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
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 Gloria introduced me to quite an individual, who although quite obedient, appeared to be somewhat withdrawn.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
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 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 :)
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??
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.
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!
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!
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
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
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
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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
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
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 :)
Hope all is well with you. Are you expecting any foals this year?
Hopefully I'll see everyone in the next couple of months!
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??
Thanks!
Hope things are going well with you, see you at the shows soon!
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
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
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
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