Win an Autographed Shane Doan Jersey!

MY STABLE LIFE April 1, 2010

WIN AN AUTOGRAPHED SHANE DOAN JERSEY!

Read MY STABLE LIFE and win this great prize!

As a former Olympian, a gold and silver medal winner at the World Championships and the Captain of the Phoenix Coyotes hockey team, Shane Doan is the pride of Canada. From Halkirk, Alberta, to the Winnipeg Jets, to the Arizona desert, Doan has proven that he can rise to any challenge and is the ultimate leader. As the Coyotes have clinched a berth in the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs, this autographed jersey is a timely and priceless artifact. Doan has passion for Quarter Horses and makes an appearance on My Stable Life, warranting this jersey as a most fitting prize.

To us, Doan is a hero. And it’s pretty cool that he just-so-happens to have a thing for cow horses, ropers and reiners. So… I want to hear about your heroes with horse connections. Let me know by commenting at MY STABLE LIFE. Tell me about people who are helping the horse community or simply lending a hand to a horsey friend. Large or small, I want to hear about them!! And be sure to tell me why they are a hero in your eyes.

The winner will be drawn randomly from comment submissions.

Contest closes April 30, 2010.

ICE Quarter Horses

MY STABLE LIFE March 31, 2010

ICE QUARTER HORSES

So if any of you are hockey fans like us, you might be interested to know one of Canada’s most famous exports is also a big Quarter Horse enthusiast. Shane Doan, #19 and captain of the Phoenix Coyotes is the other half of ICE Quarter Horses, based out of Halkirk, Alberta. Along with Darcy and Andrea Mabbott and their family, Doan has a passion for great bloodlines and versatile equines. (Darcy and Shane are cousins). Of course, Doan’s involvement with the program mostly takes place after hockey season and his commitments on the ice are on hiatus.

On December 17, 2009, Doan played his 1,000 game with the Phoenix Coyotes at Columbus.

Doan was born in Halkirk, Alberta and drafted into the NHL in 1995-1996.

On December 26, 2009, Doan was honored for playing 1,000 NHL games before the Los Angeles Kings game at Jobing.com arena in Phoenix, AZ. A 20-minute on ice tribute took place, which included a brief speech by Doan to thank his team members, staff and family and fans for their support since he entered the NHL. He even thanked the LA kings for delaying the start time of the game!

Shane Doan was Winnipeg’s first choice (1st round, 7th overall) in the 1995 Entry Draft.

Doan’s wife Andrea, their four children and his parents joined him on the ice for the presentation, which he detailed as a rare, special occasion. A video tribute was played to congratulate #19 on the accomplishment and those commenting included: Jerome Iginla (who played junior hockey with Doan), Ed Joanovski, Matthew Lombardi, Steve Nash, Scott Neidermayer, and Keith Yandle, among others. The NHL was represented by Kris King (also a former teammate and roommate.) Doan was presented with a commemorative crystal, a career memory book, a framed photo collage and a silver stick. He was also given a Rolex watch and a saddle: gifts from his teammates.

Along with his 1,000th game, the saddle represents Doan’s time with the Winnipeg Jets and the Phoenix Coyotes and is adorned with #19 conchos.

ICE Quarter Horses will have their first annual Production Sale in Halkirk, AB, this coming September 12, 2010. So make plans to be there if you’re looking for some high quality, well-bred roping, working cow horse or ranch prospects!

Doan was unavailable for a photo, at the time.

Just kidding.

Shane Doan, along with Marcy Ver Meer and her mother, Betty and I. This was Betty’s  very first hockey game! GO COYOTES!!

Check back to MY STABLE LIFE tomorrow, for a chance to win an autographed Shane Doan jersey!

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Adventures of a tomboy cowgirl

MY STABLE LIFE March 25, 2010

WELCOME TO MY STABLE LIFE!

Hola. I’m Jenn Webster, creator of My Stable Life. Glad you stopped by!

A little about myself: I just turned 30. I don’t have any children (yet), other than the 4-legged variety. I’m a terrible cook. (Just ask my husband about a certain, infamous stew). And I’m not very skilled at keeping a house either. But I can operate a front-end loader, a MacBook, an ipod and a reiner. Sometimes, simultaneously.

I am a self-proclaimed “tomboy,” although I have been told my definition of the word is perhaps, somewhat skewed. The way I look at it is this: I love to run around without make-up and I can’t spend more than an hour or two a year in a dress. And my parents once gave me a gift certificate to a posh shoe store with a card that read, “Buy yourself something other than cowboy boots!”

Plus four years ago, one of my best friends gave me a pretty little change purse as a gift. After I said, “Thanks. It’s cute!” She had to explain to me the significance of the COACH logo it bore all over its sides. Since them, I’ve become a little more aware of Prada and Gucci and Louis Vuitton. While I admire their designs, I recognize that the cost of one of those purses could almost mean a new saddle. Or a month’s supply of hay. And after losing 3 diamonds out of my wedding rings in the riding arena, you probably won’t catch this girl sporting much for ice. Ever.

Boots & spurs: part of our every day work attire.

What you also have to understand about me that I come from a large extended yet immediate, family. I have 2 mothers and 2 fathers 2 brothers and 1 sister. I love them all. Of that immediate family, 1 of those members is an engineer, 1 runs her own consulting business, 1 is a scientist and 1 is a doctor. My family was understandably concerned when I told them I was going to make a career out of horses.

I am a born and raised Albertan – now living in Saskatchewan. In December, 2008, my husband, Clay (a professional reining and working cow horse trainer) and I, decided to partner up with J.Drummond Farms in Regina.

This is Clay. Spraying dust all over me…

This is our home in Regina. J. Drummond Farms in Regina, SK.

Surrounded by lush (flat) farmland and a large herd of Quarter Horses, I am certain we live in one of the most beautiful places on earth. My days consist of the riding and husbandry of our now, +45-head herd: everything from managing the vaccine and deworming schedule, to halter breaking babies, to seeding pasture, to overseeing our breeding goals, to maintaining the paperwork that goes along with 45 horses. Clay and I travel a lot, hitting national and international reining and working cow horse shows. Within these travels, I am very fortunate to be able to meet some great professionals of the industry and have candid conversations about everything from breeding, to market trends, to training techniques and horse care programs. And throughout it all I’m honing my non-pro skills: yes, apparently more honing needs to be done.

Sometimes, I need a Red Bull (often a good chaser for my morning coffee), to get through the day. Other cons include those days when it’s difficult to work alongside your spouse. And moving from Horse Central Alberta, to the quieter horse industry in Regina, Saskatchewan, has also presented many challenges. Thankfully, we have met some great people and have some great supporting staff in our ranks. Danielle LaForge, Clay’s assistant trainer has been my life-saver on many occasions.

No, I'm not the green-thumb behind these flowers. But I am responsible for the health of our herd and specifically, mares and foals.

I hope you enjoy, My Stable Life. On this blog I’ll share my insight of the showing environment, talk about health issues we encounter in our horses and how we deal with them, provide barn tips and share with you the drama of our daily adventures.

See ya in the stable!

– Jenn

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