Dog Park is Open!

May 15, 2010 marked the grand opening of The Oaks of Lake City Dog Park. Also known as “Fido Park”, this canine-dedicated area is close to an acre in size and is located just west of the Equestrian Center. Fido Park is nestled between mature trees and sits adjacent to multiple acres of open space. This affords canines the freedom to lounge in the shade or take a walk in the field!

There are two main sections to Fido Park, one for smaller dogs and another for large-breed dogs. For canine safety, both sections are fenced with a black-coated, no-climb system and four-board Life Time Lumber. At each entry way, Fido Park is equipped with spring-loaded gates to deter any dogs from exiting when new dogs enter the park. Each section is also equipped with Nelson automatic waterers and waste disposal units. Agility exercises and other canine toys are also available at Fido Park. Picnic tables and ample parking surround the park, so bring the family and “man’s best friend” to spend the day at The Oaks!

Hunter Pace

The Oaks Equestrian Center held its second Hunter Pace on May 8th, 2010. New courses, routes, and jumps were included in this year’s Spring Pace. Riders from all over North Florida and South Georgia enjoyed a day in the sun with the OEC staff and volunteers, as they trekked across the 15 miles of looped trails. Congratulations to all of our participants for completing the course!

Flying Foxes
1st: Three Horses and a Pony (Boyce, Castleberry, Emory, Munden)
2nd: Buoye, Kimball, Richardson, Scott
3rd: Castillo, Castillo, Gosch, Young

Wild Hogs
1st: Matchtinger, Wright
2nd: Aytug, Estes, Smittendorf

Take Your Time Turtles
1st: Darrow, McCoy, Griesick, Griesick, Huntley
2nd: Blankenship, Dicks, Brown
3rd: Team S.S.R. (Duboise, Cadrain, Tinsman)

Nick Cwick Clinic

For two days, fifteen participants increased their riding skills and training with advanced-level rider Nick Cwick of Capstone Eventing. During the clinic, Nick worked with riders of all levels to increase their partnership and understanding of their equine athletes. Saturday was filled with dressage and stadium exercises, which encourage all riders to focus on their leg and seat aides to direct their horses. On Sunday, riders worked out in the cross-country field to build on the skills they learned the previous day. Exercises such as banks, ditches, and water complexes challenged the riders to focus on their aids to properly execute their ride. Over the weekend, confidence and connection was created for the horse and rider, which improved their riding on all parts. The OEC has already set a tentative date with Nick to come back in the fall for another clinic. Be on the lookout for more information.

Some comments from the participants:

"Nick has a thorough way of explaining the concepts to the riders, as well as the effect that riders have on the horse's way of going… All exercises were safe and suitable for the level of training, while also encouraging the pair to 'leg up a bit' with confidence."

"The clinic was great, The Oaks is a beautiful facility, and Nick is an awesome teacher! I especially liked how he explained to the riders how to negotiate the questions in front of them, but with great regard to each individual horse's experience and needs. We will definitely be checking your calendar often for future clinics, and we will recommend the same to all of our eventing friends!"

"What I like most about Nick is his demeanor... He really pushed Mia, and she needed that. She said she really enjoyed the lesson and accomplished a lot."

Desensitization Clinic

Lions and Tigers and ...Bubbles?? OH MY!!

Now, we never truly know when our courageous mounts are going to spook, but we can count on the fact that at some point, it will happen even to the bravest horse. One way to overcome this fear of the unknown is to test and prepare for your horse's reaction. On May 15th, The Oaks Equestrian Center gave riders of all disciplines the opportunity to test and train their equine partners to face their fears. With supervision and advice from certified Mounted Patrol Officer Fannon from the Alpharetta Police Department, each participant encountered multiple exercises with everyday items that may create a flight reaction from a horse. The morning session started with tarp crossings, umbrella openings, beach balls flying, and even bubbles blowing, all to create new environments for the horse and rider pairs and test their courage. With a calm demeanor, MPO Fannon was able to coach the riders through the obstacles, as well as train the horses to look to the rider for the response. Each of the riders worked diligently to remain calm and encouraging, which helps to curb some of the flight instinct that is exposed in all horses when frightened. During the afternoon session, riders upped the ante with new exercises. MPO Fannon worked with riders by employing loud noises, smoke bombs, and even fired-off blanks! Each rider created a stronger connection with their horse throughout the exercises. Everyone completed the clinic with an increased understanding of how their horse reacts in trying situations, and also how to respond to help curb the flight instinct. We hope to have MPO Fannon back in the spring next year for round two of desensitization.

Participants about to be “attacked” by bubbles!	Brave Tigger facing the “fire” and smoke with courage!

Lunch and Learn

Equestrians are all lifelong learners, and we need to continue our education regarding how we maintain the health and happiness of our equine partners. One way The Oaks Equestrian Center is ensuring this continued education is by hosting “Lunch and Learn” sessions during special events.

During our Nick Cwick clinic in May, Sean Redman, DVM of Redman Animal Chiropractic, educated participants and members about chiropractic, acupuncture, and laser therapy for our equine athletes. Dr. Redman’s resume includes six years of experience as an ambulatory vet, with Rood and Riddle in Lexington, Kentucky, before opening up his own practice for holistic care in 2007. As an avid rider himself, Dr. Redman is aware of the demands of the equine horse sport competitor, as well as the needs of the pleasure enthusiast. During the Lunch and Learn session, Dr. Redman preformed a demonstration on OEC horse Oliver Twist and provided helpful advice and handouts on pain management therapy.

OEC Horse Oliver Twist enjoying his adjustment with Dr. Redman!
Sean Redman, DVM: (859) 221-2426

Engagement

“Love... true love” is what brought Charles Fannon to The Oaks of Lake City for the first time. When Charles agreed to haul his girlfriend Lisa Parrott’s horse, Aimee, down to become a part of our lesson team, he didn’t know what he was in for! As a mounted patrol officer himself, Charles passion for horses accompanies Lisa’s lifetime desire for equine competition and training quite well. When they arrived at The Oaks for the first time, they instantly fell in love with the idea of retiring on a five-acre lot that overlooks the equestrian center. This love of the lot turned into a new sort of love when Charles proposed to Lisa, during a member trail ride that “conveniently” crossed over their desired five-acre lot. Of course, she said yes, but the OEC staff was even more impressed with Charles’s ability to dismount and remount the one and only Big Abbey!

New Jumps

Spring has sprung at The Oaks, with a colorful assortment of new premium stadium jumps. Multiple standards, wings, poles, gates, and liver pool are now a part of the course. As always, The Oaks Equestrian Center welcomes outside riders to school all riding areas. Be sure to come check out our new stadium course!