Massachusetts Horse June/July 2013

HORSE $EN$E: VITAMIN E IN MASSACHUSETTS FORAGE page 24

M ASSAC H U S E T TS

HORSE

MORGANS CAPTURING HEARTS page 8

SADDLE SEAT EQUITATION RIGHT LEAD page 18

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HUNTER DERBY FEVER RIGHT LEAD page 20

KENNETH DUBUQUE STATE FOREST TRAIL GUIDE page 32

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Talented 2013 foals!

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June/July 2013

contents

June/July 2013

columns 20 Right Lead Saddle Seat Equitation

8

Hunter Derby Fever Insight from Top Trainers

Nancy Ronan

Mystical Photography

22 Right Lead 16

26 Horse Sense Vitamin E in Massachusetts Forage

28 Lend a Hoof Amazing Grace Equine Rescue

30 Bay State Business courtesy of Driftway Meadows

Westfield Whip

32 Trail Guide Kenneth Dubuque State Forest

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14

in every issue

features 8 Morgans

6 From the Editor

16

Capturing Hearts breed spotlight

14

Driftway Meadows A Good Niche farm spotlight

Dancer The Best Chapter horse profile

18

Connie Johnson Hambley A Wild Ride horseperson profile

7

Your Letters

25 This Olde Horse 34 Overherd: News in Our Community 38 Partners 42 Bay State Happenings 44 Massachusetts Events Calendar 54 Massachusetts Marketplace 56 The Neighborhood 57

Is This Your Horse?

57

Advertiser Index

Massachusetts Horse

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from the editor

M AS SAC H U S E T T S

HORSE

Introducing our county desk liaisons: You’ll want to reach out to the resource person where you live to share your news, photos, and events for free publication in Massachusetts Horse. These friendly horsewomen want to help you spread the word about your business to the Bay State horse community.

vol. 12, no. 1 June/July 2013

ISSN 1945-1393

99 Bissell Road, Williamsburg, MA 01096 phone: (413) 268-3302 • fax: (413) 268-0050 info@mahorse.com • mahorse.com 42

Massachusetts Horse magazine is an independently-owned and -operated allbreed, all-discipline equestrian publication for Massachusetts. © 2013 Massachusetts Horse All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this magazine or portions thereof in any form without prior written permission.

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feature writers Andrea Bugbee, Paige Cerulli, Holly Jacobson, Suzy Lucine, Stacey Stearns, Susan Winslow copy editor Doris Troy contributors Sharyn Antico, Diane Merritt, Judy Lorimer, Laurie Neely, Kelly Pesek, Liz Russell, Molly Watson

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Middlesex County

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Thirty-one-year-old Morgan Beams Nighthawk with owner Chris Cassenti, of Chrislar Farm in Rowley. “Nite” was voted Morgan Road Hack Horse of the Century and has won many Judge’s Choice and People’s Choice awards.

See more photos on page 12.

Photo by Kevin Hios.

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We are looking for a County Desk Liaison for these counties. Interested? Email steph@mahorse.com for details.

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June/July 2013

The views and opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Massachusetts Horse staff or independent contractors, nor can they be held accountable. Massachusetts Horse will not be held responsible for any misrepresentations or any copyright infringement on the part of advertisers.

Massachusetts Horse will not be held responsible for typing errors other than a correction in the following issue. All letters addressed to Massachusetts Horse, its publisher, editor, and staff are assumed for publication. Photos, stories (verbal or printed), notifications, news items, and all other material that is submitted, including all materials and photos not specifically solicited by Massachusetts Horse, are assumed to be legally released by the submitter for publication. Massachusetts Horse assumes no responsibility for damage to or loss of material submitted for publication. Reasonable care will be taken to ensure the safety and return of all materials.

your letters

Orion Farm

To the Editor: Thank you for Nicole Birkholzer’s Mindful Connections articles and for your great magazine.

Sharon Saltzgiver Wright, via Facebook

To the Editor:

Wherere Stars A !

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Thank you for all your support. We love Massachusetts Horse.

Kathy D’Orto, New England Equestrian Center of Athol

To the Editor: I’ve just been reading the most recent issue of Massachusetts Horse, which is, as usual, full of information we horse people need to know. Keep up the great work!

I did find a statement in the Lend a Hoof feature about the Equus Therapeutic program that is incorrect. The article calls Equus Therapeutic the only Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) International center in Berkshire County. As the program director of the Berkshire Equine Therapeutic Riding Center (BETRC), located at Whispering Pines Farm in Lanesboro, I'd like to point out that as of January 2013, BETRC is a PATH International center.

We’re a new program and have just accepted our first session of students.

Lori Wojtkowski, Berkshire Equine Therapeutic Riding Center

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Morgans Capturing

courtesy of Blackthorne Morgan Farm

Hearts

David Ladd’s stallion Trailhead Tucson with his grandchildren at Blackthorne Morgan Farm, in Hanover.

by Stacey Stearns

M

assachusetts is the birthplace of the Morgan, and the breed has always held a special place in the hearts of Bay State equestrians. When we asked for your stories on Facebook, here are just a few of the Morgans that captured our hearts.

A Lifelong Passion Gerry Raucher, of Legacy Farm in Easthampton, purchased the gelding Maple Corner Passion in 1997 for her seven-year-old daughter, Abby. “It was love at first sight,” Gerry says. “Passion was magical, the cutest chestnut, with a blaze. He was honest; his mission in life was to take care of his little girl. We had him for fifteen years before he passed away, at age twenty-six, in November with his head in Abby’s lap.

“Passion captivated people with his huge, gorgeous eyes” says Gerry. “He had a kind soul that drew people like a magnet. He never took a bad step, and everyone who 8

June/July 2013

knew him loved him. In addition to Abby, numerous young riders rode Passion in therapeutic riding, 4-H lessons, and shows.

“When Abby showed him at the Morgan Grand National,” says her mom, “he came into the ring and it was like he was doing everything he could to get the ribbon for her, and they won reserve National Saddle Seat Walk Trot champion. After her class, Passion looked Abby in the eye and she knew they were a team in and out of the ring.”

When he retired, Passion “wandered around the nine acres here at Legacy Farm, says Gerry. “At dinnertime, he would bring his feed bucket to you. Abby used to sit on top of him in the field and do her homework. She took him to the blessing of the animals at Smith College and he walked into the church as if he did it every day.”

Abby is now a sophomore at Mount Holyoke College and on the equestrian team.

“Passion is the horse that taught her to be a horsewoman,” Gerry says. “He was a true ambassador for the Morgan; you couldn’t frazzle him.”

Payback Brenna Audette, who lives in Bridgewater, always dreamed of owning a Morgan. “When I saw the picture of Payback (a.k.a. Pibbs) on the Another Chance 4 Horses website, I knew I wanted him. He had that look in his eyes of total bewilderment, a ‘why-am-Ihere’ kind of look,’ ” Brenna says.

After paying Pibbs’s bail (to remove him from the auction yard), Brenna shipped him to a friend’s barn in New Jersey for quarantine. “The first news wasn’t good,” Brenna says. “He’d contracted strangles, and it was a battle we fought for three months.

“I knew he was special the first day we met,” Brenna says.

“He was calm and quiet with a dynamic personality. I spent time getting to know him. He’s

a ham and plays the crowd.

My friend and trainer Brandi Carreiro worked with him, and I showed him at a South Shore Horsemen’s Council show last summer — we won a green-horse class.”

Pibbs has continued his training with Lisa Doyle. “I feel his niche will be road hack or ladies pleasure,” Brenna says. “He may also be competitive in classic or hunter pleasure. Pibbs is a machine and loves his job; you saddle him up and he goes.”

“Getting a rescue horse to trust you is a big challenge,” Lisa says. “We were lucky with Pibbs. He went from a rattylooking horse to a show diva.”

“The most rewarding thing has been to see him come around,” Brenna says.

“He’s no longer head-shy, and nuzzles you for treats. Pibbs looks for attention and has charisma in the show ring that defines him. He’s confident, and I believe there’s greatness in him. Some of the rescue horses, like Pibbs, are regis-

Shannon Quinlan

courtesy of Carly Collari

Windridge Silver Bullet (a.k.a. Topper) and Carly Collari.

tered and former show horses.

They’re wonderful horses if you take the chance and devote the time. I know how lucky I am. Pibbs is only thirteen and he’s sound and sane, and that isn’t always easy to come by.”

“It’s rewarding to see him hit his stride when he knows all eyes are on him,” says Lisa.

“He was born to be a show horse. Pibbs is a star, and he got a chance because of Brenna.”

Destined to Teach “I acquired Rowenda French Alert (a.k.a. Archie) in 2010, while I was living in Texas for two years,” says professional dressage trainer and USDF silver medalist Maria Harrington, who now lives on Cape Cod. “A former student in Massachusetts sent him down to me; he wasn’t working out as her trail horse. I put him in my training program, then started giving lessons on him, and Archie found his true calling.

“He’s a fifteen-point-two-

hand bay gelding and an interesting mix of modern Morgan bloodlines with older Lippitt breeding. You wouldn’t know he’s seventeen to look at him. He can do quiet and patient longe lessons for a beginner or dial it up for a more experienced student.

He’s an Energizer bunny with loads of personality.

Maria describes him as “the class clown and a complete ham. If Archie sees someone he knows,” she says, “he comes running up to the fence, opens his mouth, and waits for a treat. On the crossties he does the downwarddog stretch. He’s so endearing with mouthing for treats and his gentle ways with everyone who handles him, yet he remains quirky, smart, and sensitive. That’s what makes him not just a school horse but a true schoolmaster.”

There are many rewards, Maria says, especially “to see how many people, from beginners to advanced riders, Archie has taught in the short amount of time I’ve had him.

Abby Raucher, of Easthampton, and Maple Corner Passion in retirement and [inset] in the show ring.

It takes a special horse to have so many different riders and have something to offer everyone. Archie is a solid thirdlevel dressage horse and teaches my students piaffe, canter pirouettes, and flying changes. He plays a major role in my lesson program.”

You’ll find Archie at Boxberry Hill Farm, in East Falmouth, where he’s available for lessons with Maria.

Should Have Been a Cowboy David Ladd, of Blackthorne Morgan Farm in Hanover, rode at Fort Robinson, in Nebraska, with a working western Morgan group in September 2007 and 2008.

On the way to Nebraska the second time, David took a detour and stopped at Donna Barrett’s ranch in Riverton, Wyoming, and met the stallion Trailhead Tucson.

“For years after my Fort Robinson ride, I wanted a working western Morgan of my own to make a difference in the destiny of the breed,” David says. “I want to reinfuse

Morgans on the East Coast with the brains, bones, and bottom of the working western Morgan. In 2011, I found out that Tucson was in Maryland and available for lease. He’s thirteen now, and arrived at my farm in January 2012.”

David is training Tucson in reining and cow-horse events with the assistance of Scott Laffey, of Byfield. “We’re training him to work and adding the refinements necessary in a show horse,” David says. “Last year, right before the New England Morgan Horse Show, a friend convinced me to bring Tucson for the western dressage classes. It introduced him to a lot of different Morgan people.

“I want to get Tucson recognized for what he is, a Morgan with great conformation and disposition,” David says. “My five-year-old granddaughter rides him, he trailrides with mares, and he follows me around like a puppy.

“Tucson embodies the working western Morgan, and Massachusetts Horse

9

he’s exactly what I dreamed of after riding out west. He’s opened a lot of doors for me, and brings adventure all the time.

The journey isn’t complete, but having Tucson here has made a huge difference in me.”

Tucson already has 30 foals on the ground, and they’ve traveled as far as Canada and Sweden.

“With his character, disposition, breeding, looks, and history,” David says, “Tucson’s given me a voice in the Morgan community and an opportunity to make a difference in the breed.”

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Judy Montoney, of New Springfield, Ohio, grew up riding horses here in Littleton. When an injury shortened her career as a jockey, she and her husband, Mike, moved to Ohio.

“When my oldest daughter, Rani, was twelve, I bought the twelve-year-old black Morgan gelding Cherry Lane’s Macho Man for her,” Judy says. “In June 1992, Rani and Macho went to their first horse show together. It was a perfect ride,” she says. “The announcer called the placing in reverse order. When everyone but the winner was announced, my heart had sunk. Then he called Rani’s name.

“Tears for a horse-show win? My other three girls rode for fun, but Rani took it seriously. Even at home, she spent

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June/July 2013

hours grooming and riding,” Judy remembers. “Macho spent years with the family.”

Rani was diagnosed with cancer while she was in college, and passed away in September 2000.

In July of 2010, a few days before Judy and Mike left for vacation in Maine, the 31-year-old Macho was trotting around the field whinnying; it was odd behavior for him, Judy says. “Later I wondered if they had been gathering around him, Rani and her other horses. There’s a memorial bench for Rani and that’s where I was sitting, talking on the phone with the vet as Macho took his last breath.

“So many things in life aren’t coincidences,” Judy says. “I know our loved ones are with us every day, that there’s something more than this life we know.

This is my only solace. Joy, awe, and hope have a way of coming into your life again.”

A Companion Horse Amanda Les, of Belchertown, built a twostall barn and needed a friend for her Appaloosa. A Morgan was looking for a home, and Papillion Bonito (a.k.a.

Benny) entered her life.

“I’ve taken Benny everywhere, on trails and to horse shows,” Amanda says.

“He’s done it all, from western pleasure to hunt seat. I’ve had him for nine years now. He’s turning twenty-five and still looks amazing. Benny surprises me every time he does something. I could never find another horse like him.

Amanda says he’s “the funniest horse. He always puts a smile on my face.

I can never get mad at him: those Morgan eyes get me every time. One day I went down to the barn and found he’d let my other horse out of her stall and was angry that he couldn’t let himself out.”

Amanda started working for Dottie Brittingham, at Independence Stables in Belchertown, three years ago. Dottie trained Benny to drive, and as usual he was a fast learner. “He’s always been a piece of cake and goes with the flow,” Amanda says.

“Benny and I learned dressage together,” she says. “I’ve taken him to fun shows as well as the Morgan shows. Dottie has pushed me to the next level. It’s been amazing. I never imagined Benny would take me so many places.”

Amanda shares Benny with the students at Independence Stables. “He’s dependable and good,” she says. “The girls show him in dressage and the academy classes at the Morgan shows, riding lead line through walk-trot-canter. One of

the younger girls showed him in April and he hadn’t been ridden much before the show, but he went in and took care of her.

“In November a friend rode him at the Eastern Regional Competitive Trail Ride, in North Brookfield, and he placed third in his very competitive division,” Amanda says. “The Morgan breed is versatile, and Benny is the perfect example.”

Serendipity and the Olympic Dream In a series of seemingly unremarkable events, serendipity seems to slip in, and Windridge Silver Bullet (a.k.a. Topper,) a rare gray Morgan stallion, is a fine example of this phenomenon.

When Carly Collari, of Duxbury, was in high school, her parents figured out that her horse, their bay Morgan gelding, Futurity Prince Twist, was going to be in the family for a long time. They built a barn, named it Goodboy Farm in his honor, and brought him home. They decided Prince would enjoy a friend and went in search of another Morgan. They came home with Noake’s Liberty (a.k.a.

Finn), and so began the serendipitous journey.

No one knew much about Finn.

Armed with his registration papers and a brand on his right shoulder, Carly’s mother, Linda, started researching. After

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several weeks she received some information: Nancy Clare Lischner, in Salmon, Idaho, had purchased Finn’s dam from his retired breeder.

Carly was in the Stockbridge Equine Program at UMass Amherst. To fulfill an internship, she went to work with Nancy.

During the summer she haltered a colt, Topper, and was smitten. The following year, when Carly was nearing graduation, the call came. Nancy and Richard gave Topper to Carly as a graduation present.

“Topper is the epitome of the Morgan breed,” Linda says. “He’s smart, sane, sound, and solid. Nothing fazes him and he has a willing spirit. From the first day Carly started working him, he did whatever she wanted with no questions asked. He’ll be five this month, and they have some big adventures ahead of them.”

In October, Carly moved to California with Topper, to be a working student with Lientje Schueler at dressage Olympian Steffen Peters’s barn. Topper and Carly started their show season at the end of April in first level and Carly says she’s pleased with his scores: “A Morgan is not the typical dressage horse out here.

Topper is little compared to the Warmbloods, but he has good conformation.

“It’s been very rewarding,” she says.

“I want to take Topper to the Olympics and everyone tells me I can’t do it. I know it’s a lofty goal, but we made it this far and that’s really cool. A lot of people watch Topper progress and realize how fancy he is.”

Continuing the Journey “Being in training in California is an incredible opportunity and a huge learning experience,” Carly says. “My Morgan has taken me amazing places. Topper is one in a million, and I know he’s going to make his mark on the world.”

“Tucson’s beauty and personality stand as the epitome of what we all claim is the Morgan horse,” says David. “The rewards that Tucson has brought my family far exceed my hopes and dreams. To me, he’s a teacher and companion.”

“When we bought Passion, I explained to Abby about once-in-a-lifetime horses, those that steal our hearts and find their way into our souls,” Gerry says. “These horses, no matter how many you own or ride, will always rise above the rest. For us, Passion was that horse.”

Stacey Stearns is a lifelong equine enthusiast from Connecticut who enjoys competitive trail riding with her gelding and learning the ins and outs of dressage with her mare. When not in the barn, she reads and writes about horses.

Massachusetts Horse

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Driftway Meadows

A Good Niche

by Stacey Stearns Westport

showed on the local circuit. When I was in high school, the family decided to

Driftway Meadows is located on 24 scenic acres in Westport and is home to 40 horses. Now Mike is a jack-of-all-trades, helping out in every capacity around the farm; Joan handles the paperwork end of the business; and both serve on numerous committees and boards within the Morgan-breed and equine communities.

Scott’s grandparents Phyllis and Cliff Briggs still play an active role, and Scott’s brother, Sean, is the farrier.

Joanne trains and shows dressage horses of all breeds, among them Warmbloods, Friesians, Morgans, Thoroughbreds, and Arabians. Five lesson The Farm DRF Suite Sensation, owned by Amanda Porto, winning the World Amateur Hunter horses are kept busy under “Horses are a family tradithe direction of instructor tion,” says Scott. “My parents, Pleasure title at the Morgan Grand National and World Championships in 2012. build a facility and open a public training Carol Lewis.

Mike and Joan Travers, both had horses barn.”

“I have a deep respect and appreciagrowing up and met in 4-H. As a kid I

D

Howard Schatzberg

riftway Meadows specializes in developing show horses and their riders. For 25 years, Scott Travers, his wife, Joanne Lawrence, and their team have been turning out quality horses and riders in all disciplines, but especially Morgan hunters and dressage.

Scott works with junior exhibitors as well as amateurs, most on Morgan hunters; Joanne directs the dressage program. The competitive history of the horses and riders makes the farm a household name in the Morgan and dressage worlds.

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June/July 2013

tion for the process of classical dressage and take a systematic approach to the daily training of my horses and students,” Joanne says. “I believe every horse can benefit from dressage training.”

In the Morgan show world, Driftway Meadows is synonymous with quality.

“We’re really known for our Morgan show hunters, and our horses and riders regularly win on the regional and national levels,” Scott says. “Although I also train horses in pleasure driving, English pleasure, and other disciplines, the hunters are my specialty.

“Joanne and I bring along the huntseat and dressage horses similarly, so we can help each other with our horses and be the eyes on the ground for each other as well,” Scott says.

Samantha Chamberland, 22, of Fall River, began riding at Driftway Meadows with Joanne when she was 12 years old.

“It’s a very positive environment for children,” says Samantha’s mom, Krista McNamara. “Scott and Joanne make everyone feel welcome and part of the family. They’re responsible, consistent, and ethical in all things — horse care, training, and sportsmanship. Joanne had a significant impact in creating Samantha’s foundation those first years,” Krista says. “She kindled Samantha’s passion and skills and never stopped encouraging her.”

After a couple of years, Samantha became interested in hunters and showing and started riding with Scott. “He’s an amazing trainer too,” says Krista.

“When the girls receive positive feedback, they know it’s genuine and that they earned it, and they grow a lot. Scott and Joanne both do everything mindfully and meticulously, and teach their students that as well.”

The Evolution of Morgan Hunters Fifteen years ago, Morgan show hunters were considered second-string horses.

There’s been a real shift over the last 10 years, though, and the division now has the same level of prestige as the pleasure and park classes. Participation has soared, and the hunter classes boast more entries than any other division.

“I like to think we’ve been in the forefront of reshaping the Morgan hunter division as it’s grown in popularity,” Scott says. “I believe the hunter-pleasure division, as it’s evolved, has made the Morgan show horse accessible to more people, further expanding the breed’s already wide appeal. My niche in the Morgan world and the hunter division grew out of necessity. Having always

worked with pleasure and park horses, I wanted my horses to be show horses and have quality and athleticism.

“Aside from economics, there are other factors in the growth of the hunter division,” Scott says. “In general, hunters can work longer than the short, intense workout of a park or pleasure horse, and this provides amateurs and junior exhibitors more practice time with their horse. The hunter division is also less stressful physically on horses than are other divisions, and the horses remain at a top level competitively for many more years.

“The tide has changed, and now we’re seeing high-quality and expressive horses in the hunter division,” Scott says.

“And you can still find quality hunters for a reasonable price.”

Scott says that as the horses have gotten fancier and more athletic, they’re stepping almost as high as do the English pleasure horses. “There have been discussions about splitting the hunter division in half,” says Scott, “with classes for show hunters and classes for sport hunters.

This would give horses that are more traditional hunters a place.”

Scott is justifiably pleased with the accomplishments of the farm so far.

“There’ve been a lot of special horses and riders over the years,” he says. “In October we took two horses to the Morgan Grand National and World Championships, in Oklahoma City, and both won world titles. DRF Suite Sensation, owned by Amanda Porto, won the World Amateur Hunter Pleasure title and JBK Buck Dakota, Samantha’s horse, won the World Youth Hunter Pleasure title. I’m very proud of both of these horses and their riders.”

“We went into the Morgan Grand National and World Championships with no expectations except to have fun,” Krista says. “It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and we enjoyed the whole experience. Joanne even put her work on hold to come to Oklahoma. They’re amazing people, and very important to us.”

Krista says she was thrilled: “Both Samantha and Amanda had beautiful rides in tough divisions. Amanda won the national qualifier in amateur and Samantha placed second, and Samantha won her national qualifier in youth. We thought we couldn’t ask for anything better.

“Samantha’s championship class was huge, so they split it,” Krista says. “First she had to make the callback, then she rode the next day in the world champi-

onship. Watching her ride in those classes was like watching your child walk for the first time. When they called her number, Samantha and I both cried and Scott was beaming. Samantha and Dakota worked diligently with their team of people to make it to this level, and having her do so well was divine.”

For Scott, one of the best rewards is watching the kids who’ve grown up riding at Driftway Meadows. “Many of them have stayed connected with us, and several have continued in a vocation related to horses,” he says.

“Driftway Meadows is a family,” says Krista. “The people are highly responsible and treat everyone like family. Scott and Joanne have been huge influences in my daughter’s life. As a parent, I can’t ask for a better group — they bring out the best in the horses, and in the humans around them.”

“There are a lot of Morgan-training barns in our area,” Scott says, “but we found a good niche and have been successful: we don’t try to be all things to all people. In the future, I see us continuing to expand our training and lesson programs, and continuing to evolve along with the needs of our clients.”

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15

Westhampton

Dancer

The Best Chapter

by Andrea Bugbee

hen Tracey McCormick, of she says, “he was a gem in many ways. I Westhampton, learned that could put certain kinds of beginners on Massachusetts Horse wanted to him; I could put a beginner on him who feature her family’s horse, Dancer, she wasn’t timid. People could learn on him was a little surprised. because he was well trained. He was “He’s thirty-eight and has only one dependable. He was good to do anything eye,” she said warily.

Dancer is the kind of horse that carries its beauty in its heart. This old gelding is the epitome of a faithful schoolmaster who’s been treated well; who’s been flexible enough to adapt to almost four decades of changing riders, homes, and jobs; and who is known among Westhampton horse people in the way Norm was known on Cheers.

It’s mostly through shows, lessons, and summer camps at Fuller’s Horse Farm, in Westhampton, that so many people got to know this once dapper, still winsome bay Morgan. Ironically, Dancer with Tess and Juliette. the stable’s owner, — all the obstacles and jumps. He didn’t Carolyn Fuller, never actually bought shy at things. He was bomb-proof. You Dancer, though he helped her to teach fall in love with horses like that. You realnew riders on and off for some 15 years. ize they’re worth their weight in gold.

“It was just a gradual thing until finally You can’t just replace them.” he was just here,” Carolyn says.

When Dancer was still a mere weanDancer had been owned by another ling of about 30, Isabella Brogle, of Westhampton resident, Laurie Hathaway.

Westhampton, leased him. At the time, “She had him and rode him and loved him, and she lived up the road from me,” she was about 12 years old. Now she’s headed to Becker College to become a says Carolyn. When Laurie became too veterinary technician. She competes on busy to ride regularly, and then faced an Interscholastic Equestrian Association serious health issues, she began to loan (IEA) team and is active in 4-H. She conDancer and a couple of her other horses siders Dancer “my first real pony,” she to Carolyn for lessons. The arrangement says, and describes him as both a best meant Laurie’s horses would get attenfriend and a teacher. tion; for Carolyn, it meant extra school “We always said he was like a fourhorses when she needed them. year-old horse in an old man’s body,” she Worth His Weight in Gold says, laughing. “I learned a lot on him. He Technically, Dancer was already “old” definitely helped with my base of riding when Carolyn started utilizing him in her and jumping small courses, and really just lesson program, but as a school horse, how to take care of a horse.”

Jerome Renault

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Dancer suffered a serious eye infection that wouldn’t heal, and it was Bella who helped him to readjust after the eye was surgically removed. Given time to regain his confidence, Dancer was virtually unchanged — though Bella did note that he stopped glaring at the mirror in Fuller’s indoor arena whenever he passed by it on his blind side. Feisty as ever, Dancer and Bella continued to show. He was safe enough to stand calmly at noisy horse shows and to be led through the crowds by a child, yet proud enough to rev up his flashiest extended trot, upstaging the younger, two-eyed horses.

A New Place to Shine Time catches up with us all, however, even the most macho of Morgans.

“Dancer used to be the king of the pasture, but then, as he got older and older and then lost his eye, he got pushed off to the side, and some of the other horses were terrible to him,” Carolyn says. That was about four years ago. Before Laurie succumbed to her illness, Carolyn had promised to take care of Dancer, but a busy riding stable was no longer the place for this senior star. Dancer needed a special situation in order to shine again.

Enter the Renault/McCormick family.

Tracey McCormick and Jerome Renault, along with their daughters, Juliette and Tess, had recently moved from busy Cambridge to a cozy Cape Cod on a rolling, serene piece of land in Westhampton. Tracey had a horse when she was growing up, and Jerome knew the horse world through his sister, Catherine Lalleman-Bamvens, a highly successful amateur jockey. The couple’s new home came with a small horse barn, so when they heard that Carolyn, who had become Juliette’s riding instructor,

was looking for a quiet retirement for Dancer, they offered to take him.

Today, Dancer’s personality glows.

“He loves us,” Tracey says with a grin. “I come home from work every day and get out of the car and he neighs and whinnies. He’s always right there,” she says, gesturing to a corner of the paddock that looks out onto the family’s backyard.

Their neighbor regularly calls out cheerful hellos to Dancer, who gets to be pasture king over a flock of chickens and the family’s friendly Australian shepherd. On brisk mornings, Dancer sashays around with a buck or a rear, full of the exuberance of a youngster.

Juliette is now 13. She trains with the Williston Fuller IEA team and dreams of a jumper–trail horse–Warmblood–show pony of her own. That hope, though, doesn’t affect her love for Dancer. Still a schoolmaster, Dancer has taught his new family about horse husbandry. He stands patiently (usually) while Juliette primps him with braids and Show Sheen to practice readying for the shows she enters with other horses. He generously offers pony rides to younger sister Tess and her friends and explores the property when the girls take him on short mounted trail rides.

This “funny old guy,” as Tracey calls

him, has also become the family’s confidant. Jerome speaks to Dancer each morning as he scoops out the gelding’s Senior Feed and chopped hay and Tracey equates the quiet process of tending to barn chores to therapy. Even Juliette thinks horses are wonderful: “They don’t talk back. They don’t tell you what to do.

Even though I can’t ride Dancer, he’s just really nice to be around,” she says.

At eight years old, Tess seems to have the closest relationship with Dancer. “I talk to Dancer a lot,” she says. “I tell him my feelings if I’m sad or mad.” She also sings to him, brushes him, throws her arms around him, and generally spills her affection into his space in a way that Dancer seems to adore.

“She crawls under his legs,” Juliette says.

“Of course, you have to be careful and barn rules are important,” Tracey says, “but he loves her. It seems as if he knows. He just feels like the old wise guy of our household.”

times carrying it from the house to the barn in winter when the barn water froze.

Now the family use hay stretcher and sweetened, already chopped hay. The tear duct attached to Dancer’s missing eye is still active (“It makes noises!”

Juliette says) and requires periodic cleansing.

The family are committed to providing for Dancer’s care. When they visit Jerome’s family in France for a month each summer, they find a worthy horse sitter. Responsible care is, as always, essential, but Tracey and the kids say they’re repaid tenfold: Dancer seems to be enchanted by the two young girls.

Carolyn Fuller couldn’t be happier with her trusty old school horse’s final chapter. “He’s lucky,” she says, “and I’m lucky that he’s with a family who love him and give him a lot of attention. It’s the best thing. He deserves it.”

Andrea Bugbee is a freelance reporter. She lives with her husband and their children in Southwick.

A Labor of Love An older horse is not for everyone: “There are challenges,” cautions Tracey.

For example, Dancer’s teeth are in poor condition, so chewing roughage is difficult. At first Tracey soaked his hay, some-

Sebring Stables has Something for Everyone!

Training . Lessons . Sales

Harry and Carolyn Sebring, Owners . Richmond, Mass. . (413) 448-5300 . www.sebringstables.com Massachusetts Horse

17

Rowley

Connie Johnson Hambley A Wild Ride

by Susan Winslow

graphical, nor are the characters modand, like a typical five-year-old, being woronnie Johnson Hambley’s first eled on any specific people she’s known. ried because I couldn’t find my shoes.” book, The Charity, reads like a wild “Although horses are a theme, the real Those memories have evolved with a cross-country ride at Rolex greater understanding of the terrible vioKentucky, complete with twists and turns, focus of this book is the far-reaching destructive power of terrorism: in this lation suffered by the family. She continstomach-lurching drops, and the steady case, the cells based in Northern ues with carefully chosen words: “The thrum of adrenaline. Set in Hamilton, Ireland,” she explains. “It’s also about the arsonist was a man who took exception to Boston, and Perc, Kentucky, The Charity ability of the mind to repress traumatic my family, for whatever reason, and set tells the story of Jessica Wyeth, whose events and how that affects a life when fire to the main dairy barn. What I privileged life on her family’s idyllic the memories start to surface. The charremember most now is that my father Hamilton estate, Wyeth’s and grandfather were World Wind Thoroughbreds, heroic that day. They takes an unexpected and went into the burning horrifying departure from barn to get all the all she’s known, leading her cows out safely, before into a tangled web of interit burned to the national terrorism, survival, ground. As I got and questions about her older, I understood past. what it feels like to Riders everywhere will experience that kind respond to the underlying of terrorism and violatheme of horses as the tion of your home touchstone of Jessica’s life, and security.” even when it spirals out of That act of viocontrol, but it’s the thrill of lence had an enorthe unraveling mystery, a mous impact on hint of romance, and a terConnie’s family, strikrifying glimpse into the ing at the very heart clandestine terrorists in our of their livelihood, midst that will keep readers but as an adult, she’s glued to the pages of this has found a way to thriller. That’s exactly what balance the experiRowley author Connie ence with her overHambley envisioned when whelmingly positive the story about Jessica was memories of life on just an idea. the farm. As with “My life was very full Jessica, Connie’s love with a husband, kids, and a Connie with Irish Sport Horse Aran Imp, owned by Rachel Murrin, of Kittery Crossing Farm of horses and the outcareer, but this story was in doors is an important my head and it wanted to be in Rowley. written,” she says. “I hired sitters to watch acters are an amalgam of interesting peo- part of her life. ple I’ve known along the way. People may Through college, law school in my kids and carved out time to write. It read the description of Wyeth’s World Vermont, and a career in finance and law was a gift to myself, and the story just Wind Farm in Hamilton and try to place in Boston, Connie maintained a connecpoured out of me. The fun and satisfacit, but it’s based on the best of the farms tion to horses. “I don’t have a horse right tion came in just completing the story.”

I’ve known in Hamilton and upstate New now, but my friends will tell you I’m the Fast-forward 16 years. Connie best horse sitter on the North Shore,” she picked up the manuscript again and read York, where I grew up.”

Therein lies a strong and chilling says. “Horses have always kept me it over with fresh eyes. “I thought, ‘Hey, thread of familiarity between the author grounded, whether I’m riding, showing, this is pretty good,’” she recalls. “I asked and her main character. Connie’s youth or just being around them. I had six some people I trust to review it and they was spent in Pawling, New York, on her horses growing up and I did a lot of comgave me feedback that was very positive. family’s dairy farm, where she grew up peting. That’s why it was so important to That gave me the confidence to pursue loving her horses, visiting the milking me to get every aspect of the horse publishing the novel.” Connie made cows in the sprawling dairy barn, and scenes authentic and credible, just as I some revisions, then published The exploring the vast fields and forests on did with the aspects of terrorism.

Charity through the company she started, their land. That idyllic life was shattered “You have to remember that I wrote Charylar Press, named for her children, when an arsonist torched their barn. “I the manuscript before the events of 9/11, Chase, Ryder, and Skylar. was just five years old,” says Connie, “and and it’s eerie to me how terrorism played That kind of can-do attitude is remiall I can remember of that day is my out in America after I did so much niscent of the resourceful Jessica, but mother’s fear, the smell of the smoke, research while writing the book. I wanted Connie insists the book is not autobioScott Hambley

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it to be accurate in every way, from the experience of riding a trail in late-afternoon sunlight to the details about how terrorism grows. Readers, especially horse people, can spot a mistake a mile away. I didn’t want anything to take away from a reader’s experience. Horses are a big part of Jessica’s strength and her ability to think on her feet and adapt quickly to any situation.”

Her love of horses also brought Connie to Hamilton. “When I was living in Boston, I took a day trip to the North Shore and fell in love with the area, especially Hamilton,” she says. “It’s a lovely town with a country feel, an active horse community, and close proximity to the ocean, which makes it just about the perfect place to live.” She and her husband, Scott, settled in nearby Rowley, where they’re raising their children.

Connie is working on a sequel to The Charity. “I’m deep into research on terrorism and Northern Ireland for The Troubles,” she says. “Readers of The Charity keep asking me, ‘What’s next for Jessica?’ I’m working on the sequel because there’s much more to the story and Jessica has become a very real person to readers. My favorite story is from one who contacted me to tell me she was walking out of her building and saw a note with phone numbers attached announcing that a guy was giving away his furniture. The reader had already torn off a strip for a friend she knew needed furniture when she suddenly remembered that the friend was actually Jessica from my book! That’s how real Jessica becomes to readers.”

Connie has a third book tugging at her imagination, but she’s keeping it at bay while she works on The Troubles.

She stays accessible to her fans, saying, “I’m proud of The Charity, and it’s great to go to book signings, readings, and book clubs to meet the readers, listen to their feedback, and share my experience writing the book with them.

It’s a dream come true for me, and I’m enjoying every minute of it.”

Dressage & Combined Test

Schooling Series

June 23 . Judge ann Marie Gregoire “r” August 4 . Judge Kathi bruce “l” Western Dressage Tests Equitation Classes

September 8 . Judge lainey Johnson “l” October 13 . Judge Keith angstadt “r” Bill Warren Clinics Verne Batchelder Clinics

November Year-end Awards Banquet

Xenophon Farm Janice Kachavos, Instructor, General Manager . Elaine Kachavos, Competitions & Clinics

80 SuNDErLAND rD., rTE. 47, MONTAGuE, MASS. 413.367.9828 . XenophonFarm@aol.com

Susan Winslow is a Massachusetts-licensed riding instructor and PATH-certified therapeutic-riding instructor. She has devoted the past 40 years to caring for and riding horses. Susan is currently working on a novel.

Massachusetts Horse

19

right lead

by Suzy Lucine

Saddle Seat Equitation

The Right Lead offers advice and tips from your neighbors and friends. Horse professionals from all walks of life will help you find the right lead.

S

professionally since 1969. Chris teaches the three show-ring seats: saddle seat, hunter seat, and western.

Her students have won prestigious equitation year-end circuit championship and USEF Rider of the Year awards. One of her saddle-seat riders, Gaetana D’aelsio-Spina, participated in goldmedal-winning Team Morgan Competitions in 2009 and 2012.

Chris says the technical aspects of

stuff,” she says, “but you have to instill in them that they’re good enough, stylish enough, in harmony with their horse enough, and worthy enough to win. It’s difficult for some riders to feel that they’re great and to realize they’re stars.”

addle seat, as a distinct style within the broader group of English disciplines, developed in the United States from two sources — the plantation Melissa Morrell tradition of the American South, in Melissa Morrell, of Moreland Farm in which plantation owners and overseers West Brookfield, says saddle seat was a traveled across the fields using smoothway of life from age 7 to 17. As the moving, high-stepping horsdaughter of two trainers of es, and Europe, where a flatMorgans, many times Melissa ter English show saddle was also had the challenge of ridcreated for riders who wanting horses that were someed to show off their what green. In 2000, Melissa flashiest, highest-stepping joined her parents, Tim and horses in city parks on Jane Morrell, training and Sundays. The term “park instructing at Moreland. horse” is still used today to She’s had several successful describe competitions that regional and national winjudge the action of a horse. ning teams, and says she In saddle-seat equienjoys the mixture of discitation classes, riders convey plines — western, hunter, the impression of effective saddle seat, and driving — and easy control even as but finds she has a natural they show themselves to the pull toward saddle seat. best advantage. Showman“One skill that’s difficult ship is of paramount imporfor any rider to master is pertance, as the judges look for fect balance,” says Melissa. the perfect saddle-seat “This not only means staying horse-and-rider pair. on your horse; it also means Riders work both direcpressing into each stirrup tions of the ring at all with equal weight, not leadrequired gaits, directed by ing with a shoulder or hip the judge. Any or all riders Chris Cassenti’s student Gaetan D’aelsio-Spina has won numerous saddle-seat unless the gait requires you equitation championships riding HVK Hot Ember and has twice been a member of may be required to execute to do so, and keeping your the gold-winning Team Morgan. an individual workout/ arms and hands exactly the pattern included in the class same. The fingers are the requirements. link to your horse, but many riders use proper equitation are more easily Horses with a naturally upright neck their whole arm, which disrupts the acquired than are the presence, confiwith high head carriage as well as anistructure of the position. These problems dence, and showmanship needed to mated gaits and high action are usually can be addressed only by a capable make it to the top. “Showmanship, havthe best mounts for saddle-seat riders. instructor who sees the issues as they ing self-confidence in your ride, is a chalThey should be energetic but remain arise.” lenge for young riders,” she says. responsive to their rider’s aids. Several There are other skills that need “Knowing and believing that you and breeds are well adapted to the discipline: your horse can do the ride and do it well, practice. “During rail work or executing the most well known are the American a pattern, in her head every rider should and that you’ve prepared and are ready Saddlebred, the Morgan, and the decide where she wants the horse and to take on the class, is key.”

Arabian. then make sure she gets it there,” she In addition, she says, “hitting your Five Massachusetts instructors tell us target in a workout is just as important as says. “Breaking up pattern work into sinwhat they consider to be the top three gle parts with rests in between helps to your showmanship. Equitation patterns skills saddle-seat equitation riders have ensure accuracy and that the horse require you to understand and apply the most difficult time acquiring, and thinks as well. fractions and geometry in your ride. how they help riders attain these skills.

“A third skill, one that depends on Circles must be round with a start and the rider’s length of leg and athletic stop in exactly the same spot with no Chris Cassenti ability as well as repetition, is keeping the room for error. Serpentines must be of Chris Cassenti, of Chrislar Farm in legs still. You can acquire this skill by ridequal length; diagonal lines should be Rowley, has been teaching and training ing bareback and without stirrups and by just that. Most riders get the technical

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June/July 2013

repetitive longe-line lessons in which the rider doesn’t use her hands to maintain balance. These activities, along with riding young or green horses, can help riders improve their base [feet and legs],” Melissa says.

Liz Murphy Liz Murphy and her husband, Mike, own and operate Legacy Stable, which is in Mendon. She started training and instructing, more than 13 years ago, at her grandparents’ Arabian farm. Liz says she learned a lot from hands-on experience, as well as from her aunt and grandfather. Her aunt had a big lesson program and, says Liz, working with her provided valuable knowledge from an instructor’s point of view.

“The top three skills saddle-seat riders have a hard time with are pattern work, proper leg position, and confidence,” Liz says.

While executing patterns, she says, “a rider must count her horse’s strides.

Many serpentine loops are done with parallel lines, but they’re supposed to be slanted lines, like half circles.”

As for leg position, “you see many riders with splayed legs,” Liz says. “You don’t want more than halfway down the calf on the horse, but you need to have your calf on until that halfway point. If your calf was completely off the horse, you’d have no way to engage your horse, as your legs would be splayed.

The third skill involves confidence: “This is very important,” says Liz. “The rider needs to communicate nonverbally that she’s there to win it, like making some inside passes during the rail work to be sure the judge sees her.”

person’s ability to ride correctly and to use aids effectively,” Carolyn says. “What I look for in a rider, when I think about equitation, is mental strength. She has to be able to handle the pressure of her performance as well as that of her horse.”

But there’s more to equitation than technique. “Riding skills can be taught and practiced,” says Carolyn, “but edge isn’t easily taught: it’s a feeling. I equate successful equitation riders with the kids who try out for the lead in the school musical. These are the ones who are willing to step into the spotlight. Most kids are more comfortable in the chorus; only a few have the chutzpah to stand up and belt out a song.

“Next I like a good work ethic. Not only do equitation riders have to ride well, but they must also develop a relationship with their horse that’s unbreakable. This comes only after hours of hard work. Shortcuts and quick fixes don’t usually work in equitation,” she says.

“Physically, I want to have a rider with strong legs, so she has the ability to get the most from her horse as well as maintain correct position,” Carolyn says.

Nikki Rae Woodworth For the past 13 years, since she was in high school, Nikki Rae Woodworth, of KGA Morgans in Mendon, has been training and giving lessons. She joined KGA when it opened, five years ago.

Although she works with all three seats, she specializes in saddle seat. Among world and national champion riders who came from KGA are Chloe Deeb, Hayley Porter, Rachel Menard, Nicole Kaufman, Nena Marlin, and Lauren White.

The first skill saddle-seat riders find

challenging, says Nikki, is “riding the horse and getting the most out of it without losing their form. Many riders focus so much on what they look like that they forget about the horse. I try to incorporate some ‘performance’ lessons with equitation kids on their horses instead of just constant equitation. If you learn how to really ride your horse and connect with it, you’ll be able to do any pattern.”

The second challenge is, she says, preparing and focusing for patterns. “You need to be sharp enough to hear a pattern announced during the class for the first time and strategize how you’re going to do the pattern,” Nikki says, “without being too nervous to think. I do some lessons just saying the pattern once and having the kids figure it out.”

Nikki says physical prowess can also be a challenge. “Strength is very important in equitation,” she says. “Leg strength for riding without irons is a must. When I have a rider who struggles more with no irons, I have her work out at home, whether it’s running or riding a bike. This builds up muscles and also helps with cardio, so she’ll be able to make it look as easy as she can when it comes time to show.”

Carolyn’s final words of advice are fitting: “There’s nothing more helpful than practice, practice, practice.”

Suzy Lucine is the former editor of the Morgan Horse and the Horsemen’s Yankee Pedlar.

Carolyn Sebring Carolyn Sebring, of Sebring Stables in Richmond, has been involved with Morgans for as long as she can remember. Growing up in northern New Jersey, she rode at Bridle Vale Farm with Barbara Irvine. After graduating from college with a degree in elementary education, she helped trainer Harry Sebring, then of Icestone Farm, at the 1980 Grand National.

Instead of a teaching career, she continued to work for Harry — and eventually married him. The rest, as they say, is history. In 1989, the couple established the 60-stall Sebring Stables. Carolyn instructs all seats, but says she’s most comfortable with western and saddle seat.

“Equitation refers to a rider’s position while mounted, and incorporates the Massachusetts Horse

21

Hunter Derby Fever

right lead

Insight from Top Trainers

by Holly Jacobson The Right Lead offers advice and tips from your neighbors and friends. Horse professionals from all walks of life will help you find the right lead.

classes. A horse needs to be athletic, ‘scopey,’ brave, and ideally very handy.

The best derby horse for me rides like a nimble jumper but goes like a quiet hunter.”

Courage is required not for just the horse. “As a rider, you have to be able to put everything on the line, especially in the handy round,” Kristy says. “A lot can change in the second round, and if you second-guess yourself or your horse, it’s not going to happen.”

Preparing at home, Kristy keeps things simple but effective: “I train all my horses — jumpers, hunters, and equi-

courtesy of Anna Pavlov

When Rhumba, the beautiful gray piloted

by John French, won the inaugural $100,000 International Hunter Derby Finals in 2009, his performance not only rocked the arena, but also ushered in a wave of interest and excitement in these special classes that bring out the best jumping styles in hunters.

In response, the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) created step-up National Hunter Derby classes. In this format, at least two judges score the Classic Hunter Round (first round) on performance, hunter pace, jumping style, quality, substance, and movement and then the Handy Hunter Round (second), which reflects brilliance of pace and handiness, with additional points for highoption fences.

The popularity of hunter derby has trickled down to local levels. Taking the hunters back to the field (or bringing the field into the ring) returns the sport to its traditional roots and purpose. Galloping to inviting natural obstacles such as Anna Pavlov on Adelante. walls, gates, timber, banks, and hedges is quite a different feel from tation horses — to know classic flatwork. the rote, outside-diagonal courses.

Every horse in my barn knows how to Horses enjoy the challenge, and the counter-canter and do a half pass, but I handy-round options test a rider’s skills don’t drill them,” she says. To keep them in opening, dismounting, and leading; happy, she changes it up — one day flat and going over ditches, trot fences, lesson, one day gymnastics, and one day bridges, and banks. At USHJA-rated trail riding to keep their minds engaged. shows, there’s the further incentive of “In Massachusetts, we have access to prize money. a hunt field with natural jumps, which are great to school over and get the ridKristy McCormack ers galloping,” says Kristy. “In Florida, we Kristy McCormack, owner and trainer of ride on trails and frequently in open Oasis Show Stables in Medfield and fields. I’m not big on over-jumping at Wellington, Florida, rode Autumn home — we work on the basics and do Janesky’s Temptation to third place in exercises between shows, not always practhe $50,000 USHJA International Hunter ticing courses.

Derby at the Winter Equestrian Festival “Temptation needs to stay fit and in March, and won the Handy Hunter interested at home; too much schooling Round. makes him bored,” she says. “Temptation, Says Kristy: “The hunter derbies are a.k.a. Hershey, is a number-one-winning fantastic classes to showcase a classic athlete, in all senses of the word. He hunter or a great jumping horse that knows when it’s game time, and he’s as may not do as well in the regular hunter brave as they come.”

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June/July 2013

He’s also his owner’s equitation horse. “Although he doesn’t move like a hunter,” Kristy says, “he has the scope and heart to beat a lot of them. His biggest asset is that he loves pace — I can really show off his gallop in the handy round, which is an awesome feeling on a big field.”

Derbies are a game of confidence; the most assured rider usually comes out on top. “That can take getting ahold of your nerves,” says Kristy. “These classes are not for timid riders. I tell my riders (and myself) that the goal is to get into the second round — little mistakes won’t make such a big difference by the end, so just keep going forward. By the second round, the nerves are probably gone. Then it should be about giving everything you’ve got, and having fun doing it.”

Amanda Steege Amanda Steege grew up in Stow, the daughter of equestrian professionals Mitch and Kathy Steege, at Red Acres Farm. Now running her own barn, Ashmeadow Farm in Far Hills, New Jersey, Amanda has found success in the derby classes and calls herself a fan.

“Hunter derbies really spiced up the hunters by adding some excitement,” she says. Her favorite courses require jumping from the ring onto a field for a few jumps on the grass and then jumping back in.

“They bring more prize money and sponsorships to the hunters. I’m noticing a lot of owners who want to buy derby horses for their professional riders,” she says.

For the USHJA Hunter Derby, Amanda looks for a brave, well-educated horse with the scope and ability to jump the high options at each fence. “For the lower-level hunter derbies my amateur riders compete in, I also want a horse that’s brave and well broke, adjustable, and confident. We ride our horses six days a week and the best thing is we give them a lot of turnout.

“At home,” she says, “riding consists of flatwork and trail rides and one or two days a week of small jumps or gymnastics mixed in. We rarely practice courses; we work more on keeping the horses’ mus-

cles in shape, fine-tuning their jumping style, and rider positions.

“It’s important that you be competent to do the jumps in the more traditional hunter classes before you try a derby. If you just moved up to adult hunters, you shouldn't jump right into the three-foot derby,” she says.

A good course walk with your trainer is key: “Plan where you’ll turn and where on a course you have a chance to regroup,” says Amanda. “Find a quiet place and go over it in your head . . . visualize the round as if you’re watching a video of yourself doing it. Once you can see yourself doing it perfectly, zoom in and pay attention to what your body is doing and where.”

She, too, says hunter-derby classes benefit her amateur clients: “Bending lines and longer courses help them develop skills to ride better in the more traditional adult and amateur hunter classes.”

Shane Powell Shane Powell, who runs Evermoor out of Indian Meadow Farm in West Newbury, has some advice for riders starting out.

His stint working for Jennifer Alfano, a top-tier hunter-derby rider, taught him to stay positive and go forward. “Pace will always help you,” he says.

“Our show horses are so accustomed to smooth rings that they and their riders must get used to grass and uneven footing,” says Shane. He takes students to school at Pipestave’s outside course for exposure and even drags his Christmas tree to the ring for jumping practice. He learned from Robin Petersen, of Back Bay Farm in Ipswich, that seemingly minor details such as tall grass tickling a horse’s legs count.

Shane stresses the importance of talking to your farrier about stud holes and how to use studs for grass. Be aware, too, that morning dew always makes grass slippery.

He uses the timing of fall hunter derbies for his equitation students to acquire the gallop mind-set for indoor finals. He says this freshens up the horses, and handy rounds mimic the technical skills, tight turns, and adjustability medal classes require.

“At the finish, show your hunter’s versatility and drop the reins to quietly exit,” Shane advises.

Anna Pavlov, one of Shane’s students, says she’s addicted to the discipline. “I love thinking outside the box, and hunter derbies give me a chance to be bold and creative, and to show off Adelante’s (a.k.a. Aiden) fearless, winning attitude,” she says. “The judging also

allows a horse to show more personality and energy. I don’t mind if Aiden’s a little fresh: I know that when I put my leg on to hand-gallop, he’s game.”

Her first hunter-derby champion, a Paint Quarter Horse Shane had for sale, looked a little different from the other horses in Fieldstone’s 2'9" Hunter Derby.

“For the second round Shane, half joking, told me to jump off the bank rather than hack down,” says Anna. “Bold and trustworthy, Max complied. Maybe not the most expensive or beautiful horse in the class, but because of his great mind, he stood apart from the rest and won.”

Anna says she enjoys that professionals, juniors, and adults compete together: “When you succeed, you feel a sense of gratification that you competed against some of the best.”

Cory Hardy Cory Hardy, of Newbury Farm in Littleton, believes hunter derby and handy classes shouldn’t be lumped together, but, he says, “the inclusion of handy classes a few years ago was a step in the right direction to add variety to rated hunter divisions.” He thinks hunter derbies are a well-conceived idea to return the class to its roots, the hunt field. “We often forget that the basic

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principle of our sport is galloping over jumps. The ideal is to transport the hunt field to the arena, rewarding the qualities of brilliance, bravery, boldness, and technique,” he says.

“Riders competing in a derby need to exemplify the same traits as their horses: bravery, boldness, and brilliance,” he says. “Forward riding is a necessity. When you want to pull on the reins, abstain and add leg, and a better option will undoubtedly show itself. There’s no place for timidity in hunter derbies, but one must be careful not to be hyper-aggressive. I’ve lost as many as I’ve won by being too aggressive. Quality ought to trump extremism.”

Cory warns riders not to overanalyze a derby/handy class: “Good riding is good riding,” he says, “and will be rewarded. If you’re concerned rather than excited about a class, scratch. Safety is number one. Performance anxiety is normal, but it shouldn’t be overwhelming.”

Cory credits Mitch Steege, whom he rode with as a junior, as an advocate of galloping to the jumps with a classical understanding of technique to produce the best style and form and to accentuate quality. He applauds the unique jump construction in hunter-derby courses that encourage effort, as opposed to the

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Cory would prefer the hunter derby to keep its status elite, and less as a derivative for everyone, every show. “A hunter derby ought to be the hunter equivalent of the jumper Grand Prix,” he says. “A true hunter derby should be a real challenge for rated hunters, set at three feet six inches or higher, and a test of those qualities not often recognized in the usual hunter classes. All horses ought to be exposed to a multitude of experi-

ences, but only the best ones rise to the top. When I jumped a four-foot, threeinch canoe at the 2012 Lake Placid Derby on Mary Chase’s Le Chasseur, I thought Who encounters a canoe in the hunt field?

The hang time was unreal.”

Holly Jacobson writes for several equine publications, including Practical Horseman and DressageDaily.com. She’s also a NEHC steward.

Holly enjoys showing Shadow, her Quarter Horse, in modified adult divisions.

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25

Vitamin E

in Massachusetts Forage

by Stacey Stearns

A

ll nutrients play a part in horse health. Let’s take a look at one of them. Just what is vitamin E? Why is it important? What causes a deficiency?

What should a horse owner know? What’s a horse owner to do?

The 411 Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) is a fatsoluble nutrient and biological antioxidant that works with selenium, a trace mineral, and vitamin C to maintain neuromuscular function; support a healthy immune system; and help neutralize free radicals, the damaging by-products of normal cellular activity. Free radicals are produced by exercise, illness, and certain medical conditions. Because vitamin E is fat soluble, it penetrates cell membranes to protect fats and other membrane components against damage.

The concentration of vitamin E found in horse feed varies considerably.

It’s found in fresh grass, but levels drop when grass becomes hay. Forages harvested while they’re immature contain more; in general, grain has the lowest naturally occurring amount. According to the National Research Council’s Nutrient Requirements for Horses (sixth edition): “Naturally occurring vitamin E declines over time in stored feeds. For example, losses of 54 to 73 percent . . .

26

June/July 2013

have been reported in alfalfa stored at 91 F for 12 weeks. Therefore, the intake of vitamin E can vary considerably depending on the horse’s diet.”

“Horses eating hay should have a vitamin E supplement,” says Dr. Lydia Gray, staff veterinarian at SmartPak, in Plymouth. “Exercise, stress, pregnancy, and many other factors increase a horse’s need for this element, so if you’re feeding last year’s hay or increasing the amount of exercise a horse does, you’ll need to increase vitamin E.”

Supplements Vitamin E is available from natural and synthetic sources. Depending on the source, its chemical structure is different, but both types are well absorbed and utilized by the body. Because the natural, or d-alpha tocopherol, source has better bioavailability — that is, the proportion of the vitamin that enters the circulation system is greater, and thus has an active effect — less is needed for the same benefits.

The recommendation for a healthy horse is up to 2 IU per kilogram (1 kilogram = 2.2 pounds) of body weight. (The International Unit is a measure of biological activity rather than of weight; grams and milligrams are weights.) Growing horses, lactating mares, and horses in

exercise programs need more. The upper safe limit for a horse is 1,000 IU per kilogram of dry matter. For a 1,000pound horse eating 10 to 20 kilograms of dry matter a day, that means 10,000 to 20,000 IU of vitamin E. “Even though vitamin E remains in the body,” says Dr. Gray, “as long as you stay under the upper safe limit you don’t have to worry about toxicity. It’s one of the best antioxidants for muscle- and nerve-cell protection. Remember, when the NRC provides recommendations, it’s the minimum amount needed to maintain health. That’s why many experts advise aiming for a hundred and fifty percent of the NRC recommendations for optimal nutrition, especially for the performance horse.”

Whenever fat is added to a horse’s diet, vitamin E should be supplemented as well. This is because the body has to oxidize fat to use it, so an antioxidant is necessary to neutralize the free radicals generated from this metabolic process.

Forty-six states, including Massachusetts, report soils deficient in selenium, so most horse owners must also supplement that mineral in order to meet the recommended requirement of 1 mg/day for maintenance. The NRC recommends 2 to 3 milligrams per day for optimum immune function and exer-

cise recovery. “Selenium yeast, the organic form of the mineral, is better absorbed than is inorganic selenium selenite and is a better choice,” says Dr. Gray.

“For years, horse owners have been taught to be careful about selenium supplementation,” she says, “and therefore have become too cautious. The upper safe limit is fifty milligrams per day per thousand pounds of horse, so there’s a bigger supplementation window than we’ve been led to believe. It’s not easy to over-supplement a horse with selenium; those that suffer from selenium toxicity are in the few areas where the mineral is actually in the soil.”

A study conducted on pregnant mares shows that those given 3 milligrams of selenium per day had healthier foals.

In addition to pregnancy, exercise increases a horse’s nutritional requirement for the nutrient. Vitamin E and selenium partner well, approaching from several directions the oxidative stress generated from exercise, illness, and other reasons.

“Equestrians with normal, healthy horses can supplement their animals with vitamin E and selenium without worrying, understanding that it’s important for health and well-being,” Dr. Gray says.

Work with your veterinarian to ensure that your horse’s diet is complete and balanced for its workload and stage of life.

The vet or an equine nutritionist will take into account all sources of vitamins and minerals, including hay, grain, and supplements, as well as your geographic location.

“Vitamin C (a.k.a. ascorbic acid, calcium ascorbate) is another antioxidant that works with vitamin E and selenium to protect the tissues of the body, especially those of the respiratory system,” Lydia says. “It’s also important in the production of connective tissues such as tendons and ligaments; skin and hooves; and bones and teeth. Under normal circumstances, horses make their own vitamin C in the liver from glucose [blood sugar].

However, disease, transport, heaves, old age, and endurance exercise decrease blood levels of vitamin C, indicating that a horse undergoing any of these stresses may benefit from dietary supplementation.”

Deficiency A deficiency in vitamin E can be quite serious, and a variety of factors are the culprits. Among them are the age and quality of the forage or hay, the age and genetics of the horse, and the amount of exercise the horse gets.

Deficiency can lead to serious diseases. For example, a horse with deficient myopathy will lose muscle mass; perform poorly; and exhibit toe dragging, weakness, and muscle twitching. Proper supplementation usually leads to full recovery.

“All of our horses are on an all-inclusive vitamin supplement that includes vitamin E,” says Chris Cassenti, of Chrislar Farm in Rowley. “Periodically we might have a horse that’s not going right: It’s not lame; it’s just a little off and lethargic. We check all over and have blood drawn to test for nutrient levels, and sometimes we find there’s not enough vitamin E. Our veterinarian recommends a vitamin E supplement, in addition to our complete supplement, for a period of time, and we’ve seen good results.”

A blood test determines whether a horse is deficient. There may not be any signs of neuromuscular disease, but entire herds of horses have been documented as vitamin E deficient without any of them exhibiting clinical signs.

“Especially with a muscle disorder or a medical condition like tying up or EPM,” says Dr. Gray, “it’s important to draw a baseline vitamin E blood sample to know if supplementation is working

and how much of a deficit needs to be overcome. Based on the results, you may have to change the source or increase the supplementation level.” She also recommends retesting after supplementation has been established to see if it’s having the desired effects.

A rare result of vitamin E deficiency is equine motor neuron disease (EMND), a degenerative nerve disease caused by a deficiency lasting more than 18 months.

A horse with EMND exhibits many of the same clinical signs as myopathy, but the condition is not as easily treated; high doses of alpha-tocopherol show improvement in only 40 percent of cases. You probably won’t encounter EMND, but its seriousness highlights the importance of vitamin E.

In the August/September issue we’ll feature

Fjords,

ranch riding, foxhunting, and IEA and IHSA teams.

Want to be interviewed?

Place an ad?

Email us at info@mahorse.com.

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27

Amazing Grace

lend a hoof

by Andrea Bugbee

Equine Rescue

Middleboro

adopted her Standardbred mare, Cricket, “I think what Amazing Grace does is emember the first horse you ever from Amazing Grace Equine Rescue absolutely wonderful,” she says. “It gives rode? Chances are it wasn’t a almost a year ago. A horseperson as a horses a second chance after somebody $50,000 stadium jumper at the kid, now Melissa wasn’t really looking for gave up on them. We take a horse and height of its career. Most people’s first a horse of her own — let alone a give it that second chance at life, that secmount was a “schoolie” in its teens or Standardbred, and a mare at that. But ond chance to be comfortable.” Ana uses 20s, chosen for its tolerance in bearing a when she heard about the foster horse at Dusty, a gentle mare, as an example. bouncing beginner on its back, reins the barn where her daughter, Morgan, Dusty was headed to a dealer, lame from yanked to ears, legs flouncing like birthtakes lessons, she says, “I kind of peeked a soft-tissue injury. “We gave her the time day streamers waving in the wind. into the stall. Then I asked if I could and the supplements she needed to help It’s those precious, patient her heal her tendon” says Ana, school horses that first “and she has a giant field with inspired long-time riding grass and all she has to do is give instructor Derel Twombly, of pony rides and some lessons.

Middleboro, to found Amazing “I truly believe any horse Grace Equine Rescue in 2010. can find the right home if given “I’ve seen firsthand horses the chance,” Ana says, “and that’s that, when their usefulness is what Amazing Grace stands for.” spent, have no options.

They’re sent away without a From Lead Line to Online plan, without regard to what To date, Derel estimates that lies in their future. But I perAmazing Grace Equine Rescue sonally feel that I owe horses has helped to rehome 70 horses so much,” Derel says. “If a in a little less than three years. horse is in its mid- to late twen“That’s not bad for a little organties and has taught perhaps ization with no money,” she says. generations of people, when So what’s the trick? “I’m a master that horse is through with its of making YouTube videos,” she career, isn’t something owed to says, laughing. it? You’ve spent a lifetime in When somebody contacts the confidence of that horse, Amazing Grace seeking to place teaching that horse to trust a horse, Derel films the animal, you, and the horse complies.

Nine-year-old Breiah Coletti, of Middleboro, having a lesson with Dusty. complete with the ownerBut when the horse can no described history, then edits it to post on groom her. It was love at first sight for longer comply because of physical limitaYouTube, Facebook, and, of course, me.” tions . . . ? Is that who we are as amazinggraceequine.org. “We’re very Cricket had never been abused or humans?” honest with what the horses can do, what neglected, and she was perfectly sound.

In particular, the scenario that they can’t do, what their needs are, and Her only flaw was that she was trained to Amazing Grace strives to thwart is one in what type of rider would be best suited which a horse must be sold because of its race but never won. Now she’s repurfor them,” says Beth Hague, owner of health or the owner’s inability to care for posed as a pleasure horse, shared by Hidden Acres Equestrian Center in mother and daughter. “I’m just thankful it. If that horse ends up unsold at a large Carver and a member of the Amazing that this horse came into my life” says auction house, then it becomes affordGrace Equine Rescue Board of Directors.

Melissa. “It’s made a big difference for able for meat agents to buy.

The videos are set to Mary Ann me. Even if I never show, I’m grateful to For example, Derel explains, “New Kennedy’s horsey harmonies, with highbe on her back. It’s nice. I couldn’t fathHolland is a Pennsylvania auction that lights about the horse and the owner’s om that she could’ve ended up in the horses get taken to. If horses don’t find contact information added. Then, with wrong hands or been sent to slaughter.” appropriate homes there, the people the help of social media and the sur“Any horse in the wrong situation who do buy them are willing to ship won’t be suitable for that situation, but in rounding horse community, these videos them over international borders to are posted, shared, and reposted until a different situation, it can be wonderslaughterhouses.” Derel believes passioneach horse finds a home. ately that all horses, not just the youngest ful,” says Carver resident Ana Wells. Ana “Amazing Grace Equine never takes is the official rider for Amazing Grace and fittest, should be able to enjoy the possession of the horse. The owner gets care, treatment, retirement, and even the Equine Rescue. Her passion is retraining track Standardbreds, a breed she says she to make the right decision and the horse humane death they’ve earned over a lifefinds a home. Isn’t that a miracle?” Derel finds incredibly adaptable and has used time of service. asks. “Without even managing the horses, for everything from trail riding, to dres“It never really occurred to me how we can help them. Isn’t that beautiful? sage, to versatility. So far, she’s rescued many horses out there needed homes,” What a system!” two Standardbreds of her own. says Melissa Kerins, of Whitman. Melissa Emily Blanchard

R

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June/July 2013

In a way, Amazing Grace Equine Rescue has invented a sort of Bay State Freecycle for unwanted horses. Of course, adopters must proceed with common sense and caution. “A lot of the horses that people have are completely rideable,” Derel says, but others come with special considerations. For example, postings this spring included one of Cash, a periodically unsound gelding someone rescued from a Camelot auction pen. Then there’s Diva, a 23-year-old jumper from the A circuit who now has heaves, and a twosome — Leah, who’s blind, and Buttons, her seeing-eye pony.

Adopters must also be aware that a horse has needs, and those needs must be met every day, even on Christmas, even when vet and farrier bills stack up, even when kids grow up or lose interest, even when the horse lives to be 35. And, when a spirited, untrained, or ill-mannered horse is matched to a novice owner, choosing that “pretty pony” just because it’s free can be downright dangerous.

With educated, prepared adopters, however, happy endings such as Cricket’s and Dusty’s abound, and, through Amazing Grace’s networking, they’re easy to arrange. “The way to support Amazing Grace Equine is to talk about it. Mostly it’s by spreading the word and up-cycling these horses,” Derel says. “Spreading the word. That’s how we succeed, truly.”

the group completed its Wild Horse Round-up Ride.

Ana cooked up a delicious brainstorm when she enticed area eateries to donate items for a bake sale. “That little girl generated seven hundred dollars with a bake sale,” Derel marvels. “Seven hundred dollars feeds a horse for three and a half months.” The rescue also hosts periodic dinners at Uno Chicago Grill, where part of the proceeds go to Amazing Grace.

If you’re not close enough to eat for, or ride in, a fund-raiser, you can make a donation through PayPal, at amazinggraceequine.org, or mail a check to Amazing Grace Equine Rescue, P.O. Box 465, Middleboro, MA 02346. In addition,

horse lovers and media junkies can sign up to be Amazing Grace Equine’s Facebook friends, helping to rehome unwanted horses simply by reposting the videos that canter across their smart phones each week.

Who knows? You may even decide there’s room in your stable for one more horse . . .

For information on upcoming events and how to volunteer and donate, visit equustherapeutic.org.

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Keeping in the Green As with all charitable organizations, money helps, too. Despite the fact that Amazing Grace is able to assist 95 percent of the horses it rehomes without ever taking possession, there’s always that last five percent.

Take Lacy, for example. In her 20s and extremely thin, members of Amazing Grace Equine Rescue were able to convince her owner to surrender her. Lacey’s only problem is bad teeth, so when she went into a foster situation, her food was simply wetted down. “Six months later, Lacey is as round as a pumpkin,” Derel says. “Lacey is all forward, all energy and trails: yes, please!” Now, Lacey is restored and ready for a forever home.

Amazing Grace’s supporters fund these few foster cases through events such as a themed trail ride organized by Charlie Williams, of Middleboro. Among past rides was a mock safari, in which riders spotted toy wild animals in the woods and collected them for SmartPak prizes.

Last year’s ride was Quest for the Holy Grail: participants looked for killer rabbits and catapulted cows. Most recently,

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Massachusetts Horse

29

Westfield Whip

Westfield

Bay State Business

by Andrea Bugbee

courtesy of Westfield Whip Manufacturing Company

If there’s a secret portal into the history Museum, which will transform Westfield somewhat lost today,” Carol says. “You of whip making, it’s through the front Whip Manufacturing’s home into a musecan’t choose a whip from a catalog or a doors of Westfield Whip Manufacturing um and multiuse display area — all the website. All whips look the same. You Company, which is just beginning its while continuing to produce the carcan’t tell the difference without holding metamorphosis from a factory into a riage, dressage, longe, in-hand, and trainthem.” working, producing museum. Equestrians ing whips for which Westfield Whip is The dressage whip Carol used to will still be able purchase their Westfield renowned. illustrate her point sits in the rider’s Whips through tack shops “Plans call for the restoraaround the world, but this tion of the exterior of the small Massachusetts business is building, which is listed on poised to welcome tourists the National Register of perhaps as early as 2014.

Historic Places,” Carol says.

Located in Hampden Slated to begin this year, the County, this 1880s building building’s unruly beard of ivy still looks much like it did a will be stripped from its front, century ago. Ivy grows up its its bricks will be repointed, its pitted brick front, diverging inefficient windows will be around tall, two-over-two winrestored, and its entrance will dows and stopping at the be beautified. More a project signs above the door that of rejuvenation rather than commemorate the compaalteration, Carol says, “It’s ny’s past. Originally, it was going to be historically accuthe Cargill Cleveland rate. The architect calls it Company, one of about 40 ‘securing the envelope,’ and whip companies operating in when it’s done, it’s going to Westfield at the start of the be a remarkable achievement.

20th century. A second sign People will actually be able to marks the building as H.J. see the difference. What they Carol Martin demonstrating the rolling machine, a piece of early technology Martin & Company, immortal- still in daily use. will not be able to do yet is izing Harold Martin, the busiwalk through the door and nessman and former mayor who founded hand, rather than having to be held. In have a museum experience.”

Westfield Whip in 1946. Today, the comUnfortunately, curiosity-seekers will fact, despite its length, it balances perpany is the last of the city’s operating fectly on the rider’s little finger. Carefully have to wait a year or two until the musewhip factories, and Martin’s daughter, um is fully established and open, but the crafted, it’s an appendage rather than a Carol, is its president. burden. “It takes a very slight hand move- Martin family’s love of history is already evident in their doting preservation of ment to apply a little bit of whip presA Disappearing Art fascinating memorabilia from the compasure. It’s all about sending signals to the Carol Martin has devoted the last 22 ny’s history. A first-floor room boasts an horse,” says Carol. “The ability to place years not only to manufacturing superior authentic 1947 employment poster hailthe snap on the end where you want it to crops and whips, but also to trying to pre- be is very, very important. You can’t do ing wages at 40 cents an hour. A wall of serve her whip-making heritage for tidy wooden pigeonholes stores the origithat with a lot of product on the market future generations. “In Westfield, whip nal labels used on whips made almost a today.” making is a tradition and an art, handed century ago — whips with cunning Internationally, the whips her comnames such as Red Pepper, Pete’s down from generation to generation,” pany produces are known for what Carol Hummer, and The Queen. The massive says Carol. “Our insistence on the finest calls a “trade secret” mixture of balance, belt for an 1890s elevator system looms, materials, regardless of cost, combined action, comfort, and precision. But with with our wealth of experience enables us prices ranging from approximately $20 to still mounted, on an upstairs ceiling.

In Westfield Whip’s production area, to say, with all confidence, that although $75, Carol says, “We don’t compete on the “newer” machines are about 50 years there are more expensive whips, there the lower end. You’re not going to send old. “Some of them go back over a hunare no better whips to be had at any your child to camp with a Westfield dred years,” Carol says. “Our technology price.”

Whip. The Westfield Whip customer is a Back in the late 1800s, when most rider, driver, or trainer who wants a preci- hasn’t changed.” One Goliath is a Civil War–era braiding machine. It’s a huge American whips came from Westfield, sion tool to help both horse and human metal basin with mechanical “hands” that Massachusetts, and most American famiachieve the very best performance braid inside its bowl. Another machine lies owned a whip, appreciating the subthey’re capable of.” spools thread and has been in service tle qualities of this common tool was Making Manufacturing History since the Whip City’s heyday. “Machinery almost instinctive. “It used to be that you A year ago, two not-for-profit historical of the sort that we have may go out of grew up knowing what a good whip organizations merged to form Westfield use because someone makes something would feel like, but that knowledge is 30

June/July 2013

better, but it doesn’t go down because it can’t be repaired,” Carol says. “It’s like old houses: They just don’t make them like they used to.”

Early whips were fashioned from home-braided lashes secured to fine hickory stock, but the industrial age quickly expanded this cottage industry to worldclass production and distribution. Carol credits the availability of materials, labor, and “Yankee ingenuity” with bringing the industry to maturity. By the 1930s, however, Henry Ford’s drive to make automobiles the “horseless carriage” of the future eventually made the demand for wide-scale whip production obsolete.

With the sole exception of Westfield Whip Manufacturing Company, Westfield’s whip factories faltered and then closed.

So much of the past is already present at Westfield Whip Manufacturing Company that visitors to its museum will doubtless feel as if they’ve been transported back to the 1880s, when 99 percent of the world’s whips were made in this one western Massachusetts city.

“I think we’re more than just locally interesting,” Carol says. “Horse people are interested in whips and how we make them, and others are interested in the machinery. People will be able to see a mid-1800s industrial operation at work

and still producing a viable product. This is a change that will ultimately support the business, and it will establish a museum celebrating Westfield’s history, which is long overdue. The story of Westfield whip making and the men who perfected it is the story of the Industrial Revolution in the United States. It’s a story that deserves to be memorialized.”

Road-trip Tips The city of Westfield sits at exit 3 off the Massachusetts Turnpike, and Westfield Whip is just minutes south on Route 202.

Almost directly across from the museumto-be is a lovely riverside park for strolling, as well as a remarkable mechanical clock modeled after an Old World glockenspiel. The clock, a vaguely foreboding black tower on an island at the center of the roadway, opens each day at 9 a.m., noon, 3 p.m., and 6 p.m. While the carillon tolls, the clock’s sides open and mechanical whip makers work the Westfield braiding machine in homage to the Whip City’s heritage. It’s unusual and definitely worth seeing — especially if you have kids in tow.

Westfield is also home to Westfield State University, Sackett Ridge Saddlery, and beautiful Stanley Park, which has gorgeous wildlife hiking trails and groomed gardens. (Sadly, though, no

horses are allowed.) Westfield is an easy 20-minute drive from Equine Affaire, which is held each fall on the grounds of West Springfield’s Eastern States Exposition.

Be forewarned that, to date, visitors can’t actually buy a Westfield Whip directly from the factory. For its North American market, Westfield Whip has an exclusive distribution contract with Jack’s Manufacturing Incorporated, in Washington Court House, Ohio (www.jacksmfg.com). “If you go to your local tack shop and it doesn’t carry our product, in most cases it has an existing relationship with Jack’s and can get one that way,” Carol says. To see a full line of Westfield Whips — many of which look as lovely as they feel — click on the PRODUCTS tab at westfieldwhip.com.

Sitting back in her office in the same building where some aspect of whip making has taken place for almost 150 years, Carol Martin feels confident of her company’s future as it’s on the cusp of being able to preserve and share the past.

“There’s a lot going on here,” she says thoughtfully. “There’s a lot that deserves to be saved.”

On-site Horse Open Shows Team Sorting Competitions 70 Acres of Beautiful Grounds and Trails Western and English IEA teams Relaxed Family Atmosphere Boarding . Lessons Summer Camps . Monthly Clinics Hillside Meadows has multiple trainers with years of experience in disciplines including hunters, equitation, jumpers, dressage, reining, ranch riding, and western pleasure. We offer training and appropriate school horses for the very beginner to the seasoned competitor.

Leasing and training at many USEF shows also available. Boarders enjoy our two indoor rings, two outdoor rings, miles of trails, high-quality hay, grain, and bedding as well as top-notch care at a reasonable rate.

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Hillside Meadows Equestrian Center Grafton, Massachusetts . manager@hillside-meadows.com (508) 243-8044 . www.hillside-meadows.com Massachusetts Horse

31

Kenneth Dubuque State Forest

Hawley

trail guide

by Lise A. Krieger

tion efforts. Although there are still some impassible roads and bridges, the good news is that none of this interferes with hours of fabulous horseback riding.

Riding in the forest is a respite for

Lise A. Krieger

Located in Hawley, Plainfield, and Savoy, the 7,882-acre northern hardwood and spruce-fir Kenneth Dubuque State Forest offers 35 miles of mixed-use trails. Riding along them you’ll discover an abundance of historic sites: cellar holes from the abandoned village of South Hawley; Moody Springs, a rare fieldstone beehive charcoal kiln; and remains of a mill complex at Hallockville Pond.

Hawley was an important stopping place in the western movement of the 1700s, when people sought primeval forests to construct homes, farms, and villages in which to raise their families and their hopes for the newest of new beginnings. A large tract in the area, originally called No. 7, was purchased by a group of men from Springfield in 1771. No. 7 is where the Kenneth Dubuque State Forest now presides, in all its glory, a destination for those who love the natural beauty of the farmland, woods, and hills of northwestern Massachusetts.

Formerly known as the Hawley State Forest, its new name memorializes a former employee of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Management. Sadly, in recent years, the forest has been treated like the Cinderella of the Massachusetts State Park sisters. When Tropical Storm Irene tore through the region in 2011, it left Dubuque in a shambles. Trees toppled like matchsticks and waterways flooded, demolishing bridges and causing deterioration of trails, roadways, and the terrain.

Frequent users of the park, among them hikers, bikers, snowmobilers, and crosscountry skiers, avoided it until recently, when friends of the park worked to restore it to its original state and to lobby state officials to increase their rehabilita32

June/July 2013

those who want to disappear into the woods, their horses and riding friends their only companions. The park is closed to all-terrain vehicles, and mountain-bike riders usually stick to their own single-track trails. Horseback riders can explore the miles of mixed-use trails, many of which are logging roads, making for perfect side-by-side riding. The footing is varied, but there are enough rocky areas to recommend hoof boots for unshod horses.

The scenery in the Kenneth Dubuque State Forest comprises dense woods alternating between the lush hardwoods and stands of soldierlike pines, with vast ponds created by industrious beavers, whose dams are so well constructed that they divert entire rivers from overflowing onto existing logging roads. Old, beautifully constructed stone walls intersect the land as remnants of the extensive clearing farmers did centuries earlier to create fields for crops in the thriving community. The woods are peppered with house and barn foundations, engineered and built by the settlers using rocks similar to those that

were borrowed from the earth for the construction of stone walls.

Beaver ponds are abundant, and stopping for lunch beside one of these may bring out a curious resident. You might catch a glimpse of whitetailed deer, red-tailed hawks, owls, foxes, and porcupines, as well as a bear or even a coyote.

The benefit of this isolated location is solitude, but you won’t be able to rely on cell-phone or GPS service, so be sure to visit the DCR website to print out a trail map. Because the trails and dirt roads extend beyond the forest’s boundaries, however, it’s easy to ride out of the park and off the map. If you like to explore and bushwhack, a town map and a geological survey map will come in handy.

If you were to travel in Hawley in 1889, when the population was around 1,000, you could stop at the Longley Tavern to refresh yourself and your horse. Today, though, there are no gas stations, convenience stores, or restaurants to serve the town’s 340 year-round residents, so be sure to stock up before you ride. There aren’t any trash receptacles in the park, so you’ll have to pack out what you bring in.

There is restricted hunting during the season except on Sundays. And, though Dubuque is open year-round, because of the amount of snow that falls there, it’s not advisable to venture out after the ground turns white.

The beauty of riding in the Northeast is that seasonal changes can make an outing in the same place look different every time. The Kenneth Dubuque State Forest is well worth the trip again and again.

Benefit Vegas Poker Ride!

On Saturday, July 27, the Hampshire County Riding Club (HCRC) will hold its

Benefit Vegas Poker Ride in the Kenneth Dubuque State Forest. The ride will raise money for the Therapeutic Equestrian Center, in Holyoke.

The ride is NEHT-affiliated and will cover 12 miles. The course opens at 9 a.m., with the last rider heading out at 10:30. This is a great opportunity to explore the forest in a group setting with clear trail makers to follow. Lunch is included. Great prizes for the best poker hand, worst poker hand, best Vegas spirit, most money raised, and more will be awarded after the ride. There will be water for horses, bathrooms for people, and overnight parking for cars and trailers. Visit hampshirecountyridingclub.org for details and a registration form.

Download a trail map from: mass.gov/dcr/parks/trails/dubuque.pdf.

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Lise Krieger teaches 12th-grade English at the Springfield Renaissance School. In her spare time, you’ll find her riding her Canadian horses, Dudley and MaeMae, or playing with her minis, Monkey and Belle.

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Summer Wrap-up Auction August 25, Sunday

New England Stock Horse Series June 16 . July 21 . August 18 Five individually judged classes for western and ranch broke horses.

Day and series end awards. New! Green Horse division has been added.

Stock Horse Show Kick-off Clinic . June 15 Judges Sergio and Betsy Bevacqua of Ocala, Florida, prep horses and riders for the show the following day.

Open to buy, sell, or trade horses 7 days a week, by appointment. Nice Horses for Nice People.

Auctions • Hunter Shows • Stock Horse Shows Games Series Dressage Shows • IEA Western & Hunt Seat Teams

The Raucher Family 30 Florence Road Easthampton, MA (413) 527-1612 . www.farmheritage.com Massachusetts Horse

33

Leader, Mentor Fred Nava Passes Frederick J. Nava, 60, of Kingston, died on April 28 after battling cancer with the support of his immediate family as well as his horseshow family. Fred was the owner and president of Fred E. Nava and Son, in Kingston, for 40 years. A popular show manager, Fred was known for his infectious smile and take-charge attitude while managing such shows as the New England Regional Championship Morgan Horse Show, the Grand National and World Championship Morgan Horse Show, the Southern States Regional Championship Morgan Horse Show, the Far West Regional Championship Morgan Horse Show, and the Jubilee Regional Championship Morgan Horse Show. Fred was a member of the New England Morgan Horse Association Hall of Fame and of the American Morgan Horse Association Hall of Fame.

“Fred was a highly respected member of the Morgan-horse community,” says Chris Cassenti, of Chrislar Farm in Rowley. “He enjoyed showing his driving Morgans and he also had a draft-horse hitch he drove in parades. Above all, Fred loved his family and friends.

I’ll really miss Fred, but I have many wonderful memories.”

“In the final days of his life, Fred told me several times, ‘I can’t believe all these people are coming to see me,’ ” says Jeffrey Gove, of New Hampshire. “Fred was a humble man who cared first and foremost about his family and friends and never realized what an impact he had in this world. When you live your life caring first about people and things other than yourself, you 34

June/July 2013

News in Our Community build a legacy of love, you build a life like Fred’s.”

“Hundreds of people came to celebrate Fred at his funeral,” says Any Illes, of Hanover. “What an amazing celebration of Fred’s legacy.

The hilarious stories were flowing and the love was everywhere. Fred, we promise

and boots,” she says. “That type of advertising can be a precursor to self-esteem issues.

“Our club environment focuses on building a level of emotional and physical fitness that helps us become stronger, more confident riders, and a positive self-image

Murphy, of Legacy Stables in Mendon. Melissa Najjar, of North Andover, was accepted at Wesley College, in Delaware, and will be a premed major with a minor in neuroscience. She rides with Judy Nason, of Bellewether in Lee, New Hampshire.

“These scholarship winners were strong applicants, and we’re pleased to be able to help them a bit with their studies,” said Barbara Irvine, the chapter’s scholarship committee chair. Other members of the committee are Harry Sebring, Cindy Mugnier, and Lynn McNamara. “This UPHA chapter awards the biggest scholarships because we believe in supporting the education of our youth,” Barbara says.

“Congratulations!”

Q courtesy of Sophiea Bitel

overherd

Sophiea Bitel’s beloved Q.

to carry on.”

Donations in Fred’s memory may be made to the New England Morgan Horse Show, P.O. Box 188, Kingston, MA 02364.

In It to Ride A new club, In It to Ride, provides safe, nonjudgmental support through personalized nutrition planning, exercise programs, all phases of riding instruction, clinics, a yearly show series, and more.

In It to Ride founder Lindsey Canesi says she noticed that a stereotypical image of the female equestrian exists everywhere, from A-rated shows to local schooling shows. “The problem is compounded when print ads for equestrian clothing depict a slender rider in fitted breeches

usually develops,” says Lindsey. “We’re committed to facing challenges together as a team, and do so by providing a nurturing environment of fellow-member support.”

In It to Ride will offer a show series, hunter pace, and clinics plus a banquet. Visit inittoride.weebly.com or check us out on Facebook.

Scholarship Winners The United Professional Horsemen’s Association Chapter 14 announced its 2013 scholarship winners. Of the four recipients who’ll get $7,500 apiece, two are from Massachusetts. In the fall, Kayla Candage, of Monson, will attend Bay Path College and plans to major in forensic science. She shows under the direction of Mike and Liz

On May 1, Quintin de Verneuil BWP suffered a neurological breakdown and was humanely put to rest in the arms of his partner, Sophiea Bitel, at their barn in Boxford.

The elegant dark bay was a champion not in ribbons, but rather in the effect he had on people. “I feel sorry for those who passed him up for being broken or too much of a character,” says Sophiea. “He taught all who rode and handled him to be better, confident, and strong.

Q was kind and forgiving to the inexperienced and the damaged, and hell on hooves to those who were full of themselves.

“Q was destined for greatness — talented, intelligent, and handsome — a horse of great strides, speed, and ability that was then seriously injured. He was kept as a stallion maybe too long,” she says, “but he was a grandson of the great Thoroughbred Laudanum, a descendant of Nasrullah and

Nearco. Q was a fire survivor galloping from his stall when the groom said ‘Go!’ He was stoic. He fought to recover from illness and injury and was a wee bit of a drama queen. He had a great force of life. He was proud and uncommon even when he had to earn his keep as a school horse. That’s where I found him. He still had great strides, speed, and character.

He did to the end.”

Sophiea had Q for almost a decade. “He would have been twenty on June 23,” she says. “Q came into my life without warning. He became the anchor that held me steady; his barn was my safe port. Life with Q was a journey I had never thought to take. He made me better.

He brought into my life the best people I’ll ever know. I am forever grateful. No horse is ever perfect; sometimes those that are supposedly broken are actually the greatest horses of all. My Q. My heart.”

Volunteers Needed at the Jumper Classic Do you want to play a vital part in the success of an international-caliber horsejumping event? The Jumper Classic is looking for talented individuals to help us out from July 10 to 14. The Jumper Classic has moved back to Boston’s North Shore and will be hosted at Maplecroft Farm, in Ipswich.

Some of the responsibilities are manning the ticket booth, working in the information booth, assisting with special events in the riders tent, helping out in the parking lot, selling Jumper Classic souvenirs, and being hosts on Saturday and Sunday in the VIP tents. Volunteers have a huge impact in helping the show run smoothly. Each volunteer will receive a Jumper Classic T-shirt as well as lunch. You’ll be close to some of the great riders of the sport as well as play an essential role in ensuring that the show runs smoothly.

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Online results available minutes after test is completed.

Testing while you wait. (Please call ahead.)

Instructions and forms are at NEHorseLabs.com.

Visit NEHorseLabs.com for more information.

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35

Ultimate Trail Comfort When you need comfort in the saddle, a Tucker is the answer.

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To volunteer, email anna@jumperclassic.com or call (978) 283-7708.

74th Annual NEMHS All aboard for the Morgan Express, as the 74th-Annual New England Morgan Horse Show rolls into the Three County Fairgrounds in Northampton on July 22.

The oldest Morgan event in the world will showcase more than 600 Morgans competing in 300 classes.

World-class Morgans will demonstrate their athleticism, beauty, and versatility while competing in elegant park and pleasure classes, make it all look fun in hunter and Western pleasure, fly high over jumps, execute precise patterns in English and Western dressage and carriage driving, strut their stuff in the inhand classes, and turn up the heat with exciting roadster events, while equitation

riders turn in polished performances in all three seats.

The show boasts the best of Morgan hospitality, with ample opportunities to visit show-ring stars back in their barns. Visitors can also have fun shopping under the tent and having lunch or dinner at the great concession stands.

Check nemha.com for the latest updates.

Horses by Appointment at Crowley’s Even though Crowley’s Sales Barn and Stables, in Agawam, no longer holds auctions, you can still buy horses by appointment.

Crowley’s has been operating in the Northeast for well over 50 years.

Dennis Crowley, who hails from a multigenerational horse family and began the business, has sold thousands of horses. Although approaching age 75, Dennis

Connecting Horses and Humans R.J. Sadowski, Jr., Horseman, Developer of HorseMindShip™ and Founder of Peace Haven Horsemanship and MA Licensed Riding School English and Western Instruction, CHA Certified, MA Licensed Riding Instructor

RJ is a true lifetime student and teacher of great horsemanship. His unique approach includes: • Horsemanship/Herdsmanship© • Balanced Riding Techniques for Arena or Trail • Building and Rebuilding Powerful • Innovative Ground to Saddle Teaching/ • Understanding Horse Behavior Relationships Training Techniques • Applying Horse Psychology • Workshops – bringing horses and humans together Fun with: • Obstacle course and trail rides • Day Camps – creating unique friendships with • Relationship building: Connecting with their spirit, mind, like-minded horse folks emotions and body for lasting partnerships

Horseman, R.J., Jr., of Peace Haven Farm has been helping people and horses for decades.

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R.J. Sadowski, Jr. 36

June/July 2013

Powerful Private Appointments at Your Farm or Ours in Plainfield, MA Read about R.J. at: www.gazettenet.com/2010/06/11/easy-does-it and www.eomega.org/workshops/mind-whispering#workshop-description-block

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(413) 634-8800

says he has no desire to retire, as he’s so defined by the horse. It’s his lifeline, he says.

Crowley’s will continue to offer private horse sales and occasional tack auctions. “Dennis stills goes out west and picks horses for the Northeast,” says co-owner Alice Crowley. “These horses tend to be some of the best stock you’ll find. For the next couple of months, Dennis will be buying lots of good trail and camp horses as well as cow horses.”

Visit crowleyhorses.com to learn more, and to see horses for sale.

Hillside Meadows Equestrian Center Hillside Meadows, of Grafton, has added a stable to its property. There are now two boarder barns and one school barn filled with great mentors and show horses. Says farm manager Sheila Brady: “We have

openings for boarding and we offer new stalls, quality bedding, beautiful hay four times a day, all-day or halfday turnout on grass or sand, two attached indoor arenas, two large outdoor rings, and access to miles of trails right off the property.”

Hillside Meadows has a series of team-sorting competitions as well as open shows and versatility events.

Clinician Julie Goodnight is coming in June, and auditors are welcome. Visit hillside-meadows.com for more information.

Massachusetts Morgan The 2013 Massachusetts Morgan Horse Show will be August 13 to 17 at the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield. This year’s theme is cartoon characters.

The USDF dressage division is open to all breeds and includes western dressage.

Visit nemha.com for the prize list and an entry form.

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Partners Mount Holyoke College Equestrian Center

Lovely spring weather supplied the perfect April day for HCRC’s annual Pancake Breakfast Ride to the Red Bucket Sugar Shack, in Worthington. Although most of the dirt roads were open and clear, riders experienced one snow-covered trail, reminding them that winter wasn’t far behind. Topping that off with a hearty sugarhouse breakfast gave riders a wonderful start to the riding season.

Our first HCRC Open Grounds Evening was also blessed with great weather.

Organizer Carole Bihler brought along some western dressage patterns for riders to try and others enjoyed the time to practice gymkhana events, versatility obstacles, and riding in the ring with other horses. Everyone had a great time, and we’re all looking forward to the other open grounds sessions, from 5 P.M. until dark on the fourth Wednesday of every month.

HCRC has two rides scheduled for June. On the second of the month, we’ll be exploring the trail network of the Montague Plains; on June 30, riders will meet to ride the trails surrounding the Whately Reservoir.

HCRC’s Benefit Vegas Poker Ride will be on Saturday, July 27, at the Kenneth Dubuque Memorial State Forest. The state forest has recently reopened after Tropical Storm Irene severely damaged the trails, causing a two-year cancellation of the ride. This one will benefit the Therapeutic Equestrian Center, in Holyoke. The NEHT-affiliated event will feature a 12-mile ride through the forest. A barbecue and prizes follow.

See our calendar for rides and events, and download a membership form at hampshirecountyridingclub.org.

MHCEC riding teams have been busy preparing for the Interscholastic Dressage Association (IDA) and Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) National Championships. On April 27 and 28, MHCEC hosted the 2013 IDA National Finals.

Twelve teams from around the country, in addition to

7Diane Merritt

38

June/July 2013

Program Regional Clinic on July 8 to 11. The clinician is Karen Healey and the stable manager is Anne Thornbury.

Auditors are welcome.

Contact Sharyn Antico, at santico@mtholyoke.edu, for more information about auditing the clinic or to learn more about upcoming activities at MHCEC.

7Sharyn Antico

xx

Hampshire County Riding Club

MassQHA Youth members Kelsey Brooks and Amy Putney at the MassQHA Spring Novice Show in Northampton. The three-day event, April 19–21, held classes for all breeds as well as AQHA-pointed novice classes. There were several hundred entries, and everyone enjoyed the beautiful weather. The MassQHA annual show was May 9–12 in Northampton. For upcoming events, shows, and meetings, visit massqha.com.

individual qualifiers, came to South Hadley to claim victory.

In the end, it was the team from Mount Holyoke College who took home the title!

The following weekend, May 2 through 5, the IHSA National Championships took place in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Thirteen huntseat teams entered the team competition. Mount Holyoke College rounded out the weekend with a nice fourthplace finish. Easthampton native Abby Raucher won her first individual national title with an outstanding ride in Individual Novice Fences.

MHCEC is hosting a USHJA Emerging Athletes

New England Equestrian Center of Athol Don’t miss the third-annual (and getting better every year) NEECA Equestrian Showcase on Saturday, June 15, at the organization’s park in Athol. This year there’ll be a versatility competition featuring more than $1,000 in prizes. If you’ve never been to a versatility competition, this is your chance to see some of the best take part. There’ll also be vendors, a drill-team competition, a silent auction, mini-clinics, wagon and pony rides, and more.

The spring has seen NEECA members trail-riding

and at the annual Susan Harris clinic at Windswept Farm, as well as getting the park cleaned up and ready for use.

A contractor has been clearing and grading the new VIP trailer-parking road, which will run parallel to the warm-up and main arenas.

This will enable us to provide some easy-access, shady, designated parking spaces at shows and events for just a small fee.

June 22 we’ll host our Mule and Donkey Show. If you want to show at this informal event, contact Laurie at whitemulecom@yahoo.com.

The NEECA horse show, part of the Barre Riding and Driving Club show series at Felton Field in Barre, will be held on Sunday, July 28. It’s a multi-ring show, with a full list of divisions from lead line to hunter. Come join us for a day of exceptional riders and a great food booth provided by the Dare to Dream Educational Farm Program.

More information on everything is at neeca.org.

7Laurie Neely Pepperell Horse Owners Association New officers and board members were elected at the annual meeting, which was held on Wednesday, March 20.

“I’d like to thank the PHOA membership for giving me the opportunity to serve in this capacity,” says new president Sharon Ofenstein.

“During my term, I’d like to pursue closer program cooperation with other similar horse groups, particularly the Hollis Area Equestrians. I’d like to improve our club’s ability to help clear and maintain our town’s beautiful trail system.

Finally, I’d like to hear from the membership about the topics that would interest them, in terms of speakers at meetings and activities on the ground.

“A huge thank-you too,” she says, “to outgoing president

7Judy Lorimer Southern New England Carriage Driving Assoc.

SNECDA is off and driving this spring after hosting the annual SNECDA Arena

Driving Trial Clinic at Highland Hill Farm in Berlin on April 27. Ten drivers turned out on a beautiful sunny day for the drive-critique-drive clinic with judge Keith Angstadt. Keith provided insightful and thorough analysis in all aspects of the ADT. All in all, the event was a huge success and in keeping with the club’s mission to provide relaxing, fun, and educational opportunities for carriage drivers. Special thanks go to Ginny Halfpenny and her husband, Greg, for hosting the event, and to Lisa Terrell for co-chairing with Ginny. The event would not have been possible without our great volunteers: Kate Brassel, Jennifer DiNisco, and Kelly Pesek.

We’re all especially proud of new members Dotti Bisson with Cedar Hill Ole and Rhea Brown with Kandy, who competed in their first-ever ADT. SNECDA has several other events on the calendar, starting with a pleasure drive May 25 at Natchaug State Forest, which is in Eastford, Connecticut. A second pleasure drive will be June 29 at Escoheag, in the Arcadia Management Area, Exeter, Rhode Island. Come enjoy a day with friends on the trails of two beautiful state parks, then dig in at a potluck lunch.

All are welcome.

On August 3 and 4, longtime club members John and Adrienne Cyr are running their first Celtic Cross Farm HDT. Judges are John Greenall and Lisa Singer.

Training, preliminary, and intermediate levels will be offered. This is an ADS-sanctioned show. For entry information, check the new ADS Omnibus.

The fall brings us to our fourth-annual SNECDA American Scurry Challenge, to be held at the Dickson Rings in Weston. This is a relaxed day of light competition with a variety of cones courses, gambler’s choice, and cross-country hazards. We’re hosting our Pleasure Show on October 13 at Celtic Cross

TrAILErS BuILT TO LAST

Judy Lorimer, who had to step up to the position unexpectedly and did a great job.”

Bettyann Cernese, guest speaker, gave a wonderful presentation on saddle fitting.

She projected photos of correctly fitting and poorly fitting saddles, trees that were too narrow or too wide, and horses with conformations that were a challenge to fit properly, and also distributed handouts.

She brought along a Reactor Panel saddle and showed ways to measure your horse to see if your saddle is compatible with its back. In addition, she told us various ways to shim saddles to compensate for fitting problems. She stressed, however, that no amount of padding will help a saddle that is simply a bad fit.

Bettyann would like to do a hands-on saddle fitting clinic, so let us know that you’re interested!

PHOA’s first Versatility Challenge was held April 6 at Ten Broeck Farm’s indoor arena. The event is limited to 30 riders and preregistration is necessary. Contact Kathy Mercurio, at katheryn.mercurio@staples.com or (978) 3142260, to register for future challenges. The dates are all Saturdays — May 4, June 1, July 27, September 7, November 23, and December 7. Remember, these courses start fairly easy and get progressively more challenging throughout the year, so if you’re thinking of trying this fun sport, get in on the ground floor. Spectators are welcome; come to a challenge and see what it’s all about.

The date for PHOA’s Autumn Ride is October 6, at Ten Broeck Farm. Many thanks to Phil and Orintha Silva for making their beautiful facility available for all the Versatility Challenges and the trail ride.

27

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A Horse Drawn Affair Broe Farm Bill & Nancy Broe

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Farm, Dudley. This ADS-sanctioned show will be judged by Jessica Axelsson. We close out the season with our annual Fall Fun Drive and potluck lunch at the Sunsetview Campground, in Monson.

Please contact SNECDA for further information about any of our events, at mtomany@sbcglobal.net, or visit our Facebook page.

7Kelly Pesek Westfield Riding Club

standing at stud : rosevale leggo (1998), 16.2 hands, black, (rumbrook immortal image x Meziadan royal teala)

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This year marks the WRC’s 74th riding season. Plans are already under way to celebrate our diamond 75th next year, so stay tuned for updates. In the meantime, WRC continues to work to improve the show experience for our members and for others.

All shows take place on our privately owned club grounds in Westfield. This year’s shows are scheduled for Sunday, June 2, and Sunday, September 8. June’s main-ring judge is Teresa Warka and the trail judge is Sherri Blews.

This year 14 divisions are eligible for end-of-day/end-ofseason championship awards, including pony and mini divisions. New classes are Open Driving and Open Showmanship.

The WRC is pleased to be partnering with other organizations this year. Wildfire Farms Equine Rescue, in East Granby, Connecticut, is sponsoring a rescue benefit class, in addition to providing a lunchtime demonstration about its important work rescuing horses.

Massachusetts Horse is spon-

soring a Junior Horsemanship Award to be presented at the end of the June 2 show. We and all the riders, young and old, appreciate the support and recognition the magazine provides the Bay State’s equestrian community.

Our annual monthly pleasure trail rides have begun. We’ve joined the New England Horse and Trail Association, so now you can track mileage on our rides.

To learn more about our club, download forms, or gather information and updates, please visit our Facebook page or westfieldridingclub.org.

7Molly Watson West Newbury Riding and Driving Club The West Newbury Riding and Driving Club will host some great events this summer. The first is an opportunity to polish your dressage test riding skills: it’s a Ride-Review-Ride with Pam Walker on June 15. This is our first Ride-Review-Ride, and we’re pleased to have Pam, a knowledgeable and supportive judge, score the test of each rider, work with the rider on areas that could be improved, and offer an opportunity to ride the test again for a new score. You can choose any USEA and USDF training-level test.

Next, the first of the club’s two horse trials (threephase events) at Pipestave Hill Equestrian Area will be held July 7. To view the cross-country course, visit wnrdc.com.

Our competitions, designed to be friendly and positive experiCarolyn Szklarz Sales Representative Ext: 1610 FAX (413) 586-3670 carolyn.szklarz@wbmason.com

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June/July 2013

ences, have divisions from Grasshopper to Modified Novice.

Pipestave Jumping Practice Day will be July 28.

Use this opportunity to practice Pipestave’s stadium and cross-country jump courses in a noncompetitive environment. Free coaching is available to anyone who wants it.

The fun Adventure Trail is scheduled for September 15. This ride is lined with obstacles, optional jumps, and miles of trails.

The second of the two horse trials will be held October 13.

As always, WNRDC welcomes new members of all ages as well as new volunteers.

High school students are encouraged to participate and apply for the WNRDC scholarship. Details on membership, scholarships, and events are available on the website.

7Liz Russell

Western New England Professional Horsemen’s Association The WNEPHA held its annual awards ceremony at the Crowne Plaza, in Pittsfield, on Saturday, February 9. More than 300 riders, parents, and trainers attended this event to honor the top riders of the 2012 season. Although every rider who participates in any show is a winner, we acknowledged the champion and reserve in each division. The 2012 Rider of the Year was Susan Omelenchuck, of Muddy Brook Farm in Amherst, and the Horse of the Year was Sterling, who is owned and ridden by Abigail Haupt.

We’re excited to announce that we’ve expanded our traditional horse-show series to include a dressage series. These shows offer both English and Western dressage tests. Please visit wnepha.com for a schedule of upcoming shows.

25 Year Guarantee!

SHEDS • BARNS GARAGES • KITS BARK MULCH AND MORE! We Custom Build on Your Property

Western massachusetts Horse show series June 22 t HCRC Open Show Ring 1A judge: Tracey Beaulieu Ring 1B/Outside Course judge: Ed Golembeski Driving judge: Carrie Cranston Special Class: English Western Versatility

July 20 t Cummington Mustangs Open Show Ring 1A judge: Camille Pepin Ring 1B/Outside Course judge: Keri Morawiec Driving judge: TBA Special Classes: Junior Senior Equitation Classic English Western Versatility

August 17 t HCRC Open Show Ring 1A judge: Ed Golembeski Ring 1B/Outside Course judge: Mary Brazie Driving judge: Tracey Beaulieu Special Class: English Western Versatility

October 5 Massachusetts Horse Benefit Show All proceeds go to Blue Star Equiculture.

Ring 1A judge: Jo-ann Hamson Ring 1B/Outside Course judge: Sherri Blews Driving judge: Jenn Sullivan Special Classes: $200 Walk Trot Ultimate Pleasure Classic $200 Hunter Ultimate Pleasure Classic $200 Western Ultimate Pleasure Classic $100 Walk Trot Equitation Classic $100 Hunter Seat Equitation Classic $100 Stock Seat Equitation Classic $100 Costume Classic

Visit

wmhss.o rg for the f ull prize list !

16 divisions!

Lead Line . Walk Trot Hunter Seat Ages 7 ro 12 . Walk Jog Western Ages 7 to 12 Walk Trot Ages 13 and Over . Walk Trot Canter . Green Horse Walk Trot Hunter Seat Green Horse Walk Jog Western . Green Horse Walk Trot Canter . Open 4-H Open Hunter Seat . Open Western . Youngster In Hand . Driving Small Equine Driving Single . Small Equine 48" and Under In Hand Junior Small Equine In Hand 48" and Under Adult

Hampshire County Riding Club Show Grounds, 140 Ball Road, Goshen, Mass.

16 division day-end awards . 30 year-end awards . 1st to 6th ribbons, prize for 1st place zzzzzzzz Water and electricity are back!

New trail course location!

Three small equine divsions!

Massachusetts Horse

41

Bay State Happenings Combined Test

Laura Solod

Apple Knoll Farm, Millis, Norfolk County

Scott Hassler USEF Young Horse Dressage Training Session

Holly Jacobson

Rosebrook Farm, Georgetown, Essex County

Hanson Riding Club’s Parade Clinic

courtesy of Elizabeth Robinson

Thankful Hearts Farm, East Bridgewater, Plymouth County

42

June/July 2013

SNECDA Keith Angstadt Arena Driving Trial Clinic

Jennifer DiNisco

Highland Farm, Berlin, Worcester County

Jon Ensign Horsemanship and Cattle Working Clinic

Lauren Magoon and Heather Rush

Heritage Farm, Easthampton, Hampshire County

Dressage Days saturday & sunday, July 6 & 7 NEW date & location!

three county Fairgrounds 41 Fair st., Northampton, Mass. www.3countyfair.com centrally located in New england . Vendors on grounds Main arena has all-weather footing . Matted stalls, double stalls available Flush toilets and showers camper/rV hook ups easy access to water, horses, and wash stall area . official Qualifying competition for the 2013 useF National Pony rider championships, 2013 Massey Ferguson/useF National Junior and Young rider championships, and the 2013 useF brentina cup championships. official Qualifying competition for the 2013 Markel/useF Young horse dressage championships, useF National developing horse Prix st Georges championship, and useF National developing Grand Prix championship.

2013 GaiG/usdF Qualifier

Judges: doreen horsey (s), debby savage (s), Joan humphrey (s) technical delegate: ray denis (r) . Manager: Fran cross (413) 527-4454 secretary: debra reinhardt, 160 Woods Way dr., southbury, ct 06488; (203) 264-2148

Closing Date for Entries: June 17

King Oak Farm is a family owned and operated full service facility established in 1978 on over 160 acres of beautiful open farmland and woods in southampton, Massachusetts. boarding . training . horses for sale . clinics instruction for children and adults of all levels and abilities. ihsa and iea teams summer camp for beginner, intermediate, and advanced riders. emphasis on dressage, combined training, equitation, and horse care. dressage arenas . Jumping Field . indoor arena . Well-groomed trails cross country courses beginner Novice through Preliminary For more information, visit KingOakFarm.com.

183 college hwy., southampton, Mass.

(413) 527-4454 . KingoakFarm.com

Massachusetts Horse

43

Massachusetts

events

June

2 NEECA JUNIORS ONLY FUN SHOW, Athol. neeca.org.

2 DRESSAGE SHOW, White Spruce Farms, New Braintree. whitesprucefarms.com.

1 R.J. SADOWSKI FREE DEMONSTRATION, Hilltown Spring Festival, Cummington. peacehavenfarm.com.

2 POLO MATCH, South Hamilton. myopiapolo.org.

2 DRESSAGE SHOW, Bradford Equestrian Center, Haverhill. leangst@comcast.net.

2 R.J. SADOWSKI BEGINNER RIDER WORKSHOP, Plainfield. peacehavenfarm.com.

2 GFF SHOW III, Grazing Fields Farm, Buzzards Bay. grazingfields.com.

2 NORFOLK HUNT SPRING HUNTER PACE, Medfield. norfolkhunt.com.

2 OPEN SHOW, Fox Meadow Farm, Smith College, Northampton. spayne@smith.edu.

2 WRC SPRING 4-H AND OPEN SHOW, Westfield. westfieldridingclub.org.

6 – 9 CONNECTICUT MORGAN SHOW, West Springfield. ctmorgans.org.

2 HCRC MONTAGUE PLAINS RIDE. hampshirecountyridingclub.org.

6 SCHOOLING JUMPER SERIES, Valinor Farm, Plymouth. valinorfarm.com.

1 PHOA VERSATILITY SERIES, Ten Broeck Farm, Pepperell. phoa.info.

1 ECTATHLON RUN BIKE RIDE KAYAK RELAY, Hamilton. ectaonline.org.

1 SEHA SHOW, Raynham. southeasthunter.com.

1 HORSE SHOW FOR THE SOUL WORKSHOP, Byfield. innerwealthcoaching.com.

1 INTRO TO EQUESTRIAN YOGA WORKSHOP with Jo Bunny, Palmer. Part of the Red Sofa Workshop Series to benefit Blue Star Equiculture horses. equiculture.org.

2 HORSE POWER DRESSAGE SHOW, Southbridge. wildairefarm.com.

7 YOUNG HORSE SHOW SERIES, Pepperell. tenbroeckfarm.net.

2 HORSE TRIAL AND DRESSAGE SHOW, Azrael Acres, Uxbridge. azraelacres.com.

8 TEAM PENNING, Chipaway Stables, Acushnet. (508) 378-1242.

1 VERSATILITY COMPETITION, Hillside Meadows, Grafton. hillside-meadows.com.

2 WNEPHA HUNTER SHOW, Harmony Hill, Great Barrington. wnepha.com.

8 BSTRA NATIONAL TRAILS DAY RIDE, Oxford. bstra.org.

JUNE 14 ~ 16 VtQHA Horse Show (vtqha.com) 25 ~ 29 Northeast Benefit Show (508) 759-9512)

413.584.2237 3countyfair.com APRIL 19 ~ 21 MaQHA Youth, Novice, and Open Show (massqha.com) 23 ~ 28 Connecticut Arabian Show (arabianhorseclubofconnecticut.org)

MAY 4~5 9 ~ 12 18 44

NEDA Spring Symposium (neda.org) MaQHA Horse Show (massqha.com) New England Classic Horse Show

June/July 2013

JULY 6~7

KOF Dressage Days (kingoakfarm.com) 12 ~ 14 Regional 4-H Horse Show (regional4Hshow.com) 22 ~ 28 New England Morgan Show (nemha.com)

AUGUST 6 ~ 11

Northampton Hunter/Jumper Show (biscuithillfarm.com) 17 - 18 State 4-H Show (mass4H.org) 30 ~ 9/2 Three County Fair

SEPTEMBER 25 ~ 29

Mass. Horsemen’s Council Days of Champions (mahorsecouncil.com)

8 – 9 USDF NEW ENGLAND BREED SHOW SERIES, Pepperell. tenbroeckfarm.net.

8 WNEPHA HUNTER SHOW, Undermountain Farm, Lenox. wnepha.com.

25 Forest Lane, Millis, Mass.

508-376-2564 ~ www.appleknoll.com

8 HANOVER HUNT AND RIDING CLUB SHOW, Briggs Stable, Hanover. briggsstable.com.

9 MHC SHOW, River Wind Farm, Pembroke. riverwindfarm.com.

Starter Trials June 9 June 23 September 1

9 POLO MATCH, South Hamilton. myopiapolo.org.

9 CARRIAGE TOWN SHOW, Bob-Lyn Stables, Amesbury. boblynstables.com.

9 STARTER TRIALS, Apple Knoll Farm, Millis. appleknoll.com.

9 MUSICAL FREESTYLE WORKSHOP, RER Ponies, Hatfield. rerponies.com.

9 HORSE POWER HUNTER JUMPER SHOW, Southbridge. wildairefarm.com.

9 WNEPHA MHC HUNTER SHOW, Biscuit Hill Farm, Shelburne. biscuithillfarm.com.

Starter Trials #1 Starter Trials #2 Starter Trials #3

Wednesday Night Jumper Shows June 19 June 26 July 17 July 24

July 31 August 7 August 14 August 21

First Annual Jumping Derby August 18

9 RRDC TWO-PHASE AND DRESSAGE SHOW, Rowley. rowleyridinganddrivingclub.webs.com.

9 MHC HUNTER SHOW, Cornerstone Farm, Haverhill. ridecornerstone.com.

August 28 September 4 September 11

Prize lists and entry forms at:

appleknoll.com

HORSE POWER SHOWS An Open Horse Show to Help Animals in Need.

HUNTER JUMPER SHOW SERIES June 9 . June 30 . July 14 . August 11 September 15 . October 20

DRESSAGE SERIES June 2 . July 21 . Aug. 25 . Sept. 29

NEW FOR 2013!

September 8

Enter online . More fun jumps Western dressage tests

(Rain date September 22.)

Barnstable County Fairgrounds, East Falmouth

three large sand rings . totally dust-free easy drive . spectator tents ample parking . easy turn-around great jumps . large & small dressage arenas

Hunter . Jumper . Western . Lead Line . Walk Trot . Halter Showmanship . Pleasure . Equitation . Discipline Rail . Fun Classes!

Wild Aire Farm

CapeCodBenefitHorseShow.com

wildairefarm.com . (508) 765-0641 926 Dennison Dr., Southbridge, MA Minutes off I84, MA Pike, Rtes. 20, 9, 290, 146, 395.

A total of $5,000 has been donated to the MSPCA at Nevins Farm from the proceeds of the Cape Code Benefit Horse Shows!

Massachusetts Horse

45

9 TWO-PHASE AND CROSS-COUNTY SCHOOLING, Hamilton. blackoakstables.com.

15 – 16 USEA HORSE TRIALS, Valinor Farm, Plymouth. valinorfarm.com.

19 SUMMER JUMPER SHOW, Apple Knoll Farm, Millis. appleknoll.com.

10 MHC SHOW, Biscuit Hill Farm, Shelburne. biscuithillfarm.com.

16 NEW ENGLAND STOCK HORSE SHOW SERIES, Heritage Farm, Easthampton. farmheritage.com.

19 – 22 VT SPRING CLASSIC SHOW, West Springfield. vtmorganhorse.com.

10 CARRIAGE TOWN SHOW, Amesbury. boblynstables.com.

10 GFF SHOW IV, Grazing Fields Farm, Buzzards Bay. grazingfields.com.

14 – 15 LUCINDA GREEN CLINIC, Ledyard Farm, Hamilton. ledyardfarms.com.

16 NSHA HUNTER SHOW, Twisdenwood Farm, Georgetown. northshorehorsemens.org.

16 SCHOOLING SHOW SERIES, Woodsong Farm, Brewster. woodsongfarm.com.

19 – 23 PLYMOUTH ROCK CLASSIC, Halifax.

USEF AA-rated. showfieldstone.com.

20 SCHOOLING JUMPER SERIES, Valinor Farm, Plymouth. valinorfarm.com.

22 TEAM PENNING, Chipaway Stables, Acushnet. (508) 378-1242.

16 POLO MATCH, South Hamilton. myopiapolo.org.

16 WNEPHA SHOW, White Horse Hill, Richmond. wnepha.com.

22 HCRC Open Show, Goshen. Second show in five-show series. New Small Equine divisions. wmhss.org.

16 DRESSAGE SCHOOLING SHOW, Ten Broeck Farm, Pepperell. tenbroeckfarm.net.

22 WNRDC PIPESTAVE HILL CLEAN-UP, West Newbury. wnrdc.com.

15 STOCK SHOW KICK-OFF CLINIC, Heritage Farm, Easthampton. farmheritage.com.

16 WMAA OPEN SHOW, Westfield. westernmaapp.homstead.com.

22 GRHC OPEN SHOW, Dufresne Park, Granby. granbyregionalhorse.org.

16 CMHSS SHOW, Spencer. cmhss.net.

15 SINEAD HALPIN CLINIC, Apple Knoll Farm, Millis. appleknoll.com.

16 CAPE COD HUNTER SHOW, Raynham. capecodhunter.com.

22 NEECA MULE AND DONKEY SHOW, Athol. neeca.org.

15 NEECA EQUESTRIAN SHOWCASE, Athol. neeca.org.

16 TWO-PHASE AND DRESSAGE SHOW, Cutter Farm, Dracut. cutterfarm.com.

15 WNRDC DRESSAGE RIDE REVIEW RIDE, Pipestave Hill, West Newbury. wnrdc.com.

17 NORTH SHORE HORSEMEN’S SHOW, Georgetown. northshorehorsemens.org.

14 – 16 CCDS PLEASURE DRIVING SHOW, Stockbridge. colonialcarriage.org.

14 – 16 VT QUARTER HORSE SHOW, Northampton. vtqha.com.

15 R.J. SADOWSKI CAMP DAY, Plainfield. peacehavenfarm.com.

22 – 23 COWBOY MOUNTED SHOOTING MATCH, Dunstable. masixshooters.com.

23 THE POWER OF TOUCH WORKSHOP, Equine massage demonstrated and explored, Palmer. Red Sofa Workshop Series to benefit Blue Star Equiculture horses. equiculture.org.

Briggs Stable

81th Annual

June Show

Wednesday evenings starting at 6:30 P.M. June 26 to August 28 All members of the Hanover Hunt & Riding Club are eligible for year-end awards.

Saturday • June 8

Lead Line . Therapeutic . Walk Trot . Games Jumping . Equitation . Pleasure

Outside Course Warm-ups 6:30 to 8 A.M. Trailer Parking Starts at 6 A.M.

Great food and drinks available at the Hanover Hunt & Riding Club food booth.

Briggs Stable • Route 139, Hanover Centre, MA

Briggs Stable • 623 Hanover St., Hanover Centre, MA (781) 826-3191 • www.briggstackshop.com

Affiliated with NEHC, MHC, and SSHC MHC, NEHC, and SSHC Medal Classes

Class lists may be downloaded at www.briggsstable.com.

Show Manager: John Dougherty (781) 826-3191 Program may be downloaded at www.briggsstable.com.

46

Mini Shows

June/July 2013

Visit Briggs Tack Shop, a full service shop, while at the show or online at www.briggstackshop.com!

Massachusetts Horse

47

Blue Dog Leather Twisted stirrups are great for knees and proper foot alignment.

Our custom saddles include twisted stirrups.

We can convert the stirrups on your saddle, too.

Quality leather goods made to your specifications: handmade western saddles . chaps . chinks halters . bridles . reins . breast collars . belts harnesses . repairs . restoration Hand-crafted gear using high quality materials and workmanship. Careful fitting for horse and rider.

www.bluedogleather.com South Shore Dr., Orange, Mass.

978.544.2681 Open most days. Call ahead to be sure.

48

June/July 2013

23 STARTER TRIALS, Apple Knoll Farm, Millis. appleknoll.com.

23 SORTING COMPETITION, Hillside Meadows, Grafton. hillside-meadows.com.

23 COMBINED TEST SERIES, Course Brook Farm, Sherborn. coursebrookfarm.com.

24 SSHC SHOW, Rozena’s Field, Raynham. sshconline.com.

23 MHC SHOW, Medway. saddlerowe.com.

24 – 25 ERIC SMILEY EVENTING CLINIC, Hamilton. blackoakstables.com.

23 WRC TRAIL RIDE, Blandford Ski Area. westfieldridingclub.org.

23 SUMMER CLASSIC THREE-PHASE, Groton House Farm, Hamilton. grotonhousefarm.com.

23 SCHOOLING DRESSAGE SERIES, Montague. xenophonfarm@aol.com.

23 NSHA HUNTER SHOW, Twisdenwood Farm, Georgetown. northshorehorsemens.org.

25 – 29 NORTHEAST BENEFIT, Three County Fairgrounds, Northampton. northeastbenefithorseshow.com.

26 SUMMER JUMPER SHOW, Apple Knoll Farm, Millis. appleknoll.com.

26 HCRC OPEN GROUNDS EVENING, Goshen. hampshirecountyridingclub.org.

26 MINI SHOW I, Briggs Stable, Hanover. briggsstable.com.

23 POLO MATCH, South Hamilton. myopiapolo.org.

27 – 29 ARABIAN SHOW, West Springfield. donna_conklin@yahoo.com.

23 HDA SCHOOLING SHOW, Briggs Stable, Hanover. heritage-dressage.org.

28 – 30 HORSE TRIALS, Groton House Farm, Hamilton. grotonhousefarm.com.

23 BRDC OPEN SHOW, Felton Field, Barre. barreridingdrivingclub.com.

29 MHC SHOW, River Wind Farm, Pembroke. riverwindfarm.com.

23 SCHOOLING HORSE TRIAL AND DRESSAGE SHOW, Southampton. kingoakfarm.com.

29 INTRO TO INTUITIVE HORSEMANSHIP I, with Dave Bradham and Nicole Berkholzer, Palmer. Red Sofa Workshop Series to benefit Blue Star Equiculture. equiculture.org.

23 WNEPHA SHOW, Dalton. wnepha.com.

Massachusetts Horse

49

Western New England Professional Horsemen’s Association’s horse show series features year-end awards in many divisions including: Hunters, Pleasure, Equitation, and English and Western Dressage. Medals from Short Stirrup to 3'.

Hunter/Equitation Shows

NEW! Dressage Shows

29 FRANKLIN COUNTY 4-H AND OPEN SHOW, Greenfield. tbarbb611@yahoo.com.

29 – 30 JULIE GOODNIGHT CLINIC, Hillside Meadows, Grafton. hillside-meadows.com.

30 GRHC OPEN SHOW, Dufresne Park, Granby. granbyregionalhorse.org.

June 2 Harmony Hill

July 14 Emerald Glen

June 1 Emerald Glen

June 8 Undermountain Farm

July 21 Muddy Brook Farm

June 9 Blythewood Stables

June 9 Biscuit Hill Farm

July 28 Biscuit Hill Farm

August 24 Harmony Hill

30 HCRC WHATELY RESERVOIR RIDE. hampshirecountyridingclub.org.

June 16 White Horse Hill

August 4 Blythewood Stables

September 28 Emerald Glen

30 HORSE POWER HUNTER/JUMPER SHOW, Wild Aire Farm, Southbridge. wildairefarm.com.

June 23 Riverbank Farm (East Greenbush)

August 8 - 11 Northampton Hunter Jumper

November 3 Heritage Farm

August 18 White Horse Hill

June 30 Bonnie Lea Farm

An organization for horsemen, by horsemen.

August 25 Berkshire Humane Society Show Overmeade Farm

July 7 Berkshire Equestrian Center July 11 Harmony Hill

30 POLO MATCH, South Hamilton. myopiapolo.org.

30 New England Miniature Horse Show, Apple Knoll Farm, Millis. nemhs.org.

30 WNEPHA SHOW, Bonnie Lea Farm, Williamstown. wnepha.com.

30 MHC SHOW, Medway. saddlerowe.com.

July

September 1 Harmony Hill

3 MINI SHOW II, Briggs Stable, Hanover. briggsstable.com.

wnepha.com

4 – 7 BSTRA CAMP OUT, Douglas State Forest. Members only. bstra.org.

Like us on Facebook and be entered to win 10 pounds of treats!

When North Woods Animal Treats’ Facebook page reaches 800 “likes” we’ll give a 10 pound box of Nickers Horse Treats to one lucky “liker.”

Personalize your horse show awards with your own horse treats. Put your show’s logo and message on the treat packaging.

“I got some of your treats as a present and my horses just loved them!"

"These treats are a great size. They fit easily into a pocket and are one bite. Perfect for getting those ears up during in-hand classes."

“The best prize I won were the Nickers Horse Treats! It rewarded my partner, and I love that!”

Official horse show treat of the Silver Oaks Jumper Tournament.

NICKERS HORSE TREATS Handmade, human-grade treats flavored with real maple syrup.

Made locally, enjoyed around the world.

NICKERS HORSE TREATS 50

June/July 2013

www.northwoodsanimaltreats.com . (877) 692-6928

MASSACHUSETTS MORGAN HORSE SHOW Sponsored by the Massachusetts Morgan Horse Association

August 13 – 17 Eastern States Exposition, West Springfield, Mass.

USEF “A”, USDF Recognized Dressage Division Open to All Breeds!

Theme: Cartoon Characters

Massachusetts Morgan Horse Association

AUTUMN CLINIC September 21 Western Dressage with Cliff Swanson Carriage Driving with Jeff Morse Anatomy in Motion: The Visible Horse with Susan Harris Hosted By: Sebring Stables, Hancock, Mass.

Visit MASSMORGAN.COM for more information!

massmorgan.com . Prize List at nemha.com Massachusetts Horse

51

5 – 7 NORTHEAST REINING SHOW, West Springfield. nerha.com.

10 – 13 REGION 16 ARABIAN SHOW, West Springfield. region16.org.

14 MHC SHOW, Cornerstone Farm, Haverhill. ridecornerstone.com.

6 VERSATILITY COMPETITION, Hillside Meadows, Grafton. hillside-meadows.com.

10 – 14 JUMPER CLASSIC, Maplecroft Farm, Ipswich. jumperclassic.com.

14 SCHOOLING SHOW SERIES, Woodsong Farm, Brewster. woodsongfarm.com.

6 – 7 KING OAK FARM DRESSAGE DAYS, Northampton. kingoakfarm.com.

11 WNEPHA SHOW, Harmony Hill Farm, Great Barrington. wnepha.com.

16 – 21 AQHA REGION 6 SHOW, West Springfield. massqha.com.

7 POLO MATCH, South Hamilton. myopiapolo.org.

12 – 14 REGIONAL 4-H SHOW, Northampton. mass4H.org.

17 SUMMER JUMPER SHOW, Apple Knoll Farm, Millis. appleknoll.com.

7 HORSE TRIALS, Pipestave Hill, West Newbury. wnrdc.com.

14 HORSE TRIAL AND DRESSAGE SHOW, Azrael Acres, Uxbridge. azraelacres.com.

17 MINI SHOW IV, Briggs Stable, Hanover. briggsstable.com.

7 INTRO TO REIKI FOR HORSES WORKSHOP, with Jo Bunny, Palmer. Red Sofa Workshop Series to benefit Blue Star Equiculture horses. equiculture.org.

14 POLO MATCH, South Hamilton. myopiapolo.org.

18 SCHOOLING JUMPER SERIES, Valinor Farm, Plymouth. valinorfarm.com.

14 BRDC OPEN SHOW, Felton Field, Barre. barreridingdrivingclub.com.

19 – 21 NEFHC CLASSIC SHOW, Topsfield Fairgrounds. nefhc.com.

14 SCHOOLING SHOW SERIES, Victory Stables, Stoughton. victorystablesinc.com.

20 TEETH, HOOVES, AND BODY WORKSHOP, Palmer. Part of the Red Sofa Workshop Series to benefit Blue Star Equiculture horses. equiculture.org.

7 SCHOOLING SHOW, Azrael Acres, Uxbridge. azraelacres.com.

7 WNEPHA SHOW, Berkshire Equestrian Center, Richmond. wnepha.com.

8 – 11 USHJA EMERGING ATHLETE CLINIC, with Karen Healey, South Hadley. mtholyoke.edu.

10 SUMMER JUMPER SHOW, Apple Knoll Farm, Millis. appleknoll.com.

10 MINI SHOW III, Briggs Stable, Hanover. briggsstable.com.

14 COWBOY MOUNTED SHOOTING, Mass.

State Championship. Goss Farm, Dunstable. masixshooters.com.

14 WALDINGFIELD DRIVING TRIALS, Ipswich.

To benefit ECTA. (978) 356-3655.

14 HORSE POWER HUNTER/JUMPER SHOW, Southbridge. wildairefarm.com.

14 DRESSAGE SCHOOLING SHOW, Apple Knoll Farm, Millis. crdressage.org.

20 CUMMINGTON MUSTANGS OPEN SHOW, Goshen. Third show in five-show series. wmhss.org.

20 MHS SHOW, Medway. saddlerowe.com.

20 R.J. SADOWSKI CAMP DAY, Plainfield. peacehavenfarm.com.

Do you want a Calm, Connected, and Responsive Partner?

Helping to make your dreams come true!

Licensed Parelli Professional 3 Star Instructor and Horse Specialist

Avery Gauthier Located in Massachusetts and traveling to all of New England.

averysavvyrhodeisland.com 52

June/July 2013

.

(401) 418-0220

21 NEW ENGLAND STOCK HORSE SHOW SERIES, Heritage Farm, Easthampton. farmheritage.com.

21 POLO MATCH, South Hamilton. myopiapolo.org.

21 WRC TRAIL RIDE, October Mountain, Becket. westfieldridingclub.org.

21 SORTING COMPETITION, Hillside Meadows, Grafton. hillside-meadows.com.

21 WNEPHA SHOW, Muddybrook Farm, Amherst. wnepha.com.

21 GRHC PLEASURE RIDE, McCray’s Farm, South Hadley. granbyregionalhorse.org.

21 HRC OPEN SHOW, Briggs Stable, Hanover. hansonridingclub.org.

21 HORSE POWER DRESSAGE SHOW, Southbridge. wildairefarm.com.

21 NEW ENGLAND MINIATURE HORSE SHOW, Apple Knoll Farm, Millis. nemhs.org.

21 TWO-PHASE AND DRESSAGE SHOW, Dracut. cutterfarm.com.

21 USEF LOCAL RATED SHOW, West Newbury. indianmeadowfarm.com.

22 – 27 NEW ENGLAND MORGAN HORSE SHOW, Northampton. nemha.com.

23 TWO-PHASE, Black Oak Stables, Hamilton. blackoakstables.com.

28 NEECA HORSE SHOW, Felton Field, Barre. neeca.org.

24 MINI SHOW V, Briggs Stable, Hanover. briggsstable.com.

28 NSHA HUNTER SHOW, Twisdenwood Farm, Georgetown. northshorehorsemens.org.

24 SUMMER JUMPER SHOW, Apple Knoll Farm, Millis. appleknoll.com.

28 WNEPHA MHC SHOW, Biscuit Hill Farm, Shelburne. biscuithillfarm.com.

24 HCRC OPEN GROUNDS EVENING, Goshen. hampshirecountyridingclub.org.

28 JUMPING PRACTICE DAY, Pipestave Hill, West Newbury. wnrdc.com.

26 – 28 YANKEE COLOR CLASSIC, West Springfield. westernmaapp.homestead.com.

28 HCRC PLAINFIELD/HAWLEY RIDE. hampshirecountyridingclub.com.

17 HCRC BENEFIT VEGAS POKER RIDE, Kenneth Dubuque Memorial State Forest, Hawley. hampshirecountyridingclub.org.

31 MINI SHOW VI, Briggs Stable, Hanover. briggsstable.com.

31 SUMMER JUMPER SHOW, Apple Knoll Farm, Millis. appleknoll.com.

27 INTRO TO INTUITIVE HORSEMANSHIP II, with Dave Bradham and Nicole Birkholzer, Palmer. Red Sofa Workshop Series to benefit Blue Star Equiculture. equiculture.org.

31 – AUGUST 3 CADI DRESSAGE INVITATIONAL, Concord. bearspotcadi.org.

27 PHOA VERSATILITY SERIES, Ten Broeck Farm, Pepperell. phoa.info.

August

27 – 28 HORSE TRIALS, Stoneleigh-Burnham School, Greenfield. sbschool.org.

1 NSHA HUNTER SHOW, Twisdenwood Farm, Georgetown. northshorehorsemens.org.

28 CCDS SUMMER FUN DAY, Orleton Farm, Stockbridge. colonialcarriage.org

1 – 3 CONNECTICUT SUMMER CLASSIC, West Springfield. saddlebred.com.

28 POLO MATCH, South Hamilton. myopiapolo.org.

3 R.J. SADOWSKI CAMP DAY, Plainfield. peacehavenfarm.com.

Massachusetts Horse

53

Massachusetts marketplace White Spruce Farms Where Learning to Ride is Fun!

summer camps . Games Nights . all levels & ages riding lessons for those who want to compete or just have fun.

Westport, Mass.

Horse Farm for Rent

Dressage Shows Musical Freestyle, Prix caprilli, and traditional usdF tests.

June 2 (judge dee loveless) August 11 - adults only! (judge susan rainville) show benefits WsF’s scholarship fund for junior riders. intro to 2nd level, new riders test, western, trail, and Prix caprilli.

October 20 (judge Nancy Young) plus costume class! susan rainville – instructor, trainer, usdF bronze Medalist

New braintree, Ma

(978) 257-4666

whitesprucefarms.com

Three bedroom unfurnished home, barn with four stalls, four acres of pasture. $2,000 per month.

(508) 636-8007

One Vacation You Will Never Forget!

Golden Hills Ranch is located in the beautiful Ozark Mountains of south-central Missouri.

Crystal clear spring-fed streams, forest, massive bluffs, large caves, and beautiful valleys with wide open ranges offer riding enjoyment at all levels. Miles and miles of trails and roads that are privately owned for the vacation of a life time. Visit us this year!

19546 Golden Dr., Raymondville, Missouri

(417) 457-6222 www.GoldenHills.com

Mass4H.org Independence Stable, LLC

’

2013 Dressage Schooling Shows Including Lead Line & Western Dressage Tests!

August 11 . September 8

Summer Barn Days Session 1: June 24-28 . Session 2: July 29-Aug. 2

Lessons . Training . Boarding . Clinics

Belchertown, MA (413) 284-0371 independencestablellc.com 54

June/July 2013

Northampton, MA

Boarding Available Indoor Arena . Outdoor Sand Ring Individual Lockers . Jumping Field Round pens . Grass Pastures Quiet, Friendly Atmosphere

16 David St., Southampton, MA (413) 527-0333

Open Horse Shows June 2 . August 4 Lessons for all levels in hunter seat equitation ~ age 8 to adult.

Boarding . Summer Camps

Sue Payne at (413) 585-2734 spayne@smith.edu

Massachusetts marketplace

Proudly serving the Pioneer Valley for over 25 years.

Complete Wellness Care including Dental, Lameness, and Reproduction State of the Art Digital Radiography

John L. Cowley, M.S., D.V.M. P.O. Box 1019, Easthampton, Mass.

(413) 527-4414 thehorsedoctor@verizon.net

Established in 1985 Quality Service!

978-425-6181 cAll us first

MAnure reMovAl for lArge & sMAll fArMs roll-off containers 10 to 30 yards on call or scheduled service. full stock pile removals.

• Barn/outbuilding demo & removal Dressage training facility, Monson, Mass.

“R” Dressage Judge; FEI Trainer/Competitor; Lessons, clinics, German imported horses for sale.

Indoor/outdoor arenas, all day turnout.

Proud Sponsor of Bear Spot Musical Freestyle and the Oakrise Farm Show Series.

(860) 208-6017 . deeloveless2@comcast.net

www.mitranoremoval.com

• fencing demo & replacement

www.deeloveless.com

recovery . Maintenance . Performance therapeutic Massage . bodywork . reiki

Jo bunny licensed massage therapist, certified equine massage therapist

(413) 320-7690 • jobunny@comcast.net Massachusetts Horse

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the

neighborhood

ARTIST ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• J. T. HARDING East Walpole, MA, (508) 404-5883 www.jtharding.com Equine fine art and portraiture.

ASSOCIATIONS ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• BAY STATE TRAIL RIDERS ASSOC. Douglas, MA, (508) 476-3960 www.bstra.org Preserving trails, pleasure/competitive rides.

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY RIDING CLUB Goshen, MA, (413) 268-3372 hampshirecounty ridingclub.org Monthly trail rides, shows, gymkhana, educational speakers.

BARN CATS ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• PAWS WATCH Newport, RI, (401) 848-9867 www.pawswatch.org Barn cats need homes! Healthy, fixed, vaccinated barn cats provide rodent contol. Delivered!

CLIPPER SHARPENING ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• THE SHARPENING SHOP New Bedford, MA, (774) 992-7355 kleenkut007@gmail.com Clipper and shear sharpening by mail.

EDUCATION ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• EQUISSAGE NEW ENGLAND/NY Sterling, CT, (860) 564-7759 www.equissage-ne-ny.com Equine sports massage therapy certification.

EQUINE DENTISTRY ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• WENDY BRYANT, EQDT Northampton, MA, (413) 237-8887 www.ravenhillequine.com Natural balance equine dentistry. Improved topline, maximized performance, increased flexion. Serving New England/New York.

DILLON’S EQUINE DENTISTRY Yarmouth, ME, (508) 528-2242 www.dilloneq.com 20+ years, servicing New England.

ANDREW MORTIMER, EQDT Plainfield, MA, (413) 634-5656 amanda@bcn.net Health, performance floating, extractions.

EQUINE ENTERTAINMENT ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• DALE PERKINS/MESA FARM Rutland, MA, (508) 886-6898 www.daleperkinshorseshow.com Trick riding and much more.

EQUINE MASSAGE ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• EQUINE SPORTS THERAPIES Brooklyn, CT, (860) 774-8027 www.equinesportstherapies.com Massage, digital thermography, aromatherapy, Reiki.

EQUISSAGE NE/NY Serving New England, (860) 564-7759 equisportmt@sbcglobal.net Certified Masterson Method practitioner, certified Equissage instructors, certified Equissage practitioners, Equine Bodywork, Myofascial Release, Infrared Photon Light Therapy, and Reiki.

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June/July 2013

Your Everything Equine “white pages”

HORSEBACK AND BODY Northampton, MA, (413) 320-7690 jobunny@comcast.net Massage therapy for horses, humans.

EVENTING ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• APPLE KNOLL FARM Millis, MA, (508) 376-2564 www.appleknoll.com Cross-country schooling, training, lessons, sales.

INSURANCE ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• BLUE BRIDLE INSURANCE AGENCY Pittstown, NJ, (800) 526-1711 www.bluebridle.com Equine insurance solutions since 1982.

CORINTHIAN INSURANCE AGENCY Medway, MA, (877) 250-5103 www.corinthianequine.com Equine protection specialists.

RIDING APPAREL ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• COUNTRYSIDE FARM RIDING APPAREL Sterling, MA, (978) 235-4004 www.countrysideridingapparel.com Custom and in-stock riding apparel, equestrian jewelry, JPC dealer, used apparel, consignments welcome.

STABLES, FARMS, BOARDING ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• EMERALD FARM Bellingham, MA, (508) 966-2482 www.smithlyndequine.com Dressage, eventing, hunter, boarding, lessons, training, leases.

COURSE BROOK FARM Sherborn, MA, (508) 655-9318 coursebrookfarm.com Eventing, dressage, boarding, crosscountry schooling, clinics, shows.

DON RAY INSURANCE Marshfield, MA, (781) 837-6550 www.donrayinsurance.com Farm, mortality, major medical and surgical, clubs, shows, instructors.

HAFLINGERS ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• SOMMER HILL FARM Adams, MA, (413) 743-9301 sommerhaflingers@yahoo.com One Haflinger is never enough.

JUDGES ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• MARY BRAZIE Egremont, MA, (413) 528-2367 arabpinto13@yahoo.com Judging open, 4-H. Lessons, boarding.

HORSES FOR SALE ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• STRAIN FAMILY HORSE FARM Granby, CT, (860) 653-3275 strainfamilyhorsefarm.com New England’s largest quality sales stable.

Supplying NE with horses and ponies since 1967. Forty family, trail, and show horses to choose from. New loads every week.

We buy horses, take trade-ins and consignment horses. Great three-week exchange guarantee. Find us on Facebook.

CARRIE CRANSTON Ashfield, MA, (413) 628-0152 equine79@msn.com 4-H, open shows, carded, references.

SUMMER CAMPS ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• MOUNTAIN TOP INN & RESORT Chittenden, VT, (802) 483-2311 www.mountaintopinn.com Adults, children, camps, overnight accommodations.

ED GOLEMBESKI Gill, MA, (413) 863-2313 riker119@comcast.net 4-H, open shows, clinics, lessons.

VERSHIRE RIDING SCHOOL Vershire, VT, (802) 685-2239 www.vershireridingschool.com Eventing, children, adult programs.

HORSE RETIREMENT ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• GREEN ACRES RETIREMENT FARM Deansboro, NY, (914) 414-7872 greenacresretirementfarm.com Boarding packages starting at $225/mo.

INSTRUCTION/TRAINING ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• LISL DONALDSON Palmer, MA, (413) 283-3706 woodenhorsefarm.com Equine-assisted therapies, camps, lessons.

FAIRFIELD FARM Rochester, MA, (508) 763-3224 dressageatfairfieldfarm.com Boarding, instruction, training, indoor.

HORSE-MIND-SHIP - RJ SADOWSKI Plainfield, MA, (413) 634-8800 www.peacehavenfarm.com Clinics, colt starting, farm visits.

THE HORSE NANNY CATHY DRUMM Lenox, MA, (413) 441-5278 www.thehorsenanny.co Hunter, jumper, dressage, problem horses.

NANCY LATER LAVOIE Ashby, MA, (561) 714-7447 nancylaterdressagehorses.com Dressage training level to Grand Prix.

DEE LOVELESS Monson, MA, (860) 208-6017 www.deeloveless.com Full-service dressage training facility.

MORNING LIGHT FARM Brimfield, MA, (413) 563-3477 morninglightfarm.net Boarding, training, clinics, indoor, trails.

PINEHAVEN FARM Hubbardston, MA, (978) 928-5492 parmenterdressage.com Dressage, clinics, boarding, training, sales.

KAREN VON BACHELLE South Windsor, CT, (860) 528-8027 bachelle@cox.net USEF “r” and NEHC H/HE/J. LOANS ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• FARM CREDIT EAST Middleboro, MA, (800) 946-0506 farmcrediteast.com Loans for equestrian facilities, farms, bare land, home sites. Equipment loans and leases.

MINIATURE HORSES, SUPPLIES ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• STAR LAKES MINIATURE TACK Atlasburg, PA, (724) 947-9939 www.starlakefarm.com Complete line of Miniature horse tack.

NORWEGIAN FJORDS ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• BLUE HERON FARM Charlemont, MA, (413) 339-4045 www.blueheronfarm.com Quality, purebred registered Fjords.

PHOTOGRAPHY ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• MIG EQUINE Erving, MA, (413) 824-0922 moments-in-grace-photography.com Farm shoots, advertising, portraits, fineart photography, event coverage.

REAL ESTATE ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• BERNICE GIARD, REALTOR/BROKER Oakham, MA, (508) 882-3900 oakham@charter.net Country properties.

EQUINE HOMES — MARILYN LEARY Oakham, MA, (800) 859-2745 x 709 Specializing in equestrian, country properties.

GLENCROFT FARM Southampton, MA, (413) 527-8026 kraymond24@hotmail.com Boarding, pastures, ring, trails, fields.

TACK AND HARNESSES ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• BLUEBIRD MEADOWS FARM N. Granby, CT, (860) 844-8689 www.bluebirdmeadowsfarm.com Mobile shop. Buy/sell new/used tack.

TACK, BLANKET, HARNESS REPAIR ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• BLUE DOG LEATHER (978) 544-2681 www.bluedogleather.com Quality repairs and custom work.

JENN’S TACK & BLANKET SERVICE (978) 340-5576 jennstackrepair@comcast.net Blanket cleaning, repair. Used blankets and tack for sale.

VETERINARIANS ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• FAMILY VETERINARY CENTER Haydenville, MA, (413) 268-8387 famvets.com Traditional and alternative care for dogs, cats, exotics, and horses.

AMY J. RUBIN, DVM Sunderland, MA, (413) 549-5511 rubinaj69@yahoo.com Wellness and lameness exams, vaccinations, dentistry, emergency.

DR. ROBERT P. SCHMITT S. Deerfield, MA, (413) 665-3626 sdvc@aol.com Equine medicine, surgery since 1969.

VIDEO/DVD PRODUCTION ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• ZZ CREATIVE VIDEO PRODUCTIONS Fitchburg, MA, (978) 345-7250 www.zzcreativevideo.com Horse show/events documentation, reasonable, professional, experienced.

advertiser index A Horse Drawn Affair .................. 40 Apple Knoll Farm ........................ 45 Angel View Pet Cemetery ........... 59 Aubuchon Hardware .................. 37 Avery Gauthier ........................... 52 Azrael Acres ............................... 57 Back Bay Farm .............................. 11 Bacon’s Equipment .................... 24 Barefoot Performance ................ 29 Bedard Farm Inc. ....................... 25 Blarney Stone Acres ..................... 4 Bluebird Meadows Farm ............ 40 Blue Dog Leather ....................... 48 Blue Rider Stables ...................... 44 Blue Seal Feed .......................... 60 Briggs Stable and Tack Shop ...... 46 Cape Cod Benefit Horse Show ... 45 The Carriage Shed ....................... 2 The Cheshire Horse .................... 48 Chrislar Farm ............................... 12 Colonial Carriage and Driving Society .................................. 25 Country Corral ........................... 24 Crowleys Commission Sales ........ 27 Don Ray Insurance Agency ........ 33 Equissage ................................... 39 Evermoor LLC ................................ 3 Fairview Farms JJC ..................... 57 Family Veterinary Center ............ 23 Farm Credit East .......................... 13 Farm Family Insurance ................ 47 Hanover Hunt and Riding Club ... 46 Heritage Farm ............................. 33 Hillside Meadows Equestrian Center ................................... 31 Indian Meadow Farm .................... 3 It’s a Pleasure Training .............. 24

Jay Noone .................................. 24 Jenn’s Tack and Blanket Service . 37 Joey Stetz Farrier Service ........... 40 The Jumper Classic ..................... 58 Just for Ponies ............................. 19 King Oak Farm ............................ 43 Lamore Lumber ............................ 41 Legacy Stable .............................. 10 The Mane Place .......................... 36 Mass. Morgan Horse Assoc. ........ 51 Mindful Connections ................. 13 The Mountain Top Inn & Resort ... 53 Natural Balance Equine Dentistry . 24 New England Equine Medical and Surgical Center ...................... 14 New England Horse Labs ............... 35 Northeast Real Estate Group .......... 10 Northwoods Nickers Horse Treats . 50 On the Road Trailers .................. 39 Orion Farm ................................... 7 The Ortensi Farm ......................... 7 Peace Haven Farm ..................... 36 Purina Mills ............................... 49 Ravenhill Equine Wellness Center . 22 Sebring Stables ............................ 17 Serenity Hill Stable ..................... 15 SmartPak Saddlery ..................... 35 Smith-Worthington ....................... 21 Three County Fair ....................... 44 W. B. Mason Co., Inc. ................. 40 Western Massachusetts Horse Show Series .......................... 41 Western New England Professional Horsemen’s Association ....... 50 Wild Aire Farm ........................... 45 Xenophon Farm .......................... 19

is this your horse?

Open Horse Shows July 7 . august 4 . september 22 champion and reserve in all divisions. Year-end awards banquet.

Horse Trials & Dressage June 2 . July 14 . september 15 . october 6 Pre-elementary through Novice.

Summer Camp July 15 to 19 . July 29 to august 2 . august 12 to 16 Visit www.azraelacres.com for class lists, brochures, and more information.

lessons ~ sales ~ boarding 144 Williams st., uxbridge, Mass.

(508) 234-2678 . azraelacres.com

summer camps Carnival/Circus Week July 29 to August 2 Knights &. Princesses Week August 5 to 9

Beginner to advanced instruction

upcoming events

Hunt Seat/Equitation, Dressage, Eventing, and Western Instruction Available Our Instructors are dedicated to helping you succeed!

Laura Solod

September 15 Four Town Fair Open Show www.fortownfair.com

This photo was taken at the May 4 Combined Test at Apple Knoll Farm, in Millis. If this is your horse, contact us at win@mahorse.com for a month’s supply of SmartPaks and more from Massachusetts’ very own SmartPak, smartpak.com.

Full, rough, or semi-rough board, indoor arena, all-day turnout, minutes to Brimfield trail system.

MacDonald’s Farm Week August 18 to 23

August 17 Worcestershire Pony Club 2 Phase karcorkery@verizon.net for info.

Is this your horse?

Boarding . training stalls available

October 20 Worcestershire Pony Club 2 Phase karcorkery@verizon.net for info.

Hunt seat . equitation dressage . eventing Western

121 Haynes Hill Road, Brimfield, MA

(413) 245-3083 • www.fairviewfarmsjjc.com Massachusetts Horse

57

Over 30 Years of Service

Cremains available to family within 72 hours.

Massachusetts Horse

59

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID FULTON, MO PERMIT

Amherst Farmer’s Supply 320 Pleasant St., Amherst (413) 253-3436 amherstfarmerssupply.com A.W. Brown Pet & Garden Center 144 Shaker Rd., E. Longmeadow (413) 525-2115 . awbrown.com Bernardston Farmer’s Supply 43 River St., Bernardston (413) 648-9311 bernardstonfarmerssupply.com

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Brattleboro Agway 1277 Putney Rd. Brattleboro, VT (802) 254-8757 . achilleagway.net

Essex County Co-op 146 S. Main St., Topsfield (978) 887-2309 . essexcountycoop.net

Robbins Garden Center 28 Sutton Ave., Oxford (508) 987-2700 . robbinsgarden.com

Bridgewater Farm Supply 1000 Plymouth St., Bridgewater (508) 697-0357 . bridgewaterfarm.com

Ferestein Feed 360 Central St., Foxboro (508) 543-3613

Sweet Meadow Feed & Grain 111 Coolidge St., Sherborn (508) 650-2926 sweetmeadowfeedandgrain.com

Country Corral 35 Main St., Williamsburg (413) 268-0180 countrycorralonline.com

Hardwick Farmers Co-op Exchange Rte. 32, Gilbertville (800) 322-4329 . hardwickfarmers.net

Erikson’s Grain Mill 113 Main St., Acton (978) 263-4733

Morrisons Home & Garden 90 Long Pond Rd., Plymouth (508) 746-0970 morrisonshomeandgarden.com

Thibault’s Poultry 92 N. Spencer Rd. Spencer (508) 885-3959