Hi, just thought I'd say "welcome". I love your photos!

Thanks Diana,
I do think he's such a cutie! The first pic's. of the horse jumping are actually not me. I found them on the Internet and asked if I could post them. It is a horse that is a beautiful jumper, but he always jumps with his eyes closed!!

Hey you! Thanks! I just found this website by accident. It looks really neat! Great photos by the way!

Hi Diana
Good to hear from ya'll again! Still lots of Ponies frequenting the place down here too. Thistle has been retired, & is now a babysitter for Sylvia Galbraith's aging gelding.....However have 4 pretty fancy Newfoundland Pony Stallions here with us from a Client's Herd of Newfies. (Pretty nice fellas, and one I believe is also Sport Pony.) Other than that....just raising some "Pretty Special" BIGGIE Warmblood Babies, and still busy as Canadian Beavers.
Will be going past your Mom's several times this week.....but to Palmerston Hosp. No time for a stop over....BUT please give our best to your Folks!
Have a Great Xmas & Fantastic New Year to come!

JJ

Hi Diana
I sold Gaudy l;ast Feb., but have started his first ofspring a 2 year old filly I call F.N. Funny, she is great fun!
Have a great Xmas and all the best in 2009
kelly Plitz

I collected Gaudy before I sold him and I am getting some really nice babies. I have one out of Amelia by Ali Baba a mare Ian and I competed to the 2 star level, she is party coloured and a fantastic mover (named 2 F.N. Much)we are expecting another fron Amelia in 2009.
Gaudy sired about 15 in 2008 and 2 expected this 2009.
yes Hillary is great she is just a yearling but again what a mover.
Thanks for your interest
kelly

Diana,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. That is so heart-breaking.
I too am glad that I was able to speak with your mare before the accident.
I hope all is well, stay warm, and have a great holiday!

Hope you had a great Christmas and Happy New Year!

Nova Scotia is great. Scout is very happy. I work at a broodmare farm, so the paddocks are big and he gets lots of turnout. He babysits one of the colts and has done a very good job of teaching him manners . He is a very good feeling colt and I must say on some days Scout really had his hands full...now they have a wonderful relationship and the baby is a gem to work with.Scout has become a valuable part of the operation...
...what are you up to these days?..

The holidays have been ok...I had to work most of them, but in between I was able to visit family, which I never seem to have time to do so that was great.
That winds storm was crazy! It took down a huge tree at the road (it fell into the front paddock and was touching the hydro lines at the road. Darlenes truck was really damaged and will take about 3 weeks for it to get fixed.
Almost everyone here has been sick with the flu (luckly not me!). Hunter and Darlene have been really sick, and we still havent cleaned up the mess from the storm!
Oh well....C'est la vie!!
Talk to you soon.
Alison

Sorry, I dont know anything about any show dates for '09. I will let you know as soon as I do!

Hi Diana:
Thank you for your nice comments. I'm on the run today but hopefully will have more time to write later and also get to know everyone on this site better.
Best Regards
Debbie

Hi Diana, sorry I don't check this site very often and found a few people were trying to contact me.
I am thrilled you are happy with the product. We manufacturer some unique and wonderful formulas.
Please stop by our booth at CanAm or at Palgrave this year and say hello.
Please let all your friends know that I have now brought in the Back On Track Dog coats they are fabulous.
I can always be reached at 416-995-7940 or at pattihanco@aol.com
All the best

Hey Diana, I was out there last Monday, but haven't been out since...to bloody cold!!! Brrrrrr. I'm planning on going out tonight though. Will see you there if you come! Later!

that would be moi, ride on

How are all the ponies going? Isnt this winter thing fun!! Its been really hard trying to ride in between all the snowfall...We are pretty lucky on going to an arena once a week and its so close to us. But riding once a week kindda sucks!! Darlene bought Roger a nice cutter a month ago, but I havent hooked him to it yet. I dont feel he's quite ready yet, but soon. We have a hunter schooling show tomorrow at Pause A While which I will take good old Roger out for some experience. I still don't know the forsure dates for any Sport Pony shows, but I'm pretty sure the Pause a While one is a forsure....
Hope things are going well with you, see you at the shows soon!

Hi Diana, are me and you the only ones that wake up at 6:00 in the morning on a Sunday? :)

Hi, thaks for the tip, and I am an early riser, I can't sleep in any later then 7:00! and I'll keep that in mind next time I ask someone to be my friend, and I ask people to be my friend not because I just wont to win a contest, I just like makeing new friends! But I'll defentliy keep that in mind.

Thanks!

Hey, your on again!

Riding, school, homework, the usual.

Oh and happy V. day!

Thanks :)
School is going okay...it's super busy, but much less b.s. which is nice! I have to College Royal Horse Show coming up next week.
I've actually already had my reading week. I only came home for a couple busy though so I didn't get time to drop by for a visit.
The job I had hoped to get fell through so I'll be home for the summer so I'll be sure to stop by!
How is everything there going??

Well that's good, glad to hear.

Hopefully I'll see everyone in the next couple of months!

Hi, Dianna ... That's for contacting me. Great to hear from you!

Hi Dianna, Thanks for inviting me to join this site. Image is doing well. He is going to KY end of March with Milestone Stables. He has been doing extremely well and has advanced in his jumping ability. His son, Amir Illusion is growing into a fine boy. I just sold CCF Lexxus to Lois Beecraft. Hopefully she will be back in the show ring this year. CCF Viper (brother to Lexi & Porshah) is just being started under saddle.
Hope all is well with you. Are you expecting any foals this year?

Thanks Diana
Oh I bet you are very excited for the foals to arrive!! Thats awesome that the stallion owner was so generous to offer you a breeding...proves that there are still alot of good people in this world.
I can't wait to see those babies myself...you must send me pics!!
No foals for me this year....so I guess I will have to get my baby fix when my dog has her puppies this year :)

Hi Diana,
Thanks for re-connecting. It is so great to hear from old friends.
Since 2002, I have been a part of the Nighswander Equestrian Centre in Aurora. For several years previously, I had been away from horses and in 2002 I stopped in at the NEC and from that point - all is history. Gloria N. and I have been friends for over 40 years and I could not think of anyone with whom I felt would give me the confidence to get "back in the saddle again". Gloria introduced me to quite an individual, who although quite obedient, appeared to be somewhat withdrawn. Gloria and Jim had purchased Shadow at the local auction because he was quite an attractive grey (the last colour that I would have chosen). Welllllllll - when they got him home he really was a "horse of a different colour" He was angry and fearful of people and certainly did not "appreciate" humans coming into his "space" (stall).
For the next year, Gloria spent hours laying the foundation that would ultimately rebuild his confidence. Jim, on the other hand would have cheerfully shot him. Thankfully, Gloria's patience worked.
When Shadow and I met for the first time our fate was sealed and a great partnership began.
Although we had many ups and downs, Shadow finally allowed me the privilege to enter "his personal space". He is very opinionated and srutinizes ALL humans. However, he really is an excellent judge of character and I do trust his judgement.
Very gradually ( and I must add) with the help of NIKKEN technology and great chiropractic, we have found all of his "stress spots" and sorness areas. He has a very regular daily routine, excellent feeding program and focused training. He has shown himself to be an excellent show horse always placing consistently in open English competitions.
We tried a little dressage in 2005 and found the beginning of his true niche. In 2008 he had shown excellent progress and then in 2009 -
a non-horse related should injury briefly prevented me from riding. As you probably know, the Nighswanders have an international reputation with regard to the American Saddlebred and huge expertise in riding saddleseat. Both Sandra and Cindy are highly respected in this art. Each continues to be good students of their chose discipline. Anyway, when I was unable to ride (back in January), I asked Sandra if she would consider riding Shadow for me which she had not previously done. She agreed and within about 20 minutes, I knew that Sandra should be included in our "partnership".
I was able to watch an exquisite and exciting bond develop. For the next four months (I was able to get back on in about one month) Shadow really moved forward - both literally and figuratively. He became engaged, fluid and balanced. With Gloria as the mentor and trainer, the three of us clicked. I must not leave out the final piece in this picture concerns Karin Davis, from Austraila. I had taken some coaching with Karin and just loved it. Karin rides at the FEI level and had successfully competed internationally. So Karin put the "dressage icing" on our developing "cake". Sooooooo, I asked Sandra if she would be willing to show Shadow in at least on dressage show. She agreed - this would be her very first dressage competition! On April 25 and 26, Sandra and Shadow (aka Silent Partner) performed two tests on Saturday and Sunday respectively. Saturday's performance earned two third placings.
Sunday was a "red letter" day so to speak - with a 60% mark, Sandra and Shadow placed first! Now, Sandra has won many many awards in the course of her riding career. However, she was so excited when she received this red ribbon. S & S. received second place in the second test. Each of the tests was performed at the Training Level. We even had a cheering section from the NEC.
Shadow truly is a dressage horse. He simply loves to perform. Sandra looked elegant and absolutely a part of the horse. I had a great weekend as the "ground/groom/creation of the total picture" person.
When I have transferred the photos onto the computer, I will put them onto my page.
So - how's that for an update.
Cheers,
Hilary

Hi Again Diana,
Thanks for your neat update. I have printed a copy for Gloria and Sandra because they do not have email.I am sure we will stay in touch.
Cheers,
Hilary

Long and tough for the conditioning that Curley had but we got the turtle award so happy to finish.

White River is very sandy and no horses drinking from water trough at base.
Wayne runs a good ride laid back and no stress.
Red Won the 100 their one year and BC

Excellent! Make sure you find me and say hello - that day is usually a bit of a blur for me LOL.

Love those names :) Haven't got your entry yet, but I'll watch for it.

Nice seeing you yesterday! I sure would have liked to be the one stealing those fillies lol

Hey Diana, congrats on a great ride season...you ladies kicked butt!!

Hi Diana,
You are right about me being a pony enthusiast, I love them! I miss having my own, but maybe I will one day soon, I am hoping to own one of Midas' foals ( the buckskin Welsh Cob stallion that was once mine). I will certainly promote ponies as much as possible because,like you, i do believe there is a need.
Angie

Yes I made it out to one this year. The dufferin Forest ride in June. We had planned to do the ride in October there but my friend took sick, on the way ,so we had to turn around and head home. My friend has just bought herself a lovely arab mare and we are hoping to hit a lot more rides next year with her and Kali.

Hi Diana,
Midas recieved some nice comments from international Dressage competitor Yvonne Losos de Muñiz She seemed to think he would do well in top level Classical Dressage. He hasnt competed yet in dressage, but Christine hopes to do so next year, she wanted to be sure he was ready for it.

Dozer our Clydesdale was a Mennonite horse and was bought from a horse rescue. He seemes to understand driving,doesnt mind having a harness on at all, but we havent tried pulling anything with him yet. We have ridden him, which he doesnt object to, but he doesnt really know much yet as far as under saddle training goes. He is VERY sensitive and can't be pushed so progress is slow.

I do think Midas has potential for success in dressage, his grandsire (who he is line bred to) competed in it and did very well. I can't wait to see him in the dressage ring! I do hope Christine gets him out there soon.

Dozer is very sensitive around his face as well...isnt that funny, but he loves my husband (thankfully). In spite of him being 16.2hh and over 1600lbs, he does everything he can to avoid hurting anything...it's amazing!

I am currently working with Dozer on being consistent in his gait and obedience even when he gets worried (not an easy task...) The natural horsemanship program gives lots of exercises to develope that before you ever get in the saddle. Certain cues become so ingrained that they seem to respond automatically. For example: the driving game while on the ground is taught with both pressure and lifting of the lead rope, that then is used to dissenage the horse to stop while on the circle that leads to the "suspension" rein that works as a half halt while riding...its really quite amazing how it all ties together. My Arab who was trained to level 3 Parelli before I owned him, will easily go from a canter to a walk using a suspension rein, and he will also collect himself during any gait if it is applied correctly and without too much pressure.
The Clydesdale you are working with sounds wonderful, I would LOVE to see some photos! I would also love to hear more about his training process....you can never learn enough about methods of working with a horse!

Hey Diana,
Thank you for the tip. I hadn't thought about that yet.

I like your blog. I haven't been on the site for a long while, and it was great to get caught up!

Hi Diana, We'd welcome you back for many more courses! Please check out our websites www.equi-bowcanada.com and www.cedarlanefarm.ca to see what is new and exciting! One of the most important for all horse owners/trainers is the Balanced Hoof course held the first Saturday in May each year.

Regarding our New Forest ponies: We have had some wonderful NF ponies starting years ago with Mrs Holbrook's breeding. Our last mare, Wicked's Fine Chyna,left for GA a year ago and is doing very well. She joined Manoravon's Master Encore and Manoravon's Master Adanac who we sold to GA a couple of years before. We still have Chyna's full brother, Wicked Good Tymes (14:1) 5 yrs old and Belflower Delta (13:2 1/2) 10 yrs old left. Both are from imported Dutch and English bloodlines and both do very well in dressage. Ty is in professional training and is a fabulous mover, with the work ethic that NFPs are renoun for.

Delta also discovered 'Cow Sorting' this past year! He LOVES it as does my grandaughter - and their dressage skills were very evident in their success. In fact, the cow sorting brought out a desire on my grandaughter's part to REALLY practise her dressage - it is wonderful when one discovers that one skill enhances another and that the time and dedication put into dressage pays off in all other areas of horsemanship.

We also have Andalusian horses, the youngest at the moment is 4 1/2 and in training. He is for sale, we are cutting back on horses even more at this point.

Lovely to hear from you - good success in your efforts on behalf of the Pony Breeders of Ontario!

Hi Diana,
I hear about not having enough time to do everything... but of course, I"m sure we are the same when we see that there is a block of time not spoken for! Rush to fill THAT up! haha Good luck with all of your endeavours.

Yes, adanac and Chyna are still at the same farm but Encore has moved on to another young lady - Sounds like they are doing really well. He was the dearest pony - such a snuggler! I have numberous pictures of him 'hugging' anyone close to him. (Not horses, I might add... he was a 'people pony' ;-)

We have bred and raised Andalusians for over 20 years. No longer breeding and down to only 3 left, (plus the 3 ponies) but at least they are all being worked now instead of wistfully wondering when someone will come to DO something
with them I have 4 of them ready to hook to the carts as well... now to get to it - if not soon, I"ll have to start the groundwork all over again!

All the best to you in 2010. Cheryl

Diana,
Where do you ride in the States. My friend is getting a new horse trailer which may make it easier to go longer distances. What do you recommend.

Hi Diana, well his name hasn't changed much, as we still call him Louie! Or Louis when he's in trouble. He adjusted perfectly to the winter weather here. We're working to tidy up his paperwork now. We're new to arabs but stable with some arab types, so they're showing us the ropes. ;)

We're curious if he ever did anything besides jumpers... judging by your lovely photos, he at least did native costume, did you ever do anything else with him?

here he is last week... I don't jump, and my husband couldn't make his lesson that day, but we have a very capable friend who is a pro rider but more new to jumping. She rode Louie in the lesson, they had a blast!

Good morning Diana,
Where do you do you do most of your driving?

Nice to hear from you Diana. I did my first show with COPDA last summer in the novice division. Didn't come daed last but although the lass was novice, there were some pretty experienced drivers and horses in the ring. I ( in my naivety) asked one fellow if this was his firs show too. He replied" oh no, I've been driving this fellow in CDEs for years, OOOOPS I thought... I think this is not the the route for me to accomplish anything. By the end of the day, my horse Hailey was tired and she refused to do a slow trot!! I had to laugh because she just
had this .... "you've got to be kidding" and walked. Needless to say we didn't win anything in that class. My husband is currently driving a pair and they are starting to go pretty well. I wish we had a driving coach closer. We are also members of the Tri-County club but have not attended any shows as they are the other side of Toronto. So we drive the raods and on neighbour's farms and in the Ganaraska. Have a great week. Frances