Sandhills Equestrian Magazine Jul/Aug 2023

Sandhills

Layout and Design Sandhills

Contributors

Ray Owen

Jan Liteshoe

Mary McCashin

Candy Allen

Greg Girard

Dr. Tara Caberwal

Tom Shea

Shannon Habenicht

Moore County Hist. Society

Lisa Miyamoto

Jason Jackson

Jessica O’Connor

Shannon Brinkman

Michelle Dunn

Beth Roy

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The Country Saddler

40 years of Traditional Workmanship in the Sandhills

By Ray Owen

For over 40 years

Wayne Rasmussen has plied his trade as a master leatherworker, specializing in custom bridles. Along with his wife, Janet, a maker of custom horse clothing and riding apparel, they operate the Country Saddler out of a modest two-story block building at the historic Pinehurst Harness Track. “We had a tack shop up north and relocated to Pinehurst around 2008,” says Janet. “We sold most of the things that every other tack shop sold, but then we got into our own custom work and started making it.”

Entering the shop is like walking back in time. The smell of leather fills the air, its oils and waxes giving an aroma slightly earthy and a bit sweet. To the left of the doorway are tools of the trade – knifes, mallets and hammers, edgers and hole punchers, and leather scraps. To the right are colorful sewing materials, spools of thread and finely woven

fabrics. “When folks walk in and look around, they realize this is the real deal,” says Janet.”

“The Harness Track is a good location because it allows us to get a lot of work done,” she continues.

“This is a training center for Standardbreds and oddly enough, we do almost no business with them. They order everything online and there’s no leather in their harness anymore. It’s all artificial material, which is good for them. Our business comes from other horse people in the area – Carolina Horse Park, the Walthour-Moss

Foundation, Southern Pines Horse Country, and further out from that.”

In addition to bridles and clothing, the Rasmussens create most of their products such as belts, dog collars, and leashes. They provide select tack repair and saddle fittings, and onsite service at farms and select regional shows. Their years of experience make them a trustworthy resource for equestrians – from local riders to world-class competitors. “We’ve done a lot of work for the British and French teams, and a lot for the Budweiser Hitch,” says Wayne.

Wayne’s interest in leather goods was sparked by a visit to an old British saddle maker and bridler in New Jersey. He looked around the dusty shop, smelled the leather, and began dreaming about taking up the work. He found an old Irish harness maker and saddler who taught him the trade. After a two-year apprenticeship, he opened up his own shop and starved for a few years.

“I enjoyed doing what he loved to do,” recalls Wayne. “I slowly got into making some bridles. The first one I ever made was actually for Janet when she was still riding. I especially enjoy making hunter/ jumper bridles and the reins. I’ve also made a good deal of dressage bridles, but I don’t make them to stock necessarily. I’ve cut down on that type of work because there’s just not enough time.”

Janet is known for her custom show sheets. “I have a sewer and make them myself,” she explains. “When needed, I bring the fabric in and measure the horse for a custom fit, or you can buy the standard sizes. I also make tack room drapes, trunk covers, rain sheets, scrim sheets, and dress sheets – I just love sourcing colors for people.”

In terms of the future of custom equestrian products, Wayne feels the outlook is good because people are so serious about horses. “The horses are dressed better than

a lot of people,” he says with a smile. “I’ve trained a number of people through the years,” he adds, reflecting on his legacy. “I hope that it’ll continue on. I’ve done as much as I can do to allow it to carry on.

Wayne and wife Janet in front of their store at the Pinehurst Harness Track

Wayne’s workmanship extends beyond horse tack. Beautiful dog collars and bracelets are also part of his work.

Colorful belts are part of Janet Rassmussen’s colorful Anne Ryan brand.

The Legacy Hunt Bridle, the flagship item of the Country Saddler.

Don’t Grow Roots!

A Polished Test Starts Before the Ring

By Candy Allen

“A” —nerves may kick in, the footing is different, having to do that transition exactly at “C”, not in the corner, etc.

So be prepared to take the time during your warm-up to push yourself and create the horse you have in your lesson. You will be rewarded in the ring by taking that win into the test.

Waiting Game

L

ike all performance-based trainers, I am frequently asked by students returning from shows to help improve their scores. “My lengthenings, stretch circle, uphill balance, or connection need to improve,” they say. These are all worthy things to work on. For the most part, however, these are also long-term projects. Few things in Dressage are quick fixes, but accuracy can be.

Show season is well underway and I have attended many shows this season as a coach, spectator and scribe. And at every show, I have seen scores thrown away even before riders get in the ring. Mainly, it occurs in three places: the warm-up, outside the ring and approaching the center line.

Warm-Up

“Well, we won the warm-up” is a common refrain at shows. The implication is that all was perfect in the warm-up only to fall apart in the ring. And it is true, the world does change at

But is this an accurate description of what happens during that magical warm-up? Or was it because the rider didn’t ask much? Was it just a few 20-meter circles, a couple of transitions, or maybe a halt? Or perhaps the movements were not as precise as the test. Perhaps a few extra strides were allowed to make it less challenging and easier and, as a result, not demanding that the horse be truly on the aids? Those are easy to win but don’t ask the same questions that are asked during a test.

I also often hear my students say they wished their horses went as well during the test as they do in lessons. It’d be lovely to think my dulcet tones made all the difference, but they probably did not. The difference is that during the lesson we do all the hard things. We challenge the horse with that small circle, that shoulder in, those demanding leg yields and that accuracy.

In the warm-up, I see a tendency to not upset the applecart, which, while understandable, is not as effective at getting a horse to be on the aids. Yet, working through those things is what creates that suppleness and responsiveness that allows the perfect stretch circle or precise transition.

CANDY ALLEN

Another area I see points thrown away is in the gathering area. I can’t tell you how often I see people sitting on their horses, chit-chatting with friends and family as they are waiting to be called into the ring. Meanwhile, the horse has relaxed –maybe even grown roots! Then, when they go to present themselves to the judge, they have to wake up their horse and get that suppleness, connection and responsiveness working in time to go down the center line.

If the judge is busy writing a novel about the previous ride, there may be more time, but if that bell rings right away you have 45 seconds to get it all together. Keeping the horse attentive and supple, even just at the walk, will pay dividends.

On one memorable occasion, I watched a rider button her jacket as she went around the ring because she’d been visiting with friends—nice horse, terrible entrance and a less than professional first impression.

Going around the outside of the ring provides another chance for schooling. It allows the horse an opportunity

USDF Gold, Silver, and Bronze medalist

Candy is a Dressage trainer and Coach located in Vass NC, where she trains and coaches a variety of clients from lower Dressage and Eventing to riders at the FEI levels. Learn more at: www.candyallendressage.com

to see the new environment. It gives time to ask for a bit more suppleness or attentiveness. Conversely, wandering around the outside in a flat trot does not do much to prepare for a stellar test. A transition or a leg yield or a change of direction. (And yes,

The Approach Matters

I also see points lost before the actual test when riders approach the center line. My students will tell you this is my pet peeve. Straight center lines are difficult enough. To make it more challenging than it already is seems

this. Some people use the direction as a memory jogger to remind them which way to turn at “C”. In other words, if it is a left turn at “C”, come from the left. A nifty aide-memoire! I recommend making the turn from whichever direction the horse goes best. A nice, supple, balanced turn is a great start to that center line.

While there are no quick fixes in Dressage, there are places that with a bit of forethought might help with a more polished test. Steffen Peters, a top U.S. Dressage rider, said, “Prepare yourself and your horse the best you can. If you’re happy with the prep you must be happy with the outcome, whatever it is.”

cantering is OK.) A moment to let your horse see that banner from both directions is a good idea, too.

Our judges are very well trained. The U.S. is considered to have one of the best judge training programs in the world. But they are human. (Yes, yes, they are!) And like all humans, they can’t unsee things. So doing something that you know will go badly around the outside of the ring is probably not the best impression. Showing your horse a scary banner is one thing, forcing him into a terrible rein back is quite another. Judges appreciate good training. It leaves a nice opinion. And while judges will not be judging you as you are going around the ring, the good ones can pretty much tell how your test will go by how you ride outside the ring. So make that time count. Be judicious in how you use it.

wasteful. Coming from the long side of the ring, making a nice balanced half circle and turning down the center line makes sense and promotes straightness. Hanging around “A”, circling there, wobbling around the letter and hoping you manage to straighten your horse before entering is risky.

So often I see this mysterious need by riders to hang around “A” until the bell rings and then make an awkward move to get around “A” and on the center line. Remember, there is a turn down the center line at the end of most tests. Why not start that way?

A lifetime ago a dear friend said to me, “Well, that was a stupid place to lose points.” Agreed!

Which direction should you turn from? It depends. There are two ways to do

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Improve Your Posture! Improve Your Riding!

Your goal is to have your horse respond to the slightest of touch. Good riding posture not only helps to develop your confidence and balance, it is the foundation of excellent horsemanship. Proper riding form takes consistency. How many times have you heard the following comments from your instructor, “Shoulders back, stomach in, heels down, and keep a straight line.” If any of these nitpicking comments sound familiar to you, here are a few reasons why these corrections are important and can help you safely become a better rider.

Keep a Straight Line:

Keeping a straight line from ear, to shoulder, to hip, to heels is key for a balanced riding posture and can assist with improved communication with your horse. If you have trouble maintaining a straight line, try performing the posture astride a physioball or a hay bale.

Shoulders Back/Stomach In:

#2

The shoulders back/stomach pulled in are all part of finding a balanced riding posture and helping to create the straight line. By pulling your stomach in, you develop strength in the core muscles needed to consistently hold a balanced posture. If you allow your shoulders to roll forward, you lose your core engagement and your spine is no longer in a straight line. To improve your shoulder and core strength perform the following exercise astride a physioball or hay bale, holding a resistance band in your hands. Engage your core and squeeze (retract) your shoulder blades together, repeat for 30 repetitions.

Dr. Tara Caberwal PT, DPT, DSc, OCS, FAAOMPT Tara has been a practicing Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) in North Carolina for over a decade. She has spent the majority of her career as a civilian contractor on Fort Liberty working with elite athletes and service members for US Army Special Forces as a part of the THOR3 program visit www.elitephysionc.com to learn more.

Toes Up/Heels Down:

Keeping your heels down is crucial for balance and helps create more contact between your thighs and pelvis, to the saddle. It also helps keep you from losing your stirrups. If you have limited ankle mobility and struggle with keeping your heels down try the following stretch to improve calf and ankle mobility. Hold for 30-60 seconds, 2-3 repetitions.

Use Your Seat:

Your goal is to communicate with your horse using your hips and thighs to absorb the horse’s movement. Experienced riders utilize the reins as a last resort to cue the horse. If you struggle with shifting your weight in the saddle, try the following hip drop exercises with one leg elevated and resting on a higher surface, such as a foot stool or a physioball. Focus on dropping the elevated hip down towards the ground as you shift your weight towards the stance leg, repeat for 30 repetitions.

DYNAMIC EQUINE

Saddle Fitting

VOLUNTEERS!

The Backbone of the Equestrian Sport

It’s a beautiful, sunny 75 degrees with a light wind rustling your hair and the leaves on the large trees surrounding you, your shoulders are a bit rosy from the sunshine.

Suddenly, the sound of thunderinghooves draws your eye to the tree line as a large white horse gallops furiously towards the green brush jump right in front of you. Bunching its muscles, eyes focused, the horse and rider soar forward, up and over the jump, speeding to the next obstacle as you call “114, clear 5.” You’ve just jumped judged your first rider on cross country at the Carolina Horse Park. Your heart

is hammering in your chest from the excitement, the thrill, and you know you’ve got to do it again ... and soon.

Cross country jump judging is just one of 35 volunteer jobs available at the Carolina Horse Park. There are opportunities with every discipline from Eventing to Driving to Dressage. Some jobs include crossing guard, score runners, bit check, set up, scribes and ring stewards. There are higher impact jobs such as jump crew that require volunteers to enter the riding rings to reset fallen jumps and lower impact jobs such as timers who are placed on course to time riders. With over 300 volunteers working the 30 weeks of horse shows and events each year, Carolina Horse Park’s volunteers are the backbone of not only the Park, but

equestrian sports around the world. During an event, riders and spectators don’t have to look far to see one of many helpful volunteers working tirelessly to produce top notch events. Since 2021, Maggie Cline has been the Park’s Volunteer Coordinator and she really enjoys working with her volunteers, “I have seen such incredible dedication from these volunteers, rain or shine. Selflessly giving up their time, at several events per year, to ensure the Park’s success and to keep the sport alive. Simply put, we would not be here without our volunteers.” Many volunteers return year after year to support the events. Dee Charbonnet, a longtime volunteer, was asked why she volunteers, “I started volunteering in the fall of 2016 after I moved here from

California. I enjoy eventing and this is a way to stay in the sport since I don’t compete anymore. I love finish timing on the cross country course. Seeing and hearing the elation as riders cross through the flags - the joy of parents seeing their kids finish, the whoops of the riders and their shouts of “that was so much fun!” and huge pats on the necks of their horses ... and often a “thank you for volunteering” shout out which is icing for me. It made me laugh once when a professional rider once asked, “Did I miss anything out there?”

Volunteering is a fun and easy way to explore current, or new, interests and passions. It’s also one of the best ways to make new friends and strengthen existing relationships, many lifelong friendships have prospered at the Park. The Park’s goal for every volunteer is that they have a great day with friends

while enjoying our 315 acres and maybe even learning something new. Recently, Barnware, a local business

based in Aberdeen for over 30 years, signed on as the CHP’s Official Volunteer Sponsor providing tee-shirts and drink koozies to all 300 volunteers! A perfect fit as Barnware engineers custom-built doors, windows, and grills for barns. The Park’s volunteers are also recognized at the Southern Pines Equine Associates (SPEA) War Horse Event Series Championship Awards Ceremony each November. The Volunteer Excellence Awards are based on hours worked at the Park. There are several categories that are honored such as the top 10 volunteers, top Jr. volunteer, top newcomer volunteer, top dressage/cross country/show jump volunteer, and “Behind the Scenes” and “Above and Beyond” volunteers. The volunteers that receive each award reflect the degree of dedication and passion of our entire volunteer corps, of our most valuable resource.

7

reasons

Why YOU should volunteer!

• There is no age limit or experience necessary to volunteer.

• We can train new volunteers and children are welcome if they are accompanied by an adult.

• This is a great, outdoor activity. Horse enthusiast or not, there is a spot for everyone.

• Timing is no problem with our half-day and full-day options.

• Volunteer hours for middle and high school students.

• Volunteers are provided with breakfast and lunch as well as snacks and beverages throughout the day.

• Volunteers receive Vouchers for use at any CHP competition, schooling day or other event. Vouchers may be used towards merchandise, entry fees, Friends of the Park membership, and schooling opportunities.

To learn more about volunteering at the Carolina Horse Park contact

Maggie Cline at volunteers@carolinahorsepark.com.

Part one: Toxic Weeds. Know your Enemies!

It is important to be aware of a variety of common toxic weeds that can be found in our surroundings. Among the most prevalent in the Sandhills region are annual buttercup, pigweed and wild parsnip. These plants may seem harmless, but they can cause serious health issues if ingested or even touched.

Annual buttercup, for example, contains a toxic compound called protoanemonin that can cause blisters and irritation on the skin. And Pigweed can cause respiratory problems and even kidney damage if consumed in large quantities. To avoid these toxic weeds, let’s educate ourselves on what these weeds look like and where they commonly grow.

Wild Parsnip:

Did you know there is a plant that looks almost identical to carrots but can be extremely dangerous? Wild parsnip, also known as Pastinaca

sativa, is a common weed that can be found in fields, along roadsides and in other open areas. At first glance, wild parsnip can easily be mistaken for a harmless carrot plant. However, its sap contains a chemical called psoralen, which can cause severe skin irritation and even burns when exposed to sunlight. This condition, known as Phyto photodermatitis, can result in painful blisters, rashes and discoloration of the skin that can last for weeks or even months. The plant typically grows to be about two to five feet tall, with yellow-green flowers that bloom in the summer. Its leaves are deeply lobed and can grow up to 12-inches long.

Pigweed:

A common plant found in dead patches of grass is called pigweed, scientifically known as Amaranthus retroflexus. Pigweed can be easily spotted growing in areas

Tom Shea

Extension Agent, Agriculture - Livestock, Field Crops, Moore County. Tom comes from a background in small ruminants and beef cattle focusing on pasture management and sustainability. He is also an avid horseman, specializing in moving livestock on horseback and practices roping .

where hay is fed as well. Despite its unassuming appearance, pigweed is a resilient plant that has adapted to thrive in various environments. This plant is commonly found in North America and is known for its ability to grow rapidly. It grows from late winter through the summer and produces a large number of seeds. Pigweed accumulates high levels of nitrates, and when ingested, can alter the horse’s potassium levels, leading to kidney failure and possible death.

Clover:

address them as quickly as possible. The good news, however, is that horses typically recover within 24 to 48 hours after the infected clover has been removed. So, if you suspect that your horse has been munching on some bad clover, don’t panic, just take action and remove the source of the problem.

Clover is found in North Carolina pastures and fields and can fall victim to a fungal disease known as blackpatch. This disease not only affects the clover itself, but it can also have serious consequences for horses that graze on it. Blackpatch infects legumes in humid or wet conditions over 80F. The fungus that causes the blackpatch is Rhizoctonia leguminicola. Clover infected with Rhizoctonia leguminicola produces a mycotoxin called slaframine. Excess salivation is one of the most notable symptoms of slaframine toxicosis in horses. A horse may be suffering from blackpatch if seen struggling to swallow excessive saliva, frequently urinating, and having diarrhea and lacrimation. These symptoms can be quite distressing for the animal and can impact its overall health and well-being. As such, horse owners need to be aware of these potential issues and take steps to

Annual Buttercup:

gardeners and nature enthusiasts alike. What many people don’t realize, however, is that this beautiful plant is toxic. The toxicity of the annual buttercup is due to the presence of a chemical compound called ranunculin. When the plant is crushed or chewed, ranunculin is converted into a toxic substance called protoanemonin. If ingested, this substance can cause skin irritation, blistering and even gastrointestinal distress. So, what can you do to manage this problem? According to experts, the best way to deal with annual buttercups is through pasture management and herbicide application. By implementing good grazing practices, such as rotational grazing and proper stocking rates, you can help prevent the spread of this weed and encourage the growth of desirable forage species.

This invasive plant can quickly take over your pastures and fields, reducing the quality of your forage and potentially harming your livestock. With its bright, yellow petals and delicate appearance, it is no wonder this flower is a favorite among

Additionally, selective herbicide application can be an effective tool for controlling annual buttercup and other invasive plants. It is important to note that while herbicides can be a useful tool, they should be used judiciously and according to label instructions. Always consult a licensed pesticide applicator or extension agent before applying herbicide to your pastures or

Knowing what grows in your pastures is important for the welfare of your horses!

fields. By proactively managing annual buttercup, you can help ensure the health of your land and your horses.

False Dandelion:

Know the Symptoms in your horse!

Wild Parsnip

V Redness on skin

V Skin swelling

V Serum oozing from skin

V Hard skin crusts from dried serum

Pigweed

V Respiratory distress

V Severe pain when touched

V Photosensitivity that causes a sunburn on light colored skin

This plant, also known as flatweed, is often mistaken for the common dandelion because it has multiple basally clustered leaves with irregular shapes and multiple lobes. The leaves can be up to 12 inches in length and hairy. Flatweed has multiple branching flowers on stems up to 18 to 24 inches in height. Each stem has a single yellow, dandelion-like flower. Usually found where soils are sandy or gravelly and on over-grazed pastures. Horses grazing on flatweed can develop lameness that resembles stringhalt, a spasmodic contraction of the lateral flexor tendons in the hind legs, which presents as a sudden flexion of one or both hind legs. False dandelion causes the breakdown of the myelin sheath that covers nerves, causing damage and muscle atrophy. Horses that are less severely affected may show signs of incoordination or dragging of the hind hooves. Horses chronically consuming false dandelions may also experience muscle atrophy. Removing the horse from flatweed grazing generally results in recovery over a period of months.

V Bluish/gray mucous membranes

V Weakness

V Tremors

Clover

V Excessive salivation

V Lameness

Annual Buttercup

V Blisters on the skin

V Lesions in the mouth

V Swelling of the face

V Drooling

False Dandelion

V Lameness

V Hyperflexion of the hock joint

V Dragging hind legs

V Reduced appetite

V Rapid heartbeat

V Diarrhea

V Coma

V Colic

V Loss of appetite

V Colic

V Diarrhea

V Blood tinged urine

V Muscle atrophy

V Drooling

V Roaring sounds (false dandelion poisoning can affect the larynx or voice box)

If you suspect that your horse may have ingested or come in contact with any toxic plants or bark, it is important to seek veterinary care right away.

“At Tara Farm, we successfully maintain a large volume of show horses, broodmares, foals, stallions, and also retirees that are well into their 30’s. Mule City always delivers fresh feed according to our schedule. Other trainers and breeders ask about our grain supplier due to the health, condition, and longevity of our horses and we are proud to let them know it is from Mule City.”

Jayne Swanson, Tara Farms of Raleigh

all

our Tara Farm horses for several years.”

Pictured: Greg & Emily Poole, clients of Tara Farm

Ziggy A Champion Thoroughbred’s Story Continues

by Mary McCashin

If you walked by and saw him standing in the pasture you might think he’s just another Thoroughbred. You might think he retired a war horse, or simply was not sound enough to stay on the track. At 27 years old you might think he’s retired from his second career and is sweet, old gelding who plods around enjoying his retirement. If you believe any of these things, you’d be wrong - very wrong - because you should never underestimate Ziggy’s Berry Boy.

Ziggy is not just another Thoroughbred. Although he appears plain – a bay with two socks and a blaze and 15.2h “on a really good day, standing tall with fresh shoes,” chuckles his owner –he’s anything but plain.

Ziggy’s owner, Rachel Jurgens, acquired Ziggy off the turf track in 2003 when he was seven years old. Jurgens had traveled across the country from Washington to Virginia to ride with the acclaimed Jimmy Wofford for three weeks. Her first day at Wofford’s farm, her mare broke her coffin bone,

“Literally, within hours of arrival from across the country and I was horseless.”

whether I wanted to keep him for me or sell him. He was a cheap off the track thoroughbred, but I didn’t really have the cash flow to buy him. He was also full of quirks and terrible ground manners, but I couldn’t seem to let him go and never managed to post him for sale.”

Jurgens figured she’d made the most of her time and hit up a local racetrack to breeze horses, and Wofford encouraged her to check out the Middleburg Training Track. There she met Michelle Truffant, and the rest as they say – was history.

Truffant loaned Ziggy’s Berry Boy to Jurgens for the last two weeks of her stay with Wofford. Two weeks turned into six months and Ziggy journeyed back across the country with Jurgens, “I figured in six months I’d know

Not only did he come with poor, pushy ground manners, but Ziggy was only able to be transported in a box stall, would lose his mind in a stall both at home and at an event, and could not handle warm up arenas with other horses, “He’d simply come unglued, I think it was racetrack PTSD”.

“There were times I would take him to a show, and he’d be throwing himself in the corners of the stall. You just had to walk away and cross your fingers. Magically he’s never hurt himself, but you definitely got some questionable looks from other competitors in your stabling area.”

Rachel Jurgens and Ziggy in front of a large visitor crowd at Rolex.

Photo: Michelle Dunn

Jurgens and Ziggy’s owners developed a payment plan, for every year Ziggy stayed sound Jurgens would pay his owners $1,000 towards his sale price. “It took me six years to pay for him, but I never doubted myself or my decision.” Despite some questionable x-rays, Ziggy stayed sound and he and Jurgens keep moving up the levels of eventing, “I rode him all the way through Advanced in a rubber snaffle, no flash, no spurs. I never doubted that he would jump.” The petite gelding came alive when faced towards any fence, although his hot head would get the best of him in a dressage arena from time to time.

Ten years into their relationship, in 2013, Jurgens and Ziggy made their way towards the Rolex Three Day in Kentucky, now known as The Land Rover Kentucky Three Day Event. Unfortunately, their initial trip did not go as planned after a fall early on course. However, Jurgens knew she and Ziggy would rebound, and they did just that the following year in 2014 with a Top 30 Finish. The petite, feisty thoroughbred was now a 5* horse.

After Jurgens had competed him in the 2014 Rolex, Andrew McConnon competed Ziggy in several 4* events before heading to England to work for William Fox-Pitt. Jurgens was very hesitant to hand over the reins to McConnon as no one else had ridden Ziggy in years. However, she had other

young horses to focus on. Jurgens knew that Ziggy, nowhere near ready to retire, would colic if he was out of work and McConnon needed miles with an experienced Advanced horse.

And so, Ziggy helped McConnon gain his own confidence. Believing that “good horses make good riders,”

McConnon and Ziggy quickly rose through the ranks. They finished 16th at Fair Hill 2* in Fall of 2014, followed by a 6th place finish at Pine Top in early spring 2015. At the CIC3* at Carolina International, Karen O’Connor commented that Ziggy was the kind of horse that made her want to dust off her boots and come out of retirement. He was the confidence booster, and A+ educator, that McConnon needed before heading overseas.

In May 2015, Jurgens decided to hand Ziggy’s reins over to Rachel King. King, under the direction of her instructor Nanci Lindroth, had goals of obtaining her USDF Gold Medal. Jurgens and King agreed on one specific aspect of Ziggy’s work –twenty-minute cool downs and warmups.

“I firmly believe Ziggy stayed sound and going because of Rachel’s diligence to his care,” exclaimed Jurgens, “She was giving him the best physical therapy by making him use his body and slowdown in the dressage arena. Because she wasn’t jumping at that time, she got the most out of him because he wasn’t anticipating cross country.”

At 25 years of age, Ziggy helped King earn her USDF Gold Medal. Once again, he’d risen to the occasion and helped another person achieve this goals.

For every year Ziggy stayed sound Jurgens would pay his owners $1,000 towards his sale price.

Andrew McConnon and Ziggy Photo: Amy Dragoo for Brinkmann Photography.

Jurgens again decided that Ziggy needed a new person to keep him going – “I knew if he stopped he would colic or cripple. I wanted to find someone who could keep him going on the flat and maybe dabble in some lower level eventing. I wanted him to stay happy.”

And that’s how Lexi Field and Ziggy’s partnership began. In September 2021. Field had broken her back in five places in a freak accident on a random horse. When she was finally cleared to ride by her surgeon, Field found herself horseless, scared to get back on, and in need of a confidence booster. Field’s trainer, Amanda Miller, saw an ad for Ziggy on Facebook that said he was looking for a leaser. “I had really low hopes it was going to work out”, says Field, “I wasn’t sure I could do him justice, and I was just trying to

overcome my accident.” In true Ziggy fashion, he rose to the occasion.

“Our first ride we just clicked. I took a deep breath and knew I was on a safe horse. He wasn’t intimidating under saddle. Don’t get me wrong – he knows he’s hot stuff! I always knew he’d take care of me though.”

Field began competing in local events in the Southern Pines area. Due to Ziggy’s quirks with trailering and stabling they’ve stayed consistent with day trips and competitions, with Jurgens full support.

In September of 2022, Field selflessly shared Ziggy with Roisin O’ Rahilly –a 79-year-old Irish-born horsewoman with a goal. O’Rahilly wanted a USEA Century Ride Award, an award that celebrates horse and rider pairs who complete an event with a combined age of 100 or more. The pair only got to meet about four weeks prior to the

Roisin O’Rahilly with trainer Nanci Lindroth.

Rachel King and Ziggy showing FEI Grand Prix at the CHP

Photo: Hightime Photography.

event, “I rode him about twice a week. We jumped about four cross country fences prior and I felt comfortable enough.” With Ziggy, and a combined age of 105, O’Rahilly finished first in her Beginner Novice level event at Carolina Horse Park earning her the third-ever USEA Century Ride Award. “He does not act his age! He acts like a 15 or 16-year-old that’s hungry for more and looking for the next jump. Maybe that’s why we got along so well!”

At 27 years young, Ziggy is still in love with work, “He’s happy to be caught, happy to work, and he just lights up at even the smallest crossrail. The more times of out the start box, the happier he is!” Field is delighted to keep competing (and spoiling) this local celebrity, “The only place you can see his age is in his mouth. He can’t do hard treats anymore so it’s butter mints and Nickerdoodles –he’s earned them”. Their goal is to do a recognized event in 2023, and hopefully be able to travel to an event in the region. Whatever their future holds, it’s clear that once again Ziggy’s Berry Boy is on track to help someone else discover newfound confidence, tackle another adventure, and take off out of the start box for many years to come – and Rachel Jurgens couldn’t be more proud.

“At 27 years young, Ziggy is still in love with work. He’s happy to be caught, happy to work, and he just lights up...”

Trail riding and the occasional horse show are now part of Ziggy’s retirement plan.

Lexi Field, Ziggy and Rachel Jurgens at his home in Southern Pines.

Emergency sweat scraper.

Baling twine can make a nice sweat scraper, easily sliding over bumpy and bony areas. Just hold it over your horse and squeegee along the horse’s body. Do not use this on the horse’s face or legs.

Keeping things quiet !

Place a tennis ball on the end of the cross-ties to stop the metal part from damaging your walls and to avoid the banging noise when dropping them. This hack will also discourage some mouthy horses from chewing on the cross-ties.

PORTUGAL

An equestrian trip of a life time for local Sandhills Equestrians

By Jan Liteshoe Photos by J. Liteshoe and Desiree’ MacSorley

Last March, a chance to combine my first love, horses, with a second love, travel, took shape. Two friends and I would spend an intense and educational week outside of Lisbon riding highly trained Lusitano Dressage horses under top instruction.

The destination was the Valenca Equestrian Academy in Vila Franca de Xira. The Academy was founded more than 40 years ago by Mestre Luis Valenca, a hand-picked protege of his worldfamous teacher, Dressage master Nuno Olivera. Mestre Luis’ three daughters inherited this classical Dressage tradition.

A few years ago, I was invited to audit a clinic here in Southern Pines with Mestre Luis’ daughter Sofia Valenca, organized by local Lusitano enthusiast and rider Fran Gertz.

I was sitting on the edge of my seat the entire clinic weekend. Here was a system that not only helped unsure riders on tense horses but improved and educated the upper level rides. Through the use of the Portuguese cavesson, I saw a system that finally combined both my classical Dressage training with my outside-the-box study of western horsemanship groundwork.

I found myself wishing I was 18 again and starting over. Still, I

could travel to Portugal and have a grand taste and adventure.

The Academy’s schoolmaster horses are the product of a very specific classical method. Young horses are brought in from the field at about four years and introduced to life in the stables and groundwork. Almost everything

would only build. The last day had me standing at the head of a churning, passionate, piaffing young Lusitano stallion as he mustered his balance, folded his hind joints deeply underneath him and rose into a graceful moment of stillness of levade, one of the rarely performed “airs above the ground.” Below are some excerpts from my journal.

Day 1: Shopping for a Lusitano

That first day, we drug our boots, helmets, luggage and bleary selves through customs and were picked up to be delivered to our comfortable hotel. Several coffees later, we were in the stables being given a tour by Sofia herself.

is taught first from the ground, including lateral work and piaffe, a highly collected movement. Then a supple young apprentice sits atop as the ground trainer moves the young horse through his repertoire. Over time, the rider gradually applies the aids until there is clarity and understanding.

Our week in Portugal started with a bang—passage, Spanish walk and flying changes every second stride during my initial evaluation—and

We spent the afternoon observing one hunky, dynamic Adonis of a Lusitano after another receive training. Many, if not most, were stallions, a cultural preference.

My travel buddy was horse shopping and had two potential purchase horses to look at on that first day! Gamely climbing atop a strange horse in a new situation, in full jet lag, with everyone watching, was not ideal, but she did a gallant job learning the buttons of unfamiliar stallions.

Supper at the hotel, included in our week’s tuition, was an

incredible fish stew, chunks of fresh-caught cod and a bowlful of Mediterranean vegetables in flavorful broth—far more than we could eat. Did I mention the chunks of garlic? No wonder it was delicious.

Day 2: Horse Immersion Day

My sweet, kind horse today was a white Lusitano named Tenor, a former working equitation horse. We rode in the outdoor ménage for our morning session, working our way through the foundational exercises: circles, leg-yields, shoulder-in, travers, transitions, renvers, shoulder out, half-pass … everyone getting to know each other. Sophia set up some cones and we did some canter work on the circle.

“If you knock over a cone you have to buy the wine,” she said. “Luckily the wine here is not expensive.” (And it is very delicious.)

My session finished with a taste of Tenor’s passage, and then a surprise for me, his Spanish walk. After a hearty lunch, Sophia treated us to a visit to a Portuguese tack shop. I exercised some restraint, but others in my party splurged on gorgeous boots and other leather goods.

The afternoon’s riding session was on sweet Tenor again. We rode canter half pass to single flying changes. I’ve been mostly riding babies, trails or obstacle work since I returned to horses in 2019, so Tenor kindly bore with me as I regained my precision and timing in the changes to three, and then to two.

Quite high after this session, I remained behind to watch Sophia and Co. school two more young

horses. Thanks to their strong Lusitano build and the quality system of training, the horses do quite amazing things in five years. Finally, a return to the hotel, a glass of local red and an enjoyable meal full of laughs rehashing the day with my companions.

Day 3: Corners and In-Hand Work

After morning warm-ups, a French rider and I remained behind in the ménage with Sofia to practice canter zig-zags. Sofia set up cone gates to ensure accuracy and

coached, and this had become our group mantra.

Riders come here from all over the world. Olympic dressage medalists Nicole Uphoff, Isabella Werth and Anky von Grunsven have all ridden Valenca horses in performances. It is an interesting experience to hear Sofia instructing in three different languages. The horses probably know even more languages. I have to be quick and keep riding when Sophia said, “Good, and walk” or Tenor will beat me to it.

I’m very impressed with their system of bringing young horses along and asked to receive an extra lesson in hand. After checking out and approving my lunge work and warm-up, the talented young Evalina began showing me the system they call The Method. Now I had to do it and paid close attention to the details Evalina was showing me. This work also supples and strengthens the horse’s shoulders, back and hindquarters as the handler mobilizes first the hind and then the front.

The beauty of this is that the horses learn lateral movements without the rider’s weight. When they understand how to move their body parts, a quiet rider is added, first passively with the handler creating the movements then gradually transitioning to the rider’s aids until the horse and rider work together. The morning finished with a chance to watch the training of a large bay stallion in piaffe in hand.

precision. It took me a while to remember to control the bend to standard and ride every stride. “Make well the corners,” Sophia

In the afternoon, I was given a new horse to ride, Xa, pronounced “Shah.” A white Lusitano stallion retired from the traveling show, Xa is more forward than Tenor, so I had less work in that regard but the lovely stallion has a sensitive, emotional soul, and demanded a

more precise ride from me. After warm-up and getting to know each other a little bit, Sofia coached me through his passage, travers in the canter, including some wonderful canter pirouettes.

Xa really woke up. “You see why he is not a horse for the first time [riding here],” Sofia said with a smile.

Xa was an exacting teacher. He told the world of my shortcomings, so no hiding here. Our zig-zags were wonkier, as I felt how to time and lighten my cues. Sometimes, Xa just sighed and said, “Let me show you.” I had to be there early to prevent anticipation.

“It’s hard,” said Sophia. “You know, but then you do this anyway.” It’s good to be a student again. It gives me perspective besides all the good coaching.

The afternoon held a very special and enjoyable treat, and into the Portuguese countryside we went, horse shopping for our friend and escorted by Sofia. Sofia and her family are world-class trainers, yet she has personally shepherded and chauffeured us

The Portuguese countryside is filled with olive groves, vineyards and cork trees. The farm we were to visit was very near the town of Golega—site of the worldfamous Lusitano horse fair—in celebration of this small country’s impactful horse culture. Beautiful, pruned orange trees lined the old cobbled streets.

architecture and tile work, stable gardens and storks nesting in nearby pastures. Horse shopping in Europe without spending a cent!

That evening, all the students at the hotel gathered together for dinner, a glass of wine and, despite the language barrier, lots of laughs.

Day 4: Xa, Lezirao and So Many Stallions

Thursday morning I rode Xa again, with Gilbert the Frenchman. I was starting to get a feel for Xa’s patterns and worked to improve each movement.

General fatigue was at the fore, and I messed up a progression, going right when I should have gone left. Sofia quickly ”read the room” and sussed out I was flagging mentally. To help, she arranged the session so that there would be some more rest points. That’s a good teacher! Sofia did a quick build-up again for the needed collection, and we finished with half pass, travers in canter and pirouettes.

This day our companion was going to try out a stallion for sale at a very old and famous farm. The farm is home to some of the most ancient lines of the Lusitano horse, the Veiga.

Manuel Borba Veiga is a skilled breeder and trainer from a long line of breeders and trainers. He is famous for many reasons, not the least for the viral videos of him riding his white stallion, sans bridle, in scores of tempi changes around the stable yard. All while sitting backward! I know you’ve seen it!

to lunch, tack shops, farms and some of the best horse culture available in the area—all after a long day of teaching and training.

While our friend tried a massive black stallion, my other friend and I admired the complex’s ancient

After a quick lunch in town, we hurried back up the winding road where my second session was to be with Evalina. As I still start a few youngsters back home, especially with groundwork, I was very interested in their system, since it produced such consistent and excellent results.

Evalina brought out a young dark grey stallion named Lezirao for us to work. It’s trickier than it looks, especially the walking backward part. Posture is key. “Keep your shoulders down, like riding,” she coached. “Your core is what moves him.”

I was also to learn about putting the rider on top. Evalina put

Lezirao through his paces, well in hand. Lezirao could be a little hot about it. “Not to worry,” said Evalina. “I got you.”

The rider is at first passive, an educated sandbag. Then slowly, they take a little contact on the reins and start adding a little leg

Our friend was smitten. “He is so kind, and rides like a couch!” She doesn’t need a stallion, so he would need to be gelded and rested before shipment if he turns out to be “The One.” This is commonly done here for export.

Our next stop was a stunning silver-gold Lusitano who shone like peened metal. This was the new facility of Goncalo Linhaus, old friends with Sofia’s family and trained by Valenca, who also presented with the Cavaluna troupe. Sofia and Goncalo often teach clinics together and have both taught in Southern Pines.

Day 5: Three Lessons and the Portuguese Carousel

also give quiet time to feel into an exercise and anchor the sensations in muscle memory.

To better ride Xa up and out, Sofia made a biofeedback “mark” by putting a red hair clip in Xa’s white mane not far behind his ears. When the clip dipped, I had to ask Xa to engage again behind and to lift up and out, especially in the passage and pirouettes.

I know this, yet the awareness of the red clip helped remind me quite a bit. Brilliant! I will use this at home.

Then we left the academy for our special highlight visit, a visit to the cultural treasure, the Escola Portuguese de Arte Equestre, or, “Spanish Riding School of Portugal” in the historic part of Lisbon.

to help the horse understand what these new things mean. “Just fingers,” Evalina said of the rein instructions. This horse was seven, and starting on piaffe, so we did a little work on that together. There was a real power here. Dynamic!

We all then piled into Sofia’s car to go horse shopping again. The first stop was at the lovely farm of a man who owned the second-largest tomato production plant in the world, Sugal. We passed yearlings in the field coming in and an open barn full of mares and babies that was open to the fields.

The horse to see here was a big black stallion in active breeding. He covered two mares yesterday, we were told.

Sophia let me ride free in the ménage, under her watchful eye as she worked with Gilbert to practice refining some sound habits I am relearning— nothing new, all foundational habits. “Give forward” is so critical. “Put your belly button forward,” is challenging for an older spine, especially when we are doing a lot of sitting trot. “Down the shoulders,” is an old posture to recall. This chance to feel my way through the work on a highly trained horse again was a great gift.

I understand, as a teacher, how a student will listen closely and try to execute the instruction. It’s needed, but it also gets the rider more in their heads. Horses are all about feel. So it is useful to

There are only four such institutions dedicated to the high art of haute école like this in the

world: the Spanish Riding School in Austria, the Cadre Noir of Saumur in France, one in Spain, and this one.

Sofia’s father, Mestre Luis Valenca, had been a founding member of

this institution, to preserve the art of the historical royal Portuguese horse culture.

Sofia gave us a small backstage tour of the stables and we chatted with the trainers, many of whom came from the Valenca school. At one point, Sofia pointed to a list of riders and named at least a dozen or more who came from the Valenca tradition.

In traditional Portuguese ceremonial dress, the riders performed the expected moves as well as the haute école, the airs above the ground. We watched one rider after another come into the spotlights before us to exhibit their horse’s strengths, perhaps several pirouettes, or the levade or a powerful and dynamic (and deadly) courbette, in hand and even ridden.

Unexpectedly, I found myself deeply moved by the Portuguese carousel, or group ride.

I felt the impact of this carousel art deeply, watching 12 horses (six per side) turn off the long side into the middle in canter, all together on cue, head to their opposite number, meet and pass each other elbow-to-elbow in the exact middle, at the centerline, with exquisite precision.

For a moment, a perfect split second, a millisecond, a halfbreath—in the dead center of the arena—an exact column of horse/ rider combos, each alternately facing in opposite directions, met, formed, then split apart. Each proceeded to the opposite side and performed a flying change, turning again down the long side, then going in the opposite direction. At that moment, the weight of that precision, power and grace hit me with full impact. The recognition of the profound work,

the decades (and even centuries) of transmission, education, breeding, patience, practice and training needed to create that one perfect moment. And it stirred me to tears.

Day 6: Ultimo Dia, A Seaside Village Lunch, Haute École

Today, one of my companions joined me in lessons this morning, as Gilbert was returning to Nice. Our exercises were simple and allowed me to focus on the refinement of the foundational basics we have been reminded of. Isn’t everything beautiful and correct rooted in the basics?

After, Sofia took me aside and took the time to help me access the old feels of “putting the belly button forward and really riding from your seat.” Oh, my aging spine!

I kept the belly-first sketch of Nuno Olivera in mind, and finally, body memory returned. Xa kicked into another gear toward the end, and I could really ride him as I’d wanted to all week. Up and out. Forward. Straight. Simple concepts. And it was work!

Sofia was pleased. “It’s not so easy with our older bodies, coming back, is it?” she said, with a generous smile, patting her belly. “You will have new abs when you return home!”

Later, we drove to the charming seaside village of Ericeira, on the Atlantic beach for lunch. The ocean there is a wonderful blue-green, cut by white cresting waves.

We browsed the shops and explored the cobbled streets. Sofia chose a little restaurant where we could sit under an awning outside in the warm ocean breezes to dine. My friends ordered a popular green Portuguese wine and I, feeling in

need of a serious perk-up, ordered a cappuccino.

“Quelle horreur!” Sofia squeaked and looked at me as if I had two heads. “Everyone gets wine with lunch.”

I ordered a seafood chowder (with a baked rosemary cheese side) that was fragrant and delicious. Others sampled the mussels and clams in garlic butter.

Upon our return to the stables, we had a last in-hand lesson. I worked quietly with shy Ogeda again, largely free, while Sofia coached my companion. Once more, this unstructured opportunity with a trained horse allowed me to solidify the moves and techniques, while still paying

attention to the horse.

As our last lesson in Portugal drew to a close, Sofia gave us a final short lesson in piaffe, using the long rein on the outside. Lezirao, who possessed some expressive Viega blood, was then prepared by the piaffe in hand for a levade. I had not expected to see the airs above the ground in training, so this was an unanticipated surprise. Imagine my even greater surprise when Sofia called us in to take the cavesson! We were to be a pillar. Lezirao began to piaffe beside me. Before the levade, there is a great gathering of energy on the horse’s part—the power of an incoming thunderstorm—and the handler’s task is to stand unflinching and

strong, yet not restrict the horse’s rise up onto lowered haunches. It’s not easy to stand unmoving!

This is the haute école, the high equestrian art, the start of the airs above the ground. It was a rare privilege! I’m not sure where else in the world I could go, at my age, to experience this. What a gift it was! What a way to cap off an experience-packed week!

July 28-30, 2023 marks the date for the Little River Circuit Show, run by District IV of the North Carolina Quarter Horse Association (NCQHA), held at the Senator Bob Martin Eastern Agricultural Center in Williamston, N.C. Among the premier equestrian venues on the East Coast, the facility features a large indoor coliseum and modern horse stalls. Judges for the show will be Rhonda Replogle, Gayle Lampinen, Rick Baker, and Allen Mitchells.

“We offer a little bit of everything,” says show secretary Susan Daniels. “We’ve got halter, pleasure, and hunter under saddle, which is English. English is what you see primarily in Southern Pines, where around 10% of our riders come from. We don’t do cows, since we’re not equipped to do that at our current location.”

The roots of the show run deep, back to its launch at Little River Farm near Southern Pines in 1976. Little River was the 870-acre estate

The Little River Circuit Show

A Story That Started in the Sandhills

by Ray Owen

of Adrian de Pasquale and his wife, Roisin O’Rahilly. A multi-faceted facility, the farm was a top-notch Standardbred training center and a host venue for pro-rodeo events, multiple U.S. Olympic training clinics and trials, and an annual American Quarter Horse Show, originally called Little River Farm Circuit.

Little River was once among the loveliest horse farms in the Southern Pines region

Carolina Sandhills. Two miles of paved roads encompassed the farm set among rolling pastures where in addition to boarding and training horses they raised Black Angus cattle. Crowning the central hill was that family home that commanded a view of the surrounding countryside.

“Our Quarter Horse show was quite amazing,” says O’Rahilly. “We had five to six hundred horses, put on 57 classes a day and they’d go until two or three in the morning. We had a secretary who took all the entries.

When you went up to enter your first class, you had to give her a blank check. Every time you entered in a class, she would add that to your tab. At the end of the show, you sat down with her and went over everything. If you didn’t show up, she had your blank check.”

“That’s basically how it ran. We had to advertise quite a bit and make a lot of preparations. But there wasn’t a whole lot of personnel required to run the show. You had to have a ringmaster, judges and have course, our secretary. There was a caterer on the farm who did all the food service. We had parking spots for 30 or 40 large motor homes around the main ring and they sort of lived there for the week. They were all on the rail and the ring was fairly large.”

“The key was the date,” explains O’Rahilly. “Everybody wants the

good date. Our show ran for six days and our very first show was June 4th through the 10th. What’s extraordinary, the entry fee was seven dollars a class and four dollars for a youth class. Your stall for the entire week was $30.” The show attracted competitors from all 50 states and ran for seven years before Little River Farm was sold in the 1980’s.

The Little River Circuit was held at several different places before landing at Williamston in the 1980’s, changing from an outdoor venue to indoors, and scaling back to a three-day event run by the NCQHA District IV.” NCQHA is separated into five districts,” says Susan Daniels. “District IV has around 100 members and spans the entire southeastern section of North Carolina.”

NCQHA, an affiliate of the American Quarter Horse Association, has over 500 members statewide who breed, raise, train, and show Quarter Horses. Established in 1963, NCQHA stimulates interest and regulates matters pertaining to

the breeding, exhibition, sale, racing or improvement of the breed.

“People are very supportive on one another and cheer each other

NCQHA District IV hosts three shows annually, along with an awards banquet to honor those who have supported them throughout the year. Familyfriendly, their offerings are designed to appeal to a wide range of participants from beginner to advanced. “We have potlucks and exhibitor dinners,” says Daniels, describing her organization.

on. The potlucks are neat because everybody brings something and then you sit down and enjoy a meal together at the barn.” The Little River Circuit primarily attracts people from North Carolina and Virginia. “We’ve had a few folks come up from South Carolina,” says Daniels. “The show we do in April, the Martinganza, draws people from

The Little River Circuit primarily attracts people from North Carolina and Virginia.

as far away as Sweden, Australia and Canada. They usually fly in, show their horse and leave. It’s one of the largest shows on the East Coast. The 2023 Martinganza, held March 30 - April 2, had more than 7,000 entries.”

According to Daniels, the best riders are dedicated with self-discipline. “You have to study and do your homework,” she adds. “A lot of people ride horses but they don’t know how to ride, if you know what I mean. A good rider would have communication with the horse. That goes for any breed. Discipline, across the board and appreciation of their mount.”

“I just love them,” says Daniels, reflecting on her passion for Quarter Horses. “They can do just about anything and are the most versatile of horses. Some people might debate that but I think they are. The ones we have will do anything I ask them to and that’s important. You can show a Quarter Horse over fences, all the Western classes, cattle classes – it’s one breed that does it all.”

“I call it a blood transfusion,” she says with a smile. “If you ever love them, they stay in your system. I do the horse shows to stay involved and to see everybody. I call it my family because they are family to me. It just gets in your blood and you can’t get rid of it.”

Want to go to the 2023 Little River Circuit Show?

The show will be held July 28-30 at the Senator Bob Martin Eastern Agricultural Center, 2900 NC Highway 125 South, Williamston, NC 27892.

For fees and information, contact Susan Daniels: (919) 894-0600, email: showsec@embarqmail.com.

Photos: Jessica O’Connor

Black and white images provided by the Moore County Hist. Society

BETH ROY A Sandhills Original

by Ray Owen

“I’ve loved horses since childhood,” says artist Beth Roy, known for her sensitive equestrian paintings. “I grew up on a farm in rural Michigan and was so desperate to ride at an early age. I wasn’t allowed to have horses until I could pay for them – you couldn’t eat them,” she says with a smile. “We raised cows for 4H. I had a nice heifer that was halter broke and she let me ride her from the back pasture.”

After discovering a love for oil painting in her early twenties, she joined the Army as a way to afford studying art at Austin Peay State College from 198687, and at Christopher Newport College in 1989. She first came to Southern Pines after being stationed at Fort Bragg, and now lives with her husband, Tom, on their farm in Vass, North Carolina. She’s so fond of the community she likes to tell people, “I wasn’t born here but I got here as fast as I could.”

She usually paints two to three times a week in her studio, a north-facing room in her house with a large window – not a very big space but beautifully adequate. The northern light isn’t harsh and it doesn’t vary a whole lot. “My work is attuned with the light,” she says. “I want to create peaceful, happy things and pass along joy in a work.”

To authentically render a horse, she studies its elasticity of movement and endeavors to translate that motion onto her canvas. “I see all their anatomy and the body language become a critical aspect of my composition,”

she says. “There are so many mechanical parts that make a move but they come together perfectly – I try and capture that.” Such dedication to technique is clearly evident in her painting of the late Verne Batchelder teaching a dressage student how to piaffe – a somewhat impressionistic view with color blending into color along soft lines.

Her works are vibrant, color-drenched paintings. On closer inspection, unexpected hues emerge that impart a feeling richer, more beautiful than what one might notice in everyday life. “Oil painting is the means I use to express how I see the world. I look for the play of light and shadows, encouraging the contrast between them. I want that thrill of color in every work,” says Roy. “I enjoy adding depth to my paintings by using a foundation of transparent colors. I want the eye to be drawn to that secret hint of under paint while the opaque colors bounce light back to the viewer.”

For Roy, what’s special about the Southern Pines region is that it’s a relatively small area densely populated with horses. “The district spans two

Previous

counties, Moore and Hoke,” she explains. “There are so many different disciplines and a lot of Olympic professionals in the area. Dressage is my favorite discipline because it is an intimate communication with a horse,” says Roy. “There is so much subtlety to it. You have to ride very quietly and communicate very softly to make a large heavy animal to do something for you, but you encourage them to give them the willingness to do it.”

In 2015, Roy created a ceramics studio in her garage where she makes stoneware and raku pottery for the fun of it. Other leisure activities include various forms of exercise, reading, cooking, and spending time with friends and family.

Roy’s works are widely collected and galleries in Beaufort, Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Swansboro, and Vass represent her. “I appreciate every patron that buys original artwork,” she says. “I have some individual clients that own several of my paintings and that’s the best compliment in the world. When somebody buys something I’ve created, it’s a personal preference and they love it. I hope that appreciation lingers and the piece is passed on.”

Page: “Azalea Drive” oil on canvas, original 30”x40” (photo: B. Roy)

Top: Painting of Verne Bachtelder teaching a rider Piaffe.

Bottom: Serving Bowl. (photo: B. Roy)

“I appreciate every patron that buys original artwork. I have some individual clients that own several of my paintings and that’s the best compliment in the world”

“Fancy Mollies”, oil on canvas original size , 20”x40”

(photo: B. Roy)

“Family Dressage “ oil on canvas, original size 16”x20”

(photo: B. Roy)

JULY

July 8-9

Saturday

Triton Show

2521 Baptist Rd, Durham, NC 27703

Sat-Sun

WHES July HT

Carolina Horse Park, 2814 Montrose Road, Raeford, NC 28376

July 12

HRF HT/CT/D/WD

Heather Ridge Farm, 875 N Horace Walters Rd, Raeford, NC 28376, USA

July 14-16

Sat-Sun

SATP Mid Summer

NCHJA C Show

The Carolina Horse Park

Raeford, NC

Saturday

Portofino Dressage

Portofino Equestrian Center, 213 Portofino Dr, Clayton, NC 27527

Sat- Sun

Rise ‘n Shine

Pinehurst Harness Track, 200 Beulah Hill Rd, Pinehurst, NC 28374

July 21-23

Sunday OPEN:

Labor of Love I & II

Raleigh, NC 27607

Sat-Sun

Triangle Farms

Summer Indoors I C

James B. Hunt Horse Complex, 4601 Trinity Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607

Fri- Sun

NCDCTA Equine Festival

Portofino Horse Stables, 213 Portofino Drive, Clayton, NC 27527

July 28-30

Sat-Sun

Little River Circuit 2023

Williamston, NC

Sat-Sun

Raleigh Summer Dressage I+II

James B. Hunt Horse Complex, 4601 Trinity Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607

AUGUST

August 1

DUE: Fall Eventing Grant Application

August 5-6

Saturday

Triton Show

2521 Baptist Rd, Durham, NC 27703

Sat- Sun

Early Morning Blues

Pinehurst Harness Track, 200 Beulah Hill Rd, Pinehurst, NC 28374

Sat-Sun

WHES August HT

Carolina Horse Park, 2814 Montrose Road, Raeford, NC 28376

Sat-Sun

Sunburn Derby Series

Big Sky Farm

Tremont Place, Southern Pines, NC

August 9

HRF HT/CT/D/WD

Heather Ridge Farm, 875 N Horace Walters Rd, Raeford, NC 28376, USA

August 18-20

Sat-Sun

SATP Late Summer C

NCHJA C Show

The Carolina Horse Park

Raeford, NC

August 25-27

Fri-Sat Triangle Farms Summer Indoors II C

James B. Hunt Horse Complex, 4601 Trinity Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA

SEPTEMBER

September 2-3

Sat-Sun

Cooldown Dressage

Pinehurst Harness Track, 200 Beulah Hill Rd, Pinehurst, NC 28374

Sat-Sun

Labor of Love I+II

Hunt Horse Complex, 4 601 Trinity Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607

September 8-10

Fri-Sun

Five Points HT

Carolina Horse Park, 2814

Montrose Road, Raeford, NC 28376

Saturday

Triton Show

2521 Baptist Rd, Durham, NC 27703

September 13

HRF D/CT/HT/WD

Heather Ridge Farm, 875 N Horace Walters Rd, Raeford, NC 28376

September 16-17

Saturday

Buckhorn D/CT

Buckhorn Farm, 434 Youngs Rd, Vass, NC 28394

Sat-Sun

Harvest Moon

Carolina Horse Park 2814 Montrose Rd, Raeford, NC 28376

Sunday

Portofino Dressage & CT

Portofino Horse Stables, 213 Portofino Drive, Clayton, NC 27527

Saturday

Polocrosse in the Pines

Pinehurst Harness Track

Beulah Hill Rd, Pinehurst, NC 28374

Sep 22-24

Fri-Sat SATP Early Fall C

Raeford, NC

Carolina Horse Park, 2814

Montrose Road, Raeford, NC 28376

Sep 30-Oct 1

Sat-Sun Triangle Farms Fall Fling Indoors C

Triangle Derby Finals. Hunt Horse Complex, 4 601 Trinity Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607

Sat-Sun

Pinehurst Fall Dressage

Pinehurst Harness Track, Beulah Hill Rd,

It’s in Our Roots

It’s

Southern Pines - 205 S.E. Broad St.

SGT. RECKLESS AWARD

Mabus Farm and General Contracting (MFGC) is proud to say we are not only a Veteran owned business, but the majority of our staff are veterans or veteran’s spouses. Collectively we’ve served more than 100 years on active duty, with most of our time spent here at Fort Bragg, or at what many affectionally refer to as, “The center of the Army universe.” While the base’s name recently changed to Fort Liberty, it remains a place where our nation’s leaders can turn to for men and women of action, accountability, and speed. We used to joke that instead of calling “911,” the president would instead dial “910” to reach someone at Bragg to answer our nation’s call. Even those in the communities around Fort Liberty serve, enjoy the camaraderie, and sacrifice that goes along with living so close to the center of the U.S. Army. Just ask a neighbor about the loud booms, the low flying planes or helicopters, and the flares that shine at night, and most will reply, those are “The sights and sounds of freedom!”

Our staff and office are closely tied to the local equestrian community, another group that makes our area very special. Many of the folks from MFGC ride, train, and compete at the exceptional venues and private farms offered in the Sandhills. So, we wanted to take two of our favorite communities, and unite them. We decided a great way to recognize some of these connections was by expanding our support to the Carolina Horse Park (CHP) by sponsoring the “Sergeant Reckless Veteran Award.” Our goal with this award is to provide a platform to recognize the members of our equestrian community who have served or continue to serve our nation in uniform. We want to bring our local equestrian community together with Fort Liberty to open doors to Soldiers who may feel more welcomed by recognition and friendly faces. The award is currently available to our Veterans and Active-Duty service members who are competing in the War Horse Equestrian Series at the CHP. If you haven’t registered yet, please reach out to Margaret.Crevar@sas.com to sign up to compete for the award! We are grateful for the numerous donors who rallied together to purchase and donate the Sergeant Reckless Painted Pony back to the CHP this year which provides a fitting opportunity to honor these competitors. We are working to dedicate a permanent

plaque that is co-located with Sergeant Reckless to capture each year’s award winner. We have also been asked and are exploring the ability to add another category to next year’s War Horse Equestrian Series that recognizes and honors the Active- Duty Military spouses and dependents who compete at the horse park.

Our team is comprised of a passionate group of Veterans, Military Spouses, Equestrians and Hobby Farmers. Our mission at Mabus Farm and General Contracting keeps us in daily contact with both our military and equestrian communities as we turn the dream of building a custom home, equestrian facility or farm to reality. Our approach to building preserves our community, local habitat and open spaces, and we hope that this will continue to foster increased friendship and connection between our community and Fort Liberty. If you’d like to learn more about our work, our processes, and our team, please visit us at www.mabusgc.com.

A New Award to recognize the members of our equestrian community who have served or continue to serve our nation in uniform.

Seth and Amber Mabus and CHP “Painted Pony” Sgt. Reckless.

Content Sponsored By:

Pooh Bear

Age: 1 1/2

Gender: Gelding

Breed: Pony, possibly Hackney X Color: Dun

This adorable ray of sunshine is Pooh Bear, the resident goofball at the Santana Center. Pooh arrived last summer in very bad condition after being run through an auction as a baby. Over the course of the past year he has really blossomed and come out of his shell. He has received not only lots of love and care at the Santana Center but also learned how to lead, and how to be handled and he is a very good student. His ideal new human would be an experienced person who is comfortable working with young horses to continue his training. His bright and willing attitude makes him the perfect little pony for driving or for a future kid's riding horse.

Pooh Bear is available for adoption through the Santana Center, Aberdeen NC.

www.thesantanacenter.org

Photo: Carmen Jacobson

by Lisa Miyamoto

We

Concept • Design • Build

Our Team serves Moore, Hoke, Cumberland, Harnett, Lee, Chatham Counties, Fort Liberty and the surrounding areas.

Select a team that understands the complexity of building a Custom Home on acreage, establishing an efficient Hobby Farm or the development of a safe and functional Equestrian Facility. Our Team of Veterans, Veteran’s Spouses, Equestrians and Hobby Farmers are well versed in every aspect of the journey from working with local real estate agents to assist in finding your land, connecting you with multiple lenders who have a firm understanding of lending options and planning every detail in your forever home and barn to meet your individual needs. Every member of our Team owns a working farm themselves so we fully understand everything that goes into building on acreage and the daily work that goes into sustaining it. At MFGC, Inc. we live our motto “We don’t just build Farms, we build your future” everyday!

“We don’t just build Farms -

build your Future”