Cheer was the big winner! Meghan Fickes and Cheer were Frostbite Champions at our finale on Saturday afternoon. The duo racked up 59 points in the three-show series to earn Championship honors. Gloria Wahl and Cheer were our Reserve Champions, collecting 49.5 points in the series.

After some ferocious competitions of Scurry Race, Brush-in-the-Bucket, Keyhole, Cone Bending and Izzy Dizzy, the riders and their families enjoyed pizza, snacks and an awards ceremony, with ribbons and a HVS saddle pad for our champion.

Division placings for yesterday's show were as follows:

Snowballs
1. Gloria
2. Emily Waltz
3. Emily Warren
4. Becca
5. Teagan

Icicles
1. Lila
2. Emma
3. Stazia
4. Sophie
5. Lucy
6. Erin

Ice Picks
1. Meg
2. Alexis
3. Anika
4. Jolynn
5. Isabelle

Congratulations to all of our game riders. It was so much fun having you brave the freezing temps to have some fun and break up the relentless winter!

Mark your calendars for our Spring Fling Show Series - May 2, May 30 and June 27. Let's kick the snow to the curb!

Here is the list of the point standings to date. Good luck to all competitors!
03 Erin

08 Anika

10 Alexis

10.5 (06 + 4.5) Lila

11 Natalie

13 Teagan

15 Grace

18 Megan E.

18.5 (10 + 8.5) Emily Waltz

21 Sophie

22 (15 + 7) Emily Warren

29 (16 + 13) Emma R.

31 (15 + 16) Gloria

32 (11 + 21) Becca

34 (15 + 19) Emma J.

42 (21 + 21) Meghan F.

We are looking forward to Spring's arrival after March both came in and went out like a lion. This winter wasn't as snowy as last, but it was much, much colder, and the cold hasn't quite let go. We're hoping, though!

This winter we did manage to have some fun, despite the cold, and had our Frostbite Fun Show Series which ends with the finale this coming Saturday afternoon. Lots of games on horseback warmed up our horses and riders, and spectators stayed warm by cheering for their friends.

We acquired a whole new mouse patrol, welcoming five kittens to the stable. Jack and Jill came first, followed by Goose and Maverick, and lastly a little calico we call Smudge. They join seasoned barn cats, Argyle, Dora, Mr. Owl and Gusto. You cannot walk into the tack room without at least one kitten accosting you and demanding some snuggling.

We did lose our rescue Bernese Mountain Dog, Talon this winter. We adopted him as an old dog knowing that our time with him would likely be limited, and we enjoyed our 14 months together.

Talon didn't really enjoy spending time at the barn, but he'd drop in occasionally. He preferred staying at the house where he'd greet us with a toy, or shoe, or boot in his mouth and full-body wags. We miss him.

We have some new additions to the barn since our last upate. We welcomed Rigbie, a 1995 Irish Draught, to our lesson program. Rigbie's an experienced fox hunter who has also done some hunter shows and 4-H. He's a gentle giant and has quickly become a favorite.

We also welcome Cheer, a 1998 Morgan pony gelding, on loan to us from our friend Susan. Cheer has been an eventing pony and has given lessons. He's perky and can light up when you need him to, but he's also very sweet and careful with our beginner riders. And did we mention that he's adorable?

James has retired from our lesson program and lives with a friend about five miles from HVS. He has large pastures with a few other older geldings, and he goes out for little trail rides when he's not being smothered with affection and carrots. We couldn't be happier with his new situation where he's loved and where he still has a job; just a lighter-duty job.

We have a lot of fun stuff on the agenda for the coming season. From 4-H, to clinics with guest instructors, to shows, events and paper chases, our calendar is filling up. We are also scheduling some Riding Academy sessions this summer, so check out our calendar page to keep abreast of what's happening at Harvest View!

Looking forward to seeing you at the barn!