New Year, New Goals, and a Unicorn!?
Every show season comes with new possibilities and this year at Windfall Farm is no different. This season we are bringing out more awards than ever before, highlighting our community, and offering several new divisions! Our horse show season is officially underway here at Windfall Farm, and we were delighted by the turnout for our first event. We saw several new faces and old friends this past weekend and appreciate the continued support from our local equestrian community.
Modified Child/ Adult
Our Spring Has Sprung event featured several new classes and awards that we are ecstatic to be offering throughout the summer. Ohio Hunter Jumper Association and Kentucky Jumper Association are now offering a NEW division called Modified Child / Adult Hunter. Modified Child/ Adult Hunters are slated to run at 2’9. This division was designed with the intent to help bridge the gap between 2’6 – 3ft. The class provides a much-needed stepping stone for riders who are moving horses up whilst also creating an appropriate class for more experienced horses to step down into.
Stacey Miller & Sebastien showing in Modified Child / Adult Hunters
Photo provided by: Brooke Harris
Unicorn Award
Windfall Farm is also now offering our UNICORN award! This award is given out to junior riders who exemplify great sportsmanship. For riders to be eligible for this award they must be nominated by trainers, parents, or a Windfall staff member. After nominations are made one lucky rider will be selected at random to receive the award. The Windfall Unicorn award is presented in a unicorn bucket full of goodies that we know any equestrian will enjoy.
Without further ado we’d like to introduce you to our first Unicorn Award recipient: Madeline G. Ronningen! Madeline rides with Childress Rodgers stables and was nominated by her trainer Erin Washburn. Madeline states that she enjoys helping and supporting her barn-mates because they are a team. She says;
“I’ve been riding there since I was three years old and have never felt judged, only encouraged.”
We here at Windfall Farm have also noticed Madeline’s positive attitude at the horse shows. We always see her smiling, clapping for others, and never complaining about the challenges that come with horse showing. If you plan to attend our future shows and have a hard working equestrian, you’d like to nominate for the Windfall Unicorn award, be sure to stop into the show office and tell our staff all about them.
Madeline Ronningen with her Unicorn Award
Photo provided by: Brooke Harris
OHJA Medal Spot Light
Grace Belletti & Quadori III Winning OHJA Medal
Photo provided by: Brooke Harris
Each year many riders locally set a goal of qualifying for OHJA Medal Finals. The OHJA medal class has two phases, one over fences, and one on the flat. Riders are expected to display their skills over more complicated tracks featuring roll back turns, bending lines, and halts. Additionally flat classes can appropriately test riders by asking for halts, changes in gate length, and other equitation tests.
Saturday, we had our first section of the OHJA Medal in Ring I where three riders would compete over a course of eight jumps 2ft jumps. Reigning victorious with both quality flat working and a beautifully ridden course was Harlan E. Fulton aboard Gossip Girl. Harlan has been riding Gossip Girl for two years and trains with Noelle Mum-power Davis. Harlan is excited about her qualification for Medal Finals and plans to attend the equitation final this fall.
Our second Medal began early Sunday morning with 6 riders in our 2’6 section. After a competitive over fences round and tricky flat class Grace Belletti walked away with the win aboard Quadori III. Grace has ridden her horse for just over two years and trains with Karen Reid. She states that she enjoys the medal courses because they are always different and challenging. Grace’s summer goals are to have consistent rounds and have fun with her horse. Grace has plans to study Business at Miami University this fall where she hopes to participate on the school's IHSA equestrian team.
Whether its new classes, sportsmanship awards, or equitation finals we have it covered here at Windfall Farm. Thank you to all of our patrons for coming out and supporting our event last weekend. We look forward to continuing the season with more articles covering our local equine community. If you have any suggestions on noteworthy topics you’d like us to cover, send us an email all about it! Come join us this weekend for another fun event and be part of our Windfall Family, we have many fun surprises planned this summer and hope to see you here!
