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Midland's Equestrian Program |
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Students electing to be in the Equestrian Program go through one season of training, where they learn the basics of horse care, tack use, and riding skills. Most of the initial riding is done in our arena. Near the end of the course, however, students begin to venture out onto trails that wind through meadows, streams, hillsides, and canyons. Once a student passes the arena and trail test, they have the privilege of exploring Midland's miles of trails and dirt roads, all accessible directly from our barn door. Our large number of options include trails with the following names: The Bowl, the Golden Horseshoe, Rain Gauge, Green Gate Loop, Pankau's Trail, Senior Cabin Loop, and Jackson's Loop. If you have questions about Midland's Equestrian Program, contact Martina Svennungsen.
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| APB and Desi slide through the grass on Bradley Mesa |
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Equestrian Program |
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 Students electing to be in the Equestrian Program go through one season of training, where they learn the basics of horse care, tack use, and riding skills. Most of the initial riding is done in our arena. Near the end of the course, however, students begin to venture out onto trails that wind through meadows, streams, hillsides, and canyons. Once a student passes the arena and trail test, they have the privilege of exploring Midland's miles of trails and dirt roads, all accessible directly from our barn door. Our large number of options include trails with the following names: The Bowl, the Golden Horseshoe, Rain Gauge, Green Gate Loop, Pankau's Trail, Senior Cabin Loop, and Jackson's Loop. If you have questions about Midland's Equestrian Program, contact Martina Svennungsen.
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Thoroughbred Breeding Farm |
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On a Saturday afternoon in April, Martina Svennungsen and Gillian Kinnear '04 took the spring riding group to Trustee Nick Alexander's ('60) Thoroughbred breeding farm in Santa Ynez Valley. Students were allowed to schmooze with the mamas and babies alike--11 total thus far, with a few more on the way. Nick toured students through his beautiful facility, sharing over 25 years of adventures of his horse racing experiences. Nick also told the group that his love of horses began and grew during his time as a Midland student. Students truly enjoyed Nick's great stories and his gorgeous horses, and the program thanks him for opening his farm to us.
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Midland Riders Take Part in Local Fox Hunt |
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On a Saturday afternoon in March, Martina Svennungsen took student riders Miranda Poett '10, Libang Shi '10, and Kevin Jung '11 fox hunting with the local traditional hunt group, The Santa Ynez Valley Hounds ( www.syvhounds.com). The hunt proved to be very exciting for the students as the hounds drove out a wild boar in the middle of the ride. To end the fabulous afternoon, Midland students led the first field that follows the huntswoman and her hounds over the hillsides of the land, an unexpected privilege. After the four-hour ride, many group members complimented Midland's riders and their horses, and hoped that they could participate in future outings.
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Camping at The Spanish Ranch |
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The group of experienced horse riders (students who have been in the program before) joined Martina and Gillian '04 for an overnight camping trip at The Spanish Ranch near Cuyama. This ranch belongs to the Doirons, whose son Brendan is Midland '08. The students took two great rides, highlighted by a waltz through meadows of golden field (that's the name of the flower). The program would like to thank Pam (who's a Midland Trustee) for her great hostiptality, and Brendan for not showing up by surprise and letting the bulls out!
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Horse Camping at Rancho Oso |
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Each fall and spring, the returning riders spend a night at a nearby riding area, taking a couple of rides in the process. This fall, juniors Meghan Brown and Ruby Goldberg camped at Rancho Oso with their horses. |
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