Simply Simon

Simon has been a large part of the Freedom Woods schooling program since 1996. Back in his hay day, Simon used to jump 2'6" courses and teach more advance riders in the program. Now, eighteen years later at the age of twenty-four Simon is everyones favorite school pony. 

Simon stands at 14.2 hands high and is a quarter pony cross. He originally came to Freedom Woods through a man named Fred, who buys and sells many horses and thought Simon would fit in nicely at our stable. He was six years old when he came to us, and was just as docile and good natured as he is now. However he did have a little more spunk to him.

In 2002, Simon made his first and only appearance at an off grounds, rated horse show. A young girl at the time brought him to an 'A' rated horse show in Oconomowoc, WI. Simon had not left Freedom Woods in six years and was overwhelmed when he arrived. He had to be shown in six under saddle classes until he was quiet and comfortable enough to carry the novice child. (Under saddle classes are classes where you are judged at the walk, trot, and canter.) The girl ended up placing 2nd at her very first show and it was a huge success! Afterwards, it was decided that the show scene was too stressful for Mr. Simon and he was much happier being a homebody. 

Simon has been and is a very important part of Freedom Woods. He has taught everything from intermediate jumping to therapeutic riding. Simon has taught hundreds, if not thousands of children how to ride. He has been and is an irreplaceable component to the Freedom Woods team. 

Some fun facts about Simon: 

• He is a cribber. When horses crib, they wrap their teeth around woods or other solid objects and suck in air. In doing so, they make a funny burping noise. In the past, people thought cribbing caused health issues. That turned out to be a myth and it mainly just releases endorphins and is a bad habit. Horses generally learn to crib after living near another horse who cribs. 
• He is a righty! 
• His best friend is Princess and they enjoy being turned out together. Apparently, opposites do attract!

Princess, The School Pony

Princess came to Freedom Woods back in 1997. Originally Princess was Russell Lee's childhood pony. Princess was a show pony and her show name was 'Picture Perfect.  She took Russell from being a novice rider to his first horse shows and taught him how to care for a pony of his very own. Princess has always been a bit of a sassy pony. She is now in her mid twenties and has taught many children in the beginning stages of their riding. She no longer jumps and only teaches beginner riders. 

One of my most vivid childhood memories of Princess was when Alex, Russell, and I decided to go for a trail ride. The three of us were always goofing around and causing trouble. We were all getting on our ponies and standing by the trail gates when Russell decided to stand up onto of Princess's back. All of a sudden, something spooked Princess and she went cantering down the trail and Russell ended up cartwheeling off of her (he was unharmed.) Alex and I went cantering off down the trail to catch Princess before our parents found out what we were doing. Luckily we all made it back safely and we didn't get in trouble. 

Princess has been a part of our family for almost as long as we have owned the barn. Her and Alex are very close and he claims he has her on 'Princess mind control'. She has been and is a large part of our family and Freedom Woods. We hope she continues to train many small children for many years to come. 

2014 Freedom Woods Tentative Show Schedule

2014 Freedom Woods 

Show Schedule

*The below dates are tentative and are subject to change

*Sign up sheets are available at the front desk in a binder labeled Horse Shows, please sign up a month in advance 

*National Indoors shows at the end of the year will be posted when they become available 

Dec. 12- 15

Ledges Winter Series

Roscoe, IL

www.showplaceproductions.com

Jan 2-5

Ledges Winter Series 

Roscoe, IL

www.showplaceproductions.com

Jan 15-19

St. Louis Winter Series

St. Louis, MO

www.queenieproductions.com

Jan 30-Feb 2

Ledges Winter Series

Roscoe, IL

www.showplaceproductions.com

Feb 6-9

Ledges Winter Series

Roscoe, IL

www.showplaceproductions.com

March 3-9 

WEF 9

Wellington, FL

www.equestriansport.com

March 10-16

WEF 10

Wellington, FL

www.equestriansport.com

March 26-30

St. Louis Winter Series

St. Louis, MO

www.queenieproductions.com

April 10-13

Ledges Winter Series

Roscoe, IL

www.showplaceproductions.com

May 1-4

Showplace Spring Warm Up 2

Wayne, IL

www.showplaceproductions.com

May 14-18

Showplace Spring Classic

Roscoe, IL

www.showplaceproductions.com

May 21-25

Ledges Spring Classic

Roscoe, IL

www.showplaceproductions.com

June 3-8

Showplace Spring Spectacular 1

Wayne, IL

www.showplaceproductions.com

June 10-15 

Showplace Spring Spectacular 2

Wayne, IL

www.showplaceproductions.com

June 17-22

Showplace Spring Spectacular 3

Wayne, IL

www.showplaceproductions.com

July 2-6

Showplace Summertime

Roscoe, IL

www.showplaceproductions.com

July 23-27

Kentucky Summer Horse Show

Lexington, KY

www.kentuckyhorseshows.com

Aug 5-10

Traders Point Hunt Charity Horse Show

Zionsville, IN

Sept 9-14

Showplace Fall Classic

Wayne, IL

www.showplaceproductions.com

Sept 30 – Oct 5

Minnesota Fall Harvest

Minneapolis, MN

www.showplaceproductions.com

Nancy Whitehead Clinic Schedule

Nancy Whitehead Clinic - November 9 and 10 

7:15- 8am -

Course Set and Walk

Complimentary Breakfast for clinic riders

(All riders should be present for the course set and walk) 

8-9:30am - Group 2 

Isabel Scharf - Amber

Grace Neilson - Mickey 

Anna Katz (Sat only) - Molly

Lulu Zoghlin (Sun only) - Molly

Zoe Thomsen - Bebe

Charlotte Garrett (Sun only) - Sophie

9:30-11:30am - Group 1

MK Daley - Amy

Ardith Huner (Sat only) - Pandora 

Susan Harris - Cece 

Dolly Flisk - Adam

Candida Salchi - Bella

Hannah Nelson - Huey 

Mary Matras - Scout

11:30 - 11:45 Drag

 11:45am-1:45pm - Group 3

Lauren Robishaw - Sammy

David Waimon - Smudge 

Alexa Paprosky - Vox

Lindsay Fuhs - Lucy

Hannah Warner- Cuervo

Lesya Bazylewicz - Noelle

Sarah Lanphere - McLovin  

Lunch will be served between 12:30 - 1:30pm in the clubroom for riders and auditors

1:45pm- 3:30pm - Group 4

Michael Lenard - Dexter

Katie Hochschild - Sailor

Sarah Kennedy - Pepper

Adeline Rohrbach - Wilma

Ashleen Lee - Rococo

3:30 - 4:45pm - Group 5

Adeline Rohrbach - Dahlia 

Ashleen Lee - Zuzu

Nancy Whitehead Clinic

Every winter Nancy Whitehead gives a clinic to in house riders at Freedom Woods. While this clinic is geared towards our show clients and boarders, this year we are offering a clinic at 2'0" to open it up to some of our lesson clients as well. The clinic will be held November 9th and 10th. The clinic consists of groups of eight riders at similar ability levels. These eight riders ride both Saturday and Sunday for two hours, working for approximately an hour on the flat and an hour over fences.  

Nancy Whitehead is an Internationally known trainer who has worked with some of the top trainers and riders such as Laura Kraut and Kent Farrington. I have nicknamed Nancy the horse whisperer because she has this strange sense of knowing what is wrong with both the rider and horse. 

This year at the clinic we are proud to announce that Barrington Saddlery will be on property all weekend with their mobile unit and in our party room for all of your horse needs! In addition we will be debuting our new Freedom Woods apparel, so stock up for next show season!  

This years clinic will consist of four different level groups. The tentative schedule is below: 

7:15- 8am - Course set and complimentary breakfast for riders and auditors

8-9:30am - Group 2 

Isabel Scharf - Amber

Grace Neilson - Mickey 

Anna Katz (Sat only) - Molly

Lulu Zoghlin (Sun only) - Molly

Zoe Thomsen - Bebe

Charlotte Garrett (Sun only) - Sophie

9:30-11:15am - Group 1

MK Daley - Amy

Ardith Huner (Sat only) - Pandora 

Susan Harris - Cece 

Dolly Flisk - Adam

Candida Salchi - Bella

Hannah Nelson - Huey 

11:15am-1pm - Group 3

Lauren Robishaw - Sammy

David Waimon - Smudge 

Alexa Paprosky - Vox

Lindsay Fuhs - Lucy

Hannah Warner- Cuervo

Lesya Bazylewicz - Noelle

1pm- 2:45pm - Group 4

Michael Lenard - Dexter

Sarah Lanphere - McLovin

Katie Hochschild - Sailor

Sarah Kennedy - Pepper

Adeline Rohrbach - Wilma

Ashleen Lee - Rococo

2:45 - 4:15pm - Group 5

Adeline Rohrbach - Dahlia 

Ashleen Lee - Zuzu

For more information about the clinic please call us at (847) 967-9800. 

Showplace Fall Classic IHJA "A" Finals Experience

Our team had a great experience at A Finals, the week started off brutally hot out so we strung up our fans to keep our horses comfortable and by the end of the weekend our horses had switched to wearing sheets to stay warm. Although the weather through us for a loop, professional classes during the week went well for us. Zuzu made her comeback debut in the High Training Jumpers and came home with Champion! Alexa Paprosky's Vox also returned to the show ring after a few months hiatus and came out with many good ribbons including a first in the Schooling Hunters out of over twenty horses. Speak Kindly received good ribbons in the 2nd Year Greens, preparing for Harrisburg as well as third in the $1,000 Open Hunter Classic with scores of 86 and 82.  Sailor's Delight and Frontier received good ribbons in the Pre Green's and Non Thoroughbred's respectively. 

Our week continued with all the students arriving on Thursday and Friday. Lauren Robishaw and Frontier won the IHJA Adult Mini Medal Finals, and went on to win the Modified Adult Hunter Classic with scores of 81 and 83 and earn reserve champion in the Modified Adult Hunters. Mary Katherine Daley and her new pony Good Heavens were Champion in the Short Stirrup Hunter Division as well as the Short Stirrup Equitation, this pair was unbeatable this weekend! Michael Lenard won the IHJA Adult Medal Final Qualifier on Saturday aboard Ja'dore Moi, and borrowed Lauren's horse Frontier to go on to win the IHJA Adult Medal Finals on Sunday! Ashley Meek and her new horse Clockwork, won the final qualifier for the Children's Mini Medal, and went on to place 7th in the IHJA Children's Mini Medal Finals on Sunday! David Waimon and Speak Kindly ended up reserve champion in the Amateur Adult Hunters 36 & Over, winning two of the classes over fences and the hack class. Isabel Scharf made her debut in the horse show ring aboard Little Miss Sunshine. These two made a stellar match in the top three in every class of their division. They ended up Reserve Champion in the Large Children's Pony Hunters and was 2nd in the Children's Pony Hunter Classic. Adeline Rohrbach and her two horses, Cloud 9 and Snow White, earned many good ribbons in the Child/Adult Jumper Division and also found out this week that they are qualified for Pennsylvania National Horse Show in the NAL Children's Jumper Classic! Zoe Thomsen and Ja'dore Moi received many good ribbons in the Novice Children's Hunters. Alexa Paprosky and Vox showed in two classes this weekend in the Modified Adult Hunters and came in second and third out of a large group of contenders. Katie Hochschild and Gentleman's Quarterly earned many ribbons in the top three in the Small Junior Hunters and are looking forward to going to the Washington International Horse Show this year. Katie also earned ribbon's on her new green horse, Sailor's Delight in the Children's Hunters. Sarah Lanphere also rode Sailor's Delight in the Children's Equitation and earned many good ribbons! 

We couldn't have asked for a better way to end the show season! We are so proud of the progress that each and everyone of our riders has made over the last year. Good luck to those who qualified for Pennsylvania National Horse Show and Washington International Horse Show! 

Freida, the School Horse

For those of you who ride at Freedom Woods, you are probably familiar with Freida a veteran school horse. Freida was originally purchased by the stable in 2003. At the time she was the fastest Child/Adult jumper in the mid west. For years running, she was champion in Zone 5. The Child/Adult jumpers are a 3'6" division. These horses must jump clean within a certain time in the first round. Those who are clean go to a second round where they must jump clean in the fastest time possible. Being champion of Zone 5, means out of Illinois, Michigan, Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio she was ranked first.  

Freida's first few years at Freedom Woods she continued to show in the 3'6" jumpers with both myself, and Dr. Lee. After a few years she had an injury that required minor surgery and some time off. Since coming back from her surgery Freida could no longer jump and began teaching flat lessons to Freedom Woods clients. She is a wonderful, sweet mare who now enjoys going slow and teaching beginner riders the ropes.  

Some fun facts about Freida:

1.) Freida is a Dutch Warmblood/Holsteiner mare 

2.) Her great grandfather is one of the most famous horses, his name was Joost

3.) She loves red twizzlers! 

10 Life Lessons I Have Learned From Horses

It was a beautiful day at Freedom Woods. In general, unless I am horse showing I spend on average 7 days a week there. Every day I am happy to come to work, because I am passionate about what I do. Sure, sometimes it can be tiring, but then I remember that I could be in an office doing paperwork day in and day out, and then I remember that I am one of the luckiest people in the world. I am fortunate to say, that I love my job and am always working on learning more about every aspect of my chosen career. 

My students and my horses are my life. There is nothing like the moment when your student canters for the first time or wins their first big class at a show. It fills you with this overwhelming feeling of pride that you helped them achieve their goals. You can reflect on those moments of hardship where their goals seemed so far away and realize what your student, their horse, and you, as their trainer have accomplished. 

I was thinking today, if I had not chosen being a trainer and running a barn as my profession, what could I say to my father to justify all the time and capital he put in to me to make this my career? I truly believe that being raised around horses has taught me most of what I know today. 

Here are just 10 things I have learned from horses... 

1. Confidence - To be able to manage, manipulate, and train and animal of that size and ability
2. Responsibility - To come out and care for that horse day in and day out and when you are sick or lazy, you cant just decide not to come in. They depend on you. 
3. The value of hard work - Sometimes it takes weeks or even months to perfect one thing about your riding. You may spend hours and hours thinking you will never get it. But you keep training and pushing and when you hit a break through it all pays off. 
4. Nothing works ALL the time - I feel like this is really a life lesson. You grow up as a kid thinking if you say please or are really nice that you can basically get most of what you want. Riding a horse is so much about balance and feel, you can't just ask for the same thing one way all the time. 
5. Patience - You have to be patient when working with an over-sized animal with a small brain. Every new transition takes time, first your horse needs to understand what you expect, then they need to be agreeable to it. And if you jump the gun and get aggressive or upset, they react. 
6. To be aware - When working on the ground or on the horse, even if I happen to know that horse well there are always exterior factors that play into it. For example, something may happen that spooks the horse and overtime you start to develop a feel for it coming and how to react tactfully.  
7. To control my emotions - For every action I make, my horse has a reaction. It only takes getting harsh on a sensitive horse a few times to realize it does not work.  
8. Bravery - The first time I cantered up to that 4'6" fence, I thought to myself, "AHHHHHH!" But I had to remain in rhythm, stay calm, and use what I had learned to get my horse and myself over the fence smoothly. 
9. To be humble - Just last winter, I was riding a horse who was rehabbing back to work. We were just trotting around and that horse ducked and spun on me so fast, I fell right off. With horses, no matter how much you know, or how often you have ridden every now again you still take the plunge.  
10. To be driven - Talent only takes you so far. To learn how to ride a horse, and I mean really ride a horse, it takes hours and hours, and years and years. I am still learning everyday. I can't sit on the sidelines and expect to learn more about my sport. I have to do it, read about it, and practice it. I will never know everything about riding and horses, but I want to know as much as possible. 

I cannot think of any one thing that could replace the amount of knowledge I have gained from having horses. 

Going Green

The environment is a constant concern with the way we live. We are constantly polluting and wasting. At Freedom Woods, we are trying to do our part to help reduce our carbon footprint. We use straw to bed our horses instead of shavings, and while some people miss that wood chip smell, the straw is much more environmentally friendly. Once shavings are used, most of the manure is dumped into a compost or out in a field. Some of it gets reused to fertilize gardens, but the majority just goes to waste. Once our straw is used, we deliver is to the "Mushroom Man" for him to grow mushrooms. He uses the manure to grow all kinds of mushrooms, portabella, white, and brown. There is an article on his operation in the Morton Grove Farmers Market, the link is below. 

This is just one of the ways Freedom Woods is trying to go green. Check out our section on our facility to see some of the other ways we are trying to reduce our carbon footprint!   

Morton Grove Farmers Market

Freedom Woods Beats the Heat

The last two days have been just too hot for us with temperatures in the mid 90s. In order to beat the heat, the horses' turnout schedule has moved to earlier hours in the morning to avoid the hottest points in the day. Our horses have been staying cool with many showers and fans blowing all day long.

We are looking forward to the weekend where it is supposed to cool down a little into the mid 80s. I don't know about you, but we are looking forward to the fall!