Newfoundland & Labrador Report
with Ruth Story

Report from Horse & Pony December 2010 - January 2011

Lots of autumn events

Kevin and I had a lovely visit to the Maritimes in late September. Although the trip was too short, we did have the opportunity to visit various stables throughout Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. We picked up a seven-year-old blue roan Quarter Horse cross, a little jumper, from Gillian Van Snick in Amherst to add to our English riding program and she is working out quite well.

The NEA held an "Evening of the Horse" on Nov. 20 at the Mount Peyton Hotel in Grand Falls-Windsor to celebrate our beloved horses. This included guest speakers, videos, awards, a silent auction, and draws. This event was held in conjunction with NEA's annual general meeting, election of officers, and banquet.
The NEA also congratulates Tanya Taylor on achieving her Western Instructor Beginners Certification on Oct. 3. She is the first trained, mentored, and tested candidate in Newfoundland. She was mentored by Sylvia Locke (Level 1 Coach) and tested by Erin Gallant (Level 2 Coach). The exam was held at Avalon Equestrian Center, where Taylor has been a student, instructor, and friend for more than 10 years. NEA encourages more people to work towards this awesome achievement. It is something the NEA is proud to offer our members.

The annual general meeting for the Newfoundland Pony Society was held Nov. 21 at 2 pm at The Guv'nor Inn in St. John's. The association was unsuccessful in getting sufficient members to run for all available positions on the 2011 NPS Council at the previously scheduled AGM. Those now willing to undertake a position on the 2011 Council will be identified in a future issue of HP.

Cache Rapids Stable in Reidville is thrilled to have Kathie Lane from Adventure Farms in Grand Falls teaching English and Western riding lessons at the stable on weekends. Lessons will continue until the snow comes… we are hoping it will be later, rather than sooner.

The Newfoundland Gymkhana Association held its first annual gymkhana on Oct. 24 at Embarr Stables in the Goulds. Although there wasn't a large turnout, a great time was had by those who participated.

The Horse & Pony Protection Association of Nfld. & Labrador (Happa-NL) held its first Annual Dinner and Silent Auction on Oct. 17 at The Capital Hotel in St. John's. The group thanks everyone who helped in any way, from getting donations, giving donations, getting everything put together, attending the event, and spending money at the auction. Happa-NL also held a fundraising Christmas ticket draw on art in November. In December, a "Letters to Santa" event will be held in which donations of items needed for the horses at the sanctuary will be made to fill the horse's wish lists. Last year's event was a huge success and they filled all the lists in the nick of time. For information on these events, email info@happanl.ca.

The Cache Rapids/Adventure Farms Horse show held at Reidville on Sept. 18 attracted 21 entries. The show was judged by Ann Allan of Nova Scotia. Congratulations to English high point winners Ashley Guy (Senior) and Sydney Hedges (Junior) and Western high point winners Shelly Hoyles (Senior) and Danielle Mesh (Junior).

Adventure Farms in Grand Falls-Windsor held a Pumpkin Fun Show on Oct. 30. Events included a costume class and some variations of games on horseback. The show was followed by a bonfire with wieners, marshmallows, and hot chocolate.

We wish a speedy recovery to Justin Lane, son of Kathie and Wayne Lane of Adventure Farms in Grand Falls-Windsor. He traveled to Toronto in early November for surgery.

Cache Rapids Stable's Jim Durling Western Riding clinic held on Oct. 9-11 was a great success with about 20 participants. Congratulations to Krista Critch of Deer Lake who successfully completed her Western Rider Level 1 and Brittany Rumbolt of Reidville who completed her Level 2.

There are many changes underway at Embarr Stable located in the Goulds. Co-owner Carol Anny Goodman says the facility has changed its focus from a boarding barn to riding, and will become a fully functional riding academy called "Embarr Riding Academy" in the new year. Renovations to accommodate the changes are underway. Embarr continues to offer its Jessica Rhinelander Equestrian Development Clinic series with the latest sessions held on Nov. 13-14.

Clovelly Stable's "Pink Ribbon" Classic Horse Show held at the stable in St. John's on Oct. 9-10 was a great success with approximately 40 participants. More than $2,300 was raised at the show for the Canadian Cancer Society. Participants look forward to an even bigger event next year. Congratulations to Clovelly Manager Erin Gallant for organizing such a great event.
Clovelly will continue to offer its monthly Mary Lew Murray clinics. The Clovelly Kids Club will offer new sessions on Saturday afternoons from now until Dec. 18 for children aged four to 12. The children will learn all about breeds (with emphasis on the Newfoundland Pony), horse colors, markings, equipment, safety, and care, as well as basic riding skills. For information, contact Erin Gallant at clovellystabless@gmail.com.

Congratulations to Susan Batstone of Humber Village who has a new indoor riding arena currently under construction.

Congratulations to the Newfoundland Hunter Jumper Association High Point winners for the Greenhawk Show Series 2010.
Individual Show High Points  Show #1: Jr. High Point, Adam Rickets and Loverboy, St. John's, Clovelly Stables; Sr. High Point, Ashley Guy and Ameerah, Deer Lake, Rideout's Stable;  Show #2: Jr. High Point, Breanna Johnson and Breeze, Deer Lake, Rideout's Stables ; Sr. High Point, Ashley Guy and Ameerah, Deer Lake, Rideout's Stable;  Show #3: Jr. High Point, Erika Noel and Bailee's Irish Cream, Grand Falls, Hayley's Stables ; Sr. High Point, Ashley Guy and Ameerah, Deer Lake, Rideout's Stable ; Show #4: Jr. High Point, Breanna Johnson and Breeze, Deer Lake, Rideout's Stables ; Sr. High Point, Ashley Guy and Ameerah, Deer Lake, Rideout's Stables.
Season Champion High Points  X-rails Division : Kayla Piccoli and Prince Caspian, Grand Falls, Adventure Stable ; 2' Hunter Division: Breanna Johnson and Breeze, Deer Lake, Rideout's Stables;  2'3" Hunter Division: Maggie Evans and Cindy Lou Who!, St. John's, Hunterwood Stable;  2'6" Hunter Division: Sian Evans and Union Jack, St. John's, Hunterwood Stable ; 3' Hunter Division: Ashley Guy and Ameerah, Deer Lake, Rideout's Stable . Other awards were Sportsmanship: Maggie Evans, St. John's, Hunterwood Stable; and Horsemanship:  Erika Noel and Bailee's Irish Cream, Grand Falls, Hayley's Stables.
 
Cache Rapids Stable hosted a two-day trimming clinic on Nov. 6-7. This clinic covered theory and practical experience with live horses under the supervision of AFA Journeyman Farrier Mike Harris of Corner Brook and Laura Babineau of St. John's. Harris has been a farrier since 1990 and achieved the highest level of recognition as an AFA Certified Journeyman Farrier in 1998. He has many years of experience in advanced corrective trimming and shoeing techniques. Babineau is a graduate of Kwantlen University's Advanced Farrier Training program..

Share your news from Newfoundland and Labrador: Your club activities and tidbits about Newfoundland people and horses. We would also love to receive photographs of you and your horse. Write to Ruth Story at Box 3848, Deer Lake, NL A8A 3M2, email horse@nf.sympatico.ca, or phone 709-635-5224.