Current News and Carousel 4H Activities
We are on FACEBOOK - look for FACEBOOK updates by clicking HERE
June 2011
American Riding Instructors Association
publishes summer issue of Riding Instructor Magazine
with article about Gale in it.
Read excerpt here.
May 2011
Gale earns permanent instructor certification with
American Riding Instructors Association
for Level III Hunt Seat and Recreational Riding.
August 2010
Rachel Fleszar and her pony "Valley Girl" participated in the USEF Pony Finals
in Lexington, KY. She was only an alternate for the team until Tuesday, the 10th, when she found
out that one of the team horses came up lame....so they called upon Rachel and Currie to take their place.
It was a mad dash to Lexington for Currie, who arrived on Thursday morning, the 12th, to begin the
competition ON THAT DAY. Long story short........ The Zone II team finished up THIRD over all and then
tonight, April 14, 2010, Rachel & Currie went clean (one of the only three clean rounds out of 18 rounds)
to win the Individual Bronze Medal.
Rachel & Currie at Pony Finals
*****************************************
The Chemung County Fair Open Horse Show!
Above is a photo of our aisle front decorations at the main pole barn at the County Fairgrounds. Many thanks to the Wiehe family for working so hard on this. Also helping was Lynnelle and the Boviards.
Congratulations to Pam Schneider for her Show Championship Award for High Point 2nd Level Dressage Horse, that she earned
with her Friesian Karolien.
Pam on Karolien
Congratulations to Lynnelle Harpst for her Show Championship Award for High Point Novice Rider, that she earned with her
Thoroughbred, Oso Allegro.
Congratulations to Gale for her Show Championship for High Point Carriage Driving Horse, that she earned with
her Friesian Beike! Below is a photo of our Championship Chair and Ribbons and a photo of Beike with the carriage.
********************************************************************************
July 2010
SUMMER DAY CAMP
JULY 5th though the 9th.
WE HAD GREAT FUN...in spite of the mid 90's temperatures through the entire week.
During the week, each camper got two riding lessons per day, worked on a craft project (we decorated saddle pads this year) and we had a "classroom" activity, working on horsey instructional workbooks.
Here are just a few of the 500 photos that I took at summer camp this year. These were from the RIDECITAL - the concluding performance event that we did for our parents and friends.
June 2010
Cayuga Dressage and Combined Training had their USEF/USDF show on June 19th and 20th. Pam and I took the Friesians to this show for both days, with Pam doing her first real maiden voyage hauling her horses in her own trailer....she did GREAT.
We did pretty well in the scores for the show as well. Beike earned four first place ribbons taking the 4th Level Champion for the Show.
Pam rode in SEVEN tests that weekend, earning a championship as well with Karolien for 2nd Level.
Here are some photos of Beike taken by photographer "Who Took That?"
You can tell by my smile that we were having a great ride.......and we were!!!!!!
**********************
Pam Schneider and I took our three Friesians to the Dressage Show at Houghton College on June 4th and 5th. Beike earned enough points to receive one second place and three first place ribbons in the four tests that she rode - all at Fourth Level. Pam did well too in the ribbons, earning two seconds, a third and a fifth in larger classes.
Gal on Beike and Pam on Karolien at the Houghton Dressage Show
June 4, 2010
*****************************
May 2010
We went to the big
Devon Horse Show at the end of May. This is a fantastic horse show full of
hunter, jumper, pony, park seat, and carriage driving classes. It's an
amazing horse show. Even the lead line classes were HUGE classes, one
having over 50 entrants, all dressed to the nines with perfect outfits and
perfect mounts. The carriage driving classes included horses that varied
from the mini's to mules, and of course a few very elaborate coaches.
The main reason for our trip was for Rachel and Currie to compete in the pony jumper finals. They finished a very well deserved 2nd in the NAL class, so we were very happy with the success,
Here's a great photo of Rachel and Currie in that NAL class.
if you look closely, you can see me at the ingate under the big Devon sign. :)
April 2010
Congratulations to Alecia Orcutt on the purchase of her new mare "A Deal Breaker", also known as "Faith".
This lovely 5 year old mare was shipped in from Texas for Alecia and she sure is a beauty. Watch for her
in Western and AQHA competitions in the future. Gale is looking forward to working with this super pair.
*********************************
Congratulations to riding student Rachel Fleszar and her pony, Currie at their successful showing at the Four Seasons Horse Show in
Titusville, NJ on April 17, 2010.
Click HERE to see the great video of Rachel and Currie.
Rachel rides Currie in an Ansur Treeless Saddle....the "ELITE". Contact Gale for more information about ANSUR SADDLES.
*****************************************************************
November 2009
Gale Wolfe Named as one of American's TOP 50 Riding Instructors for 2009
by the American Riding Instructor's Association
Gale attended the 2009 convention of the
American Riding Instructors Association
at which she was awarded, once again, the
recognition of being one of the
Top 50 Riding Instructors.
Pictured here is Gale with Mr. George Morris
who is Chef d'Equipe of the USET's Olympic Jumping Team.
Mr. Morris is a prominent name in the Hunter and Show Jumping World.
September 2009
New Rubber Footing in the
indoor
August 19, 2009
Last April, I registered to ride in a clinic with Mr. Walter Zettl, one of the dressage greats.
Click HERE to watch a video of portions of the lesson.
August 9, 2009
Chemung County Fair occurred during the first week of August. Several of us attended the fair. Pam Schneider and I
performed our Pas De Deux at the Dressage Show.
Click HERE to see a video on You Tube of our performance.
And I did a musical ride to Madonna Music. Click HERE to see that video on You Tube.
It was extremely muddy and the footing was terrible at the Fairgrounds. Seems to be our fate when I go
to a horseshow. It's either blazing hot, or I'm riding in muck. :)
Day Camp 2009
2009 Day Camp at Gale's for the week of July 6th through the 10th. We enjoyed 10
lovely young ladies, ages 4 through 14. The average age was 9 years old. The
theme of the camp was "Dressage as the Basis for All Riding", and we worked on
perfecting dressage tests for the Friday Ridecital, a performance given to the
family and friends of our campers. We included instructional classroom
activities about dressage and other horse events. We also learned about the
parts of the saddle and bridle and the basic exterior anatomy of the horse. The
girls became more familiar with grooming and tacking up horses for riding,
several being able to do so completely on their own by the end of camp week.
The craft project was to use jewels and fabric paints to decorate halters for
their horses. Each halter was as individual as the young lady that decorated it.
The Ridecital was a lovely success with the group performing a very nice drill
team demonstration and then each girl riding a USDF Introductory Dressage Test.
I performed a higher level dressage demonstration with Beike and the group
concluded with presenting their halters to the audience and stating a short
explanation of what they learned during camp week.
I'd say that the week was a great success and we look forward to next year's
camp week. Perhaps we'll have enough interest to host more than one week next
year!
Many thanks to all the helpers that made Day Camp 2009 a great success.
More photos of Day Camp 2009 can be seen at my Smug Mug Gallery by clicking
HERE.
~Gale
***********************************
October 2008
Kelly Sigler Parelli Clinic
We had a great clinic on October 25th and 26th with Kelly Sigler. Two of us (Susan Cunningham and Gale Wolfe) completed their Level One assessment with Kelly and we look forward to receiving our "red" Savvy String, which acknowledges our level and success. Parelli techniques are great for building a better relationship for your horse. Even with my fourth level dressage horse, Beike, the Parelli games have made a significant improvement in her "interest in me" and wanting to be my partner..... and more than just "my horse".
Click HERE to see photos of our Clinic.
***************
August 2008
August offered a couple of nice horse shows, to which Gale's clients attended. We were well represented at the Chemung County Fair with Laurie Baker, Cassandra Bartsch, Jill and Kennedy Van Brunt and Kristen Schehr showing their own and other's horses. Kristen also had her personal clients, Alecia Orcutt, Stephanie Oggeri, and Kaylee Paruski showing and doing well in the ribbons. GOOD JOB LADIES!
On August 9th, Pam, Lynnelle and Gale took their horses to the CDCT Dressage Schooling Show in Ithaca, NY. This was an excellent show to get us "back into showing".
On the left, is Lynnelle on Oso. On the right is Pam on Amos.
Below are photos/videos of Gale on Beike.
If
you click on the below photo of Beike, it will take you to a video of one of
Beike's tests... but CAUT
ION...
These videos
are a
LARGE FILES and will require a long download time.
********************************
July 2008
We constructed nearly two miles of all new fencing!
Celebrating our twenty years of operation, in 2008, we were able to replace all of our pastures fencing (over two miles of fencing!) and redesign our paddocks and pastures. Using "Flex Rail", and "Hot Cote" wiring we have an assortment of 18 pasture/paddocks and two six-acre pastures.....all electrified. Each turnout has a tube gate with those real nice latches. Below is a photo looking out towards the majority of the pastures that move down the west side of the property and out behind the old wooden outdoor riding ring. One of our round pens is in view, as well as a couple of fun "jump logs". We are very happy with our new "state of the art" turn-outs. We have enough pastures to allow for rotation to maximum grass growth and proper grounds maintenance
.
A view from the roof of the barn....looking north towards the hills.
****************************************************
May 2008
Congrats to Emily Jay and Samantha Baker
Winners of the NYS Team Presentation Competition.
That's Samantha Baker on the left and Emily Jay on the right.
Their presentation was titled "She Said Western. She Said English" and was about the two
forms of horseback riding, complete with clothing and gear explanation. GOOD JOB GIRLS!
YOUR HARD WORK PAID OFF!
****************************************************************
Riders from Gale's bring home the ribbons from the first show for this season!
Look at the ribbons in these photos!!!!!!
Congrats to Kristen, Cassandra and Laurie
on their many successful classes at the
Best of Both Worlds Horse Show
May 3rd and 4th.
September 2007
Pam & Gale perform
Pas de Deux with
Karolien and Beike.
Click HERE to see video.
June 2007
Beike gives us another wonderful
Friesian Foal..
Whisper fan Gale's
Click HERE to see more.
Whisper fan Gale's
at ONE day old.
APRIL 2007
Lil surprises us with her new
foal.... three weeks early.
Read about SMOKEY
Lil with her new foal "Smokey Midnight Surprise"
Our Anatomy In Motion,
Gaits, Balance and Movement Clinic
was a HUGE LEARNING SUCCESS!
WOW.
Look HERE to see photos of our clinic.
Read about Susan Harris and Peggy Brown
and their clinics at the website: http://www.anatomyinmotion.com/
February 2007
We finally got some snow!
John modified an old truck plow blade to work on the Bobcat...worked very well!
As you can see...there was lots of snow to move off of the driveway.
Timothy (8month old Friesian stallion) & AJ (23 year old AQHA/PHBA stallion) play in the snow that came to our area on Valentine's Day.
Click on the photo to see more Timmy Action!
Sylvester has a good roll in the snow......
and gets snow in his nose.
Morgan mare "May" digs in the snow.
Click on her photo to see more snow action.
DECEMBER 2006 Events:
Carousel 4H went to Hands On Glass in Corning, N.Y. on December 9th to make Christmas ornaments. We participated in blowing the glass ourselves. GREAT FUN.
Photos here: Hands On Glass Photos
*****************
Horsemanship/Equitation Clinic on December 17th
On December 17th, the Chemung County 4H horse program was treated to a free three hour long instructional clinic by Ms. Maggie Johnston of Arkansas, and hosted by Gale's Equine Facility. The class was EXTREMELY informative on skills to improve your performance in rail classes with your horse, and how to prepare for and ride a smooth pattern - whether the pattern is for Hunt Seat or Stock Seat style of riding.
*********************
OCTOBER 2006 EVENTS:
Students of Gale's Equine Facility participate (and do well in the ribbons) at Foxmoor Farm's Horse Show on October 15th!
Click HERE for Foxmoor Show Photos!
October 29th - our
FOURTH ANNUAL
HALLOWEEN HORSE TRIALS
Great fun had by all at this event of Cross Country, Stadium, Choreographed Riding and Gymkhana Events.
Photos of this event can be seen by clicking HERE.
SEPTEMBER 2006 EVENTS:
Miek & Jan Reitsma visit from the Netherlands.
Timothy goes to his first FHANA inspection.
Miek performs at Cazenovia College Equestrian Facility on Beike.
Jan & Miek present a Friesian Demonstration of
Carriage Driving and Dressage at Gale's
Click HERE to read about these events.
*************************************************************************************************************************
June 20, 2006 - Gale receives the NYS Senate's 2006 Woman of Dintinction Award. Read more about the award by clicking on the photo below:
************************
JUNE 10, 2006
TIMOTHY FAN GALE'S is born.
Visit TIM'S WEBPAGE for photos!
********************
CAROUSEL 4H CLUB
did very well at June 24, 2006
Horse Show!
Click HERE to see more photos of the show!
******************************************************************************
Click on the ARIA logo to learn more about the certification program.
***********************************************************
WOW!
CONGRATS to
JENNIFER TREACY
CAROL SPARKS
JESSICA ALLEN
FOR ACHIEVING THEIR
PARELLI LEVEL ONE CERTIFICATION
CLICK on the Parelli Logo Below to Learn more about the Parelli Partnership Program
qqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqq
2005 NEWS UPDATES:
Visit http://www.pbase.com/tackshopper for recent photos!
There are LOTS of photos at pbase of the County Fair Horse Shows, and of photos that I have taken at Stuart Horse Trials and Walnut Hill Carriage Driving, The Lipizzaner Stallions and other activities.
*********************************************************************
The BIG news is Gale's new addition to her barn:
"I have imported a Ster Friesian mare from Holland,
with the help of Jan & Ron Goldman of Black Sterling Friesians,
I was able to purchase Beike from Jan and Miek Reistma
Jan and Miek raised and trained Beike from birth and I'm so lucky to have new Friesian friends in the Netherlands and in California.
Many thanks to the Goldmans and the Reitsmas!"
^^^^Meet Beike fan 't Zand^^^^
The above photo is of Gale's first ride on her new
13 year old Level ZZ Dressage mare
rides, drives, does trails and jumps.
Click on the Friesian to see more photos of Beike:
The above photo taken of Gale & Beike
at the 2005 Cornell Equine Research park Hunter Pace.
Photo by Lisa Novitsky (also a Friesian owner at Gale's!)
Click HERE to see more Beike photos by Lisa.
**************************************************************************************
And it gets better!..... Beike is so cool to have and ride, that we went looking and found A Friesian for Pam Schneider. Miek and Jan from Holland helped us to find "Karolien" who is Beike's half sister. The two mares were THRILLED to be together again.
**************************************************************************************
Beike sails over the large picket jump at Gale's and then is her mount for our annual Halloween Horse Trials event, held in October.
***************************************************************
Click on each of the images below
to see more of each subject:
The Lipizzaner Stallions Came to Elmira on September 29th. Great Fun To Watch.
Gale's 50th Birthday Party
The Chemung County Fair 4H Horse Shows
The Carousel 4H Club Saddle Stands
*************************************************************************************
News about Carousel 4H was published in the February 2005 issue of Horse Bits!
Click on the photo below to go to the Adobe File to read a copy of the article:
*****************************************************************************************
NEWS FROM 2004
We had a WONDERFUL Clinic for Chemung County 4H Program at
our barn on December 4, 2004, taught by
Ms. Maggie Johnston
View photos of the clinic by clicking on the photo below:
The clinic reviewed skills needed for Trail Classes, Lateral Aids and Showmanship.
We look forward to having Maggie back again to see how well we have done our "homework".
**************************************************************************
In November, "Sylvester" came to our barn. He's Gale's "Western" buddy... but we're using him for English lessons as well. He's a 1998 AQHA PHBA gelding. We thank Celeste Shearer for working things out so Sly can join us at Gale's. He's a joy!
**************************************************************************************
Click on the above photo to go to the link of images
from our October 31, 2004 Halloween Horse Trials!!!!!!!
**************************************************************
With the help of my parents, we were able to paint the barn this year. Gone is the old faded blue, and now we are a beautiful green. We are truly blessed:
Steve Brinthraupt did the painting project for us.
<<<<<Before & After the Painting Project
********************************
Sad news: after surviving colic surgery in January of 2004, my beloved Skippy succumbed to colic on April 12th, the day after Easter. It turned out that in response to the first go around with surgery in January, Skippy's intestines developed adhesions, painful ones. There was no real choice for us.
We all miss him.
He'll never be replaced.... but we do have a new horse in the barn who is going to give us his best at doing so.
Maguire was purchased from Mallory Box in August by the Barn Goddesses.
He is a 1990 Thoroughbred Gelding, and we just LOVE him! He is in the photo below being ridden by one of the goddesses: Lisa Bartlett.
********************************************************************
In September, we added another member to our lesson horse squad.
His name is "Teddy Two Step" and we bought him from Celeste Shearer. Riding him is 6 year old Halie Stuart. He's been a GREAT addition to our string of quiet safe lesson mounts. Teddy has since been retired to his home with the Painters in Addison, NY. His only job now is "pasture ornament".
********************************************************************
Photos from 2003
Lindsey Canfield on Star (left) and Gale Wolfe on
Skippy won the first prize by riding the Cornell Hunter Pace at the optimum
time. There were 137 rides that day, September 13, 2003 at the Equine
Research Park. Lindsey and Gale also won the first place prize for Best
Matched Pair. They are seen going over jump #33, the last jump on the 5
mile course. We lost Skippy in the spring of 2004 to colic. He
survived his firt round of surgery, but he formed painful adhesions in his
abdomen, so we halted his suffering, sadly so, as he is missed. Star
continues on as prime lesson horse.
The 2003 Barn Sleepover.....
2003 Fall Rideathon
The Lippizzan Stallions came to Elmira,
and we housed the beautiful white horses at our barn during their three days stay in our area.
The Annual Halloween Party at the Barn - GREAT COSTUMES THIS YEAR!
The 2003 Syracuse Sporthorse Tournament Invitational - GREAT FUN to cheer for our favorite jumpers.
What a wonderful time we had at Equine Affaire. We saw great celebrities and their horses. It was great to have our training methods confirmed by famous trainers such as David and Karen O'Connor (who also play "tag" on horseback!). Shopping was spectacular and we had great seats for the Fantasia. Heather will be writing up a report which we will post here in the future! For now, enjoy some of the photos.
Comic Stunt Riders at Fantasia:
Karen O'Connor and Clark Montgomery riding in Fantasia:
Side Saddle dressage on Lipizzaner Stallion:
Beautiful Friesian... "It's Ladies' Night and the Feeling's Right!" Was it this performance that sent me into the direction of Friesian ownership????
Voltige:
David and Karen O'Connor. Note David's Broken Leg and Arm!!!!!! Horses are Giltedge and Custom Made:
O'Connors schooling over a SINGLE BARREL JUMP!
David gives a great lecture...
Gale with Olympic Gold Medal Winners Giltedge and Custom Made
Carousel 4H with Olympian and Pan Am Medal Winner Karen O'Connor
Use these links to return to other pages on our website:
Introduction
Updated on 9/10/2010