Here are a few shots from Gold N Grand Spring 2013. GNG Is a all breed and AQHA show featuring Western Pleasure, Trail, Reining and English Pleasure classes. It happens twice a year. One in March and one in August. Located at Rancho Murieta Equestrian Complex

A Message from the Horse will be held at the Sacramento Horsemen’s Association on April 27, 2013 at 6:00 pm.

Come watch cowboy Wes White use biblical principles to bring a horse to brokenness. Watch the transformation unfolds through this powerful message of how God’s grace is given to each of us when brought to brokenness.

Wes is a gifted horseman with a master’s degree in Equine and Animal Science. He worked as the Director of Equine and Animal Science at New Mexico Military Institute and taught these same principles on the Navajo Reservation in Counselor, New Mexico in 2001 and in Sacramento in 2006. Wes has also participated in the Mustang Makeover in Fort Worth, placed in the top 10 at the Stock Horse competition in Texas, and has authored a training column for Horseman’s Magazine.

Breaking horses with love and respect has been Wes’s passion throughout his life. More important than his extensive skills and experience as a horseman, Wes is a deeply-committed Christian and family man. The message he brings through his work with horses will move you and be an experience you will not forget.

This event will be held at:

Sacramento Horseman’s Association
3200 Longview Drive
Sacramento, CA 95821

 

For more information, please contact Paris Frazier at (916) 470-1337

This will be a family friendly environment with plenty of parking.  Admission and parking are both free!  Door prizes will be available.  To register for the door prizes please click here.

Please come and bring the whole family, and enjoy this great event!

Clinics are a way to reduce the future horse population

The National Equine Resource Network’s (NERN) low-cost gelding clinic program was launched in 2011 to reduce the future equine population of the state of California.  Clinics were held that first year in communities such as Salinas, Cottonwood and Oakdale.  The clinics are conducted in partnership with local veterinarians and other non-profit equine welfare organizations.   NERN brings horse owners and vets together in a central location to geld horses that might not otherwise have the opportunity due to cost and other circumstances.

 

“We are creating a template that can be used by local equine veterinarians, equine rescuers and other advocates,” Ms. Puga said. She commented that the program in California is designed as a model that can easily be used anywhere in the country. NERN wants to make the low cost gelding clinic model available to all interested parties, along with the necessary seed money to implement local programs.

More recently, NERN has partnered with RVETS to expand the reach of the clinics.  The mission of Rural Veterinary Experience, Teaching and Service (RVETS) is to promote quality and affordable veterinary care in underserved rural areas in the USA and abroad, by providing veterinary students with practical experience and training in the medicine and surgery of horses and other animals. ”Working with Dr. Davis this year allowed us to expand our clinic offerings, with more clinics, additional procedures, and greater flexibility, beyond what we could have otherwise provided,” Ms. Puga said of the partnership with RVETS.

In 2012, NERN clinics castrated nearly 300 horses.  This total was an increase of 200% from the previous year.  Traditionally California based, NERN also expanded out of state for the first time, offering clinics in Nevada and Washington.

The Elk Grove Clinic will be held at Hoofbeats Equestrian on Tuesday, March 19^th, 2013.  Hoofbeats Equestrian is located at 8790 Mecca Road in Elk Grove.  Stallions must be halter-broke and healthy.  A limited number of cryptorchids will be accepted and castrations must be scheduled in advance.   Cryptorchids will be $150 and Castration will be $75.  To give an example of the value of this clinic, a cryptorchid (only one testicle has decesended) can typically run $1,500. There is limited space available for the clinic so you are encouraged to schedule your space ahead of time.

If you are unable to attend on the 19^th, NERN also has upcoming clinics in Red Bluff, Lathrop, and Santa Rosa.

For more information, please contact Shirley Puga at National Equine Resource Network at (760) 419-2462 or by e-mail at nationalequine@gmail.com.

You can also visit National Equine Resource Network’s web page at http://www.nationalequine.org

To learn more about RVETS, please visit their website at http://www.r-vets.org

Hoofbeats Equestrian can be reached at (760) 436-9327.  A map to the facility is below.

View Larger Map

Photos courtesy of Shirley Puga, National Equine Resource Network

San Francisco, California

 

The first ever RSNC round robin competition in California was held at the Grand National Rodeo on October 27-28, 2012.  Ten Sorters in each Division
who qualified througout the year competed on the afternoon of Saturday October 27, to determine who would win the Todd Jeys Trophy Saddles!  The #4 and above was won by Bobbie Elliot.  The #3 & Under was very close with three people sorting the same number of cattle, but when the time was calculated the winner was Karen Friend.  The saddles were presented by Cotton Rosser himself!

Sunday the 28th of October brought almost 500 teams to compete for all the cash and awards.  The cattle were great and competition fierce, as you would expect for The Cow Palace!  Thanks to all our participants, and if you missed it, make plans to attend next year!

#10 Beg RH HC
Renee Beckett

#10 Handicap Masters
Billie Baxley & Egon Oyarzun

#12 Sadie Hawkins
Duane Baxley & Billie Baxley

#14 Ranch Hand HC
Joe Sandford & Conrad Stitser

#6 Handicap
Robin Harrison & Anthony Peixoto

#8 Handicap
Anthony Peixoto & Danielle Williams

All Levels Handicap
Jessica Dillin & Jerry Johnson

Round Robin > 4
Bobbie Elliot & Egon Oyarzun

Round Robin > 4 Saturday – Individual Winners
1 – Bobbie Elliott & Dick Elliot – Saddle
2 – Zephyr Oyarzun & Richard Evans – Saddle Blanket
3 – Conrad Stitser & Egon Oyarzun – Trophy Halter

Round Robin <3 Saturday
Cody Evans & Karen Friend

Round Robin <3 Saturday – Individual Winners
1 – Karen Friend & Victoria Randazzo – Saddle
2 – Lilly Lizama & Jessica Dillin – Saddle Blanket
3 – Tony Louis & Billie Joe Baxely – Trophy Halter

As published in The Ranch Sorter Magazine, January – February 2013
Published by Ranch Sorting National Championships, P.O. Box 1, Wellington, CO 80549, (970) 897-2901
Photos courtesy of Val Rodriguez, Ranch Sorting National Championships

One of YouTube’s most popular animal reality series, Veterinarians On Call, has expanded into horse stories with three special videos, one a Hispanic surgeon at Tufts Large Animal Hospital near Boston treating a horse for a leg injury, another a former child star now veterinarian treating a horse’s eye. The new videos premiered this season on channel www.YouTube.com/VetsOnCall or www.YouTube.com/VeterinariansOnCall.

The popular YouTube series is now reaching hundreds of thousands of TV viewers, debuting as a segment on national TV news shows AgDay and US Farm Report in October thanks to an agreement between producers at Essex Television and Farm Journal Television. Essex Television is the Connecticut TV production company behind the popular, long-running Discovery Velocity network TV show Chasing Classic Cars.

AgDay airs on 130 TV stations with daily viewership of 200,000 households plus 50,000 Web viewers at www.AgDay.com. US Farm Report airs on 150 TV stations with 450,000 weekly viewers. Both shows also air on RFD-TV, the national cable network for rural America.

Wes Mills , Managing Editor of Farm Journal Television of Indiana, commented, “When I first saw the Vets on Call videos, I knew they were a perfect fit for our programs. We are proud to showcase these important men and women on the front lines of animal healthcare.”

Animal owners and animal lovers have flocked to the series which follows veterinarians and the animals in their care. YouTube viewers have rated the videos overwhelmingly with 1,000+ likes and hundreds of Shares, Comments, and Favorites. To ensure the integrity of the content, all veterinarians volunteer to appear and are not compensated, plus no products are promoted in the series.

Two of the new horse videos feature vets from Northwestern NY State. In one, Dr. Pete Ostrum mentors the newest vet in his clinic Dr. Jen Nightingale as they treat a horse suffering from an eye condition. Dr. Ostrum is known nationally as a veterinarian and for his unique past playing “Charlie” in Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory. In the other, Dr. Deanna Fuller and Dr. Lindsey Peck teach horse care to 4-H student Camille, who hopes to grow up to be a veterinarian.

The third video features Dr. Jose Garcia-Lopez of Tufts University Hospital for Large Animals outside Boston, the first minority and first Hispanic veterinarian to be profiled in the series. The story follows an appointment where he diagnoses and treats injured show horse Matador.

Up next for the series are two of the top U.S. racehorse vets, Dr. Larry Bramlage and Dr. Spike-Pierce of Lexington, Kentucky, who were recently filmed for the series.

The series is presented by Pfizer Animal Health. Clint Lewis , President of U.S. Operations for Pfizer Animal Health, commented, “These videos help the public see the important role veterinarians play in ensuring the optimal health and wellness of pets and farm animals.”

The series is presented as part of Pfizer Animal Health’s Commitment to Veterinarians platform, which supports the veterinary industry through training and education, research and development, investing in the future of the profession, and philanthropy.

Recently a ranch property came on the market in Texas.  What’s interesting about this property for horse fans was that the ranch was the former home of legendary cutting mare Poco Lena and her owner B.A. Skipper, Jr.  Poco Lena won multiple championships in both the American Quarter Horse Association and the National Cutting Horse Association.  Under Skipper’s ownership, Poco Lena won the AQHA Honor Roll and from 1959 through 1961, was the reserve chamption in the NCHA’s world standings.  Skipper, died in a plane crash on his way back to the ranch in 1962 and as a result, Poco Lena was left by the road side in a trailer for four days without food or water.  After already having foundered in 1961, she foundered again after the incident.  However, she was sold to Dr. and Mrs. Stephen Jensen in California and after being nursed back to health was able to produce two amazing horses with the historic sire Doc Bar in Dry Doc and AQHA Hall-of-Famer Doc O’Lena.  Poco Lena was the first horse inducted into the NCHA Hall of Fame.  In 1991, she also became the first mare inducted into the AQHA Hall of Fame.

If you have $3,650,000 handy you can own this little slice of horse history.  Below is the press release from the real estate firm selling the property.

 

ENCINO, Texas, Sept. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – Nestled in the rugged terrain of South Texas, the legendary Skipper Ranch, with 800+ acres of prime habitat, water features and ranching infrastructure, is now on the market.  Republic Ranches has listed this stunning property, located 23 miles from Falfurrias and 50 miles north of McAllen.  For photos and complete listing information, visit: www.republicranches.com/landlisting/skipper-ranch/

The ranch dates back to the early 1930’s and Barney Skipper, a Texas oilman known as “the Longview Oil Prophet” and one of the key players in the famous East Texas oil boom.  Created as a hunting retreat, working ranch and respite from hectic city life, the Skipper Ranch was built for his son, B.A. Skipper, Jr., who became one of the nation’s best known judges and exhibitors of horses and owner of the famed Poco Lena.

True to its historic roots, the Skipper Ranch features a wide variety of wildlife including white-tailed deer, exotics, dove, javelina, turkey, quail and other migratory birds.  A ½-acre pond and a 6-acre fishing lake with covered palapas are stocked with bass, catfish, tilapia and perch.  The lake has 2 docks and a swim platform for family outdoor fun.  The ranch participates in Texas Parks & Wildlife’s MLDP program (Level 3).

The crown jewel of the property, however, is the 3,000 square foot main house built in 1936.  It has been lovingly restored to showcase its historic charm with original doors and hardware, floors and tilework. The painstaking renovations include modern touches such as a new back patio, front pond and lighted fountain, new roof, and updated amenities throughout the house.

Also situated on the property is a new 3275 square foot lodge and a completely remodeled 728 square foot bunk house — the three houses combined will sleep 24 very comfortably and include numerous outdoor porches, gathering areas and a fire pit.

Additional features of the property include a 3-sided concrete floor equipment/ hay barn, a covered equipment shed, and large enclosed barn for storage and maintenance.  There is also a walk-in cooler and game cleaning area, and two no-maintenance bat houses for insect control.   The rangelands are well-managed and watered by 3 miles of water distribution to 8 ponds/lakes and several irrigated food plots.

A Horse Named Poco Lena: Story of Tragedy and Triumph

B.A. Skipper, Jr. bought quarter horse Poco Lena in 1959, bringing her to the Skipper Ranch which was to be her home during her record-breaking years as a championship show horse.  She would become the first horse inducted into the National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) Hall of Fame, winning numerous competitions and titles.  Poco Lena also became the first mare inducted into the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) Hall of Fame.

Tragedy struck in October of 1962 when B.A. Skipper, Jr.’s small plane crashed on his way back from a competition in Arizona.   Poco Lena and another horse had been transported back to the ranch by a hired driver in a trailer.  During the confusion of the search for Skipper, the two horses were left by the side of the road for 4 days without food or water.  The episode nearly killed Poco Lena.  She was slowly nursed back to health, and though she never competed again, the mare went on to produce two foals that became NCHA cutting champions in their own right. Her championship lineage continues today.

For more information on Skipper Ranch, contact Charles Davidson, Republic Ranches at 210.415.5570 or cmd@republicranches.com

This section contains unedited press releases distributed by PR Newswire. These releases reflect the views of the issuing entity and are not reviewed or edited by SacHorse.com

SHANIA RIDES UP TO CAESARS PALACE ON HORSEBACK TO GREET FANS IN ADVANCE OF DEBUT SHOW

Shania Twain was in Las Vegas today to promote her new show at Caesar’s Palace, Shania: Still The One.  She rang in the event in style by driving a herd of forty horses down the Las Vegas Strip.  Well she didn’t actually do the driving, that was done by some cowboys, but Shania was right there riding along.  It must have been an impressive site, and done early in the morning, to prevent a massive traffic back up.  The Strip becomes quite congested fairly early in the morning.

If you’re interested in the show, they’ll be dates in December, March, and April and you can get show information at www.shaniainvegas.com.

Below is a video of the event.  The interesting horse footage is in the first 1:30.

26^th ANNUAL DRAFT HORSE CLASSIC AWARDS ANNOUNCED

Awards for the 26^th annual Draft Horse Classic, held September 20 – 23 at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley, have been announced.  Gary Nebergall of Arthur, Illinois judged the Draft Horse competitions and halter show. Dwight Gilbert from Nevada was the judge of the pulling contest; and Craig Trnka from New Mexico was the horseshoe competition judge.

Draft horse exhibitors from California, British Columbia, Nevada, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, and Washington competed for more than $35,000 in premium awards. The competitions took place during six performances over the four-day event.

The winner of the Six-Up Ultimate Hitch Championship was Kirk Messenger of the Mark Messenger Memorial Hitch, from Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Dakota Messenger, also of Mark Messenger Memorial Hitch, and Katie Cook of Young Living Percherons from Mona, Utah, were recognized as the outstanding lady drivers, both accumulating high points to win the Susan Parnell High Point Perpetual Award.

The Teamster of the Year Award was presented to Steve Smith, an honor bestowed upon him by the voting of his fellow teamsters. Smith is from Quail Creek Percherons in Carmichael, California. The Draft Horse & Mule Association presented their special Teamster Award to Kirk Messenger of Cheyenne, Wyoming.  Ciera Barry of Shady Oaks Ranch in Millville, California, won the Youth of the Show award.

The Overall Supreme Champion horse, Hugh; the Grand Champion Stallion, Ogdensburg HC Variety; and the Grand Champion Mare, Mission Bell Abigail; are all owned by Castagnasso Clydesdales and shown by Tony Knecht of Sonoma, California.

The winner in the 2012 Edward Martin Perpetual Horseshoeing Competition was J D Downs of Colorado.

At the second annual Classic BBQ Cook-Off, the Grand Champion was Richard Holguin, cooking for Cecil’s Smokin’ BBQ of San Jose; and the Reserve Grand Champion prize went to Mary Odor, cooking for Mad Mo’s BBQ of Meridian. The People’s Choice Champion was Bad S BBQ of Sunnyvale, with Ryan Pang cooking.

At the Harvest Fair, the People’s Choice award for the Scarecrows went to Nancy Brown, and the Best of Division in the Scarecrows went to Rivera Swartzendruber.

A complete list of 2012 Draft Horse Classic awards, as well as all the Harvest Fair winners and a complete list of Barbecue Cook-Off results, is on the Nevada County Fairgrounds’ website at www.NevadaCountyFair.com.

The 2013 Draft Horse Classic is scheduled for September 19 – 22. Tickets will go on sale on May 1, 2013.  Visit www.NevadaCountyFair.com for more information.

We posted a list of all results for the 2012 Draft Horse Classic.

Here are some more winners:

SPECIAL AWARDS

Teamster of the Year
Steve Smith, Quail Creek Percherons, Carmichael, CA

Andy Amsbaugh Teamster Award
Rick Newborn, Top Hand Ranch, Elverta, CA

Ultimate Hitch Award
Kirk Messenger, Mark Messenger Memorial Hitch, Cheyenne, WY

Susan Parnell High Point Perpetual Award
Dakota Messenger, Mark Messenger Memorial Hitch, Cheyenne, WY
Katie Cook , Young Living Percherons, Mona Ut

Edward Martin Perpetual Horseshoeing Competition
J D Downs, Colorado

Youth of the Show Award
Ciera Barry ~ Shady Oaks Ranch ~ Millville, CA

 

HALTER SHOW CHAMPIONS
(Exhibitor; Handler; Horse)

Champion Clydesdale Mare
Castagnasso Clydesdales; Tony Knecht; Mission Bell Abigail

Reserve Champion Clydesdale Mare
Siren’s Clydesdales; Kyle Hohu; Hill Topper Drakes Nancy

Champion Clydesdale Stallion
Castagnasso Clydesdales; Tony Knecht; Ogdensburg HC Variety

Reserve Champion Clydesdale Stallion
Hawkes Ranch; Cheryl Hawkes; Armageddonn’s Lord Thomas

Champion Clydesdale Gelding
Sirens Clydesdale; Kyle Hohu; Sirens Sweet Chaos

Reserve Champion Clydesdale Gelding
Carlaw Clydes; Caroline & Lawrence McGibbon; Stan

Champion All Other Breed Mare
Balls in Your Court; Kay Sweeney; Misty

Champion Farm/Hitch Gelding
Castagnasso Clydesdales; Tony Knecht; Hugh

Reserve Champion Farm/Hitch Gelding
Sirens Clydesdale; Kyle Hohu; Sirens Sweet Chaos

Champion Matched Pair
Rock N Horse Ranch; Corrie Silva & Char Antuzzi; Cinder & Ella

Grand Champion Mare
Castagnasso Clydesdales; Tony Knecht; Mission Bell Abigail

Reserve Grand Champion Mare
Siren’s Clydesdales; Kyle Hohu; Hill Topper Drakes Nancy

Grand Champion Stallion
Castagnasso Clydesdales; Tony Knecht; Ogdensburg HC Variety

Reserve Grand Champion Stallion
Hawkes Ranch; Cheryl Hawkes; Armageddonn’s Lord Thomas

Overall Supreme Champion
Castagnasso Clydesdales; Tony Knecht; Hugh

Ticket sales for Valitar show to benefit Helen Woodward’s Equine Program

SAN DIEGO, Sept. 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – Equustria Development Inc., the San Diego production company launching the world premiere of Valitar at the Del Mar Fairgrounds on November 16, 2012, is pleased to announce its partnership with Helen Woodward Animal Center.  As part of the partnership, a portion of each ticket sold for Valitar will be donated to Helen Woodward’s Equine and Large Animal Hospital as well as their Therapeutic Riding Program.

“We are honored to partner with Helen Woodward Animal Center in support of the incredible work they do for the San Diego community,” said Mark Remley, President of Equustria Development Inc.  “Helen Woodward does so much for horses, animals and our community, and we are thrilled to be able to give back to such a wonderful cause.”

Valitar is a new traveling show which features 45 horses and 25 performers, and is the story of the power and grace of humanity and horses combined.

“We are thrilled to partner with the folks from Valitar on their San Diego world premiere,” said Renee Resko, Vice President of Development for Helen Woodward Animal Center. “Their generosity will make a significant contribution to our efforts to assist animals in the San Diego community including our equine population.”

Ticket options for Valitar include general admission beginning at $39 for child and $65 for adults as well as a VIP option.  As a Valitar VIP, guests will experience an evening sure to be the envy of family and friends.  Valitar’s VIP Lounge includes hosted appetizers and cocktails 60 minutes prior to show, premier seating, delectable desserts during intermission, commemorative program, and an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour with a unique, one-on-one meet and greet with our cast, human and equine alike. Tickets for world premiere in San Diego are now available online at www.ticketmaster.com.

About Helen Woodward Animal Center

Helen Woodward Animal Center is a private, non-profit organization where “people help animals and animals help people.” Founded in 1972 in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., the Center provides services for more than 57,000 people and thousands of animals annually through adoptions, educational and therapeutic programs both onsite and throughout the community. Helen Woodward Animal Center is also the creator of the international Home 4 the Holidays pet adoption drive and the Animal Center Education Services program, teaching the business of saving lives to animal welfare leaders from around the world. For more information or to make a donation, visit www.animalcenter.org

About Valitar – Experience the Undiscovered.

From the Latin word, Validus, meaning strong, mighty, and powerful, Valitar promises riveting interactions between 45 horses and 25 performers, while combining advanced technology and high energy.  Valitar’s ethereal, mystical moments will immerse the crowd in a spectacular event. For more information, log on to www.valitar.net

This section contains unedited press releases distributed by PR Newswire. These releases reflect the views of the issuing entity and are not reviewed or edited by SacHorse.com