Catching up on chapter news

Time to catch up on a couple months' activities!

Our November meeting was an educational one. Patty Cameron from Gallops Saddlery in Tigard joined us for a presentation on bits and bitting. She brought a wide variety of bits to pass around as she talked about their structure and uses. The bits in the photo, although quite varied, are all legal for USEF events.

Our December meeting is always our popular Christmas party, one of the highlights of our "social calendar." On December 11 we gathered in Suzi Ronning’s beautifully decorated home for a festive potluck meal, and followed that with a cutthroat gift exchange and drawings for our “Powerball prizes.” For those who don’t know; CMC members put a ticket in a box for every chapter event they attend, and tickets are drawn at our Christmas for cash prizes; it’s a nice incentive for being an involved member!

Our January 11 meeting had to be postponed until January 18 because of the winter weather. We will be working on everything needed to ensure another successful edition of our annual Bears Above the Ground League Show. This year's show is scheduled for February 25 and 26 at the Yamhill Co. Fairgrounds in McMinnville. Our show is a great warm-up for the show season and we hope you’ll join us. If you aren’t interested in competing, we welcome volunteers!

Plan to attend our September 14 chapter meeting!

We have a guest speaker lined up for our next chapter meeting.

Ilene Nessenson of Holistic Horse Bodyworks will be our educator for the evening of September 14. She will talk to us about Equi-Tape Elastic Kinesiology Tape for horses and stretches we can do with our horses to keep them limber and engaged.

Watch this quick video to get an idea of the importance of stretching and to "meet" Ilene.

(Copy and paste link into browser address bar if clicking on the link does not work.)

https://youtu.be/CCx4A9JpBmw

Kinesiology taping is a taping technique designed for use in both therapeutic (injury rehabilitation) and working athletic situations. Kinesiology tape has been successfully used on humans for over 25 years. It gained significant popularity during the 2012 Summer Olympics. As seen on TV, many elite athletes use kinesiology tape – Kerri Walsh, Venus Williams, Usain Bolt and Michael Johnson, just to name a few.  

During the last few years, the adhesive and taping techniques and patterns have been modified for use in the equine and animal world. Just as human athletes can wear the tape when training for their sport, horses can also be ridden with the tape when they are working. The tape can also be applied when a horse is recovering from an injury.

Ilene is the equine massage therapist, body worker and saddle fitter/reflocker for the Portland Mounted Patrol. She also works on privately owned horses of all breeds and disciplines. Her clients range from competitive show horses in multiple disciplines to individuals who simply enjoy a pleasurable trail ride or ride in the ring, as well as those who are caring for their geriatric equine companion. She also works with equine rescue organizations.

Ilene owns a thoroughbred named Rex and rides primarily hunter/jumper, though she also enjoys riding western pleasure and trail riding. Ilene also incorporates some basic dressage into her riding routine to help keep Rex flexible and strong, and to occupy his very busy brain.

  

Ilene Nessenson, J.D.
Certified Equine Body Worker
Certified Yoga Instructor

www.holistichorsebodyworks.com/about-ilene

Holistic Horse Bodyworks, LLC
1451 NE Parkside Drive
Hillsboro, Oregon  97124
Phone: (503) 867-1023
email: ilene@HolisticHorseBodyworks.com

A full and informative evening

On Monday, June 6, members of the Chehalem Mt. Chapter met at DevonWood Equestrian Centre for a mini-clinic with Jessica Rattner and Amerika, her mechanical mount. What a lot of great education was packed into the evening!

While putting America through her paces, Jessica explained how she uses this tool to assist riders in finding better position and alignment in the saddle. Having a consistent, 100% reliable mount and constant visible feedback via the screen in front of the rider makes retraining one’s muscles and proprioception much easier. Jessica shared how her own riding position has evolved, helping her overcome pain and fatigue caused by old habits.

Then one lucky member’s name was drawn from our “volunteer ticket box” to be a demonstration rider; congratulations, Jane Baer! We all witnessed how Jane’s leg grew more relaxed and her posture more “stacked” with Jessica’s help. Jane said it was very helpful, and plans to take follow-up lessons to help her retain what she learned. (Everyone who attended was offered 50% off one lesson with Jessica/Amerika.)

To add to our “toolbox," Jessica demonstrated some unmounted stretches for riders at the end of the mini-clinic. We all left with plenty to ponder and practice, and agreed that Jessica and Amerika are a valuable resource in our equestrian community.

Jessica is lying on a rigid foam roll in this last stretch

Our next chapter meeting will be held July 13, along with a potluck supper; hope to see a big turn-out!