UPDATE: TB Dispersal Sale

Good news! Here' s an encouraging update on the TB Dispersal Sale that took place in IL this past weekend. Luckily, good Samaritans stepped up to help many TB's and they now have a chance to find loving homes! Please consider making a contribution to help these rescue organizations continue to support these horses, or consider adopting, sponsoring, or fostering one of these horses. Tis' the season for Memphis Horse lovers to help spread some holiday cheer to horses around the country!!!

Dear friends,

My apologies for the delay in getting this report out to everyone. It was a very long, exhausting, yet incredibly successful effort this past weekend.

Because of the incredible support of ILEHC members and horse lovers throughout the country, we were able to save several Thoroughbred horses at the STC Racing Dispersal Auction in Mount Vernon, IL. Offered for sale were 65 horses ranging in age from foals to aged broodmares and stallions. I found it incredibly sad that many of the horses who were perfectly healthy, sound, and useful, were sold for just peanuts.

In total, the ILEHC rescued 13 horses who were at risk. We also acted as agent in facilitating the purchase of the stallion, Company Approval, for a private party from Canada who asked us to purchase the horse on his behalf.

Those at risk who were rescued by the ILEHC are as follows:

#6 Xcellent Jazz

#8 Conte's Whirl

#12 Company One

#19 Sharp N Appealing

#24 Unnamed 2007 filly out of Litigant Cat

#25 Unnamed 2007 filly out of Rylee Belle

#33 Sunshine Dottie

#34 Unnamed 2008 filly out of Sunshine Dottie

#37 P.J.'s Play

#41 Sooner Defence

#51 Lady Garthorn

#55 Sharp N Lively

#61 Popsicue (last minute addition to the sale who was not included in the catalogue)

The total paid for horses was $4,475.00 or an average of approximately $355.00 per horse. During the bidding, we noticed at least 2 individuals who are well-known to purchase horses for slaughter often times were the only people bidding against us. Thankfully, the two men dropped out of the bidding once the prices reached $300- $400. It is very clear that had the ILEHC not been there to assist, any or all of these horses could have very well been sold to slaughter.

The ILEHC would like to express our deep appreciation to everyone who donated money, time, or resources to assist in this incredibly successful rescue effort. We would like to particularly thank the wonderful folks at Mid-America Horse Rescue (MAHR) for partnering with us in this effort. We are deeply grateful to MAHR and their incredible team of volunteers for all their help and support throughout this effort. Additionally, we'd like to thank MAHR for graciously offering to take Sunshine Dottie and her 2008 foal, and Sooner Defence into their program. Many thanks to MAHR, for helping to ease the burden this rescue places upon the ILEHC. Anyone interested in adopting either of these 3 particular horses, please contact Margo Sutter at MAHR 314-302-2216 or visit their website www.mahrnfp.org

The ILEHC would also like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Keith Caughran for offering to provide tranport and temporary foster care for many of the Mt. Vernon horses. Keith and his family endured a very long and freezing cold day at the auction, and at day's end, transported 4 of the horses to his facility where they will be cared for until arrangements can be made to transport them to the ILEHC. As if Keith's efforts were not already enough, he then made a second trip on Sunday morning to pick-up an additional 3 horses who is is also fostering at his farm! I simply do not have any idea what I would have done with all these horses had Keith not stepped up to help.

Now for the really good news....several of the horses have already been spoken for or have found new homes! Company One is already at home with her new (and very much elated!) owner in Wisconsin. Sharp N Lively has been rehomed with a couple who have agreed to provide her with much needed and costly eye removal surgery once her 2009 foal is born. We have adoptions pending on at least 2 or 3 other horses. We also have potential foster home offers for 4-5 horses. Needless to say, the support of the IL equine community has been nothing short of incredible. I am humbled and overwhelmed by the number of people who have stepped up to ensure the safety of these horses.

In the coming week we will be assessing each of the horses for soundness, temperment, and suitability. Once we get everything sorted out, we will post detailed information and photographs of the horses available for adoption on our website. Please make sure to check our website for updates on the horses and their availability. If anyone is interested in adopting a horse, please be sure to ask us to send you an adoption application!

The easy part of this rescue is now over and thus begins the more difficult and costly aspect of rehoming each of these wonderful horses. Please consider adopting a horse if you are able, or please consider making a donation to help us provide for the ongoing care and support of the horses until they can be successfully rehomed. Online donations can be made at our website www.ilehc.org or checks payable to: ILEHC, NFP can be mailed to: ILEHC - P.O.Box 4203 - Rockford, IL 61110.

Once again -- our deepest heartfelt gratitude to all who helped to safeguard the lives and well-being of these magnificent Thoroughbreds. This truly was an amazing team effort and without each of you who stepped up to help, none of this would have been possible. Well done everyone!!!

Kind regards to all...

Gail Vacca, President
Illinois Equine Humane Center, NFP
19501 West Ballou Road
Wilmington, IL 60481
Tel:815-476-5257
Email: info@ilehc.org
Website: http://www.ilehc.org

Every horse has an owner. Every owner has a responsibility.

UPDATE TB's at Risk: Donate Now to save

UPDATE: AT RISK TB horses: Hammond Auction:
The Illinois Equine Humane Center is taking donations to apply toward the most at risk horses in the Illinois TB dispersal auction. PLEASE GO TO THIS SITE AND CLICK THE DONATION button in the top right corner- it will help save a horse from slaughter! Pass along to your "horsey" contacts.

Gail Vacca, President of the Illinois Equine Humane Center, NFP is going personally to this auction and will use these donations to save the most at risk. She is also taking donations from private buyers. Please contact her if interested in being a private buyer or know someone who is, or can foster a horse.

Gail Vacca, President
Illinois Equine Humane Center, NFP
19501 West Ballou Road
Wilmington, IL 60481
Tel:815-476-5257
Email: info@ilehc.org
Website: http://www.ilehc.org

URGENT: TB dispersal auction in Illinois- horses at Risk

There is a huge TB dispersal sale this coming Saturday (Dec. 6) in downstate Mt. Vernon.

The entire farm (property, machinery, tack, horses, etc) is being auctioned starting at 9:30
http://www.blogger.com/redirect?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Ehammondauction%2Einfo%2FHome_Page%2Ephp&urlhash=_esl&_t=disc_detail_link

Word from my very reliable sources is that the farm owners have notified the local MEATMEN who intend to be present to bid on the horses. There are 17 mares with babies (some mares are carrying 2009 foals), 18 yearlings and 2-yr olds, 11 horses of racing age, and 3 stallions - total 49 horses. One of the stallions is absolutely gorgeous. Some of the mares are older and would likely end up at slaughter.

I am trying to arrange it so that I can attend the sale. The auction is a total dispersal of farm equipment tack, and horses. PLEASE PLEASE consider going there to purchase a horse and save a life. Many of the horses are younger and gorgeous. If you click on the website above, be sure to click on 'horse info" Send this email out to all your horse contacts.

At this time, Illinois Equine Humane Center is not set up to purchase horses and we don't yet have a facility for them (we need money, hint, hint). Perhaps one or more of you who get this with impeccable credentials would consider purchasing a horse and fostering it while ILEHC assists in placing it in a permanent home??? If so, I will do whatever I can to facilitate that.

If you can't take a horse, PLEASE forward this to all your horse contacts. Maybe some eventers out there are looking for a new prospect and this is just the place to find one. Thanks for your help and please don't hesitate to contact me with ideas on how to help.


Christine E. Righeimer
CERigheimer@ rtbizlaw.com

Memphs Horse Lovers, please Support Horse Rescues

Winter is fast-approaching, and with it brings an increasing need for support for equine rescue groups! With the economy in such dismal shape, more horses than ever need assistance! Please consider contributing to an equine rescue.

I'm sure my fellow Memphis horse-lover's realize how much horses have enriched our lives, and why not give an unwanted horse a second chance to find that owner they've been searching for? When I was a teenager, my parents gave an unwanted horse a chance for me. This horse became my best friend for 17 years and taught me some of my most valuable life lessons. Because of this experience, I will always have a soft spot in my heart for "rescues" and helping them is near and dear to me!

Do you know of any local equine rescues in need? If so, please comment and fill me in! Below is a list of national rescues to choose from:

Another Chance 4 Horses Located in Bernville, Penn., this program focuses on equine rescue, rehabilitation and placement. Black Forest Animal Sanctuary Formerly Hunting Crest Farms Rescue and Rehab, this Colorado based rescue and rehab center helps unwanted or abused horses and ponies. Sponsorship program provides veterinary care, feed and farrier visits for their horses. CANTER The Communication Alliance to Network Thoroughbred Ex-Racehorses has programs in MI, IL, OH, PA and TX and the New England and Mid-Atlantic regions. Provides information and resources for people wishing to purchase ex-racehorses. Colorado Horse Rescue Colorado Horse Rescue rehabilitates neglected and abused horses and finds them new homes. Server can be slow to respond. Equine Rescue and Rehabilitation Equine Recsue and Rehabilitation's goal is to match the right horses with the right people in a partnership beneficial to both human and animal. Equine Rescue League Read about the Equine Rescue League, its foster and adoption programs and how you can be a volunteer in a wide variety of areas. Equus Sanctuary This extensive Website is dedicated to educating the public about horse abuse. You can meet the people behind Equus Sanctuary and the horses they have rescued. Front Range Equine Rescue Front Range assists horses in need through its rescue and fire/disaster evacuation programs and offers educational events to promote responsible horse ownership. Habitat for Horses Located in Hitchcock, Texs, Habitat for Horses offers a safe haven for rescued and neglected horses. You'll find information about the programs and sponsorships available. Heaven Can Wait Equine Rescue Located in Ontario, Canada, Heaven Can Wait takes in unwanted and abused horses and finds adoptive homes for them. Horse Advocates Voicing Equine Needs HAVEN, located in Southern Indiana, establishes and provides programs for horses in need to give them a chance at finding a loving, caring and permanent home. Horse's Haven Horse's Haven care for horses and donkeys in need, they accept donated animals and, where possible, retrain and rehabilitate them, ready for adoption. Indiana Horse Rescue IHR is the Equine Division of the Animal Protection Coalition, Inc. Lone Star Equine Rescue Improving the welfare of equines in Texas by educating the public on the proper care of horses, assisting in seizures when necessary and finding new homes for rescued horses. Lost and Found Horse Rescue Working to educate horse owners, legislate the humane treatment of horses everywhere and find homes for abused or neglected equines of all descriptions. Located outside York, Penn. MSPCA at Nevins Farm's Equine Center The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals at Nevins Farm/Equine Center is dedicated to the welfare and humane treatment of horses through rescue, rehabilitation, adoption, foster care, emergency transportation and education programs. Mylestone Equine Rescue Home Page Mylestone Equine Rescue provides shelter, care and rehabilitation for horses in the New Jersey area and is often these horses' last hope. New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program New Vocations offers retiring racehorses a safe-haven, rehabilitation and placement in experienced, caring homes. Also acts as an outreach to disadvantaged youth. Ozland Horse Rescue Ozland Horse Rescue is dedicated to saving horses from starvation, neglect and abuse. Located in the Ozark foothills, the rescue is willing to help horses in surrounding states. PMU Foal Adoption Network PMU FANI is a volunteer, incorporated non-profit foal placement group dedicated to minimizing the number of PMU (pregnant mare urine) foals that end up at auction by facilitating the adoption of these foals into good, loving homes. Rainbow Acres Horse Rescue Located in Carlisle, Penn., Rainbow Acres is staffed by volunteers who take in auction or slaughter-bound horses and help them find new homes. ReRun - Another chance for racehorses This Equine Rescue is dedicated to "recycling" and finding adoptive homes for injured and retired racehorses. Some may be ridden, some not, but all need good homes. Racehorse Outplacement Assistance Network ROAN is a group of individuals who network via the Internet to find adoptive homes for horses who can't race anymore. Second Chance Thoroughbred Adoption Agency Located in Augusta, Mich., Second Chance obtains thoroughbred ex-racehorses from tracks and other locations and finds good homes for them. Second Wind Adoption Program Located at Crossed Sabers Stable, in West Union, W.V., Second Wind finds qualified homes for abused and neglected horses. Standardbred Retirement Foundation This foundation is dedicated to rehabilitating retired standardbreds and finding new home and new lives for them. United States Equine Rescue League The USERL assists in the rescue and rehabilitation of abandoned, abused, and/or neglected equines. White Bird Appaloosa Horse Rescue The rescue is dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of abused, neglected and at-risk Appaloosas and other breeds of horses, especially those in danger of slaughter.

Hurricane Ike Horse and Cattle Relief

There a many, many displaced horses and cattle in need of fresh food and water in the Galveston area. As a result, the Texas Dept. of Agriculture and the the Texas AgriLife Extension service have set up the "No Fences" donation relief fund to assist needy animals. Please click here to make your donation and read more!

Hurricane Ike Photos

Check out these heart-wrenching photos showing the devastating effect Hurricane Ike can have on horses and livestock. All but the last are from Hackberry, Louisiana. The last one is from Galveston, TX.





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Help Feed a Horse in Need Today!

Horse sanctuaries around the country are in crisis over the soaring cost of hay! In order to provide critical help to end this crisis, the ASPCA has created an Emergency Hay Fund. This Fund will provide much needed financial assistance to horse sanctuaries to help reduce the burden of escalating hay costs.

The Horse: Racehorse Rehabilitator Helps Transition to New Careers

Read this article about the great contributions rider/trainer Leigh Gray has made to Thoroughbred horses. What a great role model for the equestrian community! Good job Leigh, keep up the good work!!!

The Horse: Racehorse Rehabilitator Helps Transition to New Careers

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RaceTracks Cracking Down on Horse Slaugter!

Suffolk Downs in Boston is taking an innovative approach to cutting down on racehorses being sent to slaughter. In an effort to combat this, they are refusing to allow stabling to trainers who sell to slaughter. Click here to read more!


SOURCE: TheHorse.com

Great New Trail Riding Newsletter!

Check out the NEW On the Trail newsletter from equisearch.com

There are some great articles in here for trail riding enthusiasts!

Welcome to the Equine Network's On the Trail monthly e-newsletter, an online resource to help you enjoy the great outdoors with your horse. In each issue, we'll share tips for making the most of your trail outings and links to articles and videos on EquiSearch.com. If you would like to keep receiving this newsletter, sign up here. Build a Better Trail Horse Seasoned veterans and novice trail horses alike will benefit from our time-tested strategies for crossing water, going single file, maintaining a good pace and meeting other animals and people on the trail without spooking. Read more here. Don't Leave Home Without... Take along the following necessities even for trail rides of an hour or less: watch pocketknife hoof pick basic first-aid kit for horse and rider identification on your person and attached to your horse halter and lead rope so that you can control or tie your horse should your tack break cell phone Keep Your Horse Cool On The Trail For some advice from an expert on how to prevent your horse from getting overheated during summer trail rides, click here. Beware of Humidity Moist air makes hot weather more dangerous because it slows the rate at which sweat evaporates. Here's a rule of thumb: Any time the temperature and humidity numbers added together total 130 or more--for example, 80 degrees Fahrenheit with 50 percent humidity--there's a serious risk of overheating. And if that total is 150--for example, 80 degrees Fahrenheit and 70 percent humidity--conditions are hazardous. For Night Riders If you'll be out on the trails after sundown, let a Saddlelight show you the way. Mounted on your horse's breast collar or saddle, the Saddlelight is specially designed to help you see better without interfering with your horse's night vision. Click here to see the Saddlelight in action. Tennessee Getaway At East Fork Ranch in Jamestown, Tennessee, you can enjoy organized rides on scenic trails through the Cumberland Plateau. Cabins, campgrounds, stalls, and paddock facilities are available for vacationing equestrians and their horses. Get more information here.

SIGN UP NOW for next month's newsletter! If you enjoyed what you read here and would like to continue receiving this newsletter, sign up here. We want to hear from you! Share your stories, tips and photographs at the Trail Rider's Forum on...

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TB Slaughter Rescue with Happy Ending

What happens to a TB race horse when they can no longer race? Hopefuly, they are lucky enough to find good homes, but the racing industry... okay, so the entire Horse Industry... can be a cruel place!

Read this story about Little Cliff, a successful racehorse who originally had owners whom cared for him. Through time and a few sales, he ended up in the kill pen DESPITE the original owners having a sticker on his papers indicating on his papers to CALL IF THIS HORSE NEEDS A HOME ONCE RETIRED. Even still, no-one cared enough to contact the owners. Luckily, a good Samaritan came to his rescue. This type of complacency really fires me up in the horse industry... absolutely NO EXCUSE for the sale- New Holland, not to pay attention to this horse's papers!!!

Little Cliff rescued from slaughter

by Ed DeRosa

Little Cliff, one of two horses owner Robert LaPenta named after the late turf writer and chartcaller Cliff Guilliams, was rescued from slaughter on March 11.

Christy Sheidy, co-founder of Another Chance 4 Horses rescue in Bernville, Pennsylvania, discovered the five-year-old Gulch gelding in a direct-to-kill pen in New Holland, Pennsylvania. He had last raced in a $10,000 claiming race on March 1 at Philadelphia Park, finishing seventh of nine and earning $170 for owner LA Buzz Stable. Trainer Ramon Preciado had claimed the horse from Jimmy Moran Jr. for $10,000 on January 13.

Sheidy ran the gelding’s tattoo and had Diana Baker, formerly of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, pull a race record, which is when the connection to LaPenta and Racing Hall of Fame trainer Nick Zito appeared. Zito’s wife, Kim, is involved in horse rescue efforts as well.

“Mr. LaPenta and [Zito] sent a very generous check to Christy that more than covered [Little Cliff’s] expenses,” Baker said. “We couldn’t have asked for a better or more generous response than what we received.”

In a cruel twist of fate, Moran and Guilliams both died within a week of Little Cliff’s rescue but not before Nick Zito had a chance to tell Guilliams that one of his equine namesakes had been rescued.

“The Cliff’s Edge and Little Cliff were both named after [Guilliams],” Kim Zito said. “Nick had dinner with [Guilliams] just recently and told him what had happened to Little Cliff. [Guilliams] got very emotional and very upset.”

LaPenta purchased Little Cliff for $250,000 at the 2004 Keeneland September yearling sale and bought him back on a bid of $350,000 at the 2005 Fasig-Tipton Calder sale of selected two-year-olds in training.

Little Cliff finished sixth behind eventual Grade 1 winners and Central Kentucky stallions Political Force and Flashy Bull in his second career start before winning his next two races by a combined 6 1/4 lengths to close out his two-year-old season. At three, he finished third in both the Leonard Richards (G3) and Sir Barton Stakes. He won three of 27 starts and earned $202,762.

Although Little Cliff had changed owners four times throughout his life before being rescued, one thing that followed him from Kentucky to New York to Florida to Pennsylvania were his Jockey Club papers, papers that Kim Zito had affixed with a white sticker that says, “If this horse needs a home when he retires, please call.”

“The tragic part of this story is that Little Cliff had this sticker on his papers, and that breaks my heart because it proves that there are people in this industry who don’t give a [darn],” Kim Zito said.

SOURCE: Ed DeRosa and TheThoroughbredTimes.com

IMPORTANT Purina Feed Recall

Major Feed Recall

Land O Lakes/Purina has issued a feed retrieval for a number of brands.

Land O Lakes/Purina has issued feed recalls, or "retrievals," for a variety of their brands manufactured between the dates of November 3, 2007, and March 10, 2008. These feeds were identified to contain greater than 20 ppb of aflatoxins, originating from a single ingredient from a single supplier. Only specific manufacturing plants and dates are involved. The recalled products also vary.

As of May 6, 2008, the contaminated feeds had been distributed in the following states: Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia and West Virginia.

The manufacturing plants involved, and dates, are:• Statesville, North Carolina: Feeds manufactured between November 3, 2007, and February 8, 2008.• Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: Feeds manufactured between January 1, 2008, and February 8, 2008.• Guilderland, New York: Feeds manufactured between January 8, 2008, and March 10, 2008.

If you have purchased a Purina feed and live in one of the involved states, check the bottom edge of your feed bag for a date code. The date codes on Purina feeds are in this format: 7NOV03STA

The first number is the year. "7" = 2007, "8" = 2008. The next code is the month. "NOV" = November. Next two digits are the day. "03" = 3rd (of November in this case). Last three letters are the plant code. STA = Statesville. HAR = Harrisburg. GLD = Guilderland.

If you have feed from one of these three plants manufactured within the recall dates, call your feed dealer to see if your specific brand is involved in the recall. If you purchased feed during the time frames listed for the recall but no longer have your bags, call your dealer anyway to see if the feed you use was involved in the recall.

If your horses are having health problems of unknown cause, call your veterinarian and let him/her know you may have fed aflatoxin-contaminated feed. Feed, urine or liver biopsy tissues can be tested for aflatoxin and aflatoxin metabolites. Your state’s Department of Agriculture should also be notified if your veterinarian suspects feed related health issues.

Note: As of May 6, this was an ongoing issue. Further recalls could be issued. Details are still very sketchy. Other feeds could also be involved but no details are available. Signs range from acute liver failure to stunted growth in young horses, poor hair coat, abnormal liver enzymes on blood chemistry, jaundice (yellow eyes and gums), feed refusal, unexplained loss of condition, poor immune system function. Fetal abnormalities have been reported in other species.

This information comes from Eleanor Kellon, VMD
Horse Journal Veterinary Editor

Impressive Dressage Moves!

Check out this impressive Dressage video... wow!

Who Needs a Saddle and Bridle?

I LOVE My TB's!

I just got back from the horse races in Hot Springs, AR this weekend- great fun! I must admit, I learned that picking winning Thoroughbred runners is not my forte! I can't get past picking potential Eventer/Dressage/Hunter prospects! Boy, did I spot some good prospects!!!

I am absolutely CRAZY about TB's. What fantastic and beautiful horses they are! It's so amazing to see them in the racing environment and what they experience at such a young age! It also made me REALLY appreciate my two young TB's- Gage and Bucky and realize how very fortunate they are to have the life they do!!! My little 4 yr old, Bucky, sure does look different than the 4 yr olds I saw racing! He is so much more "solid" and mature looking than those guys!

So many beautiful horses and prospects. I found myself wondering what will happen to so many youngsters when their racing careers are over? I so hope, they all end up as lucky as Gage and Bucky. If ever thinking about getting a horse, please consider TB's! I wish more trainers would retrain ex-racers for careers as Hunter/Jumpers in Memphis! What wonderful event and pleasure prospects too!

I really appreciate trainers out there working to retrain quality TBs for different disciplines! I've been lucky to have many TB's in my lifetime and there's nothing like the courage, loyalty, intelligence, humor, and work ethic of a TB! Give em a chance and you'll be hooked on them too!

Click these links to learn more about TB's looking for a second career and home:

Fifty Fifty Farm

Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation

I Put My Bucks Where They Count- Bucky! Check out his latest pics!

Just sharing some latest pictures taken by my lil' sister of my guy "Bucky" aka "Buck on the Go" Isn't my little 4 yr old TB a cutie!

Joanna Wilburn Jr. Driving CDE Clinic Update from Kimberlin Farms

The CDE clinic with Joanna Wilburn held January 12, was great fun and a fabulous event for junior drivers to learn about carriage driving CDE's. There will no doubt be more of these planned in the future for both juniors and adults at Kimberlin Farms!

There were several phases to this clinic. Before hitching up, students gathered to get the "low-down" about what's involved in a CDE event. Next, drivers got to "walk" a scurry course, a timed cones course, and an obstacle course. Joanna helped advise each participant about how to "walk" cones and obstacle couses, and how to create a strategies best suited to each driver/pony/horse/vehicle combination. Then the fun began and true competition mode set in! All participants were timed and evaluated. And everyone learned from each other!

Joanna has everyone hooked on CDE's! We can't wait to practice more, and hope to compete in a CDE event soon! So watch out Memphis drivers- juniors will be joining in all the CDE fun very soon!

Click here to read more about this clinic

Responsible Horse Ownership

I just ran across a fabulous horse organization working to educate the horse industry about Responsible horse ownership! The Unwanted Horse Coalition, is an organization made up of various equine rescue groups which have joined together under the American Horse Council. The goal is to help horses receive humane care throughout life and educate owners on services, options, and assistance available.

Take some time to review the important information on this site, and be sure to review their responsible care booklet as well as brochure and video below:

Source: Unwanted Horse Coalition

The ABC's of CDE's

So, have you heard about driving cde's? Once you discover this exciting and challenging sport, you'll probably be just as hooked as me! There's lots of interest brewing in Memphis about cde's! There's even a junior driving CDE clinic this Saturday, January 12 at Kimberlin Farms-lucky kids!

CDE's are like eventing, but carriage driving rather than riding. It consists of three phases, like an event. The three phases of carriage driving CDE's are:

1. Dressage
2. Cross Country Marathon with Hazards- comparable to eventing cross country phase
   
3. Cones competition- comparable to eventing stadium jumping phase

Click here to read more details from the American Driving Society about Drving CDEs.

Memphis Hunter/Jumper Industry Becoming Too Elitist? My Opinion is Yes.

Is it just me, or is the local hunter/jumper industry becoming even more "elitist?" I remember a time in this area when there were plenty of affordable, fun, family horse activities that didn't break the bank. There were plenty of quality boarding barns to choose from, a plethora of well attended horse shows- rated and schooling, a nice variety of quality horses of all different breeds, riding lessons that didn't cost what you'd expect to pay for an "Olympic level" clinician. We do have several schooling show options in the area now- although it appears attendance at these is dwindling? Seems like many trainers boycott all but the A shows. From their business standpoint, I understand that there is more money in those for them. Seasoned trainers, who've "paid their dues" so to speak, surely deserve to be selective! But it worries me when I notice newer trainers following this trend. It worries me because I see this type of mentality hurting our local horse industry!

Not too terribly long ago in this area, finding a safe, sound, well-trained, quality hunter/jumper was not hard. Plenty to choose from. Plenty of trainers who worked hard, got down to the nitty-gritty and "trained" horses. Cranked out quality green horses year after year that they "TRAINED"- didn't just compete against other trainers on already trained horses- my personal pet peeve!!!

What has happened to the horse industry here? Since when did monthly board on a single horse jump to over a grand a month? Since when did the price of a single riding lesson skyrocket to the price of three/four? Since when did the only horse that can move and jump well become a warmblood costing close to $100 grand? (By the way, not knocking wb's I own one.... in addition to my TB's!)


I don't like this elitist trend in the horse industry here one bit! If the majority of equine professionals start taking this stance, and hiking up prices just b/c "so and so does...I'm as good as they are," pretty soon, we're going to see this industry dwindle and interest fizzle.


So, I guess "short-term," if you hike up fees to the extent that only the extremely wealthy can afford, you can do less work for more money? You can have less clients for awhile and just charge them more? But I've never been a "short-term" thinker, so here's the problem I foresee with this scenario- in the "long- term." What happens when these clients move along? Most clients aren't life-long clients. Will there be enough interest from newbies to replenish the natural cycle of clients? Enough interest in the horse industry locally to fuel horse shows?


Maybe I'm naive, maybe I just like rooting for the underdog?( I must admit to always having a bit of a stubborn streak and being a bit rebellious- and thick skinned) Here's what I'd like to see from the hunter/jumper horse industry in Memphis:

...I'd like to see a little more variety back. More variety in people, incomes.... more variety in horses, breeds.

...I'd like to see more trainers and shows offer affordable options to kids and adults who'd like to compete.

...I'd like to see "MORE" people get involved in the horse industry in this area!

...I'd like to see the number of entries increase at local horse shows!

We have good quality here. But there's always room for improvement! Let's work on beefing up the quantity; and sit back and watch the quality improve! There are plenty of fabulous horses in need of owners. Plenty of potential owners who'd offer fabulous homes to horses if horse-ownership is reasonably affordable! Plenty of FABULOUSLY talented and gifted riders out there who can hold there own against current top competitors if the playing field was leveled- so to speak- and the industry costs kept realistic.


Now I know this will ruffle a few feathers, but come on trainers, let's come back down to planet earth! Let's not all get in a competition of who can command the highest prices, who's clients can spend the most money on a horse that could be found at a fraction of the cost in someone's back yard, and with a little effort, time, and key word here: GOOD OLE FASHION TRAINING- could be every bit as successful as that horse shipped here from overseas!


I also want to say Thank You to all those trainers out there- and we are lucky to have many in this area- who are offering affordable horsemanship options, and who are not being "tempted" by the "over-the-top" greedy, horse-show only mentality. All those out there promoting horsemanship to families, kids, & adults.

Thanks to all those out there working to promote fun and affordable horse events, schooling shows, clinics, etc. that promote good horsemanship, and sportsmanship! We need more of that! Maybe we are lacking in this area honest to goodness"horse trainers." We used to have a great supply of hunter/jumper professionals who could train and instruct. Perhaps what we have here now are actually "Riding Instructors?" For all those "trainers" out there...and I must admit to having some darn good ones at my barn of the teenage kind...I have a challenge for you which will really help out our local horse industry:

....Please start training more horses and reintroducing safe, affordable, and sound, hunter prospects in our local market. We need more variety and not every horse that you sell has to be a $$$ warmblood.

....Not every horse you sell has to have a $$$ A-rated tag!

Where are the affordable thoroughbred prospects that trainers used to pump into our area? I know there are out there! Go out of town to an eventing show and its a trip back in time to what local hunter shows used to look like: thoroughbreds, quarter horses, appendix horses, warmbloods--- all types of horses competing. You see talented young riders on these horses who can RIDE! Most have had to train their own and bring them up through the levels. Too bad we don't have more trainers willing to retrain and resell these affordable prospects! They'd make a killing in this market!!!

....Since I keep bringing up the word "Affordable" let me clarify what affordable is. Affordable is not 50k, Affordable is not 30k, not 20k!!! I am so over the "myth" that in order to get a good "Prospect" you have to fork out at something close to 15-20k. That is pure BS!

... An Affordable Hunter/Jumper sound pleasure prospect can be found for under $10k.... under $5k.... under $3500! Trainers know they can find good prospects for almost give-away prices and with a little work and time flip them and make a profit. I know this can be done, can prove this can be done. I've been there done that. So, I'm happy to dispel this myth.

....Where are the quarter horses that make such wonderful novice horses for kids and adults? What the heck happened to the appendix horses that we used to see compete and hold their own?

If we could reintroduce more affordable horses along with more reasonable rates: board, instruction, and show fees, I predict we'd see an explosion of new interest and new riders in the area! More riders, more horses, more clients for trainers, more demand for new trainers, more competitions, more competitive competition....We need a reality check in the Memphis Hunter/Jumper industry. We also need to bring back the fun in horses!!!