01/13/2016
January Newsletter
Happy New Year! I hope that everyone enjoyed some down time over the holidays and are now back at it.
We are looking to train some new staff for our roster. Right now all our weekend staff gets spread pretty thin, most of them work a full time job, then they are here every weekend. I would love to be able to have a couple more energetic capable people trained up to do morning chores so that we can allow for some more time off to our very faithful staff. Let me know if you are interested. It is very therapeutic work, and we don't need someone that can commit every weekend, it could be a every other week sort of gig.
I'm very excited to announce that we have a new coach coming in to teach on Tuesday afternoons and evenings. Sandra Donnelly will be available for regular lessons on Tuesdays. Sandra has represented Team Canada at both the 2008 Hong Kong Olympics and was a team silver medalist for Canada in Rio at the 2007 Pan Am Games. She is a fabulous coach for all riders that are wanted to improve their jumping. There will be limited time available, contact me asap if you want to take part.
The long anticipated No Stirrups November Party!! This feels like it is well past due, but because of all the holidays in December I thought that a January date would be better. So Thursday January 28th at 6:30 we are going to meet at the Townhall Public House in Cochrane. The successful riders were Hana Stromberg, Natalie Bradt, Jillian Sanborn, Makana Hilton, Emily Harris, Anne-Marie Chapman, Deb Moore, Shelley Alexander, Deja Wearmouth, Katie Axani, Valerie Moore and Kim Knapp. I will need to make reservations, so if your name is on that list, and you plan on coming, please let me know.
Our next challenge coming up is Fitness February. This will require a daily contribution- and you are allowed to miss only one day per week. We will be doing a plank challenge. In order to take part, you must commit to timing yourself, holding a plank position, every day of the month for as long as you can, and record your times (to the second). You are allowed to miss only one day a week, and need to update the board with your times, every time you visit the barn. On Tuesday March 1st at 7:30pm we will be hosting a plank showdown in the barn aisle (bring a mat or towel). The person who holds the plank the longest, will win! There will also be a prize for the most time accumulated over the month. Here is a link describing what a plank is http://30dayfitnesschallenges.com/how-to-do-a-plank/
I have, to date, only met with two people to go over their 2016 goals and plans. Please let me know if you want to do this, then help me pin down a time. I have attached a form that I would like all the competitive riders to fill out and return, even the ones that I have already met with.
The barn staff would like to remind everyone that the towels in the the feed room are not for personal use. Please bring your own towels to use on your horses and tack. Also paper towel is used by the staff for cleaning, again, it is not meant to be used to clean your tack or boots, please supply your own.
We jump right into show season this year with indoor shows at Spruce Meadows, Anderson and the Cochrane Ag Society. If you are looking for coaching at any of these events, please speak to myself, or Sarah Taylor as soon as possible. Schedules fill up quickly. I will be coaching at Spruce Meadows on Feb 20-21st and Feb 27-28th, Sarah will be available for all Spruce dates. There are Carrots and Cocktails Dressage Shows on Apr 16th-17th that I will make myself available for, if there is enough interest. Spruce Meadows is also hosting some dressage schooling days, Feb 13th and March 5th.
A few boarders have approached me, looking for someone to lease their horse. If you are interested in possibly doing a half lease, let me know.
Happy January! Enjoy the sun and the snow!
How to do a plank exercise from 30 Day Fitness Challenges - Learn how to perform the perfect plank exercise with this step by step video guide.
