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Whether you want to better your riding skills, or are not quite ready to fully own a horse, Wildwind Farm has 1/2 lease programs on the lesson horses. Talk to Melinda about the program and available opportunities. 1/2 leasing a horse gives you the opportunity to experience horse ownership without the full responsibility. It also gives you an opportunity to use the horse for shows or a 4-H project!
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| 2007 Melinda Thomas & WF Splash of Class, placing 5th in the USEA Novice Horse Trials at Lincoln Creek, Centralia, WA. |
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| May 9, 1999. Splash was just born, wasn't he just a cutie? |
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| 2010 Ferry County Fair with Charlotte Mills. The pair went on to the 4-H State Fair in Puyallup, and took 7th place out of WA State in Senior Saddleseat Equitation! |
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WF SPLASH OF CLASS (Retired from lesson program)
"Splash" is a 1999 Registered American Warmblood and PtHA (Pinto). He was bred and raised by Melinda Thomas as a personal show horse. He has shown in Pinto shows, dressage and three-day eventing with Melinda. He will still continue in his career as a show jumper. As he continues in his jumping career, he will be available for the more advanced students to learn dressage and jumping. He is also a wonderful trail horse, and is used to take vacationers out on the mountain. Splash is currently competing in ACTHA (American Competitive Trail Horse Association) with owner Melinda Thomas.
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| Melinda & Rainy at the 2005 Northwest Equestrian Center Fall Gala, Rainier, WA |
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RAINBOW WRANGLER
"Rainy" is a 1997 Registered Appaloosa gelding. He has been personally owned by Melinda Thomas since he was 3 years old. Melinda and Rainy competed in combined training in Area VII up to training level. He was retired in 2006, and has since then become a favorite lesson horse, and a personal trail riding mount to Melinda's husband Rick. Rainy continues to jump while he teaches advanced beginners and intermediate riders the ropes.
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| Melinda starting Sophie under saddle in 2003, Port Orchard, WA |
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SUNLIGHT WRANGLER
From complete beginners to more advanced riders, "Sophie" is the jewel of our lesson program. She is a 1999 Registered Appaloosa mare bred by Sunlight Appaloosas, Port Orchard, WA. She is 1/2 sister to "Rainbow Wrangler". "Sophie" and Melinda have been together, in a sense before she was born. Having trained her full sister, Wranglers Page Turner, the owners Roger and Laura Schuck decided they wanted another like "Josie". Melinda met "Sophie" when she was born. Did her ground training after weaning, including halter shows and adolescent trail. Then finally started her under saddle at 3 years old. "Sophie" was donated to Wildwind Farm by Sunlight Appaloosas in 2006. From that moment on, "Sophie" found her calling, in teaching and building confidence in Melinda's students. "Sophie" is very special, and takes real care to take care of her students!
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| Bandit at the 2009 Ferry County Fair, Republic, WA |
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BANDIT
"Bandit" is a 1990 Paint Pony, and was a cowboy's favorite in his earlier years. "Bandit" was sold to a 4-H home in Kitsap County and moved to Republic in 2007. He continued to do 4-H for the following two years, until his owner outgrew him and moved on to a bigger horse. In the fall of 2009, "Bandit" came to live at Wildwind Farm. He is a solid pony, and safe for the beginners. Whether first learning to ride, or learning to show, "Bandit" builds confidence in both.
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MITZI
"Mitzi" is a 1992 Welsh/Quarter Horse Pony, and was a family mount for kids and grandkids in her earlier years. In the Summer of 2010, "Mitzi" came to live at Wildwind Farm. She is a solid pony, and safe for the advanced beginners. "Mitzi" has plenty of spunk and play in her, and she teaches her riders how to pay attention, and ride every step. She will continue to teach at Wildwind Farm and will take students to shows and County Fair in the upcoming years.
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TIKI
"Tiki" is a 2004 Thoroughbred mare and is our newest addition to the lesson program! I am very excited about Tiki! Although she raced at Emerald Downs as a youngster, she is amazing in the arena, and loves to jump. She has a wonderful, sweet disposition, and loves getting all the attention of her students. She is a great lesson horse for the intermediate students, and is a great step up to master riding skills. "Tiki" will also be a broodmare for Wildwind Farm, but when she does not have a foal at her side, she will be used for lessons, and to show the students the way in the show ring.
"Hi Melinda,
I just wanted to let you know how much fun Miranda had riding Tiki this weekend. She (Miranda) had her serious face on all day Saturday and I couldn't tell if she was having fun or not. But after talking with her. She said....Oh no mom, I had a great time! She made me work sooo hard just to keep her moving forward. She has a totally different gait that took awhile to get the feel of, and the no "neck reining" was a big challenge as well. So, all in all Tiki was a huge confidence booster for Miranda and what a personality she has.... great horse! Thanks Melinda for all you do! We really appreciate you, Rick and your farm. Thanks again,
Marnee Cleveland"
February 13, 2011
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