Monday, August 19, 2013

Stone Gate Farm Horse Trials - Update Sept 13

Sept 13: Farm Map - please note new show jumping warm up



Sept 2 Mon Labor Day Update

Well today was definitely a day of labor here at Stone Gate Farm as Dave, with a little help from me, continue working on the stabling barn improvement project.  We have dug a footer in front of all the stalls, built forms and poured cement, and placed pins for the gates for the west barn and today we almost finished with the second barn. The cement will the panels and gates from sinking ino the ground which will make the panels a bit higher & more stable and the biggest plus is that the gates will be easier to manage!  We hope those who are stabling will appreciate the improvements.
The digger that Dave had made for the Hoe
The footer dug out

Forms all set


Cement poured showing pins for the gates.  Sadie is supervising


Entry Reminders:
  • Tues Sept 3rd is closing date!  All entries must be postmarked by closing date or assessed a late fee of $20
  • All entries that have been made via X-entry must have paperwork and payment postmarked by closing date or be assessed a $20 late fee
  • Late Entries will be accepted through Fri Sept 13. Entries must be made AND paid for via X-entry P/ T: $165; N / BN: $155; Starter $115.  
Course Updates:
  • the Beginner Novice & Novice ditches have been refurbished 
  • the new Preliminary Corner may not get completed this time around and if so will be replaced with the narrow palisades
  • the new high tech plastic birch has arrived and the steeplechase fence will look awesome - it better this stuff wasn't cheap ;)  Pics to come shortly
And once again I am putting out a plea for volunteers.  If you 're available to help during the event or anytime between now and then, please consider helping out.  Thanks



Jackie

Aug. 19, 2013

Greetings All,

I will be making updates regarding the Sept 21 - 22, Stone Gate Farm Horse Trials on this blog.  This is the final reminder about the 'early bird' discount which ends Tues Aug 20th.  Any entries postmarked after the 20th will pay and additional $20.  Below are some important links:
We've been busy measuring courses, updating fences, pulling weeds (it's a jungle out there), cleaning out ditches, and making plans for a few new fences which will included a 'kinder and gentler' Preliminary corner. There still is a huge tree to clean up after a strong summer storm and of course the usual primping.  The track will be utilizing a treeline between the hay fields that hasn't been used in a few years and that is going to be a fairly major job to get that all cleaned up and ready to go. If anyone has any between now and then let me know ;)

Meg, Jess & Karen planting 'hens & chicks'
Gator load of weeds that once filled the jump
There's a stone wall jump in there somewhere ;)


The Cross Country Courses are now available for viewing on My Course Walk.  Below are direct links to the individual courses:
In addition to the usual cross country updates we have added a little more footing to the show jumping arena where the footing was a bit thin.  AND the biggest project that Dave has just started is making improvements to the staling area which will make the gates work easier and be more secure.  There are plans to make approximately 16 stalls with permanent fronts since we don't use them for storage the rest of the year like we do with the other stalls. Those stalls probably will not be completed before the fall event, but the planned improvements are definitely on the drawing board.

We hope to see many of you at our event either as a competitor or as a volunteer.

Jackie

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Thursday, August 1, 2013

Aug 4th Mini Trials - Pre competition update

Greetings,

Just few quick notes to help you have a better weekend at Stone Gate Farm.  For those schooling on Sat, PLEASE NOTE: due to the Pony Club Rally on Sat the course will NOT be available until after the rally is over.  Schooling will be from 3:00 - 7:00.  However stalls will not be available until 4:30. You must park in the parking field near the house until AFTER you are done schooling.  You  must pick up your number first and you must have a ground person, wear a vest and if you have it a medical armband.  Those who are not stabled; schooling will also be available from Fri. by appointmnet.  PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE use some common sense when schooling.  There is no reason to jump a fence more than a couple of times unless you are having problems and please be aware of what other riders are doing. dly unless you are having trouble.  We want to preserve your horses' legs and the footing.

For those who have not been to SGF before; click here for directions to the farm, a stabling area map and more.  Disregard the farm map as the was for an earlier competition although it will give you an idea of the layout of the farm, scroll down to see a farm map for this competition. I am not sure about the current road construction according to ODOT there isn't any major road construction but if you're coming from the Turnpike and you come across SR 165 I would give yourself a little extra time just in case it isn't open yet.  Those coming fro 90 east, there is a short detour getting onto 11 S. Stabling assignments are listed on the top of the Start Box page.   As always parking is always very tight in the stabling area as every single stall is being used..  Please squeeze in and be considerate of other competitors.  Cars are ONLY allowed to park in the designated car parking area. which is on top of the hill near the dome where the drive splits. You may use the drive during the competition but wait until a test is completed to pass.  The drive is ONE WAY, incoming vehicles have the right away.

Below is an over all schedule and actual times can be found on Start Box There are a couple of times that will be tweaked for Melissa Knox, Rebecka Simmons and Rachel Russel.  I will e-mail you directly  Keep in mind that the schedule is very tight and you will be expected to ride you dressage on time but those with multiple rides I have scheduled you times out of order which will give you the most time between your rides.  Please be sure to check in with the paddock person upon your arrival to the warm up areas.  Please refer to the map below for access routes to the dressage arena warm up areas. All riders will be allowed to take ONE lap around the inside of the arena as soon as the horse before them has done their final salute. To facilitate traffic flow; those who are stabled may exit the dressage arenas at the C end of the arena.  Those in ring 1 will exit by the pond and those in ring 2 will exit between the drive and the dome.  Show jumping warm up is limited and we ask that ONLY those horses warming up be in the warm up area.  Others are to wait on either the east or west ends of the arena.

A Few Final Notes:
  •  All Intro and Very Green Mini Trials will ride in the grass arena and will ride Intro B   (refer to the map below)  Starters will do Intro C and ALL other divisions will do the A tests. 
  • Cross Country maps and for the first time a Show Jumping map can be found on My Course Walk.  
  • Competitors will be crossing the cross country course getting to and from the start / finish; PLEASE USE CAUTION and remember the horse on cross country has right of way. 
  • Even though your entry status may not show it; all online entries must sign a release form, all non NEOMTA members must pay a $5 non member fee, and all stabled horses must pay a $10 stall cleaning deposit check unless you paid for the stall cleaning service.  Finally NO BEDDING IS PROVIDED unless you ordered and paid for it.  
We're looking forward to a great weekend and we hope you and your horses have a great time and an educational experience.  Please if you have any questions, please ask.  Keep your fingers crossed that the weather forecast for the weekend is correct ... not too hot and dry!!! 

Jackie


Stone Gate Farm Mini Trials ~ Overall Schedule


Dressage Ring 1 ~ Judge: Karen Chandell ~ Pond ~ Bell
            8:30   Starter Starter Rider A
            9:10   Starter Horse
            10:05 Beginner Novice Horse
            Judge Change to Jennifer Milliner     
            11:45 Dressage Class 2
            Judge changes back to Karen Chandell
12:30 Novice Horse
1:12   Novice Rider
           

Dressage Ring 2 ~ Judge: Debby Melvin ~ Drive ~ Whistle
            8:30   Dressage Class 1
            9:05   Starter Rider B
            9:55   Beginner Novice Rider A
            11:10 Beginner Novice Rider B
            Judge Change to Jennifer Milliner
12:48 Dressage Class 3
Judge Change back to Debby Melvin
1:30   Training

Dressage Ring 3 ~ Judge: Jennifer Milliner ~ Grass Arena near XC Start
            8:30   Intro Horse
            9:05   Intro Rider
            9:45   Very Green
           
Show Jumping Schedule
            10:00 –10:40 Intro
            11:10 – 12:20 Starter & Very Green
            12:30 – 2:00 Beginner Novice
            2:00 – 2:45 Novice
            3:10 – 3:24 Training

Cross Country

            ALL other divisions will go straight from Show Jumping to Cross Country


PLEASE NOTE: riders with multiple rides MUST do their dressage at the scheduled time but may jump anytime within the level, however the scheduled jump times will allow riders the most time between rides.

Awards through 6th Place will be given after the ½ hour inquiry period at the house