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n I read with interest your "Cut to the Quick" article by Pat Payne (September/October issue). Last year at an "A" rated show in Ohio, despite the fact that our aisles were roped off clearly designating a "do not enter" sign, one of the competitors ducked under the ropes fifteen minutes after he had watched us leave the grounds to go to our hotel at about 11:00 p.m. Luckily, one of our interns was in the tack stall and, upon hearing someone in the aisle, came out and confronted him. This same competitor returned at 2:00 a.m. the same night only to be chased away again by our intern who luckily was awake and on the ball. We have no doubt that anyone visiting horses that do not belong to them in the middle of the night under cover of darkness is up to no good. When we spoke with the state police patrolling the
grounds the next morning, they told us that our intern should have immediately contacted them to report this. Unfortunately, even with police presence, the same folks who would brazenly enter a stall of a horse they do not own in the middle of the night, seem to have no fear of being caught, even with police or security about. Vicky Castegren says in the article, "It’s not like we can sleep in the stalls with our horses every night." That is exactly what we do, or, in many cases, you will see owners or staff sleeping outside the stall doors on cots. We agree that to abuse, hurt or sabotage another person’s horse is unsportsmanlike, but it is also illegal. It is ultimately up to individual owners to protect their horses both at home and on the road.
Ann Egan, North Point Farm, Litchfield, CT
n Your article in September/October about starting young horses was fantastic, not because my husband Joe and I were in it, but because it was informative and pointed out how hard it is to find a good trainer. It's just Horsemanship, keeping a horse forward, straight and calm, giving them a foundation. I don't understand why so many owners/trainers don't understand that you can't hurry time. For many it's all about results, blue ribbons and performance…I feel sorry for the horses. I am not so sure about Jos Sevriens’ idea of a standardized
program for trainers of young horses, especially in this country where there are so many disciplines. Who would set the standards? People like Jos and Joe? Anyone can hang their hat as a trainer. I understand the need for a set standard here, but don’t see how it would be implemented. I’m afraid I don’t have answers, only questions. Anyway, thank you again for publishing the article. Patty Forest, Horton’s Farm, Grantham, NH
12 November/December 2012
Letters toWT
T
n First, I'd like to begin by saying I love Warmbloods Today magazine… I can't wait to get it when it comes in the mail. Second, I’d like to point out that the caption for the horse "Bon Aventure" on page 74 of September/October in the article about training young horses is inaccurate: she is not owned by Branscomb Farms. Bon Aventure was purchased "in utero" in 2008 from Branscomb Farms, the breeder, and was a Christmas gift to my daughter, Britney Lockman, before she foaled. My daughter (age 16) is very excited to see her filly's picture in WT, but I only wish that you had listed Britney as the owner. It would have been a source of pride to Britney and me to see her name next to her horse's picture. Is it possible to correct this information in the next issue? And finally, I am glad your article included the trainer
Jose Alejos. Bon Aventure is a powerful 17-hand, three-year old who was the most difficult young horse for Jose to start at Branscomb Farms. She knows she's big and uses that knowledge to her advantage. Jose taught her manners and even put my daughter on her after he had ridden her three to four times. I was not worried, because Jose had turned her from a tiger to a kitten in that time. I took the picture of him jumping over the red brick fence. I was in disbelief that in one week he'd have jumped with her in addition to the walk, trot, canter, gallop, lead changes, etc. I would never want anyone else to start my horses. Thank you. Patty Lockman, San Carlos, CA
Dear Patty, we apologize for the error. Our photo source was evidently incorrect. Here is Bon Aventure, owned by Britney Lockman, ridden by Jose Alejos Vonesh. – WT staff
Patty Lockman
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