Winter Session Schedule Coming Soon!

 Hey Raynham Riders,

We hope everyone had a wonderful holiday!  There are quite a few changes needed to the winter session schedule, so we weren't quite able to get it completed before the holidays.  We are back working on it now, and hope to have it posted by the end of the weekend.  It will be posted here and sent out via email as well.

Thank you for your patience!

Nikki

Wednesday, November 8th - LESSONS CANCELLED

 Hey Wednesday Riders!

Unfortunately, the forecast has not improved for this evening, they are calling for accumulating freezing rain from 3pm - 7pm. We have decided to cancel lessons for this evening to keep everyone safe. We will send out an email regarding rescheduling shortly. 

Nikki 

Potential Freezing rain - Wednesday, November 8, 2023

Hi All! 

We are going to keep an eye on the forecast and if we decide to cancel lessons, we will post again by noon today. They are calling for accumulating freezing rain later this afternoon/evening. 

Thanks!!

Show Season 2024 Info Session for NEW Show Riders

 Hey All!

I forgot to mention in my last post that we are going to do an info session for potential new show team riders tomorrow at 2:30pm in the small arena.   If you can't make it, send us an email and we will send you the info packet.

Returning show students DO NOT need to attend, we will just be going over the basics of what is involved in competing, costs, time commitment, etc. 

Nikki

Halloween Schooling Show Details!

 

Hey Raynham Riders, Below are the start times for this weekend!  A huge thanks to Rachel & Gabby for their help putting the times together!   Here are all the details for tomorrow! Arrival & Check-In:  When you arrive, please head to the camp trailer to check in with the secretary. Riders should plan to arrive early enough to give their horse a thorough grooming and be ready to mount at least 15 min prior to the start of your flat class. Payment: E-transfer OR you can give cash or cheque to the secretary on the morning of the show Attire:  Just dress neatly and appropriately for the weather!  Spectators:  Are welcome!   Parking: Please part efficiently in the parking lot. Once the parking lot is full, please park alongside the driveway, being careful not to block gates or paths to paddocks. Dogs: Please don't bring dogs on Saturday, it will be hectic enough as is! Food: We will have food available for purchase - coffee, tea, hot chocolate, water pop, muffins, cookies, chips, chili (veggie & beef), hotdogs, chili dogs, and WALKING TACOS - YUM! Concessions will be CASH only. Please let us know if you have any other questions!  We are looking forward to a fun show on Saturday! Nikki

START TIMES

14th Annual Holiday & Awards Banquet!

Hey Raynham Riders!

We would like to invite you and your families to the 14th Annual Raynham Holiday & Awards Banquet!  The banquet is open to ALL Raynham riders and their families, not just show team riders.  We will be returning to the beautiful Nobleton Lakes Golf Club, which is just around the corner from the farm! There will be a silent auction, games with prizes, a delicious plated meal, a memorable slide show, an awards presentation, and dancing! It is sure to be a FUN evening for all!  Details are below!

BANQUET DETAILS

When: Friday, December 1, 2023, 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Where: Nobleton Lakes Golf Club

Tickets: $110 + HST = $124.30 for Adults, $55 + HST = $62.15 for Kid’s Plate 

DINNER MENU

-Roasted Butternut Squash Soup 

-Roasted Turkey served with all the fixings - Harvest Stuffing, Cranberry Sauce,

Mashed Potatoes, Seasonal Vegetables, and Artisan Dinner Rolls. Or the Veggie Option.

-Coffee/Tea, and Dessert!

-The Kid’s Plate is chicken fingers & fries, and dessert.

If you would like to book tickets, please fill out this FORM and send payment via e-transfer to info@raynhamstables.com.

If you have something you would like to donate to the silent auction or prizes for the games/raffle, we would greatly appreciate your support!  Please send us an email :) 

Tuesday, Sept 5th - Evening Classes ARE Running

 Hey Raynham Riders,

Boy is it HOT for back to school today!  We have canceled the daytime lessons and pushed the evening lessons to later when it is cooler.   Lessons will still be modified today though - lots of walk/water breaks, trips to the cross-country field to walk through the water complex, hacking, etc.  Please be sure to bring two bottles of water!

See you tonight,

Nikki 

TENTATIVE Fall Lesson Schedule

Hey Raynham Riders!

Below is the TENTATIVE fall lesson schedule.  Again, my apologies for the delay, it was quite the juggling act to fit everyone in!   Please check the schedule and fill out this form by the end of the day tomorrow to confirm your lesson time or let us know if there is an issue: https://forms.gle/XJ8gTzfqnWWR88Mn6

Nikki

Here is a link to the Google Sheet with the schedule so you can search for your name: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1QaH8DLYxUfpy_w8JPy0ia50RtJmeGpl_idsLuCWrJCg/edit?usp=sharing

Fall Schedule Coming!

 Hey Raynham Riders,

I apologize for the delay in getting the fall lesson schedule posted, it's been an unusually busy few weeks.  I hope to have something posted by the end of the day today, but I do have to teach this afternoon/evening, so it might be tomorrow. 

Thank you for your patience,

Nikki

Tentative Summer Lesson Schedule

Hey Raynham Riders,

It's been insanely busy at the barn for the past few weeks (months, years, forever?!?) and we want to thank you for your patience as we finalized the summer lesson schedule. 

A few notes about the Summer Lesson Schedule: 

• The summer session is 8 weeks long but we are only billing for 7 weeks. So if you are going away for two weeks, you will receive a makeup booking code for one lesson (not two). If you are here for all 8, then we will add a lesson to your invoice. 
• Many of you indicated availability on Sundays or during the weekday daytime. Unfortunately, we are only running lessons on Saturdays this summer, and daytime lessons are limited since we do not have tack-up help until the evenings. If you only gave Sundays or daytime availability, we have given you an alternate time. Sorry about any confusion. 
• Once we get the schedule entered online, we will notify you so that you can book your makeup lessons before we open the schedule to pay-as-you-go clients. 
• Makeup booking codes will be sent to you with the summer lesson invoice. 

Please let us know by end-of-day tomorrow if there is an issue with your lesson time. Also, please let us know if there have been any changes to the dates you are away over the summer so that we can update your form if necessary. 

Here is the link to the Tentative Summer Schedule. 

Let us know if you have any questions and thanks again! 

Your Raynham Team 

Spring Schooling Show Start Times & Details!

Hey Raynham Riders,

Here are the start times for the weekend -  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1D82BFDSKw6_zCji-MFwKtj0ecIvmP8SAMt9GKaU2XQE/edit?usp=sharing

 

A huge thanks to Rachel & Gabby for their help putting the times together!  It is not looking likely that we will be able to run the show outdoors with all the rain forecasted for Friday and Saturday so we have scheduled the times planning to run indoors.

 

Here are all the details for Saturday!

• Arrival & Check-In:  When you arrive, please head to the camp trailer to check in with the secretary. Riders should plan to arrive early enough to give their horse a thorough grooming and be ready to mount at least 15 min prior to the start of your flat class.

• Payment: E-transfer OR you can give cash or cheque to the secretary on the morning of the show

• Attire:  Just dress neatly and appropriately for the weather! Show students should ideally wear show apparel but if the weather is awful, just stay warm!

• Spectators:  Are welcome!  

• Parking: Please part efficiently in the parking lot. Once the parking lot is full, please park alongside the driveway, being careful not to block gates or paths to paddocks.

• Dogs: Please don't bring dogs Saturday, it will be busy enough as is!

• Tack & Apparel Sale: We will be having a tack/apparel sale as a fundraiser! Cash only. 

• Food: We will have food available for purchase - coffee, tea, hot chocolate, water pop, muffins, cookies, chips, chili (veggie & beef), hotdogs, chili dogs, and WALKING TACOS - YUM! Concessions will be CASH only.

Please let us know if you have any other questions!  We are looking forward to a fun show on Saturday!

 

Nikki

Spring Volunteer Day - Saturday, June 10th!

Saturday, June 10th

9:00am – 4:00pm

(You don’t have to stay all day, any help is appreciated)

BBQ, Prizes & Challenges!

Calling all Raynham boarders, lesson students, show students & their families! We’re always working to improve the facilities here at Raynham Stables to make it a better place to ride. Here’s your chance to be a part of it! 

Spring Volunteer day is back!  We haven't had an official volunteer day since 2019, before Covid!  As always, we have a ton of projects to tackle around the farm. There are so many things to do this year that we are planning a whole volunteer weekend! The volunteer days will run 9:00am - 4:00pm but you do not need to stay all day, any help is appreciated. We hope to see many Raynham riders out to lend a hand!  There will be jobs appropriate for younger students as well as parents (Dads - we're looking at you!).

Jobs include:

• Redo fencing in between back paddocks
• Fix wash stalls (pull out mats, level gravel, replace mats) 
• Clean/organize loft
• Staining/painting XC jumps
• Clean up gardens and re-plant
• Clean up branches (everywhere!!!)
• Clean up around the stadium ring
• Repair/replace electric fencing around the front paddocks
• Dig out corners around the dressage ring
• Rake and pick paddocks
• Cut down trees in paddocks, and around indoor and outdoor arenas
• Trim/weed eat around the fence lines
• Power wash stalls/ceiling in the barns
• Clean mirrors in arenas
• Clean windows in barns
• Tack inspection and conditioning 
• And there's always more!

We will be holding a raffle for prizes and FREE private lessons (jumping or dressage, your choice!) at the end of the day.  You get a ticket to put into the draw for each hour that you are here helping out! We will provide a BBQ lunch and refreshments throughout the day.

Thanks in advance for your support!

Nikki & your Raynham Team

Spring Riding Tips!

Hey Raynham Riders,

The warmer weather has arrived and with it comes more rain and MUD! Be sure you have what you need to properly care for the horses and make the most of the season!!

• Plan to arrive at least 30min early for your lesson so you have time to clean your horse properly. Pay special attention to areas where the tack sits, especially the girth area.
• Keep 1-2 old towels in your grooming bag to clean legs/mud and a bag to put them in so you can bring them home and wash them after each use.
• Always clean and towel dry your horse's legs with special attention to the heels. When horse's heels are left wet the skin cracks and they can get terrible leg infections that require veterinary care.
• Rubber Boots and a bag to put them in so that your riding boots don't get too muddy!
• Treat Your Horse for Thrush as a preventative/maintain their hooves. If you don't know how, please ask your coach or a barn staff to teach you. We have thrush treatment in the tack-up area.
• You can add Bag Balm or Vaseline to your grooming kit and apply it to your horse's heels after a ride when they are clean and dry. When applied to heels before turning out, it creates a protective barrier to help prevent your horse from getting mud fever.
• Baby wipes are a great addition to your grooming kit so you can easily wipe your hands if they get muddy! They can also be used gently around your horses eyes, nose, etc.
• Avoid wearing fleece jackets as it's shedding season and horse hair loves to stick to fleece clothing.
• Use the shedding blades! We have added shedding blades to all the grooming kits in the tack-up area - you will need them! Shed out your horse before and after each ride and be sure to brush off the hair that is on the underside of your saddle pad, and sweep up all the loose hair when you’re done!

See you in the barn!

Your Raynham Team

Saturday, March 4th - UPDATE, Lessons ARE Running!

*** Rachel is plowing the driveway.  The 8th is currently only plowed northbound.  It was quite a bit of snow last night but has slowed/stopped now so hopefully they will get it cleaned up quickly!   I’m on my way over to help her out so we’ll both be at the farm to teach.  I’m sure it will be fine in a few hours, but for the morning lessons, if the roads haven’t been cleared in your area yet, just let us know and we can reschedule!

 *** I’m just waiting to hear from Rachel (who is staying at the farm) about the road conditions there  I will update ASAP***

Hey Raynham Riders,

We will have to see how the storm tonight progresses, but the worst of it is supposed to be this evening, and it's supposed to stop before the morning so hopefully, the roads will be clear in time to run lessons tomorrow.  We will do an update post in the morning though once we see the conditions!

Nikki

Monday, Feb 27th - Lessons Are Running

Hey Raynham Riders!

They are calling for a storm, but the forecast isn't looking too bad for this evening.  It isn't supposed to get nasty until overnight, so we are planning to run classes this evening!

If the weather conditions in your area are poor, please let me know and you can reschedule!

Nikki

Thursday, Feb 23 - Lessons ARE Running

 Good Morning Raynham Riders,

The forecast for today is no longer showing anything significant so we are going to run classes today. If the driving conditions in your area are poor, just let us know and you can reschedule. 

See you in the barn!

Nikki 

Wednesday, Feb 22nd - EVENING LESSONS 5PM & ONWARD CANCELLED

 Hey Raynham Riders,

Apparently, winter is still here!  The storm is supposed to pick up this evening so we are going to cancel all lessons from 5 pm onwards.  We'll keep an eye on the storm, and if it starts to get bad earlier, we'll cancel earlier lessons.  We will be in touch by text directly if we decide to make that call.

Nikki

Saturday, Feb 4th - Classes CANCELED

 Good Morning Raynham Riders,

Unfortunately, due to the extreme cold, classes are cancelled for today. 

Stay warm!

Nikki

Thursday February 2nd - Lessons ARE Running!

 Hello Raynham Riders,

We have been keeping an eye on the temperature and it is not going to drop below our cutoff temperature of -12℃ until overnight tonight, so lessons WILL be running this evening!

See you all later!

- The Raynham Team 

Sunday, January 29th - Lessons ARE Running

 Good Morning Raynham Riders!

Sorry for the late post - we got more snow than expected! Coaches Gabby and Olivia are both here and happy to teach.  Gabby drove here from Toronto and said her drive was okay but it was slow.  If the driving conditions in your area are poor and you'd prefer to reschedule, just let us know!

Nikki

Thursday, January 26th - Lessons ARE Running Today

 Good Morning Raynham Riders!

The snow has stopped here, the driveway is plowed, and the roads in the area are already cleared, so we are good to go for lessons today!

See you in the barn,

Nikki

Wednesday, Jan 25th - Lessons CANCELLED Tonight

 Hey Raynham Riders,

They are calling for heavy snow starting this afternoon so we are going to cancel classes for this evening.  As per our winter inclement weather cancellation policy, riders have the option to schedule a make-up.  Any weather cancellations not made up by the end of the session will be deducted from your spring lesson invoice.

We are happy to offer some make-up classes this Friday and next Friday (which is a PA day).  If you are interested, send us an email and we will get you scheduled in :)

Stay safe if you have to go out today!  

Nikki

Thursday, January 19th - Lessons ARE Running

 Hey Raynham Riders,

Shockingly, the forecast has improved for tonight!  There hasn't been any more precipitation here since 11:30am and it's clear now.  They have taken the freezing rain off the forecast for tonight, so we are going to run classes.

If conditions in your area are poor, and you don't feel like you can drive safely, just let us know and you can reschedule.

See you tonight!

Nikki

Thursday, Jan 19th - Keeping an Eye on the Weather!

 Hey Thursday Riders!

It is currently freezing rain off and on here at the barn.  I have canceled my daytime lessons and we are keeping an eye on the conditions/forecast for this afternoon and evening.  We will make a decision by 1pm about whether or not we need to cancel the evening lessons as well.

Stay safe today!

Nikki