The Pony Express March, 2005 Editor: Sandy Zelmer You may also download this newsletter as a PDF document (172KB) for printing Send Information, Dates, or Classified Ads to the Editor at: Szelmer@sympatico.ca Sandy Zelmer 5818 – 4th Line, RR # 2 Tottenham, Ontario, L0G 1W0 905-936-2658 Regional News: Events, dates and the information on them can now be found at the following locations to avoid repetition. Check for dates you don't want to miss. For all Pony Club dates and results – Be sure to check the WOR and the CPC websites and calendar there to be up to date! For all eventing and eventing clinic dates – http://www.eventingincanada.com Dates to start the year: Date Time Activity Mar. 13 10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. Testing Workshop Show Jumping/Dressage Workshop Regional Meeting Sr. Educ. – Pat Frewen-Lord TD, Crawford Dales Scoring Apr 2/3 Guelph mini-meet Apr 9 9:00 Sports Performance Clinic (Townsend's 519-787-1383) Apr. 17 10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 11:30 a.m. 1:00 p.m. A/B/C Rally Workshop D Rally Workshop Tetrathlon Workshop Regional Meeting Sr. Education – TBA Apr 30 Regional Quiz & Tack Sale May 1 Old Orchard Combined Training event May 18 7:00 p.m. Regional Meeting June 15 7:00 p.m. Regional Meeting June 25-26 Regional Tetrathlon July 9 Regional PPG July 13 Zone PPG Wed. July 20 Regional Meeting; Zone PPG July 22 – 24 A/B/C Rally July 30 Regional Dressage and Show Jumping (NEW DATE) Aug. 7-12 National Tetrathlon Aug. 17 Regional Meeting Aug. 20 – 21 Zone Dressage and Show Jumping Aug. 27 D Rally Western Ontario Region has an arranged with Brubacher's Harness Shop to receive a "bonus" of 10% of the value of all purchases and repairs for Pony Club members at either the Ailsa Craig or Wallenstein stores. We encourage all members to have a look at their catalogue: http://www.brubachersharness.ca/Storefront/catalog/index.htm Heads-Up - Canada is hosting the InterPacific Rally in 2005. Part of it will be held in Ontario (July 1st & 2nd) at Cedar Peaks in Cookstown. We will need to borrow horses at the Training level for these international riders. If you have a horse to loan, please contact Sandy Zelmer at 905-936-2658 or szelmer@sympatico.ca New Branch – Welcome to Willow Creek, a new branch of WOR. The DC is Lynn Young. Education Opportunity - The Willow Creek Pony Club is hosting the AMERICAN SPORT PONY ASSOCIATION CERTIFICATIONS in May at Kingsmill Equestrian Center. Ponies are Judged and certified here on property and there are MANY learning opportunities for pony clubbers to take advantage of or just to come see. Ponies will be from North America, and certifying in all categories. More info to follow. People interested in entering ponies contact Robin Milroy at Kingsmill EC. 519-353-4235. Mount Nemo Pony Club's 3rd annual Mini Meet is set again for Saturday, May 28th, 2005 in beautiful Burlington, Ontario. The mini meet will include shooting at the Burlington Rifle Club, Running at Lasalle Park in Aldershot, and Swimming at the Aldershot Pool. All events are within minutes of each other. Flyers will be distributed at the next regional meeting to the DC's of each club or e-mail amc2sitel@aol.com Budding artists - Mount Nemo pony clubbers got together to complete their arts and craft badge by making some works of art. Cardboard boxes were recycled and sculpted into horse heads. All were encouraged to use their imaginations in the decorating of the head. The horse heads will be on display at the Ancaster Library in the community corner for the month of March, for all to enjoy. PUMP UP THE BADGES>>> Ideas from Mount Nimo In 2005, Mount Nemo Pony Club has incorporated the badge program into their education and club meet level programs to let the kids earn the badges together. After each education session- the kids are assigned a project- that when they complete and present it to the rest of the club- they earn a badge. Last month many of the kids earned their driving badge as they attended a session on driving, helped to hook up a horse to a sleigh and then topped off the day with a fun sleigh ride in a beautiful quebecouis sleigh and were even featured in the local news paper! Last month the Mount Nemo Pony Club kids got together at CornerStone for a winter fun day, including sledding, snow play and a great Horsey Craft. The kids made carboard/paper mache 3d horse heads and then decorated them in various designs and materials. Their handiwork will be at display at the Ancaster Library for all to see! Each of the kids earned a Horse Craft Badge for their work. Great work MNPC. Other clubs wanting to get the designs for this great and challenging afternoon activity, please e-mail the MNPC amc2sitel@aol.com. From our readers - Here is a great poem by Caitlyn Parisi, of the Niagara Pony Club. The poem is about her D Rally cross-country ride with a pony named Ghost the Most. “Adrenaline rushes through your body. You feel the excitement of the crowd, yourself, your mount. You know you're clear and all you have to do is cross that finish line. You see it, a sigh of relief, you finally get to breathe. Your horse gives you the little bit he's got left…to gallop the stretch, Declare your victory. You made it! You cannot wipe that smile off your face and stop telling your horse, Good boy good boy” Testing - Study Guides are being revamped starting from the top down. Junior Examiners from all clubs: please call Susan Roth with what you did last year: clinics, tests, assists etc. Computer errors have wiped out last year's records. Susan will put out a new Tester's List. Membership is overdue. Get them in quickly. Use preprinted forms. Call Crawford if you need another form. Get OEF Memberships inAs soon as DC receives application form and money, they are members immediately. If member sends their application in themselves, they are not members untill their application is received by OEF, and can't participate in events till DC gets confirmation of OEF memberships. Tetrathlon - opportunities Sports Performance Clinic April (9th) for all levels of athletes - shooting and types of equipment. For parents and children. Guelph Marlins will talk about swimming and conditioning. Running Room will talk about equipment and conditioning, great speakers and trainers. Warren Townsend 519-787-1383 Burlington Rifle club = 12 weeks. Trainer from Olympic level - exercises. 8:30 in Burlington Saturday mornings. Call Warren Townsend 519-787-1383. Show Jumping and dressage – the date and location have been changed to July 30th at Philippa Bates farm in the Fergus area. Gigantic Tack and Clothing Sale held at Quiz April 30th We have made some changes this year so please read the instructions carefully! The tack sale will be right beside the Quiz main room so close for all. How it works – You (that means anyone with anything horsey to sell, you can bring things for non-pony club people too) bring labeled items, we sell them, you get your money minus a 10% donation to the travel fund for our pony clubbers! It is our big fundraiser to send our pony clubbers to their competitions next year so please bring lots and help make it a success! The sale is only as big as you make it! What do we bring (and of course what will be for sale) – a non inclusive list is: For the horse – saddles, bridles, blankets, coolers, saddle pads, bits, reins, shipping boots, splint boots, bell boots, halters, shanks, brushes, whatever For the kids - jodhpurs, breaches, shirts, chaps, jackets, vests, winter and summer riding boots, books, art, tetrathlon equipment, PPG equipment, Rally equip. T shirts, sweat shirts, toys, horse figures, stuffed horses, PJs, Other – forks, skip buckets, art work, trunks, boxes, saddle racks, books Trailers for sale can be parked in the parking lot with a for sale sign on them, and a poster put in the tack sale (No we won't take 10% of these large ticket items but do expect a nice donation to the travel fund if they sell please.) By law we cannot sell used helmets or live animals. (but do bring horses for sale posters and we will try to hang them for you) Instructions Items will be dropped off at the door to the tack sale unlike last year so that we can get ready a bit earlier to open, and when it opens all have a fair chance. Please have your items there as early as possible – we will be there to accept items at least one hour before Quiz. Bring hangers for your clothes, we are trying for coat racks for the clothing this year. Label all items securely, preferably with a tag and string! The sticky labels tend to come off and we can't sell or pay on something we don't have labels for! We pay from the labels we have collected off the items. Sticky ones don't work as well! We will try to have some labels there but better to do it ahead of time. Labels must have your name, the club you are affiliated with, and a price. Be sure to pick up your unsold items at the sales end. Everything must be taken from the school and often the items left unclaimed are the items the sticky tags have come off of and no one knows who they belong to. We will not be responsible for lost or unclaimed items after the sale. These are boxed, and spend the winter in a hayloft, and if you are missing something you should likely see it back unlabeled (and probably dusty) at the next years sale for you to claim. DC/ADC WORKSHOP held January 15, 2005 at the University of Guelph - OVC Life Learning Centre If you did not attend and get the DC hand book contact Cathy Miller Virginia Buchanan-Smith - Has made life-long friends through Pony Club. Pony Club best kept secret. Besides horsemanship, kids learn so much else. Learn so many other skills as leadership, teamwork. CPC has only 1 paid employee –Administrator Val Crowe. So much depends on volunteers. It is our job to ensure kids are safe, learn something and have fun along the way. Del Zelmer – presented flowchart of CPC organization.. Basically it is a very democratic organization similar to government. Here to serve our active members. Club level = Municipal government. Parent volunteers are crucial to organization. Friendly competition between branches, also in the Testing system. Club High Points Trophy awarded to top clubs at the end of the year. DC should look for an ADC who will take over the ropes one day. DC should not be a life sentence. Clubs who do well have an economy of scale. Small clubs just don't have the number of bodies to help out. Region should support clubs to attract members and keep members. Region needs to hear from clubs what they need to do to provide better service. Each club needs to elect a Youth Rep who will pass on info to Regional Youth Rep. Regional = Provincial Govt. Policing and governance. National Board = Federal Government. Regional Reps take our concerns/input to National level. Youth also represented at this level. 1 East, 1 West. Same weight as any other Director. Meets twice a year. AGM and SAM. All of Regions have opportunity to speak on things that are of concern to them. Flow of information in and flow of information down. Ralph Rainford - Pony Club is overwhelming to the new parents. Helpful hints: You are not queen/king. Be a leader, not a dictator. Be an advocate in your branch, not just for your own kid. Listen to others, be polite and friendly. Attend all Regional Events Organize, organize, organize Active member meetings Parent meetings (agenda, beginning and ending times) Be enthusiastic! Delegate, but ask for help Read, learn, educate yourself Educate your executive and parents. Keep good records, keep copies Remember to pass on records to other Executive members and Incoming DC's Don't reinvent the wheel. Ask! Learn how to run a meeting/rules for voting. Organize a new member evening. Meet with all new prospective parents before registering children. (Video, pictures, handbook, brochures, website) Build an effective Executive for success. complete (fill all positions) friendly effective room for growth and progression Crawford Dales - Joined Pony Club in 1976. Not too many rules or regulations back then. Insurance has effected Pony Club in a big way over the past few years. Now have to operate under rules and regulations. Traceable chain of responsibility. Operation of Pony Club branches. What are the rules and who has the authority? 3 key documents for every DC: CPC Bylaws, CPC operations manual and Policy handbook, WOR rules and regulations. Available on the Pony Club website. CPC is a corporation. Branches must follow procedures setup by the corporation. DC is in charge of the branch, but does not have the final say in the branch. Branch executive committee has final say (DC, ADC, Secretary, Treasurer + 1 rep for every 5 kids). Up to max of 10. Anyone under 18 can be elected to committee, but cant vote till age 18. Committee makes all decisions for branch. No one else in branch is covered under the insurance. DC generally supervise and oversee. Authority to suspend any decision made by branch executive committee - can suspend it till talk with Regional committee. DC signs something on behalf of branch - DC has to be sure the member is capable. Use advice of professionals if necessary. Authority of members and parents: can form exec committee, or disband it. If want to remove anyone from office, need 2/3rds of membership. Branch voting: majority. Tie defeats a motion. No one under 18 can vote. Over 18 has one vote. Parent = 1 vote per child. Exec = 1 vote, plus vote for child under 18. Must be in attendance to vote. Proxies can be used to vote someone out. CPC election procedure should be followed. Harassment policy, code of conduct etc on website. Our Region is fortunate to have the depth of experience available through people like Ralph, Del, Crawford and Virginia. Just ask any of them for help. That is what they are here for. Theresa Kerr, Lauren Mark – Youth Reps Each branch should have a Youth Rep. Branch reps are the link between the branch and the Region. Report branch activities (link from members). Survey branch members and report to branch leaders. Help branch newsletters. Organize social meetings. Elect one or decide. Regional Youth reps go to Branch meetings and Regional meetings. Summarize members' concerns and take to National. Organize activities and meetings. Chain of communication. Branch link members to Region - Region Youth Reps take to National level. Meeting after Senior Education in Feb. Email Lauren: luv2ride@cogeco.ca or Theresa: kerrenterprises@primus.ca Is your news here? It could be, send stuff please! Classified Section: Classified are free to all pony clubbers, and for things that would interest pony clubbers. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHEN YOUR ITEMS SELL SO I CAN DELETE YOUR AD!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THANKS. If I deleted your ad because I haven't heard from you and you need it back in, please let me know and I will put it back in. HORSES AND PONIES Elderly Thoroughbred breeder in hospital and must sell out: I have agreed to help him and have a full list of these horses to email to anyone who is interested. For more information call Sandy Zelmer at 905-936-2658 or szelmer@sympatico.ca 2004 shots and worming up to date, all sell with TB papers. A really nice, well bred, bunch of mares from a long time breeder. None bred last year due to owner's ill health. Examples: Free companion horse – aged TB mare, real sweetheart, not rideable but easy keepers, live out with drive shed, had many foals, loves people, has been well loved. Thoroughbred broodmares which were not bred (for family health reasons) last year, all sorts of ages, sizes and pedigrees, most are $1500 to $2500, some are sound to ride but haven't been ridden since the track, email me for list. Travelling sound as I saw them ridden. (1st time since their track days): Secret Alliance – 1994, 16.1 chestnut mare with blaze. looks and moves like a hunter, very pretty, definite show potential, wants to go in a frame. $2,000 Fly My Cares Away – 1995, 16.1 brown mare, excellent mover – built to jump, active and athletic, $2500 Calypso Countess – 1988, 15.2 chestnut mare, a gas to ride – would love games or active trail riding, loves to go, but very manageable $1,000 Empire Knight, 1996, 16.1 chestnut gelding, very friendly pretty horse, loves people, 2 old bows but seems to travel sound, active, $1500 Nominated – 1998, 16 hand brown mare, solid build, nice mover, very green and active, hunter type, $1500 Bart's Fancy (Roxy) – 14.1 ½ large pony bay mare. Registered AQHA, 6 yrs old, really cute mover and cute jump, shown schooling and Trillium shows, has Trillium ribbons. Done PPG, Show Jumping and C1 PC test. Not quiet enough for beginners. Totally sound. Well-bred hunter style AQHA mare, By Doc's Black Bart, out of Sheza Best Request. $6500 contact The Cowper's at 519-856-9558. Solar Commander – 16.2, 13 yr old thoroughbred gelding. In the last 2 years he has evented Pre-Training with a timid novice, shown “A” circuit hunter, showed “A” circuit jumper and collected ribbons at York Equestrian, Palgrave and Collingwood, and shown Training Level Dressage. He is ready for the 2005 season in any discipline. He a wonderful all around horse, willing, honest, brave and talented, is ridden in a plain snaffle, is quiet enough to take a beginner through his/her first show season and talented enough to take a senior rider anywhere they want to go. He is good in a group or alone, shows equally well indoors or outdoors. Pluto is great with children and not the least bit spooky. He has exceptional ground manners and no vices. This is a 16.2 hand thoroughbred that looks more like a warmblood and has the quiet disposition of a draft horse. Pluto is truly one of a kind and must be seen to be believed. Asking $12 000. Please call Robin at 705-739-9473 or email robin.reynolds@sympatico.ca (editor's note – I know this horse – he belongs to a friend and beats us at all the shows!!!! He is exactly as she says, perfect for any pony clubber for any discipline on disposition and training alone. His owner has 4 year old twins and a brand new baby, SZ) Tica (This I Can't Afford) - Eight year old experienced Eventer/Jumper/Dressage mare. See her at http://www.freewebs.com/thisicantafford/ or call 416-424-2658 for details. (editor's note – small world - we bred her and sold her to a student of Morag O'Hanlan's as a youngster. She is closely related to many successful eventers on both sides of her pedigree including Jen's prelim eventer Piece of the Puzzle. SZ.) 18 month old Hanoverian - Verband branded very pretty chestnut filly, beautiful tempermant, well handled and affectionate - looking for her perfect owner - will turn heads in the show ring. For more info call Simone Usselman-Tod at 905-627-6797 or e mail sandylane@golden.net 3 yr old bay Clyde/TB cross. 16.3 h very loving disposition. Ground broke, training ongoing. Will make a lovely eventer or field hunter. Loves to free jump. No spook in this horse at all. Looks more like a warm blood than a cross. Pics available. Call Robin at Kingsmill Equestrian Center 519-353-4235 $8000 neg Astra – 16 hand, 6-year-old chestnut mare, TB/QH cross, solid build, green but coming well (wasn't ridden much when young). Really cute jump, sound, no vices, $3500. Or would trade for quiet novice kids eventing (2'6”) horse. Szelmer@sympatico.ca 6 year old Quarter/Morgan pony 14.2. h Dark bay VERY ATHLETIC. Evented last year at the training level can jump 4 feet, flashy enough for Dressage ring. Would make great western working or gaming horse. Needs a gutsy rider. Can take a Pony clubber eventing, Pony Jumper,,and is good on roads for hacking as well. asking $6500 neg to right home. Call Robin at Kingsmill E.C. 519-353-4235 Nutmeg. 18 year old, (but thinks she is 3) chestnut pinto pony, 13.2, really pretty. She is forward, but easy to control, and does not have a mean bone in her. She has never done PPG, but loves to do the occasional barrel course, and can jump a small course. We have had her for over 6 years, and we mostly do trail riding. She has also done the odd show, including the Fergus Fall Fair a few years ago. We would like to find a home for her in which she will be loved. Has always been sound, trots onto our trailer, and is up to date on all shots, including West Nile, with a recent Coggins. Caroline Champagne, (519) 829-2325, Medium hunter pony, does flying lead changes, jumps 2'6" courses, and is a very pretty, forward moving, long strided pony, located in Cambridge, Ontario. "Chris Robinson" kyroen@rogers.com Free 2 year old standardbred gelding to a good home, never raced. He had a tendon injury when he was a year old and it has healed nicely. He will be a wonderful riding horse. He is presently stabled in Caledonia. Cindy Mark, cwmark@cogeco.ca Registered Welsh, 12.2 HH pony, 100% sound, Chestnut/Alezan Roan, 2 white fore pasterns, 2 white hind stockings. Looks like a mini POA. Very flashy, jumps a course, does all pony club disciplines, nice big jump, brave forward and sound. Loads, trailers, stands for vet/farrier. Great in PPG. Lots of show experience, to take confident rider to the ribbons. Price reduced for immediate sale $2300 amc2sitel@aol.com Bobby - Six-year-old (January 1998) German bred pony, bay gelding 14.1hh. Bobby rides like a horse, has a big step, and is brave and bold to the jumps. He showed in Germany as a 4 year old with an 11 year old rider in both Dressage and Jumper classes. He schools 3ft to 3ft6 at home with ease. Fast and careful, he will make a kid a star in the pony jumper ring. His canter is so smooth he could be used for the pony medals as well. Champion at Canadian schooling show at Hendervale in 3'0 - 3'3 div. $25,000. Contact Brad Gabriel 1 (905) 379-7433. Miss Priss - 5 year old 13 hh, round pony mare. Priss loves to play PPG games and can jump a 2'9 course. She's a great spunky pony that loves to work. $1800.00 Check out photos at www.jewelsridingacademy.ca or call Lori 519-843-9987 Shine - Gorgeous black and white pinto mare. 5 year old, 15h, was ridden all summer by a 6 year old. She's just learning to jump (2'6"). $4000. Check her out on www.jewelsridingacademy.ca or call Lori 519-843-9987 2004 pony foals – Paint/Welsh cross, will mature to Large and Medium ponies, $500 each, contact Gabrielle Monteith at gmonteit@ovc.uoguelph.ca 2004 Canadian Sport Horse fillies – by Yellow Creek, all bred to perform, will mature 16 to 17 hands, blacks and bays starting at $3500. Szelmer@sympatico.ca 905-936-2658, www.parklaneranch.ca 2004 Hannoverian/TB cross colt, registered CSHA, blood bay with markings. Out of 17 hand TB/CSHA approved mare, by 17.2 hand Hannoverian “Wardance” by “Warlock”. He carries some of the best Warmblood lines in Europe. $3500 szelmer@sympatico.ca Wanted Black 10-hand quiet pony for toddler to be led on. Mom owns black Hanoverian stallion so wants to be matched. Contact robin.reynolds@sympatico.ca I'm looking for a large pony/small horse for my 9 yr old daughter to ride, take lessons on and show this summer. She has been taking lessons since the summer and is working on cantering and small jumps right now. She can sometimes lack confidence in herself so needs a horse that is good with that and won't take advantage of her. floydfamily@rogers.com Looking for a Horse - looking to purchase an older horse, 10-15 years old, 15-16HH. Horse needs to be safe & sound. This horse will be used mainly for trail riding (English). There is no intention of showing or jumping. Michelle Bussey @ 519-648-3403 or email Michelle at rbusse@on.aibn.com Wanted - 15.2 to 16.2 hand, 4 to 16 yr old mare or gelding, sound, for C rider, also going to event Entry level (2'9”), maximum $2000 to spend. Please call my coach, Sue Boyle at 905-936-2658. And tell her it is for Molly Tack and Equipment English saddle, “Pro” - dark brown 16 inch, wide tree, close contact with knee rolls and thigh rolls, no scratches or stains, in good condition $350. Call Helen at 519-666-1651 helenliscumb@execulink.com Rebuilt small 2 horse trailer – ramp, bumper pull $1500, excellent for ponies, Call Helen at 519-666-1651 helenliscumb@execulink.com Size 7, normal calf, English leather field boots. They are in really good condition. $150. Contact me at gap_princess15@hotmail.com Laura Hastings 4 horse stock trailer built 2 years ago, gooseneck, hauls great, very good condition. $6000. phone 519 846-8466 or e mail tomradcliffe@yahoo.com Crosby 16” close contact saddle, excellent condition, no scratches, stains, $750 obo, eventerbabe16@hotmail.com 416-236-7190 ask for Molly Quality jumps for sale. Brand new. Painted or unpainted. Great prices. Variety of jumps available as well as custom design. idealjumps@sympatico.ca Tipperary Vests, Tall-Medium, white, cover comes off for easy washing, brand new, $100. equus3d@ican.net Services, Shows, Clinics, and other Free Board for your horse: - University of Western Ontario/Fanshawe College students London area. Free board for your horse in return for 4-5 days cleaning out stalls. 12-14 stalls (1 - 1 1/2 hrs work). In return you get full board, small indoor arena, large outdoor arena, trails and lots of Pony Club kids to ride with. Please call Diane for more information 519-283-9678 or email dianne.jackson@jus.gov.on.ca Boarding Available: - Ten minutes from Mohawk. Large, safe, grassy paddocks. Oak stalls also available in large, clean barn. New 150 x 210 sand ring, fully fenced. Perfect environment for a young person in training. Coaching available. Pony part boarding an option. $150 for pasture board, $250 for full board. 519-821-1553 Vicki Dickson Standing at stud: Yellow Creek – 16.3 hand homozygous black TB stallion, Bronze Premium Sport Horse, Approved AQHA www.parklaneranch.ca Employment wanted & opportunities Summer working student required. Must be a minimum of 16 years of age. I am looking for someone to help (with coaching or training where needed) with day camp, events, shows, breeding and foaling, and handling young horses. Some farm maintenance but very little mucking. Live in or out, bring your horse or use ours, $100 a week spending money, lessons and clinics, the opportunity to show and event, Sandy Zelmer, Park Lane Ranch 905-936-2658 www.parklaneranch.ca Editorials, jokes, other things worth reading Thank you this month to Abby Miller for this submission New Year's Resolutions for horse folk: 1. The barn will be cleaned before noon every day. I plan to resolve to do that...maybe even accomplish it. 2. I will clean my tack faithfully after every ride, even if it's just with the quickie leather cleaner. Okay, once a week at least. 3. I will buy three Lotto tickets each week: One to pay for more horses; one to cover veterinary expenses; and one to cover farrier expenses. 4. I will make appointments for a haircut at least as often as my horse needs new shoes. In fact, that's a good way to remember. 5. In the coming year, I will check my clothes for hay before going out in public. 6. When I reach into my coat pocket for change, I will try not to pay with pieces of carrot or horse treats. 7. Horse clothing will not be cleaned in the family washing machine any more. At least, not while The Husband (or Parent) is home. 8. I will not soak bits in the kitchen sink. I will put them in the dishwasher instead. 9. I will remember to write social obligations on the calendar as religiously as I write clinic and competition dates. That way, maybe I can keep them. If they don't conflict, of course. 10. I will (occasionally) feed the family before the animals at least on weekends. 11. I will endeavor not to scream NO! every time a family member attempts to take a carrot from the 50-lb. bag earmarked for the horses. 12. I promise to stop critiquing every movie I see in which there are horses and the riding, grooming, or tack is incorrect. 13. I will stop saying "over" to my spouse when he's in my way in the kitchen and "whoa" to my children. 14. On the first rainy or snowy day of the New Year, I will muck out the house. 15. In the future, the living room will not be decorated with bridles and bailing twine. I'll save that for the family room. 16. I will wash my truck as often as I wash the horses. 17. I will not use the exercise bike as a saddle rack. 18. When I uncover the exercise bike and find new homes for the blankets and saddles it is holding, I will ride it. 19. I resolve to completely ignore all of the above resolutions this year to take enough time to actually RIDE my horse and stop grousing about not doing it enough. -author unknown - from the internet