Avondale Farms

05/28/2026

There are so many fun events going on in the horse world in Saskatchewan this time of year- schedules get booked up far in advance!

Were you hoping to get in for our Four Lesson Introductory Package this summer? Upcoming openings for introductory lessons include:
🐴 Some daytime lessons on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays available to start in the next week or two!
🐴 Sundays 10:00am available starting July 26
🐴 Fridays 4:00pm available starting July 3

We’ll also be running several summer camps this year! Check out our post from Tuesday for dates 🦄

05/27/2026

Belinda Trussell Dressage Clinic June 20th -21st
📣Don't miss out on this great opportunity to learn! 🐎

Admission to Audit this clinic is free to all SHF members.
Just bring your lunch and your lawn chair.

*This clinic will count for PD points for coaches.

The clinic will start at 9:00am at Avondale Stables ( Saskatoon)

To learn more about Pathways check out our Website;
https://saskhorse.ca/Pathways_to_High_Performance

05/26/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1J5yLNxujt/?mibextid=wwXIfr

We will be giving Hunter Pace orientation lessons to the course on June 13, Saturday at 12 pm and 2 pm. Gayle will introduce jumping to new riders, or give a refresh for low level jumps. Good for those with experience while on a green horse, or good for experienced riders who want to get orientated and school the bigger options.
Message Sunny Plain Ranch or Gayle Smith for the opportunity.

05/25/2026

We are disappointed to announce that due to low entries it has become impossible for us to go forward with our Give It A Go dressage show May 30/31.

Our committee gave it our best shot at making the show happen for our community and we are sad that it isn’t possible this time.

We want to thank all who entered our show and let you know that we are looking forward to the next opportunity for the 2nd show in the series to take place August 29/30 at Prairieland Park.

We thank our sponsors for their fantastic support and we look forward to sharing their generous gifts with our community at our August show.

Those who have already sent payment for entry fees will receive a full refund via e-transfer by the end of the week.

05/19/2026

We remember Gillian Gratton on the first anniversary of the creation of the Gillian Gratton Memorial Fund. Gillian dedicated a significant portion of her life to protecting and saving animals. She was a business owner in Saskatoon, having spent years training and researching at the WCVM, and provided a loving home to many of her own animals over the years.

Because of New Hope Dog Rescue's Gillian Gratton Memorial Fund, we have been able to:
- Assist a pup with megaesophagus to be able to almost eat like most other pups, and most importantly, stay with her family
- Help 3 families spay their dogs
- Be the solution for dogs with an ear infection, a major dental issue, another with cherry eye repair, one for a behaviour consultation, and another with extended training

The fear and disappointment of losing a family member due to financial constraints have been removed, and we have had the opportunity to remember the kind and generous person Gillian was every time we get to say "yes" to helping in these situations.

We have all lost a selfless friend or family member, like Gillian. We encourage you to make a donation to the Gillian Gratton Memorial Fund in their memory: www.newhoperescue.org/donate

05/16/2026

05/16/2026

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYWIzKpIPUn/?igsh=aTB0ZW1pMXZ1emNv

Brave, strong, smart, caring, fit - it’s a great sport for everyone. Never mess with a horse girl; they are used to holding their own with a 1000lb animal AND know how to use a pitch fork.

05/09/2026

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXxa9aNRBqj/?igsh=aWRhMHJpZmxtN3Y3

05/07/2026

PIROUETTES - KEY POINTS

👉 A pirouette is ridden on two tracks, and the radius should be equal to the length of your horse.

👉 During the turn, your horse should be bent in the direction of travel.

👉 Your horse's forefeet and outside hind leg move around your horse's inside hind leg, while his inside hind leg should lift and return to the same spot, or slightly in front of it (but never behind it).

👉 The hind legs should describe a small circle – around the size of a dinner plate in a high-scoring pirouette – with the hind feet lifting clear of the ground in every step, i.e. not losing activity or becoming ‘stuck’ to the ground.

👉 Your horse's hindquarters should lower and take more weight to free his shoulders.

👉 If in collected walk, the 4-beat rhythm must be maintained. If in collected canter, you should be able to recognize a canter stride, although the diagonal pair in the canter sequence does not land together.

👉 Your horse should be light in the contact, with his poll at the highest point and his nose coming just onto the vertical.

👉 Pirouettes should be ridden mainly from the rider's seat and leg aids, with the reins being used only as a directional cue.

👉 The whole movement should be smooth and fluid.

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Illustrations created and copyrighted by How To Dressage, and may not be reproduced in any form without prior permission.

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