The acronym, PAC, shows up regularly in local, regional, and political news. But what is a PAC? What is a SuperPAC? Most importantly, why does the AQHA have a PAC?
Continue reading …Taylor Searles and Deanna Green Break Career Win Record
July 19, 2021 Comments Off on Taylor Searles and Deanna Green Break Career Win Record
Taylor Searles and Deanna Green will be familiar names for most of our readers as the two ladies have displayed excellence throughout the Youth and now Amateur division of AQHA competition for most of their lives. They have extended that dominance to the National Collegiate Equestrian Association arena as well, competing for the Western Team of Auburn Equestrian. Recently, both girls broke the record for the most career wins in program history at Auburn University, where they are both seniors this year.
Continue reading …Dental Issues May Cause Performance Problems
July 17, 2021 Comments Off on Dental Issues May Cause Performance Problems
The horse’s teeth are crucial for proper eating/chewing and therefore a big factor in whether or not the horse obtains adequate nutrition. Healthy teeth are important for good health and fitness. Teeth also play a role in performance of an equine athlete because tooth problems can lead to pain, which can lead to certain behaviors that can affect performance. Sometimes a performance problem may be subtle or not readily recognized as being linked to a tooth problem. It’s important to figure these things out, with proper diagnosis and treatment, in order to address and correct the underlying issue.
Continue reading …Should a Cap be Placed on the Number of Embryos Pulled Per Year?
July 15, 2021 Comments Off on Should a Cap be Placed on the Number of Embryos Pulled Per Year?
The practice of pulling embryos from celebrated show horses has become a routine part of our industry–both for the retired mare that can no longer carry a foal and for the mare that’s currently still being shown.
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Straight, to the point, a woman with a zest for life, horses, and Disney World. That’s Kim Fullwood in a nutshell.
Continue reading …It’s My Turn – Ann Woodruff is Back in The Saddle Again
July 11, 2021 Comments Off on It’s My Turn – Ann Woodruff is Back in The Saddle Again
One might be forgiven for believing that Ann Woodruff picked up her talent, poise, and presence in the show pen by osmosis. After all, for many years she was ringside, supporting and encouraging her daughter, Lillian, to numerous championship titles. Now, the roles have reversed. Ann is scooping up the wins in the arena while Lilli cheers her on from the rail. With enormous drive and passion, Ann has enjoyed remarkable success in her inaugural few months of showing after a hiatus that spanned decades. Yet, like most overnight successes, the reality is that success has been years in the making.
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Imagine what would happen if you took the characters from the 2004 film, Mean Girls, and put them in a horse show setting. It sounds like the start to a terrible joke, but for some, it’s actually pretty close to reality. While the horse industry is full of encouraging, well-meaning folks who support and cheer each other on, competition at any level can bring out a few bad apples in the bunch. Though barn bullying might look a little different than a schoolyard scuffle or being stuffed into a locker, it can be just as hurtful to the victims and even damaging to the horsemen and women who make their livings in the industry.
Continue reading …EC Bridleless Challenge Concludes With Enthusiastic Participation
July 7, 2021 Comments Off on EC Bridleless Challenge Concludes With Enthusiastic Participation
Sometimes, the best ride comes when there’s nothing getting in the way of the bond between you and your horse. This can be in the form of outside world distractions or even a bridle. When it’s just you and your horse, you’re forced to focus intently on the manner in which you’re riding–how you use your core, seat, and legs–because there isn’t a bit or reins to fall back on for steering support.
Continue reading …The Dolan Family ~ From POA to AQHA
July 5, 2021 Comments Off on The Dolan Family ~ From POA to AQHA
Madison Dolan is used to making a splash in the show pen. At just three years old, she’d already fallen in love with riding and by the following year she was showing her POA in Leadline at the 2010 Fort Worth Stock Show. When she made her debut in AQHA in 2017, there was no testing the water at a couple of state shows to get her feet wet. She went right to the Quarter Horse Congress. At the time, Madison and her horse had just 13 years between them; she was 11 and her gelding, One of the Cool Kids, aka “Luke” was only two. It was his first show ever. She rode him to placings in both the Level 1 Western Pleasure and 13 & Under Western Pleasure. It was an impressive start to a new show career to say the least.
Continue reading …From the Publisher – The Need for a Solid Foundation
July 3, 2021 Comments Off on From the Publisher – The Need for a Solid Foundation
I started showing horses at local, open shows. My greatest memories from those days weren’t the wins or the trophies, or even winning money from a class with a jackpot. My greatest memories came after the show when we all cooked out, played football, and raced our horses around the grounds. I made good friends and learned a lot about life. I met my wife because of horses. I am certain horse shows did the same for others.
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