Northwind Farm

08/25/2024

Entries are now open for or CCE Clinic/ Workshop-Competition/ EXR-Endurance X Ride at the Washington State Horse Park September 21/21
To find out more about this modern endeavor where no one needs to fail in order for the whole community to win. The positive energy is amply demonstrated by the smiling faces at the end! We are going to prove that it really is still OK to have fun at an equestrian event. Live music Saturday night!

Link to more information about this exciting new equestrian endeavor: https://crosscountryequestrianassociation.com

Enter here: https://form.jotform.com/241633399344159

Feel free to message me with your questions -Nelson Mittuch
Entries are going well, so please don't wait for the last minute to reserve your clinic spot. Early entries receive a free extra round for the CCR

YOUR COURSE. YOUR CHOICE. ENJOY YOUR HORSE.

08/23/2024

Looking at the calendar, our CCE offers a golden opportunity for a tune up the week prior to the Spokane Sport Horse 10th Annual Fall H.T. Remember Nick Larkin the former top-level eventer from New Zealand, winner of the inaugural Kentucky Three-Day Event on a Thoroughbred will be available for teaching and coaching at our Cross Country Equestrian Association weekend at the Washington State Horse Park September 21/22! So if you want some tips on how to get it done on a horse that hasn't been genetically modified to the tune of six figures here's your chance! Private/ semi private lessons in dressage/jumping will also be available by appointment in addition to cross country oriented clinic and workshops as well as the endurance oriented EXR. Feel free to message me with any questions.

Link to entry: https://form.jotform.com/241633399344159

08/22/2024

We are still looking for another feeder to add to our rotation! Contact Maggie Mittuch for details! We are open to responsible and mature 16-17 year olds if they have farm and horse experience, have parent permission and reliable transportation.

08/19/2024

What is the CCE Workshop/
Competition we are presenting at Washington State Horse Park Sep 21/22?
CCE is a brand new equestrian sport based around a cross-country jumping competition, that rewards a well developed partnership between horse and rider.

The competitor rides a course of obstacles, scoring points for successfully jumping and incurring penalties for errors and exceeding the course time. CCE is a completely objectively scored equestrian sport.

POINTS – PENALTIES = FINAL SCORE

The competitive goal is simple: to finish with the highest score.

The most unique feature of CCE is that every obstacle is optional, so a rider can choose whether to attempt an obstacle or to pass and ride on to the next. There is no penalty for passing an obstacle.This flexibility makes it much easier for competitors to do what is best for their partnership, and allows the partnership to progress toward their own goals.

CCE asks for a well trained and conditioned horse, and a knowledgable and capable rider, but does not require a singular talent such as incredible movement or jumping scope. The sport is about horsemanship and partnership as much as it is about athletic ability and skill.

CCE does more than just test these attributes - it creates the perfect environment for their development.

What are the main components of CCE?
The principal components of CCE are the Cross Country Ride (CCR) stage, and the Jump Off Ride (JOR) stage.

The CCR stage is a course of obstacles in an open setting with many outward similarities to an eventing XC course. The competitor rides at pace, jumping the obstacles in sequence, but may elect to PASS any of the obstacles. Courses are of moderate length similar to eventing, but are longer in the higher Classes of competition.

The JOR stage is a shorter and more intense course than CCR and has two or three sections, depending on the Class. The first section begins in an arena setting with many of the obstacles found in a show jumping competition. The course continues to an open setting very similar to the CCR stage, but may also include a Gallop section with no obstacles. In some Classes the course returns to the arena setting for an exciting finish to the competition.

Why CCE?
CCE was designed around 5 core values and a unifying goal.

Accessibility: dramatically reducing the barriers common to equestrian sports and allowing more horses, riders and organizers to participate and providing clear paths for everyone to progress.

Flexibility: a wide variety of competition formats and inclusive structures that allow more organizers to participate, which creates more opportunities for competitors; rules that allow competitors to choose exactly what is best for their partnership.

Horsemanship: developed at all levels and required at the highest; a well prepared horse and thoughtful tactical riding is fostered, incentivized and ultimately tested.

Partnership: developing the partnership between horse and rider, without the uncompromising pressures that can often damage this relationship.

Sensibility: designed to develop horses and riders of all levels, by asking the right questions, with straight forward rules absent of unnecessary rigidity.

A sport that returns equestrians to their origin… connecting with their horse.

08/18/2024

ENTRIES ARE NOW OPEN for our Cross Country Equestrian Association Clinic, CCR Workshop/ Competition, and EXR (endurance/hunter pace), at the Washington State Horse Park.
SATURDAY, September 21
Mounted CCE Clinic followed by CCE Workshop Completion.
Evening Social with LIVE MUSIC!
SUNDAY-September 22
CCE Workshop Completion
Additionally: Mounted Hunt Clinic with dedicated Hunt CCR Workshop/Competition (Special discount for Woodbrook Hunt Club members)
CCE founder Nick Larkin will be flying in from Kentucky and we plan to showcase what this new, inclusive and exciting discipline has to offer! There will also be some availability for private and semi private lessons Friday evening. Entry packages include stabling and associated Horse Park fees. Link to entry: https://form.jotform.com/241633399344159

If you have questions about what you should enter please contact me or get in touch via email: [email protected]

08/16/2024

Entries are now open for our Cross Country Equestrian Association Clinic, CCR Workshop and EXR at the Washington State Horse Park September 21/22 It's going to be an incredible weekend! Reserve your spot now. Early entry period is discounted and includes one FREE Additional Round for a Workshop!

Please click the link to complete this form.

08/16/2024

The EXR* stage offered by the Cross Country Equestrian Association resembles an endurance ride or hunter pace and may have some obstacles or athletic sections along the course. It should appeal to fox-hunters, endurance and trail riders, but is also perfect for conditioning. We will be offering two EXR's on the September 21/22 weekend at the Washington State Horse Park in addition to the CCR workshop and clinics. Building inclusivity in our equestrian community!

08/12/2024

Remember Nick Larkin the former top-level eventer from New Zealand, winner of the inaugural Kentucky Three-Day Event on a Thoroughbred will be available for teaching and coaching at our CCE weekend at the Washington State Horse Park September 21/22! So if you want some tips on how to get it done on a horse that hasn't been genetically modified to the tune of six figures here's your chance! Entries will be opening soon. Cross Country Equestrian Association

08/11/2024

Good to see bit of moisture on the deck this morning!

08/08/2024

ANNOUNCEMENT: Cross Country Equestrian Association Washington State CCE at the Washington State Horse Park
SATURDAY, September 21
Mounted CCE Clinic followed by CCE Workshop Completion.
Evening Social with LIVE MUSIC!
SUNDAY-September 22
CCE Workshop Completion
Additionally: Mounted Hunt Clinic with dedicated Hunt CCR Workshop/Competition (Special discount for Woodbrook Hunt Club members)
Lots of à la cart options including clinic spots, multiple levels and rounds, as well as stabling etc. ENTRIES will be open Aug 13th we aim to please so if you are interested in a spot in one of the clinics, please message in advance. Nick Larkin will be flying in from Kentucky and we plan to showcase what this new, inclusive and exciting discipline has to offer!

07/29/2024

Let the games begin! Northwind Farm

07/24/2024

Planning is underway for our Cross Country Equestrian Association Clinic/Workshop/Competition at the Washington State Horse Park September 21/22! Looking to add a specialized section for those looking for a tuneup prior 24/25 Hunt season. Exciting stuff that illustrates the flexibility of CCE! Heading off tomorrow to 2024 Masters of Foxhounds Association of North America's Symposium on Hunting with Hounds in Charlottesville, Virginia. Hoping to absorb a lot of great information, and then Monday it's back to work!

Woodbrook Hunt Club

07/12/2024

I want our next Cross Country Equestrian Association CCE at the Washington State Horse Park Sept 21/22 to be a thoroughly enjoyable event for all concerned. How do we feel about having live music Saturday night?

07/12/2024

I want to our next Cross Country Equestrian Association CCE at the Washington State Horse Park Sept 21/22 a thoroughly enjoyable event for all concerned. How do we feel about having live music Saturday night?

07/10/2024

We have some really fun clients, a lot of lovely horses, and a wonderful facility. But we need another experienced feeder for feed and turn-in, turn out! I’m trying to fill two to four shifts before one of our great helpers heads off to vet school.
Please contact Maggie Mittuch directly for details. You MUST have equine experience, must be at least 18, and you must have dependable transportation.

Join the fun! Our barn staff are like family!

07/04/2024

Got to ride the course yesterday on my new Irish lad. Around 4 miles of beautiful Woodbrook Hunt Club JBLM terrain for the purpose of setting the distance in time. We had a blast! The course is beautifully laid out. Entries are still open: WHC 2024 Hunter Pace #2 - July 6, 2024:
https://www.striderpro.com/a/VLmzf5tW20eXHd5sGPSFsw...
The weather is going to be gorgeous!

07/01/2024

Pacific Northwest Hunter Pace double header: This Saturday in Washington: Woodbrook Hunt Club's Pace #2 on July 6th followed by a new Oregon event: Sherwood Forest Hunter Pace on Saturday July 13th - organized by the awesome Sarah Lorenz!
And in the spirit of building our community, Northwind Farm is offering a prize for anyone who does them both!

Links below:

WHC 2024 Hunter Pace #2 - July 6, 2024:
https://www.striderpro.com/a/VLmzf5tW20eXHd5sGPSFsw?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3bgxTJ5QJOIZ9eOW5B719nZPjF-c8Fj8khq2EX2z39DT19EyXXato0K-w_aem_ohqNuYrlnYBC2rj4wiZp5A

Sherwood Forest Hunter Pace - July 13th
https://form.jotform.com/241563216947057

06/27/2024

06/27/2024

Truth

Things your riding instructor wants you to know:
1. This sport is hard. You don't get to bypass the hard…..every good rider has gone through it. You make progress, then you don't, and then you make progress again. Your riding instructor can coach you through it, but they cannot make it easy.

2. You're going to ride horses you don't want to ride. If you're teachable, you will learn from every horse you ride. Each horse in the barn can teach you if you let them. IF YOU LET THEM. Which leads me to…

3. You MUST be teachable to succeed in this sport. You must be teachable to succeed at anything, but that is another conversation. Being teachable often means going back to basics time and time and time again. If you find basics boring, then your not looking at them as an opportunity to learn. Which brings me to…..

4. This sport is a COMMITMENT. Read that, then read it again. Every sport is a commitment, but in this sport your teammate weighs 1200 lbs and speaks a different language. Good riders don't get good by riding every once in awhile….they improve because they make riding a priority and give themsevles opportunity to practice.

5. EVERY RIDE IS AN OPPORTUNITY. Even the walk ones. Even the hard ones. Every. Single. Ride. Remember when you just wished someone would lead you around on a horse? Find the happiness in just being able to RIDE. If you make every ride about what your AREN'T doing, you take the fun out of the experience for yourself, your horse, and your instructor. Just enjoy the process. Which brings me to...

6. Riding should be fun. It is work. and work isn't always fun.....but if you (or your rider) are consistently choosing other activities or find yourself not looking forward to lessons, it's time to take a break. The horses already know you don't want to be here, and you set yourself up for failure if you are already dreading the lesson before you get here.

7. You'll learn more about horses from the ground than you ever will while riding. That's why ground lessons are important, too. If you're skipping ground lessons (or the part of your lesson that takes place on the ground), you're missing out on the most important parts of the lesson. You spend far more time on the ground with horses than you do in the saddle.

8. Ask questions and communicate. If you're wondering why your coach is having you ride a particular horse or do an exercise, ask them. Then listen to their answer and refer to #3 above.

9. We are human beings. We make decisions (some of them life and death ones) every day. We balance learning for students with workloads for horses and carry the bulk of this business on our shoulders. A little courtesy goes a long way.

Of all the sports your child will try through their school years, riding is one of 3 that they may continue regularly as adults (golf and skiing are the others). People who coach riding spend the better part of their free time and much of their disposable income trying to improve their own riding and caring for the horses who help teach your child. They love this sport and teaching others…..but they all have their limits. Not all good riders are good coaches, but all good coaches will tell you that the process to get good is not an easy one.

📝 Kimberley Reynolds

📸 Max & Maxwell: Equestrian Photography

06/07/2024

NOW CONFIRMED for the Washington State Horse Park September 21/22, Cross Country Equestrian Association Workshop/Competition. It's going to be a blast!!!

06/02/2024

"I really loved the gallop opportunities and the support for the OTTB was cool " - Sarah Airhart

Cross Country Equestrian Association

05/28/2024

What it's all about. ❤

Cross Country Equestrian Association
Rainbow Meadow Farm

05/28/2024

Cross Country Equestrian Association at Rainbow Meadow Farm

05/10/2024

Northwind farm has a limited number of boarding/training stalls coming available.
We have a great community at Northwind, with horses and riders participating in a number of fun and educational opportunities;
Fox hunting with Woodbrook Hunt Club, Eventing, cross country schooling, local jumper and dressage shows, trail riding, and the newest opportunity, Cross Country Equestrian Association with its soon to launch clinics, workshops and competitions (CCE).

Contact Nelson Mittuch for information!

05/08/2024

Northwind Farm has an opening for a part time horse feeder to join our barn staff.

MUST heave equine experience
MUST have reliable transportation
MUST be committed to the welfare and care of horses
MUST be hard working, diligent, punctual and have excellent attention to detail
MUST be 18 years or older

Interested parties should message Maggie, tagged in the header of this post. Do not message the farm.

Shifts are late afternoon starting at approximately 4:00 pm. Some possibility of weekend afternoons. Roughly 3 hours per shift. Work includes handling horses.

We are a 30 horse boarding and training facility located 3 miles from the Southworth Fweey terminal, across the street from the Banner Forest.

05/07/2024

I will be available for cross country schooling at the Washington State Horse Park this Sunday May 12th primarily for members of the Woodbrook Hunt Club, however there are a few spots available in some of the lesson groups. If you would like to take part, register with the Horse Park at the link below for Cross Country Schooling listing me as the trainer by close of business tomorrow. Additionally contact Maggie Mittuch asap to arrange your lesson spot. Looks like the weather is going to be great, should be fun!

This fee covers a 2-hour schooling session, per rider/per horse and includes the use of outdoor arenas and trails for the same day. SCHOOLING ARRANGEMENTS: Send an email request to [email protected] well in advance. Provide desired schooling date and time, number of riders, trainer’s name, ...

05/06/2024

We've done it! We have extended the early registration discount to May 17th for Washington State's first CCE Workshop/Competition! A core principle of CCE is inclusivity. That means HORSE, (OTTB thoroughbreds and others) and RIDER, including those who don't happen to be trust fund kids! A big part of inclusivity is affordability. One day cost of only $125 for non members to be involved in something new, fresh, and fun! Day will start with 2hrs of briefing and course walk. Coaches may assist on course. Did I mention that members of Woodbrook Hunt Club will be putting on HUNT BREAKFAST!

Cross Country Equestrian Association
Rainbow Meadow Farm

Please click the link to complete this form.