Conference noted::equitation

    This is more of an attagirl then a brag.
    
    My 6 year old nephew spent a weeks vacation at my house and of course
    he wanted to ride my horse.  I have a very gentle horse, if you
    put a child on her back she won't hurt him but she won't obey him
    either, she will spend her time standing or grazing.  So I decided
    to ride my mare and have my nephew sit behind the saddle. 
    
    While we were riding we stumbled upon a wasp nest, the wasp did
    not like the disturbance and they started attacking my mare's face.
    She had to have been bit 10 or 12 times.  My mare never spoked or
    bucked, she was shacking and you knew that she wanted to run, but
    she seemed to know that my nephew was not very secure on her back
    and she seemed to be taking care of him.  During the attack I just
    kept talking to Dasl telling her that everything was okay and telling
    my nephew to hold on tight.  I kept walking her away from the wasp
    but they kept following us.  Finially another person in the ring
    came to our rescue and got the wasp away from the horse.  The
    whole attack lasted for only a few minutes, I could tell that
    she was in pain from the bites, I don't know if I was in her place
    if I would of stayed clam or ran like mad.
    
    Mary Ann
     

    
    Moccasin gets an atta-girl for picking up a fourth place ribbon
    in the low hunter division at the Stoneleigh-Burham horse. Laruen
    Stevens in the irons. Big division 65 horses. Moccasin was terrfic!
    
    Nancy
    

    Congratulations to Moccasin! Sounds like a pretty good start!
    
    Linda

    So, how come with all the people out there who have critters, we
    only have 3 replies?
    
    :^)
    
    Linda

    OK.  I usually try not to brag about my horses too much.  But since
    you specifically asked...
    
    I took my five-year-old Arabian stallion, Back Bey, to only two
    shows last summer (no money this year).  And I was mildly appre-
    hensive about it -- in the past I've had him with professional
    trainers who are well-known in the show ring.  As a result, Bey
    has an almost perfect show record.  As a three-year old he won
    both of his halter futurities and was the unanimous choice of all
    five of the judges (there were two for one class and three for the
    second).  And as a four-year old he was shown as a pleasure driving
    horse and was Pleasure Driving Champion both times out.
    
    Since September '86 Bey has been home with me, my mare and their two
    daughters, being king of the hill.  Most Arabian owners will try
    and tell you this but *my* stallion is the sweetest horse on four
    legs.  He rarely gives me any trouble, he gets along with everyone,
    horses and people, and has a very large fan club.  He is the
    horse I've wanted since I watched Fury on tv on Saturday mornings.
    
    I'm a small breeder, I don't have mega dollars to spend on an 
    advertising campaign, but I wanted Bey to have *some* exposure
    in 1987.  So we decided to take him to two of the smaller all-
    Arab shows later in the summer.  I have a friend - one of Bey's
    fans - who is publisher of a horse magazine and also a pro-
    fessional trainer.  He agreed to show Back Bey in halter at these
    two shows for a small fee.  So off we went.  Bey thrilled to get
    off the farm and me trying not to get an ulcer.
    
    At the first show the competition in the 5 and older stallion class
    was very respectable - about 12 horses, some of whom have done very
    well as halter horses.  Back Bey won that class and was Reserve
    Champion Senior Stallion and then Reserve Show Champion Stallion.
    I don't care how many times I hear it, I will never get over the
    thrill of hearing the announcer call our names for first place.
    
    Then we went to Bangor, Maine, for the Labor Day All-Arab show where
    my friend showed for me again.  Arabians have this trot they do
    (usually out in the pasture when there's no witnesses) that will
    give you goosebumps.  They put their tail up over their back like
    a flag, their head is as high in the air as possible and they seem
    to barely touch the ground.  I get to see it whenever we play in
    the pasture, but Bey has never felt like doing it in public.  This
    day, though, was cool and crisp.  There was just enough breeze.
    And he felt like a million bucks!  As he trotted into the ring,
    the breeze must have gotten under his tail because he started his
    routine.  The tail went straight up, the head went up even higher
    than the tail and he started to snort and blow.  Stephen trotted
    him around the ring once, he was still high as a kite, so they
    did another lap.  He was GORGEOUS!  And I have it on tape!  
    
    Anyway, he won that class and was Reserve Show Champion Stallion
    again.  Bunches of people came back to the barn to visit.  And
    my friend Stephen said that that class was about the biggest 
    thrill of his horse show career.
    
    Needless to say I was one happy camper that night.  And, if 
    anyone wants to see the tape, I can arrange a showing.  I'll
    never get sick of it.
                                                      
    Thanks for letting me brag,
    
    Gwen
    
    P.S.  I'll probably want to do it again in a couple of months -
          my mare will foal her third Back Bey baby right after the
          first of March.  Stay tuned.
    
    

    Re: .5
    
    Gwen, congrats on your stallion's year and I wish you luck with
    your mare's future baby!
    

    re: .4

	 Okay, Linda,  so  why don't you enter your own brag - you USCTA
     Area 1 Novice horse and Rider of the year!!!

	 Qualified for Training and First level 1988 NEDA Sweepstakes.
    
	 Tigger (alias   Chinquapin   B  Ware,  or  variations  thereof)
     also  qualified for the USCTA Area 1 1988 Training Championships at
     his first Training level event with Stephie Baer (instructor) up.

	    :-) :-)

    Re: .6
    
    Thank you.  And thanks for the invitation to brag.
    
    Last April I had an open house and birthday party for all the
    horses and I'm planning to do the same thing this year (I feel
    confident that Spring WILL come and the weather will turn warm).
    I'll post an invitation here and I hope lots of Noters will
    come and see the new baby.
    
    Gwen
    

    A small success, my pacing horse has finally got the hang of trotting!
    She is a reg. Tenn. Walker that was used for pacing races as a
    youngster and broken to saddle at the age of eight. She is now ten and
    learning Dressage, with a lot of help from a pro for both of us.
    Sandy
    

    My riding ring was finished enough to use this Saturday!
    
    Yeah!!!!!!  Hurrah!!!!!    Yippy-ki-ya-yay!  Awesome!!!!
    
    And my horse behaved absolutely wonderful on our first try at 
    riding in the ring.

    L-

    Last September my horse Jasper had an incident of tying up in which we
    and Tufts were unsure if he would make it through. Well, all through
    winter he was on vacation and was pretty sad looking. He had lost alot
    of muscle through out his hind end and back area. 
    Well, I started his training at the beginning of April with alot of
    walking and a little bit of trotting. He's now at the point where we
    go on 2 hour trail rides (we still do quite a bit of walking - hence
    our time) and he's allowed to slow canter for short period - maybe 1
    minute or just alittle bit more.
    He's gained about 100 pounds (he had lost about 150 pounds after the
    tying up) over the past couple of months and some of that as muscle
    tissue. His hind quarters are filling in finally!
    
    I never thought Jasper and I would get to this point together. I look 
    at the past and view this incident and his current state as his best
    accomplishment.
    
    			Cindy
                             

    This was a few weeks ago, but Marti Davis and Rabi won the Reserve
    Championship in the Walk/Trot Adult division at Shannon Trails...
    they got 1st in Equitation, 2nd in Pleasure, and 3rd in trail in
    their first show together!
    
    And myself, I got the Reserve English Pleasure Championship
     at the Rowley Riding
    and Driving Club show after getting a 1st in Registered Pleasure,
    2nd in English Pleasure, 2nd in Open Adult Pleasure, and 3rd in
    Bridle Path Hack. If I do so good at the Sept show I could get the
    Year End, which would be my very first! This horse is a TB gelding
    belonging to my brother, and we're both really pleased with him!
    

    
    (Boy, did this note arrive at just the right time!!!)
    
    I finally 'rode' at a horse show. I mean I fully participated, I
    retained my color (read - I didn't true pasty white when I went in the
    ring), thought about what I was doing, made adjustments as I approached
    turns, asked for the correct lead over the top of the jumps (and got
    them!) and finished nicely! About time too! It should is more fun this
    way!
    
    Nancy
    

    I hate to brag but....
    
    My mare and I got it together in a big way this weekend.
    
    We were Low Hunter Champion and won Adult Eq. over fences at Furnace
    Brook Farm on Saturday.
    
    Sunday we went to North Shore Horseman's Council show and were Reserve
    Champion in the Special Senior Hunter. I won the first class over
    fences in a division of 38 really nice horses.
    
    She also placed very well in the Pre-Green Division with my trainer
    on Sunday. 
    
    Beth and Markie

    I've been "bragging" to all my non-horse friends, who of course have no
    idea what I am talking about, so this note is wonderful!
    
    On June 2, in Raleigh, North Carolina, I qualified for AHSA Second
    Level Finals.  (The minimum was a score of 63%, and I had 63.58%, but
    it was over the minimum needed!).  Now the question is whether I should
    really show in the finals or not.  I guess it's good experience, but I
    can just imagine getting a 45%!
    
    By the way, of course I didn't do it alone.  Genghis Gustaf, or Gus, is
    finally getting the idea that he can't go along with his nose in the
    air!  Two months ago I would have taken the best offer between Alpo and
    Kennel Ration, and now I wouldn't sell him for anything.  It just goes
    to show what a little success can do!
                   

    
    Well, I had decided to wait until the end of two weeks of showing at 2
    A-rated Hunter shows to report the results... 
    
    My mare got brain-fried so I pulled her out of jumping competition 2
    years ago this week.  After working very hard to bring her back
    (riding western and trail riding for almost two years, and careful
    lunging and the softest bits and quietest gymnastics for the past 1.5 
    years), she returned to jumping at A-rated shows last week.
    
    She jumped wonderfully and confidently in the training jumper division 
    the first week.  The second week we were able to move her up to the 
    Preliminary Jumper division.  She continued to jump confidently and
    happily while receiving some good ribbons in very large classes.  
    
    Mary Jo and E.C.

    Here I go again...
    
    At North Shore on Aug. 29th, Upper West Side and myself were Special
    Senior Hunter Champions. We are leading the division now for NSHC
    year end award in that division.
    
    Upper West Side and my trainer, Denise Marks also were c
    Champion in the Pre-Green Hunter Division, which also puts my horse
    in the running for a year end award from NSHC.
    
    I have really been working hard on conditioning and getting my mare
    flexing more on the flat. It paid off, she hacked like a dream and
    easily won both under saddle classes on Sunday.

    Just to add a funny [???] story to the previous report of how well we
    did. The day did NOT start out so well.
    
    We have to leave the barn in NH very early to make warm-ups. My fiance
    also decided to get up at the crack of dawn and follow the van to the
    show. While at the barn finishing braiding, I asked him to pull his car
    next to mine and put all my tack and clothes from my car into his
    trunk. We loaded eight horses in the van and trailer and left for the
    show. I ride in the van with my trainer to the shows, so my fiance was
    to follow us since he doesn't know how to get to North Shore Horse
    Show.
    
    It was foggy.... and we in the van lost the trailer and three of the
    four cars following, but they all knew we were stopping for gas first.
    I was starting to doubt that I had put my jacket in the car, so I
    decided to check with my fiance when we got to the gas station. At
    the gas station, still no trailer, etc. If we hadn't been in such a
    rush to make warm-ups we probably would have waited.
    
    We get to North Shore about 10 minutes before warm ups close. My horse
    being green is a must for the warm ups. I had the horse but trailer,
    fiance and tack, etc. hadn't shown up. Eureka, here they come now!
    Hurry, hurry, I need the tack for the warm-up. Fiance pulls in, I 
    quickly open the trunk of his car. The truck flies open and I expect
    to see no jacket BUT THERE'S NOTHING IN THE TRUNK. No jacket, no hunt
    cap, no saddle, no bridle and martigale, no brush box. You have to
    understand, that I'm the organized one in the barn. I'm the one that
    makes sure everything needed for shows gets loaded. I say to myself,
    I'm
    living the HORSESHOW FROM H*LL!!! I panicked! My division was first in
    the hunter ring. Almost immediately, riders from my barn began offering
    me their saddle or bridle to use. I discovered that my fellow DECcie
    that rides at my barn wears the same size hat. I could accept the offer
    to borrow all this stuff because none of them were in the same
    division. Luckily, I had put on my boots and breeches before leaving 
    for the show. The ultimate borrowing challenge remained the jacket. I'm
    a large size and everyone else from our barn was small.
    
    Still determined to show, I went to enter and asked the show secretary
    if I could go in the first division without a jacket. I explained my
    dilemma. She contacted the show manager but he said "sure we'll let her
    show but she won't be judged -- formal attire , including jackets are
    required. The show secretary advised me to continue trying to find a 
    jacket. Any jacket would do, it wouldn't even have to button. So now
    I'm off of the humiliating mission of asking strangers if anyone in
    their
    barn might have a jacket large enought to fit me and could I borrow it
    immediately. I actually found a very kind woman who was showing in
    the same division to agree to switch off jackets. However, just as I
    was returning to our van, my horse show buddies had found one that fit
    me! They also had my horse all tacked up in borrowed tack.
    
    Oh... meanwhile, the fiance is on his way back to NH to get my stuff.
    My horse was entering in another division later and there would be a 
    conflict with tack borrowing.
    
    So I went in my division with everything except a chocker and gloves.
    We were champion in the division and now everyone thinks that the piece
    of equipment they loaned me brought me luck. That may be, but without
    it I wouldn't have been able to compete. So if that's luck then so be
    it.

    I raced my mare this past sunday at the Rutland Fair in Rutland Vt.
    for the first time in 4 years, it was also her first start since
    I've owned her.  She was in against some very good horses and ended
    up finishing 5th.  I was thrilled with her performance!!!  I am putting
    her in to race at the Rochester Fair in Rochester NH this friday night
    if anyone happens to be going!!  Her name is American Wave, and I won't
    know what race she got until later today but I'll post it in here!!

    Well, my years of work paid off over Labor Day weekend.  My mare,
    Emazing Grace, has been out since last September on lease.  She's
    been just hanging out and doing some nice trail rides.  The people
    I've leased her to agreed to let me have her back to take the the
    Maine Arab Club's annual show in Stratham, NH.  I especially wanted
    to show there since Billy Harris was judging and he'd done very
    well by Gracie in the past.  
    
    So, anyway...my friend Stephen Kinney agreed to show Gracie in halter
    for me and I decided to show her in Country Pleasure just for fun.
    I'm very proud to report that Gracie won her halter class, Mares 5
    and over, and was Senior Champion Mare.  She was easily the most
    beautiful creature in the ring.  In Country Pleasure we were 4th
    in the Maiden class out of 8, 4th in the Novice class out of 9, and
    6th in the Championship class out of 10.  And in the Stake we beat
    two horses who, between them, had won 3 classes.  
    
    That doesn't sound like much until I tell you that:
    
    Gracie has not been shown for 4 years and has had two foals since
    she was last shown.
    I have not ridden her in a whole year
    And she has not worn a full bridle in at least 5 years
    
    So many people came to visit after the halter class to tell me how
    beautiful they thought she was.  I think this was the most fun show
    I've even been to.  We had great stalls, the rings are terrific, and
    everything went so smoothly.
    
    

    
    Yes, hard work does pay off! After starting my riding 'career' as an
    adult 12 years ago, my showing 'career' 9 years ago, I've finally
    participated in adult horsemanship classes! And I'm doing pretty good -
    well enough to surprise myself and my coaches. At my last show, I
    competed in the adult medal class for only the third time and I got
    called back on top! I blew the test but who cares (and not as badly
    as the third competitor who forgot a jump!)! Daniel (the horse portion
    of this team) was fairly cooperative despite the rain and deep footing.
    
    If I just wouldn't let up on my concentration until AFTER the last jump
    (instead of before it), I'd take home a blue.
    
    Overall - I'm a very happy camper.
    
    Nancy
    

             <<< DELNI::WORK$01:[NOTES$LIBRARY]EQUITATION.NOTE;2 >>>
                          -< Equine Notes Conference >-
================================================================================
Note 1.130                        Introduction                        130 of 130
DNEAST::SLADE_DICK                                   23 lines  11-SEP-1990 13:56
                         -< Proud Dad of Jessie Slade >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    ref 1.111
    well the season of showing is over for my daughter. It was a very
    successfull on for her first year and I'm proud as hell of her.
    
    She entered shows in Farmington, Sidney, Augusta, Windsor, and
    Litchfield, and Vassalboro, primarily at Silver Spur in 
    Sidney and Kennebec riding Club in Vassalboro.  Her final show was at
    the Windsor Fair 4h show where she took 3 blues, 2 red and one yellow,
    3 trophies, and $38.00
    
      For the season she won 48 ribbons, 14 blue (jumping and equitation),
    7 reds,10 yellows,13 whites, 3 green, 13 whites.
    She also has 3 High Point trophies. 2 for jumping and 1 for equitation.
    
      I must say how proud I am of her for all the effort she has put into 
   this year, and the care and love she has given Black Hawk.
    
      We are already anxiously looking forward to next year.
    
    
    
    
    

    My mare American Wave is in to race at the Rochester Fair in Rochester
    NH this saturday night.  Post time is 7:45 and she is in the second
    race if anyone happens to be there!!
    
    Linda
    
    

		Well, Linda, Maybe I can catch up with you saturday
	then.  By the time I made it over to the paddock at Rutland
	last weekend, you were already gone.


		Good luck!  We're racing friday night and Saturday
	afternoon.  (But I'll be in the grandstand!)

	/robin

    Hi Robin, it would be great to see you!!  I was a little disappointed
    that she drew the 6 hole up there, at Rutland it wasn't so bad
    because she trailed the 1 horse out but the 6 hole trip at Rochester
    is a tough one!!  Oh well, I just want her to do her best.  Which
    horses are you guys racing??

	J.J. Brewster, Gildalynne (Glidaline? (new horse)) and
	Dad will be driving Buddy also.   Gonna head up tonight
	after work, then back up again first thing tomorrow.

	We ended up driving Cals truck and trailer back from
	Rutland.  That stupid horse of his kicked the trailer 
	the whole way home!!  what a monster!

	/robin

    My mare raced again at Rochester Fair on saturday night and was 3rd.
    It was starting to get muddy up there because of all of the rain but
    luckily it wasn't too bad.  It was a photo finish because the first
    3 horses were all right there at the wire!  I was very pleased with
    her, now its off to Cumberland Fair!

    
    	Ebony and I took Reserve Champion in our division at the
    	New England Aside all side saddle show on saturday. We
    	entered seven classes, and came away with one blue, one
    	red, two yellow, two white, and one pink. I have ridden him
    	side saddle only once before, so we really had to wing it!!

	The biggest accomplishment was that he got first in the 
	trail class, and he would not even back up when I bought
	him a little over a year ago!! His former owners were at
	the show, and they were amazed. 
    
    	Sherry
     

    CONGRADULATIONS!!!!! Sherry and Ebony!!!!
    8^)
    Sandy
    

   Melinda Johnson has received a Bronze AND a Silver Award from USDF. 
   There is a picture of Melinda and her horse 'Martinique' in the latest 
   USDF Bulletin. 

   And I'd like to add that Melinda and Martinique have also garnered an 
   AHSA Horse of the Year Award at 4th Level.

   CONGRATULATIONS!
    
    

Linda Mccrossan took first place in the Training division at the 
Old Chatham Horse Trials in NY.

Prior to this, Linda was already qualified to compete in the training 
championships to be held later this season.

Congratulations Linda!!  

Best of luck at Groton House!

Melinda

    Maybe this is the correct place for this note, if it isn't then prehaps
    the moderators will move it for me.
    
    Crunchie, the mare mentioned in notes 10.47 as having no breaks had a
    terrific season last year and won all five of her Family pony classes.
    We were also well positioned in some other classes, which were adult
    classes against horse.  So as you can imagine I've been over the moon
    with her improvement.  Thanks folks.
    
    Unfortunately this will not be repeated this year as she's unlevel
    with either a bruised sesamoid or it's sesamoiditis.  Which ever
    she's in for a long rest.  Soooo with the vets backing she's away
    at stud.  It's all been rather sudden, so folks keep your fingers
    crossed.  I've heard so many horror stories lately of mares not
    in foal after months away at stud and hundreds of pounds later
    that I'm left wondering how on earth there will ever be enough foals.
    The usual should I, shouldn't I are going through my mind.  Still 
    trying to positive - it's a fabulous place, the people very nice and
    Crunchie although not a registered anything has been declared 'their
    type of horse'.  I doubt that she'll want to come home :-)
    
    Judy
    
    
    

   Kris Chiasson won her NEHC Adult Medal yesterday with a picture perfect 
   ride at Sunshine Farm. Congratulations Kris!

   

Well, this is one of those types of - I got to see and you didn't - brags.
My wife and I, as we have done for the last several years, went to the N.Y.
State Fair.  And, also as always, we checked out the stadium.  Well, we were
outside the building watching some draft horses coming out when we heard
something about dressage.  So, of course we went in to watch.

Wouldn't you know it - we got to watch Marcia Kulak and CHAGAL do one of
the most beautiful dressage performances I have ever seen.  His extended
trots were amazing.

Then, as if that wasn't enough, we got to speak with Marcia after her
performance.  She is sponsored by Agway, so she had Chagal in a temporary
pen for everyone to see, and she was describing her experiences, answering
questions, and just being a nice person.

She owns Chagal and one other international-level horse (actually her
parents own them).  She lives in Scotia, N.Y. and winters in Florida.
She is a professional amateur.  She trains, teaches, and gets sponsors.
She rides about 5 horses per day.  She also trains herself, sometimes,
by trotting the horse while she runs beside it.

This was definitely the highlite of the fair.  And to think, she only gave
two performances during the whole fair.  We just happened to be lucky enough
to be able to see the second.  If we hadn't gone to the fair when we did,
if we hadn't almost been run over by the draft horses, many other ifs, we
would not have seen this horse.

For those who are not aware, Chagal was on the U.S. olympic 3-day event team.
Unfortunately, when they were doing a training gallop in England (just 3 days
before going to Spain), Chagal got hurt - pulled ligament I think.  So, they
never got to Spain.  She watched the olympics from the states like the rest
of us.

Some tidbits - she said it takes 4-5 years for a horse to reach international
level.  She then said that they have around 6 years (I think that was how
long) where they are able to compete at that level.

Ed..

    
    Well... I am very proud of what my 2 year old has done this summer,
    and as of two weeks ago I have started my new job in Albuqurque.. so
    in particular, this weeks accomplishments are special..  the reason
    being, when I got off the phone with my sister Katrina who trains my
    mare I looked around and realized there was no one to tell!
    
    Buffmeadow d'Vision is my two year old, home bred Morgan mare.. she is
    by Ultimate Command and out of Rum Brook Victoria... she is my 10th
    foal.  This year she went to Vermont Morgan and placed 3rd in her in
    hand class, then she went to Maine Morgan and won the two year old
    class, was Jr. Champion Filly, and Grand Champion Mare beating out
    the older horses.  This week she went to Syracuse, NY to the Regional
    Championships and won her two year old class in hand out of 11 entries
    and was 4th in her pleasure driving debut....  
    
    I'm so very proud of my horse, and my sister and what they have
    accomplished!  It was very strange to be so far away while they were
    off at the show this week.  The good news is that we'll be shipping
    d.v. out to New Mexico as she will have the next year off to play and
    be a pasture pony... she has done so well with everything we've asked
    her to do, it's time for her to have a break.
    
    So - thanks for giving me a chance to brag - and share...
    
    Best to everyone out there... 
    
    smiles - h

    Congratulations!  

 Noter Melinda Johnson had a fabulous 1992 with the following
 awards and accomplishments:

 On her horse Martinique :   NEDA Intermediare II award, 1st place.
              		     USDF ALL Breed Westfalen, Int II, 1st place
			Martinique also qualified for nationals at I-2.

 On her horse Kapriole:      AHSA Horse of the Year, training level, 4th place.

 Melinda also is halfway to earning her USDF GOLD Medal.
 (Oooh I get shivers just thinking about such an honor!)
 She has two of the four scores (at Grand Prix level) necessary 
 to earn the honor, and hopes to get those scores next year.

 Congratulations Melinda!
 (I'm sure there must be a picture or two of you in the USDF bulletin
  and NEDA Salute, too!)

Congratulations Kiirja, for qualifying for and
placing well in the Massachusetts Amateur Adult
Equitation Finals! At the finals, Kiirja placed 
9th in the championships, and 9th in the adult 
equitation over fences!

Also, sources tell me (one being the Pedlar) that
Kiirja was high point champion at Harwood Farm's 
show, and reserve high point adult amateur champion
at Sunshine Farm's show.

Way to go!  Conratulations to you!



 

 Noter Beth Phillips also had a great 1992 
	with her mare "Upper West Side"!

 Her 1992 High Point Awards include:

	Champion Low Hunter for NSHA
	Reserve Champion RC Amateur Adult over 30 for NSHA
	Champion Amateur Adult for NHH&J
	High Score Adult for NHH&J

 Congratulations Beth! Great Job!

 Julie Dingee had a great year with her new mare "Courtney",
 winning a Reserve Championship in a big division of Special Hunters
 at North Shore in September, as well as impressive showings in
 Amateur Adult Hunters.

 Julie is looking forward to doing the Equitation Division next year.

	Sherry Robinson and her Tennessee Walker "General MI Proud"
	(aka "Ebony") have been out there showing up a storm! They 
	received all these awards for the 1992 season:

	Champion, Parade and Promotion Division
		Northern Walking Horse Association

	Reserve Champion, Western Sidesaddle
	Reserve Champion, Parade and Promotion
		New England Aside

	Reserve Champion, Novice Division
		World Sidesaddle Federation

    *WORLD* Sidesaddle Federation! WOW! Sherry was telling me she plans
    to attend the 1993 National Plantation Classic at the Virginia Horse 
    Center as a rider next year. (She attended as a spectator this year.)
    Sherry I hope all your dreams come true! :^}

  Now come on all you very humble riders out there. I know you've
  been out there, conquering whatever mountain you set to climb...

  Anyone out there ...do your first 50 mile endurance ride?
		   ...get your young horse started under saddle? driving?
		   ...get your first 65% on a dressage test?
		   ...get your horse to do tempi-changes?
		   ...ride your first reining or cutting competition?
		   ...go to your first horse show and survive?
		   ...ride your first prelim level event?

    
    Okay, Okay.  This is a little hoakey, but...
    
    I am the proud owner of one of first prelim jumpers who found a new
    parttime career in TEAM PENNING this year.
    
    Team penning is where you have 30 cattle (each labeled with numbers 0
    to 9).  You have three riders whose goal is to move 3 cattle with the
    same number (and that number is announced as you cross the center line)
    to a pen in the opposite end of the ring without getting more than 3 
    across the center line. 
    
    Brags --  E.C. DIDN'T run the other way when she first encountered the
              cattle in the ring.
    
              She likes the entertainment -- makes a good turn back horse
              on the center line.  She isn't so good at cutting them out of 
              the herd because she is so tall the cattle can run under her 
              neck when she tried to press them against a wall.  
    
    ;-}
    
    Mary Jo 

    RE:    <<< Note 337.44 by CSC32::M_HOEPNER "the Year of Jubilee..." >>>

	That's not hoakey! I wish I could have seen that! 
	I went to a clinic on cutting this summer so I have some idea 
	of what it's all about...the folks I talked to said that they
	consider the arabs that are *15h* or over *too tall* for working 
	with cows, and then to imagine your big 17h grey "EC" working cattle...
	;*}  ;*}  ;*}  

	I love it! That is a scream! 
	You are right...a lot of the horses think it is great fun to
	"play" with the cattle...(provided they survive that initial
	shock of being in the same space with them!) I'll bet the cows
	are the ones who had the panic attacks when they saw EC coming!
	;*}  ;*}  ;*}  

    
    > shock of being in the same space with them!) I'll bet the cows
    > are the ones who had the panic attacks when they saw EC coming!
    
    Yes, as a matter of fact, they tend to scatter when they see her up
    close.  That is part of the reason she works best at the center line
    for turn back.  Her size is VERY effective in keeping the bulk of the 
    herd back.  And she is quick enough to cover the arena in a couple 
    of strides.
    
    Unfortunately, we don't have videos.  But maybe next time.  I can 
    hardly wait. 
    

    tried this.....not to smart, but got away with it.
    
    The colt is 22 months and now at 57inches to withers (14.1 another inch
    last month!)  He is tractable and friendly and I could not resist. 
    Without bridle, halter or anything and on the spur of the moment, I
    just climbed on and away he trotted.  We went about 50yds and I says
    whoa! and he does.  Got off quick and thought about how it could have
    turned out and will definately not do that again.  
    
    His head was very high and he was looking back at me in surprise the
    entire time.  I don't think he came to any decision in the short span
    of time.  I am willin to bet that this one will not be a problem.

    Well, I reached a milestone in my riding this weekend.  I've always had
    as a goal riding a Prix St. George test at a show, and I did it!  My
    first test had every mistake known to mankind and womankind, including
    two tempis coming down the final center line.  (You're not supposed to
    do that until Intermediare II, which is two levels higher!)  But I got
    through it, overall it was ok, I got a 52%, and 4th place out of 7
    horses.  The next day I had to ride HC because one of the judges owns
    the place where I board, but I got a 56%, and it was definitely better. 
    Now I need a new goal!

    Way to go and congratulations!

    RE: PSG test
 	VERY cool! A great way to start the show season!

    I too reached a milestone this weekend. I rode my first AHSA "A"
    rated Am Adult division and snagged a few nice ribbons in a division
    that included some really nice horses/riders. My horse is a star!

    		         .-----.                
    Kiirja		/  A_A  \       
    and	                | (~ ~) |
    "Harvard Square"    \ >\_/< /
	             |>--------'                
 

re -2 

Congratulations on your first FEI test!  That is truly a thrill!

re -1 

Kiirja & Harvard Square,  congrats on your accomplishments too!
And the show season has barely started...

Melinda

    Way to go Kiirja.  Geez, I must be out to lunch totally.  I'm hoping to
    maybe start showing in May.  *Maybe!*
    
    Mary

    Congratulations to both of you, that's great news! I must be out to
    lunch with Mary, I am hoping to start *riding* in May (if the snow in
    my ring melts by then), maybe do a small show in late June.....god, for
    enough money to build myself a private indoor arena! :-)
    

    Kiirja,
    
    Congratulations to both of you!
    
                                Amy

    
    Congratulations to both of you!  What a nice way to start the year!
    
    My season hasn't even started yet, and just reading about you guys out
    competing already is making my stomach turn over...
    
    Amy

    Congrats to all 4 of you (Sue and ?, Kiirja and Hahvahd Squayuh [see I
    haven't forgot how to talk New England ;-) ] )

	Well Saturday I managed to find transport and took Crunchie
	to a show.  Whilst there we did a dressage test.
	The marks are best forgotten - Mum was a nervous wreck and
	forgot the test part way through.
	
	So what, I can hear folks say.
	It's just that this little mare is the one mentioned in note 
	1581.10 with sesamoiditis.  Just over a year ago The vet and 
	insurance company wrote her off from riding activities.

	As you can guess my day was made. She was judged by someone who 
	didn't know her history and was seen to be as sound as a bell.  

	We have a lot of hard work in front of us by way of schooling,
	but I'm hoping that those of you noters that have helped support 
	and encourage us thus far will accept my grateful thanks.

	This is not the end, it's really only the beginning.  
    	We'll have good days and not so good days.  There may even be days
    	when we don't ride.  Every day in the saddle is a bonus.
	I also anticipate many more questions as our work progresses,
	so stand by your keyboards.

	Judy.	(Still on cloud 9)
    

    Congratulations Judy!
    
    mary

    Congrats!
    
    L-

  The July Pedlar arrived last night and I was leafing thru 
  the pages when a collage of photos (Page 75) from the spring 
  hunter shows caught my eye. Hey, there's a picture of my 
  trainer talking to somebody on a horse.

  GAK! That's ME!

    I'll have to go home and look tonight! (8

I have to let my ego have some space!

I am an adult beginner who spent three years on top of a horse.  No way was
I a 'rider' but I was having fun.  Then at the end of last summer I fell head 
over heels for this 4 year old,very large (16-1 and growing) pinto of some 
strange breed ('warmblood' and quarterhorse).

This required learning to 'ride'.  Without going through all the details, it was a
wild first couple of months.  We decided to doncentrate on dressage (which I always
said was like watching paint dry!)

Now for the bragging part:

In May, we went to Weston (small, local show) did a walk trot test (his first ever
competition).  We won.  OK, I was set to do 'walk-trot' all year.  Obviously, this
new USDF Introductory test was made for us!  But my trainer had other ideas...

So, we learned to canter and entered the Beland Schooling Show a couple of weeks
ago (much bigger show).  We did Training level, Test 1.  We had successfully cantered
about three lessons but what the heck...

We finished in second place with a 59.5% score, 1/2 percentage point out of first!

Well, there is no stopping us now!  We have let this go to our head and are 
entering our first recognized show, August 8 at Stoneleigh Burham!

So, if any of you are at Stoneleigh, the very nervous person on top of the very
big pinto is me - come on over and say hello...

    You now have the bug! Grandprix is the only cure!
    Congradulations and good luck!
    

    I have a `proud momma brag'
    
    I took my 10 week old colt to the Pinto show in New Boston NH
    and he placed 2nd and 3rd under two judges, out of 7 horses.
    The class was combined weanlings(2) and yearlings(5) so it
    was became pointed class.  The owner of Blue's sire and I were
    really excited!
    
    Michele
    
    p.s.
    
    My wedding picture was in the Pedlar twice this month pg 75 in the	
    Countryside Carriages add and on pg. 79.  The pg 79 picture
    is much clearer.  Boy were we suprised! (And Carole McDonald
    is the correct photographer not the other guy mentioned)

    
    Can I have your autograph? (;
    
    

    
    	Hi all.......!
    
    	This past week was the KACHINA Morgan Regional Championships held
    	in Albuquerque, NM.  It is very small (compared to New England,
    	or even the state Morgan shows in the northeast), but folks were
    	pleasant and the quality was very good.  People brought horses
    	from NM, Colorado, Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas.
    
    	My 3 year old mare, Buffmeadow d'Vision won her age class in hand,
    	was Sr Champion Mare and Grand Champion Mare under judge Jerry
    	Rushton.  We were (of course) delighted and excited.  It was a
    	family affair as I was able to have my sister, Katrina Benington
    	fly out from Maine to show "d.v.".... she has done all of her
    	training and showing before we moved out here last fall! 
    
    	We won some very nice things - 2 sterling silver picture frames
    	w/the Kachina logo - a beautiful plaque from AMHA - a copy of
    	the registry and ribbons.  The one that went around her neck has
    	a beautiful hand made pewter morgan ornament on it too.
    
    	Another thing that happened while Katrina was here that was
    	WONDERFUL was we started "d.v." under saddle.  She acted like
    	she had done it all her life - we saddled her - lead her
    	around the yard - Katrina got on while I held a line - we
    	walked and trotted - took the line off - and TA DA!  I now
    	have a drive AND ride horse!  And just to prove it was not
    	a fluke, I've ridden her every day out the yard, down the
    	dirt road and she LOVEs it.......
    
    	Needless to say I  have a very large smile plastered on my
    	face that even two days back at work has not been able to
    	put a dent in!
    
    	I love my horses............
    
    	smiles - h

    That's great, Holly! Sounds like you had a good week!
    
    Don't ya love the way Morgans "break" to saddle/harness? Jan & I have 
    trained about 5 from the first saddling stage and had no problems with 
    any of them.
    
    We don't usually bother actually hitching them to drive anymore because
    we stopped driving about 12 years ago. Just break 'em to saddle at 3.
    
    Some of those have left us. We told the new owners that they weren't 
    broke to drive. One of them forgot and hitched their mare up and drove 
    her one day. Like yours, she acted like she'd been doing it all her life.
    
    I know several Morgan people who have similar stories about training.
    

    Okay, I've finally done it - I bought a 5 gaited horse, Calloway's
    Press Power this weekend, before he went to Louisville later this
    month.  He's known as Bubbles to his friends and is a 4 year old going
    on 12 in his maturity.  He rides and drives beautifully, so I'm looking
    forward to a few years of wonderful gaited riding with him.  I bought
    him at Lisa Jensen's Cricket Hill Farm in Bedford, where I've watched
    him for over a year now.
    
    I last had a 5 gaited horse 20 years ago (where does time go?).
    
    Now for the horrible part - the upkeep!

    Hi Tina-
    
    What breed is your new addition?  And how would they classify
    each gait?  I'm still very interested in Icelandics which can be
    4 or 5 gaited, but they do things differently there and I'd like to 
    hear about what you've gotten into.
    
    Michele
    
    

    Bubbles is a registered American Saddlebred (his father was CH Will
    Shriver (he's dead now) and I was so excited over that, that I forgot
    to ask the dam's name.
    
    The gaits are walk, trot, canter, slow gait, and rack.  The rack being
     the same as the slow gait but faster.  The slow gait and rack
    should be performed with style appropriate to their speed.  A lot of
    horses can rack very fast, but lose their form, i.e, legs dropping
    down, not having the high leg carriage.  A lot of horses can only slow
    gait while really performing the rack - so they don't do it right -
    they are going too fast.  If they break out of the rack, they tend to
    fall right into a canter, which penalizes you in the show ring.
    
    Icelandics do the same gaits but have different names.  Of course they
    don't have the high leg carriage, but that isn't important in that
    breed and they look like a lot of fun.  I think Tolte is their name for
    the rack.
    
    I'd still like to know what I've gotten myself into! :)
    
    I'll be showing at Deerfield but not in 5 gaited this year.  He and I
    together aren't ready for it.  I'll probably be showing in the ladies three
    gaited class.
    
    Tina D.

    Another brag.....and another family affair too!
    
    I took Division 1 Adult Reserve Champion at the Northeast Fjord Horse
    show with Sigrid.
    
    My husband took Novice Draft Reserve Champion at the same show.  He
    also came in first in the Novice Draft Suitability Class (which is
    a course of cones placed very close together and you have to manuver
    the horse and large heavy log through the course w/ out knocking 
    over the tennis balls placed on top of the cones.....very tricky!!!)
    and his test was better than some of the pros!
    
    Not bad for two beginners!  
    
    I also had the opportunity to do the Adult Jump course after only 1
    real jumping lesson.  I never realized how hard the class really was, 
    and I really admire the folks who do it on a regular basis.
    
    Michele

    Congratulations at the Fjord show to both of you and Sigrid! The
    course thing your husband did sounds like a blast!
    
    I have a brag, too, from a few weeks ago. Plympy, my 17 yr old
    Standardbred mare did excellent in a hunter show. We pinned in all four
    of our classes, but the highlight for me was taking her in her very
    first 'canter' class ever...being a former harness racer, cantering
    has been a long hard road for us. She took 4th out of 10 horses, and 
    the judges comment to me was "lovely canter' !!! She seemed to have no
    notion of my mare's breeding or past life, so this was a major thrill
    for me! Then, to top it off, she WON the Adult Equ. Over Fences class!
    Judge told me I was the only rider in the class who had not hit my
    horse in the mouth over the fences....of course, they were only 2', but
    what the heck, I've never had a jumping lesson in my life, so I was
    awfully proud! 
    
    Now, back to life as an endurance team for us! :-)
    
    

    Congrats to you too, Linda!  
    
    I know exactly how you feel about taking an older horse who didn't
    canter into their first cantering class and have them  canter
    well!!!!!  It's a great achievement and a wonderful feeling!  Sigrid's
    past life had her pulling logs and harrowing fields, cantering was a
    big no, no.  She seems to enjoy it now though!  
    
    	M

    Congrats to you both!
    
    Just a mini-brag.....I was asked to be an exibitor for the
    Rehoboth Equine Expo on Sept 25th.  I will be demonstrating
    the Trail Class in the afternoon.  One of the committee members
    was at my last horse show, and approached me when she saw me
    get 1st place in Trail....
    
    Lynne

    Wow, Lynne, that sounds like a lot of fun! Enjoy yourself!
    

    Time for another brag....I drove my horse in a Powder Puff derby
    at Foxboro Park last night and finished 3rd.  It was my first time
    driving a race, and my first time behind the gate.  I'm very
    proud of her, she is starting to race really well.  In 5 starts this
    year she has a fifth, 3 thirds and a second, she's only had 7 lifetime
    starts and has been in the money 6 out of 7.  It's even better since
    I was there when she was born and have trained her every step of the
    way!

    Congratulations.. you deserve to be very proud of her and yourself.
    

	Congradulations, Linda!!  So, did you catch the bug?  Are you gonna
	get licensed?  What are you colors/design going to be?  

	Come on, inquiring minds what to know!!  There are no where
	near enough female drivers at these tracks!

	/robin

    Hi Robin,  thanks for the encouragement!  No, I think I'll leave
    the driving to the people who do it for a living.  I loved it 
    though, and if I got a chance for another powder puff, I would
    definitly do it again.  Plus the fact that all the other horses 
    were $2500 claimers that have been travelling around 2:00 or 2:01
    every week made me feel even better about my horse!

    Now your in trouble Linda, those guys looking for horse info
    for betting will be looking to you for inside info.
    Bill

    
    	I decided to try an experiment 4 weeks ago to give Ebony something
    	new to challenge him - we've gone from Western with the `required 
    	for showing' Tenn Walking Horse bit, to Hunt Seat with and eggbutt 
    	snaffle. He is already picking up a good solid TROT from the walk,
    	consistently. He still knows his running walk, but now he will trot
    	on command as well, and that to me (and him!) is an accomplishment!
    
    	Sherry

Hi All!

Louie went to his first GHJA show this weekend and showed in a Beginning
Hunter division with 2' fences.  He won every class and took home a 
championship for the division.  He was also entered in the Schooling
Hunter U/S class and won that as well.  

The next day, I rode him in a schooling show and got a championship in
an 18" crossrails division.  

After all I've been through with crazy instructors and barn owners with
nasty attitudes over the last two years (since moving to Alpharetta), this
felt *really good*!

The best part of it was that he was a perfect gentleman the entire 2 days. 

Jan

    Hi Jan,
    
    Congratulations on your "dream weekend".  It was nice meeting you in
    Alpharetta; I wish I had met Louie, too and then I could really
    envision your (all) success.
    
    Regards,
    
    John Wood

Thanks, John!  It was nice meeting you, too.  Maybe next time your out
here we can get you out to the barn to meet Louie.  

Jan

    
    I ended my show season by getting high point trophy for the
    division yesterday.  It's nice ending on a good note! (8
    
    My goal was to go to every show for my club and a local show
    for this season.
    
    My horse and I have earned "End of Year Champion" for both shows,
    and will be presented with year end trophies (don't know what the
    actual award will be yet, tho').
    
    I am so excited!
    
    Lynne and Ranger's Angel
    
    

    This is a big brag for my husband and I.....

    We attended a Dutch Keuring this weekend for Fjord Horses judged by the
    Chief Dutch Inspector Bob Von Bon and his wife Joke.

    Our Fjord mare Sigrid got the following ratings:

        o  `AA' on the Draft IBOP exam (with a 10 for harnessing, hitching,
            and acceptance of weight)
        o  `B' on the Recreation/Riding IBOP exam (again with a 10 for
            saddling, acceptance of rider)
        o   Achieved Model Mare status (1st Premium)


    We are very excited about the AA and the 10s, as neither are an 
    easy achievement.  The Keuring was fun and we learned a lot more about the
    breed and what is considered good and what are serious conformation flaws.


    Michele

    p.s.  Some background on the IBOP scoring:

    The IBOP exams have several different categories for which they are
    judged.  They are judged solely on the horse and not the rider/handler.
    a 1 would be the worst and 10 is the best.  A score of 8 is good, and
    difficult to achieve.  The majority of horses scored in the 6 to 8
    range.  Most horses got B ratings, with a few As and Cs.  Another 
    Mass. woman(Jean Rouhan) and her 3 yr old gelding got a AA in the driving 
    test.

    
    	My Tenn Walking Horse, Ebony, and I got Reserve Champion in 
    	Novice Adult Hunter division at our first hunter show this
    	weekend! The judge said she never would have guessed he is
    	a TWH because he's got such a gorgeous trot!
    
    	Sherry
    

    
    Congradulations to both Michelle and Sherry!
    
    

    I have a very minor brag on my horse Tibu and me.  We entered our first
    hunter show here in Dallas, Texas.  He is TB gelding 13 1/2 years old
    off the race track.  We entered 5 classes- 4 of which were hunt over
    jumps with (2' and 2'6") and 1 equitation.  We (mostly Tibu) did
    wonderful over the jumps, no hits, no knockdowns, and best we didn't
    get lost on the course.  Tibu was very calm and seemed to enjoy a lot. 
    Not bad for horse 2 years ago, got rid of two people- 1 broke her ankle
    and the other dislocated her shoulder.  Now we will have to work harder
    like Sherry and congradulations to you.
    
    Bruce

    That qualifies as a *major* accomplishment! Any time a horse goes from
    head case to well behaved citizen is a major success! 
    Well done, Bruce and Tibu!
    
    John

	Folks,

	Life is beginning to get back to normal, and I'm hoping
	to become a more active Noter, than I have been of late.

	Ten days ago I thought I was in heaven,and maybe miracles
	do happen.

	Crunchie and I belong to a UK organisation called Pony
	Riders Assocation of Great Britain.  It's aim is to
	promote and encourage activities for adults who ride
	ponies.  
	Much to my surprize and delight, Crunch and I qualified
	at a local show, for both the Riding Club Pony Championship 
	class and the Preliminary Dressage Championships class.  
	These, and other classes were held at the PRA National 
	Championship Show recently.

	Just to add icing to my already very rich cake - we managed
	to get placed in both finals.  9th in the Riding Club Pony 
	and an unbelivable 5th in the Dressage.

	As if that wasn't enough, the following day we were 
	representing our riding club at the BHS Area Dressage 
	competition, in the Riders Test.
	(This test is based purely on the rider who isn't allowed 
	spurs and only a short jumping stick.  Trying to motivate 
	Crunch, who knew Mum didn't have the schooling whip, was 
	very hard work).

	For those of you who have helped and supported us through the 
	the past few truamatic years THANK YOU VERY MUCH. 

	I wish everyone reading this entry, lots of fun and success
	with their equine activities. 

	Judy 
    

    Well done! I know you and Crunch have had a difficult time the past
    couple years with various injuries and things like "mud fever"(which we 
    Americans sometimes call "scratches" or "greasy heel"). This must be
    very sweet indeed! Enjoy it. You've both earned it. 
    
    John

    I finally have some good news to report, my 5 year old mare
    Right on the Money won her first race last night.  It's been
    a long road to get here, she had terrible colds as a 3 year old,
    quarter cracks, scratches and an accident as a 4 year old, and
    a heel crack as a five year old.  She was sound as a dollar, got
    the front end when the gate left and never looked back.  I know
    she isn't a speed demon but I sure was proud of her last night!
    It's really nice when all your hard work pays off!
    
    Linda

    Congrats, Linda! I love her name!
    
    - Linda
    

    Congratulations!
    

    Hey Linda that's great!  Congratulations, you deserve it!
    

    When they reward you like this - after all the traumas that have gone
    before it's a lovely.
    
    Enjoy it - and I hope there will be many more occasions like it.
    
    Well done to you both.
    
    Judy

    My husband and I competed at the 11th annual Northeast Fjord Horse
    Assoc. horse show at GMHA this past weekend.
    
    It was my first real driving show.....and I got Reserve Champion
    in the novice driving division (5-8 entries each class). The division
    consisted of a pleasure driving and reinsmanship class, Gambler's
    choice, a cones course and a cross country drive.  I'm not sure if I like 
    the driving better than the riding (although it does nothing for the ole 
    behind).  
    
    My husband did well showing in the adult draft division (against some 
    tough competition), placing in both classes.
    
    Also, they used a database I designed (on the fly w/ 3 days notice, and
    I'm not software orientated at all) to do all pre-entries and class lists 
    and judges cards (and some other stuff). 
    

    Michele,
    
    Congratulations to you, your husband, and your Fjords! Good work!
    

    My horse, "PeeWee", received 2 ROM's from the APHA (officially) last week.
    
    He had a great season this year, 5 Hi-Points, 3 Reserve Hi-Points, 10
    shows.  
    
    Karen

    What does a horse do with Read-Only-Memory boards?

    Back Bey and I just came back from the Nationals in Louisville.
    Bey was in Country Pleasure Driving and I rode him in  Country Pleasure
    AAOTR.  I'm proud to say that we made it into the Top 20 in both
    classes.  And I did most of it myself.  For the first time, my horse
    was home with me all year and only had  a 2-week driving tune up before
    leaving for Louisville.  He's such a good boy!
    
    gwen
    

    RE: 337.103
    
    That is excellent!  I know how hard you must have worked!
    
    Karen

    I just got my last 60% at Prix St. Georges, so I have now earned my
    Silver Medal from USDF.  I never thought I would do it on Gus, that
    last 60% has been elusive for over a year!  I am so proud of him.  We
    were stuck at 2nd level for 5 years!  But it was worth it to really
    learn what this collection stuff is all about.

    Congratulations Sue and Gus!
    
    It sounds like it was a long road getting there, but well worth it!
    
    Janet
    

    Even though I sold PeeWee several months ago I am very happy that he
    carried his new owner (a youth) to the Sr. Western Champion at the 
    Lakes Region Show.  This was their first show together and she was
    ecstatic!
    
    Karen
    
    

    This may seem like a wierd brag, but...
    
    I fell off last night!!
    
    And got back up and got back on!!!
    
    This from the person who had a really bad wreck a long while ago, and
    just got back started riding again last fall.  I've known the fear
    factor has a *lot* to do with how I ride - for example last week we
    were trying to figure out why I was falling forward so much.  Well, it
    was the first time in the outdoor ring (you know, the one with the
    zillion jumps) off the lunge line.  I was going into that classic fetal
    curl every time we came near a jump.  
    
    Last night we were working in the indoor without stirrups on the lunge. 
    I just plain fell off.  Landed on my hip and elbow and rolled (pretty
    graceful, says my instructor).  Assessed the damage and hopped back on.
    
    This is a really liberating thing for me.  I fell off and lived!!  
    
    Dana  
    
    

    Good for you!  I've been there and it is tough getting back on,
    especially if you've been hurt.  The first time I got back on my leg
    was shaking.

    That's a great accomplishment!
    
    I have been working our stallion for the past month.  He has been on a 
    mountain breeding mares for the past 2 years.  I would like to show him 
    this year.  Last weekend I took him to a show and rented a stall for
    the weekend and worked him in the warmup ring, etc. etc.  On Sunday my
    back muscles were so sore and my teeth hurt from being so tense and
    clenching my jaw.  My legs shake as well.
    
    K

        o   Run away with 3 times
        o   One horrible test
        o   Two mediocre ones
    
        o   I'm so tired it hurts

    re: .112  
    
    	Good for you -- to get out there and do it!  Just 
    remember to enjoy the journey (the schooling at home)
    and put the appropriate value on it.
    
    	I never get anywhere near the nice work we do at home.
    The new scenery added to mom's nervousness gets Dexter very
    edgy and tight.  And when he's edgy and tight -- canter leads
    are chosen randomly at Dexter's discretion (ie: when we
    should be walking/trotting). 
                     
    	Pat yourself on the back for being on the 'inside' of the fence.
    
    - JB

    
    I have just to tell you all that I had wonderful time at a the 
    Dressage show in Sudbury, MA.  My Sultan took 1st place in USDF
    Test 3!  He also got a 4th in USDF Test 1, and 3rd in USDF
    Test 2.  (he got better as he went along)
    
    This was a major mile stone for us.  You may remember all my horror
    stories about my upside down, short neck, short backed crazy Arab
    who *hates* going to shows.
    
    I have had some major battles w/him at shows - to the point where
    I if I had a gun, I would of killed him to put him out of MY 
    missery! :-)
    
    but, this whole past show season he has been getting better and 
    better (it only took 4 years) and this show we did not take his
    best pal Poco (which made a HUGE differance).  
    
    Sultan was cranky at first, he didn't want to leave the trailer
    area - I was getting upset so I turned him over to my friend.  We
    lead him over to the pratice area and he was doing his little
    rearing and spinning around at 100 miles an hour - but after about
    5 min - he gave in and he started to relax and work.
    
    The first Test was a breakthrough - just becasue we made it into
    the ring (that was a blue ribbon in it self) we usally have to be
    lead into the ring and then we spin :-)
    
    the next 2 test were SUPER!  We had Sultans attention the whole time.
    He did great circuls and he stretched his neck down and went round.
    
    Even if he didn't place so well, I am very happy with how well
    behavied he was.
    
    Good BOY!!
    
    Louisa

    
    I was there with Louisa. Sultan was excellent I must say!!
    
    His barn mate, Zak, and I took 4th in our first USDF Intro Test 3.  
    We didn't get the right lead canter, which I had expected anyways, 
    but all in all, he did a respectable job in the rest of the test.
    
    After no right lead, I just finnished my test with a big smile on my
    face! What else can you do?? :>)
    
    Zak and his owner took a first place in USDF Test 1.
    
    Mary
    
    
    

As a long time avid reader of this notes conference I find
it great to be able to contribute something.

My wonderful, talented etc etc.. Paint gelding Apache Magnum
(Mags) has taken me from beginner to
 
Champion Amateur Western Pleasure
Champion Amateur Western Equitation
Reserve Champion Amateur Western Horsemanship
Reserve Champion Open English Pleasure and
High Point Amateur Owner 

at this years Paint Championships held last weekend.  

I appreciate that these championships are a long way (Queensland,
Australia) from the heart of the "western birthplace" but competition
here is very serious.  It has taken me 3 years of learning
and training to win my first major competition but boy was
it sweet.



Angela

    Congratulations Angela!  It sounds like you worked very hard with your
    painted friend.  
    
    I took my Paint in Hunter Hack this past weekend for the first time. 
    With the exception of practicing last week, I haven't been over fences
    in 15 years!  I almost chickened out but I'm glad I didn't we got a
    first, and 3 seconds.  I know the fences are only 2'6" but they seem
    higher once you turn 21...
    
    Karen
    

I took Mags in Hunter Hack for the first time too at the 
Championships, I didn't do as well as you but I was so pleased 
I didn't fall off.  I only did it for the extra points and almost
chickened out as well.

I was so stressed at facing the jumps people thought
I was going to have a coronary.  Mags will jump anything 
but only uses as much energy as he has to and tapped 
one of the poles so we placed third.  I have vowed to
practise... (maybe).

Well done on finding the courage to go four classes I couldn't
have.


Angela

    RE: -1, I wasn't that courageous it was only 2 classes with 2 judges!
    
    Karen

    
    Did my first training level test on my friends horse, Poco.  Out of 14
    riders, Poco and I came in sixth!!!
    
    I was very pleased, even though I forgot to complete my canter circle,
    I was happy! :>)
    
    Mary
    

This weekend was a horse weekend.  Saturday we did a Dressage show at
Broadacres in Sudbury, MA and Sunday was a hunter pace in Weston.

Saturday, I was very pleased with Sultan.  He did the best he's ever done. 
It only took him about 15min (vs. his usual hour) to calm down and not want 
to run to his stablemate and to fully concentrate on me.  Sultan was very 
round and forward (but alittle tense in the ring) we placed 4th in USDF 
w/t Test 1 and 3rd in USDF w/t Test 2.  I feel confidant enough now to 
do the ASHA test next year!

Sunday, the hunterpace was a big success.  Usually Sultan is a tad nervous 
and he hates other horses running up behind him - and he loves to just tag 
along behind others.  But yesterday, (after lots of work over the summer) 
he had a blast!  He wanted AND begged to be first!  He was not spooky at 
anything at all (bring on the geese/sheep and cows)  Heck, he didn't even 
give a second look to the bright yellow warning tape flapping in the wind 
that was marking off a tennis court - and he had fun - you  could tell.  We 
didn't win the pace, heck we didn't even place - we were 15min to fast off 
the opt' time :-) but, my horse was well behaved and he had fun!

Lou

    My favorite horse finished his Superior in Western Pleasure this fall.
    It was my intent that we might do it before Labor Day, needing only 6
    pts. but it took 2 more shows.  I am really pleased with the fact that
    in an extremely competitive environment he was able to come back
    out of retirement after not being ridden for 2 years and still win at 8
    years old.  I know that is not old, but you don't see Pleasure horses
    still showing and winning in Western Pleasure at 8 years old!  Sad, but
    true.  
    
    The really fun part was the fact that the only horses he had seen in
    the past 2 years were his for the breeding!  Try and explain that one!
    
    Karen

    
    Well I didn't know where to put this - so.  My friend Carolyn sold her
    horse Poco and she just bought a 4yr old reg Morgan, reg Buckskin, his
    name is Gem.  He passed his vet check today, so he is officially
    hers/ours :-)
    
    So far he has been a good boy.  He came to us last Friday night at
    8:30pm and he seattled in just fine.  The  next morning he went out in
    the pasture with our baby Comet and Zak, everyone got along super!
    
    He is 4, so he has to learn a few things (like this is my space and
    that is yours) but other then that he's cool.
    
    Like I  said in another note, his color is cool.  It's real hard to
    explain - he's a cross between a Guella/Dunn/Buckskin.  His papers say
    reg Buckskin/color:Dunn - our vet was not even sure how to say what
    his color is, so we seattled on Oatmeal Buckskin
    
    Well, that's it. 
    
    boy this file is D E A D
    
    lou

    Lou,
    
    	It's not DEAD, it just quiet! :)
    
    	Part of the problem is different breed have different
    criteria/names for the same colors. IE, to me a red horse is a
    chestnut, and not many would disagree, but the TWH people don't
    recognize chestnut, they call it sorrel. Funny, I thought sorrel was
    chestnut with white mixed [or is that stawberry roan?]. So, my point
    is, it all depends on what breed you have and who you're talking to.
    
    	I could get you the QH criteria on buckskin vs dun, a friend of
    mine owns a buckskin QH stallion so she's done a lot of research on
    this. I am digging deep into a shallow pit of memory cells here, but
    I think I recall that buckskins have black skin and duns do not. 
    
    	I'm surprised John D hasn't jumped in here. Where are you John??
    
    Sherry

    
    Hi Sherry,
    
    I've been on the web searching out every inch of info on Dunn and
    Buckskin I could find, complete with pitchers - he really does not
    match any of cirtiera - he's just a cool color.  He has a ton of black
    hairs all over his body, this is why we think the Oatmeal buckskin is
    the good description (it was the only one close enough).  But we really
    don't care.  Just as long as he's nice and sweet we're happy.  and so
    far we are happy.
    
    But we did have a heart wrenching moment last Saturday.  Poco was in a
    lesson just before we were to take him to his new home, and his best
    buddy in the whole world (my horse Sultan) was just coming in for a
    lesson when they saw each other (Sultan lives at Maplewood for the
    winters) and they each let out a cute whinnie.  Well, I broke down into
    tears infront of everyone.  All that was going through my mind was
    "Sultan and Poco will never see each other again"   We brought them
    together to say goodbye and they started to lick tongs (they love to
    do that).  Then we took Poco to his new home.. it was just so sad!
    
    I wish you could see Poco and Sultan together, is is unreal.  They
    really LOVE each other.  No matter how much time passes (when Sultan is
    away for the winters) they NEVER forgot one another.  
    
    I hope Sultan will like Gem, but I know he will never have a friend
    like Poco.
    
    Lou

    
    	Oh, that is sad... Maybe they'll see each other at rides/shows? Or
    would that be worse?
    
    	I saw a morgan like you describe years ago, peanut butter was the
    only color I could think of. I don't think he had black points though.
    
    Sherry
    

    >I'm surprised John D hasn't jumped in here. Where are you John??
    
    I'm around. And, I did put in my $0.02 worth in the Morgan topic
    when it first came up. The short version is the Morgan registry
    doesn't care what color you call *any* horse...they just put what you
    say on the papers...and lots of folks don't know the difference
    between dun and buckskin so the papers aren't "authoritative"
    when it comes to color...
    
    John