Goose Pond Equestrian Center

11/13/2025

11/09/2025

For our valued teammates!

“Confessions of a Riding School Saint”

Hello, human.
Yes, you — the one still trying to find the correct diagonal.

I’m the riding-school horse you meet once a week. You call me “steady,” “safe,” or, when I don’t immediately burst into extended trot, “lazy.” I’ve carried hundreds like you — some with bouncing enthusiasm, others with a death-grip on the reins and a look that says, “Please, not canter.”

Every rider brings their own style. Some kick like they’re starting a lawnmower. Some perch like a baby giraffe learning ballet. One even tried “natural horsemanship” by whispering at me for twenty minutes. (I admired the effort, but grass would have been more persuasive.)

I do my best to translate. But it’s tricky when one person wants me to go forward, the next to collect, and the next to “just feel the rhythm” while clamping both legs and pulling on my face. You’d be confused too.

Sometimes, when the messages get too loud or too mixed, I tune out. You call it “lazy.” I call it “self-preservation.” You see, my job isn’t easy — I must keep everyone safe while pretending your seat bones aren’t trying to send Morse code in three languages at once.

I’ve met every training philosophy going: “forward fixes everything,” “never use the leg,” “ride from the seat,” and my favorite — “just sit deeper!” (Usually shouted as the rider performs a mid-arena levitation.)

But I’ve also met kindness. The quiet rider who remembers to breathe, softens their hand, and says “good” when I try. That’s when I lift my back, stretch my neck, and remember what partnership feels like.

I don’t care about levels or ribbons. I care that you try to understand me. That you see me not as a piece of gym equipment but as a partner — one who has to process your nerves, your posture, and your Spotify playlist of contradictory aids.

So before you call a horse lazy, ask yourself: am I clear? Calm? Consistent?
Because the truth is, I’m not stubborn — I’m exhausted from reading mixed signals.

If you listen, I’ll listen. If you work on you, I’ll meet you halfway — maybe even with a flying change if I’m feeling fancy.

After all, I’m not just your ride. I’m your mirror, your teacher, and occasionally, your unpaid therapist.
Now, pat me. I’ve earned it.

Author: Gary A Diplock

11/08/2025

Karla Marie had changed the Fundraiser Gymkhana listed for Nov 9 to Nov 15 due to weather

10/19/2025

Thank you everyone for helping make our last gymkhana of the season a rousing success! Lots of riders have really improved over the season, new faces have become new friends, much fun was had!
We had our annual costume parade - lots of great costumes! Kudos to Elliot and Lily for riding all day in their costumes! It was difficult to choose the winners of the costume contest!
Special thanks to Karla Marie and Aubrey Elizabeth for helping with this show. They really love what they are doing and we so appreciate them!
Also be sure to look for your photos from Valia Photography - thanks Hayley!
Keep a lookout for our end of year awards potluck banquet, probably in Jan 2026!

10/10/2025

Karla Marie selected our CLASS LIST for the Halloween Gymkhana Saturday, October 18th:

1. Witch's Broom Race (Speed Barrels)
2. Witch's Web Race
3. Witch's Cauldron Race (Barrel Race)
4. Witch's Hat Race
5. Witch's Thumb Race (Dash Race)
6. Costume Class we will have winners for the Youth and winners for the Adult divisions! This class does not count towards the day end classes 1 thru 5 points. This is a free additional class!
Thank you Karla!

09/25/2025

More photos from last weekend’s schooling jumper show. Great job everyone!

09/25/2025

Thank you everyone for having a fun and supportive time at our schooling jumper show on Saturday! To see so many kids cheering on and supporting their friends, for so many people to hop in and help with resetting fences, to have people telling me they and their kids had a great day - this makes it so rewarding to host these shows for you all!
Special thanks to MTD Property Maintenance & Contractors for watering the arena (and at the last gymkhana too) and thank you to Enfield House of Pizza for preparing our volunteer lunches throughout the season! They were delicious!

09/25/2025

A HUGE thank you to Britt Paquette for decorating the farm sign - looks terrific!

09/19/2025

Our last Schooling Jumper show of 2025 is tomorrow September 20 starting at 9:30 AM. Yes, we are taking same day entries! Hope to see you here!

09/13/2025

Races for this Saturday’s (Sept 13) Gymkhana!

09/10/2025

Thanks to everyone who attended our schooling jumper show on August 30th! The weather was just right and everyone had fun!
Thank you to all our kind and helpful volunteers and everyone who pitched in to reset fences. We hope to see you at our next show on September 20!