Better Horses Network - Vol 4, Number 8

I hope all you had the chance to enjoy the wonderful weather this past weekend. After doing the mowing for the first time along with the weed & feeding, I have come to the conclusion if I was a horse I would be classified unsound.

Last week proved out successful for our Purina Ambassadors competing in the NCHA Super Stakes and National Reining Horse Breeders Classic. Congratulations goes out to Kory Pounds and Playin N Fancy Smart for being crowned Co-Champion of this year’s Super Stakes. Also, Roger Wagner captured 5th place on a nice run. Three out of the Top 5 at the Super Stakes are on the Purina Program.

At this year’s National Reining Horse Breeders Classic in Houston, Purina Ambassadors captured six out of the Top 10 places in the Open Finals. Congratulations goes out to Shawn Flarida for taking 1st, 2nd, & 5th.places. Craig Schmersal had a great week capturing 4th and 8th place. Brent Wright tied for 9th & 10th place. Brent’ earnings have unofficially made him the newest Million Dollar Rider in the NRHA. Shawn’s winnings has to make him close to if not being the NRHA’s First Three Million Dollar Rider. Congratulations goes out to the Purina Team!

This week we have a special Horse Owners Workshop scheduled near Oak Grove, MO. Make sure you attend our HOW meeting this Thursday night featuring Tom Seay, the host of RFD TV’s Best Of America By Horseback. Along with Tom we have a demonstration put on by Purina Clinician, Kerry Kuhn along with a packing demonstration by Robert Larson of Gypsum Hills Trail Rides. This event is unique because it is focused mainly on Trail Riding. This event will be at Bob Gurney’s Paint & Quarter Horses facility located near Oak Grove. Information is inside this newsletter in the calendar, or you can call Landscapers Haven, the host Purina Dealer, for more information at 816/443-3044.

Don’t forget our First Purina Spring Dream Ride In The Flint Hills is May 2^nd, 3^rd, & 4^th at the Flying W Ranch in the beautiful Kansas Flint Hills. We have a good group planning on coming, and we still have room for more. Call Suzan Barnes at the Grand Central Hotel in Cottonwood Falls to make your reservation to attend. Her number is 620/273-6763. More information is in the calendar.

Would you like to try out or put your cattle working abilities to work? Would you like to learn how to work cattle? Buck Creek Ranch and Lonesome Pine Ranch located near Cottonwood Falls is offering a special day for 12 Wranglers. For $250 you can be a part of gathering, dragging and working the calves, then driving them back to the pastures. Plans are to do this on Saturday, May 10th. This will be a great time working with some great cowboys at this clinic and experience. The $250 fee includes barbeque lunch, steak dinner and entertainment. You will have the opportunity to work next to one of the best Ranch Rodeo Teams in the Country. Feel free to call me at 785/418-6047 or call Adrian Vogel at 620/273-6695 or 620/794-5990.

April

Apr. 24 PURINA HORSE OWNER'S WORKSHOP -- TRAIL RIDER WORKSHOP. Bob Gurney Paint & Quarter Horses, 36606 East R.D. Mize Road, Oak Grove, MO (approximately 2 mi. east of Tarnsney/Buckner Road on R.D. Mize). Doors open at 5:30 pm. Free admission. Bring lawn chairs; concessions available. This workshop will be dedicated to the Trail Riders with host, Tom Seay and RFD TV’s Best Of America By Horseback team. This will be a fun and educational evening. RSVP by noon to Landscapers Haven (816) 443-3044. To view/print detailed flyer, Click Here.

May

May 2-4 PURINA MILLS DREAM RIDE IN THE FLINT HILLS, Flying W Ranch, Clements, KS. If you are interested in joining us for this great weekend, call Suzan Barnes at the Grand Central Hotel in Cottonwood Falls at (620) 273-6763. To view detailed flyer, Click Here.
May 10 BUCK CREEK RANCH & LONESOME PINE RANCH CATTLE WRANGLER CLINIC -- Learn how to work cattle and put your cattle working abilities to work. Buck Creek Ranch and Lonesome Pine Ranch located near Cottonwood Falls is offering a special day for 12 Wranglers. For $250, you will be a part of gathering, dragging and working the calves, then driving them back to the pastures. This will be a great time working with some great cowboys at this clinic and experience. Fee includes barbeque lunch, steak dinner and entertainment. You will have the opportunity to work next to one of the best Ranch Rodeo Teams in the Country. For more information, call Ernie Rodina at (785) 418-6047 or Adrian Vogel at (620) 273-6695 or (620) 794-5990.
May 10 THE EQUESSE RIDE OF YOUR LIFE. Templeton Thompson will be participating in this ride and joining horsepeople all across America to fight cancer. For information on making a donation, Click Here for details. Or to donate online, Click Here to visit Templeton's personal page for Team ACS.
May 26 D-N Productions $1200 Added Barrel Race, Gray Arena, Holt, MO. (From I-35, take Holt/Lawson exit (Hwy PP) and turn east. Travel on PP approx. 1 mi. to stop sign, turn north onto Hwy 33 -- then follow posted signs.) Exhibitions begin at 11:00 am. For more information, contact Christi Durley (816) 383-3557 or Brandi Newman (816) 244-2902 or visit www.d-nproductions.com. For more event details, Click Here.
May 28 - June 1 3^rd ANNUAL REGIONAL GATHERING TRAIL RIDE, Golden Hills Trail Rides & Resort, 19546 Golden Drive, Raymondville, MO. Presented by Cowboys for Christ and Southwest Missouri Christian Cowboys. Friday night at 7:30 pm-Cowboy Poetry. 8:00 pm-Concert featuring Branded. Saturday Night Service with Brother Ted Pressley, founder of CFC. Trail Rides, Arena Events, Auction, Seminars, Campfire singing and devotions and more! For reservations, contact Golden Hills (800) 874-1157. For more information, contact Matt Wagner (816) 238-7503 or Curtis Doennig (417) 844-1999. To view detailed flyer, Click Here.
May 30 PURINA HORSE OWNER'S WORKSHOP, Eby Ranch, Louisburg, KS. Shawn Flarida, Brent Wright and Rebecca Rigdon, high level Dressage Trainer and Exhibitor. For more information, e-mail Ernie Rodina at erodina@landolakes.com or call (785) 418-6047. (More details later)
May 31-June 1 PURINA MILLS BRENT WRIGHT & SHAWN FLARIDA REINING CLINIC; Eby Ranch, 30612 Metcalf Road, Louisburg, KS. $500/rider and $75/auditor (limited to 20 riders). To sign up, call Susan Bershauer at (913) 837-8253 or e-mail fvbreiners@hotmail.com. To view flyer with complete details on this clinic, Click Here.
May 31-June 1 RAY HUNT HORSEMANSHIP CLINIC, Rocking V Ranch, Topeka, KS. One of the country's top horsemen! Ride, $500/Audit $30 Daily. For more information, contact Nancy Krueger (785) 863-4140 or e-mail nancykrueger@truevine.net. To view detailed flyer, Click Here.

June

June 2-6 ANTELOPE CREEK HORSE COMPANY YOUTH CAMP. For more information, contact Cyndi Harris (620) 782-3392 or e-mail ntrlhigh@wheatstate.com.
June 7-8 l^st ANNUAL OLD WEST COWBOY DAYS TRAIL RIDE; Burkdoll Brothers Cattle Co., Bush City Ranch. For more information, contact Ernie Rodina (785) 418-6047 or e-mail ernest_rodina@purina-mills.com. To view detailed flyer, Click Here.
June 9-13 ANTELOPE CREEK HORSE COMPANY YOUTH CAMP. For more information, contact Cyndi Harris (620) 782-3392 or e-mail ntrlhigh@wheatstate.com.
June 11 CTR/NATRC CLINIC, Ava, MO, 9:00 am.. Hosted by Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Breed Association. Demonstrations and presentations in the morning, including how to prep a horse for a competitive trail ride. Short practice ride in the afternoon, giving participants a feel for an actual ride. Members and non-members of the MFTHBA are welcome, and any breed horse may be brought for the ride. If coming with a horse, a current Coggins is required. For costs, registration and more information, contact Dr. Gabby Moore, DVM at horsemor@fidnet.com.
June 16-20 ANTELOPE CREEK HORSE COMPANY YOUTH CAMP. For more information, contact Cyndi Harris (620) 782-3392 or e-mail ntrlhigh@wheatstate.com.

KSHSC 2008 Show Dates Schedule:

To view show date schedule for 2008 Kansas State Horse Show Circuit, Click Here.
Or visit www.kshsc.org for more information..

KBRA 2008 Schedule:

To view schedule for KBRA for 2008, Click Here.

D-N Productions - Summer Barrel Racing Jackpots (June-July-August):

To view schedule for the summer series of Barrel Racing Jackpots, Click Here.

Sullivan Saddle & Harness Club 2008 Events Schedule:

To view schedule for Sullivan Saddle & Harness Club's 2008 events, Click Here.
Call Mary Loomis (573) 732-4757 or visit www.sullivansaddleclubsite.com for more information.

EKTEC 2008 Events Schedule:

            To view Eastern Kansas Timed Events Circuit information, Click Here.
            To view schedule of these events, Click Here.   For Order of Events & Price Sheet, Click Here.
            Or visit http://ektec.tripod.com/ for more information.

Adequan^® i.m. diminishes or reverses degenerative joint disease
and improves joint function. Learn more about equine degenerative
joint disease. View the "Balanced joints. Sound Horse" educational
DVD at www.adequan.com -- or order a free copy of the DVD by
calling 800-974-9247.

_ CLICK HERE to learn more details

The Better Horses Radio Show

            Tune in to one of the stations airing our show:

                Saturday    9:00am - 10:00am         KMDO 1600 am - Fort Scott, KS
                Saturday    4:00pm - 5:00pm          KFRM   550 am - Clay Center/Salina/Wichita, KS
                Sunday      6:00am - 7:00am           KTPK   106.9 am - (Country Legends) Topeka, KS
                Sunday      6:30am - 7:30am           KFEQ   680 am - St. Joe, MO
                Sunday      9:00am - 10:00am         KDKD 95.3 fm - Clinton, MO
                Sunday      4:00pm - 5:00pm          KOFO  1220 am - Ottawa, KS
                Sunday      4:00pm - 5:00pm           KTJJ    98.5 fm - Farmington, MO

PLUS . . . we've gone cross-country with the Better Horses Network!
WOCA - Ocala, FL WLEG - Lexington, KY

LISTING EVENTS IN OUR NEWSLETTER -- If you are an organization or business who would like to list your event in our Calendar Section, click on the Event Listings box above for rates. Then contact Jo Ann Riggs at e-mail address listed with your request.

CLASSIFIED AD LISTING -- If you are interested in a Classified Ad listing, click on the Classified Ad box above. Rates and placement information is located directly below the box. Simply click on "please click here." Be sure to check our Classifieds each newsletter as ads are changing all the time.

NEW CATEGORY FOR WEBSITES -- Due to many requests for website listings, we have a new section in our Classified Ads called WEB LINKS. Check this section from time to time as we add website links that may be of interest to you. Enter our Classified Ads and click on Web Links, then click on the name listed and you will be taken directly to that party's website.

Our subscriber list has grown to over 8,600+ recipients -- almost entirely horse-owning households!
Our ad and event services are a great way to reach those people!

Horsey Treat Recipe

Spring has sprung! Time to breathe the fresh air and spend a great spring day with your horse!
In celebration of spring, prepare these cookies as a special treat for your favorite horse!

Sweet Feed Cookies

1 cup sweet feed
2 cups bran
1 cup flax seed
4 lg. carrots, shredded
1 cup molasses
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup applesauce

Preheat oven to 300^oF. Mix molasses, brown sugar, carrots and applesauce in one bowl. In another bowl, mix the dry ingredients. Slowly combine the molasses mixture with the dry ingredients. Add only enough molasses mixture to form a thick dough; add more bran if necessary. Line cookie sheet with aluminum foil. Using a tablespoon, drop batter onto cookie sheet and flatten slightly to form portions about the size of a silver dollar. Bake for about one hour, flip and bake for an additional 45 minutes -- until they are dried out. (Keep checking to make sure they don't burn.)

If you gotta take a trip, ride out on the prairie, wander through the woods, go visit a nursing home, see a good friend, renew an old friendship or even go to another county or country -- but don't go riding off to that place where guilt hangs out. Instead, leave that for the "O' woe is me" folks.

To read a little more about Charley, Click Here.
To go to Charley's website, Click Here.

Remember, if you have a friend or neighbor who would enjoy receiving our twice-a-month Better Horses Network electronic newsletter . . . sign them up on the registration form provided on the Better Horses Network web-site.

When it comes to Equine Research, Purina Mills is the company that can say . .

“WE FEED OUR FEED TO OUR HORSES, BEFORE WE ASK YOU TO FEED IT TO YOURS!”

We at Better Horses Network would love to hear any questions, comments or suggestions you might have, and we are always looking for items to add to this publication. To contact us, please send an e-mail to

For placement of stallions in the Stallion Corral section, please contact Connie at the following e-mail address: Connie.Rodina@agbusinessmail.net. For Classified Ad placement, please send an e-mail to JoAnn at JoAnn.Riggs@agbusinessmail.net

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To submit any information you would like us to consider for publication on our website, in the printed publication or on this newsletter, e-mail your information to associate editor, Joann.Riggs@agbusinessmail.net Also, we are always interested in hearing your ideas about the value of this newsletter or whether you have any problems downloading or viewing this document.

If you are not currently receiving our printed publication of Better Horses Network and would like to be on our mailing list, please send your check in the amount of $10.00 payable to Better Horses Network and mail to Better Horses Network, PO Box 722, Ottawa, KS 66067. OR . . . go to our website at BetterHorsesNetwork.com and click on "Registration Center." You will be guided through the easy process of paying for your subscription on-line through PayPal. Either way, you will be a subscriber and will receive five issues of our Better Horses Network magazine mailed directly to your home. ( If you don't want to receive it in the mail, you can always pick up a free copy at your local participating Purina Dealer or other distribution points, but your subscription will assure timely delivery directly to your home.)

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