Jim Vangelos
Non Pro competitor
NRCHA Board Member

There will be more stability in the horse industry in 2012. Horse prices appear to be improving, especially if the larger auctions in the performance horse industry are indicators. This should allow breeders to be more energetic when it comes to breeding more aggressively, thus making more stock available for the future — especially with upper-end horses. In turn, trainers will see more horses in their programs and more riders in training. I think the participation level at most shows will be up in most disciplines, especially working cow horse, cutting, reining, ranch sorting, barrel racing, etc. Since this is an election year, the government will do everything in its power to get people out and spend money – with tax cuts, etc. – and since the horse industry is fueled by discretionary income, this should all help add up to a better more stable year. The key for all of us is to keep on doing what we love…and get out and ride and compete! The end result will be a positive year for the equine industry.

NOVATO – Four years ago, Joey Pacini traveled to the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds with a friend to observe the NRHA Futurity. He was impressed.

“It was the real deal – it was huge,” said Pacini. “It left an impression.”

He made his first return visit to the Futurity last month, this time with Cash Me If You Can as a qualifier in the Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship (NAAC) Show, and the Fresno State senior left his own impression.

When Hanna Mauritzon wanted to put her beautifully revamped Swede Equine facility to public use, she and dressage trainer Liz McConnell conducted a festive Sport Horse Sales event Dec. 10 with some innovation and Swedish influence. Nineteen horses from a variety of owners and trainers were brought in and presented to prospective buyers, who returned to Swede Equine during the following week to see them.

BYARS, Okla. — Southern Californians Bob Avila and Jim Vangelos were elected to the National Reined Cow Horse Association Board of Directors last month, receiving 339 and 340 votes, respectively, in one of the association’s most intense elections in years.

With 941 ballots cast, Todd Crawford was the top vote-getter with 526, followed by Bill Tointon (423), Todd Bergen (410), Jake Telford (390), Vangelos (340) and Avila (339).

HEY RAY: I gave my friend a pair of clippers for Christmas. He was happy to get them until he tried to clip his horse and the horse freaked out. Now he wants me to clip his horse for him. Do you have any pointers before I get started?
Austin, age 10, Norco

HEY SON: This is a great question as well as a great opportunity because most people assume that if a horse doesn’t clip, it’s because they’re afraid of the clippers. In reality, he may be afraid of everything, including the clippers, so you must first figure out where your beginning is.

Twelfth in a series
Last issue, Les reviewed responsive leg and foot positions; now, let’s refine our cues.

If you’re going to be effective in controlling the horse’s body parts individually, you’re going to need to refine your cues as much as possible. One way that we do that is by having specific zones on the horse’s belly for your leg cues.

If ever there was a “Year of the New”, 2012 is it. We hope you like the new format and feel of your same, great Horsetrader – and there’s more good things on the way, too. You don’t need to wait for our remarkable new color rates, though. Any ad can be upgraded to four-color for just $99 –- full-page, four-color ads on our quality glossy paper as low as $545! You don’t just get the lowest rates in the state, you also get the best response because your advertising will be read both in print and online by our faithful audience of readers. Horsetrader.com gets almost 2,000 unique users daily, and your display ads are easily found by potential buyers every day, 24/7. Call today to improve your advertising response rate in 2012!

LEXINGTON, Ken. — The United States Equestrian Federation has announced that California’s Nancy Nathanson will receive the coveted USEF Medal of Honor for her outstanding service to horses and equestrian sports.

Nathanson, of Santa Ynez, has contributed more than a quarter of a century as a trainer and breeder of the Andalusian/Lusitano breed. She also has served as a highly respected multi-breed show secretary, and her resume includes serving in that capacity at driving competitions, Paso Fino, Andalusian, and Friesian shows. She was a show secretary nine times for the International Friesian Show Horse Association World Championships.