Yankee Walkers
affiliate news
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out loud! I’ve had Cookie since late fall, and we’ve trailered to meet friends on a number of rides, did ground driving and longe lining. And so the story continues—I boarded a flight recently to visit my brother in Indiana. Somehow we decided to drive to G&G Flat Shod Farms in Kentucky, and all of a sudden Cartier is part of my life! Cartier is a 7-year-old, 16.1 hand registered Tennessee Walker gelding. Of course, it’s all Cookie’s fault, as she’s been hounding me for a barn companion! Needless to say, I’m so excited. I rode him on the track; went for a trail ride through the woods, including water, ditches, and bridges and he was not phased! I am anxious for you all to meet him and Cookie on the trails all around New England.
Special Thanks
Yankee Walkers is very lucky to have Ellen not only as a returning member but also as our club secretary and treasurer for 2012! We appreciate her organizational excellence, math skills, and wise advice. Yankee Walkers is also very pleased to have Nancy Kitchen as a returning member, and as our Trail Chair for 2012. Nancy is a very experienced rider, trail master, and gaited horse enthusiast. The club is also very appreciative of Jody Pellecchia, a new member, who also agreed to be our Show Points and Awards Chairperson for 2012!
Tri-State Horsemen’s Association celebrates Its 40-year annIversary submItted by beth stone
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heTri-State Horsemen’s Association (TSHA) was formed 40 years ago to provide riders in the Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island areas with an opportunity to enjoy their horses in a fun, family atmosphere. The organization has grown over the years, and now offers members the opportunity to enjoy their horses at a weekend horse show series, dressage shows, trail rides, hunter paces and more! And TSHA is set to celebrate their 40th anniversary in style with lots of activities for its members! The big, new open show program book has hit the mailboxes, featuring “40 Years of TSHA” on the cover. If you did not receive it, look for one in your local tack shop or feed store. This year’s shows will be held on June 1-3, July 13-15, and August 17-19 at Falls Creek Farm in Oneco, Conn. The TSHA Open Show Committee has been working diligently to put together a great series for 2012. The committee has implemented many of the ideas and suggestions put forth by exhibitors and many
Northwest Connecticut Draft Horse Association plans to hIt the traIl submItted by cornelIa JacquIer
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he Northwest Connecticut Draft Horse Association (NWCDHA) has a group drive scheduled for May 6, 2012 (rain date May 20) at the Rockefeller State Park Preserve, located at 125 Phelps Way in Pleasantville, N.Y. The most notable feature of the Preserve is the system of carriage roads built by John D. Rockefeller Jr. Designed to complement the landscape, the carriage roads, many of which are accessible, allow visitors to experience and enjoy the natural wonders of the area. These scenic paths wind through wetlands, woodlands,
meadows, and fields and past streams, rivers, and lakes while traversing wood and stone bridges. The panoramic view of the Hudson River remains a spot of beauty for all who visit. The group will also be presenting a live haying demonstration in August, another trail ride for October, and the Fall Field Day in November. For more information on these events or joining our club, contact club president Tony Roswell at trozwell@ aol.com, visit www.northwestctdrafthorse. com, or like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NWCTDHA.
changes have been made to make the Tri-State Horsemen’s Association events better than ever! The class list has been revamped to provide classes for all exhibitors on both Saturday and Sunday, and new classes have been added. The changes being made include moving the Jumper divisions to Saturday afternoons, returning the Gymkhana divisions to Friday nights, and running all of the double-judged classics (including a new Saddle Seat Pleasure Classic and Western Pleasure Classic) on Saturday evening. Hunter riders will be pleased to note that Over Fences classes will be offered on both Saturday and Sunday. In addition, this year the show office will be located in the Belt Buckle Bar—sorry, no alcohol will be served! The open show has also instituted a Ribbon Buy-Back Program, for clean, pristine ribbons won during the weekend that the recipient does not wish to keep. The first dressage show of the season will soon take place, on May 5 at the Woodstock Fairgrounds. The show added Western Dressage to the regular class list this year. This new class is expected to be well received, although it will be strange to see the glitzy western riders warming up with the more traditional dressage riders! The new management of the dressage shows is working hard to keep them fresh and appealing, while continuing to offer exhibitors a well-run event with top judges and competition. The remaining dressage shows will be held on June 17 and July 29. The first TSHA trail ride of the season was held on April 22, at the Blessing of the Horses in Escoheag, R.I. TSHA Trail Chairwoman Flo Harmon has put together a great lineup of rides for 2012. The following dates are in place for the remaining rides: Governor’s Day Ride on May 12, Moonlight Ride and Cookout on August 4, and the popular Lobster Beach Ride on September 29. For more information on the Tri-State Horsemen’s Association, visit www. tristatehorsemen.com. Speaking of the website, it is your best source for up-to-the-minute information on all TSHA events and activities. It contains show information, scholarship guidelines, membership information and much, much more. Check it out! MAY 2012
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