Conference noted::equitation

    Heritage farm in North Hampton is very involved in this. They seems to 
    have been the ones to 'start the craze' in Massachusetts.  I know that 
    they shipped the cows to Briarwood farms in Templeton a few times for
    some low key seminars and competitions, (but I was told it was
    decidedly too expensive to do, easier to have the riders go to North
    Hampton).  You could probably contact either place for info:
    
    Briarwood Farm 508-939-5241
    Heritage Farm (413-call info, I don't have this with me) ask for Doug or 
            Dave)
    

    Hi Karen, I heard Briarwood just had team-penning in Templeton a few weeks 
    ago.  If I hear of another one I'll let you know.
    
    - Janice

    Hi!
    
    I am in California and we do quite a bit of Team Penning.  It's great
    fun and you get to meet alot of good horse people.  I have team penned
    in Florida also.  In some competition they will have a `Round Robin'
    where everyone puts their names in a hat (we be cowpersons) or a bowl
    and then draw names for the 3 person teams.  That is great fun and you
    get to be in different postions.  The only thing that is kind of a draw
    back is if you have a good working cow horse it tends to hype them up
    some.  It is fast paced and exciting and I noticed alot of the horses
    would get out of hand after a few rounds.  It is deffinitely for the
    calm experienced cow horse.
    
    Have a ball!
    
    Virginia

    This does sound interesting and different.  How about filling us in on
    what it's all about?  E.g., objective, how many to a team, what kinds
    of positions, strategies, etc.  Is this a timed event?

    
    3 persons on horseback per team.
    
    2 minute time limit.
    
    There is a pen at one end, and loose cattle at the other.
    Cattle have numbers on them (1, 2, 3 ), some have the same
    numbers.  (there are at least 3 cows numbered 1 etc.)
    
    The objective is to cut out of the herd 3 cows with the
    same number, and pen them.
    
    Right before your team enters, you find out what number you
    go for.
    
    2 riders cut the cows and drive it towards the pen, and the
    3rd rider keeps the caught cows from returning to the herd,
    while the other 2 riders go back for more cows.  Then, once
    3 have been separated, all 3 riders pen the cows.
    
    All within that 2 min time limit, of course.....

    My Wife and Sister-inlaw Team pen with me. We startrd in June.
    We were really excited when we got our first time under 2 minutes.
    
    this week we turned in the best time of the day 49.8 seconds .
    
    The main technique is NOT to rush the herd or they scatter .
    We send two cutters in and the third guy help were necessary.
    Some herefords really don't like getting cut away from the rest.
    So if I'm the helper, we do a two one until he it stops trying to turn
    back.
    
    When we started NONE of our horses had ever been around cattle.
    Now when they see them they will start nickering and pawing to
    get at them. 
    
    A few warnings. A really good cutting horse may not work out at all.
    It has been trained to cut only. It will not push. 
    A good roping horse will not cut off. 
    Example, of what you might try. choose the one you
    want, three others come also. You will move them along the wall
    in single file, then give a little space. they start to peel back
    in to the herd. When the one you want turns, you start to head him
    off. He is trapped , the wall is on one side, your off his rear flank
    (steak);), the only way he can go is toward the pen.
    
    	We have had a summer of fun doing this. Our horses are much 
    more responsive and in shape. they really seem to enjoy it.
    
    Carl
    dtn 592-4784 CSC Colorado Springs

    I just heard that there is a team penning clinic on August 21 in
    Belchertown, MA.  I was talking with Gail McAlpin, who works for the NE
    Equine Journal. You could call the Journal for more info.  Or if i pick
    up some information I'll post here if anyone is interested.
    
    I'm planning on going, but don't know if I'll take the horses or just
    be a spectator.  There's also some "goings on" that night, cook out,
    dancing, etc.  
    
    Caryl

    I did have an opportunity to see the Team Penning at the Cheshire Fair
    this past week.  The description given earlier was excellent concerning
    the rules and objectives.  It looks like so much fun, we can't wait.
    
    I was also told that at Heritage Farm in North Hampton you can rent
    some of their cows to practice in their arena.  I think this would
    be a fun activity to consider in the future for a noter get together.

    This weekend at T+ ranch just outside Colorado Springs
    I went with some friends and Team penned. The cattle were
    some of the healthiest I've seem. 
    	I entered several classes. Ended up in second place
    in the draw pool.(The class where you throw your name in a hat
    and they draw 3 names). We turned in a 34.57
    	People and come from as far away as Idaho. 
    	There was a team in the 2 man pool that turned in a 15.38.
    If you get a chance to try it out, do it is a blast!
    
    Carl
    
    	
    

    Anyone know of good Pennins in the Southern CA area?
    
    I dont have a horse right now but I like to keep up on the sport and
    haven't been about to go to the regular place.  It was burned out.
    
    A note:
    
    I went to the FLYING U RODEO at The Pond a few weeks ago.  They had
    Penning.  The times were pretty good from what I remember.  Too bad I
    can't remember the exact times to post here.