Tuesday, May 21, 2019

The Background and Capabilities of Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses




Skilled businessman Randy Eastburg owns and manages the daily operations of Valley Ridge Roofing and Construction in Flower Mound, Texas. Thanks to his leadership, the company generates roughly $7 million in revenue each year. A horse racing enthusiast, Randy Eastburg used to breed and own quarter horses. He enjoys watching live horse races during his free time.

In the United States, the most common types of horse races involve quarter horses or thoroughbreds. Of the two, thoroughbreds are perhaps the more popular. These horses first appeared in England as a blend of different horse breeds, including Barbs, Turks, and Arabians. The Middle Eastern breeds are known for their faster speeds and tall, lean physiques, contributing to the fact that thoroughbreds are generally faster than other breeds. They have a top speed of about 40 miles per hour and are capable of running longer distances.

The most popular breed in the U.S., quarter horses were created by breeding thoroughbreds with the country’s “native” horses, beginning in colonial times. The native horses descended mainly from Spanish breeds. Unlike thoroughbreds, quarter horses are very stocky and were primarily bred as sprinters. Quarter horses are capable of reaching 55 miles per hour, but they cannot sustain this speed as long as thoroughbreds. Instead, they are primarily used to run quarter-mile races.

Monday, April 29, 2019

Achieving the Correct Posture on a Bike




Since starting Valley Ridge Roofing and Construction in 2010, Randy Eastburg has successfully grown the company into a $12-million business. Dedicated to staying active, Randy Eastburg enjoys bike riding.

Maintaining the correct posture when riding a bike increases your efficiency, feels more comfortable, improves your handling, and reduces your risk of injury. Yet many people don’t think about their posture when they’re riding.

Typically, the best posture for riding a bike involves the relaxation of the shoulders. All too often, cyclists move their shoulders up toward their ears while riding. This increases the strain on the back, shoulders, and neck and reduces riders’ ability to move the head.

Good posture also involves keeping the elbows slightly bent, which makes handling bumps in the road easier and lowers strain on the shoulders, hands, and wrists. The spine should have a natural curve that is not tense or locked into a line. To accomplish this, cyclists should keep the core muscles engaged during the ride. When the abs are flexed, the back naturally moves into the proper position and takes the pressure off the hands and crotch.

Finally, the knees should be in line with the feet. The knees should never point outward from the bike but should stay in line with the balls of the feet.

Monday, March 25, 2019

Racing Speed Characteristics of Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds


Randy Eastburg is a well established Texas businessman who guides a customer-driven roofing and construction firm in the greater Dallas area. Having raised and bred quarter horses, Randy Eastburg enjoys equestrian activities and attending live racing events in his free time.

Quarter horses and thoroughbreds are both built for speed, with the thoroughbreds typically having a taller stature that comes from their Arabian stallion stock and European breeding strategies over the centuries. 

With speeds topping out at 40 miles an hour, thoroughbreds are preferred on longer courses in the three-quarters of a mile to two-mile range. A Kentucky Derby speed record was set by Secretariat, who maintained a 38-mile-per-hour pace in 1973 over a one and a half mile course. 

By contrast, the quarter horse has its origins in Colonial America and has been bred to reach speeds as high as 55 miles per hour over a shorter course length. Known for providing short bursts of adrenaline pumping racing, the name of the breed originates from its early classification as a "quarter of a mile running horse.”

Friday, March 8, 2019

Dallas Stars Acquire Forward Mats Zuccarello


Formerly the owner of Cross Country Auto Sales, Randy Eastburg founded Valley Ridge Roofing and Construction in 2010 and has grown it to the point where it handles as many as 60 residential roofing jobs per month along with a steady flow of commercial contracts. A passionate sports fan, Randy Eastburg counts the Dallas Stars as his favorite National Hockey League (NHL) team.

In an effort to bolster its roster for an extended playoff run, the Stars acquired veteran forward Mats Zuccarello from the New York Rangers on February 24 in exchange for a pair of conditional draft picks. If Dallas makes the playoffs and Zuccarello plays in at least half of the team's games in the first two rounds, New York receives a first-round pick instead of a second-round pick in the 2019 NHL Draft. Moreover, if Zuccarello, who is a pending unrestricted free agent, signs with the Stars in the offseason, New York receives an additional first-round pick in the 2020 NHL Draft instead of a third-round pick. 

A 31-year-old native of Oslo, Norway, Zuccarello made his NHL debut with the Rangers in 2010 and has since played 509 career regular season games and 60 playoff games with the team. He had 113 goals and 239 assists in the regular season with the Rangers and an additional 31 points in the playoffs. Zuccarello registered a goal and an assist in his first game with the Stars.

Saturday, January 12, 2019

A Selection of Charming Destinations in Tuscany


Since founding Valley Ridge Roofing and Construction in 2010, Randy Eastburg has grown the Flower Mound, Texas-based business from finishing 20 residential roofs per month to 60 roofs per month. Responsible for generating around $7 million in sales annually, Randy Eastburg enjoys spending his leisure time riding his motorcycle and traveling in Italy’s Tuscany region.

Tourists can find many interesting and historic places in the Tuscan valley. For instance, the medieval town of Montepulciano brims with elegant Renaissance palaces, ancient churches, and picturesque squares. Perched 2,000 feet high on a limestone ridge, visitors to Montepulciano can enjoy striking panoramas of the nearby valleys, Val di Chiana and Val d’Orcia. 

Peppered throughout the beautiful Val d’Orcia area are charming villages, medieval castles, hamlets, and farmhouses. The entire valley is a protected national park whose crown jewel is the small village of Pienza, which is known as the “Ideal City.” Those who prefer to spend time on the water may enjoy traveling off the Tuscan coast to the island of Elba, Italy’s third largest island, with its 150 beaches.

Tuesday, December 11, 2018

A Look Back at the History of the All American Futurity


Under Randy Eastburg’s direction, his Flower Mound, Texas-based construction firm Valley Ridge Roofing and Construction increased its commercial contracts to more than 20 clients and over $7 million dollars in annual revenue in just eight years. Outside of his business ventures, Randy Eastburg has a strong interest in Quarter Horse racing. A former breeder himself, he was a frequent spectator at the All American Futurity, one of the most significant events in the horse racing world. 

Some of the most celebrated two-year-old Quarter Horses compete in the All American Futurity event held at the Ruidoso Downs race track in New Mexico. Held annually over Labor Day weekend, the race boasts the largest purse for all two-year-old horse events, reaching a peak of $3 million in 2015.

The All American Futurity has broken several other notable records over the course of its 60-year history. Its debut race in 1959 was the richest Quarter Horse race ever held. Nearly 20 years later, the All American Futurity purse hit the $1 million mark, the first horse race ever to do so. 

Numerous champion horses have competed and won the Futurity. A few outstanding examples are Higheaster Jet, the first of six horses to win both the Futurity and the All American Derby, and champion race horse Heartswideopen.

Saturday, December 8, 2018

Preparing Young Athletes for Competitive Sports




For nearly a decade, Randy Eastburg has managed operations for his multimillion dollar construction company, Valley Ridge Roofing and Construction. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Randy Eastburg supports his children's competitive athletic pursuits as both a coach and involved parent.

When young people engage in high-level competitive sports, parents and coaches would do well to follow the guidelines below to ensure their student athletes are mentally and physically prepared. 

Teach Focusing Strategies

Important games can bring a lot of expectations and stress to younger players. To help them manage their emotions, student athletes can learn cognitive behavioral techniques such as active thought management or realistic goal-setting.

Build up Skills

In order to compete at a higher level, athletes may need to improve their skills through drills and other intensive exercises. Parents can consider sending their child to a sports camp or hiring a personal coach to help their child build skills and confidence. 

Include Recuperation Time

Taking breaks between practice session is crucial for young athletes, who are still developing physically. Experts recommend at least one rest day a week so students can avoid injury or burnout.