Arabians Become Champions (Continued from Page A 22) one,” said Craig. Her long-running relationship has taught her how to communi cate with each horse, a skill vi tally important in the show ring. One of Craig’s favorite classes, a trail class with an obstacle course, requires constant com munication between horse and rider. “To learn to do that well you have to really have good com munication with your horse,” she said. “I’ve had the opportunity to watch the horse grow up in the herd and see the way they react with each other, so I can put myself in the posttionas a boss that they respect but are not afraid of. “When I’m on their back they already know me. I become very firm and set standards and make those standards clear to them from the beginning,” she said. “I develop a simple set of commands that they know and follow them. “For the show ring, I pick a horse that is cooperative to work with. Flag was easygoing and accepting of guidance, besides being naturally gifted.” Flag’s training, although conducted every day, was not necessarily intense. “Since younger horses are not developed especially Ara bians, who do not mature until they art five I keep the work load pleasant.” Horses must learn to keep their head quiet, or held in posi tion while performing different gaits and maneuvers in the ring. In the .b*intqfo glasses, fhe horse’s head should be straight, almost vertical, and just above the withers. Judges are also looking for balance and the horse moving in a correct frame, ohfeh makes a pretty picture, she said la, the English pleasure classes, the horse is more stylish and carries itself higher, and Western seat calls for shorter strides and a slower gait. Craig’s horses may compete in these various classes. Country Cadi lac, for example, won in all three divisions last year in the ama teur circuit. At the 2001 KILE competi tion, Craig again competed in the battle of the breeds, a seven class event which pits a variety of breeds against one another in pleasure, hunter hack, pleasure driving, western pleasure, west ern riding, timed obstacle, and barrel racing classes. Two judges evaluate the event. Twelve horses and riders competed in this year’s event. Since 1990, the first year Craig competed in the battle of the breeds, she has won seven years on five different horses, taking home the last four titles. “I find this competition fasci nating and fun. I’ve always en joyed doing different things with «achiiorse,” she said. A few younger horsee thet will appear in the ring in the future show seasons also reside on the farm. * r * Ckutom Mfflemffiddlngi Garages-Commercial Agricultural-Horse Barns/Arenas At KILE’S Battle of the Breeds competition, Craig has experienced success in the barrel racing class with her athletic animals. Don’t Settle for a “stock” building Purchase a Custom Post-Frame Building by Conestoga Buildings Call today for your free estimate and brochures Company Employed Crews for Construction Maintenance-free Painted Steel with 25-Year Warranty - your choice of painted color on roofing, aiding, and triml - Other options available is good for a limited delivery area and until December 31. 2001. \ m ie ifflf x^ viii^ Conestoga 1 OAA CAA QACA I UV/VT«/ I I /TVT 292 OrUn Road I New Holland, PA 17557 Lancaster Farming, Saturday, December 15,2001-A23 (Continued from Page AID) Palm Pilot Databases and Spreadsheets Workshop, Adams County Extension Office, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m., (717) 840-7408. Ephrata Area Young Farmers Christmas Event, Ephrata Senior High School, 7:30 p.m. Holstein Event Central Region Show and Election Meeting, Pa. Holstein Office, State Col lege, 10:30 a.m. Drought Emergency Public Hearing for Delaware Water Basin, Del. River Basin Com inissionJVestT^onton^JJ. (JmoExtcnslonßegira omy School, Waldo, Ohio, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m., (419) 947- 1070 and Urbana, Ohio, (937) 652-2204. Ohio Extension Human Re sources Training for Live stock Farm Managers, Bucyrus Public Library, noon -4:30 p.m., (419) 562-8731. Business Sense Management Training for Dairy CFOs, first of three in North Central Pa., 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m., also Jan. 24 and Feb. 7. Pa. Beef Council Annual meet ing, Holiday Inn, Grantville, (717)939-7000. Manure Hauler Certification Training, Berks County Ag Center, Leesport, 8:30 a.m.- 2:45 p.m., (814) 865-2987. Pa. Agricultural Advisory Board meeting, Room 105, Rachel ' Carson State Office Building, 400 N. Market St., Harris burg. (717) 787-5236. Premium Agricultural Building Offer 32* x 40x12* Storage Bußdteg (1) 15’x12* Split Slider Doors on End (1) 16’x10’ Overhead Garage Door (1) Solid Steel, Entry Door 2' Side Light • one side 12" Vented Have and Gable Overhangs 40’ Ridge Ventilation 25-Year Painted Metal Roofing and Siding The above options, delivery, taxes, materials, and construction of this building are Included in the price. Site preparation and permits, if required. are the responsibility of the customer. Above price omy School, Dresden United Methodist Church, (740) 454- 0144. MCTO^Chnstmas! Lancaster Far min office closed. Happ^ewYear! TwoUayßaslc Dairy Farm Management Workshop, Lan caster Farm and Home Center. Also Jan. 10. Maryland Grain Marketing Meeting, Howard Johnson, Millington, Md. Study Circle on Forcing Peren nials, Kutztown Produce Auc tion, 7 p.m.-9 p.m., (610) 378- tion Sale Meeting, Ramada Inn, New Stanton, 11 a.m. Virginia North Carolina Shep herd’s Symposium, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Scott Show Complex, Harrisburg, thru Jan. 10. Virginia Bred Commercial Ewe Lamb Sale, Virginia Tech, Dept, of Animal and Poultry Science, Blacksburg, (540) Dairy Management N.W. Pa., Meadville. Also Jan. 8. i. Inc