#ventiadventures Vista style 💪
A year full of #ventiadventures #beingmerry and changing scenes in the #chroniclesofrigby.
If your victory lap doesn’t include a tuck and run, you’re really not living. #beingmerry #RRP2023 #OTTBdressage
We closed out 2022 hosting Tim Bourke for a jumping clinic. I rode Rocky, Merry and Venti and even in my third lesson couldn’t remember the courses because I was having such a great time socializing with everyone. In my four years at the farm I have to say the biggest success has been the relationships we’ve built within the community - eventing, dressage, pony club and more. This season wasn’t really one with big results, though we had a couple, but it was about learning and growing and laying the foundation for bigger things. 2023 may be more of a year to brag about, but who knows! I’m just grateful I made it through this one with healthy horses and new hopes. I’ll leave you with some clips of sweet Merry yesterday, stepping right up as I suspected he would. The future is bright over here, and looking decidedly red too! 🧡
Another fun day of running horses of all shapes, sizes and colors through the jump chute with The Frame Sport Horses. Our own Merry jumped his first sticks and was such a good boy. We’re excited to see how he develops over the winter as he gains muscle and confidence. We plan to do more of these so if you weren’t able to join us today, you’ll have another chance soon!
Thrilled with young Venti starting his second recognized event today. In his debut at HPNJ he was completely feral - the judge actually applauded me for keeping him in the ring. Six weeks later he’s looking right at home. The scoreboard didn’t match the effort but that’s the game. His big brother Rigby had a similarly disappointing test on paper. But I’m proud of my boys and looking forward to jumping them around some proper tracks tomorrow.
Team Milestone had a great evening jumpers show at @huntclubfarms last week with fantastic rounds from everyone! Ryleigh and Chance jumped BN beautifully. Janice and Walter made their debut as a pair and jumped two super clear rounds. Venti popped around the poles like a pro. Frankie and Victor made everyone awww in the crossrails. @smp.eventing and Rocky put on a masterclass in the N with a perfect round and jumped really well in their first T effort. Love summer jumper evenings!
Baby G is a superstar! Today was his first jump under saddle. He was totally underwhelmed by the tiny crossrails and demanded something a little more substantial to inspire him to move that cute little booty. He won’t be doing a lot of this kind of thing this year but it’s clear he’s going to enjoy his future career.
#AQHAsporthorse #fireworksafterdark #babychestnugget
What’s worse than getting a stupid TE on a talented horse? Getting a stupid TE on someone else’s talented horse 🤦♀️ I cracked the code on getting Walter relaxed in dressage this time around, shaving 6 points off our last effort and putting in a lovely test if I don’t say so myself. Unfortunately I then made the mistake of blindly following the line of travel (and, annoyingly, the course map) through a very awkwardly flagged water element, ending our day prematurely. It doesn’t matter how many years you’ve been in this sport, it’s very hard to put it all together on the day. The good news is all the ingredients for success are there. Onwards and upwards! #humblepie #ididcountrightatleast #sh*teventersunite
We had a successful move up day for the Rockies at Hunt Club today. Even though neither are babies by age, they’re both very green and have only done a handful of BN events. Sydney and Rocky finished on their dressage score for third and Rocky2 (Shamrok Hit, owned by June Hudson, video clips below) landed just behind them after an unfortunate but educational rail in stadium. Really looking forward to watching these guys blossom this spring!
This cutie pie OTTB has had a handful of post track rides with us and is really starting to blossom. Even though his mom wants to hit the trails I think it’s super important for horses to use their bodies correctly for longevity, so we’re making the most of this muddy day indoors learning about suppleness and connection. Look how fancy! 😍 #russelldoingthings #bestJCnameever
My #chestnugget had his first lesson with @hollywilmoth_dressage today. He’s growing and changing and TRYING so hard. Just love him. #ottbpride #ventiadventures #RRP2022 #TRRACgrad
First hack for the #babychestnugget and he couldn’t have been more perfect. @grand_meadows #aqha #warmwinterweatherrocks
2021 was a year of soaring highs and crushing lows as a life with horses so often is. Our season started off with such promise winning the Modified at Southern Pines and moving up to Prelim, but ended with more questions than answers about the potential for an upper level career for Rigby. I lost my angel baby Otter to colic just when it was looking like he might defy the odds once more. I took the leap into training full time and haven’t looked back, though I do spend my day off working at my old job to get off the farm and into the world. I’ve got a great group of clients with all different sorts of horses and goals and get so much pleasure watching them work towards them. We sold 5 lovely horses and ponies to amazing new homes and have some really exciting training horses in the barn. Best of all I am ending 2021 looking to the future with my chestnugget Venti, who just like Otter, has a huge and earnest heart and reminds me why there’s really nothing like a good OTTB. The boys and I will kick off 2022 with some short trips south to get a headstart on the season, and we’re looking forward to hosting some fun clinics over the next couple of months. Thanks to all that have ridden this rollercoaster year with us, and cheers to the new one!
Our latest #ventiadventure to @destination_eventing_ for a #jumpchute with @theframesporthorses was a success! My #chestnugget is figuring out where the spaghetti legs are supposed to go. Can’t wait to see him go again when we host ours on 12/17. We still have space if you care to join us! sign up at @striderworld.
Day two of #whatcandexterdo and he’s still wondering what #stressage is all about but likes being told he’s gonna be a #fancypants
A little airtime introducing baby Devon to fillers this morning. It’s a treat to have such quality horses to work with 😍
Training horse Rocky2 (hard to have two tall, dark and handsome Rocky’s on the same farm!) accompanied our resident hunter prince Barclay to school at Morven today. Just so you know, signs and tents are way scarier than hunter courses 😝 I’m not sure there is a ring this horse doesn’t wow in!
Wise words from Linda Zang. So lucky to have the best of best coming to help me and such an amazing horse in training! #ridewiththebest #stressage #fancyprance #eventergoneDQ #youbettersmile
