DEAR ASHLEY: I am sorry that happened to you and your horse. Sometimes one seemingly small incident can become a really big deal to your horse. I have had similar things happen to me, and it can take a lot of time for your horse to get over a bad experience. It takes many good experiences to program over a bad experience. If a horse has had the problem for quite a while, it has built up bigger and bigger in his mind. Be patient with your horse but don’t give up as he will get over it with persistence on your part.
It sounds like there are two areas that your horse has developed a lot of fear. One, when horses move around him as in the line-up. Two, when he goes through the gate. I would enlist a friend on a very safe horse and I would be willing to spend whatever time is needed to have a breakthrough. Be prepared to take hours, if necessary. If you can do this at a horse show, it is even better.

I would start by ponying your horse off of a very safe, non-reactive horse. If your horse is really afraid, stop and touch your horse’s face, neck—all over—and also talk to him. Horses really do respond to your voice and touch. If you can, ride the pony horse and reach out your hand until you touch the face of your horse. Do this over and over until he relaxes and preferably takes a deep breath, or licks his lips. This shows acceptance. Stay with it until you have a victory. Then, (a) start walking on the pony horse, (b) pony your horse, (c) stop, (d) pet his face—then walk off, stop, pet him, etc., over and over until it turns into a positive experience.

He’s going to see the back end of a horse and a good thing will happen, rather than something fearful. You can even carry treats and give him a treat. You have to re-program him to expect something good when a horse moves his back end around your horse. Then start ponying him through the gate over and over. Stop if you get partly through the gate and pet him, talk to him, or give him a treat and wait until he relaxes. Then have someone else ride the pony horse and you ride your horse and repeat this again, over and over. The difference in this arrangement is that you are directing him rather than him being ponied. He may have refused your cues before to go right up to another horse, but now he is OK with the horse in front of him. You should be able to push him right up to the horse. Make sure you end each interaction with the other horse positively by your horse getting a pat from the other rider.

Next, I would get other horses and people to repeat this with you over and over until he can walk right up to another horse and see the movement of the horse and the person’s hand reaching over to him –it’s no big deal! Once you have his confidence in this area, you should be able to get him to walk through the gate and relax. If he has been refusing your cues and veering or shying away from other horses and the gate for a long time, that may have become a habit. You’ll then need to re-program him to say “yes” to your cues.

I hope this helps you, and good luck with your horse!

Dana

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Daniel K. Lew / Horsetrader photo

Keri Blackledge and Gettinaway Whiz It take the 19th Annual Pacific Coast Horse Shows Association’s Jack and Linda Baker Reining Classic Finals Aug. 14-15.

The 2009 PCHA Jack and Linda Baker Reining Classic Finals were held Aug. 14-15 at Los Angeles Equestrian Center as part of the Cancer Awareness Classic Championships Horse Show from Aug. 13-16. Also featured at the horse show was the PCHA Youth/Amateur Trail Classic won by Mary Ellen Locke riding Too Flashy To Zip.

Thirty-two rider-and-horse pairs qualified for the Jack and Linda Baker Reining Classic Finals by riding in qualifying classes throughout the year.

Suspense and enthusiastic crowds filled the Los Angeles Equestrian Center’s Equidome as the 32 finalists lined up, side by side for the awards presentations. As each placing in reverse order was announced, the rider-and-horse pairs departed the arena to accept their ribbons and wide variety of prizes.

When it came down to the final two left in the arena–Keri Blackledge on Gettinaway Whiz It and Rebecca Murray on Gatolotto–it was anyone’s guess, as both pairs had been riding exceptionally well all weekend and throughout the year.

After two go-rounds in the finals, Blackledge and her 9-year-old gelding Gettinaway Whiz It, also known as “Frankie,” were declared the champions with a total score of 291.5.

Daniel K. Lew / Horsetrader photo

Keri Blackledge wins the PCHA Jack and Linda Baker Reining Classic Finals aboard Gettinaway Whiz It, a 9-year-old gelding owned by Warledge, LLC.

Blackledge was also thankful for the huge support from friends and family, including parents Kevin and Teri, and younger sister Jillian. “This could not have happened without Brenda Brown–I’ve ridden with her for 10 years and there’s no way I would be where I am right now without her,” Blackledge said of the Temecula-based trainer.
This fall, Blackledge will be starting her senior year at California State University, Fresno, as a liberal studies major, and she also rides for its equestrian team. She is also qualified for the AQHA World Championship Show from Nov. 6-21 in Oklahoma City, Okla.

Blackledge hopes to become an equestrian coach and “just keep riding–it’s my No. 1 passion.”

The Baker Reining Classic reserve champion with a score of 288.5 was Rebecca Murray riding her horse, Gatolotto. Murray, 18, of Burbank was among the stand-out riders in the Baker finals and other classes during the show. “She’s a great horseperson, a good showman, does well in school, and is a class act all the way around,” trainer Tom Foran said of Murray, who will be attending Texas A&M University this fall on a riding scholarship.

Daniel K. Lew / Horsetrader photo

Rebecca Murray and Gatolotto win reserve championship honors in the Jack and Linda Baker Reining Classic Finals.

In the Jack and Linda Baker Reining Classic Finals Rookie 49 & Under division, Jessica Tourino won aboard SB Top Dun, owned by Kim Tourino.

The Jack and Linda Baker Rookie 50 & Over champion was Jesse Ross riding Mega Angelena, owned by Jesse and Barbara Ross.

“The show was just terrific; huge numbers all around; over 30 horses in the Baker Finals! This was a very wide-open class. Literally anyone could have won the championship,” said Georgiana Rodrigues of PCHA and chairperson for the Baker finals. “The Trail Classic was also great, and there was added fun with the Pro/Amateur Trail Class; exhibitors loved it. A nice exhibitor’s party for one and all was another reason for exhibitors to get together. Thanks has to go to everyone including show managers Track One Events and Larry and Ponce Gimple. As always, a well-run show that had things going on in every arena—and you thought Barnum and Bailey had to organize!”

The show offered for the first time a Pro-Am Trail Class in which the participants had to ride a trail course, drive a golf race and throw darts. The winners were Pam Turnbull in the Pro division and Sue Merchant in the Amateur class.

The Classic Championships Horse Show was dedicated to cancer awareness for the second year. Show organizers said the mission of the Cancer Awareness and Classic Championships Horse Show was to raise awareness and funds for a cancer charity, honor survivors and show support.

Free pink scarves and special cancer-awareness, pink wristbands with the message “Ride for Life” were given to exhibitors and spectators, along with pink decorations throughout the venue. Many exhibitors wore the pink bandanas in innovative ways on saddles, hats, wrists and elsewhere. The judges wore pink everyday, too.

Carolyn Read / Horsetrader photo

Jessica Tourino and SB Top Dun, owned by Kim Tourino, win the Jack and Linda Baker Reining Classic Finals Rookie 49 & Under division.

“Still and all, the show had a sense of loss. Emily Jungers, who passed away from cancer this year, was not there,” Rodrigues said. “I certainly missed her this year with the Baker finals. She loved that event, and couldn’t wait to be a scribe for it. No doubt, she was missed that Saturday night.”

Among the special awards presented at the show was the Emily Jungers Memorial Perpetual Trophy for the high-point horse of the show: Zippos Smooth Trip, owned and ridden by Jeanne McNerney. The Mel Lawson-sculpted trophy is beautiful bronze named “Heart Breaker” and shows a cowgirl from the shoulders up.

Also, the new Emily Jungers Memorial Green Rider Trophy was presented to Chris Joffe riding Peppy Sugar Chex. Joffe was also given a pair of Abby Cosenza custom-made spurs with Emily’s initials in a heart and a pink ribbon engraved on the spur.

“This show is very dear to my heart because of the cancer awareness theme. We just lost a very dear friend–an employee of Track One; she showed horses most of her life; and my best friend–to cancer,” Ponice Gimple said of Emily Jungers. “She had a stem cell transplant from City of Hope, but later lost the battle. I have signs in front of the show office with cancer facts and the importance of early detection; the trail course is decorated pink.”

In the Jack and Linda Baker Reining Finals, the High Point Mare was Whiz Out Chex, ridden by Cady Shaw. “There was a special picture taken with the key people that helped save this horse a few years ago as a 3 year old, when the horse wedged its leg between the stall door and wall, severely injuring the leg,” Poncie said. “Penni Gerardi first saw the accident; Larry Gimple and Jim McCarty ripped the door off. Larry accompanied Cady and her horse to the emergency vet in the middle of the night. With only a couple hours of sleep, Larry managed the show the next day.”

For complete show results, visit the Web site: www.trackoneevents.com

Daniel K. Lew / Horsetrader photo

Richard Spooner and Conquest of Paradiso win the $25,000 Blenheim Summer Classic I Grand Prix with a jump-off time of 35.271 seconds.

Spooner, along with Ashlee Bond, were two Californians among the U.S. show jumping team who traveled throughout Europe for nearly four months to eventually take an honorable second place in the Meydan FEI Nations Cup finals. “The U.S. was really a force to be reckoned with in the Nations Cup this year,” Spooner said. “Ashlee was fantastic and so were the other team members.”

Separately, Spooner also competed in the Global Champions Tour and other international shows, which took him to places such as Monte Carlo, Monaco; Paris and Cannes in France; Estoril, Spain; and Rome and San Patrignano in Italy. One of the highlights for him included winning the Grand Prix of Monte Carlo, Monaco, while riding Cristallo.

But competition with international riders continued for Spooner, and other riders, back at San Juan Capistrano, Calif. Many hunter/jumper riders from Mexico and South America spent parts of their summer competing in California.

The $25,000 Blenheim Summer Classic I Grand Prix was among the recent shows, managed by Blenheim EquiSports, to have international flavor. “It was like a mini-Pan American Games,” Spooner said.

While some of Spooner’s traveling horses were settling-in after returning home to Agua Dulce, Calif., he competed with other horses. “I was happy to be back and it’s nice to ride some of the horses who had to stay in California while I was out of town,” he said.
Conquest of Paradiso, a 13-year-old Hanoverian stallion owned by C&S Partnership LLC and frequently ridden by Katherine Bardis, gave Spooner a victorious “welcome home” ride. “He’s a fantastic horse with lots of experience ridden by Katherine Bardis,” Spooner said. “Conquest was ready for me; he had some time off.”

Thirty-three rider/horse combinations entered the $25,000 Blenheim Summer Classic I Grand Prix course designed by Jack Robson of Coronado, Calif. A decent number–10 pairs–jumped a clean first round to return for the jump-off.

First to ride in the jump-off, Antonio Maurer aboard Valentina, owned by Jacobo Saga, set the bar with a double-clean ride in 37.785 seconds, within the time allowed of 45 seconds. They would finish in sixth place, and Maurer also took third place riding As Hyo Hugo, owned by Francisco Del Rio, to clear in 35.916 seconds.

Chris Pratt and G5 go double clean in 35.697 seconds to take second place in the $25,000 Blenheim Summer Classic I Grand Prix.

“With 10 clear, that set the stage for a fast jump-off, right off the bat,” Spooner recalled. “I thought Joie was fast enough to win, but that’s the problem with going early—people can always catch you, and it kept getting faster and faster.”

Former Canadian Chris Pratt, now a resident of Valencia, Calif., went double clean with a better time of 35.697 seconds aboard G5, owned by Indigo Farms LLC, for second place in the end.

Continuing his skill of shaving off seconds in jump-offs, Spooner riding Conquest of Paradiso clocked-in, clean again at 35.271 seconds for the win in the $25,000 Blenheim Summer Classic I Grand Prix.

For complete results from the Blenheim Summer Classic I Show from Aug. 5-9, visit: www.showpark.com/results.asp

Ken Braddick photo / Courtesy of USEF

Elizabeth Ball and Selten HW win the USEF Young Horse Dressage Championship.

Traveling across the country to Chicago from Westlake Village, Calif., was worth the trip for owner/rider Louise Koch and her own San Shivago. Bred in Germany by Walter Huning, this black Westfalen stallion (Sandro Hit — Donna by Donnerhall) performed a lovely test to earn the win in the 5-Year-Old Preliminary Test with a score of 8.38 from judges Linda Zang, Gary Rockwell, and Jeanne McDonald. 62-year-old Koch and her impressive stallion were the champions at the USEF Young Horse Western Selection Trial for the FEI World Breeding Championships at Flintridge, Calif., in May.

Second in the 5-year-olds was the defending 2008 USEF National Four-Year-Old Champion Selten HW, ridden by owner Elizabeth Ball of Carlsbad, Calif. This striking black Hanoverian gelding (Sandro Hit — High Princess by Hohenstein) was bred in the United States by Irene Hoeflich-Wiederhold of Florida. A year older and stronger, Selten HW proved he was ready for the challenge of this division by earning a score of 8.28.

The USEF Young Horse Western Selection Trial Championship in May was also a stepping stone for Sandomere. Owned by Holly Reimers of Orland, Calif., this dark brown Oldenburg stallion (Sandro Hit — Romina by Ramiro’s Match, bred in Germany by Marion Menck) shipped from California to put in a strong test under the guidance of Merrie Velden to earn an overall score of 7.84.

Placing second in a FEI Prix St. Georges test (which counts towards 40 percent of the overall championship results) was California’s Heidi Gaian riding Chicago, her own dark brown Holsteiner gelding (Calido I — Diana XI by Corleone, bred in Germany by Claus-Wilhelm Kuehl) with a score of 70.526 percent.

A highlight of the USEF Young Horse Dressage Program is to encourage young horses as they progress through the age divisions year after year, and last year’s National Champion Four-Year-Old “Selten HW” let no one down as he once again claimed Championship honors with a Final Test score of 8.68 and overall championship score of 8.52.

Louise Koch and San Shivago earn reserve in the FEI 5-Year-Old Final Test.

Ball has owned Selten HW for several years but only brought him to California and began riding him in June. “After I bought him, I left him at Hilltop Farm in Maryland until June 1st of this year,” Ball said. “Michael Bragdell (who rode the gelding to the 2008 National Championship for Ball) did a fantastic job bringing him along.”

Despite her horse being a little tired and an unfortunate distraction when entering the ring, Louise Koch and her own black Westfalen stallion, San Shivago, rose to the challenge of the FEI 5-Year-Old Final Test and earned the Reserve Championship with an overall score of 8.284.

“This is a horse everyone would dream to have,” said Koch. “I am 62 years old, and he has given me a second chance to continue my riding career in the exciting young horse divisions. This program provides so much exposure for these youngsters and provides a tremendous opportunity for us as riders to learn much more about our horses as they develop from one level to the next.”

An approved Westfalen and Oldenburg stallion, San Shivago (Sandro Hit — Donna by Donnerhall, bred in Germany by Walter Huning) will have limited breeding but “our focus is riding,” Koch said. “For now, we have a long drive home, but we will take some time off and then continue to build his training towards the 6-year-old division next year.”

The USEF National Developing Horse Dressage Championship was for 7- to 9-year-old horses competing at the FEI Prix St. Georges level. This program was part of USEF’s initiative to recognize up-and-coming dressage talent for High Performance–not only for riders, but also for horses.

The USEF Young Horse Dressage Program (for 4-, 5-, and 6-year-old horses) promoted the importance of selective breeding and correct training of horses in the United States, and encouraged participation of breeders, riders and trainers of young horses in dressage competition. The purposes of this program was to encourage the properly structured development of young dressage prospects through the training scale; to identify and recognize outstanding talent and the training of international-caliber horses; and to prepare these horses for future careers at the FEI level and participation on U.S. High Performance teams.

For information about USEF dressage programs, visit: http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/breedsDisciplines/discipline/alldressage/championshipEvents.aspx

September 3rd Issue

Some of those riders recently returned from representing California and competing admirably at the 2009 FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships in Lexington, Ky.

Samantha Harrison and Santika, owned by Harrison Farms LLC, were part of the Zone 10 riders to take the Team Gold Medal home to California from the North American Junior Team Show Jumping competition. Back at the $5,000 Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic, Harrison and Santika finished in second place.

Hannah Selleck, another standout up-and-coming rider with plenty of success in the junior/young rider levels, finished in third place at the $5,000 Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic aboard Bauer, owned by Descanso Farm.

Daniel K. Lew / Horsetrader photo

Lucy Davis and True Love win the $5,000 Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic at the Showpark Summer Classic in Del Mar.

Doing well at Young Riders Championships followed by the victory at the Showpark Summer Classic was evidence of further growth between Davis and her horse. “I’ve had True Love, for a little over a year and he is awesome,” Davis said. “Starting at HITS Thermal earlier in the year, we were starting to get into a groove and then, the spring was OK. We sort of went into a dip in the beginning of summer, but starting with Young Riders, I wasn’t too confident, but he was excellent and we were able to pull it through.”

In the Junior division last year at the FEI North American Junior Championships, Lucy Davis of Zone 10 won an Individual Gold Medal, in addition to being part of the Team Gold Medal-winning Junior Team. Davis finished her five rounds of jumping there without a single fault.

This year, Davis moved up to the Young Rider level. “It’s a big step up from Juniors, which is hard and difficult itself,” Davis said. “I was really happy to just be one of the few who stayed on,” referring to the many riders who encountered spills or falls.

Davis said competition at the FEI North American Junior/Young Rider Championships was difficult and a challenging test for her and the teammates from California. She described the courses there as “big, high and really technical. It’s also really good to compete with teams from Canada and Mexico there, so it feels like its a big deal–and also really fun.”

She further said it was a good learning experience. “Now, I feel like I can do anything, after that–it was a big test. Now, I’m super confident in myself and my horse again,” Davis added.

Next, Davis is hoping to qualify for the annual USEF National Junior Jumper Championships which will be held Oct. 8-10 during the Pennsylvania National Horse Show in Harrisburg, Penn. The jumper competition for junior riders features both a Team Championship and an Individual Championship. Amateur-Owner Jumpers can qualify based on prize money won at shows from August 2008 to August 2009. Among the featured classes will be the $12,500 USEF Prix de States Championships for both Teams and Individuals.

“I’ve been riding since I was little and have been around horses all my life,” said Davis, 16, who is starting her junior year in high school this fall. “Depending on where I go to college, I’ll see if I’m able to keep horses,” but she says horses will continue to be a part of her life somehow.

“I’ve been really lucky to be successful in riding. I think a lot of it has to do with a love for it. I really love riding and am passionate about it. If you really love it, your horses–and the love of the sport–then you’re more likely to work hard–and it has to be fun. Like everyone I would like to one day go to the Olympics with a little bit of luck–that’s a dream; it’s not an official goal yet,” she laughs.

In the meanwhile, Davis is finding a median between riding, school, family and non-equestrian activities. “You have to balance out everything. I make sure I’m home a lot of weekends, so I can see friends and keep up with my school work,” she said. “I think I still love riding so much because I’m not spending 24/7 at shows, even though I do show a lot. You need time at home to regroup.”

For complete results from the Showtime Summer Classic and Blenheim EquiSports shows, visit: www.showpark.com/results.asp

Daniel K. Lew / Horsetrader photo

Zane Davis, 38, of Whitehall, Mont., wins the 2009 NSHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Open aboard Reymanator, owned by John Semanick of Jacksonville, Fla. The pair earned the highest cow work score of 225.5 for 663.5 points overall, along with the $24,000 payout

A 225.5 fence work score in the final day of action earned the 38-year-old Montana trainer the win with a 663.5 composite score earning a $24,000 purse. The Floridian-owned Reymanator (Dual Rey x Savannah Hickory) had scored well in the herd (219) and rein (219) work earlier in the week, and his “lights-out” run along the fence Sunday resulted in a decisive, three-point win on the composite scoreboard.

Phillip Ralls rode Soula Jule Girl (Soula Jule Star x Okies Hickory Girl), owned by Rory and Heather Livingston of nearby Atascadero, to the reserve Open title with a 660.5 composite. A half-point behind them were Ron Emmons on Reygans Smart Lena (Dual Rey x Smart Fancy Lena), another Dual Rey-sired entry, owned by Doung and Cynthia Granade of Shingle Springs, Calif.

Anne Reynolds of King Hill, Idaho, rode To Be Smart to the NSHA Futurity Non-Pro title and $4,620 with a composite score of 654 (220.5 herd; 217 rein; 216.5 fence).
Most Futurity horses showcased at the NSHA Futurity will converge again Sept. 20-Oct. 4 in Reno for the 39th NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity

Daniel K. Lew / Horsetrader photo

Bob and Dana Avila pose with Chics Magic Potion after winning the 2009 NSHA World’s Richest Stock Horse Competition. The bridle came off the 9-year-old stallion for the last time in the show arena, as Avila announced he intended to retire “Magic.”

On the evening before the Futurity fence work, Bob Avila and Chics Magic Potion thrilled spectators in winning the NSHA Golden Hills Auto Center World’s Richest Stock Horse Competition, then quietly announced the retirement of the 9-year-old stallion from competition.

Moments after a textbook, 225-point fence work vaulted Avila past Jake Telford and defending champion Russell Dilday, Avila said “his buddy” would go out on top after a $20,000 win that pushed Chics Magic Potion’s career earnings past $300,000 — tops in the reined cow horse industry.

““He’s done so much for me — I’ve had him since he was a 2-year old,” Avila said of “Magic,” owned by Kenneth Banks of Schulenburg, Texas. “I want him to retire when he’s on top. He ranks way up there with the other horses I’ve retired. He’s such a fun horse, a nice horse. He’s my buddy. There’s no mean part about him, and he gives it to me — every time.

“I want to give him the respect he gives me. He’s been a great winner, and I want him to go out a great winner.”

Chics Magic Potion’s successes in the arena read are impressive:
the 2003 Santa Ynez Valley Cow Horse Classic Open title; the 2003 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Open title; 10th place in the 2003 National Reining Horse Association Futurity Open, fourth in the Intermediate Open; plus AQHA World Championships, NRCHA Stakes title, the Magnificent 7 title, and others.

For complete show results, go to:
http://www.nationalstockhorse.com/horseshowresults.aspx

See the Horsetrader’s Daily Blog at the NSHA Futurity here:
http://news.horsetrader.com/2009-nsha-snaffle-bit-futurity/

Daniel K. Lew / Horsetrader photo

Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park includes picturesque views of rolling hills.

Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park is widely known for its year-round equestrian events, especially hunter/jumper shows managed by Blenheim EquiSports. The grounds have hosted several national championships, along with Olympic and FEI World Cup qualifiers.

The property was appraised at $31 million and Rancho Mission Viejo has agreed to sell the property to the City for $27.5 million.

San Juan Capistrano Mayor Mark Nielsen said the property would be forever restricted for equestrian uses, sports fields, habitat and agricultural uses that are in use today, including the continuation of the Annual Rancho Mission Viejo Rodeo. The agreement also provides for the potential for a permanent equestrian facility. There would be no residential, commercial or industrial uses allowed on the property, except for the potential equestrian facility.

“The preservation of these 132 acres as open space and the agreement to annex this property into the City of San Juan Capistrano is a huge win for our citizens and future generations, Nielsen said. “I applaud the leadership of Rancho Mission Viejo in working with the City to change their plans and leave a lasting legacy that cements the special relationship between the Ranch and the City of San Juan Capistrano. Not only is this a great asset for the City, but we are preserving a internationally recognized equestrian facility that will benefit all of Orange County.”

The property is a well-known premier venue for open space events in Southern California such as English horse shows, Western horse shows, rodeo, soccer tournaments, antique car shows, dog shows, and various other youth athletic events. The majority of the net proceeds from the Annual Rancho Mission Viejo Rodeo will be dedicated for local charities, including the San Juan Capistrano Open Space Foundation, Camino Health Center and Shea Therapeutic Riding Center.

The property also includes the original ranch headquarters location along Ortega Highway including structures such as the Joe Tow residence, old shop, and pole barn. This area also includes a 3.7 Acre Lemon grove, consisting of 700 trees. All facilities and structures on the property owned by Rancho Mission Viejo will become the property of the City.

With this acquisition, the City will provide additional control of the San Juan Creek Road extension as well as the potential to access 100 acres of City-owned open space just west of La Pata Road, behind the homes along the south side of San Juan Creek, which will provide another connection the current City-owned trails.