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Waredaca’s Commitment to Superior Footing!

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Check out our Footing Project with IEquitek for all of our arenas! After much research and analysis, we chose Atwood Footing, which is also the Official Footing and Arena Company of the USEF! For more information on iEquiTek and Attwood Equestrian Surfaces, click the corresponding images below.

Our Indoor Arena is completed and work on our outdoor (competition dressage arena) is next!

The Waredaca Pony Club testing out the brand-new footing.
The WPC tests out the brand-new footing!

Waredaca Farm Riding Surface Strategy and Plan   

The Waredaca Farm strategy is to use science and best practices to implement improved riding surfaces which are safe, healthy, and offer appropriate performance for the task, which includes education, training, and competitions. Waredaca Farm has aligned with other venues in the USA which are advancing the state-of-the-art.  Waredaca has partnered with Bill Hawe from iEquiTek.

The first step was to make a commitment to use best practices and scientific knowledge to improve outcomes. This happened in the Fall of 2022. This meant Waredaca Farm laid out a vision and was willing to question how that might be accomplished with no pre-conceived notions.

The second step was to articulate a multi-step plan which would upgrade each of the riding surfaces, starting with their most used surface, the indoor arena. The selection of the footing material for the surface had several criteria: (a) it must have been successfully laboratory tested, (b) it must have been installed and successfully used in a demanding environment, preferably in Maryland, (c) the technical assessment from the laboratory testing must align with the qualitative assessment of professional equestrian athletes, (d) it must be affordable and maintainable, (e) the footing material must have longevity of 15 or more years. Waredaca Farm obtained a quote for engineered footing material, to be acquired in steps, all of which met these criteria.

The third step is the installation of new footing material in all three area. This step is underway now. The indoor arena was completed in early January.  It is being used to great reviews.

These best practices provide longevity while minimizing disruption of the environment. They thus serve to protect open spaces while furthering the educational and land stewardship objectives of Waredaca Farm.   Waredaca Farm has embarked on a multi-step strategy to use these best practices and scientific design approaches to improve their performance outcomes. As a result, it is anticipated that horses will be sounder, surfaces will be safer and performance will be predictable.  

The Indoor receives a facelift!

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The new and improved indoor is now open for business! Many thanks to Bill for his hard work and for always answering questions about the science behind this new footing. Make sure to check out iEquiTek’s website for more information.

Material is dropped off
Out with the old, in with the new!
Hard at work spreading the footing
Taking a break from spreading to hear the science behind the new footing
Look at that depth!
So close to being finished
Pony Club tests the brand new footing to rave reviews
For more information, visit iEquiTek’s website

And the winners are…

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Congratulations to this year’s Starter Costume Contest winners!

Inna and Beorn were out of this world

Isabell was the Queen of all our hearts

Amanda ain’t afraid of no ghosts

And a special thank you to all our wonderful Fall Starter volunteers this year!

Tummy Hungry or Need Fuel…how about these options

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Saturday and Sunday

Smoothie Place….Breakfast & Lunch

Sunday Only

Catalyst Hot Dogs…only the best!)

Close by..

Empire Cafe and Sunshine Store

LEFT on Damascus Rd proceed 1 mile to the traffic light at Rt 97; Sunshine Store on your left at the light; Empire Cafe straight ahead in the small strip mall

Etchison Country Store

RIGHT on Damascus Road, proceed 4 miles to Store on your left

a bit father away…. 

**TURN RIGHT on DAMASCUS ROAD….
  

NINE MILES INTO THE TOWN OF DAMASCUS…
o SHOPPING CENTER AT FIRST LIGHT, TURN RIGHT JUST PAST THE LIBRARY; SHOPPING CENTER ON 

YOUR LEFT….SAFEWAY GROCERY STORE; LEDOS ITALIAN RESTAURANT, CHINESE CARRY OUT, CHIPOTLE MEXICAN, DOLLAR STORE, DUNKIN DONUTS, SEVERAL LOCAL RESTAURANTS 

o AT NEXT LIGHT/INTERSECTION OF RT 27; TURN RIGHT; PERUVIAN CHICKEN ON YOUR LEFT; JIMMY CONE ICE CREAM NEXT TO IT; MCDONALDS AND DOMINOS ON YOUR RIGHT 

o STRAIGHT THRU LIGHT, CONTINUE AROUND TO YOUR LEFT FOR APP 1/2 MILE ; STARBUCKS ON YOUR LEFT THEN A SHORT DISTANCE FARTHER TO WEISS SHOPPING CENTER…WEISS GROCERY STORE, NY PIZZA ITALIAN RESTAURANT, CHINESE CARRYOUT 

**TURN LEFT ON DAMASCUS RD

  • ̈  TURN RIGHT AT THE LIGHT, HEADING SOUTH ON 97; PROCEED APP. 7 MILES INTO TOWN OF OLNEY; AT MAIN INTERSECTION OF ROUTES 108 AND 97;
  • ̈  ON YOUR RIGHT… AT TOWNE CENTER SHOPPING AREA… BAGEL BAKERY, LEDOS ITALIAN, OLNEY GRILL, THAI, INDIAN, JERSEY MIKES
  • ̈  TURN LEFT AT THE INTERSECTION OF 108 AND 97; TWO SHOPPING CENTERS ON YOUR LEFT, GIANT GROCERY, MAMA LUCIAS, DUNKIN, CHIPOTLE; FIVE GUYS; SECOND SHOPPING CENTER..SUBWAY, CHINESE, ITALIAN, PANERA, STEAK AND GRILL MARX, HARRIS TEETER, GREEN TURTLE 
  • ̈  ON YOUR RIGHT, MEXICAN, CVS DRUGSTORE, BAKERY, STARBUCKS COFFEE, YOGURT, CAVA-TAPAS RESTAURANT
    **TURN LEFT ON DAMASCUS RD AND TURN LEFT AT THE FIRST INTERSECTION RT 97; PROCEED 6 MILES NORTH TO GLENWOOD; WALKERS RESTAURANT ON THE RIGHT; SUBWAY AND ITALIAN ON YOUR LEFT; HIGHS FUEL ( DIESEL AND FUEL ) SNACKS

DIESEL FUEL….. Damascus ( 9 miles West; LEAST $) or Highs in Glenwood (7 miles North) 

Be a Fence Sponsor and Support Waredaca Eventing!

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What better way to easily promote your business, honor a beloved horse, or remember a close friend or family member than with a cross country fence sponsorship?

Your customized plaque will be seen by hundreds throughout the year as competitors and their supporters walk our cross country courses.

You can also request your plaque be used on a specific division’s course and flowers may be able to be placed next to your plaque.

Please download our Fence Sponsorship form for more detailed information.

Our Full Time Red Barn Manager is….

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Gayle!! Who has been with Waredaca for over 20 years! Directing our very successful Recreational Riding program and Summer Day Camp, now shifting into the management and supervision of our Red Barn Stall Boarded and Field Boarded horses! Simply stated, Gayle is one of our ‘family’ and is well suited to this role!! The level of her background, experience and professionalism is exceptional. And our horses will continue to have the stellar care that she, and Melanie who manages our White Barn, can provide!

Thanks to the Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program…

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… The Waredaca Classic Road to the 3-Day Challenge is even BETTER! Just received by Helen Casteel, the Waredaca Sponsorship Chair: I got a cool message from the JCTIP people. They read about the Road to the 3-Day Challenge and since all of the participating HTs offer TIP, they are offering a special TIP award just for that effort. The highest placing TB (and hopefully the prize winner) will receive a special ribbon/prize/and $. This includes ALL levels other than Preliminary since they have prize money.

Helen Casteel on her horse Abel.
Helen on Abel

Road to the Three Day….all you need to know!

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Waredaca Classic Three Day Teams with Area II Organizers to offer Road to the Three Day Challenge

In the days when long-format eventing reigned, there was a different kind of emphasis on preparation, on endurance, on horsemanship. The nature of the competition demanded it.

 

Here are the 2022 details for our very popular ROAD TO THE CHALLENGE!!

DEFINITELY READ THIS FIRST!! AND PLAN ACCORDINGLY!!

The 2022 Waredaca Classic Three Day Event is a formative experience for young riders, amateurs and professionals alike.  Lead Clinician for 2022, SHARON WHITE, international competitor and popular coach and rider, returns this year!! She will be assisted by WOODS BAUGHMAN, also an international rider!  What a fabulous combination to guide each of you thru the Classic Experience!!

Waredaca Classic competitors are treated to four days filled with instruction, insight and inspiration. Sharon and Woods, with the help of an experienced team of dressage judges, event organizers, technical delegates, vets and more, walk riders through every piece of the long format. This includes dressage test demos, cross country and show jumping course walks, mini steeplechase clinics, Q&As with vets, top riders and more.

Any other questions, please contact Chris at [email protected]

Taproom Thursdays!

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FULL DETAILS HERE

SIGN UP VIA STRIDER HERE

REMEMBER REGISTRATION DETAILS….

Deadline for registration is the week of the Schooling Evening:

Dressage tests by NOON on MONDAY BEFORE.  Specific times for Dressage will be assigned and emailed Wednesday evening. Anyone entering late will be accommodated only if space allows.

Any Jumping by Wednesday at NOON.  Jumping Block times will be based on registrations and emailed later Wednesday evening. ADDITIONAL JUMPING ROUNDS AND/OR XC SCHOOLING CAN BE ADDED THAT NIGHT

  • EVERYONE MUST HAVE A CURRENT WAIVER OF LIABILITY ELECTRONICALLY FILED VIA OUR WEBSITE TO BE ON THE PROPERTY
  • All registration done in advance
  • EMT, VET and Farrier ON CALL
  • All horses must have a current negative Coggins to be filed electronically.   File HERE
  • YOU design your evening — do as much as you want…it is as easy as that!

2023 Activities at Waredaca

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See below a full list of events coming your way in 2023 at Waredaca! From Recognized Events to Taproom Thursdays from May through September, and Expert Days with Stephen Bradley, and Guest Experts including Lauren Nicholson, Jennie Brannigan, Allison Springer, Tim Bourke, and more! There is something for everyone!

2023-Activity-calendar-2_7

Thank you to the sponsors that make all these events possible!

Covid 19 Waredaca Policy Update 3 January

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WHILE IMPLEMENTING CURRENT CDC and MONTGOMERY COUNTY GUIDELINES AND BEING UNCERTAIN OF WHO HAS BEEN FULLY VACCINATED, THE CURRENT WAREDACA FARM POLICY REGARDING WEARING MASKS IS AS FOLLOWS:

WE at WAREDACA support and staff will enforce the current CDC AND FARM recommendations for our staff, clients and visitors that follow:

IF YOU ARE FULLY VACCINATED:


Due to the most recent surge of COVID-19 cases, especially in young people, we are issuing the following protocols effective January 3, 2022. These protocols will stay in place until further notice and are in line with Montgomery County and CDC mandates.

For those over 19 and older…use common sense while at the farm especially in high traffic areas.  Given the age of our pony club population, IF ANYONE NEEDS to go in the school barn or school tack room for any reason, please WEAR a mask to comply with current Waredaca protocols for that area of the farm.

FOR ALL THOSE UNDER THE AGE OF 19..….IF YOU VACCINATED AND BOOSTED, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO WEAR A MASK OUTSIDE. Masks must be worn at all times by those who are vaccinated BUT NOT BOOSTED. Masks may only be removed when mounted. This means from the moment you step outside your car to the moment you sit in the saddle, masks ARE TO BE ON- NO EXCEPTIONS.And when you get off your horse, masks go back on until you are in your car again.

IF ANYONE IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD TESTS POSITIVE FOR COVID, NO ONE from your household is allowed back at the barn for a MINIMUM period of 5 days. We will take over care for your horse as needed.

For everyone who tests positive for COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status

  • Stay home for no less than 5 days
  • If you have a fever, continue to stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever resolves without the need for fever-reducing medications
  • After a period of 5 days, vaccinated members of your family may return to the farm but must keep a mask on at all times, even when mounted, for an additional 5 days. Returning to the farm is dependent on your symptoms and illness
  • Continue to wear a mask anytime around others for at least 5 additional days following age guidelines noted above

IF YOU OR SOMEONE IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD HAS A KNOWN or POSSIBLE EXPOSURE TO AN INFECTED PERSON OR IF YOU OR SOMEONE IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD HAS A QUESTIONABLE EXPOSURE TO AN INFECTED PERSON

What to do if you are exposed to someone with COVID-19
If you are exposed to someone with COVID-19 and have been boosted or completed your primary two-dose series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine within the last 6 months or received the J&J vaccine within the last 2 months:

  • STAY AT HOME for 5 days of home quarantine. If you remain asymptomatic, you may return to the farm after 5 days of home quarantine if you have no symptoms nor fever.
  • Wear a mask around others for 10 days regardless of age
  • Test on day 5, if possible
  • If you develop symptoms, get a test and stay home

If you are EXPOSED TO SOMEONE OR HAVE BEEN VACCINATED but you received your Pfizer or Moderna two-dose primary series more than 6 months ago or received the J&J vaccine over two months ago and have not been boosted:

  • Stay home for 5 days. After that continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days
  • If you can’t quarantine you must wear a mask for 10 days
  • Test on day 5 if possible
  • If you develop symptoms, get a test and stay home

**IF YOU ARE NOT VACCINATED AND BECOME SYMPTOMATIC…DO NOT COME TO THE FARM UNTIL YOU ARE SYMPTOM FREE AND HAVE A NEGATIVE COVID TEST

Vaccine boosters can help you stay safe————Getting vaccinated 

  • You quarantine when you might have been exposed to the virus and may or may not have been infected.
  • You isolate when you have been infected with the virus, even if you don’t have symptoms.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/quarantine-isolation.html

Please remember that these rules are in place so that we can stay open and continue to offer unlimited access to the farm and the horses. If ANYONE with a confirmed positive COVID exposure comes to the barn, and we experience a surge, we will shut down and none of us want that! Please, DO NOT put ANYONE at the farm at risk.

Thank you everyone for understanding.

The Staff

Now Open….The Waredaca Farm LOGO Store…

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Google Chome is suggested as the best web browser

Select items, fill in all the necessary details and add to your shopping cart.  

This STORE will run thru mid November and a new Winter Store will follow in early December.  Also, let me know of any specific garments etc you would like to see !!

Any questions, directly contact our rep Melanie at  [email protected]

Happy Shopping!! 

https://storeshttps://stores.bjscustomcreations.com/waredaca-farm/shop/homebjscustomcreations.com/waredaca-farm/shop/home

Trailriding

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Regretfully, with the current Covid restrictions, all trailrides have been SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. We hope to resume at some point and suggest checking back to register via EVENTBRITE.COM

THANKS FOR YOUR INTEREST!

Tru Brew Trailrides….all you need to know

WEEF announces winners of inaugural Jimmy Wofford Legacy Fund scholarships!

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The Waredaca Eventing Education Foundation (WEEF) is thrilled to announce the winners of the inaugural Jimmy Wofford Legacy Fund Scholarship. Congratulations to Ateasha Baltodano of Bordentown, NJ, and to junior rider Vivian Aubel of Linthicum, MD!

·         Ms. Baltodano’s (left) love for horses started at age nine through 4H programs with her quarter horse in tow. Years later, she returned to horses as her children began to explore riding — and horses are once again a family affair.  Ms. Baltodano has rediscovered a love for competing, eventing, and the vibrant and supportive community around it — riding Hold My Tiara at the Beginner Novice level

Ateasha Baltodano and Hold My Tiara
Vivian Aubel and Reef

·         Ms. Aubel (right) will be starting at Randolph Macon College in the fall, competing on their eventing team with her horse Reef. Reef came off the track 3 years ago and has been partnered with Ms. Aubel for 2 years as they both learn eventing and deepen their connection to the sport and its community. Ms. Aubel is especially looking forward to growing and making new connections in the upcoming expert clinics as she and Reef progress at the Novice level

Ms. Baltodano and Ms. Aubel both share an impressive dedication to eventing, personal growth in the face of challenges and obstacles, focus on progressing their own competitiveness, and deep commitment to the sport through volunteerism and working with other riders.  WEEF looks forward to everything they will accomplish in the months and years to come. 

This inaugural Wofford Legacy Fund year has been heartening to all involved. There were numerous applications from across the Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, New England, and South of the United States. Every applicant shared compelling goals and dedication to our sport — and WEEF encourages each and every rider to continue working toward their eventing goals.

Tim Bourke

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Named as the traveling reserve for Team Ireland for the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games, five-star eventer Tim Bourke is a popular clinician whose systematic approach leads to sustainable results for both horse and rider.

Raised in Ireland, Bourke rode in Pony Club and became interested in eventing while studying Equine Studies and Business at Gurteen Agricultural College. Upon graduation, Bourke moved stateside to work for Olympic gold and silver medalist Bruce Davidson. After two years in Davidson’s program, Bourke went on to work for five-star rider Sharon White until he and his wife, Advanced eventer Marley Stone Bourke, opened the doors of their own Stone’s Throw Farm in the heart of Area II.

Lauren Nicholson

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Lauren Nicholson (née Kieffer) began riding at the age of six and competed in her first horse trials at the age of 12. As a high school graduation present, Kieffer participated in a week-long eventing summer camp with Olympians David and Karen O’Connor, which led to a six-year working student position. Her talent and work ethic helped her reach the top levels of the sport and represent her country in international championships.

Nicholson was a member of the U.S. Eventing Team at the 2016 Olympic Games with the Dutch Warmblood mare, Veronica, and the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games with her Anglo-Arabian gelding, Vermiculus. In 2015, she won team gold at the Pan American Games in Toronto riding Meadowbrook’s Scarlett.

Nicholson won team bronze in 2005 and team silver in 2007 at the North American Youth Championship with her Anglo-Arabian gelding, Snooze Alarm, a full brother to her future WEG partner, Vermiculus. She made her debut at the CCI5*-L level in 2010, when she and Snooze Alarm completed the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event.

Since then, Nicholson has had numerous top finishes at the five-star level, including finishing in second place overall and as the highest-placed U.S. athlete at the Kentucky Three-Day Event in 2014 and 2016 with Veronica, where she won the title of USEF CCI5*-L Eventing National Champion. The pair also had top-ten finishes at the CCI5*-L level at Pau in 2014 and in Badminton in 2018. With Vermiculus, Nicholson finished in the top ten in the CCI5* events at Kentucky in 2018 and 2019, Burghley in 2019, and at Lumühlen in 2022. She finished in the top ten with Landmark’s Monte Carlo at the inaugural Maryland 5 Star CCI5* in 2021.

Jennie Brannigan

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Jennie Brannigan is a successful alumna of the Young Riders program, having won team and individual gold at the 2008 NAYC for eventing with her KWPN gelding, Cooper. She had her first completion at the top level of the sport in 2015 at the Kentucky Three-Day Event with Cambalda. In 2021, she finished in fourth place overall at the Maryland 5 Star CCI5* with Stella Artois.

Brannigan has represented the U.S. Eventing Team at Boekelo, The Netherlands, competing in the CCIO3* in 2012 with Cambalda, the CCIO4-L with Stella Artois in 2019, and the CCIO4-L in 2021 with FE Lifestyle. Recent top results for Brannigan include a third-place finish in the CCI4-L at The Event at Rebecca Farm in 2021, a second place at the CCI4-S at Stable View in 2022, and a win in the CCI4*-L at Bromont in June of 2022, all with her own Thoroughbred gelding, Twilightslastgleam.