Spring Down Equestrian Center

Read the previous issue of the Spring Down Low Down: Winter 2012

For questions regarding the Spring Down Low Down please contact: Diane Allison allisonjdmh@aol.com

Spring Down Low Down Newsletter

The newsletter of Spring Down Equestrian Center

Summer 2013

WELCOME

Summer 2013 is upon us with a blast….make sure to secure your spot in our very, very popular summer camp for your child!!  Spring Down’s summer camp is so very popular because we not only teach folks (children up to adults:) how to ride, but we also teach all of the horsemanship skill required to be able to successfully lease or own your own horse some day!!  Riding is of course extremely important (and fun!!) - but horsemanship skills are vital to becoming a true horse person.

See our web site’s calendar of events for the complete calendar for 2013.  Some of the highlights of the year include: Spring Down’s big Summer Horse Show on June 2nd, the Nick Karazissis Clinic July 2nd, 3rd, and 4th., the SMCHA English Riding Clinic for six consecutive  Monday evenings in July and August, and for the first time EVER in the history of Spring Down, our drill team is going to compete in the Coto Cup Competition at the Woodside Horse Park on August 4th, 2013.  To help support our drill team, there will be a raffle with 5 GREAT prizes at Spring Down’s horse show on June 2nd. Come on out and support the Spring Down drill team!


HORSE SHOW UPDATES

Spring Down hosts four horse shows a year, in March, June, October, and December.  Carol Goodstein, Spring Down’s CEO, will always consider it extremely important to be able to provide her clients the opportunity to participate in quality horse shows for a reasonable price. Doing four shows a year also affords people the opportunity to ride and show different horses—and as we all know, we learn something unique in regard to horsemanship and riding technique from each and every horse we ride. Spring Down’s March show was well attended, as always. The weather also held out for us—which is always a concern in March.  Fortunately, our all weather footing allows us to hold our shows rain or shine, so we are all very lucky to have this opportunity.  Congratulations to the High Point winners at the March show:

BEGINNER HIGH POINT:
Rachel Ramsey
Reserve: Kerawin Heaney, Ajay Moturi

JUNIOR ADVANCED HIGH POINT:
Jack McLean
Reserve: Margo Mukherjee

SENIOR ADVANCED HIGH POINT:
Casey Charlton
Reserve: Laurel Saldinger


DRILL TEAM UPDATE

At our next big summer horse show on June 2nd, we have lots of wonderful classes planned.  Also, our drill team is going to sponsor a raffle to help raise money for a competition to which it is going on August 4th.  See “Drill Team Updates”  on page 4 for more information about this amazing and wonderful competition!!

The raffle prizes will be as follows:

  • $150 Gift Certificate to Carousel Saddlery
  • Gift Certificate for a photo package  - value $85—donated by Kore Chan, horse show photographer
  • $50 Gift Certificate to Blue Horse Saddlery
  • Gift Certificate for a SD riding lesson—value $55
  • Spring Down Hoodie and T-Shirt—value $60

The raffle tickets will be sold for $5 each, or you can purchase 5 tickets for only $20!!!  Come on out to our beautiful show on Sunday, June 2nd, watch the drill team perform, and support Spring Down’s amazing drill team in their very fist competition ever by buying raffle tickets!!  We would love to see everyone out at the Woodside Horse Park on August 4th at the Coto Cup competition—come on out and cheer us on!!!!

GO SPRING DOWN EQUESTRIAN DRILL TEAM!


HORSE SHOW INS AND OUTS…

So have you wondered why some folks win ribbons in the flat classes and others don’t?  A lot depends on the category of class in which you are entered.  In any flat class that is an EQUITATION class, the judge is looking primarily at the rider’s position and technique. Some of the things the judge will consider are the following: having your eyes up and looking ahead, having your shoulders back, a good posture with a straight back, elbows at your sides, palms facing each other with thumbs up, fingers closed on the reins, seat in the center of the saddle, heels down, and a straight line from your shoulders to your hips to your heel.  Also, it is very important to be on the correct posting diagonal, or the correct canter lead, b/c that is critical for the balance of the horse and rider.

In the HUNTER UNDER SADDLE classes, the judge is primarily judging the horse’s movements and manners. The rider’s equitation is important here because it will influence the way the horse goes...but the judge is really judging the movements and manners of the horse related to how well you are riding him.


WELCOME TO NEW HORSES
AT SPRING  DOWN!

  • Blue—SDEC
  • Sadie—SDEC

Chester is going to be retired by the beginning of June, and go to live in Pescadero at a horse farm for retired horses.  He is recovering from a  recurring tendon injury, and the vets think it is unlikely that he will continue to be able to be ridden without risk of reinjury.


WELCOME TO NEW BARN CATS

Sookie— This lovely kitty came to us because her owner had to move to a place (due to health reasons) that did not allow animals.  She has taken up residence in the hay barn, so go back there and visit her!

Ruby—This wonderful and friendly feline came to us because her family could no longer keep her.  She loves to live in the lower barn and keeps watch over the vending machine area.  Ruby loves to be petted and fussed over.


SPRING DOWN STARS

AVAILABLE NOW! - New cards for new SD horses and felines!!  The STARS of Spring Down who work tirelessly, patiently and lovingly to teach our riders how to ride. We couldn’t do what we do without our horses! They are trained to do a special job here, keeping new or experienced riders safe, as well as patiently guiding us to new challenges in the arena.  Spring Down trading cards are now available: 2 for $5, and a complete set for $120.


HORSE SHOW EQUIPMENT

There often is confusion about what equipment is allowed at Horse Shows.  Let’s try to cover some of the basic rules here.  SDEC follows all of the rules dictated by the USEF, and we are  going to talk mainly about equipment that is used by SD horses.

For the basic bridle, most SD bridles are OK as they are.  Snaffles, and Pelhams are bits that are fine to use at a show.  If your horse wears a flash noseband, like Sally,does, that is not allowed.  Standing martingales are allowed, but germans are not—so you will notice that all horses who have a german will change to a standing for the show (and also the week before the show so they get used to it.) The reins need to be changed to a braided leather rein with no D rings.

NO martingales are allowed in flat classes, or any class with a flat component such as Hunter Hack.

All adult saddles are assigned to prevent mayhem the day of the show. If your horse has an Equipedic pad, it should be used because the horse’s back will be most comfortable for the long show day. No blue cotton pads should be worn. A  flat leather girth should be used, but sometimes we make exceptions for certain horses.

The horse should not wear any boots or wraps on their legs.  It is OK to wear these for warm-up, but not for your show classes.


DRILL TEAM UPDATES

The Spring Down Drill Team, "Spring Down Rhythm `N Blues" rehearses every Saturday and Sunday morning at 8AM, taught by  Carol Goodstein.  Carol has long been a proponent of drill team, because riding in a drill team teaches you many riding skills, and you are having so much fun "dancing" with your horse, that you are not even aware how much you are learning!! 

The current members of the Saturday advanced drill team are the following: Diane Allison, Britta Buehneman, Kore Chan, Sarah Chinn, Kris Clark -Hahn, Lori Doran, Dina Gabriel, Deb Lyons, Megan Nicholls, and Dani Schneider.

The current members of the Sunday team are as follows: Sonia Agarwal, Justine Efcavitch, Grant Doran, Taylor Ford, Julia Ford, Bronwyn Hogan, Rachael Howard, Julie Ramirez, and Caitlin Waddington.
           
Spring Down’s amazing drill team will be competing for the first time ever on August 4th in the Coto Cup Competition at the Horse Park in Woodside. Come on out to support our team and cheer us on!!  We are also having a special raffle at our big, summer horse show on June 2nd, with 5 fabulous prizes.  Please see page 3 for a list of these prizes.  The raffle tickets will be $5 each, or you can purchase 5 tickets for just $20!!

Special thanks to JoLynn Tetzlaff, who has been an additional coach for this competition!  As always, we could not have accomplished any of this without Carol Goodstein, our beloved coach and the driving force behind Spring Down Equestrian Center!!


TACK - UP LESSONS

Spring Down will be continuing to offer group tack-up lessons as often as possible.  The lessons are scheduled on a Sunday, at noon, for one hour. 

"Why take this lesson?,"  you may ask.  At Spring Down, we teach comprehensive horsemanship, not just horseback riding.  A very important component of horsemanship is understanding the equipment you are using on any given horse:  both how it is put on, and how and why it works.  The group tack-up lessons will allow time both for demonstration of the equipment that we use, and hands on practice with someone standing by for instruction and assistance.

General grooming and equipment used for grooming will also be taught in the tack-up lesson.  And, of course, as we are very safety conscious here at Spring Down, techniques for keeping both you and your horse safe will be taught so that everyone is safe and comfortable during the grooming and tacking-up procedures.

Please see the office to schedule yourself into one of these tack up lessons. If you are unable to make the group lessons, a private lesson may be arranged.  The group lessons are preferable, because the  hour time will allow you to become familiar with more different types of  equipment and also allows for more time to practice.  A private lesson is the next best thing, however, if that is what your schedule will allow.

It has always been a SD rule that, if you  are about 12 years old or over, and you are capable of tacking up your horse, then you need to take a tack up lessons to learn how to do it safely.  If you fit these requirements, but you chooses not to tack up for whatever reason, then you will be charged an additional $10 for tacking and also untacking your horse.


NEWS FROM THE OFFICE

Please remember that Spring Down  has a strict 24 hour cancellation policy. If you do not cancel with 24 hours notice, you will be charged for your lesson. This means that, if you have a lesson at 12 noon on Wednesday, you need to cancel your lesson by 12 noon on Tuesday.  If you call to cancel at 4PM on Tuesday, you will still be charged a late cancel feel. This policy exists because we need to plan our instructors and horses schedules in advance. We have reserved your teacher's time for you, your horse's time for you, and very often the horse has been tacked up by one of our grooms. Making an appointment for a lesson is a firm obligation, so please consider it as such, and give us a minimum of 24 hours notice if you are not able to attend your lesson.

When requesting a specific horse for a lesson, everyone needs to understand that it is just that:  a request.  The office will make every effort to honor that request, but sometimes we have ten requests for the same horse in a given day. Also, all the horses at Spring Down need to get exercise each and every day, so it is our responsibility to make sure that each horse gets ridden by someone (and that one horse doesn't get ridden too much).  We try to match the horses and riders as best as possible, but please remember that each horse can teach you some new and different skills. Be flexible, and you'll be surprised at how many new horse friends you will acquire by branching out a bit...and at how much you will learn.

HORSE SHOW DATES: (2013)

  • June 2nd
  • October 6th
  • December 8th

NICK CLINICS: (2013)

  • July 2nd, 3rd, 4th
  • October 22nd, 23rd, 24th

SUMMER CAMPS: (2013)
SIGN UP NOW!!!!!

  • June 17th—28th
  • July 8th—19th
  • July 22nd-August 2nd
  • August 5th-16th
  • August19th-30th

BARN PARTY:

  • September 1st, 2013


MINI CAMPS

Our  new monthly program "Crazy About Horses"  has been quite successful for those that only have a day to spend with horses and get their "boots wet."  It is a perfect option for the parent, friend, or grandparent  to ride along  with their  horse crazy kid.  The camp is from 10 AM - 2PM covering many aspects of horsemanship: safety around horses, horse management and care, grooming, understanding how to put on  special equipment, a live demonstartion, and of course, RIDING!  Be sure to sign up early as this program is very popular! 

2013 DATES:  TBD


GIRL SCOUT "HORSE RIDER" BADGE PROGRAMS

We've been working with the Girl Scouts of Northern California as an approved vendor. The standard Horse Rider badge is $40 per rider.   We currently offer the Horse Rider and now Horse Fan badge to all troops.  Each troop can earn 2 badges in one visit for a special price of $65 per rider.  For the Brownies, we are offering the Horse and Pony Try It patch for those young scouts! Check our web site at http://www.springdown.com/groupevents/girlscouts/


15 FOR 15

Do you finally get in the groove after the first half of your lesson, and need just a little more time to figure out how to get things right?  We are offering, during the slower times of the day (Mon - Fri, 9AM - 2PM) 15 extra minutes of lesson time for $15 dollars. If your instructor is availlable, the extra time can be just the ticket to boost your confidence. Contact the office within 24 hours of your lesson to see if the 15 for 15 is available for your next lesson!


SPRING DOWN EMPLOYEES

Spring Down wants to acknowledge our newest employee, Julia Horak!  Julia is working in the office on Sundays, which is typically a very busy and eventful day at Spring Down.  Welcome to Julia, and thank you so much for doing a job that only looks easy from the outside:)

Spring Down also recently said “Good-bye” to one of our favorite instructors, Robyn Ogilvie.  Robyn  is going to be married in July, so she is starting a new and wonderful chapter in her life.  She has moved up to the Oakland area. Robyn assures us she will come back to Spring Down and visit us!!

One other person who  continues to deserve accolades and recognition is Jennifer Dekker, the office manager at Spring Down.  Jennifer is one of the folks that helps to hold Spring Down together, doing an extremely difficult job every day.  Running the office at Spring Down  can often be a tiring and thankless job, and the details that need to be managed can seem never ending.  Jennifer does her job with skill, grace, and humor, and we thank her very much for all of her hard work!


SPRING DOWN 
HORSE’S BIRTHDAYS

Everyone has a favorite horse at Spring Down, and here we will mention some of these favorite horse’s birthdays!!

  • Barnum: Fall, 1987
  • Butterscotch: May, 2001
  • Carrot: Fall, 2002
  • Clark: Spring, 1983
  • Dina: Feb, 1989
  • Joke: April, 1993
  • Party: Summer, 1995
  • Pebbles: Aril, 2000
  • Roxy: May, 2002
  • Sally: June, 2004
  • Sunshine: May, 2001
  • Smoothie: July, 1993
  • Ubu: Dec., 1991


SPRING DOWN
NEWS & NOTES...


MOMMY AND ME:

This program has turned out to be a smashing success. It is a series of 3 classes designed to introduce the smallest member of your family to horses while spending some quality time with Mom or Dad.  As a group, you'll be introduced to safety, horse's ground manners, and  you will get comfortable around horses.  We'll teach you all about their special equipment, grooming and tacking up, and learning to ride. Each class may include the use of a vaulting horse, grooming, a riding lesson, and a special lesson about some aspect of horsemanship, geared to the little ones..  The series is a scheduled class, so look for upcoming dates!
Please see the office for more info.

2013 DATES: TBD

This class is scheduled from 10:00AM to 11:30 AM.  You may have the option to sign up for this program through Park and Rec—so check your local town to see if Spring Down offerings are available.  Otherwise, you can just sign up through the Spring Down office by calling (650) 851-1114.


UNDERSTANDING HORSES

Understanding the way a horse thinks is a big part of what we try to teach people at Spring Down.  Horses have a reactive side and a thinking side of their brain.  When they are on the thinking side of their brain, they blink their eyes and lick their lips—look for these signs of submission and paying attention the next time you ride your horse.

For horses to become willing partners and followers they must have a natural leader , so walk tall and walk strong when you are riding your horse, and when you are handling him on the ground.


WHAT ARE TWO GOOD EXCERCISES TO DO BEFORE RIDING ANY HORSE?

Backing up 20 steps.  This will help to establish authority, as well as help to keep the stifle joint healthy.
Cross Over Exercises.  Stand with your back to your horse’s withers.  When turning clockwise, take right hand and pull horse’s head around your body, stretching his neck.  Then, turn facing your horse, put your left hand at the elbow or behind the girth, and walk forward in a small circle, asking your horse to cross his hind legs over in four steps. Repeat this in the other direction.


ARE YOU READY TO JOIN A GROUP?

A frequently asked question is "When will I (or my child) be able to join a group?" There is no one answer to that question, because every person, no matter how young or old, learns skills at a different rate. In my experience as an instructor, the time may vary from just a few months, to over a year or more. But, there are a few key criteria from which we instructors judge whether or not joining a group is feasible:

  1. Can you get your horse out of the stall to the arena, and back again after the lesson SAFELY AND CORRECTLY? Parents, a hint to expedite this process for your smaller child is to learn how to do this too so that you can assist your child. Be sure to wear appropriate shoes with a hard toe so your feet will be safe as well when assisting your child. There can sometimes be 6 or 7 folks in a group, and one instructor can not help everyone in the group to and from the stall.
  2. You must be able to check and tighten your girth, and also adjust your stirrups MOSTLY BY YOURSELF. This does not mean that your instructor will not help you at all, but it DOES mean that you must make a good effort to get as much done by yourself as you can.
  3. You must have good skills at mounting the horse safely.
  4. You must be able to do a posting trot ON THE RAIL BY YOURSELF WITHOUT MUCH ASSISTANCE. This includes being able to start, stop, and steer by yourself.
  5. Do you know how close you can safely get to the horse in front of you? Do you know what to do if you think you will get too close, i.e. pass safely, cut across the arena, or circle safely? Your instructors can assist with your refining these skills, but the basic knowledge and ability must be there.
  6. A basic understanding of posting diagonals is necessary. Of course, your instructor will continue to help you with this skill, but it must be understood by the rider.
  7. Do you know how to dismount safely by yourself? Your instructor can not assist everyone in a group without taking too much time away from the lesson.

There are, to recap, lots of requirements for being able to join a group. The bottom line for the necessity of these requirements is to ensure the safety of all the riders. Remember, there is only one instructor in a group, so each rider must posess the basic riding skills to ride responsibly and safely.


DO YOU WANT TO JUMP?

Our goal at Spring Down is to help people to acquire the skills to do whatever type of riding interests them. Jumping is one part of the equestrian experience, and although it can be very exciting, it is also very demanding and challenging. It is essential that you have mastered your flat work before you start jumping. After all, jumping is really advanced flat work with obstacles. Having solid flat skills is vital for your safety and security.

The following guidelines provide the minimum essentials that are required before you are able to safely and securely start jumping:

  1. Must be able to maintain good balance, steering, and control of the horse at all gaits: walk, trot, and canter.
  2. Must be able to walk and trot without stirrups. The instructor should not notice any difference in leg position or effectiveness with or without stirrups.
  3. Two-point seat must be strong and balanced, with the ability to do poles at the trot and canter.
  4. Must be able to stay in two-point seat at the canter three times around the indoor arena, or one time around the big, jumping arena.
  5. Must be able to execute circles at the canter effectively.
  6. Must be able to drop and regain stirrups at all gaits.
  7. Must know diagonals and leads.
  8. Must have a basic knowledge of simple and flying lead changes.

"The more you use the reins, the less they use their brains."
—Carol Goodstein


WE GET LETTERS

Dear Carol—
It was so nice of you to call, and glad to hear you continue to do so well for so many in the equine community!!  You’ve really made a HUGE contribution to our equestrian sport. 
Sincerely,
Alexis

Dear Carol—
Thank you so very much for the guidance you have given me over the past few months.  I have learned so much about horses and riding from you, and I am a much improved equestrian after working with you!!  It’s because of YOU that I did so well with Diamond at the show last weekend!!   Thanks so much for everything!!
Sarah Griner

Dear Spring Down—
Thank you so much for letting the girls help with camp this week!  They had a fantastic time; what a terrific experience for them!  The girls have grown and learned so much at Spring Down, not only about riding and horsemanship, but also about working hard, caring for the horses, working with others, helping other kids…..soooo much, and all while having a great time,  They both love being at the barn as much as possible!!  I’m so grateful for the warm, caring, supportive environment at Spring Down.  It is so great for them to be challenged AND supported, and that’s not easy to find.  The staff at Spring Down works so hard to make it a great place, and it shows, and is felt by all.  We love you guys!!!!
Angie Davidson


CAROL'S 10 COMMANDMENTS OF RIDING AND JUMPING

  1. Always check the tack-up book and your tack before you ride.
  2. One rein can stop a horse. If you don't learn anything else, this is one very useful thing to learn!
  3. Make the wrong thing difficult and the right thing easy for the horse.
  4. Have a plan, stick to it, and don't give up.
  5. Every horse has its five issues. Understand those issues and plan to ride accordingly.
  6. Learn to think like a horse.
  7. Look up...don't look down unless you want to go there.
  8. Regarding the number of strides in a line, the horse can't count. That's your job.
  9. Turn late to change your lead, and turn early to keep it.
  10. When jumping, the rider's four jobs are to find a pace and rhythm, steering, balancing the horse, and keeping the horse straight so they can see the jump and find a distance.


Read the previous issue of the Spring Down Low Down: Winter 2012

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