News Around the Barn (2008)
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Things were fairly quiet around the barn this past week with 3 less boarders in the barn. No worries, they've all come back safe and sound from a week long camp up at Linda Clark's Horizon Farm in Norton. Welcome back girls, we hope they didn't get too much rain out there!
This past Saturday was special day as something happened that hasn't happened in a long time; Roberta got up on a horse! Chantalle's mother had set up a trail ride down at Broadleaf for the visiting grandkids and when she mentioned to Roberta that her mother (who had never been on a horse) was going too, Roberta decided to give it a go herself. Despite a short downpour on the drive over, and being rained on a bit on the actual ride, everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves (they even trotted!). Chantalle was also able to realized a longtime dream; being the guide horse leading the pack on a Broadleaf trail ride. It was only for a short while as the guide was having a bit of an issue with her mount at the beginning of the ride.
We wish the girls from the Rockin' Riders all the best today as they head on down to Saint-John for a drill team demonstration.
We would like to extend a warm Maritime Welcome to both Zoé and Kalyne Twohig, Chantalle's nieces who are down visiting from Ontario. The girls are staying at Chantalle's parents and have already had a couple of trips out to the barn. Both girls have met up with Bennett again, and have even hopped on for a short ride, and Zoé had a blast helping Chantalle do barn chores one morning.
A few boarders at the barn, who are part of a drill team, have been practicing hard for the past few months in preparation for their competition to be held in Sussex. They have on a few more practices to go before the big day. We wish the Rockin' Riders, as well as all the participants, all the best.
Do you like horses, music, glitter and fun? If so, then make sure you head on down to the Princess Louise Show Park in Sussex on Thursday, July 24 for the 2008 Drill Team Competition. The fun will begin at 6:30pm!
It's been nice to see a familiar face at the barn this past month in the form of Julie Williams. Julie's been coming out a couple of times per week to work with the young horse, Cutter, along with owner Lois-Anne.
Our condolences goes out to Kara and her family on the recent passing of her brother. Our thoughts and prayers goes out to you and yours.
Once again, we've had a successful haying season and we're happy to announce that all the hay's in. A big Thank You goes out to all who've helped this year in lugging and stacking this year's hay crop. We couldn't have done it without everyone's help!
I have been involved with horses for many years and love everything about these magnificent animals - it is an addiction, one I am proud to have. This was especially gratifying to me last month when we began another year of riding with the Cavalier Riding Club - Therapeutic Riding for the Disabled. After many months of meetings, we were up and running and the smiles on the faces of the children, the parents and our volunteers made it all worthwhile.
This is a transition year for the Club - our much loved head coach Ann Murray stepped down after approximately 20 years. Will we be able to replace her? Probably not, but we will certainly try to keep going. We have 3 coaches working with us now; Debbie Wilson, Cassie Wood and Mark Stevens. All are volunteering their time, all the while studying and preparing for their CanTRA levels in July.
We also have a great bunch of directors and everyone has worked hard to regroup and move forward. Thanks to all our volunteers who make the Club possible. Also, we can't forget the horses. Currently we are only using 2 mounts in the form of Okie and Cowboy. They certainly have big horse shoes to fill, and although both are fairly new to the program, they are proving to be up to the job of therapeutic horses.
We are in our 10th year here at Ashton Ridge and we are proud to be the HOME OF THE CAVALIER RIDING CLUB. "The smiles make it all worthwhile."
The next show on the GMEC circuit will be the Havelock Horse Show on June 20th and 21st.
The next GMEC monthly meeting will be held on June 19 at the Atlantic Hotel on the Homestead Road. This will be the last meeting for the summer months and will only resume in September.
Everyone get ready for another year of Drill Team! This new, fun and interactive sport has been up and running for the past 5 years or so. This year's competition will also hold a quadrille team, where there will be a team of only 4 horse and riders performing a pattern to music. Dates and location to be announced later.
There's a new face around the barn in the form of a new boarder! We would like to welcome Lois-Anne MacGregor and her new horse Cutter! Cutter is a cute year old brown Quarter Horse gelding.
The Cavalier Riding Club had it's Volunteer Orientation this past weekend, in preparation for the new riding session that began on Tuesday. Landon's pony Cowboy began his début as a Cavalier pony and we're happy to say that everything went very well. A great way to start a new riding year!
The first show on the GMEC show circuit is the Albert Horse Show that will be held in Albert on May 17 and 18.
The next GMEC monthly meeting will be held on May 15 at the Coliseum Agreena.
Old Man Winter seems to have finally loosened his hold enough that you can now feel the warm heat of the sun. The pastures are thawing out, the snow is receding at a quick pace and the horses are shedding and feeling frisky as the warming winds blow across the land.
Now that the temperature is at a more tolerable level, construction is back on track at the farm as another box stall is being built for one of the boarders.
The Cavalier Riding Club hosted a "coaching preparation" clinic April 5 with Evelyn Fraser. The Club was well presented to host the clinic and all participants left with a wealth of information. Thanks to all who helped, by either donating their time or donating sweets to snack on. The bonus of the day was that all the horses behaved themselves.
A big Thank You goes out to Shani Murray for taking the time to ride and get Okie ready for the new riding season. We're happy to say that Okie has never looked better!
Now that the snow has melted enough to possibly get some trailers up and running, Chantalle and Kara are both getting ready to hit the road and make their way over to Whispering Winds for the Derek Hanscome clinic held on April 19 & 20. They're keeping their fingers crossed that no last-minute snow storms hit the area like it did last year.
Lessons with Linda Clark are back into full swing now that she's done gallivanting around the country, riding horses for clients.
*UPDATE* It's time to start looking at all the knickknacks that you've accumulated, and any horse stuff you may no longer need, and book your spot for the Yard Sale that will be hosted at Carmaz Stables on behalf of the GMEC club on May 24. To book your spot, simply send a shout to Chantalle at chantalle@ashton-ridge.com or to Brian Kent at zoy@nbnet.nb.ca.
The next GMEC meeting will be held on Thursday April 17 at the Coliseum Agreena.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SKIP!!!! Skip, one of the long-time resisends at the farm, turned 19 on April 24. He celebrated his birthday with many carrots fed by "Dad" Stan.
Our condolences goes out to Kara Greenwood and her family on the recent passing of Kara's mother. The funeral is being held in Enfield. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during these difficult times.
Activity has started to pick up around the farm as everyone's realizing that Spring is not too far in the distant future. Some riders are preparing for clinics, some for shows and even others for another Drill Team Competition. We'll keep you updated as things become finalized.
Being a mother sure has its moments, as Niki quickly found out. So, in honor of the tips and tricks she's stumbled accross while juggling a full house, she created her own blog! Be sure to check it out at http://www.minimalistmommy.blogspot.com.
Things have been fairly quiet at the barn as everyone's trying to cope with snowstorm after snowstorm, or the freezing rain or the really cold temperatures! Everyone's snowblowers have been getting quite the workout this year as we've been experiencing a "winter of old's' with all the snow that's fallen so far. Even with the few mild and rainy days we've had has barely put a dent in the huge snowpiles found all over. The horses? They don't seem to mind too much, as long as there's a path to the hay, they're happy!
The GMEC have approved yet another Derek Hanscome clinic to be held once again at Whispering Winds Equestrian Farm. It will be the weekend of April 19 and 20 for all types of riders; western or English. More details can be found under the "Upcoming Events" page, and the GMEC website.