Hello Folks!
Just in case you aren't getting enough of me, my farm, and my critters, I have decided to further pimp myself out by starting a blog. I think I have hit a new high in the realm of self indulgience, but whatever. My cousin did it, and it looks like fun!
In my business (the horse industry); and especially when you are looking for sponsorship like I am - you need to promote yourself shamelessly. Thus the blog.
You've seen the website (I hope; if not, please do! www.youngdalefarms.webs.com) and gotten a little bit of history on our humble little farm. Now, on this less formal page I will give you a little more background on a little farm that is trying to make it big in an industry that anyone will tell you, does not grant you success without a whole lot of cash, moolah, green, dough......money folks.
But let me start at the beginning (brace yourselves). I got my first real introduction to horses at the age of four when I met Allison. It was the first day of kindergarten, and I will never forget - she came up to me all bouncy and happy and exclaimed: "Hi! My name's Allison. What's yours?" From then until high school we were inseperable. She taught me all about horses, how to muck their stalls, make a wicked Bran Mash (her parents would only let her have horses if she took care of them herself); and how to ride. We'd ride together pulling stunts that would give most parents nowadays a heart attack; and I would follow her to her riding lessons and watch from the sidelines. Allie was an amazing rider even back then, and I wanted to be just as good as her.
Like I said, we rode every chance we got, and Allie taught me a lot. Some of her methods though, were a little risky - like the kind of things that would get someone sued today. She'd loosen my girth, spook my pony, anything to get a laugh. Of course it did. It also taught me a hell of a lot about keeping my seat. And of course, I would get my revenge.... eventually.
As I grew up, I tramped around the Ottawa area working in different barns mucking, excercising, managing etc. I also worked for people of means as a show groom. And I got to train with some pretty good riders.
I eventually switched from English riding to Western, but now I do my best to maintain both disciplines in my program. I am currently re-learning Jumping and Dressage, in the hopes of producing some good Eventers in the future.
That being said, my main riding passion right now is Endurance Racing. I have always loved Arabs, and the way they can carry me across a feild at a full gallop. It feels like I'm flying!
But I digress. Back to the background. After an ill-fated partnership a few years back, I moved from my big, beautifull and fully funded 125 acre farm to a small peice of land just outside of Winchester. We bought the place as a project, and that's exactly what it has become! In the words of my Dad, we're taking it from "run-down to rustic" - straightening barns; tearing down and putting up new fencing; building stalls etc.
Someone important once said (and I'll look it up after this): It is not fine stables that make fine horses. It is their care." We at YoungDale believe that whole-heartedly and strive to keep our horses happy and healthy. And the proof is in the pudding. You can see it in our horse's bodies, willing attitude, and the sparkel in their eyes!
And so, this summer my plans are to a) run a small riding school for kids on Sundays (which will hopefully bring in some money for more farm improvements); b)compete my Arab gelding Reflexion in some long distance races; c)take care of my horses, and d)improve my farm.
Wish me luck!
But let me start at the beginning (brace yourselves). I got my first real introduction to horses at the age of four when I met Allison. It was the first day of kindergarten, and I will never forget - she came up to me all bouncy and happy and exclaimed: "Hi! My name's Allison. What's yours?" From then until high school we were inseperable. She taught me all about horses, how to muck their stalls, make a wicked Bran Mash (her parents would only let her have horses if she took care of them herself); and how to ride. We'd ride together pulling stunts that would give most parents nowadays a heart attack; and I would follow her to her riding lessons and watch from the sidelines. Allie was an amazing rider even back then, and I wanted to be just as good as her.
Like I said, we rode every chance we got, and Allie taught me a lot. Some of her methods though, were a little risky - like the kind of things that would get someone sued today. She'd loosen my girth, spook my pony, anything to get a laugh. Of course it did. It also taught me a hell of a lot about keeping my seat. And of course, I would get my revenge.... eventually.
As I grew up, I tramped around the Ottawa area working in different barns mucking, excercising, managing etc. I also worked for people of means as a show groom. And I got to train with some pretty good riders.
I eventually switched from English riding to Western, but now I do my best to maintain both disciplines in my program. I am currently re-learning Jumping and Dressage, in the hopes of producing some good Eventers in the future.
That being said, my main riding passion right now is Endurance Racing. I have always loved Arabs, and the way they can carry me across a feild at a full gallop. It feels like I'm flying!
But I digress. Back to the background. After an ill-fated partnership a few years back, I moved from my big, beautifull and fully funded 125 acre farm to a small peice of land just outside of Winchester. We bought the place as a project, and that's exactly what it has become! In the words of my Dad, we're taking it from "run-down to rustic" - straightening barns; tearing down and putting up new fencing; building stalls etc.
Someone important once said (and I'll look it up after this): It is not fine stables that make fine horses. It is their care." We at YoungDale believe that whole-heartedly and strive to keep our horses happy and healthy. And the proof is in the pudding. You can see it in our horse's bodies, willing attitude, and the sparkel in their eyes!
And so, this summer my plans are to a) run a small riding school for kids on Sundays (which will hopefully bring in some money for more farm improvements); b)compete my Arab gelding Reflexion in some long distance races; c)take care of my horses, and d)improve my farm.
Wish me luck!
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment