This
spring has been pack with fun happenings!
The farm’s
first outing was their annual beach ride, which is open to
their advanced students that ride throughout the winter. Everyone who
attended enjoyed a well deserved gallop on the beach and a delicious
lunch provided but Linda Curll and Maureen Cauvel.
The farm
said goodbye to “Sara Dara” in the spring. Sara found a
loving home where her new owner plans to compete in hunter seat shows in
the future. The farm couldn’t have asked to find a more loving home.
Our
boarder, Katie
Mantenuto is
expecting a baby boy this June. The farm is excited for Katie and Will
and can’t wait to meet their new addition. The farm has hopes of hosting
a post-baby shower!
Clinics
On April 2nd,
Rhonda Piper, an accomplished 4th level dressage rider,
offered to judge and instruct a “ride critique.” In this
clinic, participants rode their dressage test, received a scored test,
and then Rhonda gave students instruction to improve their tests and
riders got to ride their test a second time after advice. Mrs. Piper was
very encouraging to all students and gave them excellent feedback. The
farm would love to have Rhonda return in the future.
On April
30th, Remmy Bron-van Dam, from Holland visited the
farm to instruct a dressage clinic. Remmy is an accomplished rider,
trainer, and driver. Eight riders participated and all raved about
Remmy’s excellent and inspiring instruction. Riders found her
instruction helpful to prepare for the upcoming show season. We hope to
have her return in July and in the fall.
Eventing
On April
10 Contry Hill Farm kicked off their show season at The Apple
Knoll Farm 2 phase in Millis, MA. It was a mixed trailer of
seasoned and green horses and riders. For Emily Messer, Lauren and
Winnie it marked their horse show debut. Grace, Laura, Honey, Zephyr,
and Bravo helped their friends learn the ropes. Supporters, Olivia,
Leah, and Kate came along to support and cheer on their friends. The
farm even brought dog friends, Pip and Hunter, to enjoy the show.
Even in
pouring rain "THE SHOW MUST GO ON." On May 15th, CHF riders
took on the Groton Pony Club 3 phase at the Groton
Fairgrounds. Karen attempted to keep spirits high with her rendition of
"Let a Smile be your Umbrella." Despite the dismal weather, all
competitors achieved excellent results at the show! Lauren Messer showed
great sportsmanship when she found that her pony friend, Honey, would be
unable to compete with her due to an injury that must have happened the
night before the show. The CHF detective squad suspects that the herd
may have been "horsing-around" when Honey sustained the injury to her
leg. We all wish Honey a speedy recovery.
Horses and
humans agreed that it was delightful to get back into their snug stalls
and homes at the end of a such a soggy day! Please check out the
results information to see how everyone did!
Special
thanks to Emily Sumner and Becky Partridge for their unfaltering
instruction and to Karen Contryman for her enduring encouragement!
Fox Hunting
Question:
What could be more fun than galloping horseback over an open field?
Answer: Fox Hunting!!
This
spring we hunted, as usual, with the Old North Bridge Hounds (ONBH).
The farm was represented at almost every hunt this season. Karen
Contryman rode either Bravo or Zephyr. Lisa Murphy and China
were back after a four year hiatus from hunting. Laura Santer,
whom has hunted before, rode Truffles at the beautiful Westminster
fixture. Contry Hill Farm brought along may whom were new to hunting.
Becky Partridge rode China on Tuesdays. Lauren and Emily Messer
rode Honey, Bravo, Truffles or Ginger, at most of the Tuesday hunts, and
the last Saturday hunt. The hunts were enjoyed by horses and people
alike! We are looking forward to the fall season. Our thanks to the
ONBH staff and members for making us, especially the “newbies”, feel
welcome and showing us good sport.
Thanks to
Karen Contryman's generosity of spirit Contryhill farm, riders new to
hunting were introduced and experienced first hand an age old tradition
and sport with its roots based in the 16th century United Kingdom. As
guests, CHF riders, had the pleasure of joining Old North Bridge Hounds
hunt club on Tuesdays and Saturdays throughout the "informal" season of
April and May. Highlights of this exciting sport were the hounds, the
drag or "fake fox," the jumps, the jumps, the jumps, and of course don't
forget the tea! Did we mention the jumps?
The
newcomers were so impressed by the hounds, horses, and humans all
working together while all having fun at the same time! During the
hunt, at times, the excitement was so intense riders could literally
feel the horses' hearts racing through the tack!
Fox
Hunting etiquette may seem like a formality to an outsider, but the
guests quickly understood that respecting the etiquette not only honors
tradition, but keeps the hunts orderly and safe too. CHF riders
immediately felt welcomed by ONBH's hospitality and friendliness. The
social tea was the perfect end to an exciting hunt and a great time to
meet other riders and relax over delicious refreshments.
Question:
What is the worst part of Fox Hunting? Answer: Waiting until the next
time you can join the hunt!!
Trail Riding
The first
organized trail ride of the season was the 15 mile competitive mud
ride at GMHA, in South Woodstock, VT on April 16th-17th.
Those whom attended were: Karen Contryman on “Ruffled Feathers”,
Emily Sumner on “Patton’s Heart”, Elizabeth DeCosta on
“Choclate Truffles,” Caroline Curll on “Honey”, and Laura
Santer on “C.H. Whinny”.
For a few,
it was their first competitive trail ride and they enjoyed learning the
rules, and experiencing the sport first hand. The trails consisted of
mostly dirt roads in the beautiful green mountains in VT. The scenery on
the trails in South Woodstock, VT is truly breathtaking for any horse or
country lover. The weather was chilly to start but splendid for riding.
All riders placed very well, and the farm’s own C.H. Honey was in
amazing condition receiving a score of 100, and pushing junior rider,
Caroline Curl into first place! All riders had a wonderful time, and
they are looking forward to competitive trail riding in the future.
Thanks goes out to the staff and volunteers at GMHA, who did a wonderful
job hosting the competition.
On May 8th,
Contry Hill attended the pleasure ride at Kripple Creek,
in Pepperrell Ma. This began the pleasure trail riding
season. The course was 9 miles long and wound through beautiful Beaver
Brook State Park in Hollis, NH. Karen Contryman on “Zephyr”, Emily
Sumner on “Patton”, Lisa Murphy on “China”, Mary Dickinson
on Bravo, and Diane Barringer on Honey participated in this
ride. We took it slow as it was the beginning of the season, and this
was Mary and Diane’s first “away from the barn adventure” of the
season. The weather held and was nice during the ride. The ride was
well organized and a good time was had.
Two weeks
later the farm participated in the ride at Bear Brook State Park,
in Allenstown, NH. Riders included: Karen on Feather, Beth on Truffles,
Lisa on China, and Mary on Bravo. All four riders did the sixteen mile
loop! The terrain was challenging with lots of hills, narrow winding
trails, and rocky areas. It had rained the day before, so the ground
was muddy. The horses did very well picking their way over the rough
terrain. The trails were well marked, and the organizers were very nice
and very helpful. At the end of the ride, the farm discovered the truck
and four-horse trailer got stuck in mud, and the women who organized the
event got us unstuck! We were very grateful for their help and
ingenuity. We are all looking forward to future trail rides.
The
Farm is already busy with the start of the show season, trail rides, and
the end of the hunting season!
Happy
Trails,
Contry
Hill Farm
Local Tack and Riding Clothing Stores
Cheshire
Horse
Visit (Swanzy, NH)
Dover Saddlery
Visit (Plaistow, NH)
Horseman’s Exchange
Visit (Littleton, MA)
The Stone Pony
Visit (Milford, NH)
Pelham Saddlery
Visit (Pelham, NH)
Links to our Friends
US Eventing Association Area 1
United States Equestrian Federation, Inc.
United States Dressage Federation, Inc.
New England Dressage Association
Swiss Run Swissys
Old Northbridge
Hounds
Show Results
Different Drummer
Farm
6/5/2011
|
Rider |
Horse |
Division/Class |
Place |
|
Meredith Partridge |
C.H. Yankee’s Sweet Thunder |
Lead line Equitation |
1st |
|
Lead line Equitation + |
1st |
|
Lead line Equitation over fences (ground rails) |
1st |
|
Michelle Milne |
C.H.
Yankee’s Sweet Thunder |
Walk-trot Equitation |
4th |
|
Walk-trot Equitation + |
2nd |
|
Walk-trot Equitation over fences (ground rails) |
3rd |
|
D.E. Walk-trot Equitation over fences (ground rails) |
4th |
|
Caroline Curll |
C.H. Peanuts |
Novice Equitation over fences 18” |
6th |
|
Novice Equitation on the flat |
|
5th |
|
Hunter Pleasure |
4th |
|
Grace Whatley |
C.H. Zephyr |
D.E. Mini Medal 18” |
3rd |
|
Hannah Donovan |
Bravo |
|
Novice Equitation on the flat |
|
6th |
Hollis Are Equestrian Show
5/21/2011
|
Rider |
Horse |
Division/Class |
Place |
|
Meredith Partridge |
C.H. Yankee’s Sweet Thunder |
Lead line Pleasure |
1st |
|
Lead line Equitation |
1st |
|
Emily Sumner |
Patton’s Heart |
Green horse pleasure (wt) |
1st |
|
Green horse pleasure (canter) |
1st |
|
Green Horse Trail |
2nd |
|
Modified Hunter Pleasure 2’3” |
2nd |
|
Michelle Milne |
C.H. Yankee’s Sweet Thunder |
Walk-trot/jog Pleasure, diagonals do NOT count |
6th |
|
Walk-trot/jog Pleasure, diagonals to count |
2nd |
|
Walk-trot/jog Equitation, diagonals to count |
3rd |
|
Caroline Curll |
C.H. Peanuts |
|
Novice walk, trot/jog, canter/lope, Pleasure |
|
6th |
|
Short/long stirrup Pleasure cross rails - 18” |
1st |
|
Short/long stirrup Equitation- 18” cross rails |
2nd |
|
Laura Santer |
Chocolate Truffles |
Green Horse Pleasure |
2nd |
|
Green Horse Equitation |
1st |
|
Green Horse Trail |
1st |
|
|
C.H. Peanuts |
Novice walk, trot/jog, canter/lope, Pleasure |
|
|
Novice walk, trot/jog, canter/lope, Equitation |
|
|
Modified Hunter Equitation - 2'3" |
|
|
Hannah Donovan |
Bravo |
|
Novice walk, trot/jog, canter/lope, Pleasure |
|
1st |
|
Novice walk, trot/jog, canter/lope, Equitation |
2nd |
|
Short/long stirrup Pleasure cross rails - 18” |
3rd |
|
Short/long stirrup Equitation- 18” cross rails |
3rd |
Groton Pony Club 3
Phase
5/14/2011
|
Rider |
Horse |
Division/Class |
Dressage Score |
Place |
|
Leah Forges |
C.H. Zephyr |
Green A |
45.0 |
3rd |
|
Emily Messer |
C.H. Apricot Jelly |
Starter A |
31.9 |
4th |
|
Hannah Donavan |
Bravo |
Starter A |
35.6 |
5th |
|
Caroline Curll |
C.H. Peanuts |
Starter A |
30.0 |
2nd |
|
Lauren Messer |
C.H. Honey |
Green B |
---- |
Scratch |
GMHA Mud Ride
4/17/2011
|
Rider |
Horse |
Division/Class |
Place |
|
Karen Contryman |
C.H. Ruffled Feathers |
Senior |
2nd |
|
Rookie Horse |
1st |
|
Emily Sumner |
Patton’s Heart |
Rookie Horse |
5th |
|
Rookie Rider |
3rd |
|
Senior |
6th |
|
Caroline Curll |
C.H. Honey |
Junior Rider |
1st |
|
Laura Santer |
C.H. Whinny |
Junior Rider |
2nd |
|
Beth DeCosta |
Chocolate Truffles |
Senior |
|
Apple Knoll
2-Phase
4/10/2011
|
Rider |
Horse |
Division/Class |
Dressage Score |
Place |
|
Emily Messer |
Bravo |
Pre Elementary Junior A |
32.5 |
7th |
|
Lauren Messer |
C.H. Honey |
Pre Elementary Junior A |
33.3 |
6th |
|
Grace Whatley |
C.H. Zephyr |
Pre Elementary Junior B |
48.8 |
10th |
|
Laura Santer |
C.H. Whinny |
Dressage Intro B |
29.4 |
3rd |
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