Twin Tiers Horse Activities, Aug. 30-Sept. 2, 2013

Frankly, I'm shocked.  It's Labor Day weekend.  How did this happen?  I protest!  I want another month of summer!

Well, even though time is passing, don't let these great horsie activities pass you by.  There are a lot of great things to do with your horse on this long weekend, so get out there and have fun!

 

Twin Tiers Classic Open Show Series

When:  Saturday, Aug 31, 2013

Where:  Chemung County Fairgrounds (map)

Description:   Twin Tiers Classic Open Show Series

CONTACT: Laurie Baker (627)738-0695 April Halm (607) 425-1382

Skyline Corral Memorial Classic

When:  Sunday, Sep 1, 2013

Description:   September 1: Skyline Corral Memorial Classic, Owego, NY, $ Added TBA, 10am Exhibitions, Open not to start before NOON http://ny06nbha.com/schedule

Twin Tiers Trail Riders Trail Rides

When:  Friday, Aug 30, 2013

Where:  Various (map)

Description:   Twin Tiers Trail Riders Trail Rides, August 30 – Sept. 13 - Susquehannock State Forest, PA. MUST contact Jeanne Root to be on the camping permit 570-596-3653  This ride is open to everyone. A deep fried turkey dinner and a dish to pass will be on Saturday night. Best to confirm by August 1, 2013. Additions will be if space is available. Day riders are welcome, just confirm with Jeanne. You can ride and do dinner or just one.  Parking is planned for Horsey Hilton/ Twelve Mile Gas Well parking lot.

2013 ACTHA Trail Challenge at Pure Country Campground

Where: New Berlin

When: Saturday, Aug 31, 2013

Description:  http://www.purecountrycampground.com/2013 ACTHA Trail Challenge Registration for this ride will close 1 day before event Pure Country Campground is a unique campground in Chenango County in Upstate New York that borders on the Brookfield Trail System. This Trail System is where Pure Country Trail Boss--Jim Weidman holds the ACTHA Trail Challenge. With over 130 miles of mapped trails to pick from, natural obstacles are easily found. We always come up with good obstacles. Wonder what these will be? Enjoy a nice dinner at the beautiful facilities at Pure Country and friendly atmosphere. PARTICIPANTS MUST REGISTER ONLINE TO PARTICIPATE. If you need assistance in signing up, please call theLorraine at 607-591-6907. Directions Info: From route 12 take coute route 24 to kelly road, from route 8 take county route 25 to Kelly Road. About 45 minutes from Binghtamton, NY. 176 Kelly Road New Berlin, NY 13411

NYS Fair

When:  August 22 – September 2

Description:   The Grand and Glorious NYS Fair – Syracuse, NY

There are a whole lot of horse competitions this weekend!

http://www.nysfair.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/SchedPgs_Aug30.pdf

Old Tyme Country Fair at Carriage House Saddlery

When: Sun, September 1, 3pm – 7pm

Where: Trumansberg (map)

Description: Jousting, pony rides, crafts, face painting, more. http://www.carriagehousesaddlery.com/events.html

We Interrupt this Horse Blog...

...to bring you a sheep.

This is Crabby.  He's an American Blackbelly ram, and since he managed to get a voice on the Twin Tiers Horse Twitter feed this week, I thought I'd show the Twitter followers just who he is. 

He's the more photogenic one, but at least I don't have food on my nose.

I think I saved his life when he was born, back on a single-digit day in February, so that may be why he tolerates my putting my hands all over him.  None of the other sheep allow such indignities.  And my hubby is allowed touch him too, but if anyone else tries, he takes off.

Yes, I know he looks like a goat, but he truly is a sheep.  

OK, back to the horse stuff.  I'll have the line up of weekend horse activities posted tomorrow.

Twin Tiers Horse Activities, August 21-28, 2013

What is there not to love about being a horseman in the Twin Tiers?  Just look at all there is to do with horses this weekend.  The weather should be glorious, too, so get out there and have fun with your horse!

Twin Tiers Trail Riders Trail Rides

When:  Wednesday, Aug 21, 2013

Where:  Various (map)

Description:  Twin Tiers Trail Riders Trail Rides -- August 22 – 25 – Brookfield Recreation area. Contact Becky Rasmussen, 607-764-8378 or cell – 607-742-3743, Octoberglory@frontier.com or Linda Hendricks 607-342-3534 or mailto:clearview@jtva.net

Birchtown Summer Show Series

When:  Thursday, Aug 22, 2013

Where:  Forest City (map)

Description:  Birchtown Summer Series 2013 August  22^nd; These shows will be held in our indoor, outdoor or grass field. Show arena will be announced the week of the show! http://birchtownstables.com/shows.html

NYS Fair

When:  Starts Thursday, Aug 22, 2013

Description:  August 22 – September 2 – The Grand and Glorious NYS Fair – Syracuse, NY

http://www.nysfair.org/

GVRDC USEA recognized Horse Trials

When:  Aug 24 – 25, 2013

Description:  August 24-25: GVRDC USEA recognized Horse Trials, Geneseo, NY. Levels are Intro, Beginner Novice, Novice, Training and Preliminary. Contact Wezo Pierson at (585) 509-5691 or piersonlouisa@yahoo.com

NYS Fair Barrel Spectacular

When:  Saturday, Aug 24, 2013

Description:  August 24, NYS Fair Barrel Spectacular, Syracuse, NY, $5000 Added *Co-sanctioned with NY07* Exhibitions at 9am Open at 11am http://ny06nbha.com/schedule

Trumansberg Fair Youth and Adult Shows

When:  Saturday, Aug 24, 2013

Where:  2150 Trumansburg Road, Trumansburg, NY, 14886, (map)

Description:  This years shows have now changed a bit at the Trumansburg Fair- no more Draft Show. Saturday Aug 24 will be the Youth Show, Sunday Aug 25 will be the Adult Show. **Both shows will need to start 9 AM Sharp!!! PLEASE NOTE: To allow for this, entry will be booth open 8:00- 8:50 for halter classes. Any Entries taken after 8:50 will miss the halter classes. As always - pre-entries (received NO later than the Monday before the shows) receive 1 free class - with no payment due until day of show! (Mail them early, w/ copies of Coggins/Rabies - if they don't reach me in time, I cannot honor one free class offer.) *TRAIL CLASS will be offered at BOTH shows, in all divisions! Premiums offered increased at each show: will be $900, (note: minimum payout per point $3, with maximum payout $5/point - exact amount determined by number of classes that are full). Ribbons to sixth place, premium payout to 1st - 4th places only. Updated class lists for each show will be posted on website as soon as they are finalized at the printers in early June. Questions? 607-387-5072 or email: indigoacres@msn.com  2150 Trumansburg Road, Trumansburg, NY, 14886,

Way-Ont Saddle Club Event

When:  Saturday, Aug 24, 2013

Where:  Newark, NY (map)

Description:  August 24th **Rain Date Ranch Sorting** 6:00PM 7:00PM August 25th Pleasure Show 9:00AM 10:00AM. For more information: President Vice President Deana Jones Lori Schrieber 585-214-7114 585-738-4318 Ranch Sorting Harvey Kay Game Shows Pleasure Shows Jr. Rodeo Doug Ruffell 585-690-6921 5763 Clark Road, Newark, NY 14513 http://www.way-ont.com/

Big Loop Hunter Pace

When:  Sat, August 24, 9:00am – 12:30pm

Description:  Reserve the dates! May 18 June 22 July 20 August 24 September 21 October 19 Hope to see you all at the Loop for the hunter paces! Let’s make it the best season yet! 640 Artline Rd Eldred, PA 16731 http://www.chandellefarm.com/bigloop/dates.htm https://www.facebook.com/pages/BigLoopHunterPace/393983690631

GVRDC XC schooling on Horse Trials Grounds

When:  Wed, August 28, 3pm – 7pm

Description:  Aug. 28: GVRDC XC schooling on Horse Trials Grounds, 3 - 7pm. Cost is $30 for GVRDC members, $40 for non-members. Helmets with chin straps, vests & armbands required & riders must have someone with them (either mounted or on the ground). If you need to school with a trainer, contact Carol Kozlowski at (585) 226-6287 or mothersfield@aol.com

Making the Best of It

This summer has been tough on the Twin Tiers hayers, since it has been very rainy. That doesn't mean it has rained every day, but it has rained every third or fourth day, just enough to make it very tough to time the mowing, teddering, raking and baling.

Much easier to move!

If we were still buying hay, instead of growing it ourselves, I would be worried about what quality I would be finding as I tried to fill my mow for the winter.  A lot of farmers in this area bale mainly for cows, and they don't mind rushing the process to beat the rain.  Unfortunately, that often means hay that is pretty much unusable by November -- at that point, when you open a bale, clouds of nasty, mold dust gag you, and the hay is not healthy for horses (or you) at that point.

But since we are making our own hay now, I have just been having fits all summer over it.  We knocked down half a field of FIRST cut (very late first cut) last weekend, only to have one of those pop-up, drenching thunderstorms interrupt the clear weather and soak our downed hay.

Hay, stealing my horse space again.

So, what to DO with a half a field of rained-on downed hay that was late anyway, so past its prime and full of weeds?  We sure as heck didn't want to bale it into our little round bales.  It's a hell of a lot of work just to end up with crappy bales, and we don't want to store them and we don't want to leave them on our field. 

So, we made a deal with a neighbor who has a big round baler.  We teddered the hay so it was dry and fluffly, then raked it into double windrows for him the next day.  He baled it for us, turning it into 16 big round bales.  That equates to about 300 little bales for us, so I am very glad we didn't have to pick them all up and figure out where to store them.

A classic hay-burner portrait

Storage of the big bales was still a question, but since our old barn is newly cleared out of last year's hay, it will work temporarily until we figure out what to do with the big bales.  That barn is supposed to be for horses and horse equipment only, but hay keeps finding its way back in there.

Since the hay was bone dry when we baled, the bales themselves are fine.  They won't mold.  The hay will have lost some flavor and nutrition during the rain, but I'm testing it on our mares.  If they find it acceptable, I'll use the big bales as back-up munchies in the winter, leaving one available for them to chew on in between feedings of the good hay we have made.  If they hate it, I know many cows that will find it delicious, and we may sell it.

Cheech made a bed of it.

All in all, I'm pretty happy with this real "if life gives you lemons, make lemonade" ending!

 

Twin Tiers Horse Activities, Aug. 17-21, 2013

Here’s your weekend line-up of horse activities.  It’s a fine selection, with clinics, shows, trail rides.  So much, it’s hard to choose. 

Whatever YOU choose, have a great time with your horse!

Open Versatile Horse Obstacle Clinic

When:  Saturday, Aug 17, 2013

Description:  Aug. 17 – 18 Open 'VERSATILE HORSE' OBSTACLE CLINIC with Gentle Dove on August 17, 2013. Then PRACTICE/TRAIL RIDE on Sunday, August 18, 2013; Dream Valley View Ranch 8983 Oakland Rd; Nunda, NY 14517 http://www.dreamvalleyview.com/

Birchtown Summer Show Series

When:  Saturday, Aug 17, 2013

Where:  Forest City (map)

Description:  Birchtown Summer Series 2013 June Sunday, 16th Friday, 21st Saturday, 22nd July Friday, 12th Saturday, 13th Wednesday, 17th Friday, 26th Saturday, 27th Sunday, 28th August Thursday, 1st Thursday, 8th Saturday, 17th Thursday, 22nd These shows will be held in our indoor, outdoor or grass field. Show arena will be announced the week of the show! http://birchtownstables.com/shows.html

Heavenbound Farm Schooling Show

When:  Saturday, Aug 17, 2013

Where:  Rome (map)

Description:  https://www.facebook.com/events/507986989270797/

Lane Cove Dressage Intro to Legerete with Stephanie Durand

When:  Saturday, Aug 17 -18, 2013

Where:  McGraw (map)

Description:  ILégèreté Clinic with Stephanie Durand August 16-19 Picture Please join us for a open clinic with Stephanie Durand, a certified instructor of Philippe Karl's School of Légèreté.  This is a very rare chance to ride with a licensed teacher in the School of Légèreté in the US.

Riders and Auditors accepted.

Location:  Lane Cove Dressage 3773 Stillwell Rd, McGraw, New York 13101 http://www.lanecovedressage.com/

Troy Area Horsemen's Association Game and Performance Shows

When:  Saturday, Aug 17-18, 2013

Where:  Alparon Park, Troy, PA (map)

Description:  Our 2013 show dates are as follows: Game shows: 8/17, Pleasure shows: 8/18 https://www.facebook.com/pages/Troy-Area-Horsemens-Association-TAHA/117504178323024?ref=ts&fref=ts

Twin Tiers Trail Riders Trail Rides

When:  Saturday, Aug 17, 2013

Where:  Various (map)

Description:  Twin Tiers Trail Riders Trail Rides

August 17 – April Smith - ride from the Leo G Rodeo Grounds, contact April 570-827-0987 or riverrunranch@live.com; August 17 - 21 – Otter Creek - contact Linda Hendricks 607-342-3534 or clearview@htva.net -

Way-Ont Saddle Club Event See Schedule

When:  Saturday, Aug 17, 2013

Where:  Newark, NY (map)

Description:  August 17th Game Show 5:00PM 6:00PM.

For more information: President Vice President Deana Jones Lori Schrieber 585-214-7114 585-738-4318 Ranch Sorting Harvey Kay Game Shows Pleasure Shows Jr. Rodeo Doug Ruffell 585-690-6921 5763 Clark Road, Newark, NY 14513  http://www.way-ont.com/

Quadrille Camp at Gale's

When:  Starting Monday, Aug 19, 2013

Where:  Horseheads (map)

Description:  Includes a drill team performance on Friday evening. $400 for the week 607-796-9821 galesequinefacilty@stny.rr.com

Walnut Hill Driving Competition

When:  Aug 14- 18, 2013

Where:   Pittsford (map)

Description:  Walnut Hill Driving Competition at Walnut Hill, 397 W. Bloomfield Rd, Pittsford, NY. Tickets available at gate: $10 adults, $5 children. Parking is free. For more info go to www.walnuthillfarm.org, call Tricia Remley-White at (585) 385-2555 or walnuthillfarmdc@aol.com

Michelle LaBarre Clinic

When: Saturday, Aug 17- 18, 2013

Where: Honeoye Falls (map)

Description: Michelle LaBarre Dressage Clinic - Black Points Farm, Honeoye Falls, NY. For info about Michelle, www.labarredressage.com To ride in the clinic, contact Mary Delton at mhd@rochester.rr.com. Auditors welcome.

Genesee Valley Breeders Association Annual Horse Fair

When: Saturday, Aug 17-18, 2013

Where: Pittsford (map)

Description: Genesee Valley Breeders Association Annual Horse Fair, in-hand classes and performance classes. Held at Lehman Farms in Pittsford, NY. For more info, go to www.gvbreeders.com

Clinic Openings

I heard from trainer Ashley Haffey at Lane Cove Dressage that she had some unexpected openings for this very interesting-sounding dressage clinic.  Ashley trained two of my former ponies to be ridden and she has a holistic view of horsemanship.  If she's holding this clinic, I'm betting it's good.

So, if you're nearby and looking for some education for yourself and your pony, here's a possibility: 

http://www.lanecovedressage.com/clinics--events.html

I'll have my full line-up of weekend activities a little later today.