The Green Horseman

While I’ve been busy attending shows, and clinics, and doing my normal full-time job, I’ve also been busy with Wahbee’s Woodworking. I normally keep my woodworking ventures separate with the occasional updates here. So here’s what I’ve been woodWORKING on!

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So far this year I’ve been a moderate level of busy. Last year I was laid up for half the year and unable to build.

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In January I was asked to lead a fun workshop with a local 4H group. It was fun, and we made 10-12 signs…but it was a challenge. I took a few lessons from that night on how I can improve in the future if I were to do another.

That opportunity came in May when another 4H group asked for a workshop. I had the kids choose their pictures and submit the names before the clinic so I could have them ready to go. The second clinic ran more smoothly. The kids all had a great time and it was a good challenge for them. It was fun to see what the kids created.

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The springtime allowed me to work with our local farm store once again. Together we sold 22 gardens and I sold a couple privately as well.

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On the sponsorship side, things have been quieter, but I’ve been able to work with a couple. I was a proud sponsor of the IHSA Alumni Tournament of Champions. I was also asked to make jump flags for our local organization, ENYDCTA. I was happy to do so and continue my sponsorship of their amazing series.

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Roll tops have been popular this year. I’ve made a few, mostly 2′ and one very heavy set of 2’6.” When I build these roll tops I normally use fully pressure-treated 2″ thick lumber. They are sturdy but also heavy, so I often build them in 4′ sections and add handles.

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I had the honor of building some jumps for a well-known local hunter farm. It was fun to deliver the jumps and meet everyone.

Shortly after that I built a jump for a group who bought it as a birthday gift to a trainer. They aren’t local but were showing at our local well-known showgrounds, White Hollow Farms. We worked closely to arrive and set the jump up while the trainer was at the show ring. She was completely surprised!

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At our own farm I was able to help outfit one of our pastures with some small cross-country jumps. We already had a faux ditch, a wall, and some coops, but we added a chevron and two tire jumps.

Recently our in-house trainer moved out, and most of the jumps were hers. This gave us the opportunity to outfit the farm with a set of brand-new jumps. I brought some unfinished standards and poles down and we’re planning on a farm day paint party.

I’m also working on a custom farm jump, but I have yet to reveal it!

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Earlier this year I had the chance to outfit another farm with a set of 10 schooling standards and 20 poles, plus a couple other farms with new poles. It’s always a great feeling to get a fresh course!

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This year my goal has been to increase my inventory so the jumps can dry out and be ready for paint. I’ve been so busy I can’t seem to keep up but I’m making progress!

I recently stocked up and built 6 pairs of schooling standards, 9 new pairs of wings, and 5 new gates. I have some design ideas I’m excited about for the wings, but still feel I need to make a few more. Usually by the time they are dry enough to paint they are sold. I’m hoping to carry the wings through the design and paint process so they are ready to go for people.

I also just accepted a fresh new delivery of 100 4x4s because I’ve become dangerously low on poles! It’ll keep me busy but I love busy.

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To stay up to date I typically use social media. Mainly Facebook but also Instagram. I also have a site that I use mainly as a more organized version to show my capabilities. I don’t take orders on the website.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WahbeesWoodworking

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wahbeeswoodworking/

Square Site: https://wahbeeswoodworking.square.site/