Newsletters
June 24, 2007
Our plans for the weekend of June 30, 2006 have changed from going to
a horse show in New Smyrna to going on a trail ride locally. We are
going to trail ride this coming Saturday at the Hickory Hammock; good
news, the equestrian center road and camp site is open again! As usual
we will have a 3 hour trail ride at the park from 7:30 A.M. to 10:30
A.M. Following that ride will be a one hour ride for new riders and
folks who want to see some pretty scenery without being in the saddle
for very long. After the rides we will have lunch (I'm sure lunch will
be ready before we get back from the one hour ride so those of you who
rode 3 hours will get something to eat sooner). Families are always
welcome to eat with us and enjoy the park; this park is great for
bicycling and hiking too!
Campers are signing up slowly so I am inviting my students to enjoy
one day of camp or your riding lesson during a camp day. If you think
you'd like to attend a camp day or week, but are in need of a discount
please ask about that as well! I can not give major discounts, but if
you are strong and can muck a stall to my specifications we can work on
negotiations for camp fees.
Lastly, a new "lease a lesson horse" program is in the works. If you
have ever thought of owning a horse, but would like to try it out
without making a purchase this program could work for you. This program
has many details so please call me if you might be interested in leasing
a lesson horse. Sarah 655-1582
June 21, 2007
Update:
We will not be attending the horse show in New Smyrna Beach on June 30
and July 1.
We will be trail riding on Saturday June 30! Our first group of riders
will be starting out on the trail at 7:30 A.M. and will ride for 3
hours. A second group will leave the camp site at 11:00 A.M. and will
ride for 1 hour. This new 1 hour ride is perfect for younger children
and folks who don’t think they can last a whole 3 hours on the trail.
As usual we will be preparing lunch for the riders and their families.
The first group of riders should meet at Orchid Hill Stables no later
than 6:30 A.M. or you can get directions to the park and meet us at the
park no later than 7:30 A.M.
Hope you can join us for this ride in the park!
June 12, 2007
We are having a blast at
Orchid Hill Stables this summer! Two weeks of summer camp are already
over, and Tony Pony is proving once again that he is the king of the
trotting race. Mr. Kool is learning how much fun carrying a bucket full
of carrots can be, and I’m enjoying getting my young horses involved in
our program early. Yes, there are openings available for campers ages
6-16. If you’d like to attend camp with your friends call to see what
weeks suit your schedule best!
Lessons: I have been able to give riding lessons Mon.-Sat. thanks
to my awesome helpers! Early morning and evening lessons are best.
Students may call anytime to make lesson appointments. Also available to
students: Single day camp sessions for $75. Not everyone can make it to
camp Mon.-Thurs., so we are offering single day camp attendance.
Our first Dressage show! Mr. Kool and Rio made their first
dressage debut at the Clarcona Horseman’s Park this past Sunday. Sarah
Orrell rode Rio in Introductory level and won two first place ribbons
and two fourth places. I rode Mr. Kool at the same level in the Sr. and
Open divisions (with Sarah Orrell beating us in the Open division). Rio
rocks, but needs to roll with more energy. Still he completed his
patterns without going off course or exiting during the pattern. Two
horses decided the 8” height of the dressage ring couldn’t hold them; we
needed a little bit of those horses’ energy.
Mr. Kool was a bit up tight and balked at the judges booth during our
first test. At the end of that test the judge came out and explained how
to supple Mr. Kool’s neck so he is not so tense and tight; after that he
did not fear the nice lady in the funny red booth. Later in the day I
competed on Rio in Training Level. We did our best to stay lively
despite the 90 + temperature.
Can’t wait for our next show
under a covered arena!
Dressage is really cool; the judge writes comments on your score sheet
so you know what you need to work on and even what you improved on
during that show. The judge, Heather Stalker, came into the arena and
coached each rider (individually) for 10 minutes at the end of our first
test. Mrs. Stalker
made the show a fun learning experience for all the novice dressage
riders.
Next Open Horse Show! Silver Sands (covered) Arena, New Smyrna
Beach.
English Sat. June 30 and Western
Sun. July 1. Judge Matt Murray.
Silver Sands is very nice, from
what I hear. Deadline for pre-entries and class discounts is June 22. If
you are wishing to compete contact me as soon as possible. There is a
lot of pre-show prepping your horse needs to undergo in the two weeks
before an event.
Keeping show fees down…Even though
diesel is over $3 a gallon in Sebring, we are trying to maintain the
show coaching fee of just $150 per day that you are competing. This fee
will include use of lesson horse + tack (show saddle, bridle, halter
etc.) + coaching + horse’s transportation + show prepping (clipping,
grooming, bathing, etc.). Added to the coaching fee:
your class fees, your horse’s
stall fee, your membership dues (must be paid to qualify for high point
awards), and any office or grounds fees which are very nominal. Example:
a student participating in 8 classes will pay an average amount of $250
to show for one day.
For those of you
new to horse showing or curious about it, I hope that my explanation of
“show fee” helps you understand the details of entering a competition.
Every horse show we attend offers beginner walk/trot classes for the
English and Western rider. Many of our riders are advancing to canter
classes this summer, and Rio is also available now to advanced walk/trot
riders. Soon Rio will be available for the cantering showman!
Can’t wait for Mr.
Kool to bump up to walk/trot! Look for us having FUN in New Smyrna!
Lastly, I’d like to invite
everyone to see HOT MIDNIGHT KISSES
(aka, Missy) our
newest addition to Orchid Hill Stables! Missy is Rio’s niece and is just
2 years old. She is super sweet and would love for you to come by her
stall and give her a peppermint and pet her head. See her soon on our
updated web site: www.orchidhillstables.com
If I don’t see you before school
is back in session, enjoy your summer and be safe!
Sincerely,
Sarah Holton and all the horses
at Orchid Hill Stables |
419 Ranchero Dr.