Category: Amanda Starbuck (page 2 of 2)

Horsin’ Around

One of our oldest friends, workers and pets, horses have been with mankind for thousands of years. Whether pulling our wagons or getting us from Point A to B, the horse is as much a part of the human fabric as apple pie. Today, though their necessity has been diminished with time, those statuesque creatures remain a pillar of American tradition. But what don’t we know about Horses? Below are some little-known facts about our four-legged friends that are sure to flip your lid.

Laughter: Though often mistaken for a hilarious attempt at a human smile, horses have a nasal technique called a flehmen response. By tilting their head and curling their lip, horses can direct the flow of air into their nasal passages and to a special set of olfactory glands. The flehmen Amanda Starbuckresponse is more common in males than females, as it’s the primary way a male horse can determine if the female is in heat. Remember, the next time you see a horse smiling at you, they’re just giving you a whiff.

Eyes: Some say that horses have soulful eyes, and they wouldn’t be wrong. Staring into those nearly two-inch-wide eyes (largest of any land mammal), some say they find kinship. Over nine times the size of a human’s eye, legend states that horses can see objects “larger” than a human sees them. An explanation for why the smallest objects scare such a large creature. This, of course, is not true. Science tells us that a horse’s eye is rather advanced, though. With three eyelids designed to clean the eye and keep it free from dirt, their benefits don’t stop there. Without the ability to focus like a human eye, a horse’s is designed like bifocal lenses, where one portion can see at a distance and the other is better suited for  closer objects.

Breeds: There are many different species of Horse, each with their own traits. With the advent of genetic science and cloning, crossbred horses are becoming a regular occurrence. Whether part zebra, donkey, or pony, these combinations create hilariously adorable mishmashes of each component with adorably apt names like “Zonky” or “Hebra.” However, on the other end of the spectrum runs what some consider to be the purest of all horse breeds. The Arabian horse, bred in the desert for thousands of years by horse nomads, is thought by many to be not only the most beautiful, but powerful. Years of proper breeding may have left the Arabian horse apart from its equine brothers, evidenced by their skeletal structure being almost completely different, they are amazingly strong. Able to run 100 miles without rest or water, the Arabian horse is truly a wonder.

Quechee Balloon Festival

The Count Down Until The Next  Quechee Balloon Festival.

322 Days

Once again the Quechee Hot Air Balloon, Craft and Music Festival hits the Upper Valley of Vermont and New Hampshire with over 20 hot air balloons floating everywhere. The festival includes music, entertainment for all ages, and over 60 craft artisans and commercial vendors. Children activities include train rides, a bounce house and more! Check out the beer and wine garden as well for the adults attending!

Balloon Rides are available to purchase starting April 2016! Book now with a local pilot, click here for more information!
 
Amanda Starbuck Amanda Starbuck

An Advocate of Rare Horse Breed

A long-time protector and expert of the Turkmenistan’s quintessential Akhal Teke horses, historian, breeder of Akhal Teke horses, and former General Director of “Turkmen Atlary” was bestowed the illustrious honor of being made a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and a fellow of the Long Riders’ Guild.

Geldy Kyarizov is joining an nonpareil group of equestrian explorers that have been honored by both organizations, who’ve recognized his dedication towards protecting, preserving and promoting the rare horse breed.

Turkmen-Long-Rider-Geldy-Kyarizov-in-historical-costume

The Akhal Teke bloodline dates back to days of antiquity, but had almost been wiped out during the reign of the Soviet Union. In the late 1980s, Geldy rode 4,300 kilometers from Ashgabat to Moscow to petition Soviet Union government officials to intercede on behalf of the rare breed.

The petition was a success, thus began Geldy’s travels across a wide area of land in the Soviet Union, searching for prized specimens of the Akhal Teke blood line. To preserve the majestic creatures’ posterity, he began a breeding program which proved very successful in marking the breed’s resurgence. One success, Maksat, a stallion with a pedigree going back thousands of years, was bestowed upon the then British Prime Minister John Major as a gift from the Turkmen nation.

 

Yanardag, arguably the most successful horse in Geldy’s program, was considered so beautiful, so perfect, that Turkmenistan’s president placed the stallions image on a national stamp, ordered a statue to be erected in the horses’ honor, and named Yanardag the country’s national symbol.

Due to the program’s success, Geldy was able to secure government funding in order to establish a large equestrian complex in Turkmenistan’s capital, which subsequently introduced the nation’s first veterinary laboratory able to perform DNA testing that was necessary to set up a new stud book for the Akhal Teke.

In honor of Turkmenistan’s 10th anniversary of independence, he organized over one-thousand Akhal Tekes to march through the hippodrome in Ashgabat, an event known as the “Parade of Horses.”

A world-renowned and recognized expert of the breed, his educational conferences, equestrian journey’s, academic investigations, and DNA research have been invaluable to promoting and protecting the nation’s beloved breed.

A Short Guide to Verbier

Verbier is one of the top skiing destinations in Europe, if not the world. It is the biggest attraction in Switzerland’s Four Valleys area that is famed for its great skiing.

Verbier StarbuckA combination of factors including stunning panoramic views, a great nightlife, exhilarating terrain, and sunny weather help Verbier stand out from other options. The resort is less than three hours away from the Geneva airport by public transportation and serves as one of the most popular winter destinations for visiting Scandinavians, Dutchmen, and Brits. You will also see your fair share of Americans.

Verbier boasts about one-hundred lifts that provide access to 250 miles of runs, and some of the best backcountry skiing in the entire continent. If you are at the top of of ski area at more than 10,000 ft you have access to spectacular views and can even see as far as Mont Blanc and even Matterhorn.

The terrain at Verbier hosts a number of exciting events for spectators such as the Speed Ski World Cup,  Verbier High Five, or the Xtreme Verbier. Verbier, given its altitude, has abundant snowfall early and late in the season. So do not be afraid to book for one these of months.

There are a few options to get to Verbier, but most travelers, especially Americans, will arrive by plane, and then train. After arriving at the Geneva airport, you will want to train to the Verbier area, and then take a beautiful ten-minute Gondola ride up the mountain. All in all, the transportation will take just a little more than two hours from Geneva.

The options for fine dining and great nightlife also helps separate Verbier from many run of the mill skiing destinations. Be sure to check out restaurants such as Cordée des Alpes, La Grange, Fer á Cheval, and Los Chottes. If you are looking for a night on the town, you can visit the Ice Cube Bar, Le Rouge, or Hotel Fairnet, all different but great in their own right.

Best Fishing Destinations around New York City

New York City isn’t exactly synonymous with fishing. However, there are abundant options for fishing in and around the city if you know where to look.
adirondacksAdirondacks

Upstate New York is home to some of the best fly-fishing streams in the country. If you are looking to catch some trout, please take some time to visit this area that is just a two-hour drive to the northwest of the city. The winters are quite harsh, and generally are not great for fishing, unless you are a fan of ice fishing. However, late spring through fall provide great weather and the ability to fish this stunning wilderness. One of the best parts of the Adirondacks is the opportunity to go to the remote lakes, rivers, and ponds. It’s a great backcountry experience, and it is likely that you will not be disturbed by another fisherman.

In NYC

Perhaps you desperately want to go fishing, but your busy life prevents you from travelling to outside the city. Have no worries. There is a myriad of places at which you can fish right here in New York City. The majority of people are shocked that you can catch fish in and around New York given its urban nature. According to the State Department of Environmental Conversation, more than 300 different species of fish can be found in the city’s waterways. Fishermen in the city swear that the fishing is just as good in NYC as it is all around the planet. The season usually lasts from March to December. If you’re wondering exactly where to fish in the city, please visit the Parks Department Website. Some of the highlights include Prospect Park Lake in Brooklyn and East 96th Street in Manhattan.

Long Island

Long Water is generally considered to be a premier spot for saltwater fishing. In the surrounding waters, you can fish for striped bass, tuna, marlins, sharks, bluefish, blackfish, and more. But, it is also home to great fly-fishing opportunities as it boasts more than 400 lakes and 50 kilometers of streams.