SAN MARCOS — Early investigations by San Diego County Sheriff’s Bomb and Arson unit have yet to reveal the cause of an overnight fire at Liz Bolton Stables where a home and several trailers went up in flames.

AMARILLO, Texas — Sandy Arledge, who has influenced a generation of horsepeople for decades and brought leadership to regional and national associations alike, is one of nine 2021 inductees into the prestigious American Quarter Horse Association Hall of Fame. Arledge heads a quartet of people, while five horses also will enter the AQHA Hall.

By Sheryl Lynde | Horsetrader columnist

Motivated reasoning can be observed in any setting or facet of life. An important trigger of motivated reasoning is defined as a person who comes to a conclusion based on an emotional stake in the outcome. The emotional attachment can be formed subconsciously or consciously.

In the book “The Data Detective,” author Tim Hartford says people who form strong emotional opinions “will seek out only the information that supports their view”. That includes listening to the opinions of those in their inner circle. They seek out friends they know will support or back their views or decisions.

The Western States Horse Expo is proud to work with the best trainers in the world to share their knowledge with attendees. Horse Expo’s goal is to feature high-quality trainers and associations from all sides of the equine industry and its diverse disciplines, giving horsepeople an opportunity to hone their skills and improve their time and relationship with the horse. Whether your an avid rider or just starting out, there is something for everyone to learn and enjoy while auditing a Horse Expo Clinic!

Warwick Schiller

warwickschiller.com
A lifelong equestrian of varying disciplines, Warwick Schiller moved from his home country of Australia in his 20s to the United States to pursue his dream of training horses. He focused his competitive efforts on reining, eventually becoming a National Reining Horse Association Reserve World Champion and representing Australia at the 2010 & 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games. His unique ability to convey his knowledge to others became apparent when he successfully went on to coach individuals who garnered coveted reining titles and a fellow WEG team member. In 2012, Warwick Schiller Performance Horsemanship was founded in an effort to help individuals form a better relationship with their horses and a cultivate deeper understanding of the foundation on which all successful horse training is built. Warwick’s life as a videographer and multi-discipline educator began. He also set course for many, many clinics around the world.

New and familiar faces both shine at popular SCRCHA competition

Special to the Horsetrader

TEMECULA — The Southern California Reined Cow Horse Association’s most popular show of the year, the Jimmy Flores Sr. Memorial, took to the arena at Green Acres Ranch May 14-16.

In Spectacular competition, Judge Bill Enk saw a large, talented field. Finishing both first and third place in the Open was Bob Grant, who rode Nic It Smartly to the Open Bridle Championship with a 149.5 and was third with a 146.5 on Caymus Pepto. Both horses are owned by Cynthia Baker. Taking reserve in the Open Bridle Spectacular was Charles Stevens on his Smartest Hotshot with a 147.

From Horsetrader sales staff

A recently released book written by Jennifer Forsberg Meyer, the longtime award-winning Publisher of California Horse Review magazine, is being well-received by the animal-loving community — and for good reason. In Friends With Four Legs, the native Californian and lifelong animal lover brings to life moments with her animals that touch, teach and — above all — entertain readers. Her chapters with horses are especially easy to relate to, the familiar details written in a clean, conversational style. Here’s an excerpt from a chapter entitled, “Sure-footed Saviors”:

When we unloaded our horses at the trailhead that lovely summer morning, everything was just as I had envisioned it. Green meadows rolled out in every direction, with towering cottonwood trees and broad dirt paths. Only, as I soon discovered, this was just the staging area. Our real journey —- the part for which T-shirts (“I Survived A Ray Fine Trail Ride”) actually exist — was a series of high-mountain switchbacks.

These cut into the steep sides of the volcanic rock that leads up to the 9,000-foot-elevation lake, and they are heart-stopping. They reminded me of the walls of the Grand Canyon. They also made me wish I and my novice-level-equestrian husband were riding sure-footed mules. Yes, our geldings were good guys, but still…mules stick like glue.

See the author’s ad on page 13 for info on ordering the book on Amazon.com. If you would like to read more excerpts, you can get a free sneak peek of three chapters on horsetrader.com with this link: http://bit.ly/friendswithfourlegs

Variety of action blooms in the High Desert

From Horsetrader staff reports

PALMDALE — The High Desert Horse Show Association show season continued in May with another popular one-day open show that once again had something for just about anybody. English classes especially picked up.

“We were excited to see additional English riders participating this show,” said Evon Kurtz, HiDHA President. “We saw very young to seasoned riders in the English arena and proud parents on the sidelines cheering them on.”

By Sheryl Lynde | Horsetrader columnist

I learn from each horse and I learn from each rider. I think we have a tendency to do too much, or micromanage. Understanding why we do what we do helps us to change and let go of unwanted behaviors. Understanding why horses do what they do helps us to better understand and differentiate between a symptom and the cause.

Using force or being overly critical creates resistance in any relationship. 

San Juan Capo action highlights new season of hunter-jumper activity

Special to the Horsetrader

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO — Horse shows may not yet be all the way back from their pre-pandemic experiences, but they sure have come a long way from where they were last spring.

Let’s remind our neighbors — horsey and non-horsey — of the benefits for all

By Equine Land Conservation Resource

While most horse people can easily explain the benefits our equine friends have on our lives, we should also be aware that they have a strong positive impact on our communities. Horse business and industry can be a significant economic driver, creating tourism and cottage industry for communities. Horses also have a positive impact on human health and local ecology.

The economic benefit of horses is hard to deny. According to the American Horse Council 2005 National Economic Impact of the U.S. Horse Industry Study the equine industry accounted for 460,000 full-time jobs with an annual impact of $39 billion annually to our economy, generating $1.9 billion in taxes.

Horses require many professionals, from vets to hay growers and from farriers to trainers. A community that is open and receptive to horses will find that the economic impact of these cottage industries far outweighs the cost of providing municipal services for them. A well-maintained and equine friendly fair ground or trail system will also lead to horse tourism, a great advantage for local businesses, hotels and restaurants.

In addition to the economic benefits horses have on communities, they have an amazing impact on human health. According to research conducted by the University of Brighton and Plumpton College on behalf of The British Horse Society, horse activity can be classified as a moderate intensity exercise.ii This is especially important when coupled with the information that horseback riding appeals to traditionally underserved populations like the physically disabled and older women.

Therapy programs have also shown that horses have a positive impact on our emotional and mental well-being. Programs exist for mentally disabled individuals, children with learning disabilities, those suffering with PTSD and even prison inmates. These programs are typically provided by local nonprofit groups and have a great impact on the lives of those who need it most.

Horses also have a very positive impact on an area’s ecology. Well managed horse facilities protect groundwater and water ways, reduce brush load, lowering the instance of wildfires; conserve soil; and encourage biodiversity. View sheds are also a benefit of having horses in your community. A large sprawling field with healthy horses grazing has been believed to increase real estate sales and tourism.

Knowing about the benefits that horses have on communities as a whole is vital to ensuring that horses maintain their place in our local communities. Whether it be planning and zoning commissions, city councils, park commissions or community groups, non-horse people make decisions that impact us all. Educating them that horses are important, not to just to a small group of recreationists, but to the economic, physical, emotional, and environmental well-being of the entire community, helps keep horse lands at the forefront of the conversation.

ELCR has recently introduced a new section to its website: Benefits of Horses to Our Communities. The new section includes information on all the positive impacts horses make on our communities. Arming yourself and your equine group with this information could make all the difference when you are advocating for your local horse facilities.

More online: http://bit.ly/horsebenefits