Arena - - Horse Talk -

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Registered: 08/12/08
Posts: 279

09/11/09 at 05:21 PM

I've arranged to use/manage the Fish Hatchery Arena over here so maybe we'll put some events together and do something with it.

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Registered: 08/12/08
Posts: 114

09/11/09 at 07:37 PM

I think a playday sounds like fun. Jessi and I have been to enough of them to organize and run one. Just a few events like straight barrels, poles, flag race, baseball drop.... some events that aren't all about speed but how broke your horse is.

Does the arena have a timer and a PA system? Tim, are you up for announcing?

Have you ever considered doing a clinic?

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Registered: 08/12/08
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09/12/09 at 05:37 PM

Well, I was a kid the last time I attended a playday so if we want to have one, somebody will have to know what we're doing besides me.

We have a PA system and I could probably borrow a timer system, or we could just do it the old fashioned way with a stopwatch.

I guess I could do a clinic but as you know, communicating with people ain't my strongsuit

. But if we had enough interest, I'd be happy to do one.

I guess this arena ain't exactly centrally located but over time, maybe we could attract a crowd if we make sure we keep it fun.

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09/13/09 at 07:06 PM

I think I could get it put together without too much trouble. I'd just need some warm bodies to help do certain jobs like take money, help fill out forms and check coggins, etc., on the day of the playday.

I'd borrow the timer and have someone there with a stopwatch too. I think that could avoid any potential problems.

That is a nice arena. It may be a little out of the way for some of us but most folks will drive an hour for a playday or open show, especially if they know it is fun and well organized. The only thing that I think would be nice to have is someone with a concession stand.

I really think you should do a clinic of some sort, maybe let a few folks bring problem horses. I think you communicate well, especially in person, and considering the fact you are suffering from an acute case of testosterone poisoning.... you do real well. LOL.

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09/13/09 at 10:50 PM

Concessions is a given... and we have a prOfessional concessions crew

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Registered: 11/08/08
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09/14/09 at 08:47 AM

That's great news Tim. That's a really nice facility. Be sure to check all the pipes for bees nests! How about adding some senior classes for us over 55 folks who can't run barrels like a 35 y/o anymore? What about an open pleasure class? Walk, pleasure gait, canter, both ways of the ring, park and back up.

I'll help any way I can.

Registered: 08/12/08
Posts: 114

09/14/09 at 10:25 AM

I think adding several age catagories is a good idea. I just hate it when they have the senior class as 30 plus!

As far as the walk, trot, canter stuff..... that is more of a foo-foo show that I am totally clueless about. Anytime you have to have a judge and not a timer, get your horse all groomed and spiffy, wear cutesy clothes and have show tack ..... I'm lost. So, Barb if you want to organize one of those then I'll help you. I can take direction well but I just haven't been to enough of those to feel confident putting one together. Maybe we can plan two different ones???

psreiner
Registered: 09/25/09
Posts: 3

09/25/09 at 10:44 PM

The open show/payday shows great. I'm new to Tim's acquaintance. I would love to start showing again since I'm new to Texas from Indiana. Would the pleasure classes be judged as Ranch Pleasure Classes with a flowing gait???? That Senior Class sounds wonderful too but can we lower it to 50+?
I'm up for a Trail Ride also. I only know a few people here and it would be wonderful and fun to get to know others and have fun with our favorite companions. Let me know.

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09/26/09 at 09:36 PM

Well, we're gonna do something but we need to get some heads together and work something out. When it comes to showing or playdays, I'm a few decades out of the loop.

We do need another trail ride too.

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terry4100

Registered: 08/18/08
Posts: 26

09/30/09 at 08:05 AM

#10

I didn't hear any one talk about HALTER or mine and Tim's best event the RESCUE RACE.. Tim..I think a clinic on in hand would be perfect. It would help the youngins out with their presentation in the future.. And it would help the adults as well. I for one hate to watch horses walk over people all the time. To bad you don't have Wind Walker for a demo.. .. You need to get one of your other young ones to work at liberty as well as you had him.. Maybe Wine.. she looks so good.. If I was looking for a trainer.. The in hand at liberty you performed in Ft. Worth would have sold me.. Not a horse that pirouettes around a staff, with his head chained down.

Just my opinion

terry4100

Registered: 08/18/08
Posts: 26

09/30/09 at 08:28 AM

#11

I wanna do the announcing.. That way I can push the Hamburgers hehe... But really I will do the announcing.. That way Tim can stay on the ground helping keep things running.

What about the old western pleasure?? It has a definite pattern and shows all the basics one should have in a horse and Tim could definitely judge that fairly... Heck we did the halter and western pleasure when we were kids.. its the only time the horses got groomed haha

Here is a simple pattern.. Easily judged.

http://www.tein.net/~msufergus/4H/Horse/Horsemanship%20patterns/Horsemanship%20II.pdf

There is one catch you might consider.. You might require everyone that wants to compete in other events must enter in Halter and Western Pleasure.. In my opinion those are the two most important events, but yet not the most enjoyable for youngsters...

Heck I'm excited about it.. Could be FUN FUN FUN

Registered: 11/08/08
Posts: 40

09/30/09 at 11:05 AM

#12

I agree with the western pleasure class Terry, and pleasure classes are your money maker at any show or play day. However, I abhor the western pleasure classes where the poor horse looks like it has hobbles on and someone tied the front legs to the back ones. Can you really see Roy Rogers or John Wayne cantering off into the sunset doing a gait like that? "It just ain't natural I tell ya," quote from "Mammy" in Gone With the Wind. I like the idea of the "ranch pleasure" where the horse canters or lopes like a "real horse" on a loose rein.

Gaited pleasure has exactly the same elements as western pleasure, except the horse can be decked out in English apparel or Western apparel and you don't call for a trot or jog, you call for "pleasure gait." Again, the only criteria is a relatively loose rein for any pleasure horse. It should look smooth and fun.

I'd be happy to help in any way, but would rather be showing!!!!

Registered: 11/08/08
Posts: 40

09/30/09 at 11:07 AM

#13

Oh, and yes to the trail ride, but Ed knows where we are going now. Got any other trails close by??

Registered: 11/08/08
Posts: 40

10/20/09 at 06:56 PM

#14

So is the Play Day this weekend? There hasn't been much chatter on the Board. Got news from a fellow trailrider that the Land Heritage Institue is developing 12-1400 acres along the Medina River south of San Antonio for recreational and educational purposes, including bridle paths!!! It's near Toyota off Neal Drive. Woohoo. I'm riding there Friday morning with this guy and some of the developers to check out the potential trails. This would be close for all.

Registered: 08/12/08
Posts: 114

10/21/09 at 02:35 PM