Appointments The Hoofbeats of the Carolina Foothills
Volume 5 Issue 5
F R E E February 2011
Sue McDaniel riding Master Brew in 1977 as he makes a clear jump. (photo submitted)
Sue McDaniel: She who cannot be tamed Woman travels world to ride by Barbara Childs
Sue McDaniel was born in Durban, South Africa where her father was in charge of the flying boats for Imperial Airways.
He opened up the Horseshoe Route for mail from England to the outposts of the empire. McDaniel’s family then moved to Johannesburg, where she was sent off to the primary and middle schools. She said she was becoming a heathen and was sent off to a strict Anglican boarding school in the hilly Natal midlands. This
Spotlight on local equestrians: Beth Collins, Joyce Lewis and Rebecca Howard
'Our emerging horse market,' by Libby Johnson
was considered the boondocks and was far away from civilization. When she wasn’t bunking school, together with her father who often bunked his work, she would escape and ride horses. There was a nice Italian family next door to the school, and they were great neighbors who had
'Braving icy conditions alone,' by Pam Stone
A monthly publication of The Tryon Daily Bulletin
three ponies. When the mists came rolling down on the hills, as they often did, McDaniel would climb the fence and ride the ponies bareback and with no halters. She did not realize at the time how much voices carry in the mist-right up
Continued on p. 3
Meet Tim Dover, Lelia Canter and instructor Robert Zandvoort
February~March 2011 What's going on around here!?! 2/5: FRC XC Schooling at FENCE. Contact: Margo Savage 828-863-4924 2/5: South Carolina Horsemen's Council 2011 Expo at SC Equine Park in Camden. Contact: Terry Boger 864-430-7109 or by e-mail at schorsecouncil@ charter.net 2/6: FENCE Spring Hunter Pace & Trail Ride at the FENCE Equestrian Center in Tryon. For more information, visit wchpace. org. 2/10:River Valley Pony Club
Mounted Meeting. Contact: info@rivervalleypc.org 2/11-13: Harmon Classics at Harmon Field in Tryon. For more information, contact Blue Ridge Hunter Jumper Association by visiting brja.com or Lewis Pack at 828-894-2721. 2/19: Harmon Hopefuls at Harmon Field. Contact: Noreen Cothran 864-457-3557. 2/20: Greenville Foothills Pony Club Hunter Pace & Trail Ride. Location to be announced. For more information, visit
Samantha Hurst, editor 828-859-2737 x 110 Joyce Cox, advertising sales 828-859-2737 x 114
2/23: A clinic with Robert Zandvoort is set for Feb. 21-23 at SunCatcher Farms. Call Trayce Doubek for days and times 864325-5684. 2/20:River Valley Pony Club Mounted Meeting. Contact: info@rivervalleypc.org 3/18-20: Blue Ridge Hunter Jumper Association Spring Premier at Harmon Field in Tryon. For more information, visit brhja.com.
To reach us regarding: • News items, contact Samantha Hurst, (828) 859-2737 ext. 110, e-mail samantha. hurst@tryondailybulletin.com; or Barbara Childs, barbarachilds01@gmail.com; FAX to (828) 859-5575.
Appointments is distributed on the fourth Thursday of every month (subject to change) in every homedelivered and newsstand copy of The Tryon Daily Bulletin. You can also find them for free each month, as long as they last, in tourism and equestrian businesses throughout the area.
• Advertising, billing or distribution inquiries, please call Joyce Cox at the Tryon Daily Bulletin, (828) 859-9151.
Appointments is a monthly publication of The Tryon Daily Bulletin Inc., 16 N. Trade Street, Tryon, N.C. 28782.
Make your “Appointments!”
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Appointments • February 2011 • p. 2
Mcdaniel Continued from page 1 to the headmistress’ window! McDaniel was in her teens at the time and had been riding since she was a year old. Her father was also horse mad. He had made a wicker chair back and then stitched it to a saddle, together with some shoulder straps, to secure her safely for the faster rides. When McDaniel left school and was working in Johannesburg, she rode horses for a canny Irishman who owned a stable of useful horses. They were sharp enough to steeplechase and show jump. One little plain brown thoroughbred mare, Artful Minx, all of 15 hands high, was virtually unsteerable and unstoppable, but would jump the moon and was quick and handy. She won many jumping awards and two steeplechases, one by 10 lengths and the other by a distance. They were asked not to enter her again! McDaniel’s father’s philosophy was that a horse and rider did whatever they wanted, and did it all. McDaniel grew up drag hunting with the Rand Hunt in Johannesburg. Her pony was rather keen, and McDaniel could not always hold her back, so she went out helping to lay the drag. Later she helped the master and field master with keeping their horses in shape between hunts and during the offseason. McDaniel then got into schooling polo ponies for some well-known polo players – and playboys – the Goodman twins. Through their father, Jack, she learned a huge amount about polo, and she did a bit of stick and ball with the players for warm ups. In those days women did not play polo. When Sue married her husband Bob, they moved from Natal to Johannesburg. It was there Sue got a job with an old Dutch trainer. He was in charge of the Sen-
Sue McDaniel, third on left, prepares to ride into a covered arena for the final display. (photo submitted)
trachem Lipizzaner Team that was trained for weekly shows at the team's stable complex in the Inanda County Base. Today this is the only team recognized by Vienna. All the riders were women, and an oberbereiter came from Vienna every year in the spring for a month-long training session. Colonel von Mellenthin managed to get a band of mares and stallions away from German hands, and through a South African contact, Major George Iwanowoski, they were shipped to a farm in Sentrachem. To this day, McDaniel said, South Africa still has some of the best horses and oldest bloodlines for producing horses with an affinity for airs above the ground, which they were concerned about losing in Austria. In those days there was little chance of South African horses traveling to Europe. McDaniel was a jump jockey for horses that needed schooling and exercising behind closed doors. A year later the South African brewing company, Kronenbrau, decided to take on the other Afri-
can brewing companies, and they bought four teams of heavy draft horses. One team of very large Fresians had five oak-carved wagons sent from Germany. With her instructor, Jack, McDaniel learned to drive first a pair and then a four in hand, and finally she was allowed to drive the full team of six. It was in straight lines that she drove them and around the grass track at the canter. Then McDaniel was taken under the wings of the Oberberieter Lauscha from the Spanish Riding School in Vienna. She was riding a lovely small Lippie that was given to the team as a man-killer. He became hers to ride, and she never had an anxious moment with him. McDaniel did barrel racing and gymkhana games with him. She would ride him in the arena during the team’ tea breaks, and they would go out and pop over some cross-country jumps. Then he was ready to take on some serious dressage with aplomb and flair. All he needed was a job to do,
Appointments • February 2011 • p. 3
Spotlight on Local Equestrians and he thrived. Maestos Igel was his name, and he became a useful member of the team. McDaniel’s days in the hunt led to eventing. The ladies in the three-day events carried the weight of 165 pounds. A lot of that weight was made up of lead weights in a bag under the saddle. The ground in South Africa can be very hard and dry, so getting horses fit and sound for these events involved many hours of trotting the country roads. These roads were packed orange clay, and McDaniel had to beg the use of training tracks in the area for gallops and wind work. McDaniel said she is grateful for her husband, Bob, for all the care and attention he gave the horses at this time for her. When the McDaniels moved to Cape Town to open their own clinic, McDaniel had a lovely off-the-track thoroughbred that turned out to have enough cour-
Continued on p. 4
courses. McDaniel still has her precious Stihl chain saw from those days; it stutters along and she still age and heart to event; it moved loves its usefulness. beautifully. Today, McDaniel said she has She started concentrating on an old lady’s pony, a Connemara/ dressage and was riding with a Arab cross, Pocket Rocket. friend who knew Janet Black. He was a birthday present 13 Black visited her family in South years ago as a 2-year-old full colt. Africa every year and gave les- Bob McDaniel castrated him, sons, too. Angie (daughter) The grades and break him Spotlight helped levels then were to saddle, and on training, novice, on Local foot, she and her prelim and open wonderful German – then on to PSG. Equestrians shepherd, Tombi, McDaniel’s horse taught him about goLuke took her to the start of open. ing cross country and streams. She sold him to a junior whom he Pocket Rocket has been a took to the South African Cham- great pony for McDaniel, and pionships two years in a row. she said he doesn’t know he’s While in Cape Town, Mc- small. Daniel got involved in the sport She has evented him, show she really loved both competing jumped him and now he serves and organizing events, as well as a veteran staff horse for the as helping to design and build Green Creek Hounds.
Mcdaniels Continued from page 3
Sue McDaniel as a child riding Spitfire in 1943. (photo submitted)
Sue McDaniel fell in love with this area of the Carolinas the first time she drove through Landrum along Highway 14 in the late spring of 1996. After living in Cape Town for
13 years, with Table Mountain in their backyard, and wonderful mountain ranges two to three hours away, McDaniel said they are both happy to be close to hiking trails as well.
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Blue Ridge Hunter & Jumper 2010 Final Results Walk/Trot: Ch: Celia Cram. Res: Matthew Bravo. Walk/Trot/Canter: Ch: Rennie Pearson. Res: Anna Brook Heatherly. Crossrails Hunter: Ch: Sesame Street, Gabriella Herres. Res: Mr. White Christmas, Mia Paletta. Crossrails Equitation: Ch: Mia Paletta. Res: Gabriella Herres. 12-14 Equitation: Ch: Anne Mason. Res: Brenda Terry. 11 & Under Equitation: Ch: Darby Pease. Res: Anna Bradley Morrow. 15-17 Equitation: Ch: Ivey Herrington. Res: Elizabeth Bryan. Short Stirrup Equitation: Ch: Kayla Jacobs. Res: Claire Kaplan. Long Stirrup Equitation: Ch:
Julee Kaplan. Res: Stephanie Woody. Adult Equitation: Ch: Kristina Harmon. Res: Wesley Mercer. Pre-Child/Adult Equitation: Ch: Carlen Leapheart. Res: Zadie Mathis. BRHJA Junior Medal: Ch: Skylyn Mickler. Res: Anne Mason. BRHJA Adult Medal: Ch: Buffy Kleman. Res: Kristina Harmon. Short Stirrup Hunter: Ch: Cloudy With a Chance, Kayla Jacobs. Res: Worth the Wait, Anna Bradley Morrow. Long Stirrup Hunter: Ch: When the Stars Go Blue, Julee Kaplan. Res: Manolito, Nicolette Orsky. Pre-Child/Adult Hunter: Ch: Master Plan, Darby Pease. Res:
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Appointments • February 2011 • p. 5
Green Hunter: Ch: Epilogue, Erin Hardwick. Res: Heart Breaker, Jamie Grant. Regular Hunter: Ch: Madison Avenue, Ashley Nicholson. Res: Fidelia, Ivey Herrington. Child/Adult Jumper: Ch: Root Beer, Jessica Grey. Res: Game On, Kiowa Waters. Low Schooling Jumper: Ch: Kellie, Skylyn Mickler. Res: Orion’s Diamond Ace, Marisa Tetreault. High Schooling Jumper: Ch: River Dance, Jamie Grant. Res: Archangel, Caroline Williamson. Hopeful Jumper: Ch: Faster... Bullet, Anne Mason. Res: Abracadabra, Courtney Clayton. Progressive Jumper: Ch: Faster...Bullet, Anne Mason. Res: Root Beer Float, Jessica Grey.
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Nancy Wilson at the Kentucky Bluegrass Festival. (photo submitted)
Wilson named to NCHC board of directors by Barbara Childs
Nancy Wilson is currently serving on the board of directors for the North Carolina Horse Council, representing the western region of the state. Wilson became involved in the NCHC after she attended a regional caucus meeting and saw the need for more representation from our area. Wilson said she hopes to act as a direct link between equestrians and equine organizations in the region to the council leadership in Raleigh, N.C. Wilson served as a former board member of the Tryon
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Riding and Hunt Club and an active member of the Polk area horse community for more than 25 years. She aims to increase awareness of and increased memberships to the NCHC from the western region of the state. Wilson knows there is power in membership. In the future she anticipates important legislation and statewide movements concerning horses, horse ownership, trail use in state parks, conservation, agriculture and more. Wilson strongly believes Polk County horse owners and lovers need to be at the front
end of it all. Growing up in Omaha, Neb. she had the good fortune of having a great riding teacher, Rick Eckhart. As her coach, Eckhart taught her the focus and strong will to learn in her riding experiences. Wilson did not own a horse until college where she was an active member of Pony Club, a junior whipper-in for the North Hills Hunt of Omaha. She also showed throughout the Midwest in hunter-jumper shows. Wilson has a bachelor of science degree from Iowa State University and a masters in education administration from the University of South Carolina. Wilson and her husband moved to Polk County in 1979, where she continued both her love for horses and education. She has worked in the Polk County school system as a sixth-grade teacher, a staff development person and Title 1 administrator for many years. Wilson has loved every aspect of education and continues her interests by owning and directing Camp Wayfarer. She’s still in the classroom, only outdoors. Today, Wilson rides almost daily. She owns three Hanoverian horses, including Council Fire, a 15-year-old mare and a great horse in the amateur/adult divisions. Council Fire has also been Horse of the Year with the U.S. Hanoverian Society twice. Wilson also owns Council Fire’s
daughter, Best All ‘Round, who will start in pre-green divisions this year with Liza Towell Boyd. The third is an elite Hannoverian mare that she has sent back to the breeder to have her foal this year. Wilson’s horse ownership continues with a variety of horses and ponies for her Camp Wayfarer riding program each summer. A weanling by Paparazzo rounds it all out well. “As my husband says, can we ever sell one? Top-notch care is what I believe in, and like many people in our area, I do much of the work on my own,” Wilson said. “Jeanne Smith and Nikki Guerrozzi of Clearview Farm help with the local training. Then I meet the Towells at bigger shows. I love the ground work and riding.” Wilson has two children, JB and Mary Kenson. JB is a graduate of UGA and currently working in Texas at Camp Champions to broaden his riding experiences in the camping industry. Mary Kenson will graduate in May from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. Wilson’s goals for her NCHC position are to increase membership, improve awareness in NCHC, as well as state-funded organizations ($.05 cents from every bag of horse feed sold in NC goes to the NCHC). Wilson would also like to increase educational opportunities related to horses and equine matters statewide. She is also working on increasing grant opportunities for western equine organizations.
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Appointments • February 2011 • p. 7
Appointments Ads 11
Beth Collins practices groundwork with a mustang mare. (photo submited)
Student of the horse by Barbara Childs
Beth Collins was born in Paris, France and grew up overseas in the Philippines, Israel, the Dominican Republic and Switzerland. The Dominican Republic was her favorite country as this was where she owned her first horse. His name was Peru and he was a retired New York City police horse brought to the Dominican Republic by his retired NYC policeman. He was a blood bay with a curly mane and tail - every little girl’s dream horse. He was in his late 20s by the time he came to Collins and she acquired him and all his tack
for $1. The saddle was a size 18, but she didn’t know any better. Frankly, it could have been a sidesaddle. She didn’t care and couldn’t have loved it better! Looking back on Peru, Collins felt the horse could have been part Morgan. After Peru, Collins had Bucky, a failed racehorse she rode in weekly lessons. There were horses all over the island and she rode anything she could catch. Most of the horses were Paso Fino mixed horses, she said. They were called “campo ponies,” meaning country horses. For a few pesos one could rent a campo pony and ride for an hour, a day or a weekend,
which Collins often did while camping on the country’s beautiful beaches. When her family moved to Fairfax, Va. for her high school years, Collins’ parents matched the money she made from selling Bucky so Collins could purchase her first jumper pony. The pony’s name was Surprise Package and she was bought at the VA bloodstock and hunter sale. She was a Famley Welsh Pony and thoroughbred cross with a mighty jump and a fabulous sense of self-preservation. Surprise Package carried Collins to equine college. While there, Collins majored in equine science, hunt seat, fox hunter, competitive and endur-
Appointments • February 2011 • p. 8
Spotlight on Local Equestrians ance trail riding and dressage. She is a certified John Lyons trainer (the fourth certification group and last to study under Lyons with unbroke horses in the class of 1998). Collins said Lyons taught her more in 18 months about herself and horses than any instructor ever had. With newly opened eyes and heart she took clinics with Ray Hunt, Pat Parelli and Harry Whitney, to name a few. Collins, a self-professed student of the horse, said she feels she can go anywhere and watch a person work with a horse and always take something away from the experience. In working with people and horses, Collins “Lyonizes” ev-
erything, she said, as this is a methodology that works for her. In relaying information, she tries to find out what works best for the horse and rider combination and sometimes that means one thing for the horse and another for the rider. Horses are capable of great change in a little time and with humans it takes much longer, as they come around more slowly, she said. Her clients are a varied group of jumper and dressage riders and a racehorse she dubbed as “flip over filly.” All they needed was a new approach to old problems. Collins has added a riding simulator to her arsenal to help save horse and human relationships. This allows the rider to focus on his or herself without the pressure of trying to relate to a
living horse. Collins has one of four simulators of this type in the United States. Collins said she enjoys dressage riding, trail riding and the hunter paces. She also likes fox hunting with her champagne draft cross mare, who is 15, and a Lyons School graduate (one of the first horses Collins ever trained). She also enjoys training her 11-year-old buckskin Paso/Arab cross. He has pushed Collins to do her own horses' feet. She follows the natural trim and said she is glad for her responsible trimming for their soundness. Away from the horses and barn, Collins enjoys cooking, knitting, needle felting and hand spinning. Writing is also a passion of hers and she has several blogs and a book in progress. She also loves reading and goes through one or two books a week.
Collins and horse BooBoo ride with Collins' client, Sky and horse Chanceyboy at one of her trail clinics in California. (photo submitted)
Appointments • February 2011 • p. 9
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From pony club to The Fork Stables by Barbara Childs
Before her tiny legs could even totter across an arena, Rebecca Howard’s mother would place her small 1-year-old on a stack of tires as she rounded the arena, riding or teaching lessons. As Howard grew taller and became smarter, additional tires were required. When older, she would ride her bike downhill to the stable and play with as many ponies as possible – making the 30-minute bike ride back home really worth it. Howard, now the owner of Appointments • February 2011 • p. 10 Appointments Ads 123010 - page 3
The Fork Stables, was an A pony club graduate and a working student from age 16–20 with various high-performance riders. Howard eventually headed to the East Coast, the heartland for the sport of eventing on this continent, in January 2001. Howard also worked at racetracks and polo barns. She also trained and imported event horses and organized and hosted competitions, such as Derby Cross and Fork CIC. She coached British Columbia teams at the North American Young Rider Championships and has developed young horses and competed for Canada at the
Left: Rebecca Howard's horse, Rupert, makes a water jump. Right: Howard and Rupert in a dressage event. Howard competes with the Canadian Event Team. (photos submitted)
four–star level. In Canada, where she grew up, Howard trained and studied with two former Canadian Team riders Joni Lynn Peters and Nick Holmes Smith. In the United States she trained and rode with David and Karen O’Connor. Both have had a tremendous impact on her riding and decision-making. Howard’s horse Riddle Master – also known as Rupert around the barn – is a 10–year– old Canadian Sport Horse, bred and owned by Caroline Bazely of Ontario, Canada. He was one of the youngest and smallest horses running in the World Equestrian Games last year in Kentucky. Howard began riding and showing him in 2007. Rupert is a super jumper, but
loves to put on a tough guy image, she said. In other words, he likes things his way and to be his idea. Rupert is preparing to run the Rolex four–star event at the end of April to help with a foundation that will keep him on the list for the London Olympics in 2012. Howard said she loves the learning process along with the horses she rides. She always aims high in her riding and goals, she said. Even though the outcomes may not always occur as you might have planned, the important thing is to enjoy the ride, Howard said. The Fork Stables is a working competition training center for three-day event riders of all levels. Appointments • February 2011 • p. 11
Bareback to basics
by Barbara Childs
Above: Joyce Lewis and her horse trudge and splash through a mudpuddle after an earlier rain. Lewis discovered her love of riding at 12, riding her first horse bareback. Right: Lewis, now an instructor for horse owners, teachers the basics of riding. (photos submitted)
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Joyce Lewis’ parents purchased her first horse when she was 12 years old. The horse was jet black with a white star, 14.1 hands high. The cost was $300, which included the saddle and bridle. Lewis ditched the saddle and rode Night Star bareback everywhere every day. He was truly her first love, she said. Her parents were concerned she was not learning to ride properly, since she refused to ride in the saddle. They made her take dressage lessons at a local barn. If they only knew how much balance, feel and timing she learned from riding bareback.
Lewis rode and showed her little black gelding in local dressage and jumping classes until her feet almost dragged the ground. Each summer break after Lewis joined the Air Force, she would live as a working student at her dressage trainer’s farm in central Florida. There she would show and ride all the training horses. At 21, Lewis joined the USAF and served as a journalist for four years in the public affairs office in Las Vegas. She also served at Hahn AB in Germany. When she was discharged from the Air Force, she went back to Las Vegas where she worked as a corporate executive for 15 years. Lewis met her husband Ken in Las Vegas. They have two sons, Spencer, 19 and Conner, 16. The family moved to North Carolina in 2004 seeking a more rural life for the children and getting back to the grassroots of horses. Lewis teaches basic horsemanship. This is something she believes is missing for many horse owners. Her analogy is, “I teach grades K-12 to horse owners. Everyone goes to grade, middle and high school to learn social skills, reading, writing, etc. the basics. From there most go to college, ride quietly in a herd environment, confidently walk, trot, canter and halt.”
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Appointments • February 2011 • p. 12
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L Her buddy Stacey McCoy of “Once they have all the basics Allison Creek Farm rides Josh and the horse owner understands how to maintain the “yes, in the Extreme Cowboy Races in ma’am” attitude,” Collins said, the Mid-Atlantic Region.Lewis “they can go to yield the side doesn’t compete him because she pass, back up, accept the bit, hosts the events. Josh and McCoy won the lower your haunches, politely 2010 Mid Atlantic Regional Pro load the trailer, stand still for mounting, in other words they go Division Championship, and Lewis said she is to college and learn proud of their their profession and Spotlight very accomplishment. daily work.” After her first on Local Lewis’ personal race, Lewis was goal is to help horse Equestrians hooked on Extreme owners have a safe, Cowboy Racing enjoyable ride and and left her dressage saddle for relationship with their horses. Whether owners want to trail a western saddle. Now she combines her trainride or aspire to a Grand Prix ride in dressage, they need to have ing with basic horsemanship the basics to obtain suppleness, clinics she calls “Cowboy Clinobedience and respect from their ics,” which involved training on horses, which in turn provides obstacles such as bridge crossings, tarps, tunnels, jumping, them with a safe horse. Lewis owns a big bay gelding traps drags, cowboy curtains and more. named Josh. When Lewis started with Josh She purchased him in 2004 and rode him in a dressage saddle, in 2004, she remembers well how which helped her with foundation pushy, ill-mannered and disrespectful he acted. training. Although she loved him dearShe competed in the ACTHA events (American Competitive ly, it became increasingly difficult Trail Horse Association) and in to muster up the courage to work the NATRC, North American with him on a daily basis. It was obvious to all who witTrail Ride Conference events. nessed their interactions that Josh Lewis also ride at Craig Camwas in control of their relationerone’s Double Horn Ranch in Bluff Dale, Texas in the season ship - he was the leader. Once Lewis understood the eight airing of the Extreme Cowway the horse thought, she was boy Race All Girl Challenge. She finished in the Top 8. able to change the relationship At that race, Lewis competed and become the leader. Now, she said, she and Josh on a client’s purebred Arabian, are on a balanced relationship and Khaamal. Lewis has kept her personal he knows well who is top cowboy when she rides him. horse, Josh, in training.
Appointments • February 2011 • p. 13
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Lelia Canter works through light therapy and Reiki to heal horses and humans. (photo submitted)
Connecting through healing, art enjoy painting backgrounds. After marrying and moving to the Asheville Lelia Canter found mutual comfort transarea in 1983, Canter pursued a fine arts degree ferred between her and her first horse Molly, a but eventually decided she would need a cagray mare, and back again each time the horse reer with more monetary stability. She spent trotted down to meet her at the stable. The two would stand there for long peri- 17 years as a dental hygienist. Eventually her career brought her back ods of time holding each other and that was into the equine field she was always drawn enough. to as a child. After researching schools for Canter said her love for the animals and equine bodywork, she decided to receive their care mixed with a love for art at a very training through Equinology, young age. She often tagged Inc. They offered training and along with her father, a specialSpotlight certifications from some of the ty decorator and painter at the country’s leading practitioon Local many racehorse farms around ners. Their programs required the Lexington, Ky area. Equestrians the highest contact hours and As Canter grew older, she mandatory externships in Myowould visit her father during summer breaks to help with painting at the fascial Release. Equinology’s Ruth Mitchell farms. Her father also apprenticed with the was the inspiration for this process. In 2008 equine artist Allen Brewer Jr. In the 1950s, Cater completed her human massage therapy painting with backgrounds for racehorses, training at the Center for Massage and Natural Canter’s father did the scenery and back- Health in Weaverville, N.C. She became a ground for the paintings as Brewer did not licensed massage and bodywork therapist. by Barbara Childs
Appointments • February 2011 • p. 15
Over the next two years, she received further training as a Craniosacral Therapist and studied red light therapy and Reiki, a form of healing with stress reduction and relaxation developed over hundreds of years ago in Japan. Over the next few years, Canter integrated the Reiki and red light sessions with humans and horses. “It is in helping others - animals and humans - that we in turn brighten our future and existence. It is always a wonder to me to see the relief in a horse’s face and eyes and changes in their bodies after long standing restrictions have been released,” Canter said. “This holds true for humans with positive changes they experience after they no longer experience chronic pain. It is a reminder to me that our bodies have a great capacity to heal given the opportunity.” Canter noticed there were similar patterns of fascial restriction from client to client. In
Continued on p. 16
Canter Continued from page 15 horses, the fascia would almost always lead her to the shoulders no matter where the root of the initially noted problem areas were located. Myofascial release is a three– dimensional application sustained by light pressure and movement into the fascial system in order to eliminate fascial restrictions. Gentle pressure is applied to the areas of restriction. Craniosacral therapy is a gentle hands-on method of evaluating and enhancing the functioning of a physiological body system called craniosacral. This is comprised of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. Red Light Therapy is the topical application of red light to the skin using 660 nm red light waves to stimulate and repair healing in the body.
In January 2010, Canter was able to study with Dianne Jenkins. After seeing Jenkins demonstrate Jenkins Equine Neurological Therapy, the answers to Canter’s questions involving patterns of restriction came to light. Canter knew JENT was a revolutionary discovery in restriction patterns. She felt she needed to introduce JENT (already in Australia) to the United States. Canter was fortunate enough to receive 330 hours of training from Jenkins. Currently there are only four Jenkins Equine Neurological Therapists - three in Australia, and Canter. The JENT therapy system uses the realignment of soft tissues in skeletal repositioning, reducing areas of trauma that result in lameness and reduced performance, training problems and eventually lameness and breakdown in performance. JENT requires three sessions one week
apart followed by re-evaluation and a follow up session 406 weeks after, Canter said. Canter is working with the JENT therapeutic saddle pads for horses. They are designed to fit various configurations so the horse’s body can be healed of chronic back discomfort due to training, conditioning, injuries and aging. A therapeutic JENT pad for humans is also one of Canter’s goals to help chronic back and hip problems. Canter established Bodyworks and HeartSong in 1994 when she began creating acrylic paintings that incorporated history and legends from her American heritage. Canter has always been fascinated by cultural legends and began using paintings as a way to illustrate the vast American history that is so richly evident to American culture. Canter began an equine series to explore the history and
Appointments • February 2011 • p. 16
culture of horses. She chose the name HeartSong to incorporate bodywork-expressing the heart’s song to speak. Canter spends her personal time with an 18-year-old Morgan/Quarter horse cross named Lilly. Lilly is a former school horse Canter became acquainted with during her equinology internship at the Biltmore Equestrian Center. Canter said she is solid, beautifully red-headed and opinionated. Lilly enjoys trails, hunter paces, natural horsemanship training and schooling in the lower levels of dressage. Lilly is accomplished in both Western and English disciplines. Away from horses and her career calling, Canter loves to do her artwork and run with her chocolate lab and red healer. She also loves rock climbing, which helps her focus on balance for riding, as well as providing images for her artwork.
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Childhood punishment delight of life by Barbara Childs
At the age of 4, Robert Zandvoort began presenting horses to his parents from a nearby farmer’s field. He brought them to his parents with the hopes of getting one himself. One or two years later he always brought bread and cheese for lunch at the local school. Instead of eating his lunch, Zandvoort went to the field where the horses were grazing. He called to the horses and when they came to him he climbed aboard and happily cantered away, right to the end of the field where a lovely flowing canal offered a good jump to the other side. Then he would jump off his mount and the game would begin all over again. Unfortunately, the farmer who owned the land and horses found out that someone at the local school was riding his unbroken and untrained 2- and 3-year-old horses. The farmer went to the police who in turn went to the local school. The police brought the little criminal Zandvoort to justice after deciding with his parents the proper punishment. Zandvoort was sentenced to muck out the farmer’s stable for one month - a dream come true! When the farmer realized how much Zandvoort enjoyed
Robert Zandvoort came to riding in an unconventional way after sneaking over the fence of a farmer's pasture and riding his horses. After a month of mucking out stables, Zandvoort was hooked. (photo submitted)
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his work at the farm, he offered All his trainers ensured he to send him to the nearby riding could be competitive in the highschool for classical and formal est levels of dressage. lessons and training. Zandvoort trained Emily The farmer promised to pay Ward at the 2005 WEG games for the lessons as long as Zand- at Aachen, Germany. voort promised to keep working He also trained and coached at the farm. the Venezuelan These initial team and he is curSpotlight lessons Zandvoort rently busy helptrained him in the ing the Russian on Local basics of riding Federation team. and sharpened his Equestrians He has also skills in the long been requested to development as a successful coach and train the riders for the rider in the dressage arena. Polish Federation. They also taught him horseZandvoort has been riding manship that gave him the foun- and training in the United States dation to become a world-class for over 20 years. rider and trainer today. He often gives clinics around More training came in Zand- the area including one at Sunvoort’s career for E. Vieugel catcher Farms in Green Creek (trained by Alois Podhaski) and in January. Arie Schram, trainer of Carl Hester. See page 32 for pictures from Today Zandvoort still studies a recent clinic with Zandvoort. and rides with David Hunt.
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Dover discovers passion as farrier by Barbara Childs
Master farrier Tim Dover’s life has always been connected to horses, with the exception of a short period in the Navy. Dover’s grandfather bought him his first pony as a youngster, and he shared this 13-hand black and white pinto mare with his cousins. Dover remembers she was quite gifted and agile at bucking and sometimes kicking, but she taught all the family kids to ride and was much loved. As a child, Dover said he loved watching his grandfather’s horses being shod. He was in awe as the farrier worked, and from those experiences has always been drawn to the horse and shoeing. Being a farrier is mentally and physically challenging, and Dover feels strongly about enjoying this special calling. “If you don’t look forward to going to work everyday ... you’re in the wrong profession,” Dover said. Dover ’s background and experience in farrier science is from South Dakota State where he apprenticed with master farrier Ford Wallace of Cape Town, South Africa. Dover is experienced with
Appointments • February 2011 • p. 20
"Every day I have the opportunity to learn, grow and improve my skills.” -- Tim Dover
hot shoeing, corrective shoeing and therapeutic shoeing for sport horses, dressage and high level horse shoeing and shoeing for hunters and jumpers. For sound hoof health, Dover recommends biotin rich supplements that deliver 20 mg. per feeding dosage. Exercise and proper nutrition are essential for healthy hoof growth. "Many horse owners think they can feed 10 or 12-percent feed and ride once a week and expect miracles. It takes more than that. Good hooves and soundness to the hooves require proper trimming, shoeing and an environment where moisture is not too wet or too dry,” Dover said. “This is a real challenge for every horse owner. Each horse is different and should be cared for in a way that maximizes his or her potential.” Dover relishes continuing
Tim Dover works away at his craft even amongst a snow and ice covered ground. Dover discovered his passion by watching his grandfather's horses being shod. (photo submitted)
his education with clinics and seminars. “The farrier trade and skill is never mundane,” he said. “Every day I have the opportunity to learn, grow and improve my skills.”
Dover ’s special interests and hobbies include riding his horse, and when time permits he enjoys fox hunting, fishing and beekeeping. Dover said he values God and his family most in life.
Appointments • February 2011 • p. 21
Our emerging horse market I’ve been watching this new horse market for some time, but so has Juli S. Thorson, contributing editor to "Western Horseman" magazine. Thorson has been critically observing and writing about the horse industry for more than 30 years. The new worry in the horse industry, the overabundance of horses, can be traced to a number of changes taking place over time. One of these changes is the drastic demographic change. I was a sociology major in college and was fascinated by how demographic studies depict a population’s average size, age, education, income level and are often used to predict consumer markets. The applicable theory cited regarding changes in the
marketplace is the Age Wave become primary spenders. The theory, suggesting an economic Baby Boom generation was slowdown would occur when the largest population group in Boomers started retiring in 2007- United States history, contain2009. Unfortunately, this coin- ing almost 80 million members. cided with the Great Recession, These ‘Boomers’ are now becreating the Age Wave Disaster tween the ages of 46 and 64. theory. As these men and women Some of enter into the more obretirement, vious contribthey become by Libbie Johnson uting factors less likely to to the changspend money ing horse market include: in the horse market as they did Population shift: The mas- in earlier years. sive demographic change the Generation X, with only half United States is experiencing has the members as the Baby Boom been caused by the aging of the generation, is becoming the bulk ‘Baby Boom’ generation (1946- of the horse industry, greatly 1964), allowing ‘Generation X’ reducing the number of potential (1965-1980) and Generation Y horse owners. (loosely defined as those born Popular culture changes: from mid 70s – early 2000s) to There are cultural specifics about
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the Boomers that made them the perfect profile for a horse-loving, horse-owning generation. For starters, culturally, after WWII, television came into its own. The programming was wholesome, but also action-packed and horseoriented. Remember Fury? My Friend Flicka? National Velvet? Disney’s Wonderful World of Color produced comedies and dramas, often with a horse or dog as the central character. These programs were aimed at a young audience. Then there was adult/family hour featuring Bonanza, The Virginian, Have Gun, Will Travel, and so on. At the movie theater, the Duke, atop a horse, ruled. Collectively this gave a generation an introduction daily to horses and life with horses, even
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if you didn't have a horse. Economic changes: Another important social shift was an extended era of prosperity. After WWII and into the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, Americans were on the fast track with home ownership, two cars in the garage, vacations and more disposable income than ever before. They could now afford the horse they always wanted. Boarding barns and lesson programs proliferated. The women’s movement: Women, in record numbers found fulfillment in the workplace and were the recipient of their own income, and as a result, added independence. Women became (and still are) a major percentage of new horse owners. We saw a pattern of women raising the children, and then in middle age deciding to buy that first horse - something they had wanted since childhood. The difference is, they could now make the purchasing decision
without having to get the consent of the head of the household. They became hyper-consumers of equine products, apparel and equipment. Land use changes: In 1960, the United States officially flipped from a rural society to an urban society. We have seen the rapid–fire loss of open land to development. Equine Land Conservation Resource cites the amount of open land loss at 4.25 acres per minute. Loss of land has meant loss of boarding facilities, competition venues, hay and grain production acreage and pasture. The land squeeze has had an immense impact on the cost of horse keeping. Psychography: Another reason the horse market has been allowed to increase 2.3 million horses over the past 10 years is the psychographic changes that have occurred in the United States. Psychography is the study of attitudes, beliefs and opinions.
Thorson pointed out a drastic psychographic point in the horse world: equine slaughter. Equine slaughter was once accepted and regarded as a fact of agricultural life. Most people overlooked the issue as ‘something that doesn’t affect me.’ Slaughter has increasingly become viewed as an unacceptable practice, not just by non-horse people, but by horse owners as well. Most Americans (almost 70 percent) today do not want equine slaughter. Technology changes: Not only demographics affected today’s horse industry, technology also has had a large impact with innovations like cooled transported semen, frozen semen, embryo transfer and the escalated importance of online databases. These changes have leveled the information and gene-pool playing fields, completely changing the game of the horse market. A prime example is shipped
semen. Shipped semen has taken the equine breeding world by storm, and the market will never go back. The same thing has happened with embryo transfer. These technological changes are providing ways for breeders to attempt to produce the best individual horse possible. It would be impossible to turn a blind eye and take a step backward. Although these changes have made a huge impact, there are two technographic changes that are pushing the industry forward the most: communication technology and database technology. “There are a number of people that now buy off the computer screen only. The first time they see their new horse will be when it backs off the shipper’ s trailer at their house,” Thorson said. “The same thing goes with breeding. The internet is like a stallion shopping catalog.”
Continued on p. 24
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ing produced since 1996 has increased by 2.3 million, the number of horse owners has only Fast forward to the present. increased by 100,000. “There is a glut of young, It is no surprise to anyone that the horse market is generally unbroke horses at a time where depressed, although there are still the marketplace is demanding pockets of equine commerce at the broke, steady horse,” Thorson said. the higher end. The changing of demographIt seems anytime horse people get together, the conversation ics has caused the older, larger goes toward the poor quality of generation to typically desire the horse markets, the economy a finished horse they can have in general, and, in particular, the fun with. Unfortunately, today’s profesunwanted horse, a term that is a misnomer. The unwanted horse is sional horsemen are living with not necessarily unwanted, but the a tax system that favors horse economy has made a mess with breeders, not trainers. Money too many horses - actually about spent for breeding purposes is rewarded back at a much higher 2 million too many nationally. Although it may seem like percentage than money spent the market headed downhill very on training. Americans do not get nearly as recently, in much of a tax reality it has advantage been a graduwhen they by Libbie Johnson al change. buy a 2-yearIn the past, however, horse owners have old, then train it and sell it, as they adapted to the changes without would if they bred a broodmare realizing the cumulative effect. and sold the baby. Although The wake up call, the crashed breeders may get more of a tax economy, was a rude awakening advantage, Thorson recommends for those who had been napping downsizing now. “If people are looking to on the job. According to Thorson, “I downsize their herd in the future, don’t think we’re at the bottom this is the time to do it! The lonout point in the horse market. I ger they wait, the worse it’s going think we’re just at the tip of the to get. I see the prices continuing iceberg. This is not to say the to go down,” Thorson said. That doesn’t mean all equine horse market is going to go away, breeding should come to a halt, but it is going to change .... it just means we don’t have that My goal is to be able to give people some forecasting tools to ready consumer market that has allow them to make necessary happily purchased horses for the adjustments to their programs past 40 years. These changes are not only without being naïve. affecting the horse market. Other “It is not a matter of whether the glass is half empty or half full areas, such as automobile and anymore; it’s a matter of realizing real estate sales are also being that there is a completely differ- hit. Thorson predicts the rate of ent glass and we all need to adapt people spending money in general in the US is going to head our programs to match.” In the American Horse Coun- downhill drastically. Soon, there cil (AHC) census, The Ameri- will be 44 million people swimcan Quarter Horse Association ming in an infrastructure that is (AQHA) new horse registrations too large. Those who are prepared were up 54 percent from 1995 will be able to float. Horses will survive. Horse to 2005. Transfers of ownership ownership will survive. Horse were only up 7 percent. The AHC census also showed sports will survive. But it will while the number of horses be- change, it has to.
Market Continued from page 23
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Equine social media queen Randi Thompson came into the world of equestrian social media kicking and screaming. Last month a fan of her social media work nominated her for an award at an international event in the equestrian social media circle. From there, the nominations took on a life of their own. Thompson said she didn’t realize so many people had been paying attention to what she had
been sharing via Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. “I am so honored with this nomination for both How to Market Your Horse Industry and Horse and Rider Awareness. It was my social media friends and fans who got me into these programs. To be recognized and supported by so many people has been a challenging life experience for me.” Thompson made it to the top 10 for How to Market Your Horse Business and Horse and Rider Awareness. She was overwhelmed with the responses. The Horse and Rider Awareness Program also announced that two of Thompson’s programs in the equine educational field have made the finals in four categories. This prestigious award includes a list of who’s who in the horse industry. The categories she’s nominated for include: best YouTube channel, best use of Facebook, best use of Twitter and 12 most informative. Vote for Thompson at abbeyviewequine.com/awards. Thompson is listed on the right hand side of the page under the international section. The final results will be announced on Feb. 18.
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Prince-like spirit Don Principe came to Jennifer Baumert from Maryanna Haymon’s Marydell Farm in Columbus. Baumert plans to continue Don Principe’s training at the FEI levels and show him at the Grand Prix level in Florida. Baumert said she has developed a great relationship with the stallion since she has moved to the Tryon area and is excited to show him on the Florida dressage circuit at the Grand Prix level. Don Principe is a local rising star in dressage and the upper FEI levels of dressage. Jim Koford, Courtney-King Dye and Jen
Baumert have all done a wonderful job with him. “He’s extremely smart and a generous horse in his daily work,” Baumert said. “He has qualities that make him almost human. Prince enjoys and expects to be treated special. If he is not the first one ridden in the barn, he gets impatient. Once under saddle he becomes quiet and focused and alive with energy.” Baumert said the horse excels especially in piaffe and all the canter work at the FEI level. His walk is exceptional as well, she said. “He has the ability and bril-
Top: Jen Baumert on Don Principe. Above: "Prince" getting friendly with a kid. (photos submitted)
liance for a big deep suspended trot, and I am learning to generate that brilliance from him without creating tension that will spoil the trot work,” she
Appointments • February 2011 • p. 26
said. “His greatest strength is his extraordinary temperament.” Prince’s work ethic in his daily training is one of contentment and willingness. According
His greatest strength is his extraordinary temperament” -- Jen Baumert
to Baumert, he would work happily seven days a week if you asked him. He loves his work, and he and Baumert go for many hacks. In Florida, Baumert rides down the driveway for the short hackwork with Prince. The big hack is 4 miles and they make it once a week. Baumert has known five of Prince’s offspring under saddle, all of which have his quality gaits and suspension. “The thing I like the most is that he passes along correct and rhythmical gaits,” she said. “These offspring are basically what everyone is looking for in temperament for an amateur and quality for a professional. I would like to have more Prince babies in my barn, and I suspect I will!” Haymon said she is so happy when she gets to have Prince home. Right now he is in Florida,
Don Principe. (photo submitted)
and she misses him but knows he will be home soon. It was really special for her to be able to come to the barn at Cross Creek and visit him on a daily basis. Baumert has always admired Prince with other riders that have trained and showed him, but now that she has worked with him, she realizes that he is an exceptional equine soul. Baumert loves all the horses she has trained and ridden, but she said there are a few that come along that are special, and Prince is one of them.
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Working student Ashley Parsons by Barbara Childs
Ashley Parsons become a working student for Jen Beaumert right out of her college years. She was attending the University of Findley in Ohio where she majored in equine studies and equine business management. There she concentrated on dressage and was introduced to Jen Baumert. At school, Parsons rode a horse donated by Jen Baumert. Parsons instructor encouraged Parsons to talk to Baumert. After sending her a video and speaking with Baumert on the phone, Parsons came to North Carolina one week after graduation. Parsons has served as Baumert’s working student for a year now, and she is also her assistant trainer.
Parsons was born and raised training, and Parsons said she had in North Brookfield, Mass. with the best time ever on this filly. a typical riding childhood. Her By the time the filly was 3, parents had no interest in horses, Parsons could ride her bareback but she begged them for riding in a halter in a field, knowing lessons. Parsons started riding at the horse would take good care the age of 10 at a hunter/jumper of her. Parsons did everything stable. with her from 20-mile trail rides When she was 12 her parents to local hunter/jumper shows and bought her a horse, natural horsea 4-year-old gelding manship clinSpotlight with three months ics. Parsons said undersaddle trainshe is the only on Local ing. He ran away thoroughbred she with her all the time! Equestrians knew who could Eventually he was cut cows. leased to a friend, and her next This horse was an amazing horse was bought when she jumper, so when she was old turned 13. enough Parsons evented her. This was a 2-year-old unbroParsons had no formal trainken thoroughbred filly. ing. She would point her mare Instructor Wendy Warner to a jump, and she would clear helped her with the breaking and it like a deer. Parsons said she
hated dressage and would try to leave the dressage arena, so Parsons decided to take a year and concentrate on dressage. This was during her freshman year in college, and she never went back to eventing. Parsons’ goals are to continue learning and become the best trainer she can possibly be. She would love to get into the high dressage levels and be able to ride Grand Prix someday. More than showing, Parsons loves to ride and train the young horses, figuring out to make each horse the best they can be with confidence and a good happy work ethic. “It’s especially rewarding to bring along young horses and see how they develop,” she said. “I definitely hope to make a career
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out of this.” The silliness of young horses doesn’t bother her, and she is fair and direct in all her corrections. With Baumert she has ridden many 4-and 5-year-old horses just starting their dressage careers. Parsons broke Joy Baker’s two young horses (2-year-olds) and started them under saddle. Away from the barn and horses, Parsons enjoys spending time with her dogs Drifter, a Jack Russell terrier, and Rosie, a black lab. She also helps her boyfriend of 6 years, Mike, who is a general contractor, on various projects. The thing that Parsons values most in life is being with her family. She said she would not be able to do the things she loves most without their support. Parsons said her parents have always given her the confidence she needs to try new things and do things well.
Ashley Parsons, working student for Jen Baumert. Parsons said she would love to get into the high dressage levels and be able to ride Grand Prix. (photo submitted)
Advocare
Appointments • February 2011 • p. 29
Braving icy conditions alone “I wonder,” I thought, pulling myself out of the slop in front of the manure pile beautifully cloaked in the snow of a recent winter storm. “How long it would take for Paul to come looking for me if I had really hurt myself just then.” It’s a dicey scenario, trekking out to the barn before it occurs to the sun to rise on a dark January morning. The plummeting temperatures create a frozen crust atop the snow that gives a satisfying crunch while walking tentatively towards the horses, kept up for days in a row and now snorting in alarm at such a noise at such an hour. Where I had dumped the manure was gloppy with a sheen of ice beneath, and predictably, one muck boot was sent flying
"Women have killed for less.” -- Pam Stone
forward. While I didn’t go down heavily, there was no grace involved whatsoever as I crumpled down in a Carhart-attired, angry heap. There’s nothing worse on a bitter morning than being cold and wet. And no one, save those convicted for war crimes, should experience the added humility of soaking manure to the mix. It normally takes me just over an hour to feed, clean stalls, scrub and refill water buckets and sweep clean the aisle. On this morning, chores were taking well over an hour and a half and
it was nearly 8 a.m. before I crept my way back towards the house, noting the well-worn path was now packed down with snow and frozen so hard that it resembled a luge track for terriers. Paul was inside enjoying his second cup of tea and watching the sports wrap-up on ESPN. The question I asked myself in the barn began to fester a little, but gave way to the rational acknowledgment that these horses weren’t his, after all. Like most horsewomen, I’m self-sufficient to the extent of being a control freak, so why should it have occurred to him to perhaps pop his head out the mudroom door and call out just to make sure I hadn’t slipped and was slowly losing my life owing to an aneurysm? Sitting down in the office and
pulling up my Facebook page, I asked the same question to all ‘horsey’ friends: “So, how long would it take for your husband to come check on you in the barn to see if you’re OK?” Misery indeed loves company and within minutes I was flooded with replies. “How long? Heck, he wouldn’t even notice!” “Probably come spring.” “When the stench became too strong to ignore.” Chuckling softly to myself, I left the computer, padded into the kitchen and switched on the electric kettle. “Cold out?” Paul asked, not turning his eyes from the screen. Women have killed for less...
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