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Welcome to the Ennisbrook Farm web site! October 2006 News Happy Halloween!!! What a great October...and aren't we lucky to have an indoor arena to ride in now that winter is just around the corner. Thank you to everyone who has helped out after my surgery a month ago. One more month and then I can start back working around the farm. Stephanie has been most helpful, and I really appreciate how clean she has kept the barn. The Halloween Party was fun. I wonder what the horses think about clowns, indians, and pink haired riders? Check out your photos on http://www.ennisbrookfarm.com/ennisbrook1/2006.htm I was impressed how high everyone jumped during Knock-Down-and-Out. Lilly and Megan really out did themselves!!! All the parent chaperones were great to have around. We were all disappointed that the 4-H Show was cancelled, but made the most of it with our own little show. You can see these photos on http://www.ennisbrookfarm.com/ennisbrook1/toppage1.htm . The conformation class ended up being all ponies...Have we become a pony farm again? All horses were trimmed on Monday, October 30. Please leave a check for $45 written to me in my cubby. It is time for the equine dentist to visit. All horses at the farm are required to have their teeth floated. This ensures a healthy horse and helps them get the most nutrition from their feed. Look for the date on the board and please make sure to be at the barn for the dentist or be ready to leave a check. Horses will be held for the dentist for a $10 fee. Don't forget the Young Riders Awards Banquet on November 18. There is also the regular meeting the first Tuesday of each month. All 4-H members should be working on their record books and ready to turn them in on January 16. Please e-mail me any accomplishments or photos you would like to put in the newsletter... info@ennisbrookfarm.com . Reminders: Please turn off lights immediately after you are finished riding. Electric rates have steeply increased. Turn on electric fence if you are the last one to leave the barn. Clean up manure from the indoor arena and the barn before heading home. Be kind to your ponies...warm them up at the walk and then trot before zooming around the ring and popping over jumps. Then don't forget to cool them off at the walk after your ride. Too much jumping in one session is not a good thing. Also keep jumping down to twice a week.
May News Happy Spring, everybody! Hope you enjoy the improvements to the rode and the indoor arena. By the end of this month, we are planning on putting up a full size dressage arena in one of the outdoor fields and continue to add cross country jumps. If you are interested in dressage lessons, let me know, and we will see if they can be fit into our instructor's schedule. If you want a lesson from Marty please call him at 410-708-1016 and get him back over to the farm! Marty Morani is training and managing the farm at Wolf Creek Equine in Lothian, but is still available to teach on the Eastern Shore. If anyone is looking for a nice eventing horse, check out Marty's 16.2 hand bay gelding, Tap. I will be busy most weekends through June towing Julia and Obie to horse trials and pony club events. I should be around during the week, especially to work with our Oldenburg gelding yearling, DeKota. He will be arriving around June 1. October News Welcome Buddy!!! Alyssa has a new horse...a sweet red roan App. Congratulations Alyssa!
We have been lucky to have such beautiful weather to ride in for the past month. I will be moving horses around in pastures now that cold and wetter weather is on its way. I need to make sure that the horses on pasture board can get in out of the rain. Unfortunately, this usually means the horses will have some bite and kick marks while the pecking order is being established. I have tried to put compatible horses together, but scuffles are inevitable. In case you are wondering what the numbers are up on the white board next to your horse's name... that is their weight. Each time the farrier comes I will be measuring the horses with the weight tape to ensure they are maintaining their weight. Do not be disturbed if you see gains/losses of 25 pounds as I have observed these differences in five minutes on one horse due to the way they are standing or if they bloat out while I am measuring them. Important news: Please note that the cost of hoof trims have increased by $10. In the future the week before the farrier is scheduled, please provide a check written out to Chesapeake Forge for $45 to include the trims and holding fee. The next appointment is November 18. Currently, I am owed checks for $45 for Care Bear, Ginger, and Chanel for the October 6 visit. Notes about the Kubota RTV: Minors are not to use the RTV without me present. No one should ever stand up while the RTV is moving. If you damage the RTV, even though it may be an honest accident, you must pay to repair the damage. If you are not willing to accept this responsibility, do not use the RTV.
Ribbons and accomplishments Congratulations to Ennisbrook kids who have done well in competitions and shows. Eileen won second and sixth place in Intermediate Equitation riding Polly for the St. Mary's Equitation Team at the Interschool Horse Show on September 25. While Eileen was earning her ribbons a group of Ennisbrook Farm riders had a blast participating in Equilibrium's Hunter Pace. Julia and Erin received a second place in the Open Division. Kris, Olivia, and Alyssa came in fourth in the Novice Division. And Alexis, Megan and Chrissy received the prettiest purple ribbons earning seventh place in the Novice Division. Pictures can be viewed in the 2005 photo album. Julia has been working hard at dressage which paid off at the Equilibrium Dressage show on September 11 when she earned two blue ribbons and one red in her Training Level Tests riding Ariel. She also had the high training level score for the show. We all had a lot of fun at the Young Rider's 4-H Horse show on September 17. Karen swept up blues in Senior Western Pleasure and Marie also did well in Junior Western Pleasure. Alexis earned reserve champion in Jr Equitation performing some beautiful jumping on Ariel. We are so proud of Taylor and Olivia who rode in their first jumping classes and were quite successful. Taylor and Pixie even brought home a blue ribbon riding Pixie over fences. I know all of our youngest riders did very well earning first through fifth places in the Dusty Bottom Division. Alyssa showed her balanced seat remaining in the saddle through a few happy bucks by Honey and perfoming quite well in the Novice Division. And Erin was able to skillfully bring home a first place in pleasure jumping riding the flying pony Pixie. All the kids did so well at the show, that I cannot remember everybody's placings. If someone has a copy of the results please send them to me via e-mail and I will be happy to list them in the 4-H section. Please e-mail me your accomplishments in the future and I will list them in the news letter. Everyone should wish Karen good luck as she heads for Quarter Horse Congress next week. We have a cross country clinic on October 9, Halloween party and sleepover on Saturday October 15, and the Young Riders show is October 22. There will also be a fun show at Ennisbrook on October 29 including a cross country class.
September News Happy Autumn to all the Ennisbrook kids, boarders, and friends!!!
Welcome Andrea and Ginger and the whole Oliva family. We hope you enjoy being part of the Ennisbrook Family.
Although the kids are back in school, prime riding season has just begun. Soon the horses will be frisky and kicking up their heels with the cooler weather. If you are not confident in your riding and don’t care for a surprise buck or two, you might consider lunging your horses before hopping on.
Mike Bailey will be coming on September 9 to trim and shoe horses. If you want your horses hooves trimmed, please provide a check written out to Chesapeake Forge for $35 and I will bring your horses in for Mike. If I don’t have a check on hand (put it in my cubby by the fridge) you must make your own arrangements for your horsey pedicures.
Cost of Boarding at Ennisbrook Farm We have had plenty of grass this year so the horses are all going into fall on the plumper side. Let’s keep our fingers crossed that this has been a good hay year and gas prices don’t drive up the price of hay later in the winter. People outside of the barn have asked if my prices are staying steady. Currently I have no intention of increasing the board. However, if fuel prices continue to increase, there is a secondary impact on the cost of hay (especially if it comes in from out of state), grain, and electricity for lights and water heaters. Both property tax and insurance almost doubled this year, and the farm is in need of a lot of maintenance. So, there is a possibility of an increase in board…but it is primarily dependant on the price of hay and might be in a form of a hay supplement during the late winter and early spring. If I get a letter out to the barn next month I will go over the costs of running a horse farm, so that the kids can understand all that is involved and what they might be able to do to help keep costs down.
Lessons at Ennisbrook Farm Because Ennisbrook Farm does not formally offer lessons, you are welcome to have your own trainer come to the farm. However, they must provide proof of insurance. The Bishops offer lessons on certain days of the week and Marty Morani plans on coming Friday evenings. Marty’s lessons for Alyssa, Olivia, and Alexis will be starting at 5:30. The phone number for Robin Bishop is 410-604-0380 and for Marty is 410-708-1016. Maybe we can get Joanna to start back with us now that she is back from the UK?
You can e-mail me about anything you like at kennis@ennisbrookfarm.com. The website www.ennisbrookfarm.com should be updated within the week and will have these letters, schedules, and lots of pictures.
September Happenings September 10/11 Outlaw Days at Tuckahoe September 17 Young Riders Horse Show at the 4-H Fair Grounds September 24 Annapolis Pony Club Tack Sale in Davidsonville September 25 Equilibrium Horse Center Hunter Pace
October Happenings October 2 Olde Hope Farm Octoberfest Horse Trial October 9 Cross Country Clinic with Marty Morani October 14,15, or 21 Halloween Party and Sleepover at Ennisbrook Farm!!! October 22 Young Riders Horse Show at the 4-H Fair Grounds October 29 Annapolis Pony Club Fun Show at Ennisbrook Farm (tentative) October 30 St. Augustine Pony Club Harvestfest Horse Trial at Unicorn Farm
Young Rider Shows: As usual, the trailer will be available for the Young Rider’s Horse Shows. I don’t know yet who will be driving, but the fee is $25.00 per horse. Please let me know if you need trailering so that we know how many loads will be required.
Tack Sale: There is a tack sale outside of Annapolis on September 24. Is anybody interested in selling some stuff? Shall I rent a table for Ennisbrook Farm and we can split the $20 fee? This is your opportunity to buy used riding clothes and tack and save some money.
Hunter Pace: Julia and Olivia will be attending this fun event. Would anyone else like to join us? Olivia, Alexis, and Alyssa would make a great team. What do you think? If you need a ride, trailer fee to Equilibrium is $30. Even if you hitch a ride with someone else, be courteous and offer to pay for gas…it’s getting awfully pricey. You must pre-register by September 23…go to www.equilibriumhorse.com for more information.
Olde Hope Farm Octoberfest Horse Trial: This is an excellent place to try out eventing. Olde Hope is very laid back with inviting jumps. You should register as soon as possible because Octoberfest will book up fast. Go to www.oldehopefarms.com for more information and registration. Old Hope Farms is located about an hour away right before the C&D Canal on Route 213. Trailering fee to Olde Hope is $40 and spaces are limited. This is another great event for Olivia, Alyssa, and Alexis to compete as a team?!?
Equilibrium Hunter Show: Equilibrium Center has a great schooling show series starting in October. I don’t know if Julia will be competing, but I thought I would let the barn know about them…Go to www.equilibriumhorse.com for more information.
Equilibrium Horse Center ~2005-06 Winter Series Dates ~ October 9, 2005
Annapolis Pony Club Fun Show: APC is planning a fun show at none other than Ennisbrook Farm on October 29. This is a tentative date that will be finalized next week. This will be primarily an Open English show as well as games. Rather than ribbons, candy is usually given to the top three riders of each class. Cost will be around $6.00 per class. Look for the flyer and invite everybody!!!
Ennisbrook Farm Halloween Party: The girls want to have a Halloween Party and sleepover at the barn in October. October 14 is a great date for me…what about everyone else? Let’s plan pot luck for that evening. Maybe Gary Mott will be available to chaperone with his trailer? All the girls will sleep in the barn…which means we will have to really clean it up before hand. We will have a hidden vote for the best horse/rider costume and come up with a fun prize.
St. Augustine Pony Club Harvestfest Horse Trial: Here is another opportunity to try out eventing at the lower levels. Olivia, Alexis and Alyssa should think about teaming up once more!!! This trial is located about fifteen miles north of the Bohemia River. Trailering is $40 and is limited. You must pre-register by October 11. Registration and more information can be found at www.staugustineponyclub.com/events.html .
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