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Lilly and Chance settled right into their new home like pros – Leo and Priscilla took a little while longer. The farm was very active in the mornings with almost every ring and field in use – there was a lot of activity in comparison to our quiet farm in PA.

Over the course of 2 weeks, we took lessons with several trainers including Jane Cory, Sally Cousins, Julie Zapapas and Joy Brown (FEI dressage judge). We took cross country lessons, stadium jumping lessons and dressage lessons and learned so much!!

Some of the things we learned -

• We’re never going as forward as we think we are when jumping – especially cross country.
• There are no soft hands – just soft elbows. Practice following your horse’s mouth with your elbows at the walk to start to develop softness
• Your entry down the center line should be bold, decisive and forward. It sets the stage for the whole test.
• Accuracy is the foundation of a dressage test. Remember that the letters at the end of the long side are 6m from the corner. A 20m circle should meet the rail 4m past each letter.
• Don’t compromise your position for a green horse.
• Have patience and give your aides time to work. Sometimes it takes the horse a while to understand what the correct response is, but if you remain steady and correct they have a better chance of figuring it out.
• Think more about the quality of the walk.
• Competitions don’t always have the outcome you expect or desire, but you always learn something. Sometimes you have to get creative about how you interpret what success is.

Becca and Lilly and Alyson and Chance competed at Full Gallop Horse Trials the first weekend. Alyson and Chance completed a very challenging training level course while Lilly looked super confident galloping around the Novice course. Priscilla won her division at the Sporting Days Eventing Derby. Then on the last weekend, Alyson and Becca competed at Training level at Pine Top Horse Trials in Georgia, while Mindy and Leo competed at Beginner Novice.

Needless to say we didn’t like the 12 hours driving down and back from South Carolina, but the experience is always worth it!

• Amber and her horse Tinker, a six-yr old thoroughbred, just started working with Becca. Tinker’s green but willing and Amber has plans to begin his jump training this spring with Becca’s help.
• Kyle and his horse Indi, also a six-yr old thoroughbred, are working with Becca to properly develop Indie’s dressage foundation so that they can begin competing on the local dressage circuit this summer.
• Mindy and Leo continue training with Becca and are eagerly awaiting their trip with her down to Aiken where they’ll compete in their first horse trial of the season
• Maddie and Isabelle take lessons on their super cute Haflinger pony, Juliet.
• Lara and Sam went on a horse hunt with Becca last fall to find their first horse – and they found Justin! He’s a gorgeous palomino quarter horse and the girls are quickly progressing with their riding. They take turns riding Justin in their lessons: one sister rides Katrina and the other rides Justin. Halfway through they switch!
• Tess is one of Becca’s newest students. She doesn’t have a horse of her own, but instead takes lessons on BJ, one of Becca’s lesson horses. BJ is an 11-yr old thoroughbred who loves to jump – a good fit for Tess! Tess is a naturally talented young rider and she’ll no doubt progress quickly this year.

Tess and BJ during a jumping lesson with Becca

Are you looking for a new partner for the new year?  Check our sale page to see available horses.

The group will be staying at Jumping Branch Farm, which offers amazing facilities: cross country courses through prelim, full stadium course and lots of hacking! Aiken is an amazing place to train as there are several cross country schooling facilities within a 15 minute drive of the farm – not to mention the warm weather and wonderful, sand footing! Plus, there is the famous racetrack in downtown Aiken – with the infamous Track Kitchen with its yummie southern, home-cooked meals.

Horses and riders will be aiming to compete at either Full Gallop Farm HT and/or Pine Top HT during their stay.

Mile-Away Farm - Flying Horse Farm's home in Southern Pines, NC Spring 2010

Spring training 2010: Lancelot & Zoe, Becca & Lilly, Alyson & Chance

The pictures don’t do it justice, but here they are anyways!

The ring from the driveway

Partially lit - the remaining lights will be hooked up tomorrow

Highlights:

• Becca and Lilly won their Training Level division!
• Mindy and Leo went clear over their first Novice xc course!
• Taylor and Sosie also went clear over the Beginner Novice xc course!

Becca and Taylor will be making their way to Oxbow Farm in New Jersey next weekend to compete in a combined test.

Highlights from Flying Horse Farm performances:

1. Taylor (with Sosie) and Mindy (with Leo) both placed 6th in their respective Beginner Novice Horse divisions. They will be moving up to Novice at the St. Augustine Pony Club HT next weekend!
2. Becca & Lilly completed their first Training Level event! They will go Training again next weekend.

Plans are in the works for a training session in Aiken, SC in March 2011. Stay tuned!

Becca & Lilly, Training Level

Lilly and Becca, Stadium

Sept 24, New Jersey Region Starter Horse Trials at the Horse Park of New Jersey:

• Mindy and Leo finished 5th in their Beginner Novice division
• Taylor and Sosie also put in a solid performance in her BN division with a great xc ride

Oct 3, Burgundy Hollow Farm Horse Trials:

• Max had a clean cross country round and great dressage test, but Becca had an unfortunate fall in stadium. After cutting a turn too tight, Becca lost her balance and parted company with Max. Despite being angry with herself for her mistake, Becca was excited with Max’s performance.

Oct 9, Radnor Hunt Horse Trails:

• Lilly and Becca jumped clear over Radnor Hunt’s Novice xc course and will be moving up to Training at the end of month!

Oct 14/15, Lucinda Green Clinic:

• Becca and Crystal attended the Lucinda Green clinic at the Horse Park of New Jersey  and had a great time!
• As always both horses and riders learned a lot about themselves and their abilities! Everyone came home with great confidence and looking forward to the next event!

• Becca and Lilly placed 2nd in their competitive Novice division – Lilly was sharp and bold in all 3 phases and finished on her dressage score of 33.9
• Mindy and Leo competed in their first horse trial together and went clean over the Beginner Novice xc course and had one rail in stadium. They finished 7th in their division with a score of 45.
• Taylor and Sosie, also competing at Beginner Novice, had a brilliant stadium jumping round and just one stop cross country which they recovered from quickly. They finished 5th in their division with a score of 60.5.

Many thanks to all the organizers and volunteers at Fair Hill for once again putting on a fantastic event!