From The Horse’s Mouth
On February 7, 2009 the Malone FFA and Sneads FFA participated in the Horse Judging Competition in conjunction with the Florida State Fair. FFA and 4-H horse judging teams travel to Tampa, FL each year to test their equine knowledge and hopefully progress to the state level competition.
This year in the middle school division 192 students composed 48 teams. The Malone middle school team was Nikki Ferguson, Sara Newsom, and Brett Henry. Nikki finished as 3rd high individual, Sara was 14th high individual and Brett was 100th high individual and the Malone middle school team finished 8th place out of the 48 teams.
In the high school competition 336 students composed 84 teams. Only the top 15 teams may advance to the finals for the state competition. Representing the Malone High School team was Cailyn Haight, Katie May, and Emily Stephens. Cailyn won 1st high individual, Katie was 105th high individual and Emily was 193th high individual. Malone High School team placed 15th and will advance to the finals. Representing Sneads High School was Ariel White, Alan Toole, Christen Howell, and Alex Ward. Ariel was 7th high individual, Alan was 42nd high individual, Christen was 54th high individual and Alex was 115th high individual. Sneads High School team placed 4th and will advance to the finals.
Finals of the Florida Horse judging competition will be held March 7, 2009 in Gainesville, FL. The winner will advance to national competition held October in Indiana.
Shawna Ferguson, team coach and Kim Barber, FFA Advisor, lead last year’s team to win the Florida State Championship and place 31st at the national competition. Coach Ferguson is looking for a repeat win in Florida and to make another run for a national title.
It is an honor for me personally to know and work with this group of students. They dedicate a vast amount of their personal after school time to be competitive in this event as does coach Ferguson. In addition to all of this work and dedication, funding for this and other FFA programs are supported in part by Strawberry sales. Each year the Malone FFA students and staff sell Fresh Florida Strawberries to support their program. I encourage everyone to support this hard working group students by purchasing strawberries. Strawberries will be in March 4, 2009 and they are taking orders now. Please call FFA Advisor Kim Barber @ 850-482-9900, extension 234 to place your order. Strawberries are $15.00 per flat.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
1/8/09
From The Horses Mouth
First off, let me wish everyone a Happy New Year! Fuel prices are down but economic woes continue to be at the front of everyone’s mind. Most horse owners are hobby horsemen, meaning that most of them derive little or no income from their affiliation with horses. If you are involved in the horse industry as a business, it is imperative you know how the hobby horseman is spending his money.
We are seeing a large part of the hobby horseman’s dollar is out of circulation for the related businesses for now. Whether you sell tack, trucks, trailers or horses, there is one common thread, less money is being circulated.
Two decisions that require attention this time of year are breeding and showing. We decide what mares to breed and what stallions to breed them to. In addition to this we are outlining the shows and events we would like to attend. Both of these decisions require a focused evaluation to arrive at the correct decision. To properly evaluate these two questions one must first indentify their specific goals and objectives. We ask our customers this very question. What would you like to accomplish with regards to your horse interest for 2009?
Some just want to get through 2009, in hopes for measured improvement. Others want to win or compete at special events, but the most common goal is to have fun. Almost everyone is cutting back but not cutting out. The average horseman wants to make sure that when his money is spent he gets value in return. The important measurement of the return on the money is determined by how enjoyable the event was or how much fun was experienced. That is absolutely the correct answer. So my first objective is to make sure everyone has fun at the events they attend.
My second objective is marketing horses. The current market for horses is down and it is extremely difficult to achieve the margin of profit required to offset the invested costs. Stallion breeding fees on average range from $1,200 to $1,750. Take this cost and add the cost of shipping the semen, veterinarian fees, along with the cost to care for mare and baby until weaning age and you have invested between $3,000-$4,000 per birth if you are lucky. Arguably a person might be better off to purchase the weanling/yearling for $5,000-$6,000 rather than deal with the headache and risk associated with breeding. The decision for us is complicated considering we own the mares and will have some level of cost even if we elect not to breed them. Bottom line is - it is a buyers market.
Showing is largely a hobby for most of the exhibitors. It has entertainment value for the horse owner and adds to the value of the horse. Showing horses can be expensive just as most hobbies are, but with today’s economy there are ways to cut cost. Usually you have to buy a trained horse or buy a young horse and have it trained, either way can be costly. Present conditions have forced horse marketing in new directions. Horses are being leased, financed and discounts given to encourage the new owner to leave the horse in training. This can be a real deal for the new owner and allows the trainer/breeder the satisfaction of launching the young horse’s career.
This explains how one could enter the horse show scene if you do not previously own a horse. But what if you are an owner of a horse with issues, or you just are not enjoying your experience. If you already own the horse but have training issues or you are dissatisfied with your horse’s ability, you too can take advantage of this economy. Even before the money crunch, professional horsemen are usually eager to help. Consultation or evaluations are usually free and a professional can explain what it will take to get you and your horse better, more competitive and more enjoyable. It can be as simple as making subtle changes in how you ride, which might involve taking lessons or spending a few bucks on a month or two of training. Either way you have already made the primary investment, purchasing your horse. It is up to you to make it enjoyable.
Professional horsemen can help in many ways. They enjoy what they do and they enjoy sharing this knowledge with others. Don’t allow conditions out of our control to compromise your hobby. Enjoy your horse! The pleasures it can bring may help you get through what could be a rough year.
First off, let me wish everyone a Happy New Year! Fuel prices are down but economic woes continue to be at the front of everyone’s mind. Most horse owners are hobby horsemen, meaning that most of them derive little or no income from their affiliation with horses. If you are involved in the horse industry as a business, it is imperative you know how the hobby horseman is spending his money.
We are seeing a large part of the hobby horseman’s dollar is out of circulation for the related businesses for now. Whether you sell tack, trucks, trailers or horses, there is one common thread, less money is being circulated.
Two decisions that require attention this time of year are breeding and showing. We decide what mares to breed and what stallions to breed them to. In addition to this we are outlining the shows and events we would like to attend. Both of these decisions require a focused evaluation to arrive at the correct decision. To properly evaluate these two questions one must first indentify their specific goals and objectives. We ask our customers this very question. What would you like to accomplish with regards to your horse interest for 2009?
Some just want to get through 2009, in hopes for measured improvement. Others want to win or compete at special events, but the most common goal is to have fun. Almost everyone is cutting back but not cutting out. The average horseman wants to make sure that when his money is spent he gets value in return. The important measurement of the return on the money is determined by how enjoyable the event was or how much fun was experienced. That is absolutely the correct answer. So my first objective is to make sure everyone has fun at the events they attend.
My second objective is marketing horses. The current market for horses is down and it is extremely difficult to achieve the margin of profit required to offset the invested costs. Stallion breeding fees on average range from $1,200 to $1,750. Take this cost and add the cost of shipping the semen, veterinarian fees, along with the cost to care for mare and baby until weaning age and you have invested between $3,000-$4,000 per birth if you are lucky. Arguably a person might be better off to purchase the weanling/yearling for $5,000-$6,000 rather than deal with the headache and risk associated with breeding. The decision for us is complicated considering we own the mares and will have some level of cost even if we elect not to breed them. Bottom line is - it is a buyers market.
Showing is largely a hobby for most of the exhibitors. It has entertainment value for the horse owner and adds to the value of the horse. Showing horses can be expensive just as most hobbies are, but with today’s economy there are ways to cut cost. Usually you have to buy a trained horse or buy a young horse and have it trained, either way can be costly. Present conditions have forced horse marketing in new directions. Horses are being leased, financed and discounts given to encourage the new owner to leave the horse in training. This can be a real deal for the new owner and allows the trainer/breeder the satisfaction of launching the young horse’s career.
This explains how one could enter the horse show scene if you do not previously own a horse. But what if you are an owner of a horse with issues, or you just are not enjoying your experience. If you already own the horse but have training issues or you are dissatisfied with your horse’s ability, you too can take advantage of this economy. Even before the money crunch, professional horsemen are usually eager to help. Consultation or evaluations are usually free and a professional can explain what it will take to get you and your horse better, more competitive and more enjoyable. It can be as simple as making subtle changes in how you ride, which might involve taking lessons or spending a few bucks on a month or two of training. Either way you have already made the primary investment, purchasing your horse. It is up to you to make it enjoyable.
Professional horsemen can help in many ways. They enjoy what they do and they enjoy sharing this knowledge with others. Don’t allow conditions out of our control to compromise your hobby. Enjoy your horse! The pleasures it can bring may help you get through what could be a rough year.
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