This Week in Tryon Horse Country

I ran into Betsy Burdett this week and congratulated her on son Aaron Burdett's radio airplay. Aaron's on his way to stardom. In true Betsy fashion, she said, "we gotta keep it local, even music." She's right, of course, we do have to keep it local. From our vantage point in the horse community, keeping it local will determine how our local horse economy weathers the storm--the storm being the world wide economic meltdown. That means putting away those mailbox-choking catalogs, and buying from our own tack and feed stores. It means using local trainers, local vets, local service providers and buying local horses. It means supporting local horse shows. And, it means putting in some charitable time and money locally. We really have it all here. There is no need to look longingly across the way to Wellington. Let's start the new year off with a resolve to be proud of and support our own Horse Country.
Libbie Johnson

Inveigh@aol.com

www.TryonHorseCountry.org

www.OurHorsesMeanBusiness.org

This Week

Jan 3 - 9, 2011

8 SE Children's Home Benefit Hunter Pace

Contact: Jan Smith www.wchpace.org

Jennifer Hicks Named to TRHC Staff

Laura Weicker, Executive Director of Tryon Riding and Hunt Club announced Friday that Jennifer Hicks has been selected to fill the position of Assistant Director following the retirement of Mitzi Lindsey. "Jennifer has a degree in marketing and experience with managing horse shows. She will make a great addition to the organization," says Weicker.
Jennifer is the wife of Tryon Hounds huntsman, Jordan Hicks.

A Note from PEER

Thank you Green Creek Hounds! PEER has received a check in the amount of $360 from the Green Creek Hounds whose last hunter pace was a fund raiser for PEER. Without the generosity of Green Creek Hounds and other Community organizations, we would be unable to provide the emergency medical transport services we offer. We are deeply indebted to all those individuals and organizations that have supported PEER throughout 2010 and we are looking forward to helping the equines and other large animals of our extended community whenever called upon to do so.

Twin Oaks Veterinary Introduces New Diagnostic Equipment

Twin Oaks Vetinary offers horse owners new advances in diagnostics with the new FLIR Thermography Camera. Dr. Sean Eastman will offer Saddle Fittings using State-of-the-Art Infrared Technology to determine if your current saddle is pinching your horse's back.

The images above are of a 12 yr old QH Mare who was showing dry spots under the saddle after a work-out. The image on the Left is of her back before the work-out. Notice a pretty uniform heat signature over the entire back. The image on the Right is of the same horse after a 15 minute work-out. Notice over the withers the blue/green spots on both sides of the withers, more so on the Left side of the withers. The blue spots indicate no blood flow, hence the sweat glands cannot function, hence, the horse is not comfortable.

For a state of the art saddle fitting on your horse, please call the Twin Oaks office at 864-895-8091 to schedule your appointment today.

Champion Saddlebred Euthanized at KHP

The Kentucky Horse Park announced the death of nine-time World's Champion CH Gypsy Supreme, an American Saddlebred show horse who lived in the park's Hall of Champions since 2001.

He was humanely euthanized on the morning of Wednesday, December 22, surrounded by people
who loved him, after a long battle with laminitis as a result of Cushings disease.

John Nicholson, Executive Director of the Kentucky Horse Park, said, "Gypsy was an outstanding representative of his breed in our Hall of Champions, but beyond that, he was a cherished member of our park family. The Saddlebred world has lost a great show horse, his fans have lost a legend, and our park has lost a fine friend."

He was one of the most photographed horses at the Kentucky Horse Park, because his stall was near the walkway to the Hall of Champions, and he spent a large part of each day with his head out of the window, welcoming visitors as they arrived.

Robin Bush, one of Gypsy's caretakers for many years, said, "Gypsy was a really fun horse to be around because he had a sense of humor. People who didn't know anything about Saddlebreds often fell in love with the breed when they met him. They were first attracted to him because he looked so noble, but his personality is what got to them. He liked to bite at the stall door to startle people because he got a kick out of watching them jump back away from the door, but it was always in fun. He also loved to have his neck scratched and would bow his neck to such an extent that he would nearly collapse on the floor from the pleasure of it."

CH Gypsy Supreme has been buried at the Hall of Champions in a place of honor near other Saddlebreds CH Imperator, CH Skywatch, and CH Wild-Eyed and Wicked.

The park has requested that donations be made in Gypsy's memory to the Laminitis Institute at the New Bolton Center, 382 West Street Rd, Kennett Square, PA 19348, phone 610-444-5800.

Photo Credit: Tammy Siters

Stillwater Farm Speed Series
Cancer Benefit
Jan 15 Jan 29 Feb 10
Starts 11am
Exhibitions at 9 am

Barrels Poles Arena Races Powder Puff Barrels

Pee-wee, Wrangler, Youth,
Senior Divisions

Stillwater Farm, LLC
5075 Jordan Rd, Greer, SC
Contact Chrisit Poole 864-230-0652

You Know You Live
in a Horse Town.....

Eventing World Mourns the Passing of
Rebecca Broussard

Rebecca Broussard, a pioneer and supporter of American equestrian sports, passed away on Christmas Eve. She was 68 years old when she died of cancer in her Whitefish Bay, Montana,home, with her family present.

Rebecca Broussard

An avid eventer, horse owner and equestrian event producer, Rebecca (Becky) Broussard founded the annual equestrian triathlon and World Cup qualifier, titled "The Event at Rebecca Farm" ten years ago. This multi-day event, held in Kalispell, Montana, each summer, draws horses, riders and equestrian enthusiasts from across the country and internationally. Broussard was recently awarded the USEF Pegasus Medal of Honor for her long-time effort to promote equestrian sports in the United States.

"She [was], hands down, the most important person in Eventing in the Western United States and arguably the most important person in Eventing in the entire nation," said U.S. Eventing Association (USEA) President Kevin Baumgardner.

During her lifetime, Rebecca Broussard served on the boards of the the United States Equestrian Team (USET), the United States Eventing Association (USEA), and several local interests as well. She was an avid proponent of saving land for equestrian use. Photo Credit: USEF

Too Good to Pass Up