Northernhorse.com Blog

There seems to be more and more interest in more all around type horses and horse events. I really enjoyed the Cowboy-Up Challenge at the Calgary Stampede – that was a pretty demanding test for the all around horse. Some of them could spin well enough to be good reining horses. I’m sure many of them could hold their own in various individual events.  But the thing that was most interesting was the trust that some of the riders had developed with their horses to enable them to overcome their instinctive need to keep themselves safe and to just do what the rider asked, trusting that this was a better decision than it appeared to be from the horse’s perspective in most cases.

We received the following information about the Farnam All-around Amateur Award from the AQHA:

The Farnam All-Around Amateur Award goes to the top Select amateur exhibitor-and-horse team earning the most points in three or more events in two categories during the Adequan Select World Show. The winner of this award receives $10,000 cash, plus $1,000 of Farnam product and a WeatherBeeta blanket; the reserve all-around amateur receives $2,500 cash, plus $500 of Farnam product; and the third- through fifth-place finishers each receive $1,000 cash and $250 of Farnam product. Continue Reading »

The Calgary Stampede Cowboy Up Challenge is a multi-faceted equestrian sporting event that showcases both horse and rider as they maneuver through a series of obstacles demonstrating both their amazing horsemanship skills and incredible speed. That was printed on the paper we were given as an introduction to the participants in this, the first challenge of it’s kind in Canada.

From a 59 year old woman to a stunt rider, from Pennsylvania and California to just outside Calgary, from Andulsian to Mustang it was a mixed group of people and horses all with the goal of showing the most skill and being the fastest through an array of obstacles. Continue Reading »

Live video coverage will be available for spectators wanting to watch this year’s American Quarter Horse Youth World Cup July 3-11 in Oklahoma City.

With teams made up of American Quarter Horse Youth Association members from 16 countries, spectators from all over the world can enjoy the exciting leadership and educational clinics, and Olympic-style competition thanks to America’s Horse TV.

To watch the Youth World Cup, visit www.americashorse.tv/youthworldcup.html for free live-streaming videos starting Saturday, July 3, through Sunday, July 11. To view the schedule of events, including clinics and competition times, visit www.aqha.com/youth/activities/ywc/2010/YWC_schedule.pdf. Please note trail will be judged “at-will” on Thursday, July 8, and Saturday, July 10. Video coverage of all trail competitors will be replayed 30 minutes following the last class each day. Continue Reading »

Need a little inspiration about what to go out and teach your horse today? Well, this might give you a few ideas (best I mention here that we wouldn’t recommend attempting some of these ideas).  This was sent to us by Doreen from the Wild Horse Site. Be sure to check out her blog too.

Red Deer, AB – Ken McNabb of Wyoming took home the championship trophy at this year’s Trainer’s Challenge finals at Westerner Park in Red Deer.

“The Trainer’s Challenge is such a great opportunity for us to come together and learn from each other,” he said after receiving his trophy from Diane Anderson of Tymarc Art Studio. “It’s not about winning or losing, because when we can learn together we really all become winners.”

McNabb’s positive and encouraging attitude was evident throughout the weekend, and he kept this same mindset in the finals. “We’re on a time clock during the finals, but a horse doesn’t understand what that means,” he said during his ride. “So, you really have to take your time and hurry slowly. I’ve also got to make sure that I’m giving him as much as he’s giving me. Continue Reading »

Red Deer, AB – Another successful show has just concluded at The Mane Event, and organizers estimate that approximately 45,000 people attended the equine expo.

“We’ve had an amazing time here in Red Deer,” said Gail Barker, president of The Mane Event. “The crowd was made up of knowledgeable and enthused horse people, so it makes for a really exciting event.”

Barker attributes the show’s success to the multi-disciplined nature of the expo, as the public can watch clinics, see demonstrations and purchase products for all aspects of the horse world. “When you go to a regular show, you’re only exposed to one part of the horse industry,” said Barker. “At The Mane Event, you can enjoy learning about any discipline and breed. It’s an exciting opportunity for people, and they often travel for hours to come here.”

Throughout the weekend, the public packed three arenas, a lecture hall and a demonstration area to watch over 100 hours of clinics provided by 14 world-class instructors. Canadian clinician Jonathan Field, who has presented at each Mane Event, was impressed with the Albertan attendance. “I’ve seen this show grow every year, and it’s incredible to have such a large group of horse-loving people together,” he said. “When people come to the clinics, they have their notepads in hand and they’re ready to learn.”

Clinic riders are a key element in The Mane Event and, while learning from top-level clinicians, the participants also benefit from riding in front of an audience. “It’s such a non-competitive and supportive environment,” Field said. “As the riders are working on different tasks, the audience is riding stride for stride with them. It makes for a very powerful learning experience.”

When not attending clinics or the Trainer’s Challenge, the public filled the Trade Show area, where over 240 exhibitors had booths featuring everything from horse trailers to clothing. Jim Townshend, a regular trade show exhibitor, feels The Mane Event organizers have developed an excellent show. “Red Deer is a great location for this event, because it has a small town feeling but you’re getting a big town product,” he said. “People come to enjoy themselves and learn and have fun – that’s really reflected in the positive and neighbourly feel throughout the weekend.”

The Trade Show offered the public a chance to see and purchase products, and it was also an important event for the exhibitors, who rely on sales to support their businesses. “We were very pleased because we substantially exceeded our goals for this show,” said Townshend. “Overall, this is the best run show that I’ve ever been to, period. The organizers, the Westerner staff and the public were all great to work with. That tells me that they’re really onto something special here.”

The Mane Event organizers are looking to their next show, which will be held from October 22 to 24, 2010, in Chilliwack, BC.  In 2011, the expo will be returning to celebrate its 5th anniversary in Red Deer. The Red Deer show will run from April 29 to May 1, 2011.

For more information on The Mane Event, visit www.maneeventexpo.com.

You could watch horse demos on Saturday from 9:30 in the morning until midnight. From the Trainers Challenge which had two goes for each of the contestants today to the big evening gala, there was fun, entertaining and educational talks and demonstrations all day long. I would recommend you head on over to the Mane Event Blog where there is lots of information about all the events and happenings. If you missed it this year, plan to come next year. If you like horses there is lots here for you to enjoy.

The Mane Event Blog

Time flies on the wings of Pegasus at The Mane Event. There is so much to do and so little time. I even set up a little “schedule” on my iPhone (love that thing) so I wouldn’t miss anything. I didn’t allow for chance meetings of old friends and shopping and literally getting lost in the trade fair but I still managed to see a lot of interesting stuff.

Linda Snow from Westwind Ranch Colt Resort gave her presentation on “Does my horse cheat on me” early in the day.  She provided information on how to recognize when your horse is showing you disrespect and gave some helpful techniques to eliminate some of this disrespect.  Lots of great ideas that could help to keep you safe.

Mike Boyle is Past President of the NRHA, a top reiner and a successful coach. He showed us a series of drills to improve the turn around using six different horses with different levels of experience and their riders.  Watching how well his drills worked to improve the different horses made me want to go home and try them on some of mine. Isn’t it funny how you can watch and read some things many times and then one day something just “clicks” and you get it? I think for the horse that I am personally working with right now (Keeper) that his drills are going to be a big help – we got to see a balance of relaxation and pressure that was certainly effective for the different horses that worked in the presentation.

I was a bit late to come to watch the first contestant in the Trainers Challenge, Brent Trout. It was standing room only and it was even hard to find a place where you could stand and see.  There is a lot of interest in this competition. There is so much to be learned from these skilled horsemen and they are so generous in sharing their ideas and experience. What an opportunity for horse people to gain knowledge. I wish there had been a Mane Event when I was young. It is such a wonderful souce of information for horsepeople.

Jonathan Field is such a nice guy. There is always a crowd around him and he seems to have no end of patience in answering their questions and helping folks improve their relationships with their horses. Today we got a little impromptu demonstation of his athleticism when one of the demonstation horses took the opportunity to buck while Jonathan was standing on his back. While this would bring a lot of fear rushing through most of us, he calmly decided which way to jump, landed on his feet, calmly walked back over to the horse and went about showing the horse that this really wasn’t any kind of problem that they couldn’t work out together and worked it out. It was a great demonstration of an unplanned resistance and how to deal with it. His sense of humor really adds to his demonstrations.

Tom Forehand and Ken McNabb both worked their horses in the Trainers Challenge. I was a bit late getting back once again and once again I could get even a good place to stand so I gave in to my urge to shop. Even though I kept up a good pace, I didn’t come close to checking out all the booths. I will have to return tomorrow when my credit card cools down. LOL

I must get to bed. So much to see and do and I am sure tomorrow will go just as fast as today. If you would like to read more about the Mane Event you should go to http://maneeventexpo.blogspot.com/

Red Deer, AB – Westerner Park will be buzzing this spring as thousands of horse enthusiasts from Canada and beyond descend on the area for The Mane Event Equine Education and Trade Fair. The popular event will run from April 23 to 25, and organizers expect to have over 40,000 attendees throughout the course of the weekend.

“The Mane Event really has something for everyone who’s interested in horses,” said Gail Barker, president of The Mane Event. “We offer a full range of clinics, demonstrations and presentations from world-class experts. Whether you’re interested in training, showing or just connecting with your horse, you’ll have a chance to learn an incredible amount of information at The Mane Event.” Continue Reading »

Horses not only remember people who have treated them well, they also understand words better than expected, research shows.

Human friends may come and go, but a horse could be one of your most loyal, long-term buddies if you treat it right, suggests a new study.

Horses also understand words better than expected, according to the research, and possess “excellent memories,” allowing horses to not only recall their human friends after periods of separation, but also to remember complex, problem-solving strategies for ten years or more.

Read more at Discovery News