ShowMom.com - February 17, 2008 Newsletter

>>A Note from Kathy: Winter Circuit

Winter Circuit is already in full swing depending on where you are showing. I had a chance to visit Thermal in mid January and they were hard at work finishing up all of the last minute touches to the rings, new buildings and VIP area. We are at HITS Tucson this year for just one week - we are trying to fit the collegiate schedule in with the show schedule. Florida and Wellington sound like they have settled down after a fall season of law suits, cross suits and negotiations between owners and managers.

If you have never been, winter circuit is great experience. It takes more planning, packing and arrangements with schools. There is more travel but riders seem to really enjoy the experience of living and working with their horses every day for two or more weeks. It is a great break from the winter blahs, takes on a vacation atmosphere and gives kids an extra dose of responsibility to be there and manage school successfully.

Good luck to everyone - stay dry, warm and keep lots of sunscreen handy. For those of you on a long break until spring, enjoy your weekends at home.

Kathy Keeley, Show Mom and Founder
ShowMom.com

So every time I get ready and begin to seriously pack for our trip to whatever Winter Circuit show we have decided to attend, I feel like I am packing everything but the kitchen sink. We often rent or take an RV, so that may add to my feeling of trying to pack up everything I own in a small space. I feel like I become the Queen of Lists; I have a list for each horse, a list for the rider, a list for the RV or hotel and finally my own list of what I need. Somehow it all comes together, but the last night I have images of throwing just about anything within reach into a trailer.

For some reason Winter Circuit takes more time for packing. There is a great deal of prep work: new tires for the golf cart, repairing and washing horse blankets (at least three per horse), getting the tack trunk reorganized and resupplied... Little things like that. The truck and trailer also need new tires, oil changes, and floor board inspections in the trailer. The list goes on. Oh, and did I mention the wash and wax guys who come and clean the truck and trailer? There are appearances to maintain!

So as I think about these lists, and having received emails from many of you, I am going to give you the short list of what not to forget - assuming you already have the main items like the saddle, horse, blankets and other items all organized and on your list.

Basic Show Mom:
• Lip balm - one in the tack trunk, one in the suit case and one in the car
• Sun screen - inside the tack trunk and the car makeup case
• Two hats - a cool ringside hat with wide brim, and a baseball cap for working with horses
• Rain gear - I put the rain gear in a small nylon bag and throw it in the trailer. I pack several jackets as the other kids never seem to have one
• Fleece jacket - mornings can be cold so the fleece zipper jacket is there to keep up the layering theme for Winter Circuit
• First aid kit - at least bandages for blisters, first aid cream, etc.
• Pain killers - your favorite pain medication for those days when someone falls off, has a headache or your back aches from all of the sitting in bleachers
• Breakfast bars - who knows when you will get to eat or need an energy booster?
• Camera - filming can be a great tension or boredom reliever. Candid shots are a fun departure from those knees and ear shots of horses jumping
• Paperwork - cards for horses, riders, coggins, health certificates, etc - extra copies in case a trainer loses her book at the ring
• Check book - need I say more?

Advanced Show Mom:
• Safety pins and duct tape can fix almost anything
• Sewing kit for buttons
• Travel candle and matches - gives the motel room a better smell and more homey atmosphere
• Travel case for chokers - all chokers go in the travel case, plastic bin or case when they come off the rider
• Folding camp chair - always good to have your own chair
• Cream for the sunburn because no one used the sun screen
• Party decorations - it may be Valentines Day, Mardi Gras, or a birthday - plan ahead and put together some decorations before you go. We once put signs on every stall with a message from each horse to our trainer.
• Video camera - digital so they can watch on the computer.
• Laptop with WIFI - they might need to check their myspace or facebook account or do homework
• Magic Marker to mark any new tack or supplies with your rider's name

I am sure you have your favorite things. I have added what others sent in, as well as my own list from years of packing up for a three to four week show. No wonder we feel like pack mules by the time we are done.

Enjoy! If I forgot anything, please let me know.

>>Be in the Know: Drug Testing and Policies

Many of you probably have had your horses drug tested at one point or another. You may have heard of some trainer who was caught giving a jumper some form of steroid, or that trainer who everyone knows gives their unruly hunter "something to take the edge off" at a show. It is important to be informed and understand the drug rules for what is legal, what time limits for administration are required and in what doses can be given. It is especially important to know if the newest drugs and miracle supplements will "test". Even so-called "natural remedies" and certain herbs can show up in a drug test and must be carefully screened. I make it a policy to look up every new drug and supplement on the USEF site so I know the rules.

Drug testing in horse shows serves a two-fold purpose. It is to determine if a horse is being given anything to enhance its show performance or to mask painful symptoms. For some trainers, drugs have become an aide to keeping a horse showing, while others use as directed to help a horse. The threat of drug testing helps keep such decisions at bay, when ethics fail. (The newest controversy is a drug rubbed on the legs to make them very sensitive to touch, thus ensuring a Grand Prixe horse will pick up its legs when jumping. They are now testing the horses legs for this drug.)

Drug testing standards were also created to keep the playing field fair and protect the welfare of these animals in a sport that has so much money invested into winning. Some owners have unrealistic expectations of a horse, particularly if they paid a large sum for him. This puts pressure on trainers to search for quick fixes.

The practical concerns of drug testing appear when you have a valid reason for using one of the prohibited drugs, yet still hope to show. A classic example is the horse that colics fairly mildly the first day on the show ground at a week long show. Two doses of Banamine and maybe some oil takes care of the colic, and he's fit and healthy the next day. However, Banamine is limited by USEF rules, and you need to know if you will still be able to show. How much was he allowed to take and still compete? How many hours after the last dose will he still test positive? If you have a notice from a vet saying the usage was purely for colic, be sure to have your paperwork handy.

Fortunately, USEF, the United States Equestrian Federation, has very specific guidelines for drug usage. They have an entire handbook dealing with only that topic that can be downloaded from their website at www.usef.org. In addition, horse show vets are typically quite knowledgeable about the current rules, as is the show steward. New rules are making the vets and the trainers more responsible with fines if a horse under their care tests positive for one of the drugs. (Got an injured horse, remember to get a vet letter regarding your use of a particular drug to provide should you be drug tested.)

Drug testing happens at USEF rated shows. You can always tell when they are on the grounds - one of the few people with the large black or navy cloth brief cases with clip boards in their hands. Drug testing is random but it seems we are tested more when we are winning. The drug testers have forms for you the owner to complete and will wait to collect urine from a horse. When that does not happen, they can take a blood sample from the horse.

As a responsible owner, I have made it my policy to check on line at the USEF web site on any drugs, supplements and natural supplements we use. We waited to use Surpass until it was approved and just switched off bute to a new drug. Before purchasing, I got the rules on what dosage and time allowed before showing was legal under the rules. It takes just minutes to figure it all out.

Drug testing and policies are also a great parent teachable moment. Want to talk about ethics, animal welfare, competition and winning, and sportsmanship - all covered under the topic of drug use on horses. We have had many great conversations in our household over the rules, the reasons behind them and examples provided by other trainers who do not follow the rules. There are some great lessons to discuss while hanging out at the show.

Be The Savvy ShowMom! Stay Informed and check out www.usef.org.