Con Brio Farm

Dominica Rosario, the guiding light behind the orphanage and school BHE supports and one of her children's choirs.

Blue House Effect Charity Schooling Days
In December of 2009, Con Brio Farm was delighted to host a series of schooling days with all proceeds going to the Blue House Effect of Canada. The Blue House Effect is a local charity which focuses its efforts on helping children and women at risk in the La Urena area of the Dominican Republic. As a completely volunteer driven organization, virtually 100% of funds earned go directly to on the ground services in the DR. What was originally anticipated as being a one day event, quickly grew to three days as a number of stables and individuals in the area signed up to participate. In addition, a fourth "snow" day was added in January as the weather played a roll in determining who could or could not get to us at their chosen time. Over the course of the event, close to $1000.00 was raised. Con Brio and the Blue House would like to express our sincerest appreciation to all those who braved the cold weather and joined us in supporting this great cause (and those scheduled to roll in January 17th). Our thanks go to Sunset Stables from St. Thomas, Shadowvale Stable from Putnam, Desiree Schwarzentrube from the New Hamburg area, Jackie Walker out of Williams Ontario as well as our more immediate neighbours, Rosewood, Shadowlane, and Country Road Stables.
To learn more about the Blue House, you are invited to go to http://www.bhecanada.ca

Day 1.....back to the basics...straightness, straightness, straightness. Sounds easy!

Jean Marie Dunford Clinic:
On November 21 and 22 of this year, Con Brio Farm and the U.W.O. Equestrian Team was delighted to host a clinic by Jean Marie Dunford. Jean Marie is 30 year veteran of the American Grand Prix Circuit who in addition to her own riding experience, has over 10 years of holding “R” judges cards. Jean Marie has judged at many major shows --including WEF as well as Canadian A shows such as Palgrave --and in addition has coached numerous riders to medal finals/indoors and has moreover trained a USEF Horse of the Year!
Friday and Saturdays activities were structured such that a considerable contingent of UWO team members as well as a good number of community riders were able to take advantage of Jean Marie's experience, technical expertise and positive, enthusiastic manner. Much of Jean Marie's work on Friday focused on a return to technical basics and in particular, a balanced, well-managed stride length. Saturday's work built on this with the fences going up. On Sunday, Jean Marie accompanied the UWO team to a competition in Guelph before departing home for Virginia.

Andrea Young, a community participant, kindly provided us with a review of the clinic: " On November 20/21/2009, I attended the Jean Marie Dunford Clinic at Con Brio with my young horse. I found Jean Marie to be a wonderful instructor. She was knowledgeable, patient and fun, yet tough when she needed to be. There was not much, as an instructor, that she missed, and Jean Marie was very willing to answer any questions. I found the clinic informative as both a rider and an instructor.The Haymans and Allana Featherstone were really welcoming, and we were encouraged to make use of the facility. The footing in the arena was wonderful. All in all, it was a fun weekend at a fabulous facility. I would go back for Jean Marie anytime, and look forward to attending more events at Con Brio."

More clinic photos can be found in our photo album.

Early morning course walk...

IHSA Comes North:
October 31, 2009 was a milestone date not only for Con Brio Farm, but also for Ontario University
Riding as, after a twenty year hiatus, American schools returned to an Ontario venue for a competition. The UWO Equestrian team and Con Brio farms was delighted to have a total of 13 teams participating in the competition. A large thanks go out not only to our American visitors who made the long trek north, but also to judge Louise Masek and all those local equestrian enthusiasts whose donation of horses for the day was absolutely essential to the success of the day.

Kim Fisher, the associate editor of Trot Magazine, and announcer for the day, covered the show for the Londoner Magazine. In quoting Shannon, a rider from Grand Valley State University in Michigan, "I think it's great that they [UWO] joined....It really brings in a little different flavour. Hey, we're showing internationally now. We're really glad they are doing this and they're really pulling it off. We weren't sure how their first show was going to go – it's a lot of trouble. But they're doing an excellent job and we're really glad to have Western as a part of our region." To read the entire article, go to www.thelondoner.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2190510.

Open House and Grand Opening:
October 3, 2009 was a day of considerable celebration for the Hayman family, coach and friend, Allana Featherstone, Dutch Masters, Frey Brothers, and all the other tradespeople that brought the vision of Con Brio forward into reality. The official celebrations began at noon with a steak barbeque to thank all the trades for their exceptional skill and dedication to the task at hand. Those who saw the shape of the arena late December 2008, after high winds destroyed the work that had been done by a different contractor, can truly appreciate what emerged from the rubble. The trades lunch was followed by a community open house, then another barbeque and dance with our favorite DJ pounding out the latin tunes. The day was, by all accounts, an unqualified success and some 400-500 people passed through the doors to join us in celebrating.

From this.....

to this....Thank-you!!!!