Winter Wonderland

We woke up this morning at Archway to snow falling and the ground covered in white. That didn’t keep our rider’s away though. They came and rode their horses, who were a bit fresh but appreciative for the exercise.

During the holiday break we have been doing a different format for lessons. Our rider’s come between the hours of 9am and 1pm Tuesday through Friday. They hack on their own and then get to jump over the set course. This allows them the flexibility to fit riding in with other fun activities they have planned during their winter vacation.

Happy Holidays Everyone!!

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Schooling Show

Greetings
Our June 6th Lesson Program Schooling Show was a huge success from beginning to end. On Saturday preparations began with bathing horses/ponies, scrubbing tack, setting the course, and braiding our faithful steeds. Our braiders included Corey, Payton, Krista, Kelsey, Ana, Lauren, Sophie, Alexa and Gina the horses/ponies looked beautiful. As the big day arrived all was in order for the competition to begin. Our Instructors Ana and Lauren along with the Mentors were ready to greet our students with a big smile and positive energy. The barn was abuzz with the air of competition and success!!
This year we implemented the Mentoring Program where our Competition riders teamed up with a Lesson student to guide them through all the in and outs of preparing for competition. This program was a huge success and allowed each student to have personal attention throughout their experience. A big thank you goes out to our Mentors: Nicole, Cady, Sophie, Payton, Jenna, Melanie, Kelsey, Mali and Alexa you girls were great.
Gay Sheridan was our judge, Ana designed our color coordinated courses, Robin ran the show office, Natalie was our back gate/announcer and Erin was our ribbon girl, they were each instrumental in maintaining a smooth flow throughout the day, Great Job Officials and Show Staff.
In our spectator section we had Moms, Dads, Grandparents Brothers, Sisters and Friends all here to cheer everyone on. I had a wonderful time greeting and visiting with all our clients. Our Lesson Program parents provided all the tasty food for a wonderful potluck starting with muffins and fruit salad and ending with a delicious Mexican themed lunch. Don’t you just love Potlucks?!!
I was impressed with how each rider improved and became more comfortable as the day progressed, all the riders created their own success and each one should feel proud of their accomplishments, keep up the good work.  We feel very fortunate to have these uniquely wonderful individuals that make up our Archway Family.
Be sure to check our website for individual results and lots of photos!!

Clare Warren

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Join us this weekend!

Join us for the Jeff Cook clinic starting at 9am Saturday, March 27th.  The clinic will have three divisions and there is a wonderful heated viewing area for auditors.

We will serve lunch in our Archway Cafe for all!

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Jeff Cook Clinic

Are you ready?  Our Jeff Cook clinic is happening this coming weekend. Saturday and Sunday the sessions will begin with the 3′ riders at 9am.  The 3’6″ session follows at 11:30 and the 3’9″ session at 2:30.
On Saturday, our concession stand will be serving penne bolognese, salad and french bread for lunch.  Of course we will have lots of homemade goodies and for the earlybirds, coffee and pastries.

We have loads of room for spectators in our heated viewing area.  Remember, there is no auditing fee for the competition riders at Archway!

See you there!

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Today, my post is about a blog.  Following is an excerpt from a wonderful gentleman named Rick.  It is worth your while to subscribe to his blog. He is a radio host/author residing in Arizona and here is the link:  http://thehorseshowblog.blogspot.com/
His unique perspective and writing style is worth your time.

….Working on this week’s TV show about the Budweiser Clydesdales got me to thinking about why big horses allow us puny humans to control them. I’ve heard it speculated that they simply don’t know how strong they are. That may be true. There are many things horses don’t “know” the way we humans know them.
What horses do know – and we conclude this by observing them – is that it’s very important to be able to move one’s feet freely. In fact, in the horse’s world free movement is more than important; it’s an obsession. It is the key to living another day.
Accepting this fact about the horse’s nature is where every horseman’s journey must start. It’s why so much emphasis is placed these days on groundwork, for it is through groundwork that the horseman proves he can control the horse’s movement. Riding then becomes much simpler.
Note that control comes not from the horseman’s weight, muscular strength, or athletic prowess. It comes from understanding, respecting, and expertly using the horse’s nature as a unique animal species. We cannot force a horse to do anything but we can manipulate conditions to where it becomes easiest for him to do our bidding. Our idea becomes his idea. Outthinking the horse, rather than overpowering him, is the horseman’s stock-in-trade.
Horses do not think the way we do, but they do understand this basic truth: a creature that can control the movement of my feet is worthy of my respect. A creature that can do it without making me fear for my safety is worthy of my trust. Someone I respect and trust is someone I will follow, no matter how big he or she may be.
Rick….

and an inspirational excerpt from a famous poet,  for those getting ready for another show season…

Hope

Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune-without the words,
And never stops at all…
Emily Dickinson

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Are you ready for the April shows?

It’s already March!  The cherry blossoms are out (a tad bit early). We have flowers in our garden and the woodpeckers are back with annoying early morning wake up calls.  (They use the metal siding for announcing their territory!)

This is a great time to clean out your show trunk.  You never know what may be in it (unless it’s Morris taking a spring nap) 🙂

Check with Corey to be sure you have everything you will need for those first few shows. There seems to always be something that has gone missing since last season.

Have you joined WSHJA? This is YOUR local organization that rewards its membership with year end awards. Also, is your horse or pony registered with all the required associations? Those of you on the competition team should check with Corey to be sure all your cards are in order. You should have a USEF card for your horse/pony. A USEF card for the rider, a WSHJA membership and, if you are entering any medal classes, you should have an ASPCA card (this is for the Maclay).

Happy riding. These lessons in March are a count-down for the shows in April.

“It’s the repetition of affirmations that leads to belief. And once that belief becomes a deep conviction, things begin to happen.”  Muhammad Ali

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Great schooling show riders!

Our back gate workers.  We also had Hannah T. and Payton volunteer their time at the back gate!

What a beautiful day we had for a schooling show!  It reached a cozy 56 degrees and the horses and ponies showed how much they enjoyed the sun by behaving wonderfully.  So many people were responsible for such an organized show that I will have to thank them in a separate post.

Our concession stand was full of yummy home-baked goodies and even had hand-packaged horse treats to buy.  Riders, parents and siblings kept a constant stream through the cafe door and we made a brisk business.
Each of our divisions filled and everyone won their fair share of ribbons.  Some great outside horses attended and we were excited to see new faces from our industry.

We love seeing the support the riders have. From younger brother or sisters staying all day to watch,  to moms or dads busily videotaping rounds, to dads just holding precious ribbons.  Riding is truly a family affair.  Our riders couldn’t do it without the financial and emotional support of their exended family. We applaud you – the support team outside of the barn that help our riders!

We had ponies, we had horses.  Some jumped small.  Some jumped big. Some rode their own horse,  some rode on borrowed mounts. We had beginner riders to the advanced rider.  What a great day to get some practice in for the show season,  or just get in some practice. The older riders got to help the younger ones and the horses all got BATHS!
Until next time…
The team at Archway.

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Come on out and attend our schooling show!

Pack up the kids and grandma and make the picturesque drive to our farm just outside of Mill Creek.  Not quite ‘the country’ but 15 acres positioned smack in the middle of some very beautiful homes.

Our schooling show begins at 10am Sunday, February 21st and we will have plenty of excitement and food for all. Catch our riders and horses (and yes, the ponies will be showing too). This is their chance to show how hard they have been working all winter.

Then,  stop by [Wild Vine Bistro] for dinner.  Just a few minutes down the road, and right off the Bothell-Everett Hwy.  A great way to enjoy this unusually beautiful February weather!
P.S. [Clicking on the Wild Vine Bistro link above will take you to a $10.00 off coupon for your dining pleasure]

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Deadline coming soon…Archway schooling show

We’re gearing up for our February schooling show.  It’s time to get your entries in!   For a printable entry form and schedule go to our ARCHWAY website.

Great ribbons and prizes!  Our famous concession will be open with all proceeds going to the Archway Scholarship Fund!

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Schooling show

photo by jmoore (c)2010

Preparation is underway for our next schooling show on February 21st.  Our riders had a lot of fun, as well as the visiting barn riders and their coaches. We will again offer our concession, with proceeds to go toward our Archway Scholarship Fund. Give us a call for more information or go to the our WEBSITE to get additional information, an entry form or a schedule.

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