Life on a Farm

With our last 3 day riding experience of the summer kicking off yesterday, we had a very full house. I think nearly 20 riders at some point during the day. Four brand new riders to CHF who all seemed to have a great time. Linda really has a great way of making new riders feel completely comfortable on a horse. It is a gift.

Our non-riding events went well except that I may never get the Tye Dye off my hands! Because several of the participants are repeaters, Jacki did a great job of coming up with new activities. Wind chimes with a horse and shell theme -- perfect for summer!

Days like yesterday I think I should have been a teacher.

Labels: Summer, tye dye

Seems like all the riders doing summer programs are having a blast. Here, in their own words, is what they've been doing:

"I jumped for my first time that was not in a show!" Lulu

"I did my first flying changes on sir, Buck a lot." Maradith

"Emma and I, Mary, are planning a show that takes place tomorrow (Tuesday) at 9:00 in the morning. We are very excited to get up early and get our horses ready. We planned it all on our own, and are very proud of it. We will keep you posted on how it goes." Mary & Emma

"Bam and I did a lot of jumping; he did really well, (note: I ALWAYS USE Bittles Bridle.)" Maradith (Mary)

"Prime Package and I were in a horse show and we kicked dariyair, so dis, dis and disidydis DIS!" Emma

Labels: Fun, Rider posts, Summer

Summer riders start today. I am giving the older girls on the full lease program the opportunity to write about their day, a horse or their ride and then I will post their writing here.

Except for our three daughters, we are not identifying any riders with their actual names. Obviously, friends and family will be able to recognize them in pictures (if we've gotten a signed release) but we are really working hard to protect the privacy of our student riders.

It is going to be hopping busy on the farm this week. Learn to Ride program kicks off tomorrow for three days and the primary ring sign-in board is pretty much full from 9 am till 6 pm every day!

I think I got everything ready: there is a refrigerator (clean) in the quiet tack room, the television with no cable access but the ability to play Videos and DVDs with a few horse-themed tapes and DVDs out there. I left lots of notes and lists .... because I am headed to San Diego this afternoon till Wednesday! This trip is always easier to make in January than June.

Labels: Leases, Summer

A nice day on the farm today, a miserable rainy day yesterday but they both have one thing in common: lots of work to do! Today, Chuck can work on fence posts. I am still trapped working on my day job and getting all the paperwork done for summer programs. If you are a rider, all your forms will be waiting for you at the barn today! I made a new board that we'll use for horse assignments, and bought some great containers for rider's 'stuff' this summer when they are here for longer programs. Found 8 pillowcases at a decent price so 8 folks will have a CHF pillowcase by the end of the summer! Also got a big water container for re-filling water bottles. All in green coordinated colors -- maybe Chuck won't notice? It is a very cool neon green. I will probably get everything nearly ready this weekend for the kick off of our summer 'season'. Then maybe I will get to ride?

Labels: Fencing, Summer