Steph and ponies are away at the jumper show in Bend, OR. Max and Christi are about to load up and head to Woodside.
Pam is lovely after her in-depth spa treatment.
Emily and Laddie are back from dominating at the Dressage Festival.
Seamus is doing well on stall rest, post-colic surgery. Thus far he has been a model patient. We’re all hoping his solid mind and good nature carry him through his last couple weeks of stall rest. He should (knock on all the wood you can find) be back in the show ring this fall.
Song’s mom took an unfortunate tumble and will be out of the tack for a few weeks while she recovers. Ms Song is off in jumping bootcamp at the Bend show. Here’s hoping she bring home the hardware.
If nothing else, she should win “shiniest” based on the amount of scrubbing I had to do. That mare has a tail like you wouldn’t believe.
Because the show season is in full swing, it’s pretty quiet around the barn. I think that works out to Josh’ advantage right now–he’s there constantly, measuring, planning, moving, working. New barn construction/renovation begins June 1, and he is all over having things ready.
If you come visit, you’ll notice that we’ve got a new front gate (please keep it closed so no dogs get out on the road), a new turnout, and the vegetable garden is going in. Many thanks to Vern, Paul, and Shelley for lending a hand on those projects.
They tell me that barn renovation will take about two weeks, so look for fun pictures from exciting locales the first two weeks of June!
By that, I don’t mean there was a horrific accident (though obviously, that happened too. Not worry–all are well.) Nope.
On April 30, they signed the last documents and are now the proud owners of Eagle Crest! Many congrats to them! It’s been in the works for a while, but I was holding off on saying anything until it was final. I am a firm believer in jinxes and I wanted this to work out. (You doubt? Just watch Rolex XC and say aloud, “She’s having a nice ride.” It’s scary, folks.)
Obviously, we are all pretty excited. I’m probably more excited than Josh because I’m not about to begin all sorts of remodel projects that will make Eagle Crest even more cool and accessible than it already is. Look for new turnout, an updated barn design, a new wash rack, and all kinds of improvements.
But of course, completing a major real estate deal just isn’t enough to keep the WSH crew busy–we also hosted the Julie Winkle clinic this past weekend. Julie comes from Reno, NV, but judges hunter/jumper/conformation all across the US. I will say, her credentials are impressive and she backs it all up in person. She taught classes from babies through massively giant jumps with a smile on her face and an idea to help everyone improve.
I even got to see everyone’s favorite Fuzzy in person! Highlight of the weekend for sure.
Everyone rode well. Indie stepped it up for her first big clinic.
Friends and family from near and far came to ride and spectate and everyone seemed to have a good time.
The clinic is over (for this year), but we’re always at the barn. Come by and see the new permanent location of Wasatch Sport Horses in Eagle, ID! Bring wine or a tool belt. We have time for both.
If you want to keep up with us, check the calendar. We’ll be at the Spring Spectacular this weekend and the lucky ones are leaving for the jumper show in Bend on May 20.
Hello again WSH fans! I made Steph solemnly swear to update the blog this winter when she left for Arizona. You all saw what came of that. She was busy “teaching” and “training” and “spending time with family”. All noble causes, I’m sure. Rest assured, I am now back with updates and pictures!! Maybe next time I’ll even wrangle this thing into letting me post videos again.
Spring weather being what it is, we are constantly back and forth between 70f weather with sun and leprechauns singing and pouring rain with 40mph winds. The show (prep) must go on. We are keeping busy with lessons with local friends and drop ins from across the west.
The Boise horses are just getting going over jumps again after winter. They seem to be remembering everything so far… (knock on wood for me–Cuna jumps tomorrow!).
Lots of fun things coming up to get ready for–weather permitting, you’ll see the WSH crew at the BSJC schooling show this Saturday. Information is available at their website if you want to come and join. The Julie Winkle clinic is running at our facility (in our super cool giant arena) the last weekend of this month. I heard it was filling fast, so be sure and contact Gina if you want in. Even if you can’t fit into the ridden section, there is plenty of space to audit. BYOB. (The second B is beverage. Seriously.)
I hope you’re getting out there and taking advantage of the comfortable temperatures. Summer will be here in no time and I have promised not to whine about how hot it is for at least three weeks, in honor of the horror that was this January.
I hate being cold.
We hope to see you around soon, whether in a lesson, at the barn, or out horse showing. Feel free to bring your own horse in for lessons or we have a lovely schoolie for those lucky enough to need a ride. Stay current with us on the WSH calendar and come visit!
The property where Josh and I have been running our equestrian business, Wasatch Sport Horses, this winter is going on the market April 1st. We feel that the community and our business together benefit from being headquartered in Eagle, Idaho. We will let you know how it goes!
On another note, it is spring and the begining of horse show season.
We are schooling at Tulip Springs March 30-31. Call for more details or if you would like to join us.
The BSJC Schooling show is April 13-14 at the Idaho Center. Follow link for entry and information. BSJC
Julie Winkle will be at our barn April 27-28th. Come join us!
The calendar is online at here. You are welcome any time.
My mum and I are returning from 3 days in Ocala, Florida. “The horse capitol of the World” according to their county marketing department. Our trip was based around a USEA Instructor Symposium featuring British Team Coach, Yogi Breisner, Linda Zang and David O’Connor. We also went to watch great riding, catch up with friends, be inspired and make new connections. Mission accomplished!
Our first day started out at the HITS Ocala show. I wintered in Ocala and worked for various barns at HITS for more than 5 years. It was a bit cold, but nice to be back. The show grounds have grown and developed, as has the number of horses. The Grand Prix on Sunday had more than 30 entries. The competitors were from all over the world, all different types of horses and ages, it was awesome to watch.
We caught up with a few friends that day from Connecticut to Calgary, watched amazing riding and headed for warmer territory.
The food in Ocala, Florida is probably the most disappointing thing about the area and our trip, but knowing me, we only had a few sub-par meals!
Monday started with Yogi and show jumping at Longwood Farm in Ocala. Longwood is as beautiful, accessible and well equipped as any full access farm should be with a cross country course, jump fields, dressage courts, covered arena and miles of lovely trails and galloping.
I have seen Yogi teach a few times but was pleasantly surprised by his articulate, organized presentation. He spent the day (yes from 9-5) teaching horses and riders from training through advanced level. He was demanding, yet humble, fun and very educational! I have pages of notes (watch out!) He used a different exercise for each group, had it set up timely and created a rapport with his riders in minutes. I have more video coming.
That night, we made it to a wine bistro:)) in Ocala (who’d a thunk?) with old friends and famous ones! (Sinead and her fiancé Tick) made it for a great evening catching up and making plans. Sinead in the last 8 months has impressed me with her grace, riding, sportsmanship and public relations. It was great to hear she is human and is even more of each of those than she portrayed in the media. She is also coming to visit Idaho this summer, so plan ahead to get in a ride with her. You’ll love her!
Day 2 at symposium started with Linda Zang, Dressage coach and judge. She did a fantastic job explaining coaching of movements starting with training level horses through 4th level. She also was organized, articulate and fun (again, you’d a thunk?) The weather was warm and breezy, the setting ideal, the horses and riders amazing (gotta love watching Peter Grey, Leslie Law, Sharon White, Jennifer Simmons on their top horses.)
After lunch, we went to DOC’s (David O’Connor, new US Team Coach) playground next door. The O’Connor Event Team now works out of 150 acre farm next to Longwood with several rings (new all weather footing), full cross country course, show jumping field, amazing round pen, 4 barns, houses, gallop track, etc.
David is a believer. He has created a system that works (Gold Medal and all) that he believes in and he lives it. I happen to know the system and believe it too, but it was great to hear it spoken again. He explained it with specific applications and new ways to keep people safe and moving toward their goal.
We believe that a rider has responsibilities as do the horses. David did an excellent job, while teaching 2 groups, showing the importance of each and how to progress from one to the other (and what happens when you don’t). With almost 200 participates the cross country was a bit more difficult to hear and see everything and the wind that was picking up didn’t help. Still, it was great!
That night, we met some friends that I used to show and train with for dinner at the “Horse and Hound.” The menus were still the same, 12 years later and the people just as wonderful as before. It was great to hear the enthusiasm for the show world (they come every year from Connecticut for HITS) as I feel for my horses.
This morning we had the opportunity to ride a lovely TB gelding of Cathy Weischoff’s and watch DOC give Sinead a lesson. We went shopping at the trade fair at HITS and still made it to the airport in Orlando in time to get back.
I believe the few days was a great start to the year. The equine industry is challenging, changing, and sometimes painful; this was a weekend of enlightenment, inspiration and education. I hope to spread that throughout the year to come.
Winter it is. Fun may be an over statement with the temperatures being this cold.
The good news, I am inside planning more fun to come!
Our ring, barn and crew is working out better than I could have imagined thus far in Eagle, Idaho. The footing has been good to great every day so far, the horses are faring well and the people at the barn make it time well spent. We are busy scheduling lessons Tuesday-Sunday. Come join us if you can!
I am headed to Wickenburg and Rio Verde this January 25-27. You can sign up for your prefered time by following clicking HERE and sign yourself up!
We will be returning to Arizona February 25-March 4 and then on to a week at the HITS Show in Thermal, California March 5-10. Please let me know if you would like to join us for any or all of that! You can fly into Phoenix or drive over for some days at the “Goodman Resort” or meet us at the show for some fun spectating, eating and riding!
We are planning a fun spring with schooling at Tulip Springs, a Julie Winkle Clinic, horse showing in Bend and more all before school gets out!
It’s our first bona fide snow day of the year! The roads were slick, the white stuff was falling, and the arena footing was just perfect. Of course, around here “snow day” just means “excuse to play at the barn”.
We at WSH would like to wish you a late merry Christmas and an early happy New Year and any other holidays you celebrate this time of year. I can only keep up with just the two.
The roads are already drying, so come on out and join the fun! You can keep track of us on the calendar or figure out what you’d like to do by viewing the services page.
1) It’s party time!! The WSH Christmas party is at Salt Tears (4714 W State St – Boise ID 83703 ) from 6.30-9.30 on Wednesday, December 19th. Since they are hosting/providing food, we’re asking attendees to pitch in $20 to help cover the cost. That said, there are a lot of goodies included, a trivia contest, and a large splash of awesome since we’re all planning to be there. If you can read this (and are not a serial ax murderer), you’re invited!
2) It looks like we’re headed down to AZ in late February or early March. We’ll hang out in the sun, do lessons, horseshow in Tucson, and generally have a good time. Steph has some numbers worked out and is forming a plan. It’s not too late to get on board!! Last year, we missed a snow storm while sipping wine and watching grand prixs in 70f weather. Care to join?
3) The show must go on! December is also known as “rein torture month”. Curious? Here’s what we’ve been up to.
It isn’t even officially cold, but we’re already making plans for an exciting winter season. We have a few options for the southward getaway this year–we could go back to Thermal, which was a great experience last year. We could go to Scottsdale and enjoy the horseshows in the area, or we could hit Wickenbug, AZ and do the attendant cool things there. No link on that one–my internet sleuthing didn’t immediately turn one up. There is show jumping and eventing in AZ and CA. We’re hoping to go for a week or two. My understanding is that owners can either ride along with us, drive themselves, or fly in and out as best suits their needs.
We haven’t settled on a date yet. Mid February through March are the options. If this sounds like fun to you (last year, we had 70f weather while Boise got a snowstorm), it’s time to get on the bus!! By which, of course, I mean contact Stephanie. It’s all still up in the air, so let her know which location you prefer and what dates work for you.
Looking up at Elliot
Exciting winter plans aside, life going full speed in Eagle.
We’re riding, Steph is teaching, and the horses are doing really well. We’re looking forward to the upcoming season while enjoying the holidays. Hope to see you all out at the barn soon!
PS I nearly made a giant error!! One of our own, the lovely and incredible Caroline Smith was featured on EN yesterday. Check it out!!
Upon being given an official blog log-in, I promised myself we wouldn’t go more than two weeks without posting again.
Sooo… how ’bout them Broncos?
Despite our internet silence, life at WSH is flying along.
Oh yes I did just make a pun. You’re welcome.
Zymon and Steph rode in a clinic to polish up everyone’s favorite dreamboy’s hunter performance.
Photo by J. Comstock.
In addition to the full service board, lessons, and training we have going on, we (/I) also offer body clipping. It’s not the most glamorous job on the planet, but clipped horses are so much nicer to ride and deal with when it’s too cold for constant baths.
Lest you think we spend all out time covered in hair, there have been plenty of exploring Boise adventures.
It may be cooling off for winter, but there’s plenty of time to get out and enjoy fall! Come and join us either to ride or have a glass of wine and savor what’s left of 2012!
Steph and ponies are away at the jumper show in Bend, OR. Max and Christi are about to load up and head to Woodside.
Emily and Laddie are back from dominating at the Dressage Festival.
Song’s mom took an unfortunate tumble and will be out of the tack for a few weeks while she recovers. Ms Song is off in jumping bootcamp at the Bend show. Here’s hoping she bring home the hardware.
