Equine
Equine Superstars & Everyday Heroes : “FUN SIZE”
By Janis Blackwell
This month “ES and EH” welcomes you to the world of Welsh ponies as we look at the life of Dandardel Elmaleda known in the barn as “Emmie.” Emmie is a nine-year-old registered Welsh mare who belongs to the Hacker family of Muenster, Texas. Emmie was raised by the Orears, a prominent name in Welsh breeding. The background on Emmie’s current owners and home—Michelle Hacker determined years ago, when her son, Alex, was five years old and her daughter, Ellie, an infant, that she wanted a smaller horse than the Quarter horses she currently owned for them to ride throughout childhood. It was at that time that she began to look into the Welsh breed. She purchased one for Alex and after handling and riding her, they fell in love with the breed. That was 10 years and the purchase and birth of many Welsh ponies ago.
Michelle phased out her Quarter horses, and since then she, Ellie and Alex own, ride and show Welsh Ponies exclusively. Additionally, they now raise some of their own and have at this time 30 head on their 60-acre place known as Curyll Farms. The Hackers love how kind and gentle Welsh ponies are and how easy they are to work with.
All the Hacker ponies are registered with the Welsh Pony and Cob Society of America (WPCSA). The society’s website declares the ponies to be extremely versatile and family friendly, qualities the Hackers will attest to as well. Their competitions are designed to “promote good sportsmanship and lasting friendships.” Their website will inform you that the Welsh pony comes in a variety of sizes. The first pony Michelle purchased was one of the smaller ones since that was a desired characteristic in a pony for her children
To read more pick up a copy of the December 2018 NTFR issue. To subscribe call 940-872-5922.
By Krista Lucas Wynn
Each year, when the professional rodeo season wraps on Sept. 30, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and Women’s Professional Rodeo Association announce the Nutrena Horse of the Year, presented by the American Quarter Horse Association, in each event. This is a prestigious award, voted on by the members of the associations. To be named Horse of the Year by fellow competitors is a high honor only a few achieve.
To read more, pick up a copy of the November edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By: Krista Lucas Wynn | Copy Editor
The name, “Daddy of ’em All,” instantly brings to mind the world’s largest outdoor rodeo and western celebration. Cowboys and cowgirls from all across the country dream of competing on the iconic Cheyenne arena dirt.
Every July, pro rodeo contestants travel to Cheyenne, Wyom. to vie for the title of champion of the Cheyenne Frontier Days. The rodeo is steeped in western tradition and celebrated the 125th year this summer. With nearly two weeks of rodeo action, fans watched bareback riding, calf roping, breakaway roping, saddle bronc riding, team roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing, bull riding, and steer roping.
Steer roper, Tuff Hardman, knew winning “the Dad” was a tall order, but with a good horse and a few prayers he left no doubt who the best steer roper at Cheyenne was when it was all said and done. After two rounds, Hardman qualified back for the finals tied for ninth place with a time of 30.8 seconds.
To read more, pick up a copy of the September issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
Utilizing the horse to human connection.
By: Hannah Claxton | Editor
Deep in the heart of Texas, both humans and horses at Stable Strides Farm in Pilot Point, Texas aer demonstrating just how big their hearts really are. Founded by Mandy Cleveland in 2001, Stable Strides Farm serves dozens of Equestrians with Disabilities and Veterans each week.
Deep in the heart of Texas, both humans and horses at Stable Strides Farm in Pilot Point, Texas aer demonstrating just how big their hearts really are. Founded by Mandy Cleveland in 2001, Stable Strides Farm serves dozens of Equestrians with Disabilities and Veterans each week.
“My boys have been riding since they were 18 months old, and for the first 17 years they had a leader and sidewalker. When we moved here, and Mandy started teaching them, she just said, ‘Let’s see what they can do,’ and they ride independently now,” Danielle Frank explained, whose two sons, Adison and Aiden, ride with Stable Strides Farm. “Mandy is amazing beucase she doesn’t place any limits on them, she always wants to see what they can do.”
It is her dedication to never setting limits that earned Cleveland a spot as a national finalist for the NSBA 2024 Dianne Eppers Cowgirls Reaching-Out-to-Community Award. The award was established by the NSBA Foundation to recognize cowgirls across the industry for their selfless contributions to the equestrian community.
To read more, pick up a copy of the September issue of the NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
(Photos Courtesy of Hannah Claxton)
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