Congress Countdown

Yep, it's time to start the countdown to All American Quarter Horse Congress in Columbus, Ohio.

The show runs for the majority of the month of October, hosts an unbelievable number of people, horses, trailers, puppies and tack for sale.

Check out previous posts about our trip to Congress last year.

So, we're gearing up for another fantastic trip and this year looks like it's going to be quite the convoy!

We plan to leave home Friday, October 9th (yep, missing a day of school/work). We will meet briefly to count heads and passports and then head out for the 5 1/2 hour trip to Columbus.

Once there, we will have to check into our hotel and get some groceries to avoid paying for expensive "Fair Food". I am going to do my best - just waiting for everyone's deposits - to book a hotel close to the Ohio Expo Centre with a shuttle bus to and from the show so we can also save on parking fees.

There will be maps and a brief tour for any first-timers to the show. The grounds are huge so we will need to find meeting places, times etc.

The other part of the deposit that is due BEFORE Sept. 10th is your Reining Freestyle ticket for Friday night. This show is a blast with lots of entries that perform to music with costumes and props. Heard of Stacey Westfalls famous bareback bridleless ride?? This is where it all happened.

Saturday will be left for individual groups to wander through the puppy tents, the incredible trailers and to shop til you drop. Sunday morning we will head back home, just in time for Thanksgiving Celebrations with the family!

Remember this:

October 9th to 11th

Ohio Expo Centre

Columbus, Ohio

$50 deposits due before Sept. 10th

No unaccompanied minors

Must have passports

Please speak with me as soon as possible so we can arrange vehicles and hotel rooms. A lot of plannng goes into this trip, your cooperation is appreciated.

Eastern Canadian Affiliate Finals

Exciting News!

September 27th, just a week after our Horse Exhibition/Show at Briarquest, Peanut and I will be making the trek to Blainville, Quebec. Our efforts at the Ontario Reining Horse Association shows this year have accumulated and we have qualified to show at the Eastern Canadian Affiliate Finals! What an honour to be one of four respresentatives for Ontario, in both the Rookie Professional class and the Limited Open! The top four riders for each Affiliate (for each of the Eastern Canadian Reining Horse Associations - Ontario, Quebec etc.) will compete for the top two positions. First and second place will be invited to the North American Affiliate Finals in Oklahoma and a chance at winning a World title. Exciting stuff!



Now it's back to work, getting ready for some tough competition and a long trailer ride...

We Like Red Ribbons

Congrats Nicole and J-lo on their first place finish in the Senior Reining Class at the Aylmer Fair on Saturday, August 8th!


The pair had another excellent ride even with the excitement of the fair going on behind, trailers coming in and out, and the intermitant rain!





They finished with a score of 68 and a congratulations from the judge!




All in a days work for J-lo...

Horse Course Fall 2009

SIGN UP NOW, SPACES ARE LIMITED

Brush up on your horsemanship skills outside of the riding arena with these fun Courses!

Monday Aug. 31st 13 yrs+
Extreme Makeover-Horse Edition
Learn about bathing, clipping, braiding, banding, and hoof care! Whether it be to prepare your horse for a show, or to help give Jane, the new lesson horse, the pampering she deserves (and makeover she desperately needs), there's lots to be learned! Each participant will also have a riding lesson, lunch, break and be included in daily barn routines incuding feed, turn out and picking stalls. $60 per participant

Tuesday Sept. 1st 13 yrs+
Extreme Makeover-Tack Edition
Learn about how to clean and condition leather, and polish silver on every piece of riding equipment we can gather! Bring your own tack desperately in need of some TLC, help revamp the lesson equipment and learn about uses for some different types of equipment. Learn about how to care for your equipment and also how to check that it's fitted properly from saddles ad bridles to blankets and bits. Participants will also have a riding lesson, a lunch break and be included in daily barn routines including feed, turn out and picking stalls. $50 per participant

Wednesday Sept. 2nd 13 yrs +
Vet Wannabees
Learn about normal parametres for horses vital signs and how to check them. Don't know how to tell when your horse is cooled down properly? Learn about different kinds of heat dissapation and how to cool your horse down effectively. Learn about giving oral medication and how to wrap leg bandages. Basic information about parasites, colic and wounds will be covered. Participants will also be included in a riding lesson, a lunch break and included in daily barn routine. $65 per participant

*** Want to sign up for all 3 days?? Pay a reduced rate of $150 for all 3 sessions! Save $25!***

Saturday Sept. 5th Under 13 yrs
I love Horses!

Enjoy a fun day at the barn! Each participant will have a riding lesson, be included in daily barn routines including feed, turnout and barn maintenance. Learn how to divide a hay bale into meals for your favourite horse, give them their grain and help keep their home clean and safe. Give your horse the treat of a lifetime, a full out bath with shampoo, and mane and tail conditioner. Participate in horsey games, and crafts and a picnic lunch (weather permitting). $60 per person

Please contact Lindsay at (519) 872-1917 or lindsay.hayes@hotmail.com to sign up and reserve a spot ASAP.