BreknRidge Farm, Michigan

On Saturday evening November 10^th, we attended the 2012 SSHS Awards Banquet at the Inn at Black Star Farms in Sutton’s Bay, Michigan. This unaffiliated riding club in Northwestern Michigan is committed to having fun in dressage and jumping competitions.  This year, the club celebrates their 10^thyear!  Many congratulations go out to all that volunteer and help

make the club and the awards ceremonies an awesome experience.

For Brek-n-Ridge Farm riders and owners, it certainly was a terrific night. Winning the Introductory Level Dressage Grand Championship Award of the Year was local Harbor Springs resident Karin Flint’s “Ivanhoe” ridden by Brek-n-Ridge Farm’s intern and student Rachel Hughes from Muskegon, Michigan. “Ivanhoe” is a thoroughbred son of Secretariat from a Celle Francais mare. Over the summer the big red horse “Ivanhoe” and Rachel were in the 70 percentile consistently.

The Reserve Grand Championship Intro Level ribbon went to Sarah Medler Weeks on her Dutch Friesian gelding “Ares”.  Ares is 12 years old and began the Dressage training path two years ago with Sarah. Together they are able to participate in horse shows and lessons and consistently preform well even with Sara’s busy work schedule. Sarah explains, “I am so fortunate to ride and train with Karin Offield and the team at Brek-n-Ridge Farm. I have always wanted to ride dressage and my dream is coming true!  I am blessed and thankful to have such a great place to learn. I love leaving Grayling and driving to Harbor Springs. I cannot thank Karin enough for all that she has done for “Ares” and for me.  She is the best trainer you can find in the area for Dressage where you can get an international education.”

Winning the Working Level Grand Championship award for the 2012 season in Dressage was Brek-n-Ridge employee and student Andrew Figures aboard his own black Spanish Norman horse “Twister”. Andrew’s hard work paid off two fold this year as he also took home the Most Improved Horse Award, characteristically referred to as THE MOST IMPROVED BAD PONY AWARD.

 

 

A special mention award went to Kate Etherly because Brek-n-Ridge Farm operates smoothly and professionally ! Thanks Kate!

                           

Over

the winter Brek-n-Ridge horses and riders continue to work indoors in Emmet County’s premiere indoor facility. Perfect footing, excellent lighting and a wind free environment makes the Harbor Springs stable a perfect place to “get away” to train throughout the winter months.  For more information call us at 231-242-0012.

NEWS TO SHARE

PONY CAMP 2013

Our goal is to teach the fundamentals of taking care of and riding horses.  We accomplish this through hands-on experience and work/art/study in a safe environment.

All Pony Campers require an advanced  $50.00 non-refundable deposit, payable to

Brek-n-Ridge Farm, 7359 S. Lakeshore Drive, Harbor Springs, MI 49740, attention Kate Etherly.  The balance is due the first day of Pony Camp lessons.  Pony Camp lessons begin in June and run through August, winter holidays and school vacations. Call Kate for 2013 details and to sign up now.

“One of the things we’d like to share with all of you, as the parents of young girls and boys, is that the stable can be a wonderful leadership school.  For example, in our society women and often boys are not always encouraged to participate, speak out or be in charge.  In the barn all those qualities are practiced on a daily basis, perfectly matched with compassion (which is also not always present in other forums for practicing leadership). There is no coincidence that many of the great business leaders in the world have an equestrian background.”

Schedule your Pony Camp with Kate. Space is limited.

4 Days  per week

Tuesday—Friday

The 2012 Brek-n-Ridge Farm Stepping Stone Series Dressage Show will be held at 7359 South Lake Shore 

Drive, next to the Birchwood Inn, on June 9th starting at 9 am and continuing til mid afternoon. There will be a fun BBQ, shade for the spectators and at lunchtime a special demonstration by Karin Offield and Ulke, a 13 year old Friesian gelding being trained by Karin. Please leave your dogs at home, but do join us for a wonderful day of equestrian practice at a nice schooling show. Our charity partner will again be Second Chance Ranch and Rescue, show sponsors include the IGA and the Pet Pantry. A photographer will be on the grounds around the lunch hours for custom photography. We look forward to your visit. For more information call Kate at 231-242-0012.

 2012 News

“CLIMB ABOARD” THE HORSE AND CARRIAGE THIS WINTER! 
Karin Offield has organized a horse and carriage tour and ride operation for the downtown Harbor Springs businesses that needs YOUR help and financial sponsorship.
Carriage rides will complete the storybook holiday attraction for our winter guests’ downtown shopping and dining experience. We will be adding sounds of jingle bells and horse hooves on pavement and the visual of an old-fashioned horse drawn carriage.

Please contact Karin Offield at 231-242-0012 to CLIMB ABOARD.

In a One Horse Open Sleigh

Well, maybe not one horse but perhaps two! That’s right, a sleigh ride, the perfect way to glide across the snow and enjoy the beauty of Northern Michigan.

Northern Michigan loves winter in every way. Hop on a horse-drawn sleigh or dog sled and experience winter in a comfortable and cozy fashion.

Downtown Harbor Springs Take a tour of downtown Harbor Springs by horse and carriage on Fridays and Sundays, 2-6pm, December 23 through mid March. The loading zones are on Bay Street by either the New York Restaurant or Bar Harbor with drop off spots throughout the downtown area including on Main Street near Island Bean Coffee Company, near Wooly Bugger, and near Gardner Street by the Hotel Janelle site. The 30-minute rides are free of charge.

Northern Michigan Moms A message to all members of Northern Michigan Moms   I have had the pleasure of spending some time at Brek-N-Ridge Farm!Gift certificates are available.I have found that my daughter’s love of horses has given her confidence, taught her responsibility and instilled a greater appreciation for the world around her.The gift of a relationship with a horse isn’t something that will be played with and shelved. It is a passion many carry through adulthood.You are protected from the winter elements but it’s still a little chilly so, dress warmly and bring your questions! Hope to see you there:) They have a terrific audio system so it’s easy to “be involved”.Check out this video from my time there so far What matters at BreknRidge – Karin and Patches

 

 OUR CHARITY PARTNER  FOR OUR FIRST ANNUAL 2011 STEPPING STONES DRESSAGE SHOW WAS THE SECOND CHANCE RANCH AND RESCUE, INC.

A WONDERFUL CHARITABLE PARTNER :  WE ARE PROUD  TO  HELP

 

The Second Chance Ranch and Rescue, Inc. www.secondchanceranchandrescue.com

Their Mission Statement : To rescue and rehabilitate horses and farm animals in need in Northern Michigan, educate the public on the importance of population control, proper health care and training of horses and farm animals.

Second Chance Ranch and Rescue, Inc is NOT an animal relocation program – in other words we do not take animals that need new homes due to relocation, behavior or health problems or because they are no longer wanted/needed by the owner.  Our mission is to RESCUE animals that are in neglect or abuse situations or whose owners are undergoing severe hardship.  All cases are reviewed by stromectol our board before acceptance except those that are confiscated by animal control or Sheriff departments.

They are currently in highest need of monetary donations.  However, the following is a list of our current other needs. The bolded items are in highest demand.

• •1st and 2nd cutting hay , Equine Senior feed•Strategy (Purina)•12% sweet feed•Omolene•Alfalfa cubes or pellets•Equishine•Halters•Lead Ropers•Grooming supplies•Fly spray•Fly sheets•Winter Blankets – all sizes•Heated water buckets•Feed buckets and water buckets