We have decided to move...

So I finally have a few minutes to make a post that many of you have already heard through the grapevine. Paul and I have decided to sell Timberlane Farm. I am taking a job riding for Patrick Burssens at IDA Farm in Wellingon, FL and will develop a business as a freelance instructor and trainer in South Florida as well. Patrick is the owner of Don Fredo and I can't even begin to express how excited I am to pursue this new phase of my equestrian career. However, it is a bittersweet decision, as I have absolutely loved my life here at Timberlane Farm. I have so many wonderful friends, passionate clients, talented horses and vivid memories. I will miss everything!! However, I am not planning to disappear to Wellyworld never to be seen again! The only way I could sell the farm was to be assured that everything that is Timberlane could continue to develop. As sometimes happens in life, all the stars aligned, and as the opportunity with Patrick presented itself, an opportunity to sell the business also presented itself. My former student and young rider star, Stacy (Gormley) Posthumus moved back to Michigan this spring, bringing her training,import and sales business to town. After getting married in the summer, she and her husband Bryan decided they would like to have their own farm. A match was made! Stacy and Bryan will continue all the programs at Timberlane: training programs, the riding academy, clinics, showing, and pony camps. I could not be more thrilled to be passing the reins, so to speak, to one of the original talents to come out of Timberlane. So, in less than a month, Paul, Sage, Poppyseed Gelato, Stewart Paxton Moore 1, and I will be packing up and heading to our new adventure in Wellington! Thank goodness for Facebook so I will be able to keep in touch with everyone on a minute by minute basis!!

Love to you all,

Laurie

Friesian Quadrille

Four of Laurie's long-time students are performing in an exhibition today at Concord Ridge Equestrian Center near St. Joseph. Today is Concord's open house so if you are looking for an entertaining horse event, head down and watch a spectacular quadrille at 2pm and tour the new Concord facility.

Patrick Burssens Clinic, July 30 & 31

Saturday, July 30 at RIVERWOOD
8:30 Kate Scheltema - Capone
9:15 Katrina Oosting - Poldi
10:00 Katrina Oosting - Waldenfels
10:45 Val Noblet - Hotero
11:30 Kris Graye - Samurei
12:15 Kate Scheltema
1:00 LUNCH at RIVERWOOD
1:30 Lisa Seeley - Danny
2:15 Julie Wallace - Delphine
3:00 Travel to TIMBERLANE
3:15 Sally Alksnis – Nigel
4:00 Sue Bardins – Chase
4:45 Laurie Moore – Don Fredo

Sunday, July 31 at RIVERWOOD
7:30 Kate Scheltema - Capone
8:15 Kris Graye - Samurei
9:00 Katrina Oosting - Poldi
9:45 Katrina Oosting - Waldenfels
10:30 Elisabeth Scheltema
11:15 Val Noblet - Hotero
12:00 Julie Wallace - Delphine
12:45 LUNCH at RIVERWOOD
1:30 Lisa Seeley - Danny
2:15 Travel to TIMBERLANE
2:30 Sally Alksnis – Nigel
3:15 Sue Bardins – Chase
4:00 Laurie Moore – Don Fredo

August 2011 Pony Week is FULL

August appears to be a popular month to attend pony week.

There are no more slots available as of today.

Look for more pony opportunities during the holidays at the Timberlane Farm web site.

Christine Traurig Clinic 7/10-11

SUNDAY
8.30 Robin Todd - Tart - 2nd Level Trakehner mare
9.15 Robyn Weston - Willow - PSG/II Hanoverian gelding
10.00 Laurie Moore - Don Fredo - Tr Level Oldenburg gelding
10.45 Andrea Landis - Oley - 2nd Level Qtr Horse gelding
11.30 Linda Chesser - Sultan - 1st Level Dutch gelding
12.15 LUNCH
1.15 Sally Alksnis - Nigel - 4th level Dutch gelding
2.00 Sue Bardins - Chase - 4th level Trakehner gelding
2.45 Pam Hegland - Letizia - 4th level Westfalen mare
3.30 Kelly Gormley - Max - 1st Level gelding
4.15 Holly Durcan - Zealand - 2nd Level Lusitano gelding

MONDAY
8.30 Robyn Weston - Willow - PSG/II Hanoverian gelding
9.15 Linda Chesser - Sultan - 1st Level Dutch gelding
10.00 Laurie Moore - Don Fredo - Tr Level Oldenburg gelding
10.45 Kerrigan Gulch - Oley - 2nd Level Qtr Horse gelding
11.30 Barb Anderson - Fidelis - 3rd level Rhinelander gelding
12.15 LUNCH
1.15 Sally Alksnis - Nigel - 4th level Dutch gelding
2.00 Pam Hegland - Letizia - 4th level Westfalen mare
2.45 Robin Todd - Tart - 2nd Level Trakehner mare
3.30 Laurie Moore
4.15 Stacy Posthumus - Carmelo- Tr Level Lusitano gelding

Patrick Burssens Clinic 5/21-22

Saturday, May 21
Starts at Connie Oosting's Riverwood Farm

8:00 Connie Oosting- Walden

8:30 Connie Oosting- Poldi

9:15 Val Noblet- Wonder Boy

10:00 TRAVEL TO TIMBERLANE FARM

10:30 Whitney Petersen or Tonya Crittenden- Filius

11:15 Laurie Moore- Letizia

12:00 Tina Miller- Lyric

12:45 LUNCH

1:15 Sue Bardins- Chase

2:00 Laurie- Don Fredo

2:45 Sally Alksnis- Nigel

3:30 Stacy Gormley Posthumus- Black Label

4:15 Pam Heglund- Chanel

5:00 Stacy Gormley Posthumus- Zander


Sunday May 22
Starts at Connie Oosting's Riverwood Farm

7:30 Connie Oosting- Walden

8:00 Connie Oosting- Poldi

8:45 TRAVEL TO TIMBERLANE FARM

9:00 BRUNCH BEGINS

9:00 Pam Heglund- Chanel

9:45 Kelly Gormley- Cafe

10:30 Stacy Gormley Posthumus- Zealand

11:15 Laurie Moore- Letizia

12:00 BREAK

12:15 Tina Miller- Lyric

1:00 Laurie Moore- Don Fredo

1:45 Sally Alksnis- Nigel

2:30 Sue Bardins- Chase

3:15 Tammy Sweetman- Polensio

Christine Traurig Clinic Schedule

SATURDAY
8 Kathryn Barry - Veggie
8.45 Debbie Schaefer - Petra - Tr. level Fresian mare
9.30 Andrea Landis - Oley - 2nd Level Qtr Horse gelding
10.15 Laurie Moore - Letizia - 4th level Westfalen mare
11.00 Pam Hegland - Chanel - 1st Level Draft Cross mare
11.45 Barb Anderson - Fidelis - 3rd level Rhinelander gelding
12.30 LUNCH
1.30 Stacey Gormley - Black Label- 2nd Level Lusitano stallion
2.15 Linda Chesser - Sultan - 1st Level Dutch gelding
3.00 Stacey Gormley - Zander - 3rd level Dutch gelding
3.45 Sue Bardins - Chase - 4th level Trakehner gelding
4.30 Sally Alksnis - Nigel - 4th level Dutch gelding

SUNDAY (HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY)
9 Kathryn Barry - Veggie
9.45 Debbie Schaefer - Petra - Tr. level Fresian mare
10.30 Andrea Landis - Oley - 2nd Level Qtr Horse gelding
11.15 Laurie Moore - Letizia - 4th level Westfalen mare
12.00 Pam Hegland - Chanel - 1st Level Draft Cross mare
12.45 LUNCH
1.45 Linda Chesser - Sultan - 1st Level Dutch gelding
2.30 Barb Anderson - Fidelis - 3rd level Rhinelander gelding
3.15 Sue Bardins - Chase - 4th level Trakehner gelding
4.00 Sally Alksnis - Nigel - 4th level Dutch gelding

Jeremy Steinberg Clinic Schedule

Saturday
8:00 Robyn Weston- Willow
Owner- Robyn Weston
PSG/I1 2000 Hanoverian Gelding

8:45 Kelly Day- Piaf
Owner- Kelly Day
3rd Level 1997 KWPN Gelding

9:30 Whitney Petersen- Filius
Owner- Tonya Crittenden
1st Level 2005 Westphalian Gelding

10:15 Hillary Holman- Prince Figaro
Owner- Hillary Holman
3rd/4th Level 2005 Oldenburg Gelding

11:00 Laurie Moore- Letizia
Owner- Betty Jo Crosby/Laurie Moore
4th Level 2003 Oldenburg Mare

11:45 Sherri Timmerman- Ravello
Owner- Sherri Timmerman
1st/2nd Level 2005 Oldenburg Gelding

12:30 Lunch

1:15 Jillian Johnson- Noah’s Art
Owner- Jillian Johnson
2nd/3rd Level 2004 KWPN/Swedish Gelding

2:00 Kerrigan Gluch- Bijoux
Owner- Kerrigan Gluch
FEI Junior/3rd Level 1999 Oldenburg Mare

2:45 Cecilia Rouvillois- Olena by the Bay
Owner- Andrea Landis
1st Level 2004 Quarter Horse Gelding

3:30 Emma Leestma- Polensio
Owner- Tamsyn Sweetman
PSG/I1 1997 KWPN Gelding

4:15 Fine Hoetzel- Sultan
Owner- Lynda Chesser
3rd Level 1997 KWPN Gelding

5:00 Marlena Vanderstreek- Restore the Roar
Owner- Marlena Vanderstreek
1st /2nd Level 2003 Thoroughbred Gelding

Sunday
7.30 Robyn Weston- Willow
Owner- Robyn Weston
PSG/I1 2000 Hanoverian Gelding

8.15 Kelly Day- Piaf
Owner- Kelly Day
3rd Level 1997 KWPN Gelding

9.00 Whitney Petersen- Filius
Owner- Tonya Crittenden
1st Level 2005 Westphalian Gelding

9.45 Hillary Holman- Prince Figaro
Owner- Hillary Holman
3rd/4th Level 2005 Oldenburg Gelding

10.30 Laurie Moore- Letizia
Owner- Betty Jo Crosby/Laurie Moore
4th Level 2003 Oldenburg Mare

11.15 Sherri Timmerman- Ravello
Owner- Sherri Timmerman
1st/2nd Level 2005 Oldenburg Gelding

12.00 Lunch

12.30 Jillian Johnson- Noah’s Art
Owner- Jillian Johnson
2nd/3rd Level 2004 KWPN/Swedish Gelding

1.15 Kerrigan Gluch- Bijoux
Owner- Kerrigan Gluch
FEI Junior/3rd Level 1999 Oldenburg Mare

2.00 Cecilia Rouvillois- Olena by the Bay
Owner- Andrea Landis
1st Level 2004 Quarter Horse Gelding

2.45 Emma Leestma- Polensio
Owner- Tamsyn Sweetman
PSG/I1 1997 KWPN Gelding

3.30 Fine Hoetzel- Sultan
Owner- Lynda Chesser
3rd Level 1997 KWPN Gelding

4.15 Marlena Vanderstreek- Restore the Roar
Owner- Marlena Vanderstreek
1st /2nd Level 2003 Thoroughbred Gelding

Spring?

Despite the current layer of snow, we are determined to note that Spring has sprung and we are excitedly preparing for our pre-show season clinic series: April 30-May1, USEF National Youth Coach Jeremy Steinberg, May 7-8 USET Olympic Bronze Medalist Christine Traurig, May 21-22 Pan American Gold Medalist and Venezuelan Team Coach Patrick Burssens.

We are thrilled to offer West Michigan this collection of such highly esteemed professionals. Each clinic is full for rider spots. Call Timberlane Farm at 616.868.0448 if you would like to be put on a waiting list. Auditing is open for all 3 clinics. You may sign up online at www.timberlanefarm.com. To receive the complimentary boxed lunch for the Steinberg Clinic, please have payment to Timberlane by Monday, April 25.

Our Steinberg Clinic is being sponsored by Millbrook Tack, JW Saddlery, Custom Saddlery, and Sporthorse Saddlery.
JW Saddlery will be onsite offering saddle fitting and reflocking.
Sheryl DeWeerd of Equestrian Specialties will also be onsite with her custom saddlery and equipment bags.

Finally, we will be hosting a used tack and clothing sale. If you are interested in selling anything at the sale, please contact our coordinator, Leslie Goebel at lelbelle@yahoo.com. 10% of all profits will be donated to the USDF Region 2 Junior Young Rider team to help cover the costs of attending the North American Junior Young Rider Championships in Lexington, KY this summer.

We hope to see many of you at the the clinics this spring!

Jeremy Steinberg Youth Clinic

Timberlane Farm is pleased to announce a clinic by USEF Youth Coach, Jeremy Steinberg on April 30 & May 1, 2011. We plan to fill this clinic with youth riders and their coaches and strongly encourage adult amateurs to participate as auditors.
More information can be found at timberlanefarm.com or the flyer here.

Two other activities are being planned for the weekend. A used clothing and tack sale, with a percentage of all sales being donated to the Region 2 Junior Young Rider Team, will be held throughout the weekend. Also, a Saturday night dinner/lecture event with Jeremy is scheduled. Information on these events will be forthcoming.

Vaulting Horse Needed

The Timberlane Vaulters, a non-profit, registered 501(c)3 Equestrian vaulting club, is seeking a horse for purchase or donation as the club's future team canter horse.
Club's price limit is $5000 to buy but can consider any priced horse for donation with full tax write-off benefits. The horse type we are seeking has these characteristics: 16.3h or bigger with a long back, gelding preferred, calm, easy going temperament, balanced canter is very important, between ages of 6 & 15 yrs, possible breeds: Warmblood, Draft Cross, Quarter Horse Cross.
No vaulting experience is necessary, as we will train the horse. Horse needs to be serviceably sound and can require some maintenance. Horse will have a great home and will be adored by many children.

A Cold February Morning

It is mighty cold this morning, so time for a little blog update!

As I teach here at Timberlane and around the country, I am constantly evaluating what it is that makes an effective, harmonious rider. This contemplation has lead me to pick up a few of my old stand by books, as well as buying some new authors. My latest purchase, Kottas on Dressage, was inspired by the visiting Lipizzaner show. Arthur Kottas was the First Chief Rider at the Famous Spanish Riding School of Vienna. His book is wonderfully simple and to the point. A rider must have a well developed seat. "The rider shapes the horse." "Why a good seat is so important. The right posture gives you security and comfort; it will influence the stability of the rider/horse combination and determine any change of balance. It is a major aid; everything else is only ancillary. It is the most important tool of communication between horse and rider: any change of posture is a strong aid to the horse." He goes on to define the rider's position, discusses training the seat on the lunge, and then works through the three gaits, various movements, common faults and how to correct them. If you are interested in reading further, I have added the book to my recommended list on the website.

http://astore.amazon.com/timfardrellc-20

As winter drags on, I am planning another trip to Florida. A group of my students from the clinic in Del ray is showing at the Wellington Classic, March 11-13. If you are interested in taking a break from cold, join me! The show is a CDI and promises many big names!

The first of April, I will be heading to the Oldenburg auction in Vechta, Germany to scout out some new young talent to import. I am very excited. Anyone wanting to join in this shopping trip is also welcomed!

That brings us to May, when show season takes off! I can't wait to get back to riding outside and prepping for shows. Until then, remember, "A superficially correct but tense seat will create stiffness and anxiety in the horse. Only if the rider is free from such tension can the horse be relaxed." "The best seat is one that allows the horse, in any given exercise, to be in balance and develop impulsion (forward thrust) with minimum interference from the rider."

Happy reading and happy riding!

Laurie