Stone Gate Farm

01/09/2025

Starting a new way to celebrate 40 years of the Winona Horse Trials ...Thursday Then and Now. Awhile back we shared program covers, today we're going to show illustrations / pics of cross country fences. In 1985 we only ran Novice and Training, in 2025
and we will be running Starter through Modified.
1985 Illustrations https://photos.app.goo.gl/t5FmoVB1kuDxZLBS9
2024 picturse taken with ny cell phone. https://photos.app.goo.gl/TBGE8PCpQ6KYJVzcA

01/09/2025

In response to the ongoing volunteer crisis, the Area 8 Council has

01/08/2025

It's Winona Wednesday ... today's trivia question has two parts. In the early days, what was the entry fee for the horse trials and what was the starter fee?

01/04/2025

I've been spending the day going through old programs and pictures in order to get an accurate picture of The Winona Horse Trials through the years.

On every milestone competition beginning on the 10th anniversary I wrote "Sometimes I wonder why we continue to put on the events, Every year I ask myself this question on the days leading up to the event when I am nearly certain that I have lost my mind and my husband KNOWS that I have indeed lost my mind! Every year the answer is given to me on cross country day. I take great pleasure watching the horses and riders going out there and having a good time while they learn and develop confidence as they progress around the course. I'm happy that I have been able to provide them the opportunity to do so and I thank all the other organizers who provide me the opportunity to do the same.

The whole thing goes a little deeper than simply watching horses and riders galloping around and having a good time. It gives many people, who enjoy the sport, the chance to work together for something they really believe in and develop lasting friendships as well. We know we don't do this for the money, so we must do it for love. Love for the sport, the horse, for friends and family!"

I have already been asking for donations for the new show jumps and many of you have been very generous but what I really need at this time is for you to take some time and go down memory lane and send me some pics we can use for the slide presentation. What else are you going to do during this lovely weather?

Looking forward to getting some pics from you. Please e-mail pics to [email protected] with the approximate year, horse/rider, photo credit if known and any back story you would like to share.

01/04/2025

Willow Ridge Lesson Schedule - Janurary 5

11:00 Beg Nov
Grace Longstreth
Marissa Mitchell

12:00 Novice
Hali West
Jen Ahwesh

1:00 Training
Brandi Podboy Fish
Barbara Sprouse

2:00 Starter/Beg Nov
Laura Podboy
Amanda Gantz

3:00 Trn/Prelim
Brandi Podboy-Fish

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01/04/2025

Due to the weather and poor road conditions we are NOT going to do lessons today. If anyone would like to ride at Willow Ridge tomorrow, let me know soon so I can tweak the schedule.

Thanks. Stay warm

Jackie

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01/04/2025

FUN FACT FRIDAY!

Are you familiar with the many adaptations that help your horse stay warm during the cold winter months?

🌾 Hindgut digestion of hay produces the most heat, acting as a small furnace inside of the horse. This is why free choice; good quality hay is so important in the winter.

💪 Horses have a huge muscle mass and muscle activity produces heat. This includes running and playing and even shivering if their body temperature starts to drop. It is important to remember that these activities also will result in a bigger caloric demand so free choice hay and in some cases, grain, is often needed.

🧥 To blanket or not to blanket is a constant debate but either way, as it starts to get cold your horse will grow a thicker coat. If you decide to leave your horse unblanketed you may notice that they look “fluffy”. This is due to a phenomenon called piloerection where the hair stands up to better trap air within. Two layers of the coat also help with warmth. The inner layer is softer and has air pockets to create an insulating layer. The outer layer is coarse and has oils that keep moisture from penetrating the insulating layer and keep the horse warm.

⚖️ Wild horses go into the winter heavier than ideal, and the fat serves as an extra layer of insulation. However, if a horse is going to be kept heavily blanketed and in a barn during the cold weather months this is unnecessary and can lead to obesity related issues.

🦵Their distal limbs (below the knees and hocks) are made of mostly bones and tendons, tissues that are resistant to the cold temperatures.

🦶The hooves have an alternative route of blood circulation through larger vessels that can be used in low temperatures. This is why horses can stand in snow without detrimental effects.

👃A horse’s nose has a robust blood supply and is rounded so that it is less susceptible to frostbite than a human’s nose.
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Courtesy of the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee

01/03/2025

UPDATE: Lessons are cancelled!

We are keeping an eye on the weather for tomorrow. Before leaving home please check with me in case we decide to cancel. If you decide not to come please let me know as I really need a minimum of 5 to make the trip. Thanks

01/02/2025

As we close out 2024 and welcome 2025 I would like to take a moment to thank everyone who helped to make the 2024 season at Stone Gate Farm a huge success. Whether you were a rider, part of the rider's support crew, a volunteer, an official or friend, we appreiate you!

Click on the link below to see what plans we have for 2025.

Email from Stone Gate Farm Check out or plans for 2025 Happy New Year As we close out 2024 and welcome 2025 I would like to take a moment to thank everyone who helped to make the 2024 season at Stone

01/02/2025

Now that the holidays are over, it's time to owork on meeting our goals for the Show Jump Fundraiser. If you would like to help us to raise some of the needed funds to upgrade the show jumping course now is the time to do it. Any and all donations would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

01/02/2025

Updated 2025 Calendar. The links will work if you click on the link below

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LAQ0-1KyyS5TixfP-3VeOcgJ5jmMCzce/view?usp=drive_link

01/01/2025

Please take a few minutes to go through your pics and share some of your memories from your time at Winona. Thanks

01/01/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Dn85bR9EA/

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01/01/2025

Kicking of 2025 Winona Wednesday Trivia with a relatively ealy question by making it multiple choice. When was the last year that we ran dressage at the Canfield Fairgrounds? A) 1989 B) 1990
C ) 1992

12/28/2024

January 1 Update: the weather doesn't look great for this weekend but as of today I'm still accepting registration for Saturday at Bauer Equestrian Center and Sunday at Willow Ridge Stables and Heritage Hill Stables. At this time only Willow ridge is a go as the other two venues don't have enough riders. Stay tined for updates.

The sign up for Januarly lessons is now available.

Lesson schedules will be posted on FB, the SGF website and HERE January Calendar: January 4 - Bauer Equestrian Center: Click here for directions January 5 -Mornings at Willow Ridge Stables Click HERE Afternoons at Heritage Hill Stables Click HERE for directions January 19 - Shenanigans Stables which...

12/27/2024

12/26/2024

Hope everyone had a great Christmas. Looking forward to riding today but first I have to do Winona Wednesday Trivia question a day late. If you have been following WW, you know that in the beginning the only levels offered were Novice and Training. When was Preliminary first offered? Bonus question: how many entries were there? A) 10 or less B) 11 - 20 C) 21 - 30.

12/24/2024

I kind of wished the farm looked like this right now ;)