THE HORSE GAZETTE music and horses at bel canto farms On Saturday, July


10th, Bel Canto Farms in Drip- ping Springs will host an open house with a dual purpose--to celebrate its fifth year of op- eration and to benefit KMFA, the classical radio station serving the Central Texas area. The public is invited. Bel Canto’s owner, Su- zanne Warmack, is a dynamo of energy who regularly combines her love of horses with classical music. The benefit will offer food, music and wine. Recently she slowed down long enough to answer some questions.


was a lot of fun even though I fell off a lot. I actually won a prize for falling off more than anyone in the barn. It was a years’ supply of carrots.


Before too long...and


after lots of embarrassing falls, I started riding with Tommy Ma- cIntyre. I showed ponies (never owned one until a few years ago) and rode just about anything that he’d tell me to ride. You can imagine; I rode some pretty rank horses...and some pretty nice ones too. I rode with Richard Zimmerman for a couple of Sum-


partment at the time. We moved to Corpus


Christi, Texas when I was about 18. There were very few hunter- jumper people down there at the time but I managed to find a few. I bought a young horse and started him. Over the years, I bought more greenies and sold them down there. When I was at UT, I


worked at Black Acre Stable for Kurth and Bushie Sprague. It was a great gig. It was back then that I thought “some day...I’ll do this for myself.” A few years and many


green horses later, I bought Ste- vie Ray (Happy). He was 2-1/2 years old when I bought him. I kept him for 16 years. He was a great horse. I showed him in the jumpers for many years. When he got older, I could put a little kid on him or a novice adult and he’d take great care of them! Horses like that are worth their weight in gold! In Texas, I rode with


Where are you from and how did you get into horses? I’m originally from


Wayne, Illinois. My family had race horses way before I was even a thought. Oddly, I’m the only one in the family who ever rode at all. My mom told me that they took me to the track one day when I was about 18 months old and I kept reaching my arms out for the horses. My dad got the “brilliant idea” of letting me sit in front of the jockey in the Winners’ Circle. That was it! Mom said I was addicted from that point on. Our neighbors had ponies and they would bring them over to our yard and let me ride them but I didn’t start lessons, formally, until I was about 6. Mom told me I practi-


cally drove her nuts until then because horses were the only thing I wanted to talk about. I also wore out my rocking horse. I used to have one of those horses with springs that everyone had in the ‘60s. I rode it so much I wore out the springs and she had to get me a new one. I also used to pretend that my bike was a horse and rode it everywhere.


What is your “formal” riding/ training education? I started taking lessons


when I was six from a family friend. Her parents used to co- own some race horses with us. It


Point Buckle Classes - Select Amateur Western Pleasure Select Amateur Reining - must show to all judges.


APHA World Show Warm Up Special Events with Judges Randy Alderson and John Pipkin: visit www.gvqhba. com for list of classes. FMI contact Show Managers Bob or Delle Rohmer at 210-635- 7819 or visit www.gvqhba. com.


June 26-28


ster20032003@yahoo.com or visit www.ranchoconbrio. com.


June 28


Youth $30/team. Jackpot for Open and Novice. Awards


for Youth. Youth may use an adult working the gate, but adult can’t work the cattle. FMI call Diane Wetz at 830- 739-4883.


June 26


Riding Clinic with Jere John- Page 22


Team Sorting, 283 Eques- trian Drive, Fredericksburg, TX. Books open at 5:30 - ride at 6:30. Open $40/ team. Novice $30/team.


contact Cyndi Funk at 830- 336-3831, email: funk-


Two day riding clinic plus a lesson day with Peggy Cummings, Rancho con Brio, Boerne, TX. FMI


Free entry in Open Western Pleasure and Open Halter for Amateur and Youth.


to all judges - tie breaker judge. Select Amateur High


mers too. I spent my Summers going to horse shows. When I was about 12,


my parents moved me to Lamp- light Equestrian Center. At that time, it was a Dressage facility... not the big show facility it is now. I affectionately refer to that period as having been “banished to the Dressage stable” as there were few kids there my age. It actually turned out t be a good thing because I learned so much! I’ll never forget the night we moved there. My dad came with me and we were watching the head trainer, Bodo Hagen, work- ing one of his horses. It was awe inspiring. He was so much a part of the horse that he looked like a Centaur. I told my dad that that was how I wanted to ride. One of the other train-


ers, while an excellent Dres- sage trainer, also showed Open Jumper. I’ll never forget going to shows with him and watching him jump this horse that was blind in one eye and winning. This was probably the first time I ever saw a jumper that looked sane (remember, this was back in the ‘70s when jumpers were just plain ol’ crazy). This horse went around a smoothly as a hunter and was just amazing! I fox hunted in Illinois


and Wisconsin a lot growing up. I also was a Pony Clubber up until I went off to Sweet Briar. Paul Cronin was the head of the De-


son, Natural Remuda Equine Learning Center, Utopia, TX. FMI call 830-966-6119, email: jdmcjohnson@sw-


texas.net or visit naturalre- mudaequinelearningcenter. com.


All Breed Open Horse Show, Stockdale Arena, Stockdale, TX. Show to benefit Osborne Stables Equine Rescue.


Show Dates: 3/6, 4/3, 5/22, 6/26, and 7/10 at Stockdale Arena. 10/9, 11/6 and 12/4 location to be announced. FMI call 210-287-3136 or visit www.osbornestablese- quinerescue.org to pre-reg- ister.


2010 Playday Buckle Series, Comal County Sheriff’s


Events: Straights, Cloverleaf, Poles and Ring the Pole.


Negative Coggins required. FMI call Kelly Silvers at 210-274-1983 or visit www. ccspevents.com.


Show Series, Boerne (Leon Springs), TX. Series dates: 5/8, 6/26 and 8/21. Dres-


In The Irons Equestrian Center Summer School


High point at each playday in each age group. End of series placing up to 4th.


date 7/31. Books open from 4pm - 6pm. PeeWee starts at 5pm. Events: Straights, Cloverleaf, Flag Race, Poles and Baseball. Pee Wee


Posse Arena, Seguin, TX. Se- ries dates 3/27, 4/24, 5/22, 6/26, 7/24 Finals, Rain


Colonel Russell, Janet Christie, and Charles McDaniel...all of whom I hold in high regard. I have a couple of Dressage men- tors like Reinhard A. Dorsch and Marisa Hogan. (Marisa was one of the people I met in Corpus 30+ years ago...she’s in Bulverde now.)


What is your favorite type of horse to work with? I don’t have a favorite


breed or color. I think the horses I’m riding right now are my favorites. I’m fortunate enough to be riding a wonderful Friesian who is teaching me a lot. He’s a ball to ride too. He is such a character, and everyone who sees him at my farm, falls in love with him. He even has his own Facebook page--Atlas’ Fan Page! I have a couple of young horses I’m starting that are delightful. I think my favorite horses are happy ones who want to please... more than a specific breed or color.


What type of riding do you teach?


I teach primarily Hunt-


er-Jumper, but all of the flatwork I teach is Dressage-oriented.


Describe your unusual mix of classical music along with your strong interest in the horses. Well, that’s an inter-


esting one (maybe). Mom started me on piano when I was 4 on the recommendation of a family friend. He observed that I was al- ways singing and drumming and making “music” of some sort. When I started riding, getting or finding a rhythm with the horse was pretty natural for me.


trophies for first. High Point awards. Leadline class. FMI call Jill Ammann at 830-446- 9312, email: jill@gvtc.com or visit www.intheironse- questriancenter.com.


- shows you how to interact positively and correctly


your horse behaves the way he does, but how to fix it. This clinic covers several common behavior issues. $100. July 17 - Overcom- ing Spooks Desensitization Clinic - Teaches you how to “bombproof” your horse


kaylon@knptraining.com or visit: www.knptraining.com.


June 27 - July 3


Blue Streak Stables Summer Horsemanship Mini Session, Blue Streak Stables, Seguin, TX. Two Week Camp. FMI call 830-372-1677, email: rideahorse@bluestreak-


while gaining trust and re- spect. $100. FMI call Kaylon at 361-648-1055, email:


with your young horse, and how to prepare for riding. $100. July 10: Trailer Load- ing, Problem Horse Clinic - teaches you not only why


KnP Training Summer Series, Independence Park, Gonzales, TX. Training Series Dates: 6/26, 7/10 and 6/17. June 26: Train- ing for a Bright Future


sage Schooling Show Series. Intro through Fourth Levels. Judge for the shows: Judy Campbell-Urban. Ribbons through 6th place and


is customized and hands on. I don’t put people together unless they have similar skills. I also try to find something relatable to life away from the horses and bring it into the learning situation. I like to have my rid-


ers ride in pairs, side by side to


stables.com or visit www. bluestreakstables.com.


June 27 - July 10


Blue Streak Stables Sum- mer Horsemanship Short Session, Blue Streak Stables, Seguin, TX. FMI call 830-372-1677, email: rideahorse@bluestreak- stables.com or visit www. bluestreakstables.com.


June 27- July 24


Blue Streak Stables Sum- mer Horsemanship Regular Session, Blue Streak Stables, Seguin, TX. Four Week Camp. FMI call 830-372- 1677, email: rideahorse@ bluestreakstables.com or visit www.bluestreakstables. com.


July 2-3


UPRA Rodeo United Profes- sional Rodeo Association, Wilbarger County Events Center, Vernon, TX. FMI call 940-552-7362.


July 3


provide personal attention so reserve early. Meals & re- freshments provided. If you need lodging, please contact us for a list of facilities. FMI call 940-231-8434 or email: thx1948@yahoo.com.


Bertram Team Penning Club


Fort Worth, TX. 8am - 5 pm. Clinic participation $250 per person, $300 with horse. Spaces limited to


Ted Turner Halter Clinic,


instance because they are often afraid to let go of their fear. So we may end up spending a lot more time doing slow work and build- ing upon it. With kids, I have put them on a longe line and asked them to sing me a song. Before too long, they are singing and


Practice, Blue Bonnet Arena, Burnet, TX. 6pm. Members $5 per ride. Non-Members $7 per ride. Kids under 13, first 3 rides free. $2.50 and $3.50 thereafter. FMI call 512-556-0958 or visit: www.bertramteampenning. com.


July 4-10


Blue Streak Stables Summer Horsemanship Mini Session, Blue Streak Stables, Seguin, TX. One Week Camp. FMI call 830-372-1677, email: rideahorse@bluestreak- stables.com or visit www. bluestreakstables.com.


July 5-9


safe environment. FMI call 936-632-4455, email: ruth@ rkeequestriancenter.com or visit www.rkeequestrian- center.com.


July 5-10


Intermediate Horse Camp, In The Irons Equestrian Center, Boerne (Leon Springs), TX. 9am - 2pm Monday - Friday, Saturday show starts at 9am. Riders must be confidently posting the trot and ready to start cantering. Saturday is a fund


Beginner Horse Camp #2, R.K.E. Equestrian Center, Lufkin, TX. Monday through Friday day camp. 8:30 am - 11:30 am. This camp is for the beginning rider with limited riding experience. This camp will learn more about the horse in a fun


I have a goal of riding


a Musical Freestyle. I think it will happen in the not too distant future. I’d like to do that to live Chamber Music! I’ve watched a lot of tests on YouTube and the one thing that strikes me funny is the music they use. I’m sure this will offend some when I say that it is pretty cheesy! The rid- ing that I’ve observed has been Fantastic. They deserve a better choice of music! Currently, I play violin


with the Starlight Symphony and play in a quartet. I have yet to try playing my violin from the back of a horse. People ask me about that all of the time! Given that my violin is an an- tique, I won’t be trying that any time soon!


Is there anything you have observed at the shows you’d like changed? Or would like to applaud?


I’m thrilled that The


Hunter Derby is catching on. It reminds me of how we used to show hunters years ago. Both the horses and the riders have to do more than just put in 8 identically executed jumps. It is much more challenging! You can thank Tommy MacIntyre for getting these going! I don’t have a derby horse right now, but I’m hoping one of my new ones will become one eventually.


What type of students do you tend to have--kids, adult ama- teurs, and older adults? I have all of the above.


But mostly, the people who ride with me really want to ride cor- rectly and are willing to work at it.


How do you scale your lessons for each age group? I teach mostly private


and small groups...so each lesson


away at it. If the person had a terrifying experience somewhere, I usually get them to tell me about it and help them slowly rebuild confidence by reinforc- ing good experiences. Adults are a bit harder than children in this


What are your future goals? My near future plans


are for capital improvements like covering my Dressage Arena and building out a second barn. I plan on showing


more in both Hunter-Jumper and Dressage. I would like to put on a Musical Freestyle exhibition/ fundraiser to live music. I need to get several people who want to... and are able to do it...together. I’m keeping my eyes


peeled for another big jumper! To contact Suzanne


about lessons or the July 10th open house, call (512) 797-1178 or email suzannewarmack@ yahoo.com. Bel Canto Farms website can be found at: www. belcantofarms.com.


Top left photo: Su-


zanne & Danzig. Photo by Helge Alsguth. Top right photo: Su- zanne on Zoolander with Dres- sage Instructor Reinhard A. Dorsch. Photo by Eric Venditi. Suzanne and Stevie Ray. Photo by O’Neil’s Photography.


“End of Camp Horse Show”. FMI call Jill Ammann at 830- 446-9312, email: jill@gvtc. com or visit www.intheiron- sequestriancenter.com.


July 8-10


Rosenberg, TX. FMI call 866- 4-MUSTANGS or visit www. blm.gov/nm.


July 9-11


San Antonio Area Miniature Horse Show, San Antonio Rose Palace, San Antonio, TX. FMI call 210-698-3300.


July 10


versary / Open House to benefit KMFA Classical 89.5 FM, 3901 Mt. Gainor Road, Dripping Springs. TX. 6pm - 9:30pm. Live music, food and libations. FMI call 512- 797-1178, email: suzan-


newarmack@yahoo.com or visit www.belcantofarms. com.


Call before you haul.


Don’t forget your Coggins papers!


Send your events to


horsegazette@satx.rr.com or fax to


210-699-9928. Visit us at: www.HorseGazette.com Bel Canto Farms Anni-


Adopt a Wild Horse or Bur- ro, Fort Bend Fairgrounds,


By Ingrid Edisen © 2010


music. We did a lot of that when I was in Pony Club. It is fun, especially when riding to music! Everyone seems to enjoy the challenge of staying together. It is much harder than it sounds.


How do you deal with a fearful situation?


Keep it simple and


low pressure. Each one of these situations is different. You have to try to find the root of the fear before you can help someone work through it. If it is “fear of the unknown,” you keep things simple and methodically chip


trotting (or even cantering) and they have forgotten to be afraid.


Is there any advice you may have for somebody looking to either get into the business or simply buy a horse? Time and again, I’ve


had people call me who went out and bought a horse on their own and they find out that it is way too much horse for them or their child. They would be money ahead working with a profes- sional that they trust, to find the right horse.


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