Fir Tree Stud in HORSE Magazine

Fir Tree Stud were featured in the November issue of Horse and Hound's sister magazine HORSE.
Andrew and Marchje's recent sucess in California was published in their News update section.

 

Other news from this month featured on our facebook page include:

Yard visit to Bishop Burton's Olympic masterclass, Sam and Summer the Friesian's dressage success and also the count down to the next Mark van de Donk clinic on the 1st and 2nd of December.

For those who are interested in the Mark dressage clinics, we will be allowing spectators on either day for just £5. If any one is interested please email us to book a slot.

  

Dulcie qualifies for British Dressage Regional Finals!

Dulcie Smith and Robbie V (who train with Janice at FTS) have qualified for the British Dressage Regional Finals (East of England) this February at Bishop Burton.
Dulcie and Robbie have qualified in spectacular fashion coming 1st in their BD test today at Port Royal with 67%.
Everyone at FTS are very proud of the pair and all of the hard work Dulcie (who is only 17) has put in this year, WELL DONE!

Andrew & Marchje travel to America!

As you all know, Marchje & her owner have moved to America this August. After 18 days of quarantine, Andrew traveled over to join them for 21 days of intensive training and fittening work in heats exceeding 40C for the INTERNATIONAL FRIESIAN SHOW HORSE ASSOCIATION WORLD FRIESIAN SHOW 2012, in California, USA.
The show was held over 5 days, competing against some of the best Friesians on that side of the world.
We are extremely proud to say Marchje and Andrew have won the following awards:
WORLD CHAMPION IN HAND MARE
RESERVE WORLD CHAMPION DRESSAGE
& 3 TOP 5 DRESSAGE AWARDS.

Although we are sad to see Marchje go, we are very proud of all her acheivements since coming to FTS.
Marchje came to us in late 2010 as a broodmare and has gone away a horse that has achieved the following:

Competing British Dressage Elementary
FHAGBI Ridden Champion 2011
FHAGBI In Hand Reserve Champion 2012
FHAGBI Ridden Champion 2012
FHAGBI Reserve Supreme Champion 2012
IFSHA World In Hand Mare Champion 2012
IFSHA World Reserve Champion Dressage 2012
IFSHA Top 5 Dressage award.

We wish her the best of luck for the future!

September update

It has been a busy last few weeks, hence the lack of updates!
We have had several new horses come, including the delightful Romeo, a 16.1hh Irish Sports Horse, on training for his owners Alison and Flo.

After a few weeks training, they went to their first ever dressage competition and came 1st! A really big well done to them, and we hope to see them at a few more competitions this winter.

We have also seen the arrival of Echo, another Irish Sports Horse for schooling, and he is progressing very nicely under saddle.

Along with this, we have seen some of our training clients go from strength to strength, with several first rosettes for our first timers!

Andrew has also gone to America for a month with Marchje the Friesian mare we have had on training livery, more details of their adventures to follow soon!

If you would like to keep more up to date with our activities please see our facebook www.facebook.com/firtreestud

Mark van de Donk Delights!

Dutch Dressage Trainer Mark van de Donk came to Fir Tree Stud, Spaldington, East Yorkshire, for another  training clinic last weekend. He had a variety of lessons, from working on "forwards" to Piaffe!
Everyone who came, throughly enjoyed themselves, delighted by Marks enthusiasm and sense of humour!!

On the sunday, we hosted a "Friesian Day", where Mark, who is extremely experienced in Producing Friesians for the IBOP Gradings in Holland, worked with 4 Friesians. The secretary of the Friesian Horse Association of Great Britain and Ireland (FHAGBI) came along to watch!

Janice Chadwick, Elaine De Boer Freisan Horse judge and FHAGBI Comittee member, Mark van de Donk and Andrew Chadwick with Marchje fan Fjildschit and Twirre fan 'e Aldedyk, two registered Friesians at Fir Tree Stud's Dressage Clinic with Mark van de Donk.

Mark will be returning for another sucessful clinic on the 20th-21st October, Please email Janice at fts@firtreestud.co.uk to book your slot, spaces will go fast!! 

Bespoke dressage training

Summer, a stunnning 6 year old Friesian has come to us for two weeks dressage training. As part of her training, her owner Sam will be coming and working with us.
During the stay, we took Sam & Summer for their first trip to Port Royal EEC. Despite the awful weather, they had a fantastic time, coming 1st and 2nd in their tests!

 While we were at Port Royal Helen and Monty did their second ever test at Port Royal. They received the worst of the weather but they did fantastically. Both ladies have qualified for the Port Royal Dressage Championship in October.

Friesian Horse Association Champion Show 2012

We took Marchje to the Ultimate Showcase of Champions Friesian Horse Association of Great Britain and Northern Irelands Showing show today. 

Marchje & Andrew did extremely well and we all had a great time!

They came: 

1st in the In Hand Mare Class

Reserve In Hand Champion

1st in the Ridden Mare Class

Ridden Champion

and Reserve supreme champion! 

All the pictures from the day can be seen on our facebook www.facebook.com/firtreestud (you dont need to be a member of facebook to see what we have being doing)!! 

Marchje Elementary test

Marchje & Andrew have completed a Dressage Anywhere test, it was judged by Barbara Amos, List 1 judge. They scored a fab 67.2%!
You can see the test here:

Well done you two!!

Dressage clinic booking form

As mentioned in previous posts, Dutch Dressage trainer Mark van de Donk will be returning to host another training clinic on the 18-19th August. 45 min sessions will be £65.

To book please download the following booking form and send with applicable payment to address on the form.
Mark van de Donk Booking Form
If you cannot download this form, please email Janice at fts@firtreestud.co.uk and we will send you a copy.

Thomas and Joey score a 9!

After 7 weeks Joey has now gone home with his mum. We worked out a strategy to help Joey develop. He is quite a complex character who is easily stressed if his environments routine is not kept to. That is not to say that things cant change, but it is how the change day to day is monitored at this stage. Joey also has some physical issues which means that he must be developed carefully. He has a capped hock and a possible minor tendon sheath issue. That said, he is a willing chap under saddle and has progressed nicely in his time with us.

Thomas and Joey had a go at Joeys first dressage test with us, Dressage Anywhere, Intro A. They scored 65.22% and also a 9 for some of their trot work!

You can see their test below. 

Arena Refurbishment 2012

This week we have undertaken an arena refurbishment adding 2.3 tonnes of Martin Collins award winning CLOPF arena fibre. CLOPF provides root structure to an existing surface, improving stability, allowing horses to move over it, not through it.
We are thrilled with the result of the addition of CLOPF to our exisiting Silica sand and rubber arena, and the liveries agree! Melanie with Darcey said " it feels softer and easier for Darcey to move freely on".

We are very pleased with this new addition to FTS, and  feel that this surface will reduce the impact on the horses joints during training.

FTS in Equestrian Life Magazine

Our dressage clinic with Dutch Trainer Mark van de Donk is in this months Northern issue of Equestrian Life Magazine, page 18.

Mark van de Donk Dressage Clinic

After a successful clinic with Dutch Dressage trainer Mark van de Donk in May, Mark will be returning on the 18-19th August.
Please see previous blog articles and our facebook to see how thrilled we were with Marks techniques on his last visit!
He will be here on the 18 & 19 August and sessions will be £65 for 45mins.

Please email Janice at fts@firtreestud.co.uk for more details on how to book.

 

Marchje (FAGHBI Ridden Champion 2011) having a lesson with Mark on his May visit.

June Update

We have been very bad and neglected our blog, all our recent blogging has been on our facebook, www.facebook.com/firtreestud (you do not need to be a member of facebook to view our updates!).
Here is a taste of what you will find there...
Taqqib came for 5 weeks for re starting and riding on, the equine massage for horse owners course, a new Friesian friend, and Joey who is on training livery! 

Plus a new training day special offer, reduced price lessons once a month!!

To find out more please go to our facebook page www.facebook.com/firtreestud

Training update on Borris

For anyone wondering why Janice and Borris have not been out competing British Dressage. Over the winter Borris developed a problem in his front feet. Borris does not have very good front foot conformation and the more advanced dressage work seems to have taken its toll. Working with her farrier, who has been surgically shoeing him because he believes that Borris has torn the Lamini in his frogs. As things have progressed his near fore seems to have repaired, but the off fore is still not quite right!

 However, with the help of some natural remedies also he is sound and able to begin some light work. Janice will be carefully bringing him back into work to see what he is now capable of. At the moments there are no thoughts on competing her favourite boy!

Training Update

Taaqib, a 5 year old Arab, owned by the Sole family came to Fir Tree Stud this week for re starting and training under saddle. Amber Sole is the 2010 Junior Endurance GB Champion and is part of the Under 21 Development squad.

Janice introduced Taaqib to ground work before restarting him under saddle. 

Mark van de Donk Delights at Fir Tree Stud

We were thrilled to welcome Mark van de Donk to Fir Tree Stud last weekend. Mark is a sucessful Dutch dressage trainer and rider, who has competed to Grand Prix. He also works and trains with the current FEI World Dressage Number 1 Adelinde Cornelissen.

Mark van de Donk delighted the riders and spectators with his clear & sympathetic understanding of the training of the horse.

He assessed Marchje, a Dutch bred Friesian mare for potential further training in Holland. Marchje is the current Friesian Horse Association of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Ridden Champion 2011.
One participant Deborah Howson with her KWPN mare Cietharin went to a competition the day after the clinic and subsequently won her class qualifiying for the British Dressage Northern Region Semi Finals.
Deborah said "Cietharin was a lot more settled and easier to work with thanks to Marks advice in our session".

Mark van de Donk will be returning this summer for another training clinic, full details and dates will be available as soon as they are confirmed, and will be listed on our website, blog and facebook. www.facebook.com/firtreestud 

Equine Massage Course for Horse Owners

We will be hosting another Equine Massage for horse owners course on the 26th &27th May with Liz Harris, McTimoney, Sports Massage, Reiki and Laser Therapist.

The course will be split into 2 days, with:
DAY 1, EQUINE MASSAGE COURSE (full day), learn how to give a full body massage and stretches. Participants will get to practice all skills learnt under Liz's supervision.
DAY 2, HORSE TREATMENT DAY, bring your horse to Fir Tree Stud to receive a full treatment from Liz at a discounted price.

For more info on Liz please visit www.lizharris.co.uk

The prices are 1 day £55, and 2 days £100. To book, please email Janice at fts@firtreestud.co.uk
Limited spaces available so book early to avoid disappointment.

Dutch Dressage Clinic

The clinic with Dutch Dressage trainer Mark van de Donk will be held on the 5th &6th May.

Dressage Training Opportunity

Fir Tree Stud will be hosting a clinic on the weekend of the 5th & 6th May, Mark Van De Donk, the highly sucessful dressage rider in Dutch National Competition, who is trained by the renowned dressage riders, Christa Laarakkers and Adelinde Cornelissen. Adelinde is number 1 on the FEI World Individual Dressage Rankings.

Mark trains horses from Novice to Advanced and produces horses for the sport horse gradings in Holland. Mark is qualified to produce horses to Small Tour Level. He ensures that horses are trained in a progressive manner that allows the horse to use his frame, and potential without injury, or without skipping important building blocks in the foundation of a correctly trained horse.

He believes that positive, friendly, and constructive teaching works best!

It is hoped that this clinic is one of a series, so Mark can help with the long term development of horse and rider.
The 45 minute training sessions will cost £65, if you would like to book a session, or know more, please email Janice Chadwick at fts@firtreestud.co.uk or ring 07999880296.

Rug Services!

Fir Tree Stud, is now an official collection point for MALTON EQUINE LAUNDRY http://www.maltonequinelaundry.co.uk
Malton Equine Laundry, is now the leading rug cleaning service in North Yorkshire and they offer rug washing, reproofing and repairing at competitive prices.

Rugs can be dropped off and collected from Fir Tree Stud, Spaldington, East Yorkshire, where they will be collected by Malton EL.

If you are interested in their services, please contact them on 01653 699899 and state that you would like to use the FTS drop off point.

Dressage Competitions

Jack went to his first ever Dressage competition this weekend. He was extremely well behaved, and everyone had a great time. He scored 66.08% and the judge said

"What a stunning cob! Bags of presence and great paces...A great combination - Lovely Test, Well done!"

We are thrilled with his first outing!

Also a big well done to Dulcie & Robbie, who train with Fir Tree Stud, they came second in the Port Royal Novice Championships as Reserve Junior Champion.

Horse for sale!

Jack, who is now for sale, (details in earlier post) went to Port Royal this weekend for his first ever show! He entered the Ridden Coloured Class and came 3rd in company with some excellent participants! He was extremely well behaved and had a great time!

Here are some pictures of his day out!

Also, we love this picture because he was so chilled on his first outing and look at those legs!!

Horse for sale!

Jack who is a 6 year old 14.0hh Piebald cob, is now for sale, after being started and schooled on over the winter. As you will remember we bought him from the travellers, who we think it is safe to say, he didnt like very much!

We have developed his confidence in people, and he is now ready to go to an experienced loving home.

We think that appart from hacking alone and in company, which is always a good thing, he shows great potential for dressage, and if the picture below is anything to go by, local jumping!

You can see Jack coming 2nd in his first dressage test, with 66.69%

Jack is good with the farrier, he clips and boxes. He is fully vaccinated and wormed.

We would like £2,800 ono for him. If there is anyone out there who can give Jack the loving home he deserves, please contact Janice on 07999880296.

Grand Cru's First Day Out!

Grand Cru had a difficult key hole surgical castration in November at Minster Equine Clinic, York. One testicle was hiding and Julian had to go quite high to find it! Cru did not heal as quickly as hoped and so remained in his box for approximately 3 months because everyone wanted to be sure that he had healed internally.

Finally, after a short delay due to the bad weather (Cru has no luck!), we were able to let him out in a small paddock!

He seems to have held up really well throughout his ordeal. Rest & rehabilitation after an operation requires sensitivity, and careful handling to achieve a good outcome.

Here are some pictures of Cru enjoying his first taste of freedom in a long time!

Fir Tree Stud Clients

Everyone at Fir Tree Stud would like to say well done to all our clients that have competed around Yorkshire this weekend!

We want to say a very big well done to Georgia, Thomas' 7 year old student who got 63% in her dressage test today, coming 5th in a class of 11 other adults, and qualifying for the UK Riders Regional Championship.

Also, well done to Freya & Paddy for achieving a very promising 70.4% in their Prelim 12 Dressage Class today.

Keep up the good work everyone!

Training with Fir Tree Stud

Fir Tree Stud provides Qualified & Insured Trainers whatever your level, from beginners to Advanced, Dressage, Show Jumping & Showing.

We are trainers of :

• The Friesian Horse Association of Great Britain & Northern Ireland's Ridden Champion 2011
• A young rider British Dressage National Championship Qualifier
• Port Royal Preliminary Dressage Champion 2010
• A member of Endurance G.B. Under 21's Squad
• Horse Parade Under 12's National Dressage Champion 2011

Also one of our team is now on the British Dressage Trainers Database.

We use our own tailored methods using the best of Classical and Natural Horsemanship techniques that really work!

If you or your horse are looking for training, at our yard or yours, please contact Janice on 07999880296 to discuss your requirements.

Happy New Year!

Everyone at Fir Tree Stud would like to wish you all a Happy New Year, and hopefully a sucessful 2012!

It has been a while since we have updated our blog, alot of our current news updates can be found on our facebook page www.facebook.com/FirTreeStud

All liveries at Fir Tree Stud had a wonderful time at this years Christmas Party, hosted by the very generous Ebnet's (owners of Marchje). The pictures for this can be seen on our facebook page.

Also we would like to say a big welcome to the yards youngest new member Jennifer & Pepper, who are looking forwards to their first show at Port Royal this spring!

Best wishes for the up and coming spring season, and hope to see you all soon!

Fir Tree Stud!