cassiejames
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Post by cassiejames on Apr 14, 2018 12:53:07 GMT
Sunny Creeks Farm Photos
ESRPG - Links coming soon
Figured I didn't have a photo album yet so it was about time to start one. Pretty much a place to showcase my horses will probably mainly be show photos and random updates along with hopefully monthly theme contributions! Please see above links to learn about the establishment, horses and staff here at Sunny Creeks and who you will see throughout the album.
Comments welcome
***Currently copying over from other site, new posts once copying over is complete  |
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cassiejames
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Trail Dust Taster
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Post by cassiejames on Apr 14, 2018 12:59:42 GMT
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cassiejames
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Post by cassiejames on Apr 14, 2018 13:05:50 GMT
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cassiejames
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Post by cassiejames on Apr 14, 2018 17:00:06 GMT
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cassiejames
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Trail Dust Taster
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Post by cassiejames on Apr 14, 2018 17:09:16 GMT
News to share
I knew what I'd done as soon as the door was closed. I have no idea what on earth I just agreed to.
I think I've just agreed to take on a teenager looking for part time work. Johnny's going to kill me... we are tight on money this month as it is, let alone paying someone else's wages!
I was catching up on paperwork in the office when Anna barrelled in talking ten to the dozen about her friend Grace. Grace who, we've heard a few things about before... don't get me wrong she sounds nice enough but she's had a troubled and difficult childhood. Anna reckons it will do her the world of good and set her up on a healthy young adulthood to come work and compete for us. Anyway, Anna begged me to take her on a 2-3 month trail as Grace is really struggling for money and doesn't see the point of 'being here' if you know what I mean. Anna says it'll give her something to live and hope for. She's really struggling at college as well with bullies Anna informed me, resulting in Grace not eating I sighed, "Anna we are struggling with money at the moment, I don't see how it's going to work in the long run, we can't afford to buy her a horse to work with and treat as her own yet either"
"Well can't we find a lease or something, do something at least. She can ride one of yours or mine in the meantime. Can't you come up with some sort of arrangement, take her on a trial at least, she's a hard worker I swear and she can ride well I promise. She gets on with all the nervous horses at college as she's so quiet and calm"
"I don't know Anna, I need time to think"
"Can you at least let her come and have a look round and a ride at the weekend; I already told her it'd be fine...please I'm scared what she's going to do, she my best friend I don't want her to do anything silly"
"I suppose it won't do any harm, maybe a lease could work but we will see"
So, that's how it happened, in my heart I already want to say yes I feel for the girl, she has nobody apart from Anna, I want to help I do. I just don't know how. She's coming for a look round over the weekend so I will get some pictures and let you know more. If we do take her on I do know, we are going to need a horse for her to ride...
Meet Grace - 23/10/16
A few weeks ago, Anna's friend from college came for a look around and a chat - more like an informal interview. If you'd read the previous post you'd have learnt a little bit about her and her circumstances. But me being me, I probed for a bit more information!.
Grace is 18 and generally seems like a warm-hearted teen, she's rather shy and socially awkward, she chewed most her nails and scuffed her feet during the duration of the time she was there - must be nerves! She tells me along with having a passion for horses and wanting to compete and work with them she's also into environmentalism and ballet. She comes from a poor background 5 siblings and could never afford riding lessons as a child so most of what's she's learnt is from being at college for two years. She's not close to her parents or siblings and just has a close relationship with her grandmother. She's a little tall and somewhat thin and prone to loss of appetite when bored and is also prone to stuttering. Overall she seemed to lack a lot of confidence with people but being quite all the horses seemed to love her.
I wanted to see how she rode but didn't trust Ellie or Fleur as they are both quite sensitive so she had a ride on Gamble (who doesn't compete anymore, we use him for hacks and light schooling mainly).
Her flat needs some work but she seems to love jumping!
Anyway, I really liked her despite my previous impressions and I really want to see her grow and help her! I decided to take her on a trial of 1 month on a part time basis as she's still at college. Though she tells me she wants to head off to university next year so who knows where this will go.
On another note, we need a horse for her to ride. So if anyone has a lease we'd be happy to hear from you. Ideally a SJ but would consider other English Disciplines too! |
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cassiejames
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Post by cassiejames on Apr 14, 2018 17:10:36 GMT
04/12/16 
Today I took Grace out for a hack to show her the area and a hacking route in case she wanted to take Gambler out on her own at any point. She currently doesn't have a project/competition horse of her own so is just riding once a week on Gamble doing light schooling work as he is semi-retired and I only really like him to hack now in his older age. So seeing as she hasn't been on a hack yet I figured it was a nice day I may as well show her around! I decided to take Fleur today as she could do with the change (and to get rid of some excess energy). Little did Grace know I had an idea up my sleeve and was going to take this hack as an opportunity to voice it...
There are so many hacking routes around us but I opted for the lake route so we could have a canter around the edge. We had a right blast and it was good to get out in the open, Grace seemed to enjoy herself too!
Anyway on the way home as we were cooling off I brought up next weekend's show (on Equine Affaire) as there's a Show Jumping show where I can only compete in on one horse as both Fleur & Ellie are currently the same level. I figured I would ask Grace if she'd like the ride Fleur as I'd hate to leave on at home!
Grace was a little reluctant as Fleur isn't the easiest and if she doesn't want to do something she'll pretty much chuck you off and have a temper tantrum - she's gotten a lot better of the year but she does still have moments to test you! As I said to Grace I've seen her handle her on the ground and she seems to like her as she's nice and quiet so I'm sure she'd be fine. So Grace is going to ride Fleur tomorrow and see what she thinks. I hope she does as it will be a good experience for both of them! |
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cassiejames
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Post by cassiejames on Apr 14, 2018 17:14:35 GMT
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cassiejames
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Post by cassiejames on Apr 14, 2018 17:15:58 GMT
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cassiejames
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Post by cassiejames on Apr 14, 2018 17:20:23 GMT
So guess who's slacking with the album updates again! *sheepishly raises hand*
I swear I have like loads but can't even remember what I have to share! I know I have a number of new horses to introduce including two prize winnings imports from LREC a new project horse to sell on (SC. Mr Diversity) you have probably seen him out competing in DR shows and also two wait no three Dutch warmbloods who I show on Equus I won't be showing them here but you may see photos of them here and also Grace's lease over on Equus too and how they are getting on.
I don't even know where to start! I've got loads of past posts to share too off course which I have posted elsewhere so stay tuned!
I'll start with introducing Graces lease over on Equus!
HT Over the Rainbow also known as Bubba is a 4yr old Buckskin Thoroughbred mare from audrey-Henderson ! She arrived last weekend at our new facilities as we didn't want to upset her by moving her twice! We let her settle in for a few days before Grace lunged her during the week and did a light schooling session with her yesterday! Grace is in love with her already and can't wait to get out and about with her but most of all she loves bringing her in and fussing over Bubba as she is every so sweet!
Here is a photo of Grace and Bubba in the pasture last weekend as Grace introduced herself!
Yesterday the pair walked down to the local arena a 5 minute walk away as ours is still being constructed to have a little schooling session to see how they got along! Grace warmed up and put her through her paces and even popped a little jump! Grace fell in love with her even more after this session as she's ever so lovely and sweet to ride and her jump is amazing! Here are some photos from yesterday....
We are going to go for a little hack today too if the weather holds out so stay tuned!
*p.s since originally posting this, the lease is now ended.
Here's a photo from a pole work session a few months ago with Grace and Bubba, they both did very well over the raised poles!
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cassiejames
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Post by cassiejames on Apr 14, 2018 17:22:57 GMT
Introducing Winnie
Here is a little intro post to 2 of the new Dutch Warmbloods! (copied from Equus Community)
SCA Winter Wonderland also known as Winnie is a 5yr old dapple grey mare! She will compete with me in Show Jumping and the plan is to eventually breed her with our own Dutch Warmblood stallion Buzz (another newbie to introduce). We haven't had her that long so are still getting to know her but she loves to jump and is very loyal and friendly! What we have discovered though is that of course as a grey she loves getting dirty the good thing about that is she loves baths! She has great ground manners too and her favourite treat is a pear. She loves being in the herd and having company she is however scared of fireworks!
Here are some photos of me trying her out!
Introducing Buzz
Buzz also known as Infinity and Beyond in the show ring is a Dutch Warmblood stallion, 5 years old and 16.3hh like Winnie. He will compete in Eventing and hopefully bred to Winnie in the future. He will be ridden by our new trainer and rider Ariel Rose she is 25 years old the same as me! She comes from an Eventing background and also brings her horse Stardust a Knabstupper mare. Anyway buzz is Agile, brave and fast. He is also very energetic and loves XC, he can be difficult to contain in Dressage though and control in the show jumping ring. Let's just say he lives up to his name!
Here is Ariel trying him out! |
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cassiejames
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Post by cassiejames on Apr 14, 2018 17:25:17 GMT
Past post (5 months late.. originally posted on Equus Community)Group Hack
About a month ago we went on a group hack on a winters afternoon to explore the new area as we have moved facilities (there's still a lot to sort out so will post pictures soon - internet is still a little cagey here and of course we are so busy what with the move) I also wanted to introduce Winnie and Buzz before posting this picture otherwise you wouldn't know who they were!
Anyway the hack was really good, we mostly just walked and chatted we had a little trot though! As you can see Buzz and Ariel are up front-striding ahead followed by me and Winnie and Grace and Bubba. Grace is giving Bubba a reassuring pat though she was very well behaved and loved getting out!
I also asked Grace to come up with a simple training plan for her and Bubba to plan what they are going to do on their workout days! Of course over the past month they have continued with training and getting to know each other and they are getting on superbly!
The plan is as follows:
Week 1:
* Wednesdays - Flatwork (30-45mins)
* Saturdays - Jumping (30-45mins)
* Sundays - Hack (1 hour)
* Extra: Lunge (Max- 20mins)
Week 2:
* Wednesdays - Flat work - inc no stirrups (30-45mins)
* Saturdays - Pole work (45mins)
* Sundays - Hack (1 hour)
* Extra: Free- school (Up to 30mins)
Week 3:
* Wednesdays - Flat work - inc no stirrups (30-45mins)
* Saturdays - Jumping (45mins)
* Sundays - Hack (1 hour)
* Extra: Lunge over poles (Max 20mins)
Week 4 :
* Wednesdays - XC schooling - bit of fun (30-45mins)
* Saturdays - Flat (45mins)
* Sundays - Hack (1 hour)
* Extra: Free jump (Up to 30mins)
So thats that, I will be around to get some pictures of a few of the training sessions and report back on how they went
Beautiful Buzz in the pasture earlier on this week enjoying some sunshine. Lets just say he didn't come in looking so glamourous! 
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cassiejames
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Post by cassiejames on Apr 14, 2018 17:28:37 GMT
Jump training Taken awhile back here are some photos from a jump training session with Grace and Bubba, Ariel and Buzz and me and Winnie! We were a little brave and put the jumps up a bit to test the horses out instead of jumping our usual low jumps for a change. They all did really well the only one who spat his toys out was Buzz as you can see but he went over in the end!
We plan to have some fun xc soon so stay tuned!
Flatwork
Grace and Bubba practising there flatwork the pair both love to jump but flatwork training is just as important as the jump training. Grace is on half term this week which means she's coming up most days to ride! We have even planned a xc schooling session for some fun!
P.S don't the pair look lovely! |
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cassiejames
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Post by cassiejames on Apr 14, 2018 17:30:58 GMT
Success for Grace and Bubba
Grace and Bubba recently took part in Silver Berry's Jumping Extravaganza challenge over on Equus Community hosted by Charlie Smith. They competed at the beginner level and we are extremely proud to say they came in 1st place, of course, Grace is bouncing off the walls at their success!
Grace and Bubba go XC
As part of her training plan, Grace will occasionally take Bubba XC schooling for a change of scene and some fun! They started a while back taking things slowly and just jumping some rustic jumps in a field then moved out to popped a few small logs out and about. Here is a photo from their latest session jumping a slightly bigger log. The pair seem to be really enjoying themselves and Bubba loves it! For their next session in a few weeks, they plan to move away from logs and try some other obstacles! |
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cassiejames
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Post by cassiejames on Apr 14, 2018 18:09:05 GMT
I thought I'd share some show entries and results from here in my photo album in case you haven't seen them and to keep track so here we go!
Aries Annual Breeders Showcase
Buzz's ears twitched and swivelled around, taking in his new surroundings and the atmosphere as he lept off the trailer, Ariel his trainer at his side murmured ''Easy there chap don't go and injury yourself now, we haven't done our class yet'' What on earth is she going on about now? Buzz thought, and where were all his friends?! He'd been woken at stupid o'clock this morning, dragged out of bed to be groomed, polished and plaited. But hey he did admit, he looked rather dashing when he caught himself in a mirror.
Ariel tied Buzz up outside the trailer with a haynet and said ''Back in a mo Buzz, just gotta go check in and get our number and see when our class is''
Buzz watched her run off mystified, snorting to himself he snatched a mouthful of hay and looked at the guy on the trailer next door. .... ''Your first show is it Buzz? the gleaming grey nickered. ''Ehy show? you could say that' Buzz nickered back '' I know a first timer when I see one, you'll be fine, just behave and stand nice and proud in the ring'' ''Oh er thanks for the advice'
Soon enough Ariel had come running back number in hand and next thing Buzz knew, he had his bridle on and they were off walking to the ring
''Good luck'' the gleaming grey nickered as they walked past.
Kendall County Spring Horse Show
After our outing to the Jim Baker clinic a short while back I was feeling confident in my self's and Ellie's ability the clinic was such a success that I decided to test our new found knowledge at a small local show. I mean what could go wrong right?!
I entered myself and Ellie in a show jumping class seeing as that's what we enjoy best. The course was fairly basic no scary fillers or any of that malarkey and there weren't masses of jumps for me to forget the course, the crowd was small (a total of about 10 people) watching from the sidelines so I wasn't worried about Ellie becoming spooked at them. It started off well and everything was going nicey nice you know? I though you know what, we got this in the bag and then next thing I know bang! Or should I say crack? ...
Anyway as you are aware my mind had wandered I'd lost concentration and upon approaching the final jump, Ellie lost her footing but being genuine she still took off taking a rail with her in the process in which resulted in a horrendous cracking noise (thankfully not a bone!) but the pole had snapped and whilst all this was going on I lost my balance and I did not jump the final jump as elegantly as I'd hoped! I managed to right myself and stay on (luckily) and no damage done...
Mmmm...
Apart from that pole.....
I hope they don't charge for a replacement.....
I will post the Jim Baker clinic photo next time! |
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cassiejames
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Post by cassiejames on Apr 14, 2018 18:11:38 GMT
Jim Baker Clinic
The morning of the clinic I was really quite nervous, more nervous than show days in fact. I have no idea why, maybe it was the idea of being scrutinized, humiliated in front of other riders or maybe just because I'd never attended a clinic before so wasn't sure what to expect. Anyway, Ellie travelled well (like usual as she's one of the easier ones of our team!) I tacked up making sure I had the matching saddle cloth and boots that coordinated with my top and helmet (because that's the done thing right?!). One on the nerves kicked in some more, Ellie picked up on this whilst I was fumbling around trying to tighten my girth and started to get a bit fidgety and anxious, this being all new to her too of course! As generally, I train with no one else in the school so apart from warming up at shows this is the only time we have company!
Anyway overall I really enjoyed the clinic and had nothing to be nervous about as everyone was so nice! I will defiantly be taking home the curved formation of trot poles idea home though as I'd never done this before and was useful for working on shortening strides towards the inside and lengthening them towards the outer of the circle it also helped reduce Ellie rushing through the exercise as she really had to concentrate! Towards the end of the session we popped a jump too!
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