InStride Edition - May 2024

ADVERTISING SALES

Courtney B. Ament

Deanna Green Willis

WEBSITE ADVERTISING

Courtney B. Ament

TECHNICAL ANALYST

Brent Adam Borton

CIRCULATION

Lenora B. Sheppard

ADVERTISING DESIGNERS

Ali Hubbell Photography

Courtsey Designs

Denise Hawkins

Emajes

Hampel Designs

Jakovich Marketing

Norfleet Photography

Valor Designs

SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER

Kelsey Keathy

Equi+Focus and Equi+Calm Pellets and Paste • Prices Vary

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Courtney Borton Ament

Corrine S. Borton

COLUMNISTS

Brian Burks

Katherine Jarve

COPY & RESEARCH

Lenora B. Sheppard

PHOTOGRAPHER

Caroline Saylors

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Courtney B. Ament

Ali Hubbell

Jeff Kirkbride

Norfleet Photography

Cody Parmenter

Renew Creative

Shane Rux

Larry Williams

INFO@INSTRIDEEDITION.COM

www.Facebook.com/InStrideEdition

TWITTER.COM/INSTRIDEEDITION

COURTNEY AMENT @COURTNEYAMENT CORRINE BORTON @CORRINEBORTON

instagram.com/instrideeditionInStride Eddition in the App Store

It’s just like Prince penned in his 1988 Billboard Hot 100 single ..... And the ride I say, the ride is so smooth. You must be a Limousine.

Redd Corvette (Smith), a 2021 chestnut gelding, sired by Allocate Your Assets out of Blue Couture, is indeed a “smooth ride.”

Purchased by Pamela Raad, of Middlebury, Connecticut, for a non-pro partner for herself and her daughter, Lauren, the athletic youngster is just getting his show career started but Falls Village, Connecticut trainer Jessica Noiseux is already encouraged.

“He’ been easy going to train and he takes whatever new things you throw at him,” she said. “We’ve been bringing him along slowly and just letting him grow and get strong.”

His breeder, Debbie Hodde showed Noiseux a video of Redd Corvette when he was just a yearling and it was love at first sight.

“I didn’t have the right situation for him at the time but I loved how he was made — how upright he was in his wither. I always kept him in the back of my mind and when we started to look for a horse for the Raads, I came across a new video of him. He was at the time in training with Beth Case so I reached out to see if he was available.”

Lauren Raad still remembers meeting Smith for the first time.

“My mom and I were going blueberry picking when Jess called us and said she was sending us a video of an amazing horse. I remember us pulling over on the side of the road to watch the videos and we just were stunned immediately,” she recalled.

The mother/daughter show team flew out to the National Snaffle Bit Association (NSBA) World Show in Tulsa, Oklahoma, last August to meet him and try him out.

“We were too excited to wait, so the night we landed we went to the barn to meet him after dinner and immediately fell in love with his personality,” Lauren explained.

Every time Jessica and her husband and training partner, Ricky, found a potential horse for the Raads to try Lauren would administer her own special test.

“I would always give each one a hug around their necks and see how they reacted,” she said. “ Smith immediately rested his head on my shoulder and I just knew he was special.”

Jessica describes Smith as “playful, soft and athletic.”

“I call him exuberant,” she said. “If this horse misses one day of work, you know about it. He is a Dennis the Menace and he is always s

finding something to get into or some trouble to be a part of. He loves his turnout. In fact, I would say one of his quirks is how excited he gets if he sees other horses outside his window getting turned out before he does.”

But at the same time, Jessica says the youngster is so good minded quiet that he’s bound to be a successful show horse.

“I think his softness really sets him apart from others,” she said. “He is a big horse with tons of presence but he’s also sweepy and moves low to the ground. I think he’s appealing to a lot of people with different styles.”

Jessica will show Redd Corvette in 3-Year-Old Open Hunter Under Saddle and Novice Horse events this year. After hitting a couple of local AQHA shows for Pamela and Lauren to get some riding experience on him, they will show him in non-pro events at The Premier in Kentucky, the NSBA World Show and at the Quarter Horse Congress in October. Jessica will continue his career in 3-YearOld Open Hunter Under Saddle and Novice Horse events as well.

Lauren says she and her mother try not to get too caught up on specific goals and titles. Her plan is to just love and enjoy every second with him.

“I do admit, however, that I’m looking forward to eventually teaching him Equitation since that’s my favorite class,” she said.

That’s a goal she and Pamela are confident Jessica and Ricky can help them achieve. They have been

Pictured on this page (clockwise from top): Jessica Noiseux riding Redd Corvette, a 2021 chestnut gelding by Allocate Your Assets out of Hot Couture and owned by Pamela Raad. Lauren Raad and Scooter Brown at the 2017 Tom Pwers Futurity; Pamela and Lauren Raad at the AQHA Youth World Show; and Pamela Raad winning a Congress championship aboard HotForYourHonor. The Raad family is pictured on the opposite page.

working with the husband-and-wife training team since 2018 when they served as assistant trainers at Powder Book Farm.

Pamela Raad was born in Illinois and moved to Connecticut when she was in the fifth grade. Her grandfather raised Quarter Horses at his farm in Illinois and that’s where she got her start with horses.

“I would spend all my summers back in Illinois to be around horses,” she said. “My aunt taught me to ride and we would show mainly at local and state fair shows.”

After earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Business from the Mount Ida Campus of UMass Amherst in Newton, Massachusetts, Pamela married Marc Raad, an Internal Medicine Physician in 1991 and raised three children — twin sons: Michael, a finance manager and Jon, a criminal defense attorney; and Lauren, a 2023 graduate of the University of Connecticut with a degree in Human Development and Science. In addition to showing horses at a top level, she is currently working as a medical assistant for an occupation medicine office to gain clinical experience and hours for her application to physician assistant school.

Lauren sat on the back of a horse when she was just two year old and the rest is history.

“I started off doing local Connecticut shows,” she explained. “My mom would go to the barn to get the horses at 4 a.m. and trailer them back to the house to pick me up. No matter how much she had to juggle, she always made sure I had my hair braided in pigtails and with the prettiest bows to round it all out.”

For 10 years Lauren showed under the guidance of Gretchen Mathes and Geno Spagnola at Powder Brook Farm. During that time she won six Quarter Horse Congress Championships, an NSBA World Championship, a bronze at the AQHYA World Show and many top five and tens at the Con-

gress, NSBA/AQHYA/AQHA world shows.

“I came into Powder Brook Farm with my little paint pony,” she recalled. “My first start in the AQHA world was having the opportunity to show Fantastic Invitation for my early youth career. She was an incredible mare who, paired with the guidance from Gretchen and Geno, helped me build a solid foundation.”

Next Lauren teamed with Scooter Brown, a 2014 sorrel gelding sired by RL Best Of Sudden out of Always Invite Molly to finish out her Youth career and transition into Amateur competition.

“I worked with Ricky throughout the end of 2016 and the majority of 2017 doing the 3-year-old Western Pleasure pleasure events with Scooter Brown,” Lauren said. “Throughout that time, Ricky grew to be like a big brother to me. He really pushed me to mature in my riding capabilities.”

In 2018 Pamela returned to the show ring with HotForYourHonor (Quincy), a 2013 bay gelding by Signature Of Honor out of One Hot Jazzy, to show alongside her daughter.

“Jess and Ricky helped Geno (Spagnola) find Quincy for me to show,” she explained. “We had great success with him and under their guidance I won my first (Quarter Horse) Congress Championship (in Level 1 Amateur Select Hunter Under Saddle) that same year.”

But even with all the success Pamela and Lauren have enjoyed in the show pen, that is not what drives them.

“Showing with Lauren makes it so complete,” Pamela said. “The ups and downs of showing and owning horses as well as the understanding of it all is so special when shared together.”

Lauren could not agree more.

“Toward the end of my Youth career with Scooter Brown, and even into the start of my Amateur years, I reflect back now and see how caught up I was with chasing titles,” she said. “My biggest goal for horse shows this year, and moving forward, is to focus on truly enjoying every moment with Smith, my mom, my barn family and the AQHA environment as a whole.”

Lauren says her mom is genuinely and wholeheartedly her best friend.

“Anyone that knows me/us will attest to that,” she said. “She is the face I will always look for first to find in the stands, on the rail or leaving the pen. I love watching my mom ride and simply be around the horses; she is a very talented and natural horsewoman. I get so excited and proud to watch her show.”

In fact, she says, her entire family has played an important role in her success in the show pen.

“My father has been nothing but supportive and encouraging throughout all the years,” she said. “It is a running joke that he may not understand much about the horses, but he appreciates one with a pretty tail. My grandfather has also been one of my biggest advocates for my passion. He drove his RV to shows all over the country in my early AQHA youth years and never missed watching any of my classes.”

A Family Affair

Kaitlin and Kelby Hutchinson capture slot class titles at 2024 Virginia Maiden

Text Corrine S. Borton Photos Cody Prmenter & Courtney Ament

It was a week of celebration for Kelby and Kaitlin Hutchinson when the Virginia Quarter Horse Association presented its Virginia Maiden/Spring Breakout Circuit in Lexington April 16-20. The power couple captured championship titles in both the event’s big money 3-Year-Old Maiden Horse classes.

Kaitlin actually got the winning streak started on Wednesday by piloting Heres To The Blue, a bay stallion sired by Good I Will Be out of The First Ride, owned by Tali Terlizzi, of Reddick, Florida, to a championship title in the 3Year-Old & Over Limited Horse Open Hunter Under Saddle earning $3,193. Reserve in that class was Black N Bleu, sired by The Born Legacy out of Makin The Boys Blue, bred by Susan Carpenter; also owned by Tali Terlizzi and shown by Allison McDonald; earning $2,535.

But her big victory came two days later when she teamed with Southernaire to win the 3-Year-Old & Over Maiden Hunter Under Saddle slot class collecting a check for a whopping $10,016.

Southernaire was bred by Gumz Farms in Kentucky and is sired by Its A Southern Thing out of Sleepy Pleasures. The

2021 chestnut mare is owned by Looney Quarter Horses. Reserve in the slot class was When Im Good, sired by Good Better Best and out of WhenOnlyTheBestWillDo, with Tami Thurston in the irons for owner Denise Quick, of Flemington, New Jersey. The 2020

show everyone how it’s done in the Western Pleasure pen. Kelby and Hot Dayum bested 17 other entries to win the 3Year-Old & Over Maiden Western Pleasure, collecting his own check for $10,053.

Terlizzi also owns Hot Dayum and she was bred by Penn State University.

ttt

On the opposite page, Kelby Hutchinson (top) takes a victory lap aboard Hot Dayum after winning the 3-Year-Old & Over Open Western Pleasure slot class at the Virginia Maiden in Lexington. His wife, Kaitlin (bottom), won the 3-Year-Old & Over Open Hunter Under Saddle slot class two days earlier riding Southernaire. On this page (top) Kaitlinand Southernaire are pictured in their arena win shot and Matt Gouthro and Just Saay When ride up to accept their award for winning the 3-Year-Old & Over Maiden Working Rail slot class.

Reserve Champion in the Western Pleasure slot class was Southern Made Dixie, a 2020 bay mare, sired by Machine Made out of Available By Invitation, bred and owned by Peek Owen, of Laurens, North Carolina, and shown by Ashley Lakins earning $7,238.

“I love the Virginia Maiden,” Ashley said. “It’s been a long-liven maiden futurity that we look forward to every year.”

She thinks Southern Made Dixie has a bright future.

“We started her late in her 2-year-old year,” Ashley said. “She’s a cool mare because she jogs and lopes. Plus, she has a beautiful appearance about her.”

Nestled in the Shenandoah Valley region of Virginia, Lexington is home to Virginia Military Institute, Washington and Lee University and the Virginia Horse Center, a 600 acre state-of-the-art environment for horse shows. That’s where exhibitors from across the United States and Canada gathered in April for the Virginia Quarter Horse Association’s Spring Breakout Circuit, home of the Virginia Maiden.

Formerly known as the Hylton Maiden Western Pleasure Class, the event was sponsored for many years by the late Cecilia Hylton, owner of Hylton Quarter Horses in Gainesville, Virginia. Hylton introduced the class at the Reichert Celebration to encourage trainers to refrain from pushing young show prospects. The class was moved to Hylton’s home state in 2011 and is now managed by Cameron Van Sickle and Meghan Tierney.

Katy Jo Zuidema showed in the event for the first time in 2009 when it was at the Reichert Celebration and she tied for Reserve riding Blazing Hot Leaguer. She has had an entry most every year since.

“It’s a great class that has been around forever,” Zuidema said. “Back in the day, it was the Hylton Maiden Western Pleasure and now Meghan and Cameron have taken it over and they are doing a great job. I think any time you can keep from going broke entering a class and it pays as well as this does, it’s something you need to nurture a bit.”

Zuidema also stressed the importance of a class that allows horses to develop at their own pace.

“The maiden classes encourage us to make good decisions for horses and take our time,” she stressed.

Since its inception, the event has grown to include many new classes, including the 3-Year-Old & Over Maiden Hunter Under Saddle slot class, and a 3-Year-Old & Over Maiden Working Western Rail class.

In addition, show participants are treated to meals, games and special events, designed to make the show enjoyable for all.

Van Sickle said some of the highlights of the annual event include the people and the facility paired with great payouts.

“We have some of the most supportive and loyal exhibitors that a horse show could ask for,” he said. “The overall vibe was exceptional. We were blessed with great weather this year allowing everyone to show outside and maiden exhibitors got unlimited time in the Coliseum to prepare so everyone was super happy this year.”

Other futurity class winners include:

Hunter Under Saddle

3-Year-Old Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle (2 shown) –Champion: Black N Bleu, sired by The Born Legacy out of Makin The Boys Blue, bred, owned and shown by Tali Terlizzi, $690; Reserve: VS Nightride, sired by VS Flatline out of RR Time To Step Out, bred, owned and shown by Virginia Hamadi, $460.

Maturity Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle (3 Shown) –Champion: Good As Ever, sired by Give Me The Goods out of From The First Hello, owned and shown by Gracie Robertson, $586; Reserve: Good Thing Im Best, owned and shown by Caroline Leeth, $455.

Western Pleasure

$2,500 Limited Horse Open Western Pleasure –Champion: Americann Made, sired by Machine Made out of Lope By Invitation, bred by Margaret Jentz, owned by Nettie Olsen and shown by Adam Mathis; $3,104; Reserve: Cuz She Can, sired by One Hot Krymsun out of Pinella Deville, bred by Pennsylvania State University, owned by Ben or Dixie Susman and shown by Jeff Long; $2,235. s

The 3-Year-Old & Over Maiden Open Western Pleasure slot class (top) at the Virginia Maiden drew 18 competitors. At left, Adam Mathis is pictured winning the $2,500 Limited Horse Open Western Pleasure with Americann Made. Above, Tali Terlizzi and Black N Bleu, winners of the 3-Year-Old Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle. Larry Little (top right) served as AQHA steward at the show. At right (top) Kylee Wiseman and Start Ur Engines, Maturity Non-Pro Western Pleasure champions and (bottom) Gracie Robertson and Good As Ever, Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle Maturity winners.

He’s so rhythmic and everything is just easy for him,” Mathis said of Americann Made. “He really loves his job.”

Virginia’s Spring Breakout is one of Mathis’ favorite shows.

“I grew up on the east coast so Virginia has always been a mainstay in my mind,” he said. “I love the horse show, the people who run the show because of the hospitality they provide and the people who come here to compete.”

3-Year-Old Non-Pro Western Pleasure (5 shown) –Champion: ThatsWhatBigGirlsDo, sired by VS Code Blue out of Don’t Skip A Foxy Lady, bred, owned and shown by Shannon Fisher, $490; Reserve: Made Xtra Lazy, sired by Machine Made out of Locked N Loping, bred by Karen Perkins, owned and shown by Suzanne Geyer, $336.

Maturity Non-Pro Western Pleasure (5 shown) – Champion: Start Ur Engines, sired by Machine Made out of Mama Knows Best, bred by Rusty & Katie Green, owned and shown by Kylee Wiseman; $468; Reserve (tie): Cherry Lime Made, sired by Machine Made out of Shes Only Pleasure, bred by Tracie Plummer, owned and shown by Jessica Wolf-Hart; $323 and Home Made Cookie, sired by Machine Made out of Shesa Cookie Leaguer, owned and shown by Kelly Goldinger, $323.

Ranch

3-Year-Old & Over Maiden Working Western Rail (16 Shown) – Champion: Just Saay When, owned by Erika Sterling and shown by Matt Gouthro, $5,452; Reserve: Bet Boon Gone Blue, owned by Marion Valerio and shown by John Roberts, $3,925.

Non-Pro Working Western Rail – Champion: SG Valentine, sired by SG Frozen Enterprize and out of One Shine Day, bred by Stan Willis Investment Inc., owned and shown by Karen Johnson, $2,133.30.

ttt

On the opposite page announcer Peter Cannizzaro is pictured (top left) and Kaitlin Hutchinson rides Heres To The Blue to a win in the 3-Year-Old & Over Limited Horse Open Hunter Under Saddle, earning $3,193. Elsewhere on the pages some candid shots of the Virginia Maiden held in conjunction with the Virginia Quarter Horse Association’s Spring Breakout Circuit in Lexington.

ALCOHOL by Katherine Jarve

Consider legal consequences of alcohol consumption at shows

After a long, hot day, there’s often no better way to relax than to crack a cold one. As you know, many horse show exhibitors aren’t shy about enjoying a beverage or two back at the barn after a long summer show day. And if your classes run late, then there are always the exhibitors parties at night. However, before you pour yourself another one, you may want to keep in mind the legal consequences that may arise as a result of alcohol consumption.

Injuries to you and your horses. Everyone knows that horseback riding requires coordination, timing, and communication between you and your horse. Riding even the most “bomb proof” horse in the barn requires some level of skill. However, when you throw alcohol into the mix, your ability to effectively perform these functions is greatly diminished, which can lead to a dangerous situation. For example, what if your horse spooks? What if you start yanking the reins or spurring too hard? What if you fail to navigate the warm-up pen and cause a head on crash? The list goes on. If you cause an accident and injure another rider or horse while under the influence, then you could be held liable for damages.

it may seem harmless to let that almost 21-year-old Amateur kid have a couple drinks, you could open yourself up to legal liability.

In all 50 states, it is illegal for those under the age of 21 to purchase or publicly possess alcoholic beverages. Most states have enacted “social host” laws that assign responsibility to adults for injuries resulting from hosting a social gathering with underage drinking. If an underage youth or amateur kid is intoxicated and then causes injury to themselves, a third-party,or a horse, then you may be held civilly and/or criminally liable.

While social host laws vary state to state, the intent is to penalize those who permit underage drinking. To be held li-

If you cause an accident and injure another rider or horse while under the influence, then you could be held liable for damages.

Driving (or riding) under the influence. It is well known at this point that you can get slapped with a DUI for drunk driving. But what about riding your horse? While the state laws vary considerably, it is possible for you to get a DUI on your horse. For example, California, Florida, Kentucky, Michigan, and North Carolina, to name a few, all have some form horse DUI laws. In addition, riding a horse while intoxicated may be considered animal cruelty in some states due to the danger it exposes the animal to.

You could also get a DUI from operating a golf cart under the influence. Depending on the state, a golf cart may be considered a “vehicle” for purposes of DUI law and can carry the same penalties as if you were operating your dually truck.

Importantly, it is possible to get a DUI even if you believe you are on “private” property. Many fairgrounds are owned or operated by state or local government and are not considered “private” property. Often times, a DUI charge is just the beginning and you may be charged with other offenses such as public drunkenness or drunk and disorderly conduct.

If you had too much to drink to operate your truck, then you should also stay away from your golf cart and horse. Not only do you expose yourself to legal consequences, but you also jeopardize the safety of yourself and those around you.

Underage drinking and “Social Host” liability. Unfortunately, underage drinking happens at some horse shows. While

able,a social gathering does not need to be at your home, but can be at any place you have control over. For example, this could include a party at your horse trailer, motor home, or even in the stall area. In some states, an adult hosting a social gathering like a BBQ at the motor home, but not providing alcohol may also be held responsible if they knowingly allow underage guests to consume alcohol which the underage person brought themselves. Essentially, you cannot turn a blind eye to underage drinking merely because you didn’t supply the booze. Finally, some states even go as far as holding adults responsible for underage drinking even if they are not present at the event, but have reason to know there is underage drinking taking place. For example, if you are hanging out with your barn mates at your horse trailer, but know that underage kids are “sneaking” beers from the cooler at the barn, you can be held legally responsible for those same kids drunkenly crashing a golf cart into a futurity horse or show exhibitor.

Katherine Jarve is a partner at the Marlton, New Jersey law firm of Jarve Granato Starr, LLC. She is licensed in New Jersey and Pennsylvania and maintains a practice in personal injury and civil litigation, including equine related issues. Katherine spent her childhood competing on the national AQHA show circuit. This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be legal advice. If you have a specific legal question or problem, consult with an experienced equine law attorney. Questions, comments or suggestions can be e-mailed to kjarve@nj-triallawyers.com.

COLIC by Brian Burks

Determining the best option for you and your horse many times requires some tough decisions

Suddenly, you are faced with an enormous decision about your best horse. The choice is colic surgery or euthanasia. You only have a few minutes to decide, and the outcome is uncertain. Will he have a good quality of life? Will he return to his previous performance level?

You may not even know the veterinarian telling you about colic surgery. Should you proceed with surgery, a deposit of $5,000 is required. The total cost may be $7,000 to $10,000, or more, if there are complications. What should you do? There is no time for me to tell a client everything they need to know. There are many things to think about prior to facing this difficult decision.

Equine Colic

Colic is a symptom- abdominal pain- not a diagnosis or disease. It is a sign of something wrong in the abdomen, or occasionally from other organs outside the abdomen. The equine intestinal tract is very complicated with stacked horse-shoe configurations and different sized lumens at various points. Colic signs include depression, loss of appetite, lying down, pawing, rolling, sweating, looking at the belly, stretching, and others.

prognosis, or cost estimate cannot be given.

The Veterinarian’s Advice

How does your veterinarian know your horse needs surgery?

A diagnosis is made following the physical and rectal examination that requires surgery.

Unrelenting pain, that cannot be controlled by medication

Various diagnostic tests may add up, even when the horse does not appear that bad (especially if it has been given pain medication)

Medical management has not corrected the problem

The field veterinarian must determine if the horse requires fur-

The equine intestinal tract is very complicated with stacked horse-shoe configurations and different sized lumens at various points. Colic signs include depression, loss of appetite, lying down, pawing, rolling, sweating, looking at the belly, stretching, and others.

Many times, colic is simple, and occurs due to a spasm or a gas pocket. This may require minimal treatment or even resolve on its own. Other times, aggressive medical therapy is required. Sometimes colic surgery is required to determine the cause and replace and/or repair the intestinal tract.

• Volvulus- a torsion or twist of the gut

• Small intestinal strangulation by a lipoma or other structure

• Colonic impaction- a build up a feed material, sand, or dirt in the colon

• Foreign body blocking the colon- an enterolith or another object

• Colonic displacement

Causes may vary with the breed and age of the horse. For instance, Ascarid impactions occur in weanlings and yearlings, whereas lipomas are most common. in older horses.

There are many other variations, and each comes with its own prognosis and estimated surgical cost. Large intestinal surgery usually has a better prognosis than small intestinal surgery and may cost less than a small intestinal strangulation requiring a portion of the bowel to be removed. It should be noted that colic surgery is a diagnostic test; until the surgeon explores the abdomen to find out what the trouble is, a definite diagnosis,

ther evaluation at an equine surgical hospital. Part of that determination is you, the owner, about whether surgery is even an option. Sometimes, the only other option is euthanasia. Diagnostic testing includes routine blood work, rectal palpation, abdominal ultrasound, abdominal tap, and occasionally radiographs (for smaller horses).

Your Decision

Here are some considerations when making this difficult decision:

• Diagnosis & Prognosis: What does the veterinarian think is wrong with your horse? How complicated will the surgery be and what is the likely prognosis? Recurrence?

• Anesthesia & Recovery: General anesthesia is required for colic surgery, and although the risk of this is small, it still exists.

• Cost: Can you afford surgery? Is your horse insured, and is there coverage for colic surgery? Colic surgery is expensive because it is performed in an equine hospital with professional staff, equipment, and experience to perform surgery and handle the intense after care required.

• Stress: Colic surgery is stressful for any horse owner. You may spend considerable time and resources treating on the farm, when early referral gives better prospects of a successful outcome.

COLIC (continued)

Colic Surgery

When there is a colon torsion, the intestinal lining will only survive for 3-4 hours, so early and close referral is required. Such horses require immediate surgery and often do not survive a 3-4 hour trailer ride.

If you have decided to proceed with colic surgery, your horse is now being prepped for surgery. Then the entire abdomen must be clipped, the feet cleaned, and the mouth rinsed to remove any residual feed material so that it does not end up in the lungs. There is a team gathered around him for this intravenous catheter placement. Large bags of IV fluids are used, and medications are given prior to surgery. A nasogastric tube is left in place until after surgery. Soon, he will be taken into the surgery area. Once anesthetized and gently lowered to the floor, he will be placed on a padded table, using hobbles and a hoist system. Your horse will be placed on his back and secured to the table. A ventilator will be used to deliver anesthetic gases and breathe for him, and other equipment will be used to monitor blood pressure and oxygen levels.

Once the surgical area (belly) is surgically prepped, a heavily gowned surgeon will place a full body drape prior to making a 10–12-inch incision on the mid-line of the abdomen. Then, a full abdominal exploration will take place to determine the problem; much of this is by feel as many structures cannot be pulled into plain view.

Colic surgery is a great physical undertaking. Heavy segments of bowel must be pulled out of the abdominal cavity and emptied and re-positioned. Once a diagnosis has been made, the surgeon may need to discuss the problem and prognosis. You should be prepared to euthanize your horse on the table, as some lesions are not reparable, or may exceed costs that you are able to incur.

Once a diagnosis has been made, repairs must then ensue. This may be as simple as placing the intestine back in its normal position, i.e., a partial torsion or twist, or some other displacement. Also, damaged intestine may need to be removed, a blockage of sand or other foreign objects removed or fluid moved out of the small intestine into the cecum. Surgical time ranges from 1 ½ to 4 or more hours. Once the intestine has been repaired and replaced, the abdomen is painstakingly closed with heavy suture. Post recovery, which is assisted, he will be taken back to his stall where post op care will begin.

Post Operative Complications

Survival rates for many types of colic surgeries are high; however, things can go wrong at many points of the process. Very ill horses may have trouble surviving anesthesia, horses can be injured during recovery, and for horses with complicated conditions the first week after surgery is critical, requiring intensive medical care, including large volumes of intravenous fluids. The horse is monitored frequently, every 1-4 hours, day, and night, to adjust treatment and look for early signs of complications.

Hospital stays can vary from a few days to a few weeks, depending upon the initial surgical problem. Complications include abdominal or incisional infection, laminitis, colic recurrence, reflux, and many others.

Dr. Brian Burks is the owner/veterinarian at Fox Run Equine Center, a 24-hour medical-surgical center near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is board certified by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (Equine Practice). This certifies him as an expert in all categories of equine practice. You can reach him by calling (724) 7273481.

Z�e & Tayl� Bat�

Alabama professional trainers building a business with deep roots in the horse industry

Text Corrine S. Borton Photos Ali Hubbell, Jeff Kirkbride & Renew Creative

He grew up in Addison, Alabama and she in Troy, Maine. But both Zane Bates and Taylor Thayer were born into the horse industry.

“I’m third generation in horses on both sides of my family,” Zane explained. “I grew up showing POA.”

“And my mom was heavily involved so I was born into it,” Taylor said. “Really, this was her dream first.”

Zane attended West Point High School where he participated in basketball, tennis track & field, and then Wallace Community College.

Taylor graduated from Mount View High School where she played soccer, basketball and softball.

After completing their formal education Zane worked for professional trainers Nick & Carmen Myabb and Tommy Sheets. Taylor got her start training with professional trainers Tara and Buster Buckley and Torey Roderick before joining Casey Willis at Masterson Farms LLC in Tennessee.

But while attending the Fun In The Sun Futurity in Venice one January, Zane and Taylor met and started dating. By 2021 they started their own training operation in Addison, Alabama.

“We felt like it was the next step,” Zane said. “We show multiple color breeds as well as Quarter Horses and we buy and sell a lot. That gives us the freedom to customize a program and make it be the most effective for what we are good at.”

Zane’s training focuses on the preparation of Western Pleasure, Ranch and working type horses. He says he does a little bit of everything and a whole lot of sales.

Taylor pays close attention to Showmanship and Hunter Under Saddle but she says her heart is in Western Pleasure.

“For me it’s all about the chase,” she said. “I love that every day is a new day and just because you may have won the day before, doesn’t mean you get to coast. You still have to grind every day. There’s always another horse to start or new event to add or a new rider to join.”

Zane has been a top five APHA year-end Open exhibitor the past three years and earned a Reserve PtHA World Championship title with Kid In A Candy Store.

Taylor was top 15 at the 2023 Quarter Horse Congress in the 3-Year-Old Limited Open Western Pleasure with Offshore Island Girl. They also won an APHA National Champion title in the 3-Year-Old Open Western Pleasure.

In 2022 Taylor teamed with Wait Til You See Me Trot to capture a top three award in the Quarter Horse Congress 2-Year-Old Hunter Under Saddle Sale Stakes Class. And in 2021 she rode Rockin My Stetson to a PtHA World Championship title in Senior Hunter Under Saddle and A Re-

serve title there in Green Hunter Under Saddle.

This past March Zane and Taylor were married and they are working to build their program out of the same barn Zane’s grandfather worked out of in the 1980s when it was first built. Situated off the beautiful Smith Lake community in Addison, Alabama, it includes 16 permanent stalls with the ability to add up to 20 with temporary stalls; an indoor and outdoor arena and a round pen.

“We have hands and eyes on all of our horses most all

Zane Bates and Taylor Thayer Bates, pictured on the opposite page were married this past March. Taylor is pictured riding Rockin My Stetson at the Pinto World Show (bottom right) and Zane is pictured (bottom left) riding KM Made To Be Best. On this page (clockwise from top) they are pictured top) together at a show; Zane riding Kid In A Candy Store at the Pinto World Show in Senior Western Pleasure; Taylor on Heart Beatz, her 3Year-Old Maiden Western Pleasure entry for the APHA World Show; and Taylor riding The Krymsun Kowboy in Senior Trail at the Volunteer State Pinto Sweepstakes Circuit.

day, seven days a week,” Zane said.

“It’s special to work out of the same place my grandfather did, especially now that he has passed.”

Visit Zane and Taylor at the barn and you will likely hear some music by Merle Haggard, 50 Cent, Hank Williams Jr., Lainey Wilson or Cardi B.

“We’re all about the music,” Taylor said. “Whether it’s in the barn or in the truck, we WILL be putting on a concert....maybe just not one you want to attend.”

One important aspect of the Bates program is the special attention paid to their Youth and Amateur clients.

“We bring Youth and Amateur competitors to the shows year-round,” Taylor explained.

And that’s Zane’s favorite part of the job.

“I love seeing the whole team together,” he said. “Making the horse, coaching the rider and watching them succeed together is the best reward.”

When they are not training or at a show Zane enjoys buying and selling trucks, trailers, livestock and tack.

“I’m also a huge college football fan,” he said. “We are super fortunate enough to have attended lots of Alabama football games, including Nick Saban’s last SEC Championship game before retiring.”

Taylor has been spending a lot of time lately with her interest in the reproduction aspect of the industry.

“I’ve got a few mares and I’m going to try my hand at breeding,” she said. “I also have four dogs to care for, including a blue merle Boarder Collie/Aussie named DellaJane; a Corgi named Lainey; a blue merle Frenchie named Piggy; and a little brown rescue dog named Mrs. Weenie.”

You can contact Zane Bates and Taylor Thayer Bates by calling (256) 531-3214 or (207) 416-2021. You can also connect with them via the Zanes Bates Show Horses Facebook page.

Open Profiles are part of InStride Edition’s editorial content. If you know someone who would make a good subject for a professional profile email Corrine Borton, Editor, at: CorrineBorton@InStrideEdition.com.

Anna Thr�

Showmanship class allows this competitor to showcase her personality

Text Corrine S.Borton Photos Bar H Photography

Nineteen-year-old Minnesota competitor Anna Thron takes the phrase starting young to a whole new level. At the tender age of 2 she went to a daycare with horses and it was there that that her obsession with them started.

Thron got her first taste of showing with Time To Show Em (Frankie) and she never looked back.

Zippos Magic Smoke, a 2008 APHA Palomino came next, followed by R Zipalicious, a 2011 APHA black and white mare by Lopelicious.

R Zipalicious helped Thron win her first major championship in 2020 when they claimed a Reserve in Novice Youth Showmanship 14-18 at the APHA Youth World Show.

Showmanship is Thron’s favorite class so the accomplishment was extra special for her.

“Showmanship truly showcases the connection between the horse and exhibitor,” she said. “I have aways felt it allows me to show a bit of my personality.”

That’s why claiming the Reserve championship felt

“I put so many hours into Showmanship that having success in that event felt like all the hard work paid off,” she explained. “What made it even better was World Show and my

After R Zipalicious, Thron showed a sorrel APHA gelding by the name of Batt Boy for a time before teaming with her latest show partner, In A Certain Way, a 2018 chestnut AQHA/APHA mare sired by Pleasure For Certain out of Angel Invested Wisely.

Showing under the guid-

ance of Shannon Walker, Hannah Lind and Spencer Orr, of Show Horses By Shannon, Thron and In A Certain Way paced 11th in 15-18 Youth Showmanship and 12th in Level 1 Youth Horsemanship 14-18 at the 2023 Quarter Horse Congress.

Following the Congress In A Certain Way was sold and Thron is focusing on school and riding for the Baylor University Division I Equestrian Team in Waco, Texas. She enrolled at Baylor after graduating from Hill Murray High School in Saint Paul, Minnesota, where she participated in Hockey, Ten-

nis, the Ski Team and the CARE Club. At Baylor she is working on a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Corporate Communications and a double minor in Entrepreneurship and Public Relations. The is also a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority.

Thron recently enjoyed a spring break vacation in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, with her Baylor Equestrian teammates and their dads.

“We had a blast,” she said. “We stayed at Pueblo Bonito Resort, went on a catamaran, went to a concert and just hung out.”

For now, Thron is between personal show horses but she still has a lot she wants to accomplish both inside and outside of the show arena, including winning a gold globe at a World Show and eventually being able to support herself and her family and she hopes to one day own her own lake house.

She has a lot of role models she considers influential in her life including her parents, Gary and Alison Thron; and sister, Molly.

Fellow competitor Paige Wacker is also like a big sister to Thron.

“I go to her for advice on things horse related or not,” she said. “Paige has always been there for me and has overcome so much herself. Not only is she extremely talented, she also is such an inspiration to me and such an incredible person. Paige’s perseverence is demonstrated in her achievement of now attending vet school.”

When she is not riding, studying or at a show, Thron enjoys going to yoga/pilates classes and walks with her friends. She is especially fond of spending time out on the lake.

But horse shows remain an important part of her life.

“What motivates me to compete is my younger self dreaming of getting to where I am today,” she said. “I think the industry can attract new members by starting with the youth and raising awareness about the opportunities for young people to obtain college scholarships through involvement in collegiate equestrian programs.”

Amateur Profiles are part of InStride Edition’s editorial content. If you know someone who would make a good subject for an amateur profile email Corrine Borton, at: CorrineBorton@InStrideEdition.com.

Anna Thron is pictured on the opposite page (top center) with two of her Baylor teammates and below that completing a Horsemanship pattern riding In A Certain Way. On this page Anna is pictured (clockwise from top): with In A Certain Way in a win photo from the Corporate Challenge; with a teammate at a Baylor meet; and at home with her family at Christmas.

Av�y M�tm�

Texas competitor enjoys the uniqueness of the Trail class

There’s nothing like competing in a tough Trail Class to 18-year-old Avery Mortman, of Argyle, Texas.

“Each time it’s something different and you can add your own style and finesse,” she said.

And she enjoys watching the event as much as she loves competing in it.

“The class is so unique,” she explained. “It takes so much connection with your horse and ability. It’s so cool to watch it play out.”

Mortman’s father, Michael, was always looking for different ways for his daughter to be involved in sports.

“When I was 4 years old, round pen lessons on retired Arabians were on the agenda,” she recalled. “I took lessons until our dog groomers invited me over to ride their Paint horse and from there I was hooked.”

Mortman started showing with her dad in Leadline classes at the age of 5, mostly at local shows in the Houston, Texas area.

“I still remember my first show, it was with my horse, Emma, at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.”

From there Mortman progressed to breed shows and her first big prize came in 2017 when she won the Level 1 Youth 13 & Under Hunter Under Saddle at the Quarter Horse Congress with This Jig Is Up.

“I had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to show him and it will forever be one of my greatest memories,” she said.

By 2019 Mortman had teamed with Just A Touch More (Gumy), a 2013 sorrel gelding sired by VS Code Red and out of One Tuff Touch. The partnership was magic.

At the AQHA Youth World Show that year Mortman and Gumy collected not one but three globes - a

gold in Level 3 Showmanship13 & Under; a silver in Level 3 Western Pleasure 13 & Under; and a bronze in Level 3 Horsemanship 13 & Under.

And, at the American Paint Horse Association Youth World Show that year Mortman and Gumy won Championship titles in Novice Youth Western Pleasure, 13 & Under Western Pleasure and 13 & Under Hunter Under Saddle. In addition they were Reserve Champions in 13 & Under Showmanship.

This year Mortman continues to show Gumy in Youth Trail and Horsemanship, under the guidance of professional trainer, Tyler Schultz. She is also developing a new show partner in A Heart Like Hers (Bella Marie), a 2019 bay mare, sired by Mechanic out of Brown Eyed Bay.

“She is very green but has been so much fun to help develop,” Mortman said. “I will show her in Horsemanship and possibly Trail.”

But Mortman has also taken on a brand new challenge. After graduatingfrom Legacy Christian Academy, The Woodlands, Texas in 2023, she joined the Baylor University Division I Equestrian team. There she is a freshman intending to major in Biology.

When she is not riding Mortman enjoys spending time with her family, including her father; her mother, Michelle and younger sister, Savannah, who also shows horses.

The family also purchased One Tough Touch, Gumy’s dam a few years ago and they have been raising two babies out of her.

“It has been so much fun to watch them grow up and develop,” she said.

“I have not had the opportunity to show them yet but having four horses all related has been super cool and makes it more of a family affair.”

Text Corrine S. Borton Photos Cody Parmenter

Avery Mortman is pictured on this page with her current show parter, Just A Touch More, and on the opposite page (across the top) collecting a Reserve Championship in Showmanship at the NSBA World Show; in a win photo from the 2023 NSBA World Show and completing a Horsemanship pattern. At bottom she is pictured with Gumy and her suster, Savannah.

The

ASSOCIATIONS

DIRECTOR OF FINANCE

(IN) ApHC NEWS

The Appaloosa Horse Club (ApHC) recently announced that Lex Smurthwaite has been appointed Director of Finance and Operations for the organization. Smurthwaite has been involved in the equine industry since the 1970s in various positions--currently he is transitioning from the position of treasurer to his new title of Director of Finance and Operations within the Appaloosa Horse Club.

In his new role, Smurthwaite will continue on with his duties as the treasurer and will be taking a larger management role within the office when it comes to everyday operations. As a strong cornerstone of the Appaloosa Horse Club we know this transition will be smooth and purposeful for both our membership and office staff.

"The board is excited to have Lex in this new position. We cannot thank him enough for stepping in to this position and getting us on the right track,” Lori Wunderlich, ApHC president said. “His experience in the equine industry and his past history with the Appaloosa Horse Club over the years makes him the perfect person to provide us with guidance and direction through the future.”

Outside of this new position, Smuthwaite also serves as the association’s race coordinator.

"The opportunity to work for ApHC again is greatly appreciated,” Smuthwaite said. “Appaloosas were a big part of my family growing up: we bred, raced and showed Appaloosas. The horse is a wonderful horse with a lot of history and I look forward to my new role and what we will accomplish together.”

For additional information on the Appaloosa Horse Club visit www.appaloosa.com.

RANCH HORSE DIVISION

NSBA ADDS NEW CLASSES TO BREEDERS CHAMPIONSHIP FUTURITY

The National Snaffle Bit Association (NSBA) has created a Ranch Horse division to its Breeders Championship Futurity (BCF) program.

The Ranch Breeders Championship Futurity division will host its first classes at the 2026 NSBA World Championship Show and Breeders Championship Futurity. The program will start with a 3-Year-Old Open Ranch Riding class. In 2027, 4Year-Old Open Ranch Riding, 4-Year-Old Open Ranch Rail, 4Year-Old Non-Pro Ranch Riding and 4-Year-Old Non-Pro Ranch Rail will be added. During the 2028 NSBA World Championship Show, 5-Year-Old Open Ranch Riding, Ranch Rail and Ranch Trail as well as 5-Year-Old Non-Pro Ranch Riding, Non-Pro Ranch Rail and Non-Pro Ranch Trail will be added, and in 2029, the 5- Year Old classes will become 5 and 6-Year-Old events to complete the division.

To be eligible to participate in the Ranch Breeders Championship Futurity division classes, the sire of a foal must be nomi-

nated into the program in the foal's yearling year and that foal must be enrolled in the BCF Ranch program. Stallion owners will have the opportunity to nominate their stallions into the new division in 2025 for an introductory nomination fee, which will make their 2023 and 2024 foal crops eligible for the new Ranch Breeders Championship Futurity division.

Breeders and foal owners can begin enrolling their 2023 and 2024 foals beginning in 2025 for an introductory enrollment fee of $500. Following the introductory year, stallion nomination and foal enrollment will follow an annual schedule. Nominated BCF Ranch stallions will be listed on the NSBA website and will specify each year of participation.

A Ranch Horse Task Force consisting of several NSBA Ranch exhibitors developed recommendations that were presented to the NSBA board of directors regarding the creation of the Ranch BCF program. For details on the Ranch Horse BCF division, visit www.nsba.com.

ENTRIES OPEN FOR 2024 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW; 250 CLASSES OFFERED (IN) ABRA NEWS

The American Buckskin Registry Association has announed that entries are open for the association’s World Show, scheduled for July 14-20 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, are now open.

Over 250 classes will be offered in Youth, Amateur, Open and Non-Pro divisions. Highlights of this year’s show include: NSBA all-breed futurities and all-breed Ranch Riding Challenge; five judges and

five sets of points with special awards for the All-Around Champion and Reserve Champion; Trophy Buckles awarded to class champion and reserve champion and ribbons awarded to first through 10th place.

World Show entries are available on the ABRA website at www.americanbuckskin.com. The pre-entry deadline is midnight on June 1.

BUZZ

(www.instrideedition.com)

(IN) LIFE

AQHA and NSBA competitors Ryan and Whitney (Wilson) Small, of Burlington, North Carolina, welcomed their first child, a son, on April 23. The new arrival, named Boone Edward Small, weighed 5 pounds, 14 ounces at birth.

After 26 seasons at the helm of the South Carolina Equestrian program, head coach Boo Major has announced her retirement. Over the course of her career, Major has coached over 300 letter winners, 30 riders named National Collegiate Equestrian Association (NCEA) All-Americans a combined 53 times, 30 SEC All-Team selections, five SEC Rider of the Years, and an NCEA Rider of the Year in 2020 (Caroline Gute).

(IN) DEATH

Ohio Quarter Horse Association (OQHA) Past President and All American Quarter Horse Congress Hall of Fame member, Albert “Skip” Salome, of Newark, Ohio, passed away on March 27. Mr. Salome had been involved with the Ohio Quarter Horse Association and the All American Quarter Horse Congress since its inception. He served as OQHA president from 19931994, 2005-2006 and 2009-2010. Over the years, Skip served in every position available and on every association standing and ad-hoc committee OQHA had. Mr. Salome served as an All American Quarter Horse Congress Tri-Chairman for many years, helping to guide the Congress through many changes during its 56-year history. He was inducted into the Congress Hall Of Fame in 2008.

Decorated American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) sire Hot Impulse, affectionately known as Webster, passed away in April at the age of 28.

Bred by McCamy Quarter Horses in Aubrey, Texas, the brown stallion was sired by Impulsions out of the producing mare Ms Hot Medicine (by Hotrodders Jet Set).

As a weanling he was purchased by Oklahoma professional trainer Troy Compton and he won multiple titles and futurities under Compton’s management, including an AQHA World Championship title in Junior Western Riding in 2001 with Jason Martin in the saddle. During his show career he earned 111 Open AQHA performance points. He captured an Open Superior in Western Pleasure in 2000, and was he was a finalist in the 2–Year-Old Western Pleasure at the 1998 AQHA World Show as

well as in the Junior Western Pleasure at the 2000 AQHA World Show.

Webster sired 224 AQHA foals, over 50 percent of them with performance records. They amassed over 22,000 AQHA points split equally between Amateur, Open and Youth divisions. His foals have won 20 AQHA World and Reserve World Champion titles and earned over $169,927 in the AQHA Incentive Fund, AQHA World Show earnings of $99,393, and $437,008 from the National Snaffle Bit Association.

Some of his most succesful offspring include: Investment Hunter, Hot Rockin Rita, Sl Miss Alli, Im Sparkling Hot, A Sparkling Impulse, Gotta Get Hot, Tell Her Shes Hot, Ima Hot Time, Call For A Hot Time, and, most notably, multiple AQHA World and Congress Champion, Kamanuwannadance.

Southern Methodist University is still home to the nation’s top collegiate equestrian team.

The Mustangs won their second consecutive NCEA national championship with a 12-7 win over No. 1-seeded Texas Christian University on April 20 at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Florida. The SMU program won its first national title in 2023,

ending a lengthy streak of dominance in the sport from Big 12 and SEC programs.

SMU got out to a strong start with a 4-1 advantage in Reining before the Horsemanship portion of the event was scored as a 2-2 draw. The Mustangs continued pulling away with 3-2 leads in the competition’s Dual Flat and Fences portions.

AQHA STALLION HOT IMPULSE LAID TO REST AT AGE 28 AQHA WORLD CHAMPION IN WESTERN RIDING AND SIRE OF 224 FOALS WITH 22,000 AQHA POINTS

SMU WINS BACK-TO-BACK NCEA CHAMPIONSHIPS DEFEATS TCU 12-7 IN 2024 MATCHUP HELD AT WORLD EQUESTRIAN CENTER IN OCALA,

Backes QH ..........................................

Baker Futurity Horses .............................69

Bar H Photography ...............................67

Barger QH ...........................................69

Barry, Jon .............................................67

Blue Ribbon Tack .................................69

Boo Yah Custom Clothing .......................65

Boxell, John .........................................64

Briere, Pierre ........................................69

Brinks Hattery ........................................4

Britton, Blake ............................68, 70-71

Burris, Tony ..........................................68

CAC

Caplinger Qtr Horses .............................66

Chafin