An Olympic Winner

As I mentioned in my "Blue Ribbon Winner Post", Sherry Cervi is one of the top horse trainers in the world. She is one a 13 time National Finals Rodeo Qualifier along with being a 2 time World Champion Barrel Racer. She has made a lifetime winning of $1.7 million dollars, and even got to compete in the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. She is defiantly one of the top role models for barrel racers all over the world, and has a right to be.

One of my favorite things I found out about Sherry off of her website was that she just came out with a brand new barrel racing saddle called the Crown C Barrel Racer. Martin Saddlery and Sherry teamed up to make this unique saddle that allows riders to maintain body position while running barrels. It has a shortened jockey seat and forward angled stirrups, which are both perfect to keep riders in the saddle at top speeds. This saddle runs for around $2000, but sounds to me like it is well worth it!

Be sure to take a look at Sherry's website that not only offers her merchandise but also news clips, her accomplishments, and breeding options for her stallions

Avila Stables Inc.

Looking for a bit to train a green broke horse, reining or cutting horse? Look no further than Bob Avilas website that offers training tips and tips on how to use if world famous bits. Bob made headlines in 2007 by being the first person to ever win the Western States Horse Expo and has gained fame in the horse world ever since then. He has some of the top selling bits in the nation and for a good reason, they work like magic.

My favorite bit that Bob sells is the Avila Training Shank Three Piece Roller Bit, which is great for use on green broke horses. It needs minimal rein contact and is great for softening up horses. Bob's site also offers medium port shanked bits along with high port lifter bits. No matter what stage your horse is at in training, Bob Avila has the bit for you.

I have never read either of Bob's books "Win with Bob Avila" and "Be a Smart Horse Buyer" but I have heard great things about them. "Win" gives step by step training tips on how to become an expert horseman and is sure to help out even the most advanced rider. "Horse Buyer" covers what to watch out for while buying a new horse, including auction rings and online sights. Bob gives his advice on the best way to purchase a new horse.

Bob's sight is not as fancy as other horse trainers sights, but who has time to make a fancy sight when they are as busy as Bob. If you do get a chance to visit Bob's sight, be sure to see when he is making an apperance near your home town, because I'm sure its one appearance you wont want to miss.

Western Bling In The Ring

In the world of Western Pleasure showing, people go to the ultimate extreme in purchasing tack and equipment for their show horses. It seems to be the common mentality among these horse show lovers that the fancier and more expensive your show tack is… the better! For all my fellow equine owners out there, you completely understand how ridiculously pricey horses and tack are and can be. And for ya’ll who do not have a clue? Prepare yourself as I am beginning a series of “Western Bling In The Ring” articles that will be divided into parts based upon different pieces of equipment for showing horses such as halters, bridles, breastcollars, saddle pads and blankets, and saddles. I thought it would be a fun and informing journey to investigate just exactly how ridiculous and expensive competitively preparing your horse for showing Western Pleasure really can be.

History In The Making For AQHA

How would you define a thoroughbred? As soon as the term “race horse” is mentioned, what instantly comes to your mind? For me, a thoroughbred is an amazing athlete who is a fast moving machine of pure muscle. They are strategically and carefully bred to have the ability to fly around a track with grace and ease. I think of a tiny saddle placed upon their backs with a professional jockey perched atop and experiencing the most exhilarating ride of his or her life. All of these thoughts are true, and have been for a long time, as the traditional race horse is sure to be found at a track moving around at top speeds. However, the image of these amazing animals may now be taking on a whole new and fresh appearance!

A frenzy of excitement has broken out in the thoroughbred industry as race horses have made history in the Texas Quarter Horse Association. This smaller branch of the AQHA recently held, for the first time ever, a halter class specifically for yearling race sale horses. The event was a huge success as a large crowd of agents, owners, and prospective buyers gathered to watch the yearlings compete in a tough competition against one another. The crowd was even very excited to lend their support in placing “charitable bets” upon the placings of the class with all the proceeds going to an injured jockey named Tad Legett.

The halter class was an intense competition of 68 yearlings consisting of 37 Stallions, 4 Geldings, and 27 Mares. The overall Grand Champion of the halter class was a grey filly named GJR Delightful who was found by the judges to certainly represent all of the desirable characteristics of the American Quarter Horse. The AQHA is excited to see the opening of a new door leading to success and broadening the opportunities and exposure of this great horse breed.

I believe this is only the beginning of what has now been opened for both the Thoroughbreds and American Quarter Horses of our nation to team together in educating the world. This proves that the possibilities and dreams of these amazing animals are endless. I am certain that we will all be seeing more and more of these occurrences popping up all over the country, and I will be excitedly waiting to learn more! Let me know what ya’ll think about this history-in-the-making. Do you think it is something that will catch on fast and spread like wild fire? Later Partner!

Downunder Horsemanship

If your looking for a great site to learn some training tips, Clinton Anderson's website Downunder Horsemanship is a great place to visit. The website it full of training tips and upcoming events where you can meet Clinton Anderson himself. Here are some of the helpful information listed on Clinton's site.

The Downunder Store

One of the greatest things you can take away from Clinton's site is his merchandise. He has all the the tack that he uses in his training videos for reasonable prices. If your looking for training bits, rope halters, spurs and more, Downunder Horsemanship is the place to go. Also available in the online store is Clinton's training videos. These videos sell for around $25.00 and cover everything from ground manners to trail etiquette. The Downunder Store is a must see for any avid horse rider.

Tours and Clinics

Visit the Tours and Clinics section to see when Clinton Anderson will be near your hometown. He is currently doing his Walkabout Tour and also does Horsemanship clinics on the side. These clinics are one of a kind, and involve a lot of audience interaction. Clinton will cover everything from how to halter brake a horse to how to load, all in one show! Be sure to check the schedule and attend one of these fabulous teaching clinics.

Horses
Personally one of my favorite sections is the horses tab. You can look at Clinton's performance, signiture and breeding horses. You will be able to learn how Clinton chooses and trains his horses he uses for performances or check out his signature horses section and read others tetimonials. If your interested in breeding your horse with one of Clinton's prizd reiners be sure to see the breeding section for all the information.

Clinton's sight features so many helpful training tips it is worth taking a peak at. Clinton is one of the worlds top horse trainers in numerous other trainers opinions and I hope ya'll can take something away from this determined horse trainer.

The Blue Ribbon Winners

Ever since I started riding when I was 9 years old, I slowly began to realize that horse riding is not just a sport, but a lifestyle. When you put your saddle back on the stand, your sport doesn't stop until your ready to practice again. Even when your equipment is put up, there is still a hard working horse that needs fed and a place to live. I fell in love with the horse owners lifestyle just as many others have. Some of the top horse trainers include Clinton Anderson, Bob Avila, Sherry Cervi, Charlie Cole, Al Dunning, Martha Josey, and Stacy Westfall.

Becoming a world champion horse trainer has taken these 8 trainers above dedication, determination and loyalty to the sport of riding. It is easy to give up on a horse, but it takes great skill to tame one. These trainers above are the people who inspire me to ride everyday, and to never give up on a difficult horse. These trainers are role models for young riders all over the world and I'd like to thank them for that.

One of my favorite quotes describes the dedication it takes to ride, and I wanted to share it with ya'll:

"Somewhere between the athlete I've become, the coaches that pushed me, the people who believed in me, the long hours of schooling, the dirt beneath my nails, the falls I've endured, the ribbons I didn't win, the tears I've cried and held back, and the horses I've given my heart to, is the little girl who fell in love with riding...and never looked back"

A Woman To Admire

If you are a barrel racer, you will definitely have a great deal of admiration for Helen Foulke. She is a seventy-two year old cowgirl who is still competitively barrel racing with other people half her age. Her horse is a feisty brown and white paint named Sassy who is apparently crazy. Helen admits that she must be crazy for riding a horse as insane as her own, but she refuses to stop. She plans to continue competing in this super fast-paced sport until she is no longer able.

Foulke has been riding for over forty years now and has loved every minute of it. She has taught all six of her own children and two of her granddaughters to race barrels throughout the years also. What started as a simple interest in wanting to try something new when she was only thirty years old led to a lifetime of passion and fun.

I truly admire Helen Foulke and the inspiration she is for girls and women all over the country and world. I am a barrel racer myself and find a lot of comfort and encouragement in knowing that I too could someday be the next Helen of this world. I want to be someone who is able to set an example by just living your time to the fullest and enjoying the thing you really love to do the most in life. Thank you Helen Foulke and continue riding with speed and pride. Let me know what ya’ll think of this amazing woman. Later Partner!

A Confident Competitor

I recently came across a very cute and interesting poem about the horse showing industry that I wanted to share with ya’ll. I found it from a website called Angelfire: Horse Poems. The author, Lynda Stowe, wrote this piece for her teenage daughter where it was featured in the Horse Illustrated magazine. I would like for you to read it carefully because these simple words ring full of truth.

The Will To Win

In the World of Competition
The Road is long and grim;
There is no use starting up it,
“Without the Will to Win.”

Some can get beat and bear it,
Tell about it with a grin;
But they will never be front runners,
“Without the Will to Win.”

Some quite never get there,
They sit and wonder why;
They seem to lack the essential,
Little thing called “Try.”

The difference in winners and losers,
in the arena or the Gym;
Is that some possess the little Extra,
“That is called the Will to Win.”

Some gals get good horses,
Their folks enter them and grin;
But their little Darling will get beat,
“Without the Will to Win.”

If you bounce back after losing,
And produce that will to win;
You know you have that little extra,
That is awfully hard to beat.

So if the road is rough and rocky,
And the future looks awfully dim,
Just set your sights and hustle,
And produce that “Will to Win.”

As soon as I read this short but powerful poem, I recognized how absolutely true it was! For all you horse lovers and owners out there, you know exactly what I mean when I say that horse showing is not cheap; horses, tack, transportation, entry fees, clothing, and many other things quickly add up to a costly amount of money. However, I truly believe that the importance that is placed on money is overemphasized.

The poem completely summed this up when it described how expensive horses will mean absolutely nothing in the show ring when the rider does not have their focus in the right place. Winning does not have to be the product of big and fancy things that many people cannot afford. It is about your attitude and perseverance in knowing that you can do anything you set your mind to. You cannot rely on your horse alone to win the class for you because without your own personal “will to win” everything falls apart. Do you agree? What are the experiences you have had in the show ring that seemed to be a competition of money rather than horses? Let me know what ya’ll think. Later Partner!