| Posted at 10:40 AM on January 19, 2010 |
Check it Out!
In the column "Stable Thinking" (Page 62) of the brand new February Issue of "Horse Illustrated". Crystal is quoted as a consulting expert in the article.
We have a very good relationship with the columnist - so look for more expert quotes from Crystal in future issues!
Horse Illustrated has the largest distribution of any equine magazine in the U.S. - Congratulations to Cathy Atkinson for becoming a regular columnist - and to Crystal for being a "consulting expert". Way to go girls!
Also - As usual, we are having a blast riding at Cedar Hill - If you have not been around lately, you may not know that Friday night is "Girls-Ride Night". It is just a fun time for the ladies to ride together - If you have got the post-holiday blues - get your buns in the saddle and come join us!!! Also the Ranch Roping Fellowship has continued every other weekend. We have not been putting these on the web-site, so if you are interested - give us a call or email.
Thank You,
Mike and Crystal Baker
Cedar Hill Training Center
"Where the Horse Comes First and Winning Comes Naturally"
360-894-1175
www.CedarHillTraining.com
| Posted at 10:19 AM on December 22, 2009 |
Hi Folks,
The Christmas Party was great fun and thank you to everyone who brought delicious food and fun gifts for the gift exchange. Sorry, there are really no pictures to share as we completely forgot to break out the camera. But between the food, the gifts, the UFC fights, the "Rock Band" girls, the "Air Soft Battle" boys (outside of course), the air-hockey, two outside camp-fires, and of course the roasting chestnuts, it seemed like everyone had a great time.
These are very exciting times at Cedar Hill. If you are part of the Cedar Hill Nation, you are part of a unique team with a common philosophy on horsemanship that is different from many (most) other barns. We always put the health and welfare of our horses first and we all work to support each other in a wide variety of equine activities, promoting good gentle, but firm, horsemanship. Cedar Hill is one of the few (possibly the only) Stables in this area that is growing and thriving. However, we don't want anyone to feel like they are being left out or left behind. - So, Don't get left behind! - stay connected and be a part of it. Below are two more ways to be connected before the end of the year:
1. Ranch Roping this Saturday, December 19th 10:00am - this is a Christian Outreach and is opened to EVERYONE, horse or no-horse, if you want to learn about traditional cowboy ways and values, and of course roping - join us!
2. Cedar Hill New Year's Eve Party, December 31st - Twister Tournament, The Ultimate "Rock Band" Tournament (with cash-ish prizes), Air Hockey competition, perhaps another Silly-String Showdown and whatever other fun events we can think up. Countdown to the New Year with us.
There are lots of new faces at Cedar Hill and lots of great new people, It is a very exciting time to be part of the Cedar Hill Family. We really want to encourage everyone to come to each of the social events and be a part of the fun, excitement and growth that we are experiencing. So come join us! If you are not already here, what are you waiting for?
It is time for annual reviews and goal-setting for 2010. If you are planning to show with Cedar Hill in 2010 - we need to hear from you with the following information: What shows do you plan to attend in 2010? What events do wish to compete in? What are your overall goals in horsemanship for 2010 and beyond? We will meet with each client individually to discuss your goals and plan for the upcoming season. Please respond by email as soon as possible.
Also, lesson slots and training openings for 2010 are almost full. If you are not currently booked for training in 2010 or are planning to take lessons and do not currently have a time slot - YOU NEED TO CONTACT US ASAP. We are looking forward to a great 2010!
| Posted at 09:59 AM on September 15, 2009 |
Hi Everyone,
This is another very exciting weekend! We will be at the Pinto "Poor-Boy Jubilee" Show at the Tacoma Unit. We have a very light crew attending the show, but the Celebration on Saturday night will be fantastic! We would like to invite everyone from the Cedar Hill Nation to attend!!!
We will be honoring the accomplishments of two Cedar Hill competitors:
Katie Mayer will be celebrating her Youth Championship with Krysta. We are very proud of Katie and excited to have her back on "the Hill" (that's Cedar Hill) - great work Katie!!
Now for an announcement that we are exceptionally proud of:
Darri Leavitt and Cyskho will be celebrating their "Legion of Merit"!!! Cyshko is the first breeding stock Pinto to reach this level in 30 years!!!!! He is also only the second breeding stock in the 50 year history of the Pinto Association to reach this level at all!!
Come watch a championship ride that will not soon be forgotten. Hear the story of this amazing partnership between a man and a horse crippled at birth (that's right...crippled at birth). Come and witness what hard work, dedication and always "putting your horse first" can lead to. This will be a very special night for all of us at Cedar Hill and we are honored to host the celebration.
Of course we will fire up the barbeque at 6:30pm as always. We will supply burgers and hot dogs, please bring your favorite side dish to share!!
Saturday Night - This is truly a landmark event, plan to be there!! This will also be the last show of the year at which we will be hosting a big barbeque/cookout. So come join the fun!!!
******PS also look for Gavin Baker featured in an upcoming edition of the "Nisqually Valley News". Mike, Rob and Gavin attended a traditional "Ranch Roping Clinic" last weekend and Gavin was interviewed and photographed a whole bunch! Also, if anyone else is interested in Traditional Ranch Roping - the guys are hooked and we will be roping on the Hill - come join us!
OOPS!! - A FEW MORE THINGS
Crystal will be Showing Tada, Meredith Coard's 1/2 Arab for the first time this weekend! Very Exciting!!
Also: Congratulations to Josie Owens for the Sale of her Young Paint "Chaser" and an equal Congratulations to Randy Coard for his purchase of Chaser (an excellent choice).
Chaser is a great young Paint Gelding that we recently started at Cedar Hill. Look for Randy hangin' with the boys in Western Games, on the trails and who knows...ranch roping?
Also: Congratulations to Josie Owens again for the Sale of her Pinto Pony "Ditto". Although Ditto was only in training for a brief time, we are very excited for Josie's successful sale. Two horses in two months....not bad in today's market Josie!!!
Chaser's sale reminds us. We are starting horses again! Mostly because we have been unable to find anyone else who meets our high standards and expectations in this area. We have a fantastic program that has been proven again and again. We will only start two horses at a time (because of the extra demands), so space is limited and we are already partially booked up for the winter - we just keep forgetting to mention this to our established clientele (sorry).
***If you want your horse started correctly and gently, without unnecessary injury, trauma and drama - contact us NOW to book a spot this winter.
Thank You,
Mike and Crystal Baker
Cedar Hill Training Center
"Where the Horse Comes First and Winning Comes Naturally"
360-894-1175
www.CedarHillTraining.com
| Posted at 01:26 PM on August 26, 2009 |
Hello Everyone,
In case you missed the last show here are the results along with other great Cedar Hill Accomplishments (my apologies to anyone that I missed):
Darri Leavitt and Cyskho - High Point - Open Breeding Stock
- Reserve Champion in the Cascade Pinto Saddle Series!
- He missed the saddle by only 10 points!! - I must give congratulations to Darri as the Breeding Stock Division ran full classes all weekend (which is more than most of the other divisions can say). It was not like the old days of Breeding Stock with just a few horses. Very tough competition and competing against great quality stock types as well - great job Darri!
Mike Baker and Desi - Saddle Series Winner! - Open Western Games Division
- It wasn't pretty, but it was fast (well...fast enough). A beautiful gaming saddle by American Saddlery was awarded (see the website for a picture www.CedarHillTraining.com)
Sylvia Leavitt and Lacey knocked off more objectives toward their Supreme. Jodie Trueblood pulled Legacy out of retirement and is very close to getting her Supreme as well. Jodie also showed her new prospect Annie. Jennifer Freudenstein and Khachina had a fun time (as usual), and Maddison and Shadey had a couple of great goes in the games. Katie Mayer showed Dakota for the first time in many years - it was really nice to see them in the arena - watch out for those two in the future! Deana and Levi had their very first Showmanship Class and debut on the Pinto circuit - excellent job! Also, Crystal showed Levi for the first time in the Open Hunter type classes, they placed consistently with first and second places...and with only three classes shown, placed 4th in the overall show standings! (what if they had shown in four classes?!!)
Rumble in the Arena! - It was the big talk at the show - Fame (the formerly naughty Saddlebred stallion) decided to test Crystal's resolve (it was inevitable) - results:
Fame - 0
Crystal - undefeated
Amazingly, despite the knock-down, drag-out fight, they pulled a Grand Champion and Two Reserve Champions! Wow! Fame is a really cool black and white stud and should make some outstanding babies. He has actually become one of Crystal's favorites to work with. Keep an eye out for him - he's a good lookin' boy!
Also more congrats:
Joy and Snickers: Great Job at the Pierce County Fair they will be representing their age group at State Fair. They cleaned up in the driving categories! Also:
For year end awards, Joy and Snickers earned the Driving Showmanship High Point perpetual trophy.
Joy and Snickers also earned the Driving High Point Overall perpetual trophy. (see pictures at www.CedarHillTraining.com) Great work Joy!
Crystal DeRocher and Ziggy qualified for State! Those of you who know Ziggy's background know that this is a HUGE accomplishment - this has been a real labor of love for Crystal - Awesome!
Kathy Atkinson and Gossip Girl cleaned up at a recent benefit show for rescue horses. Good work Kathy! Also, Gossip Girl is a very nice POA rescue who is looking for new home, let us know if you are interested.
We will be spending the next few weeks getting caught up around the farm and getting ready for the September Jubilee show - there will be some more awards and announcements before then so...stay tuned!
www.CedarHillTraining.com
Thank You,
Mike and Crystal Baker
Cedar Hill Training Center
"Where the Horse Comes First and Winning Comes Naturally"
360-894-1175
www.CedarHillTraining.com
| Posted at 03:51 PM on July 20, 2009 |
Sorry we haven't put out an update in while, but we've been busier than a woodpecker in a petrified forest! Read on for congratulations, important updates and fun upcoming events:
First and Foremost! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
Darri Leavitt and Cyskho - AHA Region 5:
CHAMPION - AM Obstacle Trail
RES. CHAMPION - Open Obstacle Trail
TOP 5 - AM Western Pleasure Select (that one deserves an extra "Woo-Hoo!!!" - very competitive class)
Stay tuned as we will soon tell the story of this amazing horse who (believe it or not) was crippled at birth!
We are extremely proud of the following Cedar Hill Clients for earning the highest levels of Lifetime achievement awards with the Pinto Horse Association of America:
Jodie Trueblood and Legacy - Legion of Merit!!
Jennifer Freudenstien and Khachina - Supreme Champion!!
Julie Sampson and Mikkahla - Amateur Champion!!
*** This represents years of hard work and discipline (and good training). Each of these competitors will be honored with a Championship exhibition ride and presentation at the Big Six show this weekend. We are extremely proud of each of them (...and we will party Saturday night!)
Congratulations to Crystal Derocher who has taken Ziggy to the level of winning solid blues and high blues! - For those of you who have been following their journey - it is pretty awesome!
Also big congrats to Joy and Snickers who won the High Point Ribbon at the last show (woo-hoo!) as well as Grand Champion in Showmanship and Grand Champion in Driving Dressage!! - Great job!
WHAT'S UP? CHECK IT OUT AT www.CedarHillTraining.com it's our own new domain and it is finally ready for the public to see. See Upcoming Events, learn about our training philosophy, and about Crystal's background as a trainer. See current photos (even from last weekend's horse camping trip).
This weekend is the Pinto "Big Six" Show at the Tacoma Unit in Spanaway. This is always a fun show and we will, of course, barbecue on Saturday night. Some of you may have seen the Beautiful (but naughty) Black and White Saddlebred Stallion "Fame" at the last Pinto show. After only 45 days with Crystal this guy is looking better, behaving better and going back in the show pen. Come root for the rest of the Cedar Hill Crew as well.
Barbeque will start at 6:30pm on Saturday night - all Cedar Hill Clients are welcomed. We will supply the basics: Hamburgers, Hot Dogs & Potatoe Salad (no charge for Cedar Hill peeps) - but we look forward to any extra goodies you would like to bring and share with the rest of the Cedar Hill Nation. Let's party and celebrate some amazing accomplishments! That's a BIG WOOO - HOOOO!!!!!
Next weekend...Camping at the beach (check out that web site!)!! See you soon!!
| Posted at 02:40 AM on June 29, 2009 |
| Posted at 05:57 PM on May 14, 2009 |
| Posted at 08:44 PM on April 30, 2009 |
| Posted at 07:59 PM on April 10, 2009 |
| Posted at 08:25 PM on March 20, 2009 |
| Posted at 08:18 PM on March 16, 2009 |
| Posted at 09:51 AM on February 08, 2009 |
| Posted at 04:19 PM on December 05, 2008 |
| Posted at 06:10 PM on November 17, 2008 |
Barn Christmas Party
| Posted at 06:11 PM on November 07, 2008 |
| Posted at 07:12 PM on September 29, 2008 |
| Posted at 06:12 PM on September 15, 2008 |
Hey everyone!
So as you can see we are in the process of making our first website! Its very exciting for us. However the website is still under construction so please be patient. We're hoping that maybe this blog area will keep people updated on things happening or changing with Cedar Hill. We have recently moved facilities and are at a wonderful place called Northwest Equestrian Center in Rainier, WA. Its a fantastic place that's very inviting and a friendly atmosphere. An event that is coming up is Cedar Hill's first Broomstick Polo Tournament Open House and Barbeque. Its surely going to be an exciting and fun time. But watch out for the girl with the little white pony. She's deadly.
Everyone is welcome whether you are a client, friend, or just interested in checking out our place. It will be at Northwest Equestrian Center on September 27 at about 3:00 pm is when the tournament will start. Sure to be exciting! Keep your eyes peeled for more updates!