Hockley Hills School Of Horsemanship Blog

Administrator September 12th, 2008

From the Hills of Headwaters Tourism Association:

Saturday, September 13th & Sunday, September 14th
Free admission!

Presented by the Best Western Orangeville Inn & Suites,
in association with Budson Farm and Feed, Hallmark Toyota & Pfaff Audi,
and with the support of Ontario’s Ministry of Tourism

Be sure to mark your calendars for the inaugural Headwaters Stable Tour, September 13th & 14th, 2008. Equine enthusiasts of all ages can experience first-hand the excitement and spirit of equine sport in the Hills of Headwaters, and get an inside look at some of the finest stables in the region.

Enjoy a unique opportunity to get behind the scenes of some of the finest stables and training facilities in southern Ontario and see first hand the magnificent farms and facilities that most people only get to see from afar.

Fifteen facilities in the Town of Caledon, Town of Erin and the County of Dufferin will be opening their doors to the public for a unique, behind-the-scenes opportunity to meet the heroes (2 and 4-legged!) of various equine disciplines. Enjoy exclusive tours behind the gates of the Hills of Headwaters’ finest farms and stables, watch demonstration and be eligible for giveaways throughout the tour.

The Hills of Headwaters, a 4,000 square kilometre region of scenic countryside, is the heart of one of the most concentrated equestrian areas in the province of Ontario.

Equine activity is intrinsic to the very fabric of our local communities in the Hills of Headwaters. It is here you will find some of the country’s premiere breeding farms, coaching and training facilities, riding schools, boarding stables, ranches, suppliers (including farriers, veterinarians, feed, bedding & tack shops), and special events.

2008 Headwaters Stable Tour site locations include:

* Aislinn Dressage
* Beaverwood
* Caledon Equine Hospital
* Cedar Mills Classical Riding Club
* Equus 3D
* Hockley Hills School of Horsemanship
* Loralee Farms
* Orangeville Fairgrounds
* Rawhide Adventures
* Rustic Meadows
* Sher-Al Farms
* Teen Ranch
* Victoria Farms
* Windswept Farm
* Xenora Empowerment

Anytime of year equestrians can experience the best nature has to offer and all things equine, in the Hills of Headwaters.
We invite you to join us on the weekend of September 13th & 14th/08 and experience the beauty and splendour of “Horses in the Hills”.

For a complete listing of site locations, special events and activities, and a complete Google map listing of the Headwaters Stable Tour, visit www.horsesinthehills.ca.

For further information, interviews or photographs please contact:

The Hills of Headwaters Tourism Association
519-942-0314
Lisa Brusse, Executive Director

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Administrator July 29th, 2008

Hey all! Things have been very quiet around the barn with camp over for July and a bunch of riders on vacation! It’s going to be a relief to get everyone back this coming week. Camp in August will be awesome with 18 kids signed up. I can’t wait for the marshmallows and sleepover, I’m sure I won’t sleep a wink. Luckily we have lots of qualified staff on hand for the week so i anticipate things to go very smoothly. We will follow up camp with a show at Teen Ranch on Sunday August 10th, and then another show on Friday, August 15th at Palgrave. (This will be our first AQHA show so we’re all pretty excited). The last show for August will be on the 24th at Teen Ranch.

Other than that, the most exciting news that I have to share is how well Magnus is coming along. Magnus is a 3 year old Quarter Horse that was started on the flat in the round pen last summer as a 2 year old and who is now going under saddle. He’s walking and trotting for me at this point, and the little darling hasn’t said “no” once. He’s a dream to train and I’m having a great time. Equally well behaved is Emma, another 3 year old who is currently going extremely well for Marisa.

I can’t forget…Warren dropped by today (Dancer and Quigley’s new owners) to say what a wonderful time they’ve been having with the boys. Warren says he’ll speak for us to anyone thinking of purchasing one of our horses about the terrific experience he’s had. Thanks Warren!

We’re all looking forward to another fun, beautiful month and welcome your input and your visits…call, write or come by anytime!

Cheers!

Melanie

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Administrator July 26th, 2008

Hey all, I had an e-mail tonight from Warren, and I was so pleased to read that they are having a great time and riding well! Warren says that he went on an awesome trail ride with Dancer and that it was so much fun.

It reminded me that we miss the boys, but we also miss Warren and Alison! Hopefully we’ll get a visit from our old friends soon.

Keep us updated guys!

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Administrator July 21st, 2008

The Summer 2008 edition of the beautiful In the Hills magazine has a wonderful write up about the upcoming Hills of Headwaters Stable Tour. As we are a participating stable, we were excited to be interviewed and included in their story. You can find a copy of the article from the magazine on our website. There is a link to the article on the main page…enjoy!www.schoolofhorsemanship.com.

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Administrator July 21st, 2008

Hockley Hills School of Horsemanship is thrilled to be participating in the Hills of Headwaters Stable Tour taking place on September 13th and 14th. As you may have read or heard, “Come September, the first annual Hills of Headwaters Stable Tour will “open the barn doors” to the public for an up-close and personal peek at the region’s horse industry.” Enjoy a unique opportunity to get behind the scenes of some of the finest stables and training facilities in southern Ontario and see first hand the magnificent farms and facilities that most people only get to see from afar. Hockley Hills is among the 15 or so participating stables and will offer activities such as riding lesson demonstrations for both English and Western riding, as well as opportunities for non-horse people to groom and interact with our horses. The tour takes place from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm on both Saturday and Sunday.

The tour is sponsored by the equestrian committee of the Hills of Headwaters Tourism Association. For information about the events, including a map, visit www.horsesinthehills.ca or call 1-800-332-9744. You can also read more about our facility in the write up about us in the Summer 2008 edition of the In the Hills magazine. We hope you will all plan to attend the event at our barn so that you can enjoy the facility and horses and get to know our awesome students!

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Administrator July 21st, 2008

Hockley Hills and Hidden Creek would like to sincerely congratulate Marisa Rutherford on her purchase of our Quarter Horse mare Duchess Angel, known as “Angel”. Marisa has been riding and loving Angel for well over a year and it was about time she became her owner! We couldn’t be more thrilled about Marisa’s purchase and are even happier to say that she will be keeping her at Hockley Hills. Marisa is also a staff member of Hockley Hills and an Instructor at the school.
We wish Marisa and Angel many years of happiness together.

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Administrator June 23rd, 2008

Zip Fore Bar

Zip is the most athletic, willing, strong and beautiful horse that Hidden Creek Quarter Horses has ever had on offer. At 10 years of age, 15.3 hands and 1,300 lbs. there is nothing Zip can’t do. He is supple, light, and responsive. His movement is collected and fluid, his personality is interested, affectionate and gentle. He is working at the walk, jog, trot, lope and canter. He moves off the leg with energy and enthusiasm. He has no lamenesses, injuries or faults. His “Impressive” breeding is impeccable and he is fully registered. He continues to work daily under our head trainer who tells us that he is ready for his permanent owner. Contact Hidden Creek Quarter Horses at (519) 940-8197.

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Administrator June 23rd, 2008

HiddenCreek Quarter Horses and Hockley Hills School of Horsemanship would like to congratulate Warren and Alison Churchman on their purchase of two of our finest horses. This month, Zans Diamond Dancer or “Dancer” and Quick Bar Mujer or “Quigley” were sold to Warren and Alison and went to their new home in Rockwood, ON. They will be missed, but they are going to a fine home and loving owners. We are very pleased for both the horses and their new owners. We look forward to hearing from you!

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Administrator June 16th, 2008

Yesterday’s Open show at Teen Ranch was one of the most fun shows I’ve ever done. I truly enjoyed seeing all the smiles on our girls faces and their relaxed attitudes. It was all about having fun, doing your best and being part of a team and we sure did that!

We had some pretty exciting moments, but probably the highlight of my day was when all the tough Dads in the bunch had to LIFT the trailer off the ball of the truck and MOVE it over. Ladies, we definitely needed the boys yesterday and what a way to prove themselves on Father’s Day!!!!

I have to thank all the parents for being involved, cheering your daughters on, pitching in, bringing food, helping to care for the horses, and putting up with everybody’s nerves. We couldn’t do this without your support so thank-you so much from me and from your girls (who probably forgot to tell you, but really appreciate it)

Also, thank-you to the volunteers who pitched in all day and to the visitors from the barn! It’s so much fun when we have a big bunch of supporters.

Many of the girls competing yesterday were up against some big challenges…some were on horses they barely knew, others riding in a higher division for the first time or competing for the first time, and…my little girl for hanging on through a good spook!

At the shows as well as at home, I’ve encouraged personal best as the objective at any show, and I continue to insist that this should be your ultimate goal. I really believe that this message is getting through as I see you coming out of the ring smiling and so proud of your horses no matter how you placed.

All of you are doing a great job of working as a team, you are more responsible than ever and I’m having as much fun as you. Let’s keep it up for the rest of the summer and we should have a blast!

Your coach Mel

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Administrator June 8th, 2008

Well I’m a bit late getting you news about the first show, but finally here it is! As I mentioned in my e-mail earlier this week, the first show is always going to have some unexpected results. I spoke to the judge for the 2′ division who was very kind and patient and I was able to get a little bit of insight into her scoring system. I know for many of you the placings at a Hunter/Jumper show are a mystery and truly sometimes there’s no way to tell why placings go the way they do. The important thing to remember is that except for Equitation, where it’s all about the rider’s skill, it is usually the horse that is being judged. Therefore the riders ability is helpful in showing the horse, but in the end, how the horse performs, and what the judge’s opinion is of that horse will be the determining factor. It was exciting to place in classes and even win a division, but as important to me was how beautifully my students handled themselves, their horses and their team effort. I was very proud of everyone. At the first show we had Stephanie and Chelsea, Marisa and Angel, Sam and Wylie, Kim and Duke, Jordan and Tia, Emily and Hank and Carley and Ginger. Great job to all of you!

Our next show is this Father’s day weekend, on Sunday June 15th at Teen Ranch. The show starts at 10:00 a.m. and I invite everyone from the barn to come by and cheer us on. I also appreciate all the awesome pictures that everyone sends me when they come to the shows…check out the web site’s gallery for gorgeous pictures of the first show. See you soon!

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