July Mare of the Month - Poetka VF+/

Ok, let's face it, Poetka is a saint. She has earned her angel wings long ago and now she is just spending time with us for fun!

Nearly every kid in this barn learned to ride on Poe, gained her confidence on Poe, and won with Poe.

She is a once in a lifetime horse that brings peace and laughter to our barn on a daily basis. We are so lucky Marguerite shares her with us and I love watching them canter around the arena bareback.

If all that wasn't enough, she is best friend to Sonnet and has been a part of my life since I was 18. Poe, I love you dearly and am so blessed you are a part of all of our lives!

July Rider of the Month - Julia Broome!!!

This month's rider was so obvious, not only because of her day to day devotion to her horse but because she has nurtured her love of riding even after the loss of her horse, Cameo. That inspires all of us.

Julia is often late but always the first one to the barn. She makes sure Coco has everything she needs without asking and she has trained her to be the most versatile horse in the barn with patience, humor, understanding, and love.

She is also a Super Schooler and can get a head-set on any horse! There is a legend, she once rode and schooled 10 horses in the barn in one day - and I believe it since she is the first one to offer to help a friend whose horse is giving them trouble!

Julez also loves to go fast - and she does fast pretty darn good. She has won jumper classes and gymkhanas in Open competitions and she laughs the whole time she is racing around. She also has an incredible work ethic and is always offering to help friends around the barn - she is an absolute joy and the horses and I are lucky to have her in our barn and to call her a friend. Ok, Ash time to get in back on the way to Jim's - it's Julia's turn and how lucky she will have shotgun in Albuquerque and with so many shows this month.

First Staff Trip of the Summer - Malibu Creek

Ok, so it does seem like the kids say this every time but they all assured me, "This was the best Malibu Creek trip ever!"

It was certainly hot enough for a swim and the horses jumped right in, happy to cool off. Even Hannah came along though her arm in still in a cast from her scooter fall, she had a great time and we even found a raft for her to float around in.

The girls and horses swam 3 times and cantered around the trails - it was nice to enjoy the beautiful park and the water felt great.

The next staff trip will be the Ahmanson ride with the West Hills Hunt Club - another great tradition!

Region 2 Youth Judging Team Members Chosen!!

The Region 2 Youth Judging Team has been selected and several of the girls from our barn made the Team!The kids were required to take a written test in addition to judging 6 Regional classes - 2 each in Hunter Pleasure, Western Pleasure, and Country English Pleasure.

Brooke, Hannah, Julia and Ashley all made the Team of 8 that will represent Region 2 at Youth Nationals in Albuequerque this July! Ashley had the highest score and Julia had the second highest score - way to go, girls! New Mexico, here we come!!

Sapphire Memorial Horse Show

This year's Sapphire Memorial Horse Show was the best one yet, though I will confess the kids say that every year. We opened up our doors to close friends in the horse industry and the new faces and support were awesome.

We also had more children acting as volunteers than ever before - if the kids weren't showing, they were still at the event to help and show support for their friends.

After a week of June Gloom, it was inspiring to wake up to a glorious sunrise and a beautiful clear blue day. It could not have been better weather!

The raffle prizes were great this year and I want to thank all of the people and companies who donated items including Farnam Horse Products, West Valley Feed, Calabasas Saddlery,

Lexol/Corona Products, Bright Star Saddlery, the Ferrante Family, the Andrews family, and the girls at Sapphire Arabians for all of the fun items.

Thank you, too to the amazing and talented bakers in our group for all of the wonderful items that kept the spectators happy throughout the day. Christine Feitshans, Rochelle & Emily Holden, Tracey Nairin, & Diane Willis and Alexa & Tanya Kramer.

I really appreciate all of the support from the parents who showed up early and worked the day - Bliss Wendelburg, Lilian Darling Holt (Our Photographer!) Claire Stonich, Jill Pettibone, Jane Terlesky, Eric Feitshans, Jan Hollins, Sandee Andrews, Courtney Surfas, Jennifer Kaufman,

Aidan Djavadi, Mikel Gordan, Ericka Hecskler, Brian Nairin, Maddie Fowle (Future Course Designer), Ben Snyder, Grace Feitshans, Sharyn Henry, Hannah Kulik (on mic), and of course the Hidden Hills Horsemen!

We were also very lucky to have Mark Stinson from Cal Poly University as our judge and mentor to the exhibitors.

I was especially proud of the girls, Ashley, Jordan and Brooke for reading Sapphire's Story (as seen in this blog). You were all beautiful and articulate with wisdom and compassion beyond your years. Thank you.

The classes were fun, enjoyable and full of nice horses. I must say I have grown to love the Liberty class and was so proud of Dru (Padron's Lil Penny) for winning the Liberty Garland for our barn. Nice work, Alexandra and Kate!

Every horse looked breathtaking running around from my angle in the announcer's booth and I loved starting the day off with music & coffee!

The halter class was huge - I think there were over a dozen horses but it was great to see so much quality at a little day show and Jordan and Buck Light brought home first place! We ended the day with a Gambler's Choice Class - Brooke & Lola took first again to defend their title.

I am very grateful and proud for everyone who helped us raise money and awareness for laminitis research in honor of our beloved Sapphire. Much love to you all for sharing this day with us. XOXO

June Rider of the Month - Ashley Lane

It is with great honor that I present this month's Rider of the Month to Ashley Lane! She has earned this award a thousand times over and truly adds something special to our barn and our lives.

Ashley is a joy to have in the barn - she always arrives with a smile on her face and has been the first one to greet the new "Littles" to the barn. She eagerly offers to ride double with them and makes them feel comfortable.

She has also shown a tremendous commitment to the barn and her horses. She is not afraid to take the time and do the hard work necessary to bring on difficult horses. She is nothing but loving with Sonnet, totally patient with Buck Light and puts her faith in Rosie. He horses adore her and like the kids in the barn, they all want to be with her. She can even catch Bella!

There was a big party last week and for a 13 year old girl, that can be everything but Ash made a responsible choice for the horses she was showing and came to the barn to make sure all of them were schooled and ready, making her arrive late to the party. She did this all without resentment and with a smile on her face.

She also shows incredible focus with her horses, never gives up, rides them fairly and with love, and has an immense amount of patience and instinct well beyond her years. She won two High Points at the last show but what makes her special is she would have had just as much fun getting all 5th's!

Ashley is a true leader and role model. She always puts her horses first and takes her time with them. It is a pleasure to have her in the barn and I think everyone would unanimously agree. Congratulations, Ash Light, Ash Attack, Candyland Lane, we all love you and I am so glad you love and care for Sonnet, Buck Light, and Rosie so much!!!! And of course, Khatin Around++++!

June Mare of the Month - Valentina!

It was Valentine's Day. Ok, so I know I had no business going to a livestock auction in Mira Loma! Actually, no one should go to Mira Loma but curiosity got the best of me and I convinced Heather & Holly to join me on this interesting adventure. I had been hearing that safe, wonderful horse were selling at these auctions for $35 and I had to see it to believe it.

I arrived early and picked a few horses that I would "save" if they were to be bid on by the bad guys. Not sure where I was going to put another horse or how I would get it home since I already made a pact with myself never to return, we took our sits in the front and waited for the bidding to commence.

Truthfully, I would not have bought Valentina if it wasn't for Holly. The bidding goes fast and there is so much shocking stuff happening around you that it is easy to miss an opportunity.

There was just something so sweet about her eyes and not knowing anything about her, I was willing to take a chance on her. I knew she did not deserve what a lesser fate may have had in store for her and although I made the purchase on faith, I have never regretted it and only been grateful for her.

She came into our barn and carried people that have never ridden before. She has never bucked or tried to hurt anyone. She is all about love. We have taken her to two shows and she won classes at both of them. When you take her to the water, she is the first one to walk in and does everything willingly.

We have even taught her how to jump! She is a beautiful, sweet mare and has found happiness nad peace in Grace's barn. She still gets a little worried look in her eye when she goes somewhere new but she is trusting and follows us on faith. Valentina, I am so glad we saved you and I hope you are as happy with us as we are to have you in our loves.

XOXOXO