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Life on a FarmFriday, April 9, 2010 This blog is now located at http://cobblehillfarmblog.blogspot.com/. You will be automatically redirected in 30 seconds, or you may click here. For feed subscribers, please update your feed subscriptions to http://cobblehillfarmblog.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default.
Sorry!!!
With my new job, I've really let the blog on the farm go .... and then I somehow got locked out of my account. But, I'm back. Not exactly on the farm today, but thinking about it.
Jeannie Queen is doing an adult riding clinic tomorrow ... should be a nice day for them. Chuck and I will be getting up early to do the chores. I will be glad to be cleaning stalls and bringing horses in and out after a week of getting up early to catch planes! We've had lots of horses moving around. Fritz got to go home this summer which is wonderful for his family. Before long, 'his' stall was filled by "Mac" (Macbeth) a wonderful new boarder -- a Morgan. His owner explained to me the distinctive long mane and tail of the breed which I had not known. He is almost too pretty to be a 'he'! Patrick is visiting for a while -- keeping Patty company in the barn some nights and hanging in the front paddock on these warm weather evenings. Bear has gone back to Karrie's and took some friends with him. Blue is going to stay and be worked into the lesson program a bit to see how she does. Elizabeth reported a great ride on her this week. We are also working Vixen (soaking her feet below ... all older mothers going back to an exercise routine can relate :)) into the riding program. Chuck and I are engaged in a robust debate: To breed (again) or not to breed? I will admit, I loved the foal and still get huge pleasure from watching Patty grow. I'd like to do it again. Chuck isn't convinced. What do you think????  Wednesday, March 3, 2010
WES April Vacation Program
 As I've mentioned before, the Oak Hollow Spring Shows -- a gymkhanna and the equitation show -- are on the Sunday after vacation and the following Sunday. That gave us the idea to do something different with the riding program during school vacation. We are going to do Monday, Wednesday and Friday for riders of all abilities. The lessons on Monday and Wednesday will focus on the patterns and commands in an equitation show or on the fun events in the gymkhanna so that riders and horses can get a little practice. Then, Friday, we are going to have our own "show" which will really be akin to a dress rehearsal (and FUN!). Even if you don't plan to do the show or aren't sure you're ready yet this will be a fun, low-key way to get some experience of it. If you do plan to do either or both events, it will be a great time to practice. We will have time during the non-riding if anyone wants to work on the costume class ... and our other activities will be the typical fun stuff we do at our riding programs. All riders will come the same days from 10 - 3 pm. If you want to do double riding to practice gymkhana AND equitation, we will do that too! For a single program (only one hour of riding instruction M and W -- Friday will be the 'events') it will be $200. For both (two hours of riding on M and W and lots of riding on Friday!) it will be $250. Sending out a blast email to those emails I have but make sure to tell your friends!!! For Pine Cobble riders -- shoot me an email (farmerswife@cobblehillfarm or info@cobblehillfarm) if you'd like to do two Saturday sessions ... I am sure we could figure that out. Labels: April riding, shows Saturday, February 27, 2010
Meet our Newest Neighbor!
  The Hunt girls and Krissy are thrilled that the farm next door, East Mountain, got a new puppy! He is being trained (much to the Hunt girls' chagrin!) to stay on his farm (picture here of their beef cows) but occassionally sneaks over to our barn. Here is a picture that Krissy snapped of Maxwell recently on one of his visits. Is he adorable?? Lauren remembers his name because of the coffee (so she told me). East Mountain Farm sells beef, wood, ham, pork, etc... It is part of the original farm that Chuck grew up on and in fact the house is an identical log home to the one that is part of our current home. It is actually the East Mountain home where Chuck and his family lived after the fire that destroyed their 1800s era farm house. Labels: Hunt girls, Krissy, Maxwell Friday, February 26, 2010
Full Access Lease
 Several parents have asked if we are doing the 'full access' lease program this year. The short answer is yes. The longer answer is that we spent quite a bit of time reflecting on the strengths and challenges of the program last year and have made some modifications. Thanks to all the parents who filled out questionnaires! We will soon have sign ups for summer programming available and the successors to the full access lease are: Barn/Pleasure Riding & Barn Leadership programs Both these programs are ONLY open to students entering 6th grade or older. The barn/pleasure riding program will look the most like full access lease. It will start June 1st and run through September 3rd. However, we will be strictly limiting participation to 3 riders per week. Instead of requiring a full month commitment (which was pretty flexible anyway) riders can sign up for a week and the cost will be $150. The increased cost reflects our observation that many of the participants wanted to do projects -- whether to beautify the barn, or simply crafting in a quiet afternoon moment. This include the full lease rate for the week. Same riding program: one hour a day lightly supervised plus a fun, instructor led ride once a week -- hopefully on the trail. The second program is for those who want the same riding experiences and priviliges but are willing to commit to specific responsibilities in the barn. That would include helping new and beginner riders tack up, leading horses in beginner lessons, over seeing crafts. We are planning to build in some 'leadership training' opportunities and will be giving the participants responsibility for tasks in the barn or the other summer programs. An example might be that a participant will plan a craft and run that session for a group of younger kids. We will only be taking two students per week for this program and it will run from June 21st through August 13th. There will still be a fee for the riding and materials but it will be $125. If you are interested in this program, talk to Chuck, Linda or Jacki as soon as you have an idea of which weeks you'd like to do. It doesn't feel much like summer out there, but I know folks are starting to think about summer activities. We will also be offering three other programs this summer -- the 3 day new & beginner riding experience, the Life on a Farm package, and a new Ready, Set, Show experience that culminates in participation in a show in Shelburne Falls. Stay tuned! Labels: Full Access Summer Lease Thursday, February 25, 2010
February Riding was great ... pics!
  Here are some pictures from the vacation riding program. Pretty soon we'll get some information out about the April Vacation programming which will all be about the upcoming shows at Oak Hollow. We got a TON of snow yesterday ... posted all Krissy's pictures from this past month on the facebook account. Raining here now which is depressing. I'd rather we got the next two feet of snow that the Catskills are doing. Also, we are going to participate in the WES camp fair this year on March 27th to let more families know about our great summer programming. Enjoy these pics. Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Spring Lessons: prices and package
In my on-going attempt to Think Spring, I wanted to give everyone a heads up on the CHF spring riding plans.
The current Winter Riding Package goes through March 13th. We will offer another package for Spring -- 12 lessons from March 15th - June 4th. Out of necessity we are having to increase our lesson rates. With the costs of everything going up (health insurance premiums and hay being the biggest offenders) we need to get closer to our actual costs. We still believe our rates are very competitive in the market and if anyone has a specific hardship they should speak to me, Linda or Chuck privately. Rates effective 3/15: One Hour Group lessons: $30 per lesson Half Hour private lesson: $40 per lesson One Hour Semi Private (2 riders): $40 per lesson One Hour Private: $70 per lesson The Spring lesson season (12 lessons) for a group will be: $330; for half hour semi-private $385; for one hour semi private: $440. At this point we probably won't offer a summer lesson pack because so many riders build leasing and different riding experiences into their summer plans. Stay tuned on the exciting plans we'll be announcing soon for summer! Sunday, February 7, 2010
Vintage Family Riding clips
I helped Chuck with the horses yesterday afternoon and boy was it COLD. Kudos to all the riders who have braved the cold. I am really convinced that it WILL get warm soon.
My brother has shared a YouTube clip he made that you might enjoy. It is my "first" pony ride. On a paint pony, of course. Not sure why this loads twice but it is only one clip. Play the volume if you really want to get the maximum impact. And to any potential pony riders out there, we DO NOT drop the reins on your pre-schooler and have no one lead the horse at our parties! Thursday, February 4, 2010
more pictures here until I can figure out facebook
   For some reasons my new computer doesn't want to upload albums, so here are a few more and I'll keep trying. Previous Posts
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