Elaine Ward Dressage

MEL Kahlua is a Purebred Registered Arabian!

2010-06-24T18:46:00.005-04:00

At last! MEL Kahlua is a fully registered Arabian. It was almost an impossibility, but with some good research, and a bit of luck it finally happened!

So, he will be attending the Milestone Arabian July 3 and the Tulip Arabian in Kemptville the following weekend to get his Canadian Arabian National Championship qualifications.

CCF Porshah and Eisenstein will also be competing at those locations. KF Almaz will be at Milestone.

Fun Show Weekends!

2010-06-17T12:41:00.013-04:00

Porshah and Allie at Breeders

Well, the show season is well under way, and I've been pretty busy with riding and training, and not much time to write.

Here are the latest updates:

June 6/7 Eastern Canadian Breeders.

KF Almaz++//

Champion Half-Arabian Sport Horse Show Hack

Reserve Champion Half-Arabian Sport Horse Under Saddle.

CCF Porshah:

Reserve Champion Half-Arabian Sport Horse Show Hack

Reserve Champion Half-Arabian Dressage Second Level

1st Half-Arabian Sport Horse Mares in Hand

2nd Half Arabian Sport Horse Under Saddle ATR

Last weekend was a little crazy. At the last minute I decided to take Eisenstein to the Summer Sizzler at London. It was sweltering hot, and even though we had the option of working indoors at the Fairgrounds, I opted to keep him outside. At least there was a breeze! Well, he was being a gentleman until the TRAIN went past about 150 feet away. Not a via train, but a full blown 4 Engine freighter. Well, luckily I was just lunging him. He trotted higher than the Saddlebreds at that show until he figured out that it wasn't going to eat him. Then he calmed down.

Eisensteins' in-hand was amazing. Although I have to stop him from eating the reins. He was an angel in the big ring. The judge LOVED him and he got an 82.5% which was the highest score of the day. Again.

The first under saddle class was interesting. I had very little warm-up and rode him in from outside. Surprisingly he calmly walked into the ring. Only when we tried for canter, then the fun began. I don't know who was laughing harder, the judge, the announcer or me! Well, we survived, and walked out of the ring when we were finished with the EMT guy thinking that he could have had a potential customer. The bucks were pretty good! Some entertainment for the crowd.

Our junior horse class was much better, with just a little frivolity on one lead. I just needed about 5 more under saddle classes to get it right. He finally relaxed!

And that's what Eisenstein thought of the trip to London!

Yesterday, we finally got enough standards built to put up a jump in the arena for Eisenstein. Here's a cool video of him!

Early Sunday morning, I was over at Drummerhill near Cambridge for the Glanbrook Bronze Show. 3 of my riders attended. Karen and Zowey (Silverwood) made their debut after Karen's 18 year Hiatus from the ring. This was the mare's first dressage show. This is a very talented mare who rocked the competition and attained the highest scores of the day! 74.29% Walk/Trot B 73.81% Walk/Trot A and 66% in Training Level 3. They won all 3 classes. Needless to say we are going to skip Walk/Trot next time, as the mare has no worries in the ring!

Kyle and The Magical Mystery Tour (Magic) did extremely well. This was the pair's first dressage show. Kyle scored 60.00% in Walk/Trot, and with a little more mental coaching scored 70.48%! Well done!

Danielle and Twister yet again had a great show. The pair are coming along nicely and proved to the judge that they have good solid basics. Judge Leslie Kennedy actually commented that on her score sheets. It's nice to have that type of comment to a rider, just to prove that they are indeed on the right track. They scored 67.39% for Training 1 and again after cleaning up their errors, scored 73.21% in their Training Level 2, and received the Glanbrook Cadora High Score Member for the Day.

Well done Kirkridge riders!

Glanbrook Cadora Show

2010-05-02T21:13:00.003-04:00

A big congratulations to Danielle and Twister! Danielle and husband Kyle have only been riding with me for a couple of months. This was Twisters' first ever show, and the first one for Danielle in 8 years. This just shows what good training is all about. A horse that focuses on the rider no matter where they are. Although things got a little shaky outside of the ring with spectators and umbrellas, once Danielle was back in control, things didn't matter. Danielle received a 59% in her Training 1 for second place, and after a pep talk went in the ring riding the "Elaine way" and won with a 65%! Well done.

Thanks to Kyle for the pictures.

2010 Milestone Dressage Show Arabian and Bronze Show

2010-05-02T17:38:00.015-04:00

The first show of the season is now done. A lot of new faces, new levels, and many happy riders!
Judy and Austin made their dressage debut at Milestone. Riding her own horse Silver Spoon aka Austin, Judy finally went down the centre line instead of being behind the camera for the past few years. What a splendid job they did! Wonderfully turned out, Judy piloted Austin through the Introductory tests, and received 2 scores near 60%. Austin was the one with the show nerves, which quickly went away as they entered the dressage ring. I'm proud of Judy! and Austin of course! Judy brought home a third and fifth place ribbon!

Sarah and Leah have been coming along very nicely with the 4 lessons that they have received with me. Working on relaxation and balance their hard work paid off in their Introductory tests. Sarah placed first and second in their classes with 67%!

I was the next to ride in the show. Unfortunately the weather began to turn for the worse, and I had predicted 2 hours beforehand that it would rain at my ride time. And a clap of thunder and a lightening bolt had everyone running for cover into the indoor arena. Fortunately the show was only delayed by 20 minutes, and it had only rained enough to soak my tails and new helmet, plus damp down the dust in the ring.
So, after a perfect warm-up interrupted by a storm, down the centre line I went. This was Allie's first shot at Prix St.George and Intermediare 1. Now that Maverick is retired from the show ring, I felt it was time that I moved Allie up to replace him as the highest level dressage Arabian in Canada. This is my third Dressage Half-Arabian that I have taken to Prix St.George and Intermediare 1. A couple of pilot errors on my part; perhaps a hair too cautious, but overall I was happy with the ride. The judge thought so too with a 63% score!
So down the centre line I went again for the Intermediare 1 . This time I was not being cautious. We've been doing our homewok, and I decided to go for it. Well, apart from a bobble in the full canter pirouette, and a missed 2 tempi, the rest of our work was really clean, and we were rewarded with a 67.9%! I was beyond thrilled with Allies' debut rides!

We are all glad to see Rosemarie and Chellis back in the show ring. The big Fresian mare has had a 3 year hiatus from the ring. After the birth of Chellis' foal Dante last year, Rosemarie has been bringing her back to dressage form. Rosemarie is also a declared Para-Dressage Rider, and will be competing in the Para Dressage Competitions. This is their first show back, and first time showing First Level. They both did well, and really shined in their second First level ride. All they both need to do now is get back into show-mode. Their work was relatively error free. Just a bit tense, but I was really happy with their rides, especially the First Level Test 2. They received over 62% in both tests.

Megan and Porshah have come a long way this year. At 12 years old she is maturing (and growing). They rode at First and Second level. They had some decent rides, and rode well. Porshah also placed 2nd in both Half-Arabian Sport Horse Under Saddle classes, Open in ATH with 10 riders in each class.

Megan's other horse MEL Kahlua was a star in the dressage ring. They have made the transition to Second and Third Level. Megan and Kahlua have really developed into a great team. Kahlua won both the Second and Third Level Tests! He also placed in the sport horse classes.

Things are looking good for the 2010 dressage season with new riders, and horses advancing up the levels the way it should be!
Click on the title of this post to find all of the photos.

Here's Your Sign!

2009-12-01T22:10:00.003-05:00

I just received this pic from Stephen Palmer of Cambridge Metalsmiths in Lynden. His link is http://www.castsign.on.ca What a beautiful job he has done. Now to put it up before the ground freezes!

Website Up and Running!

2009-11-27T17:24:00.003-05:00

Click on the title of this message to get to my new website!

The Royal was a Resounding Success!

2009-11-13T14:43:00.004-05:00

Allie was the dancing queen at the Royal this week showing off her dressage moves to many people in the Spirit of the Horse Ring. A huge thanks to Zone 9 members for sponsoring the AHAEC booth, and to the OEF for organizing the whole event.
Miss Allie was a pro; she did up to 4 performances a day with about 2 minutes warm-up! I'm especially proud of her, as up to about 3 months ago, single flying changes were an issue, now we can do 2 tempis!
Well, that's the show season done until next year, where Allie will debut at Prix St.George and Intermediare 1 :)

Royal Demos

2009-11-09T20:32:00.002-05:00

I have not yet received definite times for my rides Tuesday through Thursday, November 10-12th at the Royal, but should be around 10 and 2:45. I'll be riding Allie in the Spirit of the Horse Ring in the Trade Show building.

Late News, But Good News!

2009-10-09T15:30:00.002-04:00

Pictured above: Mark and Kim Thomason from Tennessee, the owners of Almaz's sire Magic Domino AHS. and of course, Allie and Me!

I just got an e-mail from Bill Pennington the Commissioner for Sport Horse Nationals. Due to a scoring error, the placings for H/A Sport Horse Under Saddle were changed. I ended up Top 10, and $833.33 dollars richer from the Sport Horse Payback Program!

Arabian Sport Horse Nationals.... What a Show!

2009-09-28T11:47:00.012-04:00

So, what a blast in Kentucky! Between the rain showers, torrential rain and sparce sunshine, it's kind of nice to be back to blustery plus 16 weather. I still have half of my stuff totally soaked from the monsoon conditions. My trailer has finally dried out, I thought Keira and I were going to contract some mold respiratory condition! Too rainy to keep the windows open as the rain storms were totally sporatic, and I did'nt bring my little heater to try to dry things up.
Well, I know a lot of you have been checking out things on Facebook with some pics I put on there. Glad I had the trusty IPhone to keep you all informed of the exciting activities that have unfolded this week.
It was an uneventful drive down, other than the torrential rains as we crossed the Ohio line into Kentucky. South of Covington there was 2 huge accidents on the North bound lanes of the I-75; glad we were going south! At one point there was about a 15 mile back up, and I could see a plethora of horse trailers that had come out of the Horse Park just sitting in traffic. I felt for them, as it's never fun in a traffic jam, never mind sitting there with a bunch of tired horses, trying to get home!
We had Monday to check out the facility, and all I can say is WOW! Although the whole Park is 1/2 torn apart due to the fact the World Equestrian Games is going to be there next year, if you looked at the big picture, well, there could not be a finer place to have this show. Literally world class, million dollar footing, a climate controlled indoor, and gorgeous stabling (that I would love to have in my back yard!)
Tuesday morning brought brilliant sunshine for our Fourth Level ride. Allie albeit a bit tight; she took a sh*t fit at the guy videoing the rides from the side of the ring, and decided to engage Trakehner brain on me. Well, I think she knew that she'd better deal with it, and after some careful coaxing decided that the guy perched up there with his camera was not going to eat her!
I was quite happy with out Fourth Level ride; probably one of the most mistake free rides I've had with her, although still a hair tense, it was good enough for a top 10 out of 24 competitors, and 6 percent behind the winner.

Medium Canter

The dreaded camera dude in the tower!

So we had the 3rd Level Championship ride on Tuesday afternoon. Thinking that the sky was looking a tad threatening, I donned my tacky top hat cover, and made the almost 10 minute ride to the dressage ring from our stabling. Not 5 minutes went by, and the heavens opened up, so bad that I stopped to ask one of the stewards if top hat covers were legal in the ring, and it started to rain harder. I let Allie put her rear end towards the rain, and let her lower her head. This did nothing for keeping my tack and show clothes dry, but we sat out the driving rain, shook ourselves off, and proceeded to the warm up.

By the time I was ready to enter the ring, there was brilliant sunshine again. I was a bit freaked out not being able to get Allie into this dressage ring......it's kinda funky with a plastic lattice work around the perimeter, but surprisingly she did'nt mind.
We went into our Third Level Championship ride with determination, and put out a smooth flawless test with definition of transitions and accuracy! The flying changes that I have struggled with came out with clarity and expression! Even if I did'nt place, I was very happy with the quality of this ride. I thought at the time this was one of our best efforts yet. Little did I know out outcome. With a record 32 competitors in the 3rd Level Open Championship from all over the US, and me being the lonely Canadian in the class, I was still sure I had a good shot at at least a Top 10 Honor for this quality of ride.
I returned back to the dressage area for presentations for the 4th Level Championship, very happy to receive a Top Ten award out of the 24 competitors. We'd kinda blown it at Canadians, and this was a sweet redemption. Technically we ended up in Eight Place! As I came back down the hill after receiving my awards, I still did not know the outcome of our Third Level ride. I asked the whipper-in if she knew the Top Ten numbers, and waited a few minutes until she got the numbers of the horses/riders for the Third Level Class. My number was on her sheet, and I proudly returned to the ring for a Top Ten Award! Little did I know the next outcome. I did'nt bother having Keira my groom run way over to the tower to check my score, as I did'nt see the point of finding where I had placed. I was really happy to get a Top Ten! After I received my Ribbon, the Champion and Reserve would receive their awards also. The Reserve Champion was named........no not me.....oh well, better luck next time I thought.......wait a minute......there is still the Champion to be crowned.....it was like sitting in a Bingo hall. Would my number be called next? Nah, I thought. Well was I wrong. The announcer kind of floundered the number, "the 2009 Champion Third Level Open is number 2..9...(oh the suspense was killing me)....8! with a 66.5% score. Bingo, that's me! I thought I was hearing things, until I heard my name officially called up to receive my trophy! Holy crap! Could this be a dream????? No Elaine, you just won a US National Championship!

US Nationals Update

2009-09-22T18:55:00.003-04:00

Can't complain with Allie today. She
had the beat rides of the season! We got a top
10 in 4th level out of 24 horses and WON the 3rd
level championship out of 31 horses!!!! N

I Got the Invite!

2009-09-15T15:26:00.005-04:00

So, just when I thought that all hopes were lost, I got an email from the Arabian Horse Association telling me some really important news! Mav and I are selected to compete in the US Arabian Sport Horse National Freestyle Invitational!
We'll be doing the ride on Saturday Sept 26th in Lexington Kentucky at the Championships.
I'll be leaving this Sunday with both Allie and Mav.
Tune into for a live feed for the show at http://www.equinevideo.net

The Show in Pics

2009-08-25T09:15:00.003-04:00

Almost Home!

2009-08-24T11:25:00.002-04:00

We are driving the 401 near Ingersoll right now, finally back into Ontario, so I thought
I should send out a quick recap.
For my readers not on Facebook, Allie won the H/A Sport Horse Under Saddle class on Saturday! So that puts us Champion in both Sport Horse classes at Nationals; Under Saddle and Show Hack! Allie
went Reserve Champion in Third level dressage by 1 mark with almost 68%. Mav won both his classes with 60 plus scores.
So it's definitely a few days off for the Champions to play and have some well deserved
R and R.
I'll get some pics up later.

Watch me Live

2009-08-22T15:37:00.002-04:00

I am in class 774 H-A Sport Horse Under Saddle between 3 and 4 today on http://www.equinevideo.net click on the Canadian Nationals Live
feed from the Brandt Arena. I am number 306.

Champions!

2009-08-19T22:22:00.003-04:00

Well, if this isn't the show of a lifetime,
I don't know what is!
After Mav's victory yesterday in the fourth level dressage, Allie totally rocked today! She went reserve champion in third level
by one point! Where Allie always shines on the ring in Show Hack, I had one of the best rides I have ever had one her. I was up against the Western Canadian champions. My mare
absolutely went perfect with some of
the most expressive gaits I have ever gotten out of her
in the show ring! I even had people assuring me
that I was definitely the winner in the audience while I was stopped against the rail
waiting to hear the Champion's name called out! Well it was very emotional to hear Allies name
called out. It was the icing on the cake to Allies
career; being undefeated in Eastern Canada
since 2005, US Sport Horse Nationals Top 10 in '05 and '07, Canadian Nationals
Reserve Champion in '07.
Mav was also amazing today. We took the championship with a 62.5 percent.
For those of you who watched the live feed today, you may have noticed that I had to restart my test.
The judge was given the wrong version of
the Prix St.George! At a glance, the test looks the same, but when I got
the for not doing the rein back at A, I knew what was
wrong! After a few minutes I was able to restart,
and had a pretty good trip.
So that's about it from Nationals; I still can't upload pics
from this iPhone, so until I figure this thing
out, the only pics I have are on Facebook.

Results from Canadians

2009-08-19T11:05:00.003-04:00

Well Mav pulled our the stops in 4th level yesterday and won the National Championship! Allie was
3rd by 4 marks.
Allie got reserve champion with 67.9 percent, missing the championship by one single point!
Will send more results later.
There is a live feed at http://www.equinevideo.net. Go to Canadian Narionals ring 2
Mav does his Prix St.George at 12:26 Ontario
time and Allies sport horse show hack is about 1 hour after
that.

Hello from Canadian Nationals

2009-08-16T14:05:00.003-04:00

Hey all! We arrived intact after a 30 hour journey that took us across through the great lake states, through Minnesota, North Dakota, then up through Manitoba, into Winnipeg. Then due west into Regina.
Allie and Mav hauled great, considering the plus 33 heat in North Dakota.
Friday was spent setting up and picking up things I forgot or needed. I found a great farm store called Peavy Mart; it puts TSC
to shame.
I took Les to the airport yesterday to fly back home to look after the horses
at home. A big thankyou to my Mom and Dad for holding the fort while Les
drove out with me.
The weather is cool; around plus 13 and a bit rainy. Perfect weather!
Anyways, the ponies are well, and have had one good school yesterday. The
warm up rings are packed! You have to know where you are going! Amazing people don't know
the left to left rule, or they care to ignore it!
Anyways, I'm in the process of trying to figure out how to upload pics on here, so please be patient!

Region 18 Championships

2009-07-21T23:59:00.004-04:00

Well another good Regionals, considering "Madam" is in heat, letting the world know about it. Mav and Allie were pretty good; Mav especially attaining yet another 64.21% in the Prix St.George from judge Leslie Kennedy. Mav also was over the 61% range in the Intermediare 1. Not bad considering his rides were less than an hour apart.

Allie had a really decent Third Level ride for 64%, but messed up the Fourth Level; (hence why I am calling her "Madam") She did'nt like the flying change aids today; it was pissing her off big time. The hormonal mare that she is took offense to me even suggesting a flying change!. We ended up with 58% which her 4's for the tempi changes and the break in the canter pirouette really took her score down.

In the Show Hack class, Allie was her stupendous self; albeit still a bit hot, we wowed the judge with flawless gaits. She won the Show Hack Sport Horse Class; and this is the 5th consecutive year we have won this title!

Click on the title of this post to see the official results.

Milestone Arabian Dressage and Sport Horse

2009-06-28T00:10:00.003-04:00

I was really pleased with my two ponies today!
Mav got a 64.21% in the Prix St.George and 63.68% in Int. 1.
Allie got 61.86% in 3rd Level, and 63.68% in 4th Level.
I can't beleive I rode this well, as my back went into spasm before my first ride on Mav in the Intermediare 1.
I sucked it up, took some pain meds, and soldiered on to some of the best rides I've ever had on Mav!
I'm still hurting, but it was worth it!

Paddocks Finally Finished!

2009-06-22T17:46:00.005-04:00

Finally, we got the paddocks are done, and the horses are happy! Eisenstein and Sydney are happy together in the top photo, and Eisenstein is looking at Nova on the other side of the fence (next pic down). Annie is carefully watching the going's on with Nova!

The bottom pictures are the new paddock behind the house. Mav and Allie are chowing down in there. Still a few "tweaks" to do, but all the horses are now safely behind the 1 1/2" Electric tape.
I'm never ever renting a 2 man auger to dig post holes ever again! I don't even think 2 men could hold onto the thing go through the clay we have here. I still need a couple of more bracing posts, but things are still safe and secure, I just have to resurrect my post hole auger for the tractor.

Congrats Cathy! It's a Girl!

2009-06-20T19:40:00.007-04:00

Congrats to Kirkridge friend, neighbour, and horse owner Cathy Martin. She had a baby girl this afternoon at McMaster Hospital in Hamilton. Audrey Anita (I hope I got this right) weighing in at a healthy 7lbs 4oz. A little sister for Tate.
Mom, Dad (Stephen), and Baby are doing fine!

Summer Sizzler Results

2009-06-16T00:04:00.005-04:00

Allie and Porshah had a great show at Milestone for the Summer Sizzler.
CCF Porshah:
2nd H/A Sport Horse Mares in Hand
1st H/A Sport Horse Under Saddle ATR
3rd H/A Sport Horse Show Hack

KF Almaz++//
3rd H/A Sport Horse Mares in Hand (Megan)
1st H/A Sport Horse Show Hack
1st H/A Sport Horse Under Saddle Open

Team Kirkridge Show Updates

2009-06-08T12:54:00.008-04:00

Well, the month of May and the beginning of June has been pretty busy with shows with our Kirkridge horses.
Megan and Po have attended 3 shows so far, beginning with the Milestone Arabian on May 5th. This was Porshah's first Arabian Sport Horse Show with Megan, and she did quite well, placing in all of her classes.
The next show for Megan was the Niagara Dressage Show on May 31 in Welland. Some top shelf scores ranging from 60 to 63%! Well done.
This past weekend Megan again competed at the Eastern Canadian Arabian Breeders Championships near Peterborough. Po is the Reserve Champion in both the Half Arabian Sport Horse Under Saddle Amateur and Open Divisions! Her dressage is getting better every show with scores ranging from 60 to 70%!. Some lovely rides Megan! I'm proud of you!
Allie and Porshah receiving our Champion and Reserve Eastern Canadian Arabian Championship awards with judge Nancy McMahon on the left.

Lukas (far left) debuted at his first dressage show at Niagara in May, with scores of 67.9% at Training Level and 65% at first level. He was a perfect gentleman and received many positive comments from the judge.
Mav (middle pic) qualified again for Sport Horse Nationals at Prix St.George and Intermediare 1 at the Milestone Spring Arabian Dressage Show. Scores up to 62%.
Allie (far right) had a good show at Milestone winning H/A Sport Horse Show Hack (undefeated since 2004 in Eastern Canada), and scored 63% in Third and Fourth Level Dressage. Allie was also the Eastern Canadian Arabian Breeders H/A Sport Horse Under Saddle and Show Hack Champion!
Kahlua has been going better and better for Megan, and competed at the Niagara Dressage Show at Training and First Level and achieved scores over 60%.

Megan and Porshah at the Milestone show while as judge Peta Christen watches closely!

Eisenstein won the H/A Sport Horse Geldings in hand at Milestone with a score of 77.3% giving him the highest in-hand score of the show by over 5%!

Milestone Ride Times

2009-05-01T23:12:00.001-04:00

Ok, sorry this is late! But, I ride Mav at 9:48 in the Prix St.George. Allie and Eisenstein will follow between then and 2:00. Then I do Sport Horse with Eisenstein and Allie starting at 3:00.

It's Spring!

2009-04-12T18:21:00.003-04:00

Check out this slide show. What a fabulous day to play outside with the youngster!
For some silly reason it's cutting off pics, so if you see a nose missing here or there, it's the slide show. If you click on view images on the right hand side below the pics, you can see them in their entirety.

EAI Sola Imeena and Eisenstein in 2005

2009-04-09T20:26:00.004-04:00

Check out this page that I scanned. It came from the Canadian Trakehner Magazine 2005 when Allie made her "Cover Girl" debut!
It's Eisenstein and his mom at their approvals. If you click on the picture, you will see the full version........a lot easier to read. :)

Eisenstein Slide Show April4/09

2009-04-06T01:01:00.001-04:00

Eisenstein Bronte Creek April 4/09 Video Added

2009-04-04T17:20:00.007-04:00

The boy was good again. Our second test had some not so good canter portions, but all in all, I could not ask for a better horse! Eisenstein won Training Level 2 against some pretty nice horses! Our score when we left at 2:45 was the second highest of the day in the entire show that started at 8am; 62.50%. The scores were a bit of a lunch bag letdown from the last show, but his performance was WAY better! The photos are the proof.

Austin and Judy

2009-04-01T19:28:00.003-04:00

I just don't train Ay-Rabs!
Here is a cute video of Austin, the off the track Thoroughbred. I've had Judy and Austin in training for the past month. From being an above the bit horse, to a happy swinging boy in 1 month. Kudos to Judy for enduring a 5 lesson per week training schedule! They both did awesome!
Hopefully the next video will be of Judy in the irons instead of me!

It's Official!

2009-03-20T20:23:00.003-04:00

After of few months of paper chasing, I got Eisensteins' Half-Arabian papers in the mail today.
Our first Arabian competition will be May 4 at the Milestone Spring Arabian show in Campbellville. Team Kirkridge hopes to bring at least 5 horses to this show. We will compete in both Dressage and Sport Horse.
CCF Porshah, MEL Kahlua, KF Almaz++//, Gen Custer, and Eisenstein.
Hmm I think I need a bigger trailer!

Bronte Creek Dressage Show March 14/09

2009-03-14T22:26:00.005-04:00

This is the most high-tech post I've ever done. Go to the bottom of the page for embedded video and a slide show
Megan showed Kahlua in Training 1 with a 56%, and had an excellent second ride to post a 62% score. CCF Porshah, Megan's second horse (and her first time showing with Megan) did fantastic. 64% in her first ride at Training 1, and 69.8% in the Training Level Test 2! Way to go Megan!
Eisenstein's scores just keep getting better, even though this is only his second show. We received a 70% in Training 3, and an astonishing 74.8% in Training 4!
Check out this Youtube Video of Eisensteins' Ride

Here is Kahlua and Porshah!

Check out this link for a bunch of pics courtesy of Judy:

Ride Times for Saturday at Bronte Creek (Hendervale)

2009-03-11T15:12:00.003-04:00

Arrgh! Click on this link for ride times for the show for the following horses; Kahula, CCF Porshah and Eisenstein.
Anyone wanna bring some real strong coffee? We'll be out of here around 6:30am for Megan to ride at 8:30am!

The Video! Eisensteins First Show!

2009-02-15T20:24:00.000-05:00

Enjoy!

Eisenstein's Show Debut!

2009-02-14T22:42:00.007-05:00

Eisenstein made his first dressage debut today at the Winterfest Dressage Show at Bronte Creek Equestrian (formerly Hendervale).
He was nothing short of a superstar!
I thought for sure he was going to be a bit excited, as he didn't want to get right on the trailer. I think he was thinking about the last time he was on...leaving his home in Quebec and a 7 hour ride to my farm. Perhaps his thoughts were that he was being "shipped out" never to return to Kirkridge again. With some gentle persuasion, he relented, and rode quietly in the back of the trailer to Milton.
So, we get to the show and bring him off the trailer...it's totally FREEZING as I put his tack and bandages on, and threw a cooler over his back. We go to the show area, lunge line in tow, and walked around the schooling arena for a few minutes. Nothing happened! He didn't shy, just behaved like a perfect gentleman. I reluctantly got on with the hope that he wouldn't explode. Eisenstein was PERFECTLY relaxed in the strange environment. We were privileged enough to go into the show arena during lunch break. He went into that ring like a seasoned competitor. No one would believe that my first ride on him was Dec 31!
So we did our tests, great trot and walk work, but a few lead problems in the canter. I used the opportunity to "re-do" the wrong leads by adding a couple of un-warranted circles. We got a couple of -2's and a couple of 3's, but still walked out with over 60%, and the judge LOVED him! So, after only learning to canter a couple of weeks ago, I am SO pleased with this boy. He's going to follow in Allies footsteps!
Can't wait for next month, as we will "Do it Again" and go for some higher scores!

Cathy, one of Eisensteins owners smiles proudly with the superstar in the making!

Chestnut Arabians and Blazes!

2009-01-06T23:23:00.003-05:00

I did a little collage with my 4 Arabians (Purebreds, and 1/2's) that I have had over the years. I don't know why the chestnut ones keep showing up with the blazes...no wonder people get confused!
Top left: Eisenstein
Top right: Kf Almaz++//
Bottom Left: Baikan Krisp (now owned by Brittney Zeray)
Bottom Right: Sunar Born Lucky (1979-2006)

2 New Horses at Kirkridge!

2008-12-17T23:45:00.007-05:00

Two horses now call Kirkridge home. The palomino is CCF Porshah. Po was purchased in the US for Megan and Lucy, who own Kahlua. For those who are familiar with "Po", she was originally trained by me as a 3 year old, and had a successful show season winning the H/A Sport Horse Under Saddle Junior Horse Championship in Region 18 2 years ago. Megan will be competing with Po in Dressage and Sport Horse Classes.

The lovely chestnut is Eisenstein. He is owned by the "Eisenstein Syndicate". This boy is only 3 years old and already 16 hands, He is a branded Trakehner who is 1/2 Arabian.
Garson (French for "Boy") will be competing on the H/A Arabian Sport Horse circuit as a junior horse, with hopes of taking him to the US Sport Horse Nationals in Lexington Kentucky next year.

Elaine's Bio

2008-12-04T23:41:00.013-05:00

Top: Junior Rider Megan and Kahlua will be showing FEI Pony in 2009

2nd to top: Sara and Cedar 4th Level/PSG

Elaine and KF Almaz++// (left and Gen Custer, her recent FEI trained horses.

+Involved in Dressage Since 1973
+Ontario Junior Champion 1976 and 1980
+Represented Canada at the North American Young Riders Dressage Championships in '81 and '83 Winning Team Bronze in '81 and Team Gold and Individual Bronze in '83
+First Rode Prix St. George in 1980
+Rode First Grand Prix in 1987. Long listed for Canadian Equestrian Team in 1988.
+Qualified for US National Freestyle Championships in 1987 and 1988
+Trained with many notable trainers from Europe including Reiner Klimke and Kalman de Jurenak.
+Develops horses and riders to FEI level; 30 years experience coaching. Students successfully trained and ridden at Prix St.George.
+35+ years experience training All Breeds of horses for Dressage!
+Popular Clinician in Canada and the US.
+FEI level schoolmasters available for instruction at my facility.
+No yank and crank! Solid Training System, Specialist in Rider Bio-mechanics. Learn how your horse can perform well for you without the abuse!

Jensen Trailers; Sorry About the Scam Post

2008-12-02T12:37:00.006-05:00

I put the word scam in this title so that the google search can put it on the first page to make sure everyone in the world can read the truth and not some false accusations that was innadvertently placed on my blog comments.

Apparently, someone wrote some pretty nasty stuff about Jensen trailers on my blog from 2007. Brian Jensen, owner of Jensen Trailers informed me this morning about someone's comment about his trailer sales business in Oshawa.
I have had NOTHING but great service from Brian and his staff, and have recommended his trailers to many of my clients.
Because of this situation, I have needed to close my comments on my posts, in order for this un-needed type of comment not to be repeated.
My Exiss Trailer that I purchased from Jensen Trailers has been fantastic! I love the 4 horse head to head arrangement that I am able to configure the trailer many ways. From 3 big box stalls, to loading from the back or side, to turning the trailer into a "mini" stable, tacking the horses up in cross-ties in the front area, having room for a crew of people in the middle, in the pouring rain!
I don't know what I ever did without it!
Photo: Truckers admiring the "rig" on the Ferry going to Vancouver Island this past Summer!

Accolades from Red Deer, Alberta.

2008-10-09T11:39:00.002-04:00

Last week I conducted another clinic in Red Deer Alberta.
For the past 2 years I have been travelling out there about every 2 months.
Thanks to Jenni Imeson for organizing the days that I am out there.
I received 2 really nice messages since I came back on Sunday night.
It's so nice to hear that I am appreciated, and always look forward to flying out west and teaching a really receptive group of riders:
The photo is of Mary and Murphy

From Tracey R:

I just wanted to say a quick thank you for your amazing eye, and sense of humor.
I am so enjoying the things you have taught us both! I love the light bulb moments, they feel so good ( I am so impressed I had more than one too..)
I have so much fun during your clinics, and appreciate how much I can take from it and work on, all on my own !
Just knowing we are doing it properly makes me proud of myself and my horse. You are very good for us.
You take care, and I cant wait till the next one..
Tracy

From Mary: I relaxed those hips on Murphy the whole ride and what a ride I had. Thanks so much for sharing your experience with us, I 've given Rizz a few days off, will ride tomorrow, can't wait to roll those hips and try that canter again.
(Rizz is a VERY promising 3 year old-perhaps one of the nicest dressage talents I have seen in years!)

Rain on the Exhibition, But Still Had a Blast!

2008-09-14T00:49:00.005-04:00

Pictures: Top- Allie doing her thing.
Group photo: Allie, Me, Lise, Janet, Mav and Jen
Allie staring at the RCMP musical ride
Allie, Mav and Jen mesmorized by the RCMP horses.

So, what else is new? It rained AGAIN!
Allie and Mav were invited to the Niagara Exhibition to be the "warm-up" rides for the RCMP! How cool is that?
So I thought, HMMM, Okay, it's going to rain, but what the heck! How many times does one get this opportunity?
So, I donned on my top hat rain cover AGAIN for the second weekend in a row (I bought the damn thing 3 years ago, and have not used it until now).
Lise and Jen helped get the two of them ready to go in the ring, and Jen did a bit of a warm-up on Mav for me. We were ready to do our rides.
So, the rain does not stop. I am literally half-passing around puddles, and finding some decent diagonal lines to do some tempi-changes. Neither Allie or Mav cared less. They were in their element. Allie did'nt mind the crowd, or the screaming teenagers on the midway behind us. The only thing that made her wake up and pay attention was the 32 RCMP in formation that rode past her and the end of our rides. The poor mare could'nt get her eyes off of them!
Mav was the usual ham that he is; hearing his "Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy" freestyle music again. I did some one handed Pirouettes, and Extended trot to wow the crowd. He was great doing his 2 tempis umpteen times to the "Irish Washer Woman Music".
Speaking of that music, I'm talking to Janet Henderson during the RCMP ride, and all of a sudden realized, hey! they are using the same Irish Washer Woman Song in their medley of tunes. Too freaky or what? So, out of all the music to put together, we used the same song! I joked with the RCMP riders later about it........did they steal my music, or did I steal theirs? Too funny!
So, after we had finished packing up the guys and putting them on the trailer, we headed off for a bite to eat; Lise and I shared a Bloomin' Onion and some Butterfly Fries. Jen stuck to eating 2 Candy Apples, and a Corn Dog. Les had a Hot Dog and Fries. Nutritious I'd say.
So, 1 show to go until the end of the season on the 28th. Please, NO MORE RAIN!

Arwen and Allie Meet for the First Time

2008-09-08T15:56:00.004-04:00

Allie meets her 1/2 sister Rivendells Arwen at the Niagara Dressage Show yesterday!

Niagara Dressage Show AKA The Niagara Falls on Me Show

2008-09-08T13:51:00.005-04:00

Pictures:The Rain during the beginning of my first test, before it got real bad. Extended Trot in the puddles with Allie during the second ride in the drizzle, Megan and Kalua, had their best tests of the season. Bottom : Rivendells Arwen and Brianne (this is Allies 1/2 sister in her first show ever!)

Well, when you start out the show season getting rained on, I guess you end up with doing the last show getting rained on too!
I started down the centre line with my rain cover and beige breeches on because of the iminent rain, but did not believe what happened in my test. It went something like this:
A Enter at Collected Trot
X Halt Salute Proceed at Collected Trot
C Track left into a light shower
R-V Shoulder-in to moderate rain
V-L Half Circle left 10M in heavier rain
L-R Half Pass Left into a monsoon!
Proceed past judge laughing, Judge finding the only dry spot under the canopy too keep watching and not float away.
MXK Change rein at Medium Trot in Torrential Downpour.
Continue through the rest of the test in Torrential Downpour.
A Turn Down centre line (at this point I am still doing this test by memory, because Janet Henderson who read for me is yelling her best, and I still can't hear her!).
X Halt Salute, leave arena in a light rain shower.
I got a big cheer from the crowd huddled in the arena from the weather, congratulating me on my guts and determination!
So, that test is definitely one for the books!

I'm Still in BC!

2008-08-09T03:48:00.002-04:00

Hey Everyone! The trip to Comox BC was great; the horses arrived at Deanna's new farm unscathed, and feeling quite good. We turned them right out into the new paddock, and Romeo and Fancy proceeded to buck, play and roll!
My truck is a different story. The transmission decided to start acting erractic after the ferry ride. I took it into the dealership, and low and behold, crappy Dodge transmissions strike again. Luckily I I got it in their just in time. It would have not made the trip back to Ontario. So, it's getting re-built. At least the Warranty is picking up the bill. Unfortunately we are still in BC, but should be homeward bound around noon on Saturday.
In the mean time, Deanna and Larry have treated us to a few amazing trips; to Mount Washington and Miracle Beach. The resort was fantastic! Check out http://www.crownisle.com
So, people, please be patient, as we have to make the trek home. Hopefully we will be back late Monday.
Photos will be available next week.

3 Out of 4 Ain't Bad!

2008-07-26T01:26:00.002-04:00

Well, Allie was definitely on form for the Region 18 Arabian Championships July 24/25!
We won the 3rd Level Championship with a 69.53%! and received a 63.4 in the Fourth Level Championship from judge Peta Christen.
Perhaps the best 3rd Level test we have done so far. Consistent 7 and 8 marks for most movements in the 3rd Level. Unfortunately we lost the 4th level Championship by 1 measly mark. Beth Noteman riding HSA Haley's Comet took the championship. Comet is the winningest Arabian in history winning over 18 National titles in Dressage! So, there's hope for Allie yet!
We did manage to get the 2nd highest score of the show, again only by .1 of a percent.
Allie showed her top form in the Half-Arabian Sport Horse Under Saddle, winning the Championship. We also took the Championship in the Half-Arabian Sport Horse Show Hack, this being her 4th consecutive title for Region 18.
I'll post pics later ;) E

Milestone Arabian Dressage Show

2008-06-29T00:43:00.009-04:00

3 of us attended the Milestone Arabian Dressage Show in Campbellville on Saturday. Initially a huge downpour, the rain kept away during all of the dressage tests.
Allie's highest score in 3rd3 was 66.51% giving her the highest scores awarded for the day! After last weeks' fiasco at Langford, Allie definitely redeemed herself. She even did some nice tempi flying changes in the warm-up; 4th level and Prix St.George is now within our reach; and a definite goal for 2009.
Megan and Kahlua did the Walk/Trot tests, and came 1st and 2nd.
Many thanks to the Kirkridge Team for pulling together and helping each other the entire day! Thanks to Megan's friend Samantha for coming out too (pictured below crashed on the trailer ramp!).
Click here for some more pics of the show

A Monday Funny

2008-06-23T11:54:00.003-04:00

The donkey watching dressage tests at the Glanbrook Show near Brantford, Ontario yesterday.

Kahlua at Niagara

2008-05-24T21:58:00.005-04:00

What a good pony! After a sketchy start at Hendervale last month, Kahlua has made a major turn-around!
He was just like a trooper in the ring for Megan. Bravo!
Megan also had some pics taken by the Niagara Falls Review Newspaper, so we will keep our eyes out for the article.

Milestone Show Report

2008-05-04T16:48:00.004-04:00

Well, it was a rainy day...............
Unfortunately no photos.............
But great show results!
Allie made her debut at 4th Level and was fantastic in the water filled arena; her score was 64.186%; a mere 3 marks behind HSA Haley's Comet ridden by Beth Noteman of Illinois. Comet is a Canadian and US National Champion at this level. Ask me if I was happy?
Allie was also 1st in the 3rd Level with a 63.846%! Our score for last year from the same judge and the same show and the same test was 57%. So, I guess we have improved!
Sophie rode Mav at 3rd and 4th level and received qualifying scores for the Regional Championships.
Keira and Abagail did their first dressage tests ever at Training Level and received 56%.
Allie had to qualify for Regionals again, so I entered her in the H/A Sport Horse Under Saddle and H/A Show Hack. She won both classes! So, Allie still holds her record for being undefeated in Eastern Canada in the Sport Horse Show Hack division since 2005!

Kirkridge Farm

2008-04-19T23:33:00.002-04:00

The Dressage Lesson program at Kirkridge is somewhat unique.All school horses are trained in Advanced Level Dressage: Prix St.George level and up. This provides riders with an opportunity to ride well schooled and balanced horses therefore progressing at a faster rate. It gives riders a chance to ride from the basic levels and work steadily to the highest levels. As you are well aware of, a trained schoolmaster is worth $50,000 and up. This gives riders an opportunity to ride qualilty horses without the financial outlay. Kirkridge students are both recreational and competitve riders, and Elaine welcomes riders to learn in a relaxed atmosphere. KEC is a private teaching facility with an indoor arena and 3 large outdoor dressage rings. Lessons are scheduled so that Elaine works each student without the hustle and bustle of a large boarding stable or riding school.

For further information contact Elaine at elaine.ward@rogers.com

The First Show is Upon Us!- Re-Click on this Line for Times

2008-04-02T11:33:00.005-04:00

Well, another show season is here already. After coming back from Red Deer last weekend after conducting yet another successful dressage clinic, it's time to get back into the show mode! Mother nature is supposed to be on our side this Sunday, and we are hoping for some nice weather. The show is at Hendervale in Milton.
Megan and Kahlua will be competing in their first show ever at Walk/Trot level; and Sophie and Gen Custer (Mav) will be going down the centre line at 3rd level and FEI Junior. This will also be Sophies' first dressage show. Both are very promising junior riders!
So, if you are in the area, please stop by and see us at the show.
The link for the dressage times can be found if you click on the title of this blog message. We start at 8:21am and finish at 11:22am.

Meet the Schoolmasters

2008-03-23T23:12:00.011-04:00

Gen Custer: Trained through Intermediare 1. Really needs no introduction! Will also be shown this year with 15 year old girl in FEI Junior. (3rd level)

KF Almaz++//; 9 year old Trakehner/Arabian mare. Trained through 3rd Level.

Innovation: 12 year old gelding. Trained to FEI Level.

Annaconda: The Matriarch of the stable. Competed to Intermediare 1. Mother of KF Almaz++//.

Tango: Aged Anglo Arabian mare. First Level.

Add these horses with top quality instruction with proven results, and you have a greater chance of learning the art of dressage! Riders welcome from Novice to Advanced.
Limited day/times also available for freelance instruction and clinics.

Bumping up my Bio

2008-02-14T17:14:00.007-05:00

Elaine working with a student.

Elaine Ward began her riding career at age 3. First a successful Western youth rider, her interest in dressage developed after watching an international dressage event in Toronto in 1973.
Even though dressage was so new to Canada and lacked instructors,Elaine relied mostly on books and attending clinics with top European trainers such as Reiner Klimke and Jaap Pot. Dedication paid off in1976 with Elaine and her first Anglo-Arabian Mikelle becoming Ontario Junior Dressage Champions. She would repeat this feat in 1980 with Deja Vu a QH/TB mare.
During the early 80's Elaine competed on both Mikelle and Deja Vu in the US and Canada successfully through Intermediare 1.
She was a member of the Bronze Medal Team at the First North
American Continental Young Rider Championships in Chicago with Deja Vu and would win the Team Gold and Individual Bronze in 1983 at the ACYRDC's in Boston. Elaine began her teaching and training career at age 16, and it became a full time occupation in the mid eighties. Her students have competed successfully to Intermediare 1, and have earned many Championships in the Hunter/Jumper and even the Western Show rings. Elaine credits the success of her students with the way she teaches them; "don't rely on me being at your side all of the time to help you, learn to analyze the problems and correct them independently". She has an uncanny ability to determine whether the rider is communicating and balancing for the horse to understand the aids. Her concentration is on energy flow between the horse and rider.Elaine's first Grand Prix competition was in 1987 with Deja Vu and they were good enough to be long listed for the Canadian Team in 1988. Elaine and Deja Vu went on to win many classes and Championships before retiring her from the show ring in 1991 to become a schoolmaster. Elaine's next show mount would become the Trakehner mare Anaconda by Condus out of Arista. Born in 1984, her first year of major showing was in 1990 at Basic1 and 2, moving up to Medium 1 and 2 a year later. in 1991 Annie was the Ontario Medium Trillium Champion and has not looked back. Just like her father Condus and her relations Chrysos, Lavinia, Leonidas owned by Hilda Gurney of California. Anaconda has competed at Prix St. George and Intermediare 1. In 1997 her scores were in the 60's and they were the Toronto CADORA PSG/INT 1 Champion in June. Since then Annaconda has had a foal, Almaz and has returned to work as a schoolmaster.
In 1998 Elaine was the Canadian National Reserve Champion at Prix St.George with Sunar Born Lucky, an Anglo-Arabian that started his dressage career at age 12 back in 1992 and won 12 Regional Level Championships during his show career.
From 1999 to 2003, Elaine put her showing on hold and concentrated on her students, who won countless championships at the Trillium Dressage Shows, and Regional Arabian Championships in Ontario.
In 2004 Elaine began to campaign Annaconda's daughter KF Almaz+//. In her first season she amassed Regional and Local Championships at Training Level, and was the Eastern Canadian Arabian Horse Association's Dressage Horse of the Year.
Since that time Almaz has received her Legion of Excellence from the Arabian Horse association, and was in the top 10 of all Arabian horses with awarded points. Please refer to the blog for more show results.
Her gelding Gen Custer is now at Prix St. George and Intermediate 1, and is also a valued schoolmaster for students. He is now schooling all of the Grand Prix movements.
KF Almaz campaigned at Second and Third Level in 2007 with a median score of 65%, along with Gen Custer. Gen Custer was the US Reserve National Freestyle Champion and Top 10 in both Prix St. George and Intermediare 1 at the US Arabian Sport Horse Nationals in Lexington Virginia.
Along with Elaine's string of dressage horses, one of Elaine's students competed at Prix St.George and Intermediare 1 in 2007.
Elaine's students with many breeds of horses have won many awards and championships to Intemediate 1 the past 30 years. These horses have been trained by Elaine, from scratch, and not purchased already at that level.
Elaine is also a sucessful clinician conducting clinics regularly in Ontario and Alberta.
Elaine is presently teaching riders at her own facility; Kirkridge Farm on her advanced level school horses and has horses in training.

Gen Custer Makes it into Modern Arabian Horse Magazine

2008-01-29T12:53:00.000-05:00

What a neat surprise to see that Maverick (Gen Custer)'s pic made it into the Modern Arabian Horse magazine, Dec/Jan Issue!

Woodview Dressage for ALS a Great Success!

2008-01-13T18:12:00.002-05:00

Just when you think you've seen it all, you see this!
Jennifer and Amber competed at the Dressage for ALS at Woodview Stable Milton on Sunday. What a better way to influence the judge (c'est Moi) by adding a banner to your horse that says Elaine Rocks!
Edited to add this note from one of the people who helped organize the show:
Elaine,
On behalf of everyone at Woodview Stable, I would like to thank you for giving up your Sunday to judge our show for ALS. We raised $650 which will be donated in honor and fond memory of Tony Whitaker - a great horseman who did not ride, and a great friend to all who met him.
Margie McConnell

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-25T18:20:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas to all my clients and blog readers!

Happy New Year to everyone! :) E

This is a pic I took last February after an ice storm, looking from my house in the fields to the west.

My e-mail address can be found always at the bottom of the blog page. elaine.ward@rogers.com

My Sentiments Exactly!

2007-11-24T19:01:00.000-05:00

Interesting article on Fugly Horse of the Day about the yank and crank dressage riders.

I could'nt have worded it any better!

The website is worth bookmarking!

http://fuglyhorseoftheday.blogspot.com/2007/11/do-you-have-to-wind-them-up-with-their.html

Rare Tape of Walter Zettl

2007-11-22T11:17:00.000-05:00

By now, most of you have probably seen this. I had the VHS tape of Walter Zettl riding at the IESS Open House in 1982. What I did'nt realize is that was one of the last times that he ever rode. Shortly after this, he had a very serious riding accident, and could not ride again. I had totally forgotten about when he had the accident until Walter contacted me about it a couple of days ago.

In the background of this photo is WAZ in the summer of '82 when he was coaching me.

So, here is the link where I put it on Youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ldg7F1Phync

I'm Totally Wireless!

2007-11-21T16:35:00.000-05:00

I am going totally wireless! I now have highspeed: elaine.ward@rogers.com
I don't have a land line anymore, so my cell phone# is 519-771-3040

Gen Custer is a Star at the Royal!

2007-11-12T21:50:00.001-05:00

Leave it to Maverick to steal the show! He was his personable self, showing off in the ring that became full of adoring fans when we did our final salute in the demonstration. We even got to do a question and answer period, where I took the mike and fielded questions from the spectators.
Jack deWit, President of the Ontario Equestrian Federation thanked me for my participation, and thought our demo was marvelous!.
Our trip to Toronto was definitely a hit, and we look forward to doing it again next year.
Click on the title above, or click on the link below for the full Youtube video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fkM9GW1Aj4
Thanks to JudyC for the pics.

Ride Times for the Royal

2007-11-03T13:38:00.000-04:00

Hey All: Check out this link for when I ride next Wed and Thursday. Look for "Arabian" in the schedule. Come by and visit :)
http://www.royalfair.org/bindocs.aspx?id=10000815

My New Business Cards!

2007-11-01T23:17:00.000-04:00

Are these hot or what? I've been spending a great deal of time on the 'puter doing some photo editing. It's the best work I've done so far. Thanks to the lady at Minuteman Press in Brantford for doing the final editing on the fonts! Excuse the white marks on them, my scanner seems to be picking up every bit of paper from trimming them at the printing shop.

The top pic is my postcard and the bottom one is the business card.

Now I am ready for the Royal!

Gen Custer is going to the Royal!

2007-11-01T00:12:00.000-04:00

Mav and I will be at the Royal on Wed Nov 7th and Thursday Nov 8th in the Cavalcade of Breeds area. We will be representing the Arabian Horse both days, doing dressage demonstrations. I will be showing him 3 times per day. I don't know the times yet, but will post on here when I get the exact times. Please stop by and say hi!
Another nice pic, thanks to Christine Moore.

Congrats Kelsey!

2007-10-24T01:30:00.001-04:00

Congratulations to Kelsey, who is the Canadian Pony Club's National Reserve Champion at Starter Level Dressage Check out this e-mail from her mom detailing how she did:

2 horses
2 technical tests
1 mystery test- called while ridden without seeing the test in advance- each rider rode a different test from a different country- Kelseys was from Australia.
Reserve champion for technical tests
Overall reserve champion.

All this and the kids had a VERY limited time to ride their "mystery" mounts the day before the championships, and a very short warm-up time!

I posted this pic especially, because it matches the other 2 chestnut horses with white blazes in my stable. I unfortunately don't know this horses' name.

More Pics from Nationals

2007-10-09T22:37:00.000-04:00

I ordered pics from Don Stine who was the official photographer of the Sport Horse Championships. Cool pics eh?

Who Is Who?

2007-10-05T22:15:00.000-04:00

Allie and Nova- They are so similar, even the dot on their noses.

Just a cool pic to share with my readers.

Happy Thanksgiving! :) E

Allie is on the right!

Update on Porshah

2007-10-04T14:28:00.000-04:00

I just got this exciting e-mail from Dawn in New York about Porsah. This was her first show in with Dawn:

"Po and I did our first show yesterday. She won both of her classes....T-3 and T-4. She got a 68.1% on the T-3 and 57ish (test is in my trunk) for T-4. She was well behaved and just a doll. She is going very well. We are finally beginning to click. Now that I have gotten over babying her...I was always afraid of ruining her! She is the best!"

What a Show!

2007-10-01T23:01:00.000-04:00

Mav (Gen Custer) was amazing at Sport Horse Nationals. He took a Top 10 in a deep field of competitors in the Prix St. George. Mav again went Top 10 (4th place) in the Intermediare 1.

Our freestyle was spectacular. Check out this link to find it on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YneIb3uiFZ8 The other competitors could not touch the atmosphere that I created from my music, and if it was up to the audience, we would have taken the championship hands down. We went Reserve, non the less. I'm proud of my little guy. He exceeded all I wanted him to do.

It's really a great feeling when even a couple of days after my freestyle, I had people walking up to me saying how great it really was. I did ride my heart out in the ring, really playing with the crowd! Our western theme really did the trick!

Not to be left out was Allie. She went top 10 in Sport Horse Show Hack in a field of 19 horses. She also qualified for the Sport Horse Under Saddle final out of 64 horses, as we made both the semi-final and the final cut. I have not looked at the cards yet to see where we actually placed in the final.

Carlisle Tires are Crap!

2007-09-10T22:12:00.000-04:00

This message is me talking from MY EXPERIENCE with these tires. Please, please check your tire brand on your trailer. What I thought was a good tire; well I was totally wrong. I bought my CM trailer back in Dec of 2003. I had no problems with my tires until I went to Regina in August which is a 1600 mile trip each way. I blew out 2 tires; one on the way there, and one on the way back. Not fun when you do this on an interstate; luckily I was able to get the rig safely off the road and into a quiet area to change them.
I called Carlisle tires and they won't do squat! I've used 1/32" tire wear, which is nothing; that means that with about 12000 miles on these tires, they are vitually garbage. What do you expect? they were made in China.
The moral of the story? When you go out and spend 23K plus on a trailer, and the cheap buggers put crap tires on your trailer? Don't let them. If they won't change them, don't buy the trailer. According to head office of Carlisle tires? No problems! According to a google search? Plenty of tread separation from other users.
Please, don't go through what I did. Check your tires and get rid of the Chinese made crap! These tires have been well maintained, balanced, and filled with Nitrogen to help them run cool. All that and I'm now out about $1500 dollars in 2 destroyed fenders, and having to purchase 4 new tires.

Please feel free to cross-post this blog to ANYONE who owns a horse trailer!

Allie Wins Canadian National Reserve Championship!

2007-08-22T21:07:00.000-04:00

Hey All! Just a short note to let everyone know that Allie is the Canadian Reserve National Sport Horse Show Hack Champion! She was a star, and everyone thought she was going to win, but I'll settle for the Reserve.
Our dressage was not up to par; we were 4th in the 3rd Level Championships. A better ride from the Second Level test, but not good enough to take a higher placing.
Lauren did OK, but Moon as well as Allie does not like the indoor atmosphere.
So, a better report on all the activities when I get back from Regina. :) E

6 Classes, 6 Wins at the Region 18 Championships

2007-07-28T15:58:00.000-04:00

We left with Allie and Mav on Wednesday to go to the Championships in London On. Sophie accompanied me as my trusty groom.
After finally seeing the Acheivement award points, I decided to enter Allie last minute into the Half/Arabian Sport Horse Mares in Hand at the Last Chance Show (the show proceeding the Championships). I only had 1/2 a measly point for her to get her Legion of Merit (++) into her title of her name. Well, she did it. Allie won the class, and now she is KF Almaz++// !
The Regional Championships were very well put together, even though we had to change the afternoon dressage times. The footing was excellent, and with the help of most of the competitors in some way or another, we had the show well organized.
Gen Custer (Mav) had 2 great rides, and were scored accordingly.
Champion Prix St. George 61.90%
Champion Intermediare 1 60.75%
The judge was Peta Christen who definitely liked our improvement from the first Milestone show where her marks were about 7% lower.
Allie ( KF Almaz++//) was at the top of her game! We did the Third Level Championship test and she was a tad on the hot side; I knew going into the class, but I also realized that we had 2 more classes that day. A couple of dumb spooks; the first one when she kicked some sand into the dressage ring rail and scared herself! That made for a fired up horse on the diagonal medium trot; and we got a 7!
I was thrilled with clean changes, and no flying bucks! We should be in good shape for Nationals!
The Half Arabian Show Hack was held in the main coloseum, with the regular Arabian Championships. The warm-up was crowded, and the portable stalls surround the ring making it for a hectic atmosphere. Allie was a dream! I had her total concentration in the warm-up and in the show ring. I swear Allie loves the Show Hack class! She literally floated! No doubt in my mind she would take the Championship, and she did quite handily!
Our Second Level Test was the best one we have done so far. Even the judge commented on our vast improvement at the end of the test. We not only won the class, but also had the highest score of the day!
So here are the results:
Third Level Champion 61.5%
Half Arabian Sport Horse Show Hack Champion
Second Level Open Champion 69.74!
Can't complain with the results from these 2 horses.
Thanks to everyone who helped; Sophie, Lise and Les!
I just got my glasses today, and can now see what I am doing without getting headaches!

Levitating Horse!

2007-07-16T01:01:00.000-04:00

Just scouring through some more pics from the Niagara Trillium, and I had to post this one. Click on the photo to enlarge it. What you will see is Allie totally up in the air at a medium canter! That's a moment of suspension and then some. Honest, I maybe enhance photos and do the odd cloning, but even I could'nt get a pic to look this good. This is the real deal!

Kirkridge News

2007-07-13T22:35:00.001-04:00

These are pics of Allie at the Niagara Trillium Show today; courtesy of Les.

Some Sad news from Kirkridge. My little Sheltie Sir Killian passed away Friday June 6th at age 17. Friday the 13th was the anniversary of Lucky's passing 2 years ago.

The Milestone show was really no Milestone for Allie or Mav; they did not bode well with the footing, and I had to excuse myself from the Third Level Test. The princess decided that the footing was not up to her standards, and was getting aggravated with the slipping on the stone dust surface. Mav untypically could not get from behind the bridle. We still scored around the 60% mark, the rides were fairly clean, but he was not happy either.
So that left me in a panic to qualify for Nationals at Second Level. I scratched Allie out of the Second Level Test at Milestone, so the Arabian Show qualifications were a no-go. I decided to attend the Niagara Trillium Show today, and get the necessary scores. Little did I realize how well she would go in her second test. Allies first test was almost like a confidence builder after Milestone. She went in the ring a little hesitant, and not until after the first shoulder-in did she decide that the ring was OK, and started to kick into gear. Our second ride was much better, and we got a 64.76% in the Second Level Test 4. Straight 7's for our walk work, and 3 7's for general impression. I ended up with High Score for the Day!
So, I'm glad I entered the show for 2 reasons. #1- The princess redeemed herself in the ring after a disasterous last show. #2- There are no questions now to whether I am qualified for Canadian and US Nationals!
So the next stop is the Region 18 Championships for Mav and Allie in London, two weeks away.

YouTubin' Dressage Rides Again

2007-07-04T15:57:00.000-04:00

Thanks to Judy for the neat video of Mav and Allie at the Milestone shows this year and last year. She put a cool country song along with photos and did a mini music video! There are also vids of Lauren and Moon schooling at my farm, Sara and Cedar, Allie at Third Level in Niagara.
Just click on the title of this blog to go directly to my youtube site.

Porshah's New Home

2007-06-26T23:43:00.001-04:00

Congratulations to Dawn of East Nassau New York on the purchase of Porshah. I took her across the border to meet the shipper on Monday. After we made it through customs, and seeing the vet, she was on her way to her new home with Bill Koehler, a shipper from New York. We hooked up across the street from the Federal Vet's office in Lewiston. Po took everything in stride as usual, and walked nicely onto the big trailer and proceeded to munch on hay. Dawns' facility in East Nassau looks fantastic! I've been invited to conduct a clinic at her farm in July. I'm really excited to see this farm; huge grass paddocks and a fabulous looking arena. Po will be really happy there!

Almaz is a Cover Girl Again!

2007-06-14T16:17:00.000-04:00

Allie made it as a cover girl again on the front cover of the Canadian Trakehner magazine!

Thanks to Judy Collins for the super photo!.

More Pics from Eastern Breeders

2007-06-07T00:03:00.000-04:00

KF Almaz+//: Eastern Canadian Breeders Half-Arabian Show Hack Champion

Cognac Amberfyre: Eastern Canadian Breeders Reserve Champion Purebred Stallions.

We Are the Champions!

2007-06-03T22:23:00.000-04:00

Wow! That all I can say about Allies' show at the Eastern Canadian Arabian Breeders Championships.

She proved herself in every way that she is now becoming a true sport horse Arabian!

Champion: Half-Arabian Sport Horse Mares in Hand

Champion: English Show Hack (Main Ring)

Reserve Champion: 2 year old Half-Arabian Mares and over (main ring)

Top Six: H/A Sport Horse Under Saddle

Top Six: Half-Arabian Hunter Pleasure

So if those show results were not enough, we did the dressage classes on Sunday. The chestnut princess wowed the crowds, and got some of the highest scores of the day, even in open competition.

1st: Second Level Test 4 Arabian 65.00%

1st: Third Level Test 2 68.718%

Amazing comment from the judge Elaine Potter: "Nice, really nice to see quality dressage with a high quality Arabian".

So the icing on the cake was winning a breeding to Cognac Amberfyre, a gorgeous grey purebred Arabian stallion by Hennessy.............now who to use the breeding with?

I'll post more pics especially of the stallion when JudyC sends them to me. Speaking of Judy, a huge thankyou from Allie and me for being a great groom this weekend. You were great!

Pictured: Dessia Miller presenting me with the Stallion breeding for winning the H/A Sport Horse Mares in Hand. Picture courtesy of Judy C.

Dressage Niagara...... Fun in the Sun on Saturday!

2007-05-27T21:57:00.000-04:00

Saturday May 26th. What a fun show at Niagara! Three horses representing my stable; Sara on Barras' Destiny (Cedar) and myself with Gen Custer (aka Mav) and KF Almaz (Allie).

It was time to celebrate with a bottle of Mumms' Champagne with Sara; this was her first Prix St. George ride! They did good too! Only a percent behind Mav and I with 59% Way to go Sara; you looked great in Tails!

Mav was a character as usual, gaining looks of amazement from people when I told them he is an Arabian/QuarterHorse. We did an Intermediare 1 freestyle with some Western tunes including "Save a Horse Ride a Cowboy" as our opening music. We got 64% for our effort. I'm wanting to apply to ride a freestyle at US Sport Horse Nationals, so this was our first attempt to get the necessary scores to go. Thanks to everyone for the positive feedback on the music. I just can't see the "Westerny" looking horse half-passing to classical music ; just to stuffy for this fun little guy.

Allie was great as usual. She's come such a long way from the Booooooring Training Level rides. If we can get over the flying bucks for flying changes, we'll have it licked! She still got 63% for both of her Third Level trips. At least I got one out of 4 completely clean this time.

The crowd at got a "kick" out of it. (No pun intended). Gotta have some humor at a dressage show.

Thanks to Les again for the great pics.

Huge Storm Hits Nearby: Farm is Untouched

2007-05-15T23:23:00.000-04:00

Do you ever have that gut feeling? Well today was one of them. I had heard a weather warning for our area, saw the black clouds and decided to batton down the hatches. I'm glad I did.

Even the horses outside were begging to come in.

Les and I took all the vehicles and parked them in the arena, as the weather forecasters were calling for hail.

Then all hell broke loose. As you can see from the pics, not even 1/2km from me the literal devestation that the "down draft" or "tornado" caused.

Just after the picture of the barn was taken, I ran down into the basement as I was probably the most scared I have been from a storm. With winds that I guess exceeded 100kms per hour, pea sized hail, and super black clouds, I was sure that we were going to get wiped out.

After doing a visual of the farm, I was surprised to only see a couple of full garbage cans toppled and a missing wash bucket. The horses were fine in the stables, and apart from a valley that had turned into a river, Kirkridge escaped damage.

The little town down the road was another story, as you can see from the pics.

We were VERY lucky.

CCF Porshah- For Sale

2007-05-12T23:04:00.000-04:00

Some pics from today's schooling have been added to my webshots site. Just click on the title to go to the webshots page to see more pics.
"Po" is a 4 year old Anglo-Arabian 15.2h mare schooling second level. She would make an EXCELLENT ladies' or juniors' horse. She has a wonderful temperament. Po has won in Sport Horse under saddle, in-hand, and Hunter pleasure classes. She would make a super mount that will excell in any discipline. For more information contact elaine.ward@yahoo.com

Hey Sophie....Is that a Semi-Private Lesson?

2007-05-11T23:15:00.000-04:00

No they are not twins, it's Sophie and Beech in Paris having their lesson today. Thanks to Lise, Sophies' mom for sending me the pics and I thought I would get creative and make it a "double" lesson. Sophie is a member of the Mt. Nemo Pony Club, and will be attending Pony Club competitions in Dressage and Jumping this summer :)

Update on Corey

2007-05-11T22:41:00.000-04:00

I took some pics of Corey today riding Annaconda. To my readers who don't know, Corey is visually impaired. He is doing very well, and really put my mare through her paces today. It just proves how important feel and balance really is!

"Princess" Allies' first Third Level Test

2007-05-08T22:09:00.000-04:00

I was spoiled for choice of what picture to post, so what the heck! Why not put both up for people to admire. This is Allie in her first Third Level ride ever at Milestone last weekend.

Thanks to JudyC for the pics again!

Looking Cool Warming Up at Milestone

2007-05-08T17:11:00.000-04:00

Thanks to JudyC my student and photographer for taking this neat pic of Mav and I.

Nice extension on grass eh?

Milestone Arabian Dressage Show

2007-05-06T22:47:00.000-04:00

Mav and Allie were really good at the show. Even though the scores were pretty low from the judges point of view, I could not complain about the quality of my rides. This was Allies first shot at Second and Third Level. I think you will see the real quality of my rides from the pics.

Mav was his usual self; even a little more than usual. Our Prix St. George ride was a wee bit tense, and he proved that he is not a dead-head by almost dumping me before I got in the ring. The judged moved her chair and he took off! Thanks to "Eagle Eyes" Jacquie who found my lost button from my jacket outside the sand ring when the Mad Palomino took the mad panic leap from hell.

Lauren and Moon did quite well, managing to come right behind me in both Second Level and H/A Sport Horse Show Hack.

Allie's show hack round was undoubtedly the BEST trip ever in that class. I even got a "Wow" comment from Cheryl Ehrlick who was announcing for the class when I rode by her!

Mikayla and Cameo won the Training 1 and came second in Training 2. Not bad out of 19 and 17 horses respectably! And Mikayla is only 13 years old!

So, here are some of the pics courtesy of Kirkridge's very own papparazzi; Les. Judy our other photographer will be bringing her pics tomorrow to sift through. I think between Les and Judy, they have over 500 pics!

Thanks again to Judy, Jacquie, Deanna and Les for being there helping me get the beasties to the show ring.

Ride Times for Sat May 5th at Milestone

2007-05-04T09:58:00.000-04:00

Here are the times for Mav and Allie:
9:05am Prix St. George
11:30 Intermediate1
12:45 Third Level
1:45 Second Level

Showing off our Winnings at the COAI Banquet

2007-04-23T12:04:00.000-04:00

Here we are showing off our winnings at the COAI Banquet in London on Saturday.

From Left to right:

Sara: Third Level AA Champion

Lauren: Second Level Jr. Champion

Me: Training Level Open Champ, 3rd at 1st Level, Roster of Riders

Rosemarie: Training Level AA Champion, Trillium Championships Training Level AA Champion, Roster of Riders

Thanks to Rosemarie for the pic!

Kirkridge Horses on Youtube!

2007-04-21T08:01:00.000-04:00

Yeah!

Horses are now going onto Youtube!

CCF Porshah is for sale. See her Vid at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81kk6wXCViI

Almaz+// in her first ride outside this year:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOYM_AjgdM4

Pictured is Allie from the videos

Almaz-802 Wins Trakehner Kudos

2007-04-13T17:49:00.000-04:00

Almaz- 802, as Allie is registered in the Canadian Trakehner Horse Society was awarded the 2006 Canadian Trakehner Award for outstanding performance and promotion of the Trakehner breed in Canada. This is the second time that Allie has taken this prestigious award in the last 3 years.

Elaine's Bio

2007-04-13T12:19:00.000-04:00

Elaine Ward began her riding career at age 3. First a successful Western youth rider, her interest in dressage developed after watching an international dressage event in Toronto in 1973.
Even though dressage was so new to Canada and lacked instructors,Elaine relied mostly on books and attending clinics with top European trainers such as Reiner Klimke and Jaap Pot. Dedication paid off in1976 with Elaine and her first Anglo-Arabian Mikelle becoming Ontario Junior Dressage Champions. She would repeat this feat in 1980 with Deja Vu a QH/TB mare.
During the early 80's Elaine competed on both Mikelle and Deja Vu in the US and Canada successfully through Intermediare 1.
She was a member of the Bronze Medal Team at the First North
American Continental Young Rider Championships in Chicago with Deja Vu and would win the Team Gold and Individual Bronze in 1983 at the ACYRDC's in Boston. Elaine began her teaching and training career at age 16, and it became a full time occupation in the mid eighties. Her students have competed successfully to Intermediare 1, and have earned many Championships in the Hunter/Jumper and even the Western Show rings. Elaine credits the success of her students with the way she teaches them; "don't rely on me being at your side all of the time to help you, learn to analyze the problems and correct them independently". She has an uncanny ability to determine whether the rider is communicating and balancing for the horse to understand the aids. Her concentration is on energy flow between the horse and rider.Elaine's first Grand Prix competition was in 1987 with Deja Vu and they were good enough to be long listed for the Canadian Team in 1988. Elaine and Deja Vu went on to win many classes and Championships before retiring her from the show ring in 1991 to become a schoolmaster. Elaine's next show mount would become the Trakehner mare Anaconda by Condus out of Arista. Born in 1984, her first year of major showing was in 1990 at Basic1 and 2, moving up to Medium 1 and 2 a year later. in 1991 Annie was the Ontario Medium Trillium Champion and has not looked back. Just like her father Condus and her relations Chrysos, Lavinia, Leonidas owned by Hilda Gurney of California. Anaconda has competed at Prix St. George and Intermediare 1. In 1997 her scores were in the 60's and they were the Toronto CADORA PSG/INT 1 Champion in June. Since then Annaconda has had a foal, Almaz and has returned to work as a schoolmaster.
In 1998 Elaine was the Canadian National Reserve Champion at Prix St.George with Sunar Born Lucky, an Anglo-Arabian that started his dressage career at age 12 back in 1992 and won 12 Regional Level Championships during his show career.
From 1999 to 2003, Elaine put her showing on hold and concentrated on her students, who won countless championships at the Trillium Dressage Shows, and Regional Arabian Championships in Ontario.
In 2004 Elaine began to campaign Annaconda's daughter KF Almaz+//. In her first season she amassed Regional and Local Championships at Training Level, and was the Eastern Canadian Arabian Horse Association's Dressage Horse of the Year.
Since that time Almaz has received her Legion of Excellence from the Arabian Horse association, and was in the top 10 of all Arabian horses with awarded points. Please refer to the blog for more show results.
Her gelding Gen Custer is now at Prix St. George and Intermediate 1, and is also a valued schoolmaster for students. He is now schooling all of the Grand Prix movements.
KF Almaz will campaign at Second and Third Level in 2007, along with Gen Custer and her new upcoming horse Dakota CW. Along with Elaine's string of dressage horses, she is also looking forward to seeing a student compete at Prix St.George in 2007.
Elaine's students with many breeds of horses have won many awards and championships to Intemediate 1 the past 28 years. These horses have been trained by Elaine, from scratch, and not purchased already at that level.
Elaine is presently teaching riders at her farm Kirkridge Equestrian Centre on her advanced level school horses and has horses in training.

Mav's Funny of the Week

2007-04-08T23:59:00.000-04:00

A little editing makes for one funny pic of Mav!

Great advertisement for teeth cleaning!

Now to get a tooth brush big enough. He likes peppermints, so the toothpaste should not be a problem :)

Double click on the photo for a life size look at his stained chompers.

I've got this collage as my wallpaper on the computer. Who would'nt get a chuckle about this picture?

Dakota CW (Doc) Pics...Finally!

2007-03-28T21:04:00.000-04:00

Hey All: Here are some pics of Doc taken today. This is his 6th time under saddle with me this year. If this horse isn't awesome, I don't know what is! . Talk about trot, and he really is'nt trying. I can see this guy going National champion next year!

Ontario Dressage Show Dates 2007

2007-03-20T14:32:00.000-04:00

Click on the title above to see the dressage show dates for Ontario.

Contact Information

2007-03-12T17:33:00.000-04:00

Pictured is Gen Custer (Maverick) I will be showing him at Prix St. George and Intermediate 1 this year. His piaffe and passage are coming along very well.

HMMM: I guess I should make my e-mail address made a little more public. I'm sure it's on here somewhere in the archives, but here it is front and centre for a while:

elaine.ward@yahoo.com

Innovative Student Produces Unique Product

2007-02-16T15:56:00.000-05:00

Hey All: I am so excited for Dana! She's been working on her Martell System for the past couple of years. I've seen all kinds of prototypes tried, and ridden in over that time, and have had the privelidge of seeing this product being developed since it's inception.

Dana has even had an Olympic dressage rider/coach look in amazement at the product, and be really excited about it! It's been tried by International level riders, Equestrian product testers, and saddle makers receiving rave reviews!

I can't get into too much detail because of the provisional patent, but last Sunday I taped a 90second clip with Dana and Allie to be entered on "Pitch4Profit" on CBC!

This product will help you with balance, synchronization, and has a "safety" factor built in. Put it to you this way; I've seen Maverick buck, and Dana laugh her pants off, because she did'nt even come out of the saddle. It's awesome for sitting trot, and keeping your legs in the correct position.

Best yet? You can't see it! So I don't see any problem even using it in shows for ANY discipline of riding!

It really does work; I'm so looking forward for this product to launch, as I am the first one in line to get them!

Click on the title of this blog, and vote for Dana; so she can go further with this product with funding. The final voting for the public closes on Feb 19, so please go to the link and vote!

The Ground Hog Lied!

2007-02-05T14:22:00.000-05:00

Hey All: Hope you are keeping warm. It's pretty darn cold here at the farm. For the first time in years, I'm having to clear the ice out of the water buckets in the main barn! It's about minus 3C in there, but with this wind howling, no where is warm right now.

Last Saturday I attended the Arabian Horse Association AGM in Niagara Falls. A day's worth of meetings and the awards banquet. Allie again won the Rivendell Dressage Trophy, and I have a really nice embroidered Bridle Bag too! Allie is going to have to share it with Doc and Mav if we travel.

Lauren again won something else; the Canadian Sport Horse Dressage Award for Junior Riders in Ontario. I don't know the exact title, but she was in Cambridge to pick up her award on Sunday. Congrats Lauren and Moon.

The judge for Region 18's dressage championships is Peta Christen. She will also be judging the first Arabian Dressage Show at Milestone the first weekend in May. Don Barnes is judging the second show there in July (the first weekend).

There will be NO last chance show for dressage at the Regionals. So if you have to qualify, please do so before at either an EC Show or the Dressage Shows in the Arabian Circuit.

Zone 9 in Peterborough is offering Arabian Dressage and Sport Horse along with the Eastern Canadian Breeders Championships the first weekend in June, so I imagine we will be having a few horses from the stable attend that.

So in the mean time, keep warm.

Strolling Down Memory Lane 1983

2007-01-26T22:26:00.000-05:00

A Night to Remember; The Summer of 1983

Last night I strolled down memory lane.
Too cold to ride- Jan 25/07 and well below freezing on the Fahrenheit scale, I was cleaning up my house. I stumbled across a VHS tape entitled “Quadrille”. HMM I thought, could this be the famous quadrille that 4 of us performed at Barcrest Farms in Milton, 1983? Sure enough, when I popped in the tape yes it was 1983, but I had totally forgotten its contents.
There I was, as large as life on my new wide screen T.V., at Genn Equestrian Farm (now Blacks in Hamilton). I was riding Déjà vu- my old mare albeit quite young at that time in the Young Rider Team trials for the Ontario Dressage Team. It was kind of rough around the edges, but a clean ride. Oh, the howling winds that day. It was enough to make the microphone on the camera scream in discontentment. Then, in came Maria Little and Okay from IESS (now RCRA in Newmarket). That little horse trucked around the arena, even throwing in a little Piaffe before the walk-canter transition. Lee Tubman was next aboard Between Friends. Between you and I, his mare looked a little uneven, but non-the less, she did her job. Martina Pracht and Mozambique entered the ring next. Her elegant black mare performed to the mark.
Next, waiting for the quadrille with baited breath, was another Team Trial at IESS in the indoor arena. Again, the same riders, but looking around there was Walter Zettl (my coach at the time, and the team coach) sitting on the mounting block in the corner of the arena, watching our rides with keen interest! I could see Major Rethy and Captain Wagner judging.
Eventually after watching Joanne Mintz and My Sailor, Bev Rodgers (from the US) on Billericay- a horse that was at the stable where I trained in Michigan, my quadrille appeared.
The wind was howling again at Barcest, the dust was flying in their brand new dressage ring, and my father was handling the video portion of things again. You could see the wilderness of Milton in the background not yet scarred by development. I could see our team; Lynda Cooper on Chico, Gayle Kragten on Parnell, Jacquie Dowell on Eridanus, and myself again on Déjà vu. I had lent my extra top hat to Jacquie. The turn out looked amazing! We rode to a selection of Hooked on Classics. It brought back memories of practicing at the farm in Binbrook, with my mom at the helm in our living room with the house speakers pointed towards my riding ring. Pre-8;00am practice rides weeks before the competition, trying to beat the scorching heat of the summer. Neighbours wondering if we were “partying” at the crack of dawn with the music blaring though the stagnant air!
There was Chico and Wanda (Déjà vu’s stable name). They were bookends from the front with their big white blazes, Danny and Parnell, holding up their end of the performance almost matching in color and markings too. It brought a tear to my eye to see this ride; we were almost flawless- synchronized in movement and music. Just the way we had planned it. Even a couple of wooopsies in time to the music from Chico, when he heard the Monty Python theme in the lengthen stride at canter. Libby McMullen the judge, gave us 82%. Those were the days!
After the quadrille, a few more faces that I have not seen in years. Marina Genn and Warrior in the Intermediare 1. I appeared in that class also. I had totally forgotten that I was riding that test in ’83.
In came Sandra Zarn and Faisal. Another forgotten name. Peggy Berard on Kublai Khan. So sad she could not get over her show nerves.
Again, another surprise……..the Glanbrook Cadora Grand Valley Dressage Show at Genns’. Who do I hear announcing in the background, but Susan Anderson! Wow! She was doing a great job back then!
My father had managed to tape the one and only Grand Valley Dressage Derby. As I can recall, we only had 5 minutes to get used to the horse we had randomly drawn to ride. I picked Roger Seegerts' horse Cyrano owned by Kilbryne Farm. Pat Jamieson read for me.
Marina Genn had drawn Lorraine Stubbs’s gelding Gregor. Roger drew my mare. I still remember him telling me that she was no easy ride! Jane Williamson rode Genns' horse Flavius (who had no interest in cantering). Lorraine rode Janes’ horse Manuscript.
So, everyone had to ride a Prix St. George level test minus the canter pirouettes! Interesting to say the least. You could see everyone who rode get a chuckle out of it. Lorraine…the reader said canter left on the centerline before your final halt!
It was no surprise that Marina won the class, Roger rode my mare for second place, I came in third with Rogers’ horse, Lorraine was fourth on Manuscript, and Jane was fifth on Flavius. We even received prize money, thanks to the Westfalen Association of Germany.
At the end of the tape, my father panned across the announcer and scoring table. Susan was thanking everyone for attending the show. And she then announces a big Happy Birthday to whom else? Don Barnes!

Pictured is me on my mare DejaVu with my coach at the time Walter Zettl in the background.

Kirkridge Takes Top Honors Again!

2007-01-11T15:30:00.000-05:00

P
Pictured Top to Bottom:Lauren and Moon

Sara and Barra Destiny

Rosemarie and Chellis

Elaine and Almaz

Congrats go to the following horses and riders for winning the Ontario Trillium Dressage Awards:
AA Training Level Champion: Rosemarie Greer and Chellis of the Far Side
AA Training Level 8th Place: Sean Wismer and Kenkari
Jr. Second Level Champion: Lauren Bailey and ESP Two Moon Junction+//
AA Third Level Champion: Sara Pedersen and Barras Destiny
Open Training Level Champion: Elaine Ward and KF Almaz+//
Open First Level 3rd: Elaine Ward and KF Almaz+//

Way to go team!

Happy New Year

2007-01-05T12:02:00.000-05:00

Click on the picture to see the full size.