EXPERT TRAINING FOR REINERS AND RIDERS OF ALL AGES

Oklahoma City, OK – January 18, 2010 – Two NRHA Million Dollar Riders are coming to Eagle Point, Oregon. The 2010 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Regional Clinics are coming to the Northwest Region. May 29th & 30th NRHA Professionals Tom McCutcheon and Todd Bergen will once again hold a clinic to benefit reiners of all ages and experience levels at Pheasantbrook LLC. Arena.

NRHA Million Dollar Rider, Tom McCutcheon of Aubrey, Texas comes from a long list of Reining greats. McCutcheon won his first Limited Open Derby in 1995 and by 2006 he reached the Million Dollar mark. He has had numerous awards at the NRHA Futurity and Derby often placing in the coveted Top Ten standings. McCutcheon has also been a pivotal member of the USA teams who have gone on to win Gold at the World Equestrian Games in Spain in 2002. Hometown hero Todd Bergen will also be donating his time to help support the future of reining. NRHA Million Dollar Rider, Bergen is no stranger to championships as well. Winning the Limited Open championship at the Futurity in 1994 and turning around to win the Open Futurity Championship in 1995 it was no wonder he was able to reach Million Dollar status by 2004. He has become a staple with multiple NRHA Derby and Futurity victories.

This is the fifth year the NRHA has organized the clinics to help raise funds for the National Reining Horse Youth Association (NRHyA). The clinics are designed to help anyone who is interested in learning more about reining horses, the Reining business and the NRHA. The one-on-one training that participants receive is tailored to each individual’s needs. Every clinic consists of two one-day clinics giving participants the opportunity to attend either or both days as they prefer.

Participants from all disciplines learn by doing and also by watching other reiners during the hands-on sessions. “The amount of advice and knowledge that’s passed along is phenomenal. I’ll learn more here in one afternoon than I would in a week with a book or a video,” said Rick Finkler, NRHyA Regional Clinic participant. Another participant, Ashley Bosack, commented, “I love learning new things and having different trainers teach you. It’s been really fun.”

Space is limited so sign up as soon as possible. All the proceeds go to support the NRHyA scholarships, programs and youth activities. The cost is $250 for youth riders participating both days or $150 per day. Adults are encouraged to participate with an entry of $450 for both days or $250 per day. Auditors are welcome to attend for $25 per day. For more information or to register for a clinic, please contact Manager of Youth & Outreach Programs Brian Bendele at (405) 946-7400 ext. 130 or bbendele@nrha.com

If you would like more information about the NRHyA, go to www.nrhya.com or contact Manager of Youth Programs & Outreach Brian Bendele at bbendele@nrha.com (405) 946-7400, ext. 130.

NORTHWEST EXTREME MUSTANG MAKEOVER HEADED TO ALBANY

HINES, Oregon – For the second year in a row, the Extreme Mustang Makeover
challenge is headed to the Northwest Horse Fair and Expo in Albany, Oregon.
This thrilling competition will take place over three days, culminating in
a fantastic freestyle event in front of a standing room-only crowd. The
Mustang Makeover is set for March 19-21, leaving mustang trainers less than
two weeks to put the final touches on their once-wild Oregon mustangs.

The Northwest event is a spin-off of the highly successful Extreme Mustang
Makeover held first in Texas in 2007. The Mustang Heritage Foundation, a
501(c) 3 nonprofit organization, in cooperation with the Bureau of Land
Management (BLM), created the Extreme Mustang Makeover events in order to
recognize and highlight the value of Mustangs through a national training
competition.

The Mustang Makeover events give the public a unique opportunity to see the
results of wild horses becoming trained mounts. It is a great way to
display the beauty, versatility and trainability of the rugged horses that
roam freely on public lands throughout the West.

Over 30 trainers from Oregon and Washington picked up their “to-be-tamed”
horses at BLM’s Wild Horse Corral Facility in Hines the first weekend in
December 2009. From there, it has been a race to the finish: who can best
train and show their mustang at the Northwest Extreme Mustang Makeover
Challenge.

Trainers and fans alike gather at the Linn County Fair and Expo Center in
Albany beginning March 19. The Mustang Makeover is one of the opening
events for the Annual Northwest Horse Show and Expo. The Mustang Makeover
events are as scheduled as follows:

· Friday, March 19, 6:00 p.m.: Oregon mustangs will be on competitive
display. Trainers are evaluated on the body condition of their mustangs,
as well as their ability to handle the horse "in hand" through a series of
maneuvers including picking up the horse’s feet, maneuvering it through
obstacles and loading it into a trailer.

· Saturday, March 20, 5:30 p.m.: trainers mount their animals and
complete a "horse course" that includes a series of obstacles and requires
the trainer to demonstrate the level of competency the horse has
accomplished.

· Sunday, March 21, 10:30 a.m.: The top ten finalists compete in a
freestyle event, followed immediately by an awards presentation and
competitive bid adoption for the trained mustangs.

For ticket information, go to www.extrememustangmakeover.com or call the
event manager at (512) 869-3225.

Only qualified adopters – those who have registered and been approved to
adopt through the Wild Horse Program – will be able to participate in the
competitive bid adoption. Registration and approval can occur onsite at
the Northwest Horse Fair and Expo before bidding begins, or ahead of time
by mailing an application to BLM Wild Horse Program, 28910 Hwy 20 West,
Hines, Oregon 97738. Those who apply by mail will need to check in at
BLM’s mustang vendor booth upon arrival at the Mustang Makeover event.

All horse enthusiasts are encouraged to consider adopting a mustang. Their
stamina, hardiness, and quick intelligence make Oregon’s wild horses
excellent partners for any discipline.

For more information on the Northwest Extreme Mustang Makeover, call the
Burns District BLM Office at (541) 573-4400. Additional information about
the Wild Horse program is also available online at:
www.blm.gov/or/districts/burns/wildhorse/index.php.


About the BLM:
The BLM manages more land – 253 million surface acres – than any other
Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is
primarily located in 12 Western States, including Alaska. The Bureau, with
a budget of about $1 billion, also administers 700 million acres of
sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM’s multiple-use
mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for
the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Bureau
accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation,
livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by
conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on public
lands.

Wild horses and burros are managed in Oregon in accordance with the Wild
Free Roaming Horse and Burro Act of 1971. This act gave the Bureau of Land
Management the responsibility to protect wild horses and burros while
ensuring their populations are managed to maintain or restore a thriving
ecological balance.




tara

Horse Event in Sisters this weekend

On behalf of Shari Maguire at Rolling M Ranch in Sisters...

Western Pleasure Demo & Hands On Clinic - Saturday, March 13, 2010 - Sisters

Event Date(s): Saturday, March 13, 2010

Event Time(s): 10am to 1pm

Event Venue: Rolling M Ranch

Event Location: 69516 Hinkle Butte Rd, Sisters OR 97759

Is your horse a pleasure to ride? Learn from the master; one hour demonstration, followed by a hand-on clinic. Shari will teach the methods she uses to quite the mind and body, so that you and your horse can enjoy the ride. All disciplines welcome.

Bring your horse. $10 Haul-In Fee.

Demonstration and Clinic is FREE

Weather Permitting

This is a "No Dog" facility, please leave your pets at home. Call Shari at (541) 549-6962 for more information

Contact: Shari Maguire,

Shari@RollingMRanch.com or (541) 549-6962, http://www.RollingMRanch.com

OR/WA Wild Horse Program Update - March 2010

INTERNET ADOPTION STARTS MARCH 10!!
The next internet adoption starts Wednesday March 10. Get your online
applications submitted an start scouting the 36 Oregon mustangs
available... you'll find LOTS of South Steens PINTOS and other colors like
palomino, strawberry roan, red roan and buckskin. As you scroll through
the pictures, pretend its not March in eastern Oregon...pretend its not wet
and muddy around here, and pretend these beauties have shed their winter
coats and are all slicked off!!! Don't be deterred by the shaggy coats and
muddy socks... these mustangs will CLEAN UP NICE! The internet adoption
site and online gallery can be found at:
www.blm.gov/adoptahorse/onlinegallery.php.

PACIFIC NORTHWEST EXTREME MUSTANG MAKEOVER.... approaching quickly!
Returning to the Northwest Horse Fair & Expo for the second year, this
thrilling competition will take place over three days, culminating in a
fantastic freestyle event in front of a standing room-only crowd! Adoption
immediately to follow! Event schedule:
Friday, 6:00pm: Round 1, In Hand Competition
Saturday, 5:30pm: Round 2, Obstacle Course
Sunday, 10:30am: Freestyle Finals, Winners Announcement, &
Competitive Bid Adoption


*Featuring 30 mustangs gentled and trained in less than 100
days!
*ALL events held in the SilverLite Arena
*For ticket information, go to extrememustangmakeover.com or
call 512-869-3225




Looking forward to seeing you all at the MAKEOVER!

IN OTHER NEWS...
- Thanks to everyone who came out to our COLORFEST adoption in February.
We had fairly nice weather...although a bit cold... and a great turnout!
We adopted 17 horses and placed a handful more into the TIP program or to
be gentled by volunteers for a future adoption event. THANKS AGAIN to
those of you who made the trip!

- We have a wonderful volunteer from Central Oregon who is considering
painting a mural on one of our corral buildings this spring - - I'll be
sure to send pictures of the finished product... hope you can all come out
and see it! Thanks "M" for volunteering! Let's be in touch. Also thanks
to those of you who've volunteered to work at the Makeover event in Albany.
WE APPRECIATE YOU!!


HAPPY MARCH EVERYONE! Spring is right around the corner!



tara

All-Inclusive Ranch Resort Announces New 2010 Cowboy Round-up and Vintner Packages

Darby, Montana – February 2010 – Punxsutawney Phil may have predicted
a longer winter, but there’s no better place to celebrate spring than
in Montana. Triple Creek Ranch has announced the 2010 dates for its
Third Annual Spring Roundup and Seventh Annual Spring Vintners Series.
Over five weekends in May and June, Montana’s premier Relais &
Châteaux member property invites guests to saddle up cowboy-style or
swirl some serious wines from leading U.S. vintners.

Third Annual Spring Roundup

Triple Creek Ranch’s popular Round-up puts guests into a cowboy frame
of mind as they learn about horses, move and brand cattle, and
experience first-hand the excitement of a rodeo. Scheduled May 2-6,
the action-packed five-day/four-night Spring Round-up package includes
a day of learning cowboy basics, a day for branding and a rodeo day.
All meals, beverages, house wines and spirits are included.
All-inclusive, per-couple rates range from $3,150 for a cedar cabin to
$4,350 for a luxury cabin for the four-night program.

The itinerary begins with a Welcome Reception with Triple Creek Ranch
wranglers and Jimmy, the local hatter. Cowboy Basics Day teaches
guests the parts of the horse, catching and saddling the horse, and
mounting and riding a horse. Participants will also observe rope
handling by the Triple Creek cowboys, with on-the-job roping lessons
available. On Branding Day, guests herd and sort the cows, as well as
wrestle and brand the calves. The Round-up culminates in Rodeo Day
where aspiring ranchers can put their new or refined riding skills to
the test with timed events such as barrel racing and pole bending.

At the end of each day, guests return to the privacy of their cabin to
unwind in front of the fireplace, enjoy a couple’s massage and sip
champagne in their hot tub. Guests also enjoy a nightly candlelit
dinner in the Lodge’s award-winning dining room, featuring Executive
Chef Jacob Leatherman’s inspired regional and seasonal cuisine
selections, as well as complimentary cocktails in the Rooftop Lounge.

Seventh Annual Spring Vintners Series

Triple Creek Ranch’s Seventh Annual Spring Vintners Series runs May
through June, with an award-winning winery showcased on each of four
weekends. Each weekend includes wine tastings with visiting vintners,
wine pairing dinners, plus outdoor and indoor activities ranging from
fly-fishing and horseback riding to couple’s massages. The
four-day/three-night program dates are May 14-17, 20-23, 27-30 and
June 3-6, 2010. This year’s visiting vintners are Flora Springs, a
three-generation, family-run vintner; Chappellet, known for their
award-winning Cabernets; Koenig Vineyards, producer of hand-crafted
varietal wines in Idaho’s Snake River Valley; and Fidelitas, a vintner
loyal to Bordeaux’s winemaking techniques renowned for its Cabernet
Sauvignon. Rates begin at $1,950 per couple, based on double
occupancy for the three-night weekend.

For more information and reservations, contact Triple Creek Ranch by
phone at 406-821-4600, 800-654-2943, e-mail at
info@triplecreekranch.com, or via any travel agent. Visit online at
www.triplecreekranch.com.



About Triple Creek Ranch



Rated the #1 US hotel in Travel + Leisure’s 2009 “T+L 500” as well as
the #1 US hotel for service and # 3 hotel worldwide by Travel +
Leisure in 2009, Triple Creek Ranch is a Relais & Châteaux member
property and an Orvis-endorsed fly-fishing lodge and resort. Set
against a backdrop of the Montana Rockies, Triple Creek Ranch is a
favored all-inclusive luxury getaway for couples who appreciate a
balance of rest, romance and outdoor recreation with exquisite
service, an extensive wine cellar and innovative cuisine.
Accommodations in 23 luxury log cabins with fireplace (most with
private hot tub); all meals, snacks and beverages (including hearty
breakfasts and multi-course candlelit gourmet dinners with house wines
and cocktails) are all included. Children 16 and over are welcome.

HRTV PRESENTS "RIDIN' HIGH AMERICA" AS PART OF EQUESTRIAN PROGRAMMING ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22

Arcadia, CA, Feb. 18, 2010 -- "Ridin' High America," an entertaining 30-minute show highlighting many adventures and happenings in the world of horses, will premiere on HRTV (R) on Monday, February 22.

HRTV's commitment to Equestrian programming moves into its third week, and "Ridin' High America" will air on the network at 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT. While the show will debut on Monday evenings, it will also re-air on Tuesdays, and the following Sunday.

The opening episode of "Ridin' High America" features the Colorado Horse Drive, where wranglers go on a two-day drive to bring over 400 head of horses in from their summer pasture.

Upcoming episodes of "Ridin' High America" feature a wide-range of entertaining, horse-related topics, including: Arabians handled by talented riding instructors, old-time barrel racing, Women's Pro Rodeo, an inside look at the horses at Turf Paradise, and much more.

"The addition of 'Ridin' High America' to the HRTV line-up of horse sports programming speaks to the needs of many discriminating TV viewers who are looking for wholesome, family-friendly programming," said Jim Bates, HRTV's executive vice president and general manager. "This U.S.-based series will educate, inform and entertain horse lovers throughout world."

"The 'Ridin' High America' series was developed by 'horse people' to build upon, and keep alive, an important part of the American culture, the horse," said Elaine Klugman, producer at Phoebus Productions. "We are delighted with the opportunity to tell these contemporary horse stories on HRTV."

Through true stories of people and their horses, "Ridin' High America" explores the special characteristics and personalities of many diverse equine breeds, and the people who love them. The informative programming provided through the "Ridin' High America" series highlights all types of riding styles, too -- from Western to English and Arabian to Quarterhorse.

HRTV, which carries horseracing from many of the sport's top venues, will add a wide-variety of Equestrian programming, highlighting both major international and US-based competitions, as well as documentaries and
instructional shows, in the months ahead. New Equestrian programming will debut on Monday evenings, both in the morning and primetime on Tuesdays, and on Sunday mornings.

About HRTV
HRTV (www.hrtv.com) is a 24-hour, television-based multimedia network dedicated to the "Sport of Kings," horseracing, featuring live racing action from many of the sport's greatest racetracks. Passionate horse fans are also entertained and informed by HRTV's award-winning documentaries, original programming, in-depth analysis and equestrian lifestyle programming. The live stream of HRTV is available on a subscription basis at www.hrtvlive.com to high speed internet users worldwide. The HRTV television network is presently available via cable, telco video and satellite in 19 million US homes.

Five Abandoned Horses- Including Two Mothers and Their Babies are in desperate Need of Help

Two female mother horses with babies by their side were found abandoned in Sacramento County in December. Sacramento County Animal Care & Regulation has been caring for them, but despite outreach efforts, no one has shown any interest in adopting them.

Who: Sacramento County Animal Care & Regulation and the Grace Foundation of Northern California
What: 5 horses need good permanent homes or sponsorship to help care for them until homes can be found.
When: Please come visit the horses and talk with Animal Care Director Pat Claerbout and Grace Foundation Director Beth DeCaprio. Interviews available anytime.
Where: Sacramento County Animal Care & Regulation 3839 Bradshaw Road Sacramento, Ca.
Contact: Pat Claerbout- (916)875-5051
Beth DeCaprio (916)396-2768 or (916)941-0800, beth@thegracefoundationofnorcal.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 16, 2010
Five horses, (two of which are mother horses with young babies by their side), have been at the Sacramento County Animal Shelter since December and despite advertising efforts, no one has shown interest in adopting them.

“While the Sacramento County Animal Care & Regulation Department can investigate, seize and provide emergency care for abandoned and neglected horses, we cannot provide long term care nor do we have the resources and experience to ensure optimum horse adoptions,” said Pat Claerbout, Animal Shelter Director. “Our partnership with The Grace Foundation helps with assessment, long term care and with placement.” The Grace Foundation has already taken one horse that was severely neglected and is providing care and treatment , Claerbout added.


While the Grace Foundation of Northern California typically allows the horses additional time and training until homes can be found, they are currently home to 150 horses and taking more is not possible without help.

“Each new horse cost sour organization more than $2,500 per year,” said Executive Director Beth DeCaprio. “With adoptions slowing and neglect on the rise, it is a struggle to take on more.” These horses could easily cost our organization an additional $25,000 plus this year and we simply do not have the funds to care for them, DeCaprio added.

At the first of the year The Grace Foundation assumed responsibility for an ailing non-profit organization – Ride and Shine – that offered therapeutic programs for Children with special needs. “We are trying to help everywhere we can in the community, but without additional assistance we simply cannot spread ourselves out any more,” DeCaprio said.
Both organizations are hoping that people will come forward to adopt the horses, or donate to the Grace Foundation to enable them to take these horses. Please help us to let the community know about these horses plight.

To visit the horses please contact: Pat Claerbout (916) 875-5051 or Beth DeCaprio (916) 396-2768 or (916) 941-0800

Trilogy Ambassador Adrienne Lyle’s Winning Streak Continues

Thermal, CA (February 16, 2010) – Adrienne Lyle, the 2008 National Brentina Cup Champion, was on fire during Thermal’s Dressage Getaway show, winning Grand Prix’s with both of her horses and earning top scores aboard all of her mounts. Lyle, an Ambassador for Trilogy Dressage Saddles, competed at the Dressage Getaway in Thermal in January and continued her winning streak in February at Thermal’s Dressage Getaway CDI.
“I was thrilled with my horses during January’s show. Wizard and Felix came back two days in a row and put in really consistent tests,” Lyle said. “I was first and second in the Grand Prix classes both days. It was really wonderful.”
Lyle and Wizard earned a score of 80.213% in January’s Grand Prix, followed closely by Lyle and Felix with a score of 78.936%. “We flip-flopped because the day before Felix won the class with a 76.809% and Wizard came in second with a 72.128%,” Lyle said.
In addition to riding Wizard and Felix in Trilogy Dressage Saddles, Lyle also rides her Prix St. Georges mount, Whidbey, and her Third Level horse, Wenesa, in Trilogy saddles. Lyle kept the big scores going with Whidbey and Wenesa during the Dressage Getaway, earning a 78.947% and 71.842% in the Prix St. Georges classes with Whidbey. She also won two Third Level classes aboard Wenesa with scores of 78.205% and 69.231%.
During February’s Dressage Getaway CDI, an official qualifying competition and selection trials for the 2010 World Equestrian Games, Lyle and Felix won the Grand Prix de Dressage with a score of 69.62% and the Grand Prix Special with a score of 69.37%. Lyle and Wizard also placed fourth in the Grand Prix de Dressage.
Lyle, who works as the assistant trainer to Olympian Debbie McDonald at River Grove Farm, began her career with Debbie as a working student. “For the past four years I have been working with Debbie, training and showing horses for the Thomas family,” Lyle said.
Lyle and McDonald are both Ambassadors for Trilogy Dressage Saddles and Lyle said she enjoys her relationship with Trilogy President Debbie Witty. “Debbie is wonderful, she works on my horse’s saddles every few months to make sure they are fitting correctly. As the horses become stronger, and more fit, their bodies change and Debbie adjusts the saddles accordingly,” Lyle said.
Lyle rides in the Amadeo Trilogy Saddle and said the saddle places her in a position that allows her to use her seat and aids correctly and more effectively. “The Amadeo has a moderately deep seat which gives me a secure place to sit without making me feel restricted. In addition, the quality and craftsmanship of Trilogy Saddles is exceptional,” she said.
Witty, a qualified saddle fitter from the Society of Master Saddlers of England, has developed an eye for detail along with an understanding of training and the ability to see how the rider, saddle and the horse are all affected by each other. Her Trilogy Dressage Saddles are built in England by some of the most experienced craftsmen in the world. For more information on Trilogy Saddles or their sponsored riders, visit their website at www.trilogysaddles.com.

Verdugo Hills and Lake View Shows Team Up

Langer Equestrian Group kicked off its 2010 show season at the Hansen Dam Equestrian Center on January 30th and 31st with a new model: Lake View runs two rings on one day with classes approved by Tri Valley Horse Shows Association, LAHJA B, and San Fernando Hunter/Jumper Association B. Meanwhile, the Verdugo Hills shows are approved by USEF, USHJA, LAHJA A, and San Fernando Hunter/Jumper Association A. Open hunter and jumper classes are held on one day, beginning at noon, and the junior and amateur classes run on the second day, along with a complete set of jumper classes for all levels of riders.
“We wanted to draw more people from the various sanctioning organizations,” says Verdugo Hills Show Secretary Linda McRae. “We also thought it would be a good opportunity for the trainers to be able to bring more horses from their barns, because we offer a wide variety of classes from Opportunity and Walk-Trot to the open rated divisions. We wanted to provide a quality horse show at a lower cost.” She says the feedback has been very positive.
This format offers trainers and riders a cost effective, one day option. In addition to the lower class fees, the Exhibitor Reward Incentive program and Maui Trainer Incentive are designed to encourage more participation. Class fees were lowered to $25 with no nomination or late fees, and a free class is given for early entries. The Exhibitor Reward Incentive Program grants gift certificates good at Verdugo Hills shows for accumulating participation points by attending Verdugo Hills Shows. Finally, the Maui Trainer Incentive awards a Hawaiian vacation to the trainer whose students earn the most points during the show season. Visit http://www.langershows.com/programs.php for more information.
Mark Purcell, winner of last year’s Maui Trainer Incentive, likes the lower class fees, the improved footing and the courses. “The courses are nice for these shows,” he said. “It’s great exposure to take young horses or kids competing in a new division. Nothing is overly intimidating.”
“The format for the hunter ring worked nicely,” said Nancy Frost. “It was great that only the open hunter sections showed on Saturday. This enabled the professionals to focus on their horses without having to worry about getting to clients in other rings. The schooling Saturday morning enabled the juniors and amateurs to prepare for Sunday without waiting until the show was over for the day. Sunday, the professionals could focus on their clients.”
This was Frost’s first time showing at a Verdugo Hills show, but she plans to attend future shows with her young riders, medal riders and jumpers, as well as her young hunter and jumper horses. “This is an excellent venue to compete at a quality show that is fun and very affordable,” she explained.
She went on to explain, “The show was well organized, low key and fun. The back gate people were accommodating and helped everyone get to where they needed to be.”
Frost brought several young horses to the show. “I wanted to show them at a relaxed show where they would not be overwhelmed. I selected Verdugo Hills as the management has improved the footing, they have lovely jumps and they have a quality course designer. It was a positive experience for my young horses.”
She took home several blues with her young horses, including Golden Pilot, who was Champion in the Baby Green Hunters. Summer's Golden Light was Champion in both the Pre-Green Hunters and the Modified Open Hunters. Both horses are owned by China Blue Farm. She attributed the confidence of her horses to the quality of the jumps and courses, as well as the low-stress environment.
Chris Collman designed attractive, approachable, non-intimidating courses for young horses and riders for the Verdugo Hills show, while Brett Starnes was the designer for Lake View.
Frost says, “It was wonderful to have plenty of flowers and greenery. The hunter courses flowed nicely. The distances were appropriately set for the different divisions. They were inviting for the young horses which builds confidence. The step was appropriately adjusted as the height of the jumps went up, so the horses could gallop to the higher jumps.”
Resident trainer Sandrine Seifert agrees. “The courses were top quality and competitive. They were excellent practice and preparation for my riders who would like to show at some of the bigger and higher rated shows. The jumper jumps and courses were super, and were inviting but challenging. The courses were just as competitive as some of the A rated National Shows.”
Seifert had other reasons to enjoy the show as well. “I loved the format. My riders could school in the morning on Saturday, and if the horses needed more schooling I could even show them that same afternoon to ensure the horses be well prepared for my riders on Sunday. The cost of the classes are the cheapest around. The show allows all of my riders to show, get some great experience, acquire points for their sections, and qualify for medal finals.”

Seifert’s student Lilly Smolan, who was riding in the Long Stirrup section last year, made her jumper debut aboard Answered Prayer. She was third in her first-ever jumper class with the fastest time of the four fault riders. Smolan also rode in three medal classes with Never Been Kissed, winning her SFVHJA Futures Medal and getting second in the CPHA Horsemanship Medal. “It was so nice to have the medals fill and be competitive,” Seifert says.
Complete results for the shows are on the LEG website: http://www.langershows.com/verdugo/show_details.php?show_id=166
The next Verdugo Hills/Lake View show will take place on March 6th and 7th, offering participants a chance to earn participation points or points toward the Maui Trainer Incentive. Schedules, entry blanks, and prize lists are online www.langershows.com.

Horseman’s College and Barn Arena Expand Offerings at Rocky Mountain Horse Expo

Smaller venues are best for certain types of presentations, so the Rocky Mountain Horse Expo (Denver, March 12-14) will feature two locations where the speakers can get “up close and personal” with the audience.

Horseman’s College provides a classroom setting ideal for slide shows, lectures and plenty of opportunity for questions and answers. In the Barn Arena, speakers will have the twin advantages of intimate surrounding and a dirt floor for demonstrating with horses.

Featured in these learning-friendly venues will be:

· Rick Lamb, TV/Radio host and author: Three talks on horses and modern horsemanship
Kathy Doesken: Environmental Management
Juliet Getty, Ph. D.: Feed Your Horse Like A Horse—Topics in equine nutrition
Temple Grandin, Ph.D.: Author and animal behavior consultant
Wayne Hipsley: From a Judge’s Point of View—Insights into in-hand and trail competitions
Duke Latham: Small Acreage Management
David Kaden: Saddle Fitting
Barbara Page, DVM: Foot Fundamentals—The foundation of your horse’s health
Jim Pascucci: Rolfing
Joan Ranquet: Animal Communicator
Carol Walker, author and photographer: Equine Photography for Amateurs, and Saving America’s Wild Herds

Three days of horse education and entertainment—a five-star value, at new family-friendly prices. For more information, visit www.RockyMountainHorseExpo.com or call (303) 292-4981.

OREGON WILD HORSE ADOPTION: FEBRUARY 19-20

The first Pacific Northwest mustang adoption for 2010 is set for Friday and
Saturday, February 19 and 20 at the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Wild
Horse Corral Facility in Hines, OR. Over 100 vivid pintos, speckled roans,
and creamy palominos are slated for adoption at this two-day event. Other
select colors include buckskin, dun, sorrel, bay and black. This will be
the first opportunity since the fall 2009 round-ups to adopt mustangs from
the South Steens, Paisley and Palomino Butte Herd Management Areas in
Southeast Oregon.


Animal viewing and adopter registration is Friday, February 19 from 8:00
a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Saturday, February 20 from 8:00 to 11:30 a.m. The
silent competitive bid for featured mustangs begins Saturday at 12:00 noon.
Only registered and approved adopters can participate in the silent bidding
process for the animal. Registration can occur onsite at the event. For
early approval and advanced planning, fax your adoption application before
February 19 to Patti or Ramona with the BLM Burns Office at: (541)
573-4411.

Julie Goodnight Tip of the Month

PONCHA SPRINGS, Colo. February 12, 2010— Have you ever had an ad drop out at the last moment—or a space that didn’t sell before printing deadline? Or has someone turned in a story that’s just a little too short? It’s Julie Goodnight and www.juliegoodnight.com to the rescue. Check out the newest addition to Goodnight’s online “Training Library” here and read more about training online (found with a quick link at the top of www.juliegoodnight.com). Goodnight—known for her clear communication in print and on her new RFD-TV show, Horse Master with Julie Goodnight—provides a tip each month for use when you, as an editor, need just a little more content or a great quip to fill out your magazine. Tips may be edited for style, length and content. Content is provided free of charge. Here’s a tip to help you when you’re in a layout crunch . . .

Cleaning Saddle Pads
Here’s a quick tip for keeping your saddle pads clean and comfortable for your horse. Many people prefer to use a very thin “sweat pad” underneath the regular pad, made of an easily washable and absorbent material that absorbs the sweat and keeps your pad clean. If you use a thicker pad that is hard to wash in a machine, you can periodically curry it with a metal curry comb to remove sweat and hair or you can take it to the car wash and hang it where you would normally hang your car mats to give a high-pressure wash. Make sure to rinse it very well and leave plenty of time for it to dry thoroughly in the sun.

Julie has a full, FREE Training Library with hundreds of articles and many more online resources:
http://www.JulieGoodnight.com
http://www.twitter.com/juliegoodnight
http://facebook.com/Julie.Goodnight
http://www.youtube.com/juliegoodnight
and during Julie Goodnight's weekly TV show
on RFD-TV (Wednesdays at 5:30 EST).

Julie Goodnight is sponsored by Myler Bits, Nutramax Laboratories, Circle Y Saddles, Spalding Labs, Troxel, Kestar Boots, and the Certified Horsemanship Association. Visit http://www.juliegoodnight.com and http://www.horsemaster.tv for more information about Julie Goodnight and her Horse Master television show. RFD-TV is available on DirecTV channel 345 and Dish channel 231 as well as cable outlets. Visit http://www.rfdtv.com/ to find out how to view the channel in your area.

A service of The Whole Picture, LLC., http://www.wholepicture.org

Trilogy Ambassador Adrienne Lyle Scores Big At Thermal’s Dressage Getaway

Thermal, CA (February 16, 2010) – Adrienne Lyle, the 2008 National Brentina Cup Champion, was on fire during Thermal’s Dressage Getaway show, winning Grand Prix’s with both of her horses and earning top scores aboard all of her mounts. Lyle, an Ambassador for Trilogy Dressage Saddles, competed at the Dressage Getaway in Thermal, January 15-17.
“I was thrilled with my horses during the show. Wizard and Felix came back two days in a row and put in really consistent tests,” Lyle said. “I was first and second in the Grand Prix classes both days. It was really wonderful.”
Lyle and Wizard earned a score of 80.213% in Saturday’s Grand Prix, followed closely by Lyle and Felix with a score of 78.936%. “We flip-flopped because the day before Felix won the class with a 76.809% and Wizard came in second with a 72.128%,” Lyle said.
In addition to riding Wizard and Felix in Trilogy Dressage Saddles, Lyle also rides her Prix St. Georges mount, Whidbey, and her Third Level horse, Wenesa, in Trilogy saddles. Lyle kept the big scores going with Whidbey and Wenesa during the Dressage Getaway, earning a 78.947% and 71.842% in the Prix St. Georges classes with Whidbey. She also won two Third Level classes aboard Wenesa with scores of 78.205% and 69.231%.
Lyle, who works as the assistant trainer to Olympian Debbie McDonald at River Grove Farm, began her career with Debbie as a working student. “For the past four years I have been working with Debbie, training and showing horses for the Thomas family,” Lyle said.
Lyle and McDonald are both Ambassadors for Trilogy Dressage Saddles and Lyle said she enjoys her relationship with Trilogy President Debbie Witty. “Debbie is wonderful, she works on my horse’s saddles every few months to make sure they are fitting correctly. As the horses become stronger, and more fit, their bodies change and Debbie adjusts the saddles accordingly,” Lyle said.
Lyle rides in the Amadeo Trilogy Saddle and said the saddle places her in a position that allows her to use her seat and aids correctly and more effectively. “The Amadeo has a moderately deep seat which gives me a secure place to sit without making me feel restricted. In addition, the quality and craftsmanship of Trilogy Saddles is exceptional,” she said.
Witty, a qualified saddle fitter from the Society of Master Saddlers of England, has developed an eye for detail along with an understanding of training and the ability to see how the rider, saddle and the horse are all affected by each other. Her Trilogy Dressage Saddles are built in England by some of the most experienced craftsmen in the world. For more information on Trilogy Saddles or their sponsored riders, visit their website at www.trilogysaddles.com.

Ripley's Horse Aid Foundation

Ripley's Horse Aid Foundation is an award winning neglect prevention charity in the state of Washington. The Equine Stewardship Center, Skagit County Animal Control and Ripley's HAF have successfully completed the first ever castration clinic in Washington. It combined the efforts of Dr. Wesley of Chuckanut Veterinarian Hospital and veterinarian students from Washington State University and Oregon State University.

Ripley's Horse Aid has also provide the "Hay 4 Horses" voucher program through Animal Control Officers who issue feed and care vouchers to owners that keep the horses out of the over populated rescues through education, tangible goods and services. Relinquished horses go into rescue or foster facilities to be evaluated for adoption or euthanasia. The educational guide "Cause & Effect" for equine care is being used by officers and as educational materiel for the inexperienced owners state wide.

It is the answer to the question "What do we do now in this epidemic of horse over population in the US." Our next goal is setting up the first ever euthanasia clinic as this is very expensive for horse owners who are barely able to feed the horse.

Ripley's is a permanent 501-C-3 with 100% volunteers working in cooperation with several animal groups, farriers and officers to manage the numbers within each county in the state of Washington. On average, this is ranging from $15,000 to $36,000 for a county and they can expect to assist 100 to 150 horses in a 12 month period of time. $15,000 is used for the Neglect Prevention/Education and $15,000 for the equines that make the cut and are brought into the foster program. The rest is undedicated funds to be used on overhead and unforeseen expenses to give the program the versatility and flexibility for each need of local seized horses.

Using Animal control for the voucher program gives the officer the power to assist the horse owners in a temporary hardship situation and create a history of the ones that will ultimately be unable to successfully keep the horse within the health requirement required by law. These officers are not their neighbors and can walk away from the situation and reduce the amount of hostility and retaliation of neighbors. It is more likely that the "neighbor" will get the assistance the horse and owner needs before it becomes an unlawful condition of animal cruelty.
These interventions can cost as little as $120 per horse to educate and to give the owner a leg up and correct the problems.

It is a cost affective solution for Counties to take control of the growing number of animal cruelty, neglect and abandonment cases in their own counties.

Michelle Miner
2 1/2 years Code Enforcement Officer
President Ripley's Horse Aid Foundation
Ripley's Onsite Service Provider, Skagit County
Skagit Sheriffs Department Foster care provider
360-826-4101

Wilma Tronstad
Director Ripley's Horse Aid Foundation
Service Provider Washington State
360-826-4101

Certified Horsemanship Association Produces Regional Conferences Around the Country for All Horse Enthusiasts

(February 2010) – Please add these to your event calendars and plan on attending The Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA) Regional Conferences being held around the country this year. These educational events are open to the public and provide horses for participants to ride while learning from top instructors and trainers. Please click here to find others near you as more are being added all the time - http://www.cha-ahse.org/regions.htm

Region 1 (British Columbia, WA, Western MT, ID, OR, Alberta)
Region 1 Conference - Canyonview Equestrian Center/College in Silverton, OR February 25-28, 2010. Contact Angela at (971) 239-1347 or visit http://www.canyonviewcamp.org/go/

Region 4 (Lower MI, IN, OH, TN, KY, WV, Eastern Ontario)
Region 4 Conference - Winton Woods Riding Center in Cincinnati, Ohio April 29 - April 30, 2010. Terry Williams (513) 850-5397 or at TerryJonesT@aol.com

Region 5 (NY, NJ, Washington DC, VA, DE, PA, MD)
Region 5 Conference - Houghton College Equestrian Center in Houghton, NY March 19-20, 2010. Jo-Anne Young (585) 567-8142 or at joanne.young@houghton.edu

Region 6 (NH, VT, ME, MA, CT, RI, New Brunswick, Quebec, Newfoundland)
Region 6 Conference – Pony Farm in Temple, New Hampshire June 12, 2010. Lori Maciulewicz (774) 259-1004 or at hideawayfarmljm@yahoo.com

Region 7 (NC, GA, FL, SC, AL)
Region 6 Conference - Birmingham, AL - March 24, 2010 - contact Aimee Canterbury cmpcoleman@aol.com (866) 882-3572
The purpose of CHA is to promote excellence in safety and education for the benefit of the horse industry. CHA certifies instructors and trail guides, accredits equestrian facilities, publishes educational manuals, produces how-to videos and hosts regional and international conferences. For more information on the Certified Horsemanship Association, please visit www.CHA-ahse.org or call toll free 1-800-399-0138. To find a certified horseback riding instructor or accredited equine facility near you visit www.CHAinstructors.com.

OR/WA Wild Horse Program Update, February 2010

GET READY TO ADOPT AN OREGON MUSTANG....ITS COLORFEST TIME!!!!!!!!
February 19/20 is FAST approaching!!! Get your trailer hooked up, your
tank full of fuel and your motel reserved - Harney County is ready to
welcome you to the 2010 COLORFEST event at Oregon's Wild Horse Corral
Facility in Hines. Check out the event flyer below. If you can, please go
to our web site [www.blm.gov/or/resources/whb/adopt.php], print the flyer,
and plaster it EVERYWHERE!! Spread the word! [Thank you Cyndie Planck
Photography for the fabulous flyer pic!]
(Embedded image moved to file: pic22355.jpg)

Come on out and get ready to see some COLOR!!! Wowza!!! 100-150 vivid
pintos, speckled roans and creamy palominos (among others!) are featured
for adoption at this 2-day event. Animal viewing and adopter registration
is Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Saturday, 8:00 to 11:30 a.m. The
silent competitive bid for featured mustangs begins Saturday at 12:00 noon.
This will be the first opportunity since the fall 2009 round-ups to adopt
mustangs from the South Steens, Paisley and Palomino Butte Herd Management
Areas in Southeast Oregon. We strongly encourage getting your application
to adopt in EARLY - if you can fax it BEFORE the event, you'll be 10 steps
ahead when it comes adoption time... the earlier your application is
approved, the longer you have to scout the mustangs and warm up your bid
number. Fax applications to: Patti Wilson/Ramona Bishop at 541/573-4411.
Only registered adopters can bid...and, sorry, no proxy bidding at this
event. Call us for more information - 541/573-4400.

UPDATED SCHEDULE...AGAIN...
We added one event and changed the location of another - check out the
latest and greatest 2010 event schedule at:
www.blm.gov/or/resources/whb/adopt.php

SPECIFIC VOLUNTEER NEEDS:
We usually put a call out for 'program volunteers'.... we have many
interested folks, and we sure appreciate all of you! This time I'm taking
a different approach - we have some specific volunteer needs that require
some talented, motivated, organized and creative people! Let me know if
you can help:

1) Redesign our 'space' at the High Desert Museum in Bend... We have a
wonderful display space at the Museum, but its kind of 'blah' and
uninviting... we have some funding to spice it up and we REALLY need some
professional help here. Anyone have a marketing, design, architecture, or
decorating background? This effort would involve one or more trips to the
museum and some design and implementation work.

2) Paint a mural and some lettering on the side of one or more buildings at
the Corral Facility... one painting (letters) will be on corrugated metal.
Does that make it complicated? I'm not sure.

3) Work at the Oregon State Fair in the Wild Horse & Burro Program booth
sometime between August 27 and September 6. Shifts will probably be around
3 hours.

We appreciate you!!!!!!!!!!

INTERNET ADOPTIONS COMING SOON!
We are planning to feature Oregon mustangs on several internet adoptions
this year, beginning in March. The schedule looks like: March 10-24, May
5-19, July 14-28, and September 1-5. Make sure to visit
www.blm.gov/adoptahorse to see the online galleries for each internet
adoption! And remember...we usually offer 25-30 horses per internet
adoption, which leaves room for 5-10 more horses to join the shipping truck
back east. This would be a good opportunity to adopt an Oregon mustang
without competing (no bidding) and without the hassle of private shipping!
Start your shopping now... hope to have more pictures of available mustangs
posted at the first of the month (March).

BLOG, BLOG, BLOG, BLOG, BLOG....
There are dozens of mustang blogs out there, too many to name here!!! We
do want to highlight Oregon's Extreme Mustang Makeover bloggers.... they
are all listed down the right hand side of this page:
www.extrememustangmakeover.com/blog.html - - - - CHECK 'EM OUT!!!!
You'll notice there are other trainer blogs posted here, too... not just
Oregon event trainers. Which is GREAT! Have a look at all the mustang
training and support we have out there....

And one more: Check out the Wild Trails Horse Expo blog at
www.wildtrailshorseexpo.blogspot.com/. BLM partners with Central Oregon
Wild Horse Coalition and Brasada Ranch each year to host this training and
adoption event. Hope you can make it in 2010 - July 30/31 and August 1.



HAPPY FEBRUARY EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!


tara

Kerrits Launches New Website

Hood River, OR- Evolving the capabilities of existing equestrian apparel web sites, www.kerrits.com is a must experience website for equestrian and fashionista's alike.

Get up close and personal with their apparel, experiencing it in detail using the new zoom feature that allows you to easily see the vibrant colors and patterns down to the minutest detail.

The new virtual fashion show helps you explore the various combinations of tops and bottoms that Kerrits has to offer. Great for customers and retailers alike to see how you can easily mix and match all of kerrits apparel.

Another feature of the new site is their video series, Pilates for the Equestrian. This series was inspired by the Pilates practice of Kerrits founder, Kerri Kent. Participate in this free, six-part fitness series to strengthen your position in the saddle, improving balance, posture and stability. Look for a new one each month.

Shop with confidence through the Kerrits dealer network with the 24 Kerrit Guarantee. Kerrits stands behind its products and unconditionally guarantees all of them for one year from the date of purchase. If for any reason you are not satisfied with your Kerrits purchase return it with the original receipt to the store where you purchased it and they will exchange it or return your money.

Kerrits is an environmentally focused company and their products are made in the USA.

Take a look at some of their other New Web Site Features. Kerrits would love to hear what you have to say.

Write your own product review - Tell us what you think and rate out apparel now!
Become a Kerrits Team or Ambassador - We want you! Sign up now to become a Kerrits sponsored team or ambassador
Breech Comparison Chart - Kerrits new quick reference guide outlines the features of all their tights and breeches.

Kerrits is very active on Facebook and Twitter. Please join and follow Kerrits adventures.

Since 1986 Kerrits Equestrian Apparel has been committed to providing innovative, functional performance apparel, designed and constructed specifically for the unique demands of women who ride and love horses. The company is based in Hood River, Oregon. For more information, go to www.kerrits.com or call 1.800.274.7946.

Rocky Mountain Horse Expo reduces ticket prices and increases value

The ticket prices have come down and are now more family-friendly than ever for the 2010 Rocky Mountain Horse Expo, March 12-14 at the National Western Complex in Denver. A single day pass is $7, with student/senior admission only $5. A three-day pass is $20, and a family package (one day for up to 5 people, including at least one adult) is a reasonable $25.

“Where else can you find clinicians in five indoor arenas, speakers in two venues, a packed trade show, plus a barn overflowing with horses and horse-lovers,” asks CHC Executive Director Bill Scebbi, “for only $7 per person?” Emphasizing family entertainment and outstanding horsemen’s education, Scebbi points to a full schedule that includes everything from renowned horse clinicians to art shows, from respected equine and ranching experts to stick horse rodeos. “Our variety offers something for every area of interest, and you don’t need to own a horse—or even ride one—to get outstanding value and entertainment from our show.”

In addition to daytime programs, on Friday and Saturday evenings the spotlight is on horses in action at the Rocky Mountain Mane Event, two hours set to music and featuring the beauty and athleticism of horses doing what they do best. Admission to the Mane Event is only $10 per person.

For more information and to buy tickets, visit www.RockyMountainHorseExpo.com or call (303) 292-4981. The Rocky Mountain Horse Expo is produced by the Colorado Horse Council which lobbies, promotes and educates on behalf of the Colorado horse industry.

Shine up yer spurs and dust off yer chaps, it's that time again! You got it...the 5th annual Runamuk Benefit Trail Ride, June 26-27--trail ride, wine social, barn dance and horsemanship clinic. Set up yer camp Friday night and join us for a campfire. On Saturday, starting at 10am, enjoy an afternoon sitting on the back of a horse or comfortably in a horse-drawn wagon seeing the sites of the Bull Mountains in Roundup, Montana. Ride a total of 15 miles through timbered trails, open meadows and over sandstone rimrock. For lunch, tie up your horse and enjoy Charolais beef. Meander your way back to the ranch with more fantastic views and a gander at a homestead cabin. Once back at the ranch, relax before dinner with our popular wine social and live music by Mike Morgan. Following dinner, a live auction will be held. Top off your night with an ol' fashioned barn dance with music by Mike Morgan, Monty Sealey & Frenz.

For those of you who can't get enough time in the saddle, wake Sunday morning to homemade donuts and ride with us at 8:30am as we cover more country on horseback. DeBruycker Charolais has donated two quarters of beef. To purchase your raffle tickets, contact Jody. We'll announce the winners June 26 during the auction and you need not be present to win!

Our intensive horsemanship/working cow horse clinic by Reed Trexler of Corvallis, MT is open to a maximum of 6 participants. Sign up separately for this.
Come join us for a great time for all ages. Pitch a tent or contact Roundup motels. Horse boarding available. For more information or to reserve your spot, call 406-323-3614 or visit www.runamukguestranch.com Recommended donations of $30 for Sat. trail ride, $20 for Sun. trail ride, $40 for the dinner, wine social, auction, and dance. *Please pre-register by June 22.


Chase Hawks Memorial Association

In September of 1994, a six-year-old Montana cowboy named Chase Hawks was killed in a tragic accident. Family and friends gathered to form the Chase Hawks Memorial Association (CHMA) with the goal of finding hope for others facing crisis and possibly easing some of their own heartbreak. The Association keeps Chase's memory forever in the hearts of many while bringing the comfort of much needed assistance to many more. CHMA is simply neighbors helping neighbors in the cowboy tradition of community spirit.

The Association has become a viable source of help for families needing short-term assistance or help with travel, facilities, and local benefits that are not addressed by larger charities or insurance because of immediacy or circumstances. The Association has been able to effectively pull together volunteer efforts from the community at large and provide media focus and corporate cooperation at an unprecedented level. This is primarily due to the universal appeal of a community crisis fund and the fact that the organization is an all-volunteer effort.

The Association's efforts are anchored by the Annual Roughstock Rodeo and the Cowboy Gatherin' dinner and dance. These events have brought fans from a three or four hundred-mile radius to Billings for the weekend. This is a welcome influx for the motel and service businesses at a traditional slow time. The visitors are also in town during the last few days of shopping before Christmas. The rodeo was considered one of the premier roughstock events in the Country the first year and is currently being aired on national television as a one-hour special since its second. The willingness of world-class rodeo personnel to offer their time, as well as the fact that the event draws the best cowboys in the world have established this event as a regional highlight as well as a great advertising opportunity for local and national sponsors.

The Association has provided travel expenses and lodging for family tragedies as well as transplant donors and recipients. Help with peripheral expenses for medical problems, therapy and family travel and expenses due to illness and death have been provided by the fund. Construction of wheelchair ramps and collection of clothes and household items for fire victims have also been accomplished. Co-promotion and media attention have allowed the Association to secure a car, airline and bus tickets, and matching funds from area department stores for families in need. Emergency surgery, funeral expenses, rent, rehabilitation, and retrofit expenses, as well as toys and Christmas money have been provided. Recipients and their friends and families have become volunteers. This is an organization that makes people feel good about their communities and themselves.

KALISPELL WINNER ON THE WAY TO POLAND

Kelly Prather (USA) is on her way to the HSBC FEI World Cup™ Eventing Final at Strzegom (POL, 21-23 August) after winning the North American leg at Kalispell, Montana.

Riding Andrea Pfieffer’s mare Ballinakill Glory, Prather, 25, held her nerve in a nail-biting finish to score the only double clear round to hold her overnight Cross-Country lead.

“I just wanted to have a good round,” said Prather. “She is a wonderful show jumper, so it was exciting to ride her and she deserved to jump clear. This was a good course for her and a great flow so you could lock into a rhythm. Coming into the last fence with my reins on the buckle was a bit nerve-racking though!”

Second-placed Jennifer Wooten-Dafoe (USA) was equally pleased with her mare The Good Witch, owned by Daisy Tognazzini, clear but with 3 time penalties.

“After this performance, I feel I can go to Europe and stand my ground. I’m really excited,” she said.

The organisers of the event at Rebecca Farm, Rebecca and Jerome Broussard plus Cindy and Larry Lippon have generously created a fund to help US-based riders travel to Poland.

COMPETITION STATISTICS

14 Dressage starters

Marks range from 45.6 to 72.4

13 started the Cross-Country after Kate Gillespie withdrew Renegade Reno, 4th after Dressage

13 completed with 9 clear rounds

No one achieved the optimum time

13 started the Jumping

1 double clear, 2 clear with time penalties

LEADER FROM FLAGFALL

Prather led from the start with a dressage score of 45.6, adding 9.6 Cross-Country time penalties. Wooten-Dafoe, who had the fastest time (5.6 penalties) rose from 3rd to 2nd after Cross-Country.

The Dressage runner-up, Tiana Coudray (USA) on Ringwood Magister, incurred 20 penalties when missing the left-hand turn to the B element of the Jurassic Park combination at fence 18 and slipped to eventual 8th.

Sara Mittleider (USA) and the veteran El Primero rose from 6th after Dressage to 3rd after Cross-Country but rolled the very last Jumping rail to swap places with Californian Kristi Nunnink (USA) on R-Star.

Riders were complimentary about the Cross-Country course designed by Captain Mark Phillips and built by Californian Bert Wood, which featured intricately carved obstacles, many reflecting the Montana culture, and posed all the right questions of riders while allowing horses to fully understand what was being asked of them.

QUOTES

Kelly Prather: “She went out of the start box and was stronger galloping than she’s ever been. She jumped very big and bold and I never felt a moment’s hesitation. It was one of the best Cross-Country rides ever.”

Jennifer Wooten-Dafoe: “I haven’t been here (to Rebecca Farm) for a couple of years and the course was great. There were a few changes which I felt were good exercises for the Witch and me. Mark Phillips has designed a superb course and it was beautifully built, which made it that much more exciting to take a spin around it.”

Kristi Ninnink: “It is so nice to have an event in the West (of the USA) that makes you feel prepared for other events. You can compete here and feel comfortable about what you will face at the big international competitions on the East coast.”

Jim Wolf of the USEF: “Rebecca Farm is truly a world class event. The facilities, the footing and the outstanding organisation combine to create a premier world-class competition.”

RESULTS

1 Kelly Prather/Ballinakill Glory (USA) 45.6 + 9.6 + 0 = 55.2

2 Jennifer Wooten-Dafoe/The Good Witch (USA) 51.4 + 5.6 + 0/3 = 60

3 Kristi Nunnink/R-Star (USA) 58.8 + 12 + 0/5 = 75.8

4 Sara Mittleider/El Primero (USA) 55.2 + 14.8 + 4/4 = 78

5 Amy Tryon/Leyland (USA) 54 + 17.6 + 12/3 = 86.6

6 Karen Shull/Just My Style (USA) 58.4 + 21.2 + 8 = 87.6

Full results on www.rebeccafarm.org

2009 HSBC FEI World Cup™ Eventing standings (after 7 of 10 qualifiers)

1 Megan Jones (AUS) 203

2 Mary King (GBR) 159

3 Alexandr Markov (RUS) 125

4 Simone Deitermann (GER) 117

5 Andreas Dibowski (GER) 104

6 Kai Rüder (GER) 92

7 Ilya Anisin (BLR) 74

8= Marina Köhncke (GER) 71

8= Patricia Ryan (IRL) 71

8= Kelly Prather (USA) 71

11= Buck Davidson (USA) 70

12= Heelan Tompkins (NZL) 67

12= Georgia Clifford (AUS) 67

12= Julia Mestern (GER) 67

12= Peter Thomsen (GER) 67

12= Michael Ryan (IRL) 67

12= Aistis Vitkauskas (LTU) 67

12 = Jennifer Wooten-Dafoe (USA) 67

Qualifying venues for the 2009 HSBC FEI World Cup™ Eventing series:

1 Kihikihi (NZL), 10-12 April 2009

2 Sydney, (AUS), 2-3 May 2009

3 Marbach, (GER), 8-10 May 2009

4 Chatsworth, (GBR), 16-17 May 2009 (CANCELLED)

5 Malmo, (SWE), 23-24 May 2009

6 Tattersalls, (IRL), 28-31 May 2009

7 Minsk, (BLR) 16-19 July 2009

8 Kalispell, (USA), 23-26 July 2009

9 Mansfield, ON, (CAN), 7-9 August 2009

10 Gatcombe, (GBR) 7-9 August 2009 (ADDED)

HSBC FEI World Cup ™ Eventing final 2009 Strzegom POL 21-23 August 2009

The World's Leading Horse Whisperer Is Coming to Kalispell, Montana For One Weekend Only!

· Who: Master Horseman Dennis Reis ~

* Founder of the Reis Ranch School of Universal Horsemanship

* 50 “Sold Out” shows during National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas

* Host of weekly show on RFD Television-(Direct #345 & DISH # 231)

* No Dust Tour in 33 states

* Author and Creator of a National Day of the Horse Holiday

* Author and Creator of a California State Day of the Horse Holiday

· What: Dennis Reis will be performing with eight of his personal horses and will also work local horses with severe behavioral issues~ you will also witness a young horse accepting saddle and rider for the very first time

· When: Saturday, August 8th & Sunday, August 9th from l0 AM to 5 PM

· Where: Majestic Arena - Kalispell, Montana

· Why: To honor and promote the welfare of the horse.

To teach horse owners to communicate with their horse in the only language horses understand - body language.

To show horse owners how to work with the horse's natural instinct versus the use of mechanical devices & fear.

Conservationists File Lawsuit to Defend Scenic, Natural and Historic Values of the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument

Great Falls, MT – Today, the Western Environmental Law Center on behalf of the Montana Wilderness Association (MWA) filed a complaint in Federal District Court against the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for violating laws protecting the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument in north-central Montana.

In 2001, the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument was established to protect the area’s “spectacular array of biological, geological, and historical objects of interest” for future generations. The area included in the Monument has remained largely intact since Lewis and Clark first traveled through it in 1805. The Monument boasts the most viable elk herd in Montana and one of the premier big horn sheep herds in the continental United States. The area is also home to the 149-mile Upper Missouri National Wild and Scenic River, six Wilderness Study Areas, and segments of the Lewis & Clark and Nez Perce National Historic Trails. [Photo1; Photo2]

“The BLM’s new Resource Management Plan for the Monument is supposed to protect and preserve the unique values of the area,” said Matthew Bishop, an attorney with the Western Environmental Law Center representing MWA. “Instead, the BLM’s plan calls for the area to be managed like any other public lands with motorized access throughout the Monument, motorboats along the entire 149 mile river corridor, oil and gas development, utility corridors, and airstrips for planes and helicopters,” added Bishop.

“The BLM could have taken a different path, one similar to other national monument managers, to manage the area in keeping with the Monument proclamation and the intent of the designation,” said Dennis Tighe, MWA member and Friends of the Monument President.

According to the new management plan, BLM intends to permit six backcountry airstrips, over 400 miles of roads, new road construction, motorized vehicle use, oil and natural gas drilling, and the development of transmission lines and pipelines. Three of the six authorized airstrips are in the Bullwhacker unit, an area described in the proclamation as containing “some of the wildest country on all the Great Plains.” There are only a total of three other airstrips open for recreation use in all the other 14 national monuments in the country.

“Everyone has a right to use and enjoy the Breaks National Monument, but a far better balance is needed if the public is to experience the area similar to what Lewis and Clark did 200 years ago” said rancher Hugo Tureck.

AQHA Official Celebrates Pending Slaughter of Quarter Horses

 

CHICAGO, (EWA) – In the aftermath of Montana Governor Schweitzer’s non-action, HB 418, a bill that bars Montana’s citizens from taking court action against the building of a horse slaughter plant, became law. This action has left many Montana legislators and citizens shocked that their state might soon be known as the new “home of horse slaughter”. Montana has enacted a probably unconstitutional statute that denies due process under the United States Constitution.

 

Horse slaughter will tarnish the “Big Sky” brand and everything it stands for from cattle to tourism. History has shown that such plants bring nothing but pollution and controversy. Montana law makers failed to ask themselves why Texas and Illinois, and now Saskatchewan Canada, have rid themselves of the industry. Who is to gain?

 

The Equine Welfare Alliance has obtained a document that answers this question. The mass e-mail was from Stan Weaver, president of the Montana Quarter Horse Association (MQHA) and is titled “HB 418 Final Comments – Success!!!!. Rejoicing in the news that Montana may be home to a horse killing plant, the MQHA president boasts that the MQHA was the driving force behind the passage of the law.

 

Weaver praises members for pushing the legislation while bragging about the haste with which it was put together. Weaver describes how the MQHA and the bill’s sponsor, Representative Ed Butcher, had come up with the idea for the bill just weeks before it was introduced. After that introduction, the bill was ridiculed widely as the “Montana Butcher Bill.”

 

Indeed, this is cause to rejoice for the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA), the organization leading the effort to continue the slaughter of American horses for foreign firm’s profit. This magnificent breed, touted as the most versatile of all horses, is being sent to slaughter in record numbers. In fact, half of all horses sent to slaughter each year are American Quarter Horses.

 

Meanwhile, the AQHA continues to promote indiscriminate breeding.

 

Weaver is apparently so enamored at the prospect of a slaughter plant to butcher Montana’s Quarter Horses that he ponders writing a book that will contain all the emails and letters in support of horse killing.

 

Last year, when other businesses were reducing production, AQHA management and its member breeders continued their mad quest to grow revenues by registering 140,000 new foals, an increase of 5,000 more horses over 2007.

 

In his speech before the 2008 annual convention, Bill Brewer, the AQHA’s then executive vice-president said, “Our challenge becomes looking at ways to introduce an equine economic stimulus package that will boost registration numbers.” Apparently, that package includes killing off existing Quarter Horses to make room for more.

 

The AQHA and its allies have promoted unfounded stories that the nation is being flooded with tens of thousands of abandoned horses. It was a salient point made by supporters of “The Butcher Bill” and was picked up by the Montana media and repeated without question, even though county officials reported a total of only fourteen abandoned horses in 2008.

 

Yet the group and its apologists fail to mention the indiscriminate breeding encouraged by the AQHA and ranchers such as Weaver. Weaver’s ranch alone produces and registers 100 horses per year and helps fill the AQHA treasury with registration fees.

 

According to Weaver, the next major AQHA effort will be to try to defeat the federal legislation that will end the slaughter of American horses; HR 503, The Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act of 2009.

 

In their zealous quest to defeat HR 503, EWA expects more of the elaborate disinformation campaign from the AQHA and its lobbyists.

 

EWA wholeheartedly supports humane and responsible animal agriculture and is prepared to respond.

 

 

www.equinewelfarealliance.org

Resolution Benefits Montana Horsemen and Economy, Transportation and Recreation Planning

The Gallatin Equestrian Partnership (GallEP) of Gallatin County, MT successfully led an effort to pass a statewide resolution encouraging the consideration of equine activities in community transportation and recreation planning. The effort began when equine activities such as riding and driving were left out of Bozeman’s Parks, Recreation, Open Space and Trails plan and the Greater Bozeman Transportation Plan Update. GallEP worked for months with the committees producing both plans, but were unsuccessful in their efforts.  As a result, horses are not allowed on any City of Bozeman trails, and rural road travel is becoming increasingly unsafe as roads are being paved with no shoulder while traffic volumes and speeds increase.

 

Undeterred, the GallEP leaders were able to enlist the help of Senator Gary Perry (R of Senate District 35), who recognized the historical, cultural and economic importance of horses to the State of Montana.  Perry sponsored a resolution that recommends city, county and state officials plan for safe equestrian access when planning and designing transportation and recreation corridors. Final language for the resolution can be found at http://www.elcr.org/resources/resc_26.pdf. (The resolution is also available at http://laws.leg.mt.gov/laws09/law0203w$.startup . Type in resolution # SJ17.)

 

GallEP received assistance in gathering grassroots support for this resolution from the Equine Land Conservation Resource of Lexington, KY, the Montana Chapter of the Backcountry Horsemen and the Montana Horse Sanctuary. The approved resolution has been sent to Montana Department of Transportation for its consideration and to the Montana League of Cities and Towns and the Montana Association of Counties for distribution to their members.

 

For more information about the Montana resolution, visit www.GallEP.org or email gallepmt@yahoo.com. If you would like to pursue a similar resolution in your state, contact ELCR at www.ELCR.org or email info@ELCR.org

 

Governor Schweitzer goes to Derby, leaves slaughter bill to become law

On Friday, May 1st, Governor Brian Schweitzer packed up and left his office to head for the Kentucky Derby. On his desk, he left HB 418, a bill designed to encourage the building of a horse slaughter plant in Montana! The bill was designed to lure a horse slaughter plant to Montana by effectively preventing Montana citizens from challenging such a facility in the state courts.

 

The Governor had initially issued an amendatory veto of the bill, pointing out that it was almost certainly unconstitutional, but the legislature sent it back to him without his suggested amendments. The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Ed Butcher, was quick to praise the Governor’s act of surrender.

 

In an interview published in The Horse, Butcher dismissed the idea that his bill was unconstitutional. He went on to explain his misguided belief that the role of the courts is more like that of movie critics, saying, "Courts have the right to offer an opinion about legislation--they do not have the right to make law. That's the legislature's job."

 

Butcher has said these safeguards [taking away the access of citizens to the courts] were needed to avoid the types of legal appeals that shuttered the country's last horse slaughterhouses in Illinois and Texas in 2007.

 

In an earlier article “Showdown at Horse Slaughter Pass”, EWA’s John Holland used the metaphor that Butcher was trying to “tie the citizens of Montana to the tracks”, and pondered whether the Governor would save the day. But alas, the Governor had his mind on the Kentucky Derby and left the citizens to their fate. Luckily, Butcher’s bill ties them to the wrong tracks.

 

Although the plants were cited repeatedly for pollution, sewer and discharge violations, all three plants were shut down by state laws.

 

The Belgian Velda Corporation’s Natural Meats plant in Saskatchewan, Canada is the most probable target of Butcher’s overtures. Their operating license was indeed suspended in December over unspecified health violations but by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, not a law suit.

 

Since no slaughter plant can legally slaughter horses in the US for human consumption, the bill’s only real impact may be the statement it makes about Montana, its legislature and its governor.

 

www.equinewelfarealliance.org

FREE LECTURE

2 time National Champion Endurance Rider and Saddle Fitting Clinician David Kaden will be offering a free lecture on Friday May 15, 2009. 

 

The lecture will be given at The Natural Horse LLC arena located at 3700 East Carlton Creek Rd- Florence, MT 59833 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm. Please bring a folding chair.

 

Anyone interested in Trail Riding, Endurance riding or needing help on how to establish good saddle fit for their horse may attend.

 

You may contact Lisa Emory at 406 961-1363 for additional information.

Showdown at Horse Slaughter Pass

CHICAGO, (EWA) – On April 3, Governor Brian Schweitzer of Montana issued an amendatory veto of House Bill 418. The bill, designed to attract a horse slaughter facility to the state, would have effectively removed the ability of Montana residents to challenge such a plant's operations in state court.

 

Within hours, the bill's sponsor, Representative Ed Butcher, had issued a defiant statement vowing to challenge the Governor's amendments and to send the bill back to him for an up or down action. A special kind of person is required to defend horse slaughter, and Ed Butcher is such a man. A classic fight was brewing and the only thing missing was an old west saloon piano banging out a frantic chorus.

 

Butcher began his long political career in 1992 as the Chair of Montanans for Term Limits. He was first elected to the Montana Senate in 2000, but by 2004, his interpersonal skills and redistricting catapulted him into the House of Representatives. A determined man, Butcher appears resolved to remain in office until his goal of term limits is finally fulfilled.

 

Nor is Butcher one to shrink from a fight. An outspoken politician in the rich oral -podiatric rhetorical style of former Montana Senator Conrad Burns, Butcher came under a storm of controversy by referring to special needs children as "vegetables". More recently, he referred to his fellow legislator and Native American Jonathan Windy Boy (Chippewa Cree) as "Chief Windy Boy" and inquired whether he would wield his vice-chairman's gavel as a "war club".

 

Butcher was later reported to have said he learned a valuable lesson about how a simple joke can easily be misunderstood. True to his self-criticism, Butcher refrained from any semblance of humor as he hurled insults at the opposition to his horse slaughter bill.

 

In a subsequent interview, Butcher said that the Governor's amendments would "gut" his bill and leave a slaughter house open to "harassment" by "two bit hippies". The comment could be viewed as a reference to the Kaufman, Texas Board of Adjustments, the DeKalb, Illinois Sanitary District and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, all of which have "harassed" horse slaughter plants in recent years over their discharges and dumping.

 

During earlier hearings in the Agriculture Committee, former Mayor Paula Bacon of Kaufman, Texas had told legislators of the long running problems her town had experienced with the Dallas Crown horse slaughter plant, including such graphic details as the plant's installation of a pump designed to force untreated waste down the sewer. The result, Bacon recounted, had been blood rising into the bathtubs and drains of the surrounding community.

 

Butcher was quick to counter Bacon's testimony by saying, "I don't care what Paula Bacon says." That devastating retort on Butcher's part was apparently all the committee needed to hear and they quickly passed the bill to the Senate floor on a 7 to 2 vote.

 

The bill then went to the full Senate where it passed by a narrow majority, eventually winding up on the Governor's desk. In response to Butcher's claims that the bill was effectively "gutted" by the Governor's amendments, opponents of the original exculpatory language point out that only the outrageous provisions were eliminated and that the title, bill number and Butcher's sponsorship remain entirely intact in the amended version.

 

A complete override of the Governor's veto was not in the cards, and neither side wanted a half victory. So the House and Senate voted to reject the amendments, forcing a showdown for the Governor.

 

During the debate on the bill, Representative Butcher referred to "the Belgians", who were interested in locating a plant in Montana if they could be protected from legal "harassment". He assured his fellow legislators that it would be a modern, clean facility and give Montana a much-needed economic boost. However, recent developments at the Belgian plant in Canada provide interesting insights.

 

Last December, the Canadian government suspended the operating license of the Natural Meats (formerly Natural Valley Farms) plant in Neudorf, SK. The plant was run by the Velda Group, referred to by Butcher as "The Belgians". This was the same Velda that had owned the Cavel plant in DeKalb, Illinois; which accumulated over $100,000 in fines for sewer discharge violations. It had been shuttered under a new state law in September, 2007.

 

Butcher's "Belgians" had barely transferred their Cavel operations to the Canadian plant when they fell victim to an ancient Chinese curse, "May you come to the attention of those in authority."

 

The plant was first the subject of a Canadian Broadcasting Corporation story over its treatment of horses. The Canadian Horse Defence Coalition then documented their dumping mountains of entrails on the open landscape near the plant and allegedly letting blood enter a local river. In the end, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency would say only that the license had been suspended for "food safety concerns". After a temporary reinstatement in January, the plant was closed permanently in mid-February.

As regards the highly touted economic boost Butcher promised his Belgian friends would bring to Montana: When it was closed, the plant was already in receivership with debts reported to be in excess of $25 million dollars.

 

In the light of these revelations, Representative Butcher's plan reminds one of the classic westerns where the villain, twirling his mustache and laughing wickedly, ties the girl (in this case the citizenry of Montana) to the tracks. But will the hero (Governor Schweitzer) gallop up, cut the ropes with a slashing veto, and release the hostages? Stay tuned for our next exciting episode.

John Holland is a freelance writer and the author of three books. He frequently writes on the subject of horse slaughter from his small farm in the mountains of Virginia, where he lives with his wife, Sheilah, and their 12 equines. Holland is a charter member of the Equine Welfare Alliance and serves as senior analyst for Americans Against Horse Slaughter, an organization composed entirely of volunteers.

Montana Horse Slaughter Bill Updates

The Montana governor has amended and vetoed the current horse slaughter bill – sent it back to the legislature. Click below to read his letter to the legislature explaining his vetoes. 

http://helenair.com/articles/2009/04/03/top/54st_090403_hb418.txt

Saddle Outfitters hosting saddle fitting clinic

Saddle Outfitters welcomes 2 time National Champion Endurance Rider and Clinician David Kaden of Canutillo, Texas to the Bitterroot Valley of Montana May 15-17 2009.

 

David will be presenting a clinic: DOES YOUR SADDLE REALLY FIT?

 

Friday night presentation is FREE -Please Do not bring horses

Saturday and Sunday individual saddle fittings with your horse and saddle by appointment.

Location: The Natural Horse LLC in Florence, Montana

Any make or model saddle can be checked

David has a computerized Pressure Mapping pad that will tell you if you have any "hot spots" under your saddle.

 

Call Lisa Emory at 406 961-1363 for your appointment or pay online by visiting the website

 

Cost is only $35.00 per horse/saddle  The Natural Horse LLC has generously reduced their haul in fee for this clinic to $5.00.

 

Pre-registration is required, please specify number of horse/saddles you need checked. And your preferred day/time.  We will do our best to accomodate you.  First come first served on appointment times.

 

Proper saddle fit is critical to your horse's long term soundness and it will help keep you safer.

Don't WONDER if your saddle fits....find out for sure!

www.saddleoutfitters.com

The Snow Job in Montana Will Melt

A message from www.equinewelfarealliance.org

CHICAGO, (EWA) - With their vote to resume the barbaric practice of horse slaughter in the State of Montana, seven politicians may have ended once promising careers. Senators Terry Murphy, Taylor Brown, Ken Hansen, Verdell Jackson, Rick Ripley, Bradley Hamlett and Donald Steinbeisser should be removed from office. The Equine Welfare Alliance (EWA) urges that they draw opponents in their next election. Moreover, we promise to mobilize thousands of volunteers to assure their defeat.

Just ask former Senator Conrad Burns what happens when we mobilize, even in ranch country. After he foisted several outrageous secret pro-slaughter laws on the public which he attached to certain to pass legislation at the 11th hour in Congress, the public had enough. People power mobilized to remove this relic from the smoke filled rooms of Congress and he was defeated in his bid for re-election.

Tens of thousands of humanitarians across Montana are opposed to horse slaughter. Survey after survey has shown that more than 70 percent of all Americans oppose the practice, where living horses have their throats slit and are dismembered while hanging upside down as they bleed to death to feed Frenchmen  hungry for their poisonous chemically tainted meat. A poll on a respected on-line paper in Montana on the day of the vote, reflected 76% of readers against building a plant. Our volunteers are motivated, computer savvy and willing to spend money to support the candidates of their choice. Moreover, some national political action committees share our belief that horses should not suffer. 

At a time when Americans are finding themselves struggling to make ends meet and joining the ranks of the unemployed, we question the wisdom of wasting tax payer dollars on the legislative efforts and building a plant that cannot operate legally in America for a cruel business that serves the owners of less than 2% of the horse population.

We question the wisdom of bringing yet another foreign business back to our country that does not offer any economic stimulus to the state of Montana or their citizens. The only sector to benefit from such a business will be the lawyers in Montana. Reserve your court dockets now. Montana will find themselves in litigation for years trying to collect pollution, abuse and cruelty violations. Just as history has proven over and over again in Illinois and Texas, Montana will be the newest doormat to America for the Belgians who own the pollution factories that breed disease and stench in the communities where they are located.

Finally, as former Sen. Burns learned, the highly motivated and computer savvy citizens who are opposed to the outrage of horse slaughter make a habit of going to the ballot box. We call for the defeat of every self serving politician who votes to bring the awful practice of horse slaughter back to our shores. We are motivated, we can raise millions in small donations and we will use it.

www.equinewelfarealliance.org

Horse Massage Goes To Ireland

Coreen Kelly, owner/instructor of the Western Montana School of Equine Massage is planning her fourth teaching tour in Ireland July 2009. The last three tours took WMSEM to the Midlands of Ireland to Croghan Hills Stables in Tullarore, Co. Offaly. This July, WMSEM will be teaching at Lisaleen Stables, Pallaskenry, Co. Limerick in southern Ireland.

Kelly teaches equine massage at her Corvallis, Montana ranch facility. Students from all US states, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, France, England, Wales, Scotland, Switzerland, and Denmark have traveled to attend and learn these techniques.

The Level I Equine Massage course is a 5-7 day intensive certified program, offering the students anatomy & physiology, massage sequencing, Intuitional development & philosophy and profession specific In-Hand Horsemanship, earning the successful student over 60 clock hours of accreditation. Advanced courses and home study options are also available. While prior horse experience is mandatory for all group sessions, WMSEM is now offering private courses for the student with little or no prior horse experience.

Kelly, legally blind from retinitis pigmentosa, tries to instill into her students the ability to 'see' through touch. Her personal 15 year journey in the study of massage has taken her as far away as China to seek out advanced massage techniques. Her teaching background began as a corporate instructor for the telephone company, a large real estate corporation and as a tutor for college level students with learning disabilities.

Kelly states that "This course tends to be more than learning how to massage horses - it's a personal journey into self empowerment and leadership development.". She continues by saying "This program is a life changing experience and most certainly will touch each student's heart".

For more information, please visit WMSEM's website at www.equinetouchmontana.com or call at their toll free 800-821-0014.

Runamuk Guest Ranch

www.runamukguestranch.com

406-323-3614 . runamukguestranch@gmail.com

 

 

We are an actual working cattle ranch that offers a variety of activities. The most common, of course, is horseback riding. We offer unlimited horseback riding; ride when you want for how long you want. Our rides are specifically tailored to abilities and requests. Within horseback riding, there's trail riding(no nose to tail) to beautiful vistas, through pine tree forests and open meadows, and along breathtaking rimrock, riding to historical areas on the ranch, cattle work, and arena work(where we gather yearling calves and bring them into the arena for more hands-on cattle work horseback). We will team pen, sort, and cut.

 

This getaway is a "build-your-own" ranch experience. Devise the schedule and activities you'd like for your stay.

 

We also offer four wheeling, evening sunset rides, sunrise rides, picnic dinners(in great locations!), overnight stays in our homestead cabin, yoga, massage, hiking, western music upon request, hot tubbing, and mountain biking. Another enjoyable activity to pass the day is to visit our nearby Musselshell River and float a portion of this on innertubes. We offer free airport transportation to and from Billings, Montana's Logan International Airport.

Our all-inclusive rates are $265/person/day plus Montana's lodging tax of $4.90/person/night or a rate of $1060 for 1-4 people to book either guest house solely for their party or an individual to book solely for him/herself. We do offer family and group rates. This is all-inclusive with the exception of yoga($35/person/session) and  massage($80/hour for relaxation massage). Our rates are charged by the day, not by the night so you get the most out of your stay. Because we take a limited number of guests, we book up quickly, so if you know how long you would like to stay and have some dates in mind, shoot those over to me as soon as you can. Please peruse the following information and let me know what further questions you have.

 

"[Runamuk] is unspoiled and unpretentious. It doesn't try to be anything, it just is," supervising producer from The Food Network's Secret Life of Cowboy Food.

 

Runamuk is for those who want a true ranch experience: a ranch getaway with good horses to ride on 18,000 acres of private, beautiful country(mountains, sandstone rimrock, open meadows and pine tree forests), to focus on improving your riding skills, and the opportunity to move and work cattle.

 

4 things that set Runamuk apart from other ranches:

1) You can devise your own schedule.

2)Unlimited riding...ride when you want, for how long you want.

3)You can arrive on any day of the week, and we do not have a minimum stay. First come, first served.

4)One on one opportunity to work with cattle.

 

Our main focus here is riding. We work cows, move them to new pastures, check water lines, do some team penning in the arena, as well as an array of other ranch related activities. We incorporate guests into all of the above as well as the following: teaching guests to rope from the ground, teaching guests to run the barrels, for those interested, historical rides, music around a campfire, trap shooting, yoga, massage, rafting trips and more. We've had guests from all over the world and they have one thing in common; they say this is the best riding they've experienced. 

 

Summer 2009 Special Events:

May through approx. June 15--Calving: This is when our cows calve. We will ride through the herd to check cow/calf health and move to pastures as needed.

 

June 21-25--Cattle Drive/Branding: Runamuk Guest Ranch branding. This is the real thing. Ride each day to gather and sort cow-calf pairs and move them to the holding corrals where we'll work and brand calves. Then we'll drive cattle to their summer pasture. Lots of riding. This is a popular event with limited spots available. This is for those serious about riding.

 

June27-28: Overlap your ranch experience with our Runamuk Benefit Trail Ride(visit our website, www.runamukguestranch.com to enjoy video footage of this annual ride. On Saturday, you can enjoy yourself in a myriad of ways. Ride a horse or in a horse-drawn wagon through timbered trails, across sandstone rimrock, and through open meadows to a barbecue lunch of ranch raised beef with all the fixin's. Once your belly has settled, head back to the ranch covering a different path.  Back at the ranch enjoy live music, a wine social, pig roast, auction. Top off your night with a good old fashioned barn dance. The next morning, wake to homemade donuts, coffee and juice and head out on the trail again for a half day ride.

 

Week of July 20: Bulls are moved to cow herds.

  

September: There will be more animals out and moving throughout September--elk, mule deer, turkey and coyote. September rolls into our off-season with fewer guests. Guests coming in the off-season months truly get spoiled!! Ask us about it, we can tell you more!

 

Second and Third Weeks of October:  Some cattle work and lots of scenic riding.

 

History:

There is no other place found to have the name "Roundup"—this was once the location where cattle ranchers gathered their cattle collectively and worked, branded, and shipped them to market. As far as this ranch goes, Toby's great, great grandfather was a ranching pioneer. Formerly known as the Spidel ranch, it has been in the family since the 1880s. Toby is a fifth generational rancher who married Jody-a former teacher-who also came from a farming/ranching family. In 2004, Jody began the guest ranch, thus opening up our way of life, so people from all over the world can come and experience genuine ranch life. We are now a working cattle ranch raising commercial cattle, running yearling cattle,  and raising both race horses and ranch horses year round on 18,000 acres of private land while also opening up a magnificent piece of history to you.

 

Also, if you have a particular interest in Native American heritage and history, you could take an outing to the Indian pictograph or stop by the old Homestead sites and learn about the early settlers to this area.

 

Activities:

Days and evenings at Runamuk are spent with guests participating in a myriad of activities at whatever level they wish. Partaking in everyday ranch activities, unlimited horseback riding, cattle work, just enjoying the peace and quiet, relaxing to a good book, taking an after-dinner ride, partaking in riding lessons, learning to throw a rope from the ground, arena activities, an occasional campfire with the open sky above and western music(Mike, our local musician who moved to Roundup in the past few years from Nashville is a big hit. He used to open for various musicians.) are just some of your options here.  

 

Everyone is welcome to take an active part in ranch life. May-August we offer arena time with yearling cattle. Throughout the summer we move cattle as needed, check herd health, and move cattle as grass dictates. May-June 15 is our calving time. Toby also occasionally takes guests to the corrals for intensive cattle work. If this is something you're interested in, please let us know. 

 

Hiking in the Bull Mountains is an activity that guests do on their own and can head to some breath-taking views. Both hiking and riding offer terrific photography opportunities.  Guests often see deer, coyotes, Merriam turkey and eagles on rides, and catch an occasional glimpse of an elk herd.  There are many lovely wild flowers and a wide variety of birds. We take any interested guests to local rodeos if they are close enough; other rodeo trips and site seeing trips can be arranged. Past guests have enjoyed trips to Yellowstone National Park(3 hrs), Billings rodeos(1 hour), Big Horn River(3 hrs), local rodeos and more! The Fourth of July is a fun time to visit Runamuk as our nearby town, Roundup, offers an array of activities, concerts, and parades for you to take part.

 

As many guests like to just relax by themselves, we recommend that you bring a good book; however you can choose from our array of historical readings, westerns and more. 

 

Dining:

"I have traveled to some of the finest resorts and restaurants in the world, and Jody's skill in the kitchen rivals some of the best-trained chefs," Kerry, supervising producer of The Food Network's Secret Life of show. Trust me when I say, your bellies will not go without. Three very good ranch meals are served daily, family style. We believe that good food is one of the greater pleasures in life and therefore serve mostly ranch-raised beef, fresh ingredients from our ranch garden when available, and fresh baked breads and desserts! Dinners range from roast lamb with homemade mint sauce to spaghetti to a beef rib-eye that fills your plate to an elk roast cooked over an open fire. Breakfasts range from our homemade recipe for stuffed french toast, yogurt and homemade granola to eggs, bacon(ranch fattened), and biscuits and gravy. Vegetarian cuisine served on request. Special dietary needs or requests, please let us know in advance. We do ask guests to let us know what type of beverage they prefer so that we can make sure to have it on hand. Guests bring their own liquor or beer. This can be picked up on the way to the ranch or we'd be happy to pick this up for you prior to your arrival. If you have a favorite entree or it's someone's birthday and they have a favorite, we want to know! We want to make each aspect of your trip memorable...right down to your meals! 

 

Accommodations and Amenities: 

Runamuk spreads over many private acres of beautiful sandstone rimrocks, pine tree forests, meadows and valleys with breathtaking views and picturesque scenery. Each accommodation allows you to enjoy striking scenery, open skies, peacefulness and fresh mountain air. The guest lodge, decorated with family heirlooms from the 1920s and 30s, is a 4 bedroom, 2 1/2 bathroom home with a large kitchen, laundry facilities, and living area. Step right out the back door into nature-timbered slopes and the smell of pine trees. Sleeps 12 comfortably. Our 3 bedroom guest lodge consists of two bathrooms(one in master bedroom), 3 bedrooms, screened in porch, large kitchen, laundry, satellite television, and central air. This sits 13 miles from the main ranch. Our retreat cabin, utilized by most guests as a place to just get away, sits six miles from the main ranch and offers absolute privacy. Enjoy the uniqueness of an outdoor shower nestled against rimrock on a hot summer day. This cabin takes guests back to the more simplistic life without cell phones(although most cell phones have service), computers or television. Guests have woke up to deer, elk or turkey feeding below. Sleeps up to six guests comfortably. TV, internet access and phone are available at the main ranch house. 

 

Montana weather: Montana weather is highly unpredictable, especially in spring and fall, and we have no control over this. It is best to be prepared for a variety of conditions. If you would like to lighten your load, we can usually accommodate warmer clothing for guests. Just visit with us about this!

 

What to bring: Heeled boots, sunscreen, rain slicker, long sleeved shirt, comfortable riding attire for riding, leather gloves, comfortable yoga attire for those booking yoga, hiking boots or tennis shoes, toiletries(shampoo, face wash, etc.), and a swimsuit for the hot tub or off-ranch rafting or floating trip. We do recommend a warm jacket for any cool morning and evenings.

  

Ranch Atmosphere: The ranch atmosphere is very casual. This is a family-run business and has that family-feel to it. Many guests want to return because our genuine nature offers such a comfortable, welcome atmosphere.

Taxes: Montana lodging tax is 7%

Gratuities: Gratuity is a gift of money; therefore, it should remain that. Call us old-fashioned, but we do not add gratuity onto your stay. Our ranch wranglers and staff go above and beyond, so if you do decide to tip someone at Runamuk as a special gift for service(s) received, know that it is always greatly appreciated…not expected.

Airport: Billings International Airport, Billings, Montana. Airport shuttle is included in your package stay. We pick up between 8am and 8pm. If you're arriving outside of those times and you need a suggestion for a hotel, we recommend the Boothill Inn, 406-245-2000. They are nearby the airport and offer free shuttle before 11pm. They also offer free shuttle service to the Billings' Downtown and Heights areas. Tell them you're with Runamuk Guest Ranch.

Type: Working guest ranch

Horse Breed: Mostly quarter horse

Riding Level: All levels welcome

Pace: All paces dependent upon riding ability and terrain.

Note: BYO alcohol. Wine is offered with dinner.

Below is an article written by an English writer that will be featured in England's Glamour magazine. This offers yet another example of how you can work your Runamuk stay!

Runamuk Guest Ranch, Billings, Montana USA 

Owned by husband and wife team Toby and Jody, this fifth generation working ranch is perfect for anyone wanting to unleash their inner cowhand. You don't have to be a seasoned rider and you can have as much activity or relaxation as you choose.

Day 1: After a huge breakfast of peach pancakes, homemade granola, and

yoghurt your first stop is the stables where you'll meet your 

wrangler. Your wrangler will match you up with the perfect horse for your ability,lead you through an orientation,

then take you out into the hills for an awe-inspiring ride to the Upper Meadows.

Back at the ranch, try an outdoor yoga session on table-sized rocks - the best way to unwind if

you're feeling stiff. After dinner (homemade lasagna and cheesecake) take a 

trip to the arena to try your hand at throwing lassoes.

Day 2: It's back on your horse to help gather the 200 cows and calves from

all over the huge 18,000-acre estate. Stop by the ranch's log cabin for warm 

homemade bread with cheese and ham for lunch and watch the wild turkeys

pass through the field. Then spend some time relaxing in the outdoor hot tub

before heading down for dinner – Jody's specialty, prime rib. Later on, grab 

some quad bikes and drive up to the Buttes (rock outcroppings with unstoppable views) to watch an amazing wild west sunset.

Day 3: If you fancy a break from riding, a day's whitewater rafting on the

incredibly beautiful Yellowstone River or a day innertubing on the local Musselshell River is exhilarating and relaxing. Or why not soak up some history at the famous Little Bighorn Battlefield (about a two hour drive away). In the evening, the rodeos are on and it's your chance to watch the pros ride bulls and rope calves(there is a Billings rodeo in August). 

Day 4: Fill up on fried eggs, bacon and Jody's famous stuffed French toast, then walk it off with a hike through the hills (the views are breathtaking). After lunch, saddle up and make the six mile ride to the cabin through beautiful old timber forests in time for a BBQ dinner of rib steaks, baked potatoes, and a well deserved glass of wine from a local Montana winery. Sit around the campfire under the stars (they don't call this Big Sky Country for 

nothing!), and listen to some traditional cowboy music.

Day 5: Wake to breakfast on the cabin porch. After the ride back to the

ranch, a full-body massage awaits your saddle sore bones! (A range of

massages can be booked for you anytime during your stay.) The trip ends with 

dinner at the High Point(beautiful location to view Montana's mountain ranges)where you can see the vast red and orange Montana sunset go down for one last time. Kick back with a glass of wine and memories of being a true cowgirl/cowboy and toast to next year when you'll be back.

Jody Dahl

Runamuk Guest Ranch

www.runamukguestranch.com