Valley Horses

Polo Club caps off the school year

The Western New York Polo Club wrapped up its school year activities with an inter-squad, round-robin tournament that concluded Saturday with a hard-fought final match at Riverside Farm in Piffard.

The winning team consisted of Melanie Hickey who will be graduating from Caledonia next month, high school sophomore Anna Campbell of Geneseo, and freshman Hannah Blain from Honeoye.

The runners-up were sophomore Cassandra Wohlschlegel of Honeoye, freshman Abby Campbell of Geneseo, and freshman Molly Hickey from Caledonia.

The consolation prize went to up-and-coming players Kari Luckenbach from Mt. Morris and Samantha Volkmar of Pavilion, both of whom are sophomores, along with eighth graders Logan Ellis from Geneseo and Charlie Coley of Wayland, and 6th grader Joe Luckenbach of Mt. Morris.

As a slight footnote, the Hickey sisters are the granddaughters of avid foxhunter Abe Sickles from Caledonia whom some of you may recall.

This sport is not possible without good horses. The players named 24-year-old thoroughbred mare Sara as the best pony of the tournament. It takes twelve ponies to play a game – two for each of the three players on an indoor team.

Mounts for the club are generously provided by club founders Terry Mehlenbacher and Rob Donnan. As with Sara, most are off-the-track thoroughbreds.

An added bonus to the tournament falls in the “small world” category. A legislative aid to local state senator Patrick Gallivan was in town overnight to attend an agricultural committee meeting.

Jacqueline Kusneir played polo when she attended Cornell University, and gladly accepted an invitation to mount up and take part briefly in the tournament. Afterward, she spoke with the players about the benefits of involvement in such a dynamic team sport and working with horses, and how they have paid off in many delightful and unexpected ways in her career.

There will be an Alumni Game this Saturday at Riverside Farm on Chanler Road in Piffard starting at 5 p.m. All are welcome to attend the game and dish-to-pass supper afterward.

For more information contact Deanna Wohlschlegel at 585-355-8892.

Play will continue through the summer on Wednesday evenings at 6:00 p.m. Beginner sessions are held on Saturday mornings at 10:30. For more information contact Terry Mehlenbacher at 585-382-3333.

Winners of the Week

The Genesee Valley Riding and Driving Club started off its season with a fully-subscribed Combined Test of dressage and stadium jumping at Lehman Stables in Mendon.

Training Level: 1. Kristen Monaco and Cassanova; 2. Carol Kozlowski and Doug Hart’s Rex; 3. Carol Connors and Behrometer with less than one point separating the top three

Novice: 1. Anne Eilinger and Judy DelVecchio’s El Niño; 2. Jack Walnes and The Country Gentleman; 3. Kim Ciulla and Lena’s Lost Sock

Beginner Novice A: 1. (tie) Karen Berger with Lindor HB and Kimberly Crane with Severance Package; 3. (by only .5 pts.) Jesse Evans and Not The Brightest Star

Beginner Novice B: 1. (tie) Farley Wagner with Down East and Carrie Wehle with Anne Mortimer’s Galatea HU; 3. Linda Walnes and True Valor

Introductory: 1. Celena Jo Goodwyn and Sunny; 2. Samantha Vanderstyne and Bold Highlights Lucas; 3. Barbara Havill and Rio Dinero

Coming Up

Therapeutic Riding Volunteer Training: Saturday, May 12th 1 – 3 p.m. for side walkers and leaders at 4217 Lima Road, Geneseo. Rainbow Ridge Therapeutic, Inc. is Livingston County’s only program certified by PATH (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship) International, formerly NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped Association), serving people of all ages with physical, emotional, or developmental concerns that can be improved through an association with horses. Sessions this year run June – August and August – October, with lessons on Monday and Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings. For more information contact Program Director Julie Burnett at 245-8125 or rrtjab@bluefrog.com

Your Horse and the Law: A Conference on Protecting Your Horse, Yourself, and Your Investments – Saturday, May 19 at the Watkins Glen Community Center in Watkins Glen. I don’t usually promote events outside our immediate area, but this one caught my eye as being of interest to just about anyone involved with horses. The $55 registration fee includes a full catered lunch, three workshop presentations, breakout session discussion groups, vendors and information booths, prizes and giveaways.

For more information, go to the Rochester Trail Riders group on Facebook and scroll down to a posting by Erika at Painted Bar. This FB group has a wealth of information on all kinds of topics and activities.

Hunter Pace, Sunday May 20, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. sponsored by the Irish Draught Horse Society of North America at Batzing Farms in Caledonia. Teams of 2 – 3 riders compete over a course of about 6 miles over “fair hunt country” in fast time, optimum time, junior optimum time or hilltoppers divisions.

All types of horses and riders are welcome. There are new, more-inviting jumps this year, although all are optional. The $30 entry fee includes the awards luncheon at the conclusion. For more information contact Sarah at 585-303-1888.