Massachusetts Horse June/July 2018

M A S S AC H U S E T T S

HORSE

BAY STATE POLO OPPORTUNITIES FOR EVERYONE

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contents

June/July 2018

Nature of Light Photography, ShawnTinkhamPhotography.com

columns 20 Can My Choice of Words Affect My Horse?

Horse Logic

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22 Mount Jefferson Conservation Area Hubbardston Trail Guide

32 Events Calendar Massachusetts Only

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features 8 Bay State Polo Opportunities for Everyone Lead Feature

in every issue 16 Caroline Ventura Embracing Each Horse’s Purpose Horseperson Feature

5 From the Publisher 7 Your Letters 24 Overherd 28 Partners 32 Events Calendar

14 Cavallo Equestrian Center

Farm Feature

18 Therapeutic

Equestrian Center Lend a Hoof

39 This Olde Horse 39 Junior Awards 40 The Neighborhood 42 Is This Your Horse?

Massachusetts Horse

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June/July 2018

From the Publisher

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Pocketful of Ponies Photography

he riding and driving season is here! Follow us on Facebook to see our coverage of equestrian events across the state: Facebook.com:MassachusettsHorse.

Miniature Horse Peanut feeling his oats during his first play session this spring at Pocketful of Ponies Farm.

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HORSE vol. 17, no. 1 June/July 2018

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the fine print The views and opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Massachusetts Horse staff or independent contractors, nor can they be held accountable. Massachusetts Horse will not be held responsible for any misrepresentations or any copyright infringement on the part of advertisers. Massachusetts Horse will not be held responsible for typing errors other than a correction in the following issue. All letters addressed to Massachusetts Horse, its publisher, editor, and staff are assumed for publication. Photos, stories (verbal or printed), notifications, news items, and all other material that is submitted, including all materials and photos not specifically solicited by Massachusetts Horse, are assumed to be legally released by the submitter for publication. Massachusetts Horse assumes no responsibility for damage to or loss of material submitted for publication. Reasonable care will be taken to ensure the safety and return of all materials.

Your Letters To the editor: My name is Holly and I happen to be the rider pictured in the Is This Your Horse? segment in the latest issue of your awesome magazine! That’s the beautiful, handsome Amber Champagne gelding that I have been working with for almost a decade. And yes, in the picture, we are competing in our first ever jumper show in a bitless bridle! (Thank you, Camp Marshall in Spencer!) Biscut is truly a wonder horse! And we are both completely honored to be featured in Massachusetts Horse.

Thank you so much for the month’s supply of SmartPaks and the two-year subscription to Massachusetts Horse. You are the absolute best! Nickers and thanks again,

Betsy Merritt Barefoot Performance Natural Hoofcare Orthopedic Trimming and Holistic Lameness Rehabilitation

Holly Morway and Biscut, Worcester

To the editor: The Oldest Riding Clubs in the Bay State feature in the April/May issue is fantastic! Thank you so much for taking the time to highlight the hard work, dedication, and enthusiasm to “keep on keepin’ on” that all our clubs exhibit.

Congratulations to all the boards of directors for reaching this milestone and here’s to the next generation!

Sarah Bonini, Westfield Riding Club president

To the editor: Thank you for putting the Spirit Ride in your Calendar of Events in the April/May Annual Events Issue. I really appreciate it. Thank you so much!

Let us know your thoughts!

Kate Raymond, Glencroft Farm, Easthampton

We’ll enter you to win a $75 Cheshire Horse gift card!

All letters received by July 5 will be entered in the drawing. Send your letters to: steph@mahorse.com or Massachusetts Horse, 99 Bissell Rd., Williamsburg, MA 01096.

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Bay State Polo Opportunities for Everyone

Nature of Light Photography, ShawnTinkhamPhotography.com

by Holly Jacobson

Amanda Roberts of Stage Hill Polo riding in the Myopia Polo Last Chukker Cup Season Finale Match on October 1, 2017.

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f you’ve ever wanted to try your hand at whacking a mallet from the back of an agile pony galloping across a vast green field, novice rider or not, the time is ripe in the Bay State, with expanded opportunities, beginner lessons, women’s teams, informal scrimmages, and high-level matches to accommodate any level of interest.

Polo has gotten off its high horse, so to speak, in recent years, from a sport catering to the leisure class to actively opening up the game for everyone to join the fun.

The evolution, or revolution, is a forward thinking survival move by the United States Polo Association (USPA) to spur interest via easier access to local clubs, intercollegiate and high school outreach, and creating affordable options.

A local sampling around the North Shore reveals quite a diversity in ages, riding levels, and economic means of newer players, who are spreading the gospel of polo’s virtues: the camaraderie, the horsemanship, learning strategy and technique, plus the flat-out thrill of speed and skill with a willing, athletic partner.

By making polo’s appeal more populist, USPA looks to keep an ancient game thriving in the modern era.

But if you’d rather enjoy the athletic spectacle from the sidelines, it’s all 8

June/July 2018

about the tailgate picnic with friends that range from casual to more elegant.

For a nominal fee, you get exciting, close-up action, complete with the feel and sound of thundering hooves. At halftime, it’s customary to invite spectators onto the grass field to help replace the divots kicked up by the horses’ hooves. This tradition is a great time to walk the field, take photos, and socialize before the second half of the game.

Playing the Game “Hockey on horses,” is how Mark Tashjian, manager and head instructor of Boston Polo in Georgetown, describes the stop-and-go action.

Ponies is the traditional term for polo horses that can range from 14.2 to 16 hands and are often Thoroughbred crosses or Appendix types that blend speed and handiness. “The horses know the sport and really enjoy the sport,” says Mark. “They know to follow the ball and if a rider hits a back shot, they will turn around on their own.” (A back shot is a backhand swing propelling the ball in the opposite direction.)

A handicap is a rating given to a player to indicate his/her skill level relative to another player. Provided to actively registered player members of the USPA, handicaps are expressed as goals that range on a scale from C (–2) to 10, with 10 being the highest. These

ratings are unrelated to the number of goals a player scores, but rather reflect a player’s skill, horsemanship, strategic ability, knowledge of polo, team play, and sportsmanship. In the sport’s history, only a few dozen out of tens of thousands have achieved the coveted 10-goal handicap. The sum of the players’ handicaps is the team handicap and differences can mean a goal advantage to one team at the beginning of a match.

Polo is unique among team sports in that amateur players, often the team patrons, routinely hire and play alongside professionals.

In field polo, two opposing teams of four riders each try to hit a ball into the other team’s goal. There are offensive and defensive positions but no goalies. The grass field measures 300 by 160 yards. That’s the equivalent of nine football fields or 10 acres!

The main rule is called the line of the ball — if someone is hitting a ball forward another rider cannot ride in front of the horse and rider as this may cause a collision. Players can ride alongside and try to hook the other player’s mallet while they are swinging or ride parallel against their horse so they can’t hit the ball. The line of the ball changes each time the ball changes direction.

All riders carry the mallet in the right hand to prevent collisions.

Thomas Rizzo

Peter Poor riding one of his all-time favorites, Chiquita, at the Stage Hill Polo School in Newbury.

Players are allowed to hit the ball from either side of the horse. You may hear the announcer point out a few specific shots, so be on the look out for these: Backshot : A backhand swing propelling the ball in the opposite direction.

Nearside : A nearside backshot is hit on the left side of the horse and propels the ball in the opposite direction.

Neckshot : Hitting the ball underneath the horse’s neck from either side.

Pony goal : When the ball bounces off the horse and into the goal.

As in hockey, fouls are called on potentially dangerous play that infringes on the rules. There are degrees of dangerous and unfair play.

Penalty shots are awarded by umpires based on the severity of the foul and where the foul was committed.

Field polo is divided into periods of 4 to 8 seven-minute chukkers, between or during which players change mounts. There’s a four-minute interval between chukkers and a ten-minute halftime. A game usually lasts one to two hours.

Arena polo is played with an inflatable ball in an enclosed arena. There are three players per team and the game usually involves more maneuvering and shorter plays at lower speeds due to space limits. The arena size is 300 by 150 feet.

Sunday Afternoons, Forever Peter Poor of Stage Hill Polo in Newbury can boast true polo DNA in his family that carries the sport’s tradition through generations. His grandfather started a polo club in Danvers in the 1930s and his daughters Jennifer, Amanda, and Alyson continue the passion.

Peter sums up polo this way: “There’s nothing as thrilling as hitting 38 miles per hour and you can just stop dead with your horse as quiet as a mouse.” Peter joined the Myopia Polo Club 60 years ago and currently serves as the USPA governor at large and chairman of the tournament committee.

He also owns and operates Stage Hill Polo, is a USPA certified polo instructor, and fills in as announcer at polo matches. With Amanda Poor coordinating the active schedule between Stage Hill Polo and the Myopia Polo Club, Peter divides his time between Massachusetts and Wellington, Florida, where his outreach is ongoing to cultivate students and broaden polo’s appeal.

Peter’s a huge proponent of bringing in people for the experience in an affordable way by offering Groupon and Living Social coupons for an introductory $38 lesson.

“It’s worth letting people learn that polo isn’t just for millionaires,” he says.

He says beginners and especially nonriders are welcome as they are a blank slate

to teach. For those who get hooked on recreational polo, it’s fairly simple to keep an older polo pony in the backyard, and pay arena fees to practice and play. “It’s just as much fun to get four individuals with two horses each and meet up with a similar team,” Peter says.

“There are lots of small clubs.”

Peter also notes that women players represent the fastest growing segment of the USPA, and that his daughters, along with countless others, were inspired by the late Sunny Hale who gave popular clinics in Massachusetts.

In the 1950s and ‘60s, Sue Sally Hale, the pioneer of women’s polo, would pretend to be a man, even donning a fake mustache to compete in professional polo. Her daughter Sunny Hale carried the baton, or in this case the mallet, forward. Sunny broke the barrier for women in polo when she became the first woman to play on a team to win the prestigious U.S. Open Championship in 2000, the first woman to be named the most valuable player of multiple top-flight tournaments, and the first woman to receive a five-goal handicap.

In 2005, Sunny founded the Women’s Championship Tournament, an international women’s polo league that opened the door for more girls and women to play. She helped revive the U.S. Women’s Open in 2011. The U.S. is the only country that offers separate women’s polo, run by the United States Women’s Polo Federation.

Women are now team owners or patrons, playing at the top level of global polo and encouraging others to get into the sport.

Finding the Right Fit Steve Rudolph always enjoyed trail rides on vacation trips and in his early 30s, his wife surprised him with hunter/ jumper lessons for his birthday. He pursued that for two years, tried some cross-country, but neither was quite the right fit.

Perusing a Newburyport adult education catalog, next to sushi and basket making, he spied Peter Poor’s alluring polo Groupon.

“I’m no Prince Charles,” says the software executive who works in Cambridge, but nine years into his polo adventure, he owns three ponies, plays at Myopia Polo Club in the summer, and finds time to get to Flying Cow in Palm Beach during the winter. “Probably the worst money my wife ever spent that got me started.”

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Steve stresses the down to earth people you meet who make polo so rewarding. “It’s not a snobby clique at all,” he says. “They’re schoolteachers, lawyers, small business people. They muck stalls. They’re generous, helpful, and give of their time.” He says many people barter services to afford the sport and there are all sorts of ways to make it work.

He likens it to a sailing analogy where one person might buy a small Sailfish, while another buys an America’s Cup yacht, whatever level is right for your skill and finances.

“A lot of people who rode when they were younger are coming [to polo] after raising their kids and some enjoy relatively slow polo exercise for fun,” says Steve. But for Steve, it’s the adrenaline rush, hands down. “It’s an intensely physical game that can’t be beat, with so many major variables happening that you can’t control.”

He also appreciates the care and conditioning polo ponies receive, which revolves around the natural equine herd lifestyle. “Polo ponies get lots of turnout, they’re worked in groups or ‘sets’ and the game is running basically in a herd,” Steve says. “It keeps them active with an engaged purpose.”

It can be a good second career for off-the-track-Thoroughbreds with good minds. The polo ponies often have lengthy careers, stepping down the levels to offer their experience to riders as they learn.

Groupon Convert As a single mom, Stacy Bates never imagined polo would be her daughter Delaney’s sport of choice. In seventh grade, when Delaney wanted to quit swimming, Stacy insisted she find another sport. When a neighbor invited them to tailgate at a polo game in Newport, Delaney wasn’t even enthused about going, but once she saw the speed and action and pet a few ponies, she was smitten.

“With our finances, polo wasn’t exactly on my radar,” Stacy says, laughing. But then she found a polo lesson Groupon, eventually ending up at Boston Polo in Georgetown, where she bluntly asked manager Mark Tashjian, “Can we afford this?”

Within eight months, Delaney was playing in interscholastic high school games. “I was blown away,” Stacy says, noting that Mark starts riders off slowly with safety in mind. They commuted from Newton for two years before moving to

An Accidental Addict For Tristan Boylan, it was random Googling at his office in Boston that led to a lesson at Boston Polo Club in Georgetown. “I had no riding background, but thought I’d go once and check that box off,” he says. Tristan had so much fun just walking around on a polo pony he thought, “It must be a hell of a lot of fun at 30 miles per hour!”

Tristan has been commuting from the South End for three years and has played in New England and Aiken, South Carolina. “You meet good people,”

Nature of Light Photography, ShawnTinkhamPhotography.com

Tristan says. He really enjoys the handson immersion of caring for the horses, but the game itself has captivated him.

“For me, the technical strategy is

He admires the athleticism and wisdom of his mounts. “The experienced ponies know where to position themselves,” Tristan says. “They hear a hit and take off, they follow and chase down the ball.” He likes the many options of leasing or renting ponies that make it an accessible endeavor.

“It’s completely addictive. Every spring now, I can’t wait for the fields to dry.”

WANT TO ATTEND A MATCH? Swing a mallet? Here’s information on Bay State polo clubs and teams.

Boston Polo Club

Steve Rudolph sprinting down the field on his top pony, Jet.

Delaney Bates, on Boston Polo’s Denali, gets some practice in at Crane’s Beach in Ipswich.

240 Andover Street, Georgetown bostonpolo.org Boston Polo offers a variety of options for youth to learn polo. “We offer fall, spring, and two summer groups for beginner to advanced youth players,” says Mark. “The co-ed youth polo program is suitable for ages ten to eighteen. Most new polo students have very little to no riding experience, though some are experienced riders of another discipline.”

An Interscholastic Polo Team for youth ages 12 to 18 runs from October to February, as part of the USPA’s Interscholastic Polo Program. Other teams include Newport, Rhode Island, and Gardnertown and Saratoga, New York. “The interscholastic team is a great way to build skill and camaraderie,” says Mark.

Polo matches are on Saturdays at 4 p.m. from May 5 to June 9 and September 1 to October 27. Handicap accessibility is available. Each match includes activities for children, opportunities to meet the players and horses, concessions, and merchandise. Tickets include parking. Children under 15 are free. You’re welcome to bring your own picnic as well.

Myopia Polo Club

O’Day Equine Images

Beverly but Stacy says the myriad opportunities and experiences for her daughter were well worth it.

“It’s an amazing sport, and a nice way to raise a teenager,” she says. “You meet all types of kids and adults.”

Because there aren’t a lot of high school teams close by, club games utilize a range of ages, from kids to those in their 60s. It’s a welcoming spirit of teaching each other polo skills, about the horse’s mindset, or just esoteric life lessons.

Delaney works for discount and added ride time and Stacy says she takes great pride in caring for the horses.

“It’s a therapeutic sport,” Stacy says.

“You talk to the horses; it’s relaxing.

You learn each horse’s quirks, how to read them, and that relationship brings out the best in each other.”

Stacy says she’s really seen the kids evolve over the three years that Delaney has been involved. “It’s a chance to learn about yourself, how much risk you’re willing to take,” says Stacy. She also appreciates that it’s a way for women to practice being assertive, both with a 1,000-pound animal and in play on the field.

Delaney points out she’ll be a good driver from navigating traffic on the polo field and being self-aware in unpredictable environments.

Mother and daughter now find polo adventures everywhere. They’ve played with clubs in Michigan, in Canada, at a huge polo facility in the Dominican while on a family vacation, and are planning a polo side trip while in Costa Rica.

For two years, Boston Polo has done a reciprocal Work to Ride Camp with kids in Philadelphia. Recently, on a visit to Emory College with friends, they contacted the coach there and the girls took lessons over several days. “It’s a lifestyle now,” Stacy says.

“Polo is a great antidote to the office,” says Tristan Boylan.

the piece that keeps me coming back,” he says. “It’s a team sport but so much depends on individual skill too. The constant improvement to be better, working on horsemanship, it’s hard, especially at full speed.”

435 Bay Road, South Hamilton myopiapolo.org Polo matches are Sundays at 3 p.m. from June 3 to September 30. Gates open at 1:30 p.m. Admission is $15 per person; children under 12 are free.

Tickets are purchased at the gate. No concessions are available; however, picnics and tailgates are welcome.

The first USPA East Coast Women’s Open Final will be held at Myopia Polo Club July 1!

The club also has a beginner/interMassachusetts Horse

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mediate league, the Myopia Coaching League, that provides players instruction in riding, hitting, and play strategy.

Stage Hill Polo 42 Low Street, Newbury stagehillpolo.com Beginner polo is offered every Saturday morning at 10 a.m. from May through November, weather permitting.

Horses, mallets, and instruction are provided. Intermediate polo players ride three times a week — Tuesday and Thursday evenings in a regulation-sized arena, Saturday afternoons on a grass field for the full polo experience.

Scrimmages are with fast and slow chukkers, so you can improve your skills at a reasonable pace and push yourself to do better and go faster.

Harvard Polo Team Myopia Polo Club, South Hamilton harvardpolo.com Harvard fields junior varsity, varsity, and women’s polo teams. They compete in the fall and in the regional tournament. For the past seven years, the Harvard Polo Team has traveled overseas to participate in summer polo tour-

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naments and match games, including the British Isles and Chantilly, France.

Last July, a mixed undergrad/graduate team was the fourth Harvard team to travel to China for the fourth annual Intervarsity Polo Tournament hosted by the Metropolitan Polo Club in Tianjin, a city in northern coastal mainland China. Harvard Polo has hosted teams from England, the Netherlands, Mongolia, France, and an All Star Team with players from Singapore, Turkey, Italy, and France.

Polo matches are held September through December.

UMass Polo Team Founded in 2011, the University of Massachusetts at Amherst Polo Team is a women’s intercollegiate club that competes against women’s teams throughout the Northeast and in the Spring Regional Tournament. The polo club rides privately owned polo ponies at Stone Pony Farm in Leverett with coach Hilary Blythe.

Holly Jacobson, a freelance writer, lives in Essex County, teaching her retired Quarter Horse tricks while she pursues her goals in para dressage and para reining.

Westford

Farm Feature

Cavallo Equestrian Center

by Ann Jamieson

A

shley Woodford and her husband Jake purchased the former Volo Farm in Westford with help from their family this past September, saving it from what many feared would be the dismal fate of a farm lost to a housing development.. Their aim has been “to restore it to its former glory,” says Ashley.

Shamrock

To that end, the barn has been professionally power washed, the stalls redone, new GGT footing has been installed in both indoor arenas, and the outdoor arena was laser leveled.

Ashley and Jake “grew up on farms, so we knew we wanted the farm life for our own kids,” says Ashley. “It took a year to find this property. We weren’t sure initially what we wanted . . . a small family farm or a large operation? When we saw this property, we knew this was just what we wanted — lots of opportunity, close to where I grew up, and close to my husband’s job. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

“The kids love it!” she says. “We have two girls, one is nine months old, and the oldest is two years old. The two-yearold loves to feed and pet the horses.”

Ashley’s vision for the farm was for it to be a multi-discipline space where dressage and hunter/jumper riders can come together and do some cross training. “It’s unusual in this area to have that crossover and to have the quality of instructors that we have,” Ashley says.

“We have horses that go to the A shows and horses that don’t show at all. It’s a mix across the board. We’re a full-ser14 June/July 2018

vice barn. Whether you’re a beginner or a Grand Prix rider, we want you to feel welcome and respected.”

Ashley began riding as a child, taking lessons on school horses initially.

When her family moved to Harvard, she befriended some neighbors across the street that had Arabians. She learned about endurance riding and competed

In addition to Ashley, there are four other trainers at Cavallo Equestrian Center. Lauren Stevens is a hunter/jumper trainer who shows under her Stepping Out Farm. “She’s a wealth of knowledge; we are lucky to have her,” says Ashley.

Lauren has qualified countless students for the big equitation finals as

Ashley and two-year-old Rose with Nordi

in the discipline, crisscrossing the country to compete in endurance rides. “You get to let your hair down a little bit in endurance,” she says.

At the same time Ashley was taking dressage lessons at Apple Valley Farm under Rachel Marks Webber, who trained under World Cup dressage rider Kathy Connelly.

The endurance riding/dressage cross training taught Ashley “how important it is to have time in the saddle, and also to sit correctly,” she says.

“If you ride correctly, you help to keep your horse from tiring. [The endurance horses] are top sport horses so you need to understand the feeding regimen, the hours you have to put in to keep them fit, and the commitment required to be at the top of any sport. It was a great mix, the dressage and the endurance. I got a great foundation.”

“My philosophy is to start with the basics, and build on a solid foundation,” she says. “You keep coming back to the basics, and continue to check yourself as a rider to be sure that you’re remaining light and balanced. I aim to always be having a conversation with my horse.”

well as pony, junior, and amateur hunters for the fall indoor shows.

Lauren took a few years to head west to shows in Colorado, Arizona, and California, where she gained both experience and perspective working for some of the best trainers, while enjoying the dramatic scenery.

Now back in Massachusetts, Lauren has teamed up with daughter Lindsey de Mont to share training duties.

Lindsey had a very successful junior career and has since been training professionally for years.

Tricia Moss shows under Moss Show Stables, and in addition to training, does sales and leasing, ensuring that there are always horses available at Cavallo for riders. Tricia earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Equine Studies from Mount Ida College where she graduated at the top of her class and was inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame for her achievements in equestrian sport. She is known both for her positive attitude and ability to produce winners.

Ashley’s brought in her previous dressage trainer Rachel Marks Webber, a United States Dressage Federation

(USDF) bronze and silver medalist, USDF L graduate, a Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) chief international steward, a veteran vaulting coach, and a specialist in the European art of longe lessons to teach at Cavallo Esquestrian Center. Her education in classical dressage was built on 25 years of study with Kathy Connelly and Joy Congdon. Rachel provides correct classical dressage training for the horse and rider in a relaxed and positive atmosphere. Her training philosophy aims to establish the true harmony that flows from a willing, happy partnership between horse and rider.

“Rachel is excellent with the horses — she lives for them!” says Ashley.

Rachel’s ability to teach vaulting is an extra plus, as there is no one else in the area that does it. For those interested in learning more about the sport, Cavallo offers events for people to come and see what it’s all about.

Dressage trainer Jackie Ferguson and assistant trainer Katie Aron work particularly well with horses that have had behavioral issues under saddle: rearing, bucking, and stopping.

Rehabilitating them using dressage, Jackie works with the riders to re-train the horses. If the horse is still too much for its owner, she helps the owner sell the horse to an appropriate home, while finding a more suitable mount for the rider. Jackie competes out of her own Elegante Performance Horses.

All the trainers work well together, and riders seek out Cavallo Equestrian Center particularly because of the cross training available there. “The result,” says Ashley, “is we have a well-rounded group of riders and horses. Dressage riders might decide that they would like to do some cavaletti or jump, while hunter/jumper riders might want to learn to balance their horses better with dressage or do some lateral work in order to improve their turns.”

Barn manager Linda Davis completes the team. “I like walking into a barn where all the horses are quiet and content,” says Linda. “This is accomplished by getting to know each of the horses as unique beings with all their own likes and needs. I’m really excited to be part of this venture and thrilled with everybody that comes under our roof. We’ve a great group of people with amazing horses and my job is to take care of their horses as if each were my own.”

“My goal is to have a thriving farm where we are having clinics and shows

with a great group of boarders and clients,” says Ashley. “I’ve been so lucky to have such a great group starting off.

We’re like a family here — we have social events like barbecues and we have a barn yoga club. There are a lot of parent/child combinations here and that includes fathers and sons! I love the mix of clients we have. Everyone is super helpful and respectful, and that goes for the staff as well. I have an amazing team that takes care of the horses. Between everyone, we have multiple lifetimes of experience on the farm.”

Mark Teto and his son Michael were thrilled to find Cavallo Equestrian Center. “When looking for a new barn for my son and me, I really wanted a location that felt like a second home given the amount of time we spend there,” says Mark. “Most important, we needed a facility that cared for our horses better than we did — an impossible task, I know, but none the less it was a must have.

Ultimately, we chose to board and train at Cavallo and thankfully our decision could not have worked out better. Ashley and her husband Jake, along with the staff, have proven to be some of the most caring and knowledgeable folks in the business.”

“Training is a key element for us,” says Mark. “Lauren’s coaching has been an absolute game changer for our family and has taken my son to new levels of success we never thought possible.

The less tangible qualities that we’ve really grown to appreciate are her pure passion for the sport, willingness to help, and the excitement she shows when her students do well. The team under Lauren’s supervision has quickly become a family-like unit. We travel together, train together, and show together — and somehow manage to squeeze in lots of laughs along the way.”

“This is my home, where we want our kids to grow up,” says Ashley. “It’s also a full-care facility where we take great care of the horses, and everyone has fun doing it. We’re so happy to take over the former Volo Farm, revive it, and restore it to its glory days!”

Ann Jamieson is a USEF “r” judge in hunters, jumpers, and equitation and a freelance writer specializing in horses and travel. She’s shown her off-the-track Thoroughbred Fred Astaire to yearend awards in both hunters and dressage, and has also competed in reining on a friend’s Quarter Horse. Ann’s the author of the book series For the Love of the Horse, collections of true stories about horses.

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Massachusetts Horse

15

Horseperson Feature Berkley

by Sheryl Hodge

Caroline Ventura Embracing Each Horse’s Purpose

aroline Ventura was born into the horse world. Her parents owned and showed horses before she was born. “It’s truly in my blood,” Caroline says. That was utterly apparent early on when Caroline’s mom and her mom’s friend took their little girls for a trail ride, the moms in the saddles and the little girls in carriers on their moms’ backs. At one point in the trail

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career at age 20 as a barn manager and therapeutic riding instructor with Handi Kids, now the Bridge School in Bridgewater. She was a freelance riding instructor for many years, traveling to farms all around southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

In 1998, Caroline settled in as an instructor at Haskins Farm in Berkley.

The program quickly took off with

of Supreme Honor horse with the Arabian Horse Association. “I bought him when he was eight months old and trained him from the ground up,” Caroline says. “We won a lot together and when he was almost five years old, I had to sell him.” Caroline kept in contact with his new owner in Michigan though, and for Christmas in 2010, Matt gifted Hamlet back to her.

Caroline at two years old with her first pony.

Caroline, Camden, and Hamlet.

Caroline, Brooks, and Hamlet.

ride, the deer flies were swarming viciously and the only way to get clear of them was to head up a big hill to a clearing. They all needed relief, fast, so the moms galloped their trusty steeds up that hill and away from the bloodthirsty deer flies. A very young Caroline was exuberantly pumping her little arms and legs yelling, “Faster, faster!”

Indeed, horses and Caroline were meant to be together.

Caroline at the reins teaching beginner through advanced lessons and training horses. Her oldest son was nearly born at Haskins. “I left the farm at 9:30 p.m. on Friday after teaching and Brooks was born at 3 a.m. Saturday,” she says.

After enjoying a wonderful career at Haskins, Caroline went to work for Ventura Grain in Taunton, which is where she met her husband Matthew Ventura. Horses are a family affair for Caroline — Matt is her partner and biggest supporter, her older son Brooks is an accomplished rider and is actively involved in showing, and her younger son Camden enjoys riding and is her loyal sidekick on the farm.

Unfortunately, Hamlet came back to her lame and with back problems.

However, Hamlet was back home where he belonged, with his person. When he arrived, Caroline went to him and gently put her hand on his neck and he remembered — he lowered his big, beautiful head and gently rested it against her chest and sighed — they were both together again.

“I built him back up and got him back to where he needed to be emotionally, mentally, and physically, says Caroline. “We’ve since won multiplerated shows, competed and received a National Top Ten at the Arabian/HalfArabian Sport Horse Nationals, and this past show season we were unanimous Region 16 Half-Arabian Sport Horse Show Hack Hunter Type champions, placing first under all three judges.”

In addition to her success with Hamlet, both of Caroline’s sons have shown him as well. Hamlet is a special part of the family, and will always have a home with Caroline.

The Evolution of a Horsewoman “I got my first pony when I was two years old, and I’ve never been horseless since,” Caroline says, smiling. Very early on she knew this was what she was meant to do, personally and professionally. Caroline’s journey in horse shows world began with that pony. She started competing in Lead Line at two and is competing today. “I’ve owned, shown, and/or trained Arabians and HalfArabians, Quarter Horses, Paints, Saddlebreds, and others,” Caroline says.

Caroline began her professional 16

June/July 2018

Behind Every Great Horseperson Is a Great Horse While Caroline has successfully trained and shown a number of amazing horses, there’s one horse that’s been a significant part of Caroline’s life and her sons’ lives as well. That horse is Hamlet (LH Feels So Good+), a Legion

Making a Vision into Reality Ventura Stables was started in 2009 with only two horses at Caroline’s home stable. Today, Caroline has six — three Half-Arabians, one purebred Arabian, a classic Shetland pony, and a Miniature Horse. “Though I own Arabians, I work with and love all breeds,” she says, passionately. “I started Ventura Stables with a small lesson program that consisted mostly of homeschooled kids, as I homeschool my youngest son.”

It had always been Caroline’s dream to run a bigger facility, and in April that dream became a reality when she leased an equine facility in Berkley, owned by Ashley and Tom Fullen — a beautiful property that boasts 41 acres with a pond and trails.

“It was divine timing and syncronicity that I posted I was looking to lease the farm and Caroline called me within five minutes,” says Ashley.

“Through that first conversation we learned I had been her children’s teacher!”

The Fullens own and operate a Dighton landscape construction business, T-Scape, and Ashley is the assistant principal of a local elementary school.

Together they have two adorable kids, Maximus and Maya, who “provide the drive and motivation for all we do,” says Ashley.

Caroline is actively expanding the farm and its lesson program. The main barn has 17 stalls and a large indoor riding arena. The open and light indoor arena was given a makeover for the new boarders and lesson program.

There’s also an eight-stall barn, called the Green Barn, that features in-andout stalls that were recently upgraded with new footing and fencing.

The Fullens are working with Caroline to make Ventura Stables as well as their piece of the farm a place where folks will come and “take a step back from their busy lives and enjoy various pursuits,” says Ashley. “We want people to come and be in a timeless space filled with beauty and nature.”

“Part of what we’re really interested in doing with this farm is to create an incubator farm,” says Ashley. “We’re looking to grow and cultivate local small businesses in the community. We wish for this to become a space and platform for people interested in starting their own businesses or who have already begun the journey and are

looking for a kick start. Contact us anytime to share ideas or visit!”

The right place, along with some great partners, are giving Caroline the freedom to use her experience and skill to create her vision and to share her passion and enthusiasm.

Caroline is a Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) member and Ventura Stables has won the MFBF Horse Farm of Distinction Award three years in a row. “I pride myself on quality care for the horses. “My main focus is creating a fun, safe environment for both horse and rider. I want a place where people can come and get away from the daily hustle and bustle of life and enjoy themselves, whether it’s pleasure riding or showing.”

“Caroline is a very knowledgeable horsewoman,” says MaryEllen Williams Travassos of North Dighton. “She takes excellent care of the horses. Caroline provides a fun, relaxed atmosphere where you can enjoy your horse and know he is in good hands.”

“Ventura Stables offers amazing care at affordable prices,” says Ashley.

“Stalls and aisles are immaculate, ample bedding is provided, there are great turnout options, and Caroline goes out of her way to make sure the best hay is ordered and abundantly fed. Caroline is the sweetest and most knowledgeable instructor around.”

“I love introducing kids and adults to the wonderful world of horses,” Caroline says. “Horses can teach you so much and you can always continue to learn and grow. I feel you need to continue to grow as a rider and horseperson to help you and your horse reach your full potential. You can always improve on your relationship with your horse.”

Every Horse Has a Purpose Riding is a wonderful sport, but there’s so much more to horses than simply riding them, and there’s so much more to Caroline, too. Every horse has something different to offer. Her belief, that every horse has a purpose, is a mantra Caroline completely embraces.

Caroline has a true passion and an undeniable gift for finding a horse’s true potential, which other people often overlook. She sees beneath the surface.

A recently rescued horse named Tango had no future if not for Caroline’s intervention. He’s a beautiful soul, physically a bit of a mess right now, but when

Trailers 2018

ur wo Vie and new wned -o he pre s on t r e ! l trai ebsite w

you see past that, as Caroline does, you see so much more. Caroline’s rehabilitating him and discovering his true purpose. Maybe he’ll become a lesson horse.

If he can’t be ridden, he’ll be a wonderful horse for many to learn how to groom. Regardless of the outcome, Caroline is giving Tango the chance to be the horse he deserves to be — to give the love, as you can tell from his eyes, he wants to give.

“Anything worth doing is worth doing right,” says Caroline. “Doing right by a horse isn’t always easy, but struggle builds character and strength.”

“In the next fives years, I’d like to see the farm have a successful, established lesson program that introduces kids and adults alike to the wonderful world of horses,” says Caroline.

“My goal for Ventura Stables is to have a fun family farm where you can come and enjoy the horses,” she says.

Sheryl Hodge is a long-time editor, but more importantly a life-long horse lover. She’s a horse crazy girl who never gave up the dream of having her own horse. It took decades, but was well worth the wait as she’s now owned by a smart, sweet, and sassy chestnut Quarter Horse mare who inspires her on every level, every day.

Massachusetts Horse

17

Holyoke

Lend a Hoof

Therapeutic Equestrian Center

by Andrea Bugbee

att! It’s a wolf!” says Anthony.

Anthony turns 45 degrees in the saddle, his smile beaming happy darts of delight at his caregiver, Matt. This animated rider just navigated past a lifelike cutout of a timber wolf arranged amongst the trees, and his excitement is spot on. That wolf is pretty awesome.

M

tual disabilities, and the Diocese of Springfield had purchased the Northampton Street estate to house a Roman Catholic outreach called Jericho and the Bureau for Exceptional Children and Adults.

Father Wagner approached the trespasser. The year was 1979 and the teenage equestrian was Gerry

an equipment shed, a tractor, and turnout paddocks for the six absolutely incredible equines who work there.

All of this stands in the fields behind Jericho where Gerry grew up riding.

“The difference between TEC and a lot of other therapeutic riding facilities is that TEC has a long history as a dedicated therapeutic riding program,”

Actually, Anthony’s Tuesday mornings are pretty awesome in general.

That’s when he joins two other developmentally disabled young men, Shawn and Josh, for his weekly riding lesson at Holyoke’s Therapeutic Equestrian Center (people refer to this wonderful haven as “TEC,” pronounced to rhyme with “neck”). Anthony and his lesson mates are celebrating spring with a trail ride this week. Under the clomp-thomp of hooves, the path they ride wanders around the property, over a bridge, behind neighbors’ backyards, and beside a frog pond. The wolf Anthony saw is just one of many eye-catching objects arranged along the trail to stimulate the riders’ minds, bodies, steering, and sense of adventure.

O’Connor Page, TEC’s first, and present, executive director.

“He said, ‘You can ride in this field if you let the kids pat your horse,’” Gerry recalls. She agreed that his offer was a fine one and, once she saw the impact she and her mare had on the children and adults at Jericho, she made a commitment to bring a formal therapeutic riding program to the Pioneer Valley.

She finished high school and, with Father Wagner’s help, headed off to the Cheff Center in Augusta, Michigan, one of the country’s first and finest therapeutic riding instruction programs.

At 18 years old, Gerry went west to earn her credentials as a master therapeutic riding instructor. Then, she brought everything she learned home to Massachusetts.

By 1984, TEC had became its own 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Thanks to decades of supporters, donors, riders, parents, and volunteers, today TEC has its own stable, an indoor arena with a wheelchair accessible mounting ramp, a heated viewing area and tack room, a handicap-accessible bathroom, an office,

says Gerry. “We’ve been around a long time. This is a center that was built to serve children and adults needing the specialized services that TEC offers.

This is all we do.”

Despite more than a few financial cavalettis strewn across its path, the center has managed to maintain its program of offering therapeutic riding lessons to extraordinary people with a broad range of physical, intellectual, and emotional disabilities, all for $35 a lesson.

Here’s how lending a hoof can help keep riders like Anthony in the saddle.

“

Schoolmaster in Therapeutic Riding Anthony’s ride was just last month. It was almost 40 years earlier, however, that Father Robert Wagner saw a teenage girl riding her horse through the fields of a Holyoke estate he had recently purchased. His ministry was to serve people with physical and intellec18

June/July 2018

Worth Their Weight in Grain Almost all the money TEC earns goes straight into caring for their herd of six patient, angelic, huge-hearted horses.

That’s why TEC literally couldn’t function without its patient, angelic, hugehearted volunteers. They’re the outside rein that keeps this nonprofit straight and on the rail.

Jackie Brodeur is a Westhampton resident who’s been volunteering on the Tuesday morning, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. shift for three years. She’s actually the

newbie on her team, because Norm Girouard of Chicopee has been volunteering at TEC for five years, and Dave and Liz Varner of Granby have been there for ten. They’re all retired professionals smitten enough with horses and humans that they even schlep through snow to help on brisk winter mornings.

“My brother can’t understand why I do this,” says Norm, a retired Chicopee elementary school principal whose eyes smile mischievously behind serious, darkframed glasses. “You have to like horses.

You have to be willing to clean stalls.”

And what Massachusetts Horse reader doesn’t fit THAT description?

If you live in western Massachusetts, hear this call: TEC is always looking for healthy, active, personable volunteers who can commit to at least one, full seven-week session of lessons at a time.

Retirees are ideal because they are available during weekday hours. Dave and Liz do it for the love of horses (the bug bit Dave after reading Laura Hillenbrand’s Seabiscuit). They also enjoy the camaraderie of the other volunteers.

“Physically, it keeps me moving, I’ll tell you. I can’t imagine on a normal day I’d get this much exercise,” Norm says, his cheeks ruddy against the April morning’s chill as he walks behind riders on the trail. He’s already been at TEC for 90 minutes grooming and cleaning stalls, and his shift will continue for another two-and-a-half hours.

“We get the horses ready,” says Jackie, a retired psychotherapist who owned her own horse for 25 years. “We brush them; saddle them up, clean their stalls. Then we walk with the riders. We assist the instructor; reinforce the instructions that she gives.”

Volunteering at TEC means grooming, mucking, and a whole lot of walking. Some people might prefer to get that kind of exercise in a heated gym.

But there are no horses at a gym.

And there are no riders there to experience the sport they love with your help.

“It’s challenging and interesting,” Jackie says, leaning against a manure fork. “You feel good about what you do.”

Give a Horse! Take a Horse!

Massachusetts Horse readers can also give TEC a leg up by donating or adopting a therapy horse.

Neither Gerry, TEC riding instructor Karen Dahmke, nor TEC’s volunteers can emphasize enough how important it is to have the right horses in a therapy program. Gizmo, Layla, Luna, Paw, Pic, and Valentina all live at

TEC thanks to donations or free leases.

Some might think their job is simple — most of TEC’s riders don’t even trot, and virtually all are led. But most horses balk at the unexpected, and they read human energy like teenagers read Instagram. It takes a horse like gentle Luna or loveable Paw to start grounding a veteran with PTSD, or to connect with a rider with autism.

The job of an equine therapy horse isn’t to be led in circles at the walk.

Instead, the horse’s job is to gently loosen a rider’s muscles with the rhythmic, bilateral swish of its gait. It’s to build balance and muscle in a rider who might have atrophy one side, or whose legs just don’t work. It’s to nuzzle for pats, it’s to build confidence, and it’s to teach the difficult discipline of following directions.

The job of a therapy horse is to give riders with disabilities something special and personal that only exists between them and their horse.

That’s why all of us ride, isn’t it?

“Therapeutic horseback riding can be a stressful job for horses,” Gerry says.

“Let me think about the perfect therapy horse to us. It’s 15 hands, stocky [so it’s easy to mount and ride] and sound.

Temperament is very important. They can’t be reactive. They have to be forgiving. They might have riders who have muscle spasms, who bump them, who make unexpected noises and sounds. We need to have a horse that’s really consistent, because we don’t always have riders who are consistent.”

TEC’s donated horses tend to be older, sometimes with accompanying health complications such as arthritis.

“That’s the piece,” Gerry says. “You know the price of hay and grain. In maintaining older horses there’s supplements, corrective shoeing, veterinary care. It’s very pricey.”

TEC commits to a regimen of preventative care for each of its animals.

Because older horses are already close to retirement, however, the horses in the lesson program might rotate out more quickly than at a traditional stable.

Therefore, if you have a solid, sound, sensible pasture pet you think would be a perfect mount for therapeutic riding — and you would consider loaning it for free — TEC wants to know.

Finally, when TEC accepts a donated horse, they also accept the responsibility of finding a placement for that horse once it retires. Because of that, Karen says, if readers need a companion horse for any reason, they

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should consider adopting one of TEC’s retired therapy horses.

“They’re quiet, have good ground manners, and make excellent pasture mates,” Karen says, “and they deserve the best retirement they can have.”

To learn more about TEC’s programs, to become a volunteer, to read about fundraisers, to adopt a horse, or to make either a financial or four-hoofed donation, visit equestriantherapy.org. Or, give Gerry a call at (413) 532-1462.

Andrea Bugbee is a Pony Club mom, an IEA mom, and a backyard horse enthusiast. She does most of her writing while she waits for her daughter in the parking lots of numerous wonderful stables scattered throughout western Massachusetts and northern Connecticut.

Massachusetts Horse

19

Horse Logic

Can My

by Nicole Birkholzer

Choice of Words Affect My Horse?

A

s horse owners, we have a lot of influence on how our horse responds when we come to the barn. In past articles, I’ve shared that horses are energy sponges, that it’s their nature to absorb the energies in their surrounding environment.

Our horses are influenced by how we feel. If we’re distracted, our horse becomes more unsettled, but when we arrive at the barn grounded and present, our horse is more content.

One thing we often forget is that our words affect our horses too.

Being aware of the words you choose when you’re with your horse can become another mindful approach. It’s less of a mindful activity, but rather a state of mind, another way to support your horse in meaningful, mindful ways.

words carry energy and that energy has an effect on you and your horse.

For our horse to reach his potential we need to train our mind to be in the present moment and express who the horse is today, not who he was five years ago, or, who he might be five days from now.

Labels Become a Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

What Did You Call Me? Every so often, when I meet a new horse and owner, the person introduces her horse, “He’s my rescue.”

When I ask the person when she got the horse, the answer is often something along the lines of, “five years ago in June.”

Continuing to think of our horse as a rescue five years later is human nature. We tend to live more in the past — and also in the future — than in the present moment. We measure today’s ride against yesterday’s ride, compare our current horse with a former one, and we think about the weekend show even if it’s five days away.

Here’s the tricky part — our horse lives in the now, so when, after five years, we still refer to our horse as a rescue we’re not aligned with reality.

Introducing a horse as a rescue five years after rescuing him holds the horse energetically in that space. The word “rescue” often evokes pity and people will see the horse as a rescue and most likely treat him as such. Using words from the past to describe your horse today is not an accurate depiction of the horse that’s often a happy and thriving being.

Our thoughts and words have a lot of power, and how we describe the horse standing next to us matters because 20

June/July 2018

to release some stored-up energy. At that point, I can explore what could have been the cause of his reaction and learn from him. The moment I see my horse as a sensitive being, I feel my body and mind softening. I become open and curious about what I can learn from this horse and I will bring that openness to my next ride.

The Power of Words Recently, I came across a quote in Psychology Today, by Jack Schafer, PhD, that expresses the power of words: “Words cannot change reality, but they can change how people perceive reality.”

If I introduced my horse to you as “the one who bucked me off,” you would immediately have an opinion about my horse that is most likely not favorable.

If, however, I introduce my horse to you as, “the one that teaches me a lot about sensitive horses,” you would feel differently about my horse, possibly more curious.

The way I talk about my horse affects me too. If I think, “he bucked me off,” I feel my body tense the moment I think about our next ride. If I approach my horse with that tension it will negatively affect our next ride.

When I shift to a more mindful mindset and consider the situation through my horse’s eyes, I realize that my horse is affected by a lot of outside factors and his buck was simply his need

Words have power and they can become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

If you refer to your horse as trouble she might stay troubled. If you call your horse bossy, he will continue to be bossy. Descriptions such as these are labels that stick to a horse and can affect him for the rest of his life.

The power of words not only comes into play when you speak about your horse but also when you talk to your horse. As your young horse shies away from the rope and halter make sure you are not feeding the fear by saying, “I hear you, this is scary, but take another sniff.” Instead, try offering encouragement. “Look at this. It’s a lead rope, something new we can play with.” Or, when your horse is reluctant to cross the brook, instead of saying, “Why are you always so afraid?” try seeing it through the horse’s eyes and find words that are comforting and encouraging. “Let’s keep having fun exploring and see what’s across this brook.”

Raising our awareness of how we communicate with our horses can make a big difference in how our horses respond to us and how they will thrive in our company.

Next time you go out to the barn to see your horse, remember, words matter. When you choose kind words and say something positive about and to your horse, you foster well-being and build confidence in yourself and your horse.

Nicole Birkholzer is on a mission to understand the logic behind our horses’ behaviors. Contact her and learn more at mindful-connections.com.

Massachusetts Horse

21

Trail Guide

Hubbardston

Mount Jefferson Conservation Area

by Stacey Stearns

M

ount Jefferson Conservation Area, tucked into the northwest corner of Hubbardston, is an equestrian paradise. You can park without backing your trailer up and the trails are well marked. It’s in Worcester County and the parking area was once the Gates Homestead, nicknamed the Hilltop. You can see for miles at the parking area. Mount Jefferson is also known as Muzzy Hill. It’s a high ridge-

To arrive at the parking area, use 53 Mount Jefferson Road in Hubbardston in your GPS. On the drive in I passed bear-, moose-, and turtle-crossing signs.

It’s a rural area. Mount Jefferson Road is a little rough when you first pull onto it, but then gets better as you get closer to the parking area.

The dirt driveway is a half circle, and you can pull off to the side of it to

line and Mount Jefferson Road runs along the crest of the hill.

The Gates Homestead was the home of Horatio Gates and his family.

He invented the machine that affixes labels on bottles. There’s a photo of the property at the parking and picnic area.

The house was massive — three floors and nine rooms with a huge barn attached. Part of the foundation is still right there at the picnic area, along with a very large and cool looking stone wall with its own pillars. There is a large stand of trees just behind where the foundation of the house was. I imagine it must have been a favorite place for children to play, or the family to gather, at one point in time.

Mount Jefferson Conservation Area connects to the Hubbardston/Templeton State Forest, which is managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). Between the two properties, there are more than eight miles of trails to explore. The Hubbardston Open Space Committee manages the trails and has an excellent trail map you can find by googling MOUNT JEFFERSON CONSERVATION AREA MAP.

let other cars in. You can easily fit a couple of horse trailers on the driveway.

Although the large, grassy field is inviting, it’s in hay production with a local farmer. Please don’t go in the field with your trailer or when riding your horse.

Acorns litter the ground around the picnic tables, as several mighty oak trees provide shade. There’s a mailbox for maps on the large information board, but it was empty on the day of my visit.

Print one at home or save the map to your smartphone. The map on the information board wasn’t labeled. Although the trails are incredibly well marked, you’ll find it useful to refer to the map while out riding. I find that it helps me gauge my location better, and reassures me that I’m taking the correct trails.

The families of Hubbardston Boy Scout Troop 12, AmeriCorps, Hubbardston Open Space Committee, and members of the Bay State Trail Riders Association (BSTRA) marked the trails. The town received a DCR Trails Grant to help create the trail system.

BSTRA president Becky Kalagher of Douglas hosted a pleasure ride for the club at Mount Jefferson last October.

“A lot of improvements have been made to the Mount Jefferson trails due to the work of the local folks, mainly Bob Hatch, Stephanie Frend, Tom and Jassy Bratko, and others,” Becky says.

“We’ve a test bridge out there right now working on a solution to slippery bridges. BSTRA has helped with funding for some of these improvements.”

Other non-motorized trail uses allowed include hiking, cross-country ski-

Stacey Stearns

A Leg Up

22

June/July 2018

ing, and mountain biking. Hunting is allowed in season. The area is interspersed with private property, so please respect signs and stay on the designated trails.

Out Riding It On a beautiful Sunday afternoon, I had the entire place to myself. How special is that? It so rarely happens. This ride offers a nice mix of single track, cart roads, and a field. Stone walls wind through the woods.

A makeshift bridge of stone and rubber mats covers a small stream that you cross as you leave the parking and picnic area and head out onto the trails.

It reminded me of why I always ride with a hoof pick — stones like these get caught in hooves. The makeshift bridge is a great way to protect the area from getting muddy and eroded.

The main trail leading away from the parking lot is smooth and wide, and also grassy in some places. There are rocks and roots on the trails; I recommend hoof protection. Why spend your ride worrying about your horse’s hooves?

The offshoot trails are more technical, with areas where you’ll zigzag among the

trees. In a few places you’ll need to watch your knees, as it gets narrow.

I rode the BSTRA trail loop. From the parking area, head north on Behind the Chimney Trail. You’ll leave Mount Jefferson and cross into Templeton/ Hubbardston State Forest when you connect to Canesto Brook Trail. Ride north until you reach Old Cross Trail, where you’ll take a right, traveling east.

From there you’ll ride down French Road and take Muzzy Ridge Trail on your right.

Copper Mine Trail is a bit further north and connects to Link Trail. After riding down Link Trail, you go left, and head west on Red Oak Trail. You’re riding a giant loop that takes you back to where you started. Red Oak connects to Canesto Hill Trail, and then you’re back on Muzzy Ridge Trail, repeating the trail you came out on. Go left on a very short section of French Road that brings you to Mill Pond Trail. Head west on that and then loop back up onto Old Cross Trail, again repeating a small section of trail. A right on the Gates Hill Trail takes you off DCR property and back to Mount Jefferson Conservation Area, and soon back to the parking lot.

This loop is a little more than eight

miles, and only skips the Laurel Trail, and Cooks Pond Trail (a dead end).

Turkey tracks were abundant on the trails, and I knew they must be somewhere close by, but the only other trail user I saw was a chipmunk who scurried into the big stone wall by the house foundation.

There’s some water on the trails and you do ride across streams, but it’s not always easily accessible water. Pack water for your horse. The trails were wet in some places, and a bit slick, but very manageable, especially for April. The bridges are sturdy and safe for horses, but as Becky said, can be slippery.

They’re also narrow so cross carefully.

Some of the trees in the forest are large, and have obviously been there a long time, and new growth is surrounding them. There are gentle slopes and hills throughout the forest. The birds were singing and the wind was blowing through the trees as I rode, making a gentle rustling noise. It’s an idyllic place, and having it to myself made it even more magical. Go and see for yourself.

Happy trails!

Stacey Stearns, a lifelong equestrian from Connecticut, enjoys trail riding and endurance with her Morgan horses.

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(978) 739-4707 . RedMareFarm.com redmarefarmllc@gmail.com

Ventura Stables Opens in Berkley!

Caroline Ventura has more than 25 years experience as an equine professional.

Specializing in Western Pleasure, Hunter Pleasure, Saddle Seat, and Halter. All breeds welcome!

Boarding . Training . Lessons . Summer Camp Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation Horse Farm of Distinction Caroline Ventura . 115 South Main Street, Berkley, Mass.

(774) 226-0569 . venturastables@gmail.com

venturastables.com Massachusetts Horse

23

Overherd

News in Our Community Tessa Holloran, a 13-year-old dressage rider from Pepperell, was awarded the 2018 KWPN North America Willy Arts Grant. KWPN is the breed registry for her 13year-old Dutch warmblood gelding Appielousos B, affectionately called Tigger. The $3,000 grant offers dedicated young riders a contribution toward their training and competition goals.

Tessa has been riding since she was three and this past winter was in training with two-time Olympian Lendon Gray in an intensive training program run by the Dressage4Kids organization.

Tessa had a successful 2017 season with her Dutch mare Usela, where they finished

with top 10 placings at the U.S. Dressage Championships in two divisions as well

Federation Region 8 Championships. Tessa was also reserve champion for

Anna King

Tessa Holloran Wins Willy Arts Grant

Tessa Holloran of Pepperell with Appielousos B, a.k.a. Tigger.

as in two divisions at the United States Dressage

return for her second trip to the championships in August.

This winter marked the start of her journey with her new horse Tigger. “I’m so excited to be working with such a sweet and talented horse,” Tessa says. “I hope to continue to progress as a rider and move up the levels.

I’ll be working hard to develop my relationship with him.”

Tessa is training locally with Vincent Flores, a dressage Grand Prix rider who specializes in French classical training and is a USDF bronze, silver, and gold medalist. You can follow Tessa’s dressage journey on Facebook: Appielousos B.

the 2017 Dressage Seat Medal Semi-Finals and will

Competitions MHC & NEHC Rated Shows July 1 • July 8 • Aug. 19

Gymkhana Series

Nashoba Valley Voice

Hillside Meadows is a family-friendly premier boarding and training facility on 70 acres with four barns, two indoor arenas, two outdoor arenas, and miles of hacking trails. We offer training and coaching for hunter/jumper, reining, and horsemanship. All levels and ages, wonderful school horses, and travel to shows.

June 22 • July 20 • Aug. 17 • Sept. 14 • Oct. 26

Jumper Series June 29 • Aug. 3 Find classlists and entry forms at: hillside-meadows.com

lls Sta ing com ble! ila ava

Boarding . Lessons . Shows . IEA Teams 111 George Hill Road, Grafton, Massachusetts (508) 243-8044 . hillside-meadows.com 24

June/July 2018

in a field before being rounded up and brought to auction. Channing, for obvious reasons, was frightened by this whole experience. He wouldn’t let anyone near him.

Old Sturbridge Village, a historic New England town from the 1830s. Run back in time as you see what life was like 188 years ago. The event features beautiful scenery, covered bridges, and dirt roads. To register, visit baystateequinerescue.com.

n Lynda Mockler and Karin Orsi

Awards Continue for Equinox Bossanova

Off-the-track Thoroughbred mare Milly Galore at Bay State Equine Rescue.

He was a kicking machine to make sure people stayed away.

He delivered his kicks lightning fast! Despite his constant kicking, he has a soft eye and we knew he’d come around. It

CRDA Dressage Shows

true testament to the power of love, patience, and guidance.

BSER will be holding its annual Run Like the Dickens 5K run/walk on July 8. This fun 5K takes you through

Equinox Bossanova GCH, an 18-year-old bay Morgan stallion, has an incredible show record, including winning both the 2017 World Youth and the World Amateur Western Pleasure Championships with Olyvia O’Brien.

Owned by Christine Nava Moulthrop of Timber Hill Stable in Kingston, Boss has won countless Open Western Pleasure championships at Morgan shows throughout the New England region with Christine, including five backto-back wins at the New England Morgan Horse Show.

Bringing a fairy tale end-

25 Forest Lane, Millis, MA ~ (508) 376-2564

June 3 . Aug. 12 . Sept. 30 - crdressage.org

BSTRA National Trail Days Ride June 10 - bstra.org

NEDA Summer Dressage Show July 15 - neda.org

NEMHS Mini Horse Show August 11 - nemhs.org

Karen Morang Photography

didn’t take long for him to pick up on our quiet positive energy. In four short weeks, he went from wild and scared to quietly standing on cross ties with a saddle on his back, a

Prize lists and entry forms at:

North Bridge Equine Challenge Schooling Horse Trials Championships August 19 Jumper Shows at Apple Knoll Farm June 13 . June 20 . June 27 . July 11 . July 18 July 25 . Aug. 1 . Aug. 8 . Aug. 15 . Aug. 22 Aug. 29 . Sept. 5 . September 12 Finale

Massachusetts Horse Benefit Adventure Trail

September 16 - mahorse.com/benefit

Proceeds go to Central New England Equine Rescue, Norfolk Hunt Club, and Trustees of Reservations.

An end-of-the-season competition to demonstrate all the great learning you and your horse have done throughout the year.

For a list of qualifying horse trials, visit schoolinghtc.com.

Follow on Facebook at facebook.com/SchoolingHTC.

appleknoll.com. Check the website often as new events are added!

Paige Bassett/Spotted Vision Photography

Bay State Equine Rescue in Oakham has the honor of being the current home to a beautiful 17-year-old Thoroughbred mare Milly Galore. Milly’s sire is Malibu Moon, a well-known sire to the racing community with one of his colts earning more than $1,000,000 and a filly selling for $700,000. So, how does a horse with such incredible bloodlines end up in a horse rescue? She raced for a few years and was then a brood mare. When she was no longer able to provide for her owners, she was given away and ended up in our paddocks. Far too often this is the plight of Thoroughbred race horses — they end up with uncertain futures. Until she finds a forever home, Milly has peace and safety thanks to the dedicated volunteers at BSER. In March, BSER rescued Channing from an auction house. He was a completely feral mule and spent two years

Robyn Moynihan

Bay State Equine Rescue

Rent our facilities for horse shows, clinics, and other equine activities. Our cross-country course is open for schooling by appointment, weather permitting.

Massachusetts Horse

25

ing to an incredible show year, Boss was honored with the United Professional Horsemen’s Association Chapter 14 Morgan of the Year, the New England Morgan Horse Association Horse of the Year, and the Massachusetts Morgan Horse Association Horse of the Year titles.

Along with his beauty and athletic ability, this stallion has a spunky personality that attracts fans from coast to coast. Plans are in the works to officially retire Boss during the upcoming New England Morgan Horse Show. It will be standing room only when this Prince Charming takes his final turn in the ring, as his many fans will wish him a fond farewell from competition.

But we will all be looking forward to seeing the magic he will make in the breeding shed, and how his winning legacy will continue.

n Suzy Lucine

SmartPak’s Environmental Efforts SmartPak is committed to helping the environment by maintaining a green footprint. From the materials used to manufacture products to the processes that get them to your barn door, SmartPak aims to be an environmentally friendly company.

“We know that, like us, our customers also want to have the smallest impact on the environment as possible,” says Sarah Mann, vicepresident of brand and customer experience. “That’s why we’ve always made our SmartPak strips from number one PET plastic, which means that they’re not only recyclable, but that they’re also made from recycled material. And our commitment to the environment doesn’t stop there!”

When feeding supplements with SmartPaks, some horse owners initially see the amount of waste building up

in the recycle bin and may feel bad about it. However, what many don’t realize is that SmartPak strips were designed to stack neatly when empty, which can save a lot of space as you save them up to toss in the recycling bin. Almost every recycling center can easily take and process them and send them along to their next life (#1 PET is the same plastic used in water bottles).

For barns that aren’t able to recycle, the amount of perceived waste being sent to the landfill can be top of mind. However, there are still two reasons to feel great (and green) about choosing SmartPaks over buckets.

First, SmartPaks use about 60 percent less plastic compared to the same days’ supply of supplement buckets.

Second, you can feel good knowing that the plastic used to make SmartPak strips is 100 percent recycled, so the plastic is already on its second life, unlike buckets,

which are usually made from virgin plastic, and often can’t be recycled.

When preparing the SmartPak strips for shipping, SmartPak takes numerous things into consideration to make the process as efficient as possible. All of the cardboard boxes are made from certified recycled cardboard.

In addition, the boxes are custom-sized so that the SmartPaks fit so tightly there is no need to use void fill, like packing peanuts, which often can’t be recycled.

When the SmartPak strips leave the facility, SmartPak aims to have them delivered in an efficient manner too, which is how the Barn Saver Shipping program was developed. This program gives SmartPak the opportunity to send multiple packages to the barn in a single truck, reducing the impact to the environment and providing customers with free shipping.

SmartPak’s office operations also aim to work

Custom Made Jumps, Tack Trunks, Bit Boxes, and More!

View photos at saltydawgequine.com and on Facebook.

Jump rentals too!

Tack Shop & Consignment Area

Dublin . Tuff Rider . Saxon . Noble Outfitters . Horze . Shires . Ariat Weatherbeeta . Tough 1 . Professional’s Choice . Roma . Absorbine

Barn Supplies . 1st & 2nd Cut Hay Paper-bagged Shavings . Grain Livestock . Poultry . Wild Bird Seed Dog, Cat, Small Animal, and Reptile Pickup and Delivery!

Official supplier of Rhode Island Equitation Championships!

Salty Dawg Equine Services Stefhanie Connors

(508) 259-6924

SaltyDawgEquine.com 26

June/July 2018

greener. SmartPak has an aggressive recycling program in the office — amassing over 200 tons of recycling in a single year! Warehouse lighting has also been replaced with modern, efficient options.

Massachusetts UPHA Year-End Award Winners The United Professional Horsemen’s Association (UPHA) Chapter 14 awards ceremony was held February 24, starting with the UPHA Chapter 14 Horse Show of the Year. The plaque was given to the New England Morgan Horse Show (NEMHS), under the guidance of chairperson Carolyn Sebring and manager John Lampropoulos. Held annually in July at the Three County Fairgrounds in Northampton, this jewel of the Morgan breed has taken on new life while maintaining its old-school charm.

Kellie Saccocia of Halifax was the Hackney Junior Exhibitor of the Year.

She also recently won the Twin State American Saddlebred Association’s Junior Exhibitor of the Year in the Roadster Pony to Bike division.

Chris Cassenti of Chrislar Farm in Rowley was inducted into the UPHA Chapter 14 Hall of Fame. Opening Chrislar Farm in 1978 with her husband Larry, Chris paved her way in the Morgan world with numerous combinations that have won world, national, regional, state, and local championships. In addition to serving several years as the UPHA Chapter 14 Spring Premiere Show chairperson, and for three years as president of the New England Morgan Horse Association (NEMHA), Chris has also given her time to more boards and committees than we can name here. Beams Nighthawk, Lady’s Enticement, UVM Valcour, HVK Hot Ember, Treble’s Johnny B. Goode, Successive Endeavors NKS, KGA Picasso, Hasty’s Honor, and UVM Opportunity are among the stars that helped pave the

way to the UPHA Chapter 14 Hall of Fame for Chris Cassenti.

Tim Keller of Monson was also inducted into the NEMHA Hall of Fame. One never knows what one might find when approaching the blacksmith shop at the NEMHS. Chances are that you will find Tim underneath a horse meticulously working his craft. But, you might also find a barbecue luncheon to benefit Tim’s favorite charity, the UPHA Horsemen’s Benevolent Fund The one thing you can be sure of is that Tim will be there as he has been for 47 years. He may grumble a little about the poor electricity, the long hours, the heat, the rain, and the dust, but he carries in his heart a deep love for NEMHS, the Morgan breed, and the people who care for them. This long service and level of commitment earned him a spot in the NEMHA Hall of Fame, but it’s how he has done it that makes Tim so special.

With a deep working knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the horse’s hoof, Tim stands by his belief that if you get a horse comfortable in his hooves, he will perform to his athletic best. Tim has the skills and an eye to make this happen. A traditionalist at heart, Tim has never given in to fads or extremes in his shoeing, yet has adapted to technological advances while working within the boundaries of the various association rules.

Tim’s portable shop is efficient, neat, and well-equipped. Indeed it’s a welcome sight at horse shows throughout New England where he often serves as the official farrier.

n Suzy Lucine

Overherdisms • “Horses are my therapy.”

• “It’s your future. Take the reins.”

• “I thought you had a white horse.”

• “I meant to skip that fence.”

Massachusetts Horse

27

Partners

Granby Regional Horse Council Hello and happy summer from GRHC. Over the neverending winter, GRHC hosted some wonderful lectures and demonstrations. We hope that you were able to attend some of them. In December 2017, we presented a lecture

by Lise Krieger on saddle fit and repair; Samantha Smith gave a talk on the use of essential oils with animals and humans in January; Nicole Lombardo educated us on equine dentistry in February; and in March, the club hosted a lecture and liberty demonstration by Barb Macon of Sterling Rewards Natural Horsemanship highlighting training techniques, obstacles, and becoming a better partner with your horse. The lecture series was well attended. Thank you to all of the speakers for their time and expertise. We really appreciate it.

Now that the riding season is upon us, GRHC has planned some great events.

Our Spring Pleasure Ride was May 20. The Summer Pleasure Ride will be Sunday, August 12, with a rain date of August 19. GRHC’s Fall Foliage Ride and Feast is scheduled for Sunday, October 7 with a rain date the following Sunday.

Locations for these rides have not been determined, and we have several sites under consideration. We’re trying to hold some rides in places that are new to the club. If you have ideas for locations, please send us your suggestions, and be sure 28

June/July 2018

to check granbyregionalhorse.org for updates.

For competitive events, GRHC presents the Poker Ride on Sunday, September 9, with a rain date the following Sunday, at Dufresne Park in Granby. GRHC’s traditional McDonald’s Nature Preserve Trail Ride and Obstacle Course will be held on Sunday, October 21 in Wilbraham.

Granby Regional Horse Council, Inc. You can also reach us at (413) 527-9532 or grhc@charter.net with your questions.

7 Barb Macon

Hampshire County Riding Club HCRC started the year’s activities with two great programs. In March, we learned about the sport TREC from

Nancy Ronan

Our goal is to foster connections within the horse community throughout the Bay State, and one of the ways we do this is with our Partners Program. Massachusetts organizations that partner with us receive a free one-year subscription for each member and space in the magazine for news, photos, and event listings.

Hampshire County Riding Club member Barbara Willard Weyant at the May 6 Versatility, Obstacle, and Trick Training Clinic with Peter and Philip Whitmore held at Carrier’s Farm in Southampton.

GRHC members will be participating in the town of Granby’s 250th Anniversary Parade that will be held Charter Day Weekend on Sunday, June 10, and the Belchertown Fair Parade on September 22. You must be a GRHC member to ride in the parades.

GRHC’s Annual Open Show with judge Melissa Lalli will be held at Dufresne Park in Granby on Sunday, June 24. There will be classes for all ages and disciplines including English, western, junior, senior, riding, inhand, green horse, gaited, stock horse, pleasure, and equitation. Register soon for a fun day!

To learn more about the show, see a class list, sponsor the show, advertise in the program, or join, visit granbyregionalhorse.com and follow us on Facebook:

clinicians Bob Hatch and Stephanie Freund of Burnshirt Farm in Hubbardston. TREC, as it is known in the United States, is the acronym for Techniques de Randonnée Équestre de Compétition. TREC originated in France as a sport designed to test the skills of trekking guides working in equestrian tourism.

Our April presentation was a talk by Jeffrey Blasche, co-owner of Connecticut Horse Cremation, about the delicate process and care that goes into picking up a deceased horse, the cremation process, and personally delivering the ashes back to the owner.

On June 20, our presentation by Lise Krieger, certified saddle fitter of New England Saddle Fit, will be held at Carrier’s Farm in Southampton. She’ll give us

some basic tests to see if our saddles fit. Lise is trained in saddle assessment, flocking, repairing, consignment, and sales as well. All of our presentations are open to the public.

At our club clean-up day, we prepped our grounds for the season’s activities and set up our woodland trail obstacle course. On May 6, we held a Versatility, Obstacle, and Trick Training Clinic with brothers Peter Whitmore from It’s a Pleasure Training and Philip Whitmore of CA Trick Training. Philip and Peter provided lots of one-on-one instruction and it was truly amazing to see what we could accomplish.

On June 2 and 3, HCRC members will be camping at the town-owned Felton Field in Barre, home base of the Barre Riding and Driving Club. There’s lots of space for campers, tents, and horse corrals, and BRDC has an extensive, marked trail system. We’ve another weekend of camping planned, this time at Wagon Wheel Campground in Warwick July 20–22. The campground provides covered enclosures for the horses, great trails in nearby state forests, bathrooms with showers, and a swimming pool (which we totally took advantage of in last year’s 100 degree weather). The weekend is open to club members and their guests.

On Sunday, June 24, HCRC will be leading a ride from the Four Season’s Sportsmen’s Club through the Chesterfield Gorge along the picturesque Westfield River to Indian Hollow for a trail lunch and return. The ride is open to members and their guests.

To learn more, visit hampshirecountyriding club.org and follow us on Facebook.

7 Diane Merritt

Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation For six consecutive years, kidfriendly Greene Acres Equestrian Center located in Belchertown has been awarded MFBF’s Horse Farm of Distinction honor. This stable’s excellence can be traced back to its owner, Amanda Hodgen, and her passion for equines and children.

“I started riding when I was five and I’ve been riding, showing, and training ever since,” Amanda says. “I went to college at Morrisville State College for equine science and management and earned my associate degree.”

While she was in college, Amanda’s parents acquired the property where the farm is now located. According to Amanda, originally the barn that she now uses as a stable was meant to be her dad’s and brother’s storage space for their landscape company.

She says, “I just slowly, kind of took it over.”

Now the farm offers camps, horse shows, leasing, and lessons. Amanda also does some training but has cut back on that as her time is now consumed with her two children. In between being busy with her twolegged wards, Amanda keeps her stables clean and organized, which assisted in her earning the Horse Farm of Distinction honor.

“Everything is neat and safe,” she says. “Everybody is healthy.”

One of Amanda’s boarders wrote a review on the Greene Acres Equestrian Center Facebook page that sums up the care her horse receives: “Amanda takes fantastic care of my horse and I never have to worry about him. Been here for years and got to see it from the start.”

While testimonials like that help promote her stables, Amanda is always looking for new ways to increase interest in her business. “Pretty much as soon as we could, we applied [for the Horse Farm

of Distinction],” Amanda says.

“It was one more thing to make us look better when people are looking for a farm.

It’s also one more good thing to add to the list of things that we have.”

Stables must be members of MFBF to apply for the Horse Farm of Distinction honor. Amanda stays a member of the organization for more reasons than just to apply for this award. “It’s a good organization,” she says.

of our Novice Show Super Horse Award! Marissa trains with Charlene MacDonald of Quarter Ridge Farm in Westboro.

MQHA strives to recognize and support all of our neighboring New England Quarter Horse owners, exhibitors and clubs, and we are delighted to support Jessica McAllister of the CQHA as she prepares to compete in the Youth World Cup! Jessica is one of ten

NEECA’s next gymkhana is June 24 at the park in Athol.

“It provides a lot of information and it’s kind of nice to see the farms that are connected.”

To learn more about the MFBF, including how to join, visit mfbf.net.

7 Katelyn Parsons

Massachusetts Quarter Horse Association Spring has finally arrived in New England, albeit a tad slow, however! MQHA started its 2018 show season with the recent April Novice Show. We had an amazing turnout of competitors. We welcomed Quarter Horse exhibitors as well as multiple breeds showing in our open divisions. How wonderful to see the Gypsy Vanners alongside our Quarter Horses!

This is a true testament that the love of horses knows no boundaries.

Congratulations to Marissa Rossetti and Hubbas Lil. They are the recipients

AQHYA members that will represent Team USA at the 2018 American Quarter Horse Youth World Cup, June 28–July 8 in College Station, Texas. Good luck, Jessica!

Feel free to reach out to any of our club members with questions or suggestions.

Make every stride a good one!

7 Lori Mahassel

New England Equestrian Center of Athol When spring arrives, things really start happening at NEECA. Twenty-nine riders came out to have fun on the Spring Scavenger Hunt at the end of April, and there were more than 35 participants — the largest turnout yet — at the April and May gymkhanas. The Spring Trail Ride and the first Cathy Drumm Clinic were equally great successes, and there’s more on the calendar for the park in June.

Come to the park June 9 for the Annual Equestrian Showcase, a celebration of drill teams, demonstrations, and all things equine. On June 16, auditors are welcome at a Trailer Safety Clinic. The second Cathy Drumm Clinic will take place June 17, and the June gymkhana is scheduled for the 24th.

Want to learn more about what happens at the NEECA gymkhanas?

Coordinator Frank Whitney has put together an excellent handbook of information and rules you can find online at tiny.cc/h36gty.

The major event NEECA hosts is the July 15 horse show that’s part of the Barre Riding and Driving Club Series, held at Felton Field in Barre. This year there will be entertainment during the lunch break with trick rider Dale Perkins, and the food booth will once again be run by the exceptional volunteers from the Dare to Dream Educational Farm Program. This show is always a favorite, and we hope to see you there.

To learn more about NEECA and its activities, visit neeca.org and follow us on Facebook: New England Equestrian Center of Athol.

Have a wonderful summer!

7 Pam DeGregorio

Old North Bridge Hounds ONBH members, along with all New Englanders, are relieved the long winter is over and we are thrilled spring has arrived. We’re now hunting and the spring fixture is available at oldnorthbridgehounds.org.

Everyone is welcome to join us for the upcoming hunts, as well as for all the activities we’ve planned for this coming season.

At the annual meeting, we elected the board of stewards and officers, and are pleased to announce our two new Masters of Fox Hounds, Stuart Greenberg and Tom Massachusetts Horse

29

the New England Hunts Hound Show on May 6, which was hosted by the Norfolk Hunt. Two ONBH juniors made us proud — six-year-old Jordan Smith showed ONBH Cloudy and

awarded Overall Champion in the Juniors. Our adult members showed as well and ONBH Darlin went home with a blue.

What’s coming up? Two hunter paces are planned,

Susan Goldfischer

Moran. They join MFH Marjorie Franko and MFH and huntsman Virginia Zukatynski as joint masters.

Both Stuart and Thomas have long and productive histories with ONBH and have served the hunt as president.

We started the year with a tack sale, which we hope to make an annual event. Thank you to Jennifer Saffron of Jenn’s Tack & Blanket Service for joining us for the event and for Madison Peck for all her hard work.

With spring hunting in full swing, members and volunteers have been out clearing the trails and everyone is enjoying being out with friends and a much kinder Mother Nature.

We encourage people to socialize with ONBH members, meet the hounds, enjoy a tea, and volunteer at an event or help with walking the hounds. We’re a very friendly group and the hounds love to meet new people!

ONBH participated in

Old North Bridge Hounds members enjoy a recent hunt in Concord.

won champion in the Junior Nine Year Old and Under class and 17-year-old Jamie Ericson showed Kross to champion in the 13 to 17 Year Old class and was

New Facility in Granby!

June 10 at DCR Great Brook Farm in Carlisle, and October 14 at Red Rail Farm, Lincoln.

A Summer Solstice Ride and the Blessing of the Hounds is also being planned.

We’ve established the ONBH Welfare Foundation, a nonprofit foundation to assist our hounds in their retirement when they’re no longer able to join us for hunts. Several hounds have been placed with members and special friends and are enjoying their new lives of leisure. Donations are taxdeductible and, not to let too many secrets out, one hound has his own sleep number bed!

Planning has already begun for ONBH’s fiftieth anniversary celebration in 2019. There’s a Hunt Ball planned for September 14, 2019 at the tent in the gardens of the Wayside Inn. Mark your calendars and come out and join us.

To learn more about the ONBH, visit oldnorthbridgehounds.org or call MFH and huntsman Ginny Zukatynski at (508) 751-3315.

7 Pat Jackson

Willow Brook Farm

Lessons Summer Camps Balanced Seat . Jumping Dressage . Cross Country . Western

185' x 165' Lighted Outdoor Arena . Covered Viewing Area Two Heated Tack Rooms . 12' x 12' matted stalls Daily Turnout . Water/Electric in Barns & at Paddocks Owners Live on Premises Trails Right off Farm

NORTH STAR STABLES 59 Ferry Hill Rd., Granby, Mass.

Ray & Ann Brousseau at (413) 315-3427 30

June/July 2018

Now accepting new boarders!

Indoor Arena . Quality Hay . Semi-Private Turn Out Heated Wash Stalls . Trails . Large Outdoor Arena Cross-Country Schooling Course

Friendly and Supportive Barn Family!

1070 Washington Street Holliston, Mass. willowbrookholliston.com wbfponies@gmail.com

Massachusetts Horse

31

events Massachusetts

June 2 POLO MATCH, Georgetown. bostonpolo.org.

2 ODD/EVEN SORTING, Chipaway Stables, Acushnet. chipawaystables.com.

2 SOUTH EAST HUNTER SHOW, Rozena’s Field, Raynham. southeasthunter.com.

2 EQUINE CONFIDENCE AND DE-SPOOKING CLINIC, West Newbury. windcresthorsefarm.org.

2 NEDA SPRING SHOW I, Marshfield. neda.org.

2 – 3 BRDC WEEKEND CAMPOUT, Felton Field, Barre. barreridingdrivingclub.com.

2 – 3 ALLISON SPRINGER CLINIC, Azrael Acres, Uxbridge. azraelacres.com.

3 SCHOOLING DRESSAGE SHOW, Belchertown. independencestablellc.com.

3 NEDA SPRING SHOW II, Marshfield. neda.org.

32

June/July 2018

3 SCHOOLING/FUN SHOW, Calico Performance Horses, Berkley. (774) 444-7076.

3 MHC NEHC Show, Ipswich. backbayfarm.com.

3 NSHA PLEASURE SHOW, Bob-Lyn Stables, Amesbury. northshorehorsemens.org.

3 OPEN JUMPER SHOW, Chelmsford. midnightmoonstables.com.

3 CRDA DRESSAGE SHOW, Apple Knoll Farm, Millis. crdressage.org.

3 POLO, South Hamilton. myopiapolo.org.

3 SCHOOLING/FUN SHOW SERIES, Calico Performance Horses, Berkley. (774) 444-7076.

3 GFF SHOW III, Buzzards Bay. grazingfields.com.

3 MHC SHOW, Bolton. centurymillstables.com.

6 SOUTH COAST SERIES JUMPER SHOW, Valinor Farm, Plymouth. valinorfarm.com.

3 ANN GUPTILL FREESTYLE CLINIC, RER Ponies, Hatfield. rerponies.com.

6 – 9 CONNECTICUT MORGAN AND OPEN SHOW, West Springfield. ctmorgan.com.

3 WNEPHA HUNTER SHOW, Harmony Hill, Great Barrington. wnepha.com.

7 – 10 CCDS PLEASURE DRIVING SHOW, Stockbridge. colonialcarriage.org.

Massachusetts Horse Benefit Adventure Trail

September 16, Sunday (rain date September 23) Apple Knoll Farm Equestrian Center, Millis!

00 ,0 5 $ n a h t e Mor rds, a w a n u f , s in prize n, o i t c u a t n e l i raffle, s and food!

What’s an Adventure Trail? It’s a hunter pace, timed obstacle course, and horsemanship knowledge quiz combination.

Hunter Pace

Timed Obstacle Course

Horsemanship Knowledge Quiz

Participate in one, two, or all three events.

Aproximately seven miles, 15 optional jumps, teams of two/three riders in three divisions: Walk Trot . Trail Rider . Field Hunter

Karen Morang Photography

New location!

Apple Knoll Farm r Equestrian Cente in Millis!

Ten obstacles, four divisions: Novice Youth . Novice Adult Open Youth . Open Adult

Fun for riders and nonriders, four divisions: Novice Youth . Novice Adult Open Youth . Open Adult

Alessandra Mele

mahorse.com and follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/MassachusettsHorseBenefitShow

Karen Morang Photography

Alessandra Mele

All proceeds to benefit:

Massachusetts Horse

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9 TEAM PENNING, Chipaway Stables, Acushnet. chipawaystables.com.

9 MHC SHOW, Pembroke. herringbrookfarm.com.

9 HHRC 86TH ANNUAL JUNE SHOW, Briggs Stable, Hanover. briggsstable.com.

9 NAVIGATING WARM-UP ARENA ANXIETY, JH Eventing, Sutton. jh-eventing.com.

9 POLO MATCH, Georgetown. bostonpolo.org.

10 USEF LOCAL HUNTER SHOW, Holliston. rideaugustfarm.com.

Angie Tollefson

10 POLO, South Hamilton. myopiapolo.org.

10 COMBINED TRAINING SCHOOLING SHOW, Lakeville. belandstables.com.

Open Shows . Horse Trials . Clinic Open Show Series

May 19 . June 24 August 18 . September 9 Champion & Reserve in all Divisions!

10 GFF SHOW IV, Buzzards Bay. grazingfields.com.

10 HRC TRAIL RIDE, Myles Standish State Forest, Carver. hansonridingclub.org.

Horse Trials & Dressage

10 CCEA OPEN SHOW, South Yarmouth. ccequineassoc.com.

June 16 . July 21 August 25 . September 30

10 BSTRA NATIONAL TRAILS DAY RIDE, Apple Knoll Farm, Millis. bstra.org.

Pre-Elementary through Novice!

Azrael Acres, 144 Williams St., Uxbridge, Mass. (508) 234-2678

10 WRC 4-H AND OPEN SHOW, Westfield. westfieldridingclub.org.

June 3 June 10 June 17 June 24 July 1 July 8 July 15 July 21 July 22 July 27 July 29 August 5

Harmony Hill Biscuit Hill Farm White Horse Hill Grindstone Mountain Bonnie Lea Farm Bellwether Stable Heritage Farm Harmony Hill Muddy Brook Farm Emerald Glen Blythewood Stables Bonnie Lea Farm (jumpers)

DRESSAGE SHOWS English and Western Tests

June 3 June 10 July 8

Emerald Glen Higher Ground Farm Emerald Glen Featuring year-end awards in many divisions.

Full schedule can be found at

WNEPHA.com An organization for horsemen, by horsemen.

34

June/July 2018

10 LUAU OPEN JUMPER SHOW, JH Eventing, Sutton. jh-eventing.com.

10 MEDAL DAY, Holliston. rideaugustfarm.com.

10 MHC SHOW, Haverhill. ridecornerstone.com.

10 WNEPHA HUNTER SHOW, Biscuit Hill Farm, Shelburne. wnepha.com.

10 DRESSAGE SCHOOLING SHOW, Lainey Johnson “L” judge, Xenophon Farm, Montague.

(413) 367-9828 or xenophonfarm@aol.com.

Emerald Glen Equestrian Center

HUNTER/EQUITATION SHOWS

Scott Porter

Visit azraelacres.com for class lists, brochures, and more information.

13 CATHY DRUMM WESTERN DRESSAGE SERIES, South Hadley. cathydrumm.com.

13 SUMMER JUMPER SHOW SERIES, Apple Knoll Farm, Millis. appleknoll.com.

13 – 16 SUMMER KICKOFF OPEN SHOW, Northampton. vtspringclassic@aol.com.

14 – 17 CQHA SPRING SHOW, West Springfield. cqha.com.

15 – 17 ERIC SMILEY CLINIC, Hamilton. blackoakstables.com 16 CAPE COD HUNTER SHOW, Rozena’s Field, Raynham. capecodhunter.com.

16 HORSE TRIALS, Uxbridge. azraelacres.com.

16 RANCH SORTING, Chipaway Stables, Acushnet. chipawaystables.com.

20 SUMMER JUMPER SHOW SERIES, Apple Knoll Farm, Millis. appleknoll.com.

16 SUNRISE PLEASURE AND WMAA SHOW SERIES, South Hadley. mhcriding.com.

20 –24 PLYMOUTH ROCK HUNTER/JUMPER, Halifax. showfieldstone.com.

16 – 17 BUCK DAVIDSON CLINIC, Sherborn. coursebrookshows.com.

22 GYMKHANA, Grafton. hillside-meadows.com.

17 SCHOOLING TWO-PHASE AND DRESSAGE SHOW, Dracut. cutterfarm.com.

17 POLO, South Hamilton. myopiapolo.org.

17 CMHSS OPEN SHOW, Spencer. cmhss.net.

22 – 24 PATRIOT REINING CLASSIC, Northampton. patriotreining.com.

23 TEAM PENNING, Chipaway Stables, Acushnet. chipawaystables.com.

24 HCRC CHESTERFIELD GORGE RIDE. hampshirecountyridingclub.org.

17 MHC SHOW, Medway. saddlerowe.com.

24 OPEN SHOW, Uxbridge. azraelacres.com.

17 SSHC SHOW, Raynham. sshconline.com.

17 WNEPHA HUNTER SHOW, White Horse Hill, Richmond. wnepha.com.

24 SOUTH COAST HUNTER SERIES, Grazing Fields Farm, Buzzards Bay. southcoastseries.com.

24 JUDGED PLEASURE RIDE, Oxford. bstra.org.

17 CRANBERRY CIRCUIT SHOW, Cape Cod Fairgrounds, East Falmouth. (508) 564-0754.

18 BEVIN DUGAN EVENTING CLINIC, RER Ponies, Hatfield. rerponies.com.

20 HHRC MINI SHOW, Briggs Stable, Hanover. briggsstable.com.

20 SOUTH COAST SERIES JUMPER SHOW, Valinor Farm, Plymouth. valinorfarm.com.

24 HDA SCHOOLING DRESSAGE SHOW, Briggs Stable, Hanover. heritage-dressage.org.

24 WNEPHA HUNTER SHOW, Grindstone Mountain, Southampton. wnepha.com.

24 GRHC ANNUAL OPEN SHOW, Dufresne Park, Granby. granbyregionalhorse.org.

Dressage Schooling Show Series

May 6 - Adam Cropper “r” judge June 10 - Lainey Johnson “L” judge July 8 - Corinna Scheller-Flemming “L” August 12 - Roberta Carlton “L” judge September 16 - Jutta Lee “r” judge

Dressage Clinics Bill McMullin Sharon McCusker Bill Warren Verne Batchelder

Like us on Facebook to see who’s coming!

24 POLO, South Hamilton. myopiapolo.org.

Stalls Available

Stalls available in the 16-stall barn with attached indoor arena. Nestled at the base of Mt Toby this “Massachusetts Horse Farm of Distinction” provides outstanding care for you and your horse.

XENOPHON FARM

30 YEARS OF OUTSTANDING CLINICS, LECTURES & COMPETITIONS! JANICE

& ELAINE KACHAVOS

80 SUNDERLAND RD., RTE. 47 MONTAGUE, MASS. 413.367.9828 X ENOPHON FARM @ AOL . COM Massachusetts Horse

35

24 SUMMER CLASSIC THREE-PHASE, Hamilton. grotonhousefarm.com.

24 BRDC SHOW SERIES, Felton Field, Barre. barreridingdrivingclub.com.

24 WASHBURN STABLES OPEN SHOW, Washburn Park, Marion. (774) 451-8909.

27 MINI SHOW, Hanover. briggsstable.com.

27 SUMMER JUMPER SHOW SERIES, Apple Knoll Farm, Millis. appleknoll.com.

27 – 28 USDF/USEF DRESSAGE SHOW, South Hadley. mhcriding.com.

28 SUMMER NIGHTS JUMPER SERIES, Groton Fairgrounds. grotonponyclub.org.

July

7 – 9 SEACOAST MORGAN SHOW, Topsfield Fairgrounds. nhmorgans.com.

1 MHC SHOW, Grafton. hillside-meadows.com.

1 WNEPHA HUNTER SHOW, Bonnie Lea Farm, Williamstown. wnepha.com.

8 PIPESTAVE HILL HORSE TRIALS, West Newbury. wnrdc.com.

1 PLYMOUTH COUNTY 4-H OPEN SHOW, Briggs Stable, Hanover. pc4hhorseshow.com.

8 POLO, South Hamilton. myopiapolo.org.

4 MARION 4TH OF JULY SHOW, Washburn Memorial Park, Marion. marionhorseshow.com.

4 – 8 BSTRA FOURTH OF JULY CAMPOUT, Douglas. bstra.org.

29 JUMPER SHOW, Hillside Meadows, Grafton. hillside-meadows.com.

4 – 8 NH HUNTER/JUMPER SHOW, Halifax. fieldstoneshowpark.com.

29 MHC SHOW, Pembroke. herringbrookfarm.com.

5 SCARLET APPLE HORSE TRIALS, Groton. appletreefarm.org.

30 ODD/EVEN SORTING, Chipaway Stables, Acushnet. chipawaystables.com.

8 DRESSAGE SCHOOLING SHOW, Xenophon Farm, Montague. (413) 367-9828.

1 RIDE FOR THE RIBBON, Felton Field, Barre. ridefortheribbonma.org.

28 – 30 ARABIAN SHOW OF NEW ENGLAND, West Springfield. (716) 984-3636.

29 – July 1 GROTON HOUSE FARM HORSE TRIALS, Hamilton. grotonhousefarm.com.

8 MHC SHOW, Grafton. hillside-meadows.com.

1 POLO, South Hamilton. myopiapolo.org.

4 MINI SHOW, Hanover. briggsstable.com.

8 MERRIMACK VALLEY DRESSAGE SHOW, Bradford. (978) 374-0008.

8 COMBINED TRAINING SCHOOLING SHOW, Lakeville. belandstables.com.

8 FARAH DEJOHNETTE CLASS, Ohana Farm, North Brookfield. fdhorsemanship.com.

8 WNEPHA HUNTER SHOW, Bellwether Stable, Pittsfield. wnepha.com.

8 SCHOOLING HORSE TRIALS, Plymouth. valinorfarm.com.

9 MHC SHOW, Bolton. centurymillstables.com.

5 – 8 REGIONAL 4-H SHOW, Three County Fairgrounds, Northampton. mass4H.org.

11 MINI SHOW, Hanover. briggsstable.com.

7 TEAM PENNING, Chipaway Stables, Acushnet. chipawaystables.com.

11 SUMMER JUMPER SHOW SERIES, Apple Knoll Farm, Millis. appleknoll.com.

Briggs Stable

86 Annual th

June Show

New!

Hunter D erbies 2 ', 2 '6 " , 2'9" Outside Course Warm-ups 6:30 to 8 A .M.

Saturday • June 9 Trailer Parking Starts at 6 A .M.

Wednesday evenings starting at 6 P.M. June 20 to August 29 All members of the Hanover Hunt & Riding Club are eligible for year-end awards.

Lead Line . Therapeutic . Walk Trot . Games Jumping . Equitation . Pleasure Great food and drinks available at the Hanover Hunt & Riding Club food booth.

Briggs Stable • Route 139, Hanover Centre, MA

Briggs Stable • 623 Hanover St., Hanover Centre, MA (781) 826-3191

Affiliated with NEHC, MHC, and SSHC MHC, NEHC, and SSHC Medal Classes

Class lists may be downloaded at www.briggsstable.com.

Show Manager: John Dougherty (781) 826-3191

Program may be downloaded at www.briggsstable.com.

36

Mini Shows

June/July 2018

Visit Briggs Tack Shop, a full service shop, while at the show!

11 MHC SHOW, Pembroke. herringbrookfarm.com.

15 BRDC SHOW SERIES, Felton Field, Barre. barreridingdrivingclub.com.

12 MASSACHUSETTS RIDE FOR THE RIBBON, Barre. ridefortheribbonma.org.

15 POLO, South Hamilton. myopiapolo.org.

12 SUMMER NIGHTS JUMPER SERIES, Groton Fairgrounds. grotonponyclub.org.

15 SCHOOLING TWO-PHASE AND DRESSAGE SHOW, Dracut. cutterfarm.com.

14 POKER RUN, Camp Marshall, Spencer. campmarshall.net.

15 WNEPHA HUNTER SHOW, Heritage Farm, Easthampton. wnepha.com.

14 RANCH SORTING, Chipaway Stables, Acushnet. chipawaystables.com.

15 BSTRA PLEASURE RIDE, Ware. bstra.org.

15 MHC SHOW, Haverhill. ridecornerstone.com.

14 MEDAL DAY, Holliston. rideaugustfarm.com.

15 SOUTH COAST HUNTER SERIES, Wolf Rock Farm, Plymouth. southcoastseries.com.

15 SUMMER SCHOOLING EVENT I, Berlin. orchardhillequestriancenter.com.

15 SCHOOLING HORSE TRIALS, Rehoboth. palmerriver.com.

15 NSHA PLEASURE SHOW, Bob-Lyn Stables, Amesbury. northshorehorsemens.org.

15 HRC OPEN SHOW, Briggs Stable, Hanover. hansonridingclub.org.

15 NEDA SUMMER DRESSAGE SHOW, Apple Knoll Farm, Millis. appleknoll.com.

16 – 22 REGION 6 SUPER 6 SHOW, West Springfield. massqha.com.

Independence Stable

2018 Dressage Schooling Shows Traditional & Western Dressage Tests

18 CATHY DRUMM WESTERN DRESSAGE SERIES, South Hadley. cathydrumm.com.

May 5 - “L” judge Doris Carlson June 3 - “L” judge Roberta Carlton Aug. 12 - “L” judge Linda Currie Sept. 9 - “L” judge Krystal Wilt

18 SOUTH COAST SERIES JUMPER SHOW, Valinor Farm, Plymouth. valinorfarm.com.

Check our Facebook page for updates!

18 HHRC MINI SHOW, Briggs Stable, Hanover. briggsstable.com.

18 SUMMER JUMPER SHOW SERIES, Apple Knoll Farm, Millis. appleknoll.com.

20 – 22 HCRC CAMPING WEEKEND, Warwick. hampshirecountyridingclub.org.

Extreme Brush Mowing

(413) 284-0371 independencestablellc.com

Supporting our horse community since 2001.

20 GYMKHANA, Grafton. hillside-meadows.com.

Want to Reclaim Your Pasture?

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Donating more than 2,000 Massachusetts Horse Junior Horsemanship Awards to Bay State competitions.

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Massachusetts Horse

37

Lise Krieger

Certified Saddle Fitter saddle assessments fitting evaluations flocking . repairs consignments . sales

newenglandsaddlefit.com newenglandsaddlefit@comcast.net 203 . 685 . 2308

21 WNEPHA HUNTER SHOW, Harmony Hill, Great Barrington. wnepha.com.

22 WRC OCTOBER MOUNTAIN RIDE, Lee. westfieldridingclub.org.

21 HORSE TRIALS, Uxbridge. azraelacres.com.

22 GFF MEDAL, Buzzards Bay. grazingfields.com.

21 TEAM PENNING, Chipaway Stables, Acushnet. chipawaystables.com.

24 – 27 HEAD OF THE BAY CLASSIC I, Buzzards Bay. grazingfields.com.

21 MHC SHOW, Medway. saddlerowe.com.

24 – 28 NEW ENGLAND REGIONAL MORGAN SHOW, Northampton. nemha.com.

21 GSC SHOW SERIES, Granby. (413) 530-9003.

25 HHRC MINI SHOW, Hanover. briggsstable.com.

22 WNEPHA HUNTER SHOW, Muddy Brook Farm, Amherst. wnepha.com.

22 SCHOOLING/FUN SHOW SERIES, Calico Performance Horses, Berkley. (774) 444-7076.

25 SUMMER JUMPER SHOW SERIES, Apple Knoll Farm, Millis. appleknoll.com.

26 SUMMER NIGHTS JUMPER SERIES, Groton Fairgrounds. grotonponyclub.org.

22 POLO, South Hamilton. myopiapolo.org.

22 CCEA OPEN SHOW, South Yarmouth. ccequineassoc.com.

27 –29 YANKEE COLOR CLASSIC, West Springfield. westernmaapp.homestead.com.

Recovery . Maintenance . Performance Therapeutic Massage . Bodywork . Reiki

(413) 320-7690 jobunny@comcast.net

Tack Repairs & Restoration

saddles . chaps belts . halters bridles . reins harnesses dog collars & leashes

Blue Dog Leather 64 South Shore Dr., Orange, Mass.

978.544.2681 bluedogleather.com Open by appointment, please call ahead.

38

June/July 2018

DRESSAGE

Susan Rainville

Dressage Training, Groundwork & Response Training for a more confident partnership.

USDF bronze & silver medalist

Dressage Schooling Show Series April 29 May 27 August 26 October 7

White Spruce Farms Central Massachusetts (978) 257-4666 whitesprucefarms.com

Barefoot Hoof Care Rehabilitation of Laminitis/Founder & Other Hoof Pathologies Transitions from Shod to Barefoot Maintenance Trims

Diet & Nutrition Analysis Total Body Health

Natural Horsemanship Training Connection & Communication

Achaina

Classical Dressage & Work-In-Hand Balance, Strength, & Agility

Holistic Equine Services . Kathleen Ladendecker

(413) 310-4692 . Achaina.com kathy@achaina.com

Hanover Equine Dental Terry Paul

Graduate of the American School of Equine Dentistry

Performance floating for all disciplines.

Serving all of southern New England.

eqdent1@verizon.net . (781) 630-0741

28 RANCH SORTING, Chipaway Stables, Acushnet. chipawaystables.com.

This Olde Horse

28 SUMMER HORSE TRIALS, StoneleighBurnham School, Greenfield. sbschool.org.

Provincetown

28 HEAD OF THE BAY EQUITATION DAY, Buzzards Bay. grazingfields.com.

28 COLE CAMERON RIDE SMART CLINIC, Brimfield. fairviewfarmsjjc.com.

28 – 29 ELISA WALLACE CLINIC, Azrael Acres, Uxbridge. azraelacres.com.

28 – 29 NEMHS AMHA MINIATURE HORSE SHOW, South Hadley. nemhs.org.

29 CRANBERRY CIRCUIT SHOW, Cape Cod Fairgrounds, East Falmouth. (508) 564-0754.

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Lessons 5 Training Clinics 5 Drill Team Horse Shows Games Nights Summer Camps

Massachusetts Horse gives back to our community through its Junior Horsemanship Award program.

The award is given to the junior exhibitor who has shown the best horsemanship and sportsmanship at a competition in the Bay State. This is the junior who is not winning, but who is working hard with a great attitude. This junior is taking good care of her horse, cheering on her friends, and helping others.

Want to give out a free Massachusetts Horse Junior Horsemanship Award at your upcoming event? Visit mahorse.com/junior-awards.

These awards are made possible by Stephanie Sanders, Massachusetts Horse publisher, and Absorbine.

JBK Photography

978-425-6181

Junior Awards

Isabella Birchem of Wakefield won the Massachusetts Horse Junior Award at the May 6 Merrimack Valley Dressage Show at Bradford Equestrian Center in Haverill. She’s pictured with American Sport Pony Bel Canto, a.k.a. Beezie.

Brittany Jop won the Massachusetts Horse Junior Horsemanship Award at the May 6 Balmy Acres Buckle Blow Out Show in Middleboro. Left to right: winner Brittany Jop, Balmy Acres owner Angela Balmes, and ribbon runner Erin Taylor.

Massachusetts Horse

39

the

neighborhood

ASSOCIATIONS •••••••••••••••••••••••••• BAY STATE TRAIL RIDERS ASSOCIATION bstra.org Keeping trails open for equestrian use; organized trail rides; volunteer opportunities for trail clearing and maintenance.

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY RIDING CLUB Goshen, MA, (413) 268-3372 hampshirecounty ridingclub.org Monthly trail rides, woodland obstacle course, scavenger hunt, and clinics.

BARN CATS •••••••••••••••••••••••••• PAWS WATCH P.O. Box 7005, Warwick, RI 02887 cats@pawswatch.org, pawswatch.org Barn cats need homes! Healthy, fixed, vaccinated barn cats provide rodent control. Delivered!

BARNS •••••••••••••••••••••••••• CARRIAGE SHED Serving the Northeast, (800) 441-6057 carriageshed.com Barns, arenas, shed rows, custom buildings.

DRESSAGE •••••••••••••••••••••••••• BRADFORD EQUESTRIAN CENTER Haverhill, MA, (978) 374-0008 Dressage for all disciplines and driving.

Keith Angstadt, USEF dressage judge.

CATHY DRUMM Pittsfield, MA, (413) 441-5278 cathydrumm.com Clinics, lessons, training, western and English dressage, hunter/jumper.

FAIRFIELD FARM Rochester, MA, (508) 763-8038 dressageatfairfieldfarm.com Boarding, instruction, training, indoor.

WHITE SPRUCE FARMS New Braintree, MA, (978) 257-4666 whitesprucefarms.com Dressage shows, instruction, all levels/ages.

XENOPHON FARM Montague, (413) 367-9828 xenophonfarm@aol.com Dressage schooling shows, clinics, lessons, boarding, training, trails, owners on site.

EQUINE DENTISTRY •••••••••••••••••••••••••• WENDY BRYANT, EQDT Northampton, MA, (413) 237-8887 wbryantnatrualbalancedentistry.com Natural balance equine dentistry.

Improved topline, maximized performance, increased flexion. Serving New England.

NORTHEAST EQUINE VETERINARY DENTAL SERVICES LEAH LIMONE, DVM Topsfield, MA, (978) 500-9293 nevds.com Licensed professional veterinary dentistry.

Routine preventive care, maintenance, diagnostics, extractions.

40

June/July 2018

Your Everything Equine “white pages”

EQUINE ENTERTAINMENT •••••••••••••••••••••••••• DALE PERKINS/MESA FARM Rutland, MA, (508) 886-6898 daleperkinshorseshow.com Trick riding and much more.

EQUINE MASSAGE •••••••••••••••••••••••••• HORSEBACK AND BODY Northampton, MA, (413) 320-7690 jobunny@comcast.net Massage therapy for horses, humans.

FINANCING, LOANS, TAX PREP •••••••••••••••••••••••••• FARM CREDIT EAST (800) 562-2235, farmcrediteast.com Financing, loans, tax preparation, business consulting, financial planning.

HAFLINGERS •••••••••••••••••••••••••• SOMMER HILL FARM Adams, MA, (413) 743-9301 sommerhaflingers@yahoo.com One Haflinger is never enough.

HAY •••••••••••••••••••••••••• IMPERIAL HAY TRANSPORT Royalton, VT, (802) 234-2141 imperialhaytransport.com Quality New York and Canadian hay; shavings. Maine to Florida.

HORSES FOR SALE •••••••••••••••••••••••••• HERITAGE FARM Easthampton, MA, (413) 527-1612 farmheritage.com Auctions, sale horses, shows, clinics, boarding, lessons, and training.

STRAIN FAMILY HORSE FARM Granby, CT, (860) 653-3275 strainfamilyhorsefarm.com New England’s largest quality sales stable celebrating 50 years. Supplying NE with horses and ponies since 1967. Forty family, trail, and show horses to choose from. New loads every week. We buy horses, take trade-ins and consignment horses. Great three-week-exchange guarantee. Find us on Facebook.

INSTRUCTION/TRAINING •••••••••••••••••••••••••• BACK BAY FARM Ipswich, MA, (978) 356-0730 backbayfarm.com Lessons, boarding, training, and sales.

INSURANCE •••••••••••••••••••••••••• DON RAY INSURANCE Marshfield, MA, (781) 837-6550 donrayinsurance.com Farm, mortality, major medical and surgical, clubs, shows, instructors.

FARM FAMILY INSURANCE farmfamily.com Boxborough: (978) 467-1001 Carver: (508) 866-9150 Centerville: (508) 428-0440 Easthampton: (413) 203-5180

Great Barrington: (413) 528-1710 Marlborough: (508) 485-3800 Middleborough: (508) 747-8181 Northborough: (508) 393-9327 Southwick: (413) 569-2307 Topsfield: (978) 887-8304 Wilbraham: (413) 887-8817 Williamstown: (413) 458-5584 Worcester: (508) 752-3300 JUDGES •••••••••••••••••••••••••• MARY BRAZIE Egremont, MA, (413) 528-2367 arabpinto13@yahoo.com Judging open, 4-H, carded; lessons.

ED GOLEMBESKI Gill, MA, (413) 863-2313 riker119@comcast.net 4-H, open shows, clinics, lessons.

TACK •••••••••••••••••••••••••• CHESHIRE HORSE Swanzey, NH, (877) 358-3001 cheshirehorse.com English, western, feed, supplies, trailers.

SMARTPAK RETAIL STORE Natick, MA, (508) 651-0045 smartpak.com/retailstore Tack, equipment, supplements, blankets, apparel, gear, gifts, clearance outlet.

TRANSPORTATION •••••••••••••••••••••••••• J.R. HUDSON HORSE TRANSPORTATION West Bridgewater, MA, (508) 427-9333 jrhudsonhorsetrans.com Serving the lower 48 states and Canada.

NORWEGIAN FJORDS •••••••••••••••••••••••••• BLUE HERON FARM Charlemont, MA, (413) 339-4045 blueheronfarm.com Quality, purebred registered Fjords.

VETERINARIANS •••••••••••••••••••••••••• FAMILY VETERINARY CENTER Haydenville, MA, (413) 268-8387 famvets.com Traditional and alternative care for dogs, cats, exotics, and horses.

PHOTOGRAPHY •••••••••••••••••••••••••• KAREN MORANG PHOTOGRAPHY Find us on Facebook.

Equine photography and events.

SOUTH DEERFIELD VETERINARY CLINIC DR. ROBERT P. SCHMITT S. Deerfield, MA, (413) 665-3626 sdvc@aol.com Equine medicine, surgery since 1969.

REAL ESTATE •••••••••••••••••••••••••• ALTHEA BRAMHALL HOMETOWN REALTORS North Quabbin region, (617) 678-9300 althearealtor@gmail.com Real estate is more fun with horse people!

EQUINE HOMES REAL ESTATE LLC MA and NH, (800) 859-2745, ext. 704 equinehomes.com. sally@equinehomes.com Sally Mann, Realtor, MA and NH. STABLES, FARMS, BOARDING •••••••••••••••••••••••••• APPLE KNOLL FARM Millis, MA, (508) 376-2564 appleknoll.com Eventing training, lessons, schooling trials.

CARRIER’S FARM Southampton, MA, (413) 527-0333 rcarrier0333@gmail.com Indoor, outdoor arenas, round pens, fields.

GLENCROFT FARM Southampton, MA, (413) 527-8026 kraymond24@hotmail.com Boarding, pastures, ring, trails, fields.

SANDYHILL FARM Florence, (413) 320-1881 sandyhillfarm@yahoo.com Boarding, ring, trails, lessons available.

STRAIN FAMILY EQUESTRIAN CENTER LLC Southwick, MA, (413) 569-5797 strainfamilyequestrian.com Boarding, lessons, training, sales, therapeutic riding.

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29 WNEPHA HUNTER SHOW, Blythewood Stables, Pittsfield. wnepha.com.

1 SUMMER JUMPER SHOW SERIES, Apple Knoll Farm, Millis. appleknoll.com.

29 JUMPER SHOW, Sutton. jh-eventing.com.

1 – 4 CT SUMMER CLASSIC SHOW, Three County Fairgrounds, Northampton. ctasb.com.

29 POLO, South Hamilton. myopiapolo.org.

29 BSTRA WEST HILL DAM RIDE, Upton. bstra.org.

29 WASHBURN STABLES OPEN SHOW, Washburn Park, Marion.

(774) 451-8909.

29 THREE PHASE, Sherborn. coursebrookshows.com.

30 – August 2 HEAD OF THE BAY CLASSIC II, Buzzards Bay. grazingfields.com.

August

Perfection in Petersham

3 HORSE POWER TWO-PHASE, Camp Marshall, Spencer. campmarshall.net.

3 JUMPER SHOW, Hillside Meadows Equestrian Center, Grafton. hillside-meadows.com.

3 – 4 MASSACHUSETTS STATE 4-H SHOW, West Springfield. mass4h.org.

4 MHC SHOW, Medway. saddlerowe.com.

4 TEAM PENNING, Acushnet. chipawaystables.com.

1 HHRC MINI SHOW, Briggs Stable, Hanover. briggsstable.com.

4 GFF MEDAL, Buzzards Bay. grazingfields.com.

1 SOUTH COAST SERIES JUMPER SHOW, Valinor Farm, Plymouth. valinorfarm.com.

5 WNEPHA JUMPER SHOW, Bonnie Lea Farm, Williamstown. wnepha.com.

Thirty-eight acres in central Massachusetts village is an excellent home for humans and equines alike! Seven stall stable has large tack room, grooming area, and separate space for equipment and hay.

Engineered arena for dressage, schooling, jumping, or even running barrels. Home is 2,676 s.f. 4 bedroom, 3 bath Colonial reproduction with fireplace. Two car garage. Come see for yourself! $549,000.

Contact Althea today!

(617) 678-9300 (voice & text) althearealtor@gmail.com

northquabbinhomes.com

Massachusetts Horse

41

Is This Your Horse?

Halifax

Large and Small Animal Medicine & Surgery Serving the North Shore since 1951 Helen Noble, VMD . Robert Orcutt, DVM Derek Cavatorta, DVM PhD Kirstin Anderson, DVM . Ashley Taylor, DVM Mary Ann Montesano, DVM

295 High St, Ipswich, Mass.

978-356-1119 (ph) . 978-356-5758 (f)

Hana Isihara,

srhvets.com

Is this your horse?

This photo was taken at the Fieldstone April Show in Halifax. If this is your horse, contact us at win@mahorse.com for a month’s supply of SmartPaks and more from the Bay State’s very own SmartPak, smartpakequine.com, and a two-year subscription to Massachusetts Horse.

A & B INSURANCE GROUP Insurance for All Your Equine Needs

RER Ponies Training, Lessons & Sales

by BHS trained, USDF “L” Graduate & Bronze Medalist

Heather Reynolds Dostal Available for Judging & Clinics U.S. Pony Club Riding Center offering boarding, training, pony starting, and tune-ups. Professional, well rounded, goal-oriented lesson program for riders of all ages beginner through advanced.

Accepting new clients with 2017 expansion!

8 Circle Dr., Hatfield, MA 413.427.2026

RERponies.com . rerponies@gmail.com 42

June/July 2018

Farm & Equine . Equine Mortality . Horse Owners Liability Our agents have been serving the equine community for a combined 50+ years.

Call Richard, Wendy, and John for a competitive quote with one of our many equine insurance carriers.

978-399-0025 | ABInsGroup.com Richard@abinsgroup.com Wendy@abinsgroup.com . John@abinsgroup.com Licensed in MA, NH, VT, ME, CT & RI

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID BRIDGEPORT, CT PERMIT

Amherst Farmer’s Supply 320 Pleasant St., Amherst (413) 253-3436 amherstfarmerssupply.com A.W. Brown Pet & Garden Center 144 Shaker Rd., E. Longmeadow (413) 525-2115 . awbrown.com Brattleboro Agway 1277 Putney Rd., Brattleboro, VT (802) 254-8757 . achilleagway.com

Bridgewater Farm Supply 1000 Plymouth St., Bridgewater (508) 697-0357 . bridgewaterfarm.com Country Corral 35 Main St., Williamsburg (413) 268-0180 . countrycorralonline.com Dodge Grain Company 59 N. Broadway, Salem, NH (603) 893-3739 . dodgegrain.biz

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Essex County Co-op 146 S. Main St., Topsfield (978) 887-2309 essexcountycoop.net

Hoosac Valley Coal and Grain 2 Gavin Ave., Adams (413) 743-0163 hoosacvalleycoalandgrain.com

Greenfield Farmers Co-op Exchange 269 High St., Greenfield (413) 773-9639 greenfieldfarmerscoop.com

Sweet Meadow Feed & Grain 111 Coolidge St., Sherborn (508) 650-2926 sweetmeadowfeedandgrain.com

Hardwick Farmers Co-op Exchange Rte. 32, Gilbertville . (413) 477-6913 hardwickfarmers.net

Thibault’s Poultry 92 N. Spencer Rd. Spencer (508) 612-1907