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Deepest Symphathies

The GRHC would like to send our condolences to long time GRHC member, Besty Speeter, who recently lost her husband to cancer.
Besty is a wonderful, warm person who has been attending our rides along with her many riding buddies for years now. She is always helping others. She makes sure that her ridding buddies get to the GRHC events by arranging rides for them in various horse trailers.
Again, Betsy, our deepest sympathies go out to you and your family.

Tammy Sapowsky - All Around Granby Cowgirl

Tammy was horse crazy from the time she was really little; her first memory being at the age of five when her father got her a rank little Shetland pony. She says "I think I was on the ground more than in the saddle with this pony, but I loved him wildly." A few years later the family had a backyard full of horses, some good, some not so good, but all loved. Tammy's mother and grandfather were as horse crazy as she was and she spent my teenage years on horseback. As a teenager, she showed many home trained, home grown horses. As time moved on and college came, she was down to one horse that she had to sell because she could not afford to go to college and own a horse. She sold her prized quarter horse gelding, Shark, "one of the biggest regrets of my life" says Tammy. (See Editor's Note below about Shark)

Never losing the passion for her beloved horses, when she turned 40 she talked to her husband about getting a horse again, and her husband, Steve laughed and said, "I'm surprised it took you so long. I knew we'd be horse owners again someday when I married you." Steve, Tammy says, is a kind and wonderful man who has not necessarily ever been bitten by the horse bug, but is a devout animal lover. He says he doesn't speak "horse", but he certainly can communicate with them. All of Tammy's horses love him, he is the giver of the treats.

Perusing through the Quarter Horse Journal one day she came across what would become her first horse after a 21 year hiatus. Many of you know her at the shows as Gracie. She was a wonderful first horse for Tammy, and she would have kept her for life if she had not been bitten by the "cow bug". On a particularly beautiful day about 10 years ago, Sy Cote of Granby, MA introduced Tammy to a disease that is so unspeakably addictive "I can hardly eat, sleep, or work without thinking of it . . . working cattle." says Tammy. "Thank you to my favorite cowboy, Sy, for inflicting me with this most wonderful obsession. From that point forward it was roping, reining, cutting, and working cow horses for me." exclaims Tammy!

Tammy had the opportunity to own two wonderful cow horses, Haidas Olena (Bull) and Smart Cowgirl Lena (Lena) and she had tremendous success with both horses in the American Ranch Horse circuit, the American Quarter Horse Association Versatility Ranch Horse circuit. Her biggest venture now is qualifying and taking Bull to Houston, Texas to show at the Quarter Horse Association's Versatility Ranch Horse World Show. Qualifying took place over the summer of 2011. Tammy's afore mentioned friend, local hero, and GRHC member and longtime friend, Sy Cote of Granby, MA has qualified a few times over the years on his super gelding Ranch Hand Peppy.

The show will be March 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Tammy will be hauling with one of her best friends, Lia Savas. Many of you may remember her as the winner of last fall's Equine Affaire's Versatility Horse Competition. This is the second time Lia has taken a horse to the versatility world show and Tammy says that she is happy to be able to haul with her on such a long trip. They will make the1800 mile trek and are lucky enough to go and hold up for almost a week before the show at the famous Cletus Hulling's Cutting Horse Ranch outside of Houston.
Bull has been working very hard for Tammy but the competition will be incredibly tough. Tammy is the first New Englander to go down and compete at this show. It is a distinct disadvantage to compete with folks that own their own cows and work them in nice weather year round, but she and her horse will go down and give it their level best. She says "My bottom line is that as long as my horse does everything I ask him to do, then it was a successful trip." The Houston Rodeo is the biggest rodeo in the world. "Sometimes I need to pinch myself to think that I am actually going to compete" says Tammy. The competition will consist of conformation, ranch trail, ranch riding, reining, cutting, roping and working cow horse. A true test of a versatility cow horse.

Editor's Note: Shark, Tammy's beloved horse whom she was forced to sell when she went off to college many years ago eventually came back to live with Tammy . She loved him and was able to provide him with a loving home

Dufresne Park Horse Rings Re-dedicatedTo Maheu and Mugnier Families of Granby, MA

On October 16th, 2011 the town of Granby and the Dufresne Park Ad-Hoc committee held a ceremony to re-dedicate the riding arenas in Dufresne Park in Granby. There was a good turnout of groups and individuals who were honored for their help in restoring and refurbishing the horse rings and surrounding grounds. Granby
Regional Horse Council was among the groups that were recognized for their contributions as the certificates of appreciation were awarded. GRHC board members Sabrina Obremski, Jen Moreau, and Carolyn Szklarz represented the GRHC.

Riding arenas are not common in Massachusetts communities, and the volunteer efforts to keep these arenas open and in good repair are necessary and appreciated. Thanks to those who attended the dedication ceremony and a big thank you to all the volunteers
History Of Horse Rings in Granby.

History of Horse Rings

The original rings were built in the1970's by a local 4H club. The GRHC rebuilt the large ring back in 1996 and dedicated it to the Maheu Family with Maheu family patriarch, Ray Maheu, accepting the honor and the official carved wooden sign that was donated by the GRHC. (Sadly, the sign has been stolen and replaced twice and until a way can be found to protect the sign from vandalism and theft, a sign will probably not be erected). The GRHC added the announcer's both a few years later. The smaller ring was rebuilt this past year with funds from the adhoc committee and the labor of several including the GRHC. The dedication was held to honor the Maheu and Mugnier families, specifically in the memory of Charlie and Ray Maheu and George Mugnier. George and Cindy Mugnier owned the old Fox Meadow farm in Granby and raised and trained Morgans for many years there. The Maheus were and still are a well known family in Granby who have been involved with horses for generations. Charlie and George were always active with equine activities in town. Ray Maheu was one of the first official members of the GRHC dating back to 1994 and was an active member until his death a few years ago. Romeo and Michele Maheu are still members and Michele's family, the Dufresne's, donated the land became Dufresne Park. The park is named for her family.