Horse stuff for April 6

Wow, long time, no blog. I'm adding these in the order I received them (and copied verbatim from the e-mail), so I apologize for not being in chronological order. Here goes...

Shaggy Show (April 17) info available: (from the NCTA Equestrian Team) There are a couple small changes that have been made this year that are on the show bill so please look it over. Again this year we are associated with the Greater Nebraska Horse Show Curcuit and you can register your 4-H rider at this show for points for the end of the year banquet again this year. Due to this association we have agreed to make things equal for all the 4-H aged rider and they are required to wear 4-H attire to compete in the division or they will be required to ride in the open 19 & over classes. Also, a big things is we will be spliting the arena for Showmanship classes and will run 2 classes concurrently to help quicken the show unless there are problems of shared horses to work out. If there is such a problem please address me (Kim Anderson) with it so things can work together well. Also we're having an early entry drawing prize again this year so you can return your entries via email or snail mail to us to register for the prize.

Plainbaymare back in: If you go to Plain Bay Mare and scroll to the bottom of the page, there will be a pdf file, 2010shaggyshow.pdf, available for you to download.

May 22 Trailride at Julesburg, CO:
WHERE: Julesburg Welcome Center, River road 28, E-W parallel to I-76, off Hwy. 385
(Registration/Coffee/Donuts before we caravan to location!)

WHEN: 8-8:30am is registration. Caravan will leave Welcome Center for ride location at
8:45am. RIDERS WILL LEAVE ON RIDE AT 9:30am! Morning ride will circle east through various ranches. Noon meal served back at trailers; porta-potties provided. Afternoon ride will circle the hills to the west and conclude back at trailers at approximately 3:30pm.

SPECIAL ATTRACTION: The actual Pony Express route is along this river road, with Fort Sedgwick I&II, and Julesburg I&II sites designated by historical markers, Devil’s Dive, and many more interesting tidbits that “Trapper Gene” will share with those not on the ride, and maybe if interested , with riders upon their return!

WHY: To raise money for the 2010 “150 YEAR”NATIONAL PONY EXPRESS CELEBRATION, June 19th BBQ, while enjoying a good ride and camaraderie!

COST: $25/ADULTS; $15/YOUTH* AND 4-H CLUBS; $10 NON-RIDERS FOR MEAL. Advance registration is required for all categories. Meal is included in fee, and will be served by our Colorado Pony Express Chapter. No riding double this year, and young children must be accompanied by an adult. Souvenirs (t’s, caps, mugs, calendars), raffle* and door prizes will be on hand at noon! (*Raffle is for a commemorative gun being-drawing later at the June 19th Pony Express BBQ!)

CONTACT: Cheryl Nein, dnein@pctelcom.coop OR Linda Dolezal, 970-474-2675 or 474-2294

Riders wishing to arrive the night before the ride may find lodging at the Platte Valley Inn (970-474-3336). Corrals and camper facilities available at the Sedgwick County Fairgrounds just a mile away!


UNL Equestrian Team clinic/mock show, April 24-25: For more info, please visit their website: http://www.animalscience.unl.edu/undergraduate/involvement/equestrian.html

Interested in competitive trail riding and other horse-related activities? Meeting April 1o: (from Twila Brown) As the temperatures are warming, it's time to bring out the shedding blade and dust off the saddle for another summer of activities with your favorite 4-legged friends. Some of you may say, what activities??? Well as most of you know, I look forward to planning rides and meeting up with many friends, to spend time in the saddle.

This year, there has been enough interest in our area, that a small group of people have proposed getting together and planning both local and further distance rides. We are proposing that with the help of area horse enthusiasts, a group focusing on trail riding in the south central portion of the state, be formed. There are several riding groups in the North Platte area, but we would like to target many of the surrounding, smaller town's people with an interest in riding new places and meeting new people.

Part of our discussion has centered around assembling a group to put together a competitive trail competition. There is a national organization centered in Texas called the ACTHA (American Competitive Trail Horse Association) which helps promote and organize between 300-1000 rides each year across the US. The proceeds from these rides can be used locally by an organized group as a fund raiser or can be used as a money making project for local charities. More information about these events can be found at www.actha.us

In an attempt to include all area towns and decide whether to pursue the possibility of forming a local group, we would like to invite all of you to a dutch treat, night out at Butch's Restaurant in Hershey (located just south and half a block west of the main railroad crossing). Supper is at 5:00MT (6:00CT) with a meeting to follow at 6:00MT (7:00CT) on Saturday, April 10th, to help us discuss the many possibilities. There have been many fun suggestions for a group to gather and do along with trail riding, and we are open to any and all suggestions. If you have the desire to be able to ride more often, see new country and meet new people, then please RSVP by Friday, April 9th, so we can be sure to reserve enough room at Butch's. If you know of anyone else that may be interested in hearing about our tentative plans, please forward their contact information to us ASAP so we might get in touch with them.

Happy Trails, Twila Brown, rtbrown@nebnet.net

Looking for a saddle: The Plain Bay Mare is looking for a saddle that fits her and her rider. Her rider needs a 17" seat, but might be able to get by with a 16.5" in a pinch (get the pun!). Anyway, she would prefer a ranch cutter, but would look at a cutter or roping saddle. The Plain Bay Mare's rider is no credit to roping society, but has been known to snub some fairly large horses and would prefer a saddle that held up to the job. And contrary to popular belief, while the Plain Bay Mare is flush with flesh, she is not flush with cash. If you have any leads, please e-mail plainbaymare@gmail.com. There is the possibility of the Plain Bay Mare's 17" Teskey's ranch cutter being available for sale or trade if a saddle is found.

As always if you have anything you would like posted here, please email it to plainbaymare@gmail.com.