Hoof Beats Wrapping Up a Winning Season--an Appreciation

by Mary Gallagher

Chris Greimes provides instant replay.

For us at Freedom Farm, October brings striking colors, crisp air, fuzzier horses, and the end of show season for the Hoof Beats Competition Team. This season was a big deal, as the students had set their sights on moving up a division, into the meter jumpers. They all had horses capable of the move, and, I knew that this was going to be a significant change for them. Jumping higher would require horse and rider to travel faster than they’ve been used to at the lower levels. This meant they needed to upgrade their ability to gallop to the jumps faster, with the conditioning, confidence, and balance to jump the bigger jumps. (I should mention I was often riding, too—on my jumpers in training Oliver and Marcus.)

To accomplish this goal in a fun and seamless way, last spring I moved the jumps out into the field as usual, but using more of the field and setting the jumps further apart. We did galloping exercises in the field, which the horses love. That set the ball in motion; I left the jumps at the lower height, and as everyone got accustomed to the higher rate of speed, then gradually I raised the bars until they were jumping higher than they would need to at their first show this season. It worked great! Their first show in the meters was a repeat of their typically excellent result in lower divisions, right off the bat. Lily Robertson, Daniela Dam, and Bella Greimes pulled off championship and reserve championships in their respective divisions without a hitch. Hadley Wolslegels joined later in the season, riding Kathryn Butler’s horse Bowie with fine results.

Graduating seniors. One of the other challenges we faced this summer was that our high school seniors had their graduation ceremonies in Sequim and Port Angeles, after which they needed to visit colleges they’d been accepted to, making our show schedule a little hectic! The team was split up, going different directions all summer. This was a huge challenge for the parents, to say the least! They had the logistical challenges of big shows on different weekends, while knowing that their child’s season was going to be cut short due to college preparation. Let’s just say, the Hoof Beats team parents were spread rather thin. 

Amazing teamwork by all. While Lily Robertson‘s parents John and Kimi hauled Ruby to Colorado to be with Lily while she attends college there, Kathryn Butler worked out a deal with Hadley Wolslegels to take care of her horse Bowie while she was away at college. Kathryn’s parents Sean and Sara Butler supported this idea, allowing Hadley to finish out the Show season on Bowie. 

Chris Greimes kept the team glued together with good food and attention to schedules as well as providing beautiful, professional videos each evening after the team was done showing. We would get together in the Greimes family bus and watch the day’s rides, going over each course multiple times. I felt so fortunate that we had this capability, thanks to Chris! I think it created a huge advantage for our riders. He also made sure that all riders and parents were fed at each show; most of the time we were able to all eat as a group, which really kept the team tight and talking about their rides, as well as the rides of other competitors at the show. I must say, this season was so unique in the way everyone pulled together at a whole new level! We even went as a team to Oregon to honor Wendy Comstock after her passing. Once again Chris Greimes pulled the team together for that occasion. Chris, thank you so much!

Managing the horses' feet in less than ideal circumstances. Because we are a barefoot barn, it’s very important that our horses are able to show naturally on bare feet. At some facilities with rocky footing between show rings, there’s a real risk of excessive wear. But fortunately we know what works and how to protect the horses’ feet for optimum performance. We put boots on the horses for the walk from their stalls to and from the arena, and let them enjoy the benefits of healthy hooves in the arena footing. The results speak for themselves!

Remembering Wendy. Once again, I want to mention how much we deeply miss Wendy Comstock, whose kind and generous presence blessed us for so many years. She is still with us, in a way, through her beautiful horses. Wendy was a great friend and colleague for me, and a mentor to us all. The horses she sent our way, whether carefully bred warmbloods or rescues that were lucky enough to end up with her, have been a blessing, one and all. We can’t thank you enough, Wendy.

The team in 2025: Hadley Wolslegels, Bella Greimes, Daniela Dam, Lily Robertson, Elly Dam, Coach Mary

 

Dads on the bus! (A rental for a special trip to town for a team break): John Robertson, Chris Greimes, Michael Dam.

Mom on the bus! Kimi Robertson, long time champion team supporter and ace photographer.

Coach Mary could get used to this....

Michael Dam looks on as Chris Greimes shows Daniela her latest ride. What a gift!

Mom Annie Failoni hangs out with daughter Daniela Dam and Hadley Wolslegels between classes.

From 2024, a break in town with dads John Robertson, Chris Greimes, and Michael Dam. Daniela Dam, Bella Greimes, Sebastian Grimes, Lily Robertson, and Coach Mary, having a good time!