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                                                                                                 Artist:  Charles Harpt

                                                          
Some stories are too good to pass up.
 I found one this week. The Senior Horse Project (photographing senior horses) has brought some great photos across my desk. Some of these horses I have known for a while. One really knocked me over - a photo of a tiny woman surrounded by two gigantic old Belgians. And their story, which accompanied the photos, told the tale of two Belgian mates who had been Amish plow horses, that found themselves at the New Holland Auction in Pennsylvania one bid away from the killer's truck. As fate would have it, a retired lady from Polk County decided that wasn't going to happen. With the help of Christine Hajek of Gentle Giants Rescue, she steadily bid and bid again, against the meat man and won. Given the option of just taking one of the pair, she chose (at double the cost) to keep the old guys together. I was so touched by this story (again, remember Sucker is written on my forehead for all time) I called Peggy Pollack and asked to visit her old guys, Pete and Mickey. After several months of love and care, they are steadily putting on weight;  feet and teeth are improving. Their coats are starting to shine again.  Watching these three together, Peggy, Mickey and Pete, and you realize how wonderful things happen. Just like with Snowman, there are lots of heart-warming rescue stories, but I believe this is an especially good one.


Libbie Johnson 


This Week
Nov 17 - 24, 2014

 

18                  Pisgah Trailblazers Monthly Meeting

                      at Binions, Hendersonville, NC

                      6pm eat,7pm meet

                      Contact:[email protected]

 

19                   FRC Annual Membership Meeting 

                      @ Landrum Depot, Landrum, SC

                      Contact:  Margo Savage                                                     [email protected]

 

20                  Tryon Riding & Hunt Club Annual Mtg.

                      Contact:   [email protected]

          

21-23             Ilse Schwarz Dressage Clinic

                      at Renovatio Farm, Mill Spring 

                      and  at Kemper Penney Farm, Green Crk

                      Contact: Trayce  Dierks  864-325-5684

 

23                  Hunter Pace: SC Upstate Equine Council

                      Contact: www.wchpace.org

  

 

 

 



Farewell, Matt

 Matt Lambert
1989 - 2014


Eden Farms logo
Christmas at Eden Farms

Sunday December 14th from 2pm to 5pm 

Come create Christmas memories with friends and family, while supporting Happy Hooves!  For only $6 per person, our annual Christmas Fundraiser will include "Reindeer" Horse and Pony rides, a live Nativity Scene, arts and crafts to make, hot cocoa and cookies, time to visit with Santa, and plenty of photo opportunities.

There will also be delicious baked goods and lunch on sale as well as a horsey themed gift shop.  All proceeds will go directly to Happy Hooves Therapeutic Equestrian Center.  Contact them at:  

 4700 Dacusville Highway, Marietta, SC  864-898-0043 

 [email protected]    WEBSITE                   

 




Holiday Happenings 
at Brights Creek Equestrian
 

Saturday November 22 -        

Meet and Greet 2-4pm at the Equestrian Center.

Come out and meet the new staff at Bright's Creek Equestrian Center.  Griffin Graham the Barn Manager and Alicia Sama the Senior Trainer welcome you to a festive gathering in the barn with light appetizers and a cash wine bar.  As a special bonus the Equestrian Center is featuring a local photographer, Michael Drumgool and some of his work will be displayed throughout the barn.  To make your reservations please call Alicia Sama at (828)606-8070.

Friday November 28 

Thanksgiving Weekend at the Barn

10:00     Groom and decorate a horse.  Learn grooming tools and how to safely groom a horse while decorating it for holiday pictures.  Parents can use this time to get a picture for Christmas cards or updating their Facebook status of fun times at Bright's Creek barn.

2:00        A fun demo from local Pony Club riders and Bright's Creek lesson students on what they are learning.  Walk, Trot, Ground poles, jumping and dressage.  

Saturday November 29         

Thanksgiving Weekend at the Barn

Trail rides will be offered for groups of 2 to 6 riders at the price of $45 for non members and $35 for members.  Reservations will be accepted for one hour trail rides.  Also we will be offering pony trail rides (30 min). $35 for non members and $30 for members.  The Equestrian Center will also be offering from 4:00 till 6:00 a "Decorate the Tree" activity for $8.00 a person.  This event will including making homemade Christmas ornaments, watching a Christmas Movie and light snacks. 

Please call to book your ride times and to coordinate the $25 deposit.  

 



Pony Clubber Awarded Advanced Certification
 Greenville Foothills Pony Club is proud to announce another member achieving national level certification.   Kaitlyn Bardos has recently completed her C-3 certification.  Pictured is Kaitlyn and her horse Arion, who she has brought along herself. Congratulations Kaitlyn.

 



Senior Horse Project
Meet Mickey, Pete and Peggy

                                                                 Photo credit:  Vince Verrecchio
What to know how you can save  a Draft? Visit Gentle Giants Rescue or call Peggy Pollack at 828-894-3859.



Randi Thompson Featured Speaker at Equine Affiaire

  
Randi Thompson  area equestrian, was a featured speaker at the Certified Horsemanship Assn.  International Conference (they train and certify riding instructors) in Lexington, KY, this past month.  Next, she is scheduled to speak at the Equine Affaire in Massachusetts where she will be sharing  topics on teaching techniques, protecting your horse business with risk management and social media marketing for horse business owners.



Harry and Snowman
 The Documentary

Docutainment Films premiers the HARRY & SNOWMAN movie trailer, along with an opportunity to receive a collectors edition DVD of Harry & Snowman, autographed by Harry de Leyer, and a chance to win an expense-paid trip for two to the U.S. premier in 2015.

The 85-minute film is near completion and has been submitted to major 2015 international film festivals, including Sundance, Berlin, Rotterdam and SXSW.  Tryon Theatre is on the list of movie venues for 2015.

Snowman (1949-1974) was a former plow horse, purchased on his way to the "meat market," who became a champion in show jumping in the United States during the 1950s.

Snowman originally was used for farm work and in 1956 was headed for the slaughterhouse at eight years of age. On that day, Harry de Leyer, a Long Island, New York riding instructor, attended a Pennsylvania horse auction looking for school horses. He arrived late, and the only remaining horses were the "rejects," loaded into trucks bound for the dog food and glue slaughter house. De Leyer made eye contact with a large gray horse that he purchased for $80. He first used Snowman as a lesson horse for children. De Leyer recognized talent in the horse after he sold him to a neighbor and the horse jumped high fences to return "home." De Leyer then began training Snowman as a show jumper. 

The horse began winning prestigious classes only two years after he was bought off the slaughter truck and his career lasted five years. He willingly jumped over other horses, and his calm disposition made him a favorite: he once won a leadline class and an open jumper championship on the same day.

 



Finally in Print

Sgt. Reckless, America's War Horse has just been published and it will make a wonderful addition to your library or better yet, a great gift for any animal lover.  Think holiday giving.


Local Dressage Enthusiasts Take Home Honors at USDF Regional Championships

Susan Faulkner Evans and Darrien were in the ribbons at USDF Regional Championships in Williamston, NC.
 
Susan Faulkner Evans of Greer, SC   placed 3rd place in the AA Intermediate 1 Championship with Darrien, and in the Second Level AA Championships earned an 8th on Mission Point.   Lisa Brown of Travelers Rest rode Janet Stone's Delovely in the Open 1st Level Championships and came in 4th place.   Hoken Thorn of Campobello, SC competed in the Open Intermediate 1 Championships and placed 5th in on Gabrielle and 8th riding Uniek.

 



The Era of Fire-Fighting Horses

This week someone sent a video of fire-fighting horses and the amazing way they could be hitched and out the Fire House door in 30 seconds. We forget some time how adaptable horses are and their history in urban settings. Enjoy the video (watch how the gray horse can't wait to get going) and read the accompanying short history. 
There will be a quiz.



On the Horizon

 


 

 

 

3                 Equestrian Trail Coalition of WNC 

                   Rutherfordton, NC

                   Contact: [email protected] 

6                 GFPC's 5th Annual Christmas Gymkhana

                   @ Riverbend Equestrian Ctr, Greenville, SC

                   Contact:  Ken Just 

                   [email protected]               

12-14          Ilse Schwarz Dressage Clinic

                   at Renovatio Farm, Mill Spring

                   and at Kemper Penney Farm, Green Crk

                   Contact: Trayce Doubek Direks         

                   864-325-5684  

16               Pisgah Trailblazers Monthly Meeting

                   @ Calvert's Restaurant, Columbus  

                   6pm eat,7pm meet

                   Contact:  [email protected] 

 

 

 

 

 

In This Issue
This Week
Farewell, Matt
Christmas at Eden Farm
Holiday Happenings
Senior Horse Project
Randi Thompson at Equine Affaire
Harry and Smowman
Sgt Reckless
Local dressage riders win at Regionals
Fire-Fighting Horses
On the Horizon
 

 Hay Lady! 

Beautiful 2nd cutting, tim/orchard/alfalfa
 (10 - 25% ) $ 14.50 / bale 

 First cutting timothy arriving Tue $ 13. 75 / bale 

 We are facing another season of hay shortage. Please plan accordingly.

NC Hwy 9 South across from Pierce Plaza
828-289-4230

 


 



 
Providing the Carolinas &
Virginia with  professional equine appraisals by a certified appraiser
with international experience in the horse industry.

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For Rent
Mill Spring Log Home


Beautifully appointed log home on 5 acre farm available for short term rentals. Perfect for vacation or horse show lodging. 6 miles to Tryon International Equestrian Ctr. 3BR/ 2.5 BA, Sleeps 8. Book now for Christmas or reserve 
for next show season.
See ad on VRBO or details 
Contact 561-707-0979



Keep Calm and send your blankets to EquiDress to be cleaned and repaired before the temperature drops.  We're expecting a colder than usual winter so don't wait til the last minute. 

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 EquiDress.
 864-979-9334
Email         Website


Von Picone Kennels
West German Shepherds

Training--Stud-- Puppies
German Imports
Trained Adults

Dr. Joe & Kathy Picone
828-817-5655

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Up Top

"Sporthorse "
Artist:  Charles Harpt

Tryon artist Charles Harpt is considered by many to be a consummate equine artist. His long career has captured horses in all disciplines. This painting is currently available through the Green River Gallery in downtown Tryon.

 Featured art is used by permission of the artist.
All art is protected by copyright laws.