A Newsletter! (our very first!)
This is something I have been threatening to do for some time now... Katrina Merkies e-mailed me today with some dates for clinics in the fall so the time is now!
Upcoming Clinics:
October 3, 4 / 5: LDA Clinic with Joanna Crilly on Kurs. (information attached)
October 18 / 19: (maybe Friday the 17th for a lecture as well) Dr. Katrina Merkies
November 24 / 25: (to be confirmed): Gillian Duke for the Juniors.
November 29 / 30: Dr. Katrina Merkies
Please let me know ASAP about any Clinic's you want to attend... They are $60 for a private lesson, usually lasting 45 minutes.
Because the "winter boarders" have not descended yet there will be stalls available.
We all enjoyed our work with Leslie Kennedy over last winter but she has taken a full time position as a farm manager... She may be available for the occasional one day seminar. For those of you who would like something in between clinics, Michelle Pisters from Kilbyrne Farm is here almost every week. Between Michelle and Katrina, we are getting Annett's butt in gear not to mention mine! Kelly McGarrell is available for hunter stuff and Tamsyn Kouwenberg will be available during the winter as she continues to work with Carol BirchmoreTimney and Teardrop.
The big news in the barn is the new Fantasy Lounge. Fantasy Lounge is the product of some fantasising after a clinic on the part of Lutz Bush and others...We are taking the two broodmare stalls and the feed room just outside the arena and turning them into a lounge... adding windows between the lounge and the arena so you can watch in warmth and comfort. I am in a panic as I need at least the floor poured before Joanna Crilly is here October 3rd. Demolition is well underway with lots of muscle and know-how provided by Pauline Vanderley and Susan Stammwitz.
We plan to install a TV and VCR so we can watch tapes after a ride in a clinic or just share horse tapes with friends...I vetoed an internet connection! We will relocate the Library here. For those of you who are not regular riders here we have a library where people bring in books, take them out...all free and VERY unstructured! (I think we have all Jilly Coopers work.)
The coffee maker, tea kettle and microwave will be across the hall in the new feed room. (I can't get a drain from the lounge to the septic system by gravity and no, I don't want to pump!) My son Paul has hooked up the sound system so you will be able to hear the coach in the lounge provided she is using a mike. The new tuner is fabulous with the mike...no more echo!
Oh yes, we have a new dog. Balloo the collie tried to herd one too many trucks and we lost him. The replacement is a very enthusiastic 4 year old yellow Labrador Retriever named Casey. DO NOT leave any gloves, bandages etc. around! Duke, the Golden Retriever, wanders around with considerable dignity and disdain for the young upstart.
All the horses are well, even Michael who is now 37 years old. Dalwhinnie is looking after my granddaughter Tori and Rapport is with son Bruce. They make a very handsome pair. Everyone there is sound and happy (and off MY payroll!) They are in Smithville and I have a project in Hamiltion so I see they regularly.
Oh and by the way... note our new Logo designed by a friend of Bonnie Schmidt and selected by the boarders... quite elegant I think.
Also congratulations to Ashley Devries who is having a good year showing Cappuccino...lots of red on the stall door. Bonnie Schmidt and Ashley have worked hard all winter and their success is well deserved. Lutz Busch and Roman are doing well too (we tease him that it is because he is male and soooo good looking!) He also rides well!
Looking forward to seeing you all over the coming fall and winter.
Gail Lamb
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