News from Ruthanna
Bridges Equestrian Newsletter December 2008
Included in this issue:
- Name Change
- OCHSA Finals
- Who's Who
- Mailbox
- Show Schedule
- Camps
- Pony for a Day
- Daniel Stewart Seminar
- Barn Closure Dates
- Other stuff
Hey, I finally got the newsletter out! Can you imagine???? Ok, here it is. Let me know if you don't want to get further BRIDGES emails and I'll take you off. NOTE**** Everything goes to me now, Meg is taking a break!!
BRIDGES EQUESTRIAN REVIEW!
Hello! So many of you are new you have probably never received a BTS Newsletter! Ok, well that’s also because I haven’t written one in awhile. Well guess what? You’re not going to get one now!
Name Change
Name Change - You are getting a “Bridges Equestrian” Newsletter! Bridges Training Stable has morphed into Bridges Equestrian! You may well wonder why after 25 years I change the name? When my son Devon expressed the desire to continue in the family business I made him a partner. The new name reflects the new direction “Bridges” will take with his addition. He is currently taking a year to study and ride with some premier trainers before he settles down to build his part of the family business “Bridges Show Jumping.” He will be taking the full training students as well as teaching some of our up-and-coming stars. He will be traveling to shows with our students and taking on some fantastic import horses for resale. We look forward to Devon’s return and the excitement he will bring to the program. You may have seen him as he is currently home for a visit.
Bridges Equestrian School of Horsemanship continues unchanged as my baby, and I will diligently continue with our full training students until Devon returns. Another great move forward is the addition of “Bridges Dressage.” Lisa Lange is in charge of this new division of Bridges, and we couldn’t be happier! We look forward to expanding and developing this program with Lisa’s gentle and compassionate soul at its center.
OCHSA Finals
OCHSA Finals Horseshow: Wow, that was FUN! Congratulations to great rides (and some memorable scenes) from Kylie Bierly aboard Black, Lookie & Scooby, Maty Cobb & Lookie, Lisa Lange & Scooby, Kira Merwald & Chammy, and Giana Terranova & Howie. Kira took home a Championship in Jumpers and Equitation on Chammy, and Kylie took home a Reserve Championship on Black! Great fun and we look forward to what our talented group of show riders can do in the upcoming year!
Did you notice the beautiful show curtain set up? We thank our sponsors the Cobbs, Dawn Reimer and John Merwald for their generous support in helping to pay for these! I couldn’t have done it without their help.
Who's Who
Who’s Who: As some of you may know, Meg Kelly our Team Manager had to step down due to time constraints. Meg was a HUGE part of the realignment of Bridges into Sycamore Trails Stables, and has implemented and developed many of our great new programs. With the programs all running and set, she is going to devote more time to family and life, and we wish her the very best. She’s not getting away that easily, though! Like many before her, she will continue to stay close to her Bridges family and we’ll be seeing her around. All email should go through Ruthanna @rbridges@btsetc.com. OWNER/DIRECTOR: Ruthanna Bridges; TRAINERS: Ruthanna Bridges, Devon Bridges; ASSISTANT TRAINER: Lisa Lange; RIDING SCHOOL SUPERVISOR/HEAD ISNTRUCTOR: Megan Dye. Those are the people you can ask questions of and get binding answers. Other BRIDGES staff members are Sarah Schwab (Horse Services), Mary Becraft (Weekend yard manager), Kylie Beierle (just about everything), and Anita Beierle (just about everything else).
Meanwhile, I will be taking over her responsibilities with the help of Sara Schwab. Sara has already taken over the feed care of our Bridges horses, and will be taking the Bridges Wear as well. I will be running the camps and horse shows until we can get that delegated. So, any emails should go through me.
Mail Box
Mail Box: - Did you know we have a mailbox on the side of the office? That’s the green Iron locking box next to the halters. You can put checks and notes in this box anytime and I will get them. You can also give notes and checks to any staff member. I do ask that you not go into the office, it makes the dogs crazy, and Turbo has learned to squirm his way past people going in there.
Show Schedule
Show Schedule: - Stay tuned to the website for the updated show schedule. That said, our next show is January 17-18, the first 2009 county show at Sycamore. We will be doing a show clinic on the Saturday before to run through everything you need to know. There is no charge for this clinic, and is open to students who have not shown yet. Our first Bridges In House Show will be Sunday, February 7. We will have sign up forms on the door of the office here in the next week. First come first served so reserve your favorite Bridges horse now!
Camps
Camps - We have our camp schedule all set for 2009. 1 day camps are $125 and offered 12/22 and 12/29 (9-2:00) & 4/15. Summer camps are: June 22-26, July 6-10, July 20-24, Aug 3-7. See the Web site for new offers!
Pony for a Day
Pony for A Day - During the break weeks we will be offering Pony for a Day per availability of the ponies. The cost is $75, and allows the student an all day pass at the barn, and exclusive use of their favorite Bridges horse from 9-2. This will be Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday only, per availability. Horses can be ridden up to twice, for 1 hour at a time, in the main arena.
Seminar
Seminar - Bridges Equestrian is hosting
a clinic by Mr. Daniel Stewart, coach to the Olympic Team on
Dec 7 from 4-7. The clinic itself is on Equestrian Sport
Psychology. This should be GREAT fun, so sign up fast. Cost
is $45 each and will include light refreshments. Feel free
to bring your favorite fingerfood to share too.
See Mr. Stewart’s site at www.riderightnow.com. He
will have his book Ride Right for sale and will autograph as
well. How about that for a great Christmas Present!
Barn Closure Dates
Closed Dates & New Year’s Birthday Party - We will be closed Dec 24 and 25 to allow the staff time with their families. Remember we are also closed on January 1 for our annual Horse’s birthday party! Please come join in the fun as we celebrate our horse’s lives with games and our awards potluck lunch.
Other Stuff
Helpers - There’s room for more helpers! See Megan to qualify to come down and help out! This is our Bridges Equestrian Apprentice program. All of our instructional and help staff comes from this program.
Megan Photos - Speaking of Christmas, Megan is going to set up a stall and bring a camera for some great Christmas Photos. She will take photos of you and your favorite Bridges horse with a few different backgrounds, with/without funny Santa hat, and copy them to a disc for you. See Megan for “sitting” fees. Bring your family and your dog! If you would like to take your own photos, that’s fine too… but its gonna cost you the same ; )
Leases - We have a few horses available for lease: Buddy, Levi, Gabby, Sirus, Hebe and Suzi are all available for monthly lease. Cost is $700 and includes 2 lessons, plus exclusive use of the horse Thursday afternoons 3-6, Saturday mornings 9-12, and Sunday afternoon 1-4. Please keep riding time down to 1 hour.
Contact Numbers - Please make sure we have your current contact number as we head into the rain-cancel season. I will call only 1 number per home this year, so let me know which to use. Please email changes/designations to rbridges@btsetc.com. Otherwise, I will call the cell number on file.
Christmas Clothing Orders - As Sara takes over the clothing and Bridges Wear program, you still have a few days to get your order in, so let us know. Otherwise, we can’t guarantee delivery by Christmas.
Horsemasters Program - We’ve been slow getting the Horsemaster’s Program rolling, but are committed to this for 2009. Get ready to find us with clipboards in your lessons! Remember Saturdays from 11-12 we have practice time with Megan and I for stuff you want to learn! Just let us know ahead of time if there’s something special you want to learn or work on, or show up the day of and we’ll go through your Horsemaster’s level with you!
New Team - Congratulations to Lauren, Katrine and Scott Richardson on their purchase of Gunnar! The Gun has a great new home with his great new family!
That’s it for now! I’ll try to stay more up
to date… but I always say that
Ruthanna