March 2013 Newsletter from Palladia Farm, Inc.

Each month we’re going to tell you a little bit about one horse or rider at Palladia Farm.  Our inaugural profile is none other than everyone’s favorite pony, the one and only Herc-a-pone. In addition to the fact that every living person loves Herc, you might not know that Herc was also the first equine resident of Palladia Farm! Yup that’s true–he moved in back in 2003!

Herc is 16 years old, stands at 14.0 hands high, and is a registered Welsh pony. He is owned and very much loved by Elsa McNeilly, who is now a successful college student. She showed him at a variety of competitions, from smaller local shows to huge \”AA\” rated shows. In his first year of showing, Herc was third in the over fences at the USEF Pony Finals with his first owner who is now a successful professional. Herc’s favorite treats are carrots, and he thinks everyone who passes him in the aisle has a special carrot just for him! Many would describe him as an overgrown puppy dog. He enjoys getting attention and automatically befriends anyone who will give him pats and love. Herc knows his name as well, so next time you pass his stall, say hello and he just might nicker back at you!

Sandy Ferrell will be conducting a clinic April 6-7, 2013, at Happenstance Farm in Zion, IL, and Palladia Farm will be attending.

Ferrell is one of the top hunter riders in the country and the owner of Royal Show Hunters, Inc., in Bernville, Pennsylvania. In 2008, Ferrell was named the WCHR Professional World Hunter Champion Rider, the highest honor a professional hunter rider can achieve. \”I love what I do and I have a positive attitude and I think that is part of my secret to staying well,\” Ferrell said, adding that she was honored to win the Rider Wellness Award at WEF in 2009.

We’re offering a special package rate for this clinic.  $900 will cover your clinic registration fee, trailering, horse care, and trainer’s fees.  This clinic is appropriate for all riders who jump.

If you’re interested in going, please let Margaret know by March 13th.

The mission of the United States Hunter/Jumper Association’s Horsemanship Quiz Challenge (HQC) is to educate and recognize young equestrians who have exceptional horsemanship knowledge. Quiz Levels One, Two and the HQC Finals test horsemanship knowledge using a multiple-choice and true/false test with an additional hands-on practicum component incorporated into the HQC Finals, which is held in tandem with the Emerging Athletes Program (EAP) National Championships each year. The goal of this program is to ignite each youth’s passion for advancing his horsemanship knowledge and make it an integral part of his equestrian life.

You can register for the HQC online.  There is also a study guide available.  We encourage all of our junior riders to participate in this program.  Please let your trainer know if you’d like to improve your horsemanship skills, with or without this program.  We have lots of ideas for events full of horsemanship and fun!

We had a really great show at Fields & Fences in Gurnee, IL, February 21-24, 2013.  Our riders won a ton, and we had a whole lot of fun doing it.  Here are some highlights:

Anna had a good showing at her first horse show! She was reserve champion in the novice children’s hunters as well as the modified children’s hunters.  She also won a brand new bridle!

It was also Caroline F’s first horse show.  She was reserve champion in the beginner hunters on Brogan, and also won top ribbons in the equitation and a third in the beginner hunter classic.

Alex had a great first show on Justice.  This new partnership won the hack and earned championship honors in the novice children’s hunter.

Callie made her debut in the 3’0\” children’s working hunters.  She and Tubby won two classes and brought home a reserve championship for the division.

Paige and Valentine got high ribbons in the children’s hunters and won both of the modified equitation classes.

Lindsay and Cooper were one of our top ribbons earners, winning both the Bit O’ Straw Hunter Classic and the IHJA Children’s Mini-Medal.  This medal win qualifies them for the championships at theLamplight Equestrian Center in September.

We were also very well represented by our adult contingent–

Jimmy made his horse show debut on Valentine and got great ribbons in the beginner hunters, and also a sixth in the beginner hunter classic.

Jane and Tuna were another one of our new partnerships. They earned great ribbons in the modified adult hunters (having won out of the novice division) and also earned a career best placing in the equitation division.

And last but not least our professional rider Alex Pope brought home tons of champions in the pro classes–Brogan was champion in the schooling hunters; Digger was champion in the modifieds; Tubby was champion in the lows; Valentine was champion in the non-thoroughbreds and Cooper was reserve.

Way to go Team Palladia!

Our next horse show will be April 11-14th at Ledges Sporting Horses in Roscoe, IL.  This is an \”A\” rated show, and the last indoor show of the winter season.  If you’re interested in competing at this show or coming to watch, please contact Margaret ASAP. Good luck to our riders!

We’re pleased to announce that we’re going to have a schooling show at Daybreak on Sunday, April 21, 2013. This is an in-house show that is only open to riders who take lessons with one of the three businesses that are located at Daybreak. Schooling shows are a great way to get experience with the horse show format without the stress or expense of traveling to an away show.

If you’re interested in participating in this schooling show, please talk to your trainer ASAP.  The entry fee for Palladia boarders will be $225 and for Palladia School Horse Riders the entry will be $250. This fee includes class entries, groom care, horse rental, and trainer’s fees.

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Eating less sugar might be the one change you can make that not only has the ability to improve your long-term health, but can also aid in balancing your energy levels, improving your mood and focus and helping to manage weight.

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As competitive equestrians traveling from one show to the next, food options are limited and showground vendors often bombard us with sugary temptations. Knowing how sugar affects your body, learning how to identify hidden sugars, and developing strategies for cutting back your sugar intake are the best ways to ensure you are always ready to ride your best.

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When you consume poor quality carbohydrates, such as simple processed sugars or flours, they absorb quickly into your bloodstream and cause a spike in your blood-sugar levels. This might result in excitability, nervous tension or a \”sugar high\”. While this might sound desirable before entering a big class, insulin will soon rush in and drop your blood sugar level extremely low, which could cause symptoms of fatigue, depression, irritability and will likely leave you craving more sugar. This blood sugar rollercoaster can disrupt your energy levels, suppress your immune system and can even lead to chronic illness. Additionally, this vicious cycle can affect your weight due to constant hormonal fluctuations that ultimately result in the conversion of sugar to stored fat.

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In contrast to eating simple processed sugars, when you consume complex carbohydrates, such as whole grains or whole fruits and vegetables, you receive naturally occurring sugars along with fiber, protein and fats – all of which will help slow down the digestive process and keep your blood sugar from spiking. When you are at the show and need an energy boost, consider reaching for an orange instead of a bottle of processed orange juice or an orange flavored sports drink – both of which are likely to also have added sugar.

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This is an excerpt from a longer article published by EquestrianProfessional.com.  The author, Kimball Robeson, may be contacted through her website EquestrianHealthCoach.com or by phone 561-247-1799

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Well, that’s almost it for Palladia Farm’s first monthly newsletter! We do have one last request.  The Lake County Haven is a really excellent organization that empowers homeless women and their children to achieve permanent, independent living by providing shelter, counseling and life skills training to help women in need transform their lives. The Haven is located here in Libertyville and serves women throughout the Chicago Metropolitan area. They have a big fundraiser coming up on April 13th.  It’s a great cause, so I encourage you all to attend.  You can also make donations or buy raffle tickets by sending an email to Stephanie Toral, more commonly known as \”Caroline T’s mom.\”