Wow, summer has flown by, but I am going to sneak this newsletter in while it is still August. I'm sure most of you will agree that summer went by way too fast. But we got some fun activities in including our summer horse care series which was a lot of fun and we even had good weather up until the last day when it got way too hot. Based on our experiences this summer, we are tentatively planning our ideas out already for next summer - thinking probably a short non-riding camp for intermediate students again as well as a short jumping camp for advanced students. And some additional theme camps for younger students, maybe a games camp, maybe an intro to jumping camp, etc... I welcome your ideas and input as well. We are also going to be discussing the possibility and logistics of going as a group next summer to a sleep-away camp in Virginia that is hosted by the riding instructor I grew up riding with; check out Academy East School of Riding Click here: Academy East or www.academyeast.com -- so please let me know what you want to do next summer; what you wish we had offered this year, etc.... My summer schedule has to be done by the end of 2007 so let me know now.
Before next summer however, we will do other activities and events at the barn as well. We'll be having a clipping "party" at some point this winter when we can put some of you to work. The school horses will need some body clipping during the winter to keep them comfortable while working so we'll do that as a group. So we'll do a few fun events like that to keep us busy during the fall and winter months.
And we'll be heading to a variety of horse shows in the coming months, with hopefully enough availability to allow everyone who is interested in showing to be able to participate. I am trying to find shows that are as local as possible but allow everyone to compete successfully. For example, I know some of the younger kids find it discouraging to have to show in walk/trot classes against riders twice as old; so I am trying to find shows that also divide classes by age to help level the playing field. No matter what age though, keep practicing!
Speaking of practicing, just a reminder practice rides are still available to everyone enrolled in lessons. At only $12 per ride, it's a very affordable way to gain extra saddle experience. Check with us to schedule a ride time.
And, it seems that each newsletter brings us a new horse to talk about. (And I'm not complaining about that.) Congratulations to Victoria Fortin on her new horse Trixie. Trixie is boarded at Promise Land for a few months until the Fortin's barn is completed. Hopefully even when Trixie moves home we will continue to enjoy Victoria's company whether it is in lessons or meeting up with her and Trixie at horse shows. Best of luck Victoria with your new best friend! Also congratulations are in order to Cindy Wright, and Maria and Brittany Douglas on their purchase of Julius. We want to extend a warm welcome to Cindy, Maria and Brittany and look forward to working with all of you and helping you to have a great partnership with Julius.
Fall schedule is getting fully underway this week. Most of you are in a new or returning lesson time since summer is over, if anyone has any concerns please let us know so we can move your lesson time. On a technical side, all 5 school horses are in the front of the barn; allowing us the opportunity to be more of a unit. And while it may seem confusing, I will be making one hopefully final change with the tack lockers. Within the next week or two, we are shifting some of the tack so that all saddles, will be in ground level lockers and will be clearly labeled. So no one will have to ask for assistance in reaching their saddle, or putting it back. So this should enable students of all sizes to be able to be more independent. And in case some one did not notice, all saddle pads are in one locker allowing them to lay flat and not clutter up all the lockers. Please help out, put things away neatly! Make sure saddle flaps are not folded or bent, bridles do need to be wrapped in order to fit in the lockers, please ask if your not sure how to wrap your bridle. Equipment is expensive, please help to take care of it.
Hope everyone has a great school year! Warmest wishes
Shellie
Program for Equine Partnership
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