Cheval Bayard Release Party!

One girl. One horse. Who else is going to save the world?

If Sarah Reeves was a faery instead of a human, it would be a whole lot easier for her to get what she wants: to ride Cheval Bayard in an elite competition; to earn a spot on the Mundane Intervention Team; and for Brendan Greenwood to like her. But Regan, her archrival at the stables is doing everything she can to steal Cheval Bayard out from under Sarah. There are more students than spaces for the Mundane Intervention Team, and competition is fierce. And Brendan inexplicably likes mean-girl Dahlia. It’s enough to make Sarah wonder if she should leave the realm of Faerie and return to the Mundane world, where she might feel like less of a freak. After all, she seems to be the one person who is painfully ordinary in a place where everyone and everything is magic. But when she and her friends stumble upon a terrifying conspiracy, her humanity may be the only thing that can save both worlds.

Black Mare Books is teaming up with Blue Ribbon Equine Rescue to throw a party for the upcoming release of Cheval Bayard.

Where: Blue Ribbon Meadows, 25150 Beckendorf Road, Katy, Texas

When: Saturday, November 13 from 10:00 AM to Noon

What: Book signing, refreshments and silent auction
One of the items in the silent auction is YOUR NAME in an upcoming release from Black Mare Books.

100% of the silent auction proceeds and 15% of book sales will benefit Blue Ribbon Equine Rescue (a 501c). The rescue works extensively with the Houston SPCA to save abused and neglected horses. They normally average around 20 horses available for adoption at any given time. Please consider filling out an application and viewing the horses at the farm who are looking for forever homes.

Start on your holiday shopping early with great items from the silent auction. Autographed books make great presents!

Book Review: Horseplay, by Judy Renee Singer

I finished this book yesterday. It is a nice, light read about a 30-something woman who runs away from her manipulative, philandering husband in New York to become a working student at a dressage barn in North Carolina. It is written with a wry sense of humor (the ubiquitous Jack Russell terriers were hysterical) and the characters are spot on – for almost each and every one, I thought "I've met/know that person." Her portrayal of life on a horse farm was also dead on. Since she states in her biography that she's divorced, and her protagonist's name is also Judy, I wondered how much was autobiographical. Although the author touches on themes of family (her relationship with her sister and various mother-daughter relationships) and friendship bonds between women, the book is first and foremost a romance novel. Judy has to find herself before she can find her man (which is a good thing). There are some risqué parts, but nothing explicit. Readers younger than 30 will likely enjoy the horsey backdrop and the foreign working students at the dressage barn, but may lack the life experience to really get the rest of it. If you're looking for a light, "beach read" book in a horsey setting, this is a good one. You can find out more about the author at her website.

Horse Health: Thrush

After the flooding earlier in the month, my horse got a terrible case of thrush (he was 3-legged lame). The farrier checked him for any bruising or abscesses (none, just nasty, stinky black goo). When my trainer called, I knew I was just about out of Thrush Buster, and I wouldn't have time to go get any before I had to go get the kids from school. I did a quick Google and found that some people swear by bleach (half & half with water) and some by iodine. Both sides swear at each other. I found a variant of the iodine treatment – sugardine. Sugardine is Betadine or Povodine mixed with sugar until it forms a paste. I grabbed my mobile and called Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine. They came down on the sugardine side of the debate. So what I did was to clean out his hoof, wash it with water and Epsom salts, dry it with a paper towel, pack it with sugardine and cotton balls, cover it with a diaper (size 6), then duct tape the diaper to his hoof. I did this for two days. The third day (Saturday), he was no longer lame. I soaked his frog in Betadine and turned him out. His regular vet checked him on Monday and he looked good. This treatment works great as long as it is only thrush. If your horse is lame, have your farrier or vet check to make sure there are no bruises or abscesses.

Trainer Profile: Barbara Jacobs

Barbara Jacobs is the head trainer at Blue Ribbon Meadows, located just off Katy Hockley Cutoff in Katy. She's been showing jumpers, eventers and dressage horses since the '70s (I, myself, have been riding with Barb since 1991). I caught up with Barb and asked her a few questions:

NN: What are the three things you like most about your job?

BJ: The animals, and people are my family, I love to work outside, and I learn new things every day.

NN: How did you get where you are? Did you always have a plan to do what you're doing now, or did life take you on a detour?

BJ: I have always wanted to do what I am doing. Without a doubt, teaching is my love, second only to the horses. I have been detoured many times, as this is a job of love not money (but have only done the detour jobs to keep the horses going).

NN: What are your top three goals for the next five years?

BJ: Get more fit again, that has really slacked off; spend more time on me, something I long ago gave up; and try to have even a little savings of which I have none.

NN: What are the top three traits you look for when you want to purchase a horse for yourself?

BJ: A horse for myself, well the eyes have it! I may watch them go, take a little ride, an over all view of the horse, but the eyes can tell me yes or no right away...

NN: What is one thing that you have never done, but would like to try?

BJ: I would Love to try Emergency room nursing in trauma

Equestrian Trails: George Bush Park

I took a short trek from my house to the equestrian area of George Bush Park this afternoon. Once I turned off of Westheimer Parkway onto South Barker Cypress, the road got a bit bumpy (but at least it is paved!). There is a very sharp left into the parking lot, almost a U-turn.

The parking lot looked like a 2-horse trailer would be easily maneuverable, but I wouldn't want to try to turn a 6-horse around there, especially if there are lots of cars from hikers/bikers in the lot.

Because of all the rain last weekend, the unpaved trail was too mucky to explore very far.

Based on the little bit I saw from the trailhead + what I see driving down I-10 & Highway 6 + the view from Microsoft Virtual Earth, it looks like there is a good mix of wooded bits and sunny areas. I think it might be a nice place to trail ride (or hike) and "groove with nature" (I did find a clematis crispa, aka blue jasmine, at the trailhead). Just be advised that the nature might include deer and feral hogs. And joggers and cyclists.

Another thing to consider is that the trailhead borders the shooting range. At 1:00 on a Tuesday afternoon, it was fairly quiet, but it may be different on evenings and weekends.

How-To: Calm Show Nerves

Six Simple Ways to Calm Show Nerves


I have done it all. Forgotten courses. Fallen off in the middle of the ring. Forgotten essential items, such as girths and breeches. Misread the schedule and had to go straight from trailer to ring. As a rider who has competed in hunter, jumper and combined training shows in Zone 7/Area V/Region 9 since 1980, I have firsthand experience with many things that worry riders about shows. Over the years, I have found a few strategies to help me keep my focus and calm my show nerves.

Horse shows are fantastic fun. As much fun as shows can be, they can also be terrifying. What if I fall off in the middle of the ring? What if I forget the course? What if the judge hates me? Guess what? Even olympic level riders sometimes fall off or forget their courses. And yes, sometimes the judge won’t like you. But there will be other shows and other judges. In the many years I’ve been showing, I’ve found six ways to focus on doing my best in the ring.

1. Read. Long before you load your horse in the trailer, even before you fill in that entry form, READ. Jane Savoie’s That Winning Feeling! is a classic. Heads Up! by Janet Sasson Edgette is also very good. Understanding sports psychology can help you get a grip. Read things that are upbeat and inspirational.

2. Prepare. Do the work. Put in the saddle time. Ride without stirrups. That way, if a leather breaks or you drop an iron and can’t find it, it’s only a minor inconvenience instead of a showstopper. When you are packing your gear TRIPLE CHECK that you have everything you need and that you know where it is. Few things are more panic-inducing than getting to the show and realizing your girth is nowhere to be found and you are in the first class of the day.

3. Music. Whether in the vehicle on the way to the show or on your iPod at the show, choose music to set your mood. Consider both your horse and your state of mind. Does your horse need to be more allegro (lively) or adagio (slow)? I like to listen to Beethoven’s Für Elise while getting ready for dressage, and The Shamen’s Move Any Mountain while preparing for cross country or stadium. Whatever music you choose, make sure it keeps you in a positive frame of mind.

4. Routine. Have a routine for getting ready for your class. If you always do it the same way, you’ll be less likely to forget something. Here is my routine for getting ready to go out on cross country: Apply/check studs. Put on and tape boots. Put on breastplate and saddle. Vomit in corner of stall. Put on my boots, spurs, vest, pinney, armband and helmet. Put whip in boot. Bridle horse. Set watch. Go warm up.

5. Visualize. When you are walking your course, imagine your horse going clean over each obstacle. Is there something that might worry him (or you)? Imagine yourself riding the fence perfectly. If you are not one of the first riders in the class, avoid watching more that two or three goes. If other riders make mistakes, you don’t want to copy them. If they are flawless, you don’t want to psyche yourself out. Instead, spend the time imagining yourself going around the course boldly and cleanly. The exception is if you are in a jump-off. You’ll want to know exactly what you need to do to win.

6. Deep Breathing. While the rider or two in front of you is in the ring, take deep breaths and repeat an affirmation or mantra. Breathe all the way down into your belly. Tell yourself something like “My horse always jumps clean and under time” or “Elegant” over and over until it is your turn. If you keep your mind focused on positive ideas, there won’t be any space for negative ones.

Horse shows don’t have to be scary. Add a few cheap psychological tricks to your arsenal, like mental preparation, visualization, music, and affirmations. If you train yourself to relax and focus on what you want, they will be fun, exciting and rewarding.

Hello, World!

I have been riding and showing hunters, jumpers and eventers in the Houston area since 1980. I know there are tons of horse related things going on here in town, but I haven't yet stumbled upon a comprehensive collection of information. So I thought I'd start one. I plan on creating an integrated show/clinic calendar, interviewing equine professionals, creating breed profiles and posting how-to articles. I am focusing on hunters/jumpers, eventing and dressage because that's what I know. Other than two ill-fated attemps at showing Western Pleasure at the Waller County Fair when I was in 6th & 7th grade, I have no stock seat experience. If you have any ideas about what you would like to see, please email me.