Horses At Work

Horses At Work Show venue and Training facility owned and operated by Jill Barker In 2009, construction of two adjoining sand rings was completed. Fast forward to 2018!

Since the first viewing of the 22 acre field under snow in March of 2004, Jill Barker and a dedicated group of volunteers have been steadily developing a competition venue outside of Windsor, Nova Scotia. The first year of competition re-introduced grass show rings to competitors, for many, their first time competing on grass. The site in 2010 provided two large grass rings dedicated to hunter com

petition and two adjoining sand rings which host jumper competitions. A permanent gazebo was constructed in August of 2010 which has become a welcome base for the show office, as well as announcer and judge working areas. In the early part of 2011, the sand rings were refurbished and re-fenced for the coming competition season. In June of 2012, a number of new wings were built and our permanent bank built, packed and seeded! The property continues to evolve with landscaping of a beautiful perennial garden on the hill, tree plantings as well as several hacking trails that are in development. Sand rings were refurbished and are now able to be maintained on a regular basis with the addition of a customized ring drag and water wagon. A regulation portable dressage ring will enable us to offer dressage clinics and future competitions. We welcomed a pole wagon to ease setting up of the fences for competitions. Jump refurbishment over the summer and wings in the future for 2019. The grass field has matured nicely with the removal of the old ring fencing last year and provides a great area for natural fences and riding

2019 will be remembered for the generous contribution of ScrapCo Atlantic who assisted us in the building of a permanent sand dressage ring. Finished in August, it now provides a permanent home for the full size dressage arena.

2020/2021 will be of course always be remembered as the years of the pandemic but also to remember the wonderful co-operation of all involved who made it possible for Horses At Work to not only Return to Sport, but also to Return to Competition as we were able to hose Hunter. Jumper and Dressage competitions. We also thank A&A Aggregates for their donation of sand for the dressage ring. USC Horses At Work offers a number of competitions each year. The development series continues to be offered, designed to develop riders and horses at all ages, providing a safe, enjoyable environment to develop the skills and experience necessary to be successful at a higher level of competition. Competitions are kept as realistically affordable as possible for all contestants but the creation of a high quality level of show ring conditions is an important element at USC. Continual maintenance and introduction of jump equipment, the beauty of real flowers and trees decorating well designed courses, and a schedule of events that begin at 9 AM and are completed by suppertime lends a positive environment for all. The series provides a valuable training ground as well for aspiring judges wishing to gain experience before going for national certification.

Diva's 4 youngest boys. Prudence and Brutus have long since flown the nest. 4 pretty good boys!
11/14/2025

Diva's 4 youngest boys. Prudence and Brutus have long since flown the nest. 4 pretty good boys!

Today was sad. Arnaby Bilbo Baggins passed away. Thank you to Jason Milburn for his excellent care of our boy. Billy was...
11/13/2025

Today was sad. Arnaby Bilbo Baggins passed away. Thank you to Jason Milburn for his excellent care of our boy. Billy was with his turn out buddy and simply passed away. Quick and unexplainable. Thoughts go to Alice Yamada, Hillary Smith , Kinley Good who loved him too. Owners prior to us, and leassors beyond us. He was a great pony in what he taught all his people. From my standpoint, he taught us much. He was a good pony who taught until the end. Thank you Billy Bob, you are missed already and you are barely gone. Love your animals, you never know when they will be gone. Love you Billy, you were a good one.

We celebrated competitors this past Saturday with our annual year end awards and social get together.  As always, the po...
11/12/2025

We celebrated competitors this past Saturday with our annual year end awards and social get together. As always, the pot luck was delicious and at least a few recipes exchanged!

A number of award winners were not present as they were enjoying their trip to the Royal! These three picked up their ribbons on their way from the airport and shared pictures with their ponies!

The challenge is on from our Western Dressage competitors for 2026 to their fellow riders! Heard a rumor of maybe a clinic in 2026!

These three juniors also were awarded Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals for High Score in their dressage division. Thank you Margie Corkum Abando for always donating to the junior riders since we started dressage competition in 2019!

Congratulations to all our competitors who we have the pleasure of seeing you progress throughout the season! Look for 2026 dates early in the New Year. And as always, thank you to sponsors and volunteers!

11/04/2025

Sorting thru your Horses At Work ribbons? We would be happy to accept donations of ribbons in good condition! You are welcome to bring them to the Awards Social this Saturday, November 8th or drop off at the barn.

A great idea is to take a photo of your ribbons to preserve the memory for future years!

Drum roll.........here are the Year End Awards for the season!  Congratulations!  We would also like to congratulate the...
10/18/2025

Drum roll.........here are the Year End Awards for the season! Congratulations! We would also like to congratulate the many riders who progressed throughout the season. A big thank you to our amazing volunteers who stepped up all season long to make these competitions happen. And sponsors - you were incredibly generous - thank you!

Join us November 8th - 2-5PM at the Sweets Corner Community Hall for a social, pot luck, and awards! If you are unable to come, enjoy your horses and ponies and see you in 2026!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW!  The Horses At Work Year End Social and Awards is Saturday, November 8th from 2-5PM at the Swee...
10/02/2025

MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW! The Horses At Work Year End Social and Awards is Saturday, November 8th from 2-5PM at the Sweets Corner Community Hall. As always, this is a potluck affair so bring your favorite dish. We hope to see you, come spend a couple of hours with friends and fellow competitors to close off the season!

A large Truth and Reconciliation Day. Our dressage show here was a sea of Orange. So many scores were higher as the year...
09/30/2025

A large Truth and Reconciliation Day. Our dressage show here was a sea of Orange. So many scores were higher as the year progressed even though all shows had different judges. The Avon Pony Club kids did their first testing since pre Covid. Many parents took their children to PC testing then picked up their dressage horses, came back and showed and then went back to retrieve the PC kids from a different venue not far away. Dressage riders all improved their scores and all Avon Pony Club kids rocked their testing. Im not sure sometimes how some people make it all work, but they do! Horses At Work volunteers, whether they help with the show or with daily chores, are so appreciated. Every stable has these amazing people, or at least I hope they do as i have no idea how you would survive without them. Thank you all, competitors, volunteers, voluntolds. If you want it, invest in it, and pray it all works out! Im a lucky person and thank you!

Truth and Reconciliation Dressage underway, western riders starting off the day.
09/30/2025

Truth and Reconciliation Dressage underway, western riders starting off the day.

Here is the schedule for the Truth and Reconciliation Dressage Show September 30th!   Remember, it is approximate.  Our ...
09/28/2025

Here is the schedule for the Truth and Reconciliation Dressage Show September 30th! Remember, it is approximate. Our judge is Donna McInnis.. Spectators welcome but dogs are not allowed as a safety courtesy to riders, horses and spectators. You are encouraged to wear orange in respect of the meaning of the day.

We are unable to provide canteen service for the day. However, join us in wishing Clover Canteen's Cheryl Webber every success as she and fellow Nova Scotian dressage riders are travelling to Becancourt for the Eastern National Dressage Finals.

09/26/2025

Dressage is a go! The schedule will be posted tomorrow!

Address

44 Old Cemetery Road
Windsor, NS
B0N2T0

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