Colorado Clinic

Capt. Barry traveled to Breckenridge to put on a 3-day clinic at the TAME ("Therapy Animals Mean Equality") Foundation, Inc.  Owners Pam and Mike Krugman and their children were the ultimate hosts, opening up their magnificent facility for the participants to enjoy shredded rubber footing in the arenas, every imaginable prop we needed, and magnificent views of the mountains.  The lack of oxygen at that altitude was challenging for us flatlanders, but bottled oxygen helped!  Two more Colorado dates for 2008 are already in the works.

Capt Barry on Linda Karz's Friesian
 during the clinic

Molly , Pam's daughter, was the
youngest participant and held her own riding with the adults

Laura Causey (MECS Project Manager),
Barry McKie (Clinician), and
Diane Ebel (Clinic Organizer) at 12000 feet

Dressage Shows

Ianos (“Shrek”), Philipa’s Oldenburg, continues to get scores in the 70's even under such tough judges as Bill Woods.   Read Philipa McKie's account:

Damon on Dakota

Team McKie, Philipa on Ionos

Sue Croft, Damon,
and Philipa McKie

Silver Sands Bridle Club, November 3rd, Judged by Bill Woods.  Friday was spent braiding, bathing horses and packing the trailer in between teaching. We hauled to Silver Sands Bridle Club in Daytona, this time our team was made of fewer riders but the excitement and nervousness were as normal.  Bea couldn’t make it to this show, so Sue bunked with me. We slept well until around 4am when gun shot and fire works rang through the air, the natives had awoke. The day was a success.  After a month of lessons with Capt. Barry, Sue Croft rode Arrow in Training level 1 and 2 receiving 57% and 59% placing her 2nd in both classes.  I do believe that if Sue had worn that devilish red dress (see Halloween picture) her score would have greatly improved J

 Damon rode Brilliant Gem, a bay Arabian mare, in Training level 1 Jr receiving a 61%. With the comment of "Good effort", he was placed 3rd. In the year that Damon has been riding we are so proud of the accomplishments this young man has made. Although he protests every photo we take of him, his smile lights up any picture. Double T was in great form; they where the two most relaxed rides I have had at competition for a long time. As one judge, so correctly pointed out in the past, “he is an overachiever, he tries so hard to please.”  I am thrilled each time I set foot into an arena; I love it when it all comes together but have tasted the other end of the rod as well. DT was going to make me proud; we received a 63% in 3rd level 3 and a 61% in forth level 1.  The comment of fairly good flying changes was a joy as the overachieving DT likes to anticipate the changes and is often too quick on the change lowering our score.  On this day he waited for the queue from his mom, and all was good.  We received two 1st places and Senior Reserve Champion, out of 44 other senior tests. I do love that horse.  Then, of course, came Ianos.  He had to wait for the end of the day to put his foot into the arena. Everyone admired his stature, and gave him lots of attention which he loved.  I rode him in training level 3 and 4. I am now feeling quite a partnership with him and a confidence  that helps me look at the bigger picture of the test not just maneuvering this 18.2 hand mass around the arena. We received a 70% (T3) and a 67% (T4), which gave us two 1st places and were the two highest scores of the day. With three or more contestants in the class SSBC always gives a prize with the ribbon: on this day it was a wooden pen inside a case with SSBC Dressage engraved on the top.  Which Daddy took a liking to and jokingly said, after I won Training 3 and still waiting for the Training 4 results “You had better hope you win the next one, so you too can have a lovely pen set”.  Luckily for me the second pen box proudly sits on my desk with my Reserve Championship ribbon on the notice board behind me.

I would like to thank Gabby, Kevin, Erin, Mrs. Bea and C.J. for their help at the barn.  Michael, Mrs. Jeanie, Mrs. Bea and Kevin for their help and support at the show. Robbie, if you are not able to be there in person, thank you for always being at the other end of the phone ready for tears or laughter and always knowing what to say.

To my father, trainer, coach and friend: Thank you for sharing not only your genes with me, but your knowledge.  For teaching, encouraging and molding me into the rider I am today and for the continuing support you give. Knowing when to give me a hug and when to kick me in the butt and tell me to get on with it. I love you very much.

2nd Endurance and Competitive Trail Riding Clinic

MECS riders got into the spirit of Halloween competing at Rocking Horse Ranch during the Hospice Trail Ride and Costume Contest.  And it was a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place sweep for MECS riders Kathleen Shipes, Sue Croft, and Jeanie Bell.

Kathleen Shipes as Spider Girl,
the Devilish Sue Croft, and
Witchy Jeanie Bell

Angelic Jordan

The McKie's granddaughter Emilia Lilly
 in November

Plumwoods Patrish at 6 months

Dixie Midnight pad under a dressage pad on Sue's horse Arrow

A happy Arrow after a training session at MECS

Seriously, a door mat?  That was my first impression of the Dixie Midnight Pad.  I happened to be at the MECS barn during an Endurance Clinic and Karl was speaking about this wonderful pad that would help keep our favorite equine friend’s back cool. 

Let me tell you about my friend, Arrow.  He sweats buckets!  One ride and the riding pad is soaked.  Not only is the pad soaked but my dressage saddle is wet as well.  We all wash are pads frequently, right?  Right.  My saddle pad ends up like a pair of unwashed jeans…it stands on its own.  And those lovely salt crystals on the saddle are great too. 

I bought the Midnight Pad and put it on Arrow, rough side down as instructed and then put a new dressage pad on top. Arrow sweated up a storm as usual. After the first workout my dressage pad was warm but dry.  Arrow was wet but not abnormally hot. I used the Midnight Pad six days a week on Arrow for an entire month. The results were the same each time.  Even after a month my dressage pad didn’t need washing and my saddle looked better also. 

With a lifetime guarantee the Midnight Pad is money well spent.   

Susan Croft

Toad Juice Results

Katie is a face scratcher, a beautiful horse who challenges her owner to figure out how to keep hair on her face.  And Bea is winning using the spray-on Toad Juice.  She sprays it on after each ride, and it keeps Katie from rubbing better than anything Bea has tried.  She's sold on it.

Contest Winners

Thanks to all of you who sent your responses on your idea of the meaning of instructional terms to the Captain.  Our big winner is Nina Springer from Texas who has already received her polo shirt and hat.  The quick responses showed how many of you are reading our newsletters, so THANKS.  The key to the meaning of "Follow the Motion of Your Horse" is "LEAD the Motion of the Horse."   According to Capt. McKie, "This means the rider's communication comes prior to the expected reaction from the horse.  As in riding a bike, the rider starts by peddling one ankle down and the other allowing the peddle to rotate upwards.  This starts the rotation of the back wheel, which corresponds to the hindquarters of the horse."  This will be further explained in our forthcoming DVD's."

Equine Acupuncture

Philipa had a round of acupuncture done on Double T, and we thought you might be interested in these pictures of how it's done.  Besides the needles, an electrical current is attached and sent through them for about 20 minutes.  Double T looked totally relaxed, and his behavior indicated that it must have felt really good.  And yes, he did win Reserve Champion afterwards, but that was skill, heart, and a lot of practice as well.

Buffalo Soldiers

Rivendell Boys who have reached a certain level of status due to behavior and academics are sent to Altoona to participate in a 10-day training as Buffalo Soldiers.  Most have never ridden before, but with the help and guidance of Philipa and Barry McKie, in only 10-days they learn and perform a graduation ceremony complete with intricate moves such as this inside-outside circle and "thread the needle".  It's a life-changing experience for most of the boys.

Buffalo Soldiers performing in October, 2007

RFD-TV

HorseCity.com has been broadcasting the segments with the Capt. and Philipa on RFD-TV.  What a respond we have received!  People are writing from all over with their training questions for the Captain.  If you missed the segments, you can go to HorseCity.com and watch them.

Clinic Schedule

We need your help in planning our 2008 clinic schedule.  Many of you have called or written requesting to participate in clinics, and we need locations and exact dates.  You could be a Clinic Organizer and receive special benefits and prices, so contact Laura to get your clinic on the books.  Barry doesn't really want to more than one per month, so you need to work on dates right now.  Thanks so much for your help.  Laura can give you all the particulars and help with fliers and marketing.

Thanks for reading our newsletter, and Happy Trails!

Volume 1

Volume 2

Volume 3

"Natural communication between horse and rider"

Site Last Modified:  December, 2007