2015!

Wow! It's February already and I'm just now putting up a new farm blog post?  Oops!!  So here's a quick rundown on where we are and where we hope to go this year -- both as individuals and well as a farm:



1) Shows - we will once again be hosting 2 shows this year so mark your calendars for Saturday, June 27 and Saturday, September 26. Both shows will offer DLSC dressage classes as well as classes available for any other regular dressage, eventing dressage or western dressage test.  In addition, we'll be doing Combined Training from ground poles through Training level (3'3"), Prix Caprilli tests, and jumper classes from 2' to 3'3". We'll also be doing a Gambler's Choice (2' to 3"3") payback class and a Six Bar class.  Also, for those who braved last October's weather with us, you'll be happy to know that our regular R&B Concessions will be at both shows!!  Please see website for details.



2) Farm Progress -- Let's see... we have 6 stalls in the existing barn that were created and look wonderful (Thank You First Class Home Solutions as well as a number of other folks who helped out!).  1 large pasture is being used and materials have been purchased to put in a 2nd pasture as soon as the weather and other obligations cooperate.  We've started getting bids for the new barn which will open up boarding opportunities as well as the indoor arena which will open up on-farm show and training/clinic opportunities. 


As our dream of this facility becomes more and more real, we're honing in on our goals of what we truly want it to be -- an Equestrian Education and Training Center. We feel there is definitely a place for this kind of facility in our area and it is truly what we hope to offer as the facility takes shape.  Goals include:

1. Hosting fun, educational and low-stress schooling shows similar to the ones we offer now.  Personally I would love to see us be able to eventually have something like a jumper series during the summer offered under lights.
2. Host riding and non-riding educational clinics with accomplished and knowledgeable professionals.
3. Offer the facility for local riders, trainers or organizations (ie: Pony Club, 4H, etc.) for schooling purposes. Our plans include the indoor arena, an outdoor arena and eventually cross country jumps in the fields which could be used for simple training or even rented for specific clinics, camps or shows. 
4. Offer a few quality boarding opportunities. We don't plan to have very many boarders but there will be stalls available as the facility takes shape.

There are a couple other ideas that we have floated amongst ourselves that we are interested in that would fit in with our core goals for the farm. As we investigate further into their feasibility and they begin to take shape, we'll be sharing more and more.



3) Personal -- on some personal notes, 2014 ended nicely with everyone - horse and human - healthy and happy.  Several DLSC Year End Awards were brought home to Serenity Valley Farm and while we are more about doing well for ourselves, it's always a bonus to earn a Year End Award.

• Ashley & Skye = 4th place Green Horse (hunter), 4th place Green Horse EQ (hunter)
• Ella & Bo = Reserve Champion Beginner Horse (hunter), Reserve Champion Intro Level Junior (dressage)
• Lilly & Rambo = Champion Intermediate Horse (hunter), Reserve Champion Training Level Junior (dressage)
• Tammy & Shirley = 4th place Training Level Senior (dressage), Reserve Champion USEF Rider Tests (dressage)
• Ella & Thumper = 3rd place 1st Thru 4th Level (dressage)

Looking towards this year, we're not sure what we'll be doing necessarily (other than working on the farm of course), but we all really feel this is going to be a great year!  Stay tuned for the details!

The new farm!

It's been a week but the new farm is bought!!!  I'm so excited.  Been out there every day since closing doing all kinds of things to make it livable and functional.  It's going to be quite the endeavor of work and love, but in the end it will be SO worth it!

The specs:  39.85 acres, mostly tillable (over half is currently share-cropped) with some pasture, a small hay field and a creek.  2 story 1905 built 2 bedroom 1 bath farmhouse with full unfinished cinderblock basement (which also has a shower and toilet).  Fuel oil furnace with forced air heat. No AC. Approximately 9,000 gallon cistern. Jefferson Regional Water Authority water. Septic. Been vacant for about 6 years. Existing barn is approximately 60x30 and in poor to fair condition.  Some of the beams will be salvageable but it's neither big enough nor set up well enough for long term use.  Corn crib probably needs to be torn down sooner than later, but will have life through the winter as a place to park the Saturn so I don't have to scrape windows.

LONG term goals:  Along with fixing up the house of course because it needs it, we want the facility to be a small show/training/clinic place... an education facility.  We LOVE holding our current SVF shows at Twin Towers, but would love to see them move to the farm.  They'll end up being a bit smaller in scale, but we could do one/month. We're looking at putting up an 80'x150' indoor arena (to be able to have indoor space that could accommodate a small dressage ring) as well as a 12 stall barn (for training and limited boarding).  We haven't yet settled on an outdoor ring size, but ideally I'd love to see 150'x250' with lights.  One of the dreams would be to run an "under the lights" jumper series during the summer.  And of course we plan to make full use of the acreage to have plenty of schooling cross country jumps. And while our personal focus is in the english world, we are NOT opposed to hosting western or trail events in the future.

My hope here is to blog the progress as we get things accomplished.  Now that I should be getting a new phone tomorrow (with hopefully a working camera) I'll be able to do that.  In the meantime, here are the "before" pics.  By estimation these are a year old and were taken from the real estate listing.  ENJOY!!

PS. Blogger is being piggish about me reordering the pics... so you're getting them in random Blogger order.  Sorry.

The Barn. The gate has disappeared prior to me buying the place (as has the horse in the pic).  The barn needs SERIOUS work and thus has a limited lifespan -- basically long enough to get another barn built.

More of the barn and the driveway fencing.  We're fixing up the fencing here and setting up this space for a paddock.  BTW, the property line to the north is the treeline in the background!

Another of the paddock space between the barn (left) and the road (right).

Bathroom.  Needs updates and work but functional for the most part.

Bedroom 2.  Probably the worst looking of the wood floors.

Bedroom 1.  Floors are only a bit better than Bedroom 2 and as a result, contemplating carpet in both instead of redoing the wood like I plan to do downstairs.  Has a nice closet (door on the right) and a lovely built in (door on the left).

View from the back patio to the corn crib.

Corn Crib.  You can't see it but the back wall is... missing.  Yep... will be coming down but has been storing a full-size tractor for a few days so it should hold up enough to keep the frost off the windshield of the Saturn.  Property line to the west is the treeline in the background to the left of the corn crib.

Living room.  Beautiful built in and I love the big windows.  Floors should refinish nicely.

Den?  TV room?  I haven't settled on what to call this room, but I like it.  Big enough for the tv and a nice couch. LOVE LOVE LOVE the wood french door!  And yes... those marks on the walls and ceiling are where the paint has peeled off.

Another view of the den... and more peeling paint.  To the right is another doorway that leads to a VERY small hallway and the bathroom.

Front of the house, which face the driveway NOT the road (the road is across a paddock to the left).  Fenced patio is a cement slab over the cistern.  And do not ask me why they have random t-posts in the front yard.

Another of the front of the house from the driveway.  The picket fence on the left side continues along the driveway.

Another house angle.

More house.

From the driveway, looking towards the house across the front paddock.  Road is to the left.

Front paddock from the driveway at the "front" corner of the front yard, and looking towards the road.  Treeline in the background towards the right of the pic is the creek bed.

Side of the house, showing the cistern patio and the spring house.

Kitchen.  Unfortunately, the ceiling fan disappeared before I saw the house.  We're now rewiring and moving it to make it a little more centered, but there will be a ceiling fan in this room (and many others actually).

Another view of the Kitchen

More kitchen.  Currently the frig is plugged into the wall outlet on the left side of the pic.  Doesn't leave a lot of space between the front of the frig and the front of hte stove so the fridge is moving to the off pic right side of the window.

Existing kitchen counters.  Will try to salvage and maybe repaint?

Most of the kitchen and obviously taken with a fish-eye lens.  Standing at the back door/stairwell to the basement.

LAND!!!

Almost the same shot as above.

More land with "stuff" that was left.

2nd floor "landing".  Almost a room to itself.  Closet is the door on the right.  The 2 doorways on the left of the pic lead to the bedrooms.  Check out the woodwork near the stairs!!

Another shot of the landing.

Living Room, showing the beautiful woodwork.

Stairs.

Cistern patio and spring house.  The spring house is ok functional, but currently full of junk!

Cistern patio, house and springhouse.

From the back corner of the "yard" toward the springhouse and house.

Show Recap and... MOVING!!

The SVF show on June 28th was fantastic!  Thank you to everyone who helped to make it a success.  Our 3rd show and we learned a ton and have a few changes, both in class offering and in management, that we're going to implement for the October 4th show.  But really, it went well.  Once again we were spared bad weather until we were cleaning up.  I'll take having to put things away in the rain over having our competitors have to deal with it any day! 


As for changes, we'll definitely be offering the Test of Choice class again.  This class is intended to allow competitors to ride any dressage test that is not already being offered - this includes regular dressage, eventing dressage or even western dressage.  If we get enough entries of one type or another we may split the class along "type" lines (ie: split between English and Western, if we get enough western entries).


We are also planning a couple changes in the CT/Jumper ring, but are still working out those details.  Keep watching for details.  As always, if you would like to see a specific class offered, please let us know.  We're always open to competitor requests and suggestions.  Our goal is always to offer a low key NICE schooling show.


By the way, our judges for October 4th are finalized: Megan Carr (KY) and Kathy McFadden (OH). We look forward to seeing everyone there!


Moving?  Did someone say moving??  YES!!  While plans for a new SVF are not finalized yet, we will be moving in the next couple weeks from our current location in New Lebanon. Please watch for an update on where to send October 4 show entries as the address WILL change! We're looking forward to getting in the new place and sharing all about it.

Greenstone Dressage Recap & SVF June Show Update

Things are happening fast and furious around here it seems.

Greenstone Dressage Show - June 14

Took Shirley to the dressage show.  It was... educational and interesting.  We entered Training Level Test 1 and the USEF Rider Test (Training Level).  Arrived in plenty of time to have a nice LONG warm up with lots of reward breaks.  I think that worked but she was still "up" when we walked over to the other side of the trees and went in the ring.  We've been trying to work on keeping her in front of my leg... and thus soft, forward and straight.  Yeah... that didn't work very well initially.  I'm sure people who watched us enter the ring for our T1 test thought for sure I'd started drinking really early that day!!  "Not straight" doesn't even BEGIN to describe our entrance... or the trot from the halt at X up to C.  It was really funny.  Even funnier was the judge's comment which simply said "haunches left" or something mild like that. 

We did have some nice moments.  And our final centerline and halt were wonderful (scoring our only 7).  But we still have a LOT of work to do.  The second test wasn't even as nice.  She really fell behind my leg and would go hollow.  I was told it was almost like she simply didn't want to try.  Like she was saying "I already did this and now I'm not sure what you want!"  Frustrating but we'll get there I guess.  Finished with both scores just a hair below 60% (that dreaded 40 that I try so hard to break) and a 4th and 2nd ribbon.  Just don't ask how many were in the class!

Training Level Test 1 - the final centerline

After the final halt - Training Level Test 1

SVF Show - June 28

The show is rapidly approaching.  There was still room in the schedule when the closing date for the dressage and CT entries came so we extended closing date to Wednesday (today).  Yikes!!  Probably shouldn't have done that as between Saturday and Monday's mail delivery we received over 25 entries!  It will be a VERY full day!  Entries are officially closed for non-jumper classes today and no late entries will be accepted.  Of course pre-entries and day-of entries for jumper classes are still being and will be accepted.

We are so excited about the show.  We're currently working on not only the Ride Times schedule but lining up plenty of volunteers (if you can help, we'd REALLY appreciate it!), getting all the paperwork in order, and looking at ways to make the show really nice for all participants.  We'll be at the park Friday afternoon/evening to set up the rings and of course all day Saturday, including tearing down after the show and putting the dressage rings and jumps away.  Please help if you can!

Farm Update

We currently have a contract for the purchase of the farm!  I'm so excited about the change.  The process itself is amazingly convoluted and difficult, but really looking forward to a fresh start.  I don't yet have a purchase contract on the new farm so that's yet to be announced.  Closing date for the contract is currently set for July 25th.

Upcoming Events

In addition to the whole packing and moving, Shirley and I will be at Red Tail Ridge in Johnstown this weekend for a Jimmy Wofford clinic (Ella and Thumper will be there on Saturday as well).  And July 5th is the Leg-Up Horse Trials in Indiana.  Cannot wait!!  Also it looks like the farrier was able to locate Spider's recent abscess so she'll be going back to work.. which is exciting as usual!  Things are definitely looking good around here.

Happy Summer!

Plans?

Wow, aren't I the complete and total slacker for not posting here in the last several months! Bad me! I may not post every day during 2014, but this is my pledge to do better. So how did 2013 end? Not half bad I suppose. Shirley competed at the "Very Not Scary" mini trial in September at Beginner Novice. We had a couple stops on cross country but all in all, she was a superstar! She got braver and braver as the round went on. She did a FANTASTIC job in show jumping, even saved my butt once. And her dressage was not at all half bad for where we were. Both girls competed at the Encore OTTB Show at Majestic Farm in October. Shirley did the Beginner Novice CT -- decent dressage given we had 15 minutes total to not only tack up but warm up (yep, arrived LATE), with a clean albeit FAST Show Jumping. Spider did a Training Level dressage test with Anita (scored close to 65% if I remember correctly) and a couple VERY nice jumper rounds with Ella later in the day. Overall the day was HORRIBLE weather-wise, but they both settled and we're VERY proud of them. Anita and Ella have continued to work on Spider's education and she's doing wonderfully. Still a bit of a diva, but she's schooling first level with Anita and doing wonderfully over fences with Ella. Shirley and I have continued to build our partnership and our respective educations. We've continued our monthly lessons with Emily Abbate (though no lessons through the winter), and have started picking up jumping lessons from Rob at Celebration Farm. She's coming along fantastically and I'm really looking forward to this show season. I think she's on the verge of being quite the show horse. For me, I'm just trying to keep up with her... getting in better shape to give her the kind of rides she deserves, staying positive and patient, and giving our time my best. As for plans... well, we all know what they say about the best laid plans, right? Sometimes I think that's even more true with horses. That said, we're looking to get a couple lessons/clinic day with Dorothy Crowell in April (as a get to know you session before scheduling my WINNING prize weekend at her farm in Kentucky)... possibly a Nad Noon XC clinic in early June... and we've put down a deposit on a Jimmy Wofford clinic later in June. As for shows, the only one I know of at the moment is IEA's Leg Up Horse Trials in July. There is so much on the calendar to choose from though, I'm sure our summer will fill quickly ... or as quickly as the bank account will allow. Other current plans include attending Jimmy Wofford's sessions at Equine Affaire on April 10th and going to Rolex for the first time in a few years at the end of April. I'll be down there Thursday-Saturday and will be working the Vet Box sometime on Saturday. I'm extremely excited to be able to volunteer in the vet box. I'll be announcing this year (so far) at Greater Dayton (May 17-18), IEA (May 31-June 1) and Hunter's Run (August 9-10). And of course Serenity Valley will be hosting 2 shows again this year: Saturday June 28th and Saturday, October 4th. Both will consist of DLSC dressage classes, Combined Test classes from ground pole through Preliminary level, Jumper classes from 2' and up, all 3 Prix Caprilli classes, and 2 Gambler's Choice payback classes. Stay tuned to the website for a complete class list and information for the June show to be posted soon! Yep, it's a busy season... but there's still room for more. Speaking of which, part of the reason the season isn't all planned out yet is because of the farm. I have an INCREDIBLE opportunity to purchase a farm that seems to be tailor made for me: more land, more stalls (which means more company/boarders), riding ring and a nice but smaller house. I'm really trying to make this deal work out. We have a contingent agreement in place, just need to sell the current farm and have the new place appraised. With any luck, come spring if not sooner, Serenity Valley Farm will be relocating! 2014 is the Chinese Year of the Horse. Sounds appropriate to me!

Post 100!

I think had I known I was approaching 100 posts on this blog, I might have done a better job of getting it done in a timely fashion!  I seem to be on a roll this year -- taking 2-3 weeks between posts.  Well, there's a LOT coming up so hopefully it will spur me to update more often.

Regardless, welcome to Post 100 for the Serenity Valley Farm blog!

Also... Welcome to April... before we end up hitting May! LOL  So, what's going on?  Plenty!

The best news is also the most recent -- Shirley and Spider went to their first DLSC show with us this past weekend.  It was the first hunter show of the season and held at Hilltop Equestrian Center in West Alexandria.  This was my first time showing there.  The arenas are a lovely size, but there's a bit of a bottleneck to get in/out of hte indoor where the show actually took place.  Not to mention a few spooky elements in both rings, especially the indoor.  I didn't get to see much of Spider's warm up or showing as I was working Shirley at the same time.  Ella was showing her and from what I did see as well as the results (Baby Hunter, 1st on the flat, 2nd in both jumping classes and Reserve Champ for the division), I'd say they did fantastic!

I entered Shirley in both warm up classes so she could have that extra time to settle (something Ella was also doing with Spider so I thought it was a good idea).  The idea worked as our 2nd warmup was still anxious and nervous but not NEARLY as bad as the first.  For classes, I entered her in the 18" division (Future Hunter).  I cannot say enough about how proud of her I am.  She was a bit looky when in the arena but she performed quite well given all of that.  We did blow the 2nd canter lead in the flat class and did not place.  Our jumping rounds were a bit faster than one would like to see for a hunter, and I opted to trot into the first fence instead of cantering.  We placed 6th and 5th in the jumping classes.  She stood at the trailer like a champ, even when her trailering buddy Gus was taken away.  Really, she was quite amazing! Unfortunately, there aren't any pics of us jumping at this point.

In other news, the cows are finally at freezer camp!  Haven't heard when they'll be returning but it shouldn't be too much longer.

The chickens are still laying a ton of eggs if anyone is interested in some! (hint hint)

I still have several things for sale and am contemplating setting up a yard sale maybe in July.  However the one thing I don't have for sale any longer is the Ford Explorer.  Traded it in and downsized to a 2004 Saturn Vue.  Am really enjoying it!

The garden as officially begun as I have several plants and seeds now IN the ground an some lovely flowers are popping up.

Along the fence, though you can't see it, the peas have started to come up! The 4 green plants are new broccoli transplants that I bought, and in the other pallet, I have a couple rows of spinach and lettuce.  In addition, I'm attempting to grow spinach and lettuce in the gutter gardens on the fence again this year.  One more shot.

Love the multi-colored tulips that came up under the farm sign.  Freshly mulched too!

New sign on the privacy fence along the driveway.  Seemed fitting, even if a tad western.

Update - critters and items for sale

There are quite a few things coming up and a few updates I should probably write about.  Here's the short versions of everything.

• I didn't get a "we've had a cancellation" call, so the cows are heading to Freezer Camp on Tuesday.  It's time.  Need to wrangle a volunteer or 2 to help me load them first thing Tuesday morning (last year went easier than expected, but I'm not going to assume it will be as easy with these 2), then they'll be off.  For those who purchased a share, it's typically 10 days to 2 weeks before they're ready for pick up, but I should be able to give you a ballpark quote on the processing fees later in the day on Tuesday. 
  
• The chickens have started laying like gangbusters!  Anyone want some eggs??
  
• The girls are still both over at iTolt and doing fantastic!  We have a group lesson tomorrow with Nad Noon set up.  I'll be riding Shirley, Ella will be on her Thumper pony, and Jen is going on Coco.  I'm really looking forward to it.  Spider won't be joining us but she's doing amazingly well and had a lesson with Ella and Rob earlier this week.  We're really proud of both girls!  I personally can't wait to take them on trail rides and cross country schools.  Of course the weather needs to cooperate for that to happen.
  
• As for things around the farm, they're going ok.  Pretty mud covered at the moment, but I supposed that's to be expected.  At least the 5 inches of snow we received earlier this week has already melted for the most part.  Looking forward to getting the garden put in soon.  I also need to work on getting several items sold, including:
  
• 2004 Ford Explorer XLT 4x4, black, gray cloth interior. 162K miles. Good mechanical condition with new battery, good tires. Good body condition with no rust.  Good interior with typical wear but nothing major. Downsizing to a smaller vehicle since I'll be able to use my brother's truck for the next couple years.  Asking $5,000 OBO
  
• Antique upright piano.  Purchased from a lady who told me stories about how she used to play it in her grandmother's home.  I don't know much more than that.  In ok shape.  Needs tuning and a couple keys need replaced (they're there, but the white covering on them isn't -- obviously I'm not a piano expert).  Just don't need/want any more.  Asking $350.


• 34" Sony HD tv.  Older flatscreen (still a tube - not the skinny kind of tv).  Works great, just don't need anymore. Has several Coax/HDMI/RCA cable connections.  May include homemade stand (made of 2x4s and 4x4s, with 2 shelves) if desired.  Asking $150 OBO


• Green wool hooded cloak.  Great Condition!  Hunter green.  Hood is lined with a lighter blue.  Rest of cloak is unlined.  Has embroidery stitching at both shoulders - a celtic knot.  Has brown suede at clasp area (but no clasp).  No longer need. Asking $150.
  
  
  

Hopefully we'll be able to get some really nice pictures and maybe some video of tomorrow's lesson on Shirley to post.

February Recap

I guess since I haven't posted anything the entire month, I should recap what has happened.  In no particular order, February consisted of....

• Beginning to finalize the details of the Serenity Valley Farm Horse Shows this year.  Added a complete class list to the website.  DLSC-sanctioned Dressage classes, all 3 Prix Caprilli tests (not DLSC), Combined Tests from Ground Poles through Preliminary, and Jumper classes from 2' to 4', including 2 Gambler's Choice Payback classes.  Still have quite a few details to nail down, but the show is starting to take shape.  Hope to see a lot of turnout at the first one on June 29th!
• Spider's training has taken off!  Had a slight issue with her feet that kept her off work for a few days, but she's now doing better than ever!  Very sound, getting some LOVELY trot and lateral work and even some softness in the canter.  And she's doing beautifully in her jumping.  Ella jumped her yesterday and did a fantastic job.
• Shirley has spent the last 2 weekend's at iTolt so we can get her going again.  And going she is!  The mare is so smart and talented, that within 1 workout, she's back to where she was in December and progressing rapidly.  I jumped her on Saturday after a bit of flatwork with Anita and Shirley nearly jumped me out of the tack!  Major power in that girl!  Oh and I walked her a bit bareback after our jumping session yesterday.  She's such a good girl!
• Life at the farm continues.  Plenty to do with the slightly warmer temps that's for sure.  The boys go to Freezer Camp within the month.  The girls are starting to lay eggs again.  And we have a new arrival: a cat I'm calling Boots.  Pretty friendly, very vocal.  I honestly haven't looked to see if Boots is a boy or a girl but he/she has one of those fat cat faces and is black with a white spot on the forehead, white on the chest and 4 white feet (thus "Boots").  I think if I didn't have Phoebe, Boots may become an indoor kitty.
• The roommate is moving back to town this coming weekend.  I'm tempted to try to find another, but it would have to be a good fit, of course.  Willing to trade SOME rent for chores.  1-2 bedrooms plus access to pretty much the rest of the house and barn.  Must be ok with cats and hairy/slobbery/loveable dogs.  Does not HAVE to do anything with the farm animals if they don't wish to.  If you know of anyone that might be a good fit, let me know.

I think that's about it for the update.  I need a good camera so I can take more pictures (the camera on my phone isn't great at all).  Maybe from the tax return (after of course the set amount for bills)?  But until that time, here are 2 recent pics... Shirley investigating the pretty pony in the mirror (which she kept nickering at), and Boots.

More pretty bruise pics

Taken this morning, 12 days post kick:

Thigh:  You can see where the bruise is starting to go away.  Towards the front (right in the pic), there is still a lump under a part of the bruise (under where the yellow is)

Knee:  Pretty, eh?  As the thigh bruise is going away, this one seems to be getting "bigger"... not to mention darker.

Whole leg.  All I can say is it's a good thing it's winter.  If it were shorts weather, I'd probably have some serious explaning to do to people. :)

Bruise update

Mostly I'm posting this so the pictures are online and I can share.  Been 10 days since the kick.  Still limping here and there... mostly when I first get up.  Also, still dealing with it waking me in my sleep although not nearly as much.  The good part is that the bruise is slowly fading...

The picture doesn't do the deepness of the colors justice at all, but you get the idea.

The bad part is that with the bruise dissipating, the blood I guess has to go somewhere, right?  And it seems to be travelling down my leg.  On Friday I noticed a bruise around my kneecap.  This is what it looks like today (again, the deepness of the bruising just isn't conveyed by the P.O.S. camera on my phone):

Lovely, eh?

I did manage to ride Noble on Saturday and it was a lovely ride.  He was feeling pretty good... the sun was shining, there was a breeze... and first time through the grid with actual jumps, I got a "this is fun" buck at the end.  Stinker.  Was sore afterwards, but had a good time.