Saturday, May 31, 2014

This Weekend's Picks, May 31-June 1, 2014

Look to the North this weekend for a couple of great activities.

In Spencerport, we have an opportunity to see a whole lot of horse-drawn carriages, from minis to horses, as the Northampton Driving Society holds its 28th annual competition.

And over in Geneseo, you can watch all three phases of competition in the Genesee Valley Riding and Driving Club's Spring Horse Trials. 

There are lots of other activities this weekend too, so check out the Big Calendar, and have a great time with your horse!

Northampton Driving Society Event at Northampton Park
June 1, 2014
Corner of Hubbell Rd & Colby Street
Spencerport, New York 14559
Horses and ponies will compete in a range of classes, from pleasure driving to obstacle competition.
For details:

Genesee Valley Riding and Driving Club Spring Horse Trials
May 31 – June 1, 2014
4222 Roots Tavern Road, Geneseo, NY 14454
USEF Endorsed/USEA Recognized Divisions: Training, Novice, Beginner Novice
USEA Recognized Test: Intro
Tentative Schedule:
Saturday: Stabling open at Noon; Cross-country course open at 3 pm.
Sunday: Dressage begins at 8 am. Show Jumping at 11 am. X-C 11:30 AM. All divisions will complete Show Jumping prior to cross-country.
For details:


Friday, May 23, 2014

This Weekend's Picks, May 23-26, 2014

New this week!

Instead of re-listing all the weekend's events from the Big Calendar in a weekly post, I'm going to highlight an interesting horse activity or two each week.  But don't forget to look at the full calendar (to the right), because there are many great activities from which to choose!

This Memorial Day weekend, I'm loving the Troy Area Horseman's Association shows.  This hard-working club offers pleasure and gaming shows on several summer weekends at Alparon Park in Troy.  They have a great facility and are family friendly.  You can ride games on Saturday, then go back for ring classes on Sunday.

Whatever you do, have a great time with your horse this Memorial Day weekend!


Troy Area Horseman’s Association Gaming and Pleasure Shows
When: Gaming show: May 24; 
Pleasure show: May 25 

Where: Alparon Park, Troy, PA, United States (map)

Description: 
Gaming (gymkhana) Shows. We offer lead-line, walk-trot, walk-trot-canter, youth, and open classes, as well as a class specifically designed for horses that have not been shown much and are a bit green. We also have a jackpot barrel racing class that pays back up to three places. Show begin at 12pm and riders can begin signing up at 10 a.m. on the day of the show. Warm-ups are available in the show arena before the show begins. 

Pleasure shows offer a variety of classes such as halter, showmanship, English and Western pleasure, as well as jumping and driving. All classes are made to be appropriate for any horse and rider combination. We have both registered and grade horse classes; however, horses in registered classes must have the appropriate paperwork in order.Sign up at 7 a.m., start at 8 a.m.

All shows are rain or shine. Payback is awarded for classes with more than 5 riders.  Stalls can be reserved any time before the show or the day of (based on availability).  




 



Sunday, May 18, 2014

One Ambitous Mare



The Hairy Eyeball, Part 1.
DeCato, the  ambitious redheaded mare, continues to surprise me with her changing attitude toward her stablemates.   

She seemed content at the bottom of the pecking order after we moved here in 2010 and was never higher than second-to-the-bottom since I brought her home in 2008.  Until recently, the only horse I had ever known to be lower than her was a big, scaredy-cat buckskin quarter horse we used to own.

Then, over the course of a couple of weeks, she deliberately bumped Starlight out of second in command.  Starlight, a sweet and mild-mannered horse, didn’t really give her any trouble.  The role was DeCato’s for the taking, apparently.

But several times since then, I have noticed DeCato pinning her ears at the boss mare, Hudson.  DeCato has definitely made the “Make me!” face at times, when Hudson has stepped in to move DeCato -- off a particularly desirable pile of hay, for instance.

The Hairy Eyeball, Part 2
 These encounters seem to be more important to DeCato than Hudson.  The latter doesn’t appear to pay any attention to the little mustang, who stands a good seven inches shorter and at least 600 pounds lighter than my half-draft heavy weight.  But I am curious to see where this will end up.  Will it go on like this forever, with DeCato making pissy faces (which isn’t normally allowed by a lower horse, in my observation), or will Hudson express her authority or maybe even give it up?  

Time will tell, but my guess is that Hudson is pretty secure at the top.

Starlight, worried

Hudson, not worried.





Friday, May 16, 2014

Twin Tiers Horse Activities, May 16-18, 2014

Have a look at the Big Calendar, at the right, for a full run-down of this weekend's activities.

And have a fun, soggy weekend with your horse!

Thursday, May 8, 2014

Twin Tiers Horse Activities, May 8 - 14, 2014

Wow! What a great selection of equestrian activities we have this weekend.  Get out there and have fun with your horse!

Jeff Wilson Cowboy Dressage Foundations Clinic
When:  May 8-10, 2014
Where: : Delhi, NY, United States (map)
Description:   COWBOY DRESSAGE FOUNDATIONS CLINIC Thursday-Saturday, May 8-10, 2014 3 days 9-4 PM $600 Auditors welcome Black Willow Morgans Training Facility 24041 State Highway 28, Delhi, NY For More Information: Jeff@JeffWilsonCowboyDressage.com 607 746-3979 b 607 435-8076
Tentative Riding Schedule for Day 1: Cowboy Dressage Foundations Clinic
AM SESSIONS – Ground work – Getting movement from the ground. Visual understanding of what you are accomplishing. “If you cannot get the movement from the ground, you won’t get it from the saddle.”
PM SESSION – Under Saddle – Developing from the ground work to the saddle. A rewarding moment of accomplishment!
Tentative Riding Schedule for Day 2: Cowboy Dressage Foundations Clinic
AM SESSION – Ground work & under saddle – building on previous day to develop the horse. The power of bended lines of travel, bending horses, and lateral movements.
PM SESSION – Introducing the Cowboy Challenge court. Continuing with horses and riders. Helping horses from a foundational level regardless of the discipline. Using practical dressage to help find solutions for each individual horse.
Tentative Riding Schedule for Day 3: Cowboy Dressage Foundations Clinic
AM SESSION – How to ride a Cowboy Dressage test. What the maneuvers look like. Freestyle. PM SESSION –Individualized planning and strategizing for each horse's individual needs. http://www.jeffwilsoncowboydressage.com/Cowboy%20Dressage%20Clinic%201.htm

Jane Ashley Clinic
When:  May 10-11, 2014
Where: : Binghamton, NY, United States (map)
Description:  May 10th-11th: Jane Ashley Clinic, Finale Farm. Auditing is $10/day. Lunch will be served and there will be a question/answer session Saturday afternoon. For questions, please contact tacie@treleavenwines.com, 315-730-4103.

Heavenbound Farm Western Dressage Clinic
When:  May 9-10, 2014
Where: : Rome, PA, United States (map)
Description:  On May 9-10 we are offering a Western dressage clinic..... all level welcome, lessons, demonstrations, lectures, Goals + the rules you need to know to ride you 1st ( or 10th ) western dressage test. hbfarm@epix.net for entry and information. Classes limited. Heavenbound Farm LLC , Rome, PA 570-247-7192 https://www.facebook.com/pages/Heavenbound-farm-LLC/133136320031600

Bridle Path Manor Junior/Amateur Hunter Horse Show
When:  Saturday, May 10, 2014
Where: : N Y S Fairgrounds, State Fair Boulevard, Syracuse, NY, United States (map)
Description:   Bridle Path Manor Junior/Amateur Hunter Horse Show May 11, 2013 • 8:00 AM @Toyota Coliseum • Free Admission

Jane Ashley Clinic
When:  May 10-11, 2014
Where: : Binghamton, NY, United States (map)
Description:  May 10th-11th: Jane Ashley Clinic, Finale Farm. Auditing is $10/day. Lunch will be served and there will be a question/answer session Saturday afternoon. For questions, please contact tacie@treleavenwines.com, 315-730-4103.

Diamond T Ranch Rodeos
When:  Saturday, May 10, 2014
Where: : Savannah, ny (map)
Description:  Diamond T Ranch Rodeos South Butler, NY May 10, June 21, July 26, August 16, Finals: Sept. 20 Sign up at 10, Start at 11. Joe and Tonja Ticconi, 315-730-1156 We are located at: 12929 South Butler Road Savannah, NY 13146 https://www.facebook.com/pages/Diamond-T-Ranch/300666866749676

Michael Barisone Dressage Clinic
When:  May 10-11, 2014
Where: : Pittsford, NY, United States (map)
Description:   May 10, 11 Saturday, Sunday Michael Barisone Dressage Clinic, Equestrian Village, 44 Sheldon Rd, Pittsford, NY. Michael is an Olympic & International Dressage trainer who has coached eventing notables Phillip Dutton, Boyd Martin, and Buck Davidson. For more information contact Sandy at 585-721-5539 and/or download the clinic flyer.

Osburn Arena Sorting, Roping, Barrels
When:  Saturday, May 10, 2014
Where: : Campbell, NY, United States (map)
Description:  Osburn Arena Sorting, Roping, Barrels Located in Campbell, NY just 3.5 miles off I-86, OSBURN ARENA hosts team roping, barrel racing and ranch sorting events. 607-368-9896 https://www.facebook.com/OSBURNARENA?filter=1 

Rolelu Dressage Show, Combined Test, Jumping Derby
When:  Saturday, May 10, 2014
Where: : Geneseo, NY, United States (map)
Description:  May 10 Saturday Rolelu Dressage Show, Combined Test, and Jumping Derby, Geneseo, NY. Dressage Judge: Dru Malavase, NY. More info and Entry forms at website or call 585-243-0916. http://www.rolelu.webs.com/


TAHA Games and Pleasure Shows
When:  May 10-11, 2014
Where: : Troy, PA, United States (map)
Description:  Troy Area Horseman’s Association 2014 shows dates: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Troy-Area-Horsemens-Association-TAHA/117504178323024 Gaming shows: May 10 May 24 June 14 July 5 Pleasure shows: May 11 May 25 June 15 July 6 Our pleasure shows offer a variety of classes such as, Halter, Showmanship, English and Western pleasure, as well as jumping and driving. All classes are made to be appropriate for any horse and rider combination. We have both registered and grade horse classes, however horses in registered classes must have the appropriate paperwork in order. All shows are rain or shine. Payback is awarded for classes with more than 5 riders. Stalls can be reserved any time before the show or the day of (based on availability)! Pleasure shows begin at 8am, with sign-ups available before the show. Gymkhana Shows Our game shows are ran to be family friendly just like all of our other shows. We offer leadline, walk-trot, walk-trot-canter, youth, and open classes, as well as a class specifically designed for horses that have not been shown much and are a bit green. We also have a jackpot barrel racing class that pays back up to three places!!!! All game shows begin at 2pm and riders can begin signing up at 12pm on the day of the show. Warm-ups are available in the show arena before the show begins.

CRC Open Horse Show
When:  Sunday, May 11, 2014
Where: : Westfield, PA, United States (map)
Description:  CRC Open Horse Show May 11 at 9:00am CRC grounds https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cowanesque-Riding-Club/1394862184094281

Cross Over The Line Rodeo

When: Sunday, May 11, 2014

Where: Rush NY (map)

Description: Canada vs. the USA PCRA Bull Riding event, will have you at the end of your seat! We are honored to be doing this event, and our bulls are all set and ready to go! Don't miss out on this great event y'all! Bring mom and the whole family out to Rush NY, for an action packed day! Cowboy Fellowship starts at 1:00 pm. Show at 2:00 pm.




Sunday Barrel Racing at Cross Over the Line

When:  Sunday, May 11, 2014

Where:  Rush, NY (map)

Description:  Barrel Racers! Looking to have some fun with your horses? Then come out and have some Sunday fun In Rush NY. Enter the open barrels and run in the bull riding performance! Open Barrel Racers have to call in and enter the event prior to Sunday. Books are open from now, until Friday night at 8:00 pm. Go to our PCRA Rodeo facebook page for entery information! Following performance, there will be exhibition barrels, followed by a 3D race! Performance starts at 2:00 pm. Come out early for Cowboy Fellowship starting at 1:00 pm. Located at 375 Stony Brook Rd, Rush NY.


Desensitization Clinic with Jack & Dave Minteer
When:  Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Where: : Bloomfield, NY (map)
Description:  Desensitization Clinic with Jack & Dave Minteer GVRDC has sponsored several of these clinics and they have been so well received that this year we are offering 2 clinics. If you have a spooky horse and want to know how to address such problems, this would be a very useful clinic. If you plan to do any trail trials or just go trail riding, this would be a very useful clinic. Jack and Dave expose you and your horse to various obstacles such as: tarps, wooden bridges, flags, and many others and show you how to instill confidence in your horse. Dates: Wednesday, May 14th, 3 - 6 pm Saturday, May 17th, 9 am - noon Location: Wild Side Ranch, 8675 Taft Rd, Bloomfield, NY Cost: $100 for GVRDC members, 4H/ pony club $125 for non-members Ã…uditing: $20 adult/$10 teen, free for kids, 4H, pony club