Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Raynham Holiday and Awards Banquet & Winter Riding Tips

Hello Raynham Riders!

We hope everyone is surviving the early blast of winter!  It’s hard to believe it supposed to go back up to double digits next week!

Raynham Holiday and Awards Banquet – Friday, November 28th

Our 6th Annual Raynham Holiday and Awards Banquet is next Friday, November 28th!  We are going to have a terrific silent auction, door prizes, a delicious buffet dinner, music, dancing and our off-property high-point awards.  We would like to emphasize that the banquet is open to all of our riders and their friends and families.  It's great to see everyone out of your barn grubbies and have a fun evening out together!   We have chosen a new venue this year, Riverstone Golf Club at Hwy 427 & Zenway, and we’re very excited to get to party somewhere new!  

If you would like to reserve a ticket, please email by this Friday, November 21st. 
Tickets are $60.00/adult and $40/child under 12.   Payment can be made at the door or dropped off at the barn by next Wednesday.  Please make cheques payable to “Raynham Show Team”.   

Raynham Gear

Looking for a terrific Christmas Gift idea?  We are offering NEW Raynham Gear through Avid Equestrian.  Details will be posted on our website shortly, http://www.raynhamstables.com/raynham-gear.html. 


Winter Riding Tips

No one was prepared for the blast of cold weather this week!  Here are a few tips for staying warm in the cold:

- Dress in layers and make sure your base layers are moisture wicking.  Thermal long underwear designed for skiing is ideal!   Once you are riding you will warm up quickly so be sure your top layers have zippers so they can easily be removed when mounted.
- Head, hands and feet lose body heat quickly.  Wear winter boots with ski socks, warm gloves or mittens and a hat when tacking up.  Snowpants or sweatpants over your breeches is also a good idea for chilly days.  You can remove the extra layers and switch to riding boots and gloves right before you get on.
- When riding, a headband can fit under a helmet or a cozy helmet cover is also a great option.(http://greenhawk.com/wdItemDesc.asp?strilhID=Web&strmdNumber=DRD0912&stricSKU=DRD0912) 
- Winter specific riding boots (http://www.pleasantridge.ca/index.php/boot-winter-tall.html) and gloves (http://greenhawk.com/wdItemList.asp?strilhID=Web&strListType=Search&strSearchString=winter%20gloves) are awesome for staying comfortable during the winter months.  If you can’t purchase riding specific gear, your regular winter boots may be fine.  They need to have a ½” – 1 ½“ heel, not too chunky treads and the foot needs to be narrow enough to fit into the stirrup.  Ask your instructor to check if you are unsure.
- For those really cold days, hot packs (www.littlehottieswarmers.com) in gloves and boots are a great way to stay warm

Remember, we will cancel classes if the temperature drops below -12c without the wind-chill or if driving conditions are unsafe.  Please remember to check the blog during inclement weather in the winter months.

See you in the barn!


Nikki