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Horsey B-Day 2008
At the beginning of each year we celebrate another birthday in the lives of the members of the Windy Ridge herd.
Silly, we know; but fun, nevertheless! |
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Twelve Windy Ridge Riders entertained the crowd in the St. Paul Winter Carnival's Grande Day Parade in downtown St. Paul on Saturday, Jan. 26th and in the Torchlight Parade Feb. 2. See the photos that Helen's husband, Bob, took.
Also see a photo from the Torchlight Parade. |
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Lynne doesn't always get the smooth ride she expects. See her entertaining videos, taken recently, in a rodeo arena not far from fantasy land.
Video 1 She lasts 8 secs.
Video 2 She doesn't. |
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Here are the amazing videos of Stacy Westfall riding a reining pattern bridless. |
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Carol McCarty took this beautiful photo of Samson & Sugarfoot (Feb, 2008) Click to enlarge. |
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Christmas Caroling on horseback Dec 16, 2007 |
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Click on the image to see a photo-gallery from the 2007 Windy Ridge Riders Halloween Fun Show
Here's another link for a photo gallery put up by Helen Krone's husband, Bob: http://framesoflight.smugmug.com/gallery/3969295#230653645
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Drill Team 2007 State Fair performance video
15 mb clip
62mb clip |

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King (registered name Wimpy's Pine Knot) had to be euthanized Tuesday, Oct. 16th due to cranial nerve trauma (probably from a tumor) which finally left him unable to move to the right, eat or drink. King was well into his 25th year and had recently put on some good weight and muscle and had a shiny coat. He had a fine summer with his riders and will be remembered fondly by his former lessees and dedicated students. Read some memories of King. |
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New Horses! Arrived at WRR on Tuesday, Oct 16.
All three were bred by Dan Solberg, in Preston MN.
Spirit (5 yr. QH gelding)
Handsome & talented!
Jamie Solberg, Dan's daughter, trained and showed Spirit extensively. Read her story about Spirit. |
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Rosemare (4 yr QH mare).
Cute! |
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Lilly (3 yr QH mare).
Beautiful and calm for a 3 yr. old. |
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"Hang On Johnny" is the sire of Winnie's expected foal. Here's a web page describing him: http://www.blackshireequestrian.com/HangonJohnny.html |
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The Sept 15 WRR Barn Party was a great success. We enjoyed games and great food. Here's brief video of the "Bucking Barrel" in action. |
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2007 Results from the Windy Ridge Riders at the State Fair!
Drill Team: 4th place with a very good performance, wowing the crowds!
Camas Prairie Stump Race: Mark Ward on Flash 1st place, Heather Nierengarten on Sage, 8th place.
Tandem Bareback: Eryn Hoium & Heather Nierengarten on Cosmos: 4th place
Paint Barrels: Brenden Hollenbeck on Tally, 3rd place.
Paint Poles: Mark Ward on Tally, 2nd place.
The JETs put on a great demonstration of precision drill riding.
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Farewell to two wonderful Windy Ridge Horses, Zane Grey and Mokie
Aug. 9, 2007
Zane Grey was diagnosed last winter by our vet with Cushings disease, caused by a tumor on his pituitary gland. Zane had numerous seizures and other Cushings-related symptoms. He was euthanized Aug. 9, 2007 at the age of 19. The UofM diagnostics lab performed a necropsy which confirmed a pituitary tumor and also found a tumor in his intestines. Zane will be sorely missed by both his horse and human friends, especially his lessee, Erica, and former lessees and students. Zane, an Arabian, was an outstanding schooling horse at WRR for 16 years.
See memories and photos of Zane Here's a link to a video about Zane: http://youtube.com/watch?v=vFueN9HUJJ8
Mokie, age 15, was euthanized Aug. 9th, 2007 due to a degenerative arthitic spinal disease called ankylosing spondylosis. The UofM diagnostics lab performed the necropsy. The disease effected Mokie's lumbar vertebrae, causing him to lose coordination of his hind quarters. He first became ill Memorial Day weekend and gradually worsened over the summer. Mokie was an athletic Quarter Horse, loved by his lessees, Kathy and Katy, and will be missed by current and former students and lessees. Mokie taught people how to ride at WRR for about 9 years.
See memories and photos of Mokie |
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2007 Drill Team Pattern
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Recent photo & artwork by students (Click on the image for enlargement) |
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Zumbro Bottoms Horse Camping
June 2007 |
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Horse Swimming (Click to see a flash video.) |
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Nanibou fractured her cannon. Click here to see the X-ray and to watch a video of the cast being applied. September, 2007 X-rays show the bone is healing well. |
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Video about oxytet treatment of thrush. |
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A new horse! Newton joined the WRR schooling string, May 2007. He's a six-year old paint gelding, 14.3 hands. He has good manners and is already trained to jump. |
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Horse Camping in Forestville State Park, May 2007.
See Photos |

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See photos from the May 20th schooling show.
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Smokey's surgery |
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The great horse, Blondie, died Sunday morning, March 04, 2007
She apparently died peacefully in her sleep. Blondie had been healthy up until recently, when she began to have some fainting spells and this week developed symptoms that seemed like bronchitis, but according to a necropsy performed at the University of Minnesota, she had a very unusual and advanced bacterial infection in her trachea. The vet had never seen a case like it, and said it appeared to be an incurable condition with no known cause. She will be missed by many, especially Sara Kingrey who got the best rides ever from good old Blondie.
See memories and stories about Blondie |
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Valentine's Day Fun Show Photo Gallery
... and more photos |

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Cocoa's torn ligament exam.
Cocoa has been in recovery since January, 2007 and as of September is being cantered and is almost back to a full activity level. |
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Check out this interesting video link.
A French rider jumps 6 horses at once!
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Dec. 2006. WRR has three new horses! See photos.
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Christmas Caroling on Horseback
On Dec 17, 2006 the entire WRR herd of 47 horses left the WRR for a
singing trail ride through the Stone Mill Farm neighborhood. It was a great success. The horses were perfectly behaved and we
sounded great! Pictures. Here is a list of horses and riders.
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Topper died from colic in December 2006. He was in the equine
hospital and was diagnosed with a twisted small intestine caused
by entanglement of the intestine with a lipoma (or fatty tumor) in the
abdominal cavity. Topper was 28 years old. He had been a WRR lesson horse for 24 years.
Topper was a sturdy horse with a friendly personality whose career included
success in mountain trail riding, barrel racing, jumping, dressage, and
teaching hundreds of riders how much fun horses can be. He will be missed.
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2006 Halloween Fun Show Photo Gallery
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Safety Tips: Mount & Dismount (4.5 mb Video for broadband)
Pulley Rein (5 mb)
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Windy Ridge Riders Drill Team
Minnesota State Fair 2006 Champions
We tip our hats to
Troxel for providing our drill team with helmets. Thank you Troxel!
Download a video from our performance. This is a 37 MB file and you will need a fast internet connection and a few
minutes of waiting time.
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2006 Club Overnighter Photo |
Click to enlarge. |
Two new QH mares arrived in the
summer of 2006! Razzberry (4 yr sorrel) and Nanibou
(6 yr bay). |

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Photos of Mark
& Katie's April Ireland Jumping Adventure |
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Can You Name These WRR horses? |

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Lots more old items -- click here |