...for those who might be interested and didn't already know about it---Channel 404 on DISH is HRTV. Basically a horse-racing channel, BUT...during 'off' hours, some pretty interesting 'other' programming featuring horses/horse pursuits. Some 'clinicians' with actual knowledge, like Al Dunning and Lynn Palm; shows from Australia and the UK, with their unique and interesting perspectives, and the like. Currently, I am actually enjoying watching episodes of 'America's Favorite Trail Horse', whereby participants from all around the US are performing a course w/what appears to be a rotating panel of judges from various equestrian disciplines. The course is in TX(a cow strolls by as one contestant completes one of the obstacles!), nicely set up(large, stacked flat rocks, a creek crossing on a 'bridge' of similar type rocks, a unique 'uphill' "U" to back into, featuring a large tree root across part of it), jumps, trot-over cavaletti, a stuffed coyote!, and an oppotunity to 'show your stuff' in a 'freestyle' section. Quite a variety of equine; so far, have seen QH, Paint/Pinto, Morgan, Mustang, Mules!, and several gaited breeds, such as Rocky Mt.,Tenn. Walker, Spotted Saddle Horse, Miss. Fox Trotter, and more.
What I REALLY have enjoyed is to see how MANY of the riders are really GOOD horsemen/women...showing quiet control and patience, along w/ good seats in the saddle(not all, but MOST!)Some 'pseudo-horsey-celebrity....some guy w/an ole Palomino horse, talks to some of them after their 'go'....and I LOVE how connected most are with their clearly BELOVED horse! Does my heart GOOD, especially after watching videos and hearing so many sad tales of how 'unkindly'(to put it politely)so many (breed) show horses are treated in the name of 'winning'.
If this kind of programming appeals to you....enjoy!
Margo
What I REALLY have enjoyed is to see how MANY of the riders are really GOOD horsemen/women...showing quiet control and patience, along w/ good seats in the saddle(not all, but MOST!)Some 'pseudo-horsey-celebrity....some guy w/an ole Palomino horse, talks to some of them after their 'go'....and I LOVE how connected most are with their clearly BELOVED horse! Does my heart GOOD, especially after watching videos and hearing so many sad tales of how 'unkindly'(to put it politely)so many (breed) show horses are treated in the name of 'winning'.
If this kind of programming appeals to you....enjoy!
Margo