Do you like miniature ponies or huge draft horses? High-stepping dressage dancers, powerful jumpers, or unusual, five-gaited Icelandic horses?
All manner of equines will be on show at the Martha’s Vineyard Horse Council’s Spring Open House, May 16, noon to three (rain date May 17) at Tracey Olsen’s Woodbe Farm, 628 State Road, West Tisbury, next door to Fiddlehead grocery.
This is the third year for this popular event at the Olsen barn, where the Island’s many horse professionals gather to share the rich variety of equestrian life available on the Vineyard. In keeping with the nonprofit Horse Council’s mission to keep riding affordable and accessible to Islanders, there will be free pony rides, and lunch from the grill, plus a tack swap where riders can sell or barter used apparel and equipment, according to a press release.
Among the expected demonstrations: Tracey Olsen and her talented pupil, West Tisbury sixth grader Bella Thorpe, will do a dressage pas de deux on the striking gray and white duo Reyna and Lamborghini. Ava Stearns, a West Tisbury eighth grader just back from a winning winter season in Florida, is expected to reprise her heart-stopping jumping demonstration. Sophie Shalhoub, a favorite at last year’s open house, will introduce her Icelandic horse Gigja, showing off the tolt, the smooth yet rapid gait unique to Icelandics.
New this year: Lillian Robinson will introduce her newly available line of riding apparel, the Vineyard Equestrian, and give insight into horse anatomy by painting a skeleton on the outside of a moving horse, so we can see how the bones move in various gaits.
Representatives from barns large and small will be on hand to offer information about different riding disciplines, lessons, summer camps, and volunteer opportunities. Anyone with spare tack for sale is encouraged to bring his or her own table.
“Although this event is so new, it’s incredibly popular,” said Tracey Olsen, a dressage champion fresh from a winning season in Florida. “There’s clearly a lot of passion for horses on the Island, and this is a fun way to learn what’s available.”
The Martha’s Vineyard Horse Council is a nonprofit group that welcomes new members, riders or not, who want to see Island kids continue to enjoy affordable opportunities to interact with horses. The council hosts four horse shows through the summer and fall. “Vineyarders might not be aware that these small shows have produced many young champions who have gone on to win national honors,” said Ms. Olsen.
