Northern Light Farm: IEA Team Update!

Good morning!

Today we are sharing a wonderful update from Northern Light Farm's owner/trainer Heather Achen:

IEA Team Northern Light really ended the year with a bang. Last weekend we were consistently strong and tied for first place as a team out of 18 teams! Our team has only five riders and most teams are 12 or more riders, so that is really saying something for this group! 

Cate Lawrence and Izzy Heemskirk qualified for Regionals on the flat that week. 
Both Coltin McBain and Izzy competed on Valentine's day and BOTH qualified for the jumping portion at Regionals!!  Izzy was even pointed out to compete in the next level next year. 
GO TEAM!

We are very proud of our Regional qualifiers as well as all of our team members. We really knocked it out of the park and I cant wait to see how we grow and compete next  year!

Boarder Spotlight Series: Meet Cashell, Serafina and Corrival!

Hello Everyone!

Continuing our 'Boarder Spotlight' Series, today is all about Cashell and her two mares, Serafina and Corrival.  Keep reading below to find out more!

 1.) Can you tell me a little bit about your horses?  
I have 2 mares:  Serafina and Corrival (Riva).  Serafina is a 19-year-old ¾ Thoroughbred ¼ Clydesdale that I started from scratch when she was an un-backed 3-year-old.  She has evented through Training-level and is now a trail horse.  Riva is a 16 year old Oldenburg mare who is just restarting her eventing career after a seven year layoff.  She is also Asante’s (Cody) mom.  We found each other at the perfect time thanks to Carol Herron my good friend and Riva’s breeder.  Riva has helped me to enjoy competing again.

2.) How long have you been at Southwind?  
I have been at Southwind since 2010.

3.) What types of riding/competing do you do (if any)? 
Eventing

4.) What is your favorite part about being at Southwind?  
It is hard to say any one thing.  I would have to say the care.  It is the perfect mix of regimented routine and individual attention.  A close second are the people.  I stayed away from Southwind for a long time even though I live around the corner because I thought it was too big. But in reality, it feels like a small barn, everyone has their own routine, it is rarely crowded and you get the needed individual attention.

Boarder Spotlight Series: Meet Carol and Spike!

Happy Monday!

Today we are continuing our fabulous 'Boarder Spotlight' Series with Carol and her horse Spike!

1. Can you tell me a little bit about your horse? 
Spike is a draft cross and he will be 6 years old this spring. He is a mix of Belgian Draft, Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred. The first thing anyone says when they see him is " Wow, he is so big!" He is presently about 16.2 hands, but will probably grow a little more. Because of his draft looks, he gives the impression of being bigger. He is a real sweetheart with a great brain. He is totally cool doing solo trail rides, jumping or dressage.

2. How long have you been at Southwind? 
I just got Spike last May, but have been at Southwind about 10 years with my previous horses, Cassie and Jamie.

3. What type of riding and competing do you do?
I focus mostly on dressage , but also enjoy low-level jumping and lots of hacks. The mix of activity is good for both me and for Spike. I don't do many competitions, but try to compete a few times a year to gauge progress.

4. What is your favorite part of being at Southwind?
So many things! Southwind is great place to board. First of course is the excellent care . I know my horse is well taken care of, that staff are always on alert for potential problems  and available  to help when and if something should happen.
Southwind is also a wonderful environment and supportive community. The atmosphere is very low key, ( which is great for those of us who don't like high drama) , and there is tremendous support and good will among the boarders.  Spike and I are both very happy at Southwind.
I highly recommend it as a great place for horses and people.

Congratulations to Northern Light Farm (And some blizzard pics!)

We are really proud of Heather and the Northern Light Farm group, and wanted to let you know about some year end awards that they got this past weekend from WBTA and one earlier show series.
Samantha Steckel won the Adult Horsemanship on Simon (aka Northern Lights) for the second year in a row. She also won Reserve Champion in Novice Hunter also on Simon. Additionally, she earned High Point Amateur Rider of the year! She walked away with some pretty heavy hardware and ribbons as well. We are all very proud of her hard work with Simon. It was not the easiest road!

Beth Hosier was just as successful winning Champion in Novice Hunter on Cookies and Cream. Beth was also Reserve Champion in the Adult Equitation on Cookie.

Danielle Weingarten took Champion in the Low Hunter Division on Zahlencode (aka Katana). She also got fourth in Pleasure Horse after taking the show by storm in one horse show!

Lest us not forget in a different show series this year, Jessica Benjamin was also a success on her summer project Tiz Now. She earned High Point Rider at the Swan Lake Summer Schooling  Series show.

The Northern Light Farm Family and Heather Achen are all very proud of these riders as all their riders and wish Everyone a great and successful show year in 2016!

Left to right: Heather Achen, Samantha Steckel, Danielle Weingarten, Beth Hosier 

Jessica Benjamin and Tiz Now

Samantha Steckel and Northern Lights 

Samantha Steckel sporting her quarter sheet she won with Northern Lights (aka Simon)

Also all of the horses and animals at Southwind are fine after the blizzard that came through here this past weekend. We got around thirty inches of snow here in Damascus and it's going to be awhile before everything is dug out and clear.

Boarder Spotlight Series: Meet Lauren & Jack!

Good morning!

Continuing our 'Boarder Spotlight' Series, today we are featuring Lauren Carey and her horse Jack!

1.) Can you tell me a little bit about your horse?
Jack is a 9-year-old off-the-track Thoroughbred. He stands 17.1 (plus a little) hands tall and I’m still not sure how they managed to cram his giant frame into a starting gate. He was an abysmal racehorse which thankfully makes him a great riding horse. I call him my “golden retriever trapped in a Throroughbred body.” He’ll do anything for a treat and follows me around like a puppy.

2.) How long have you been at Southwind?
We moved here 1.5 years ago, in July of 2014.

3.) What types of riding/competing do you do (if any)? 
Jack and I just transitioned from the hunters to eventing. We went eventing for the first time this fall and Jack finished first in his Beginner Novice group at both shows. We’re hooked now!

4.) What is your favorite part about being at Southwind?
There are a lot of things I like about Southwind. I really enjoy the variety of rings and riding areas. The indoor is great when it’s cold and blowing and on nice days the two outdoors rings, the trails and the fields with cross-country fences are all great to play with. I also really enjoy the people of Southwind. There’s a great group of boarders and riders to chat with and the staff are amazing!

Boarder Spotlight: Seeking More Boarders!!

Good morning!

As you know we have been running our weekly 'Boarder Spotlight' Series on here, and we want to continue highlighting all of our wonderful boarders! We have such a special group at Southwind so we need some more boarders to feature. Please email Sheri today or tara@mythiclanding.com to find out how you and your horse(s) can be our next blog feature!

If you are reading this and want to become a part of the Southwind Farm family, contact Sheri today at sherithornley@msn.com or visit: www.southwindfarminc.com for more information. We are accepting new boarders at this time and have we mentioned our indoor arena?? :)

Boarder Spotlight: Meet Holly & Clementine!!

Now that the holidays are over we are continuing our Southwind boarder 'Spotlight Series!'  Today is about Holly and her mare Clementine:

1.) Can you tell me a little bit about your horse? 
 Clementine is a 10-year-old draft cross that I’ve had for almost 2 years.  She is affectionately nicknamed the 'Orange One' or referred to as a life-size My Little Pony.

2.) How long have you been at Southwind
I’ve boarded at Southwind since 2013, but I’ve been familiar with it for many years prior to that. Before I boarded here, I would sometimes come and ride my friend Karen’s horse Turtle when she
wasn’t available.

3.) What types of riding/competing do you do?  
I guess one could say I’m an aspiring eventer (at least I try, haha!), but I also find dressage fun as well.

4.) What is your favorite part about being at Southwind?
I’m not sure I have one particular favorite part- there are lots of things!  But, if I had to pick one thing, I would probably just generally say the people.  This includes the staff and boarders alike.  I know that my horse is in great hands when I can’t be out to look after her, and it’s a great environment.