News Update

Hey Everyone! It's been a HUGE year for SHA and I would just like to thank everyone who helped make that happen. We have more than doubled in size since our move to Rogers Ranch last November and all of the lesson ponies are healthier and happier than ever. They are thoroughly enjoying the new arena footing, big grassy pasture and all of the other improvements the Rogers have so kindly made to the facility since our relocation, and we can't thank them enough. Speaking of the ponies, congratulations again to everyone in the program who purchased a horse in 2008.

Horses who joined our program this year are:

TFA Angelo (Angelo) – Purebred Arabian Gelding owned by Michelle McQueen

Fortunes Fate (Peanut) - Purebred Arabian Gelding owned by Megan Manning

Moonlighting Tramp (Rhett) -  Purebred Arabian Gelding owned by Kelli Metcalf

PWA Patriot Dream (Patriot) -  Purebred Arabian Gelding owned by Victoria Holderbach

First Fortune (Fortune) -  Half Arabian Gelding owned by Heather Martin

TL Ramblin Man (Rambo) -  Half Arabian Gelding owned by Veronica Williams

My Sheri Amore (Sheri) – Purebred Arabian Mare owned by Karen Swallows-Williams (Good luck to the Williams family in their new home in Kentucky! We miss ya!)

TL Mo Money (Penny) – Purebred Arabian Mare owned by Kristin Kabat

Hot Fire (Fire) -  Purebred Arabian Gelding owned by Kelli Metcalf

Painted With Invy (Wylie) – APHA Gelding owned by Kendra Keener

CC Seis Siestas (Biscuit) – AQHA Gelding owned by Kendra Keener

Quest (Cutie) – Appaloosa Mare owned by Madison Perkins

In addition to this stellar list of horses, we are also fortunate enough to have had AR Bay Bar and All That Jazz, both lovely Arab/QH crosses,  recently join our program on loan from Melissa Fried, and we are delighted that they are here!

Because of all of the new horses that are now part of SHA, we are happy to announce that we will be offering a lesson horse lease program for 2009 to give those students considering horse ownership an opportunity to get a feel for the responsibilities involved while getting a little extra practice in. If this is something you are interested in, feel free to contact Kendra or myself and we will be happy to get you started!

This year was an exciting one for our show team – some highlights were my Show Circuit Trainer of the Year award, Meghan L. and Rhett winning reserve high point at their very first VSAHA show, Victoria and Patriot winning high point at their first ACS show, Heather and Veronica taking the top 2 placings in almost every one of their sport horse classes at the SAAHA Silver Buckle Duel in Tucson with Fortune and Rambo, and Megan M. and Peanut winning ribbon after ribbon in hunter pleasure, equitation, and sport horse at all of the “A” shows we attended this year.

More horse/rider teams that did a phenomenal job representing SHA this year were Whitney and Shadow, Alyssa and Summer, Lorrie and Shaman, Michelle and Angelo, Ashley and Rhett, Julia and Shadow, Kristin and Penny, and Madison and Cutie. Great job everyone! I can't wait to see you all out there again in 2009 as we attend both the open and “A” shows.

            In addition to the success of the show team, we were very happy with the success of our Day Camp program. Camps will continue during school breaks throughout 2009, so keep checking back for more information. Sessions will be available for young riders of all skill levels, from beginner lead line students to advanced show competitors.

Last but not least, the most important addition to SHA in 2008 was Kendra Keener as an instructor and trainer. She has played a big part in helping our program grow and succeed and I could not be more happy that she decided to stay with us. Not only has she done a great job of getting her new group of students off to a great start, but she has been amazingly helpful with keeping things running during shows, which is very appreciated. That goes for Filly, Wylie and Biscuit, too – we love you!

            As we get ready to start 2009, I want to wish all of my students the best of luck in their equestrian pursuits. Keep up the good work – I'm so proud of all of you!

 ~Kelli Metcalf