Tallahassee Model Equine Meetup

05/14/2023

VAULTING: gymnastics on horseback!

Picture a mashup of Figure Skating and gymnastics, but on the back of a horse! This article explains everything, from the origins, gymnastic movements, all the way to today's competitions! https://www.horsefactbook.com/fun/equestrian-vaulting-explained/

Tack: a bridle with a bit (usually a plain loose-ring snaffle) and side reins; a lunge line that is attached to the bit; a special large, thick pad with strong handles and a surcingle; most tend to be seen in polo wraps as well.

Rider attire: Vaulting actually requires 2-3 people. One "lunger", the person who lunges the horse in a circle, and 1 or 2 gymnasts- the actual vaulters! The lunger usually just wears casual but neat riding clothes, such as breeches, boots, and a polo or athletic shirt. The gymnasts will wear leotards, athletic/yoga clothes, or costumes. There are NO HELMETS and NO SHOES for the gymnasts.

Props: This is another bare-bones entry. Just your lunger, gymnast, tack, and horse are needed. The horse is lunged in a circle in the middle of the arena, so footing would be a nice finishing touch!

Best type of model: in competition, horses must canter in a circle. So a cantering horse is ideal. However, vaulters walk and trot as well during practice sessions. Traditionally a draft horse is used, since they have wide backs and steady gaits. However, any horse can be used since the special pad helps to create a wide platform upon the horse's back.

*photo credit: Google Images*

05/13/2023

First Halloween pony in the works!
He will be available either as a prize or a fun swap meet piece. More Spooky Steeds to come 🎃👻🪄🧙‍♀️

05/08/2023

MOUNTED GAMES! Mounted games may seem like a silly event, but they truly are a test of rider control, precision, and skills! Mounted games, or gymkhana, can be ridden in English or Western tack. Typically, rider attire is casual, helmets are usually worn, and the horse often wears protective boots on their legs. Colorful saddle pads, helmet covers, and other tack is encouraged! Here are just a few of MANY games played on horseback!

Ride-A-Buck: this is a ba****ck event during which the rider must keep a $1 bill tucked between her thigh and the horse's shoulder/barrel. The last one to keep the dollar bill in this spot wins! The judge can call any gait and riders must obey.

Egg N Spoon: riders must carry an egg on a spoon while on horseback. The goal is to NOT drop the egg.

Keyhole Race: this is a timed event where the horse and rider must run and turn within a keyhole-shaped line in the dirt. The trick is to get a tight turn at the top (round area) of the keyhole, and then quickly exit through the straight chute for the finish line.

Stepping Stones: The rider must lead the horse while also walking or jogging atop of stepping stones, usually overturned buckets or flowerpots.

Sack Race: Another speed event where the rider is leading the horse, only this time the rider must hop within her sack!

Hurry Scurry: Want to incorporate your jumping/leaping horse into a western class? Then Hurry Scurry is for you! This is a fairly simple speed game. The horse and rider run to one end of the arena, turn around a pole/cone/barrel, and then run back to the finish line. The tricky part is that there are small hurdles along the way! These tiny jumps are no more than 12-18" tall.

Of course there are many more games to be played on horseback, these are just a few!

*Photos from Google Images*
https://www.breyerhorses.com/blogs/showing/its-all-fun-games-gymkhana-skill-events

05/07/2023

Performance: C**n Jumping or "Mule Leaping"

This is an event specifically for mules, and it tests their abilities to leap over a fence during a raccoon hunt. During the raccoon hunts, these mules and dogs would encounter fences. The dogs could slip through, but the rider would dismount, lay a blanket over the fence (often wire or barbed wire), and then coax the mule to jump the fence from a standstill. Today, this competitive event requires a mule to stand in a 12' x 10' box and then jump a fence from a standstill. Handlers are not allowed to touch the mule, but they can use voice commands to get the mule to jump. Each mule is allowed two attempts to jump.

Tack: none, just a halter

Rider attire: technically, there are no riders, just handlers. However, they can wear just about anything they want, depending on the show. Jeans and a tidy collared shirt are popular, with boots, a belt, and cowboy hat.

Props: A piece of fabric for "footing" with a box painted on would be a great finishing touch. A jump is necessary, some people place blankets over the jump. This event doesn't typically decorate the jump with flowers or anything.

Type of model used: Traditionally, this event is special to mules; however, donkeys and horses can be seen participating in their respective divisions. A jumping mule model is ideal, but a standing or even walking mule can work!

*Photos from Google Images*

05/06/2023

Entries are open to register for the shows, swap meet, or both! If you are interested in participating, please let me know so I can reserve a table for you 😃

October 21, 2023
13887 Moccasin Gap Road, Tallahassee FL 32309

$30 per table ($20 for a second table); participants can enter 1 show division and sell from their tables!

Show hall opens at 9 for setup, show and swap meet begin no later than 10 am. Since the class list isn't too extensive, we will hopefully be finished before dinnertime.

05/04/2023

Barrel Racing!

Barrel racing is a rodeo event where horses and riders run a cloverleaf pattern around preset barrels; the object is to acheive the fastest time.
The most common barrel pattern is the standard cloverleaf, which invloves 3 barrels set in a "triangle" in the arena. However, there are quite a few different barrel patterns!

Tack: western saddle, western bridle (curbs, snaffles, hackamores can all be used); typically sports medicine boots or brushing boots are worn, bell boots, breastplates and tie-downs are seen; colorful accessories such as saddlepads, fringe, etc are encouraged!

Rider attire: most riders wear jeans (sometimes with chaps), and just about any shirt. Helmets are encouraged, but many opt for a cowoby hat or no hat at all.

Props: a barrel is a rather important prop in these events. Not much else is needed!

Models used: A model that is turning is a great choice. "Bobbi Jo" and 'Classic Scamper' are great models to use. However, galloping molds (Ruffian, smarty jones, etc) can be used as well, shown at the end of the barrel pattern as they are galloping to the finish line!

photos from Google Images

05/03/2023

Performance Spotlight-- Cross Country!

Cross Country is one of the 3 elements of Three Day Eventing (Dressage and Show Jumping are the others). It involves a long jump course over rugged terrain and over solid "natural" fences.

Tack: Just about anything goes, but typically jump/all-purpose English Saddles with english-type bridles are seen. Breastplates and martingales are often used. Square saddle pads of any color, with protective brushing/splint/open front jumping boots are popular. Bridles can have a flash, a figure-8 noseband, a plain cavesson, hackamores... just about anything can go!

Tack you *WON'T* see: double bridles, western tack, Dressage saddles, fitted white saddle pads. While it's not against the rules, most riders will NOT use neoprene boots (they hold water, which heats up the lower legs AND creates a very heavy boot) or Polo Wraps (they can come unraveled during your run and cause major issues).

Rider Attire: The #1 pieces of rider attire are a HELMET and a protective VEST. Any color pants/shirt is allowed. Typically tall field boots are worn, often with spurs. Riders are allowed to carry a riding crop. Medical armbands are also typically worn.

Types of jumps: logs, ditches, water obstacles, coffin, coop, corner fence, roll top, table/bench fence, brush fence, Chevron, trakehner, bank/drop, keyhole, etc.

Recommended props: a piece of green fabric or felt can make it look like your model is on grass. Each fence is marked and numbered with jump markers: RED on the right, WHITE on the left. This allows riders to know which way they are supposed to be approaching the fence.

Best models: you can't go wrong with a cantering or galloping model! Just be sure to pay attention to the horse's gait and its relative position to whichever obstacle you're using in your entry. Jumping models are excellent candidates as well. Trotting models have their place; lower level eventing typically has lots of trotting due to the nature of the terrain. Even standing horses can be competitive; they can be waiting in the start box!

Photos from Google Images

05/01/2023

Western Pleasure!

Tack: Western saddle (silver "bling" is encouraged but not required), western bridle with curb or snaffle bit OR a bosal hackamore; square western saddle pad

Rider Attire: typically the rider wears a "blinged" out show shirt, but anything neat and tidy is acceptable. A matching/coordinating hats and western boots are also worn.

Type of Model: pleasure horses are usually braided or banded, but any model that is moving with a low headset is great! Standing horses can also be shown successfully.

Props: A competitor number attached to the saddle pad is a nice touch to add to your entry. Otherwise, no props are required.

Other Notes: breastplates are not commonly used in Western Pleasure classes. Leg wraps/boots are not allowed. Rear cinches are allowed as long as there is a connector strap, but most competitors only use the front cinch.

04/29/2023

Sara Shepherd I'm working on a new meeting! Stay tuned for the link!!

04/29/2023

Performance: DRESSAGE!

Dressage is a sport in which discipline and attention to detail are critical. It is a test of horse and rider harmony, and it is performed in a specialized arena to a pre-determined test.

Tack: Dressage saddle or all-purpose saddle (lower levels); double bridle (upper levels); or snaffle bit with or without a flash; conservative-colored square saddle pad; breastplates are allowed but not common; competitor number to be worn on the horse's bridle

Illegal Tack: martingales; any sort of leg wrap/boot; certain types of mouth pieces (slow twist, corkscrew, etc); fitted saddle pads

Rider turnout: white or tan breeches; white shirt; black jacket; helmet; dress boots; a neat and tidy hair style

Props Required: an arena Letter marker and corresponding dressage test (can be found https://www.usef.org/compete/disciplines/dressage/dressage-tests)

Optional Props: flowers, judge's booth, Dressage arena fence, footing for an "arena"

Variations of Dressage: Eventing Dressage; Para-Dressage; schooling show Dressage-- not every rider competes at FEI level, so creating a lower level or schooling show entry is just as realistic!

04/28/2023

Don't forget! Tomorrow at 2:30 pm is our "Learn to Live Show" Zoom meeting! We will be discussing the basics of model horse showing and answering any questions!

https://us05web.zoom.us/j/87193926592?pwd=bllhZllxdm91M3FvL0NFUjNPNmVkdz09

04/27/2023

Huntseat/ English Pleasure!

English (and Western) pleasure is considered to be one of the best model horse "starter" performance classes. Pleasure entries require minimal tack, minimal props, and there are plenty of models fit for the scene!

Tack required: a brown/tan huntseat saddle, a white fitted saddle pad (the kind with a space for a number is permitted), a brown/tan snaffle bridle with a cavesson and snaffle bit

Tack NOT permitted: martingales (standing or running), any sort of boots or leg wraps, square saddle pads, colored saddle pads, breastplates are not commonly seen

Rider attire: tan breeches, black tall boots, a black/navy/gray/conservative jacket, a black or brown helmet, neutral-colored shirt

Type of Horse: any horse can compete in a pleasure class! However, the ideal model is moving with a neutral or low headset. Typically, pleasure horses are braided, banded, or have short tidy manes.

04/26/2023

Good news, Novice showers! There are now a few contributions to the Performance Library!

If you've ever wanted to try performance, but don't have many props, then this post is for you! The Library is a system that allows entrants to borrow, or "check out" some props for the day. For just a small safety deposit (25 cents per prop), you can borrow whatever is available for your performance classes. When you're finished showing, just return the props and you'll get your deposit back.

Performance at this show will be judged primarily on the HORSE and how suitable it is for the class/action depicted. The next largest judging component is the correctness of the tack-- i.e. no Dressage saddles in a reining entry! Breyer, handmade, other brands, etc are all welcomed and will be judged fairly 😊 riders and props are optional, but props are lots of fun to add to your entry!

If you are interested in borrowing some props for the day, let me know!

04/24/2023

"Learn to Show Zoom Meeting"
April 29, 2023 at 2:30 pm

If anyone has any questions they'd like to discuss, feel free to comment or message me and I'll be sure that they are answered!

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04/24/2023

Color spotlight-- Champagne 🍾

Champagne (Ch) is a dilution gene that affects both red and black pigment. Red hairs are turned gold, and black hairs are diluted to a brown or taupe color. Champagne horses have green or amber eyes and pink skin with mottling. This dilution gene is not found in too many breeds, but Tennessee Walking Horses, Saddlebreds, Missouri Fox Trotters, and Quarter Horses are known to carry it! In order to produce a champagne horse, one parent must carry a copy of the gene.

Gold Champagne = chestnut + champagne

Classic Champagne = black + champagne

Amber Champagne = bay + champagne

sable champagne = dark seal brown + champagne

Gold cream champagne = palomino (chestnut + cream) + Ch

Amber Cream = buckskin (bay + cream) + Ch

Sable Cream = seal brown + cream + Ch

Classic Cream = smokey black (black + cream) + Ch

Champagne Double Cream = any color + 2 cream genes + Champagne. These horses will appear to be nearly white in color.

04/23/2023

APPALOOSA-- Few Spot, Snowcap, and Snowflake

Once again, the appaloosa patterns are caused by the Lp gene and can cause spots on the coat, striped hooves, mottled skin, and visible sclera (eye-white).

Few Spot: These horses are mostly white with just a few colores spots. This term is more of a phsyical description than it is an actual genetic term. Sometimes, 'few spot' is used to describe Appaloosas who have the gray gene, and the spots have faded to become barely visible.

Snowcap: This pattern is very similar to Blanket, except for the fact that it lacks the spots within the white. The white "blanket" covers the hips, hindquarters, and sometimes extends further across to the front of the body.

Snowflake: A dark body with flecks of white. These white flecks can become larger in size as the horse ages, and it is common for more white flecks to appear on the horse over time.