Our Spring Newsletter features articles on: training your three year old by Jackie Brittain, the open house at our new “La Ranchita” property, and the Third Annual MWM Morgan Photo Contest.
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MWM 2012 Morgan Horse Photo Contest Under Way!
Get those cameras out of the closet!  And sort through your Morgan albums…We want your very best Morgan Horse Photos in our Third Annual All Morgan Photo Contest. Â
Entry is free and there are fun prizes for the top three photos.Â
This year we are really excited and honored to announce a new judge…Bob Langrish. Bob has too many photographic accomplishments to list here so please visit his website to learn all about his many books, calendars and awards.
Click here… to go to the 2012 MWM Morgan Photo Contest rules and information page
If you would like to see the photos from our 2011 and 2010 Contests
click here
“La Ranchita” Green Horse Property Open House
It was a beautiful Southern California Spring day, as guests arrived at  Merriewold Morgans’ new Huasna Valley horse ranch,”La Ranchita” in Arroyo Grande. Frank Cullen of Cullen Construction,Inc. hosted the party and invited subcontractors, clients, the media and professionals in the building industry who are interested in environmentally sound practices.
The property development was planned from underground to the tops of the roofs with environmentally sustainable horse and ranch management in mind. This exciting and innovative concept was the focus of the day’s event.
Guests were first presented with a catered bounty of appetizers and wine. Then they were given the opportunity to meet and greet during a short social time.
They were all fascinated by the eco-friendly concept and anxiously awaited for the tour to begin. Many spoke of their own pro-active efforts and interests in reducing the environmental impact of ranching in general.
Their short wait was rewarded with an introduction to the architect (Tom Brajkovich), Project Manager (Paul Trent), sub-contractors and designers of the project by the General Contractor, Frank Cullen.
Frank explained how the 2 year project was managed as a collaborative team effort to achieve the goal of creating this very unique ranch.
Then Tom Brajkovich followed with a quick overview of his journey with Don & Diana, owners of Merriewold Morgans, beginning 3 years ago when they first came to him with their vision of building a Green Horse Property.
Tom was brought to Huasna Valley and then they explained their concept of state-of-the-art facilities designed from the ground…up with sustainability in mind.
Structures were to include a Grooms quarters/shop/hay barn combo, the horse stables, run-in barns, round pen and pastures, a regulation size covered arena, a house for the Ranch Manager/Trainer, Jackie Brittain and the main residence for Don & Diana.
Frank then spoke briefly about some of the engineering that went into the re-use of water, environmentally safe materials, and other sustainable technologies and management practices.
He also touched on some of the challenges of the landscape designer, Linda Shotwell to follow the eco-friendly concept, but also use native plants that would be draught tolerant, wildlife resistant and non-toxic to horses.
And finally he spoke of the sub-contractors, carpenter’s and interior designer, (Michele Fanning’s) role in the property development.
Then he directed the crowd to the first building on the tour and everyone enjoyed a leisurely stroll with wine glasses in hand toward the next gathering.
At each structure Frank gave a short overview of the processes and technologies specific to that building.
We will be posting short video clips in the near future of Frank’s tour talks at the Green Horse Property website.
You can also visit the Open House Photo Album to see pics taken throughout the tour and talks
Diana Wold
Merriewold Morgans, Owner
2012 Merriewold Morgans Photo Contest
Grab your cameras! Flip through your photos! Join in the fun and win great prizes! Merriewold Morgans is having our 3rd Annual photo contest celebrating the Magnificent Morgan Horse. Entry is FREE and will be judged by Internationally renowned equestrian photographer, Bob Langrish.
Work will be judged on the following criteria
- Effectiveness in conveying the beauty or unique character of the Morgan horse
- Artistic creativity (Unique vision in perspective, action or feeling in the photograph.)
- Natural theme (We are not looking for conformation shots.)
All entries will be displayed at the Merriewold Media Center Gallery. Prizes will be awarded for the top three images. *You can view all the entries in the Photo Contest Album any time during the contest.
| 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place |
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Prizes:
- 1st Place – A size medium, cozy hoodie in navy blue with a Morgan horse graphic and winning text. Donated by Merriewold Morgans. ($75 approx. value)
- 2nd Place – A gift basket with goodies for horse and rider including: braided halter, saddle blanket, riding gloves, lead rope and more. Donated by Farm Supply Company. ($50 approx. value)
- 3rd Place – A two-sided coffee mug. Both sides are the same and have your 3rd place win with a Morgan horse graphic. Donated by deCastro Studios. ($25 approx. value)
How to Enter:
Submit via email by September 1, 2012, 1-3 of your images in the format stated below in the rules. Submit to:Â photos@merriewoldmorgans.com
Rules:
- Amateurs only. (‘amateur’ means you do not get paid for your work.)
- Morgan horses only. (Horses can be at liberty or under saddle.)
- Photography only. No “graphics”, logos or Photoshop-type entries allowed. Minor adjustments such as light/contrast, cropping, etc., is allowed using your favorite graphics/image program.
- You may enter up to 3 images.
- Entries must be received on or before September 1, 2012.
- Email digital files only. No snailmail entries.
- Entries must be .jpg and minimum 400 pixels wide and maximum 600 pixels wide at 72 dpi.
- Your full name and photo title must be included in email. Name your file with title of your photo. I.e., attachment file: myprettymorgan.jpg
Schedule:
- April thru September 1, 2012: Entries received.
- During the month of September: Winners will be notified by email.
- October, 2012: Winners announced in the Fall Newsletter issue. *Sign up for our Newsletter here.
Legals:
- Subscription to our Newsletter is not required to enter.
- Merriewold Morgans, it’s partners nor sponsors are not responsible for any copyright infringement concerning the entries submitted by you and posted on the http://merriewoldmorgans.com website.
- Email submittal of your entries warrants and guarantees that you are the original creator and owner of each entry image.
- No monetary award will be afforded in lieu of prizes.
- By submitting your entry, you acknowledge and give consent for the display of said images on the http://merriewoldmorgans.com website indefinitely and without monetary consideration. Consent also applies to any winning images that “may” be used in advertising campaigns; media promoting or reporting on the contest for this, or coming years.
Judge:
Bob Langrish MBE has established a firm reputation as one of the foremost International equestrian photographers in the world.
After 38 years of specialization in this field, he has built an equestrian photographic library of over 400,000 pictures covering all aspects of the horse. He has completely illustrated well over 100 books and has contributed to over 200 others.
He is most famous for his stunning pictures of horses running free especially arabs and andalucians. He has taken photographs at six Olympic games and travels to the United States of America at least 7 times a year and has flown 1.50 million miles in the last 14 years for calendar photography and adds 20,000 new images to his library annually.
He works for top equestrian magazines in more than 20 countries around the World. Bob Langrish MBE lives in a 17th century Cotswold tythe barn conversion. His International business is based a few miles away in a 17th century stone building – once the local courthouse – in a small village called Bisley, deep in the heart of the Cotswolds. Bob is a totally self-taught photographer and uses digital for all of his work. He uses Canon EOS 1D MK IV cameras and lenses from 15mm – 500mm. Please visit Bob Langrish, Equestrian Photographer, to view his incredible photographic images.
Sponsors:
Merriewold Morgans, 10515 La Ranchita Lane, Arroyo Grande, CA 93420, 805-473-2356
Morgan Sport and Show Horses for the Competitive Owner and Rider. Breeding Stock for the Quality Morgan Breeder. Family and Pleasure Horses for the Morgan Enthusiast.
Welcome to Farm Supply. We are a farmer-owned cooperative proudly serving the Central Coast’s farm, home and ranch needs for 60 years. Check out our department pages to learn more abut our products and services. Stop by one of our locations in Santa Maria, Arroyo Grande, San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles to say hello. Whether you’ve got 100 rolling acres in Paso Robles or a small patio in Pismo Beach, Farm Supply has everything you need for the farmer in you!
The owner, Bj. deCastro, is an award-winning California fine artist and web developer. The studio does work in web design and development, promo product, marketing, advertising, photography, videography, graphic arts and commissioned fine art paintings.
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