August 2009 Paddock Paper
Northern New Mexico Horsemen's Association
President’s Message
What little rain we have been getting has helped with the arena. I want to alert all that we are planning a fun day Saturday, September 19. We have a list of fun games if anyone would like to help out organizing the games. Not much work, just helping out the day of the fun day. We think all you great cooks will come with your best dish for a covered dish at noon and bring your horse for the fun games. We will have a game or two for those that do not have a horse to bring. On another note, we will be renting stalls to the State High School rodeo on Friday, September 11 and 12. If anyone would like to spend Friday afternoon and evening helping me out at the grounds please let me know. The contestants are required to make reservations so I will know how many are coming and when they plan to arrive. There will be some “late” arrivals on Friday due to the travel time from the southern part of the state. I could use some company. One last alert. We are hearing about tack room break-ins of late so lock up your tack, keep an eye out for possible intruders etc. I also am looking for a “disk” replacement at the grounds. Our old one has about given out. Well, let’s enjoy the fellowship at the new meeting place. See you.Eldon
July Meeting Minutes and Announcements
- Rodeo stall rentals made $3000 for the club.
- Next NNMHA horse show is August 15; contact Mary Sexton to enter. Final horse show of the year is October 3
- NNMHA meeting location will change as Plaza Café is moving. August meeting will be held at RealBurger, located at 2239 Old Pecos Trail, adjacent to the Pecos Trail Inn, just down the road from the entrance to I-25. September will have our annual fun day. November meeting will be moved one week earlier to accommodate Thanksgiving, November 18th.
- Scholarship recipients Sara Czmyrid and Kendra Werner were recognized.
- Rancho de las Golondrinas Horses of the West Festival will be held August 1–2. John Carson, great great grandson to Kit Carson will be there as well as a Peruvian Paso show & a Carousel of Breeds.
- The Fall Mule & Donkey Ride will be held at the Whittington Center on August 21–23; contact Bob Larison for info.
July Speaker
The July guest speaker was NNMHA member, Clover Cochran. She was quite entertaining and informative about side saddle riding. Clover started riding when she was 12 or 13. Side saddles were originally perpendicular to the horse and ladies actually sat sideways on them. There are many different styles of sidesaddles including, but not limited to, Chara (Mexican), Andalusian (Spanish), Rail sidesaddle, Plantation sidesaddle (gaited horses), Western sidesaddle, Peruvian sidesaddle.
One of the key things needed to ride sidesaddle is a well trained horse since they will be receiving cues from only one side. Fitting a sidesaddle requires not only measurements of the horse but personal measurements of the rider as well.
Clover has travelled all over the world to gain her knowledge of riding side saddle. She has performed at the Foley’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Fiesta Parade in San Antonio, and the Rose Parade in Pasadena.
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 Betsy.
August 26 – Joanne L. Belasco will be unable to speak this evening; instead, Shelley Green will seize the opportunity to speak about the upcoming NATRC/AERC rides on Labor Day weekend.September 19 – NNMHA Fun Day!
October 28 – Eldon Reyer – an evening of cowboy poetry
November 18 (one week earlier, this month only) – Farrier Robert Holt with veterinarian Stuart McCall who have collaborated in the Santa Fe area for over 20 years, will speak on equine lameness. The role of the horse owner, veterinarian, and farrier will be discussed emphasizing the importance of working together for a successful outcome to a debilitating disease. Slides and videos will highlight x-rays, a foundered horse’s appearance and the shoeing systems available for application.
January 27, 2010 – Transitioning Mustangs to Domestication – Alicia Nation, president of the New Mexico Mustang and Burro Association, will talk about her experiences adopting BLM mustangs at Colorado BLM Facility and her process of transitioning the three horses she brought home to a domestic environment. Inspired by the encounter with the many gentle, willing and beautiful BLM horses awaiting homes, she founded the New Mexico Mustang and Burro Association (www.nmmba.org) and Shaking Wind Ranch (www.shakingwindranch.com) to educate people about the true nature of wild horses and their accessibility for the average horseperson.
In The News
Read the latest – awards received by NNMHA members, industry announcements, etc – In The News.NNMHA Open Shows
Our last show of 2009 will be Saturday, October 3. Please attend to show, volunteer, or watch.Other Equine Activities
Be sure to check out the Other Activities webpage for more fun events to attend.