Last Day For Obstacles !

We woke up early to find the rain had ceased... a little chilly, now and then actually spitting snow. Today is the final day for the mini contest of the RAC. CSB ~ Calmer, Smarter, Braver obstacle course. We have had a blast with all this month with the challenge. Upon initially receiving the "rules" of this contest, we studied the obstacle list. Fun, fun, fun !! Shopping the dollar store for scary stuff, then building and setting up in the indoor... bridge, tires, star cavaletti, pedestal, our big hoop with streamers for walking and riding through. Set up an owl decoy, some wind spinners, wind socks, a kite, some beach balls, an interesting knapsack full of grooming tools, tarps, mailbox and a raincoat hanging for putting on and taking off-- a rope gate, a wheelchair and crutches (which we keep on hand anyway for training our therapy horses). I have an awesome umbrella which opens and closes with quite a WHOOSH with a button on the handle-- perfect !! Add to that-- the farm pot belly pigs and noisy, nosey guinea hens-- we are good to go ~

We opened both doors of the indoor so we could have the advantage of plenty of wind and over the course of April, we introduced as many horses as we had time for. One weekend Curly horse owners Susan Lejonhud and Laurie Lee were here. Susan led OYY Queen Jane Approximately and OYY Buster Brown through the course. Laurie posed as our wheelchair and crutches person. The horses were not bothered by any of it... When Zoe and I bought the pink spinny fish lawn ornament, we were sure the horses would spook somewhat at that-- but at most, they wanted to use it for an itching post. We used the "tickle tubes" in 2 different ways-- rubbed them over the horses and also set them up so they stuck up for riding over and through. Neither way was alarming.

During the month, I rode Keri through the course, got stuck in

the raincoat trying to put it on over my helmet-- Keri LOVES the bridge... being high up I think agrees with her attitude of being queen of the farm. I could not get a rise out of her with any of the obstacles. I ended up trotting around the arena doing a Mary Poppins routine with the umbrella, popping it open and closed. I rode Camille through and she was also unfazed by any of the course. Zoe took Winter Dancer and Teasel Obi through the course under saddle. Teasel's only issue was-- he wanted to stand on the edge of the big tire as though it was a pedestal, instead of stepping into it.

We led a few young ones through and even Meads' Chocolate Chip, who is only 2 weeks under saddle, did the course without batting a curly eyelash.

In addition to the obstacles set up in the indoor, we tried to think up as many as we could that we could encounter on a ride out. On the trails and dirt roads, we got lucky and had some bicyclists pass us, a motorcycle, people target shooting in their yard. One obstacle not on Denise's list is--- riding on the road and having a jogger come up behind you with their squish swish of those nylon jogging suits.

Perusing the "CSB" list, I noticed one of the obstacles on the list is a "car wash" -- I immediately had the idea-- we must ride downstreet to the car wash and ride through it !! Zoe was at first was skeptical but I lit her fire... today's the day ! I know there is a car wash behind the Dollar Store in the Springfield Plaza-- so off we go. We are just coming into town-- Ride past the "middle school" , over the bridge - McDonald's on our left

I have discovered on my treks out and about, Keri adores trotting on a sidewalk... she seems the most smooth and forward than ever. Even Teasel is getting the feel for it. We head into the Plaza, keeping our eyes pealed for any obstacles ~

Keri checks her reflection in the window- like any female on the town, she likes to know she's stylin' !! Enough primping-- onward toward our destination. We reach the Dollar Store, trot around the corner-- what the heck ?? The car wash evidently is no longer there. After a brief discussion, Zoe and I decide to head to the car wash in North Springfield.

On the way through the parking lot, past the local Shaw's, we spot several potential obstacles..

a shopping cart, a traffic cone (men are preparing to paint parking lines today), a lovely grate to trot over, and a flag -

We cross through a large confusing intersection, and head out Route 106. Here, we pass what seems to be flag alley with all the many car dealerships. Just a little ways up and we are there.

We ride through, satisfied we accomplished our goal ! Time to head home. We trot north on Route 106 and get on the dirt road for home.

Another super ride !

Enjoy your day ~

The weather continues to be the topic of the day ~ We went from several feet of snow to nearly 2 weeks of very hot and dry summer-like climate in the blink of an eye. While none of us wanted to whine too much, it was a shock to the system-- winter clothing to tank tops overnight. Yesterday, rains came along with more seasonal temperatures for April so when the sun does make another showing-- the grass is going to grow like crazy. That makes me happy ! Pasture instead of hay ~~ Last year I spread fertilizer and lime on most of the pasture land so the horses will reap the benefits this year. The last two days were spent putting in water bars on the roadways up and down the mountain across the street. Hoping to prevent the top of the mountain from washing to the bottom.

Two Sundays ago we managed a nice trail ride which was more of a non-stop water obstacle course- as the woods are still running with melting snows and overfull springs. So, in addition to our goal to ride over every imaginable bridge in the area, we are shooting for many water crossings. This trail was more traveling through water rather than crossing. We rode up the mountain, onto the Silver Disk trail, and headed toward Zoe's house. From here we hook onto Rhonda's Trail toward the old Watkin's Place where we find someone has placed a telephone pole across- a perfect opportunity to complete one of the obstacles on the Smarter, Braver, Calmer list for April's mini contest of the RAC. We head down Mythical Street, cross over onto the Scott Trail where we find more water and deep snow where the woods are thick. From here, we come out onto Trebo Road, head past the old cemetery. We used to be able to get on an awesome trail up behind the cemetery but the people who own the campground at the end have shut off the trail. So we trot down Trebo to the Spoonerville Four Corners- head right, and then left onto the Apple Tree Farm trail.

Near the beginning, is an old snowmobile bridge that we used to cross-- not anymore ! It's rather rickity now. Another water crossing.. Keri and I are already on the other side-- hurry up Teasel..

Whew-- that water is cold !!

We trot up a very steep path toward the hunting cabin.

And pass by the small beaver pond. Toward the end of the ride, we decide to try and find another passage to the road home. We have tried before but have never quite found the right way to travel. Past logging has deleted the trail we used to use.... the going is rough and unsuccessful again.

During the week, we took various horses down to the brook on my property for some more water practice. Even the horses that are reluctant to step into the brook enjoy it once they are in it. We walk up and down to get them accustomed to it. Here's Winter Dancer taking a stroll down the brook. I am on Camille- who loves her water experience.

Maya Dobush, who is training Mead's Chocolate Chip, brings him down for a cool water walk after his ring work.

He made quite a splash, but when he got the idea it might be fun to get down and roll in the water-- Maya quickly urged him back onto dry land.

Saving some of the best news for last ~ Sunday, Ptesan-Wi ABC 1635, delivered a beautiful curly filly sired by Classic Dreams Cherokee Storm. The filly is marked somewhat like her Mom only palomino instead of chestnut. I have named her OYY Aztec. Her dam has a great record of producing super foals who have grown to be wonderful mounts. Aztec was able to get out for a brief romp before the rains came in force. She'll have to be satisfied in a stall with Mom until it clears up for now.

News and Photo's of our Obstacle Course is coming this week... so come back and visit the blog soon ~

Enjoy your day ~

Seems as though spring is finally here. What are the signs of spring? Peonies peeking through melting earth. Robins in flocks after worms that come to the warming ground surface. The robins begin their cheeryup-cheerio song even before the sun comes up. For two weeks now I have heard the phoebe trill its name over and over. My trainer’s Mom says once you see and hear the phoebe, sugaring is officially over.

The killdeer are returning to scout out their nesting places. At first I love to hear them flying low with their call.. later in the heat of true summer… I admit, the constant killdeer, killdeer gets annoying !

Rocks and stones that have been busy breeding under a deep layer of snow are exposed. No matter how well you think you’ve picked rock in the pasture.. there are more hatching come spring. Frost and snow are evidently good nutrition for them.

Another sign of spring – sweatshirts left everywhere on the farm. At the beginning of the day, it might be still in the 20’s.. but the sun rises and soon, one sheds layers… a sweatshirt laid down on the nearest big rock, on the back of the tractor, draped on a low branch. If the fickle weather turns cold again, you have to go back to harvest them from their resting places.

Finally all the big snow piles melt alongside the road and everyone gets out and puts up a new mail box.

Springs are running mad and crazy. Brooks are high and the noise of the rushing water is foreign to my ears after the silence of deep snow and a bit unsettling until you get used to it.

The popple trees are covered in their “cotton” – the first “foliage” in the woods. Soon that cotton will release and the air will be full of it.

Last night, the peep frogs were out for the first time this year. Now that it is springtime, I hardly remember winter anymore !! Is there anything I will miss about winter ? Hmmmnn.. let me see—bundling up in too many clothes, shoveling snow, doing the silly dance on ice, warming up bits in order to ride, -- No, I will not miss winter at all at this point.

For the last few days I have been in the woods up on my little “mountain” checking fence and making repairs. Snow still remains in much of the woods. I trudge up the paths with all my tools and saw to take care of downed trees and limbs. There is still plenty of snow here.

I think it’s neat the way the snow melts just around the base of the trees.

When you live and work on a farm for many years, you become familiar with the lay of the land and all the landmarks which almost become part of your "family". This old bicycle has been up in the woods, in the same resting spot, since we moved here 22 years ago. It's a handy reference point ! We all know what we mean if we say-- the spot up by the rusty bike.

Training continues as usual. OYY Ivan has been out on the road under saddle a few times and doing super. Because, along with spring, comes mud season-- the roads are under repair continually.. town trucks bringing in material, graders out every day attempting to make the roads passable. Makes for a great obstacle course ! OYY Elektra has been backed and ridden a few times in the indoor. She's coming along nicely and enjoys her work. At 15.2 hands.. she is a big girl ~ sweet, quiet and willing. Not much fazes her.

Mead's Chocolate Chip is in training now also with another wonderfully successful trainer- Maya Dobush. Our goal with Chip - prepare him for some dressage work and do some shows this summer. He loves his new job. As I watch him with Maya I can see characteristics of all his offspring in him, in his way of moving and holding himself. After a few weeks of work under saddle I should be able to get some good video's. Chip has done nothing but settle mares for the last perhaps 10 years, so he'll slowly gain proper muscling and balance.

Enjoy your day ~

Busy, busy at Top O' The Hill Farm. It's shedding time around the farm.. so lots of grooming being done. Whatever ends up on the ground is perfect building material for bird nests, another standard spring activity.

Thursday, the Third.... I spotted these poking their way up. They have the advantage of lots of sun and also the heat reflected back from the retaining wall of rocks... brave souls emerging to bring joy. Daffodils are such happy flowers !

However, with the fickle "spring" weather... I woke up Friday to find-- snow--- it snowed nearly the entire day.. wet and miserable again. But it afforded me the opportunity to stay inside and do some sorely needed house cleaning. My wonderful dear friend, Susan Lejonhud, was arriving that afternoon with Laurie Lee-- also of Maine and owner of A Kurlee Dream, who I talked about on a blog entry last year- a daughter of Good Golly Miss Molly and Mead's Chocolate Chip.. "Dream" ended up with Laurie in a round about way and has quickly become Laurie's dream horse. We had a super visit. Saturday, Susan, Laurie, my daughter, and I set up our obstacle course to prepare for the April contest of the RAC . We had loads of fun leading some yearlings through the course. I'll post the photo's later this week.

My new pup who I purchased from a woman in Maine hitchhiked a ride with Susan and Laurie. Nicodemus is his name and a handsome sturdy joyful pup he is. He settled into my canine herd quickly and shows promise of becoming a great farm dog already, along with my two poodles and my miniature long haired dachshund -- who is self appointed manager and protector of all, plus being our resident clown.

On Sunday, Laurie and Susan packed up fairly early to head back home, with a detour to visit with Adria at Green Mountain Curlies. My daughter and I had a great ride planned... bridges being our theme for this month. We were headed out to cross the North Springfield Dam bridge. The main part of the bridge is narrow and high, a concrete bridge, wide enough for only one car to pass. The dam was built in 1960 by the US Army Corps of Engineers for $7 million to prevent flooding. There are great trails in the dam area for riding and also the reservoir is a fun place for canoeing or kayaking. You can paddle around all the nooks and crannies of the lake and see Great Blue Herons nesting and I have seen eagles from the canoe a few times.

The forecast for Sunday had been sun-- but it was overcast, dreary and nippy with threats of rain or sleet. But... ride we must !! We started out the usual way, heading out the hole in the wall and down to the Spoonerville Four Corners, turning right down Spoonerville Road with sap buckets still hanging from the trees along the way. At the end of the road, there is a big brick house, where we can turn left if we are on a short ride to complete the 6 mile loop. The owners of this house used to have Llamas. The first time the horses sensed them there.. they were apprehensive and snorting.. Llamas can create quite an obstacle. We head straight, toward North Springfield.

Along the way, we pass the big transformer.. some horses do not like this as it makes a very loud HUM noise. Our horses were as excited as we were knowing we were headed for another fun destination.. so they trotted by without a glance.

Down into North Springfield. We could have crossed this bridge along the way.. but it's gone now--




My horse Keri loves to trot down sidewalks after her first experience in the Stone Village in Chester. Teasel prefers to stay on the roadside. Quick stop for a phone call ! Actually Zoe is calling her older brother to meet us on the bridge for a group photo. He has not e-mailed me the photo's yet-- so I will have to post those on another blog entry.






The Mobil station on the corner where we cross Route 10 onto the dam road. Across, is our local tack shop.







We are close now... Here are some views from the approach.

Here we are on the narrow part of the bridge- it's quite high and concrete so made a echoing of hoofbeats as we crossed.






Here's a view of one of the access roads down below. From those, we can get on trails and do some nice river crossings.. but not today-- too much water and I bet it's cold from the snow melt.






After we completed our goal of the bridge crossing, we decide to head down the snowmobile trail to the airport landing strip. Maybe we'll get lucky and will be able to catch an airplane landing right near us ! This has happened with us many times during some summer rides we have taken in the past. We ride along the fence for awhile... no planes in sight.. but wait !! Not an airplane-- but the governor's helicopter along with a smaller helicopter which travels along with the bigger one hovers overhead and lands. Above is the smaller one which lands first.

This is the large one... coming in for its landing.

Here on the snowmobile trail we find we have a choice of routes and fuel, food, phone ??

Time to head home... we take a different route so we aren't backtracking... down a muddy French Meadow Road and we pass some silly ducks who have arrived to find spring is not quite here yet...

A great Sunday ride ...

Enjoy your day ~