Member of the Week Amanda Petersen

Introducing this week's Member of the Week, Amanda Petersen!

"Amanda Petersen is a newer ACTHA Ride Host from Snowflake, AZ. She has already held a few rides this season despite a few setbacks early on. Amanda didn't call off her rides though, she pushed right through to put on some great rides for her riders, who were very pleased! She takes the time to upload the photos from her rides, and loves to highlight the riders who had a great ride, either in terms of placing, or because of a good attitude. Dedication like this is getting harder to come by, so Amanda is a world apart when it comes to making sure everyone has a good time. But that's not the most amazing thing about Amanda, oh no! She's also an emergency medical helicopter pilot. She spends her days and nights helping save people's lives out there in the scrublands of Arizona. She's also a great rider & trainer, and a loving mother. Keep an eye out for an upcoming article featuring some words of wisdom from Amanda about hosting AOCs. What a great lady!" Thank you, Amanda, for being an exemplary Ride Host and putting on some great shows for your riders.

Congratulations to Amanda Petersen of Arizona, for being this week's Member of the Week! Many thanks to Molly's Custom Silver for sponsoring this weekly event. Molly's Custom Silver is ACTHA's official silversmith! www.mollyscustomsilver.com

ACTHA Member of the Week nominations remain anonymous. If you would like to nominate an ACTHA member, Ride Host, judge or volunteer, you may do so by clicking here: http://a.pgtb.me/TH6twF. Or, you may send your nomination along with one or two good photos of large size to facebook@actha.us

In Memorium of Boston's DeeDee

This past weekend, our Platinum Medal winner, Betsi Bixby's DeeDee was lost in a horrible and sudden pasture accident. Our thoughts and prayers are with Betsi during this time, and we here at ACTHA extend our deepest condolences. 

DeeDee, you are a wonderful horse, and will be sorely missed by all of us at ACTHA, and especially by your wonderful owner Betsi. 

Member of the Week Tom Yeager

Introducing this week's Member of the Week, Tom Yeager of Texas!

"Tommy did not even sit a horse till he was in his 70's. He and his mare Kaleki have won so much with ACTHA. Tommy travels all over Texas to compete and is always helpful to fellow riders and new prospects interested in ACTHA. He was the person that recruited me and helped me and my horse learn the obstacles. Tom and Karen are always glad to have riders stop by their campsite to talk ACTHA and share a beverage and meal. Just a great fella with a big heart and a bunch of horseback talent." Be sure to keep an eye out in ACTHA's Newsletter, for an upcoming story about Tom & Kaleki's journey with ACTHA and with each other. Thank you Tom, for being an outstanding representative for the American Competitive Trail Horse Association.

Congratulations to Tom Yeager & Kaleki of Texas,  for being this week's Member of the Week! Many thanks to Molly's Custom Silver for sponsoring this weekly event. Molly's Custom Silver is ACTHA's official silversmith! www.mollyscustomsilver.com

ACTHA Member of the Week nominations remain anonymous. If you would like to nominate an ACTHA member, Ride Host, judge or volunteer, you may do so by clicking here: http://a.pgtb.me/TH6twF. Or, you may send your nomination along with one or two good photos of large size to facebook@actha.us, or via private message on the Facebook page.

This is My Trail Horse, Rebel

My trail horse! By Elizabeth Lawton

Rebel, he came to me from a man I worked for. I rode horses for him and he called me one day because he had too many horses. He came down with this little bay horse unloaded and only charged me $20. I never knew he would be so perfect and end up such a great trail horse. One trail ride I have been on, would be with my boss and boyfriend at Griffin reserve and it was the first time I had ever rode Rebel on a trail ride, and that is how I found out he was such a great trail horse because we had to cross through water and open gates and ride through cows, which some horses spooked at but he just rode like the superstar he is, while my boss's horse was getting all jumpy. With all of the commotion Rebel just kept on trucking without any sign of spook or discomfort in him......Rebel is just an awesome horse in my opinion and to this day he is the best trail horse I own....also on the trail ride he was the only horse that wasn't super tired at the end of the day. He went through the water with no hesitation and he was easy to open a gate on, because he side passes like a dream. When it came to the cows that were there he just didn't pay no mind to them at all. Not to mention I can put a kid on him any time and he is perfectly safe even in a stressful situation. He is not the prettiest horse in the world but he knows how to get the job done and after all he's been through, which is shocking. When he was brought to me he was half starved and super thin it took a long time to get him up to weight and even longer to get him to trust me now he whinnies every time I walk out the door.

Thank you for sharing your story, Elizabeth! Rebel sounds amazing. Many thanks to Durvet Apple Wormer for sponsoring "This is my Trail Horse".  Rebel will receive a gift from Durvet. www.applewormer.com

Share your "This is My Trailhorse" story with ACTHA Facebook by leaving your story with a photo in the private message box of the ACTHA Facebook page or by emailing 
facebook@actha.us.

Introducing our newest sponsor...


SOCKS FOR HORSES


Welcome Sox for Horses, Inc.! ACTHA's newest sponsor.
15% -25% Discount on Summer Whinny's! The Coolest Protective Horse Sox in Town!

Fly proof with antimicrobial, wicking fiber for wonderful cool protection for your horse's legs! Add some loving insect protection for your mount.

ACTHA thinks they are pure genius! And they are. Sox For Horses, Inc. constantly conduct studies to see how their socks perform when protection is critical in tough situations. Summer Whinnys™ incorporate the most advanced fiber science to bring your horse the highest level of leg protection. Embedded antimicrobial copper and silver ions in the fiber of the yarn inhibit the growth of bacteria, fungi and mold in the socks. What started as just a product to ward off flies, is fast becoming the "go to" protection for equine legs. While Summer Whinnys™ don’t heal conditions on the legs; they maintain a clean environment useful for allowing necessary air to reach the skin, while reducing dirt, debris, and bacteria near any pre-existing wounds or sores. When flies are prevented from spreading bacteria from other infected animals to your horse, your veterinarian, good “nursing” and the healthy immune system of your horse can get the healing done.

Protect your horse's legs all year around with Summer Whinnys, made in America by our good friends, Sox For Horses, Inc. And now ACTHA members can buy as many sets as they want for 15-25% off.

Member of the Week Della St Louis


Introducing this week's Member of the Week, Della St. Louis of Texas! 

"Della is a member who goes way beyond just showing up to ride. She contributes rider prizes at almost every ride she attends. She has gotten the prizes for almost all of the Milano, TX rides and has brought handmade gifts to give out at Meridian, Freedom Horses and the Parrie Haynes ride. Della also brings desserts that she has made herself and gives tirelessly to make sure everyone has a great time at any ride she attends. Just last weekend, she brought hand-decorated horseshoes that she made and gave them to everyone who had registered for the ride. I have several of Della's handmade craft items hanging in my trailer and have eaten quite a few of the home baked goodies as well. On the trail, she is always well mounted, groomed and dressed. At camp, she is always friendly and makes folks feel at home. Della is just the kind of person that ACTHA needs at every ride."


Congratulations to Della St. Louis of Texas,  for being this week's Member of the Week! Many thanks to Molly's Custom Silver for sponsoring this weekly event. Molly's Custom Silver is ACTHA's official silversmith! www.mollyscustomsilver.com

ACTHA Member of the Week nominations remain anonymous. If you would like to nominate an ACTHA member, Ride Host, judge or volunteer, you may do so by clicking here: http://a.pgtb.me/TH6twF. Or, you may send your nomination along with one or two good photos of large size to facebook@actha.us, or via private message on the Facebook page.

Good Dog Photo Contest Winners

First off, let me start by saying how cute ALL of the 60 entries are. But, of course, there can be only 3 winners, and you'll find those lucky dogs below, with their descriptions and prizes. Congratulations to our top 3! 


FIRST PLACE - Winner of the one of a kind pony from Lucky Hare. Lucky Hare's unique creations are an adorable gift for someone (yourself included!) of any age and they come in many varieties! Visit Lucky Hare today, to see what they can stitch for you, whether it be to commemorate your equine friend or customize your own pegasus. Congratulations to...


"Josie waiting for the start of a trail run"

Josie is a 2 year old Border collie that is the light of our lives. She not only goes camping with us and the horses, but is my husbands run partner every morning. She is super sweet to everyone including our toddler grandsons whom she kisses and plays ball with. Josie also sleeps with us and always puts her head on the pillow and spoons. She is also an avid T.V. viewer. Big Bang Theory is one of her favorites.
By Rhonda V.
Thank you for your magnificent picture! You truly captured Josie in motion! (90 votes)


SECOND PLACE - Winner of the 2 bottles of Thrush B Gone Ultimate Treatment for thrush & more! Visit Thrush B Gone today, and read about them and their amazing thrush fighting product. Congratulations to...


"Nap Time"

"This is our dog Macy. She's a 13 month old English Mastiff. When Macy's not hanging out in the barn with our two horses, she's taking naps!" 

By Jodi Steinhoff

Can you believe this cutie is only 13 months old?! What a wonderful picture. (61 votes)




THIRD PLACE - Winner of the wonderful Espree© Natural Pet Care Citursil Plus Shampoo & Aloe Based Fly Spray. Visit Espree today, to learn about their full line of natural pet care! Congratulations to...


"Saddie May Ride" 

"My lil' baby Saddie, is a 3 year old female Miniature Aussie. I decided to get her around Christmas 3 years ago when my boyfriend Jason and I moved into our first house. She has been the best dog I have ever had and has brought so much joy into my life and my family's. She knows all of our names from Molly, Jason, Granny and Papa. Her favorite thing to do is chew up her toys and our paints legs. Her favorite foods are Chick-fil-A nuggets and ice cream, Arby's Jr roast beef and over all CHEESE! She goes every where I go (hence the name: Saddie May Ride) from the bank to lunch, horse shows and golf cart rides. She enjoys going out and playing with my horse Blaze who likes her just as much. Saddie is also very vocal at times; she does this funny little howl and she has a inside voice and a loud outside bark when she gets excited. Saddie goes to a lot of ACTHA rides with me, along with horse shows. She always knows that she is going when I bring out her "Show Collar" (a full white diamond collar). In the event she has to be left at home for something she gets mad and goes in the bathroom to get the trash and toilet paper!" By Molly Stanfield Such a cute story and an excellent picture, you can see the mischief! (38 votes)



This is My Trail Horse: Dawn & Diva

By Dawn Bridgers

My horse Diva has always been a little bit of a challenge to keep under control due to her being able to figure things out quickly. Smart horses become easily bored and then get into trouble. When I first met her trouble was her middle name. When I bought her I took her back to timed events for a few years, but wanted to do more with her. Then I went to see an ultimate trail challenge and I thought how cool would it be to be able to get her to do that. At first it was only an idea until a friend started a fun day trail challenge series. I watched a few and then took Diva to her first clinic. We had a rough go when we started 6 months ago and I was told you will never be able to teach your barrel horse to back quietly through the obstacle one foot at a time. Now Diva will back through an L and do almost anything I ask her. We now place at the same fun shows we use to watch and my daughter just placed 8th at 4H state in western trail. Not bad for a barrel horse who was told she would never be able to do it. We finally found a calling for our girl and her challenging personality. Now if we could only get her to be nice to the barn cat.

Dawn and Diva reside in Alabama. Many thanks to Durvet Apple Wormer for sponsoring "This is my Trail Horse".  Diva will receive a gift from Durvet. www.applewormer.com

Share your "This is My Trailhorse" story with ACTHA Facebook by leaving your story with a photo in the messages of the ACTHA Facebook page or by emailing 
facebook@actha.us.

Ask the Vet: Strangles

Q: "How do you prevent a gelding from getting Strangles a second time?" ~ Kriste K.

A: This is a great question.

Strangles is a very common respiratory disease of horses. Strangles is caused by the bacteria Streptococcus equi and is extremely contagious. Strangles can rapidly spread from one horse to another from nasal discharge and can easily be carried on hands, clothing or equipment. Horses with Strangles usually develop high fevers, swollen lymph nodes and nasal discharge. In severe cases lymph nodes in the back of the throat may swell so much that breathing may become labored (hence the name Strangles). After a horse has had Strangles they develop antibodies to the bacteria which protects them from getting the disease for several years.  In most horses this protection last about five years, however the level and length of protection that horses develop varies from horse to horse. There are several steps that are crucial to preventing the spread of Strangles.

1.) Ideally isolate all new horses coming onto a property for 3 weeks
2.) Isolate any horses with Strangles from the rest of the herd.  Even after symptoms resolve horses can continue to shed and spread the bacteria for several weeks to months.  Therefore, it is important to confirm that they are no longer shedding with laboratory tests prior to reintroducing them to the herd. 
3.) Disinfect!!!! Everything that comes in contact with a Strangles horse is a potential source of infection to other horses.  This includes your hands, clothing, shoes, tack, buckets, blankets.....you get the picture.  When handling horses with Strangles I always wear rubber gloves, disposable plastic gowns and shoe covers.  In addition, all equipment that comes in contact with the horses from stethoscopes to muck buckets gets disinfected.  In Strangles outbreaks bleach is your best friend. 

There is also an available vaccination for  Strangles but unfortunately its effectiveness is questionable.  Many veterinarians including myself do not routinely recommend the vaccination because it only protects horses for a very short period of time and it has a higher incidence of side effects than most vaccinations. For these reasons it is important to speak with your veterinarian to determine if the Strangles vaccination is appropriate for your horse.  For the most in depth information of Strangles, its symptoms, treatment, prevention and possible complications associated with the disease I recommend looking at the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Consensus Statement on Strangles.  This is a composition of research and options compiled by experts in the field with years of clinical and research experience. 

Dr. Wilson is a native of Dripping Springs, Texas. She attended Texas A&M for her undergraduate studies in Biomedical Science and obtained her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in the Spring of 2010. She has particular interests in lameness, internal medicine and surgery. Dr. Wilson joined Austin Equine as our first veterinary intern. She is member of the American Association of Equine Practitioners and the American Veterinary Medical Association. Dr. Wilson is thrilled to be living in the Austin area. Away from work, she is an avid rider and owns Malcolm, a twenty-one year old Thoroughbred.http://www.austinequine.com/

Photo credit, Agwest Veterinary Group, Ltd., University of Kentucky Ag, Equisearch. If you have a question you would like to ASK A VET, please email facebook@actha.us with the subject: 'ask a vet,' or simply leave a private message with the Facebook page.

Member of the Week, Gary Wilder

Introducing Member of the Week, Gary Wilder, Ride Host of Arizona.

"Gary is a valued ride host, but as a rider, he is always helpful to less experienced riders, and it's a true blue cowboy that'll loan his best horse to his friend." When Gary's the Ride Host, and his riders are in trouble, he does whatever it takes to make sure they're safe and happy. During one ride, one of his riders called him, saying there'd been an issue with her horse, and that she would not be riding out. Thinking fast on his feet, Gary borrowed a horse, and off they went to the rescue. To ease his rider, Gary came up with a solution, and that solution was Mr. Freckles. He did everything he could to assure his rider to be confident in the horse he'd brought for her. Without hesitation, his rider mounted up, and off they went to finish the trail. Our Ride Hosts are the forefront of ACTHA, representing us every weekend to our riders by providing safe and fun rides. When confronted with adverse conditions, they ensure the safety and fun for everyone. Gary's story is a wonderful ideal of when a situation arises and our riders need some assistance. Thank you Gary, for being an amazing host and a perfect Member of the Week! Keep up the great work.

Congratulations to Gary Wilder of Arizona,  for being this week's Member of the Week! Many thanks to Molly's Custom Silver for sponsoring this weekly event. Molly's Custom Silver is ACTHA's official silversmith! www.mollyscustomsilver.com

ACTHA Member of the Week nominations remain anonymous. If you would like to nominate an ACTHA member, Ride Host, judge or volunteer, you may do so by clicking here: http://a.pgtb.me/TH6twF. Or, you may send your nomination along with one or two good photos of large size to facebook@actha.us.

This is my Trail Horse: Shoofly's Story

By Connie Brownson

In March of 2011, at the age of 47, I was in training to do eventing.  Riding my daughter’s hand-me-down Trakehner, a sweet and quiet gelding named Veridicus, barn name, "Klaus." I was having a wonderful time focusing on Dressage and jumping.  

I was living the dream I’d had since I was a little girl growing up middle-class in inner-city Houston, Texas.  Every Christmas and every birthday I begged my single mother for a horse.  I voraciously read Horse & Rider Magazine, borrowed from another girl in the neighborhood, every month.  I drew horses and read every book I could find about horses. 

I even pretended my miniature poodle, Chino, was a horse, turning his leash into a halter and having him jump hurdles “in hand” in our tiny backyard.  Living in the city with my grandparents and a divorced mother, however, was not conducive to fulfilling my horse dream. 

I didn’t get my first horse until I was in my 30s.  I dabbled in casual Western riding and competition, but most of my resources focused on fulfilling my daughter’s equestrian dreams in hunter-jumper, Dressage and eventing.  She grew up, went to college, and got married.  Then, as an empty-nester awaiting the birth of my first grandchild, it was finally my time to fly.

That beautiful March evening, Veridicus and I were amazing, cantering verticals and coops in my trainer’s suburban front pasture.  We took a short break to discuss attempting a flying lead change on an approach to a small oxer next.  Neighbors, too, were enjoying the evening, walking their dogs along the road.  Veridicus went back to work and, as we approached a jump, the dogs on the road got into a fight through the fence with dogs on the neighboring property.  Klaus spooked and bolted.  As we galloped toward the barn, the trainer stepped in front of him.  

To this day, I can’t imagine what she thought she was going to do to stop a bolting horse; I had the best chance to do that from his back, but I never got it.  He cut left to avoid her and I barrel-rolled off him to the right, doing a complete 360-degree roll, and landing hard on my left shoulder before my head hit the ground and the rest of me as well.  I lay there with her dog licking my face, my heart pounding in my chest, black and silver stars twinkling before my eyes, and my head and shoulder in painful agony.  Nothing seemed to be broken. So I got up and got back on the horse, but I was never going to be the same again.  After a few cautious trot circles and serpentines, I called it quits for the evening and, what I believed to be, for good.  When I untacked Veridicus that evening, I put all of my tack and equipment back in their places in the barn never looking at the helmet I had on.  It was weeks later when most of my physical pain had subsided and I was packing all that stuff to put it storage that I looked at the helmet and saw the hairline crack running straight from the base in the back to the bill in front.  The strut on the inside in the back where I hit the ground was snapped cleanly in two.  I didn’t feel like it, but I was a very lucky lady and am now a strong advocate for helmets.

I didn’t ride for months.  The thought terrified me.  I sold Veridicus.

We still had a couple of horses at the house, one retired and the other a baby.  That fall I got the urge to get a horse of my own, so I went to the Round Mountain horse auction the first Saturday of October.  From the catwalk above, I saw him: a fat, white appaloosa gelding flecked with red and black spots.  It was love at first sight.


A few people tried him out on the grounds and he showed amazing patience and was obviously in no hurry to get anywhere regardless of the chaos around him.  I had a budget, but I hit high when he came in the sale pen.  No one challenged my bid, so I loaded him up.  I watched him for a week to see how he responded to things.  There were questions of blindness and lameness that we addressed.  My cheap horse was getting expensive.  Then, after all of the health issues cleared, I just knew one morning that it was “time.”  I got up the nerve to saddle him and climbed on under the watchful eye of a natural horsemanship trainer friend of mine.  After that first ride, there was no turning back. 

I google’ed “trail ride+Texas” and found ACTHA.  It seemed the perfect balance of fun and function that I could do at my own and his pace: slow.  We were a match made in Heaven! I joined and we went to our first ride, which was L Cinco in Pipe Creek, Texas.  Joined by Jackie Porter and her daughter, Viviana, and friends, Charles and Jessica Gonzalez, I did things I never imagined I, we, Shoofly and me, could do.  For example, we approached a draw and I looked down and thought, “No freaking way!”  My heart pounding, we started down and made it!  That fat little pony took such great care of me that day and continued to do so for another five amazing rides.  Then, after a ride at Storm Ranch, I realized that I needed to retire him due to his arthritis.  He no longer can do eight-mile trail rides, but he is happily employed in his retirement leased as a therapy horse to REDArena in Dripping Springs, Texas, bringing joy to others as he did to me.


No matter how many horses I own in my life, Shoofly will always be my most special horse.  He gave me the greatest gift any horse can give a person: confidence after trauma.  From his solid, round back on ACTHA rides, he gave be beautiful views, wonderful friendships, and memories to last a lifetime.  He gave me the life I always dreamed of.  No matter what his job is now, Shoofly will always be my trail horse.

Connie and Shoofly reside in Texas.  Many thanks to Durvet Apple Wormer for sponsoring "This is my Trail Horse".  Shoofly will receive a gift from Durvet. www.applewormer.com

Share your "This is My Trailhorse" story with ACTHA Facebook by emailing 
facebook@actha.us.

Member of the Week: Laurie Harris

Introducing this week's Member of the Week; Laurie Harris! Laurie has spent the last few years working day in and day out for ACTHA. She's logged in countless hours to provide the best social media coverage for ACTHA and our great sponsors. She's managed the Facebook page, and run the blog like a champ. Under Laurie's dedication, we saw ACTHA's Facebook patronage jump from a mere 2000 likes, to OVER 31,000! And that's just in her work for ACTHA.

"Laurie also runs her entire farm by herself, and Aponi Studios, her business, does web design, social media management, graphic design and custom photography. She's a talented woman, and has clients all over!"

Where does she find the time for riding? We don't know, but she's always sure to log in some time with her horse Bumblebee, and put on an ACTHA ride. "Her last ride in Arkansas involved her clearing an amazing amount of acreage so "her" riders could see the beauty she lives in. She even built wonderful facilities giving them her Laurie touch."

As you may or may not know, Laurie will be moving on to fully devote herself to her own business, and we here at ACTHA want to make sure she gets some well deserved recognition. "Laurie is not only wonderful member of ACTHA but also a gifted artist. For years ACTHA members have enjoyed and will continue to enjoy her work. As Laurie goes independent what better farewell than to honor her as member of the week! So here's to you Laurie, we'll miss you something fierce, and we wish you the very best in the future!"

"It has been  great working with Laurie over the past few years. She is so talented and her photography is so beautiful. I wish her well in her future endeavors and wish her much success!
Best wishes Laurie!"

Be sure to look into Laurie's work and follow her photography at http://shotbyaponi.com/.

Congratulations to Laurie and Bumblebee for being this week's Member of the Week! Many thanks to Molly's Custom Silver for sponsoring this weekly event. Molly's Custom Silver is ACTHA's official silversmith! www.mollyscustomsilver.com

ACTHA Member of the Week nominations remain anonymous. If you would like to nominate an ACTHA member, Ride Host, judge or volunteer, you may do so by clicking here: http://a.pgtb.me/TH6twF. Or, you may send your nomination along with one or two good photos of large size to facebook@actha.us