October 30 Jumping Clinic with Hilary at Sage Hill Stable
A great to chance to have Hilary come and teach some of my students. She was tough on them and it was exciting to see the improvements. Huge bonus for me as I'm able to ride my client horses as well as my horses. Rialta is pushing for the 1.0 meter work!

October 22-23 Double W Riding Academy Hunter/Jumper Show in Bluffton
Quindy and I packed up Jackson, Apple, Rialta and Melody and met up with Hilary and Lisa at a new show...beautiful facility, landscaped and planned wonderfully. Very nice staff as well with a great environment for young horses. Our horses got to jump 3 days in a row with warm-up Friday night. Rialta showed her scope over a wall fence by leaping to the heaters above and landing beautifully and continuing on! All 4 horses were great contenders in the hunters - Apple at her first show in the x-rails, Jackson in the 2'3", Melody in 2'6" and Rialta in 2'9" - lots of ribbons to hang up. Had a nice chat afterwards with Mara in regards to the direction of the hunters in Alberta - great learning environment.
Jumper day brought Hilary/Sid, Hilary/Contado and Lisa/CD to join in the fun. Quindy got Jackson rolling through the combinations without missing a beat. Melody and Rialta were awesome - so smooth and clean and they learned they can go fast for the wins! These are the rounds you use to visualize for the next shows. Super fun also to have a show coach - made for some great laughs and good cheering on.

October Congratulations!
A perfect fit - Congratulations to Michelle Suddaby of Viking on her purchase of Melody!! These two have gotten along so well even when Melody was quite green and I am so excited to pair them up for some wonderful work to come. Melody doesn't even have to move, but she gets all new clothes and lots of love from her new family!

September 4 Maple Leaf Meadows Hunter/Jumper Show
By fall we always manage to pull things together. Shayla/Firefly, Meghan/Belle, and Michelle/Melody all put in some beautiful hunter rounds in the x-rail and 2'0" divisions with Michelle pulling ribbons in every round and the other girls got their first ribbons in the hunters! Danika/Elsa were steady, quick and clean for some great placings in the 2'6" jumpers and came home with the 2'6" Hunter High-Point for the MLM season. Congratulations girls!

September 10-11 Spruce Meadows Masters
Great tickets! I have many wonderful clients that have turned into beautiful friends. Kjirsten and I were able to enjoy the Nations Cup ringside with marvelous food. On Sunday Susan, Mark, Kjirsten and I saw Hickstead’s last wonderful rounds at Spruce Meadows - what a treasure.

August 23-25 Combined Super Horse Camp
So much FUN!!! 18 riders showed up and set up camp in our 'Gypsy Village' by my house. So many sessions including Bone-ita (thanks Melissa!), alpacas, craft, tractor operation, relays and horse obstacle course. Dressage and western horsemanship in the indoor arena in the mornings and extensive trail and jumping courses were set up outside. The second day we headed out to our cross-country course and advanced trail course then headed out on a longer ride on the side of the thick crops for a 'field supper'. All the riders stayed overnight so we left for the lake one night…many adventures with a large ball in the wind! So much FUN to have so many great kids stay at the farm - loved every minute of it!

August Good-Bye Bob
Razzle Dazzle Check has found a new home in Athabasca with the Green family. Good ol' Bobby has been with me from the beginning of our lesson program and has taught so many people to ride, helped me pass my western rider levels with ease, been a great cow horse for my mom and ponied several young horses through the bush. We shall miss him, but I know he is doing very well with his new family - enjoy!

August 9-11 Beginner Horse Camp
Another great camp based on the P'tit Trot Program. These rambunctious riders were very wet after their Tack Trivia...slip and sliding down the hill!

August Lessons with HilaryTrollip at Equitop Farm
Yaaa...I found a jumping coach! I've told Hilary that I need some polishing and she's working me hard. It's amazing the talent that comes out of a horse when you know how to find it. The Brinkmann's are very gracious and I’m enjoying being the only student on the farm! Many accomplishments to be found…

August 4-5 Vegreville Fair
The fairs are always so much fun! Kristen/Amber, Meghan/Belle, Shannon/Soda,, and Michelle/Melody all packed up for a few adventures and great placings. The horses all warmed up beautifully and were ready for dressage tests in the morning. Poor Melody was so scared of the heavy horse hitch and was even shaking in her stall when they went by, but she survived and settled in. Flat classes went well with some exciting ribbons for the girls. Jumping in the morning brought some 1st/2nd places for Michelle and Shannon and I rode Soda and Melody in the higher classes. All went quite well until the last fence with Soda - I overfaced her a bit and she stopped at it, went again, stopped again and I oh so slowly slipped into the mud!! Oh well, found some cleaner clothes and off to flat classes for the afternoon - everyone did really well and Melody brought home a 2nd in her first Show Hack class! Added benefits to the weekend were our lovely stay in the 'Pink Palace' (I slept in my sleeping bag on top of the bed!) and an exciting ride on the Spider with Kristen (had to practically hold her in!) Fun weekend…

July 19-21 Beginner Camp
Christa took on the challenge of Beginner Camp this summer and she had some super creative ideas for the kids! All the riders received a workbook from the P'tit Trot Program, so the sessions revolved around that as well as fun games, equitation, trail and a horse shoe craft.

July 17 Velvety Smooth Cappaccino x Paganini Filly
Supposedly Chino wasn't pregnant last fall, but she just kept getting bigger… with an odd shaped hay belly! It was very exciting to see this little filly show up with loads of chrome. Paraisa is a crowd pleaser and halter broke from day one. Good Mama Chino!

June 24-26 – CA/ADA Dressage Show – Anderson Ranch
Danny and I packed up Soda and Rialta and headed south to beautiful Anderson Ranch in Calgary. I hadn't seen the new barns, pub, footing and rings yet, so very exciting to check it all out. It's always fun as well to be next door to my first real job at St. George's Stables. Danny and Soda rode the Training Level test with accuracy and great consistency while Rialta got to go for some amazing schooling with Vickie. She wasn't quite ready for the 5 year old test, but always great to work in the more charged environment. Relaxing weekend and inspiring to watch Lindsay ride Lance and William as well.

FCS Lessons
That trip to Wetaskiwin has become almost like just driving to town for me! I know the road well and I know the time spent in the saddle with Vickie is super quality. Rialta is learning how to work and Palisade is now coming for the experience. Always great days.

May 28 – Warita X Donner Bube Colt
Warita is getting this foaling deal down to a science! Successful baby #5 came with all the appropriate foaling signs and a beautiful dark colt. He's very elegant and has a 'look at me' demeanor. Warita has already been to Equitop Farm and hopefully is now bred to Quidam Blue for a 2012 foal.

May 14, 15 – Maple Leaf Meadows Fun Show
A big group of horses and riders from our barn...definitely more prepared and settled. We even managed to survive the horrendous sand storm on Sunday and flapping coverall arena!

April 25-27 – Easter Camp
Our 8th annual Easter Camp came with 12 riders ready for another fun week. We made straw bale mascots, learned to clean a stall properly, and drove Jack (our miniature horse) in the cart. Two riding sessions were in the mornings with equitation patterns and trail with the favorite game of 'Duck Duck Horse' later. Drill team practice was split into a beginner and advanced group right after chilli and bannock. So Fun!!

April 2, 3 - Maple Leaf Meadows Warm-Up Show
First show of the year...we had a very short winter training season, so this was a great way to get the horses out and start working out the kinks. Beautiful facility and friendly staff made for a fun show. Dressage tests ran all day Saturday with the hunters on Sunday.

Show Rehearsal Days
Wonderful preparation for the upcoming show season. We ran through each rider's preferred tests and we were very excited to see how well a full hunter course rides in the new arena!

Games Night – March and April
St. Patty's and April Fool's themed evenings were a blast! Relays, gymkhana, and races were part of these fun nights. Great way to break the cold winter days.

Chute Jump Days
Great fun to put several of the training horses and our young Harmony Warmblood horses through the chute. There’s definitely some jumping talent on its way!

February 2011
February 6 was an exciting day for the riders at Sage Hill Stable as the new 80' x 160' indoor riding arena is finally completed and everyone was welcomed to celebrate its Grand Re-opening. Over 100 people drove out to enjoy the festivities starting with much appreciation, exciting announcements and the ribbon cutting to the new arena. The stable is located just northeast of Wainwright and has been home to several local riders for the past five years. After a disastrous wind and downpour last summer, these riders have been without this facility for six months. The wait has been well worth it though as the new building is much larger and there is added barn space that has already proved very useful. Some of the Sage Hill students put together an excellent demo showcasing the jumper, dressage and western disciplines followed by the opportunity to groom a miniature horse, pet an alpaca, and the most popular, ride a pony! Information on Sage Hill programs, shopping in the tack shop and roasting a hotdog were also part of the day. Thank you to all who came out to celebrate with us.

January 2011
Final details for the new arena are on the list for this week and I finally get to book some lessons! Sand, electrical work and heaters all go in this week. The new facility is beautiful and our Open House and Grand Re-Opening is on Sunday, February 6. We are pulling together some fun demos, pony rides, weiner roast and lesson registration. Hope to see you all there!

Well, we are still waiting for that big arena! The crew did get a couple days work done and 3 walls were up in no time, but unfortunately building in January has cold weather delays...soon. In the meantime our horse trailers have had some major miles put on them as we've been trucking to town each day to ride in the public arena. It's been wonderful to keep some of our riders going, but we are very anxious to get home and get prepared for the 2011 season.

2010 News

November
Rialta to Flying Colours Stables
I had the opportunity to ride with Vickie for two weeks this fall. Rialta is taking on her 'big girl' work with a wonderful attitude. Great horse on the way to her FEI 5 year old season.

November
Sage Hill Tack and Giftware Opens
I've had a wonderful opportunity to bring in a whole array of inventory so as to provide some of those much needed items right here in our own barn! I stayed up late all week because, of course, I gave myself a ridiculous deadline! And now it's all ready for your shopping pleasure - we have tons of winter blankets, grooming cases, saddle blankets and halters, sparkly english bridles and beautiful western bridles, colourful buckets and saddle racks, grooming, vet and show supplies, starter english and western saddles and fun horsey gifts...and more.

Also, we've brought in some local products/businesses too! Crimson Chickadee Photography, Stella and Dot, Bartley Boutique, Discovery Toys, Mary Kay and Cowgirl Finesse. Come on out for your Christmas shopping in our cozy tack store. Open each Saturday from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. I'll have the fireplace roaring!!

October
Arena Update
FINALLY! After six weeks of waiting on insurance, a month of working on a mortgage, we are building the BIG ONE!!! Dirt work is already complete and we had an amazing group of boarders/riders/neighbors/family pull the three walls of the old arena down in two days and now we wait... Goodon Industries is scheduled to be here for November 25 to build an 80' x 160' indoor arena attached to our existing barn and remaining 40' x 60' portion of the old arena. We are soooo excited and so impatient, but thank you for all the help and the understanding of my riders as we continue to move lessons around to accommodate for the weather and the early darkness – you guys are troopers!

September 24-26 Harmony Horse Show Series II
It's sunny!!! The outdoor arena was absolute slop the days before our horse show and yet forecast was for sunshine – I live by the weather network these days – and show registrations filed in. You guys never disappoint me! So exciting to have a group of barns and individuals come together to stack up our skills! Love the camaraderie and the growing skill level of each rider. My office and grounds volunteers are getting so efficient, they are practically running me out of a job - I think I may just ride next year! Also one more huge shout-out to our sponsors – amazing support this year.

Results

September 16-17 AB Provincial Dressage Championships Red Deer
Home a couple days then off the FCS for a rehearsal run on the FEI 4 year old test with Rialta and Wrapsody then continued on to the Westerner Grounds in Red Deer. These two horses haven't been off the farm much, so I knew it could be interesting! The half hour indoor (it was super muddy outside) warm-up (15 min each) on Thursday was horrendous!! ...but somehow we managed to pull things together for some respectable tests. This was the first time I've ridden the FEI Young Horse Tests and I quite enjoyed having the commentary at the end of the tests – great observations from very knowledgeable judges. Syd received a 60.2% and 62.4% and Rialta pulled in a 64% and 64.6% for the Reserve Champion at her first horse show!! Yaaaa for my little Rae!

September 10-12 Spruce Meadows Masters Calgary
A rush to get to Calgary! Since we ride horses 'when the sun shines', it was a push to get to Calgary for the weekend to enjoy the Masters as a spectator. I miss riding in the Battle, but I'm so excited for the Canadian Horse team as the horses' owners are out there and they did awesome! It was great to take in more of the showjumping competitions and as always super fun to have lots of our barn in the stands for the Six Bar, Celle Stallions and fireworks from the grass of the International Ring. We all keep dreaming and head home to put the work behind those dreams!

August 24-27 Dressage/Jumper Camp
We shortened this camp due to the ‘weather dependent policy' that we've had to take on. I am so blessed by each rider and their families – they were so excited for camp and couldn't bear to cancel, so even with all the clean-up, insurance, rebuild details in the works, we had dressage/jumper camp!! I've come to love this camp as it holds the riders that really want to move forward competitively and I just love to teach them. We started with a team 'Dressage Princess' dress-up, chute jumped each horse, tons of riding, walleyball and campout on Thursday, and some wonderful tests and courses for Parents' Day. Can't wait for next summer as there are plans in the works to have more camps available.

August 11 The Unthinkable
Rough day in Sage Hill's short history. While I was at 4H Camp, there was a small twister that ripped 60' of tin off the west side of our indoor arena as well as some other damage around the yard. A big fix...then a few days later we got hit with 2" of rain in one of those lovely downpours. It waterlogged the rafters and insulation like a swimming pool and the morning of August 11, a couple of rafters had already broke. Needless to say, we all were beyond distraught and continued to watch the ceiling lower throughout the day until it finally all crashed in around 3:30. There’s not many days that I would want to do anything else in life – I love my job – but that day, I gave up for awhile...

August 5-7 NE Regional 4H Horse Camp Vermilion
I was invited to teach at this camp again – always fun as I've gotten to know several of the riders over the past few years. I taught classes of 15+ in dressage, jumping, trail and english equitation. Let's just say I tried to give each rider a few pointers as they rode past!! I think they all had a blast though and I did hear the comment that 'Sherry is cool...she remembers all our names!!!' Easy to please and great kids!

July 29-31 Vermilion Fair
We look forward to this fair every year mostly because of the great social atmosphere – We have a blast!! We took a huge group of 12 horses with Michelle/Flash, Shannon/Wanda, Ashley/Lady, Ainsley/Connie, Kara/Adante and Parthenon, Kristen/Amber, Shelby/Blondie and Sailor, Emily/Bailey and Soda and Sherry/Soda and Melody. I think we had at least one rider in every class! The petting zoo is always a hit, 4H drill team, great camping companions, cattle sorting and we even took in the cabaret the last night after the horses went home! Great to have such a wonderful group of riders and their families!

July 19-21 Beginner Horse Camp
Amazing to have Tara take over Beginner Camp this year. She did a wonderful job planning some new activities and bringing in some eager new riders. We had two sessions this year where I saw them making horse cookies, playing games and grooming their ponies. We ended the time with the Parents Day and a BBQ. Thanks Tara!

July 14-17 Lloydminster Colonial Days
This is the year of new horses! Kara got both Parthenon and Adante out, Kristen had her first show off the farm with Amber, Shelby had Sailor and Alyshebe, Emily rode Bailey and started out with Soda, and I rode Melody and Soda. Thanks to Shelby for taking the reins on Melody for the dressage day as I just wasn’t up for the young horse battle quite yet! And of course, we always have tons of fun seeing how many girls we can stuff in one RV! Corena spoiled us rotten with breakfast buns, lasagne….and the list never stops!
Jr Training Level Test A Emily/Soda – 3rd
Open Training Level Test A Shelby/Sailor – 2nd
Kara/Parthenon – 4th
Open Training Level Test B Shelby/Sailor – 4th
Open Training Level Test D Shelby/Alyshebe – 2nd
Emily/Bailey – 3rd
First Level Test A Sherry/Soda – 2nd
Shelby/Sailor – 3rd
Emily/Bailey – 4th
First Level Test B Sherry/Soda – 3rd
First Level Test C Shelby/Alyshebe – 2nd
Jr.B English Pleasure Shelby/Alyshebe – 4th
Jr.B English Equitation Shelby/Alyshebe – 4th
Maiden Horse Pleasure Shelby/Alyshebe – 2nd
Regional Pleasure Shelby/Sailor – 5th
Junior Command Shelby/Sailor – 3rd
Englsih Pleasure-Under 15.1 hands Sherry/Melody – 4th
English Pleasure Maiden Horse Kara/Parthenon – 2nd
Sherry/Melody – 4th
Jr/Sr English Pleasure Emily and Sherry/Soda – 4th
Show Hack Sherry/Soda – 5th
English Pleasure Stake Kara/Parthenon – 5th

July 10 Test Rehearsal Flying Colours Stables
Stressful weekend for me as I took four young horses off the farm to two separate venues!! Syd and Rialta were able to have a nice quiet trip to Flying Colours to practice the elements of the FEI 4 year old test. Great prep for the provincials.

July 9-11 Novice Rider Development Show Amberlea Meadows
Busy weekend as we hauled 4 horses to Amberlea and dropped off two more at FCS. Great to get out to some of the busier hunter/jumper shows with some new horses. Emily/Bailey, Shelby/Sailor, Sherry/Melody and Sherry/Soda all made this show. Emily had some nice warm-up rounds in the 2;9” hunters, but we know Bailey isn’t a hunter horse. Unfortunately the pair weren’t quite able to pull it off in the jumper ring, but a great effort and attitude! Melody warmed up nicely for her first horse show and was wonderful in the starter horse working hunter with a 2nd place and 4th in the under saddle. Unfortunately the warm-up ring proved to be too scary on Sunday and she left me in the dirt!! So my rides were cut short that day as I was quite winded and landed flat on my back – the joys of starting horses! Soda did well with a 3rd in the hunters and just out of the placings with two rails in the 2’9” jumpers. We are finally finding some straight lines and steering ability! I also rode her in Road Hack with a 3rd place. We were able to cheer Shelby on all weekend as she had a wonderful weekend on Sailor. A – 2nd, B – 3rd, C – 3rd, D – 1st for her hunter division and 2’9’ Jumper Champion!! Congratulations Shelby!

May 28, 39, 30 – Harmony Horse Show Series I – Sage Hill Stable
Well what can we say...??!! I am jinxed for weather! We moved the show indoors on Friday for the dressage classes in hopes of good weather for the jumping day on Saturday and the larger classes on Sunday, but instead woke up to snow on the ground! Trailers kept pulling into the yard – we definitely have a dedicated group of riders. For some young riders, this was their first show and tales were told how they wouldn't let their parents cancel even with the weather! We had 35 horse/rider combinations throughout the weekend and with that we even managed to squeeze a very challenging 3'0" jumper course in the indoor arena. Helpers kept their wet chilled riders warm with rain sheets, slickers and hot chocolate. We put several bags of shavings down the hill at the back of the arena to keep horses from slipping on the way in and out of their classes. So, I guess this all proves we can still pull this off even when our outdoor facility was covered in water!!

A HUGE thank you goes out to all the help from our local volunteers as well as the people who came from out of town. I had helpers for every little and large job - my duties are getting easier each year! The Fahselt family went above and beyond by bringing in the majority of the sponsorship and pulling all the office work together. They also donated a horse trailer for use as a show office which unfortunately sat by the soggy outdoor ring unused. The AEF awarded them the 'Volunteer Recognition' award for their efforts. Also Ainsley Bader was drawn for the 'Win Your Entry' contest in which all riders that get entries in before the closing date are eligible. One more thank-you to my tireless parents – they never cease to amaze me as to how much they put up with me and all the tasks I have for them!!!

Also THANK YOU to our SPONSORS this year. Once again we've had tremendous support for our event. Please give these businesses a pat on the back and your patronage throughout the year.

Bert Duncan Trailer Sales	Snap on Tools
Olson Construction	AGSI Wainwright
Webb's Crop Services	Dow AgroSciences
Bayer CropSciences	Lakeland College
Brett Young Seeds	Syngenta Crop Protection
Dupont Canada	Nilsson Bros Livestock Exchange

Results

May 9 – Killerney Shamrock Show Series I – Spruce Grove
After a long winter of practice, seven horses loaded and ready for the hunter/jumper season! We trailered down the night before to get a practice on the bigger courses and let the young horses see the sights. Had a great warm-up and headed to the hotel for late night pizza.
Melody was out to her first show and trotted quietly through the crosspole division once she relaxed in the warm-up. Soda was still in spring fever mode and thought the 'sights' were made to run from – rough day on her, but the persistance of that day clicked her back to show form.
Ashley and Candy rode the crosspole division with confidence – she's begging for the 2'0 ride. Tara and Wanda rocked the Eq/Pleasure classes and were so steady in the hunters. Emily T and Shawnee worked on their consistency in the hunter ring. Emily H and Bailey had the longest hunter strides she can pull off and are finding a way to put that quick speed to use in the jumpers. Sailor is showing off his young natural talent with willing form with Shelby quietly guiding him.

Equitation (13-17)1st Shelby/Sailor
Pleasure (13-17)4th Shelby/Sailor
Equitation (18 +)1st Tara/Wanda
Pleasure (18 +)1st Tara/Wanda
Crossrails (12&under) Stake 6th Ashley/Candy
Crossrails (open) Stake6th Ashley/Candy
Novice Horse 2'6" A5th Emily T/Shawnee
B3rd Shelby/Sailor
5th Emily H/Bailey
C2nd Emily H/Bailey
5th Shelby/Sailor

Great to watch my students – Awesome day!!

April 25 – Warita had her baby!
Another healthy foal safely on the ground. Warita had a foal out of Grosso Gold this year and she’s already practicing her flying changes! Check out Grosso Gold at www.equitopfarm.com.

April 17 - Free Jumping Challenge, Olds, AB
Rialta took her first competitive trip off the farm to test her abilities down the chute. There were 16 wonderful horses in the 4-year-old division, all were marked on Canter, Technique, Reflexes, Temperament and Capacity.

April 11 - Killerney Hunter Schooling Show, Spruce Grove, AB
Ashley and Candy were the first horse/rider off the farm for the 2010 season. They represented well with two 2nds and a 1st place ribbon in the 12 and under crossrail division. Way to go Ashley!!

April 5-7 - Easter Camp
Twelve riders split into teams and built their fort out of straw bales and sticks to start the week off. We dreamt up some new games including "Pony, Pony, Horse", practiced ground driving with the miniatures, and worked on an equitation pattern. We cooked some bannock over the fire, cleaned tack with gusto and Shelby helped them put together an amazing drill team routine in two rides! Great week again!

Back to Lessons!
A wonderful thing about the winter riding season is that I finally have a chance to get to lessons for myself! Every couple weeks I’ve had the opportunity to once again ride with Vickie Argals of Flying Colours Stables in Wetaskiwin for further dressage training and then I load up and head north to Carousel Ridge Showjumpers to train with Shauna Cook of Sherwood Park. Both wonderful coaches. A long drive each time but worth every mile!