Minnesota Horse Council

Earle Dickinson: 2007 Pioneer Horseman Award Recipient

markward@windyridgeranch.com (Mark Ward) — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 14:30:26 EST

The 2007 Pioneer Horseman Award: Earle Dickinson

Aug. 20, 1928 - Oct. 8, 2006

The Minnesota Horse Council PIONEER HORSEMAN award honors those individuals from past years whose expert- ise and contributions made long-lasting positive changes in the equine industry. The seventh award recipient is Earle Dickinson of Bemidji, Minnesota.

Dickinson was involved in the horse industry from early childhood. His parents, former Senator and Representative Leonard and Agnes Jacobson Dickinson, owned the Buena Vista Ranch just north of Bemidji. They raised draft horses, Quarter Horses and Columbia sheep. Dickinson wanted to be a cowboy. His father bought him a pony named Dixie, a pair of boots and chaps, and a guitar. His life was filled with song. He pursued his education at various colleges including his studies in Agriculture at the University of Minnesota. While there, he sang in the men's choir.

Dickinson showed horses and sheep locally and at the Minnesota State Fair. At the county fair, he would have his team and wagon to give rides and share stories about the older way of life. He also won many ribbons!

Dickinson and his father enjoyed horse trading and all the other aspects of the equine industry: Dickinson was a strong supporter of 4-H throughout his life, attending many shows in which his children and grandchildren participated. He was president of the Beltrami County Fair Board in the 1980's. During his tenure there, the horse programs, both 4H and Open were strengthened and expanded. Later he sponsored many Natural Horsemanship Clinics at his ranch to help others learn more humane and safe ways of handling their horses.

He expanded the Buena Vista Ski Area, alongside the Buena Vista Ranch, and added a Logging Village. He recreated an old logging town which became the site for wagon trains, trail rides, Logging Days and other community events. Along with his father and friend Benhart Rajala, he created the Annual Buena Vista Logging Days Festival. It is an event where live-action logging demonstrations are tied in with old time stories, an induction of
real lumberjacks into the Hall of Fame and the combining of talents of local individuals.

Dickinson drove a covered wagon pulled by his Belgians, King and Jack, in the June 1991 Itasca State Park Centennial Wagon Train (He drove the Little Falls to ltasca State Park leg, and his wife actually walked alongside the wagon for the exercise!) He sponsored many trail rides where he would share stories of cowboys and loggers and share songs of the west. According to Joe Waslaski of Gold Mine Ranch, Dickinson was "a horseman, a woodsman, a logging historian...was loved for his genuine smile, engaging personality, his kindness, his diverse talents and his strong character. He was the archetype of a Minnesota...entrepreneur and a rugged individualist."

His legacy lives on in all of those whose lives were touched by his knowledge and kindness and his love of the equine world.

Previous Pioneer Awards

markward@windyridgeranch.com (Mark Ward) — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 05:44:10 EST

Previous Pioneer Awards

2010	Lyle Anderson Jr.	(Aug 21, 1917 - Aug 28, 1973)
2009	Norman C Strohfus	( 1942 - Dec 7, 2008)
2008	Stanley D Sahlstrom	(Apr 15, 1921 - Jun 11, 2008)
2007	Earle Dickinson	(Aug 20, 1928 - Oct 8, 2006)
2006	Bill Robbins	(Jul 4, 1932 - Feb 18, 2005)
2005	Max von Bluecher	( 1921 - Sep 11, 2004)
2004	Ronald Charles Davis	( 1947 - May 31, 2004)
2002	Paul John Riley	(Jun 19, 1927 - Oct 25, 2001)
2001	Wade Page	( )
2001	Daniel Gainey	( 1897 - 1979)

Stanley D. Sahlstrom: 2008 Pioneer Horseman Award Recipient

markward@windyridgeranch.com (Mark Ward) — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 05:24:29 EST

The 2008 Pioneer Horseman Award Recipient is Stan Sahlstrom

Stanley D. Sahlstrom
Apr 15, 1921 - Jun 11, 2008

Stan Sahlstrom was truly one of the pioneers in Minnesota horse history.

He grew up working with horses on the family farm. During WWII, Stan assisted with the rescue of the famed Lipizaner horses in Austria. After the war, he returned to the Milaca, MN area and resumed teaching. In 1950, he went to the US Calvary Farm in Vermont and purchased 15 horses for himself & some investors (mainly other teachers at the college). These horses came to Minnesota, probably the first Morgan breeding stock in the state, and are the foundation of many current Morgan horses. Any Morgans whose pedigrees show ‘Milaca’, ‘Milstans’, ‘Mor-Ayr’, or ‘Sunflower’ horses trace back to this group

In 1959, Stan was one of the founders of the North Central Morgan Association, and served as its first President. He served on the Board of Directors for over 30 years, and served 6 years on the Board of the national Morgan Horse Club.

In 1965, Stan became Provost of the new Crookston campus of the University of Minnesota, and remained as Provost for the next twenty years. He is often called the ‘founding father’ of the Crookston campus. Stan was instrumental in starting the Light Horse Management Program at the Crookston campus, and seeing that the school had a working stable, breeding, training, and showing horses. Hundreds of the currently active horse trainers, breeders, and instructors in Minnesota are graduates of this program.

After retiring, Stan served two terms on the University Board of Regents, and was involved in getting the Daniel Gainey Arabian Farm in Owatonna converted into a college Training & Conference Center.

In 1998, Stan was the first recipient of the University of Minnesota, Crookston Equine Program’s STAN award (Spirit, Talent, Attitude, and Neighborliness) for his service to the equine industry.

Stan was an active horse show judge for many years, judging at State Fairs, County Fairs, and saddle club & 4-H shows. He was known for ‘coaching’ novices in the line-up, explaining to them their problems in the class, and how to deal with them.

In his own horses, Stan favored ‘old-style’ Morgans, with classic Morgan size & structure, and he favored the traditional bay, black, & chestnut colors. He also insisted on true Morgan temperament and conformation. He sold his last horses when he reached age 80, but continued involvement with the breed. In 2006, at age 85, he presented the award for Grand Champion Mare at the North Star Morgan Show. Stan had always valued the great broodmares of the herd, saying they were even more valueable than the breeding stallion.

Stan’ was a pioneer in the Minnesota horse industry, and his legacy lives on -- in the stock he raised, in the breed association he help found, in the horse program he started at the Crookston campus, and in the hundreds of horse people he has touched as breeder, judge, and teacher.

2010 Horseperson of the Year: Mary Abbott Taylor

markward@windyridgeranch.com (Mark Ward) — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 17:55:06 EST

Mary Abbot Taylor

On Saturday, January 15, 2011 the Minnesota Horse Council recognized Mary Abbot Taylor of Ogilvie, MN as the 2010 HORSE PERSON OF THE YEAR at the Annual Meeting held at the Northland Inn in Brooklyn Park.

Taylor had been nominated by Anita Grant and the MN Arabian Horse Association based on her many years of dedication, not just to their own organization, but because of her involvement and contributions over her lifetime to so many young people she has touched in the equine world.

Dawn Moore, Mary Abbott Taylor, and Mark Ward (Photo by Courtney Church)

Taylor started with her first horse, Amos, a black grade gelding, back in 1944. She was a member of the Steeplechase Riding Club in Hopkins, MN while in high school. She started volunteering at the Minneapolis Saddle & Bridle Club shows until she graduated from High School. Over these few years, she was fortunate to own and show a variety of different breeds as well as mixed breed horses.

After high school, Taylor left MN to work at an Arabian horse Ranch in Cheyenne Wyoming. This particular ranch where she was working just so happened to be owned by Anna Best-Joder, editor and publisher of the first Arabian magazine, The Arabian Horse News. Not only did she get to work with horses, but she also became the ‘go-fer' for the magazine. As part of her WY experience, she was involved in putting on the first Arabian horse show in WY. Taylor was able to ride and attend shows in CO and participate in the Cheyenne Frontier Day Parade, and at these events, she was introduced to many of the big time Arabian breeders and trainers of that era.

It was not until 1950 that she purchased her first Arabian horse, which was from Daniel Gainey, Gainey Arabians of Owatonna, MN. Daniel Gainey was, by the way, recognized in 2001 with our Pioneer Award honor for all he had done in his lifetime to the horse industry in MN.

In 1951, Taylor started working at the Campbell Farm, and eventually became co-manager. While working there, she started coordinating and running horse shows, many of which were open to any breed, and they all included multiple disciplines, including western English, jumping, and driving both pleasure and carriage. As a riding instructor, she taught many to ride horses, some of whom are still riding today. She was a 4-H leader for Hennepin County and participated in hosting clinics for young children and adults alike.

By 1954, Taylor was ready for a new challenge. Taylor and a few others founded the MN Arabian Horse Association which still exists today. By 1955 and '56, she had put on the first two MN Arabian Horse Association horse shows and also participated herself in the 1955 MN State Fair's first Native Arabian Costume Class which is still a huge draw even today. Taylor served as VP, Secretary, President and chaired several committees for MAHA, while still working her full time job and putting on horse shows on the side.

In 1972, Taylor and her husband, Bob, were given the Governors Trophy by the MAHA in appreciation for all their dedication and countless hours over the prior three decades. That was 38 years ago and Taylor is still going strong. Without revealing her age, Taylor is perhaps the oldest person to ever be awarded the Horse person of the Year award and she still continues to be involved with various organizations even today that keep her active in the equine world.

Over the past 3 decades, Taylor began to get involved with Carriage driving and even today, well into her 80's she is still a contributing member of the carriage shows and drives. Taylor was the 1993 President for the MN Whips & Wheels Carriage & Driving Association. In the mid 90's Taylor moved to the Mora/Ogilvie area and started organizing a new carriage and driving club called the North Country Carriage Club, of which Taylor served as President and secretary for many years. Taylor continues to stay active in carriage and driving events, participating at the St Croix Horse & Carriage Society events, the Sleigh and Cutter Festival and has even spent many years working the MAHA booth at the MN Horse Expo. Taylor and her husband have brought carriages for display, and today they still continue to be involved with the Whips & Wheels and St Croix booths at EXPO.

Taylor continues to touch people's lives in the horse industry and many people attended the event just to witness her being honored with this award. Taylor also continues to stay involved and support those that are learning, and while most people her age are in retirement homes, she continues to educate herself with new equine adventures. She is still learning Dressage Driving at the carriage events and loves to learn. Taylor credits the horses with keeping her young at heart, mind and body.

2011 Scholarship Recipients

markward@windyridgeranch.com (Mark Ward) — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 17:52:21 EST

Previous Scholarship Recipients

2011

The Minnesota Horse Council proudly congratulates their scholarship winners at the January 16^th, 2010 annual meeting and dinner. Please join us in extending our congratulations and well wishes to the following students:

McKenna Caspers           Colorado State University

Angie Esselman            University of WI - River Falls

Danielle Gunder           University of Mn

Lauren Haverstock         University of Mn Vet School

Alexandra Hemingson       South Dakota State University

Philip Kieffer            University of MN Vet School

Casey Rabbe               University of Mn Vet School

Hannah Rivard             Northwestern College

Kelly Sobczak             University of WI - River Falls

Kristi Takasaki           University of Wi - River Falls

Michelle Wiberg           University of Mn Vet School

MHC Certified Rescues Program

markward@windyridgeranch.com (Mark Ward) — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 12:11:52 EST

Certified Rescues Program

As aid to those individuals that want to donate time, money or resources to equine rescue facilities, the Minnesota Horse Council believes it is imperative to identify and recognize rescues that meet standards of care. In order to become certified, a rescue facility must show they have non-profit status and that they meet or exceed the AAEP guidelines for equine rescues and retirement facilities. The guidelines are available at aaep.org. The Minnesota Horse Council lists the following stables and rescue organizations that meet it's certification guidelines, but does not warrant or endorse these organizations for any other purpose. There are also other stables and rescues listed in our Minnesota Horsemen's Directory.

To date, two rescue organizations have met our standards:

Sundown Horse Shelter in Hugo
www.sundownhorseshelter.org
Contact: Cherie Mackenzie

MN Hooved Animal Rescue in Zimmerman
www.mnhoovedanimalrescue.org
Contact: Drew Fitzpatrick

If you are a rescue facility that would like to be certified, please review the guidelines and then contact our Certified Rescues Program.

Certified Rescues Program

markward@windyridgeranch.com (Mark Ward) — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 12:08:56 EST

Certified Rescues Program

To date, two rescue organizations have met our standards:

Sundown Horse Shelter in Hugo
www.sundownhorseshelter.org
Contact: Cherie Mackenzie

MN Hooved Animal Rescue in Zimmerman
www.mnhoovedanimalrescue.org
Contact: Drew Fitzpatrick

Certified Rescues Program

markward@windyridgeranch.com (Mark Ward) — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 12:02:46 EST

Certified Rescues Program

To date, two rescue organizations have met our standards:

Sundown Horse Shelter in Hugo
www.sundownhorseshelter.org
Contact: Cherie Mackenzie

MN Hooved Animal Rescue in Zimmerman
www.mnhoovedanimalrescue.org
Contact: Drew Fitzpatrick

2001 Scholarship Recipients

markward@windyridgeranch.com (Mark Ward) — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 03:03:05 EDT

2001

The scholarships are funded by a bequest from Tony Gasser, the Minnesota Horse Expo and the Minnesota Horse Council. This year five scholarships were awarded at the Minnesota Horse Council Annual Meeting on January 13, 2001 at the Northland Inn.

Angie Buehl University of Wisconsin, River Falls.
Brian Dahms University of Minnesota.
Leah Olson University of Minnesota.
Lori King University of Minnesota.
Patty Brown University of Minnesota.

2002 Scholarship Recipients

markward@windyridgeranch.com (Mark Ward) — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 02:55:02 EDT

2002

The Minnesota Horse Council proudly congratulates their 2002 scholarship winners. Please join us in extending our congratulations and well wishes to the following students:

Amanda Bruce University of Minnesota - St. Paul
Kathy Burma University of Minnesota - St. Paul
Jason Johnson University of Minnesota - St. Paul
Christy Klatt University of Minnesota - St. Paul
Megan Klein Ridgewater College
Teri Laschkewitsch University of Minnesota - St. Paul
Jessica Louwagie Colorado State University
Lindsay Jo Raygor University of Minnesota - St. Paul
Kate Wagner University of Minnesota - St. Paul