Thank you for our arenas generously sponsored by

🐴🎉 GWIF BARN SHOW — THIS SATURDAY! 🎉🐴

ENTRIES CLOSE TONIGHT AT MIDNIGHT!
Click the flyer above or scan QR code to enter!

Join us for a low-key, fun, supportive barn show suitable for ALL levels of riders. Perfect for first shows, schooling rounds, or just coming out for a great day at the farm.

Featured Classes:
🎲 Gamblers Choice (BN riders & above)
⚡ Speed Class (BN riders & above)
📋 Ride-A-Test (BN riders & above)
💸 Coaching fee WAIVED if you're ONLY participating in these classes

Enjoy:
🍔🍹 Lunch & Bar Options Available for Purchase
(all proceeds benefit Huntcliff Stables Foundation!)
🧢 GWIF Gear Available to Order
🎉 Relaxed, Welcoming Atmosphere

🏆 Weekend Recap 🏆
Poplar Place April Horse Trials

Eleven - yes, eleven! - GWIF horse and rider pairs competed this past weekend at Poplar Place Farm’s April Horse Trials. It was a fantastic weekend marked by improved dressage scores, clear jump rounds, and MANY top-five finishes.  Impressive! 

Also notable?  Our three GWIF IEL teams dominated the team competition, sweeping the podium with first, second, and third place finishes.  A huge congratulations to all our riders for an outstanding weekend - we’re so proud of this group!

RESULTS: POPLAR PLACE APRIL HORSE TRIALS

🗓️GWIF Goes: The Near Future🗓️

• April 18th (THIS WEEKEND!): GWIF SPRING BARN SHOW - Join us for a low pressure introduction to horse showing & a great way to practice for future shows! See flyer above for details and sign up. Link to dressage tests included in GWIF website calendar entry.

• April 19th (THIS WEEKEND!): Meg Monthly Dressage Clinic - Join Meg for a deeper dive into dressage skills that you’d like to focus on.

• April 24th - 25th: Poplar Place Schooling Show - Open to all students. Please consult your instructor before signing up. We will haul out on Friday and compete on Saturday.

• May 1st - 3rd: USEA Stable View - Open to leasing/boarding clients with trainer permission. Divisions offered: Starter - Advanced; Closing Date: Expired

• May 1st: Make Up Lessons (John’s Creek) - If you ride at our John’s Creek Campus and missed a lesson in April, this is your opportunity to make it up!

• May 8th: Make Up Lessons (John’s Creek) - If you ride at our John’s Creek Campus and will miss a lesson in May, this is your opportunity to make it up!

• May 9th: Meg Monthly Dressage Clinic- Join Meg for a deeper dive into dressage skills that you’d like to focus on.

Check Out Our Full Website Calendar For More Details!

Weeks are filling up!
Click the flyer to reserve your spot at camp!

💜 Barn Tip of the Week 💜
Be Fierce and Kind

A successful barn isn’t just built on great riding - it’s built on great people. Horses may be at the heart of what we do, but it’s the community around them that truly makes the experience special.  

At GWIF, “Be Fierce and Kind” means showing up for one another in both big and small ways. It’s pulling your weight with chores, offering a word of encouragement after a tough ride, or celebrating a fellow rider’s success as if it were your own.  It also means being mindful of how we treat one another and contributing to an environment that is positive, respectful, and supportive.  

This standard is something our Program Director, Halliea Berry, takes seriously. Having seen firsthand the lasting impact of unkind behavior, she is committed to ensuring our barn remains a place where respect is expected and negativity is not tolerated.

Our barn is more than a place to ride. It’s a place where we learn the life lessons of accountability, resilience, and how to be part of a team,  When we build each other up, we create a safe and inclusive space where riders can show up as themselves, gain in confidence, flourish in friendship, and simply belong.    #befierceandkind

🔦 Riders of the Week 🔦
Thomas & Vicky Bloesl

This week, we’re excited to highlight a special father-daughter duo, Thomas and Vicky, whose shared love of horses has become a meaningful part of their lives.

Vicky began riding in March 2025 at our John’s Creek campus. Thomas initially came along simply to support her, but it didn’t take long for him to get inspired—by September 2025, he was in the saddle himself, turning their barn time into a shared hobby.

At first, the pair took lessons together, enjoying the experience side by side, before transitioning into separate lessons better suited to their individual needs. Both riders have developed strong connections with their favorite horses. Thomas has a soft spot for Gator - valuing how he challenges him to ride with precision and intention. Vicky, on the other hand, truly loves them all from Classy and Mumu to Pumba! Hazel stands out for her smooth trot.

When it comes to favorite memories, Vicky cherishes her trail rides with her trainer, Marissa, along with the quieter moments spent grooming and treating the horses to their favorite “salads” of carrots, apples, and grass. For Thomas, the highlight isn’t just the riding—it’s seeing his daughter so happy at the farm, surrounded by a welcoming community and a lively mix of animals.

Marissa nominated both Thomas and Vicky. Vicky takes wonderful care of every horse she rides and is always quick to lend a helping hand to younger or less experienced riders. After recently experiencing her first fall (a milestone every rider faces!), Vicky showed real courage by getting back on and pushing through her fear. Her bravery and determination are admirable, and we’re excited to see her confidence continue to grow.

Thomas is a great example that it’s never too late to learn something new and thrive. Each weekend, he not only supports Vicky in getting ready for her lessons but also approaches his own riding with care, focus, and dedication. He puts genuine effort into every ride and brings an enthusiasm for connecting with his daughter that stands out.

Together, Thomas and Vicky remind us that riding isn’t always about time in the saddle—it can be about connection, growth, and sharing something special with the people who matter most.