachildswish.ca or call 204-383-5230.

R H YMES FROM THE RANGE

ALBERTA DIVISION

2013 ALBERTA THOROUGHBRED SALE The Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (Alberta Division)

The Cowhand

By Ron Gale Yeah! I saw the cowhand smack the riggin’ onto that old bronco’s back.

I had a strong and hunchy feeling: That, right there, I’d seen the knack.

The cowhand set’n checked the buckshank, not lookin’ for no wreck.

Then stepped aboard the bronco, settling in that whirly deck.

Nodded to the gateman and those toes were pointed wide.

The cowhand settled deep and easy and raked that bronco’s hide.

Ah! Then that show that they gave was purdy as the seconds ticked on by.

That bronco really did his darndest. There’s no tricks he didn’t try.

That bronco was a good’un, but that rider was the best.

That cowhand sat aboard him knowing that it was a test.

That bronco gave a display of pure buck, jump, and twirl.

Kickin’ high in desperation, he was ridden by a girl.

KONRAD

Thoroughbred Stallion Alberta ca.1880s Glenbow Archives NA-20884-14

1:00 Sunday, September 22nd, 2013

Northlands Park EXPO Centre, Edmonton, Alberta

Visit the CTHS Alberta Website: www.cthsalta.com or Call 403-229-3609 for a catalogue or more information

“I wrote this in the early 50s,” says Ron, “when I was travelling across the U.S. and ended up in a little punkin roller rodeo in Wyoming.” This Sundre, Alta.-area cowboy has spent his life in rodeo, ranch, and training stock dogs and horses. He is also an accomplished writer with books on the working stockdog, the livestock protection dog, teaching the using horse, plus books on cowboy poetry and cowboy jargon. Visit www.bergenranch. com for information on Ron’s books, plus horse and dog clinics. (You can also order his books on Kindle and Amazon).

HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • AUGUST 2013

27

INSPIRATIONS

THE

MERCANTILE Cowgirl Kim

Presented by

Frontier Western Shop

t Don’t miss out on the most perfect dress year round in the most stunning colour! Vintage Collection has outdone themselves with this romantic dress, dubbed the jewellery dress, made of cascading layers of mesh. Beautifully fitted in the top with a scoop neckline and drop waist, and thoughtfully designed 3/4 sleeves to allow you to show off your jewellery. Available for $249 from www.cowgirlkim.com

t This gorgeous crochet lace dress in beautiful teal all but speaks for itself. Stunningly cut and designed, the tank style hints towards a more relaxed fit, and with the poly knit slip liner it can go anywhere you do.

Purchase yours today for $89.95 from www.westernshop.com

Riley & McCormick

t This ladies Victorian Rose Mesh skirt with colourful embroidery is the perfect addition to any ladies wardrobe. With a classy pop of colour. it can easily be dressed down or up depending on the occasion.

It has a solid black built-in slip and a side zipper at the waist to ensure you gain the perfect fit. Order it from www.realcowboys.com for $280

Sheplers

t Flaunt your cowgirl attitude wearing this Rancho Estancia Catalina dress.

Beaded hanging tassels accent the empire waist of this rich purple soft faux velvety dress. Trendy threequarter length sleeves and plunging V-neckline finish off this great look. Rock it with your best boots for $55 from www.sheplers.com

Double D Ranch

p This beautiful Three Arrows Dress in stunning aquafest blue, finished with delicate embroidery is a perfect option for a day in the sun. Whether on a patio or at the rodeo grounds, you’re sure to appreciate the softness it lends to the season. Available for $196 from www ddranchwearwomens.com

BAR T5 TRAILERS Hot Heals Crossfire $

MORE THAN JUST TRAILERS COME AND CHECK OUT THE COOLEST TACK STORE ON THE COWBOY TRAIL

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399.00

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375.00

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CHECK OUT OUR NEW WEBSITE – DETAILS ON OVER 300 TRAILERS!!

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403-931-2212

Located on the Cowboy Trail 10 Miles S.W. of Calgary on Hwy #22 at 274th Ave

28

HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • AUGUST 2013

I NSPIRATIONS Benefits of woo l

Get on the Soul train Island company produces equine wool products GOING IN STYLE Equine fashion and flair

By Cindy Bablitz Calgary, Alta.

A

nyes de Laat is on a bit of a crusade. She wants everyone to understand and appreciate the magic of a fibre that has seemed to have lost some of its favour in popular culture — wool.

Though it’s been around for millennia, it’s been usurped as a fibre of choice by synthetics. But kid yourself not (pun intended), wool is as relevant today as ever it was.

“Wool has so many benefits for the body,” says Anyes, founder and proud operator of Soul Comfort Sheepskin and Sheep Wool, an innovative manufacturing and retail business based out of Duncan, B.C. on Vancouver Island.

She adds, “It’s obvious that horse people know what a miracle fibre wool is, because there is so much wool used in the horse world.”

Of course, wool and sheepskin is commonly used in girth covers, harness covers, saddle blankets and half pads. Soul Comfort has a

whole line of equestrian products designed to maximize comfort, to reduce abrasion irritation, and to repair sores when they happen — for both horse and rider.

Did you know that wool naturally absorbs 30 to 40 per cent of its own weight in moisture? “That’s why it’s so great on horses, because they perspire a lot and wool wicks up and naturally evaporates the moisture… it’s also a natural insulator.”

Losing as little as five per cent of your body’s water weight can cause headache, reduced muscle strength, slowed thinking, and fatigue.

Our bodies need certain quantities of water for maintenance, daily detoxification and to sufficiently pump blood from our heart to our brains and throughout all our organs and extremities. And a healthy, properly hydrated body sweats — about two ounces per hour, a litre a night.

And wool, well, we’ve already established it’s a good sponge, a good evaporator. Sports fibre synthetic manufacturers have been trying to mimic the natural absorbing and wicking properties of wool for years.

We often think of wool as a winter warmer, but you’ll actually be

“It’s obvious that horse people know what miracle fibre wool is, because there is so much wool used in the horse world.”

— Anyes de Laat

cooler in summer wearing a wool t-shirt than a cotton one.

“Wool is known to keep you at core body temperature,” Anyes says.

The wool fibre is hollow, and, impressively, can coil 20,000 times before breaking. It’s like a shock absorber, which is why it’s so comfortable for horse and rider.

“Leather saddles get cold in winter and hot in summer. A sheepskin between the rider and the saddle, any time of the year, provides a wonderful comfort, and prevents chafing and abrasions from long days in the saddle.”

Anyes tells the story of a woman from Dayton, Ohio who phoned seeking help for a wound trauma one of her fillies had suffered. Winter was setting in and none of the topical curatives were working.

Anyes sent her a wool comfort mat.

“Not only did the entire area heal fast, but in two weeks, even the hair was growing back,” Anyes tells.

Soul Comfort is a venture that started innocently enough 32 years ago when Anyes hearkened to her European roots where wool hadn’t quite given over to the western preference for synthetics.

Anyes wanted wool slippers for her newly born daughter, and couldn’t find any so she made some herself. These single pair of slippers led to requests for handmade wool and sheepskin slippers for others… and today Soul Comfort makes sheep wool and sheepskin product lines for medical use, babies, pets, horses… and yes, still feet.

In fact, one of the newer products Anyes is very excited

about are wool/hemp insoles, fantastic for riding boots, muck boots, gum boots. Rubber boots were designed to keep wetness out, but that also means they keep moisture in… and wool/hemp insoles are the perfect solution.

“We have a really beautiful, big, fat wool/hemp insole for all the oil workers up north. All our wool/hemp insoles are completely machine washable, and are naturally bacteria, mold and fungus resistant. Neither hemp nor wool take on body odors, so they’re perfect fibres for insoles. We’re really proud of this line.”

Anyes loves wool. She wants you to love wool too. Because, she says, it loves you.

“Out of all the different fibres out there, wool has more benefits for the body, by far, than any of them. Wool is very loving and nurturing. Wool feeds you.”

Where to buy it

For more information about Soul Comfort Sheepskin and Sheep Wool products, surf to www.soulcomfortsheepskin. com, or phone 1-800-404-0622.

C h arit y trail ride

Step up and ride to help breast cancer patients!

Friday, October 4th @ 6:00 p.m. & Saturday October 5th @ 11:00 a.m.

Catalogue Deadline: September 16th MARKETING VIDEO CONCEPT Show how your horse works at home while selling in the ring.

For more info and inquiries call

403-329-3101. *Ranch Horses *Performance Horses *Prospects *Breeding Stock *Foals *Much More

Helping Hooves is a group of horse loving people who are steppin’ up and making a difference in the lives of Manitobans with breast cancer.

How are they going to do it? By staging a three-week horseback ride in August, starting in Kleefeld, looping around the north of Winnipeg and ending in Austin at the Agricultural Museum.

Want to get involved? You can ride for a day, a week, or join the whole ride! In 2011, 41 riders stepped up and rode or drove the route to raise more than $35,000 for cancer patients.

If you don’t ride, there are many other ways to get involved, such

Website: www.perlich.com • Email: auction@perlich.com • Phone: 403-329-3101 call in or email for a lot number.

ACCEPTING ENTRIES NOW! Please Contact: Nichole Perlich

Located: Lethbridge, AB 3 Miles East of Lethbridge on Hwy #3 & ¼ Mile South on Broxburn Road.

Pink horses and riders joined the Ste. Anne’s Canada Day Parade in 2012. photo: Linda Hazelwood

as attending one of the kick-off or wind-up events, or one of the many smaller events along the trail.

Helping Hooves is also looking for sponsors for such items as solar electric fencing, electric rope and pig tail posts. Also required are sponsors for gas, ice and water; vehicle/bumper pull flat deck trailer; small garden shed that would fit on the flat deck to house a porta potty; restaurants/grocery store sponsors to donate food for the nights the group is not in a town. Could anyone loan a generator and portable barbecue?

In 2012, Helping Hooves Manitoba hosted five fundraising events with individual trail rides, flea markets and fun days, and donated almost $6,000 to Helping Hands For Manitobans With Breast Cancer. This organization supports breast cancer patients with outof-pocket expenses such as gas money for appointments, day care and wig costs not covered by the province.

If you would like to get involved in any way, whether sponsoring, loaning equipment, or just coming along for the ride, please contact Pam Glover at pam@helpinghoovesmanitoba.com You can follow Helping Hooves on Facebook, or check out the website www.helpinghoovesmanitoba.com.

I T I T E P OM OUNTAIN

E M C L A G S WORK&ISNELECT 9

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N O I T I T E P T A N I M U N O O E C H L M Horses of the Storm:ING A S T O T A C N I E U N L O W E K S R H O M & G T A N O N The Incredible Rescue I U I N N W K O R O H O M T A I N I N G U N T O N O I I O I W K T T R O H I M T E A T N T T of Katrina’s Horses A A I N N E U P G N I U U P N N O O O N I M M I O O H T W M K O I H R O M M O C T G E C W E L O G G P N A I O S N N N M W K I I T R O O W K K O C R R I C E O O L T N TI ON & SE N

I NSPIRATIONS

9

Book review

S

presents North America’s Only

UAL 9TH ANN L H ANNUA T L A 9 U H N T AN

FRIDAY - SU SEPTEMBER 27

E I O O P T I I I T T OPE M T I I E O T T P E E E C L T A N P P M I U SA N Win T O M M O C T A E E C N O O L L I M U N E A E CT C &&&SSSEELCLEECW O LEG A CTTSSAEL H N S M I W K R G O E L N I NO &OSRK

Reviewed by Wendy Dudley

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W V e L AN A 9 U only plac N e h N T A FRIDAY - SUNDAY,OKE V EN K LL BR

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Book and movie reviews

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By Ky Evan Mortensen

Priddis, Alta.

L TH ANNUA

HORSES ALL • AUGUST 2013

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SHOP AT OUR BACK COUNTRY Reading Ky Evan Mortensen’s help had arrived. They were found place yo OVs E!N K SUNDAY,HORSE SEPT. 29, 2013 SELECT SALE TRADE SHOW ... UNIQUE ITEMS !!

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Gulf Coast and southern Louisiana.

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Check out the Weekend at www.wilddeuce.com SEPT. 29,of 2013 Starts at 10:30 Such happy-face tales are juxEach day, a team of vets, their stu1/2SUNDAY, mile North Starts at 10:30 HORSES CAN BE VIEWED AT www.northernhorse.com SUNDAY, SEPT. 29, 2013 heart-wrenching dents, and volunteers set forth on taposed against For More Information Call or Email: SUNDAY, SEPT. 29, 2013 Kingman, AB, Canada a mission of hope and heart, often stories of finding horses dead and 780-679-8451 competition@wilddeuce.com 780-678-5400 ® S R A T d to S For More Information Call or Email: te risking their own lives to rescue ani- decomposing in confinement. Left a n o d s d 0 Procee ver $30,00 mals. Through their Horse Hurri- in stalls, the horses had no way of competition@wilddeuce.com 780-678-5400 sed Owe e Rai780-679-8451 avThis H year are e W e at D To cane Helpline, they saved more than escaping the rising waters. The phohonouring our troops with 400, stabling and doctoring them tos are graphic, depicting twisted This year we are in a primitive field hospital. It was and rotting carcasses.

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HORSES CAN BE VIEWED AT HORSESout CAN BE Weekend VIEWED ATout Check the Weekend Some times they found owners Louisiana is a horse haven, with Check the Check out atthe Weekend at HORSES CAN BEat VIEWED AT www.north For More Information Call or Email: HORSES CAN BE VIEWED AT like Lucien Mitchmore than 200,000 equines involved with the animals, HORSES CAN BE VIEWED AT www.northernhorse.c HORSES CAN BEFor VIEWED HORSES AT CAN BE VIEWED AT competition@wilddeuce.com 780-678-5400 More Information to leave his carin performance from reining and780-679-8451 rac- ell Jr. who refused For More InformationCall Callor orEmail: Email: For More Information Call or Ema ing to dressage, jumping and driv- riage mules behind. He rode out the 780-679-8451 competition@wilddeuce.com 780-678-5400 For More Information Call or Email: This year we are 780-679-8451 competition@wilddeuce.co ing. When Katrina struck in August This year westorm are for eight days.

For More Information For Call More or Email: Information Call or Email: 780-679-8451 780-678honouring troopsHorses with of the Storm is a 2005, the area’s horses, ponies, and ourWhile honouring our troopscompetition@wilddeuce.com with carriage mules were largely left on worthy read for the stories of how This year we are This year we are This year weour aretroops with their own. Residents were unaware rescue teams brought order to chaos, This year we are honouring our troops with honouring that floods would accompany the it goes far beyond a narrative, in prohonouring our troops with honouring our troops with This year we are This year we are viding valuable information on how high winds and heavy rains.

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Equine Canada clinics for stewards Equine Canada is offering two new opportunities for Stewards to upgrade or maintain their certification, and is also open to those individuals interested in working towards their accreditation.

The first clinic, breed focused, will be held at the Canadian Nationals — A/HA Championship Horse Show at the Keystone Centre in Brandon, Man., August 10-11. The second clinic, Hunter/Jumper focused, will be held August 20-21 at the Thunderbird Show Park, Langley, B.C. For more information and registration forms, visit www.equinecanada.ca.

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HORSES ALL • AUGUST 2013

INSPIRATIONS METAL ARCHITECT U R E

John Monteath Blacksmith and metal sculpter forging his career in Cochrane GOING IN STYLE

A transplanted Kiwi, John Monteath has literally forged a career in architectural artwork and metal art sculptures.

Equine fashion and flair

By Cindy Bablitz Calgary, Alta.

J

ohn Monteath’s not an angry guy — quite the opposite, actually — but there’s not much he loves more than banging the hell out of metal. He’s a heavy metal artist, per se.

“Stay in school kids,” is his sage advice when asked how he got into the art business, adding, “And I’m flattered that you think of me as an artist.”

John’s start in metal artwork began rather by happenstance than design, but that’s not to say he didn’t adopt the art form from a deep and growing passion for the really quite fascinating process that is taking raw solid metal, manipulating it with heat, and allowing room temperature to return it back to its solid, enduringly strong state.

He came to Calgary from his New Zealand home (via a sojourn in Australia) and hung out in a friend’s metal art studio, “for fun and beer.”

John says, “I had some metal fabrication experience, and my friend had a forge and anvil and gave me the opportunity to hit on some hot steel for the first time ever. I was immediately fascinated by it. It’s such an unusual experience… hitting a hammer on a piece of steel and instead of hearing it clang, hearing it thud with a delicious squishyness. Forged metal actually moves in a fairly plastic way. I’d worked with steel quite a bit by then, and I began to look at metal in an entirely different fashion.

“Dirty old iron — no one gives it a second thought. It’s dirty and cheap. But it’s such an amazing material. It’s super strong, but it’s flexible when you get it smoking hot… and then you can manipulate it into wild and crazy and fascinat-

ing shapes and then when it cools down, it’s transformed, and stays where you put it, in a very literal sense.

“It’s the transformative properties that are so endlessly fascinating.”

John, working out of Manuka Forge, a metalsmith shop he built north of Cochrane in 2003, builds stunningly intricate architectural metal features (think elaborate stair case railings, an elite cousin to the spindle), whimsical artistic furniture and household features, and simply elegant fine art.

Still, he’ll never be the guy to take himself too seriously, as an artist or otherwise.

“Part of the reason I stayed in it — which sounds flippant but is actually true — is that it’s really cold in Canada, and working in front of a fire all day was really awesome,” John grins.

“After my summer of mountain biking in Banff, coming back to the city to a blacksmith’s shop was

appealing because it was minus 400 outside and I wasn’t really equipped for it.”

Ever the pragmatist, John’s early metal ar t pieces were largely furniture pieces.

“I was recently married and we didn’t have a lot of money.

I started making furniture for us, and then started selling small home décor items — plant stands, CD racks, coffee tables — at a local crafter’s marketplace.”

Serendipity ensued. A purchaser of one of John’s CD racks was shortly thereafter shopping at a clothing store in Kensington in Calgary when she overheard the owner of the store mention she needed some ironwork done in a hurry. The clothing store owner worked with a project manager who also worked with one of Calgary’s more prominent interior designers… and John found himself on a trajectory that began

with helping out a buddy for a pint, to creating fantastical artistic metal architecture in the span of about two years… and 16 years later, John’s still keeping warm in front of that forge fire.

“After blacksmithing, architectural artwork became my mainstay, metal art sculpture became my hobby. I’ve tried to make extra effort to make space in my life to create the smaller art pieces.

Some of my architectural projects can take a year or more; completing an art project, perhaps less structured, in a weekend helps everything else,” John says.

“It’s fun to make metal sculpture, it’s fun to show it off, and fun to sell it. It’s very gratifying to get positive feedback from people and it’s even more gratifying when they give me money,” he swaggers, tongue-incheek.

With Calgary’s recent flooding, John’s been busy with reclamation work. Some of the projects he worked on years ago are attached to stairs and fireplaces that were rendered landfill in the sudden flooding onslaught of June 21.

“In the grand scheme of things, this work (of reclaiming installed architectural metal artwork) is not life and death: they’re just pretty things. But when you spend a lot of your life creating a piece of beautiful architectural artwork, you get fairly emotionally involved. I’m quite pleased to have the opportunity to salvage and make these pieces whole again.”

WHERE TO BUY IT

You can see more of John’s work at www.manukaforge.ca or you can reach John at 403 463 4443.

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HORSE, HEALTH & HOME Inside and Outside Your Stable

TRA INING

SOFTNESS Before, During, and After Try to do enough to create a light horse without sacrificing the softness

Here’s a good example of softness on a lead line with Jet and Sargent together. Notice the loose line and their heads tipped in.

PHOTO: DIXIE STEWART

Glenn likes the softness in the backup for this young horse. Note the head position on a loose rein.

GET A GRIP Ask the trainers

By Glenn Stewart Baldonnell, B.C.

O

ften in clinics, I will say to the participants to look for and try to create softness before, during and after the maneuver. Whatever they are asking of their horse, try to find the softness throughout.

If our horses are soft to the rein, leg and lead line, it will show up in many areas but the most noticeable is the head and neck.

When a horse understands the request and the request is within the realm of what it has been taught, then the head and neck will have a soft and relaxed feel on the lead line or rein.

This is only true if the rider has been handling the horse and looking to create softness before, during and after.

If we didn’t realize that we needed to ride and handle our horses looking for softness, then the horse may completely understand the task or exercise but has been taught to be heavy, stiff and braced.

If we release for anything other than softness, that is what we get — anything but softness.

Softness is not something you can make a horse be. You can make them light but you can’t make them soft. A light horse can have tension, it may move quickly and easily but with tightness.

A soft horse cannot be soft and tight. The goal is to try to do enough to create a light horse without sacrificing the softness.

The horse is in a different mind space when there is tightness than when they are soft. If we do everything slow, it is very easy to keep a horse soft.

If you need speed and quick responses, then it becomes much more challenging to keep the softness, but that would be the goal.

Tightness can come from the horse getting emotional about what is happening and it very often originates from the rider not looking for softness.

An example of this would be when riding and you pick up a rein to stop or turn, the moment you touch the rein you should be looking for a soft feel on the other end. The horse should give to the rein by bringing its nose in and down or to the side wherever the pressure is taking it.

The opposite of softness is, when the rein is touched, the horses nose goes up and away from the direction asked or doesn’t move at all. This might seem to

PHOTO: DIXIE STEWART

some very obvious but to many they have never had a horse actually give to the rein.

The feet turning and going the direction you want to go, and a horse that is giving to the rein, are two different things.

You can have a horse turn to the right while they turn their head to the left. If you asked for that kind of head position, great; if you didn’t, then not so great, and the horse would not be considered soft.

Many times horses are turned to the right or left with their heads pulled the opposite way but the rider doesn’t realize they are the ones doing it.

Anything we purposely or accidentally do three times starts to

create a habit. Creating good habits is much easier than repairing bad ones.

An example of what to look for on the ground is when leading or circling a horse. The goal would be to never feel the horse on the line.

When you walk off, while you’re walking, and when you stop, the line stays loose and never pulls on the handler.

When circling, the goal is the same. When you send the horse out onto the circle, while he is circling, and when you ask for the circling to end, the line never gets pulled on by us or the horse.

The horse should be looking in towards us, not away from us.

These are some signs that softness is on the way and we have been correct in looking for and creating softness.

Next time you are out with your horse, take notice of what happens when you touch the rein or lead line. Enjoy your time with horses and what they have to offer us.

Glenn Stewart travels extensively conducting clinics, demonstrations, and colt starting sessions, and also offers Camps and a 3-month Horsemanship Course at his home The Horse Ranch as well as the Horsemanship Learning Adventure Series. More information by calling 1 877 728 8987 or visiting www.thehorseranch.com

This is where the mental game comes into play, contributing and carrying through to that softness when I ask him to do something. Tightness can come from the horse getting emotional about what is happening and it very often originates from the rider not looking for softness consistently. PHOTO: NICKY HEMMINGSON

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H ORSE, HEALTH & HOME Body re boots

Changing your body to change your mind Psychologist April Clay looks at posture and breathing rates RIDING OUT OF MY MIND Equestrian sport psychology

By April Clay Psychologist, Calgary, Alta.

S

tand naturally and take a moment to relax with a few deep centred breaths.

When you feel ready, close your eyes and begin to visualize a recent poor performance. I know this is a bit of a downer, but stay with me.

Spend time with this movie, immersing yourself as deeply as possible. Go ahead and open your eyes.

Now, take inventory of your body.

How are you standing? How are you holding your arms, what expression are you wearing? How does your body feel in terms of tension, and where?

Like other animals that are in distress, we tend to get smaller and want to hide. Chances are your shoulders are hunched, your head and eyes are down and your expression strained.

Now close your eyes and bring up a recent best performance. Enjoy watching a personal highlight along with the emotional boost it brings.

See and feel yourself being competent and confident.

When you open your eyes you will likely pick up on a few differences in your body. It might be a subtle change like standing a little taller, holding your shoulders back further or your chin tilted up slightly.

Examine your posture, breath rate and tension levels. Now your posture is closer to what has been referred to as a ‘power pose.’ Stance a little wider, head up, shoulders back, maybe your hands on your hips. Taking up space in your environment instead of shrinking from it.

When junior rider Josie tried this exercise she discovered her stance was a little wider and her chin was up further. So she constructed a reboot for herself around these markers.

If she was off her horse, she did both, and deliberately changed these two elements of her posture. If she was on her horse, she would lift her chin and sink her weight down into her stirrups.

By positioning her body differently, she was connecting with a different part of her experience as a rider… one in which she felt in control, calm, and saw herself as a real problem solver… something she needed to get herself going in a

Remember one of your best runs and see if your body language is in a ‘power pose.’ photos: thinkstock

different direction from that stuck, giving up place.

Research conducted revealed that holding such a pose for as little as two minutes stimulates higher levels of testosterone (hormone linked to power and dominance) and lower levels of cortisol otherwise known as the ‘stress’ hormone.

In other words, your body and mind now feel a surge of well-being

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and confidence. Pretty handy stuff when it comes to performing.

So the next time you are about to face a challenging ride, strike a power pose first. Just think about changing a few key things about your body.

Your fellow riders might think you’re a little off, or they might just think you’re looking confident and relaxed today. Either way, let’s see what your results will have to say.

Other examples of body reboots include: • Relaxing your facial muscles, perhaps inducing a smile.

• The breath reboot: allow your breath to drop low, like you’re sending it to your feet. Refreshing

your oxygen store can do wonders for the muscles and the mind.

• Move yourself: literally move from the spot where you first noticed things were off. If you can’t do this, change your position, stance or direction. Sometimes pointing the body in a different direction can allow the mind to follow.

• Increase your intensity level by running for a few metres (no one need know what you are doing, maybe you’re just in a hurry) or stretching vigorously off horse or on (think lifting yourself out of the tack a few times and really sinking your weight back into your stirrups or raising your arms up high).

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Sometimes simply changing your posture can improve your mental outlook.

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H ORSE, HEALTH & HOME Safety and s ecu r i t y

Ready to tie the knot?

Terri McKinney shares some trade tips BACKCOUNTRY TRAVELS Trail riding tips and information

By Terri McKinney Kingman, Alta.

T

his month I would like to touch on my two favourite knots for mostly tying up horses, and why.

First the Bowline. This famous knot is used from outfitters to climbers, and folks on the boat.

The Bowline Knot The Bowline Knot is one of the most used loop knots. Keep the cross point in step A between a finger and thumb and make a clock-wise turn with your wrist.

Without the loop in between, it is the same knot.

If the loop is expected to be heavily loaded, the bowline is, in fact, not secure enough. There is a rule of thumb which states that the loose end should be as long as 12 times the circumference for the sake of safety.

It is a secure knot when, if tightened, can still be untied which is why it is excellent for horseman.

We use it all the time for: • our neck ropes on our horses so they never choke (we use a neck rope on our main horse instead of a halter while trail riding, then use a halter in camp).

• when we front foot our horses instead of hobbling.

• if we have an injury to a foot, we can easily tie a foot up with a bowline that is easily untied.

• to secure two ropes, for highlines, pulling logs and multiple uses in camp.

• to tie our horses up either on the highline, trailer or sometimes in the pack string.

This photo shows how to make the quick release after double wrapping it around the rail.

This shows the completed quick release with half hitch over the loop.

The quick release done mountain style I have said in articles before that tying a horse up at home to teach them patience and fix any pawing or screaming to other horses is a good idea! So start at home before you head west...

So how do we tie and why?

Once you’ve got the halter on the horse, you now need to tie him up to something.

• Don’t pick a tree... pick your trailer, tie rail, or highline.

• This is where the lead rope comes in. Lead ropes are usually about five feet long and 3/4-

• •

• •

inch in diametre. We use a rope halter with no snap as they can break. We prefer rope halters because they are strong, and can be used to ride with as well.

To tie up a horse, the other end is tied in a quick release knot.

We double wrap the rope around the tie rail so we can get it undone if the horse was to pull and it won’t tighten up the knot because of the extra wrap.

We then tie our quick release knot.

Now here is where we are different. You know how we are taught to put the end tail

through the loop? NOT in the bush or anywhere in my opinion because if this gets tight you have to either cut the rope or be there for hours trying to get it undone. How do I know?

Been there, done that.

• Instead we take a half hitch and go over our loop and it is easily undone when needed and it also doesn’t let any ‘mouthy’ horses to untie themselves.

The advantage of the quick release knot is it can be undone quickly with one hand. We use this and the bowline every day.

See you next time and may your trails be clear, your pack string safe and your camp just around the corner.

Terri outfits with her husband Chuck McKinney & 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, offer trail rides and pack trips. They put on over 1500 miles a season and hold Canada’s ONLY Working Mountain Horse Competition & Select Sale each fall.

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H ORSE, HEALTH & HOME Hoof care

Is it time to go barefoot?

Auburn University College offers professional insights HANDS-ON HORSEKEEPING Horse care advice

Courtesy of TheHorse.com

H

orsemen around the world continue to debate whether horses should wear shoes or be barefoot. “This controversy has been going on for years and is not likely to be resolved any time in the near future,” said Debra Taylor, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVIM, of the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Nonetheless, she noted, more people seem to be jumping on the barefoot bandwagon. She discussed this trend during a presentation at the 2013 Western Veterinary Conference.

Taylor reminded attendees that any management or treatment plan can be implemented correctly or incorrectly — thus, either doing good or causing harm. The barefoot concept is no different. She said that while some barefoot proponents aren’t overly well-informed, many are well-educated in the ‘art’ which they believe can help enhance soundness and increase functionality.

During her presentation and in the associated notes, Taylor outlined several common questions about the barefoot concept and shared her thoughts on each.

Does “barefoot” really mean bare foot?

It can, but not always. Taylor said that while the long-term goal is to develop the horse’s feet so they can

function properly without protection, the horse will need help — most commonly in the form of hoof boots — while getting to that point.

And even after a horse has successfully transitioned to being barefoot, Taylor said, he will likely need protection when working on unfamiliar surfaces.

The Heel’s Role According to Taylor, one part of a horse’s hoof appears to play a significant role in the transition from shod to barefoot: the heel.

She explained that heel problems are readily recognized in equine hoof care, and terms to describe these issues include underrun, low, crushed, sheared, and/or contracted. Yet, hoof care professionals have established few physical exam parametres for this hoof region.

In transitioning horses from shod to barefoot, she said, she’s observed that as the heel’s structure improves and adapts to the stimuli from the ground, other hoof characteristics — such as solar thickness and solar concavity, both of which increase the coffin bone’s distance above the ground — appear to follow suit and fall into place.

“If the back half isn’t right, you’ll never get the front part right,” she said. “Maybe the old adage, ‘no hoof, no horse,’ should become, ‘no heel, no hoof, no horse?’”

Taylor compared making the change to barefoot to making a change in protection from metal horse shoes to something more flexible, which replaces “the rigid interface between the hoof and the

ground with a flexible interface.”

Hypothetically, she said, this allows a more natural interaction between the hoof and the ground.

“If barefoot horses are lame due to lack of protection, the concept isn’t being applied correctly,” she said.

Why is the barefoot concept so popular?

Taylor said there are a wide variety of reasons people promote the barefoot concept, but she discussed one theory in detail.

“Hoof care professionals who are experienced and well-versed in the theory and implication of this concept hypothesize that the hoof is a smart tissue,” she said, which can adapt in response to stimuli. Their goal, when helping a horse transition from shod to barefoot, is to place the hoof in a situation where it can receive stimuli that affects structural adaptation towards a fully functional state of health, Taylor said.

What are the benefits of barefoot?

Taylor said that, when cared for by an experienced barefoot hoof care professional, a horse’s hooves are likely to change significantly.

She said owners might notice hoof dimension changes including increased sole depth, increased hoof concavity, diminished hoof wall flaring, increased frog mass, wider heels, deeper digital cushions, and increased coronary band circumference. Functional changes owners might notice include reduced or eliminated foot pain, a longer stride, and decreased reli-

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Transitioning to barefoot should have a well thought-out plan supervised by a barefoot hoof care professional.

ance on boots or shoes for soundness, Taylor said.

Taylor cited one recent study by Hilary Clayton, BVMS, PhD, Dipl.

ACVSMR, MRCVS, and colleagues at Michigan State University, evaluating the effects of barefoot trimming on seven Arabian horses.

She said the team found that the trim resulted in a palmar/plantar heel migration (meaning the heels shifted further back underneath the limb), decreased breakover, increased heel angle, and increased coffin bone/sole angle — all factors that contribute to healthier hooves.

Taylor said additional research is needed to evaluate the barefoot concept as a potential method by which to rehabilitate horses with weak or diseased feet, as the improved heel structure that often accompanies a barefoot lifestyle could prove beneficial.

Are the benefits worth the time?

It depends, she said. Taylor said if a rider is satisfied with his or her horse’s performance level and soundness, making the change from shod to barefoot probably will not seem worth the time and effort involved. However, if a horse has hoof problems or struggles with foot lameness issues, making the switch could be well worth the hassle, she said.

Successfully switching a horse from being shod to going barefoot can’t be accomplished overnight. It requires both an adjustment period and hoof protection in the form of hoof boots. And as Taylor pointed out, “hoof boots can be a royal pain in the rear end.”

Additionally, she said, horses can become reliant on hoof boots, which could defeat the purpose of an owner’s goal in moving to barefoot. To avoid this reliance, Taylor suggested creating a deep gravel area (using round stones only) in the animal’s pasture. Often, she said, foot-sore horses (and most horses reliant on boots are foot sore, Taylor noted) will choose to stand in the gravel over other surfaces.

There’s no cut and dry answer as to whether switching to barefoot is worth the time and effort it requires, she added.

“At present time, there is very little science to support the hypothesis of the barefoot hoof care professionals,” Taylor said. “There is an enormous amount of scientific investigation that needs to be done to test the hypothesis that the equine foot

can undergo structural change in response to mechanical usage.”

Can any horse go barefoot?

“Any horse can be transitioned from metal protection (i.e., horse shoes) to flexible protection,” Taylor said.

“The question is can the horse then be transitioned to actually being barefoot.”

Taylor said the answer depends on the hoof’s current pathology, the treating hoof care provider and veterinary team’ experience level, the owner’s commitment level, and the daily interactions between the horse and his caretaker. Each horse is an individual with different circumstances, so his hoof care regimen and plan should be individualize to meet his needs.

Making the Change When an owner decides to transition his or her horse from being shod to going barefoot, Taylor said, there appear to be three key elements to remember. First, she said, remove hoof protection layers gradually. Avoid taking everything away at once; however, don’t be afraid to remove aspects if they’re interfering with the horse’s hoof/ground interaction.

Next, she said, keep the horse in an exercise regimen that “maximizes the number of steps per day with the minimum amount of flexible hoof protection to allow a comfortable flat or heel-first hoof impact.” Barefoot proponents theorize that repeated cycles of flat or heel-first impacts during exercise is a necessary stimulus to elicit structural modeling to a stronger more functional hoof, Taylor explained.

And finally, provide the horse with a well-balanced diet, she said. “A diet balanced to meet the energy, protein, vitamin, and mineral requirements of the individual horse is a vital part of overall horse health and is an essential component of any hoof rehabilitation effort,” she said. “It is impossible to generate healthy hooves (epidermal structures) on a nutrient-imbalanced animal.”

Take-Home Message While the barefoot theory remains controversial for some, others have found success in removing metal protection and replacing it with that of a more flexible nature.

Taylor stressed the importance of employing an experienced barefoot hoof care professional if making the change from shod to shoeless.

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HORSE, HEALTH & HOME STRESS FACTORS

Happy horse = healthy horse Horses show many of the same signs of stress as humans HORSE HEALTH Expert advice

R

elaxation in horses is powerful medicine. It does not come in a pill, vial, by needle injection or even by an elixir yet it is an essential property of health and well-being. Conversely tension and stress within the body creates lack of ease or “dis-ease,” eventually being expressed as behavioural and/or physical changes.

A horse whom is apprehensive will vocalize, stare blankly, disassociate, elevate its head above the withers, be reluctant to stand still, tense its jaw, clamp its tail, and hold its breath.

tant as a caretaker to observe and recognize the physical and behavioural responses from horses. This allows a better understanding of the attitudes that lie beneath the symptoms and thus an entry point to affect those attitudes.

Recognizing and/or reading a horse’s body language provides valuable insight into what troubles or what benefits a horse. Simply observing a horse during everyday handling is a good indicator of his emotional state. Ear position, wrinkles on the muzzle and/or around the eye, expressions of the eye, tone of the tail are only a few of the end-

Stress adversely impacts the digestive, immune, reproductive, and cardiovascular systems of horses as well as their mental functioning and ability to learn or perform. Cribbing, weaving, pawing, diarrhea, colic, and ulcers are but a few expressions of stress in horses.

Recognizing those elements that stress your horse are equally important as knowing those elements which relax and bring comfort to your horse. What may appear stressful to one horse may be insignificant to another.

There is great variability in this matter amongst horses. Feedstuffs, surrounding environment, companions, lifestyles, routines, and handlers influence individual horses differently.

Stress is an inevitable part of life, even a horse’s life. It becomes impor-

less nuances that bring valuable information about the emotional weather of a horse.

A horse whom is apprehensive will vocalize, stare blankly, disassociate, elevate its head above the withers, be reluctant to stand still, tense its jaw, clamp its tail, and hold its breath.

Breath-holding is very common in horses. One can get an impression a horse is holding its breath by watching the rise and fall of the belly along the rib cage. A horse’s emotional state will relax once again when breathing is restored.

Licking, chewing and yawning are ways horses release, especially that

tension carried in their temporomandibular joint/TMJ , and move towards a feeling of ease. Lowering the head, softening of the eyes, relaxation of the jaw, snorting, passing gas, shaking of the head and neck, and even shaking of the entire body are also ways the horse is communicating that he is unwinding.

Learning the body language of horses takes time and practice.

Observing your horse’s postures and expressions and how they change as the world around them changes offers valuable clues as to what brings them closer or further

away from health. This is one of the most rewarding skills that any horse owner can develop.

Carol Shwetz has been a veterinary practitioner for 26 years. Her country practice near Westlock, Alberta focuses upon a horse’s overall well-being, bringing years of experience and study to educate owners on the care of their horses. Studies beyond veterinary schooling have included dentistry, nutrition, hoof care, alternative therapies, and of course her favourite study, horsemanship. Information has become her “medicine” of choice giving owners a strong foundation for sound decision-making.

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HORSES ALL • AUGUST 2013

H ORSE, HEALTH & HOME Training

Kade Mills: loose rein guide Letting your horse make the mistake is key to this exercise GET A GRIP Ask the trainers

By Kade Mills Innisfail, Alta.

W august 10-13

Location: EastEnd, sK cLassEs avaiLabLE: cs, H1, RR HigHcountRy.qH@sasKtEL.nEt 306.295.3844

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Location: KELoWna, bc cLassEs avaiLabLE: cs, FH, H1 inFo@WoodLandstabLEs.ca 250.491.8314

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800-349-7078 www.petercampbellhorsemanship.com

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e are all trying to get our horses to that finished level. I find the easiest horses to ride are the ones that guides on a loose rein or stay between the reins without contact.

To me, a finished horse is one that does not lean on any type of pressure. If they do not lean on the rein or the leg, we will have a horse with a soft face and one that moves freely and willingly.

There is also another type of lean — leaning while guiding in the arena.

To discover where a horse is leaning, we must turn them completely loose from our hands and see if they will stay between the reins. I find one of the hardest things to accomplish is riding on a loose rein.

I teach this to a horse before I ever start collection or riding with contact. If they can stay between the reins on a loose rein, it will be much easier to begin to ride with contact.

Before I begin to teach any guide, I ensure I am able to move my horse’s shoulders and hips willingly, and with a soft face.

I use an exercise called ‘stay on the rail’ from the Training Thru Trust DVD set. We start this exercise with our horse on the rail and our hands pointing forward in the direction we want to go and with no contact.

If our horse comes off the rail, he will be coming out from under our reins as well and this will be our cue to roll him back into the rail slowly.

In the beginning this will be done with just the direct rein or rail side rein. We don’t want to force the roll back, just wait for your horse to complete the roll back or direction change on the rail and time our release when he is headed down the rail in the other direction.

It’s very important we don’t ‘babysit’ our horses through this exercise. By that I mean we can’t give them any kind of help with the rein to encourage him to stay on the rail. We want to 100 per cent let him make the mistake so when it’s fixed, its 100 per cent fixed.

If you have a rushy horse that will not hold a gate on a loose rein, you will want to address this before getting into guide. To address that, you can use the same idea except you will be rolling back for him rushing off or breaking gate until we establish some speed control. Riding with constant contact or holding our horses is a very natural response when a horse always breaks gate or gets rushy. I consider that the equivalent to riding the breaks in your car... it will be fine for a while but sooner or later we will run out of brakes.

If you are nervous to ride with a loose rein, I suggest you start this exercise at a walk to keep everything slow, and show your horse what you want in a controlled setting.

It’s not uncommon when starting this with a new horse to have to roll

Kade Mills shows how to pull up and out through the roll back to engage the shoulders.

Kade’s horse is coming out from between his hands so this will initiate the roll back.

Kade now has his horse pointing straight down the rail with both hands on a loose rein.

back and then immediately roll back again, and keep that pattern until we see a change in our horse.

At the same time, we also want to make sure we are giving them a chance to make a mistake before we start fixing them. To get a horse to stay in a desired gate or stay between our reins on a loose rein, we must first give them a chance so we can fix or reward them.

A good thing to remember is, if at any time we find our horse stiff in the face or leaning on the rein, we should abort mission and fix that before moving on. I find if we don’t address this issue, it begins to snowball and get worse.

If we start to feel our horse getting heavy, we can start a roll back and continue moving his shoulders, pulling out and up until we can get him moving willingly and with a soft face.

We can use a light but building outside leg pressure in this exercise to help encourage our horse to soften. Once we feel him willing and soft again, we can move right back on to the rail and continue on with where we left off.

This is one of my favourite things to teach my horses because I find the more freedom we can give a horse from the rein, the happier they are.

Enabling our horses to do their job and accept responsibility for their movement is what creates the enjoyable and successful ‘finished horse.’

Kade Mills is a two-time Mane Event Trainer’s Challenge Champion. He trains and instructs out of Innisfail, Alta. using the Training Thru Trust program developed by his father, Doug Mills.

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HORSES ALL • AUGUST 2013

37

HAPPENINGS Events and News of Note TRAIL RIDING

NORTH to

ALASKA

Riding the Chugach National Forest EQUITREKKING Travelling the globe

By Darley Newman Bethseda, Maryland

I

f you want to really get into nature and ride away from it all, Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula is a good choice. Glacially carved snow-capped mountains dwarf turquoise coloured lakes, and you’re more likely to spot bears and bald eagles than people.

On a Paint horse mix in her teens named Harley, I took to the trails in the Copper Landing area on the Kenai Peninsula. We rode off from the stables down to glacier-fed Kenai Lake, so that our horses could get a drink.

Looking around at the snowcapped mountains that rose up on the other side of the milky turquoise waters, I could see the jagged edges of rock, evidence that a glacier had carved this area.

The scenery in this part of Alaska is truly dramatic and beautiful, and a great way to discover it and visit places most tourists don’t trek is on horseback.

We rode up mountain trails into the Chugach National Forest, the second largest national forest in the United States. We were trekking along the Russian Gap Trail, a route that gold seekers from Russia traversed during the 1850s.

By 1896, the Kenai Peninsula was a hot spot for gold seekers, many from the American West and Canada. The men from the Towle Stetson Mining Company sailed a ship from California, bringing horses, mining equipment and supplies with them. Their destination was Cooper Creek, but getting there was no small feat.

Today, people still prospect in the area, but fishing is the main attraction and the outstanding views.

Riding through the forest, we climbed up uneven terrain, getting further and further away from civilization. My guide Michelle reminded me that my horse Harley didn’t like to get her feet wet as we side stepped a puddle and my head was nearly taken off by a branch.

As we climbed higher up and further into the dense forest, we stopped several times to give our

horses a break. I thought about the gold seekers exploring these parts, where winter food would have been scare and weather conditions harsh, to say the least.

Still today, the evidence of this is on tall thin trees where chunks of bark are missing. Michelle told me that in the winter when food is scarce, moose sometimes eat the bark off the trees.

With millions of acres, the Chugach occupies a land area the size of New Jersey. While we were trail riding in an area of temperate rain forest, with soft foliage and wildflowers beneath our hooves, much of the Chugach is covered in rock and ice — not great for horseback riding.

If you ride here in the summer, almost 24 hours of sunlight allow for long days in the saddle.

Stopping to rest on a high peak deeper into the forest, we faced a grand vista below us, opening to a canopy of deep green forest and dramatic mountains. I was once again reminded of why I enjoy exploring on horseback — to get to pristine areas of the U.S. and world.

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HORSES ALL • AUGUST 2013

H APPENINGS Cowboy poetry

Reflections from the Emerald Isle Doris Daley visits her poetic roots in Ireland as part of a Denise Calderwood documentary GOING DOWN THE TRAIL Places and events of interest

By Doris Daley Turner Valley, Alta.

I

n her current documentary, Alberta film-maker Denise Calder wood explores the question, “What is in you to do... and how did it get there?”

For example, if no one in your recent family history has any particular inclination for rhyme and metre, but you find yourself making a living as a cowboy poet, where does that impulse come from? Could it be part of your DNA? Following my career as an Alberta western poet, Calderwood recently took me and a small film crew to Ireland, where the O’Daleighs were traditional bards to the chieftans.

It was an amazing trip and journey, and I wanted to share my top ten reasons to go to Ireland to experience their rich poetry history: 1. Poetry is celebrated and thrives throughout the fabric of Irish life. At my very first pub job (where traditional singers, poets and musicians have been meeting every Thursday night for 40 years), the proprietor assured me, “You got the gift of words from your Irish ancestors.”

2. Poetry venues are as plentiful as shamrocks and varied

The historic town of Trim, in County Meath, has a poetry tradition going back several centuries. Doris Daley’s ancestors may very well have spouted poetry on the shores of the River Boyne. Photos: Martin Molyneux

as songbirds. I performed at a writers circle (where poets ranged in age from nine to 90), at several pubs, Ashford Castle, a genealogy event, and at the iconic Haymakers Festival in County Meath.

Even if poetry isn’t your thing, go to the Festival to see the craft exhibits, the farmer with the trained turkey, and the donkey races.

3. Writers who appreciate rural life will find their tribe in Ireland. Farming, cattle and horse people are the same the world over. Substitute hedgerow for barb wire, sheep for cattle, the hills of Connemara for the hills of the eastern slopes, and the sentiment is the same. One woman in County Meath, during the booming Celtic

Tiger years, gently suggested to her husband, “You know, Patrick, if we sold just one small plot of land now, the profit would set us up for life.” “For sure, Mary,” he replied, “I suppose that’s true. But I couldn’t bring myself to sell one blade of grass.”

4. Enjoy the hospitality and the unfrazzled pace. A Spaniard asked an Irishman if he knew the word manana, and if there was an equivalent in Irish. “Yes,” replied the Irishman, “but nothing that conveys that same sense of urgency.”

5. If there is an Irish family name anywhere on your family tree, especially dating back to the famine years (1845-50) or the hard, hungry decades immediately following, go and pay homage to ancestors who survived the famine, the crossing, the quarantines and the hard start in a new world. My own cousins meet for a family gathering this August; I am going to make every one of them get down on their knees till they bleed out of respect for what our great grandfather, Jim Daly, must have endured.

6. Poetry, misery, happiness, drink, despair, loneliness, homesickness, good times — somehow they are all wrapped up together. A poet

must always be researching the next poem, and I’m happy to report the Guinness research went well.

7. A film is a visual expression of a story. Ireland looks just like the pictures: Green meadows, rolling hills, charming villages, happy cows, contented sheep, ancient graveyards, colourful pubs. Charm heaped upon history heaped upon 40 shades of green.

8. As delightful as the ‘work’ was, we did go with a purpose and so we met colleagues (now friends) who love the English language.

The welcome mat is out, and as one writer said in Navan, “Doris, you aren’t far from home. You are home.”

9. Like cowboy poetry, Irish poetry is both historical (the classic writers) and contemporary (modern commentary.) At the Haymakers Festival, a wonderful poet (also named Daly) recited a hilarious poem about Father Brown, Mrs. White, Farmer Black, etc. etc. (I wish I wrote it.) Later, at a banquet at the local hotel, I was thrilled to recite Lake Isle of Inisfree by W.B. Yeats as a duet with my dinner partner, a local historian and poet.

10. And lastly, bet on the donkey races (re-read No. 2) I won five Euros on Donkey No. 4 in the last heat.

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Historian Noel French explains that the O’Daleighs were the traditional bards in chieftain times. Legend has it that Carol O’Daleigh drank milk from an enchanted cow, was overcome by the muse, and The Daleighs/Dalys/Daleys have been poets ever since.

HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • AUGUST 2013

HAPPENINGS FUNDRAISING TRA I L R I D E

Ride Strong

The Jeff Varney Memorial Poker Rally will go September 13 at Rolyn Hills Guest Ranch east of Red Deer, Alta.

Jeff Varney Memorial Poker Rally

GOING DOWN THE TRAIL Places and events of interest

By Heather Grovet Galahad, Alta.

T

he second annual Ride Strong; Jeff Varney Memorial Poker Rally goes September 14 at Rolyn Hills Guest Ranch located east of Red Deer.

Sarah Fritzel, ride coordinator, explains that the ride is a fundraiser for the Brain Tumor Foundation of Canada in memory of her father, Jeff Varney.

“My dad had been a big, strong man, a cowboy, but he died at age 54 from a malignant brain tumour,” Fritzel says. “People say they’re ‘touched’ by cancer, but I can tell you, this was more like a slap in the face! Our family finally decided we wanted to do something positive in Dad’s memory instead of just sitting around and crying.”

The ride will last four to five hours, and crosses rolling hills and pleasant treed areas.

“This is a poker rally,” Fritzel says. “People will register at noon, and then ride off whenever they’re ready, traveling as couples or small groups. The trails will

be well flagged and we’ll provide maps. Each rider receives a poker card when they register and others at each of the three check points on the trail. When they return to the ranch they get their final card. For their $40 registration fee they get one poker hand, a BBQ supper and the chance to win some amazing prizes.”

Prizes include an equine photography package, jewelry from Jones Boys, a $500 Greenhawk gift card, a signed photo by Amber Marshall from Heartland, horse blanket, and a custom leather halter with Ride Strong’s logo.

“We’ll have prizes for the best and worst hands, and the most

“People say they’re ‘touched’ by cancer, but I can tell you, this was more like a slap in the face!”  SARAH FRITZEL

junior and senior riders,” Fritzel says. “In 2012 our youngest rider was my four-year-old nephew.”

Last year Fritzel did the ride on her Paint gelding, Wrangler.

“We rode at Red Deer’s Heritage Ranch, but we had to be careful with all the bikers and skateboarders,” Fritzel says. “This year we’ll avoid those issues by riding at the Rolyn Hills Guest Ranch.”

Fritzel notes that equestrians without their own mount should contact her as she can give them information on renting a horse for the rally.

“I’m expecting a baby in January, so I won’t be riding,” Fritzel says. “But both my sisters will be out there on the trails. My mom and I will be working on the grounds, and helping with the BBQ. The BBQ’s food is being donated by my husband’s company, Truemark Energy Services, so our expenses are very minimal.”

“My heart goes out to people who are faced with this devastating illness,” Fritzel says. “There are way too many of us. Together we can get one step closer to finding a cure.”

For more information contact Sarah Fritzel at 403-347-4711 or ridestrong@yahoo.ca.

CPRA Unofficial Rodeo Standings UP TO AND INCLUDING AIRDRIE, PONOKA AND WILLIAMS LAKE - UPDATED JULY 5, 2013 SADDLE BRONC 1 CORRINGTON TYLER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19,753.82 2 JOHNSON CHET . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17,945.85 3 SCHEER CORT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17,112.51 4 GEIGER RYLAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14,101.84 5 LARSEN TYREL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12,845.31 6 KELTS SAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12,128.63 7 CRAWLEY JACOBS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,990.38 8 FLUNDRA DUSTIN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,291.08 9 MUNCY TAOS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,172.37 10 BERRY JIM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,718.89

TR HEELER 1 ROBERTSON JOHN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13,173.48 2 PETSKA CORY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,391.29 3 RICHARD RHEN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,067.78 4 MCCARROLL BRETT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,627.95 5 FAWCETT MATT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,181.89 6 FLEWELLING TYREL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,215.03 7 LUCAS KYLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,713.74 8 ROY KASPER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,449.34 9 WILSON RILEY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,302.56 10 SIMPSON CHASE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,195.61

BAREBACK 1 VOLD JAKE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25,172.03 2 BOWERS KYLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18,113.00 3 CANNON CLINT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,506.59 4 ADAMS COLIN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,138.09 5 LAVALLEY DUSTY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,119.99 6 LAYE CLINT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,632.20 7 LAIT MATT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,988.52 8 SMITH JARED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,620.81 9 PEEBLES STEVEN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,472.16 10 BENNETT CALEB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,840.26

TR HEADER 1 SIMPSON LEVI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13,173.52 2 ROGERS ERICH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,391.26 3 SHEFFIELD JESSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,067.76 4 BUHLER CLINT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,995.95 5 MCCARROLL JUSTIN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,359.43 6 BEVANS COLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,713.74 7 DEPAOLI STEELE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,449.34 8 LOUIS JACKSON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,302.53 9 DAVIES BRAIDY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,195.59 10 BESSETTE SHAWN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,057.01

BULL RIDING 1 GIRLETZ TANNER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17,975.78 2 BROOKS BEAU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16,586.76 3 BESPLUG CHAD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16,379.36 4 THOMSON TYLER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14,162.44 5 PANKEWITZ TYLER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12,782.78 6 BOWEN DUSTIN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12,032.67 7 MEZEI DEVON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,516.09 8 GREEN GARRETT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,653.12 9 TURNER STEVEN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,642.36 10 PATTEN TY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,963.94

ALL-AROUND 1 MARSHALL KY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,899.74

TIE-DOWN ROPING 1 MOORE TIMBER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20,358.79 2 BALDWIN NATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13,035.30 3 GRANT MORGAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,576.97 4 BIRD LOGAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,457.71 5 DURFEY TYSON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,665.35 6 SCHAFFER JASON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,946.91 7 RICHARD RHEN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,750.02 8 VEST STETSON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,671.74 9 CARLISLE RANDALL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,393.53 10 EDGE DEAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,391.88

NOVICE BAREBACK 1 STEMO JACOB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,624.09 2 LAMB KODY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,547.22 3 HARVEY PHILIPPE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,831.60

STEER WRESTLING 1 CURE HUNTER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16,203.15 2 MILAN TANNER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15,452.22 3 MOORE CLAYTON. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13,412.85 4 REAY TRAVIS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,801.94 5 GRAVES LEE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,520.18 6 MILLER JUSTIN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,079.26 7 WOODWARD TODD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,702.68 8 CASSIDY CODY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,527.05 9 KNOWLES TREVOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,807.19 10 WALKER DUSTIN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,465.14 LADIES BARREL RACING 1 MAYS BRENDA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18,772.60 2 BASS KALEY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14,369.76 3 LOCKHART LISA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13,680.59 4 FLECK BRITANY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13,515.27 5 WALKER MARY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,877.01 6 MELBY JANE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,586.79 7 TAYLOR FALLON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,345.76 8 RUST LEE ANN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,313.05 9 SCHULZE KIM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,265.86 10 CERVI SHERRY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,134.94

Rather than sitting around crying, Sarah Fritzel, daughter of Jeff Varney, decided to do something to fight cancer.

HIGH POINT 1 RICHARD RHEN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16,817.80 2 GRANT MORGAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15,600.61 NOVICE SADDLE BRONC 1 WATSON JAKE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,401.72 2 DAVIS DALTON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,994.81 3 REINHART CONNOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,647.55

STEER RIDING 1 SCHMIDT KAGEN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,469.21 2 FAUCHER CONNOR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,958.01 3 HAY DAWSON. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,745.10 PERMIT 1 NOVAL KERILEE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,418.26 2 NEELY COLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,216.40 3 SMITH BLAIR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,907.27 ROOKIE 1 BOWEN DUSTIN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12,032.67 2 MILLER JUSTIN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,079.26 3 DELEMONT LAYNE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,531.97 *PLEASE NOTE THE RODEO COUNT IS UNOFFICIAL

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HAPPENINGS PHOTOGRAPHER

“Say your prayers, Pilgrim” Father Fred Monk — Priest, photographer and rodeo enthusiast

By Heather Grovet · All photos: Fred Monk Galahad, Alta.

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riest, photographer and rodeo enthusiast; meet Father Fred Monk of Bow Island, Alta., who blends all three characteristics together for use in God’s service.

“In my earlier years I worked as a parole officer, social worker and with the court systems,” Monk says.

“In fact, I didn’t become ordained as a priest until I was 39 years old. Some of the most fascinating and intelligent people I’ve ever met were behind bars. Many of them made a few bad choices that took them a direction the rest of us never travel. Under different circumstances those people could be very different.”

“My experiences with the court system slowly led me to

believe that one person can make a difference to the world around them,” Monk says. “Eventually I felt called to become a priest. Basically I went into seminary kicking and screaming. I figured God would get me kicked out, and then I could get on and celebrate life.”

But it didn’t work out that way. Monk fell in love with ministry, with 2013 being his 26th year as a priest. “Then 15 years ago I developed some health problems,” Monks says. “My doctor told me ‘If you don’t find a hobby, we’ll bury you in six months.’ Well, I sure didn’t intend to take up golf! But I did have an interest in photography, so I decided to focus on that.”

Soon Monk was travelling everywhere with his camera, even taking it to church. “My camera became an extension in my ministry,” Monk confides. “A camera can open doors, and it can help people see the blessings they have.”

“When I first came to Bow Island, a young fellow was build-

CELEBRATING

40 YEARS OF EQUINE

EXCELLENCE. Entries and consignments open September 1.

Visit farmfairinternational.com for more information. #FFI40

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HORSES ALL • AUGUST 2013

HAPPENINGS

ing a shop nearby,” Monk continues. “I took my camera to his farm, and snapped photos of the crane and trusses. When I was finished, the man’s mother said to me ‘You have no idea how much we appreciate you being here. Most people don’t care what the small people do.’ Often those who live in small communities don’t think they’re important, but I want to use my camera to celebrate their lives.”

In 2012 Monk’s images were published in a book ‘County 40 Mile; Images by Fred Monk.’ Here photographs of barns, tractors, harvest, cattle and flowers stand side by side.

“I want to show people the beauty of southern Alberta,” Monk says. “Photography allows me to express my gratitude for the area and my appreciation for the Giver who made all these things. Often these photos are parables that can reveal something of the mystery of God.” But Monk didn’t know anything about rodeo life until last year. “After Mass, one of my parishioners said ‘Are you coming to the rodeo, Father?’ To be honest, I had been thinking of my La-Z-Boy chair, but I had my camera with me so I went to the Foremost Rodeo. Immediately I was hooked on the people and the atmosphere. Rodeo is a blending of action, risk, tradition, and community spirit, and everything there happens in a split second.”

Monk’s images now feature barrel horses, bucking bulls, kids with lariats and chuckwagon teams.

“Don’t worry, I’ll never get on the back of a bull,” Monk laughs. “In fact, I haven’t even ridden a horse since I was a tenyear-old. But I love the feel of a rodeo. The competitors camp together, eat together, and socialize with each other. They cheer for each other, and are touched with each other’s problems. I find that very appealing in today’s world where many people live isolated lives.”

“Rodeo is a blending of action, risk, tradition, and community spirit, and everything there happens in a split second.”  FATHER FRED MONK

RR 8-30-14 Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 4P4

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WHERE TO SEE IT

To see more and/or purchase Father Fred’s photography, go to www.fredmonk.zenfolio.com Or email him at fmonk@shaw.ca

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ASSOCIATION NEWS Northern Lights Driving Club

Alberta Alberta Paint Horse Club Northern Lights Driving Club members enjoyed two lovely, rain-free days in June, practicing driving in preparation for the Annual Fun Driving Show that was held on July 21 at the Rich Valley Fair Grounds. Upcoming events include a Ride and Drive Day on August 18. Contact Jennifer Mills at 780963-3031 for more information.

Chinook Team Penning Association

Flagworks Open Class Winners: Burl Aycock, Marci Green, Bryan Thompson (Silver Slate Arena June 15, 2013).

On June 15 and 16, Chinook Penners showed their enthusiasm for competing in the big Silver Slate Arena with entries of over 250 teams each day! July 27 and 28 capped off the four show Series and Hi-Point Teams in the Open, #10, #7 and #5 Winners will be showing off their new buckles. Checkout www.chinookpenning.com for complete results and pictures of all the winning teams. Thorlakson’s Bullpen Arena will host the final show of the regular Chinook Season on August 24.

The Alberta Paint Horse Club had a successful Ponoka Spring Show.

The entries were high with huge yearling futurity classes and impressive amateur numbers. The club also took donations for the Old MacDonald Animal Shelter in Ponoka. The next two shows in Alberta include Drayton Valley and the Zone 10 show. The APHC will be hosting its next show in Olds, Alta. on Aug. 31-Sept.1. Congratulations goes out to the Canadian Youths that competed at the World Show in Fort Worth. They represented well and earned a World Championship, Reserve World Championship, and numerous top five and top 10 placings.

Alberta Ranch Horse Versatility Association The ARHVA is off to a great start, having hosted shows in Olds and Cochrane already this year. The next show is scheduled for August 10 in Drumheller, Alta. Pam Lapp and her horse, DFL Hickadoc complete the ground tie in the Ranch Trail. Newly planned for this year is a show on November 8, 2013 during the CFR! For more information and a complete list of shows and clinics, please visit the website www.arhva.com.

Alberta Friesian Horse Association

Stonebridge Driving Club The Wild Rose Classic Driving Trials were held July 6-7 at the Eagle Ridge Ranch. It was nice to see new competitors from BC. Results from 14 entries in Training Level were, first Leanne McLean & Chico, second Cynthia Crook – Sierra, third Elizabeth Eddington – Tango and Jay Mills – Merator. Preliminary first Cynthia Crook – Solaz, second Lynn Johnson – Cash Sirtificate (Ernie), third Susan Billings – Finnegan (BC). Intermediate first Brian Kurtz (BC) – pair Forban & Henry, second Judith Orr-Bertelsen – Masterpiece (Luke), third Barb Richard – Mon Homme. After the show were three days of lessons with ADS judge Francois Bergeron from Quebec. The days were rounded up with trail drives and camp fires.

Members of the Alberta Friesian Horse Association (AFHA) recently got together for a great day full of fun and games played on horseback. The day started with a member meeting which was followed by a delicious lunch. It was a beautiful day, so out to our host’s outdoor arena we went to play. There were a number of fun obstacles set up, including the jump pictured, being cleared by Kenton Miller and his mare, Wieke fan Olds. The day was enormously enjoyed by all who attended, including our horses! Following the games, the horses were made comfortable in the barn and we all went back to the house for a wonderful BBQ organized by our hosts Wim and Nita Floryn with the help of Kees and Annie Muilwijk. The AFHA welcomes new members, both Friesian owners and Friesian enthusiasts alike. Please visit our website at www.AFHA.ca for more information.

Annual inspection/keuring: September 20, 2013 at Bosch Farms in Red Deer.

Alberta Donkey and Mule Club Donkeys, Mules and Horses all came to compete together at the Alberta Donkey and Mule Club sponsored ‘’All Equine Show’’ in Nanton, Alberta on June 15 and 16. Over 50 riders and 60 animals showed over the two days which coverd 70 classes in driving, riding (english and western] as well as fun classes. Once again the Chore Team Competition was a hit with the spectators and a friendly rivalry between the 2012 winner, Gary Johnson of Claresholm with his team of horses and Terry Aris of Lundbreck and his team of mules resulted in the win for the mules this year.

Keith Kendrew, from Rimbey, drove Sonney, Todd’s standard donkey, and took first place in the log pull.

The log pull is a precision pattern that requires both skill of the animal and the driver. Another first placing for the longears was won by Sue Wensink-Burles aboard her mule Squidgy, in English Equitation. The longears did ok considering that the ratio of horses to mules/donkeys was about 10:1.

Saturday evening found participants, friends and family meeting for a prime rib dinner cooked by Kevin and Kelly Todd. Over 100 people attended the dinner and had very good time bidding at the silent and live auction. Auctioneer and announcer Russ Finlay and auctioneer and Judge Ryan Smith were very entertaining as they found ways to get folks to bid and

convinced buyers they just had to have certain items.

Teresa Russian went home with a wonderful donkey statue and paid — well let’s just say she paid more than you might purchase a real donkey for — but no doubt it will be easier and less expensive to care for!

Alice Todd bid on a set of spurs to find out at the end that she had only bought one spur — if she wanted the set she had to spend twice the money! The auction was all in good fun and greatly helped to recover some of the cost of the show.

August 17 & 18 is the 24th running of Tees Longears Days, at the rodeo grounds in the small hamlet of Tees, Alberta, east of Lacombe. Our full program is up on our website www.albertadonkeyandmule.com.

Tees Longears Days is the premier show for Mules and Donkeys in Canada; it showcases the skills of trained longears and also fully promotes and supports new and ‘’green’’ exhibitors. The cost is very minimal, camping, parking and admission is free. A concession will be on site and a sumptuous Beef BBQ supper is available Saturday evening. One of the highlights of the show is our Grand Entry, always followed by the Drill Team Performance, which believe it or not has only practised Friday night, but ready to perform Saturday and SunKeith Kendrew and Sonney the donkey in the Log Pulling Competition at the day. Everyone is welcome to join us for this fun, family Nanton Equine Show in June. orientated weekend.

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ASSOCIATION NEWS Farm and ranch s h ow

Horse sales spark success in Edmonton 40th Anniversary of CFR to anchor Farmfair International

By Lauren Andrews he 40th Anniversary of Farmfair International marks four decades of successfully providing the agriculture industry with a forum for sharing ideas and conducting business. This year, the returning features will be bigger and better than ever — with added purse money and a full slate of competitions, sales and displays for all levels of equine enthusiasts.

At this year’s Farmfair International, you can expect the return of popular equine events including:

ers bloodstock from across Canada for this performance horse auction.

This year’s Bloodstock sale will be limited to 30 yearlings, two-yearolds and three-year-olds.

Provided they meet the criteria, any horse that sells during last year’s and this year’s Bloodstock Sale will be eligible to compete at Farmfair International in this and subsequent years as three year olds in the Northlands Cowhorse Futurity. The four and five year olds can compete in the Northlands Barrel Racing Futurity and Northlands Team Roping Futurity for added monies.

Bloodstock Futurity & Sale Bloodstock is a premiere horse sale that brings together some of the top bloodlines in the industry and is a high calibre auction and a prime marketing opportunity for horse breeders. Northlands gath-

Ranch Horse Competition and Sale As one of the strongest and most consistent sales in Alberta since 2005, the Ranch Horse Competition and Sale will feature top working Ranch Horses from Western Canada. 2013 buyers can be con-

Northlands, Edmonton

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fident that trainers and owners are bringing the best-of-the-best ranch horses. Proven Ranch Horses four years and older compete in the Ranch Horse Competition for cash prizes, and the title of Ranch Horse Champion.

Canadian Finals Rodeo Each night after Farmfair International, we will be cranking up the action with the 40th edition of Canadian Finals Rodeo. Join us at Rexall Place as the top rodeo contestants in the country compete for bragging rights, national titles and prize money of more than $1.4 million dollars. This is more than just a rodeo — this will be the 40th anniversary of the Canadian championships!

Running at Edmonton’s Northlands from November 3-10, 2013, Farmfair International will showcase world-class sales opportunities in the program lineup.

Each year, thousands of national and international guests come together to show, buy and sell the top quality equine livestock in the country.

Enthusiasm for Farmfair International’s equine events continues to grow, building Western Canada’s reputation as a leader in breeding and training quality horses.

Last year’s event saw over 90,000 guests come through the doors at the Edmonton EXPO Centre, proving that there is no better one-stop venue for the marketing, buying and selling of equine livestock in Alberta.

Keep checking www.farmfairinternational.com for more information on this year’s show.

Sh ow jumping

Summer Series at Spruce Meadows Facility now readies itself for the ‘Masters’ in September

By Lisa Murphy Spruce Meadows, Calgary, Alta.

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he 2013 Spruce Meadows Summer Series was marked by extremes and memories — in weather, competitions, community support and sheer horse power!

Record numbers of athletes arrived at Spruce Meadows for all or part of the Summer Series and the grounds hummed with activity, action and competition for more than six weeks.

Kent Farrington (U.S.) and Uceko had a super start to the Series with a win in the CN Reliability at the National for a second year in a row. Add to that their win in the CN Performance, and with it a bonus of $50,000 — and all eyes were on the ATCO Power Queen Elizabeth II Cup where a win there would garner

Farrington and Dutch Warmblood gelding, Uceko, a silver CN spike and an additional $450,000!

The tension was high on Saturday morning and Farrington had a long wait, having drawn 34 out of 35 in the order. Four faults were good enough to bring the pair back for round two but unfortunately a clear round there was only good enough to place him fourth overall. Last in for the first round, Reed Kessler and the Belgian warmblood mare Cylana, posted a double clear to take the champion’s cooler and $66,000 winner’s purse.

On the final day of the ‘North American,’ nearly 40,000 fans delighted in the lone international win for Canada at the tournament, when Canadian Team veteran Jonathan Asselin of Priddis, Alberta posted a memorable round with Show Girl to win the Cenovus Energy Derby.

The CN North American Championship is awarded to a rider who is most consistent in the 1.60 m division. This year the Championship was awarded to reigning Rolex World Cup Champion Beezie Madden (U.S.). For the win, Madden received one year’s supply of fuel, compliments of ESSO/ IMPERIAL OIL, and $15,000 first place championship prize money.

Many Calgary and MD of Foothills and area residents were affected by the disastrous flooding in June. The Team at Spruce Meadows wanted to do what it could to help. Equipment was loaned to the MD of Foothills Fire Service to enable them to be as effective as possible in their disaster services. Space was offered to relocate horses affected by flooding and RV space was also offered.

Spruce Meadows staff and volunteers assisted in residential flood

Laureen Harper (middle), wife of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, was on hand to catch the winning ride by Calgarian and Olympian Jonathan Asselin in the derby held during the Spruce Meadows North American tournament in July. Laureen grew up just down the road from Spruce Meadows, in the rural town of Turner Valley. Here, she chats with Asselin’s wife Nancy Southern (left), and Spruce Meadows co-founder Marg Southern (right). photo: Wendy Dudley

recovery in High River and Calgary. Those efforts are ongoing.

In an effort to give those affected by the flood an opportunity to get away from the stress and hard realities of the effects of the flood, Spruce Meadows waived admission to the grounds for the North American tournament and offered complimentary food and family activities on Friday with Family Fun Night and on

Saturday and Sunday with a complimentary brunch to the first 3,000 guests.

Thoughts and prayers continue go out to members of the Spruce Meadows family of staff, volunteers and area residents impacted by this disaster.

At the same time, the team is hard at work preparing to welcome the world this September to the Spruce Meadows ‘Masters.’

Wild Rose Welsh and Open Pony Show

Kobur Fire Dragon is 2005 Welsh Section B Stallion.

(Quorn Iron Thunder x Toohorse Cowboy Cadence by Toohorse Cowboy Edition)

Despite the flood warnings in Red Deer — and the devastation in surrounding areas — the Wild Rose Welsh & Open Pony Show #1 took place on June 22-23, 2013 at the Westerner Park show grounds.

The grounds were dry, and except for a couple short showers, the weather was beautiful. We saw lots of familiar faces as well as some new ones.

Some beautiful ponies and cobs attended, and many of the classes (especially the Sport Pony, Model Hunter Pony, and the ridden) were well filled. Our judges, Roy Wilmin and Archie Hurst took good care of our competitors, and were often heard offering advice and tips.

The Wild Rose Welsh & Open Pony Show #2 takes place August 9-11,

2013 at the Westerner Park grounds in Red Deer, Alta. We offer many halter and performance classes for which ponies of all breeds are eligible to compete.

The third show of the year, the Western Canadian Classic Horse Show will be held at the Ponoka Ag Events Centre from August 16-18, 2013. It has breed classes for only Morgans, Saddlebreds, and Arabians, but Welsh will be included in both the in-hand and performance divisions.

Please visit our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/WildRoseShow) for more information about us, as well as for prize lists, show results, and entry forms.

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calendar of events Send your announcement by email to: Itkdbell@yahoo.ca and we'll include your event or announcement here free.

CLINICS & SEMINARS

AUGUST 3-4 Whitecourt, Alta.

Horsemanship Clinic with certified Chris Irwin trainers Birgit Stutz & Kathryn Kincannon at Riversong Ranch. For details, call: 1-877-394-6773, email: info@ chrisirwin.com or visit: www. equiana.com 3-4 Battleford, Sask.

DJ Cairns Dessage Clinic. For details, visit: www.hiddenmeadowsranch.com 3-9 Northern B.C. Rocky Mountains Natural Horsemanship with Glenn Stewart. High & Wild Wilderness Adventure. For details, contact The Horse Ranch: 1-877-728-8987, email: Dixie@ thehorseranch.com or visit: www. thehorseranch.com 10-11 Dunster, B.C. Horsemanship Clinic with certified Chris Irwin trainer Birgit Stutz at Living Star Ranch. For details, contact Birgit: 250968-6801, email: fallingstar@ valemount.com or visit: www. fallingstarranch.ca 10-13 Eastend, Sask.

Peter Campbell Horsemanship Clinic. For details, call: 306-2953844 or email: highcountry.qh@ sasktel.net 10-16 Calgary, Alta.

Equine Massage Therapy Certification Course. For details, contact Sidonia McIntyre: www.equinerehab.ca 16-19 Olds, Alta.

Peter Campbell Horsemanship Clinic at Eagle Hill Equine Arena.

For details, call: 403-996-3105 or email: kimbaerg@hotmail.com

17-23 Edmonton, Alta.

Equine Massage Therapy Certification Course. For details, contact Sidonia McIntyre: www.equinerehab.ca 23-26 Jansen,Sask.

Peter Campbell Horsemanship Clinic. For details, call: 306-3644735 or email: aorchard@live.ca 24-27 Edmonton, Alta.

Vertebral Realignment Course – No Mallet Method. For details, contact Sidonia McIntyre: www. equinerehab.ca 29-September 4 Langley, B.C. Equine Massage Therapy Certification Course. For details, contact Sidonia McIntyre: www.equinerehab.ca 30-September 2 Winnipeg, Man. Peter Campbell Horsemanship Clinic. For details, call: 204222-6295 or email: gailcornock@ yahoo.ca

EQUINE EVENTS

AUGUST 18 Northern Lights Driving Club Ride & Fun Day. For details, contact Jennifer Mills: 780-963-3031 24-25 Calgary, Alta.

4-H Rodeo. For details, visit: www.stampedeagriculture.com

SALES

AUGUST 24-26 Billings, MT August Catalog Sale, featuring Barrel Horses and the Annual Montana Miniature and Pony sale. For details, visit: www.billingslivestock.com

SHOWS & COMPETITIONS

AUGUST 5 Battleford, Sask.

HMR Dressage Show. EC Bronze, SHF Heritage Classic and Prairie Cup Classes. For details, visit: www.hiddenmeadowsranch.com 6-8 Ponoka, Alta.

2013 VaultCanada National Championships and AEVA/SEVA Provincial Championships at the Calnash Ag-Event Centre. For details, contact Melanie: 403-5596877 or email: mgmatt@airenet. com 7-11 Calgary, Alta.

Rocky Mountain Classic I. For details, visit: www.rmshowjumping.com 14-18 Calgary, Alta.

Rocky Mountain Classic II. For details, visit: www.rmshowjumping.com 17-18 Tees, Alta.

Tees Longears Day. Longest running Donkey & Mule show in Canada. For details, contact Russ Shandro: 780-632-7510 21-25 Calgary, Alta.

Rocky Mountain Classic III. For details, visit: www.rmshowjumping.com 24 Moose Mountain Provincial Park, Sask.

Moose Mountain Rendezvous Endurance Ride. For details, contact Diane Trundle: 306-771-4566 or email: altair.arabians@gmail.com 24-25 Battleford, Sask.

HMR Summer Classic Hunter/ Jumper Show. EC Bronze, SHF Heritage Classic and Prairie Cup Classes. For details, visit: www. hiddenmeadowsranch.com 29-September 1 Calgary, Alta.

RMSJ/CADA Dressage Final. For details, visit: www.rmshowjumping.com

CHARIOTS & CHUCKWAGONS

AUGUST

WESTERN PERFORMANCE

AUGUST

1-4 Dewberry, Alta.

Canadian Professional Chuckwagons. For details, visit: www. cpcaracing.com

3 Shaunavon, Sask.

Shaunavon Ranch Rodeo at the Ron Winquist Arena. For details, contact Curtis Jacob: 306-297-7367

2-5 Strathmore, Alta.

World Professional Chuckwagons at the Strathmore Heritage Days Stampede. For details, visit: www. halfmileofhell.com

3-4 Vernon, B.C. O’Keefe Ranch Rodeo at the O’Keefe Ranch. For details, visit: www.okeeferanch.ca

7-11 Dawson Creek, B.C. World Professional Chuckwagons Battle of the North at Dawson Creek. For details, visit: www. halfmileofhell.com 9-11 Turtleford, Sask.

Canadian Professional Chuckwagons. For details, visit: www. cpcaracing.com 14-18 Rocky Mountain House, Alta.

World Professional Chuckwagons Battle of the Rockies at Rocky Mountain House. For details, visit: www.halfmileofhell.com 14-18 Lloydminister, Sask.

Canadian Professional Chuckwagons Pro Tour Finals. For details, visit: www.cpcaracing.com 29-September 1 Bashaw, Alta.

World Professional Chuckwagons Qualification Run Off. For details, visit: www.halfmileofhell.com

TRAIL RIDES

AUGUST 30-September 2 Hinton, Alta.

Brule Lake Combined Ride (TRAC &ERA). For details, contact Ken Vanderwekken: ken@stonewillowvet.ca

7-10 Claresholm, Alta.

Wild Rose Reining Classic. For details, visit: www.wildrosereiningclassic.com 9-11 Edson, Alta.

Rocky Mountain Futurity & Derby. For details, visit: www. canadianbarrelsuturities.com 10 Coombs, B.C. Island Barrel Racing. For details, visit: www.islandbarrelracing.webs.com 10 B.C. Creston Valley Horse Association Kootenay Cowboy Up Challenge.

For details, call: 250-428-1455 or 250-428-5577 10-11 Dawson Creek, B.C. Peace River Cutting Horse Association Fall Fair Show. For details, email: prchahorse@yahoo.ca 17-18 Madden, Alta.

Reining Albeta South Branch Show at Prairie Mountain Ranch. For details, visit: www.reiningalberta.net 17-18 Nanaimo, B.C. Island Barrel Racing. For details, visit: www.islandbarrelracing.webs.com 22-25 Kalispell, MT Big Sky Reining Classic. For details, contact Doug Robinson: 410-3533638 or visit: www.mtrha.com 24-25 Dawson Creek, B.C. Peace River Cutting Horse Association Show. For details, email: prchahorse@yahoo.ca 31 Norwood, B.C. Island Barrel Racing. For details, visit: www.islandbarrelracing.webs.com

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

You would never know that Janet Stephen has only been competing with the Canadian Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association for one year. She and her 13-year-old gelding, Peppy Turtle are in perfect form competing at the Ponoka Stampede. For more info on the sport, check out www.canadianmountedshooters.ca Photo: courtesy of the Ponoka News

HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • AUGUST 2013

marketplace

45

To Advertise call toll free: 1-866-385-3669 Or email: crystal@fbcpublishing.com

Your Resource for All Things Equine ANNOUNCEMENTS

AUCTION SALES

To place a classified ad call toll free:

1-866-385-3669 Or email: crystal@fbcpublishing.com

HORSE TRAILERS

Logan Broncs Rodeo Stock Sale

COUNTRY INTRODUCTIONS

Classified Rates and Information

HORSE TRAILERS

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.

Rodeo Stock Sale & Roughstock Challenge. Sundre, Alberta. August 23, 2013. Check us out on Facebook.

Phone:(403)419-9800. Email: loganbroncs@yahoo.ca

Go to www.countryintroductions.com For more info or Call Cheryl 403-348-7471 Visit us at: www.facebook.com/CountryIntroductions

See below for rates & deadlines

Advertising deAdline NOON on the Wednesday following 10th day of the month for publication.

Inspired by people and horses

www.rafterdiamondk.com | 780-449-0749

www.horsesall.com RDK Chex N Dun

EQUINE MASSAGE

EQUINE MASSAGE

 RegulaR Classified 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.

Terms: Payment due upon receipt of invoice.

10% discount for prepaid ads.

If phoning in your ad you must pay with VISA or MasterCard to qualify for discount.

Prepayment Bonus: Prepay for 3 weeks and get a bonus of 2 weeks; bonus weeks run consecutively and cannot be used separately from original ad; additions and changes accepted only during first 3 weeks.

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.)

 disPlay Classified 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).

Minimum charge $30.10 per week.

Illustrations and logos are allowed with full border.

Advertising rates are flat with no discount for frequency of insertion or volume of space used.

Terms: Payment due upon receipt of invoice.

Price quoted does not include GST. All classified ads are non-commissionable.

HELPING HORSES TO ACHIEVE OPTIMAL HEALTH & EXCELLENT ENDURANCE WITH MAGNETIC RESONANCE STIMULATION

Whata Lethal Weapon

✓ Performance enhancement ✓ Activation of metabolic processes and overall ✓ Support of healing vitality processes

✓ Prevention ✓ Improvement of

regeneration and relaxation

Red E Impression

✓ Compliments and supports other treatment modalities in a wide range of conditions

www.mediconsult.ca

Wanda Parks 780-905-9351

3 Versatile Stallions

Belinda (BJ) Lafond 780-293-3193

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

Prairie-Wide Classifieds give you great exposure!

Have your ad seen across the west or within specific provinces!

Place your classified ad online and choose your ad options and regional coverage! It’s easy, just go to www. horsesall.com and click on the classifieds button near the top of the page.

Advertising deAdline NOON on the Wednesday following 10th day of the month for publication.

CLASSIFIED CATEGORIES Visit the Horses all website to view the classified categories availble for classified ad listings.

www.horsesall.com/ classifieds

Inspired by people and horses For more information on advertising please call

1-866-385-3669

46

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HORSES ALL • AUGUST 2013

MARKETPLACE Classified Rates and Information

To Advertise call toll free: 1-866-385-3669 Or email: crystal@fbcpublishing.com

VARIOUS EQUINE SERVICES

Ortoll email: call free: crystal@fbcpublishing.com

1-866-385-3669 See below for rates & deadlines

Or email: crystal@fbcpublishing.com

Advertising deAdline NOON on the Wednesday Advertising following 10th day of the deAdline

MARKETPLACE

MARKETPLACE

First Timber

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

Classified Rates To place a classified ad and call Information toll free:

1-866-385-3669 To place a classified ad

VARIOUS EQUINE SERVICES

SELL YOUR OWN HORSES

2013 Fee: $1,250 Canadian

si 98, $46,029

Eligibilities: Alberta Stallion Stakes, CBHI and Black Gold Inquiries To: Wes & Sue Oulton (403) 556-7299 Olds, Alberta, Canada rollingoranches@gmail.com

Promote your Stallions and Sale Horses Horse Management System - Add your Horses, Videos, Photos & Pedigrees.

We teach you how...

Contact Lynda Baxter (403) 336-1313 for: • Custom Websites • SEO Marketing • Horse Management System www.chixequinedesign.com

Full brother to First Prize Timber si 102 (2010, $56,018)

Visit us to discover your next prospect

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

See below for rates & deadlines

monthonfor publication.

NOON the Wednesday following 10th day of the  RegulaR month for Classified publication.

Minimum charge: $8.25 per week for first 25 words or less and an  RegulaR Classified additional 33 cents per word for Minimum week every wordcharge: over 25.$8.25 GST isper extra. for first 25 words or less and an $1.50 billing charge is added to additional cents per word for billed ads 33 only. every word over 25. GST is extra.

Terms: Payment due upon receipt $1.50 billing charge is added to of invoice. billed ads only.

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

parks Dealer for the TR3™Rake nnovations ARenA RAscAl PRO • sOIl MOIsT #1 Ground Groomer Canada Wide

10% discount fordue prepaid ads.

Terms: Payment upon receipt Ifofphoning invoice. in your ad you must pay with or MasterCard to qualify 10%VISA discount for prepaid ads. for discount.

If phoning in your ad you must pay

sPARKs InnOVATIOns Allan & Joyce sparks • RR#2, Innisfail, AB T4G 1T7 Fax: 403-227-2421

with VISA or MasterCard to qualify Prepayment Bonus: Prepay for 3 for discount. weeks and get a bonus of 2 weeks;

bonus weeks run consecutively Prepayment Bonus: Prepay forand 3 cannot be used weeks and get aseparately bonus offrom 2 weeks; original ad; additions and changes bonus weeks run consecutively and cannot beonly usedduring separately accepted first 3from weeks. original ad; additions and changes Your complete name and address accepted only during first 3 weeks. must be submitted to our Your complete name and (This address office before publication. must be submitted to ourconfidential information will be kept office before publication. and will not appear in the (This ad unless information will be kept confidential requested.) and will not appear in the ad unless requested.)

 disPlay Classified

 Advertising copy deviating in any disPlay Classified way from the regular classified Advertising copy deviating in any style will be display and way from theconsidered regular classified charged at the display rate of $30.10 style will be considered display and per column inch ($2.15 per agate charged at the display rate of $30.10 line). per column inch ($2.15 per agate line).

Minimum charge $30.10

403•227•2241

www.sparksinnovations.ca

BAR T5 TRAILERS

Also carrying a wide selection of Rodeo gear

Hot Heals Crossfire

Advertising Advertising deAdline deAdline

NOON NOON on on the the Wednesday Wednesday following 10th day of the month for publication.

CLASSIFIED CATEGORIES Visit Visit the the Horses Horses all all website website to view the classified to view the classified categories categories availble availble for for classified ad classified ad listings. listings.

www.horsesall.com/ www.horsesall.com/ classifieds classifieds

Hot Heals Hot Heals Roping Dummy Saddle Stand $

399.00

375.00

$

CHECK OUT OUR NEW WEBSITE – DETAILS ON OVER 300 TRAILERS!!

www.bart5trailers.com

403-931-2212

Located on the Cowboy Trail 10 Miles S.W. of Calgary on Hwy #22 at 274th Ave

Steve Elyzen

per week. charge $30.10 Minimum per week. and logos are allowed Illustrations Illustrations and logos are allowed with full border. with full border.

Advertising rates are flat with no Advertising are flatofwith no discount forrates frequency insertion discount of insertion or volumefor offrequency space used. or volume of space used.

Terms: Payment due upon receipt Terms: Payment due upon receipt of invoice. of invoice.

Price quoted does not include GST. Price quoted does not include GST. All classified ads are All classified ads are non-commissionable. non-commissionable.

3395.00

$

CF, CEMT

403-601-9057

info@equinetherapeuticsolutions.ca

• Natural Balance Farrier Services • Equine Massage Therapy • Vertebral Re-alignment RR1, Blackie, AB T0L 0J0 MARKETPLACE www.equinetherapeuticsolutions.ca

Call For a Demo Today Airdrie Tractorland Greg Jensen 1-877-948-7400

Calgary Tractorland Derek Bell 1-877-240-1977

Doris Daley

Fine western entertainment for conventions, campfires and everything in between.

Doris is a favourite at festivals, private parties, corporate banquets, Ag Societies and fund raisers throughout Western Canada and the U.S. She will scrub her neck and show up with a smile for your event no matter how large or small

Visit www.dorisdaley.com for details.

Electric Fence to cut hay costs and rotational graze

“Doris’s poetry blazes with brilliant wit; her stage presence sparkles with an infectious love of the West. On stage and ASK FOR OURbest in on the page, she represents the best of the CATALOGUE cowboy poetry today.”

— Margo Metegrano, cowboypoetry.com

FERRIS FENCING

MARKETPLACE FOR SALE: 1999 WHITE Ford Single Cab 1/2-Ton, excellent condition. Contact (780)485-8100.

For Your Vermeer Parts, Sales & Service

Inspired by people and horses

TOLL FREE: 1-800-665-3307 • TEL: (250) 757-9677 • FAX: (250) 757-9670 INFO@FERRISFENCING.COM • WWW.FERRISFENCING.COM

www.horsesall.com

FOR SALE - Pepto Little Man 2006 AQHA Sorrel Gelding Sire: Hide a Pepto, Dam: Zans Miss Jackpot Discipline(s): Ranch Horse, Team Roping Looking for a great head horse, ranch horse deluxe this is the one. This great gelding has been started heading out of the box we have heeled off him a bit and roped the heel-o-matic. He has been rode in the feedot, roped bulls, moved cows and yearling to pasture. He is a solid reliable gelding who is ready to go to work for you.

Asking $7,500

Jesse and Elyse Thomson • RR#1 High River, Alberta Canada Ranch (403) 558-0005 • Cell (403) 815-0128 • email: 7pranchhorses@xplornet.com

SALES! LEASING! FINANCING!

TRAILER SALES PHONE: 250.379.2790 CELL: 250.212.7930

www.thehorsegate.com

HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • AUGUST 2013

MARKETPLACE

MARKETPLACE

CANADIAN PINTO HORSE ASSOCIATION

MARKETPLACE

GEORGE’S HARNESS & SADDLERY

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

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.

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.

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.

www.georgesharnessandsaddlery.com harnsad@mcsnet.ca Morley Knudslien 2nd generation saddlemaker Jason Lusk 20 yrs Harnessmaker Box 29 Ryley, AB, Canada 780-663-3611

The Fluidity Advantage

Equine & Equestrian Facility Insurance for Albertans

• Safe for both mares & bleeders!

• Palatable to even the fussiest horse!

Oxy-Gen®.offers horses a dependable source of safe, legal, all-natural products that are the industry’s finest & have helped make Oxy-Gen® a barnyard name.

Shaw Insurance Agencies LTD 1.866.980.9803 admin@shawinsurance.ca

866-571-7537 www.oxygen-north.com

www.shawinsurance.ca

Make sure you never miss an issue of your favourite horse magazine!

Gene Ingham Phone: (403)505-1707 Email: info@hawkvalley.ca www.hawkvalley.ca

• Outperforms Adequan & Legend in joint care!

• Replaces the need for joint injections!

Our customers have experienced that Fluidity™ provides both short & longterm relief for their horses, & Fluidity™ reduces inflammation from day one improving stride length, overall freedom of movement & performance

Price for this property is Trades will be considered.

Fluidity™ is a palatable oral paste that will outperform Adequan® I.M. and Legend® for joint care in Equine athletes. Using Natural ingredients Fluidity helps rebuild joints & cartilage

“Quality for you & your horse” Our customers ask for all types of harness Leather, leather-Nylon, Biothane & Granite

Subscribe!

999,000

MARKETPLACE

HARNESSES MADE RIGHT HERE FOR 35 YEARS

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.

$

MARKETPLACE

47

Only

27 30

$

For 1 Year

PRODUCTION

HORSE SALE

Just $60.56 for 3 years – taxes included!

1-800-665-0502 Inspired by people and horses

Advertise here!

Call toll free to place your classified ads today.

1-866-385-3669 Inspired by people and horses

FOR SID COOK

48

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