Spring Schooling Show - Saturday, April 28th!

We are having our Spring Schooling Show April 28th!  All of our riding school students are welcome to participate and we are offering levels from Walk-Trot to Pre-Training (3' courses).  This schooling show is a mandatory full-dress event for the show team riders. All of the details are available on the website as well as registration.

Even if you do not feel ready to participate at this show, feel free to come out, watch and cheer on your fellow riders.  We will have a BBQ and (yes, I know it's late) Easter Egg Hunt!

We hope to see you there!

Session Five: April 29th - June 24th

Just a reminder that the new session begins on April 29th.  Session fees are due by the first class in the session.  If you are looking to book classes, we take new students at any time! Please contact us via email, and we would be happy to set something up!

Show Team Clinic: April 21st, 4:00 - 6:30pm

Hello Show Team Riders,

The Show Team Clinic is mandatory for all team members an will be taking place this Saturday, April 21st, 4 - 6:30pm.   The clinic will include a general meeting going over what to expect at a show, which shows you've received and how to fill out entry forms, etc.  Riders will also rotate through stations with Sr. show members leading on how to braid, how to clean and pack your tack and how to show groom your horse.  Parents of junior show team members will also receive instruction on how to assist your child at the shows.

We are also going to tie in the tack-swap meet so if riders have anything they want to sell/trade, feel free to bring it in.  We can also set up a table at our April 28th Schooling Show if riders have more items they wish to sell.

See you there!

Session Four: Feb 27th - April 28th

Hello Raynham Riders!  Just a reminder that session four began on Monday so if you have not yet submitted your lesson fees, please do so as soon as possible.  


If you took session three off, we'd love to see you back in the saddle! Email Nikki to book classes.


Just a note on lesson packages, please remember that you are only entitled to the package rate if you pay for the full 8 or 16 lessons AND payment is received by the second class in the session.  You cannot deduct a lesson from the package if you know you are going to be away.  If you know in advance that you are going to miss a regular class during the session, just email Nikki.  There are many options for make-up classes.  If you do not wish to do a make-up lesson, then you must pay the per-lesson rate for your classes that session.  

See you in the barn!

Spring Boot Camp!

There are only 2 spaces left for our terrific boot camp program! Sign up now to avoid disappointment. 

Spring Boot-Camp

Monday – Friday, March 12^th – 16^th

Winter will be over before we know it so it’s time to plan ahead for the spring! This program will be hugely beneficial for those competing this season or in the future but would also be appropriate for anyone who is very committed to their riding.  The dressage lessons will be ½ hour semi-private lessons to maximize individual focus (+ 15 min. warm-up & cool down after).  Jumping lessons will be group classes and will be 1hr.   Unmounted training sessions will be after lunch daily, 1 hr in length. The camp will conclude with a mini-competition on Friday at 2:00pm, parents/friends are welcome to come watch and cheer!

                                                                 

DETAILS

·          Hours: 9:00am – 4:00pm  

·          Age: 10+

·          Rider Level: Minimum requirement is able to ride an Entry level dressage test and canter a 2’4” course.  If you are unsure if you meet the requirement, please ask your instructor.

·          Max. Participants: 12 – We can only accommodate 12 riders for this program so spaces are LIMITED.  Register now!

·          Cost: $425 + HST = $480.25 

Day	AM	PM	Unmounted Training
MONDAY	Lunge Lesson w/ Video Analysis of Position	Dressage Lesson – Focus on Basics	Goal Setting: immediate, short & long term goals
TUESDAY	Dressage Lesson – Work on Test Movements	Jumping Lesson – Grid work w/ Video Analysis	Create training plan for next 6 months
WEDNESDAY	Dressage Lesson – Dressage test run-through (written comments)	Jumping Lesson – Connecting Fences	How to optimize your dressage score
THURSDAY	Dressage Lesson – Individualized focus on areas that need improvement	Jumping Lesson – Riding a Course	How to analyze and walk a show jumping course
FRIDAY	Dressage & Jumping: Run-through for mini-show – focus on how to warm-up effectively	SHOW Mini-competition with combined dressage & stadium course	Focus on show prep including braiding, grooming and tack-cleaning.

­At the end of the session, riders will receive a

written analysis and take-home training plan.

That "Round" Feeling

Here is a terrific article from Jane Savoie that I thought you may enjoy!

What Does It Look And Feel Like When Your Horse Is On The Bit?

Many Riders are confused about how to tell if their horses are honestly on the bit. Below is a description of what it looks and feels like when your horse is honestly connected.

What Does it Look Like?

• Hindquarters: You want to see active hindquarters and your horse stepping well under himself.
• Back: Just behind the saddle, the back should look round, not dipped and hollow.
• Neck: If you’re sitting on your horse and looking at his neck, it should be widest at the base, just in front of the withers, and get progressively more narrow toward his ears. If you’re looking at your horse’s neck from the side and you see a dip 4 or 5 inches in front of the withers (or a narrow area when viewed from above), that’s a visual signal that he is not really ‘through’ and connected. If the neck is widest in middle, or widest up by the ears, then your horse is being pulled into a frame instead of being correctly connected from back to front. He should get ‘pumped up’ or ‘bloom’ at the base of the neck, meaning it’s the widest point.
• Poll: Ideally, the poll is the highest point.
• Nose: The nose should be 5 degrees in front of the vertical.

What Does It Feel Like?

• Suppleness & Connection: You should feel an elastic connection with your horse’s mouth, His back should feel like it’s swinging underneath you; it shouldn’t feel rigid.
• The Zone of All Possibilities: Your horse should feel ready to respond to any request within the next step. If you want to go from trot to canter or do a leg-yield and your horse is really connected, these movements are simple Savoie explains. If your horse is not connected, then those things become very complicated. But if your horse is really on the bit, you can switch to a new gait or a different exercise almost just by thinking it, rather than actually applying aids.
• Horse and Rider Comfort: For people who have trouble sitting to the trot or canter, the horse will become more comfortable to sit on when he’s connected, compared to when his back is hollow. From the horse’s point of view, he’ll also be more comfortable when you’re not pounding on his back and making him sore.

Lessons Cancelled Today

Good Morning Saturday Riders! Unfortunately, it is quite chilly out there again this morning, -13c but feels like -22c with the windchill. We've been very lucky with the mild winter this year but when it does get cold, it gets COLD! So, we realize that this is the second Saturday that we have had to cancel this session. If you are able to schedule a make-up lesson that would be greatly appreciated. Just email Nikki or give her a call this afternoon. If not, we can deduct this class off next session's fees. Stay warm today and see you soon!