Show in the Snow: Low cost, low key horse showing

It's almost time for the annual Show in the Snow, an annual event in Fort Collins which always is a good time for horses, riders and spectators.

The show, set for Nov. 5 at the Colorado State University Equine Center's B.W. Pickett Arena, offers a great chance to show at low cost. Classes are only $6 apiece if you pre-enter by Oct. 31, and $8 per class for entries received Nov. 1 or later.

It's a great chance to take green riders or green horses to a show for experience without having big expenses. The show offers Western, English, hunters and trail classes as well as “Ride a Buck” for fun.

The hunter classes start at 9 a.m. with the 18-inch division and progress to the 3-foot division. Next come the hunter-under-saddle classes and probably a lunch break because Western classes will not start before 1 p.m. These start with a showmanship class, followed by pleasure and horsemanship classes.

The equitation classes, both English and Western, are divided by age so all riders get a chance to win ribbons and compete against their peers. Reining and trail classes also are divided into age groups.

The “Ride a Buck” class is good entertainment for both riders and spectators. Riders sit on their horses bareback and attempt to keep a dollar bill under their leg.

While this is a schooling show, proper show attire is mandatory. Helmets are required for English classes. Western classes require either a helmet or a western hat. Proper show attire for English includes a white shirt, jacket, light-colored breeches, and tall boots. For Western, a button-up shirt, pressed jeans and possibly chaps are expected. Dress is especially important in equitation classes and can be used as a tiebreaker in close classes.

Show in the Snow is a great way to tune up a horse during the offseason or to get a horse some experience before shows start again in the spring. The show tends to be low-key and a fun experience.

It can be cold and also may be snowy, so be prepared for the weather. The B.W. Pickett Arena is indoor and heated, however, so the show can be held even in inclement weather.

Participation in the show supports the CSU Equine Sciences program and provides valuable experience for students in the Event Management class. The entry form and other show information are available at www.csuequine.com. You can also RSVP to the show on Facebook.

Red Mountain Open Space

Horseback riders can find winding trails of varied lengths and scenic rock formations in one of Larimer County's most recently opened tracts.

Red Mountain Open Space opened to the public in 2009 through efforts of the Larimer County Mountains to Plains Project. The tract is located about 25 miles north of Fort Collins on County Road 23. While the drive is a bit long, the experience of riding in this area is worth it.

 

The main trail, the Sinking Sun Trail, leaves from the northeast side of the horse trailer parking lot and heads north through the valley. Multiple hills and creek beds keep the trail interesting and challenging for the horses. The exposed rock on the hills comes in striking red and white, and provides beautiful scenery for riders.

Several options await equestrians following the Sinking Sun Trail.

 The Big Hole Wash Trail crosses east-west through the valley. To the east it enters the Soapstone Prairie Natural Area, with its miles of trails. To the west is the other side of the open space, which features a creek and many more trails. A couple of short loops head into the hills on the valley's west side.

For a longer ride, the Ruby Wash Trail heads north through a gorgeous, winding canyon of red-layered rocks, and eventually reaching the Salt Lick Trail, which connects to the Sinking Sun Trail.

At the junction of the Ruby Wash and Salt Lick trails, the Cheyenne Rim Trail continues north into Wyoming and over to the Soapstone Prairie Natural Area. The Cheyenne Rim Trail loops back and connects to the Big Hole Wash Trail.

The trails are wide and easy to ride in the valley areas, providing lots of opportunities for letting a horse out for a run or long trot. The trails provide options for long or short rides. From the parking lot, it's about 4 miles to the Wyoming border, and the trail can be done at any pace.

This area is a beautiful choice for a weekend day ride. No dogs are allowed in the open space -- not even on leashes. Riders should also be on the lookout for rattlesnakes, which are seen out there fairly often.

Red Mountain Open Space is a wildlife preserve, so riders may see deer, elk or other animals. This area also is prone to high winds and quickly changing weather, so visitors should be prepared with layers of warm clothing.

A few trails on the tract are not open to horses, so riders should check maps and any signs in the area to make sure a trail is appropriate.

More information, including complete directions from Fort Collins or Interstate 25, is online at http://www.larimer.org/parks/red_mountain.htm.

 Happy trails!

Stranger than Fiction: The evolution of the horse

Did you know that the horse used to be the size of a small dog and is native to North America?

Even though the horse is native, horses in North America are considered feral, not truly wild, because they were brought here by European settlers.

The earliest ancestor of the horse appeared around 55 million years ago and was the size of a small dog or large cat. Rather than hooves, it had multiple toes: four on its front feet and three on its back feet. These ancient horses browsed in the forest, and migrated all over North America, Siberia, Asia and Europe. They were prey for many of the larger predators and birds, but had spots and stripes that worked as camouflage in the forest.

The Mesohippus and Miohippus appeared around 30 million years ago. These horses were larger than previous ancestors and now had three toes on all of their feet. As the climate had changed, they became grazers and were able to survive on grassy plains. Many of these horses lived on the plains of Colorado and Wyoming.

By 14 million years ago, the Parahippus was living in North America. The size of large dogs, they were starting to develop normal horse behaviors and lived in bands, with a lead mare and stallion protecting the herd.

Ten million years ago, horse ancestors were pony-sized and still lived in North America. These prairie dwellers relied on speed to escape predators. The first one-toed horse appeared at about this time and started developing longer legs.

These horses continued to evolve, and eventually only a few species of the family Equus survived. Until about 12,000 years ago, the horse was living in North America. It died off with the other mega-fauna such as the woolly mammoth. The remaining species of Equus - Zebras, Donkeys and horses (Equus Caballus) - still were living in Africa, Asia, and Europe.

Humans had been hunting these species of horses for food for more than 30,000 years. Horses, however, were not domesticated or used for riding or driving until about 5,600 years ago. Horses were reintroduced to North America by Christopher Columbus during his second voyage to the “new world.”

The wild mustangs which now roam the western United States are ancestors of the horses brought here by the Spanish and other colonists. Horses would escape or be turned loose and eventually formed the herds we see today.

These horses also have no natural predators in North America, so it is up to us to control the damage they do to the environment - because we reintroduced them to the continent.

Eagles Nest: Scenery and Wildlife From the Saddle

If you are looking for a great place to take horses trail riding, I highly recommend the Eagles Nest Open Space in Livermore, Colo. Scenic views, varied terrain and solitude await just minutes from the city.

 

From Fort Collins, follow U.S. Highway 287 to Livermore and turn left onto Red Feather Lakes Road. The road to the open space is less than a quarter-mile from Highway 287. A big wooden sign welcomes you to the tract at the start of a dirt road. Follow the road for about a mile to the parking lot and trailhead.

Make sure your truck has four-wheel drive. The road is steep and curvy, and four-wheel drive is recommended to keep road damage minimal.

The trail cuts across the mountainside, providing gorgeous vistas of the valley around Livermore as well as views of the mountains looking toward Red Feather.

The narrow trail can be challenging for horses new to trail riding. There are some rocky spots, so horseshoes are recommended. The trail eventually winds down the mountain and into the valley. Several gates will be encountered along the way, so be prepared to open and close them.

The trail eventually meets a stream, spanned by a large bridge. This area is a great picnic spot, complete with hitching posts. The bridge is closed from Feb. 1 to July 15 to protect golden eagle nesting. At other times of the year, crossing the bridge will lead to miles of trail that can connect to national forest land.

The gorgeous valley is a great place to take your horses out for a bit of a run or conditioning trot.

Because this open-space tract is not widely used or known, there are many chances to see a variety of wildlife. Deer are common in the scrub brush. Eagles and red-tailed hawks often are seen in the sky. Rattlesnakes are frequently encountered during the summer, so keep an eye out for them and keep dogs close or leashed.

This trail is great for shorter rides. The bridge is a 30-minute ride from the trailhead. The loop after the bridge takes about an hour. While short, the trail provides some challenges. Steep hills, rocks, and sharp turns make it interesting for both horse and rider.

This is a fun ride for any size group.

Happy Trails!

Strange Facts- The Great Horse Race

Did you know that the Denver Post once sponsored a horse race?

Back in 1908, a race was planned that would test even the strongest horse-and-rider teams. The Denver newspaper put up a $500 prize for the winner, did a major advertising campaign and even helped transport horses to the starting point in Evanston, Wyo.

The race was to run 523 miles from Evanston to Denver, following the modern routes of Interstate 80 and U.S. Highway 85. This route covers challenging terrain and conditions  from deserts to mountain passes and the unpredictable weather of the Front Range.

The race started with 25 horses: 13 thoroughbreds and 12 “western broncos.” One of the race's purposes was to determine which breed was the better endurance horse. The riders were required to stop every 50 miles to check in and water their horses.

The two favorites, Sam and Teddy, were the first horses into Cheyenne. By then, however, just five contenders were left -- and only one of those was a thoroughbred.

By the time the race reached Greeley, Sam and Teddy were the only horses remaining in the race. Both were starting to feel the wear of the nearly 500-mile trip. Because of some gamesmanship among the riders, Teddy was especially exhausted.

At the final checkpoint before Denver, both horses were declared unfit to continue and their riders were ordered to walk the horses for the rest of the race. The race was declared a draw despite a last-ditch effort by Sam’s rider, who dodged around the pace car and crossed the finish line first. Sam did win the prize for the horse in the best condition, and got to graze on the state Capitol lawn the next day.

Both Sam and Teddy were “western broncos,” so the question of which breed of horse was better for endurance was answered unequivocally.

While races of this distance are rare today, the spirit of this race lives on in "endurance horses," which race 50 to 100 miles in a competition.

Hunter/Jumper

Hunter/Jumper shows make for fun weekend

The Colorado Hunter/Jumper Association puts on shows most weekends throughout the year all along the Front Range. But what is a hunter/jumper show?

First, a little history

The name "hunter" comes from the origin of the sport: fox hunting. Horses and riders would head out in groups, following a pack of hounds. The hounds would find the scent trail of a fox and take off running after it. The horses and riders would then follow over any terrain the fox covered - including fallen trees, hedges, ditches, and fences. Horses would have to jump over these obstacles and keep up with the hounds.

Eventually this sport evolved into more organized forms of competition such as hunter, jumper and eventing. Each sport tests different aspects of the fox-hunting experience.

Eventing tests the endurance and bravery of the horse. Jumper tests its power and speed.  Hunter tests its pacing and rideability.

Hunter/Jumper shows are split into Hunter and Jumper sections. The day often starts with hunter classes and ends with jumper classes, although each show will be managed differently. While horses can compete in both types of competition, each requires a different temperament and style of riding.

Hunter

These classes are judged and placed based on style, precision and rhythm. A hunter horse is expected to go around the course of jumps with a consistent rhythm, to jump the jumps quietly and easily, and to carry the rider with ease.

The judge will look for the horse's quality of movement and style of jumping. The horse should tuck its knees and be very precise over the jumps.

Jumper

Jumper classes are timed and placed based on the horse-and-rider combination with the fastest, cleanest round.

These jumps can be brightly colored, and the courses tend to be more complicated than hunter courses. Riders incur penalties for knocking down jumps, running away from jumps, stopping at jumps or going off course.

If more than one rider has a "clean" round, a jump-off is held, in which the riders jump a shorter, more complicated course. The fastest, cleanest jump-off round will win.

This section often includes an equitation portion, in which the judge watches the rider and his or her ability to communicate with the horse rather than focusing on the horse's movements.

Fences in these classes will be neutral- or natural-colored and made of natural materials.

At the show, classes usually progress from the smallest jumps to the highest.

When and where

Hunter-jumper shows will be held this weekend at Hobby Horse Farms in Firestone and next weekend at Four Winds Farm in Fort Collins. Check the CHJA website for schedules and more information.

These showcases of the relationship between horse and rider are fun for everyone to watch.

Horses and Halloween

Happy October!

It's time to start planning Halloween costumes, buying candy and getting ready for one of the best holidays of the year.

If you are like me, everything can be improved if done on horseback. So, how can you incorporate Halloween and horses?

Ever been trick-or-treating on horseback? Sound like something you’ve always wanted to do but never been able to? Trick-or-treating is just for kids, right?

Nope!

Every year the Mountain Riders Horse Club at Colorado State University goes trick-or-treating around a neighborhood in Laporte, Colo. These students are not seeking bags full of candy. They are collecting canned goods to donate to the Larimer County Food Bank.

Making the Halloween rounds on horseback has become a tradition -- and I helped start it!

I had wanted to go trick-or-treating with my horses since I first got a horse. I had talked about it with a lot of people but never was able to make it happen. I eventually met a group of girls through the Mountain Riders club who didn't have horses but liked to ride. I happened to own two horses, so these girls often would come out and ride with me.

When I brought up the subject of trick-or-treating with the horses, the girls became super excited. The first year it was just me, three other girls and my two horses, and we simply were trick-or-treating for candy.

The next year, we invited the rest of the club to join us, and one of the members suggested we make it a charitable event. Everyone really liked the idea, and that year we collected only about 10 pounds of cans - because no one in the neighborhood was prepared.

By the third year, the neighborhood was ready for us, and we ended up overloading the one pack horse we had.

Now, each year at Halloween, a group of 5 to 10 horses, riders and walkers meet just before sunset in the parking lot behind Vern's to start dressing up their horses and themselves before they head out into the neighborhood. They bring at least two horses wearing pack saddles which will be filled with cans before the night is over. Each year, the amount they collect gets larger, with more than 200 pounds collected last year.

More and more people participate each year. We bring three or more pack horses and still can't get to all the houses in the neighborhood.

Your group can do something like this, too -- wherever you are.

You will need to find a neighborhood that is friendly to horses. The easiest way to ensure this is to find homes with barns nearby. The residents will probably be accustomed to having horses walk through the neighborhood if there are already barns in the area. You could ask members of your club if the neighborhoods near where they keep their horses would be suitable.

To make collecting cans easier, post fliers and mail information so that the residents are prepared for your group to come by. You will either need one or two pack horses, depending on the size of your selected neighborhood, or you will want everyone to carry saddle bags.

You will also need people who are not riding horses. Their job is to knock on doors and help load the pack horses and saddle bags. If everyone wants a chance to ride, you can take turns walking and riding.

A few things to keep in mind:

• You will be riding at night. Horses can be more easily scared at night. You will need to watch out for cars and make sure your group is visible.
• Costumes and props can scare horses. Practice with your costume and make sure your horse is ready for the evening. Easily spooked horses should stay home.
• Here in Colorado -- and in many other areas -- it probably will be cold. Dress for the weather. Make sure children stay warm. Feel free to go home early if it gets too cold.

Remember to stay safe -- and have fun!