Spring Down Low Down Newsletter
The newsletter of Spring Down Equestrian Center
Vol.3, Issue 1
Spring/Summer 2006
Welcome
Welcome to Spring at Spring Down... it is what we've all been waiting for, patiently, through the rainy and wintery weather. The sun is allowing us to ride outside once again, so put on that sunscreen, dig out those water bottles, and plan to come out more often to this wonderful facility to ride, ride, ride!!
We have many new and interesting activities planned for the upcoming season, including Horse Shows, Clinics, Vaulting exhibitions, Drill Team performances,Camps, Barbeques...you name it, and we have it here at Spring Down. Please read further for more information about these events!
Horse Show Updates
The weather and soggy outdoor footing kept us in the indoor arena for the March show, but it did not seem to dampen anyone's spirits. Turnout for this event was a pleasant surprise, as we had a large number of competitors in all events. There were many exhibitors from outside barns - thanks goes to all of them for making the effort to come and show at Spring Down, despite the bad weather of the season. Congratulations to all of the Spring Down riders, as well, for coming to the show with smiles on your faces, ready to spend a wonderful day with your favorite horse companions. The sun actually came out to give us some pleasant weather, giving everyone hope that Spring might be around the corner.
Kudos and many thanks, also to everyone who volunteered and helped out at the show. Our events would not run as smoothly without your assistance and patience.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!
Spring Nick Clinic
Another Nick Clinic has come and gone...it is always amazing how fast the three day clinic goes by, because everyone is so focused, learning so much, and having such a wonderful time.
For those of you who don't know, Nick Karazissis is a nationally reknowned hunter/jumper trainer who comes to Spring Down three times a year to give special clinics. Each clinic is three days in a row, and the length of the daily class depends upon the number of riders in each class - usually anywhere from one hour for three riders up to two hours for six riders or more. His classes also range from flat WTC classes, all the way up to advanced jumping.
Nick's success in the horse world is many-faceted. He is a highly educated individual, so he examines and dissects all of his training theories so that everything can be explained, simply, in a very matter-of-fact and logical manner. He is also a very talented and experienced rider, and he can get on any horse, even the greenest horse, and illustrate how and why his training methods work. Also, Nick is an extremely sensitive and kind gentleman, character traits which can explain his bond and connection with equines...and also those that keep bringing us humans back for more Nick Clinics!
One of Nick's many jobs is being a judge at highly recognized and well-known horse shows. After watching rider after rider execute countless courses, Nick came up with a list of Six Commandments which, when followed correctly, would result in a successfully and beautifully negotiated round of jumps.
Nick's Six Commandments
- Pick a pace and a parallel line.
- Make a square turn on your center line.
- Stay the same, or move up the last srideand a half.
- Jump the jump.
- Land on your center line with the same pace you had before.
- Halt, or half-halt, and begin again.
Remember these words of wisdom, and come and sign up for the next Nick Clinic at Spring Down on July 3rd, 4th, and 5th!! SEE YOU THERE !!!
Welcome to New Horses at Spring Down
- Baby
- Emily
- Faith
- Robbie
- Roxy
- Sheka
- Sky
Welcome to New Horse Friends and Their Owners!!!
- Gina Foti and Ellie
- Grace Anthony and Sandy
- Lauren Kidd and Tigress
- Caroline Csongradi and Wenda
- Cassie LaBouff and Hannah
New Cats at the Barn
We have always had a large number of wonderful and personable cats at the barn. Recently, we have acquired a new bunch of friendly felines.The new black kitty, who is full of energy and always looking for someone to play with, is GATOR. He is very social, and he likes to be petted. Gator is very brave, and doesn't seem to be put off by people, dogs, other cats, or horses. He has fit right in here at Spring down.
The small, longer - haired, greyish kitty is named RAISIN. He was quite shy when he first came to the barn. But, now that he has been out and about, he definitely loves it at Spring Down. He seems to be the best so far at catching mice ...and after all, what are barn cats for, anyway? He has also been known, lately, to let people pet him when he is curled up on a saddle pad in the border tack room.
PEACHES, the orange and white cat with no tail , is currently at Cameron Vet Clinic ,where Carol has been trying to get a handle on his internal problem. Kate Cameron thinks he can be helped with surgery, so he is staying there until this happens.These cats were all rescues from Humanimal Connection in Redwood City.
One more new cat is BUBBIE, a large black cat adopted from a friend of Tracy Cox (Vinnie's mom). He has decided to hang out at Robin's house most of the time, so we haven't seen much of him around the barn yet.
I think all of these cats have found a "little piece of heaven!!"
Drill Team Updates
The Spring Down Drill Team, "Spring Down Rhythm `N Blues" is still going strong. These two dedicated groups of excellent riders continue to come to Spring Down at 8AM every Saturday and Sunday morning to practice with their coach, Carol Goodstein. For those of you who do not know, drill teams are, basically, horses and riders performing maneuvers, sometimes very complicated maneuvers , to music in a choreographed routine.
Carol is always researching new and exciting maneuvers for her routines. As a matter of fact, Carol recently went to the Cow Palace to see the annual Drill Team Challenge drill team competition. Carol always get lots of new and wonderful ideas for the SD teams watching other teams perform. She then adds to existing choreography which she has designed for her riders, of course with appropriately wonderful music, and the result is a magical performance of horses and riders dancing to the beat!!
Come and see our two excellent teams perform at our June 11th Horse Show!! And, better yet, if you like music and you like to ride, come and sign up with our training team...we are always looking for new members!!
Tack-up Lessons
Spring Down will be continuing to offer group tack-up lessons on a monthly basis. The next scheduled lesson will be Sunday, June 4th, from 2PM - 4PM. The cost of this tack-up lesson is $60 per person.
"Why take this lesson?," you may ask. At Spring Down, we teach comprehensive horsemanship, not just horseback riding. A very important component of horsemanship is understanding the equipment you are using on any given horse: both how it is put on, and how and why it works. The group tack-up lessons will allow time both for demonstration of the equipment that we use, and hands on practice with someone standing by for instruction and assistance.
General grooming and equipment used for grooming will also be taught in the tack-up lesson. And, of course, as we are very safety conscious here at Spring Down, techniques for keeping both you and your horse safe will be taught so that everyone is safe and comfortable during the grooming and tacking-up procedures.
Please see the office for future dates to be scheduled for group tack-up lessons. If you are unable to make the group lessons, a private lesson may be arranged. The group lessons are preferable, because the two hour time will allow you to become familiar with more different types of equipment and also allows for more time to practice. A private lesson is the next best thing, however, if that is what your schedule will allow.
Furniture for Sale
Stan and Carol have a house full of almost brand new furniture from Half Moon Bay that they are wanting to sell. Please see the SD office for pictures of this beautiful furniture, and any other details!!
News From the Office
As we get into summer and vacation schedules, please remember that Spring Down has a 24 hour cancellation policy in effect. If you do not cancel with 24 hours notice, you will be charged for your lesson. This policy exists because we have reserved your teacher's time for you, your horse's time for you, and very often the horse has been tacked up by one of our grooms.
We are always in need of people to volunteer at our many, wonderful horse shows. Many folks show up on the day of the show to help, but it would be much better to have pre-arranged volunteers. Any interested helpers, please sign up on the volunteer lists that are posted across from the med room prior to show days. If any parents out there would like to help, you would be warmly welcomed.
Outfitting Riders
We have helmets and riding boots that can be borrowed for very beginning riders. We would like to encourage all continuing lesson customers to purchase their own equipment. Standard equipment should include an ASTM approved riding helmet, paddock boots or tall boots for older folks, and gloves. Half chaps are also highly recommended to help secure lower leg position. In the summer heat, it is NOT recommended to wear spaghetti straps or tank tops, because if one does have a fall, you are more likely to get scraped up. Keep shoulders covered!!
| Effective June 1st!! - SD will be offering one free lesson for every 3 people you refer for lessons. That rider must sign up for our 4-lesson package. Please inquire in office for details!! |
Horse Show Dates
- June 11th, 2006
- August 27th, 2006
- October 22nd, 2006
- December 3rd, 2006
Summer Camp is Coming!!!
Immediate Openings for:
- July 3rd - 14th
- July 17th - 28th
- August 14th - 25th
(One week sessions available, also, for the first week of each session!!)
Advanced Camp
SD Anniversary Celebration - August 13th, 2006
We would love to see you there! Inquire in the office how to sign up to attend this fun and entertaining event.
Huddart Park Trails
The San Mateo County Parks and Recreation Commission voted unanimously to approve a drafted plan for Huddart and Wunderlich parks with NO moutain bike route. This drafted master plan will go next to the Board of Supervisors for further hearings and eventual adoption.
The proposed master plan, which has been under development for the last three years, suggests a twenty-year vision for these two parks on the Bay side of the mountains. There will be a creation of a Blue Ribbon Committee to study trails so that a viable alternative will be able to be created for the bike trails, to keep them separate from hiker and equestrian trails, and create a different route for them altogether.
A big thank you goes out to all of you who went out in support of keeping bike trails and equestrian trails separate. A hefty majority argued that horses and bicycles don't mix. They worried about lack of enforcement of existing rules, and they wanted to maintain the county ordinance that prohibits mountain bikes on county park trails in the first place.
In Memoriam
You taught young children to love horses,
Showing them the way,
Helping them,
Keeping them safe.
A little bit grumpy at times were you,
But we all still loved you,
And tried to tighten the girth,
As gently as we could.
The day was not complete,
Without hearing your gentle nicker,
Waiting, not very patiently,
For your dinner.
Now, there is no nicker...
Only Silence...
We will miss you forever,
And keep you in our hearts.
Our beloved Birichino.
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