Six-time Olympic medal winner and dressage guru Anky van Grunsven of the Netherlands awed an enraptured crowd of over 200 auditors at her Spruce Meadows Clinic held September 5, 2006.

Eight horse/rider combinations were chosen to participate in the clinic. Those lucky eight who hoped to glean some of van Grunsven’s dressage wisdom for their own included: Wylda Kristel (Edmonton, AB), Kim Berenbaum (Calgary, AB), Irene Hill (Priddis, AB), Shannon Sluser (Glenavon, SK), Angie Colley (Tees, AB), Stephanie Koepke (Calgary, AB), Sharon Merket-Beattie (St. Albert, AB), and Sheri Dumonceaux (Cochrane, AB).
continue reading "Dutch Dressage Star Awes Crowds"

by Charlene Strickland

If you’re lucky enough to be able to work your horse indoors during the winter, then you also know it takes a long time to cool him out if he’s got a long coat of winter hair.

Thankfully, the invention of clippers has come to the rescue and can create a smooth, short coat that is easy to clean, and easy to keep dry during winter workout sessions indoors.
continue reading "Clip Like A Champ: A Step-by-Step Guide"

“I can’t describe how proud I am of him, he was flawless,” said Canada’s Duane Latimer of his Quarter Horse stallion, Hang Ten Surprize, after running his reining pattern for the 2006 World Championship at the World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany. He scored a phenomenal 230 points.

Just prior to Latimer’s run, American Tim McQuay on Mister Nicadual had received the identical score of 230 points and fellow American, Aaron Ralston on Smart Paul Olena, had scored 227.5. Latimer had his work cut out for him to beat that score, and he carried all of Canada’s hopes and dreams for a gold medal.
continue reading "Latimer wins Gold!"

It is a rare cartoonist who can introduce new characters into a successful strip without upsetting readers. But since Wiley Miller introduced Lucy, the lovable Pygmy-Clydesdale-with-an-attitude, as the companion to Danae (Non Sequitur’s cynical anti-heroine) fans have been clamoring for more. Now, readers can enjoy the adventures of Lucy and Danae in the first Non Sequitur collection dedicated to their exploits. Lucy’s lovable equine goofiness tempers Danae’s overdeveloped cynicism as Danae struggles with school, her father, and her sunny little sister, Kate.

Author/Cartoonist: Wiley Miller
Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
ISBN: 0-7407-5099-2 / black & white and colour illustrations
Price: $18.95 CAD / soft cover / 112 pages
To order: Write to Andrews McMeel Publishing at 4520 Main Street, Kansas City,
MO 64111-7701, USA, phone: (816) 932-6700, or visit www.uComics.com

Most horse owners realize that “know-how” is the key to safe and enjoyable horsekeeping. This user-friendly guide, created by equestrian expert Cherry Hill, offers a wealth of practical advice on mastering dozens of essential skills, illustrated with 350 how-to photographs. Horse owners of all ages and abilities will find this book indispensable.
Horse Handling & Grooming includes correct techniques for: clipping, bathing, braiding, tying, hoof handling, and more.

Author: Cherry Hill
Photography: Richard Klimesh
Publisher: Storey Publishing
ISBN: 0-88266-956-7 / black & white photographs
Price: $30.95 CAD / soft cover / 151 pages
To order: Write to Storey Publishing at 210 MASS MoCA Way, North Adams,
MA 01247, USA, phone (413) 346-2100, or visit www.storey.com

By: Bob Goddard

Why do horses allow humans to ride them? They don’t have to, you know.

While humans may have delusions of control and dominance, the truth is they remain in the saddle only as long the horse permits. Horses know they are quite able to rid themselves of these puny ape-like hitchhikers any time they want.
continue reading "Why Do Horses put up with Us?"

by Raylene McWade

The American Saddlebred Horse Association of Alberta was pleased to host the 2006 edition of the Western Canadian Championship Show, which was held August 18 to 20 at Westerner Park in Red Deer.

The show featured classes for American Saddlebreds, Morgans, and Andalusians as well as Open and All Breed classes. A true highlight at this show is always the American Saddlebred Alberta Futurity classes and this year saw an increase in entries, particularly in the yearling division.
continue reading "Saddlebred Champions: The Western Canadian Championship Show"