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Horse Fairs/Shows : 2006 RMHA Colorado Haflinger Show – Hot and Fun!
Posted by Admin on 2006/10/4 1:25:36 (772 reads) |
by Sue Meade
After the August 2005 Haflinger show’s success, the 2005 committee wasn’t sure if it had been beginners’ luck or not. Once the 2nd RMHA Colorado Haflinger Show, held on June 10 and 11 at Jefferson County Fairgrounds in Golden, was over, we realized that we might be getting the hang of this show thing. Not mastered, but improving!
The June weekend was unseasonably warm and dry, and many Haflinger owners hadn’t had much time to work with their horses before the show. Nevertheless, we had 18 people and 22 Haflingers (plus a foal or two that came with their dams) for our expanded 2-day show. I found Sandi Thurston, a carded CSU judge who could judge not only the halter and performance classes, but also the driving classes. I mailed her information and a DVD about Haflingers, along with the AHR show rules, and she came prepared. We had started with 45 classes when the entry forms went out, and ended up with 28. A few – Beginner Hunter Hack and Youth Driving – were added at the last minute to offer a few participants a chance to try these 2 classes, without having a payout.
The show committee this year was a little larger, with more talents. Sue Meade, Vern and Marilyn Pierce, Kym Morrissey and Lani Piper were joined by Shelly Reed and Toni Schmidt. Shelly created our show flyers and our premium books, and Toni designed courses for the more complex driving classes. Sue researched the rules for log skidding and designed the course and provided the “logs” to skid. Kym once again oversaw the silent auction and ordered ribbons, and Lani was the sponsorship person. Marilyn again was the entry and barn manager.
As we’d hoped, there was a wide range of ability and training among both the people and the Haflingers, and many of us learned a lot. And most, if not all, of us had a fun time showing our Haflingers, getting to know each other, learning from the judge and from each other, trying new events and helping out at the show. Sally Meiresonne was again our announcer, and did a bang-up job. She and Shawn Morrissey kept track of the placings in each class, so that Sue could later do the payouts. Thanks to Sandi, Sally and Shawn for their professional and patient work!
We had several sponsors, who donated products, gift items, and money. Kym and Shawn Morrissey donated the silver buckles for the High Point Adult and Youth winners, and Vern and Marilyn Pierce donated spurs for the Reserve High Point Adult and Youth winners. Patti Clark was disappointed she couldn’t come to the show because of a previous commitment, and donated money to help us out. We finally had a chance to use ALL of Bette Green’s halter/ridden trail obstacles, and even the judge learned something new – using a hula hoop in the course! And with one of the recent bylaws changes, we were able to use $50 of RMHA funds as an additional payout for all six of the youth participants.
We had several people come to the show just to watch, including former, new and prospective RMHA members. The halter and performance classes were held on Saturday, and Sunday was all driving classes. With seven driving classes, and courses to set up for many of those, we found that we were finished by late afternoon on Sunday.
Saturday night, Vern Pierce (who had been home cooking much of the day), provided dinner for our annual meeting, held in an AIR-CONDITIONED meeting room at Jefferson County Fairgrounds. Ah!!! Thanks for dinner, Vern!
Once all the dust settles from this show and the officers and board have had time to get their bearings, discussions will probably begin about future shows. An August show was requested by several people, mention was made to explore the possibility of having the show at the Colorado State Fair again, having 2 shows, different locations, etc. Please let any of us or any Board members know if you have suggestions for future shows.
A HUGE THANK YOU to all the show committee members, Sally, Shawn, Sandi, Jefferson County and our sponsors for helping this show be a fun success! And, of course, a big THANK YOU to the Haflingers for again showing us what they can do!
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Horse Fairs/Shows : Nebraska Horse Expo's Mane Challenge Wins New Haflinger Fans
Posted by Admin on 2006/10/4 0:56:47 (492 reads) |
by Peggy Keller
Radie Keller’s red hair matches the dark coat of her Haflinger mare Lizer Jane LMP. And the dimples from Radie’s smile definitely add to the pair’s cuteness factor. But how would the duo rate in a conformation halter class of 10 different breeds – mostly quarter type breeds – in a state where most horsemen have never even seen a Haflinger?
Just ask Radie, and her dimples will answer that question. Ten-year-old Radie and 14-year-old Lizer won the halter class which was 20 horses strong.
The halter class was the first of five classes in The Mane Challenge at the Nebraska Horse Expo in Lincoln, Nebraska, March 10-12, 2006. The Mane Challenge is a fun, team competition designed to showcase the versatility of different horse breeds. Ten teams were entered in the competition, representing the following breeds: Haflinger, Quarter Horse, Paint, Pinto, Tennessee Walker, Appaloosa, Draft, and three teams of grade or mixed breed horses.
Each team consisted of two to four horses. And each horse was required to compete in at least two of the five classes: halter, English/ Western pleasure, trail, pleasure driving and a stakes race.
Representing the Haflinger team were:
• Radie Keller and Lizer Jane LMP, Baldwin City, Kansas. Radie does dressage, jumps and drives Lizer.
• Peggy Keller (Radie’s mom), Baldwin City, Kansas, and Stalone “Rocky” LMP, an 11-year-old gelding. Rocky was recently gelded and is preparing for his first dressage competitions.
• Rachel Martinez, Leavenworth, Kansas, and Cadillac MCHF, a 7-year-old mare. Cadillac is ridden dressage and was recently trained to drive.
• Valerie Wolf, Lincoln, Nebraska, and Where’s Waldo LMP, a 12-year-old gelding. Waldo is a therapeutic riding horse for Heartland Equestrian Therapeutic Riding Academy (HETRA) and does a little dressage, a little driving and some trail riding in his spare time.
The four Haflingers were all raised and had their training started at LMP Farm.
Following The Mane Challenge halter class, the team of four Haflingers from LMP Farm, Baldwin City, Kansas, was off to a good start.
The Haflinger team also fared well in pleasure driving, with Valerie and Waldo placing 2nd and Rachel and Cadillac placing 5th.
Participatory points were earned by: Peggy and Rocky in English pleasure, trail and the stakes race; Radie and Lizer in English pleasure; Valerie and Waldo in trail and the stakes race; and Rachel and Cadillac in halter.
After all the points were totaled, the Haflinger team placed third overall in The Mane Challenge – earning bronze medals and gift bags. The Pinto team won the event and the Tennessee Walker team placed second.
The Mane Challenge definitely showed the versatility of the Haflinger. While many breeds had “specialists” in each class, some of the Haflingers were facing classes and tasks they had never faced before.
Not only did Rocky and Waldo show the spectators that they could back through an “L” and sidepass toward and away from a mailbox in the trail classs – very new skills for both of them - but that they could also gallop in the stakes class!
“The stakes class was the last event of The Mane Challenge and by that time the Haflingers had acquired quite a cheering section,” Wolf said. “I don’t like to go fast and I didn’t think Waldo could go fast, but we actually galloped and it was FUN!”
In addition to The Mane Challenge, the Haflingers took center stage for a breed demonstration each day. The Haflingers were ridden dressage and western and shown in-hand while an announcer provided information about the breed.
The Mane Challenge was not the only success for the Haflingers. Not surprisingly, many of the attendees drawn to the Nebraska Horse Expo by John Lyons and other notable clinicians were also drawn to the Haflingers. Many questions were asked and answered and many people said that the Haflingers were their favorite part of the weekend.
Of course they were.
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Horse Fairs/Shows : Ken Clark Takes on More Drafts at the 100th National Western Stock Show
Posted by Admin on 2006/10/4 1:06:07 (486 reads) |
When we last heard from Ken and Kris Clark, they has just impressed the crowds at the Big Thunder Draft Horse Show on January 15. They went from there to the 100th National Western Stock Show Draft Horse Show in Denver on january 20 and 21. They entered the Farm team class, the Performance Obstacle Driving and the Feed Team RAce. Here's Kris's report:
We ended up with a 1st place in the Obstacle Race. We are really happy with this one as it shows the versatility of the horses and the work that we have done with this young team.
We also got 6th place in the Farm Team Class and 8th in the Feed Team Race. That's all that we were in so we are pretty happy. We have been planning for two years to get a pair ready for National Western Stock Show. I think that the hard work paid off.
We had all kinds of people express their interest in the Haflingers. The exposure was phenomenal. I had spoken to a couple and they expressed some interest. After Ken won the Obstacle, they came back and said that it was decided...they must have Haflingers!! We spoke to people from Switzerland, California, Utah and lots from Colorado. They really made a hit with the kids. I would let Matt hang his head out of his stall and let little kids get their pictures taken with him loving on them.
We really appreciate all the Haflinger folks that came and cheered us on. That was pretty cool. A big THANKS to all!
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Horse Fairs/Shows : Marci and Michaela Hicks Participate in Dressage and Jumping Clinic
Posted by Admin on 2006/10/4 1:09:45 (503 reads) |
by Marci Hicks
The Ehler's Dressage and Jumping clinic held in Billings, Montana has been a great way for me to begin developing my young gelding Wally over this past winter.
Judy and Volker Ehlers moved to Montana a couple of years ago from California where they continue to raise warmbloods and pass on their knowledge and expertise to local amateur and junior riders. They were excited to begin working with Wally - my 3 year old gelding (Walhdeer VanDeWortel X Belinda). Volker knew of Haflingers from his days as a boy in Germany and related a story to me of a mountain rescue he witnessed many years ago involving two Haflingers. Over the past 4 months they were thrilled to see his progress and very impressed with his athletic ability. Of course all the other attendees think he is adorable. I am just proud of his work ethic. He is such a joy.
Michaela took her mare, Dolly, this past month to the clinic and it was a special time for the two of us to enjoy this activity together with the Haflingers. She has developed a lot of confidence and she and Dolly are going to be a fun match this summer.
Photos were taken by a clinic attendee whose son actually helped start Wally, and she was so thrilled to see him. The Haflingers are always a hit and we are getting more exposure in northern Wyoming and southern Montana to support the breed! We look forward to the Rocky Mountain show in June!
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Miscellaneous : Haflinger Inspection and Classification Coming to the Rockies - FINALLY!
Posted by Admin on 2006/10/4 1:15:43 (698 reads) |
by Marci Hicks
The 2006 Rocky Mountain Haflinger Inspections will take place Wednesday, August 30th at Gibs Performance Horses in Fort Lupton, Colorado. The contact person for stabling will be Dawn Ramsdell at Rivervalley Performance Horses in Fort Lupton, CO. Stalls will be available beginning on August 29th through August 31st for those of us who will be traveling or those local folks that would like a stall. The rate is $15.00 per night for indoor stall with bedding and $10.00 per night for outside run. Gibs Performance Horses has graciously donated the use of the facility and arena for this activity. There are wash rack facilities, an outdoor 150x300, 140x140, 60' round pen and an indoor 80x120. There is an office with restrooms and shower. Stalls and pens have water, though buckets may be needed. Most stalls are 10x10 in size. A big thanks to Dawn for arranging this nice facility!
The AHR should be sending packets to those of you who indicated an interest and commitment to bring a horse or horses. When you receive the packets, please complete your entry and send back to AHR asap with the appropriate fees. Stabling fees should be mailed directly to Dawn in the form of a check (or cash if you bring it with you to the inspection). Our preference is to have all stabling arrangements made in advance. Please make stabling checks out to Gibs Performance Horses.
If you would like to bring additional horses or know of someone that didn't respond initially but who would like to bring a horse, please get me their name and I will see that a packet gets out to them. We did have a very good response and the AHR will record those who submit entries on a first-come basis. We will keep a waiting list also and fill that based on the same system. It may be possible for the inspectors to take up to 27 horses in a day with 20 being the minimum. We have a tentative commitment of 23-25 horses presently. There is some flexibility.
We anticipate a need in the set up and take down of the arena ( should be very minimal activity) and also in concessions. If the officers would like to discuss concessions as a fund raiser for the association, this would benefit the RMHA. I might suggest simple items such as sandwiches with snacks, drinks and water possibly on a donation basis. If someone would like to take charge of this please let me know. We also need one or two folks that can be at the function most of the day to "host" the judges, i.e., make sure their needs are met.
If you are interested in a "mock" inspection at the 2006 show in June, please let me know and we can see about setting something up - possibly at a break, etc. Our neighbor, Mike LeVasseur, from Texas (who will be participating) has a video of an inspection that took place a year or so ago and has asked about possible interest in a copy of the video. If you are interested, let me know and I will inform him as to the numbers. He can then get us a price, if he decides to go ahead and duplicate it. Thanks Mike!
Observers will be welcome! Thanks for your participation and we will get out more info as it is made available.
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