LESSONS resuming May 23 and 24

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HI Everyone! Good news that the resumption of lessons can begin the weekend of May 23 and 24–Pony Club and our Recreational lessons!! Everyone has been contacted via Email. If you are uncertain about any details, call Gayle 443 564 1276 for the Rec program; Katherine via email for the Pony Club Program.

Also, for everyone at the farm–students, parents, visitors, boarders, ALL must completed and submit an updated Liability/Release Waiver effective May 1 forward. This is only available online on our website; check the Home Page for details.

Looking forward to seeing everyone soon!! The staff…

Update May 20… for June 13 and 14 Spring Horse Trials

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Current Update 5/20.. while hoping to run our event, much depends on the status of Covid restrictions in the state and our county of Maryland. IF WE CAN GET THE STATE AND COUNTY APPROVAL. BEFORE GOING THRU THE MANY LAYERS INVOLVED, IT WOULD BE MOST HELPFUL TO KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE WANTING TO COMPETE THAT WEEKEND? IF YOU DO, PLEASE ENTER THE EVENT, MINUS THE PAYMENT OPTION. WE WILL FOLLOW THE USEF ACTION PLAN FOR COVID 19 MANAGEMENT AND ARE CONFIDENT WE CAN PROVIDE YOU A SAFE AND WELCOME OPPORTUNITY TO COMPETE!

We will announce a decision on June 5. 

TO ENTER…..Until we are confirmed to run…

1. Please enter WITH ALL REQUIRED PAPERWORK but DO NOT INCLUDE PAYMENT 

2. Once/If we are confirmed to run, this will be announced and PAYMENT SHOULD BE DONE TO COMPLETE EACH ENTRY.

3.  NO ENTRY  will be scheduled until it is complete-paperwork and full payment

4.  NO ENTRY REFUNDS after the POST ENTRY/CLOSING DATE OF JUNE 5.

PLEASE CAREFULLY REVIEW OUR CURRENT OMNIBUS LISTING. THE ENTRY PROCESS ALL PAPERLESS, ALL COMPLETED IN ADVANCE OF THE EVENT/YOUR ARRIVAL. The Omnibus listing is current.

 NEW this year… DRESSAGE TEST OF CHOICE!! Now, have the opportunity to ‘practice’ a test before doing your competition ride ! Riders can perform whatever test they wish, in a different arena and under a different judge before riding their competition test! Get exposure to the dressage area and a chance to do your own test ride first! Sign up under ‘other’, identifying your test of choice and including your fee with the total! Easy!! Also NEW…warm ups and performance arenas with improved attention to cross country footing too! 

Any other ENTRY questions, please contact either [email protected] OR [email protected]

We have a great group of people at Waredaca, who could pull off running a proper event if we have 2 weeks of prep time! And are looking forward to the next time we can host our event, especially with so many changes to share—Jeff Kibbie as our course designer, new logistics, improved warm up areas and the inclusion of our new DRESSAGE TEST OF CHOICE!! Now, have the opportunity to ‘practice’ a test before doing your competition ride! Further details in our Omnibus listing.

And if we do not see you in Mid June, we look forward to hopefully seeing everyone in Mid-August! 

Gretchen, Steph, Robert, Rob and the Waredaca staff

Covid 19 Waredaca Policy update May 15

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Hi everyone,

So far, we have been very fortunate that nobody in our community has gotten ill, thankfully! And this must remain as a top priority going forward.  As it would be a grave reality check if this were to change.

With the resumption of our boarders and students returning, who have all been kept in touch with email, here are some important reminders that apply to everyone:

The Top 3 protective measures of MASKS, PHYSICAL DISTANCING AND PROTECTIVE GLOVES remain in effect indefinitely.  Masks and gloves must be worn at all times, unless you are riding, when masks can be in your pocket.  Gloves are to be disposable or easily cleaned yet highly impermeable. Leather like gloves should work.  Knit or cotton types of gloves are not acceptable.

Worth the reminder from last weeks message…DO NOT come to the barn if you have any symptoms such as fever, coughing, or unusual shortness of breath. Or if you have been exposed to anyone with Corona-like symptoms. BE SMART about this!   

Also, for everyone at the farm–students, parents, visitors, boarders, ALL must completed and submit an updated Liability/Release Waiver effective May 1 forward. This is only available online on our website and will be operational Monday, May 18; check the Home Page for details.

Please only use the porta pots. There is disinfectant in each area. Every user is responsible for sanitizing for the next user.

Come out by yourself. We want to limit the number of people on the farm. If you need someone to drive you out, please limit it to one person and have them stay out of the barn areas.  Spectators are not welcome at this time; hopefully soon tho.

Check our home page Latest News for competition and activity updates. YES the June Checkerboard Starter has been rescheduled for July 25. YES, the Taproom Thursdays will resume on schedule even if limited to our in-house population. The fate of the June 13, 14 Recognized Event remains uncertain. A decision will be made by early June.

We are working hard to keep our staff safe and healthy.  Your cooperation is vital. This needs to be ‘our’ policy going forward, following the CDC and Federal recommendations.  We welcome your suggestions of safeguarding our farm too.  Our thanks in advance for your assistance and support to make this happen.

Gretchen, Robert, Steph, Rob, Gayle, Travis, Colleen and Melanie

Melanie Carson, White Barn Manager

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Melanie grew up here in Montgomery County, but also lived in Savannah, Georgia and Chicago for a while. As a child she rode horses for a few years and returned to the the sport as an adult as a form of exercise, focusing on posture, form, and balance. Her training has been focused on biomechanics and dressage, but is interested in a wide variety equestrian sports, including endurance racing, competitive trail riding, and most especially, mounted archery. 

“I’m very passionate about good horse care and ground training, so I went to the Equine Management Training Center at Sandy River in 2018 for their professional groom certificate program to make horses my full-time career. I’ve groomed and cared for 4**** event horses, 3 year-old OTTBs, and 38 year-old retirees with Cushing’s, and believe they all have something valuable to teach us'”

Melanie went to the Savannah College of Art and Design for her bachelor’s degree, and specialized in comics. Drawing and a variety of other crafts fills up her leisure time. On her days off, Melanie usually goes to the archery range or for a hike with her family’s two dogs.

COVID 19–Student Policy Update 23 March

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An UPDATE ON COVID-19 for OUR VALUED WAREDACA CLIENTS

as of March 19, this is how our business will operate while complying with the recommendations of the CDC and their practical but necessary implications on the riding industry. Borrowing from relevant language from various knowledgeable sources, here are the policies in effect:

THURSDAY, MARCH 19 thru SUNDAY, March 29:

ALL GROUP LESSONS ARE CANCELLED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.  For those who are currently enrolled in the spring group series, once resume lessons, the session date will be extended to cover the required number of lessons for the series. 

FOR THOSE TAKING PRIVATE LESSONS, ENROLLED IN THE HORSEMANSHIP PROGRAM AND/OR DOING PRACTICE RIDES:

You may continue to do this and possibly add practice rides after discussing with your instructor.  Contact them directly; anyone needing contact info, email [email protected] for details.  

Our number one priority is the safety of YOU, OUR STAFF AND CLIENTS and the equestrian community.

We are NOT discouraging people from enjoying our horses BUT it is very important that you abide by what follows:

IF YOU ARE COMING TO THE FARM TO RIDE, HERE ARE THE STRONG RECOMMENDATIONS  TO BE FOLLOWED:

  ·   Do not organize group riding of any kind. Social distancing does apply to riding; keep your distance from others.  COVID-19 person-to-person transmission primarily occurs when an infected person sends out respiratory droplets via either sneezing or coughing.  Please practice and enforce the 6 feet social distancing rule until it becomes second nature to you.  That means no hacking out horses side-by-side, no casual chats with friends in the tack room and so on.

Before You Visit The Barn:

  • Monitor your own health.  DO NOT go to the barn or take your horse schooling if you have any COVID-19 symptoms such as fever, coughing, or unusual shortness of breath.
  • Feeling exhausted? Not sure if you “have something? Take your own temperature and rule out a fever.
  • Do not go to the barn if you have been in an airport in the last 14 days.
  • Use the bathroom at your home, rather than the barn. The fewer areas you access around the barn, the easier it is on barn employees.
  • Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds before you leave the house.
  • WEAR DISPOSABLE GLOVES—AN EASY WAY TO SAFEGUARD WHEN USING SHARED EQUIPEMENT. 
  • It is also recommended that you keep “outdoor” clothing separate from “indoor” clothing and change before entering your houses.

How To Visit Your Horse. 

  • Do what you can to avoid showing up to ride at the same time as other boarders. Set up a group text and deconflict ride times. Remember that vets & farriers need to visit the facility too- and they count as part of 10 people.
  • Sanitize your hands upon arrival. 
  • THERE IS A HANDWASHING STATION BETWEEN THE OBSERVATION AND TACK ROOM AND HAND SANITIZERS IN EACH OF THE PORTAPOTS.

While less common, a person can also contract COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth or nose.    The staff who cares for your horses will be under considerable strain to sanitize surfaces and limit your exposure risk.  Shared barn items like pitch forks, pencils, wheelbarrows, hoses, etc., are to be used as requested above. 

  • Avoid touching things such as doorknobs, lockers, stall door latches and light switches unnecessarily. Limit your use of common barn tools such as pitchforks, etc. Limit your stall contact to just the one that contains your horse.
  • Ride your horse outside (in the sunlight) away from others as much as possible. While on horseback, practice the 6-foot separation rule.
  • Sanitize anything you’ve touched before you depart.  USE SPRAY DISINFECTANT OR HAND WIPES IF AVAILABLE OR BRING YOUR OWN SUPPLIES.

Smile at the staff and thank them for their work. They are under a lot of stress right now and appreciate your support.

After You Leave:

Keep in mind many equestrian businesses & service providers are struggling financially to cope with the pandemic’s impact.

·         Post a nice note/facility photo on social media and tag the farm.

·         Pay fees and board electronically, on time, as much as possible.

NOTHING has changed with the uncertainty of the situation and the continued dominance of COVID-19 in the media.  The CDC offers useful guidelines which all of us must follow to insure a healthy outcome–cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/FAQ Rather than listing all of the suggestions, please refer to what they advise.

In closing, Waredaca is fully aware of the current situation surrounding the COVID-19 virus and will continue to closely monitor as is the rest of the world.  Thanks for your patience, support and understanding of the balance we are trying to encourage and monitor as properly as possible with you and your horse.

Gretchen, Robert, Steph and the entire staff

Stay Safe & ‘Hug’ Your Horse