February 1, 2010
Dear Clients and Friends:
Looks like I am doing a bi-monthly newsletter these days. Everything seems to take longer to do in the cold weather, yet the time passes just as quickly.
I first want to welcome Eli Scuri back home after his stay in the hospital for heart complications. His wife, Sarah, and her support system kept things humming along in the barn during his absence. Eli and Sarah won’t ever ask, but they could use a helping hand here and there. Thanks to McKenzie Haggerty and Liz White for helping me keep the horses trained up and to John Baltazar for his loyalty and strength.
Another thanks to McKenzie for turning me on to the benefits of riding green, athletic, young horses in a western saddle. I carry one with me now and people think I’m a little ‘off’, but don’t knock it until you try it. I do not recommend them for jumping though!
I have some fun opportunities coming up. I will be doing some lessons at Timber Run Stables on January 30th and February 13th, and a clinic at Carpenter Farms on January 31st. But, the best is I’ll be teaching at the Equine Affaire on Saturday, April 10th. I’ll be doing a morning session on jumping for green horses and an afternoon session on jumping for green riders and they won’t be at all the same. So plan to join me and support Equine Affaire.
Congratulations to Maria Lee on her Ohio Hunter Jumper awards. Maria was champion in the Open Hunters and reserve champion in the 15-17 Equitation Division. She also finished the season with Tri-State Horse Show Association awards. If you would like to join these associations, call Julia Gillum at 614-581-8772 to obtain registration forms. Memberships are inexpensive, informative, and they hold nice award dinners.
Condolences to Kate Rigg, a friend and fellow hunt member, on the loss of her horse, Dorian. We’re so sorry and know how hard good horses are to replace.
Be sure you pay close attention to sheath and teat cleanliness during the winter months when horses aren’t bathed and are often ridden in dusty indoors. You’d be disgusted at some of the build-up that our sheath cleaner, Stacy Briggs, has encountered. You may call Stacy at 203-3049 to schedule a cleaning. I recommend this to be done every two months, although some horses need it more often.
I can’t say enough about having your horse seen by an equine dentist twice a year. Many horses have developed habits, such as, head tossing and rearing when they are trying to say, “My mouth hurts!” This is one thing I look for when encountering a training horse.
The best tip I have for horses and riders in the winter is to keep moving. If you are cold, just sweep, rake, curry or pick – you’ll warm right up!
Most sincerely,
Pam
Quote of the month –
Every time you practice or attempt something, you are succeeding at getting better, not failing at being perfect.
Practical Horseman
You can’t always get what you want, but if you try, sometimes you’ll get what you need.
Rolling Stones
December 4, 2009
Dear Clients, Friends, and all:
I’ve just returned from a long weekend in Middleburg, Virginia, visiting my dear friend, Thom Hardy. That area of Virginia hits me dead center! Everything and everyone is ‘all horse’. We ride, train and watch them all day and then talk about them over meals and into the night. From the smallest to the largest facilities and from one discipline to another, there is a common thread of style, tradition and ethics that I find nowhere else, except perhaps England and Ireland. I always learn and return home enthused. If my son were a horse nut we’d be living there for sure! Perhaps one day…
The last letter I wrote was before my George Morris Clinic at Scion Farm. This was the best to date. All sessions were full -- with horses from Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, Cleveland, Cincinnati, and a few from Central Ohio. I will never understand the mindset of the majority of local trainers and riders who don’t value this learning opportunity. I admire those who are willing to be criticized and sometimes embarrassed for the sake of improvement. They know what is more important and don’t take it personally.
The owners of Scion Farm recently decided to not be in the horse boarding business. I have moved and joined forces with Julia Gillum at her lovely Bay Crest Farm on County Line Road near Johnstown. We are of like minds and enjoy working together. Julia trains an IEA riding team (Interscholastic Riding Association) for young people from the 6th thru 12th grades. This activity is becoming quite popular, especially for kids who are unable to own horses. Please call Julia at 614-581-8772 if this interests you. We are both available for lessons at her farm or at your place. You may have a ‘second opinion’ lesson or as many as you wish. There is no pressure or obligation to continue. We’re here to help. My number is 614-557-5308 and we each have web sites.
I keep a few horses with Sarah and Eli Scuri. Now, these are true horse people. They care for my horses as they do their own. I love having Eli as my ground person when I’m training a young horse, and Sarah can convince any horse that being vacuumed is the best!
Bay Crest Farm will be holding a Holiday get-together at the New Albany Country Club on Wednesday, December l6th at 7 p.m. All are welcome to attend. The cost is $25 per person for an evening of hors d’oeuvres and ‘horsey chit chat’. If you would like to participate in a gift exchange, just bring a gift limited to $20. For more details and reservations, call Julia Gillum at 614-581-8772 by December 11th.
Congratulations to Maria Lee for qualifying for and participating in the OJHA Finals. Your ride on Ripley was great! You answered all the questions of the course and met all the challenges head on. We are very proud of you!
If I don’t stop now you’ll never get this long over-due newsletter!
Have a Merry Christmas and a special Holiday season. We have so much to be thankful for.
Sincerely,
Pam
Quote of the month –
“Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard”
Jeff Cook
September 1, 2009
Dear Clients, friends, and all:
As I enter into my favorite time of the year, I find myself counting my blessings and thinking about what matters most and what brings me happiness.
God and family are certainly at the top of what gives me joy. My son has recently entered middle school – do you believe it – and he is loving it. Thank God, big time, for that one. My health is good and I am still willing and able to ride unpredictable, athletic, young horses. I attribute this to an ongoing monitoring of position, especially depth of heel and being able to sit my saddle at a moments notice.
I love to work with others who truly love horses and ‘get’ their majesty. I appreciate students of any age who will hop on a pony bareback if they think it might help them develop a better seat or balance. I love riders and trainers who really believe it’s all about the horse, especially if they are caring for my horses.
‘Great’, and I don’t mean ‘good’, hay makes me happy. Watching any animal learning to trust always puts a smile on my face.
It’s time to bring those blankets out. Hopefully they were cleaned and repaired before storing. That’s always an unpleasant surprise when you find they’ve been stuffed away in a locker all summer!
When you receive your next newsletter, the George Morris Clinic at Scion Farm will be over. Once again, I can’t encourage you enough to attend. I have three rider spots still open and we have plenty of room for auditors.
My horsemanship tip for this month is to check your tack. Leather may look OK, but often it is dry rotted or just worn out under a buckle. The stitching on stirrup leathers wears and breaks, which is no fun when you are mid-air over a jump. This sport is dangerous by nature. Do what you can to keep it from being more so, but never forget how ‘worth it’ it is.
Sincerely,
Pam
Quote of the month –
“Adversity is fuel for determination”
An unknown horse trainer
August 1, 2009
Dear Clients & Friends:
Our trip to Traverse City, Michigan, to attend “Horse Shows on the Bay” was well worth the drive. I would have to compare this show to Palm Beach as far as organization, courses, footing, eye appeal, and level of competition. It beat them out on friendliness and helpfulness of the staff. Dean and Alexander Rheinheimer, the shows’ managers, definitely know what their exhibitors and spectators like. Our motel rooms were fifty feet from the lake’s edge where we recalled the day’s events and watched the sunset.
Alyssa Wagstaff made her debut in the Junior Working Hunters and won a ribbon in every class, which was a huge deal considering her competition. Megan Uditis competed in the level 4 jumpers where she and Guinness really began to click. They placed 3rd in a highly competitive “Power and Speed” class that had us on the edge of our seats. We were thrilled to be in attendance when Ali Wolff, now training with Michelle Grubb, won the Grand Prix. I get goose bumps whenever I recall that class. Ali spent some time showing in Europe this summer and she is looking so solid and seasoned. Taylor Vickery won some ribbons on her leased horse, Mountaineer, and now is planning to be off to college in Charleston. It’s hard to imagine not seeing Taylor on a regular basis. We hope she misses us and decides to go to a closer school down the road. Of course, we wish her the best always!
I will be attending the September 5th & 6th show at Delaware and setting up a little booth to promote the George Morris Clinic. The clinic runs Friday, September 25th and Saturday, September 26th. Please stop by as we’ll be selling auditor tickets and raffling off a few items. There are still a couple rider slots available. Please don’t miss this wonderful event.
My horseman tip for the month is about salt and electrolytes. I have noticed horses wanting to lick my hand when I am standing by their stall and even just standing by them in the ring. They are licking the sweat off my hand or arm. Salt blocks are great for a horse’s salt intake and helps relieve boredom, but aren’t always enough. Sometimes they don’t want to work that hard to take in as much as they need. A handful of salt or a scoop of electrolytes put in their feed bin or a salt bucket would probably be appreciated. And, as always, keep the water fresh! Even my son’s little old pony won’t drink his water if there is scum or dust on the surface.
Enjoy the rest of your summer and keep those horses comfortable!
Sincerely,
Pam
I have two quotes this month –
“Beware, horses my be hazardous to your wealth.”
Eli Scuri
“An attitude is not a feeling; an attitude is a choice.”
Joyce Meyer
