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! |
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Tomorrow will be the third and final show of our Frostbite Fun Show Series. After the show, we'll be having pizza and series-end awards. Here's the tentative schedule: 1:00 Snowballs Becca – Fynn Emily Waltz – Crumpet Gloria – Cheer Teagan – Griffin Emily Warren - Rigbie 1:45 Icicles Lucy – Cheer Erin – Brownie Stazia – Crumpet Emma – Fynn Lila – Rigbie Abby – Griffin 2:15 Ice Picks Meg – Cheer Alexis – Domino Jolynn – Oreo Anika – Shawnee Sophie – Griffin Isabelle – Crumpet 3:15 – Pizza and Awards!
This summer we'll be offering several Riding Academy sessions. We'll start with a three-day session for all levels, then offer a five-day Advanced Riding Academy for students who are jumping two-foot courses or more, then will follow with two additional five-day sessions for all levels. We will even consider offering an Adult Riding Academy if our schedule allows.
You may click here for more information about Riding Academy. You may sign up for the entire session, which we encourage, or pay a day fee if you can't make the entire session. We're looking forward to this program, as it will allow us to get more in-depth instruction to our students. If you have questions, please speak with Cindy or Christina.
We are proud of our 4-H riding members. All four of our girls are moving on to the District Show at Quentin on August 16th, so please come on out to cheer for them.
Alexis and Beamer: Hunt Seat Equitation on the Flat (Junior Rider), and Classic Hunter Under Saddle Horse (Junior Rider) Meg and Fynn: Working Hunter Pony, Hunt Seat Equitation over Fences (Senior Rider) Erin and Crumpet: Hunt Seat Equitation over Fences (Junior Rider), Low Working Hunter Pony, and Open Trail Pony Melanie and Delight: Working Hunter Horse, Hunt Seat Equitation over Fences (Senior Rider), Classic Hunter Under Saddle Horse (Senior Rider)
So it's mid-June, and I'm only now recovering from the winter enough to make a blog entry. All that snow and ice kept us busy, needless to say. We are happy to put it behind us and are enjoying Spring's arrival. The horses and riders are all happy to be out and about, and we've participated in several paper chases and schooling shows this spring. We've had a couple of xc schooling outings and look forward to adding more to the calendar. We acquired some cool new-to-us jumps for our arena and jump field and will be scheduling a day to spruce them up with fresh paint. We've already put a couple of them into play in the jump field: This season several of our riders have joined the Saddle Cinches 4-H Club, and our first outing was to the Grooming and Showmanship Clinic at Knight's Landing. Our members learned about something new, and they got their qualifying scores so they can compete at the County Round-up next month. The club has tons of fun activities scheduled, and it will be great to be involved with such a nice group of riders and leaders. We kicked off June with a Ride to Music Clinic. Eight riders spent some time learning to dance with their horses, and it was so popular that we will try to schedule another clinic in the fall. Everyone came away smiling and remarking that it was one of the most fun things they'd ever done with their horses! We have welcomed quite a few new riders and new horses to the barn, and look forward to doing lots of the fun stuff this summer. We will continue to offer great clinics with Melissa Hunsberger and Missy Ransehausen, as well as regular dressage lessons with Kristin Severson. We also hope to have Meg Black return for some lessons when she's in town. In the meantime, I'll try to be more consistent with blog updates. To see what's on our agenda, check out the calendar on our Events page.
We've been busy participating in a variety of events over the past few weeks. Last weekend was the Dutch Knob in Lancaster County Park. Alexis and James, Meg and Mimm and Patrick and I did the Slow Poke division. Apparently we were way speedier than optimum for that division, but it was Meg's first pace event, and it gave her a good feel for the way to ride one. She gave us the great quote of the day, "This is way better than spending the day in my room watching Netflix!" The following day, we headed to Maryland for the Elkridge-Harford Pony Club Hunter Trials. Jaime and Mya, Anna and I shared Delight, and Wende and Fynn participated. Such a fun event at the Elkridge-Harford Hunt Club, and everyone came home with ribbons and/or prizes. Anna and Delight won the Costume Class for their great Harry Potter outfit, and they also won a JELLY BEAN CAKE in the Cake Walk. Wende and Fynn did well in the 2' Pony Hunter division, and Delight won two blues in his classes with me. Jaime and Mya rallied and brought home a few good ribbons, as well. It was a lovely day to be out riding, and also lots of fun to see so many friends at the event. This weekend's Beaufort Junior Hunt has been cancelled due to the copious amounts of rain we've had over the past few days. Since we do much of our hunting in the State Gamelands, we need to be very mindful of preserving the footing. It's likely that the hunt will be rescheduling the Junior Hunt, so stay tuned! On the bright side, the SPCA Trail Ride at South Branch was also postponed, and the rain date is Sunday, 10/20. That means we'll be able to participate after all! In other news, Kim Walnes will be teaching at HVS this Wednesday. If you'd like to ride, let us know. Lessons are $85; $10 to audit. Also at the barn this Wednesday will be Cyndi Hill of Synergy Equine Bodywork and Beth Brown of BB Equine Services. Cyndi will be doing bodywork, and Beth will be doing dental work, so let us know if you'd like your horse to be on either list. Friday afternoon, we'll be having dressage lessons with Kristin Severson. She'll be starting mid-afternoon, so please let us know if you'd like to join us for lessons. Saturday we'll be having our regular lessons, and then Sunday, we'll be going to York for the Benefit Trail Ride at South Branch Farms in York. It benefits the York County SPCA Equine Fund and runs like an un-timed pace event. We went last year and had a wonderful time. Don't miss out on this one. Unfortunately, it means passing up the Cheshire Paper Chase in Unionville, but this is such a great ride that we can't pass it up. And it's for a great cause, as well. On Friday, October 25, we will be hosting a clinic with Meg Black. If you'd like to sign up for a lesson, please let me know. You can read more information about Meg by clicking here. The following Saturday (10/26) is our annual Halloween Fun Show and Costume Class. If you haven't already reserved your horse for costuming, please do it ASAP! We will have games for all ages and abilities, and for the little ones, the games may be done on the lead line. Get creative with your costumes, because we have fabulous prizes for the best outfits! Be sure to enter in advance and reserve your horse for the costumes. The show begins at 1:00; entry fee is $35 plus a snack to share. We will also have a Pumpkin Decorating Contest. Please bring your decorated Jack-O-Lantern for a chance to win a prize! Entry fee is a $5 donation to Omega Horse Rescue. Additionally, Kelly Smith from Omega Horse Rescue, will be joining us to help judge the costume class. She will set up a booth with information about her horse rescue, and we'll have a 50/50 raffle to benefit the rescue. You may check out her website here. On Sunday, 10/27, we have a choice from among six or seven different events. The Horse Trials options have closing dates prior to the events, and we have some horse show options that we can enter the day of the event. We'll have to see where the majority would like to go, then we'll make the call. The following weekend is the Plantation Starter Trials in Unionville, followed by Tranquillity's Hunter Trials the following day. So many great choices! And finally, our HVS Last Hurrah Combined Test is scheduled for 11/10, Dave's birthday. Come on out to compete. There will be cake. Steph Gernert will be judging our dressage. Visit our events page for details and entry forms. And that concludes today's update. Happy riding, everyone! I've fallen a bit behind on updates. Last month we enjoyed two clinics with Missy Ransehausen along with clinics with both Kim Walnes and Melissa Hunsberger. Two of our young riders, Anna and Hunter, participated in their first horse show, competing at the Cross Road Hunter Show at the Quentin Riding Club. We wrapped up the month with our annual Ladies' Night Picnic at the barn, and then went Cross Country Schooling on Sunday of Labor Day weekend. Some of our most exciting news is that we've welcomed Sure Think "Fynn" to our farm. Fynn is a 13-year-old Welsh Cross, who has extensive experience in the hunter ring. He's been enjoying trail rides, lessons in the fields and xc schooling with us and seems to enjoy it. He's a very sweet pony, and he's already become a favorite among our riders. He's 14.1 and sturdy, so he's suitable for both children and adults. Last Sunday, Team HVS had a wonderful time at the Beaufort Hunter Trials at the beautiful Stonewood Farm in Dover. This is one of our favorite events of the year, as it has something for everyone: classes in the ring, on the outside course and a cross-country division that runs a lot like a mini-paper chase. Anna and Delight were positively adorable in the Leadline Division and came away with the Championship ribbon, some silver cups and a perpetual trophy that is almost as big as Anna. She'll get to keep the trophy for a year and have it engraved with her name and Delight's. Melanie and Delight had a good day together, as well, winning the Schooling Field Hunter Class, and taking Reserve Champion in the Open Field Hunter Division. They also won the 2'6" XC class and placed third in the Handy Hunter class. Wende and Fynn had tons of fun and got some good ribbons. Sixth in the Schooling Hunter class and a fifth in a very large Tally Ho Field Hunter class in the ring. They also ran around the XC course and had a wonderful time. Alexis and James and Meg and Crumpet each brought home blue ribbons in the Future Hilltoppers Division. Crumpet had a lovely round over fences, and James won the hack. Meg and Crumpet won Reserve Champion honors in that division. The girls also took the opportunity to go around the XC course. Anne and Romie won blue for their trip around the XC course on the flat. She and Alexis placed eighth in the XC pairs on the flat. Romie was a little sassy and thoroughly enjoyed the outing. Jaime and Mya got out and about for the first time in ages and had a great time jumping around the outside course, and also competing in the arena. They brought home a second place ribbon for one of their trips in the Field Hunter Prospect Division...Mya loves jumping in the field, and was rewarded for her enthusiasm. Finally, Valerie and I had a great time with Judge and Delight, when we trailered to northern Pennsylvania for a short stay at Camp Susquehannock, where I spent much of my childhood. We enjoyed a few days trail riding, swimming in Tripp Lake, hiking at Salt Springs State Park and visiting with my cousins, aunts and uncles. And small world that it is, my Aunt Dede knows Valerie's mother! And her brother had Mr. Kulp, director of the waterfront, as a teacher in high school! It was a wonderful getaway...too short, of course, but so refreshing to be at camp and to visit with friends and family. Can't wait to go back! We have lots in store for the fall at HVS, so keep checking the website. In the meantime, mark your calendar for the Beaufort Junior Hunt, Sunday, October 13th!
Delight's Hunter Pleasure ribbons
On Wednesday, August 7th, we participated in the second Hunt Cap Schooling Show at South Branch Farms, and had another good day of riding and socializing with our friends. Melanie and I shared Delight, Diane rode Jet, and Alexis added some new classes with James. Delight moved up to the 3' divisions, and he and Melanie finished second in the A Bit More Tack Medal class. He definitely enjoyed the bigger fences in the Open Hunter division, and he jumped well, but needed to back off the lines a smidge. He thought leaving a stride out was okay, but it really wasn't what the judge was looking for. Still, as he and Melanie figure one another out, they're getting better and better. The two of them did a beautiful job on the outside course and won the Field Hunter division. I rode him in the Hunter Pleasure division, and he again finished with that division's championship. The judge liked that we did a real hand gallop out in the field and rewarded us with blue. Diane and Jet did the 2'6" Hunters, and Jet was a super good boy. He liked being out and about, and relaxed completely once he was sure that the property was devoid of cows. They also participated in the Hunter Pleasure division and got third place there. Alexis and James rocked the Walk-Trot, and won blue in both classes, then upped the ante and entered the Short-Stirrup Division. She won some good ribbons in that division, and she and James did a super job together. I told her that she's never ridden better...I was very proud of her. We really enjoyed this year's Hunt Cap Shows and look forward to playing again next season. The next event at South Branch Farms is the EquiTeam benefit event (http://www.equiteam.org/) on September 14th, followed by the benefit trail ride for the York SPCA Equine Fund later this fall. Kim helps Margaret with some stirrup adjustments. On Saturday after I finished my morning lessons, we were fortunate to have Kim Walnes spend the rest of the day with us. Mary and Derby trailered in from their barn and enjoyed a refresher on position, and Derby tried out a new bit that he really seemed to like. I followed Mary and had a great lesson on Delight. I find that when it's been a couple of months between lessons with Kim, it really benefits me to go back to basics and review all of the position rules. Delight appreciates it, too, and gives me instant feedback, that is so helpful. Margaret rode Petie in her first lesson with Kim, and both she and Petie had a wonderful experience. Margaret made huge strides in her effectiveness as a rider, and I told her I've never seen her lower leg look as secure as it did when Kim got finished with her. Petie appreciated it and was quiet and content. If you've ever been curious about Kim's teaching style, I encourage you to come out and audit one of her lessons. The cost is just $10, and she is a wealth of great information. I know that after I audited a lesson, I decided that I really needed to ride with her, and I'm glad I did. You can read more about Kim by visiting her website: www.thewayofthehorse.com. Delight with Jaime and Maddie Coming up this week, we have lessons with Missy Ransehausen scheduled for Friday afternoon, and if entries warrant, the final Summer Sun Fun Show on Saturday afternoon. If you're interested in a lesson with Missy, please let me know, along with any time constraints you may have. For the fun show, you may enter by signing up on the board at the barn, or by letting me know via Facebook, email or text. We have divisions for all ages and skill levels, so don't be shy! Entry fee is $35 and a snack to share. |
AuthorCindy Gilbert is the owner/manager and head riding instructor at Harvest View Stables. Archives
January 2022
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