Maine Equine Sports at Crystal Lake Farm

08/25/2024

What a day! I’ve been dreaming of Eventing again…but with R+ training of course. After competing in Hunter/Jumpers quite intensely with the ponies this year and developing the herd for sport with R+ training I know it’s possible. Keeping safety, joy, and welfare at the top our focus will be important of course. It’s going to continue to take the hard work, dedication, compassion, and time that we put into our training here, but it’s possible non the less.

Today we took a step at exploring this with students by attending a local 2-Phase! It certainly came with its obstacles but I’m continually inspired by this group. After seeing how excited each student was and the determination in their eyes as we explained the steps to getting to compete in a 3-Phase with our wonderful horses (heck I can’t wait for day to be on cross country again), I’m reminded how small the challenging days are in the grand scheme of things and how important they are for developing grit, character, horsemanship and sportsmanship. And oh boy do they happen, and it’s important to know limits, compromise, and allow horses choice - even if the answer isn’t the one we want.

Grace & Spicy Pickle
✨1st in Introductory Combined Training

Liliana & Moon Affair
✨3rd in Pre-Elementary Combined Training

Maddie & Spicy Pickle
✨2nd in Pre-Elementary Combined Training

Each of these students & ponies have come so far this season! I’m so impressed with each of them and how they navigated today!

Thank you to everyone who supports us & makes these experiences possible! Our herd’s wellness team, Erin for use of her trailer, Nik for being the best co-Coach I could ask for, incredibly supportive parents of students, fellow students who came out to cheer on MES, show management, and so many more. Thank you all 💕

Great work team! I’m so proud to call myself your coach!

Your coach,
Kate

PC: Amy & Renee

08/18/2024

Wow! What a day! We had a very rewarding day showing at Life’s A Ride with so much of this season’s hard work paying off! Plus, Kate hopped on Pharaoh (aka Moon Affair) for some fun. With Pharaoh being such a key member of the program, Kate hasn’t shown him in well over 3 years. A fun, emotional and rewarding day to say the least!

⭐️Gabby & Moon Affair⭐️
🐴1st Leadline Hunter Seat Equitation
🐴2nd Leadline Hunter Seat Pleasure

⭐️Grace & Moon Affair⭐️
🐴5th Hunter Breeding Ponies

⭐️Grace & Spicy Pickle⭐️
🐴1st Walk-Trot Equitation (11+)
🐴2nd Walk-Trot Pleasure (11+)
🐴1st MeHJA Walk-Trot Poles Medals

⭐️Maddie & Spicy Pickle⭐️
🐴4th Hunter Breeding Ponies
🐴5th Ground Poles (Jumpers)
🐴4th 18” (0.45m) Baby Green Puddle Jumper A
🐴5th 18” (0.45m) Baby Green Puddle Jumper B
🐴3rd 18” (0.45m) Take 2 Baby Green Puddle Jumper A
🐴3rd 18” (0.45m) Take 2 Baby Green Puddle Jumper B
🐴1st Hunter Pleasure Horse

⭐️Kate & Moon Affair⭐️
🐴3rd Ground Poles (Jumpers)
🐴2nd 18” (0.45m) Baby Green Puddle Jumper A
🐴1st 18” (0.45m) Baby Green Puddle Jumper B
🐴2nd 18” (0.45m) Take 2 Baby Green Puddle Jumper A
🐴2nd 18” (0.45m) Take 2 Baby Green Puddle Jumper B
🐴3rd Hunter Pleasure Horse

⭐️Kate & Spicy Pickle⭐️
🐴6th Easy Does It Hunter U/S
🐴6th Easy Does It Hunter O/F (18”)
🐴2nd Easy Does It Hunter Stake (18”)

Congratulations team MES! You worked so hard for this!!

A huge thank you to everyone who made today possible! From our team being so involved & their families so supportive, everyone who helps keep our horses happy & healthy, to Erin lending us her trailer, and of course Life’s A Ride putting on another wonderful show! Lots of thank yous are deserved all around!

08/17/2024

We’re so excited 🤩 to welcome for a clinic at in October!

What is there to learn in this clinic?

✨Learn the science and theory of positive reinforcement, including classical and operant conditioning and how it applies to your horse in training.✨

🐴Establish clarity by having a detailed plan for your goals, ridden or on the ground. 🐴

⭐️Watch as Shawna and Jessie work to create clarity and build relaxation in each session where things won’t always be going according to plan!⭐️

🟢 Learn how to address the specific issues your horse has by changing the way his brain works… it’s neuroscience! 🟢

Learn more about the clinicians (Shawna & Jessie) and the clinic focus here: https://angelic-base-918.myflodesk.com

Trailer in 🐴 OR work with one of Maine Equine Sports’ horses.

Options for auditing or participating currently available.

Find more info & sign up 🤩 here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSey6ufhheroV-XfxcZCDO6s0fa-a3if_dLKD6mNCR9kQHjnCg/viewform

08/11/2024

We felt so lucky to have a beautiful breeze at the farm yesterday keeping temperatures tolerable!

Our Teen Group learned lots about equine first aid including what’s in the barn first aid bin, TPR, and standing wraps from both Nik & Kate!

Students practiced standing wrapping a couple times and made incredible progress each time. These are valuable equestrian skills that take lots of practice to perfect!

Pharaoh was a perfect demo pony for this as he absolutely enjoyed being pampered with grooming and all the attention 🤩

Nice work everyone!

08/08/2024

Don't like reading online? Then you can download the Concordia magazine, print it off, and read it at leisure. Here is the link https://concordiaequestrians.org/magazine/
And it's free!

08/06/2024

We had lovely afternoon for groups this past Saturday!

Kid’s Club focused on grooming along with creating an obstacle course and practicing our fundamental clicker training skills through the obstacle course!

Both the Teen Club & Adult Meetup started with a look at behavioral training and the equestrian learning cycle. After that, they worked on obstacle course design and had practice time focusing on the fundamentals throughout the course!

07/31/2024

Many people, often without knowing, engage in training practices which can lead to ‘learned helplessness’, whereby a horse learns to ‘shut down’ in order to submit. Learned helplessness is associated with depression in humans, and occurs when animals learn that no matter what they do, they have no control over what happens to them; they feel powerless. ‘Breaking a horse’s spirit’ is a normalised practice, but it is unquestionably cruel.

Find out more here bit.ly/3Wku5fO

07/29/2024

07/20/2024

What a fun afternoon of Groups!

Today’s groups focused on two specific horse breeds, Arabians and Thoroughbreds as have 2 Thoroughbreds and 1 Arabian! We looked in depth at both of these breeds and practiced using a weight tape to measure weight and height to see where our horses fall within the breed parameters.

Every month we offer 2 Saturdays of horsemanship groups for students in our regular programs. This is just a bonus of being a part of MES and a way for us to share even more ground focused knowledge with our wonderful group of students. We run a Kids Club, Teen Club and Adult Meet Up for our groups! These are also a wonderful way to meet others at the farm and build new friendships.

Group topics range anywhere from equine nutrition to equestrian wellness, equine enrichment, training new tricks, equine biomechanics and so much more!

Interested in learning more about our program? Head to our website www.maineequinesports.com to learn more! Then book a Meet and Greet lesson before our lesson spaces are full! Kate‘s lesson schedule is filling quickly! We look for students who want to learn all about positive reinforcement training, equine behavior and value their time on the ground with horses just as much as they do in the saddle! We do offer groundwork only lessons too (regular lessons can be either riding or groundwork) and integrate these in for everyone as it’s just as important and fun as riding!

07/20/2024

Don’t forget! We have Shawna Karrasch coming here (Gray, ME) in October! Please be sure to sing up in advance so we ensure we have enough space for all. We do have horses available to work with in the clinic, room for a few haul ins, and auditor spaces available .

Learn more here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSey6ufhheroV-XfxcZCDO6s0fa-a3if_dLKD6mNCR9kQHjnCg/viewform

Download this app for free at: https://itunes.apple.com/app/id1544827472

https://www.facebook.com/horsetraining?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Shawna and Jessie teach people to successfully utilize positive reinforcement (R+) with their horses

07/16/2024

Everyone should give this FREE and well done resource a read!!

We are SO happy to announce the publication of our tenth Concordia International Equestrian Magazine issue!

https://concordiaequestrians.org/magazine/

This glossy, flip-page magazine is FREE to read online, it can be downloaded as a pdf and printed (click the three dots in the menu bar that's under the magazine) and all articles have a link to easy to read blogs for your phone.

This free publication is written and produced by a fantastic team of horse lovers - many thanks to everyone involved for giving their time and expertise for free - for the horses ❤️❤️❤️

Please share and help us to make the world a better place to be a horse 🙏

Once again filled with fabulous articles from brilliant writers including:

THE FIVE DOMAINS OF ANIMAL WELFARE a fantastic overview and graphics, by Cristina Wilkins, that you can print out and put on the tack room wall.

BUT NOTHING BAD HAPPENED! By Ben Hart

THE PRINCIPLE OF MARGINAL GAIN by Alison Lincoln

REFERENTIAL COMMUNICATION by Antonia Henderson PhD

PATIENCE, KINDNESS, & CONSISTENCY by Susan Gordon

RIDER POSITION & BALANCE by Karin Major

THE SECOND DART by Graeme Green

AUTHENTIC LEADERSHIP by Alison Lincoln

SEPARATION ANXIETY IN HORSES by Melanie Watson

PONIES IN A LANDSCAPE by Anne Currie

NOT JUST ANOTHER ANGRY VOICE by Maxine Kemp

WHAT A PAIN-FREE HORSE SHOULD LOOK LIKE
Research - Sue Dyson & Danica Pollard

WHAT IS CLICKER TRAINING? by Melanie Watson

and the ALLIANCE FOR HORSE WELFARE IN SPORT update.

https://concordiaequestrians.org/magazine/

Brought to you with the help and support of our Mother Ship, Athena. https://www.facebook.com/athenaherd.org

07/16/2024

Looking for something fun this summer for your tween or teen? We currently have space for one more student in each of our ✨Barn Weeks✨

July Show Prep Barn Week 7/22-7/26 Plus Show weekend 7/27-7/28

Horse Training Barn Week 8/12-8/16

Learn more here: https://www.maineequinesports.com/barnweeks

07/15/2024

What a day! The MeHJA Summer Classic is in the books. Students & ponies achieved many goals and overcame some obstacles! And most importantly had FUN with the horses! Students pampered the horses all day making sure they stayed cool, had plenty of good hay, water and tons of attention.

Showing is hard! Stress levels can run high, anxiety kicks in and sometimes we don’t ride the way we know we can or would like too. Yet, each student pivoted when challenges arose and continued to conquer their goals of the day! And guess what, that’s okay and such a great learning experience! All too often we witness riders get so caught up in the goal and loose sight of what we’re really there for pushing things too far. We love horses, the connection & relationship with horses, and being able to travel and do fun things with horses. Traveling off farm to train or to go to a show is a HUGE test of our skills & partnership developed with ethical horse training and just doing that is such an achievement in itself!

Maddie & Spicy Pickle
Holy moly has this pair developed this season! They’re absolutely shining in the show arena and pulled in some phenomenal placings and had many gorgeous canters!
🏆 3rd Hunter Breeding Ponies
🏆6th Short Stirrup Hunter U/S
🏆2nd Easy Does It Hunter U/S
🏆1st MeHJA Veterinary Fund Pleasure
🏆1st Hunter Pleasure Horse

Liliana & Moon Affair
Lili put in lots of hard work and achieved some big personal goals! This show was a big step in many ways and we ended up pivoting classes last minute to ensure Lili & Pharaoh still had a fun day with the right balance of stepping outside one’s comfort zone and feeling confident!
🏆4th Hunter Breeding Ponies
🏆 Short Stirrup U/S
🏆Lots of hard work and personal goals achieved! 👏🙌🏆

Gabby & Spicy Pickle
Gabby & Pickles are proving to be a wonderful pair! Gabby had an absolute blast trotting around in Leadline. The joy she brings to the show arena and farm truly show her love for these animals at such a young age!
🏆2nd Leadline Hunter Seat Equitation (7 & under)
🏆3rd Leadline Hunter Sear Pleasure (7 & under)

Grace & Spicy Pickle
This team caught us by surprise! Grace has primarily been working with Pharaoh but Pickles has proven to be a fun challenge for Grace to develop skills working with a higher energy pony. This was a big day for Grace & Pickles and they hit any & all expectations right out of the park!
🏆1st Walk-Trot Equitation (Riders 11+)
🏆1st Walk-Trot Pleasure (Riders 11+)
🏆1st MeHJA W/T Poles Medal

Lila & Moon Affair
Lila’s first off farm show! For first off farm shows we keep goals a bit more simple, have fun and complete the classes as first shows are naturally stressful. And Lila & Pharaoh did just that along with placing in 3 of their 4 classes! Nice work!
🏆6th East Does It Huntsr U/S
🏆 Long Stirrup Equitation U/S
🏆3rd MeHJA Veterinary Fund Pleasure
🏆3rd Hunter Pleasure Horse
🏆First off farm horse show in the books!

Kate & Spicy Pickle
Kate & Pickles had some wild competition being the only ones in their class! Pickles been working on being able to go back into the show arena after a long break during the day and still being relaxed. He & Kate did just that and had a lovely round with so much progress since the start of the season!
🏆1st Pre-Green U/S

Congratulations everyone!!

We were so happy to see one of our students, Rose, volunteering at the show with her mom, Penny! Thank you both for getting involved and helping our wonderful show association!

Thank you MeHJA for a wonderful show!

Thank you to Erin for the use of her lovely trailer!

And a huge thank you everyone who helped out! So proud of this group and their horsemanship!

07/11/2024

07/11/2024

💙💛💙💛

A huge thank you to the wonderful businesses, individuals, and families who sponsored the Ryan Home Project Fundraiser Show on 6/30!

A huge thank you to Graystone Stables who partnered with us in offering the use of their gorgeous facility for this wonderful fundraiser!

These sponsorships allow us to offset some Show cost in order to raise the most funds possible for the Ryan home project!

Thank you to our class sponsors:
🐴 Surge Diversified Therapies - Sadie Fowler - ME for sponsoring the MeHJA Walk Trot Poles Medal
🐴 Lucky Clover Stables for sponsoring the MeHJA Short Stirrup Medal, MeHJA Long Stirrup Medal, Short Stirrup Hunter U/S, Long Stirrup Equitation Flat, Short Stirrup Hunter O/F, Long Stirrup Equitation O/F
🐴 Maine Equine Sports at Crystal Lake Farm for sponsoring Hunter Breeding Ponies
🐴 Few Acres Farm, LLC for sponsoring Hunter Breeding Horses
🐴 Windsong Equestrian for sponsoring Leadline Equitation and Leadline Pleasure
🐴 H&N Transport for sponsoring Hunter Hack
🐴 The Fox Family for sponsoring Schooling Hunter U/S and Schooling Hunter O/F
🐴 Evermotion Equine for sponsoring Thoroughbred Hunter O/F and Thoroughbred Hunter U/S

Thank you to the following for their silent auction donations:
🐴 Kate Mcdaniel who donated 5, 30 minute lessons
🐴 Mallory Portraits who donated a photo package
🐴 Schnell Knit Wear/ Jessie Schnell who donated a bundle of bonnets
🐴 Mediocre-Custom Stall Signs /Courtney Guertin for donating 2 custom stall signs
🐴 Evermotion Equine Massage who donated a massage
🐴 Hannah Marie Photography who donated a Standard or Black Background Photo Session (winner’s choice)
🐴 Penniless Pony who donated a Stirrup Lamp
🐴 Melissa Morin who donated a book gift basket
🐴 Maureen Mahoney who donated a sparkle basket
🐴 Sandy Guptill who donated a quilt

Thank you to the following who donated prizes:
🐴 The Plaid Horse
🐴 Hannah Marie Photography

Thank you to Aroma Joe's Coffee for the trainer’s gift basket for the raffle!

Thank you all!!

07/09/2024

Little kid loves horses → Parents enroll little kid in riding lessons → Riding instructor tells little kid that in order to make the horse go they have to kick & spur → Little kid grows up to become a riding instructor who teaches the same thing to their own children. 🔄

And so this cycle will continue...unless a few brave souls are willing to step out and make a difference. 💪🏼

People want riding lessons. They want to jump, compete, etc. They want this because that’s what they are used to, that’s what’s shown on TV, and that’s what their friends do.

Trainers/coaches who are learning about R+ and still need to make money and keep their doors open get stuck between “giving the clients what they want” and doing what they think is best/better and teaching what they would prefer to teach… R+ focused riding lessons/horsemanship lessons.

There’s a fear that if they do what they see as better or what they want, they will not be able to keep the doors open as there isn’t a demand for it. They will lose their clients and not be able to pay the bills. A legitimate fear.

But the general population of horse people only know what to expect because of what the pros are offering and teaching… they don’t know what they don’t know.

Additionally if the cycle doesn’t stop somewhere, we will never see the change we are hoping for.

So, the solution ? Start teaching what it is you want to see change in the equestrian community and show your clients why it’s what they want/need. Meet them in the middle to some extent, but also show them a different way. Make it reinforcing for them, make it something they want and will start to come to expect from all other horse people too. 🐴

Don’t feel like you have to keep training using harsh and punitive methods just to ‘fit in’ or because that’s what’s being expected right now. You can step out and break the cycle.

Change is happening, and you can help it grow. 🤍

07/08/2024

07/07/2024

Team MES had a wonderful day at the LAR H/J Show affiliated with MeHJA today!!

We’re walking away with some great placings in some big classes and better yet, many goals and milestones accomplished ✅

Pickles has come leaps and bounds since his first show in April! In April, he was overstimulated (rightfully so!) and struggled to hold a trot or canter in the show arena. Kate ended up emergency dismounting at one point and made the best choices for Pickles. Since then, Pickles has built up tons of confidence along with physical strength and has been shown by multiple MES students! Today he packed around ground poles in the jumper field, cantered and extended his trot in the hunter ring, packed around Leadline student Gabby, and even made his debut in the 18” jumpers! We’re so proud of you Pickles!

Pharaoh has brushed off his show knowledge and had a very successful day getting back to some over fences rounds in the show ring! He absolutely LOVED flying around the jumper field and also crushed it in the medal class. We’re so thankful to have such an incredible schoolmaster to learn from at MES who offers so much love and joy to everyone he teaches!

The results:

Gabby & Spicy Pickle
🏆 1st Leadline Hunter Seat Equitation
🏆 3rd Leadline Hunter Seat Pleasure

Maddie & Spicy Pickle
🏆 7th Hunter Breeding Ponies
🏆 4th Ground Poles (Jumpers)
🏆 3rd Ground Poles (Jumpers)

Liliana & Moon Affair (Pharaoh)
🏆6th Hunter Breeding Ponies
🏆3rd Ground Poles (Jumpers)
🏆2nd Ground Poles (Jumpers)
🏆6th 18” (0.45m) Baby Green Puddle Jumper A
🏆3rd 18” (0.45m) Take 2 Baby Green Puddle Jumper A
🏆8th MeHJA Short Stirrup Medal (18”)
🏆2nd Hunter Pleasure Horse

Kate & Spicy Pickle
🏆3rd Easy Does It Under Saddle
🏆3rd Pre-Green Hunter Under Saddle
🏆1st Hunter Pleasure Horse

A huge thank you to Lila & Jordan for not only attending to cheer MES on but who also jumped in to help out all day!

Another huge thank you to Erin for the use of her trusty trailer that we adore!

And a huge thank you to our incredible team (parents included), who’s sportsmanship and horsemanship continues to impress us and make us proud to call you a part of MES!

PC: Renee

07/06/2024

07/03/2024

It’s not about achieving perfection.

Becoming more aware of how the decisions we make for our horses impact them and operating with a greater degree of compassion isn’t about being perfect.

Opting to use the most compassionate training methods available, while still retaining safety and efficacy isn’t about never making mistakes.

In fact, the road to doing so is wrought with mistakes, particularly if you’re coming from a background of traditional training where use of punishment and highly aversive equipment was common and moving towards rewards based training.

Mistakes are par for the course.

We are only human and just like with animals, when we are “unlearning” previously learned behaviours, mistakes are going to happen.

It isn’t realistic to expect to shift methodologies so seamlessly that you just do so with no looking back. No mistakes. No reversion to the known comfort of doing things the way you have for so long, even as you start to know better…

The key is becoming more and more aware of when you’re making such mistakes and setting higher standards as you learn more.

The key is becoming a master of your own emotional regulation so that the temptation to use quick fix methods, that often come at the expense of equine wellbeing, becomes less and less.

The trick is to expand your training tool box in such a way that you eventually don’t even consider utilizing tactics that you would’ve once done without a second thought.

The truth is that when you’re improving as a horse person, it starts with the awareness of when you’ve made mistakes and a greater sense of discomfort and disappointment with yourself when you resort to them.

That’s a sign your learning has expanded, as you’re no longer accepting things that you once didn’t even bat an eye at.

The tricky part of this is that this part of personal growth is usually filled with internal discomfort and self deprecation, because as your standards increase, you become harder on yourself and are more easily disappointed when you don’t meet your new standards.

But, this new presence of mind is a sign of the growth that has already happened and the immense growth that is yet to come.

07/02/2024

We had so much fun at the Ryan Home Project Fundraiser Show this past weekend! We continued on our trend of new for MES riders with many new horse/rider teams entering the show arena, Pharaoh’s first outing of the season, students entering new to them classes, etc.

Our teams’ overall goal was the usual of to have fun and to enjoy this experience with our amazing pony friends! Each student had their own individual goals and conquered them. As a team running full force into our first full show season together we’re starting to find a level of consistency, routine, and pony predictability in the show environment. Riders are learning to navigate more independence at shows getting themselves and ponies ready, working with the horses off farm and supporting them as the individuals they area, jumping in and helping out, goal setting, show energy, and of course the nerves and emotions that come with horse showing.

Very nice work everyone and wonderful horsemanship & sportsmanship!

Grace & Pistachio
🏆3rd Hunter Breeding Ponies

Maddie & Spicy Pickles
🏆1st Hunter Breeding Ponies

Lili & Moon Affair
🏆2nd Hunter Breeding Ponies
🏆6th Easy Does it Hunter U/S

Gabby & Moon Affair
🏆1st Leadline Equitation
🏆1st Leadline Pleasure

Grace & Moon Affair
🏆1st Walk-Trot Equitation
🏆3rd Walk-Trot Pleasure
🏆6th MeHJA Walk-Trot Poles Medal

Grace, Lori & Moon Affair
🏆3rd Parent Leadline

A huge thank you to Erin for trailer use and everyone who check in on and cared for the rest of the herd at home!

Enjoy the last photo of Pistachio rummaging through the snack bag 😂

Thank you to everyone who sent along photos!

06/28/2024

Come learn from Shawna Karrasch Equine in October at Maine Equine Sports at Crystal Lake Farm!! Registration is open! Shawna Karrasch Equine Clinic

06/26/2024

We can’t wait to host Shawna Karrasch Equine for a clinic in October! Shawna Karrasch Equine Clinic

Sign ups are rolling in! Be sure to register soon to hold your space! We do have horses available to work with or you can haul in or audit.

06/24/2024

☀️ Want to get started with positive reinforcement but not sure how to get off the ground running successfully? Check this out… we are going to give some great things to some lucky people.

🍎Tell us the story of what you’ve been up to with your horse. Are there any lofty goals you want to achieve that seem impossible? We want to help you succeed! Feel free to share a photo with us that helps to tell your story. Then…

🥕July 1st, we will be selecting THREE different people to receive our starter kit (shown in photo) AND one free month of our membership. Selection based on 3 most inspiring stories.

🍏 So how do you enter?
1) Tell us your story in the comments below. Be as brief as possible without leaving out the goods!
2) Click the link I’m sharing below to get on the list so that we can let you know if you’re a winner.
3) Share this post