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Wrapping up this year

12/17/2020

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Summing up this year without saying something cliche is nearly impossible at this point, so I've opted for a moment of silence...And practically have decided to take a couple weeks off of teaching to absorb the lessons we have learned this year. 

2020 priorities
  1. Family (or friends that are family)
  2. Gratitude
  3. Health

We have been so lucky to be largely unaffected by the virus in a practical sense, which is a level of privilege that is hard to appreciate in the midst of it, but I try. But I have realized the people that I want on my side are the ones that are there no matter what, for me that is my family and I am eternally grateful I was born into somewhere I belong. I have experienced what appears to be "losses" this year in a personal sense but I have to be grateful for those too. Every loss helped to make space for bigger and better things, which is a sign of growth! Shedding skin and letting go of dead weight were major themes for myself and our farm this year. It can be so painful while it is occurring (because we are often attached to things that we aren't meant to have forever). But when you can be brave, if you can surrender to the discomfort, it is the same sensation of liberation, of taking flight, and I am happy to say that I feel much more free now, than I did at the start of this year. Another facet of 2020 was the necessity of focusing on my health out of interest for myself but also others. What a beautiful thing to bring into focus, how you care for yourself, but also how caring for yourself is caring for others. For example, if I don't get enough sleep, take my vitamins, meditate (whatever it is you believe makes you healthy) not only do I endanger myself but I also endanger my loved ones. This is always true, especially when it comes to mental health which I have a much greater appreciation for also. Having the time off when COVID first hit, was such a god send for me. It gave me the space and time I've never allowed myself to have (because of my unconscious grind mentality that I have subsequently realised can be toxic and the root of a lot of my own and others suffering) to do what I REALLY wanted to do, which is care for myself (yoga, meditation, diet, exploring my creativity etc.). The time off really gave me space that I hadn't been giving myself and in doing so opened up different parts of myself because I now had the space and time to explore them and let them out of their confines. Confines that are created by our work obsessed culture, fear, and insecurity. I've heard it said many times that the root of the pandemic is fear not the virus, which I agree with. But beyond that, the pandemic has been going on for many years before the virus, in that we live our lives often out of fear. Whether that be the fear of inadequacy, abandonment etc. they are countless but they all often result in addiction, overworking, overeating etc. there are just as many ways to escape fear as there are reasons to be fearful. The time off with COVID allowed me to step outside of my own bubble and see how fragile our reality is. One especially virulent virus stopped the whole world in their tracks...and now what will we do with this new "freedom". How ironic that freedom for me came when so many of our freedoms were removed. Personally, many of the freedoms we had before (eating out, going out, etc) were not freedoms that I valued all that highly already so I was happy to let them go, it was a weight off my shoulders to not feel obligated. Obligation, which again is another fear. We limit ourselves constantly and we are totally innocent in the process. But 2020 definitely revealed to me the freedom that is always there should we be brave enough to consider, to open up to the endless possibilities. This state of openness however, is only possible for me when I am relaxed. A state that I found during the lockdown and has opened my eyes to the life I really want. I don't want to operate under fear and illusion ( I have to do this because..., I can't do that because...). I want to be open to my personal and professional evolution. I want to remain open to the lessons I am here to learn, so I can continue to provide the best for myself, my family and friends, and my clients. Thank you all for allowing me the freedom to evolve, grow, and become more of myself than I ever have before. I am excited to see the possibilities that are opened up for us in the future, whatever they may be. I hope you all have experienced similar openings into yourself and reality. Thank you so much for reading and being here with me and supporting our business and I hope to see you soon :) 

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Summer Camp 2020 and my Philosophy

1/19/2020

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I wanted to take some time here to expand on what we're about here. It relates to the summer camp because there are so many summer camp options for children and they all have wonderful things to offer. Our camp is extraordinary but not because of the beautiful facility we are lucky enough to have, though of course that helps ;) The most important things to me are making sure my campers have fun and learn but I also want them to see how to treat other people and animals. I want them to learn the basics very thoroughly, I want them to feel safe (horse and rider). I want my campers to take the lessons and internalize them to help them to create an idea of what it is to be a good horse person, and by extension, a good person. When we can work with horses we are given a mirror to for us to see ourselves in. A nervous, disobedient, or excitable horse has much to teach... and that is something I try not to forget. I am the coach but most of the time I am the student to my or my clients horses... what does the horse have to say? I want to show my students how to be humble in the face of such a large creature by showing them how to take their time, to be careful and diligent. But I also want my students to see how to be the guiding light for themselves and their horses, to be strong enough to lead and strong enough to follow. 


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Our first show is in a month!

4/9/2019

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Show season is just around the corner! We are hoping for an even better year than last and better weather too (please no torrential down pours mother nature). We're very excited to have our amazingly generous and loyal sponsors helping us out this year including Todd Equipment, Victoria Feeds Horse and Hound, Hubble & Son Agcom, and M&J Plumbing, and some new sponsors, Cover Tech, EQcentric Equine Services, and Better Mechanical. We are so thankful for their help in running our 2019 series. 

We've been running this show series for years now and have prided ourselves on running an affordable show series to make it accessible to all riders, especially locally. We know how hard it can be to participate in competitions when the prices can be so high. This year we have realized that we have to increase the show fees in order to keep running our series and we hope you all understand! The prices have been the same since our very first show, so it was time. Exact prices can be found on our updated entry forms. 

See you all Mothers Day Weekend!
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Warmer weather is coming!

3/13/2019

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The warmer weather is on its way and that means camp and show season is just around the corner! Make sure to check out the new dates for this year so you can plan you summer around them. Also a reminder that early sign up for  camp means a discount so don't miss out. We will be posting the new 2019 forms for camp and shows soon. Looking forward to the best year yet for shows and camp. If you or someone you know is interested or looking for more information please contact me at ericaflak@skyhavenstables.ca, follow us on Facebook at Sky Haven Equestrian Centre or text/call me at 705 772 3524 :) 
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March Break Camp

1/9/2017

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We're already getting excited here for March Break! We will be hosting a camp, very similar to our summer camp that everyone loves. There will be daily riding, arts & crafts, learning about horse care and communication, and natural horsemanship. Kids should look forward to easter egg hunts and tobogganing!
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Winter Sunday Schoolings

10/17/2016

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Sky Haven Equestrian Centre will be hosting Winter Sunday Schoolings. Our barn will be opened twice a month for indoor jump schooling. Schoolings include access to use our heated barn- equipped with heated washtall, tack room and washroom. Keep your horse in shape over the winter and ready to show once the warm weather comes back! $50 per horse or $200 per barn (up to 5 people), up to 3 people riding at a time. Dates: Nov 13, Nov 27, Dec 4, Dec 18, Jan 15, Jan 29, Feb 12, Feb 26, March 12, March 26, April 9, April 30. 
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2016 Summer Camp

2/22/2016

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Yay! Summer is getting closer and that means warm weather and more importantly, CAMP! Here are the dates for this year- Kids camp: July 11-15, 18-22 and Teen camp: July 25-29 and August 1-5. Sign up early for discounted price! All camp payment is to be done through e-transfer please :) For more details please look at the "Summer Camp" tab under "About".
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2016 Show Series

2/2/2016

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Eeeeekkk!! The new show season is almost here (well kinda...). We already have our dates set out: May 29, July 10, and September 11! We are excited to offer a much more organized and polished show series this year with much more planning and some important changes made to timing and management. Stay tuned for more information!
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2016 Hunter-Jumper Shows

2/2/2016

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Eeeeekkk!! The new show season is almost here (well kinda...). We already have our dates set out: May 29, July 10, and September 11! We are excited to offer a much more organized and polished show series this year with much more planning and some important changes made to timing and management. Stay tuned for more information!
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Ellice going to the Royal and new certification

10/30/2015

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My little sister, Ellice, qualified to compete in the Hunter- Jumper championships!! They are hosted at the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto. If you want to come out and support buy the tickets soon as she shows the second weekend of November. We are so proud of her and can't wait to watch her and Cal! http://www.royalfair.org/horse-show/featured-competitions/hunter-derby-national-championship

On another note, my mom and I just got certified in BodyTalk. It is an alternative natural healing therapy that can determine any emotional or physical traumas the body needs help with healing. I am going to get certified to treat horses in the near future so that I can use it as a diagnostic and treatment tool. To learn more: https://www.bodytalksystem.com

Additionally, I am going to a course in San Francisco in January to learn how to do William Bengston's healing method. This is extremely exciting because he has undeniably proved that he can cure cancer. To learn more: http://www.bengstonresearch.com 
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