Saturday, Jan 29th - LESSONS CANCELED

Hey Raynham Riders,

Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for it to be -23c in the morning and only getting up to -12c (our cut-off tempered or classes) for a brief time in the afternoon so unfortunately classes are canceled again. We have definitely broken our record for the number of cancellations in a month. I’m not sure if we’ve ever had to cancel this many times over the whole winter before  :( 

Unfortunately, this is the second cancellation on a Saturday, so if possible, we'd REALLY appreciate riders booking a make-up, but if you don't fit one in, we'll deduct it off the spring session.  

If you booked a makeup last week already, use:

Group: WEATHERPGR2

Private: WEATHERPR2

If you did NOT book a make-up last week, use:

Group: WEATHERGR1

Private: WEATHERPR1

Stay warm and safe everyone!

Nikki

Wednesday, January 26th - LESSONS CANCELLED

 Hey Raynham Riders,

Unfortunately, it looks like the temperature is going to be below our cut off temperature of -12c for this evening so we are going to cancel classes.  Thankfully, it looks like the cold snap is going to end next week - we’ve had a record breaking number of cancellations this winter so far!

As we build one cancellation into the winter session, you do NOT need to schedule a make-up lesson for today but if want to get your lesson in, you can rebook using the following code:

Private Lesson: WEATHERPR1
Group Lesson: WEATHERGR1

Stay warm today!

Nikki

Tuesday, January 25th - Lessons ARE Running!

 Hey Raynham Riders, 

It’s going to be a bit chilly tonight but we ARE planning to run classes.  It might drop below -12c before 9pm tonight, if so, we can shorten classes and do some stable management in the heated tack up area! 

See you tonight,

Nikki

Thursday, Jan 20th - LESSONS CANCELED

Hey Raynham Riders,

I think we’re breaking a record for number of cancellations In January :( Unfortunately, it’s supposed to be extremely cold again today so we are cancelling classes. As we build one cancellation into the winter session, you do NOT need to schedule a make-up lesson for today but if want to get your lesson in, you can rebook using the following code:

Private Lesson: WEATHERPR1
Group Lesson: WEATHERGR1

Stay warm today!

Nikki

Lessons ARE Running - Winter Weather Policy Reminder

 Hey Raynham Riders,

We've received countless emails today asking if classes are running so I thought I would post a reminder of the winter lesson policy:

Lessons will be cancelled in the event of freezing rain, heavy snow or extreme cold (temperature is below - 12c before the wind chill). For the winter session, we bill for one less class, so if we have to cancel once, we are square. If we have to cancel a second time, students have the option to deduct the class of the following session or schedule a make-up lesson. Please note that cancellations will be posted on the blog ONLY so please check before heading to the barn. On weekends, cancellations will be posted by 7:30am and weeknights will be posted by 1:00pm.

Please do not call/email to ask if classes are running - there isn't always someone available to answer during the day, so your call/email may get missed.  The blog is the best way to ensure the information is available to everyone to check.  If there is no post by 1pm on a weekday or 7:30am on the weekend, lessons ARE running. 

We base lesson cancellations on the driving conditions in our area.   If the driving is unsafe where you are coming from, please send an email and you can reschedule.  We do not want anyone driving during unsafe conditions. 

Please let us know if you have any questions!

Nikki

LESSONS CANCELLED - Monday, January 17th

 Hey Raynham Riders, 

The weather is AWFUL!!  The snow is supposed to taper this afternoon, but the wind is supposed to pick up and we can't keep the paths to the paddocks and the driveway clear.  Unfortunately, this is the second cancellation on a Monday, so if possible, we'd appreciate riders booking a make-up, but if you don't fit one in, we'll deduct it off the spring session.  

If you booked a makeup last week already, use:

Group: WINTERGR2

Private: WINTERPR2

If you did NOT book a make-up last week, use:

Group: WINTERGR1

Private: WINTERGR1

Stay home and stay safe everyone!

Nikki

LESSONS CANCELLED - Saturday, January 15th

Hey Raynham Riders,

It's supposed to be ridiculously cold tomorrow so we are going to cancel classes for SATURDAY, JAN 15th. As we build one cancellation into the winter session, you do NOT need to schedule a make-up lesson for tomorrow but if want to get your lesson in, you can rebook using the following code:


Private Lesson: WEATHERPR1
Group Lesson: WEATHERGR1

DRESSING FOR WINTER RIDING REMINDERS

I've seen a few riders come to the barn under-dressed for the winter weather so far.  We cancel classes when it's -12c or colder before the windchill, but if you're dressed appropriately, even I (who HATES the cold), can stay comfortable to ride when it's above -12c!  For my full list of tips and product recommendations, please read this post, but here are the highlights!

• Dress as if you were doing any other outdoor winter sport such as skiing or tobbagoning.  Thermal base layers, warm mid/top layers, winter boots for when your outside (change into boots right before getting on), toque, etc. 
• Riders need winter gloves, ski socks, and a winter helmet cover OR a headband that fits safely under a helmet to keep your ears warm.  For those that struggle with cold fingers, riding mittens keep fingers warmer than gloves!
• Ideally, riders should have winter riding boots, but if they're not in the budget, have your coach see if your regular winter boots are safe to ride in.  They need to have a bit of a defined heel and not too much tread.
• Do you get really cold?  I add sweatpants or even snow pants over my winter breeches AND put hot packs in my riding mittens and winter riding boots on those extra chilly days!  This Costco-sized pack will last you all winter long! 

Stay warm today and tomorrow!

Nikki

Tues. Jan 11th - Lessons ARE Running Today!

Hey Raynham Riders,

It was SUPER cold last night and this morning but thankfully it is warming up quickly now and will continue to warm up overnight so classes will be running this afternoon/evening.  Dress in lots of layers, bring hot packs for your gloves, and let your coach know if you are getting cold. We can always shorten the mounted portion of the lesson and have your coach give you a stable management lesson in the heated tack up area for the remainder of your lesson time!

See you tonight,

Nikki

LESSONS CANCELLED - Monday, January 10th

Hey Guys!

It's supposed to get mighty chilly overnight tonight so we are going to cancel classes. It won't be extra miserable until after 5-6ish, so if you are planning to practice ride, I'd recommend coming as early as possible!

As we build one cancellation into the winter session, you do NOT need to schedule a make-up lesson for this evening but if want to get your lesson in, you can rebook using the following code:

Private Lesson: WEATHERPR1
Group Lesson: WEATHERGR1

Stay warm tonight!

Nikki