Tammy Finney www.emilysouthousebook.com Tammy Finney has written a weekly newspaper column "The Outhouse,
Life on the Farm with Emily" since
2005. Living on a working grain
and livestock farm in west central
Minnesota, she captures the daily trials and frustrations in the form of uncomplicated, humorous
stories. A self-taught writer,
Tammy graduated to a
self-publisher in 2009 with her
first book by the same name as
her column. Volume two was
published in September of 2011.
From picking the paper weight
to dealing with printers and all
aspects in-between, her books
are a true example that self-
publishing is possible and can
be profitable.
Dr. Seth Nelson www.risingsunanimalchiropractic.com Dr. Seth Nelson, DC, CVSMT, has been an animal person his whole life. After completing his doctor of chiropractic degree (D.C), he immediately began his training to provide chiropractic care for animals and is a certified and licensed animal chiropractor (CVSMT). Spending much of his youth at dog shows and field trials with his mother Kathy, a judge for over 30 years, has given Dr. Nelson a sharp eye when it comes to the motion of all animals. He has worked with a wide range of animals including the #1 Saluki show dog in the nation, Nationally ranked Afghan straight line racers and world championship Reining horses. The health care of all animals, not just horses, dogs and cats, is Dr. Nelson’s top concern so all animals are treated with the utmost respect, patience and care. Dr. Nelson has an active human and animal chiropractic practice in St. Peter, MN and travels extensively around the state working with animals.
Fran Lynghaug
Fran Lynghaug is the author of several horse books: Her first was "Horses of Distinction, Stars of the Pleasure Breeds". Her next book, "The Official Horse Breeds Standards Guide: The Complete Guide to the Standards of All North American Equine Breed Associations", was one of three finalists in the Animals division of the 2010 Ben Franklin Awards, regarded as one of the highest national honors in publishing. Fran was the editor of "Your Horse: The Illustrated Handbook to Owning and Caring for Your Horse". She has also authored a training book with television's PBS personality Dennis Brouse, titled "Dennis Brouse on Horse Training: Bonding with Your Horse Through Gentle Leadership", which will be released in November 2011 by Voyageur Press. Farn also authors articles for two monthly horse periodicals: Valley Equestrian Newspaper and Today's Horse Trader magazine.
Fran lives on a hobby farm in Downing, Wisconsin. Her website is www.equestrian-horses.com
Dale Froyum
Mr. Froyum collected
his first training check
as a 12 year old farm boy.
That
check has led to a
life of passionate
involvement and
commitment to the
horse
industry.
Through the years he
has trained many different
breeds including
Morgans,
Arabians, saddlebreds,
Holsteiners and all of
the stock horse breeds.
In
1972 he became
a nationally certified judge.
In the ensuing years he
has had the
opportunity
to judge many state fairs,
some of the largest futurities
and six world
championship
shows.
In 1970 Dale and his wife
Lona started Sun Bar Ranch
which became a full
service
facility fo training, fitting,
showing and breeding. This
ranch has
produced
numerous state, national,
supreme and world
champions. Today this
ranch is located in Welch, Minnesota, where they
stand two AQHA
Palomino
stallions.
With his degree in
education it became
only natural that he
would become part
of
the national scene in the
field of clinics and
seminars. Since the
mid seventies,
Dale has
traveled extensively
speaking about many
topics, including two
of the
most popular,
which are “Bits and
Bitting” and “From the
Judges Perspective.
” For the last twenty
years he has been an
interviewer and a
clinician for many of
the training seminars for
certification of new
judging applicants.
Dale has been national
president of the Palomino
Horse Breeders of America,
President of the advisory
committee to the College
of Veterinary Medicine
(University of Minnesota),
Chairman of the national
judges committee,
and
served on many
more national boards.
Over the years Dale has
been honored as a three
time inductee into the
national
PHBA Hall
of Fame and the Minnesota
Horseperson of the Year.
Wayne Williams -
Speaking of Horses was
a concept of bringing
you the very best in horse
entertainment whether
being audio or video
via
the world wide web.
Wayne Williams is your
host
of “Speaking of
Horses”, he has over 40
years of horse
experience
and over 35 years in radio
backgroundto
add to the
program.
Wayne is the “Voice” of
many horse expos and
fairs
across the United
States and has all the
tools to create
the
ultimate audio/video
show based on horses. The Speaking
of Horses Show!
Demonstrations with
DR. TRACY A. TURNER Tracy Turner was raised
around horses on a small
ranch in Southwestern
Colorado and he has had
a love for horses since.
He apprenticed with a
farrierin 1972 and used
these skills to help
finance his education.
He received his DVM
degree from Colorado
State University
in 1978, received post
graduate education at
the University of Georgia
and Purdue University.
He has served on the
faculty of University
of Illinois, the
University of Florida,
and the University of
Minnesota where he
served as Chief
of Large Animal Surgery
for three years.
He left
the University of
Minnesota in
2004
and joined Anoka
Equine
Veterinary
Services.
He is board
certified
by the American
College of Veterinary
Surgeons and by the
American Board
of
Thermology. He has
spoken
nationally and
internationally on
lameness topics.
Turner is a member
of the American
Vet
Med Association,
the American
Association of Equine
Practitioners,
the
Minnesota Association
of Equine
Practitioners,
the American Farrier's Association, the
Minnesota Farrier's
Association, and the
Minnesota
Thoroughbred
Association.
Dr. Turner
was inducted into
the International
Equine
Veterinarians
Hall of Fame in 2004.
Turner rides and
competes at
combined
training. He is
also a
member of
the United States
Eventing Association,
the United
States
Dressage Federation,
Minnesota Thoroughbred
Association and served
on the board of
directors of the
Central
States Dressage and
Eventing Association from
1998-2001.
He has been
a member of the Minnesota
Horse Council Board of
Directors for the past 9
years. He serves on the
Facilities/Show, Direct
Funding, Scholarships,
and Grants committees
and is chair of the
Legislative
committee.
As President, he serves
ex-officio on all other
committees. His goal for
the
Horse Council is to
have it become the voice
in Minnesota for the horse
industry and the leading
advocate in
the state for
horse welfare.
Karen Clark
Karen Clark is the owner of Rainbow’s End, a full service training facility offering
Training, Boarding, Lessons, Sales and much more.Karen can’t tell you how many times in the 33 years that she have been active as a
professional in the Horse Industry that she has suggested, whispered, prayed, shouted,
begged, LEARN TO RIDE BEFORE YOUR BUY!! At the Minnesota EquiFest Karen will share concerns of purchasing a horse before
learning to ride. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about your first horse.
Minnesota Mounted
Shooters, like to ride, like to shoot, and like the oldwest. Our association is a local one that is affiliated with the national association, Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association Or CMSA.
Mounted Shooting is a horse riding and shooting competition, with the theme of a western re-enactment. The rider shoots black powder blank cartridges from .45 caliber pistols, at balloons, and is scored on accuracy and time.
JUST ADDED Colleen Kelly Colleen first started her career in exercise science in rehabilitation gyms, and now, some 30 years later, is one of the world's most sought-after speakers on rider biomechanics, how the rider sits, how they affect the horse, and how we can improve rider balance.
Her world lecture circuit includes Official Equestrian Federations and the world's largest conferences such as Equitana and Equine Affaire. Colleen was honored to give 15 presentations at the World Equestrian Games (IEH Festival), and her work was recently officially recognized by the United States Dressage Federation as an Official University Program event.
Colleen received a remarkable 100% in her Official Judge's Examination, but works with every discipline in riding: eventing, jumping, professional jockeys, polo, dressage and pony club to improve rider balance and co-ordination.
But... it's her Australian sense of humor that keeps audiences laughing and coming back again and again!
Northern Lights Versatility Ranch Horse Association
Equifest -
Coliseum 4-5 PM Sat. and Sun.
Ready for something new, fun, and challenging - both for you and your horse? Are you
aching for some variety in your routine? Northern Lights is a local Affiliate of the
National Versatility Ranch Horse Association out of Colorado. Our weekend events
include a full day clinic prior to a schooling competition, focusing on FUN andEDUCATION, promoting the versatile ranch horse of any breed. Below, are the 5 areas
of focus. We will touch on some of these during our one-hour demonstration,
highlighting cow work, ranch reining, and trail. Please join us! Ranch Riding is one of 5 classes in the NVRHA’s program meant to demonstrate a horse
and rider’s ability to perform, individually, a pattern consisting of all gaits as well as the
extension and collection of those gaits similar to what a ranch horse would be expected to
do in his day-to-day activities. The horse is judged on his ability to move at working
speed with smooth, responsive gaits, executing transitions at prescribed locations. Ranch Cuttinginvolves separating a cow from its herd, driving it away, holding it to
demonstrate the horse’s ability to work the cow, and penning the cow, emulating what a
horse & rider have to do on the ranch, such as separating a cow for doctoring. Ranch Trail consists of 3 gaits (walk, trot, and lope) and various obstacles designed to
show those routines a typical ranch horse would be expected to perform such as dragging
a log, opening a gate, crossing a bridge, dismounting, ground tying, dropping the bridle,
picking up the feet, roping a dummy, backing, or sidepassing a log. Working Ranch combines reining ability, cow sense, and roping. Participants perform a
ranch reining pattern and box the cow, showing their ability to control the cow's
movements. Our Intermediate and Advanced riders then take the cow down the fence and
finally, rope and stop the cow. Ranch Conformation emphasizes the most positive combination of structural correctness,
balance, and its relationship to the function of a ranch horse.
DAN GRUNEWALD
Clinician, trainer and judge, Focus Farm, Wisconsin, will be presenting a number of clinics which will include horse and rider participation. Dan’s high-energy information-packed clinics focus on helping each rider develop a wonderful working relationship with their horse to get them into the winner’s circle. Dan is committed to working with all breeds of horses and all levels of riders. As a judge, Dan believes in evaluating the ability of the horse and riders as a “Complete Package.” Sign up for our onsite clinic with Dan here!
WERNER THEIDEMANN
Werner Theidemannwas born in Bremerhaven, Germany and Werner is a 4th generation Equestrian. His Grandfather and Great-Grandfather
were accomplished horsemen in the German Cavalry. His father trained and showed Warm Bloods such as Holsteiners, Hanoverians and Trakehners for drill team, driving, jumping and steeple chase. Werner started riding and showing horses in New Jersey, where he grew up, and continued in Minnesota, where he decided to stay
after a horse venture brought him here. With over 35 years in the horse industry, Werner has trained and shown a variety of breeds.
His training experience ranges from starting colts to working with performance horses. In his past achievements he established and
was the leader of a 4H Equestrian program. He instructed 4H members in western horsemanship and equine safety, coached the
FFA judging team, trained and showed over 10 years for Forman Quarter Horses and assisted with their breeding program.
Werner has trained and shown Western Pleasure Horses in the AQHA and after being introduced to the sport of reining he showed
Paint and Quarter Horses in the NRHA and NCRHA futurities and derbies.
A short term move took him to Ocala, Fl. where he owned and operated Rocking W Training Stables. He continued to show reining
horses and trained and rehabilitated Thoroughbreds off the track for a variety of disciplines.
He is a member of the AQHA, APHA, NRHA and NCRHA, Sponsor of the United States Equestrian Team. Completed judging seminars
for AQHA, NRHA and WSCA and Judged North Central Region EXCA. He is also a ASEA Certified Equine Appraiser.
Werner conducts educational clinics and seminars on a variety of topics, from horse equipment to horsemanship, with the focus on
creating better communication and understanding between the horse and rider, in a positive manner, to achieve the results you want
His mission statement: Improving Horsemanship through Communication Sign Up for our onsite clinic with Werner here!
Suzette Sontag of Smart Start Stablein Somerset, WI trains and shows dressage horses blending the theories of “natural horsemanship” with the movements of dressage, a training technique they call “Smart Horsemanship”. Suzette was an amateur rider training her horse Safarr when problems began to arise. By the time Safarr was five years old he had earned the nickname “Spaz”. Safarr couldn’t be kept in a stall, he couldn’t be tied. he couldn’t be away from other horses, the list goes on. He was an emotional wreck. Something different needed to be done to fix Safarr. Suzette found one of John Lyon’s original students and started to learn about natural horsemanship and learned a whole different way of thinking about how to train a horse. The transformation in Safarr has been amazing. The pair has won 2 National Championships in Arabian dressage, 3 Reserve National Championships and many Top Tens, from First Level through Prix St George! They’ve earned their Bronze Medal and are working on their Silver Medal this year.
The journey to transform Safarr is how Smart Start Stable began. Rick Schmitt, a friend and neighbor of Suzette, liked what he saw Suzette and Safarr learning and started to train horses part time. Rick has a natural ability to understand how horses think and learn. He started working problem horses for people, transforming them into safe, happy horses. As one thing led to another, Suzette and Rick started a training business where they specialize in teaching horses to think and be active participants in their work, both physically and mentally. Rick is now a full time trainer, starting horses and putting the basic learning tools in all horses that come to Smart Start Stable. When the horses are considered to be safe in their work they are passed on to Suzette or Kari Schmitt, assistant trainer at Smart Start, to continue on in their training. Clients are active participants with their horses, learning the Smart Horsemanship techniques along with their horse which makes for a harmonious relationship between the horse and it’s person. Horses and riders from the Smart Start program have won several national awards in dressage but their methods apply to all horses in all disciplines.
The trainers at Smart Start believe that it’s the horse’s job to do the work. It is the horse that does the stop, the canter, the half pass, the half halt, in essence, the work, not the rider. The rider is there to ask the horse to do something and let them know if it’s the right or wrong answer. The horse must carry itself, thus the ever sought after “self carriage”. The exercises developed at Smart Start teach the horse to figure out what is being asked of it in the way that horses learn, and to answer correctly. For the MN Equifest, Suzette, Rick and Kari will demonstrate how to ask the horse the question, let them know if the answer is right or wrong and how this method will develop the various dressage movements like leg yield, shoulder in, half pass, and most asked for in dressage, the “half halt”, which is essentially self carriage. Each movement will be broken down into the pieces of which it is comprised and then put together again so the audience will be able to see the different movements inside and out.
All three trainers will have a horse to demonstrate with so the audience will get to see three different horses show the movements to help gain an understanding of dressage movements, self carriage and collection.
KAREN LEE
Karen Lee of Boyceville, WI is a USDF Bronze and Silver Medalist
and a dressage judging program L graduate with distinction. She has
ridden horses for over 30 years and specialized in dressage early in
her career.
Karen teaches dressage clinics on a regular basis in Wisconsin and
Minnesota. Karen currently shows in the dressage competition arena
and understands the competitive expectations.
She believes that soft focus and consistency works best when teaching
horses new skills.
She has trained all of her own horses and has never purchased an
already trained FEI dressage horse.
Marc Johnson
started in the world of driving in 1978 at the end of his senior year in high school
working for Deirdre Pirie, a true pioneer in American Combined Driving. Needing someone
to travel to England with her to start a new four-in-hand she purchased in Hungary, Marc was
asked to go. Moments after accepting the invitation, he was handed the reins of the team,
driving virtually for the first time in his life. Only a week or so later, Marc found himself out
with the four on his own driving for a photo shoot.They went to England in the spring of ’79 to start the young horses and took them to every
major competition that year, with the guidance of members from the Northwest Driving Club
whose most renowned member is George Bowman. Having opportunity to stand behind
many great drivers over the years, watching their hands and the way they handled the horses,
allowed Marc to develop his own driving horsemanship. He also learned the craft of proper
turnout under the watchful eyes of very critical British judges. It would be many years, however, before Marc would actually hold the reins in competition.
After the 1990 World Equestrian Games, held in Stockholm, Pirie’s four-in-hand was entered
in a small international competition in the south of Germany. Deirdre had already returned
to the states, so she allowed Marc to secure a guest license from the American Horse Shows
Association and compete for the first time…with the four in hand. Over the years, Marc has navigated for three World Four-in-Hand World Championships, one
World Pair Championships, and one World Single Driving Championships. He represented the
US as an individual at the 1993 World Pair Driving Championships and drove pairs and fours
at many selection trials up to 1995. In 2008, Marc drove Anne and Ned Bliss’ welsh ponies at
Walnut Hill Farm Driving Competition to win both Tandem and Pony Unicorn/Four-in-Hand
Championships. He also secured the Best Gentleman’s Turnout and Concourse d’Elegance
awards that year.For the past 16 years, Marc has dedicated his time to training driving animals and drivers,
organizing competitions, course designing and being an ADS Technical Delegate. He was the
major force in creating ADS Arena Driving Trials as a new version of Combined Driving and now
serves on the ADS Rules Committee and the ADS Combined Driving Committee. Marc shares a
business training eventing and driving horses with his wife in Wenham, Massachusetts.
Sign up for our onsite clinic with Marc here!
List of Marc's Demos:
Saturday
1:00 – 2:00 Training Plan at home for the CSE Marathon and Cones Courses, back lawn
3:00 – 4:00 Set Up Cones Course, back lot
4:00 – 5:00 Driving Cones, back lot
Sunday
2:00 – 3:00 Driving Cones, back lot
3:00 – 4:00 navigating from the Back Step, back lot
Cassie Sprenger
Cassie is a very accomplished rider, trainer and clinician. She has been teaching people how to ride and has been training for over 10 years. She excels at providing her students, both human and horse with the tools to be confident, safe and effective. Her low pressure teaching style leads her students to reach their goals in a timely manner and be proud of their accomplishments. Cassie is always bettering her equine education to better herself and her students.
PRESENTATION TITLES: Saturdays presentation: Intro to achieving the bareback/ bridleless ride Sundays presentation: Anyone can do this to better their partnership
INTERESTED IN RIDING IN CASSIE'S CLINIC(S)?
• How to Acheive the Bareback/Bridleless ride (Every participant starts out fully tacked in thier norm tack.
• Steps to Acheiving a Better Partnership with Your Horse (This will help any rider, any age, any discipline...even young horses not started under saddle). Here is what you have to do:
-If you are a current client you can ride in either clinic for free! Ride in both for only $10! You can stall your horse at EquiFest and attend the other clinicians clinics too. Just go to the EquiFest website to get more info on stalling and the other clinicians.
-If you are not a current client you can attend either clinic for $25 or both for $40!
-To sign up - first- email or call me to reserve your spot, - then- you will need to mail your payment. Payment must be paid by Oct 10th.
If you are interested in one of the clinics and just can't decide which one would be best, just call me. I'd be happy to chat with you and help you make an informed descion.
For more info call me 612-414-7597 or
email: completeequestrian@yahoo.com www.CompleteEquestrianCompany.com
Jennifer Collman, Spring Creek Farm -
Jennifer’s foundations in classical dressage and natural horsemanship would at first glance seem to be two very different schools of thought when it comes to training horses. Classical dressage is a method steeped in tradition and is currently the standard of excellence in competitive dressage. Natural horsemanship is as old as the relationship between horse and man but has resurfaced in recent years and is considered by many to be the ultimate in creating a strong and lasting relationship with a horse. Both methods, however different they may seem, are based on similar concepts which allow a harmonious partnership without the use of force, intimidation, or mechanics and teach the rider to work with, not against the horse.
The origins of these methods lie in the natural ability of the horse and its movements in the wild. In fact, most definitions of both methods state that the goal is to have the horse perform under saddle with the degree of athleticism, grace and playfulness that it naturally shows when free. This origin also points out why Jennifer believes that every healthy horse, regardless its breed, can be trained to perform these movements and forge trusting relationships with human beings as strong as those they create between the members of their herd. The psychological dimension is all too often ignored or neglected, although it is every bit as important as the physical one. Understanding how to bring out this althleticism, grace and playfulness can only be achieved without force, and thus must employ the use of a greater understanding of equine psychology, behavior and needs. Jennifer has spent a great portion of her life studying horse behavior. Jennifer teaches the mind and the language of the horse, giving students the tools to become closer and more understanding of horses, and the knowledge to have leadership with horses like they have never experienced before.
These philosophies are universal, reaching into multitudes of disciplines and helping horses and owners from the recreational trail rider to the highest levels of all types of competition. Not only has Jennifer produced national-level competitors using these techniques, she has been able to rehabilitate countless “hopeless” horses and turn them into safe and reliable partners for a human that decided to give them another chance. From sour competition horses, aggressive horses, timid horses, the quirky to the extreme, Jennifer has helped horses and their owners find common ground.
As opposed to “breaking” horses, Jennifer’s philosophy of trust, communication, and respect with the horse ensures far greater results and in a substantially shorter amount of time. The product of this approach is a horse who wants to be with you and work for you — the relationship with your horse that you always dreamed was possible.
DEMONSTRATORS
Dr. Tom Tweeten has a PHD in Chemistry and is also an avid
horseman from Minnesota, with his wonderful Saddlebreds.
Dr. Tweeten has developed a line of grooming and
conditioning supplies second to none in the Equine World.
He has watched and learned how the proper conditioning
and chemical make up of cleaning and grooming products
greatly affects your horses performance.
Dr. Tom Tweeten will conduct seminars all weekend
at the Minnesota Equifest.
Don't miss one of his very informative sessions! Presentation 1 – Day 1: EQUINE CARE FOR COMFORT & COMMUNICATION. Preparing your horse for a ride or workout is a time for the rider and horse to focus on each other, get to know each other and build trust and respect. I will share my thoughts and ideas on how grooming care will prepare both the horse and rider for an enjoyable time together both before and after the ride. You will begin to have a deeper appreciation of how to help your horse feel good and look clean. Presentation 2 – Day 2: GROOMING FROM THE HORSE’S PERSPECTIVE I will be talking how grooming affects horse health and well being. Different types of grooming products and tools have an impact on how the horse is groomed and how they feel. I will compare and contrast the human grooming process to the horse grooming process. The tools, techniques, and materials will be demonstrated. I will talk about how different grooming techniques affect both thick winter coats and lighter summer coats.
Renee Hogendorf has been
a horse owner for over thirty
years. She owns a small horse
farm in the north metro, and it is
home to nine horses and a
menagerie of small furry friends.
Renee has been providing
massage and holistic healing
services to the equine community
since 1988.
Her career in holistic equine and
rehabilitative services was actually prompted by the unplanned
purchase of her saddlebred gelding in 1984, who she stumbled
upon by sheer accident. The next
thing she knew she was writing out a purchase check just to remove him from his circumstances. A familiar story to many of us. Althouh he was very beautiful, he was also
very angry, had extreme anxiety issues, he was in physical pain and
extremely difficult to ride and handle - so much so, that the vets and
farriers were not exactly anxious to work on him. Significant improvements
were made just by bringing him home and patiently working with him, but
she knew this wasn't going to be enough. She had to find a way to work
with this horse, not only from a training aspect, but even more importantly,
consider his mental, emotional, and physical state of being. It was then that Renee began her journey of learning many methods
of body work and holistic therapies. Renee met Linda Tellington-Jones shortly after buying him and she spent time with her studying her methods.
She saw tremendous improvements in the gelding with the T-Touch
and ground work, and she still takes any opportunity to learn from her
to this day. Renee continued on to become a graduate of the Mpls School of Massage,
and Equissage. She regularly uses a unique blend of massage, aromatherapy,
Reiki and other body work modalities. In 2005, she was introduced to Equine Touch and has since become a Level
four practitioner of this incredible modality of body work.
She enjoys working on horses of all breeds across the country and in Europe
and recently made a decision to leave the corporate world to concentrate on
her love for the horse and this special work.
Some highlights: Certified massage therapist (human and equine) • Authored
articles that have been published in over 50 countries • Multiple appearances
on TV and radio shows • Recipient of an excellence award and scholarship from
Massage Magazine • Certifed Therapuetic Life CoachOR • EAGALA Certified
Riding Instructor • Proud owner of Syn the saddlebred gelding, who is now
32 healthy and happy years old, and Renee’s best buddy !
Dr. Kyla Awes
Certified Animal Chiropractor
Dr. Kyla grew up with animals and spent most of her youth working at her mother's horse farm in Loretto, MN. She has been riding horses since before she could walk and she has always been passionate about animals. Dr. Kyla is an experienced rider and trainer and has ridden through the Grand Prix level in dressage and Preliminary level in eventing. In her youth she was a member of North Star Pony Club and she is a "B" graduate.
Jeanie Klein, HorsePower Clothing Company
KM Horsepower was founded to capture the incredible power we all feel from our connection to the horse. We, co-founders Jeanne Klein (the K) and Lynn Merrill (the M), have loved horses ever since we were little girls.
With our background in sales and marketing, at 40 and 50 something, we decided to start a cool clothing and gift company based on this love.
Shirts are only the beginning. Our plans include more clothing and great gifts for all disciplines.
We feel these quotes will appeal to all horse lovers, from the equestrian to the cowgirl.
And remember, every ride is a good ride.
Jill Houck,
Trainer and Owner, Houck Horse Company
Jill Houck, North Branch, MN, is winner of numerous saddles, buckles and much more. MRA Barrel Racing Champion, MN NBHA 2011 State Champion, NIRA two time Regional Barrel Racing Champion, MNHSRA two time Barrel Racing Champion and All Around Cowgirl. Multiple Futurity Debry Championships, WSCA Champion to barrels, poles, key and barrel pennet. Five time MBRA Champion and her most current win MBRA Maturity Champion 2011, on a horse that Jill and her husband, Pete Houck (farrier) own, “Short Go Guy”.
Jill will be talking about valuable techniques to work on at home including slow work, the approach, rating and the turn, barrel racing equipment, skills and exercises for barrel racing, more slow work and questions.
WESTERN DRESSAGE presented by
Midwest Western Dressage
Western Dressage is not just another class to enter, not just another skill to learn. Western Dressage brings the English and Western worlds together. Whether we ride in a Stetson or Breeches, whether we work to perfect the piaffe or the sliding stop, we all can benefit from teaching our horses to carry themselves properly and use their hindquarters.
~Western Dressage can be done by every horse regardless of breed, color, sex, size, talent, or level of training.
~It requires no special equipment or a lot of money
~Western Dressage builds confidence and will help you become a better rider
~Western Dressage will help your horse improve at other disciplines
Whether you are a professional or a beginner, you can learn how to use Western Dressage to develop a better partnership with your horse. When we set aside our differences and come together for clinics and competitions in this new discipline, we will know that we truly are not very different after all. www.midwesterndressage.com
Charles Schaal,
MN Cowboy Ministires
Who are We? "Chores don't stop on Sunday, especially if the weather is bad." "With my schedule our best family time is when we are on trail rides. The best ones are overnight Saturday and all day Sunday." "If our children want to be better riders, they need to compete in the weekend shows."
Many of us agree Sundays are important to our families. Unfortunately riders, whether Western or English Hunter/Jumpers, have to make some tough decisions. Often times our families end up depending on each other for spiritual growth encouragement.
On the surface, this may not sound like a bad thing; but is it the best decision? Minnesota Cowboy Ministries believes we can help.
We are committed to being a part of the western and equine community and doing what "horse people" do best. We want to be your friend.
You will see us at many of the local shows (Yes, even on the weekends!), trail rides, team pennings and gamings. We will be at the gates, walking around the trailers and offering our help wherever we can be of service.
Why? Because some day you might need to talk to someone. When that day comes, if you choose, you can call on us.
We are not trying to start another church. There are a bunch of those already. We are not trying to get you to go to our church, even though we think it is a good one. What we are trying to do is to tell you that just like you are not alone in the arena when you are sitting on your best saddle strapped to your favorite ride, you don't have to be alone the rest of the week either.
When you see us around, give a shout. We can "Howdy" for a bit over a cup of coffee or lean on the fence and watch your "young'un" do their best. Whenever or wherever, we will do our best to get to know you. If you want to visit, drop us an email. Better yet, give us a call. Let's get together. www.mncowboyministries.org
Jeanie Klein, HorsePower
EQUINE GUIDED EDUCATION
The heart of EGE (Equine Guided Education) is a focused, intentional relationship between horse and human. H2H (Horse 2 Human) Partnerships is a group of independent EGE practitioners committed to spreading the word about EGE, a new way to partner with horses. Although it is not natural horsemanship, any horseperson will see the similarities. Horses are natural experts at reading body language and intent. Seeing the horse as a teacher can reveal what people are thinking or feeling, even if they are unaware of it themselves. KM Horsepower was founded to capture the incredible power we all feel from our connection to the horse. The co-founders, Jeanne Klein (the K) and Lynn Merrill (the M), have loved horses ever since they were little girls. With their background in sales and marketing, they decided to start a cool clothing and gift company based on this love.. www.kmhorsepower.com
Debra Racheter, Crest Ridge Saddlery
Debra Racheter is the owner and founder of Crest Ridge Saddlery of Lowry City Missouri. Since 1998, Debra has been professionally fitting horses which led to designing and manufacturing saddles.
Debra’s impetus in founding Crest Ridge Saddlery was her 17 years as a trail guide at the horseman’s resort she built in North Central Arkansas. She saw firsthand the problems caused by ill-fitting saddles and the difficulties her customers had in finding quality saddles the fit both horse and rider. Her experiences led her to become a master saddle fitter, specializing in gaited horses and mules.
Debra brought and keeps saddle fitting at the forefront. She created one of the first online resources’ for measuring and fitting treed saddles. Through Crest Ridge Saddlery, she creatively merges a no-nonsense approach to excellence, attention to detail, and concern for the comfort of both the equine and rider. The resulting saddles are beautiful and practical works of art, built by Amish craftsmen from all over the country. Demos:
Evaluating Saddle Fit
This presentation will explain how you as a horse owner basic saddle fitting requirements, measuring your horse for a proper fitting saddle, and how to identify and correct the problem if something is not working for you.
Diagnosing & Solving Saddle Fitting Problems
Get the most out of your horse by allowing him to perform at his optimum level by checking the fit of your saddle first. This presentation will be a basic guide to evaluating saddle fit and solving saddle fitting issues demonstrated in such a way that anyone can understand and use.
Ginny Pomije, Big Black Horse. LLC is a rider and a carriage driver. She and her husband, Jeff, operate Big Black Horse LLC, a supplier of carriage driving, mini, pony and draft horse equipment. They belong to several carriage clubs, attend many driving events, and talk with other drivers regularly. Their business allows them to work with suppliers of driving equipment to keep them up to date on the latest developments in the driving world. Ginny will share information collected from those sources. Topics covered include driving lines, kicking straps, bridles and a variety of items related to driver, horse and carriage. Ginny will show how to take existing equipment and make it safer. Demonstration Title - Tools and Tricks for Carriage Driving Safety
Tammy Finney has written a weekly newspaper column "The Outhouse,
Life on the Farm with Emily" since
2005. Living on a working grain
and livestock farm in west central
Minnesota, she captures the daily trials and frustrations in the form of uncomplicated, humorous
stories. A self-taught writer,
Tammy graduated to a
self-publisher in 2009 with her
first book by the same name as
her column. Volume two was
published in September of 2011.
From picking the paper weight
to dealing with printers and all
aspects in-between, her books
are a true example that self-
publishing is possible and can
be profitable.
Dr. Seth Nelson, DC, CVSMT, has been an animal person his whole life. After completing his doctor of chiropractic degree (D.C), he immediately began his training to provide chiropractic care for animals and is a certified and licensed animal chiropractor (CVSMT). Spending much of his youth at dog shows and field trials with his mother Kathy, a judge for over 30 years, has given Dr. Nelson a sharp eye when it comes to the motion of all animals. He has worked with a wide range of animals including the #1 Saluki show dog in the nation, Nationally ranked Afghan straight line racers and world championship Reining horses. The health care of all animals, not just horses, dogs and cats, is Dr. Nelson’s top concern so all animals are treated with the utmost respect, patience and care. Dr. Nelson has an active human and animal chiropractic practice in St. Peter, MN and travels extensively around the state working with animals.
like to ride, like to shoot, and like the oldwest. Our association is a local one that is affiliated with the national association, Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association Or CMSA. 
Northern Lights Versatility Ranch Horse Association
Equifest - 
Ranch Riding is one of 5 classes in the NVRHA’s program meant to demonstrate a horse
and rider’s ability to perform, individually, a pattern consisting of all gaits as well as the
extension and collection of those gaits similar to what a ranch horse would be expected to
do in his day-to-day activities. The horse is judged on his ability to move at working
speed with smooth, responsive gaits, executing transitions at prescribed locations.
Ranch 
Working Ranch combines reining ability, cow sense, and roping. Participants perform a
ranch reining pattern and box the cow, showing their ability to control the cow's
movements. Our Intermediate and Advanced riders then take the cow down the fence and
finally, rope and stop the cow.
Marc Johnson 
In 2008, Marc drove Anne and Ned Bliss’ welsh ponies at
Walnut Hill Farm Driving Competition to win both Tandem and Pony Unicorn/Four-in-Hand
Championships. He also secured the Best Gentleman’s Turnout and Concourse d’Elegance
awards that year.For the past 16 years, Marc has dedicated his time to training driving animals and drivers,
organizing competitions, course designing and being an ADS Technical Delegate. He was the
major force in creating ADS Arena Driving Trials as a new version of Combined Driving and now
serves on the ADS Rules Committee and the ADS Combined Driving Committee. Marc shares a
business training eventing and driving horses with his wife in Wenham, Massachusetts.
Jennifer Collman, Spring Creek Farm
Dr. Tom Tweeten
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Debra Racheter is the owner and founder of Crest Ridge Saddlery of Lowry City Missouri. Since 1998, Debra has been professionally fitting horses which led to designing and manufacturing saddles. 
