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Walnut Grove Farm

Walnut Grove Farm We are a boarding and training facility located outside of Buffalo, NY, specializing in eventing, dressage, and hunter/jumpers.

We're home to the East Aurora Pony Club and have an IEA team.

Operating as usual

Looking for a last minute gift idea? Give the gift of riding! You can purchase "WGF Dollars" to be used for lessons, lea...
12/22/2022

Looking for a last minute gift idea? Give the gift of riding! You can purchase "WGF Dollars" to be used for lessons, leasing, camps, or XC Schoolings.

šŸ“ø credits: Kate A Photography and Chelcie using Kate A's camera šŸ˜€

Join us Friday the 23 and 30 for a day of Winter Camp at Walnut Grove Farm. It will be an adventure-packed day of free-l...
12/21/2022

Join us Friday the 23 and 30 for a day of Winter Camp at Walnut Grove Farm. It will be an adventure-packed day of free-longeing, bandaging and braiding, winter care, and a mounted lesson.

Open to all ages! Adults welcome! PM for more information.

We had so many personal best rides today, and the High School IEA Team took home their first ever High Point Prize, eeki...
12/11/2022

We had so many personal best rides today, and the High School IEA Team took home their first ever High Point Prize, eeking them closer to qualifying for Regionals as a team! Olivia, Camryn, Ava, and the Middle School Team qualified for Regionals at our show last weekend, and today, Jess, Bella and Kaleb joined the list of Regionals-bound.

Malene, who really took one for the team by riding in Open for us, had her best equitation to date. The Gossels had an excellent comeback after a week of illness. Lucy and Rory were my right hand women when my attentions got spread thin by day's end. Allison ended the day with a wonderful win in her warm up class, and then did everything you could ask of our walk-trot rider in the 'real' class, hanging in there on a horse whose quarter had run out. Clare celebrated her birthday in style, not necessarily getting the colors she wanted but getting wildly close to pointing out in flat and fences, as did Addison. Kaleb hopped in the ring to help jump crew with no prodding, and Olivia's horsemanship and empathy for a certain four-legged friend were noteworthy.

We missed our broken Kaitlyn, who, besides being a good riding, kind teammate, also fixes everyone's hair for me. 🤣

Thanks to Lindsay for hosting and Chrissie and Linda for bringing horses. Thanks as always to Marlene, who keeps us ticking as a region.

Tomorrow, Jess and Lucy are our sole competitors at an IEA show at Amy Hannsen's. Will they bring home the quidditch cup?

The Walnut Grove Farm IEA Team hosted a show at  yesterday. When the region asked every team to try to host more shows, ...
12/04/2022

The Walnut Grove Farm IEA Team hosted a show at yesterday. When the region asked every team to try to host more shows, I said to the parents of our team, "You've all done so much already. I'll try to make this as painless as possible." I thought I meant it, but there's no IEA show without a ton of parental involvement. Luckily, they are wiser than I and self-organized. They horsehandled, they ( ) were our show's EMT, they sold and then took charge of the most poorly managed raffle ticket fundraiser, they planned, toiled over, and provided food for 85 riders and their cheerleaders, and they supported their kids enthusiastically, as always. I'm so very grateful to all the parents.

Leg Up Stables provided 32 horses who were all worth their weight in gold. The SUNY Geneseo Team handed over the reins (harhar) of clean, well-tuned up creatures and I'm not sure anyone left the show not wanting to horsenap their new equine partner. The jumps were dressed up in a candy land theme. Totally adorable.

Thanks to Peggy Gauger and Tracy Forman for judging and stewarding. They're communicative, cheerful, and always strive to educate as they go about their jobs.

And the people in the photos? Zoom in on those faces (okay, don't zoom too closely on the second photo ). These guys are gems, and were deserving of their phenomenal draws. One apologized for missing a lead, and I pointed out that, while sure I'd rather they ride a horse they've never ridden perfectly in the eight minutes they're being judged on it, it's a pretty ridiculous thing to ask of anyone, let alone 10-18 year olds. Despite that, out of our 24 trips in the ring, WGF took home 23 ribbons, over half of which were first or second place. The Middle School team won, and the High School team took Reserve Champ despite me choosing three point riders incorrectly.

It's probably because of the TikTok dance we did a few weeks ago, or our magical pep talk.

We missed our two sick teammates and our broken one, and hope everyone is in tact for next weekend's fourth show!

The Walnut Grove Farm IEA Team is selling raffle tickets to benefit the Region's IEA Program. Please consider buying a $...
11/22/2022

The Walnut Grove Farm IEA Team is selling raffle tickets to benefit the Region's IEA Program. Please consider buying a $10 ticket to help us help the region! You could win $500!

Despite its later-than-normal date, the weather for the 9th Walnut Grove Farm Event Cup was memorably wonderful. As usua...
11/13/2022

Despite its later-than-normal date, the weather for the 9th Walnut Grove Farm Event Cup was memorably wonderful. As usual, we split the prizes into senior and junior divisions based purely on birthdate, and competitors were able to select their division. Everyone took the same "Are you smarter than a D2 Pony Clubber?" written exam, but different level dressage tests, jump heights, and optimum times were offered. There were too many personal bests to list; the horses were rockstars; and the riders were deserving of their cheerful mounts, resulting in a great day. I loved that the three kiddos in the Tater Tot Division were on leadline last Event Cup. Time flies! Thanks to Bobbie Kerr for judging the dressage, and parents and families for joining in the fun. Noelle and Nikki were our Reserve Champs, and Olivia and Rory the Grand Champs of the 2022 Walnut Grove Farm Event Cup! Congrats to all!

Thanks so much to Kate Andrzejczak Photography for the pics!

While it was awfully fun for me to reintroduce our most recent training boarder to having a rider, it didn't take her lo...
11/12/2022

While it was awfully fun for me to reintroduce our most recent training boarder to having a rider, it didn't take her long to remember her job, and begin thriving with not just the professional, but the barn kids, too. Starting with lots of in-hand transitions and ground manners, then building up to a cheerful and quiet acceptance of the aids under saddle, Fritzy has been a treat and will move on to some more work on the longe and bombproofing for the rest of her stay, as the goal has been to make her safe for her owners' young grandchildren.

Walnut Grove Farm still has a couple training board slots available for winter! Start the spring strong after a winter of polishing. Private message here or email [email protected] for more information.

It was a beautiful day for a clinic with Susan Gilson at WGF. As always, Susan was insightful, thorough, and kind, bring...
11/07/2022

It was a beautiful day for a clinic with Susan Gilson at WGF. As always, Susan was insightful, thorough, and kind, bringing out the best in each pair. She finished the clinic by making one of the youngest Walnut Grover's day, offering to help Kate W on Fiona. We all have homework for the next clinic date, 11/27. There are a couple slots left, and WGF horses up for grabs if yours is laid up or imaginary.

Adult and Junior Walnut Grovers, and friends, won some serious swag at tonight's end of season Opportunity Series Banque...
10/29/2022

Adult and Junior Walnut Grovers, and friends, won some serious swag at tonight's end of season Opportunity Series Banquet. Rory Tryka and Kate Andrzejczak won Overall Grand Champion in their divisions, and Maddie Broad and her Vator won Reserve Champion. Noelle Willard received third place overall for her placings in the well-attended crossrail division.

Thanks to Marlene Seielstad, who ran this whole series, and gave our area an affordable and well-run showing option close to home. The Banquet tonight and all the prizes clinched the deal, making these shows a 'must do' on WGF's 2023 calendar.

Thanks to all the Walnut Grovers and their families who participated in one or more of these shows. It was a grand time because of you.

The Event Cup is Tomorrow!!! Here are your ride times and some notes about the day. Bribery always encouraged, and the s...
10/28/2022

The Event Cup is Tomorrow!!! Here are your ride times and some notes about the day.

Bribery always encouraged, and the second best form of bribery is bringing someone who wants to do the dressage test math for me while I judge show jumping.

FAQ Answers:
The dress is casual (think clinic attire, not show attire), hair tidy, and boots, tack and horse should be gleaming as usual.

The written exam this year will be "Are you Smarter Than a D2 Pony Clubber?" and questions will come from the USPC D2 Rating Sheet (totally googlable).

The Optimum Time scoring follows eventing rules, so closest to optimum without going over would be in first.

The ribbons and trophies are here! Who will be this year's Grand Champion of the Walnut Grove Farm Event Cup? Time will ...
10/25/2022

The ribbons and trophies are here! Who will be this year's Grand Champion of the Walnut Grove Farm Event Cup? Time will tell! Today is the last day to get your entries in. Times posted Wednesday evening.

Susan Gilson, USDF Gold Medalist and teacher extraordinaire, is coming to Walnut Grove two more times this year: 11/6 an...
10/23/2022

Susan Gilson, USDF Gold Medalist and teacher extraordinaire, is coming to Walnut Grove two more times this year: 11/6 and 11/27. Susan has a great ability to connect to students young and...not young, and from Intro level to Grand Prix. Text Beth at (607)368-3490 if you'd like to audit or attend.

Often asked for but seldom available, Walnut Grove has space for 2 training boarders beginning December 1st! Email bethw...
10/23/2022

Often asked for but seldom available, Walnut Grove has space for 2 training boarders beginning December 1st!

Email [email protected] for more info.

From the adult IEA show in the morning, to the annual Pony Club Halloween Parade this afternoon, today was a busy, beaut...
10/23/2022

From the adult IEA show in the morning, to the annual Pony Club Halloween Parade this afternoon, today was a busy, beautiful day. Who could pick a winner between the tiger, the condiments and hot dog, the bull and her rodeo clowns, the unicorn academy bonded duo, or the eventer? Too fun šŸ˜

The teens were MIA, today, but extra thanks to .mahony for pitching in!

Thanks to Linda Fuller for having me out to her gorgeous farm to judge our region's First Adult IEA Show, and, from what...
10/22/2022

Thanks to Linda Fuller for having me out to her gorgeous farm to judge our region's First Adult IEA Show, and, from what I understand, the first one in the country!

One of the goals of IEA is to make riding accessible to all, and it was neat to see that in action, today. I always love seeing the faces of those who volunteer at shows getting the chance to compete, themselves, and vice versa.

Congrats to the Horse of the Show, Lenee!

12 Days til the Walnut Grove Farm Event Cup! Compete in the full shebang- Dressage, Show Jumping, Optimum Time and the W...
10/17/2022

12 Days til the Walnut Grove Farm Event Cup! Compete in the full shebang- Dressage, Show Jumping, Optimum Time and the Written Exam, or choose and ride a test (or two) for our judge, Bobbie Kerr. It's an in-house show, open to all Walnut Grovers. Who will the champions be this year?! Leadline competition available.

Photo by

The WGF IEA Team had a rainy but successful day 2 of showing. Our Middle School Team ("Future School") won High Point Te...
09/26/2022

The WGF IEA Team had a rainy but successful day 2 of showing. Our Middle School Team ("Future School") won High Point Team, and Addison Winters earned Reserve High Point Rider for the Future School. Ava Blochwitz was the Reserve High Point Rider for High School in her first ever IEA weekend. I'm so impressed by the mental toughness all these kids (and their volunteering parents) showed all weekend. Some were battling illness, others were juggling Homecoming, some had draws they didn't gel with, all had to work hard to handle horses and co-host, and everyone maintained their smiles, teammanship, and horsemanship. Congrats to all the riders, especially our newbies, on their successful weekend. I wish I'd gotten pics of all our saintly school horses, but enjoy one of Fi and one of Edgar. Thanks to and for sharing their critters!

šŸ“ø: first 2 pics, Kate Andrzejczak

Today marked the first show of WGF IEA Team's 2022-2023 Season. We have lots of new faces, and I was proud of how the te...
09/25/2022

Today marked the first show of WGF IEA Team's 2022-2023 Season. We have lots of new faces, and I was proud of how the team helped their new teammates out. We co-host these first couple shows, which quadruples the amount of work, but the WGF families stepped right up to the plate. I was very proud of the WGF family, today. People worked HARD and had to also deal with nerves and first show of the season cobwebs.

The Middle School Team ended in a three way tie for first place, which is broken by who has the most firsts, then seconds, etc, which left us in a tie for reserve champ with Hunter's Ridge that by the skin of the rulebook's teeth, went to us. Kaleb Johnston was the High Point Rider for High School, dominating the ring all day!

There were some tough draws, lots of great placings, and, best of all, a frequitation dance pep talk.

Thanks to the head honcho hosts, Fuller & Company for doing more than the lion's share of it all, and to Dunham, our co-host.

I honestly don't know that I would have survived today without the Schabers having taken the wee Walkowiczes for an overnight, last night, and then a full day of entertainment, today. Thank you.

09/08/2022

If you are a student at Walnut Grove, join us for The Walnut Grove Farm Event Cup 10/1 and 10/2. Dressage Judging by Bobbie Kerr. Written Test and Show Jumping Judging by Beth Walkowicz. Optimum Time Judging by one of you with a stopwatch. 'Dressage Ride-a-Test' an option as well. Closing Date: 9/26

*I know the video says it's September 15th, but it's A LIE. 10/1 and 10/2! Sign up in the barn!

We had an impromptu XC schooling this afternoon. I met Allison and Kate A at GVH after picking up Toby. It was Rumi's fi...
08/16/2022

We had an impromptu XC schooling this afternoon. I met Allison and Kate A at GVH after picking up Toby. It was Rumi's first outing of the year, and she beebopped around just fine. Ever and Allison are making it look easy out there, and Kate A and Edgar gained more and more confidence each jump.

Interested in joining an IEA Team? If you're in grades 5-12, come ride with us in the 2022-2023 season! Take the individ...
08/06/2022

Interested in joining an IEA Team? If you're in grades 5-12, come ride with us in the 2022-2023 season! Take the individual sport you love and try it as a team sport. Make it as competitive or 'just for fun' as you want, while surrounded by great teammates and great horses to support you in your journey. Email [email protected] for more information.

Thanks to special guest instructor Jeff Walkowicz for aiding and abetting the PCers, today.
07/29/2022

Thanks to special guest instructor Jeff Walkowicz for aiding and abetting the PCers, today.

Catching up on belated posts, GVH Horse Trials is always a WGF favorite. This year, we had the good fortune to have Kath...
07/26/2022

Catching up on belated posts, GVH Horse Trials is always a WGF favorite. This year, we had the good fortune to have Kathleen Andrzejczak with us to photograph. Ever and Allison proved to be ready for a move up to Beginner Novice with their polished-beyond-their-time-together rounds. Kaitlyn brought back flashbacks of the event when Claire moved from Cherry to Pete, competing Pete for her first time (he's big). She and Christine Brown came home with ribbons, and Christine qualified for Area I Championships. Olivia and Danika's loving partnership was strengthened by their first event together, which became memorable when Danika's saddle slipped beyond hope at the second to last fence. Like a true eventer, Olivia is eager and ready for the next one.

Congratulations to Amanda Beecher for achieving the First Level Scores she needs for her Bronze Medal, and Lucy for impr...
07/24/2022

Congratulations to Amanda Beecher for achieving the First Level Scores she needs for her Bronze Medal, and Lucy for improving each and every test this weekend.

I've fallen shamefully behind in all my braggy braggy posts. I'm going to try to post more and catch up to current happe...
07/04/2022

I've fallen shamefully behind in all my braggy braggy posts. I'm going to try to post more and catch up to current happenings. TLDR: WGF IEA was Reserve Champion MS Team for the Region and our Olivia won Nationals.

The WGF IEA Team had an amazing year in huge part because of each and every kid on the team REGARDLESS of what color ribbon they're holding in this pic. Region-wide placings were as follows: Seniors Alejandra and Alexis had less experience over fences than much of their competition, and came in a very respectable sixth in the region in their division. Rory and Kaitlyn missed a show or two and still came out in the middles of their divisions which is no easy feat. Lucy finished fourth in a big division.

Our small but mighty Middle School Team leaned heavily on all its members to contribute points. Addison and Camryn will be two to watch this coming season. Bella really came into her own and finished second overall in that huge group. Clare and Olivia traded Tri-Color ribbon standings all season. Clare finished as the High Point Overall Middle Schooler of the whole region, while Olivia (see next pics) finished Grand Champion in their division at IEA Nationals. Absolutely amazing season. Thanks to Kaleb, who joined our team and promptly was thrown into the highest middle school division against kids who have played this game much longer, so we wouldn't get two '0's on our point card, our Middle School Team averaged the Highest Points per Show and finished Reserve Champion of the Region.

Olivia almost didn't go to Nationals because I had a knee injury a couple weeks beforehand. Fortunately, she did go. She rode her way into a three person ride-off/question-off. Thanks to her beautiful riding and her Pony Club-infused knowledge, not to mention her great draws, she came out on top. And, most importantly to me, she was at the barn mucking stalls at 7:30 the next morning.

I love this team.

who can

Memorial Day Weekend saw a fun three day Adult Camp at Walnut Grove Farm. Campers worked on their knowledge of wraps, bo...
05/31/2022

Memorial Day Weekend saw a fun three day Adult Camp at Walnut Grove Farm. Campers worked on their knowledge of wraps, boots and studs, conditioning and TPR, course walking and design, dressage geometry, and dressage seat versus balanced seat versus hunt seat equitation with Beth. Guest Instructor, Dr. Katie Armstrong, lectured about the PPE and What to Consider When Horse Shopping, and Christine Blatz showed us Sport Horse Massage for Maintenance Techniques. The weekend ended with the Walkowicz children attempting to charge $5 a glass for lemonade, and video analysis of the weekend's participants.

Thanks so much to all who came!

EAPCers had a great first rally of the year. Natalija and Olivia took Individual High Point Awards for the Classroom Pha...
04/10/2022

EAPCers had a great first rally of the year. Natalija and Olivia took Individual High Point Awards for the Classroom Phase of Quiz Rally in their respective divisions, and Natalija, Carolyn, and Olivia were all Reserve High Point Individual Champs in their divisions. Natalija captained her team (Kate, Sammie, and Mila) into a first place finish despite none of them having competed in quiz before, and the average age of the team being 7 years old. Carolyn, Noelle and Eva, another team of newbies to quiz, finished second in their division despite not having a fourth team member. Olivia, Kali, and a couple of GVPC members finished sixth as a team in their division. CongratulationsĀ  to all! Thanks to Heart to Heart for hosting and to the parents who volunteered all day long.

Announcing our WGF Day Camps for 2022!Email bethwalkowicz@gmail.com for prices and lengthier descriptions. Limited schoo...
04/06/2022

Announcing our WGF Day Camps for 2022!

Email [email protected] for prices and lengthier descriptions. Limited school horse availability.

Looking forward to a summer of learning and laughs!

04/05/2022

Moments in Professionalism, brought to you by a ten month old puppy.

On Fridays, we wear grey. I mean train. We train greys.
04/01/2022

On Fridays, we wear grey. I mean train. We train greys.

After winning Zones, Olivia credited me first and the pony she drew next. Then she tried to insist on doing one round of...
03/29/2022

After winning Zones, Olivia credited me first and the pony she drew next. Then she tried to insist on doing one round of garbage duty before heading home.

Going into Zones, she was starting to lose some of her hunt seat eq mojo, as she became antsy to begin eventing season. In my head, I had started to think out my post-Zones braggy social media post for her (see below), and how I'd highlight what a horsewoman she's become.

But then she won. She won her class at the IEA Zone 2 Championships at the USEF Headquarters in Gladstone, NJ. Zone 2 is all of New York State. These kids go into these high pressure situations, ride a horse they've randomly drawn and never met, and with no warm up, ride it in front of a judge. I was all ready to talk about my little stall mucker and the darn kid won 'states' and qualified for Nationals.

Original Post: Since Christmas, I've had the joy of seeing one of my students take on the responsibility of sole/chief/head person for her lease horse, Danika. She mucks her stall after every ride, thinks out conditioning regimens, contentedly hangs out with her, and has proven to be the young horsewoman every horse deserves.

Thanks so much to the horse providers, hosts, award providers, and fellow competitors who made the weekend complete.

Scroll for a flashback!


These distinguished gentlemen are looking for someone to feed them cat food, muck horse stalls, do horse blanket and pas...
03/16/2022

These distinguished gentlemen are looking for someone to feed them cat food, muck horse stalls, do horse blanket and pasture changes, hay, grain, water, sweep, and pet them more than the ponies Sunday mornings from 7:30-10:30ish. Also looking for someone to do 1:00 chores (pasture switcharooni, hay, water, sweep) on Sundays. Money and/or ride time available. If someone wanted both gigs, I could fill the 10:30-12:30 time between shifts with more paid work.

Low-quality photo of high-quality WGF boarders (past and present) enjoying a dinner out at The Humbert House, last night...
03/11/2022

Low-quality photo of high-quality WGF boarders (past and present) enjoying a dinner out at The Humbert House, last night.

As a business-owner, mom of young ones, riding instructor and horse trainer, it can be scary to ask your clients what more they need from you and the business. In a recent conversation, though, the answer was "more outings with the adults of the farm." Easily done, and mutually beneficial. šŸ’•

Love my barn family.

😐

My Wednesday IEA crew (also pictured: future IEA rider, Allie) has improved leaps and bounds, lately, and I'm just so pr...
03/10/2022

My Wednesday IEA crew (also pictured: future IEA rider, Allie) has improved leaps and bounds, lately, and I'm just so proud of them. They've been putting courses together, nailing their leads, and equitating their hearts out. We lose one of them (cough .bielat) to Mercyhurst's IHSA team, but have Bella moving up to High School and Camryn ready to rock another year in Middle School. #716

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11564 Genesee Street
Alden, NY
14004

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The senior sessions continue! I love seeing repeat clients... it is a privilege to watch their families grow, and grow up.

And thank you to our friends at Walnut Grove Farm for letting us shoot at your property!
We're getting packed for back-to-back IEA shows this weekend.
Saturday we will be in Albion for the Buffalo area show and Sunday we will be at Huntington Meadows for the Rochester show.
Let us know if you need something special packed!
Fuller & Company Walnut Grove Farm Skibbereen Farm - English Horseback Riding Lessons High Time Stables IEA Team High Time Stables at Sugar Brook Farm Beth Walkowicz Kaduk Sherpa Hunters Ridge Farm Lindsay Lindke Huntington Meadow Stables Running Brook Farm Debbie Harris Barmaster farm Leesa Walker Stables - LWS Sweet Release Equestrian Center
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