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Spring Down Low Down Newsletter
The newsletter of Spring Down Equestrian Center
Vol.5, Issue 1
Spring & Summer 2008
Welcome
Summer will be here before you know it, and with warmer weather comes the very best season for riding. All kinds of events have been scheduled for this coming summer season, including a spectacular vaulting competition (June 8th), a challenging clinic by our favorite Nick Karazissis (July 1st, 2nd, and 3rd), and our August Horse Show (August 24th). See the calendar futher down this page for the complete list of events.
Of course, our summer camps are coming up starting June 16th... check the camps page for the dates of all the sessions. Sign up quickly... spots are going fast!!
Also in this edition: articles about requirements for joining a group lesson, and necesary skills required to be able to jump. Remember the Folger Fundraiser? Here's an update about this cause. Did the thoroughbred fundraiser meet its goals from the May horse show? Here's an article to fill you in. Read on for many more interesting artcles pertaining to Spring Down people, animals, and events.
Spring Down Low Down Contact Info:
Diane Allison
(650) 564-9006
allisonjdmh@aol.com
Visit the main page of our website:
www.springdown.com
Horse Show Updates
Spring Down's two shows this year turned out to be a success from a Spring Down standpoint. Carol Goodstein, the owner and CEO of Spring Down, would love to see more riders come to her shows from outside barns, however. Of course, these shows are primarily designed to give the folks at Spring Down the opportunity to participate in horse shows, which may often be outside the reach of most of our clients. Other shows require that you own your own horse, or at least have access to a horse you can bring to the show. Also, the cost of attending a show other than Spring Down's can be prohibitive for the average rider... the costs to attend a rated show can be easily $2000 or more, when all the costs are considered.
The bottom line is, Carol may have to consider scaling the horse show programs here way down, b/c it is just not cost effective to have so many shows with very little outside community support. She very much wants to continue these shows, because she knows how much most of the Spring Down community values them.
So, please pass the word around...the Spring Down shows are the best non-rated shows in the area, and we need to see more outside participants for them to continue as they have been!!
As always, we need to acknowledge all of the wonderful volunteers who so graciously give of their time to make our horse shows work. The shows would not go on without all of you outstanding people, and there are way too many of you for me to thank everyone individually. You all know who you are... and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
A special thank you must be given to Keith Sullivan, who contiues to support and volunteer at our Spring Down shows, even though he no longer rides at Spring Down. Keith is an outstanding example of community support for Spring Down, and we hope to see many others follow in his foot steps during the years to come.
Barn Rules
Please see the bulletin board for a complete list of the new and revised barn rules. These rules apply to boarders and lesson customers alike, although some of them are primarily applicable to boarders. Here are some of the important highlights:
- Smoking anywhere on SD property is not permitted.
- Jumping without instructor present in that
arena for individuals under 18 years of
age (boarders only) is not allowed.
- Speed limit on SD property is 5 MPH. Don't
spook the horses.
- Hard hats must be worn at all times whenever
mounted. Closed-toed shoes are required when handling horses.
- All riders are responsible for cleaning up after
their horses when outside of their stalls.
- All horses must have a stud chain in place
when outside of stall unless wearing a
bridle. If at any time you are found with
no stud chain in place, you may be fined
$10.
- Boarders need to know that lessons have priority and you may be asked to leave if
the arena is too crowded or your horse
is behaving in a manner that may disrupt
the lesson. Please check with instructor before entering the arena.
- All horses must be tacked and untacked in the
stall, with halter on and lead rope tied or
looped if horse does not tie.
- No bareback riding at any time unless inside
an arena (boarders only), and riding on asphalt is not permitted.
Welcome to New Horses at Spring Down
Welcome to New Horse Friends and Their Owners
- Magic and Allie McDermott
- Dillon and Cherie Walter
Welcome to New Barn Cats at Spring Down
- Willie
- Daisy
- Dandy
- Samson
- Patch
- Mai Tai
News from Nacho
Nacho has been moved from the McGuire Correctional Facility, to San Quentin prison. He was moved there shortly before the first of the year, with plans to have to serve out a term slightly less than six months. As far as anyone's best guess is concerned, it would seem that the almost six month term would be just about over very soon. So, Nacho should be released from San Quentin prison some time in the near future.
Unfortunately, it is our understanding that, when Nacho is released, he will have to be deported back to Mexico, at least for the immediate future. When the exact outcome has been determined, we will try to keep people informed via email as best we can.
For now, please keep in touch with Nacho at his San Quentin address, which is:
Ignacio Hernandez Flores
#607280
San Quentin State Prison
San Quentin, CA 94974
At this time of great flux in Nacho's life, it is extremely important for him to have continued correspondance from those who care about him.
Drill Team Updates
The Spring Down Drill Team, "Spring Down Rhythm 'N Blues" is still going strong. These dedicated groups of riders 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.
We have many new members on each of the Drill Teams. The Saturday advanced team members did a very good job at our last horse show, on May 18, 2008. Their performance was practically flawless, as well as awe inspiring. It is really amazing to see what the horse and rider combination can do, when they put their minds to it.
The current members of the Saturday advanced drill team are as follows: Britta Buehneman, Kris Clark-Hahn, Ronnie Eaton, Nicole Elsineitti, Katherine Gaffney, Maureen Kelly, Deb Lyons, Laurel Saldinger, Kelcy Senz, Tracy Tilley, and Monica Van Luven. Thank you again for a wonderful performance at our last horse show.
The current members of the Sunday team are as follows: Kate Champion, Julia Champion, Tracy Cox, Bea Depuydt, Larry Feirman, Paula Gluss, Nandi Gunning, Farideh Loveless, Allison McDermott, Lauren Morganthaler, and Cathy Siegel.
Tack-up Lessons
Spring Down will be continuing to offer group tack-up lessons on a monthly basis. The lessons are scheduled every Sunday, at noon, for one hour.
"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 to schedule yourself into one of these 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 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.
News from the Office
As we get into summer schedules, please remember that Spring Down has a 24 hour cancellation policy. 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.
When requesting a specific horse for a lesson, everyone needs to understand that it is just that: a request. The office will make every effort to honor that request, but sometimes we have ten requests for the same horse in a given day. Also, all the horses at Spring Down needs to get exercise each and every day, so it is our responsibility to make sure that each horse gets ridden by someone (and that one horse doesn't get ridden too much). We try to match the horses and riders as best as possible, but please remember that each horse can teach you something different. Everyone should be here to learn more about riding and horsemanship...not just to ride the same horse over and over again. Be flexible, and you'll be surprised at how many new horse friends you will acquire by branching out a bit... and at how much you will learn.
Horse Show Dates:
- August 24th, 2008
- October 19th, 2008
- December 7th, 2008
Summer Camp is Coming!!!
Immediate Openings for:
- June 16th - June 27th
- June 30th - July 11th
- July 14th - July 25th
- July 28th - August 8th
- August 11th - August 22nd
Most of the summer camp sessions are almost full, so sign up TODAY to get a spot!!
Intermediate Camp:
- June 16th - June 19th, 2008
Nick Clinics:
- July 1st, 2nd, 3rd
- September 30th, Oct. 1st, 2nd
Barn Party Celebration:
Carol's Famous Safety Clinic:
Please let the office know if there is interest in another safety clinic... and Carol will schedule one!
Successful Bake Sale
by Sarah McClammy
The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation is "a place of hope and renewal." The reality of horse racing is that, once a Thoroughbred stops winning, they are often neglected, abused, or slaughtered, rather than rewarded for their victories in the past. The TRF rescues many such horses from going to slaughter. If they are too infirm to work, they are retired on TRF acreage across the U.S. Younger and healthier horses are adopted out to loving homes where they get a second chance at life. For more information, visit www.trfinc.org.
The Spring Down community raised $570.00 to benefit this foundation from donations and the bake sale on May 17th and 18th. The money will go to sponsor an ex-racehorse - Champion Lodge - and help pay for his feed, board, and veterinary costs.
On September 11, 2006, an emaciated Champion Lodge was found in a feedlot in Loveland, Colorado. His rescue was far from a simple case. He had foundered, and it appeared that he was going to have to be put down. He also suffers from kidney problems: kidney function has been diminished and he drinks large amounts of water each day and is fed a special diet. "Champ has made an excellent recovery from this recent episode," said TRF Board Member Diana Baker, who has been instrumental in Champion Lodge's rescue. "He is fairly sound right now, and his prognosis for being pasture sound is fair.
He is wearing Sigafoos shoes and seems to be back to his old self."
A big thank you to Carol Goodstein, the owner of Spring Down, for hosting our sale. Also thanks to all the bakers who donated hundreds of yummy treats, the helpers who manned the booth, and all of our customers and donors. I could not have done it without all your help!
- Sarah McClammy
Spring Down News & Notes
Folger Stable Project Restoration
This excerpt was taken from the most recent newsletter from the Friends of Huddart and Wunderlich Parks, in reference to the Folger Estate Stable.
We are working to develop the programs at theFolger Stable: Historic Education Programs for school children, hands on activities introducing life at the turn of the century (in collaboration with SMC Historical Assiciation); Meet the Horse Program, a non-riding introduction for children and adults to the world of horses; Architecture and History Tours highlighting the architecture of Arthur Brown, Jr., the history of the Folger Family, the refurbished Carriage Room with the carriages from the Roth family of Filoli, and the historic Chinese Walls, which antedate the stable, crafted by Chinese laborers in the 19th century.
In Huddart Park, we will refine our environmental education programs for our youngest park visitors, kndergarten through second grade children, where some of them are introduced to nature for the very first time. We are striving to combat "nature deficit disorder" at a time when computers often dominate the eyes and minds of children from a very young age.
We need volunteers as environmental docents, Board members, and volunteers at the Folger Stable. Please see the contact information at the end of this article.
In order to sustain the ongoing programs mentioned above, provide maintenance at the Stable and keep our annual fund raising costs to a minimum, we have as our goal a $1 million endowment toward which we currently have $210,000. We can offer an endowment naming opportunity to a significant contributor such as a family, organization, or corporation who would like to be known in the community for their support of historic and environmental causes.
For more information, please contact Joe Geist at our office at:
(650) 851-2660
Or, you can visit the web site at:
www.parksupport.org
Mommy and Me
This program has turned out to be a smashing success. It is a series of 3 classes designed to introduce the smallest member of your family to horses while spending some quality time with Mom or Dad. As a group, you'll be introduced to safety, horse's ground manners, and you will get comfortable around horses. We'll teach you all about their special equipment, grooming and tacking up, and learning to ride. Each class may include the use of a vaulting horse, grooming, a riding lesson, and a special lesson about some aspect of horsemanship, geared to the little ones.. The series is a scheduled class, so look for upcoming dates in the fall! Learn more...
Mini Camps
This is Spring Down's very newest program, designed to introduce folks from young to old to the world of horses. It is a one day camp, from 10 AM to 2PM (so far on Saturdays.) The program includes many aspects of horsemanship: basic safety around horses, grooming techniqes and introduction to parts of tack, natural horsemanship including a "join up" demonstration by Spring Down's owner, Carol Goodstein, and, of course, a riding lesson. We are planning to schedule one mini-camp every month during the summer, so check in the office for the next dates. Sign up now... spots go very quickly for this extremely popular program! Visit the camps page or contact the office for the next scheduled dates!
Spring Down Update
The latest meeting with the Portola Valley Planning Commission, held on April 16th, 2008, was scheduled to make a decision about two issues: continuing horse shows at Spring Down after 2010, and extending the Conditional Use Permit to have "no expiration date", complying with the rest of the permits in the area.
Because some of the Commissioners had expressed some reluctance to extend Spring Down's use permit, we felt it necessary to enlist the assistance of the entire local horse community to convince the Planning Commission that Spring Down's permit shoud be revised to have no expiration date.
This plan succeeded beyond our dreams. The town hall was packed with folks supporting Spring Down (standing room only). These supporters also had deluged the town with hundreds of emails and letters supporting the continuation of Spring Down in perpetuity!
The commissioners who were present voted to continue horse shows after 2010, and to change Spring Down's use permit to "no expiration date." Thank you to all who helped us to convince the town to make this happen!!
Are you ready to join a group?
A frequently asked question is "When will I (or my child) be able to join a group?" There is no one answer to that question, because every person, no matter how young or old, learns skills at a different rate. In my experience as an instructor, the time may vary from just a few months, to over a year or more. But, there are a few key criteria from which we instructors judge whether or not joining a group is feasible:
- Can you get your horse out of the stall to the arena, and back again after the lesson SAFELY AND CORRECTLY? Parents, a hint to expedite this process for your smaller child is to learn how to do this too so that you can assist your child. There can sometimes be 6 or 7 folks in a group, and one instructor can not help everyone in the group to and from the stall.
- You must be able to check and tighten your girth, and also adjust your stirrups MOSTLY BY YOURSELF. This does not mean that your instructor will not help you at all, but it DOES mean that you must make a good effort to get as much done by yourself as you can.
- You must have good skills at mounting the horse safely.
- You must be able to do a posting trot ON THE RAIL BY YOURSELF WITHOUT MUCH ASSISTANCE. This includes being able to start, stop, and steer by yourself.
- Do you know how close you can safely get to the horse in front of you? Do you know what to do if you think you will get too close, i.e. pass safely, cut across the arena, or circle safely? Your instructors can assist with your refining these skills, but the basic knowledge and ability must be there.
- A basic understanding of posting diagonals is necessary. Of course, your instructor will continue to help you with this skill, but it must be understood by the rider.
- Do you know how to dismount safely by yourself? Your instructor can not assist everyone in a group without taking too much time away from the lesson.
There are, to recap, lots of requirements for being able to join a group. The bottom line for the
necessity of these requirements is to ensure the safety of all the riders. Remember, there is only one instructor in a group, so each rider must posess the basic riding skills to ride responsibly and safely.
Do You Want To Jump?
Our goal at Spring Down is to help people to acquire the skills to do whatever type of riding interests them. Jumping is one part of the equestrian experience, and although it can be very exciting, it is also very demanding and challenging.
It is essential that you have mastered your flat work before you start jumping. After all, jumping is really advanced flat work with obstacles. Having solid flat skills is vital for your safety and security.
The following guidelines provide the minimum essentials that are required before you are able to safely and securely start jumping:
- Must be able to maintain good balance, steering, and control of the horse at all gaits: walk, trot, and canter.
- Must be able to walk and trot without stirrups. The instructor should not notice any difference in leg position or effectiveness with or without stirrups.
- Two-point seat must be strong and balanced, with the ability to do poles at the trot and canter.
- Must be able to stay in two-point seat at the canter three times around the indoor
arena, or one time around the big, jumping
arena.
- Must be able to execute circles at the canter effectively.
- Must be able to drop and regain stirrups at all gaits.
- Must know diagonals and leads.
- Must have a basic knowledge of simple and flying lead changes.
We Get Letters
Dear Spring Down Staff -
I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate how organized and helpful everyone was for our first horse show! It was truly a wonderful experience.
Several times I had different people explain and walk me through aspects of the show. I can't imagine how anyone could have been more patient or helpful - at any time!
Thank you!
Tracy Crawford
Dear Spring Down -
Lauren, my daughter, had such a great time at your stable. She sat on a horse for less than 5 minutes one time a year ago, and that was all the experience she's had with horses. She is now hooked. All of the girls talked about the Girl Scout troup event the whole way home. They were raving about the horses, the ladies/girls who helped them with their horses, and the leader of the program (Lisa Bailey). Now, they're all talking about doing a camp in the summer. Thanks so much for a wonderful introduction to the world of horses. I'm even thinking I might "get back on the horse" after a ride that was a little scary many years ago. Your enthusiasm is contagious!
Thanks again -
Gayle McGowan
Dear Spring Down -
The Girl Scout experience was GREAT. I'm so pleased, because each one of the girls got a lot out of the experience.
As feedback, I especialy appreciated your pricing for the event ($35), which included everything needed for the badge. In contrast, we were talking about $50 at another local stable that would have included a ‘trail ride", but not all the other badge components.You've probably figured out that the Girl Scout groups can not typically support high-end activities, so offering "best value" is a real plus for this market segment.
Kathy Hovsmith
Want to tell us what you think? We'd love to hear from you.
Read the previous issue of the Spring Down Low Down: Vol. 4, Issue 2 - Fall & Winter 2007-2008
Read the latest issue of the Spring Down Low Down
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