Events & News
NOVEMBER 2009 NEWSSGF Welcomes Jupiter to our SGF Family - We all have been very excited about the much anticipated arrival of Jupiter! A wonderful black Clydie x Qtr Horse who will be an aboslute asset to our Vaulters and Vaulting program. Jupiter will also be our eldest daughters mount for Pony Club and her new best friend.
Melbourne Cup Long Weekend- SGF enjoyed Saturday by having a working bee around the stables. There were 11 equines to wash which is not much good unless they also have clean rugs to wear. Therefore their was a many a rug to wash and get dry too, but with the windy 33 degree day made it easy. Our donks enjoyed their very first bathing experience and we too all enjoyed getting splashed and drenched on such a hot day!
Joseph and Simpson are now ready to go off to their wonderful new home with Sue and her family from Donkey Daze. Sue's passion for donkey's and donkey driving will see the boys broken to harness in the future and in the meantime they will continue to put many a smile on peoples faces in a way that only a donkey can!
Enjoy your new best friend Honey - Honey one of our wonderful horses has gone on to a fabulous new home with an amazing 84yo gentleman! We will miss her very much as she has been such a fun horse who has given our daughter such confidence. It is now time to make another person happy and be a best friend to.
OCTOBER 2009 NEWS
It has been a very busy month at SGF with childrens parties, corporate events with our animal farm, the school holidays, travelling interstate to attend the National Vaulting Championships and Clinic held by Adrienne Steng (FEI Judge) from CA USA and Flowerdale Hoof Over Hills fundraiser.
SGF Equestrian Vaulters also performed at the Natioanl Equestrian Centre at Werribee Park during the Interschool Champioships with an awsome Vaulting display to promote this wonderful and very special sport.
Flowerdale Hoof Over Hills
National Vaulting Championships Clinic Adelaide
SEPTEMBER 2009 NEWS
Equestrian Australia's 2 Day Vaulting Coach (NCAS) Workshop - Steph & Katie along with Cosmo our fabulous beginners Vaulting horse attended this workshop as part of our professional development for Coaching at the magnificent national Equestrian Centre at Werribee Park. Unfortunately there are no pix as we didn't have time to scratch ourselves not to mention Steph forgot the camera. We both completed 3 written exams and 3 Practical exams over the 2 days and experienced the requistes and professionalism of a National Coaching Accreditation Scheme (NCAS) Equestrian Coach.
Level 2 First Aid Refresher - All our Senior staff attended their Level 2 refresher course which was conducted here at SGF. It was a bright sunny 25 degrees and very pleasent to not be stuck in an office environment but ouside down at our party barn. Although we took the day seriously of course there was a lot of fun to be had and some very funny pix.
Riding for the Disabled - We have had much interest in the last few weeks from RDA Coaches about our Vaulting sessions and intergration of Vaulting into their programme for children with disabilities. Vaulting is promoted as one of their services in RDA unfortunately though no one in Melbourne has the experience to coach this fabulous sport at their venues. I look forward to more discussions with RDA and their families, and we have had 2 special children join in our Sat morning sessions with great sucess...
Interschool Championships - National Equestrian Centre - Werribee Park - Open to the public
We are so proud to be invited to a night time undrlights display on Wednesday 30th of September SugarGum Farm Equestrian Vaulters are performing at the National Equestrian Centre - Werribbe Park! Go to www.vic.equestrian.org.au for more details on the events during school holidays and Interschool Championships!
2009 National Champioships - 2 spots are available for the Nationals in Adelaide - Watch this space!
Our 4 new additions to the SGF Family - How cute are these little clowns! 4 bucklings and 1 doeling from our wonderful Mini Goat Does Sarah and Emma.
AUGUST 2009 NEWS
Face Book -SUGARGUM FARM Equestrian Vaulters & Children's Parties is now on FB
I have posted some wonderful articles and video's about Vaulting which gives an excellent insight into what makes Vaulting so special!
I hope you will enjoy as much as I, and become a fan!! Cheers Steph...WANTED - Saturday Vaulters
As Vaulting is a "Team Sport", we currently have some vacancies open in our Saturday morning sessions. This is our fun beginner session and run from 9.00am -11.00am on Saturday mornings.
Come and watch a session and you'll see just how fun and safe this team equestrian sport actually is. Children require NO horse riding experience as they actually learn to ride through Vaulting, which in Europe is very popular prior to children learning other Equestrian Diciplines, such as Dressage and Show Jumping!
Vaulting is fantastic for gymnast's and retired young gymnast's, that also loves horses! Vaulting is for everyone , boy's and girls and that's what makes this sport so very special!
If you are interested to come and watch a session or to have a go! Please just give Steph a call before you attend! 0418 981 969.
MEET ROSE THE LAMB! - The latest addition to our SGF animal family!
2 week old Rose is doing really well after her mother rejected her due to a nasty abcess in the foot! Unfortunately rejection is common in the animal world when things aren't quite right with their offspring! I am probably giving her more love and comfort than her own mother would. She follows me everywhere and sleeps on a beanbag next to my bed at night!
Currently Rose is living in our house with a nappy on and loves watching Playschool every morning with our youngest daughter, I'm no sure she enjoy's playing dress-ups as much, however she is sooo adorable and has a true fighting spirit to survive!
Our New Olympic Size Arena (60m x 20m)
Steph's dream of having an arena has finally come true! For all our Vaulters skills to develop further and for the health of our Vaulting Horses, an arena is necessary.
The arena now provides an all weather and softer training surface for our Vaulters and Horses. For our Vaulters who are able to train at canter this provides them so many benefits in their development of skills, however all Vaulters no matter at what level will benefit! It is now finninshed and all our Vaulters on return from their holidays will enjoy this immensely I am sure!
Vet Students
Every holidays Sugargum Farm welcomes Vetinerary Students from Melbourne Uni undertaking their farm placement as part of their studies. Many of these undergraduates have never been in close contact with animals other than the domesticated ones, so being here provides them with a great learning opportunity and experience for them.
These winter holidays we have enjoyed the company of Brendah & Ginsing and we wish you all the very best in your studies and future endeavours! Steph & the Sugargumfarm Team...
June 2009 NEWS
EV MEMBERSHIP
SUGARGUM FARM is very proud to say we have been accepted as a Corporate Affiliated Member of Equestrian Victoria (EV), a state branch of Equestrian Australia, formally known as the Equestrian Federation of Victoria (EFA). Our Sport's Governing Body for the discipline of Vaulting. Check out their Victorian new Logos.
We have been invited to an evening underlights display at the National Equestrian Centre during the Horseland Australian Interschool Championships in September this year! The children are very excited to say the least. Not easy performing in front of the "Horsey" community.
Our New Performance Unitards
Take a look at the design for our Performance Unitards! Very Australian with the Flowering Sugargum dont' you think? The Girls will have georgeous green rhinestones and for the Boys will be green piping outlining the leaves and flower! Many thanks to Sonia at www.sparkle4less.com.au for turning my simple flowering gumleaf design into a piece of Body Art!
Our Georgeous Little Donkeys
Simpson & Joesph arrived safely on the boat from Tassmania at the end of May and have settled into their new family life at SGF.
Absolutely adorable and much more like a dog than a horse. When I call their name they wag their tail, and whoever thought Donkeys kick, I assure you I have never felt more safe around an equine! They don't even have the same flight response like pony/horse. If they're scared they just stand still! Just delightful!
Look us up and become a FAN! You don't have to be a Vaulter...you could be a family or individual that would like to assist us in raising the the profile of Vaulting in Australia especially Victoria where even the "horsey" community know so little of this actual FEI & EV discipline! Let alone Australia!
The general perception is that it is Trick Riding! Perhaps the name should be changed back to "Artistic Riding" as it was known at the last Olympic's competed at. Unfortunately that was in 1920 in Antwerp. Now it is only a World Cup Sport, but not many know that either! I'd love to see you there.... Cheers Steph...