Opava Eventing

So proud of Cameron and Taavi this weekend at Galway Downs Fundraiser Clinic. Just in love with this pair!!

To all my clients who have been asking, the answer is yes, Galway is having their fundraiser this year!

I have finally been able to bring myself to write this post. 2 1/2 weeks ago, on December 4, I had to let my beloved Halie go. She was 32 years old, the queen of the barn, my first eventing partner with whom I qualified for the inaugural AEC's, the reason I became an eventing instructor, she boosted my confidence and showed me so many triumphs. From the broke but untrained backyard mare whom I bought at the age of 9 after she jumped 2 broomsticks held up by lawn chairs, sh...e never refused a fence, competed thru training and schooled up to prelim, she chose to retire at 16, had her one and only baby as a maiden at 18 (she was a incredible mommy!), was a great lesson horse, and refused to give up on life to the very end even though her body couldn't hold up. She passed in my arms. I don't think my life will ever be the same. I love you Halie, aka Halie-bop, aka I'm Not Bluffing. You were my heart. See more

Love my clients doing so well! Each achievement is monumental.

What an absolutely beautiful day we had for schooling at Shepherd Ranch! Congratulations to Mari Humphrey and Lore, Katie Pulley and Charlie, Vicki Armstrong and Monarch, Stef Hester and Apache, and Ronnie Cruz and Fallbrook with their horses first cross country run. All the green horses really put in great rides. Cheers to the riders who have brought their horses along so well. Kuddo's to Julie Wolf and Callie and Cameron Armstrong and Taavi on really upping their game and having a great time! We are getting ready for next years competition season. I am so very proud of all my riders and their horses!! Here are a few pictures! More to come. Thank you Gordon Armstrong for the awesome photography!!

What an awesome Halloween barn party! Costume competition, games and great food -- all provided by Jenn and Sydney Gilmartin! The horses and human costumes were amazing and so much fun! Even did horse bobbing for apples! Lots of laughs and a sweet time together! Thanks to all for playing!!

Celebrating McKenna's sweet 16th birthday! Happy birthday, MxKenna! Thanks for giving Opava Eventing another good reason to celebrate this year! A very fun evening (thanks mama Mary), lots of laughs, great food and awesome desserts - provided by all the great friends and chefs at Opava Eventing!! We NEVER lack for sweets and yummies!! You guys rock!!

Yay, creative Vicki is at it again! We have our very own spider jump!! Intro level!! Thanks, Vicki Armstrong!

We lost another great horse just over a week ago. It has been a hard year, and our hearts go out to Jenny Stankiewicz for the loss of her wonderful horse Jane, due to failing health after a long illness. Everyone here misses Jane, she was truly a talented horse, and we know that Jenny did her best, gave it her all and struggled to make that final decision. Jane is standing proud and pain free in heaven.

The end of a great group lesson last night! Missing a few in the pictures. It was one of those times when everyone pushed their own envelopes and succeeded! Congratulations to all!!

Awesome ideas for our upcoming barn Halloween playday and party!

More wonderful fun from Vicki Armstrong! These cute faces also graced our show last Saturday. Thank you, Vicki, for your talent and creativity!!!

Happy Halloween from our resident artist, Vicki Armstrong! She is SO creative and talented! Thank you, Vicki!

Entries for our show this Saturday are due today! Don't forget!

Don't forget to get your entries in for our last summer jumper series show this Saturday! Entries are due tomorrow!

Opava Eventing is very excited that The Tried Equestrian is our sponsor for our jumper show series high point awards, to be presented at our final show this Saturday, September 26. Thank you, Taylor, for all your support, and for being our high point sponsor for the second year in a row. A great show, great prizes and a lot of fun!

We all need a little laughter and a reason to smile right now!

IT'S COMING!! The final show of our summer series will be on Saturday, September 26. Come out and join the fun! Trot poles to 3'. A low cost, low stress, but high on experience show for you, your students and/or your horse(s). Prizes for 1st place, ribbons through 6th. Plus, we will be awarding the prizes for all the division high points of our series at this show. Information and forms can be found at www.OpavaEquestrianTrainingCenter.com or [email protected] Looking forward to a great wrap up to the series. The show will be starting earlier so the lower level class will still be in daylight. Please have your entries in by Wednesday, September 23.

HOLD THE DATE!! Our forth and final summer jumper schooling show will be held on Saturday, September 26! Because of the heat, the fires, and a few other things, we were forced to postpone again, BUT the show will go on!!! You can enter anytime, but please enter by Wednesday, September 23.

And we worry about getting one horse through a cross country course! Very humbled by this!