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March 9, 2010
Four States Ag Expo promotes “driving interests”
The “surrey with the fringe on the top” doesn’t have to be the distant dream of Hollywood past—the Four Corners Draft Horse, Mule and Carriage Association, Inc., wants to make the experience of driving a cart, wagon, carriage—and even a surrey—a 21st century reality for visitors to the Four States Ag Expo in Cortez, March 18-21.
Over the course of the four day Expo, the driving club will present programs on the fundamentals of driving, choosing a draft horse, specialized equipment for agriculture and other uses, hitching and harness basics, and the techniques of using stock for pleasure or work. They will also give Expo visitors a parade of teams and equipment every day, and sometimes twice.
The Four Corners Draft Horse, Mule, and Carriage Association Inc. is a family based organization, hosting events geared for all levels of horsemen, women, and children. The top priority for these drivers is the safety of everyone involved with equines, as well as safe usage of draft animals and equipment. Founded in 1973 by a small group of individuals who didn’t want to see the art of horse farming and draft animal usage in general die out, the organization currently is proud to have more than 100 members, some with and some without draft animals, but all with a common interest.
Events throughout the year include parades, play days, fairs, wagon trips, sleigh days, educational opportunities, farming with horses opportunities, 4H and FFA involvement, and more. FCDHMCA is proud to be a part of The Four States Ag Expo again this year, and cordially invites you to attend one or all of their scheduled events during the expo. Please come by the booth and visit, and see what can be done with draft animals, from the 250# mini to 2500# draft horses, and everything in between. Check the schedule and official program for times and locations: www.FourStatesAgExpo.com or call 565-3411.
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March 8, 2010
"Evolving Face of Sustainable Agriculture" Panel Discussion
The Four States Ag Expo will present a panel discussion on issues in sustainable farming & ranching on Saturday, March 20 at 3 p.m. at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds in Cortez, CO.
Visiting author and photographer Lisa Hamilton, an Ag Expo keynote speaker (appearing also at 11 a.m. that day), will be a panel participant, as will farm consultant Bob Bragg of San Juan Community College, heritage cattle rancher Don Steerman, dry land bean farmer Mike Coffee (owner of Dove Creek Bean Co), and Stone Free Farm co-owner Rosie Carter of Arriola, CO. In addition, the panel will include Dr. Curtis Swift, noted CSU horticulturalist and master gardener trainer from Grand Junction. The discussion will be moderated by Tom Hooten, CSU Extension Services agent.
As a springboard for discussion, the panel will open with views on new approaches to sustainability in farming and ranching today and what wise practices might look like in the future. They will address issues of the economics as well as the science of the subject. There will be time for questions and answers.
The Four States Ag Expo runs March 18-21, at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds in Cortez. For more information, call 970-565-3414.
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March 6, 2010
Four States Ag Expo hosts unusual colt starting
Rescued horses often languish untrained, waiting for the day someone will adopt them; unschooled youngsters are particularly difficult to place. At the Four States Ag Expo (March 18-21) Jason Patrick, internationally respected trainer and heritage rancher, will change that outlook for ten youngsters; Jason and his full ranch crew will spend four days starting ten colts from two local rescue organizations. And instead of taking the colts one by one and working from the ground, Jason will demonstrate a time-honored technique he uses to start about 200 head every year: in groups and from the saddle. The event, called “Rescued to Ride,” will prepare the colts for adoption and spotlight the issue of unwanted horses, but it will also give visitors the chance to see fine horsemanship and excellent training techniques in action.
The two featured rescue organizations are Spring Creek (Gem Village, CO) and Four States Equine (Aztec, NM). A third rescue, Fresh Start in Dolores, will have colts on site as well. All three rescue owners agree that young horses are their biggest challenge and getting them started will go a long way to improving the horses’ chances for adoption.
The Four States Ag Expo takes place March 18-21 at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds outside of Cortez, CO. For more information, call (970) 565-3414.
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March 6, 2010
Ranch Rodeo entries open for Four States Ag Expo
The Four States Ag Expo will host a Ranch Rodeo on Saturday afternoon, March 20 at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds in Cortez, CO. Entries are open now and the deadline to sign up is March 18. The rodeo is limited to ten 4-person teams; each team must be made up of a combination of men and women. Entry fee is $500 per team, payout after cattle expense will be 40-25-15% of pot. More information (including rule details) is posted at www.FourStatesAgExpo.com. Call Mark Pollack at 970-749-3684 to enter.
Compete for cash prizes and enjoy some springtime fun, at the largest agricultural show between the Great Plains and the West Coast—March 18-21, 2010 at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds in Cortez.
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March 5, 2010
Equine Nutritionist Juliet Getty to speak at Four States Ag Expo
Dr. Juliet Getty, internationally respected equine nutritionist, consultant and author, will speak Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Four States Ag Expo (March 18-21) in Cortez, CO. Explaining the science-based principles at the foundation of her “Feed Your Horse Like A Horse” program, Dr. Getty will address the fundamentals of the horse’s gastrointestinal tract, as well as the “what, why and how” of laminitis, colic and ulcers, equine weight management, and special feeding circumstances.
Dr. Getty’s recently published, comprehensive equine nutrition guide, “Feed Your Horse Like A Horse” will be available for purchase at the Expo. For schedules visit the Calendar page or call (970) 565-3414. For more information about equine nutrition, contact Dr. Getty through www.gettyequinenutrition.com.
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March 5, 2010
TV/Radio host and author Rick Lamb will bring sage advice and lively song to the Four States Ag Expo
Rick Lamb is a horseman, journalist, TV and radio host (of The Horse Show) and author—and he plans to bring all his talents to the Four States Ag Expo in Cortez, March 18-21, 2010. Fans of RFD-TV know Rick as the intrepid interviewer who brings news of the horse world from far afield and right next door. Serious horsemen rely on his books about time-honored horse training wisdom. And fans of live music enjoy taking a break from arena and shopping to relax and listen to Rick and his musical partner, Jay Casmirri, entertain as the duo, The Blenderz. In addition, Rick will be roaming the grounds to interview horsemen, visitors, vendors and clinicians, for possible inclusion in his radio programs.
At the Four States Ag Expo, Rick will speak all four days. His topics include:
· Time Travels for Horsemen—lessons from horsemen of the past who influenced today’s natural horsemanship practices.
· The Seven Key Qualities of a Horseman—a thought-provoking presentation on the elements necessary for success with horses.
· The Power of Natural Horsemanship—using the horse’s nature to become his leader.
· Winning Over Buckers, Bolters and Biters—understanding and changing dangerous behaviors.
The Blenderz will perform twice daily in the Rick Lamb tent, in the heart of the Expo grounds and sponsored by Fraley and Company, Inc.
For the full schedule of Four States Ag Expo events, visit the Calendar page or call (970) 565-3414.
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February 28, 2010
Rescued for a Reason
Jason Patrick gives colts a new purpose with a fresh start at two Expos
Mention “rescued horse” to almost anyone and what image comes to mind? Inevitably, most people will picture a downtrodden horse with a deeply swayed back, an anatomy lesson’s worth of exposed ribs, and of course, big, sad eyes. The truth is that most horses at conscientious rescue operations soon recover their bloom and weight, regardless of the prevailing public perception to the contrary. It is a testimony to the dedication of the rescue operators that so many horses do improve, and more than a few facilities succeed at placing their mature horses in new homes.
But within the crowded herds that remain behind are all too often young horses whose desirability is limited simply by their lack of training. Some have strong potential for useful careers—they just need a little education to get them going. Most rescue operators cite these youngsters as their biggest challenge, and often, because of the missed opportunity for the horses, their greatest heartache.
Last fall, rescue owner Diane McCracken (Spring Creek Horse Rescue, Bayfield, CO) mentioned this dilemma to Jason Patrick, seasoned trainer and competitor from Steamboat Springs, CO, inspiring him to develop a novel solution: At the Four States Ag Expo in Cortez, CO (March 18-21), he plans to take ten raw recruits—two-year-olds without the first whisper of training—and give them a fresh start. “It’s daunting for most people to take on an unstarted young one,” Jason admits. “We hope this event will improve the outcomes for these horses.”
That these are rescue horses makes the event all the more compelling. The colts will come from at least two facilities: Four Corners Equine and Spring Creek Horse rescues, with Fresh Start Equine Rescue in reserve. (learn more "About the Rescue Organizations") To these rescue operators, donations of funds or feed or volunteer help are the lifeblood of their survival, but nothing is more treasured than finding good homes for animals which are often dismissed as discards. Jason hopes the event will draw the attention of appropriate adopters who will continue to fit the colts up for useful careers. At the very least, the horses will return to their foster situations more easily handled and ready to learn.
Jason is including his full crew from Whispering Willows Ranch in the project. Starting with the most basic of training and working from horseback, they will start the colts in small group sessions. “These colts know nothing, and since young horses are usually more confident in a herd,” Jason says, “we give them that advantage to start with.” He’s ready for anything to happen. “We try to keep it low-key, for the good of the horses, but with that many ‘babies’ in the arena at the same time, we can’t guarantee things might not get a little Western.” Jason’s sly grin implies he might welcome a bit of a rodeo.
“Not too many people have seen colt starting done this way, and it’s exciting to watch, but for us, it just makes sense. Our horses are about as smart at teaching the young ones as we humans are, and they’ll use the same fancy maneuvers here—cutting and sliding and rollbacks—that they use for competitions. It’s a lesson in itself, watching how these great horses move through their work.”
Most trainers agree there’s a certain period in a young horse’s life where learning comes most easily. Jason hopes to catch that window for these rescued young ones. “Here’s our chance to lay a foundation for learning that will last the horse’s lifetime.”
While universal principles govern foundation training, Jason believes it’s important to stay aware of each horse’s learning threshold. “We’re fortunate in both of these Expos to have the advantage of time. This isn’t a competition.” Because there is no clock, he says, “We can give each horse what it needs and do it at the pace it can accept. Not all the horses might get ridden, but some will be ready to ride after very little work.” Jason and his crew will gauge what each horse can handle. “If we need to separate one out to get something done, we will.” The goal is to give each colt what Jason calls “a fair deal.”
It’s a fair deal for the audience, too—several days of colt-starting lessons they can apply to their own horses. Jason especially hopes to get across the message that it’s up to the human to read the horse and be responsible for shaping the lesson appropriately. “There aren’t any magic formulas for it, just feel.”
Feel—and experience. Jason is a ranch-raised Colorado cowboy who discovered natural horsemanship as a teenager working on ranches in northern California. He has trained horses professionally for the past 16 years and has developed his own style of horsemanship that has been noticed and appreciated by people across the country. Giving young horses a good beginning is his passion. Jason and his crew start about 200 horses at Whispering Willows Ranch every year, most of which go on to compete successfully, do solid ranch work, or become valued recreational mounts. A lifelong cowboy himself, Jason has assembled a crew of talented hands with hearts for the wellbeing of horses.
The Rescued to Ride™ program is all about giving a horse a very smart start—that “fair deal” toward a new life—and at the same time passing along to the audience both a wise and sensible training philosophy and the techniques to produce a horse that is sound in mind and body for a lifetime.
For schedules and more information, visit the Calendar page .
news@sunriselane.com (Photos available)
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February 24, 2010 (return to top)
Sunday at the Four States Ag Expo celebrates Youth & Family
Hands-on happiness: that’s what the Four States Ag Expo is planning for kids and families on Sunday, March 21 at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds in Cortez. Actually, all four days of the Ag Expo will have events (like carriage rides, petting zoo, animals and more) to please everyone from the little guys to the more seasoned folks, but Sunday will have some especially kid-friendly bonuses:
· Stick Horse Rodeo
· Face Painting
· Mutton Bustin’ (for a small extra fee)
· Beef Show, with Youth Showmanship Contest
The Four States Ag Expo, running March 18-21 and now in its 28th year, is pleased to bring to the community the largest “farm, ranch and more” show in the West, with something for everyone to see, do and enjoy. For more information, visit the Calendar page or call (970) 565-3414.
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February 23, 2010 (return to top)
Lisa Hamilton, noted author, to speak at Four States Ag Expo on “unconventional” agriculture
Over the past forty years, many American farmers and ranchers have been told to “get big or get out.” Corporate agribusiness on a massive scale has altered the way America grows its food, leaving widely acknowledged environmental and economic damage in its wake. Consumer concern is rising not only about the consequences to human health and well-being today, but also about the dangers to the farm lands which must remain viable for future generations. Now, across the country, farmers and ranchers with a courageous vision for the future are taking decisive action to change this direction.
The Four States Ag Expo is honored to present journalist and photographer Lisa Hamilton as a featured speaker on Saturday, March 20 at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds in Cortez, CO. For two years, Lisa researched these issues in agriculture and profiled three families who have adopted a new approach to farming on a small scale. Her basic question: what practices result in a sustainable food supply, and how do farmers and ranchers embrace these good practices while remaining economically viable? It’s a complicated matter, but there are provocative solutions which Lisa will present at the Ag Expo, beginning at 11 a.m.. A panel discussion at 3 p.m. will address the topic as it applies to different aspects of agriculture, such as sustainable cattle ranching, boutique specialty farming, the community-supported agriculture movement, and the 21st century grange.
One preview hint: change might be demanded by consumers, but the work itself must start with the knowledge and commitment of the farmers and ranchers themselves. As award winning food guru and restaurateur Alice Waters says, “The food revolution taking place in this country cannot be truly successful without an agricultural revolution.” A call to action, true, but agriculturalists need more than inspiration—they need information. And Lisa Hamilton will bring that to her presentation at the Ag Expo.
Lisa Hamilton is the author of the critically acclaimed book, Deeply Rooted: Unconventional Farmers in the Age of Agribusiness, published in 2009 by Counterpoint Press.
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February 1, 2010 (return to top)
Four States Ag Expo Expands Its Horse Program
The Four States Ag Expo has made a significant commitment to horsemen and women with an expanded horse program that will run throughout the Ag Expo, March 18-21, at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds in Cortez, CO. The gates open daily at 9 a.m.
On this year’s program in the arenas:
· Jena Cody, Parelli Level 3 Master Trainer
· Karen Scholl, renowned for her Horsemanship for Women program
· Ann Streett-Joslin, Certified Horsemanship Association Master Instructor
· Moses Woodson, specialist in gaited horses
Equine experts will present classroom sessions:
· Juliet M. Getty, Ph.D., equine nutritionist will speak on how to “Feed Your Horse Like A Horse”
· Rick Lamb, TV/radio host and author: perspectives on the horse industry (Rick will also appear as part of the singing duo, the Blenderz, twice daily in the entertainment tent)
Additional horse programs:
· Driving Clinics: from harnessing skills to holding the reins, taught by the award-winning Four Corners Draft Horse, Mule and Carriage Association
· “Rescued to Ride”: champion horseman Jason Patrick and his ranch crew give 10 rescued colts a new, fair deal, working all day, every day, starting the colts from horseback and taking them as far as each one is ready
· Packing for the Back Country: clinics by experienced Back Country Horsemen experts, in packing and stewardship skills for getting away from it all with horses and pack stock
And competitions (Entry fees will be posted on the Ag Expo website):
· Ranch Sorting: Saturday morning, March 20
· Ranch Rodeo: Saturday afternoon, March 20—2-4 p.m.
Enjoy watching all of these programs as part of your admission to the Ag Expo: $5 for adults, children under 16 free.
The Four States Ag Expo is the largest agricultural exposition in the West, presenting the annual Elite Bull & Heifer Sale, musical entertainment by Rick Lamb and the Blenderz, livestock judging contests, stock dog training, youth and family fun (including Mutton Bustin’ for the little ones on Sunday), extensive trade show, farm and ranch equipment sales and much more. For more information on the whole show, visit the Calendar page or call (970) 565-3414.
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January 23, 2010 (return to top)
Four States Ag Expo extends deadline on Bull & Heifer Sale nominations
The deadline to nominate breeding stock to the annual Four States Ag Expo Elite Bull & Heifer Sale has been extended to March 1. The sale takes place on Saturday, March 20; new terms and rates are in place for 2010. The Ag Expo runs March 18-21 at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds in Cortez, and offers opportunities to show and sell livestock.
The Four Corners area is home to many outstanding cattle breeding programs, but bringing buyers’ attention to excellent livestock can be a challenge. Now, with as many as 12,000 visitors over the four day event, the annual Four States Ag Expo has become the premier venue to present fine breeding stock to a broad customer base.
Get more details at the Calendar page or call Kyle Beebe at (970) 764-0943.