Summer 7.28.14

 

 

No Brakes?

I'm on a quick turnaround between Youth Nationals and Canadian Nationals of basically one week. We were tearing down before Youth was over so that we could get on the road, head back to California and then head up to Canada - or so I thought. I head out 3 miles and my travel plans are botched once again. Is it the truck or the trailer, because something wasn't right. In more than thirty years of horse training I've got more "stuck on the side of the road" horse show stories as the best of them. It's an age-old horse show story - you get through all of the ups and downs of the show and just when you think you are heading home... you're not. Did I mention I had my six-year old daughter with me? She's tired, thoroughly worn out from a great Youth Nationals hanging out with the big girls, and antsy to get home to Mom and siblings. I was already imagining another few days of waiting for mechanics and spare parts as we were once again unloading the horses and re-setting up the very same stalls we just took down.The momentum I thought we were coasting on shifted in a blink of an eye. Well, more likely the popping of an air compressor...

At Youth Nationals the momentum in the show ring seemed to keep changing too. All of a sudden, I went from horse trainer to horse show dad watching Arista on the other side of the rail in the ring for the very first time. At other times just when a class would seem to get going - the riders were told to scale back for safety reasons - an instance they had all worked so hard for, with all of the adrenaline of the present and then the momentum would just change. Sometimes its hard to imagine how we keep going when things change. Yet this is the best lesson of life because we don't really know what's going to happen next - the proverbial silver lining. The truck was fixed quickly so in the end we weren't delayed as much as I thought. The show organizers adapted the show to make sure that everyone continued to enjoy the classes safely and the Arabian community rallied around a beautiful equitation rider. 

Going to Canada, I can't help but thank all of the Lowe Riders for their great sportsmanship and chipping in to help each other. A trainers best advice is  to keep riding regardless of what happens, you just don't know what else is going on. The Lowe Riders did this in spades. We as a community keep the momentum going. Regardless of the changes, we ride forward.  

Jim

Around The Barn This Week

Riding Lessons are on as scheduled. 

Jim leaves for Canadian Nationals on August 2.Good luck to all of our Lowe Riders at Canadian Nationals!

Youth Nationals

We took 8 horses to Youth Nationals in Albuquerque, NM. Our Lowe Riders handled, rode, and drove their butts off amongst intense competition by the best horses and juniors across the US and Canada.  Special thanks go to the many people behind the scenes that made all of the memories happen for our Lowe rider families! Victor, Darlene and Deanna made sure that each one of the horses were fabulously turned out. Cari Thompson Training and Rhonda Karsten Training Center stabled with us and pitched in on everything we needed. Terry Holmes, Kevin Price, Brian Murch, Dalton Budd, Rob Bick, Caralyn Schroter, Brett Becker and Bob Battaglia were also a great help to us and we are indebted for their kindness and friendship.

Congratulations to our Lowe Riders and their families!

WW Easter Lily and Julia Broome
Top Ten HA Mounted Native Costume JTR 14-18
Top Ten HA Mounted Native Costume JOTR 14-18

Bayberry Bey and Emily Holden
Top Ten (Third) PB English Pleasure 13 & under
Top Ten PB Mounted Native Costume 13 & under

Major Applause GA+ and Sarah Jayne Johnson 
Top Ten HA Country English Pleasure Driving 18 & under
Top Ten HA Mounted Native Costume JOTR 14-18
 
Penelope Krewse and Nicole Krueger 
Unanimous National Champion HA Mares Saddle/Pleasure Type JTH
Top Ten HA Mounted Native Costume JTR 14-18
Top Ten HA Mounted Native Costume JOTR 14-18 


Alltaire AOF+/ and Hannah Kulik 
Top Ten PB English Show Hack JTR 14-18
These two made it to all of their finals in country english pleasure and show hack, going through several rounds of cuts and put in a great effort!

PA Raptor+ and Arista Lowe
Rodeo Princess Leadline Exhibition Class
 
DA Electra and Jordan Parr
Top Ten PB English Pleasure JTR 14-18
Top Ten PB English Pleasure JOTR 14-18 
Top Ten (Third) PB Park 18 & under

Victim of Love and Jordan Parr
Reserve National Champion HA Country English Pleasure Driving 18 & under

Wurlitzer and Shelby Scanlan 
Reserve National Champion PB Country English Pleasure Driving 18 & under
Top Ten PB Country English Pleasure JTR 14-18

Thank you to all who traveled to Albuquerque to support the barn!

Outside of the Barn

Lowe Superwoman Extraordinaire, Shawn Getty-Lowe, launched a website that will guide you to your girlfriends' all-time best products. No tedious Yelp or Amazon review researching required, just click on www.girlfriendsfavoritethings.com Many of the fabulous product recommendations come from your beloved horse-show friends. If you have found an all-time great product worth sharing with your friends, make sure you recommend it using The Ladies Room on the site or by using the contact us form. 

Join the Lowe Riders Riding Academy!

We are gearing up for lessons. Send your kids. Tell your friends. Contact us by phone using our contact information below or email us at loweridersacademy@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

What's Ahead...

August 2-3 Dressage Show at Mission Pacific Equestrian Centre, Somis, CA
August 11-16 Canadian Nationals, Brandon, MB, Canada
August 29-31 AHASC Fall Show, Santa Barbara, CA
September 17 Gayle Lampe visit, Lowe Show Horse Centre, Somis, CA

 

Contact Us

LOWE SHOW HORSE CENTRE 4600 Sand Canyon Road, Somis, CA 93066
	805.386.8669
	805.386.3180
	loweshowhorsecentre@gmail.com

http://www.facebook.com/loweshowhorsecentre/

 

Summer 07.13.14

Celebrations and Transitions

We are all in the throws of summer - the Region 3 Championship marks a turning point each year for me, as the barn transitions to preparing for the National shows. It's also the show that probably sums up the year that I've had. Showing in four regions beginning in April and ending in July can be a marathon. Yet somehow, the biggest little city in the world with the heat of summer is also one of the most enjoyable shows for its light-hearted atmosphere and well-organized social events. While a number of people in the business have done great work to make the shows even more fun and exhibitor friendly, Region 3 deserves credit for putting on such a fun accessible regional show year after year.

Back at the farm we had a number of reasons to celebrate too. On Saturday evening, our longtime staff member Jorge's daughter Frieda celebrated her quincenera at the farm. A transition of a girl we've watched grow up on our farm. Men, women and children in their finest  were enjoying great food and music. All the while a foal was being born at the farm.  Usually mares will wait until the evening for the quiet and privacy of the dark of night. Instead, Jorge in his formal wear with his shirt sleeves rolled up was delivering a foal with the steady thumping of music in the background. Cantina Barbie (DS Major Afire x Mi Barbie Doll by Matoi) foaled out a beautiful filly sired by Heritage Bey King (Aa Apollo Bey x Heritage Essence by El Magato). As what can only happen on a horse farm, we celebrated Frieda's important birthday as well as the birth of a foal. 

As I head out to Youth Nationals, I can't help but think of all of the transitions the young riders of our industry are going through. Some are graduating high school and moving to college marking their last Youth Nationals. Others might be moving up an age division from walk-trot to 13 & under or going from 13 & under to 14-18. In the midst of some of the best competition, highlighting the future of our industry, I can't help but think what great people in general our youth who ride and show become. This regardless of any ribbon or title is a cause to celebrate. 

Jim

Around The Barn This Week

Riding Lessons are on as scheduled. 

Jim leaves for Youth Nationals on July 13.Good luck to all of our Lowe Riders at Youth Nationals!

Region 3

We showed 7 horses at Region 3 in Reno, Nevada. Noble Vision ("Jerry") showed off his giraffe-like neck sweeping the Half-Arabian English classes. Congratulations to new owners Claudia and Jamie Costanzo for your purchase of this talented horse! Sofa King Suite ("Kingsley") and Jim went Unanimous Champion in Half-Arabian Country English Pleasure and Top Fives in ATR and Select with Roxy Shelgren. Mademoiselle Noir was Reserve Champion in the HA Country English Pleasure Junior Horse with Jim. She was bred on the farm sired by Mamage and a full sister to Sofa King Suite, and now proudly owned by Beth Jupp. Penelope Krewse ("Penny") was Reserve Champion with Jim in the HA Show Hack.  Sarah Jayne Johnson and Major Applause GA  went Top Five in Saddle Seat Equitation and Sidesaddle. Bayberry Bey won his class in the pre-show for Emily Holden. Congratulations to the Lowe Riders on an amazing and fun show. Thank you to all who came out to support the barn!

 

Outside of the Barn

Lowe Rider Andria Kidd launches a new CD of her Musical Cowboy Poetry on July 15th called Sespe Lullaby. You can listen to her new releases and get updates at www.reverbnation.com/andriakidd/ 

Andria and SKIPS RAFFTEEKA ("Teeka") showed what great spirit Lowe Riders are made of at Region 2 when she was thrilled to compete at her first regionals after being out of the ring for a while. Andria's enthusiasm was a wonderful addition to a great show.

Join the Lowe Riders Riding Academy!

We are gearing up for summer camp and lessons. Send your kids. Tell your friends. Contact us by phone using our contact information below or email us at loweridersacademy@gmail.com

                       

 

 

What's Ahead...

July 19-26 Youth Nationals, Albuquerque, NM
August 11-16 Canadian Nationals, Brandon, MB, Canada
August 29-31 AHASC Fall Show, Santa Barbara, CA
September 17 Gayle Lampe visit, Lowe Show Horse Centre, Somis, CA

 

Contact Us

LOWE SHOW HORSE CENTRE 4600 Sand Canyon Road, Somis, CA 93066
	805.386.8669
	805.386.3180
	loweshowhorsecentre@gmail.com

http://www.facebook.com/loweshowhorsecentre/

 

Summer 07.03.14

 

 Old Dog Always Learning New Tricks

During the summer, like most horse trainers, I'm usually too busy to stop and reflect on what's changing around me outside of what happens in the training barn or show ring. As an avid basketball fan along with my two sons, I took a few days away from the farm to spend time with them at the LA Lakers summer basketball youth camp. While the boys were learning new skills on dribbling and passing left, I decided to learn about social media. Nowadays, it seems that more and more horse business is happening online and social media has become an important way that horsemen and horsewoman can share information with each other. 

As I watch my sons pause at times on the basketball court, and tentative riders in the ring, there are moments in life that just seem to make us hesitate. For one reason or another we might not forge ahead, and for me that is social media. Day after day I see people around me lost and distracted in their phones. Horses remind us that we need to be present in every moment, ready to move ahead and ride each step. Moreover, I love to catch up with everyone face to face at a horse show. Through those conversations with other horse trainers I might tweak something I'm working on with a horse or learn something new with my training. Regardless, I'm now learning how to "Add friends" on Facebook and "Tweet" on Twitter. I'm also enjoying hearing from people online that for one reason or another might not get out to a horse show. That sense of community is so important for the well-being and enjoyment of training and showing horses. 

We're off to Region 3 this week and after that we have a quick turnaround to Youth Nationals and then off to Canadian Nationals. I hope you all have a great week, and when you have a moment to reflect this summer that you use it to forge ahead.

Jim

 

Around The Barn This Week

There will be NO LESSONS this Friday afternoon due to Fourth of July. Happy Fourth!

Jim is leaving for Region 3 on July 4.

Region 2

We took 12 horses to compete at the Region 2 Championship Horse Show at Earl Warren Showgrounds in beautiful Santa Barbara, CA. The Lowe Riders had a great show with successes both in the ribbons and in their rides. Special congratulations to Beth Jupp and Vendettaa as Champion Purebred Country English Pleasure AATR on their first show together! Vendettaa and Beth were also Reserve Champion in the Purebred Country English Pleasure Junior Horse class against the trainers.

It was a fun weekend! Thanks to everyone who came out to the show to support the Lowe Riders. 

Off To College

Congratulations to our graduating youth riders Julia Broome, Hannah Kulik, and Jordan Parr. They are off to college after Youth Nationals. Jordan and Julia head to the mid-west attending University of Wisconsin-Madison and University of Indiana, respectively. Hannah will attend Loyola Marymount University. We are so proud of these three Lowe Riders and all that they have accomplished!

Join the Lowe Riders Riding Academy!

 

 

 

 

We are gearing up for summer camp and lessons. Send your kids. Tell your friends. Contact us by phone using our contact information below or email us at loweridersacademy@gmail.com

 

 

  AHA Frequent Rider Program

Do you spend a lot of time riding or driving Arabian and Half-Arabian horses when you are not competing at a horse show? The AHA frequent rider program lets you keep track of your rides (driving) outside of the show ring and rewards you at hourly milestones. It's a great way to remember all of the different horses you ride and time spent in the saddle, especially when you are practicing for a show. Join our lesson program and sign up by completing the online form (with a $25 sign up fee): http://www.arabianhorses.org/activities/incentiveprograms/frp.asp

 

What's Ahead...

July 6-8 Region 3 Last Chance Qualifying Show, Reno, NV
July 8-12 Region 3 Championship Show, Reno, NV
July 19-26 Youth Nationals, Albuquerque, NM
August 11-16 Canadian Nationals, Brandon, MB, Canada

 

Contact Us

LOWE SHOW HORSE CENTRE 4600 Sand Canyon Road, Somis, CA 93066
	805.386.8669
	805.386.3180
	loweshowhorsecentre@gmail.com

http://www.facebook.com/loweshowhorsecentre/