Youths From Nebraska “dive into” Nationals

By Sylvia Rogan

The 19th Annual Arabian Horse Association Youth Nationals took place in Albuquerque, New Mexico, July 23-30, where several competitors from Nebraska competed; I was one of them. The theme of the National show was “under the sea,” and this theme could be seen throughout the show in multiple ways. The Youth Convention occurred on Friday morning and afternoon and all of their activities stuck with the theme. Later in the week, there was a parade of regions (There are eighteen regions in the United States and Canada that the Arabian Horse Association recognizes.) Not all of the regions participated, but the ones who did really showed their stuff. The regions that participated could decorate golf carts to the theme of “under the sea” and many golf carts stuck out. The winning golf cart was Region 12, who created a “Nessie the Sea Monster,” consisting of two golf carts, a lot of paper mache and green duct tape.

Over 1,000 competitors competed at this year’s Nationals and many were newcomers. One in particular was Natasha Arritt of Omaha, Nebraska. Natasha shows FF Azzon, a bay purebred Arabian who shows western pleasure, horsemanship and showmanship. I caught up with Natasha and asked her a couple of questions about her first Nationals experience.

Natasha Arritt and FF Azzon in Showmanship / Photo by Sylvia Rogan

Saddle Up: As it was your first year competing at the Arabian Horse Association’s Youth Nationals, what were your goals?
Natasha Arritt: My goal was to try to make every ride my best ride. I knew  that this was all new to Azzon and me, and I also wanted to have a fun and  relaxed show.

SU: What is your favorite class to compete in and why?
NA: Western Pleasure. It lets me relax as a rider and focus more on making  the horse look perfect.

SU: Were there any fun activities that you attended while you were at the National Championships?
NA: I attended the golf cart parade and I saw all of the regions present their carts that they had decorated together. They were really awesome.  Maybe in years to come I will participate in my region’s decoration process.  I also attended the ice cream social, where I had an ice cream and talked  with my friends. I mean, what is better than FREE ice cream??

SU: Finally, what advice would you give youth exhibitors competing at their  first Nationals?
NA: Prepare and practice a lot. It makes you confident in riding and helps  you relax.

Opposite of Natasha, a veteran competitor of the Youth National  Championships is Nikki Novak. Nikki is from Unadilla, Nebraska, and is a  recent graduate of high school. She has been showing against me ever since I can remember and she is also a great friend. Nikki’s main partner is MA Ice Breaker+/, a half-Arabian hunter horse that is a standout in the show ring.  This year Nikki competed with MA Ice Breaker+/ in Half-Arabian Hunter Pleasure, Hunter Seat Equitation and Showmanship. In a huge class at thirty six with all sorts of hunter equitation riders, Nikki had to make it through two rounds just to make it to the final class. Out of sixteen competitors in the final round, Nikki took home a Top Ten, which believe me, is a great honor. In a different competition, Half-Arabian Hunter Pleasure, Nikki competed with MA Ice Breaker+/ against fifty other horses and riders. MA Ice Breaker+/ definitely stands out in the crowd. He is a big and bold liver  chestnut who has a huge heart, and it showed. Nikki also took home a Top Ten in this class. This was Nikki’s last year as a youth rider and she will now move up to the 18-39 age division where she will be competing as an amateur.

I also competed at the 19th Annual Youth National Championships with two of  my wonderful horses, Heritage Bey Kat and CP Merritt+//. Heritage Bey Kat, or “Kat,” and I competed in a number of classes. These included Half-Arabian Country English Pleasure, Show Hack (which has similar gaits as dressage but is shown on the rail of the arena, see picture), Mounted Native Costume, and Saddle Seat Equitation. We competed against sixty other competitors in Country English Pleasure, twelve others in Mounted Native Costume, thirty seven in Show Hack, and thirty two in Saddle Seat Equitation. Let’s just say it was a bundle of fun!

Sylvia Rogan and Heritage Bey Kat in Show Hack competition

The other horse I showed was CP Merritt+//. I have been with this horse since 2004 and I know him so well, he could be called my best friend. Merritt and I competed in Show Hack and dressage. This was my first year of doing dressage with Merritt, so we were not shooting for anything more than a good score. There were thirty-five competitors in our Training Level 14-17 class and the entire class lasted for six hours, test after test. After a very monotonous time of waiting and waiting for my dressage time to arrive, it was time. Merritt and I unfortunately did not make the Top Ten, but we had a fun time and a good ride in the process! My horse “Kat” and I received two Top Tens in Half-Arabian Mounted Native Costume, and at the end of the show I was very proud of my horses.

Youth Nationals is always a fun event to attend and compete at. Whether it is your first time, last time, or somewhere in the middle, you should always be grateful for the opportunities at hand. Nebraska riders did well considering the big competition this year, and we will always be willing to represent our state any year.

Until next year, live long and prosper.

Life lessons with youth and horses

By Sherry Jarvis, With Heart in Your Hand Horsemanship, LLC

The American Youth Horse Council (AYHC) has partnered with Pennsylvania State University to conduct research that quantifies what we already know: Kids + Horses = Magic! One of the strategic goals of the AYHC is to validate the measurable impact of equine activities on youth development. There have been few scientific studies conducted that measure the impact of horse activities on horsemanship and life skills development. AYHC and Penn State teamed up with the National High School Rodeo Association, 4-H, Pony Club and the American Quarter Horse Youth Association to conduct this important research.

Scribner's Bailey Garretson on her horse, Freckles, gaining confidence with Sherry Jarvis, instructor, at the June 2011 Youth Leadership Camp.

The Impact of Equine Activities Survey contained questions related to horsemanship skills, life skills and demographic characteristics. Content and validity of the survey was validated by a panel of experts and by conducting a field test. A sample of 982 youth between the ages of 12 and 18 active in the above youth equine organizations was selected. Responding youth indicated that they “most of the time” to “always” performed horsemanship skills in the area of handling, safety, riding, nutrition and health management. Similarly, respondents indicated that they “often” exhibited life skills relative to decision making, communicating, goal setting, problem solving and critical thinking. A significant positive relationship was found between total horsemanship skills development and life skills development. This information should be very valuable for youth leaders when developing curriculum, planning activities and seeking funding and resources.
-By Cindy Schonholtz

This research supports the idea for the youth camps I have each summer in Burwell, Neb.

Good horsemanship has a holistic approach with focus on both the horse and the rider, where relationship is key. Skills developed through good horsemanship instruction include listening, communication, problem solving, decision making, critical thinking, creativity, goal setting, empathy, patience, sensitivity, self-awareness, confidence, leadership, self-control, perseverance, justice, dignity, caring and sharing. This list is a very powerful self-development program which will help guide our youth toward self-esteem that will sustain and enhance them through life.

Here are some things learned by Anne Burkholder from Cozad and her daughter, Megan after attending a recent June camp in Burwell, Neb., with Sherry:

Megan and I had a wonderful time at Sherry’s Youth Horse camp this week. We sat down tonight and she recited some of the things that she learned.
1. Don’t ever over-correct your horse because it makes him stop.
2. Always have control of your horse. (Keep them between your legs)
3. When you are doing ground games or riding, take your time. Don’t rush your horse and always reward the slightest try.
4. When something is hard, don’t ever give up. Stay positive, get creative, be patient!
5. Attitude-have a good one!
6. Be confident, be a leader!
7. Have fun and be interested-your horse will too!
8. Fun with horses also comes with responsibility.
9. Don’t let your horse get in your bubble-protect your space so that your horse respects you.
10. Don’t pull your horse, push him!
11. One reign stop! Lateral bending with softness.
12. Nose, neck, maybe feet.
13. There are four distinct phases—hair, skin, muscle, then bone.
14. When backing, the way that you move your hand will determine which direction his butt goes.
15. Never get frustrated when your horse is yanking your chain.
16. When backing while riding, keep your hands in front of the saddle horn with tightened reins, roll your hips backwards by rolling your belly button back, and lift your hands.
17. Two pointing is awesome and I can’t wait to gallop!
18. Never lean forward in the saddle.
19. When your horse has a bad expression with his ears, fix that before you ask for anything else.
20. Do not touch your saddle or your horse’s butt with your leg when climbing in and out of the saddle.
21. Always balance your relationship with friendliness!
22. What you don’t do on the ground, you shouldn’t do in the saddle.
23. There are seven ground games: friendly, porcupine, driving, yo-yo, circling, side passing, squeeze.
24. Have a set routine when asking your horse to pick up his feet-pinch instead of push. When you ask for a back foot-stay out of the kick zone and bend his neck toward you. Don’t release until he gives you what you ask for!
25. Use your entire body to direct your horse.
26. Lead and ride your horse like a QUEEN.
27. Be particular!
28. Be a partner, not a predator.
29. Don’t let your horse wallow when you are on his back!
30. FOCUS (pay attention to your horse) and have a PLAN!
Thanks so much to Sherry for a great camp. Horses are such a wonderful thing to share, and they teach great “life lessons”.
-Anne

Mother and daughter Anne and Megan Burkholder from Cozad, Nebr., bonding with their horses, Dandy and Magnum, at Youth/Parent Horsemanship Camp in Burwell.

If you want to teach your child a lot of valuable life lessons, a horse is a great asset. I know my horses kept me out of a lot of trouble as a teenager. Involvement with horses taught me so much about good sportsmanship, patience, persistence and also helped mold me into a more responsible and compassionate person. It is because of my love of horses as a little girl that I now have a wonderful and satisfying career as a horsemanship instructor and trainer. It is a great pleasure to mentor youth in their horsemanship journey, which I know will give them many opportunities for positive growth into adulthood, and maybe even lead them into a challenging yet rewarding career. But even if it isn’t a career it can be a thrilling and fun hobby they will be able to enjoy for many years to come. Once you get horse fever, I think it is positively uncurable.

Anne Burkholder and Megan had a great time at horsemanship camp this summer, developing a closer mother-daughter bond, and making new friends with other horse lovers. They also went away with many skills and attitudes which they can transfer to other areas of life for success in any endeavor, thanks to their horses Dandy and Magnum.

If you are interested in summer youth horsemanship camps, go to www.heartinyourhand.com for more information.

The judge’s perspective

By Joey Hiesterman

In thirteen years of judging open and 4-H horseshows, it seems the same comments appear over and over again on my Showmanship and Horsemanship/ Equitation score sheets. There are several common mistakes that many exhibitors make. Here are some tips for a successful performance in challenging pattern classes that will hopefully help you avoid some of these common mistakes and will help improve your scores.

First, as with a lot of things in life, first impressions are important. When you first enter the ring, be ready to go. Don’t be afraid to volunteer to go first. This shows the judge that you have done your homework, and you are confident in your abilities. When you do enter the ring, the fancy outfits and tack are not as important as simply looking “put together.” I like to tell exhibitors to approach it as if it were a job interview. That means shirts tucked in smoothly, and hair pulled back into a neat ponytail or bun. Gentlemen, this means you, too, although I personally would prefer to see you clean cut. I want to be able to see your bright, smiling faces. The bleached out, low-rise jeans that are so popular with our young people these days have no place in the show ring. They simply are not flattering and do not present the appearance that we expect in western events. Belt ends that flop while you walk or run and jewelry that dangles have no place in a class where their movement accentuates your movement. Remember, we are looking for a smooth, polished performance in these classes.

Second, waiting until the night before or the day of a show to decide you are going to try your hand at Showmanship or Horsemanship/Equitation is not going to cut it. These are classes which require a lot of practice and preparation at home. Your level of preparation becomes evident as you work through a pattern. Study, study, study those patterns! Nothing else matters if the pattern is not executed exactly as it is written. Something as simple as adding or omitting a maneuver or being on the wrong side of any one marker will immediately drop your score to a zero. Pay attention to details such as which side of each cone you should be on and which gait you should be in. Be accurate in spin/pivot counts and number of steps, when the pattern specifically calls for them.

Joey Hiesterman, Bellwood, Neb, grew up competing in 4-H, Little Britches rodeos, and high school rodeos in Nebraska and surrounding states. She has a B.S. in Agriculture from Kansas State University with a major in animal science. She was a member of the 1994 KSU Horse Judging Team and served as the Assistant Coach in 1996. She has been judging open and 4-H Horseshows in Nebraska, Kansas and Missouri since graduating in 1997. In addition, she has coached 4-H horse judging teams and done general horsemanship/showmanship clinics in eastern Nebraska.

See more pointers in the March 2011 issue of Saddle Up Nebraska. Click the following link to subscribe for only $15 for 12 monthly issues!: http://goo.gl/FlbLD

Nebraska 4-H Profile

By Noel Ochoa, Student, Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture

Mikensie Wright of Broken Bow, Neb., is a proud member of her local 4-H organization. Mikensie, who is sixteen, has participated in 4-H activities for seven years and has had the opportunity to participate in many projects, including sewing, cooking, photography, BB gun and air pistol shooting with her brother, though her main interest lies in working with horses.
In 2009 Mikensie made it into the top fifteen at state for horsemanship. She has done very well at county fair, placing second and third in different categories.
Mikensie is involved in 4-H with her twin brother and her mom, who is the organization leader in Broken Bow. Mikensie also works at the local floral shop, and is very involved at Broken Bow High School. She is in the band, art club, speech team, and FFA. Horses have been a part of Mikensie’s life since she was very young. “My cousins had horses and I would always go over and ride them,” she says.
In the summer of 2009, Mikensie attended about eight shows in various places. On the ground, she does haltering and showmanship. While on the horse, she does western pleasure and horsemanship. Mikensie says these events cause her the most stress and pressure because the judges’ attention is focused on her the whole time.
Mikensie has two horses that she uses for events, Woody and Sunny. She also has an upcoming project named Roxy. Although Roxy is four years old, Mikensie plans on using her for her next 4-H project and training her for shows and events. In addition to showing, Mikensie has done barrels, poles, and goat tying. For these events, she uses Woody, a bay. She uses Sunny for pleasure and horsemanship.
Despite having begun her horse career fairly young, Mikensie has done all the training and getting ready herself, except for some help from past 4-H’ers and local friends. From busy nights with homework to working at the flower shop after school, she is very well rounded. Enthusiastic about the future, she plans to better herself and her horses and to continue winning many more awards.