Willow Grove Stables

Chase Creek Pictures

2009-06-17T07:07:00.001-07:00

Chase Creek

2009-06-17T07:04:00.000-07:00

May 21-25 Jessica, Dashwood, Sallie and I made the 8hr drive to Chase Creek, BC, home of Nick Holmes-Smith for a 4 day cross-country clinic. This was Jessica and Dashwoods first time getting to play, and it is by far my favorite event clinic to attend.

Day one was brilliant for both Jessica and I, lots of playing in the water jump, banks, drop fences and ditches. The fences range from 18" to 1.20m so there is a lot of choices when it comes to something to jump. (Unfortunatly my photographer broke herself the second day and wasn't able to get photos of Sallie jumping the big stuff... perhaps next year!)

Days 3 and 4 I rode both Sallie and Dash, it's been a while since I've had to ride such a green horse XC. Sallie and I started to tackle some really fun yet challenging fences and lines- all the challenging excercises Trish builds at home makes riding the patterns Nick create much easier!

Jessica can't wait to get out and try it all over again, and has her sights set on recovering and perhaps riding pre-entry in September.
Written by Jenn Smart

Jenn in heaven

2009-06-16T05:30:00.000-07:00

Okay so maybe heaven and dressage test is not quite true. But the pictures of cross country we know is she is truly in her element. Well done Jenn, Sallie and Dashwood. Read about Jenn's weekend below. (Chestnut horse is Dashwoods brother)

Dashwood and Sallie take a road trip!

2009-06-16T05:25:00.000-07:00

To the Beaumont Horse Trials (oh yeah I was there too!)
Dashwood went Pre-Entry (2'6") and Sallie went Pre-Training (3')

Dressage: Sallie was first to go, we managed to meet my goal of besting 60% with a 63.5%. Remembered my dressage test (a small paranoia of mine after being eliminated once for forgetting the test half way through) Lots to work on and improve for the next show.

Dressage: Dashwood warmed up fantastic, but having to ride in a dressage ring for the first time, all alone, away from the other horses was a little daunting for him, reflecting in his dressage scores. Still happy with his performance for his very first time out!

Stadium: Clear on Sallie, second goal met! All our practice is really showing up here as it was a really nice, steady round for both of us. My goal with Dashwood was a quiet, steady round- again his first time out in a show situation, we ended up with one rail but otherwise a very reasonable round for our first event.

Cross Country: (The BEST part!) Alright- I am a course walking fanatic... I walk each course 3x, first time to find the fences, second to make a plan and figure out my options, third time to really confirm what track I'm going to ride. Perhaps a touch excessive, but it works for me! However... the Pre-Entry track was 1600m, and Pre-Training 2250m, meaning I walked 11550m- got to remember better walking shoes next time! Dashwood's round was good, the first few fences he was a little uncertain WHAT we were doing, but by fence 4 he was on a roll really enjoying himself. Double clear round (means no jumping or time faults) with a confident happy horse at the end. Sallie also had a clear round, but a touch slow equaling time penalties.

The one thing you never want to have is a jumping fault XC, a stop or run out costs you 20 penalties (faults)! I'll remember to gallop on a little more at the next event... I was very happy with the placings, Dashwood was 5th in the Open Pre-Entry and Sallie was 7th in Pre-Training.

Beaumont is the newest course in Alberta, they held the offical opening ceremony on XC day. Hopefully we can get Minds Eye Ranch and Millarville running again, as it would be nice to have more then 6 events a season. The fences are beautifully designed, with a Prarie theme. My favorite jump is the Crop Duster- 3 jumps in one! (Pre-Training jumped the left wing of the plane) Dashwood also got to have a family reunion- his older half brother was there competing in the Regular Pre-Entry, finishing 3rd overall. (chstnut horse in pictures above)
Written by Jenn Smart

Puppies coming up to six weeks old

2009-05-05T19:42:00.001-07:00

Fun in Kelowna

2009-05-05T19:35:00.000-07:00

The fun classes in the jumper ring entertained all. The Hoof and Woof relay and the puppy lead line were the highlights.

More of the 'A' Team & their support staff (dogs)

2009-05-05T19:30:00.001-07:00

Jumperland

2009-05-05T19:16:00.000-07:00

Joey can run too!

At the Ring in Hunterland Part 2

2009-05-05T18:59:00.001-07:00

Ring Prep by Donna

Focusing!!!!!

Course Designer Chris Jones and Hunter Judge Gary Striker

"Chucky Love" on the move to get a fallen rail.

Barn Prep

2009-05-05T18:52:00.000-07:00

At the ring Part 1

2009-05-05T18:43:00.001-07:00

Ingate Goddess Judy Cummings from Victoria

Parental Units Herb & Donna Hammer as well as Kevin and Christine Budd. Where are Wade and Lori??? Partaking in the Wine Festival perhaps?

Some of Team Willow Grove at the ringside. Seems like I joined the finger walking, pointing craze. Maybe it is contagious.

Hitting the Vineyards

2009-04-28T20:11:00.000-07:00

Tuesday Touring

2009-04-28T20:04:00.000-07:00

Well the Kelowna horse show started off with a wine tour of the local vineyards. Yummy!!! Here is the gang!

Too Cute!!!!

2009-04-28T20:02:00.001-07:00

Uncle DJ teaching them the ropes.

2009-04-28T19:57:00.001-07:00

Play Time & Nap Time

2009-04-28T19:52:00.000-07:00

Piles of Puppies

2009-04-28T19:47:00.000-07:00

Getting Bigger.

2009-04-10T20:42:00.001-07:00

Well the puppies eyes are almost open. Their personalities are definitely showing up. Some are cuddlers. Some have their own opinion. They are all too cute. And getting fuzzy and soft.

High Five!

2009-04-06T12:45:00.000-07:00

Huggy Bear

2009-04-06T12:42:00.000-07:00

We call this one Huggy Bear.

The start of Puppy Madness

2009-04-06T12:37:00.000-07:00

So a little over a week has gone by and they are much stronger. Eyes are starting open. They are getting much more active.

Golden Retreiver Puppies

2009-04-06T12:30:00.000-07:00

Our first litter of Golden Retreiver puppies were born on January 26. A long whelping marathon of 13 hours took place with finally 12 wonderful babies arriving safe and sound.

Final day

2009-02-22T19:26:00.001-08:00

The final week of showing for Shelby and Telly. They travel home with Lori, Christine, Brie, and Ali. I will stay for another week with Steph and family. Congrats for a great two weeks. This week was a huge success with two championships and one reserve championship for Shelby and a championship for Telly. There will be no blogging as my computer is not in operation so there will be some final thoughts once I get home. Take care, Trish

Many faces of Telly.

2009-02-20T20:17:00.000-08:00

Okay some of these shots may be disturbing. She is trying to take over Ali's role of best assortment of faces. Beware!

Cantina

2009-02-20T20:08:00.000-08:00

More ribbons for the WG riders today. Celebration in La Cantina with the Karaoke and Pizza night.