The Trinity Farm Trotters will be meeting again March 24th at 5pm.

If you didn’t make last nights meeting it is not to late to be added to the member roster. Email us today to be included as a member.

All are welcome! Riders must be 6-17 years old to participate.

Riders who plan to “show” through the Winter Tournaments will need to ride at least once a week to be properly prepared for the show season, so plan ahead and learn about layering techniques. We have some pretty tough riders that have done some creative work about staying warm while riding, and are usually more than willing to share their secrets!

Read more about how to properly dress for outdoor exercise during the winter: “Cold Weather Exercise Tip: How to Layer Clothing” (opens in new window)

Of course, the lounge will be heated for our non-riding family members!!

Proper dress for horse riding lessons is not just fashionable, it is functional for performance and safety!

We are always try to be flexible with new riders to give them time to get established and find out if this is the right fit for them before they invest in riding clothes. However, while we have not made it mandatory for riders to be properly dressed for lessons, there has been a trend recently toward wearing jeans, sweats pants, cowboy boots, and other clothes that are not in keeping with saddleseat riding.

If you have recently started riding lessons at Trinity Farms, and decided that this is the place for you, please start looking to purchase proper riding attire – kentucky jod pants (or jod pants) and jod boots or paddock boots. This is not an arbitrary decision; as in other sports, proper riding apparel and equipment is designed to provide efficiency and protection for the rider:

• The clothing lends itself to aid in developing correct riding position, allows for flexibility while also protecting areas that are prone to rub or chafe.
• Jod or paddock boots support proper foot position while maintaining safety in the stirrup.

We are always on the lookout for good deals on riding clothes, and to help pass on outgrown clothing to ‘the next kid’. For example, right now, Target has an unusual area in the girls section that offers jod pants that are flexible and appropriate riding gear, which sell for around $10.

Please make sure to have your rider tidy for their lesson, with shirts tucked in and hair tied back – both functional and appropriate for safety reasons – nothing flapping and nothing in the eyes.

Read our updated flyer with information about proper riding clothing for lessons: “Help for New Riders and Parents”. (PDF opens in new window)

We’ll see you at the Farm!

Please contact us with information and feedback about any instructors you encounter. We will be looking for candidates that are a good match for our facility, with a personality and temperament that is in keeping with our farm family.

Any instructors brought into the program will be trialed before being “adopted” into the family. You will be asked to give both formal and informal feedback, so please look for both strengths and blind-spots as they present themselves.

Help us find a riding instructor who is the right fit for us, and you. Thanks!

Our 2011 UPHA Academy Winter Tournament High Point Winners

The UPHA Academy Winter Tournament horse shows start in November. Dates are set as follows:

• November 5th – Hartmeyers, Muncie, IN
• December 3rd – Hartmeyers, Muncie, IN
• January 14th, 2012 – Grandview, Indianapolis, IN
• February 11th – Grandview, Indianapolis, IN
• March 17th & 18th – Cloverdale (dates TBD) – with IASHA Spring Warm-Up Horse Show
• June 2nd – Indianapolis Charity Horse Show – Academy Championships, Indianapolis, IN

We will be participating in all of these shows. If you are interested in participating as an academy rider, please make sure you discuss the participation requirements with Mary Lynn.

Show riding is fun, builds confidence, develops skills outside the riding ring or trail, and develops friendships in this sport that can last a lifetime. It is also competitive, which can be both exciting and disappointing. Participation requires a big commitment, and enough free time to practice, practice, practice.

We anticipate a larger number of interested riders this season, and will become more selective as we move forward to make sure any rider that wants to participate is ready for the experience.

If horse shows are new to your rider or you, please feel free to check out the ‘Big Show’ at All American. Academy horse shows are an opportunity for schooling riders to develop the skills needed to move into larger shows. It is an element in the development of riding skills, and very exciting.

We will hold a meeting for all interested family members to go over rules and expectations, and to answer any questions. Please send us an email with your riders name so we can put you on the interested list – this is not a commitment to show, it just lets us know how many we have that are leaning that direction.

There will be no Academy classes at this show, however, Saturday morning is a ‘kids morning’ at the show. All kids are welcome to decorate a stick horse and participate in the stick horse class. Lots of great fun on Saturday Morning including the UPHA Pleasure Challenge Cup Finals – very talented riders and they make it look easy.

Hannah and Butch are getting ready for the 2011 All American Horse Classic Horse Show

Our own Hannah (two time UPHA Challenge Cup top 10 finalist – yes I’m bragging) and her show horse Butch (I’m Big-N-Rich) will be competing Wednesday and Friday mornings. They are a blast to watch! The schedule highlights when she is riding.

Come out to this great event and show your support for all our riders.

2011 All American Horse Classic Horse Show Schedule

• Learn riding skills – two lessons per day
• Basic horse education & safety
• Grooming & horse care
• Games & activities
• Campfire & songs
• Arts & crafts

All camp dates are subject to change if attendance is not adequate to make the camper’s experience a fun and memorable event. Click to download the 2011 Summer Camp Flyer.

For Reservations or More Information: Call (317) 539-5081 or email info@TrinityFarmIndiana.com.

Space is limited – sign up today! Download and complete the reservation form. (PDF opens in new window) Mail it with your deposit to Trinity Farm, 10310 S. County Road O, Clayton, IN 46118. A $50 deposit per session is required at time of reservation.

Things you may want to know about Trinity Farm and Horse Camp… The Trinity Farm gang has been involved with riding and horses as students for 17 years and as horse owners for 13 years. We moved to our 8.5 acres in August 2005 to fulfill a dream of owning our own place to raise, ride, train, and share the joy that our equine family has brought to us.

• Safety is of utmost concern whenever involved with these large animals.
• All campers will be guided and supervised in proper behavior while around horses.
• Children will have daily mounted lessons and will be required to wear a helmet, long pants and firm soled shoes.
• Proper safety around all of our farm animals will be stressed.
• Our goal is to share our farm and have fun learning about and loving horses.
• Campers will need to bring a sack lunch and drinks for the day.

The farm is owned by supervising adult, Mary Lynn Foster. If you have any questions, please feel free to call us at (317) 539-5081, or email info@TrinityFarmIndiana.com.

2011 Fall Weekend Horse Camp Dates Announced
Make your plans now for the 2011 Fall Weekend Overnight Horse Camp. Click for more information and 2011 Fall Weekend Horse Camp registration forms.

Here’s a sample of pictures from the 2010 Summer Horse Camp. To access hundreds more photos, become a friend of Trinity Farm on Facebook, or email us for other options.