You can see the finished product on the website: http://solstice-farms.com/
It really looks great but it has been a journey!
The quadrille lessons were different for everyone but we all ended up with better horses and better riding skills. Loverboy had to learn to play well with others, he had a tendency to pin his ears when Furiant came close. After the third or fourth week of practice however, Mary and I were "Clinking stirrups" regularly. As his rider, I had to learn to stop worrying that he might kick another horse. They all seemed to get into the herd thing and got along.
Many horses had to learn to speed up or lengthen their stride on command. Others needed to collect.
We all learned the meaning of "dress right and left"
Mostly we learned to ride as a team. In this highly individual sport, it was perhaps the best lesson yet.
Thanks to Emee for inspiring us!
Friday, May 13, 2011
Monday, May 9, 2011
Mother's Day Out a great success!
Whew! The last two weeks have been a whirlwind.
Following the HDS spring classic and CDI, we hosted our annual charity event, "Solstice Farms Mother's Day Out Dressage" show.
The show was great fun with a huge silent auction, an entertaining Pas de Deux, and the first public performance by the Solsisters Quadrille.
Thanks to all our volunteers we put on a very competitor friendly show with wonderful concessions, organic carrots with tops for all first place winners, open arena for schooling, complimentary test calling with our great sound system and music to help everyone relax.
The "Mother Ride" participants were treated to wine coolers made with our home grown fresh mint.
Our donors were so generous for the silent auction (and so were the bidders!)
Familytime Crisis and Conseling Center, our charity helped out with the concessions and auction. It looks like they will make even more money than last year to support their shelter.
Thanks to all who made this possible!
Following the HDS spring classic and CDI, we hosted our annual charity event, "Solstice Farms Mother's Day Out Dressage" show.
The show was great fun with a huge silent auction, an entertaining Pas de Deux, and the first public performance by the Solsisters Quadrille.
Thanks to all our volunteers we put on a very competitor friendly show with wonderful concessions, organic carrots with tops for all first place winners, open arena for schooling, complimentary test calling with our great sound system and music to help everyone relax.
The "Mother Ride" participants were treated to wine coolers made with our home grown fresh mint.
Our donors were so generous for the silent auction (and so were the bidders!)
Familytime Crisis and Conseling Center, our charity helped out with the concessions and auction. It looks like they will make even more money than last year to support their shelter.
Thanks to all who made this possible!
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Happy Easter and great expectations!
Happy Easter!
There's so much to look forward to this spring and so many changes.
We are attending and sponsoring the HDS Spring show and CDI* next weekend. Watch the CDI* and have a complementary glass of Solstice Farms CDI Cabernet.
Then, "Mother's Day Out" follows closely on May 8. This is our dressage show and silent auction to benefit "Familytime Crisis and Counseling Center". Check the website, http://solstice-farms.com for prize list and links.
Congratulations to Emee Ermel on the purchase of Sir Walkabout, a very exciting young horse from Walkabout Farms in Willis.
Watch for more updates and news including upcoming regular clinics with Debbie Bowman.
There's so much to look forward to this spring and so many changes.
We are attending and sponsoring the HDS Spring show and CDI* next weekend. Watch the CDI* and have a complementary glass of Solstice Farms CDI Cabernet.
Then, "Mother's Day Out" follows closely on May 8. This is our dressage show and silent auction to benefit "Familytime Crisis and Counseling Center". Check the website, http://solstice-farms.com for prize list and links.
Congratulations to Emee Ermel on the purchase of Sir Walkabout, a very exciting young horse from Walkabout Farms in Willis.
Watch for more updates and news including upcoming regular clinics with Debbie Bowman.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Save the date!
Our next HDS schooling show will be the annual charity event on Mothers Day, May 8.
Solstice Farms "Mothers Day Out" will benefit "Familytime Crisis and Counseling Center", a shelter for women and children who are victims of abuse. What a wonderful way to celebrate all mothers and women!
We will also host a silent auction during the show to raise funds for the shelter.
Please consider donating an item to the auction if you can.
Pass the word on to anyone you think might be interested in the show or the auction.
We had lots of fun last year and gave the shelter a check for $1000. I hope to double that this year with all your help.
Solstice Farms "Mothers Day Out" will benefit "Familytime Crisis and Counseling Center", a shelter for women and children who are victims of abuse. What a wonderful way to celebrate all mothers and women!
We will also host a silent auction during the show to raise funds for the shelter.
Please consider donating an item to the auction if you can.
Pass the word on to anyone you think might be interested in the show or the auction.
We had lots of fun last year and gave the shelter a check for $1000. I hope to double that this year with all your help.
Friday, January 7, 2011
The comfort zone
I don't know about you but there is a little voice inside of me that says, "Nothing good comes without suffering". Hard work and toil are a badge of courage and a reason for disdain toward others who we label as "slackers"
OK so compare that with every riding lesson you've ever had. How many times do you hear the word, "relax". Or the phrase, "Don't try so hard"?
Hmm something is amiss here.
Our horses should exhibit, "Relaxation of the back, elasticity of the steps, harmony, attention and confidence."
And yet, also "a desire to go forward, engagement of the hind quarters, impulsion. All these require work and energy from them and us.
So where is the balance between the two seemingly opposite ideas?
Think of it this way. With every ride, spend most of your time in the comfort zone. Familiar movements and gaits. Then spend 20-30 percent of the time pushing the edge. Get out of the comfort zone but . . . make sure to return there before the ride is done. And mostly, recognize the difference.
and . . .don't try so hard!
by Marie Morgan
http://solstice-farms.com/
OK so compare that with every riding lesson you've ever had. How many times do you hear the word, "relax". Or the phrase, "Don't try so hard"?
Hmm something is amiss here.
Our horses should exhibit, "Relaxation of the back, elasticity of the steps, harmony, attention and confidence."
And yet, also "a desire to go forward, engagement of the hind quarters, impulsion. All these require work and energy from them and us.
So where is the balance between the two seemingly opposite ideas?
Think of it this way. With every ride, spend most of your time in the comfort zone. Familiar movements and gaits. Then spend 20-30 percent of the time pushing the edge. Get out of the comfort zone but . . . make sure to return there before the ride is done. And mostly, recognize the difference.
and . . .don't try so hard!
by Marie Morgan
http://solstice-farms.com/
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
set backs and starting over
As F. Scott Fitzgerald once wrote, "Vitality shows in not only the ability to persist but the ability to start over."
No one knows this better than dressage riders! Many things conspire to get in the way of our goals: weather, injuries, family commitments. The most accomplished riders are not necessarily the ones who ride every day regardless, but the ones who "Keep their heart in it" when times are tough.
Disappointment and frustration are a part of this sport. But so is beauty, inspiration and great satisfaction.
Don't let the rain, cold and gray get you down.
By Marie Morgan
http://solstice-farms.com/
No one knows this better than dressage riders! Many things conspire to get in the way of our goals: weather, injuries, family commitments. The most accomplished riders are not necessarily the ones who ride every day regardless, but the ones who "Keep their heart in it" when times are tough.
Disappointment and frustration are a part of this sport. But so is beauty, inspiration and great satisfaction.
Don't let the rain, cold and gray get you down.
By Marie Morgan
http://solstice-farms.com/
Monday, January 3, 2011
The long winter's nap
The winter solstice has passed and the days are beginning to get longer. Although our coldest and grayest weather may be ahead, it is time to mimic nature and slowly begin the big yawn as we come out of hibernation. Blink your eyes a few times and notice things around you in a new way. Have you changed as well?
Take a little time rather than jumping into New Years Resolutions. Just be. Your visions and goals will appear in their own time.
Share when you are ready.
Take a little time rather than jumping into New Years Resolutions. Just be. Your visions and goals will appear in their own time.
Share when you are ready.
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