Spotlight on New York Morgan Youth

If you've news, notes or photos that you'd like to share regarding our young club members - please send them along to vlow@rochester.rr.com.  We're happy to share what's going on!

The Berkshire Morgan Youth Club April – June 2009
The months of April, May, and June were packed full of events for the Berkshire Morgan Youth Club group. The team visited Fairview Stables and East of Equinox Farm. Our leader, Barbara Irvine, dubbed it one of the best field trips ever and during one of our June meetings we encountered some unexpected wildlife!

In April we visited Fairview Stables and East of Equinox Farm, both of which are located at East of Equinox in Manchester, Vermont. In the morning we got to walk down the barn aisle at Fairview Stables and see all of their horses including Issues and Answers, a very well known stallion. Later, Jaisen and Megan Von Ballmoos, owners and trainers at Fairview, showed us the differences in some of the disciplines and explained what a judge would expect in each discipline. After a very yummy lunch, we moved to the East of Equinox barns. Here, we learned about the history of the East of Equinox breeding program from owner Ivan Beattie. Mr. Beattie explained how East of Equinox has adapted their breeding program to change to a more modern looking Morgan. Before we left, we got to see all of East of Equinox’s foals, which was especially fun.

In May we went over the requirements for level two of the Horsemastership Badges. We also received materials for horse keeping records for three months.

In June we had two meetings. The first meeting was to plan out our educational display board for the Youth Club of the Year Contest. During that time something out of the ordinary happened - we saw a bear not too far away from Barbara’s house. It was a very exciting meeting!! The second meeting of the month was at the Sweet family’s Triple Sweet Farm to put together the display board.
All in all, the spring months were very eventful and with summer coming up next, we’ll be busier than ever!

Submitted by Emma Kate Flanagan
Berkshire Morgan Youth Club News Reporter

Central New York Youth Love Morgans! Our group has been working on the AMHAY achievement levels, the Bulrush level for the newer members and some of us have now started on the Woodbury level. Our meetings always start with some kind of game or puzzle. Some are from horse books but some are made by our members! Allison Romer made up a crossword puzzle from Morgan history questions and Emma Worrel
made a maze. Then we work on some part of the achievement lessons. Lately we’ve been studying parts of the hoof, how to pick it up safely, and clean it. Lastly, we RIDE! That’s the best part and the weather has been great lately. There are a few Morgans and one gray pony, Lucy, that we can ride at Stoneleigh Farm. Our meetings are held monthly. Anyone is welcome whether you have a horse or not. Some of our members will be participating in a show in Trumansburg in June, some will be in the Youth Contest being held at the Western NY Morgan Horse Show. If you live in the Central NY area or close to Trumansburg, if you love Morgans, call Mary Ellen about coming to our meetings! (607-387-5625) Submitted by the Central NY Morgan Youth (posted 5/27/09)

News from the Morgan Masters: Reporter Taylor Ray Countryman The Morgan Masters meet on 4/19/09 at Sunny Acres from 11-1. We split into two separate groups and worked on judging. One group showed the mares while the others did the judging. The second group showed gelding and thanks to Dale for filling in and being a handler. We all got a chance to show and judge. After we meet one at a time in the ring to explain our how we placed the class and what our reasons were. Katrina, Cayla, and Carolyn did their presentations on their horses backgrounds and bloodlines. The Morgan Masters will be holding their first fundraiser at the Western District show. We are putting together a gift basket that has everything your show horse will need. We will be selling tickets for this at the show and will be drawing the winner there also. Come by Sunny Acres for your tickets, or we will be around to find you. Morgan Masters will have their next meeting at the show. Anyone interested in joining our group contact Nancy at; vidlers@sunnyacresmorgan.com   (posted 5/27/09)

News From Trinity Trotters; Trinity Farm’s own Trinity Trotters have high hopes for this coming show season. Every Saturday for the month of June, the UVM Morgan Horse Farm is allowing the public to come and see their new foals. In support of the UVM Morgan Horse Farm, the Trinity Trotters is hoping to plan a trip up to the farm to see the new foals as well as learn about the history and the other events around the farm. In addition to the already action-packed Trinity Trotter schedule, Sanford Stud farm will be hosting their second annual open house, which will include the viewing Trinity Farm’s very own horses. Both Sanford and Trinity Farm are hopeful that they will have the help and support of the diligent and lively Trinity Trotters to assist in this public event. Despite a busy show schedule, Trinity Trotters is planning a summer full of exciting events and activities that will be both fun and educational for the young horseman. (posted 5/27/09)

Posted 3/35/09...A New Year

New Year, new surprises, and new events - The Berkshire Morgan Youth Club has just started a new year and we have a packed-tight schedule for 2009.

In January, we had our annual sleepover at Barbara Irvine’s house (our club leader). We did Horse Bowl and other activities. We also discussed our plan for the New Year and our plan for the February presentation at the New York Stallion Service Auction in Saratoga Springs.

Our February meeting was at the Stallion Auction. There were eight groups. The stations were Judging, Oral Reasons, Anatomy, Morgan Youth of the Year Contests, Tram-Pole-Line, Patterns, Horse Bowl, and Fitting and Showmanship. There was a good crowd and everybody seemed to really enjoy our presentation.

In March, we went to the Equine Clinic at Oakencroft for an educational seminar. The theme this year was saving money. We learned about how to save money when owning a whole barn of horses or just one horse. There was lots of information about different grains and what they do for your horse. We also learned about hays - different types and the pros and cons of use of different hays. The New York Humane Society, and two rescue shelters, Equine Advocates and Little Brook Farm, also gave informative presentations about their work. On top of all of that, we learned how to save money when buying wormers and medicines.

The months of January, February, and March have been jam-packed and we expect the following months to be busy too.

Submitted by Emma Kate Flanagan
Berkshire Morgan Youth Club, News Reporter