Missouri Equine Issues
Transcription
Missouri Equine Issues
Missouri Equine Issues Inside… For the Horse Enthusiast • 2011 Edition • Drill team gains international attention • Still a place for draft horses Plus more… FARMALL® COMPACT TRACTORS 0 72 MONTHS % * FOR OR A FREE LOADER ** FARMALL A TRACTORS 0 60 MONTHS % * FOR AND 250 CASH BACK $ WHEN PURCHASED WITH TWO IMPLEMENTS *** FARMALL UTILITY TRACTORS 0 60 MONTHS % * FOR At Case IH, we know that successful farming is about being ready, with the right equipment, the right technology, the right support. Be ready for all your loading, blading, tilling, mowing, baling jobs and more with these great offers on Case IH Farmall tractors, built with rugged reliability and simple operation. HURRY! THESE OFFERS WON’T LAST LONG. 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Loader discount applies to purchase of compact tractors only. *** Implements that qualify for the tractor discount include MW Mower Deck, RR Rear Finish Mower, BR Rotary Broom, TL Rotary Tiller, BM Mounted Blade, BS Snow Blower, BH Backhoe, RC Rotary Cutter, Work EZ Disk Harrow, Work EZ Rake, Work EZ Box Blade, or Work EZ Rear Blade. Ask your Case IH dealer for details. Implement discount applies to purchase of Farmall compact or Farmall A tractors. CNH Capital and Case IH are registered trademarks of CNH America LLC. www.caseih.com 2 • Missouri Equine Issues 2011 Missouri Equine Issues This sixth edition of Equine Issues is produced by the Missouri Farm Bureau Public Affairs Department with the help of the organization’s equine committee. Missouri Farm Bureau Equine Committee Members: Lori Gray, Lafayette Co. Janet Aldrich, Ray Co. Kim Garrett, Boone Co. Allen Akers, Shannon Co. Paula Mullins, Atchison Co. William Hinkebein, Livingston Co. Chris Cumpton, Bates Co. Rick Reed, St. Clair Co. Steve Bunch, Camden Co. Ollie Ziegler, Jefferson Co. Blake Hurst, Atchison Co. Julie Waldrop, MFB Staff Equine Issues is published annually. For advertising information contact Julie Waldrop at [email protected] For the Horse Enthusiast • 2011 Edition ON THE COVER Carrying the flag on her horse, Bandit, is trick rider Miko McFarland of Highlandville, Mo. As a member of the EasyRiders drill team, McFarland performed at international games in Lexington, Ky., in October. Learn more on page 6. Photo provided by the EasyRiders Precision Drill Team. INSIDE Draft Horses are Back . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 By Ollie Ziegler, MFB Equine Committee A Life of Teamwork and Teaching . . . . . . 12 By Lori Rockhill-Gray, MFB Equine Committee The Legacy of Fox Trotter Country Gold . 16 By Bill and Jeanne Hinkebein, Indian Creek Equine Center Visit Missouri Farm Bureau on the web at: www.mofb. org for an electronic version of this publication in the Marketing and Commodities section. There is something special about horses If I were asked what experience most shaped my life and personality, I would have to answer “having horses in my life”. There is a certain sense of gratification and responsibility that comes from owning horses. I don’t remember a time in my life that did not revolve around horses. I strive to be actively involved within the equine industry, and I feel it is a great privilege to have this opportunity to work with other horse owners on Missouri Farm Bureau’s Equine Advisory Committee. I am a proud member and advocate of the workings of Missouri Farm Bureau. They work diligently to protect and preserve some of America’s most valuable resources – agriculture and livestock. — Paula Mullins, Rock Port, Mo. Missouri Equine Issues 2011 • 3 Equine’s Heritage Affects Our World Charles E. Kruse President, Missouri Farm Bureau 4 • Missouri Equine Issues 2011 Without a doubt, those involved with equine are some of the most passionate, dedicated people on the face of this earth. Enthusiasm and excitement exudes from them as they chat about their horse, next week’s trail ride or the local horse show. Each year our goal is to use this publication to highlight public policy issues and human interest stories related to equine activities. Who would have imagined that there are so many interests and activities that involve equine in some manner? It truly is astounding that our equine heritage has such an impact in today’s world. From trail rides to horse shows, rodeo events to therapeutic riding, equine touch the heart and soul of both young and old alike. We have seen firsthand the negative results to the equine industry of the legislated ban on horse slaughter supported by animal rights/welfare activists. As we all know, this past year Missouri’s commercial dog breeder industry was the focus of Proposition B. Which sector of animal agriculture will be next? Whether or not you are directly involved in production agriculture or simply have a love for your horse and the great outdoors, we must all stand together to educate the public on these critical issues that are so important to the future of this great industry. I urge you to take the time to be involved in the public policy debates that effect equine and other aspects of animal agriculture. Farm Bureau has a large number of members that share these interests and our Equine Advisory Committee does a great job of keeping our leaders and members informed of the issues facing the industry. As you may know, MFB policy is determined by our members through an annual policy development process. As the state’s largest agriculture organization we are involved in many issues, including taxes, education and regulation. I invite you to join your county Farm Bureau and ask that you go to www.mofb.org for more information about our organization. This will be my last opportunity to have the privilege of writing the welcome section of the Missouri Equine Issues magazine. After 18 years as president of Missouri Farm Bureau I will be retiring at the close of our annual meeting in December. It has been my pleasure to be associated with many of you through those years. I wish all of you the very best and may God Bless each of you. Farm Bureau Equine Policy Missouri Farm Bureau is a strong supporter of the state’s equine industry and has policy covering specific issues. Here is the official text of current policy: We believe equine farms, businesses and related operations should be recognized as a bona fide segment of Missouri agriculture. We believe equine should be classified as a “livestock entity” and strongly oppose any efforts to relate equine as “pets” or “companion animals”. We believe the processing of cull and/or unsound horses should not be prohibited by state or federal statutes or regulations. A ban on the processing of such horses would only increase the likelihood of abuse or neglect. Starvation or lack of medical treatment for unwanted horses is a far worse fate than humane euthanasia. We oppose a federal ban on horse processing. We oppose the elimination of funds for federal inspection at processing facilities. Furthermore, we strongly oppose the prosecution of individuals moving, selling, purchasing or transporting horses to be processed either in the U.S. or abroad. We strongly support reduction of unmanaged feral equine numbers on federal lands by methods other than adoption. Canine Alternative population control measures may include birthcontrol drugs and neutering. We encourage the University of Missouri Extension and Outreach Program to support Missouri’s growing equine industry by providing a full-time equine specialist to assist local Extension centers. We encourage Missouri Farm Bureau to help coordinate an equine education program. We support seeking the necessary funding for an annual comprehensive National Agricultural Statistics Service survey for equine. We support legislation that preserves the use and access for horses and mules on state and federal public lands where sufficient acreage and conditions exist to permit such use, and scientific data by appropriate authorities does not exist to preclude such use. We support the inclusion of equine in federal disaster assistance and farm bill programs. I understand that these dues are not tax deductible as charitable contributions for income tax purposes. However, they may be tax deductible as ordinary and necessary business expenses subject to restrictions imposed as a result of lobbying activities. Farm Bureau estimates that the nondeductible portion of your dues - the portion which is allocable to lobbying - is 38%. The annual $30 membership dues include $1 for a one year subscription to Show Me Missouri Farm Bureau. The county, state and American Farm Bureaus are organized to develop, foster, promote and protect programs for the general welfare including economic, social, educational and political well being of farm and rural people. I am interested in promoting these objectives and I hereby apply for family membership in Farm Bureau. I understand that Farm Bureau is a family membership organization and services are limited to members only. As a member, I am eligible to apply for insurance services and participate in other Farm Bureau programs. Missouri Equine Issues 2011 • 5 Precision Leads to International Competition for Drill Team By Carah Hart and Chris Fennewald, MFB Public Affairs. With their hearts pounding and hooves thundering, the EasyRiders Equestrian Drill Team anxiously prepared for a once-in-a-lifetime performance. When the time came in October, the group of Southwest Missouri kids stole the crowds at the Alltech/Federation Equestrienne International World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Lexington, Ky. This is the first time the international event has been held in North America. The second largest equine sporting event next to the Olympics, these games are held every four years. Sixteen days of competition ends with eight championships. In Kentucky, more than 800 horses and 900 riders competed. The EasyRiders were there to perform precision drills on horseback and entertain the large crowd in the Equine Village. “For equestrian athletes and enthusiasts this is about as big as it gets,” said EasyRider team founder Elizabeth Guillebeau of Rogersville, Mo. The pressure of the event and expectations of supporters began to affect the team days before the horses were loaded in their trailers. “When the team began to see this trip coming around the corner, the anxiety reduced them to not even being able to trot a straight line together. To get past 6 • Missouri Equine Issues 2011 this, the team had to refocus and direct that anxiety toward performing better. The result was five solid and stellar performances,” said Guillebeau. The EasyRiders were not involved in competitions, but were among 200 acts performing for those in the stands and millions of worldwide viewers on television. Their first performance earned them a “Best Bet” for readers of the Lexington Herald-Leader newspaper. Guillebeau says the team was proud of that effort, considering what they faced. “The team had to perform the day they arrived with no time to settle in. They were all a little shaky. As dancers know, a position change or different environment can have a huge effect on where the mind thinks it needs to turn or the sequence of events.” Some of the young riders are in their first year of performing. This year, the team has two women just over age 21 competing, and a young boy. The rest are girls ages 10-18. Team coach Heather Johnson of Republic, Mo., prepared the team for the big event. “The World Games was a huge opportunity that a lot of kids — or adults — don’t get to experience .” The drill team currently has 20 riders, but has graduated 100 since it was Riders, continued on page 8 For information on MFA horse feeds call 573-876-5473 or visit www.mfa-inc.com Winning the nutrition race. Missouri Equine Issues 2011 • 7 Riders, continued from page 6 The Easy Riders performed several precision drill acts during the World Equestrian Games. One crowd-pleaser was a motorcycle-themed drill complete with leather vest, do-rags and fierce looks. After each performance, the drill team would go to the rail separating the arena and audience. There, audience members could pet the horses, ask questions and take pictures. organized 10 years ago. The students learn the challenging art of keeping a horse in step with other horses and riders. “A horse drill team can be easily compared to synchronized swimming, just with horses,” said Johnson, also a former team rider. Johnson has been a member of the drill team for the last seven years. “The EasyRiders Drill Team is important to me,” she said. “I joined when I was 11 so it has always been a big part of my life. In high school everybody had their niche, and this was mine.” Now Johnson helps others on the team improve. Riders do not use spurs or whips and control their horses with simple snaffles in the midst of crowds, loud music, and fast paces. What is most visible about the EasyRiders is a Golden Hills Ranch is located in the beautiful Ozark Mountains of south-central Missouri. The picturesque ranch is formerly a very large cattle ranch with crystal clear spring fed streams, forest, massive bluffs and large caves, some so large that you can ride your horse into them. Beautiful valleys like Paradise Valley with wide open ranges offer riding enjoyment at all levels, from beginner to the most advanced trails like Snowy River or advanced Hidden Loop. With 150 over 150 miles of trails and roads privately owned, you do not share trails or roads with ATV’s pick-ups, dogs or hikers, just the occasional deer, turkey and small animals, and of course, other Golden Hills Trail Riders. You can ride the trails for a week every day and not be150 able to ride all 150 miles of trails. The trails are all marked with signs and Golden Hills will provide you with a map of the trails for the vacation of a lifetime. Visit us this year in mid-America! Be sure to bring your camera and plenty of film. 8 • Missouri Equine Issues 2011 choreography which sets it apart from other teams. Drills are choreographed by the riders and the music is often inspired by them. For each major performance, this team comes up with a new drill. Even if you have seen the EasyRiders before, you will see something difference. To perform at the top venue in their field, these entertainers overcame significant obstacles. “It always seems that when you are working for something you really want, more gets in the way,” said Guillebeau, adding each rider and their family rearranged priorities and had to come to terms with some heavy issues. “They learned much more than horsemanship.” When not training, team members raised $60,000 to help fund the trip. Springfield Polo and Environmental Vehicles loaned 12 horse trailers. Voss AutoHaus loaned a Ford Excursion. The team made the most of those efforts. They so entertained the daily crowds the team was selected to perform the final act for the “Extravaganza” closing ceremony. “Our team was chosen out of all the equine acts who had performed since the Games began on October 7,” said Guillebeau. “The last performance was a shorter, condensed version of the program. They had to work off of one rehearsal and took some bold risks. They made it happen.” Among all of the world’s most famous equestrians at the games, something happened to these young Missourians, they became celebrities. People wanted pictures taken with team members and their horses. They asked for autographs and visited with team members. They were the darlings of media in televison, radio and print interviews. Both Guillebeau and Johnson agree there was no other act at the games with the amount of movement, variety, precision and charm. All of the attention was icing on the cake for the team and coach. “At the bottom of all the performances, practices, clinics, camps and lectures, we’re really just trying to teach and train achievement,” said Guillebeau. “Once you learn the process of achievement you can carry it into all the other things you do.” To learn more about the EasyRiders, e-mail team coordinator Julie Guillebeau can be contacted at [email protected]. Trick rider Shelby Chittum performs the “suicide drag” on her horse, Count, for a large crowd at the World Equistrian Games. Shelby is from Willard, Mo. Missouri Equine Issues 2011 • 9 Draft Horses are Back, Bigger Than Ever By Ollie Ziegler, draft horse breeder and MFB Equine Committee member from Dittmer, Mo. T he average public thinks that the draft horse is gone forever. This may have seemed true in the early 50s when the draft horse could have been considered an endangered species. They are now seeing a resurgence in interest. But their numbers were scarce 50 years ago. There were a few die-hard breeders at the time and the stallion pool was small. Amish farmers still farmed with horses and many were sold to this market. Beginning in the 60s, a spark re-ignited interest in the draft horse. I have been in the draft horse business since 1945. To this day I really do not know what started the spark. Some credit goes to farm families wanting a piece of the past, as their parents and grandparents raised and used draft horses. Some simply wanted something different. The prices and numbers of the different breeds climbed for the next three decades. Today it is not uncommon to see top draft horses sell for $25,000, and even up to $50,000. Do not let these prices mislead you. These prices tend to scare away the working class farmer who wants to own a pair of draft horses. They can find many more horses that are in their price range. Before you buy a pair of draft horses, decide the breed you are interested in. Belgians and Percheron are the most popular and at the top of the list in numbers registered. Also part of the top five breeds list are the 10 • Missouri Equine Issues 2011 Clydesdale, Shire and Suffolk breeds. There are also the American Cream, Freisen, Spotted Draft and Barbant breeds and many others. Whatever the breed of draft horse you decide to own, make the choice yours. If you are new in the draft horse business, it is to your advantage to take an experienced draft horse person with you when looking for horses. There are many uses for draft horses today. They are still used on ranches in the west for haying and feeding in the winter. One rancher told me, “They never fail to start.” One of the largest ranches in the Sand Hills area of Nebraska has used horses for years to cut and stack hay. The rancher still owned chuck wagons used in year’s past, so when fuel prices kept rising, the wagons and horses were put to work. Ranch workers have returned to the old way of staying with and working the cattle, moving from camp to camp. When it comes to pricing draft horese, I have found that there is one rule to follow. You can buy a cheap horse, but if the horse hurts you or one of your family members it is not a cheap horse. Consider paying a little more for a horse that is what you want. Your purchase will be less expensive in the long run and a pleasure to own. Today, plenty of good competition can be found in many halter and hitch classes at our state, county and district fairs From a single cart class all the way up to eight horse hitches their is a competition your horse can enter. The hitch classes are always great crowd pleasers, especially the larger hitches with high dollar horses, beautiful hitch wagons, and patent leather harnesses. I do not want to mislead the reader. There are many shows where the competition is not all about high dollar horses and glitter. There are those shows that families can affordable enjoy to compete in if they chose. Draft horses give farm families a great hobby in which to work together. During the week a good pair of horses can be used for chores such as feeding other livestock. On the weekends, they can be taken to parades, fairs, and field days to test their skills at plowing and log dragging. It is more than about competition as families become part of an extended family of horse owners. There are even riding classes for draft horses. The Missouri Draft Horse and Mule Association sponsor several of these activities. The draft horse is a versatile animal that can be enjoyed and still earn its keep on the farm. A Texas rancher I know Escape to... traveled about 20 miles daily with a pickup to put out feed mineral, salt and to check fence. With the price of diesel fuel rising, he decided to do something else. I was asked to find him a pair of draft horses. He bought a team for $4,000. The rancher started his 20- mile feeding rounds using the horses. His family got involved driving them and on weekends began participating in local parades. His says his family has never been as completely involved with anything on the ranch as they are with his pair of horses. What a great way to bring rural families together. The draft breeds are not all big 18-plus hand horses. There are sizes in all the breeds to fit anyone’s needs. Draft mule breeders want a smaller mare and on the other end are the big, tall horses for the big show hitches. People who want to enjoy a draft horse have a large selection to choose from. The size of these horses in the middle-range still impresses the public in parades and smaller shows. The draft horse can be both useful and pleasureable. I have had correspondence with people wanting to know more about draft horses from Vermont to Hawaii. These big horses are not gone forever. In fact, they are back. ROCKBRIDGE ™ Rainbow Trout Ranch LOOKING FOR A GREAT PLACE TO DINE? COME ON OVER FOR A LITTLE FISHING, HUNTING OR JUST RELAX. ENJOY A SCENIC TRAIL RIDE OR A CALMING HIKE THROUGH THE WOODS. COME AND EXPERIENCE OUR WONDERFUL RESORT THAT OFFERS IT ALL. WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU SOON! PH. 417.679.3619 � HWY N ROAD 142 � ROCKBRIDGE, MO 65741 WWW.ROCKBRIDGEMO.COM Missouri Equine Issues 2011 • 11 A Life of Teamwork By Lori Rockhill-Gray, MFB Equine Committee member from Higginsville, Mo. Wilbert was born and A few times in your life raised on a Lafayette you meet someone you County farm using teams feel a kinship with. You of horses for are drawn to farm work. them. In my He learned life, one of early in life he these people had the desire is Wilbert and aptitude Hilgedick. to raise, train At 86 years and work young, Wilbert draft horses. is quick When asked to answer why he chose questions and to farm with offer opinions horses he on life and Wilbert Hilgedick says, “I have farming with an ultimate appreciation horses. He is an expert on for the equine population. using horse teams and has I know horses, I like them done so on the farm since and I wanted to work with 1966. Wilbert deliberately a team.” chose to live a simpler life. He is by no means a farm homebody. Wilbert traveled the world during a 20-year military career. Joining the Army in 1946, he was stationed stateside, as well as the Philippines, Japan, Korea and Europe. He served at the University of Missouri ROTC program for two years and administered a program at White Sands, NM and Missile Support at Mead, Neb. When he received orders to go to Viet Nam, he felt it was a prime time to retire. He returned to Lafayette County in 1966. When Wilbert was in the service he suffered the loss of his parents and subsequently purchased his brothers’ shares of the family farm. He started with a young team of Belgian horses; four-year olds that were green and ignorant. These two horses, Queen and Prince became keys to his success in farming, as well as training draft horses. Queen, became the best broodmare he had, bearing 10 colts on his farm and one more after she sold. Wilbert kept track of the last colt, who is now 27. Prince became the best “breaking horse” he ever had. During an 18-year period, Wilbert Michele Inman Chris Auffenberg Ford USDF Silver Freestyle Bar USDF Silver Medalist USDF Bronze Medalist FEI Trainer and Competitor 636-399-7045 Boarding-Training-Lessons-Clinics www.biggsmountain.com 866-793-0127 NATIONWIDE TOLL FREE Horses for Sale featuring Devon, 2010 regional championships qualifier at First Level Open and Freestyle! We are Horse Target Training. We are located in the beautiful state of Missouri. We specialize in problem horses. Please feel free to contact us at anytime at 573-528-7768. www.horsetargettraining.wel.com 12 • Missouri Equine Issues 2011 5840 Hwy 100 • Washington, Missouri 63090 Phone: (636) 239-4500 • Fax: (636) 239-0566 Makes: Ford, Jeep, Lincoln, Mercury You Dream It... WINDLER We Build It... Commercial Homes, Garages Remodel, Storage Building Solutions, LLC www.windlers.net Toll Free: 1-800-737-0500 Horse Facilities Email: [email protected] 2549 Hogan Road Pacifi c, MO 63069 636-451-5200 Fax 636-451-2146 Wilbert Hilgedick drives Prince (gelding) on left of tongue and Mark (stud) on the right to pick up firewood at Mayview, Mo., in this 1983 photo. and Prince broke at least 25 colts to drive and work as part of a team. As a “breaking horse” Prince was the stable partner of the team, the good role model and leader. Young, Missouri Hay & Straw, LLC HAY LAND WANTED! 573-489-3595 inexperienced horses, new to pulling and working, are easily excitable and inclined to either give up or run away on pulling a load. Developing a good team takes “hours and hours” of hard work and many miles in harness. For Wilbert, a typical work day began at daylight by feeding the horses before breakfast. Then, the team was harnessed and driven to the field to work until noon. The team would be fed and watered, and after lunch return to the field. Horses were turned into the pasture for the night. With a one-bottom sulky plow, Wilbert and his team could plow three acres a day. Considering he raised 15 acres of corn, 15 acres of oats and put up about 40 tons of brome hay, Wilbert spent many days behind the plow, disc, planter, mower or cultivator. The crops raised fed approximately two dozen cows and up to 20 head of horses on the farm. Wilbert continues to own horse-drawn farming equipment for every function on the farm. He has purchased, fixed and maintained six mowers. He purchased several just to make sure they didn’t go to the scrap heap. He has fixed each with a binder truck underneath to keep the weight of the mower off the top of the horse’s neck. Although Wilbert has used his expertise to raise and train many horses, he imparts his knowledge to people that come to him to learn the art of working a team. Training on Sunday afternoons, the protégé would, under Wilbert’s instruction learn to safely Teams, continued on page 14 Brome Timothy Orchard Alfalfa Straw CERTIFIED WEEDAVAILABLE* FREE* CERTIFIED WEED-FREE Timothy $5.50/BALE* Missouri State University Equine Science William H. Darr School of Agriculture Springfield, MO 65897 417-838-7784 Phone 417-836-5098 Equestrian Team Coach Sue Webb, [email protected] Ranch Horse & Judging Team Dr. Gary Webb, [email protected] Missouri Equine Issues 2011 • 13 Teams, continued from page 13 catch his current team, harness, hitch and drive the team. One young man, Todd Johnson, from Concordia met Wilbert at a horse sale and shared his goal of learning to work draft horses. He was invited to come to Wilbert’s farm and learn from him. Training each Sunday for three years, Todd became one of Wilbert’s best students. One couple, Jim and Jean Counts from Warrensburg, sought out Wilbert to learn more about draft horses to take visitors on their farm to and from their pumpkin field. Like Todd, Wilbert invited Jim to learn to drive a team. Jean said Wilbert is always willing to help whoever wants to learn about the horses. When Wilbert deemed Jim ready, he sent Prince and Queen to the Counts’ farm. This association led Wilbert to drive wagon loads of visitors to and from their pumpkin field for several years. Those first three weeks of October found Wilbert doing what he dearly loved; driving a superbly trained team of horses, through the crisp fall air. For those who wanted to talk about the horses, Wilbert would share his knowledge and appreciation for the draft horses and a simpler way of life. Wilbert has developed some notoriety over the years. One of his horses was used in the 1975 madefor-TV movie remake “Friendly Persuasion.” And, in 2005, Wilbert was awarded the “Linch Pin Award” from the Missouri Draft Horse and Mule Association. I met Wilbert several years ago when I was teaching 4-H horsemanship, and he introduced himself to me at the annual horse show. I had grown up with riding horses all my life, but I missed the working team era. One of the most amazing feats I attribute to Wilbert is the transformation my husband, W.N. Gray, underwent when he learned to drive a team. My husband was not a horse enthusiast, but he put up with “those old hay burners” because they made me happy. He did not enjoy riding, but got interested in driving a team when we had a team of our Saddlebreds trained. Like many others before him, when W.N. asked Wilbert about driving a team, Wilbert invited him to come out on Sundays to work with him. When Wilbert decided it was time to sell his team, my husband amazed me by purchasing them, harness and all! It has been one of my life’s enriching experiences to know and benefit from Wilbert. The enjoyment that he feels is evident when he talks about his life. “I loved to farm. It’s in the blood,” he says with a sentiment all farmers understand. It is true whether a farmer is behind the wheel of the latest tractor or a horse hitch. The Premiere Environment for Horse & Rider 12 x 12 stalls 80 x 150 covered arena 60’ round corral 100 x 150 outdoor arena 6 acre playground Parelli events Stay dry this year. Call “Horsin Around” today! 573-999-3723 Deb Diller 5950 N. 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Box 15, Hwy. 19 East Eminence, MO 65466 2011 Event Schedule May 1-7 May 27-30 June 12-18 June 30-July 4 August 7-13 September 2-5 October 2-8 October 23-29 At Cross Country Trail Ride we offer a top of the line equine vacation! The package includes 3 meals per day, camping, and nightly entertainment; you provide your horse and camping facility. Admission is $250 per adult plus sales tax. Stalls are an additional $15 each for the week. For more information: 573-226-3492 www.crosscountrytrailride.com JOIN US FOR THE LARGEST ORGANIZED TRAIL RIDE IN THE UNITED STATES! WE KNOW YOU’LL HAVE A GREAT TIME WITH US! Missouri Equine Issues 2011 • 15 The Life of Country Gold A Fox Trotting Trail Horse Legacy By Bill and Jeanne Hinkebein, owners of Indian Creek Equine Center. Bill is also a MFB Equine Committee member. On April 25, 1983, a new colt was born at Indian Creek Equine Center. He was named Hickory’s Country Gold after his sire Golden’s Red Hickory Star and his dam Amy’s Country Sunshine. Little did his owners realize the impact that this little one would bring to trail riding competition. Time passed and the colt grew strong, showing great promise with his fox trot gait and willingness to perform. In 1987 and 1988, Country Gold began his career with the North America Trail Ride Conference (NATRC) by competing in five novice rides. He received three firsts and two seconds. In 1989, Country Gold went open and won sweepstakes (high point open horse) for his first ride and completed the year with five firsts and one third for a total of six rides. When Country Gold began his career he was surrounded by many good Arabian horses. Having a Missouri Fox Trotter horse compete was considered an impossible task since Arabians were believed to be stronger with more endurance. Country Gold proved this untrue as he quietly moved into the winning ranks. There were times his rider had to convince the judges his horse was not lame, but was actually doing a fox trot. Today, most rides have many Missouri Fox Totters and judges understand the horses’ gait. Country Gold competed in open for nine years and during this time won all of the awards NATRC offered. He earned nine national championships in nine years with a record of 43 firsts and 22 seconds out of 80 rides. He accomplished this when points were deducted for Gold, continued on page 18 SAM SCISM 5019 Highway 67 South, Park Hills, MO 63601 800-698-3177 www.samscismfordlm.com 16 • Missouri Equine Issues 2011 Missouri Equine Issues 2011 • 17 Snortin’ Horse Studio Artist Melanie Stoltz Brown www.snortinhorse.net [email protected] 573-808-0584 • 573-687-2343 DRY CREEK RANCH AND STABLES BOARDING • LOCAL/LONG DISTANCE TRANSPORT EQUINE MASSAGE • RESCUE LARRY HARRISON 13493 CO. 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DOHC suspension •• 16.4 cu.3-cyl. ft. cargo boxengine 812 cc, DOHC engine Double wishbone • Starting at $11,199 suspension Double suspension Double wishbone ••• 16.4 cu.wishbone ft. cargo box • 50-HP*, 44 MPH suspension • 16.4 cu. ft. cargo box suspension ••• 16.4 16.4 cu. ft. cargo box Starting at $11,199 cu. cargo • 812 cc, •3-cyl. 16.4DOHC cu. ft. ft.engine cargo box box • Starting at • Starting at $11,199 50-HP*, 44$11,199 MPH • Double•wishbone •• 50-HP*, 44 MPH • 50-HP*, 443-cyl. MPH suspension 812 cc, DOHC engine 812 cc, 3-cyl. DOHC engine • 16.4 cu.•• ft. box • 812 cc,cargo 3-cyl. DOHC engine Double wishbone • Double wishbone suspension • Double wishbone suspension suspension • 16.4 cu. ft. cargo box • 16.4 ft. cargo • 16.4 cu. cu. ft. cargo boxbox Gold, continued from page 16 pulse and respiration counts above 12 and 6 respectively. Now pulse and respiration thresholds are more lenient at 12 and 9. Country Gold achieved five top six Bev Tibbitts Grand Championship placings winning it in 1991 and again in 1995. Country Gold won the President’s Cup (Sweepstakes Award) in 1994, along with the Jim Menefee Memorial Award (combined horse/horsemanship), National Overall Heavyweight horse, the National Overall Heavyweight Horsemanship (Bruce Becker Memorial) and National High Point Missouri Fox Trotter in 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, and 1994. In 1996, Country Gold was inducted into the NATRC Hall of Fame and is the only stallion presented this award. Country Gold continued to win numerous regional and national awards. At the end of the 1997 ride season, Country Gold was retired with total competition distance equalling a whopping 5,050 miles. Along with NATRC showings, Country Gold also pulled a carriage in weddings and showed in many parades. During one special Christmas parade he was a “reindeer” pulling Santa’s sleigh. Ten-point antlers were attached to his bridle. On July 5, 2010, Country Gold showed signs of colic and his vet was immediately called to the farm. He was examined and treated. Although he showed signs of improvement, the next morning Country Gold passed away due to a twisted intestine. This great horse is no longer running in the pasture with his golden sorrel color shining in the sunlight. He is no longer running up to a feed bucket for his special ration. His descendants, though, carry on his winning tradition. There is something about the magnificence of a horse that is good for a man’s soul. It is said that a man is lucky to be able to ride one good horse in his lifetime. Country Gold was such a horse. Since his retirement, his offspring have earned 32 championships. Country Gold has a heritage that will continue for years to come. Paula R. 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