Stable Sheet - July & August 2022 |
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An American Legacy - The Morgan Horse |
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Get the most out of this newsletter -
For those viewing this newsletter for the first time, it is published in three sections. At the bottom of each section you will be prompted to click a link to go to the next section. Be sure to "click here" where indicated to continue reading. Links to websites for more information are shown in blue and underlined throughout this newsletter. So are email address links if you choose to use them.
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From Your Board Of Directors |
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President's Message
Hi all!
I hope everyone is enjoying this lovely weather and getting out to soak up all the glorious Vitamin D that Mother Nature is giving these days. So far it has not been too hot and is just right for all the outdoor activities that summer lets us do! Enjoy it while you can because before you know it, the days will be shorter, the chill will be back and we will have more liquid sunshine. Get out and have fun with your horse while you can.
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In June, we were able to proceed with the Oregon Morgan Classic held at the Oregon Horse Center. Although the number of horses and exhibitors was less than in previous years, we still attracted top quality horses, awesome exhibitors and had extremely competitive classes. To those who attended, a huge thank you goes out for your support in attending and sponsoring the show. To those who were unable to join us, please know that the Oregon Morgan Horse Classic will be back next year and is looking forward to having you join us. The show committee is already making plans for OMC 2023 so stay tuned as news develops!
I would like to take this opportunity to thank our show chairs, Karen and Jim Breckenridge for all their hard work and dedication to the show. Being a Show Chair is not an easy task, but they successfully navigated through all the ups and downs we faced in getting the show to happen. Their desire to put on a safe show was always front and center and they worked very hard to make sure that happened. Thank you Karen and Jim.
A big thank you goes to Shelley Bullard for stepping up to take the reins this year in running the silent auction. Because I was unable to attend the show, I was in need for someone to be my proxy and Shelley graciously agreed to do that. Thank you Shelley..great job! Another person I would like to thank is Gay Adams for her hard work and dedication to doing the futurity at OMC. Her hard work and dedication that program as well as to MHAO was stellar. Gay Adams is a driving force behind all things MHAO and she deserves a huge thank you from all the members. Thank you Gay for all you do! Rhea Turner handled the kids table this year and I hear it was a good one! Thank you Rhea. And finally, I would like to thank Nancy Harvey, our Show Manager, and Kelly McFaul, our Show Secretary for all your work at OMC. These two ladies do so much behind the scenes and do not always get the kudos they deserve. Our show is lucky to have these highly professional, personable and dedicated ladies handling the business of the show. Thank you ladies. If I have missed anyone, please accept my apologies..it takes many to put on a quality show and we have hit the jackpot with all those that help!
Finally, mark your calendars for the 2022 Oregon State Fair to be held from August 26th to Sept. 5th. The fair horse show starts Aug. 28th and will run through to Sept. 5th. The Morgan portion of the horse show will be from Sept. 2nd to Sept. 4th. MHAO will be hosting a "booth" in the barn to promote and show the Morgan horse. I would like to see people bring and show their Morgans in the show and show the crowds that the breed is alive and well and thriving in the area. For more information, please feel free to contact me. In addition, I will also be looking for volunteers to help man the booth and share with the public all things Morgan. I will have more information and details in the presidents message next month. BUT..get it on your calendars folks! Let's knock it out of the park with the participation of the Morgan horse and the people that adore them!
In the meantime..enjoy your summer fun!
Kathy Christensen, MHAO President
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Click here to read the minutes from the MHAO Board Meeting on June 29, 2022
Next meeting via conference call will be @7:30pm on August 17, 2022. MHAO members are always welcome. Contact Kathy Christensen if you would like to attend at mike-kak@Q.com.
Click here to see a 2022 Board Meeting Schedule. Dates are always subject to possible change.
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Our 2022 OMC Vendors, OMC Corporate Sponsors, & Donors of "Other Items" to the MHAO Stallion Service Auction in Support of the MHAO Breeders' Cup Futurity
Thank you so much!
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See the next Newsletter Section for coverage of the 2022
Oregon Morgan Classic Horse Show
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Announcing!! The MHAO 2022 Foal Photo Contest |
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Click here to access an application form to go with your photo/s
Click here to see our 2021 entries and winners
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Do you have pictures of a 2022 foal?
If so, you may want to consider entering the AMHA's
"Those Amazing Morgan Foals" photo contest, too. More information is provided later in this newsletter.
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Horses & Volunteers Needed For A Promotion Booth At The Oregon State Fair - Can You Help? |
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August 26th - September 5th |
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Oregon State Fair - Our booth will be open at least September 2-4, 2022 |
During the horse show, we will have a booth at the Oregon State Fair to promote the Morgan horse. Horses and volunteers are needed. Take a shift to help keep the booth manned. Information and handouts will be provided. Help us to let people know about this wonderful breed of horse and its legacy.
If you can help, please contact Kathy Christensen, mike-kak@Q.com. Different shifts will be available.
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Battle Of The Breeds At The State Fair - Likely
Thursday Night, September 1st
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We are looking for exhibitors interested in representing the Morgan horse for the Battle of the Breeds. The schedule is not out yet, but we expect it to be Thursday night in the 7pm session at the Oregon State Fair. More information will follow when available. Let's show off a bit!
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MHAO Offers A High Point Award Program |
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It's show season!
Don't forget to turn in your points!
This program covers every type of competition.
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Your contact for questions or to send your points to is:
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MHAO Award Banquet, Election, & General Membership Meeting - November 13th, 2022 |
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For questions, more information or to let us know if you will be there, contact:
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Are you interested in serving on the MHAO Board Of Directors or volunteering to help with MHAO events? We could use your help and love to see our members involved. If so - let our MHAO President know now.
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MHAO Breeders' Cup Futurity |
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Do you have, or will you have, a foal born this year?
Don't forget to get your foal nominated to the MHAO Breeders' Cup Futurity before December 31st.
Show off your breeding program!
Click here to download a Futurity Nomination Form for your 2022 foals
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All foals from AMHA registered parents are eligible
for this futurity! Fees are very reasonable.
$45 - Initial nomination fee
$25 - Annual renewal fee thru the foal's 4 yr old year
$25 - Futurity class entry fee
This year we returned to our normal class schedule for the Futurity at the Oregon Morgan Classic. Halter classes were offered for 0-2 yr olds. Performance classes were offered for 2-4 yr olds with 3 yr old saddle classes being walk/trot.
There will be discussions about our program over this coming year. We will be talking about the direction of the futurity and if any changes should be made. If you have any input for us to consider or would like to be involved in the discussion, please send an email to Gay Adams to let her know.
The only change we made this year was to remove any reference to color. Color does not affect conformation and is not included as a part of the conformation standard of the Morgan horse. We welcome Morgan horses of color to be entered in any of our Futurity classes.
The 2022 MHAO Breeders' Cup Futurity Booklet was available at the Oregon Morgan Classic. It will also be available at the Morgan Medallion, at C-Fair, & at Nationals.
Gay Adams, MHAO Breeders' Cup Futurity Chair
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Congratulations To Our 2022 MHAO Alex Mooney Memorial Scholarship Recipient -
Hannah Marie Weidler
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Hannah Is an MHAO member from Rough & Ready, CA. Here is what she wrote with her application:
"I work for Grand Finale Stables. I will be starting my sophomore year at William Woods University this August. I am majoring in Equine Science and minoring in business. I ride and show for William Woods while taking regular classes. If I am fortunate enough to receive this scholarship I plan to put it toward my tuition and show bills. I am planning on showing a Morgan at "Color Breed Congress" this upcoming year with William Woods. I would feel so honored and thankful for this scholarship."
Hannah is the daughter of Jerry & Wendy Weidler. Her cumulative GPA at William Woods University is 3.9. Payment for this scholarship will go directly to William Woods University on her behalf. Congratulations Hannah! We are so pleased to name you as this year's recipient of the MHAO Alex Mooney Memorial Scholarship and excited to see what lies ahead for you.
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About Our Scholarship:
The Morgan Horse Association of Oregon (MHAO) Alexandra M. Mooney Memorial Scholarship was established in 2019 to promote the values of learning, sharing, leading, volunteering and good sportsmanship in and out of the arena. We do this by awarding a $500 scholarship annually to MHAO members of any age in any discipline or career for college, trade or continuing education type classes along with a gift of one 8"x10" color photo with their Morgan horse shot by Howie Schatzberg or something equivalent. We want to support the expansion of knowledge, skills, or leadership ability for any of our members. Our goal is also to attract new youth to MHAO youth programs and activities and thus increase our club membership.
Recipients of this scholarship are free to apply in multiple years.
The Application Deadline Is May 15th Each Year.
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This scholarship was established in memory of Alexandra Mooney who was born April 4, 1992. At the tender age of 3 she was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis. We watched Alex grow up and face all her challenges in dealing with her disease. She lost her battle against Cystic Fibrosis on April 2, 2019, just before her 27th birthday.
Alex lived her life as an example of courage and strength surviving 2 dual lung transplants. She never gave up on her dreams and always found ways to be supportive of all around her no matter what she was going thru.
She and her family touched and continue to touch many lives. Her last wish was that people remember her and her story, and that they learn more about Cystic Fibrosis and what people with the disease go through. It was her request that people donate to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in Alex’s name so that a cure can be found.
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Top picture: Alex Mooney
Bottom: Alex with her mother, Sara Breyman, and grandmother Sally Plumley.
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This program was established and originally funded by Mary Graves in 2019. Other donations and fund raising efforts have followed including donations from Sara Breyman and Sally Plumley. For more information about Alex, the scholarship, or past recipients please visit the MHAO Website.
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A Request For News From MHAO Members & Friends |
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Karen Weiderman is our reporter for member news. She would love to showcase you and your horse in the Members section of the Stable Sheet newsletter (Section 2). Send her a story with some pictures.
She is also looking for stories from Morgan owners on how and when they got into the Morgan breed and what they have done since then.
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Honoring Independence Day, “Cause the flag still stands for freedom…God Bless the USA”
Thank you for what you do Daryl Hopson.
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Congratulations Sutton Morgans! |
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Sutton Morgans is proud to receive the inaugural Breeder's Award medals for their mare Sutton Star Time (Serenity March Time x Crown Solitaire) who foaled our multi-champion Sutton Remembrance in 2007 and "Chip" achieved the Triple Crown in carriage driving at the 2021 Nationals in OKC. We hope Star is looking down from horse heaven with pride at her special boy. We are small breeders from a small town who raise a foal every few years for our own use and this is a big exciting surprise! Thanks to trainer Dallas McLarney Bolen for bringing along our youngsters and to Kathy Boerema who gave Star a loving retirement home, and to the AMHA for this honor.
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Make Your Horse Comfortable And Ready To Move |
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ORIGINAL POST BY: Running T Horsemanship, Dana Lovell
We are big at teaching the "why" - this was too good not to share. It's the "little" things you do to help your horse that makes them happy and enjoy their time with you.
Pulling your saddle pad up into the pommel. It can can take a bit of practice with saddle shifting and pad pulling, but your horse will appreciate it.
Without being pulled up, when the saddle is cinched the pad presses down on the withers potentially causing discomfort. With the pad pulled up into the pommel the withers have room to move and there isn't a pressure point.
If you aren't already in the habit of doing this the next time you ride put your fingers between the pad and your horses withers while walking or trotting.
It's our job to make sure that they can comfortably carry us. This simple shift can help to make that happen.
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About The Heart Of A Horse |
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“It’s absolutely mind boggling if you think about it.
Your horse gets absolutely nothing out of being competitive for you. Not a darn thing. Of course horses are bred for specific jobs, or they’re bred to be athletic to a certain degree. However, horses don’t wake up thinking about chasing cans, or cows, or flying over jumps.
They have no idea how much money is added to the pot. They have no idea that this is a qualifier. They have no idea that this is the short go.
And DESPITE us... DESPITE our nerves, our flaws, our incorrect ques, our huge emotions, they get the job done to their very best ability. Even when we fail them by letting our emotions get in the way, they come back and they try again. For US. Whoa. Let that sink in. If only we could all be so understanding.
To think of an animal that is forgiving and flexible enough to put up with the repetition of practice, the intense nerves of the rider, the stress of hauling and still meet you at the gate for scratches is MIND. BLOWING.
If you haven’t done so lately. Thank your horse.
If you’re successful, thank the horses that put you there and made you. Thank the horses that gave everything they had for you simply because you ASKED them to.
If you’re still on the journey to success, thank the horses that made you fall in love with your sport and who have helped give you the confidence to want to learn more and be better.
We can never stop learning as horsemen and horsewomen, and by continuing our education every horse in our future will be better off.
Next time you head to the arena leave your ego at the door and thank your horse!”
~Samantha Roffers
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AMHA Morgan Foal Photo Contest |
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Deadline To Submit Your Photos is August 15th |
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Click flyer to create an email to Kim Oplotnik.
If you submit photos to this contest, please consider submitting photos to the MHAO Foal Photo Contest as well. Close date for the MHAO contest is September 30th. See more information earlier in this newsletter included with other information from your Board of Directors.
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AMHA Youth of the Year Contests - 2022 |
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Why should you compete in a Youth of the Year Contest?
Youth of the Year contests reward those who are well-versed in horsemanship skills. They provide a wonderful opportunity to improve one's horse knowledge as well as a means of setting realistic goals and learning the benefits of hard work and dedication. Most importantly, youth contests create a positive atmosphere in which young people and adults who share a love of the Morgan can interact. Friendships developed through youth contests are a rewarding and fulfilling benefit.
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Interested in competing in the 2022 Youth of the Year Contest? Be sure to check out the upcoming contests. There are still 11 remaining contests, all around the country, for 2022. Check with the Contest organizer for the divisions being included. (Local and Regional contests are open to youth of all ages, but only those aged 14 years and older can qualify to compete in Oklahoma.)
Click HERE to find a contest near you!
Click HERE to learn more about the Youth of the Year!
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**SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT** From AMHA - Virtual
Youth Of The Year Contest
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AMHA will be holding it's first annual Virtual Youth of the Year contest. This contest will be completely virtual, open to ALL AMHA Youth members between the ages of 14 and 21. (Senior division only)
The winner and any contestant scoring over 800 points will qualify to compete in the 2022 Grand National Youth Contest in Oklahoma City, OK. The winner will also receive a $500 scholarship to help aid in travel to Oklahoma City for the Grand National contest. Click HERE to sign up!
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**In case you missed it!** |
Morgan Horse Source Episode 22: On Target Training with Shawna Karrassch!
Brought to you by the AMHA Youth Council. Enjoy!
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“Dollars for DNA” is a new program developed by the AMHA Welfare & Rescue Committee to provide free DNA testing kits to registered 501(c)(3) rescues that help Morgan horses who find themselves in “at-risk” situations. Currently, a DNA Testing Kit costs $50 per horse (which covers the actual cost of the testing).
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The American Morgan Horse Educational Charitable Trust (AMHECT), a 501(c)(3) organization, collects and distributes the funds. Donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Initial funding of the program was through a fundraiser at The Grand National & World Championship Morgan Horse Show® in October 2021, fundraising by the AMHA Youth, and generous matching funds from the Heidi E. Kunkel Foundation and the Law Office of Kathryn Kirsch, PLLC. The longevity of this program is dependent upon ongoing donations and support.
If you would like to donate to “Dollars for DNA,” please make your check payable to AMHECT and mail it to the AMHA Office (4037 Iron Works Parkway Ste 130, Lexington, KY 40511-8508) or click HERE.
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Deadline - August 11, 2022
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Test your skills live with the AMHA Youth Council! |
Wednesday July 27th at
8 pm EDT
Meeting ID: 879 1335 9042
Passcode: cGN17H
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KEEP Foundation Youth Grant: Deadline Approaching |
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The Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP) Foundation has launched a youth grant program in order to help support youth who want to become involved with or continue their involvement in the equine industry. Youth grants of up to $500 are available to individuals ages 21 and under who want to attend an equine educational opportunity in Kentucky.
The application period for the KEEP Foundation Youth Grant opens June 1 and closes July 29. The application and more information can be found here.
Grants will be reviewed by the Foundation and awarded by August 12.
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Masterclass Monday From Horse Network |
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#MasterclassMonday is a collaboration between Horse Network and NOELLEFLOYD.com
to empower equestrians. Every Monday we’ll bring you a new lesson from a leading trainer to help you troubleshoot your training, master your mindset and up your game. This month’s instructor: Dr. Jenny Susser.
The hard truth—fear is normal and actually quite necessary, especially within the equestrian sport.
Fear is designed to keep us safe. As humans, we are designed to have a fear response to keep us safe, however it can become a problem when we get caught in a pattern of unproductive thoughts. Our sport puts fear-provoking situations front and center: powerful animals, horse show pressure, the list goes on.
A powerful “myth bust” to come to terms with is that there is no overcoming fear.
I know, this can be a tough one to digest, but hear me out. We may not be able to overcome fear, but we can master the appropriate tools to help us gain control and better approach certain situations when we are experiencing fear and anxiety. More often than not, rider’s feel like a passenger in their own body, unsure of how to navigate and even process the thoughts, feelings and emotions they are experiencing.
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The good news: you can change the relationship you have with fear.
The human brain may be complex, but it is more than capable of transforming itself with the right tools, patience and consistency. When it comes to sports psychology, the most important thing to maintain is the desire to learn. If you keep an open mind and remember that all riders have felt fear at some point or another, you’ll be on your way to not only more success, but endless enjoyment in your riding.
Click here to go to the Horse Network website and access a video on this subject.
Dr. Jenny Susser is a New York state-licensed Sport & Performance Psychologist, a Certified Mental Performance Consultant with the Association for Applied Sport Psychology, and a member of the USOC Olympic Registry, the highest distinction a Sport Psychologist can obtain in the United States
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From The Horse Network Money Series: |
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3 FINANCE TIPS FOR MORE PROFIT IN YOUR EQUESTRIAN BUSINESS |
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What separates a business from a hobby or passion project?
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Additional Horse Network Articles |
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Nominations are in! Watch for more information.
The auction will again be during Nationals.
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UVM Morgan Horse Farm Raffle |
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We are so excited to introduce the 2022 UVM Raffle Morgan...
Meet UVM Date Night! By Merriehill After Hours GCH and out of UVM Westerly, this 2021 chestnut gelding is a favorite in the barn and among the guests. Affectionately known as "Dale," this yearling is working on ground manners and just beginning his training.
Perhaps his most endearing feature is the heart shaped star on his forehead.
Raffle Tickets can be purchased in person or over the phone, 802-388-2011. Single tickets are $5 and a book of 10 tickets is $20. Drawing is October 29th.
Good luck!
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The Morgan Horse June/July Issue
Available Online Now
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The Morgan Horse June/July issue is now available online to subscribers.
The popular Breeders Tour advertising section anchors the publication in addition to exclusive editorial centered around breeders by Stephen Kinney, a working equitation feature authored by Bernadette Stang, current industry news, and much, much more!
Not a subscriber? A one-year subscription with access to our digital publication is only $45 and available HERE.
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Two Morgan Horses Featured at Breyerfest 2022 |
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Two registered Morgans, Avatar's Jazzman and Morganquest Native Sun were featured at Breyerfest on July 15-17 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington Kentucky.
Morganquest Native Sun entered his first Grand National & World Championship Morgan Horse Show® in 2004 and became the Snaffle Bit/Hackamore Reining World Champion. He returned in 2005 and 2006 to win the Open Reining World Championship, and the Reserve World Championship in 2007 and 2014. Now retired from showing, he’s making a name for himself as a sire. Passing on his athletic conformation, working bloodlines, and winning ways, his influence will continue to shine on the reining arena.
Avatar's Jazzman demonstrates the versatility of the Morgan with his success in the eventing and dressage arenas. As a young horse, it was discovered that he loved to jump, and that he was fast, brave, and careful - hallmarks of a great eventing horse! In addition to eventing at Training Level, Jazz has excelled in dressage. He’s been Champion or Reserve in FEI Test of Choice and Grand Prix Freestyle, and has earned many USDF All-Breeds awards. Jazz has also been named the High Score Morgan multiple times at the FEI National Dressage Pony Cup!
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Burns Feed Store
in Gresham OR
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With all the work that goes into the Oregon Morgan Classic and the fact that Father's Day is the Sunday after the show, I missed wishing all our Dads a Happy Father's Day. My apology. You are valued, and I hope you had a wonderful day! |
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Sergeant York Serves the U.S. Army With Honor
The black Standardbred gelding Sergeant York excels in the U.S. Army's most visible and poignant role.
A former racehorse named Sergeant York played a small but significant role in the Washington, D.C., funeral procession of President Ronald Reagan in June 2004. The black Standardbred gelding served as the riderless horse, the age-old symbol of a fallen warrior.
An honor reserved for U.S. presidents and high-ranking Army and Marine Corps officers, the riderless horse is led behing a caisson bearing the casket. The horse, wearing full regalia, carries an artillery sword and a pair of empty boots reversed in the stirrups.
Sergeant York has served as the riderless horse in thousands of ceremonies since he was donated to the U.S. Army in 1997. He soon became a highly valued member of one of the most visible units in the American military.
A soldier’s story Like his famous namesake, Sergeant York’s life story is the stuff of Hollywood movies. He started out with a different name (Allaboard Jules), and he was one of thousands of Standardbred racehorses in North America, pacing his way to an undistinguished career at Freehold Raceway in Freehold, N.J. Jules won only 5 of 23 starts in three years of racing, earning a grand total of $14,881 — not even enough to pay for his keep.
But Jules did have three factors working in his favor — an easygoing personality, a pure black coat and a connection. Marie Dobrisky works for the state of New Jersey in the detention barn of Freehold Raceway, where she conducts pre- and post-race drug testing of horses. Her son, Sgt. Francis “Frank” Dobrisky, is a decorated member of the Army Caisson Platoon, which handles the harnessed and ridden horses who take part in the funeral ceremonies of U.S. presidents as well as high-ranking members of the Army or Marines. Ideally, caisson horses are gray or black (although very dark brown may be accepted), and the unit is regularly seeking horses.
When Allaboard Jules’ trainer, Dave Brandwine, needed to find a new home for the gelding, he approached Marie Dobrisky. “Dave said he had a nice little black horse who was so friendly and tried so hard, but was just not going to make it on the track,” she says. “I said to him, ‘How would you like him to go into the Army?’ Even though Dave said, ‘He’d probably end up being a 4-F,’ he said I could have him, and I took him sight unseen.”
Unfortunately, her timing was a bit off. “I called my son to say I had a black horse — and it turned out they couldn’t use him. They needed grays at that time!” she says. Undeterred, Marie Dobrisky sent Allaboard Jules to a nearby farm to wait until a place opened up for a black saddle horse with the caisson platoon. After losing his last race on March 30, 1996, Allaboard Jules spent a year frolicking among a herd of cows and learning how to be a riding horse.
Finally, the Army called, and in the summer of 1997, platoon leaders headed to New Jersey to check out the new recruit. At 15 hands, the gelding was a bit on the small side, but he could probably become a suitable riding horse. With assurances of his long-term care — military horses never go to private hands — Marie Dobrisky sent Allaboard Jules to join the Army.
Shazam! In the beginning the little pacer was clearly more Gomer Pyle than George Patton.
For one thing, his attitude is a bit “goofball,” according to Chief Warrant Officer 4 Charles Sowles, the unit’s commanding officer. When visitors come through the barn, for example, the gelding sticks his head out into the aisle and shakes it in circles, trying to get the attention of anyone who passes by. With his roached mane and bright eyes, he looks like a crew-cutted young boy up to mischief. He simply will not tolerate being passed by without a pat or a stroke.
And his small stature made him look like David among the Goliaths — the draft horse and draft crosses who pull the caisson. “He was really skinny when he got here,” admits Sgt. Dobrisky. “We have 2,000-pound English shires, and everyone who looked at Jules thought he was a runt. But we got him on a heavier diet and started to beef him up, so pretty soon he looked like a different horse.”
Another problem was that Jules’ name didn’t quite fit in with his no-nonsense Army surroundings, especially since he was sharing a barn with horses bearing names such as “Lee” and “Grant.” Members of the unit decided that the new guy needed a military moniker, too, so they opted to honor him with the name of a World War I hero who single-handedly captured an enemy battalion: Sergeant York.
No one had expected great things of the compact Standardbred, but Sergeant York soon began living up to his heroic namesake. The more that was asked of him, the better he performed, and he quickly rose through the barn’s ranks. “He just kept doing everything perfectly,” says Sgt. Dobrisky. “He was perfect around the barn, perfect in his exercises. We ended up using him to help train new soldiers we were bringing into the unit.”
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Sergeant York demonstrated unusual versatility. Although the funeral processions are the Caisson Platoon’s most visible role, the horses also represent the U.S. Army in other functions, such as military weddings, inaugural parades and military pageants. Sergeant York hadn’t been originally intended for funeral processions, according to Sgt. Dobrisky, but he did so well at his other tasks, such as pulling carriages for weddings at Fort Myer’s chapel, the unit began training him for riderless-horse duty.
The riderless horse may appear to have the easiest job in the army, but in reality, it is the rare horse who has the right combination of manners and personality to give a funeral the dignity and respect it deserves. “You can stick a halter on any horse and lead him,” says Sgt. Dobrisky, “But for this job you need to pick the right horse, personality-wise. You don’t want a horse who carries his head low. You want one who is very alert; not very excitable, but with a little excitement to him.”
Sergeant York’s happy, alert nature, combined with his steady nerves and easy trainability, made him a natural for the role, and he responded well to the schooling. “Training a horse for the job is almost like combat training,” says Sgt. Dobrisky. “We have flags waving, guns going off, people making noise. The horses have to stand no matter what. Being a Standardbred from the track, Sergeant York was used to all the distractions. He never missed a beat.”
Just a few weeks later, Sergeant York’s first test arrived. The primary riderless came up lame just before a mission and despite his limited training, Sergeant York was the only one available who could carry the boots. “He did two missions on his first day — one Marine Corps and one Army — with no problems,” Sgt. Dobrisky says. “The Marine Corps missions tend to line up real close, and some horses feel too crowded in. Nothing fazed him. He didn’t even look back.” The primary horse soon returned but died a few months later. With his passing, Sergeant York became the principal riderless horse.
Life has certainly improved for the horse who was once a mediocre racer named Allaboard Jules. “I think his story is like a Disney movie,” says Sgt. Dobrisky. “He was down and out, and he had everything fall into his lap. He went from being given away as worthless to being priceless.
Nobody rides him — almost out of respect. He does such a great job, we don’t want to take any chances with him. He is treated like a king here, and he deserves it.”
This article originally appeared in the September 2000 issue of EQUUS Magazine.
For those that weren’t aware, the decision was made last month to officially retire SGT York. SGT York served as the Caisson Platoon’s Riderless Horse for 25 years and took part in literally thousands of high profile funeral missions to include that of President Ronald Reagan.
By all accounts, he’s still in great shape for being 31 years old. Besides having a few gray hairs, he’s still the happy go lucky York that he was on the day he arrived at Caisson back in 1997. In true SGT York fashion, he continued to flawlessly perform missions (on a limited basis) right up to when the decision was made to retire him.
I can’t thank the current Caisson Leadership team (CPT Keally and SFC McDevitt) enough for reaching out to me after the decision was made and allowing my family to be involved in the process. Rather than having him sit around the Caisson Stables in retirement, everyone felt that he deserved to live out his golden years in the best environment possible.
The Platoon reached out to the great folks over at Equine Advocates in Valatie, NY who were overjoyed to be able to provide that role. While their primary focus is rescuing neglected horse, they’ve got a beautiful facility that can fully accommodate York and any future needs he might have. We also liked the idea that even in retirement, SGT York would be the perfect “Pasture Buddy” to help with some of the rescues that they take in because of his laid back, easy going personality.
Last Wednesday SGT York left the Caisson platoon in route to Cornell University for a full health screening before heading over to his final destination in Valatie, NY. I got word that he finally arrived at the farm yesterday morning in great shape and the first thing he did was have a good roll in his stall, only to be turned out a little later and indulge himself with another one.
Many thanks to everyone involved in helping find him the perfect retirement home. (CPT Keally, SFC McDevitt, Heather Vitale, Melissa Murray, Equine Advocates)
Photo credits: Mike Lynaugh, Stars and Stripes, Melissa Murray
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Flashback From AMHA - Had To Share It |
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Jennie (Meyer) Moore - 1992 AMHA Youth Of The Year Winner |
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It's time once again for 𝐅𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐇𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊 𝐅𝐑𝐈𝐃𝐀𝐘! 𝐀𝐌𝐇𝐀 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫, 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐍𝐨𝐰?
This week we are delighted to hear back from Jennie (Meyer) Moore, our Youth of the Year winner from 1992!
𝑨𝒓𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒊𝒏𝒗𝒐𝒍𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝑴𝒐𝒓𝒈𝒂𝒏𝒔?
I am! I’m totally breed-loyal and can’t imagine not being involved. After my beloved gelding, Amigo Bingson (who carried both Christina Stewart and I to YOY titles, and me to a handful of dressage and hunter National and World Championships) passed away, I got another Morgan. We did very well in open dressage, but when I had my second child and a demanding career to juggle, I took a break. Luckily, my daughter Cassidy got the riding bug early, so I’ve stayed very involved through her riding and showing leased Morgans. Last year we finally bought her an adorable chestnut gelding of her own, C-King Solar Flaire, who I ride occasionally. So all’s right with the world!
𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒇𝒂𝒗𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒄𝒉 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒕?
Being a writer, I enjoyed the speech the most – crafting it, creating visual aids, and presenting. I actually credit the YOY contest with sparking my love for public speaking. Next favorite was horsemastership, but a little less predictable because my horse would shy at his own breath if the mood struck him. The test felt the most within my control- the harder I studied, the better I did. Judging and oral reasons were always the toughest for me- it certainly gave me an appreciation for judges, because the perspective from center ring is entirely different than our armchair opinion from the stands.
Back then, we also rode into center ring for the awards presentation, and it still stands out as one of the most exciting nights of my life. Under the lights, hearing our names called…taking that victory lap representing hundreds if not thousands of hours of studying and preparation and dreaming. It felt like winning a Gold Medal and Miss America and a World Championship combined. I get teary just thinking about it.
𝑫𝒊𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒏 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒚𝒐𝒖?
Oh, it changed everything! Winning the contest gave me a confidence boost and a sense of accomplishment that I draw from to this day. I traveled to Spain and Portugal for my award trip, and while I wasn’t able to convert them into Morgan owners, I definitely came home with an appreciation for Spanish culture and Andalusian horses. Winning the contest also sparked my larger involvement in the youth program and I went on to serve as Reporter and Co-Chairman of the AMHAY Board, and I completed my Justin Morgan badge. Thirty years later, it’s still having
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an impact as I watch my daughter participate and get excited about all she can achieve and how she can make a difference.
𝑨𝒕 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝒅𝒊𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒔𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝒅𝒊𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒘𝒊𝒏 𝒀𝑶𝑻𝒀?
I started competing when I was 18, and it took me three tries to win. The first year I won Reserve Champion, (beginners luck, maybe?) the second time I placed third, and the third year I pulled it all together to win when I was 20.
𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒆𝒍𝒔𝒆 𝒌𝒆𝒆𝒑𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒃𝒖𝒔𝒚?
I have two kids, Cassidy, 16, and Carson, 13 and my husband Dave and I have been married for 21 years this September. I am a Group Creative Director for an advertising agency called WONGDOODY in Seattle, where I lead the development of advertising campaigns (TV, print, radio, digital, social) for a handful of local and national accounts. I love it, but it’s pretty demanding time-wise and I travel for TV shoots several times a year- I’m actually on one in New York as I write this. We also recently finished (do you ever really finish?) a major remodel of the home I grew up in, and are getting ready to bring Cassidy’s horse home, so every spare moment lately is spent working on the barn and property. I got back in the show ring for the first time in ages this year on my daughter’s horse, and It was like coming home, so I hope to do more of that. And in my “free” time I contribute to ad industry publications and sporadically to my blog, Jennieland.
𝑨𝒏𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒆𝒍𝒔𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝑨𝑴𝑯𝑨𝒀 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒚?
Find a club! Sign up for a YOY contest! Attend youth events at Grand National! Getting more involved in AMHAY adds so much to an already amazing hobby. The youth community is positive and supportive, and it gives you an opportunity to develop other muscles besides the ones you ride with. Plus, doing youth contests or serving on the youth board is invaluable life experience and looks great on a transcript. And if you’re as lucky as I have been, you’ll develop friendships that last a lifetime.
𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒌 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒐 𝒎𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝑱𝒆𝒏𝒏𝒊𝒆!
If you were YOTY winner in the past and would like your story featured, please contact Carol@morganhorse.com. We would love to hear from you!
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Available Now!
Rocket - The Miniature Morgan Horse
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I'd like to share the cover for my forthcoming book, Rocket: The Miniature Morgan Horse. What makes this cover extra special is that the artist, Heidi Osgood-Metcalf, is the niece of my original artist, Jeanne Mellin.
This is the first book in a new series, for readers ages 7-8. And like my other books, this one is based on a real horse, er, pony, named Rocket. He's my heart pony, frequently very naughty and very opinionated, but he always makes me laugh. And he's half Morgan. His daddy is a Morgan and his mom, a short, pudgy, Shetland pony. The book is at the printer now, and will be out in July.
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One of my friends asked: "Why do you pay so much money for your kids to do horse riding?" Well, I have a confession to make, I don't pay for my kids horse riding. Personally, I couldn't care less about horse riding. So, if I am not paying for horse riding, what am I paying for?
- I pay for those moments when my kids become so tired they want to quit but don't.
- I pay for those days when my kids come home from school and are "too tired" to go the stables but go anyway.
- I pay for my kids to learn to be disciplined.
- I pay for my kids to learn to take care of their body.
- I pay for my kids to learn to work with others and to be good team mates.
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- I pay for my kids to learn to deal with disappointment, when they don't get that score they'd hoped for, but still have to work hard in the grading.
- I pay for my kids to learn to make and accomplish goals.
- I pay for my kids to learn that it takes hours and hours and hours and hours of hard work and practice to create a champion, and that success does not happen overnight.
- I pay for the opportunity my kids have and will have to make life-long friendships.
- I pay so that my kids can be in the arena instead of in front of a screen...
...I could go on but, to be short, I don't pay for horse riding, I pay for the opportunities that horse riding provides my kids with to develop attributes that will serve them well throughout their lives and give them the opportunity to bless the lives of others. From what I have seen so far I think it is a great investment!
Thank you Allyson Hughes
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Help With Managing Our Information In the Digital Age |
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An Equine Resource Website |
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EquineInfoExchange.com is the most comprehensive horse related website in the world, supplying visitors with a worldwide view and repository of information for every aspect related to horses - all breeds and all disciplines.
Our Mission — Serving the professional horse person, amateur owners, occasional enthusiasts and sporting interests alike, the goal is to serve all disciplines – which often act independently yet have common needs and values.
Equine Info Exchange is totally comprehensive, supplying visitors with a world wide view and repository of information for every aspect related to horses. EIE provides the ability to search breeds, riding disciplines, horse sports, health, vacations, art, lifestyles…and so much more.
EIE strives to achieve as a source for content and education, as well as a transparent venue to share thoughts, ideas, and solutions. This responsibility also includes horse welfare, rescue and retirement, addressing the needs and concerns of all horse lovers around the world.
Yet, there's always more!
Tell us what you want to see on EIE. We welcome your ideas for articles and stories that are interesting and important for you. Send us an email with your suggestions at info@equineinfoexchange.com.
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Boots and bandages - are we harming our horses as we try to protect them? |
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Bandaging and booting our horses is becoming more and more popular, especially with the popularity of matchy matchy sets. But are we doing more harm than good? Most people will have come across the articles in magazines and comments from vets saying they are, and yet still they become more and more popular. Why is that? Why do riders still cover their horses in thick fleece bandages or fluffy boots despite the dangers? Tradition I suppose. Wanting to fit in. Or just habit, some will feel like they haven’t finished tacking up if they haven’t put the boots on.
I know this isn’t about dentistry (for which I apologize) but I am a vet first and foremost, and as a dressage rider I am asked why I don’t use bandages all the time. I’ve written about this several times now and no one pays attention, so rather than stating facts and quoting research, I’d like to take you through my journey of discovery, please bear with me. Facts and papers are at the end.
Rewind 12 years and I was in my final year at vet school. Prior to and during vet school I had a horse and we did dressage. I had planned to ODE but this horse pulled every tendon and ligament known to vet kind. He spent more time out of work than in. Each time I would up my game with the latest boots/bandages on the market. From fluffy boots to wraps to sports fetlock boots, fleece bandages to gamgee and cotton to the half fleece/half elastic bandages. I learnt new techniques for better support, figure of 8 bandaging to cradle the fetlock etc etc. I’d been there and done it. My collection was extensive.
Right at the end of vet school I had my rotations. I chose Equine lameness as one of my options. During this I very vividly remember a wet lab with Dr. Renate Weller where she had a skinned horses leg (showing all of the tendons and ligaments) in a machine that mimicked the pressures a horse applies to their limbs. She took us through walk, trot, canter and gallop, loading this leg so we could see the inside workings of the horses leg without the skin. It was fascinating I can tell you, and I very clearly remember thinking about my horse and wondering how on earth we are suppose to support this limb when it undergoes these incredible forces! Half a ton of animal pushing down a tiny spindle of a leg held by tendons barely thicker than my thumb. Craziness!
Fast forward just a few short months and I was a fully qualified vet in the big wide world. I attended my first BEVA Congress and during the break I wandered around the stalls looking at the latest inventions and technologies companies bring to these gatherings. Here I came across a company with the Equestride Boot which caught my eye. Now if you haven’t seen this boot, it’s wonderful and I’ve since used it a few times in rehabbing very severe tendon and ligament injuries with great success. The boot is a carbon fibre boot that stops the fetlock dropping, which stops the tendons and ligaments being fully loaded while they heal. This boot is super strong. You couldn’t ride a horse in it as it is limiting the range of motion so much, but they can move about easily enough at the lower settings to rehab etc.
The guy on the stand (I’m afraid I can’t remember his name) showed me their research and in the straight talking Irish way explained the stupidity of expecting a thin piece of material to support a horse. And of course it can’t! Literally no bandage or boot (short of this very expensive carbon fibre rehab boot) is capable of reducing the amount the fetlock drops. Thinking back to Dr Weller’s demonstration, I could very clearly see how ridiculous I had been to ever believe a scrap of material could do anything to reduce or support that pressure.
But the boots/bandages don’t actually cause any harm do they? Surely it’s okay to use them on the off chance they might help and if we look good in the meantime, great! Well, not long after this, research started appearing that got me very worried about my bandage collection. Heat. Anyone that uses bandages and boots will not be surprised to see sweat marks under their bandages/boots after they’ve been removed. They trap a lot of heat. The horses body and legs generate a lot of heat when working. The tendons/ligaments in the leg, along with an increased blood flow generate ALOT of heat. Fleece bandages/boots in particular, hold this heat in the horses leg. Very few boots and virtually no bandages (especially if you use a pad under) allow the legs to breath adequately. This heat is easily enough to kill tendon/ligament cells. Each tendon/ligament is made of thousands and thousands of cells all lined up end on end and side by side in long thin spindles. They stretch and return to their original shape and size like an elastic band, absorbing and redistributing the pressures applied from further up the leg and from the ground impact below. All of these cells must work together as one to do this effectively.
Just a little side step here to explain how tendons/ligaments heal. A tendon/ligament cell can not be replaced
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like for like. They always heal with scar tissue. This is why re-injury is so much more likely if a tendon/ligament is blown. The fibrous scar tissue doesn’t stretch, it isn’t capable of stretching or absorbing the impact of a horses movement. It will always be a weak spot. In a full blown sprain/strain the whole (or most) of the tendon has been damaged. But this heat injury might just kill a few cells at a time. Those few cells are replaced by fibrous scar tissue, then next time a few more etc etc. Like a rubber band degrading over time the tendon/ligament loses its elasticity and eventually goes snap. Then you’ve fully blown a tendon/ligament. The injury didn’t start to happen at that moment, but that was the final straw. The damage adds up over time, each time thermal necrosis (vet word for cell death) occurs.
So if using boots/bandages can not offer any sort of support, and using them generates heat that slowly damages the tendons/ligaments until they give way. Why use them? Protection. This is the only reason to use boots. To stop the horse brushing, injuring themselves catching a pole or over cross country. But for goodness sake make sure your boots are breathable! If the horse is sweaty under the boot but not above or below, the boot is not breathable enough. And don’t use fleece bandages just because you like the color. These fleece bandages are the worst at holding heat in the leg, way above the threshold for thermal necrosis to the cells of the tendons and ligaments. If your horse doesn’t need protection, don’t use boots. I haven’t for the last 12 years and *touch wood*, I haven’t had a single tendon/ligament injury in any of my horses. I will never go back to boots or especially bandages now. I don’t use them for schooling, lunging, jumping, traveling, turnout, stable, in fact I don’t use them at all. Ever. But I don’t hunt or ride cross country.
I hope you have found my story useful and can make informed decisions on boots and bandaging going forward.
(I highly recommend you watch this incredible video. It clearly shows the amount of force the leg goes through and demonstrates the real purpose of boots)
Other relevant papers-
Edit 1 - I am getting asked about stable wraps very frequently. This post is about riding, the tendons and blood flow create heat which is trapped by bandages/boots during exercise. This doesn’t occur in the stable stood still. If the horse has a strain/sprain resulting in inflammation, then there is an increase in blood flow and there is heat being created. In this situation you should not be bandaging. But if it’s cold and an old horse needs stable wraps to keep the joints warm and improve sluggish blood flow (filled legs) you can use the heat trapping to your advantage. But you need to be careful in summer.
Edit 2 - the other thing I’m being asked about is compression. Compression DOES NOT control inflammation. The inflammation still occurs, but the swelling can not escape the bandages and the increase in internal pressure reduces blood flow, causing ischemic damage. Like Laminitis within the hoof. The hoof capsule prevents swelling so the inflammation expands inwards and cuts off the blood supply. This is why Laminitis is so painful and difficult to treat.
Compression is only useful in the case of leaky vessels, for example reduced blood pressure, reduced movement so the blood isn’t being pumped back up the legs, or osmotic imbalances eg low protein with diarrhea. In these situations, compression of the legs can encourage blood to return to the vessels and continue circulating.
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Author is Vikki Fowler, Veterinary Dental Technician - shared by Allyson Hughes |
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US Equestrian Invites Competitions to Host 2023 USEF Western Equitation Medal Classes for Juniors and Adult Amateurs |
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by US Equestrian Communications Department | Jul 19, 2022, 8:36 AM EST |
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US Equestrian has launched a new USEF Western Equitation Medal program for junior and adult amateur exhibitors, and invites competition organizers to add these classes to their competitions in 2023. There are no breed restrictions for the USEF Western Equitation Medal classes.
Riders participating in a USEF Western
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Equitation Medal class will be asked to complete a rail phase and a pattern, both of which will count for 50% of the total score. Riders may also be asked to demonstrate backing up during the rail work. Set patterns will be used and can be found HERE.
Organizers interested in hosting a USEF Western Equitation Medal class in 2023 should select the “Western Seat Equitation” box under “Divisions and Ratings” when renewing their license for the upcoming competition year. Competitions will receive USEF medals to distribute to the winner(s) following USEF’s receipt of the prize list.
Once the competition ends, competitions will pay a $10 medal class fee (one per rider) to USEF for both the junior and adult amateur sections through the post-competition report.
Additional information about the program, including results, rankings, and rules, can be found HERE.
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Questions?
Please direct any questions about the USEF Western Equitation Medal program to Nicole Zerbee, National Breeds & Non-FEI Disciplines Operations Manager, at nzerbee@usef.org.
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Article From StreamHorseTV |
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"Just Breathe: Learn to Relieve Stress with this Simple Technique"
By Cathy Woods
“You can breathe a horse to quietness. You can breathe him past things that scare him.” ~ Sally Swift – Centered Riding
Once you are familiar with using the breath as a tool, it becomes second nature; it’s a tool we always have with us in any situation. As a long-time yogini and horsewoman, I naturally use breathwork on the yoga mat, in my horsemanship, and in my daily life.
Breathwork has a calming and refining impact on our nervous system, which is clearly beneficial when working with horses. Horses can feel and sense our energy and our nerves. Needless to say, whether mounted or unmounted, it’s prudent to keep our nerves calm for our benefit as well as for our horse.
One aspect of yoga is breathwork. The yogi uses various breathing patterns to induce various states. Some breaths are calming, others energizing, while some balance the right and left hemispheres of the brain. Equestrians can also use breathing techniques to adjust their energy as needed.
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WDAA World Championship Horse Show -
Prize List Available!
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The 2022 WDAA Western Dressage World Championship prize list is now posted online!
Close date is September 7th, 2022
The show runs from Tuesday, September 27th to Saturday, October 1st, 2022 at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Oklahoma.
There is a chance to win the WDAA Harmony Award Saddle and sponsorship opportunities are available and welcomed. Click here to learn more.
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Your Business Card Here
Just $10 for 12 months
Other Options:
Full page - $25 per issue
Half page - 15 per issue
Quarter page - $10 per issue
Discounts for multiple months
Free classifieds!
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To advertise in the Stable Sheet, contact Gay Adams - (503) 936-4276 or
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C-Fair Charity - Morgan Regional & Open Horse Show |
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August 3-7, 2022
Evergreen Equestrian Park at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds, Monroe WA
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Main Ring Judge - Anne Judd
Dressage & Western Dressage Judge - Fatima Kranz
Working Western Judge - Sue Muir
Photographer - Avalon Photography
Show Manager - Nancy Harvey (626) 390-8918 (August 1-3 only)
Show Secretary - Judy McManama, (317) 750-7590
Show Committee - Carol Fletcher (206) 755-5602 or Linda Collins (206) 200-2099
The C-Fair Charity Morgan Regional and Open Horse Show is a fun, now five day show located at the beautiful and spacious Evergreen State Equestrian Park in Monroe, WA. The show features Morgan, Saddlebred, Friesian, and Open to All Breed Classes, as well as a full day of Classical and Western Dressage. Join us for fun filled events including wine tasting.
The C-Fair Regional Show Committee has been working with members of the former Far West Regional show to continue the Regional Hall of Fame Awards program. We feel it is important that we honor those Morgan Horses who have been ambassadors for the Morgan Breed and Morgan Patrons who have supported and shared the Morgan Breed with so many others. We are asking you to nominate those horses and patrons who you feel deserve these awards. Please see the link below to place your nomination. Thank you for your participation and helping us keep this wonderful tradition alive.
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Exciting news!!! You can now enter the horse show online. Go to HorseShowsOnline. Use show selector tab. The show will be under upcoming shows tab, then look by show dates, August 3-7, 2022. From there you can enter online. We look forward to seeing you all soon!
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For those who prefer to enter in the traditional way, the Prize List is now available.
- Who is getting ready for the costume class? Always so much fun!
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Calling all youth!!!! Deadline to sign up for this year’s Youth of the Year Contest is this Friday, July 15th!! Email, text, or message your info and sign up sheet to Linda and join the fun!! YOTY info will be sent via email right after the closing date. Sign up sheet can be found online here: http://www.pacificnorthwestmorganhorseshows.com/.../2022...
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Stay up-to-date on Facebook
Are you considering being a sponsor of the C-Fair Charity horse show? Here is why being a Sponsor/ Advertiser of C-Fair so important……
Your Entry fees and fees for tack rooms, stalls, bedding, and office do not cover the entire cost of putting on our show. Sponsors help cover the costs of what makes our show SPECIAL: Ribbons, Purses, Trophies, Youth Activities and Special Events
Help us make C-Fair Special!
- Sponsor classes
- Advertise your business
- Support our youth
- Step up and become a Corporate Sponsor.
****Thank you for your Support of the C-Fair Charity Morgan Regional and Open Horse Show****
High Point Awards:
- Jr Exhibitor
- Walk/Trot
- Amigo Bingson Memorial High Point Awards
Other events:
- There will be an Exhibitor Party on Friday. Details yet to be announced. A Wine Tasting event is also in the works.
- There will be an UPHA Meeting and USEF Rules Meeting on Saturday. Time and Location will be announced at the show.
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August 25-28, 2022
Tacoma Unit
Spanaway Wa
Entries close August 9, 2022
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Please join us for the 67th Annual PNW Horse Show! We are so excited to see everyone. Joining us this year as our main ring judge will be Jody LaSalle.
The Pacific Northwest Morgan Horse Show is a long-running annual event showcasing the Morgan horse.
Judge: Jody LaSalle, East Woodstock, CT
Dressage Judge: Deborah Spence, Onalaska, WA
The prize list, schedule, and updated entry blanks have been posted to our website!
We are looking forward to seeing everyone at the show!
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September 1-4, 2022
Rancho Murieta Equestrian Center
Rancho Murieta, CA
Judge: Anne Judd
Trail Judge ‐ TBA
Dressage Judge ‐ Creeky Routson
Photographer - Artistic Equine Studios
Close Date August 20, 2022
Save the date for this wonderful show at the exquisite Rancho Murietta Equestrian Center. This A-rated Morgan Horse Show includes Saddleseat, Driving, Western Dressage, Cowboy Dressage, Classic Dressage, Hunter, Western, Jumping, Trail, and Ranch classes. The beautiful Gypsy horses join us in this fun filled show and we have plenty of classes open to all breeds. There is truly something for everyone!
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Sacramento Valley Morgan Horse Club
in conjunction with the
California Gypsy Club
INVITE YOU TO JOIN US AT THE
45TH ANNUAL MOTHER LODE SHOW
September 1-4, 2022
Rancho Murieta Equestrian Center
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We have a FUN-FILLED Show Lined Up!
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Wonderful Prizes and Awards!
BRING YOUR SILENT AUCTION ITEMS TO THE SHOW!
This show has the following recognitions:
USEF Rated Morgan Horse Show
USDF, WDAA, CAWDA and CDS Recognized Dressage Show
AMHA Morgan High Point Award - Four * Rated
CAWDA High Point Series
Classic and Western DRESSAGE DIVISION – OPEN AND
BREED RESTRICTED
CARRIAGE DIVISION – OPEN TO ALL BREEDS
OPPORTUNITY CLASSES – OPEN TO ALL BREEDS (no Assoc. Fees)
GYSPY CLASSES – USEF Unrecognized
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To Help You Update Your Calendar: |
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2022 Morgan Show Dates:
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March 17-20, 2022 - Carousel Charity Horse Show, Westworld of Scottsdale, Scottsdale AZ
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April 7-10, 2022 - Diamond Jubilee All Breed Horse Show, Del Mar Fairgrounds, Del Mar CA. Updated date & location information still needed.
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April 21-24, 2022 - California SpringFest Horse Show, Rancho Murieta Equestrian Center, Rancho Murieta, CA
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May 4-8, 2022 - Key Classic Benefit Show, Evergreen State Fairgrounds, Monroe, WA - 5-day show
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May 12-15, 2022 - Silicon Valley Horse Show, Pleasanton Equestrian Center, Pleasanton CA
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June 15-18, 2022 - Oregon Morgan Classic, Oregon Horse Center, Eugene, OR.
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July 21-24, 2022 - Morgan Medallion Regional Show, South Point Equestrian Center, Las Vegas, NV
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August 3-7, 2022 - C-Fair Charity Morgan Regional and Open Show, Evergreen State Fairgrounds, Monroe, WA - 5 day show
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August 25-28, 2022 - PNW Morgan Show, Tacoma Unit, Spanaway, WA.
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September 2-4, 2022- Oregon State Fair, Salem OR - MHAO will have a promotion booth going at the show.
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September 1-4, 2022 - Mother Lode Show, Rancho Murieta Equestrian Center, Rancho Murieta, CA
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October 8-15, 2022 – Morgan Grand Nationals and World Championship, Oklahoma City, OK
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December TBD, Jingle Bell Horse Show, Del Mar Fairgrounds, Del Mar CA
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NEW! January 3-7, 2023 - UPHA National Conference, Orlando FL. (includes the AMHA Convention)
Washington State Horse Expo – March 4-6, 2022. Clark County Event Center at the Fairgrounds. Ridgefield WA. Vendor applications are currently being accepted.
(564) 397-6180.
Clinicians: Richard Winters – Horsemanship, Caeli Cavanaugh – Liberty work, Robert Eversole – Trailmeister. More will be added with information available up to the date of the Expo.
Northwest Horse Fair & Expo – March 25-27, 2022. Linn County Fair & Expo Center, Albany OR. Tentative line up of Clinicians / Presenters!! - Ken McNabb – Horsemanship, Julie Goodnight – Horsemanship, Peggy Cummings - Connected Riding, Rob Peterson, Drill Team seminar and clinic, Wayne Williams - Speaking of Horses. Demonstrations!! - Mane Attraction Rodeo Performance Team, Endo the Blind. Special Event!! - Colt Starting Challenge USA. Muffy Seaton also coming.
Other discipline/facility specialty sites to check for Open Competitions & events:
Please send me information on other facilities or discipline websites that should be included here.
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American Driving Society
Important Dates and Information for 2022
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From The Wheelhorse, February 2022:
· 2022 ADS Rulebooks are now available for purchase in the online ADS Store. Rulebooks will ship the week of February 14.
· February 23, 2022 – “Horse Brain, Human Brain” Webinar with Janet L. Jones, PhD. 6 PM to 7 PM Eastern Time. Dr. Jones will detail equine brain facts to help us better understand and communicate with our horses and ponies. Must be ADS Member. Registration Fee $10. Register at (608) 237-7382 or online.
· April 2, 2022 – Applications for ADS Blue Ribbon Club designation are due.
· April 30, 2022 – ADS Rule Change suggestions are due.
· August 19-21, 2022 - North American Preliminary Championships in Metamora, Michigan. Hosted by the Metamora CDE.
· September 29-October 2, 2022 - North American Intermediate Championships in Wilton, California. Hosted by the Clay Station CDE.
· December 2-4, 2022 - ADS Annual Meeting in Seattle, Washington.
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Black Tie Affair
(Noble Flaire x Tedwin In Tempo)
1994 - 2022
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From Stephanie Schlosser:
Yesterday (6/25/2022) we lost a very big part of our family, Black Tie Affair aka, “Morgan.” 28 years old, sire of World Champions such as Deer Creek Tiffany. He was out of park mare Tedwin in Tempo and his sire was the famous Noble Flair purchased by Deer Creek at age 3. He was the beginning of Jennifer Sommers and Craig Sommers venturing out from our families, Royal Griffith Farms inc to now Deer Creek Morgans. He only showed for a few years due to an injury. He once received a standing ovation in the 3 year old park saddle class at the Morgan Grand National with Jennifer Sommers. Most of all he was our family pet and yard watch dog. He was the smartest kindest Stallion I had ever been around. We are heart broken for this loss at Deer Creek Morgans. Morgan you will live on forever in our hearts.
Our thoughts are with Jennifer & Craig and all who knew this wonderful stallion.
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ATMF Jasmine
(ATMF Jason Lee x ATMF Bit O Honey)
1988 - 2022
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This is why I breed Morgan horses! This photo represents a love story. 34 years ago a lovely young woman, only 18 already living on her own and working at my barn to take lessons and feed her passion for horses, fell in love with one of my fillies, ATMF Jasmine. The feeling was mutual. I have often respected the strength of that bond more than the rules of not pairing a green horse with a green rider, not selling babies to first time owners or young girls to grow up with, not placing excitable horses in amateur owner-trainer homes, etc. I can recount dozens of very successful love stories that defied these rules. |
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Maybe because Morgans are so special and the people who choose them care to listen and learn from them to have a real relationship with a best friend. Having produced over 130 foals over 45 years I will tell you with certainty two things: #1. This bond of love and respect is THE most important factor to placing my babies in wonderful life-long homes. Of course, I selfishly wish they were shown and bred more extensively. But the quality and richness of horse's lives is not measured by ribbons but by the love and dedication of their person and the choices and sacrifices that one must make to ensure the welfare of their beloved giant friend. #2. When a Morgan horse returns your love and kindness with its trust, loyalty, patience, forgiveness, humor, and heart you will have earned a great gift. Thank you Esther BrosdahlI, and each and every one of the wonderful people who have given my sweet ATMF foals wonderful homes for life.
Patricia Carlson, Autumn Twilight Morgan Farm
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Spencer's Story - A Remembrance From Last Year |
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Tri Star's Opening Act
1996 - 2021
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One year ago, at this very minute I was driving to Corvallis, OR bringing Spencer to Oregon State Veterinary Hospital. It was his last trailer ride. We said goodbye that day . . . a soul shattering day in my life. I couldn’t write about it last year; still hard today. Spencer was my everything. No, he wasn’t a world champion show horse. In fact, he never won a blue ribbon, always red. But for this small-town New Hampshire girl, he was my dream come true . . . the horse that I wanted since I was five years old. He was the first foal on my farm and so named Tri Star’s Opening Act. He looked like a little fawn; so beautiful. A gentle soul, he was a compliant child from birth; always wanted to please. Loved people. Always tried hard to figure things out. |
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He grew up to be a handsome, trustworthy partner for me as we traveled many paths for the next 25 years. Showing was okay for Spencer. He did his best . . . but his heart was “on the trail”. He LOVED traveling the trails through the many mountains and parks that we toured throughout the great Pacific Northwest. The vistas we saw, the bridges we crossed, the streams he refreshed in, the meadows he grazed in, the camping we did in the mountains and at the beach . . . Spencer was always the “dependable one”, the trusted trail lead for green horses who needed a confidence boost. He was truly a gem.
Okay, he was not a saint. His lips could undo any lock in an instant; even when he had multiple locks on his door. An escape artist he was! Quite a rascal who would rummage all the grain buckets or tack trunks in the aisle . . . he could open them all, always looking for treats. He never really wanted to escape . . . it was all a game to him. His way of having fun.
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In his last years, he prided himself on taking young riders from zero to competent rider. He could carry any child, any age. Spencer would always take good care of them. He really enjoyed moving out when they built up some skill and confidence. He instantly adjusted to each rider; he was truly a gentleman. So, on this one year remembrance of his passing, I remember all of the joy he brought, the solace he gave me, the laughter we shared but most of all, I remember putting my face in his neck and breathing in the essence of my “dream come true”. Spencer was a most precious gift who enriched my life beyond measure . . . Munch on those lush green pastures my beautiful boy . . . until we meet again.
Ann Robitaille
Our heart goes out to Ann, a Past President with MHAO.
Thank you so much for sharing your story with Spencer.
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Included in the next Sections:
Section 2:
Coverage Of The 2022 Oregon Morgan Classic Horse Show
Section 3:
MHAO Requests
Classified Ads
Advertising Thru MHAO
How to become an MHAO Member
Oregon Horse Council News
USEF News
AMHA News
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