Barn News Spring 2009
The snow and rain of winter are gone, and spring is here, bring lots of activity at Livery Training Stables – the beginning of show season with many students attending the Pinto Horse Assn. of New Mexico and Paint Horse Club training shows in preparation for the 2009 show season.  Other activities have included trail rides, clinics, new students, new horses, and even a foal.    

Tony’s review of our Third Annual New Year’s Day Ride
“The Livery traditional New Year’s Day Ride from the stable to points relatively unplanned attracts horsemen eager for both new knowledge and pizza.  2009’s ride, which was quite an adventure this year, amply provided for all our needs.

“Among many other things, our party learned that when a Thoroughbred spooks, everyone listens.  American Saddlebreds will walk no mater what’s wrapped around their legs.  Irish Draughts are exceptionally good at blazing new trails.  Morgans prefer to lead.  Bald Eagles are harbingers of beer.  And most importantly true horsemen may wear pink boots.

“The pile of used napkins, scattered cutlery, drained mugs and soggy paper plates at the Village Pizza was silent proof that our stomachs were not ignored, either.  The restaurants buffet finished wonderfully the first of 2009’s many rides.  2010’s amble through Corrales is already the barn’s buzz.  If that’s too far ahead in time for you, ask around the Livery during the week.  Someone just might be up for a Saturday morning trail ride.  Those have become a sort of tradition, also.    Pink boots are optional.”

The Second Annual Jubilee Pinto/All Breed took place on May 16 & 17 in Albuquerque, with competitors attending from as far away as California.  Shannon, Liz, Linda, Jeanne and Colleen all participated, and did extremely well.  The Jubilee is a three judge show, but awarding points as if there were four judges.  Here is the lineup of awards won by Livery students.

Liz Appelman and JustAnIndianBoy

Winning the trophy saddle was definitely the highlight of the Jubilee show for Liz.  “I was so excited because it is the first big trophy I have ever won.”

Linda Barefoot and Barely Irish

Shannan Usiak and Coorina Corina

Colleen Sells and Just Spot My Dot

Dressage at Livery
Early in 2009 Stephanie and Mandy, under Kathy’s instruction began attending Dressage schooling shows, which brought ribbons for the duo and interest from various students at the barn. After much encouragement from Kathy and Stephanie Judie finally gave in and agreed to attempt Dressage with Grania.  Now, Stephanie, Judie and the mares are the Livery Dressage team with Kathy as team captain.  On March 14 & 15 they attended the NM Dressage Assoc. spring show, and both did very well with incredibly good scores on all the intro tests.  Their next show is July 4 & 5.

New Students and Horses at Livery

Linda Barefoot is back with her new horse Barley Irish.  According to Linda, Scottie got his name because he was born March 17 – just barely.  She says Scottie is a wonderful partner, and they had a great time at the Jubilee show.  “I appreciate my friends and my trainer, Kathy.  Let’s keep it fun, and keep “ridin.”

Jeanne Marotta rode with Kathy when she was a teenager, and has returned to Livery after a 17 year hiatus.  Jeanne has two horses that she shows, Indians Little Angel, her western pleasure horse, and Little Bit of Tin, her halter horse.  At the Jubilee show, she received two reserve championships in halter, and three sixth place ribbons in her under saddle classes.

TK Solis has been involved with horses for years, and his favorite quarter horse is still in Argentina.  When he moved to Albuquerque, the horse bug moved with him, and TK has been taking lessons and trail riding at Livery since April of 2008. Last February TK bought another quarter horse, Darby who turned out to be excellent on the trail.  Riding horses is catching on in the Solis family.  TK’s wife, Valentina, has become interested in horses and is taking lessons as well.

Markus Hoffmann and his son Darien have been riding at Livery for the past three months.  “For as long as I can remember, I have always wanted a horse, and moving to Albuquerque gave me the opportunity to buy one.”  Markus found Kathy on the web through the Livery Training web site www.liverytraining.comSeveral weeks ago Markus and Kathy traveled to Springer, NM where he bought his quarter horse mare, Sky.  Sky had a foal at her side, so they brought him along too.  Markus enjoys Western riding and hopes to get into reining and cutting.

The Younger Set
Aria and Sophia age seven taken two lessons and seem to be enjoying it. They both are riding Mario.  Jenna is back from Italy and will be looking to buy a horse of her own soon.  Mario is going to be one busy pony this summer.  He has four new customers in the wings, 10 years old and under.

Kathy’s Column
Guess what!  I am riding again!  My shoulder is fine; it’s the rest of my body getting back in shape that’s the challenge, but I am slowly getting stronger and stronger. 

Even with the wind early in the spring, quite a few folks came out to ride, and now we are dodging rain drops as we go forward with our summer goals.  I’m pleased to announce a few things that are “poppin.”   This year, I have been asked to be a clinician in the Hammers and Hooves national blacksmith and horseshoeing championship, and horse fair in Edgewood at Wildlife West Nature Park.  My clinic will be at 1:00 p.m. on June 19 – 21.  There will be lots of other activities and clinics going on including horse training workshops and demonstrations as well as a pie eating contest. (www.wildlifewest.org.).

Other plans at Livery include a two weeks of a kids day camp in July. The Jesus & Horses camp is designed for kids ages 7 – 14.  Stay tuned for more information coming soon.  Of course the camp will be arranged around our horse show schedule, and I will be looking for a few volunteers to help. 

Speaking of horse shows, Liz Appelman will be heading for the World Show in Tulsa, Oklahoma for four days.  We wish her luck.  The dressage group will participate in the Fiesta de Dressage show July 4 & 5.  At this point we have horse shows planned through November in various disciplines – pinto/paint, hunter/jumper and dressage. 

Trail riding is still going on at Livery, so let me know when you would like to go on a ride around Corrales.  Come join us and to have some fun and make some memories.  And don’t forget to watch a spectacular sunset and thank God for the gift.

God bless all of you!