Sunny Plain Ranch

13/10/2024

We enjoyed a beautiful ride to the bunkhouse at SPR on Saturday afternoon. We have so many people in our community who we are thankful for. Thanks for the fun and friendship!

10/10/2024

Thanks to Laurel Vaadeland and Sask Horse Trials for the wonderful Derby weekend at Northwestequest. The coaching, the beautiful course, and great people made the weekend a treasure. Thanks to Kayce for the photos too! We are so proud of SPR horses and riders.
PS: All these horses and riders play polocrosse as well!

11/09/2024

The bunkhouse has had a facelift and a thorough cleaning. Ready for a camp out!

28/08/2024

I’m so proud of our Sunny Plain Horses. We had 8 horses playing in the Living Skies Polocrosse tournament. Here are photos of most of them:
1. Aeda, a spicy grey mare, was Davin, our grandson’s mount, in B grade.
2. Lazer, a reliable grey gelding, was ridden in the youth clinic and then was used in A Grade. A big weekend for him!
3. Ginger, the red roan, was ridden in the youth clinic and played C grade.
4. Callahan, the red roan pony, ridden by our granddaughter Violet, was in the youth clinic and D grade.
5. Guinness, a 24 year old bay TB, was in the youth clinic and played D grade.
6. Kit, not pictured, is a small bay TB mare, and was in the youth clinic and played D grade in her first tournament.
7. Beautiful Raven the dark TB mare, ridden by our daughter, Maria, won best horse and rider in B grade.
8. Ernest, Lance’s big bay TB played A grade!

26/08/2024

Wow. The Lalonde family made a huge contribution to our Living Skies Polocrosse tournament: $1500 cash sponsorship, plus volunteering, plus concession, plus two kids playing!

28/07/2024

Does your horse trailer weigh more than 10,000 lbs. fully loaded?
Are you certified to haul your trailer?
You are only exempt if your trailer is on a F plated truck and doesn’t have sleeping quarters.
Horse trailers without F plated trucks that are over 10,000 pounds fully loaded need a driver with a special license.
I just passed my heavy trailer G Endorsement driving test. If you are hauling and have an accident you don’t have insurance. Alf had his G Endorsement when our horse trailer was hit. There were no questions about coverage even if it wasn’t our fault.
The test is not easy and took practice and preparation. But you can do it!
Here are my tips for anyone else in the equine community who needs to pass this driving test. I posted practice videos for the circle check on an earlier post.
1. Make sure your rig is 100%.
2. Wear a safety vest.
3 Be prepared to do a 3-point turn. It’s in the professional driving manual. Alf had to do a 2 point turn so I practiced both. Most people I talked to lately did the 3 point turn which is easier.
4. Before backing put on hazard lights and honk twice.
5. Do not back into the other lane. You can pull ahead and straighten but it costs 2 marks.
6. Know where your wheels are at all times. Learn the off-track of your trailer.
7. Practice going down busy streets and turning without hitting the curb. Hitting the curb is at least 5 marks.
8. When driving in Saskatoon be prepared to go into the Biz Park for your turn. Then you drive in traffic down Idylwylld and 33 street. Many learner truckers are practicing in the area. Watch for the school and playground signs!
8. Follow signs exactly. Don’t turn from the shoulder when the sign says you have the whole lane for example.
9. Stop completely at stop signs—not after. Then proceed.
10. Talk aloud about what you see and plan to do.
11. With a heavy trailer know your braking distance.
12. You can ask some questions.
13. 10 marks off is a fail.

25/07/2024

Wow! We had an amazing time studying Sumchi Technique with the master herself, Beth Shaw. Beth is able to explain what is happening through the lens of western medicine and knowledge of anatomy as well as eastern understandings of the meridians. We witnessed firsthand, tissue and fascia changes in response to the massage patterns. Our learning continues! Our horses appreciate finding balance and comfort.
,
Sumchi.com

23/07/2024

In Saskatchewan you need a G Endorsement on your driver's license to haul a heavy trailer weighing over 10,000 lbs.
So far I've completed a medical, vision test, general knowledge written exam, written sign exam, and a heavy trailer knowledge exam. That earns you a learner's permit.
Next I need to complete a Pre-trip circle check.
Part one of the circle check is under the hood. Check all fluids, belts, wiring, batteries, and hoses.
All helpful tips are welcome!!
If you are interested, there are further practice videos posted below.
2. Exterior check of truck and trailer.
3. Check of hitch and coupling on truck and trailer.
4. Check of all truck and trailer lights.
5. Interior check of gauges, instrument panel, horn, wipers, seat belts, mirrors, windows, and switches.
After the circle check there is the driving test!
Yikes--maybe I'll post a practice video on that too.
PS: I PASSED!!!!
Thanks for all the tips:)

01/07/2024

Representing Living Skies Polocrosse club in the Bradwell Canada Day parade. Mark your calendars for August 24-25, 2024 at Sunny Plain Ranch. Everyone from Bradwell and area is welcome to watch our polocrosse tournament!

16/06/2024

From polocrosse in North Dakota last weekend to the Tally Ho hunter/jumper show this weekend. These 3 mares are versatile and willing. Great job Violet, Maria, and Chantelle!

02/06/2024

Alf has applied extra reflective tape to the back doors of our horse trailer. Many horse trailers are grossly lacking in high visibility.
Do the same to your horse trailer!!
It’s been almost 2 years since a semi truck hit our horse trailer fully loaded with 4 horses. We all walked away! One horse rolled out the back as the back tack area was pealed off.
We are extra vigilant now!

29/05/2024

When we built in 1991 we planned a large yard site with shelter belts according to the PRFA guidelines. We received over 6000 trees and followed the recommended spacings. We are so glad we planted those trees. It was a LOT of work keeping them weeded and watered. The kids helped!
We are still planting trees! Alf is the motivator. We have used volunteer pines from the shelter belts to line the driveway. The PFRA is no longer, but other organizations have emerged. Alf keeps ordering and planting more trees: around the polocrosse field and recently along the north side of a pasture. He uses plastic mulch and drip irrigation now. Thanks Alf Epp for your legacy!

13/05/2024

Season Opener at Sunny Plain Ranch.
Coming this long weekend.
Everyone welcome!

May 17-19 2024 Head Coach: Benn Armstrong Location: Sunny Plain Ranch All levels and abilities welcome including youth, new to polocrosse, and advanced. Camp out at SPR Friday to Monday. Self-Penning Available. Current Negative Coggins Required for panel pens near yard. Cost: Bridge City Polocrosse....

04/05/2024

Sunny Plain Ranch Fun Day
May 11, 2024
In case the google registration form doesn't work here is a screen shot of the registration. Just fill out and send a copy to [email protected]

04/05/2024

Haul-Ins Welcome!
Space is limited.
I think this form works!