Google Maps for Stadium?

So with all of this wonderful weather limiting my outdoor preparation for the upcoming Winona Horse Trials, I have asked my sister Leigh to send me the stadium courses early since I will be doing the maps myself this year.  I figure since I'm not a graphics arts person with all the fancy software I needed to get an early start.  Only one problem ...the tracks that Leigh sends me often don't quite end up looking like the rough drafts that she sends me so how could I do the maps before the courses were set?  That's when I thought about trying Google Maps like I started doing for cross country last year.  Wow, I think I'm on to something without spending a small fortune on the software.

I went to Google Maps and enlarged the stadium area and got out a dry erase marker and started drawing the course directly on the computer screen. Then I started drawing the lines which measure the distances and tweaked things around to the point where I think the lay out looks pretty good and I could make fairly accurate course maps. I did have to move one fence significantly to get the distance that Leigh wanted and I would not have discovered that  until we had gotten all the jumps into the field.

Time will tell if this is really going to make set up easier, but here's hoping and for now I'm a happy camper.  Well that was until I realized that we have one too many jumping efforts for three of the levels and have to decide which jump has to go.

Sunday Afternoon Project

I've waited years for this...landscaping around the water jump!

Dave decided that he wanted to transplant some bushes that were getting too big and pushing under the barn roof so he asked me where I wanted them.  I knew just where to put them.  Here's hoping that they survive!

Thank goodness for the right equipment

Tying an Anchor

Finished Product

SGF Newsletter

Just in case you missed it; here's a link to the Stone Gate Farm Newsletter

The Winona Horse Trials

Be sure to check Competitors Corner  for Winona updates.



Jackie

Area VIII looses a familiar face

Terry & Chris @ South Farm

Terry Kennedy, a long time cross country starter at many events in Area VIII died Sat night as "his COPD got the upper hand and his lungs just gave out".   Arrangements are pending and no further information is available at this time.

Although not a rider, Terry stepped into the role of starter some years back when he and his wife Chris took over the duties of Chris' parents Jack & Pat Ray who won a Governors Cup for their services. Terry's smiling face and encouraging words will be greatly missed by riders and organizers alike.

Our deepest condolences to his family

Jackie

Text Message Service for the Winona Horse Trials

We are happy to announce that we are offering a text messaging service for the Winona Horse Trials.  For more information and signing up for the service competitors and their support crew should go to  Competitors Corner and volunteers go to Volunteer Views

Survey Results AND More Input Needed ASAP

The results are in from the survey regarding the tent near the stabling area and considering it was our first survey I'm pleased with the number of responses.  Basically 70 % think it's a  good while others aren't sure or wouldn't be using it because they don't stable or they aren't competitors. Most if the respondents were Mini Trials competitors, followed by Horse Trials & Hunter Pace coming in a close 2nd and 3rd.  It was close between the canopy (45%) and a tent (55%) but most agreed on the size of 20' x 30' or larger.  As for the location, no surprise that people wanted it closer to the food (45%) as compared to the location near the drive (32%) with the location by the pond a distant third (20%).  With the recent rains, it became quite apparent that the site up on a hill near the drive is the best location and we will try to locate the food booth closer to the tent ;)

Now for my next request...Stone Gate Farm / Winona Horse Trials  is going to be the featured event in the new 'event preview' in the April issue of the USEA News. I have been asked a few questions that I think I know the answers to but I thought I should ask those whose opinion really counts, yours!  I'd appreciate your response ASAP as we're on a deadline.
        1. What’s a familiar aspect of the events that the competitors have grown to love and appreciate?
                2. What unique about these events and your facility?
        3. What sets it apart from other events?
        4. What’s the atmosphere like?                       
        5. Anything else that you would like to add

We are only allowed to use one picture.  Which one do you think we should use?

Thanks for your input.

Jackie

# 1 'Reflections'

# 2 Simon's Butterfly Garden