Lisa Fergguson clinic this weekend!

Lisa Fergusson

There may still be openings for the Lisa Fergusson clinic this weekend. Saturday will be dressage and stadium at Farm du Cheval in Scandia, Minnesota. Sunday will be dressage and cross country at Carriage House Farm in Hugo, Minnesota. 

Yesterday, there was an open spot for Beginner Novice/Novice for stadium and cross country only (dressage lessons are full).  The cost is $180. 

Contact Jean to for forms to register or with any questions.

Check out www.donavin.com for listings of hobby farms and equestrian facilities for sale.

Clinic & Show at Focused Riding this weekend!

Cross-country schooling at Focused Riding Center

Focused Riding Center in Hager City, Wisconsin, is hosting a Saturday clinic and Sunday schooling show this weekend. Saturday will be jumping in groups of 2-3 for 60-90 minutes. Dressage ride-a-test also available by request. Clinic participation is $50/ride.  

Here is the entry form for the clinic. Questions? Contact Jane Braddock.

Although entries have closed for the schooling show on Sunday, visitors are welcome. Classes include over fences, rail classes, and derby classes, ranging from 18" to 3'3".  Here is the list of classes for the schooling show.

Focused Riding stadium jumping

Are you looking for your dream farm?  Browse www.donavin.com to look at hobby farms and horse properties for sale in the greater Twin Cities metro area.

9731 230th St., Lakeville, MN 55044

Check out this updated farmhouse on 15+ acres in Lakeville! The 3-bedroom, 3-bath farmhouse was originally built in 1935 and has its own pond, gorgeous mature trees, a 2-stall barn, and a carriage house with upstairs apartment. There are a total of 2,069 sq. ft. and 6 garage spaces!

There's a lovely 4-season porch overlooking the backyard and pond.

33' x 66' barn has 2 box stalls, an enclosed tackroom/office (currently set up as a bunkhouse), and plenty of storage for hay, shavings, & equipment.

Acres of fields could be home to your horses and you could grow your own hay too!

Backyard pond invites wildlife and is surrounded by evergreens and deciduous trees.

The backyard is well-shaded by these stunning trees which are perfect for climbing!

For more photos of the interior of the house and the barn, go to the virtual tour.

Aerial shot of the property, go here for an aerial video

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

Allison Springer at North Brook tomorrow for a clinic!

Allison Springer, photo by Sherry Steward

North Brook Eventing Center in Stillwater, MN is hosting Allison Springer for a one-day clinic tomorrow September 27th. Allison Springer is a 4* international eventing competitor and level 4 United States Eventing Association (USEA) certified instructor. She excels at improving the rider-horse partnership and providing training tools for success. Riders will be grouped according to level: Beginner Novice-Intermediate.  

Questions? Email Jan.

North Brook Eventing Center

Are you waiting for your dream farm to come on the market? Maybe it's here! Check out www.donavin.com to look at hobby farms and horse properties for sale in the greater metro area of the Twin Cities.

Hunter Schooling Show this Saturday!

Carriage House Farm in Hugo, MN is hosting a hunter schooling show this Saturday September 26, 2015. The show is the last in the Red Pine Horse Show Association 2015 series.  Classes range from walk-trot equitation to poles to 2'9". They are divided by divisions including rookie, beginner rider, green as grass, and open. Here is the entry form with a list of classes and rules.

Come on out and cheer on local riders!  Food will be available on-site.  

Looking for your own horse property?  Check out www.donavin.com to browse hobby farms for sale in the greater Twin Cities metro area.

Dressage & Eventing horse shows this weekend!

Otter Creek Farm's cross country course

Otter Creek Farm in Wheeler, WI, is hosting their annual Fall Horse Trials this weekend. Tomorrow, Saturday is the cross country day and Sunday will be stadium jumping. Here are the ride times listed by rider. If you live in the Twin Cities metro area and haven't been to Otter Creek Farm, you really must see it!  Nestled into the hills, the property is beautiful and secluded and meticulously maintained.  The weather is supposed to be lovely and sunny this weekend, so make plans to go and cheer on local eventing riders! Be sure to check out St. Croix Saddlery's trailer full of equipment, apparel, and everything horse-related for fun shopping while you're there!

Can't make it to Otter Creek or is dressage more your thing? The CSDEA (Central States Dressage & Eventing Association) is hosting the Dressage Festival and Championships this weekend at the Washington County Fairgrounds in Lake Elmo, MN.  Here is the list of classes and schedule for the weekend.  Saturday includes the Team Challenge where 3 horse/rider combinations tally their scores to compete. Saturday night will be the Festival Under the Stars with freestyle rides, quadrilles, vaulting demonstrations, and other fun performances.  Sunday will be the championships at each level from Training level to FEI.

The author and Elena de la Vega competing
at Northern Lights Dressage Show at Washington Co. Fairgrounds

Whatever you have planned this weekend, go to www.donavin.com to look at new horse properties and hobby farms for sale in the greater Twin Cities area.

8th Annual Trainer's Challenge this Saturday!

MHARF Nike, 2010 Mustang gelding

The MN Hooved Animal Rescue Foundation is putting on their 8th Annual Trainer's Challenge of the Unwanted Horse this Saturday at the Leatherdale Equine Center at the U of M, St. Paul campus.  17 horses are students of this year's trainers and they will be competing for grand champion of the event.  The trainers demonstrate all they have trained their horses to do. Some of the classes which will be judged include halter, pleasure, obstacle/trail, vet & farrier behavior, & a freestyle class! There are even awards for the best groomed horse, the best blog showcasing the course of training, and a people's choice award.

MHARF Blackberry, 2005 stock-type mare

The ultimate goal is that all of these horses, having received a solid training foundation, will find their forever homes at the event. The photos in this blog are just a few of the horses competing for the trainer's challenge this year. Read all about them here. You can find information on all of the horses available for adoption through MHARF here. If you're interested in adopting a horse, go here to read more about the process.

MHARF Bug, 2010 creme red dun mare

Doors open at 8:30 am on Saturday morning Sept. 19th with the festivities to begin approximately at 9:30 am. Admission is only $5/person or bring in canned goods to donate to a local food shelf.


Support a great cause and local trainers and come out to watch this fun event!  It's amazing what time and training can bring out in these diamond in the rough horses!

MHARF Esme, 2009 stock type mare

Already have the horse of your dreams but still need the dream barn?  Go to www.donavin.com to browse horse properties and hobby farms for sale in the greater Twin Cities metro area.

19195 30th St., Winsted, MN 55396

Aerial view of the property

This stunning custom-built ranch house is located on 10+ acres in Winsted, MN.  With 4,346 sq. ft. full of features like cherry wood detailing, stone fireplaces, and 16' vaulted ceilings, this beauty won't last long on the market!  The 4 bedroom, 3 bath home also boasts 4 box stalls, a 4-stall garage/shop, and an attached heated garage.

The barn has an attached paddock complete with a shelter and hay feeders along the fence. The stalls have automatic waterers and honeycomb matting allowing for draining.  There's extra room for hay or equipment storage or additional stalls.

Across the driveway is the extra large garage for storage of trailers, tractors, and farm equipment.

The patio boasts a brick inlaid fire pit for enjoying bonfires on cool autumn evenings.

Imagine enjoying this view relaxing in the hammock overlooking the fire pit.

The ranch-style home front, showing the meticulous landscaping and overhanging roof.

More landscaping and tiling around the home.

View from the gourmet kitchen into the great room with vaulted ceilings and huge windows and stone fireplace.

Even the mud room/laundry room has gorgeous tiling and cherry wood detailing!

Work out in this exercise room with rubber mats

For more views of the property including the outdoor riding arena, the walk-in stone shower with horse shoe hangers, and the master bedroom with its own stone fireplace, check out the YouTube video, the virtual tour, and the website.

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

Northwest Stables Schooling Show Tomorrow!

Northwest Stables and Riding Academy in Corcoran, MN, is hosting a dressage & jumping schooling show TOMORROW Saturday September 12th.  The judge will be Jodi Ely, USDF "r" judge, Western Dressage judge, and USEA eventing judge.

Classes include intro, training and first level dressage as well as western dressage, eventing dressage, equitation and hunter under saddle flat classes and jumper classes from ground poles through 3'3". Ribbons will be awarded 1st to 6th place and there will be awards for high point & reserve high point too.

Questions?  Contact Northwest Stables.

Have you always wanted a barn of your own?  Browse www.donavin.com for horse properties and hobby farms for sale in the greater Twin Cities metro area.

Don Schramm Clinic this weekend at Woodloch Stable!

Don Schramm with clinic participants

This Saturday and Sunday, September 12-13, Don Schramm will be offering a dressage and jumping clinic. The clinic will be at Woodloch Stable in Hugo, MN.  

Saturday morning will be private dressage lessons and then Saturday afternoon will be group stadium lessons and Sunday will be group cross country lessons. Here is the complete schedule.

Auditing is free! So make plans to watch and learn from one of eventing's best. Don of Schramm Equestrian is originally from Australia and was one of 2006's Australian Young Rider Eventing squad. He has competed internationally at the *** level.

For more details about the clinic, take a look at the clinic Facebook page. Contact Lindsay with any questions.

Looking for your own equestrian facility to host clinics at? Browse www.donavin.com to find your dream hobby farm or horse property in the greater metro area of the Twin Cities of Minnesota.

Wildfire Farms Schooling Show this Saturday!

Wildfire Farms in Maple Lake, MN, is hosting another dressage schooling show this Saturday September 12th.  Entries close today, Sept. 8th, so if you wish to enter, be sure to get it in right away.

Here is the entry form. Classes include intro through 2nd level and above, western dressage, and prix caprilli (with jumps!). The judge will be Jim Hatch. Prizes for high point of the show (personalized halter) and high point series (personalized cooler)!

Prix Caprilli 

The show will be held in their regulation size outdoor dressage arena with warm-up in the indoor arena. This is a super fun show at a gorgeous facility!  Come out to support local riders!

Email wildfirefarmshow@gmail.com with any questions.

Outdoor arena at Wildfire Farms

The stalls at Wildfire Farms

Are you looking for your dream farm?  Take a look at www.donavin.com to see over 15 horse properties and hobby farms for sale in the greater Twin Cities metro area.

Eventing Schooling Show at Roebke's Run on Saturday!

One of the many jumps at Roebke's Run -
photo from http://www.schweissstables.com/gallery.php

The schooling show this weekend at Roebke's Run is a fantastic way for eventers to get some additional practice for the official USEA Horse Trials like Otter Creek's next one Sept. 18-20. The schooling show will take place this Saturday, September 5th. Ride times are posted by level here with Training beginning at 8 am and Starter ending the day around 3 pm.

Come on out and cheer on local eventers as they tackle the challenging and beautiful course at Schweiss' Magister Equitum Stables!

The water complex - photo from http://www.schweissstables.com/gallery.php

Are you looking for your own piece of horse heaven? Take a look at the many horse properties and hobby farms for sale in the Twin Cities metro area at www.donavin.com