This message is from: "Green Valley Farm" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
MWFHC WINER MEETING & CLINIC Dan Nauman summed it up when he said...."I have one word to say about the MWFHC clinics and auctions.....WOW!!!!" Dan also said," The Fjord Horse has had a terrific effect on you folks and though small, the MWFHC has thus far proven to be an extra special organization." Dan is correct, we have a wonderful organization made up of caring individuals, who loves their fjords, share their knowledge and skills and are always eager to learn more. Friday nights social hour was a great time to renew old friendship and meet many new members. Very nice blueT-shirts, logo designed by Pat Holland, were sold for the Blue Earth 20th year celebration. Saturday morning started with our business meeting and Karin Peterson proceeded in her friendly efficient manner to get all agenda items covered in record time. The Blue Earth Show and the La Crosse Evaluation both seem very organized and ready to go. Check out details on http://mwfhc.org We them proceeded to the MN Equestrian Center(more details about center below). Our clinicians, Wes Licht and John Gurtner, did an excellent job of starting their programs with the basics and continuing to higher levels - there was something for every one to see and learn. A big thank you to those who brought horses for demonstration and hands on participation --- Bob & Therine Gudknecht and family brought Ashwood Birger & SCF Reinhart; Michael Jehlicka and Helen Schadler with Wood's Lola; Linda Syverson-Kerr with Spruce Hill Marcus and Odden's Norske Wood Sunniva; and Phillip Odden and Else Bigton with Smedsmo Graen, Odden's Bjarne and two youngsters. Many thanks to these owners who provided hands on experience for so many people. Wes started the driving portion of the clinic with the arena filled with many obstacles and the horses just in halters. He wanted to allow the horses a time to acclimate to the new surroundings and the audience. The horses were soon all walking over ground poles, blue water-looking tarps, thru L's and cones, around barrels, putting letters in the mailbox, etc. Wes reminded the participants to stand and lead their horses with a loose line- holding tight makes the horse want to pull against you. As the morning progressed the horses were in driving harness and were ground driven through the obstacles. This soon turned to competition and the obstacles were assigned points and a ground driven gamblers choice was in full action. It was fun to watch and cheer them on as Linda won with the most points. During lunch several had the opportunity to try the hands on grounddriven courses. After lunch as Marcus and the pair of Birger and Reinhart were harnessed and put to the carts the audience was invited into the arena for an up close and personal look at harnessing and questions were answered. -- What a great learning experience!!!!! Wes showed the steps he takes to introduce the horse to the cart. When a horse is first put to the cart a header should walk alongside the horse with a long line to assure a safe and successful learning experience. The rest of the afternoon was spent learning and improving driving techniques. Cones and Gamblers Choice were again part of the competition. The competition at Blue Earth will really be tough this year if we can put all this information to use! Thanks Wes! Sunday morning, with 6 inches of snow on the ground in Winona, John Gurtner started the program with a Showmanship Class. Many were interested in the fine details of standing the horse properly and moving so as to not interfere with the judges view. Once again there was lots of hands on participation and competition will be tough at Blue Earth. Bob Gudknecht and family supervised the many trying their hand at the log skid thru cones. They not only did singles but pairs as well and the majority were women. Several husbands were shocked to see their wives out there competing. They were preparing for the first ever women's only Blue Earth Log Skid Class. At the other end of the arena, John Gurtner was explaining proper techniques for lunging a horse and giving details on bending a horse, turning on the forehand and haunches. He had lots of helpful comments for the riders. Thanks John! We finished at 12:30 with everyone agreeing they learned lots and loved the hands on. We are looking for your suggestions for the 2006 winter clinic. What would you like to see and any suggestions for clinicians? Saturday evenings auction, organized by Dan Nauman, Toni Farrell and committee, was a hugh success. Approximately 35 members donated over 80 fabulous items from note cards, oil paintings, hand forged rose, hand carved stall name plate, sleigh bells. There was something for everyone in every price range. Rich Hotovy sure can talk fast and keep every on their toes and laughing. We truly have a talented membership and thank you to the bidders too. I had requests for contact info for the clinicians: Wes Licht 608-838-8178 John Gurtner 715-468-2780 MN Equestrian Center-- We are lucky to have a facility of this quality within a few hours of the majority of our membership. The center has a heated indoor arena 100x210, over 300 stalls, an outdoor arena 120x240, a smaller outdoor - all with outstanding footing, 8 wash racks a concession stand and much more. http://minnesotaequestrian.com Thank you all for participating and making this such a successful event, Sophie Fiedler
