Darenth Farm

Congratulations to all the riders from Darenth Farm who competed in the Spring Hunter Pace hosted by the Carrollton Hounds. Hannah riding Buckshot and Megan on Bandit won both the Junior classes while Annie on Rae, Claire with Sienna and Elizabeth and Wrangler took 4th place in a very competitive open division. Claire also escorted Taylor and Daaghn around the course. This was Taylor’s very first attempt riding an outside course and she made us all proud. Katie and Willis were also making their debut and Elizabeth helped them make it safely around the course. All in all a very happy, successful day.

SAVE  THE  DATE     for our farm show to be held on Saturday June 9th. All riders, boarders, parents and invited guests are welcome. Class list and all details to follow.

The week beginning July 30th Darenth Farm is pleased to offer a half day camp from 9:00 am to 1:00pm Monday to Friday. Aimed at 4 and 5 year olds the children will have a riding lesson and other age appropriate horse activities, lunch and a swim (or splash !) in the pool. Extra staff will be on hand to ensure the safety of all.

Cost $250  ($100 payable on booking)

Please contact Sharon with any questions.

Here at Darenth Farm we are looking forward to another fun filled summer. Our camp weeks are divided according to the riders ability to make sure everyone has a safe and rewarding experience. Each week runs Monday to Friday, 9:00am until 4:00pm (there is some flexibility with these times, please contact Sharon). The groups are small, no more than 7 campers, ranging in age usually from 5 to 15. Sometimes we are lucky enough to have an older person join in for a few days and this we encourage. Why should the children have all the fun?

BEGINNER WEEKS
For anyone new to riding or someone who is not posting to the trot or someone who still needs help from a ground person. If you only ride once a year at camp this would be the group for you.

INTERMEDIATE WEEKS
Riders who can walk, trot and canter independently and jump small X rails. You would probably be taking or have taken weekly lessons.

ADVANCED/EVENTING WEEKS
These riders should be comfortable not only cantering and jumping in the arena but also in fields and other open areas.

All groups will ride twice a day and have a chance to swim in the middle of the day to cool off! Everyone will get plenty of hands on horse care experience – grooming, cleaning tack and stalls plus age related lectures and quizzes on anything to do with horses.

DATES, For weeks beginning on:

Beginners: June 18, July 9, July 30, August 13

Intermediate: July 16, August 20

Eventing Camp: June 25

Advanced: August 20

COST:  $350   ( Eventing camp $375)

$25 discount for siblings or if multiple weeks booked

$150 deposit payable on booking, balance due 2 weeks before start of camp

WHAT TO BRING

Beginner riders may borrow a riding helmet. Long pants are required, even when it is hot and boots with a small heel for safety. These do not necessarily need to be riding boots the Walmart version is perfectly acceptable or try a thrift store. Bring sneakers for non riding times and flip flops to go to the pool. Also towel, bathing suit, sun screen and insect repellant.

Campers will also require a packed lunch and plenty to drink. Water will always be available.

QUESTIONS?
Please contact Sharon with any questions by email sharon@ridgeequipment.com or phone 301 471 1254

I look forward to welcoming back my returning campers and to welcoming new faces to Darenth Farm.

Sharon

Not your typical January weather at the farm right now!

Here is a video of Summer’s first show. courtesy of Mary’s blog

We chose a local schooling show for Summer’s first outing. The venue and weather were perfect. Callie competed first and Summer was upset to be left alone in the trailer but that is all part of the learning process and she finally settled down. Callie tried hard but Mary felt that she didn’t like the deep footing in the indoor arena but still managed to pick up a 2nd and 3rd place ribbons. The show had suddenly been moved inside when a local farmer started making hay next to the outdoor arena. Now Summer wouldn’t have been too upset with a tractor but had only been ridden in an indoor once before but being the super star that she is, managed to hold it all together. As Mary finished her first test I could hear Dona Ruth, the judge say ‘what a lovely young horse’. The second test was even better and Summer scored a 74.8%. She won both classes and left Mary and myself with silly grins on our faces!

Thank you Mary for all your hard work. This would not be possible without you.

Did I mention that Summer is only three!

Thank you, thank you to everyone for making our farm show such a success! We were fortunate with the weather, hot but not too excessive and the previous day’s rain meant that the arena was not dusty. I was so proud of all the riders, everyone tried hard, looked great and had fun.

A few highlights for me… Nick and Patrick riding, the ladies water race (we missed you Sharon Agnello but glad to hear Mark is doing better), Dave and Maggie Macklin taking home ribbons, Megan and Bandit jumping 5′ over a 2’6” jump ( Megan you are incredible for staying on!) and Sam B for being so patient and understanding towards your horse when Grey Goose was convinced she was back at the race track! That’s horsemanship. Savannah, Piper and the two Hannah’s also looked great but I could go on and on, you ALL looked great.

Thank you to our judge Valerie Dunn, Mary Macklin for designing the jump course and overseeing the jumping classes, Julie Gullace for taking care of her students and Valerie Frank for bringing some of her students all
nicely attired in red shirts.

I would also like to thank Paula Martin for taking care of entries and managing to ride in a couple of classes, Annie Larson for timing and bringing her collection of model horses to share with the younger girls,
Joanne, Mary H., Alison, Katie, Kristie and Alexis for doing what ever was needed.

Thank you to those who took charge of the grilling and all for bringing something to make our picnic special.

I hope to do this again in the autumn so any suggestions for classes you
would like to see or improvements we can make, please let me know.

Thank you,
Sharon

(Click on the thumbnails for larger images)

Students of Darenth Farm enjoyed a schooling session at Berry Patch Farm. The recently renovated course offered an array of natural obstacles in the open fields as well as in the woods . We were able to take our time, ensuring young horses and novice riders were not over whelmed while everyone enjoyed the beautiful setting.

Thanks to Dulany Noble for the use of her lovely property.
(Click on images for larger version)

As an added bonus we were able to see the foxhound puppies belonging to the Carrollton Hounds. The eight puppies were born in March and are absolutely adorable.