Absolutely THE most exciting news of the season! I almost drove off the road when I saw THIS sign in front of Tim Horton's! Del's! Whoopee!!!!
Home of fine American Saddlebred Horses. Welcome to the farm blog! What's been seen & "herd"? Read on! Thanks for joining us.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Thursday, May 22, 2008
PLEASE VOTE FOR SADDLEBRED RESCUE
Saddlebred Rescue is one of the organizations selected to receive a donation from Search Kindly, a non-profit organization dedicated to the idea of micro-volunteerism and micro-philanthropy.
To ensure Saddlebred Rescue wins they need supporter’s votes. Please visit www.searchkindly.org and vote for Saddlebred Rescue.
It's just a couple of clicks, you don't need to sign up or register for anything! You can vote every 8 hours, please vote and vote often. Voting ends Sunday May 25.
For more information visit http://www.saddlebredrescue.com/
To remind you: Saddlebred Rescue found Sam's beloved Baby Pony. He's gone from being too skinny even for his halter...
To this!
To ensure Saddlebred Rescue wins they need supporter’s votes. Please visit www.searchkindly.org and vote for Saddlebred Rescue.
It's just a couple of clicks, you don't need to sign up or register for anything! You can vote every 8 hours, please vote and vote often. Voting ends Sunday May 25.
For more information visit http://www.saddlebredrescue.com/
To remind you: Saddlebred Rescue found Sam's beloved Baby Pony. He's gone from being too skinny even for his halter...
To this!
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Friday, May 16, 2008
Next Stop: The Devon Horse Show and Country Fair
We are excited to be preparing for Devon, a very special horse show with a feel like no other. We let these photos from last year speak for themselves- the beauty of the the 2007 Devon Saddlebred Country Pleasure Driving Grand Champion, Bobette's very special horse Midnight Eclipse in the surroundings of the beautiful Dixon Oval. The tradition, the pomp, it's a special place to exhibit!
Come be a part of it!
Thursday, May 15, 2008
NH Mother's Day Horse Show Part DOS
Sweeping dirt. A Deerfield phenomenon.
Here's Cait and Hero!!! Hard work pays off: YAAAAAAAAAY CAIT!
Wait, wait wait: "WORD!" (is that right????)
From the beginnings...
From the beginnings...
To the show ring! 
Grandma Annette attended the show with great gusto & enthusiasm: Here she is feeding a treat (Patti must be creating a diversion so Nicholas misses this one entirely!)
Warm up... Concentration.... Preparation...
New Hampshire Horse and Trail Association- May 9-11 NEW BEGINNINGS! HARD WORK PAYING OFF! AND A VERY HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!
Congratulations horses and riders! It was a weekend of new beginnings and the reward of seeing hard work paying off. We are so very proud of all of our horses and riders, way to go!
Peeking out there next to Nicholas is Kathleen Osnoe who made her under saddle debut as the Open Park Grand Champion with her wonderful multi-titled driving horse Harlem's Beau Dandy. They were a sight!
Next stop Dixon Oval !!
The busiest rider of the weekend was Caity who rode AND drove this weekend! Congrats Caity on your Reserve Grand Championship with Jackson in the Saddlebred Hunter Country Pleasure Division- PATIENCE-PERSISTENCE-PERSEVERENCE-PERFECTION!
See spots before your very eyes in the Dixon Oval, just around the corner!
Bella, Bella!
It was Bella Dahl with owner/rider Elena trotting down victory lane as Three Gaited Country Pleasure Champion and Grand Champion. Catch them next at Devon as well!
Patsy shows the world how it's "Dunn" in her first ever debut out of leadline! Congratulations to Patsy and the wonderful 21 years young VHF Tiffany. Patsy rides in the Academy division designed for beginning show riders- many World Champion show riders start out in the Academy division- it's fun FUN FUN!
Speaking of Academy, it's not just for the middle school crowd! Here is Patti glowing after her blue ribbon ride on Hero in the Academy Adult Walk and Trot class. Hero joined our program thru the wonderful efforts of Saddlebred Rescue. Looking for a lesson horse? Western horse? Trail horse? Show horse? Loving pasture buddy horse? Visit www.saddlebredrescue.com
Awesome ride, Patti! Grampa Bill, photographer, cheerleader and boot polisher extraordinare beams on!
Thursday, May 8, 2008
"WHOA POKEY WHOA!"
When a peaceful ride on the range goes rodeo! This makes me crack up every time I see it. It's an outtake from a TV piece of my musical hero Corb Lund. ******warning**** there is a deleted expletive right at the end.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Johnny Roughcut 1991-2008
Johnny Roughcut (Santana's Magician X Hide-A-Way's Fire Eyes)
It was with deep sadness I learned from Diane Wentz that the wonderful gelding Johnny Roughcut died this winter after a colic that was irreparable following findings in surgery.
We were fortunate to have Johnny with us for several years- he was a tall handsome coppery chestnut gelding with a perfect diamond shaped star- hence his name. After his rides he would "talk" to you all about it and flap his lips until his peppermint came. Johnny was one of the kindest horses I ever met and a complete gentlemen in every aspect of his demeanor and generous with his affection to his riders.
His final home was Wentz Stables in Pennsylvania and there he had a big fan club- in addition to ours. We watched him and cheered for Johnny and his new riders & I always sought him out at shows to bring him a mint and give him a hug. The Wentzes gave him the best of care and attention and most importantly their hearts. Johnny, til we meet again may you gallop in green fields. No one had a bigger heart than you. Godspeed.
It was with deep sadness I learned from Diane Wentz that the wonderful gelding Johnny Roughcut died this winter after a colic that was irreparable following findings in surgery.
We were fortunate to have Johnny with us for several years- he was a tall handsome coppery chestnut gelding with a perfect diamond shaped star- hence his name. After his rides he would "talk" to you all about it and flap his lips until his peppermint came. Johnny was one of the kindest horses I ever met and a complete gentlemen in every aspect of his demeanor and generous with his affection to his riders.
His final home was Wentz Stables in Pennsylvania and there he had a big fan club- in addition to ours. We watched him and cheered for Johnny and his new riders & I always sought him out at shows to bring him a mint and give him a hug. The Wentzes gave him the best of care and attention and most importantly their hearts. Johnny, til we meet again may you gallop in green fields. No one had a bigger heart than you. Godspeed.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Scenes from the UPHA Ch 14 Spring Premiere Horse Show
Congratulations to all of our horse and rider combinations who debuted at the Spring Premiere Horse Show. The weather cooperated, and a great time was had by all and we are proud to have taken home many top ribbons and laid down many superb performances!
Friday Night's "Pink Ribbon Night" raised more than $30,000 for the Susan G. Komen Foundation and will go toward Breast Cancer research. UPHA set a national 2008 goal to raise $100,000 at Chapter horse shows across the country. Chapter 14 should be very proud to have raised ONE THIRD of that goal in one night!
Kathy and Beau are pretty in pink on Friday night! Right down to Beau's pink mane ribbon!!
Who's that short guy hiding in the pink Fennell's ballcap behind that beautiful fine harness horse???? Hmmm.....
These two top ribbon winners rode their pleasure horses with style, confidence and great skill as well as...a certain blue bicycle!
"Anyone need anything at the show office?"
Monday, April 21, 2008
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
GUESS AND GET A PRIZE!
Can YOU guess?
What was the one solitary item left forgotten in Nicholas' suit coat pocket that I found when I took it out to press it? Come on! If you know him well enough this is EASY!
Guess correctly and you win a prize!
What was the one solitary item left forgotten in Nicholas' suit coat pocket that I found when I took it out to press it? Come on! If you know him well enough this is EASY!
Guess correctly and you win a prize!
Saturday, April 5, 2008
ANNOUNCING THE KICK OFF OF "THE RIDING SCHOOL" AT VILLA STABLES
Yesterday we kicked off The Riding School program with great success! This new offering is a limited enrollment opportunity for horse crazy children to receive FREE RIDING & HORSEMANSHIP INSTRUCTION. Preference will be given to those with financial need with our goal being to ensure FREE open access to safe, professional horsemanship instruction for ANY child with the desire to learn. The Riding School rolls into action on Friday afternoons from 4:30-6pm.
The Riding School program has received press in nationally distributed industry publications, please refer to the following release from the Saddle Horse Report (http://www.saddlehorsereport.com/)
For more information about The Riding School at Villa Stables please call 860-599-1990. We are also looking for experienced volunteers to assist on Friday afternoons.
Free Riding Lessons at Villa Stables
The brainstorm of Sharon Ellingwood and her husband, Nicholas Villa, of Villa Stables, North Stonington, Ct., Villa Stables is offering a program which gives free riding lessons to kids whose families are unable to afford the cost.
"Our goal is to open our barn doors to horse loving kids denied access to professional riding because of the cost," said Ellingwood.
Nicholas Villa Stables is a public riding lesson facility also offering boarding and training for American Saddlebred and Morgan show horses.
We are proud to add to our roster of services this new, limited enrollment program making it possible for kids to receive riding instruction and learn horsemanship at no cost," continued Ellingwood. "Horses help children in a special way to grow in mind, body and soul as they have their real life chance to sprout their wings, get riding instruction from professionals and live a dream."
The requirement for enrolling in the program is an existing passion for horses that is unfulfilled due to financial constraints. It is necessary to fill out an application, and references are required. The four-week session will begin March 28 and will be held on Fridays from 4–6 p.m. for riders eight and older.
"Not only will this give back to kids who need the leg up, we will boost the exposure to American Saddlebreds," said Villa. "In this lagging economy, everyone is cutting back on their discretionary spending on things from horse show travel all the way down to beginner riding lessons. This pinch in the economy is going to be felt not just for a show season, but more importantly, for years to come when we aren’t getting the numbers of American Saddlebred owners at the entry level.
"To invest our time into a free program is to invest in our collective future. Kids, teachers, guidance counselors, librarians and all who refer to us will have a lasting impression of the American Saddlebred. They will be the horses that are remembered in the hearts of all this program will touch."
The Riding School program has received press in nationally distributed industry publications, please refer to the following release from the Saddle Horse Report (http://www.saddlehorsereport.com/)
For more information about The Riding School at Villa Stables please call 860-599-1990. We are also looking for experienced volunteers to assist on Friday afternoons.
Free Riding Lessons at Villa Stables
The brainstorm of Sharon Ellingwood and her husband, Nicholas Villa, of Villa Stables, North Stonington, Ct., Villa Stables is offering a program which gives free riding lessons to kids whose families are unable to afford the cost.
"Our goal is to open our barn doors to horse loving kids denied access to professional riding because of the cost," said Ellingwood.
Nicholas Villa Stables is a public riding lesson facility also offering boarding and training for American Saddlebred and Morgan show horses.
We are proud to add to our roster of services this new, limited enrollment program making it possible for kids to receive riding instruction and learn horsemanship at no cost," continued Ellingwood. "Horses help children in a special way to grow in mind, body and soul as they have their real life chance to sprout their wings, get riding instruction from professionals and live a dream."
The requirement for enrolling in the program is an existing passion for horses that is unfulfilled due to financial constraints. It is necessary to fill out an application, and references are required. The four-week session will begin March 28 and will be held on Fridays from 4–6 p.m. for riders eight and older.
"Not only will this give back to kids who need the leg up, we will boost the exposure to American Saddlebreds," said Villa. "In this lagging economy, everyone is cutting back on their discretionary spending on things from horse show travel all the way down to beginner riding lessons. This pinch in the economy is going to be felt not just for a show season, but more importantly, for years to come when we aren’t getting the numbers of American Saddlebred owners at the entry level.
"To invest our time into a free program is to invest in our collective future. Kids, teachers, guidance counselors, librarians and all who refer to us will have a lasting impression of the American Saddlebred. They will be the horses that are remembered in the hearts of all this program will touch."
Monday, March 31, 2008
Nicholas 1, Radio 0
Having the vet over for routine spring vaccinations is a good day that we always enjoy. I guess to some, spending two hours in an environment with dozens upon dozens of needles doesn't sound like fun. The 1200 pound beasties being stuck with them "surprise!" waking them from their cozy accomodations and naps and daydreams might agree with you. It is an important day for our herd's health. We have the vet there for routine work which is a low key visit, there isn't a crampy colic or cut needing stitches.
The enjoying part is that we get to chat with our vet about new science, and spend time going over each horse, sharing our parasite control rotation and latest feed strategies. We discuss their overall health and any concerns and questions about attitude, appetite, their job, and everything from their hair coat to their manure in the quest to keep them happy and healthy. He gives suggestions and shares new technologies, sports medicine advances and new studies that are out.
The most surprising thing I heard today from the Doc was that he just read a study in racehorses that shows playing a radio in the barn, even soft music, can contribute to ULCERS!
Nicholas smile brightened up the aisle with that news!
Nicholas 1, Radio 0.
The enjoying part is that we get to chat with our vet about new science, and spend time going over each horse, sharing our parasite control rotation and latest feed strategies. We discuss their overall health and any concerns and questions about attitude, appetite, their job, and everything from their hair coat to their manure in the quest to keep them happy and healthy. He gives suggestions and shares new technologies, sports medicine advances and new studies that are out.
The most surprising thing I heard today from the Doc was that he just read a study in racehorses that shows playing a radio in the barn, even soft music, can contribute to ULCERS!
Nicholas smile brightened up the aisle with that news!
Nicholas 1, Radio 0.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
TGIF Musical Intermission- from The Corb Lund Band
"mighty neighborly...miiiiiiiiightly neighborly"
Since Sammy has the sniffles, & this is his favorite (knows it by heart) let's repeat this song for this week's Friday's musical intermission.
Don't ya secretly wish in Spring that MUD was a cash crop?
Since Sammy has the sniffles, & this is his favorite (knows it by heart) let's repeat this song for this week's Friday's musical intermission.
Don't ya secretly wish in Spring that MUD was a cash crop?
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Well Said!
Ten Ways Horses Build Character in Children
by: Sean Russell
by: Sean Russell
1. Learn Responsibility - Horses will teach your child responsibility very quickly. Make sure that your child does all the work involved in caring for the horse. Everything from feeding, cleaning stalls, grooming, saddling and riding. Children will want to ride but they may not always be eager to do the work. However children almost always fall in love with the horses that they handle and they will want to take as good care of them. Once they know that the horse depends on them and that in order to ride they have to take good care of the horses, they will learn to be more responsible in other aspects of there life.
2. Learn Trust - Horses must be able to trust their handlers. One of the first things that your child will learn about handling and riding horses is to be trustworthy and dependable, because if the horse doesn't trust its handler it will not obey him/her. This can be a very valuable life long lesson for your child.
3. Learn to be Open Minded - Every horse is different and will have to be handled differently. A good horseman never stops learning, even experts and trainers will admit that they learn something new everyday from their horses. Horses will make your child realize that learning is an on going process that never ends. This can transcend into other aspects, such as school and relationships.
4. Build Confidence - Horses are large and intimidating, so naturally it takes a lot of confidence to be able to control one. Letting a your child handle a gentle horse will do wonders for their confidence. Most people are naturally a little bit timid, especialy a child of horses because they are so big. By handling a gentle horse children will overcome their fear and learn that they can safely handle and control the same animal that they were once had great fear of. The better your child learns how to handle the horse, the more confident he/she will become. When children do well with the horses that they handle, their confidence goes up and their self esteem improves. They now realize that this huge creature they were once afraid of is a beautiful and loving animal.
5. Learn Patience - Horses are like children themselves, and training a horse is much like teaching a child. When your child has become a confident and skilled rider, letting them help train a horse will be an excellent experience for them. Horses require a lot of patience because training a young horse involves a lot of repetition and time. This is a lesson that will follow them in all aspects of life.
6. Self Discipline - Horses take a lot of time and work, so your child will have to be dedicated to learning how to ride and handle horses effectively. I have found that dedication is rarely something that children lacks when it comes to horses. People, especially young people, have a natural attraction to horses and enjoy spending time with them. However, because horses are a lot of work your child will soon learn self discipline. For example, instead of sleeping in in the morning, they will be up and out feeding and cleaning. Horses must be fed twice daily and have access to fresh water at all times. Their stalls must be cleaned regularly and they must receive regular exercise. This will take a lot of time, but most people find that it is worth it for the time they get to spend riding, or just being with horses.
7. Teaches Sensitivity - Horses can be very sensitive creatures. They have keen senses, and can sense if someone is afraid, angry, happy, etc. They communicate with body language and are very sensitive to their handler's body position. Because horses are so sensitive, the handler must be also. The handler must be able to tell how the horse is feeling and why it is behaving the way it is. The handler must learn to interpret the horses body language and to communicate effectively with the horse using its own language. When a horse misbehaves, the handler must decide whether or not the horse is doing so out of fear, stubbornness, anger, pain etc. and must respond appropriately.
8. How to Learn From Our Mistakes - When your child first starts learning to ride and handle horses they will make a lot of mistakes and will learn quickly not to make the same mistake twice. That is what horsemanship is all about. When a rider makes a mistake he/she cannot deny it. They must acknowledge the mistake and correct it. The rider must move on after correcting the mistake and not dwell on it. Handling and riding horses will teach your child to use their past mistakes to improve their future horsemanship skills and this will tanscend into other aspects of your childs life.
9. Learn Respect - Children will learn to respect their horses and themselves. Horses are large, dangerous creatures and they demand respect, yet in order to be handled safely they must also respect their handlers. By learning how to handle a horse, children will become more respectful of there horse and its nature. By being trustworthy, confident and responsible your child will earn the respect of there horse.
10. To Have Fun - Last but certainly no least, your child should have fun and enjoy being apart of the horse life style. You don't want to put too much demand on your child, you need to let them have fun with there horse as well as know when its time to be serious.
I hope the information provided here will help you realize how important it is for you to find a creative yet fulfilling way for you to teach your child all aspects of owning and caring for a horse.
2. Learn Trust - Horses must be able to trust their handlers. One of the first things that your child will learn about handling and riding horses is to be trustworthy and dependable, because if the horse doesn't trust its handler it will not obey him/her. This can be a very valuable life long lesson for your child.
3. Learn to be Open Minded - Every horse is different and will have to be handled differently. A good horseman never stops learning, even experts and trainers will admit that they learn something new everyday from their horses. Horses will make your child realize that learning is an on going process that never ends. This can transcend into other aspects, such as school and relationships.
4. Build Confidence - Horses are large and intimidating, so naturally it takes a lot of confidence to be able to control one. Letting a your child handle a gentle horse will do wonders for their confidence. Most people are naturally a little bit timid, especialy a child of horses because they are so big. By handling a gentle horse children will overcome their fear and learn that they can safely handle and control the same animal that they were once had great fear of. The better your child learns how to handle the horse, the more confident he/she will become. When children do well with the horses that they handle, their confidence goes up and their self esteem improves. They now realize that this huge creature they were once afraid of is a beautiful and loving animal.
5. Learn Patience - Horses are like children themselves, and training a horse is much like teaching a child. When your child has become a confident and skilled rider, letting them help train a horse will be an excellent experience for them. Horses require a lot of patience because training a young horse involves a lot of repetition and time. This is a lesson that will follow them in all aspects of life.
6. Self Discipline - Horses take a lot of time and work, so your child will have to be dedicated to learning how to ride and handle horses effectively. I have found that dedication is rarely something that children lacks when it comes to horses. People, especially young people, have a natural attraction to horses and enjoy spending time with them. However, because horses are a lot of work your child will soon learn self discipline. For example, instead of sleeping in in the morning, they will be up and out feeding and cleaning. Horses must be fed twice daily and have access to fresh water at all times. Their stalls must be cleaned regularly and they must receive regular exercise. This will take a lot of time, but most people find that it is worth it for the time they get to spend riding, or just being with horses.
7. Teaches Sensitivity - Horses can be very sensitive creatures. They have keen senses, and can sense if someone is afraid, angry, happy, etc. They communicate with body language and are very sensitive to their handler's body position. Because horses are so sensitive, the handler must be also. The handler must be able to tell how the horse is feeling and why it is behaving the way it is. The handler must learn to interpret the horses body language and to communicate effectively with the horse using its own language. When a horse misbehaves, the handler must decide whether or not the horse is doing so out of fear, stubbornness, anger, pain etc. and must respond appropriately.
8. How to Learn From Our Mistakes - When your child first starts learning to ride and handle horses they will make a lot of mistakes and will learn quickly not to make the same mistake twice. That is what horsemanship is all about. When a rider makes a mistake he/she cannot deny it. They must acknowledge the mistake and correct it. The rider must move on after correcting the mistake and not dwell on it. Handling and riding horses will teach your child to use their past mistakes to improve their future horsemanship skills and this will tanscend into other aspects of your childs life.
9. Learn Respect - Children will learn to respect their horses and themselves. Horses are large, dangerous creatures and they demand respect, yet in order to be handled safely they must also respect their handlers. By learning how to handle a horse, children will become more respectful of there horse and its nature. By being trustworthy, confident and responsible your child will earn the respect of there horse.
10. To Have Fun - Last but certainly no least, your child should have fun and enjoy being apart of the horse life style. You don't want to put too much demand on your child, you need to let them have fun with there horse as well as know when its time to be serious.
I hope the information provided here will help you realize how important it is for you to find a creative yet fulfilling way for you to teach your child all aspects of owning and caring for a horse.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Nicholas harnesses a different kind of horsepower!
Happy Easter from the 45th parallel! Fun visiting the family farm in the snow belt.
Friday, March 21, 2008
A TGIF musical intermission
Besides this was filmed in Devon...........the other Devon, in Alberta, Canada-a roughneck anthem that can't be far from horse training on general principle... Enjoy more of the Corb Lund Band, simple truth.
"It's 35 below or its 98 above...
And he's workin' thru it all, cuz baby this is what he loves
Drives a hundred-fifty miles make sure his kids are doin' fine...
And he sees 'em when he can but he's married to his iron...
He got the power in his heart and the dragons in his chest
Yeah."
Besides this was filmed in Devon...........the other Devon, in Alberta, Canada-a roughneck anthem that can't be far from horse training on general principle... Enjoy more of the Corb Lund Band, simple truth.
"It's 35 below or its 98 above...
And he's workin' thru it all, cuz baby this is what he loves
Drives a hundred-fifty miles make sure his kids are doin' fine...
And he sees 'em when he can but he's married to his iron...
He got the power in his heart and the dragons in his chest
Yeah."
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Sunday, March 16, 2008
AHCC Winter Tournament March 2008
Congratulations riders! Check out these happy smiles. The Arabian Horse Club of CT does a fantastic job with this series: helpful staff, wonderful judges, educational opportunties, and classes for all! Our riders placed in the top ribbons all day long and we had a blast supporting each other and celebrating the milestones we made.
Call Villa Stables today to find out how you can get involved in riding and showing. You do not need to own your own horse to show! Riders showing in the Academy and Tournament levels start out with an abbreviated and economical riding habit and equipment and great fun is had by all. Most importantly, we learn and have fun together. Call today! 860-599-1990
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