Hi,
Just a quick reminder that iff you are having horse or pony problems, want to improve your riding skills, or are searching for a new horse you can give us a phone call on (03) 465 1223. There is an answerphone... just hang on and it will click iin so you can leave a message.And here is a neat quote for you to think about - it's from Mary Pickford, an early American film star "If you have made mistakes, there is always another chance for you. You may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing we call "failure" is not the falling down, but the staying down."
Now we're just coming up to the Easter holidays and we are fully booked. Apologies to those unfortuneate souls that have missed out. Shirley is away competing over the first weekend of the holidays and won't be back until the Tuesday, and is only running a three day beginner's course in the first week. Over the middle weekend she will be home, and then another three day course for more advanced riders before it's off with Elizabeth to the Three Day Event in Christchurch. A very busy two weeks is coming up.
The summer was great, wasn't it? Apart from all the gloom and doom of the economic recession things are ticking on here quite nicely thank you. Perhaps parents are finding out that it's often a good idea to check and see if thier little darling truely wants a pony and is prepared to stop sitting in front of TV etc and get some healthy exercise. Trying an expensive sport by taking lessons and seeing just how much committment the child has as well as finding out how to care for a pony is very important. It can be cost effective too, as having to buy a beginner's pony and all the gear is a big outlay. The child will also grow out (too tall or too heavy) of the pony and all of the gear will need to go up a size when the second pony arrives.
The same things apply to new adult riders or those thinking about returning to riding. Why not come out for a day and find out what you need to do. We can fit in special one on one adults only days at reasonable rates, a free lunch, and answer all those troubling questions you haven't been able to solve yourself. As we have never had vast ammounts of money to spread around we know what it's like to scrimp and save for things like new saddles so we can help prevent you from making expensive mistakes. We've also found that too many new riders vastly overestimate their riding ability and it comes as quite a shock to find that sweet little horse they've rushed in and bought is turning into a liability that they are now, quite frankly, aftraid of it.
And now for the good news. Little Tess (Uplands Legend) has taken to showing like a duck to water. She loves all of the primping involved in becoming "beautiful" and tries so hard to learn all of the new skills she has had to master. She's been to six shows and won four Reserve Championships and one Championship in the Park Hack ring. You'll recognise her as the fat little gray with the old lady (Shirley) grinning from ear to ear as they have the time of their lives. During the week Tess gives lessons just llike the rest of the riding school horses and ponies and she's very kind to her clients. Quite the wee lady.
Elizabeth is having a great time with her show jumping and eventing horses. Cheeky Vimto has just sold, and we will all miss her. She has a lovely new owner and good luck to them both.
Take care, and Happy Riding
Regards
The Team at Springbank Farm
