Top O' The Hill Farm: Another Full Moon Later

Looking at my blog... I realize it's been awhile since my last post. Another full moon has come and gone and my farmer tan is fading fast, like summer. Dog Days are long behind us now.. the smell and feel of fall has arrived. The nights are chillier, the mornings almost always draped in heavy fog, and evening's long shadow's sweep in fast after 4:00.

We've been busy- mostly with Dream On Curls Riding Center projects. Two big events back to back. Our Rider Appreciation Day on August 14th went super well (you can read about that on the other blog ) Next up is our BIG FUNDRAISER.. we are putting a lot of effort into this event as raising money for our riders is a huge priority for us. I will be posting news of that on the other blog soon- but in the meantime.. there are daily updates on our facebook page-- Actually I am just learning how to use my facebook- so I am not sure if anyone can access this page or you need to be a "friend" or a "fan". Check it out - and let me know ! :)

Zoe and I have been getting out for some great tours around the countryside.. me and Keri, Zoe and Elektra- since it is our goal to help build Elektra up muscle-wise to help her in her show ring work. When Zoe is in the ring practicing her patterns, Keri and I follow around doing the different Intro and Training Level tests.. kind of fun :) Keri prefers the Intro patterns- strictly walk and trot.. she will do the canter but she is not so keen on the discipline it takes to build the suppleness in the circles. Elektra- youthful and ready to try anything loves any kind of work you ask of her. Sometimes we work before our trot out, sometimes after we come back. We love doing the 10 mile loop which includes the mile long hill.

The town crew is out cleaning the ditches on the side of the road in preparation for fall rains.

This road is one of my favorites for trotting - any time of the year.

The other day- Tuesday.. we wanted to get out for a nice trot, but wanted a change in scenery. We headed down past the Four Corners and turned right up onto French Meadow Road- which is a nice trot- and it would give Elektra a chance to come home on the highway again on the last leg of the trip. We approached the opening to a trail we have not been on in about 4 or 5 years.. and decided to trot up that- for a real change in landscape. Traveling on the dirt roads is fun with Keri and Elektra as they are a great pair together and very forward-- but trail is often more fun. We do try to keep Elektra on more easy going open trails- just in case. Who wants a twisted ankle or stone bruise on a horse who is already entered in expensive classes ?

This trail has changed a lot in the last few years... we just may have to get over there again for more investigation. There are some new offshoots- not sure where they go. We did end up taking either a wrong turn somewhere, as we exited in a completely different spot - a little further from home- but no big deal... EXCEPT - about mid-way on the trail, I spotted a nice logging chain that someone had evidently dropped. Zoe dismounted and handed it up to me so I could drape it across my saddle-- trotting was a tad more difficult with that clanging and hanging. Keri was good about it and a new chain is a good find.

Once on the highway- Elektra had no problems cantering between fast and noisy traffic and the guardrail. She's just an awesome girl !

OYY Nimue has been nickering from the pasture to tell me she has not been out in a long time-- which is so true... I don't think she's been hitched since April. Zoe and I made some time to take her out during this week. She was great and I know she had as much fun as we did. Nimue is a trotting machine when hitched to the cart and she did not hesitate - with nary a jiggle to the cart as we flew down the dirt road ! Both Zoe and I were thinking however- driving seems like a more 'lazy-man's " sport- as we ended up wishing we had our sweatshirts on, as it was chilly in the cart. If we had been trotting and cantering- we would have been quite warm.

At one point, one of our neighbors - who loves to stop and chat when we are out with the horses - did stop the car and stuck his head right out of the window to chat... I was feeling kind of anxious about that at first- since Nimue is out on the road for the first time in so long and between us and the BIG HEAD sticking out of the window is a steep bank--- but all my momentary fretting was for nothing- Nimue was perfect. :) I can't wait to take her out again..but dang- I love being in the saddle too.. decisions and choices---

When we arrived back at the farm- Zoe took a few photo's and a short video of Nimue and I showing off.

Isn't she just a gorgeous driving pony ?

We had our annual visit from some great people who own two Top O' The Hill Farm Curlies - the Ray family- Mom, Helyn owns an appaloosa, but is going to purchase a Curly when she hits the lottery :) Her two daughters - Samantha and Sarah each own Curlies of their own and have done lots of pony clubbing with them. Sarah rides Daffodil, who they bought already started and Sam bought a weanling filly - OYY Lickity-Split out of Frostfire's Tadpole and Zoe's Day Dream. Sam has raised and trained her filly by herself and now Lickity is a rideable age. Both girls (now young women actually !) have done great with their horses and they should be very proud of themselves.

Here's Sam 5 years ago with her then weanling filly.

And Sarah on her lovely Daffodil - who is out of HoneyBee Gal and Col's Pasqualie Kid.

Helyn and I had the thought to organize a day where their entire Pony Club would come for a visit and see more Curlies and learn more about them. There are 3 Curly Horses in that Club- these 2 and another one from this farm as well. That might a fun day.