Greetings from another sunny day in Arizona.
We have been having a wonderful time and are torn with feelings of homesickness and dread of returning to cold weather and bad footing.

Last week we went to St John’s HT here is Arizona and had a fatastic time! It has been dumbed, “red neck eventing” and I think that is a good spin on what it is. Janelle flew down and rode her brand new horse in the pre comp division and ended in third place, while Mum and Pam were second, Karen and Paige both won their divisions and Elliot was great on his first trip to town. I could give you a commentary about the goat heads, dirt, wind and rocks, but then you wouldn’t believe that we had such a great time; so there, all the horses and people were great!

Congratulations to Randall’s of Scottsdale, Arizona on their purchase of “Yes We Can.” He will be missed in the barn but I can assure you he is happy and well suited for his new career. He will be traveling with his new jockey, a 15 year old fantastic rider competing in equitation. I hope all the girls at the barn fall in love with him as we did and spoil him rotten!

Josh is now here for the final countdown of our stay in Arizona. Within the next 10 days we are planning on loading up our stuff, horses, dogs, cat and tons of Trader Joe merchandise and heading home. I am told there is no snow on our lawn and sun is just around the corner.

The calendar is full of fun stuff starting with bi-monthly clinics in Boise, WRCTA clinic in Salt Lake, and IDEA clinic in Kuna. Check out the calendar and come play with us soon!

Thinking of migrating-
Stephanie and Fam

Karen and I had a great time with friends (thanks to Janelle and Heather’s help) and nice horses at Three Day Ranch last week.  Our horses put in great dressage and show jumping while a little slow on the cross country.  We are now looking ahead to all the fun stuff on the calendar.   Check it out and pass the word!  Hope to see you soon.

Elliot with new look!

Greetings from Wasatch in the Sun.  We have been here for 2 full weeks and finally feel like we may be in full swing.  With 4 horses clipped, pulled, shod, bathed and 2 more in full work, all 6 are looking good.

Breezer with Family at Bellisima

Yesterday, mum and I took a few to Bellisima Ranch in Cave Creek for some jump schooling. Wesley and Breezer were great; as was the weather and the company.  It was great to be back at the “ranch” and see everyone there.  Breezer’s extended family came to cheer him on (and spoil him.) He loved it!  I look forward to taking a few horses over every week for a little tune.

Josh and Trav learning to rope...

Josh and the Cross Country Hardware guys have moved onto the east with stops in Louisianna, North Carolina, Virginia and Vermont for their spring run.  I hope to make it east for a visit and look forward to Josh coming back for a week in March.  It was great having them here. They spent time building, learning to rope and hiking while they were here.  I tried to get them to build me some more jumps, yet had a hard time producing the materials!  Hopefully next time!

Doyle and my Dad, Vern showing them how to do it

This weekend is looking like lessons, sunshine and riding.  Looking forward to it!

Our first combined test is coming up next Sunday in Cave Creek.  I am hoping the “yellow” horse will be up to it!

The calendar is filling up with fun stuff.  Come join us or schedule your own clinic or lessons.  Contact me any time!  Hope to see you soon.

Desert Landscape by Jo

Stephanie and the boys

Holiday Powder Day

Greetings from the winter wonderland.  3′ of new snow just after Christmas followed by a week of -20 to 5 degree weather McCall is not a great place to try and ride horses full time in the winter <shocking!>  The last few days have warmed up into the 20′s and I have regained my sanity. We are now having a wonderful time with the barn full of nice horses.

I am busy looking ahead to the year to come and look forward to expanding on the great things of 2010 (winning events, Karen and Allison in the west, wine tasting and students moving up sucessfully) while scaling back on the not so great things (being away every weekend, working 14 hours a day, no local horse shows, only 1 lesson with great new dressage trainer in Boise).

So now is the time to let me know what you want to see happen in 2011.  Take a look at the calendar and your goals and lets talk.  The snow is great here in McCall and the chairlift is a great place for discussions, so come on up!  Or we can do it ring (or pool) side in Arizona next month.  I am open to either.

Wishing you and yours a great start to the new year!

Stephanie and the boys

Happy December!

It is starting to clear!

Now that we are in the home stretch for 2010 we are looking forward to a fun filled 2011!

This week several of us got together to toast a fantastic year of horses and friends; old and new.   It was wonderful to have so many like minded souls stuffed into our little house!  A few of us sat down at the end of the night and went through the calendar to see what our possibilities are.  Please take a minute and see what we have added, and what you would like to see on there!  We would like to add a weekend of schooling and dinner at Tulip Springs, some schooling at Rafter K, and a 3 day camp here in McCall that includes the lake, hiking and yoga.  What do you think?

I have also updates a few prices for 2011.  The new pricing is on the services page.  I hope it reflects the increase in the value of your lessons and training due to my continuing education, experience and research.

Next week I am in Scottsdale attending lectures, clinics and forums on safety, teaching, riding and equestrian business.  I hope to come back bubbling over with ideas and information, so watch out!  Lessons on the 18th could be LONG and FULL of more information than holiday minded people can handle!

I will be in Boise this Tuesday, Dec 7th then again Dec 17-18th.  Please, email or call and set up your time now.  Till then; be safe, avoid crazy crowded spaces and enjoy the season!

Stephanie