Do you want to try extreme cowboy racing but don’t know where to start? Bring your horse to our Give It A Go clinic at Sweet Grass Farm. During your two-hour visit with your horse you will get the chance to do a 10-obstacle novice/intermediate level run, get judged with feedback, then give it another go to see what it feels like. You’ll be able to ask questions and test yourself and your horse to see what division you may want to enter or what skills you have to offer. As a Level 1 EXCA judge, I’ll answer your questions and help you to find opportunities to improve your run and optimize your scores. Even if you don’t want to compete, here is a chance to find out how much fun it can be, without the pressure. A course will be set up indoors. Morning and afternoon group size is limited to four riders each. You are welcome to sign up for one or both. If you’ve not raced yet and you’re curious to try, this is your chance to Give It A Go. There will be two groups, 10-noon and 1-3 pm on Saturday May 9, 2026. Cost is $50 + HST = $56 per rider. EXCA rules will apply. Send an e-mail to karen . dallimore @ gmail . com to register please and I will send you directions to Sweet Grass Farm near Orton, ON. Payment is required in advance by e-transfer to the same address or cash to hold your spot. OE or equivalent personal liability insurance is required.

Basics of Hands-on Horsemanship Are you looking to form a deeper relationship with your horse? Join Kathryn Reid at Sweet Grass Farm to find out where and how to use touch to find tension in your horse, learn techniques that can help you to release that tension, and better notice and understand the feedback from your horse. You will discover the profound impact of this work on the horse and be fascinated by the calming effect it can have on both you and your horse. Kathryn Reid is a Masterson Method Certified Practitioner, Instructor and Fieldwork Coach as well as a Usui/Tibetan Reiki Ryoho Master whose further studies include shamanism, animal communication, meditation and First Nations traditions. Kathryn will share her diverse experience and unique approach with 1:1 time with each participant and their horse. Bring your own horse or borrow one of ours for this hands-on three-hour session that will run from 10 am to 1 pm on Saturday, May 2, 2026 in the indoor facility at Sweet Grass Farm, Orton, ON. Space is limited to four horses. Cost is $100 + HST = $113 per participant. Pre-payment is required to hold your spot, which is transferrable. Please register, ask questions and e-transfer payment to karen . dallimore @ gmail . com. OE or equivalent personal liability insurance is required.

You’ve got the lariat and you know how to build a loop and throw. Now what? The horse, of course! Join Kristen Rapson for a Basics of Rope Handling clinic with your horse on Saturday, April 25. Kristen will teach you the horsemanship involved with preparing your horse for rope work, whether your goal is to work with ranch roping or negotiating obstacles that require some rope management skills such as roping a dummy or dragging a log. Kristen will give you a refresher on rope handling and you’ll learn how to safely introduce your horse to your rope, then apply your skills to your work. Based in Burlington, ON, Kristen is a lifelong equestrian who has been involved in diverse areas of the horse industry from mountain trail and ranch riding through western dressage and hunter under saddle. In 2022, she turned her full-time focus to her business, KR Horsemanship. The cost is $113 per horse and rider which includes HST. The clinic will run from 10 am to 3 p.m. at Sweet Grass Farm in Orton, ON. Bring your own lunch; coffee, tea and water are available. Current OE liability is required. Please RSVP with payment or questions to karen . dallimore @ gmail . com

How are you with a lariat? If you’d like to improve your skills, join us for Basics of Roping with Kristen Rapson at Sweet Grass Farm on Saturday, April 18 from 10am to 1pm. This introductory clinic is ideal for beginners or those needing to work out some kinks, especially those wanting to enjoy extreme cowboy or ranch roping. Kristen will talk about the parts of the rope and loop, introduce three standard ranch roping shots, and show you how to aim for successful throws. Kristen is a lifelong member of the horse industry, having grown up on View Point and 6R farm in Burlington, a boarding establishment that has been in the Rapson family since the 60’s. In 2022, she turned her full-time focus to coaching and teaching through her business, KR Horsemanship. Kristen has been involved with the Ontario Ranch Roping Team since 2022, and has also enjoyed competing in mountain trail, ranch riding, western dressage, extreme cowboy, and hunter under saddle. Cost for this people-only three-hour event is $68 which includes HST. We will be indoors but dress for weather conditions. Please bring your own rope if possible. For more information or to register please send an email to karen.dallimore@gmail.com. Prepayment is required to hold your spot. This clinic is a suggested pre-requisite for the Basics of Rope Management clinic on April 25.

Are you looking for something fun and interesting to do with your horse in 2026? Come out to our Basics of Extreme Cowboy Open House at Sweet Grass Farm on Saturday, March 21 from 10 am to noon. You’ll have a chance to see what the sport is all about, how it can suit your needs, watch a demo and ask questions, and meet other obstacle enthusiasts. I’ve been a Level 1 EXCA judge since 2022 and I will give you a good idea of what it takes to train, explore, or compete and where you can fit in. There’s a place for everyone in this sport from novice to experienced. Don’t be shy! Bring a lunch if you’d like to socialize afterwards. The coffee pot will be on. This is a free event for people only, no need to bring a horse. RSVP to karen . dallimore @ g mail . com and I will send you the address.

Are you looking to form a deeper relationship with your horse? Join Kathryn Reid at Sweet Grass Farm to find out where and how to use touch to find tension in your horse, learn techniques that can help you to release that tension, and better notice and understand the feedback from your horse. You will discover the profound impact of this work on the horse and be fascinated by the calming effect it can have on both you and your horse. Kathryn Reid is a Masterson Method Certified Practitioner, Instructor and Fieldwork Coach as well as a Usui/Tibetan Reiki Ryoho Master whose further studies include shamanism, animal communication, meditation and First Nations traditions. Kathryn will share her diverse experience and unique approach with 1:1 time with each participant and their horse. Bring your own horse or borrow one of ours for this hands-on three-hour session that will run from 10 am to 1 pm on Saturday, November 8, 2025 in the indoor facility at Sweet Grass Farm, Orton, ON. Space is limited to four horses. Cost is $80 + HST = $90.40 per participant. Pre-payment is required to hold your spot. Please register, ask questions and e-transfer payment to karen . dallimore @ gmail . com. OE or equivalent personal liability insurance is required.

Are you looking to form a deeper relationship with your horse? Join Kathryn Reid at Sweet Grass Farm to find out where and how to use touch to find tension in your horse, learn techniques that can help you to release that tension, and better notice and understand the feedback from your horse. You will discover the profound impact of this work on the horse and be fascinated by the calming effect it can have on both you and your horse. Kathryn Reid is a Masterson Method Certified Practitioner, Instructor and Fieldwork Coach as well as a Usui/Tibetan Reiki Ryoho Master whose further studies include shamanism, animal communication, meditation and First Nations traditions. Kathryn will share her diverse experience and unique approach with 1:1 time with each participant and their horse. Bring your own horse or borrow one of ours for this hands-on three-hour session that will run from 10 am to 1 pm on Saturday, October 25, 2025 in the indoor facility at Sweet Grass Farm, Orton, ON. Space is limited to four horses. Cost is $80 + HST = $90.40 per participant. Pre-payment is required to hold your spot. Please register, ask questions and e-transfer payment to karen . dallimore @ gmail . com. OE or equivalent personal liability insurance is required.

You’ve got the lariat and you know how to build a loop and throw. Now what? The horse, of course! Join Kristen Rapson for a Basics of Rope Handling clinic with your horse on Saturday, May 10. Kristen will teach you the horsemanship involved with preparing your horse for rope work, whether your goal is to work with ranch roping or negotiating obstacles that require some rope management skills such as roping a dummy or dragging a log. Kristen will give you a refresher on rope handling and you’ll learn how to safely introduce your horse to your rope, then apply your skills to your work. Based in Burlington, ON, Kristen is a lifelong equestrian who has been involved in diverse areas of the horse industry from mountain trail and ranch riding through western dressage and hunter under saddle. In 2022, she turned her full-time focus to her business, KR Horsemanship. The cost is $115 per rider which includes HST. The clinic will run from 10 am to 3 p.m. at Sweet Grass Farm in Orton, ON. Bring your own lunch; coffee, tea and water are available. Current OE liability is required. Please RSVP with payment or questions to karen . dallimore @ gmail . com

We’re all ready for a little green grass, aren’t we? Are you ready to open the gate? Join us for the Basics of Spring Feeding workshop here at Sweet Grass Farm on Saturday, May 3 to find out how to make that transition with a plan. We’ll have a look at the Sweet Grass herd and facility, then you’ll hear from Alex Arkwright, M.Sc., Equine Nutrition Advisor for Sharpe’s Farm Supply and Buckeye Feeds in Ontario and Alberta. We’ll pull out the weight tape, body condition score chart, and the weigh scales to learn how to evaluate your horse’s condition and current diet, then she will give you some ideas to formulate a plan to transition from hay to pasture. How do you manage the changeover? How do you manage the pasture? How might the components of their current diet change when grass is added? The workshop runs from 10 to noon and Alex will stick around for questions. Cost is $25, free for Pony Club members.

If you can come to Sweet Grass Farm on Saturday April 19, 2025 from 10 am until 1 pm, you might get a cookie, if you’re good. That’s when we’re having a Basics of +R workshop and demo with Christy Steele to explain how to properly and responsibly introduce positive reinforcement training to your horse without creating a treat-hungry monster. She’ll use our demo horses to show how to create a softer horse on the ground or under saddle as an alternative to using more pressure or equipment and explain how +R can be used to help your horse relax in stressful situations. At her farm in Cookstown, ON, Christy works with her own horses and select outside horses to help them enjoy the benefits of +R training and shares her talent through her on-line course, Positively Forward Training. The cost for this 3-hour workshop is $60. This is a people only event, no need to bring your horse. For more information or to register, please follow the link or email karen.dallimore@gmail.com. Pre-registration is required.

Do you have questions about bits? Join us for the Basics of Bitting workshop on Saturday March 15, 2025. Our clinician, Vicky Stoncius, will lead a discussion about bit mechanics and their individual impacts on the horse and rider. She will talk about how specific mouth pieces and cheek pieces work, bit materials, and how to properly fit a bit. Bring your own bridle and bit to this two-hour workshop here at Sweet Grass Farm in Orton, ON, for her professional evaluation. Bring your questions too, such as, why is my horse head tossing or chomping on his bit or evading the bit? My horse came with this unusual bit but I don’t know why? What are the reasons for some bit features such as a port, copper roller, shanks, etc.? Victoria is a horse owner with diverse experience in riding and training horses for hunter, dressage, and Icelandic horseback riding. Through her business, Eaglewood Equestrian Supplies in Mississauga, she has access to multiple lines of equipment and continuous learning. She has competed on the Canadian Team at the Icelandic Horse World Championships four times in Europe, training on multiple farms in Germany and learning from trainers, farriers, saddle fitters, vets and equine dentists. The workshop runs from 10 am until noon in our heated tack room here at Sweet Grass Farm. Cost is $45 which includes HST, prepaid please, to hold your seat around the table. For more information or to register send an e-mail to karen.dallimore@gmail.com

How are you with a lariat? If you’d like to improve your skills, join us for Basics of Roping with Kristen Rapson at Sweet Grass Farm on Saturday, March 1, 2025 from 10am to 1pm. This introductory clinic is ideal for beginners or those needing to work out some kinks, especially those wanting to enjoy extreme cowboy or ranch roping. Kristen will talk about the parts of the rope and loop, introduce three standard ranch roping shots, and show you how to aim for successful throws. Kristen is a lifelong member of the horse industry, having grown up on View Point and 6R farm in Burlington, a boarding establishment that has been in the Rapson family since the 60’s. In 2022, she turned her full-time focus to coaching and teaching through her business, KR Horsemanship. Kristen has been involved with the Ontario Ranch Roping Team since 2022, and has also enjoyed competing in mountain trail, ranch riding, western dressage, extreme cowboy, and hunter under saddle. Cost for this people-only three-hour event is $60 which includes HST. We will be indoors but dress for weather conditions. Please bring your own rope if possible. For more information or to register please send an email to karen.dallimore@gmail.com. Prepayment is required to hold your spot.

Let's talk feeding, not what to feed but how to manage feeding it. We'll walk through the loft and look at hay quality, discuss hay types and different ways to store and feed hay. We'll talk about water, how to provide and maintain clean water through every season, then we'll visit the feed room to learn how to measure what's in a 'scoop'. This event is ideal for all levels of experience and all types of horse owners, whether you're boarding or keeping your horses at home, to exchange ideas and knowledge surrounding feeding your horse. You may find something to try at home or just find questions to ask your barn manager, vet or nutritionist. The cost is $25 per person, which includes HST. Pony club members are free. Bring a notebook. We'll be in an open barn so please dress warmly. For more information or to register please e-mail karen.dallimore@gmail.com

What are you doing on Sunday February 2, 2025? It's Ground Hog Day and to celebrate, our lovable mascot bear, Ted, has come out of hibernation and he'll put the kettle on for a free Open House here at Sweet Grass Farm. I'm not sure if he'll see his shadow but drop by for a coffee or tea and we can talk horses for a few hours between 2 and 5 pm. There might be cookies if he hasn't eaten all of them by then. It's a great opportunity to visit and make plans for the season. We're at 8969 Sideroad 27, Orton. We'll be in the arena but the tack room is heated. Message me at 519.855.1127 if you have questions.

Are you curious about working with leather? Let Ashley Rezka of Timberline Leatherworks introduce you to working with leather by helping you create your own personalized horse head keychain and a customized bracelet. During this two-hour workshop, participants will learn about the different types of leather and their uses, how to prepare leather for stamping, how to use various stamping tools, how to colour, antique and finish leather, how to finish leather edges, and how to set snaps and rivets. All materials are supplied. Cost is $56.50 per person which includes HST. Please pre-register by email by sending a note and etransfer to karen.dallimore (@) gmail.com. There will be five seats available around the workbench.

Basics of Cowboy Obstacles at HORSE DAY ERIN 2023 Sat, May 27 @ 10:00AM — 5:00PM Erin Fairgrounds, Dundas Street West, Erin Are you interested in learning more about negotiating Cowboy Obstacles with your horse? Come and join us for this one day clinic, generously held in conjunction with Horse Day Erin 2023 at the Erin Fairgrounds. There will be a series of obstacles for you and your horse to explore and negotiate in the North Ring, under the guidance of Karen Dallimore, Level 1 EXCA judge and obstacle coach. The morning session, from 10 to 1, will be at an introductory level where you will be guided through how to approach and negotiate some fun everyday obstacles that you may come across on the trail, at home, or in the show pen. In the afternoon, from 2 to 5 pm, you will have a chance to find out more about extreme cowboy racing, how it works, how to challenge your performance a bit with thoughts of possibly competing at the Erin Fair Extreme Cowboy Race in October or elsewhere, and we'll cap off the day with some mock runs. There's no pressure, just have some fun! Both sessions will give horses and riders just the right amount of interesting information. If you're new to obstacles, you'll learn how to negotiate them from scratch. If you've done this before, you'll get some tips on how to improve your performance. The cost for the full day is $95 per horse and rider team. Please be prepared to pay an entrance fee to the grounds of $10 for adults which gives you additional access to all of the Horse Day Erin events that day. Proof of liability insurance through CRHRA, OE or equivalent is required. To find out more and sign up, simply send an email to karen.dallimore (@) gmail.com to let me know you're interested. I'll give you more information and answer your questions. Payment by e-transfer is required to hold your spot, since space will be limited. (Photo courtesy of Sutherland Photography, official photographer of Erin Extreme Cowboy)

This clinic is for those learning how to start your horse on a cow flag or for those who are familiar with the flag and wanting a tune-up. Greg will be helping to teach your horse to rate the flag like they would a live cow, stopping in time with the flag, the draw back and turn, and overall timing to be in the right position when working a cow. The flag is also a great tool to practice speed control and roll backs for other events, such as ranch riding and reining. Greg is a trainer, coach, and competitor in reined cow horse, cutting, and ranch riding. Greg trains horses of all ages in these events and coaches students ranging from beginners to Ontario and North American competitors. He and his students have had success in the Ontario show pen as well as in numerous regional and North American year-end awards and finals. There will be something for all experience levels. Cost for this one-day clinic is $160 which includes lunch and HST. Please contact Karen at 519-855-1127 (cell/text) for more information or to register. Prepayment is required to hold your spot.

Have you ever wondered what’s inside your western saddle? Let Steve Close take some of the mystery out of it! In this 3-hour Saddle Dissection Workshop, Steve will take apart a western saddle right down to the tree, letting you see how all the parts go together by taking them apart. Knowing the inner workings will not only help you to assess saddles with a keener eye, it will help you to understand the form and function of different parts of the saddle. Steve has developed his craft over 30 years and provides handmade leather goods and saddle repair at The Saddle Shack just north of Mount Forest, ON. You’ll find him there year ‘round, carving, sewing, and crafting all kinds of beautiful and functional leather pieces, everything from western tack, custom chaps, chinks, headstalls and spur straps to gear for outdoor enthusiasts such as knife sheaths, cell phone cases, rifle slings & scabbards and tool pouches. Cost is $45 which includes HST. Refreshments will be provided. Please text Karen at 519-855-1127 if you have questions or to register. Prepayment is required to hold your spot.

Your horse has asked that you come to our Basics of Equine Massage Workshop at Sweet Grass Farm on Saturday, April 9 from 10 am until 1 pm. Join Ashley Stinson from A Plus Equine Massage as she shows us show how to do a basic conformation assessment to help show where potential issues could occur, share some basic everyday massages and stretches and a couple of easy pole exercises you can do at home to keep your horse running in tip top shape. Ashley received her SMARTCert Canada Practitioner certification in 2021. An avid learner, she has a diploma in Equine Studies from the University of Guelph and training in Large Animal Rescue, Equine First Aid, Fire and Emergency Preparedness and Sickness Prevention from Equine Guelph. With over 20 years of experience in the horse industry, Ashley has participated in a wide variety of disciplines so she has a better understanding of the demands placed on horses and what the typical issues in that discipline may be. She currently competes in the sport of endurance riding with her appaloosa Splash and her paint Harley. Last year, Ashley made it to the 94-mile mark of the Tevis Cup, one of the world’s toughest endurance rides, riding an Arab/Appaloosa horse named Sonic. A Plus Equine Massage offers services that include rehabilitation and conditioning programs across Bruce, Grey, Perth, Huron, Wellington and Halton regions as well as on-line. The cost is $45 per person which includes HST and refreshments. This is a people only workshop – Ashley will use the Sweet Grass herd for demonstration. Send me a FB message, call or text 519-855-1127 or send an email to reserve your spot.

You are invited to an Extreme Cowboy Open House here at Sweet Grass Farm near Orton, on Sunday, March 20, 2022 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. I'll talk about the format and strategy of Extreme Cowboy Racing, walk an obstacle course, and we'll judge a few runs together. It's a great chance to find out how you can become involved, whether competing or volunteering, or just pick up some ideas to have some fun at home. All are welcome! I've been competing in Ontario Xtreme Cowboy racing and sat for several years on the OXC board since the sport came to Ontario in 2012, developing the successful Rookie Series and earning High Point Rookie Open with our Tatti and High Point Green Horse with Jake so far. Cost is $25 which includes HST for this 3-hour workshop. This is a people only event - no need to get out the trailer just yet! Message me if you have any questions or to RSVP.