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Heads Up!
May 2011
5/1...EHA at MCA 5/4-8...Sedgefield AA 5/5-8...IHSA Nationals 5/7...4-H Clinic 5/8...Riding School Show 5/9-11...Track Out Camp 5/12-15...Southern Pines A 5/14...EHA Vanceboro 5/14...Saddle Up 5/14...Lunging Clinic 5/19-22...Southern Pines A 5/19...Cloverbuds 5/21-22...County/District 4-H 5/23-25...Track Out Camp 5/28-30...no classes Memorial Day |
the Word from the Herd
Good grooming is so important.
Part 2
 | | Vogue loving the attention |
Days are getting longer & warmer & grass is getting greener. The last remnants of our shedding winter coats are still sticking to your clothes, but not as much as last month!
Summer, however, comes with a new set of concerns. One is bugs, specifically ticks. Yes, we agree: ewww. But think about this - at least when you find a tick on yourself you can pluck it off. We missed out on the opposable thumbs. So please do us a favor and run your hands over us (not just a brush) & also through our manes & tails to make sure there are no ticks on us. This is also a good time to check for cuts, bumps, scurffy spots, etc. Please let your instructor know if something is amiss. We really appreciate you being our voice!
One more thing...after you take off our bridles, please hold all the leather back & swish the bit around in our water buckets. You may need to rub a little gunk off with your hand but it comes off easier then than if allowed to dry. Look at it & think, "Would I want to put that in MY mouth?"
Thank you for helping taking care of us!
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Getting to Know Us
this month...
BUDDY
Buddy is a 22 year old Connemara gelding.
As a young horse he was trained exclusively to be a lesson pony & he is very good at it.
Buddy likes treats & also likes it when things stay the same. He always notices when something is different.
Everyone loves Buddy's forelock & the fact that he is the best trotter ever.
After the Riding School Show Buddy will go to Camp Rockbrook (where he spends the summer.) He'll be back in August.
If you are lucky enough to ride Buddy ENJOY!
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MacNair's Country Acres
is proud to acknowledge its
2011 Horse Show
Sponsors
Apex Veterinary Hospital Equine
www.apexequinevet.com
Aquatise
www.aquatise.com
Bartlett Tree Experts
www.bartlett.com
Commercial Pine Straw
www.commercialpinestraw.com
Dover Farm LLC
Earthwise
www.earthwiselife.com
Edward Jones
www.edwardjones.com
Linda & Rufus Edmisten
Logic Limo
www.logiclimo.com
M & M Tack Shop
www.mmtackshop.com
M Theresa Brown Portraits
www.mtheresabrown.com
MacNair-Petty & Womble Realty Group
www.legacyfarmsandranchesnc.com
MacNair's 4-H Club
Paraklete Financial, Inc
www.parakletefinancial.com
Pendleton Financial Consulting, Inc
www.pendletonfinancial.com
Ragsdale Liggett PLLC
www.rl-law.com
Sperandeo Hoof Care
Triangle Farms Horse Show Management
www.trianglefarms.com
Wheels 4 Hope
www.wheels4hope.org
WJH Property Management
hasselljohnny8@gmail.com
Apologies to the Edmistens for the typo in their name last month!
show sponsor information
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Dear Friends of MacNair's,
We had beautiful weather for our first NCHJA "C" Show of the year & for 2011's second NCDCTA show. The EHA show scheduled for 4/16 ( not beautiful weather) was moved to 5/1, which means the Riding School Show will be on 5/8. The storms of 4/16 missed us - we feel very lucky and our thoughts and prayers go out to those who were not so fortunate. Country Acres would like to welcome Sarah Nash & her two horses, Doppleganger ("Master") & Allegory ("Biscayne".) We are so happy that you're here! If you have not yet met Sarah & her lovely hunters, please introduce yourself. We are very happy also to have Karen McKinney back with us as riding instructor. Karen learned to teach riding here at MCA some years ago so there will be no loss of continuity in lessons. We also have a new horse in the school barn. His name is Napoleon & he's a 22 year old Morgan with a lovely canter. Julie says he's a Beggar-type horse. Any barn on Earth would be happy to have more Beggar-types! Seven N.C. State IHSA riders qualified for Regionals. Four went on to Zones. One is competing at Nationals - good luck, Kristi! We are very proud of you and the entire Team. As most of you know, Jen moved to Charlotte in April. The horses she'd been riding are in the qualified & capable hands of Libby Talley & Amy Siebert & are being supervised by Thom. MacNair'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
April results
 | under saddle class
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We hosted a NCHJA "C" Show on 4/3. Thirty of our boarders & lesson students showed.
NCHJA "C" results
NCHJA "C" photos
The second of seven NCDCTA Shows was here on 4/10 with nine of our riders participating.
NCDCTA results
Sorry I didn't get pictures - I was judging the jumpers.
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 May
 Camp Cheval: School will be out before you know it. Check camp dates to find a week (or two) that works for your family's schedule.
Camp information
Camp registration
Riding School Show: 5/8 If you had fun in December plan on showing on May 8th. Horses and ponies are assigned on a first come - first serve basis so register early. Call the office: 919-851-1118Summer lessons: More information about group and private lessons during June, July & August will go out after the Riding School Show, May 8. We're trying to get a feel for the best way to schedule them & sincerely thank those of you who replied to our survey on group lesson times. Paddock boots: If your little rider has outgrown his/her set of paddock boots, please consider dropping them off in the Main Office. We are always looking for boots for new riders to borrow & specifically need children sizes 2 - 6. Saddle Up riders & some of the campers will thank you! Horses for partial lease: If you wish there were a horse available for a partial lease, a couple boarders have horses that might be suitable. Please ask your instructor about them. Salt Block Gazette: Watch for MacNair's news in the monthly Salt Block Gazettes. They mentioned us in April's column the Scoop. If you missed it, it's on the bulletin board at Country Acres.
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4-H News 
for May
5/7...4-H Clinic
5/21-22...4-H County/District Shows
Our 4-H riders have been working hard & looking forward to the shows toward the end of this month. Best of luck everyone!
Also, everyone who frequents the concession stand appreciates all of you very much - thanks!
 | | Martina & Roxanne at the NCDCTA show |
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Riding Levels
Part 4
Last month we talked about more advanced riders being aware of the fact that every motion they make, inadvertent or not, is felt by the horse.
Good position translates to good communication - every rider's goal. The more control the rider has over his or her own body, the more effective are his or her aids. The horse doesn't have to wonder what the rider meant - s/he knows & can trust the rider.
Intermediate riders are experiencing moments when rider & horse are on the same page, working as partners, carrying on a back-&-forth conversation. Always remember, no riders go beyond the fundamentals - they just show more refinement.
Intermediate riders:
- know how to create impulsion
- can ride with contact, connecting the horse from back to front
- have independent leg & hand aids
- demonstrate a smooth crest release & have a strong enough leg to jump without needing to grab mane
- can post without stirrups
- are capable of creating a soft, precise performance, helping the horse balance through transitions, turns & circles
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Wildlife Watch
White Tailed Deer
You may have noticed that our farm is also home to a few deer. They easily hop in & out of the pastures & rings & are capable of jumping 10 feet in height & 30 feet in length. Perhaps they come into the rings to practice, we often see their hoof prints there first thing in the morning.
In the winter their coats fade from bright reddish-brown to a duller gray-brown color & the males shed their antlers. In May & June, fawns are born, usually as twins but sometimes triplets, less commonly only one. If you come upon a dappled fawn lying in the woods don't assume it's been abandoned & approach; mom is undoubtedly nearby, waiting for you to leave.
If you startle them, you will see why they are called white tailed deer. Their tails flip up in a flash of white to warn the other deer. This, of course, makes it easier to see them as they sprint away from you at 30 miles per hour.
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Quote of the Month
Juma Ikangaa:
The will to win means nothing without the will to prepare.
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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. What would you like to be included next month? 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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