It's been awhile..

Sorry gang, I know it's been quite some time since I've posted on the blog. Many reasons play into that factor from moving to farm (yay!) to owning another horse, work etc. Yep, that's right, I am finally in the country. Moved my QH mare out with me and even better, she's been bred to a beautiful Black/white Paint. She's due mid Jan.

THEN, 5 months ago, I purchased another horse, a black qh mare. Knew nothing about her, she came from an auction which is normally a high risk. WELL, I got pretty lucky, sure she has some quirks, but she's come a long way in just a few months. I'm looking forward to showing her next season.

Speaking of, show season is over. We didn't show much this year as I was the Western Performance Director for the http://www.tphcon.net/ club in New Liskeard. We did do some Team Penning though, which was a blast!

Anyways, gotta run.

Ride with the wind...

TPHC - TRAIL RIDING AT IT'S BEST

Show season is upon us, well not too far anyways. It's been a very long time since I've wrote anything on this blog, but here I am.

TPHC http://www.tphcon.net/ is a horse club in Northern Ontario offering both English and Western performance shows, Mounted games, Western Games and Trail riding.

If you visit the site, you can find the dates to all the above.

This year I sit on the board as the Western Performance Director so I'm looking forward to have a different perspective on the whole thing.

I have to say, my favorite area of the TPHC is the trail rides! We do roughly 15 trail rides all season. These are rides planned at certain locations in the area. Each ride can be from 3-5 hours in length, sometimes a bit shorter. After each ride, we always stop to have some lunch. Some rides, we plan BBQ's.

Although we can predict the dates and places for the rides, we can't predict the weather, so dress accordingly of course. We ride in all weather pretty well.

If you haven't joined us on a ride yet, then saddle up and ride with the wind with the TPHC trail riding group!

First ride is April 25th, 11am at Echo Lake in Earlton Ontario. Just follow the signs!

TPHC TRAIL RIDE

NOTE: Well, let me start by apologizing first. I've been a bit slow getting some stories up. I still need to get the RCMP story up, I will soon. However, for those of you on facebook, if you want to add me "Anna Sawicki" there is a ton of great shots of the RCMP Ride on there as well as many other horse related events.

TPHC TRAIL RIDE JUNE 6, 2009

We couldn't have had better weather, other then the black flies that tried to carry us away on a few occasions, mother nature actually co-operated with us. It was a sunny, warm day for the entire ride. Well, the morning did start off chilly, but for a day that rain was predicated, we prevailed!

The ride was at Club Echo, Earlton, one of the better rides of the season. This ride has miles of sandy trails. We also broke trail through a few bush trails, this allowed some of us to actually do some jumping over some logs that laid in our way. There was also a lot of limbo dancing going on as we rode under trees/branches at our eye levels.

We had a turn out of I think 10 or 12 riders, even a new membership. The ride went smoothly. Chelsea Buns was a trooper and you'd never know she was 21. She had more spunk and energy then some of the younger horses. I swear she trotted most of the ride when she wasn't sneaking in a few runs. She was so focused on being the leader and to me, this is a huge accomplishment to see her so confident. At one point, she never liked to be the leader, she was too scared and was pretty insecure about herself.

The ride ended with cooling off our horses and letting them rest as we all sat around and had lunch and discussed our ride. The door prizes were awarded and we all packed our stuff and headed home after a great ride with some great friends.

If anyone wants to see some photos from the ride and you have facebook, feel free to add me "Anna Sawicki". If not, you can email me at: annae@internetwebdezines.com and I can send you the photos.

See you all the next ride..

ride with the wind @ http://www.equinenorth.net/

RCMP Musical Ride

Well, the RCMP riders and their horses have arrived at Rosegrove Stables today. All 32 horses are now all snug and cozy in their stalls while they rest up for the big day.

Unfortunately, the weather hasn't been the best. It's wet and dirty, but come rain or shine, these 32 riders and their horses are going to put on a show that will make everyone smile from age 1 to 120.

Stay tuned to www.equinenorth.net for photos and a story of what it takes to be an RCMP officer in the musical ride!


Ride with the wind @ www.equinenorth.net

YET ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL RIDE TO TOWN

About 40 km later, Chelsea Buns and I have accomplished another great ride to Kirkland Lake from Rosegrove Stables in Otto Township.

It was a fantastic ride with great weather. I tell ya, what a perfect way to gain the trust of your horse, or lose it I guess.

I can nearly say that Chelsea Buns is bomb proof. Would she be with a different rider, honestly, I don't know.

There were several things that did frighten her and if she had her way, would of turned full tilt back home. However, with very little convincing, she went through every obstacle asked. Just amazing.

Our rides never go without stories of people stopping to touch chelsea, feed her treats and ask a gazillion questions. I love the questions and love to answer them to the best of my knowledge.

S ome of the cutest things can be heard from some of the small visitors such as "look, she has teeth" or "how many apples in a year does she eat".

I have to say my most favorite part of the ride is the smiles. Smiles from 1- 100. It doesn't matter what age you are, everyone loves a horse and especially to see one come through town. There really is something magical about what horses do for people.

I am very proud of how far I have come with my 21 year old Quarter Horse Mare Chelsea Buns. We have overcome some pretty tough obstacles over the years. Imagine, at one time, this mare wouldn't even leave the driveway and if she did, it took you hours to get 2 ft.

S o the first TPHC show is about to begin this weekend. If the weather doesn't rear it's usual head as it's calling it should be a great weekend.

So you all ride with the wind

@ http://www.equinenorth.net/

And, it gets even better this summer, as the Timiskaming District will be hosting a Lindsay Grice clinic at Rosegrove Stables June 12-13. Spectators and riders are welcome to come! Contact info below.

This coach, equine advice columnist, trainer and judge will be teaching groups of 2-4 riders throughout the day and speaking to the group about training your horse for the show ring, competition tips for novice and experienced riders, or how to train your horse to be more responsive.

For clinic info, contact Sally Reinertson, 705-544-8791 or 705-622-0850, please leave a message, or email sreinertson@hotmail.com

Who is Lindsay Grice?

Coach, judge and horse advice columnist, Lindsay Grice says her riding career got off to a rough start.
“As a hunter rider, I went off course more times than I can count. I just didn’t have the solid foundation and understanding I needed to be competing at the level I was.”

Now, in over twenty years as a professional coach and trainer, Lindsay says that her struggles as a novice rider have shaped her style today. “I love putting the complex principles of horse training and competing into simple steps that riders can understand. I equip my students with the show day game plan and course memorization skills that I never had as a junior rider.”
Lindsay draws regularly on the sports psychology training she gained through coaching education. She is a certified Equine Canada coach as well as NCCP (multi sport) coach.
“Handling show nerves, distractions, and disappointments is as much a part of a success as the technical riding skills.”

Her students have won at major shows in the United States and Canada. Lindsay continues to actively compete in both english and western events, specializing in the American Quarter Horse Association circuit, and is frequently is in the winner’s circle.

Her popular seminars take her throughout North America, creating thinking horsemen of her students by teaching the “hows” and “whys” of riding.
She says “Ideally, horses, whatever the discipline, should “play” like a musical instrument, understanding and responding to every subtle cue from the rider.”

Lindsay has often been a guest lecturer for the University of Guelph’s Equine Behavior programs and regularly teaches weekend clinics for local breed associations and 4H clubs.

For more information, visit her site www.lgrice.com.

T he perfect sport for any cowboy or cowgirl and it’s coming right your way! This June 12 and 13th at Porky and Kay Watters on Hwy 65 East will be hosting a Team Penning clinic for anyone who’s ever wanted to experience a life with cow’s and horses!

This clinic will be hosted by Jeff McCann, the president of the Eastern Ontario Team Penning Association. Jeff has 15 years of team penning experience, and has put on clinics across the province, so your sure to find out just how cow savvy you and your horse really are!

June 12th you can keep your equine friend home moooooove on down to Porky’s at 7pm to do ground work. Jeff will be showing the basic behaviour of working cattle.

June 13th, you can saddle up your horse and be ready for 9am to start learning on horse back how to move and pen cattle as a team! Yee Ha!

Cost of this clinic is only $100 for TPHC Members – what your not a member, well mosey on over to http://www.tphcon.net/ to find out how you can become a member, non-members have to pay $110.00. The first 24 paid entries will be excepted! You can audit the clinic for just 25.00!

Your probably thinking, so what, I do this clinic, I can’t go home and start penning my dogs, well your in luck cause TPHC will be hosting 4 exhibitions so you can showcase the cow talent you picked up from the clinic June 27th, July 19th, August 15th, and September 5th.

So make sure to register, grab those spurs, get on your best riding jeans and we’ll see you there!

Registration forms can be found by contacting Leo Giesen 705-647-5990 or e-mail at giesen@parolink.net

new post for students

I am doing a post to show my students how easy it is to use a blog.

IT'S OFFICIAL AND IT'S RIGHT HERE IN KIRKLAND LAKE

THE RCMP MUSCIAL RIDE!

It is a great honor for Kirkland Lake to host such a prestique event and I for one, am very excited!

The ride will be Friday, May 29, 2009 at Civic Service Stadium! These talented riders will be staying at Rosegrove stables during their venture here. I plan to soak up as much of this event as I can, so you can be sure I will return to Equine North Blog with a story for those that might have missed it.

But really, you don't want to miss it! Perhaps they are in your area if you can't make it here. Check out their website for more details. http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/mr-ce/index-eng.htm.

Tickets will go on sale May 1st!

See you all there!

Ride with the wind @

www.equinenorth.net

KEEPING WARM

Winter just keeps dragging and for most Equine lovers, this isn't a good thing! Although I do ride all year long, including trail rides, many of you don't because you hate to be cold. I can't stand to be cold either! However, the whole secret to staying warm is the bottom of your sole and I mean your feet, to be exact, your toes.

I don't know about the rest of you guys, but if my toes stay warm, the rest of me does! So I usually invest in a ton of toe warmers (photo at the left). A well worth investment for any outdoor winter sport!

These live savers can be purchased at Canadian Tire as well as many other stores that sell outdoor gear aren't aren't pricy either. I put on a think pair of socks, apply the toe warmer, then put another pair of thicker socks on over top and VOILA - 6 hours of toasty warm toes!

You can buy other warmers, hand warmers, full feet warmers, and bigger ones to use on your thighs etc, but I find the toe warmers enough, the rest of me is bundled up with winter clothing and away I go.

So give em a try, and let me know what you think!!

Ride with the wind @ www.equinenorth.net

HE'SSSSSSSS BACK!

Josh Lyons will be back again this summer for those of you who missed him last year, or those of you, like myself, who are addicated!

I posted a story last year on the 6 days I spent with Josh Lyons. You can refresh your memory at http://www.equinenorth.net/Josh-Lyons-Day1.html

To find out dates of Josh's arrival, visit http://www.equinenorth.net/ under the Equine/Calendar Event section.

In August, you can even complete your Accreditation with Josh Lyons! Wow, what I would do (almost) to be a part of this! Heck, I'd love to be a part of the clinic again, but when you don't own a trailer and a fat bank account, it's not so easily achieved. So, I will go to watch at least.

Anyways, any of you who may not had a chance to check this out last year, you must not miss it this time around!

It is being held at Pro-Chevalin Horse Training Center St-Bruno-de-Guigues, Québec.

If you get a chance to purchase the crooked stirrups, you won't regret it! Read my article below to learn more about the stirrups. I've been riding in them since last year and I put a lot of hours in the saddle and I hardly experience the knee problems I use to have riding long hours.

So, get "Josh Lyonsed!" haha, with Josh Lyons this coming summer!

Winter Blahs

I first have to apologize, it's been awhile since I've posted to the blog and not because I'm not riding etc, I am, even in this darn cold!

I'm not a big winter fan, never have been, HOWEVER, it is a very beautiful time to ride when the temps are 50 below with blazing winds nearly knocking you clear out of the saddle.

When the new year starts and those crazy holidays are done, and we can finally find room to breath again, we start to think of show season! YIPEEE..oh wait, it's still at least 3 months away for most of us! Oh well, it's still getting closer. And today, I noticed the daylight was lasting longer.

On a good note, I am boarding with a facility that has an indoor. I don't use it nearly as much as I should being the trail rider love I am, but I am using it and I am trying an honest attempt at being better prepared for show season. Whether it happens or not, is a different story! You can check out their website at www.rosegrovestables.com.

So www.equinenorth.net is starting to prepare for the upcoming season. If any of you have your event or clinic ect already planned, send it our way, it's FREE, so why not.

Don't forget, we take on any new and exciting or sad equine stories too!

Ride with the wind @ www.equinenorth.net

Crooked Stirrups

Yep, I know, sounds like something defective, well it's the farthest thing from!

Go peek at a pair of your old stirrups. Does the place where you stand, the tread, have a lot more wear toward the outside than it does closer to the horse? Do your little toes go numb, your back ache, your legs hurt and your knees get "wore out" when you ride, especially for an extended length of time? Well I know I felt all of the above, but that's changed since I invested in a set of these crooked Stirrups.

The first minute I mounted and placed my feet in the stirrups, I was like WOW!!! I felt an instant difference in my seat, and how my legs were positioned. These stirrups have not only reduced much pain they've improved my riding and improved my horse!

They are available in different sizes and really don't look so bad on the saddle either.

Mosey on over to Josh Lyons websites http://www.lyonslegacy.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=84 to get more information. Even the Lyon's family rides with these!

Ride with the wind @ www.equinenorth.net

STORM CHASING

One thing about trail riding in the summer, is the weather can change in a heartbeat!

I headed out on a trail ride with a young girl on her pony riding along side us. We rode for about an hour and I could feel the air change. It was cool, like the feel or rain on it's way. We could hear distant thunder, but that's generally not so much of a threat.

However, we decided it's best to ride back and be closer to the barn incase. Once we started up the driveway of the barn, the lightening started filling the sky, so we decided that was it.

As I was driving back to town (1o mins from cochrane), I came upon a view I'd never seen in my life! I didn't have my camera, but I had my cell, so I was able to capture this amazing site!

Once I got to town, you could literally see night and day over the lake. Then within seconds, the storm hit and hit hard! I was inside in a local store and it sounded like there were a gazillion stones being pelted against the building and outside. It was hail, bigger then I ever saw. Big enough to hurt and big enough to cause damage. There were even broken windshields and dented vehicles!

The winds were picking up and the lightening was nonestop. Filling the sky, lighting up the huge hail as it filled the deep puddles that had started forming from the hard rain mixed in the hail.

I took a quick run out to my van and got home as fast as I could. This storm lasted a good few hours and took the hydro out with it. It's neat how creative one can be when their hydro is out.

Anyways, I am thankful I wasnt' out on the trail when this hit. I don't think there's a horse out there that could of or would of handled the size of that hail!

To the right, you can see in front of my boot, a piece of hail that fell at my feet at the door of the store..that is HUGE hail!

Ride safe and ride with the wind @ http://www.equinenorth.net/

Porquis Summer Schooling Show
June 22, 2008

Despite the unpredicable northern weather, the first Porquis schooling show was still a lot of fun for all who showed. The day started off sunny and actually too hot at some points, but sure enough, part way through, mother nature did her thing.

Right in the middle of a showmanship class, as I was going towards the judge, BOOM! Lightening hit, thunder rolled and hail bounced off my horse back like nails! My poor mare was curling around me begging to find an escape from the short, unexpected storm. We all ended up going into our horse trailers. No, not to stay dry, I was already soaked by the time we got there!

After about 30 mins in, the rain let off and we completed the riding part of the show including games. The ring was a bit wet, but everything still went off smoothly..

Tiffinany's students from Horse Power Stables experienced their first show with joy as they went home with many ribbons and a big smiles.

We placed 2- 1st's, 5 -2nds, a 3rd and high point for open. However, there wasn't many people in Open, so the competition was slim. Shelly with Sweet Pea did fantastic as always!

Lisa Boivin was our judge and did a fantastic job. She will be judging the next show on July 20th as well.
Congrats to all who placed and all who reached their goals!

Ride with the wind @
http://www.equinenorth.net/

Josh Lyons Clinic

I am just pumped! I still can't believe my horse and I will have the privilege of being in the same ring as Josh and most likely Jana Lyons (that's his wife). June 6th to June 11th. We will be there for the 3 day symposium and the 3 day rider clinic!

Josh and his Father, John are my equine hero's. They just have a way with horses that achieves all you could imagine without the use of the old "cowboy way". Give the horse a job, what better advice to give to a rider and their horse.

I've always dreamed of being able to partake in a Lyons clinic but never thought I'd have the opportunity. When I heard he was coming just hours away from where I live, I was ecstatic! I mean tears in my eyes ecstatic! It was a hefty price to pay but people spend that on holidays to warm countries each year, so that's my holiday and I can't think of anything else I'd rather be doing!

Chelsea Buns and I are pretty pale in comparison to a lot of the riders enrolled into this clinic, but we still mean to absorb all we can from this clinic.

I plan to keep a journal of each day and TONS of photos, so be sure to watch for your story when we return.

This event is open to viewers all 6 days. If you want to get your ticket to watch and or to find out where it's held (Centre d'Entraînement Pro-Chevalin) visit: http://www.ceprochevalin.com/en/index.php. Hope to see you there! Be sure to say hi if you see us.

Ride with the wind @ www.equinenorth.net

Annual Horse/Tack Auction

This past May 10, Mother's day weekend, held the annual horse auction held at the sales barn in New Liskeard. Not only is it a place to sell or buy a horse, and or buy tack, used or new, it's a great social gathering for horse folks in the area! It's great running into all my equine friends under one roof!

The auction always has at least 100 horses to bid on, from mini-ponies to great big work horses with big hearts waiting to please. Checking out all the horses can also work up an appetite. The auction cooks fresh burgers, hot dogs and sausage on a bun outside. This also, right next to the building which hosts TONS of new horse tack. You can either buy what you need brand new or wait and place a bid in the auction room.

This event just seems to get bigger and bigger each year. There was traffic parked for miles and equine shoppers all over.

These auctions do have their downside, some of those horses are very unloved and it's not easy to keep a blind eye to them :( On the positive side, there are some great horses up for grabs too, show horses, trail horses, even papered horses!

Unfortunately, I don't attend to purchase a horse. I wish, but one horse is all I can handle for now. Perhaps one day if I ever get my own barn, I'll be loading a trailer with auction horses.

Until then, ride with the wind @
www.equinenorth.net

One Horse Town
If you live in Cochrane Ontario, this past Sat, March 29, 2008, you might have caught a glimpse of myself and my Quarter Horse mare, Chelsea Buns, parading down the streets of Cochrane.

We rode in from where we board (roughly a 1.5 hour ride in), and rode through town. It was a beautiful day, perfect for riding! No wind, warm and the ground was perfect, not slippery and not too messy.

There were many new experiences for my mare from the big mill, water tower, to some large equipment digging ditches. Buns was fantastic, hardly a reaction from anything, except the horse eating, sewer grates of course. However, she soon realized they weren't going to eat us, at least not that day.

The most exciting thing about riding a horse through town is the reactions of people who see the horse, especially the children. I see so many smiles, I can't help but smile right back. I so remember that feeling when I was kid if I saw a horse. There was no stopping me! I'd have to go see that horse. So anytime, I'm asked to stop I do.

We spent some time standing around at L&R's to let people pet Buns and answer the gazillion questions the children had. The biggest one answered "yes, you can ride your horse in town". Horses were the first mode of transportation, so they are welcomed on just about any streets in any city, town etc. Horses have as much rights on the street as your vehicle.

So if you live in the area and you see us riding by, don't be shy, shout to us and we'll stop! Chelsea Buns loves the attention anyways!!

Ride with the wind @ http://www.equinenorth.net/

Romance hasn't died

I recently had the privilege of meeting the owner or Windsong Carriage from Owen Sound: http://www.windsongcarriage.com/

Gordie, the founder and owner of Windsong, brings back the days when the only mode of transportation was horse and carriage. Only, he does it with a touch of class; top hat, tails, and a smile that would melt anyone who looked his way.

His handcrafted, fringe top surrey carriage which he custom made himself, strolls down the city streets with his proud, powerful horse/s. In this case, it was Duke who took us for a stroll, a kind, golden, Belgian who's wants nothing more then make sure you enjoy your ride/tour through the streets.

Windsong is known mostly for doing weddings. What a romantic way to say I do, even for the not so equine lover. Riding down the streets in a classy carriage controlled by a handsome man in top hat and tails and the sound of the horses hooves pounding on the pavement. Surely an addition to your wedding photo album you'll want to have.

Windsong will go pretty well anywhere in Ontario. Your best to give him a call directly (tell him equine north set you) to find out the specifics, but from what I hear, it's a memory never to be forgotten. I know I'll never forget my trip there. Just visit his site to see what he offers, his horses and learn how this business came along.

Ride with the wind @ http://www.equinenorth.net/

April 3, 2008

HIDE THE FLEECE! Well, it's that time again, horse lovers dare NOT wear anything fleece to the barn in fear of returning home looking like sasquatch! All of our equine friends are starting their spring shed! So between the shedding of my quarter horse mare and wiretin willy saying 6 weeks to spring, I'm pretty excited!

Winters just seems to get longer and longer as I get older and older. So the site of shedding hair is such a pretty site!

If anyone has some great tips to help with spring shedding please share. I do know many people who show early in the season, will start to double blanket their horses to force the shedding even faster. I just use a lot of elbow grease and a shedding blade.

PARADES!!

On another note, Cochrane Ontario, recently had their Winter Carnival. I love riding my horse in parades and had hope to do just so. Weather was a factor in leaving the decision till last minute as well as trailering with whomever might be going. So I was pretty up in the air on where I stood. However, company coming over for the day helped to make the decision.

However, a few locals did get to enjoy the parade with their horses. Doug Jenson proudly rides his steed and in front is little Miss Roy on her little pony. Perhaps next year I'll get a chance to ride in the parade.

In the meantime, ride with the wind @ equinenorth.net