Sweet Water Farm Open House
November 2011
We had an Open House. It was a bit last minute, but when the phone started ringing with people wanting directions to the farm, we realized we better get our act together...
We had a lot of fun...
W started by telling the guests to stand in the arena... and from the woods, Jenny and I jumped into the arena on Dagjeir and Paktaly, and circled them as if we were attacking a caravan on the Silk Road.
We told them about the history of the breed, and visited all the other horses.
Next year we'll do even better!
We had an Open House. It was a bit last minute, but when the phone started ringing with people wanting directions to the farm, we realized we better get our act together...
We had a lot of fun...
W started by telling the guests to stand in the arena... and from the woods, Jenny and I jumped into the arena on Dagjeir and Paktaly, and circled them as if we were attacking a caravan on the Silk Road.
We told them about the history of the breed, and visited all the other horses.
Next year we'll do even better!
Northwest Equestrian Center Fall Gala and Championships
October 2011
Friday dressage, Jenny and Dagjeir got a 41.8 score for their Training level test.
Paelka and I we got a 42.0 score for our Novice test.
Training cross country was so exciting! They had to jump down a log and bank with a very steep hill behind it! Needless to say, Jenny was quite nervous.
We had a good course walk, she had a solid plan how to tackle all the questions.
Jenny and Dagjeir jumped clear but added 7.2 time faults to their score. This put them in 8th place after XC.
Paelka and I had a refusal on XC due to spooky flowers!!! He was quite sticky the first half of the course, but then started to get the hang of it, and even with the refusal, we had no time faults.
It was very exciting to watch stadium in Jenny's class! A lot of people had rails down, and dropped places. Dagjeir had one rail down, but no time faults, and moved up to 7th place!
Results can be seen here: http://eventingscores.com/eventsr/nwec/ht1011/final_select.php?division=8&order=place
Paelka and I jumped stadium double clear, and finished 14th.
Friday dressage, Jenny and Dagjeir got a 41.8 score for their Training level test.
Paelka and I we got a 42.0 score for our Novice test.
Training cross country was so exciting! They had to jump down a log and bank with a very steep hill behind it! Needless to say, Jenny was quite nervous.
We had a good course walk, she had a solid plan how to tackle all the questions.
Jenny and Dagjeir jumped clear but added 7.2 time faults to their score. This put them in 8th place after XC.
Paelka and I had a refusal on XC due to spooky flowers!!! He was quite sticky the first half of the course, but then started to get the hang of it, and even with the refusal, we had no time faults.
It was very exciting to watch stadium in Jenny's class! A lot of people had rails down, and dropped places. Dagjeir had one rail down, but no time faults, and moved up to 7th place!
Results can be seen here: http://eventingscores.com/eventsr/nwec/ht1011/final_select.php?division=8&order=place
Paelka and I jumped stadium double clear, and finished 14th.
Schooling at Aspen Farms, Yelm, WA
October 2011
We are off to the last USEA show of the year, Northwest Equestrian Center Fall Gala and Championships in Rainier WA.
http://www.nw-equestrian.net/
This time Jenny is riding Dagjeir and they are doing their first USEA Recognized Training level three-day event.
I am riding Paelka in Novice, his second recognized show.
On Thursday we schooled XC at Aspen farms. The horses jumped really well. Especially Paelka, the combinations (such as ditch-to-log pile), were a first for him, and he seemd to enjoy his job. Jumping the coops in front of the water, or into the water... didn't seem to phase him! Dagjeir did a super job too. He can be sticky jumping trakehners (log with ditch underneath), but this time he was a pro.
We were very happy with our schooling, and felt ready for the show.
We are off to the last USEA show of the year, Northwest Equestrian Center Fall Gala and Championships in Rainier WA.
http://www.nw-equestrian.net/
This time Jenny is riding Dagjeir and they are doing their first USEA Recognized Training level three-day event.
I am riding Paelka in Novice, his second recognized show.
On Thursday we schooled XC at Aspen farms. The horses jumped really well. Especially Paelka, the combinations (such as ditch-to-log pile), were a first for him, and he seemd to enjoy his job. Jumping the coops in front of the water, or into the water... didn't seem to phase him! Dagjeir did a super job too. He can be sticky jumping trakehners (log with ditch underneath), but this time he was a pro.
We were very happy with our schooling, and felt ready for the show.
September 2011
This month we sadly had to say goodbye to Orissa. She is an awesome rider, we were lucky to have her here this summer to help ride the horses.
She especially liked Paelka. Here they are at home, schooling on our XC course: up a bank, one stride to a log and down bank. You can see their ride here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1ep6whleOI&feature=related
We can't wait to see Orissa again next summer!
Paktaly has been going well, too.
This month we sadly had to say goodbye to Orissa. She is an awesome rider, we were lucky to have her here this summer to help ride the horses.
She especially liked Paelka. Here they are at home, schooling on our XC course: up a bank, one stride to a log and down bank. You can see their ride here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1ep6whleOI&feature=related
We can't wait to see Orissa again next summer!
Paktaly has been going well, too.
Aspen Farms Horse Trials 2011
September 2011
We arrived at Aspen late afternoon.
The next day we had dressage, Dagjeir got a score of 30.5 Paelka got a score of 35.0
And Paktaly (we did not get his pictures) got a 57.0...my fault..I got the wrong canter leads in both directions and fixed it too late!!!!
Saturday we had Stadium, Dagjeir and Jenny had a clean round and no time faults.
Paelka and Paktaly jumped clean and no time faults too.
But oh my,...with Paelka I missed a jump!!! And got eliminated!!! Again, rider error!
At least they let me ride XC with Paelka, his first time in competition going cross country, and I did not know what to expect with him on XC, but he was great! We only had 3.2 time faults, I was thrilled!
Paktaly we had a refusal at the first jump, after that we went clear and no time faults.
Jenny and Dagjeir went clear, too and finished on their dressage score. They got 4th place!
Results can be found at the USEA website here http://eventingscores.com/eventsr/aspen/ht0911/final_select.php?division=14&order=place
Paelka's show name is Turkman Express
Paktaly's show name is Turkmen Air
We arrived at Aspen late afternoon.
The next day we had dressage, Dagjeir got a score of 30.5 Paelka got a score of 35.0
And Paktaly (we did not get his pictures) got a 57.0...my fault..I got the wrong canter leads in both directions and fixed it too late!!!!
Saturday we had Stadium, Dagjeir and Jenny had a clean round and no time faults.
Paelka and Paktaly jumped clean and no time faults too.
But oh my,...with Paelka I missed a jump!!! And got eliminated!!! Again, rider error!
At least they let me ride XC with Paelka, his first time in competition going cross country, and I did not know what to expect with him on XC, but he was great! We only had 3.2 time faults, I was thrilled!
Paktaly we had a refusal at the first jump, after that we went clear and no time faults.
Jenny and Dagjeir went clear, too and finished on their dressage score. They got 4th place!
Results can be found at the USEA website here http://eventingscores.com/eventsr/aspen/ht0911/final_select.php?division=14&order=place
Paelka's show name is Turkman Express
Paktaly's show name is Turkmen Air
Northwest Equestrian Center -- Schooling Cross Country
September 2011
On September 1st we went off-island with 3 horses to go to the Aspen Farms Horse Trials in Yelm, WA http://www.aspenfarmseventing.com/ .
We took Dagjeir, Paelka (his first recognized show) and Paktaly (his first show since being back).
We went to Northwest Equestrian Center http://www.nw-equestrian.net/ to school cross country before the show.
Altough I do have a cross country course at my house, it is small, and we don't have a water complex. And besides that, what the horses know at home, is not what they might think is jumpable away from home!
We saddled the horses and I ponied one to be able to switch and school both horses on course at the same time.
Paelka, who has very little experience with down banks into water, jumped like he's done it all his life!
You can see a video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eho9HI9ewzo&feature=related
On September 1st we went off-island with 3 horses to go to the Aspen Farms Horse Trials in Yelm, WA http://www.aspenfarmseventing.com/ .
We took Dagjeir, Paelka (his first recognized show) and Paktaly (his first show since being back).
We went to Northwest Equestrian Center http://www.nw-equestrian.net/ to school cross country before the show.
Altough I do have a cross country course at my house, it is small, and we don't have a water complex. And besides that, what the horses know at home, is not what they might think is jumpable away from home!
We saddled the horses and I ponied one to be able to switch and school both horses on course at the same time.
Paelka, who has very little experience with down banks into water, jumped like he's done it all his life!
You can see a video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eho9HI9ewzo&feature=related
WIPC - Whidbey Island Schooling Show
September 2011
Jenny, Sonja and I went to Whidbey Island with 4 horses: Sonja riding Kegas, Jenny riding Dagjeir (who is back on commission), and me riding both Paktaly and Paelka. The Whidbey Island Pony Club was holding two 1-Day events back-to-back.
Sonja had never competed at eventing before, and to do it all in one day, makes for a hectick schedule, especially with 4 horses!
We did both days, Jenny took Dagjeir to Training level on the second day.
Jenny, Sonja and I went to Whidbey Island with 4 horses: Sonja riding Kegas, Jenny riding Dagjeir (who is back on commission), and me riding both Paktaly and Paelka. The Whidbey Island Pony Club was holding two 1-Day events back-to-back.
Sonja had never competed at eventing before, and to do it all in one day, makes for a hectick schedule, especially with 4 horses!
We did both days, Jenny took Dagjeir to Training level on the second day.
More Jump Lessons
August 2011
We have Linda Chatfield, of the Whidbey Island Pony Club, come here once a month for lessons. This time we jumped in my front pasture, with both stadium and cross country jumps.
We have Linda Chatfield, of the Whidbey Island Pony Club, come here once a month for lessons. This time we jumped in my front pasture, with both stadium and cross country jumps.
The San Juan County Fair... and Orange: the colour of the Dutch Queen!
August 2011
We jumped at the local county fair competition, stuffing 5 horses in the 4 horse trailer... the pony in the very back! Zoe got first place in her clas on Napoleon.
Orissa rode Napoleon as well, in the 2'3 class, and they looked like champions on a puissance course!
Orissa also rode Paelka, and you can see their round here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaeUH2lOsZo
Jenny rode Kegas, Zoe won lots of ribbons on Bey Bey (Arab mare), and I rode Paktaly,
All the horses won ribbons!
But my faforite ribbon was the ORANGE one... because growing up in Holland, orange is for First Place, and the colour of the Queen!
My most fun class was the Gambler's Choice... Paktaly and I jumped the most jumps in the time allowed and won the class!
Nothing turns and jumps like a TEKE!!!!
We jumped at the local county fair competition, stuffing 5 horses in the 4 horse trailer... the pony in the very back! Zoe got first place in her clas on Napoleon.
Orissa rode Napoleon as well, in the 2'3 class, and they looked like champions on a puissance course!
Orissa also rode Paelka, and you can see their round here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaeUH2lOsZo
Jenny rode Kegas, Zoe won lots of ribbons on Bey Bey (Arab mare), and I rode Paktaly,
All the horses won ribbons!
But my faforite ribbon was the ORANGE one... because growing up in Holland, orange is for First Place, and the colour of the Queen!
My most fun class was the Gambler's Choice... Paktaly and I jumped the most jumps in the time allowed and won the class!
Nothing turns and jumps like a TEKE!!!!
Linda's Grids
August 2011
We had a big crew for Linda Chatfield's jump lesson this month, besides the local pony club we had 8 horses from our farm jumping.
From left to right (below) we have Mia on Napoleon, Me on Bijoux, Sonja on Kegas, Jenny on Pasabi, Me on Paktaly, Orissa on Teddy, Zoe on Bey Bey, and Orissa on Paelka.
We had a big crew for Linda Chatfield's jump lesson this month, besides the local pony club we had 8 horses from our farm jumping.
From left to right (below) we have Mia on Napoleon, Me on Bijoux, Sonja on Kegas, Jenny on Pasabi, Me on Paktaly, Orissa on Teddy, Zoe on Bey Bey, and Orissa on Paelka.
Orcas Island 4H - Equitation Over Fences
July 2011
We rode at our local jump competition. Jenny rode Kegas and Pasabi. I rode Teddy and Paelka. Thanks for the help of my son, and our young friend, Laura... we were able to switch horses back to back.
The horses jumped great even without warm-up!
We all got ribbons.
We rode at our local jump competition. Jenny rode Kegas and Pasabi. I rode Teddy and Paelka. Thanks for the help of my son, and our young friend, Laura... we were able to switch horses back to back.
The horses jumped great even without warm-up!
We all got ribbons.
Schooling at Sunset Farm Equestrian Center, Bellingham, WA
This month we have the honor of having our new friend Orissa Moulton riding with us.
She is here for the summer to work at the Friday Harbor Labs. She is an avid equestrian and has been a great help with all the horses we have going under saddle.
This week we schooled at Sunset Park in Bellingham. Our student Zoe came with us, a first time for her to be riding off island at a cross country course!
We brought Teddy, Kegas and Paelka.
She is here for the summer to work at the Friday Harbor Labs. She is an avid equestrian and has been a great help with all the horses we have going under saddle.
This week we schooled at Sunset Park in Bellingham. Our student Zoe came with us, a first time for her to be riding off island at a cross country course!
We brought Teddy, Kegas and Paelka.
Haying Ourselves
We got all the hay in...DRY!!!
It was a real challenge this year!
Thanks to many hands helping we got it all done...
It was a real challenge this year!
Thanks to many hands helping we got it all done...
June 2011
We have been taking lots of jumping and dressage lessons. The horses are improving and so are we.
Kegas has been doing grids and dressage with Jenny. And as a side job, he's being great for the kids.
Paelka is like a new horse...loves to jump, beautiful mover...But somehow the camera was left off duty...
Marauder (Teddy) is developing great style over jumps.
Alajoz now goes under saddle... and has a great jump in her! She's a smart one...show her once, and it's "look mom... no hands!"
Etoscha got new glamour shots, we hope to breed her this summer, Gergi is turning into a stunning young mare, Gullie keeps traffic stopped on the road with her amazing sheen, Pasabi is having some breakthroughs in his jumping and flat work, Padisha got new glamour shots, too!
Paktaly is back, and I love this horse...we will be a great team this summer!
Pipi was bred, and Pallas Athena has been bred again... we can't have enough of her foals!
We've had more jump paint parties,
Lots of kids are riding this summer!
We have been taking lots of jumping and dressage lessons. The horses are improving and so are we.
Kegas has been doing grids and dressage with Jenny. And as a side job, he's being great for the kids.
Paelka is like a new horse...loves to jump, beautiful mover...But somehow the camera was left off duty...
Marauder (Teddy) is developing great style over jumps.
Alajoz now goes under saddle... and has a great jump in her! She's a smart one...show her once, and it's "look mom... no hands!"
Etoscha got new glamour shots, we hope to breed her this summer, Gergi is turning into a stunning young mare, Gullie keeps traffic stopped on the road with her amazing sheen, Pasabi is having some breakthroughs in his jumping and flat work, Padisha got new glamour shots, too!
Paktaly is back, and I love this horse...we will be a great team this summer!
Pipi was bred, and Pallas Athena has been bred again... we can't have enough of her foals!
We've had more jump paint parties,
Lots of kids are riding this summer!
Akhal-Teke and Hucul Horses
May 2011
I had to go to Europe for family business, and took the opportunity to visit my friend Linda Welsh in
Czech Republic. We went to see her colt she bought from Petra Maresova who is growing up in Petra's large pastures. Petra showed us all her horses, then we all went to Zdenka's farm. She keeps her horses at this old farm, it's dreamy beautiful... She had just traded one of her colts for a colt from Clara de Vos van Steenwijk in Holland. He was still a little shy from the long trip. Then we visited the farm of Hutul ponies!
I did this as a favor for Professor Gus Cothran in the US, he researches ancestry of the horse, the Hutul pony is an old endangered species.
I photographed and got hair samples to send to Gus.
It was a fun experience! These though ponies get ridden by kids and adults at their riding school.
You can see a movie of the trip here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfxBIsOogcw
I had to go to Europe for family business, and took the opportunity to visit my friend Linda Welsh in
Czech Republic. We went to see her colt she bought from Petra Maresova who is growing up in Petra's large pastures. Petra showed us all her horses, then we all went to Zdenka's farm. She keeps her horses at this old farm, it's dreamy beautiful... She had just traded one of her colts for a colt from Clara de Vos van Steenwijk in Holland. He was still a little shy from the long trip. Then we visited the farm of Hutul ponies!
I did this as a favor for Professor Gus Cothran in the US, he researches ancestry of the horse, the Hutul pony is an old endangered species.
I photographed and got hair samples to send to Gus.
It was a fun experience! These though ponies get ridden by kids and adults at their riding school.
You can see a movie of the trip here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfxBIsOogcw
May 2011
Our foals are growing and we have lots of visitors stopping by.
Our foals are growing and we have lots of visitors stopping by.
International Akhal-Teke Horse Association of Turkmenistan
April 2011
Sweet Water Farm has officially been invited to the International Akhal-Teke horse Association of Turkmenistan.
The president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov is an avid horse man, and wants to promote the Akhal-Teke horse.
This meeting of breeders from all over the world was set in place to have a world organization for Akhal-Teke horses.
Over 150 guests were invited, form breeders to photographers, course designers, farriers and more.
Jenny did an outstanding report on her blog about the events of everyday you can read here: http://eventingakhaltekes.blogspot.com/2011/04/to-turkmenistan-we-go.html
Sweet Water Farm has officially been invited to the International Akhal-Teke horse Association of Turkmenistan.
The president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov is an avid horse man, and wants to promote the Akhal-Teke horse.
This meeting of breeders from all over the world was set in place to have a world organization for Akhal-Teke horses.
Over 150 guests were invited, form breeders to photographers, course designers, farriers and more.
Jenny did an outstanding report on her blog about the events of everyday you can read here: http://eventingakhaltekes.blogspot.com/2011/04/to-turkmenistan-we-go.html
Free Jumping
April 2011
We have been line jumping the geldings.
It's been a lot of fun and it's easy for them with no one on their back.
First we did Paelka. We stopped at 4 and half ft since he did such a good job and we want to keep it a positive experience. not bad for the first time! you can see his video here
Then we did Teddy ( Silk road Marauder) Teddy had never done this before, so we were quite pleased this was easy for him too! Teddy jumped 4 ft 3 inches
You can see his video here
We have been line jumping the geldings.
It's been a lot of fun and it's easy for them with no one on their back.
First we did Paelka. We stopped at 4 and half ft since he did such a good job and we want to keep it a positive experience. not bad for the first time! you can see his video here
Then we did Teddy ( Silk road Marauder) Teddy had never done this before, so we were quite pleased this was easy for him too! Teddy jumped 4 ft 3 inches
You can see his video here
3 Foals, 2 days apart
April 2011
Finally our foals have arrived! Pallas Athena, who was due last, gave birth first to a handsome colt.
I think he will be Chestnut like his his mommy. He is full of himself, already a few days old and he is running around like there is no tomorrow! No stopping this little fellow! Second to give birth was Ayal Pikira, a maiden mare. He may be a buckskin or black, he has a blue eye on the left. They all are born 2 days apart. Last was Altyn Gush, also a maiden mare. Gullie had a filly! She too may be a buckskin or black. All 3 foals are by Pan Tau.
Finally our foals have arrived! Pallas Athena, who was due last, gave birth first to a handsome colt.
I think he will be Chestnut like his his mommy. He is full of himself, already a few days old and he is running around like there is no tomorrow! No stopping this little fellow! Second to give birth was Ayal Pikira, a maiden mare. He may be a buckskin or black, he has a blue eye on the left. They all are born 2 days apart. Last was Altyn Gush, also a maiden mare. Gullie had a filly! She too may be a buckskin or black. All 3 foals are by Pan Tau.
Tatiana Ryabova Grading
March 2011
On the 5th Tatiana Ryabova and Tito Pontecorvo walked off the ferry to come and see our horses!
This is the first time Tatiana came to our farm. It is unfortunate the horses are furry, and that we've had the wettest winter ever and mud is everywhere, but I am very excited she is finally seeing our breeding program. Unfortunately Tatiana came down with a nasty cold, that turned into a flue, she did her best to grade the horses, and Tito translated for us.
On the 5th Tatiana Ryabova and Tito Pontecorvo walked off the ferry to come and see our horses!
This is the first time Tatiana came to our farm. It is unfortunate the horses are furry, and that we've had the wettest winter ever and mud is everywhere, but I am very excited she is finally seeing our breeding program. Unfortunately Tatiana came down with a nasty cold, that turned into a flue, she did her best to grade the horses, and Tito translated for us.
Linda Chatfield Jump Lessons
February 2011
We now have lessons once a month with Linda Chatfield, instructor from the Whidbey Island Pony Club and organizer of the Area VII Whidbey Island horse trials.
We treasure her lessons, and each time she comes we ride as many of our horses as possible.
Here are the links to the videos of the jump lessons:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptQ_YF0N5Pk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWJnP8yzk6A
We now have lessons once a month with Linda Chatfield, instructor from the Whidbey Island Pony Club and organizer of the Area VII Whidbey Island horse trials.
We treasure her lessons, and each time she comes we ride as many of our horses as possible.
Here are the links to the videos of the jump lessons:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptQ_YF0N5Pk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWJnP8yzk6A
Akhal-Teke Awards FOTATA
January 2011
FOTATA, stands for: Friends Of The Akhal-Teke Award
For 3 years in the running anyone owning an Akhal-Teke pure or part bred can send in their accomplishments on their mounts or breed promotions they have done.
The results are listed here
Jenny was the winner this year and received a gorgeous hand made award made by Shannon herself!
FOTATA, stands for: Friends Of The Akhal-Teke Award
For 3 years in the running anyone owning an Akhal-Teke pure or part bred can send in their accomplishments on their mounts or breed promotions they have done.
The results are listed here
Jenny was the winner this year and received a gorgeous hand made award made by Shannon herself!
January 2011
First of all, happy new year!
First of all, happy new year!