Original muppets mana mana song

Extravaganza Equestrian Invasion

The Extravaganza Equestrian invasion of Bolynn stables (formerly Swanson Mt. Stables) has begun! Biggles and Quest are at the barn and Amie is transporting Folly today.  Gina is busy arranging how to 'make it happen' to get out there to ride Biggles.  Barb and Cera's horses Zoe and Winnie are in full training as dressage and hunter prospects and they are going very well.  We will be looking for more horses to come in for training to add to our team so advertising is starting this week!

Yesterday I sent of my declaration of intent to compete in the CCI* at Rebecca Farms for July.  I also added one in for Bromont CCI (June) just in case I came into a pile of money and had the opportunity to go - I would be really upset with myself if I had not declared and had the chance.  I will also be declaring for the CCI* at Galway Farms in November.  Declaring does not mean that I am doing it for sure - it just lets Equine Canada know that it could be a possibility and that I am 'thinking' about it. 

Exciting year so far.

New Beginning by Frank Waters

Would you like a new beginning?

There is nothing like this moment in time to set a course for the rest of your life. Here's what you have to do in making that happen! Take 15 minutes and write down what is important to you and where you would like to go with your life. What do you want your life to become? What do I have to do to get there? Make sure you are open to the possibilities by creating a vision of your future filling it with abundance. It is now time to move forward by not dwelling on the past. Whatever negativity and failure in your life, wherever your thinking is today, it is time to let go and celebrate new beginnings, remember, yesterday is gone and you cannot bring it back, go forward! Keep asking yourself what you want, let your imagination go crazy and again, write down the answers. Now that you have started the journey on your wants be open to having them. Do not look back, spend every day re enforcing what it is you want by reading your list! Just go for it and make it happen, it is up to you!

Written by Frank Waters

Very General plan for Spring

Planned Clinic and Events:

May 6-8th Interior Clinic at Johvale

                                                   

May 21-23 Johvale 2 day horse trials

June 25-26 Topline Horse trials - Topline Horse trials

Tentative Schooling show dates:

March 25-27, 2011 - Thunderbird Equestrian Center - Gateway Series Hunter Jumper Indoor Schooling Show

February5th Dressage % day - Fieldstone (equestrian centre in Kamloops)

February 19th Jump day - Fieldstone (equestrian centre in Kamloops)
March 6th Dressage % day - Fieldstone (equestrian centre in Kamloops)
March 19th Jump day - Fieldstone (equestrian centre in Kamloops)

Sun Meadows for more info at 250-573-5812

April 16-17 Topline - warm up rounds/dressage % day

April 21-24, 2011 Thunderbird  - 'Season Opener' Outdoor Hunter Jumper Schooling Show

OR  April 23 - 24 -Kelowna Riding Club Dressage Show (Hilda Gurney judge)

June 10 - 12 Topline Spring Derby or Aspen Event in Washington, USA

July 8/9/10 - Whidbey Event - Whidbey Island Wash, USA

July 20 - 24th Rebecca Farms Event - Montana, USA

July 30/31 - Topline Event

Sunday Jan 23, 2011

I went an education session with Hillary Clayton yesterday and it was excellent.  So much information on horse back issues especially bony changes.  So interesting yet a little bit making me paranoid now.... Not with my two boys as they are 100% sound all over their entire bodies but for other horses having issues now this information has given me a whole new perspective.

Biggles and Quest have now been at Cathies indoor for 23 days and the horses progression is going well.  Horses are getting fitter and it is time to start jumping.  People ask about my plans for the year and I can never really answer as this is such a strange year. 

Last year Quest came into my life in March as a 'lease, project, fun horse' for me to play on at 'Entry level' eventing for a few years.  I have a family, a normal job (nursing), and should just have fun and enjoy riding locally at a low level so I thought that would be perfect.  Quest did a clinic at Pre-Entry level in the beginning of April, a clinic at Entry level in the end of April, competed Pre training in May (won the event), competed Training level in June (won it), competed Training level in July (won it), competed Training level in October (came second) and ended up tied for first for the BC Horse Trials Year End Awards for Training level!  This horse is truely amazing.  I also feel he has great potential to do more.  So with that in mind I want to do more but I do not want to push him.  I strongly feel that he has the ability to go at least Intermediate level.  With this in mind I now have to develop a better understanding of him in competition.  I have to get his and my 'Ducks in a row'.   Last year we were more or less "Winging it".  I had never taken him in any schooling shows or practice rounds and only schooled him cross country a few times - yes - definitely "Winging it."  So I do not want to wing it this year.  To not wing it I need to (my ducks):

• Jump more show jumps at home
• jump higher show jumps at home
• attend jumper clinics/lessons
• go to jumper shows for practice rounds
• school more cross country
• more cross country clinics
• dressage lessons
• a couple of Pre-training events to get the ball rolling
• a couple of Training events to see if we are not winging it anymore

Then once all of that has been done and tested then I might be able to make a plan for the season.  Ducks.



Biggles is ready to get on a serious program now.  He is 5 1/2 years old rising 6 soon. I have (and Gina too) been working on getting a solid base with him and balancing work and rest to coincide with his growing for the last 3 years.  He has changed so much in the last 2 months it is unbelievable.  Biggles jumps 4'3(1.25m) in a grid with ease, free jumps 1.25m with ease, and so far seems to thrive on activity - the busier and more electric the atmosphere the better Biggles is - now that is a awesome quality - so he is pretty exciting!  Biggles ducks are:

• Improve his canter
• Get out to little schooling shows
• clinics
• work on his flying changes
• more exposure
• Jumper shows
• Eventing
• Dressage shows

From here we will see where he is at.  It is time for him to really train, get out, and compete.  It is time to get going.  Go Biggles Go!


I want the snow to go away.  I am ready to get on with it.  Lets go!!!

comprimise

Before hair cut

My husband Aaron got me a gift certificate to get my hair done.  He asked when I was going to make an appointment.  I said after I ride the horses.  He then said he wanted my hair cut to be beautiful.  I said I will get a hair cut that is suitable for riding, suitable for my lifestyle, does not take any work, and one that looks pretty.  He sighed and suggested that it should be in the opposite order and beautiful not just pretty.  I looked at him and told him that we will have to comprimise.  I think we are supposed to agree to comprimise.....hmmm.  We will see what happens....

Today I got 8 inches of my hair cut off and I am donating it to the BC Cancer Society to help make wigs for cancer patients.  Makes me happy.

 

 

If you have lack of confidence you will kill your motivation! Don't put all your focus on what you want but remember how lucky you are to have what you already own! Look around you and know you have already achieved all of this, and then move forward to new things! Now rejuvenate your confidence and get motivated for the future by building on your current success. Remember, the more negatively you think, the more excuses your mind will give you to fail!

Written by Frank Waters

I got my Ecogold saddle pad and brushing boots this week!  I won the saddle pad in an Ecogold random draw.  I also entered an Ecogold contest previously (Christmas time) and I received $35.00 towards anything Ecogold of my choice and I chose the dressage boots.  

Thank you Ecogold!

Patence + Persistence + Perspiration = Success

There are three principal reasons we lose our focus of motivation.

1. Lack of ...confidence – If we don’t believe we can succeed, what’s the point in trying?
2. Lack of focus – If we don’t know what we want, do we really want anything?
3. Lack of direction – If we don’t know what to do, how can we be motivated to do it?

Firstly, repeat to yourself several times a day, every day, “I have confidence in me.” Then do the same with your focus! Remember, repetition is a powerful way of changing our thinking from the negative to the positive. Direction, there is only one, FORWARD, keep going forward, taking steps back will only slow down the process to succeed. Staying motivated is not easy, take small steps and with each success, more will follow building up you confidence, eliminating negative thoughts and changing your anxiety about the future. You will fail on the way, many times, but never give up. By doing this you will learn how to nurture motivating thoughts, neutralize negative ones and focus on the task at hand. What separates the highly successful is their ability to keep moving forward! As Walt Disney said, “If you can dream it, you can do it”!

By: Frank Waters

Dalai Lama

  

 

This is an excellent video:

Life = Risk Video

Jan 1, 2011

Robyn Zimmer

 (previously - Robyn Mortimer)

Accomplishments/Experience

EC Coach 1
Coaching for approximately 20 years
Started coaching with the local Pony Clubs teaching D level
Successfully competed CCI** and CIC** level Three Day Eventing in Canada and the United States
with qualifying results
Was given a Grand Prix trained dressage horse at age 12 (From Andrea Taylor)
Have competed in jumper shows since the age of nine including Thunderbird and Milner Downs
Competed across Canada representing BC in Pony Club competitions (Rallies, National Prince Phillip games, National Quiz)
Ranked 4^th in Canada - FEI standings for eventing - 2001
131^st World Ranking in FEI eventing (October 2001)
Named to the Canadian Talent Squad for three day eventing - 2002
‘A’ Level Pony Club
Have trained horses for all disciplines since 1990 (20+ years)
Received Foxwood Hill Scholarship for dedication and talent - 2001
National Examiner for Canadian Pony Club (B2)
Certified Mentor for those seeking Equine Canada Coaching Certification
Have evented approximately 28 different horses
Have been a ‘Catch Rider’ in all disciplines since the age of about 10.
Have started many young horses
Worked at a welsh pony breeding farm in training for hunter/jumper
Worked at a Warmblood Breeding Farm when I was 17 yrs old - Pegasus Stables
Worked at a Canadian Horse breeding farm (23 Canadian horses) teaching, backing young horses, training horses, showing, jumping

Equestrian History

 

I was born into the horse world as my mother is Maureen Walters, Level 2 coach, Senior judge, FEI Steward, Master Course Conductor for Equine Canada, current Prix St. Georges rider,  and much, much more …. I got my first pony when I was two and competed in lead line that year and have been competing ever since. 
 　

My mom was always teaching lessons and would have me with her as she could not afford a baby sitter at that time. We lived at Pacific Riding for the Disabled for several years where I would assist the disabled riders with tacking up, grooming and riding.  I competed in my first three day event on my pony Lucky at age 9 (Langley Riders Mini Event).  Later we moved to Regents Park, an 80 acre Equestrian Farm in Aldergrove. I would tack up numerous school horses, warm up, cool down, and jump any horse available to me. I painted jumps for $3.00 per hour and I thought at that time it was the best job ever.  My mother taught me about top quality horse care and farm management every day as she was managing Regents Park.  We lived in an area attached to the indoor arena so at any moment my mom needed me she would tap on the window and say "Robyn get your hard hat - I need you to get on this horse right now!"  My mom provided daily education, feedback and advice on every aspect of horses from care to working with boarders, to how to teach lessons with school horses and of course riding. Some of the feedback was not that positive....."ROBYN!!!  WHAT WERE YOU THINKING!!  YOU CAN NOT DO THAT!!!"  she would often exclaim at the top of her lungs.  Any one who knows my mom knows how passionate she is about horses and how she reacts when something is not done properly (don't mess with my mom).  At age 10 I started eventing more consistently. In 1989 Andrea Taylor gave me her Grand Prix trained dressage horse “Martins Gyseyn”. I practiced and learned from his extensive dressage training as well as competed him in all three disciplines (dressage, jumpers, and eventing).  My mom also gave me her horse Woodbyrne (Woody) as we could not afford for us both to ride.  She also gave me all of her tack, riding clothes, and equipment.  I rode him Preliminary level eventing and along with daily coaching from my mom I took clinics from the top local trainers.  By age 13/14 we moved to Sirrocco Stables in South Langley (Sirrocco was mainly a dressage barn at that time) and I began riding and training horses for people, cleaning stalls, pulling manes, painting fences, turning out horses and teaching riding lessons in Pony Club to earn money to fund my riding.  I also began showing other horses for added income. From there we moved to Bakerview Stables where I rode approx. 5 horses per day after school, taught riding lessons for the local Pony Clubs, tested Pony Club and competed in shows.

　
I would ride any breed, colour, size, shape etc. just for the love of horses and riding. I often would take on  difficult horses and enjoyed the challenge. I also trained and showed the Swedish stallion ‘Flaminko’ when he first arrived from Sweden (dressage lessons and clinics with Deitrich VonHopfgarten, Lorraine Chappell) . In 1994 we moved to a small farm in Chilliwack and my mom bought me ‘Extraordinaire’, a thoroughbred off of the race track for me to event. I trained him and competed him in the upper levels of eventing and some dressage and some 3’9” jumpers. He is the horse in which I attended 11 years of specialized eventing clinics with Lucinda Green, Therese Washtock, Nick Holmes-Smith, Robin Hahn, Bruce Mandeville, Peter Grey) and obtained many of my riding goals and dreams (see accomplishments). During this time I also continued training and competing other horses, teaching lessons, and testing Pony Club (B2 PC Tester). I moved to Armstrong in 2004 and the following year ‘Extraordinaire’ aka ‘Mack’ fractured his pastern and had to put down. He is buried on our farm by the big tree. Since then I have been rebuilding my young group of horses.  

I am 34 years old, married to a wonderful, supportive man, Aaron, and now have a daughter who is three, Orianna Dawn Zimmer. We own a farm in Armstrong near O’Keefe Ranch where we have the horses, 2 dogs, 2 cats. Outside of horses I am a Licensed Practical Nurse and a Certified Resident Care Aide and have a Palliative Care certificate (specialized training for end of life care). I have worked with senior citizens in a retirement home in Vernon for the last 6 years.  Orianna has a heart defect and has three open heart surgeries and two heart procedures during the last three years.

I have always been very passionate about horses, riding and horse care and love to teach the things that I have been able to learn to those who also love horses. I plan to return to training horses, teaching riding and horsemanship lessons this year to individuals who have a passion for horses like myself.

　

Current Equestrian Goals

Return to higher level competition in 2011 - Preminary Level eventing with a CIC*/CCI* by this fallPlan on completing my Coach 2 certification in 2011
Working with “Bakerview Swedish Warmbloods” breeders of top quality Swedish Warmbloods.