QuarterFest A three-day, education-packed celebration of the American Quarter Horse from America's Horse Daily While record rain poured in Tennessee during QuarterFest 2010, held April 30 - May 2 at the Tennessee Miller Coliseum in Murfreesboro, QuarterFest attracted a premier roster of clinicians. Even with historic flooding in nearby Nashville and around Murfreesboro, Tennessee, the spirits of horse enthusiasts weren't dampened. Horse people are resilient, and the show went on -- with lots of learning and fun moved indoors for the last two days of the event. QuarterFest was a three-day, education-packed celebration of the American Quarter Horse where AQHA members and horse enthusiasts from around the world gathered for fun, entertainment and festivities to honor the world’s most versatile horse. For one general admission fee, participants could sit-in on clinics given by nine presenters, participate in free kids' activities in the Youth and Conservation Center, and enjoy evening entertainment provided by cowboy singer and storyteller Red Steagall. For a horse lover interested in learning, it was an unparalleled experience, regardless of the weather. Jim West of Lenoir City, Tennessee, sent a note to AQHA about his experience: Dear AQHA: I attended your QuarterFest show last weekend at the Miller Coliseum in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Of all the shows I have been to, that was the very best ever! You folks had the very best clinicians, entertainment, and everything was so very well-run. All of the staff was absolutely the best! I hope in the future that you will be able to do other similar shows. For those who read this and did not attend, you really missed out on a truly memorable show -- they don't get any better! Thank you very much for putting on this show! If you couldn’t attend QuarterFest, here's a taste of the clinicians who were there and what they had to say. Julie Goodnight is an AQHA Professional Horseman and Certified Horsemanship Association spokeswoman who is known as "The Horse Master" on RFD-TV. At QuarterFest she said, “If I could do one thing to help horses, it would be to teach riders to slow down their hands! Before you jerk on the bit, give your horse a chance to stop or turn by slowly moving your hand first. You can take hold of him if he doesn’t respond, but give him a chance to respond first. It’s like your hands are moving in slow motion.” Curt Pate is an AQHA Professional Horseman from Ryegate, Montana, who teaches low-stress cattle and horse handling. When Curt and his son Rial roped a steer, as ranch cowboys might do to doctor or castrate a steer, Curt explained how, if handled correctly, the steer will get up calmly once freed from the ropes. The results proved him correct. He told the audience members that this work is truly representative of the American West and of the American Quarter Horse, who is appreciated by ranch cowboys and buckaroos (in the Northwest) as a dependable work partner. Tammy Pate, Curt's wife, is a fourth-generation rancher who teaches popular clinics on yoga and women's horsemanship. At QuarterFest, one of her clinics was on negotiating trail obstacles. When one horse and rider were having difficulty negotiating a tough bridge, she said: “This is not a battle. This is an opportunity, because the next time your horse feels (fearful), she’ll think you are her leader. It’s a partnership.” Bo Winslow of Estes Park, Colorado is a CHA clinic instructor, AQHA life member and camping expert. He offered a series of clinics on horse camping. Among the gems of advice he gave: “When you’ve decided to do a pack trip into a new area, consider taking a couple of day trips there first to scope out water sources and campsite locations.” Christy Landwehr is a master-level instructor with CHA and an AQHA Professional Horseman. She offered youth and beginner-level riding lessons at QuarterFest, giving some kids their very first horseback-riding lesson. She made sure safety is the number 1 priority, and she emphasized the importance of tack that fits both horse and rider, correctly fitting helmets and boots. Mike Major is a multiple AQHA World Champion and two-time Versatility Ranch Horse World Champion. In his clinics at QuarterFest, he offered tips on each division of the Versatility Ranch Horse Class. On ranch trail: “When you ground tie with a mecate, leave your reins around the horse's neck and drop only the 'get-down’ lead rope. Always check your cinch before re-mounting after the ground tie.” Ken McNabb is a two-time participant in the Road to the Horse colt-starting challenge, and he has an RFD-TV show, "Discovering the Horseman Within." In his colt-starting clinics at QuarterFest, Ken said he never works a colt from horseback while wearing his spurs. The colt could jab himself, creating unnecessary trauma and the saddle horse should respond without them. Stacy Westfall is an AQHA Professional Horseman and freestyle reining whiz who often competes bareback and bridleless, most notably on American Quarter Horse Whizards Baby Doll, aka "Roxy." She told QuarterFest participants that if they want to do advanced work, they should focus on the basics. “But don’t just lope a circle or do a transition and call it good. Work to master these moves.” Lynn Palm was the 2006 AQHA Professional's Choice Professional Horsewoman of the Year and is famous for her partnership with the legendary American Quarter Horse Rugged Lark. In her dressage demonstration at QuarterFest, she said dressage is doable with any horse. "It's just about good riding and training. It’s about using seat, legs and hands, and riding with the horse in balance. And when the horse is in balance, he becomes willing.” The theories and training methods are applicable no matter if you ride in a western saddle or an English one, she said. Sponsors were an integral part of QuarterFest: Tractor Supply, B & W Trailer Hitches, John Deere, Justin Boots, Professional’s Choice, Bank of America, Farnam, Pfizer, arena panels and fence by Tarter Farm and Ranch Equipment, and Wrangler. To see photo galleries and more tips from each day, visit http://americashorsedaily.com/quarterfest-2010-2/.