Bow Tie Farm - Wainwright, Alberta

News

Spring 2010
Well 2009 found us sooo busy we never even had time to update our webpage! We enjoyed some training with Jennifer Arbuckle and Oliver was a wonderful packer as always. He won every flat class entered and had ribbon placings in almost every over fences class entered (except for the rare rail down), earning champion and reserve champion placings at year end. The season was busy and hectic but we snuck in some fun and cant wait to start again this year.

We have started this season off right with the purchase of a wonderful pony gelding, Daventry's Overtime, from Tracy Dopko of Daventry Farms. But ssshhhh, its a secret, we havent told Katie yet :) Katie is continuing in her lessons and is very keen and it will be very fun when she finds out.

Oliver is shaved up and we are getting our training rides in, although I am already sick of mud everywhere and on everything.

My travel partner, Courtney, is recovering from surgery and is also beginning her training rides on Future and I look forward to the summer with her again.

Summer 2008
Hard to believe the summer is almost over; it seems to have flown by. The lengthy illness and final passing of Tina's father-in-law left little time for much riding over the summer; however, Oliver and I kept working at the 2'9" and 3' heights and had consistent top placings at all our shows. Our consistency paid off at the Killerney Finals yesterday where we won both our flat classes with some very nice comments from the judge and won the 2'9" Overall Reserve Championship, the 3' Overall Championship as well as the Overall Hi-Point award. Killerney Farms presented some wonderful prizes including monogrammed champion saddle pads and monogrammed champion quartersheets. Oliver also won the Best Groomed award which was voted on by all 4 judges from all 4 shows and received an incredible grooming kit with at least a year's worth of grooming supplies in it!

Tina would also like to congratulate her travel partner Courtney Koskie and her ride Future on winning both their flat classes and winning Overall Reserve Champion in both her 2'3" and 2'6" Divisions. This was great especially in light of the fact they had to miss one of the shows due to a slight lameness at the time.

Tina and Courtney are looking forward to a rest from the busy show season but are already booked in for fall clinics and lessons and have their eyes on next years' shows. See you then.

May 2008
What a busy week it has been. May 25 was the first of the Killerney Hunter/Jumper series and Oliver performed beautifully, winning both of our flat classes. Our 2'9" division brought top three placings in all classes and while I battled my nerves, Oliver willingly packed me around the 3'0" division classes and we were again thrilled with our top three placings in all classes. Oliver's honesty and willingness is definitely helping me gain confidence at the 3'0" height. The highlight of the day was the judge's special announcement that there should be an award for the best groomed horse of the day, that being Oliver. It was a wonderful compliment!

The following weekend had us at the 2008 Ebon Trophy Show, where we were looking to gain valuable experience as we continue to prepare for the larger shows and higher competition levels. We were completely shocked to win the Adult Hunt Seat Equitation championship as well as top five placings in our 2'9" and 3'0" divisions. Again, Oliver's honesty and willingness at the 3'0' height is helping me gain confidence and become more comfortable at that height.

I would also like to congratulate my travel companion Courtney and her gelding, Future, on their top five placings in all their classes at Ebon as well their 2'6" Hunter Division Championship. Well done!!

May 4, 2008
Katie and Denai were excited about the horse show today and were very prepared for their highly competitive leadline class. The judging was tough but the girls were thrilled when they all tied for first, each winning a red ribbon and wonderful grooming kit. After watching the other young riders, Katie is very determined to be in the walk/trot class next. A special congratulations goes to Courtney on Future who was the 2'0" Hunter Champion

April 2008
This past month as been awesome for Oliver and I. Our equitation lessons with Faye Stone are paying off as we are seeing real results with our flying lead changes. A 3-part clinic with Kim Eremko has brought in a fresh perspective at it and we are definately on the right track. Oliver and I continue to be brave over fences and have finally broke the 3 ft mark and are now easily schooling over 3'3". We are very excited about the potential of this year's schooling shows and are beginning to feel confident enough to consider the experience of the larger shows and divisions. ;)

I have just returned home from a weekend at the Mane Event, and like most others I'm sure, I'm eager to put to trial the new information and exercises that were learned especially with show season right around the corner.

This year Katie and Denai seem eager to be part of the fun of showing which means Luke will make a small return from retirement for some very competitive lead line classes. There is nothing more fun than the excitement of a new year of showing, especially when its your first ;)

August 2007
Tina and Oliver completed the Killerney Shamrock series with wonderful results. After winning all three 2'6" division classes of they day, they were awarded the Overall Series 2'6" Championship and received a beautiful leather bridle sponsored by EquiProducts. Their placings in the 2'9" division classes placed them as Reseve Champion for the day, and also won them the Overall Series 2'9" Championship and a second leather bridle sponsored by EquiProducts. Altogether, Tina earned enough points to rank as the Killerney Shamrock Series Senior Grand Champion and she received a beautiful Pessoa cooler sponsored by Tudor Tack.

Tina would also like to congratulate her travel companion Courtney and her horse Future, who having only been together since Christmas, earned the Overall Series 2'0" Championship. Courtney's mother, Linda, was also presented the Killerney Show Mom award.

Tina and Oliver will now enjoy a break from showing until 2008, but are looking forward to returning to lessons in a few weeks time.

June/July 2007
What a busy month it has been. We left the day after the June 17 Killerney show for 3 weeks of holidays and returned just in time to prepare for the July 15 Killerney show. And what a difference a month makes - at the June show we competed in the pouring rain and the July show it was blistering sun. Either way, Oliver took it all in stride and between the two shows, we pinned over a dozen ribbons as well as a 2'0" Reserve Championship and a 2'9" Championship. Oliver continues to improve at every show and we are very proud of him.

June 2007
It was my great pleasure to be asked as one of the judges for the horsemanship portion of the Wainwright Stampede Queen contest. All three young women did very well under saddle and I am sure the final decision will be a tough choice to make.

May 2007
With a year off from showing, Oliver and I have jumped back in with a busy week. Taking in the the Still Meadows show, we shook the dust off all our show gear and enjoyed a handful of ribbons. This past Mother's Day weekend we carried on to the Killerney's Shamrock Series opener and won both our flat classes and were Reserve Champion in the 2'6" Division (by one point), and Champion in the 2'9" Division. It's exciting to know we are on the right track and even more motivation to continue to work harder. The show was also fun as we got to meet Brenda who broke Oliver.

I'd also like to congratulate my travel companion, Courtney, and her horse Future who, having only been together a few months, won a number of ribbons at both the Still Meadows and Killerney shows. Their "Future" is definately bright ;)


*Preparing horses and riders for the show ring.*