Northernhorse.com Blog

Just finished watching Eric Lamze win personal gold at the 2008 Olympics. What an exciting jump off. What an inspiration to see someone who has overcome a less than supportive youth and some antics of his own to become one of our best athletes. And what a horse he has in Hickstead. And all this after being a part of our Silver win in the Show Jumping Team event.

The Globe & Mail has this quote:

“There’ve been some difficult times,” he said. “But when you finally get here, you think about the moments you’re not proud of, that didn’t go well in your life, and it shows anyone can come back. I’m proud of what I’ve done.”

Now Canada has a gold medal in this event.  We are proud too.

He says he is a great example of why you should never give up on people who make mistakes. In a sport that is often populated by privileged young people it is a story of success coming to an underdog with many personal challenges to overcome on the way.

Isn’t it nice when we see someone overcome big odds and turn their lives into something wonderful and special? And for me it is even more special because of the help of a horse (or horses). Horses were a big part of my own less than easy childhood and many times my little pinto mare was the bright light in a dull day.

A big congratulations to Eric and Hickstead.

The Rocky Mountain Challenge 2008 Canadian Nationals saw over 170 entries from the United States and Canada compete over five days at Red Deer River Ranches west of Sundre, AB in the sports of endurance, competitive trail and ride n’ tie.

Sunny and partly cloudy skies accompanied the Open competitive trail riders over their two-day, 80-mile bid to become Canadian Champions. The terrain offered a challenging test including hard climbs, long flats, lots of technical riding, plenty of water, and some bog.  Many seasoned competitors found the terrain and the time frame challenging and had to push their limits to achieve finishing times. Continue Reading »

Auto body shop owner, Dave Getzinger of Drayton Valley, AB had the ride of his life in the 50-mile endurance competition at the Rocky Mountain Challenge – 2008 Canadian Nationals August 2, 2008 held at Red Deer River Ranches, Sundre, AB The event requires riders to negotiate the 50 miles of Rocky Mountain foothills terrain in the fastest time all while being monitored at veterinarian manned checks along the way to ensure their horses’ fitness to continue. Continue Reading »

After a successful run in the fall of 2007, the Horse Industry Association of Alberta is launching its 2008 “Hoofin’ Around” tour with seminars for new or prospective horse owners in six Alberta locations.

The evening seminars cover the topics: Myths, Mysteries and Miseries; Choosing Your Path; What a Horse Needs; What a Rider Needs; Stable Selection; Keeping Horses at Home; and Buying the Right Horse. Presenters for the evening seminars are four well-known horse industry professionals: Ron Anderson, Les Burwash, Muffy Knox and Kippy Maitland-Smith. Continue Reading »

I’m sure lots of you know of Martin Black. Many who see him work say Martin is the one they would like to have start their colts. Coming from 5 generations of ranchers he has grown up with horses and adapted his traditional training with the influence of other present-day horsemen.

Martin is currently in Alberta participating in the largest modern day Colt Start in North America. On August 23 & 24 you can watch him demonstrate his techniques at the Rocking G Ranch near Redwater, AB. If you would like more information about this event check the Northernhorse.com Events section.

We are also pleased to announce that Martin has offered to let us publish some of his writings on our blog. We are starting today with “Get With It”.

Canada was the proud host country of the 2008 AQHA Youth World Cup, an educational, leadership-based equine competition showcasing skills learned in an atmosphere of friendly competition. AQHA Youth World Cup competitions take place biennially, alternating between an international host country and Amarillo, Texas, AQHA’s home city. The Canadian Quarter Horse Association and provincial/regional AQHA affiliate associations were the co-hosts of this year’s world class event, which took place July 6th to 13th, at the Western Fair Agriplex in London Ontario. Continue Reading »

Kyle Carter of Calgary, AB, is the top Canadian following cross-country, the second of three phases comprising the equestrian sport of eventing, at the 2008 Olympic Games.  Carter is in 32nd position individually while the Canadian Eventing Team is in ninth position overall.

Carter, who had been sitting in 61st position following the opening phase of dressage, made an impressive leap up the leader board following Monday’s cross-country phase.  Riding Madison Park, a 10-year-old thoroughbred gelding owned by Carter and Nicole Shinton, Carter was only the second rider to tackle the course designed by Great Britain’s Michael Etherington-Smith.  The pair successfully negotiated the 39 jumping efforts placed over a total distance of 4,560 meters but, as did all competitors, incurred time faults for exceeding the time allowed of eight minutes.  Adding 18.40 time penalties to his dressage score, Carter currently has a two-day provisional score of 81.90 penalty points. Continue Reading »

We are very happy to report that the Wildrose Circuit in Red Deer  was the biggest and best it has been in years!!!!   Thank you to everyone who participated .  We received a tonne  (Ton for you Americans) of positive feedback which was very welcome and incredibly appreciated.   The circuit ended up with nearly 3,000 AQHA entries featuring some of the biggest classes we’ve had in years.   More importantly…. it was a lot of fun!!!!   The new facilities in Red Deer allowed for several warm up pens and two very nice show pens!!!     Continue Reading »

The Mane Event, Equine Education & Trade Fair is celebrating its 5th anniversary in BC – this October 17 – 19, 2008 at Heritage Park in Chilliwack, BC.

The indoor expo will again offer over 100 hours of equine education with renowned horse trainers and clinicians, we are pleased to welcome back some of your favourite clinicians as well as feature some making their first appearances in BC. Clinics and demos will again include Dressage, Reining, Jumping, Horsemanship and of course the very popular Trainer’s Challenge. The large trade fair will feature a wide range of equine products including tack, trailers, hats, boots, fencing, supplements as well as information booths featuring Breed Associations and Riding Clubs and Associations. Continue Reading »

The Ontario Quarter Horse Youth Association (OQHYA) is very pleased to announce the winner of the raffle for a John Deere “Gator” 620i XUV 4 x 4. The OQHYA representatives drew the winning ticket on July 12, 2008 at 4912 Rd 179, R.R. #1, Bornholm, Ontario. Valued AQHA corporate partner, John Deere sponsored this terrific prize with a suggested retail value of up to $15,000. The winning “Gator” ticket was publicly announced July 13th during the final day of AQHA Youth World Cup competition held in London, Ontario between July 6-13, 2008. Continue Reading »