Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Horse Master with Julie Goodnight Wins Aegis Video Production Award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Horse Master with Julie Goodnight Wins Aegis Video Production Award

Contact:
Goodnight Training Stables, Inc.
PO Box 397
Poncha Springs CO 81242
(719) 530-0531
fax (719) 530-0939
press@juliegoodnight.com

High Resolution Photos to Download:
http://www.juliegoodnight.com/press/HMDVDCOs1s1.jpg
Photos of Goodnight and Nyland available upon request

PONCHA SPRINGS, Colo. May 1, 2008
—  Julie Goodnight (of Poncha Springs, Colroado) and Heidi Nyland (of Longmont, Colorado) won a 2008 Aegis Finalist Award for production of a 28-minute episode of Goodnight’s television show, Horse Master (airing on RFD-TV each Wednesday at 5:30 EST). The Aegis Awards are the video industry's premier competition for peer recognition of outstanding video productions and non-network TV commercials.

"Horse Master with Julie Goodnight" was honored in the "Training / Education" category for its outstanding production quality by a distinguished panel of judges representing industry professionals from around the country. The episode entitled “The Next Level,” showing longtime rider Sharon Gilbert (getting in shape after her recent surgery) and her horse Manassis (a dressage horse trained to the fourth-level) featured Goodnight teaching Gilbert to ride with collection and improve daily workouts in preparation for show season. The episode was filmed during the show’s premiere filming at Meadow Creek Farms in Longmont, Colorado. The episode is one of 24 Horse Master with Julie Goodnight episodes that began airing January 2, 2008.

A DVD of the entire Longmont, Colorado filming (including five episodes and bonus Quick Tips) is now available for $29.95 at http://juliegoodnight.com/products.html

More about Goodnight:
You know Goodnight as The Horse Master on her new RFD-TV television show. Through her varied background—riding and training horses in dressage, jumping, racing, reining, colt-starting, versatility ranch work, and wilderness riding—Julie has discovered the underlying principles important to any type of riding. She communicates clearly with horses and riders in any discipline and at any level. Julie travels coast-to-coast—and beyond—throughout much of the year to help horses and riders at horse expos, conferences, clinics, and while filming for her television “makeover” show. Julie has been featured in the top equestrian publications, including Western Horseman, Horse & Rider, Equus, Perfect Horse, The Trail Rider and America’s Horse. Her syndicated columns appear in over 15 regional publications throughout North America. Her interactive websites, juliegoodnight.com and horsemaster.tv reach an even wider audience. Julie is also the International Spokesperson for the Certified Horsemanship Association—known as CHA. She resides near Salida, Colorado, at her private horse ranch with her husband, Rich Moorhead, the CEO of Monarch Mountain Ski Area.

About Nyland:
Through The Whole Picture, Heidi Nyland assists with production, editing, journalism, public relations writing, web design, and photography needs. Nyland holds a bachelor's degree from Ohio Wesleyan University and a master's degree in journalism from the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University. Her horse-related stories, produced video segments and photographs are seen regularly in nationally respected equine publications and on RFD-TV. Nyland is also an author of Western Horseman's Legends and a photographer for The Revolution in Horsemanship. Her still photos have won multiple titles including awards from the Equine Photographer's Network and an AIM Award. She currently produces Horse Master with Julie Goodnight and manages Goodnight’s PR, marketing and photography needs. Find out more at www.wholepicture.org
 
###

Monday, April 28, 2008

Circle Y Saddles Partners with Julie Goodnight

For immediate release.


Contact:

Circle Y-Anne Fordyce

361-293-3501 pafordyce@tuckersaddles.com <mailto:pafordyce@tuckersaddles.com>

Goodnight-Heidi Nyland

303-903-1349 press@juliegoodnight.com <mailto:heidi@juliegoodnight.com>



CIRCLE Y SADDLES PARTNERS WITH JULIE GOODNIGHT



(April 25, 2008) Yoakum, TX…Circle Y Saddles, Inc, America’s Leading Saddle Brand, welcomes internationally renowned clinician and trainer Julie Goodnight to its Team Of Champions. The Julie Goodnight and Circle Y partnership brings horse owners quality products and superior knowledge in saddles and their use. The original Flex2® saddles by Circle Y provide Goodnight, and her many fans, better fit and comfort for both horse and rider.



“I’m thrilled to be part of the Circle Y team,” Goodnight says. “I’ve ridden in so many comfortable Circle Y saddles over the years and I’m proud to officially endorse the line. I’ve been riding in the Flex2 at horse expos—the slightly flexible tree allows for plenty of support and weight distribution for the horse and puts me very close to the horse—in just the right spot on his back for a balanced ride and good control. The Flex2 saddles are light weight and are comfortable right out of the box. These are high-quality saddles at a great price.”

Goodnight has more than a quarter-century of experience, ranging from dressage and jumping to racing, reining, cutting, and wilderness riding. Her upbeat and logical style of teaching applies to her “Communicating Clearly with Horses and Riders” philosophy. Headlining at most of the horse expos and similar venues, Goodnight provides training and instruction to riders of many different disciplines. She is frequently featured in national magazines, and now has her own TV show, Horse Master With Julie Goodnight, seen on RFD-TV each Wednesday at 5:30 EST (available on Dish channel 231 or 9398 and DirecTV channel 379).

The Circle Y Flex2® tree technology is built into saddles for barrel racing, showing, competitive events, and for trail riding. The Flex2® tree conforms to the horse for better fit, and is lightweight-a plus for both horse and rider. Circle Y Saddles has long been recognized as the leader in style, innovation and craftsmanship. “Circle Y and Julie Goodnight are a natural fit. Her knowledge and ability to connect with riders and their horses, helps saddle buyers make informed decisions, ensuring they get the most pleasure and performance from their horse,” said Mark Jemelka, Vice President and General Manager of Circle Y Saddles.



For a free Circle Y catalog visit www.circley.com <http://www.circley.com/> . For more information about Julie Goodnight and Horse Master With Julie Goodnight visit www.juliegoodnight.com <http://www.juliegoodnight.com/> and www.horsemaster.tv <http://www.horsemaster.tv>



###

Monday, April 7, 2008

Julie Goodnight Releases First Horse Master DVD

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Julie Goodnight Releases First Horse Master DVD

Contact:
Goodnight Training Stables, Inc.
PO Box 397
Poncha Springs CO 81242
(719) 530-0531
fax (719) 530-0939

High Resolution Photos to Download:
http://www.juliegoodnight.com/press/HMDVDCOs1s1.jpg

PONCHA SPRINGS, Colo. April 6, 2008—Julie Goodnight announces the release of her first Horse Master TV-Show DVD—a compilation of the five episodes filmed in Longmont, Colorado’s Meadow Creek Farms—now available at http://www.juliegoodnight.com/products.html for $29.95. As a bonus, if you purchase from April 15 to May 31, 2008, Goodnight will autograph your copy of the DVD!

Do you wish you could see Goodnight's new TV show, but don't get RFD-TV? Episodes include desensitizing a spooky trail horse, building confidence in a scared horse and rider, collection for an advanced dressage rider, teaching ground manners to a young Andalusian, and helping a youth rider gain more control of the horse that is taking advantage of her. DVD also includes bonus features- "Quick Tips" from Julie Goodnight.

Goodnight—known for her easy to understand teaching style and her appearances at horse expos everywhere—works with a new equestrian and equine in each episode. You’ll get to know each rider and all she hopes to achieve with her horse. Next you’ll meet the horse—and see the problems that keep the rider’s goal from becoming reality. As the horse master, Goodnight steps in to work with each horse then trains the rider to be the best leader possible. Each rider gains skills and learns training tips to help her master her dreams.

Goodnight began the series on her own turf—in the heart of Colorado. In the premiere episode, filmed at Meadow Creek Farms in Longmont— http://www.meadowcreekfarms.net — Goodnight meets Pam and Spanky. Spanky often spooks on the trail and isn’t always a fun mount to rely upon. Goodnight teaches Pam how to use the flag to advance and retreat—teaching her horse to be calm with any scary stimulus. Pam also learns a head down cue to practice on the ground and from the saddle.

Next is Helen and her Friesian named Pieter. The pair is recuperating after two intense accidents. Goodnight helps Helen relax, create a plan, and begin to confidently work with her tall horse. You’ll see the spooks and learn how to teach your horse to relax with advance and retreat techniques.

After Sharon’s recent surgery, she’s excited to get in shape for show season and learn the skills she needs to be the best rider possible for her experienced dressage horse. Sharon looks to Goodnight to learn collection techniques. Stay tuned for a great story of a beautiful horse and his dedicated rider.

In the next episodes, Goodnight helps a youth rider learn to work with her new horse—and prepare for upcoming 4-H shows. She’ll help young Kelsey take charge—and avoid getting pushed and prodded by her too-friendly horse.

Watch Goodnight work with Pamela—a veteran horse owner with a youngster who is quite a handful. You’ll learn what to do with a pushy foal and how to teach a filly how to behave like a lady. Stop her from being pushy on the ground and start to teach her the manners you demand.

You’ll find great tips and lessons within each rider’s progress story. Join Julie Goodnight and learn how you can be the ultimate, confident, calm, and kind horse master.

Call to Action
Do you think you and your horse have the perfect story and problem for the Horse Master? Goodnight will film her next episodes at her home ranch in Colorado (filming June 10-12, 2008) and Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts (September 2-5, 2008). Download an application at http://www.horsemaster.tv

Limited commercial advertising space is still available. Contact horsemaster@juliegoodnight.com for information. Contracts are available for six months and one-year terms. Expand your product’s reach by branching out to TV advertising. Target your brand to women horse owners watching an all-female-produced show.

Review copies available by contacting press@juliegoodnight.com

Visit http://www.juliegoodnight.com and http://www.horsemaster.tv for more information about the show, or to shop at Goodnight’s online store—stocked with DVDs, training supplies and logo wear. Sign up for Goodnight’s press release list and Tip of the Month column at http://juliegoodnight.com/newsroom.html

###

Saturday, April 5, 2008

Julie Goodnight Tip of the Month for April

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Julie Goodnight Tip of the Month for April

Contact:
Goodnight Training Stables, Inc.
PO Box 397, Poncha Springs, CO 81242
(719) 530-0531
press@juliegoodnight.com

 
PONCHA SPRINGS, Colo. April 5, 2008— Have you ever had an ad drop out at the last moment—or a space that didn’t sell before printing deadline? Or has someone turned in a story that’s just a little too short? Julie Goodnight to the rescue. Goodnight provides a tip each month for use when you, as an editor, need just a little more content or a great quip to fill out your magazine. Tips may be edited for style, length and content. Content is provided free of charge. Here’s one of 12 tips to help you when you’re in a layout crunch . . .

Minding Manners at Feed Time
Is your horse cranky at feed time? Does he pin his ears, bare his teeth and stomp his feet? Or worse, does he grab the hay out of your arms and shove you aside? If your horse has bad manners at feed time, he may be displaying aggressive and dominant behavior because he thinks his actions are making you feed him. While this kind of behavior can be dangerous, it can also erode your authority with the horse and make him difficult to handle in other situations.

Horses establish dominance in the herd, in part, by controlling the feed—the dominant horse can take away the feed of a more subordinate horse. If your horse comes to believe his antics are making you surrender the feed to him, in his mind, that means he’s dominant. If your horse has bad feed-time manners, take a training flag with you and wave it at him; once he backs up and looks at you with his ears forward, throw him the feed and walk away. This and other behavioral problems are thoroughly explained in articles and on instructional videos available at www.JulieGoodnight.com <http://www.JulieGoodnight.com> .

END OF SHORT VERSION, PROCEED AS SPACE ALLOWS.

Horses develop this kind of bad behavior from anxiety over their feed and because they have been inadvertently rewarded for bad behavior. In the wild, horses eat small amounts all day long; constantly roaming in order to find suitable forage. In domestication, we have confined horses and generally feed them in two rations of very concentrated feed, leaving them to go for long periods without eating. For this reason, horses can have a lot of anxiety around feed time.
In acting out his anxiety, your horse one day arbitrarily displayed some emotional behavior, like pinning his ears or stomping his feet. Then someone came along and fed him and he made an association, right or wrong, between his bad behavior and getting fed. So the next day, he tried it again and low and behold, he got fed again! Remember, he doesn’t understand the human world and your plans and routine. He not only believes his antics are causing you to feed him, but he also thinks he’s taking away the food from you and in his world—that means he’s dominant.

Whatever your horse is doing at the moment you release him (or reward him) is what you are training him to do. That’s why timing is such a critical part of horse training. If you just take a few moments to back the horse up and wait for him to display respectful behavior before giving him the feed, his bad manners will disappear and he will become more respectful of you as his leader.
Learning to think like a horse, instead of a human is one of our most difficult challenges in working with horses. My groundwork videos give lots of information on horse behavior and specific exercises you can do with your horse, teaching you to be the leader your horse needs you to be.

For more information on this and many other important topics, please check out the archived articles on my website.
—Julie Goodnight, juliegoodnight.com