LADIES NIGHT January 8th

Our next Ladies Night is Thursday- 1/8/09 6:30 PM. Please RSVP to Sharon!
See you there!

Jessica Moctezuma is USEF's Junior Exhibitor of 2008

Jessie has been awarded the top honor as Junior Exhibitor of the year by the US Equestrian Federation, our national governing body for all equestrian sport in this country. Truly this is a distinguished honor and one deserved in full by this wonderful young woman we are proud to call a friend and consider call a member of our extended family. She's means a lot to all of our riders** for her support, sportsmanship, friendship and cheerleading. **(Ask Portay about "channeling her inner Jessica Moctezuma" prior to heading thru the gate! )

This year, at Louisville as the riders rode for their ribbons in the esteemed Senior Equitation Championship, Jessie displayed the most outstanding display of horsemanship I saw thoughout the entire week long 2008 Kentucky State Fair World's Championshp Horse Show. After a grueling class of more than 45 minutes of length consisting of rail work, periods of retirement and individual testing- her young, new equitation partner tested her the most at the very end- during her individual work- "Elvis" lost his concentration a bit- perhaps saw the outgate as they were headed in the direction, I am not sure -Jessie read it- stopped in between elements and before pushing him to the next one- stopped under the biggest pressure of her life, breathed, and put her hand on his neck for a couple of moments, gathered her reins and went flawlessly into the next move. That bloggers, is HORSEMANSHIP. The horse first. Without the horse as priority # 1, the ride is nothing.

The last few years of her practice have been hundreds of hours on hundreds of throwaway horses- American Saddlebreds that were plucked from the pipeline for slaughter. Saddlebred Rescue Inc. picks these animals up, sick-thin- and down on their luck- then rehabilitates and schools them for placement to good homes as solid citizens. Jess's mom Nealia McCracken houses a branch of SBR at their farm in New Jersey and Jessie has been an important part of the process to save them as SBR's #1 "Crash Test Dummy" test rider.

When Jessie rode out of that class back in August, she did so, with her 8th place (oh someone will correct me if I am wrong here I don't remember the color) to an ovation rivaling a rock star- good girl, Jess. Congratulations on the final award of your Junior Exhibitor career being one exemplifying the most important thing of all- your horsemanship over a period time. Congratulations to Nealia and Mark and Mayo and everyone at Northwind.

Check out this article from nj.com

http://www.nj.com/sports/njsports/index.ssf/2008/12/moctezuma_is_a_winner_on_or_of.html

A Funny Thing Happened at The Feed Store

A funny thing happened at the Feed Store.





The following phone call came in from Fleming Feed & Hardware-our feed store- home of the best support best team on earth- Jim, Rob and Sean at the Stonington branch & Jaclyn from Nutrena make my life easier on more levels than I can describe. I see them more frequently than my family, my vet, and my blacksmith combined.





"Hello?"





"Sharon, it's Jim, I have some fantastic news."





"You do?"





"Yes, you won the drawing."





"The drawing." ???





"Yes, you won the raffle!"





"The raffle." ???





"That's what I said! You're the big winner of a big prize!"





"Big Prize." ??? "Jim, are you feeling all right?"





You get the idea here. Jim insisted I won the raffle and to leave room for a large pick up when I came in on Wednesday. Naturally my radar was up and suspicions heightened but no amount of my grilling got him to fess up.





The next day on a run to the feed store, Jim presented me with the raffle ticket. (see below)

As tempting as the diet soda was, I went with the 48" barn wreath.

Thank you to my "Secret Santa", I love you (whomever you are) for knowing where I shop, for the gesture, for making us feel appreciated, shopping locally, and most importantly making me LAUGH!

Thank you & Merry Christmas

In appreciation of another successful year,

Nicholas Villa Stables invites you to join us

for Dinner, Drinks and some Holiday Cheer!**

December 20th at 5:00 p.m.

Nicholas Villa Stables

75 D Reutemann Rd.

N. Stonington, CT 06359

Please RSVP by December 15th 535-1038

**To participate in our Yankee Swap (teens/adults) or Kids Gift Exchange bring along a wrapped gift!

Ladies Night Report!

Our inaugural Ladies Night was a BLAST! Patti and Erika gave us an impromptu Yoga lesson that went down for the record books!

Our next one is planned for January 8th. For $40, the regular cost of a riding lesson* (*non-riders give a $10 donation to Saddlebred Rescue) you will receive:

a fun group riding lesson with emphasis on core principles, balance and strengthening

an informational seminar with our equine nutritionist

time with a licenced personal fitness trainer who will give us some homework for our important muscle groups we use for riding

refreshments, laughs and social time you won't soon forget!

Please RSVP to Sharon - everyone is welcome

See you January 8th!

Save the Date! December 20th

The barn Christmas party will be December 20th, 2008- watch this space for more information! Come one, come all!

'Oh yes, it's ladies night'- Oh what a Night!

ANNOUNCING LADIES NIGHT- December 4th 6:30- 9pm

We're excited to announce the first of our Winter Ladies Night series beginning on December 4th. Ladies Night offers a great opportunity to practice your riding with friends in a fun group lesson setting under the supervision of multiple experienced instructors.

Fees: $40 includes lesson, refreshments and the evenings events

Non-Riders: $10 donation to Saddlebred Rescue

*We will work on the building blocks of the basics: your seat, balance and developing strength and confidence in a fun casual setting.

*Beverages and canapes will be served later next to a roaring fire in our heated Great Room.

Please join us for an evening of laughs, fun and learning in a supportive group setting, to RSVP call the barn at 535-1038 or email Sharon at villastables@gmail.com

Ladies Night will continue into Winter 2009-gift certificates are available in time for Christmas. Everyone is welcome, this is definately an event where the more, the merrier!

It's that time of year again!

Get the kids out of the house and into the barn the day after Thanksgiving! Taking reservations for our annual Turkey Sandwich Day Camp. Activities include mounted riding instruction by experienced professionals, helping with farm chores and feeding the animals, a lunchtime picnic hike, and activities related to the care and enjoyment of horses. Friday 11/28 9:30 am to 3pm Cost: $75, multiple child or group discount

Equine Affaire was a blast!

Yesterday was a whirlwind. It was up before daylight and home after dark- for an away day! As you know from the previous blog entry we brought Caity and Willy to represent the American Saddlebred Country Pleasure Horse at the ASB demo at Mass. Equine Affaire. We had a ton of fun and Willy was bright eared and beautiful. Caity rode great.

The performance took place to the coolest music, choreographed by Rae Lynn Funkhouser who is the Executive Director of the Franklin School of Performing Arts in Franklin, MA. Her husband Bob Funkhouser from Saddle Horse Report, was our breed coordinator and kept everyone organized, upbeat, and perfect! Any other breed demo would be moooooore than fortunate to have that team of professionals putting together their performance!!

It was a quick demo, we had about 10 horses to showcase in 15-20 minutes so individuals had had 2 minutes in the ring to do their thing. That is NOT a lot of time! Everyone packed in all the gaits in that short time, reversed, waved to the crowd and all. Each horse was turned out to perfection, and all of the horses looked like the best that American Saddlebreds could be. Versatile, bright, athletic and heart stopping!


We shopped for a short time- it was crazy and overwhelming. I bought one thing and one thing only. If you can guess what it is, I'll take you on a trail ride. Hint: 10, 40, A-5. No it's not clippers but related and the BEST INVENTION EVER.

This is what Equine Affaire is all about : Getting your ass to the ring on time.

Superfun. Caity and Willy stopped by the Big E's booth in the Better Living Center and found themselves on a poster! Look closely for her seafoam day coat!

Sister Act! Sharon Alemian and Lillian Gilpin showcased Sharon's beautiful five gaited mare LA Lady Pedro. They were a crowd favorite racking and slow gaiting. Courtney Cahill is noticably absent (Sharon and Lill are looking for her?) after she assaulted the back of Nicholas' head with spray glitter. Nicholas it certainly made you sparkle!
I stopped by the ASHA sponsored breed booth in the Stroh Building and saw Ricky Drew from ASAM all smiles as usual-a great supporter of the ASB and the most pleasant and enthusiastic guy you'll ever meet. I also met Mark Strong and Susan Vine who coordinated the booth. They worked so hard to make it possible-great job all.

The worst thing we saw was literally upon arrival, we pulled the trailer around the barn to unload and there in the parking lot was a down horse, and a sizeable crowd- it looked grim and it was. The horse had been euthanized moments earlier. It was no one we knew but our hearts broke for them of course just the same. A professional group quietly assisted, including Nicholas, helping move the horse so it could be transported away- as gently as it was their own dear friend. Horrible thought and ironic among thousands of enthusiasts that this was happening behind the scenes of the demos and seminars, but it's a reality in dealing with these animals we love. Accidents can happen and they do.

On that note, it was a day of highs and lows- and an unforgettable day for a lot of reasons. We arrived home pretty tired!

Equine Affaire

We are pleased to announce our participation tomorrow at one of the country's premiere equine events- Equine Affaire held at the Big E in W. Springfield, MA. We will be showcasing the American Saddlebred in a demo with many other horses of all disciplines with our very special team of Caity Shanafelt and Midnight Eclipse. They will represent the Country Pleasure Division. The demo is around 1pm in the Mallory Building. Please come and look us up, say hello and meet Caity and "Willy" and friends.

An American Saddlebred can take you there!

Here's a moment of concentration preparing Caity and Willy for a large class at Pennsylvania National Horse Show.

Where they received a top ribbon!

First-Ever ASHA Sponsored Presence at Massachusetts Equine Affaire

Lexington, Kentucky – On November 13-16, 2008, the American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) will sponsor a breed booth at the Equine Affaire event, being held at the Eastern States Exposition Center in West Springfield, Massachusetts. Equine Affaire, the nation's premiere national equine exposition and equestrian gathering, organizes four days of clinics, seminars, demonstrations and exhibits, with an expected attendance of tens of thousands of horse people.

"The ASHA booth will feature the versatility of the American Saddlebred Horse, highlighting the 'I’ll Take You There' campaign. This is an unprecedented opportunity for us to engage thousands of people and educate them about the wonderful breed we all love," according to AHSA Charter Club Council leader Susan Vine and Equine Affaire volunteer Mark Strong.

For further information, please contact either Susan Vine (978-266-1266) or Mark Strong (617-922-5501). For a complete schedule of events during the Equine Affaire, visit www.equineaffaire.com.

An Evening of Champions!

Saturday night we attended at the annual ASHA of CT Year End awards banquet hosted by the Wethersfield Country Club. Congratulations to our horses and riders on a great year, and what fun it was to get together and celebrate.

The Connecticut High Point Farm award was won by Villa Stables! What a rush! Congratulations to our wonderful riders and our wonderful horses- this award goes to YOU!

Some highlights from the evening:

Patti is decked out to the nines celebrating her Academy Championships!
Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus and Portay does have a husband! Here is none other than the Big R- Richard- sharing a laugh with The Boss.


Elena swept the Juvenile Country Pleasure Division and won the ASHA's Award as their State Champion- congratulations! Elena also accepted the award for UPHA Classics Champion for CT with Tornaado's Fiz.

Versatility, beauty, grace and manners! No, not Bob's manners- Beau's! Kathleen Osnoe and Harlem's Beau Dandy won both the Fine Harness Champion honors as well as the Show Pleasure Driving top honors along with the ASHA's State Award.

The Shanafelts are a handsome bunch! Happy Birthday CAITY!!!!!!

The littlest guy, last but not least- Sam Villa: Academy Leadline Walk Only Champ

Annie won Championships in two divisions with the one and only DB.

Bobette couldn't be with us due to a committment for tennis but we were proud to collect Mr. Rockefeller's two driving awards- Reserve in the Country Pleasure and Champion in the Open Pleasure.

And our Sympathies to the Dunn family who lost Ellie's father mid week. Patsy was a dual Champion in Academy Walk and Trot this year, in her first year off of the leadline. Hugs to you all and our thanks and congratulations during a rough week for you all.

Here's our happy group, a fun night.

Thanks to the ASHA of CT who made a festive night, raised a tidy sum for Saddlebred Rescue, and made it special for horsemen young and young at heart!

ASHA of Connecticut 2008 High Point Farm Award- Nicholas Villa Stables

Tri State Horseman's Association

We wholeheartedly congratulate our adult Amateur competitors Kim and Erika who received year end high point awards at the Tri State Horseman's Association annual banquet and celebration last Saturday night. The Tri State shows are held in Oneco, CT and are a huge three day affair that goes all day and sometimes into early evening- with a healthy number of entries and multiple rings.

Nicholas and I were proud to attend and enjoy a night of laughs and memories of their successful show season with VHF Tiffany and PM Al a Wishta. Congratulations girls! Erika and Kim do their own shipping and showing at this wonderful local circuit and ship in to us for lessons- which is a whole lot of hard work. What a wonderful night to wind down the season after all of those many hours in the saddle and beyond. We're proud of you!

no PC Friday-Someone was hogging the computer all day!

Please note the following new telephone numbers and mailing address. Thank you.

Nicholas Villa Stables
75 D Reutemann Rd
N. Stonington CT 06359

barn: 860-535-1038
residence: 860-245-5956
cell (Nicholas): 860-599-1990
cell (Sharon) 603-682-6097

Scenes from a Travel Day-en route to Penn National

Hhmph. We call our camper "Aunt Jemimia"-here's the Champagne Lady!
Always take time for a Farmer's Market


Geo. Washington Bridge-Columbus Day

Octoberfest is a "Dandy" "Affair"!

We are so proud to congratulate our Octoberfest stars- Kathleen Osnoe drove to a super win this morning with Harlem's Beau Dandy in a large Show Pleasure Driving class. This team always makes a mannered, pretty picture- all done with style. WAY TO GO!

Nicholas debuted Rosewall's Late Night Affair to a top 3 in a competitive park class- this striking gelding never ever backs an ear, and IS a Keeper! Special congratulations and thanks to Vi for her unfailing support and belief in this beautiful horse.

Rolodex Alert

There is a new phone number for the barn: it is 860-535-1038.

Nicholas Villa Stables moves onward, upwards and indoors!!!!

We're happy to announced that we've moved onwards, upwards and indoors.

Villa Stables has retained a facility just across town to the beautiful 105 acres of 75D Reutemann Road in North Stonington, Connecticut. The facility boasts pastoral privacy that few barns in Southeastern CT have today. Over 30 acres alone is grass turnout space with secure shelters. There is a tack room with hot and cold running water and laundry facilities, a large feed room, an immense 70 X 40 vaulted Lounge with entertainment amenities (Devon Club 5-7) hardwood floors, heat, a restroom and breezy shaded portico overlooking the beautiful fields. There is an INDOOR 110 X 60 riding track, and two outdoor riding rings with all weather footing. There is an on site residence for us as well as what will be eventual staff housing.

We're thrilled to be able to offer year round indoor riding, and evening lessons when necessary.

Come on over!! The next few weeks will be busy, we're still moving and settling in and would love to see you. Rumor has it there are blog pictures of moving day....

Thank you for all of your support through our move. We're grateful to those who are hammering, mowing, painting, hanging buckets, delivering pizza and providing all the moral support!

Sharon and Nicholas

A sincere thank you to Don Sherman for his great hospitality at our previous interim location on Dennison Hill Road.

LOL from LOL cats, some humor on a busy day!

more animals

Inconceivable!

For those who've been inquiring, Miss Bunny is doing great! She is off the leash at the barn all day long and is a jewel about sticking around close by and not going underfoot, no jumping barking, running off. Crate training is going beautifully & Bunny is so smart and affectionate. You can't resist her. She greets visitors warmly and is happy to see everyone. It's nice to have a dog around the barn again.

Nicholas and Bobette say she is going to be smarter than Hilda ever was. I just can't wrap my mind around that. I just flash them the ol' eye roll- smarter than Hil? In the words of Vizzini from the Princess Bride: INCONCEIVABLE!

On another note, check out the US Saddleseat World Cup Team's blog LIVE From South Africa! Our friends from Northwind Stables, Nealia McCracken and Jessie Moctezuma are there and competition begins soon. On the heels of our Autumnal Equinox, they in turn are in the bloom of early Spring of South Africa and their blog really puts you there. Enjoy. You can find it at www.saddlebredrescue.com, scroll down on the right side you'll see it.

Good night, Sharon

Congratulations to our Tri State winners!

Hearty Congratulations to our students Erika and Kim, who were top year end award winners in the largely popular local Tri State Horseman's Association show circuit!

Kim and Erika ship in for lessons and work extremely hard on top of their full time jobs to show as amateur owners- we are extremely proud of their good news. Yay girls- way to go!!!!

Erika & PM Ala Wishta "Al": Top 3 Year End Arab/Half Arab Division

Kim and VHF Tiffany: Res. Grand Champion Morgan Division winner

Best of friends and each biggest fans to each other- congratulations on your achievements.

Madness

MADNESS

Why do I like horses?
I reckon I must be mad.
My mother wasn’t horsey
And neither was my dad.

But the madness hit me early
And it hit me like a curse.
And I’ve never gotten better
In fact I’ve gotten worse.

My stables are immaculate.
My house is like a hovel.
Last year for my birt hday
I got a brand new shovel.

I hardly read a paper
But I know who’s sold their horse
And I wouldn’t watch the news
If Mr. Ed was on, of course.

One eye’s always on the heavens
But my washing waves in vain
As I rush to get the horses in
In case it’s gonna rain.

And though they’re wearing 15 rugs,
The best that you can get,
I bring them in to keep them dry
While I get soaking wet.

I spend up every cent I’ve got
On horsey stuff for sure.
I buy fancy rugs and fancy rugs,
And then I by some more.


I should have had that hair cut
Or bought that nice blue shirt
At least it wouldn’t be now
Ripped to shreds and in the dirt.

I can’t make a bloody sponge cake
I don’t even try
But I can back a car and trailer
In the twinkling of an eye.

It’s pants and R.M. boots
That I live in night and day
And that smell of sweaty horses
Just d oesn’t wash away.

Once in every… now and then
I can dress up for a ball.
Make up and a hairdo
With high heel shoes and all.

I ache from long forgotten falls.
My knees have got no skin.
My toes have gone a funny shape.
From being squashed again.

But late at night, when all is still
And I’ve gone to give them hay,
I touch their velvet softness
And my worries float away.

They give a gentle nicker
And they nuzzle through my hair
And I know it’s where my heart is
More than anywhere.

This Puppy Has Big Shoes To Fill

Welcome Bunny!

This one is working her way into our hearts!

E!

The Big E 2008

Elena is the New England Big E Grand Champ!

The Big E 2008

The Big E was grand! Congratulations:

Bella Dahl and Elena: New England Big E New England Grand Champion Country Pleasure Horse and Reserve Jr. Exhibitor Country Pleasure Champion

Mr. Rockefeller and Bobette: Reserve Country Pleasure Driving Champion

Midnight Eclipse and Caity: Reserve Open Country Pleasure Champion Under Saddle

Midnight's April Dancer and Ann Porte: Reserve Limit Show Pleasure Champion

We are very proud of all of you- and a great time was had by all!

The Big E is a fun place to show. Now that the Saddle Horse show opens before the Fair does the move-in day is a snap and move out is the same old lovely Jed Clampett load up the tractor jam to the exit- but a great time is had by all. At what other horse show can you compile a chowdown on a Maine lobster roll AND a RI Del's lemonade followed by a VT apple crisp with a cool slice of Cabot cheddar? Only the Eastern States Exposition as far as I know! The show committee makes a nice hospitality area for everyone's comfort- where we watched everything from Ike's progress to the Patriot's game and Carol Keller always has a smile for everyone.

Camper livin'! Annie waits for Devon Club to open and sits in front of "Aunt Jemima"- our mobile house of pancakes Patti and Caity pack up after a very successful show, way to go Cait!

Sandy and Mole visited and competed in the Adult Country Pleasure Division. Here she and Annie enjoyed some real mexican food ! Ole! Sally and Copper show us their smiles!

Packing Stage I: Complete

Seen and herd but not pictured:

A milk run for the over 21 crowd

Auntie's "29th" birthday

A lovely rooftop cocktail party-thank you Big E!

A certain Someone who HATES packing the bike turns a blind eye to IT BEING BACKED OVER

A couple girls are not afraid to say Jesus- nor a few other creative phrases

Football (??)

Jessie Moctezuma wins the New England Medal! Yay Yessie!

The best item sighted for sale at the fair Look we didn't forget the hose this time! (Well, almost) The mares circle thru the GARBAGE left from the kids in line for the Danity Kane concert on their way to the trailer to ship home.

Hurricane Hanna

A long night last night with an overnight power outage, stifling humidity (NO fan or air conditioning during the outage!) just the sound of driving rain and rattling winds all night long. The storm was gone by 3:45 AM, power came back on about then, and I woke up at 6 to zero humidity and brilliant blue skies! Last night seemed like 72 hours and a full season blowing thru in just a few short hours. The barn, the horses and everything fared just fine, for which we are grateful. Our thoughts are with those battening down the hatches for Ike.

Back to business! I promise "small" exciting news tomorrow!

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you

Happy Birthday Dear Nicholas, happy birthday to you!

A few last photos from Stake Night and safe travels home. It was a wonderful successful week, congratulations to everyone who worked so hard to get there and made their dreams come to life!

Sam and his cousin Raffi mug for the camera back at the stalls on Stake Night. Nicholas' sister Kuka is in the background.

Kuka (left) Nicholas (right) and their nephew Berto in the middle. Berto and his wife Christina are expecting a baby in the Spring~ Congratulations!

A blurry photo of Our Charming Lady from upstairs, this year's WGC 3 gaited horse. She is beautiful.
Our Charming Lady with 'friends' in the winners circle!

The eventual World's 5 gaited Grand Champion Breaking News bursts into the ring!

After a 5 horse workout everyone waits (check out the crowd at the outgate) for results.

ALERT!!!! DIESEL IN WV AT LESS THAN FOUR DOLLARS A GALLON! If that's not blogworty what is?

The Blue Ridge Mountains are beautiful..........

Somewhere in WV, so beautiful I was almost glad we weren't traveling at night

Beauty everywhere you look, at least a long drive home was interesting!