From 55 to 13 degrees with a 30 mph wind! What a difference a week makes!

On Monday we had sideways rain and mild temps. Today the only thing going sideways was an empty cardboard box that blew off my deck and away like a flash sideways into the wind! What a difference a few days makes.

Our yellow kitten is missing as of last night. We tucked him into the barn late yesterday afternoon & he did not show up for breakfast. He's 7 months old, if you're reading this & know about cats could he possibly have hit the road looking for a girlfriend? I'll wait for him to come home before I make that phone call about neutering, if he gets wind he'll surely be hasta la vista. I hope he's OK. I've looked everywhere including tack trunks, rafters and every bin we have. Don't ask me how I know to look there...........Anyone fellow alum Wilson Women remember when Zorro kitty spent the weekend in Jeannine's tack trunk? When she got home from the Burgh for the weekend and opened the trunk to get a treat for Rocky out leaped a very aggravated Zorro! YOWL!~

We are again hosting a February Vacation day camp the week of 2/15 and I'll post the details here. North Stonington schools do NOT have a winter week off this year. North Stonington students that wish to attend are welcome on just Monday & Tuesday and we will prorate fees accordingly.

Stay warm and think good thoughts for our kitty, I'm going back down to look around.

All the best, Sharon

THIS JUST IN! *********UPDATE************* KITTY FOUND
Nicholas found yellow kitty outside, he must have been shut out this morning when we turned horses out! But here's the kicker. Nicholas found him in the stone wall in the hollowed out nest where he was born! Smart little guy....... Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home. He was loud, alert and HUNGRY! All's well that ends well.

"Winning is only half of it, having fun is the other half!" E.O. "Bum" Phillips

Low pressure coming through New England during the midday today- looking out the window to blustery wind and sideways rain. The horses are all tucked in & some who have a choice are standing outside in it! It's one of those mysteries of life with horses on why some of them choose to stand in the weather no matter how awful it is than what we perceive to be the haven of shelter. After thousands and thousands of years of evolution it's just one of those things you don't mess with with horses. They as a rule have such a strong self preservation intinct that you just gotta leave it alone...


Right now we're looking forward to Ladies' Night on Thursday Feb. 11th with a fun Zumba session of Latin Dance & aerobics! Ladies' Night is educational and always fun! By popular demand we are calling for the Ladies' Night Men's Invitational as well, so the boys are welcome this time too! Please contact me for a ride or drive time on the 11th.

February is Frosty but FUN with a day camp during school vacation week 2/15-20. Cost is $250 for the week with a discount of $25 to those who sign up prior to 2/1! Please call for more information.

Nicholas and I greatly enjoyed an afternoon (into the evening!) of football for the AFC & NFC Conference titles last night- up to the wee hours for the nailbiter between the Vikings & Saints. I am so happy for the City of New Orleans- to see such elation and joy in the Superdome was so ironic to imagine it was also where people lay dying when it was underwater just after Hurricane Katrina. I was just like the spectators last night rooted to the spot that couldn't leave their seats after the game. There was some magic to it, for sure. 16 seconds or so from the Vikings attempting a close range field goal and then to winning a coin toss & a making a lengthy field goal attempt. As competitors ourselves, with a love for all sports, we were riveted.

I was up late reflecting on it last night and remember so well we were shipping horses home so happy from the World's Championship Horse Show in Louisville that year as Katrina was hitting to the South. We had stopped in a rest area off of the NY State Thruway & stood soberly surrounded many other travelers watching the radar on a television as the storm literally descended upon the city of New Orleans.

It seems so funny now that our phones all can get the radar for any city in the world basically yet back in 2005 we had to rely on a Rest Area tv tuned into the Weather Channel to get the latest. I'd also like to point out that I'd love to be a fly on the wall if Jay Leno & Brett Favre had a chat this week about retiring while still on top. But I digress.........

Back to the drive home from Louisville 2005.......I thought about the Jazz band that peformed a couple of nights earlier at the horse show during the retirement of the beautiful American Saddlebred, Americana's Jazz Man. The band was from New Orleans & talk about charisma! Next to the beautiful Saddlebred showing off in his final performance they both brought Freedom Hall to its' feet all the way to the rafters! I wondered what the band went home to after that retirement ceremony- and I thought about them again last night.
"Laissez les bon temps rouler!" And on we go.....

Also thought about legendary (#8 on the NFL's list of all time characters in the league!) NFL coach E.O. "Bum" Phillips who resigned from the New Orleans Saints the day after winning a game (ironically) against the Vikings who said:

"Winning is only half of it.

Having fun is the other half. "

Have a super day! I wish you blue ribbons, and most importantly the having fun, as well!

Sharon

A very busy week!

Busy & Happy days around the farm!



Thursday we had a super Ladies' Night with a large attendance. If you haven't come to one of these fetes yet, you are missing a super good time. We had a large group of very enthusiastic riders. Ladies' Night rides (and drives!) work on the basics, and strength & balancing exercises on mostly lesson horses. Here and there we do a show horse demonstration under saddle, or driving. After riding, we convene to our cozy lounge by the fire for a light supper, desserts and a guest speaker of my choosing. We have had equine nutritionists, massage therapists, a horse communicator, and for this month: a comfort food theme: complete with Stacey Hewes, our Pampered Chef Consultant, Saddlebred Rescue Cookbooks for sale, and a light supper of Golden Mushroom soup, Warm Moscatelli pasta salad with feta and roasted vegetables done by Sneekers Cafe in Groton, CT followed by Polynesian Pineapple Surprise & Raspberry Fudge Trifle for dessert by Denis & Stacey respectively.

Jane & Stacey strategize on their baking tips!

A man dropped in! Anything goes at Ladies' Night!
A "standing" ovation............. Upon exiting the restroom our January token man cleared his throat and proudly proclaimed to the room......... "I'd like to make an announcement please! The seat? Is DOWN. I am 76 years old and I can be trained." He brought down not just the seat, but the house to roars of laughter! We are considering a Ladies' Night Male Invitational for Feb. 11th! Write your thoughts in the comments section!

Our next Ladies' Night is Thursday, February 11th. We will ride, enjoy a light supper & have a short demonstration by Raeleen on "Zumba!" It's a fitness program using resistance training, latin music and dance, where the motto is "Ditch the workout, join the party!" Sounds good so far!? We're looking forward to giving it a try. The one second from the left (below) is excited to pack another outfit!

On Sunday I traveled to Massachusetts to judge one of the UPHA Chapter 14 Winter Tournaments @ High Tail Acres Equestrian Center, and had a lovely time. The Deltorichio family and their customers graciously hosted the tournament & opened the barn, sparing no detail on comfort to horse and human, to 60+ riders and 8 participating stables. It was very rewarding to see so many young people & adults so enthusiastic about their riding & deliver a showing of their best skills. Each rider really tried their best from tall to small. Some had butterflies, some didn't- all worked through the nipping cold with smiles & their best efforts and most importantly sportsmanship & a love for their horses.

Highlights for me were the singing of our National Anthem- a wonderful way to start the program & sung in an outstanding fashion by a pre-teen High Tail Acres tournament rider, the leadliner who answered (correctly) what her stirrup was called who afterward looked truly puzzled on why the lady judging didn't know what a stirrup was :-) and of course, the FABULOUS food. Hey these are MY highlights, after all.

Monday was a day off of school in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and we had day camp here at the farm! Up & at 'em for another long day. So worth it though, two days with horsey-kids is a learning experience & inspiring! One long talk we had on Monday was how is that we can put so much energy into hours of work at the barn with no complaint but find it difficult to summon a speck of enthusiasm for even five minutes cleaning our rooms?! The answer was unanimous .........."Because it's the BARN!"

A totem pole of kids peeking in on us.. Pablo too! MEOW

Oh how I remember how time flew at the barn when I was a kid & what a haven it was. How I loved everything about it. The sight, the smells, the sounds, and most importantly time with the horses. It was a dream as a child to spend the day at the barn.

Things you don't find playing X Box: The kids found this perfectly symmetrical birds nest sewn with horsehair from each horse in the lower barn: beautiful

We made many discoveries at camp & worked on vocabulary, safety skills, bareback riding, did balancing games and winter grooming strategies. Big fun at the barn!!


Our next camp will be over February Winter School Vacation. Call if you are interested!

Signing off, Sharon

January Ladies' Night Thursday 1/14

Our first Ladies' Night of 2010 is scheduled for Thursday January 14, 2010 beginning around 6pm- please join us for a riding or driving lesson, followed by a light supper and a short lecture geared to equestriennes of all ages.

Please join us for this very popular, fun and educational series!

Cost: $40 for riders

$20 for non-riders

RSVP to villastables@gmail.com or the barn at 860-535-1038 & for your riding/driving time

Happy New Year! Bring on 2010!

Happy New Year, bloggers!

Our farm blog went on hiatus for show season when we got busy with things, and that's sad! We had so much fun and everyone worked so hard to incredible deserved rewards- it was a blue ribbon year! Here's the blog back for 2010 and one resolution on my list is to blog more- we at Nicholas Villa Stables wish you a blue ribbon year & a happy and healthy 2010.

Happy Holidays from all of us!

April Ladies Night: matah ball soup & massage = FUN

Get down here for the next one- TBA on a Thursday Night in May!

I was happy to sit down and enjoy a steaming bowl of Annie's matzah ball soup! The soupmaker sits down with Jessie for a well deserved and wonderful hand massage. We all enjoyed Jessie's array of professional treatments.
Susan did such a GREAT job in her lesson that we won't scold her about sitting up for the picture. LOL
Gretchen is always a lot of fun and Ladies Night is par for the course.
These lovely and enthusiastic participants relax after their ride.
Wende wins the door prize with these answers, we laughed so hard!
Jessie our massage therapist gets her turn from Sam...

Please Vote! Please RSVP!

2 quick items for this morning...

1) The Saddle Horse Report has a poll up measuring interest in the National UPHA Convention being held in Boston! If you would attend, PLEASE go to www.saddlehorsereport.com and on the upper right hand corner, VOTE YES!

2) Ladies Night is tomorrow night, and today is the last day to RSVP. I have a massage therapist lined up, as well as some fun riding exercises and informational topics for Spring. Ladies Night is FUN! And EDUCATIONAL!

Stray Cat Rides on the jog cart with Nicholas today at NVS!

Well, now that I have your attention, Happy April Fool's Day!

I do have big stray cat news, though! The update on my feline friend is that when I call her as I put out her feed she comes running to me eagerly and lets me pet her while she eats. She is definately a tortie in color and therefore female, and has a swing to her belly which I am certain is not the rations I've been putting out. It's probably kittens..... And she's "my" cat, she runs away from everyone else who ventures out that way. I'll try to take some more pictures on a nice day.

Oh and she has a name: Perry. The real Perry, is a friend of a friend and wrote the movie Mystic Pizza (filmed just down the road!).

Speaking of kittens, June will be busting out all over, because *both* of our minis are in foal! Nicholas and I took the winter blanket off one of them for a driving lesson and WHAMO she was weeble shaped- we both were like "Uhhh oooh". Bobette, and Patti and I all bought minis in October and at the time we knew the 2 mares had been with a stallion for 30 days but had no idea if they were in foal. Well. It looks like they are.

Bobette's mini, Pumpkin an adorable adolescent colt that's pinto in color is in therapy training! While we work the show horses we often see Bobette teaching Pumpkin tricks and working on the clicker training- and hear the pitter patter of little teeny hooves in the lounge as he learns about furniture, and carpet. Nicholas gives the eye roll and shakes his head but we all know he secretly thinks it is a hoot! Nicholas, ya softie!


Congratulations are in order to Patti Shanafelt on her acquisition of Amber One Up for the American Saddlebred Hunter Country Pleasure Division. Cater Stables assisted as the agent. Amber is a huge gorgeous chestnut mare with a white face, and she's a joy to have around.

Kimberly Martin of Warwick, RI is joining our show string and leasing the gorgeous campaigner Hero's Legend of the Knight. Kim is fun to have with us and a joy to watch spending time with this great gelding.


CAMP CAMP CAMP CAMP

Summer Camp dates are up on the website- I can't wait for all of the fun we are going to have with the mini foals, the kittens, horse shows, riding, going on the trails and enjoying the farm- please inquire with Sharon for details at 860-535-1038.

April Vacation Day Camp is available this year by the DAY or the full week. Dates are April 13-17. Enrollment is limited so sign up today!

The UPHA Chapter 14 Spring Premiere Horse Show is coming fast! We are bringing 10 horses and have heard that turnout and entries are up and very promising. Can't wait to be back in show season again. Good times, great rides, great friends! It's been an especially long winter!

Ladies Night this month is April 9th, next Thursday. The last one was a complete success- we sent out two trail rides of ladies over to the vineyard. The farm borders the Jonathan Edwards Winery, (www.jedwardswinery.com) whose property used to be part of this farm, so we have an easement and permission to ride there. It is so beautiful and more than once after the ride we have packed up and driven over (with a designated driver!) by auto for a glass of their finest chardonnay, such fun! They make Napa Valley wines here in CT. We always meet the most interesting people there and they love the horses.

If you're reading this, please come to Ladies Night! We would love to see you- new faces and old friends are welcomed. The cost is $40 and includes a riding lesson as well as a light supper and beverages. If you choose not to ride, we ask for a $10 donation of which a portion goes to Saddlebred Rescue, Inc. Give so they Live!!!!

Those are the updates, thank you for reading and see you soon!

And it goes out like a lamb...

Remember March 1? A snow storm? Well March did come in like a Lion and it went out like a Lamb. It was beautiful today, 60 degrees in bright warm sunshine. I have a lot to catch up on with the blog from March 12th! I will bring you up to speed on the updates tomorrow.

I *DO* have an update on our wild kitty for you! How's that for the teaser?

NVS Summer Day Camp Dates

Horsin' Around- Summer Fun!

SUMMER DAY CAMP DATES

Monday-Friday FULL DAY Cost: $350 HALF DAY $200
the weeks of:
July 6
July 13
August 3
August 10

Tiny Tots Mini Camp 6/29, 30, 7/1 ages 7 & Under HALF DAY $100

For more information, to register call 860-535-1038

Kitty Cam?

I have had requests for Kitty Cam! Well, wow, that would be hi-tech for the fields and rock walls of North Stonington, so I'm blogging an update.

A friend thinks that due to the color, possibly a tri-color, we have a she-kitty on our hands, first of all. Secondly, I was out there over the weekend and our wild kitty went FLYING out of the highest level of the hay feeder. She was sleeping in the hay there while the horses ate, so that must be her house!

I'll keep you posted...

Visitor

For the past week or so we've had a visitor- a tiny and wild adolescent grey striped tiger kitty. Nicholas keeps tabs on his whereabouts and said he thought he was living out by the lesson horses somewhere. Well, as evidenced by photos (albeit far away!) I took this morning, he's turned one of the lesson horses into a cat condo!

Beautiful coverage of the February UPHA Winter Tournament by Mary Beth Alosa Photography

I had a wonderful time last Sunday officiating at the UPHA Winter Tournament horse show held at Cater Stables. Kristen, David and Mary are great hosts. There was a great turnout and Mother Nature blessed us with mild temperatures. I had great fun working from the center of the ring with ringmaster Gary Saccocia, Jr. who many of your know is half of our amazing dental team of Dad and son. Gary Sr. and Jr. are the finest professionals and wonderful friends.

Mary Beth Alosa photographed the event and proofs can be seen at http://www.alosaphotography.com/

"MB" worked so hard all day to get it all right: the timing, the light, the emotion, the moment that we all love to see captured (especially Moms and Dads- I can say this as a horse show Mom!). You can lose yourself in all of MB's beautiful images, take some time to check out her portfolios.

Check out the future of equitation! All of these tots were able to tell me where their heels are supposed to go, what those funny silver things their feet go into are called, and what color their horses were. More than a couple looked at me like they were surprised a grown up didn't know what color their horse was, which was unexpected and made me laugh!

Maggie has everything in place perfectly! Mom & Instructor Kim Timmons of Afterthought Farm brought several riders out who showed equal form and poise.

Johnny Lettre showed us all how hard he has been working on his posting this winter. Mom Sarah looks on- in a rare moment of holding still! Sarah does a phenomenal job organizing and coordinating the Chapter 14's Winter Tournamnent Series.

All business!

All photos are courtesy of Mary Beth Alosa and Alosa Photography. http://www.alosaphotography.com/

Oh except for this one below of "Baby Girl" Cater! I took it. Hence the tail only half in the photo. Horse show fans, do you remember the tiny days old abandoned kitten found abandoned out behind one of the back barns during Big E 2008? Kristen adopted her and literally brought her back to life. As Mrs. Spann explained to me that she's become "half dog and half human". She is a member of the family, is thriving and adorable!!!!!

Fun with the NVS Ladies

If you haven't made it to Ladies Night here's what you missed! Please join us at the next one, taking place on March 19th. We've been having a great time, improving our riding in a supportive fun environment, working on strength and balance exercises to launch us ahead for show season and trail riding days ahead.

Jaclyn from Nutrena speaks to an enthusiastic crowd.

Ladies Night featured a seminar with Jaclyn Gallant, our Equine Nutrition Specialist at Nutrena. She explained the choices we make for our horses and the superiority of it over other programs based on predispositions and needs of performance show horses. Jaclyn offers us wonderful support. One of the services she offers is testing the quality and composition of our hay, which we appreciate. Kit took home information shared by Jaclyn. A majority of our Ladies Night participants are horse (and donkey!) owners, who not only keep them here but set up horsekeeping at home.

Every one very much enjoyed the information she shared with us on Thursday and left with all of our questions answered.

Gretchen is all smiles after her ride!

Shanafelt. Caity Shanafelt 007.

Jane had a blast & did not complain even one time about the english saddle.

Patti & her 4 legged friend both have their ears up!

Jaclyn and Tiffany were pretty as a picture.

Annie not only found time to laugh, ride and have fun but cater the party with her delicious Cajun sweet potato and crab bisque.

Kit and I discuss if there is life without donkeys...

Trust me, you don't wanna know.
There was a red wine spill here moments earlier. In yet another educational moment brought to you by NVS Ladies Night we learned to assist in cleanup pour a little (eek!) white wine (trust me it was a sacrifice) on top of the red wine to dilute it and you're on the road to NO stain!
See you on March 19th! Advance reservations are required, email Sharon @ villastables@gmail.com or call: 860-535-1038.

And we close with the smoooooth sounds of Mr. Zac Casey who popped in to serenade us. It takes a brave man to drop in on Ladies Night, ground where even Nicholas fears to tread. Enjoy!

www.wagonteamster.com

This is about the saddest thing I've heard in a long time.

A man named Bob Skelding, from Deerfield, NH where we travel frequently to horse shows, went off last fall in a custom made wagon and 4 Percherons to travel across the country. He was struck by a tractor trailer in Mississippi yesterday, two of his beautiful horses were killed & the other two trapped in the wreckage for some time. Bob is in critical condition and family members are lucky to be not severely injured.

Here's a link to some of the news footage: http://www.mahalo.com/Bob_Skelding

and a link to his blog, which is entertaining as well as inspiring. Chillingly it ends abruptly on 2/9.

http://www.wagonteamster.com/index.html

Get well, Bob and our prayers are with you.

This weather! Don't leave home without this!

Girls, don't head to the barn without this. As a former Burt's Beeswax lip balm fan, I'm onto something far superior- it's like a pamper and a spa treatment each and every time you use it! We're all miserable in this humdinger of a winter but do we need chapped lips on top of it? I don't think so!

Smith's Rosebud Salve

Congratulations, Caity!

Congratulations to the Shanafelt family on their acquisition of Charm's Choice!

This expressive youngster is no stranger to the winner's circle in the Pleasure divisions up and down the East Coast. We are pleased to have him in our program and welcome "Junior!" Thank you to former owner Erika Faulkner and former trainer Rob Turner and L.M. Turner Stable for their assistance in the sale.

New owner: Caity Shanafelt

Proud Family: Mr & Mrs Tab Shanafelt and Mr & Mrs William Fraad, Greenwich, CT

A New Way to Long Line (hardy har har)

Forget bicycles, I'm getting Nicholas a Unicycle!

The Deep Freeze!

It's been a couple days of preparation, unhooking hoses, checking windows for seals and drafts, giving extra hay and making sure everyone has fresh running open water and so far so good! Our barn has not dipped inside below 35 degrees which is wonderful and the horses' exercise and work can continue business as usual. A routine is important with horses and keeping a regular turnout, feeding and work schedule is your best friend during crazy weather fluctuations.

The worst business has been outside. We got a couple hours of rain on Tuesday night that flash froze later in the evening and left a glaze on everything out doors. Everyone is watching their step & it looks like that won't melt anytime soon.

I learned that I fumble unloading grain sacks with winter gloves on- is it just me? Am I the only one who can't get the usual grip and positioning to get the job done? Is this a phenomenon? Probably just me and a habit. In the end I ditched the gloves and had it unloaded in half the time. Think of those August days where we hear "Ugh it's so humid! It's too hot to ride!" haha

Have a great day. Stay warm.

It's Ladies Night!

"If you hear any noise, it ain't the boys
It's a Ladies Night!"



Happy Instructors grateful for their hot chocolate! !?!

"Oh yes it's ladies night, and the feeling's right" Go Wendell!

"Oh what a night!" Erika and Bobette compare notes on wonderful Willy
"You can fulfill all your dreams" I think this thumbs up is for no stirrups!
"Steppin out on Ladies Night"
"Come on you Disco Laaaady" Best of Friends Kim, Erika and Willy