Fairy Tail Farm

08/06/2025

You are not the missed flying change.
You are not the wonky shoulder-in, the judge’s 5.5, or the test sheet that looks like it was edited by a disappointed English teacher.

You are more than your mistakes, more than your failings, your failures, or your “shortcomings” (which, let’s be honest, often just means your horse didn’t feel like pirouetting today).

Your goals, your scores, your outcomes — they are not your identity.
They are data points. Not definitions.

When we start measuring our worth in percentages or ribbons, we risk turning something soulful and nuanced into a performance review with hooves.

Because at the core of dressage isn’t perfection — it’s partnership.
It’s showing up, rain or shine, for a creature that doesn’t speak your language but somehow understands your soul.

So breathe. Laugh. Cry if you need to.
But remember: the arena doesn’t determine your value.
It reveals your willingness to keep learning, adjusting, and showing up with grace — even when your inside leg is ignored like a politely worded email.

You’re not just training a horse. You’re sculpting a deeper self.
And that… isn’t something you’ll find on a score sheet.

08/02/2025

08/01/2025

I have a friend who deals with lots of adult amateur riders, and she has a strong conviction that the ONE CHALLENGE faced by that group as an entirety is lack of physical strength and fitness.

Obviously, she’s painting in too large brush strokes, There are 70 year old adult amateurs who also run marathons, but her point is that the sedentary lifestyle that’s so normal in modern America has allowed lots of adults to lose what they had I high school and college. It’s not that many of them CAN’T get it back, she says. The problem is making that a high priority when so many other obligations clamor for their time and energy. And, of course, illness and injury restrict some.

Strong athletes can do so much more, though, than weak athletes, and that is a simple reality that supports Susan’s theory. But this is actually good news, because it CAN be changed, which is hugely more positive than if all hope was gone.

In this photo, Walt Gervais, who took up riding in his mid 50s is entering the steeplechase starting box for his first preliminary 3-day event, and he was 75. It CAN be done. Hard as hell? Yes. Possible though? Also yes.

07/31/2025

So True!! Merry Middle of the Week to ya Friends!! Thank you Spirit for the laugh this mornin'!!
Have a BEAUTIFUL day Friends:))
~ Tonia and Rebecca ®

07/31/2025

What does happiness smell like to you?

07/29/2025

07/29/2025

Training Tip Tuesday... Working the foundation of the Training Pyramid today. It is good practice to return to the basics periodically to test the horse's rhythm and suppleness. Without those, the remaining parts of the pyramid are not possible.

Ride 10-meter voltes in each corner with a change of direction across the center of the ring. In the voltes, it is important to pay close attention to your geometry and that the horse is bending from poll to tail around the inside leg. If you are not sure if your geometry is correct, you can always count each quarter of the circle to see if you get the same number of strides. If all 4 quarters count the same, then you have an accurate circle.

Maintain the horse's rhythm as you leave the volte to the middle of the long side and turn onto the line between E&B. Remember, the turn onto and leaving this line are like riding a corner and there should be a straight line as you travel across the ring. The change of bend can take place over 3 strides, so as not to upset the balance of the horse. Straighten the horse over "X" and begin the new bend the stride after "X."

This may seem like a really simple exercise, but it's complexity is in the details. This can be performed in all gaits. You can do flying changes over X if your horse has them - testing the straightness of your change. You can add transitions or a halt at "X." Try to be 100% accurate in your geometry, voltes, corners, bend and straightness. It's much harder than it seems.

You might try a lengthening down the long side or across the diagonal after you have ridden the exercise correctly to see if you have more impulsion and stretch.

If you struggle to maintain a straight line, try placing the letter across the arena from you between the horse's ears and look straight ahead as if you are looking past the letter (not at your horse).

Let us know how it goes. Happy riding.

07/28/2025

And we wouldn't have it any other way!

07/28/2025

07/27/2025

Haley Lancaster is our next Challenge trainer I would like to introduce you to.

Haley is another first time Challenge participant. She's a trainer, riding instructor, mom, wife and Arabian breed advocate. She's been riding her entire life and training and giving lessons for twelve years. She's worked as an assistraner trainer and barn manager an Arabian training and breeding farm as well as at a few lesson facilities. Two years ago, she launched her own program with an emphasis on promoting the Arabian breed. You can learn more about Haley and her facility at https://www.facebook.com/emeraldequestrian.detailing?rdid=ZR0mqpIvK1icZkd6&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F1AK3pTTSNa%2F #

She says, "I decided to join this challenge for many reasons. I enjoy challenging myself and developing my training skills through as many different channels as I can. Every opportunity I have makes me a better trainer and instructor. I also feel it is a great chance for me to introduce rescue and foster horses to my lesson students. Many students don't think about the opportunities there are to foster and volunteer in rescues. And of course the biggest reason is to be able to help a hirse in need find any amazing new home where they can thrive!"

Haley is paired with Nimbus (who I admit to having a soft spot for!). He's a nine year old, 15.1 hh, registered Arabian gelding. He's a sweet boy with a huge heart, but he developed some bad habits thanks to poor training and handling in the past. Haley has her work cut out to help him overcome his past and shine. You can follow them both at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093494472067