Conference noted::equitation

    Jeannie - Welcome to this notes file.  As a dressage enthusiast,
    you should take a look at note 10 - the Dressage note for this
    conference.  Do you belong to NEDA?  What level is you warmblood
    doing (what's his breeding?)?
    
    - Julie -

    Well..  it's taken me weeks to wade through this file, but its been
    fun and informative.  I'm fairly sure that I'll screw this up a
    couple of times before we're done but can't sit at my terminal any
    longer and not respond.  I've read with amazement the contents of
    this file... that there hasn't been one morgan horse owner out there
    who has had anything to say.  So, I'll go first and give it a whirl!!
    My husband and I live on a small farm in Washington Maine and we
    have a couple of morgan mares that we breed and show.  (I too work
    to support my horse habit.  (doesn't everyone?)  well anyway, i've
    seen bob nickersons name here and there, and he is a good friend
    of a friend of mine, corine.  (She raises morgans and works for
    dec also).  This editor has me baffeled - so I'm going to go and
    find someone who can help me.  In the meantime I'd love to hear
    from other morgan owners/lovers.  I can be reached at
    DNEAST::BUTTERMAN_HO or maybe a reply here in the notes file.  If
    you have an interest in morgans, for show, breeding, carriage driving
    and dressage I'd love to hear from you.  Happy holidays - h

    Yes, I have been a member of NEDA for years but not very active
    the past 3.  My mare is a polish trakehner, tb cross...she looks
    quite refined (which I like).  She is just a baby...I broke her
    less than a year ago soooo.....it's training level again!  Thanks
    for the info on note 10....I'll check it out!  
    
    Thanks!
    
    Jeannie
    

    RE: 176.2
    
    Since you mentioned it, how would you like to start a separate note
    on Morgan questions/issues? Where is Washington, Maine? There have
    been a few entries by Morgan owners so far though not many. Could
    not get your name from your note. I am a Morgan owner in Colorado.
    We have a gelding named Waer's Royal Heritage (california breeding).
    His claim to fame so far is that he was the 1985 Top of the Rockies
    Regional Western Pleasure Champion. He did very well at the Nationals
    that year too. We'd like to get a couple more Morgans in the future.
    Our interests go towards carriage driving, dreassage, trail riding,
    but so far don't know anything about carriage driving.
    
    My wife's family is from Maine (Dexter) so we are quite interested
    and curious about Maine Morgans.
    
    Bob Koller
    

    
    Insert
    
    HI Bob - I'm not sure if this will work but I'll give it a try.
    Washington is a little town half way between Camden (on the coast)
    and Augusta (the capitol and home of the only Maine DEC facility)..
    My husband and I have three morgan mares.  One is DearLee's Abigail
    (abby) and she is currently leased to Come Spring Farm, and bred
    to their sr stallion Medomak Cavalier, sire of one of the horses
    in Larry Loulins pair who just won the carriage driving championships.
             Poulins pair who won the world pairs driving champion-
    in LArry Poulin's threesom who won the pairs driving champs this
    fall.  The second is Rumbrook Victoria, she is a daughter of Wind-
    crest Highlander and out of UVM Vision and she is bred to Elm Hill
    High Hat (an Orcland Leader son) for a March foal.. we're real 
    excited about this one.  "Torrie" is a wonderful driving and riding
    horse, but the past two years I started her western pleasure and
    she has done very well.  We also have Torries first foal a filly
    that we named Buffmeadow Brooke and she is coming two and has started
    her harness training and will be ready to hook in the spring. She
    is by a government/lippitt stallion named Meadowbrook Comet and
    she is for sale.  I am familiar w/the Waer's breeding as we have
    new folks in maine who came from california and brought all their
    horses w/them.  Their farm name is white birch - the family name
    escapes me right this minute.  Congratulations on your win at the
    top of the rockies.  I understand that is a very competetive show
    especially in the western division!  While I have your ear, is there
    someone out there who makes custom bridles? I'd like to have something
    special made for Torrie but can't seem to find a source.  Any help
    will be appreciated.  Well, I've rattled enough for now.  I hope
    that this message goes thru (i've been having trouble w/our terminal
    server).  Let me know what you'd like to know about Maine morgans,
    there are lots and lots in the state, and I can find you connections
    thru the maine morgan club.  smiles - h

    HOLLY...This is Kathie Nickerson...there is a fellow in Royalston
    Mass who makes tack.  His name is Anthony Cooper...don't have his
    number here with me.  Saw some of his work at a couple of Expo's;
    looked good but I haven't had any personal experience with him.
    He says that he can make anything.
    If you are interested, let me know.
    Nice hearing from you....didn't realize that you worked for DEC.
    

    
    
    Hi Kathie..  When you have a chance I'd like his number or address
    at a minimum I can contact him and see what he's about.  I was
    especially looking for someone to do "something special" with silver
    and since it seems to be better quality silver at lower prices in
    the west I'd also hoped there might be a name out there...  Guess
    I've got all winter to persue this so there's no rush.  Where have
    you gotten your western show tack for your horses?  The Arabs seem
    to be nicely turned out in that division... not too gaudy but nice
    nicely turned out but not too gaudy.  p.s.  corine is heading down
    nicely turned out in that division.  Have a nice weekend!  

    Another place which does exquisite work with custom tack and silver
    and also lets you design your own silver work is Bob's Western World
    in Scottsdale Arizona.  I had a headstall, weighted reins, and
    breastplate made through them and I designed my silver pattern
    (actually silver with a touch of gold).  They are pricey but the
    tack is worth it!
    
    Linda

    
    
    Thanks Linda - I'll add them to my list of inquires...  Guess I
    wouldn't mind paying more if I can get what I want.  Will let you
    all know how this plays out.  smiles - h

Jeanne - I live in Mason, NH, just outside of West Townsend. I just
brought my horse up to my place about 3 weeks back and have been
exploring the area. The Townsend State Forest sounds delightful to ride
in, but so far all I've been able to find there is one trail straight
through and many which come to dead-ends in abandoned granite quarry
holes. And they are *ROCKY*!

The best one starts on Old Turnpike Road, going in by the abandoned
railroad track (still has rails and ties). Keep to the right at all
forks/intersections until you are at the very top of the mountain, (well...
small mountain, large hill) then keep left. You'll come out onto a
dirt road - Morse Rd., Mason; take a left and continue down it until
you come to the abandoned railroad track again. At this point, going
north, there are no more rails/ties. So take a right on it, and you
can go to Canada by the looks of it! Except...there is a trestle bridge
a few miles up. It looks solid/safe enough, but I haven't checked with
anyone in the area yet to find out if you can cross or not, on a horse.

There's a trail off to the right just before the trestle and it goes
to another dirt road. Take a right, and you come to a tar road (the
backside of Barker Hill, but it's called Townsend Road in Mason) which
you can cross, and it heads out into miles of forest/good trails.

Have fun! If ;you get up that way, my house is at the bottom of Morse
road, just across the street from where it comes out onto Rte 124.

-julie

    Julie,
    
    Thanks for the info...I won't be venturing out until Spring...can't
    keep them ridden enough to make it safe this time of year (plus
    my horse is very green).  But maybe we could catch up then!  
    
    Jeannie