Paige adjusts the rider position of Stephanie Laxton onboard her Hanoverian gelding, Hello Newman at the combined training clinic at Country Hill Equestrian Centre.
Twenty-five riders and 15 students trudged through the snow to come and enjoy the Paige Lockton-Wilde clinic on Jan. 24-25. This is the first in a series of four to be held at Country Hill the last Friday and Saturday of each month. Riders chose their discipline�either on the flat (privates) or over fences (groups of three) and many attended the lecture in the evening Fitting Up Your Horse for the 2008 season.
This is just one of the positive comments a clinic-goer gave following the weekend activities: "Paige is a very dynamic person and coach. Her depth of experience has given her a rare understanding of equine athletes and their riders. I am excited to ride tomorrow and start to apply some of the new skills she showed me.�
As a final note, congratulations to Paige, a level 3 coach, international eventer and former member of Olympic team, on her most recent accomplishment�she has been selected to be the technical advisor for the 3-Day Event Young Rider Team. Having trained herself with the most renowned horsemen in the world, she has developed a sound system of teaching that is delivered with enthusiasm to every student�at every age and stage.
We look forward to her return in February and keep our fingers crossed for good weather.
Kathy Fremes was recently elected chairperson of the Horse Facilities Council of the Ontario Equestrian Federation, and is a executive director of the same organization.
Jessie Beauchamp Griscti onboard her young eventer North after winning her entry division at Grandview 3-Day event, Proud father Carmen Griscti of Bakers Harness and Saddlery congratulates his daughter as does Trish Newton Cassey on her spectacular ride.
Congratulations to Trish Newton Cassey (rider) and Jessie and Carmen Griscti (owners) of North for winning the Ontario Provincial Championships (OHTA) at Belvoire Farms this summer. It was a stellar season for this team with this novice horse. This handsome dark bay not only showed off his talent he also stood out in the field with Baker�s Harness and Saddlery tack and equipment�making quite a fashion statement.
�I�ve coached Jess for over 10 years now, found her North a couple of years back, and then enjoyed watching the two grow as a team. I think this picture says a 1000 words how horse and rider feel about each other�its pure love! I�m so proud of both of them.� Kathy Fremes
Owner-Manager-Coach
The Mehaffey girls, Victoria and Rebecca, had a remarkable performance for their first Pas-de-Deux (musical ride by a pair), and first dressage show ever! The sisters were the second highest score at the Belleville Farm October 22 show and of course, won their class to roaring applause from the crowd. This versatile pair competed earlier in the season in a hunter-jumper show and were also in the ribbons.
Holly McGill was thrilled to win her first event--a short course at Foggy River--onboard Country Hill's Gosh Josh! This pair was also in the ribbons in the jumper ring earlier this season at Thornlea. Great work!
A very special pat on the back goes to Joan Crosbie who competed in her first ever dressage show and went home with a first place ribbon. This is a very special accomplishment for this busy curator and mother of twins...just finding the time to compete deserves an award. Scoop: in 2006, watch for her in the jumper ring.
Jakki Warkentin with Rather Be Sailing, is our webmaster extraordinaire and long-time rider at Country Hill. She fits this job in between law school and a part-time job.
Congratulations to Trevor Woerner who placed first at only his second horse trial at Woodwind Farm in Jarratt on-board Joker in the pre-entry senior division.
First time out, Danielle Fradley-Davis (with proud dad by her side), a hunter rider, is in the ribbons for dressage onboard her beautiful jet black mare Sashay. Well done for showing off what a versatile rider you are and how well your horse can switch gears too.
Congratulations to Alice Donaghue and her mare Rhythm who managed to bring home the red ribbons in dressage not only from the last Blue Star show of the season but also from Foggy River. This versatile and youthful duo also went almost clear--just one refusal--on cross country at Foggy.
