Appointments The Hoofbeats of the Carolina Foothills
Volume 5 Issue 12
F R E E September 2011
Hay fever Business crafted from shortage by Barbara Childs
Four years ago our area was struggling through a severe drought, causing hay to become a scarce commodity. Belgian owner Natalie Iryshe found her source dried up, which led her to a shipment from the Midwest. She quickly thought, “Why not bring good hay down here and sell it?” That was the beginning of “The Hay Lady.” Iryshe’s “hay roots” go back to her upbringing on a 1,600-acre dairy cattle farm in upstate New York, which she loved immensely. Her dad depended on her in summers to haybine, rake, bale and unload the hay for more than 400 head of cows, heifers and calves. Those years on the farm with her father’s teaching and guidance prepared Iryshe well. Once she decided to start her hay business, Iryshe made two trips to upstate New York in search of the best hay for future customers. She visited 18 farmers in the east, central and northern parts of the state, (Continued on page 4)
Natalie Iryshe turned a desperate need for hay, during a bad drought four years ago, into a business that is growing faster than weeds. Iryshe is now known as the 'Hay Lady' and recently built a cabin-like office where she greets customers. (photo submitted).
Highlighting equestrian business: Tawana Weicker's Warhorse
'It's time,' by Gerald Pack 'The Making of Norman,' by Catherine Macaulay
A monthly publication of The Tryon Daily Bulletin
Muddy boots need mud rooms by Gillian Drummond
Aug., Sept. & Oct. 2011 8/27: Body/Energy work clinic with Sandy Siegrist at Long Shadows Farm, Campobello. Info: Longshadowsfarmsc@gmail.com.
9/17: FRC Schooling Dressage & Stadium at FENCE. Info: Margo Savage, 828-863-4924 or visit foothillsridingclub.org.
8/27-8/28: Harmon Hopefuls at Harmon Field. Info: Noreen Cothran at 864-457-3557.
9/18: FRC Cross Country Schooling at FENCE. Info: Margo Savage 828863-4924 or visit foothillsridingclub. org.
8/27: TRHC Schooling Horse Trials at Windridge Farm in Mooresville, N.C. Info: Laura Weicker 828-8596109 or visit www.trhcevents.net. 9/3: Dancing Under the Stars – TROT benefit at FENCE. Info: 828859-9021 or via e-mail at admin@ FENCE.org.
9/18: FHS Critter Crazy Event at FENCE. Info: Foothills Humane Society, 828-863-4444. 9/17-9/18: Paul Belasic Clinic at Blue Moon Farm. Info: Sophie@ montana.net.
9/3-9/5: Labor Day Weekend 3-Day Hunter Clinic with Sara Underwood. Info: 864-276-8536.
9/24-25: Tryon Fall Classic at FENCE. Info: Classic Co., 843-7685503 or visit www.classiccompany. com.
9/5: GRPC Cubbing with Green Creek Hounds.
9/24-9/25: Carolina Carriage Club Pleasure Show at Harmon Field.
9/9-9/11: Harmon Classics at Harmon Field. Info: Lewis Pack, 828894-2721.
10/1-2: 36th Tryon Riding & Hunt Club Horse Trials at FENCE. Hosting the USEA/Chronicle of the Horse Adult Team Challenge. Info: 828859-6109 or visit www.trhcevent.org.
9/10-11: Borderline Dressage at FENCE. Info: Kay Whitlock, 910-6923504 or www.carolinadressage.com. 9 / 1 7 : Harmon Hopefuls @ Harmon Field. Info: Noreen Cothran 864-457-3557.
Appointments Betty Ramsey, publisher Samantha Hurst, editor 828-859-2737 x 110 Fulton Hampton, marketing 828-859-2737 x 104 Nick Holmberg, marketing 828-859-2737 x 114 Make your “Appointments!”
10/9: 78th TR&HC Any and All Dog Show. Info: Laura Weicker, 828859-6109 or www.trhcevents.net. 10/14-16:
Progressive
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. • Advertising, billing or distribution inquiries, please call Nick Holmberg at the Tryon Daily Bulletin, (828) 859-9151. Appointments is distributed on the
Appointments • September 2011 • p. 2
ShowJumping Show at FENCE. Info: psjshows@aol.com, 803-649-3505. 10/14-16: Second-annual Day in the Country. Info: Laura Weicker 8288596109 or visit www.trhcevents.net . 10/21-23: Blue Ridge Hunter Jumper Association Classic Show at Harmon Field. Info: Lewis Pack at 828-894-2721. 10/22: Body/Energy work clinic with Sandy Siegrist at Long Shadows Farm, Campobello, S.C. Info: Longshadowsfarmsc@gmail.com. 10/22-23: Beginner Combined Training with Nicole Watts. Info: Nicole@equinezenbiz.fatcow.com. 10/23: Foothills Riding Club Schooling Horse Trials at FENCE. Info: Margo Savage 828-863-4924. 10/29-30: Icelandic Horse Show at FENCE. Info: Sara Lyter. 11/10-12: Jerry Tindell clinic for Horse/Mulemanship 1 and Nov. 13-15 for Horse/Mulemanship 2. There will also be a trail ride Nov. 16. Classes will start at 9 a.m. each day. This clinic is planned to be at Ron Freer's farm in Tryon. Call 760-948-1172 or check out Jerry's website, jerrytindell.com, for more information.
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. Appointments is a monthly publication of The Tryon Daily Bulletin Inc., 16 N. Trade Street, Tryon, N.C. 28782.
Appointments • September 2011 • p. 3
• Hay Lady (continued from page 1)
inspecting the hay and how it was stored. From the 18 farmers, the top three were selected as Iryshe's resources. “This provides the consistency my customers want and I demand. Every bale is guaranteed and inspected. If one load of hay gets to a customer's barn and it isn't perfect, it is immediately replaced,” Iryshe said. “This hay business allows me to provide and enjoy my two passions in life: animals and people and in that order. So many customers have become friends and that is very rewarding,” she said. “When they tell me their horses love the hay and eat it before their grain, I know the horses are happy. That makes their owners happy and in turn I am very happy! You just can't Iryshe recently put up her new "cabin" location to welcome customers. As an added bonus she tends to beat that.” Iryshe plans to be a perma- keep around a few treats. (photo submitted). nent fixture at her cabin, where a rocker, cookies, cold drinks new friends in the process. Since locating to her cabin “The cabin and the hay are extensions of myself, so and a warm smile more than nine this is a very personal endeavor and not just a job.” await every cus-- Natalie Iryshe tomer. A wooden Highlighting weeks ago, she has obtained 90 plaque says it allequestrian new customers. “Welcome to my believes businesses Iryshe cabin.” extensions of myself, so this is going to my cabin’ instead of in the personal Iryshe’s goal a very personal endeavor and going to work. I have found touch with her is to provide topnot just a job,” Iryshe said. my niche in Polk County and cabin and the welcome mat is quality hay to all the horses in “It is so nice to leave home the horses, the people and the always out. Polk County, and make many “The cabin and the hay are in the morning and say, ‘I am hay all fit!”
Appointments • September 2011 • p. 4
TROT prepares for fall
Fall classes will be held on Tuesday, Wednesday (non-mounted) and Thursday afternoons and Saturday mornings, starting on Tuesday, Sept. 6 and ending on Saturday, Nov. 12. Makeup lessons will be available the week of Nov. 14 for any lessons missed due to weather or other reasons. (photo submitted)
Appointments • September 2011 • p. 5
Warhorse and Be Kind solutions creator Tawana Weicker by Barbara Chidls
Four years ago Tawana Weicker was introduced to making biodiesel and glycerin soap after one of her English senior students explored the process for her graduation project. Weicker decided to learn how to make biodiesel herself. Part of her routine included washing, washing and more washing of her oil buckets and containers. Since she had access to vegetable oil and accumulated a great amount of glycerin as a biodiesel product, she discovered a soap recipe and made her own liquid degreaser. It worked well and her family began using it around their home on a regular basis. After several months, the cleaning soap and glycerin bar, which she called Warhorse, was passed along to family, friends, and co-workers. Weicker also gave it to restaurants as a reciprocal thank you for vegetable oil. This gave her a unique and kind way to barter for her biodiesel supplies. In addition, high school and college students visited her shop regularly to learn about biodiesel chemistry. They left with samples of brown glycerin soap; Be Kind shower gels also evolved from this history. "The cool thing about making Warhouse, a non-toxic cleaning glycerin soap, is that it is environmentally friendly," Weicker said. "It is also sustainable and loaded with glycerin. Other than food and water, soap is in high demand in homes and businesses. I like the fact that my biodiesel production gives me the basic ingredients for a natural multipurpose cleaning soap." Weicker said all true soap is made from a process called saponification, where oil is added with lye and water to make soap. She said she does not have sulfates in her soap nor does she add synthetics to artificially adjust the ph level. The ingredients used are vegetable oil, glycerin, water, lye, apple cider vinegar and essential oil. The amount
Tawana Weicker hard at work making her new products Warhorse and Be Kind solutions. (photo submitted).
of glycerin she has in her cleaning soap is unique - at 40 percent, she said. In order to verify that her glycerin content and the distillation process produces pure, quality glycerin, she has it lab tested. "I love adding soap products to my process of recycling," said Weicker. Warhouse can be used to clean
household and barn needs and also to remove laundry stains. Weicker said the best aspect of the product is that there are no added harsh chemicals to breathe or touch the skin. "Cleaning is part of everyone's life, and some do it for a living," said Weicker. She is currently working on a pet shampoo as well.
Appointments • September 2011 • p. 6
Weicker's goals for her shower and bath gel, Be Kind, are to keep going with what she has produced and developed with her glycerin products. "Warhouse has recently been introduced to the markets, and the Be Kind shower gel, which is (Continued on page 9)
• Weicker
(continued from page 8)
“Sharing information is empowering, and it is the best way to make education authentic.”
handcrafted glycerin soap is also available," Weicker said. "They are scented with sweet almond oil and some have lavender. The shower -- Tawana Weicker gel is a product that is kind to your skin and to the planet." The best part of this journey ering, and it is the best way to make for Weicker started four years ago education authentic," said Weicker. When Weicker was about 13 with one of her students, Elizabeth years of age, she lived a mile from Russell. the Cotswold Farm Russell imin Mill Spring, and pressed the panel of community judges Highlighting she worked there stalls and with her biodiesel equestrian cleaning exercising Saddsoap presentations. Russell is still inbusinesses lebreds and Arabs until she left home volved by offering for college. business advice and "Horses require loads of time product development and marketand care, and now I just enjoy ing Weicker has also worked with watching them at Harmon Field on two 4-H summer science camps. some Sunday mornings when I visit The chemistry teacher at PCHS has Mr. Dale, the concessions manager also introduced biodiesel processing there, to pick up his oil and give him some of my lovely soap," said in his chemistry classes. "Sharing information is empow- Weicker.
Liz and Bob Weicker work to combine solutions for the Warhorse and Be Kind products. The work has become a family affair. (photo submitted).
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Appointments • September 2011 • p. 7
FENCE Wine & Art Festival Combining two of Tryon’s most recognizable traditions, the FENCE Wine and Art Festival will return this fall on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 15, from noon to 5 p.m. at Derbyshire in Tryon. The event will be presented by August Construction. The festival, a benefit in support of FENCE’s nature education and outdoor recreation programs, offers guests the opportunity to sample the fruits of the region’s growing viticulture along with artwork reflecting the Foothills’ rich arts and crafts heritage in elegant surroundings. Derbyshire, is a planned
Thsi year will be the third annual FENCE Wine & Art Festival. The event funds nature education and outdoor recreation programs at FENCE. (logo submitted)
community inspired by traditional English country living. Regional vintners will offer wine tastings supplemented by light hors d’oeuvres and regional delicacies from area
caterers and restaurateurs. While enjoying these regional offerings for the palate, guests will also enjoy viewing work by artists from the Upstate and western North
Consignment Tack Shop, LLC
Appointments • September 2011 • p. 8
Carolina, who will be on hand to discuss their work, available for purchase. Tickets may be ordered securely online at www.fence.org or by calling 828-859-9021.
Exhibiting local equine works of art Local artists Joan E. MacIntyre and Sarah Holmberg recently exhibited their work at an equine art show in Emerald Downs Racetrack in Auburn, Wash. Holmberg’s papier mache figure of Zenyatta won honorable mention in sculpture. Holmberg creates sculptures using the Tryon Daily Bulletin newspaper. MacIntyre entered her oil portraits of Zenyatta and Goldikova, which won second place. The art show had over 200 entries. - article and photo submitted
Sarah Holmberg created this sculpture of a horse out of recycled Tryon Daily Bulletin papers. (photo submitted)
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Nikki Guerrazzi rides in a recent Bud Derby. Guerazzi attended Virginia Intermont College in Bristol, Va., and was later introduced to Jeanne Smith, owner of Clear View Farm in Landrum. Guerazzi credits Smith for having a big impact on her training. (photo submitted.)
Guerrazzi builds on skills at Clear View Farm by Barbara Childs
Nikki Guerrazzi followed her father’s good advice in choosing a career. “Do something that you love to do,” he said. And with that statement there was only one choice; a career riding, training and showing horses. Growing up in New Jersey, she rode every horse she could no matter what issues the horse may have had with training. Guerrazzi went to Virginia Intermont College in Bristol, Va., where she earned a degree from focusing on all aspects of equine studies, science and business management. Guer-
razzi moved back to New meeting the tornado,” he said. Jersey after graduating in De- “This could actually work quite well.” cember 2004. Guerrazzi credits a large During that summer, while amount of her in Bristol to visit riding style and friends, she attechnique to tended the small Spotlight Smith. schooling show on Local “This is where that led to her introduction to Equestrians and when the polish came and the Jeanne Smith of details and subClear View Farm tleties needed for showing proin Landrum, S.C. Eddie Federwisch, director fessionally,” said Guerrazzi. “Jeannie Smith gave me the of equine studies at V.I., suggested to Smith, who needed opportunity to ride and train a rider, that she contact Guer- and show and her faith in me made me accomplish my riding razzi. “It will be like the hurricane goals,” said Guerrazzi. Appointments • September 2011 • p. 10
Guerrazzi said the most enjoyable thing about riding and training is seeing and experiencing the improvement and response that each horse has in the process. “Improvement with results is most important to me. It’s when the rider and the horse click, and the horse is happier and better when we are done than when we started,” she said. Today’s goals for Guerrazzi include big improvements on the flat for riding her horses. “How you ride your horse (Continued on page 11)
Nikki Guerrazzi. (photo submitted.)
• Guerrazzi (continued from page 10)
on the flat reflects how well he jumps,” said Guerrazzi. The flatwork improves jumping, and she likes to specialize in incorporating jumps into flatwork exercises. The results are most enjoyable and correct, she said. Guerrazzi travels to barns and private facilities to help with weekly tune-ups and lessons for students. “I am so lucky to get to work with fabulous horses and trainers, such as Mrs. Stephanie Kaneps. I always learn something,” she said. “Have saddle, will travel,”
is her motto as she freelances, as well as works from Clear View Farm. Guerrazzi owns a 2-year-old filly that is branded Belgian with Rubenstein and Oldenburg bloodlines on her dam’s side and Balta Czar on the sire’s side. Her name is Jerzey Girl and she is a gorgeous bay with chrome on her legs and face. There will be big plans for her training and riding as she grows and enjoys the handling and pasture grazing while growing.Jeanne Smith has been Guerrazzi's biggest influence and professional model as she continues learning and improving. Appointments • September 2011 • p. 11
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Asheville, NC Appointments • September 2011 • p. 12
Terry Russell riding Denizen at Southampton, Long Island. Russell first began his career riding and importing horses while teaching at Yale University. He's worked with horses from Salut, a Horse of the Year in Grand Prix, to Indus, a conformation hunter of the year. (photo submitted.)
Foothills native carves out equestrian legacy W h e n Te r r y R u s s e l l moved to Connecticut in the late 70s and taught at Yale University for four years, he got involved with importing horses from Europe. These horses were all well known, such as Salut (Horse of the Year in Grand Prix). He was Dutch and imported from Holland. Another horse, Indus, out of Poland, was the conformation hunter of the year. Russell competed horses that he imported at the Grand Prix level. His famous horse, Denizen, was 3 when he started
him. He became the AmeriThe couple bought Fair can Grand Prix champion Wi n d s F a r m i n 1 9 8 7 a n d for two years in a row. Rus- t h e y b e g a n b u i l d i n g t h e sell has always barn and rings had an excepand putting up Spotlight tional gift for paddocks while spotting talent still living on on Local in a horse. Long Island. R u s s e l l a n d Equestrians They had the his wife, Susie, barn apartment moved to Tryon almost finished in Green Creek in 1989 from when they decided to come L l o y d H a r b o r, N . Y. T h e y d o w n h e r e f o r t h e w i n t e r had been showing and train- with some of their horses ing out of numerous stables and clients’ horses. Needthere, including Caumsett less to say, they never reEquestrian Center, Melody turned north. They fell in Farm and Prince Farm on love with this area and RusLong Island. sell felt he was coming back Appointments • September 2011 • p. 13
to his home place. F a i r Wi n d s F a r m i s a beautiful 80-acres farm set up for training, lessons and boarding. There are numerous riding arenas, a round pen, barns, trails and various apartments. Terry and Sue offer lodging for horses and riders who come to the area to show. Terry loves to fox hunt and is active in the Tryon and Green Creek Hounds when he finds the time away from the show horses. (Continued on page 14)
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• Russell
(continued from page 13)
Terry is currently showing his horse, Centro, a Belgian Grand Prix horse, who has been champion at many shows. Te r r y ’s w i f e , S u s i e i s very involved in the farm operation and also rides and shows. Terry still imports horses from Europe and he loves this work. Both love Tryon and hope that the many farms here can all work together to keep making this a great horse area for all. Te r r y R u s s e l l i s o r i g i nally from Landrum. He grew up here and rode with his father Bill and brother Vic in Charlotte. His father was a longstanding huntsman for numerous hunts. Te r r y ’s c a r e e r s t a r t e d after high school, when he showed and was director of
“They fell in love with this area and Terry felt he was coming back to his home place.”
Make Your Farm
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a riding school in Tallahassee, Fla. He was offered a job riding and promoting horse shows in Athens, Ga. Later he rode with his brothers, Bill and Vic. Terry started riding international horses at Pine Top Farm in Georgia. Te r r y h a s c o m p e t e d o n the East Coast including N e w p o r t , R . I . ’s J u m p e r D e r b y. H e a l s o c o m p e t e d i n H a r r i s b u rg , a t D e v o n , Palm Beach in Fla. and at the American Invitational in Tampa. His first Grand Prix show was in Palm Beach and Te r r y w a s t h e n r a n k e d i n the top six6 riders in the United States when he was in his 20s. Appointments • September 2011 • p. 14
APPOINTMENTS ADS 1
Appointments • September 2011 • p. 15
It’s time by Gerald Pack
September is nearly here. Time to bring in the field hunters, put shoes on them, tack them up and start walking them out to build up their muscles and tone their legs, backs and tendons in preparation for the hunting season. As a rule, I find this takes about 30 to 45 days. Here in the South, formal cubbing generally starts in October, with the official season opening up on or around Thanksgiving day. Growing up in this area and hunting with the Tryon Hounds, this was the tradition. The hounds always went to Wisconsin for the summer, then returned to Tryon each fall where they were kenneled at the Mahler Farm and Chin-
quapin, which was on Ridge munication he uses with his Road, now named Hunting hounds and the field — comCountry Road in honor of this munication that is essential to area’s long, rich tradition of riders, whippers in, horses and foxhunting. hounds. I never enjoyed anything Study the horn’s different more than hunting my own blows. Only by understanding hounds and experiencing this their meanings will you know incredible countryside with what is going on around you. them. Believe me, horses and hounds Over the years, I hunted and know the difference between rode to hounds the blows right throughout the away. Then world, taking Keep a part in some of good distance & Now back until the the best runs by Gerald Pack anywhere. hounds have B u t , t h e r e ’s the quarry up nothing like hunting back home and running. There is nothing on our fine rugged terrain. more annoying to a huntsman Wherever you hunt, it is im- than so much coffee housing portant to do more than arrive with a field that is too close. at the meet on time and adhere Once the run starts, you can to its dictates of etiquette. move up and gallop with the Start by listening to the hounds. One thing about chashuntsman as he leaves the ing a fox or coyote, though. meet. His voice, along with the Only the hounds can smell the sound of his horn, is the com- scent and run him as a pack.
Appointments • September 2011 • p. 16
People? Well, you can try to guess if you want. You may get lucky, sometimes. Remember, fit horses and fit people are the name of the game. A rider needs to mount without a mounting block, duck under branches at the canter and gallop down hillsides, staying in the field for up to three hours. Know your limits. Stay within your capabilities. We have some very rough terrain around here. Don’t feel the need to give chase over it all at once. There is always another day to hunt. At least, that’s my hope. But much has changed since the days when generous landowners would open up their 1,000-acre properties for we foxhunters to use. Today, only a handful of large landowners remain, hav(Continued on page 17)
• Pack
(continued from page 16)
ing been replaced by a huge majority of small, properties. This puts the obvious pressures on our sport. As Master of the Greenville County Hounds for 40 years, I’ve had the opportunity to make huntsmen, masters and whippers in, of which I am very proud. They are true sportsmen, capable of passing on the great tradition as it was passed on to me by some of the best and most influential people in the world. But I worry, will there will be a place for them to hunt in the future? Years back, we had the most wonderful group of giving sportsmen in this area, all with
a great love of the land, who never missed the opportunity to encourage local people to come and participate with horses, any way possible. Tryon Hounds never charged anyone locally to go out hunting. At the Horse & Hound show at Harmon Field, everyone tasted the famous barbecue chicken, for free. Hunt members made a point to speak Then t o a l l l o c a l andowners, & Now lforging a partby Gerald Pack nership that at its core, embraced the need for open space. This fall, as foxhunters prepare to gallop over the hillsides, the throaty notes of the hounds leading the charge, I hope they will take time to support the fight against land loss. Once our countryside is gone, it is gone forever. Stay tuned.
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Appointments • September 2011 • p. 17
APPOINTMENTS ADS 12
The Making of Norman by Catherine Macaulay
Not long ago while on holiday in Florida, I caught sight of a big, gray horse hitched to a stock trailer parked on the side of the road. There was something about his unblinking gaze. The fellow appeared mildly curious as to my existence, looking at me as though I were a little bird in a tree. No harm in taking a closer look. I was after all, on vacation. But I would not stay long. Already I could see the horse’s job description being underwritten by the young man removing a leather harness from the trailer. I’d lived too long in cities, witnessed too many kind-eyed horses suffering in their unmovable hardware, heads down, inhaling exhaust fumes, to feel much nostalgia for the business of commercial carriage driving. Although, to be truthful, the death of my affections probably began on my wedding day when my husband and I climbed into our waiting carriage and waved good-bye to the small gathering alongside us. Off we went, clip clopping toward our future, eager to see where the journey might lead. No matter the drizzle. We were young, innocent, embarking on a ride into the unknown as man and wife. In hindsight, a pair of handbrakes might have helped. Moments into our ride, the wind rose up, launching our bony horse back into his prey-based evolution, two gasping newlyweds in tow. By the time it was over, the poor animal looked as if he’d won the race, crossed the river and cleared the hurdles, transporting me into a mild state of resentment about carriage driving, where I’ve remained ever since. But standing in the presence of the big gray, a south wind tousling my hair, I felt a sense of awe. The animal was mag-
“It was official. Loved that horse...”
nificent. He held the ground like an old, noble tree, his massive shoulders towering over the driver now heaving the black knew this was his horse. Calm and good-natured, the leather collar onto his shoulders. Across the expanse of air, I 11-year-old Percheron has alspoke to him mentally, working ways shown a real willingness to gain his good opinion. I as- to learn, and J.D. is convinced sured him that he was in fact, a it’s just a matter of time before handsome carriage horse with a he grows into a solid carriage deep chest, fine head and neck, horse capable of pulling twice and some well-muscled horse- his own weight. Still, the task is never easy. power in his limbs. Garbage trucks, four-alarm fires, Why, you’re made for victory, I remarked, talking, but never street sweepers, helium balloons speaking. Banquet tables should and plastic bags scuttling by in be spread in your honor, jousts the wind all represent malevolent commenced, tales told and retold forces that threaten to eat a horse for dinner. of your greatness. Then, too, there The fellow conare the curious. sidered my praises. In his new role as Then, deeming them equine ambassador, worthwhile and altoNorman will begether true, he began come a one-animal making soft, chewby curbside, petting ing motions with Catherine zoo. his mouth, wholly Macaulay Perfectly normal content in his magcitizens will sudnificence. Thrilled over my ability to denly feel compelled to introspeak horse I edged into a con- duce their dogs to him. Screamversation with the driver, eager ing infants will be held up to him to investigate the origins of the in earnest. His mountainous size will majestic draft towering overattract a hive of youngsters, all head. His name is Norman, and fearless in their tactile affecthe making of him as a carriage tions as they buzz about his feet. horse is a work in progress being Everyone will want to feed him undertaken by a young man with peanuts. Only two out of 10 horses kind eyes and a quiet demeanor who goes by the name J.D. I ever make the grade pulling a watched as he tacked up the carriage. But Norman is easybig draft, moving purposefully going. He has come to the job around his 2,000-pound frame. well-broke, conversant in the As he worked, a passer-by language of driving. A former emerged into the staging area, work horse for the Amish, the no doubt drawn by the same gargantuan 18.3-hander learned centurion gaze that drew me. Ea- his cues in the harness—plowger to touch the hem of nobility, ing, planting and haying the to pat its flanks or rub its nose, fields. From all reports, the Amish she reached up to him. Norman gently lowered his head to ac- work their pullers hard and sell them young. Norman was bought commodate her. In that instant, the old boy by a delusional, would-be knight had me. He’d already won J.D. straight out of Miami whose lack over. The moment his hands first of riding acumen never tarnished picked up those lines, he said he his dreams of jousting in medi-
The Carousel Horse
Appointments • September 2011 • p. 18
-- Catherine Macaulay
eval re-enactment tournaments. Having purchased his war horse, he appeared on the landscape lance in hand, a warrior mounted for battle — if only he’d learned to ride. Lacking so much as an hour’s experience in the saddle, this prince of the joust, nonetheless, did pursue his great desire. Things understandably did not go well. And so, off Norman went, but not before he languished in his stall for a year, growing progressively thinner, his owner having ditched him along with the board bill. Clad in black trousers and pressed white shirt, J.D. backed the big gray into the waiting carriage. There was a quiet confidence about this driver. Someone like him could easily convince a horse to relinquish his flight instincts and follow his lead. Horses are J.D.’s passion. So, too, is driving. He’s been doing it since he was 12. For the past seven years, the former Virginian has been working the carriages for A Hitch ‘N Time — a small, four-horse outfit in central Florida owned by Barb Turcyn and Kathy Smith, self-avowed horse nuts who convinced their husbands nearly a decade ago to help support their modest venture. Since then, they’ve been plying the streets of Mt. Dora and the historic district of Orlando, driving each of their carriage horses three days a week, between four and five hours a day. Financially, they get by. They pay their drivers on time, keep up their horses’ health, float their teeth, scoop nine pounds of feed into everyone’s bucket each day, shell out extortionist liability premiums, and bring the farrier out to the (Continued on page 19)
• Carousel
(continued from page 18)
farm right on schedule for those behemoth, steel shoes with borium kleets. Not exactly a getrich scheme. Still, to their way of thinking, driving is a great excuse to play. Hindu weddings, hoedowns, bagpipe street parades — it’s all fun. In the back seat of a carriage anything can happen, be it a wedding proposal or a final ride for grandma in the urn. And Norman has a beautiful trot. Would I care to climb aboard and see for myself? They were heading out anyway, testing the skills of a new driver. I accepted Barb’s invitation. She was right. Norman did have a great trot. And people really were friendly to passing carriages. The test driver seemed a bit
tenuous, but still holding an even it. Remember the old days in the pressure on the reins. All in all, fields when you’d reach the end an enjoyable… of a row, then turn tightly back Suddenly, Norman halted. Up around to plow the next line? ahead, an RV the size of a city It’s just a simple turn on the block had cut a street corner, haunches. I know you can do and in the process, impaled itself it my friend. Barb said so. How upon the stop sign. about showing me…like now. Without a word, Norman never J.D. reached over heard me or simply and took the reins refused to answer. from the applicant. At the corner, the "If that were me, driver gunned the I’d turn around,” engine, sending the urged Barb, seated RV lurching in our by beside me. direction. Catherine J.D. said nothing, For a brief secMacaulay his eyes still fixed on ond, I considered the men attempting bailing over the to pull the sign away from the side. But that would be immotorhome blocking the road. polite. I could only hope that Taking his cue, Barb sat back, somewhere in those slim leather confident of his decision. lines J.D. had a dialogue going Me — not so much. Pssst! on with his equine student, one Norman, haw over! underscored by a mutual trust The unspoken words flowed and respect. from my brain with singular Standing battle high, his urgency. Come on, you can do black, leather collar weighing
The Carousel Horse
his shoulders, the Percheron raised his head, snorting at the approaching monster. "Norman — stand,” J.D.’s voice was steady. The vehicle drew closer, attempting to squeeze by. I dropped my gaze, then smothered a gasp as it passed us, devouring every last inch of space. Norman never moved. He stood foursquare to the threat, hooves to the ground, a law unto himself. They dropped me off in town, then headed back toward the staging area. I watched as the carriage moved away, Norman’s back swinging, his enormous hooves striking the ground in a steady one, two beat. “He wants to know where every road leads… He’s particularly fascinated with driveways. He wants to go into each one,” J.D. said. It was official. Loved that horse.
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LakesHillsandHorses.com Appointments • September 2011 • p. 19
Equestrian community experiences month of champions, changes Editor's note: Writer Barbara Childs tells of local events throughout our horse country through the eyes, and very long ears, of Dudley the miniature donkey. by Barbara Childs
The shows have been full of riders, horses and ponies and FENCE has been very busy during this show season of new classes and divisions. The hot weather and high humidity temps have not deterred the horses and riders. Michael Kocher rode to victory on Emma for the $2,500 National Hunter Classic at the First TR&HC Jr. Amateur Horse Show. Cate Pleper and Orchard Hills Bit captured the Children’s Hunter Pony Division at Fence. Meanwhile, Nolan Thompson, owner of Catch a Kiss, was also champion. Megan Rosenthal rode both ponies to a classic victory. Congratulations to all. We recently welcomed Susie Dunkley, Robert Zandvoort’s wife, as they both came for his clinic here in Tryon at Joy Baker’s Woodview Farm on Aug. 16-18. Dunkley has ridden in two Olympics in dressage representing Bermuda, her home country. The Motlow Creek Interscholastic Equestrian Association Team is growing with 20 new riders. New riders are Audrey LeClair, Kathryn Hellyer and Liza Goodlett. The Tryon Riding and Hunt Club Show at Fence showed Motlow Creek’s Absolut Peach and Liza Goodlett winning the class in the Pre/Child Hunter Division. Tommy Frick and Morlow Creek’s Lanzelot won Appointments • September 2011 • p. 20
the Grand Champion for the Child/Adult Jumper Division and the High Farm Trophy. Lincoln Russell rode Sally Frick’s Dutch Master to champion the First Green Hunter Division. The Book Shelf in Tryon is open near the coffee shop on Trade Street and you can get all your equine books there. Be sure to check out the books on donkeys - they are my favorites. My new book on "Dudley’s Dream - A Christmas" Tail is coming out soon. My artist illustrator, Bailey West, is working on all the illustrations for my story. Bailey West is Carolyn West’s daughter and she rides, trains and shows in dressage. It is sure to be a winner for children and adults. My editor, Barbara Childs, is my author and writes all my thoughts down in book form. Mary Boyle, daughter of John and Cindy Boyle, is getting married next month. A family wedding at home will make this special day of nuptial celebration beautiful. Congratulations, Mary, from all of us! Charles McDonald Steele is the groom. They will honeymoon in Australia for three months and then live in Germany. Re-Ride, Too will open on Sept. 1 next door to Re-Ride in Green Creek. An art gallery with paintings from Joan McIntire and others will be featured as well as service for leather tack repair from Bar M Leather. Be sure to check out the grand opening day. We are sorry to hear that The Hungry Fox closed Aug. 19. (Continued on page 21)
• Dudley
(continued from page 20)
This restaurant has been home to patrons and equine artists for so many years, making The Hungry Fox a cultural tradition and a landmark in our community. We wish Jenna and her husband the best in their new adventures. I have been expanding my horizons here at the farm by noticing the tack room door slightly ajar. I pushed it and walked into a virtual party of molasses cookies on the refrigerator (a low one), medicine cookies and there was also a delicious tin can full of apple and oat treats. I accidentally (ha) pushed the medicine cookies in the trash pail. The apple and oat treats were divine. My editor came into the barn to feed hay and saw me staring at her through the glass door. I
could read her lips, “Malus assinus est,” which in Latin means I am a very bad boy. When an embarrassing moment seems to overtake your dignity, it is best to poop. It relieves stress. As she opened the door she roared, “Oh my gosh.” I hastened onward to my man cave and restored my dignity and munched my hay. Humans don’t understand my needs for exploring and curiosity. I also noticed the workmen over the hill where I graze. They were sitting on the lawn eating their lunches when I decided to make a friendly visit. They were trying to feed me grass as I gazed at their brown lunch bags. I love fruits and veggies and good whole grain breads and crackers. Just then my mother drove out of the farm and noticed me. She shooed me back home and closed the gates! Rats. I comforted myself with eating some forbidden raspberries.
Dudley’s Eggplant Casserole (an old charleston favorite) Ingredients: 4-6 eggplants cubed 1 vidalia onion chopped 1 stick of butter 2 beaten eggs 3-4 cloves crushed
garlic 1 pkg. shredded cheese Crushed crackers or herb dressing for the top
Directions: Boil the eggplants ‘til soft and very crystal clear (they will be a bit brown). Drain, add some salt and pepper. Fry the onion in butter and add garlic. Add to the eggplants and mix in the cheese and then the eggs. Bake at 350 for 40 minutes. Top with crackers or herb dressing and serve.
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Appointments • September 2011 • p. 21
*74.23 Acres *25 Acres Open/Pasture *Magnificent Mountain Views *Spring Fed Pond *Riding & Walking Trails *Underground Utilities
They have eyes for you by Rich Metcalf, DVM
As many of you know, the horse has a total vision field of almost 350 degrees when its head is pointed forward, with small blind spots near its tail, directly in front of and above its forehead and directly below its nose. It has a small frontal binocular, where the visual fields of both eyes overlap and provide greater depth perception, of 65 degrees to 70 degrees. The remaining visual field for each eye individually is about 146 degrees, resulting in a total visual field of approximately 215 degrees per eye and providing horses with excellent visual awareness of their surroundings. Horses viewing an object at a distance of 20 feet have the visual acuity of a person viewing the object at 33 feet, or 20/33 vision, giving them 0.6 times the visual acuity of humans. In contrast, horses have 1.5 times the visual acuity of dogs, and 3.0 times that of cats. Horses are believed to be dichromatic, with the ability to detect the colors red and blue, but not the colors yellow and green. With that said, you should notice that the horses’ eyes are large, protruding and placed on the sides of the head. All of which makes a recipe for disaster and making many problems involving the equine eye a true emergency. The first thing an owner notices about their horse's eye is not the
corneal ulcer or uveitis or other specific disease process, but other signs that say, “My eye hurts.” Often this may be an increase in tearing, squinting, abnormal swelling, a whitish color to the eye or sometimes blood. As veterinarians, we run through a list of why these clinical signs are present, such as blunt head trauma, eyelid lacerations, corneal ulcers or corneal stromal abscessation (bacterial and/or fungal infections), uveitis, glaucoma, acute blindness or visual disturbances, or traumatic injury to the eye. We carefully examine several aspects of the eye to determine which of the above problems is most applicable. We evaluate the functional integrity of several cranial nerves, the vestibular pathways, the optic nerve and evaluate vision. The eyelids are examined for lacerations, abnormal lashes and the third eyelid is examined for foreign objects or tumors. The nasolacrimal duct is evaluated for proper drainage. Finally, the specific tissues of the eye itself are examined, the cornea, anterior chamber, iris, lens, and posterior chamber. Blunt head trauma can result in fractures to the bones surrounding the eye, visual impairment, eyelid lacerations, corneal lacerations or ulcers or a ruptured eye. These require surgical attention.
Horses that have sustained head trauma and are acutely, totally blind usually remain blind forever. Corneal ulcers can be managed medically, but sometimes require surgery such as a corneal graft or a conjunctival graft. Eyelid lacerations are easily identified, usually by a flap of skin hanging over the eye. They often occur to the upper lid and require careful surgical attention to assure the eyelid margins are aligned. Along with evaluating the eyelid laceration, the vet will examine the cornea for a laceration or an ulcer. The cornea prominently protrudes from the side of the face, and is easily traumatized. Any lesion that breaks the top layer of the cornea, the corneal epithelium, is an emergency. The cornea does not have blood vessels and its defense mechanisms are greatly reduced as compared with those of well-vascularized parts of the eye or body. A normal cornea is exposed to environmental contaminants, bacteria, and fungi. Therefore, all corneal ulcers should be considered infected until proven otherwise. Cornea ulcers are often selfinduced and can be simple, complicated, melting, bacterial or fungal. Clinical signs of a corneal ulcer indicate that “my eye hurts.” These horses will often squint, their eyelids may be swollen, have excessive tearing and redness, and the cornea may be cloudy with edema or inflammatory cells. The ulcer is confirmed with special stains, then samples are taken to evaluate evidence of bac-
Appointments • September 2011 • p. 22
teria and/or fungus and additional samples are used for culture to determine which drugs are appropriate. Surgical measures are sometimes needed to aid in the healing of ulcers. Eosinophilic keratitis and foreign objects are also culprits in corneal ulcerative disease. Along with corneal ulcers, uveitis is a common problem in horses. Uveitis is inflammation of the uvea - the iris, ciliary body and choroid together. It can involve the anterior chamber, in front of the lens, or the posterior chamber, behind the lens. It can be acute or it can be chronic and can lead to glaucoma and/or blindness. Uveitis can have many causes, such as trauma, immune system dysfunction, lens induced, neoplasia, bacterial, etc... The most frustrating form of uveitis is Equine Recurrent Uveitis (ERU), which is characterized by repeating episodes of intraocular inflammation that develop weeks to months after an initial episode subsides. Keep in mind that not every case of initial uveitis develops into ERU. Aggressive medical therapy is required initially and may be required long term. Surgical options include slow release medicated implants and enucleation of the eye if it progresses to become painful and blind. Glaucoma is characterized by increased intraocular pressures. The normal eye is filled with aque(Continued on page 23)
• Eyes
(continued from page 22)
ous humor, fluid, in an amount carefully regulated to maintain the shape and function of the eye. In glaucoma, this balance is disturbed; fluid is formed more rapidly than it leaves the eye, and pressure builds up. The increased pressure damages the retina and eventually damages the optic nerve, causing blindness if not treated appropriately. Glaucoma in horses is usually secondary to chronic diseases, such as ERU, trauma induced inflammation, lens luxation, tumors, etc... The goal of therapy is to reduce intraocular pressure as soon as possible. These cases are often unrewarding despite aggressive medical and sometimes surgical treatment. So bottom line, if your horse’s eye hurts, have it evaluated sooner rather than later.
Equine eye concerns: • Blunt head trauma • Eyelid lacerations • Corneal ulcers or C o r n e a l s t ro m a l a b s c e s s a t i o n (bacterial and/ o r f u n g a l infections) • Uveitis • Glaucoma • Acute blindness • Visual disturbances such as traumatic injury to the eye
Appointments • September 2011 • p. 23
Transform your muddy room into an efficient mud room by Gillian Drummond
One of the necessities of country living is a mud room in every house, for children and dogs or, if you have a horse farm, for all the paraphernalia that riding includes. Dirty boots from mucking out stalls and dirty dogs from playing in the mud all need a place to get resurrected before entering the house. After talking to some of my clients and some horse farm owners we all agreed to the perfect ingredients needed for a mud room. First, a boot scraper outside the door, then plenty of hanging space, both hooks and built-in closet space. The ideal closets would be lined in cedar so the good wool riding or hunting jackets would be safe from moths all year. And, of course, plenty of space for boot hangers. Next, a shower in the adjoining bathroom so that it is easy to strip and shower when you come in hot, sweaty and dirty from a long ride or hours in your garden. A washer and dryer close at hand is also a must. There are many opinions on the type of floor to use, but all agree in the perfect mud room a drain in the middle of the floor would be nice as well as a hose connection. You definitely need a utility sink whether you have dogs, are a gardener or just need a place to clean up messy projects. Walls should be tiled at least halfway up and then hung with pictures and ribbons or whatever your personal preference should be. With all of this, one might think that it needs to be a large space but, if well enough planned, it can be quite compact. The latest thing for a mud room is a doggie shower, either a small tiled space with a special shower and hose just for your dogs or a special shower and hose put into the shower you have just
This is a typical example of an equestrian familiy's mudroom. Any mudroom needs to have personality along with functionality. (photo by Gillian Drummond)
off your mud room for your own use. If interested, I suggest you go to www.apartmenttherapy. com and put in Dog Shower Inspiration. You can also go to
www.rinseace.com for information on shower hoses and heads. The choice in mud room floors is not really that extensive. The simplest is concrete, which can
Appointments • September 2011 • p. 24
be scored or have color mixed with it to make it quite attractive. Then we have a choice of tiles (Continued on page 25)
• Mud rooms (continued from page 24)
that can be used on a wet and slippery floor. Porcelain tile that has a textured or non-slip surface is the best choice and has a wide variety of looks. Porcelain tile comes looking like stone, tumbled marble and even wood. It comes in many colors and has matching or coordinating tiles of all sizes that can be used on shower floors or walls. I have used porcelain tiles in several mudroom applications and my clients have always been pleased with the look and practicality. At the moment, I am recommending porcelain tile to a horse farm owner that uses her screened porch as a mud room and for her two dogs to use until they are dry enough to be allowed in the house.
She also wants her porch to be attractive enough to use with her lovely wicker furniture when she entertains. Please, never use ceramic tile on a mud room floor, it is always too slippery. Brick can also be used. Laid in a herringbone pattern, it is very attractive. If you use slate or tumbled marble or granite it will have to be sealed and will not hold up well, but you can obtain the look using porcelain tiles. Remember, the larger the tile you use the larger the room will look, so in a small mud room use the largest tile you can. If the tile seems the least bit slippery, the smaller the tile and the more grout you have the less slippery it will be – a 2” square ceramic tile can be used on a shower floor because of all the grout with it. If you would like to get decorative on your floor, a floor cloth,
which is a piece of linoleum painted with a pattern or a picture and then covered with many coats of polyurethane, can be a nice decorative touch that is still impervious to dirt and water. A mudroom is good place to have fun with color. Go ahead and be bold or fanciful. This could be a great place for a wall painting of your favorite horse on one wall. Since you may have coat hooks on more than one wall, a wallpaper border can also be a good decorative touch. Make your mud room not only a practical place but also a fun personal space for all of your family with pictures and show ribbons and art. Gillian Drummond is the owner of Drummond House Co. For questions on how to create a stylish look for your farmhouse or stable, email her at gillian@ gilliandrummond.com.
Mudroom Essentials • Boot scraper • Closets lined with cedar • Shower • Wa s h e r & d r y e r close by • Walls tiled at least halfway up • C o n c r e t e o r porcelain tiled floors • C o l o r personality
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Learning dressage on the other side of the world An update from Jennifer Baumert Every couple of days I need to give myself a good pinch just to make sure I am not dreaming. This is really every rider’s dream. I am in Germany training with Klaus Balkenhol, two-time Olympic team gold medalist and individual bronze medalist. On top of his achievements as a rider is a great depth of training from coaching students such as his own daughter, Anabel, Helen Langehanenberg and Laura Becholsheimer, just to name a few. Klaus was the trainer for the United States Dressage Team for many years as well. I am here for a two-month period with Don Principe, a 12-year-old Hanoverian stallion showing Grand Prix owned by
Maryanna Haymon, and my own horse, DeWert, a 9-year-old Hanoverian gelding showing Prix St. Georges. I am very grateful for the enormous support of our equestrian community that helped make this trip possible. A typical day here begins very early with barn chores - everyone stops for breakfast from 7-8 a.m. Most of the serious riding is done in the morning. The barn is closed from noon until 2:30 p.m. In the afternoon the young horses are ridden and many of the horses will sometimes go out for a second less strenuous ride. Usually everything is finished by 6 p.m. Saturday is a half-day and Sunday is off. Whereas only the young horses are turned out, all the horses get a lot of attention and activity, including hand walks and lunging. I feel the horses are happy here.
Upon arrival Prince felt immediately at home. He is happy to be in Germany being spoiled by two American women! His owner, Maryanna, has been able to be here most of the time. Our daily routine usually begins with a session with Herr Balkenhol sometime between 8:30 and 9:30 a.m. A stretching or semi stretching warm up is encouraged. The first goal is to achieve a relaxed swing in the back. The hind legs must be active, but the speed of the gait should not be too fast. This quality is then taken into the more collected work. Always we are being asked for more activity behind but never allowing Prince to run. The half halts must go all the way through so that you can continue to build more activity behind without speed. I am constantly being reminded to give and let go. The result is a
wonderfully cadenced gait in true self carriage. For Prince and me, this is easily achieved in canter and a little more difficult in trot. I am pleased with our progress and realize it will take time for Prince to continue to develop more strength and for me to become more and more coordinated with my aids. Herr Balkenhol has made tremendous improvements in our passage and collected trot. Also, just being here and watching the riding has upped my expectations as well. We actually work on the same thing with DeWert. DeWert did not settle in like Prince and is actually still not quite himself. At first he did not eat and he was genuinely scared. This was surprising because it is a very relaxed and friendly atmosphere (Continued on page 27)
North CaroliNa Discover the state you're in. 1-800-visit NC Appointments • September 2011 • p. 26
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• Germany (continued from page 26)
here and he is normally a very calm and confident horse. He is now eating well but is still a bit spooky and tight when I begin to work him. I am still trying to find an answer for what is bothering him but in the meantime his training is going well. DeWert is also achieving more balance behind and a more cadenced way of going. He is starting to get the idea of passage and that is also helping his collected trot. A few days ago Herr Balkenhol rode DeWert. At 72 years old he is still an absolute inspiration to watch. DeWert had been paying very little attention to me but was immediately tuned in when Herr Balkenhol sat on him. The only problem for me was that it looked like he did nothing and when I got back on the feeling was much, much better.
I receive my lessons in German. Herr Balkenhol was very happy when he learned I could speak German. I took seven years of German in school and I lived here for almost one year. It has been a very long time since I spoke German regularly, though. I can understand everything being said to me but I express myself in very simple terms. The work here is demanding but Herr Balkenhol’s approach is kind and with great understanding and respect for the animals. He truly loves horses. When the foals that are turned out near the arena run and play, Herr Balkenhol is always distracted from his riding or teaching to appreciate the moment. I am doing my very best to absorb every little bit I can here so that I can take it with me to share with my horses and students at home. I do wish that I could send some of this nice, cool German summer air to everyone!
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Appointments • September 2011 • p. 28
Appointments The Hoofbeats of the Carolina Foothills
Showcasing Local Horsepeople
Sophie's first walk Owner Lisa Otto, right, rides along as Rachael Tessmer guides 2-year-old fillie Sophie out for her first walk.
Appointments • September 2011 • p. 29
Appointments The Hoofbeats of the Carolina Foothills
Showcasing Local Horsepeople
TR&HC Junior Amateur Horse Show
Campers from Camp Wayfarer in Flat Rock, N.C., showed up in force to participate in the first Tryon Riding & Hunt Club Junior Amateur Horse Show. Shown here are camper Audrey Schreck on “Warran” from Charlottesville, Va.; camper Jessy McLean from Ft. Meyers, Fla.; counselor Hunter Kay from University of South Carolina; camper Elizabeth Rickert on “Council Fire," from Cincinnati, Ohio; counselor Kaitlin Keaton from Davidson College; camper Ally Brotherton from St. Louis, Mo.; counselor Sidney Brown from USC; and camper Curry Sherard on “Lilly” from Spartanburg. (photos submitted)
Children’s Hunter - Pony, left to right, champion Cate Plepler (L), owner Michael Kocher rides Emma for the win in the $2,500 USHJA of Orchard Hills Bit and Nolan Thompson (R), owner of Catch a Kiss, National Hunter Classic at the first TR&HC Junior Amateur Horse accept the Champion and Reserve Champion ribbons. Jen Hicks, TR&HC Show. assistant director, presents Megan Rosenthal, rider of both ponies, with a TR&HC saddle pad. (photos submitted)
Appointments • September 2011 • p. 30
Appointments The Hoofbeats of the Carolina Foothills
Showcasing Local Horsepeople
Zandvoort clinic
Robert Zandvoort leads a rider during one of his almost monthly clinics hosted by Joy Baker. (photo by Eric Olsen)
Appointments • September 2011 • p. 31
Appointments • September 2011 • p. 32