Ed Gardner - Asst. Editor
Everett Gardner - Photographer
February
2002
To answer this simply, the cost. I have noticed that the price of all of the equine publications have been soaring. I wanted to put something out there that everyone could read and not worry about the cost. I wanted the information that would be in this publication affordable to everyone. I will strive to get as much topical information each month as I can that will teach, inform and entertain. If you have any comments or suggestions just email me and I will certainly appreciate it. If you want a reminder in your email when each issue is on line just email me with your email address and I will send you a noticed when you can view new issues. Take care and enjoy those wonderful equine friends.
Pat Gardner
The first sight that meets my eyes are two beautiful white horses excercizing in a large fenced pasture. They appeaer to be Arabians, and they seem to be enjoying the crisp air. I immediately have to stop the car and walk over to meet these two beautiful horses.
The smaller of the two, a gelding was standing by the fence and seemed anxious for me to pet him. About fifty feet away was a much larger mare, and upon my approach to the fence she galloped up to greet me.
The gelding seemed to know that she was in charge and he backed up away from the fence. This mare was one of the friendliest horses I have ever had the pleasure to pet. She was all over me, rubbing her head against my face, neck and shoulers. She couldn't seem to get enough attention from me. It was love at first sight between the two of us. It was obvious by just looking these horses how well cared for these animals were. I was sure that they had lots of attention and love just by the way that they would allow a stranger to come up to them and interact. I was getting more impressed by the minute. It was hard for me to tear myself away from these wonderful horses. I just wanted to take them both home with me.
At long last, but much too soon, I was back in the car to drive the short remaining distance to the facility. I immediately recognized that this facility was very well taken care of. Everything everywhere was scrubbed shiny clean. There was no sign of any trash or waste anywhere in sight. It showed me just how much pride that Cazenovia College had in this wonderful place. I wasn't sure where to go, but in the very center of this large center building was a staircase up to big glass double doors. I was amazed at the size of this building.
I entered through these doors into a large expansive room with colorful posters from Lorenzo's Driving Competitions throught the years. There were glass walls on each side of this room where I could see a large tack room on either side. These tack rooms lead to double rows of stalls where the horses were kept. I was looking for the office of the equestrian team's coach and assistant dean, Naomi Blumenthal. I found her office at the back of the building. It had a large glass wall allowing me to overlook the wonderful large indoor arena on the other side of the panes. The area measures an impressive 100' x 300'.
Naomi was a very warm and charismatic person. It was obvious that she loved her job and was very eager to share her enthusiasm with anyone that showed an interest. She told me that there were 107 students in the equine program or riding on the team. They had the luxury of having at their disposal some of the college's 72 horses, which I found to be all so wonderful. Naomi told me that they have 6 mini horses, 2 ponies and 1 horse all broke for driving. I got to meet the horse that they drive. He was a sweet tempered Morgan gelding. He was so friendly and seemed to enjoy the human contact. I couldn't understand why they had all the extra chains across the stall door for just this one gentle horse. Naomi laughed as she told me that this little boy would manage to get the door opened or unhinged if they didn't use this extra security. Horses are so intelligent and they watch you as you secure their doors. They will work at the doors until they get it open. Experience has taught me never to underestimate the things a horse can do!
I was surprised to find out that they teach pleasure driving in the curriculum at Cazenovia College. Carol Buckhout and Sue Voss are the driving instructors, and they teach such things as obstacle driving, which can be very difficult. The driving students compete each year at Lorenzo's competition. This is one of the most prestigious and grueling driving competitions in the area.
The college has several levels of competition that the students are involved in. Equitation and dressage are taught in daily lessons. They have a varsity and junior varsity huntseat team. There is also a stockseat (western) team competing at varsity and junior varsity levels. Naomi told me that each year it is required to take one totally green student on the team. This is a student that has never been on a horses back. The coaches train this student right from the ground up. Before long this student will go on to compete in the huntseat division of walk/trot and the western division of walk/jog.
Many students will compete in only one area of discipline. But if a student shows interest they are encouraged to participate in multiple specialties. Each discipline has its' own coaches and team managers and all are well supported by the staff at the College Equine Center.
Students in the equine program work toward a bachelors degree in Business Management, with a specialty in Equine Mangement. The students receive a strong background in business management so that if down the line they decide to go in a career path other than horses, they have the degree and the knowledge to do so. This is a very good common sense approach to the students educational directions. Students leaving Cazenovia College have a very strong academic education.
Along with all of the regular studies, the equine students take 45 credit hours of equine classes. Every team member receives regular equine school lessons. They must all ride daily and this seems to be the best part of the course for the students. Every freshman is assigned a project horse at the beginning of the school year. It is that students responsibility to see to the care of the horse that they are assigned to.
All tack, which includes saddles, pads, blankets, bridles, etc. is provided by the college. The students may use their own tack for a horse, but only upon special request, and only if the tack fits the horse properly. All of the student's competition/show clothing is provided by the students themselves. For the most part the students generously share clothing with each other. This is a trait that you do not find in most colleges, but here at Cazenovia College, the degree of willingness to share what they have with their classmates is wonderful. Naomi told me that the students commonly will lend a shirt or even boots if they find a classmate needing something.
The college has more than ample space for their program. There are 54 stalls connected to the riding arena. There is also a foaling barn that has another 10 stalls. In addition there is an outdoor riding arena and classroom space.
Cazenovia College has over 30 Baccalaureate and Associate degree programs. It is a private college for men and women with an enrollment of less than 1,000 students. The student faculty ratio is 16 to 1. Cazenovia was founded in 1824, and is one of thirty of the oldest educational institutions in the nation.
Recently I attended a competition at the college and I was thoroughly amazed by the students. I was standing at the rail watching some of the students put the horses through the course. Behind me were some of the Cazenovia team members waiting for their turn. These were some of the best mannered, best sports, generous students that I have ever had the great pleasure of observing. This is not the typical thing that you see on a college campus today. At most colleges the language and demeanor is usually pretty sad. But here representing their college, these students were like a bright light in a dark world. This behavior said much for their coach, Naomi Blumenthal. Typically a team of this type behaves as is expected by it's coach. These students are a credit to her and to their families. I watched these students cheer on the other competing school's team with the same enthusiasm that they cheered on their own team members. Witnessing this type of behavior really gives you a positive feeling that there is hope for our future generation. If not for the entire generation, at least for the young ladies and gentlemen in the Cazenovia College Equine Program.
Immediately after each competition there is an assemly line set up by the students. Naomi lovingly says this assembly line looks to her like a big drive through car wash. The horses are walked through this line, and students on either side pack the horses feet and get them put in their respective stalls. Most times they are completely done before the visiting teams leave the college. The students have really fine tuned this assembly line to a smooth running team effort. I could see that Naomi is very proud of her students and their dedication to getting everything they do, done quickly and correctly.
I noticed that during the competition everything was proceeding with unusual precision. There was no waiting for a competitor to start, no looking for the next rider. Everyone was sitting in the saddle on their mount at the gate when it was their turn, ready to take their ride. Naomi told me that during these competitions the students are completely in charge. About a week before a competition, Naomi asks one of the students if they would like to be in charge of that competition. Usually they want to do this and they will run the event. The only thing left for Naomi and the school to do is to hire the judge.
The students learn about all the management aspects of horse shows from this practive of running a competition. Naomi is a great teacher in this aspect, as she the manager of the New York State Fair Horse Show each year. This is a giant undertaking. She told me that each year some of the students work at the show with her. These lucky students really get a hands on learning experience from this type of horse show. These students are learning from the best and starting at the top show in the area. What better experience and opportunity can you get?
One of the most anticipated events at the competitions is jumping. The jumps are set to a height of between 2'6" and 3'3". The novice riders jump between 2'6" and 2'9". The intermediate riders jump up to 3'. The highest level, open riders, jump up to 3'3". These jumps are set in a pattern, which the rider must memorize to take the horse correctly through the course. Before the students ride the course, each horse is taken through this course to ascertain that they will take the jumps and the course safely. Only after the coaches are satisfied that the horse will do the jumps and take the course will that horse be put into the pool for the students to draw their mounts from. Each competitor draws the horse that they will be riding from this pool. The luck of the draw makes everything very even in the competition. All riders wear protective helmets while riding and jumping.
During the competition that I watched, one of the horses that was in the pasture called Rosie, broke her leg and had to be put down. The team was not told of this tragedy until after the competition was complete. At a past competition, another school had taken a picture of one of their students riding Rosie. The rider had done very well on this horse and they remembered her fondly. When the other school hear what happened to Rosie, they sent Cazenovia flowers along with the picure of Rosie they had taken. This is a prime example of the big hearts that you find in this wonderful world of horses.
Cazenovia College is competing in the Intercollegiate Association. This includes approximately 300 schools and over 6,000 students nation-wide. The United States is divided into 8 geographical zones. Cazenovia College is in zone #2. All the zones are divided into 3 regions. In Cazenovia College's region there are 11 schools that compete against each other including Cazenovia. At the end of the year the students with the high point totals are allowed to move on to the zone competition. The points are totaled in regional division the last Saturday in March, March 30. The points are totaled in zones on April 13. There are 36 schools that will compete with their first and second place point total students. First and second place in each competition will move on to the National Competition. This year the nationals are being held at Cazenovia College in May.
One very interesting thing about these competitions is that the alumni may compete in a division. This is the only college sport that allows alumni to compete. This brings a lot of the students "back home" to their colleges to compete.
Cazenovia's riders have won numberous National Championships including the coveted Cacchione Cup, which is awarded to the outstanding rider in the Hunt Seat Division for the year. The Western riders have brought home a team Reserve National Championship as well.
Peanut, the little Bishon dog, is the team mascot. Each team member pets the sweet little white dog for luck before they ride. Last year when the team competed in the nationals held in Conyers Georgia, the dog could not be taken with them. The long trip and the whole situation would have been too hard on the little mascot. The team came up with an idea to have a little of Peanut with them for the important competition. Each team member cut a little lock of the dog's white hair and put it in their pockets when they rode. Peanut had plenty of hair to spare, and the team probably helped Peanut avoid an upcoming haircut by this ritual. Their good luck charm must have worked because the team returned home with many ribbons and awards.
It takes a dedicated staff to maintain the facilities each day. There is a barn manager and assistant manager. They see to the care of the animals and the facilities. There are also three maintenance personnel to assist with the many tasks that need to be attended to daily. At any given time there are a number of school work students or part time workers. Some of these part time students are high school students that love the chance to ride and be near the horses. For most of the workers, getting to ride these horses and excercise them is not like work at all, it is like their dream job. During the school vacation when the students go home, the horses still get ridden every day. There are a few exceptions, a few of the horses get a well deserved vacation.
The school does on occasion rent out the facilities. Most of the events are co-sponsored by the college. By doing this the students can compete in the events and get even more experience. The school sponsors the Brian Dygert Clinic, which is to be held at the Equine Center on March 10th and 11th. There will also be a driving clinic in April by world renowned teacher, Olaf Nyby. With all of this going on it is plain to see that the students get the opportunity to really enjoy themselves while attending Cazenovia College.
I visited the college during the winter break, when the students are all supposed to be at home. I was struck by the number of students who were back daily to practice their riding. Naomi wasn't surprised by this at all. She told me that it happens all the time. I was immediately struck by the way that the students loved and respected their coach, Naomi Blumenthal. It was more than obvious that there was a really special relationship between the teacher and her students.
I know that if I had a student that was interested in attending a college with a specialy in equine studies, Cazenovia College would be the only college I could possibly recommend. There are not enough accolades or beautiful adjectives to describe the warmth I now feel for this tremendous equine program hidden in the hills of Central New York. Good Luck at the Nationals Cazenovia. I will be there to cheer you on!
1140 AM
News, Information & Talk For
Farmers From 1140 'CJ Country'
Now With 2500 Watts Of Power
Blasting The Ag Rich Region of
Western New York And The
Finger Lakes!
Nearly 11 Hours Each Week Of
Programming
Daily News For Farmers Since 1980
Set Your AM Dial To
1140
Here's Our Line-Up!
11:00 - Noon
AGRI TALK with Ken Root
weekdays
Noon - 12:30
NEW WATCH 1140 Midday
Mondays-Saturday
DAIRY LINE with Lee Mielke
AG RADIO NET FARM
NEWS with Ed Slusarczyk
LAW OF THE LAND
NATIONAL FARM REPORT
with Orion Samuelson
LOCAL LIVESTOCK
Market Reports
CORNELL Cooperative
Extension Features
AG CALENDAR Updates
KINGDOM
VETERNINARY
HOSPITAL
5252 Route 31
Clay, N.Y.
13041
(315) 699-0375
****
Quality Care For
Large & Small
Animals
****
Farm Visits
Grooming
Dentistry
Boarding
24 hr Emergency Care
****
John E Davis. D.V.M.
Kevin Hammerschmidt, D.V.M.
George Schoonmaker, D.V.M
Scott F. Lescalleet, D.V.M.
www.animalkindomvets.com
Milling and Sales Facility
* * * * * * * * * *
145 County Route 33
Central Square
New York
13036
(315) 668-2671
Hours:
M - F 8:00 - 4:30
Sat - 7:30 - 11:30
This is the freshest feed that you can give your horses and other livestock. We have our own mills, and we mix and grind all the feed right here at our facility. The prices are better than any other in the area. Once you try J.J. Feeds you will never want to feed your animals anything else!
Anyone that knows me, knows that I am extremely particular what I feed my horses. I started using J.J. Feeds last fall. Now I wouldn't feed them anything else. My horses seem to really love it, and they are thriving on their pleasure and show horse blends. J.J. Feeds has different types of horse feeds with varying fat and protein contents. I cannot believe the quality and the freshness that this feed has. I also use their goat feed and their chicken mash for my hens. Since starting the chickens on their brand my egg production has more than doubled. Try them, I know that you will feel the same about them that I do. Tell them that I sent you, you'll be glad you did!
PRESENTS
WINDTREE
The new way to powr your home or barn
Water and Air Purification
Take Control Of Your Home's Indoor Enviornment
The Windtree is an energy alternative
for rarms, homes & small businesses
Wind Power Could Be The Answer
To The Ever Increasing Energy Cost
Jim & Dawn Arkerson
Marketing Managers
106 Church Parkway
North Syracuse, NY 13212
(315) 458-5447
email: [email protected]
The Gardner Farm
Located in Brewerton, NY
See all of our critters! Come and meet my three horses, a wonderful morgan, Alex Bay, a big beautiful quarterhorse, Lady B and our newest addition to our family, a registered standard bred, 2 year old Midnight Star. Just click on the picture below to visit us.
There are many schools of thought on this decision. Horses have remained outside for hundreds of years. They roamed freely on the plains running wild without the luxury of a barn. Horses that have the choice of in or out will more often than not choose to be out. Many horses kept in will get sick from a build up of mold and a lack of fresh air. If you opt to put your horse in a barn always be sure that there is lots of ventilation and fresh air. In many cases horses have developed sicknesses from being locked away during the winter and in the end had to be put down. The best way to keep your horse in these sometimes brutal New York winters is to invest in a good horse winter coat. Some of these coats will keep your horses warm to forty below. They are water proof and the horses don't seem to mind them at all. Give the horses a place to get out of the snow or rain that is dry. A very important thing is to be sure that this place will also keep them out of the winds. The horses develop a thick winter coat to help protect them, so if we use a little common sense we can make their lives much more comfortable.
Of course one of the main problems in the winter is water. The buckets we supply our horses with drinking water freeze quickly in our frigid weather. You can try to use some of the inserts that are on the market that will keep the water either circulating or warm it a bit to keep it from freezing. The problem with these devices is will our horses accept them? Horses can be very picky, and do not like change. Many will not drink from a source with these devices in them. The only other alternative is to bring in fresh water several times a day. It may seem like a lot of work, but they are worth it.
You are starting out again. You rode when you were a teen-ager, won't it be just like riding a bike? No it will not! It is always a good idea to get an instructor when you begin riding again. Always remember that horses are wild animals and can pose a real threat to your health if you do not proceed properly.
How do you find the proper instructor? The best way is by word of mouth. Although there are many excellent facilities, do you get a teacher to come to your location, or do you go to theirs? In central New York, if you are going to take lessons all year round you will have to use an indoor facility at least part of the year. If you do not have the luxury of having your own, as most of you do not, you can find several facilities that have these indoor arenas.
How often will you take lessons? How often will you ride? Unless you have a bottomless pit of money, you will probably have lessons once a week. The more often you ride, the better rider you will become. I have found that the more I ride the more I improve. Every day would be the optimum schdule, but that isn't necessary to become a good rider. I have found that riding at least three times a week will bring your skills to your desired improvement. You must realize that the better you want to become the more often you will need to ride.
There are many very good riding instructors that will come out to your facility and give lessons there. That seems to be the very best of all worlds. You already have your horse there and you will not have to transport it. All your tack is there, and it will be comfortable and familiar to start with. You will be in your own environment, thus making it much more comfortable to begin your riding path to excellence.
We've all heard the old saying, "you're only as old as you feel". Well let's face it, if you are older, your bones and muscles tire out and hurt quicker than when you were younger. But there is absolutely no way that your advancing age should keep you out of the saddle or out of the show ring.
Yess, there will be times in competitions that you will be riding against people that are young enough to be your son or daughter, and in some cases even your grandchild. But so what!
The most important factor that you should consider is why am I doing this. If you are doing it for the love and fun of being with the horses and riding, than by all means go for it. If the most important thing in your mind is the winning and the ribbons, than you should think about all the obstacles that are in front of you.
Those of you that just want to enjoy the competition and be with the horses should do whatever they can to get involved. You can talk to other people who are in the classes and get an instructor or trainer. Even though you are in this for fun and love of the sport, you need to do it right and safe. You need to learn the finer points of riding and horsemanship. With a little help you will probably keep yourself from making a fool out of yourself. You will also help keep your body in one piece. Let's face it, our bones are more fragile as we get older, and a fall could really be disasterous.
Where do you start to compete? The easiest way is to start at local county fairs or schooling shows. Some of us didn't think in advance, and I for one started at the state fair. The state fair will bring out the best of the best horses and riders. But do not fear, for the most part, the people are very accepting and will give you pointers and help you out in any way that they can. This sport is a very closely knit circle of pople and most are willing to share their knowledge and experience with you.
If you want to do it, give it a try, it can be so much fun! Happy riding.
I am an older rider, and I am afraid to canter, what if I fall?
Older, great condition
Beautiful Hand tooled leather
Brown
$200 OBO
email at:
[email protected]
Registered Arabian Gelding
Western Pleasure
Gentle, easy to ride
For intermediate rider
Reasonably priced
email at
[email protected]
Trained for driving
Gelding preferred
Resonably priced
email at:
[email protected]
Child/Adult Jumper
10 Years Old
Very Easy To Ride
Has shown successfully in the
Hunters Shows in the North East
Including HITS Catskills
For More Info Email at:
[email protected]
Just click on "Email"" sign above and it will brinig right to my email.
Put in all the information that you would like to be displayed including any pictures. Deadlines for entering items is the 25th of the month before the publication comes out.
If you have pictures of
anything of interest
regarding our younger
riders and drivers, just
click on the donkey above
and email it to us. We
would love to feature your
kids here.
Mom's Answer:
Bye! Have a good life, don't forget to write.
Brewerton, New York