I have a 19″ Borelli cutback saddle for sale. Surprisingly nice leather, brand new and show quality. If you would like pictures, email me at bethany.towne@yahoo.com. Asking $500 – make an offer!

Also- does anyone have information on the stallion Black Tuxedo By Armani? I have a filly sired by him, and she was originally bought at the Mid-A Breeder’s Auction. I have looked and looked for information but have not found much at all.

Thanks so much!

Does anyone know where I can find/if I can find equitation patterns from previous Grand Nationals? I’m starting a binder to practice with during the off season. So far I can only find the ones from this year and last year. Any help is GREATLY appreciated!!!

FENCE QUESTIONS!!1 =)

I have been looking for some horse fencing, the vinyl type, and was wondering if anyone has bought any good or bad horse fence from certain companies. Or if anyone has any ideas where to get it. I have heard that certain vinyl fence will crack or shatter if a horse gets into it after a couple years because it breaks down from being in the weather…

I was also wondering what kind of fencing people prefer or have had good/bad experiences with.

I do not like the wire fencing, but I was thinking wood fence maybe, since it is not as expensive and I would therefore be able to fence more. I like the look of the vinyl fence, but I also like the look of the black fence like everyone has in Kentucky.

That is all. Thank you! ~Jess

To the trainers/instructors: What are some exercises you use to strengthen your equitation riders? I’m looking for stretches/positions that can be done both on and off the lunge line to help riders of all seats.

Riders/students: What exercises do you think have helped you the most? I’d like input even on the exercises you hate doing

I ask this because we’ve recently started taking eq. kids to bigger shows. They all have great seats and balance, but I feel like some of the lack that crispness that the great riders possess. I’ve been teaching for 5-6 years, but previously focused more on the horsemanship side of things, and would really like to be able to put together a decent eq. rider. I never showed eq at the class A shows, so didn’t have to endure that torture Any tips or input are GREATLY appreciated.

PS… we need an equitation or instruction tag!

I received the schedule for the Signature Sale Morgan Consignment Auction yesterday and, while I am still working on putting it on the website, I thought I would post it here.

The auction itself will be run on Saturday, April 4. A brunch will start at 10:00am and the actual sale will start at 11:30am. The sale will feature consignments from many nationally known breeding farms and training facilities including Stonecroft Farm, Grove Point Farm, Triumph Stables, Harry Sebring, Saralin Morgans, David Earehart, Waterford Farm, Selvin Torrez, Morgan Horse Farm, Copper Beech LLC, Merriehill Farm, Mary Carlton, Cadence Farm, Nancy Flower, Lookaway Farm, and Taylor River Farm.

In addition to the Morgan auction, a Consignment Tack Auction is to be held on Friday, April 3. This is being presented by Todd Woodruff and will begin at 7:00pm also at The Champions Center in Springfield, Ohio.

Just wanted to know if anyone here has any experience with Tug Hill Celebrity babies. I have a coming 2 year old by him and (while I know bloodlines aren’t everything) I would like to know what people have thought of his babies so far. I’ve seen lots of produce by Man About Town LPS that I have liked, but not many other direct produce of THC. According to the breeder I got my boy from, his daddy was pretty infertile so his babies are somewhat scarce. Are there any other nice horses by him around that I’ve missed? I wish I could post a picture of him, but apparently I’m a bad owner and don’t have any

PS: here’s my boys full pedigree, let me know what you think and be honest… since I’m still “green” to the morgan world I’m always interested in other peoples opinions, and I won’t take too much offense

http://www.allbreedpedigree.com/
(edited by BEB to fit on page)

Are there any bravehearts planning to attend the inauguration or other activities in the D.C. area through Tuesday?  The AMHA website mentioned that at least one Morgan will be in the parade.  It’s exciting to live in the D.C area during such historic times.     

It’s been a crazy winter, and it’s only the end of December. I haven’t ridden too much since November, but decided last night to hop on Bobby Sox and just have fun. Usually, I’m working on a nice collected lope, or pivots – or whatever (there’s always something), but yesterday, I just wanted to RIDE. So, I saddled Bobby up with a little hunt saddle along with a snaffle bit and had at it. It was so much fun – we did cavaletti, trotted REALLY fast - I never knew a horse could trot that fast without breaking into a canter! We cantered loosely around the ring – it was just fun and worry free. We have all the rest of winter and spring to work on the business end of things – seriously, I am sore today – BUT it was the best winter blues therapy I’ve had. Hope you all are enjoying your PLAY time too

I found out this week that my new Park Horse, Watch Me Dance, (affectionately known as Goober) has been nominated for the UPHA Morgan Park Saddle Horse of the Year. What a thrill! Especially since he wasn’t nominated by my trainers (Tim & Shirley O’Gorman.) It would appear that someone else is seeing what I see in him. Thank you for that. I just hope that I am able to ride him to his full potential some day.

I attended the Equine Affaire at the “Big E” in Springfield, MA over the weekend.  I admit that one of the reasons I chose to attend was so I could see what the Arabian Association’s display looked like.  (See the post Morgan Promotion/Equine Affaire.)  I have to say that while the Arabian Association obviously spent a TON of money, the Morgan people did a lot more outreach and education while promoting the Morgan breed.  The Arabian Association was a co-sponsor of one of the many buildings that housed the Affaire.  That can’t be cheap!  But I never saw an Arabian horse or owner.  With diligent searching, I did find the Arabian Association booth with the sofas in the Breed Pavilion.  Again, they must have spent a TON of money, because they had the equivalent of 4 or 5 booth spaces at $750 per booth.  There were lots of handouts and pretty pictures on the wall space, but no one to ask questions of, or to buy a souvenir from.  If you found this space after spending the day shopping, I can understand that the couches were a welcome respite, because I promise you, you could literally shop until you drop!

There were three large buildings full of vendors selling everything equine-related that you could think of, from horse trailers to handmade soap.  There were tack shops and gift shops, manufacturers’ reps, and crafters.  I spent about 4 hours on Saturday exploring just one of the three buildings and felt like my feet were ready to fall off.  I really didn’t intend to spend any money, but of course I found books that I couldn’t live without, new technology that I thought could be beneficial to my horses, and Christmas presents. :-)  My friend Annette got the autograph of 2008 Equestrian Olympian Courtney King at the Purina Feeds booth display.

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