Welcome Douglas Nieters!

Congratulations to the latest owner of Fernhill Classic, Douglas Nieters.  Welcome to the team and thank you for supporting us!
~ Ryan

FULL SWING IN AIKEN!

It's been very busy over the past couple of weeks, settling into our new Aiken facility, owned by Curran and Margie Simpson.  Victoria Farms has quickly evolved into a first rate facility, with 14 stalls, 6 large paddocks, a jogging/gallop track and round pen situation on 20 acres in Bridle Creek.  To ensure that the horses are well monitored, there is a 2 bedroom apartment above the barn, plus a grooms quarters attached to the tack room. 

Photo Album of Victoria Farms


The Bridle Creek community features a common facility with dressage and show jumping rings plus a XC course, so every training amenity is within our reach.  We our being kept on our toes with a full roster of 20 horses in training, so it's sure to be a productive winter!

This past Sunday we had a full day at Full Gallop Farm with 9 horses competing from Novice through Preliminary.

Curran Simpson on Fernhill Flame

Bennett's Creek Farm had a great weekend with Sherry Stevenson's "Murry" winning at Novice and Curran Simpson, riding Fernhill Flame, finishing on the second (exact optimum time) taking 2nd! 

Popeye the Super Pony Stallion
Chris Tally in the Irons!

Woodstock Bennett was 5th in his first training level event and Summit Sport Horse's Popeye, (the super pony stallion) finished on a 29 to take 2nd in his first recognized horse trial with Chris Tally!  

Mary Hazzard's, Magic Replica turned heads in Training, placing 8th.

The Preliminary horses were great as well!
Fernhill Classic won the dressage on a 28! We went slow around XC as the ground was very hard.  Frankie was perfect scoring a PB in the dressage with a 29.  I rode through the first water to get his feet wet and then saved him for another day - again looking out for him with the hard ground.  Chris and Comanche went the same route after also scoring their best score yet in the dressage as well!

Dday shows great form!

Finally Dday was very impressive in the dressage and stadium before giving his rider a wake up call at the water!  The first event of the year was also a great way to see what I need to work on with each horse.

A Big Thank You to the team-  Stacey, Charlie, Nikki, Chris and to Rose, BCF trainer for helping us over the last week.

Cheers, Ryan 

Don't forget to check out our 2013 competition schedule on the website.....we hope to see you at our next event!!

VIDEO ON PROPER SADDLE FIT - BY STUBBEN NORTH AMERICA!

Every rider experiences questions and challenges with proper saddle fit, whether it's for one horse, or a stable full of horses in training.  Ryan has recently partnered with Stubben Saddles for the pure reason that they are industry leaders, with a long history of producing well constructed saddles that fit horses properly.  

Their newest line of Biomex saddles have shown the industry that Stubben has evolved with the modern market, producing a saddle aimed at relieving horse and rider back pain.  Stubben's biggest mission is to educate riders on the benefit of properly fit saddles, which is well demonstrated through this educational video.  Although this particular video was filmed at the Retired Racehorse Training Project, Stubben Saddles have a variety of models which are well suited for all breeds and back types.



We hope that if you're at an event and see Ryan, take a moment to check out his Stubben saddles because they have truly helped all of his horses excel this past season!

Stubben North America

Sponsor Spotlight - Equine Comfort Products

Ryan has been riding in the latest eventing pad in the USA by Equine Comfort Products.

The innovative style and design maximizes comfort with less surface area keeping the horses cooler when they are galloping cross country.  This stylish pad breaths very well and has a non slip surface, keeping the pad with the saddle!  

" A combination of high tech material allows horse and rider to meet and conquer the many challenges in the Eventing World. This pad has a brushed cotton bottom and a non-slip foam top that is 1/2 inch. compression foam underneath and the outer mesh on flaps make it a perfect combination that is moisture wicking, breathable and shock absorbing. The 1/2 inch compression foam underneath keeps the saddle in place and protects the horse and riders back from jarring impact. Available in Black and White. Fits saddles up to 18"

Order through  equinecomfort.com

ARTICLE ON RYAN IN EQUESTRIAN CALENDAR OF AIKEN!

Ryan Wood, Another Aussie from Down Under Comes Up and Over To Bridle Creek in Aiken, SC

Ryan Wood (Woodsy) will be starting his 5th season in the USA and his first season on his own, and has another 5 years available in the US stamped on his passport. A well seasoned 4* Event Rider that first stepped ground on US soil in 2008, where he worked with eventing legend Bruce Davidson, and then joined Phillip Dutton's team in 2009, and recently has been "kicked out of the nest" so to speak.  

Phillip (Olympic Medalist for both Australia and USA) has been instrumental in assisting many riders, specifically Boyd Martin, another fellow Aussie whose winter facility is based in Bridle Creek, and now Ryan continuing his own training business: Woodstock Eventing. Phillip's Red Oak Farm is also based in Bridle  Creek.  Ryan continues to ride with Phillip.

Vitoria Farms, LLC, a newly built 14 stall barn, court yard design, was recently purchased and built by Curran and Margy Simpson of Bennet's Creek Farm, owners of competition horse named "Woodstock Bennett." The Simpson's hired Rob Cahill of Equestrian Structures, LLC to design and build this functional facility that borders Phillip Dutton's property.

The Simpson's compete and own a number of horses, recently purchased ISH that Curren will be competing this winter.  The Simpson's have given Ryan an opportunity to be situated and have access to the top training facility of Boyd Martin, owned by Ilene Boorman. Kevin Keane, one of the finest equine veterinarians and top-level rider, lives across the street. Gratitude is an understatement!  What a great place to live during the winter months to fully prep the horses for the 2013 Spring Season up North.

2012 was busy and impressive for the lean, long legged event rider: 124 events; 21-wins, 13-2nd place, 11-3rd place finishes, and sometimes riding as many as 9 horses in one event. It takes a committed and disciplined rider to achieve these goals. Ryan started as an 8 yr old when he purchased his first TB stock horse for AUD $1500. He and "Countdown" went through Pony Club and finished with a 4* event when they were both 19 yrs of age. 

After completing school in Australia, he spent a year working for Gary Wallace (Australian Eventing Champion), and then based out of New South Wales Equestrian Center, where he also had the opportunity of galloping race horses at Hawkesbury & Cessnock Race Courses, as well as starting a few young horses. His passion and focus in the horse industry is demonstrated by acquiring his EFA NCAS Level 1 Coach qualification through the Equestrian Federation of Australia. Ryan has also made a number of trips to Germany and rode with Olympic dressage trainer Norbert Van Laak as well as champion show jumpers Ludger Beerbaum and Ernst Hofschroer.

His passion and experience and ambition is sure to facilitate his move to the top of the Eventing World, and his endless hours spent riding and training enables him to be a very helpful coach at all levels. His quiet and persistent demeanor sends a contagious message of self esteem, to both horses and riders of all levels. 
At the time of this article, the barn was nearing completion, stay tuned for photo gallery in next newsletter.

Feel free to contact Ryan directly if you are interested in lessons, buying, selling or becoming a part of his syndication program.  Shortly after Winter in Aiken, the plan is to go to Ireland and purchase a few prospects, which could be a great opportunity to be a part of a World Class Event Horse. For more information contact Ryan directly at (610) 836-1011.
by Nancy Bruen Smith