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Heads Up!
April 2011
4/2...IHSA Regionals
4/3...NCHJA at MCA
4/10...IHSA Zones
4/10...NCDCTA at MCA
4/15-16...no Riding School classes
4/16...EHA at MCA
4/16...Saddle Up
3-5
4/18-20...Track Out Camp 9-12:30
4/18-23...no classes
4/22...Happy Earth Day! Re-use & re-cycle!
4/23...Lunging Clinic
4/20-24...Aiken "AA"
4/21-22...no NCSU or IHSA
4/27-5/1...Aiken "AA"
4/29...last NCSU & IHSA classes
4/30...Cloverbuds 2-4
4/30...4-H Clinic 12:30-5
Early Heads Up! 5/1...Riding School Show
MCA Calendar |
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the Word from the Herd
Good grooming is so important.
I don't mean just getting me clean. I'm talking about establishing a relationship.
Imagine you're in your room, lying on the bed. Suddenly the door opens, someone comes in & without a word starts brushing your hair or stuffing your arms into a coat. Wouldn't your first reaction be, "Hey wait a minute!"
Take a moment to be polite when you first come into my stall. Speak to me. Walk up to me slowly. Let me turn around & see or sniff you. Scratch me on the shoulder or withers (the equine equivalent of a handshake.) Then put my halter on.
Once you start brushing me, if you pay attention, you will know what I'm enjoying & what's making me uncomfortable.
If you hear me sigh when you are grooming me, I have given you a complement.
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Getting to Know Us
this month...
Thom
 What do you like to do that doesn't involve horses? read (I majored in English), scuba dive, watch UNC basketball, spend time with my family (not necessarily in that order).
Pets? a dog, Scarlett (Caroline calls her a Carolina Varmint Hound - she's half Bloodhound).
Last horse-related accomplishment you were really proud of? being Short Stirrup Champion at Duke
Last movie you really liked? Avatar
When teaching, what phrase do you find yourself repeating? legs down & around!
Favorite horse books? the Black Stallion series by Walter Farley & Hunter Seat Equitation by George H. Morris Favorite snacks? cheddar cheese or chocolate chip cookies & milk If you couldn't work with horses what would be your dream job? dive guide on a tropical island.
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MacNair's Country Acres
is proud to acknowledge our
2011
Horse Show Sponsors
Ragsdale Liggett PLLC
www.rl-law.com
M. Theresa Brown Portraits
www.MTheresaBrown.com
Commercial Pine Straw
www.commercialpinestraw.com
M & M Tack Shop
www.mmtackshop.com
Sperandeo Hoofcare
sperandeohoofcare
Triangle Farms Horse Show Management
www.trianglefarms.com
Wheels 4 Hope
www.wheels4hope.org Aquatise www.aquatise.com WJH Property Management Linda & Rufus Edisten Dover Farm LLC Earthwise www.earthwiselife.com MacNair's 4-H Club |
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Actual Photo
Gulf Oil spill
 April Fool! It's an actual photo of pine pollen season in North Carolina. |
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Dear Friends of MacNair's,
Our first EHA show of the year was in Williamston. Despite the cold snowy winter our riders and horses were ready & had a very good show. And what a beautiful day we had for 2011's first NCDCTA show held here at the farm. Saddle Up in March hosted seven riders brand new to horses. Some pictures are on our photo-site; click the Special Programs tab & look for Saddle Up. photositeIf you're not aware of the opportunity to become a sponsor at our horse shows, details are here. show sponsorMacNair's Country Acres & Summit Hill Farm have partnered to bring you the Triangle Jumper Series: six jumper shows (three at each facility). The first one here will be June 25. Should be fun! Nancy
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Showtime
March 2011
 Six riders showed at the EHA show in Williamston on 3/5 & 6, and did very well. EHA results
Raleigh "A" Show 3/17-20: Sarah & Kayly showed in the Large Green Pony division, winning firsts through thirds in every over fences class. Thom remarked that horse & rider both looked much more "made" than last year & he was impressed by their poise & consistency.
Show riders, if you see a horse with a red ribbon on it's tail that's not a decoration - it's a warning. Give that horse plenty of room; it's a known kicker.
Parents, if you are wondering how to help your show rider more, we put together a little advice for horse show parents. We hope you find it helpful.
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A Couple Reminders...
for April
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NCHJA "C" Show at MacNair's: 4/3 The main ring will be run under NCHJA rules and the covered ring is un-rated.
EHA Show at MacNair's: 4/16.There will be no Riding School classes on the 16th & lessons on the 15th will be extremely limited. Please check with your instructor if your usual lesson day falls on one of those days. We know many of you enjoy bringing friends & family to our beautiful farm to watch you or your child ride & we like having them here. But no one under 16 is allowed to be on the farm without direct adult supervision, & no one without a release on file is allowed in a horse's stall. Please do not drop off siblings or friends of a rider and assume they'll be okay. A dangerous situation can arise very quickly & instructors' responsibilities lie with the students and horses in their care.
Spring Break: 4/18-23 - no group Riding School classes Red Cross Training: Although MacNair's instructors are certified, please do not force them to do the Heimlich maneuver! Spit your gum into a trash can as soon as you get to the barn. Please don't teach our horses to bite! Horses love treats; riders love giving treats. So far so good. But when a horse is hand-fed a treat, his thought process the second time goes like this..."Oh look a hand YUM!" Please drop treats into your horse's feed tub. (Check with someone if you're not sure it's an acceptable treat - no whole apples, no peppermints, etc.) Riding School Show: 5/1 If you had fun in December plan on showing on May Day. Horses and ponies are assigned on a first come - first serve basis so register early. Call the office: 919-851-1118
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Fairway is a Yearling
They grow up so fast!
On April 9th, Fairway will become a yearling (although she will still be called a "filly" until she turns four.)
This adorable newborn has blossomed into a long-legged beauty.
Happy Birthday on April 9th, Fairway!
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4-H News 
for April
4/30 - 4-H Clinic
Everyone who rides on the farm appreciates the work the 4-H Club put in grooming & re-flagging our trails. It's so much fun to hop over the log-jumps in the woods! Thank you, everyone.
The Show Team has been working hard in preparation for their show in May. Preparation is the key to success.
Julia Washburn's written entry to the 4-H won her a scholarship. An excerpt, "I find myself at home when at a barn gathering with my club, especially the officers and our club leader, Martina. They are such a strong support group..."
Congratulations, Julia, we are so proud of you!
read the essay
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Riding Levels
Part 3
Riding horses is a fabulously complex sport. A soccer ball doesn't think for itself and a bicycle doesn't feel the need to flee something scary. Riders improve even more when they start taking the horse into consideration and remembering that every motion, inadvertent or not, says something to the horse.
 Elementary 3 riders:
A. no longer rely on their hands on the horse's neck for balance or to help steer and are comfortable at the sitting trot.
B. are proficient at identifying canter leads. C. are refining simple changes of lead & can demonstrate full seat, half seat & two-point position.
D. have independent use of hands & legs, & can canter a course of larger crossrails & verticals with simple changes of lead. E3 riders should consistently be demonstrating "feel" and unity with the horse in motion, including through transitions. Pony School 3 riders: A. can perform complex turns & reverses and can double post. B. are introduced to jumping. C. can trot in & canter out of a line of jumps. D. are introduced to canter leads & can safely canter in a group. PS3 riders are able to maintain "heels down" & "eyes up" at all gaits & while jumping. They should be able to tell you why horses behave the way they do. |
Wildlife Watch
Great Blue Heron
 These birds are 4 feet tall have a wingspread of up to 6 feet. Standing motionless at the edges of the ponds, they spear & eat passing fish, frogs, snakes, etc. Although we are lucky enough for them to be a common sight, herons are very wary, a fact that hunters sometimes use to their advantage. When spreading duck decoys, they sometimes also put out a plastic Great Blue Heron. Ducks flying by, sure that it's safe because a heron is already there, will land on the pond. According to Native American lore, the rulers of nature choose the Great Blue Heron as the messenger of good fortune. (Maybe not for ducks, though.)
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Quote of the Month
Charles de Kunffy:
A rider who pursues his goals by riding his goals will never achieve them. The rider has to keep in mind the means (how we achieve) and the ends (the final result or goal) should be clearly defined and not confused with each other.
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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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