Serendipity Stable

06/02/2026

I always say the stars have to align for me to get to go on an off property trail ride. Today I may have forced them a bit, but it was too pretty not to! Great company and good ponies 🧡💚

05/31/2026

2 weekends ago took on Northern Ohio Dressage Association 's first schooling show of the year with 7 horses! First up was Mary Beth Mahoney, it was her AND her horses first time ever at a dressage show and they both battled nerves, had some green horse moments but ended up having so much fun (and a decent score!) that she already signed up for the June show 🧡 Judy Jacobsen had been out of the show ring for a couple of years while Mo's hocks fused AND was run over by her baby horse the weekend before. Of course, she just pushed through to show anyway and received super respectable scores at WB knowing they can both be so much better once shes back not feeling like she got in a fight with Mike Tyson. Next up Kim Zemba and Odin got in more practice at third level in preparation for Pony Cup, each test they get better and better! Worthy and I also squeezed in another solid practice in the boards at I1. Val Grava stepped in for Dahlia in Misty's Intro C class since D wasnt cleared to ride yet- huge thank you to her for giving Misty such a nice ride for her first time out this year 💚 Katey Nixon and Cosmo got the first show jitters out of the way despite Katey being in the throes of Maycember chaos. Im so proud of her for showing up and riding so well through Cosmo seeing a boogie man in the corner by A! Sorry my brain fell out and Sally had to read for you 🤦‍♀️ Last but certainly not least- Kathy and Calista were on 🔥 Kathy has struggled riding the pattern vs riding the test but after some bootcamp lessons she really RODE training 3 and didn't let Calista take over and do the test at Mach 5 🎉 I am so incredibly proud of every horse and rider 💚🧡 As always put on an excellent show. We are so very lucky to have such lovely, well run shows in our backyard. And look- I at least got ONE picture 🤣

05/22/2026

I am so incredibly far behind between back to back shows and a grief wave but I do want to brag on my students even if I'm late to the party! As usual, I got basically no pictures except this one so you will have to imagine the pretty ponies 😉
Move in day was ROUGH! The actual move in part was quite smooth- huge thanks to NODA and specifically Kara for all the organization and help🧡 Schooling had us out in the wind and consequently- SIDEWAYS- rain. Everyone toughed it out and got decent schools in with relatively well behaved ponies despite the weather. This was particularly important as 3 of the 4 had not been able to ride their tests in a full size ring yet! Kira, held down the fort in the aisle, making friends with all as usual.
Day 1 arrived, brisk but rain free 🎉🎉🎉 Odin walked in the ring for the first time at 3rd level and while his scores weren't what we had hoped, the comments were spot on and fair. Due to the frigid Ohio winter we are about a month behind in our lead changes and it definitely showed in the scores but getting him and Kim out was important along with supporting our local show! Next Worthy and I stepped out for the first time at I1 and I was incredibly pleased with her try and ridability. I plan to do a full post on her later. Zoe Deems and Wren were up next and Wren was definitely feeling a bit bright with the weather but really managed to keep it together and put in a nice test and an amusing (but safe) DSE, which of course Zoe rode beautifully. Wrapping up the day was Katie Drennen and DaVinci who put in solid first level tests only showing his exuberance in the canter departs but again keeping the lid on and staying safe for his mom 💚 Kira spent the day as an emotional support dog for Sally and all that ventured past her 🤣
Day 2 brought improvement and more settled horses (minus Worthy who recalled she was married to Odin on the way over 🙄). To say I was incredibly proud of everyone is an understatement! Everyone helped out, lending hands where needed and working together even though they all met for the first time at the horse show. I was also able to catch up a bit with Laura Ann Kosiorek-Smith and Jen Ruberto who were stabled across from us which is always a pleasure. I also blinged out my shadbelly for the next show at On the Verge designs which was so fun! Kira did not care about the bling but appreciated I remembered cookies for her.

As always I couldn't do any of this without my amazing clients at the show and at home- shout out to all of you that came to support us and cheer us on! My partner Big Dee's Tack & Vet Supplies that keeps me safe in my super comfortable OneK helmet, fabulous Deniro boots and PDS saddle. Our incredible local GMO Northern Ohio Dressage Association. And of course the behind the scenes help of Meridian Equine Indy Peckham , Tim Lindauer, Janet Thompson , DeeDee Duffy , Anja Wuerminghausen, Sally Burton, Sadie Petrash and Shan Simon (who made the princesses socks sparkle) ✨️. I'm sure I missed someone- please forgive me! Now back to working because it can always be better 🧡💚

04/17/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1RdFtrHKCQ/

Now that I finally own my own barn after years of boarding, there’s SO much I didn’t realize as a boarder that I TOTALLY get now, Jamie Sindell writes.

Dear Barn Owners of My Past:

I would sincerely like to apologize for believing it was appropriate to grab hay whenever I wanted. I had to stuff Precious Pony’s face full. Heaven forbid she stands for an hour deprived of hay. What I didn’t realize is that Precious wasn’t wasting away. Hay is freaking expensive. Every. Single. Flake. Is money.

It was obnoxious to snag hay. If I believed you were truly starving Precious, I owed you a conversation. Sorry!

I also extend an apology for not thanking you regularly. I now comprehend what it takes to haul my butt out of my cozy bed on a frigid morning. I feel the pain of wrestling a frozen hose and slinging manure pucks into the wheelbarrow. I would absolutely prefer to skip chores and arrive in my heated vest to ride Precious Pony. You never had the choice to ditch the horses and sip a latte by the fire. Instead, you were out there caring for the herd.

In the summer, scorching fly-filled days when sweat soaked every fiber of your clothes, you ensured the horses stayed comfortable and healthy. I’m genuinely sorry I didn’t express my gratitude enough or bring you a Strawberry Acai on the regular. What I understand now is that one thank you or kind gesture makes a stressful barn day less painful.

I would be remiss if I didn’t say MY BAD for believing everything in the barn should look like an Instagram reel. Days the stalls weren’t done ASAP, water was lowish, or the ring wasn’t dragged with a pretty pattern…. Well, now I recognize crap happens! You have a life beyond Precious Pony, and gasp, maybe even a family to care for too!

Things come up. I’ve had sick kids upchucking into bowls, a spouse stuck at the airport, and busted-frozen pipes cramping my watering style. Crazy days make it extra hard to get everything looking just so. If the horses are regularly getting good care, blips aren’t a crisis. Precious Pony will survive to trot another day!

Turnout! Ugh. I was a brat. When I believed Precious Pony MUST go out to frolic, but the fields were a mucky mess, that wasn’t my call at your barn. In fact, Precious Pony would not only destroy your sopping fields, but she might pull shoes or come in limping.

Currently, my fields are moats. Every time the horses gallop through the mud, I cringe. Turnout all the time isn’t always feasible or a solution.

I am also sorry if I didn’t respect your barn rules. Your barn is your pride and joy (when you can muster up joy after caring for Precious Ponies all day). I know I now savor my crossties clipped, halters hung on a bias, and aisle neatly swept. At the end of a longggg day, these details matter. Forgive me for the days I left my brushes strewn about or my muddy blanket heaped in a mountain on the floor.

Finally, my biggest regret… I wish I lent you a hand more often. On days you were overwhelmed and rushed, I wish I hadn’t zipped out of the barn. An extra set of hands for turnout or holding Precious Pony for the farrier goes a long way. Presently, those extra free minutes mean I can grab my daughter from preschool on time instead of dashing in late, a hay-covered-mom-failure.

Let’s face it. Most people don’t board because it’s a cash cow. They do it because they love horses, even if down the line they become a little jaded. If I disagreed with some of YOUR decisions at YOUR barn, I hope I was respectful and kind. If I wasn’t, shame on me. No matter how strongly I felt about Precious Pony’s care, hushed whispers among disgruntled boarders wasn’t the way to go.

Now, when I take on a boarder at my farm, it is my choice. Though I will tolerate the owner and love Precious Pony like my own, at the end of the day, I own this joint. I want respect. You deserved the same.

Sincerely,

Jamie Sindell (Exhausted Owner of Wish List Farm est. 2022)

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03/11/2026

This is heartbreaking. Getting an EIA diagnoses would be absolutely devastating to all involved.

The horses are located in Bonnyville No. 87.

03/10/2026

My friend and client Judy Jacobsen unfortunately hit ice at the beginning of December and ended up with emergency surgery and strict instructions to not ride until last week. Thankfully Judy is super woman and healed well but she wasnt able to ride her own horse, Mo, in the Ida Norris clinic last weekend at Flow Equestrian Center. However, she was gracious enough to give me the opportunity to pilot him and learn more about the quickly growing western dressage discipline. With only 3 rides on him before the clinic (don't worry, Judy had been keeping him fit on the lunge) I think we managed to not embarrass ourselves 🤣 Mo was quite sure he did not sign up for that much work but he really did try his heart out for me. I just love him! A great time was had by the humans, we learned a ton and are hopefully even more prepared for show season 2026!

Thank you Judy, Tracy and Ida for a great weekend!

03/06/2026

Just when you think things are settling down...... 😕

The cases are located in Louisa County.

03/06/2026

The past few months have been difficult in a variety of ways. December is always a tough one where I always have to balance a trauma response and the strong re-emergence of grief with all the joy and magic of a season that I used to love so much. The past 2 years have added another layer to the angst with losing 2 older and long time client horses on and around Chris's death date. Seriously universe, can you please just cut it out?? Then January rolled around. Innocuous at first, but then she delivered a frigid blast that put us in temperatures lower than Alaska with nearly as little sun and more snow than we have seen in a while. As if that wasn't enough to break my warmth and solar powered self, there was pony chaos......
I got the call as I pulled into my orthodontic appointment. Misty and Worthy had broken down the fence between them, never a good start. Misty then proceeded to clamber over the rubble and continue the fracas that I had broken up over the summer that put them in solitary confinement (aka solo turnout). There was lots of blood. Only on Worthy, of course, the pony seemed unscathed minus a misding tuft of hair near her withers. To the best of our ability to discern what transpired, amidst the screeching/wailing/gutteral noises that their ancestors would have been proud of, was that the pony had landed a pretty wicked kick to Worthys left knee. Vet was called, panic ensued on my part because, JOINT. Although, let's be honest here, my brain tends to fall out the minute Worthy gets hurt. Any other horse that I love? Cool as a cucumber. I know what to do, I know the steps to take before the vet arrives. I am with it enough to take notes and remember the protocols told to me regardless of severity. Worthy gets hurt and its like I have never seen a horse before. Quite frankly, its embarrassing. Thank goodness my vet understands this about me and holds my hand and placates me in my irrational states of duress. However this time my panic was not unreasonable. The wound was deep. It was directly over BOTH joint capsules. It would require stitches and a prayer at the least. Additionally, it was negative degrees hampering the ability to test joint involvement. My trailer was buried in 3 feet of snow and the long barn drive that I have to back said trailer down was barely wide enough for my truck to make it down which would require loading on the road on a blind hill. After talking me off the ledge enough to engage in civil conversation (she really doesnt get paid enough) we weighed the pros and cons of taking her to Equine Specialty. The decision was made that trying to load/transport her at that time was likely more risky than stitching her up and putting her on aaaalllllll the antibiotics and prayers/jingles/hail Mary's. So for over a week I was syringing antibiotics 3x a day on top of 5 days of IV antibiotics, 2 Excede shots and bloodwork twice- oh and lots of good old fashioned worry. I am now, once again, proficient in spider wraps- a skill that had to be revived from my college/standardbred days. Thankfully Worthy was a stellar patient that only looked at you woefully from her prison of stall rest as every other horse in the barn was turned out except her for 15 days. The stitches held and my miracle vet of extreme patience was pleased with how it looked. Yet, in true pessimistic fashion, I still worried that she might bang it open when she laid down/rolled so she sported a fancy 18" quilt and wrap combo for turnout and overnight. Think- lovely top European dressage horse in schooling vibe- only lopsided. She refused any pictures for fear of blackmail in the future from her barnmates so you will have to use your imagination. 3 weeks post traumatic event, spiraling depression, immense bouts of anxiety and a drained bank account she is back better than ever. I have finally let out the breath I had been holding for far to long. I did tryto explain it was so cold she would have had all that time off anyway without nearly sending her owner to the psych ward and collections but she mearly blinked at me with those big doe eyes that melt me every time. So now my mental health is finally starting to return to its previous level of low/mid instability vs teetering on the edge of complete collapse. Just another reminder to stop occasionally and appreciate what is around you that is helping to keep you sane. That could be a family member, a friend, your pets or a horse that has no idea how many dreams she has already fulfilled and who unknowingly holds so many more.

02/27/2026

When your horse gives your student the most beautiful piaffe and you didn't think to grab your phone..........

02/17/2026

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