Editor’s Postcard

One Woman’s Vision and Generosity Brings Fun to Others By Kim Roe   I spent the last weekend of February judging a Working Equitation show in Eugene, OR. Working Equitation is a three (sometimes four) phase event that is fairly new to the U.S. It involves a dressage phase and …

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A Healthy Farm is Home for Many Creatures by Kim Roe   “Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influence of each.” —Henry David Thoreau It seems as though it’s been raining forever. These seemingly endless …

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Equestrian Vacation Brings Knowledge and New Friends by Kim Roe   I spent 3 weeks in Portugal in November. I’ve trained with Portuguese horsemen for a number of years now, own and love a Lusitano horse, and have always dreamed of exploring Portugal. The opportunity arose, and I took it! …

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Following My Passion by Kim Roe   I just bought my last horse. Well, that’s what I keep saying. What’s that joke? Horses are as expensive as cocaine and twice as addictive. The horse I bought is a weanling colt by North Forks Cardi and out of Coco, a Thoroughbred …

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The Very Old Teach Us Kindness by Kim Roe   Human, dog, cat, or horse, old age brings with it wisdom and grace. Old horses seem to become more honorable and proud—even when they’re ornery! They hold a special place of esteem in the herd and also with me. I …

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Satisfaction Comes from a Job Done Well by Kim Roe   The dark side of being a horse trainer is your heart gets broken, a lot. People bring you their horses — some are crazy, some A-students, some super-athletes, and some lap dogs. You build their confidence and form a …

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Living with Horses is a Gift Beyond Measure by Kim Roe   As I finished my ride this evening I noticed the elk herd was back in my hayfield. The South Fork Valley herd has flourished, and they’ve discovered my hayfield is particularly tasty (no second cutting for me this …

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Showing and Education Go Together by Kim Roe   Ready or not, here I come. These words keep running through my mind as I frantically try to get packed for my first competition in 3 years. I’m heading out tomorrow for Yelm, Washington, with two horses for a Working Equitation …

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A Journey of Discovery by Kim Roe   One of my favorite poems is Riding Lesson, by the Pulitzer Prize winning poet Henry Taylor. I learned two things from an early riding teacher. He held a nervous filly in one hand and gestured with the other, saying “­­­Listen. Keep one …

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Finding Answers for Training Problems by Kim Roe   Early in the year I sit down and outline long-term and short-term goals for each of my performance horses. I then strategize a training protocol that will help me get there. Unfortunately, with horses our goals often have to change. Horses …

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