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Inspired by horses and people

HORSES ALL • DECEMBER 2012

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CONTENTS

Volume 35 · Number 12 · December 2012 EDITOR Craig Couillard craig.couillard@fbcpublishing.com (403) 200-1019

YOUNG GUNS

EQUESTRIAN VAULTING

SALES ACCOUNT MANAGER Crystal McPeak crystal@fbcpublishing.com (403) 360-3210 (866) 385-3669 (toll free)

New sport making strides in Alberta

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SALES ACCOUNT MANAGER Natalie Sorkilmo natalie.sorkilmo@fbcpublishing.com (403) 608-2238 SPECIAL PROJECTS – GLACIER AG MEDIA Tom Mumby glacieragproducts@shaw.ca (780) 459-5464 PUBLISHER Bob Willcox bob@fbcpublishing.com

THIS MONTH’S CONTRIBUTORS: Karen Vanderlaan , Rodney Nelson, Robyn Moore, Cindy Bablitz, Amie Peck, April Clay, Craig Couillard, Wendy Dudley, Dianne Finstad, Heather Grovet, Darley Newman, Dr. Carol Shwetz, Glenn Stewart, Carol Upton, Jody Seeley, Terri McKinney, Natalie Sorkilmo and Dixie Stewart.

PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY: Farm Business Communications 1666 Dublin Avenue Winnipeg, MB R3H 0H1 ADVERTISING DEADLINE Second Monday of the month.

SUBSCRIPTION RATES (includes GST) 1-800-665-0502 One Year: $28.67 Three years: $63.59 One Year Overseas & U.S.: $62.00 Make cheques payable to Horses All. We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund (CPF) for our publishing activities.

Published Monthly by Farm Business Communications ISSN 0225-4913

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US POSTMASTERS HORSES ALL (ISSN 0745-7294) is published monthly for $62.00 per year by Farm Business Communications. c/o U.S. Agent, Transborder Mail, 4708 Caldwell Road E, Edgewood, WA, 98372-9221. Periodicals Postage Paid at Puyallup, WA, and additional mailing offices.

U.S. POSTMASTER: Send address changes (cover only) to Horses All c/o Transborder Mail PO Box 6016, Federal Way, WA. 98063-6016, U.S.A. None of the material, written or artistic, may be reprinted or used in any way without the specific permission of the editor. The opinions and statements expressed in the articles and advertisements found in Horses All are not necessarily those of the staff or owners. Therefore, HORSES ALL will not be responsible for those opinions or statements included in the articles or advertisements. However, the staff and owners of HORSES ALL would appreciate written notice of false advertising. The publisher reserves the right to refuse any advertising. While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of material published, no responsibility will be assumed for advertising received by telephone and in no case will liability be assumed for greater than the cost of the advertising when errors or omissions have occurred. HORSES ALL may not be held responsible for the loss or damage of any photographs, drawings, logos, manuscripts, etc., that are sent or brought to the office.

NOTICE OF COPYRIGHT Full, complete and sole copyright in any advertisement or editorial content bought or produced by HORSES ALL is vested in and belongs to HORSES ALL. No copyright material may be reproduced in any form with out the prior written consent of HORSES ALL. Horses All does not accept unsolicited manuscripts. Those received will not be returned.

PHOTO: ANTJE SEEMANN/GERMANY

PROFILES

INSPIRATIONS

HORSE, HEALTH & HOME

HAPPENINGS

Equine chiropractor

Judie Popplewell

Different horse filters

Ranch for a King

Former steer wrestler now go-to guy

Combining her love of horses and art

Glenn Stewart offers a different perspective

World’s oldest and most recognized ranch

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COLUMNS A Breed Apart . . . . . . . . . .10 Back Country Travels . . . .28 Doing it my way . . . . . . . . .7 Equitrekking . . . . . . . . . . .20 Eye on the Industry . . . . .35 From the field . . . . . . . . . . .4 Get a Grip . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 Going Down the Trail . . .32 Homeward Bound . . . . . .11 Horse Health . . . . . . . . . .29 Horse Heroes . . . . . . . . . .10 In it to win it . . . . . . . . . . . .6

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33

FEATURES Inspirations . . . . . . . . . . .22

The Mercantile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

My Tunes . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Profiles of exciting new product offerings from local businesses

Our Way of Life . . . . . . . . .9

Association News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34-35

Rhymes from the range . .17 Riding out of your Mind . .27 Talking Back . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Two-Bit Cowboy . . . . . . . .4 Where are they now? . . . . .8 Women of the West . . . . .12 Young Guns . . . . . . . . . . . .5

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HORSES ALL • DECEMBER 2012

OUT FRONT Welcome to Ho rs e s A l l FAITH

CONTRIBUTORS

God must be a cowboy Trying to spend more time on the road than in the ditch TWO-BITS FROM A TWO-BIT COWBOY Craig Couillard – Editor

F

or those of you of the right vintage, you might recognize this headline from the 1983 song of the same name by Dan Seals.

It’s one of my favourite cowboy songs of all time.

It came to mind when trying to think what to write for my Christmas message in this issue.

About 25 years ago, a friend once described his faith journey as a paved road with a ditch on each side. For every mile of asphalt, there are two miles of ditch.

When he felt spiritually connected, life was pretty good on that road; not that everything came up roses but life seemed to make sense to him. Invariably though, he would wander off the road and spend time in the ditch.

That metaphor has sure stuck with me. And for those of you that know me well, you know I’ve had my share of “ditch riding.”

Our faith journey seems to have similar traits to working with horses. Invariably we are going to have challenging rides… maybe even get bucked off. But we keep getting up, and keep getting back in the saddle. Why is that?

I think it’s because we are always looking for that good ride, where everything comes together.

We’ve experienced it before, and desire to have it again. Maybe you’re a show jumper… or a reiner… or dressage rider. Possibly a mounted shooter… a trainer… a penner... or maybe you just love trail

riding. There is something there that keeps drawing us back to the saddle, no matter how good or bad the last ride was.

This can also be said of our faith… there is an inner desire that draws us back to the road, especially during times spent in the ditch. We long for something or someone to help make sense of this world we live in.

I’ve met a lot of folks this past year as editor of Horses All magazine. And many of them have an underlying faith foundation.

They don’t come across too churchy. I’ve shared a cold beer with some of them, and I’ve heard the odd cuss word on the trail or in the round pen.

There is this quietness and gentleness about their faith. It wasn’t so much what they said, but how they conducted themselves.

The ones I respect are great with their horses… outstanding actually. It’s through that inner confidence and gentleness that they gain the trust and respect from their horses. Those attributes are recognizable in their human relationships as well.

Many of the people we have profiled in Horses All this past year have a strong faith, and some through extremely challenging times. I’ve been inspired by their stories.

The Good Book talks about faith, hope, and love. Folks in the horse and western lifestyle have great faith in their horses, and the people around them. The risks can be high so faith is a big part of climbing into the saddle.

Not many complainers in our industry… most folks have a sincere hope for better things to come — for themselves, family, and friends. I find the

reade rs s pea k

horse industry is generally pretty optimistic (often when they don’t have good reason to be).

And love… well, you can’t read our magazine without seeing how people love their horses… and love others. There is not a month goes by that our industry isn’t trying to raise money for others who have fallen on harder times. Not many are getting rich in this industry but I still find it to be very generous.

So could God have been a cowboy? I’ll let Dan Seals lyrics have the last word: And I think God must be a cowboy at heart He made wide-open spaces from the start He made grass and trees and mountains and a horse to be a friend And trails to lead old cowboys home again.

goings on

Talking back Reader feedback – Send your comments to: craig.couillard@fbcpublishing.com Thank you so much for you generous sponsorship (at the Canadian Supreme). It is much appreciated.

— John Swales via mail

Wendy Dudley likes her equines with long ears, tin-can voices, wispy tails, and lots of attitude. That’s why donkeys and mules are her beasts of choice. She’s owned horses, but they weren’t a match for her brayers. But equines are in her blood, as her grandfather was a jockey, and her dad trained western horses on the Circle M Ranch in Ontario.

She’s been telling stories for over 30 years, turning to horse-related fodder after two decades in news reporting. She is the author of Don’t Name the Ducks, a book about living in the hills.

In the field Snapshots from our field editors

Re: Oct./2012 issue. As long time subscribers, we wish to express our displeasure with the inclusion of two articles in the recent issue which were totally irrelevant, they being about bull riding!!

— Ian and Karen Reeve, Redcliff, Alta via mail

While often going unnoticed, horses are a big part of bullriding.

16,000 rodeo fans were thankful for the talents of all-star pickup man Gary Remple who, along with his rope horse, saved hundreds from injury when he got a loop on this bull that climbed out of the arena at the 2010 Canadian Finals Rodeo. Photo: Mike Copeman

Cindy Bablitz has been weaving words since she began her career scripting speeches for one of Alberta’s most infamous of cowboys, then Mayor Ralph Klein. She has a heartfelt appreciation for ordinary people and an uncanny knack for eliciting their extraordinary stories.

Cindy is a published author — School’s Out Forever: The Art and Science of Our Unschooled Life, So Far, and mom to three boys.

Some of her work is at www.BoldlyWritten.com.

Amie Peck has been involved with hunter/jumpers and dressage for almost two decades, competing up to the National level. After obtaining her Equine Science degree, she trained horses and coached students for five years — until it was time to get a “real” job. Now she is (literally) learning the ropes at the cattle company she works for, and praying she keeps her thumb. She is a sucker for chestnuts with a blaze.

 Horses All editor Craig Couillard attended The Mane Event in

Chilliwack where Aussie Dan Steers won The Trainer’s Challenge.

Gail and Ron Barker sure know how to put on a great show. The Horses All team also had their booth set up during CFR-Farmfair at Northlands in Edmonton. Over 1,500 horse lovers picked up a complimentary copy of Horses All magazine at these two events.

BEHIND THE COVER Front cover photographer

Thank you to Darley Newman and Equitrekking for this month’s cover photo of her beach riding on the Georgia coast. www.equitrekkingtravel.com 1-877-490-7786

HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • DECEMBER 2012

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profiles Stories from People who Live, Work and Compete with Horses vaulting

Flying through the air with the greatest of ease The path to equestrian vaulting in Alberta hasn’t been easy for local competitors YOUNG GUNS Up and coming stars

Heather Grovet Galahad, Alta.

W

hen the van der Sluijs family moved from the Netherlands to Olds, Alta. in 2001, the three teenage daughters were excited.

“We’d heard that Alberta was the horse capital of Canada,” Jeanine van der Sluijs says. “My older sister, Masha, was a talented rider, and my younger sister, Angelique and I were very involved in competitive equestrian vaulting. We assumed it would be easy to find a vaulting barn nearby where we could continue with our sport.”

Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. At that time Alberta had no competitive vaulting clubs so it soon became apparent the family would have to manage on their own.

“My mom, who hadn’t grown up

with horses, learned to lunge our vaulting horses,” van der Sluijs says.

“And my sisters and I began to train our own horses for the sport.”

Before long the family was hauling four days a week to the Olds arena. Here they worked five hours at a time, practicing, training and coaching basic vaulting lessons.

“My dad finally decided we needed a riding arena of our own,” van der Sluijs says. “So he built a big, heated arena on our dairy farm.”

This barn has since become home to the Meadow Creek Vaulting Club, which currently has 20 members ranging in age from five to 25. Here the family teaches weekly vaulting lessons, plus practices and trains on their own horses.

The family’s first vaulting purchase was a Trakehner/Oldenburger gelding named Kavalia.

“Any breed can do the job,” van der Sluijs explains. “We look for certain temperament traits more than a specific breed. We need

Left: Angelique and Jeanine van der Sluijs captured the Division AA Canter Pas De Deux National Championship Title on the horse Phoenix, lunged by Becky Marland. The 2012 VaultCanada National Championships were recently held in Ponoka, Alta., the weekend of October 12-14th. photo: Kirsten Quist

horses that are calm, willing and tolerant of activity. We’ve had success with Warmbloods, Paints, Quarter Horses and Thoroughbred/Draft crosses. And different levels of vaulters have different requirements. Our beginners prefer smaller horses with a really easy canter to ride. These beginner horses have to be very tolerant of people crawling over them.”

The van der Sluijs sisters are fairly tall, so they prefer bigger horses. “At our level we look for horses with a smooth canter that has a bit of swing,” van der Sluijs says. “Our horses only vault twice a week; otherwise we do a lot of cross-training that includes trail riding, dressage and jumping. A horse can be used for vaulting for many years if you don’t overdo it.

Take Kavalia, who’s now 15, and still doing well.”

In 2010 Jeanine van der Sluijs competed as the only vaulting Canadian at Kentucky’s World Equestrian Games using a horse

Photography

below right: Jeanine performs a Cartwheel as part of the Freestyle, on the horse Oliver, lunged by Yossi Martonovich, at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. The Games were held in Lexington, Kentucky, October 6-10th, 2010. Jeanine placed 18th at the event. Photo: Primo Ponies Photography below Left: Jeanine competing on the horse Oliver, lunged by Yossi Martonovich, at the 2010 U.S. National Championships in Santa Barbara, CA. Jeanine took part in this event in preparation of competing at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Photo: Primo Ponies Photography

“Any breed can do the job. We look for certain temperament traits more than a specific breed. We need horses that are calm, willing and tolerant of activity.”

— Jeanine van der Sluijs

Jeanine van der Sluijs, competing in the Freestyle Round at the 2012 World Vaulting Championships on the Scottish horse, Tylers Kernel, lunged by John Eccles. The event was held August 16-19, 2012 in Le Mans, France.

Photo: Antje Seemann/Germany. antje-seemann.jimdo.com

borrowed from the U.S. team.

“Our own horses weren’t ready to compete at that level,” van der Sluijs says. “So I spent a month in Colorado before the competition training on their horse. We placed 18th, so I was very pleased.”

Then in August 2012 Jeanine competed as the lone Canadian athlete in the FEI World Equestrian Vaulting Championships held in France, this time mounted on a Dutch Warmblood owned by the Scottish team. And in October 2012 Jeanine and Angelique competed in the VaultCanada National Championships held at Ponoka, Alta.

“Most of the time vaulting is done solo,” van der Sluijs says. “But this time Angelique and I did a pas de deux demonstration, which is freestyle vaulting for two people.

Our goal is to compete together at a world level in pas de deux at WEG in 2014.”

Carolyn Latimer, mother of a Meadow Creek vaulting student, values the van der Sluijs family and raves over vaulting. “When you see a vaulter perform a cartwheel on the back of a cantering horse, or a team performing lifts to create a magical performance, it goes beyond sport and becomes theatre!” she explains.

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HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • DECEMBER 2012

P ROFILES bronc rider

Luke Butterfield captures CFR title and All-American Pro Rodeo Finals But the saddle bronc rider comes agonizing close to his dream of going to the NFR IN IT TO WIN IT Competitor profile

By Amie Peck Cochrane, Alta.

T

o say that is has been a hectic year for Luke Butterfield would be an understatement. The 28-year-old Saddle Bronc rider from Ponoka, Alta. has been everywhere, man.

“I think I entered around 100 rodeos this year,” Butterfield recounts. “I was in 87 Professional Cowboy Rodeo Association (PRCA) events and probably over 10 non-sanctioned rodeos. I was thinking the other day that I have ridden about 150 Saddle Bronc horses this year — and I still remember every ride.”

For several years, Butterfield has been campaigning for a coveted spot at the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in Las Vegas, running from December 6-15 this year.

The top 15 money earners in each event are invited to compete for the title of World Champion at the prestigious rodeo.

Since turning professional in 2005 at the age of 21, Butterfield has had many wins and titles to his name. He was the Canadian Intercollegiate Saddle Bronc Champion in 2005, the Alberta Circuit Saddle Bronc Champion of 2010 and won the 2010 Grande Prairie Stompede with a score of 89 — an arena record.

Butterfield just won the All American Pro Rodeo Finals and claimed the title of Canadian Finals Rodeo Saddle Bronc Champion this year for the second time.

Luke Butterfield definitely lives up to his legendary rodeo name with a hugely successful 2012 season. Photo: Mike Copeman

It comes as no surprise that Butterfield, a legendary name on the circuit, would become a rodeo champion. His father Greg is a three time Canadian Champion in Steer Wrestling and a member of the Canadian Professional Rodeo Hall of Fame. His uncles Brian and Bud are also four and six time Canadian Champion steer wrestlers respectively. The

only surprise is that Luke chose to specialize in bronc riding.

“I weighed 140 pounds when I was 16,” laughs Butterfield. “That is a little light for steer wrestling so I started riding broncs. I still compete in Steer Wrestling but broncs are my forte and something that I just kept working at.”

With his goal of qualifying for the NFR, Butterfield kept an intense schedule of rodeos all season long through both the western provinces and the United States.

“This year I spent four nights in my own bed in a four month stretch,” Butterfield says.

“It’s a lot of fun to be out travelling to rodeos but I start to get tired around August.”

There were some mishaps along the way this year, with Butterfield almost missing his plane to the San Bernardino rodeo.

“I was stuck in a Los Angeles traffic jam where I drove 36 miles in two hours,” Butterfield remembers. “I thought for sure I was going to miss the rodeo. Then, in Kansas City, it took forever for my bags to arrive. I was really worried that I wasn’t going to have my saddle to compete with. By the time they finally got there I was running really late for the rodeo — they were singing the national anthem when I arrived.”

At the Kansas City rodeo, the last of the season, Butterfield knew he had a real chance to qualify for the NFR. After a solid ride, he was in third place, but eventually bumped down to tie for fifth. His pay out for the rodeo put him 16th in the world standings — one spot and $813 short.

“My career goal is definitely to make the NFR,” says Butterfield. “I was so close this year. It is such a tough rodeo to qualify for and why we try our butts off to try to make it. You really have to give it your all the whole season.”

There is no doubt that Butterfield will be on the road again next year, hustling to many different towns and cities to try and make his dream of competing at the NFR a reality.

champion

Linderman award comes to Canada Kyle Thomson becomes the first Canadian to claim the “cowboy’s cowboy” award since 1992

By Dianne Finstad Red Deer, Alta.

R

odeo announcers often quip “if you look up ‘cowboy’ in the dictionary, you’ll find a picture of Kyle Thomson.”

You’d be hard pressed to find anyone who disagreed. Kyle Thomson is truly a working man of the West. He can rope, ride broncs, wrestle steers, ranch, and even do stunts in the movies.

In the sport of pro rodeo, Thomson has just added his name to an elite group of cowboys who show their skills in a variety of events.

Just a few weeks after earning his fourth Canadian All-Around Championship, Thomson headed to Las Vegas to be presented with the 2012 Linderman Award by the PRCA. In Canada, a rodeo contestant has to win at least three cheques in both a timed and riding event to be eligible for All-Around honours.

On the world scene, the Linderman award takes that a notch higher.

To qualify for the award, a cowboy must earn at least a $1,000 in

each of three events and that must include at least one roughstock and one timed event.

According to the PRCA Media Guide, the award is designed to honour versatility. In a highly specialized age of the sport, it recognizes winners who can be considered the greatest of all-around hands.

The award is named in honour of Bill Linderman, who was a world champion in timed and roughstock events. He died in a plane crash in Salt Lake City in 1965, and the first Linderman award was presented the following year.

Thomson, a third generation rodeo competitor who lives at Lundbreck in southern Alberta, has qualified for the Canadian Finals Rodeo in both his signature events. He’s made it to Edmonton nine times in the saddle bronc riding and once in steer wrestling.

But this year, he entered the team roping to make a run for the PRCA prestigious award.

“At the start of the year, I was roping with (bull rider) Ty Elliott,” explained the 34-year-old hand.

“We placed at Luxton, and then we entered quite a few rodeos and nothing happened. So we quit entering, and actually (veteran rodeo reporter) Dwayne Erickson phoned me up and said ‘you’re one of just two guys that’s got money in three events.’”

Realizing he had a shot at the Linderman award, Thomson got back on the phone, and made the extra effort to keep going in the team roping.

“I picked up a few partners. I roped with Baillie Milan, Josey Young, and then Lyle Hewitt phoned me up for Pincher Creek, because he’s from around there.

I thought ‘oh wow, he’s a good header, I’m glad he phoned.’ So I just started entering him, and told him later he was entered up,” he chuckled.

“Me and Lyle ended up winning second at Okotoks. I’ve got to thank all the guys I’ve roped with, and my sponsors for helping me get down the road. It was good to get it done.”

In the end, Thomson earned $28,441 in saddle bronc riding for

Kyle Thomson becomes the first Canadian to claim the “cowboy’s cowboy” award since 1992. Photo: Mike Copeman

the world season, $5,102 in steer wrestling, and $1,230 as a team roping heeler.

Thomson, who grew up in Black Diamond, becomes the fourth Canadian to earn the title; first captured by the legendary Kenny McLean, then Tom Eirikson, and also Bernie Smyth.

Trying to enter and travel to rodeos in two events is a big enough challenge, but adding in a third one, which requires a partner, is a big job. But for this rodeoing

rancher, it’s all part of what being a cowboy means to him.

“It’s a goal of mine to do (the AllAround) every year. I love rodeoing so much I’d probably do it without awards.”

But winning the Linderman honour, and being able to take his wife to Las Vegas to accept it, definitely qualifies as rewarding.”

“I’m pretty proud of that. The more I get thinking about it, that’s a pretty cool deal, and I’m pretty happy with that.”

HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • DECEMBER 2012

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P ROFILES Race Tu tor

The Race to Read

Kentucky Derby winner trained in Vancouver

Former female jockey makes a difference at the track one student at a time I DID IT MY WAY Personal Profile

Heather Grovet Galahad, Alta.

G

alloping a race horse down the track, and teaching a discouraged adult to read; could these two things be related in any way? They could if your name is Jeannie Spence, a race horse owner, trainer and jockey, plus professional teacher. Let me explain.

Spence grew up in Williams Lake, B.C., where almost every child had a horse of their own. She and her friends would ride to school, and then play hide ’n seek, or tag on horseback.

At age 11, Spence was galloping her pony at the Williams Lake Rodeo Grounds when a race horse trainer called out to her. The trainer’s jockey had tipped his elbow a few too many times that day, and was no longer fit to race. “Would you like to ride a real race horse?” the man called. That stopped Spence in her tracks. What horsecrazy kid would say no to such a request?!

“We won the race,” Spence laughs. “But it wasn’t me; it was because I was on the best horse.”

That win was the start of Spence’s career as jockey. The word quickly spread, and soon Spence was riding race horses for a number of Williams Lake families.

The next few years were a blur as Spence traveled the racetrack circuit around B.C. and Alberta, plus rode her own horses in barrel racing and pole bending.

The proceeds of barrel racing and jockeying put Spence through university. “I had planned to be a vet,” she says. “But a local vet talked me out of it, so instead I took education.”

When Spence graduated she bought a Thoroughbred, and continued with life on the track. But once her first child was born, things began to change.

“Years earlier I had broke my neck when involved in a four horse pile-up,” she says. “Once I was married and a mother, I lost my nerve.

A mother can’t afford to be injured, so I quit jockeying but continued to own and exercise my racehorses.”

It was during this time that Spence became aware of the numerous people at the track who couldn’t read, and didn’t know what to do about the problem.

“I was working with a groom that told me ‘I can’t learn to read and no one can teach me,’” Spence says.

“We worked together for two years before he would allow me try to help him, and even then he was very secretive. We had to work out of sight; in a tack room, or in the car.”

Within six months this groom was reading. Soon the word spread, and others from the track appeared, asking Spence to help them, too.

Spence’s days were packed as she cared for her two sons, trained her horses, taught full-time plus tutored jockeys, grooms and anyone else that asked for assistance.

A few years later Spence’s teaching career came to a halt after her inner ears were damaged. “A mower flung a rock onto my car’s windshield,” Spence says. “I thought I had been shot, the noise was so intense. My balance was affected, and sounds were overwhelming.”

Spence had to stop working in the classroom, but was able to continue tutoring one person at a time.

Eventually the Hastings Racecourse in Vancouver developed an on-site Learning Centre, where track employees and their children could go for assistance in reading, computer skills, upgrading their GED or learning English as a second language.

Jeannie Spence not only tutors jockeys, but was a successful rider and trainer. Spence purchased one of her most successful Thoroughbred race horses, Real Candy at an Alberta horse sale. The grey mare won the Oak’s Breeder’s Trust Cup, as well as broke a track record at Woodbine, Ont. The mare is now a broodmare in Kentucky. Photo: Submitted

“The racetrack is a world of its own,” Spence says. “There no one cares about the colour of your skin, your sex or your religion, instead you are judged on how well you treat your horse, and what kind of person you are. These people are there 24 hours a day, and sometimes they need a bit of help. We try to do whatever’s necessary, whether it’s teaching them first aid, or providing healthy snacks.”

“Some of the people we’ve taught have left the track and gone on to different jobs,” Spence says. “We’re proud that the track gave them a foot up in the world.

And many of the employees that continue here have also been very successful. One of our students went to the Olympics twice as a groom. And an ESL student, jockey Mario Gutierrez, recently

Th ree races wo n

Break out year for 26-year old Mario Gutierrez This year the Thoroughbred news focused on a successful Canadian racehorse named I’ll Have Another.

This colt, owned by Ontario native J. Paul Reddem, won three major races; the 2012 Santa Anita Derby, the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes, before retiring with a leg injury.

I’ll Have Another’s jockey in all three races was Mario Gutierrez, a jockey from Vancouver’s Hastings Racecourse. Twenty-five-year-old Gutierrez grew up in Mexico, the son of a Quarter Horse jockey.

Gutierrez began racing at age 14, and came to Canada in 2006.

Jeannie Spence, a racehorse owner and tutor at Hastings Learning Centre, estimates 70 per cent of Canadian jockeys come from Mexico or Panama. “They’re small, hard working and talented,” Spence says. “But they need to learn English so they can communicate with

Kentucky Derby winning jockey Mario Gutierrez worked with Jeannie Spence and another tutor at Vancouver’s Hastings Racecourse to improve his English skills. photo: Janice William

won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness on Thoroughbred I’ll Have Another.”

“At the end of my life, I don’t want

people to say ‘She sure had a nice house,’” Spence concludes. “I want to do something that actually makes a difference.”

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Champion jockey Mario Gutierrez is poised to run again in the Kentucky Derby. photo: Janice William

the racehorse owners and trainers.”

Gutierrez worked with Spence and another tutor at Hastings to improve his English skills.

“Mario is a genuinely nice young man, and he didn’t change after his big wins,” Spence says. “It wouldn’t

surprise me if he’s successful again next year. Mario has been riding another young horse owned by Reddem called He’s Had Enough.

They have done very well, and may be in the running for the 2013 Kentucky Derby.”

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HORSES ALL • DECEMBER 2012

P ROFILES chiropractor

Rodeo cowboy provides sports medicine for equine athletes

A rodeo career opened doors for a steer wrestler to become one of the leading horse chiropractors in Alberta WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Catching up with heroes of the past

By Dianne Finstad Red Deer, Alta.

R

oger Lewis makes regular appearances at the Canadian Finals Rodeo, and at the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas.

That’s quite an accomplishment for a rodeo cowboy. Although his steer wrestling efforts never quite got him there as a competitor, he’s at arena level these days for another important purpose.

Lewis, who lives with his family at Cardston, is the go-to chiropractor for rodeo contestants anxious to keep their horses in top performance condition. But his work these days goes far beyond rodeo, to racehorses, hunter jumpers, working cow horses and more.

His own love of horses and his connections in rodeo led him to the field, and he’s considered one of the early adopters of equine chiropractics in Canada.

“I was living with Lee Phillips in the late 1980’s, and he was doing some horse chiropractic work,” recalled Lewis, who was more focused on the Canadian champion’s assistance with his steer wrestling at the time.

“I was always aware of people

The 1996 Calgary Stampede was a highlight for Roger Lewis. He won the first round in steer wrestling, and was also a nominee for the Guy Weadick award.

chiropractics, and what it could do.

I was also fortunate to be around Larry ‘Thumper’ Johnson, who was one of the first guys to work on horses.”

Lewis began reading every book he could find on animal physiology and on chiropractic work. He also connected with a California veterinarian who showed him some things.

“It’s a learning process, and I’m still learning,” Lewis declared. “It’s getting more exciting all the time because our diagnostic equipment is getting better. There’s so much in a horse’s spine that can be related to issues in other parts of the body.

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For instance, a sore hock can cause lower lumbar issues. So we can’t just be treating the symptoms. We need to fix the bigger problems too.”

Lewis began competing on the pro rodeo scene in 1988, following a college rodeo scholarship. For a time, he lived with five-time All-Around champion Tom Bews at Longview, and it was there he was also introduced to the movie world. Lewis began to work as a wrangler on movie sets, and then as a stuntman.

Lewis spent 20 years in the movie business, but that came to an end when he realized he was a 40 year old working with 20 year olds, in a young man’s game.

“I was working in Vancouver on the ‘Night at the Museum’ movie, and was Owen Wilson’s sidekick as one of the miniature horseman,” he related.

During a wreck in one of the stunts Lewis broke his neck, and had surgery to fuse two vertebrae together.

“The doctors told me I wouldn’t be able to have a normal lifestyle, but I was ornery and stubborn enough to heal. The interesting thing about therapy is every time I got hurt, I learned more about the body. Since then I’ve treated three horses with similar fractures and surgery, so you can figure out what works on people, and apply that to the horse.”

As part of his healing program, Lewis did go back to his horse chiropractic practice, probably sooner than he should have, in hindsight.

“Mentally, I had to do it, to stay in shape to heal. But I’m paying for it now.”

That’s when the career shift became permanent.

“About 10 years ago, the movie business was slowing down, and I knew I would not be a stuntman forever. I was getting busier at the racetrack, doing 20 to 25 horses a day.

It was a great lab to see what works and what doesn’t. You see everything there, and work on so many horses that you can get your technique down.”

In the early days of his practice, veterinarians and horse people alike were dubious of the idea of a horse chiropractor, and they were often considered quacks. But Lewis says a turning point came for him when the renowned track vet Dr. Rod Cundy approached him to look at a horse together, which led to more referrals.

Lewis gained a ton of credibility in rodeo for his work on one very special barrel horse.

“That’s a cool story. Monica Wilson and her great horse Gizmo really helped me get started.

Every time I assessed the horse, and freed him up, he would clock better and win. Just the way Gizmo was built on the front end, it would give him a longer stride.

Monica would tell people ‘I don’t

H

h

Don Weller - The ArTisT

orses and drawing were early passions for internationally renowned artist Don Weller. Growing up in Pullman, Washington, he drew constantly when he wasn’t riding horses.

He graduated from Washington State University with a degree in fine art and moved to California where he had a successful career

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Dianne Finstad has covered the rodeo and agriculture beat for three decades on radio, television and in print.

She now works from her home in the Red Deer area.

p ro ble m solvin g

The passion Roger Lewis has for what he does is clear. While some of his work with horses is maintenance, a lot is problem solving, and some is even life changing.

“There was one weanling filly recently that had been flat for five days, and the vet recommended putting her down. The x-ray showed a separation between C2 and C3 with no fracture. It paralyzed her front end. I was called in, and by manipulating her neck, we were able to get her up, and with help from the vet, treat her. She’s looking really good now. Another one was diagnosed as having West Nile, but that test came back negative. It was really a slip and fall that had put pressure on the spinal cord. If it’s not damaged, you can take the pressure off and get mobility back. Those kinds of cases are fun.”

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care if you’re skeptical. It worked, and he won.’”

While his Equine Therapy Services treats everything from heavy horses to race horses, the hunter jumper circuit has become a big part of his business, and he works at both Spruce Meadows and John Anderson’s Rocky Mountain Show Jumping facilities.

Lewis describes what he does as sports medicine for equine athletes.

By doing chiropractic treatments, he can make the animal freer and stronger, and thus, perform better.

One of his favourite patients is the great barrel horse Martha, owned

by Lindsay Sears. He’s been working with Sears’ horses ever since Lindsay turned pro, and travels to Edmonton and Las Vegas as part of Martha’s team of professionals.

“If you can get a couple extra hundredths of a second out of Martha at the NFR, it can mean thousands of dollars.”

“She’s just regal. I’ve seen a few race horses that you knew were champions by the way they acted.

Martha just has that presence. It’s a blessing to be around her.”

After breaking his leg bulldogging two years ago, 46-year-old Lewis confines his rodeo efforts these days to team roping and cheering on his kids in their junior rodeo efforts. While his oldest daughter Alex rides strictly for pleasure, 14-year-old Taylor is a barrel racer, and 12-year-old Ty is already a roper on the junior rodeo scene. Youngest son Rhett hasn’t got into rodeo yet, and Lewis credits his wife Cheryl for “keeping it all together” for the busy family!

Lewis also tries to give back to rodeo, by being involved in the local rodeo committee.

“I want to see the sport get better. With my kids involved, I’d like to think there’s a future in rodeo for them. It’s the friendships and business relationships I’ve made in rodeo that mean so much. It’s pretty special to say rodeo is part of my life, and always will be.”

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HORSES ALL • DECEMBER 2012

9

PROFILES DAD OF THE YEAR

SCOTT SCHIFFNER  Cowboy of the Year Wife Brandy says that Scott is also Father and Husband of the Year OUR WAY OF LIFE Making a living with horses

By Heather Grovet Galahad, Alta.

2

012 was a good year for bull rider, Scott Schiffner. The month of November ended especially well, with Schiffner winning both the Canadian Bullriding title, and the prestigious Cowboy of the Year Award at the Canadian Finals Rodeo.

So how did Schiffner celebrate such a momentous event?

He took an afternoon off following the CFR, then the next day processed 400 calves in his family’s cow-calf operation located near Strathmore. “I was on horseback all day,” Schiffner says. “And it was great.”

Cowboy of the Year isn’t your typical high point award. “It’s a real honour to win this award because it comes from your peers,” Schiffner explains. “It isn’t just about what you do in the arena, it’s about what you do out of it to move rodeo forward. And yes, I do my best to support rodeo, but I know 20 other people who do as much as I do.”

W hen questioned fur ther, Schiffner admits he does spend many hours promoting his sport.

He’s been a CPRA bull riding director for many years, which requires frequent meetings.

“According to my wife, I’m on the phone almost an hour every

single day, doing something that promotes rodeo,” Schiffner says. “I also support rodeo by assisting at two Johansen Bullriding Schools each year. That’s the interesting thing about rodeo life. When I was 12 years old, I attended a Johansen Bullriding School. Now things have gone full circle, and I’m an instructor and not a student.”

It was rodeo that introduced Schiffner to his wife, Brandy, who grew up on a ranch near Strathmore.

“My older sister was always inside, helping with the cooking and cleaning,” Brandy explains.

“And I was outside with the boys, working with the cows. When I got a bit older I learned how to rope, and started going to High School Rodeos. Scott never competed in High School Rodeo, but we met through mutual rodeo friends.”

While many of us would consider being married to a bull rider challenging, Brandy instead points out all the advantages.

“Yes, when you’re married to a bull rider you learn to be a nurse,” she says with a grin. “I always pack ice and carry band-aids when we go to an event. But the good things about rodeo life far out-weight the bad. For example, rodeoing has allowed me to travel and see new places, and that doesn’t happen to most ranch wives. And the people we travel and rodeo with are incredible. We have rodeo friends all around the world — Canada, the States and even Australia.”

The Schiffners are parents to

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two daughters; five-year-old Maysa and two-year-old Hadley, who have grown up surrounded by horses and cowboys.

“The girls have had some crazy, wild experiences!” Brandy says.

“How many kids get to see what it’s really like behind the scenes at the Calgary Stampede? And how many kids get to sit on the back of the bucking horse of the year?”

Brandy pauses to explain that Maysa recently sat on worldfamous bucking horse, Grated Coconut. “We have friends who don’t let their children ride their bikes around the block,” she says.

“Things are a bit different with our family.”

Another highlight for the family was meeting Prince William and wife, Kate Middleton, at last year’s Calgary Stampede. “Scott rode for the royal couple,” she says. “And the girls got to shake Kate’s hand, and show her a photo of their horses.”

Recently both girls joined the Wheatland Cowboys and Cowgirls Association, where they ride in youth rodeo events. “Both girls have their own horses,” Brandy says. “They do events like barrel racing and pole bending and even goat untying.”

Brandy explains that in goat untying, riders must ride up to a staked goat, dismount from their horse, and remove a ribbon from the goat’s tail. “Maysa can get off alone,” Brandy says. “But Scott helps Hadley since she’s only two.”

“I can be a bit of a chicken, but Hadley is like her dad,” Brandy

continues. “She isn’t scared of anything. Now that she’s two years old she won’t allow me to lead her horse, or hold onto her.

She wants to do it all herself.”

“Scott is a great husband and dad,” Brandy concludes. “And together our family enjoys life to the fullest. There are a lot of other families that can’t say that!”

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HORSES ALL • DECEMBER 2012

P ROFILES Breeder

W estern pleasure

Dr. Deb Harrrison-Steele — cutting horse breeder Vet, breeder and competitor uses all of her resources for their breeding program A BREED APART Horse breeder profile

By Robyn Moore

W

hen Dr. Deb HarrisonSteele and her husband Ron Harrison decided to start breeding cutting horses, they decided to commit themselves to five years to do the best that they could do. It’s been five years, “and we are just breaking the surface,” says Deb. Of course, Deb has been breeding client’s horses for longer than five years. She owned a small animal and a mixed practice in Stony Plain since graduating from Veterinary College in 1997, but sold it in 2005 when she decided to focus on equine reproduction.

Deb and Ron transformed their 80-acre farm in Spruce Grove, Alberta into an equine breeding facility and vet clinic.

Equistar Veterinary Services spends 90 per cent of the work year breeding mares, collecting stallions and freezing semen.

Every year, they breed hundreds of mares with fresh or frozen semen from all over Canada, the United States and even Holland.

Their services include artificial insemination using fresh cooled or frozen semen, fertility evaluations, stallion collection, shipping semen, freezing semen and embryo transfer.

On top of owning and running their business, Deb and Ron also compete in cutting in the aged events. They have eight mares

they own and breed under the name Equistar Enterprises Ltd. “Mares are the foundation,” Deb says, “They have already proven themselves in the performance arena and are proving themselves in the broodmare band.”

Deb and Ron have ridden and competed on their mares, which helps to match them with the right stallion.

“It’s really exciting when they are two or three years old and I get to ride them,” Deb comments. “I get to see the individuals they have become.”

Deb keeps one or two offspring each year. “They aren’t the pick of the litter, either,” Deb comments, “They are the ones that don’t sell for whatever reason. It’s a breeder’s responsibility to know what to do with the ones that don’t sell.”

That’s why Deb says she focusses on breeding conformation, so the horse stays sound and a good temperament. “You never know what they are going to be, cutting, penning, trail horse, but they need a good temperament.”

Equistar does not own any stallions themselves; they use frozen or fresh semen but it can be difficult to assess the whole stallion, including his temperament, in a glossy advertisement. “It’s a challenge to breed our good mares to a stallion,” Deb says. “We’ve gone down to Texas to see the stallions and talk to the owners.”

Being a vet and having a breeding operation does have some perks.

Deb is able to do embryo transfers from her broodmares. One of her mares, Bob Playin (NCHA LTE

for more information : or email:

New partnership proves successful in the show ring Brandy Bannister and her horse Shorty had a great year in the local shows despite challenges HORSE HEROES Profiles of exceptional horses

By Robyn Moore An overview of Equistar Veterinary Services, which is situated on 80 acres in Spruce Grove, Alta.

$36,797), has a three year old offspring in the show pen but just had her first foal pulled out of her this year by sire Smooth As A Cat. The fruits of their labour paid off last year with a memorable moment and what Deb considers one of her greatest successes. Ron and Deb were at a sale with a horse consigned with their brand, when a man approached them and said that he knew that brand. He had a horse at home that he loved with that same brand.

“Breeding is one of those areas that seem simple on the outside but has problem areas and problem stallions,” says Deb, who likes the challenge. She enjoys seeing the babies the following year and the ability to “visualizing your success.”

The current horse market is a challenge, but Dr. Deb lives by the motto: “Breed the best that you can breed.”

Robyn Moore is the Manager of Horse Industry Association of Alberta. If you own or know of an exceptional horse breeding operation, email rmoore@albertahorseindustry.ca, and we’ll choose one that stands out from the herd to feature each month.

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lthough Brandy Bannister has only owned her horse Shorty for just over a year, they have formed a great partnership and have had a fantastic show season, according to her coach Janice Tokar of F.I.T.T. Equine.

“I’ve been working with Brandy for almost nine years now. In that time, I’ve seen her healthy and I’ve seen her go through many surgeries and good days and bad days and she probably falls more often than anyone should,” comments Janice. “She’s a very resilient girl, she just won’t quit and she won’t let anyone tell her she can’t! And I totally agree. Her riding continues to improve, and she is always ready to work, even on days when she’s had ten or more seizures!”

Brandy has been riding for 17 years. Last spring, Brandy was looking for a new Western Pleasure show horse.

“I had been riding Shorty at my trainer’s place,” says Brandy, “Shorty was living at her place and I started riding him as a challenge — he did not have a lot of training but he was quiet, tried hard and was fun to ride He was also bigger than my mare which was a plus.”

Shorty, of course, is not short at all. His registered name is ER Paint It Bask and he is out of an Arabian dam and by a sire that is a Paint/Saddlebred cross. “The nickname ‘Shorty’ came because of his size, he is quite tall at 15.3HH and is quite stocky for an Arabian,” explains Janice. “...even though Shorty was just green broke, I knew his dam well and I knew him very well. I was sure that they would make a good match. He’s just so laid back, nothing ever really seems to bother him,” says Janice.

Brandy has limited use of

her right side. “She needs a horse that is not overly sensitive in the body,” says Janice.

“We work with Shorty regularly so that he has to feel a cue at least twice before he really responds to it (the exception being ‘whoa’). This way, when he’s given a little nudge by an unco-operative leg or a grab with a weak and bouncy arm he doesn’t jump into the lope, or turn hard to the right — he has to wait to see if the cue is given in the same manner again if so then he’s supposed to take action. This has really worked well for the both of them.”

“Shorty will also stop if he feels Brandy getting off center or losing her balance, some of this is reinforced through training but a lot of it is just his temperament. I think the good horses just know when their riders are in trouble and do what they can to help; also Shorty’s favourite gait is ‘whoa,’” Janice says laughing.

“A few times Brandy has had a seizure while brushing Shorty and has even fallen in between his legs; he’s such a good boy, he just looks down at her as if to say ‘what are you doing on the ground?’” Janice says fondly.

“He doesn’t move and has never stepped on her or caused her any injury. He reminds me of a mare with a foal, he always looks at where each foot is landing when he’s around Brandy. She takes him on trail rides around the property and rides him at least twice a week in lessons.”

As is true with any great partnership, just as Shorty takes care of Brandy, she takes good care of him too. “Shorty loves attention he’ll do anything to get it. He’s fun, loving and playful. Although he has this annoying habit of chewing on almost anything, blankets, lead ropes, halters and anything that’s chewable. I spend a lot of time with him whenever I’m out at the barn,” says Brandy.

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Brandy Bannister and Shorty on a ride in Didsbury last year.

HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • DECEMBER 2012

11

PROFILES CHUCKWAGON DR I V E R

WARD WILLARD

champion chuckwagon driver, all-round great guy As the family recovers from their loss, they are developing plans to carry on the Willard legacy HOMEWARD BOUND Celebrating lives lived

By Cindy Bablitz Calgary, Alta.

A

lthough he was most publically known for his achievements on the chuckwagon racetrack, Ward Willard’s most enduring legacy lived far from the limelight.

In relative good health — though having taken his knocks from working hard and playing harder — Ward died suddenly of heart attack on August 24, 2012 in his 66th year, leaving behind his 30 year old daughter Liberty and his 31 year old son Jess to mourn and remember the true story behind the tragedy of this too-soon loss.

On the morning of August 24th, Liberty set out to the ranch to pick up her dad so the pair could attend the memorial service of their long-time hired hand, Tony.

She’d posted on Facebook earlier that day, “Well, it’s gonna be a sad day saying goodbye to Tony, but at least I get to spend it with my dad, and that makes me happy.”

Liberty never got that last day with her dad... made even more tragic by the fact that leading up to the end of his life, no one had any real idea Ward’s days were numbered too few.

Ward was a true champion of the underdog — and some would say he was one himself. Though Keith Marrington, director of rodeo and chuckwagons for the Calgary Stampede, calls the Willard name one of chuckwagon’s “brand names” (Ward’s uncle and father and also competed in the ‘chucks’, and his son Jess still has his sights set on a return to the chuckwagon racetrack), it’s true that Ward didn’t manage consistent and longstanding honours in the winner’s circle.

Still, he earned 15 show championships during his 25 year career, twice making the winner-take-all final heat at the Calgary Stampede’s Rangeland Derby... winning top spot in 1995 with a three-hundredths of a second lead.

“My dad always taught me to look out for the horse,” Jess recalls.

“He always said, ‘they didn’t ask to be there — we put them there — so by golly you better look after your horse.”

And, with a wry grin, Jess remembers, “My dad liked to tell the story of asking his dad how to take care of your horse... and grandpa replying, ‘Like you take care of a woman: if you want to keep a woman around, you have to make sure you’re doing everything you can to make her comfortable and happy.’”

“Dad was always a gentleman around the ladies; he opened doors, watched his manners, tried

not to swear in front of ’em. He was pretty cool. I kinda thought of him as John Wayne. He wasn’t mean to anybody: he respected you, and you respected him too.

“He always wanted to make things fair. If something wasn’t fair, he’d always bring it to the table. He just kind of looked out for everyone.”

Jess may be feeling the loss of his dad more than anyone. Jess and Ward lived together on the farm near Milo, Alta. where Ward

had built a Stampede-sized racetrack complete with an outfitted infield. Jess was in Texas working with renowned trainers Reo King and Larry Jones, a.k.a. Thumper, providing stretching and massage therapy to top horse athletes when he got the unexpected and heartbreaking news.

“Dad was so proud of me, working with Larry and Reo. It really made me happy, how happy he was that I was doing something that tied in to the farm, and to our roots

with horses. Cuz maybe I’ve done some things that didn’t make my dad so happy. I’d been down there for 40 days... and all I heard from home was how proud of me dad was... when I got the call.”

Now, Jess is left to pick up the pieces. He’s working with his sister to figure out how best to honour their dad’s memory, with the farm and with the chuckwagon legacy of the Willard name. You haven’t seen the last of the Willards. Ward, rest in peace.

We’re in it for life.

Ag for Life delivers educational programming that will serve to improve rural and farm safety and build a genuine understanding and appreciation of the impact agriculture has on lives.

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HORSES ALL • DECEMBER 2012

P ROFILES Entertainment

Calamity Jane and Annie Oakley alive and well in Alberta Cowgirls from a variety of backgrounds kick up their heels in support of charity WOMEN OF THE WEST Personal profile

By Cindy Bablitz Calgary, Alta.

I

t seems there’s a trend afoot.

Though we all know the famous names of notorious cowboys littering the folklore of the wild west, we’re less likely to be quite so familiar with the equally notorious cowgirls. Modern women of the west like Martha Birkett and Lona Louden are aiming to change that.

Women of the Wild West was founded in 2006 by Martha and Lona partially for fun, and partially as a platform for charitable

fundraising for women and children in need.

“It’s a powerful warm sisterhood,” says Lona.

And, clearly, a lot of fun. The group is comprised of about 20 women — in real life, pharmacists, flight attendants, executives, health practitioners, stayat-home moms, school teachers, kindergarteners and retirees — who dress up in character of “famous female outlaws and infamous characters of their time,” Martha explains.

The group are regulars in the Calgary Stampede parade and at the CBC Pancake breakfast, (said to be the biggest free breakfast in the city during the annual 10-day party) and in the Cochrane

Labour Day Parade. Members of the group range in age from five to 70ish.

On horseback and on foot, the Women of the Wild West bring a bosomful of entertainment wherever they wander.

“Parades are so fun!” says Lona.

“We have several ladies of the evening sashaying down the road, respectable townswomen with their elaborate hats, parasols and Bibles tucked into their satchels... they all converse with the crowd, introducing the group and telling stories about our characters.”

The Women of the Wild West — like the characters they play — are a motley lot, and not all characters attend all events. The women playing roles on horseback wear

The Women of the Wild West continue to increase in numbers, and continue to raise funds for worthwhile charities. photo: submitted

serapes with names like Calamity Jane, Annie Oakley, Belle Starr, Zee James, Kissin’ Kate Barlow, Poker Alice, Etta Place, Cynthia Parker, Cattle Kate and Josie Earp. Some of the other characters on foot include Etta Clark, Sarah Winchester, Diamond L’il and Laura Ingalls Wilder, to name a few.

“Women in the crowd show pride for us... and maybe just a little bit of envy because we have so much damn fun,” Lona laughs.

“Men have huge grins, especially when Kissin’ Kate Barlow, (played by Peggy Hemstock) blows them a kiss. Deb Beynon as Dr. Eliza Cook, (one of America’s first female doctors and an ardent, active suffragette) drives her white pony and buggy. Martha (Birkett) plays Annie Oakley, packing her six shooters and training us all to yahoo!”

Each member of the group has researched their own character and put together their own costume and you see in their performances not only the lighthearted fun of dressing up and playing a scoundrel or a hero of a role but a rich appreciation for the history, culture and demography of the characters they play. The Women of the Wild West remind their audiences of the largely unsung triumphs women who braved the pioneer-

ing life managed in a time and place when gentility was neither cultured nor, for the most part, prudent.

“This year, we have a Molly Brown and Vera Dyck — from Calgary! — both who were on the Titanic,” says Martha.

Outside of parades and purelyfor-fun events, the Women of the Wild West aim to support charities that support women and children in need. One of the group’s biggest fundraisers to date — Giddy Up For Wishes, (a charity Martha founded and which we featured in Horses All in August this year) — raised some $210,000 for children living with life threatening illnesses and registered with the Children’s Wish Foundation as wishing for equestrian-related experiences.

“Peggy Hemstock, Marva Debow, Deb Miller along with Martha and myself and a lot of other volunteers showed us that women working together can make what sometimes seem impossible, possible.”

The Women of the Wild West have also sponsored United Way events, the Children’s Wish Ride, cowboy poetry gatherings and the TSN Kraft Celebration Tour.

For more information, and to inquire about booking the Women of the Wild West for your next event or charity, surf to www.womenofthewildwest.ca or phone Lona Louden at 403- 239-2390.

don’t turn the page yet

Bonnie MacRae from Delta, B.C. with her 17 year old gelding, Go Texas Moon. Tex had just had his teeth done, was waking up and really enjoyed looking at Horses All. I guess a good read equals good medicine.

HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • DECEMBER 2012

COUNTRY CHRISTMAS Festive reflections and more…

CHRISTMAS W I T H H O R S ES

Has Your Horse Been Naughty or Nice?

Carrots, crunchies and cozy barns greet horses on Christmas morning

By Wendy Dudley Millarville, Alta.

I

t came upon a midnight clear that all the horses stared at the most magnificent starry night, nickered at the marvel of it all, and then quietly hoofed it back to their barn and hay-filled mangers. There was much gratifying chewing and then the eldest and wisest mare began to tell the story of how her ancestors — and particularly her long distant cousin, the donkey — were there on that special day that we now celebrate as Christmas.

Who’s to say that horses don’t have dreams of molasses cake, Jolly balls, oatmeal cookies, hot bran mash, new cozy blankets and candy-cane mints?

And, as owners, we are only too happy to oblige. A British study revealed that 97 per cent of horse owners included their equines on the Christmas shopping list.

Personally, my Christmas Day always includes the barnyard critters. The mule and donkeys get extra ear rubs and more hay than usual. I tend to take my time doing chores, as it gives me a warm glow to have them savour their meal in a cozy and clean mess hall.

Lee McLean of High River, Alta., may have yet to hear the animals speak on Christmas Eve (as some believe they do), but she and her family always don their winter gear and head out into the black night to star-gaze. “We go walking on Christmas Eve to look at the stars.

And to me, they always look different. They’re brighter. They sparkle more.”

One by one, their horses cross the field to greet them, arriving in the pecking order. “We say Merry Christmas to them, and they empty our pockets of anything we have.”

And there’s nothing like a barn for that warm and fuzzy feeling, McLean added. “I’ve always thought that the inside of a barn is very church-like. When you’re up in the rafters, with the hay, and the sun’s shining through the cracks, it’s like a cathedral. And there’s a manger, so it’s easy to have thoughts of faith.”

Come Christmas Day, and if it’s not too cold, she harnesses a pair of Welsh ponies, bells and all, and goes for a sleigh ride. “I don’t know how much they like it,” McLean said. “But we sure have fun.”

Doris Heintz, also of High River, has fond memories of riding the hills on Christmas Day, but is now content to spoil her Quarter Horses with a few special treats.

“They usually get some oats and a few extra crunchies,” said Heintz,

Wendy Dudley usually takes a gentle ride on Christmas day, decked out in festive gear. From our outfit to yours, have a very Merry Christmas.

77, who has 24 horses but caters to her 19-year-old mare Pokys Peppy Princess.

Priddis resident Debra Churchill likes to brew up a hot mash with molasses, carrots and apples for her two horses while Deb Clary of Tofield, Alta., also dices up carrots and apples for her Warmbloods and 20-year-old Morgan stallion Night Image.

Over at Spruce Meadows, where the fields and sky sparkle with yuletide lights, the horses enjoy a break from their work schedule. “They go on holidays, from Christmas to New Years,” laughed Sergey Zayika, in charge of Spruce Meadows Hanoverian breeding program. “We don’t give them anything extra or different to eat because we wouldn’t want them to colic,” he said. And of course, the horses get to nod their heads in tune with the Christmas carols piped over the grounds.

And what could be more special at Christmas than a donkey, the blessed creature that carried Mary to Bethlehem to give birth to Jesus? In years past, Toni Grayson, of Millarville, Alta., used to visit her neighbours on Christmas Eve, her miniature donkey Lopez in tow.

“Someone would dress up as Santa Claus, and we would take the donkey around to the kids in the area.” This year, she’ll make sure that her two donkeys, Pedro and Cisco, get to chomp some carrots and crunchies. “I’ll go out Christmas morning and give them something a little special.”

And yes, there are those lucky enough to receive a pony for Christmas, usually boasting a big red bow. High River horse woman Denice Stewart smiles when she thinks back a few years to when her daughter Shelby had only one thing on her list for Santa — a pony.

Denice’s husband Keith made sure her wish came true. “It was grey and wild as a March hare,” recalled Denice. “We had to rope it in the box stall just to get a bow on the little twirp.”

So whether it’s tossing an extra flake of hay, fluffing some extra bedding, lingering just a little longer in the barn, riding your horse while hauling home the Christmas tree, or humming a favourite carol while cleaning the corral, from our outfit to yours, have a very Merry Christmas.

PHOTO: WENDY DUDLEY

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HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • NOVEMBER 2012

COUNTRY CHRISTMAS

MERCANTILE Holiday Gift Giving THE

Presented by

GOING IN STYLE

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The gift of safety in a luxurious helmet created

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Bar T5 Agra Services M&F Trailer Set. Brighten your little girls smile with this trailer set by M&F. It includes everything pictured here and boasts a pink theme that she won’t be able to resist. Available at bart5trailers.com for $30

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“Live and Let Live” book ends are inspired by friends of artist Donna Wilson who were hunting during a visit to her home. After hounds had treed a mother and her cubs, the hunters took their photos and let them go. From these photos came this fantastic work of art celebrating the excitement of the chase and the joy of life. Visit www.anchorbarbronze.com for the full story and price on this piece and many others.

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Holiday memories are waiting to be made with this 5” stainless steel cookie cutter set. The horse and rider cookies stand up on their own.

Use the ginger bread recipe on the back of the packaging and kids will have a blast making these “stand-up” cookies! Priced for $7.99 at www.horsestore.com

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Christmas bling is an excellent way to receive the smile you’re hoping for this Christmas. So we suggest you surprise her with this Power necklace. With peruvian handcrafted pendant, white crystal, sterling silver embelishments, and chrysacolla measuring including bale strung with chrysacolla beads and lapis you really can’t go wrong! Visit www.buffalogirlstudio.ca to purchase for $275

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Choose from a wide selection of Bling Belts such as the BHW Belts featured in this photo.

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Toiletry bags make a great gift idea, especially for the traveler on your gift list. So why not pamper them with one of these lovely options from Canada Leathers made with specially selected hides that are cut and stitched to create old stagecoach inspired leather. Boasting strength, character and tactile quality you can find these bags at www.canadaleathers.com from $89 to $99 each

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Rope cans make an excellent option as a custom gift for that special someone on your list. A unique gift with options galore including exotic inlay, initials, spots, crystals, inlay and matching straps for your custom design. Visit www.theleatherloft.org for more information and quotes.

Grand Saddlery

Looking to give a gift for that special someone to display proudly all year round? Consider genuine long horns or a long horn skull from www.grandsaddlery.com prices range, but steer head pictured available for $225

Kerrits Performance Equestrian Apparel

Give the gift of completely unrestricted movement with Kerrits new Horseplay Zip Neck. Styled with a stretchy microfiber this lightweight top offers wicking performance that moves with you like a second skin.

Whimsical, all-over horse design with 10” zip neck and secure side pocket for storing horse treats. Available in different colours for adults ($69) and children ($59) at www.kerrits.com

HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • NOVEMBER 2012

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country christmas

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Horsefeathers Jewellery

You don’t need to be a famous French artist to enjoy this name bracelet by Horsefeathers Equestrian Jewellery. The Alphabits bracelets pair sterling silver letters with a classic snaffle bit bracelet in silver or gold accents. Create your own message with the name of this gift recipient, their horse’s name, or inspirations like “Courage,”“Believe” or “Ride” to create a wonderful keepsake. Visit www.horsefeathersjewellery.com to customize your gift starting at $195

Bar over Bar

Don’t forget your horse this Christmas and give them the comfort of Orthopedic Support Boots. Never before has a sport boot offered the support and versatility for your horse that Iconoclast offers. So give you and your horse peace of mind to perform at your peak and the confidence to go farther! Visit www.baroverbar.ca for size options and prices.

 Wild West Gallery For the girl in your life that seemingly has everything, a colourful purse will make a great addition to her wardrobe. These quality leather purses are hand painted on genuine calfskin leather and can be purchased with wallets to match. Available starting at $139 from www.wildwestgallery.ca

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Cowboy Country Clothing

For the man in your life consider a pair of new boots

by Cinch. These new Cinch Edge boots for men offer various designs and shades to top off a high performance Vivid Flew Sole, all leather stacked heel and Non-slip clear soles on dry surface. Now available at www.cowboystuf.com for $329

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Designed to meet the riders style you can purchase custom chinks in the range of $395. Call Lorna at 780-662-0052

This Bronze Quarter Horse Beveled Mirror is set in a Hand Tooled Full grain Leather Frame with Brass Leaf and Rosette Accents. At a lovely size of 35.5” x 25.5” let its beauty speak for itself.

Available at Home Quarter Mercantile & Pie Shoppe (403) 921-2121 for $9,160

These equestrian inspired muck boots are dubbed “Pacy High” an emphasis on their great design. Featuring all of Muck Boots standard qualities and Stretch-fit topline binding to snug the calf keeping warmth in, CR flex-foam bootie with four way stretch nylon and much, much more. Available in Black, Grey/Navy, and Chocolate from http://www.rkde.com/ cowsmopolitan for $154.95

Double D Custom Hats

Top off their Christmas with a custom hybrid hat from Double D. The hybrid hat worn here by hat maker Cam Johnston is made with a 100 per cent beaver felt rim and hand-woven Guatemalan palm leave top.

Essentially created by custom making two separate hats they are then masterfully woven together to create this dressy, yet all-purpose hat. With everything custom you’ll want to make your order at www.doubledcustomhats.com today. Prices range from $240 for a hybrid with rabbit felt to $650 for beaver felt.

 Cowsmopolitan Country

 Nurtural Horse

 Hickman’s Saddlery The Best Suspenders you’ll ever own. Special 1-1/2” wide rugged comfort elastic with very durable 7oz. hand-cut leather ends. Y-back holds all day long in Western comfort. Everyone will ask where you got them! Choose from scissor snap, button or exclusive belt loop styles from XS to 3X available in old timey sage green or black elastic, all styles $39 plus $7 shipping.

Also available in fancy tooled leather in saddle brown or black for $125 from www.hickmansaddlery.ca

Join the bitless believers cause and give the gift of comfort and beauty to your favorite four legged friend this Christmas. This stunning Elite Western Bridle offers beauty and simplicity that only begins to disguise the design and technology Nurtural has used to create this wonderful piece of tack. Find out more at www.nurturalhorse.com and order your bridle for $149.99

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Rustic Ranch

The Cowboy Reason Collection. These Fine Art prints with charming images and thoughtful, funny captions are the perfect gift for anyone on your list. Presented in handcrafted solid wood frames they are charmingly rustic and will enhance any room. $46.99 each at www.rusticranch.ca

Hoping to cheer up your horse and rider for the winter? Why not treat them to the excitement of pole bending to get them through those dull winter months? This practice pole bending set will get you started and make for easy travel too with bases that easily unscrew and poles that are collapsible into two-foot sections. Available at www.irvines.ca for $329.95

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Swanky Shanks

In the interest of providing the most unique gift available, why not give her the gift of “pursenailty” with a handbag designed by Heather Kyle? Made with recycled boots these purses are all one of a kind. Add a special touch by having her own boots recycled and you’ll sure to find her waiting under the mistletoe.

Visit www.swankyshanks.com to shop for the perfect purse!

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Mill Store

The gift of knowledge is considered priceless, especially when it comes to horsemanship.

These 4 DVD series’ on reining and performance disciplines in the two and three year old stages from renowned trainer Andrea Fappani could just be the gift you are looking for. Available at The Mill Store (403) 938-8370 for $159.95 each

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HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • DECEMBER 2012

country christmas S l e igh rides

Sleigh Bells Ring — Then and Now

By Carol M. Upton

O

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Anchor BAr Bronze Donna Wilson

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ur sleigh rides bring back memories for an older generation and create new ones for the children,” says David Plante of Blackcomb Sleigh Rides in Whistler, B.C. Most of us think romance when we picture a horse-drawn sleigh ride; we go back in time, bundled up in lap robes and mitts, enchanted by the merry music of harness bells, and the shush-shush of frosty runners over fresh snow.

Fanciful thoughts aside, pioneer stories of horse-drawn winter transport paint quite a different scene.

At the turn of the 20th century, sleighs were essential to winter travel in farming communities throughout Canada, and lives often depended on horse and driver. Such journeys could consist of many days under treacherous conditions to get supplies, haul coal, or find a doctor. These “box sleighs” were heavy-duty homemade contraptions, unlike any of the sleek cutters or tourist sleighs we see today in Banff or Whistler.

Gerry Bracewell, born in 1922 in Half-Way Lake, Alberta, tells this dramatic story from her life as a young woman ranching in the wilds of Tatla Lake, B.C. My first birthing experience turned out to be impossible. It was January, so the stage had quit running. There were no snow ploughs. We had only our team and sleigh to get me 37 kilometres out to Tatla Lake where I was to meet with a doctor. The doctor had to come with Bill Sharp, the village police officer in Williams Lake, by car, often shovelling through drifts along the 230 kilometres of Chilcotin Road.

When one of our team became exhausted from pulling the sleigh through 18 inches of snow, Mr. Moore (the grandpa-to-be), borrowed a neighbour’s horse. Our other horse, a mean-spirited exrodeo bronc named Blackoby, after Mr. Moore’s banker, soldiered on. He won much praise from all of us. We arrived at sundown in Tatla Lake ahead of the doctor.

Historian Elise A. Corbet, author of numerous books on horse-drawn transport in Canada, reminds us of some things we take for granted on our modern-day horse-drawn vehicles: A sleigh had no brakes. A good team of horses, well shod for snow and ice conditions, could hold a sleigh steady on most inclines. But there were times when even the best team needed assistance. The steep hill on the Edson-Grande Prairie Trail, known as “Break-Neck Hill,” was a case in point. — Elise A. Corbet Doran Degenstein has been collecting horse-drawn vehicles for well over 20 years and he offers winter sleigh rides at Fort Whoop Up in Lethbridge, Alta. His father, Walter Degenstein settled in the Foremost area of southern Alberta in 1913, and tells of being bundled up in the sleigh and driven through January snow to the community hall where they would have their tonsils removed by local doctors.

A packed sleigh heads for a scenic trip around incredible Lake Louise in Banff National Park. photo: Brewster Horse Adventures Photo

The RCMP used a horse-drawn box sleigh to help patrol their territory in the winter. photo: Virtual Museum Canada

They were then driven back home that same day.

Another story Walter told was of the use of sleighs to take an entire family with food and hay off to a community dance. Horses were stabled or left outside covered with a buffalo robe while the family attended the dance. Families often slept in the hall until, even in extreme weather, they would need to bundle themselves back in the sleigh and get home to start their milking.

It’s still possible to enjoy your own taste of sleigh-riding adventure under vastly more comfortable conditions. The historic Brewster Horse Adventure Stables in Lake Louise offers some of the most spectacular horse-drawn sleigh rides in Banff Park. These may be skirting Lake Louise by the hour or can include Country Christmas dinners complete with sleigh rides to the old-fashioned barn dance.

Blackcomb Sleigh Rides, based in the world-class ski resort of Whistler, B.C., has been in operation for 17 years. Present owners Suzanne and David Plante originally hailed from Northern Alberta where they had been ranching. Magnificent mountain scenery and the seasonal night lights of Whistler Village are part of the postcard journey for sleigh passengers. David enjoys what he does so much, he says none of it really seems like work.

“It is satisfying to keep the horse industry alive and give others so much pleasure all while earning our living.”

if you go

Fort Whoop-up www.fortwhoopup.ca Brewster Horse Adventure Stables www.brewsteradventures.com Blackcomb Sleigh Rides www.blackcombsleighrides.com

HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • DECEMBER 2012

COUNTRY CHRISTMAS CHRISTMAS MUSIC

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Various country artists bring out their own brand of Christmas tunes MY TUNES Music reviews

C

ountry music lovers are guaranteed to have a plethora of choices when it comes to getting new music for Christmas.

Every year many of your favourite artists release Christmas CD’s.

To start off close to home… one of my favourite non-traditional Christmas tunes is by Southern Alberta artist, Shane Chisholm.

He released a single last year called Christmas in the Country that he co-wrote with Jake Mathews.

Chisholm said he wanted to capture a bit of what Christmas was like for him growing up in Ontario.

Plus it has a great country swing to it. You can download it from itunes to add to your collection and I am hopeful that Chisholm will do an entire Christmas album in the future.

One of the biggest Christmas releases this year is from Lady Antebellum. Their album On this Winter’s Night will get airplay on more than just country radio this year thanks to a few crossover hits. It features many traditional favourites.

Blake Shelton seemed to surprise a few people by putting out a

Christmas album this year. I guess ‘cause he is more of a party guy, not sure why the shock. However the CD is called Cheers, it’s Christmas.

American Idol star Scotty McCreery also released a holiday collection which includes two original songs. It’s called Christmas with Scotty McCreery.

For a completely different feel you may want to try the Muddy Christmas CD which features Montgomery Gentry, Colt Ford and many more.

And if you really want to try something new — how about the collaboration of Olivia NewtonJohn and John Travolta. Yes! They’ve reunited after many, many years to put out a Christmas CD. Why not right? The CD is called This Christmas. Newton-John was a bit of a crossover artist in her day so not sure how country sounding it will be but Christmas music is Christmas music sometimes. Their reunion also includes the likes of Barbara Streisand, James Taylor and Kenny G. No matter what you choose to listen to as you celebrate the holidays I hope you have a very blessed season with your loved ones. Nothing helps build great memories better than good music! Merry Christmas!

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RYHMES FROM TH E R A N G E

Up Sims Creek

By Rodney Nelson Sims, North Dakota

When the mercury’s just a puddle hiding way down in the glass And a white and frozen blanket has covered up the grass.

The cattle stand out shivering, the trees look stark and dead, Though winter’s barely started, you view the rest with dread.

The furnace won’t stop running and the fuel bills shrink your purse The angry sun dogs warn you that tomorrow will be worse.

Your water pipes are frozen, your pickup just won’t start And the stinging breath of winter presses heavy on your heart.

It can sometimes – though you fight it – get you way down in the mouth And you wish you had an address that was somewhere further South.

Just when you think you’ve had it and you can’t stand one more day Christmas sneaks upon you and the gloom will drift away.

Your neighbour strings some cheery lights that seems to warm those chills, You start to like the mailman when he brings more cards than bills.

Old friends often call or write, the neighbours bring a gift And every time a stranger smiles the darkness seems to lift.

We start to count our blessings, forget about our pains And realize how fortunate we are here on the plains.

To have neighbours, friends, and family who truly seem to care And we can’t imagine Christmas could get better anywhere!

Horse trainer and rancher Rodney Nelson makes his home near Almont, North Dakota and has been a favourite poet at Elko for the past 25 years (where he will be featured again in 2013) . Active in senior rodeo circles and well known as a rural banquet speaker, he is the author of Up Sims Creek, a monthly column in Farm and Ranch Guide. More information about Nelson can be found at www.cowboypoetry.com

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Maybe what you find is something you do not like very much... then you would put away the box wondering what to do with the present.

But, if the next day you find another present, you would open it also and, if this time you find something inside that you like very much...

A memory from someone that is far away.... a beautiful clothing you saw on a window shop... the keys to a new car... a beautiful winter coat... or just a beautiful flower from somebody that remembered you...

This happens every day, but we do not realize it... Every day when we wake up, it is there, before us, a present sent to us by God... a whole day to use in the best possible way Sometimes it comes with problems, issues that we do not seem to be able to solve. Sometimes it comes with sadness, deception, even tears... But other times it comes full of surprises, happiness, success and achievements...

What is important is that every day we receive a present, wrapped especially for us while we sleep: THE NEXT DAY. We are presented this box with

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Life does not care about what we want... just about what we need. And that is good

Open your PRESENT every day, giving thanks first to the Creator that gave it to you, without thinking what is inside the box.

If today you do not receive the present you wanted, wait for the next one... and appreciate what you received today

May you have a day full of blessings, in which you can feel the loving presence of your creator, and may the present of every day bring you Peace, spiritual growth, and enlightenment on all we still have to learn about everyday, and the plan life has for us, every day...

Tomorrow... Open your present with love and enthusiasm, because one day your dreams and the life plan for you will

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After being picked up at the lake-front by horse and sleigh enjoy a ‘Country Christmas Dinner & Dance’ at the Brewster Barn. Built

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The Present profoundly affected B.C. horse trainer

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A friend sent The Present to Dixie Stewart at a challenging time

By Dixie Stewart Baldonnel, B.C.

S

eeing as it is the holiday season, there is much attention given to the topic of presents.

So I thought I’d tell you about a profound gift I was given in the fall a few years back. To me it represents the true meaning of a present, and has a way of putting things back into into perspective for the holidays.

It didn’t start out as profound gift at all, and it sure as heck was not nicely wrapped or presented. It was a hell of a mess, on one of those cold, wet and windy September days — you know the kind, after its rained for about four days and is really working itself into a glorified snow storm. I was extremely busy, and my husband and trainer, Glenn Stewart was away, both of which is very usual.

We had four outside horses at the ranch that were there to be ridden for a month. This was day eight. I was working on the computer with the wind and rain howling outside, when the phone rang and a voice came on “that little black slipped and I put my arm out to break the fall when we were going down... and I think my arm is broken.” Two hours later, it was confirmed.

I didn’t have time to do what I was already supposed to be doing, plus add chores to it, let alone add about 10 hours of colt starting.

Oddly enough, about an hour after I got the broken arm phone call, one of the very people who owned one of the colts sent me an email with “The Present” attached to it. She had no idea how timely it was. A little voice in my head said... “Well, maybe I could do it. Maybe I could finish those colts myself.”

There are so many life lessons in this story. Here’s one — opportunity knocks when preparation meets hard work. I got up at five that morning, and by mid morning things were looking pretty good and I had fulfilled many obligations and promises that had kept me awake.

I didn’t know what to do about the

colt situation, but I knew I had to go to town and take the girls to dance and figure skating, hit the bus depot, ship out tack orders at the P.O., go to the bank and get groceries, and by the time I would be back it was going to be blacker than the inside of a cow. So I told myself as long as everybody and everything got fed that night, really nothing else mattered. Another life lesson — take care of today and tomorrow will look after itself.

The next lesson — no man (woman) alone is an island. I asked Glenn’s Mom, Ethelann if she was up for taking on the driving duties of delivering the girls to their stuff for the next two weeks, no small endeavour. Sometimes this means five hours a day we are gone. She said “Bring me the schedule and we’ll be fine!”

After we arrived home that night, I pulled on my gum boots and biggirl panties, and slopped through the snow and the muck appreciating my newly loaded flashlight. Loaded the wheelbarrow up, then spun out on the clay and rolled ass over tea kettle down a hill. When I got to the bottom all I could do was laugh, and I thought of some of the folks out there who think being the wife of a clinician must be a glamorous and romantic thing. (Well sometimes it is but that moment sure as hell was not one of them!)

The next day, I thought, well, I’ll just start and see how things go.

One horse, and one day at a time.

And some of the time it went good, and sometimes it not so good, but it always was sweeter than the day before. We worked it out, and began to understand one another. Glenn would call, and ask what I was doing and the words “I’m riding... still... again” would echo proudly in my ears.

After about four days the sun finally came out, and I found I was happy. There was not a soul around.

It was cold. But I felt like I was getting my feet underneath me, and that I was really doing what I always wanted to be doing. The hours fell

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The Present is displayed on the opposite page. If you are in a mood for a little more introspection, and have a computer nearby, go to http:// thehorseranch.com/present and watch the slide show with music. You just might not believe how it can change your outlook, and how that can in turn shape events.

away, and so did the schedules... my mind cleared, my sense of humour found its way back, and the worries that plagued me fell away as the time rolled on and I just kept on trying.

Truly happy. Exhausted, yes.

Exhilarated, oh yes. Then it dawned on me... I was doing it. I was living my dream. By god, I was a colt starter.

The learning curve was steep on both sides, mine and the colts. There were so many things I wanted to badly know and couldn’t wait until Glenn got home so I could show and ask him. I had asked him earlier what all needed to be accomplished in 20 days, and he gave me an outline of what needed to be in place.

The icing on the cake was when Glenn got home and got on the one that tapped my resources the most.

He was full of compliments, ooing and aahing, which he is not prone to doing. He kept riding for an hour, because the horse felt so good to him. I was so happy — the sense of accomplishment was immense.

So that was my present. It didn’t have nice wrapping, and it sure didn’t seem like something I wanted to receive. But I could not have asked for anything better, and there would have been no way on earth I could have orchestrated that much riding for any other reason.

It was not what I wanted, but it was exactly what I needed, and will be gratefully remembered as one of the richest, most liberating experiences I’ve had. Go well. Merry Christmas from Dixie (and Glenn).

Unforeseen circumstances forced Dixie Stewart to jump into the trainer’s saddle, and with a little help from The Present, she not only completed the training but won the praise and respect from her husband, trainer Glenn Stewart.

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HORSES ALL • DECEMBER 2012

SUNNY HORSE VACATIONS Hot Destinations with an Equine Flair…

HORSE VACATION S

Tired of the snow and cold?

Take a break this season — why not try one of 10 sunny horse vacations with Darley Newman

Have you ever dreamed of riding the sandy beaches of Jamaica?

Maybe this is your year.

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By Darley Newman, Bethesda, Maryland

C

old Canadian winters making you want to head south for fun in the sun? There are a variety of choices for winter horse riding vacations, ranging from Southwestern ranches to Caribbean resorts to Jordanian desert camps. As I continue to ride the world and talk to travelers who are seeking places where they can travel as a single person, in a group or with their children, I catalog great destinations for people of all riding abilities with a multitude of tastes.

Check out these 10 great, varied places to saddle up on vacation this winter and giddyup the winter blues away.

Elkhorn Ranch Arizona

If you’re looking to ride under sunny skies this winter, head 50 miles southwest of Tucson to historic Elkhorn Ranch, a family run dude ranch that’s been welcoming guests since 1946. Travelers rave about the attention to detail and small group setting provided by the owners, the Miller Family. Trail rides are kept small, so you can more intimately enjoy the craggy mountains, canyons and desert landscapes teeming with cactus, mesquite bushes and colourful birds. You’ll eat hearty ranch meals and stay in rustic, clean casitas at this southwestern dude ranch. Recently voted one of Equitrekking’s Top 20 Ranches, this is a great place for true horse lovers to unplug from modern life, relax and ride.

More info: www.top20ranches.com/bestdude-ranches/elkhorn-arizona-dude-ranch

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Half Moon Resort Jamaica

Ever wanted to swim with your horse in the ocean? Having done it myself, I know it can be an awesome experience. At Half Moon Resort in Jamaica, you can mix riding lessons in basic dressage, more advanced jumping or polo with a beach ride and hit the waves on horseback. Half Moon is a luxury resort with a heftier vacation price tag, but if you’re looking to mix a Caribbean

island experience with horses, this is a good splurge. For non-riders, there are plenty of resort activities and amenities, including the spa, several pools, golf, a Dolphin Lagoon, fitness center and more. With a high percentage of repeat guests and tropical setting, this luxury riding retreat stands out.

More info: www.equitrekkingtravel.com/ destinations/view/jamaica_horse_riding_resort/

3

Double E Ranch New Mexico

I was able to saddle up at this Southwestern working ranch for Cowgirl Camp, an all women’s adventure where you can barrel race, drive cattle, rope and ride, ride, ride. This ranch is remote, located by the rugged Gila National Forest.

There’s no pool or spa here. This is a place to discover a working ranch experience and best for people with some riding experience.

In addition to Cowgirl Camps, there are also round-ups, rides to Native ruins, colt starting, mounted shooting and more. An added benefit, your hosts, Debbie and Alan Eggleston may inspire you with their own story of leaving their corporate jobs to fulfill their dream of owning a ranch.

More info: www.top20ranches.com/ best-dude-ranches/double-e-ranch-newmexico-dude-ranch

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Rancho Las Cascadas Mexico

5

Southern Cross Guest Ranch Georgia

Another great destination with sunny skies and the added benefit of serving great margaritas is Rancho Las Cascadas, an Equitrekking Top 20 Ranch located in San Agustin Buenavista, Mexico. About 1-1/2 hours from the Mexico International Airport, this Mexican country-style ranch has sure-footed horses to take you galloping to colonial towns, colourful markets, rugged mountains, waterfalls, sprawling farmland and countryside. You could stay weeks and not cover all of the trails available to equestrians here. The ranch boasts an infinity pool and hot tub for soaking after a long day on the trails. Non-riding friends will have plenty of non-horsey things to do at the ranch and nearby, including excursions to Teotihuacan ruins, local swimming holes and festive markets.

More info: www.top20ranches.com/ best-dude-ranches/rancho-las-cascadasmexico-ranch-vacation

Oozing with Southern charm and around 200 Paint and Quarter horses, Southern Cross Guest Ranch is another great horse lover’s winter vacation destination.

This dude ranch is located about an hour

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HORSES ALL • DECEMBER 2012

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from the Atlanta Airport in the historic town of Madison, known for its antebellum homes.

You can get as involved with the horses as you wish while staying here. They’ll let you catch and groom your horse or do it for you.

This ranch offers something unique to North American dude ranches, the opportunity to ride your horse unguided. They’ve only had one guest get really lost in the years that they’ve been entrusting riders with their horses, but he worked hard to get off the trail and was eventually found and led back to the ranch. The food here is also a standout with dishes like peach-puff pancakes and fresh baked Swiss rolls. There’s also a pool, Jacuzzi and game room for time out of the saddle.

More info: www.equitrekking.com/ equestrian_vacations/destination/southern_cross_guest_ranch/

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Costa Rica Horse Riding Vacations Costa Rica

Hot springs, beaches, rainforests, cloud forests, wildlife and warm temperatures lure many horse enthusiasts to ride in Costa Rica. On my travels there to film for Equitrekking, I was surprised at just how many howler monkeys, colourful birds and even frogs that I was able to see, causing me to recommend Costa Rica as a must visit destination for riders who want to view wildlife from on horseback. There are a variety of riding vacation options in Costa Rica including a Coast to Coast Riding Vacation for intermediate to advanced level riders, a Costa Rica Explorer vacation to Arenal Volcano, stunning river canyons, and volcanic sand beaches. You’ll want to be in riding shape for many of these adventures as you average four to six hours in the saddle each day, but with so much to see, you’ll probably want to extend your stay.

More info: www.equitrekkingtravel.com/ destinations/view/costa_rica_equestrian_ adventures/

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Uruguay Beach & Coastal Trail Uruguay

If you love beach riding, this trip is a great option, as the Rocha Coast by the border of Brazil in Uruguay, has wide, sandy tracks that are great for horse riding. I was able to gallop these shores on this trip with gauchos (Uruguay’s cowboys) while filming for Equitrekking. Along this trip, you stay in a variety of estancias and hotels. By staying in the estancias, you get a great feel for life in this small, South American country and get to meet the locals, something I love about traveling on horseback. You’ll likely ride Criollo or Criollo mix horses, a South American breed, which are adept at conquering the beaches, woodlands, wetlands and palm groves through which you’ll ride. I liked the variety that this riding holiday offers, as you see a lot of the country, including the capital city, Montevideo. If you like meat, you will really like the grass fed beef that is popular throughout Uruguay. Don’t miss trying Chivito, a decadent meal of French Fries, beef, mozzarella, hard boiled eggs and more.

You’ll definitely need to work it off with lots of horse riding.

More info: www.equitrekkingtravel. com/destinations/view/uruguays_beach_ coastal_trail/

8

Wadi Rum Desert Jordan

Jordan is a good pick if you are an adventurous rider who wants to

Horse swimming is just one of the many unique activities at Costa Rica Horse Riding Vacations.

experience history, Bedouin culture and desert scenery. I was a little intimidated at first to ride Arabian horses in the vast Wadi Rum Desert with the Bedouin, but after a few hours, was confidently cantering and galloping where the footing allowed. This is a varied desert with beautiful canyons, petroglyphs, and surprising wildlife. If you’ve seen the film “Lawrence of Arabia,” you may be familiar with some of the scenery in the Wadi Rum, as much of it was filmed in the desert. This is a progressive camping trip, where the scenery changes daily, as you are actually moving through the desert. On my trip, I also ventured to the Dead Sea for a float and magical Petra, an option for the Jordan riding holidays. For more ambitious riders, you can actually ride from Petra to the Wadi Rum Desert, a 10 day trek.

More info: www.equitrekkingtravel.com/ destinations/view/jordan_bedouin_trek_ classic_tour/

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Spain Dressage Training & Trails Spain

If you want to canter on the beach or have ever dreamt of riding through a field of sunflowers, head to Southern Spain. I’ve been twice to ride in Donana National Park and take lessons in dressage at this British Horse Society approved riding centre right outside of Seville. The horses are well trained, having worked with equestrian Olympian Rafael Soto and Vivi Garcia, who studied at the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art. There are also good facilities for riders who want brush up on their skills, including an Olympic-sized dressage arena, two additional rings, a jumping arena, a cross country course, and beautiful countryside and trails. As someone who craves Spanish food and culture, I also really liked the tapas on this trip and the side trips to see the dancing horses at the Royal School in Jerez and flamenco dancing in Seville.

More info: www.equitrekkingtravel.com/ destinations/view/spain_training_trail_ riding/

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Maui and the Big Island Equestrian Escapes Hawaii

The great part of horse riding Hawaii is that you can incorporate a short ride into your vacation or ride at different destinations daily both on Maui and the Big Island.

Elkhorn Ranch in Arizona keeps trail rides small so you can more intimately enjoy the craggy mountains, canyons and desert landscapes teeming with cactus, mesquite bushes and colourful birds.

Maui has one of my favourite horse rides into stunning Haleakala Volcano and organized rides on a ranch in the Upcountry at Piiholo Ranch. On the Big Island, you can gallop up hills with the Pacific Ocean at your back at historic Kahua Ranch or head deep into remote Waipi’o Valley, the Valley of the Kings, where waterfalls and green fields of taro are abundant. If you are seeking varied rides, both islands have great picks. Just be prepared to do a little driving to get from ranch to ranch. I put together a self-drive vacation for horse lovers on these islands, but you can also book each ride yourself and enjoy luaus, great resorts and awesome seafood.

More info: www.equitrekkingtravel. com/destinations/view/hawaiis_big_ island_equestrian_vacation/ http://www. equitrekkingtravel.com/destinations/ view/maui_equestrian_vacation_self_ drive/ About the Author: Darley Newman is the host and producer of the Emmy-winning travel TV show Equitrekking and owner of a variety of ranch and riding vacation resources including Top20Ranches. com and the Equitrekking Vacation Guide. Darley and her professional staff would love to help make your winter horse vacation a great experience www. equitrekkingtravel.com

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HORSES ALL · DECEMBER 2012

INSPIRATIONS Inspired by People and Horses ARTIST PROFILE

Judie Popplewell

Combining a love of horses and art Calgary Stampede’s Western Art Show launched her career in equine art

By Cindy Bablitz Calgary, Alta.

J

udie Popplewell began her journey as an equine artist the way many artists — if not most... if not all — did, but her career flourished the way only a select few wish it could.

“I’ve always liked to draw... ever since I could remember,” Judie says. “And it was the same with horses... drawing and horses were always passions for me.”

It’s not so unusual a story for a young girl, except that, growing up in the heart of Canada’s “cowboy country,” Judie’s family wasn’t into horses. But she loved them still, and a neighbouring rancher provided Judie’s first horseback ride when she was still a single digit age. The love stuck.

“Back in the 1970s when the Stampede’s western art was showcased in the Big Four Building, I’d walk through there and thought, ‘This is where I want to be.’”

Today, some six-ish decades later, Judie credits the Calgary Stampede’s Western Art Showcase for being the forum where her passion and skill transformed from hobby to career... though it’s noteworthy that Judie’s professional artistic success really burgeoned into her forties. Judie’s had her original art in oils at the Calgary Stampede every year since 1995.

“I remember when I first submitted a piece for consideration for the Stampede auction,” recalls Judie, “And they accepted it! I was blown away! I was reluctant about

Judie Popplewell’s horse-inspired artwork. Top: Frosty Morning. Above: a small selection of paintings by Judie. photos: courtesy of the artist

my chances... I know how much competition there is out there... but I thought, ‘nothing ventured, nothing gained.’ That exposure has changed my whole career; it’s opened up so many doors for me. I’m truly grateful.”

Judie’s mom, still living in Pincher Creek where Judie spent her childhood, will occasionally run into teachers who remember Judie’s school notebooks crowded with horse drawings.

“All the margins of my notebooks were filled with horses, though I never thought about equine art as a career... I just loved drawing, and I loved horses, and those loves were simply things I enjoyed as pastimes.”

Eventually, Judie and her husband Jim and their children Debbie and Duane were living on a ranch east of Calgary where they boarded 100 head of horses.

“The two passions of mine were running

parallel but they weren’t joining up anywhere.

I was drawing a lot of horses but I always had in the back of my mind that drawing horses wasn’t really art, so I didn’t pursue it as an art form. Instead, I was creating landscapes, and pet portraits. I had taken some courses from different artists and kind of dabbled in acrylics, did some pen and ink, some graphite, some water colour... I experimented with all the mediums. I did quite a bit of pastel in the early 90s, which ultimately led me to oils. I loved oils — I’d found my medium and I never went back to any other medium.

“Then, I remember it so clearly: it was in 1991 and I was in an art supply store where I came across a magazine called Equine Images, affiliated with the American Academy of Equine Art! The entire magazine was filled with images of equine art — sculptures, drawings, paintings. This was before the Internet, mind you, so I’d had no idea there was this whole genre of equine artistry. Suddenly, my parallel passions had focus and credibility and I was so excited!”

Judie’s deeply rooted love for the landscape, history and the rural western lifestyle of Alberta, where she’s lived her whole life, shine in her intimately detailed representational paintings.

“There’s so much tradition that is still practiced today in the ranching life that looks exactly the way it used to look hundreds of years ago. I like to be around that tradition, in real life, and I love celebrating that in my art.”

To view more of Judie’s work, surf to www.judiepopplewell.com.

HORSES ALL · DECEMBER 2012

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I NSPIRATIONS Book Review

Writer tells soldier’s story from the horse’s mouth Through vivid narration, readers learn the story behind the war poem In Flanders Fields TIME TO CHILL Book and movie reviews

By Wendy Dudley Black Diamond, Alta.

S

tanding in mud that rotted their hooves, the horses braced against the driving rain and icy wind that blew across England’s Salisbury Plain. There was no shelter, just open fields exposed to the miserable weather. Days turned into weeks, with skies as solemn as the soldiers who waited for orders, not knowing when they would be called into action.

The year was 1915, and the world was at war. John McCrae, a Canadian soldier and physician, was frustrated with rules that forbid picketing horses in the nearby woods. The British didn’t want the fox habitat destroyed because of their love for hunting the animals. A stupid rule, it was eventually dropped, but by then hundreds of horses had died from exposure.

But not Bonfire, an Irish Hunter that belonged to Major McCrae. The two were inseparable, and throughout the drudgery of the First World War, it was the 16.2-hand horse that kept McCrae sane. Whenever possible, he kept Bonfire sheltered next to his field tent.

McCrae had a way with animals, and Bonfire’s humourous antics, such as removing McCrae’s hat and giving slurpy kisses, were a welcome relief to the horrors of war. Amid whining artillery shells, soldiers and horses were bombed and gassed with chlorine.

“There was nothing I hated more than the horse scream,” McCrae said. Watching the horses and mules maneuvre artillery wagons in the mud, he noted, “It made you want to kiss their dear old noses and assure them of a peaceful pasture once more.”

McCrae would write letters to his nieces and nephews in Winnipeg, as if Bonfire had written them. He signed them with a hoofprint.

Those letters were just several of many that Turner Valley author Susan Raby-Dunne discovered in researching the story of McCrae, the man who wrote the war-time poem In Flanders Fields. She had already decided to write a book about McCrae through the eyes of his horse, but reading McCrae’s notes penned from the viewpoint of Bonfire confirmed he would have approved.

“This is the beating heart behind the story of In Flanders Fields,” said Raby-Dunne who spent seven years researching her just-released book, Bonfire: The Chestnut Gentleman.

She walked the battlefields at Ypres and Passchendaele, covering the same ground travelled by McCrae and the 1st Brigade Canadian Field Artillery.

She poured over national archives in Ottawa and personal papers in the John McCrae House in Guelph, Ont. She visited the hospital where he tended the wounded and stood at his gravesite at Wimereux on the French coast.

“But it wasn’t at any of those places where I got the greatest sense of him. It was the valley where he rode Bonfire along the hedges. Hundreds of birds were singing, there is a gurgling stream. And it’s where the blackberry bushes are that Bonfire would eat by the pint,” she recalled.

“It was so beautiful.”

Comparisons can be made between Bonfire and Michael Morpurgo’s book War Horse, which was made into a movie in 2011.

Raby-Dunne refused to read War Horse, as she did not want it to influence her own writing. As a child, she read Anna Sewell’s Black Beauty, an 1877 novel that brought attention to the abuse of horses during the

Industrial Revolution. Told in the voice of Beauty, it left its mark on Raby-Dunne who was a horse-crazy girl.

At 14, she received a $75 loan from her father to buy a black and white paint called Chief. She nicknamed him Ghost because of his two blue eyes.

Readers will recognize him in her book as the “Alberta cayuse” called Ghost that dies of hoof rot.

Raby-Dunne’s book is creative nonfiction, based on actual events and characters. Some of the people are composites and she took artistic license in creating some details.

Her experience as a rider comes through in her details about how

Bonfire appreciates a rider with a calm voice, soft hands and gentle leg cues.

“I wasn’t the greatest rider, but I was fearless,” said Raby-Dunne who moved to a farm near Black Diamond in 1997, where she bred Andalusians and Warmbloods.

Bonfire is a touching and tragic story. When McCrae died in hospital from pneumonia in 1918, it is said that Bonfire nickered in his stall at 1:30 a.m., the exact time his owner passed away. At his funeral, Bonfire led the procession with his master’s boots reversed in the stirrups.

Sadly, no one is sure what happened to Bonfire after McCrae’s death. His fate is a mystery that

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Alberta writer Susan-Raby Dunne tells the story behind the war poem In Flanders Fields in her book.

Photo: Wendy Dudley.

keeps Raby-Dunne searching for the answer.

“Someone knows. I hope to find out. I’m on it.” For more on Bonfire, go to www.thebonfirebook.com.

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INSPIRATIONS JEWELRY

SHAWNA WHITESIDE silversmith and cancer survivor Owner of Sweet Iron Silver Company inspires with her creations and her life journey GOING IN STYLE Art and Artizans

By Cindy Bablitz Calgary, Alta.

S

ome people want to be firemen or doctors: I’ve always wanted to be a jeweller!”

And though she took a circuitous route throu g h cake decorating, graphic design, secretary-ing, painting and store clerking, Shawna Whiteside, owner, designer, engraver and creator extraordinaire of Sweet Iron Silver Company eventually found her way to silversmithing and jewelry design through a happenstance encoun-

ter with a customer at the feedlot where she was working.

Shawna explains, “Our vet mentioned needing a gift for his wife and I said, ‘Why not get a custom made watch from Olson’s? I’ll design it for you!’ When the people at Olson’s saw my design, they said, ‘You’re really good! Have you ever thought of doing this?’ And I answered, ‘Only every day of my life!’”

As serendipity would have it, the Olson Silver Company in High River — a highly respected silversmithing company with a very low employee turnover rate — had recently had a seasoned engraver retire.

“I have always had a passion for fine engraving! It’s absolutely my specialty.”

Handcrafted bands are used for weddings or special anniversary gifts.

And, like so many stories of intention and passion meeting opportunity, the rest, as they say, is history. But not quite.

Shawna spent the next few years driving the two hour each way commute from her home near Didsbury to High River learning the ropes with Lana Figuera whom she credits for showing her the ropes and letting her hone her enthusiasm for engraving 40 hours every week. Eventually, she knew the time was right to cut her commute and launch her own venture. Sweet Iron was born in 2001 and the rest, as they say, is history. But not quite.

In 2006, Shawna got the potentially devastating news that her body from bow to stern was fighting cancer. But Shawna’s not the devastating kind, and she took the news in stride, not feeling sorry for herself for a minute, instead finding gratitude in that she worked from a home base and could schedule her custom engraving and jewelry making around the little inconveniences like surgery and chemotherapy.

“I was really fortunate that I had a job where I could do a belt buckle and then go lay down, do a ring and then go lay down. The chemotherapy gives you insomnia, so I could work at two in the morning if I wanted and then crash till whenever. I mean, I’m very lucky: I went through this, and I could still work and take breaks, I didn’t have any dependants to support mean-

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Shawna Whiteside and Sweet Iron Silver Company create one-of-a-kind designs from her studio in Didsbury, Alta.

while... I could have been a single mom and a waitress needing to be on my feet all day and that would have sucked.”

With an aplomb that’s as inspiring as it is incredible, she adds, “I never thought I’d die from it or anything. It was just something I went through... something for the Christmas letter.”

Shawna is one plucky woman and clearly puts all her passion into her custom engraved jewelry, buckles, instrument bling and knives because she doesn’t put any of it into personal dramatics. She takes her life in stride, with a dry humour and a shrug of her shoulder.

Amidst glowing accolades in testimonials on her website, you’ll see Anders Svensson claiming, “I think people would be extra impressed if they knew you did all of this using only a Bedazzler. Blindfolded.

Underwater.”

And, a surprising celebrity injection (“Shawna who?”) straight from the cowboy’s cowboy, George Strait, show just how much Shawna’s not willing to take life so seriously with a lighthearted humorous approach after surviving cancer and numerous surgeries that could have taken a less plucky woman down a whole different survival path.

Sweet Iron designs are all intricately designed and truly lovingly created by an artist who simply loves what she does.

“I’m so proud when people choose to spend their money on my creations. I feel like I’m a part of the special moments they’re commemorating with designs we conceive together. I know I’m not the only game in town and I know what an honour it is to get to be invited in to a creation that people love wearing.”

For more information about Sweet Iron and to inquire about your own custom silver engraving ideas, surf to www.sweetiron.com or phone 403 816 4370.

A beautiful 3-piece accessory for that special belt.

One of Shawna’s unique horseshoe bracelets.

HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • DECEMBER 2012

25

INSPIRATIONS WESTERN ARTIST S

Western Horseman calendar features two Canadian artists Cowboy poet Doris Daley and photographer Kim Taylor unknowingly collaborate for iconic magazine OUR WAY OF LIFE Making a living with horses

T

wo Southern Alberta artists — photographer Kim Taylor and western poet Doris Daley — are featured in the 2013 iconic Western Horseman cowboy calendar. And it turned out to be a surprise that the two friends, who are practically neighbours in the southern Alberta foothills, were working with each other on the project and didn’t even know it. Kim lives just outside of Bragg Creek and Doris resides in Turner Valley.

Taylor, recognized for photographic art that captures the life of a rancher and the work of the cowboy, is well known for her annual Western Planner and Calendar.

Daley is well known in western circles for her award-winning cowboy poetry.

“Six months ago I was commissioned by Western Horseman to write a piece for next year’s calendar. They sent me a photo and asked me to write whatever came to mind. Of course they told me the photographer’s name... but I didn’t recognize it,” explains Daley. Erro-

neously, in the exchange of emails, it turned out to be the name of the calendar’s illustrator.

“Imagine my surprise when I saw the finished calendar and realized I had actually been writing to one of Kim’s photos!” said Daley.

“And imagine my surprise,” adds Taylor, “when Doris emailed to say congratulations — your photos are on the front and the inside cover of the calendar!”

Until then, Taylor hadn’t yet heard from Western Horseman headquarters that her photo submissions had been chosen for the project.

Taylor’s photo of Tom Bews leading yearlings across the Highwood River near Longview is the calendar front cover. Daley’s poem, Unhobbled, matches Taylor ’s inside cover photo of a slicker-clad cowboy and his horse on the rainy

Saskatchewan prairie. Started in 1936 and now based out of Texas, Western Horseman is one of the oldest and most respected magazines in the West. With subscriptions and shelf sales reaching almost 200,000 per issue, it is also one of the largest. Both Kim and Doris have calendars for sale (www. kimtaylor.com and www.dorisdaley.com). It is also available at www.westernhorseman.com.

Canadian cowgirls Doris Daley and Kim Taylor proudly display copies of their work in the 2013 Western Horseman calendar.

Figured out how to maximize my yield - online.

“Imagine my surprise when I saw the finished calendar and realized I had actually been writing to one of Kim’s photos!”  DORIS DALEY

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HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • DECEMBER 2012

H ORSE, HEALTH & HOME Training

What is the Filter or Grid you look through?

Glenn Stewart tells a story of how looking at a situation from different perspectives or filters can affect the outcome GET A GRIP Ask the trainers

W

hat is the filter or grid you look through? We are not born with these filters or grids. They are slowly built or weaved over time through the experiences we’ve had, the things we have seen or think we’ve seen, what we have been told or overheard or thought we heard.

It is our perception, and perception is reality until it can be proven differently to us… and then we get a new perception.

Years ago a lady brought a stallion to me to work with. The stallion was shown as a halter horse at different shows and was winning top honours and taking all the trophies.

However the stallion was getting to be more and more out of control as time went by and finally was banned from any more shows. The trainer that trained and showed the horse from the start couldn’t handle him any longer either, so the stallion was left with owners.

One day when the husband was feeding, the stallion took him down with his teeth and front feet. By the time the fellow crawled under the bottom rail out of the pen, the stallion had broken his collarbone and a rib or two, and bruised him up pretty badly. The horse wasn’t safe even to feed anymore.

Someone that knew me suggested to the owners that they give me a call. I agreed to have a look at the stallion to see if I could help.

When they arrived they led the stallion to a steel round pen and turned him loose. When I say led him, the stallion was actually the one doing the leading, squealing, rearing, trying to bite and I wasn’t sure if they were going to

make it to the round pen alive, let alone in one piece.

I was working with another horse at the time and while I was finishing up I got to watch the stallion.

All by himself in the round pen he would squeal, rear, throw himself on the ground, urinate all over himself and bite at his ribs. He would swing his head so fast and hard that his teeth would thump into his ribs. Then he would bite a bunch of his own hide and pull until it come out from between his teeth and you could hear his teeth snap together.

I finished up with the first horse and it was time to go have a visit with the stallion. I was thinking that I would be in the arena by myself as usual with the horse and maybe the owner but as it was getting closer to the time to start with the stallion, people started arriving.

At first I didn’t know why they were all there but they all headed to the sitting area above the stallions pen and were waiting for the show.

Someone had talked about the stallion and the word had got out and it had created quite a bit of interest with the local cowboys.

As I approached the pen the stallion ran at the fence, turned his head sideways and tried to bite me through the rails. Then he would turn, run away and come at me again.

The people that came to watch really were not my supporters.

After watching the stallion for a while, they thought I was out of my mind to actually be trying to get in the pen. They suggested getting a gun and shooting the horse and that the horse was a waste of time.

At the very least a 2x4 to chase him away or rifle in case the stallion got me down and they could shoot him to save me.

As I said earlier they weren’t really my supporters, but they

“This is what I know: A positive filter, even if for only for one of the two in the pen at the start, still created a positive for both in the end.”

— Glenn Stewart

Carson Stewart with “River.”

Keily Stewart with “Hunter.”

photo: Dixie Stewart

photo: Dixie Stewart

were really beginning to dislike the horse and kind of warming up to me just because I was actually going in the pen.

The people watching, the owner and myself were all looking at the same horse, same situation all with our own set of filters. The owner was hopeful something could be done but to date had only seen the horse get worse. The other fellows that came to watch clearly figured the horse only needed lead between the ears. That he was no good for anything and was a crazy man killer.

I looked at the horse with my filters and wondered what had happened to the poor fellow to make him hate humans that much. I saw a smart horse that had learned all these behaviours from the handling he had been receiving. He wasn’t born biting himself, rearing, squealing, throwing himself on the ground and attacking people.

I also wondered what kind of anxiety he must be feeling to be biting his own body and thrashing wildly around the pen even when no one was near.

My filters based on what I’ve learned and seen indicated to me that he doesn’t want to be like that, but has had enough of whatever he had been getting and had found a way to keep people away from him. I knew the horse had his own filter that he viewed humans through, and it was a filter that was not going to be easily changed.

I spent 10 days with that horse and changed his perception at least towards one human and was happy to know that my filter was working. He didn’t want to be the way he was, and with a different approach and looking at him through my own particular filters, a horse emerged that wasn’t trying to mutilate itself and everything around it.

The owner cried daily at the transformation. Many times in the 10 days I thought, “I’m not going to get out of this round pen alive” but each day got better as a trust and respect grew between us.

There was obviously much that went on in the 10 days and much more to the story but this is what I know. A positive filter, even if only for one of the two in the pen at the start, still created a positive for both in the end.

Glenn Stewart travels extensively conducting clinics, demonstrations, and colt starting sessions, and also offers Camps and a three month Horsemanship Course at his home The Horse Ranch. He rides 30-60 client horses per year, including young horses, restarts, challenging horses, and foundation training. For more information, call 1-877-728-8987 or visit www.thehorseranch.com

What is the Filter or Grid You Look Through?. photo: Dixie Stewart

Horses are born with genetic and innate characteristics - their filter or grid in which they view the world is changed by interactions with humans. This paint foal River has a filter that humans are safe to be curious about, and that when they touch her it feels nice. photo: Dixie Stewart

HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • DECEMBER 2012

27

H ORSE, HEALTH & HOME psychology

Manage your mind, manage your mount

What kind of inner coach do you have?

Tyrant? Avoider? Scare Monger? for learning. The tyrant intends more to punish after you make a mistake, not help you figure out Equestrian sport psychology what you need to do differently the next time.

By April Clay • Mr. Avoidance: this one doesn’t Psychologist like to get in trouble or be challenged by anyone, so he also our trainer acts as a doesn’t challenge you. Whatever “grounds-person” for you, you do is ok. You don’t need to giving you feedback on your set goals or evaluate yourself. riding, helping you make adjustDon’t get frustrated or upset, ments. But ultimately you end up those are uncomfortable emofiltering this information, and maktions. He says: “go ahead, avoid ing your own choices about how to entering that class, you’ll feel betact. It is your inner direction that ter.” You may feel somewhat comforms your decisions. fortable with this type of boss, In this way, each of us could be especially when it gets you out said to possess an “inner coach.” of an uncomfortable situation, Similar to our regular coach, this but there is such a thing as being inner trainer has a style that is quite too comfortable. We all need to distinct, and can have positive and reach, to be challenged and yes, negative impacts on learning and to learn from not so great expeperformance. riences and not so pleasant emotions from time to time. We also Look for Patterns need limits, just like raising a To get to know your inner coach child, its healthy. better, get ready to put your detective hat on. Fortunately, your mind • The Scare Monger: this one loves to point out all the things does work in patterns. Try to watch it thinks you can’t handle. “Did and see what messages you give to you see who the judge was? Never yourself about your riding, particuliked your horse,” “check out that larly the ones that are repetitive. oxer out of that tight corner, Do you tend to tell yourself to opt think you’ll be able to make it?” out of challenges? Does your mind “you’re first in the order of go, keep repeating “you will not be able what a disaster.” By the time this to do this” ad nauseam? one is finished with you, you’re Keep a journal, watch your mind, just a little freaked out. Just how it approaches problems. At when you should be concentratthis stage, you want to make sure ing on your riding, it takes you you don’t judge or criticize your away and shows you all that could thoughts, just watch them. If you go wrong. But of course this is start judging your thoughts you’ll not where your focus needs to be, lose vital information about how it needs to be on your connection your mind works when you ride. to your horse. The scare monJust play detective and collect ger ends up wasting a lot of your nothing but the facts. You are on valuable energy. a field study of the workings of your mind. Keep a journal or notes on what you notice, but again, don’t review its contents until you “…each of us could have enough data. In other words, remember to give this stage time. be said to possess In any important problem solving an ‘inner coach.’ endeavour it is important to know Similar to our all the data before you can decide regular coach, on a plan.

RIDING OUT OF MY MIND

Y

Determine your style Your notes can give you access to the personality of your inner coach or director. We all know some coaches and bosses bring out the best in us, some the worst. Their job is to monitor, evaluate and direct our activities. What is your internal boss like? Here are a few typical types: • The Tyrant: this kind of manager drives you to excel, but in a negative and sometimes cruel way. If you sprained your ankle last week and your balance was a little off today on your horse, he doesn’t care! He expects more from you, and without whining. Don’t look for empathy here... one of the problems with this type is you don’t end up with much room

this inner trainer has a style that is quite distinct, and can have positive and negative impacts...”

you get to know it. And the better you get to know it, the less power it seems to have and the more you can take control over what and how your mind works.

Make Adjustments Now that you have really gotten to know this internal trainer, you may or may not want to continue retaining their services. You may just want to fire them! If you do, who are you going to look for as a replacement? Or it may seem more prudent to put them on probation, get them to smarten up a little, to work in your best interest.

Whatever changes you may be considering, take a look at your individual needs first. Do you need more balance in terms of positive versus negative feedback?

Do you need more compassion and patience for your feelings of fear?

Maybe you require more messages about your ongoing progress.

It is important to know that you can custom design your inner coach to reflect your personal

Mr. Avoidance doesn’t like to get in trouble or be challenged by anyone, so he also doesn’t challenge you. Photo: Thinkstock

needs. It may be helpful to flesh out your idea of what type of inner director would suit your needs best, similar to what you did for your “negative” boss. What does he or she look like? Sound like?

Draw a picture or write out the attributes and attitudes you think would best work for you. And now and then, don’t forget to review their contract and work performance!

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— April Clay

So ask yourself — if your mind were a real live breathing coach, what kind of a coach would it be?

One of the above types? A combination? What gender, what tone of voice? What kind of philosophy is it operating from? Give it a name if you like, or draw a picture. Maybe a certain visual image comes to mind.

The more you draw it out, the better

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HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • DECEMBER 2012

H ORSE, HEALTH & HOME Mountain X mas

Christmas time is here and spending it in the mountains is just magical!

Terri McKinney shares her experience on ‘tree hunting’ and what Christmas means to her BACKCOUNTRY TRAVELS Trail riding tips and information

By Terri McKinney Kingman, Alta.

S

o when you picture the perfect setting for you and your family at Christmas, does it include a log cabin, fire crackling, smell of cinnamon and a sleigh waiting outside with a nice team?

The reason I ask is that the mountains are not only stunning in the summer but we are also drawn to them at different moments of the season but I find myself particularly drawn to them around Christmas time. If you get that same feeling why not start a new tradition for you and your family this Christmas?

We seem to get so busy in life and when we go to the mountains in the summer we remember how simple life is, to breathe and enjoy long conversations with the people around us. So I encourage you to grab you family and do it this year before Christmas. Things you will need for this venture is a thermos full of hot chocolate, snacks like homemade short bread or brownies, a saw, rope, warm clothes, camera, a few horses, a permit from your local Sustainable Resource Office (SRD) and a sleigh!

Have you guessed it yet? Go hunting as a family for your Christmas tree in the mountains. This has been our tradition and one we enjoy each year because we take the day and really enjoy the “hunt” for the best tree but in turn we are having family time with the horses in the winter. It reminds you of the real reason for the season.

Courtney, B. C.

Nov. 9, 10 & 11

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We head west of Rocky Mountain House with saddled horses in the trailer for the adventure to start out our season of festivities.

In the saddle bags we pack the thermos and good treats. In the sleigh we pack the saw along with the rope and head up the mountain side. After we think we find the perfect tree, we stop for our picnic and what follows is usually jumping into the sleigh for some good old downhill sledding and then one of us dragging the sleigh back to the top with a horse.

“It seems people tend to think that bush people aren’t religious which boggles me honestly because we are surrounded by nature...”

— Terri McKinney

gious which boggles me honestly because we are surrounded by nature and most of us outfitters have been in close calls, very close calls and it is hard to not believe that someone is watching over us.

There is a lot of time to think before and after a wreck and although we live a tough lifestyle, and most people think we are hardened, there is a softness to each mountain person that if you ask and watch you will see. Back to my question people ask — “Do you believe in God?” This is the story I answer with and leave it to them.

My daughter was six and we were fall camping looking after the cows. That day she was dragging in firewood that Chuck was cutting up on her good horse Jessie.

Now before you ask about her being so young dragging in wood… in the mountains this is the way it is and everyone pitches in. She was happy helping and Jessie is a big safe mare that barely felt the logs she drug in.

Later that day while I was getting the fire and supper going, I heard a scream and saw Jessie

After fun, snacks and the tree safely in the sleigh, we head home to put up our prize and enjoy the smell of a fresh tree. The trees you find at those “tree lots” are old and lose their needles early. Not only do you get a fresh tree when you do it yourself but you have a great time doing it!

The other part of Christmas for me…

So many times in the backcountry I am asked “do you believe in God?” It seems people tend to think that bush people aren’t reli-

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running through camp. I put my hands up and told Taylor to “un dally” (I remember doing the movement to un dally).

About a half an hour earlier she had told her Dad “her hand was getting sore and she was making a loop in the rope to hook over her horn” — she didn’t want to stop. Chuck didn’t like the idea but thought she was doing it all day and there was a just a little bit left.

As I rush out to stop Jessie with my daughter on her she was at a full gallop coming right towards me and the fire. I put myself out there to stop her and she whizzed right past me… so did my whole life. Then within 15 yards my daughter sat in her saddle on the ground, not a scratch on her….

This is where I get goose bumps.

Taylor’s saddle broke free from Jessie. Her saddle was fine but her breast collar and cinch latigo broke on the same side at the same time and just fell off of Jessie who was still running away. I ran towards her and grabbed her into my arms thanking God. I was in shock that a split second before she was galloping off and the next moment sitting

safe in her saddle on the ground 15 yards in front of me. What made a thick piece of leather break on different pieces at the same time on the same side… I know.

With that being said, enjoy your Christmas holidays, enjoy your family and at Christmas take a knee, grab your hat in hand and say thank you, it’s just plain respect! I wish you and your family both two-legged and four-legged an incredible Christmas and go back to your roots… maybe this Christmas make your gift?

See you next time and may your trails be clear, your pack string safe and your camp just around the corner.

Terri McKinney and her husband Chuck McKinney & their daughter own and operate Wilde Deuce Retreats and Outfitting southwest of Rocky Mountain House, Alberta in the Bighorn Backcountry. They teach horsemanship clinics, do packing demos, train horses in the mountains, offer trail rides and pack trips. They put on over 1,500 miles a season and hold Canada’s ONLY Working Mountain Horse Competition & Select Sale each fall. For more info, go to www.wilddeuce.com

HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • DECEMBER 2012

29

H ORSE, HEALTH & HOME HAY

Alfalfa hays: merging myth and reality The additional protein in alfalfa can cause problems, especially in young horses HORSE HEALTH Expert advice

By Dr. Carol Shwetz

O

ne of the most misunderstood feedstuffs in the horse industry today is alfalfa hay. Its position in the feeding program of horses is both revered and spurned. To unravel its benefits and the harms, it is necessary to understand the nutrient-rich profile of this hay. When understood, it is the over-feeding of alfalfa hay, not the feeding of alfalfa hay that becomes detrimental to horses.

It is important to recognize “overfeeding” may occur with a surprisingly small amount of alfalfa hay.

Ten to 20 per cent of alfalfa hay in a horse’s diet, like small amounts of grain, can be supplementary, adding specific nutrients.

Remember this flux in percentage reflects dietary needs of horses during different stages of life and their varying lifestyles. Horses that are “easykeepers” or struggle with metabolic dysfunctions, such as insulin

resistance, Cushing’s or hypothyroidism, do best with no alfalfa at all in their diet.

Good-quality alfalfa hay contains more energy, protein, and calcium, pound for pound, than most grass hays, up to 50 per cent more. These values are readily accessible through a routine forage analysis. In general, horses do not need this many calories, nor this much protein or calcium. Furthermore when fed in excess, alfalfa hay becomes a metabolic liability to the horse whom suffers ill consequences over time.

Alfalfa hays, depending upon when they are harvested, generally run 18 to 20 per cent protein content. A mature horse requires eight to 10 per cent protein. When the extra protein is used as an energy source, the process produces acidic by-products.

As a consequence, the body must call upon its buffering mechanisms to maintain homeostasis. The body will retain water to dilute the acidic by-products.

It will also pulls alkalizing minerals from the musculoskeletal system to buffer the acids. Over time, sup-

porting skeletal tissues become demineralized and weakened. Since this process is rarely life threatening, and it takes time for structural unsoundness to become apparent, the connection between unsoundness and diet is rarely made.

The metabolic consequences of “overfeeding” a protein-rich diet are compounded for the horse by the mineral imbalances presented in alfalfa hays. Alfalfa has a high calcium-to-phosphorus ratio, often 4:1 and higher. The ratio in a healthy horse’s diet is 1.5 to 2:1. Whilst it may appear that more calcium is available to the horse, the unbalanced ratio interferes with the bodies abilities to assimilate and process not only calcium but companion minerals such as magnesium.

Magnesium inf luences how calcium is transported out of the gastrointestinal tract and formed into bone. It also helps control hundreds of enzymatic reactions in cells that influence bone density.

As magnesium levels decrease in bone, bone crystals become large and brittle.

Inadequate magnesium levels

in the blood serum impairs the action of hormones. Magnesium is the relaxation-inducing mineral for both the body and the mind, so deficient horses become tight, sore, and anxious.

Calcium imbalances in the diet can lead to thumps, muscle cramps, or tying up. It can also interfere with the absorption of iodine, a mineral necessary for healthy thyroid gland function.

The high energy and protein levels found in alfalfa-based diets of young horses spurs rapid growth of body mass, overburdening an immature skeletal frame. Its calcium imbalance interferes with the levels of phosphorous, magnesium, manganese, zinc, and copper that are biologically available to the growing horse.

Bone quality suffers, lacking the building blocks for density and substance. Like concrete lacking the strength of rebar, so is for the young horse whom is unsound at five or six years of age ailing with various degenerative bone diseases.

Structural soundness may not

“Quality mixed grasses and grass hays are the mainstay of a horse’s diet, supporting health, performance and longevity.”

— Dr. Carol Shwetz

be readily apparent to the naked eye in a young horse, yet becomes apparent over time.

Quality mixed grasses and grass hays are the mainstay of a horses diet, supporting health, performance and longevity. These hays closely approximate the horse needs. Exercise caution if incorporating alfalfa hays into your horse’s diet being mindful of its nutrientrich profile.

Carol Shwetz is a veterinarian specializing in equine practice at Westlock, Alberta.

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HORSES ALL • DECEMBER 2012

H ORSE, HEALTH & HOME research

Quarter Horse genome sequenced Texas A & M University research may help to predict and manage diseases in horses Courtesy of TheHorse.com

W

hat is a fitting anniversary gift for an international team of geneticists and a Thoroughbred mare called Twilight, who sacrificed a small sample of DNA to have all of her chromosomes sequenced in their entirety five years ago? Why, a second fully sequenced equine genome, of course.

A Texas A&M University research team led by Scott Dindot, PhD, an assistant professor in the Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, recently finished sequencing, or “mapping,” the genome of an 18-year-old Quarter Horse mare called Sugar.

Further, Dindot and colleagues compared Sugar’s genomic map to Twilight’s and found more than three million differences, called genetic variants. Many of these differences were present in genes involved in sensory perception, signal transduction (inside and between cells), and immunity.

“We also found that the mare had a different number of copies of some genes relative to Twilight, which has never been reported in horses before,” Dindot relayed. “We recently completed another study looking at these copy number variants (CNVs) to help determine what the differences in copy numbers between different horse breeds mean. For example, CNVs cause many diseases in humans, and we suspect that the same might be true in horses, but more research is needed.”

In addition, the team reported using updated “second generation” techniques to create the genomic map.

“The technology we used is less expensive than that used for Twilight, and the cost of this technology is decreasing at a remarkable rate; the goal is to be able to sequence a genome for approximately $1,000,” said Dindot. “This is being driven by efforts in human medicine.”

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“Genomic maps will allow us to investigate the genetic basis of disease in horses and to understand the genetic basis of particular traits, such as those distinguishing indi-

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vidual horses and breeds,” explained Dindot. “This technology may also be used to help predict and manage diseases in horses. For example, the (health care) of a horse may be ‘tailored’ depending on its genetic makeup. This is often referred to as ‘personalized medicine.’”

According to geneticist Ernie Bailey, PhD, professor of veterinary science at the University of Kentucky’s Gluck Equine Research Center, this research is not simply a case of reinventing the wheel.

“Having a map of more than one horse’s genome is important,” he said. “It is the equivalent of having the engineering specifications for a car. Does it matter which car the specifications are for? After all, all cars have wheels, engines, doors, etc., but each model of car is unique.

“The horse’s genome sequence is the same (idea),” he continued.

“In general all horses share DNA sequence and organization but there can be major rearrangements in the genes from horse to horse.”

An excellent example of major rearrangements of DNA in horses is the tobiano spotting pattern caused by a large section of DNA

(three million base pairs) on equine chromosome three that runs in the opposite direction on Sugar’s DNA when compared to Twilight’s.

“Scott’s publication is another landmark for horse research and heralds a new approach to discovery,” Bailey added. “At the recent horse genome workshop meeting in January 2012, scientists from laboratories around the world reported that whole genome sequencing of seven more horses was either completed or underway.

As we learn more about these and other horse genomes, we will be able to discover what makes a successful performance horse. Returning to the car analogy, we will be able to ‘look under the hood.’”

“In collaboration with other groups, we will continue to sequence more horse genomes to catalog most of the genetic variation in horses. We will also continue to investigate CNVs to understand their role in disease and traits in horses,” Dindot added.

The full length study describing Dindot’s work is scheduled to be published in the journal BMC Genomics, and additional information on the Horse Genome Project is available on-line.

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HORSES ALL • DECEMBER 2012

31

HAPPENINGS Events and News of Note ULTIMATE COWBOY

Bull riders rope and ropers bull ride Ponoka hosts Canada’s Ultimate Cowboy Championship where it promises to get wild and western on New Year’s Eve GOING DOWN THE TRAIL Places and events of interest

By Heather Grovet Galahad, Alta.

H

Kyreon Geiger at the 2011 Ultimate Cowboy Championship in the bareback riding. Kyreon is a CFR qualifier in the saddle bronc riding but had never entered the bareback event before. PHOTO: K. POLLITT PHOTOGRAPHY WWW.KPOLLITTPHOTOGRAPHY.CA

ave you ever wondered how well Tiger Woods can swim?

Or how well Ian Miller can pole vault? If so, the concept of an ultimate cowboy competition should intrigue you.

Ponoka, Alta. will be hosting Rodeo Masters on December 28-31 with a number of activities including the Canadian Ultimate Cowboy Championship.

The Ultimate Cowboy Challenge features 16 of Canada’s top cowboys who will have a chance to compete in events that might not be typical for them. This will give the audience an opportunity to watch professional bullriders try their hand at team roping, or experienced calf ropers having at go in saddle bronc!

Contestants must enter at least three of six events, which include steer wrestling, saddle bronc, bareback riding, calf roping, team roping and bull riding.

“Last year we had five contestants that entered all six events,” organizer Scott Wyzykoski states enthusiastically. “Basically it’s to their advantage to enter as much as they can, because points are awarded not only on how they place, but also on qualifying times or runs.”

Last year’s champion was Baillie Milan from Cochrane, Alta. Milan’s win netted him $1,800 plus a Western outfit from Stetson which included a leather jacket, cowboy boots, shirt and hat.

Milan would probably consider himself a bulldogger by trade, but

in the past he’s also qualified for the CFR in team roping as well as dabbled in calf roping.

Entering those three events wasn’t enough for Milan in 2011.

He also knodded his head out of the chute, mounted on a bull. “Never again,” Milan has vowed, but he plans to be back again this year to defend his title, although this time without bull riding in his schedule!

To help cowboys showcase their talents, the event uses a draft lottery concept to pick roughstock animals.

“This ensures contestants can get on the animals they’d like to ride,” Wyzykoski explains. “A top bareback rider will probably want to select a horse that can really do its job, and allow him to score well.

On the other hand, someone new at the event is going to try to select a horse that’s a bit easier to ride.”

An Ultimate Cowgirl Championship will also run that weekend.

“Canada has some great cowgirls,” Wyzykoski says. “We’re still in the planning stages for this, but possible cowgirl events will be pole bending, barrel racing, cow riding, breakaway roping, calf roping, goat tying and even chute dogging (similar to steer wrestling).”

Wyzykoski hopes to draw a large audience for Rodeo Masters, which kicks off on Friday, December 28 with a family dance and big screen movie. Other weekend events include a saddle bronc futurity, a bareback and saddle bronc riding school, and a professional match bronc riding performance.

“Rodeo is the best thing in the world, next to my wife and family!”

Wyzykoski laughs. “And Ponoka is a great rodeo town. We hope everyone enjoys this because we want to give something back to the rodeo world.”

IF YOU GO:

Looking for something new and fun this New Years, then go to www.rodeomasters.ca For more information on Ponoka, check out www.ponoka.org A trip to Ponoka has to include a stop in at the Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of fame. And why not get outfitted in some new duds for New Years at Jones Boys Saddlery and Western Wear.

Saddle bronc rider and steer wrestler Josh Harden shows that he’s a pretty good hand with a rope in tie-down roping.

PHOTO: K. POLLITT PHOTOGRAPHY WWW.KPOLLITTPHOTOGRAPHY.CA

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HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • DECEMBER 2012

H APPENINGS Trainer

Young Manitoba cowboy out to win title Jesse Lussier will compete for bragging rights at Saskatchewan Trainer’s Challenge

J

esse Lussier from Ste. Rose du Lac, Man. will be challenging for the Trainer’s Challenge title at the 2nd Annual Saskatchewan Equine Expo next February at Saskatoon Prairieland Park.

Raised on the family ranch, he competed in High School Rodeo, making the All-Star Wrangler Team and qualified for the Canadian and National Finals for

three years. After graduation he attended Vermillion College where he participated in College rodeo.

He also took in many colt starting and horsemanship clinics and was enthusiastic to learn from professional trainers.

By working with many individuals, Jesse developed his own style and training techniques. He started and worked with many

young quarter horses on the family ranch; many of which were sold across the prairies and into the U.S. Jesse has competed in Team Roping, Cutting and Working Cow Horse competitions.

He wears many hats, owning a herd of purebred Black Angus cattle, a commercial herd, and a small band of mares. He is involved in the grain end of the family farm;

works for the local Co-op parttime, hauls heavy equipment for a drilling company, and he continues to train at MJ Quarter Horses.

He married Ashley Saquet in July 2010 and they welcomed their daughter Iyla Rose into their busy life in late August of this year.

For further information on the Saskatchewan Equine Expo, got to www.saskatchewanequineexpo.com.

Rancher, trainer, and jack-of-all-trades Jesse Lussier hails from Ste. Rose du Lac, Man.

Conferenc e

Texas A & M researcher headlines conference Dennis Sigler will be the keynote speaker at Horse Council of BC event in Kamloops GOING DOWN THE TRAIL Places and events of interest

O

n January 19 & 20, 2013, the Horse Council of B.C. is pleased to present the 3rd Annual Equine Education Conference being held at the Kamloops Convention Centre in Kamloops, B.C. This two day event features eight keynote speakers talking about all things equine.

Dr. Dennis Sigler from Texas A&M is one of the keynote speakers for the 2013 Conference. Dennis has been an AQHA-approved judge for over 25 years and has judged in nearly every state and in five foreign countries.

He is responsible for extension and research at Texas A&M in the area of exercise physiology, conditioning and nutritional management of the equine athlete.

Conditioning of our horses is

often dictated by tradition, sometimes completely ignored, and mostly practiced the same as it has been for the past century. Every trainer has a slightly different method.

Advanced technologies and extensive research has given us insight into horses physiological capacities like never before. But the importance in keeping horses sound for whatever type of performance is to condition them to

do the type of exercise they will be asked for in actual competition.

The horse basically should never be asked to perform at a level in competition that they had never had to do at home. Learn how to get and keep your horse fit and sound!

For more information about the 2013 Equine Education Conference in Kamloops or to reserve tickets please visit: www.hcbc. ca/2013-speakers.html or call them at 1-800-345-8055.

Dick Sigler has been an AQHAapproved judge for over 25 years.

Horse Breeders & owners ConferenCe Internationally recognized speakers on a wide range of topics of interest to horse owners, breeders and professionals, including: Dr.Temple GranDin (Colorado) Understanding Horse Behaviour Dr. michel levy (Alberta)............ Is My Horse Lame or Neurologic? Recognizing Neurological Disease Dan James (Australia) .................... The Pathway to Liberty and Training Techniques for Re-education Dr. maTT ranDall (Texas).......... Alternative Therapies as Adjuncts to Traditional Medicine Dr. sTephen peTers (Iowa) ........ The Horse’s Brain and Nervous System and How Learning and Memory Occur in the Horse’s Brain Dr. p. physick-shearD (Ontario) Cardiac Rhythm Disturbances in Horses Frank merrill (Oklahoma)......... Preserving and Perpetuating the Future of the Equine Industry Dr. Joe Bertone (California) ............ Equine Sleep and Recumbent Sleep Deprivation chrisTy lanDwehr (Colorado) ... Marketing the Equine Business Dr. sharon spier (California).......Genetic Implications of Cloning Dr. l. sanDmeyer (Saskatchewan)........Equine Vision and Recognizing Ocular Disease in the Horse Dr. BoB coleman (Kentucky) ....Is My Horse Too Fat? and Managing Horses on Pasture Dr. saunDra TenBroeck (Florida)Maximizing the Financial Return from Broodmares ron anDerson (AB), shauna cook (AB), Frank merrill (OK), and John scoTT (AB) A panel discussion: “Understanding Today’s Horse Market”

Stable Owners Seminar - Friday, January 11

chrisTy lanDwehr (Colorado)... Risk Management for Stable Owners Gary millar (Alberta) ........................ Reaching Out: Attracting new People Becky Taylor (Alberta) ................ Maintaining a Relationship with your Veterinarian Representatives from three Municipal Districts for a Q&A session

January 11-13, 2013 • Red Deer, AB For more information or to register:

Plus...

• Equine trade show of 50+ exhibits • Friday evening “Open Barn” Welcome • Saturday reception, Distinguished Service Award presentation, live entertainment and social.

Trade Show is open FREE to the public on Friday, January 11 for the “Open Barn” Welcome!

Discounts for multiple advance registrations from the same farm!

Register by Dec 1 and be entered to win an Early Bird Prize!

Presented by:

ALBERTA HORSES Horse Industry Association of Alberta

Horse Industry Association of Alberta 403.420.5949 hboc@albertahorseindustry.ca

www.albertahorseindustry.ca

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winter horse vacations Head Outdoors for Exceptional Riding this Season ranch history

A ranch fit for a King Horsemen will enjoy a visit to one of the world’s biggest, oldest, and most recognized ranches — the massive 825,000 acre King Ranch

By Heather Grovet Galahad, Alta.

T

he King Ranch; it’s an expensive Ford truck, right? Or is it more?

In March 2012 my family and I travelled to southern Texas. One of our trip highlights was the 1-1/2 hour agricultural tour of the 825,000 acre King Ranch. Yes, you heard me correctly; 825,000 acres which is 1,289 sections, making it one of the world’s largest privately owned ranches!

Captain Richard King started the ranch in 1853, focusing on the cattle industry. King was an innovative land owner, always looking for ways to improve his operation. For example, he initially stocked the ranch with a common, local breed, the Texas Longhorn.

But soon it was apparent to King there was a demand for a beef breed that would produce more meat than the Longhorn, while remaining tolerant of the hot, humid area.

After years of careful breeding, the Santa Gertrudis was developed, combining Brahman and British Shorthorn. This was the first beef breed developed in the states, and while it isn’t common here in Canada, it is the most prevalent beef breed in Australia.

Later, when consumers began to demand a better marbled cut of beef, the Santa Cruz was developed; a combination of the Santa Gertrudis, Angus and Gelbvieh.

The King Ranch had successful breeding programs for both ranch horses and racing Thoroughbreds. One early prize horse was Old Sorrel, purchased in 1915. This stallion later became famous as a founding father of the American Quarter Horse. Old Sorrel was the grand-sire of Wimpy, the first horse recorded in the newly formed AQHA stud book in 1941. The ranch also owned Mr San Peppy and Peppy San Badger, both famous cutting horse champions.

The ranch continues to run a large herd of quality horses, which grow up tough running on the ranch. During our tour I took photos of a herd of mares, grazing near chest-high clusters of prickly pear cactus. When I asked our guide whether cactus prickles were a big problem in their horse’s legs, he simply laughed. It seemed like a reasonable question to me; my horses have never seen a cactus like that, and certainly would have a few tough lessons to learn if moving to the King Ranch.

“Actually, the ranch purposely grows clusters of prickly pear cactus,” our guide told us.

“In times of severe drought the ranch hands use propane torches to burn off the cactus spines, and the horses and cattle feed on the plants. They’re surprisingly nutritious, and a good source of feed when nothing else is available.”

But the ranch is composed of more than horses and cattle. They farm 30,000 acres of cotton, making them one of the largest cotton producers in the U.S. and another 30,000 acres of milo, a grain used in livestock feed.

We were amazed at the size of fields in the area — truly everything is bigger in Texas!

Miles of table-flat fields were everywhere, all much, much larger than the section-sized fields we’re accustomed to here at home. The King Ranch also owns land in Florida, and there produce sod, citrus (being the largest orange juice producers in the states with 40,000 acres of citrus trees!), pecans and sugar cane.

The Santa Getrudis cattle breed was developed on the King Ranch after years of carefully combining Brahman and Shorthorn bloodlines. It may be extremely rare here in Canada, but has become the most common beef breed in Australia.

The King Ranch once ran tens of thousands of Texas Longhorn cattle, but when consumers began to look for improved beef quality, the Longhorns were slowly phased out. Small herds of Longhorn remain on the ranch, but the majority of cattle are Santa Getrudis and Santa Cruz, both heat tolerant breeds developed on the ranch.

But the biggest money earner for the King Ranch isn’t farming or ranching — its guided hunting. Ranch land is cultivated with this in mind. Two thirds of pasture land is cleared of bush and trees, with the other third kept treed to provide suitable habitat for wildlife.

Ranch statistics show that 2,500 to 3,000 white-tail deer are legally taken on the property each year, with many being trophy quality. The ranch also has 10,000 Nilgai antelope (a large, exotic looking antelope originally from India), plus wild turkey, quail, feral hogs, alligators and javelin (a pig like animal).

A few miles from the ranch is the town of Kingsville, with a population of 25,000. This town is closely associated with the ranch, and is home to the King Ranch Museum, and the King Ranch Saddle Shop.

The museum has a fascinating collection of antique Western saddles, plus vintage carriages and guns. The saddle shop is also impressive, offering everything from furniture, boots, luggage, clothing, and of course, saddles. Many of these items carry the famous King Ranch brand — a running W. If you’re a horseman with an interest in seeing farming and ranching on a large scale, I would highly recommend a trip to the King Ranch. The agricultural tour was $8/person, and the museum another $2. Well worth the money, and a chance to temporarily get away from the cold this winter!

The King Ranch Museum is located in the town of Kingsville, Texas. The museum had an incredible display of unique antique saddles, but was not a photographer’s dream since it sadly did not allow cameras inside the building.

The King Ranch Saddle Shop, located in the town of Kingsville, sells everything Western; clothing, furniture, boots, hats and saddles, with many items baring the famous running W brand. The store is an outgrowth of the ranch’s original 1860s saddle shop. And no, the Texas Longhorn in this display isn’t for sale!

IF YOU GO

For more information on the historic King Ranch, check out www.king-ranch. com Or Kingsville Convention and Visitors Bureau 1-800-333-5032 www.kingsvilletexas.com

King Ranch was home to some of North America’s first registered Quarter Horses, and still continues a top notch breeding program. Horses grow up tough running on the ranch. Mesquite and oak provide shade, and chest high prickly pear cactus offer a source of feed during times of extreme drought.

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HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • DECEMBER 2012

ASSOCIATION NEWS Alberta Paint Horse Association

Alberta Friesian Horse Association

Show season wrapped up for the Alberta Paint Horse club the last weekend of September. This “Fall Classic” had record attendance, beautiful horses, and stiff competition! Its always an exciting time of the year when the weanlings come out to be shown in their halter futurity classes. 15 colts and 28 fillies… wow! Early weanling colt champion was “BC One Tuff Macho Fella,” owned by Darby and Jane Lewis. Late weanling colt champion was “Imagined,” owned by Betty Ima Major Priority, owned by Betty Anne Vivian and shown Ann Vivian and exhibited by Rich

by Rick Zenner Miller, was Late Weanling Champion Filly.

Zenner Miller. Early weanling filly champion was “Ima Major Priority,” also owned by Betty Anne Vivian and exhibited by Rich Zenner Miller. Late weanling filly champion was “BC Little Miss Macho Two,” owned by Darby and Jane Lewis. CCF Longeline championship was awarded to Henry and Nicole Gauthier and their sweet mare “LP Silent Chip.” The 201012 Grand Aggregate two year old Champion was “Mabe She’s Born Withit,” owned by Jordanna Nellis and exhibited by Chris Miller. A very exciting win for this excellent team! Jordanna is the recipient for a one year lease of a beautiful Hart trailer (thanks goes out to Airdrie Trailer Sales for proudly sponsoring this award). For more CCF standings/Highpoint awards please be sure to check out the APHC website. As the snow settles in, we can look forward to the AGM and Awards banquet which will take place January 26, 2013. Once again this event will be held at the Black Knight Inn in Red Deer. Look forward to seeing everyone there!

The Alberta Friesian Horse Association is proud to be celebrating its 15th Anniversary this year.

Founded by a small group of Friesian horse owners, our membership has grown to over 40 active members. Our anniversary celebration was planned to coincide with the annual Keuring or Judging with official judges from the governing body, KFPS in the Netherlands. First event: a ridden IBOP test (77 points) by Annie Muilwijk and Jelien from Gull Lake Farm. Jelien became a Crown Mare. Following, a very good selection of Friesians were shown in different categories. four mares became Star, and The Champion of the Day was awarded to Femke fan Bonnie View, owned by Drs. Klaas and Annelies Wiersma of Nobleford. After the official judging was over, the Anniversary festivities began. One of the events was a ride of honour for the founding members of the AFHA, Klaas and Annelies Wiersma and Hidzer and Faye Sietzema in a beautiful antique landau, drawn by a four in hand, owned and driven by Wim & Nita Floryn, Gull Lake Farm, and accompanied by five outriders. (See photo). The afternoon and early evening were filled with other events, laughs, and dinner. We have a wonderful group of people dedicated to enjoying and promoting the Friesian horse, and share many fun-filled events throughout the year. We are delighted to welcome new members, both Friesian owners and non-owner Friesian enthusiasts alike. For more info: www.afha.ca or email at contact@afha.ca

Chinook Team Penning Association

Alberta Donkey and Mule Club

Chemistry… if you have it with your horse and penning partners, and combine it with practice and a year-long commitment, it can result in great rewards. Those rewards become reality at the Chinook Penning Banquet held annually, in conjunction with the Regional Finals Show at the Claresholm Agriplex. Prizes are awarded to fifth place, with the coveted Hi-Point “Becker Buckles” going to the first place team in the Open, #10, #7 and #5 Classes. Hi-Point Individual Riders in those same classes received custom bits from Western Specialties and Reserve riders will be proudly wearing their new jackets. Hi-Point Youth riders also received a custom Becker Buckle. A detailed listing of all the prize winners and pictures from this year’s banquet are available at chinookpenning.com.

The Alberta Donkey and Mule Club held its semi-annual meeting at Ponoka on October 28. Plans were discussed for 2013 activities.

Members will once again take part in demos at the Mane Event in Red Deer, the Strathcona Showcase near Sherwood Park, the Bruce Stampede, and the Calgary Stampede. For the second year, the very popular combined horse/mule/donkey show will take place in Nanton, on June 15 and 16. This show gives horse owners in the area another chance to compete and to see mules and donkeys in action at the same time. The 24th annual Longears Days will be held on August 17 and 18 at Tees, just east of Lacombe.

With winter here once again, here’s hoping all mule, donkey, and horse owners are providing the extra care their equines need over the frigid months to come. Although mules and donkeys are usually considered “tougher” than horses, there’s no way they should be in a pasture or corral without an adequate windbreak and hopefully a roof to keep off rain and snow.

Donkeys in particular are very deceptive.

While their coats may look shaggier than that of a mule or horse, they actually lack the

Hi-Point Open Rider – Chris Thompson (Jaycee Spangler presenting).

The Mill Store Open Class – Chris, Debbie and Bryan Thompson Hi-Pt. Open Rider – Chris Thompson Reserve – Bryan Thompson Pajak Engineering Ltd. Open – Bob Bolin, Wendy Wenaas, Carther Rice Canmark Roofing #10 Class – Barb Doran, Devin Antony, Hope Poole Hi-Pt. #10 Rider – Barb Doran Reserve – Devin Antony Rolling Mix Concrete #7 Class – Doug Ohlmann, Holly Farkes, Cam Evans Hi-Poin t#7 Rider – J. R. Johnstone Reserve – Ray Antony O’Reilly O’Rena #5 Class – Dale Glover, Clay Glover, Andy Chen Hi-Point #5 Rider – Dale Glover Reserve – Carrie Patton Hamilton International Consulting Youth Classes Senior – Hope Poole Reserve – Shane Hamilton Junior – Sonya DiStefano Reserve – Haydn Ohlmann

Alberta Donkey and Mule Club

Donna Quick on her standard donkey Spider.

undercoat of the other equines and can suffer more from the cold. Rain and melted snow will penetrate to their skin more easily and not run off, chilling the donkey. Be sure to avoid alfalfa as your winter feed for donkeys – their systems aren’t built to handle rich hays.

Even though hooves grow more slowly over the winter, don’t forget to check and clean them out periodically to catch any problems before they develop.

We often hear how equines can get along without water if the snow is adequate. In many cases they do, but if you’ve ever stood in a snowy field in the freezing cold watching a veterinarian trying to treat an impacted horse, you’ll know that it’s not worth the risk.

And remember — think spring!

Alberta Professional Chuckwagon and Chariot Association

Cam Fleury competes on his mule Jazzie on mounted shooting.

Mules can be used in any equine sport. Cam Fleury from Southern Alta. rides, drives and packs his mules, and now also uses them in the sport of Cowboy Mounted Shooting. Here he is mounted on 16-year-old Jazzie, who he describes as his “go to” mule as he also uses her for ranch work, driving and leading his pack string. Sadly Jazzie lost her driving mate to a bad fall on ice last year. Cam now also rides a younger mule, Lace, having sent her for training with World Champion Mounted Shooter Kenda Lenseigne. Watch out Mounted Shooters… Cam and his mules are a force to be reckoned with! To meet other interesting members and see what they are doing with their longears, visit www.albertadonkeyandmule.com

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HORSES ALL • DECEMBER 2012

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ASSOCIATION NEWS industry news

r h ym es f rom t h e r a n g e

Free brand and book to 50,000th Plus — CFIA removes restrictions EYE ON THE INDUSTRY News from the equine community

T

he Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has just removed the import restrictions related to vesicular stomatitis for horses from Colorado following the lifting of all the vesicular stomatitis quarantines in that Sate at the beginning of October. New Mexico remains affected and corresponding import restrictions remain in effect.

Vesicular Stomatitis is a reportable disease as per the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), meaning that horse owners must immediately report the presence of any horse suspected of being affected by the disease. The disease causes blister-like lesions to be formed on the inside of the mouth, nose and hooves, alongside flu like symptoms and anorexia.

To view the import restrictions still in place for New Mexico, please visit www. equinecanada.ca/

IS is offering a free brand and a free copy of the 2013 Brand Book to the individual, partnership or company, who registers the 50,000th brand in the province of Alberta. All applications will be processed in the date order that they are received with money and all supporting documents in place.

The winner will be

L

announced on January 4, 2013 and contacted directly on or about the same day. Visit www. lis-alberta.com/ for information regarding registering a brand.

he American Veterinary Medical A ssociation (AVMA) and the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) have awarded the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine full accreditation for the next seven years.

New veterinary colleges are first granted provisional accreditation, which allows them to launch their programs. Under these rules, the university’s veterinary medicine program received provisional accreditation in September 2008. When a veterinary college graduates its first class, as the University of Calgary did in May 2012, it becomes eligible for full accreditation.

Not all veterinary programs eligible for full accreditation receive it on their first application. Some may be granted terminal accreditation, limited accreditation, or full accreditation with re-assessment required for periods of up to seven years, depending on how well each program meets AVMA/CVMA standards.

In the case of the University of Calgary’s newest faculty, the veterinary medicine program received the highest level of approval during its first opportunity to apply for full accreditation.

T

A Stable Place

by Karen Vanderlaan Trenton, Utah

A barn is such a peaceful place.

Warmth from the wooden walls, Wrap ‘round its inhabitants, As they softly munch on hay, And rustle the straw as they move.

Those therein’ don’t worry and fret, They are not envious or mean spirited.

Contentment abounds as each exists in the now, The moment at hand, grateful for the comfort, Of a clean warm bed and a belly full of hay.

I have slept in barns many times, Often as I waited for the birth of a foal, And even for a few weeks when our family was homeless, (More or less but that’s another story).

So it isn’t at all surprising to me, That God would choose a stable for his son, Free from the malice and cruelty of man, Among the innocence of the stable creatures.

photo: wendy dudley

Excerpt from Of Children and Horses by Karen Vanderlann. Karen has two great passions in her life: kids and horses. It is her personal mission to help kids in trouble and horses in trouble and get them all off to a better start in life. Karen grew up on a dairy farm in Vermont where she attended a one-room schoolhouse for five years. She began riding horses almost as soon as she could walk Visit Karen at: www.karenvanderlaan.com

Alberta Equestrian Awareness Society The AEAS is hosting the 1st Annual 2012 Equestrian Award Banquet on February 9 at St. Albert Inn, St. Albert, Alta.

This is a moment and opportunity for the Equine Industry to acknowledge those in their communities to recognize their unsung heroes. People who have took the extra mile, have heart and offered services of care and when needed.

Every community has one, two or three parties that deserve to be noticed for all their hard work, kindness and efforts towards

making the equine world a better place.

This will encourage those to move forward and appreciate the support of their peers. To bring forth good, positive response among the many different areas of the Equestrian Industry in hopes that no matter the breed preferences we work together as a whole. Bringing those together with their services, skills and talents.

This will also encourage our future riders and professionals in this industry. This will ensure that

the roads are paved with successful people here within Alberta.

To be recognised by your peers will allow those people to know that they have achieved and bless them with fulfillment.

Anyone can nominate a person and encourage further votes through Face Book, emails or Faxing a named person and we also need to know why — what makes this person(s) stand out — stories of what they have done will indeed bring an understanding to why they should/ have been chosen over and above the rest.

Horses All is online!

Visit us at www.horsesall.com or like us on facebook: www.horsesall.com/facebook

Wild horses of Alberta We are encouraging all Albertans to continue with the journey of forcing the Alberta Government’s cull of Alberta’s wild horses to cease. The wild horse populations in Alberta date back before the European settlers arrived, dating date back to a Spanish horse foundation.

Why does the Alberta Government refuse to see the value in protecting our natural resource and a major part of Alberta’s heritage? In the eyes of the Alberta Government these magnificent animals are considered ‘feral’.

Webster’s dictionary defines feral as “having escaped from domestication and become wild.” How could these horses have escaped domestication over two hundred years ago when the west was not settled or explored?

Alberta’s wild horses are a true heritage species and need the legislation to protect them. Please write or call Honorable Diana McQueen of Environmental Sustainable Resources at 1-800-542-7307 or email at draytonvalley. devon@assembly.ab.ca and demand that we start protecting this species, having them designated as Alberta’s first Heritage Species. In the last two cull seasons, 350 head have been removed and taken to slaughter. Her department claim there are 770 head left in the western foothills. Two more cull seasons, this Alberta Government will have wiped out the wild horse population, taking with it the unique gene pool that has evolved, and wiping out a complete section of the natural food chain. Please write or call her office to stop this senseless slaughter and protect a species natural to Alberta.

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The perfect topic for your next association meeting!

Call or email to find out more: 403.283.5525 april@ridingoutofyourmind.com www.ridingoutofyourmind.com

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HORSES ALL · DECEMBER 2012

P ROFILES

calendar of events

e xtreme cowb oy

Send your announcement by email to: Itkdbell@yahoo.ca and we'll include your event or announcement here free.

CLINICS & SEMINARS

DECEMBER

8-9 Caresland, Alta.

Clay Webster Clinic. Reining, Cow Horse and Horsemanship. For details, contact Twin Corazone Ranch: 403-861-2609, email: cwperformancehorses@hotmail.com or visit: www.claywebster.com 31-January 3 Rocky Mountain, Alta.

New Year’s Horse Camp. For details, contact Diane Baker: 403-729-2910, email: admin@ wildhorsecamp.com or visit: www. wildhorsecamp.com Strathmore trainer Jim Anderson, shown here in winning form on Picasmokinlittlelena (Patch) at the 2012 Calgary Stampede Cowboy-Up Challenge, captured the 2012 World Championship Extreme Cowboy Races in Hamilton, Texas. photo: Show Champions

A little horse wins big in Texas

JANUARY

Ponoka, Alta.

Ranch Horse Versatility Clinic.

For details, contact Rose Hagemann: 403-350-8324 or Tammy Taylor: 403-704-0423

EQUINE EVENTS

SHOWS & COMPETITIONS

DECEMBER

28-31 Ponoka, Alta.

Rodeo Masters including Ultimate Cowboy Championship. For details, visit: www.rodeomasters.ca

JANUARY

11-13 Red Deer, Alta.

Alberta Horse Owners and Breeders Conference. Featuring internationally recognized speakers on a wide range of topics of interest to horse owners, breeders and professionals. For details, visit: www. albertahorseindustry.ca 18-32 Kamloops, B.C. Horse Council British Columbia 2013 Coaches Professional Development Day and Breeders Conference. For details, call: 800345-8055 or visit: www.hcbc.ca

FEBRUARY

16-17 Ponoka, Alta.

Reining Alberta Open Rider Clinic with Jordan Larson. For details, visit: www.reiningalberta.net

JANUARY

28-29 Calgary, Alta.

Rocky Mountain Show Jumping Winter Training Series I Jumper. For details, visit: www. rmshowjumping.com

FEBRUARY

4-5 Calgary, Alta.

Rocky Mountain Show Jumping Winter Training Series I Hunter. For details, visit: www. rmshowjumping.com 11-12 Calgary, Alta.

Rocky Mountain Show Jumping Winter Training Series Dressage I. For details, visit: www.rmshowjumping.com 18-19 Calgary, Alta.

Rocky Mountain Show Jumping Winter Training Series II Hunter. For details, visit: www. rmshowjumping.com

Inspired by people and horses

www.horsesall.com

Jim Anderson and Quarter Horse mare, Patch, get a standing ovation after their final run IN IT TO WIN IT Competitor profile

By Heather Grovet Galahad, Alta.

A

little horse with a big heart helped Jim Anderson of Strathmore win the 2012 World Championship Extreme Cowboy Races in Hamilton, Texas. But how does a Canadian reining trainer and a home-grown Quarter Horse bring home such a noteworthy title? Well, the path to a World Championship doesn’t always come easily.

Anderson first competed in Cowboy Up races in 2011, mounted on CK Olena Doc, a client’s reining horse. “It was a real thrill to be Reserve Champion at the Calgary Stampede,” Anderson says. “I decided I needed to prepare one of my own horses for the sport, and quickly settled on a mare we’d raised named Picasmokinlittlelena (Patch).”

Patch had been born and bred with one sport in mind — reining. But as a three-year-old she developed a serious quarter crack. “It was a real disappointment because she was a natural little reining horse,” Anderson said. “She was a good stopper and turned nice, but with the crack we had to scratch the Oklahoma futurity.”

Then a surprise event occurred when the mare was four. “One of our young ranch hands turned a yearling stud colt out into the wrong pasture,” Anderson chuckles. “He said it was only for a few minutes, but about five months later we noticed Patch was getting big in the belly. Sure enough, she was in foal. So that stopped her training that year.”

The resulting offspring — named appropriately Shotgun Wedding — also kept Patch from competing as a five year old. But the following year Anderson started preparing her for Cowboy Up racing. “Patch had everything I needed,” Anderson says. “Cowboy Up is a timed event, and Patch is fast. More than that, she’s good minded and has a lot of confidence in me.”

Anderson and Patch, now seven, won the 2012 Calgary Stampede Cowboy Up Competition, therefore qualifying for the World Championship. But once in Texas they had to rise to another challenge.

“We went into the finals in third place,” Anderson says.

“Patch was terrific, but we were competing against some big horses that were the best in the world. Their arena was huge, and we just weren’t fast enough.

I knew we’d really have to put the hammer down if we wanted to succeed in the finals.”

The audience and fellow competitors gave a standing ovation when Patch and Anderson turned up the heat, ending the finals five seconds faster than their nearest competitor! They were the first Canadians to win the World Championships, and came home with a nice buckle and paycheque for all their hard work.

“I’d say our most difficult obstacle was a triple jump that followed directly after a bridge,” Anderson explains. “It was tough to go from standing still to the jumps, but Patch did her job. Now she’ll have a bit of time off, and then head to the reining pen with her non-pro owner.

And hopefully next year we’ll be back at the Stampede, competing in Cowboy Up again.

Did you Know Jingling spurs were welcome music to a cowboy, especially if he was riding night herd.

Photo: Wendy Dudley

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BAREBACK 1 Ty Taypotat, Regina SK, 85.25, 2 Jake Marshall, Wardlow AB, 84.50 3 Joshiah Young, Kimberly ID, 84.25 4 Jason Havens, Prineville Or, 83.75 5 Michael Solberg, Sunnynook AB, 83.50 CFR Aggregate Winner: JR Vezain Total Season Earnings 1 JR Vezain, $68,492.81 2 Dusty LaValley, $57,972.39 3 Michael Solberg $51,613.79 4 Jake Voldt, $34,369.45 5 Jake Marshall, $34,198.35 Champion: JR Vezain, Cowley WY Champion Horse: Street Dance, Kesler Rodeo

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TEAM ROPING 1 Levi Simpson, Ponoka AB & John Robertson, Polsen MT,;, 4.3 2 Clay Ullery, Two Hills, & Jeremy Buhler, Arrowwood AB,;, 5.2 3/4 Roland McFadden, Vulcan AB, & Rocky Dallyn, Nanton AB, 5.6 3/4 Clint Maddox, Eckville AB & Travis Booth, Calgary,;, 5.6 5 Dustin Bird, Cutbank MT, & Paul Eaves, Millsap TX, 6.2; CFR Aggregate Winner: Dustin Bird & Paul Eaves Total Season Earnings Header 1 Dustin Bird, $36,859.55 2 Levi Simpson, $30,977.97 3 Clay Ullery, $23,833.66 4 Roland McFadden, $23,202.74 5 Marty Lillico, $17,626.43 Total Season Earnings Heeler 1 Paul Eaves, $36,415.83 2 John Robertson, $30,977.96 3 Jeremy Buhler, $24,896.16 4 Rocky Dallyn, $21,382.29 5 Spencer Rutherford $17,765.46 Champion: Dustin Bird, Cutbank MT, and Paul Eaves, Millsap TX

BULL RIDING 1 Scott Schiffner, Strathmore AB, 87.00 2 Chad Besplug, Claresholm AB, 86.50 3 Tanner Byrne, Prince Albert, 84.25 CFR Aggregate Winner: Tanner Byrne Total Season Earnings 1 Scott Schiffner, $73,028.12 2 Ty Pozzobon, $67,801.82 3 Tanner Byrne, $57,189.05 4 Chad Besplug, $52,761.55 5 Beau Hill, $42,817.52 Champion: Scott Schiffner, Strathmore AB CFR Champion Bull: Whiskey Jack, Kesler Rodeo All Around Champion: Kyle Thompson, Lundbreck AB High Point Champion: Josh Peek, Pueblo CO

Other Information: Attendance for Sunday, November 11, 2012 evening performance was 16,030.

For more information and full results on Canadian Finals Rodeo, visit cfr.ca.

Registering Canadian Pinto Horses & Ponies – Since 1963 Color Your World With A Pinto!!

A Colorful Organization Where People are the foundation of our success...& Friends are made for Life WHY WAIT CALL TODAY Your horse may qualify for Registration (ONE Registered Lighthorse Parent Sire or Dam)

LADIES BARREL RACING 1 Lisa Lockhart, Valentine NE, 14.588 2 Trula Churchill, Valentine NE, 14.614 3 Lindsay Sears, Nanton AB, 14.624 4 Cranna Roberts, Lacombe AB, 14.643 5 Adel Hanson, Okotoks AB, 14.746 CFR Aggregate Winner: Lisa Lockhart Total Season Earnings 1 Lisa Lockhart, $66,268.56 2 Carlee Rae Pierce, $63,362.67 3 Trula Churchill, $60,097.18 4 Lindsay Sears, $55,493.44 5 Cranna Roberts $41,694.42 Champion: Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs SD

NOVICE Saddlebronc 1 Layton Green, Meeting Creek AB, 75.00; No other qualified rides.

CFR Aggregate Winner: Layton Green Total Season Earnings 1 Layton Green, $11,589.49 2 Cole Neely, $8012.55 3 Lane Watt, $4026.28 ; Champion: Layton Green, Meeting Creek AB

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Prairie-wide classifieds

TIE-DOWN ROPING 1 Joshua Peek, Pueblo CO, 8.4 2 Riley Warren, Stettler AB, 8.6 3 Steele DePaoli, Longview AB, 8.8 4 Logan Hofer, Magrath AB, 8.9 5 Eric Dublanko, Thorsby AB, 9.0 CFR Aggregate Winner: Logan Hofer Total Season Earnings 1 Shane Hanchey, $57,962.45 2 Logan Hofer, $41,299.29 3 Alwin Bouchard, $39,710.36 4 Joshua Peek, $37,881.47 5 Riley Warren, $36,246.96 Champion: Shane Hanchey, Sulphur LA

NOVICE Bareback 1 Dylan Bilton, Innisfail AB, 75.00 2 Jacob Stemo, Calgary AB, 74.00 3 Kody Lamb, Sherwood Park AB, 69.00; CFR Aggregate Winner: Jacob Stemo Total Season Earnings 1 Jacob Stemo, $9040.23 2 Dylan Bilton, $8755.93 3 Kody Lamb, $7735.97; Champion: Jacob Stemo, Calgary AB

BIG BALE BUDDY

SUPERIOR EQUINE FEEDS

SADDLE BRONC 1 Sam Kelts, Millarville AB, 84.75 2 Chet Johnson, Douglas WY, 83.75 3 Tyler Corrington, Guymon OK, 83.00 4/5 Rylan Geiger, Duchess AB, 82.00 4/5 Kyle Thompson, Lundbreck AB, 82.00; CFR Aggregate Winner: Ty Corrington Total Season Earnings 1 Luke Butterfield, $64,940.83 2 Tyler Corrington, $59,773.78 3 Dustin Flundra, $53,371.08 4 Sam Kelts, $50,331.99 5 Rylan Geiger, $46,708.48 Champion: Luke Butterfield, Ponoka AB CFR Champion Saddlebronc Horse: Shoshone Mountain, Calgary Stampede

STEER WRESTLING 1 Tanner Milan, Cochrane AB, 3.5 2 Cody Cassidy, Donalda AB, 3.6 3 Chason Floyd, Ludlow SD, 4.0 4 Travis Reay Mayerthorpe, AB, 4.0 5 Wyatt Smith, Rexburg ID, 4.1 CFR Aggregate Winner: Tanner Milan Total Season Earnings 1 Tanner Milan, $67,565.16 2 Chason Floyd $43,584.22 3 Cody Cassidy, $41,081.41 4 Zane Hankel, $35,334.29 5 JD Hayes, $34,231.72 Champion: Tanner Milan, Cochrane AB

Inspired by people and horses

LORNA AMLIN, Site 8, Box 35, RR 2 Tofield, AB T0B 4J0 (h) 780-662-0052 (c) 780-405-1058 (e) chap.shop@xplornet.ca facebook: Lorna's Chap Shop

MARKETPLACE

For more information: Jennifer Sheehan Public Relations Specialist Northlands Office: 780-471-7303 Cell: 780-902-2994 Email: jsheehan@northlands.com

Imran Gill Government and Public Relations Coordinator Northlands Office: 780-378-8916 Cell: 780-932-0004 Email: igill@northlands.com

Place your classified ad online and choose your ad options and regional coverage! It’s easy, just go to www.horsesall.com and click on the classifieds button near the top of the page.

For more information on advertising please call

1-866-385-3669

Inspired by people and horses

HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • DECEMBER 2012

ALBERTA PAINT HORSE CLUB CANADIAN COLOURS FUTURITY The APHC CCF would like to thank all the members that have continued to support this futurity and make it successful.

For horses to be eligible to participate in the futurity classes, both mare and servicing stallion must be nominated. To participate in 2013, stallion and mare nominations must be postmarked by January 1st, 2013 in order to avoid late fees.

A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2010 - 2012 GRAND AGGREGATE 2 YR OLD!

MABE SHES BORN WITHIT

Owned By: Jordanna Nellis Exhibited By: Chris Miller Sired By: Hes Lopin Supreme

Horses are eligible from weanling until 4 yrs of age with a multitude of futurities offered during the 4 year term.

OVER $122,930 PAID OUT TO DATE IN THE CCF!!

CONGRATULATIONS GO OUT TO ALL CCF CHAMPIONS OF 2012!!

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR YEARLING LONGELINE CHAMPION

LP SILENT CHIP

Owned By: Henry Gauthier Exhibited By: Nicole Gauthier Sired By: Silent String N Ego

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2 YR OLD HUS CHAMPION

SWEET DREAMING CHIP

Owned By: Cathy Forster Exhibited By: Stefany Forster

A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO AIRDRIE TRAILER SALES & HART TRAILERS for their continued support of our futurity.

These fine folks have generously donated a beautiful 4 horse Hart Trailer to our 2 Yr Old Grand Aggregate All Around CCF Champion. Eligible CCF horses compete in weanling halter, yearling halter, yearling longeline and 2 yr old Western Pleasure.

The hi-point horse receives the use of a beautiful 4 horse Hart trailer for one year.

Our sponsor Airdrie Trailer Sales of Airdrie Alberta, is a great place to stop in for not only trailer shopping, but some great Western Decor Furniture. They offer vinyl fencing & decking and not only horse trailers, but flat decks, cargo and stock trailers also. Airdrie offers a full service department to meet your needs on service & repairs of all makes and models of trailers.

Please make sure to stop in and see them and let them know that we truly appreciate their sponsorship!

For more information please visit the Alberta Paint Horse Club website at

www.northernhorse.com/aphc or email Janene Moch @ janene.moch@mnp.ca

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HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • DECEMBER 2012

BAR T5 TRAILERS WE ARE MORE THAN JUST TRAILERS…

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NEW 20084CIMARRON JUSTIN BOOTS HORSE 10’

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SHORTWALL LIVING QUARTER GOOSENECK

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499/MTH

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• Independent rear stall doors with aluminum cam latch, • Heavy Duty fold down feed door per stall, with heavy duty safety bar grills , • Smoked glass sliding on butt side • Two-way aluminum flip-up roof vents, one per stall • One interior & one exterior tie ring per stall • 2 - Recessed dome lights with remote switch • Escape door with drop down feed door on first stall • Walk thru 24” access door • Solid Mangers on 3 stalls 21”W with 2 exterior access doors

Rear Tack Compartment Equipment

Size • Floor length - 27’0” • Width - 8’0” • Interior Height - 7’4”

Undercarriage • 2 - 7000# Rubber torsion axles with ultralube hubs • 4 Wheel electric brakes • 5 - 235/85R16 Load Range”G” 14 ply radial tires

Coupler & Jacks • 2 5/16” coupler w/adjustable height stem • Drop-leg GN Electric/hydraulic jack w/ manual override

Design Features & Hardware • All aluminum construction

• Fully insulated roof, 1/2” thick fiberglass reinforced structural panel with R3 thermal value.

The ultimate in temperature control • Extruded aluminum interlocking floor • Cross members at 4” centers • GN Tapered nose w/18” radius corners for efficient aerodynamics • Extruded aluminum side walls on stall area w/.050 white aluminum above • Polished Stainless steel front nose sheet

Stall Area Equipment

• Removable divider per two stalls with extruded head partitions & quick release slam latches • Full to floor divider on first stall • Triple wall construction with 1 3/8” styrofoam insulation, .090 kick plate, & rubber wallmat to bottom of window

WE HAVE A WIDE SELECTION OF “MUCK BOOTS IN STOCK”

• Recessed seal beam dome light w/ remote switch • Removable VET type floor mat • Fold-away wall between stalls & rear tack • Rear tack door with aluminum cam latch, cargo-vise catch & 6 J-hooks & 2 blanket bars • Adjustable 4 tier saddle rack on removable post

Living Quarter Features

• 10’ Shortwall • Lights - closet lights, reading lights above mattress, high • Intensity ceiling lights, under overhead cabinet, hitch hook up, Chrome colored lighting, ext porch light and lighted valances • Awning • Screen door on entry door, pocket door to bathroom • 38 Gallon fresh water tank • 6 gal gas hot water tank(DSI)

• Single sink in kitchen and bathroom • Glass door shower w/Skydome overhead • Laminate top counter tops and table • Plastic foot flush toilet • Inner spring Queen size mattress w/ custom fabric quilt • Fold down sofa with removable table • Solid wood window rings, cabinet doors w/raised panel • 3” Crown moldings • Tank monitor system • Microwave 0.9 cu.

• 2 Burner cook top recessed w/cover • Lighted/vented range hood • Overhead cabinets over dinette & kitchen and windows in nose • Wardrobe in bathroom and front nose • Carpet in bunk and step up • Vinyl flooring • Drawers in kitchen and bathroom • Mirror doors in nose and western décor mirror • Medicine cabinet w/mirror in bathroom • 6 cu. Ft refrigerator • TV shelf • 55 amp power converter, Dual 20# LPG tanks w/regulator, • Dual deep cycle RV marine batteries • exterior receptacle • 16,000 BTU Furnace • Leather touch ceiling and walls • 13,500 BTU Ducted air conditioner w/ heat strip • Thermostatic a/c and heat • AM/FM/CD w/interior and exterior speakers • shades on all windows • Third party certification

NOW CARRYING BACK ON TRACK HORSE APPAREL 60FT GALVANIZED $ ROUND PEN PACKAGE 1,875

DON’T FORGET TO STOP ON INTO BAR T5 FOR YOUR

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BAR T5 WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL OUR CUSTOMERS FOR THEIR PATRONAGE & WISH THEM ALL A VERY SAFE & HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON

HOT HEELS CROSS FIRE ROPING STEER

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100 GAL HIGH COUNTRY PLASTIC STOCK TANK

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HOFFMANS HORSE RATION

24.95

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SHOP & RENTALS *180month term financing

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Located on the Cowboy Trail 10 Miles S.W. of Calgary on Hwy #22 at 274th Ave

www.bart5trailers.com

Servicing RV’s, Construction Trailers & Horse Trailers