Country Hill Farm
1380 Third Concession L0C1A0 Uxbridge, ON, Canada

Sometimes Success is Subtle Kudos to Sandi Mcleod for working tirelessly and with much patience to give this chestnut mare the confidence to be haltered...again. Long story short Phyrrha was trapped when a rope halter she was wearing got ensnared on some hardware in her stall and wouldn’t break. It was a freak accident but then, those are the type that horses love to have.... Trevor Barry cut the halter and freed the mare by climbing through the feed window of the stall. But it gave the mare a fright and an aversion to having any type of halter put on her head. In comes Sandi, who soothing hands-on work was successful when all else had failed. She won back the mare’s trust and so a new chapter begins. Baby steps with horses are actually not small at all. Those of us who work with these flight animals know that it takes very little to set a horse back months of training. Sometimes these emotional obstacles can never be overcome. Hats off to Sandi for her perseverance and dedication. All I can say is what a woman...and perhaps more precisely, what an extraordinary horsewoman

Country Hill Riders are Still Hacking Out Country Hillers are still enjoying riding in the beautiful outdoors even though the colours are fading and the frost is now on the pumpkin. It’s a peaceful time and it’s the first time for Henry onboard Tierian to be navigating off property with his mother, Alyssa, on her horse, Stevie. A blanket of leaves beats an indoor arena any day. Lots of other riders feel the same way these days.

No Stirrup November has Come Early to CHF Have you noticed that there are a lot of riders doing sitting trot these days....without their stirrups? There’s a reason for that. Not only is working without stirrups great for position, these individuals are probably getting ready for the upcoming in-house COVID Clinic (physical distancing and other precautions will be in place) on November 20th. I will be posting a schedule soon but I just wanted to thank all for the overwhelming response to the idea of hosting Eddo Hoekstra for a Dressage Day.

Happy weekend to all and a special shout out to Gill for organizing such an outstanding hack yesterday.

Meet Calliope! This filly is Country Hill Alumnae Sarah Martin’s new horse. She’s a 4 year old 3/4 Arab 1/4 Dutch harness horse, lightly started by a guy up in Mennonite country where she is from. She has a lot of filling out to do still but she’s incredibly sweet and super duper athletic, says Sarah adding, I promise she’s even cuter in person - the photos just don’t do her justice at all. Looks like there is great chemistry from the get go and that is so important! I’m sure all of us want to wish Sarah a big congrats and many years of partnership with this youngster. No doubt we’ll be doing a road trip to Waterloo when COVID subsides to see that filly in person.

I hope all you Country Hillers have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Although Abraxas is the only Palomino at our barn (owned by Isabelle) this video had the right kind of festive feel for this extraordinarily beautiful weekend, complete with fall colors. When I taught Alex this morning and looked up on the hillside where Abraxas was grazing against a backdrop of blazing colors, that our fall is giving us this year in foliage... well, it was postcard pretty. Then I told Alex that it... was my birthday and asked him my age...tempting fate on what was so far, a perfect day. He answered, About the same age as my mother. Shraga and I did the math and I deduced that Alex had inadvertently given me the best birthday present ever! So around the Thanksgiving table tomorrow, when asked what am I thankful for there will be no reason to pause, it will clearly be ALEX!

Great News Country Hill Riders! Our wonderful neighbour has once again cut trails for CHF riders. Now that the weather is cooler and the bugs are not as bad, it is perfect timing to hack out. I have just had time to walk the northern most trail that leads to the NW passage. So hold your horses on the other trails for now but the main one looks A-ok. In the meantime, I’d like to remind you of hacking protocols, especially important in these days of COVID when none of us want t...o have an unscheduled dismount. Never hack alone. Always take a buddy, or two, and ensure that I know when you intend to head out and when you intend to be back. I also need your approximate route. Take your cell but know that reception is spottyand I will keep my phone handy in case of emergencies. NEW: Now that we have a paved road, I strongly suggest that you walk your horse initially to the Prayer House driveway and I will leave a handy mounting block there, or practice now to mount from the ground Unfortunately, people are driving much faster these days on our block and there are many more cyclists too. Thanks to our generous Jennifer Ro for re-opening up her gorgeous property to Country Hill and we must respect the above rules. It’s a privilege, not a right, for us to ride there. Thanks also to Pastor Kim for getting his John Deere tractor up and running and cutting trails for our riders. Maya and her husband have also extended the same courtesy to us on her acreage, but they have two dogs who who must be kenneled if we plan to ride there. So again, plan ahead and contact me in advance so I can see if the timing is appropriate for them. Thanks to all for your cooperation and respect.

Color that Bird Condo Contest You’re seeing the white canvas of a bird house (below). I have an idea of how I’d like it to look...colorful, like row houses in Newfoundland... yellow in the middle of blue and red with a grey roof. Too garish you think? Got a better idea? ... Release your inner artist and color that bird house. Yes, there is a prize and it is not the birdhouse but it is for sale if you like the finished product. Contest ends August 1 because we have some birds who are homeless in this COVID crisis. Birds of a feather, flock together and are moving back home. Affordable accommodation is scarce. Help the homeless birds!!!

On the Road Again The fall is absolutely the best time to hack out. Interested? Contact Kathy and join us for the fall colors while they last. Big thanks to Melanie Mainville for the wonderful GoPro footage!

Sarah is on the road again! The weather is so beautiful here! I'm in Owen Sound and have found a place to camp out and sleep in my van. My bedding has improved since Niagara Falls and I'm getting a good night's sleep. How's everything at the farm?... On behalf of all the CHF humans and horses I can honestly say we're doing well but we do miss you. We are making our way through the mango-banana gelato and rhubarb ice cream so we will soon miss your fabulous desserts too. When you break open a package of Twizzlers at the end of a meal you know you're on a downward slide. Stay safe and healthy. Keep sending those pictures.

Even Horses have COVID Moments Red Baron snacks on his hay pillow in his stall while watching Secretariat on Netflix. Why run when it’s so hot? Silly Thoroughbreds. This Gypsey Vanner knows how to beat the heat and ride out this pandemic.

Birth Announcement! (and no it’s not a horse) 90 days from the day these eggs, buried by momma turtle, hatched to produce 3 baby snapping turtlessex to be determined. They were found crawling around in the sand near the house and have named them Larry, Mo and Curly, after the Three Stooges. There is another nesting site that is protected by piles ons on the way to the barn. Who knows? These little fellows may have cousins soon. Thanks to all who have avoided driving over the nesting ground on the driveway to the barn.

Savoring the Flavors of Summer With temperatures soring, boarders Denise (far left) and Patty (far right) beat the heat with mango-banana sorbet, just one of the culinary creations of German working student, Sarah Habrik (centre next to Kathy Fremes). Don’t worry, this recipe will be posted shortly. Where would we be this summer without her homemade ice cream featuring green tea and sweet Ontario strawberries? Since her arrival in a snow storm in March, nursing a sour dough ...starter which she shared with our boarders, Sarah has been an integral part of our team. Sarah drove here from Banff in record time just as the whole country was closing down with the COVID pandemic. A chef by trade, Sarah will be returning to Germany soon after spending a few weeks traveling back west. Sadly, she will be leaving Country Hill soon. We don’t know how to thank her for being so helpful and caring with our horses, and exhibiting an outstanding work ethic, despite the hardships of this extraordinary time of uncertainty. With good humor she conquered any task and was unstoppable...almost...mosquitos were her nemesis.

When Dessert Becomes the Main Course Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, Sarah (our working German working student) creates another fabulous chocolate-almond cake to die for. Summer at the farm may be hard work with the heatwave and all the welding of the stall grill repairs and looking after the horses, but at the end of the day, it is pure decadence! Soon, the sweet smell of fresh cut hay will be filling the air. But for now, the aroma is coming from the kitchen.

Busy Days at Country Hill End With... A fantastic treat by Sarah, my German working student, who is actually a trained cook but has the heart of a pastry chef. Here’s her dessert creation inspired by a trip she took to Japan. It’s dessert sushi and is as delicious as it looks. Although the days are long, hot and hard work with lots of repairs and maintenance going on in addition to the horse care, we end the day on a sweet note.

TURTLE LAYING EGGS...If you are wondering why there are pylons on the driveway on the way to the barn it is because a mama turtle just laid her eggs. So please, when you’re driving give her a wide birth...no pun intended.

A Coach’s Musings My job is much like a parent’s. If I coach correctly, my riders should be able to problem solve for themselves. That is exactly what Grace is doing as she reviews the course is she is about to jump with the wonderful Wimbledon. The role of most parents ultimately is produce independent-minded children who don’t need them to navigate through their own life. Coaches fulfill the same role with their competitive students. If Grace can manage to achieve her goa...l (and she did get a fast, clear round) then the next time she faces a similar one, another coach may be in my boots. And that may very well be the case as she heads to the University of Guelph to try out for its show jumping team. Another thought occurred to me while I was standing next to former 3-Day Event Olympian Gary Roque and it was inspired by him. I paraphrase as Garry was describing a rider’s dilemma that he was coaching at the Cherry Lane Horse trial this past weekend to me: ‘If she would only learn to listen to her horse...he is telling her everything she needs to know.’ And that is the second part to this equation that is perhaps a lot more ethereal. Riders must know the nature of their horses and ride the one they are on that day. Just because we sit in the saddle does not make us judge and juryafter all it is those four legs that get us over the jump. Riding is a partnership and in order to have equal participation we must listen to the other part of this equation who performs the awesome feats we set for it. Good riders are also good horse people who pay attention to their equine athletes. And great coaches admit they don’t know everything to their human athletes. But good horses, can put you in the winners circle only if you let them. Getting back to Gary’s comments later in the show when he was observing the talented Victoria Secret in action in the stadium ring. Again I paraphrase: That horse has a natural half halt....all the rider needs to do is allow her go forward and not interfere.’ And that is exactly with Gillian Livingston did! Congratulations to all my riders this weekend and their mounts. You’ve learned your lessons well and deserve your ribbons.

Country Hill Rider in the Ribbons Again Picture taken by Lorne Ordel of Grace Landry and Country Hill Farm school horse Wimbledon with Kathy Fremes coaching before her clean cross country round. "It was a nice wrap up to our season...both horses went clear and clean over their jumps and had love dressage tests--lots of improvement from the previous season," says Coach Fremes about the Cherry Lane horse trial on August 24th. It was also clear that Victoria Secret, ridden maste...rfully by owner Gillian Livingston, is positioning herself to move up a division or two from this year. She was too fast over cross country and that speed will come in handy as she climbs into the upper divisions. She received a wonderful compliment on her jumping ability from 3-Day Eventer and former Olympian, Garry Roque, that Victoria Secret has a "natural half halt" and is a wonderfully talent jumper. "Grace is already planning our next season as she heads off to University of Guelph for first year!" See more

Congratulations to Lenka Durward Ms Durward will be the first person to receive the Extreme Gardener Award, and it is well deserved! Many people have commented this year on how lovely the gardens look at the farm, says Kathy Fremes, adding, ...and to them I say, ‘We have a secret weapon and her name is Lenka.’ Every Saturday, this petite woman, who can be seen lessoning on Choco in the early hours, transforms into a weed annihilator. Her mission: to pull them all out by t...heir roots! I’m standing next to a pile of weeds here, and that is only a fraction of what Ms Durward was able to pull in a couple of hours. How does she do it? Has any seen Edward Scissorhands (starring Johnny Depp) who has scissor blades instead of arms? Well, I think Lenka would call her Japanese all-in-one gardening tool her smoking gun. Whatever super powers this woman possesses, she is a force to be reckoned with. For that I think she needs more than just a shout out on this FB page...she deserves an award! says farm owner Ms Fremes. So Lenka, next time you’re up at Country Hill we would like to present you with a token of our appreciate for being a one-woman-gardening committee. Your dedication and hard work are appreciated by all.

Mouse AlertMiss Mustache is on the prowl By far the cutest and cuddliest cat at Country Hill is the tuxedo-marked Mustache. She is fat, so much so that she gets caught in the stall and window grills and pops out the other side like a cork in a bottle. She is good at rolling off the tack boxes when her belly is rubbed (and doesn’t always land on her paws). And she purrs continuously in anyone’s arms and is happy to stay there all day. In all the years that Miss Mustache has c...alled Country Hill home she has yet to catch anything. She is a lot of things, but a hunter she is NOT. So it with great happiness that we announce that our PR kitty has bagged her first prey. In the video she is having a lot of fun and feeling quite full of herself. For Miss Mustache’s first successful hunt she gets a cuddle from Coach Fremes who rewards a cat who was a passivist to discover her inner-tiger and claw her way to mouse-catching stardom See more

Greeting from Anna to All! I’m in Saskatchewan right now, working on a cattle farm with some western horseys!! I really do enjoy the time with the horses! ... The bad part about working up there is NO wifi and nearly no reception at all! That’s why it wasn’t possibles to mail you back! Sorry about that!! How are you guys doing? Hope everything is fine! My mum and sister are here for Holidays since the 29th. We’ve been to Vancouver, San Francisco and arrived yesterday evening in Calgary from Los Angeles. I also met Denise and her husband in Vancouver which was sooo sweet! We’ll stay here till the 16th and then I’m heading back to the Farm. Please greet everyone for me. Especially my loved Missy!!! Sending you lots of Love, hugs and carrots Anna Kornhass

It’s a Lovely Day to go to the Beach At least that’s what Wimbledon and Victoria Secret thought. They both schooled brilliantly at Dreamcrest and spent considerable time splishing and splashing in the water... jump, that is. We’re getting tuned up for our next outing--an event at Cherry Lane on August 24th. If today was any indication as to how they will do cross country, I’d say we’re pretty well good to go. Very nice riding by Gillian Livingston and Grace Landry and the horses were fit and game. Both enjoyed the outing and were proud of their mounts. I was proud of the lot!

Country Hill Welcomes "Stumpy" to its Herd! One of the participants from last weekend's workshop for instructor and coaching candidate sits sideways on "Stumpy," a red barrel horse who you may want to test out. Despite the extreme heat the Ontario Equestrian... education session was a success and so was Stumpy. He is bomb proof, a bright red chestnut, and stands quietly for any beginner to mount. Although he is a barrel horse, he has yet to show us that he can negotiate those barrels with the speed necessary to be a competition horse but he is an excellent addition to the school. See more

Will O Wind was a Win-Win Show! Congratulations to Grace Landry onboard Country Hill’s Wimbledon and Gillian Livingston riding her gorgeous and talented mare, Victoria Secret. Both came in third in their divisions and there were maximum entries for this show. The weather Sunday was glorious and the footing ideal. Both riders jumped double cleanstadium and cross country. As a coach I am very proud of their performance and the team work of groom extraordinaire Stefanie Edenfeld (my new working student from Germany), and driver Shraga Bellon who got us to and from the show safely and soundly despite the constant chatter from backseat drivers onboard.

Congratulations on Successfully Completing Competition Coach Certification! Recently I had the privilege to mentor Lindsey Partridge with her certification process and she aced it! (I have that on good authority.) You have likely seen Lindsey, a frequent clinician at horse expos. She’s very impressive in the ring and has had a lot of success at the TB Makeover in Lexington, Kentucky. I am glad that she has chosen to extend her expertise to coaching students...of which one o...f the most notable is Olympian dressage rider Belinda Trussel. Here’s what Lindsey wrote about her experience at Country HIll: Kathy helped me with preparing for my English competition coach evaluation. She assisted me with planning for my lesson plans, as well doing an in-person mentoring session where we practiced different topics for both flat and jumping using students at her facility. The session was very helpful and provided me with a few insights and different exercises that I could expand on during my lesson topics. It also helped to clarify what the evaluators will be looking for and gave me more confidence for going into the evaluation. Kathy is very supportive and very knowledgeable. I would also like to express my thanks to the CHF riders who helped on this Friday night marathon session. They rode on the flat and over fences to mimic the exam environment and give Lindsey a chance to coach a group, and this is quite challenging. As a coach mentor I am always happy to help people achieve their goals. It’s a lot of work and a long process, but ultimately worth the effort. Many give up on the way but perseverance paid off for Lindsey. Take a look at Lindsey in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lHFDwAQLkg

Gill’s 0.75 round

Grace’s 0.75 round

Congrats Team Country Hill I want to congratulate all my riders who showed this weekend at Pickering Horse Show, jumper division, says Kathy Fremes. To Nicki Hudson who worked not only her jumping (which is much improved), but more importantly, getting her mare used to shipping and acclimatizing to a show environment so that she could jump well! And Gill Livingston, who showed us that Victoria Secret’s secret is that she loves to jump and has gained so much confidence due... to Gill’s patience and perseverance. And last but not least is Grace Landry, onboard schoolie Wimbledon (my No Frills $1 horse) was reserved championshe got lots of compliments on her riding skill and it was well deserved. And our adorable Timmy, babysat the girls (Roo and VS) and woke up just in time to jump fast and clean in the ring! I am proud coach and horse owner. See more

Hi Y’all From Anna From Manitoba: We have super hot weather and hoping for some rain. The fields are really dry.. I was on a Cattle round up the other day. We collect 120 cows with there calves and brought them to another field. ... We also had to match the right baby and mom together and cut them out of the group. It was a real cowgirl experience like in movies haha. Yieehaa Hope you are doing well! BTW Sounds like Anna may be saying her last farewell to all before leaving for Germany in July. She’s planning a quick visit to CHF and TO. So let’s show her some down home country hospitality then and give her a proper send offdid anyone mention HoeDown? (Ask Nicki for updates as she’ll be staying at her house and Google HoeDown.)

Farewell from Anna! She may be in Manitoba now but her heart is at Country Hill!

Meet Heavy Metal... My new horse! In many ways he is perfect. Very quiet, smooth to ride--in fact most times it feels like we are not moving! Very easy keeper and practically bomb proof! Looking for a part boarder. If interested contact me. ... Only has one vice and it really isn't technically a vice. Extremely hard to saddle because it slips back. So must be ridden bare back and sometimes he is a little cold backed

A Star is Born! No it is not Lady Ga Ga but this pint-sized pug gives her a run for the money. For an upcoming article in Horse Journal two photographers came to CHF on Saturday and shot pictures of Patty, Georgia, Peter, Kathy and Denise. But who was the star? You guessed it, Miss Whiz. However, Georgia’s new puppy, is soooooooooooo sweet she deserves a photo shoot devoted to her. Congratulations to our new mother and her gorgeous and oh so sweet, daughter Margaret Daisey.

Spring is Here so No More Excuses... The sun is starting to poke through those rain clouds so dust off your boots and come to the farm. Dismiss the winter doldrums by doing what comes naturally--go for a walk down a country road with on a horse. It will make... your day. See more

Good News, and Bad News The Good News, and It’s About Time It’s April 17th and the outdoor ring is finally open.... The Bad News is There are a couple of cases of Herpes that have been confirmed in York Region. The good new is, according to Dr. Dallimore, The last time this infection came through the area, I did not see any vaccinated animals affected in a way they had to be put down. I did however lose some unvaccinated horses. The vaccine Dr. D is speaking about is for Flu and it does also have immunization properties that will be effective with some (not all) strains of Herpes. That being said we have asked our vet to vaccinate CHF horses on Monday April 29th. He is recommending that Strangles also be included this year and I will wait to hear from individual owners as to whether they wish to have this vaccine given their individual horse(s). For those of you not having Dr. Dallimore vaccinate your horses we ask that they be done as close to the end of April as possible. Also Dr. Dallimore will check teeth as well if you indicate this is something you would like him to do. However, if floating is needed it will be scheduled for a later date. We have in place some biosecurity protocols that include knowing where individuals take horses off property, and also where students may also ride when off property. This also does include those professionals who provide services, such as farriers and DVMs. If this sounds like the inquisition then, I apologize. Herpes is highly contagious and we must take appropriate measures to protect herd safety.

The Pug Picnic to Feature a Talent Contest! All those in the know at Country Hill have been hearing whispers of a fund raiser in September for Pug A Luga rescue for pugs. But recently it was suggested that we include a Tiny Talent Time theme for the picnic in addition to the costume concept. That has sent me sourcing some pretty impressive talent to perform at this rather audacious affair and Loca was suggested. For those of you who don’t know her, she’s a Pug who hails fr...om the Emerald Isle and her videos have gone viral! Well, my people are talking to her people and maybe, fingers crossed, she’ll cross the pond and perform. We can only hope for such a headliner. And here she is again for those who know her and for those who haven’t been introduced, you’re in for a treat. Take it away Loca! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2RJN9a_jdM In honor of Loca’s upcoming North American debut we’ve enrolled Country Hill Mascot Miss Whiz in singing lessonsour hope is by September she may be up for a duet. You may chuckle now but when you hear her hit that high note it will make you weep. Stay tuned.

Leave your Water Bottle at Home Country Hill Farm, the only horse farm to receive 2 environmental awards for excellence, has again scored A++ for its clean water. We received 0 coliform and 0 E-coli results on our recent sample submitted this month. Don’t bring any of those plastic water bottle bottles here because the water at CHF is better than anything you can find in a bottle! If you want to bring an empty re-usable water bottle and fill it here with the nectar of Gods (...no not wine, but that’s an idea)help yourself. Enjoy the best well water you’ve ever tasted and let’s toast to spring and riding outdoors soon.

We might still be dressed for winter But the gorgeous Victoria Secret has a spring in her step and she’s ready for the show season. Though the jump was not bigger than 3 feet, Gillian Livingston’s talented mare launched herself over it as if she wanted to clear a 4.5 foot vertical. Love the enthusiasm!

Did I mention that our schoolies were quiet Well if I didn’t, here’s proof! Two brothers are playing ball while one is riding super sweet Splasha medium sized pony who is the smallest of our school horsesactually, he is a medium sized pony and is fun for all to ride. Yes, I still ride ponies myself and I love my little 4x4 who also pulls his own cartdubbed The Splash Mobile. I guarantee it moves faster that most cars on the Don Valley.

Watch Out TTCthe Mules are Coming And they seem to be the Better Way Thanks to Alyssa Pei for sending us this sensational mode of travel in Colorado that ticks off all the green options. Mule trains have proven efficiency, easy handling (stubborn as a mule is just fake news), and offer guaranteed recycling options that include free fertilizer at the end of each trip--manure=processed hay that comes out the caboose, can be captured and container in a fanny pack for later us...e. No more struggling for tokens, change or your Metro Link Passmules have been proven to be faster than all forms of public transportation in Toronto traffic (no shit). In fact, we’ll be soon adding the Mule Train as an option to our FB ride sharing page. CHF students Harry and Alex follow the mule train on foot through a narrow mountain pass before. Discovering the better way and Alex chooses a mount who looks very much like the one he rides in his lessons at the farm, Mischief.

The Queen Still Does It.... And she is in her 90s If you have a friend, parent or even grandparent who wants to ride for the first time or the 50th then sign up in April. This is a spring promotion for women and men who are no longer "spring chickens. "... Just contact Kathy to receive a deep discount on your first new rider lesson. And if you are chicken, getting on a horse is super easy with the mega mounting block, and helmets are included as well as extra quiet school horses who love mature riders. Every year we have invited the small fry to Horse Day and this year we can't do that because it's on Lydia's wedding day. So instead we're catering to an older crowd with an irresistible finger linkin good price to entice. Only available in April.

If you are looking for a horse that is half puppy dog but has a jump to die for, then Mischief is a must to ride! She is one of the school horses at Country Hill and is now available for part board. She is a small horse, with nice lateral movement, forward to fences and gentle and kind. Contact: [email protected] for more details and information.

How is Emilia? I’ve been asked this a lot since this student left and I’m happy to report that she is doing just fine and enjoying skiing the slope of Austria with her family. She send all of her friends at the farm her greetings Hugs, kisses and love from the sunny and extremely snowy Ischgl :) Emilia... Sorry Stevie, you can’t send carrots over the internetnot yet anyhow.

Don’t be EmbarrassedEmbrace Winter! After a week of weather like the one we’ve had, it’s hard to beat the winter blues, or at least feel a little frustrated. But on last Sunday, our boarders and students did just that. Twenty or so people enjoyed a skate on the frozen farm pond and sipped some pretty amazing chowder! Yes, they all rode before skating too, so the indoor arena has never been more crowded! And judging by the smiles on their faces, they had a great time! Bah... hah winter! Here, at the farm, we don’t require too much of a reason to have a party and goof off, but this one was in honor of Emilia (my outstanding working student), who is now safely at home with her family in Germany. She emailed me to say she already misses all of you, her apartment, and of course, Stevie Wonder (Alyssa’s TB)! Kathy

We have an emerging artist in our midst... Ashelyn Charles drew these two pictures and gave them to Emilia as a farewell gift. She was so touched by their beauty and skill--especially given the young age artist--that she insisted we share them with all. So I offered to post them on CHF FB as I took her to the airport yesterday, with a challenge. If anyone (including Ashelyn) can color one or both of these sketches and submit them to me we will proudly frame and hang them. Tha...nks to all who attended the skate and send off on Sunday for Emilia. Glad you liked the chowder and who knows, maybe that will be the theme of a Country Hill Cooks class in the future. Emilia left yesterday onboard Lufthansa and is safely home in Germany by now. She was very much touched by her Canadian Country Hill Farm friends send off and is already missing the farm, her co-workers, all of you, and of course, Stevie--Alyssa's Wonder Horse.

It may not be the Olympics But for Pugs, it’s HUGE. Country Hill Farm has put a bid a bid in for the annual Running of the Pugs and is being considered by the selection committee. What does this mean for the Farm, for Whiz and for Canad? It put Country Hill Farm on the map for the go to place to enjoy the fastest, the fittest and probably the funniest pugs in the country. Stay tuned and this FB page will keep you UTD with developments. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcXMf6rmafs

Skate on a frozen pond, warm up and say Auf Wiedersehen to Emilia Sunday Feb 3 at 1:30pm on CHF pond and apartment Even if you don’t skate come and say farewell to our wonderful Woofer and Kathy promises to make you a cup of her custom chowder soup. And what would a CHF party be without our signature carrot cake? So come one, come all, and come hungry... See you Sunday!

Christmas Came Early to CHF One of the cards and letters I opened this year was from Workers Safety and Insurance Board and it was a reduction in our rate based on our stellar safety record. WS&IB insures all workers at my farm and because our staff have been relatively accident-free (besides the odd bruise, blister or abrasion), we were awarded a substantially lower rate. In the horse industry this is very unusual for two reasonsmany farms have no disability insurance for ...workers at all; and few can boast a safe environment for all (staff, students and boarders) and the 30-year history of providing just that! I am proud of this record and to all who have taken that little bit of extra time and attention to detail to make this possible. Special mention must go to Trevor Barry and Shraga Bellon who are right there when repairs and maintenance are needed. Having UTD first aider is also a must to keep this ship safely afloat. Thanks to all and to all a healthy, happy and accident-free 2019!

Everyone Was In A Festive Mood Choco is showing off her not so pearly whites at the Christmas Barn Bash. Besides the food (thanks to all contributing bakers and chefs), the absolute highlight was the Obstacle Coursedesigned by Gillian Livingston and Grace Landry. Sarah Martin onboard Skye was kind enough to be our demonstration rider to show all the short stirrup riders how it is done. Each contestant was timed by Emilia Zalewski and Peter Grady judged those who participat...ed on Country Hill Farm ponies. Even some big kids tried their mounts on this devilishly difficult course that included dismounting to scoop some manure into the provide skep pail, then mounting again. Optional, was a pony polo shot on goal with a broom for a reduction in time that many riders opted to try. Finally, congratulations to winner and Western rider Arianna Kinaschuk (who had to compete in English tack due to time restraints). Thanks to all who came out and made these party rockstudents, parents, grandparents, staff, boarders and, of course, the Country Hill herd of horses!

Pasta Anyone? We’re looking forward to a good number of students and boarders coming to the party on Sundaygames at 3 in the barn and food at 5 in the house (entrance is the apartment in front of house. I will be providing a pasta bar for everyone that should cater to all tastes and food preferences. Some people have offered to bring somethingappetizers, dessert, beverages etc. are all welcome, but not necessary. One thing we are never short of at these gatherings is food.... See you Sunday for a little fun, festivities and great food!

Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds" Well these riders are not the Pony Express, delivering the mail of yesteryear, but they are enduring all kinds of crazy weather. Hats off to these hackers. We're working on a name for this fearless group. So far, Extreme Trail Trekkers (ETT) heads the list but feel free to add your suggestion here.

Odyssey Heights Girls School trains at CHF We were delighted to host a program for this innovative private school last week. It incorporates not only working on the horse but stable management and environmental farming practises. It is an integrated and wholistic approach to teaching equestrians and future horsewomen. All the students were keen but this little girl was absolutely ecstatic to be riding and of course, fell in love with her mountSplashwho received many kisses ...and pets. We look forward to hosting this group in the future.

Congratulations to Nicole and Sharon Hudson! Roo, a lovely 13-year-old Clyde-cross mare, has just joined the Country Hill Farm herd. She was purchased on Thursday and seems to be settling in nicely. Say hello to here in the courtyard. She’s very friendly! Our wishes that this partnership will be wonderful with years of joyful adventures and equestrian achievements.

Big Congratulations to Gillian Livingston Victoria Secret has a new owner...and it is no secret. We couldn't be happier with this combo and indeed the bond was established over many years. In celebration the two took off to a local jumper show and kicked up their heels. Both rider and horse excelled but eventing is this mare's future. And it seems that it is in the bloodlines. Seems her sire was a top level eventer and if you follow this link you'll learn all about Halimey. If you follow this link you'll see some great footage of him going cross country. http://www.newspringfarm.com/halimey/index.html Like father, like daughter! I think I speak on behalf of the whole barn that Miss Vicky couldn't have found a better match for her talents than Gill. We wish you a brilliant future and many years of companionship.

Puppy Play Date Everything was going really well with Alyssa's family's new poodle puppy until...the pup decided that Whiz's tail was a chew toy. Then the wiry pug told the pup who was who and the cries rang out. All had a laugh at the reprimand that was duly noted and the play resumed!

Who would like to go to The Royal with Country Hill Farm this year? Gill Livingston would get tickets for Sat. Nov. 3, 2018, the Indoor Eventing final and the Canadian show jumping championship, which will start at 7 pm. The ticket also gets you into the fair for the day to see everything else. It is so much fun!!... Once she has an idea of numbers, Gill will contact the group order desk and find out the price. She can get tickets for those who pay her upfront (via e-transfer, cash or cheque) very soon after ordered (to keep the credit card company happy!). Tickets are somewhere around $60 per person. Please let us know if you can and want to come and how many tickets you wish to order. Tickets can then be picked up at the barn once payment has been received. I will put a sign up sheet in the barn and please do sign up and /or you can contact Gill directly via email [email protected] Thanks Gill for doing this again and getting us fabulous seats and pricesthe more the merrier!!!

Family of 6 Takes First Ride at Country Hill Farm Country Hill staffers welcomed the Betti family who rode together on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. Here the youngest, Heitor, rides on Superpony Splash, and was thrilled to be the fatest on the trot sprint! Pound for pound ponies are stronger than horsessneakier, and sometimes even faster! Needless to say, they had a blast and plan to return this fall.

Country Hill’s Owner-Coach Kathy Fremes is a featured clinician on Sunday Oct 14th. She’ll be looking in the crowd for some friendly faces..come out and learn lots for a fabulous price! https://ontarioequestrian.ca//mastering-show-jumping-cour/ https://ontarioequestrian.ca//quest-excellence-coaching-m/

It was a pleasure meeting you, your husband and Melanie. We had an unforgettable day at the farm. Thank you! The experience of riding a horse for the first time went way over my expectations. Alexandra really liked riding up and down the hill and she also enjoyed the pool. I think that’s why she doesn’t eat fish, she thinks she’s one of them We had such a great day. Viorelia

Stay tuned for more adventures of Wonder Whiz!

The Weather is Steamy....but you find the right spot to scratch and Choco is very happy! This heat wave has been hard on horses and humans alike but a pre-ride message is a wonderful reward for the work to come. Georgia and Choco are both in agreement on that fact!

Ontario Equestrian gets a blue ribbon for its brilliantly staged Clinic Ontario Equestrian gets a blue ribbon for its brilliantly staged Competitive Athlete Development Symposium at Deer Ridge Equestrian in Loretto last weekend. Not only was the venue breathtakingly beautiful, but the line-up of Olympian equestrians and coaches, who donated there time, was spectacular. From the saddle-fitting lecture and hands-on workshop by famed international saddle designer Gene Freeze, t...o the fabulous line-up of dressage and flatwork demonstrations by Olympic athletes and coaches, this was a symposium that raised the bar of excellence to new heights. Included in the roster of riders and coaches are: Canadian Dressage Olympians Christilot Hanson-Boylen, Belinda Trussell and Megan Lane; Olympic eventing riders Selena O’Hanlon and Peter Gray; Show jumper Billie Boylen; and Dressage trainer and judge John MacPherson. The two days were blessed with sunshine, fuelled by gourmet sandwiches, and highlighted by 9 fabulous riding and coaching demonstrations with invaluable question and answer sessions. It provided a rare opportunity for coaches and riders to learn from the best Dressage and Eventing coaches and riders by watching and hearing them in action. Hats off to the organizers of the 2018 OE Competitive Athlete Development Symposium! This one will be hard to top. See more

I'd Like One for CHF This is our 30th anniversary of my farm. When I had my 25th, I gave myself a silhouette sculpture of a soaring horse that is mounted over the stream, just south of the driveway. When I had the extreme pleasure of attending a Competitive Athlete Development Symposium at Deer Ridge I found this sculpture on the gorgeous grounds of this Loretto equestrian centre. I thought that perhaps we should get one...it could be a paddock mate to the flying horse. Anyw...ays, I thought I'd offer it a mint and discuss if it had any siblings who were looking for new pastures. Congratulations to OE for Excellence! Kudos to the Ontario Equestrian who put this two-day clinic together...it was by far the best that I've ever attended! And in the many years I've been a competition coach, mentor, and now coach developer, I've been to plenty! I would like to personally thank OE Director of Sport Pam Coburn, who together with Olympian and Eventing Coach Peter Gray, created this amazing learning opportunity. There were four Olympians who donated their time and expertise to this event! Christilot Boylen, Master Clinician, was the main presenter and mentor to Canadian Dressage team member, Belinda Trussell, treated the crowd to a demonstration rides of advance tests and a free-style performance with Megan Lane and the awesome Christilot. My jaw dropped open when I saw these three ladies strut their stuff on their magnificent dressage mounts. I still haven't closed my mouth--I was so spell bound by the beauty! A couple of my students were lucky enough to attend with me and I will post some of pictures taken. Here's a link to Helen Gajewski's FB where she posted Belinda's test https://www.facebook.com/helen.gajewski//10156556676058252/ For Country Hillers who couldn't make it, you'll get a taste of some of the exercises that I was taught to improve both dressage and event horses footwork. This was an excellent example of how we can learn from other disciplines to improve and hone our horse's talents.

Happy 30th Anniversary Country Hill Farm Every decade must be marked with something special, says Coach Kathy Fremes who takes her first dip in the new pool at her farm! If it looks like I’m in heavenI certainly feel like it! I also want to take this opportunity to thank the many fabulous equestrians and their amazing horses for making the past 30 years the ride of my life!

Horses Don’t Handle the Heat Well Just thought I’d share with you this article about common misconceptions regarding cooling horses in extreme weather. We all shower ourselves frequently at this time to remove the sweat and perspiration from our skin, but did you know that this was equally as important for your horse? Here’s some interesting facts to keep in mind at this time to keep your horse in optimal health when the weather is sweltering. Also watch for dermatological pr...oblemsfungal, bacterial, sunburn or allergic reactions. We’re going through an unprecedented amount of Sudocremeavailable at most drug stores. Under manes and forelocks can fester skin problems. Tails can be treated with MTG when horse itch them. And even the genital areas can need special attention and cleaning at this time. https://www.equisearch.com/arti/cooling-out-hot-horse-17252

WowWhat Sweltering Weather I would like to give a big shout out to my fabulous staff who despite record high temperatures have managed to keep our CHF horses as cool and comfortable as possible. Special mention to Trevor Barry who spotted a high temperature on a horse that seemed otherwise normal. I think he could have very easily prevented a tragedy with his insight. We don’t know for sure what caused Solitaire to spike a deadly 105 fever but we suspect it was Potomac Horse... Fever or possibly West Nile. In any case, Solly is now worth his salt (horses that have been exposed to sleeping sickness at all and have lived to tell the tale are considered very valuable). Also, Marlee, our new arrival suffered a fracture to her foot but soldiered-on despite her pain and looked after the animals and an injured rider with a shattered shoulder. And Grace, who despite her own heat exhaustion, managed to shower off all the horses that required it while the temperature climbed to 34C and the humid index made it feel like 41! The test of a true horseman (or woman) is a person who puts the needs of the animal before their own and this week has demonstrated how dedicated my staff is to make the horses who reside here their priority. Kudos all!

Congratulations to Country Hill Riders! Not only did Gillian Livingston and Victoria Secret win their division at Glen Arden yesterday, they deserve an extra pat on the back for putting in a personal bestgorgeous dressage test (despite the estrus cycle); stellar jumping round (despite the distracting food booth upwind from the ring); and fabulous cross country round (with extra kudos for seat of the pants riding on Gill’s part). Second, but definitely not in my mind was Grac...e Landry who put in another personal best in dressagefirst in her division! I didn’t think that school horse Wimbledon (affectionately call my ‘No Frills’ horse) could look so regal! True to form he sailed over the cross country and just rubbed a rail on stadium. He was a mere .1% off being tied with first place. Both riders won the draw for a new Tipperary helmet and Grace has already placed her order for one in her colorswhat will Gill choose? Although Victoria favors pinkas per her ‘brand’I can’t see that being her rider’s choice. Think hard as both are being fitted at Tipperary headquarters soon with a helmet style of their choice and color. And let’s face it.on cross it’s all about the color combo and fashion statement. A final big pat on the back to our groom extraordinaire, Helen Gajewski. Between holding horses and helping the riders prepare for each event and offering rain jackets to whomever needed one, she managed to make it on time to the dressage ring, stadium and x-country courses to film all efforts. (Did I mention that in a previous career she was a photo journalist.) We’ll be posting videos of her very professional work shortly so stay tuned! I am so proud of you both! Coach Kathy Fremes

Many were treated to their first experience in the saddle. If you were one and want to return for more riding adventures then contact [email protected] with the subject heading "Horse Day Special!" We have a deal just for you.

Horse Day Shout Outs Thank you to Grace Landry, Nicole Hudson, Winnie Chiu and Maya Rourke for being outstanding volunteers who pulled ponies and horses around the hot sand ring all afternoon to the glee of all participated, many who had never ridden before in their lives! Over 100 people attended CHF that day.... Thanks to all the volunteers who, without their kind assistance, this would not have been such a success!

Horse Psychological Study Being Conducted at CHF Recently a prominent animal psychologist conducted a simple test to demonstrate that horses herd instinct are even stronger than their instinct to find food. In this case note how the horse keeps looking for his herd mate (Wimbledon), and doesn't desire the apple even though that was clearly the reward for doing what handler requested. Helen Gajewski (also videographer) promised a treat when she beckoned Cassius. Surprised? ... Try this "experiment" with your horse. There is one more factor here to consider...and that is human companionship. Clearly, though we humans pay the bills for our horses--we rank last on their list of loves. Sad but true. Gotta ya!!! Even though this story is made up the footage is REAL. And probably so are the "findings" of this false study.