"There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man."  This famous quote by Winston Churchill, touches upon that mysterious something that draws people to the horse in ways words cannot explain.

What is it about the horse that effects people so profoundly?  I have yet to hear anyone say that they do not like horses – dogs and cats, maybe, but not horses.  They always have a story to tell about something that happened to them that involved a horse.  Most children pass through a “horse crazy” stage and some never get out. 

My father-in-law grew up farming with the cheapest horses his dad could find.  “Cheap” because through mistreatment by past owners, they had figured out how to protest work by lying down in the field and not getting back up…  None of this he blamed on the horses and he carries a lasting love and respect for them.  Today, there is nothing he seems to enjoy more than being with our horses.

The Transition – Work Horses to Play Horses

Wild horses died out in North America 10,000 years ago.  They thrived in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, where it is believed horses were first looked at less as dinner and more as a tool and partner.  It is thought that horses arrived back into North America through the Spanish coming from the south.  The Native American Indians are thought to have acquired them before the revolt against the Spanish in New Mexico in 1680.  Because of their versatility and usefulness, horses were greatly desired and spread quickly through the United States and Canada.  Horses made it much easier for the Plains Indians to hunt and follow buffalo.  Before horses, moving with the buffalo was limited as they originally traveled by human and dog power.

Travel, trade, play, work and wars have all been profoundly shaped by our use of horses.  It opened up much of the American West by making it possible to travel vast distances and pull loads.  Horses brought goods to areas normally hard to reach geographically.  They have allowed us to farm larger areas and provide food for more people and animals. In war, the addition of horses changed the balance of power between civilizations.  When both sides had horses, tactics and strength, played the major part in battles.  Many of the movements we see the Spanish Riding Schools Lipizzaner horses perform today are derived from war maneuvers.

Over the last Century, people transitioned away from using horses mainly for work, which caused a sharp decline in their numbers.  Today the number of horses in the world has climbed to 58 million and many of them are now used for more recreational purposes.  Although, many people still find using horses for ranching, farming, logging, and transportation to be rewarding, versatile and less invasive in many ways.  Cultures in other parts of the world still rely heavily on horses for all parts of their lives.

The Horse Designed

The qualities that make horses and humans work well together, the wild horse already possessed.  They are herd animals and desire to live in groups.  They are receptive to people becoming part of their herd and letting them be their leaders. 

Mentally, their brains work in a way that they desire to learn and obey subtle commands from us.  In order to be a good trainer and leader of a horse, we learn to understand and work with their natural instincts, not against them.   A good leader is honest, self- confident, respectful, fair, clear and concise and a horse’s herd behavior paves the way for us to be their leader to train and guide them.

Physically, horses are designed to use their powerful bodies to carry a person or to pull a heavy load.  Unlike ruminants, who must stop and rest to digest their food, horses can graze and work all day.  Horses have a natural gap between their teeth to accept a bit for guiding.  Where the nose goes, the body will follow.  Additionally, horses can also thrive on a wide variety of climates and feed sources, which makes them able to live most places people do.

But there is something more transcendent than just their physical and mental attributes.  Well known Hunter/Jumper trainer, Frank Madden, said recently of the horse, "They are mystical animals and they become so adaptive to whatever situation you put them in.  They spoil us and they allow us to become victims of their nobility - to the point where we take them for granted."  One way we take them for granted is that those who are around them all the time may not always be aware of what they do to the inside of us.  Just share your horse with some friends or family and watch them be transformed.  How very blessed we are to share their world.

Therapeutic riding and equine assisted psychotherapy and learning are some of the programs that are tapping into this complex well of self-discovery and healing waters.  In our penitentiary in Canon City, prisoners have a program to start Mustangs under saddle to later be sold.  The addition of horses to prison settings appears improve behavior of inmates and help reduce recidivism when they leave.  Recently, new studies using heart monitors are even showing that the heart beat of a human around a horse, will align with that of the horse.

Measureable and immeasurable, horses have a profound effect on us.  Unexplainable by words, but known by those whose lives have been touched by the horse.  Even Jesus is coming back riding a horse - He is definitely a horse nut too!  Come back every month to meet more of your local horsey folks -

The wind of heaven is that which blows between a horse's ears.
- Arabian proverb

Copyright 2012 Heather McWilliams

New management has picked up the reins at Squair Deal Riding Center (SDRC) in Aspen Park!  At the corner of Pleasant Park Road and Oehlmann Park Road, the boarding facility takes its name from its owner, Roz Squair of California.  In 2007, Roz purchased the ideally located, but in need of attention facility.  Roz and the first farm manager poured themselves into the facility to create an up to date, safe facility for the horses and their riders.  Starting in October 2011, David Bane, with the help of his wife Kelly, are thrilled to be the new management at SDRC and to become a part of their local community.  As they continue to improve the facility and take care of the daily farm duties, David and Kelly seek to set the framework for excellent horse care, education and a family atmosphere. 

David started working with horses when he was ten at his Uncle’s ranch in Deckers. Since that time, David spent much of his working life on ranches and feedlots caring for horses and cattle.  He holds an Animal Science degree from Northeastern Junior College in Sterling and is a trained farrier with a year apprenticeship in his background.  Most recently David managed a cutting horse and Angus operation near Elbert.  With all of his experience, David brings a solid foundation in farm management, horse care and natural horsemanship and applies that to the daily care of the horses.  Daily pasture for all boarding horses has always been included in the board at SDRC, which is not only great for the well-being of the horses, but it also gives David an opportunity to daily address each horse as an individual.  While their general health is always assessed, David makes sure that the horse is leading and being released correctly and safely.   Being intentional with the horses is a part of the environment of education at SDRC.

Education is a keystone to David at SDRC for the benefit of the horses and their riders.  Several casual educational seminars will be a part of the schedule at SDRC, addressing topics such as bits and hoof function, as well as guest speakers from the local veterinary community.  Boarders are always welcome to use their own trainers at SDRC and riding instructors such as Kelly Hendricks, Tucker Black, Liz Olde and Carly Davis, will be scheduling some clinics this spring and summer.  Already on the schedule are two Sunday clinics on April 15^th and 29^th from 11am to 2pm with Kelly Hendricks and Tucker Black.  These clinics are a drop in format for all levels of riders - $25 for a half hour lesson.  They will donate half of the proceeds on the 15^th to the Horse Protection League and on the 29^th half will go to the Colorado Horsecare Foodbank.

With four children of their own, creating a family friendly and safe atmosphere is a passion for David and Kelly.  Their desire is mirrored by Roz, who calls SDRC her home about four times a year and cares for her clients like family.  David, Kelly and Roz want SDRC to be the safe and comfortable boarding place for people and families to enjoy their horses, while providing excellent horse care and creating and allowing for educational outlets for riders and horses alike.

In addition to daily turnout with free choice hay, SDRC amenities include a variety of stall and run options, indoor and outdoor arenas and trail riding access to two open space parks.  SDRC also offers Open Riding to outside horses and riders, Monday-Friday from 10am to 2:30pm for a $20 trailer-in fee.  Check the website for the latest events and clinics at sdridingcenter.com.  Address/Phone:  23615 Oehlmann Park Road, 303-697-1808.

Let me know your suggestions for future articles and events in our local horse community - heather@coloradocorral.com.  Go to www.coloradocorral.com for all kinds of local horse information and to blog.coloradocorral.com for past articles. 

Our truest life is when we are in dreams awake. - Henry David Thoreau

Katie White is well into her journey as she lives out her dream to reach the top of the equine world.  You may remember Katie from the feature article in Colorado Serenity March 2010 titled, Not Your Average Princess.  At the time, Katie was the 2010 Evergreen Rodeo Princess and a senior at Conifer High School.  In addition to her studies, Katie worked hard for the income to be able to afford her horse.  Her family also did everything they could to help their horse crazy and very driven daughter pursue her dreams. 

Almost two years have gone by and Katie is finishing her second year of college in Sterling, Colorado, in the equine program at Northeastern Junior College.  Alongside her academic work, Katie’s proficiency with horses continues to grow and flourish.  Working with her college horse training instructors like Cole Briggs or with the instructors at the stable where she keeps her horse Zip, Katie has learned that everyone has something to teach you.  We all use our minds and bodies differently and have different strengths and gifts, so emulating a certain person exactly, or expecting to have the same specific results that they achieve is often unrealistic.  But learning to discern and incorporate certain parts or techniques of training programs that she appreciates in others into her own training program is what works the best for Katie. 

Chris Anderson and Sarah Boon at CA Performance Horses, where Katie keeps Zip while at college, have been influential in Katie’s horse training development and have helped her to really learn how to truly “finish” Zip.  A “finished” horse can be defined in more than one way, but basically “finishing” is to refine and complete a solid, polished horse that is reliable and steady in most any situation.  Katie’s college instructor Cole Briggs introduced her to the depth of the Reining discipline which has led her to pursue an internship this summer at a top Reining training facility.  Where would you go if you wanted to be with the best of the best in the Quarter Horse and Paint Horse industry?  Texas of course!  Katie has just accepted an internship at Visser Reining Horses in Whitesboro, Texas – horse country central! 

Heading to Texas is a leg of the journey that Katie knew she would need to make in order to improve herself and to obtain a greater perspective in the equine world.  What better place to immerse herself than  in an area where the equine industry thrives and the people and the horses are the elite of the equine training, showing and breeding world.  Then, at the end of her internship, Katie will continue south to College Station, Texas where she will begin her third year of college at Texas A & M University.

Last month while on her winter break from college, Katie was near her home in Conifer, but spent the majority of her time showing Zip at the National Western Events Center.  Forget taking it easy, Katie turned her break into more learning and practical experience in the horse world. 

Katie cannot recall the number of classes they entered during the National Western with the disciplines ranging from Jumping to Western Trail to English Pleasure.  In the Paint classes, Katie and Zip were 1^st in Trail, 3^rd in Novice Amateur Western Pleasure, 3rd in Novice Horsemanship and placed in seven other classes.  In the Open show they earned 1^st in English Pleasure, Hunter Pleasure, Horsemanship and Western Pleasure.  Overall, they were Reserve Champions in Amateur Western Pleasure, Open Western Pleasure and they won the Paint Horse Novice Amateur High Point for Zone 3.  Always looking for learning opportunities to stretch herself, Katie finds that showing gives her an accurate gauge of where she and her horse are in their development and where they need to improvement.  It also reaffirms the areas where they are stable.

Congratulations to Katie on your accomplishments at the National Western Stock Show, but also on stepping out into the larger equine world, seeking out the best as well as reaching and pursuing your greatest dreams!

Let me know your suggestions for future articles and events in our local horse community - heather@coloradocorral.com.  Go to www.coloradocorral.com for all kinds of local horse information and to blog.coloradocorral.com for past articles. 

Copyright 2012 Heather McWilliams.

Corporate America, sustainable leadership, team building and…horses – sound like an interesting combination?  Local horse riding instructor and trainer Kelly Hendricks has been co-facilitating corporate workshops with Christina Haxton, MA, LMFT (www.sustainable-leaders.com), for over eight years.  Marilyn McDermond and I were asked to assist Kelly with the horses for a workshop of managers of a Colorado based bank at the end of this past November.  Five horses were needed for this exceptionally large group of over forty participants. 

Horses are utilized in these leadership training workshops to help illustrate, experience and reflect feedback from an animal whose response is always honest and forthright.  Through activities done on the ground, by people who most likely have little to no horse knowledge, participants learn through experience about leadership, communication, teamwork.  It is truly fascinating to see Christina orchestrate such valid, immediate, cutting edge and important principles in corporate settings while standing in the dirt with horses.   Participants find that the training they receive is not only refreshing, fun and memorable, but it stays with them for years to come in the workplace and in themselves personally. 

The impression that horses make on people in this setting is what keeps Kelly Hendricks coming back to facilitate the horses for Christina.  Kelly states, “Everybody looks at a horse in a different way.  It represents something different to everyone.  For some people it is a vehicle to show or gain respect.  For some people it is a fear to overcome.  Horses symbolize something for people whether they are conscious of that or not.  It is fun to see in the corporate group and then to take that experience back to a kid having their lesson.  It brings me back to the beginning and that is invaluable.” 

As a riding instructor of mainly children, beginners and people getting back into horses, Kelly finds that being in a group of people who are just experiencing horses for the first time helps her to keep her perspective of what it is like to be around horses and what horses and people need to know to understand and communicate with each other.  As someone who has been professionally teaching and training for over fourteen years, Kelly explains, “I can’t possibly know what somebody feels  like as a student the first few times they come to ride unless I keep putting myself back in that situation all of the time.  I appreciate that which is why I keep doing it.  If I ever lose sight of what that feels like – whether it’s excited or happy or scared out of your mind – if I lose that, I have no business teaching beginners.”

This perspective is taken sincerely by Kelly as well as her desire to continually improve her own riding, teaching and communication methods with her students.  In the years she has been a riding instructor; about every two months she has sought out some type of educational experience to improve herself and her teaching. 

Most recently, Kelly has joined the Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA).   In May, she will take her Master Trainer Certification tests, practical and written, for English, Western, Trail Riding and Jumping.  She had been looking for an organization that fit her beliefs of good horsemanship and horse care, no matter what tack you use, and found that in CHA.  Not only will it offer her accountability and a standard to hold herself to with other top instructors and trainers, but it will add tremendous value for her students.  Students (and parents of the kids) will have a concrete system to follow as they progress in their riding abilities and they will have set goals to achieve as they move through the levels.

Kelly teaches and trains out of her and husband Jeremy’s Pikes View Ranch at 25778 Richmond Hill Road in Conifer.  They have two boys, Tristan and Laird and a menagerie of animals including sheep, goats and chickens.  She not only teaches children, beginners and those coming back to horses, but she also has several more advanced riders who come for lessons and help with their training.  She offers individual and group lessons and puts on clinics in conjunction with other trainers like Tucker Black. 

On March 18^th and April 1^st, Kelly will be putting on two women’s clinics with Tucker Black. The clinics will be $60 for 2 hours and limited to 6 riders.  You can bring your own horse or for an additional fee, use one of Kelly’s.  Topics include advanced groundwork and a riding video evaluation of the participants to improve their seat.   Reach Horsin’ Around with Kelly Hendricks at 303-918-9570, kellyfay2000@yahoo.com and kellyshorsinaround.com. 

To have a horse in your life is a gift. In the matter of a few short years, a horse can teach a young child courage, if he chooses to grab mane and hang on for dear life. Even the smallest of ponies is mightier than the tallest of girls. To conquer the fear of falling off, having one's toes crushed, or being publicly humiliated at a horse show is an admirable feat for any child. For that, we can be grateful.

Horses teach us responsibility. Unlike a bicycle or a computer, a horse needs regular care and most of it requires that you get dirty and smelly and up off the couch. Choosing to leave your cozy kitchen to break the crust of ice off the water buckets is to choose responsibility. When our horses dip their noses and drink heartily; we know we've made the right choice. Learning to care for a horse is both an art and a science. Some are easy keepers, requiring little more than regular turn-out, a flake of hay, and a trough of clean water. Others will test you - you'll struggle to keep them from being too fat or too thin. You'll have their feet shod regularly only to find shoes gone missing. Some are so accident-prone you'll swear they're intentionally finding new ways to injure themselves.

If you weren't raised with horses, you can't know that they have unique personalities. You'd expect this from dogs, but horses? Indeed, there are clever horses, grumpy horses, and even horses with a sense of humor. Those prone to humor will test you by finding new ways to escape from the barn when you least expect it.  Horses can be timid or brave, lazy or athletic, obstinate or willing. You will hit it off with some horses and others will elude you altogether. There are as many "types" of horses as there are people - which makes the whole partnership thing all the more interesting.

If you've never ridden a horse, you probably assume it's a simple thing you can learn in a weekend. You can, in fact, learn the basics on a Sunday, but to truly ride well takes a lifetime. Working with a living being is far more complex than turning a key in the ignition and putting the car or tractor in "drive." In addition to listening to your instructor, your horse will have a few things to say to you as well. On a good day, he'll be happy to go along with the program and tolerate your mistakes; on a bad day, you'll swear he's trying to kill you. Perhaps he's naughty or perhaps he's fed up with how slowly you're learning his language. Regardless, the horse will have an opinion. He may choose to challenge you (which can ultimately make you a better rider) or he may carefully carry you over fences - if it suits him. It all depends on the partnership - and partnership is what it's all about.  -Author Unknown

Cherish the gifts you have been given in life.  We all have such precious blessings.  Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and all of the best in 2012! 

Do you know someone or something in our horse community you want to know more about?  Email me your suggestions - heather@coloradocorral.com.  To learn more about our local horse community, go to www.coloradocorral.com.  Heather McWilliams

It has always been Tucker Black’s dream to train an untouched Mustang.   Curiosity led him to research the Extreme Mustang Makeover events held across the country.  Specifically, the “Supreme” Fort Worth competition caught his eye for two reasons.  The first was the challenge of competing against the best in the country and the second was the fact that participants were required to personally adopt the horses with whom they would compete on.  Tucker knew that he wouldn’t be able to let go of his first Mustang.

Tucker bought 5-year-old “Lakota” for $500 on April 16th through an auction that was broadcast on RFD-TV.  This auction sold a total of 200 Mustangs.  Only horses bought at this auction were eligible to be used in the Fort Worth Supreme Extreme Mustang Makeover taking place September 15-17, 2011.  One hundred and thirteen riders entered the competition and the competitors were divided up into three divisions:  “Legends” (professional trainers) - $100,000 purse, “Idols” (amateur trainers) - $50,000 purse and the “Stars” division for horses shown only “in-hand” for a $20,000 purse.  The horses were about 3 ½ when they were rounded up and had been at a holding facility for over a year.  This choice was intentionally made to demonstrate that horses from holding facilities could still become great riding partners. 

Prior to the auction, a fifteen second video was available online for each of the sale horses.  It was Lakota’s build, movement and kind eye that made him Tucker’s first choice.  Lakota was from the Callahan Nevada herd, which has strong Quarter Horse characteristics and some Spanish influence.  After the sale, Lakota was transported from his holding facility in Carson City, Nevada to Cañon City, Colorado.  Tucker and Lakota met for the first time on May 13^th.

From the time that he picked Lakota up, Tucker immediately noticed the beginning of a bond between horse and human.  Lakota quickly began to trust Tucker to care for him.  Tucker let Lakota set the pace, and once Lakota learned that people could be trusted, his progress accelerated.  Tucker found Lakota to be a very fast learner, and after their first weekend together, he could be tied and groomed.  At the end of that week, Lakota was ready to ride.  The main difference Tucker found with Lakota, in comparison to domestic horses, was that Lakota was a blank slate.  He didn’t have any of the problems sometimes created in horses raised by people.

After four months of training and experience, Tucker, his wife Holly, and Lakota arrived at Will Rogers Equestrian Center in Fort Worth, Texas on September 14^th.   Over the next few days of competition, riders had the option of choosing to compete in Western or English tack.  Tucker had chosen Western and was entered in the Legends division.  Therefore his three classes, Trail, Pattern and Trainer’s Choice, included reining maneuvers like circles, spins and rollbacks, plus cow work.  The cow work consisted of boxing at one end, turning the cattle back on the fence both ways and driving them through cones.  For the Trainer’s Choice portion, Tucker chose some of Lakota’s stronger areas; transitions, lead changes, loping small collected circles and sliding stops.

In the competition, against some of the top trainers in the country and from all riding disciplines, Tucker and Lakota ended up in thirty-fourth place out of sixty-nine horse and rider teams.  They also earned a Top Ten placement in the Trail class.  This is an amazing accomplishment for anyone — especially at such a demanding event in one of the biggest venues in the United States.  From his perspective, Tucker felt the competition itself was very well done and really helped to promote and bring awareness to the plight of American Mustangs.  Go to the “xtrememustang” youtube.com account for video highlights from Fort Worth 2011 – they are amazing!

Perhaps you have considered providing a home for a Mustang, but you are intimidated by the process and training.  Tucker would love to assist folks with Mustang training, and even with showing their Mustang in an Extreme Mustang Makeover event.  Tucker is currently planning on competing in the upcoming Extreme Mustang Makeover in Fort Collins, Colorado in 2012.  Tucker Black Horsemanship professionally trains all types of horses at Pikes View Ranch in Conifer, Colorado.  Reach him at 303-870-8389 or at tucker_black@hotmail.com. 

Questions or Comments?  Let me hear from you!  Do you know someone or something in our horse community you want to know more about?  Email me your suggestions - heather@coloradocorral.com.  To learn more about our local horse community, go to www.coloradocorral.com.  Copyright 2011 Heather McWilliams. 

Pictures on the website!!!

It was a perfect September weekend for The Colorado Corral Ranch Race Clinic on Saturday the 17th and the competition on Sunday the 18th.  Thank you again to the sponsors!  Canyon Tack and Feed in Kittredge and Pine Country Feed in Pine offered amazing awards for participants; Mobile Veterinary Services sponsored the cattle and trainers Kelly Hendricks and Tucker Black at Pikes View Ranch in Conifer helped cover some of the other expenses.

This year’s course obstacles included a pattern, dragging a bag of boxes, rocker bridge, outhouse/ground tie/chickens, barrel maze, take out the trash, cattle push, “S” poles, calf rope, figure eight back and trailer load.  The results were as follows - Youth 13-18:  1^st - Megan Schweitz on Biz; 2^nd - Cat Moss on Copper; 3^rd - Madison Schweitz on Dexter;  4^th - Sage Lochhead on Dandy.  Youth 12 & Under:  1^st – Riley Smith on Navajo; 2^nd – Alexis Hall on Llotto Luck.  Amateur:  1^st – Kim Meyer on Danny; 2^nd – Tony Shepperdson on Maybe; 3^rd – Barry Wilkins on Catmandu; 4^th – Monica Wheeler on All Day & Night; 5^th – Kristen O’Connell on Chicklet.  Green Horse:  1^st – Darin Smith on Mathew; 2^nd – Amber Hall on Grady Grayson.  Open:  1^st - Kim Meyer on Danny; 2^nd – Tony Shepperdson on Maybe; 3^rd - Megan Schweitz on Biz; 4^th -  Madison Schweitz on Dexter.  Jackpot:  1^st - Kim Meyer on Danny; 2^nd – Tony Shepperdson on Maybe; 3^rd - Megan Schweitz on Biz; 4^th -  Madison Schweitz on Dexter; 5^th - Monica Wheeler on All Day & Night.  Congratulations to all participants – results aside, everyone had a great time and the horses and riders learned and mastered some new skills. 

Thank you as well to Bruce McReynolds who brought all kinds of goodies to rope at the clinic, Tony Shepperdson who built an awesome bridge and Andrew McWilliams who built a perfect outhouse (and had all of the neighbors and the UPS guy very curious).

It is time to sign up for the Intermountain Horse Association’s Poker Ride this September 10th in Alderfer Three Sisters Park.  My son Asher and I have fond memories of the Poker Ride last year, as we were the winners of close to $500!  Amazingly, we had the two best hands - not bad for a seven year old and his mom who had never played poker before!  Knowledge of poker is obviously not required for this fundraiser, just the desire to get out with your horses and ride (or lead) in one of our beautiful parks.  The entry fee is put in the pot which is split between the winning hand and three local non-profits – the Evergreen Parks and Recreation District’s (ERPD) Special Needs Program, Harmony HorseWorks Equine Sanctuary and Jeffco HEAT (Horse Evacuation Assistance Team).  The more entries, the more we win and support these important organizations! 

Overall, IHA seeks to represent our local horse community. They sponsor monthly meetings every third Tuesday at the Evergreen Beau Joes relating to the latest local horse issues and information.  Plus, IHA members socialize and network with other horse people through a trail ride, clinic and two other gatherings during the year.  In addition to the Poker Ride in September, IHA was involved with two other fundraising events this year. 

 In May, IHA and the Colorado State Department of Agriculture co-sponsored a microchipping event allowing local horse owners to get their horse’s microchipped for identification purposes and to help in times of evacuation.  Microchipping, fairly routine in small animals, is now gaining ground in horse identification.  This event accepted $750 dollars in donations for HEAT – our nationally known Horse Evacuation Assistance Team.  On June 24th, IHA also co-sponsored the “Horse Art Show” with Evergreen Fine Arts at the Evergreen Fine Art Gallery.  The proceeds were donated to our local Colorado Horse Care Food Bank (horsefoodbank.org), Harmony HorseWorks (harmonyhorseworks.com) and HEAT (jeffcoheat.org).

ERPD co-sponsors the Poker Ride with IHA and generously provides the grounds, insurance and permit.  Members register early for $25 or non-members for $30 – add an extra $5 if you wait until after September 4th. The Poker Ride is taken completely at each rider or groups own pace.    Riders leave as they wish around 9 a.m. and return in time to turn in their hand by noon.  Asher and I sauntered along at a walk, enjoying the view and time to get out and ride together.  Five stations are set up along the route where you draw one card per station.  Members of IHA record each pick on your own card received at registration.  When you return, your hand is tallied and the winner is determined.  While the horses rest at the trailers happily munching on hay, IHA serves participants a great lunch where the winner is announced at 12:30pm.  Sign up today for a fun ride to support local organizations and meet new horse folks!

Get all of the information for the Poker Ride at intermountainhorse.com or contact Carolyn Knapp-Nelson at 720-985-7107 / equinehands@comcast.net.   To join the Intermountain Horse Association, find more information on the website or just attend a monthly meeting September through May, 6:30pm in the Beau Joes meeting room.  Membership fees are $25 for individuals or $35 for a family.  Join them for the first fall meeting Tuesday September 20th, where Dr. Amy Norton will be presenting about her trip to Mongolia with Veterinarians Without Borders.