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Behind the Scenes with The Gala Of The Royal Horses

5/31/2015

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The Gala Of The Royal Horses Interview
The Gala Of The Royal Horses
Holsman Stables has become the premiere travel destination for weary traveling horses. Still, when we got the call that The Gala Of The Royal Horses would like us to put their gorgeous creatures up in our bed and breakfast for horses, we were excited! That week was such a fun week watching them practice and prepare for their Kansas City show. We knew immediately, when we saw their caravan of trailers and RVs roll into the ranch, that this would be a special week for us. We thought that it would be cool to share some of the insider insight that we got to see this week with you. How are the Gala Of The Horses treated? What do they eat? What kind of personalities do they have? And more so let’s get started!
How Gala of the royal horses travel
The Gala Of The Royal Horses traveling horse trailer.
I spoke with Toby Drentwett The Gala Of The Royal Horses’ sound and lights guy and he gave me some real insight to these beautiful creatures. First off let’s start with the team. It is comprised of 20 people who are dedicated to these horses 365 days a year on the road. They bring their show to town and everything top to bottom goes with them. They provide their own stage, lights, music and of course horses and riders. Walking around the barn and talking to everyone you get a real sense of the love and admiration that the riders and handlers have for their horses. The horses aren’t just a group of horses that get tended to by 1-2 handlers. Each horse is taken care of by their dedicated rider and companion. They are spoiled from the time they wake up to the time they go to bed. I was so happy to see just how well the Gala Of Royal Horses were treated. Below are some of questions and answers with Toby Drentwett. I hope you find this as interesting as we did.

Do the horses have a special diet?

Yes, they are athletes and are treated as such. Their diets change depending on their performance, traveling and exercise. The more they travel or perform the more they need to eat and specific diets as well.

Do they get treats?

Yes! They are trained by rewards; apples and carrots are among their favorites. They of course get goodies on their off time as well.


Gala Of The Royal Horses' Rico gets an apple in his downtime.
Rico gets an apple in his downtime.
How often are they exercised?

They are exercised one time a day and get one day a week to rest. If it is a long travel day they get to rest that day as well.

Do they get groomed often?


Yes! They get rinsed off a lot! However, they only get soap before and after the show to keep their coat in good condition. The horses are very pampered; their tails are always braided and on travel days they get leg wraps and tail wraps to protect them during travels.

What are some fun personality quirks of the horses?

The big beautiful Friesian Rico loves bananas! Friesians in general are loveable creatures. Ours love to be scratched and have personal contact all the time. Another fun fact is how much the horses love to perform. When the music starts they are in the back starting to dance! They live to perform and can get melancholy when left off a show for a break. They really enjoy the lights, the cameras, and the people clapping and cheering. The more attention they get, the more excited they get! We pick horses in particular who are prone to love the spotlight and attention.

Gala Of The Royal Horses interviewed by Kansas City Fox 4 news in Holsman Stables' indoor arena
Rene Gasser getting interviewed by Kansas City Fox 4 News
Where do you get the horses from?

They come from all over. Many come from a royal riding school in Spain, Australia, Netherlands, and even right here in Ocala, Florida.

How long does it take to train a horse for The Gala Of The Royal Horses show?

We get our horses as young colts 1 to 1 ½ years old. Our youngest horse in the show is 6 ½ years old. It takes a very long time to get the horses ready to make their first appearance in the ring. It’s more than learning the stunts; we start by slowly introducing them to the stage and lights, letting them see their shadow, see cameras and hear clapping. There are so many elements to the show that they have to get used to, such as the audience up close, scarfs, dancers, sound of the feet on the board and so much more. We don’t start to ride them until they are 3 years old and we don’t start stunts until they are 5-6 years old. It is a very natural and nurturing process. Each horse starts with traditional dressage training and moves on from there.

How many people are a part of your crew?

We travel with 20 people. Our show is completely done start to finish by our crew. I handle the lights and sounds, we bring our own stage, boards and props, our own instruments, dancers, riders and of course horses. We have drivers who handle the lighting and stages, people who feed the horses and clean the stalls, but in true Royal Gala fashion of ownership and dedicated roles for the horses;  the owner Rene Gasser is the ONLY driver of the horse trailer. The horses are of course the athletes and super models of The Gala Of The Royal Horses team and they are treated as such from travel to destination to practices and performance nights!

The Gala Of The Royal Horses practicing in Holsman Stables' indoor arena
The Gala Of The Royal Horses practicing in Holsman Stables' indoor arena
I hope you enjoyed getting to pull the curtain back on the Gala Of The Royal Horses show as much as we have. We were thrilled to see these horses were so loved and cared for. The team was truly a family atmosphere lead by Rene and his wife Barbara and even their 16 year old daughter who joins in the show fun with her horse she has had since she was 2 years old. If you haven’t seen them share their relationship on stage it is something to see. The love, passion and trust shows throughout their performance.

Let us know if you had a question for The Gala Of The Royal Horses. We would be happy to add it to our Q&A. Click here to visit Gala Of The Royal Horses website to see when they will be visiting a city near you. We would like to thank Rene & Barbara Gasser for letting us be part of their team for a week. We had a great time and hope to see them back in Kansas City again very soon! 

If you would like to know more about Holsman Stables or to stay with us on your way through Kansas City, MO. Click the button below to email us or call Lisa at
816-589-3184
Contact Holsman Stables
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Gala Of The Royal Horses stay at Holsman Stables during Kansas City visit!

5/26/2015

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Contact: Shannon Holsman-Lock                                           FOR IMMEDITATE RELEASE

Phone: 816-674-3123

Email: shannon@holsmanstables.com

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Where do ROYAL horses go to find a LOCAL bed and breakfast when they are in from out of town? In Kansas City they go to Holsman Stables!

That’s exactly what’s happening this week May 23-28, 2015, with Gala of the Royal Horses.  http://www.galaoftheroyalhorses.com

The Royal Horses of Europe are some of the most celebrated in history, favored for centuries by royalty, equestrian riders and bullfighters, and this performance will celebrate the tradition, athleticism and grace of these revered creatures.

This show is new to North America. After touring Spain, Australia and abroad, this stunning show of impressive stunts performed by some of the most athletic horses in the world began touring North America in 2014.

This event is dedicated to showing off the amazing beauty and maneuvers these horses are capable of including the stunning maneuvers once used on the battlefield now known as “The Airs Above The Ground”.

Gala of the Royal Horses is in Kansas City appearing at the Independence Event Center this week. Their manager called up Holsman Stables, http://www.holsmanstables.com , to find a place to keep the famous horses while here.

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It’s not every place that can accommodate the Royal Horses. And there are some special secrets that your viewers, readers or listeners will find VERY interesting in this UNIQUE story.

Holsman stables are located just south of Longview Lake at 137th and Raytown Road.

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Contact Shannon Holsman-Lock at 816-674-3123 or email Shannon@HolsmanStables.com for a personal tour of the facility, interviews with care specialist, background information on the stables and more!

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Bridle Parts

4/1/2015

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Part 2 of our beginner riding series. Below is a diagram showing the different parts of a horse’s bridle. A bridle is a key piece of tack because it helps to control your horse’s head, face, and mouth. Bridles can vary greatly depending on your discipline and the riders and/or horse’s preference. I have had horses that will not take a bit which is the mouth piece connected to the head piece, but would do just fine under a hackamore. A hackamore is a bitless bridle and gives different cues to your horse through the bridge of their nose rather then their mouth.

 If you have any questions about bridles please leave them in the comment below. We would like to thank Annette Turnbaugh for her beautiful photograph of  Skips String Reward courtesy of his owner Steve Wakeman.

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Western Saddle parts

2/1/2015

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Riding a horse is fun, and everyone has to start somewhere! For that reason we wanted to have a beginners series showing the parts of a saddle, bridle and other tack used to get your horse ready to ride. Check out our diagram below  showing you the parts of the Western Saddle (English Saddles have a few different parts and names).  Have a question, leave it in the comments below. We will post parts of the bridle next week.

Happy riding!

saddle parts diagram
Saddle Diagram
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Gift Certificates for the horse lover in your life available for Christmas

12/9/2014

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Looking for that something special for the horse lover in your family? Get them a gift certificate from Holsman Stables. These certificates can be used for lessons or towards leasing, boarding and private parties at the ranch. For more information click here to visit us online.
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Trail Riding Safety Tips

11/1/2014

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trail riding safety tips
Trail riding at Holsman Stables
Trail riding is fun, relaxing and great way to see the countryside! However, it can also be dangerous if not done safely. Here are a few tips to make sure you and your group have happy trails head of you!

#1 rule NEVER ride alone! Even if you are an experienced rider with your most trusted horse things happen and you don’t want to be alone if they do!

– Always let someone know you are out on a ride. At Holsman Stables we have a board we use to sign out including the time you left. If one of our ranch hands or boarders notice  you have been gone a long time they can call and check up on you.

-Keep a phone on you at all times. If an issue should arise it is important to be able to reach someone back at the barn.

-Keep your tack in proper working order. Check all saddle straps and head gear before leaving the barn.

-You should feel comfortable with the horse you are riding. The two of you should have mastered basic skills in the arena such as turning and stopping.

-Do not ride your horse on unsure footing that your horse could get hurt on or fall.

-When available stick to horse designated trails.

-Socializing with your friends is fun, but make sure that you pay more attention to your horse and their body language then your friends. You are always a deer or turkey away from a wild ride!

Horse Safety
-Always check depth of water before trying to cross your horse.

-Put proper boots and protection gear on your horse.

-Put fly spray on your horse for a more comfortable ride.

-Check that their shoes are tight and properly fit.

-Allow your horse to cool down properly after the ride.

Did we miss something you do? Let us know in the comments. Your helpful tips might keep someone safe one day.

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Proper method for bridling your horse

10/1/2014

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Bridling the horse should be a simple process. Done correctly it can make everything after it easy and so because of that, is often overlooked. Done incorrectly however, it can cause ongoing problems that can range from annoying to serious.
How properly put a bridle on a horse
How properly put a bridle on a horse
When bridling, take the halter off and slip it around the neck at the throatlatch and re-buckle. This is done to provide us a “handle” in case your horse decides that patch of grass over there is more attractive then standing beside you, or if he decides that the sparrow landing on yonder branch is really an enormous pterodactyl, swooping in to carry him back to the nest as dinner, and therefore it’s a good idea to run at full speed down the drive.

With your left hand, take the bridle by the crownpiece and line the bit up with the horse’s lips and place it at his lips. Note, I said “place” Once it is there, leave it for a second or two. Do NOT try to jam or roughly pull the bit into the mouth. Though you MIGHT get it in that way the first time, from there it gets harder each time, not easier, eventually leading to a horse that realizes he can clamp his jaws and frustrate your efforts.

Instead of trying to force the bit in, reach a finger to the extreme corner of the mouth (where there are NO teeth) and tickle the gum. The horse will reflexively open its mouth, giving you the chance to apply the bridle. But, again, take care not to be SO excited he has opened up that you forcefully pull the bit in. Slowly let him accept it and he will soon do so willingly and happily.

The same principle applies to unbridling. Again place the halter on his neck, Unbuckle whatever is necessary to unbuckle to allow the horse to release the bit easily (curb chain, caveson, etc.).

Then, lift the crownpiece and take it off the horse one ear at a time and once it’s off both ears STOP for one second. This gives the horse warning, the bit is coming out. He can then relax his jaw and release the bit. This is VERY important! Let him release the bit. Pulling it out bangs the teeth painfully and leads to the horse not either taking the bit or letting go of it. A horse that resents being bridled and unbridled is a problem. A horse that willingly takes and releases the bridle however is a joy that leads to all the fun possibilities that come with riding.

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Difference between a “broke” horse and “trained” horse.

9/1/2014

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 Today, I’d like to reflect a bit of the difference between a “broke’ horse, and a “trained” horse.” Often , the terms are used interchangeable, to denote a horse that can be ridden. There IS a difference, and it is often huge.  The broke horse (usually) CAN be ridden, sometimes successfully. It moves (sometimes willingly, sometimes not) with a rider, but usually does no more than it wants . It has to be “muscled” or made to do things. It is a begrudging partner, not a willing one.

The trained horse works at the direction of its rider. It responds to commands often so subtle only the rider and the horse know they have been given. It responds to leg, rein and voice enthusiastically and often joyfully. Little effort is needed to get this horse, this “trained” horse to do what is requested. It is a willing partner.

So, the next time someone shows you a horse, and says “Sure, that one is broke.” You can now say….. “Yes, but is it trained?”



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What does it mean to float your horse’s teeth?

8/1/2014

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The vet was out a short time ago floating teeth. I thought this might be a good time to talk about horse’s teeth and their care. horse’s teeth are made for grinding the foods they eat (i.e.  primarily hay and grain). They grow throughout most of their lives and the points at which they articulate (hit on each other) they wear the opposing teeth down. In places where they do NOT meet they continue to grow, in which case they need care. This should be done by a competent veterinary professional. The process is called “floating” and consists of grinding the points down to where they are consistent with the other teeth. Left untreated, long pointed teeth cause eating and bitting problems. This highlights the importance of good, regular equine dental care. Teeth should be checked yearly at least, and floated as needed. Additionally prior to bitting, young horses should be checked for ‘wolf teeth.’ Small teeth which need to be removed prior to serious bit work.

how to float What does it mean to float horse's teeth?
What does it mean to float your horse's teeth?
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The importance of communication between instructor, rider and horse

7/1/2014

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It’s been a busy but productive spring, with three Class A horse shows and a very successful show here at Holsman Stables under our belt. We are adding riders to the lesson program as well, and it all has added up to fun times ahead this summer.

All this horse activity brought to mind the other day the subject of communication including communication between horse and rider, between instructor and student/ rider, and communication between trainer and horse/trainee. Communication between horse and rider is key. Through the use of the various “aids” the rider tells the horse, “This is what we are going to do next.” That communication must be clear and consistent, the same way each time, just like learning any language. In the English language, turn left means, turn left. Turn right means turn right. It has to be expressed that way to be clear and the words have to retain their meaning. It’s no different in the language of horseback riding. The touch of the rein or leg, the change in seat, the command of the voice must be clear and consistent all the time. The acts retain their meaning that way and convey the message to the horse.

The same is true of the communication between instructor and rider/student. The instruction must be clear and concise. Not just, “do this,” but “this is HOW we do this, and this is the result.” Showing and explaining in understandable terms how we do things and why we do things, because of the horses nature and instincts and these are the positive results of these actions.

Lastly, the communication between trainer and horse/trainee. The trainer must understand horses and their nature so he or she came create a training process that causes positive responses within the horse, so that it begins to understand what is expected, and because of that understanding, cooperates more easily.

Communication is the key to having a great experience whether in the show ring, in the dressage arena or riding the trails. So, let’s go out, develop that relationship with our horses, and have a wonderful, fun summer.

See you soon
Kevin Jochens

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