And why I never seem to get away from work.

Adam Spence and Blake Dobson in Colorado's Rawah Wilderness, headed to California. (Journal photo)

So I went hiking Sunday morning (July 12, 2009) with my friends, deep in the Rawah Wilderness in Colorado’s northern Rocky Mountains. We were north of Cameron Pass, following a trail through aspen groves, high mountain meadows and spruce tipped with fresh green.

We were hoping to see moose.

Instead, we saw what looked like American Quarter Horses. We ran into two guys, horseback, with a nice string of six, one horse packing gear: Duns, roan, gray, bay and palomino. And a cute heeler puppy named Maggie gamboling about, learning how to be smart on the trail by being a little silly first. She and my dog Tucker were instant best buds and almost got kicked for it. Read the rest of this entry »

Denny Hales is sorely missed at this year’s Region Four Experience.

Show committee chairman Bruce Brown adjusts a jump to prepare for a working hunter class at the Region Four Experience.

Last year, when I covered the Region Four Experience in Columbus, Ohio, I was impressed by how smoothly it ran. So, I did a story with the organizers, discussing how they took representatives from five affiliates — Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, West Virginia, Indiana and Ontario — and melded them into one big, well-oiled show committee that knew how to take care of business.

A true spirit of teamwork was the key, Denny Hales told me. He made sure I interviewed other key people in an effort to spread the credit around. But without exception, they all credited Denny, the executive vice president of the Ohio Quarter Horse Association.

“Denny’s the kingpin,” one said.

Read the rest of this entry »

Sam King was a legend in his own right.

By Jim Bret Campbell of The American Quarter Horse Journal

Sam King's get excelled at events like polo and racing.

Most American Quarter Horse historians know the stories of foundation horses like Steel Dust, Shiloh, Old Billy and Cold Deck. While thumbing through some of the first copies of The Quarter Horse Journal, I ran across the story of a horse that many claimed to be superior or at least equal to those other early sprinters.

Sam King was foaled in the Texas Hill Country in 1910. By Hondo, a son of John Crowder by Bill Fleming, Sam King was broke to saddle at age 3. In the April 1953 issue of the Journal, Sam King was remembered this way: ” ‘Sam’ was a top cow horse in the days when this country was full of good cow horses, a racehorse in his own rights and a sire of outstanding racehorses, cow horses and polo mounts of international caliber.” Read the rest of this entry »

Kids, horses and crystal lizards

Mira Clavecilla shows off her lizard-themed show outfit. Notice that it matches perfectly the blue ribbon hanging from her saddle horn.

Let’s be honest here: I’m a sucker for cute kids on big horses. And when they’re dressed up in lime-green chaps, or blingy orange, well, my camera just can’t stop clicking away.

So, I was having a grand time photographing the small-fry horsemanship class at the Region Four Experience in Columbus, Ohio, on Thursday. There were outfits in hot pink, buttery yellow, even a couple of little boys who were decked out in proper little button-up shirts and ties. And then … then, I saw the lizard.

Actually, the lizard’s owner won the small-fry horsemanship class. It was 10-year-old Mira Clavecilla of Mogadore, Ohio, who very skillfully piloted Shez Gone Gold, or “Goldie,” to the win. Please note the belt buckle in the photo at right.

Mira giggled when I mentioned it. Her mom, Read the rest of this entry »

When AQHA’s Regional Experiences began in 2005, I was lucky to be assigned to the Region Six, which that year was in Skowhegan, Maine.

Brandon Currier has been working the Region Six Experience since its inception in 2005. However, this year was the first time he showed in it and ended up winning two champion belt buckles with his halter horses. (Journal photo)

I ate lobster at least twice, admired the beautiful Maine landscape and enjoyed the upper New England weather. But most of all, I fell in love with the people of Region Six. They were just genuine, down-home folks out having a good time at this new kind of horse show AQHA was putting on.

I met my first French Canadian, Christian Beauchemin of Blainville, Quebec, who shared lots of wine with me and tried to teach me a few French words.

There was Donna Rosciti, who approached past AQHA President Frank Howell about an idea of starting a World Show-type event for the novice and run-of-the-mill exhibitor and started the whole idea for the Regional Experiences.

I also hung around with fellow journalist Barbara Breed, who worked for a small New England Read the rest of this entry »

Watch your favorite horse-related shows online, on demand and FREE!

AQHA is broadcasting America’s Horse TV in a free, convenient format on the Web.

“AQHA recognizes the new trend in television,” said Tom Persechino, AQHA executive director of marketing and communications. “No longer do people make an appointment to stay home and watch their favorite show. Instead, they digitally record the show or go online to watch it at their convenience. In response to the growing online television market, AQHA is getting on board to provide everyone with the same access to America’s Horse TV.”

Read the rest of this entry »

As the weather gets warmer, you need to be cautious of the effect of heat on your horses.

From The American Quarter Horse Journal

Keeping your horses hydrated is particularly important during the summer months.

Summer is picture-perfect weather, putting outdoor riding at the top of American Quarter Horse owners’ lists of favorites. But the effects of hot weather can be brutal to our equine friends. When temperatures soar into the 90s and 100s, your horses’ health can quickly cross into the danger zone, especially when exercising.

Heat builds up during exercise and must be released. In hot conditions, avoid heat stress, which can progress to heat stroke, by observing your horse’s condition and minimizing excessive exercise.

Dehydration

Dehydration is an unmistakable sign of heat exhaustion. When a horse loses water through perspiration faster than it can be replaced, he becomes dehydrated. A simple “pinch” test can help you determine if your horse is dehydrated. Pinch a small section of skin on your horse’s neck or shoulder and release. If the skin snaps back into place, your horse is in the clear. If there is a delay, he could be dehydrated. Read the rest of this entry »

Hello, everyone!

Despite the rainy weather in Bad Sassendorf, Germany, we have successfully completed the camp. When we arrived in Germany, it was sunny and warm, but the day before the camp was cold and wet. Nevertheless, the camp participants and instructors refused to let the rain stop them.

It rained all night before the first day of the camp, so we were unable to use the outdoor pen the first part of the day. Based on rider experience, we decided to divide the 26 participants into three groups, the largest group consisting of nine people. One group would ride in the indoor pen, while the other two groups moved Read the rest of this entry »

Your show-ring apparel can make or break your score.

Make the best impression in the show ring.

By Jody Reynolds of The American Quarter Horse Journal

Whether consciously or subconsciously, judges are influenced by your “whole image,” which includes your color, fabric and design choices. If your show outfit clashes with your horse, you’re probably putting your total image at a big disadvantage.

Work of Art

While no outfit or color combination will compensate for a lack of preparation and practice, a perfectly planned outfit gives you the extra edge you need in difficult competition.
Read the rest of this entry »

Injuries to joints are some of the most common lameness problems in sport horses.

Question:

I’ve been told my horse has a bone chip in his knee. What can we do to help him?

Answer:

Injuries to joints are one of the most common lameness problems in sport horses. The most common injuries are bone chips (intra-articular chip fractures) in the knee (carpus) and ankle (fetlock) joint or inflammation of the Read the rest of this entry »

Use a fence to practice your saddling technique.

From AQHA’s “Fundamentals of Horsemanship”

Most horsemen have gone through the frustration that comes from trying to throw a saddle on your horse before it becomes rote muscle memory. Here, “Fundamentals of Horsemanship” offers a way to help you develop your saddling technique so that eventually you’ll be spared the agony that can come with saddling. All you’ll need for this lesson are a saddle and a fence.

While standing in front of a fence, place the inside of the saddle against your hip bone, the seat facing outward with the straps or D’s at the girth or cinch almost touching your hip bone. Read the rest of this entry »

Charlie Hemphill answers questions about Incentive Fund changes in 2010.

We’ve had a few questions that have arisen after my recent post on AQHA’s introductory shows. The following is from AQHA’s Senior Director of Shows Charlie Hemphill:

The introductory shows are not intended to qualify people for the World Show but instead, as the name implies, be an introduction to AQHA classes. The AQHA show department has reviewed the entries at the introductory shows and at this time has not found anyone abusing these shows to get qualified for the World Shows. Show Management has the Read the rest of this entry »