Krissy took me and several friends out on a trail ride yesterday. Even though it was hot and humid, it was still a great time. I rode Nellie who has clearly benefited from the work Emily has been doing with her. My friends from Boston rode Zeus and Hercules who were equally good. Jackie came along and rode Logan and her son rode Bam. Of course, Krissy was on Vixen.
The mosquitoes are out in full force and the black flies are getting there. We remembered to put fly spray on the horses, but forgot it for the humans. I had bought some the other day -- need to put it in the barn.
Brandi, who is newly licensed, is planning to do a long trail lesson to and from her farm in mid-June -- watch for the sign up sheet in the barn. And we are going to start soon with our weekly trail lesson program -- thinking about Tuesday mornings for the younger set and Thursday late afternoon for adults.
Emily is getting up to speed on the website and our current marketing practices so watch for vast improvements and give her all the credit.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Building Confidence
About a week ago I had a work emergency -- my entire hard drive on my work computer melted down. While my company gets me a new laptop and a local tech genius worked to recover my files, I've relocated my home office. What does that have to do with the farm?
Usually, I am looking out the front of the house, so while I am working at home I can see instructors, riders, farriers and the vet coming and going up the driveway -- and at this time of year, the horses grazing in the lower pasture. But, unless I can get away from my desk, I don't see much riding.
These last few days, however, I have used the kids computer which sits near the kitchen and looks out over the outdoor riding ring. It was that view that brought me to today's post. Yesterday I was privileged to see a private lesson happening out of the corner of my eye. There was nothing particularly noteworthy about the lesson. Hercules was being a great boy and navigating a four or five jump sequence. Except then I recognized the parent observing the lesson and I did a double take. Because I hadn't seen this particular rider in a while, I was flabbergasted by her progress.
The accomplishments this youngster has made is so rewarding. The confident way which she carried herself around the ring and the joy on her face as she conquered each jump made my day.
When Chuck decided to start this business, that was what he had in mind. We have certainly learned a lot in the last several years and like any business, it isn't all roses. But seeing Chuck's vision play out with riders who are here makes it all worthwhile!
Not quite worth losing my hard drive over, but a nice consolation.
Usually, I am looking out the front of the house, so while I am working at home I can see instructors, riders, farriers and the vet coming and going up the driveway -- and at this time of year, the horses grazing in the lower pasture. But, unless I can get away from my desk, I don't see much riding.
These last few days, however, I have used the kids computer which sits near the kitchen and looks out over the outdoor riding ring. It was that view that brought me to today's post. Yesterday I was privileged to see a private lesson happening out of the corner of my eye. There was nothing particularly noteworthy about the lesson. Hercules was being a great boy and navigating a four or five jump sequence. Except then I recognized the parent observing the lesson and I did a double take. Because I hadn't seen this particular rider in a while, I was flabbergasted by her progress.
The accomplishments this youngster has made is so rewarding. The confident way which she carried herself around the ring and the joy on her face as she conquered each jump made my day.
When Chuck decided to start this business, that was what he had in mind. We have certainly learned a lot in the last several years and like any business, it isn't all roses. But seeing Chuck's vision play out with riders who are here makes it all worthwhile!
Not quite worth losing my hard drive over, but a nice consolation.
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Welcome Emily!
As some of you may know we are lucky enough to have a college intern from Cazenovia living on the farm this summer. Cazenovia offers a degree in Equine Business Management and as part of that degree program, students are required to complete an internship. Thanks to the Shanley family who connected us to the intern coordinator, we were approved as hosts for this internship.
Emily is a Massachusetts licensed instructor and has spent many years teaching and riding as well as working at summer riding programs. We are excited to have her help and energy here at Cobble Hill for the next several months.
The objectives of Emily's time here are to help us better market and promote our programs, particularly through improvements and updates to the website. Besides just bringing the content up to date, I expect you will see Emily blogging here, and I've really been wanting to get more video on this site so watch for that!
Her second objective is to better understand the care and management of our horses so she will be working with Krissy and Chuck and hopefully meeting Dr. Dowd soon. Lots to do every day to keep our school horses healthy, but we also hope she will be another hand to school some of our beginner horses who tend to pick up bad habits during the summer with multiple new riders.
Lastly, she hopes ot learn more about the management of our lessons and summer program. One project I am hoping she will tackle early on is to take her love of trail riding and to help us develop a 'prepare for trails' lesson sequence for newer riders. Watch for promotions and announcements on that! She will also be instrumental in helping Karrie get Pony Club riders ready for upcoming test sessions.
Please say hello and introduce yourself to Emily when you are next here at the barn!
Emily is a Massachusetts licensed instructor and has spent many years teaching and riding as well as working at summer riding programs. We are excited to have her help and energy here at Cobble Hill for the next several months.
The objectives of Emily's time here are to help us better market and promote our programs, particularly through improvements and updates to the website. Besides just bringing the content up to date, I expect you will see Emily blogging here, and I've really been wanting to get more video on this site so watch for that!
Her second objective is to better understand the care and management of our horses so she will be working with Krissy and Chuck and hopefully meeting Dr. Dowd soon. Lots to do every day to keep our school horses healthy, but we also hope she will be another hand to school some of our beginner horses who tend to pick up bad habits during the summer with multiple new riders.
Lastly, she hopes ot learn more about the management of our lessons and summer program. One project I am hoping she will tackle early on is to take her love of trail riding and to help us develop a 'prepare for trails' lesson sequence for newer riders. Watch for promotions and announcements on that! She will also be instrumental in helping Karrie get Pony Club riders ready for upcoming test sessions.
Please say hello and introduce yourself to Emily when you are next here at the barn!
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