To Helmet Or Not To Helmet?
We aren’t Shakespeare, that’s for sure but we do want to know your opinions/thoughts/dream/memoirs on The Great Helmet Debate.
I created a super cool, super easy and anonymous survey so please take the 60 seconds or less to take it – you won’t regret it! You are changing the world, one survey at a time!
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HBXQSXK is the link direct to the survey.
You can also access it via our social media platforms: International Cowgirl – Home | Facebook
So speak to me equestrians, parents & horse lovers alike!
As always, thanks for stopping by! Stay safe and God bless!
~~International Cowgirl
Equine Dental Care – The what, why, how of it all.
This week’s topic has been on teeth. That’s right, chompers, nashers, teefy-pegs, teeth! Specifically, equine dental care and the ins and outs of it all.
This week I got to catch up with local equine dental technician, Sara. She takes care of our four-legged friends’ teeth all over Central Florida! I think what drew me to her most was how passionate she was; as a human being and equine dental technician. She gave me the entire run down of equine dentistry – see our interview here.
International Cowgirl: When training a horse, many trainers resort to changing bits, saddles, techniques but never think that the “behavioral issue” might be the horse’s teeth. Why is that?
Sara: In many cases equine dentistry is overlooked and people simply jump to conclusions. They might automatically think green horse/green rider and think it is behavior, when really, it’s the horse’s teeth. Pain or discomfort makes ANYONE, animal or human, act up. Did you ever see the article about an “aggressive horse” that was euthanized because of his so called behavior issues? Check that out – checking a horses teeth needs to be on the checklist of things to be looked at when trying to correct or train a horse. [Aforementioned article here: This Horse Was Euthanized For Aggressive Behavior ]
IC: What are the educational requirements for an equine dental technician?
Sara: In Florida you don’t have to be certified to be an equine dental technician but it varies by state. In some states you HAVE TO be a vet to float teeth. All dental technicians are not created equal. Most vets will be honest about their comfort level and expertise level when it comes to equine dentistry. In my opinion, a dental technician who went to school to get an education or is certified in some form or another has an advantage over someone who doesn’t and just decided to buy the dental tool off the internet one day. I got an education to be an equine dental technician so I could be good at what I do. I am dealing with people’s precious horses. Clients need to do their research on what the requirements per their state is. A better relationship between your vet and your dental technician is definitely something we need to see more of these days. A good working relationship with a good vet works wonders, especially if a horse needs sedated to get it’s teeth done. We are both in the business of caring for your animals, so working well together will never take away from each others expertise or reputation.
IC: Why do I need to float my horses teeth?
Sara: You would be surprised at how many people do not believe in equine dentistry. They seem to think it is unnecessary. If wild horses don’t need it done, then why should my horse need it, type of debate. Wild horses are not feed a commercial grain diet or live in stalls or do what domestic horses or sport horses do so of course it is going to be different. Horses teeth are constantly growing in. They aren’t like ours where they grow in and you’re done. With the constant movement and grinding, sharp points or malocclusions (imperfect positioning of the teeth when the jaws are closed) can occur which cut the cheeks or tongue, making it extremely uncomfortable for your horse to eat. If your horse doesn’t eat, he or she drops weight, we as horse owners, begin to worry and it all can come backs to their teeth being properly cared for.
IC: What is floating?
Sara: Floating is when you use a tool called a float that helps remove sharp enamel points from the teeth in the top and bottom jaw. Equine dentistry has come a long way compared to 30+ years ago. They used to just float teeth, now we can balance the teeth/jaw, take care of malocclusions which by definition is imperfect positioning of the teeth when the jaws are closed such as hooks or waves. We have made tremendous progress and that is very exciting.
IC: How often should floating a horses teeth be done?
Sara: For horses 5 years of age and under, I would recommend just looking, not floating. Just evaluate how the teeth are coming in and how their mouth is looking. Horses in training (say 3 years old give or take) usually have wolf teeth that interfere with their bits. I would recommend their wolf teeth be removed and have an exam to check for caps. For horses 6-20 years of age that is just a trail horse or pasture pet, their exams/floating can be done once a year. Performance horses of course need a bit more maintenance due to the wear and tear of bits on their mouths and the differences in their diets. For performances horses they should get an exam every 6 months and float their teeth every 6 months. For horses aged 20 or older, they have to be done more often as they are beginning to run out of tooth. They don’t necessarily need their teeth floated but they should be examined for malocclusions. If malocclusions are not fixed, it could results in their mouth/jaw not being balanced. If you do not check an “elderly” horses teeth regularly it could end up causing more damage as the horse begins to run out of tooth in its later years. After all, you will want to know if you have to start feeding them “soup” for dinner. 🙂
IC: How much does it cost?
Sara: To be honest, it really depends on what area you are in. If you are in a more horse-rich area, it can be cheaper but on average it costs about $100.
~~~
Do you have any questions or concerns about your horses teeth? If so, you can comment below or on any of our social media platforms OR even get answers right from the horses’ mouth (get it?) and contact Sara. Her information is right here below.
As always, thanks for stopping by. Stay safe and God bless!
~~International Cowgirl
Another Give-Away!
This week’s give-away sure is exciting! They all are but now that we are in summer, I am have been anxiously anticipating this one for a while.
So here it is…for those of you who live and ride in warmer states, you will LOVE this!
Saddle slinkie has come up with the most genius product for those who love to ride in shorts but hate the feeling of being pinched in the saddle. I recently stocked up on these purely for selfish reasons then decided that sharing is caring. So I would love to treat my loyal blog subscribers & social media followers.
There is only one catch, to enter to win, all you have to do is tell me why you love riding during the summer so much. You can comment on any of International Cowgirl’s platforms (ie: here on the blog, on Facebook, on Instagram or even on Twitter). That isn’t all that hard is it?!?!?!
I can’t wait to hear/see all your reasons! Good luck!
Please note: these Saddle Slinkies are already purchased so winners do not get to choose what material or pattern the Saddle Slinkie comes in. You can purchase your own custom Saddle Slinkie by reaching out to them via Facebook in the hyper link here: Saddle slinkie
As always, thank you for stopping by! God bless & be safe!
~~International Cowgirl
Disclosure & Giveaway Policy:
This policy is valid from 13 June 2017.
This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. For questions about this blog, please contact Catriona McBain-Fox (Email: internationalcowgirlblog@gmail.com).
This blog does not accept any form of cash advertising, sponsorship, or paid topic insertions. However, we will and do accept and keep free products, services, travel, event tickets, and other forms of compensation from companies and organizations.
This blog abides by word of mouth marketing standards. We believe in honesty of relationship, opinion and identity. The compensation received may influence the advertising content, topics or posts made in this blog. That content, advertising space or post will be clearly identified as paid or sponsored content.
The owner(s) of this blog is not compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the blog owners. If we claim or appear to be experts on a certain topic or product or service area, we will only endorse products or services that we believe, based on our expertise, are worthy of such endorsement. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider.
This blog does not contain any content which might present a conflict of interest.
Terms & conditions:
NO PURCHASE IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE DOES NOT INCREASE THE CHANCES OF WINNING. The Saddle Slinkies were bought by the owner of International Cowgirl Blog & we were/are in no way compensated by any entity related to the Saddle Slinkie or its owners, affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising and promotion agencies, and suppliers, (collectively the “Employees”), and immediate family members. Saddle Slinkies are fully paid for. Will only deliver or ship within the US Main Land.
1. Eligibility: This Campaign is open only to those who sign up at the http://www.internationalcowgirl.org or International Cowgirl Blog’s social media outlets and who are 16 years or older as of the date of entry.The Campaign is only open to legal residents of the US & Canada and is void where prohibited by law. Employees of International Cowgirl Blog, its affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising and promotion agencies, and suppliers, (collectively the “Employees”), and immediate family members and/or those living in the same household of Employees are not eligible to participate in the Campaign. The Campaign is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Void where prohibited.
2. Agreement to Rules: By participating, the Contestant (“You”) agree to be fully unconditionally bound by these Rules, and You represent and warrant that You meet the eligibility requirements. In addition, You agree to accept the decisions of [your company name] as final and binding as it relates to the content of this Campaign.
3. Campaign Period: Entries will be accepted online starting on June 13th 2017 9am EST and ending June 30th 2017 9am EST. All online entries must be received by June 30th 2017 8am EST.
4. How to Enter: The Campaign must be entered by submitting an entry commenting on the giveaway post only either online at http://www.internationalcowgirl.org, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. The entry must fulfill all Campaign requirements, as specified, to be eligible to win a prize. Entries that are incomplete or do not adhere to the rules or specifications may be disqualified at the sole discretion of [your company name]. Optional verbiage to include: You may enter only once. You must provide the information requested. You may not enter more times than indicated by using multiple email addresses, identities, or devices in an attempt to circumvent the rules. If You use fraudulent methods or otherwise attempt to circumvent the rules, your submission may be removed from eligibility at the sole discretion of International Cowgirl Blog.
5. Prizes: The Winner(s) of the Campaign (the “Winner”) will one pre-purchased Saddle Slinkie valued at approximately $50. Actual/appraised value may differ at time of prize award. The specifics of the prize shall be solely determined by International Cowgirl Blog. No cash or other prize substitution shall be permitted except at International Cowgirl Blog’s discretion. The prize is nontransferable. Any and all prize-related expenses, including without limitation any and all federal, state, and/or local taxes, shall be the sole responsibility of Winner. No substitution of prize or transfer/assignment of prize to others or request for the cash equivalent by Winner is permitted. Acceptance of prize constitutes permission for International Cowgirl Blog to use Winner’s name, likeness, and entry for purposes of advertising and trade without further compensation, unless prohibited by law.
6. Odds: The odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received.
7. Winner Selection and Notification: Winner will be selected by a random drawing under the supervision of International Cowgirl Blog. Winner will be notified by email or tagging in Social Media within five (5) days following selection of Winner. International Cowgirl Blog shall have no liability for Winner’s failure to receive notices due to spam, junk e-mail or other security settings or for Winner’s provision of incorrect or otherwise non-functioning contact information. If Winner cannot be contacted, is ineligible, fails to claim the prize within [6 days] from the time award notification was sent, or fails to timely return a completed and executed declaration and release as required, the prize may be forfeited and an alternate Winner selected. Receipt by Winner of the prize offered in this Campaign is conditioned upon compliance with any and all federal, state, and local laws and regulations. ANY VIOLATION OF THESE OFFICIAL RULES BY WINNER (AT International Cowgirl Blog‘s SOLE DISCRETION) WILL RESULT IN WINNER’S DISQUALIFICATION AS WINNER OF THE CAMPAIGN, AND ALL PRIVILEGES AS WINNER WILL BE IMMEDIATELY TERMINATED.
8. Rights Granted by You: By entering this content (e.g., photo, video, text, etc.), You understand and agree that International Cowgirl Blog, anyone acting on behalf of International Cowgirl Blog, and International Cowgirl Blog’s licensees, successors, and assigns, shall have the right, where permitted by law, to print, publish, broadcast, distribute, and use in any media now known or hereafter developed, in perpetuity and throughout the World, without limitation, your entry, name, portrait, picture, voice, likeness, image, statements about the Campaign, and biographical information for news, publicity, information, trade, advertising, public relations, and promotional purposes. without any further compensation, notice, review, or consent. Optional verbiage for Contests: By entering this content, You represent and warrant that your entry is an original work of authorship, and does not violate any third party’s proprietary or intellectual property rights. If your entry infringes upon the intellectual property right of another, You will be disqualified at the sole discretion of International Cowgirl Blog. If the content of your entry is claimed to constitute infringement of any proprietary or intellectual proprietary rights of any third party, You shall, at your sole expense, defend or settle against such claims. You shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless International Cowgirl Blog from and against any suit, proceeding, claims, liability, loss, damage, costs or expense, which International Cowgirl Blog may incur, suffer, or be required to pay arising out of such infringement or suspected infringement of any third party’s right.
9. Terms & Conditions: International Cowgirl Blog reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Campaign should virus, bug, non-authorized human intervention, fraud, or other cause beyond International Cowgirl Blog’s control corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, or proper conduct of the Campaign. In such case, International Cowgirl Blog may select the Winner from all eligible entries received prior to and/or after (if appropriate) the action taken by International Cowgirl Blog. International Cowgirl Blog reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual who tampers or attempts to tamper with the entry process or the operation of the Campaign or website or violates these Terms & Conditions. International Cowgirl Blog has the right, in its sole discretion, to maintain the integrity of the Campaign, to void votes for any reason, including, but not limited to: multiple entries from the same user from different IP addresses; multiple entries from the same computer in excess of that allowed by Campaign rules; or the use of bots, macros, scripts, or other technical means for entering. Any attempt by an entrant to deliberately damage any website or undermine the legitimate operation of the Campaign may be a violation of criminal and civil laws. Should such attempt be made, International Cowgirl Blog reserves the right to seek damages to the fullest extent permitted by law.
10. Limitation of Liability: By entering, You agree to release and hold harmless International Cowgirl Blog and its subsidiaries, affiliates, advertising and promotion agencies, partners, representatives, agents, successors, assigns, employees, officers, and directors from any liability, illness, injury, death, loss, litigation, claim, or damage that may occur, directly or indirectly, whether caused by negligence or not, from: (i) such entrant’s participation in the Campaign and/or his/her acceptance, possession, use, or misuse of any prize or any portion thereof; (ii) technical failures of any kind, including but not limited to the malfunction of any computer, cable, network, hardware, or software, or other mechanical equipment; (iii) the unavailability or inaccessibility of any transmissions, telephone, or Internet service; (iv) unauthorized human intervention in any part of the entry process or the Promotion; (v) electronic or human error in the administration of the Promotion or the processing of entries.
11. Disputes: THIS Campaign IS GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF the US AND Florida, WITHOUT RESPECT TO CONFLICT OF LAW DOCTRINES. As a condition of participating in this Campaign, participant agrees that any and all disputes that cannot be resolved between the parties, and causes of action arising out of or connected with this Campaign, shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, exclusively before a court located in Florida having jurisdiction. Further, in any such dispute, under no circumstances shall participant be permitted to obtain awards for, and hereby waives all rights to, punitive, incidental, or consequential damages, including reasonable attorney’s fees, other than participant’s actual out-of-pocket expenses (i.e. costs associated with entering this Campaign). Participant further waives all rights to have damages multiplied or increased.
12. Privacy Policy: Information submitted with an entry is subject to the Privacy Policy stated on the International Cowgirl Blog website. To read the Privacy Policy, http://www.internationalcowgirl.org click here. Note: a privacy policy is optional, but may be required when running a promotion on the web when using third party platforms or when using features from social channels. Including this information makes it clear to your users how you are going to use their information.
13. Winners List: To obtain a copy of the Winner’s name or a copy of these Official Rules, mail your request along with a stamped, self-addressed envelope to: International Cowgirl Blog, PO BOX 492, Lake Helen, FL, 32744, USA. Requests must be received no later than July 3rd 2017.
14. Sponsor: The Sponsor of the Campaign is International Cowgirl Blog.
15. Facebook: If you use Facebook to communicate or administer a contest or sweepstakes, include the following: The Campaign hosted by International Cowgirl Blog is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Facebook.
16. ___ By checking here, You, the Contestant, have affirmatively reviewed, accepted, and agreed to all of the Official Rules.
Cha-Ching Champions!
Y’all…I am still reeling from an incredible 4 days at the Ram National Circuit Finals Rodeo. I missed seeing a lot of you there but there is always next year AND the 139th Silver Spurs Rodeo is coming again June 2nd and 3rd 2017. I can officially say I am addicted to rodeo…if that is the worst thing I get addicted to in life, that is fine with me. We cannot wait to start hitting the road & cover other rodeos also.
So one of the main reasons that I love the RNCFR is how they treat their contestants. When contestants qualify to make it to the RNCFR they are given $1000 to help towards travel costs etc since we all know that traveling to Florida can be a pain in the rear end. This year was the 30th anniversary of the RNCFR & they had lots of goodies for the general public who graced us with their presence throughout the 4 days of the rodeo.
In addition to the fantastic Tailgating Experience, zip line, vendors & activities for families of all sizes, the quality of the roughstock is absolutely brilliant! Last year at the 2016 RNCFR I fell in love with a buckin’ horse out of Painted Pony Champion Pro Rodeo called Unv. Mama Don’t Know & she was there again this year & man did I drroooooollll! If I could get to hang out with that horse for a day, I would be in heaven. Unv. Mama Don’t Know is a dream to look at & watch perform along with her other roughstock “colleagues”. They never fail to impress at the RNCFR, that’s for sure!
More great news to come from the 2017 rodeo season is that the PRCA has welcomed the Mexico Circuit & the Mexico Rodeo Federation in to the mix along with the RNCFR which builds on the rodeo fan base & helps bring new contestants into the mix. International Cowgirl will cover this more in-depth in weeks to come.
The champions of the RNCFR “receive a $20,000 voucher for a new RAM vehicle, a Polaris RANGER UTV, a pair of exotic boots from Justin Boots, trophy saddle from Cactus Saddlery, and a Montana Silversmith buckle, in addition to their winnings.” – RNCFR Website, About.
The winners of the 2017 Ram National Circuit Finals Rodeo are:
- Bareback Riding – R.C Landingham out of the California Circuit with an awesome 88.50 points on Korkow Rodeo’s Onion Ring.
- Steer Wrestling – Justin Shaffer out of the Texas Circuit with a ninja quick 3.6 second win.
- Team Roping – Jesse Stipes & Buddy Hawkins II out of the Prairie Circuit crushing it with a 4.9 second run.
- Saddle Bronc – Jacobs Crawley out of the Texas Circuit with a smokin’ 89.5 point ride on Stace Smith Pro Rodeo’s Resistol Top Hat.
- Barrel Racing – Emily Miller out of the Prairie Circuit flying that cloverleaf pattern with a 15.27 second run.
- Bull Riding – Tanner Learmont out of the Texas Circuit with a cool 78 point ride on Silver Spurs Club’s Hang Em High.
- Overall Champion – Josh Peek for the third year running.
- Team Title – Prairie Circuit.
Congratulations to all the champions of the 2017 Ram National Circuit Finals Rodeo.
As always, thanks for stopping by & stay tuned for more!
God Bless & stay safe!
~~International Cowgirl
Shared/Repost – Tim O’Connell Focused On Repeat by NFR Insider Susan Kanode.
https://videopress.com/embed/eO2b3x60?hd=0&autoPlay=0&permalink=0&loop=0
We are halfway through the rodeo season and bareback rider Tim O’Connell, our reigning world champion, is looking good for a repeat. The 2017 season started Oct. 1, 2016. Tim, who grew up near Zwingle, Iowa, went to a few rodeos to stay sharp and get a start on 2017 before last year’s Wrangler National […]
7 Days Too Long!
There is officially only seven days left until dirt flies at the 2017 RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo and I can barely contain my excitement. This is third year of the RNCFR being in Kissimmee at Osceola Heritage Park and each year I get more and more excited.
This year, they will be celebrating 30 years of the Ram National Circuit Finals Rodeo being around, so get down to Kissimmee & celebrate with us! There will be a zip line, a tailgating experience, tons of shopping, great food & autograph session for you & your family to meet the contestants after each performance (except for Sunday).
If you have not entered to win tickets via International Cowgirl (see my last post) or you are looking to buy tickets for another night, check out Groupon at this hyper link: RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo – 32% Off – tickets are selling fast, so get them before they are gone!
A list of the contestants can be found on the RNCFR website (http://www.rncfr.com/meet-2017-ram-national-circuit-finals-rodeo-contestants/ ) – I hope I will see you there cheering for your favourite cowboy and/or cowgirl!
The complete event schedule can be found at Event Schedule – RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo so there are plenty opportunities for day trips, a date night, a family day, or a whole 4 day marathon of one of the biggest rodeos this side of the Mississippi!
As always, thanks for stopping by, God Bless & stay safe!
~~International Cowgirl
Giveaway Monday!
Good morning y’all! What better way to turn an ordinary Monday into an EXTRAORDINARY Monday, than with a super cool giveaway!
Today I am giving away two (2) tickets to the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo & all you have to do is comment below with your favourite aspect(s) of rodeo & I will pick a random winner!
Last day to comment/for entries is Monday April 3rd 2017 9am EST.
Terms & conditions of giveaway are below. Good luck!
As always, thanks for stopping by!
God Bless & stay safe!
~~International Cowgirl
Terms & conditions:
NO PURCHASE IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE DOES NOT INCREASE THE CHANCES OF WINNING. These tickets were bought by the owner of International Cowgirl Blog & we were/are in no way compensated by any entity related to the RNCFR, Ram Trucks, Experience Kissimmee, Osceola Heritage Park, Silver Spurs Arena, Silver Spurs Rodeo, or its affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising and promotion agencies, and suppliers, (collectively the “Employees”), and immediate family members. Tickets are fully paid for. Must pick up from International Cowgirl Blog at Will Call. International Cowgirl will in no way pay for travel or any expenses related to you attending the RNCFR.
1. Eligibility: This Campaign is open only to those who sign up at the http://www.internationalcowgirl.org or International Cowgirl Blog’s social media outlets and who are 16 years or older as of the date of entry.The Campaign is only open to legal residents of the US & Canada and is void where prohibited by law. Employees of International Cowgirl Blog, its affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising and promotion agencies, and suppliers, (collectively the “Employees”), and immediate family members and/or those living in the same household of Employees are not eligible to participate in the Campaign. The Campaign is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Void where prohibited.
2. Agreement to Rules: By participating, the Contestant (“You”) agree to be fully unconditionally bound by these Rules, and You represent and warrant that You meet the eligibility requirements. In addition, You agree to accept the decisions of [your company name] as final and binding as it relates to the content of this Campaign.
3. Campaign Period: Entries will be accepted online starting on March 27th 2017 9am EST and ending April 3rd 2017 9am EST. All online entries must be received by April 3rd 2017 8am EST.
4. How to Enter: The Campaign must be entered by submitting an entry commenting on the giveaway post only either online at http://www.internationalcowgirl.org, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. The entry must fulfill all Campaign requirements, as specified, to be eligible to win a prize. Entries that are incomplete or do not adhere to the rules or specifications may be disqualified at the sole discretion of [your company name]. Optional verbiage to include: You may enter only once. You must provide the information requested. You may not enter more times than indicated by using multiple email addresses, identities, or devices in an attempt to circumvent the rules. If You use fraudulent methods or otherwise attempt to circumvent the rules, your submission may be removed from eligibility at the sole discretion of International Cowgirl Blog.
5. Prizes: The Winner(s) of the Campaign (the “Winner”) will receive two (2) tickets to the Ram National Circuit Finals Rodeo valued at approximately $50. Actual/appraised value may differ at time of prize award. The specifics of the prize shall be solely determined by International Cowgirl Blog. No cash or other prize substitution shall be permitted except at International Cowgirl Blog’s discretion. The prize is nontransferable. Any and all prize-related expenses, including without limitation any and all federal, state, and/or local taxes, shall be the sole responsibility of Winner. No substitution of prize or transfer/assignment of prize to others or request for the cash equivalent by Winner is permitted. Acceptance of prize constitutes permission for International Cowgirl Blog to use Winner’s name, likeness, and entry for purposes of advertising and trade without further compensation, unless prohibited by law.
6. Odds: The odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received.
7. Winner Selection and Notification: Winner will be selected by a random drawing under the supervision of International Cowgirl Blog. Winner will be notified by email or tagging in Social Media within five (5) days following selection of Winner. International Cowgirl Blog shall have no liability for Winner’s failure to receive notices due to spam, junk e-mail or other security settings or for Winner’s provision of incorrect or otherwise non-functioning contact information. If Winner cannot be contacted, is ineligible, fails to claim the prize within [6 days] from the time award notification was sent, or fails to timely return a completed and executed declaration and release as required, the prize may be forfeited and an alternate Winner selected. Receipt by Winner of the prize offered in this Campaign is conditioned upon compliance with any and all federal, state, and local laws and regulations. ANY VIOLATION OF THESE OFFICIAL RULES BY WINNER (AT International Cowgirl Blog‘s SOLE DISCRETION) WILL RESULT IN WINNER’S DISQUALIFICATION AS WINNER OF THE CAMPAIGN, AND ALL PRIVILEGES AS WINNER WILL BE IMMEDIATELY TERMINATED.
8. Rights Granted by You: By entering this content (e.g., photo, video, text, etc.), You understand and agree that International Cowgirl Blog, anyone acting on behalf of International Cowgirl Blog, and International Cowgirl Blog’s licensees, successors, and assigns, shall have the right, where permitted by law, to print, publish, broadcast, distribute, and use in any media now known or hereafter developed, in perpetuity and throughout the World, without limitation, your entry, name, portrait, picture, voice, likeness, image, statements about the Campaign, and biographical information for news, publicity, information, trade, advertising, public relations, and promotional purposes. without any further compensation, notice, review, or consent. Optional verbiage for Contests: By entering this content, You represent and warrant that your entry is an original work of authorship, and does not violate any third party’s proprietary or intellectual property rights. If your entry infringes upon the intellectual property right of another, You will be disqualified at the sole discretion of International Cowgirl Blog. If the content of your entry is claimed to constitute infringement of any proprietary or intellectual proprietary rights of any third party, You shall, at your sole expense, defend or settle against such claims. You shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless International Cowgirl Blog from and against any suit, proceeding, claims, liability, loss, damage, costs or expense, which International Cowgirl Blog may incur, suffer, or be required to pay arising out of such infringement or suspected infringement of any third party’s right.
9. Terms & Conditions: International Cowgirl Blog reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Campaign should virus, bug, non-authorized human intervention, fraud, or other cause beyond International Cowgirl Blog’s control corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, or proper conduct of the Campaign. In such case, International Cowgirl Blog may select the Winner from all eligible entries received prior to and/or after (if appropriate) the action taken by International Cowgirl Blog. International Cowgirl Blog reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual who tampers or attempts to tamper with the entry process or the operation of the Campaign or website or violates these Terms & Conditions. International Cowgirl Blog has the right, in its sole discretion, to maintain the integrity of the Campaign, to void votes for any reason, including, but not limited to: multiple entries from the same user from different IP addresses; multiple entries from the same computer in excess of that allowed by Campaign rules; or the use of bots, macros, scripts, or other technical means for entering. Any attempt by an entrant to deliberately damage any website or undermine the legitimate operation of the Campaign may be a violation of criminal and civil laws. Should such attempt be made, International Cowgirl Blog reserves the right to seek damages to the fullest extent permitted by law.
10. Limitation of Liability: By entering, You agree to release and hold harmless International Cowgirl Blog and its subsidiaries, affiliates, advertising and promotion agencies, partners, representatives, agents, successors, assigns, employees, officers, and directors from any liability, illness, injury, death, loss, litigation, claim, or damage that may occur, directly or indirectly, whether caused by negligence or not, from: (i) such entrant’s participation in the Campaign and/or his/her acceptance, possession, use, or misuse of any prize or any portion thereof; (ii) technical failures of any kind, including but not limited to the malfunction of any computer, cable, network, hardware, or software, or other mechanical equipment; (iii) the unavailability or inaccessibility of any transmissions, telephone, or Internet service; (iv) unauthorized human intervention in any part of the entry process or the Promotion; (v) electronic or human error in the administration of the Promotion or the processing of entries.
11. Disputes: THIS Campaign IS GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF the US AND Florida, WITHOUT RESPECT TO CONFLICT OF LAW DOCTRINES. As a condition of participating in this Campaign, participant agrees that any and all disputes that cannot be resolved between the parties, and causes of action arising out of or connected with this Campaign, shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, exclusively before a court located in Florida having jurisdiction. Further, in any such dispute, under no circumstances shall participant be permitted to obtain awards for, and hereby waives all rights to, punitive, incidental, or consequential damages, including reasonable attorney’s fees, other than participant’s actual out-of-pocket expenses (i.e. costs associated with entering this Campaign). Participant further waives all rights to have damages multiplied or increased.
12. Privacy Policy: Information submitted with an entry is subject to the Privacy Policy stated on the International Cowgirl Blog website. To read the Privacy Policy, http://www.internationalcowgirl.org click here. Note: a privacy policy is optional, but may be required when running a promotion on the web when using third party platforms or when using features from social channels. Including this information makes it clear to your users how you are going to use their information.
13. Winners List: To obtain a copy of the Winner’s name or a copy of these Official Rules, mail your request along with a stamped, self-addressed envelope to: International Cowgirl Blog, PO BOX 492, Lake Helen, FL, 32744, USA. Requests must be received no later than April 5th 2017.
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International Cowgirl Royalty visits Silver Spurs Rodeo
Silver Spurs Rodeo welcomed Rodeo Queens from all over to represent their countries resulting in friendships made, little girls being inspired and rodeo go-ers being entertained and wow-ed.
Miss Rodeo Canada stopped to chat with International Cowgirl – here is our interview below.
IC: Please introduce yourself to our readers.
Miss Rodeo Canada: Hi! I am Ali Mullin & I am Miss Rodeo Canada 2017! I grew up in a small town called Cartwright, Manitoba but I am in Alberta now!
IC: What do you love most about rodeo on an international scale (since you come across an international border)?
MRC: Oh my goodness, I was JUST thinking about this earlier today. I think for me, the beauty of rodeo-ing internationally is that you can travel so far & you get to meet so wonderful, amazing people & you get exposed to all these different customs & cultures, different foods…that sort of thing BUT when you come to the rodeo arena everything is still the same & everyone still cheers each other on. It’s a beautiful thing. It really is.
IC: What do you love most about representing your country?
MRC: There is something really special about being able to put the maple leaf on & just go out be the ambassador for Canada. It is a really beautiful feeling & you grow up kind of hoping that you can do something for your country & for me, being Miss Rodeo Canada is THAT thing that I have the opportunity to do. It makes me so proud…that overall feeling of being able to represent something that I love so much.
The wonderfully talented Kimberly Padfield Photography was kind enough to provide International Cowgirl Blog with amazing images of Miss Rodeo Canada, Ali Mullin. Please check her work out if you are in Canada! I absolutely LOVE how she captured Ali – her images are cleared water-marked & absolutely gorgeous! Thank you Kimberly for improving the blog with your stunning work!
Thank you Ali Mullen, Miss Rodeo Canada for taking the time out of your busy schedule to chat with International Cowgirl Blog!
Ali & share interests in hockey, singing and of course, rodeo. She is a pro at winning the hearts of those she comes in contact with & I feel she represents Canada at the highest level. It was honor to meet her and can’t thank her enough for chatting with International Cowgirl Blog. Check out our full video interview at International Cowgirl | Facebook !
Want to see or meet Miss Rodeo Canada? She will be at the Canadian Cowboy Ski Race on March 18th, the Broncs & Honky Tonks Indoor Pro Rodeo | Medicine Hat Exhibition on April 7-9 2017 and a ton more of events that you can find on the Official Website of Miss Rodeo Canada – so keep an eye out for an event near you!
As always thanks for stopping by & God Bless!
~~International Cowgirl
Live Oak International Slam Dunks!
This past weekend I had the opportunity to cover Live Oak International. From Wednesday to Sunday they had major events in combined driving and international show jumping. Teams & riders from all over the US and world came to Ocala to bask in the sunshine and compete for some huge prizes and major money.
Competitors in the combined driving stated in the press conference that the courses were of international par. The courses asked good questions of the teams & their horses & despite it being challenging, their 5 days at LOI were extremely enjoyable. Marty Bauman spoke for many competitors when he said that if they came here and nothing went right for them at all, that they still would have had an incredible experience.
This satisfaction is partly due to a wonderful host, Chester Weber along with a wonderful Live Oak International team. Chester won the FEI Four in Hand Horse. Pictured below from left to right are the Live Oak International Combined Driving winners; Chester Weber (FEI Four in Hand Horse), Steve Wilson (FEI Pair Horse), Katie Whaley, US Equestrian team member and winner of the FEI Pair Pony and last but certainly not least, the winner of the FEI Single Pony, Tracey Morgan.
Moving on to show jumping; the next major event of the week was the $35,000 Sovaro International Show Jumping Competition (1.50m).
This was probably one of the biggest classes I have seen in a long time with 59 riders. Of those 59 riders, there were 14 clears that moved on to the jump off. There were riders from everywhere from New Zealand & Australia, to Ireland, France, Germany, Venezuela, Columbia and, of course, the USA & Canada.
Crowd favourite from Ireland, Cian O’Connor rode a perfectly clear round in 81.88 seconds.
It was an intense round of jumping during the jump off between the 14 riders fighting for the $35,000. Top notch riders, top notch horses. In the end it came down to Andrew Ramsay of the USA & his horse, Stranger winning the $35,000 Sovaro International Jumping Competition.
Fellow US rider, Devin Ryan, came in as Reserve Champion. Both Ramsay & Ryan showed incredible skill throughout the course so please join me in congratulating them both on their success during the $35,000 Sovaro International Jumping Competition.
If you would like to hear & see the full press conference from the combined driving and show jumping, head on over to International Cowgirl | Facebook to see the videos. Don’t forget to like our page as you will get to see a lot of behind the scenes & more video interviews at all of the events we cover this year from rodeo to international shows such as Live Oak International.
Stay tuned for more coverage of Live Oak International which includes combined driving cones and the $100,000 Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Qualifier! Exciting stuff!
As always, thanks for stopping by & God Bless!
~~International Cowgirl
Silver Spurs Thanks LEOs
As the wife of a Law Enforcement Officer (aka LEO), I was brought to tears at the opening of the 138th Silver Spurs Rodeo Saturday Performance. They enacted a foot chase with trained law enforcement and a K-9 which was super cool! Once the “culprit” was arrested, over 50 Osceola County Sheriff Officers came out on the dirt & was cheered for by a packed arena! How awesome is that? Both the Silver Spurs Rodeo AND the community showing thanks in a major way. I am so proud of our LEOs, my hubby included.
After chatting with members of the Silver Spurs Riding Club, I discovered that there is a handful of members who are LEOs themselves or like myself, a LEO spouse.
So, Saturday we thanked our LEOs near and far and Sunday we thanked our troops all over the world. There is something about being at a rodeo…they don’t just bring out the roughstock and say “let’s get down to business”. They take a moment to thank everyone for coming, to thank those who protect, serve & defend our freedom, to pray for everything (the rodeo, the animals, the contestants, the spectators, the volunteers, workers, our city, state, country). It is just a humble sport…a hard working sport…you get out what you put in type of sport.
What rodeos have you been to, where they honored or celebrated a particular group of people? Whether it be professional or not? Did you know that each night of the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo is themed towards thanking or celebrating a particular group of people each night.
Thursday MORNING is for coffee and cattle – grab your coffee & be at the rodeo bright and early, doors open at 10am & dirt flies at 11am. Kids 12 & under are FREE to get in.
Friday night April 7th is Wrangler National Patriot Night. All veterans, active military AND first responders will receive FREE admission – all you have to do is show your ID or badge at the box office in exchange for your ticket. A portion of the funds from this performance will go to the McCormick Institute, a local charity that helps military men and women through therapeutic horseback riding.
Saturday April 8th is Family Day AND Tough Enough To Wear Pink – so break out your favourite pink outfit to help the RNCFR raise awareness for breast cancer. Kids 12 and under will get FREE admission & can enjoy a bounce house, rodeo games, face painting, zip-lining and more!
Sunday afternoon (finals) is Champions Day and Showdown Sunday! Finals start at 2pm & get ready to see the contestants win some serious money.
You can be involved in the celebrations by coming to the RNCFR this April 6th through the 9th by purchasing your tickets here RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo Tickets – we can’t wait to see you and your family at one or all of the performances this year!
Note for ALL performances per the RNCFR website: Reserved seating to this performance is $20 per person. Children ages 2-12 are free (child ticket required) when accompanied by a paying adult and seniors 55+ receive $3 off. Doors to arena open at 10:00 a.m. and the performance begins at 11:00 a.m. sharp. Kids ages 2-12 are free (child ticket required) when accompanied by a paying adult.
You can find the complete schedule of events right here by clicking on this hyperlink: Event Schedule – RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo
We can’t wait to see you at the rodeo!
As always thanks for stopping by, stay safe & God Bless!
~~ International Cowgirl
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