Thursday, September 17, 2009

Wild Horse Adoption Day

People considering adopting a wild horse might find their equine matches at one of 35 events taking place nationwide during National Wild Horse Adoption Day Sept. 26.

You can read more about this program in this article from www.thehorse.com.

There are several events in Oregon and Washington. Check them out on the Wild Horse Adoption Day website Event Calendar.

There are several training events being offered in association with these Adoption Days.

Top 10 Exercises

They say it takes seven falls to make a rider. But there's a lot more to it than that.

Check out this humorous list of 10 simple exercises that will help you become a better equestrian.

10. Drop a heavy steel object on your foot. Don't pick it up right away. Shout, "Get off, Stupid, GET OFF!"

9. Leap out of a moving vehicle and practice "relaxing into the fall." Roll lithely into a ball and spring to your feet.

8. Learn to grab your checkbook out of your purse and write out a $200 check without even looking down.

7. Jog long distances carrying a halter and a carrot. Go ahead and tell the neighbors what you are doing - they might as well know now.

6. Affix a pair of reins to a moving freight train and practice pulling to a halt. Smile as if you are having fun.

5. Hone your fibbing skills: "See hon, moving hay bales is FUN!" and "No, really, I'm glad your lucky performance and multimillion dollar horse won the blue ribbon. I am just thankful that my hard work and actual ability won me second place."

3. Borrow the US Army's slogan: Be All That You Can Be -- bitten, thrown, kicked, slimed, trampled, frozen...

2. Lie face down in a puddle of mud in your most expensive riding clothes and repeat to yourself, "This is a learning experience, this is a learning experience, this is ..."

1. THE NUMBER ONE EXERCISE TO BECOME A BETTER EQUESTRIAN: Marry money.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Free Webcast

This information came from Washington State University by way of Erin Harwood in our Clark County Extension office



Free Webcast on Bits and Bitting

Learn about the functions of a bit and how to properly select a bit for your horse.

Please join us in this FREE webcast provided by My Horse University and eXtension HorseQuest.



My Horse University and eXtension HorseQuest invite you to a FREE webcast on bits and bitting for horses. Dr. Holly Spooner, an Assistant Professor and Equine Extension Specialist at West Virginia University, will be discussing factors such as bit selection for different stages of training and how a bit functions.

Webcast: Bits and Bitting

Date: September 22, 2009

Time: 7:00 P.M. EDT

Speaker: Dr. Holly Spooner, West Virginia University

Summary:
Selecting the correct bit for a horse is dependent on a number of factors including the horse's level of training and the rider's experience level. Knowing how a bit functions and distributes pressure on a horse's face is essential for determining what bit is appropriate. This presentation will discuss the difference in direct versus leverage action of a bit, how the diameter and shape of the bit effects the bit's action, and will describe the pressure points on the horse's face that are affected by bits and hackamores. In addition, bit selection for different stages of training and training problems will be discussed.

Space is LIMITED!

Register Today!

Monday, September 14, 2009

The tide may be turning......

I need to lead off this post by saying that I choose to be an optimist.

People in this horse community have been working for years to open the eyes of the local officials to see the value in making this a more horse-friendly area. For the most part, it has felt like they have been banging their heads against the closed barn door.

I have reasons to believe that someone has been listening to the noise and they are thinking about seeing what may be inside the barn. Corny I know but I think that may be just what is happening.

I am a member of the City of Vancouver Urban Livestock Advisory Group, lead by John T Manley, Senior Planner from Vancouver Community Planning. I am very excited about our conversations. The general direction is that the city is leaning towards looking more favorably at having livestock (both large and small) be part of the community with reasonable guidelines so that we can all remain neighborly. Allowing smaller animals on smaller lots and larger animals on reasonably sized properties with due consideration towards the surrounding neighbors.

In the county area, I have asked to be a part of the the Equestrian Advisory Group. Just reading the previously posted News Release gives me hope that someone has been listening and is starting to see that the horse community does have a real economic impact on the area. With a bit of proactive planning, it would be possible to build this county into a horse mecca and I think that would be so cool. We have a lot going for us already. We just need the 'officials' on board.

I know that all these thoughts are optimistic but as I already said, that is how I choose to look at it. Come join me. Give me your ideas. Dream big. Let's make this "The Premier Horse Community" in the state.

News Release

Clark County Community Planning
September 14, 2009

Contact: Laurie Lebowsky, Community Planning
(360) 397-2280 ext. 4544, e-mail laurie.lebowsky@clark.wa.gov

Equestrian Advisory Group forming to explore horse opportunities

Vancouver, WA - More opportunities for Clark County horse owners and riders could be identified in coming months thanks to a newly forming committee headed by Laurie Lebowsky of the Community Planning Department.

The seven-member Equestrian Advisory Group will look at topics ranging from trails and events to zoning that could support equestrian-related housing developments.

With an estimated 29,000 horses in local barns and fields, the Board of Clark County Commissioners directed planners to broaden recreational options for equine owners and economic development opportunities for the county. Equestrian activities include trail riding, 4-H open and breed shows, fair court, cow sorting, gaming, dressage, rodeo, drill teams, endurance riding, eventing, hunter/jumper, driving and pack trips.

The group will guide development of the plan to be presented at open houses scheduled in coming months to encourage additional public review and comment.

Three seats are vacant on the Equestrian Advisory Group. People interested in serving on the panel are asked to e-mail laurie.lebowsky@clark.wa.gov or call her at (360) 397-2280 ext. 4544.

Friday, September 11, 2009

Amboy Riding Club Top 10 show

Amboy Riding Club Top 10 show
Saturday, September 19.

Sign ups at 8:00
Events start at 9:00.

Show located at Amboy Territorial Days Park.
You do not need to be a top ten member to ride.
If you would like to become a top ten member, contact Valerie Lane, with the Clark County Saddle Club, before the show starts to sign up.

$21.00 a rider
$5.00 for time onlys.

Events are:
Speed Barrels
Bi Wrangle
Barrels
Poles

Age Groups:
9 & under
10-14
15-26
27-44
45 & over

Awards to 5th place in each age group.

Questions, call Becky McDougal at 921-5266

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Glenwood Fun Ride


I just got this from our friends up in Glenwood and wanted to share it with you.......


In case you haven't been up there, Glenwood is in the valley at the base of Mt. Adams. A good number of my pictures from their Katchum Kalf Rodeo on Father's Day weekend rodeo have Mt. Adams in the background. It is a beautiful area.
Hope to see you there.







Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Easy Riders Game Show

2009 – 2010
SILVER PRIZES SERIES

Cowlitz County Fairgrounds Indoor Arena

SATURDAYS: SEP 19; OCT 17; NOV 14; JAN 23; FEB 20; MAR 20; APR 17 (Make up show, if necessary)

SIGN UPS AT 8 a.m., SHOWS START AT 9 a.m.

$20.00 for the day
All riders are welcome!!!!

Events -
Poles
Speed Barrels
Texas Barrels
“Judges Choice”
(4th event will change at each show)

Age Groups -
Leadline
10 & Under
11-16
17 - 30
31 & Over

Daily Prizes in Each Age Group
$5 Surprise Jackpot Event/Time Permitting (50/50 Split)

Knockdown/No time Rule applies to all Events
Same Horse/Same Rider for Series Awards
Western boots with heel required
Tie for final placing will be broken according to number of shows attended

For more info call Jeanne Kell (360) 274-4915 or Sue Claypool (360) 636-3737