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Organizations:
 
The following equine groups regularly host events or have news related to horses in Western Colorado.
 
 
 

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COLORADO WEST PAINT HORSE CLUB


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Grand Valley Pony Club

Western Slope Reining Horse Association
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WSRHA Web site

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Friends of the Mustangs Web site

Grand Junction Horse Show Assc. Web Site

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Grand Mesa Backcountry Horsemen Web Site

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Grand Valley Dressage Society Web Site

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Grand Mesa Harness Club
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Grand Valley Harness Club Site

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Frontier Belles Sidesaddlers

Frontier Belles Web Site

Colorado West Hunter Jumper Association
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Colorado West Hunter Jumper Assc. Web Site

Racing In the Rockies Barrel Racing
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Racing in the Rockies Web Site

Mounted Shooters of America
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Mounted Shooters of America Web Site

 
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Colorado Horse Council Web Site

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Steadfast Steeds mustang sanctuary

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Horse Channel.com horse news

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Mules and More website

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HORSE STUFF

The following folks are Western Slope people who provide services or goods for horse lovers.

 

My Kindred Spirit

Offers memorials for favorite horses, based on the Lakota Horse Dance Stick.

Horse Dance Stick
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mykindredspirit Web Site

 

 

Barb Young Photography

Professional photography, in the show ring or on the trail

Barb Young Photo
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Barb Young Photography Web Site

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Click here to download Kirsten's flier

 

The Horse in Sport

Tack for all types of competitive riders

215 Colorado Ave.

Grand Junction

970-263-0101

The Horse In Sport Web Site

 

THE EQUESTRIAN MARKET

Fin English & Western Saddlery

1460 North Ave. Suite A

Grand Junction, Co. 81501

970-241-1400

equestrianmarket@gmail.com.

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Leave it to Larissa pet sitting

Leave it to Larissa website


A gallop through news, history and events about horses and people who serve them in Western Colorado.
This site is best viewed using Firefox or Safari Web browsers

NEWS from the Equine World

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ENTRIES OPEN FOR GVDS JUNE SCHOOLING SHOW

Posted May 12

Entries opened May 6 for Grand Valley Dressage Society's Schooling Show June 1 and June 2 at the Mesa County Fairgrounds. Entries close Friday, May 17. Click on the links below to download the entry forms and class list.

The dressage schooling show with be followed by a clinic June 3 at the fairgrounds, featuring Kathleen Donnelly, the judge for the show. Entries for the clinic open May 13 and close May 24. A flier and entry form for the clinic are linked below the forms for the dressage show.

Click here to download GVDS June show class list

Click here to download GVDS entry form

Click here to download flier for Donnelly clinic

Click here to download entry form for Donnelly clinic

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Mike Twamley (l), Steve Ward (r) taking Crossroads Senior Living Center residents on a ride

GRAND MESA HARNESS CLUB TAKES SENIORS FOR A RIDE

Posted May 12

This is from Bonnie Brown, of the Grand Mesa Harness Club in Delta.

"On May 4th, members of the Grand Mesa Harness Club went to the Crossroads Senior Living in Delta to give rides to the residents.  It was a really sweet day.  Some of the residents that went with us, had ridden or driven horses when they were younger, and were so excited to be able to go for a ride.  The weather was beautiful."

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CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION INTO COLORADO WILD HORSE SALES

Posted May 12

It was last fall that the public first learned about a Colorado horse trader who had apparently purchased hundreds of wild horses from the BLM, shipped them out of state, from where many of them apparently ended up going to slaughterhouses.

The news prompted former Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar to change BLM rules for the oversight and sale of wild horses. Now, it has apparently also resulted in a criminal investigation of the man involved, Tom Davis.  The Colorado Springs Gazette reported last week that the Conejos County Sheriff's Department has opened an investigation of Davis at the request of the state brand inspector. To read more, click on the link below.

Gazette article on wild horse investigation

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GRAND VALLEY PONY CLUB HUNTER/JUMPER SHOW
AND ALL BREEDS HORSE SHOW THIS WEEKEND

Posted May 7

Grand Valley Pony Club's spring hunter/jumper show is set for this Saturday at the Mesa County Fairgrounds, to be followed Sunday by the All Breeds Horse Show, which the Pony Club hosts in cooperation with the Grand Junction Horse Show Association.

These are important fundraisers for the Pony Club, so saddle up and participate if you can. To download show information, click on the links below.

Click here to download show bill for Hunter/Jumpers show

Click here to download show bill for All Breeds Show

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TED HOLLAND CLINIC THIS WEEKEND

Posted Feb. 10

A clinic with Ted Holland, Telluride Mountain Village policeman and long time mounted police office scheduled for Thursday through Sunday at Schultz Racing Stable on L Road in Fruita. Holland works to teach both horse and rider how to deal with the sorts of distractions and frightening objects mounted policemen and horses must handle. All sessions of the clinic are full, but viewers are welcome to audit the clinic for a $20 fee. Please contact Katey Kelly at 970-596-4870 or boogenspike@yahoo.com.

I participated in Ted's clinic last year with my trail gelding, and found it very useful for calming him down in stressful situations. To learn more, download the flier at the link below.

Click here for Ted Holland Clinic Flier

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STEADFAST STEEDS SNEAK PEEK

Posted May 7

Steadfast Steeds Mustang Sancturary is hosting a sneak peek of its newest horse, one that founders Tracy and Blain Scott hope will be a special horse for the sactuary, Saturday May 18 ath the sanctuary on Glade Park. The event is a benefit for team Steadfast Steeds "to bring national exposure and awareness to the mustangs while saving tax payer funds."

We'll have more news about the special horse later on.

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Jimmy Lima connects with a horse during the Hospice equine program

HOSPICE AND HORSES AID GRIEVING YOUNGSTERS

Posted May 7

This is my article in the Horseplay section of The Daily Sentinel from May 5.

 

"When a half-dozen teenagers entered an arena on Little Park Road on a chilly afternoon last month, the five horses in the arena were unsettled, to say the least.
Some of the horses galloped around, kicking up their heels. Others were rearing and playfighting with their buddies
It appeared to be an atmosphere more conducive to rodeo than for equine-assisted therapy aimed at helping the youngsters deal with the grief of losing loved ones."

To read the entire article, click on the link below.

 

Click here to download entire Hospice-horse article

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LAST FEW DAYS FOR EQUESTRIAN MARKET

Posted May 1

The Equestrian Market in Grand Junction is closing and the final days of the closeout are on now. Final day is to be Saturday. Store owner Teresa Winn sent the following message:

After 23 years of business in the saddlery and tack industry in western Colorado this is my last week. Super discounted items include:
Winter Blankets 50% Rambos & Rhinos; Bits at 60% off; All Shirts at 70% off: Cool medics Products 60% off; Show helmets 60% off;
Tall Boots 55%off; Paddock and short boots 55% off; Childrens half chaps 70% off; childrens breeches and jods 70% off.
Way more items Books Gifts toys

The Equestrian Market
1460 North Avenue Suite A
Grand Junction, CO 81501

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BUSY WEEKEND FOR HORSE ENTHUSIASTS

Posted April 30

There's several things going on locally in the horse world his weekend and that little matter of historical horse race in Kentucky. Here's a photo of Saturday's Kentucky Derby favorite, Verrazano. I also like Orb and Mylute, with jockey Rosie Napravnik aboard.

Grand Valley Dressage Society will host a dressage show all day Saturday and Sunday at the Mesa County Fairgrounds, followed by a clinic with Judge Sarah Martin, set for Monday, May 6 at the fairgrounds.

And, as the posting below indicates, the Grand Mesa Back Country Horsemen are holding a work day in McInnis Canyons.

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BACK COUNTRY HORSEMEN TRAIL WORK SATURDAY

Posted April 26

Members of the Grand Mesa Back Country Horsemen will be doing trail maintenance work in the Rabbit Valley section of McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area Saturday, beginning at 9:30 a.m.

GMBCH President Penny Ackerman said volunteers are to meet at the Cow Camp on the south side of Interstate 70. For those not familiar with the area, instead of turning off at the first left to go to the horse parking lot, go straight until you reach the cow camp and you will see the GMBCH trailer there.

This will be foot work, so no horses, please.

For more about what the Back Country Horsemen are planning this summer, click on the link below to download the group's May newsletter.

Click here to download GMBCH May newsletter

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Western Slope Reining Horse Association
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SPRING CLASSIC REINING SHOW STARTS TODAY

Posted April 25

The Western Slope Reining Horse Association Spring Classic reining competition gets under way today at the Mesa County Fairgrounds and runs through Sunday.

Here's what the group said in a press release:

"Over 200 riders will guide their horses through large fast circles, precision spins and powerful sliding stops at the Mesa County Fairgrounds
April 25 – 28. In excess of 800 entries are expected as riders from all  over Colorado and several surrounding states compete at the Western Slope
Reining Horse Association (WSRHA) Spring Classic. It’s an adrenalin rush for the rider, and a great spectator sport. Classes will start at 8:00am and
will run until about 6:00pm Thursday, April 25 through Sunday, April 28. "

For more information, click on the link below.

 

WSRHA Web site

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BACK IN THE SADDLE, AGAIN

Posted April 21

I've been out of town and was unable to update this website for a while. But I'm back and have added a bunch. Check them out below.

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GVDS APRIL NEWSLETTER

Posted April 21

Grand Valley Dressage Society's April newsletter is available now. Click on the link below to learn more about upcoming shows and other news related to this local group.

Click here to download GVDS April newsletter

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EQUINE ASSISTED THERAPIST DEMONSTRATION IN EAGLE

Posted April 21

Equine Assisted Therapist and Spiritual Counselor, Alecz Adams, Founder and Director of Mountain Valley Horse Rescue’s Destination Rescue Program, is offering a demonstration of the Program at the Rescue Rendezvous Expo; the date and time for the demonstration is Saturday, April 27 at 9AM, in the Eagle River Center building on Fairgrounds Road. It's part of the Mountain Valley Horse Rescue Rendezvous April 27-28 at the Eagle County Fairgrounds. Click on the link below for more info.

Click here to download Mountain Valley Horse Rescue flier

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PAUL DIETZ CLINIC IN LATE MAY

Posted April 21

A Paul Dietz horsemanship clinic is sceduled for May 31 and June 1 in Glade Park. Check out the poster or click on the link below for a larger version.

Contact Sandra Sims at  970-985-1377 for more information.

Click here to download Paul Dietz flier

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BACK COUNTRY HORSEMEN OF AMERICA WORKING
TO KEEP NATIONAL PARKS OPEN FOR HORSES

Posted April 21

The Back Country Horsement of America are in the thick of a dispute involving Yosemite National Park and an effort to elimnate guided day rides in the park.

Changing or limiting the ability to use horses -- especially for commercial purposes -- in national parks appears to be an ongoing effort of the National Park Service. The Back Country Horsemen are at the forefront of efforts to keep trails open and horse acces available.

To learn more, click on the link below and consider joining the local affiliate, Grand Mesa Back Country Horsemen, to assist in that effort.

Click here to download BCHA newsletter on Yosemite

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CMU MAVERICK STAMPEDE RODEO STARTS TOMORROW

Posted April 11

The Maverick Stampede Rodeo, sponsored by the Colorado Mesa University Rodeo Team, begins tomorrow night at the Mesa County Fairgrounds. It runs through Saturday, with the Rocky Mountain Region's champions to be announced then. Check it out.

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SARAH MARTIN DRESSAGE CLINIC
IN CONJUNCTION WITH GVDS MAY SHOW

Posted April 8

Entries opened today for the Grand Valley Dressage Society's May Schooling Show to be held at the Mesa County Fairgrounds May 4-5. Entries close on April 26.

Judge Sarah Martin will also offer a clinic on Monday, May 6. Sarah is a USDF bronze, silver and gold medalist. She is a certified instructor second through fourth level, and graduated with distinction from the USDF "L" judge program. She has studied dressage with Karl Mikolk, of the Spanish Riding School, and other. Sarah believes understanding timing and studying it is one of the most useful tools available to horsemen.

For more information, click on the links below.

Click here to download Sarah Martin clinic entry form

Click here to downloan May Schooling Show prize list

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RIDING WITH JILL HENNENBERG

Posted April 8

Jill Henneberg, a member of the U.S. Olympic silver medal eventing team in 1996, and now a trainer in Virginia, was in the Grand Valley last weekend to visit family. At the request of Stacey Severs with the Grand Valley Pony Club, she agreed to put on a clinic for interest riders at Cricket Donoho's farm near Fruita.

The photo here, taken be Stacey, is from my ride because I was the first rider of the day, then had to hustle back to work. But Jill also worked well with other riders and everyone was pleased with her tutelage. We hope she can return for more clinics later in the year.

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GJHSA FUZZY SHOW SATURDAY

Posted April 4

Grand Junction Horse Show Association's first show of the year, its spring "Fuzzy Horse Show" is set for this Saturday at the Mesa County Fairgrounds.

For more information, click on the link below to the GJHSA website.

Click here for Grand Junction Horse Show Association website

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AN OLYMPIC OPPORTUNITY

Posted April 3

Jill Hennenberg, silver medalist in eventing a the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, will be in the Grand Valley this weekend, and will be giving lessons and a talk to the Grand Valley Pony Club Friday  at Cricket Donoho's farm north of Fruita.

I'll have more later.

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MONITORING DEVIL'S CANYON

Posted April 3

This is from Colorado Canyons Association, the non-profit group that works with the BLM on McInnis Canyons, Dominguez-Escalante and Gunnison Gorge National Recreation Areas:

"On April 13 from 9-12, CCA and volunteer trail monitors will participate in a "trail blitz" of the Devils Canyon area trails. The goal for this event is to monitor as many miles of trail as possible in the three hours we have allotted. We'll have a few extra GPS units you can borrow and we will provide the data sheets and maps. We will also do a quick "catch-up" for those that have attended a training but may have forgotten how to fill out the sheets. For those who have not attended a training, I will be doing an intro course for the first hour and a half to get you caught up.

Light breakfast and coffee will be provided from 8:30-9:00. Please let me know if you are interested in attending this fun event!"

Rosa Brey, Colorado Canyons Association, 970-263-7902"

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BACK COUNTRY HORSEMEN WORKING
SATURDAY ON RABBIT VALLEY CLEAN-UP

Posted March 29

Grand Mesa Back Country Horsemen will be engaged in Interstate 70 highway clean-up in the Rabbit Valley area Saturday, March 30, beginning at 10 a.m.

To read more about this and other upcoming work projects, and riding events, as well as the Ted Holland despooking clinic, or to learn how you can be a part of the Back Country Horsemen, download the group's April newsletter by clicking on the link below. 

Click here to download newsletter

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Larry Maybon demonstrates sorting techniques recently

FUN DAY APRIL 7 AT L&M RANCH SORTING

Posted March 26

I received the message below from Larry and Joanne at L&M Ranch sorting about their Fun Day coming up April 7. Below that is a download link for their tentative schedule throughout the summer.

"Hello! I guess everyone survived the Horse Expo. Sure wish we would have had spring weather! Oh well, everyone did an awesome job. You are all winners to us!

Don't forget to mark your calendars for the Fun Day. $50 per person gets you into:

One Man Sort
Poker Sorting
Numbers Sorting
Ranch Sorting

All Draw

Come for a fun day with Friends. We ordered nice weather for this occasion.

Larry and Joanne"

Click here to download sorting schedule

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GOOD CROWD MARKS HORSE EXPO
DESPITE BLUSTERY MARCH WEATHER

Posted March 24

Steady crowds of horse enthusiasts showed up at Mesa County Fairgrounds Saturday and Sunday, despite cold and blustery weather, for the Colorado West Paint Horse Club second annual Horse Expo.

Horse trainer Aaron Ralston of Silt was kept busy all weekend, working young horses in front of appreciative groups of horsemen and horsewomen. In this photo, Aaron works Sunday afternoon on a green horse that he started with ground training Friday evening. He rode each of the young horses at least three times over the course of the weekend.

Other features included dressage, driving and reining demonstrations, jackpot ranch sorting, a saddle fitting demonstration, stallion parade, presentations on horse health and numerous booths and exhibits.

Even though the weather wasn't cooperative, this year's horse expo grew significantly over last year's initial expo. Congratulations to all those involve with the Colorado West Paint Horse Club.

COLORADO WEST PAINT HORSE CLUB website

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HORSE EXPO IS UNDER WAY

Posted March 23

The Colorado West Paint Horse Club all breeds Horse Expo officially gets underway a the Mesa County Fairgrounds this morning. There is a large number of events scheduled throughout the day today and Sunday, headlined by horse trainer, author and television star Aaron Ralston. Other activities include jumping and vaulting demonstrations today, freesyle reining and freesyle dressage demonstrations, a stallion parade at noon both days and a variety of educational programs in the pavillion next to the covered arena.

There will also be a variety of vendors and horse-related groups offering information about there activtities.

More information is available at the Colorado West Paint Horse Club website link below.

Admission is free. So come on out and learn more or get involved with the Mesa County horse community.

COLORADO WEST PAINT HORSE CLUB website

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Kildare Farm Open House April 6

Posted March 17 

Nancy Britt is a hunter-jumper trainer who recently relocated from Ocala, Florida to western Colorado. Her business, Kildare Farm, is located at Alamar Stables in East Orchard Mesa south of Palisade.  She's have an open house April 6 and to give people an opportunity to meet me and check out the services I provide, network, and generally have a good time. She will also be offering a jumping demonstration at the Horse Expo at Mesa County Fairgrounds, March 23 from 11 a.m. to noon. She will also have a booth at the expo both days.

To download a flier on the open house, click on the link below.

Click here for Kildare Farm Open House flier

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GVDS DRESSAGE SHOW THIS WEEKEND

Posted March 14

Grand Valley Dressage Society's first show of the year, the spring fun show, will be held Saturday and Sunday at the Mesa County Fairgrounds. Rides begin at 8:45 a.m., and classes include conventional dressage, freestyle (wih music) western dressage and dressage equitatio and driven dressage.

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GRAND JUNCTION HORSE SHOW ASSOCIATION
GETS PREPARED FOR A BIG SEASON

Posted March 14

Received the following information from John Bear with the Grand Junction Horse Show Association:

"THE 2013 SHOW DATES ARE NOW POSTED!! See our Show Information page at http://www.gjhsa.org for more details. The Show Bill & Patterns for the Fuzzy Show on April 6th are also posted! Don't miss the first show of the new Buckle Series!!
GJHSA Approved for APHA PAC Program!!!

The Grand Junction Horse Show Association (GJHSA) was approved in the 2013 American Paint Horse Association (APHA) Paint Alternative Competition Program (PAC) by offering to registered APHA owners and exhibitors the chance to earn CREDITS for participating at any of the five GJHSA Open Horse Shows in 2013.

Even though APHA is not officially associated with these events, the APHA does want to recognize APHA registered owners and member’s efforts on your American Paint Horse. As a result, your accomplishments can be recorded on your registered horse’s official lifetime performance record through the APHA PAC program. Special awards are offered by APHA with the Credits you earn. All five of the GJHSA shows count toward the PAC program. See http://www.gjhsa.org and http://www.apha.com/programs/pac for more information.

AWARDS FOR 2013 -- THE BUCKLE SERIES IS BACK!!!
At the conclusion of the last show in September, the buckles (KATHY'S BUCKLES from Kathy's Show Equipment) will be handed out. Your best 4 out of 5 shows will be used to calculate the points and you must be a GJHSA Member in order to qualify.
Grand and Reserve Year-End Awards will be given in each age division.
Additionally, there will be awards for: 3rd - 6th Place Divisions Awards, Leadline Awards, Grand Champion and Reserve Champion English Horse Awards, Grand and Reserve Champion Western Horse Awards and Versatility Horse Award! These awards will be presented at the annual banquet in November.
Awards will be calculated using the points from your best 5 out of 7 shows (both GJHSA shows and the sanctioned shows).
 
NEW NOVICE TRAIL CLASS
This year we have added a NEW Novice Trail Class in Walk/Trot. Only Walk/Trotters are eligible to participate. This class does not count in year-end point calculations, but we're hoping it will be a fun and exciting addition to our classes!

Click here for Grand Junction Horse Show Association website

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RANCH SORTING UNDERWAY AGAIN

Posted February 28

L-M Ranch Sorting near Fruita is beginning regular practice and jackpot competition this Sunday, March 3, and next Sunday, March 10, at its facilities at 22 1/2 and H Roads west of Grand Junction. To learn more or to participate in a fun equine sport, contact Larry Maybon at 623-293-2939

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Back Country Horsemen of America Celebrates 40 Years

Posted Feb. 28

The information below is from a press release written on behalf of the Back Country Horsemen of America, as well as the Colorado and Grand Mesa chapters. It's an interesting story about a group very important in preserving equine access on public lands. To read the entire article, click on the link at the bottom.

 The seeds of BCHA were planted in the late 60s and early 70s. As hiking, mountain biking, and other trail uses rapidly grew, the general sentiment toward horses on public lands soured. Pack and saddle stock were quickly restricted to a few particular trails or prohibited altogether.

Four friends from Montana — Roland Cheek, Ken Ausk, Dennis Swift, and Dulane Fulton – could see the future on the horizon. They knew they needed an organization of horsemen to represent the interests of back country horse users on matters regarding public lands.


Click here to download BCHMA story

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REMARKABLE HORSE CALLED RECKLESS

Posted Feb. 24

A friend emailed the link to this video about a horse that served the U.S. Army during the Korean War. If you haven't seen it, it's well worth spending a few minutes to watch. Just click on the link below.

Video about Reckless

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FIRST GVDS SHOW COMING SOON

Posted Feb. 24

The first Grand Valley Dressage Society show for 2013 is coming soon -- March 16-17 at Mesa County Fairgrounds. Entries close March 1

I posted entry forms and more two weeks ago (see below). To find out more information about GVDS, click on the link below to download the February newsletter.

 

Click here to download GVDS February newsletter

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BACK COUNTRY HORSEMEN HAVE
BUSY RIDE AND WORK SEASON

Posted Feb. 19

Grand Mesa Back Country Horsemen have a busy schedule of riding and work events scheduled for throughout the spring summer and fall. They begin with a ride March 9 at the Hunting Grounds south of Kanah Creek, and a work day cleaning trash along Interstate 70 near Rabbit Valley on March 30.

Back Country Horsemen are always looking for new members. If you have a desire to trail ride with good people, and to help maintain equestrian trails, consider joining. To learn more about the group, and its plans for this season, download the March newsletter at the link below.

Click here to download March newsletter

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A VALENTINE'S GIFT FROM BARB YOUNG

Posted Feb. 14

Our friend, Montrose Equine photographer Barb Young emailed this special Valentine's Day card. For horse lovers, it's one of the best I've seen. Thanks Barb.

If you're interested in more of Barb's work, click on the link below.

Barb Young Photography Web Site

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TED HOLLAND CLINIC IN MAY

Posted Feb. 10

A clinic with, Ted Holland, Telluride Mountain Village policeman and longtime mounted police office scheduled for May 9-10 and May 11-12 at Schultz Racing Stable on L Road in Fruita. The fee is $75 for GMBCH members and $100 for non-members. I expect the sessions to fill quickly so if you are interested, please contact Katey Kelly to check on space availability. 970-596-4870 or boogenspike@yahoo.com.
boogenspike@yahoo.com

I participated in Ted's clinic last year with my trail gelding, and found it very useful for calming him down in stressful situations. To learn more, download the flier at the link below.

Click here for Ted Holland Clinic Flier

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ENTRIES OPEN SOON FOR FIRST DRESSAGE SHOW

Posted Feb. 7

Entries open Feb. 18 for the Grand Valley Dressage Society's Spring into Fun Dressage Practice Show, set for March 16-17 at the Mesa County Fairgrounds. It is strictly a practice show, but the first of the season for GVDS.

To learn more, or to enter, download the prize list and entry form below. Be sure to mail entries to Dee Clossen, P.O. Box 1024 Norwood, Colo., 81423, as listed on the prize list, and not to the address listed on the entry form.

Click here for Spring Show prize list

Click her for Spring Show entry form

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EHV UPDATE FOLLOWING THE NATIONAL WESTERN STOCK SHOW

Posted Feb. 2

Most Colorado horse folks are probably aware that a single case of Equine Herpes Virus, or EHV, was discovered this past in a horse from Texas that was part of a team used to pull a stagecoach during the rodeoat the National Western Stock Show. So far, that is the only instance of the disease discovered, and it appears to be contained. The information below is from an email from the Colorado Horse Council, sent out Friday.

"In speaking with Dr Keith Roehr, DMV, CO State Vet, he was able to tell us that no other cases have been reported, the other horses in the team have tested negative and this horse was not housed in a public area. The longer we go with no other cases being reported, the greater the likelihood that this is a singular incident. It has been over a week now."

To read the original release from the Colorado Department of Agriculture, click on the link below.

Click here to download EHV press release

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BACK COUNTRY HORSEMEN GEARING UP FOR 2013

Posted Jan. 27

The Grand Mesa Back Country Horsemen group is gearing up for the 2013 riding season, and is looking for more people to be involved in trail rides, trail maintenance and more. If you have an interest in trail riding and want to ensure the trails stay open and maintained, attend a meeting and learn more, or click on the link below to download the group's newsletter. The next meeting is Feb. 4 at 7 p.m. in the Community Room at Mesa Mall (entrance is just north of Cabella's on the east side of the mall.)

Click here to downloand GMBCH February newsletter

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NATRC Photo

COMPETITIVE TRAIL RIDERS HEAD SOUTH

Posted Jan. 27

Those interested in competitive trail riding may want to head south the next two months, to Arizona and the final two legs of what is billed as Arizona's Triple Crown of trail riding. (the first leg was earlier this month, but I didn't receive an email about it until after the event.) The remaining two are the M&M Ride in McDowell, Ariz., north of Scottsdale, Feb. 15-17. The second is the Bumble Bee Ride in Bumble Bee, Ariz., about 45 minues north of Phoenix, March 15-17. Both are sanctioned by the North American Trail Ride Conference. Click on the first link below for more information.

Speaking of the NATRC, the organization is holding its national convention at the DoubleTree Hotel in Aurora, Colo., Feb. 21-23. Click on the second link below for more information about it.

 

Click here to download info on Arizona trail rides

Click here for NATRC website and info on national convention

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Burgers like these were found to contain horsemeat

STOMACHS TURN IN BRITAIN OVER
HORSEMEAT REVELATIONS

Posted Jan. 17

My friend, Alan Moore, alerted me to this story about horsemeat being found in meat sold for human consumption in Great Britain, and the furor that revelation has caused.

The link below is to a BBC story about the horsemeat scandal, and why it upsets the British so much. I think a lot of what it says could apply to Americans as well.

BBC article on horsemeat scandal

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A LIGHT TOUCH AND CONVERSATIONS WITH ANIMALS

Posted Jan. 16

Along with therapeutic bodywork and animal communication, performed through her business, A Light Touch, Judy Harrington has also written a book, "The Gift," about her work.

"Answering a distress call of a friend with an injured horse, fifty-one-year-old Judy Harrington steps into a corral, and the course of her life changes. Confronted with a sudden ability to hear animals talking, and having intuitive healing abilities puts her on a path of self-discovery and a breathtaking view of God’s plan for her life.
 
Judy’s story reads like a fantasy book, but the adventures are real. Visions, conversations with God and with angels are told with humor and wonder. This is the story of one woman seeking answers from the Creator and the tremendous gift he gave her."

Her website includes several stories from the book. Click on the link below to access the website. 

Judy Harrington website

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BLM’s new policies aim to improve system for selling wild horses

Posted Jan. 8

This is my lead article from The Daily Sentinel Horseplay section, Sunday, Jan. 6, 2013

If you’re looking to acquire wild horses or burros from the federal government, you won’t be able to obtain any more than four in a six-month period. The U.S. Bureau of Land Management on Friday officially issued a new policy regarding the sale of wild horses and burros that were rounded up from federal land.
The announcement of the new policies came about four months after the public learned that one southern Colorado livestock contractor had purchased more than 1,700 wild horses from over the BLM the past three years. That’s roughly 70 percent of all the wild horses sold during the that time.

To read the entire article, click here

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Trimming hoof to aid flat-foot problems. The Horse.com

BAREFOOT TRIMMING AIDS CERTAIN HOOF PROBLEMS

Posted Jan. 3, 2013

This is more specific to certain hoof problems than I originally thought when I first saw the headline, but I still found it interesting.

"A team of researchers at Michigan State University's (MSU) McPhail Equine Performance Center offers hope to horse owners facing underrun heel and flat-footed woes with a 16-month study examining the short-term and long-term effects of a specific barefoot trimming technique on hoof conformation."

To read the full article from TheHorse.com, click on the link below.

The Horse.com article on barefoot trimming



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