Shallowbrook Equestrian Center Update – January 2010
January 23, 2010
Hello from Shallowbrook Equestrian Center (SEC).
We hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and we wish you a terrific new year!
HOT TOPICS
Welcome Cassi
SEC welcomes our newest instructor Cassi Berry. Cassi has vast experience working with horses and children. Her energy and kindness is contagious, we are thrilled to have her as part of the team.
Be My Valentine
Valentine’s Week February 8th-14th. Make a valentine for your favorite horse and we will display it in our lounge. All valentine’s will be entered to win a prize drawing that will be chosen at random.
SEC Rated Show Schedule
Be a part of the action or come watch and support our SEC riders.
• February 28th (CHSA, CHJA, NEHC, M&S)
• March 21st (CHSA, CHJA, NEHC, M&S)
• June 11th, 12th, and 13th (USEF, CHSA, CHJA, NEHC, M&S)
• September 25th (CHSA, CHJA, M&S)
• October 30th (CHSA, CHJA, M&S)
• November 14th (CHSA, CHJA, NEHC, M&S)
• November 21st (CHJA, NEHC, M&S)
Horse Lease Expanded for ALL Occasions
With the tremendous interest of the holiday lease we are now expanding the lease program for winter and spring vacation weeks as well as birthday present weeks. A week lease entitles you or your child to be able to ride 4 times a week. They would also be allowed to groom the horse everyday as well as feed the horse two times during that week (Shallowbrook provides the feed). Horses are leased on a first come first serve basis. Please contact your instructor for more information.
Student Horse Show – SAVE THE DATE
Our Spring student horse will be held on Sunday, May 2nd. Mark your calendars!
Summer Horsemanship Clinics – SAVE THE DATE
While we are dreaming of warmer weather, we wanted to make you aware our summer horsemanship clinic session dates. Activities include daily riding lessons, horse and stable care, arts and crafts, introduction to polo, games on horseback, swimming and an end of the week riding demonstration for family and friends to enjoy! Weekly session start July 5th through August 13th. Pre-School week is July 26th – July 30th.
Whoa Shop – GREAT Gifts
We are in the process of displaying the SEC apparel (jackets, saddle pads, hats and much more) available at the Whoa Shop. All items make for great Valentine’s or birthday gifts. Please see your instructor to place an order.
Ladies Night
It’s that time again. SEC Ladies Night, we will be meeting again at the Black Horse Tavern on Thursday, February 11th at 7pm (trivia starts at 7:30pm). All students, boarders, and mother’s and grandmother’s of students come join us for another fun night out. Must be 21 years old to attend.
Birthday Party
Many students and non-students have enjoyed the fun birthday parties at SEC in recent months. See your instructor for available dates and more information.
SEC’s Riding Apparel Exchange
There are several items listed on the new apparel exchange sign located on SEC’s Information Board located between the two indoor rings. Reminder if you have a riding item that you would like to sell or donate or are looking for used riding apparel check the list. Note, SEC recommends receiving your instructor’s approval before making riding apparel purchases to confirm proper fit.
Y Ride Program
In just a few short weeks our students have achieved their goals of learning how to control their horse (walk, halt, steer) and even have begun to trot. Congratulations students, keep up the good work. Check out shallowbrook.com for updates and photos. For additional Y Ride program information or how to place a tax-deductable donation towards the program (which is fully funded through donations and grants), please see your instructor or contact Julie Costello (Executive Director of the Greater Springfield YMCA) at 413-739-6951, ext. 181.
Polo Update
Annual Sweethearts Polo Tournament
Bring your sweetheart, friend, sibling, child or we will pair you up. No polo experience required. Sunday, February 21st at 11am. See Mark or Lucy for more information.
Mike Giordano and Pat Marinelli, both of Sturbridge MA, and Drew Gale, of Somers CT represented the SEC’s boys interscholastic polo team to play Glen Farm Polo Team of Newport Rhode Island on Sunday Dec 12th. It was a highly competitive match with the score being close throughout the game, but SEC’s boys team impressively finished in the lead, 11 to 12. GO TEAM!!!
Shallowbrook Equestrian Center
860/749-0749 shallowbrook.com
Shallowbrook Equestrian Center Update – December
December 1, 2009
Hello from Shallowbrook Equestrian Center (SEC).
HOT TOPICS
Y Ride Program
We are thrilled to announce that SEC has Shallowbrook has partnered with the YMCA of Greater Springfield to develop the Y Ride program. The Y Ride offers a unique equine experience for underserved youths and teens allowing for the opportunity to develop personal growth of spirit, mind, and body through exposure to horseback-riding and horse care. Students apply for a 10-week session that includes a one hour class (riding or horse care) each week. We had our first lesson with four students on Wednesday, November 18th and it was fantastic. Each rider achieved their goal of being able to walk and halt a horse on their own! Congratulations students and welcome again to Shallowbrook! For additional Y Ride program information or how to place a tax-deductable donation towards the program (which is fully funded through donations and grants), please see your instructor or contact Julie Costello (Executive Director of the Greater Springfield YMCA) at 413-739-6951, ext. 181.
Holiday Horse Lease
SEC is offering a Holiday Horse Lease to all of our students. The lease would take place from December 26th to Jan. 3rd and entitles you or your child to be able to ride 4 times a week, one of those days would be their lesson. They would also be allowed to groom the horse everyday as well as feed the horse two times during that week (Shallowbrook provides the feed). The lease fee varies depending on the horse you choose to lease for you or your child (horses are leased on a first come first served basis). We are also offering a longer lease of two weeks or a full month lease. Please contact you instructor for more information.
Whoa Shop – GREAT Holiday Gifts
The SEC Whoa Shop is currently taking orders for a variety of SEC apparel including jackets, saddle pads, hats and much more. Please see your instructor to place an order.
Ladies Night
Because SEC Ladies Night was such a blast, we will be meeting again at the Black Horse Tavern on Wednesday, December 2nd at 7pm (trivia starts at 7:30pm). A $10 entrance fee will be required. All students, boarders, and mother’s and grandmother’s of students come join us for another fun night out. Must be 21 years old to attend.
Student Horse Show
Congratulations to all of our riders for and amazing student horse show. Everyone had a HUGE smile on their face and the impressive riding made our instructors VERY proud. A special congratulations to Cheyenne Cohagen, Shallowbrook Equestrian Center’s 2009 Invitational Champion. Also, a reminder if you have any pictures from the show we would love to share them on our website. Please place them on a CD and give them to your instructor.
Hunt Seat Horse Shows
The SEC rated horse show season concluded on Sunday, November 15th. Congratulations to all of our Shallowbrook riders for an amazing show season. And a special congratulations to Shallowbrook’s Five Star Series Champions:
Baby Green Jumper
Champion: The MerryMaker and Laura Peteros
Reserve Champion: Irish Mist and Elyse Dunbar
Walk/Trot Over 11
Champion: Lindsey Taft
Reserve Champion: Kim Ouimet
Pre-Children’s Hunter
Champion: Abercrombie and Karlan St. Germain
Pre-Children’s Equitation
Reserve Champion: Karlan St. Germain
Walk Trot Equitation
Honorable Mention: Mirjim Sinchler
Birthday Party
Many students and non-students have enjoyed the fun birthday parties at SEC in recent months. See your instructor for available dates and more information.
SEC’s Riding Apparel Exchange
There are several items listed on the new apparel exchange sign located on SEC’s Information Board located between the two indoor rings. Reminder if you have a riding item that you would like to sell or donate or are looking for used riding apparel check the list. Note, SEC recommends receiving your instructor’s approval before making riding apparel purchases to confirm proper fit.
Fit-to-Ride
After all the holiday goodies will you be looking for an invigorating workout that will also help your riding? Julie Costello (Executive Director of the YMCA of Greater Springfield) will leverage her personal training and riding expertise to provide exercises for strength training, cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, and core strength. Mats provided. The first class will be held in the Chukker room mid-January. Sign-up on SEC’s Information Board located between the two indoor rings.
SEC Instructor Education Seminars
As head instructor, Sally believes that a good instructor never stops learning. To support this she actively works with SEC’s instructors to build upon their riding and teaching knowledge. One tool that is extremely useful is reviewing a lesson an instructor has taught, via video-tape. Some students/parents of students will be asked to provide their permission to video tape a lesson involving you or your child to provide additional guidance and growth of our instructors and students. The video will be for teaching purposes only and will not be used for promotion. Thank you in advance for your assistance.
Say Cheese!
D. John McCarthy of Long Leash LLC Pet Photography is available for pet portraits and will be at SEC for a photo shoot on Decmeber 6th from 9-1. For more information visit www.longleashllc.com.
In addition, we are always looking for pictures to add to our website. If you have any lesson or show images you would like to share, please place them on a CD and give it to your instructor, thanks!
February Schooling Show
SEC will host our first schooling show of the 2010 season in February. It is a great opportunity to get show experience and for those outside our stable to work in our impressive indoor rings.
Polo Update
Congratulations to the SEC polo team for being highlighted in the November issue of US Polo Players Magazine. Also, check the polo board for our upcoming matches (Club Tournament December 18th-20th, Sweethearts Tournament in February, and Frankie Vita Women’s Tournament in April). Also, congrats to our new Adult Polo night on Wednesday’s.
Have a wonderful holiday,
Shallowbrook Equestrian Center
860/749-0749 shallowbrook.com
Y Ride – Shallowbrook partners with YMCA of Greater Springfield
November 29, 2009
The Y Ride program incorporates the YMCA’s core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility into the equine experience. The purpose of the Y Ride program, created by Julie Costello, Executive Director of the YMCA of Greater Springfield, is to provide underserved youth and teens with the opportunity to develop personal growth of spirit, mind and body through exposure to the structure of horseback riding and equine care.
“I designed the Y Ride program to give kids, who may not have had the opportunity, a chance to experience all the benefits riding can bring to ones life. The bond that you make with a horse is invigorating and empowering.” – Julie Costello, Executive Director of the YMCA of Greater Springfield and competitive hunt seat rider.
Shallowbrook designed an equine program that includes a riding goals, horse care seminars, homework assignments and journal entries. Other activities include playing with Shallowbrook’s nationally ranked Interscholastic Polo Team and a demonstration at Shallowbrook’s student horse show. Each session includes ten weekly and one hour lessons.
“I am impressed by Shallowbrook’s professionalism and extremely excited to be collaborating with Shallowbrook on our Y Ride program. I think bringing the Y Ride program to Shallowbrook will enable us to offer our children an enhanced equestrian experience. The benefits of the program to these underserved children far exceed just learning to ride. It’s not just about the riding, but about developing self confidence, pride, patience, trust and more. This new partnership will allow us to take our program to the next level and I think the benefits to our kids are limitless.” – Julie Costello, Executive Director of the YMCA of Greater Springfield.
The Y Ride program kicked off its first lesson on Wednesday, November 18th and is funded through a combination of private donations and state funds. The YMCA of Greater Springfield is now looking for tax-deductible donations for the 2010 Y Ride program. For more information, please contact Julie Costello, Executive Director of the Greater Springfield YMCA at 413/739-6951, extension 181.
Sunday, November 15th Horse Show
November 4, 2009
Shallowbrook Equestrian Center
5-Star Horse Show Series
Sunday, November 15th, 2009
CHJA, NEHC, and Marshall & Sterling rated.
Check Out the Jumper Divisions
New divisions Pony Hunters, Adult Equitation, Adult Hunters, Pre-Green Hunter, Modified Children’s Hunter and Modified Adult Hunter and Equitation
Judge: Patty Hyyppa
Show Manager: Geoff and Sally Allison
Course Designer: Naomi Blumenthal
Steward:Kristen Guadagnino
Announcer: TBA
Grounds: The show will be held indoors, warm up ring is 50′ x 200′, the show ring is 110′ by 225 with a dirt and dead sand footing.
Plenty of Parking and Excellent Food available all day!
Show starts at 8:00 am, Warmups start at 7:15 am.
Shallowbrook November 15 Prize List and Time Schedule
Shallowbrook Horse Show Class Descriptions
Shallowbrook Horse Show Entry Form
Entries Close 48 hours before the show
FAX Entry Forms to: 860 749 0740
Day of Show and Information Phone Numbers; 860-749-0749
We are located at:
247 Hall Hill Road
Somers, Connecticut 06071
(860) 749-0749
Map (Google Map) and Directions to The Shallowbrook Equestrian Center
Remember – Deadline for entries is Friday, November 13, 2009.
2009 5-Star Series Standings
October 27, 2009
Sunday, November 8th, 2009 Horse Show
October 23, 2009
Shallowbrook Equestrian Center
5-Star Horse Show Series
Saturday, November 8th, 2009
CHSA, CHJA, NEHC, and Marshall & Sterling rated.
Check Out the Jumper Divisions
Judge: Doug Raucher
Show Manager: Geoff and Sally Allison
Course Designer: Naomi Blumenthal
Steward:Kathy Van Der Jagt
Announcer: TBA
Grounds: The show will be held indoors, warm up ring is 50′ x 200′, the show ring is 110′ by 225 with a dirt and dead sand footing.
Plenty of Parking and Excellent Food available all day!
Show starts at 8:00 am, Warmups start at 7:15 am.
Shallowbrook 5 Star Prize List and Time Schedule
Shallowbrook Horse Show Class Descriptions
Shallowbrook Horse Show Entry Form
Entries Close 48 hours before the show
FAX Entry Forms to: 860 749 0740
Day of Show and Information Phone Numbers; 860-749-0749
We are located at:
247 Hall Hill Road
Somers, Connecticut 06071
(860) 749-0749
Map (Google Map) and Directions to The Shallowbrook Equestrian Center
Remember – Deadline for entries is Thursday, October 22, 2009.
Shallowbrook Equestrian Center Update – October
October 19, 2009
Hello from Shallowbrook Equestrian Center (SEC).
HOT TOPICS
Student Horse Show
Save the date! Our Halloween-themed student horse show is Sunday, November 1st. The show will start later this year at 10am to give our trick-or-treaters some extra time. Entry forms were sent in the mail last week and are due now. See your instructor for extra entry forms.
Hunt Seat Horse Shows
Congratulations to all of our Shallowbrook riders for a great show on Saturday, September 19th. Everyone rode extremely well and to top it off won impressive ribbons. Students and trainers were smiling all day.
Reminder, that we have three more rated shows at SEC (10/24, 11/8, and 11/15). The shows start at 8am and last all day…so come visit, eat some great food, and support our riders. In addition, we welcome Kyle Lee from Ellington Family Photo who will be taking pictures during the 10/24 show.
Whoa Shop
The Shallowbrook Whoa Shop will be taking orders for the new SEC winter jacket during the Student Show. Great gift for the holiday.
Ladies Night
Congratulations to team Shallowbrook who won all three rounds of trivia at the Black Horse Tavern on Thursday, October 1st. Many great stories and laughs were shared by all.
Because SEC Ladies Night was such a blast, we will be meeting again at the Black Horse Tavern on Wednesday, December 2nd at 7pm. A $10 entrance fee will be required. All students, boarders, and mother’s and grandmother’s of students come join us for another fun night out. Must be 21 years old to attend.
Birthday Party
Reminder that birthday parties are available at Shallowbrook. Contact Elyse for more information.
SEC’s Riding Apparel Exchange
Have a riding item that you would like to sell or donate? Looking for used riding apparel? List it on SEC’s Information Board located between the two indoor rings. Note, SEC recommends receiving your instructor’s approval before making riding apparel purchases to confirm proper fit.
Fit-to-Ride
Julie Costello (Executive Director of the YMCA of Greater Springfield) will leverage her personal training and riding expertise to provide exercises for strength training, cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, and core strength. Mats provided. Class to be held in the Chukker room. Sign-up on SEC’s Information Board located between the two indoor rings.
Say Cheese!
We would like to again welcome Kyle Lee from Ellington Family Photo who will be taking pictures during our show on October 24th. For more information and to view the array Kyle’s work visit www.ellingtonfamilyphoto.com.
We would also like to mention that D. John McCarthy of Long Leash LLC Pet Photography is available for pet portraits, for more information visit www.longleashllc.com.
In addition, we are always looking for pictures to add to our website. If you have any lesson or show images you would like to share, please place them on a CD and give it to your instructor, thanks!
Polo Update
With winter setting in our outdoor season is almost over and arena season is starting to pick up speed. We now have group lessons for beginners on Mondays and intermediate lessons on Wednesdays. We are also looking to start an adult beginner/intermediate group lesson, if you or anyone you know is interested please contact Mark. No experience required, we can very quickly bring you up to speed.
Reminder, that we hold club games on Fridays at 7:30pm and Sundays at 2:00pm, spectators are always welcome. In addition, the polo club hosts a social hour including light food after the Sunday club games…great opportunity for those interested in polo to come watch a game and talk to the players. We hope to see you at our upcoming games.
Best wishes,
Shallowbrook Equestrian Center
860/749-0749
www.shallowbrook.com
Saturday, Oct 24th, 2009 Horse Show
October 3, 2009
Shallowbrook Equestrian Center
5-Star Horse Show Series
Saturday, October 24th, 2009
CHSA, CHJA, NEHC, and Marshall & Sterling rated.
Check Out the Jumper Divisions
Judge: Kristen Gurardinoe
Show Manager: Geoff and Sally Allison
Course Designer: Naomi Blumenthal
Steward: Cynthia Jensen
Announcer: TBA
Grounds: The show will be held in either onoe or both the rings listed below, weather permitting:
- Outdoor show ring is the grass annex ring and also a section of the Polo field.
- Indoor show ring which is 110′ x 225′ with a dirt and dead sand footing.
- The warm-up ring (indoor) and standing area is 50′ x 200′ with same footing as show ring.
Plenty of Parking and Excellent Food available all day!
Show starts at 8:00 am, Warmups start at 7:15 am.
Shallowbrook 5 Star Prize List and Time Schedule
Shallowbrook Horse Show Class Descriptions
Shallowbrook Horse Show Entry Form
Entries Close 48 hours before the show
FAX Entry Forms to: 860 749 0740
Day of Show and Information Phone Numbers; 860-749-0749
We are located at:
247 Hall Hill Road
Somers, Connecticut 06071
(860) 749-0749
Map (Google Map) and Directions to The Shallowbrook Equestrian Center
Remember – Deadline for entries is Thursday, October 22, 2009.
Congratulations Coosas Array of Gold and Lara Avery!
September 27, 2009
Shallowbrook Equestrian Center Update – September
September 27, 2009
Hello from Shallowbrook Equestrian Center (SEC). Thanks for a GREAT summer and get ready for an amazingly BUSY season at Shallowbrook.
HOT TOPICS
Student Horse Show
Save the date! Our Halloween-themed student horse show is Sunday, November 1st. The show will start later this year at 10am to give our trick-or-treaters some extra time. Entry forms will be available the first week of October. Good luck to all!
Hunt Seat Horse Shows
The busy Fall show season at SEC begins this Saturday, September 19th. The show starts at 8am and will last all day. The show is free to watch, so come visit, eat some great food, and support our riders. Other home shows this Fall are 10/24, 11/8, and 11/15.
Cancellation Policy
Reminder that all students are required to inform their instructor at least 5 hours in advance of their lesson time. If the instructor is not notified within this time period, the student will be charged for the lesson in full. Please contact your instructor via Shallowbrook’s main phone number (860/749-0749) and/or your instructor’s cell phone number. Thank you!
School Update
Best wishes to our students for a GREAT year of school! And congratulations to SEC’s intercollegiate stars:
- Lissa Mele: Hobart William Smith Equestrian Team
- Kristen Wenning: Colorado State University Polo Team
SEC Rider Expectations
For the care and safety of our horses, our instructors will be reviewing our expectations of proper care of our horses’ prior to and following lessons. If you are unable to properly care for your horse following your lesson a $15.00 maintenance fee will be charged to your next lesson. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
Ladies Night
Calling all students, boarders, and mother’s and grandmother’s of students for a fun night out. Thursday, October 1st at 7pm at the Black Horse Tavern in Hampden, MA. Please see Elyse, Lucy, or Steph for further information and RSVP by Friday, September 25th so we can reserve tables.
Dog Agility Event
Three-day dog competition (September 25th-27th) utilizing the SEC grounds. Entry fee to participate but free to watch.
Birthday Party
Reminder that birthday parties are available at Shallowbrook. Contact Elyse for more information.
Question of the Month
Congratulations to Taylor Bergin the Question of the Month winner please see your instructor for your prize.
Polo Update
The summer polo season was terrific and the Fall weather has been great for playing! Reminder that our Polo Club plays matches every Sunday at 2pm rain or shine and it is free to watch.
PAST TOPICS
Troy Green, Shallowbrook, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation (September)
On Saturday, September 12th, Troy Green teamed up with Shallowbrook and the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Connecticut and Massachusetts for the first annual benefit horsemanship clinic. 100% of all proceeds went to the cause, with 75% benefiting Make-A-Wish® and the other 25% to help AQHYA teams in New England heading to The All American Quarter Horse Congress. Pictures to come!
Connecticut Horse Show Association 2009 Finals (August)
Congratulations to SEC’s Coosas Array of Gold and Lara Avery on your winning ribbons!!!
Rider Appreciation Week (August)
Congratulations to Christine Howard and Montego, our 2009 Rider Appreciation Week Obstacle Course winners.
Best wishes, Shallowbrook Equestrian Center
860/749-0749 shallowbrook.com
