Bayou Pony Club Clinic

Capt. Barry traveled to Houston to put on a weekend clinic for the Bayou Pony Club.  Held at Sugar Land Stables (http://www.sugarlandstables.com), adults filled in sessions when the Pony Club kids needed a rest.  Participants included a barrel racer, dressage riders, jumpers, Pony Club kids from age 5 to 16, some very green horses, and even a yearling for ground work.  The wide variety of equine styles all came together with riders learning to perform in more perfect rhythm and harmony.  All agreed that they improved immensely from the weekend, and can’t wait until he comes back again.
 

Juliana and her Welsh pony
youngest member of the Bayou Pony Club

Cathy and her Warmblood mare

June Dressage Show 

The June Dressage Show at Silver Sands Equestrian Center in Samsula, FL, upped the ante by being a qualifier for regional competitions.  Philipa competed on Double T, performing excellently in 3rd and 4th Level tests.  Ianos (“Shrek”), Philipa’s new boy (see Spring 2007 Newsletter) had his first outing doing Training Level 1, 2, 3, and 4.  And look at these scores:  T1 72.609      1st Place, T-2    74.286   1st Place, T-3    63.2   1st Place, and T-4 70.00 4th Place!  We are all so proud of Philipa and “Shrek” who has only been in training three months.

Philipa and "Shrek"
Last minute instructions
from Barry

Double T on the extended trot, ridden by Philipa McKie

Philipa and "Shrek"

Philipa and "Shrek"

Kathy Cook, who purchased Happy Hour (“Emma”) off the MECS Website, competed in Training Level 1 and 2, placing with scores in the mid-60’s.  On her husband’s trail horse, Kalua, she received two 1st Place ribbons in Training Level 1 and 2, upholding the high standard of MECS competitors.

Kathy Cook and "Emma" 

 Kathy and Kalua

Notice in the pictures how both women wore formal attire despite the heat!  They are indeed troopers!  We predict big things to come for both women and their horses.  Their next show is at Grand Cypress on July 28th.
 

Babies

On May 17, 2007, Capt. Barry and wife Celia proudly welcomed granddaughter Emilia Lilly into the family.  She arrived weighing a whooping 9lbs. 11.5 oz and 23 inches long!  Sounds like another tall rider to us! The thrilled parents are their daughter Tara and her husband Christopher Bramwell, living in London.

Celia McKie and Emilia

Celia, Emilia, and mother Tara

And here’s an update on the Cook Triplets: on a recent visit to McKie Equine Center in Altoona, FL, they met Shrek and Spanky.  Shrek and Spanky certainly represent the highs and the lows of horse ownership.
 

Kathy Cook and Triplets

Triplets and Shrek

Shrek and Spanky together

And we had to include one equine baby as well:  Plumwoods Patrish is the newest offspring of Cassels Omar, currently in training with MECS.

Plumwoods Patrish and Blissful Bey

New Sponsor: Toad Juice

Please check out our new sponsor, Toad Juice (http://www.toadjuice.net), produced by Coco Equine Products in DeLand, FL.  We have been using the products on big Shrek, as well as others, to keep him from rubbing the skin off his face in this summer heat.  He had a history of being a problem keeper in the summertime, and is much improved.   Thanks, Coco, for your sponsorship.  We hope that you all visit her site and try her unique organic products.
 

Law Enforcement Mounted Olympics

In June, Capt. McKie was a judge in the Law Enforcement Mounted Olympics.  Held at Fox Lea Equestrian Center, Venice, FL, the Capt. was very impressed with the administration, coordination, and implementation of the event which made it easy for him to fulfill his duties in judging horse turn-out, team ride, and equitation.
 

Sue Visits Knightsbridge

One of our regular riders and local business women, Sue Croft, recently visited Europe.  During her stay in London, she visited the Capt.’s old Regiment in Knightsbridge, thoroughly enjoying the soldier’s sense of humor and the military Ceremonial not normally seen by the general public.  Barry passes on his sincere thanks to Sgt. Chris Lasita and his team for making this possible.  Can’t you picture Capt. Barry in these hats?  Click on Capt. Barry McKie under “About Us” if you haven’t seen it.

Sue Croft and her daughter Melissa, Celia McKie, and Annette Dobson in Hyde Park Barracks

Michael the Vaulter

One of the MECS students has beaten his personal record of 12 through-vaults to 15.  He started his interest in horse gymnastics in Dec., 2006, and his debut performance was at Gloria Austin’s Carriage Museum Festival.  Go Michael! 

Michael Vaulting

Michael Vaulting

Miss Pooh’s Kid’s Camp

Miss Pooh, Dakota and Luke
at Kid’s Camp

Endurance Rider Clinic

In July, Debbie Price organized a weekend clinic for endurance and competitive trail riders.  We started with an evening of riding philosophy and work on the lunge line, enlightening to all.  On Saturday, riders worked on how to ride properly in order to make the horse’s movement most efficient and balanced.  The Capt. stressed communication through all the various body parts including ankles, wrists, seat bones, etc.   Participants spent the second evening viewing pictures of themselves riding while Capt. Barry gave a running commentary.  It was so informative!  Sunday finished off with advanced work on “Natural Communication Between Horse and Rider.”  We hope to continue working with this group and adding others in the future.

Endurance/Competitive Trail Clinic  

The Capt Explaining

It's Coming Together

What are We Up To?

This photo will give you an idea of what we’re busy doing.  Andrew Meraz of Houston filmed segments for us, as well as HorseCity.com filmed 6 segments with the Capt. and Philipa, soon to air on RFD-TV.  So watch for MECS DVD’s to show up for sale on this website.

Andrew Meraz of "Take One Productions"
 

Another Contest!

Over the last 16 years, we have been trying to understand what trainers and pupils think they mean by certain equine terminology.  For example, would you know what the instructor meant if she/he said, “Follow the movement of your horse”?   So, we want your understanding of the meaning of each of the follow terms.  Please email Capt. Barry (bjmmecs@equinecommunications.com) your definitions or descriptions of what the following terms or directions mean to you.

1. “Follow the movement of the horse.”
2. “Push/keep your heel down.”
3. “Kick.”
4. “Keep your hands still.”
5. “What is and how do you maintain a contact?”
6. “Use your seat.”

 We thank you for taking the time to help us, and we will publish the Capt.’s concept of each term soon.  The person who sends us the most complete answers by September 15, 2007 will be mailed a MECS visor plus a polo shirt.  So please include your name, address, and whether or not you are an instructor or pupil or both.  We’ll contact the winner for shirt size.  And yes, we have MECS polo shirts now available in yellow as well as the original burgundy.  We also have new MECS visors ($10) besides the ball caps listed on the Merchandise page.

Thanks for reading our newsletter, and Happy Trails!
 

"Natural communication between horse and rider"

Site Last Modified:  November, 2007