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Blog Tales from the LOPE Ranch

watsonribbon

Top 5 Things I Learned at LOPE in 2015

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December 31st, 2015

By Suzanne Minter Suzanne Minter is a LOPE staffer and lifelong equestrian. She adopted Wooden Phone (aka “Watson”) from LOPE in 2012. Suzanne has studied classical dressage since childhood and regularly competes in local shows. She especially likes horses with “interesting” personalities, expressive faces and natural aptitude for dressage movement. Ex-Racehorses Aren’t Just for Pros [...]

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American Pharoah Halter Endowed to LOPE

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November 25th, 2015

Wimberley, TX – November 25, 2015 – LoneStar Outreach to Place Ex-Racers (LOPE), a Wimberley-based nonprofit devoted to retraining and rehoming ex-racehorses, was the recipient of a generous donation by Bob and Jill Baffert of a gorgeous leather halter worn by Triple Crown and Grand Slam winner American Pharoah. The Bafferts donated the halter in [...]

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nostirrups

No Stirrups November Challenge

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October 20th, 2015

Take the 2015 No Stirrups November Challenge, and drop your stirrups for LOPE! Improve your riding position, get in shape and have fun with your horse — all while helping the LOPE horses. Here is how it works: 1) Find supporters to pledge a dollar amount for each day you ride without stirrups during the [...]

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santobbc

Buck Brannaman 2015 Clinic: Just Say No To Turmoil

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May 25th, 2015

In the past, I’ve had a conflicted relationship with Buck Brannaman clinics. On the one hand, I love the caliber of horsemanship and elegance that Buck presents. I can watch Buck ride all day (no mean feat for someone as physically restless and bleacher seat intolerant as me). The camaraderie of the riders and auditors [...]

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Colt Starting Clinic with Peter Campbell: Why Nice Is Not Enough

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March 31st, 2015

A generous sponsor donated a spot for LOPE in Peter Campbell’s clinic earlier this month. I signed up for the Colt Starting class and brought a horse that had been returned to LOPE by his adopters (due to unexpected changes in their situation). By their account, the horse had been in professional training earlier and [...]

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Colt Starting Class with Peter Campbell: Daily Overview

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March 31st, 2015

The “Colt” Witt’s Midway was adopted from LOPE in the fall of 2013. We had ridden him a few times before he was adopted. Witt impressed us with his confident, friendly personality. He was uncomplicated to ride and a pleasure to have at our ranch. To no one’s surprise here, an experienced and caring horse [...]

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wittwalk

CSI Witt: What Happened Before the Clinic

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March 31st, 2015

When I rode Witt way back in 2013, he was a happy-go-lucky, friendly horse. He showed no signs of aggression and handled his first post-track rides easily. The word that comes to mind is “uncomplicated” — and that is exactly the opposite of what I saw at the first day of the clinic. The people [...]

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10 Things I Learned at the Peter Campbell Clinic

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March 28th, 2015

I had the privilege of auditing Peter Campbell’s clinic this year. The experience left me feeling excited and inspired to work to improve myself as a rider and a horseman. At the end of each day, I felt I was overflowing with information to process. These are some of the highlights of what I learned [...]

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LOPE has some terrific teachers lined up. In addition to our boring human staff, we have a new equine intern. Rudy is a 6 yo QH with a stocky build and kind disposition. He is undergoing on-the-job training to learn how to be the LOPE Academy pony horse.

2014 Year In Review

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December 30th, 2014

Favorite Media Coverage: The Blood-Horse Article in Winner’s Circle In August, LOPE was featured in The Blood-Horse Winner’s Circle section. The story was titled “A Leap of Faith” and chronicled LOPE’s start as an organization. We appreciated that the reporter focused on LOPE’s interest in horsemanship and training for the ex-racehorses in our care. She [...]

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Austin Equine Hospital Sugar Land Stables Schleese
American Association of Equine Technicians and Assistants Paddock Foundation Soft Ride Boots
Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Two Socks Designs Moose Pants Studio
Thoroughbred Charities of America Scissortail Hill Equestrian Secretariat Foundation
Blanco River Academy Equine Express Sam Houston Race Park