Michael Sparling Horsemanship Demo Wednesday!

Michael Sparling with Boston - photo by Liv Hustvedt

Michael Sparling of Michael Sparling Horsemanship will be offering another demonstration Wednesday August 26, 6-7 pm at Dakota Stables. Michael will be working with Boston, a trail horse owned by the barn owner and real estate agent, Donavin Prescott. 

Boston is a 14-year-old breeding stock paint who is an experienced trail horse. Michael has been working on Boston's ground manners and will demonstrate ridden horsemanship as well.

"My focus is on getting a horse gentle while developing a clear and confident understanding of all that is involved with quality riding. It takes leadership, patience, and consistency to develop a solid horse and that's what I try to offer every horse."                   -Michael Sparling

Principles will build on the previous demonstration and ground work clinic, but you do not need to have attended the previous events to come to this one! Cost is $10 to attend. Dakota Stables is located south of Lakeville at 30813 Iran Path, Northfield.

Can't make it tomorrow? There will also be a riding workshop NEXT Wednesday, Sept. 2nd - save the date!

Want to look at horse properties for sale? Check out www.donavin.com for hobby farms, acreage, and equestrian facilities for sale in the greater Twin Cities metro area.

Ride with Ralph Hill this weekend!

Ralph Hill coaching

Owl's Nest Farms in Maple Plain is hosting a Ralph Hill clinic this weekend Saturday August 29-Sunday August 30th. Ralph Hill is a veteran CCI**** event rider, who competed in every Rolex Kentucky since it began in 1978 until his near-fatal accident in 2007. As an instructor, Ralph Hill, is known as an exacting expert who will help bring out the best in horse and rider.

Owl's Nest Farms barn - photo from www.owlsnestranch.com

Offering Aglime footing in their 80' x 200' indoor arena and their 100' x 300' outdoor arena, Owl's Nest Farms is a beautiful facility with all the amenities to enjoy riding in or auditing this clinic!

Cross country jumping at Owl's Nest Farms - photo from www.owlsnestranch.com

Auditing is completely free and visitors are welcome! Saturday will be gymnastics schooling and Sunday will be cross country schooling. Dressage lessons are also available, as is stabling.

Photo from www.owlsnestranch.com 

Those wishing to register to ride (there are some last minute openings!) or audit should contact Michelle at 612-382-4191.

Have you always wanted to have your horses at home and maybe build your own cross country course? Check out hobby farms and horse properties for sale at www.donavin.com

Northern Lights Dressage Show this Weekend!

The author & her mare Elena de la Vega, photo by Cindy Bellamy

One of the last USDF recognized dressage shows of the year, Northern Lights is also going to be one of the biggest! Over 100 riders are competing in 3 different arenas for 4 different judges over 2 days, Saturday and Sunday August 22-23. The show will be held at the Washington County Fairgrounds in Lake Elmo, MN. Classes will be offered from Introductory Level to FEI. You can browse the entries and schedule by rider here. 

St. Croix Saddlery will have their mobile trailer there for fun horse shopping for apparel, equipment, & more.

Prefer to look at horse properties for sale?  Browse hobby farms and equestrian facilities at www.donavin.com

Horsemanship Clinic at Dakota Stables tonight!

Photo from www.michaelsparlinghorsemanship.com

Michael Sparling is offering a horsemanship clinic at Dakota Stables tonight from 6-8 pm.  Come on out to Dakota Stables in Northfield, MN to learn how to communicate more effectively with your horse on the ground and in the saddle!

Focusing on helping horse owners find peaceful harmonious relationships with their horses, Michael Sparling, uses patience, consistency, and leadership with horses and people.

Photo by MollyGoossensPhotography.com

Looking for a hobby farm of your own?  Check out www.donavin.com to browse horse properties for sale in the greater Twin Cities metropolitan area.

Josh Lyons clinic at Woodloch Stable tomorrow-Saturday!

Josh Lyons - photo from www.joshlyons.com

Josh Lyons is coming to Woodloch Stable in Hugo, MN for a 3-day clinic August 13-15.  Auditors welcome! It is $35/day or $75 for all 3 days. Bring your own chair. The clinic will take place in the outdoor arena by the rodeo arena.  

The clinic will be tailored to the skill levels of the horses and their handlers.  Horse handlers/riders will learn to effectively control their horse. Everyone from beginners to advanced competitors will work on topics from hip control, speed changes, diagonals, problem solving, and more.  

Woodloch Stable's outdoor arena - photo from www.woodlochstable.com

Woodloch Stable barn - photo from www.woodlochstable.com

Prefer to browse horse properties to find your dream farm?  Go to www.donavin.com to look for hobby farms and equestrian facilities for sale in the Twin Cities greater metro area.

Great Prairie ShootOut Event this Saturday

Photo from www.osseogunclub.com

There is a movement to create a Great Prairie Equestrian Center to promote the Olympic sport of Pentathlon which includes 5 events: show jumping, fencing, swimming, running, and shooting. Great Prairie Sports is hosting a shooting fundraiser at the Osseo Gun Club in Osseo, MN this Saturday August 15th.

The event runs from 9 am to 3 pm. Cost is $20/person if preregistered by Thursday August 13th at www.active.com.

Participants get to shoot 5 rounds each of 5 pistols or rifles. There will also be a silent auction.  Join the fun!

Here is the flyer for more information.

On the lookout for a hobby farm of your own out in the country?  Browse horse properties at www.donavin.com

Entries Due for Fun Schooling Shows!

Today is the deadline for entries for the Project Astride Dressage, Hunter/Jumper, and Fun Schooling Show Sunday August 16th at Rocking R Farm in Foley, MN. Classes include western dressage, lead line and trail classes!

Project Astride is a PATH Intl. Premiere accredited therapeutic riding center for people with disabilities. On site photography, food, silent auction at this fun show! The judges will be Heather Salden (dressage) and Jasmin Seitzer (jumping). Here is the entry form. Come out and support a worthy cause while showing!  

Hollow Creek Farm schooling show

You can also still get your entries in for the 1 Day Horse Trials at Hollow Creek Farm in Menomenie, WI on Saturday August 22nd. Located just an hour from St. Paul, this is a lovely farm and this show is an excellent opportunity to get some practice in between the major horse trials. Here is the entry form.

It's $135 (+$25 late fee) for all 3 phases of eventing: dressage (taking place in the indoor arena), cross country (new water complex!), and stadium jumping (outdoor arena). Levels include Starter, Beginner Novice, & Novice.

Are you looking for your own piece of horse heaven? Check out horse properties and hobby farms for sale at www.donavin.com

Open House Tomorrow in Farmington

Take a look at this horse property in person tomorrow, Sunday August 9, 2-4 pm!

1075 210th St, Farmington, MN 55024

This outbuilding could easily house your horses in comfort with its insulation, concrete floors, and 1/2 can be heated for the winter.

Imagine driving down this driveway to home sweet home!

With 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, and 2300 sq. ft., this lovely home features plank wood flooring throughout.

The bathroom has stunning wood trim.

The master bedroom has large windows so you can look out at your horses grazing.

On a nice summer day, you can enjoy the view of your horses from this deck.

The entryway opens up to the stairs, the living room on one side, the kitchen straight ahead.

The kitchen and dining room with plank wood doors and french doors.

It rests on 8 acres and is available with 40 acres, which can be fenced and finished for horses. Make it your dream farm!

Here is the virtual tour but you can stop by tomorrow Sunday August 9th to see the place for yourself - 2-4 pm. Asking $499,900.

Not quite what you're looking for?  Browse www.donavin.com for other hobby farms and horse properties for sale in the greater Twin Cities metro area. 

8136 Hwy 19 Blvd, Cannon Falls, MN 55109

This lovely piece of 14 acres is a secluded property with mature trees off of Hwy 19 outside Cannon Falls. The home is well-maintained with 4 bedrooms and 2 bath rooms and 2600 sq. ft.  

Interior of the 30' x 54' outbuilding which could be turned into a stall barn or be used as a garage for storage of farm equipment or hay.

Lawn showing evergreen trees and exterior of outbuilding/barn.

Several bedrooms have vaulted ceilings.

It would be easy to make this property home for your horses by adding in fences for pastures.  

Check out the virtual tour and more photos.

Not quite what you're looking for?  Browse other hobby farms at www.donavin.com

22251 Penn Ave., Lakeville, MN 55044

Take a look of this 10 acre piece of horse heaven in Lakeville!  This 4 bedroom, 4 bath home has 3,225 sq. ft. of stunning design and features such as a wrap around porch, a Jacuzzi tub, and more.

Wrap-around porch and professional landscaping surround the house.

Grass pastures for your horses to graze on all summer long!

The indoor arena is 60' x 120' large enough for winter riding indoors whatever your discipline.

Beautiful 6-stall barn with box stalls and a concrete aisle opens up to the indoor arena.

6 garage spots in this separate garage with plenty of space for your vehicles and farm equipment.

The upper deck offers a lovely view of the property, the mature trees and the horse pastures.

The dining room has a wall of windows and french doors for natural light.

The lower level entertainment area is perfect for cozy winter night movie watching.

The master bath has a Jacuzzi tub, tile floors, and a skylight.

Not quite what you're looking for? Browse other hobby farms and horse properties at www.donavin.com

Eventing at Otter Creek this Weekend!

Otter Creek Farm is hosting their Summer Horse Trials this weekend, August 7-9. Levels include Starter, Beginner Novice, Novice, Training, and Preliminary. 

Here are the ride times for dressage and cross-country. Except for beginner novice and starter divisions which have cross country on Friday afternoon after dressage, cross country takes place on Saturday. Stadium jumping ride times (Sunday) will be dependent on who makes it through the first two rounds. For more information, see the USEA (United States Eventing Association) listing.

Otter Creek is a beautiful facility with a hilly and wooden cross country course, much of which is visible from a central location under the pavilion. The dressage arenas and stadium arena have all-weather footing. Located outside Wheeler, Wisconsin, the farm is secluded and peaceful. Come out for a day or two and watch some of the best event horse and riders in the area!

Have you always wanted to own your own horse property with a cross country course? Sunborn Stables is for sale with this lovely water complex! Or build your own at a hobby farm of your choosing for sale at www.donavin.com

Hunter Schooling Show at Pegasus Riding School this Saturday!

Photo from http://www.pegasus-riding-school.com/lessons.php

Pegasus Riding School in Medina, MN is hosting the next Red Pine Horse Show Association hunter schooling show this Saturday August 8, 2015. 

The show begins at 8:30 am and the Walk Trot Cantina will be the food stand. Classes include equitation on the flat and jump classes, split by experience of horse and rider. Classes range from ground poles to 2'9. For a full class list, see the entry form. It's not too late to enter! 

Red Pine Horse Show Association offers inexpensive shows and year-end prizes for Champion and Reserve Champion and ribbons through 6th level. Their last show of the season will be at Carriage House Farm on September 26th.

The jump arena at Pegasus Riding School

Are you looking for a horse property of your own?Keep your horses at home at a hobby farm in the Twin Cities area. Browse www.donavin.com to look for your dream farm!

Dressage Schooling Show at Wildfire Farms this Saturday!

June Wheeler & Bjorne
at a previous Wildfire Farms schooling show

Looking for a recognized dressage show experience at the cost of a schooling show?  Wildfire Farms in Maple Lake, MN is hosting a dressage schooling show with recognized judge Nancy Porter this Saturday August 8th.  

Here is the showbill and entry form. Classes run from intro level to 2nd and above and include western dressage classes too. It is $20/class and JR/SR divisions run and place simultaneously. 

Classes begin at 9 am in the outdoor arena.  The indoor arena will be open all day for warm-up.

Day stalls are available for $20. 

There will even be high point awards - a personalized cooler for the high point series and a personalized leather halter for the high point score. The closing date is tomorrow Tuesday August 4th. So get your entries in!  

Questions?  Contact Wildfire Farms.

Would you rather look for your own piece of horse heaven? Browse hobby farms and equestrian facilities for sale in the greater Twin Cities metro area at www.donavin.com. 

9935 140th St. E., Nerstrand, MN 55053

Looking for a hobby farm to appreciate country living? Check this out...40 acres outside Northfield with a 2600 sq. ft. home, heated and unheated outbuildings, all for under $600 K!

Aerial view of the property showing acres of hay field, the barn, home and mature trees.

The barn has an overhang/shelter area at the entrance, perfect for grooming and farrier work.

The 36' x 76' barn has plenty of room for storage of hay, farm equipment, or room to put in stalls.  It already has an office/tack room.

If you prefer a heated barn, there is another outbuilding, currently being used a workshop, which is 30' x 52' and fully insulated and heated.

The lovely home built in 1991 has a multi-layer deck overlooking the property to enjoy the quiet country life.

The kitchen opens out to the dining room and both have vaulted ceilings and big windows.

The entryway shows the unique open floor plan, large windows, and vaulted ceilings of this lovely home.

Check out the aerial video here!

For more photos and information, go to www.donavin.com/nerstrand.html.

Not quite what you're looking for?  Browse other hobby farms, acreage, and horse properties at www.donavin.com.