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Volz's
Mountain Horses to show at Hoosier Horse Fair
Cindy DiFazio, Staff Writer
Jason and Christi Volz of Osgood, along with two-year old son, Blake,
and Jasons parents, John and Theresa Volz, raise, breed and
show Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horses. They have 19 of the horses
on John and Theresas farm just outside Osgood, and are expecting
four foals this spring.
Christi is also expecting later in the summer, so she has been replaced
by other riders in most of this years shows. It doesnt,
however, prevent her from being very involved in the care and training
of the animals.
Even little Blake is included in this family affair. Christi says
she first put Blake up on a horse when he was just seven months
old. He was a natural. Christi reported that Blake participated
in a show at Logansport, riding on Diamond. He rode in Lead Line
Class with Jasons help. Blake was required to back the horse
up three steps then bring him back to the front without dads
assistance. He and Diamond performed flawlessly.
From Friday, March 30 through Sunday, April 1, Jason and other members
of the Indiana Gaited Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse Drill Team
will participate in the Hoosier Horse Fair & Expo 2007 at the
Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis. The 3-day event will
begin on Friday morning with a trail ride which will arrive at the
Pepsi Coliseum at 11:00 a.m. The drill team will perform with flags
at 4:00 p.m. Saturdays performance is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.
and Sundays at 11:00 a.m. All performances will be in the
Pepsi Coliseum.
The Indiana Gaited Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse Drill Team has
10 members. They are also members of the Indiana Club of the Kentucky
Mountain Saddle Horse Association which boasts about 200 members.
They perform at many events throughout the region. Last September,
the team opened the Special Olympics in Danville. Two members with
disabilities participated.
Kentucky Mountain Horses are bred for their temperament and gait.
According to gaitedhorse.com, the saddle gait is recognized
and defined as a natural, four-beat gait (i.e. no artificial means
used). This gait is smooth, even and very comfortable to the rider.
The Volzs agree. They train their own horses as well as others.
You can do so many things with these horses, noted Jason.
Jason and Christi not only show them, they ride them up into the
hills for what Christi termed extreme riding.
Jason will ride the stallion, Smokey McGuire, at the Hoosier Horse
Fair. Smokeys sire, Blue Man McGuire, was a national champion.
Advance tickets for the Hoosier Horse Fair are available locally
at Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance . Advance tickets are $12 for adults,
$4 for children 7-12. Tickets at the door will run $15 for adults,
$6 for children 7-12. Children 6 and under get in free.
For more information about the Hoosier Horse Fair & Expo, call
the Indiana Horse Council at 317-692-7141 or visit their website
www.indianahorsecoun cil.org.
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CINDY DI FAZIO PHOTO
Pictured are Jason and Christi Volz, along with two-year
old son, Blake. The whole family enjoys riding Kentucky
Mountain Saddle Horses and participating in horse shows
throughout the region.
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