Central Valley New York-day two

I've heard news from the East that the outlet mall is now a bit richer, thanks to a shopping spree by three unknown Westerners! Day two at the farm in upstate New York started with an early morning lesson by Amanda on Parker.  After that the three drove to upstate New York to the Vanderbilt Mansion for a tour of opulence and history.  As you can see in the photo sent for this blog,  it's raining much harder than here.  Clare said that if the rain would stop the colors would be stunning.  Let's hope for better weather in Syracuse,  their destination after a short plane ride in the morning.

Arrival in Newark, N.J.//first leg of Maclay finals journey

Clare, Amanda and I flew into Newark, NJ on Monday and drove to Central Valley, NY.  The drive was beautiful with all the trees showing their fall colors. Vibrant reds, yellows and greens along with all the shades in between. Their fall is definitely further along then ours at home. After a couple of Toll Highways and an hours drive we made it to the hotel. Tuesday morning we woke up with our first goal being to find a Starbucks. Glanced out the window and saw it was raining. Found out I was the only one to pack a raincoat. Hmm, how can that be?  Once we had our coffee and breakfast we were on our way to the farm where Parker is staying which was only a few miles from our hotel.  We arrived at a picturesque farm and found Parker in the first stall when we walked into the barn aisle.

Amanda got tacked up and on for a hack.  Parker was ready to get to work and start preparing for his big day on Saturday. Back tomorrow for a jumping lesson.  We will keep you all posted!!

Corey :)

Stunning entrance to the farm where Parker is staying.

Inside of the barn

Parker's home away from home.

Outside the barns

Congratulations Payton!!!!!

~BREAKING NEWS~  Payton finished 10th in the National Standings for the WCHR year end results (Pony Rider). WAY TO GO PAYTON and Serendipity!

Video link // USEF Hunt Seat Medal Finals

Here is the link to watch Amanda's rounds at the L.A. Invitational this past weekend.  Thanks Amanda for allowing us to post this on our blog.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6z1VxJXSfgU]

Amanda finishes top 10 in the USEF Pessoa Regional Finals

Corey and I woke up at 5:00am this morning and I felt pretty ready for the Finals class after winning the Equitation class yesterday. That made me happy because the weather was really really HOT!.  We got to the show(after Starbucks of course) at 6:30 to school in one of the rings. Parker was lazy on the flat but good over the jumps. We walked the course at 7:20 which consisted of a skinny verticle, natural airy jumps, and a very bending three stride.A lot of riders had difficulties in the course. In my first round, we had a couple minor off-distances and I received a score of 73.  Nothing major though. In our second round, our jumps were much better. We just had a hard rub at one of the fences and got a 74.5, with an overall average score of 73.75.  I was really happy when I found out the judge was Sue Ashe.  She's really tough! I felt a lot better after my second round. I was able to relax and watch the ride-off.  They brought the top 10 back to ride for ribbons, and I received 10th in my first ever USEF Pessoa Regional Finals! Out of 31 people!

I 'm so proud of Parker and so thankful for all the help and support from Clare, Corey, and Krista and my parents. I love you guys. Thanks everyone!!

Me and Corey!

post by Amanda M.

What is the ASPCA Maclay?

What is the Maclay National Championship?The ASPCA Maclay National Championship, will be held on October 31-November 4, 2009, at the Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament in Syracuse, NY.

The ASPCA Maclay, a championship class at the National Horse Show, was initiated in 1933 by Alfred B. Maclay, an ASPCA board member, accomplished horseman and president of the National Horse Show. Maclay conceived of a trophy that would inspire young riders to develop the best horsemanship skills and instill in them respect and compassion for their equine partners.

This hunt seat equitation class requires that all contestants jump a minimum of eight fences of at least 3'6 feet in height. In between, the horse must walk, trot and canter with style and poise. The ASPCA Maclay class is an equitation class open to any rider who has not reached their 18th birthday.  The rider and their trainer must be members of the ASPCA  and NHSAA.

How does a rider qualify for the National Maclay Finals:

ASPCA Maclay classes are held nationwide at the larger hunter/jumper shows and count as qualifiers for the ASPCA Maclay Regionals and the ASPCA Maclay National Championship. Riders enter and compete at these single qualifying classes throughout the show year  to earn enough points to  qualify to ride in their respective Region's Finals.

Each region has a specified number of points a rider must accumulate in order to qualify for their Regional Finals.  A rider from our Region needs 13 points.  Points are awarded for 1st through 4th placings only.  Depending on the number of entries,  the point system varies for each class.  The more riders,  the more points.

Their are eight Regions in the United States.  We fall into Region 7, or the Northwest Region.  This region includes AK, ID, MT, OR, WA, WY.  Riders who qualify (earn enough points) by placing in this class throughout the show year can declare that they will be riding in the Regional Finals, held at the Northwest Autumn Finals in Monroe Washington the 2nd week of September.  This class consists of a jumping course and a flat phase.  Sometimes the judges will bring in the top 4 to test a final time.

The NHS then accepts the top finishers from each Region's Finals to compete in the National Maclay Finals, held in Syracuse New York.  Again, each Region will differ slightly in the number of riders who become eligible from their Region's Finals.  Sometimes it is the top 3 riders who are invited,  sometimes it is more, depending on the percentage across the U.S. who accepts.

The National Horse Show invites 150 riders to enter the Maclay Finals. This class is  incredably difficult, both in the technical aspects of the course, as well as the emotional/physical aspects of how the class is held.

The riders are not allowed to ride in the arena until the night before the class.  Riders are assigned a time slot when they are allowed to school (no course is set at this time - just three plain warm-up fences).  The times range from 8pm through 1am the night/morning before the class.

For example, last year Amanda was assigned the 1am schooling time slot.  She napped in the hotel room before the schooling,  then rode for her 1/2 hour, went back to the room for a few hours of sleep and arrived at the show at 5am to walk the course.   The class began at 6:30am and went all day.  Whew!

For more information on the National Horse Show and the Maclay Finals go to www.nhs.org

For a bit of insight on last years course,  I have attached a picture of it and a link to an article that was written about it. (Jessica Springsteen won in 2008).

The Syracuse Sporthorse Invitationalhttp://www.hunterjumpernews.com/?p=5979

Northwest Autumn Finals // September 14, 2009

Happy Monday!

What a fabulous horse show! Everyone did a fabulous job/ horses were great! we love our horses! Send Jacquie your results/photos so she can place them on the website, we want to recognize all of you for your great accomplishments!!  Her email is jmoore@hollyhill.com

Clare

NW Autumn Classic // September 12, 2009

Boy...when Ana goes to get ice,  she GETS ICE!

NW Autumn Finals // September 11, 2009

Before I post I'd like to honor the memories of all those touched in some way by the horrific events of 9/11, now eight years past, by just a moment of remembrance.... It is a hard date to type...

*****************************

It's Friday of the Northwest Autumn Finals.  A show where dreams culminate and the year's work is galvanized with the exclamation point of the show year ending.   We have a lot of riders showing,  both in the regular classes,  as well as the Region Finals.  We wish all the girls the best of luck!

If you can,  please join us Saturday evening (the 12th) at 5:00pm to watch Ana, Amanda and Hannah ride in the Regional Maclay Finals.

♫ Happy Birthday Clare! ♫//September 10, 2009

Please forgive the late post. We wish Clare a happy birthday (yesterday)!!! She was regaled with singing phone messages, oodles and oodles of Facebook wishes,  and a yummy cake, flowers and balloons.  It's hard having a birthday during a horse show (mine is always during the Thunderbird June show) but fun because you have your friends around you and they are bound to work it because we just LOOOOOVE birthday cake at horse shows!

Labor Day Horse Show // September 7, 2009

Yep,  we went to a horse show on Labor Day!  This show, hosted by Cara Anthony of Potcreek Meadow Farm, allows the equitation riders a chance to acquire early points for the 2010 show year in the Medals.  Classes offered were:  Pessoa/USEF Natioal Hunter Seat Medal;  ASPCA Horsemanship Class and the Platinum Performance/USEF Talent Search Class. The girls had a great day - rain and all.  Amanda rode in all three classes, Hannah rode in the ASPCA and Pessoa and Ana came for the Talent Search Class.

Amanda was 3rd in the Pessoa, Hannah 4th. Hannah won the Maclay, with Amanda coming in 3rd. Ana finished the day 5th in the Talent Search,  with Amanda placing 4th All in all,  a great, fun day for everyone!

The girls got this opportunity to work on their braiding skills so everyone started at the barn early to braid and wash their horses.  They arrived at the show around 10am and unpacked everything.  The warm up class started at 11:00am,  with the four classes going in order.  We broke for a 20 minute lunch,  and were treated to hotdogs and hamburgers BBQ'd by Cara's husband, Jeff. Ending at 4pm,  everyone went back to the barn to unbraid and wash legs in preparation for the Northwest Autumn Finals tomorrow.

Way to go riders!

Inserting the caulks,  or studs.  The horse's shoe is drilled by the farrier with holes and the holes are stuffed with little bits of Brillo until the caulks are screwed in.  Here Amanda and Krista (her trainer) are getting ready to put them in Parker's hind feet.  These caulks help prevent slipping on the grass while Amanda is riding her course by digging into the grass and giving traction.  They are taken out immediately after he is done and the holes are filled up again so they stay clean.

Supportive parents!

Mom's were grooms for the day.

Fun and unique way to watch a horse show (and stay dry!)

Walking the course.

Our riders. Congratulations!

Thunderbird II // Lip Sync Contest

The girls had a fun time choreographing and practicing their routine, danced to Hannah Montana's  "Let's Get Crazy".   They worked very hard and won a 3rd place finish among some tough acts.  Way to go girls!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4V6GKi3RCC8]

Thunderbird Show, week II

   The circuit is officialy done.  From Evergreen, to Thunderbird I, and on through Thunderbird week II.  The horses, ponies, riders and parents (not to mention the trainers & grooms) are tired and ready for a break.   The girls who stayed for the Thunderbird Week II were able to work on and perform a number for the lip sync contest.  Payton, Amanda, Jenna & Hailey sang and danced to "Let's Get Crazy" by Hannah Montana. They placed a very respectable 3rd out of a very competitive contest.

Rehearsing at the motorhomes.

Wearing their 3rd place T-Bird hats. (They also got blankets)

Before the Grand Prix on Sunday (week I) the show had a beautiful Native American demonstration of song, drums and dance. 

Now is the time to reflect on this year's accomplishments,  ponder the upcoming 2010 show season and think about plans and goals.    Remember,  Archway's mission statement: ~Develop proper techinque and a solid foundation...~             ~Empower our riders with life skills through horsemanship...~            ~Challenge our riders to embrace what seems impossible.~

       Good luck starting your school year!

Thunderbird II // August 19-23, 2009

Weather has really flip-flopped on us.  From high 80's yesterday to 65 degrees today.  It's now overcast with a few raindrops falling now and then..Brrr.....

Our riders are doing great so far.  

~Jenna Barker scored a red ribbon (1st place here up in Canada) in her first Medium Pony Hunter round of the show.~
~Amanda was 2nd overall in the Washington International Medal~

The girls are working on their lip sync song today.  The contest will be held tomorrow night and is a very fun event.

Fun things that we do at the horseshows // Thunderbird I,'09

Up here in Canada they think of the most fun things to do after the show.  Thunderbird offers us a hauled-in rental 'ride the bull'  at this show every year.  It really is quite fun,  both to do for the kids,  and to watch for us...

Thunderbird Show // Week I; August 12-16, 2009

   We've had a fabulous show so far.  Unfortunately the weather isn't cooperating much.  Cold with heavy drizzle makes for wet hunt coats and socks.    The ribbons are so numerous I urge you to watch the website early next week for all the results.  Everyone has had success in their ring/division.      Tonight was our annual R.V. party.   Ricardo brought up his big BBQ and we ate and told stories until 9pm. The grey skies cleared up a bit too, just in time for dinner.   It was also a surprise birthday party for Jenna,  who was truly surprised.  Happy Birthday Jenna!

Evergreen Classic mini-movie from Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Enjoy! [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-IQdpZVYbM]

Evergreen Classic set up - day 2

The set up crew (aka our loyal clients) did an awesome job!  We think we certainly outdid our theme from last year.  We hope you stop by our barn at the show and take a look![click on any photo below to view larger photo and the entire gallery] 

[gallery columns="2"]

That last photo...ummm.  Sunbathing or did exhaustion set in?

Evergreen Classic Horse Show

We are in the process of moving and setting up at Evergreen this weekend.  Come and join us if you can.  The show will start on Wednesday but there is a lot of work to do getting our theme-based "AMAZON" tack room up and all the decorations placed. Hope to see you there!

[Running in the sprinklers!]