It's hard to accept that the summer is half over! My office job is very stressful at this time of year, and the stable is my sanctuary in a frantic world. It's a place to take pause, surrounded by nature and the calm contentment that being with animals brings. I love the fresh scented air, the birds and breeze in the trees, the warm sunshine and the friendly, glossy horses. In these quiet moments, I try to slow down and stop rushing towards the next thing to be done. We've had a good year so far:
Having the arena has meant a world of difference to the training & fitness of our horses and riders. In March and April we hosted 2 dressage clinics with Anne Galt, and made more concrete plans for the upcoming season. I also took Ludi to his first jumping clinic with my most favorite jumping coach, Jen Hamilton, and got the cold hard truth on how to get better, now. In May, Ludi went to his first dressage show, and while the results weren't great, we put an important notch in our belts. I scribed at the Ottawa Dressage Festival with a judge who was new to me, so I gained some more valuable experience. Ehren went to his first trail ride of the year on May 23, and was his usual, happy self.
Having the arena has meant a world of difference to the training & fitness of our horses and riders. In March and April we hosted 2 dressage clinics with Anne Galt, and made more concrete plans for the upcoming season. I also took Ludi to his first jumping clinic with my most favorite jumping coach, Jen Hamilton, and got the cold hard truth on how to get better, now. In May, Ludi went to his first dressage show, and while the results weren't great, we put an important notch in our belts. I scribed at the Ottawa Dressage Festival with a judge who was new to me, so I gained some more valuable experience. Ehren went to his first trail ride of the year on May 23, and was his usual, happy self.
On June 5, Ludi knocked my socks off at the Graystone Silver Dressage Show, and we won our division including two 65% scores in Training Level 2 & 3, all in the pouring rain. I scribed again, this time at the Rainbow Ridge Gold Dressage Show with one of my mentors, Joan Macartney. I also judged the Jumper ring at the Dwyer Hill Riding Club's show at the Richmond Fairgrounds on June 19. Soon after, the cats, dogs and horses passed their annual physicals with flying colors.
On June 25, Canyon Creek Farm in Petawawa hosted Oz Lazurri for a dressage clinic, and I brought Ludi for a phenomenal lesson. In 2014 I'd taken a few lessons from Oz at Queenswood Stables on their wonderful advanced schoolmaster, Sapphire. I needed a little push to proceed with Ludi's training after our show, and Oz made it crystal-clear on how to kick it up a notch so that we could progress to the next levels. Ludi responded immediately, and we're still having amazing rides, working on concepts to improve his balance, power and expression.
Ehren had another outing at the Beachburg Forest, and proved that he doesn't mind the heat one bit. On July 10 we met up with friends at the Hunt Club Pace, and had many fabulous canters through the green summer fields. Balm for my soul! The Dwyer Hill Riding Club held their second show on July 17 and I had a long day judging many entries in the Hunter ring.
In between all the events, we've opened a new pasture for the horses and the hay is in the barn for the year. The indoor arena is doing double-duty and storing our round bales for now. The new garage is finished, which is crucial for all the equipment and tools that running a stable require. We were really missing that space! John's looking forward to setting up his workshop and then we can really organize the yard. We have a box stall available for boarding, so if you're interested in what we're doing for your own horse, drop me a line!
RSS Feed