Congratulations to Archway team rider NICOLE TIDWELL for receiving the USEF High School Equestrian Varsity Recognition for 2008/ 2009/ 2010 school years. Your hard work and dedication is an inspiration to us all!Way to go Nicole !!! For more info on this great program go to www.usef.org

Our week down in Wilsonville at the Early Summer Classic was a successful one. The weather was sunny and beautiful the whole week. A few of our highlights were: Remy Reserve Champion Green Conformation Remy and Nicole Reserve Champion Children's Hunter 14-17 Gilli Champion Training Hunter Gilli and Mali Reserve Champion Short Stirrup Hunter Horse Casabella and Hannah Reserve Champion Equitation 16-17 Colby Reserve Champion Large Hunter Maggie and Payton Champion Small/Large Pony Hunter Skye and Ana 5th in the Mini Prix

We would like to award Briteney with the most improved for consistency!!

Also, a shout out goes to Melani and Kelsey for making a solid transition into the jumper ranks. Some great clear rounds from both of them over Linda Allen's technical courses.

A special appreciation goes out to those who coordinated our delicious dessert (Strawberry Shortcake) for the Progressive Aisle Party. In particular Bob & Lisa Kerslake and Barb Mercer.

Continue with your practice, no stirrup work and your workout routine in the club house. Country Classic and Bend is just around the corner. Happy Horse Showing!!!

Schooling Show

Greetings Our June 6th Lesson Program Schooling Show was a huge success from beginning to end. On Saturday preparations began with bathing horses/ponies, scrubbing tack, setting the course, and braiding our faithful steeds. Our braiders included Corey, Payton, Krista, Kelsey, Ana, Lauren, Sophie, Alexa and Gina the horses/ponies looked beautiful. As the big day arrived all was in order for the competition to begin. Our Instructors Ana and Lauren along with the Mentors were ready to greet our students with a big smile and positive energy. The barn was abuzz with the air of competition and success!! This year we implemented the Mentoring Program where our Competition riders teamed up with a Lesson student to guide them through all the in and outs of preparing for competition. This program was a huge success and allowed each student to have personal attention throughout their experience. A big thank you goes out to our Mentors: Nicole, Cady, Sophie, Payton, Jenna, Melanie, Kelsey, Mali and Alexa you girls were great. Gay Sheridan was our judge, Ana designed our color coordinated courses, Robin ran the show office, Natalie was our back gate/announcer and Erin was our ribbon girl, they were each instrumental in maintaining a smooth flow throughout the day, Great Job Officials and Show Staff. In our spectator section we had Moms, Dads, Grandparents Brothers, Sisters and Friends all here to cheer everyone on. I had a wonderful time greeting and visiting with all our clients. Our Lesson Program parents provided all the tasty food for a wonderful potluck starting with muffins and fruit salad and ending with a delicious Mexican themed lunch. Don’t you just love Potlucks?!! I was impressed with how each rider improved and became more comfortable as the day progressed, all the riders created their own success and each one should feel proud of their accomplishments, keep up the good work.  We feel very fortunate to have these uniquely wonderful individuals that make up our Archway Family. Be sure to check our website for individual results and lots of photos!!

Clare Warren

We're Horse-showing again!

Show season is in full swing, with the Pacific Northwest Show being our fourth in two months. We are competing again in Monroe, at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds. The weather has been wild, with some surprising sights on the ground too!

This 'little' guy (with a group of friends) is sharing the Fairgrounds with the riders this week due to the PBR Professional Bull Riding exhibition in town at the Comcast Arena in Everett.

On to Monroe

We are done with our Lake Washington weekend.  The clients had a lot of fun (including braiding their own horses)...We are now moving to Monroe for the Pacific H/J show this week.

We hope your weekend was fun-filled as well!  Come out to watch our riders compete, from Children's Ponies, thru Juniors.  The show begins on Wednesday with Pro-divisions.

Reflections from your trainer

My day for the LWSC bridle trails show started off with my alarm going off at 3am on Saturday morning. Too early! Reminded me of my junior years when I would get up in the middle of the night to braid as a way to earn money to help support the horses.Down I went to the barn to get equipment and ponies loaded in small horse trailer and haul them over to the show. We arrived at 5am when it was just starting to get light out.  Krista and I were on clue and Maggie by 6am to school ponies in the show ring. Jenna and Payton arrived with Clare by 6:30 so Payton could organize to show in her scheduled classes by 7:30. Thank heavens for Starbucks and for my Mom delivering it.

After the ponies did their classes I drove them home and then came back for our other riders whose classes went in the afternoon. Of course on the way back I stopped for our second round of Starbucks!  We wrapped up around 7pm and once home  Payton and I showered and climbed into bed from exhaustion. Back up Sunday morning at 4:15 to repeat the process again and will step right into our show in Monroe next week.

It may not be glamorous but it's my life and I love it!

Corey ♥

Congratulations riders

The kick off to our 2010 show season was superb! Everyone was very diligent about their training and practice leading into the show and it definitely showed through.  I also want to acknowledge those who did some of their own braiding.  Although it makes for a long day it is good quality time with your horse. Our successes ranged from the Short Stirrup all the way up to the Grand Prix.  Jil competed in her first Grand Prix and rode fantastic.  Thanks to those who came and rooted for her on Saturday night.

So, as we reflect on the shows it's important you appreciate your triumphs and learn from your struggles.  Back to training and practice to continue improving on your riding skills in preparation for your next show.  To those who we did not have with us, we look forward to having you with the Archway Team at the upcoming horse shows.

Great Job Everyone!!

Sisters, Sisters

♫ Sisters, ♪ Sisters, there were ♫ never such devoted ♪ Sisters....You can always count on family.....On Tuesday morning at 5:00am. The first day of the second week of our three week run at Monroe it happened. Brandan let me know that Corey had been up all night with the stomach flu and although she would most likely try to go to the show he was making an executive decision that she remain in bed and get well. Now, I am a morning person. I accomplish my best work in the morning but I have to admit it took a few jolting minutes for me to wrap my head around this.....what am I going to do? We have four horses ready to show today and no rider?? How do I come up with a solution at 5am??? Is this something I can GOOGLE??? Ok, I thought,  GET A GRIP. There is always a solution if you go one step at a time...1st solve the immediate problem of getting horses in the ring this morning ..

KRISTA! Call KRISTA! (Krista volunteers each Tuesday at Evergreen Emergency Room). So I pick up my problem solving iphone and dial Krista. She picks up right away with a slight tone of concern. "Corey's sick", I begin. I'm not even able to finish the sentence when Krista interupts: "I'll call and cancel Evergreen and I'll head right out to the show..I have all my show clothes here  and I will take care of the horses, see you there and bring me Starbucks". And that was that. In her calm emergency focus she took over for Corey and got the job done. The horses were wonderful, Corey got well and I was pretty organized all day. Ok, I'll admit Corey was texting us by noon with additional instructions but hey, we were great (or that is Krista was great). And so as the sayng goes " the show must go on."

Thank you Krista for being there you are the BEST!!!

Love Clare

a PS from your newsdesk.  The photo above from Ervin Berlin's White Christmas
Fun fact for the day -  In the movie the song "Sisters" was sung by Rosemary Clooney only and multitracked for the movie.

From your coach

Our first show of the season started off fantastically! After a long winter of dedicated work by our riders all our girls excelled this week. We had many new partnerships and riders/horses moving up to new divisions. It was inspiring how everyone met their personal challenges with dignity and determination. We believe horsemanship/sportsmanship is of the utmost importance here at Archway and both these qualities were demonstrated throughout the week. The support team was apparent all weekend until the last class was pinned. I am honored to be able to coach these talented individuals and look forward to many more shows this season!

Go Team Archway!!! See you all next weekend!!

Clare

Special mention

Clare has officially bestowed MOST IMPROVED to our star of this week in the Professional classes.Remmington (aka Remy). Owned and loved by Nicole. He has worked very hard all winter and we are very excited to see all his hard work (with a bit of help from Corey) pay off.

Way to go Remy! Come out to Monroe and visit us as we watch more 'stars' compete!

Show season has begun!

Join us for the first week in the Spring National series!  We will be at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe with professional classes starting Wednesday.  The Junior and Amateur classes will begin on Friday-Sunday.  Stop by our barn and say HELLO!

Remember to check back often (or subscribe to our Blog so you don't miss a single post).  We will be updating results and pictures from the show often!