Fall Schedule, programs

Hard to believe it is almost fall!  While we have a few more weeks of summer programs, we are beginning to plan for the fall riding program.  As many folks have noticed, we've been advertising for another part time instructor.  Karrie and Chuck have done several interviews and we are hopeful that we will have a third instructor option for the fall.  If you already know your fall schedule please let Karrie know (whether Brandi is your instructor or even if you are more concerned about the schedule than the instructor) as soon as possible.  Karrie is going to begin making calls later in August and the first week of September and as always, it will be first come first serve for lesson times.  We will once again be offering fully days of lessons on Saturday and Sunday to help with the after-school congestion.

In addition, we know there are many riders who have difficult fall schedules or would like to add some additional riding but can't commit to two lessons per week.  We are introducing a new lesson pack for the fall.  It will be a Four Pack Trail Lesson.  Every week we will have three set times for trail lessons which will be taught by one of our licensed instructors and limited to four students.  The schedule will run with the fall lesson pack or until snow stops us!  For a payment of $150, you can do the package with the flexibility to do some lessons the weeks and days that work for you.  We will finalize the times soon, but it will likely be one session on a weekday afternoon and one session each on Saturday and Sunday.  So, you could do a Saturday in early September, a Sunday in mid-September and two weekdays in October.  While the package will be pre-paid, riders will still have to sign up for each session and can do so well in advance or the day of as long as there are still slots. 

The fall lesson season will run from Monday September 12th - Friday December 2nd.  There will be no lessons the week of Thanksgiving (although make ups may be scheduled based on instructor availability).  The season will include 10 weeks of lessons.

Here is the pricing for the fall lesson season:

Fall Group Lesson package (one hour):                                 $270
Fall Semi-Private Lesson Package (one hour):                      $360
Fall Private Lesson Package (half hour):                               $360
NEW Four Pack Trail Lesson package (one hour):              $150

The Trail Lesson is only available as a package, but you can add on additional lessons at $40 per ride.  And, as always, you can pay as you go for the regular lessons if you choose not to do the package up-front discounted payment.

Enjoy these last days of summer!

Lots of news and pictures on new Facebook Page

One of the many great activities that Emily has undertaken while here is to improve our presence on Facebook.  We now have a "page" which you can join (like) without having to be our friend on FB.  I have been posting pictures and updates on that fairly regularly.  Check it out: 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cobble-Hill-Farm/100607736698178

You have to be a Facebook user to get these.  So I'll still be putting pictures here.  Yesterday was the second of our beginner camps and on Monday we participated in the 4th of July parade.  Here are some of the best pictures (hard to choose ... )

Krissy & Emily were up at the barn VERY early painting horses -- doesn't Vixen look great?

Krissy practiced for weeks with Vixen and the flag

Never too early to learn to clean tack (and wear cool boots)

The boys give Herc a bath

Buck Movie Showing in Great Barrington

Check out the press release we just got for anyone interested.

Press Release

The Triplex Cinema announces BUCK opening July 1, 2011

Great Barrington, Mass. June 23, 2011 - The Triplex Cinema announced today that it will be showing the inspiring documentary film, BUCK, which opens on Friday, July 1, 2011
BUCK is a story about the power of non-violence, as master horse trainer Buck Brannaman uses the principles of life, respect and trust to tame horses and inspire their human counterparts.  “The Horse Whisperer” may be the stuff of Hollywood legend, but the charismatic horseman who inspired the novel and the film is very real.  For Buck Brannaman – a true cowboy who is also part guru and part philosopher – horses are a mirror of the human soul.  BUCK, a richly textured and visually stunning film, follows Brannaman from his abusive childhood to his unusual approach to horse-training.  Eschewing the violence of his past, he teaches people to communicate with horses through instinct, not punishment.  He possesses near magical abilities as he dramatically transforms horses – and people – with his understanding, compassion and respect.  In the film, the animal-human relationship becomes a perfect metaphor for meeting the challenges of daily life.  A truly American story about an unsung hero: an ordinary man who has made an extraordinary life despite tremendous odds.
BUCK, which won the Audience Award at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, was the opening night film at The Beacon Cinema, Pittsfield, Mass. and the closing night film at the Mahaiwe Theater, Great Barrington, Mass. for the 6^th Annual Berkshire International Film Festival and was widely received by horse enthusiast and lay person alike. 
"We have always planned on bringing Buck to The Triplex Cinema, we are happy to bring this entertaining and inspiring film to those who were unable to see it during the festival,” said John Valente, General Manager for The Triplex Cinema and The Beacon Cinema. 
The Triplex Cinema is a four-screen independent theater showing art house, independent, foreign and blockbuster films. Adult tickets are $9 for evening films. Matinee showings and senior tickets (62 and older) are $6.50. Children’s tickets (up to 12 years old) are also $6.50. The theater is located at 70 Railroad Street in downtown Great Barrington.
BUCK opens, Friday, July 1, 2011 at The Triplex Cinema in Great Barrington, Mass.  For more information and to purchase tickets on line, visit The Triplex website at www.thetriplex.com. For more information or to ask about group rates, contact the theater at (413) 528-8886 extension 201.

Back by Popular Demand: one week of "Life on a Farm"

Many parents and riders who did last year's Life on a Farm program have asked us to do a week this year.  So (drumroll .....) Emily has agreed to run the program for her last week here!  Details:

August 1st - 5th/ 9 am - 3 pm daily/ $325 for the week

Program will be limited to 6 riders ONLY (and we have already filled two of the spots).

Riders will get a one hour group lesson each day and participate in barn and horse management activities each of the other days.   Riders should bring their own lunch.  This is the perfect program for a rider who has some experience but is not yet old enough or accomplished enough to lease a horse.

Please email the farm (info@cobblehillfarm.com) or call the barn (413-458-0037) if you'd like to reserve one of the spots!

Busy Week coming up!

Our first beginner riding program of the summer starts next week and I feel like we are more organized than ever ... until ten new riders descend!  We have built permanent wood cubbies and they got painted by the lone Full Access Lease participant this week -- color coded!  We'll have a Red, Yellow and Blue group each with its own instructor.  Each rider will rotate through a riding lesson (of course!), grooming and barn chores, and crafts/activities.  We've had lots of interest from experienced riders who will be helping these newer ones.

Also, with most schools finishing up, our full access lease program will be humming.  The weekly trail lesson will be on Wednesday morning and Karrie & Emily have come up with lots of great ideas for work projects around the barn and property.  If you are participating, make sure to bring clothes that can get dirty or paint on them!  And, we decided this year to add a fun craft project (just one for now) each week.  First up -- TYE DYE!

Emily has brought not only a lot of energy to the barn but also some great ideas from her 'home' barn.

And, Pony Club swings into action in a major way a week from Sunday (the 26th) with another un-mounted meeting followed by a week of Pony Club programming.  All who are signed up or interested should be aware of the ratings test session on July 1st!  This first session is free to all PC members.

Lastly, we've developed a Fan Page for Cobble Hill on Facebook.  If you are a 'friend' of Cobble Hill Farm, please also join the fan page.  It will have more tools, more posts (at least while Emily is around), more pictures and more interactive features.

Trail Riding

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.

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.

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!

OAK HOLLOW SPRING SHOW IS MAY 1st!

I know it doesn't feel like spring or May this morning ..... but the Oak Hollow Show is upon us!  This is traditionally a wonderful event for our school riders to participate in.  As a reminder:  There will be a sign up sheet in the barn for HORSE USAGE from Cobble Hill.  You must get instructor permission/sign-off for the horse choice you make (many horses act very differently in a show than they do in the ring for a lesson -- Jay and Dixie come to mind).  There is a $25 fee for horse usage (this implies you are sharing a horse -- most horses will be ridden by multiple riders).  You are also responsible for registering to enter with Equus -- Sandy tells me the entries are available in the barn.

If patterns are given out early, we will post those in the barn as well.

Also, for first timers -- there is absolutely no dress code for this show.  (You will see that in the pictures)

I know many riders have not ridden as much this winter or spring as they would have liked.  If you are planning to add in any one-off lease rides over the next 10 days to get ready, you must schedule those.  If you just show up, it is very possible that the ring and/or the horse won't be available.

Patty and I both had our teeth worked on this week .....

Patty is growing up!!!  Dr. Dowd came today for her first ever dentist appointment.  I am on another nomadic journey, but Krissy sent these.  Intense.  I will never complain about going to the dentist again!

Pony Club Introductory Meeting on Friday Night!

Just a reminder that we will be holding an introductory and sign up meeting in the house Friday at 6 pm.  PLEASE USE THE FRONT DOOR (this will probably be the most that door has ever been used ...).

Karrie will have materials for those who decide to join which include your very own Pony Club book which discusses the different levels, as well as arm bands which are required during participation in an Pony Club activity.  We will have on display the patches that can be earned (they are cute!) and we will have sign up sheets for the first two unmounted meetings (the first will be the following week!). 

Hope to see you all there.  If you want to learn more about Pony Club, visit their site:  http://www.ponyclub.org/

And, a picture from the batch I just got from Krissy for April!

Spring Session has started

The spring riding session started the first of April --- all make up lessons for folks on the winter package should have been completed by then.  If you would like to do a session package, I will be posting those rates in the barn this weekend.

Also, we know that with spring sports schedules and riders coming back after the winter, lessons sometimes need to get adjusted.  Please talk to Karrie in the next week or so if you have a desire or need to change your weekly lesson.

Recap of Summer Dates -- sign up sheets in barn soon

We are starting to get sign ups for summer riding programs.  We will also put sign up sheets this weekend in the barn.  The structured programs with dates:

Pony Club One-week Programs:
10 am -- 2 pm
June 27 - July 1
July 18 - 22
Aug 22 - 26
*Special Guest Instructor Week! July 25 - 29th

Jumping Clinics:
July 12 & 14
August 9 & 11
August 16 & 18

Gymkhana Clinics:
July 11, 13 & 15
August 15, 17 & 19

Beginner Program:
June 21 & 23
July 5 & 7
August 8, 10, & 12

For more details, grab a brochure.

April Vacation Programming

In addition to our evening session on Friday, April 15th to introduce riders to the Pony Club, we are also going to have programs during April break.

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday (18th, 19th, and 20th) from 1 pm - 3 pm:  Group lesson and horse care.  $40 per rider per day.  Riders may sign up for any or all of the sessions! 

Tuesday (19th) from 10 am - noon:  Pony Club programming.  You will learn more about this at the introductory meeting, but Pony Club members work toward badges and we will have two days this spring where we will work on achieving these badges/levels.  This is non-riding but horse-focused activity.  The fee for this is included in the introductory Pony Club package.  Any rider who wishes to do the Pony Club programming PLUS the Tuesday vacation session should bring a lunch and may stay from 10 am - 3 pm that day for the $40 fee.

Hopefully, we will not only be done with winter, but done with mud season, too by then!

Sign up sheets posted (or will be soon by Karrie) soon!!!

Pony Club Meetings

As many of you know, Cobble Hill Farm has gone through the process of getting certified as a Pony Club Riding Center.  Riders at our barn under the age of 25 and riders from any other facility are welcome to join our Pony Club program.  What does that mean?

Come find out!!!

Karrie and several adult volunteers (themselves alumni/ae of the Pony Club) will be hosting a parent and rider information session at the Farm (in the house!) on APRIL 15th at 6 pm.  All the information on levels, badges, programming and fees will be presented there. 

Our first official PONY CLUB MEETING (there are mounted and unmounted meetings -- this will be unmounted) will be on TUESDAY April 19th from 10 am - noon (this is school vacation week for WES and a day off for Pine Cobble).  The second meeting (also unmounted) will be SUNDAY May 22nd from 2 - 4 pm. 

Also, to find out more about Pony Club, please visit their terrific website:  http://www.ponyclub.org/

If reading the site, just know that because we are a riding center, you DO NOT have to own your own horse to be a Pony Club member!

Adult Riding Clinic on 3/26

While the Hunt family is off enjoying Disney and warm Florida weather, (and Karrie is at the Elementary School promoting our summer programs)m, Jeannie has organized a clinic for adult riders to address fear.  Here is the info directly from her:

9 am Saturday 26 March. Discussion, followed by 1 hour group and 1/2 hour private lessons. Cost is regular lesson fee plus $20. Explore how fear/ uncertainty in the saddle affect our riding enjoyment, and what can be done about it! All levels welcome. Contact Jeannie @ 413 441 5578, or at jmwqueen@hotmail.com

Lucy & Dixie enjoying a trail ride!

Spring Lesson packs

Just a heads up.  We were going to start the Spring Lesson packages in March, but given the make up lessons and continued cold weather, we are going to start in April.

Stay tuned!

Sign Up to help at WES Camp Fair in Barn!

On March 26th Williamstown Elementary School will hold their annual camp fair (and pancake breakfast).  The Hunt clan will be enjoying spring break in Florida, it is Karrie's birthday and Jacki has class.  Necessity is the mother of invention! 

We would LOVE to have some older riders and/or parents man our table at the event.  If you have never been, this is quite a fun and festive few hours and the crucial event where children and parents make summer plans.  Our summer riding program benefited enormously from our participation last year.

I have ordered great brochures and we can work on bringing some other stuff that will make our table interactive (I think last year we brought a saddle on a saw horse so that kids could "ride" ... we can and probably also should do some small craft.

Most importantly, other parents and kids will want to know what is good/fun/interesting at Cobble Hill Farm in the summer and who better to deliver that message than our riders and their parents.

I will put a sign up sheet in the barn today if you are able and or willing to help.  Then I will work with our representatives to figure out logistics and supplies.  Thanks!

Jumping

Krissy took some video from our indoor arena of some pretty impressive jumping -- "Annie" on Bradley and "Junie" on Blaze with Karrie instructing.  I am hoping I can embed it as video here without losing too much of the quality.  Also great shots of our indoor arena!

Krissy got a bunch of other great snow photos .... I am thinking I will start posting those when we are sweating to death in August but I am pretty sick of them now even though they are beautiful.

Lessons cancelled today -- too cold

Sorry folks, but it is really cold.  Karrie is hoping to reschedule these to this weekend.

Meanwhile I am sitting at the farm celebrating the cancellation of my flight to Hawaii.  Probably the only person in America who is glad to be in this bitter Northeast Cold instead of in Hawaii (but it was only going to be a 2 day on-island trip!).

It's official: We are a Pony Club Riding Center!

As many folks know, we have been working toward (after careful consideration) being a certified Pony Club Riding Center.  What does that mean?  Any rider (at Cobble Hill or any area barn) can join the Pony Club through us and we will be offering special programs aligned with the organization.  (check out ww.ponyclub.org)  There is additional information in the barn, but here are some basics:

*No CHF rider will be required to join Pony Club.  There is an annual dues fee paid to Pony Club if you would like to join and you will be required to join if you want to participate in any of our Pony Club lessons, meetings or other activities (like camps).

*The US Pony Club has "Standards of Proficiency" and provide a core curriculum for individualized instruction.  The standards describe a clear progression of skills in both RIDING and HORSE MANAGEMENT.  The standards also provide opportunities for goal setting, as members are encouraged to proceed through specific skills.  There are 'rating tests' that evaluate members progress through rating levels.  Ratings are given in an effort to recognize achievement and encourage members to gain confidence, independence, good safety habits while working with mounts.

*The USPC has 3 basic goals for members:  riding instruction, development of horse care responsibilities and participation in various mounted sports.

We will be handing out brochures and holding several information sessions.  Then, we will do some introductory programs -- probably starting during April School Vacation and some Saturdays for Pine Cobble riders.  We are doing two weeks of summer programming that will be specifically around Pony Club and we are hoping to take advantage of a Pony Club visiting instructor to do a special week of programming.  Some of the interesting things that Pony Clubs do are:  Dressage, Eventing, Competitive Rallies, Mounted Games, Quiz, Show Jumping, Tetrathlon (swimming, Show Jumping, Running and shooting)
and (my favorite but Krissy and Karrie keep saying no) Polocrosse (mounted lacrosse basically).

Finally, the mission statement of the USPC:  The mission of the United States Pony Clubs, Inc., is to provide a program for youth that teaches riding, mounted sports, and the care of horses and ponies, thereby developing responsibility, moral judgment, leadership and self-confidence.

Please speak to Karrie, Jacki or Janette Dudley for more information.

Summer Programs

I will be working on brochures and sign up sheets over the next two weeks for our summer offerings, but for those of you who are already thinking summer .... here is some early info.

Traditional Beginner Program.  This program is for riders who have never ridden or only ridden a few times.  We will offer this program several times during the summer -- either for two days during the week or three days.  Riders will be on a horse -- usually in a half hour private lesson -- each day.  Other activities will be horse-themed crafts, activities or horse & barn care.  Dates:  June 21 & 23/July 5 & 7/August 8, 10 & 12.  All will run 10 am till 2 pm.  Two day programs are $140.00 and three day is $210.

Jumping Program.  For students who are cantering and want to work on jumping, we will have several weeks of jumping programs.  These will be 2 days in a week from 10 - 1 and will be focused exclusively on riding and horse related activities.  Most students will ride for 90 minutes or more each day in a small group.  Dates:  July 12 & 14/August 9 & 11/August 16 & 18.  $150 per week.

Gymkhana Program.  For non-beginners interested in gymkhana events this program will focus on the events and techniques for participating in these programs. (We may be offering some Saturday programming in advance of the Oak Hollow Gymkhana on April 10th so stay tuned if this is your thing).  This program will be a 3 day program lasting from 10 am - 1 pm and will be primarily focused on riding and horsemanship.  The cost per week will be $225.  The dates are:  July 11, 13 and 15/August 15, 17 and 19.  On August 20th there will be an option to participate in a Gymkhana show -- enrollment will be separate from the riding program. 

More soon .. on the lease program, intro to pony club programs and Adult riding experience.  And someday I will get caught up enough that I will put all this in text on the website!

Magnesium Chloride

The Magnesium Choloride arrived at the barn (finally) this week and those of you have been braving the winter weather to ride will appreciate the lack of dust.

I know our family is always looking for a good science fair project.  I think figuring out how Magnesium Chloride works and why it can't get wet would be a perfect one!  (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnesium_chloride)

The delay in delivery was caused by the fact that so many trucks have been busy delivering Salt to the NorthEast that it was very hard to schedule the delivery.

Remember -- don't let it get wet!!!

Training Patty!

Going to post a bunch of pictures to Facebook, but these of Krissy and Dixie working with Patty are so fun!  Patty is up to trotting for 10 minutes and is staying sound.  Fingers crossed.

She has stopped trying to bite at Dixie.  Who, by the way, is just such a wonderful old lady. 

I can't believe how BIG Patty looks next to Dixie. 

Happy Trails to You, Until We Meet Again.

Think SUMMER!!!

Karrie and Jacki have been busy putting together great summer programs!  I will have dates and specifics soon, but here is some preliminary information:

We WILL do 'full access' lease again this summer.  It will be age limited again (entering 6th grade or higher), and some weeks it won't be offered if there is another program (like a jumping clinic) that will use some of the same horses.

We are going to be doing some programming as an intro to Pony Club.  More on that to come.

Brandy is going to offer some Gymkhana programs which will be fun.

Of course we will have the standard beginner programs too.

New this year will be adult programming on Thursday late afternoon/early evenings.

Trail lessons will be on Tuesdays.

Here a a few pics from last summer to get you excited!

Brrrr & Grrrr (I've used this blog title too much this year!)

Way too common a scene this winter.

Even the cows think it is too cold and snowy

Way too cold for lessons today.  Ugh.  Stay tuned for the rest of the week given cold and snow.  Lauren and I are very excited for 60 degrees in Austin! 

Karrie is beginning to schedule Saturday lessons -- particularly for folks on the season-lesson pack.  Please reach out to her if you haven't heard from her.

Also, we are pulling together info on upcoming riding programs:  February vacation (will hope to do the days that Pine Cobble also has) and perhaps March and April -- and soon, the summer programming schedule will be ready.

Also, will do a longer blog but to reward those who have read this far:  OakHollow has scheduled the spring Gymkhana (April 10) and Spring Show (May 1st).  Who will be a May Basket for costume class????

Weekend Lessons Cancelled

As you can feel, it is bitterly cold outside and will remain so for the weekend.  We are cancelling lessons.  This has been a really tough winter to keep riders in the saddle.  Karrie is going to start to set up some Saturday afternoon make-up sessions to see if we can beat the weather!

I am ready for spring.

Today -- this week

Another bitterly cold day today and a storm coming tomorrow.  As some of you know, I am heading to Boston for some important family matters.  Please call the barn or your instructor if you are wondering about lessons.  I will have internet access but may be slow to post. 

Here are some great Krissy pictures of the big storm last week.  I will post all her recent pics on Facebook.

no lessons today

pretty snowy, windy and cold.  Enjoy the snow day!

It can be fun to ride in the snow

While the indoor ring provides the opportunity to ride in any weather, our boarders have been hitting the track for some outdoor riding.  Funny how when it gets up to 30 degrees in January, it feels warm. 

Have you ever seen a rainbow in winter?

I don't ever remember seeing one -- and I was not home the day Krissy took this picture so I still haven't.  Pretty amazing!  Also, every rainbow I've ever seen on the farm in the summer has been over the opposite mountain (more toward Pine Cobble -- this is the Taconic Range).  I wonder if that has to do with the weather patterns in winter v. summer?

Looks like we are having a traditional winter -- cold and snowy.  If we do get dumped on Wednesday, I will let you know about lessons, but generally the driveway is clear in time for after school lessons even when there is no school!

Happy New Year!

I am not very good at those year in review things but we certainly are looking back fondly on 2010 and with great anticipation for 2011.  Here are a few of my favorite pics from the year we are leaving behind.

Max became a frequent and welcome visitor throughout the year, particularly to summer programs

We had a wonderful summer -- with the terrific help of Jacki and (not pictured) Jenna (who was keeping a secret!)

One of Krissy's many great shots of our horses.  Who is this???

We did a lot more jumping this year and the course set up in the lower pasture was challenging and fun.

Buddy the photogenic wonder dog.

Hard to remember now just how HOT it was this summer.  Here was one solution.

Older girls cleaning tack in an early (cold weather) riding program.

This was actually from February 2010 ... looks familiar.

One of my favorite Krissy shots from last winter.

Our Halloween programming was a hit -- with our twins!

Our increased trail lessons were a wonderful addition to our programming

A great family shot that makes me smile.

More Halloween fun

We did two parades this year -- here, 4th of July.  The horses were very good sports.

Kids of all ages love a ride in the back of a pick up truck.  Even the Clown Truck.

One of the highlights of our summer -- Linda's wedding.

Oak Hollow's Spring Show still gets our riders excited for the costume competition.