Affiliate News


COMPETITIVE TRAIL NEWS IN THE SOUTHWEST


BUYING A TRAIL HORSE Contributed by Twylight Allison


With horses for sale everywhere, it can be


overwhelming to purchase one. First, you must be realistic in your abilities as a rider, and know your limits. Think about flaws in a horse that you can live or work with, and behaviors that are not acceptable to you. For example: trailer loading, ground manners, catching, neck reining, tying, herd behavior, or special dietary needs. Are you open to mares, or just geldings? After setting some parameters, it is time to start the search. When looking at a horse, you need to see


more than its riding abilities. If you choose to buy from an individual, ask the person to NOT have the horse caught when you come to look. Go through the whole routine with the horse-get- ting caught, being tied, fly sprayed, hooves picked, groomed, saddled, cinched, bridled, and finally stepping off after being saddled. Have the owner ride the horse for you at first. Look for any lameness and how the horse responds to the rider. Then, your turn! If all is well, take the horse to a trailer to load.


If you decide to buy the horse, schedule a pre- purchase exam from YOUR vet. Get a written contract that you have a 30-day trial period and be sure to ask about shots and current Coggins test results. Another good idea is to ask for refer-


Bits & Spurs Cont from page 25


Hannah Fountain (2D), and Joee Williamson (1D). Julie Williamson also won Open Poles.


Mid-Tex QHA’s 2017 open


show series awards banquet was held at Bell County Expo, Belton in Belton, December 16. There were 42 qualified class awards given, in- cluding 12 buckles, 1 saddle, $2,400 in cash prizes, and monogramed saddle covers, blankets, vests, and buckle frames. Lance Wilson took home the Ranch Horse AA trophy saddle that he won on Silky Kiss, owned by his sister, Suzanne Wilson Payne. Marissa Schurig and Purely Sensational won 2 titles, HP West-


ences from the person which you are buying, and follow up. There are good, honest people that sell horses, but, of course, there are dishonest peo- ple that only care about the bottom dollar. Going through a reputable rescue


is another option. Rescues have horses that are up to date on shots, and a va- riety of breeds. Of course, only miles, and miles make a reliable trail horse. After getting your perfect trail horse, it will be time to consider entering some competitive trail events. w


Griffin wore big smiles after a successful NCHA show year.


Mason and Chasity The association’s


2018 open show se- ries kicks off with a


double-judged show March 24 at Bell County Expo. www.mtqha.org.


Oklahoma State Uni-


versity’s equestrian team had 3 that graduated Decem- ber 16, including Mia Bray, Kaitlyn Arnold, and Jorden Davis.


ern Horse and Sr AA HP Western Horse. Meagan McCune and Frosted In Hollywood took the Youth AA Prize, while Emily Rolli- son and Romanced By The Bay won Novice AA. Celeste Abbe and De Bar Time were Leadline champions.


Texas A&M Univer-


sity equestrian team’s 3 December graduates were Rachel Lucht, Sarah McEntire, and Courtney Weisbart.


Capitol Area QHA’s 2018


leadership teamincludes President Janine Hess, VP Penny Reeves, 2nd


VP Kelly Haydon, Secretary Jessica Twohig, and Treasurer Deryl Abbe, plus Board Members Jeanette Abbe, Alison Cowden, Melanie Etter, Randy Schurig, Della St. Louis, and Marilyn Thornhill. Board Members Emeritus are Donna Arnett and Vicki Barker. CAQHA has 3 all- breed open shows and 3 all-breed ranch horse shows scheduled for 2018. fmi, www.caqha.com.


Texas QH Youth Associa-


tion’s 2018 officers are President Sarah Winters, VP Claire Lee, Sec- retary Jordan Davis, Treasurer Jacqueline Holliday, and Reporter Kalena Reynolds. Board members include Jaci Brown, Charles Lee, Madison Musser, Maddie Passmore,


January 2018 SouthWest Horse Trader


Continued on page 34 33


NATRC, AERC & TEXAS TRAIL CHAL- LENGE CLUB JOIN UP FOR AWARDS


The three most well-known and established trail competition


organizations in the Southwest have joined together to offer sev- eral trail “championship” series throughout the 2018 ride season. The first buckle series kicked off on December 9-10 at 7IL Trails in Cat Spring, Texas with the TTCC Christmas Caper, a 10-mile, 10-obstacle trail challenge. The TTCC event was followed by the AERC High Roller en-


durance races at 7IL on December 29-30 in which hundreds of competitive teams entered 25-, 50- and 75-mile competitions where the first to cross the finish line earns the most points. The final event is the NATRC Scamper on March 3-4 which offers one- and two-day options covering 18 to 60-mile options, de- pending on the division, with approximately 3-4 judged observa- tions each day. More information on series such as these can be found on the


organizations’ websites or by contacting Elaine Swiss on 830-825- 3032. w


Peter Yovich


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