Reiner Magazine

Have you seen the digital edition of REINER magazine? It is a monthly publication that is absolutely free. Usually it is over 300 pages long, and is filled with articles on reining events around the world, training advice (this month's article is called "Taking off the Training Wheels", and discusses allowing your horse to make mistakes, so you know what to correct, instead of constantly "babysitting" him) and lots of "eye candy" advertising...

Al Dunning-Steps to the spin

Pictures: Top 2- Jewel and Casandra spinning at Prince George
                 Bottom 2-Jewel and I spinning at PG (same weekend)

What do you notice between the quality of the 2 spins (between Casandra and myself-hint-think head set...) 
NOTE-I am actually pretty pleased when I look at my hands in these pictures-they are "in the box" and relatively even :)

I have discovered a new favorite website. It is "TeamAD international", the AD standing for legendary horse trainer, Al Dunning. The site has training videos, a blog, and a forum. The following is a blog post, talking about cadence in the spin. I have been focusing on the spin since my tune up with Casandra last week, when it became apparent that I was doing it all wrong-hands all over the place, not setting her up to go into the spin, not cueing correctly, etc. I have got it "right" (I think...) a few times now, and see a big difference in the quality of Jewel's spins as a result. I am so consistently amazed at the patience that she displays with me as I fumble around on top of her trying to figure things out!! :)

Here is Al's post:

Steps to a Spin
Have you watched a finished reining horse spin with his front legs crossing then uncrossing with a fast step? To watch a horse do this correctly is a beautiful thing.  Getting your horse to cross over properly is an important part of obtaining a flawless turnaround, and something many riders have difficulty with.  There can be several reasons why your horse may not be crossing over properly.  These can include:
-Rider pulling too much on the reins
-Rider not being balanced
-Rider not using legs properly
-Horse not moving his feet or turning his shoulder properly
-The start of the turn may be too forward or too far back
-Lack of rhythm
-Lack of collection
A term I like to use a lot is that horses are “bilateral”. This means that sometimes the front turns one direction and the rear-end goes in the opposite.  It would be like a board held in the center.  When turning one end to the right, the opposite end goes left.  When horses do this I call it “energy escaping from the off side”.  The horse is turning left and his ride side is bowing out.  This creates a shorter outside front leg movement/stride which results in the horse not crossing over.  Instead, the result is usually a banging of the legs or crossing under the inside leg.
The fix is to add forward motion and to encourage the outside ribs of the horse to not bow out.  Keeping the horse straighter also helps.  Lightening the sides of the horse and the mouth will assist in controlling the straightness while increasing a slight forward motion.
I trot hundreds of small circles to develop the “forward and round” shoulder movement.  I want the inside front leg to pick up and move back, out of the way so the crossover step is easier.  I never want my horse to fall back and step his outside hind leg away from the turn.  This action causes an unstable step and changes the dynamics of the stride.  A horse must stand his shoulder up, turn his front, maintain an inside pivot foot, and have cadence.
 If you study this, you can understand why trotting collected circles is so important.  Proper body alignment will create the step you want.  Speed is easy to add when form is correct.  Now is the time to “step up”!
Al

Entry forms for ROCKSLIDE now available

The entry forms for Peninsula Reining Club's ROCKSLIDE are now available on their website. They have an exciting lineup of classes, as well as ferry incentives. I am particularly excited about their "BIT AND BRIDLE EVENT", which is a class designed specifically for us beginners. The class uses WCRA pattern C, (no lead changes and 2 handed optional) and combines your score in this class with your best score from the other available beginner classes.  Top prize is a Bit and Bridle. They have a similar class for non pros where top prize is a Bob's Duane Latimer reining saddle and a pair of western boots!! WOW!
Entry deadline for this show is April 18th 2012

"It's An Addiction"

(Photos-Screen capture from NRHA"s promo video)

...and I'm an addict..
Check out the new NRHA's promotional video!

Check Out Eagle View Equestrian's Center's Calendar!

Picture -Eagleview's indoor arena (taken from the website)

I was just on Eagleview Equestrian Center's website, and noted their VERY FULL CALENDAR OF EVENTS Schedule, including a cattle sorting buckle series staring this February, a trail challenge play day this February, veterinarian seminars, and cattle sorting clinics with James Allan in April! And that is just the beginning! Check it out! Located just outside of Williams Lake, it is easy to get to and just about one hour from 100 Mile.

An evening social and change of executive...

Sliders members got together last night to hang out, finalize some of our CRUZ CLINIC details, and to elect a new president, as our current president, Dawnna Robertson decided it was necessary to step down, due to the heavy demands of her current schedule. We would like to extend a big thank you to Dawnna for filling our president role for the last two years, and welcome Elli Meinert  into the position.  

 
Our new president, Elli Meinert

Elli has been a club member since our inception and will serve as a great ambassador for our club. She has been increasingly involved in the sport of reining, and has worked with a number of outstanding professionals to build her own knowledge base. Elli competes at many of the major reining shows throughout the province, and has recently purchased a young mare from Websters Performance Horses, to show in reining and working cow. We are all excited to see her and "Porsche" in the show pen this year.

Elli's new show prospect, Porsche

Elli also helps in the day to day operation of her family's EASY GO RANCH in Lac La Hache, and as a club we have been able to benefit from using their beautiful facilities to host a number of clinics. As well Elli and her mom have launched a new business this year in 100 Mile. THE LOG HOUSE, (website still under construction) tack, harness and western ware store opened it's doors in November.

It is a beautiful log house, and they carry all the popular western styles, quality tack, western decor and have great prices. If you are traveling through 100 Mile House, be sure to stop in!

RHSF Rookie Days presented by Classic Equine

Picture: Screen Capture form NRHA's Rookie Day Video

Here is a program offered through NRHA.The WCRA is an NRHA affiliate and offers 3 affiliate shows for members: Rockslide, West Coast Classic and Riverslide. Maybe this is something we should consider incorporating into one of our shows??

Check out the Vimeo Video at the bottom of the page

Here is the program outline:
For Riders: RHSF Rookie Days are a unique opportunity for NRHA members to receive training from local professionals combined with an actual class all in an effort to help beginner reiners prepare for the show pen. Riders will be critiqued and educated on how they were scored and have an opportunity to win some pretty cool prizes.

For Affiliates: Each year, the RHSF encourages affiliates to host Rookie Days presented by Classic Equine to raise money for the Crisis Fund. RHSF offers incentives and assistance for affiliates to host a RHSF Rookie Day. Rookie Days are great member recruitment tools for affiliates and a portion of the proceeds from each event will go back to the affiliate and planning support will be given to each host.

Most importantly though all the funds from this event go to help support the RHSF Crisis Fund and NRHA members in their time of need.

Proceeds benefit the Dale Wilkinson Memorial Crisis Fund and the Hosting Affiliate.
$200 for Adult Rookie Riders $100 for Youth Rookie Riders

The reining world loses a superstar

The following information is taken in part from Stacy Westfals Horse Blog. You can read the whole story by clicking the HorseBlog Link.

Heaven’s remuda improved by one fine mare on February 8, leaving this planet one short, with the passing of Roxy (aka Whizards Baby Doll), best known as horsewoman Stacy Westfall’s bareback and bridleless mount.  She sustained traumatic injury after apparently becoming cast in her stall sometime during the night of Feb. 5. Many will best remember Roxy from a video that went viral on the Internet in which Stacy rode her with no bridle or saddle, winning the Freestyle Reining Championship at the 2006 American Quarter Horse Congress.  The performance, coming less than a month after Stacy’s father passed away, touched an appreciative audience worldwide.  One person quite moved by the ride was TV personality Ellen DeGeneres, who invited Stacy and Roxy to appear on her show.  Roxy, ever the lady, gave Ellen a memorable ride, and charmed the live studio audience by coaxing peppermints from Stacy. 
...

A registered American Quarter Horse, Roxy (by Whizard Jac out of a daughter of Gunners Rambo) leaves behind a legacy of four offspring, all of whom were carried by recipient mares.  But perhaps her greatest legacy is the glimpse of what is possible between a horse and a human — the image of she and Stacy, forever imprinted in the minds of those who have been lucky enough to witness them — two creatures, human and horse . . . bound by trust and love.

“What made her special was that she was willing to give so much of herself,” says Jesse Westfall.  “She allowed herself to be developed into an amazing partner, a work of art.  Not many horses, or people, are willing to do that.”
You can watch Stacy and Roxy's famous performance here

Friday Funny

Picture (screen capture from you tube clip)

Not really reining related, but great for a laugh! Check out this cute clip I found...and enjoy the Superbowl commercials this weekend (is there really any other reason to watch??)

Les Vogt Clinic-focus TURN AROUND

Picture (taken from Les Vogt's website)

Here is a you tube link I found on a clinic with Les Vogt helping participants on working their horse in the spin. Some good advice, and I like this clip because you get to see a variety of riders and horses. It's a bit long (just over 10 minutes), so may take a bit to upload, but worth the wait. Would love some comments on this one!! Love the opening segment too! You can visit Les's website for more information on him and his program as well as get access to more free reining training clips