Horse Force Horse Show: Standard breds in the Spotlight!

by April Murray

                                                      

From Left to Right: Megan Warnick on Pace, Nicky Ratledge on Keystone Sable, and Julie

Riviello

 

On Saturday, Jan 28, several members from the Standard bred Pleasure Horse Organization of Delmarva showed and entered several classes at the Horse Force Schooling show held at Worthimore Equestrian Center to benefit the Horse Force One hay bank.

There were three official off the track standardbred's that competed. Congrats to Nickey Ratledge, riding Keystone Sable taking Grand Champion in the the Standard bred classes. Congrats to Megan Warnick and Pace. Pace was a first timer in the indoor and did very well. In his first class ever, he placed third out of 10 other horses. In the end there where 4 horses that showed in the Gated class. What a wonderful turn out..spread the word.. the next Horse Force Horse show will be Feb 25 at Kings Meadow Farms. Check out the Feb Horse Force Magazine for more info or go to: http://www.horseforceproductions.com/show.html

For more info on the Standard bred pleasure horse organization of Delmarva please look them up on Face Book, or come to a meeting! Their next meeting will be held on Feb 7th at the Kent County Library in Camden. If you have questions please contact Megan Warnick at : megsm229@aol.com

    

********Tickets Now Available ************

             Please contact a DEC Board member, or email April: aprlmurray@gmail.com

       

Also please visit our Face Book page and click on the event page to let us know your coming!

 

 

 

 

War Horse : The Movie, A Review by Alex Brown Author of the 2011 book Greatness and Goodness: Barbaro and His Legacy    In War Horse, the horse steals the show. I will admit that when I went to see War Horse, which was released on Christmas Day, I was hoping to see a great movie. The horse’s place in modern culture continues to slide as its roles diminish. A great movie can help restore the horse’s place in our imagination. I had read the book, and loved it. I had seen the play and enjoyed that, too, although I was so intrigued by the puppets that played the horses, I was a little distracted from the story itself. No matter how good the book is, or the play, a movie is going to be much more accessible to the public, so it was important that this was a well-executed adaptation. I believe it was. The best acting in the movie was from the equine star who played Joey, Finders Key. Often in horse movies, as a horseman, you cringe at a couple of scenes because they are either unrealistic or simply incorrect. Such scenes may work for those who are not horsemen, but not for us. In War Horse, Joey’s role was brilliant, and very well done. I found Joey to be engaging, almost humorous at times. He was stoic when required, compassionate and playful, and much more.                When I first learned who was playing the part of Joey, a Thoroughbred named Finders Key, I wanted to know more about the horse. Finders Key is a great example of a now-13-year-old Thoroughbred who was simply in the wrong role when he was a racehorse. He started only four times, all in $2,500 maiden-claiming races at Los Alamitos Race Course, in Los Angeles, and never placed. He now has a few movie credits to his name, and certainly his performance in War Horse should guarantee him a great career going forward. For me, the “No Man’s Land” scene was the best few minutes of the movie. Not only does it highlight the inhumanity of war, but more importantly how a horse can halt the madness and elicit cooperation and friendship among people. Joey highlighted humanity from both sides throughout the movie, but specifically in that scene. Because the movie is set during World War I, some may be offended by its violence. Joey ultimately became a symbol of hope to those who survived the wretchedness of trench warfare during the four years of war. This hopefulness ensured that he would then not be betrayed; he would not suffer the same fate of many other war horses who actually survived the war only to be sold at auction after the war was over. Finders Key will not win an Oscar for his performance, but perhaps it is an opportunity for our industry to highlight second careers for Thoroughbreds by honoring him with a Special Eclipse Award. Overall, I think this is a terrific film for any animal lover, and a movie that horsemen will love if only for its realism. Alex Brown is author of the 2011 book Greatness and Goodness: Barbaro and His Legacy. Follow him on Twitter at @alexbrownracing.

 

Pao Lin, member of the Delmarva Driving Club, hosts a web site called : Spotted Draft Horse Mania! Click here to follow here travels and adventures in driving. You can see these guys more on that website. Enjoy!

 

A Good Day for a Drive by April Murray

     It was my first time being a passanger in a two wheeled cart. When I got there, a few drivers were unloading their trucks with the carriage, and getting the horses tacked up. When they were finished some of them chose to warm up..and then the drive began. I rode on with a woman who has driven her whole life. Owned, breed and showed some of her horses, and shows Pasafinos. As we took to the road, her horse, named Mini, is a four year old Morgan mare. She is considered still "Green" on the drives, but she is very willing, and wanting to be the head of the pack. Most of the roads we rode on were dirt. It was a beautiful day, despite the wind. After finishing the drive, most of everyone gathered in Carol's kitchen for a hearty bite to eat.

I would like to thank Carol and her friends for introducing me first hand to driving, and the patience and savvy of showing me the ropes.

For drivers want to see more pictures...please click on the link

Pictures of 2011 Thanks again!

 

**** We want to clarify that this was a non club event, and just a few people who drive gathering together. It was first posted as such, and I made the mistake thinking it was. So please make it clear that again it was a non DDC event. Thanks. ********

 

 

 

 

                      

Do you Trail ride in the State of DE?    The First State and Trails and Pathways Committee is asking all equine owners who may/or may not use the trails in DE, to please take a moment to fill out this brief survey pertaining to the proposed First State Trails and Pathways initiative. please click on : http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/676470/First-State-Trails                                   Thanks so much! :)

     

             

Let Congress Know Youth Involvement in Agriculture is Important to You Earlier this year the Department of Labor (DOL) proposed new child labor regulations applicable to agriculture. The proposed new rule, if adopted, would place new limitations on the ability of young people to work for pay on farms or ranches not owned solely by their parents and would effectively bar young workers, under 16, from working in most capacities in agriculture, especially around livestock, such as horses. The safety and well being of young workers are of paramount importance; however, this rule is overly broad, does not respect the traditional status of agriculture, and would sharply limit opportunities for young people to become involved in agriculture and with horses. More information on the proposed rule can be found here and the AHC comments on the rule can be found here. Right now, Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Ben Nelson (D-NE) are circulating a letter to Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis asking her to withdraw the proposed rule and either maintain the current regulations or draft a new proposed rule that protects young people and preserves the traditional ability of youth to work in agriculture. The American Horse Council urges you to call your Senators and ask them to sign the bipartisan letter to Secretary of Labor Solis regarding the proposed child labor rule being circulated by Senators Moran and Nelson. You can reach your Senators by calling the Congressional switchboard at (202) 225-3121. Ask for your Senators' offices and then ask to speak to the staff person who handles agriculture or labor issues. The deadline for your Senators to sign the letter is Friday, December 16. Call them and tell them: "Young people are very important to the horse community and agriculture. Now more than ever it is important young workers are given the opportunity to learn about and become interested in agriculture and horses. Congress, for over 70 years has explicitly allowed young people to work in agricultural because of its unique and family nature. This new proposed rule would place new limitations on the ability of young people to work for pay on farms or ranches owned by their families and effectively bar all other young workers, under 16 from working on farms and ranches. Please sign the letter to Secretary Solis being circulated by Senators Moran and Nelson asking her to withdraw the proposed rule and either maintain current regulations or draft a new proposed rule that protects young people and preserves the traditional ability of youth to work in agriculture." If you have any questions please contact the AHC. American Horse Council 1616 H Street NW · Washington, DC 20006 Phone (202) 296-4031 · Fax (202) 296-1970 · Web Address www.horsecouncil.org

                      

              

    

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Up Coming Events

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  Feb 5th:Part 2 Clinic with George          Paris at Tuckahoe Equistrian Center, Denton, MD.  Starts at 12 noon! It is a hands on clinic..space is limited! Please contact Pao Lin, or Donna Hurst for more info.     

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            Feb. 11th :

• DEC is Selling Scholarship Award Banquet Tickets at Tractor supply in Camden!
• DDC: Multipules Talk with Frances Baker, Harbenson, DE.

       Contact Donna Hurst 302-492-3932             Pao Lin: 240-274-8160

• Kershaw Acres INDOOR Schooling Shows, Milton, DE Classes for all. Call for Prize List 302-684-1818

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Feb 18th: Scholarship Tickets to be sold at Hudson Farm Supply Southern States in Harrington!..will be a good chance to buy your tickets that day..$30.00 ea or ask about buying for a table of 6 or 8!.

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Next meeting for the DEC will be Feb 20th!

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Memberships are due..please mail them to : DEC

PO Box 158

Harrrington, DE 19952

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For more info,

Click on the  

Events Page!

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If you would like for Delaware Equine Council to do a booth set-up or have our Mascot, "Liberty" come for your event call us and check availablity

302-684-3966

or

302-629-5233.

IF YOU HAVE IDEAS OR SUGGESTIONS CONTACT ANY MEMBER OF THE BOD

See our officers page!

Prevent Barn Fires Flyer	Prepare for Disasters Flyer
DOWNLOAD HERE AS PDF file PAGE 1 PAGE2	DOWNLOAD HERE AS PDF file PAGE 1 PAGE 2

 

Mascot

      "LIBERTY"!

 

Call me! for Availablity

Stan 302-684-3966 or

Peggy 302-629-5233