Updated Clinic Schedule

Here is the updated clinic schedule for this weekend:

Friday, December 16
3:30 Sydney Stephens
4:15 Molly Watson
5:00 Lisa Terry
5:45 Michaela Bethard
6:30 Gigi Good

Saturday, December 17
7:45 Molly Watson
8:30 Sydney Stephens
9:15 Lisa Terry
10:00 Elaine Flory
10:45 Gigi Good
11:30 Michaela Bethard

See you tomorrow!

Exciting Week

This is an exciting week at Sally Run!  The SR Pony B&B is officially underway - dirt is moving, so there is no turning back now!!  The plans are drawn, the stalls are coming along, and we're hoping to be complete before the spring clinic series kicks off!  Also, we have our final clinic of 2011 with Lauren Sprieser this Friday and Saturday - see previous post for the schedule.  Our family is gearing up for the holidays and the last week of school, and we look forward to seeing all of our horse friends this weekend on the farm!  Even if you aren't riding, come out and visit - I'll have some hot wassail in the barn waiting for you!!

Congratulations to Michaela!

Sally Run sends out huge congratulations to the Bethards on the recent addition of Boundary to their horse family!  We cannot wait to meet Boundary and see this new pair together at the December clinic!!

December Clinic Schedule

This is who I have riding so far in the December clinic with Lauren:
Friday, December 16
3:30  Sydney Stephens
4:15  Molly Watson
5:00  Lisa Terry
5:45  Michaela Bethard
6:30  Gigi Good


Saturday, December 17
7:45    Molly Watson
8:30    Sydney Stephens
9:15    Lisa Terry
10:00  Elaine Flory
10:45  Gigi Good
11:30  Michaela Bethard



Let me know if I'm missing someone!!

The Ugly Bug Ball

Sydney riding Glory & Michaela riding Midnight in their Training Level Pas de Deux!!

December Clinic Date Set

We had a glorious weekend with Lauren - gorgeous weather & great rides!  We have added one more clinic for 2011 before Lauren heads to Florida.  The last clinic of this year will be December 16 - 17.  Please let me know if you plan to ride and if you need stalls. 

We will likely have one winter clinic after Lauren gets settled in Florida, and I will post the 2012 schedule early next year (how crazy to already be typing that!!)!!

Enjoy this beautiful fall weather, and we'll see you in December!!  I'm off to the barn to start body-clipping - fun!

P.S. Here are our Ugly Bug Ball performers!  I'll post a video of the encore performance as soon as my husband returns with the video camera!

October Clinic with Lauren

Updated schedule - See you this afternoon/tomorrow!!

Please send payment by Monday, Oct. 3, along with your clinic participation agreement and negative coggins if this is your first time to Sally Run.


Friday, October 7, 2011
4:00 Caroline Stephens & Caruso
4:45 Michaela Bethard & Midnight
5:30 Encore Presentation of The Ugly Bug Ball
5:40 Sydney Stephens & Glory
6:15 Molly Watson & Chippy


Saturday, October 8, 2011
8:00 Molly Watson & Chippy
8:45 Samantha Kestner & Smarty
9:30 Sydney Stephens & Glory
10:15 Caroline Stephens & Caruso
11:00 Ashley Burd Whicker & new horse
11:45 Break for Lauren
12:15 Michaela Bethard & Midnight
1:00 Ashley Burd Whicher & Abe


Please check the Dressage Clinics tab for fee info and mailing address.

A Super Fun Weekend

Lauren Sprieser clinics are guaranteed fun!!  Thank you once again to everyone who made the trip to Sally Run.  My personal highlight was watching Sydney and Michaela giggle their way through their pas de deux lesson with Lauren - I will certainly post pictures of the real "Ugly Bug Ball" once it occurs Oct. 1!!  We have another clinic in just 3 weeks, so, if you haven't already done so, let me know if you plan to ride.  Lauren's November is insane, so we'll skip that month, but hopefully we'll get a weekend of training in December before she leaves for Florida, and we're already trying to find a nearby, easy flight for a winter session!  SO, do your homework, and we'll see you next time!!

Clinic Schedule for Sept. 16 - 17

Updated Clinic Schedule

Friday, September 16, 2011

3:00 Elaine Flory
3:45 Caroline Stephens & Caruso
4:30 Michaela Bethard & Midnight
5:15 Sydney Stephens & Glory
6:00 Kim Huffman & Navina
6:45 Molly Watson & Chippy

Saturday, September 17, 2011
8:00 Molly Watson & Chippy
8:45 Lisa Terry & Lobel
9:30 Caroline Stephens & Caruso
10:15 Averi Fredericksen & Courage
11:00 Sydney Stephens & Glory (overlap last 15 min. with Michaela)
11:30 Michaela Bethard & Midnight
12:15 Break for Lauren
12:30 Ashley Burd Whicker & Oran’s Gold Fortune
1:15 Dawn Gifford & Dixie
2:00 Ashley Burd Whicker & Abe

Let me know if changes need to be made ASAP.  Please send in your clinic fees by Friday, Sept. 9.

First Run at September Clinic Schedule

Friday, September 16, 2011
3:00 Elaine Flory
3:45 Caroline Stephens & Caruso
4:30 Michaela Bethard & Midnight
5:15 Sydney Stephens & Glory
6:00 Kim Huffman & Navina
6:45 Molly Watson & Chippy

Saturday, September 17, 2011
7:30 Caroline Stephens & Caruso
8:15 Molly Watson & Chippy
9:00 Dawn Gifford & Dixie
9:45 Sydney Stephens & Glory
10:30 Michaela Bethard & Midnight
11:15 Lisa Terry & Lobel
12:00 Averi Frederickson & Courage

You know a clinic is awesome when . . .

1. Your clinician is Lauren Sprieser.
2. You will do anything, including threatening to steal the ride on your child's pony, just to make sure you get a lesson.
3. Before the end of one clinic, the next one is already overbooked with riders.
4. It's August, and you get to put on a jacket at 11 am because it's chilly!
5. Even your non-horsey friends want to stop by and take in the fun!
6. Your 11 year old daughter is shocked at the end of each ride that her 45 minutes are up, and she wishes it could just last a little longer!
7. Even your horse seems to be smiling at the end of the ride.
8. Did I mention it was only 65 degrees? in August?
9. Your 7 year old son says, "I love it when Lauren comes," with a grin on his face, and he's not even riding.
10. After juggling 7 visiting horses in one afternoon, your husband admits it's time to build the Sally Run Pony B&B.

Thank you again to Lauren and all of the riders who continue to make the trip to Sally Run for these great weekends of training!  See you in September!

Updated Schedule

Here is the updated schedule - once again, please let me know if you need to change your time.  Sunday is obviously going to be a very busy day, so I appreciate everyone already sending in their paperwork - you have made my life much easier!!  For those bringing two horses, feel free to ride either horse at either assigned time - whatever works best for you/your students.  Also, Michaela officially becomes a teenager on Monday, so Happy early Birthday to Michaela - we'll be sure to sing to you this weekend!!


Lauren Sprieser Clinic Schedule

Sunday, August 14, 2011
12:00 Ashley Burd Whicker & Abe
12:45 Sydney Stephens & Glory
1:30 Ashley Burd Whicker & Oran’s Gold Fortune
2:15 Caroline Stephens & Caruso
3:00 Lisa Terry & Lobel
3:45 Michaela Bethard & Midnight
4:30 Averi Fredericksen & Courage
5:15 Kim Huffman & Navina
6:00 Molly Watson & Chippy

Monday, August 15, 2011
8:00 Molly Watson & Chippy
8:45 Michaela Bethard & Midnight
9:30 Caroline Stephens & Caruso
10:15 Sydney Stephens & Glory

August Clinic with Lauren

As this clinic is filling up quickly, I am going ahead and scheduling ride times.  Let me know if this does not work for you as soon as possible!!  Also, because these days are pretty hectic, I would appreciate everyone sending in their clinic fees by Friday, August 5.  Our mailing address can be found on the Clinics page.
Thank you!!!!

Lauren Sprieser August Clinic Schedule


Sunday, August 14, 2011
12:30 Sydney Stephens & Glory
1:15   Lisa Terry & Lobel
2:00   Caroline Stephens & Caruso
2:45   Averi & Courage
3:30   Kim Huffman & Navina
4:15   Ashley Burd
5:00   Molly Watson & Chippy
5:45   Ashley Burd

Monday, August 15, 2011
8:00   Molly Watson & Chippy
8:45   Sydney Stephens & Glory
9:30   Michaela Bethard & Midnight
10:15 Caroline & Caruso

Ride Times for July 29-30 clinic with Lauren

Lauren Sprieser Clinic Schedule


Friday, July 29, 2011:
4:00 Caroline Stephens & Caruso
4:45 Molly Watson & Chippy
5:30 Caroline Stephens & Warnissimo

Saturday, July 30, 2011:
8:30 Caroline Stephens & Caruso
9:15 Kim Huffman & Navina
10:00 Molly Watson & Chippy
10:45 Sydney Stephens & Glory
11:30 Lunch
12:15 Gigi Good & Lobel
1:00 Dawn Gifford & Dixie
1:45 Michaela Bethard & Midnight
2:00 Caroline Stephens & Warnissimo

Team Peters takes Aachen by storm!!

Congratulations to Steffen Peters and the owners of both Ravel and Weltino's Magic.  After sweeping the small tour on Magic (just in time for the PanAm games in October), Ravel finished less than 1 point behind Totilas to come in second in the GP freestyle!!!  The new music is inspired, and the crowd went crazy!!!  By all accounts they were the clear winners of the popular vote!!

I found this link to the freestyles - sit back and enjoy!!

http://horsemovethailand.blogspot.com/2011/07/freestyle-grand-prix-from-chio-aachen.html

The next clinic is quickly approaching!

Lauren Sprieser returns July 29-30 for her next clinic at Sally Run.  Let me know if you plan to ride.  So far I've heard from Kim, Dawn, Michaela, and Molly!

Ride Times for this weekend

Sunday, June 19, 2011
2:00 Michaela Bethard and Midnight
2:45 Allison Spivey
3:30 Hollie Pugh and Pacific
4:15 Caroline Stephens and Caruso
5:00 Molly Watson
5:45 Caroline Stephens and Warnissimo (?)
6:30 Dinner - Cookout at the farm

Monday, June 20, 2011
8:00 Kim Huffman and Navina
8:45 Sydney Stephens and Glory
9:30 Molly Watson
10:15 Caroline and Warnissimo or Caruso

As always, drinks and snacks provided throughout the day.  Instead of lunch, we are having a cookout Sunday evening, so I hope everyone will stick around for dinner!

Lauren Comes Sunday!!

I will post final ride times on Thursday.  Cookout after the rides Sunday evening!  Come out and have a great day with Lauren and friends!!

Why Horses Are Good for Little Girls (and Big Girls, for that matter)

http://hubpages.com/hub/Why-Horses-Are-Good-for-Little-Girls

Rowdy's Bella

Rowdy loves this picture of Bella - she is such a good girl!! 

Syd's first show

Sydney and Glory had a great first dressage show. They came away with two red ribbons and an 8 point improvement from their first test in their second test. They were both cool as cucumbers, and a good time was had by all! 

Sydney, Glory, and trainer Kim Huffman

Glory's specialty - the free walk

Glory is thrilled to be out of her muzzle & can't be bothered with a picture.



 


Michaela & Midnight - notice the rearing horse in the background - Midnight doesn't even care when he almost flips over and breaks loose.  That's why you put your kids on great ponies!!



Breaking News - Lady Lucy delivers gorgeous Diamond Stud colt!!

Our former event horse, Lady Lucy, who we donated to VA Tech's Sporthorse Breeding Program, has delivered her second foal, a gorgeous dark bay colt by Highlife's Diamond Stud.  They are both at the MARE Center in Middleburg, VA!!  Thrilled and relieved with the safe arrival of baby number two!!

Bruce rocks the half-Ironman in Knoxville!

We had a great weekend with the Fravel family while Bruce and Jared participated in the Rev3 Knoxville Half-Ironman.  The guys did great - Jared finished 63rd overall (not sure of his age group results), and Bruce finished 7th in his age group and 33rd overall - not bad for their first time out at this distance!  They are gearing up for the full Ironman this summer!  Bike and run were awesome, and the swim was less awful than expected.  Bruce only got clobbered by arms and legs a few times and lost his watch in the river.  I was very relieved to see him climb out of the water, as I am personally not a fan of these open swims in the river.  Crystal and I had our own Ironwomen experience managing/schlepping 5 kids around downtown Knoxville to cheer for their daddies at each transition and finish.  Luckily, they let kids run with their parents down the chute to the finish line - which made the previous 6 hours worth it!!!



River Swim 1.2 miles



Bruce heading out for 56 miles on the bike.

Jared returns from the bike stage.



5 very patient children waiting at the finish





Bruce completes the final run stage (13.1 miles) and heads toward the finish line with the kids!



Jared and his girls run toward the finish!

Happy Spring!

A few new pictures Bruce took of my big boy Easter morning - 



We hacked up to the house where the kids brought Barney some Easter carrots!















Rowdy's new puppy

We have another new member of the Sally Run family.  Rowdy's Nana gave him an early birthday present - an Aussie puppy named Bella!  She is a doll and the perfect companion for our little man! 

Syd & Glory's first clinic with Lauren

Sydney loved riding in her first clinic!  Lauren didn't have to tell them to get moving like their "hair was on fire."  They had that one covered!!! 

Sydney, Glory, and Lauren Sprieser

We love Lauren!!

Another huge thank you to Lauren Sprieser for another awesome clinic this weekend.  Even with the threat of horrendous weather, all riders made it to Sally Run and had a great session with Lauren.  Now that she is home from Florida, Lauren will be coming to Sally Run regularly, with dates set through October.  So, check out the clinics tab for more information and let me know if you want to ride!! 

Weather Saturday

Hi all!

The weather Saturday looks a little frightening right now, so please unload horses at the barn and stay dry!  After unloading, you can move trucks and trailers to the parking area.  We'll be in the barn to horse-sit! 

Updated Ride Times

Here are the updated ride times for the clinic April 15-16.  Please let me know ASAP if you need to change your time!  We are looking forward to seeing everyone!!

Friday, April 15, 2011:

4:00 Caroline Stephens & Caruso
4:45 Molly Watson & Boston
5:30 Caroline Stephens & Warnissimo

Saturday, April 16, 2011
9:00 Caroline Stephens & Caruso
9:45 Kim Huffman & Navina
10:30 Dawn Gifford & Dixie
11:15 Sydney Stephens & Glory
12:00 Lunch
12:45 Molly Watson and Chippy
1:30 Michaela Bethard & Midnight
2:15 Caroline Stephens & Warnissimo

Happy Birthday, Syd!



Leaving the hospital


Eleven years ago today our sweet baby girl arrived and changed our lives forever! Happy Birthday to our precious Sydney!





First Halloween with Grae




First riding lesson on her 5th birthday




Our angel




Fun riding Midnight



Welcome Glory Be!!

A precious pony joined the Sally Run family this weekend - Glory Be is a 7 year old Welsh/Anglo-Arab cross who is a little gem.  She and Sydney hit it right off, and we are thrilled to have her here.  A big thank you to Elyse Gonyo for raising and training such a sweet pony and to Kim Huffman for putting us all together. 

Duck Update

I keep forgetting to give an update on the winged population at Sally Run.  We still have our 7 chickens, who are laying dozens of eggs each week.  The chickens are hysterical and very social, so the kids have a ball feeding them and collecting eggs.  The ducks are right next to the chickens, and while Henry has remained pretty friendly, Missy is not so much.  We discovered the nest she built under a heavy blanket we have draped over their house, and it is FULL of eggs.  So, we expect we will have lots of baby ducklings in just a few more weeks!  Rowdy is quite excited.  I am thinking we need a bigger pen and pond (the baby pool will not be adequate for swim class).  We have a wild population of mallards living on our pond, but I don't think Rowdy will let us try to put Henry and Missy down there.  If it ever stops raining, I'll take some new pictures of all of our feathered friends.

I LOVE SPRING!!!!

We are in the 70s today - feels amazing!  I could even hose down horses today and let them dry in the wonderful sunshine!!  A big thank you to Bruce and John for a hard day well spent yesterday repairing the outdoor arena - it was awesome to ride outside today, and Caruso definitely had a little more pep in his step with a great breeze and fresh air!!  Thank you so much - the timing couldn't have been better!!  The baby calves are all laid out sunbathing in the field - so precious!!!  I'm taking my camera right now to snap a picture!!

WDM Champions - Ravel and Steffen Peters

Congrats to US rider Steffen Peters and Ravel for their decisive victory at the World Dressage Masters!  I know he promised to change his music after this competition, but I'm going to miss the 80's inspired theme - You Can Dance!!

Two Ride Times Open

Two ride times have opened up for the April 15-16 clinic with Lauren Sprieser.  Let me know if you are interested or know of someone who is!  Details are on the Clinics page.

April 15 - 16 Clinic Schedule

Here is the first edition of the ride schedule for the April clinic with Lauren Sprieser.  If you need to be moved, please let me know ASAP!  email: caroline@sallyrun.com

Friday, April 15, 2011:


4:00 Caroline Stephens and Warnissimo
4:45 Molly Watson & Chippy


Saturday, April 16, 2011

9:00 Kim Huffman and Navina
9:45 Dawn Gifford
10:30 Caroline Stephens and Warnissimo
11:15 Michaela Bethard and Midnight
12:00 Lunch
12:45 Molly Watson and Chippy
1:30 Open
2:15 Open
3:00 Jaclyn Johnsen-Horne

Auditors:

Jam TePoel (V)

Another Anniversary to Celebrate!

A year ago tonight, a gentle giant came to Sally Run!  Happy Anniversary, Barney - you are a dream come true!  It's a good sign of a good fit when your non-horsey husband's comment is, "It seems like he's been part of the family for a lot longer than a year."  I couldn't agree more - he's definitely part of the family!!

Happy Anniversary, Courtney!

Today is the one year anniversary of Courtney King Dye's riding accident that left us all praying for her life and healing.  I just wanted to say Happy Anniversary to Courtney - thank you for all of the lessons on courage and gratitude this past year and especially for the huge shift in attitudes toward helmets, which would not have happened without your accident or your encouragement to others to wear a helmet.  Those top hats already look a little antiquated, don't they!  So, everyone get out there and ride for Courtney today, and give your horse and helmet a pat in honor of this brave warrior!!

Hysterical Reading

There is an excerpt in the March issue of Dressage Today from Women are from Venus and so Are Their Horses by Dutchman Menno Kalmann, and it is hysterical.  For any couple with a horsey woman and non-horsey man, this is a must-read!  Bruce and I laughed so hard - I actually had tears in my eyes!  Anyway, I had to let you know about it because it is so funny and so true!  And speaking of generous husbands who are so tolerant of horse crazy wives, I have to applaud my own for spending the better part of the morning yesterday raking the mud off Barney as I rubbed down Caruso so that I could squeeze in two rides before a midday appointment - and we are talking about serious dried, caked-on mud!  Thanks, honey!!!

one quick quote: " . . . I am certain I hear the instructor announce that ' the hindquarters are not underneath.' Oh please! I think even I would have noticed that; I seriously doubt whether my wife would have managed to stay on with such an important part of the horse missing."

Baby Graesyn has arrived!

Huge congratulations to our former trainer, Chelsea Canedy, and husband Nick on the safe and blessed arrival of Graesyn Rose!  We are so thrilled for you and cannot wait to see her in person!!  Lots of love to the Canedys!!

No more snow!

It's unbelievable - the snow is completely melted, and it's just February!!  We have had snow on the ground since the first week of December, and yesterday the last small piles were finished off.  We have lots of new calves - I'll post pictures soon - much easier calving at 55 degrees than the single digits we had last year!  Keep enjoying this warm weather, and we'll all keep our fingers crossed that a March blizzard is NOT in our forecast.  Maybe that groundhog really does know when spring is coming!

Dressage Clinic Full (for the moment)

All of the ride times for the Lauren Sprieser clinic in April are currently filled, but if you are interested in being put on a standby list in case someone cannot make it, please just let me know.  We, of course, welcome all dressage enthusiasts to come audit and spend a fun day at the farm with Lauren.  Auditing information is on the Clinic page as well.

For those riding, a 50% deposit to hold your spot is due March 1st.  Thanks, everyone!

Snow angels watching over us - and flying right by!

Miraculously, while the rest of the country was under huge blankets of snow, we were warmish and melting off the last of it.  Bonus- we went to school everyday this week - the first full week in a couple of months!  I hope I didn't just put an end to our good luck by typing that!! 

Lauren Clinic Update:  Just one ride time left, so if you are interested in riding in the April clinic, please let me know!! 

Lauren Sprieser Returns in April

Okay, it's time to start looking forward to spring - warm weather and fun with our four legged friends. Lauren Sprieser is returning April 15-16 - just in time to gear up for the new show season and work on those new tests.
FYI, Lauren has drawn the attention of US Dressage Team Chef d'Equipe, Anne Gribbons, while in Florida - check out the following link:

http://www.eurodressage.com/equestrian/2011/01/19/gribbons-holds-high-performance-observation-session-florida

Even 18 degrees can be beautiful.





The corner office with a view - just had to step outside and take this one tonight!

  

Before and After



This is what happens when you have 40 mph wind after heavy snowfall.





 

Rowdy and Griffin playing on the enormous wall of snow.



Rowdy and Griffin after playing on the wall of snow.



Happy 2011!!

My three loves on the mountain in Vail, Colorado!

The good news is we had a safe and wonderful trip to Vail while everyone in Wytheville enjoyed unseasonably warm temperatures, the horses and cows saw grass again, no calves were born prematurely, and ponies were able to play outside naked!  The bad news is we apparently brought a lot of winter back with us from Colorado - lots of snow yesterday and a windchill of -15 this morning - BRRR!  The problem with a ski trip is that it fills your snow quota for the year in five days, and you're ready for spring when you come home.  I realized this morning that technically it hasn't even been winter for one full month yet, so we have a ways to go! 

On the horse front, we can now get back into the arena thanks to last week's warm-up, and my first rides back on the big boys have been AWESOME - which was completely unexpected after so much time off.  Maybe we all needed a litte Christmas holiday from work!  Anyway, the best part about a vacation is appreciating coming home so much.  We are all very thankful to be able to live on a beautiful farm with so many amazing animals and the people we love!  Here is to a happy, healthy and blessed 2011 - cheers everyone!