NEMHA News NEW EN G L AN D M O RG AN HO R S E AS S O C I AT IO N
November 2013
NEMHA News EQUINE AFFAIRE EDITION FROM COVER TO COVER…A Morgan is the Horse for You! Alexandria Frangiosa and WSG Whamo A Modern Morgan Fairy Tale WSG Whamo and Alex Frangiosa began their life together in 2007. They finished out her walk trot year with wins across the country and a big win at New England Morgan Regionals. In 2008 she began what would be a stellar equitation career in the 13 and under division. Although both horse and rider were new to the challenge of individual workouts and pattern, Alex’s dedication grew stronger and stronger, practicing 4 days a week and riding 3 horses during each lesson. For the next two years of her 13 and under career she won several grand championships in New England and her goal was to head to the Morgan Grand Nationals in Oklahoma City. She stepped up her training, working with a personal trainer and adding several lunge lessons to her practice sessions to strengthen her legs and nail the “without irons” workouts. Hard work and determination were her motivators and continued to define everything Alex did. She and Whammo were a seamless team. Their patterns were flawless and they were just effortless to watch on the rail. With 2011 approaching they were ready to take on the world. In Oklahoma 2011 they competed in the qualifier Saddle Seat Equitation 14-15 placing in the top 3 and definitely knocking on the door for a world title. But then, tragedy struck and Whamo had to be rushed to the clinic for colic. Several sleepless nights and 2 colic surgeries later, Whamo’s incredible will to survive earned himself the nickname at the clinic of “The Miracle Horse” and indeed he sure is. Spending several months in Oklahoma at the clinic he made it home just in time for Christmas to surprise his delighted owner with the best gift of the season. After a year of recovery and yet another surgery under his belt he was in great shape and was ready to start getting turned out. Continuing to make amazing progress, the amazing gelding received the go ahead to start working lightly …which he loved …it was just like he never missed a beat. So in January, Alex rode him for the first time and their journey back together began. The story of Alex and Whamo is truly a fairy tale love story of a girl and her horse, whose Morgan tenacity and spirit defines the very best of our amazing breed. At the 2013 Connecticut Morgan Show this year, Whamo was the celebrated guest of honor at party hosted by Alex and her mom Donna Boch. Surrounded by family, friends and fans Whamo left no doubt why he will always be a champion in the hearts of those who love him. Alex and Whamo extend special thanks to everyone who helped and supported them throughout his challenging recovery. They appreciate it and love you all. This tribute to Alex and Whamo, who have competed throughout their career under the direction of Jean Degutis of Equitation Unlimited, was submitted by longtime friend Rosalie Leary.
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NEW ENGLAND MORGAN HORSE ASSOCIATION
2014 Membership Application New Membership______ Renewal______ Name___________________________________________________ Corporate Name_________________________________________ Address_________________________________________________ City__________________________ State_______ Zip_____________
NEMHA News EDITOR: Susan Colleton PRODUCTION: Judy Candage & Katy Colleton CONTRIBUTING EDITOR: Barbara Irvine CORRESPONDENTS: Patti Brooks, Jackie Ross, Dee Loveless PHOTOGRAPHERS: Rosalie Leary, Bob Moseder, Howard Schatzberg, Emma Devlin, Susan Colleton
For More Information Check out NEMHA.com
Phone______________________ E-mail_______________________ MEMBERSHIP FEES ______ Individual Membership $25.00 *Individual over 18 (One Vote) ______ Corporate $35.00 *Corporate Horse owners only. All members of the corporation must be members of NEMHA (One Vote) ______ Family Membership $35.00 *Adult and Spouse/Partner and any unmarried children from same household under 18 (One Vote) Names of Family Members (please provide birthdates for those under 18) ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ Please mail Membership Application and Check payable to: NEMHA to: Jessie Nygren, NEMHA Treasurer 347 Nygrens Road Sutton, VT 05867 Contact Membership Secretary Martha Merrill with any questions at MnMMartha@aol.com or 508-326-2900
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NEMHA News
Morgan Horse Riding Lesson Programs‌
In the Greater New England Area
1. Amazeen Stables, Deerfield, NH Ammo2@metrocast.net 603- 566-1783 2. Anne Benson Stables, Portsmouth, RI Anne@Annebensonstables.com 781-635-6574 3. Barbara Irvine Stable, Chatham, NY Irvine44@aol.com 518-392-5064 4. Bellewether LLC ~ Judy Nason Stables, Lee, NH Judyashby5@aol.com 978-855-2468 5. Best of Both Worlds, Middleboro, MA MartyBSF@aol.com 203-393-3665 6. Bittersweet Farm, Bethany, CT MartyBSF@aol.com 203-393-3665 7. Braeburn Equitation Center, Chatham Center, NY Cowboy12125@yahoo.com 574-387-0611 8. Broadfields, Eliot, ME www.broadfieldsmorgans.com 207-439-1827 9. Burkland Farm, Rowley, MA burklandfarm@gmail.com 978-948-7713 10. Cedar Spring Farm, Charlotte, VT Bonnie471@aol.com 802-425-7211 11. Chrislar Farm, Rowley, MA www.chrislarfarm.com 978-948-7674 12. CPM Stables. Newton, NH TMarceloni@aol.com 603-382-5544 13. Driftway Meadows, Westport, MA www.driftwaymeadows.com 508-636-8864 14. Equitation Unlimited, Plainville, MA jeandegutis@aol.com 508-695-9847 15. Fairview Stables, Manchester, VT jvbmgw@aol.com 860-605-6876 16. Foxfire Stables, Mansfield Center, CT www.foxfirestables.net 860-377-6314 17. Furnace Brook Farm, Marshfield, MA www.furnacebrookfarm.com 781-837-2485 18. Hyland Morgans, Charlton, MA Jlalone2022@yahoo.com 508-733-9174 19. Hunters Glen Morgans, Cheshire, CT karenbobbi@sbcglobal.net 203-272-2059 or 203-915-0796 20. Independence Stable, Belchertown, MA independencestable@yahoo.com 413-284-0371
21. KGA Morgans, Mendon, MA brus54chi@aol.com 508-369-4233 22. Killingworth Equestrian Center, Killingworth, CT johnnanhtc@hotmail.com 860-663-2495 23. Legacy Stable, Mendon, MA legacystable@yahoo.com 508-478-1580 24. Meadowmere Farm & Training Stable, Vernon, VT meadowmerefarm@gmail.com 802-254-2176 25. Moreland Farm, West Brookfield, MA morelfrm@aol.com 413-477-6524 26. North Star Farm, Marshfield, MA mnorthstarfarm@aol.com 781-834-5740 27. Northgate Stables, Newton, NH Sheri251724@aol.com 603-394-7699 28. Possibility Stables, Broadalbin, NY Mccleester47@gmail.com 508-883-3600 29. QUA-lity Stables, Oneonta, NY www.qualitystables.com 607-432-8977 30. Rolling Oaks Stable, Gansevoort, NY Mybuddah17@yahoo.com 518-320-4872 31. Rowenda Farm, Gray, ME awelch@maine.rr.com 207-657-3470 32. Sea-Vu Farm, Boothbay, ME seavufarm@roadrunner.net 207-633-6155 33. Sebring Stables, Richmond, MA Sebringstables2@aol.com 413-448-5300 34. Soliloque Farm, Plainville, MA 508-345-3306 35. Taylor River Farm, Hampton Falls, NH www.taylorriverfarm.com 603-926-7662 36. Timber Hill Stables, Kingston, MA timberhillstable@yahoo.com 781-582-2276 37. Whispering Meadows, Hudson, NY Courtney Scionti 518-851-2462 38. Wingedspur Farm, Candia, NH www.wingedspurfarm.com 603-483-5960 39. Wyndamere Farm, Georgetown, MA wfpatti@verizon.net 978-352-7739 40. Wynter Thyme Manor, Bethany, CT www.wynterthymemanor.com 203-627-6436
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EQUINE AFFAIRE Eastern States Exposition West Springfield, Massachusetts Thursday, November 7 – Sunday, November 10, 2013
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Jubilation Briarwick and Melissa Wise Defining Morgan Versatility at Equine Affaire
When I saw the first Versatile Horse and Rider competition at Equine Affaire several years ago, I knew that I wanted to someday compete in this event. Now I just needed the right horse for the job! Jubilation Briarwick (Courting Liberty x Willowick Solitaire) was just a yearling at that time and from the day Briar was born, I knew that he was going to be for sale. We actually have a picture of my husband putting a “For Sale” sign on his stall while he was still not completely dry. I am very selective as to who my horses go to and like them to have some training under their belt, so from day one I started working with Briar. He was always eager to learn and very easy to train. It was clear that he would make and be sold as a child’s/family horse. The perfect family did come along, but they were not in the market to buy a horse for a year or so and I was a bit uneasy about selling a five year old horse to a family that really needed a seasoned horse. This is where the story takes a very different turn. The logical choice was to have my husband (a very inexperienced rider) start riding Briar. My husband was uneasy at first, but I encouraged him and told him I felt Briar was ready and that I thought he would enjoy him….well he did. He rode that little horse everywhere. We went to many group trail rides, camping, the ocean, and even to a few judged trail/obstacle rides. I was thrilled to have my husband riding with me and he was thrilled to be riding Briar. Ok, now we have a problem. The family has come to visit/ride Briar several times and even put a deposit on him. My husband has fallen in love with the horse and does not want to sell him. Then the day came that I received a phone call from the Mom…her Husband’s job had changed and they were not able to buy Briar. I told her not to worry and then told her my dilemma. We both laughed and were happy to know the story had turned out as it needed to. The rest of the story is history. My husband, who once spent so much time helping me on the farm and never really riding, is now one of those horse crazy people. We ride as often as possible and he always has a big smile on his face when he talks about “his” horse, Briar.
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Fast forward a year...hmmm could Briar be my Versatile Horse and Rider horse? We started training and Briar and I competed in our first extreme/versatile trail competition on June 9, 2012 at New England Equestrian Center in Athol, MA. We continued training through the summer hoping to compete in the Equine Affaire’s Versatile Horse and Rider in November 2012. This event did not come back in 2012, but all was not lost. We had trained hard and it showed on April 28, 2013. Briar and I competed in Everything Equine’s Extreme Trail. He was close to flawless and had me in awe by the end of the course. We won the entire event and beat out 16 other horses including their undefeated previous Champion. Now my sights were set on Equine Affaire's Versatile Horse and Rider, but would it be back? I called and emailed Equine Affaire and one day I received confirmation...It would be back! Now to make a video and apply. On September 24, 2013 (while down at The Big E...with Briar on display in the Vermont Morgan booth) we received the long awaited call. Briar and I had been accepted into the 2013 Versatile Horse and Rider competition at Equine Affaire. I was thrilled and knew that the next month and a half would involve hours of continued training. Briar has taken everything I have thrown at him (sometimes literally) with the same great attitude he has always had. He is a pleasure to ride and to train. He lets me get in his head a figure out what he is thinking...even crazier, he gets into mine, and knows what I want even before I ask for it. He is a fantastic representation of the hard working Morgan with a wonderful mind! Come cheer Briar and me on in this year’s Versatile Horse and Rider. We will compete in the preliminary on Thursday November 7, 2013 between 8:30 and Noon. If we make it to the top 10, the finals are Friday November 8, 2013 between 4:15-6:30. Briar will also be on display in the Vermont Morgan stalls in C Barn. He loves visitors, so feel free to stop by.
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AMHA Region 1 Youth Clubs Berkshire Morgan Youth Club: Barbara Irvine, 1550 Rt. 203, Chatham, NY 12037: (518) 392-5064 Foxfire Morgan Youth: Stacey Stearns, 440 Marshfield City Rd., Storrs, CT 06268; (860) 377-6314 Granite State Mystical Morgans Sara Foy, 6 Colcord Rd., Kingston, NH 03848; (603) 642-4125 Hooked on Morgans Kass Booth, 10 Broadfields Rd., Eliot, ME 03903; (207) 252-6027 The Lippitt Club Youth Heather Pinet, 854 New County Rd., Dayton, ME 04005; (207) 499-7189 Maine & Tail Morgans Becky Batchelder, 2 Lower Barley St., Lebanon, ME 04027; (603) 289-3078 Mass Bay Morgan Youth Group Debbie Smith, 1801 Ocean St #31A, Marshfield, MA 02050; (781) 837-7482
New England Morgan Horse Association 2013 Board of Officers & Directors OFFICERS President: Joan Travers Vice President: Barbara L. Irvine Secretary: Selina Cloutier Membership Secretary: Martha Merrill Treasurer: Jessie Nygren Clerk: Christine Nava Past President: Richard Pitman
DIRECTORS Midcoast Morgans Youth Group Angela Alley, 25 Farnham Point Rd, East Boothbay, ME 04544; (207) 633-5270 Taylor River Tadpoles Kristin Farley, 5 Swain Dr., Hampton Falls, NH 03844; (603) 926-7662
Join the FUN!
Serena Lynn Brown Judy Candage Susan Colleton Raymond S. Ferro Sarah E. Gove Sara J. Hausamann Helen Herold Maggie Hood Debra Lane Patricia Lloyd Cheryl Marcelonis Martha Merrill Kurt Nygren Carolyn Sebring Harry Sebring Maura Sweeney-Reeve Terri Travers Sasha Kline Leslie Kelley ď‚š www.NEMHA.com info@nemha.com
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COMPETITIVE TRAIL RIDING: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW! Distance rider and writer Patti Brooks shares expert advice and information on Competitive Trail Riding, including must-have gear and horses that can go the distance. I know you! You’re always looking for new adventures with your horse. Nothing is quite so perfect for you than spending a sunny day in the saddle exploring new trails. But you like challenges, too, and you’re pretty sure there is more to life than the military precision of competing in the show ring. Have you tried Competitive Trail Riding (CTR)? From Maine to Virginia there is an organization that sanctions rides from 12 mile Conditioning Distance Rides all the way to 3-day 100 Mile Rides. Entering rides sanctioned by the Eastern Competitive Trail Ride Association (ECTRA) will ensure you of well marked trails and experienced veterinarian and lay judges. I interviewed a dozen-plus trail riders who are members of ECTRA. Their combined statistics add up to 320 years of distance riding completing 149,000 miles of competition! I pulled some kernels of wisdom from all this expertise. Best Horse Breeds Most riders interviewed feel the most important traits to take into account when deciding if your horse is a distance candidate is soundness with good feet and bones. A durable horse that can go the distance. Other riders feel a great prospect is one that loves the trail and his job and is ready to move out. Wanda Stazick (CT), loved the hours spent with her Morgan, saying, “...he is a horse with grit and determination...always wanted to be in front of the pack...never would not move out.” Competitive Trail Riding Lingo: Pulse and Respiration Years on the trail has taught most riders that the best horse listens to his rider, and is at ease on the trail with a sound mind. Char Jewell (ME) says a good CTR horse “...has to like his job. That includes being manageable...more brains than guts.” A well trained horse that hasn’t been arguing with his rider will have the best chance to meet the final Pulse and Respiration (P/R) of 44/24. Don’t think for a minute the entire ride revolves around P/Rs. It’s simply that many horses have gone through their conditioning so well, that tack and shoeing issues have been resolved before the day of the ride. P/Rs are a black and-white tool that often separates the men from the boys.
The ensuing years found Shannon working with Laurie Kohler of Monarch Farm as well as sharing Zack with Meghan Wright who elevated equitation competition with her beautiful presentations of the then amazing gelding. For the 2009 and 2010 show seasons, Shannon and Zack competed under the Taylor River banner where Shannon says “Richard (Boule) and Sarah (Gove) did wonders fo us.” The results were clear as Shannon and Zack set the pace for excellence in both the amateur and ladies divisions. There was no doubt about it. The head-turning duo had arrived and arrived with a style that was first-rate in any competition. With victory pass after victory pass they were formidable competition
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COMPETITIVE TRAIL RIDING (continued)
What to Wear & Bring Along for the Ride …And, speaking of resolving issues before ride day. Do NOT wear, or put on you horse, anything new. If the article hasn’t been used at home for hours/miles, you take a big chance of it causing a painful issue during the competition. And, yes...that even applies for new underwear! Riding tights appear to be the hands-down favorite among trail riders, with a few opting for breeches. Many use halfchaps, but basically, as Lee Alexander (VT) says, “whatever works.” There is no official dress code for rider or horse. Without a doubt, Mary Coleman (PA) says the most important thing to bring to a ride is “A sense of humor as things can and do go wrong!” Mary should be making the milestone of 14,000 miles this year with over half that on one tough Morgan gelding. Other riders were consistent in identifying sponges as the Must-Have article on a ride. A spare EZboot was a close second. Deb Fisk (VT) never leaves home without a “Breastplate, regardless of how the saddle fits.” I agree with Deb and I add a crupper. I want my saddle to stay where I’ve judged best no matter how steep the mountain I’m climbing or descending. And, as I tire and perhaps get sloppy in the saddle, a breastplate and crupper does much to save my horse’s back and his way of traveling. When Jim Theurer (PA) sets up at a multi-day ride (or arrives the night before a oneday), he loves his portable pen of“...four 10' panels that make a temporary stall. I don’t worry about my horse at night and can rest comfortably.” You won’t have to worry about mystical, secret potions for your horse as none are allowed. Stick to electrolytes, fly repellent and approved joint lubricants and you’re good to go. Add lots of water for drinking and sponging to both clean and cool. (Water may not be heated or cooled) Most riders prefer to keep their horses out at least half a day. Char Jewell (ME) wants to make sure her horses are comfortable being stabled as some rides require horses to be stabled and “...so they get enough sleep. It is proven that some horses do not well in herd situations...lack of sleep can have detrimental effects.” Conditioning & Preparation These riders with thousands of miles under their belts pretty uniformly ride three to five times a week depending upon job and family demands. The average is +/-5 miles with a 10+ mile ride once a week. If headed for a 25 mile ride, for instance, most like to work up to several 15 mile rides before hand. Char Jewell (ME), who has been at this sport for 27 years, wrote: “The most miles I do at one time is 13.5 - I usually stick with 5 - 7 miles a couple times a week. On a 25 mile ride, you have 4:10 to 4:40 hours to complete the ride. You will lose points if you come in too early or late. There is a lot more about this sport. Go to www.ECTRA.org where you’ll find the rules, monthly newsletter, a schedule of rides and lots of good stuff including how to become part of the ECTRA. Jeff Gardener (RI) expressed how he valued the years spent riding with his daughter, Katherine. “The horsemanship required to compete in CTR over a period of time has taught us significantly more about the care of our horses and our riding abilities than we would ever have learned otherwise. This CTR foundation has provided Katherine the horsemanship skills to move on to FEI international endurance riding. Even with FEI riding she is always excited to come back to her roots of ECTRA and CTRs.” Will we see you on the trail next year? About the Author: Patti Brooks, author of Horse-Powered Mysteries For the Read of Your Life. www.PattiBrooksBooks.com Originally Published by Equitrekking.com on October 3, 2013
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2012 Equine Affaire Remembered‌
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It’s Show Time!
www.timberhillstable.com
Sara Hall, Christine Nava, Jessica McNally
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Ask Barbara…… Dear Barbara, One of my riding students is leaning forward way too much - especially on her canter starts. I have tried everything I can think of, but I just can’t get her to sit deep in the saddle. Her mind is really resistant to the idea of sitting up straight and her body is too! Hoping for a new idea, Stumped Instructor
_____________________________________________________________________ Dear Stumped, Instead of saying: “Sit back, sit tall, sit deep, don’t lean forward, pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease sit straight try this seemingly unrelated exercise – don’t give away your goal – just say: “Here’s an exercise we will work on today.” This exercise is called HIP ANGLES. Have your student show the hip angle when the hips are straight up. In the straight up hip angle, the seam of your jods/breeches/whatever should be straight up and down from waist to hip – it’s a ninety-degree angle. Then, close the hip angle – fold forward from the hip – carry it to an extreme for fun and to make your point; see if your rider can close the hip angle to such an extent that she is actually lying on the horse’s neck. Then practice opening the hip angle – again, go for an extreme to make the open angle obvious – how far back can you go – actually, with you at the head of the horse and with a horse who is okay with it, one should be able to open the hip to such an extent that
one is lying
down on the horse’s back.
So - show your rider the straight hip line and closing and opening the hip at the standstill. Then have her show opening, closing and straight up hip angle at walk, trot and canter. Practice, practice, practice and the day will come when you can say open the hip and start the canter and your student will be able to do that. I do recommend that opening the hip angle at walk, trot and canter not be to such an extent that the rider is lying on the horse’s back! And, don’t forget to caution the rider that one must be careful not to pull on the horse’s mouth when opening the hip angle. Another exercise that might help: ARM BEHIND YOUR WAIST. For this one, place your inside arm behind you with your arm in a straight line across the back of your waist. Push your arm against your back and feel yourself go deeper into the saddle. Try Arm Behind Your Waist at walk, trot and canter. It can be really hard to change an old habit! Remember, if you have a suggestion for a question for ASK BARBARA, email at Irvine44@aol.com, call 1-508-392-5064, or ask me on the rail.
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Morgan…The Horse For All Seasons…The Horse For All Reasons
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Enter Western Dressage (continued)
Ramul Dvarshkis looks on as his hands sort cattle on his Morgan stock horses in the 1970s th
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Enter Western Dressage (continued)
ing Western Morgan include the continued strong presence of heavier bone in the legs, terminating in large round hooves. The front end presents a typically “old� Morgan broad chest and full barrel, supporting a strong
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Dressage Conditioning Tips (continued)
Mikey Richardson with Sagamore Domino, top Dressage Competitors in New England
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From Cover to Cover…A Morgan is the Horse for You!
Morgan Memories Are Forever!