Walnut Grove Farm

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Walnut Grove Farm

Walnut Grove Farm We are a boarding and training facility located outside of Buffalo, NY, specializing in eventing, dressage, and hunter/jumpers.

We're home to the East Aurora Pony Club and have an IEA team.

11/18/2024

These are the only pics I took today but they tell a lot of the story. The WGF IEA Team competed at their fourth show of the season at the beautiful today. We were able to ride outside, which was amazing, on their fabulous IEA mounts, and between the great weather, great venue, great courses, great judging and stewarding, great support, great volunteerism, great food, and absolutely great mounts, the WGF IEA Team pulled off High Point Team and Reserve High Point Rider (.eventing04 ).

Riders who pointed out today, on show 4 out of 5, who will be attending Regionals, include: Bella DiMino-Intermediate Fences, Rory Tryka-Intermediate Flat, Camryn Brown-Novice Fences and Novice Flat, Ashley Seweryn-Novice Fences, and Elizabeth McCrossan-HS W/T/C.

I believe that our High School Team set a personal barn record, today, for our highest points earned at a show to clinch the W: 39.

The scores and ribbons never quite speak of the team's dedication to the horses...Joee and Boston were extremely well cared for today while they toiled for the good of the region along with the other four-legged friends, or the good will the kids showed each other, or the first pep talk to even out do all our Ukrainian National Anthem Pep Talks (in which I quoted my botanical art teacher from last weekend, to great, great effect ).

Thanks again, so much, to Amy, Virginia, Sarah etc etc etc for letting the region utilize your facility, horses, and manpower. I'm not sure what we would do without you.

Thanks to Fuller and Co for hosting, and Marlene, always.

but

11/12/2024

The last day Trick or Trot: Eerie Edition saw these young equestrians chipping in around the stable, mucking stalls, memorizing courses, and dealing admirably with the ups and downs (and waiting arounds) of horse showing. I can't remember the ribbons because they're just happy incidentals, but I do remember Sammie dusting herself off after a fall, correcting her lower leg, and going clear in her next three rounds. I remember Natalija realizing she needed a better canter and reacting earlier and oftener each course, and I remember Mila, who fell off in her last show, coming in with a confidence beyond her years. These girls were helped by the rest of the WGF crew, and helped each other. Their horses were well cared for and always so appreciated. What more could a trainer ask for than this set of humans and equines?

11/07/2024

Trick or Trot: Eerie Edition proved to be a successful and educational show for Walnut Grove. Highlights included Rory in the ribbons nearly every round in the 2'3", capping her successful weekend off with a third in the 2'6" Child/Adults. Christine and Stephanie gamely threw their hats in the ring and 'huntered' their eventers, giving us an opportunity to work with Wilson and Doc in a new environment. At this show last year, Maddie wouldn't do the Bit of Straw Classic on the last day, and this year, she and Vator tackled the full weekend of 2'6" with ease. Olivia and Rebecca took their young steeds in the big-atmosphere ring, both piloting their young ones like pros. Rebecca even managed a blue in a huge flat class. It only took two rounds before Arielle said she was able to actually breathe and think about what was going on under her, in addition to remembering the course, a feat in its own right that resulted in a couple nice ribbons. Max had similar goals, and even brought home two blues on Edgar for her fences rounds the second day. Kate and Joee took a third in a huge flat class and a fifth out of 30 in the warm up round. She 'adultily' decided to bump down a level and had a nice, clear round the next day. Ashley's mount got a puncture wound in his frog so she catch-rode Edgar, and bravely campaigned him in the 2'3"s with no prior Edgar saddle time. I'm not remembering all the accolades and ribbons, but I will always remember how fun this show was with this group of WGFers. The horses were well cared for and always considered first. More experienced members of our team helped less experienced and I felt like we were a well oiled machine. Special thanks to the Schabers. I realized this summer I can't be the hands on show mom at the same time as the hands on coach of a dozen, so Jayne came and braided and did school pick up and prepped my kid. We had lots of visitors and lots of good cheer. Go WGF!

Photos by Kate Andrzejczak

10/31/2024

Happy Halloween from all of Walnut Grove, but especially from those who participated in the Annual Pony Club Halloween Parade 🧡👻🏴‍☠️🩰🧙‍♀️

10/21/2024

The Walnut Grove Farm IEA Team had an exceptional outing October 7th, earning High Point High School Team, and with Olivia earning High Point High School Rider ( ). Most importantly, the kids supported each other and had a great time. Thanks to Hunter's Ridge and Jakkal Hill for Hosting, and everyone who loaned horses for the endeavor. Next up, a lot of these young riders will be attending Trick or Trot at the Hamburg Showplex. Bella will be the lone rider representing us at Alfred University, and then it's off to Amy Hannsen's for our fourth IEA Show of the year. Goooo Wildcats!

10/05/2024

The pensive ('darn, they were going for thoughtful') IEA Team, and their families, worked hard last weekend to co-host our region's first two shows of the year. I was so proud of our village as they worked together to host concessions, have six horses handled, and cheer on their teammates throughout the days.

Captain Rory led the charge by being High Point Rider on Day One of the Show.

Thanks to Fuller and Company for hosting and Dunham Sport Horses for cohosting so the us. Thanks to Marlene for dealing with aaall the things. Thanks to all our WGF Families for tirelessly chipping in on this endeavor! We're so lucky.

09/17/2024

Happy One Year Anniversary (ish) to our Barn Manager, Ally! We've been so lucky to have our cheerful, hard-working, friend-to-all-horses, resilient Ally join the WGF Family.

Ally is my right hand woman, teaching lessons while I'm at shows (to rave reviews), farm-sitting and dog-sitting when we're out of town, and Walkowicz-child-entertaining when she can tell they need some attention.

If I recall correctly, she has never called in sick. (I hope I'm not jinxing her.) One blizzard, she awakened to 4' of snow and unplowed roads. She told me she couldn't get to me. Two hours later, with apologies and smiles and stories about her crazy drive, in whirled Ally.

I hear the One Year Barn Manager-versarry is a trip to ...

Thanks for all you do, Ally!

Ally Cat

09/08/2024

Walnut Grovers had a great showing at WNYDA USDF Houghton in July. Samwise and Sarah had quite the comeback after an extended period off. Kate A, Carlie, and Lily joined our force of dressage adults, with many personal and actual victories. I loved to see Monet so round, and Lily won a TIP Award. Lucy and Edgar were the Reserve Champion Young Rider from the first day of competition, and Kate W and Joee were the Reserve Champion Young Rider for Day 2. WNYDA volunteers never fail to make the show a fun one, and we all enjoyed ice cream while Kate W was presented with the 'Youngest Rider to Enter at A" for the show, and Sarah received something akin to The Comeback Kid for overcoming severe hardship and adversity to be able to compete again. 💕 It was a really fun weekend of dressage!

08/11/2024

Next up, we had State College, where and had a fabulous time at one of our favorite venues. Both students individually commented on their progress from one year ago, and Beth, well, Beth made good friends with the vet.

Thanks to our new Barn Mom and honorary Walnut Grovers, and and the crew at for the wonderful time, and thanks to Kate Walkowicz for being wonderful groom extraordinaire.

08/11/2024

I'm working through some belated posts instead of cleaning on my 'day off.' Walnut Grovers and friends enjoyed a wee XC School at GVH one sunny, June day. Not many pictures to be had, but we did have a lot of fun. Thanks to volunteers for all the groundskeeping, fence maintaining, and good will that help keep us spoiled with opportunities.

and a

08/04/2024

The WGF IEA Team is seeking new members! Our 5th through 12th graders compete in Hunt Seat Equitation in Zone 2 Region 1 of the Interscholastic Equestrian Association. Our Teams often perform really well, but, more importantly, we have a lot of fun competing as a close knit team on the lovable school horses, and privately owned/generously loaned horses, from our area.

Shoot us a PM here or email the coach at [email protected] if you'd like to join us!

07/02/2024

We were so happy to have Hasty Hills add a show on June 15th. As always, it was a great event; my favorite part is seeing my olders, who used to be youngers, helping the new 9-11 year old set. Congrats to Rory and Karen on their Champ and Reserve Champ pinnings in some competitive groups, and to Olivia for having one of her best rounds to date in the highly competitive Derby. The littles had one of those days where they learned a lot, and gained a lot of information on what to work on this summer before their next outing. Several people tried to buy/steal Rubin and Boston, and the siblings spent record amounts of money at the snack stand. Fun was had by all!

📸 cred: moms.

07/01/2024

As I like to say every time I post over the summer, I'm falling woefully behind in my braggy show posts! As per usual, I can't remember anyone's placings, but the ribbons don't matter as much as what I do remember:

June at Lehman Farms remains one of our favorites to attend. We had six WGFers play in the jumper ring Friday night, and all made me proud conquering their individual 'demons' ranging from memorization to perfectionism, having fallen in warm up to planning to be huntery in the jumper ring. We had several 'move-ups' to 2'6" in the hunter ring, and even those new to the height held their own beautifully. Congrats to Christine, Maddie, Lucy, Olivia, Shayla, Karen, and Nikki for a really great show!

06/12/2024

It's that time of year, again! We're looking for help with hay season (at our farm in Alden, NY). It will start up any time now and we do about 3500 bales. We like to have a few fairly sturdy, regular members of the crew, and a text group with others who can pitch in when they're available. Pay is commensurate with usefulness. Please contact me asap with interest, and start recruiting your strong, tough friends!

05/21/2024

East Aurora Pony Club teamed up with Alley Cat Pony Club on Saturday to share our strengths: Alley Cat taught East Aurora games techniques to be used at future PC Games Rallies, and East Aurora taught Alley Cat the rules and regulations of Tetrathlon Rally Show Jumping. Both teams also practiced the shooting and running portions of Tetrathlon. It truly felt like a day chock full of the type of learning and camaraderie that is all about!

We didn't quite get a pic of the whole group, but photo credits to the parents who captured these.

05/20/2024

Lucy and Edgar, and Christine and Romeo had a great first show of the year at the GVRDC Combined Test at Fox Run Farm. The weather was gorgeous, and Lucy and Edgar put in a very thoughtful, controlled test. Christine piloted Romeo through his first dressage tactfully. After clean Show Jumping rounds, both women ended on their dressage scores, Lucy in 1st and Christine in 3rd in their respective classes.

Thanks to David Chugg and Courtney LaBarbera for holding the event despite their recent rainfall. It's painfully hard to see your land taking a beating, knowing the time you put into maintaining the grounds before and after these events. We truly appreciate having a beautiful, well laid out place to go regardless of what Mother Nature tossed at you. Thanks also to the volunteers who make these events happen and tolerate nerves and griping. Hopefully you hear more "thank yous" than "yeah, buts." We see and appreciate you.

05/12/2024

Dear Barn Moms,

I see you figuring out rides to the barn and navigating 5:00am-8:00pm horse show days.

I see you working extra shifts so that your kid can horse more.

I see you organizing concessions and raffles and entries.

I see you not throttling your kid for losing their fourth left show glove.

I see you feeding, sun blocking, dressing, and wiping down your kid who likely got ketchup on their $70-$190 show breeches while you graze an 1100lb animal you may or may not know what to do with.

I see you juggling all of this while helping other peoples' kids (cough including mine) and doing all the same things for your other kids in other activities.

I see some of you doing all that while wishing you were the one competing or while competing yourself.

I see you behind the camera at every show, leaving me with just a few, mainly unflattering, pictures of you at your show mom job. (I almost didn't make this post because I'm missing pics of most of you!)

From the bottom of my heart, thank you, because without you all, this job of mine, and this sport of ours, couldn't exist.

I will keep making your kids drop their stirrups when they're rude to you, and remind them to thank you and tell you they love you.

Happy Mother's Day,
Beth

PS Barn Dads and Barn Grandparents-I see you, too, but, it isn't your day.

Address

11564 Genesee Street
Alden, NY
14004

Telephone

+16073683490

Website

http://www.walnutgrovefarmny.com/

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Walnut Grovers*-Mark your calendars and RSVP for the 10th (ish?) Walnut Grove Farm Event Cup! Compete in all four phases for the chance to get your name on the coveted cup, or compete in Dressage Only, judged by Kim Blaszak (treated like a ride-a-test clinic with two shots at one test). Leadline available! To spread the school horse usage, the show will be held over two days, so you may opt for Saturday 8/12 or Sunday 8/13. Awards will be doled out at shows' end Sunday. Sign Up on the barn bulletin board, but it's only 'official' when you've paid your entry fee. (Three riders per school horse for the weekend, so rsvp early to get your favorite creature.) As always, the awards will be given to an equal-numbered junior and senior division. Riders may have a buddy for optimum time, but it will mean forfeiting your ability to be 'on the cup.'The Written Exam will (again) be titled "Are You Smarter than a D2 Pony Clubber?" (Google USPC D2 Testsheet)*Walnut Grovers constitute anyone in at least semi-regular lessons at WGF over the 2023 year.Volunteers needed Friday before and both days of...#dressage #optimumtime #showjumping #eventing #writtenexam #walnutgrovefarmeventteam #walnutgrovefarmdressageteam #haveyouhuggedaschoolhorsetoday #thoroughbreds #pmubabies #morgans #draftycreatures #quarterhorses #paints #tatertot #leadline

If you are a student at Walnut Grove, join us for The Walnut Grove Farm Event Cup 10/1 and 10/2. Dressage Judging by Bobbie Kerr. Written Test and Show Jumping Judging by Beth Walkowicz. Optimum Time Judging by one of you with a stopwatch. 'Dressage Ride-a-Test' an option as well. Closing Date: 9/26 *I know the video says it's September 15th, but it's A LIE. 10/1 and 10/2! Sign up in the barn!

Moments in Professionalism, brought to you by a ten month old puppy. #goldenretriever #goldenretrieversofinstagram #nevermore #walnutgrovefarmagilityteam #baysfordays #charlesowen #edgar #draftcross #ariat

I could just write, "At the final regular season show in Alfred last weekend, our Middle School Team won Grand Champion for their third time out of five shows. Clare won double blues and brought home Middle School Reserve Champ Rider, Rory and Alexis put all the pieces of their season together and won their classes, Alejandra had personal best rides, Addison, Olivia, and Kaleb took home seconds, Lucy and Bella took fourths in large classes, and everyone who could qualify for Regionals (even if it was a long shot), qualified! What a day! We couldn't have done it without our perfect draws. Thanks to Alfred U and High Times for hosting." But then I wouldn't be me, would I? December saw one of our toughest moments as a team. I didn't think that those it affected would have the mental toughness to have recent troubles on their minds, ride well, and support one another, but they really did. They did all that, and they did it with determination, visible nerves, grace, maturity beyond their years, humor, and the beginnings of forgiveness. They did it because they love horses and riding; and because they want to do right by each other. They're probably not going to grow up and be axe murderers, after all. #butlockyourdoorsjustincase #notabouttheribbons #rideiea #zone2region1 #canwecallfutureschoolmiddleschool #haveyouhuggedaschoolhorsetoday #winnerwinnerchickendinner #mentaltoughness #ponyclubproud #charlesowen #ariat #tipperary #samshield #lookoutregionalsherewecome #walnutgrovefarm #walnutgrovefarmieateam

Mini Cooper is looking for an intermediate rider to dote on him and take him to all the things. He is easy enough on the ground for my five year old to lead, bathe, and tack up, and he's great for trailering, the farrier and vet. During the summer, he was a solid citizen for my young Pony Clubbers and walk-trotters, and was simultaneously being leased by a petite 18 year old who kept him tuned up. In early fall, he was an asset at the IEA Show that we co-hosted. After a lengthy warm-up by one of my more advanced kids, he went on to earn many ribbons for the Future School flat classes. The weather turned cold, his leaser went to college, and we have a slightly different Mini Cooper: Still adorable. Still cuddly and safe for my little people on the ground, but Winter Mini Cooper is frisky (some bucking in which his front end seems to disappear). I told him I'd find him a kid with a great leg and seat to spoil him rotten in the manner to which he'd like to grow accustomed. Please email [email protected] for more information.

When I see my students cooling out together on an unusually gorgeous March evening, chatting away on saintly creatures, I think of my teenage and pre-teen barn days: Don Quixote with cornstalks with Johanna Freeman, dirty booger contests with Pete Ostrower and Flynn lying down to roll with Sarah Ostrower in the back field, Railroad Track memories with Marcea Funk, piggy back rides from Chris Johnson, Camp with Troy, Marissa Edmonston, Cait Peukin, Kate Scissors, and Kate Stripes, bribing the older kids with my lunch Doritos to put my bridle back together, and fair week at the Beers with Jenny Weeks. So much more that I'm not remembering right now...Thank you, Becky Backer 📷 Credit: Lisa Mullen #haveyouhuggedaschoolhorsetoday #whatawaytogrowup #brentwoodcamp

When Gryff the cat joins the Adult Brunch Group Quadrille, outside December 12th! #lessonsoutside #walnutgrovefarmadultlessons #sunnybuffalo #walnutgrovefarmdressageteam #shoulderin

My Comp Team Group wanted 'in' on the no hands/no stirrups gridwork last night and made good choices as we went, pushing themselves but also knowing when it was time to scoop their irons back up. Kaitlyn wins for finishing out the night hands-free and stirrups-free. Clare wins for knowing that Boston needed her a bit more 'present' and experimenting with both no hands and no stirrups. Carlie wins for taking Peppy through her first three-jump grid and over any height (in our time with her). Check out Carlie's release and Peppy's hind end! 😍 More pics and vids on our Instagram! #ProudOfThesePeople #AlwaysProudOfTheHorses #NoStirrupsNovember #SeeYouSoonAdultGroup #Muhwahahahaha #EvilLaughHashTagsForTheWin

11 year old Olivia sees your No Stirrup November and raises you a set of reins. #WalnutGroveFarmIEATeam #EastAuroraPonyClub #LookMaNoHands #NoStirrupNovember #BeginAgainHorseRescue #SherlockSuperPony @olive_oil_eventing

That's a wrap for Lehman! Thanks to the Millers, Liz Pinto, and Naomi for a great show. Thanks to the parents who supported their kids. Thanks to the horses who tolerated these people 😄 Good kids. Good ponies. Good times. #haveyouhuggedaschoolhorsetoday #walnutgrovefarmieateam #rideiea #unitedstatesponyclub #eastauroraponyclub #walnutgrovefarmhulateam

Walnut Grove Farm

11/18/2024

11/12/2024

11/07/2024

10/31/2024

10/21/2024

10/05/2024

09/17/2024

09/08/2024

08/11/2024

08/11/2024

08/04/2024

07/02/2024

07/01/2024

06/12/2024

05/21/2024

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