Pine Hurst Dressage Show Feb. 15th

Big Thank You to Linda Hoover and Sue Smithson for letting me bring my mule to their shows! To my wonderful surprise everyone was so nice about Seven being there! I hope that he made a good impression with everyone. He sure tried him hardest to do everything I asked!

Another Big Thank You to Tom Reedy for this photo of me and Seven competing in Sport Horse Versatility Under Saddle. It was great fun! Linda really made the course much harder this time to my delight!

Seven was very relaxed, a little too relaxed at the show! He was very good but keep hitting the poles with his toes and falling asleep between classes. He made me work just as hard for each stride of the dressage tests as he did!

Here are the results:

Intro B, score 66.5, placed 2nd out of 5

Training 2, score 62.5, placed 3rd out of 8
In-Hand Sport Horse Versatility, score of 119, placed 1st of 6
Under Saddle Sport Horse Versatility, score of 129, placed 2nd of 3

We lost the Under saddle part of the SHV by one point! It was a good, tough competition! The winner also got 3.5 more points in the Dressage test half of the event. I was very proud of Seven for winning the in-hand part! He had been having problems not jogging up to the Judge at the end of the course. He showed a major improvement in this! That is all we can ask for and this time it won him a Blue Towel Too!

We are taking a break this week, partly to have a rest and partly because it has been much colder this week. Next week we will start practicing for the Extreme Cowboy Race on March 7 & 8th. This will be a big change for Seven from the rather tame Dressage ring but one I think he will enjoy and needs! For those of you who don't know what a Cowboy Race is check out http://www.extremecowboyassociation.com/

Seven Makes The Paper Again!

This article is from The Pilot, Southern Pines News Paper!

The Stars Aligned at Pinehurst Dressage
BY PATRICIA SMITH: EQUESTRIAN CORRESPONDENT
The third time was the charm for the Pinehurst Dressage Schooling Shows. The first two shows in the series were cancelled due to inclement weather. Luckily, Feb. 1 dawned sunny and cool with no rain or snow in sight.
The nice weather brought Dressage riders out to the historic Pinehurst Harness Track to dust off the cobwebs. Sue Smithson, show manager, had three rings running simultaneously to accommodate a large turnout. A Sport Horse Versatility (SHV) competition was also running in a fourth ring. It included an in-hand division and a ridden division.
Orion, aptly named after a constellation, was the brightest star making his debut at Dressage. Orion earned the high score of the day, a 76.785 in a Training 2 class, with Gina Fiore in the irons for owner Donna Griffin, who is sidelined with a fractured leg. Fiore has been riding the 5-year-old Trakehner/Irish gelding, a grandson of the show jumper Abdullah, for three months. "I thought he was really well behaved, very quiet and accurate," said Fiore.
Orion was unbeatable, also winning a Training 1 class with a score of 69.565. Fiore was on a roll, continuing her winning streak to place first in Intermediate A with her 9-year-old Irish horse Ferol Erol, who scored a 63.448. "He (Ferol Erol) was fresh today but ridable. It was a good first horse show (of the season)," said Fiore.
Michele Lobsinger's mare, Brandenburg's Able Starlight, also shone brightly earning the second highest score of the day, a 72.5, to win a Training level class.
Remington, an American Quarter Horse, took a first place in Preliminary A class scoring 57.037 for owner and rider Linda Dreher of Vass. Remington also came in second scoring a 62.917 in a Preliminary B class.
Remington was a bit distracted in the Preliminary A class. "My second test (Prelim B) was a better test," said Dreher. "There was a mule (Lucky Number Seven owned by Shannon Hoffman of Zebulon) in the ring next to mine and Rem thought it was the strangest thing he had ever smelled. Rem was very keen to figure out what that smell was. He obviously had never seen a mule before. By the time we were warming up for test B, the mule didn't prove to be as distracting."
The mule, Lucky Number Seven, proved his versatility by winning the Sport Horse Versatility (SHV) Under Saddle class with owner Shannon Hoffman aptly guiding him through the obstacles. Seven did well in Dressage classes which counts as part of the SHV score. Seven scored a 64.286 in Training 2, finishing second on the heels of Orion. And Seven never brayed once during the competition.
The next Pinehurst Dressage Schooling show is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 15.

A Weekend Treat Of Good Weather!

With the tempatures in the high 60's and low 70's I planned a weekend filled with riding!
Started out Saturday morning with Jane and her horse Val coming over with Sharon who running the baording stable where Jane borads Val. With Sharon on Sadie and me on Seven, the three of use rode for two and a half hours.

As we headed out and across the back fields I saw something big and bird like on top of two light poles. As we got closer we realized that they were Vultures sitting on top with their wings held out. Spooky looking! When we came in we had some rasberry tea and lunch provided by Jane. We relaxed on the side porch in the sun!

That is when Billy my Cousin from Alabama called. He was in training at Fort Bragg with the Army Reserves and did not realize that I am only about an hour away from there. Jane and I went out for another short but fast ride while waiting for Billy to come. We cantered and troted the big loop again. Both Val and Seven worked up a sweat!

Billy arrived and it was so nice to see him again! It has been years! We hopped on the mules again and out we went! We rode until the daylight sent us back in! Sadie was her usual good but sneaky self. Trying to wait for the second Billy was not paying attention to stop and grab a snack! She even did her trick, trying to turn in to the yard with the apple trees, only problem, it is the dead of winter, no apples! Billy told me about his life, great family, their house and his two tours in Irag. I got to see a bunch of neat photos. He also showed me some photos from then his Army unit was sent to Montana to learn how to ride and pack! It was at the base of the snow capped mountain. I am Jealous! Jane headed home and Billy and I went out for a nice dinner, then he headed to a friends house to go Mountain Biking on Sunday.

Seven looked like he needed a cup of coffee the next morning while I was grooming him!

Sunday AM found me heading with two mules to Howell Woods, a part of Johnston County Communittee College where we had a reservation to ride for the day. I came across a major probelm when I got close! The bridge is out for repairs so I had ot take a 15 minute detour that lucky for me worked out!

We met Claudia and Jack and Jane. Seven was already tacked up so I helped get Claudia started tacking up Sadie. We took off for another nice ride! We did a 9.2 mile loop in about two and a half hours. At one point we saw hundreds of Vultures all in one area. We found they had left some boars that had bee killed the day before out in the field. There was a camera set up near them, some kind of study? It was spooky to see Vultures for the second time in two days!

Once we got back to the trailers, we rested Mules, horses and people. Had some snacks and a lunch! Jane and I plotted our next ride and Claudia and Jack headed back home. I decided that Seven had been ridden three times yesterday and Sadie only twice so I would leave Seven in the trailer with hay and water and ride Sadie out for a Trot/Canter ride. Well, my normally calm Seven wanted nothing to do with this and hollared, pawed, knoked the water over and spead the hay all around. Jane and I had another great ride. We even switched for a few miles so that Jane could See her horse being ridden! I find it always fund to see what you own horse looks like going down the trail! It was a little hard to get used to the different swing in his Walking Horse gait but fun!

All in all Jane and I figured we rode about 25 miles in 2 days!

Home by 5Pm but chores to do!

I think the mules danced a little JIG when I went to work the next morning instead of riding them!

Dressage Show at Pine Hurst Track

Big Thank You to Tom Reedy for the photos!

Saturday was cold but I got up and rode Seven, then clipped him up, vacuumed and washed his tail in a bucket! He looked pretty spiffy! I asked him not to roll and put a blanket on him! Sunday morning I got to the Pinehurst Track about 9:30 went over and learned my obstacle patterns and then tacked up Seven to warm up! He rode warmed up well but became a slug during the Into B test. I had to kick and kick and squeeze and squeeze! Despite this, I was pleased to learn we had placed 4th with a 62.5.

Then I had to run back to the truck and untack for our In-Hand Obstacle Course. He did everything very well but I did a 360 turn instead of a 180 so that cost us some points. Seven also did not want to jog towards the Judge, who was wearing a long black coat (not a surprise). We placed 3rd with a score of 103 out of 150. Linda Hoover the Judge said we did a really nice 360, too bad it was supposed to be a 180. I hate it when I mess up! Back to the trailer again for a little break, a sandwich for me and some grain for Seven. I was hoping a little lunch would wake him up, but I took no chances and tacked up with my spurs and crop.

Our Training Level 2 test went pretty well. I was not happy about going right behind a wonderful grey horse who was a beautiful mover, turned out to be the winner of the class. I was very glad I had my spurs and crop for re-enforcement! Seven tripped and almost fell on his nose during the first canter circle. We both recovered with out missing a stride! He was a little stiff and not bending as well around the corners. I think it was because I had the crop, but at least he was moving forward! We placed 2nd with a 64.286, I was very pleased with that! The final class of the day was the second part of the Sport Horse Versatility under saddle obstacle course. 50% of the score if my Intro B test and the other half is from this course. We had to stop with the front two feet over a pole, cross a bridge, do a 180 in a box, go between some brush, go into and back out between two poles and then circle at a trot and stop at the Judge. Seven Won! I was so thrilled! I am so proud of him!

We sent over to get our test papers and Seven got some apples and carrots with his awards. Instead of ribbons Sue Smithson has small colored towels! Very handy for cleaning up my mule!

While we were at the table five little girls came over and wanted to pet Seven, they where about 8 to 10 years old. I showed them how to rub his ears, he let three of them rub at once and one girl picked up his foot. When I told them to see if it was different than a horses’ hoof (Mules feet are deeper and more U shaped) all the girls and about three more adults crowed around to see! Seven was so relaxed that day, good thing!

Next Pine Hurst Show is Feb. 15th! Everyone cross your fingers we do well then too!

Trail and Donkey Riding!

My friend at work's Daughter Kayla came over this last Saturday to do some mule and donkey riding with me.

Claudia came and brought her really cool Black TWH and rode with us in the moring for about 2 1/2 hours.

When we got back Claudia wanted to try riding Chester my donkey! So we tacked him up!

She liked his long ears and his funny swinging gait! She said next time she came she would have to try a longer trail ride!

Kayla and I picked up a quick lunch and then headed out on the trail again. This time with Kayla riding Chester! She did very well with him. On the 1 hour ride I only had to have Seven Pony him 4 times to get Chester moving again! Not too bad!

Seven Makes The Paper!

The Pilot - Southern Pines, NC, Local News Paper - Weekly HoofBeats Article by Patrica Smith

PATRICIA SMITH: An Odd Place To Meet a Mule SkinnerI went over to the Pinehurst Harness Track Jan. 4 expecting to cover the Dressage show only to find out it was cancelled due to the storm earlier that morning (which produced just enough lightning to take out my electric fence, phone line and Internet connection.)
A few competitors showed up who didn't get the message that the show was cancelled and decided to take the opportunity to school their horses.
But wait a minute. Is that equine with the big ears I see schooling in the field a horse?
No, it was a Belgian mule owned by Shannon Hoffman of Zebulon. If her name sounds familiar, it is because Shannon is the Administrative Support Person for the Equine Health Program at the College of Veterinary Medicine at N.C. State University.
Shannon brought her 12-year old john (gelding) mule to compete in the show. (Female mules are called molly mules.) Lucky Number Seven (Shannon purchased him when he was 7 years old for $700, hence the name) already has one win under his belt. He won an Intro B class at the Raleigh Schooling Show Dec. 20.
Come to find out, Dressage is one of three United States Equestrian Federation recognized disciplines that allows mules to compete. The other two disciplines are driving and endurance competitions. (Mules may compete in Dressage with the exception of USEF Championships, qualifying and selection trials, and international classes.)
Who knew?
Seven also ground drives. Shannon uses him to drag her pastures. Now there is a saving in gas for your tractor.
And apparently mules are cost-saving in other areas as well. Mules could very well be the answer for the current economic downturn.
Shannon says she feeds her four mules for what it costs to feed one horse. Mules eat 1/3 to 1/2 less hay than horses. They have very hard feet, though she does put shoes on them if trail riding over rocks and rough ground.
Shannon shared some other interesting facts about mules.
"They live 5-10 years longer than horses. Mules are 2-3 times stronger than horses. They do spook like horses but tend not to turn and run like horses. They have a keen sense of self-preservation so if they see a hole in the ground they will avoid it."
So exactly what is a mule like Lucky Number Seven's family of origin?
His father was a donkey and his mother was a (Belgian) horse.
Mules are sterile because they are a hybrid between two species. (For you biology majors, a donkey has 62 chromosomes and a horse has 64 chromosomes. A mule ends up with 63 chromosomes.)
You can design your own mule by picking any breed of horse and mating it with any breed of donkey. (Donkeys come in any size, color and shape and can even be gaited, according to Shannon.) The mule hybrid can grow bigger than both of its parents.
Just think, a 17-hand spotted Warmblood mule could be in your future if you're really serious about catching the Dressage judge's eye.
What do horses think about mules? Some like 'em, some don't -- mainly because mules smell different.
"I am very happy to work with people who need to expose their horses to mules so that when they get to the big shows a mule will not be a new thing to them. This is what these schooling shows are all about," says our newfound mule skinner friend.

The story is reprinted by permission of The Pilot, a newspaper in Southern Pines, N.C
http://www.thepilot.com/stories/20090111/sports/hoofbeats/20090111PATSMITH.html

Seven's New Dressage Bridle

With some Christmas cash from my wonderful Aunt and a little added I was able to get Seven this nice Dressage bridle! Claudia helped my pick which bridle would work well on Seven and then we addred a brow band with some bling! This is the newset thing in the Dressage world! Now we just have to RIDE UP to it!

Christmas Break? No rest for those having fun!

Spend a few great days with my family in Virgina for Christmas! I got to meet my friend Cricket and her Husband Joe's baby girl Charley! Too Cute! I also made my yearly visit to see Cricket's 30 year old horse Merlin! Still going strong!

I had to return home because my mulesitter was leaving to see her family. I returned on the 27th and then rode with my friend Jane on the 28th around the farm. Then we met Claudia and Jack for a ride at Goldmine in Louisburg. Claudia borrowed Sadie Mae for the ride to try mule trail riding! Jane was ready to ride way before us so she and Val read Western Mule Magazine while they waited! Claudia and I got our photo taken in front of an old plantation house just off from the trails.

The next morning Seven and I took off for Holly and Bruce Fisher's in Columbus, NC. After the fiver hour drive we rode the trails for four and a half with Holly's friend Bob. We had a nice dinner and then hit the bed early! Wednesday is was very cold and extremly windy. We rested and I did some clipping and grooming on Seven! At 3Pm that afternoon we headed over to a lovley arena to meet Gretchen VerBonic a high level dressage Judge who Holly had gotten me a lesson with. She was very open to Seven being a mule and gave us a lot to work on! She gave Seven a very good complement when she said that she likes his True trot. She also liked his Canter, when I did not get in his way!

Thank you Holly and Gretchen for this wonderful oppertunity!

I finished my visit by taking another 5 hour tail ride with Holly and Bob. We rode in an area called Rondo Hill, we came across these Bamboo Trees and I just had to have my photo taken! One of my friends I showed it to told me it looked like Seven and I where deep in the heart of Asia!

After this is was home again and some house work before going back to work to get some rest!

Dressage In Raleigh

Seven won his Intro Test B division this Saturday, Dec. 20th! He scored a 68.5 and beat an Oldenburg (a very expensive Warm Blood breed of horse) plus 12 others!!! We improved that score .5 from the last test.

Then we got Third in Training Test 2 out of 10. I improved my score from the first time from a 60.7 to a 65.4 I was very pleased to say the least!!!

Claudia Coombs came to give me moral support and brought a Dressage Bridle for Seven to wear. It had a sparkly brow band which looked snazzy! The nose band would not fit so we had to take the piece off my bridle, which was brown but we decided that no one would be looking at his nose! Two of Claudia's students came to watch Seven go! I was very surprised and honored to have such a great support group!

The father of the girl who got second in the Intro Test B came over to me and congratulated me, told me that his daughter has been trying and trying to win that division and they always miss it by just a point or two. I asked him what kind of horse they had, he said and Oldenburg (My favorite type of warm blood) then he asked what I rode and I had to tell him his Daughter's Oldenburg got beat by a MULE!!! He said he would have to tell her that. He said sarcastically "that will make her feel REALLY GOOD!"

The few moments of sweet revenge for all the bad comments over the years about mules! Claudia laughed after he left and told me, "At least I did not tell him that his Oldenburg got beat by a $700 Mule!"

Thanks Claudia for all the support and taking these great photos!

Strange Experience With Horse People!

This is one of the strangest experiences with other horse people in my whole life!
I drove in to the camp Saturday, Sept. 27th, mid-morning, set up the Mule's stalls and let them drink and eat some hay. Because it was raining a little I decided to tack up both my mules while the trailer was parked right by the stalls. My friends showed up and we got our trailers parked in the camp, I decided to ride Sadie on the trail and leave Seven to ride in the covered pen when I got home, since it might rain and the saddle would get soaked. I untied him and offered him some water then tied him in the stall to the main pole on the side of the stall. The temperature was in the high 70's and the stall is not solid walled so there was lots of ventilation. When I returned from our ride four hours later, there was a bucket of water filled with water at his feet where he was tied. While I was off to the bathroom, some girl looking to be in early 20's came around the corner and asked my friend Holly if she was with this mule. She said yes and the girl told her it was cruel to leave the mule tied up with no water for five hours. Holly told her that we where only gone for four hours and that we had offered him water before we left and where going to when we got back. She also told the girl that she should not have gone into the stall and that it was unsafe to leave a bucket where the mule could have pawed it and hurt himself. She said the girl acted all huffy and walked off. About that time I came walking down the inside aisle of the barn and asked three girls who were there if they had seen who went in my mule's stall. Well they exploded on me and said that it was them and I was cruel to leave him tied for five hours will no water and said that "he could not breath with his tack on"? They said he drank half a bucket of water when they offered it to him. I told them they should not have gone into the stall and that you never leave a bucket where a mule could paw it. That was when they started saying that this was abuse. So I told them to go ahead and report me and then repeated that they where not to touch my mule or leave buckets where horses could paw and get their leg caught. I also told them that if they had a problem with something going on they should have reported it to the staff and should not gone into a stall of an animal they did not own.
Boy do they need a reality check!! I am the most upset by the fact that they went into my stall and endangered my mule by leaving that bucket where he could have pawed and gotten hurt. I am also glad they did not scare him, cause him to panic, hurting one of them. He is a very sensitive mule and is afraid most of the time of new people.
We where all at a loss on this one. All the horses out there who are truly being abused and they worry with Seven being safely tied for a few hours? Good thing I did not put his hobbles on, like I almost did. Everyone I have told this story to can't believe it, including the camp staff. They all know how well I take care of my mules. There was a lot of new material for jokes about my mule abuse for the rest of the weekend!
I think this comes down to the fundamental difference between a working/using animal and a 1,200 pound pet.