Northernhorse.com Blog

At the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, it’s all about the teams, the countries they represent and the money that can be won.

To increase reining team participation in the Games, the Federation Equestre Internationale has approved deepening the prize-money payout. This year, the team reining competition will pay a $100,000 purse to 15 places. Countries that haven’t yet met the FEI requirements for a full team can still apply for wild-card status. Continue Reading »

The prestigious 2009 AQHA World Championship Show was held November 6-21, 2009 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. A total of 2,102 registered Quarter Horses competed for a total purse of $2,702,893 comprised of entry fees, added money and the value of awards. There were 2,036 Open entries (409 in Halter and 1627 in Performance classes) and 1,428 Amateur entries (319 in Halter and 1,109 in Performance classes). International representation came from Brazil, Canada (six provinces), France, Germany, Sweden and the United Kingdom, in addition to U.S. representation from 46 states.

The Canadian Quarter Horse Association (CQHA) is very proud to recognize Bernard G. More of Shawville, Quebec, breeder of The Krymsun Kruzer. Continue Reading »

To participate in a clinic please email riders@maneeventexpo.com for details. Tell them you saw it on Northernhorse.com

Win Tickets to 2010 Mane Event

The 2010 Mane Event Clinicians

I’m excited just reading the information about these clinicians. There is so much that could be learned from this group who are at the top in their fields.  Be sure to enter your name in our Free Draw for a chance to win a couple of weekend passes to The Mane Event coming up April 23 – 25 at the Westerner in Red Deer, AB. Continue Reading »

Oklahoma City will host the 2010 Youth World Cup July 3-11, and the American Quarter Horse Association is calling on volunteers – two-legged and four-legged – to make the event a success.
What began as a competition between Australian and U.S. youths more than two decades ago has evolved to include kids from a number of countries – 17 countries are expected for the 2010 Youth World Cup. Continue Reading »

Responding to industry demand, Olds College is changing its one-year farrier program to a two-year program starting this October. The college’s new Farrier Science Diploma will see students emerging with increased knowledge of equine anatomy, horse handling and horse husbandry. As well, emphasis will be increased on welding, basic blacksmithing and advanced corrective and therapeutic horseshoeing. In keeping with the college’s emphasis on hands-on learning, program completion will now require a total of 8 months of Directed Field Study, split into five-month and three-month sections respectively. Mark Hobby, President of the Western Canadian Farriers Association, believes that new farriers today need more training than can currently be found on the continent. While Hobby commends Olds College’s current one-year program, he says it is still not long enough. He adds the proposed two year program is essential for the future of farriers in the province.

On April 23 – 25 we will once again have the opportunity to be educated, entertained and have a shopping spree at The Mane Event at Westerner Park in Red Deer, AB.

This is the biggest event of it’s kind in Alberta and you could win a set of 2 Weekend Passes just by posting a comment below. Just post a comment below telling us if you have been to The Mane Event in the past and what you most enjoyed. If you have never been to The Mane Event tell us what type of clinician you would most like to see at this years event.

The Mane Event Clinicians

Want to Participate in a Mane Event clinic?

The draw will end midnight April 10, 2010.

Dunit On The Range (photo by Bruce Browarny)

The prestigious 2009 World Championship Sale managed by Professional Auction Service, Inc., was held in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on November 16, 2009. The Canadian Quarter Horse Association (CQHA) is pleased to recognize Rinzema Quarter Horses of Keene, Ontario, who bred and consigned one of the highest selling horses in the sale. The auction service’s official results report the 2010 total sale prices at $1,492,200, averaging $5,311 on 281 lots sold, up 10% over the 2008 average. (All prices are quoted in US currency).

Dunit On The Range, consigned by Bill Rinzema, topped the performance horse section at $41,500 and was purchased by Gail Beaver Torsell of Centre Hall, PA. The yearling red roan stallion is sired by Open Range and out of Emerald Selection, by Selection So Simple. Emerald Selection is a 2001 red dun mare who earned 70 AQHA Western Pleasure points. Continue Reading »

The Calgary Stampede is taking equine events to extremes this summer. But even the most daring cowboy needs a little guidance.

During the 2010 edition of The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth, a new event — the Calgary Stampede Cowboy Up Challenge, which showcases the all-new sport of Extreme Cowboy Racing — will be taking centre stage in the Pengrowth Saddledome.

And none other than Craig Cameron, the famed horseman and Texas-based co-creator of the wildlypopular Extreme Cowboy Race, will be in Calgary from March 19 to 21, 2010 to teach the finer points of this challenging and demanding equestrian sporting event.

The Craig Cameron Extreme Cowboy Race Clinic and Demonstration will be held at the Corral on Stampede Park, with a clinic for registered participants on Friday, March 19 as well as Extreme Cowboy Race exhibitions and practice rounds for public consumption on Saturday, March 20 and Sunday, March 21. Continue Reading »

I remember when the doctor told Mom that she had Alzheimers Disease. She handled it bravely as Mom handled lots of things. But later she wept. And later we wept too.

There are few things that I dread more than getting that diagnosis. Luckily Mom died before she forgot our names. She so dreaded not knowing her own kids any more.

But, in the interim we got a glimpse of how Alzheimers robs you of your dignity and hope and life.  And there is still nothing that can stop the relentless loss of memories or the fear and confusion it brings to your life.  It is the most cruel of diseases and it is about to become an epidemic as the population ages. It’s effects will be felt by everyone if we don’t find a cure. Continue Reading »