ello, Saddle Up readers! As we write this, we are finishing our layout for the July issue and also sneaking away to enjoy the Ranch Horse Revolution Club's AllBreed Summer Show, and what a show! They have outdone themselves again; entries sold out quickly, and they had a waitlist in popular demand too. We have been delighted to meet the competitors and their supporting families and friends; this venue is truly what the horse community is about. We have given you a sneak peek on page 2, and once the show is finished, we will have a full report in the August issue.
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This month, we have Ponderosa Ridge Ranch on our cover. You can see their lovely and very stunning horses on page 5, where you will find all of their contact information and their website. Please check it out; they are a wonderful ranch that produces quality foals.
In this issue, we have articles on Prehab Helps Avoid Rehab, Quest for the Appaloosa, Rodeo Superstitions, and much more….Don’t forget to check out the Events + Club Hub for what’s happening in your area for shows and clinics, and look for Saddle Up; we will be at some of these events with our latest issues to hand out! We hope you enjoy reading the July issue, and we always welcome your stories and photos. Happy riding & show season to your all!
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$24.00 CDN plus tax per year or $42 US per year. (11 issues)
Reproduction of any materials without written permission from the editor is prohibited. Opinions and statements expressed in this
Britain Mills-Dawes, Amber Zierath, Sarah Southwell, Equine Guelph, Patricia E. Skinner and all of our ‘Club News’ authors –thank you!
Tass & Ruby
Remembering Danny Grant
The endurance community lost a fine horseman and competitor on March 9th when Danny Grant died of complications after surgery to remove a benign brain tumour. He was only 79.
Born in Saskatchewan, Danny spent his early years on BC's lower mainland and later in Penticton. During this time, he showed Appaloosas with his siblings and worked on his dad's ranch with cattle and horses. He graduated from St. George's High School in Vancouver, then earned a BSc in Agriculture from Cal-Poly. He worked as a real estate appraiser at Intrawest Property Services and was a partner in Cranwest, a cranberry-growing farm.
Horses were a big part of life for Danny's siblings, father, and grandfather. Danny carried on the tradition both here in BC and his ranch in California, raising Arabians. When brother Barrie, an accomplished runner and rider, won the Levi Ride and Tie World Championship in 1980, the Grant family started to participate in this two-person, one-horse, leap-frog event. This led Danny into endurance riding; he bought a bay Arab gelding to be his Ride and Tie horse. Drifter (CDR Soliloquy) was cleaning up on the endurance circuit, and Danny was soon hooked on the sport. Drifter and Danny were an amazing team, with many wins and coveted Best Condition Awards on
their record. They were on FEI teams competing in both North American Championships and the first World Equestrian Games in Sweden, as well as several Race of Champions. They took on the ultimate challenge, finishing the Tevis Cup several times together. Danny went on to earn his 1000-mile Tevis buckle in 2014, becoming the only Canadian to ever complete the gruelling ride ten times! This was perhaps his most cherished riding accomplishment!
Danny's ride record lists over 8,000 AERC miles completed. Approximately 2500 miles were "100 miles in one day rides," so 25 long days on some very tough mountainous trails. 1000 miles were his ten Tevis completions. Conditioning posed a bit of a problem living in the flat lower mainland, so Danny bought some land in the Merritt area, where many hours were spent finding, clearing, connecting, and marking almost 100 miles of trail. These Rainbow Trails are marked with coloured horseshoes and registered with the provincial government, protecting them for all horse people to enjoy. In 1990, the first Over the Rainbow Endurance Ride was held, and it has been a yearly event ever since (with a few exceptions). Having some 100-mile and multi-day events has given Pacific Northwest riders the opportunity to test and qualify for bigger events. Danny was also instrumental
COVER FEATURE
in installing a water tank system there for the convenience of endurance and backcountry riders.
Danny had an eye for a good horse, self-discipline, and patience, both conditioning and competing. He used to say, "If you are not breaking them down, you are building them up." He always put his horse first and never shied away from withdrawing from a ride if his horse was not doing well. He was helpful and encouraging to other riders, whether in camp or on the trail. He will be missed and remembered, especially for the Rainbow Trail system.
Thank you, Danny. Rest in peace.
SD Emily Rose
SD Tyson’s Treasure
SD Tornado
Horse Health Prehab Helps Avoid Rehab
As horse owners, we are constantly trying to find the “best” methods to care for our equine companions effectively and compassionately. In this article, I want to drive home the importance of preventative care, which I affectionately call Prehab. From my experience with my business, Stable Instincts, we have always heavily emphasized the power of prehab to keep your horse not only happy and healthy but also performing at their best! So as, show, jackpot, and rodeo season ramps up, let's explore how preventative care helps avoid reactionary methods and injuries that can affect the season for both you and your horse.
Importance of Regular Bodywork
Regular bodywork with a soft tissue specialist allows for musculoskeletal maintenance, which ensures optimal muscle and joint function. The main benefits of regular bodywork are:
> Improved Circulation
> Reduced tension in muscle and connective tissue
> Increased flexibility
When you keep a regular routine with bodywork, it allows for early detection and potential correction of any soft tissue-related issues and range of motion limitations. A proactive approach prevents common injuries, ensuring your horse is able to continue to be in the best form! As briefly touched on, by providing regular soft tissue work, you can refine your horse’s performance. Regularity mitigates imbalances and identifies tension, which in turn can extend your horse's active years! This allows for a more sustainable and consistent performance career. When you don’t have a regular routine, minor issues can develop into large ones and turn into serious injuries. Untreated muscle imbalances can cause chronic pain and long-term damage that’s not always reversible. When tension and stiffness persist, it not only increases the chances of injuries, but the discomfort can also cause your horse to display undesirable behaviours and be sour when worked in any capacity. What is considered a regular routine varies for every horse, their life stage, and their workload, so make sure to have a rapport with your equine soft tissue specialist in order to find the right routine for your horse.
The Role of Regular Farrier Care
With farrier work, it is best to take a proactive approach, as it can help identify signs of developing abscesses and manifestations of laminitis, and it can correct hoof shape before problems occur or escalate. Some clear benefits of regular farrier work are:
> Balanced Hooves
> Tendon and Joint Support
Ensuring your horse’s hooves are well-maintained reduces the risk of hoof-related injuries significantly! Keeping a regular schedule (which is typically recommended every 4-6 weeks) can reduce lameness, pain, discomfort, and muscular asymmetry. As I am not a farrier, I will focus on the impacts that hoof problems have on body confirmation and muscle tension. When hooves have been overgrown or improperly farriered, it puts a horse at a higher risk of bone deformities and tendon or ligament strains. It adds unnecessary stress to joints due to imbalances that can cause uneven weight distribution. This can contribute to altered posture, which can translate to altered gait patterns. When a horse’s hoof angle is incorrect, it can put increased pressure on their shoulder and neck muscles, which in turn affects the musculature, making it tense and causing discomfort. Over time, this can lead to deformities that are permanent, or at the very least, timeconsuming and costly to correct!
As outlined in this article, prehab helps to avoid rehab. The longterm benefits include having more time and brain-space, reducing financial burdens, and ensuring your horse remains healthy, happy, and performing at their best. Personally and professionally I always advocate for a proactive approach to equine care, emphasizing the importance of Whole-istic care to keep your horse in peak condition and avoid costly rehabilitation. If you are in the Calgary-Edmonton area and are needing a hand in this preventive care practice, please reach out and connect with me at Stable Instincts!
Article by Britain Mills-Dawes
The owner of Stable Instincts, an equine business dedicated to equine wellness. As an equine practitioner, Britain has made a name for herself in the industry through her knowledge and hands-on experience with horses. Specializing in soft tissue manipulation, she brings a meticulous and professional approach to her work, ensuring the highest standards of care and business. In addition to her practice, Britain is a well-versed public speaker, sharing her insights and knowledge through digestible clinics, demos, and presentations. Britain has been a speaker and demonstrator at one of the largest equine events in western Canada, the Horse Expo, solidifying her position as a respected figure in the industry. You can also catch her doing demonstrations at the 2024 Calgary Stampede. To work with Britain, contact her at stableinstincts@gmail.com or visit her website at www.stableinstincts.ca
The Value of Veterinary Care
Touching base with your veterinary care provider on a regular basis and creating a relationship with them is important for fostering a wellrounded care plan for your horse. Veterinary teams can help owners troubleshoot unknown issues as well as detect them early on using diagnostic tools such as blood work, scopes, and lameness exams. One way in particular that veterinary care is preventative is through health exams, floating teeth, and vaccinations, which minimize outbreaks and potential health issues. Regular vaccinations and deworming not only protect your horse but also contribute to something called herd immunity. These proactive health measures help keep the horse community active, healthy, and thriving! By regularly assessing if your horse's teeth need floating, it prevents sharp edges from forming, causing discomfort and malnutrition. When these preventative care measures are neglected, it leaves your horse vulnerable to weight loss, outbreaks of disease, infections, and even death.
Tack & Style
Let’s Talk Trending Show Season Products 01. Transport and protect all your show supplies in style with AJ Equine Supply Arena Cooler Bag Diamond quilted 420 denier nylon shell with poly lining. Featuring an outside cooler pocket, 4 inside pockets with one large center pocket, long shoulder strap and two short straps and the carrying handle unclips allowing you to hang your bag where needed
02. We love our EPONA products, for grooming be sure to try out the EPONA TACKNOLOGY advanced tack sponge. It simply cleans better than ordinary tack sponges. This new advanced sponge has just the right amount of water absorbency, and works gently to scrub-off sweat and dirt that can build up and collect on laced reins, buckles and bits.
03. For the young riders, check out the Backpack Grooming Kit. It’s a grooming set for all horse lovers. Available in pink or blue it comes in a backpack with grooming brush, scrubbing brush, mane comb, hoof pick, heart shaped curry comb, and horse shaped sponge.
04. And for your horse a bit of Equus Bit Balm and Girth Salve is healing help. For horses with sensitive mouths, girth rubs, cuts and abrasions. Calendula oil is a powerful antiinflammatory known for reducing itchy and inflamed skin. Hypericum oil reduces pain from cracking and chapping. Coconut and olive oils deeply moisturize and balance skin pH and the essential oils leave your horse smelling fresh and fabulous! Made locally in Langley, BC
05. For styling your riding gear and maximum saddle comfort, check out Mayatex Wool Saddle Blankets, woven with New Zealand Wool they come in a variety of stylish colour combos.
06. Our horses love anything Ecogold, the Ecogold performance ear bonnet is a horseware must have accessory, specially dipped in gold. With the Ecogold Performance Ear Bonnet, you can feel confident knowing that you and your horse are golden, today and every day. It comes in 10 colors, made from the same fabric as our iconic pads. The hightech airflow fabric allows for ventilation and easy washing, plus, the bonnet’s unique signature will have you seeing the world through gold-tipped ears.
07. Mangos Magic Creations Socks. Designed by riders for riders with comfort and style in mind! Made by Teagan and Rylee MacIntosh, & named after their beloved horse Mango!
spend
Breeders Select Quest for the Appaloosa
Often, as kids, we’re reluctant to do chores or tasks imposed upon us by our parents; we may even audibly protest or grumble at being asked to do work. However, what if we knew as kids that those chores and tasks might eventually cultivate a lifelong passion impacting an entire horse breed and people around the world.
At the age of eight, Howard Jackson, who, with his wife Marilyn, currently owns the BC Appaloosa Centre, was tasked by his father to demonstrate the family-bred horses for sale to potential customers. Recognizing this as a clever marketing strategy, by age twelve, Howard could be spotted riding horses in the auction ring at nearly every horse sale in the area. The Jackson family attended monthly horse sales, bringing 3 to 6 green-broke horses to sell, and often bringing just as many untrained horses home again. Howard remembers his dad having a keen eye for selecting low-valued horses and training them to be great. Whilst at these horse sales, young Howard wasn’t just learning from his father; he’d eavesdrop on the older generation as they shared opinions on horses, what they saw, and how a horse was built, and Howard paid attention.
It could be said that breeding the Appaloosa runs in Jackson’s bloodlines. Howard believes his family was among the first in Canada to breed these horses. Howard’s father met a horse trader in southern Alberta in 1956, where he traded the family Pinto for an Appaloosa stallion named White Chief #36 in the ApHCC registry. It was this horse that ignited an interest in Howard’s father's breeding of the Appaloosa. Some two years following the initial horse trade, that same horse trader arrived on the Jackson’s farm in Minburn, Alberta, and with him came a two-year-old stud colt, which Howard quickly claimed as his own. Although this stud colt would come to sire many foals for the family, more importantly, he became Howard’s dear friend and companion, whom he cherished until the horse lived into his late twenties.
Although Howard’s childhood was steeped in horse breeding, training, selling, and trading, he admits that, as a young man, he had no intention of continuing the family business. Instead, he attended postsecondary school and worked in a myriad of occupations. Howard’s life progressed with a successful career, marrying his wife Marilyn, and the addition of children. In 1993, Howard and Marilyn recognized the need for horses for their children, and they were intent on buying Appaloosa. Jackson and his family traveled to a horse sale with an empty trailer, hoping to return home with it full. Once they arrived at the sale, Howard was disheartened to see the registry only offering cross-bred stock of Appaloosa with the Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred; they only wanted the Appaloosa genetics. Disappointed he couldn’t find an Appaloosa that could meet his expectations (“Real Appaloosa’s of three generations or more.”), Howard and his family left the sale with an empty trailer. When nearly home, Howard said to his wife, “If I can’t buy them, I’m gonna make the bastards myself.”
Howard earnestly searched for mares and stallions to initiate his
started her exhibition career as a yearling in the show ring at halter and the Appaloosa Breed example horse at the Calgary Stampede. At three she won 2 first place Buckles and a third place in large classes at the Prince George BC Ride & Slide. While raising a foal almost every year she accomplished many ApHCC National Top Ten Awards in Trail Horse, Most Colourful, Halter & National Superior Award in Trail. Many of her foals had show ring accomplishments but their main claim to fame is wonderful family friendly trail horses. Ninety Six was requested to be the lead horse in 31 performances of an Equine Opera at the PNE where she was observed by a reported 128,000 spectators. Now retired to being the yard supervisor and carrying the old guy on the occasional trail ride / fence inspection. She still knows she is the Queen!
Appaloosa breeding program. During the early days of his quest, he placed an advertisement in national magazines stating he wanted to buy the best Appaloosa stallion in Canada. He’s certain people thought he was crazy, but he persevered regardless, and it paid off. Howard received a call from an acquaintance about an Appaloosa stud owned by a young couple. They had a two-year-old named Zuess, and the moment Howard met the stallion, he saw something special and immediately bought him. This amplified his passion for the breed, and he sought to acquire more horses. Howard was intent on breeding a stock not just congruent with the physical attributes of the Appaloosa, which include striped hooves, white sclera, mottled skin, and body colour, but also with qualities such as amenability, athleticism, disposition, and friendly mannerism. Jackson continued to buy mares and stallions at every opportunity, determined to realize his vision. Fast forward to the present, and within the BC Appaloosa Centre’s fences, you’ll find a herd of well over one hundred. Howard suspects, but can’t confirm, that they have the largest Appaloosa herd in Canada.
Beyond his intention to build a large herd, Howard wondered if he could engineer the minds of a group of horses to be easily trained and attached to people. He’s pleased to say this endeavour was successful. Howard attributes the greatest success of his foals to that of the mare and her qualities, rather than the stallion’s characteristics.
In the beginning, Howard gave his mares and stallions two chances to produce the type of foal he sought. If the baby didn’t showcase the desired attributes, and if it happened twice by the same mare and stallion, those horses were moved on to a different way of life. It took roughly 10 years to build a herd of mares where they’d always produce foals that could easily approach humans, allow interaction, and train well.
Howard also attributes additional methodology to the success of their bred horses. Training of foals begins at six months old with halter breaking, trailer loading, rubbing them down, working with their feet, and human interaction. They release yearlings to pasture in spring with an older gelding rather than keeping them with the mares. The foals learn outdoor skills, much of which is bush pasture where they graze, and by fall they are tramping through timber and deadfall, which enhances coordination and builds muscle. The older geldings also teach the foals to approach humans when they are called: Howard drives to the pasture where the horses graze, blows the truck horn, and because the older geldings know that means there are pails of oats on the truck, they’ll run toward the truck with the foals close behind. Howard states they avoid breeding or riding their horses younger than three years old, making the horses easy to train.
From the hundreds of acres of naturally seeded range embraced by deeply rooted woodland creating the landscape of the BC Appaloosa Centre, many of their horses move on to experience faraway lands. Howard and Marilyn have seen off their Foundation Appaloosa to all corners of North America and even across oceans to Europe and beyond. Although Jackson’s Appaloosas were intended to be phenomenal trail horses, they’ve proven to be award-winning show horses and champions of many disciplines. Howard and Marilyn have been Canadian-bred Appaloosa representatives worldwide and are highly regarded as experts of the breed.
With accolades too many to list, Howard reminisces with pride, much like that of a father, of the horses they’ve brought into the world who’ve gone on to accomplish great things. Much of their success can
be attributed to technique, breeding practices, and training principles, but when listening to Howard speak of his beloved Appaloosa horses, it’s obvious his intentions and adoration for the beings are what make his horses extra special. There is a wealth of knowledge in the mind of Howard Jackson, and if you’d ever care to learn about his awardwinning horses, he’s quite keen to chat about them.
Howard and Marilyn Jackson would like to see the BC Appaloosa Centre continue, which is currently for sale. With retirement looming, they hope to have the bloodlines they’ve created live on. In the heart of the BC Appaloosa Centre, located in the Prince George, BC, area, there’s a legacy to continue for anyone willing to be part of the magic.
Article by Amber Zierath
A Calgary-based, equine focused writer and the author of best-selling fiction novel Horse Karma. When she isn’t writing, you’ll find her with the horses; riding bareback in the mountains or spending time with the 60 geldings that inspire her. Learn more at: www.amberzierath.com. Check out her novel, Horse Karma, on page 18.
Jul 04-07 Enderby BC
Jul 11-14 Heffley Creek BC
Jul 18-21 Two Rivers BC
Jul 25-28 Grande Prairie AB
Aug 01-04 Langdon AB
Aug 08-11 Fort Saskatchewan AB
Aug 15-18 Balgonie SK
Oct 03-06 Saskatoon SK
Prince George Exhibition; Howard telling the Appaloosa Story to visitors from the United Kingdom, relatives to James Herriot All Creatures Great and Small, (notice no bridle on the mare).
Artists Corner
Horses are the ideal muse for art. As represented in early cave paintings, we have been inspired by the beauty, majesty, and freedom that horses embody for as long as we know. Artist, designer, and rider Vanessa Whittell captures our age-old fascination with equines with a modern twist. Pulling from her foundation as an illustrator, graphic designer, and highly skilled painter, she honed her skills working commercially and now blends her work with her passion for horses. She creates one-of-a-kind pieces for clients. Her work is available through the Kube Gallery and can be seen at High Point, Thunderbird Show Park, and many private homes around the country. She works collaboratively with clients on commissions as well as offering prints and cards. Stay tuned for upcoming workshops! She is a committed artist, horse lover, and lifelong learner, and admittedly, it all seems a bit effortless, but as we know, running your own small business, owning horses, and having a creative practice is anything but easy. Still, Vanessa pulls her passions together to produce work that is light but precise, specific, and open, leaving space for viewers to meander around the canvas and enjoy the texture, space, and emotion of her subject.
“You have to stay in it… have a vision for yourself and follow it”
Finding your niche in the horse industry can be tricky. Vanessa has developed a clientele over time, fostering relationships and developing connections. She has evented for most of her life but is now focusing on dressage and working equitation. You can see her at equine expos and even painting live at Thunderbird Show Park in Langley. She is continually pushing herself to explore new styles and perspectives in her paintings. Her subjects include dressage, show jumping, and portraits, as well as dust-swept western horsemen. She has a diverse and cohesive style that ranges from contemporary simplicity to modern representation. Her new focus is incorporating landscape elements, which is a dazzling culmination of design and composition. Vanessa’s work celebrates the bond between horse and human. It’s an important part of a horsemanship journey to stop and pay tribute to the relationship. Honouring the bond between an equine companion is a valuable treasure to hang on a wall. As our ancestors did before us, Vanessa surrounds her viewers with the undefinable beauty of the horse. Learn more > Vanessawhittell.com
Article by Lindsay Lorraine
Researching Biomarkers to Understand Joint Health
Horses, like humans, can suffer from joint diseases such as osteoarthritis (OA) and osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), which can lead to pain and lameness. Currently, diagnosing these conditions early is challenging, and there’s no treatment that can reverse the damage. In a pathfinding study, Ontario Veterinary College researchers are investigating tiny molecules called microRNAs (miRNAs) present in blood and joint fluid. What they are finding is that certain miRNAs could be used to predict the onset of joint diseases, potentially leading to earlier and more effective treatments.
Not only could micoRNAs be early predictors of OA and OCD, but there is excitement over the potential for them to play a role in targeting new treatments. These molecules can influence various biological processes such as regulating inflammation, cartilage decay, cell death in cartilage, and changes in the extracellular matrix. In this ground-breaking study, OVC researchers collected blood and joint fluid from horses with OA and OCD, as well as healthy horses. Analysis of these samples revealed differences in miRNA levels between horses with healthy and diseased joints. They found 57 different miRNAs in OA plasma, 45 in OCD plasma, and 21 between OA and OCD plasma. One miRNA (miR-140-5p) was found in higher amounts in the joint fluid of horses with OA.
Other studies suggest miR-140 is associated with good joint health, with its presence being linked to a slower worsening of the condition in joints affected by OA. Although mir-140 is traditionally thought to be a protective miRNA, this new study hypothesizes it may be over-expressed in early joint disease in an attempt to save the joint before joint disease can progress further. This over-expression may help detect OA before it causes noticeable problems. Osteoarthritis is common in athletic and older horses and can be career-ending once joint components begin to break down and cycles of inflammation begin. Future research with larger cohorts is needed to confirm miRNAs as biomarkers, but these preliminary findings are exciting because miRNAs could be used to detect joint diseases early and target new treatments, paving the way for advances in how we manage joint health!
Read the scientific paper: MicroRNAs are differentially expressed in the equine plasma of horses with osteoarthritis and osteochondritis dissecans versus control horses. Joshua Antunes, Ramés SalcedoJiménez, Starlee Lively, Pratibha Potla, Nathalie Coté, Marie-Soleil Dubois, Judith Koenig, Mohit Kapoor, Jonathan LaMarre, Thomas Gadegaard Koch. PLOS ONE. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal. pone.0297303
Equine Guelph also offers a variety of informative short courses, available for all equestrians even teens! Here’s a teaser of what’s available at thehorseportal.ca
> On-Demand: Horse Behaviour & Safety, youth course (ages 13-17). Learn Horsemanship through understanding behaviour and creating a safe environment for you and your horse.
> On Demand: Introduction to Body Condition Scoring.
Trainers Hack
What holds back a rider's potential more than anything else? What topic is analyzed and coached over and over, across all equestrian sports, at all ages, and at all levels? What is the hurdle that so many riders work to overcome? It is the elephant in the riding arena; it is fear.
Why do we, as horse people, step onto a 1200-pound animal? What is our motivation to care for that animal in rain or shine, without question? I can’t speak for everyone, but mine is love. The question often becomes: does the love for horses outweigh the fear? Followed by learning how to overcome the fear. What if you don’t need to learn how to control your fear? Fear is important in keeping you safe, after all. Let me ask another question: is your love, fear-based? Do you fear love because of the potential for loss or becoming hurt? How in love with yourself and life are you?
In asking these questions, we might find that we fear fear while also fearing love. The fear experienced by the horse becomes the manifestation of the fear we hold within our hearts. This, in my experience, is the beautiful gift of the horse. They are a physical expression of our internal dialogue and emotions. As we learn to quiet the mind and listen, we begin to see the patterns the horse is showing us. This topic is a whole other discussion, for another day. Back to fear and love; this is our choice in riding and in life. There is a highly important element in transitioning from one to the other, and it is a choice, albeit one with many steps, sacrifices, and realizations. That element is courage. In talking about courage, I feel the need to clarify what it is not: it is not ego, it has no agenda or expectation, and it lacks ulterior motives. Courage is not doing something that the horse is not ready for; it doesn’t need to prove a point; it doesn’t put the horse or rider in a compromised situation. Courage is often quite simplistic.
What courage can look like is: letting go of the need to control, admitting we don’t know, being accountable for our mistakes, allowing ourselves to forgive, releasing the past, becoming aware of who we are, quieting the mind, trusting in our intuition, being truthful and honest with ourselves, and a multitude of other routines that take practice. What we find on the other side of courage is not a lack of fear; it is, however, the path to a deeper form of love, often for ourselves, which creates more room for the love of others. We also find some other treasures, which can include empathy and compassion.
What happens to the fear? It becomes less important, and you no longer allow it to control you. On your journey to courage, you might find a shift in your priorities and your ideals. Were you forcing the canter because you had a milestone to reach? Was it terrifying?
When you no longer prioritize the milestones, you can begin to ride the horse where they are within your ability. Far less scary, a little more healthy, and much more rewarding, with a higher potential for success. Will scary things happen? Yes. Will courage help to overcome problems that arise? Most likely.
Courage is the beginning of the transition. What follows is completely up to you. Building courage and becoming comfortable with it can take years of practice. It becomes easier when you surround yourself with a supportive group that encourages you and your accountability. Courage becomes the centre of the scale for love and fear, and as you continue on your journey, you might find that the scales begin to tip in favour of love. This is where we find the true artistic expression and potential of the horse. What I mean by this is that in the release of our fear-based motivations (the need to control), we are able to let go, become present, trust our intuition, and really, truly feel and connect with the horse. We begin to operate from lovebased motivations. Through this connection, we begin to listen a little more, and we begin to see and feel the communication at the horse’s level. This is a far quieter way of communicating than what we are accustomed to; it is a form of communication through the senses. Our continued courage gives us the ability to truly “hear” the horse. Our fear dissipates a little more when we are able to see the patterns and realize that nothing the horse does is malicious or “out of the blue.” There are a series of subtle warning flags that we can choose to ignore, excuse, or investigate.
Once we have found the courage to truly be with the horse, what else will we find the courage to do? This becomes the first step towards your higher potential, which unleashes the horse's ability to go higher. It is a choice, and a choice that you will make every morning, not just every ride. The courageous step towards a life of more love can begin the moment you wake up with a routine of gratitude. Start with baby steps. What courageous act could you take today? Maybe it is setting a boundary you have been afraid to set; perhaps it is complimenting someone you don’t know; or perhaps it is making a change in your life that you have been avoiding.
Courage can look different for all of us.
I encourage you to try it out and see what feedback your horse offers.
Article by Sarah Southwell
Sarah Southwell is an advocate for positive horse-and-rider relationships. Her experience covers multiple disciplines across most breeds. She is a clinician, coach, trainer, judge, competitor, and breeder located in southern Alberta. For more information, you can check her out at www. canadianequestrianartsacademy.com and www.sarahsouthwell.com Sarah is also the author of The Art of Mindful Riding ~ Feel free to check out her book on page 18
Rodeo Superstitions
Could it be that victory and success come solely from hard work and determination, or does it go beyond that? It has been said by many that the power of the mind can influence an outcome, be it faith, prayer, rituals, believing an object holds magic, or superstitions. Athletes of all disciplines are known to rely on superstitions or good luck charms to enhance their performance and increase their chances of victory. Some swear by lucky underwear, jewellery, the ritual of not shaving, always listening to certain music, and the list goes on. Often, the superstitions of an athlete are personal or might be derived from individual experiences, but some are more of an overall idea for athletes of specific events. It would seem no sport or competitive endeavour is excluded from having what most call superstitions, including contestants in rodeo.
Avoid wearing yellow, as this is considered a colour of cowardice. This stems from folklore almost as ancient as humanity itself. Courage is associated with the liver. Many old western movies and books often referred to the cowardly as lily-livered and yellow-bellied. The literal reason for this term of phrase doesn’t come from an enchanting or rousing tale shared under the stars and around a fire, but rather from the medical condition of liver disease. Jaundice, to be exact, gives a distinct yellow hue to the skin and eyes and therefore insinuates one is a coward. It’s intriguing, to say the least.
Avoid eating chicken before you compete; after all, you are what you eat. Calling someone a chicken was something I even did as a child. Back in my day, insinuating someone was a chicken and therefore afraid was downright insulting. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the first time “chicken” was used in writing was by William Shakespeare. The fowl reference to cowardice as it relates to the chicken stems from the belief that hens are timid while roosters are brave.
good Reads
Avoid carrying change in your pocket, because that might be all you’ll win—merely pocket change. Rodeo athletes are only paid if they place in their respective event, unless they’re sponsored in some way.
Be sure to shave. While some may say a cowboy can appear more rugged with a little stubble, apparently Lady Luck prefers those who are cleanly shaven.
The cowboy hat is iconic. One might even go so far as to say the cowboy hat is the most coveted of the cowboy aesthetics, and some even prize it to be as important as, dare I say, their horse or rodeo gear. With such influence, the cowboy hat has its own set of etiquette: never set it brim-side down on the bed. There are a few theories regarding this statement. One of which stems from the days where regular bathing was a luxury and cowboys had to deal with head lice. Placing your hat on the bed was a guaranteed way to spread the pests, which was, for obvious reasons, bad luck for anyone. Some say it was the close association with death—eternal rest. Others believe all the luck will run out of a hat if it’s placed brim-side down. Most of us cowboy hat-loving folk know this will ruin the shape of your hat, and a hat’s shape is iconic in and of itself.
Never kick a paper cup that has been thrown on the ground at a rodeo; it’s bad luck. Anyone with horses knows that even the most unshakable of equines will sometimes spook. If a paper cup blows over or is kicked around, this might just be enough to get a horse shakin’ in its boots.
Cowgirls often wear different coloured socks. Well, it’s certainly
Through My Lens 50 Years of Pro Rodeo, by Ken Marcinkoski, one of Canada’s premier rodeo photographers. He has captured 50 years of rodeo in his new book. Whether you are a fan of rodeo or photography, you will enjoy flipping through the pages to see how the sport has evolved, the multi-generational of rodeo families and behind the chutes photos of volunteers who keep the sport alive. Check out Ken’s website www.rodeophotos. ca for more info on where to purchase his book, or contact Ken at 780-672-2491 email kenm@rodeophotos.ca
quirky and cute; otherwise, it appears to simply be a superstition for bringing good luck.
Bronc riders should always put their right foot in the stirrups first. This may stem way back to the Middle Ages, when jousting knights believed the left side of the body harboured evil spirits. Additionally, those who carried a sword would do so on their left hip, which made it easier to mount a horse using their right leg. Does this apply to Bronco riders? Not necessarily, but perhaps it sheds a little light on how this superstition began.
Never read your horoscope on competition day; you’ll be tempting fate and luck.
Never eat peanuts or popcorn in the arena. Eating these small morsels may cause you to choke. Rodeo competitors do not want to choke, both figuratively and literally.
Never lend out your gear. It is believed that if you lend out your gear, your luck will become lost with it.
We may never know precisely how or when a superstition might have come to be, but it’s clear that some have certainly stuck, and many have even passed on through generations. Perhaps with anything, a
thought, object, or belief may have power if we allow it to. Success, well, that can also hold a different meaning to us all, too. In whatever endeavour you wish to be winning at, anything that you believe may help you achieve as much can’t really be a bad thing.
Article by Amber Zierath
Writer and the author of Horse Karma, which is available at select bookstores. Find out more about her here: www.amberzierath.com
GOOD READS
Introducing some of our contributing writers published works , we hope you check them out and we also added a couple of our favourite reads, enjoy reading!
Horse Karma, by Amber Zierath (author). He has been given many names and has lived in several places. Throughout his life, he's met a lot of folks - some kind and others not. To be considered useful, he's expected to fulfill specific roles without fail. But one accident changes his life forever, branding him as defective, which has everyone questioning his worth in the world - even him. Although most people may not see it, he has much to offer. In return, all he wants is to be loved. He wishes for someone to see beyond his flaws and truly understand him. He often wonders, though, if such a thing is realistic to hope for. After all, he is just a horse. One day, he meets Kiyomi, a thirteen-year-old girl who seems to truly appreciate all that he is. They quickly bond and together form a relationship seemingly pre-destined in the stars. But the horse can't help wondering, will this relationship last, or will history repeat itself and see him discarded once again? Horse Karma by Amber Zierath is a heart-warming story told from an unlikely point of view - a horse. It depicts the unbreakable bond between human and horse, with careful observation and extensive descriptions of equine behaviour. It will reaffirm the belief that the love you offer has ways of coming back, in a more profound way, of course.
From our friends at Cowboy Coffee Magazine, make sure you get Vol.3 while you can! They are one of our favourite collectible artisan magazines out there. Features Katrina Williams, former All-Around Indian World Champion Cowgirl.
COWBOY COFFEE magazine was inspired by the niche corners of western culture: alt-country music, handcrafted tack and tools, poets, artists, teachers, and entrepreneurs. Fashion, refinery, and all things horses. They are here to celebrate and be in awe of the beauty of country living, craftsmanship, horsemanship, and the unwavering community it brings. Vol. 3 is available at cowboycoffeemagazine.com
Paddock Paradise: A Guide to Natural Horse Boarding, by Jaime Jackson. The premise of Paddock Paradise is to stimulate horses to behave and move naturally according to their instincts. This unique and unprecedented model is adaptable to virtually all size horse properties, regardless of climate, and fits all equine breeds regardless of how they are used. (Based on research on wild horses.)
The Art of Mindful Riding: Spiritual Practice with Your Horse, by Sarah Southwell (Author), Dominique Barbier (Foreword), and Rylyn DeMarco (Illustrator). The Art of Mindful Riding is an invitation to a unique and rewarding connection with our horses. It begins with us, our awareness, our mindfulness. Full of examples and real-life stories that help the reader look a little deeper into where the issues with their horses might be stemming from, The Art of Mindful Riding answers many "whys" while also asking some deeper questions. It is a book for riders at all levels, in all disciplines, that can be used as a guide and a starting place for a different way of interacting with your horse.
Heartfelt: A Moment in Time, by Joy Kimler (Author), Cover by Artist Kim McElroy. When horse people meet and share stories, the conversation always goes back to the horse that meant so much to them, that one individual who made a mark so deep in their life they were changed forever. This book contains short stories from people who went on to do great things, whether competing at the Olympics or climbing to the top of their discipline. These horse stories will inspire, excite you and possibly bring a tear to your eye.
Insight to Equus Book, Holistic Veterinary Perspectives on Health and Healing, by Tomas G. Teskey, DVM. Insight to Equus by Tomas G. Teskey, DVM, is a uniquely and professionally designed, full-sized (8.5 x 11 inches) hardcover book that explores our adventures with equine animals, our ties to the Earth, and how all our natural characteristics are important to consider. With 264 packed pages and 350 colour pictures, it will take you on a reading adventure, exploring ourselves and our environments, housing and habitat development, nutrition and herbs, herd structure and behaviour, parasite control, vaccination, hoof and dental care, and finding support. Several real and entertaining stories reveal the big picture and “FEEL” of holistic equine health care.
We came across these two authors via our friends at Hoof Geeks. Their site is full of useful resources, and they have additional books and educational tools that are for sure worth checking out. Go to HoofGeeks.ca and click on Equine Health and go to Resources; it will be worth your time! and stay tuned next month for more stuff from Hoof Geeks.
Hi, my name is Nicholas, I am 4 years old. I love riding my sisters horse, her name is Taccota and she is a 26 year old Arabian. I love adding my own flare to the saddle. Do you like my rainbow Cinch? Enderby, BC
Tip of the Month
Every Dog Owner's ‘Grab n' Go’ Bag
Courtesy of Harmony Farm Kennel & Lamb
Well, here we are, loving summer life in the Okanagan, with the dread of potential fire risk and the possibility of evacuating in the back of our minds. As I endured the White Rock Lake Fire of August 2021, I have a personal need to share some pet pointers to ease some stress and help you be prepared should you have to evacuate with your canine bundles of joy.
A ‘grab n go’ bag for pets is extra smart to have prepared long in advance and kept handy for when and if you are caught off guard in an emergency fire evacuation situation. Storing your dog bag in the car, your RV, or inside a dog crate that is available close by your door, ready to use, will prove a worthy time saver should a fire evacuation be ordered.
First and foremost, please understand that dogs and pets stress just like we do (maybe more so when their owners are worried). If you have to evacuate, trust me, you will be stressed! Stressed dogs often have reactions that are unusual and unpredictable, which you may not expect. Some dogs get scared, pace, dig, climb, chew on stuff, go off food, some cower or hide, some turn aggressive, some fight, and some scared dogs run at the very first opportunity through the very first opening (car window and any slightly open door). Their recall will be uncertain and definitely not something you can count on (no matter how good it is under normal circumstances)! It’s not personal; it's just the result of unpredictable stress.
It sounds simple, but if you have a quality full-body photograph of your dog standing facing you, that would make them easily recognizable. Have it on your phone for reference, in case your dog runs away or is lost.
Please be sure you have a safe, strong collar on your dog with a secure and clear ID that shows the dog’s name and your current phone number to call if found. (Check the condition of your dog’s ID tags, as often we assume they are legible when actually they have been rubbed or scratched beyond recognition.) Have an extra leash handy with their ‘to go bag’ rather than having to take time to look for their normal leash. (You may not have any extra time.)
If you have a large dog, a guard dog, LGD, or bully type breed, please have handy a muzzle that fits (and have them trained to be muzzled easily). These dogs are generally physically and mentally strong and can be tenacious, loyal protectors. No stranger should risk being bitten in an attempt to help your dog to safety if the need arises. Next, have a crate or kennel close by your door to put your dog in if you have to leave in a hurry. (Be sure your dog loves to go into a crate!) If you have to evacuate, you may find that your dog will not be willing to jump in the car like usual. You may end up driving to all kinds of locations and situations that involve hotel or motel rooms, a friend’s place, a campground, a parking lot, or somewhere unfamiliar that may also accommodate other panicked people and dogs.
In an emergency situation, you will be busy! You will have no idea how long you will have to wait to return home. Having your dog’s own ‘place’ that is familiar to them will give safe and reliable relief to all.
Meds: if your dog gets regular meds, have extras packed to go without having to think about it. If your dog takes stress to their stomach, having some probiotics (the type that is stable without refrigeration) will be great to have along.
Pet insurance information: if your dog is insured for veterinarian help, be sure to have the insurance company contact number and account information safely marked on your phone or handy in your wallet.
Pre-packed items for your dog’s ‘grab n’ go’ bag’
Your dog’s food or water bowl
A large container of your home water that your dog is used to, as many dogs will not drink different water (chlorinated tastes different)
One bag of your dog’s regular dog food (different food will often cause unnecessary stressful diarrhea)
Some kind of kong, bone, or chewies that will give your dog at least an hour of distraction
Favourite items that your dog is comforted by (a beloved stuffy, toy, an unlaundered t-shirt, or personal scent item will prove invaluable for your worried dog). Your own company may not be available or an emotionally calm influence for them.
I hope with all my heart that you don’t have to experience any fire risk or evacuation. I hope you, your family, and all your pets will be safe this summer. As they say, “better safe than sorry” has never been more true than when facing a fire emergency evacuation situation. You will have a lot on your mind with seemingly endless decisions to make with split-second timing.
Having your pet’s ‘grab n’ go’ bag packed far in advance will be one less thing to think about and will provide such relief. Here’s hoping you never have to grab it, and you’ll happily unpack that bag, unused, once the fire season has long passed once again.
Patricia Skinner-Porter is the owner/operator of Harmony Farm Kennel & Lamb at Monte Lake BC. Offering custom care boarding (non-dog park style) Patricia provides personal care, attention and daily exercise for ALL dog types, breeds and doganalities! She also offers one-on-one dog-owner training, helping individuals to create healthy happy relationships with their dogs. Here she shares her vast array of experience with a beneficial monthly tip for you and your pooch to enjoy!
HARMONY FARM KENNEL AND LAMB.com, Monte Lake BC, 250-375-2528. “Custom Care” boarding welcomes ALL dogs!
TOP DOG! OF THE MONTH
Hi, I am Charley, and I am a girl. I may come from Labrador but I live here in British Columbia on my Mum and Dad’s farm in Armstrong. My Job is to protect everyone, from bears and coyotes to humans on bikes even the odd Fedex Driver. I have saved them from many in my 9 years of life here on the farm. I dream of the day they order a doordash delivery, then my life will be complete! I can’t help it, I am a Lab, loud, proud, and adorable and always ready for supper.
Send us a photo of your favourite pooch!
Tell us the dog’s name, breed, and up to 50 words about him/her. We will print your first name (or initials) and your city/province. E-mail to hello@saddleup.ca and put in subject line: TOP DOG OF THE MONTH. Photos will be printed on a first come first serve basis.
For your pet needs contact:
EVERYTHING PETS (Princeton BC) 250-295-7381
Quality Foods & Supplies for all your Pets! See us on FB
Herding and Stock Dog Events for British Columbia and Alberta
British Columbia https://www.bcstockdogassociation.ca for complete locations and times
July 6-7
July 6-7
July 13-14
July 17-18
July 19-21
July 27
July 28
Jen L'Arrivee Clinic
Carol Nelson Clinic
Darhl Paley Clinic
Tim Thewissen Clinic
Dawson Creek Field Trial
Dogs with Jobs Cattle Arena Trial
Dogs with Jobs Cattle Arena Trial
Alberta http://www.albertastockdog.com/trials.html for complete locations and times
July 9-10
July 13-14
July 19-20
World Stockdog, ASDA sanctioned, Calgary, AB
Shaunavon SDT, Shaunavon, SK
Dawson Creek SDT, Dawson Creek, BC
Adventures with Phillippé
Phillippé the mini Donkey was out & about with Ali Preston at CapitalCare Lynwood hanging with a team of first responders. When he’s not out & about on the town he’s having fun and winning ribbons at the Alberta Donkey and Mule collaborative show weekend in partnership with the Northern Lights Chapter of the Alberta Carriage Driving Association. Look for Philippé next month to follow his adventures!
The Canadian Cowboy Challenge
The Canadian Cowboy Challenge (CCC) season is well under way. Horse and rider teams should be in great shape with latewinter and early-spring conditioning. This conditioning is a great way to condition and fine-tune the team. Some have attended clinics or taken lessons as well. It is the perfect way and time to prepare for the Challenge season and a great way to enjoy the experience while progressing the skills of the team. As a review, a horse can be ridden a maximum of three (3) times in a challenge. As an example, three different riders can ride the same horse in one division, and one (1) rider on the same horse can ride in three different divisions, or a combination variation of the examples given. The exception is the Buckin’ Crazies division, which stipulates that the horse cannot have been shown in the past and can only be ridden in the BC division. A complete list of rules and regulations is listed under the CCC Home page.
The challenge on June 2 was held at Rainy Day Stables in Saskatchewan. It was judged by Melissa Zarubiak.
The results were:
Youth (Y): 1 - MacKlin Connor riding Instantly Catty and 2 - MacKlin Connor riding Jack
Older Than Dirt: 1 - Louise Saunders riding Dancer and 2 - Shelly Johnson riding Jewel
Novice (N) 1 - Tracey Friesen riding JAGGER and 2 - Wanda Marie Semeniuk riding Jackson
Check the CCC website for up coming challenges and clinics/play days. The pictures are of a few CCC Board members whose contributions help maintain and expand the association.
Alberta Back Country Horsemen
Alberta’s newest equestrian group was granted society status.
Alberta Back Country Horsemen has now gained official status from Alberta Registries and the Canadian Revenue Agency. The seeds were sown in January with a Facebook group seeking equestrians interested in working together on preserving access and providing upkeep to trails throughout the province, especially in wilderness areas. That group now has more than 2,500 followers. On May 17, just a few months after the Facebook group was launched, the interim board of directors learned that it had been officially registered as a non-profit society and received its CRA business number. These approvals enable the recruitment of new members and allow the ABCHA to move forward toward its goals of setting up trail projects and organizing regional chapters.
Please join ABCH online and help protect our right to access public lands.
PRIZES! Purchase your membership by August 31, 2024, and you will be eligible to win prizes. We’ll start with six individual subscriptions to Saddle Up magazine, with more to come!
Here are a few tips for your visit to our website:
• Membership applications are best done on a computer or tablet, not a cell phone
• You’ll need your Alberta Equestrian Federation's (or equivalent provincial association's) membership number
• Payment is by e-transfer
• When paying for your membership, you can add an additional amount as a contribution towards our start-up costs
• Memberships are $55 per year, join now and receive a two-year membership for $90
Follow ABCH on Facebook: @albertabackcountryhorsemen Or Visit our website: ABhorsemen.org ~ Questions? Need help with an online membership? Email membership@abhorsemen.org.
Sabra and Sonny Denton and Bender
Melissa and Jazzy
Alana and George
Photo Caption: ABCH wants to protect equestrian access to public land like this. Kelsey Noland riding ‘Rio’ and Donna Elkow on ‘Boone’ pause to enjoy the spectacular view along the Syncline Trail in Castle Provincial Park. Photo by Benita Estes.
Alberta Donkey and Mule Club
April saw our AGM, where year-end High Point Awards were handed out. Congratulations to the winners!
Competitive:
Overall - Karina Trudel
Youth - Brianna Black
Riding - Russ Shandro
Driving - Amanda Enmark
Education - Karina Trudel
Recreational - Karina Trudel
Last weekend, we hosted our collaborative show weekend in partnership with the Northern Lights Chapter of the Alberta Carriage Driving Association. On Saturday, the driving show saw three miniature donkeys competing hitched. Sunday saw donkeys returning as well as a number of mules participating in riding and in-hand classes. Congratulations to the champions!
Driving Show
Overall High Point - Brenda Glowinski and Hazel
Junior High Point - Marleigh Rose and Rico
High Point Long Ears - Amanda Enmark and Phillippé Open Show
High Point Ridden Long Ears - Shaylin Exshaw and her Mule Maude
High Point Junior - Anna Trudel and Rosie the Mini Donkey
High Point Overall - Amanda Enmark and Phillippé the Mini Donkey
Big thanks to our judges and all the volunteers who made the weekend run smoothly! We couldn't do it without you all!
Wild Rose Draft Horse Association Youth Clinic
May 18, 2024, was the date of the 2nd Annual Youth Clinic held at Calico Farms near Huxley, AB. Kevin and Tammy Pelonero and their daughters, Rebecca and Addison, opened up their farm to welcome a group of kids and a few adults. The event was sponsored by the Wild Rose Draft Horse Association.
The clinic was tailored for youth. This year, the focus was on a horse’s form to function and driving draft horses. Dr. Chad Hewlett and Brian Coleman were the clinicians who shared their knowledge with the upcoming generation. Dr. ‘Chad’ is one of Alberta’s bestknown veterinarians who lectured on soundness. He spoke on how the systems work for bones, ligaments, tendons, and muscles that all come together to make our athletes perform. There was a discussion on how to maintain a horse’s health. The group shared ideas on what they do to keep their horses healthy. The 10 youths and adults absorbed all the information they could.
Brian Coleman, one of North America’s most admired teamsters in the draft horse industry, took the time to chat about proper body mechanics when driving. He demonstrated different ways to hold the lines. He then moved to ‘hands on’ to drive the horses. The kids were looking forward to that the most. Brian spent time with all the kids individually, practicing on teams and then cart horses.
At the end of the day, everyone was probably overwhelmed with the knowledge that had been given to them. The day was a bit windy, but it was enjoyed by all. Kevin, Tammy, and the girls would like to thank all the people who helped out in different ways.
Vintage Riders Report for July
Help a fellow person. The choice to help is in our hands. Each day brings responsibilities you must take care of. And things you want to do and things you might do. These puzzle pieces need to be placed in the space of a day. With a nod to lightening the mental load, trust yourself to know what is a priority. Before you tackle everything at once, take a little time to tidy the mental files. A useful visual is to think about boxes with lids. Stuff all your assorted related thoughts in the boxes and close the lids tight. Your subconscious will sift through them and arrange them in an orderly way while you deal with the box in front of you. As it pertains to your horse, think about what he needs, not what you want. When you are with your horse, have only your horse box open.
This treatise is dedicated to all who volunteer their time and energy for our equestrian community. Everywhere, the horse activity season is in full swing. Vintage Riders worked as a team and helped at a Campbell Valley Park clean-up day. The mountain trail course, the track, and the round pen all had some sprucing up. One last touch was setting out seven trot poles at the edge of the track. We all love to ride there and don’t mind helping maintain it. A few of our members rode the third flight at a Fraser Valley Hunt clinic. Joy, excitement, and exhilaration were the comments I heard. Mature ladies channeling their inner child rode over hills and dales. Drinking in the scenery and splashing through the water. Stepping back in time to the thrill of galloping cross country. There was not a house in sight. Listening to the rhythmic blow of their horses, the thump thump of hoof falls, the squeak of leather and the bell-like clicks of iron stirrups clipping shrubs and trees, and the metal on the bridles vibrating. The smell and heat rising from the horses produce a perfume that only a horse person finds heady.
Our meetings, where we are all fairly clean, brushing the last bits of horse hair off as we enter the hall, are often short but packed full of information and planning. The guest at our last meeting has become an annual legend. She is famous for her ability to make us wipe tears of laughter from our faces. Marta M. pulled the rabbit from the hat. She slogs her brains out and kills her hands, imagining and producing the most outrageous educational horse-related games. This year, one of the highlights was a timed exercise where we received the answers to the test questions. The head-scratching skill came into play when we were required to match the answers to the questions. A novel way of thinking. I laugh when I remember the evening. Thank you, Marta. There are photos attached to this. I also slipped one from a working-equity clinic enjoyed by many of our members. Ride Safe everyone. Listen to your horse. He possesses no guile. ~ Kendra K
KThe Back Country Horsemen
Kearsley Creek and Headwaters Horse Camps # 3 in a series on horse camps
earsley Creek Horse Camp: Located 9 km up the gravel road of Florence Lake FSR towards Stave Lake, just past the Zajac Ranch, is the Kearsley Creek equestrian campsite.
Rec Sites and Trails, the District of Mission, and Backcountry Horsemen of BC have worked hard to put in eight horsefriendly campsites, each with a double 12 x 12 paddock. With the help of many volunteers and other organizations, donations and grants have made this new campsite a great destination for local camping and riding. Trail construction has been ongoing, and we now have approximately 11 km of trails to ride. This year, we will be working on extending the trail network in this area. A manure bin and portable water tank are also provided for horse campers. This is a camping site with no potable water. The campsite is open in the spring and closes in mid-October each year. The equestrian site is becoming a favourite of many overflow campers, and they choose to stay put when other spots become available. There is a centre field that can be utilized for camping if the sites are full and pens are available. Check out stavewestcamping.com-Kearsley Creek for more information, driving directions, and a site map.
Headwaters Horse Camp: E.C. Manning Provincial Park is located in the Fraser Valley Regional District between Hope and Princeton, in the heart of the Cascade Mountain Range.
With stunning scenery, it is rich in outdoor activities, including a horse camp and numerous trails available to equestrians. The camp is an easy drive on Hwy. 3 to the Manning Park Resort; turn south on the Lightning Lake Camp access road, and it’s on your left. Headwaters Horse Camp began in 2011, utilizing the existing rustic corral perimeter of the old dude string grounds. Headed by the BCHBC Yarrow chapter with the help of the Aldergrove Chapter, large logs were put in the ground to create high-line poles that still stand today. In 2012, the same dedicated chapters, using heavy horses,
pulled down logs from the surrounding forest to construct two double corrals.
In 2023, Yarrow Chapter, with Aldergrove, replaced the degraded log corrals with new double-panel corrals in six of the seven camp sites. High-line or your own panels are allowed on the seventh empty site. There is water available on site for horses, a manure bin with wheelbarrows, an outhouse, picnic tables at each site, and a central fire ring. The cost is $25 per night on a first-come, first-served basis. This includes access to the pool and spa area in the resort! Trails from camp include Beaver Pond Loop, Little Muddy, East and West Similkameen, Steam Boat Trail, Windy Joe, and Part of Lightening Lake Trail. A short trailer ride away is the historic Dewdney Trail. Poland Lake Trail has amazing mountain views along the ski lift area. Other trails that were damaged by flooding and forest fires are Monuments 83, 78, and Sumallo Grove. We hope to open these in the near future.
Camp is open May long weekend to end of October generally, depending on snow fall. Maps can be found online on the BC Parks website, or the resort has free paper maps.
A special thank you to Horse Council BC, BC Parks, and Manning Park Resort for their continued support of equestrian activities and BCHBC projects. Want to support initiatives like these and get updates? Join a BCHBC chapter near you! www.bchorsemen.
org
By Janet Schmidt and Arlene Ladd of Yarrow Chapter
New camp corrals at Headwaters, Karin Smith photo credit
Lightning Lake Trail, photo by Arlene Ladd
Corrals and Kearsley Creek, photo by Janet Schmidt
Entrance to Kearsley Equestrian Campground, photo by Janet Schmidt
What Is Working Equitation All About?
Working Equitation is a sport about overcoming obstacles! The first obstacle we, the new board of WestCoast Working Equitation, encountered was a complete lack of knowledge of or experience in how to set up a licensed show. What we had was a lot of enthusiasm, a keen desire to make it happen, and blind faith that we could do it, backed up by plenty of resources provided by Working Equitation Canada and many contacts who were more than willing to help us succeed!
The whole venture was an amazing learning experience for all of us, from creating the prize list, rounding up sponsors and volunteers, accepting online and emailed entries, setting up classes and a preshow clinic, to the actual show day shenanigans in the pouring rain! In spite of the dreadful weather, the competitors and volunteers remained positive and enthusiastic throughout. Our judge, Amy Star from Arizona, was encouraging and informative and gave some great feedback to both competitors and organizers.
A huge THANK YOU to all the volunteers. We know there was a lot of competition for volunteers that weekend, with various competitions going on around the Lower Mainland. We appreciate your dedication!
In addition to all of this, we also held a very successful silent auction, raising a substantial amount of money to put towards our purchase of a trailer to house all of our newly created obstacles. Another huge THANK YOU to all of our wonderful sponsors: Stampede Tack and Western Wear, Boehringer Ingelheim, Kubota, Kamla Hoekstra: Physiotherapy for the Equestrian, Sarah Bradley: Mise en Place Equestrian, Greenhawk, Horizon Equine Veterinary Clinic, West Coast Shampoo Bars, Clearview Garden Shop, The Dog & Pony, Performance Power Play Realty, Leonor & Shannon Claypool, and Gina Allan. Thank you so much for your generosity!
And congratulations to the winners of our first licensed Working Equitation show in the Lower Mainland! Twenty-four riders braved the torrential downpours and, with unquenchable enthusiasm, turned it into a great weekend! And the winners are:
Level I – Introductory Val Mica riding Leo (Warmblood)
Level 2 – Novice A Christi Kay riding The Royal We (Welsh Cob)
Level 4 – Intermediate A Nicole Ulrich riding Maximus del Bosque (Andalusian)
Level 5 – Intermediate B Sarah Bradley riding Holly Golightly (Zangerscheide)
Level 6 – Advanced Lisa Schultz riding JayDee (Thoroughbred x)
Top Dressage score of the day was logged by Christy Kay on The Royal We in L2
Top Ease of Handling score was won by Lisa Schultz on JayDee in L6
The Fastest Speed Round was run by Diane Prosser on Outlaw, an Appaloosa, in L2
We do hope you’ve had a chance to check out the great photos taken by Marion Cox at marionphotography5.mypixieset.com
The organizing committee, having successfully completed their introductory round, will, without a doubt, be back to kick it up a notch next year!
Diane Prosser and Outlaw
Lisa Schulz and JayDee perform some very soggy dressage
Sarah Bradley and Holly Golightly
All photos taken by Susan ChaworthMusters
Alberta Donkey and Mule Club
ARMSTRONG ENDERBY RIDING CLUB Schooling Shows (Eng/West/Games), Armstrong Fairgrounds, April to Sept. www.armstrongenderbyridingclub.ca 10/23
BC CARRIAGE DRIVING SOCIETY, Pleasure, Combined, Recreation from Minis to Drafts, www.bccarriagedriving.com 824
BC INTERIOR ARABIAN HORSE ASSOC. Pres: Wally Goertz 250-546-6004 325 asmarawg@telus.net, clinics, Recreational riding programs, Awards/Social Activ.
BC INTERIOR MORGAN HORSE CLUB see our FB page. Pres: Bev Routledge email: bcimhcinfo@gmail.com Activities: trail rides, obstacle fun day, barn tour/pot luck. 724
BC PAINT HORSE CLUB www.bcphc.com, Open Show & Competition Program, award sponsorships for local clubs, youth scholarship. cathyglover@telus.net 425
25-28 HOOF TRIMMING CLINIC, Grande Prairie AB, hoofgeeks.ca
26-28 SUMMER SIZZLE JACKPOT, Summer Roping at JP Arena, 1561 Monte Creek Road, Monte Creek, www.facebook.com/jprancharena Mackenzie Payton 604-209-4654
26-28 CANADIAN CUP DRESSAGE SHOW, Maple Ridge Equi Sports Centre, mrec.ca
26-28 WCMHC FINALE AMHA/AMHR Sanctioned Show, Claresholm AB, wcmhc.club
27-28 IDC SUMMER SHOW, Vernon Riding Club, vernonridingclub.com
27-28 SETTING UP SUCCESS, polishing the basics and setting up pattern recall, Clinic hosted by Lynette Crowley, kelownaridingclub.ca
27-28 VANCOUVER IS. CHAPTER FEILD DRIVING TRIAL & CT, bccarriagedriving.com
29-Sept 6, Six Week Equine Massage Professional Program in Edmonton, equinerehab.ca
Virtual
JULY
Horse Shows
3 X HALT SALUTE VIRTUAL SERIES #2, ENTRIES DUE, Western Style Dressage Association of Canada Sanctioned, Judge: Pam Vust, westernstyledressage.ca
17 X HALT SALUTE VIRTUAL SERIES #2, VIDEOS DUE, Western Style Dressage Association of Canada Sanctioned, Judge: Pam Vust, westernstyledressage.ca
31 X HALT SALUTE VIRTUAL SERIES #3, ENTRIES DUE, Western Style Dressage Association of Canada Sanctioned, Judge: Lynne Poole, westernstyledressage.ca
AUG
14 X HALT SALUTE VIRTUAL SERIES #3, VIDEOS DUE, Western Style Dressage Association of Canada Sanctioned, Judge: Lynne Poole, westernstyledressage.ca
28 X HALT SALUTE VIRTUAL SERIES #4, ENTRIES DUE, Western Style Dressage Association of Canada Sanctioned, Judge: Elaine Banfield, westernstyledressage.ca
SEPT
14 X HALT SALUTE VIRTUAL SERIES #4, VIDEOS DUE, Western Style Dressage Association of Canada Sanctioned, Judge: Elaine Banfield, westernstyledressage.ca
Special Events!
Look for Saddle Up there or read about the event coverage in our magazine!
Do you have your 2024 dates booked yet? Dates can be added online in our Events and Club Hub calendar Email: hello@saddleup.ca to include you club news and dates in the magazine monthly!
Certification of therapeutic riding instructors - basic to senior
Prerequisites through Equestrian Canada • Equine assisted wellness, learning, team building & personal development • National accreditation of therapeutic riding programs • Partner with Equine Guelph
miles of beautiful new trails with your equine partner in BC? Try Endurance Riding!
CUTTING HORSE ASSOCIATION www.ichacutting.com New cutters always welcome. email ichacutting@hotmail.com 1124
EDUCATION. RECREATION. INSPIRATION.
Welcoming a diverse equestrian community by fostering an environment of enjoyment, development, and competition.
Introducing the 2023 Interior Desert Hunter/Jumper Circuit Show Series More details and dates available at kelownaridingclub.ca 3745 Gordon Drive, Kelowna BC 325
SOUTH CENTRAL QUARTER HORSE ASSOC., Host of April Fuzzy Horse Show and September AQHA Circuit Show, http://bcqha.com/index.php/scqha 325
VERNON DISTRICT RIDING CLUB (Vernon BC), check out our website at vernonridingclub.com or visit our Facebook & Instagram pages 325
VINTAGE RIDERS EQUESTRIAN CLUB (Fraser Valley BC), English/Western, lectures, clinics, socials, safe and fun, vintageriders@mail.ca, on Facebook 625
WILD ROSE DRAFT HORSE ASSOCIATION, www.wrdha.com. Barb Stephenson (Secretary) phone 403-933-5765 (8:00 am to 8:00 pm) 824
will be 5-generation and Bay or Black base colour
Business Services
Rural Roots
PARADISE for the horse lover, hobby farmer, or fishing enthusiast. 22 acres includes approximately 6 acres on Phillips Lake in peaceful Turtle Valley. Spectacular lake & mountain views from this very private acreage. Recently renovated 1,624 sq. ft. Rancher with modern updates. 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, kitchen has custom maple cabinets and a huge island. Currently set up for horses with farm fencing, huge paddocks with shelters that open to larger grazing areas. Tons of water, Olympic sized outdoor dressage ring, round pen area, tack room, hay storage, and a 12+ acre hayfield with water rights and irrigation system.
8661 Skimikin Road, Chase BC
$1,374,000 | MLS® 178516
Stunning Island Acreage!
Quadra Island home and shop on peaceful 5 acres, on the east side of the island! The two level home features many recent updates and a main level entry with 2 bedrooms & 3pc bathroom on this level. Upstairs is a spacious loft currently set up as guest bedroom & office, with 3pc bathroom & balcony. The 30’x36’ shop is over-height with 2 bays & separate 200 amp service. The 5 acre property boasts established fenced gardens with good producing fruit trees & berry plants, a pond & trails that wind through the mature forest. Located at at the end of a no thru road, close to hiking trails & the public beach access on Wawakie Rd. Contact us to book your viewing of this wonderful property! 782 Fir Drive
$990,000 MLS® 967027 Contact Bill Bradshaw or Sarah Bradshaw, Personal Real Estate Corporation Royal LePage Advance Realty - Quadra Island Real Estate Team 1-250-285-3293 billbradshaw@royallepage.ca www.quadrarealestate.ca
c
&
& REPAIRS
HORSE BLANKET & SADDLE PAD WASHING & Repairs. Clean used Blankets for sale. Town Centre Dry Cleaners, Town Centre Mall. 250-546-0104 (Armstrong BC) 924
BC APPALOOSA CENTRE HAS AN OPENING FOR TWO RANCH HAND INTERNS Main duties will include checking foaling pasture and handling, and riding young ranch-raised horses in training under the guidance of the old guy who has 60 years experience in the commercial horse business. Can lead to full time, paid job after 90 days successful internship. Accommodations and food provided. Please contact Howard 250-963-9779, appaloosacentre@telus.net (Prince George BC) 924 APPALOOSAS: WANT TO CONNECT WITH FOLKS who are raising Appaloosa horses, or are interested in raising Appaloosa Horses. Please contact Howard Jackson 250-963-9779, appaloosacentre@telus. net (Prince George BC) 924
HORSE BLANKET
ENTRIES OPEN! 123rd Annual IPE & Rodeo
Thursday is like the Super Bowl for our Miniature Horses, with most of the pint-sized horse classes strutting their stuff But hey, don't worry, there's a little something for these cuties every single day of the week!
Throughout all 5 days, get ready for some serious horsepower action! Watch our majestic Draft Horses show off, blending raw power with a touch of elegance. Enter online!
The Extreme Cowboy Competition is based on 12-14 obstacles in a race format. Judging includes speed, horsemanship, and precision
This is a whole lot of cowboy fun, you don’t want to miss out on the chance to enter or watch! AUG 28 - SEPT 1, 2024
The Light Horse division boasts a whopping 200+ classes over 5 actionpacked days! With a variety of disciplines to choose from, there's a treat waiting for you each day. Come check us out and see what its all about!
