By Catherine Daylong


degrees, clean, sweet air - you should bring a wrap - a jacket. Your favorite horse is already bedded down - not far. Your tack is completely ready for to- morrow. Dinner was delicious - cabrito, brisket, the freshest greens. There is a warm fire - you feel cradled into the very arms of Texas. Imagine that very


scene and a full moon rising be- hind a silhouette of ancient oak limbs. A nighttime cobalt sky is speckled with diamond chips, and the warm sun is finally vanquished by the hills. Out of place, but brilliant in your ears, a violinist pulls his bow down the strings, up in a burst, and the notes soften into “Edelweiss”. That was the reality,


adventure horse...Do you have one? Imagine this: its 63


become a TV star is generally slim unless you are blessed with a George Strait voice or want to become fleetingly famous for having an accent. I think we would all really be proud if this RFD-TV/ACTHA show would portray something a little closer to home and to the heart of America than what we often see.


not a dream that I found myself in the evening of Saturday March 19, 2011 at Adventure Horse Ranch. Fittingly we were in Utopia... Texas.


usually about 6 miles long. Along the way you and your horse will encounter judged obstacles that will test you and your horse’s ability to deal with the environment which may include bridges, gates, noises, water, jumps, hills, etc. You can select your horse’s skill level from Junior, Pleasure or Open divisions. And there is a Buddy division for participants that just want to ride a new trail. So what type of horse


ACTHA rides are


Watch for “Luau”, the Adventure Horse that will be competing for top honors on the nationally tele- vised RFD-TV, ACTHA trail ride.


excels at an ACTHA event? A quick answer is a versatile, will-


Ranch does have a promis- ing, home bred hopeful that will compete in the upcoming National ACTHA. Luau, yes pronounced like the Hawaiian feast, is a 2007 blue roan geld- ing. You Polo savvy readers may remember his grand dam, the incredible Elegante from Steve Gose’ Polo string at Re- tama. His sire is the AQHA stallion, Blueberry Hombre. Luau will be presented by trainer Teryn Muench. This horse has al-


find yourself with your horse often?


point with your horse that you are ready to break from the day to day arena work, the grind of hauling to those weekend after weekend point shows. Perhaps burned out on those same dusty venues but do enjoy the camaraderie of other horse people and perhaps a tad of competition? Maybe you have a pasture ornament horse that you are ready to spend more time with. Or perhaps you are finally able to do a little travel- ing - still a horseman at heart, and would like to see some of the most beautiful places in the United States? Oh Lucky Us! ACHTA (American Competitive Trial Horse Assoc) is helping to bridge the gap between horse lovers that have limited acres to ride and generous families who would share, with like minded people, the lands that they have preserved and protected for so long.


then you will already be familiar with ACTHA events. If you visit their website (www.achta. us ), I bet there are 3 or more ranches within a 5 hour drive of your zip code that are welcom- ing well mannered guests and their trail ready horses this very weekend.


seen promotions for an upcom- ing RFD-TV reality show that will follow favorite horses and their riders. I’m sorry but as horse people, ranchers and rural families, our chances to


adventure horse ranch


competitive trail ride results


from 3/19/11 ride Junior Division: 1st


Moffett riding Magic Manz. Open Division: 1st


Place – J.W. Yeary riding Boon- town Shorty. 2nd


Place – Emily


Place – T.J. Corgill riding Face It Im Chilly. 2nd


Dodson riding Megs Taris Jew- el. 3rd


Vail riding Maya. 5th riding Denver. 4th


– James Nash riding Chance. 6th


1st


Cutter Belle. Pleasure Division:


Who Shorty. 6th


– Sherry Garrett riding Beau. 5th


Gonzalez riding Slim.


Place – Cody Yeary riding Place – Jessica


Taylor riding Spider. 4th


Johnson riding Sheza Genu- ine Blonde. 3rd


ing Hondo. 2nd Place – Pamela Rice riding


Place – Dawn Spangler rid- Place – Nickie


Place - Julie Place


Trainer, Teryn Muench and Holly Muench enjoy the view at McMahon- Bowman Ranch in Utopia, Texas


Visit us at: www.HorseGazette.com


18675 Marbach Lane San Antonio, TX 78266


Place – Joe Mike Johnson Place – Carol Place


Place – Mary


The Yeary family from Batesville, Texas made an excellent showing in several divisions. Note the handwoven platter created from the heart of the Sotol plant found on the ranch that was awarded to JW Yeary for his 1st place win in the Junior Division.


• General Medicine • Surgery • Reproduction • Dentistry • Therapeutics


• Acupuncture • Endoscopy • Advanced Digital Radiography • High Digital Ultrasonography • Lab Services


Phone: 210-651-6202 Fax: 210-651-1557


Emergency Contact Day or Night: 210-651-6202


www.BrackenEquine.com 8 am - 6pm Monday-Friday Page 7


Saturday: By Appt. Only Most recently I have


Winner of the Open Division, TJ Corgill of Happy Heart Ranch, Pipe Creek, TX, receives a crystal trophy and rosette from Audrey Tomlin.


10 x 20 Run-in Shed 34 x 22 Aisle Barn Maybe you are to the Is this where you


ing partner. Jamie and Margaret McMahon of Adventure Horse Ranch have specifically focused their breeding and training pro- gram on producing a true partner for their clients. That match, that perfect bond between horse and rider is what makes a suc- cessful 10+ score in ACHTA rides.


McMahons have boldly decided to focus on the finished prod- uct: the horsemen’s partner. With Margaret’s background in Hunter/Jumper, the heart of the Thoroughbred is the basis of their breeding pro- gram. And partnered with the sturdy, trusty, agile character- istics of other breeds plus the upbringing the horses receive on the ranch, the Adventure Horse program is producing “the good horse” that is perfect for your next adventure.


Forward thinking, the


ready partnered up with riders of all skill levels for many great Adventures – (See Luau’s page at www.adventurehorses.com). From cow work to swimming in the Llano and Sabinal Riv- ers and playing with kayaks to driving lessons. Sounds incred- ible enough? Well Luau has a bigger story: Luau recently lost an eye. No doubt the McMa- hon’s have many other horses that could step into Luau’s shoes (forgive the pun). Several in training with Teryn that would fit the bill perfectly. That has not been a consideration at Ad- venture Horse Ranch. Owner and trainer agree, Luau with one eye will do just fine. If you want a home


Adventure Horse


MDBARNMASTER, KOOL & KALM FEED, VICTOR DOG FOOD,


Non Toxic Flies Be Gone and coming soon...


St. Georges Trailers!


THE HORSE GAZETTE


We offer many more fine equine products!


Hours: Monday - Thursday 1pm - 6pm • Saturday 10am - 4pm Saddle Fittings by appointment.


Bowman premier ACTHA ride went so well, there are plans of an upcoming ride at the Adventure Horse Ranch in mid October. The weather should be beautiful. Perhaps the violinist will join us again. See you there!! Links www.adventure-


horses.com and www.achta.us. 12 x 48 Shed Row If you watch RFD-TV


town hero to root for in the upcoming nationally televised competition, Luau is your guy! Since the McMahon-


Saddle Fitting & Reflocking Visit us at www.CapstoneSaddlery.com


REPAIRS: English & Western 512-466-5301


8 x 10 Run-In Shed


Serving Texas & Surrounding States Delivery


www.deercreekstables.com (254) 546-2276


10x28 with 8’ Tack


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