HOT WEATHER RULES FOR RIDING

With the heat index increasing and the humidity as heavy as it is, be
sure to watch your horses.
If your total adds up to 180 or above don't ride, if it is 130-170 use
caution, 130 or below ride!
Determine: Temperature (F) + relative humidity (%) – wind speed
For example:
Temperature (F) 79
Relative Humidity (%) 58
Wind Speed 4.6 (MPH)
Answer = 132.4
Less than 130: All go—horses can function to cool themselves assuming
adequate hydration.
130 – 179: Caution—a horse's cooling mechanisms can only partially
function as intended. Some cooling management procedures will need to
be performed.
180 or above: Stop—a horse's cooling systems cannot and will not
function adequately. All cooling procedures will need to be utilized
SO IF THE TEMP IS 90 degrees or above and Humidity is 90 or above - DONT GO!

NAJYRC Benefit Schooling Show May 30th

On a beautiful Saturday, May 30, Topsider Farm in College Station hosted a dressage schooling show benefiting the Region 9 FEI Juniors & Young Riders. The show profits were donated to the Region 9 Advanced Juniors and Young Riders and our North American Junior /Young Rider Championship (NAJYRC) Team. The proceeds will help fund the Team at the Championships in Lexington in July. Our Region 9 Juniors & Young Riders rank among the nation’s top 12!

Show results are as follows:
Vixen, ridden by Kelly Sulik
Training Level Test 1, 1st place
Training Level Test 2, 1st place

Nanja, ridden by Candise McKay
Training Level Test 4, 1st place

A Southerly Breeze?

I came home from the Emergency Clinic Wednesday morning to find that a tornado had passed through early. Even though I missed the tornado I didn’t miss all the action. The house was buffeted by a torrential downpour & there was an awesome electrical storm. Of course there was the inevitable power outage. Which, when I called my husband to tell him about it was, “I told you I should have showed you how to work the generator!”. Hindsight is 20/20. There is a reason our farm is called Southern Breeze!

BACH Spring Dressage Schooling Show

The Brazos Association for Classical Horsemanship held their Spring Dressage Schooling Show at Topsider Farm on April 11th. Vixen, ridden by Kelly Sulick, was entered in Training Level Tests 1 & 2. She placed 4th in both classes. This was the second show Vixen had ever been to she and she did beautifully. Congratulations!

Topsider Farm Spring I Schooling Show

I thought I would start a little blog to keep everyone updated with the goings on at the farm. I have been having trouble lately with my webhosting service and have been scared to update my website. Every time I change anything on the website I have a problem with the older version “ghosting” on their server (it superimposes on the current version). So here we are!

This year we are giving Nanja the year off from broodmare duties to focus on her dressage career. Her first show this year was the Topsider Farm Spring Schooling Show, February 28th. The day was a bracing 50 degrees and there were 35mph winds. And to top it all off Nanja was in season and in love with one & all! Everone was bundled up in their jackets and gloves (this includes the riders). Despite the conditions they placed well. Candy entered Nanja in the Training Level Test 4 and placed 3rd, and she placed 2nd in the First level Test 1.


We entered Vixen (ridden by Kelly Sulik) in the Green as Grass 3, USDF A & B. She placed 1st in a three classes. Overall it was an excellent day and we sure cleaned up!