So much has been going on at McKie Equine Center and with McKie Equine Communication Skills that we have hardly had time to write it up!  So here are some pictures to help you catch up.

Philipa McKie on Ianos and Kathy Cook on Happy Hour (Emma) made us all proud at the Canterbury, FL, dressage show.  All of their scores were either in the high 60’s or 70’s!  For those of you who don’t ride dressage, that is FABULOUS!

We had a successful clinic in Breckenridge, CO, (see the elk in the photo?) that culminated with the group riding a musical ride to “Mama Mia.”  Special congratulations go to Sara Lohrenz whose horse acted up almost all weekend, and then LEAD the ride!  At least two or three of us were in tears at the end, so impressed with her success and improvement.  Special thanks to Diane Ebel, weekend coordinator, and the Krugman Family of the TAME Foundation, hosts.  The aspen were gorgeous too! 

Here’s a picture of one of Capt. Barry’s dummies.  We got a lot of response from his show on HorseCity.com TV about “Use a Dummy, don’t be the Dummy!”  A CD of Barry’s six segments shown on RFD-TV is available from HorseCity.com for a nominal fee!  Contact Christopher Bryer at Horsecity.com, 725 Broad Street, Augusta, GA 30901.  Or you can phone him at 706-828-4314, or email Christopher.bryer@morris.com to order yours.

The M&M’s continued to practice as a drill team, and performed with their clever “bee costumes” to the Bee Movie music.  Great job and terrific costumes!

New Addition "Meow"

New addition to McKie Equine Center—“Meow”. Obviously she gets along well with the horses, playing with their tails.

MECS Dressage Clinic

October brought an intense MECS Dressage Clinic, held in Altoona, FL.  Riders were videoed doing a Level 1 test to music, and each received a CD of their performances as part of their “graduation.”  

Halloween at Rocking Horse Ranch

Halloween was celebrated on horseback, with MECS riders winning at Rocking Horse Ranch, Altoona, FL, in several categories.  Doesn’t Susan Croft look great as an Indian chief?  Devon was a great pirate, Tyne was a butterfly, and Kevin was scary!

The Rafiki Foundation at MECS
 

The Rafiki Foundation brought over 50 missionaries to Africa to McKie Equine Center to be entertained and educated on the communication between humans and horses, and the benefits to youth of working with horses.  Melanie trained with the Captain in order to use his techniques in her village in Nigeria.

Law Enforcement Training

Law Enforcement Training took place in Brooksville, FL, with over 30 participants.  48 hours of training were involved in certifying five assistant instructors, and 40 hours of training certified the rest of the participants. Capt. Barry and Margaret Bushell of Brooksville were the co-instructors.  Look for another of these courses this spring.

Lusitanos
Look how well the Cook’s Lusitanos are progressing!  Lateral moves come to them very naturally, and Capt. Barry is bringing out the best in them.  Look at that extended trot! 

Just in case the bay and the grey aren’t enough to get you interested in breeding to your mare, Kathy and Dr. D.C. Cook have diversified the choices by purchasing a Palomino Lusitano from Brazil.  So “Welcome, Alfacinha Interagro to McKie Equine Center!”  We look forward to D.C. and Kathy both riding and showing him as well.

So what is it about girls and their horses?  Obviously the attraction starts early, as these pictures of Emilia (Barry and Celia’s granddaughter), Gracelyn and Micah (Cook granddaughters), and Sierra (Laura and Billy Causey’s granddaughter) show.  Go girls!  You’re on the right track with McKie instruction.

Barry has an on-line magazine to recommend due to the informative and educational articles they are producing: Horses for Life.  He found it about 6 months ago, and thinks its philosophy is right-on.  Terrific photography too.  Check it out and tell us what you think: www.horsesforLIFE.com.

All of us at MECS want to wish all the best to Nancy Henke and Rick Harmon who are getting married on March 21st , 2009, in Umatilla, FL.  Nancy is the owner of Altoona Station Feed and Tack Shop in Altoona, FL, and the groom is a deputy with the Lake Co. Sheriff’s Department.  Congratulations, and may you be very happy!

We found another great use for Cowboy Magic—Laura got a new Australian Shepherd with long hair that used to be all tangled.  But look at him now!  Appropriately, he is named “Cowboy”.

Thanks for reading our newsletter, and Happy Trails!

Volume 1

Volume 2

Volume 3

Volume 4

Volume 5

Volume 6

"Natural communication between horse and rider"

Site Last Modified:  March, 2009