Christmas Day ride

December has been a fickle month as far as weather-- from a powdery snow storm of several days to balmy foggy drizzles. Made for extra work plowing and sanding and also rendering it impossible to ride as often as we'd like. My daughter and I did manage to fit in a fun ride on Christmas Day. We decided to head toward town.. thinking- there would be no traffic on such a holiday. The sun was in and out.. but a great day for being in the saddle.

We started down the driveway - and trotted left toward the highway. We had predicted incorrectly-- lots of traffic, all cars full of wrapped gifts- I suppose enroute to their various family get togethers. Our mounts- the magnificent duo- Keri and Teasel trotted eagerly.. Keri was anticipating her sidewalks I think.. you know how she loves to trot down the sidewalk ! But, as you can see here- the town has not cleared the concrete pathways yet.. so we were stuck in the break down lane.

Past a cheery Santa ~

Closer to town, Keri was relieved-- a sidewalk !! She perks up her ears and happily trots.

Cross the bridge over the Black River, which runs through town all the way to the Connecticut River.

If we had thought to bring some money with us- we could have stopped for a morning shot of caffeine..

The Springfield Shopping Plaza was a ghost town, so we looped around to head home on Fairgrounds Road, a new route for us. We have never traveled that way home before on horseback.

Past the Riverside Middle School, a pretty church, following the Black River the entire way on our left.

Here's the Armory - home of the National Guard. Due to the unusual mix of wintry precipitation and warm temperatures today- the roads are flooded in spots. Reaching the end of Fairgrounds Road, we are nearing the backroads which will bring us back home.


The dirt roads are very icy- but both our horses are sporting their winter shoes with borium studs-- since we both love to ride in winter- and very often travel the back roads. The horses appreciate the extra stability and safety of the studs.

Just about home ~ I have said before , the first mile out on my road presents us with the most "obstacles"-- well this is the last mile today since we are coming in the backway-- but we still meet the varied seasonal potentially scarey "stuff".

Back in the fall- this was the site of the Ghoul which all our horses seemed to like so much-- This time a large holiday family greets us.

Another wonderful ride out !! Keri and Teasel returned to their respective pastures for a nice roll in the snow and we are looking forward to the next adventure.. probably not until New Year's Day.

Enjoy your day ~ and Happy Holidays from Top O' The Hill Farm.

Still Cold and still riding !

No matter how strong my desire of denial may be-- I believe winter is here to stay ! The outdoor wood boiler is eating wood and the horses are busy devouring hay. For the remainder of the season, my main job is to keep both horses and wood boiler full and warm and happy ~

My daughter, Zoe, and I have been sneaking in short rides here and there. With hunting season and lots of intermittent rain/snow-- we have been sticking to the roads. With the last storm- a "wintry mix" and the freezing temps, even the dirt roads are quite icy.

Sunday, we saddled up and went for a road loop.. We were going to ride home on the trail, but remembered-- it's STILL hunting season... now-- a different weapon-- muzzle loaders are out. Two weeks ago, we both went shopping for some new winter riding gear... new breeches, I got an awesome Irideon coat, new long underwear, etc. So bundled up and in the saddle off we went. I have mentioned before, no matter where we go-- it seems as though the first mile and a half presents us with the most "obstacles".

We took a different route we don't normally travel on, and this was no exception. A little ways up the hill, you can see Zoe's mount- Teasel has his telescope neck out-- what's up ? Curious beef cows

in the pasture adjacent to the Herefords-- LLamas !!...

And 150 feet more-- more beef cows !!

The horses were so excited to be out and about, they did not even stop and look-- only to give me a chance to snap some photo's.

At the end of the road, we turned left out onto the highway where the horses were able to get in some good extended trotting. It seems that when we get out on the highway, both Keri and Teasel perk up-- they remember our forays into town and they actually like a good trot down the highway.

We turned up some back roads... and had to slow down to some very careful walking-- even with sand and salt, the dirt roads don't get much sun and they are icy, slippery traveling. It's a beautiful view from the top.

Of course we had a great time-- Keri and Teasel love to go out together and so do Zoe and I ! We hope to get more good riding in to end a good 2008 RAC.

Congratulations to Laurie Lee, owner of A Kurlee Dream-- daughter of Mead's Choclate Chip and great grand-daughter of our BG Dream Curl. Actually she is related to so many of our horses- it's too confusing to think about it ! Laurie's Dream is one of the 2008 CSI Horse of the Year Winners !

*A Kurlee Dream
Owner: Laurie Lee
Rider: Rachel Kawczk-Gatos
Award: Training Level Dressage JR Division
Average Score: 60.62%

We are proud of Laurie and her efforts -- and proud of our bloodlines which created a winner!

Enjoy your day ~