Play Day Championships April 2011

Jack explains the rules

For the past two years Jack has held a  series of  short clinics we call Play Days. They are from 1-4 pm every first Saturday of the month and start in the fall and end in the spring. The clinic is in two parts. The first half is a set of 4 or 5 ground games and the second half is a set of riding games. The participants divide into teams and play for points.

I am sure you have heard people say "My horse needs a job" and it is true they do! The games and tests give horse and rider a focus so they can learn  new riding skills and use them for some purpose whether out on the trail or in the show ring. It is a fun way to challenge yourself and get a little competition experience without the pressure of a big show.

Jack designs the games and tests.The riders are given a sheet of paper with a diagram of the games and their written explanation. He is there to help teach the new skills and guide everyone through them.

Last weekend was the Grand Championship Play Day at Watts Way Arena.
There were ground games, riding and a western dressage test which our friend Heidi Lowthorp  judged. She is working towards becoming a licensed dressage judge and is as excited as we are about the WDAA . Like us, she wants to  encourage people to become members and participate in Western Dressage.Everyone really appreciated her feedback and encouragement.
We had one grand champion and a  highpoint winner in  ground games, riding and western dressage.

The grand champion was Kathy Parker and her horse "Cigar." Cigar is cutting trained. He may have thought about jumping out of the dressage arena which was set up in the cow pasture to go cut a cow. If he did he did not show it and they rode their first test and won highpoint winner for western dressage as well.
Kathy is a dedicated horsewoman and it shows with the finesse she has with her horse.

Kathy Wins the Grand Prize Belt Buckle

Kathy and Cigar

Congratulations Kathy!

Gail and Remmy

The highpoint winner for the ground games was Gail Mcnabb and her horse Remmy.Gail is a regular student of Jack's and has done a great job starting her new little Quarter Horse gelding.

Gail and Remmy ride their first western dressage test

Congratulations to Gail!

Jade and Jewel

The first place winner in riding was Jade Watts Gonzales and her mare Jewel. Jade and Jewel are also active members in ACTHA. Jade also won third place in the ground games.
Way to go Jade!

Ground Games  Judy and Blue

 

Western Dressage Arena Texas Style

Thank you to everyone that came to the play days this year. We hope to see you back in the fall. If you are interested in having Jack do a play day at your barn or arena please contact me and we will set one up.

Nokota Horses Come to Texas March 10th -13th 2011

photo by www.photoguy.com

It is hard to believe it has already been three weeks since the Nokota horses were here. Jack held the second annual Texas Nokota Horse Starting and Handling Clinic here at Watts Way Arena in Washington County March 10th-13th. This year Jack had a  group of seven students from Texas and Minnesota working with the horses to get them gentled, haltered and saddled.

The  eight horses were driven down from North Dakota by Frank and Leo Kuntz the founders of the Nokota Horse breed. Being  a wild horse you would think that it would be difficult to load and unload the small herd but they follow the leader and once in the trailer they are ready to hit the road. I have been amazed both times that they have been here at the way they behave when they arrive after their long journey. They seem so nonchalant about being in a new environment and are mostly concerned with having a good roll in the sand. None of them seem worn out or distressed from the travel. The first day of the clinic we all went out to the pasture to observe them and slowly push them into the arena by making an arc around them. I named one little blue roan The Ambassador because he was the first brave one to come inspect us and greet us.Once the herd was in the arena  Jack showed everyone how to walk through the herd and how to get closer to them and how to get them to accept the new humans in their midst. This progressed over a four day period. By the end of the clinic  four  were under saddle and being ridden and all of them haltered and being lead.

The students were brave, patient and amazing.One had a particularly standoffish horse that took most of the clinic just to get him feeling safe being touched. She really stuck with it and did not try to rush him and was rewarded in the end with a new friend.
Leo Kuntz joined in the learing process and was working with a little paint who really seemed to take to him and let him ride him around the arena by the third day. One student bought the horse she worked with.

Everyone shared at the end of the clinic about what they learned  from this experience and most commented on how this work will help them with their horsemanship. Most of them do not  desire to become  "colt starters" and were just interested in the experience of working with a wild horse.They all commented on the intelligence of the Nokota's and the special temperament and rugged beauty these horses posess.
Jack always learns from his students and the horses and said this was one of the best clinics he has ever held. I agree! We are looking forward to the next one coming up this June 12-16th in North Dakota.

photo by www.photoguy.com