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 Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse
News
FALL 2007
Everything Spotted
Spotted Mountain
Horse Association Futurity
by Melinda Jennings, KMSHA Registrar
Due to last year’s participation and large
paybacks, the 2007 SMHA Futurity offers more classes, divisions, and
larger KEEP (Kentucky Equine Education Project) paybacks.
On the slate for this year will be halter classes
for SMHA weanlings, yearlings, and two-year-olds, and under saddle
divisions for two and three-year-olds, and four and over. Also new
for this year, like the KMSHA classes, the under saddle divisions
will be divided into Country Trail/Trail Pleasure and Classic/Park
Pleasure classes. Last year’s participants were surprised to receive
paybacks from KEEP. Those included were Glynn Johnson, Valerie
Kleinheitz, Josette Knowles, and Martha Gilley who all exhibited
foals from JNK Reproductions nominated stallions. All SMHA foals
that competed in the 2006 Futurity received a welcome payback from
KEEP.
Returning for the second year is the Spotted
Mountain Horse Versatility Award. Last year’s winner was Julie
Adams, and Carbon’s Swingin’ Sweetheart of Rocking Gait Farm in Mt.
Washington, Kentucky. They received a trophy and a $200 cash prize.
This year’s first place winner will receive a black trooper saddle.
Start getting your spotted horses ready to compete.
Spotted Mountain Horse Versatility Award
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Points apply to horse and will be based on
the highest total of overall points accumulated during the 2007
International.
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The futurity classes are included for points.
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Points will be counted in all divisions and
classes the horse is shown in.
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Exhibitors that want to be eligible for the
award are required to fill out the appropriate information on
the entry form, and complete the sign-up sheet.
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Exhibitors must fill out and complete the
versatility sign-up sheet prior to the start of the show on
Monday to be entered in the Spotted Mountain Versatility Award.
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You do not have to win to receive points.
Points will be given to horses that place in KMSHA/SMHA classes
as well as SMHA classes, fun classes, and futurity classes. The
horse is entered, so different riders can help accumulate
points.
A wonderful black trooper saddle is the first
place award!
We have some great sponsors this year--Eddie and
Wanda of Diamond A Tack, last year’s winner Julie Adams, Pat
Veilleux, Bill Caudill, Ben Rose, Jane Gean, Don and Nancy Copland,
Dave Fiske, and Martha Gilley. Thank you! We hope to get more
sponsors before the International.
Natural Horsemanship
New this year for KMSHA/SMHA registered horses,
adults, and youth riders is the Natural Horsemanship class.
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Equipment allowed: Horses must be ridden in a
soft halter with no metal parts, with one or two reins, or with
a soft rope around the neck. Saddles are optional. Western or
English attire is acceptable. Juvenile exhibitors, 11 and under,
will be required to wear protective headgear and will be excused
from the class if not wearing a helmet.
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Prohibited equipment: No spurs, bits,
bridles, stiff bosals, or mechanical hackamores are allowed.
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A horse and rider team work in unison in the
arena, using ground obstacles while riding, navigating obstacles
while riding, accentuating riding skills, and communication
between horse and rider. Only one horse and rider will be
allowed in the arena during exhibition.
Look at the pre-show packet for more information,
rules and regulations, for this exciting new class. The class layout
will be posted at the show. The ground obstacles must be navigated
on a line (lead). The only physical contact allowed between horse
and rider while on the ground shall be through the line (lead),
hand, body or lead (line). Contact while maneuvering ground
obstacles will be penalized in the final scoring. Following the
completion of the ground obstacle portion, the rider is asked to
mount their horse (a mounting block may be used), and a repeat of
the "on line" obstacles and or predetermined pattern may be called
for at this time. The class will call for two gaits, the trail walk
and the show gait. The judge will be looking for a harmonious
response to the rider and to consider how well the horse maintains
the gait on a loose rein.
Charlie Ashford of Maple Hill Farm has generously
donated a saddle as our first place prize. We cannot thank him
enough for believing in this new and interesting class. Other
sponsors include Glynn Johnson, and Charlie and Linda Jones. We are
looking forward to a great turnout. If you are interested in helping
to make either of these events memorable, please call Val at the
KMSHA office with your donations.
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