Huge Storm Hits Nearby: Farm is Untouched

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

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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!

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

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

Contact Information

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

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!

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

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!

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

Click on the picture to see the full size.

Dressage at Royal Youtube Site

Click on the above title to find the videos that I took at the Royal. Hope you have highspeed!

Lesson Dates for Niagara Set

I will be in the Niagara region on the first Sunday of every month. If you are interested in arranging for me to be at your facility for private lessons in the Niagara Region, please e-mail me at elaine.ward@yahoo.com

Royal Quadrille Finally on YouTube!

I finally figured out how to use YouTube, and upload the video. Thanks to Judy for taking the video.
I'll upload the other Grand Prix and Freestyle Tests within the next week.
'Till then click on the title to go to the link for the 10 horse Grand Prix Quadrille that was at the Royal last month.

Dakota CW

What a glorious day to take pics. Thanks to Les for using his new camera.
Doc is really starting to muscle up and develop.
He's now under saddle.

Pics at the Stable

Doc hamming it up for the Camera!


Docs'Sire, Sandhillspinnaker a Purebred Egyptian (both Docs parents are Grey)


Guess Who?


Kisses for Les from Mav!

Brittney and Baikan Krisp

I received a wonderful e-mail from Gayle in Leamington about Baikan Krisp, and her daughter Brittney's success with Kris this past season.

Subject: FW: Baikan Krisp 2006 Starter Champion
Elaine,

I just wanted to send you a short note to let you know that we attended the Stonehaven year-end awards presentation last night and Brittney & Kris have a new title……….2006 Stonehaven Starter Champions. They received a framed sketch picture of two horses (that she has to bring back next year to pass down to the 2007 Champ) and a trophy that she can keep and of course the longest ribbon she has ever seen (according to Brittney). She is so excited and we are so proud of both of them!! We were not expecting it at all which I think made it that much sweeter.
I really never formally thanked you for bringing Kris into our lives…..thank you for making that call to Bill when you wanted to sell him as you are partly responsible for making a little girls dreams come true!!!!!!!
Gayle

Congratulations Brittney from all of us here at Kirkridge.

My Hard Drive Crashed!

Ok, so I just bought the digital camcorder, all fired up to do some youtubing, and guess what? My Hard Drive on my computer crashed! I should be back on line tomorrow with a 250gig hard drive. That should give me tons of space to work on the videos. I had 160 before.
Of course with the crash, I lost all of my e-mail contacts.
If you don't hear from me, don't think I'm ignoring you......could you please re-send your e-mails to me even if you have not contacted me in a while........please???
You know the drill; insectfree@sympatico.ca
If you are desparate to get a hold of me due to lessons you can call me on my cell:
519-771-3040

Click on This Link to Find YouTube!

OK, I found the coolest link going.........if you click on the link of this post, you will find YouTube. Thousands of Dressage videos......take your pick, either do a basic search of Dressage, or get fancy. Try Dressage at Devon, Reiner Klimke, Josef Neckermann. Some people have uploaded old videos of the 70's and 80's dressage horses.
Only one problem......it does'nt work with Dial-up.
So, now I have a digital camcorder, I can start uploading some stuff from the farm!

Glanbrook Cadora Awards

KF Almaz and Chellis of the Far Side took more dressage awards today at the Glanbrook Cadora Year End Banquet.
To my complete surprise Allie won the Training Level and was second in the First Level Division. Not only did we win medals, but we also received a saddle pad and a set of white polos!
Rosemarie placed second with Chellis in the Training Level Division, and won a medal and a whip (the whip I am going to personally "smack" Rosemarie with it for not attending!). Seriously, Rosemarie is doing a course, and could not attend.
Thankyou Glanbrook for an enjoyable brunch!

Judy and Mav

Thanksgiving Monday turned out to be glorious! Judy brought her camera along for her lesson, and had me take some pics of her and Mav. It's kind of fun taking pics and teaching at the same time.
Enjoy the pics!

What's up Doc?

A couple of weeks ago, I made a trek to Wisconson, and went horse shopping. I brought back a lovely 5 year old Purebred Arabian Gelding. He's not been handled much, but did'nt complain about getting on the trailer, and dealing with all the construction through Michigan. I call him Doc; that's short for Dakota.
Doc is a real sweet horse, that rivals the warmbloods in movement. I'll be getting him going this winter, and hope to show him next season. If he moves as good under saddle as he does free lunging, I can see this horse becoming a National Champion one day!

Sue and Julietta

Sue has had a really good season this year. She started riding with me in the early spring and has been really sucessful. Pictured is her 3 year old Fresian mare Julietta. She acheived a 3rd premium in the Fresian Keuring a couple of weeks ago, and was 3rd in the Riding Horse Class.
Sue also competes with Malcolm, an aged TB gelding. She did super at the last Glanbrook Primary Dressage competition with mid 60 scores in the Training Level classes, and garnished 2 second places from a huge entry.
Congrats Sue on your acheivements for 2006.

Dressage? Well, not Always!

Congrats again to Rosemarie and Chellis. Not only did she take the Ontario Trillium Championships for Training Level Adult Amatuer, her overall standings are in 1st place for all of the shows for 2006.
Chellis went to the Fresian Kuring at the end of September, and she received her "Stur" mare 2nd Premium Status! They also placed 2nd in the Riding Horse Class!
Jeez, it's that Cedar aka Barra's Destiny, Sara's 3rd level horse doing hunter in that pic? Yes it is! Cedar looks handsome over that fence!