A to Z horses – Working Western with Windy

Whoa! Look at that!

“She is an all-around mare,” Johnson said, describing her seven-year-old purebred Arabian horse Windy.

Registered with the Arabian Horse Association as HRA Windstar (De Strikit Rich x Barons Class Act), Windy comes from the famous Bask Polish Arabian bloodlines.

She stands 14.2 hands high. Johnson acquired the lovely 2004 mare as a two year old and started her under saddle at her home farm, where she has six additional horses.

Johnson has described Windy as a sensitive horse and a calm and willing learner.

“Windy is a sweet horse and very smart,” the Minnesota equestrian explained. “She’s too smart, in fact. She’s the first one to figure out when the pasture fence isn’t hot, or if someone forgets to latch the gate. Fortunately, she just heads out to the front lawn to graze.”

“With her beautiful floating gaits, Windy is great at Western Dressage,” Johnson added. The black mare is schooling in Western Dressage, but she also does well with trail riding. And Johnson’s daughter Kaija has been practicing barrel racing with the mare.

Based in Maple Lake, Minnesota, Johnson is active with Midwest Western Dressage, a regional group of horseback riding enthusiasts in Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

Incorporated in 2010, Midwest Western Dressage offers clinics and special events in this emerging discipline.

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Related Items:

• Horse Show Packing List: 85 Must-Haves for Equestrian Competitions
• 10 Key Safety Preparations for Equestrian Trail Riding
• Trail Riding Etiquette: 20 Courtesy Tips for Equestrians

Last year’s A to Z post: Watching and Waiting for Wonder

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Windy photos provided by Jen Johnson

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A to Z horses – Jazzy Jackson and Joyride Jetta

Jumping for Jackson

Ivy Schexnayder’s 2004 Quarter Horse/Paint stallion General Jackson is a jack of all trades.

“He has an enormous amount of try,” Northwest Illinois horse trainer Schexnayder said of her prized mount. “I have been working with him since he was three.

“He was the easiest horse to start under saddle. Jackson is a very gentle horse and gives his all, even when we are doing hard work. He enjoys being the center of attention and sometimes won't stop showing off for a crowd,” she added.

Jackson has practiced many equestrian disciplines, including liberty work, bridle-less trick training and dressage.

Schexnayder and Jackson may be seen together in the Liberty Presentations at the 2012 Midwest Horse Fair in Madison, Wisconsin, in April. The horse-loving crowd is sure to jump for Jackson’s performance.

Here’s a peek:

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Catching the Jet Stream with Jetta

Jetson’s Fair Lady, fondly tagged Jetta, is a 1992 sorrel/chestnut Quarter Horse mare. Owned and loved by Southeast Wisconsin nursing assistant and equestrian Jessica Kitscha, Jetta is a barrel racing beauty.

“She’s 20 years old and going strong,” Kitscha pointed out. “Jetta is so spirited and has a heart of gold. She loves to run. She was a professional barrel racer for years and was taken away for a year for trail riding. Now she is ready to make a comeback.”

Jetta joined Kitscha last fall. Kitscha recalled her first ride aboard Jetta. “I fell in love. I felt like I had wings. The minute I stepped into the stirrups, the world stopped, and it was just us.”

The pair have been training together at Living the Dream Equine Center in Western Racine County, preparing for the barrel racing season.

“People doubt Jetta’s abilities at her age, but we will prove them all wrong,” Kitscha claimed. “She’s done it before, and she’s ready to leave everyone with nothing but dust to chew on.”

Related Items:

• Jumpin' Jehosaphat
• Royalty - Spoilty
• Jump-Start on Smarts
• My Copper Champion - a Horse with Heart

Last year’s A to Z post: Just Jump

Feel free to follow on GooglePlus and Twitter. You are also invited to join this writer's fan page, as well as the Chicago Etiquette Examiner, Madison Holidays Examiner, Equestrian Examiner and Madison Equestrian Examiner on Facebook.

Image/s:

Jackson photo provided by Ivy Schexnayder
Jetta photos provided by Jessica Kitscha

2012 A to Z Blogging Challenge logo

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