TopNotch Performance Horses OK

03/05/2025

👀new merch is in!!! Lmk if you want one of the new hats!!! We’ve got of course teal… but black as well!! 🩵🖤

02/14/2025

Roses are red 🌹
Violets are blue 🪻
The amateurs think that lessons are better
After a mimosa or two 🥂

💕Happy Valentines Day!!! 💕

And huge congrats to Dr Hardway for getting into OSU Vet School
Rachel Griffini Melissa Longhurst Kristen Felty
Erica Hardway

02/09/2025

Horses need horsemen. It's that simple. I get asked the same questions over and over again and nobody gets it. What level rider is this horse suitable for? I'll tell you, the best one she can get, the best horseman that's willing to buy her. The horse will only ever be as good as the rider. It doesn't matter if it's trained to jump hoops of fire, you're gonna bring it down to your level in no time. Your kid doesn't need a $15,000 horse if they haven't already had $15,000 worth of lessons. You can't buy a violin that will gift you the skill of playing. It's the same for horses. There is no magic horse, only a love for the animal, and a commitment to learning.

Most of you are so unfair and demanding of the horse you miss the forest for the trees. "I want a horse that rides out alone!!" well guess what, you better be ready to spend a year developing that relationship, that bond, that trust, she's not a bike, you can't buy trust.

"I want a horse that can sit and be the same after time off" well friend, this is a commitment to a relationship, not a classic car you take out of the garage twice a year. You can't buy what your looking for.

"I want a horse my kids can ride" you better be ready to teach your kids how to be horseman, because if the horse has to do it, you'll likely see the inside of an ambulance, or a morgue.

You can't buy trust, you cannot buy what comes with building a relationship with an animal over years

Horses are a commitment. Training and lessons are essential to keeping a horse and rider at the best of their ability and to help mold that relationship. Too good of a read not to share.

02/05/2025

🩵

We're wrapping National Mental Wellness Month with 𝟓 𝐃𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬, featuring Ali Hartman's 𝟓 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐥-𝐁𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠!

4️⃣ 𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐔𝐑𝐄
Managing the inevitable stressors of life (and horse showing) are skills that can be practiced and improved. Building resilience helps create a ‘stress buffer’ when the storms of life - big or small - hit.

𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗥𝗧 𝗦𝗠𝗔𝗟𝗟 - experiment with ‘positive psychology’ tactics that have been proven to work - gratitude journaling, “What went well” exercise, mindfulness/mediation/prayer, exercise, time outdoors…experiment and find what works for you!

𝗕𝗨𝗜𝗟𝗗 - get some professional guidance! There are many virtual therapy services available to help you through current issues and prevent future ones. On the performance end of the spectrum or if you need help on the ‘mental game’ side of our sport, check out Mental Athletics!

Check in tomorrow for another element or learn more about Ali Hartman's 𝟓 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐥-𝐁𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 at 📲 bit.ly/4jkpBR1

📸: K. Parker Photography

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02/04/2025

01/27/2025

Such a great program to get started into showing!

🎉 Get ready for 𝙨𝙢𝙖𝙡𝙡-𝙛𝙧𝙮 𝙘𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙨! 🙌 Designed for kids aged 9 and under, these fun walk-trot classes are offered in hunt seat equitation, hunter under saddle, showmanship, western horsemanship, western pleasure, trail, and ranch riding. And guess what? No horse ownership is required!*
🤩 𝙎𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝘿𝙚𝙖𝙡: Join AQHYA today and snag a special welcome gift for just $19 with code SMALLFRY!
🌟 Learn more here: www.aqha.com/smallfry
*Level 1 ownership rules apply.

01/25/2025

Never give up on your dreams! Even when you are too sore to walk the next day!😘

01/21/2025

Our amateurs love their stretching before lessons.

01/20/2025

𝟓 𝐓𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐰𝐬
Horse shows are exciting, but they can also be stressful. Here are 5 tips to help you stay calm, focused, and ready to shine in the arena:

1️⃣ 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗔𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲
Double-check your show schedule, pack your gear early, and map out your day to avoid last-minute surprises.
2️⃣ 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴
If you feel overwhelmed, take a few deep breaths. Inhale for 4 counts, hold for 4 counts, and exhale for 4 counts. Repeat to calm your nerves.
3️⃣ 𝗙𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹
You can’t control the weather or the judge’s decisions, but you can focus on your performance and your connection with your horse.
4️⃣ 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗥𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗲
Surround yourself with positive people, and establish calming rituals like listening to music or spending quiet time with your horse.
5️⃣ 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝘀
Every ride is a learning experience. Celebrate progress and moments of connection with your horse, no matter the results.

Stress is part of the journey, but with the right tools, you can turn it into motivation. You've got this!

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01/19/2025

Who is ready to ride today?!
Don’t forget sunscreen bc lessons are in the outdoor!!!! 🥶🥶🥶

01/17/2025

Or at our barn… we do both.

Make 2025 the year of doing something for YoU!!!!

Pm me to start lessons and get a little of both!

01/13/2025

I feel there are a few more pieces of the pie that could be added to this!!!

01/10/2025

We don’t always get snow so we decided to have some fun! Although Emmie had the most fun! Thanks for the amazing pics Rachel Griffin Photography! 🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼

01/05/2025

Start the new year with a new horse. We’ve got several for sale or lease. PM for more details.

01/01/2025

Happy New Year!!!!
Let’s have some fun! What is your horses New Year’s resolution?

Asher plans to spend the year begging for more treats and meeting some new lady friends 😘

12/28/2024

"How much for a lesson and what is included in that cost?"

How many trainers, stables, owners hear this question? We give a simple price and simple answer of $xx per 30 minutes for a private lesson, etc.

But what we really should be saying is you get all of this:

You get the years of knowledge and experience that a breeder put into breeding a quality animal that will be rideable.

You get the years of experience that it took to be able to properly select a horse safe enough for a lesson for your child.

You get the years of time spent by trainers and instructors putting education and mileage on the lesson horse to know how to do its job.

You get to use my tack that I spent hours searching for at the right price and fit, the saddle, bridle, martingales, bit, saddle pad, girth, half-pad. The halter and lead rope that brings it from the field. The hoof pick, curry comb, brushes, shampoo, hoses, buckets that we purchased to properly groom and bathe the lesson horse to keep them healthy for your lesson. You get the hay, grain, water, fly spray, wormer, vet bills, farrier and medicine, supplements, shavings, stall mats, barn, fencing, electricity, insurance, clippers, combs, rain sheets, winter blankets, towels, brooms, feed bins, water troughs, muck rakes, manure spreaders, washer, dryer, grooming boxes, saddle racks and horse trailer, tires, brakes and maintenance on the trailer and truck that hauls that is needed when the horse needs to go to the vet. You get the coggins, vaccines, dental.

You get the labor that goes into cleaning and feeding. The time and labor of the person who has to walk a horse thru the night that might be colicing. You get to put wear and tear on my farm, on the footing in my ring, my jumps and fields. You get the cost of my tractor and ring drag and their maintenance.

You get to let me put my lesson horse's health at risk when you ride them and hope for $xx they don't end up permanently lame.

There is a reason "we require a commitment to regular lessons.”

But, maybe people expect more for their lesson costs?

12/25/2024

Merry Christmas from the bosses of the barn!