Finals First-timer Wins $250,000 with Record-Breaking Score

        

       At last night’s NCHA Open Futurity Finals, Tony Piggott and Rockin W swept the field with a huge score of 229 points. This score ties for the all-time Futurity record with a 229 that was marked by Royal Fletch in 2000. Owner Alice Walton of Rockin W Ranch, accepted the winner’s check for $250,000 and the prestigious Fort Worth Cup.
       Rockin W is a fourth generation Walton Ranch bred stallion by legendary producer Dual Rey and out of 2004 NCHA Horse of the Year Boon San Kitty. This was Piggott’s first time in the NCHA Open Finals.
       Earlier in the week, Piggott rode Rockin W to a fourth place finish in the John Deere Open Finals earning $15,946. At the conclusion of the Futurity, Piggott took home a pair of checks worth more than double his previous career earnings. He actually rode the horse for the first time just two weeks before the Futurity began. Piggott was the catch-rider chosen for Rockin W because the horse’s trainer Gary Gonsalves opted to ride two of his other mounts.
       Only four other horses, in addition to Rockin W and Royal Fletch have scored a 226 or higher in the Open Finals of the NCHA Futurity: High Brow CD with 226 in 2007, Oh Cay Felix with 227 in 2006, Highbrow Supercat with 226.5 in 2005 and One Smart Lookin Cat with 226 in 2003.

The Principles of Body Isolation

            I recently read an interesting article recently about the importance of learning how to isolate different parts of your body while riding. Truthfully, I almost passed it by because of the title, Roping: In Your Mind’s Eye, by Jody Reynolds. Not that there is anything wrong with roping, it just isn’t my discipline of choice. However, after reading the piece, it became obvious that the principles of body isolation can be applied to any equestrian sport.

Before David Avery became the AQHA director of international affairs, he was a Professional Horseman in Roswell, New Mexico. He taught that by isolating different parts of your body, you can deliver different messages to your horse. One way to do this is by altering the position of your seat.

The three different seat positions consist of the “on” position, when the pelvic area is against the seat of the saddle, the “in front” position, when the pubic bone is against the seat of the saddle, and the “behind” position, when the gluteus is against the seat of the saddle. Obviously, if you compete in an event like hunter under saddle, you will ride with much more of a forward seat than if you compete in an event like western pleasure. However, Avery says that regardless of the discipline, every rider can benefit from practicing these three positions to increase their range of motion.

Avery also taught how to isolate the seven different segments of the leg.

1.Upper-third thigh – Where the gluteus ties into the groin area, also where the hip and femur attach.

2. Middle-third thigh – The large, fleshy portion of the thigh. You can squeeze and release together or independently to direct the horse and encourage or control impulsion.

3. Lower-third thigh – Where the knee connects to the lower part of the leg. Many beginners will often grip with the lower thigh to stay on, which causes their horse to speed up. 

4.Upper-third calf – Just below the knee. The amount of pressure determines the type of reaction to a cue.

5. Middle-third calf – The large, fleshy portion of the lower leg. This area controls diagonal direction and forward impulsion.

6. Lower-third calf – Where the ankle attaches to the foot.

7.Spur – An extension of the heel.

While at first glance this may seem a bit complicated, just being aware of the different segments of your legs may give you a little insight into how you communicate with your horse. Try thinking about this the next time you're out for a ride.

Moneigh: Art Created by Famous Racehorses

           ReRun, a Thoroughbred racehorse adoption program, has just concluded their annual Moneigh Auction on eBay. Each year, the organization partners with “Moneigh Mary” Simons, assistant to the equine artists, in order to offer a selection of original art painted by famous racehorses. Among the 40 paintings up for auction were a few by famous Thoroughbreds like Empire Maker, Rags to Riches and Funny Cide.

            For those unfamiliar with a Moneigh, they are original pieces of abstract art, created by a horse, using their muzzle, whiskers, hoof or tail to paint. Certain talented individuals even hold a paintbrush between their lips in order to create the image. Most of the artists also sign their pieces with a hoof print. A brass plate with the artist's name is attached to the painting and sometimes a lock of mane or tail is included as a souvenir.

            Proceeds from the auction went to benefit the horses in the ReRun program who are housed in New York, New Jersey, Kentucky, and North Carolina.

            Artist assistant, Mary Simons, gave a little insight into her experiences with a few of the horses.

            “Empire Maker was the quickest learner,” Simons said. “With no encouragement, he picked up the paintbrush and swooshed like he’d done it all his life.”

“Riley Tucker, Wildcat Heir and With Distinction were painting enthusiasts who wouldn’t let go of the paper and wanted to continue painting. Kona Gold and Lawyer Ron both had personalities of that favorite kid in your class who could make you feel like they were your best friend and would do anything for you,” Simons said.

Be sure to check back on my blog to read an exclusive interview with “Moneigh Mary” Simons.

What's in a Name?

            After a record number of Facebook comments, the final results of our Best Horse Names of All Time List are in!

Best Play on Words Name: Alwayz in the Prinzipls Ofis

Other Play on Word Names: Art I Greyt, Oh Zippossibilities

Best Weirdest Name: Bagels and Cheese

Other Weird Names: Suncherous Jewel, Rollin Slipon, Pati-O-Furniture, Mickeys Not a Mouse

Best Song Reference Name: Too Sexy For My Spot

Other Song Reference Names: Hesa Super Freak, Getting Hot in Here, How Bad Do Ya Want It, Spin Doctor

Best Popular Culture Reference Name: Isthatyourfinalanswer

Other Popular Culture Reference Names: Gucci Handbag, Sleepnwiththeenemy, Fairy God Mare, Don’t Touch My Barbie, American Idol, Guitar Hero, Iron Chef, Donald Trump, Coosella Devil, Pokemon Kid, Cool Hand Luke, Good Golly It’s Molly, Charlie Hilfiger, Will Smith

Best Suggestive Name: Give It To Me Dirty

Other Suggestive Names: Kiss My Sweet Assets, Its All Bhindthe Zipr, Dirty Affair, Tonightsthenighthoney, Dude Do Me Right, HoneyYou’reUnzipped, My Zippers Popped, Spent the Night, I Like it in the Dark

Worst Name: Should Have Been Glue

Other Bad Names: Unknown, JoJo Squeeky Star, Kims Doc Badgerette, Pattys Wasp, Yellow Cow Dog, Bucks Bag Lady, Don’t Skip The Smurf, Yeller Snow, Mr Flashdancer, Bad Acid, Up the Assets, Alpo

The Ultimate Worst Name: My Dixie Wrecked

Other Really Bad Names: Dog Breath, Pass the Chicken, Shootin Poo

Funniest Name: Buffythebovineslayer

Other Funny Names: Quit your Butchin, Hoof Hearted, I’d Rather Be Fishing, Peptoboonsmal, Smart Mouth, Invite Me or Bite Me, Whoop Your Asset, Who Needs Therapy, Skirt in The Dirt, Mr. Yella Fella, Rebas Stormin Normin, Big Be Bobbin Bob, Daddy’s Money, Bob N For Apples

Best Funny Name When Announced: Butt Naked

Other Funny Names When Announced: The Pool Boy, Steve’s Ex Boss, Totally Exposed

Miscellaneous: (here are some additional names that we thought were clever, but didn’t really fit into a category) It’s Only Petty Cash, One For The Record, Form the Line Behind, That Would be Me, I Gotta Good Name, I Only Date Models, The Total Package, Get Off My Tail, Towhomit May Concern

    

     Be sure to check back later to read select interviews with a few of the winners on how they came up with the winning names.