This young mare was deshod just three weeks prior to this show....she took first place in the cloverleaf and is  the horse to beat in all the area shows. This owner became interested in barefooting while observing another horse running barefoot in an earlier show and stated that he was amazed the horse had such good traction.  When it was explained to him that a bare foot self cleans - flinging out the arena sand with every step - and a shod foot tended to stay packed with sand, it was clear to the owner that a barefoot horse would have better, more consistent traction during a race.  He decided to barefoot his mare that day.
	This gelding has been barefoot for 2 years and regularly places in the timed events in all the local area shows.
	This young gelding and rider are new to barrel racing, but he runs sound and surefooted taking a third at this show.
	This horse is a trail guide horse trying his hand (foot?) at barrel racing taking a second and two thirds in this show.
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Submitted August 2007 by   RIDERM284@aol.com "My horses have been barefoot for about 7 years now."Melissa

Barefoot Dressage
Owner/Rider- Deanna Cook
Dressage

Mystery is a Quarter/Arab cross pony purchased in 1997. He was shod in 1998 when he was four before showing him.  At end of year in 1998, he placed reserve champion in Introduction to Dressage  A month after placing in October he came up lame.  When resetting shoes the farrier noticed red in white line and suspected founder. This case under construction...more soon!

Barefoot Eventing
Owner/Rider-  Ary Rezich, Malta, IL

This 11 year old, barefoot, 15'1 h (on a tall day) Appaloosa  started eventing in USCTA Horse Trials in 1999. That summer competed in and placed in 4 USCTA (region IV) events at Novice Level:   Wayne Dupage Horse Trials   Fox River Valley Pony Club Horse Trials   I.D.C.T.A Horse Trials   Silverwood Farm Fall Horse Trials   In 2000, moved up to Training Level and placed in 1 Combined Test and completed 2 events.   Fox River Valley Pony Club Combined Test   Fox River Valley Pony Club Horse Trials   Wayne Horse Trials ( The jump picture is from this event)  Summer 2000,  tried  competitive trail riding. Entered the Rock River Charity Ride in Utica Il. Opted for 15 mile novice division and took 1st place. Ary says it was great. Had plans of competing in a  25 mile ride at the end of October, but a back injury (Ary) at the end of August ended her competition schedule for this year. Was planning to compete in 3 more USCTA events.    Next year........

Barney is an 8 year old, IDXTBX??? We think,15.3 hh, bay, gelding He started evening in 2002 when he was shoed. I removed his shoes in the winter and he is doing well. This year we have bean competing at Pre Novice Level which is about 3 foot in height. We have all so been competing in Riding club events and have qualified to go to the National SJ Championships and the National Horse Trials Championships.

General Use - or, haven't picked a "career" yet!
Owner/Rider-   Sarah Isherwood - Atkinson, NH 03811

I have owned Daatje, my 4 year old Friesian mare, since she was just 6 months of age. Her hooves have never seen horse shoes, and I am proud to say she rides 100% sound over ANY terrain. (And I mean any!) Grass, dirt, asphalt, gravel, down-right rocky trails, you name it, she'll trot all over it. She has never taken an "ouchy" step. We have been in a few horse shows this past summer (2004), but she was still young at 3, so we mainly did a few walk-trot classes and then hit the trails. My mother and I belong to the Granite State Carriage Horse Association, so we attend many of their ride/drives. (Mom with her driving mini, and I with Daatje) Daatje completed the 10 mile loop on her first time out! I plan on competing her a little in dressage and carriage driving in another year or so, but I'm in no rush. I just LOVE her! (My favorite thing to do is climb on her in the paddock bareback and bridleless and just sit there. She thinks it's cool 'cause she gets back scratches......) I plan on doing a little low level eventing with her too, in the years to come.

Fox Hunt
Owner/Rider-   Mac Braly macklaw@direcway.com

Here are a couple of pictures of me and Joey, 16 y/o TB gelding,foxhunting in Oklahoma, barefoot. Joey has been barefoot since April, 2003. He hunts with Swiss Horse Boots in front if the terrain is difficult or rocky, otherwise with nothing. Mack

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