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Greyboy’s Dixie Chick
It was my goal to have a Missouri Foxtrotter (MFT) be a contender for the FOSH Region 2 Hi-Point Champion especially since Missouri is included in Region 2. After all, the
Missouri Fox Trotter is the State Horse of Missouri. There are 18 States and 2 Canadian Provinces in the Region 2 designation. So, Dixie and I set out on our quest in this
multi-gaited breed community. We showed and won many of the classes we entered.
The most memorable class was at the Show-Me Especial Multi-Breed Gaited Horse Show held at the Kansas Coliseum. After winning the breed specific championship, Dixie qualified to compete in the Best Gaited Horse of Show Championship. What an honor to be the MFT competing with all the other gaited horses and win Reserve Champion. Dixie also won the Grand Championship at the Dixieland show. I set my goal for 2010 and Dixie came through! I couldn’t be prouder of her. Dixie is my equine partner and soul mate. I hate to break the news to Dixie, but “we” are not done showing.
I guess she’ll figure that out when she goes to a show and they call us in at a foxtrot!
A special thank you goes out to Clifton and Nancy Matlock. Ten years ago, they told me they had just the horse for me. They were right on the money with that comment! Nancy, no one can groom a horse better than you. Thanks for getting Dixie to shine.
Clifton, what can I say? Only you know how many long hours you worked to get Dixie to be the horse of my dreams.
FOX TROTTER NAMED HORSE OF THE YEAR BY
2010 FOSH Competition
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact Person: Teresa Bippen
FOSH Commends the USDA for Initiating the 2011 Penalty Protocol November 30, 2010 Friends of Sound Horses (FOSH) announces praise for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s recent declaration to mandate minimum penalties for the soring of gaited horses with its release of the 2011 Penalty Protocol. Soring is the illegal and cruel practice of using chemical and mechanical methods to create pain in a gaited show horse’s front feet to exaggerate their animated step, most prevalent in Tennessee Walking Horses. Soring has been illegal for over forty years yet continues to be widespread in some horse show venues. For years, penalties were recommended to horse industry organizations (HIOs), yet HIOs were free to impose their own penalties that were much less stringent than those recommended by the USDA. As of December 1, 2010, penalties are no longer recommended but are required by the USDA as set forth in the 2011 Protocol. Consistent penalties in the Walking Horse industry must be applied to ensure that violators do not continually exhibit in show rings with lax enforcement, thus affording little protection to the Tennessee Walking Horse. FOSH also commends the Animal Plant and Health Inspection Services (APHIS) for its willingness to address the numerous areas of concerns raised by the Office of the Inspector General during its audit of inspection program for Walking Horses. The auditors recommended an entire overhaul of the program, including abolishing the current DQP licensing system and instituting a system where the USDA licenses DQPs because of the numerous conflicts of interest. FOSH feels this change is vital to ensuring that conflicts of interest do not continue to plague the industry, and guarantee that violators of the HPA are penalized. The positive response of APHIS to the report is a monumental step in the right direction to end soring and bring about stronger enforcement of the current program. FOSH is a national leader in the promotion of natural, sound gaited horses and in the fight against abuse and soring of Tennessee Walking Horses. For more information about FOSH or to become a member, please visit www.fosh.info or call 1-800-651-7993. Third Sound Horse Conference Announced a Success November 11, 2010
Friends of Sound Horses (FOSH) announced that attendees at the third Sound Horse Conference expressed enthusiastic praise for the conference held November 5 and 6 in Louisville, KY.
The Sound Horse Conference was organized by FOSH to bring organizations and people together to end soring. Soring is the illegal and cruel practice of using chemical and mechanical methods to create pain in a gaited show horse’s front feet to exaggerate their animated step, most prevalent in Tennessee Walking Horses.
Rick Lamb, host of the weekly television program “The Horse Show” on RFD-TV was the Master of Ceremonies for the Sound Horse Conference which consisted of two days of educational panel discussions on the Horse Protection Act, humane training practices, horse show judging, the latest hoof research, future United States Department of Agriculture enforcement, drug testing and much more. Speakers included veterinarians, leaders of animal welfare organizations, researchers, attorneys, farriers, horse show judges, former trainers and individuals using former show horses for non-showing riding activities.
The Sound Horse Conference featured many internationally known horsemen and equine practitioners dedicated to the welfare of the gaited horse. One of the speakers was well-known philanthropist and equine spokesperson, Madeleine Pickens, wife of billionaire, T. Boone Pickens. Ms. Pickens has been instrumental in supporting animal welfare efforts throughout the years, and is especially known for her crusade to save the American Mustang.
Another Keynote speaker was legendary natural hoof care pioneer Jaime Jackson. Jaime Jackson is a 35-year veteran hoof care professional, lecturer, author and researcher on wild and domestic horse hooves and how hoof care affects overall health.
Added this year were three, pre-Conference workshops for owners, trainers and judges to share ideas. The trainers’ workshop was moderated by a business consultant who guided trainers in developing strategic business plans during changing times.
Evening entertainment incorporated demonstrations of several gaited horses trained using classical dressage methods and trick training. The audience was wowed by the horses’ intelligence, athleticism and smooth gaits developed with humane training methods instead of soring, heavy shoes and pads, chains and gimmicks.
More details are currently available at www.soundhorseconference.com and a downloadable recording of the conference will soon be available.
FOSH is a national leader in the promotion of natural, sound gaited horses and in the fight against abuse and soring of Tennessee Walking Horses. For more information about gaited horses, FOSH or to become a member, please visit www.fosh.info or call 1-800-651-7993.
Contact Person: Teresa Bippen
Third Sound Horse Conference Provides Timely Information October 29, 2010
In light of the recent, sweeping changes announced on October 28 by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to the inspection procedures under the Horse Protection Act for Tennessee Walking Horses and other gaited breeds, the Sound Horse Conference is the ideal venue for learning more about the future of the show world for Walking Horses. Multiple panels and workshops include officials from the USDA, expert attorneys, veterinarians, horse industry organization (HIO) representatives and influential industry leaders. Question and answer sessions from the audience take place following each panels’ discussion.
The Sound Horse Conference is being held November 5 and 6 in Louisville, KY. The purpose of the Sound Horse Conference is to end soring. Soring is the illegal and cruel practice of using chemical and mechanical methods to create pain in a gaited show horse’s front feet to exaggerate their animated step, most prevalent in Tennessee Walking Horses.
Registration for the conference is required. Please visit www.soundhorseconference.com
FOSH is a national leader in the promotion of natural, sound gaited horses and in the fight against abuse and soring of Tennessee Walking Horses. For more information about FOSH or to become a member, please visit www.fosh.info or call 1-800-651-7993. Friends of Sound Horses (FOSH) Steps Up the Battle Against Soring with Third Sound Horse Conference October 5, 2010
Friends of Sound Horses (FOSH) is stepping up its battle against soring by hosting the third Sound Horse Conference on November 5 & 6 in Louisville, Kentucky. Soring is the illegal and cruel practice of using chemical and mechanical methods to create pain in a gaited show horse’s front feet to exaggerate their animated step, most prevalent in Tennessee Walking Horses.
The purpose of the Sound Horse Conference is to end soring. The Conference encourages actions and educates stakeholders and the public on the issues surrounding ending soring. Information is presented by veterinarians, trainers, government enforcement leaders, attorneys, professors, humane association professionals, and individual volunteers and horse people on topics from current soring observations, cultural objections to the practices, technologies and methods for enforcement, and initiatives in progress to end soring.
The Sound Horse Conference features many internationally known horsemen and equine practitioners dedicated to the welfare of the gaited horse. One of the speakers is well-known philanthropist and equine spokesperson, Madeleine Pickens, wife of billionaire, T. Boone Pickens. Ms. Pickens has been instrumental in supporting animal welfare efforts throughout the years, and she is especially known for her crusade to save the American Mustang. Following her marriage to Boone Pickens in 2005, the couple led the fight to close the last horse slaughterhouse in the United States. Their work resulted in the passage of the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act by the United States House of Representatives. Ms. Pickens will be introduced by Senator Joseph Tydings, the "Father of the Horse Protection Act." During the mid to late 1960s, the American Horse Protection Association and other humane organizations brought the issue of soring gaited horses to public attention. Widespread publicity and political pressure spurred Senator Tydings to sponsor a bill that became the Horse Protection Act (HPA) of 1970. The HPA made it a Federal offense to intentionally sore a horse to alter its gait and tasked the USDA with enforcing the HPA. Another Keynote speaker will be legendary natural hoof care pioneer Jaime Jackson. Jaime Jackson is a 35-year veteran hoof care professional, lecturer, author and researcher on wild and domestic horse hooves and how hoof care affects overall health. He is best known for the practice of natural hoof care first written about in The Natural Horse: Lessons from the Wild (1992). Rick Lamb, host of the weekly television program “The Horse Show” on RFD-TV is the Master of Ceremonies for the Sound Horse Conference. Lamb is a radio industry award winner and has been a popular radio and television host for years regarding equine issues.
The Sound Horse Conference is Friday and Saturday, November 5 & 6, 2010, in Louisville, Kentucky, and space is still available. For more information and to register early, please visit www.soundhorseconference.com
FOSH is a national leader in the promotion of natural, sound gaited horses and in the fight against abuse and soring of Tennessee Walking Horses. For more information about FOSH or to become a member, please visit www.fosh.info or call 1-800-651-7993. "FOSH Announces Complimentary Press Passes for Sound Horse Conference September 1, 2010"
Friends of Sound Horses (FOSH) has announced that the Sound Horse Conference will make a limited number of press passes available to the media.
The purpose of the Sound Horse Conference is to end soring. Soring is the illegal and cruel practice of using chemical and mechanical methods to create pain in a gaited show horse’s front feet to exaggerate their animated step, most prevalent in Tennessee Walking Horses. The Conference encourages actions to put an end to soring and educates stakeholders and the public on the issues surrounding the fight to end soring.
Information is presented by nationally renowned veterinarians, trainers, Federal enforcement leaders, attorneys, professors, humane association professionals, and individual volunteers and horse people on topics from current soring observations, cultural objections to the practices, technologies and methods for enforcement, and initiatives in progress to end soring. The expertise of the speakers and panelists is renowned for their cutting edge research, methodology and knowledge.
The Sound Horse Conference is scheduled for November 5 & 6, 2010 in Louisville, Kentucky, and a limited number of press passes have been made available. Contact the Sound Horse Conference immediately to reserve a Press Pass which will permit attendance to both days of the Conference. To submit a request, please email info@SoundHorseConference.com. Requests will be honored on a first come basis.
FOSH is a national leader in the promotion of natural, sound gaited horses and in the fight against abuse and soring of Tennessee Walking Horses. For more information about FOSH or to become a member, please visit www.fosh.info or call 1-800-651-7993. FOSH Honored by Donation of “Lady C” from Award Winning Musician, Sheryl Crow August 25, 2010
Sheryl Crow is universally known and has won nine Grammy Awards, performed with the Rolling Stones and has sung duets with Mick Jagger, Michael Jackson, Eric Clapton, Luciano Pavarotti, John Mellencamp, Kid Rock, and Sting among others, She has sold 35 million albums worldwide. Lady C is known for numerous publicity events with coverage in magazines that include The Gaited Horse, Rolling Stone, Equine Lifestyle, the Horse Gazette, Trail Blazer and The Voice, and Johba Life (Japan). She is also the star in several trick horse training DVDs produced by Imagine A Horse. When Animal Planet filmed a segment called “Trail Mix” that featured pop stars and their horses, Sheryl Crow and Lady C were included. Lady C's credits also include trick horse exhibitions and demonstrations at the National Tennessee Walking Horse Celebration clinic in August 2007, the Equine Affaire, Equine Extravaganza and many other equine expositions. One of Lady C’s biggest accomplishments was when she carried Sheryl Crow into the Houston Livestock and Rodeo Arena for her 2007 concert. Lady C was undaunted by the pyrotechnics, 55,000 wildly screaming fans, and pulsating music that shook the bleachers! She delivered Sheryl safely to the stage, reared on cue and then took a bow. Ms. Crow commented on Lady C’s new position with FOSH: "I donated my horse "Lady C" to FOSH because I believe in her new role as Ambassador horse and know that she will help to promote sound training principles that create an enduring relationship between the horse and the human. The positive reinforcement methods that "Imagine a Horse" used in "Lady C's" education in exhibition trick training, and the sound principles that guide FOSH, are both so congruent with what I believe. As I have come to know individual Tennessee Walking horses, I love their minds and their generous and willing nature. I wish Lady C the best as she shares the next chapters of her life with FOSH and Sue DeLaurentis of "Imagine a Horse."
When asked about the generous donation of Lady C to FOSH, FOSH President, Lori Northrup said, “We are so thrilled with the amazing horse that Sheryl Crow donated to FOSH. Having Lady C as a valuable resource to show the world how a sound, naturally-trained Tennessee Walking Horse can excel in versatile skills along with her learning ability will be a bonus for years to come for our nonprofit organization.” FOSH is a national leader in the promotion of natural, sound gaited horses and in the fight against abuse and soring of Tennessee Walking Horses. For more information about FOSH or to become a member, please visit www.fosh.info or call 1-800-651-7993. Animal Protection, Horse Industry Groups File Petition The Horse Protection Act was passed in 1970 to safeguard horses from the cruel practice of soring — the intentional infliction of pain to the limbs and hooves of Tennessee Walking show horses to create an artificial, animated show-ring gait known as the "big lick." The petition asks APHIS to permanently disqualify from competition chronic, repeat violators of the law as well as horses scarred by soring. It further calls for the implementation of certain mandatory enforcement protocols — including minimum penalties for HPA violations — and the decertification of non-compliant industry groups certified by USDA to conduct inspections of show horses. "Forty years after passage of the Horse Protection Act, soring is still a widespread problem in the performance Tennessee Walking horse show industry," said Keith Dane, director of Equine Protection for The Humane Society of the United States. "Federal law requires USDA to protect horses from the intentional cruelty inflicted by the practice of soring. This broad coalition of horse advocates has come together to help USDA in bringing a prompt end to this egregious and blatant abuse."
The HSUS is represented in this matter pro bono by Latham & Watkins. To learn more about soring abuse, visit humanesociety. org/horses. FOSH Representatives Attend United States Department of Agriculture FOSH announces Horse of the Year FOSH announces NEW! BREEDERS AWARD AND TRAINER OF THE YEAR Bob and Charlotte Blackwell Bob had been ill for awhile and was in the process of downsizing and dispersing his herd of Missouri Fox Trotters. His horses are advertised on page 12. Donations are being collected to assist Charlotte with Bob’s final medical bills and funeral expenses. To make a donation directly to Bob’s wife, Charlotte, please mail to Charlotte Blackwell, 273 High Point Lane, Niangua, MO 65713.  Rick Lamb Visits FOSH Supporters, Bucky and Nancy Sparks Photos and article by Susan Noble Rick Lamb, host of the weekly television program “The Horse Show” on RFD-TV is scheduled to be the Master of Ceremonies at this year's Sound Horse Conference in November, so Lori Northrup (President of Friends of Sound Horses) thought he might enjoy meeting some sound horse advocates beforehand. When she learned that Lamb would be a headliner at the Four States Ag Expo in Cortez, Colorado in March, she arranged for him to visit with Nancy and Bucky Sparks at their Walkin' the Dog Ranch, just north of Cortez.  Dates: Friday, April 30th and Saturday, May 1st 2010 Location: MFTHBA Headquarters in Ava, Missouri FOSH Unveils Database of Horse Protection Act Violators Order The Horse that Wouldn't Trot
 Announcement of 2010 Dates for Sound Horse Conference6/24/09  Tori Blankenship and Playboy’s Sampson, of Sarasota, Florida, win 2008 FOSH Horse of the Year!
Christine Holt winning the Lifetime Achievement Award from FOSH for her early work unifying the Sound Horse Movement and founding the magazine "The Walking Way."
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Friends Of Sound Horses (FOSH) is honored to announce that it is the recipient of a very famous and talented Tennessee Walking Horse mare, Lady C, from world renowned singer and entertainer, Sheryl Crow. “Lady C” is a black and white tobiano, double registered as a Tennessee Walking Horse and a Spotted Saddle Horse. Sheryl Crow graciously donated Lady C to FOSH to fill the position of Ambassador Horse. The mare will reside at Red Horse Ranch where she is cared for by Sue DeLaurentis, co–founder of Imagine a Horse, who will donate the lifetime care and continued training.
