SEQM March 2024

921

4BR/5.5BA/6,409

10.08

121

11.45 fenced acreage

250'x130' arena

60' wide covered round pen w/fiber GGT-footing

Deeded easement along property line for Walthour- Moss Foundation access.

3BR/2BA/

Why

16 Acres ~ 4 Stall Barn with Lounge and full Bathroom

Detached 4 Car Garage with oversized bays, sink, laundry space and stairs to the second floor storage area.

Top

Superior

Robust

Publisher

Sandhills EQM, LLC

Layout and Design

Sandhills EQM, LLC

Contributors

Ray Owen

Jan Leitschuh

Mary McCashin

Mary Kate Murphy

Cassidy Oeltjen

Christina Boucher Reynolds

Moore County Hist. Assoc.

Lisa Miyamoto

Jason Jackson

Koby Robson

Candy Allen

Ines Ritter

Jennie Acklin

Advertising & Subscriptions

Jennie Acklin

814-688-0083

Jennie@sandhillseqm.com

General

March is really an exciting time as events through the area are ramping up after a winter of preparation. The Matinee Races are right around the corner, and it’s time to polish up the winter training, like preparing to correctly ride your half pass. At SEQM, we are excited to bring you all this and more, as we hit our stride in o ering the Sandhills area and beyond coverage of the equine world.

Happy Spring and Happy Horses! Cheers!

Snoop Dogg’s Crip Walk

Half passes! Arguably the most elegant of the dressage movements. Just like dancing. Even inspiring Snoop Dogg to label it Crip Walking! A graceful flow across the arena… till you get STUCK.

Other than looking pretty, what is the purpose of a half pass? The purpose is to demonstrate submission to the bend, lateral reach and the elevation of the shoulders thereby creating uphill balance. That’s why a well-executed half pass looks so elegant. But it is difficult for horses to stay both forward and supple. Half passes are a perfect gymnastic

to address that. But they must be performed correctly to succeed.

I’ve had occasion to watch a lot of dressage tests lately. Here in the Sandhills, in Florida, at the World Cup Finals in Omaha last year. So, I’ve seen a lot of half passes at all levels while standing in different positions around the arenas. I’ve also seen a lot of potentially excellent tests being derailed by incorrect half passes. Why is that? If you survived Second Level (and I do mean survive – there’s A LOT of new stuff in Second Level) then half passes at Third should not be so difficult. Because, if you can ride a correct haunches-in, you can ride a half pass. After all a half pass is

just a variation of a haunches-in; performed on a diagonal line. So why are they so difficult?

Let’s first look at what a half pass is not. A half pass is not a leg-yield with the opposite bend. It is not a sideways movement. Not really. Unlike a leg-yield you do not go parallel to the rail. You do not go sideways from D to E.

Ok so what is it? A half pass is a forward movement along a diagonal line, the shoulders leading with the horse UNIFORMLY bent in the direction of travel. In other words, forward on that diagonal line from D to E in haunches-in. When you did haunches-in at Second Level

you didn’t go sideways from F to B; you went along the rail facing B. Now just imagine the rail going across the diagonal (see diagram).

Comments often seen on a dressage test:

• Haunches leading or haunches trailing.

• Not enough bend/flexion or too much bend in the neck.

• Falling on inside shoulder.

• Loss of rhythm/impulsion.

• Too sideways/not forward.

• Not accurately˜placed. Ie starting and ending in the wrong places

All of these are, of course, closely related and not separate issues. They stem from the following mistakes: Positioning. I believe many, many half passes fail at the very first stride. Few riders take that extra one or 2 strides to position the horse by putting the forehand on a diagonal for an accurate line of

travel. They come out of the corner and immediately start pushing with the outside leg attempting to get to their destination. Or when turning onto the centerline and they immediately start to go sideways. A correctly performed half pass looks sideways from the view point of C but if you stand at the letter where it’s aimed you can clearly see the horse moving easily forward along that diagonal line towards you – in haunches-in. To paraphrase… it is about positioning, positioning, positioning.

When setting up a half pass your horse should face its destination. Think of a flashlight beam coming out of the horse’s chest. Point that flashlight to the destination letter. If the shoulders do not lead the outside legs cannot cross in front of

the inside legs. You can either take a step on to the diagonal line or a step of shoulder-in before you start the half pass. Once you’re positioned on that diagonal line just ride haunches-in on that line. Don’t rush to start, take the strides to position and you will flow to B smoothly. The half passes that don’t make it to the letter are often because the horse is too parallel to the rail – the shoulders are not leading so it cannot move forward. It is a whole lot easier to ride forward than sideways!

Bend. And remember it is a UNIFORM bend. That means that the horse bends equally from poll to tail. To achieve that you need to use your legs. BOTH legs (but not at the same time). And beware the temptation of the inside rein. The neck, being more flexible, obviously bends more easily than the body. If you over bend the neck either the opposite shoulder will pop out (haunches end up leading) or you’ll block the freedom of the inside shoulder, lose rhythm and get stuck, and you’ll just pull the horse downhill on to the inside shoulder.

Inside leg. It seems counter intuitive to use the right leg when you’re heading right. But remember you are going forward not sideways. Your inside leg creates the bend and cadence. It is the go forward tool. Stride by stride in correct timing with the inside hind. Creating impulsion and lifting the shoulders. The purpose of your outside leg is to displace the haunches. But if you use only your outside leg to drive the entire movement you will cause more problems. Haunches leading, loss of bend and balance to name a few. A frequent mistake is pulling the inside leg off the horse during

the half pass. Oh, and those half passes that end short of the letter? Not enough inside leg to maintain the forward motion.

Outside rein. It’s tempting to drop the outside rein, overuse the inside rein and push with a strong outside leg. In this scenario there is no bend. The horse is being simultaneously pulled and pushed in one direction. So, what is the purpose of the outside rein? Again, it seems counter intuitive to use the outside rein when you’re traveling towards the inside. Keeping it simple, the purpose of the outside rein is to prevent overbending of the neck, define the frame of the horse (ie. how collected you want it), control the tempo, and help balance the horse. A significant role. So, without an outside rein, what can go wrong is: overbent neck, incorrect tempo, too long a frame, and lost balance. That’s a lot of things that can go wrong! Think of the outside rein as the wall along which the horse must move.

Fixing these weaknesses takes time and effort. But so worth it! Half passes do really become easy when ridden correctly. Here are a few exercises that you can play with to address these issues:

For positioning. Start by changing rein across the diagonal. Say H-X-F. As you approach X ask for a tiny bit of flexion left. Then do haunches-in left with the shoulders staying on the same diagonal line. I.e. haunches-in left from X to F. You can lay a line of poles or cones along that line to help keep the forward on the diagonal. Similarly, turn down center line at A and go straight to E and part way turn it into haunches-in. This

makes you very deliberately put the horse on the diagonal and gives you the feeling of the forward trajectory of the movement. If you truly keep the shoulders (and flashlight) on that line facing the letter and use both legs your “angle” will be correct.

Timing of the legs. Ride on a 20 m circle. Ask for leg-yield into the circle a couple steps, then leg-yield out. Repeating, alternating legs (you can also do haunches-in to shoulder in and back) Work on the timing of the hind legs: use your inside leg as the inside hind lifts (if you’re trotting it’s same timing as the up phase of posting) then the outside leg as the outside hind lifts (the sit phase of posting). You can also do this down the long side – it’s a great suppling exercise for your horse! Play with this so you feel you can use your legs independently.

Inside leg. Set yourself up with a nice long half pass. H to F for example (you don’t have to get all the way to H; it’s just a target). Start your half pass left and after a few steps of half pass left use your left (inside) leg to leg-yield right (keeping the same shoulder leading position on the diagonal line). Alternate between a few steps of half pass and a few steps of leg-yield. This will make you use your inside leg. You can achieve the same by alternating half pass and shoulder-in. When you ride half passes think leg-yield to trigger your use of the inside leg using that new sense of timing you have.

Outside rein. Ride some circles and practice turning by just engaging your outside rein. For the purposes of the exercise don’t worry if the horse is counter-bent. Just practice turning with minimal inside rein.

You should start to feel the shoulder moving away from the outside rein and the horse being more uphill than if you pull it around with your inside rein. Then you can add a bit of inside flexion by playing with the inside rein and inside leg. Add alternating legs and see what happens!

Ride haunches-in along the ¼ line or center line. This trains you away from depending on the rail.

A little dressage trivia… I often get asked, “Didn’t haunches-in used to be 3 tracks? Why are they now 4 tracks?” An excellent question. Since half-passes are the close relatives of haunches-in they were also ridden on 3 tracks. The FEI and the USEF looked closely at the movement and saw that if a half pass was ridden on 3 tracks it looked like the haunches were trailing. In order to keep consistency, and to maintain the purpose of the movement, one of which is lateral suppleness, the definition of both movements was changed to 4 tracks.

The half pass truly tests the independence of the rider’s aids. Hand and leg work separately to achieve their individual goals but must coordinate to create the right shape, headed in the right direction. But half passes are really quite simple. Position your horse. Keep both reins connected creating a bit of inside flexion and maintain contact with the outside. Then use both legs alternating them as needed to create bend and forward impulsion and ride haunches-in on a diagonal line... and go!

It’s all YOU!

Personalize your gear! Pinsnickety charms are a great way to personalize your gear, such as bridles, saddles, blankets, you name it. Pinsnickety charms are subtle enough never to distract the judge, but up close, they add a delightful dose of personality to your traditional hunter turnout! All charms come with matching black hardware and a split ring that allows you to put them nearly anywhere. Who doesn’t need a dumpster fire pin?

Get them at:

M&M Tack Shop or Pinsnickety.com

Fly season is upon us, and here is a way to combat those pesky little critters! Formula 707, MultiFly Feed-Thru Fly Control, is one of the market’s most effective fly control solutions, and most horses seem to like it. This safe, pelleted formula provides 99.9% efficacy at breaking the fly life cycle in the manure of treated horses. Simply feed to your entire barn, and watch the fly population quickly shrink..

Available at Aberdeen Feed or formula707.com

Phase One: From the Judge’s Perspective

The days are getting longer and the horses are shedding those first few long, winter hairs. This can only mean one thing...show season is just around the corner, or may have even already begun. More and more eventers are realizing the importance of their dressage score on the final placings at events but some still struggle with prioritizing their dressage work.

The eventing dressage tests are HARD! Most are in the short dressage court and are designed to get as many horses through the dressage phase as possible. This means that movements come up very quickly and often contain counter

changes of hand; changing from one bend to the next within the same score box. This movement doesn’t show up in standard dressage tests until Third Level!

Here are some tips and tricks to help smooth out your eventing dressage test experience.

Tip #1 - Practice your dressage test!

This first tip may seem obvious, but many riders simply learn their dressage test on paper and never practice riding it. Many of us, myself included, ride in large arenas or flat grassy areas. Corners come up very quickly if you never practice riding them - especially

Koby Robson

in the short arena! Any flat area can be marked out as a dressage arena so you can practice. At the very least, mark out some corners and practice turns and how to balance your horse through the turn.

Have a game plan for what might go wrong. If your horse picks up the wrong lead, how are you going to fix it? Jigs in the walk, or reliably spooks at H? Have a game plan for how to quickly, smoothly and efficiently fix the issue.

I teach all my students to keep the mistake in one scoring box. If the horse picks up the wrong lead, you don’t notice and continue on in the canter tour, it can easily impact two separate scores. Same issue if the horse swaps

USDF Bronze, Silver and Gold Medalist, USEF “R” Judge

Koby Robson is a USEF “R” Dressage Judge, USDF Bronze, Silver, and Gold Medalist, with Silver and Gold Freestyle Bars. She actively teaches and trains horses and riders from Training Level through Grand Prix.

leads behind coming back from a canter lengthening and then the trot transition is made from cross canter. That impacts two scoring boxes, not just the canter lengthening.

Pay attention to where the movements begin and end. I see riders walking their stadium and cross country courses with exacting detail for strides and lines they plan to take. Put the same care and effort into your dressage test.

Tip #2 - Ride your corners appropriately for the level!

Most of us hear the phrases over and over “use your corners” or “more bend in the corners” to set up the next movement. Often at shows, I see riders going TOO DEEP into corners for the level of training and causing their horse to lose their balance.

In the USEF rule book, the diameter of corners are defined. For the lower levels (up to Preliminary Level) corners are to be ridden as a quarter of a 10 meter circle (volte), above that corners should be ridden as a quarter of an 8 meter circle (volte). This allows the horse to remain in an appropriate degree of balance for the level of training and show the correct amount of bend.

More about bending...

Tip #3 - Bend your horse equally left and right!

All too often while judging, I see horses that only bend one direction, especially left. Tracking left, the horse falls out the right shoulder and turning is difficult.

To the right, the horse is counter flexed left and falling in on the right shoulder with the haunches falling out. This severely limits the overall balance of the horse and will impact the more difficult movements such as leg yield and shoulder in.

At the bare minimum practice equal, supple bend on circles and in corners, from your seat and leg and to a lesser extent with the reins.

Tip #4 - Be on time!

Your posted ride time is when you are supposed to be heading down the centerline, not presenting to the judge. Events are scheduled very tight on time. I often signal my next rider to start while I am finishing up my collective remarks.

If you went off course, took a few minutes to get regrouped and then finish your test. I am now late in my arena. If the rider then makes a circle, at the walk, before exiting, I am now several minutes late in my arena. It only takes a couple rides like this for my arena to be very behind schedule and that negatively impacts the riders after you.

Finish your test and directly exit the arena to help keep everyone on schedule!

Judges try to wait for you to fully circle the arena before signaling you to start but if the rider presents late or is meandering around the arena at a walk, I have to signal the start of the test if it is your time.

The ring stewards are a courtesy, being on time is the rider’s responsibility.

Tip #5 - Stop circling before exiting the arena!

Horse shows, especially horse trials and events, are scheduled to maximize the number of horses the show can accommodate. I cannot signal the next horse to start while I still have a horse in my arena.

Be on Time! Knowing your ride time and showing up at the Dressage arena on time keeps the show schedule on track.

Tip #6 - Read your test comments!

Judges work hard to provide constructive feedback and comments on your test. I’ve had several riders tell me they don’t even pick up their tests to read the comments. That is a waste of a massive learning opportunity. Watch your video and read the comments. Improving each movement by a simple .5 in each score is a huge improvement in your overall score.

Tip #7 - SLOW DOWN!

Slow down - seriously - especially in the trot. Over and over I see horses running

through their dressage test, badly out of balance and based through the topline. Each horse has an ideal tempo where they can relax their topline and lift their shoulders. A too quick tempo forces the horse onto the forehand and restricts their reach, causing the horse to brace to the bit for balance.

“As a judge, nothing is more fun than to sit in the judges box and give out scores of 8 or above.”

Slow down to find the swing tempo - the tempo where the horse can be elastic and supple and carry itself - and then go forward, but only as forward as your horse can remain supple and in balance. Forward and fast are very different things and many times riders mistake a quick tempo (high miles per hour) as forward. Forward energy is supple and balanced.

Many of the mistakes in dressage tests, including the hated comment “braced” stem from fast instead of forward.

As a judge, nothing is more fun than to sit in the judges box and give out scores of 8 or above. We have also all experienced the less than ideal dressage test. Handle difficult dressage tests with grace and good humor and thank your horse.

Here’s to a great season in the sandbox, and remember we are all cheering for you!

Artistic Kitchens and Baths will customize cabinets for your kitchen, bathroom, office, tack room - whatever you need, whether you are building your home from the ground up or remodeling a room.

Moore County Home Builder Associations 2023

Builder of the Year, Home of the Year 2nd Place Home of the Year

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

Concept • Design • Build

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. 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!

Maidens and Mayors at the Matinee Races ~ A Pinehurst Tradition

Ray Owen

The 74th Annual Spring Matinee Races will be held on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at the Pinehurst Harness Track, put on by the Pinehurst Parks and Recreation Department and the Pinehurst Driving and Training Club. Since 1915 harness racers have been heading to the Track, the oldest continuously operating equine sports facility in the state, nestled in the heart of historic Pinehurst.

A mainstay in the Sandhills sporting season, the Matinee Races attract around 4,000 spectators each year, giving trainers an opportunity to showcase their inexperienced young horses and test their mettle. The event will feature about six races, five of them just for two-year olds. The horses will

Photos: Jason Jackson

be competing around a track pulling a two-wheeled cart steered by a driver. The horses have never encountered such a large number of people at the racetrack before. They’ve gone a month behind the starting gate just to get used to it, but it’s the competition that they haven’t seen. There are around five horses in each race, and it’s a learning opportunity for them.

After Pinehurst, the horses will ship north to other notable harness tracks: the Meadowlands Racetrack in New Jersey, Yonkers Raceway in New York, The Red Mile in Kentucky, and Mohawk Park in Ontario.

Scott Freeman is now part of the winter tradition, serving as Track Superintendent since 2019. Freeman

started racing on the Trottingbred Pony circuit with his father. He began driving Standardbreds in the early 1990s, and has trained, raced, owned, and bred horses for decades.

“I’m originally from Indiana,” says Freeman. “Me and my wife Carla, and twin sons Cole and Cody, moved here five years ago. I started working on a race track about 16 years ago and that’s what I do at Pinehurst.”

The facility has a one-mile clay training track, a half-mile sand/clay training track and a five-eighth mile sand track, plus a sod jog track. “The one-mile clay is brutally fast anytime you want to get on it,” says Freeman. “What I love most about the Pinehurst Track is the peacefulness and quietness of it. The

whole atmosphere is very conducive for training. I rate the facility 100% – it’s the best of its kind on the East Coast.”

Over the years, champions who have conditioned there include: Brownie Blue Chip, Chocolatier, Coraggioso, Gallo Blue Chip, Glory Bound, Marion Marauder, Medoland Don, Medoland Sam, Pinehurst Lady, SJ’s Photo, and Walner.Some notable trainers who have called Pinehurst their winter home are Homer and Connie Hochstetler, Roland Mallar, D.R. Ackerman (son of Hall of Famer Doug Ackerman), and Gordon Corey –among many others.

The horses begin to rt aarrive around October 15th to prepare for the Matinee. “They bring their babies here and get them broken and trained as race horses,” says Freeman, describing the process. “This is all winter long from Monday through Saturday, about 6:30 in the morning until about 12:00 in the afternoon. The trainers slowly get them used to the harness and bridle.”

“To be honest, there are so many good horses and it’d be hard to determine which ones are the best,” he adds. “These are some of the finest harness horses you’ll find anywhere in the world – the best bred and most expensive. They get big money for them. I would guess that we’ve currently got close to 30-million dollars worth of babies at this facility.”

the Chicago area, she’s been involved with the group for the last seven years. “We came here because of horses and absolutely love it,” she says. “It’s a good climate for horses and the tracks are great. The horse community is familyoriented and if somebody needs help, everybody’s there for them.”

“As far as my love for horses goes, I don’t know anything else,” she explains. “I was raised with them and could ride before I could walk. Responsibility is the biggest thing that caring for horses teaches you. It’s a 24-hour job to take care of these animals because they cannot feed and water themselves –somebody has to do it.”

“I come from a horseracing family, and I’m a third-generation harness person,” she continues. “My grandfathers raced horses and my husband, Homer, son and brother also race horses. My dad, Doug Ackerman, trained horses here for 17 years and he’s in the Harness Racing Hall of Fame. Some of the big-name horses that he trained here were Chocolatier, a world champion, and Judge Jones, who was a New York champion. My dad won over 1,700 races with earnings of more than $10 million, and he was ranked as one of the top developers of young trotters in the nation.”

Connie Hochstetler is Secretary and Treasurer for the Pinehurst Driving Club, an organization founded in 1949 to support the Track. Originally from

“Our club works diligently throughout the season to ensure the success of the Matinee,” says Hochstetler, sharing a bit about her group. “The event enables us to contribute thousands of dollars each year to local and national organizations such as rescue groups, therapeutic riding programs, hospice organizations, and food banks.”

“People in the Village of Pinehurst really look forward to the Matinee,” she says. “Horse people come from across the country and Canada. The crowd can pick which ones they want to win –they enjoy this tremendously. They love watching the two-year-olds race before they leave around May first. Last year, we had a horse named Ponda Warrior who won the richest race in Indiana history, a $300,000 event at the Hoosier Park Pacing Derby. Roland Mallar’s horse Ken Hanover won a division of the Little Brown Jug, a premier pacing event, and he paced the fastest mile in Jug history.”

According to Hochstetler, Paula Wellwood and her husband Mike Keeling are among the great horse people associated with the Track. The couple trained Marion Marauder, who won the Triple Crown for three-yearolds in 2016, one of only nine trotters to win this prestigious title. Wellwood has a long history in the sport and her father, William Wellwood, is in both the Canadian and U.S. Harness Racing Hall of Fame.

“We currently have a horse named Operator, a two-year old trotting colt that shows promise,” says Hochstetler. “He’s got good confirmation with a good gate and a very level head. He’s just a plain bay horse. My husband and I own him with partners that have been with us for quite a few years, Bob Buddig and Allen Schwartz from the Chicago area.”

“A couple of years ago, we got some double-seat carts and added a race with the local mayors,” she says with a smile. “They ride with my husband and Roland Mallar. I call it the mayor’s race, usually involving Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen, and Foxfire Village.”

“My hope is that they keep the Pinehurst Track open for us,” she adds. “The facility generates a lot of revenue, attracting people to area businesses, restaurants and golf courses. People come out to watch us go around, and visitors often stop by to see the horses and pet them. They are more than welcome to come to the barn when we’re there. Besides harness racing, the Track features polocrosse, dressage and a lot of other equestrian sports, and a number of folks associated with the facility have bought property in the area as their wintertime home.”

Everyone is invited to the Spring Matinee Races on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at the Pinehurst Harness Track, 200 Beulah Hill Road South in Pinehurst. The rain date is Sunday, April 7. Admission is $5 per person ages 13 and up (age 12 and under are free). Gates open at 11:00 am for parking. Opening ceremonies are scheduled for 1:00 pm, and the first of six races is scheduled for 1:30 pm. Bleacher seating will be available for general admission. Food and beverages will be available and picnic baskets are welcome. For more information contact Connie Hochstetler: (708) 921-1719.

DYNAMIC EQUINE

Saddle Fitting

Comfort,

not control your competitive edge.

Our patented girth not only resolves girth issues, but gives horses the freedom to perform in comfort. With comfort comes a next level experience.

416.892.3725

Peace of Mind in an Emergency

Just shake your head and murmur “horses” - a whole subset of equine enthusiasts will know exactly what you mean. It’s the universally understood language, meaning that horses will always prove you wrong.

Think they can’t get hurt in an empty, flat field? Think they can’t possibly fit their foot into that space, or jump out that trailer window, or get out and fall in a hole a half a mile away? Think that they wouldn’t lay down in an area where they won’t be able to get back up?

Horses will prove it to you that, with a little effort, anything is possible.

As a horse owner, finding yourself in a scenario where your horse has defied sensible logic can be a terrifying and helpless feeling. Who do you call and what can you do before they get there?

For Tori and Justin McLeod, their passion lies in easing the worry of these moments by providing training to emergency personnel, preparing horse owners, and developing systems and equipment to aid in rescues. They have a long history in both the human emergency rescue field, and in large animal experience - backgrounds they have been able to combine in forming the 4Hooves Large Animal Services (4HLAS).

They are also the type of people who you just know you’d be thankful to have around in an emergency situation.

While they have made a name for themselves as a leader in the large animal emergency and transport field, it was their budding interest in the industry that ultimately led to them getting together in the first place. After a career in emergency services, Tori had begun to combine her experience in the horse industry and her career in emergency services by training in Technical Large Animal Emergency

Cassidy oeltjen

Rescue (TLAER), and was preparing to host her own course in Harnett County.

“I saw the need for other people to have the skills I had learned to respond to and resolve large animal related incidents safely and successfully,” she recalled. “I needed a piece of heavy equipment to dig a hole, lift a homemade horse dummy out of the mud, and perform other tasks which meant I also needed someone to operate it. A friend working in Emergency Management said she knew who to call to provide that service and shortly after the course, Justin and I started dating.”

Justin also saw the need for large animal rescue services in the area and started gathering equipment so they could respond to incidents and also provide training to local emergency responders in the area. What started as a collection of equipment packed into a 7’ x 14’ trailer has grown into a fleet of speciality equipment, including:

• one dedicated equine ambulance with a sling and sked system capable of hauling horses ambulatory, supported in a sling, or secured laying down to the sked

• one large animal technical rescue emergency response trailer with sked transport option which is primarily used for emergency responses but also used for large animal technical rescue training courses

• one dedicated large animal technical rescue emergency response trailer with no transport capability based in the Moore County area but able to travel

• one dedicated large animal technical rescue emergency response trailer with no transport capability based in the Johnston County area but able to travel

• one dedicated End of Life Services trailer for the removal of deceased large animals for clients

• two local and long distance equine

295 Pinehurst Avenue, Southern Pines, NC 910-246-2850 | Mon-Fri: 9 - 5:30 (Closed Saturday & Sunday)

The magic of Incrediwear lies in its ability not only to increase blood circulation, but lymphatic flow as well. This is what makes this technology a break-through in Equine and Human healthcare.

• Circulation Hoof Socks, Hock Boots, Neck Wraps & Exercise Bandages

For Humans: Knee, Elbow, Wrist Sleeves, Socks & so much more!

Available at:

transport trailers; one of which can be used as a secondary equine ambulance if needed

• one dedicated panel trailer which houses numerous corral panels for an emergency containment needs four boats (2 inflatable rescue boats and 2 hard bottom boats) for use in deployments to water related incidents such as flooding after a natural disaster or a river rescue

• one trailer (which used to be a rescue unit) that is being converted into a “cooler trailer” to be used to preserve deceased large animals for transport to a diagnostic laboratory after euthanasia or natural death should the transport not take place the same day and for investigations related to communicable diseases or natural disaster responses

• two ATVs for remote incident response and removal of large animals on the sked (similar to a stretcher)

• two drones with photo/video capability and thermal imaging

Not only does the 4HLAS team provide emergency and specialty transport, but their list of services also includes: equine short and long distance transport; standby emergency response for equestrian events; end of life services (transport, burial, compost cremation); and assistance with equine cruelty investigated cases.

Their passion about the care and well-being of all large animals has led them to develop an extensive training repertoire for others in the equine world. These courses and presentations include large animal technical rescue, large animal emergency preparedness, and safety consultations for horse owners and facilities.

“Over the years, we have instructed, on average, 8-10 large animal technical rescue training courses per year throughout the US,” said Tori. “We have been as far as New Hampshire,

we go to Kentucky every year in September to the Kentucky Horse Park, and we frequent North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. But we will go anywhere someone wants to hire us for a course.”

rescue and animal control department have at least one person on each shift with some large animal rescue training.

“We try very hard to keep our large animal technical rescue training courses as realistic as possible,” she continues. “We encourage the course coordinators to include emergency responders, veterinarians, animal control, animal rescue organizations, and animal owners/industry professionals to attend because those are the people that will be on scene during the emergency.”

“During the course we do not expect the vets to be the fire rescue technician, the emergency responder to be the vet, nor the animal owner to be the one who is put in charge of the operation if there is a more qualified person onscene,” she explained. “For the hands-on scenarios the teams of students operate in the role they normally would have so that when a real emergency occurs they can be the best at what they do while also understanding the roles that other rescuers play.”

While it may seem obvious that this sort of training is necessary, it is usually lack of funding or an unawareness of need that prevents emergency responders from being adequately prepared. For Tori, an ideal world would see every fire

“Most people do not think these incidents occur often enough to warrant training or purchasing equipment, even the basic on-hand tools,” Tori reflects. “But these types of incidents occur more often than people realize - they just go unreported because people do not know there are options. People wind up lucky with a ‘just wing it’ rescue with neighbors or the animal isn’t lucky and succumbs to the situation.”

“This training is life saving not only for the animals involved but potentially for the rescuers as well,” she continues. “Large animal incidents are a high risk rescue operation as your victim on average weighs 1000 pounds, has a mind of its own, doesn’t speak our language, and is reacting on survival instinct alone with no concern of anyone or anything around it.”

Horse owners are never the type to sit by and wait very well, even when help is on the way. That’s why 4HLAS is not limited to emergency responders and horse owners are encouraged to attend training sessions.

“There are a lot of situations that can be resolved with simple equipment or tools a person may have at their barn or trailer,” Tori said. “They just need the

knowledge of how to properly use that equipment or those tools safely when around an animal, an understanding of animal behavior under duress in a high stress environment, and some muscle to maneuver the animal or any obstacles in the way or entrapping the animal.”

The 4HLAS team has come up with ten rules for horse owners should they find themselves in a large animal emergency situation. (A more detailed version of this list is available on the Sandhills Equestrian Magazine website)

1) YOUR LIFE IS ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS MORE IMPORTANT THAN AN ANIMAL… Many animals are considered part of the family but if the humans are seriously injured (TBI) or killed then who will be there to care for the family (animal and human)?

2) Briefly survey the situation from a safe distance away and see what hazards are potentially involved or what resources are around that can be useful. Think about access points for rescuers so that directions can be relayed to the dispatcher and other resources. Is there a tractor or other large equipment that might be used to lift an animal, lower a rescuer, or be an anchor should they need one.

3) IF SAFE TO DO SO… approach the animal slowly and with minimal people to keep the stimulation and stress level as low as possible.

4) Contact your vet. EVERY ANIMAL OWNER SHOULD HAVE A WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH A VETERINARIAN THAT IS IN GOOD STANDING. Large animal rescue operations are extremely dangerous for animal and human… veterinary presence is essential to increase the safety through the use of sedation or anesthesia and because there is a high likelihood that the animal will need post-rescue evaluation and treatment.

5) LEAVE THE ANIMAL ALONE UNTIL HELP ARRIVES, YOU HAVE A PLAN AND A BACK UP PLAN, AND YOU ARE READY TO PERFORM THE RESCUE! The more you stimulate the animal the more the animal will try to struggle to stand or free itself only becoming more and more exhausted in the process.

6) DO NOT PULL ON THE HEAD AND NECK! Large animals need their heads and necks to leverage themselves from laying down to sitting sternal which is the stage right before standing.

to understand and accept. Incidents involving large animals are extremely dangerous for the rescuers therefore most emergency responders will require a risk assessment to be performed prior to the rescue operation beginning.

10) DO NOT BE THE REASON YOUR ANIMAL DIES. Do not become a victim yourself because you will become the priority for emergency responders and your horse will become secondary which may mean the difference between life and death for your horse.

7) CALL FOR HELP SOONER THAN LATER! The sooner trained resources or additional man-power can get there to help the better the chances are for a successful rescue. It’s better to have to call people and cancel them because the animal self-rescued prior to their arrival than to call them after you have been trying for the past few hours to handle the situation yourself which only lessens the chance of having a successful outcome.

8) DO NOT TRY TO PERFORM THE RESCUE YOURSELF UNLESS IT IS AN ABSOLUTE LAST RESORT.

9) UNDERSTAND THAT NOT EVERY RESCUE IS SUCCESSFUL. This is a difficult concept for owners

The 4HLAS website contains a wealth of resources for horse owners, as well as a complete list of all their training opportunities that are scheduled. Their Facebook page is also a wealth of knowledge as they share not only their own experiences, but also experiences that have been posted from around the country, how the situations were handled, and what could have been done to improve the outcome.

Be sure to visit their website and set up an emergency plan before the situation arises, because… horses.

www.4hoovessmart.com

For four days in mid-March, top event riders from across the nation flock to Raeford to stretch their legs at the Setter’s Run Carolina International CCI and Horse Trials. This early in the season, riders are seeking out competition locations that will set them up for a season of success, and they find just that in the rolling hills of the Carolina Horse Park.

With a decade of experience behind it, this event is really hitting its stride. Led by Executive Director, Marc Donovan, the team at Carolina Horse Park keeps growing and improving the experience for competitors, sponsors, vendors and spectators.

“When Lefreda Williams relocated the Southern Pines Horse Trials to the Carolina Horse Park in 1998, it soon ran over two weekends and was called SPHT I and SPHT II,” explained Donovan. “Fifteen years later when the qualifications to compete internationally became more stringent, which created more demand for FEI competitions, we decided that we could fill a need by creating the Carolina International CIC & Horse Trial. A few years ago the structure and level designation changed at the FEI and we became Carolina International CCI & Horse Trial.”

“My hopes were always that this event could be a high-energy venue that would give riders everything they needed to prepare for international competition,” he continued.

One particular international competition will be at the forefront of a few of the competitor’s minds. For the past two Olympic cycles, at least half of the team members have used the event to prepare for representing the nation.

“I’m hoping to have horses here this year who are on the path to Paris,” Donovan expressed. “Olympic years are always exciting. The word alone get

the blood flowing. Who knows, maybe we’ll have something special this year to wish our riders good luck.”

One of the reasons competitors choose to make their way to CHP is the expert layout of the course by designer and former Olympian Ian Stark. Stark’s involvement as the course designer has helped solidify the event as an early season challenge, where riders are rewarded for being bold, brave, and efficient. Time is notoriously hard to make and it is rarely a dressage show. Riders typically love the challenge and the way it sets them up for the season

While Donovan designs courses all over the country, it’s with the help of his team that he’s able to produce well thought out and challenging courses while still keeping the rest of the ship upright.

“You know how they say the Home Game can be the hardest? I think this is very true with designing courses,” he reflected. “At home I have so many things on my mind. All the little pieces that have been shaped over the months start to come together and create a giant network of moving parts all going full steam ahead. It’s difficult at times

ahead. 2024 will be Stark’s swan song as he will be hanging up his course designing hat and retiring at the end of the year.

Cross country isn’t the only phase that challenges the riders. The show jumping course, held on the grass in front of the bustling Carolina Club tent, also requires accurate and bold riding. Donovan also serves as the course designer for this phase, in addition to his Executive Director duties.

to deal with all the behind the scenes issues, still appear to be under control, and focus on a course that’s worthy of such a competition. We do our best and I have the best help anyone could ask for.”

Several of the team members that help produce the Carolina International also played a part in organizing the Stoneybrook Steeplechase. The steeplechase took place at Carolina Horse Park for 16 years, and was an opportunity for the community to come

For four days in mid-March, top event riders from across the nation flock to Raeford to stretch their legs at the Setter’s Run Carolina International CCI and Horse Trials. This early in the season, riders are seeking out competition locations that will set them up for a season of success, and they find just that in the rolling hills of the Carolina Horse Park.

With a decade of experience behind it, this event is really hitting its stride. Led by Executive Director, Marc Donovan, the team at Carolina Horse Park keeps growing and improving the experience for competitors, sponsors, vendors and spectators.

“When Lefreda Williams relocated the Southern Pines Horse Trials to the Carolina Horse Park in 1998, it soon ran over two weekends and was called SPHT I and SPHT II,” explained Donovan. “Fifteen years later when the qualifications to compete

internationally became more stringent, which created more demand for FEI competitions, we decided that we could fill a need by creating the Carolina International CIC & Horse Trial. A few years ago the structure and level designation changed at the FEI and we became Carolina International CCI & Horse Trial.”

“My hopes were always that this event could be a high-energy venue that would give riders everything they needed to prepare for international competition,” he continued.

One particular international competition will be at the forefront of a few of the competitor’s minds. For the past two Olympic cycles, at least half of the team members have used the event to prepare for representing the nation.

“I’m hoping to have horses here this year who are on the path to Paris,” Donovan expressed. “Olympic years are always exciting. The word alone get

the blood flowing. Who knows, maybe we’ll have something special this year to wish our riders good luck.”

One of the reasons competitors choose to make their way to CHP is the expert layout of the course by designer and former Olympian Ian Stark. Stark’s involvement as the course designer has helped solidify the event as an early season challenge, where riders are rewarded for being bold, brave, and efficient. Time is notoriously hard to make and it is rarely a dressage show. Riders typically love the challenge and the way it sets them up for the season ahead. 2024 will be Stark’s swan song as he will be hanging up his course designing hat and retiring at the end of the year.

Cross country isn’t the only phase that challenges the riders. The show jumping course, held on the grass in front of the bustling Carolina Club tent, also requires accurate and bold riding. Donovan also serves as the course

serious trenching. Over 10,000 feet of fiber connects at least six cameras to broadcast all the action, while on-site commentators keep those watching informed of the ongoings.

One of the commentating voices belongs to another familiar face around the park. Holly Hudspeth, who had a long, successful career at the top level of the sport, now runs a successful coaching business in the Triangle Area and can be seen regularly around the various events throughout the year. She has enjoyed seeing the sport from the aspect of a commentator, a change from the intensity of being a competitor.

“I’ve enjoyed being able to take a step back, watch, and really get to know these horses and riders,” Hudspeth reflected. “That wasn’t an opportunity I had while I was competing.”

While each of the pairs competing at the International no doubt has a rich history, there are certain riders of which to take note. While entries haven’t been posted yet at time of publication, here are a few competitors who usually have Raeford plugged into their GPS:

• Phillip Dutton: although Dutton was born in Australia and competed for the Australian Team, earning an Olympic Gold Medal, he has been a stalwart of eventing in the United States for nearly three decades. He changed his citizenship in 2006, and between the two countries, he has competed in six Olympic Games. He has twelve Top 10 finishes across the FEI levels at the Carolina International.

• Boyd Martin: Martin also came to the US via Australia, changing his declaration in 2009. He has represented the US in every Olympic Games since then. He has ten Top 10 finishes at the Carolina International.

Photo: Jason Jackson

• Andrew McConnon: local to Southern Pines, McConnon has really climbed the international ranks the last few years. Although he usually uses the event to warm his horses up in the national divisions, he does have two FEI wins recorded.

• Ariel Grald: while Grald also favors the national level divisions as an early season run, she is building an exciting string of horses to watch out for. Grald is also local to the Southern Pines area, where she is a fundamental part of the Setter’s Run Farm program (showcased in our February issue and the title sponsor of the Carolina International).

• Will Faudree: located on the other side of the park in Hoffman, Faudree has had some super highs and some super lows at the horse

park. He did have a major fall at the 2015 Five Points Horse Trials (event held in September at the park), but also has had a very successful comeback story with fourteen Top 10 finishes across the FEI levels of the Carolina International.

• Will Coleman: while Coleman may not be a local, he has been around the track enough to become an honorary one. The Carolina International has been very good to him, with nine Top 10 placings, which include winning the CCI4*S division the last three years on three different horses - talk about a success rate!

Donovan’s excitement about bringing the best riders, horses, sponsors, and team together is palpable, elevating the anticipation for the event.

“You never know what this group will come up with,” he shared. “We have amazing staff and incredible volunteers at CHP - the best in the country. When they pull together, amazing things happen.”

You can keep up with all the action by visiting the Carolina International website at:

carolinainternationalcci.com

Photo: Jason Jackson

Horse Farm Property

Founded in 1998, the Carolina Horse Park Foundation is dedicated to the preservation of open space for equestrian and recreational purposes with multi-disciplined capabilities suitable for championship level equine competitions. In addition, the Park’s mission includes enhancing the region as an outstanding residential location, growing the local economy and being good neighbors!

2023

For the past 11 years in March the crown jewel of competitions has been the Carolina International CCI and Horse Trial with Title Sponsor - Setters’ Run Farm. The Carolina International has provided an outlet for the Carolina Horse Park to reach the ever growing residential communities of Raeford to further its mission. Not only does the event offer 4 days of Eventing’s best and brightest stars competing for the crown, but it also offers a worlclass vendor

ING

92 County 65 Horse Country

SOLD

This year, the Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Lifestyle Property Partners Vendor Village is slated to be bigger and better than ever! There will be Boutique shopping, Art booths, Tack stores, Farm & Equipment booths, Veterinarian Services booths, Southern Pines Brewery, Pony’tails Go-Bar, and food trucks galore!

20 Farms

19k AVG County 38k AVG Horse Country

A kids zone featuring bouncy houses and rock climbing walls will be open on Saturday, March 16, and Sunday, March 17.

22, our loc st volume at I like to c rise in in nd/or begi see a drop th 2022 n roves there year ago. nally are st nrest. ecting imp onsistent s arket are fa Moore County Hounds and the Carolina Horse ch a draw for equestrians.

On Sunday the Park will host its first annual Lumbee River EMC Festival. The best part of the Vendor Village … it is 100% free to the public to come out and enjoy all the action! Visit www.carolinainternationalcci.com or scan the QR code to see the schedule of events, sponsorship opportunities, and to learn more about the Carolina Club which offers specialized viewing and catered meals.

is even more important to have a strong Realtor c l kets when selling a Horse Farm type or has successfully sold farms in Moore o ependant evaluation!

910.315.3032

Don’t forget to stop by the Better Homes and Gardens tent in the Vendor Village to learn more about your local real estate market. Because Lifestyle is where it begins and I am your local Lifestyle Realtor expert! - Audrey

with Joseph Hill

2024 marks the fifth Spring that the Carolina Horse Park’s Painted Ponies have adorned the streets of downtown Southern Pines. This year is a little bit different with fourteen of the sixteen figures being foal size, allowing for the most creative herd yet!

The ponies will be on display until April 3rd, when they will be rounded up in preparation for the online auction, happening April 6th.

The ponies are the highest grossing fundraiser for the Carolina Horse Park. To get them to the streets takes six to eight months of planning, including securing sponsors and artists, ordering the forms, artists working, and then the final protective coats being applied (by the Sandhills Community College’s Automotive and Collision Center) before being installed along Broad Street (and Red’s Corner).

In the past, the auction has brought anywhere from $2000$25,000 for each pony.

For 2024, local photographer Joseph Hill was selected as the official photographer of the ponies. Hill has captured area

events all over the Sandhills, including the ponies in years past.

We caught up with him to congratulate him on being the official photographer and talk all things ‘ponies’.

How did you get your start in photography?

I got into photography by my mom; Teresa Hill. One Saturday at Crystal Lake near Vass, back in September 2007, my mom had been photographing the lake for her photojournalism assignment for Central Carolina Community College in Sanford. At that time, photography wasn’t an interest for me. While mom had been photographing the lake I had been sitting down and wandered the lake as I heard a train coming. I love watching trains. Just as the train had been getting closer I borrowed the camera from my mom in time to photograph my first few photos of a CSX freight train passing through Crystal Lake. That was like the greatest moment to me, and that moment with the day itself is what led me interested in getting into photography, and to have fun taking photos through a digital camera to this day.

You’ve been photographing the Painted Ponies for a few years now. How does it feel to be this year’s official photographer?

Yes, I have photographed the Painted Ponies in each of the 5 years so far. The designs on each painted pony get more impressive each year.

For me personally, It’s a proud, grateful and huge honor to be the 2024 Painted Ponies photographer for Carolina Horse Park. I got to in one day photograph all 16 painted ponies and photo edit all and rest in time before being featured on their map and art walk. Part of the job is photographing each painted pony in different angles to help show the details up close for their April auction. Every moment photographing the painted ponies for CHP is a humbled honor and I just focus on doing my best to photograph the best of the ponies.

When Carolina Horse Park reached out to me I got nervous at first because I photograph the ponies mostly for fun, and when photographing for the business itself, you want to photograph each of the ponies at a professional level and be presentable for all to see. I got nervous that I couldn’t deliver on that. But I realized that opportunities like photographing for Carolina Horse Park don’t happen everyday; it can help

me put my photography skills to good use, to show more people that I’m a North Carolina photographer, and help put my name out there and show who I’ve photographed for.

Do you have a favorite pony that’s been done over all the years you’ve seen them? If so, which one and why?

Honestly, I believe each of the painted ponies are beautiful in their own way. As I mentioned, the designs on each painted pony get more impressive each year. Seeing the painted ponies and knowing who each of the artists are is wonderful - inspiring in many ways and is another fantastic way to show and highlight creativity.

In Business and On Course:

Rachel Jurgens takes one leap of faith to another

Mary Kate Murphy

Just a few years ago, the most distinctive feature of old U.S. 1 was arguably the ambiguous “Polish Locks” sign visible to drivers exiting the main highway toward downtown Southern Pines. While that stretch of road south of Morganton is still home to a hodgepodge of eateries, car shops and banks, they have a much easier time explaining their location thanks to the area’s flagship attraction: Red’s Corner.

When the beer garden and food truck park opened in the spring of 2022, it became an overnight sensation. Indecisive spouses and kid siblings unable to agree on pizza versus burgers rejoiced. Whether tacos or Italian grinders, gyros or gumbo, any craving can be satisfied by one of the halfdozen food trucks available every day at Red’s. A more perfect solution could not have been devised to the age-old “What do you want for dinner?” conundrum.

“Trying to explain Red’s to anybody else was super hard. Nobody was interested at all in the idea. Then the land went on the market and I bought it,” Jurgens recalled. “I always believe 100 percent in what I’m about to do. People would laugh and roll their eyes at me and, thank God, it didn’t get under my skin.”

Bringing to life one vision or another, one step at a time, is almost a lifestyle for Jurgens — and not only as a serial entrepreneur. Jurgens moved

resort restaurant set her on the path that would ultimately fund her riding career, including producing her Thoroughbred Ziggy from straight off-the-track to a 27th place finish at Kentucky in 2014. Ziggy was featured in our July/August 2023 issue

“That kind of gave me the leg up to be responsible with money and staffing. The gentleman that I worked for probably taught me more in three years about business: don’t change your business hours, always make sure your employees are paid. Make sure people are happy, just observe what people enjoy about your place, or don’t enjoy, and fix it,” she said. “It’s pretty simple, but it paid off. “

Founder Rachel Jurgens had a tough time convincing anyone of that, though, when she first envisioned the taproom she would build on the vacant green space behind her Pony Espresso coffee drive-through. That was back in 2012, six years before she bought the property and a full decade before Red’s finished construction and announced its first food truck lineup.

to North Carolina in 2006 in pursuit of one of the most ambitious goals an equestrian can have: the Kentucky Three-Day Event. Unlike most eventers with elite-level aspirations, she’d always ridden as an amateur and earned money to ride in other ways. As a college student at Oregon State she waited tables and fought forest fires during the summers. Jurgens’ experience working at a

In her mid-20s, Jurgens founded Twinkle, a line of equine body glitter and colorful hoof polish, and an advertising agency. It might not have been the most orthodox way to fund an upper-level riding career, but Jurgens has never been afraid to stand out or try something new. In her home state, her penchant for galloping fast and jumping high set her apart in a mostly Western-riding community.

Selling her startup businesses funded the move east with her horses. Jurgens first fell in love with Middleburg, Virginia while training with Olympian Jimmy Wofford, but settled on moving

to the more affordable horsey paradise of Southern Pines. When she got here in 2006, Starbucks had yet to open its first Moore County location in Aberdeen. Southern Pines had only two coffee shops, neither of which opened before 10 a.m. Jurgens figured that left a gaping market of caffeine-deprived professionals and service members in the pre-work hours.

She modeled Pony Espresso after the ‘coffee huts’ abundant in her hometown, ignoring well-meaning advice that no one would buy coffee from a drive-through when they could just make it at home. Legions of loyal Pony Espresso customers that followed disproved the naysayers. In the early days, Jurgens arrived at 5:30 a.m. each day to open the shop at 6 a.m. Employees would arrive a while later in time for the morning rush, allowing Jurgens to head home and ride once things slowed down after 9 a.m.

“Kentucky was my big goal, so I just decided I’m going to come and ride as much as I could and clearly I needed to

make money to pay for my horses,” she said. “That job allowed me the freedom of riding every day and also traveling because I could staff it when I was out of town. I always had incredible staff and most of them rode, so they ‘got it.’”

After finishing at Kentucky and handing Ziggy’s reins over to an up-

“It’s a bit like training a horse, you kind of start small and then you keep adding and before you know it you’re almost done.

and-coming rider, Jurgens shifted her focus to the food truck park. She got the idea, again, from observing similar spaces pop up near her parents’ home in Oregon. If outdoor dining could work there, she reasoned, why not in Southern Pines’ much more pleasant climate?

“I watched them in Oregon and they blew up just like that. As soon as someone would build one it was packed, there were lines, you couldn’t get a table. I assumed the same thing would happen here,” she said. “I asked a bunch of different people when I first thought of it. I asked a bunch of different people and nobody said yes.”

So she had to go it alone, slowing the process. After buying the property from Bill Smith in 2018, Jurgens rebuilt her savings and secured a loan to build Red’s. But even food truck operators were slow to warm up to the idea. Traditionally food trucks thrive at outdoor concerts and events where some other attraction draws in hungry crowds and food options are limited. So the prospect of parking alongside five or six other trucks behind the bar and taproom contradicted their usual approach to business.

By the time Red’s opened, it was a triumph 10 years in the making - much like galloping through the finish flags at Kentucky had been. Looking back,

Jurgens sees the delays in opening Red’s — financial, bureaucratic, and building — as blessings in disguise. Between 2018 when she bought the land and Red’s opening in 2022, food trucks caught on in earnest around the Sandhills. And all of them wanted to be at Red’s.

Jurgens sees the delays in opening Red’s — fi nancial, bureaucratic, and building — as blessings in disguise. Between 2018 when she bought the land and Red’s opening in 2022, food trucks caught on in earnest around the Sandhills. And all of them wanted to be at Red’s.

“It’s a bit like training a horse, you kind of start small and then you keep adding and before you know it you’re almost done. I get sad when I hear people have really neat ideas and they don’t do them. I know money is super scary — and I’ve never had a lot of money so it’s always intimidating to spend it. But at the same time if you believe in something, I think it comes back tenfold when you put it out there,” Jurgens said. “If my things went belly up, I figured I could always get another job and eat Top Ramen if I had to. You could buy a horse that doesn’t make it at all. Risks are everywhere, every day. Sometimes you just have to have a leap of faith and jump in.”

“It’s a bit like training a horse, you kind of start small and then you keep adding and before you know it you’re almost done. I get sad when I hear people have really neat ideas and they don’t do them. I know money is super scary — and I’ve never had a lot of money so it’s always intimidating to spend it. But at the same time if you believe in something, I think it comes back tenfold when you put it out there,” Jurgens said. “If my things went belly up, I figured I could always get another job and eat Top Ramen if I had to. You could buy a horse that doesn’t make it at all. Risks are everywhere, every day. Sometimes you just have to have a leap of faith and jump in.”

Jurgens originally planned to run Red’s Corner for about five years before selling the business. She had offers as soon as the lively crowds populating the lawn became a nightly spectacle. But Jurgens wasn’t interested in selling to an out-of-state investor with plans to delegate it to an employee. A Transworld Business Advisors agent operating out of a Pinehurst office, Scott Bertrand, took an interest in development on the corner of Morganton and old U.S. 1 early on.

Jurgens originally planned to run Red’s Corner for about five years before selling the business. She had offers as soon as the lively crowds populating the lawn became a nightly spectacle. But Jurgens wasn’t interested in selling to an out-of-state investor with plans to delegate it to an employee. A Transworld Business Advisors agent operating out of a Pinehurst office, Scott Bertrand, took an interest in development on the corner of Morganton and old U.S. 1 early on.

“She had food trucks there before, but it quickly became apparent that she was going to have taps there and that was the ‘wow’ moment,” he said. “Then you also throw in some live music and I was like this is nirvana, this beautiful. I think most people had the same reaction.”

“She had food trucks there before, but it quickly became apparent that she was going to have taps there and that was the ‘wow’ moment,” he said. “Then you also throw in some live music and I was like this is nirvana, this beautiful. I think most people had the same reaction.”

In the course of networking with business owners, Bertrand had hoped to find a project for himself and Railhouse Brewery co-founder Mike

In the course of networking with business owners, Bertrand had hoped to fi nd a project for himself and Railhouse Brewery co-founder Mike

Ratkowski. Thanks to his soft spot for live music venues, Bertrand thought Red’s Corner might be that project. So he struck up a conversation with Jurgens about the business and what it could be worth. That conversation evolved into a deal and in November, Red’s Corner changed ownership. Most important for Jurgens was that Bertrand didn’t come to her with plans for major changes or a vision to reinvent Red’s.

“There are so many things about Red’s that make so much sense for so many people. What’s so special about Red’s is that every day people are coming to live their life for a few hours and I get to support that,” said Bertrand.

Jurgens will remain involved to consult on any franchises or expansions under the Red’s Corner brand. While the general concept of a food truck park might be easily mimicked by competitors, Bertrand said that what

makes Red’s Corner work so well is the overall experience that comes from a combination of high-quality food vendors and family-friendliness.

“The site really lends itself to quite a lot of things with it being in such a core location, and the unique crosssection of demographics. It’s kind of this melting pot of wonderful people that actually do enjoy being outside,” said Bertrand. “When selecting a new site we would be heavily weighing what the demographics are against the success of Red’s. It’s quite the algorithm to see what will be successful and it’s something we don’t take lightly.”

As for Jurgens, she plans to spend the next few years on personal projects: building a home on her Southern Pines horse farm and getting back to riding and competing in a way she didn’t have time to do when she was getting Red’s off the ground. She may yet have a few business ideas

in her back pocket for the future, but for now Red’s Corner gets top billing in her portfolio.

“I think the coolest thing is how well received it was for the community. Hearing people say they love Red’s means more to me than anything else: watching the families interact and strangers sit next to each other and laugh, and there are no TVs,” she said. “That is one of the coolest things I’ve ever done. Hearing people reference Red’s as kind of a landmark: ‘oh it’s near Red’s,’ to me it is pretty impressive that that corner became so popular in that sense, and so loved.”

Barnware®: Crafting Equestrian Elegance with Tradition and Innovation

In the heart of Aberdeen, North Carolina, Barnware® stands as a beacon of artisanal excellence in the world of equestrian craftsmanship. As a small, second-generation family business, Barnware® has been dedicated to producing bespoke custom equestrian stall doors and barn hardware for discerning horse enthusiasts worldwide. With a focus on luxury, innovation, and impeccable craftsmanship, Barnware® has earned a reputation as the go-to destination for those seeking the ultimate in equestrian elegance.

the ultimate haven for horses and their owners. From farm entry gates, both sliding and hinged, to window bars and saddle and bridle racks, Barnware® provides everything needed to create a functional and elegant equestrian space.

Luxury Custom-Built Equine Stall Doors and Hardware: At Barnware®, each equine stall door and piece of hardware is crafted with meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to luxury. From ornate stall divider grills to sleek rear French doors, every product is designed to enhance the aesthetic appeal and functionality of any equestrian space.

State-of-the-Art Equipment, Facility, and Friendly Staff: Behind every Barnware® creation is a state-ofthe-art facility equipped with the latest machinery and technology. Coupled with a team of skilled artisans and craftsmen, Barnware® ensures that every product meets the highest standards of quality and craftsmanship. Their friendly and knowledgeable staff are dedicated to providing personalized service and guidance to customers throughout the design and manufacturing process.

The Ultimate Equestrian Barn Experience: Barnware® offers a comprehensive range of products to transform any equestrian facility into

461 Carolina Road

Aberdeen, NC 28315 jamie@barnware.com

Innovative Solutions: Barnware® prides itself on its commitment to innovation, as evidenced by features such as the sliding roller self-cleaning track system and integrated gravity latches. These cutting-edge solutions not only ensure smooth operation but also enhance durability and ease of maintenance, providing customers with peace of mind and convenience.

Preserving Tradition with a Modern Twist: While Barnware® is rooted in traditional craftsmanship, they also embrace modern design principles and technology to meet the evolving needs of their customers. This perfect blend of tradition and innovation is what sets Barnware® apart, making them the preferred choice for those seeking timeless elegance combined with contemporary functionality.

In conclusion, Barnware® is more than just a manufacturer of equine stall doors and barn hardware; it is a testament to the enduring legacy of craftsmanship and dedication to excellence. With their commitment to luxury, innovation, and personalized service, Barnware® continues to redefine the standards of elegance in the equestrian industry, one bespoke creation at a time.

910-944-8110 • 888-684-6773

barnware.com

Producing Horses and Conserving Land:

How breeding horses has shaped the Sandhills

Ray Owen

We all know how foals are made and that’s half the story of stallions. If it’s a good horse, you’re preserving a bloodline by not gelding him, but sometimes it has more to do with temperament. In any case, the indomitable spirit of our powerful steeds have shaped local horse country and the greater equestrian world.

“There’s been a lot of good horses at the Pinehurst Harness Track but not a lot of stallions,” says Scott Norris, a former trainer at the track. “I would say that stallions have been uncommon, since most race horses are geldings. The stallions are memorable and they stand out in your mind because there’s something special about them. Browning Blue Chip was a stallion when he was here in the 90s and early 2000s, but he was later gelded. He was one of the richest horses of all time. A horse like that, royally bred, is something you want to continue. One of the best stallions ever at the Track was a brown Standardbred called Governor Skipper in the 70s.”

According to Norris, the stallions are historically easy to manage with some thoughtfulness regarding management.

“Up until the early 2000s, we had a blacksmith shop right on a track where our horses were shod,” he explains. “There was nothing out of the ordinary about shoeing a stallion because they’re the only horse there. It’s not like he’s right next to a mare that he might try to breed. Most stallions that haven’t been bred are normally pretty quiet. When you put them in the stall, you pay attention. You don’t put a mare next to him. You can put him beside a gelding, but the mare might excite him.”

The sparseness of competing stallions bleeds over into the eventing world.

“Competing stallions for eventing are actually quite rare,” says Robert Costello, Team U.S. Eventing’s Technical Advisor/Chef d’Equipe and a longtime Southern Pines resident. “When I first moved to Southern Pines, I rode an event horse by Ginnie Moss’s stallion called Spirit of 76. I believe that particular stallion mostly sired show hunters. But this particular one that I rode was a stunning gray gelding named Rufus. It would have been in the early 1990s. Stallions are definitely a novelty as far as competition for eventing and they’re much more prolific in show jumping and in the dressage world. I think it’s probably because of the demands of the sport. But there have been a few very successful ones.”

Sir Thomson was a well-known stallion in Southern Pines Horse Country in the late 1980s/early 90s, and was a top competitor. Owned by Diana Dodge, he was a big chestnut Thoroughbred with white stockings that she showed in conformation classes and won at the National Horse Show at Madison Square Garden. Dodge said he was “something special,” and her pet, with tricks such as lifting his hind leg like a dog when she scratched him. She used to play a game with him, where she would hide behind a tree and he would come find her. Besides siring top hunters and in-hand horses, Sir Thomson also sired Northern Lights, who showed dressage up through the Grand Prix level with Jules Nyssen riding.

A unique aspect of our stallion history involves the natural environment they inhabit. Traditionally, Sandhills horse farms followed the forest conservation ethos of the Boyd family who came to Southern Pines at the turn of the 20th century and created a vast estate called Weymouth Woods.

Alfred Yeomans, a kinsman of the Boyds, first produced a topographical map and a study to determine the character of the land. From this study, he devised a planting strategy that

was compatible with the longleaf pine ecosystem – making Weymouth an equestrian landscape that blended seamlessly with nature.

Sir

Contemporary examples of this conservation mindset can be found at Dark Waterspoon Stables and Setters’ Run, horse farms with strong breeding programs located near or adjacent to the North Country of the Walthour-Moss Foundation.

Camilla Vance Shadley, owner of Dark Waterspoon Stables in Vass has ridden all of her life. Her farm trains and sells

amateur friendly, competitive dressage sport horses. Her Arabo-Friesian sport horse, Dark Waterspoon, is a fully approved stallion by the European Arabo Friesian Studbook (EAFS) and is available for breeding to quality warmbloods, thoroughbreds, Arabo-Friesian and Friesian mares. This stallion was the first EAFS approved European AraboFriesian standing in the U.S. Following in the Boyds’ footsteps, her farm was built in 2007 as an eco-friendly facility, based on the concept of leaving the land better than it was found.

Setters’ Run Farm, owned by Annie Eldridge, evolved through the same eco-friendly mindset. Known for its worldclass breeding program of quality sport horses, right from the start the goal was to protect the longleaf pine ecosystem while introducing a horse facility that would work in concert with the habitat. This landscape is the context for a premiere equestrian property. Eldridge recently bred one of her mares to the stallion who sired 2019 Badminton Horse Trials winner, Vanir Kamira, ridden by the UK’s Piggy French. Past stallion choices have included Chili Morning, Contefino, Diktator van de Zuuthoeve, Beaulieu’s Quissini, and Keltic Lion.

Both Dark Waterspoon Stables and Setters’ Run Farm were created with the help of award-winning landscape consultant, Glenn Bradley. According to Bradley, just like historic Weymouth Woods, these farms required three things to function properly: erosion control, stormwater management and proper grass establishment. He also introduced a composting regiment along with seeding, fertilization and mowing to meet those requirements.

“Dark Waterspoon is on Aiken Road, at the edge of the Little River,” says Bradley. “It’s generally a hilly site and the topography, left to right, is very steep. We used the native habitat as part of the design. Some trees had to be removed

Thomson, with Noel Twyman riding, at The National Horse Show in 1972.

to accommodate the equestrian use of the property. We kept everything in the wetland areas and used existing trees to get shade in the paddocks. Horses need a tremendous area for grazing, and that works in conjunction with the longleaf pines and native plants. As you would expect, the stallions require a separated paddock and fencing so that they can’t interact across a fence.”

“It was a similar situation at Setters’ Run. There were rolling hills and natural areas that we retained. We endeavored to leave as many longleaf trees as we could for stability on the steep slopes and still have enough open area for grazing. As far as native grasses, we have had some success with little bluestem. With both these projects, a lot of people came together to make it happen.”

Another project for Bradley was consulting work for the former property of the N.C. State Equine Health Center (EHC) adjacent to the Walthour-Moss Foundation. Now subdivided into horse farms and a veterinary facility, the site was an N.C. State University satellite facility, initially organized in 1958 on land obtained by Mr. and Mrs. W.O. Moss.

The EHC operated as a clinical diagnostic laboratory for local veterinarians and served as an equine reproduction clinic focused on breeding. Here, veterinary students train in semen collection and freezing, and evaluate animals for infertility. For stallions, the research on artificial insemination was a way to expand the geography for horses not located near each other or that were no longer living – state-of-theart innovation for the world, originating in Southern Pines.

Dark Waterspoon Stables located in Vass NC

March

March

March 01

March 01

DUE: NCDCTA

DUE: NCDCTA

Spring Eventing Grant Application

Spring Eventing Grant Application

March 02-03

March 02-03

Sat-Sun

Sat-Sun

Raleigh Winter Dressage

Raleigh Winter Dressage

Hunt Horse Complex, 4601 Trinity Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607

Hunt Horse Complex, 4601 Trinity Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607

Sat-Sun

Sat-Sun

Sedgefield at the Park

Sedgefield at the Park

Kickoff NCHJA “C

Kickoff NCHJA “C

Carolina Park 2814 Montrose Road Raeford, NC 28376

Carolina Horse Park 2814 Montrose Road Raeford, NC 28376

March 03

March 03

Sunday

Sunday

Pinehurst Schooling 5

Pinehurst Schooling 5

Pinehurst Harness Track

Pinehurst Harness Track

200 Beulah Hill Road S. Pinehurst, NC 28374

200 Beulah Hill Road S. Pinehurst, NC 28374

March 08-10

March 08-10

Fri-Sun

Fri-Sun

Triangle Spring Indoors I “C” H/J Show

Triangle Spring Indoors I “C” H/J Show

Hunt Horse Complex, 4601 Trinity Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607

Hunt Horse Complex, 4601 Trinity Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607

Sat-Sun

Sat-Sun

Southern Pines HT

Southern Pines HT

Carolina Horse Park 2814 Montrose Road Raeford, NC 28376

Carolina Horse Park 2814 Montrose Road Raeford, NC 28376

March 14-17

March 14-17

Thurs-Sun

Thurs-Sun

Carolina International CIC *** & HT

Carolina International CIC *** & HT

Carolina Horse Park 2814 Montrose Road Raeford, NC 28376

Carolina Horse Park 2814 Montrose Road Raeford, NC 28376

Calendar

Calendar

Thurs-Sun

Thurs-Sun

Raleigh Indoors Spring

Raleigh Indoors Spring

HJ Classic A

HJ Classic A

Hunt Horse Complex, 4601 Trinity Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607

Hunt Horse Complex, 4601 Trinity Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607

March 23-24

March 23-24

Sat-Sun

Sat-Sun

Sedgefield at the Park

Sedgefield at the Park

Kickoff NCHJA “C

Kickoff NCHJA “C

Carolina Horse Park 2814 Montrose Road Raeford, NC 28376

Carolina Horse Park 2814 Montrose Road Raeford, NC 28376

Saturday

Saturday

HRF Picnics & Ponies

HRF Picnics & Ponies

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

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

March 30-31

March 30-31

Sat-Sun

Sat-Sun

March Magic

March Magic

Carolina Horse Park 2814 Montrose Road Raeford, NC 28376

Carolina Horse Park 2814 Montrose Road Raeford, NC 28376

April

April

April 5-7

April 5-7

Fri-Sun

Fri-Sun

Southern Pines CDE & CT

Southern Pines CDE & CT

Carolina Horse Park 2814 Montrose Road Raeford, NC 28376

Carolina Horse Park 2814 Montrose Road Raeford, NC 28376

Fri-Sun

Fri-Sun

Region 12 & 15 Arabian Show

Region 12 & 15 Arabian Show

Hunt Horse Complex, 4601 Trinity Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607

Hunt Horse Complex, 4601 Trinity Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607

Saturday

Saturday Painted Ponies Live Auction - Online

Painted Ponies Live Auction - Online

Saturday – March 23

Wednesday – April 17 th

Wednesday – May 15 th

Wednesday – June 19 th

Wednesday – July 24 th

Wednesday – August 14 th

Wednesday - September 18 th

Saturday – October 26 th

Wednesday – November 27 th

Photo Credit: JSK Photography Horse Owner: Kristyn Hooper Horse: Down Home Blues Girls: Cheyenne and Isabel

Kiss Me! I’m Irish

Photo Credit: JSK Photography Horse Owner: Kristyn Hooper Horse: Down Home Blues Girl: Heather Hamilton Boyer

Calendar

Saturday

Matinee Races

Pinehurst Harness Track 200 Beulah Hill Road S. Pinehurst, NC 28374

Saturday

U-Polocrosse Try It Day and Egg Hunt Vass, NC 28374

April 11-13

Thu-Sat

Raleigh Invitational Show (Saddleseat)

Hunt Horse Complex, 4601 Trinity Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607

Sat-Sun

Longleaf Horse Trials

Carolina Horse Park 2814 Montrose Road Raeford, NC 28376

Sat-Sun

Finally Farm Horse Show

Hunt Horse Complex, 4601 Trinity Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607

April 19-21

Fri--Sun

Spring Holiday Classic Open Show

Hunt Horse Complex, 4601 Trinity Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607

Fri-Sun

Spring Fling Outdoors “C”

Hunt Horse Complex, 4601 Trinity Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607

Sat-Sun

Prime Time Dressage

Carolina Horse Park 2814 Montrose Road Raeford, NC 28376

April 26-28

Fri--Sat

Revenge Roughstock Rodeo

Hunt Horse Complex, 4601 Trinity Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607

Fri-Sat

Sedgefield at the Park “C”

Carolina Horse Park 2814 Montrose Road Raeford, NC 28376

Sat-Sun

United Horseman of the Carolinas, Show Season Opener

Hunt Horse Complex, 4601 Trinity Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607

Saturday

U-World Cup Fundraiser Event, Pinehurst, NC

Advertising Index

ABERDEEN SUPPLY COMPANY

ARTISTIC KITCHENS

ASHTEN’S RESTAURANT & BAR

AUDREY WIGGINS REAL ESTATE

BARN DOOR CONSIGNMENT

BARNWARE/ INDUSTRIAL METAL PRODUCTS

CANDY ALLEN DRESSAGE

CAROLINA HORSE PARK

DARLENE IVEY ARTWORK

DYNAMIC EQUINE SADDLE FITTING

ELITE ROOFING

FLOWLAND COUNTER-CULTURE OUTLET

HARDY’S EQUIPMENT

HEATHER RIDGE FARM

AP HASSINGER

HASSINGER EQUINE SPORTS MEDICINE

HEALTH INNOVATIONS PHARMACY

IDLEWILD FARM STAYS

JAMIE MCDEVITT TOWN & COUNTRY PROPERTIES

JASON JACKSON PHOTOGRAPHY

KNOWLBROOK FARMS, INC.

M&M TACK SHOP

MABUS FARM AND GENERAL CONTRACTING

MAKANA PHOTOGRAPHY

MOORE EQUINE FEED & PET SUPPLY

PONY TAILS GO BAR

RED’S CORNER

REVITAVET THERAPEUTIC SYSTEMS

STACKHOUSE & ELLIS

TAPESTRY EQUINE PRODUCTS

TANGLEWOODS FARM

THE COUNTRY SADDLER

Moore County Home Builder Association’s 2023