Young Horse Starting Contest for the first time
organized in Poland.
On one of the spring days this year I got a phone call
from one of our Polish western judges that I am invited to take part in the
first edition of young horse starting contest CONSIDERING THE HORSE that was
supposed to be based on “The Road to the Horse”
or “The Way of the Horse” contests.
The event took part in September.
We weren’t supposed
to ride horses (only if we wanted) but just work them from the ground,
get them used to saddles and prepare them for some scary obstacles
that we were supposed to lead them through on the third day after
the third training session. There were four of trainers and we were working
simultaneously on two round pens in two shifts. We had 3 training sessions
during 3 following days of the event. All together 4 hours of work with each
young horse before we lead them through the obstacle track.
Apart from our contest there were also different shows
and lectures organized there showing different methods of work, horses prepared
to more advanced level, discussion on human psychological aspects of
horsemanship and really great lecture by our Polish scientist and veterinarian
Krzysztof Skorupski who was describing how our different techniques and
behaviors with horses can be explained scientifically by behaviorist animal
psychology. It was really interesting and educational lecture.
My rivals during the contest (however we did
not treat it this way, so I should rather say colleagues) were three men, two
of them working with horses professionally as a stuntman and western trainer.
It was interesting to meet those guys and see some different techniques and
exchange experience. They had really nice feel for the horse and it was nice
watching them work.
On the last day after the third training session we
had an hour of break and were all waiting for the obstacle track to be built
that we did not know how it was going to look like. Some of the obstacles were
funny for us humans but certainly they were all scary for our horses. There was
a platform to get on, moving straps to go under, strange gate checking whether
our horse can squeeze in between things, a peace of plastic to got nicely on it
like on a path. We were supposed to touch horses with little vacuum cleaner and
lead them through letter L labyrinth. They were supposed to be saddled with
stirrups hang down. After the obligatory track we had few minutes for our final
freestyle if we wanted to show something extra with our horses.
My stuntman friend really nicely used the natural tendency
of this horse for wanting to lay down and roll and encouraged it to
do it. Just so freely and almost spontaneously. It was really great to watch.
I managed to get on my horse the second day bareback
and at the end of the
session in saddle too. On the third day she went really great through
all the obstacles. During our freestyle show I managed to lead her -
this time backwards through some obstacles again with her still remaining light
and stop her feet exactly when and where I wanted on some parts of the obstacles.
Than I got on her bareback, slid down her hindquarters, got on again with
saddle and got of doing little somersault. I felt very confident about her
standing still and of course checked her few times with higher energy before I
did it.
Our work was watched and judged during those three days and on the final day
the head of the 5 people jury was Dr. Robert Miller.
I am happy
to write that I won the contest according to jury opinion and what is even more
precious to me I also won according to public – they could vote for the best
trainer according to them. To be honest about my
success I have to write that I have drawn a great horse, very nice mare
that was just working so well and learning so quickly with the smallest stress
possible. She was curious, friendly and stable emotionally most of the time.
She made it possible for me to do and try few things that would not be possible
with all young horses during first three days of work.
I am happy I decided to take part in this event
despite some doubts I had at the beginning. The feedback I got from judges and
spectators was very positive. I have to say here a BIG THANK YOU to Steve,
because I feel it was all thank to you. I have met few important
people in my life who taught me precious things
about working with horses and riding, but
almost EVERYTHING I know and use in working with
young horses I learnt from YOU!
Seeing different horsemanship techniques and schools
during those three days I was proud to be your student.
The Contest official web site in Polish is
www.myslacokoniu.pl
Monika Damec
Show at Circle C 14th of December 2008
Written by Stephen Halfpenny
Sunday the 14th of December we visited the show at the Circle C Western Riding Club in Auburn. Steve took his stallion Saruman and Tanja from Germany took Kola. It was for both horses and for Tanja the first time to go to a show!
Irena, Michelle from England, Dominique from Tasmania and Annemarie from Holland were the supporters in the team.
Our intentions were to build the horses' confidence away from home and, most importantly, to enjoy ourselves.
In the morning Steve started with Saruman in the Halter Class. First he won his class and then became reserve halter champion. Tanja did Halter Class for geldings of four years and over. She became second with him. Tanja also competed in the Showmanship.
Later Tanja started in the Novice Trail Class. Kola wasn't too sure about all these scary obstacles! But Tanja set it up in a way he could make it and eventually they could go together over poles, a bridge, go through a gate and finally do a very good back up through poles!
Steve decided to join as well and had Saruman very bravely taking all the obstacles. Have a look at the video's to see how they went!
Now it was time for Western! Tanja did a great Horsemanship pattern with Kola. She became second in this (see video!). After that she did the Walk & Jog class, the Novice Western Pleasure (6th) and the Senior Horse Western Pleasure (2nd). Kola was becoming more relaxed and started to do everything just like he was used to in the arena at home!
We are looking forward to our next show! Today´s show was a great experience, both for horses and humansand we have found lots of goals to work on during the coming weeks.
We had a great, successful day, the first show again in 15 years!
Silversand Horsemanship
On one of the spring days this year I got a phone call
from one of our Polish western judges that I am invited to take part in the
first edition of young horse starting contest CONSIDERING THE HORSE that was
supposed to be based on “The Road to the Horse”
or “The Way of the Horse” contests. 
from the ground,
get them used to saddles and prepare them for some scary obstacles
that we were supposed to lead them through on the third day after
the third training session. There were four of trainers and we were working
simultaneously on two round pens in two shifts. We had 3 training sessions
during 3 following days of the event. All together 4 hours of work with each
young horse before we lead them through the obstacle track. 
My rivals during the contest (however we did
not treat it this way, so I should rather say colleagues) were three men, two
of them working with horses professionally as a stuntman and western trainer.
It was interesting to meet those guys and see some different techniques and
exchange experience. They had really nice feel for the horse and it was nice
watching them work. 
were all waiting for the obstacle track to be built
that we did not know how it was going to look like. Some of the obstacles were
funny for us humans but certainly they were all scary for our horses. There was
a platform to get on, moving straps to go under, strange gate checking whether
our horse can squeeze in between things, a peace of plastic to got nicely on it
like on a path. We were supposed to touch horses with little vacuum cleaner and
lead them through letter L labyrinth. They were supposed to be saddled with
stirrups hang down. After the obligatory track we had few minutes for our final
freestyle if we wanted to show something extra with our horses.
I managed to get on my horse the second day bareback
and at the end of the
session in saddle too. On the third day she went really great through
all the obstacles. During our freestyle show I managed to lead her -
this time backwards through some obstacles again with her still remaining light
and stop her feet exactly when and where I wanted on some parts of the obstacles.
Than I got on her bareback, slid down her hindquarters, got on 
again with
saddle and got of doing little somersault. I felt very confident about her
standing still and of course checked her few times with higher energy before I
did it.
I am happy I decided to take part in this event
despite some doubts I had at the beginning. The feedback I got from judges and
spectators was very positive. I have to say here a BIG THANK YOU to Steve,
because I feel it was all thank to you. I have met few important 
and riding, but 
