Lessons should be good to go rest of week

Weather looks to improve each day this week.  We will have a normal lesson schedule -- please let the barn know if you are planning to miss a lesson -- sometimes we can combine lessons and we have had a few times where Karrie or Jeannie has been here but no students were!

Horses back in the fields today with the snow a bit dug out.  Sure is pretty out there.  Horses seem to enjoy playuing in the snow as much as the kids did yesterday!

As promised .....

Here are a few pictures from today.  COLD .... brrrrr.

Pictures will be needed

Wow.  This storm did not disappoint.  Chuck is out plowing -- luckily the snow is light, so the tractor can handle it.  About 8 pm last night we decided to put all the horses back in the barn.  The mares in orange don't have a shed so that was an easy call and Nelly, Dixie and Vixen came in pretty easily.  However, out in green, Logan, Jay and Bam had to be coerced to come in.  They had the shed and they still had plenty of hay (not sure when we will ever see that hay again!).  It would have been a big pain to get the gates cleared this morning to get them in. 

Hopefully, we will be able to get Krissy here at some point this morning and we can get some pictures to post.  It is really, really pretty.

You almost can't even see the indoor arena it is so white in the pasture behind it and all around it.

I might not feel quite so well disposed about the snow in fifteen minutes when I head up to the barn to feed the horses, give them hay and help clean all sixteen stalls!

Merry Christmas!

Please enjoy the holidays -- a great time to reflect on a wonderful year, spend time with family and plan for the future.  At the Hunt Household, we are blessed to be able to run a family farm that has brought so many wonderful friends into our lives.  While the work can be daunting and the rewards are mostly non-monetary, the joy of watching riders of all ages developing confidence and competence is a special gift for our family.

We also have an amazing group of committed professionals who create a warm and friendly atmosphere.

Not sure what is in her mouth????

Lucy the wonder volunteer and Brenda.

Two of our great role models ... well, sometimes.

That is DEFINITELY Root Beer.

Our youngest fans

Yes, those are reindeer horns.

Here are some of Krissy's pictures from our annual holiday celebration.  Here's to a great 2011!

Brrrr .... Grrr .... No lessons today (Wednesday)

Sorry guys.  I have seen the disappointment from our older riders on Facebook posts, but it really is too cold for lessons today.  For parents who have a more economic concern, please remember that we are guaranteeing a total of 10 lessons for the winter lesson pack and Karrie is keeping track of cancellations.

Do hope we will see everyone Sunday -- in the house!

Jane

Tuesday Lessons Cancelled

Hopefully, this cold snap will be over soon and we won't have lots more.  If you bought the lesson pack, remember if we cancel twice we will extend the season on the back end so you will get a minimum of 10 lessons in.

You don't want to know the temperatures today in Austin, TX.  :)

Look: Blogging in midair!

Google Chrome is offering free wifi on Delta this month so I can post pictures and blog on my travels!  Looks like the weather is going to get sketchy toward the end of the week so watch here for any lesson cancellations.

Also, if you missed it (Christine) yes, we are going to do a barn party (in the house!) on Sunday at 5 pm.  All Friends of Cobble Hill Farm invited to share cheer.

Buddy helping to finish the wash stall.  :)

Riding is on today!

You know we've had a tough start to winter when we are celebrating that it is 29 degrees this morning!

Hope everyone saw the notice on the potluck.

No lessons again today (Friday) .... brrr!

Was 3 degrees when I left the house.  Looks like it will warm up for the weekend.  Early next week might be a challenge so stay tuned.

Afternoon Lessons cancelled today, Thursday December 9th

It is 18 degrees (and windy) in Williamstown right now and won't get above 21 today, so lessons are cancelled for today.  :(

Here's a picture though. 

WATCH here for announcements on lessons cancelled due to cold

Our policy is to cancel lessons if it is less than 25 degrees in the arena.  Riders and parents have asked for an easy way to figure that out.  I will post here by NOON if lessons are cancelled for the day.

winter sky

Our favorite Mascots in the first snow cover

Well, I guess we pegged the right week to start winter riding!   Brrrrrr.  Can't believe how time flies -- certainly seen in Patty's growth!

Please sign up in the barn for the Pot Luck Holiday gathering if you can make it.  We know this is a busy time of year, so come if it is desirable and fun but no one should feel obligated.

"Buddy, I can't believe you go outside wearing that sweater!"

Holiday Pot Luck and Gift Swap -- December 19th

Somehow December snuck up on me.  Chuck too considering he is racing the clock to finish projects that require excavation before the ground freezes .... this is not a cooperative week for that!

We do want an opportunity to celebrate again with all our riders, boarders and friends of CHF.  I will post a sign up sheet in the barn this week (I promise!) for a Holiday Fest on Sunday, December 19th at 5 pm.  Bring a dish and holiday cheer (the attitude kind) along with a gift wrapped with a value less than $15 ... something appropriate for all ages of horse lovers.  We'll do a gift grab or whatever they are called and toast another successful year on the farm.  Maybe Chuck will even give another speech about how much he loves you all.  :)

We have heat, and pictures!

The heat is hooked up and working in the viewing room and it is delightful!  Also, lots of pictures from the Holiday Walk.  Everyone had a great time. 

Krissy with her favorite horse ....

Chuck and Buddy -- is that a smile???

Lauren and Zeus

Winter Riding session

Hope everyone is enjoying the Thanksgiving week.  Just a reminder that next week is the end of the fall riding packages.  We will have sign up sheets in the barn and with instructors for the winter season.

We are asking everyone to commit to the season even if they don't decide to pay for the full package up front.  The pricing for the session is very attractive in recognition that there are lots of holidays and cold days in the coming months.  Please have a discussion with your instructor regarding your desire to continue riding through the winter!!  And if it tips the balance, we have scheduled the work to have the heating unit installed in the viewing room next month.

WINTER session:

December 6th - March 4th
13 weeks of lessons (with no weeks off)
Group price, 1 hour lesson:    $300
Semi private, 1 hour lesson:    $400
Private, half hour:                   $400

Thanks everyone!  Happy Turkey Day.

Schedule: Thanksgiving week and Winter

Our girls played their last fall sports games this weekend and we are looking forward to having kids playing basketball again this winter -- which starts Monday.  Here at the barn, we ran the 'fall' riding packages through November, but we know some of you might have scheduling changes due to the transition from fall to winter sports.

Anyone who needs to change their lesson day needs to contact Karrie -- by phone or email to reschedule a lesson.


Additionally, if you know whether you are going to ride or not this winter, please give Karrie or Chuck some indication soon.  We are going to offer some different kinds of lease/lesson packages for the winter so stay tuned.

There are NO LESSONS the week of Thanksgiving (this was accounted for in the packages).  However, we are going to have sign up sheets for one-time lease rides that week.  All lease rules will apply (adult supervision necessary) and it is important to sign up if you are going to ride so that there is horse and arena availability.

Additionally, Karrie is going to offer at least one trail ride lesson on the Friday after Thanksgiving -- two if there is interest.  She will do the regular Sunday Trail Lesson as well if there is interest.  Our own version of the Turkey Trot!  I will put sign up sheets in the barn next weekend.

Stay warm!

Final Halloween

Here are the final pictures from halloween.  I am going to post all three of Krissy's full albums on the Farm's Facebook page.

The best part of the week's activities was seeing riders of all ages able to just relax and have fun.  The beginner riders probably learned a lot more about maneuvering their horse than they realized!  All the supplies (not the candy!) are getting packed away for next year.  This was definitely something we'll do again!

.... more Halloween fun

Lessons going great.  Lots of fun.  Even Sarah rode yesterday!!

SPOOKY lessons!

We kicked off our special Halloween lessons yesterday and it seems like everyone is having fun!  I know my two lesson riders are excited for their experience today!  Pictures in a jiffy, thanks to Krissy.

Nelly & Logan & Secretariat

As most of you know, we have a new horse at the barn -- Nelly is hard to miss!  She is a cross draft and paint and has the biggest head I have ever seen on a horse.  I have ridden her now twice including a trail ride yesterday.  She is a really fun horse and I know has already been ridden by quite a few of our students.

As I think I have mentioned earlier, we have swapped Buck and Logan across the fence for the winter.  Buck really deserves a break and Logan will benefit from regular work.  In fact Karrie rode him on our trail ride yesterday.  Yesterday morning Logan and a few of our horses were right up on the tree/fence line -- the girls and I assumed Buck was on the other side.  It was very cute.

Lastly, Chuck, the girls and I all went to see Secretariat last night.  It is a wonderful movie for families and horse lovers of all ages.  Even though you know how it ends, it is still suspense filled and thrilling.  A wonderful Disney movie.  I think that DVD is destined for the barn collection for rainy summer  days!  I think I can embed a link to the trailer here:

http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/secretariat/?cmp=dmov_dpic_sec_psg_title_secretariat%20disney_Extl

Halloween Programming

As you may have noticed if you've been in the barn this week, Krissy LOVES Halloween.  The decorations are festive and have made the blah weather this week a little easier to take.  And I guess we did still need the rain.

The week before Halloween we are going to try something fun and different during regular lessons. 

First, any rider is welcome to wear a Halloween Costume to their lesson.

Second, rather than the regular riding program we are going to do a circuit of Halloween themed activites.  Think Horses bobbing for Apples (while being ridden).  And it wouldn't be Halloween without candy!

Trumbull Mountain Farm Hunter Pace

Could not have been a more beautiful day for the Hunter Pace.  All three of our teams (7 horses/riders total) had a wonderful day.   Hopefully, "Junie" didn't mess up her ankle seriously ...

Here is one picture that Chuck took on his cell phone.  And thanks to Lauren for all her help!



Junie, Karrie and Annie; Reno, Hunter and Bradley



Thanks, Liz!

Liz M. dropped off her pictures (or a select group of such) yesterday at the barn.  You can see the entire album now posted on Facebook.  She has a very high resolution camera which combined with the beauty of our horses and riders, makes for some phenomenal pictures.  Here are just a few:

The Birthday Boy with Vixen

<3 Bam

Blue Ribbon!

Happy Rider

The cast matches the fly bonnet

Is the smile for the ribbons or Robin Whitney's Candied Apples?

Krissy's been busy

Right before the show, Krissy gave me a ton of pictures.  I will download a bunch to facebook, but will also post here.

I tend to like to post pictures of activity with riders but I know this is a horse barn, so today will be horses only!

There have also been lots of changes of horses and coming and going in the barn so a few quick updates:

As everyone knows, Mr. Tee went to the therapeutic riding program in NY.  You might not have known that Sweet Pea, who has been hanging out at Karrie's, went to that program as well.

Mr. Tee posing before his departure.  We miss you!

After the Hunter/Pace this weekend, Boo and Hunter are going home for the winter.  These guys don't get used as much in the schooling program and we are constantly trying to maximize the stalls and horses we have.

Hunter -- looking like Pig Pen from the Peanuts!

Boo looking regal

Along those lines, we are doing a switch with the Hayden's this fall -- Buck is going to get a break and hang out next door in their pasture while we bring Logan over (thanks Matt!) to get him some more work over the cooler months.

Buck with one of his many lady fans

And we have bought Bam from his owner and as everyone has noticed he is getting a lot of work in the school program -- and is now available for leases or off site shows!

Jake and Dixie

Also, Laura has been kind enough to let us use Mac in some limited lessons.  Thanks Laura!

Mac jumping

Lastly, Dublin won't be coming for the winter.  Unfortunately in a horrible series of events he was injured late this summer and has had surgery and will need months of recuperation which will happen at Karrie's barn.

I think that is all for updates at the moment, but I know Chuck and Karrie have been looking at another horse which may appear soon, so stay tuned!

"Junie & Annie" at the show

Thanks to Brenda for sending me two great jumping pictures from yesterday.  If you have great pictures (I saw one Liz H did ....) please send them to us:  info@cobblehillfarm.com or chuck@cobblehillfarm.com.

I also got a ton of pre-show pics from Krissy, so I am going to be doing lots of picture posting for a while!

Unfortunately, I can't increase the size of these pics without distorting the resolution.

GREAT: riding, cooking, company, weather .....

We could not have asked for a more perfect day.  Every rider at our show made us so proud.  The older riders helping the younger riders (without having to be asked), gorgeous fall weather, a very nice judge who spent time to give everyone feedback, a happy  birthday, healthy horses and great food.

I have a few pictures from the jumping -- will post more as I get them and complete albums on Facebook.

the best view of the dressage program!

Lauren & Jay (and his silly fly hat)

Reno & one of our "E" riders

Waiting for the Drill Team ... wishing we'd videod that!  I got a feeling.



Keeping Bam in control




MAKING Herc take that jump!



The adults who make it all happen.  Great to have people who like kids and horses!

Thanks everyone.  We are so proud to have all of you and your families riding at our barn.