Double "A" Farm

11/27/2024

10/07/2024

Being a champion isn't buying the most expensive horse, having the most expensive barn, trailer, or tack. Being a champion isn't winning a class or a medal. Being a champion isn't always glory and great times.

Being a champion is love, passion, hard work, dedication... It's tears and screaming, it's not always easy. It's working no matter what conditions you have to do it in. It's late nights and early mornings, it's horses before yourself, before your friends, often before your family. Its sore bodies, bruises, and cuts. It's vet bills and last dimes to make sure they have all they need. It's crying in their mane when you had a bad day. It's smiling when they finally get that thing you've been trying to teach them for a month. It's having the best network of people to care for them and to support you. It's farriers, vets, dentists, chiropractors, feed store owners, husband's, wives, family, friends and even enemies. It's learning how to take the good with the bad and never knowing what each day may bring. It's the happy and the sad. It's the highs and the lows. Its wanting to give up but never doing so. Most of all, it's the love that you feel every time you see those eyes and hear that nicker. Being a champion really has little to do with victories in the show pen as it does with victories on every road to get to that show. Being a champion is living for what you love and loving what you do and who you do it with and NEVER giving up. The victories are many and the ribbons and the medals are icing on the cake so to say. But being a champion is so much more than just winning... And once you can learn that, you too will be a champion. ✨

~• Author Carri Hansen ~•

09/18/2024

👏 👏 👏

MY thoughts on children and riding...

When the child walks in the stable for their first riding lessons, it is the beginning of important life lessons. Unlike other sports in general, the equestrian must learn much more than technique in riding skills or team spirit. Horses are perhaps the ultimate teachers of compassion, patience and humility.

One of the very first rules in my barn is that if a horse drops a load before, during or after a lesson, it is the child who picks up the manure. Mom and dad are not allowed to, regardless how young the child is. Learning to take care of their mount is a lesson in responsibility and housekeeping. It might seem gross to have to pick up the p**p, but know there are worst things in life and this simple task is just as important as all of the other aspects of being in the presence of greatness (the horse.) A lesson is not necessarily measured in minutes, but in tasks completed and how well they are completed. This includes grooming before and after a lesson and tacking up and untacking.

I like to build a foundation of balance, strength, and most importantly, teaching my students to see what the horse sees, feel what it feels and better understand their mounts. Instill an appreciation of this living creature they are sharing a bond with. A horse will also humble you with that first fall off, or a toe tread on. Learning to gather courage and go forward are lessons learned here. We learn to never lay blame, where blame isn’t and be mindful and appreciate the power of this animal and fragile connection we have with horses.

A horse will teach your child many things about life in the real world. Your child will learn to listen, sometimes be fearful but know the importance to get back up, take hold and go forward. They will learn how to control emotion, accept losing without frustration and appreciate winning with renewed confidence. It will all come back to that first rule in my barn when your child walks into the stable for their first riding lesson. “If your horse p**ps, you must scoop” accountability and responsibility. (Just to clarify the picture. The student IS NOT standing on the saddle but on a no slip saddle pad and the purpose of this exercise is for balance, trust and confidence in his/her ability to challenge themselves. Not unlike the sport of vaulting, except the horse is standing still and not in motion.)

09/18/2024

Is it time to replace your helmet...

It is important to follow the five-year helmet replacement guideline. Learn more about when you should replace your helmet in our latest blog post.

09/18/2024

Last outdoor show of the season was a good one. Despite a soggy Thursday we had a lovely time, everyone rode well resulting in a ton of red ribbons and other top placings. Including Presley winning 2 hunter division championships and a reserve championship in her equitation, Emma also brought home a division championship and a 4th with a lovely round in the Hunter Spectacular. Tracey, mastered the .9 Jumpers with some beautiful rounds, a reserve championship and a lovely clear in the Mini Prix. Tara and Ami, had a wonderful week of strong smack talk, red ribbons, great outfits, new heights and clean, smooth rounds. Norah and her new horse, Krescendo, tore up the .85m jumpers winning several firsts including the Mini Prix. Brielle and Raine were their usual fabulous selves smiling and winning their way through the .75m. Billie-Jo on her perfect barbie pony shone in the .6 with fantastic outfits and ribbons to match. Overall, we have had an amazing 2024 outdoor season. This team is so fun and tries their heart out every time both inside and out of the ring! 🥰🐎❤️ on to indoors

08/25/2024

August was a crazy fun, busy, horse filled month. We have been running flat out for weeks but loving every minute of it. August started out with a bang with a wonderful group of riders heading out the Teesdale equestrian centre for a fantastic show put on by the amazing crew at Pacific Equine Sport. We have new horses, new heights and so many new experiences and the ladies handled it like the Champs they are, congratulations one and all. From there we quickly repacked the trailer and headed to Thunderbird Show Park in Langley with fresh horses and fresh humans. Those 2 weeks flew by with equally great results. I'm so blessed to do what I do...looking forward to making many more memories with these wonderful folks

08/20/2024

That's a wrap on another wonderful 2 weeks. I'm feeling incredibly blessed to have spent this time making memories with these amazing women. So many fantastic rides, lots of learning, lots of laughs, incredible horses and a bunch ribbons. My heart is full.

08/17/2024

The ribbon wall is looking great heading into the last 2 days. So far we have enjoyed perfect weather

08/17/2024

The ribbon wall is looking great heading into the last 2 days, so far we have had a fabulous time. We have enjoyed perfect weather and made some wonderful memories but I think what I enjoy most is watching Jamie walk Cupcake and Raine 😆😆

08/13/2024

You can't really tell because Lucia's big head is in the way but in between the drinking and trail riding we did actually have some great successes in the ring with every horse/rider combo contributing to the ribbon wall. Well done, team!

08/13/2024

The first week of August T-bird is in the books and it was jam packed with good friends and good fun. We are all tucked in and ready to get some rest and do it all over again this week. Thanks to the home team for keeping everything going on the other side of the mountains

08/12/2024

How the week is starting...

07/30/2024

Countdown to Thunderbird

07/18/2024

In a wonderful full circle moment our homebred warmblood gelding Krescendo is back at Double "A" Farm. Krescendo Aka Kris was bred, raised and competed up to the 1.2m by Amanda until he was 8. He moved on to Vicky Vogel. Under the watchful eye of the Wachter Farm program Vicky and Kris have had huge success with too many wins to count. We are feeling blessed that we were able to purchase him back for a client, the very deserving and talented teen, Norah. Norah has big plans and dreams. We are excited to see how far this team will go. Thanks to the Verboom family for trusting us to help you find your perfect match.

07/18/2024

Today is the day!
Don't forget to submit your entries for the Teesdale Summer Tournament before Midnight to avoid late fees!
Forms may be submitted online via horseshowtime.com, in-person at Teesdale Equestrian Centre and Equi-Products or over email to [email protected].
Fillable/Printable PDF entry forms can be found on both Teesdale and PES websites.
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Link to online entry form:
https://horseshowtime.com/entryform.php?Show=10695
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Tournament Features Include:
- Thursday Schooling and Ticketed Rounds
- Friday Morning in the Attaché Stables Olympic Lounge!
- Pony Hunters and Jumpers
- Jumpers 0.70m to 1.10m
- Hunters Xrail to 3'3
- JA Young Horse Program presented by Equi-Products YYC
- $3,000 Hunter Derby and Napoletana Style Saturday Night with !

07/12/2024

We are looking forward to a great day

Limited amount of limited edition derby shirts available again this year. Come check them out tomorrow at our tents 🎉

07/11/2024

Shout out our amazing farrier Chris Neil, we appreciate everything you do to keep our clients happy and our horses sound. Cheers to you 🍻

It's National Farriers Week! Let's celebrate the hard work that our farriers put in daily to partner with equine veterinarians and ensure the health and well-being of our horses. Proper hoof care is essential for a sound and happy horse, so it goes without saying that a skilled farrier is both a necessity and a tremendous asset.

Don't forget to give a shoutout to your farriers this week and show them your appreciation for their dedication to their craft!