Welcome to my first attempt at "blogging". Here, you will find news from Top O' The Hill Farm.. births, training, etc-- as we keep very busy on the farm.

Dream On Curls Therapeutic Riding Center is located on the premises. My daughter Zoe Lirakis is the instructor. We use the Curlies exclusively as lesson horses for the equine assisted activities -- addressing emotional, social, cognitive and physical challenges of special needs children and adults-- ages 4 through 99 !! We put up an indoor arena this spring which is great- no more cancelled lessons due to weather.

Top O' The Hill Farm has been breeding curlies since 1985. Lisa Wheelock- trainer- comes to the farm 3-4 days a week and helps to work with the horses-- all ages from birth on up, teaching manners, respect, saddle training and driving. Right now, 2 of Top O' The Hill Farm "babies" are back for their saddle training. Ka-Ha-Si, a 4 year old gelding, born here and sold several years ago, is back for his training. He has progressed quickly as Curlies are apt to do. He has been out on the trail a few times and also is schooled lightly in the ring several times a week. What a great horse and so gratifying to be able to work with and see the farm's "children" growing and maturing. Ka-Ha-Si's dam was also born here and still resides on the farm- occaisionally having a foal, being ridden on the trail-- her dam lived here also until old age-- a great ride/drive mare who gave lessons as well. Ka-Ha-Si's sire and maternal grand-dam were born here as well.. both trained and ridden here at the farm. It's nice to see the generations develop-- and having the opportunity to ride offspring.. children and grand-children !!

Brigitte - a beautiful mare, also born here- is back for her saddle training and making fast progress. She is almost ready for her first trail ride. She has been ridden in the indoor a few times-- but needs exposure to road and trail. She'll be here one more month. Her new owner also had her bred to Cherokee Storm- the cremello stallion here at the farm. She is being offered for sale and you can visit the web site to see info on this gorgeous mare. http://www.vermontel.net/~top

There are some super trails and roads for us to introduce horses in training to water, bridges, traffic, mud and brush "obstacles". We have a large outdoor arena for schooling-- an indoor -- and a smaller outdoor for starting horses. So there is always lots going on here !!