December 19 – Combined Harmony Clinic
These clinics truly do bring about the next level in each rider. Combined with regular lessons, I’ve seen huge improvements in the riders that are participating in the day long events. Also some quality horses coming out to play!

November 29 – Horsemanship Clinic
Great group of riders with some real potential to compete in the 2010 season! Also was great for the beginner riders to widen their skill range in each session of equitation, showmanship and trail obstacles.

November 7 – EC Rider Level Clinic
Five riders came to work on the requirements for their Rider 3 and 4 tests. We were even able to ride outside! We went over several of the items in the stable management portion followed by some exciting no-stirrup work for the flat section and dissection of the two-point position for the jumping phase. It’s very exciting to see the progression of these promising riders and coaches on their way!

October 24 – Open House and Barn Social
The most fun you could ever have in a barn!! We had a wonderful evening with information on all the aspects of Sage Hill. We were excited to launch the new website of www.harmonywarmbloods.com with a barn full of our friendly horses along with the sales horses of Soda and Chip (for more info – check sales page). I put together photo albums of the past six years and we had the Sage Hill Barn Wear available with the toques being a hot item.

Supper was served and games began! Apple Bobbing, Harvest Toss, Candy Fishing and the Turkey Shoot were all played heartily until the Pumpkin Carving Contest and Pie Eating Contest!

Winners of the Evening:
Candy Count – Vicki
Pumpkin Carving Contest – Meghan, Stephanie, Bodi
Pie Eating Contest – Kyle, Kelly, Meghan
Great Job Everyone!!

And finally we finished with a relaxing evening of popcorn, drinks, good music and wonderful friends. Thanks for coming out!!

October 3 – 4 Harmony Horse Show II
It was a drizzly weekend – all my updates seem to start with a weather report!! That didn’t change the enthusiasm of our riders. Out came the winter clothing, blankets and hot chocolate and we were good to go. Wonderful show once again – thank you to all the sponsors, our amazing volunteers, our judge, and our talented riders!! Can’t wait to see what your winter training will bring us next season.

Results

September 9 – 13 Spruce Meadows Masters – Battle of the Breeds
I made it! No injuries before the Masters this year!! Had a beautiful week, the team did very well with 3rd place in Compulsories, 5th in Precision Driving, and 7th in Barrels. Nitro was a little nervous, but settled in by competition time – looked stunning in Compulsories, so steady in Jeopardy Jumping (just tipped that silly Telus jump!), and tight focused turns for the Barrels (especially for a war horse!). I had the privilege of a full-time groom this year with Shelby along and wonderful support and cheering from several friends and clients – that’s the way to go to a horse show. Also got to take in the CN from the good seats and walk that course – one day I’ll walk it in my riding boots! Finally a huge thank you and congratulations to the owners of Nitro: Marvin and Ellen Abbott of Winfield, AB. Thank you for your continued support of your Canadian Horse.

August 24 Chute Jumping
As part of the Dressage / Jumper Camp, we set up the chute to show how to test a horse’s jumping ability and form. At the end of the day we put three of my training horses through the chute: Melody (4 yr old TB cross mare), Rialta (3 yr old CW filly out of Regardez), and Nitro, the Canadian Horse I will be riding at the Masters this year. We may have to build bigger standards!!

Melody jumping 3’9”

Rialta jumping 3’9”

Nitro jumping 4’9” We’ve nicknamed him Mighty Nitey!!

August 24 – 28 Dressage / Jumper Camp
Once again a great group of girls ready to take on the challenge of a dressage test above their level and jumping courses either for the first time or on new horses. Extra activities included polo wrapping, lunging, unsoundnesses, corking a horse, theory, a sock puppet craft, swimming, a campfire and games on Thursday night and a group trail ride to end the week off. Each rider was able to show off their dressage test and ride an equitation and jumper course for their parents. Great week!!

August 20 – 23 Gold Rush Dressage Show
Very exciting to be involved in the national show in which they also held the first CDI 2 star in Alberta. Wonderful example of where we’d all like to aspire to in a few years! Chino was a bit touchy as she had developed a stone bruise, so I ended up pulling some of her classes, but we did get to ride her Second Level tests and Jenalyn was able to ride her first test at the national level. Chino is back to strong form here at home now. Soda was steadily better each test ending with a wonderful mark of 68.4 % in her Training Level Test 4! A huge improvement throughout this summer.

August 10 – 14 Show Camp
An exuberant group of riders ready to take on horse camp! Equitation patterns with Sherry, Trail with Shelby and Games and Stable Management with Susan. Topics included stable vices, conformation, position changes, and showmanship. Shifting gears in the games, I was able to join the campers riding Nitro in gymkhana games, relays, and horse leap frog! Thursday included a Christmas theme dinner, mini golf and ice cream at Riverdale, and the ‘Shellanator’! We had pouring rain for our Parents’ Day, but were still able to demonstrate a showmanship class, an equitation pattern, an intense trail pattern and their favorite game. Wonderful Week!!

August 6 – 7 Vegreville Fair
Our last fair of the season was a hit!! Emily made a clean sweep in the jumping ring – that grin could be seen across the grounds, Shelby had some great rides on Blondie, beat me by one jump in the Gambler’s Choice with Montana, and had Chip in the top of his western classes, Ashley is keeping up with the big girls, Jenalyn is showing TJ even in those pattern classes she used to detest and Susan has TC steadily improving!! My horses were awesome as well both in the top four of every class.

Click here to view the show results

July 31 – August 2 Amberlea Dressage Festival
Susan and I had a relaxing weekend with only two horses and wonderful ride times, so we were able to take a few mini sidetrips! The first day was a riding lesson for me and a tune-up for Soda. Unfortunately I find that I get a bit lax when not in regular lessons, so I fixed up my problems in the warm-up ring for Saturday’s tests and had some pretty tired horses on Sunday because of the changes! Good reminder to get up to Vickie’s more often.

July 23-25 Vermilion Fair
Vermilion always comes with the beating sun. We were blessed with so many dedicated show moms with water bottles handy at every turn! Again our riders did really well – they persisted through the heat! I was busy as always with an eye on warm-ups, watching the girls’ classes and riding my group of horses. A big thank you for all the help from my trusty girls – we always have a lot of fun!! I even got to send my horses home on Saturday, so Susan, Megan and I could relax at the fair!!

Click here to view the show results

July 13-15 Beginner Horse Camp
We had a wonderful group of little riders eager to take on the challenge of riding their ponies! Learned some games, anatomy and the all-around favorite activity was ‘trotting’!!

July 8-10 Lloydminster Colonial Days
Loaded up 14 horses from our group in the pouring rain, wondering if we would show at all! We rode in the puddles on Wednesday for dressage, but things cleared up after that. I was a proud coach watching all my riders succeed on horses that they have trained themselves and I was especially proud of my Chino – she was able to show off her abilities in true form – she’s still tired! Soda made a steady and promising effort in the dressage ring and Nitro also excelled in his First Level test. I am a lucky girl to be riding such wonderful horses.

Sherry / Soda Training Level Test 1 1st
Training Level Test 2 2nd
Training Level Test 4 2nd

Sherry / Nitro Training Level Test 2 3rd
First Level Test 1 2nd
Open Halter Geldings 4th
Basic Seat Equitation Sr. 2nd

Sherry / Chino First Level Test 2 3rd
First Level Test 3 1st
Open Halter Mares 6th
Road Hack 1st
English Pl. Maiden Horse 1st
Jr/Sr English Pleasure 1st
Show Hack 1st
English Pl.Stake Open 3rd

Sherry / Chip Jr/Sr Western Pleasure 3rd

Jenalyn / TJ Junior Trail 1st
4-H Pleasure 1st
Western Pleasure Jr. A 3rd
Western Horsemanship Jr.A 2nd
Western Pleasure Stake 2nd

Jenalyn / Chino English Pleasure Jr.A 1st
Basic Seat Equitation Jr.A 1st
Jr English Pleasure Stake 3rd
Maiden Horse Pleasure 2nd
Jr/Sr English Pleasure 1st

Shelby / Alyshebe English Pleasure Jr.B 4th
Basic Seat Equitation Jr.B 4th
Maiden Horse Pleasure 5th
English Pl. Junior Horse 5th

Shelby / Chip English/Western Combo 2nd
Western Pleasure Jr.B 3rd
Western Horsemanship Jr.B 2nd
Western Pleasure Stake 5th
Jr/Sr Western Pleasure 3rd

June 26 Combined Harmony Clinic
These clinics are paying off – I think our riders are ready for the show season!

June 6-7 Charmd Show
Nitro (Marv-El’s Furie NRG), owned by Marvin and Ellen Abbott of Winfield, and I headed to Spruce Grove for the Canadian Horse Show. We’re always in for a fun weekend with a wonderful group of riders, breeders and owners of the Canadian Horse. The show hosted a delicious catered meal and auction, a relaxed show environment, and, of course, a horse race!! Nitro won the CHARMD Gelding Champion and Reserve Overall!!
1st – Halter – Geldings
2nd - Showmanship
2nd – Dressage
1st – English Pleasure
2nd – English Equitation
2nd – Jumper 18”
1st – Jumper 2’3”
1st – Jumper 3’
2nd – Trail Open
1st – Barrel Racing
6th – Jeopardy Trail
1st – Jeopardy Jumping
4th – Horse Race!!

May 30 – 31 Harmony Horse Show I
We had a windy, but wonderful weekend for the first show of our Harmony Horse Show Series 2009! I was overwhelmed with the response to hosting a Discovery level show sanctioned by the AEF. The yard was packed with trailers, campers, horses, and spectators! The competition is heating up with some great riders coming in from all over Alberta, and I’m one proud coach when watching my students perform in all aspects of the competition – they’re representing Sage Hill with gusto!!

A huge thank you goes out to all the competitors, concession crew, ribbon girls, gate people, test readers, office assistance, jump crew, barn help, Dale as steward and our judge, Kari Roberts. There’s no way I can run these shows without you anymore!! …even if you do call me the ‘announcer and yeller…!! We get things done and have a great time doing it! Also the sponsorship once again came rolling in without hardly any effort on our part. Thanks to the following sponsors: SNAP-ON TOOLS, OLSON CONSTRUCTION, BERT DUNCAN TRAILER SALES, NORRIS FORD, THRU TUBING SOLUTIONS, ROCKING M TACK STORE, and BEE-GEE’s VALVES & CONTROLS.

See you all in October!

Results

May 15 Combined Harmony Clinic
We finally were able to be out in the large ring! Even though we worked through wind, sleet, snow and hot sun all in one day, we couldn't have asked for better results from the riders. All that flatwork is paying off with some promising dressage riders coming through. In the afternnon we set up a challenging equitation course and worked through each element for wonderful end results. I think the riders are excited about the upcoming Harmony Horse Show!

April 13-15 Easter Camp
Twelve riders were eager to spend their holidays with the horses! A lot of new riders were able to gain control and confidence of their horses and one group of intermediate riders worked hard to improve their equitation pattern. Outdoor games, a hoof bandage, and two drill routines with only 15 minutes of practice were the definite highlights. I also enjoyed allowing Shelby and Karlina to develop their coaching skills!

March 15 Amberlea Dressage Schooling Show I Sherry/Soda 1st Walk/Trot A 63%
1st Walk/Trot B 64%
5th Training Level 1 55.22 %
4th Training Level 2 59.64%
Jenalyn / Chino 3rd Training Level 1 58.7%
6th Training Level 2 54.29%
Sherry / Chino 1st First Level 1 64.33%
1st First Level 2 62.77%

Congratulations
Kudos to Kara, Sage and Shelby in the completion of their English Rider 1 and 2 exams! They showed a wonderful display of horsemanship and I’m excited to move forward to the next levels with you.

February 21 – Combined Harmony Clinic
The riders tested my endurance by starting before 8 a.m.! But so great to have all the riders out and excited to move forward at their own level. I think we’re itching to get outside with the jumps as there is just not enough room, but the technical grid work does wonders for timing and position.

February 20 – Erin Hinchcliffe Clinc at Zeiglerstall
Bailey and I trekked to Vegreville for a jumping lesson. Bailey tries so hard as she stretched to her limit over a 3’3” oxer. She may be small, but the Welsh in her definitely gives her the ability to jump!

January 31 – EC Rider Level Clinic
A great start to working towards certification of our riders. With 8 riders, we were able to cover all the information in Western Rider 1 and English Rider 1-2. We ordered books and signed more riders up for their AEF numbers, now onto drilling that info in and putting it to the test!!

January 24 – Combined Harmony Clinic
Great fun to see the excitement of a young rider as she sails over her first mini-vertical! Technical challenges for the older riders in shortening and lengthening strides and wonderful progress with the horses in their flatwork. A great day’s work!!

January 10/11 – Gillian Sutherland Dressage Clinic at FCS
Chino and I get one great workout on these weekends!! Looking for a quicker response to the leg and hand aids through transitions to create a steadier connection. Also rode medium / extended trot though to canter while keeping seat and hips loose. My favorite was flopping like a rag doll while trying to sit a huge extended trot – a whole new level of balance!

2009
Happy New Year everyone! I’m not even close to being ready for 2009, but I guess it’s here, so here goes! But as we work towards an incredible year to come, I’d like to thank all the people and horses that have made Sage Hill Stable a wonderful place to train, learn, compete and just RELISH the excitement of being with the horses at any level. I appreciate the countless hours from my students, boarders, staff, families, my coaches and, of course, those four-legged animals that so graciously allow us to play with them each day. THANK YOU for a remarkable year!