New Years Message - January 2015

This post was originally our January newsletter, Vol 5 issue 1 (just as the 70-plus posts preceding this one originated in the past years' newsletters). I include it here as the sentiments are still fresh, and this coming year's calendar still forming! -MG

Dear Friends,

Our first issue of 2015 is dedicated to gratitude, acknowledgements, and events to start the New Year.
We look forward to another great year of growth and learning for us all.
Two great clinics start our year: Western horsemanship with Craig Johnson on January 24, and dressage with Jennifer Verharen on Feb. 1! We are very excited to have two great events back to back.

Happy New Year!
Mary

p.s. from March 2015: The two clinics mentioned were both great successes, and we look forward to more clinics this year! Coming up May 9-10, Scott DePaolo "Fundamentals of Ranch Horsemanship." See the flyer on Facebook! Or download it from our website!

Thanks and Acknowledgements...

Every year around this time, I like to thank the people who make Freedom Farm the special place it is while working behind the scenes. Kathy and Steve Schmidt for example: you name it, Kathy and Steve have contributed to it, e.g., their fastidious care in feeding the herds, supporting our student shows, and much more. So many folks contribute expertise and kindness in the course of their everyday work at the Farm as well: Jess Crouch, Michelle Grimmer, Hannah Crouch, Lester Hardy, Nathan Schmidt, Jerry Schmidt, Mary Mira, Shelby Vaughn, Audrey Bryant, Mary and Kip Tulin, Joe Edwards, and our dedicated scooper, Jeremy. I am so grateful for all you do! And all you great volunteers, thanks for the good work! Parents and students make our our Hoof Beats program the unique learning community it is. Barbara Noble helped us make our fine hay even better this year, with supplement advice. Kenny Hall supports many of us through fitness coaching. Again, my thanks to you all!

Thanks for the generosity of people who follow and believe in what Freedom Farm stands for: Great Horsemanship and Natural Care.

This year Tom Light donated his lovely mare Niva to the cowmanship program. Her excellent breeding gave our program a huge boost, and an education as to what makes a well-bred cow horse.

My horse Meho has always been my go-to cow horse; his get 'er done attitude helped manage many a tough cow. Niva has that same attitude but in a true cow horse body. What a difference!  Thank you, Tom.

Another beauty that found her way to Freedom Farm, through the Brummel family, is Maggie. Maggie was Amelia Brummel's trusted friend, accompanying her to many wonderful places. This year, Amelia allowed Maggie to retire with us, to teach our beginning riders. She catches the eye of the students and all the geldings on the farm alike, and has settled into her work nicely. Thanks Amelia!

And ongoing thanks to all of you who have so generously given your wonderful horses over the years, making it possible for Freedom Farm to share horsemanship to so many people in our community.

Freedom Farm horses are forever touching lives.

Equine blessings go the other way, too, when our horses find new homes.

• Emma Weller purchased her best friend Mikey out of our Hoof Beats program. Now he lives at home with Emma and trailers in for lessons. So often, our horses raise lots of kids, who sadly (for the horse) grow up and move on. Mikey's dream has come true in that he will stay with Emma in his forever home.

• Lily Robertson bought a pony, Sable, whose sidekick Comet (our miniature, a familiar character from many photos) lives with her at Lily's house. Lily is learning to ride Sable, while brother Ben rides Comet. I'm sure we will see them at the Farm this summer for camp activities.
• Matt Niemeyer purchased Cody from Freedom Farm, to ride with daughters Grace and Maddie on their steeds Ivan (horse) and Nick (pony).
• Mary Mira's dream came true a few years back, when Lynn Walton offered Charlie for lease. They are regulars in the arena, and in dressage and horsemanship classes.

Freedom Farm horses have a way of changing lives: who will benefit from these two special horses in 2015?

• Houston. If you haven't seen Houston's video, check it out. This coming year, Lynn Walton will be allowing another of her lovely horses to be leased and shown. Houston jumps in perfect form, and wants to learn the upper dressage levels.
• Aptly named Shorty will be scouting prospective owners this year, as he gathers show miles. With the help of Jess, Hannah and the arena lead change herd, Shorty is on his way to chalking up flying lead changes as a no- brainer.  And Ben Robertson has had great fun taking him over jumps! You can find Shorty's videos through our Facebook page.

2015 Calendar.

As always, January is my month for making up the coming year's calendar. If you can't wait and need some dates right now to plan your summer vacations, give me a call and I will do my best to give you what I can earlier.

(Originally published January 2015)