September 2009
Dearest Pony Farmers, Both Camp and Lesson Families,
As the fall leaves start turning colors and the air gets crisp, I feel a mixture of sadness that summer camp is over and an excitement for our fall programs. The farm is sure alive during all times of the year and I love it all!!!
I hope that those of you who were with us this summer had as much fun as I did. What a great season of summer camp we had. I still smile as I think of all the fun things that we did, from the horse shows and pony camping trips in the moonlight, to the rainy camping trips cooking over the fireplace in the Homestead, to the trail rides and jumping, to the carriage driving and Puissance, to Gambler’s Choice to the Trough….The swimming was glorious and the small animals a blast…What a staff we had…and truly no injuries or illnesses, thanks to healthy kids, good, home cooked food and fresh air. Thank you all for joining us! We truly miss your sweet and smilin’ faces.
For those of you who joined us this summer for riding lessons, we sure enjoyed having you here too. Several of the families bought horses, often their ‘first horse’ ever. Many more of you ‘loved on’ your four footed Treasure and enjoyed learning the many details of being with horses and riding well. We were so glad that you stuck with it even when it rained or was hot. Your progress was great. We are looking forward to welcoming you back this fall to enjoy the autumn weather atop your favorite horse.
We have such a full and happy schedule planned for this fall and well into winter. We are hoping you will join us for lots of exciting happenings….We have just finished our Fall Lesson Open House…We have a real sell out for Pony Farm and Horse Power Lessons for riders of all ages. We are also going to be starting a Pony Farm Horse Show Team….and a Pony Farm Pony Club….We can not wait to add these wonderful horse experiences to our repertoire of activities. It is our goal to offer ‘something for everyone’ who loves horses here at the farm. Between what Horse Power offers by way of national Instructor Certification, Workshops and week long Intensives, and all that Pony Farm does, we really are well on our way to truly having what you, our devoted customers, want!!!
The Pony Farm Horse Show Team will be for riders of all ages. It is our intent to get this going this fall with aspiring team members getting to ride a lot! Early on this winter we will be offering an inexpensive ‘On Farm’ Winter Lease Program. More details will follow about this but it will be open to both lesson students and campers, as many of our campers live close enough to join the show team and to ride on weekends.
During the winter, we will also host several information sessions about everything from appropriate horse show attire, to what a judge looks for when selecting the winners, to what is required in each type of class. We will even have information for parents!
Next spring, we will host several showing clinics with some judged schooling shows so that people will really be ready for the official show season. Our goal is to go to about 5 or 6 shows in the coming year. We will not be ‘wild and crazy’ with costs but will prepare families ahead of time so that kids and parents can be ready when the season hits. Together, we will make this a fun, exciting experience without breaking the bank.
We will also be starting up a Pony Farm Pony Club this fall. Pony Club is yet another great way for horse lovers under the age of 21 to learn more and get to ride outside of a single lesson program. Pony Club emphasizes good horse care, horsemanship, sportsmanship and low level competition, both mounted and unmounted. It is our hope to get a number of both lesson and camp kids who might want to join our new club and attend some New England competitions sprinkled throughout the year. Members of our new club are also welcome to lease horses on the farm over the winter to improve their riding and horse care skills. Pony Club is less expensive and competitive than showing. We want everyone to be able to share in our love of horses.
We hope you will be in touch if you have any interest. We will get you lots of information and look forward to beginning this journey with you and your family, whether you are a new camper, lesson family or neighbor! You won’t be a stranger for long here at Pony Farm.
We will be opening our popular “Early Bird Registration” for our summer residential riding camp program during the month of October. Back by popular demand, this early registration assures that you will get first priority next summer. We know that we will have waiting lists this coming summer for the middle sessions…so if you already know that you want to return, we suggest that you sign up during this Early Bird opportunity….The added bonus is that you can register at the 2009 rates…so look for information in the letter that is about to arrive on your doorstep…We want YOU with us in 2010 to help celebrate our 39th year of operation!!!!
One of the fall events that I most look forward to hosting is our Fall Family Harvest Weekend which will begin on Friday late afternoon after work on October 30th and end on Sunday November 1st. This fun ‘get away’ weekend will center around riding and driving. People who wish to ride, can ride both days, all the time. For those who might wish to do things other than horses, there are fabulous walking, biking, hiking trails, and tons of antiquing and shopping opportunities. We help you find just what you want in the local environs. We are delighted to announce that the weekend will culminate in opening the Homestead’s brand new “OLD” Keeping Room. We will have redone what used to be my living room in my former home into a typical family’s kitchen and gathering room, called the Keeping Room. We are working with a school and will be doing fieldtrips and research at both Sturbridge Village and Strawberry Bank. Both places feature life in the 1830’s. Although the farm itself was started in 1754, we have chosen the 1830’s because it was at the peak of farming and prosperity for New Hampshire. We will actually cook a completely locally grown dinner over the open hearth, eat by candlelight with tin reflectors, using no ‘modern day’ conveniences. We will enter through the Stage Coach Waiting Room door and truly experience life as is would have been back in these magical times. We are most excited to do this unique and rarely created experience with you!!! We hope you will join us. Camp or lesson families are welcome….or new folks who we do not even know yet…Don’t be a stranger here!
We are also eager to welcome you to one of our two Mother Daughter Weekends. These are some of the most popular things that we offer here at the farm. In fact, that is why we have two offerings of the same thing…We know from past experience that lots of Moms and Daughters make this a holiday treat…In fact, it has become a lasting tradition for many Mothers and Daughters. We do lots of riding, driving, vaulting, trail riding, jumping….plus lots of sitting by the fire, crafting, cookie making, drinking hot cocoa for kids and vino for the grown ups…plus we have massages and picture taking galore…so, join us for this specialty, one of a kind event this year to help usher in your holiday season. The 2009 dates are December 4th to the 6th and 11th to the 13th….We recommend not waiting too long to reserve your spot as these weekends fill quickly.
The actual summer camp brochures will go out right after Thanksgiving. We know that families start planning their summer early on to fit in all the summer fun! We have the dates ready for you so you can find just the right session for you.
One final note is that we wanted you to know early on that we will be hosting two February Vacation Residential Camps this year. We have selected the week of Monday February 15th until Friday February 19th and the second week of February 22nd to the 26th. It is our hope that kids who loved camp may join us while parents work…or just join us because they love being here. This is also a good short version of camp for new kids….So, the more, the merrier. With the big indoor arena, lots of heated classroom and the lodge itself, we will have a ball in all kinds of weather….So, look ahead and see if this might help you during these cold, dreary months when we are all dreaming of summer time fun. Kris will be in charge of all the camp things and the weekends. Her email has changed to Pfkris@hotmail.com….. due to a virus…So, do be in touch with her to find just the right spot for you and your loved ones….
So, with camp, lessons, showing, Pony Club, clinics, riding, driving, specialty weekends, and events galore, life here on the farm is fun, exciting and ever changing. We love all the things that happen here during all four seasons. We are never lonesome and we love it!!! Do be in touch with us and let us know how you are doing.
I did want to end on one note of thanksgiving….I do not know if you are aware that we have a hard working, dedicated and smart Pony Farm Advisory Council. They are a 16 member team of parents, staff, workers, and customers who help direct the farm and lead us forward. I want to thank these people on behalf of all of us…the students, the campers, the horses, the farm animals and the gardens. They help us to run a good, solid, creative and healthy business. We are most grateful for their input as they have lead us strongly forward during an unstable economy…no pun intended!!!
Thank you again for your friendship, your presence and your love of horses. Stay in touch.
Most fondly,
Boo
