Nova Scotia Report

Universities work together

It's April. Long winter coats are being shed, the footing in the outdoor riding ring is firming up, and Nova Scotians and their horses are getting ready for summer. But Horse & Pony readers didn't let the long, dark days of winter get them down; they've been hosting reunion potlucks, going to conferences, planning clinics and events, and using the buddy system to keep riding.

Saint Mary's University in Halifax has recently joined the Atlantic Inter-Collegiate Equestrian League. SMU Equestrian Club member Betsy Morin of St. Margaret's Bay reports the Club's 20 members are looking forward to hosting their first competition soon. Betsy also reports that the Inter-Collegiate League has taken the next step to formalizing its ad hoc organization, allowing for a more coordinated fundraising effort and scheduling of competitions for the season. This year the various equestrian groups individually sponsored six competitions, the most for one season since the idea took root a few years ago.
The Club operates from Breighmara Stables in Hubbards and receives some support from the university athletics department. As of press time, Saint Mary's and Dalhousie Universities in Halifax, St. Francis Xavier in Antigonish, Acadia University in Wolfville, and the Nova Scotia Agricultural College in Truro all have equestrian societies.

A group of former Pony Club moms are planning a barbecue/pool party reunion of Nova Scotia Pony Club mothers and riding instructors to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of Pony Club in Canada. This informal event is scheduled for July 11 in Ashdale (near Windsor). It will be a good chance to catch up with old friends and reminisce about the challenges and joys of being the mother of a dedicated Pony Club member. All former and current Pony Club moms and instructors are encouraged to contact Judith Scrimger at judith.scrimger@gmail.com to get on the mailing list for further details about this event.  

Hobby Horse Farm in Coldbrook has a busy spring and summer planned, starting with a Chris Irwin clinic in early April. Irwin, author of the Canadian best seller, "Horses Don't Lie," has recently expanded his non-resistance training methods for horses into personal coaching and corporate training. Other events planned for Hobby Horse include a clinic on Equine Muscle Release Therapy (EMRT) by certified practitioner Nicola Southey, and regular dressage lessons taught by Johanna Beattie Batista, a classical dressage instructor from Seville, Spain. Batista stresses that the most important elements of classical riding, regardless of the level of horse or rider, are rider "body awareness" and relaxation.
Speaking of Hobby Horse, the farm hosted a potluck lunch this winter organized by Tisha Pratt and Carollyn Crewe. The event followed the format of a similar celebration held 10 years ago in Halifax where horse people got together to share stories and catch up on old friendships. Carollyn Crewe put together an electronic archive of photographs going back several decades to display at the potluck.

Congratulations to a group of women in the Annapolis Valley who produced a successful fundraising calendar in 2008. Saddle fitter Rachael Argo and a number of her clients were behind the idea to raise money to support the friends and families of cancer patients. "Debbie Hennigar did a huge amount of work on it," says Argo, who delivered the calendar personally to the "Lodge That Gives" in Halifax. Argo made quite a stir, wearing a red flamenco dress and riding her Spanish Andalusian mare Caprichosa down South Park Street escorted by the mounted unit of the Halifax Police Department.

The Nova Scotia Morgan Club is sponsoring a riding and driving clinic in the indoor arena at Porter's Equine Centre, Stewiacke, N.S. on April 25-26. All breeds and levels of experience are welcome. Clinician Valarie Siemer is a well-respected trainer from Florida. She and her clients have won top awards in disciplines from saddle seat, pleasure driving, hunt seat, carriage driving to dressage. Auditors are welcome and seating will be provided. There will be a canteen on-site. For more information contact Gordon Young at 902-883-9908 or email gordonyoung@ns.sympatico.ca.

Marion Brand Crosby is organizing a "horsey" flea market for April 18 at the Ardoise Community Hall in Hants County. Looks like a great opportunity to spring clean the tack room and sell off the stuff you aren't using and look for things you need. Call Marion at 902-757-3988 if you want to book a table.

Nova Scotia farriers Jack Zeggelaar and Shane Fleming recently attended the International Hoof Care Summit in Cincinnati, Ohio, with 600 farriers and equine veterinarians from all over the world. The event ran for four days with lectures, seminars, workshops, and round tables with speakers from Ireland, Germany, Italy, the U.S., and other countries. A trade show at the Summit provided the opportunity to see the newest technologies for shoeing horses.

Margot Clarke-Smith and Kim Elliott Foster used the buddy system all winter to keep up the riding enthusiasm in the cold weather. Both women live in Mount Uniacke and traveled together to Burlington Ridge Stables where they stabled their horses for the winter. "It's been great to have a buddy," says Clarke-Smith. "We've taken a few lessons with Jill Redden and clinics with Jen Hamilton. It helps make the winter months fly by."

The Appaloosa Horse Club of Nova Scotia held its general meeting on Jan. 31 with a great turnout of members. The 2009 executive includes Leigh MacQuarrie, president; Jane Abbott, vice president; Jane Height, Secretary; and Bill Milligan, treasurer. The Club has four shows on its roster for this year: May 23-24 in Windsor; July 4-5 in Bridgewater; Aug. 22-23 in Hantsport; and Sept. 19-20 in Truro.
The Club held several clinics at Murphy's Stables in Hantsport over the winter, with the instructors donating their time and proceeds from participant registration going to the Club. Thanks to Candice Buchanan and Angela Balcom for the Showmanship clinic (Jan. 31) and to Candice Buchanan and Jane Abbott for the Feb. 21-22 clinic on showmanship, equitation, trail, and schooling for suppleness.

Remember to email Horse & Pony with news for the next issue of Nova Scotia Report. The deadline is May 2.

Share your news from Nova Scotia: your club activities and tidbits about N.S. people and horses. Send information to Judith Scrimger, RR 3, Newport, NS B0N 2A0, phone 902-757-3789, or email judith.scrimger@gmail.com.

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