2011 off to a crazy start.

11 Stall Barn

So, last November, I decided to long-term lease a boarding facility. Before I even took over the farm, the owner paid to have an outdoor arena installed. We had the place measured, surveyed and all footing down before December. Tom and I put all the fencing posts in around the arena and I have finally finished installing the top rail. I have to install the second rail, cut the tops off the posts and hang gates - then, the arena will be complete.

check out my new website: www.sycamoreridgefarmky.com

My Mom.

In March, my Mom, Suzanne Dinsmore, passed away after a 21 month battle with pancreatic cancer. We are laying her to rest tomorrow. I will be very hard because my mom was also a best friend. We talked on the phone 2-4 times a week. I will miss her so much.

Salty Sway Jumping

I have 2 horses coming alone nicely. Max, my training horse, has really bloomed into a nice horse over the winter months. His dressage has greatly improved and his confidence and jumping technique is coming along!

Duke ("Salty Sway") is really a lovely horse and loves to jump. He has very floaty gaits and a super quiet disposition. He is a 4 yr old, and I have big plans for him this year.

I also have 3 horses in full training with me at this time, and a total of 7 boarders. There is room for 5 more full-care and/or training boarders. If you know anyone looking for a quiet, professional farm with excellent care, send them my way :)

Until later.... gotta run to the farm!

Busy Summer

So, things have been so busy, and I have not been keeping up with my Blog :(
Where to start? Max has been going training level all this year. although we had run into a communication problem in the show jumping, things are now headed in the right direction. It's nice to have a pro show jumping rider under my own roof :P

Terpsichore was offered for sale in August, and after one day of being on equine.com, she had a buyer! She is now residing in Atlanta and her new owner if over the moon with her - why wouldn't she be? Terps is an AWESOME horse entirely and I miss her.

I have 2 new horses in training - one is going to be a Ranch Work Horse and the other is definately an eventer! "Robin" (bay tb) is too cute and very quiet. After just a few rides, he can be ridden all over the farm and likes to drive the cattle.

"Sway" is my new eventer. Although only a 3 yr old, he is so good minded and hearted. His quiet dissposition has made it easy to get him going and take him out to Masterson a few times. He seems to love jumping and really perks up going toward a jump! So all is good at Sycamore Ridge Farm.

We currently have over 80 head of cattle, 8 horses, 2 burrows, 4 chickens, a dog, 2 cats and 3 humans :)

Hal's Rocking Robin

Salty Sway

Terpsichore WINS her division at May Daze!

Terps was in excellent form last weekend at MayDaze Horse Trial. It was her 2nd outing this year and her 4th Novice horse trial. She scored a 28.7 and jumped two nice double clear rounds! She is so easy going and steady. I am very proud of her. She is qualified for the AEC's and I plan to take her if I still own her. I have put her up for sale. As most of you know, Tom and I are getting close to buying our very own farm.... a life-long dream for both of us. Unfortunately, that means selling everything we can for a down payment... (Max stays!!!). So, if you know anyone interested in a super mare that can do anything, let me know. She is schooling 1st and 2nd level dressage movements. I will have a video posted soon...

Max is gearing up for Spring Run HT in 2 weeks. It will be his second Training level this year. I took him to Winona HT, where he finished 6th. He jumped very well and we have finally turned the corner. His rideability is so much better than last year and I really feel like he is going to be an upper level horse for me.

Grindle, a 4 yr old warmblood mare I have in training, is really coming along nicely. She has jumped in competition up to 3'6". I am working on her dressage and cross country. She is really brave and is learning how to use herself in better balance. I am aiming her at some dressage shows later this month and in July. This mare is for sale and priced nicely at 10K! A super dressage or eventing prospect. She is really well bred. I will have a sale page up for her soon!

Sorry I have not updated like I should. It's been crazy busy. I actually have a waiting list for horses to come into training with me :)

May is here!

Max Attack ("Max") at the 2009 AECs.
All is going really well. I currently have 3 horses here in training, plus my two. i have been very busy getting the green horses going on the flat and working on their rideability! Max and Terps are gearing up for Winona Horse Trial. Terps will go out at novice and Max at training level. I am aiming Max for the Midsouth T3Day event in the fall, and Terps will go to the AEC in the novice horse division. Terps is also going to do some pure dressage shows this year doing training level and first level. I am hoping to get her to 2nd level next spring. Lots of lessons with Elaine are planned, and I am learning so much from her!

The two mares, Grindle and Lexi, are learning all about long-lining and balancing over the terrain. Grindle is jumping small fences to build her confidence and settle her down a bit. She is starting to relax and enjoy her work. Lexi is learning how to go on the bit and learning how to go forward with light contact. Her transitions are really improving and she has started over small cross rails.

Rudie is a gray gelding belonging to Sarah Dolin. He is a very talented mover and jumper, but needs lots of hours in the saddle to relax him and educate him. He is improving with every ride, and is starting to get used to change and new places.

Til next time...
Jen

I have been so busy!

The horses are really going well. I have been so busy working, teaching, coaching and riding that I have neglected my blog. Max is jumping and dressaging better than ever and is really turning into a lovely eventer. I took him to the Ky Horse Park and schooled in the new WEG indoor. He was so calm and acted like he owned the ring. We jumped around up to 3'3" and had an excellent time. The next day I took Terps, Max and mouse to Masterson and schooled dressage on my two and XC on Mouse (Ashley Hartsough's horse). They were all wonderful. Mouse is a blast to ride and jump.

Ashley and I are taking Mouse and Max to Poplar Place in 2 weeks, so she brought him to me to help get him legged up while she travels for work. He is terrified of my burro, but otherwise settled in well.

Sparks has taken a bit of a back seat until after the show. Just running out of time for 4 horses! He is green and young so it's not a bad thing for him to have some quite time.

Terps is really starting to come back nicely. She started out a bit dull, but is now really working well and enjoying her Masterson outings. With the break in the weather, I can start working at home and save a bundle of time and money for fuel!

The U of Ky dressage team hosted a show at Champagne Run last weekend. It went off quite well and Team B placed 2nd and Team A placed 3rd. Our next show is in Findley University next Saturday. We are ready to win!

I hope everyone got to get out in the sun today! It was wonderful to not be freezing!

Jumping Max

Max was very good today. I set up a course of fences ranging from 2'6" to 3'3". He was very rideable and adjustable. He got a little quick after a few verticals but came back nicely after a few jump-halt exercises. He jumped the 3'3" oxer really big, but let me ride him down to it on a bending line of four strides from a vertical. I expect he will settle in more after a few more jumping days. His flat work is getting very nice and I am doing more lateral work with him. His shoulder in exercises are doing wonders for his canter departs and he is mastering the turn on the haunches. I just love riding him because of his excellent work ethic. He will have a day off tomorrow and all horses will go to Hodge arena on Tuesday.

Off to watch the Olympics :)

Jen

Good day at Hodge Arena

I took the three horses over to Hodge arena today to jump.
Max was the first ride. I set up 3 fences on curved lines and bumped them up to 3'3". He was very good and was letting me use half halts without freaking out :) He is really starting to use himself better and jump with his scope. I really like this horse and I have high hopes for him.

Terps went next. She is really getting balanced in her canter work and was so much fun to ride and jump today. I bumped the fences up to 2'9" and she just does so much better over a bigger fence. She has a ton of scope and is so quiet. I have learned to relax more on her and let her do her thing. There is no stop in her and she loves to jump.

Sparks was next. Just as I got him tacked up, 12 horses and riders came flowing into the arena. They had western gear, english gear and all types of riders. Horses everywhere. Sparks kept his cool and did not really mind the people practicing roping next to the arena either. We went thru the paces and jumped a few cross rails. He is very level headed, even with horses coming at him from all directions. Great practice for the warm-up rings at shows :)

I will take Max to work with me tomorrow. I need to work on his fitness for Poplar. Terps and Sparks will have the day off. Then off to Hodge arena again on Tuesday :)

I am OVER winter, but having fun at the same time.

Cheers and stay warm.

Jen