SIA 2014 and Icelantic's Winter on the Rocks!

Well, SIA Denver never fails to be one of the best (not including the On-Snow portion) non-skiing events of the year! Every year we get to look forward to seeing all the new gear, garb and schwag that will be released and sold for the upcoming 2014-2015 Winter Ski Season. There are all kinds of nifty new gadgets and doodads out on the market so getting to play and experiment before they come out, for the general public, is always fun. Some of the cool new thingies that I got to check out included some cool new gloves that control phones, iPads and video cameras including GoPros all at once! There will be released some new Avy Packs and I am diggin the new threads coming out for this next year especially from Picture Clothing! The French Gastrique theme is killer and the style is some of the best out on the market, top that off with technicality that functionality that are unbeatable and bomber, Winner!!! Got to check out some of the new mind blowing features of the new Zeal Optics Ion Goggle with built in Video Camera and of course my fav, all new for 2014-2015 is The Ranger by Icelantic Skis. Can't wait to rally this bad boy in the mountain office soon!! Check them out soon at www.icelanticskis.com!

I get so wrapped up in all the new goodies that I sometime forget that SIA also is synonymous with Icelantic's Winter on the Rocks Concerts at Red Rocks Amphitheater in Morrison, CO! This year's line-up started off with the killer Ghostland Observatory, are these guys awesome! Never heard of them so checked them out online before seeing them live and they absolutely rocked it live! Great energy, great songs and a phenomenal light show that was reflecting off the falling snow, mind blowing to say the least! Although G.O. was good we were all there to see Jurassic 5 and in good ol J5 fashion we were treated to the show that we have all been dreaming of since last year's WOTR with Macklemore. J5 has continued to throw down smooth, fast complex lyrics with good energy and vibes for the past 15+ years and are fav amongst those who like true Hip Hop! It was definitely a Do Not Miss show!

Heres a few pics from the SIA and WOTR shows. I am so looking forward to next year already. Stay tuned throughout the summer to find out who is going to be on next year's WOTR lineup, it is guaranteed to be a winner!

Hope to see you there next year!

SIA 2014

Icelantic Skis Booth at Sia 2014


Icelantic Skis' theme for 2014-2015 Lineup "Return to Nature" Sculptures by Travis Parr


The all new Ranger from Icelantic Skis


Icelantic Skis' Nomad RKR, my everyday go to tool!


The Gypsy by Icelantic, my best friend in the BC!


Patrick "Kuru" Gannon and myself gettin' some Icey love!

The killer light show during Ghostland Observatory, Icelantic's Winter on the Rocks!

Klaudia Kundzik and myself enjoying the snow and music at WOTR 2014!

Love Red Rocks Amphitheater, coolest venue ever! Icelantic's Winter on the Rocks 2014

The Power of Words (Power of Positive Thinking)

How much do horses understand? Can he understand when I tell him something? If I say walk, trot or canter does my horse know what I am asking? Well, the answer is yes and no. Horses just like humans do not start off with an understanding of the English language or any other spoken language for that matter but they do have an ability to communicate and remember. The same goes for humans but we have also learned that there are certain emotions that are connected to specific words. An example, would be, try saying “I Love You” to someone you don’t know or better yet next time your horse does something incorrect (like trying to go back to the barn or buddy over and over again) try saying “Good boy/girl”. Doesn’t work very well does it? So let’s use this knowledge and power for our own benefit and help solidify our partnerships.

Talking to your horse is great for you and your horse, if you can associate certain words to specific actions through training then you can train your horse to understand commands but that’s about the extent of it. Where the true communication comes from is your body language and if we can use certain words to control or direct our own emotions and thus our body language then we can truly direct our horses using the path of leadership. Emotions come from the inner core of our being and will always show no matter the situation especially in the more stressful.

The question is, are we aware of what we are really “saying”? Just by speaking a certain word we have power over our emotions. Speaking a word invokes thoughts of that word and its meaning and therefore becomes the focus of your emotions. Next time that you get upset and are having a hard time trying to refocus on calmness take a few deep breaths and try saying something nice to someone or yourself, better yet next time you are on your horse and one or both of you start to get upset, anxious or uncertain bring both of your energies back down to a thinking state with a “Good boy/girl” and a quick neck rub!

Notice that when you actually say the positive words the tense energy in your body will dissipate and start to relax and then watch the change in your horse while their energy subdues and matches your energy level. The physical response of your body just by speaking is that it is naturally set up to relax, this is because when you inhale your diaphragm tightens and lifts up to expand the lungs to hold lots air while when speaking you exhale and your diaphragm, lungs and muscles of the core of the body relax! All this from the effects of thinking positive words and then saying them with our mouths and then with our bodies. It’s amazing.

Tips for True Leadership! Stay tuned for more…

 Be Safe and Have Fun,
Joe Turner Rocky Mountain Horseman