THE RIDER SEPTEMBER 2010 HILLS OF HEADWATERS SPOTLIGHT /15 Rocky Mountain Horses


Robin Ogilvie with Rocky Mountain Horse Photos by Robin Stubbert


Rocky Mountain Horses originated in the early 1900s in the foothills of the Appalachian Moun- tains in eastern Ken- tucky. All Rocky Mountain Horses can trace their lineage back to the founding stal- lion, named Tobe who was owned by Mr. Sam Tuttle the original and most prominent breeder for the first three quarters of the century. His stallion Tobe began breeding saddle mares in the Appalachian mountain area. The offspring from these early breed- ings produced the first


is now known for: beauty, tem- perament and a smooth four beat lateral gait.


Rocky Mountain Hors- es. Word soon grew of this great horse and his characteristics and abilities of which he passed on to his descendants. Soon Tobe was highly


sought after not only in the area but servicing mares brought in from surrounding states. Tobe possessed the wonderful traits the distinct and recognized Rocky Mountain breed


Finally, Mystery At Saddle Creek Continues The Beloved Tale of “Sundancer”


Mystery At Saddle Creek by Shelley Peterson


Illustrations by Marybeth Drake


Key Porter Books


Soft cover fiction, 308 pages long


Shelley Peterson is the bestselling author of four young adult novels; Dancer, Abby Malone, Stagestruck and Sundancer.


She also works as an actress with more than 100 stage, film and TV credits to her name. She and her husband, David, divide their time between Toronto and Fox Ridge farm, where Shelly oper- ates a stable. They have three children and one grandson. The fictional novel, Mys- tery At Saddle Creek makes a smooth transition from Peter- son’s previous story, Sun- dancer, and takes place the summer after the first Book ended. Having read the first story is not a prerequisite but certainly adds to the enjoyment of this sequel and I highly rec- ommend reading them one right after the other. Both books are found in the young adult section, but are an enter- taining read for anyone who


and competing at horse shows and hanging out with their beloved aunt. Then the unthink- able happens in this small quiet town. The bloody body of a woman is found on the road by her car and a man was seen run- ning from the scene of the crime. When the witness provides a vague police sketch, rumour spreads


like wild fire about the attack and the attacker - suddenly everyone looks like the suspect. Bird, is a special young teen who was raised by Hannah at the farm until the end of last summer when her mother came back into her life. Although, Bird spent years being unable to talk, she has always been able to communicate with ani- mals telepathically. Therefore, animals are her closest friends and naturally, her equine partner, Sunny understands her better than any- one else. He is the challenging horse from Sundancer, whom she has a complicated but unshakable bond with. So, of course her four legged cohort is right by her side during the treacherous adven- ture she embarks on. That’s just as well, because she might not make it without him.


enjoys a good mystery or any type of horse stories. Peterson, a horse person herself, includes plenty of horse love, horse lingo, horse riding, horse shows and even a horse barn fire. The setting, again is at Saddle Creek ranch, outside a small quiet town in the Hills Of Headwaters region of Ontario. This is where Aunt Hannah lives.


Summer vacation has started and sisters, Bird and Julia are come for ten days of holiday to Saddle Creek Ranch. The girls are there for a safe happy haven of riding horses


looking stranger in the woods a threat and what could pos- sibly connect him to Bird? How is her grandfather, the dubious Kenneth Bradley involved? Is he genuinely con- cerned or is there another motive for his reappearance? Bird’s curious nature and protective instinct pulls her deeper into the mys- tery than she intend- ed. After a couple close calls, Bird is


Is the wild


not sure who is more danger- ous, the perpetrator at large, the mystery men tracking him down, or the group of vigi- lantes ferreting him out. WARNING: Mystery At Saddle Creek is full of suspense and mysteries - readers may find it hard to put down. Despite Saddle Creek being a cloak and dagger, edge of your seat, page turning cliff-hanger, Peterson’s fiction is really all


changed as a result. This invests the reader in the out- come of the story revolving around these imperfect beings. It is also why they become absorbed by the fear that these characters are in mortal danger. Peterson even manages to lift the veil on the tabu subject of mental illness. Not bad for a lit- tle paperback, not bad at all.


Help... my horse is stuck in reserve!


• Tips to get that winning edge - backed by the science of how horses think.


• Teaching both the hows and the whys of riding!


• Catch Lindsay's clinics at Can Am in London.


Lessons. Clinics. Show coaching.


about the charac- ters (2 and 4 legged), their struggles, their relationships with each other and with animals, especially the horses. Her gifted and sensitive writing style allows us to witness the progression each character we met in Sundancer has made on their own personal journeys and how all their relationships have


The Rocky Mountain Horse Association located in Lexington, Kentucky was found- ed in 1986 establishing the horse as a recognized American breed. Only horses registered with the RMHA can be identified as a Rocky Mountain Horse. Rocky Mountain Horses are the only American breed given a Certifi- cation Mark by the U.S. Patent and Trademark office. Quoted from the RMHA website: “The RMHA is a non-profit organiza- tion dedicated to the preservation, breeding, development and pro- motion of the Rocky Mountain Horse in which the natural gait breeds true.” The single one line that describes the characteristics and foundation of this breed has been and remains: “One Horse For all Occasions”.


Rockies possess a wonder- ful, easy-going temperament. They generally are not highly reactive horses with a kind and forgiving nature. They are con- sidered a medium size horse, breed registry running from 14.2hh to 16hh. Rockies are known for that beautiful choco- late body color with a white or flax mane and tail but they come in all solid colors. They are con- sidered “easy-gaited” horses, similar to other “easy-gaited” breeds such as the Paso Fino, Tennessee Walking Horse or Kentucky Mountain Horse. The four beat lateral gait is the same footfall as your walk with timing, speed and balance changing the horse offers a very smooth riding gait. The four beat gait called a single foot or rack should have an


even timing of 4 beats, you will be able to hear a distinct 1-2-3-4. The horse always has at least one foot on the ground at all times eliminating the moment of sus- pension and then concussion of the trotting horses. Rockies are sure footed on rough and chang- ing terrain and their quiet nature enables them to deal with outside stimuli that may cause others to react or spook.


As their trademark of “One Horse For all Occasions” suggest their versatility shows in their usage through the years and today. From farm horse pulling the plow, to driving their people to town in buggies, to incredible trail horses, to family horses, to show horses – the Rocky Moun- tain Horse can do it all. Add that to their beauty and temperament and we can only stand to benefit being around this beautiful breed. For more information contact the Rocky Mountain Horse Associa- tion at www.rmhorse.com


“Practical training for horses and riders.” Orangeville, Ontario


(519) 938-8815 • www.lgrice.com


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