_ Page 12 | A ( HORSE BITS With Lola Wood ~, '1 hate English...", "...1 hate Western...", "...Dressage people are clique-y...", '| Hunter people are snobs:. , and so on, and so on. I'm sure you've all heard it. One place you "won't hear it is at Pinetree Stables. They wouldn't dare! I introduce all phases of horsemanship, and while I'm teaching I try to point out the similarities of style at every opportunity. If you're riding stock seat (Western), I remark that the long leg, and erect posture resembles the way you rode the dressage test in the spring. If you're riding Hunter Seat, I point out that your horse is using the same ground- covering gaits and natural head carriage, as in the Western Pleasure Class. As far as I'm concerned, good riding is the same everywhere. I believe it's time we threw out prejudices and began to present a united front to the world. We have a dreadful image as horsemen in the eyes of the public because of our feuding and backbiting. Don't you think that Christmas would be a good time to start spreading goodwill? You could start with the stable down the road! Xmas trees-- Natural is nicer _ By Hal Potter f py Spartan Artificial trees just don't have it. Nothing gives a home the smell and spirit of Christmas more than an authentic Christmas tree. As it gets closer to that pinnacle of holidays, firs in the forests are plundered and transformed into timberland versions of Liberace." '*People have individual tastes in choosing a Christmas tree," says Bob Kerr of the department of Research and Development. "'They choose trees much in the same way as they select.a car. They take into consideration size and general appeal." Mr. Kerr says the most popular evergreens are the Balsam fir with its bushy, flat needles, the spruce with its sharper, pointier needles and the aromatic pine. 'The size of the trees usually vary between six and eight feet in height," says Mr. Kerr. "The average age of a tree when it's cut down is usually between ten and twelve years."' Mr. Kerr couldn't estimate how many trees would be axed in the area, but did have a couple of tips for Yuletide tree hunters in the nursing of their prizes. "'To minimize the drying out ef- fect of trees, stumps should be kept in water. They present 'a serious fire hazard when they become dehydrated," he says. "They shouldn't be overloaded with Christmas lights and the lights should be out before bed or going out. Little children should "'T've always found that if you make a mistake, the best thing to do is admit it and wipe the slate clean:'" So said Bill Rombough, rueful- ly contemplating the breaking up of a hunting party of Russell men in the Calabogie area when Bill ac- cidentally shot a young moose. So what's wrong with shooting a moose? Bill's shot was out of season and therefore illegal and liable to a fine. In Bill's favour was the fact that it was a long shot -- about a hun- dred yards -- in a heavily wooded area with poor visibility. The moose was a young animal with antlers. far from full grown. Bill immediately .reported the - kill,to the game authorities. They accepted his word for the accident but stated he would have to face a be watched around spruce because the pointy needles can cause the kids discomfort if they run into them."' From now until the big day, the assault on the trees will be relentless as junior Paul Bunyans strive to bring to their homes the warmth, spirit and decoration of Christmas. They could always go to a department store and buy a cheap facsimile but it just wouldn't be the same. RON 445-2048 BUILDER & DESIGNER Renovations « Additions Custom Kitchens © Bathrooms Free Estimates VEH RUSSELL AS ao 1.-Pleasant atmosphere, 2.-Lots of parking facilities, 3.-Individually programmed feeding plans, 4.-Comfortable bedding -- daily muck out, 5.-Daily turn out. Year round riding. Trails nearby. 6.-Lighted rings. Jumping and galloping ring. 7.-Heated and spacious lounge area, 8.-Roomy tack room and storage area, " 9.-On site farrier for emergencies, 10.-Scheduled regular Farrier and Veterinarian visits. : 'BEST EVER BOARDING FACILITIES | DON'T TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT -- .@ COME AND VISIT US Russellridge OUR MOTTO Treat our customer's horses as U we would like them to treat ours. One of our boarders, is an experienced and knowledgeable horse trainer and is a qualified riding instructor from the British Horse Society, makes herself available to the general public for lessons. We are the first farm on the LEFT south of Russell'on the Morewood Rd. You can't miss us, we have the bright orange barn roof. charge even though he reported the kill and packed it out to the station, saving officials a lot of work. "'We bush-dressed it and pack- ed it a mile and a half to camp and then eight miles down the lake to the biological station. I'm not complaining. I paid the fine and wiped the slate clean.' Bill was accompanied by his brother Barry, and Dennis Walsh, Stephen Armstrong, Gary Camp- bell of Russell. Gary Campbell had shot a buck deer and yelled out at the others who were on station that the buck was coming their way. At that mo- ment, a bull moose cut in front of Barry Rombough. Barry didn't shoots moose by mistake -- fined $100 shoot. The second bull moose, a young one perhaps three years old, crashed through the woods a hundred yards in front of Bill who took it for the buck Barry had called out about. '*About all I could. see was a shoulder and a suggestion of horns, so I knew it wasn't a doe and took my shot.'? The shot brought .the moose down. As he fell, Bill realized this was no buck. But it was too late. The damage was done. "He dressed out 365 er of meat which we turned over to the wildlife people," Bill said. "The next day I turned up in court in Sharbot Lake and paid $100. That was a costly moose." To all my pupils and Beauty Counsellor friends: Merry Christmas trom Pinetree Stables Yvan Dagenais Appliance & Refrigeration Repairs to all makes of Major Home Appliances @ HOME SERVICE @ 445-5765 Proprietor Yvan Dagenais R:R. No. 2, FELTON CRES. RUSSELL, ONTARIO (613) 445-5765 Russell Office 85 Mill St. 445-2177 Gary R. B.A. LL.B. Barrister, Solicitor & Notory. Barnes Ottawa Office 100 Sparks St. Suite 200 . 237-2222 VISIT OR PHONE OUR SHOWROOM. AT INDUSTRIAL PARK ' EMBRUN Russellridge, 588 Concession St., Russell, Ontario. Tel. No. 445-2091. a i ie ee ee ae ee EMBRUN PLUMBING SUPPLY EVERYTHING YOU NEED A, FOR YOUR PLUMBING & HEATING 2 REPAIRS -- RENOVATIONS -- OR NEW CONSTRUCTION AGENT FOR LAKEWOOD STOVES