2010 Calendar
Events, Dressage and Equitation Shows
| Month | Date | Show | Opens |
| January | 23 | Stoneleigh Burnham School Dressage Show | |
| March | 27 | Stoneleigh Burnham School Dressage Show | |
| April | 10 | Stoneleigh Burnham School Dressage Show | |
| 24 | Stoneleigh Burnham School Dressage Show | ||
| May | 8 | CVDA at GMHA Critique | |
| 9 | CVDA at GMHA Dressage Show | ||
| 22 | Stoneleigh Burnham School Dressage Show | ||
| June | 5 | Morton Farm (Dartmouth) Equitation Show | |
| 26 | Morton Farm (Dartmouth) Equitation Show | ||
| July | 6-9 | D4K Youth Championship Dressage (must qualify) | |
| 16 | Vershire Event | ||
| 21 | Hitching Post Farm Event | ||
| August | 7 | Morton Farm (Dartmouth) Equitation Show | |
| 7 | Vershire Event | ||
| 18 | Hitching Post Farm Event | ||
| 21 | Vershire Event | ||
| 21 | Morton Farm (Dartmouth) Equitation Show | ||
| 21 | CVDA Summer Show | 7/26 | |
| September | 26 | CVDA Fall Dressage Show | 8/20 |
| October | 9 | Hitching Post Farm Event | |
| updated 5/10 |
Recognized Dressage Shows
| Month | Date | Show | Opens |
| May | 28-30 | Dressage at Saratoga | 3/1 |
| June | 17-20 | GMHA June Dressage Days | 4/9 |
| July | 22-25 | GMHA July Dressage Days | 5/28 |
| August | 13-15 | Vermont Dressage Days | |
| September | 14-19 | NEDA Fall Festival, Saugerties NY | 7/19 |
| October | 1-3 | GMHA Dressage Days | |
| updated 05/10 |
Recommended Clinics
| Month | Date | Clinic | Opens |
| July | 17-18 | Kathy Connelly, So Stratford VT | 6/22 |
| October | 24 | Cavalletti Clinic with Jerry Schurink | 9/12 |
| updated 5/10 |
Clinics at First Choice
We are very honored to have some wonderful clinicians come here to First
Choice. They usually offer private and semi-private lessons, but if you feel
that you aren't quite ready for that yet, auditing is a great chance to
learn something new from the experts.
Our students should discuss whether they are ready for a particular clinic with their trainer. If they do attend, we ask that they dress appropriately - please see What to Wear for Clinics.
Check out Hoofpicks
to find out more and to sign up online.
Shows
We offer the ability to enjoy horse showing at a variety of levels. Whether you are ready for the entry level competition
or more, we try to provide all of the options. Not only do we travel to away shows
in NH, VT, MA or NY, but we hold our own in-house competitions too. Become part
of the excitement of not only your own success, but that of the entire First
Choice family! We encourage a feeling of teamwork at home and away. Feel the
pride as you post your ribbon up with those of the seasoned riders. Whether
you have the show of your life or an off day, you'll always be part of the
team.
Horse show riders will always need the proper attire, a white fitted saddle pad, and a clean grooming kit of their own for shows. See What to wear for shows for more information.
Show prep is always a busy, yet fun time. When First Choice goes to a show, we want all eyes on us, so the prep is key: black horses need to be black, grey horses need to be silver/white, braids need to be neat, tight, and uniform, and tack needs to sparkle. We start with show prep after 1 pm the day before the show with horses being schooled, then bathed and braided. The great part about this time is that you see the magic of the barn with the older kids helping younger kids, horses standing tolerantly, and the overall buzz about the show to come. The kids can expect an impromptu inspection from a trainer to be sure the goals of a good turn out are being met. Many times you will see a trainer suds up a horse to display the "art of scrubbing with elbow grease" to produce a shiny clean horse. In the aisle, you'll hear, "Will you braid my horse if I clean your tack?" Or "Does anyone have any clippers?" Preparing as a group strengthens the continuity of the "team" that goes out to the shows.
Parents laugh because many show prep days fall on Fridays, which is Pizza Party Day for summer camp and barn rats at lunchtime, but when the kids are asked what they want for dinner at the farm, the unanimous answer is "Pizza"!
If show prep does not fit into your schedule, we do offer a show prep service to prepare your horse the day before a show.
All riders need grooms and so we ask that those who are showing, do at least one show as a full time groom.
First Choice Home Shows
Our home shows have something for everyone. All ages and abilities are welcome. Come and have a lot of fun while showing all that you have learned.
Check out Hoofpicks to find out more and to sign up online.
2010 Show Fees
Please note that the fees are exactly the same as last year. We are always trying to make sure that we make the sport as affordable as possible. These fees are with a three horse minimum and will slightly increase if less than three horses are going.
Show fees include transport and coaching.
| Show Location | Owned Horse | Leased Horse | Non-leased Horse |
| Morton Farm | $100 | $125 | $125 |
| Hitching Post Farm | $200 | $225 | $250 |
| Vershire Riding School | $200 | $225 | $250 |
| GMHA* | $200 | $225 | $250 |
| FCRA Home Show | $20 | $45 | $45 |
| updated 6/10 |
*If a show is more than one day, then add $45 for coaching each additional day.
Please note that these are package fees for coaching, transport, and horse use. If you would like to have a coach at a show and you own your own horse, the coaching fees are as follows:
- Dressage Show - First test $45, Second test $30, same plan for day two, $35 for half hour lesson day before show
- Horse Show - $70
- Event - $90
If there are shows or rides that you would like to go to, and you don't own a horse, and you can not arrange a coach that doesn't mean you cannot go. We will allow certain horses off the property with more advanced students for a daily fee of $100.
If you would like to go somewhere and you need transport, please feel free to contact Bob.
If you would like to participate in a show and you are unable to prepare your horse for show, that is not a problem. We will prepare your horse: bathed, trimmed, and braided for $75. If you need someone to braid your horse, we can provide that as well for $25. Please provide the specific products that you would like used on your horse or tack.
Please note that when you sign up on the bulletin board for a show you are making a commitment and will be charged for the show whether you go or not. Please check before you sign up so that we don't have any confusion.
We will be schooling at the Shaker Hill site across the lake. If you want to join us and ride independently, please do, we will charge $30 for the trip. OR if you want to schedule us to take you and some friends somewhere to trail ride, just let us know. We will be charging transport fees of $2 per mile and are happy to go anywhere! We will have a three horse minimum for excursions.
See you at the show!