Benchmark Equestrian
12195 Highway 27 L0J 1C0 Nobleton, ON, Canada

Stella-brate good times, come on! Wishing the happiest retirement to our amazing unicorn Stella! We cannot thank her enough for all that she has taught our students over the years. She is a real life unicorn! Thank you to Sam and Penny Murray for the privilege of having Stella with us for the last four years! #irreplaceable (Sound on )

Another ‘A’ circuit debut today, this time it was Anabelle riding Avicii. The pair finished with a second over fences in a competitive Beginner Child/Adult division! It was not the show season that we had planned, but we are so happy with this duo’s stellar first outing! #benchmarkequestrian #caledonequestrianpark

Darya and Made You Look had an incredible first show in the Short Stirrup division today at Caledon Equestrian Park! Their first show of 2020 and their first ‘A’ circuit show together, and the pair finished the day with a 1st, 1st, and 6th, earning them division Champion! Check out this clip of the adorable duo during one of their rounds #benchmarkequestrian #caledonequestrianpark

Say hello to Max! Max joined our crew earlier this summer and instantly became a favourite among students. His sweet personality, calm demeanour, and adorable jump have made him the perfect addition. Thank you Days Like This Photos for this stunning photo of Max! #benchmarkequestrian #perfectponies #ridingschool

How cute is this pair? Thank you to RingSide Media for capturing Darya and Sassy’s virtual pony derby outing! #VirtualHorseShow #PonyDerby #SocialDistancing

What a great afternoon at Angelstone with Darya and Sassy! Thank you Angelstone Tournaments and Knightwood Stables for hosting the virtual pony derby with proceeds going towards For The Herd Emergency Fundraiser! A fantastic opportunity for pony riders to practice a derby course in a safe and relaxed environment!

Attention Benchmark Students We are all missing horse shows, and @teenranchcanada has a fix for that with their virtual horse show! If you wish to enter, we will be happy to help you record your submission during a lesson. Classes are $20 to enter and they are offering hunter and equitation classes, over fences and on the flat. Please email or speak to Kristen for more information!... #CovidHorseShows #VirtualHorseShow #FunFromHome

#blackouttuesday

Happy Sunday everyone! We at Benchmark wanted to take a moment to welcome everyone back to lessons! Though our set up will look a little different, we cant wait to have everyone back riding starting tomorrow! We also want to thank each and every one of you for your support during these past few months. With your support and encouragement we have been able to care for our incredible schoolies and have them ready for your return! A special thank you to those individuals and ve...ndors who donated to our silent auction. It was a huge success and the proceeds went a long way toward our horses everyday needs. If you are a Benchmark student and havent yet sent us your lesson availability, please do so as soon as you can, as spots are filling quickly! We are looking forward to seeing you all this week! Love, Team Benchmark

Due to the popularity of the trail ride for two item, we have added a second trail ride to our auction. Check out item #22 for your chance to win!

We are touched by the number of requests we have received to register for our Supporting the Benchmark Schoolies online auction, not only from our clients, but from friends & family of our clients and from others in the industry. We began our auction as an internal posting, but have decided to open up registration to anyone that wishes to bid! Please follow the link below to a google folder where you will find instructions to bid and a form for each item. If there is an ite...m you would like to bid on, you simply enter your email, name, and your bid - its as easy as that! If you have any questions or run into any technical issues, please email [email protected], send a WhatsApp message to 905-893-9566, or you can call the farm at the same number. Please note that we are not in the office as frequently at this time, but if you leave a message we will return your call as soon as possible! Thank you to everyone for their support of our school horses, and we wish you the best of luck with your bids! https://drive.google.com//1sgnF3uPp-9uJ4yEOowrKT9sqeoGENPmr

Sneak Peek #21 Rover Coffee Table Book Photographer Andrew Grant presents Rover - a 12 inch x 12 inch, hardcover book featuring over 200 soulful portraits of dogs in stunning detail. This big, fun, beautiful dog book is a must have for dog owners and a great gift for animal lovers. A minimum of 10% of all Rover proceeds are donated to pet shelters, rescues, and related causes.... Thank you to Jen Buchan for this fun item! Remember that our auction goes live at 9:00 am tomorrow, May 12th! If you did not receive the auction email, or you are not on our mailing list but would like more details, please email [email protected] or send a WhatsApp message to 905-893-9566!

Sneak Peek #20 Bakers Saddlery - 2 for 1 Gift Cards Whether you are a new rider looking for the basics, or a seasoned competitor looking for new show attire, this item is perfect for you! CIBC has generously donated a $500 gift certificate to Bakers Saddlery, and as a bonus, Bakers has added a $100 gift certificate for a total of $600!... Check them out at Bakers Saddlery or by visiting www.bakerssaddlery.com A huge thank you to Denise Martel & CIBC, and to Jessie from Bakers Saddlery! Remember that our auction goes live at 9:00 am tomorrow, May 12th! If you did not receive the auction email, or you are not on our mailing list but would like more details, please email [email protected] or send a WhatsApp message to 905-893-9566!

Sneak Peek #19 Benchmark Private Lessons In addition to your regular lessons, bid on this item to win a series of book-as-you-go 45-minute private lessons to further hone your skills. Whether you are preparing for a horse show, want to perfect a technique learned in lessons, or want to focus on a skill not normally covered in lessons, these one-on-one sessions are the perfect solution!... The lessons will not expire for one year following the booking of your first session. Ring time is subject to availability and the same 24-hour cancellation policy is applied. Remember that our auction goes live at 9:00 am tomorrow, May 12th! If you did not receive the auction email, or you are not on our mailing list but would like more details, please email [email protected] or send a WhatsApp message to 905-893-9566!

Sneak Peek #18 Beautyrest Mattress Set & Pillows Looking to upgrade to a new bed or to furnish a guest bedroom? We have the perfect item for you! Serta Simmons Bedding Canada has very generously donated Beautyrest Black Queen Size Mattress Set and 2 Queen Size Absolute Relaxation Pillows. Set up and delivery will be included within the GTA!... Thank you to Serta Simmons Bedding Canada for this amazing set! Remember that our auction goes live at 9:00 am tomorrow, May 12th! If you did not receive the auction email, or you are not on our mailing list but would like more details, please email [email protected] or send a WhatsApp message to 905-893-9566!

Sneak Peek #16 & #17 Boketto Lane Set & Boketto Lane Earrings Boketto Lane is a jewelry design business founded by Danielle Baran. Using hand-picked unique stones and materials, all of Boketto Lanes designs are one of a kind, coveted pieces. Check out their pieces on Instagram @bokettolane.design... This first item includes a necklace and matching earrings, both by Dani T. Baran Design. The second item is a pair of beautiful chandelier earrings by Dani T. Baran Design. Thank you to Boketto Lane for these stunning contributions! Remember that our auction goes live at 9:00 am tomorrow, May 12th! If you did not receive the auction email, or you are not on our mailing list but would like more details, please email [email protected] or send a WhatsApp message to 905-893-9566!

Sneak Peek #15 Petroff Gallery Gift Certificate The Petroff Gallery in Toronto proudly represents works of visual art and contemporary craft by over 200 Canadian artists and makers. The gallery exhibits fine art and contemporary craft including painting, mixed media, sculptural and functional works in glass, ceramics, textile, wood and metal, and a select collection of jewelry. We are proud to offer a $500 gift card that can be utilized in the purchase of any of the unique ...works currently available at the Petroff Gallery. For more information, please visit www.petroffgallery.com. Thank you to Jackie Strauss Zimmerman and Larry Zimmerman for their generous contribution! Continue to check our social media pages for more sneak peeks until the auction goes live at 9:00 am on Tuesday, May 12th. If you did not receive the auction email, or you are not on our mailing list but would like more details, please email [email protected] or send a WhatsApp message to 905-893-9566!

Sneak Peek #14 Toronto Maple Leafs Tickets Another great item for Toronto hockey fans! When hockey is able to safely resume with spectators, the winner of this item will receive a pair of tickets to a home game, with the seats being in Section 312, Row 2, Seats 1 & 2. The winner will receive a list of approximately 15 games from which they can choose their preferred date to attend. ... Thank you to Kailee Novikoff & Jamie Gillman for this generous contribution! Continue to check our social media pages for more sneak peeks until the auction goes live at 9:00 am on Tuesday, May 12th. If you did not receive the auction email, or you are not on our mailing list but would like more details, please email [email protected] or send a WhatsApp message to 905-893-9566!

Sneak Peek #13 Blueberry Hill Package Perfect for any young rider! In this goodie bag you will find items that are very trendy in pony land, including a Black Knight wristlet, mink hair tie, sparkly earrings, and many more! Black Knight Accessories was started by a young woman who proudly offers Canadian made products that are not only equine based, but also street fashion and horse show glam. ... A huge thank you to Ardie Hastey of Blueberry for donating this awesome package! Continue to check our social media pages for more sneak peeks until the auction goes live at 9:00 am on Tuesday, May 12th. If you did not receive the auction email, or you are not on our mailing list but would like more details, please email [email protected] or send a WhatsApp message to 905-893-9566!

Sneak Peek #12 Benchmark Swag Look your best in your lessons while sporting your new Benchmark Swag! For this prize, you will get a breathable quarter zip long-sleeve and a v-neck t-shirt, both in performance fabric, and a baseball cap so you can represent in any setting!... We will contact the winner to confirm their preferred sizing. Thank you to The Jefferson Family for donating these items! Continue to check our social media pages for more sneak peeks until the auction goes live at 9:00 am on Tuesday, May 12th. If you did not receive the auction email, or you are not on our mailing list but would like more details, please email [email protected] or send a WhatsApp message to 905-893-9566!

Sneak Peek #11 Chris Sorensen Private Clinic We are excited to provide this unique experience. This prize is a two-day one-on-one clinic with Chris Sorensen. Each session will be one hour in length and will give the rider Chriss undivided attention on a specific horse chosen to get the most value out of his instruction. ... Chris students have achieved success in major show rings across North America with notable accomplishments including coaching the highest-placed Canadian individual at the 2015 and 2016 FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships, and highest-placed Canadian at the US Medal and Maclay Finals for three years. In 2016, Chris became one of Canadas first-ever High Performance 1 level certified coaches. He also serves on the Equestrian Canada Board of Directors. This clinic will run the same weekend that Chris is at Benchmark for our annual Lease Clinic. This exciting experience has been donated by Sorensen Stables! Continue to check our social media pages for more sneak peeks until the auction goes live at 9:00 am on Tuesday, May 12th. If you did not receive the auction email yesterday, or you are not on our mailing list but would like more details, please email [email protected] or send a WhatsApp message to 905-893-9566!

Sneak Peek #10 Paul Henderson Signed Jersey For all the hockey fans out there, this framed jersey is signed by the legendary Paul Henderson who led Team Canada to victory at the 1972 Summit Series against the Soviet Union. Henderson scored the game winning goal in the sixth, seventh and eighth games. Henderson has twice been inducted into Canadas sports Hall of Fame.... This item would be the perfect addition to any hockey lovers rec room! Thank you to The Jefferson Family for this amazing item! Continue to check our social media pages for more sneak peeks until the auction goes live at 9:00 am on Tuesday, May 12th. If you did not receive the auction email yesterday, or you are not on our mailing list but would like more details, please email [email protected] or send a WhatsApp message to 905-893-9566!

Sneak Peek #9 Greenhawk Basket This basket is complete with all the necessities for a young rider and then some! Along with gloves, a crop and a helmet bag, the winner of this basket will also receive an Apres Ride sweater and Apres Ride T-Shirt, as well as two pairs of Dreamers & Schemers boot socks.... Continue to check our social media pages for more sneak peeks until the auction goes live at 9:00 am on Tuesday, May 12th. If you did not receive the auction email yesterday, or you are not on our mailing list but would like more details, please email [email protected] or send a WhatsApp message to 905-893-9566!

Sneak Peek #8 Personalized Brushes & Backpack Every rider loves to use their own set brushes. For this prize, we have put together the ideal brush-kit with all your must-have items including a curry comb, main & tail comb, hoof pick, dandy brush and body brush. Wood brushes will be engraved with the winners name and the backpack embroidered! Inside your bag you will also find a $50 gift card to Greenhawk, where you can add your favorite items to your kit!... Continue to check our social media pages for more sneak peeks, and check your inboxes for more details regarding the online silent auction!

Sneak Peek #7 sun.e.blooms Preserved Roses in Acrylic Vase sun.e.blooms is a home decor business founded by former lawyer, Gillian Silverhart, in 2019. Providing unique and customized arrangements, sun.e.blooms works with fresh flowers, succulents, dried flowers, and preserved roses to create your ideal design.... For this prize, sun.e.blooms is offering 16 preserved roses in a vase of your choice. Check out some of her samples on Instagram @sun.e.blooms Thank you to Gillian Silverhart of sun.e.blooms for this amazing item! Continue to check our social media pages for more sneak peeks, and check your inboxes for more details regarding the online silent auction!

Sneak Peek #6 You too can have your own Benchmark personalized saddle pad! The iconic Ogilvy saddle pad will be embroidered with Benchmarks signature logo one on side, and the embroidery of your choice on the other side. Feel free to use this saddle pad in your lessons, at schooling shows or your off-property debut! Thank you to Running Fox Equestrian Products for this contribution!... Continue to check our social media pages for more sneak peeks, and check your inboxes for more details regarding the online silent auction!

Sneak Peek #4 & #5 Country Health & Athletics Ben Wenzofsky has been involved in sports since a young age. Both a scientist and an exercise practitioner, Ben considers himself a true Movement Mechanic. He utilizes a background in engineering to methodically deconstruct movement patters and make them optimal for everyday and sport applications. His goal for every client is to establish pain-free movement for a healthy, sustainable future. Ben is a certified personal traine...r and nutrition coach. He is currently enrolled at the Canadian College of Osteopathy and the Ontario College of Health and Technology. He specializes in post-rehabilitation, movement correction, adaptive training, and kettle bell training. For more information, visit www.countryhealthathletics.com. In this first item, Ben will hold a virtual consultation to determine your fitness goals and build out a personalized training program just for you! In this second item, Ben will offer 4 hour-long virtual personalized training sessions. Thank you to Ben Wenzofsky for this amazing contribution! Continue to check our social media pages for more sneak peeks, and check your inboxes tomorrow for more details regarding the online silent auction!

Sneak Peek #3 Benchmark Trail Ride for Two As much as riders love their lessons, sometimes they are looking for a care-free experience on horseback! For this prize, the winning bidder will get to go on a trail ride, exploring the propertys nearly 15km of trails with a member of the Benchmark team and a friend of their choice.... Continue to check our social media pages for more sneak peeks, and check your inboxes tomorrow for more details regarding the online silent auction!

Sneak Peek #2 Roping Lesson for Two There are many disciplines in the horse industry, one of the most exciting being individual or team roping! Nith River Ranch, located in Ayr, Ontario, is one of the most competitive farms on the rodeo circuit in Ontario.... Chad Beechey has been roping professionally for over 10 years and has competed in provincial, national, and American rodeos, winning many belt buckles. Dani Madden-Beechey started her career in the hunters and jumpers, and soon after meeting Chad, started roping and barrel racing competitively. For this unique item, we are offering a private two-hour roping lesson at Nith River Ranch, in which Dani and Chad will take your and a friend through the basics with hands on instruction and have you roping steer in no time! Thank you to Dani & Chad for this unique contribution to our silent auction to support the Benchmark school horses! Continue to check our social media pages for more sneak peeks, and check your inboxes on Friday for more details regarding the online silent auction!

Sneak Peek #1 Photography Session with Days Like This Photos Caitey MacLeod has taken her passion for photography to found Days Like This Photos in 2018. Her goal is to create beautiful, storytelling images and provide an easy going and enjoyable experience while capturing the essence of your story. She has beautifully photographed newborns, families in settings from the city to the farm, riders and their horses, and even the most unruly cattle. For her stunning look book..., visit www.daylikethisphotos.com. Caitey is offering a one-hour private session to capture the memories of your choice. Thank you Caitey for your generous contribution to our silent auction to support the Benchmark school horses! Continue to check our social media pages for more sneak peeks, and check your inboxes on Friday for more details regarding the online silent auction!

Be sure to visit Life With Horses Photography on Tuesday, May 12th to check out our #TakeoverTuesday ! You will be able to see all of your favourite school horses, and spend a virtual day at the farm with us. And of course, dont forget to visit For The Herd Emergency Fundraiser!

Attention Benchmark Family In anticipation of hopefully returning to lessons soon, there is still a need to ensure that our school horses are taken care of to the same standard as always, without compromise. We would like to announce a silent auction to help care for the Benchmark school horses. The proceeds from this auction will allow our horses to be ready to return to work when it is safe for students to return to riding. All money raised will be directed solely to th...e care of our 20 working school horses. Over the next few days, we will be posting information about items which will be available to bid on, as well as recognizing the people that have generously donated these items. Check your inboxes later this week for more information regarding how to register to bid and the items available! #BenchmarkEquestrian #SupportingTheSchoolies

We were late to #FitnessFriday this week, but for #StayStrongSunday we have another at home workout for everyone! Complete this workout 3 times over the next week

As a follow up to our striding video (be sure to check it out), we have one more challenge for you! Its time to put your math skills to the test as you complete this striding worksheet. For each question, you must complete the missing number of strides or the missing number of feet that the line should be set at. Comment with your answers! #BenchmarkEquestrian #FunFromHome

Striding - How to Walk a Line In todays video we explain how to walk a line when setting or learning a course, and challenge you to complete a test and also post your own videos of you walking a line at home! #BenchmarkEquestrian #FunFromHome

The results are in! Thank you to everyone that participated in our virtual horse show - we loved seeing your submissions and had lots of fun reviewing them and judging! For our Beginner / Novice division, Ella Epstein riding Scarlett was the winner of the flat class, and Ally Raso riding Gwen won the over fences class.... For the Intermediate / Advanced division, the winner of the flat class was Serenity Fuentes riding Ernie, and the winner of the over fences class was Anabelle Lewis riding Penny. Thank you to everyone that participated, and be sure to check your inbox to find a message from us with the judges feedback! #BenchmarkEquestian #FunFromHome #BenchmarkQuarantineCompetition

In this video we demonstrate the proper leg and body position while sitting, posting, and in two-point, as well as show you some examples of common mistakes. Thanks to @dudathewanderer for this video request! #BenchmarkEquestrian #FunFromHome