Goose Pond Equestrian Center

12/10/2024

Snow Princess

11/09/2024

Everyone is talking about their favorite deals at Equine Affaire this year. Mine is - was I happy to see the Dapple Jump Cups people back this year! I love these jump cups! Easy to install with one hand (no pins), all weather durability, and no sharp edges! You may need to redrill your jump standards as they are a little thicker than ordinary jump cups. I’m slowly building my collection. This photo shows their shallower version for holding board jumps.
(I also get pretty enthusiastic about real maple syrup…haha!)

10/17/2024

10/17/2024

Thank you everyone for coming to ride in the Goose Pond Equestrian Center Gymkhana series this season and having FUN! It was a lot of fun hosting you all. We had creative bunch for our costume class too!
Thanks to our sponsors United Ag & Turf - Northeast, Poulin Grain, Horse and Rider Books, and our prize donors Strafford Saddlery, Kellyville Horse Supply, High Pastures Tack & Apparel.
Special
Thanks to Karla Marie for helping organize and run this show - you are amazing!
Be sure to check out Valia Photography for the GOOD photos at our events (in the meantime you can squint at my iPhone pics…)

10/10/2024

CANCELLED - we are sadly cancelling the Very Small Equine, Mini and Donkey Fun Show scheduled for Sunday Oct 13 due to lack of entries.

Everyone who attended the August show had a great time - THANK YOU!
Help us to put on more of these VSE Fun Shows next year with your feedback and suggestions! How many shows should we offer - 1 , 2, 3? What months are better for your planning? (July is booked out already.)
Is Saturday or Sunday better?
Are there other classes you would like to try? What did you like about this year’s classes? Let us know!

10/10/2024

CLASS LIST for Saturday, October 12th:

1. Witch's Broom Race (Speed Barrels)
2. Witch's Web Race
3. Witch's Cauldron Race (Barrel Race)
4. Witch's Hat Race
5. Witch's Thumb Race (Dash Race)
6. Costume Class we will have winners for the Youth and winners for the Adult divisions! This class does not count towards the day end classes 1 thru 5 points. This is a free additional class!
Note: we will not have a mystery class this show as we will be offering a FREE costume class with prizes for all to join

10/08/2024

CANCELLED DUE TO LACK OF ENTRIES

Come play at our Fun Show for Very Small Equines, Minis and Donkeys at Goose Pond Equestrian Center this Sunday Oct 13 (see flyer in photos). The show in August was a blast! BUT we need 10 completed entries by Wed evening (Oct 9) to run the show or we will have to cancel. Check the Goose Pond Equestrian Center FB page to confirm show status.

10/06/2024

Make Them Carry Their Saddle
A father of a darling girl and I were talking last week and he said that he wanted his daughter to ride more and not have to do the work part of the catching, grooming, and saddling. I smiled as I explained.
Riding horses is a combination of strength, timing, and balance. Kids in this country are physically weak (unless they are actively involved with weight training and physical conditioning 4+ times a week.)
When you walk out to the field, you are clearing your stress from being under fluorescent lights all day; feeling the sun soak into your bones. As your body moves on uneven surfaces, it strengthens your legs and core.
When you groom your horse (especially currying), you are toning your arms and stabilizing your core.

When you carry your saddle, your arms, chest, and back are doing isolated strengthening work.
Being near horses, calms and makes you tune into the splendor of these empathetic animals.
When you ride at a posting trot, it’s equivalent to a slow jog calorie burn wise.
After a lesson, the riders are physically tired and mentally quiet and balanced.
Horses feel your heart beat and mirror your emotions back.
Riding large and somewhat unpredictable animals makes you resilient and pushes your expectations.

Working with horses is so much more than learning how to ride.
So parents, make your children carry their saddles. Don’t do the hard parts for them, as long term it actually hurts them. To advance with their riding, they must get stronger. You can help by doing the high parts.
I love having you all at the farm, and am so grateful to get to share these fascinating animals with you.
Hannah Campbell Zapletal

10/05/2024

Thanks Hayley!

10/05/2024

We had such a fun schooling show on Sunday! The weather was terrific, the footing was perfect and people seemed to have a great time! We had good sized groups from All The Class Equestrian and Lazy Pony Farm with others from Wild Rose Equestrian and Lucky Star Stable. Hayley from Valia Photography showed up to shoot her great photos too.
Thank you everyone for coming to these schooling jumper shows and taking the opportunity to get your green horses and your young riders out in a supportive environment. Here’s hoping they all go on to keep riding and having fun with their horses!
And as always, thank you to our sponsors United Ag & Turf - Northeast, Poulin Grain, and prize donors Horse and Rider Books, Strafford Saddlery, Kellyville Horse Supply and High Pastures Tack and Apparel.

09/24/2024

More iPhone photos from Sunday’s gymkhana.
Kudos to all our riders of Minis and Shetlands! You kids and your short legged partners ROCK!
Extra special kudos to NAPOLEON of Lazy Pony Farm - this little guy and his riders completely OWNED the Mystery Race, where Napoleon accurately and quickly pushed the giant ball through the cones. He was only beaten in time because of the broad rules also allowing riders to push the ball, climb back on and gallop back. (We would have been there until midnight if only the horse was allowed to move the ball!) I need to figure out a special prize for him as he was the real winner!

09/24/2024

Thank you everyone for riding at our gymkhana on Sunday! It was exciting to see so many young riders participating in this sport, not only being challenged themselves, but supporting their friends and fellow competitors. Camaraderie was in the air!
Thank you also to our sponsors United Ag & Turf - Northeast, Poulin Grain,Horse and Rider Books, Strafford Saddlery and donations from Kellyville Horse Supply.
Look for your fantastic photos from Valia Photography too!

09/22/2024

Come join us for our final Schooling Jumper Show of the season this Sunday Sept 29 at Goose Pond Equestrian Center in Canaan NH.
This show offers flat classes in Leadline, Walk/Trot and WTC, in addition to our jumper classes starting at 18” crossrails. Unjudged warm up rounds offered at all heights.
Come show in a fun supportive environment!

09/20/2024

Gymkhana at Goose Pond Equestrian Center this Sunday, September 22nd starting at 10am!

CLASS LIST for Sunday, September 22nd
1. Speed Barrels
2. Big J
3. Barrel Race
4. 3D Jackpot Barrel Race $25 entry (must have 10 entered to run)
5. Pole Bending
6. Single Pole Burn
7. Mystery Class $5 entry- winner takes all!

09/15/2024

Central Vermont Dressage Association held a well attended Working Equitation clinic with Stephanie Hayes today here at GPEC. The weather was great and everyone seemed to have fun! Thank you CVDA and Stephanie!