THERMAL — Week V of the HITS Desert Circuit was a blockbuster. The show grounds were abuzz for a sold-out week where record number of entries filled popular classes starting as early in the week as Tuesday with the Level 2, 3, and 6 jumpers and the Low Hunters, each drawing huge numbers as everyone seems to be loving life in desert. It was also the final week of World Cup Qualifiers which means riders enjoyed their last week of competition in the hugely popular indoor arena, where the crowds were large and loud with the infectious energy of a European-style competition.

In a memorable “homecoming”, Kirsten Coe (Johnson, South Carolina) made her first trip to Thermal one for the books when she rode Ilan Ferder’s Tristan to the blue ribbon in Thursday night’s $31,000 HITS Welcome Classic, presented by Pfizer Animal Health. Coe is on a quest to qualify for the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix, and with two top-three finishes during the week she’s well on her way to claiming her spot in the class.

 

Stacey Boyer
Valley Center, CA

I think the most noticeable change we have seen in the real estate market the past two quarters is the acceptance of a “new reality” for many buyers and sellers. The shock of the mortgage meltdown is wearing off and we have all had to make adjustments accordingly. That being said we have all had to move on and move forward with our lives. In Valley Center we have the luxury of having our horses at home and more and more people are recognizing the cost effectiveness of this. Now you can buy a very nice house on 2+ acres with enough room for a barn, small arena and access to trails for between $350,000-$450,000 dollars. Buyers are taking notice of the savings here. That in combination with still very low interest rates has made for incredible affordability. My advise to buyers is to make your move before interest rates go up. Price is one thing, but buyers often overlook the savings just one or two percent can make on your monthly payments — not to mention the life of your loan. Conversely my advise to sellers is don’t sell if you don’t absolutely have to. At this point in time, things have settled enough to allow for the huge price corrections. If you are not too upside-down by now, then chances are that giving it a year or two will probably work in your favor. Hang in there!

THERMAL — Rich Fellers of Wilsonville, Ore., and Flexible, owned by Harry and Mollie Chapman, continued to prove why they are the hottest horse-and-rider combination at the 2011 HITS Desert Circuit when they topped the field in the $31,000 Strongid C 2X Welcome Classic, presented by Pfizer Animal Health at HITS Desert Horse Park Feb 24.

The triumph was the third of the circuit for the decorated duo, as they were the best out of the 39 starters to challenge International Course Designer Marina Azevedo’s (Sao Paulo, Brazil) first round course, and the 13 teams that advanced to the jump-off.

POMONA — With such nationally known trainers as Sheila Varian, Jim Lowe, David Garrett, Cynthia Burkman and Lou Roper, as well as many fine local Southern California trainers and others, the Sierra Empire Arabian Horse Association started the 2011 show season Jan. 28-30 at the Fairplex.

Show officials were pleased: Entries were up to 190 horses from 130 horses last year at the same show, and the weather was perfect for Friday and Saturday’s events with clear skies and 70 to 80 degree weather. Sunday afternoon, however, brought some rain that threatened snow in mountain passes, forcing several exhibitors to pull out early to beat the snow before major highways closed to traffic.

HEY RAY!: My wife just purchased a third-level dressage mare in foal that is due this spring, and we want to show her in the fall. When can we start training the mare and when should we wean the foal?
— Brenden Johnson, Eureka Springs, Ark.

HEY BRENDEN: Congratulations on your new addition! The first question that comes to mind is whether or not your mare has been ridden through the pregnancy. If she hasn’t, I suggest you do nothing until after the baby is born. If she has been ridden and your goal is to show her this year, continue to ride carefully and considerately right up until she gets ready to foal, providing she feels up to it.

The trail of the American Competitive Trail Horse Association traces back only two years, when Texan founders Tom and Carrie Scrima created more than a club – it’s now a movement. Since 2008, when 87 ACTHA members held 13 rides, the organization has grown like grass under a leaky spigot. This year, more than 14,000 members will ride in 1,000 ACTHA events.

“Hard to believe,” says Tom. “The whole idea was a one-day venue requiring skill and reasonable conditioning that would be casual in nature – and offer rewards for excellence. But, always, the ’cause’ has been in the forefront.”

You don’t have to be a record-setting quarterback, point guard or track star to letter in high school sports anymore. The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is writing a new chapter in the recognition of high school sports — one that honors Equestrian athletes. The USEF’s High School Equestrian Athlete program will offer specially designed emblems and pins, exclusively for equestrian athletes in grades 9-12.

Bureau of Land Management (BLM) director Bob Abbey announced Feb. 24 that less mustangs will be removed from the range and more mustang mares will receive anti-fertility treatment under a new BLM management strategy plan.

The plan calls for the BLM to reduce the number of wild horses slated for removal during the next two years from 10,000 to 7,600, unless conditions such as drought or other emergencies require removing more animals. In addition, the BLM will treat more mares with the contraceptive porcine zona pellucida (PZP). Injected as a liquid or fed in pellet form to fertile mares aged 4 to 20 years, a single PZP vaccination renders treated mares infertile for 22 months.

Next in a series
We’re going to be asking the horse to yield and bend to either side in a willing, balanced manner in response to pressure from a single rein.

You’ll quickly find that most horses are more comfortable turning one direction and loping on one lead vs. the other. To get them to be light, responsive and flexible in both directions is a challenge of training, and it will take some time and practice.

SAN ANGELO, Texas – With a gritty fence work against a challenging cow, Russell Dilday and Topsails Rien Maker outdueled Ron Emmons and Olena Oak and Todd Crawford on Play Dual Rey to claim a record third National Reined Cow Horse Association World’s Greatest Horseman title in four years.

In a field of the world’s best riders and stock horses, Dilday regained his crown by the slimmest of margins -– 874.5 points to 874 for Emmons and Crawford — after an intense series of four events: herd work, reining, steer roping and cow work down the fence.