June 07 Paddock Paper

“Remembering Packer John Card"
It was up on the Yellowstone
The first time that we met.
I was just a young Fire Guard
But I still remember yet.

He asked if I could wrangle.
I says, "I've cinched my share,
You just tell me where you want' em
And I'll try to have 'em there."

He kinda smiled as he looked me over
And I was scared he'd call my bluff,
Then on the spot he shock my hand,
Said, "I need a swampier, sure enough.

Well, I worked that summer on the back trails,
And on into the fall,
My days spent learning the packer's craft
And riding mighty tall.

I made all the mistakes a young hand makes,
And was the cause of a laugh or two,
But John said I was doing just fine,
And might make a packer when summers through.

Well, I left that fall, and over the years
I jerked my share of lash ropes,
And along the way honed my skills enough
That I became more than I could hope.

Well, John died that next spring and it broke my heart
To know that he was gone,
But I'll bet he's packing yet
Out there in that great beyond.

Why, I'll bet Johns head packer
Where his mules are branded BY N BY,
Cause that ol' man had the heart of a packer,
You could see it in his eyes.

I worked the Yellowstone three or four times,
As the seasons were passing on,
I began to notice over the years
That my best days were finally gone.

Then the memories start to weigh on me,
Like the packs I loaded on those ol' mules,
Tears well in my eyes and start to roll down the cheeks
Of this damned sentimental old fool.

"Thank You John."

Guest Speaker
An informative presentation was put on by equine dentist Phil Ratliff, accompanied by Barbara Truex, DVM, out of Tuscon, AZ. He explained how problems with the teeth and TMJ can cause stiffness all over, resistance in either direction, not to mention eating and digestive problems. If a horse has pain or discomfort on the right side of his face, he will bend easily to the right because it doesn’t hurt, but when asked to bend to the left, pressure is put on the right side of his face and he resists. If this pain persists, he will attempt to compensate and discomfort can extend to his right shoulder; then his diagonal left hind, and before long, he’s in need of a chiropractor on account of his mouth. Several members in attendance had appointments earlier in the day. You can contact Phil at The Rite Bite LLC, 520-490-8383 (cell) or 520-625-7067 (office). Keep trying, he’s hard to get a hold of.

Calendar of Events
Monthly meetings are held the last Wednesday of the month (excluding September and December) at the Plaza South Side Café, 3011 Cerrillos Rd. at 7 p.m. Speaker begins at 7:30 p.m. Good idea to get there by 6:30 if having dinner. For more info contact Eldon or Sandy.

June 16 – Ridge Riders – Caja del Rio at 9:00 a.m.

June 20-23 – Provide stalls for Rodeo de Santa Fe contestants. Need lots of volunteers to help with this, mornings, afternoons and evenings.

June 20-23 – Mule Ride Whittington Center

June 27 – Member Meeting. Guest Speaker: Dave Copher: Rodeo Clown Extrordinaire!

July 8 – NNMHA Open Show. Judge: Shantel Sexton. 9am start. Lots of beginner rider classes. 10 and under, Novice rider (all walk/trot), Youth and Adult classes. Over 35 fun classes in English and Western Riding. High Point of the Day Division Prizes, High Point of the Year Youth and Adult Buckles. Ribbons 1st–6th. Susan Stanke Show Secretary 699-5326 suemome@aol.com

July 21 – 22, Saturday and Sunday – Cowhorse Clinic with Blue Allen at the NNMHA arena. 8:00 – Noon and 12:30 – 4:30. Lot's of time on the cow. Rating, boxing, and fencing (if you prove ready for that). Excellent opportunity to introduce your horse to working with cows or continue to learn how to make it work out just right. Individual attention. 3 slots left in each afternoon. Call Sandy 424-7529 or cell 920-2497 $140 per session (includes cow and arena fee)

August 18 – Saturday Caja del Rio Endurance Ride. See Other Activities Around Town webpage. This ride will benefit signage in the Caja. Will need volunteers and donations. Trail map of the Caja is available at various local stores.

August 19 – Sunday NNMHA Open Show. 9am start. Lots of beginner rider classes. 10 and Under, Novice Rider, Youth and Adult Division classes. Over 35 fun classes in English and Western Riding. Contact Susan Stanke 699-5326 suemome@aol.com

September 23 – Sunday 2:30pm NNMHA Play Day. At the arena (FREE) and BBQ ($10)

Other Equine Activities
Be sure to check out our Show Dates webpage for other fun events to attend.

Clinics at Horses First with Jennifer Humphreys in Abiqui, NM horsesfirst@newmexico.com http://www.horsesfirst.com
Saturday June 16 – An Extraordinary Clinic – Ponying
Sunday July 1 – Equine First Aid

Saturday, June 16 – Preparing for Reining Competition with Shantel Sexton 231-0545 in Eldorado

Saturday, August 18 – Caja del Rio Endurance ride – benefit for the Caja trail fund

Officers
President: Eldon Reyer laespuela2@msn.com 466-6280
Vice President & Webmaster: Sandy Benson sandybenson@earthlink.net 424-7592
Secretary: Donna Ketcheson dketches5@hotmail.com 471-1980 and 310-3896 (cell)
Treasurer: Lori Daggett mldpac95@msn.com 471-2569 (cell)
Show Secretary: Susan Stanke Suemome@aol.com 699-5326
Newsletter Editor: Trish Hug trishhug@aol.com 471-7667

Membership
Memberships are $20/individual and $25/family (max. 5). Download application at www.nnmha.com click on membership. Print, sign and send with a check to NNMHA, PO Box 4124, Santa Fe, NM 87502 or call/email Sandy 424-7592.

Your NNMHA membership card entitles you to receive the Paddock Paper, reduced fees for shows and stall rentals, and the use of the facilities on Rodeo Road (schedule permitting). Only members are allowed to ride on the grounds (except at shows). Call Barbara Rogers, 24 hour Caretaker to arrange for stall rental 471-6654.

Advertisements
Ads will run for only two issues, unless we are otherwise notified. For Sale Items will be posted for two months or so. The other listings stay on for longer.

Boarding Opportunities:
Arrowhead Ranch - Quality boarding space available for your horse. 3 riding arenas, jump and trail courses, friendly atmosphere, large turnouts. Full service care. 3 miles west of Santa Fe Plaza on W. Alameda. 424-8888.

Horses for Sale/Lease:
Snowalker Stables of Tesuque, NM breeds, trains, purchases and sells competition horses for worldwide markets. In addition, Snowalker breeds and trains fine Tennessee Walker Horses for all purposes and disciplines. Owned and operated by Kathy Moore and Elliott Oppenheim, Snowalker always welcomes visitors and operates every day. For appointments: 820-0013; 820-1493; e-mail: snowalk@hotmail.com http://www.walking-horse.com/snowalker

3 year old black Arabian mare. She is 3/4 Arabian and 1/4 Saddlebred making her a National Show Horse. Beautiful head and correct confirmation. 15.1 hands. 4 year old Bay Arabian mare. She is a Echo Magnifficoo daughter out of Magic Dream. Under saddle, shown in halter as a 1 year old. 14.2 hands. See http://www.eldinarabianstud.com or call 505-983-2474 Patricia Vincent

Services:
Fine Equine art and portraits. 455-2624 or deirdre@swcp.com

Riding Lessons: Gettin' Started or Startin' over? Held at Arrowhead Ranch on W. Alameda. Call 424-7592

US IMMIGRATION LAW ATTORNEY Call and speak to an experienced attorney who understands your immigration problems James R. Vincent, Attorney at Law 505-603-4193 http://www.VincentImmigrationLaw.com Former Chief Counsel, Immigration and Custom Enforcement

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Check the website www.nnmha.com for updates to our calendar and ads.

Northern New Mexico Horsemen's Association

June 2007 Paddock Paper