Team HVS had one of our most enjoyable show days
ever on Wednesday when we participated in the July 24th Hunt Cap Horse Show at South Branch Farms in York. 

Alexis and Jolynn made their hunter show debuts riding James and Oreo in the Walk Trot Division and were very excited to have won some ribbons in both the equitation and pleasure classes. Melanie showed Delight in the A Bit More Tack Equitation class and had the highest score in the first round, and finished in third place overall in a very competitive class. She also showed in the 2'6” Schooling Hunter Division and the Field Hunter Division. He jumped well and especially enjoyed the outside course, where he happily sailed over coops, logs, stacked rails and the stone wall. I popped on him and had him show off his pretty gaits in the Hunter Pleasure Division, and he won that division
championship.


We loved the new, revised prize list, as there  was something for everyone, including fun on the beautiful outside course. The classes took place in the sand ring, so it was especially nice to be able to see everyone ride without having to run back and forth between two rings, then the Field Hunter division ran last over the outside course. What a relaxing and enjoyable day! It was great to catch up with many of our friends and their
horses and ponies.

Special props to the girls for doing such a great job looking after the horses throughout the day. They were very diligent about making sure all of them had hay and water. They picked the trailer. They applied fly spray. The horses wanted for nothing the entire day. Good job, girls!

The second Hunt Cap Schooling Show is scheduled for August 7th, and we're looking forward to another enjoyable day of friendly competition. If you'd like to join us, please let us know. You can check out the prize list at www.southbranchfarms.com/hchs.
Click this link to view our Flickr album: http://www.flickr.com/photos/30363480@N00/sets/72157634797646150/

We are happy to have Cyndi Hill scheduled to spend Sunday at the barn with our horses. Please feel free to stop by to observe her work, beginning at 8:00 a.m. She is happy to answer any questions you may have regarding her bodywork sessions.

Cyndi has been getting to the barn every four-to-six weeks. If you would like to get in touch with her directly, you can reach her via phone or email: cyndihill@equinePerformanceBodywork.com; Phone:  (732) 539-6961

If anyone's interested in a lovely six-to-eight mile trail ride for a good cause, please consider heading to Tranquillity Manor Farm on Saturday morning. Click the above link for all the details.

Team HVS had a really good day at Burgundy
Hollow on Sunday and won the  prize for bringing the most riders. We'll keep this very nice grooming  kit in the horse trailer for our various outings.

 Jean and Smarty made their eventing debut and won their Starter division.  She is ready to move up!  Gabi and Popcorn finished third in the same  division. Jaime and Mya placed fourth in their Starter Division, and  then rocked around an extra BN cross country round. Karissa and Beaver had a little trouble at the water, but otherwise rocked around the Beginner Novice. In the Intro division, Pony Clubbers, Sid and Rebecca finished second and third respectively, and Alexis and Crumpet finished fifth. Props to Alexis for toughing it out and riding the jump phases after taking a spill in the  warm-up. She's a tough one. Patrick and I finished on our dressage score for second place in our Novice division.

As usual, we can't say enough good things about Burgundy Hollow. The  courses are always fun and inviting, as well as
challenging and  confidence building. Michelle and Tom have created such a lovely venue  for competitions and schooling, and the dozens of volunteers are always  friendly and helpful. It's always such a pleasure to spend our day there...we sure wish it were closer!



  

Yesterday's hot temperatures didn't dampen our riders' enthusiasm for their lessons with Missy. The first lesson began at 3:00, and it was pretty steamy, but then the heat broke, and the rest of the rides were much more comfortable. Missy taught jumping and dressage to a dozen riders, and she'll be returning for two dates in August: 8/2 and 8/16. Mark your calendar, and plan to join us. The cost is $65/rider; $5 additional if using a lesson horse. Auditors are welcome at no charge.

Friday we'll be hosting an afternoon of lessons with Missy Ransehausen, and we'll be getting started around 3:00. We'll have the canopy ringside for some shade, along with ice water for humans and a hose for cooling horses after the lessons. Here's the tentative schedule:
3:00 Cindy and Laura
4:00 Wende
4:30 Susan and Aileen
5:30 Anne and Alexis
6:30 Erin, Courtney, Jean and Jaime
7:30 Emma

Due to the extreme heat we're having this week, along with people's limited availability to come out this weekend, we've decided to cancel Saturday's fun show. We are planning to have our scheduled clinic with Missy Ransehausen on Friday afternoon, and we're looking forward to the forecasted break in the heat for Sunday's event at Burgundy Hollow.

If you are interested in riding with Missy, please let us know by the end of the day tomorrow (Saturday). Cost is $65/rider; $70 if using a lesson horse. Auditors are welcome at no charge. Bring sunscreen!

I am taking a group of horses cross-country schooling at Knight's Landing tomorrow morning. If you'd like to join us, please let me know. This will likely be our last chance to get out schooling before next weekend's Burgundy Hollow Horse Trials and Mix & Match. Entries for the event close tomorrow. Visit their website at www.burgundyhollow.com for more information about entering.

Well, we've finally done it! Launched the new, long-over-due HVS website. I am still making adjustments, edits, additions and so forth, and I welcome your feedback. I will use this blog to let you know about upcoming events and various happenings around the barn. The calendar on the Events page provides an overview of what's happening, but look over here to find out more details.

This is a whole new program for me, so please bear with me as I muddle through and figure things out! I hope you enjoy your visit.