26. January 2010 by admin.

This post was actually written on December 19th.  Well, I had a wonderful time in Perto Rico.  The weather was absolutely perfect at 85 with a constant breeze.  There was a little shower each evening while we were at dinner.  I stayed in a wonderful inn that was located in the charming town of Old San Juan.  The inn overlooked the ocean and was surrounded by tiny cobblestone streets with lovely architecture and artwork surrounding me.  The place I stayed was called “The Gallery Inn” and I loved it.  It is an eccletic inn with nooks and crannies to explore.I felt like I was in a movie that was a mixture of The Secret Garden and Labrynth. 

The people in PR were lovely, energetic and eager to learn.  They were all appropriately mounted and it was a pleasure to teach them.  They were all very kind and they fed me well too.  I also got to see Vinnie which was great as he is a real character and I miss him. 

 I returned the cold and as I stepped out of the airport my lung were impressed by the crisp  air they inhaled.  I am still happy to be home as I miss everyone while I am gone.  The trip was the perfect length and I felt rested and refreshed. 

I am glad that I had that break as we got our tree last night and then found Scimitar not feeling well at pm feeding time.  He was very uncomfortable and full of gas:(  With the impending storm and fear of the vet not being able to get here later, we had the vet out immediately.  After her exam we decided not to take any chances and took him to Leesburg before the snow was too bad.  We loaded him on the trailer around 8 pm just as the snow started.  By the time we arrived at Leesburg, the snow was about an inch or two deep and coming down fast.  Scimitar actually got off the trailer looking much better (maybe the fabled trailer ride did the trick), but as he had had a slight fever earlier and was dehydrated, he stayed at Leesburg. 

Myra stayed at the house so at least I was not alone and Jennifer and I left for the ride home even though we didn’t want to leave the big man.  I love my Dodge as it pulled throug the snow and got us home safely.  There were cars stuck on the Dulles Toll Road where they could not make it up the hill and the beltway was shut down about 5 miles from our exit.  We sat there and then decided to try to take the closer exit even though we didn’t know our way.  With the help of Tina (sorry for the 3 am call) we navigated our way over to Rt 5.  There were people stranded all over the place, but only one time did that Dodge lose traction and it still made it up the hill pulling my 6 horse trailer (used that so Scimi had a box stall).  We got to bed at 4sh to be up for chores this morning. 

 Chores went well and we have good reports on Scimitar.  They have taken him off fluids and hopefully will start him on feed tomorrow.  He may get to come back home Monday…he still has a low grade fever so we are not sure yet. 

With the snow falling, we took to eating lunch, watching National Lampoon’s Christmas  and taking naps to get ready for chores tonight.  There is so much snow here..it is beautiful, but I don’t need to drive in it ever if I don’t have to. 

Life with horses is never boring and the extreme I have had in the last week is amazing, and I love every minute of it…I am worried about Scimi so please keep him in your thoughts………..

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13. December 2009 by admin.

Well, here we are again and it has been another eventful week.  We had a great clinic in the indoor due to all the rain over xc type fences and geared more for xc riding.  It was great to get to use the roll top that we won from Thoroughbred Placement and Rescue in their raffle at Fair Hill.  Everyone had some great challenges to work through and some home work to do. 

 I had an exciting thing happen this morning in that I have been given a last minute opportunity to teach down in Puerto Rico.  I leave tomorrow and will return on the 15th. I am very excited, but have not had much warning so I have to go pack.  I will keep you posted as to how it goes………

 Till next time……

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7. December 2009 by admin.

It was an exciting week here this week.  Scimitar did his first jump school since Fair Hill on Tuesday and was very excited.  It felt like his eyes were going to pop out of his head as we warmed up around the fences.  I gave him a month of very light hacking after Fair Hill as he had not had a real break in the year.  He was true to form as he jumped a line and raced around the corner before halting:)  He did buckle down to work after a handful of fences and was much more rideable by the end.  It is so much fun to ride a horse who loves his job this much. 

 Wednesday, Susan White came to the farm for a dressage clinic and everyone who rode with her came away with a big grin on their face.  Again, Scimitar enjoyed being back in work, but is in the double at the moment as he is very keen to start working seriously on his changes for the spring.  Jennifer and Bree looked great as they are getting more and more connected.  Andy, Rose and Claire were all fun to watch as they all continue to improve steadily. 

Today, Sharon  White came to the farm for a jumping clinic.  She and Susan share the same last name, but there is no relation.  Everyone who rode with Sharon came out of the ring with smiles on their faces as well.  It was Everest who got to jump today and he has come a long way.  Last year he was silly and explosive and now is getting more and more rideable.  The exersizes Sharon set up were a challenge for him, but he is stepping up to the plate and trying really hard.  Jennifer had an exciting ride on Bree as she was jumping beautifully, but the rideability needed some work in the beginning.  Sarah and Riley looked great.  The second group had Lee, Liza and Kim up and they all improved from the beginning to end.  The third group was myself on Therese’s new horse Snippy Mcfakename and Claire.  Therese was not able to make it so I had a great time on her very well behaved 3 yr old TB.  Claire is again improving with each lesson and she and Bob had some discussion about who was in charge.  

 It was a great week and though I was not ready for snow, it was pretty to look at today….

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1. December 2009 by admin.

Hello all,

 This is the first time I have used a blog and I hope that it will be fun for you to follow along.  Jennifer and I will try to post each of our experiences, and I hope that it is not too confusing. 

I plan to enter excerpts I have written about my experience with Scimitar at the Fair Hill CCI** this past fall as well as keep you all up to date on current activities. 

First let me start by saying that we have the best supporters, coaches, clients and family.  I enjoy spending time with each and every one and feel very lucky for that.  Jennifer and I will try to post each of our experiences, and I hope that it is not too confusing. 

It is the first part of December and we have a busy month planned.  We have scheduled clinics with Susan White for dressage and a jumping clinic with Sharon White (no relation to Susan).  It is always wonderful when either comes to the farm as it inspires all of us to press our boundaries a little more.  Jennifer and I are also doing a cross county clinic and a gymnastics clinic at the farm that are open to anyone who would like to participate.  We try to have regular clinics throught he winter to give people who don’t have an indoor the opportuntiy to jump and work in good footing through the winter, as well as to keep their spirits up in the cold. 

 We had Susan and Sharon here and November and everyone who worked with them raved about their lessons after the fact.  I am looking forward to working with them again soon. 

Right now I have to get back to riding as the pie I am baking for a student’s birthday is almost finished…..

 Sam

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22. November 2009 by admin.

This is my new web blog.

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