December Cavaletti Clinic Series

We're hosting Cavaletti Clinics in the month of December! All Saturdays - start time is tentatively 10AM for the first group of 4 riders.

December 3, December 17 and December 31st.

This is an opportunity to get some riding time with your horse in a fun and relaxed environment. We are focusing on safety, good riding and equitation while increasing the horses proprioceptive awareness.

$40 - make checks payable to Watermark Farm please.

Groups will be 3-4 horses, 1 hour total riding time.

Please bring a copy of your Coggins and proof of Flu/Rhino.

Parking will be on the west side of Watermark Road if the weather is wet. Driveway parking for those who are comfortable backing their trailers in moderately tight space.

Sign up by emailing Ellie@watermark-farm.net or joining the events on Facebook on the Watermark Farm Page. Please include the time of day that works best for you.

Some current videos

Whodini had an impromptu school the other morning and we actually had a warm body to hold the iphone to shoot video - https://youtu.be/MmWgeGCKqvs

And Wilson did the same a few minutes later - https://youtu.be/O5xfSOo_2cg
He was working a more technical exercise vs. Who who was going through his repetitoire of tricks, hence the repetitive loop of rinse and repeat. But it gives an idea of what they're both up to these days.

Wizard also got to have a bit of fun with Melissa -

And so did Louie - 

We have another Saturday schooling from 12-3 (gotta get home before it gets dark), same rules/guidelines as last week. Hope to see lots of faces!

Wednesday - a day for reflection

So on Wednesdays here on the farm, our farrier usually arrives with a big smile and several hours of my riding time gets suspended so that I can go over each horse with him. We chit chat about politics, current events, family news and then get down to the nuts and bolts of how each horses is going, current training schedule, what their hooves look like and what their workload will entail for the next 4-6 weeks. Today was really no different other than he came about 4 hours later than normal. I had done the usual stuff and gotten into my riding list a bit, but it is the first time in many months that I got COLD while holding horses.

Which brings me to the current situation that is in need of some changes. There are 17 horses in work. Every day.

So here is the sales list -

Current (October 2016) Sales List

The following horses competed in FEI classes this year -
Wyatt, 2004 16.2 1/2 gelding by Weltmeyer. Showed Int 2 - limited by budget. Straightforward if you have a good seat, great lateral work, changes and easy piaffe and passage. Suitable for YR/U25/Gold Medal scores, etc. No issues, maintenance, good brain. *****

Wakanda, 2005, 15.2 mare by Waldaire. Showed GP - again limited by budget. Uncomplicated but is a mare, not a machine. Did the Two Tempi Challenge at DAD under lights with less than 24 hrs notice with little fuss. Good brain, smart, full brother is licensed stallion. *****

Ready to show FEI

Don William, 2007 17.2 gelding by Dressage Royal. 1/2 brother to Wyatt (same dam) Showed 3rd & 4th, schooling GP. Alfredo Hernandez - "world class piaffe". Elastic, good mind, no issues/maintenance. *****

6months out from being ready for FEI
Wylie 2006 15.3 mare by Waldaire. Schooling 4th. Has some sass but straightforward for light hands and good seat. Fun to work with as she has her quirky side but is a true to type Waldaire - the harder she works, the happier she is. ****

Whodini 2007 16.2 gelding by Waldaire. Schooling 4th-PSG. Full brother to Wakanda - longer legs, more modern type. Good talent to finish to GP. Ready to show and score well at 3rd now. No known issues/maintenance. ****

In the pipeline
Wilson 2009 dark bay gelding by Waldaire 16.2. Elegant, rhythmic mover. Good brain, learns quickly. Has single changes, learning to count and working on piaffe/passage while gaining strength and suspension in his half passes.****

Aloysius 2009 grey gelding by Avebury 16.2. Powerful mover, forward thinking, graceful type. Sweet, good mind, good feet. Working on single changes and lateral work as well as small courses of gymnastic jumps. ***

Schoolmasters
Artie 16.3 1996 Intermediare I who has been ridden by juniors and amateurs most of his life. No maintenance or vet issues. Has a mild club foot which he's had his whole life - maintained with 4-5 week shoeing schedule. Solid teacher of lateral work, changes...it's in there if you have a basic understanding of how to ask. Extremely tolerant and forgiving. Half steps, piaffe, passage too. **

Atreo 16.3 1996 Intermediare schoolmaster who has taught many, many people to count their changes, relax and flow in their sitting trot and be calm & confident in their requests. Light mouth, superb mind. Gentle, tall dark and handsome loving horse that would like a single rider vs. being one in a string of horses at this point. Gets 1/4 tab of Previcox daily for maintenance - update - no Previcox since 10/5/16 and the eruption of a coronet band abscess and he's SOUND. **

Green and looking to do more -
Windrose 2010 16.3 black mare w/ chrome and style. Flashy, big buoyant mover with loads of suspension and extension. Needs patient program and experienced rider as she is athletic and lacks confidence. Front shoes. **

Needs a job -
Gretta 1999 former broodmare/former low level all rounder. Smooth gaits, excellent mother, easy keeper. Needs to go back into a program to be kid safe but once upon a time she was a go-to horse of a family. Could be sold w/ a breeding. Under 5k.

Prices are in * categories -
* - Under 10k
** - between 10-20k
*** - between 20-30k
**** - over 40k
***** - higher price class

No tire kickers please.
Prices subject to change with additional show mileage and/or training milestones.
Contact Anne@watermark-farm.net for appointments to try horses.

**Open Schooling**Ring Use**Group Sessions**$25 per horse**

**Weekend Schooling **Group Cavaletti**Ring Fee $25**

Starting November 5th

Every Saturday starting at 12 noon and ending at 3 PM, we will offer open schooling for groups and individuals in our arenas. Outdoor use will be permitted until the weather changes to winter.

Cavaletti, Blox, some rails and a few small jump standards will be accessible in both arenas.

Parking will be in the driveway - pull in up towards the stallion barn, make the left facing the green house, get turned around and find a parking space closer to the driveway exit. Alternative parking if it is raining (or your rig is more than 28' long) is on the west side of Watermark Road on the grass.

The details -
We require helmets and a signed waiver for each rider. We respectfully require to see your horses Coggins and last Flu/Rhino date. Ring fee is $25 per horse/rider.

All equine activity is done at your own risk and you assume all liability for yourself, your horse and any/all companions you have brought with you.

Indoor is 70x150' and has a great deal new footing (9/2016)
Outdoor is 90x240' and is sand mix. A full sized dressage arena is up without boards.

Farm Rules -
1. Treat the facility as you would want your own to be treated.
2. If you open a gate, be sure to close it.
3. If you set jumps/cavaletti, please put them back when you are finished.
4. If material is broken, please find a staff member to arrange compensation/replacement.
5. Please be respectful of those around you. Introduce yourself, say hi to other riders and let's all agree we ride because we are having fun.
6. If you need assistance, please do not hesitate to ask.
7. No dogs.

Back to School Pricing

Timing will be tight - so please be prompt and ready to ride at your appointment time - private on-site lessons with Ellie will be $50 for the remaining days in September, instead of the regular $75.

Please email or text.

Check her out! First time in the 3' Division! And Waverleigh WF has a new owner!

Check out Westerleigh WF at Ludwig's Corner Horse Show yesterday! Her first time in the 3' Division! Congratulations to all of Joy's connections!!!! She looks fantastic!!!!! 

©Jennifer MacNeill Photography

©Jennifer MacNeill Photography

©Jennifer MacNeill Photography

And to keep things in the family ----


Congratulations to Brook K. on her purchase of Waverleigh WF!!! Waverleigh and Westerleigh are full sisters and they are now owned by two sisters!!! Horse back riding is a family affair!!!!

"Izzy" aka Waverleigh WF

Olympic Fever!

Good luck to all our equestrian competitors! Use the hashtag #twohearts and/or #jointhejourney to help encourage the IOC to keep equestrian sports in the Olympics!

Dynasty - full brother to Daktary

Check out Waldaire's great-uncle Dynasty and Cindy Ishoy from the Seoul Olympics in 1988. (photo courtesy of Equestrian Canada -

Wilson WF by Waldaire

Wilson is showing great aptitude (mental and physical) for the highest levels in dressage. Please contact Anne@watermark-farm.net to discuss an appointment to see Wilson. 

Wakanda WF

Wakanda had another successful showing at Grand Prix yesterday at Blue Goose with a 58.8%. Thank you to all the staff, volunteers and our personal cheering squad for a good outing. Big thanks to Neue Schule, Stubben, 2kGrey, OneK Helmets and Purina for helping us to do our best on the day.

#TBT Wow! Some times you forget...

 

Waldaire

I was poking around trying to find some old photos and clicked the Upload Photos, From the Blog button and found these...

No wonder his offspring can jump like this  - 

Wizard WF
©A&A Photography

Training and boarding spaces available!

 Two full training stalls are available as of August 5th here at the farm with Ellie - who is a USDF Silver and Gold Medalist.

The option of training and competing in FL in February - April 1st exists as well. Please contact Ellie@watermark-farm.net asap to secure your Florida reservation as stalls are filling quickly.  Reservations and stall deposits must be received by September 1st.




 I specialize in helping the horse to reach their maximum potential as a dressage athlete. I have no breed bias, but I do prefer to work with horses with 3 good gaits and a tractable nature.

4 year old

This is Wakanda who made the jump from 3rd Level to Grand Prix in 2 years. She is 15.2 hands and extremely sensitive with a strong personality. 

9 year old

11 year old

©Annie Duncan

 Wilson in his first year of showing. 

Wilson was born here on the farm and has enjoyed a relaxed basic education and is now entering into the competitive phase in his training. He is schooling 2nd/3rd level and has some hunter/jumper training as well. 

Don William is preparing for his FEI debut this fall

Don William as a foal

And Wyatt is GP ready as well!

 My Weltmyer son is ready to make his Grand Prix debut this fall.

Happy Horses! Happy Riders!

Aloysius WF 

Image courtesy of The Covert Farm LLC.

Aloysius is hacking, doing hill work and working on his jumping skills down at The Covert Farm in Nottingham, PA. What a happy horse and big thanks to the team behind him!

Wallace WF & Emily P.

If their smiles are not big enough, this is Wallace WF loving her life with her person Emily P.! Congratulations guys! You both look so very happy! 

We're on Instagram and there are lots of videos, photos and anecdotes going up!

So we are part way into the new Century and that means getting comfortable with new tech! So we are on Instagram - Watermark Farm. Some of our sales horses are down at The Covert Farm LLC - Aloysius and Wilson WF so check their account for new photos and videos too!

Congratulations to LC and Wendolyn WF!!

Everyone needs to give a shout out to LC and our Wendolyn WF by Wizard WF! They have bonded quickly and are off to a great start as a new combination!

Waldaire daughter making a name for herself!

Congratulations to Briana on a double Championship day at St. Timothy's School over the weekend with her Waldaire daughter - Westerleigh WF! Two wins in the hacks too! Rockstar status!!!

Home Again. Home Again.

Big thanks to all of my PFF family, my WF family, the behind the scenes folks and all of my supporters for a very educational weekend at Morven Park. Thank you to the show management for a super show. 
Huge thank you's and a big shout out to Stubben, Neue Schule, Jamco, Jerry, Purina, 2KGrey, and OneK for their amazing products that help keep the horses and me comfortable and safe. 
Lots of improvements in some areas and another learning experience in the books. We will continue to work on our weaknesses and come back better than ever.  
Another round of Thank You's go out to all the new friends I made at the show. It was fun to cheer for your successes and to be able to have friendly faces to talk to in the stables.
Love to all! 
Thank you!!!

(sorry for no photos - they're on the phone and it's getting late - have to get out to the barn and get started riding those horses who didn't get to go to the show!)

New videos are going up

A handful of video clips of our sales horses are currently up on Instagram and FB.

More will be added.

If you want to know the real why those 2 locations, here you go - my Macbook Pro is aged. Dreamweaver (website software) is a huge application file. I do not have enough RAM any longer to support running it or Photoshop to crop photos. iMovie is also in that category now too.

So check out the videos. More will go up in the coming days.

Prices are lowered on a few horses as we need to reduce the inventory of riding horses due to the trailer being smashed over the weekend by a hit-n-run driver. (none of the sales horses were involved)

Horses from WF out and about competing...

Several of our homebred Watermark Farm horses have been busily making their riders and owners proud this spring!

Westerleigh WF
(Waldaire x Southern Leigh WF)

"Joy" has been ramping up her show career and collecting blue rosettes and Championships in her travels! Her owner couldn't be happier and prouder of all their hard word beginning to pay off! Congratulations Briana!

As You Wish WF (Adamant x Volante`) has been keeping Sara busy also! They've been hitting the final rankings board every trip out!  Here are the dates, locations and placings thus far - 3/20 - 2nd MDHT @Loch Moy Starter ON, 4/16 - 14th PFHT OT, 4/23 - 7th FHI OT

© Cindy Gilbert Photo

© Amy Dragoo Photo

Hunt Team at Devon May 2016

Plus no spring would be complete for the Gartland clan without a trip to the Dixon Oval. Congratulations to Sara and her crew on their lovely trip in the hunt teams!

Speaking of Devon, last year's Side Saddle Champion Wilona WF (Waldaire x As You Wish WF) has been busily expanding her horizons beyond perfectly manicured footing and gathering ribbons and fans in her travels! She won her first starter trial at Plantation Field a few weeks ago! Congratulations to the whole Gartland family for keeping Lona out and about!

 Wilsons did the DVCTA combined test at Windurra USA too! 

Liam and Artesian WF

Artesian WF (Again and Again x Aly Alice xx) has been busily working on acquiring Bronze Medal scores for Kim at Third Level. They are getting back in the groove together and enjoying the lovely weather on their adventures!



And it's not just horses we've raised - client horses are busy too! Check out Remi -

Remi aka Worth the Wait

Remi (Waldaire x Saratoga Punch xx) has been keeping Nancy and Dale busy this spring also. They've been adding to his collection of blue rosettes out eventing - typically finishing on their dressage score with a big 1st at the end of their row of scores! Way to go Team Remi!