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| 1/31/2012 |
Judy is conducting a series of lecture based clinics during the coming months. The first of the series was held on Sunday, January 29th and was well-attended. A description of the day can be found by clicking the "Misc" tab above.
- February 26, 2012:
- March 25, 2012:
Guest Susan Deren to show the value of animal communication.
- April 29, 2012: Topic to be announced
All lectures will occur on the last Sunday of each month from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm.
Early registration and UNH students: $30.00, admission at the door: $35.00. Early registration can be completed online by going to this page.
For more information please check the Lessons & Activites page, or email or call for more information. Hope to see you there! |
| 12/18/2011 |
Show schedule for 2012 |
| 10/27/2011 |
2011 Show Results - Vermont Spring Premier through Grand National/World Championships
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| 9/11/2011
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On Sunday, Sept. 11 Judy hosted an open house at her new facility in Lee, New Hampshire. Click on the Misc. tab above to read an account of the day.
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| 12/30/2011 |
New England Morgan Horse Association 2011 Point Standings posted - Congratulations Everyone! |
WRS Status Quo and Ashley Carkin were voted Horse World's 2010 People's Choice Western Pleasure Reserve Champions
in the 14 - 15 division. Congratulations, Ashley!
Pondview Park Avenue went West!
Congratulations to new owner Diane Lents of Rancho Santa Fe, California.
Park Avenue will be in training with Nicole Johnson, San Diego, California.
A special thanks to the support crew at OKC - Carrie Layte and Jennifer Piper!
| HORSE |
TITLE |
EXHIBITOR |
OWNER |
|
WORLD CHAMPION Futurity Park Saddle 3 Year Old
RESERVE WORLD CHAMPION Park Saddle 3 Year Old |
Judy Nason |
Lynn Carothers & Deb and Katie Hodges |
 |
GRAND NATIONAL CHAMPION Four Year Old Stallion & Gelding
WORLD CHAMPION Western Pleasure Four Year Old |
Judy Nason |
Melanie Small |
 |
RESERVE WORLD CHAMPION Western Pleasure Youth |
Amanda Oliver |
Amanda Oliver |
 |
RESERVE WORLD CHAMPION Hunter Pleasure 14-15 |
Amanda Lashua |
Amanda Lashua |
 |
RESERVE WORLD CHAMPION Western Pleasure Ladies |
Judy Nason |
Joanne Kieger |
 |
GRAND NATIONAL CHAMPION Western Pleasure Stallion |
Judy Nason |
Jacque Harrington |
 |
RESERVE WORLD CHAMPION Western Pleasure Amateur Masters |
Joyce Thoma |
Chris & Joyce Thoma |
 MEM TRIPLE SEC |
GRAND NATIONAL CHAMPION Hunter Pleasure Ladies Amateur Mare
GRAND NATIONAL CHAMPION Hunter Pleasure Amateur Mare
WORLD CHAMPION Hunter Pleasure Ladies
WORLD CHAMPION Hunter Pleasure Amateur |
Darlene White |
Jeff & Darlene White |
| CABOT CUSTOM ORDER |
GRAND NATIONAL CHAMPION Hunter Pleasure Jr Exhib 14 |
Cailey White |
Jeff & Darlene White |
JENNA BRITT - DFM POETIC JUSTICE
- Jr Exhibitor Western Pleasure - CHAMPION
- Youth Western Pleasure - DFM Poetic Justice - 3rd
- Western Equitation - RESERVE CHAMPION
|
 |
MARION BENGTSON - ECP THE SEVENTH STONE
- Jr Exhibitor Western Pleasure - CHAMPION
- Ladies Western Pleasure - RESERVE CHAMPION
|
 |
LYNN CAROTHERS - HVK VOYANT
- Amateur Hunter Pleasure - 4th
- Ladies Hunter Pleasure - CHAMPION
- Open Hunter Pleasure - RESERVE CHAMPION
|
 |
JENNA BRITT - SPRINGMILL INDEPENDENCE
|
 |
ASHLEY CARKIN - WRS STATUS QUO
- Western Equitation - - 4th
- Youth Western Pleasure - RESERVE CHAMPION
|
 |
AMANDA LASHUA - MTN LAUREL MISTYMOONLIGHT
- Hunt Seat Equitation 13 and under - RESERVE CHAMPION
- Jr. Ex. Hunter Pleasure 13 and under - 4th
|
 |
LYNN CAROTHERS - STONECROFT VOODOO
- Classic Pleasure Saddle - RESERVE CHAMPION
|
 |
KATIE HOWE - ULTRAS LEGAL ADVANTAGE
- Hunt Seat Walt/Trot Equitation - 4th
- Hunter Beginners Pleasure - 4th
|
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SUSAN GALVIN - WILLOW HILL TIA MARIA
- Junior Horse Western Pleasure - CHAMPION
|
 |
KATIE HODGES - ARBORIA BEN HUR
- Ladies Hunter Pleasure - 3rd
|
 |
JOANNE KIEGER - FCF MONTEGO BAY
- Ladies Western Pleasure - CHAMPION
|
 |
ELIZABETH WEBB - PARTRIDGE HILL PRIORITY
- Novice Rider - CHAMPION
- Open English Peasure - 3rd
|
 |
GREG FLECK - TREBLE'S TANQUERAY
- Open Western Pleasure - RESERVE CHAMPION
|
 |
JACQUELINE HARRINGTON - RUM BROOK IMMORTAL VALOR
- Open Western Pleasure - 3rd
|
 |
Bellewether Halloween Fun show - November 1st. Click here and go to the activities tab for more information -- see the photo tab for pictures from the event!
2008 WORLD FUTURITY 3 YEAR OLD WESTERN PLEASURE
Judy Nason for Melanie Small
PONDVIEW PARK AVENUE
|
|
2008 WORLD CHAMPION, JR EXHIBITOR WESTERN PLEASURE
Jenna Britt
DFM POETIC JUSTICE |
|
2008 RESERVE WORLD CHAMPION, JR WESTERN SEAT EQUITATION
ASHLEY CARKIN
WRS STATUS QUO |
|
2008 RESERVE WORLD CHAMPION, WESTERN PLEASURE AMATEUR MASTERS
Marion Bengtson
ECP THE SEVENTH STONE |
|
2008 WORLD CHAMPION SR WESTERN SEAT EQUITATION
JENNA BRITT
DFM POETIC JUSTICE
|
 |
Flawless Riding Position
Follow these ten tips to improve your western equitation.
By Ronda Quaid
A good equitation rider will always stand out by creating the impression that horse and rider are one, riding effortlessly and effectively so that it appears he or she could just as easily be sitting up there having a cup of coffee as completing a horsemanship pattern. Accomplished eq riders have worked hard to achieve this. To get the most out of your practice, follow these tips:
- Don't stop riding when you use your reins. The horse must drive up to the hand. Don't let your energy drop just because you're giving a cue with the reins.
- Let your seat find the saddle. Riders often come up out of the saddle. If this happens, think of pushing in with your belly button and find the saddle.
- Keep your toes pointing forward, aligned with your horse's body, not pointing in or out or coming forward of the cinch.
- Ride every day. Good equitation comes from muscle memory. You don't want to have to be constantly thinking about it.
- Keep your lower back soft. It is the hinge that allows your pelvis to move with the horse's motion.
- Shoulders must be stay level and aligned. Maintaining the proper hand and arm positions will help prevent your shoulders from twisting.
- You have to be able to use your body parts separately; for example, you don't want your shoulder lifting when you lift your hand.
- Rather than a solid curb bit, beginners should start with a loose jaw bit (cheekpieces of the bit are hinged) with a slobber chain, which gives some warning when the rein is used. Make sure you start your request by just taking out the slack and try to get a feel for the response. If you don't get the desired response, you can increase the pressure slowly with a bump, not a jerk. Jerking your horse is likely to adversely affect your body position, not to mention your horse's.
- Keep your elbows bent and wrists straight and relaxed. If your arms are stiff you won't have the give and take you need to establish subtle communication with your horse's mouth.
- Make your practice sessions challenging. Work on tasks that require coordination. Just sitting perfectly still constantly in one position makes a rider stiff. You want to be still, but not paralyzed. Think of it as flowing with the horse.
Ronda Quaid is a freelance writer and working toward perfecting her reined cow horse skills.
Congratulations to everyone!
2007 AMHA Western Seat Medal - Jenna Britt - DFM Poetic Justice
2007 World Champion Morgan Walk-Trot Western Pleasure - WRS Status Quo - Ashley Carkin
2007 Reserve World Champion Morgan Western Pleasure Ladies Amateur - ECP The Seventh Stone - Marion Bengtson
2007 World Champion Morgan Western Pleasure Amateur - Treble's Tanqueray - Ashley Morris
2007 Reserve World Champion Morgan Western Pleasure Ladies - FCF Montego Bay - Judy Nason
2007 Reserve World Champion Morgan Western Pleasure Amateur Masters - ECP The Seventh Stone - Marion Bengtson
2007 World Champion Morgan Western Pleasure - Treble's Tanqueray - Judy Nason
2007 Reserve World Champion Morgan Western Seat Sr Equitation - Jenna Britt - DFM Poetic Justice
2007 Grand National Morgan Walk-Trot Hunter Pleasure - Katie Howe -
Back to Top
BELLEWETHER 2011 OPEN BARN PHOTOS
Judy Nason driving OH Inspiration "Pistol" |
Megan Greene driving In the Mood "Bounce" |
Judy Chamberlain on Mtn Laurel Election Day "Bucky" |
Suzanne Haselkorn on Wellspring Immortal Starr "Fancy" |
Judy Chamberlain on Mtn Laurel Election Day "Bucky" |
Katie Hodges on Arboria Ben Hur "Ben" |
Megan Greene on In the Mood "Bounce" |
Elizabeth Webb on Partridge Hill Priority "Pete" |
Elizabeth Webb on Partridge Hill Priority "Pete" |
Rebecca Nash Pannella on Carlyle Covert "Bubba" |
Renee Fossey on Shockoe Slip "Slip" |
Cassie Dussault on Carlyle Covert "Bubba" |
Olivia Erickson on Shockoe Slip "Slip" |
Olivia Erickson on Shockoe Slip "Slip" |
Lexie Ferris on In the Mood "Bounce" |
No Hidden Agenda "Genna" at liberty |
No Hidden Agenda "Genna" at liberty |
Judy Nason and Susan Deren, animal communicator |
Steffi Lavertu, Espana (grooming products) rep and Larry Lavertu |
Poulin Grain |
University of New Hampshire Thompson School |
L-R: Susan Colleton, Lyn Britt, Dick Pitman, Pat Pitman |
Aisleway filled with guests and refreshments |
Guests inspecting grooming products |
BELLEWETHER HALLOWEEN FUN SHOW PHOTOS
2007 BELLEWETHER ACTIVITIES & SHOW PHOTOS
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The first of a series of clinics held by renowned trainer Judy Nason was a great success. A crowd of about 20 auditors watched as Judy demonstrated how to achieve basic collection through numerous exercises with three horses of varying levels of ability. Two of the horses had been brought in especially for the clinic and Judy had not met or worked with them prior to her event.
The first horse Judy rode was multi-champion FCF Montego Bay, a western pleasure horse. Judy showed how highly-schooled the Morgan gelding has become at all three gaits; walk, jog and lope, in addition to turns on the haunches and forehand. They were a pleasure to watch as they essentially danced in front of the spectators.
The second horse chosen for demonstration was a young, green mare named Abby who is just learning what to expect from a rider. Judy was able to identify some of Abby’s strengths and weaknesses to help owner Linda Stebbins of Kensington, NH, continue working with her at home. While Abby exhibited resistance at first, Judy was able to get her to drop her head and listen for the cues rather than trying to think ahead or root at the bit Linda was able to take away an understanding of the homework she needs to do with her young mare.
The third horse worked for the crowd was a 14 year old mare with more experience under saddle, certainly, but similar issues to the young, green mare. Owned by Nancy Halfmann of Gilford, NH, Gemini showed significant stiffness on one side and became more supple as Judy worked with her.
Judy stressed that setting the horses up for success by giving them a door to walk through will yield a better result than expecting the horse to figure out how to bend by leaning on the bit and waiting. Keeping the horse soft in the mouth by using primarily seat and leg position pressure is more important to getting a horse collected than relying on the bit. For example, if asking a horse to move to the rail, releasing pressure on the outside leg and rein while applying inside leg pressure will open the door by giving the horse a place to go to move away from the pressure of the leg and rein. Reward is given when the horse gives from pressure.
Pre-registration for future clinics is encouraged and can be done online.
On Sunday, Sept. 11 Judy hosted an open house at her new facility in Lee, New Hampshire. Several vendors were present including Center Hill Barns, Poulin Grain, the University of New Hampshire's Thompson School, Espana (natural grooming products), and TNT Equine Vet. Susan Deren, animal communicator, attended as a guest and did a few animal readings while she was there. The weather was perfect for holding the event outdoors.
At 2:00 pm demonstrations of various diciplines of equine activities, all set to music, began with
pleasure driving. Judy drove OH Inspiration, "Pistol", for owner Lisa Keller of York, PA while Megan
Greene drove In the Mood, "Bounce", for owner Carol LaCross of Deerfield, NH. Next in the ring came two
western pleasure horses represented by Mtn Laurel Election Day, "Bucky", with owner/rider Judy Chamberlain
of Brunswick, ME and Wellspring Immortal Starr, "Fancy" with owner/rider Suzanne Haselkorn of Rindge, NH
aboard.
Moving on to Hunter Pleasure the stunning team of Katie
Hodges of Woburn, MA and her horse Arboria Ben Hur, "Ben" performed a lovely solo ride, then gave the ring
over to two English Pleasure horses; Partridge Hill Prioriy, "Pete" with owner Elizabeth Webb of
Peterborough, NH in the irons and Bounce, this time under saddle, with Megan Greene of Greenfield, MA.
The next riders to enter the outdoor ring are adult students of Judy's; Rebecca Nash Pannella of Portsmouth, NH and Renee
Fossey of Townsend, MA were mounted on Carlyle Covert, "Bubba", and Shockoe Slip, "Slip" respectively. Rebecca rode Bubba
western while Renee demonstrated balance seat on Slip. The final group of riders was made up of youths
Cassie Dussault of Townsend, MA riding Bubba western, Lexie Ferris of Ipswich, MA aboard Bounce, an English
Pleasure horse, and Olivia Erickson of Dover, NH, riding Slip lead line with Judy at the line. All the participants did
a great job!
The very last event held in the outdoor ring was a high energy "at liberty" display by yearling filly No
Hidden Agenda, "Genna" owned by Lisa Keller of York, PA. Judy lead Genna up to the ring, past the crowd,
then turned her loose to run at will in the arena. This filly was the Reserve Champion Breeder's
Sweepstakes winner at the 2011 Maine Morgan Horse Show held in early July in Deerfield, NH. She loved the
attention of the audience both at the show and at the Open House!
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