It might seem like just horsing around on the Internet, but the stakes are actually quite high for a local equestrian entrepreneur. She is doing well in an online contest that could be a big boost to her business, should she win, and the public's votes are needed to help her cause.
Shelagh Stadel is involved deeply in the local horse world, including as a breeder. She nurtures three to four mares per year through their pregnancies, using the top stallions she can find. She orders vials of semen from the stallions of her choice, in her price range. Each one typically comes with a stud fee of between $1,000 to $1,500 each vial, plus much more money on veterinarian fees, import fees, shipping fees, etc.
The online contest is run on the Horse Coupon Book page on Facebook. Stadel stands to win free stud fees for a stallion named Colonels Smoking Gun who comes with a price tag of $8,500 per vial. A foal from that stallion and one of Stadel's mares would be a major coupe for her breeding business.
"This one is world renowned, he is breathtakingly amazing, and totally out of my price range," she said.
To enter the contest she had to submit an essay. Facebook voters "like" the essays in the competition, and the ones with the most "likes" in each category (there are five categories) makes it to the judging round. A panel of judges decides on the final winner.
"You have to go in and 'like' the Horse Coupon Book page first, then you are in, and once you do that you have to find my essay and 'like' my poem," said Stadel. Or you can look up the Shelagh Stadel page and make her your Facebook friend, and she has a direct link there.
"We are sitting in about second position right now but it is constantly changing; every time I blink the positions change," she said. "I got a late start and was far off the leader board, and I had to rely on people networking for me but it has worked well. It is a bit of a popularity contest at the start but if I can make the top five in my category then it becomes a choice made by the judges. You never know what the judges are looking for, but I have to get myself into that round to find out."
She is the only Prince George contestant that she knows of.
The voting ends today at 9 p.m. Prince George time.
The submission, in poetic form, by Shelagh Stadel
Gunner, Oh Gunner, you don't know how much I love thee
The way you spin, the way you slide, you impress me.
You're listed in the National Reining Horse Association Hall of Fame
As 2 Million Dollar Sire, it is very clear to me, reining is your game.
The fame and the fortune are just not to be
For a small townreining filly such as me.
But my heart is true and I try hard to please
I slide, I spin and I change leads with ease.
I am bred for reining and for my pedigree you would give top mark
Names such as Topsail Cody, Smart Chic O'lena, Mr. San Peppy and Shining Spark.
I am sweet and kind and I always try my best
I love what I do, but in my heart there is unrest.
I often dream of the pitter patter of little hooves,
My heart aches for a foal that I can show all my moves.
Iwould loveto tell them of their Dad whois the great Colonels Smoking Gun.
I would talk of allthe multiple titles in the reining world that he has won.
I would tell them of how he became a legend that everyone knows,
With his grace and beauty and movement that flows.
I would tell them of his stunning good looks with his big white blaze
And how the mention of his name makes my heart flutter in a craze.
Gunner, your a stallion with accomplishmentsfar above my class,
But no one can stop the dreams of this humble little lass.
I whinny to the heavens giving a prayer
That somehow, someday, I could be your mare.
I have just moved from the US to my new home in Prince George, BC
So I only have a picture of me in my thick winter coat for you to see.
I speak from my heart and hope you will not overlook me,
Otherwisemy small town ownercould never afford the fee.
So for the results, this humblefilly will anxiously await
It is up to you now, please vote for Gunner, to be my mate.
