April 3, 2012
Members of the Northwest Saddlebred Association and Morgan Horse Club of Washington State encourage equestrian enthusiasts and the general public to come out and witness first hand the athleticism and grace of the American Saddlebred and Morgan breeds at the Key Classic Horse Show May 10-13, 2012 at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe, Washington, benefiting Equest Special Riders.
Event producers want to spread awareness about the American Saddlebred and Morgan Breeds in the northwest and encourage people to watch them compete and witness first hand the animation and beauty of these gaited horses. The Key Classic Benefit Horse Show is a rated USEF (United States Equestrian Federation) horse show and a regional champion event supported by the Northwest Saddlebred Association, a Charter Club Member of the American Saddlebred Horse Association as well as the Morgan Horse Club of Washington State.
The Key Classic Horse Show benefits Equest Special Riders, a non-profit organization of trained volunteers who provide therapeutic-recreational horseback and pony riding and instruction for persons left physically or mentally dysfunctional through irregularities of birth, high fevers, disease or trauma from an accident. 60 percent of proceeds from the show will benefit Equest Special Riders located in Roy, Washington. For more information go to www.equestriders.com.
Admission to the Key Classic Benefit Horse Show is free. Guests are welcome to visit the stables, meet riders and their horses. Complimentary “Muffins for Moms” along with coffee, Sunday morning from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. in honor of Mothers’ Day.
For more information on the Northwest Saddlebred Association visit www.nwsaddlebreds.org, for Morgan Horse Club of Washington State visit www.mhcws.org. For general information on Key Classic Horse Show contact Jody May at 206-769-8850.
January 19, 2012
It is with great regret that I have to inform you the Annual Convention scheduled for January 20th-21st has been rescheduled. Due to the unexpected weather in both Oregon and Washington, it is unsafe and not feasible to hold the convention this weekend. We have rescheduled the Annual Convention for March 2nd and 3rd, 2012 so that everyone hopefully has time to reschedule (and fingers crossed our weather will cooperate). It will be held at the same location, and the agenda and events will be exactly the same. Please remember to cancel your reservation for this weekend and re-book for the March dates. Please note that the hotel will have much higher availiblity of rooms on March 2nd and 3rd.
November 11, 2011
Cavalia: A Magical Encounter Between Human and Horse
An innovative multi-media and multi-disciplinary production created by Normand Latourelle, one of the co-founders of the famed Cirque du Soleil, will hold its opening premiere November 16, 2011 under the White Big Top, in The Pearl at NW Quimby and 12th Street in Portland. Tickets to Cavalia are available for sale online at www.cavalia.net or by calling 1-866-999-8111.
“We have been looking forward to bringing Cavalia to the Rose City for some time,” said Normand Latourelle, President, CEO and Artistic Director of Cavalia. “Cavalia has travelled North America and Europe for eight years, and we are glad to have found a home in The Pearl in Portland.”
Enjoyed by three million people in the U.S., Europe and Canada, Cavalia is a lavish production involving 42 riders, aerialists, acrobats, dancers, and musicians, and featuring 45 magnificent horses from all over the world. A show unlike any other, Cavalia celebrates the relationship between humans and horses, virtually reinventing the equestrian arts.
“HOYT is excited to help bring Cavalia’s world-class orchestration of equestrian and performing arts to the Pearl District this fall,” said Tiffany Sweitzer, HOYT President and Partner. “As one of the most successful urban revitalization projects in the world, the Pearl District offers Cavalia a centrally-located and easily accessible setting, a thriving retail and dining scene, and a community of residents and businesses with a longstanding tradition of supporting the arts.”
In Cavalia, horses cavort with the many artists in front of a constantly changing digital background projected onto a 200 ft. wide screen, drawing spectators into dream-like virtual environments. Unlike traditional horse shows in the round, Cavalia’s audience faces a single 160ft. wide stage which allows the horses space to gallop at full speed, at times running completely free unfettered by bridles or halters. Cavalia takes place under North America’s largest touring tent – a white, 26,264 sf big top rising some 100 feet high that gives the horses an ample playground to perform with their trainers and artists.
Delightful, thrilling and poignant, Cavalia explores humankind’s longstanding relationship with the horse. Juxtaposed with the vibrancy of the production is a subtle thematic line that takes audiences through the evolution of horses and our interaction with them. Audiences discover an unbridled life in the wilderness, then early domestication, and ultimately a relationship with human beings based on freedom and mutual respect. Cavalia’s horse training is based upon a philosophy of understanding the horse rather than making him understand the human beings around him. The tone of the show, embraced by the entire company, is one of mutual respect, kindness, patience and trust. Audiences have found Cavalia exhilarating in scope yet touching in the compassion shown by both horse and human.
Since its world premiere in Montreal in 2003, Cavalia has enthralled audiences across North America and Europe, and is soon to arrive in Portland and Seattle after much critical acclaim. The New York Times remarks that the theme of Cavalia is “Celebrating horses, humans and their bond.” And O Magazine exclaims that the show is “breathtaking!” CNN’s Larry King raves, “The greatest show I have ever seen! Spectacular. Beautiful. Like being in a dream. I loved it!” The Washington Post exclaims, “Impressive, highly refined, indeed a wonder!” The San Francisco Chronicle raves, “Cavalia takes horse play to a new level, even for non-horsey folk.”
About Cavalia
Headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, Cavalia is the brainchild of Normand Latourelle, whom has become renowned for his innovative approach to show production. Cavalia has travelled extensively in North America and Europe. The show has visited 41 cities across North America, including Toronto (twice), Chicago as well as multiple European countries including Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands. Follow Cavalia’s latest developments at www.twitter.com/cavalia or www.facebook.com/cavalia.
Tickets
For its exclusive run in Portland, Cavalia will be presented under its White Big Top in The Pearl at NW 12th Street and Quimby. Tickets are on sale now and are priced from $54.50 to $99.50 + applicable fees. For guests desiring an extraordinary outing, the show can be customized for an extended experience from $129.50 to $189.50, including a Horse Lovers Package that lets patrons tour Cavalia’s stables after the show, and the VIP Rendez-Vous Package that includes a tour of the stables post-show, a cocktail/dinner reception and much more. Special pricing is also available for children (2-12), juniors (13-17), and senior citizens (65+).
Showtimes
The show opens November 16, 2011 with performances being scheduled into December. Tickets are now on sale. For a detailed list of show dates and reservations, call 1-866-999-8111 or visit www.cavalia.net
August 18, 2011
The NWSA Futurity nomination deadline has been extended to September 1, 2011 by a vote of the Futurity Board.
August 15, 2011
As many of you know, Sheliah Wetter (Heiman) was in a very devastating riding accident days before Summer Showcase Horse Show last month. She suffered two broken legs (a complete femor snap in one leg and a break down by her ankle on the other leg), in addition to her pelvis being fractured in two separate spots.
Sheliah is the daughter of Pam and Randy Heiman, and the trainer of Blue Haven Stables. The Heiman's are one of the hardest working families in the horse industry, and have been longtime supportive members of the NWSA. They are known both for their training and breeding programs. They have bred horses that hold their own both in the Northwest and back East, such as Hero's Jumping Jack Flash.
Sheliah is at home and keeping an incredible attitue despite the devasting injuries she has suffered. A donation account has been opened, and anyone who would like to anonomously donate funds to Sheliah and her family would be greatly appreciated. I know we all want to see Blue Haven Stables remain an integral part of our association and of the American Saddlebred breed itself.
If you would like to donate to the account, you can simply go to any U.S. Bank location (to find a location near you, simply click this link and enter your zip code-http://www.usbank.com/index.html) and say that you would like to make a contribution to the "Sheliah Wetter Donation Account." You may also send a check made out to "Sheliah Wetter Donation Account" to "US Bank, 17020 Redmond Way, Redmond, WA 98052". The account will remain active throughout the rest of show season. After that point, we will close the account and give all funds gathered to Sheliah and her family during this hardship.
We all wish Sheliah luck in her recovery!
May 25, 2011
Due to the recent EHV-1 breakout and the severe nature of the virus, the UPHA Chapter two horse show has been cancelled. The Oregon Horse Center has made this decision based on the health and safety of our horses. There has been some discussion about re-scheduling this show between now and the Summer Showcase scheduled for July 14-16. When a decision is made upon this, we will make sure and inform everyone. We look forward to Summer Showcase, and give our best wishes to everyone impacted by the EVH-1 Virus.
May19, 2011
We wanted to take this opportunity to make an important announcement. As most of you are aware, there was a recent disease outbreak of Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy (EHV-1) which has been traced to horses who attended the National Cutting Horse Associations’ Western National Championships in Odgen, Utah on April 30 – May 8, 2011.
Please be aware of the signs of infection:
• Fever in excess of 102° F
• Neurological signs, such as decreased coordination, hind limb weakness, and inability to rise
• Lethargy
• Decreased appetite
Recommendations:
• No horse should travel that has any signs of illness (including nasal discharge, elevated temperature, etc.)
• Do not let your horse rub noses with another horse.
• Do not pet one horse and then pet on another horse, especially on the face
• Every horse should have its own water bucket, feed tub, grooming tools, blankets, etc.
• Pour water into buckets without sticking the hose into the bucket, let the water fall into the bucket
• Limit visitors to your barn
• Be smart and use common sense. ALL THE TIME!