Heads Up!
October 2010
Indy  |
2...4-H Fun Day 12:30-3:30
6-11...NC State Fair "AA"
9...4-H Clinic
10...NCDCTA at MCA
16...Saddle Up 3-5
15-17...EHA Williamston
18-20...Track Out Camp
23...Cloverbuds
24...MCA Open Schooling Show & NCHJA "C"
31...Gymkhana
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the Word from the Herd
TURN SIGNALS
If you feel that your efforts at steering are not as productive as they should be, try practicing the motion for turning your horse while you're at home. While sitting, rest your hands on the table or desk in front of you with your thumbs up & hands in rein-holding position. Let's practice turning left. With your right hand still resting on the table (the table is your pony's neck), pick up your left hand & (without bending your elbow) move your hand to the left. Then bring it back. After you've done this a few times, try turning to the right. Remember - don't twist your wrist. (Hold your hand so that your scoop of ice cream would not fall off your cone.) Remember too that if you pull back - even with one hand - to us horses that says stop. If you just want us to turn, remember... practice makes perfect.
To those who read last month's Word from the Herd, we want to say: thanks for making sure you have everything ready so we don't have to wait on cross-ties while you go to the car to look for your gloves.
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Getting to Know Usthis month:
Oly
Officially the Cutest Pony in the World
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Age: 8 years old (give or take) Color: grey Past life: was trained in Pennsylvania by the Amish as a cart pony & is still able to pull a cart (although we wouldn't recommended it.) Favorite things: (besides food of course) people in general & jumping jumps - the ones of his choosing. Oly
 | Least Favorite Thing: being by himself in the pasture or the ring - he feels the need to call to his friends Best Traits: he is quite vain about his luxuriant mane, but his best quality is being a good teacher & building the confidence of beginner groomers and tackers. Of course, there is the ever-present CUTE.
Margot
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Some of Oly's Pony School riders want to fix him up with Margot (the Second Cutest Pony in the World.)
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Quote of the Month
"Only in the dictionary does success come before work."
Buck Davidson
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Dear Friends of MacNair's,
We are happy to welcome back the NCSU Hunt Seat Equestrian Team!
Thom (the team coach) and Alex (the team president) see a lot of potential in this wonderful team.
We also want to welcome the NCSU PE-class riders to MacNair's. Riding sure beats dodge-ball, doesn't it?
Our annual Gymkhana falls on Halloween this year but don't be too scared to come and have some fun! Families of riders, as always, are welcome and there will be lots of fun activities for the whole family.
All are invited to come watch or ride in the NCDCTA show on 10/10. It's a great opportunity for all you equitation riders to practice.
On 10/24 we host a NCHJA "C" show. If you came to the spring show you know what a wonderful time everyone had. At the same time we will be running an Open Schooling show. If you are looking for an opportunity to show and you ride at Pony School III level, or Elementary II & above, talk to your instructor to see if there is a class that matches your abilities. If not, mark your calendar for Dec 5 when we will have our Riding School Show, open to all MacNair's riders.
Nancy
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Video Evaluation Clinic
Seeing is believing!
Our September Video Clinic proved to be of help to riders serious about improving their positions. One of the participants said that the post-ride feedback was like being at a show, but without the pressure of showing.
If you missed September's clinic there will be another one the afternoon of Dec 11, this time with hunter type jumps. If you rode in September you can compare how much your riding has improved since you watched your rounds with Thom and Martina.
Please call the office to reserve your spot. 919-851-1118
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A Couple Reminders
Rainy days & lessons:
Community Lessons and Pony School riders will ride if it's raining. There is a rain schedule that allows all the group lessons to take place in the covered ring. Times may be adjusted slightly (within 15 minutes). Private lessons should call, but usually if your lesson needs to be canceled, your instructor will call you. The exception to riding despite rain is if we are experiencing thunder and lightning; no one should be on a horse then. If you are thinking green and want to save some trees, please let Nancy know that you would prefer your monthly statements e-mailed instead of snail-mailed. Call 919-851-1118 or email with your preference. If you leave a message be sure to specify which email address you want us to use. "Could you please repeat that?"  | Spotted in the bamboo forest: several types of snakes. Please do not disturb these animals in their habitat. Even if you want to see them, they do NOT want to see you.
Still accepting donations of old towels - there is a box in the lounge at Country Acres. |
4-H Corner
Our meeting for new members was held on Sept 30. It was great to see so many new faces. 4-H provides many opportunities for learning about horses. 4-H meetings are held the first Thursday of every month in the lounge at Country Acres.
4-H Fun Day is Oct 2 - 12:30 to 3:30 (with an optional lease ride from 3:30 to 5:00 for $35) We will get to feed, turn-out, clean tack and stalls, wrap, groom and just be around horses the whole time. Please register through the office.
A 4-H Clinic, open to all riders, will be held Oct 9.
Please talk to Martina or call the office for information on any of the 4-H programs.
919-851-1118
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Showing for Parents and Adult Riders
in case you missed it...
A dozen or so people came to the Parents and Adult Riders Forum to discuss what showing is all about. "It's about safety, progression and fun," Thom stressed. He explained what to look for in a show to make sure it's safe and how to measure a rider's progress (hint: not with ribbons.) Most people there already had the fun part figured out. Some of what got covered: - differences in ratings of shows and how to draw up a budget for each level
- attending the Showing 101 Clinic is required for showing at any level (the only exception being Riding School Shows.) It's possible to have this requirement waived by your instructor.
- to show off the farm, a horse must be owned by the rider or full-leased (but riders can share in order to equal a full-lease)
- riders must be able to demonstrate proficiency not only in riding but in other necessary horse skills as well
- for those under 18, the 4-H program covers many of the showing requirements. (4-H is a good opportunity for more
"barn-time" which allows the kids to be more comfortable around these large animals.
And they get to make friends with other kids who share their passion.)
If you want more details on all things show-related, please let us know and we'll be happy to email you the information that the Forum participants received. 
919-851-1171
(please leave your email address)
countryacres@macnairscountryacres.com
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EHA Show
September in Williamston
Laura Barkley, Haley Bohn, Charlotte Burch, Samantha Wine and Mary Copeland Cain took their horses and ponies to the EHA show September 17 - 19. Haley and Laura got good ribbon  s and had some personal "bests", while Charlotte, Samantha and Mary Copeland were all either Champion or Reserve Champion in their respective divisions. Congratulations one and all!
Sign-up sheets for the EHA show in Williamston Oct 15 - 17 are up in the barn. |
Q: When do I get to jump?
A: When you are ready.
Just as with other milestones in the progression of your riding, your instructor will look for signs that your position is secure enough on the flat to be dependable over a jump. Ask yourself if you can reliably (among other things) do the following: 1.) hold a relaxed and balanced two-point position for at least two complete circuits of the ring (at any gait) without leaning heavily on your hands, locking your knees or letting your leg slip out of position 2.) keep your legs still and quiet at the posting trot 3.) keep your upper body quiet at the canter, neither pumping nor bouncing 4.) keep your hands quiet at all times and smoothly shorten and lengthen your reins without bothering your horse 5.) be able to tell what diagonal you are posting on, or what lead you are on at the canter. You ma  y be sensing a pattern here - independence and control of various body parts so that you're not interfering with (and can assist) your horse. What is important on the flat becomes crucial over a fence. Your instructor's exercises and advice all work toward this end. |
a recent September evening on the farm
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As always, we love hearing from you. If you have a suggestion, an idea, or something we should be aware of, please let us know. If you have an item (or picture) that should be in the newsletter, don't hesitate to get in touch.
Sincerely,
the Staff at MacNair's Country Acres
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