Grand Slam Equestrian, LLC.- Nina M. Shaffer

20/11/2024

Mindset Equestrian/ Karen Fulcher was live at Dressage at Devon providing great details regarding showing in hand. This is Part 3 in her series on the topic.

Karen’s commentary in this video would be most beneficial for those looking to get started showing in hand, but it has also been done in a way that is incredibly helpful for spectators who likely don’t know what the horses are being judged on in the ring.

I think back to my first time spectating at DAD in 2002 and then showing at DAD in 2010 with when spectators were much more plentiful. That was a time in our industry when trainers could scout young prospects for their clients and programs much more easily. Almost like a one stop shop at certain shows such as DAD, The Devon Horse Show, Upperville C**t & Horse Show, and Warrington where these young horse classes in hand still exist. With show schedule changes across the disclipines, lack of entries, lack of experienced, capable handlers, I strongly believe it’s become a difficult task to keep these classes on the schedule, which I believe has minimized the accessibility in some ways to US Bred horses. 🇺🇸

Well mannered horses will ALWAYS be IN STYLE.



Griffin Sport Horses, LLC

20/11/2024

When Myra Utterback purchased off-the-track Thoroughbred Deceiving in November 2022, she wasn’t imagining she’d be competing in this year’s Hamel Foundation NHS 3’3″ Equitation Championship. But less than two years after the horse came off the track, the pair put in a solid round at the Na...

19/11/2024

Yellowstone fans that are real horse people got a little confusing information on the Sunday, November 17, 2024 episode. This popular show appears to take pride in its western production on being very authentic - yet some how they had a BIG mistake with treating a horse with intramuscular Banamine.

What is the BIG deal? In this Yellowstone episode a horse was administered Banamine (Flunixin Meglumine) intramuscularly. Yet the nonsteroidal, anti-inflammatory is only administered orally (in the mouth) or intravenously (in the vein). Remember Banamine is never recommend to be administered to horses any other way.

Why not? Banamine causes muscle damage when injected intramuscularly! There are spores of bacteria known as clostridium that can rest in healthy muscle; however, the bacteria may awaken if the muscle becomes damaged from an IM injection particularly when Banamine is administered this way. This may cause clostridial myositis - which is a serious and sometimes fatal disease. Post injection signs of a problem would be swelling and a painful injection site with gas underneath the skin. The bacterial toxins may migrate into the bloodstream causing depression, colic, fever and a lose of appetite. Treatment by a licensed DVM is necessary if you make this mistake. Supportive care, antibiotics, and possibly a surgical excision of the infected injected site may be necessary.

This episode of Yellowstone was a good reminder - what is entertaining may not always be real and correct. Check with your equine veterinarian if you are unsure how to administer Banamine.

15/11/2024

14/11/2024

Mindset Equestrian/ Karen Fulcher has done a terrific job with this Part 2 of her three part series about showing in hand.

As the winter draws near, we will be faced with days we aren’t able to ride due to poor ground conditions. These are a few things you can work on achieving with a horse of any age through the winter months.

Well mannered horses will ALWAYS be IN STYLE.

10/11/2024

They are still putting out hot spots today. Please do a rain dance. The horses are not handling this dry spell well. Absolutely heartbreaking. Agriculture is not just a lifestyle, it is how we feed our families.

06/11/2024

As December draws near, there are a few things to do to prepare for the upcoming 2025 show season. Mindset Equestrian/ Karen Fulcher has done a lovely three part series regarding showing in hand that I am going to highlight.

While showing in hand is often associated with young horses, it is never a bad idea to teach an older horse “new tricks”.

Well mannered horses will ALWAYS be IN STYLE.

04/11/2024

WBFC has responded to three lawnmower fires within the last five days. These fires have ignited due to the dry conditions and mowing or mulching leaves.

The fires are no fault of the homeowner, they’re due to the dry conditions that we are experiencing across the region.

We must urge our community to use extreme caution while mowing and mulching leaves. Please have a fire extinguisher handy as leaf debris and dust is extremely flammable at this time.

Also, just as a remember: the entire area of Chester County is currently under a burn ban. All open burning is prohibited.

31/10/2024

🐴DRESSAGE SOLUTIONS:🐴 To post more efficiently for forward motion …

Imagine your body as a box with hinges at the hips. Keep your box square as you rise freely in the posting trot. This “squareness” (no tipping left or right) will keep your horse’s body traveling straight and forward, too.

— Janice Dulak, dressage rider and pilates instructor

30/10/2024

Why is New York City called "The Big Apple"? You might be surprised to learn it all started with horse racing! 🏇

The term "Big Apple" was first used in the early 1920s by African American stable hands in New Orleans.

They referred to New York City's racetracks, where the biggest prize money could be won, as “The Big Apple.” Back then, "apple" was a common metaphor for a prize. So, when you were racing in New York, you were chasing the biggest "apple" of all—the highest stakes and the largest purses in the racing world.

It wasn’t long before John J. Fitz Gerald, a sportswriter for the New York Morning Telegraph, caught wind of this term while visiting a racetrack in New Orleans. Stable hands would talk about heading to New York to chase the “Big Apple,” referring to the significant prize money up for grabs. Seeing the brilliance in the phrase, Fitz Gerald began using it in his racing column, "Around The Big Apple," starting in 1924. Week after week, the term "Big Apple" became synonymous with the top-tier racing circuit in New York.

🎷 But the story doesn’t end at the finish line—soon, jazz musicians picked up the nickname. In the late 1920s and early 1930s, they adopted the term to describe the city’s thriving jazz scene, where New York was the biggest and best destination for performers. Just like in racing, musicians saw New York as the place where you could make it big.

In 1997, New York City honored John J. Fitz Gerald for his role in spreading the nickname by renaming the corner of 54th Street and Broadway, where he lived for 30 years, “Big Apple Corner.”

So, next time someone mentions "The Big Apple," remember: it’s more than just a nickname for the city. For those in the know—especially us racing fans—it’s a nod to the days when jockeys, trainers, and horses chased their dreams and the biggest prizes on New York’s legendary tracks. The “Big Apple” was the grandest prize of all.

28/10/2024

I explain a lot of these to ordinary people when I tell them what I do for work.

28/10/2024

15/10/2024

One of my most favorite Breyer Model Horses 💛

Gem Twist (June 12, 1979 – November 18, 2006) was a 16.3 hands (67 inches, 170 cm) world champion American Thoroughbred show jumping horse registered under the name Icey Twist. Bred by equestrian Frank Chapot, Gem Twist had an incredible career at the Grand Prix level. The gelding is the only horse to have won the "American Grand Prix Association Horse of the Year" title three times, and is regarded as one of the best show-jumpers in history.

Three genetic clones of Gem Twist were subsequently foaled after Gem Twist's death in 2006: Gemini CL, Murka's Gem, and Gem Twist Alpha Z. All three clones are primarily used for breeding German warmblood sport horses in Europe.

Gem Twist began winning early in his career with rider Greg Best, including the 1985 USET Talent Derby as a six-year-old. He went on to win his first two competitions at the Grand Prix level, the Grand Prix of Tampa and the Grand Prix of Florida, in 1987. He finished the year with his first American Grand Prix Association (AGA) Horse of the Year honor, as well as a team silver medal from the Pan American Games.

Best continued to ride Gem Twist for several years with great success, including earning two silver medals at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul. In 1989, Gem Twist was named the American Grand Prix Association Horse of the Year for the second time.
In 1990, he was named the "World's Best Horse" at the World Equestrian Games in Stockholm. Best injured his shoulder in 1992, however, and the ride was turned over to Leslie Burr Howard (then Leslie Burr Lenehan).

11/10/2024

A PA State 4-H Graduate!! Congratulations Madison!!!

Introducing your 2024 All American Quarter Horse Congress Queen, Madison Heilveil👑