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EQUINE E N T H U S I A S T ™

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FROM THE COVER HELP ON HORSEBACK .......................................................................... 6 FEATURES ATASCADERO BARREL RACER ............................................................... 8 LOCAL RIDING CLUB .......................................................................... 10 DUGAN KELLY FINISHES SECOND AT WNFR .................................... 12 HORSEMAN’S FAMILY RE-UNION ....................................................... 14 MOTHERS DAY SADDLE UP ................................................................. 18 BOB AND MARGARET BOTTA ............................................................. 20 PASO ROBLES HOSTS MULTI-DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL RODEO ...... 22 JEFF SCHMIDT ..................................................................................... 24 SALINAS VALLEY FAIR RANCH RODEO .............................................. 26 HEAVEN CAN’T WAIT ......................................................................... 27 COLUMNS Nikki Egyed: OTTB LIMELIGHT ............................................................ 28 Christine Ogorsolka Johnson: HOW DO I SAY GOODBYE? ................... 30

The Equine Center: REHABILITATION OF THE HORSE .............. 32 Barbi Breen-Gurley: MEMORIES OF MY RECENT TRIP ......................... 34 COVER PHOTO BY

Paula McCambridge GENERAL INFORMATION Get the Word Out! Submit a short description of your club, business or organization’s event. Be sure to include relevant dates, times, locations and contact information.

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HELP ON HORSEBACK sheriFF’s Posse serves slo county

By Paula McCambridge OF EQUINE ENTHUSIAST

A

s Sheriff Deputy Ed Bryant climbs onto his 17-year-old quarterhorse, Snoopy, he describes the life of the posse, which serves in every role from outreach to life-and-death rescues by the San Luis Obispo Sheriff’s Department’s mounted unit.

The unit patrols rural areas, assists in search and rescue, patrols at the California Mid-State Fair, Creston and Cal Poly rodeos and also serves as outreach for the department, often riding in local parades.

“They act as the ears and eyes at events; their expertise is their horsemanship,” Bryant said. “We’ve been used to look for evidence in rural areas; lost hikers; people with Alzheimer’s who have wandered off.”

Bryant said the patrol faces tough scenarios at times, sometimes finding lost people who haven’t survived the wilderness, but often only

minor medical treatment is needed and still others, there is success.

“In one case, there was a 12- to 13-year-old girl who was lost overnight at the Huasna Ranch,” Bryant said. “We found her the next day, and she was OK.” Typically, a search-and-rescue unit responds first then, depending on terrain, we’re called out,” he said.

Bryant — 18 years with the sheriff’s department and 10 on the posse — is the only sworn officer in the unit of which he’s the posse liaison.

The other 20 members are volunteers of the highest caliber in positions that require much more than the love of riding.

The SLO County posse was started in 1940 by Sheriff Murray Hathaway and still serves an important purpose in the county, according to current Sheriff Ian Parkinson.

“The posse is one of the oldest traditions at the Sheriff’s Office,”

Parkinson said. “History shows the posses of the Old West were used to track bad guys, but now their mission is much more varied.

They help our patrol division, they perform search and rescue operations and they promote goodwill in the community. The posse is one of

Sheriff’s Deputy Ed Bryant, on his quarterhorse Snoopy, rides with a sheriff’s posse member Kasey Trimble on her quarterhorse Skippy. Photos by Paula McCambridge

6 EQUINE ENTHUSIAST

Published by News Media Corporation | WINTER

our more visible and popular units at the sheriff’s office and I am proud of the work they do.”

Volunteer Kasey Trimble, whose mother, Dee Hazelton, is the posse captain, has been on the posse for 15 years.

“I do this because it supports my community and gives me a chance to ride,” Trimble said. “I love riding in the parades, meeting people. If we’re invited to a parade, we go!”

Though the love of riding is a plus, it’s the ability to ride well that matters more.

“We have to qualify on the horse; there’s a riding proficiency test,” Trimble said. “For most recreational riders, we do go out and ride, but we don’t do the sensory stuff, which horses in the posse have to be able to do. To train and test your horse, ride on bridges, throw balloons and balls toward them to see how they react. They have to remain calm in every situation because we’re dealing with the public.”

The posse is always looking for volunteers who can meet its requirements.

“Part of the requirements are that the volunteer own his or her own horse and tack, truck and trailer with a valid driver’s license with insurance,” Bryant said. “It’s a big time investment, too.”

For more information on the posse, visit the sheriff department’s website at: www.slosheriff.org.

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ATASCADERO BARREL RACER number one in the state

By Luke Phillips OF EQUINE ENTHUSIAST

A

fter years of hard work and dedication, teen barrel racer and Atascadero High School sophomore Karlee Wesney has risen to the top of the charts in the Women’s Pro Rodeo Association junior division and is currently ranked number one in the state of California.

Wesney says she started riding when she was 8 years old and her stepfather bought her a horse at an auction. Wesney took to riding quickly and soon began taking barrel-racing lessons with local stable owner Lisa Busick.

Wesney has since finished taking lessons, moving on to competing

in rodeo events all over the region, state and nation, and says she is now learning more from the professional riders she encounters on the rodeo circuit.

“Everybody just gives me tips and helps me out,” she said. “Everybody is just so friendly.”

Although she worked hard to learn the sport, Wesney says that finding the right horse was equally important to her success. After years of searching, Wesney says she finally found the horse she wanted on the website barrelhorseworld. com and flew to West Virginia to give him a try.

“The first time I tried him out, I just knew he was the horse that could take me where I wanted to go,” she said.

Atascadero High School sophomore Karlee Wesney has risen to the top of the charts in the Women’s Pro Rodeo Association junior division. Contributed photo Wesney’s new horse, Leaving Promises, is half thoroughbred and half racing quarter horse, and is unusually big for a barrel racing horse.

“He’s a big guy,” Wesney said.

“He’s usually the biggest one out there and it’s usually harder for those horses to get that low and turn those corners, but he handles it.”

Wesney says she spends time with her horses, making sure they get their hips and nose in the correct position as they take the hairpin turns required in barrel racing and teaching them the cloverleaf pattern, but once they get it down it’s more about trust, she says.

“It’s just kind of trusting them and trusting that they’ll remember what you did in practice,” she said.

“He’s a finished horse, he knows his job and he knows what to do when we go to the races.”

Wesney says she competes an average of two or three times per week, but makes sure to give her horses plenty of down time and takes them on trail rides regularly.

“They’re not meant for that, so I just like to go on trail rides,” she said. “It’s super good for the horse’s mind.”

Wesney’s mom Cyndi says that the horses used for barrel racing have to “be a little amped up,” and require more care and attention

than most horses such as monthly chiropractic care and dietary supplements.

“And it’s important to keep their mind straight,” she said. “Barrel horses are crazy.”

Wesney belongs to four different barrel racing organizations and has accomplished much, winning several races and taking home belt buckles, cash and “prizes galore,” her mother says, but for the past six months she’s been competing in the junior circuit of the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association and is currently ranked number one in the state of California and 21st in the world with a total of $1,452 earned.

When she turns 18 in three years, Wesney says she plans on going to college to get a nursing degree so she has something to fall back on, but she also plans to join the pro rodeo circuit and dreams of one day competing in the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas.

Wesney says that she’s had to sacrifice time with her friends to reach the level she’s at now, but she’s determined to work hard and follow her dream of competing in the NFR. “It’s just dedicating yourself really,” she said. “It’s like, ‘this is what you want to do,’ so you have to give up some things. There’s a lot of preparing for those 17 seconds.”

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Members of the Atascadero Horseman’s Club gathered for a ride at a ranch just east of town in late December. Photo Courtesy Atascadero Horseman’s Club

LOCAL RIDING CLUB celebrates 50th anniversary

By Luke Phillips OF EQUINE ENTHUSIAST

T

his year, the Atascadero Horseman’s Club is celebrating its 50th anniversary by doing what they do best: serving the community.

As part of the anniversary celebration, club members will be working on a project to create a new trail on the backside of Santa Margarita Lake, which will eventually connect two trails together, making a complete circuit back to the trailhead for riders on the Falcon Trail

and Blini Ranch Road. The club already helped install troughs and water pumps along the trail and will also be putting up hitching posts for tired travelers inscribed with a message commemorating the anniversary.

The trail project is just the latest in a long history of community projects completed by the club all over San Luis Obispo County.

“There’s a long history of equestrian trails,” club member Barbara Dixon said. “The Atascadero Horseman’s Club has been involved with a lot of the trails in the county and

we have several people who have worked with the county and all the trail committees for years.”

The club was dedicated to building and improving equestrian trails right from the beginning. The club was formed in May of 1964 with Bill Verheyen initially acting as chairman and by July of 1964 they had elected Floyd Cornell as their first president and set forth a list of club goals, which was published in the Atascadero News and included “developing riding trails to keep riders off roads” as one of their main priorities. Other goals include

assisting local ranchers when extra riders are needed for working cattle, training people to ride and care for horses and “helping the community in any way possible.”

Founding members included Cornell and Verheyen, vice president Forest McKinon, secretary Marcella M. Nelson, treasurer Charles Darbonne, trail boss Dale Nelson, Barbara Coffland, Freida Hensley, Arthur Renton, Edna Crosse, Jim and Arlene Green and others.

One of the club’s first projects was the creation of an equestrian trial in

10 EQUINE ENTHUSIAST

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Atascadero that is still used to this day. The Jim Green Trail near Heilmann Regional Park was opened in 1991 after 15 years of work and dedicated to the late Jim Green who passed away of a sudden heart attack in 1981.

“When they did that trail they named it after him because he was such a long-standing, active member of the horse community in Atascadero,” Dixon said. “And he and Arlene were founding members of the Horseman’s Club.”

The trail, located just off of Curbaril Avenue on Cortez Avenue, was always meant to be for multiple uses and is still heavily utilized by hikers, bicycle riders and horseback riders.

Dixon says that unlike many places in the country where mountain bikers and horseback riders tend to have an antagonistic relationship, the two groups get along well in San Luis Obispo County and work hand-in-hand on local trail projects.

“Here, we have this nice working partnership because if we both work together we can keep these trails open and keep them maintained,” she said. “We have this really nice relationship with them.”

One of the biggest trail projects completed by club members was the two-mile long Rinconada Trail east of Santa Margarita. The trail took 10 years to complete and was dedicated on Dec. 16, 1989.

The trail winds through the Rinconada Canyon and then uphill, providing sweeping views toward Santa Margarita and Pozo. The trail project was dedicated to founding Horseman’s Club president Floyd Cornell.

Club president Kathy Redden says that the current extension trail project at Santa Margarita Lake is a small part of their ultimate goal of creating a complete trail system all the way around the lake. The main obstacles to the project moving forward are the fact that there is currently no way of crossing the

dam on the backside of the lake and one landowner who isn’t interested in swapping land so the trail can be built through his property, Redden says.

“There’s definitely some challenges and it won’t be done any time in the next few years, but it’d be great to benefit the North County and Santa Margarita Lake in general,” Redden said. “We’re not looking to take anybody’s land, but we’re looking for ways we can make it happen so it’ll benefit everybody.”

Redden says that the current trail extension is being completed through the hard work of Horseman’s Club members and Central Coast Concerned Mountain Bikers members and won’t cost taxpayers anything.

“It’s just equestrians and mountain bikers all working together to make this happen,” she said.

Besides building trail projects, the club also organizes a huge event every December that helps give needy children in the area something to look forward to during the holidays.

The club’s annual Toy Ride brings in hundreds of gifts and hundreds of dollars in funds for the local Toys for Tots effort while members enjoy a ride from Atascadero to Templeton.

“The club has helped put trails in, helped pay for stuff, helped build campgrounds, we’ve bought stuff, paid for stuff, we’ve had sweat equity,” says club member Jody Smith. “If a project is needed, club members are always happy to pitch in time or money. Our club is about giving.”

Many members also said they enjoy the educational component added to each of the club’s monthly meetings which cover everything from first aide for horses and horse training to health, safety and nutrition. Monthly meetings are held the second Tuesday of every month at Hoovers Classic Restaurant in Atascadero and anybody interested

Published by News Media Corporation | WINTER 2014

in joining the club is free to attend.

“They’re really, really, really fun,” Smith said.

Meetings start with a no-host dinner at 6 p.m., the educational program at 7 p.m. and the regular business meeting at 8 p.m.

The club also has many other regular activates including monthly rides and campouts several times a year.

“You’re out in nature riding and it’s really cool,” Smith said. “It’s really fun when you’re riding in a canyon and you’re like ‘oh my God, there’s a bear with her cubs’ and they go running past you. So trail riding is the focus of the club.”

From the very beginning, part of the club has been working with local ranchers in the area to gain access to land where horseback riders are not normally allowed and Dixon says the exclusive rides enjoyed by club members are just one of the great reasons to join the club.

“We often gain access to private ranches where you can’t normally ride,” she said. “So we get to see a lot of places that people don’t normally get to see.”

Dixon says the club is also very family oriented and members are allowed to join as long as they’re old enough to ride safely.

“It’s a healthy, fun environment for the whole family,” she said.

“We’ve had little kids on our rides and as long as the parents feel safe and they have helmets on, we’re

OK with that. They just have to be responsible and feel that their kids and their horses are up to the ride.”

While most of the club members enjoy all of the activities, rides, campouts and causes, the majority of them said that their main reason for being in the club is to connect with old friends and make some new ones too.

“It’s my club,” said Myra Douglass, who has been a continuously active member for longer than anyone else. “I feel really close to it.

I enjoy getting together to see my friends.”

Smith agreed, saying the club is a great place to meet like-minded friends.

“We’ve had some great adventures riding,” she said. “For me, it’s been the contacts of meeting other people who want to ride. I love the trail rides and the campouts and all my good friends.”

For such a small group, ranging from 30 members when it first started up to 140 at the most and averaging about 100 members at any given time, Dixon says they have been able to accomplish a lot.

“For a little town like Atascadero, this is a little bitty riding club that is really part of the history of the town,” she said. “We just want to showcase the club and all the great stuff this little bitty club has done over the years that’s really impacted the whole equestrian community in the county.”

11 EQUINE ENTHUSIAST

Shandon’s Dugan Kelly earned enough through the year to qualify for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, Dec. 5-14 2013. He and partner Turtle Powell finished second in the WNFR average and were seventh in the world standings.

SHANDON’S DUGAN FINISHES SECOND AT WNFR heeler teams With PoWell anD climbs to seventh in WorlD stanDinGs

By Brian Williams OF EQUINE ENTHUSIAST

S

handon’s Dugan Kelly did not realize his dream of winning the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, but he and team roping partner Turtle Powell capped off their season with an impressive showing on the PRCA’s biggest

stage.

Heeler Dugan and header Powell, of Alpine, Texas, finished second in the average at the National Finals Rodeo. They finished in the money five times in Las Vegas and climbed up to seventh in the world standings with earnings of $143,265 on the season. The pair entered the 55th annual WNFR 13th in the

world. It began on Thursday, Dec. 5 and concluded Saturday, Dec. 14.

“Everyone who ropes dreams of going to the NFR and taking home a buckle,” Dugan said. “I haven’t quite come close to it yet, but maybe one day it will happen.”

Dugan and Powell once again had a strong finish at the Thomas and Mack Center, placing second

and fourth in the final two rounds, respectively, to up their 10-day goround total to $35,155.

They posted a run of 4.20 seconds in round nine, but were edged out by a stellar 3.6 from Travis Graves and Kaleb Driggers. Dugan and Powell closed out their WNFR with a 4.60 in the following round and were one of only two teams to post

12 EQUINE ENTHUSIAST

Published by News Media Corporation | WINTER

times in 9-of-10 rounds.

Dugan and Powell had earned $82,000 during the year which was enough to get them an invite to the WNFR for the second straight year.

“Just hope we have the momentum and the good luck to go with it,” Dugan said coming into the WNFR. “We are just going try our best and win as much as we can.

“We didn’t start off very well last year. Hopefully, we get started a little earlier this year. If we start like we stopped, we’ll be in good shape,” Dugan added.

The top 15 in the world standings in team roping, steer wrestling, bull riding, bareback, saddle bronc, barrel racing and tie-down roping automatically qualify for the prestigious end-of-year pro rodeo competition.

The Wrangler National Finals Rodeo consists of 10 rounds or gorounds with money being awarded to the top six in each night’s round.

Team roping is a timed event. An overall or average winner at the WNFR is determined by the team with the best average or aggregate.

Kollin VonAhn and Luke Brown

won the average at the 2013 WNFR, but ended up second in the world standings to Glade Tryan and Jade Corkill, who earned $178,057 this year.

Winning the overall at the WNFR is important to the competitors and their pocketbooks, but everyone is truly eyeing the gold belt buckles that go to the world champions.

The buckles are handed out at the WNFR and go the competitor or competitors that have earned the most money through the course of the year.

Through six rounds, Dugan and Powell finished in the money three times and posted times in two other go-rounds. In the average, they were sixth with four rounds remaining.

Their best time through the first six rounds was 4.4, good enough for fifth in the third round, which saw three other teams post 4.2. Dugan and Powell’s time would have won any of the previous two rounds.

They finished fifth (6.10) and sixth (10) in rounds four and five.

The prize money is so good at the Wrangler National Finals

Rodeo that a competitor could barely qualify and earn enough to walk away with a world title and a coveted gold belt buckle.

On Tuesday, Dec. 10, Trevor Brazile locked up his record-setting 19th world championship after claiming his 11th all-around title by winning round six of the team roping with heeler Patrick Smith of Lipan, Texas.

This is Kelly’s sixth trip the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas — 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 20012 and 2013 — since joining the PRCA in 1998. The heeler took a seven-year break to be with his family and work, but rejoined the professional ranks again in 20013.

Prior to competing with Dugan, Powell partnered with Jhett Johnson to win a buckle in team roping at the the 2011 WNFR. At the 2012 WNFR, Dugan and Powell finished ninth earning nearly $50,000 and were 11th in the world standings. They won round eight of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in 3.9 and placed in three other rounds.

“Everything just kind of fell in to

place for me,” Dugan said of returning to pro rodeo and teaming with Powell. “I think we’ve got a lot of experience in that arena.”

They also won four titles at rodeos across the U.S. and were co-champions in two others in 2012 and earned nearly $110,000 for the year.

Dugan and Kelly haven’t had the same success in 2013 in terms of wins, coming away with two rodeo wins as well as one co-championship. However, 2013 has been a tremendous year for Dugan. He teamed with Garrett Tonozzi to win the 31st annual George Strait Team Roping Classic and collect $131,060 in cash as well as a Chevrolet dually truck, a Strait X-treme horse trailer, a Twister saddle, a Resistol rope bag, and a jacket from Wrangler and Justin.

Dugan’s professional career earnings are closing in on $800,000.

“This year has been probably one of the better years in terms of rodeo and jackpots combined,” Dugan said.

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Three colts riding with each other all geared up and ready to ride.

Photo Courtesy of Adriane Hartzell Photography

This photo was taken at the 2013 Re-Union event by Adriane Hartzell photography. This colt is being shown the ropes, literally. Now that it is saddled, all that is left is to ride it.

Photo Courtesy of Adriane Hartzell Photography

HORSEMAN’S FAMILY RE-UNION cominG to Paso robles event center

By Allyson Oken OF EQUINE ENTHUSIAST

T

he third annual Horsemen’s Re-Union is bringing the global equine family together again for six days of events that will allow horsemen and horsewomen to show off their colt starting skills without the stress of competition.

It takes place at the Paso Robles Events Center — gates open at 7:30 a.m. April 8 and end on April 13. Riders from all over the world will have the chance to share their knowledge with new friends and the public. All are welcome to attend these six days of events.

Cathie and husband Rowley Twisselman co-produced the Horsemen’s Re-Union. She described what this Re-Union is all about and how much the group is looking

forward to hosting.

“As usual, we’ve had interest from all over the world beginning with the United States and continuing on to Canada, Australia, Mexico, Switzerland, Israel, Spain and Argentina,” Twisselman said. “Before we’re through, we may have even more countries involved. Who knows at this point? The Horseman’s Re-Union has brought people together in the same arena and in the stands that may not have ever met under normal circumstances, but since the Horsemen’s Re-Union is about celebrating our common interests rather than highlighting our differences. We’ve found that we not only unite people with horses, but also people with people. And it’s attributed to one thing — the love of the horse!”

Those that participate in the

Re-Union are the best of the best.

According to Twisselman, these horsemen and horsewomen are extremely well educated and experienced in teaching and training methods of horses. She explained that all agree that the unique thing about the Horsemen’s Re-Union is that it is not a contest.

“It’s 20 of the best horsemen and horsewomen in the world coming together in one place, at one time, starting 40 colts,” said Twisselman.

“This allows the public to witness the beauty, love and camaraderie of the gifts, talents and abilities that they’ve all been learning and striving to teach each other and the world for the better parts of their lives. The sharing that the 20 horsemen and horsewomen do without the pressure of the clock, is the only time that they get to do this,

anywhere, at anytime, all in one place, with this many horses for this length of time — six days every year at the Horsemen’s Re-Union. Since there is, no contest these amazing men and women are relaxed and enjoy not only the company of 40 quality colts, but also the relaxed, pressure less time they get to spend with, the public.”

At the Horsemen’s Re-Union visitors will see each step taken to start these young horses. Beginning with the first time they are saddled and ending with the colt being able to do a job. The participants are showing off their cow-horse skills, roping, cattle working, ranch branding demonstrations and the many ways of starting young horses. This year will be an even better learning experience because each of the 20 will be heard over individual microphones,

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Published by News Media Corporation | WINTER

giving everyone a chance to hear their ideas, not just watch. Twisselman explained that even though some methods may seem very different in the beginning, they all have the same end result and goal in mind.

“We’re not talking about working one horse for 3 or 4 hours,” she said. “But rather transforming a herd of 40 un-started horses, into a group of young saddle horses that are very well prepared to go on and do ranch work or other events.”

The 20 participants are all professionals though some are better known than others for their work in the circuit, but all spend their days starting horses. This year’s participants will be Thomas Saunders of USA, David Alonso of Mexico, Frank Green of Australia, Brad Andrews of USA, Martin Black, (wife) Jennifer Black, (son) Wade Black, Trevor Carter of USA, Antoine Cloux of Switzerland, Jonathan Field of Canada, Buster McLaury of USA, Shlomik Raziel of Israel, Cristobal Scarpati of Argentina, Buddy Uldrikson of USA, Ty Van Norman of USA and Ron Wall of Australia.

There are also four emcees, Bobby Ingersoll, Bill Enk, Kelly Barker and Russell Dilday, who will provide viewers with commentary.

To learn more about these events, to purchase tickets, to register as a horseman or horsewoman or to sign up to be a vendor, visit www.horsemansreunion.com or go to their Facebook page.

Mexico’s David Alonso is attempting to start this frisky colt. He got on its back, but it began to rear up on him a bit at last year’s event.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Tuesday, April 8th 7:30am 8:45am 9-10:30am 10am 10:30-12pm 11:30am 12-1pm 1-2:30 2:30-4pm 4:30-6:00pm 5:30pm 6:30pm 7:30pm

Gates open event begins with national anthem and introduction GrouP 1 - colt startinG vendors open GrouP 2 - colt startinG Wine tasting opens 1 hour lunch break GrouP 3 - colt startinG GrouP 4 - colt startinG autograph & chat session in vendors building chuck Wagons close vendors & Wine tasting close LIVE COUNTRY ENTERTAINMENT NIGHT

Published by News Media Corporation | WINTER 2014

Wednesday, April 9th 7:30am 8:45am 9-10:30am

10am 10:30-12pm 11:30am 12-1pm 1-2:30

2:30-4pm 4:30-5:30pm

Gates open begins with national anthem GrouP 4 - colt startinG *sPecial horsemen’s Demonstrations (different horsemen each session) vendors open GrouP 3 - colt startinG Wine tasting opens 1 hour lunch break GrouP 2 - colt startinG *sPecial horsemen’s Demonstrations (different horsemen each session) GrouP 1 - colt startinG autograph session in vendors building

5:30pm 5:30-6:30pm 7pm 7:30pm

chuck Wagons close OPEN HORSEMEN Q & A FORUM IN ARENA - HORSEBACK w/Public vendors & Wine tasting close BRANDING CALCUTTA & BRANDING COMPETITION

Thursday, April 10th 7:30am 8:45am 9-10:30am startinG 10am 10:30-12pm

Gates open event begins with national anthem GrouP 1 & GrouP 2 - colt vendors open **NEW**--**HORSEMEN’S DEMOS & CHAT SESSIONS ON HORSEBACK** CONTINUED>

15 EQUINE ENTHUSIAST

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

11:30am 12-1pm 1-2:30

Wine tasting opens 1 hour lunch break GrouP 3 & GrouP 4 - colt startinG 2:30-3:30pm **NEW**--**HORSEMEN’S DEMOS & CHAT SESSIONS ON HORSEBACK** 4:00-5:30pm autograph session in vendors building 5:30pm chuck Wagons close 6:30pm vendors & Wine tasting close 7pm **NEW**--**2 MAN TEAM SORTIN’ CALCUTTA & COMPETITION**

Friday, April 11th 7:30am 8:45am 9-10:30am

Gates open event begins with national anthem GROUP 3 & GROUP 4 - COLT STARTING 10am vendors open 10:30-12pm **NEW** HORSEMEN’S DEMOS & CHAT SESSIONS ON HORSEBACK** 11:30am Wine tasting opens 12-1pm 1 hour lunch break 1-2:30 GROUP 1 & GROUP 2 - COLT STARTING 2:30-3:30pm **NEW** HORSEMEN’S DEMOS & CHAT SESSIONS ON HORSEBACK**

4:00-5:00pm autograph session in vendors building 6:00pm chuck Wagons, vendors & Wine tasting close 6:30pm HORSEMEN’S NIGHT OF COCKTAILS, ELEGANT DINNER & AUCTION

Saturday, April 12th 7:30am 8:45am 9-10:30am

Gates open event begins with national anthem GROUP 1 & GROUP 2 - COLT STARTING FOR SALE THAT NITE 10am vendors open 10:30-12pm GROUP 3 & GROUP 4 - COLT PREVIEW FOR SALE THAT NITE 11:30am Wine tasting opens 12-1pm 1 hour lunch break 1-2pm autograph session in vendors building 2-4pm **NEW** Separate OLDER HORSES PREVIEW 4-5:30pm **NEW** HORSEMEN’S DEMOS ~ Q & A FORUM ON HORSEBACK 5:30pm chuck Wagons, vendors & Wine tasting close 5pm HORSEMEN’S RE-UNION HORSE SALE (Horses sell day before HR is over so that new owners can work with the Horseman that started that colt.)

Rowley and Cathie Twisselman began these events three years ago with the hope that it would bring equine enthusiasts together to learn and have a good time starting colts. This picture was taken at one of the first competitions they were in together in 1975 at the Oakdale 10 steer event before they were married.

Sunday, April 13th 7:30am 8:45am

Gates open event begins with national anthem and introduction 9-10:30am GROUP 1 - COLT STARTING new owner’s meet up with colts & horsemen that started their colt & work with them one on one.

10am vendors open 10:30-12pm GROUP 2 - COLT STARTING - new owner’s meet up with colts & horsemen that started their colt & work with them one on one.

11:30am Wine tasting opens 12-1pm 1 hour lunch break 1-2pm autograph session in vendors building 2-3:30 GROUP 3 - COLT STARTING new owner’s meet up with colts & horsemen that started their colt & work with them one on one.

3:30-5pm GROUP 4 - COLT STARTING- new owner’s meet up with colts & horsemen that started their colt & work with them one on one.

6:00pm Chuck Wagons, Vendors & Wine Tasting & Event Closes

Prices

General admission $35/Day veterans & seniors (60+) $25/Day students (13 yrs +/teachers) $25/Day (must show current valid student body card) children under 12 years old Free 4-h & FFa Free (only if attending as a group with 4·h leaders and/or FFa teachers) eXclusive viP PacKaGes (the 3 Day Package available for any 3 days of your choice. $1250/Person or $2000/ 6 Day Package couple $700/Person or $1250/ 3 Day Package couple

See our website for all pricing www.horsemansreunion.com

16 EQUINE ENTHUSIAST

Published by News Media Corporation | WINTER

MOTHER’S DAY SADDLE UP Quarter horse circuit cominG to Paso

By Allyson Oken OF EQUINE ENTHUSIAST

T

his Mother’s Day instead of the smell of breakfast in bed, some mothers in Paso Robles will be waking up to the smell of a freshly oiled saddle as the sun comes over the Paso Robles Events Center for the five-day Mothers Day Quarter Horse Circuit.

There are five days of events, beginning May 7 to 11. For the last 45-plus years, this circuit has been a big part of making Mother’s Day special for local horsewomen.

Hosted by the Paso Robles Event Center and the San Luis Obispo County Quarter Horse Association, this long-standing event is not one to miss.

Marie Miller, president of the SLOQHA, said that this year they are adding a new jumping class to

the five days of events. Jumping classes will include hunter hack, green working hunter, progressive working hunter, equitation over fences and green jumping. Last year’s event brought in so many people that this year they have expanded the schedule to include more space for all those that wish to participate.

“We have listened to our members who asked to shift classes to alternative long show days,” said Miller.

“First, we moved cutting classes to Wednesday in the main arena. We will continue with our Wednesday trail special event in the adjacent arena, but move regular trail classes to Thursday and Saturday. This means that the Western and English rail classes will move to Friday and Sunday. Good news for rail horses with cattle phobias as the cattle

classes will not be going on in the adjacent arena. We also moved the speed events to Friday and Sunday in the main arena.”

Miller said that they have people coming from all over the U.S. not only because this is great family event, but because this has the best cattle classes in California. Every year, those that participate stand to win $250 for circuit awards in a variety of classes and the all-around champions are given a Gist silver buckle. There will also be about 50 to 60 vendors at the event. Miller said that the competition is not what it’s all about.

“We are like a big horse family.

Every year we see a lot of the same people, so it really becomes like a reunion,” said Miller. “We do have quite a few people participating that

compete in the national circuits. So it is really fun to watch these riders show their skills. The event is free to anyone that would just like to come watch, and to participate there are some basic fees. This year, we are even flying in judges from around the country to provide judges that have well-rounded experience.

Come watch two rings going at once and see some talented horse and people show their skills.”

Every year the events kick off with a welcome party hosted by SLOCQHA at the Events Center.

It will take place Thursday afternoon with appetizers and wine.

SLOCQHA welcomes all out to the five days of events and asks that participants register no later than April 30. To learn more about this event and to register visit www. mothersdaycircuit.com.

18 EQUINE ENTHUSIAST

Published by News Media Corporation | WINTER

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This lovely well landscaped area with mature trees and generous gardens; suitable for entertaining huge parties or just relaxing on quiet evenings. There is a guest cottage with private bathroom and storage, a detached garage/workshop and a separate cold storage room, two huge barns, two arenas, a round pen, wash/grooming racks, a total of 19 pastures (12 are irrigated), several with a combination of shelter and hay storage, plus a hay storage barn, riding trails, completely fenced and crossed fenced, a state of the art Solar System which allows the 80 GPM well to not only handle all the lighting and other electrical needs, but irrigates pastures through the hottest weather. There are two electric Entry Gates, one to the main home and one to the barn area, natural gas on the road and to the home and all utilities are underground. A must see to appreciate! For more information please call Lew Borzini.

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June 28 will mark Margaret and Bob Botta’s 64th wedding anniversary, when they both dedicated their lives not only to each other, but the dairy business. Photo

by Deborah Mills

BOB AND MARGARET BOTTA DeDicateD to Dairy business

By DEBORAH MILLS OF EQUINE ENTHUSIAST

B

ob and Margaret Botta owned and worked their dairy just north of Greenfield for 40 years.

In 1948, Bob came from Switzerland to see his uncle in Greenfield and ended up staying. At that time, Bob and Margaret were only boyfriend and girlfriend, but two years later he sent for her and they were married in San Jose.

Together they had one son, Sergio. This June 28 will mark their 64-year wedding anniversary.

“We all worked together,” said Margaret. “He (Sergio) was just 7 years old when he would drive the

tractor to go feed the cows. He was a good boy and worked hard.”

Margaret also cooked for all the men that worked at the dairy.

Back in Switzerland, Bob, like his father, was trained to be a baker. But once in America, he discovered the baking business was different here and then got into the dairy business. Bob passed on his baking skills to his granddaughter Sabrina Botta, who is a baker and uses his recipes.

On the advice of his uncle, he went to work in one of the local dairies.

Bob first worked with Able Breschini, who had a dairy in the Mission District outside of Soledad.

After a year, a Swiss acquaintance

who sold sausage directed him toward one owned by Sam Rotta, since Breshini went out of business.

In 1960, Bob went into partnership with Al Clark and they formed the Clark and Botta Dairy, formerly the Clark and Togni Dairy, where they sold their milk to Borden up in San Francisco.

They started with 95 cows and when Bob sold the dairy they had 800. Upon the purchase, one of the first things Bob did was update the dairy from the old school of milking the cows by hand to one of the first modern dairies in the area where they utilized milking machines.

Borden would come daily and, prior to him selling the dairy,

picked up anywhere from 1,000 to 2,000 gallons of milk. Each cow produced roughly six gallons a day.

The first milking occurred in the early morning at 1 a.m. and the second milking 12 hours later. The reason is the milk had to be ready for pick-up at 5:30 a.m. seven days a week.

For the first 11 years, Bob never took a day off. He did this so he could have complete ownership of the dairy and everything was bought and paid for.

“Either you think I am crazy or not telling the truth,” said Bob. Bob and Margaret upon selling the dairy in 1988 moved to Gonzales where they still reside today.

20 EQUINE ENTHUSIAST

Published by News Media Corporation | WINTER

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PASO ROBLES HOSTS

multi-District hiGh school roDeo

By Wendy Sans OF EQUINE ENTHUSIAST

T

he Events Center in Paso Robles welcomed a multi-district high school rodeo Nov. 8-10. The rodeo, which is hosted annually by the California High School Rodeo Association (CHSRA) District 7, is billed as one of the largest high school rodeos in the state.

There were 255 total contestants competing over the three-day event.

The large number of contestants attributed to the 1,554 competitive runs in 12 different events. The event featured contestants from 7 of the 9 districts within the CHSRA. Contestants came from as far south as Fillmore to as far north as Quincy.

More than 500 horses were stalled throughout the weekend, far exceeding the amount of permanent stalls available at the fairgrounds. Many D7 families spent countless hours bringing in their own panels to help set up an additional 140 stalls to accommodate the amount needed.

Champions in each event were awarded beautiful belt buckles while saddles were given to the AllAround Cowboy and All-Around Cowgirl. Awards were also given to the Rookie All-Around Cowboy and Cowgirl. Over $7,700 in prize money was also awarded to winners in each go-round in each event.

The weekend began with the cutting competition on Friday morning, followed by a performance of rough stock events that evening.

The rough stock events, which include bull riding, saddle bronc riding and bareback riding, had 20 talented young cowboys competing for the coveted Mid-State Classic Champion title.

Following the first go-round of

rough stock competition on Friday night, a jackpot team roping was held as a fundraiser for CHSRA D7. The team roping ran through 370 teams and paid out over $13,000. Some team ropers traveled over 6 hours to attend the roping that lasted well into the early hours of the morning. High School rodeo competition resumed early Saturday morning beginning with the final round of rough stock, followed by the remainder of rodeo events.

Ben Londo, Cal Poly, SLO rodeo coach and many members of the Cal Poly rodeo team were on hand all weekend to work the rodeo while providing valuable instruction and advice to the up-and-coming high school athletes. New this year was a rough stock clinic hosted by Londo, which took place before the competition began.

Boot Barn, a major sponsor of the rodeo, sponsored the new “contestant center� for the students. This was a building where the students could go to hang out with their friends, play ping pong, video games or just hang between their events.

Cash Robinson, a senior at San Benito High School in Hollister, won the coveted All-Around Cowboy title for the weekend, while Lilly Tillery from District 6 was named All-Around Cowgirl. Romie Stuhaan won the Rookie All-Around Cowgirl title and Chance Ruffoni won the Rookie All-Around Cowboy title.

The host, District 7, was named Team Champion as their members earned the most overall points throughout the weekend.

The National High School Rodeo Association (NHSRA) is a nonprofit organization open to all high school students in grades 9-12. A junior high division is available for junior high

Cash Robinson, a senior at San Benito High School in Hollister, won the coveted AllAround Cowboy title for the weekend, while Lilly Tillery from District 6 was named All-Around Cowgirl. Romie Stuhaan won the Rookie All-Around Cowgirl title and Chance Ruffoni won the Rookie All-Around Cowboy title. students in grades 6-8. Its mission is to promote the sport of rodeo and the highest type of conduct and sportsmanship and to expose its positive image to the general public.

They strive to protect the Western heritage, provide a place for family bonding and offer the opportunity of continuing education. They also have the highest regard for the livestock.

California is divided into nine districts throughout the state. Students compete for points within their own district throughout the year, striving to earn enough points to qualify for the State Championships held each year in June. The top five contestants in each event from each district are invited to participate at the finals rodeo. After a long week of competition, the top four in each event are then qualified to compete at the National High School Rodeo Finals in Rock Springs, Wyo. CHSRA D7 hosts the annual MidState Classic Rodeo each year in Paso Robles. They invite seven of the nine districts to compete with them, making this rodeo the third-largest

high school rodeo within California and one of the top five high school rodeos in the nation.

High school rodeo features many of the sports future stars and sets them up for success in the future. It is a stepping-stone for college, amateur and professional rodeo competition.

Some notable past NHSRA contestants include World Champion Steer Wrestler Luke Branquino from Los Alamos as well as National Finals qualifier team roper Dugan Kelly, just to name a few.

If you enjoy the sport of rodeo and want to watch the future stars of rodeo, be sure to check out the next local high school rodeo in your area.

The next multi-rodeo on the Central Coast will be the King City multi-rodeo at the Salinas Valley Fairgrounds in King City. The rodeo takes place Feb. 7-9, beginning with the cutting competition on Friday, Feb. 7, followed by all of the other rodeo events on Saturday and Sunday.

For more information on the California High School Rodeo Association, visit its website at CHSRA.org.

22 EQUINE ENTHUSIAST

Published by News Media Corporation | WINTER

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JEFF SCHMIDT

recalls the GooD olD Days

By WENDY SANS OF EQUINE ENTHUSIAST

B

itterwater resident Jeff Schmidt will be turning 90 years old next week, and it seems there’d be no one better to reminisce with about the good old days.

Late in the evening, on Jan. 26, 1924, Nessen Schmidt used an old crank telephone to contact the operator in King City to summons Dr. Brumwell, who he hoped would be able to drive out to Bitterwater to help deliver their new baby. Thirty minutes after his initial phone call, the operator called back stating that the roads were too slick and muddy for the doctor to drive out there,

but that he would try to make it out on his motorcycle. Dr. Brumwell arrived about 1:30 a.m., covered in mud. After he washed up and had several cups of coffee, he helped deliver Jeff Schmidt at 5 a.m. on Jan. 27, 1924.

The story of Jeff’s birth is a reminder to Jeff of how it used to be in the good old days. One of the most significant changes Jeff reflects on has to do with one of life’s most simple tools, the telephone.

He can tell you with detail about the old crank telephone used back in the good old days. The ones that you had to crank several times in order to reach a neighbor or the town operator. It was a time when there were no phone numbers, but instead a “code” of rings that each neighbor had. Anyone could pick up the phone when it rang, even if the phone call wasn’t for you. Neighbors could listen in to anyone’s conversation at any given time, thus the term “party lines.”

With today’s technology, one might find it hard to believe that is the way it used to be. But, according to Jeff, “the system worked real good because real people were involved, now real people are out of work.” Jeff’s biggest complaint about today’s phone system is that it’s too automated. “You can’t even find a real person to talk to anymore when you’re calling a business.”

Another of Jeff’s fond recollections of the good old days were his days at Bitterwater School. Bitterwater was, and still is, a two-room school house.

There was no electricity back then so the school was heated with wood stoves and lit up with gas lamps.

There was no running water, but there was a cistern on the back porch that contained water and one single cup in which all the kids drank from.

The teachers disciplined all the children back then with a paddle and a

ruler, far from the way it is today.

The older kids were responsible for the janitorial duties of the school, and, believe it or not, it was considered a privilege to be chosen for the monthly duty. The job consisted of wiping down the chalkboard, cleaning the erasers, sweeping the floors and collecting wood for the woodstove. All of this for $3.50 per month.

Back then, Bitterwater had an “open campus.” At lunch, the kids would climb over the schoolyard fence and run and play “Hares and Hounds” all over the adjoining hills of the Selleck Ranch. When lunch recess was over, the bell would ring and back over the fence they would go back to school. All of the boys were allowed to carry pocket knives back then so many a lunch hour were spent playing “mumble peg” with their knives.

Back in the day, there were so many families in Bitterwater with young children that when it came time for high school, there would be as many as 15-20 teenagers on the Bitterwater bus to town. Today, there’s only two kids that ride the bus to town.

Jeff attended King City High School back in the day. He recalls playing basketball and running track. They didn’t break the teams up based on grade or skill level, they were broken up by size. They had the midgets, the lightweights and the heavyweights. The gymnasium was so small back then that is was referred to as “the crackerbox.” It wasn’t long enough for a full court basketball game so they played with two half courts instead. There were no cheerleaders back then, only one “cheerman.” Classmate Red Purdy would cheer the crowd on with a megaphone as big as he was.

Back in the day, life was simpler, slower and one might think, a little easier.

24 EQUINE ENTHUSIAST

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Carmel Valley cowboy Bert Ferrasci racked up the most points overall during the day and was awarded a beautiful All-Around Ranch saddle to his collection of awards. Greenfield resident Marti Gianolini won the title of All-Around Cowgirl.

SALINAS VALLEY FAIR RANCH RODEO taKes Place in KinG city

By Wendy Sans OF EQUINE ENTHUSIAST

I

t seems strange to say that the Salinas Valley Fair Ranch Rodeo takes place in November when the actual fair takes place in May, but November seems to be the ideal time for the Ranch Rodeo to take place. Once held during the fair in May, the rodeo moved to its new time slot several years ago. Due to a combination of factors and logistics, entries and sponsorships for the rodeo were declining during its May event so a change was needed.

Traditionally, May is a tough time of year for the true ranch cowboy to take time off. On a good year, ranch

cowboys are usually very busy shipping cattle in May and taking time off to compete in a ranch rodeo is not very likely. Moving the rodeo to November seems to be a good move for the fair as entries have increased considerably since the change.

Parking and sponsorships were also major factors in the move. Congested parking lots, along with some of the big rigs hauled today caused parking nightmares for the contestants and fair officials. Although King City is known for its generosity during community events, the Ranch Rodeo was suffering due to lack of sponsorships during the fair as most donations were going to other fair departments. Since the

rodeo was moved to November, parking is no longer an issue and sponsorships have increased.

The 2013 Salinas Valley Fair Ranch Rodeo was held over Thanksgiving weekend. The weekend kicked off with a team roping on Friday night that featured 80 teams.

The Ranch Rodeo took place on Saturday, Nov. 30 and featured 83 contestants competing in eight events. Carmel Valley cowboy Bert Ferrasci racked up the most points overall during the day and was awarded a beautiful All-Around Ranch saddle to his collection of awards. Greenfield resident Marti Gianolini won the title of AllAround Cowgirl.

Sixty-five barrel racers showed up on Sunday to take a shot at winning the $500 added money in the West Coast Barrel Racing Association’s sanctioned barrel race. Raisin City resident Katie McCaslan took a big share of the money as she placed on three different horses during the event.

Based on the overall number of entries throughout the weekend, it seems the move to November proved to be a good one for the Salinas Valley Fair. For more information on any future events at the Salinas Valley Fairgrounds, see its website at Salinasvalleyfair.com.

26 EQUINE ENTHUSIAST

Published by News Media Corporation | WINTER

HEAVEN CAN’T WAIT

may have to close uP the stalls iF no helP comes Allyson Oken OF THE PASO ROBLES PRESS

T

he Heaven Can Wait Equine Sanctuary is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing a place where senior equines can find freedom from abuse, neglect and abandonment.

Now after 12 years of providing care to aging equines from full-sized horses to miniatures and even donkeys, Heaven Can Wait finds itself facing financial hardship and low numbers of volunteers.

Since 2012, president and founder Susan Schwartz has been battling cancer. She is now in remission and finds that the support the nonprofit once had from the community has gone.

Over the past two years because of her illness, Schwartz was forced to put her passion into the hands of another.

Now that she is finally able to start doing a few things around the sanctuary, she has found that she needs help in the form of volunteers, benefactors and donors.

“Right now, we have enough feed and funds to keep taking care of our aging equines until mid-Spring, but after that time I’m not sure we will be able to,” said Schwartz. “We need help in the form of donations and we always need good volunteers.

You don’t have to have experience with horses to come out and help, just a love for animals or interest in horse is enough to get you started.”

This is not a riding facility, but it is a place to come and volunteer and get some quality time with gentle old equines, brushing them down and walking

them around the training pen for exercise. It is a great place to come and have a first-time experience with horses. If a person has not ever ridden a horse both adults and children can come and saddle up and be led around the training pen to get them acclimated to horses. HCWES also has special needs student groups come out every Tuesday for quality interaction with the horses as part of their healing and learning program.

The idea of this being a healing and learning center is misconstrued. It has nothing to do with any formal teaching or counseling. What it is meant to be is a place to come and experience the therapeutic nature of caring for a horse — from walking and exercising to brushing down and in general spending time with these big friendly animals. They enjoy the attention and are social animals, so this is a great opportunity to come out and to know horses.

Many of the horses Heaven Can Wait houses were abandon, abused, starved or neglected.

Schwartz found many of these animals close to death with behavioral problems and injuries.

When walking onto the property no one would know these animals were injured, starved or uncomfortable with humans.

This is thanks to the efforts of the volunteers and Schwartz, who loves her job and the animals she cares for.

“It truly is my passion to love and care for my equine friends.

They are very noble creatures with a lot of personality and have the same needs as humans,” Schwartz explained. “They need to be loved, they need purpose to working and they need respect,

Published by News Media Corporation | WINTER 2014

just as humans do. That is why they need to retire to a place that will take care of them and love them. So I provide them this life, where they get to run and play, eat and feel loved. That is their every day life and I hope to be able to provide this for more old-timers, but without funding this may not be possible. These horses are all seniors, but they are spry. People it seems don’t want the responsibility of the expense of taking care of an older horse. Then with everyone having to get rid of his or her horses, because of the financial hardship, no one is going to adopt one. It is what it is.

It’s just too bad that the state of the economy doesn’t allow for people to keep their animals. It’s not just horses, it’s all kinds of pets that are abandon, abused or lost.”

One of Schwartz’s old fellas is named Grandpa. She said, if she didn’t take him when she did, he would be dead. When looking at him now no one would know he was every emaciated and neglected. He is safe and reliable.

He is so gentle she could put a kid on his back and go for a couple trips around the round pen by lead rope. Schwartz has had her horse for 18 years, an Arabian that can take a kid for a ride, too. Most of the horses are estimated to be in their early 20s and late teens.

Heaven Can Wait needs support to keep up the work they do. Schwartz invites anyone that would like to see the sanctuary to come out for a visit anytime — all that she requires is a phone.

For more information on Heaven Can Wait Equine Sanctuary, visit www.heavencanwait.us or call Schwartz at (805) 368-5702.

Susan Schwartz is the founder and president of the non-profit Heaven Can Wait Equine Sanctuary.

For the past 12 years she has been providing aging equines with a place to call home, when they would have normally gone to slaughter.

27 EQUINE ENTHUSIAST

★ Equine Enthusiast ★ GUEST COLUMNIST

‘Money Makes Money’ and Karen at a Hunter/Jumper Show.

OTTB LIMELIGHT eDitor’s note: each issue niKKi eGyeD sets out to share the stories oF oFF the tracK thorouGhbreDs as they maKe their Journeys throuGh Post-racinG liFe. the Goal is to hiGhliGht the versatility anD trainability oF these horses in their seconD careers by sharinG the aDventures anD success oF ottbs From arounD the u.s.

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Published by News Media Corporation | WINTER

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fter an unhurried start, the handsome bay colt was pulled up on the final turn and vanned off the track at Gulfstream Park. Amazingly, that catastrophic moment in the Spring of 2006 was a major turning point in the career and life of 3-year-old “Money Makes Money” (aka “Kitt”). Only two weeks before, Karen Benson was browsing the barns of a trainer whom she’d purchased horses from before with friends, assisting them in the search for their next hunter/ jumper prospects. The big bay colt caught everyone’s eye, but at the time he was not for sale. With only eight stars behind him and earnings of over $17,000, it seemed as though he still had a shot at a bright and successful racing career. Flash to what would be his final race, the colt “broke down” with a bowed tendon and Karen received that fateful call asking if she wanted to take him on.

Initially, she planned on rehabbing and re-selling him, but often that plan just isn’t meant to play out.

Well, the re-selling part anyway. It was a lengthy 9 month recovery of rest and rehab before he was able to resume training. Then 7 months into his new start, Kitt was down with a bad case of Colic. With the prognosis not being so good, and the need for him to be monitored for long periods of time, it left Karen and Kitt with a lot of time together — something that turned out to be beyond valuable. Once he was out of the woods, and with a new and deeper relationship between the pair, they began training with the hopes of a bright future as a hunter/ jumper and just good all-around horse.

After about two years together, with Kitt successfully competing and winning on the jumping circuit, Karen came across an Extreme Cowboy Race on RFD TV. Taking note of the popularity of the small quarter horses and paints, she decided that she had the perfect big, brave 5-year-old stallion to go in and shake up the competition. After attending their first race together, Kitt

proved that not only could he blaze through colorful stadium jump courses, racking up even more colorful ribbons, but he could also pack up in the mountains, work out across vast woodlands, and camp in the wilderness. Surely sticking out as the tallest horse and only thoroughbred in the competition, even more so, he certainly showed everyone he could stand out by qualifying for Craig Cameron ‘s Extreme Cowboy Challenge World Finals, placing third in the Non-Pro against some of the best horses and riders out there. Unfortunately the World Finals fell at the same time as the Thor- ‘Money Makes Money’ at an Extreme Cowboy Challenge. oughbred Celebration Show in Virginia, leaving patience can go a long way. and athleticism of Off The Track Karen to choose the latter. As if Every day, Kitt defies the negative Thoroughbreds. She grew up on qualifying for one World Final’s stereotypes that seem to surround the back of rescued ex-racehorses, just wasn’t enough though, Kitt thoroughbreds. His versatile record rehabbing and re-training them as also won the Low Jumper Classic has come so easy to him and though everything from competitive barrel at his first A Rated Show, cleaned one may think that a horse with his horses to successful hunter/jumpers. up the TBCHS $1,500 Take 2 Jumper level of success would rely on a Nikki was selected as one of 26 Stakes, and received the 2011 Thor- structured training regimen, if any- trainers from the U.S. and Canada oughbred Versatility Award. Add thing, Karen avoids the “routine!” to participate in the Retired Racethose to a lot of ribbons, trophies, One of the best ways to keep a horse horse Training Project Makeover cash and unique prizes, including happy with their job is giving them and National Symposium, giving cowhides and massages, and a bit versatile outlets. One weekend her the opportunity to successfully of everything between! they’re dressed to the nines at a big re-train an OTTB for a new disciThe biggest challenge came for A Hunter/Jumper show, and the pline in 100 days right in front of Karen when Kitt turned 6 and finally next they’re camping in the moun- the public eye. Her goal is to bring started to realize he was a stallion. tains. Schooling at home is kept fun positive awareness to these horses In addition to being a Cryptorchid and ever-changing, with trail rides, by telling their stories, but more im(a condition where there is an un- obstacle work, and even riding out portantly by allowing them to set descended testicle, or the absence of bridleless! Does this philosophy their own examples out there in the one or both testes, which can be rec- work? Well I am quite sure that SLO County horse community! tified with very expensive and often horse with double “Money” in his www.silvershadowtraining.com risky surgery), he was always pre- name must know what he’s doing, Boarding, two locations, viously so mellow and well-man- just as I’m sure he’d be happy to San Juan Bautista nered around mares, leaving Karen invite you over to see his ever-growBox stalls, two arenas, wash rack with very little reason to geld him. ing collection of prizes, medals, troTres Pinos Upon hitting this more mature age, phies and ribbons! You can even Paneled pens, small shared pastures however, hormones made it diffi- visit with him on Facebook, just Arena, wash rack cult for him to focus and he began search for “Mr. Kitser.”

Partial and full care options as well as acting out. Gelding him proved to full care management such as shoeing, be the best decision. After surgery Nikki Egyed owns and operates dental, chiropractic, etc. and the proper recovery time, Kitt Silver Shadow Training in Paso was back to his usual easy-going Robles, where she is a tireless ad831-801-5472 self, showing one again, that a little vocate for promoting the versatility sanjuancanyon@gmail.com

Published by News Media Corporation | WINTER 2014

29 EQUINE ENTHUSIAST

★ Equine Enthusiast ★ GUEST COLUMNIST

HOW DO I SAY GOODBYE?

By Christine Ogorsolka Johnson EDEN MEMORIAL PET CARE

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ow do I say goodbye to my best friend? A true companion — partner, friend and confidant — with whom I have shared so much; my partner in competition, who becomes an extension of me; my old friend, who I get lost with on the trails for hours, but in a good way; or confidant, who I tell all my secrets to and nuzzle with in the barn?

Being horse people, we have all had the experience of the wonderful connection between horse and human. One of my favorites is when they place their forehead into our chest and want that scratch. Or how we breathe in their breath from their “horsey exhale.” Oh heaven!

But what happens when we have to say goodbye to this beautiful creature that has been such a huge part of our life? How do we talk about

that? It may be the hardest thing you will ever have to endure. The good news is there are people out there who have gone through what you are facing. The important thing is to talk about it. Reach out and surround yourself with people who know what you are experiencing.

The best therapy you can ask for is to share stories and experiences — the good and the bad — and share a laugh and a cry.

Be prepared. People today are planning their animal companion’s aftercare. Aftercare is an industry term for the follow-up care provided after the death of a loved one.

Aftercare includes burial or cremation services, grief support, memorial products, etc. Let’s face it, the passing of a loved one is not easy.

We all know the feeling of numbness and true heartache. No one can begin to make sound decisions when going through this experience. Being prepared and planning

ahead will help you get through this difficult task. If you have preplanned, then you don’t have to think, you can just do. When we are struck with grief, our effectiveness to make decisions is thrown off. Our mind is foggy and making clear decisions is a task beyond our ability.

I had a client a few years ago, that we will call Claire. Claire had just lost her horse, Toby, of 18 years. A beautiful show horse that she had grown up riding, traveling with and showing. The horse had taken ill and she had to make the hasty decision of euthanasia in order to keep her best friend from continuing his painful journey. Things went quickly and Claire was so upset.

She made the decision for cremation

and the arrangements through her veterinarian. We carried through the cremation and took great care of her Toby.

After the cremation, she had seen a beautiful horsetail memorial that a friend had made of her own horse that had passed years ago.

Claire was devastated for she, in her moment of grief and hasty decisions, had not decided to remove a sample of Toby’s mane or tail. Now after she was clearheaded, she knew that a keepsake of Toby’s gorgeous tail braided in a memento would have been an incredible memorial.

You want to make sure you have all your wishes in place. Take the time you need to research all options and make a truly thought

30 EQUINE ENTHUSIAST

Published by News Media Corporation | WINTER

out decision.

What steps do I take?

First — Research. Research an Equine Veterinarian, who you are comfortable working with and is onboard with your plans.

Second — Plan A vs. Plan B. Always have a Plan A and Plan B. You can “what if” situations until you’re blue in the face, but have two solid plans.

Plan A — Blacky passes on his own.

Plan B — Blacky needs euthanasia.

Third — Aftercare. What aftercare service is best for us emotionally and financially? Know your options — burial, tallow or cremation. Ask questions. What’s best for Blacky?

What will I want to remember about Blacky? If we cremate, what companies offer these services and how do they handle the horses in the process?

Lastly — Ask more questions. Learn by asking questions and meeting with professionals. Talk to others who have been through it also. These people will be your best and most honest resource.

Ultimately this is your decision. You can have what you desire. The keys are planning, research and writing down your decision and contact numbers.

Finally, have a support person. Com-

municate with your support person what your plans are and how you want it orchestrated. We plan our own aftercare, why not plan our animal companion’s? They are a part of our family and deserve to be cared for in death as they were in life. The resources are there, you just have to find them.

Saying goodbye doesn’t have to be final. Being able to commemorate our companion can help ease the passing.

Understanding your options and being prepared before the day arrives will help you get through a most difficult experience.

For more helpful blogs and information, please visit Eden Memorial Pet Care’s blog on pet care, local business showcases, and help through the grieving process at www.edenmemorialpetcare.com/blog. Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/EdenMemorialPetCare.

Christine Ogorsolka Johnson has been part owner of Eden Memorial Pet Care since 2003 and is the author of Eden Memorial Pet Care’s Blog.

Miniature Donkeys at Luv Me Tender Farm in San Miguel has been breeding beautiful mini donkeys for over 20 years and is the place to go for everything you need to know about these wonderful little donkeys. We have donkeys available for sale or can find what you are looking for at reasonable prices. Visitors are always welcome to come get some donkey hugs. Check out our website at: www.luvmetenderfarm.com or give us a call at 805-467-9204 or 805-610-4966.

★ Equine Enthusiast ★ GUEST COLUMNIST

REHABILITATION AND CONDITIONING OF THE HORSE the eQuine center continues its series on the rehabilitation anD conDitioninG oF the horse.

We have discussed STEP 1: RELIEVE PAIN which addressed the following therapeutic techniques; Thermal Therapy (Heat and Cold), Therapeutic Electricity, Extracorporeal Shock Wave, and other methods such as Acupuncture and Class IV Therapeutic Lasers.

And STEP 2: RESTORE BALANCE AND RANGE OF MOTION which addressed the use of manipulative techniques such as Stretching, Massage and Chiropractic Therapy.

STEP 3: REGAIN STRENGTH and STEP 4: RETURN TO INTENDED USE are discussed here.

STEP 3: REGAIN STRENGTH Exercise Rehabilitation should be begun in a controlled weight-bearing environment as soon as possible. Options include hot walkers, high-speed treadmills and limited under saddle exercise performed on a firm, forgiving surface.

Exercise should be monitored and measured in terms of speed, distance and, most importantly, the horse’s heart rate.

Additionally, exercise should be performed in straight lines — small circles should be avoided.

Consideration also needs to be given to the depth and firmness of the footing, especially where circles are to be used and also the degree of incline when exercising on hills. It is important to realize that cardiovascular fitness declines significantly after 4 to 6 weeks of rest and bone strength decreases after 12 weeks of rest. As the rehabilitation process is initiated, improvements in the cardiovascular system will be seen after 6 weeks, with bone mineral density, ligament and tendon strength increasing in about 16 to 17 weeks of weight-bearing exercise.

When creating the conditioning plan, a program must be designed to build the most slowly responding body system first. The rate of development is determined by the blood supply to the system. In the horse’s body, the skeletal system has the lowest blood supply followed by tendons and ligaments, and then muscle.

According to research, it takes about 1,100 miles of long, slow work to develop and condition the skeletal and cardiovascular system in an immature horse. In a mature horse, over 3 years of age, it takes about 600 miles. Therefore, in order to fully rehabilitate an injury it takes a minimum of 600 miles to ensure that the injury and the horse’s body are properly reconditioned. This mileage should be accumulated by using activities that are aerobic and weight bearing; exercise at the walk, trot and easy canter, producing heart rates that average less than 135 beats per minute (bpm) for most breeds of horses.

Once this “Aerobic Base” has been established the body can then be challenged with bouts of anaerobic work (heart rates greater than 135 bpm) which are designed to create some level of fatigue and regain muscle mass and strength. It is important to remember that 80 percent of injuries in the horse occur when the horse is exercising in a state of fatigue and therefore monitoring heart rate constantly is the only objective way in which to determine on which side of the anaerobic threshold the animal is exercising.

STEP 4: RETURN TO INTENDED USE (The most difficult step) What is fitness and how do I prevent re-injury?

My horse has completed a rehabil-

itation program and seems ready to compete, but is he actually fit?

Not necessarily, there is a big difference between being trained to compete in a sport and being fit enough to do it.

Unfortunately, a horse being re-injured is something that we cannot totally avoid and most injuries do not heal to a 100 percent normal state, but there is useful research that provides us information to help prevent the reoccurrence of an injury and insure future performance success.

As previously mentioned, most injuries occur during the onset of fatigue, which is precipitated by the horse exercising in an anaerobic state. When horses exercise anaerobically they feel tired because their muscles are using stored energy in the form of glycogen as an energy source as opposed to the glucose and oxygen from their blood.

The by-products of a horse working in an aerobic state — CO2 and water — are easily flushed from the body while the by-products from anaerobic work, such as lactic acid (Lactic acidosis), are not.

It is the accumulation of lactic acid in the muscles that produces the pain and stiffness we all feel after strenuous exercise. Lactic acidosis also causes a decrease in muscle coordination and stride efficiency, both conditions that increase the risk of re-injury.

The goal we seek to achieve is to condition the horse enough that its physical fitness and strength allow it to exercise in an aerobic state as much as possible.

Heart rate monitors allow us to objectively determine how a horse is working. There are three factors that influence heart rate: fear, pain/disease and exercise. If we eliminate fear and pain, then we can determine how hard a horse is working by monitoring their heart rate. Research performed using a treadmill and by testing blood gas and lactate levels, has shown that, in

general; a quarter horse works anaerobically at heart rates over 135 beats per minute (bpm), Thoroughbreds at over 150 bpm and Arabians at over 170 bpm. As horses gain physical fitness in their training program their bodies can work aerobically for longer distances and greater speeds. This level of fitness increases their ability to work anaerobically when needed, and at the same time helps to reduce the risk of fatigue and re-injury.

To put this all together — it takes about 1,100 miles of long, slow work to develop and condition the skeletal and cardiovascular system in an immature horse. In a mature horse, over 3 years of age, it takes about 600 miles. This mileage, acquired at aerobic heart rates, is the single-best way the horse owner can insure that their horse is physically fit and able to withstand the rigors of a competitive athletic environment.

CONCLUSION A good rehabilitation program can be advantageous, not only to a horse with injuries, but to effectively train horses that need to bring their performance to the next level through increased fitness and strength. A successful program can be achieved with the collaborative work of a team that includes knowledgeable horse owners, trainers, veterinarians, farriers and chiropractors, implementing a carefully created plan based on each individual horse’s specific needs.

— You can estimate distance based on the time you spend at the various aerobic gates; Walk = 4 mph, Trot = 7 mph, and easy canter = 9 mph. These speeds are approximate for a 15.2 hand horse.

The full article can be read at: www.theequinecenter.com in News and Education section.

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Published by News Media Corporation | SPRING 2014

★ Equine Enthusiast ★ GUEST COLUMNIST

MEMORIES OF MY RECENT TRIP to the First national DressaGe chamPionshiPs in KentucKy

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t the 2013 California Dressage Society Annual Championships, I qualified for the first USDF Dressage Finals to be held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. I had previously not put much attention on the competition as it was such a long trip, a huge expense, chancy weather, etc.

I had not even nominated my Intermediare horse Vindicator, as a possible contender, because of these challenges. However, when I actually double-qualified by winning Reserve Champion with a 71 percent, it became a question of how could we make this happen?

Flying would have been the easiest on my horse, but the expense was out of our budget.

Then the question of should we haul ourselves or go with a professional shipper. Two years ago when we qualified for the Developing Horse Finals in Chicago, I had the good favor of going with Willy Arts and DG Bar Ranch. They were not going to these finals, however, so the search began for a workable transporter, as we wanted a stall

and air suspension to make the trip more comfortable for Vin. Luckily two other riders from California were traveling by ground, so we hooked up and hired Brookledge Transport. We were very pleased with their services.

It took about two-plus days going straight through for the horses — so they drove and we flew. By the time they arrived, we had the stalls ready for them.

I had one full day Wednesday before my first warm-up class on Thursday. On that day, I hacked him around the area showing him all the arenas he would be competing in. My training session mostly consisted of stretching him over the back and loosening his tired muscles from the trip.

On Thursday, we rode in the Intermediare 1 class of the open show and placed second out of 18 horses.

Friday was another free day, so I again took advantage of hacking him around, and again working on dressage basics, loosening him and working him on his gaits. Then came Saturday, the big day.

Our class, the Intermediare Freestyle, was to be an evening class in the beautiful indoor Altech Arena.

There were 13 horses in my finals class and we were fourth to ride.

Vindicator was attentive and calm under all the lights and noises inside, and he gave me a very expressive, beautiful ride. Two unusual small mistakes hurt my overall score placing us sixth in the class, but considering everything, I was really pleased.

In hindsight, I believe standing on the concrete flooring for a week, even though it was heavily bedded, was the cause of the mistakes. I think I know now why some of the competitors had rubber mats placed in their stalls. That plus ordering a double-stall would have made him more comfortable.

Then Sunday was our last ride and we rode the Intermediare 2 in one of the outdoor arenas. He gave me a flawless performance, which was really amazing considering he hadn’t had a good roll in his large pen for almost two weeks.

The Kentucky Horse Park was

an amazing experience in itself.

The 1,200-acre facility opened its doors as a major tourist attraction for horse enthusiasts world wide in 1978 and it was the venue for the World Equestrian Games in 2010. It still hosts the only four-star, threeday event in America. The Kentucky Horse Park offers tours and museums, the Hall of Champions, World Class arenas, and endless rolling hills of horse heaven!

So in retrospect, I am really glad we put the trip together. Yes, it was expensive and difficult in many ways. But I decided that since I work hard daily anyway, I needed to take advantage of the honor and privilege of this opportunity, as it was a fulfillment of a dream and a goal. I just had to grab it and be grateful I could!

Barbi Breen-Gurley operates Sea Horse Ranch out of 2566 Sea Horse Lane, Los Osos. She can be reached by email at barbi@seahorseranch. com or call 805-528-0222.

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Paso Robles 805-237-3855 2690 Ramada Drive

Watsonville 831-722-2733 496 Salinas Road