UPCOMING EVENTS:

For a complete list of  the shows we are traveling to AND hosting in 2008, click here: 2008 Calendar (Revised)

 

THE AWAY SHOW REPORT:

January Ledges 1/3-6/2008 (Roscoe, IL)

    It was another successful show for the Huntermark show team!  Elmo and Cathryn Bridges were 4th out of 7 in the Rated division Large Children's Pony, both over fences and under saddle.  Cathryn was also 3rd out of 7 in the 11 & Under Equitation.  Chandler was Grand Champion in the Adult Amateur division and Rachel was 3rd out of 7 in the Adult Eq. Over Fences.  Savannah Chapman and Chasing Rainbows won several of their Short Stirrup classes, including the Short Stirrup Hunter Classic.  Eligible Bachelor performed well for owner Ellen Reeder, landing them a 2nd out of 14 in the Novice Childrens and with Ellen winning the IHJA Children's Mini Medal, automatically qualifying her for the 2008 IHJA Medal Finals.

Savannah Chapman and her pony Chasing Rainbows, Jan 2008 Rachel Rock Robinson and Huntermark Farm's 3 Carrot Rock, Jan 2008

 

December Ledges 12/13-16/2007 (Roscoe, IL)

    The show team got the 2008 season off to a great start at this show!  Eligible Bachelor was at his very first Rated horse show and he started his "A" circuit career by getting ribbons in every one of his divisions all week long!  Including the Baby Green division where he pinned in every class, Schooling where he earned a 2nd, and the Thursday and Friday warm-ups where he finished 5th and 4th.  For owner Ellen Reeder it was a 4th in the 15-17 Eq. on the flat and a string of great ribbons including 3rds in Novice Childrens out of 10, and 3rds in Modified Childrens out of 11.  Her first "A" show and her horse's first away show and already she's hanging with the big dogs, beating 8 of them and only 2 of them beating her!  Cathryn Bridges took Savannah Chapman's pony Tickle Me Elmo to his first away show and he marched around 2'6", and bested some of his competitors in the Childrens Pony divisions, while Cathryn bested some of hers in the 11 & Under and Childrens Pony Medal.  3 Carrot Rock started the week with good ribbons in the perpetually competitive Pre-Green division, and a 4th and 5th in the Thursday and Friday warm-ups.  On the weekend, he and Rachel Rock Robinson did the IHJA Adult Medal, Adult Eq., and in the Adult Hunters they won a class and were Reserve Champion.

Eligible Bachelor and Ellen Reeder in the 2'6" Childrens divisions

Pre-Green - 3 Carrot Rock with Jan Rock IHJA Adult Medal - 3 Carrot Rock with Rachel Rock Robinson

 

Valley Park Horse Show August 1-5, 2007 (Des Moines, IA)

    This may be the first time that the number of school horses we took to a Rated show outnumbered the non-school horses, but they really held their own!  Chandler and Jan pinned in both their divisions, with some particularly good ribbons under saddle.  They were also 4th in the All-Day Warm-Up class.  Garnet and Rachel did well in their divisions, including a 2nd in a big Pre-Green class.  The real stars were our two Reserve Champions - Ellen and Savannah!  Savannah earned hers on Dorothy with a 1st and 2nd over fences, and 4ths on the flat in the Shortest Stirrup division.  Ellen's Reserve Champion was in the Limit Equitation division but she and Ivy were successful in a wide range of classes, from Ivy's 1st in the Valley Park Hunter, to her 2nd in Mini Hunter, and 3rd in Non-Thoroughbred, to Ellen's 1st in Limit Eq. - they were always in the ribbons!

Ellen and Jan - the rest of the show team had to go home early (4ths and 5ths tend to blur together in this pic)

 

OTHER NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Angora Bunny Babies - free to good home

    The Sink Family (Gretchen and Laurel ride on Monday nights) raises Angora rabbits and they are beautiful!  They are normal rabbit size (about the size of a cat) but instead of the short soft fur they have long fluffy hair.  They are a dark charcoal gray.  The Sinks have 13 rabbits so they are looking for safe, loving homes for these accidental extra babies.  They are willing to give them away free to a good home - one where they can be assured that they won't end up in a stew pot or being fed to another animal.  If you are interested, talk to Rachel for more information, or come and talk to the Sinks directly.  They are usually at the barn from 5-7 on Monday afternoons.

 

Huntermark Stuff

    Finally, after much reluctance on my part, we have left our provider of "Huntermark Stuff" for the last 15 years.  They had either gotten too busy to complete our order, or they've just lost interest and don't do that anymore.  In any case, our new provider can offer us full color logos for the same price we were paying for 1 color before, so - hooray!  We've been able to add official Huntermark jumper pads to the list of cool stuff available.  The complete list of things available and their prices can be found on the HFEC Page, and their descriptions are posted in several locations around the barn.  The sign-up sheet is posted on the inside of the door in the Club Room, or you can just e-mail lessons@HuntermarkFarm.com .  The next order will be placed December 9 after the show on Sunday.  The items will be ready for pick-up in time for the Huntermark Christmas Party - December 23.

 

It's official!

    The previous owners have finally signed off and Willy and Kodak are officially property of Huntermark with a clean and clear title.  Since donkeys aren't exactly part of our program, we'll be looking for a new home for Willy right away.  Kodak, however, is here to stay and will be starting her new life under a new name - Pebbles.  She won't be offended, though, if some people still call her Kodak; these things take time.  She's looking forward to a show career under the moniker Rock Candy. 

 

The Stork Comes To Huntermark

    For the first time in several years, Huntermark is blessed with the pitter-pat of little hooves.  This time the bundle of joy is a 6 month old foal (a colt, to be exact) named Armani.  He is an adorable little dark bay warmblood and he LOVES attention!  He enjoys a good frolic in the sun by day, and relaxing in his big stall in the north barn by night.  It will be fun to watch him grow and mature over the years, and when he's finally all grown up I bet he'll be stunning!

 

Pictures!!!

    I need pictures of the winners from Eq. Classic Finals and Medal Finals.  If you were in either of those classes get someone to take a picture of you and your ribbon and send it in.  Thank you so much, MELISSA CHAPMAN, for being my hero and sending me pictures of the 2007 Winter Series banquet!  If anybody has any pictures of Eq. Classic winners or any other scenes from this year, please make my day and e-mail them to the huntermarkfarm@hotmail.com address as soon as you can.  Thanks a bunch!!!

 

Give us your birthdays!  And pictures!

    Calling all Huntermarkans!  Please submit your birthday!  In addition to birthday dates, I am also looking for pictures for the Meet The Students page.  There are a number of you out there who have not made an appearance on that page, so if you ride at Huntermark and aren't on Meet The Students yet, e-mail me a picture ASAP (for pictures use the following e-mail) HuntermarkFarm@hotmail.com  I'll also include links to Facebook and MySpace pages.