Pizazz Farm

05/29/2023

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cs0_dorAdrW/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Follow us on Instagram! 🥰💕🦄

03/26/2023

Pizazz Farm is a boutique eventing barn located in Bluemont, VA. We have 1, possibly 2 stalls coming available in April/May. We also attend local hunter/jumper shows.
🥕Full, Half, and Partial Training Board options available. Can also customize for your horses needs!
🥕Beautiful indoor with GGT footing
🥕Large outdoor with full set of show jumps
🥕Variety of XC fences
🥕Hot/Cold wash stalls, and washer and dryer in tack room
🥕Great ride out/hacking
🥕Priority will be given to those who want to show and/or compete 🏆
🥕15-20 minutes from Middleburg/Upperville & Purcellville
🥕Owner or Manager on site at all times
🥕We also keep a select few prospects for sale in our barn
Give us a call to set up an appointment!
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram (Pizazz Farm) Thanks for looking! 🦄

02/23/2023

Absolutely stunning 6yo grey TB gelding. Clean vetting ready to go. This one is the real deal. Nice enough for a professional. Lovely temperament, and this guy is a true althete and extremely professional. Shows up for work every day. Someone will be lucky to own this one. Asking 12,5🥕🥕
Will post video soon!

01/16/2023

Trinni is a lovely mare that I took on over a year ago- coming 6yo tb mare, we've put some miles on her and it's time for her to find her new person. Big stout girl standing at about 16.2 or 16.3. Needs a capable rider- although she isn't nasty or anything she is a little particular and will probably have to pick her person. I adore this mare and would keep her if I had the room but it's time 🥰 asking mid fours 🥕,🥕🥕🥕 If the right person or situation comes along I am willing to work with that. I want what's best for Trinni ❤️

12/16/2022

Congratulations to the Partlow family on their purchase of Nona! Excited to see where this pair goes 🥰🥰🥰🍾 🥂 🎉

12/14/2022

"Desi" is a one of a kind un-raced 6yo TB gelding. He is a 2'6-2'9 packer. He has been to a ton of local hunter shows, has shown at Lexington, and also has done combined training tests and has competed in IEA shows. He is a special boy. Asking 17,500- to exceptional home only! Can send video to interested parties. Give us a call! 703-217-1253

11/08/2022

"Nona" is a 3yo unraced thoroughbred filly by Micromanage out of Classic Profile, who's by English Channel. This girl was showing no promise in training so they wanted to find her a different path in life. She is as laid back as they come and will probably finish off between 16.2 and 17h. We've put about 30 days on her at this point and she's been super to deal with and a real gem. She is green but super willing. I think she will make someone a lovely horse with some more miles and time. Nona was great to ship and is a pleasure to deal with in the barn. She will be an easy keeper as she has already put on a ton of weight and is currently barefoot. She has a super in your pocket personality. Priced in the mid 🥕,🥕🥕🥕

10/03/2022

Picked up these two lovely 3yos last Monday! The one on the left will be for sale soon! Never raced. She's so so quiet, never even gave her drugs the first time put after being at the track in a stall for a period of time. Is super chill and is happy as long as she has hay! Have yet to see her make a mare face and is quite lovely to be around. My stick test says she will be 16.2+ when she's done growing. I really love her temperament so far 🥰 stay tuned

09/13/2022

Tuesday morning vibes ✨️

09/06/2022

Lots to unfold in the next hour and if all stays as is, Piggy will help maintain the current female dominance of the sports biggest prizes.

08/29/2022

Lucky enough to call this amazing woman one of my dear friends ❤️ "bird by bird" ❤️

As Sonya Crampton softened her hip angle when Happy Boy left the ground at the first fence of the 2021 Platinum Performance USHJA 3'6

08/27/2022

So fun to see our old sales horses in such lovely homes doing wonderful things with some of the best owners I could ask for!

The Road to the AEC: Heather Norman is Grabbing Opportunities

08/21/2022

The photograph is of a horse that was once named one of the 100 all time American heroes by Life Magazine.

Staff Sergeant Reckless (c. 1948 – May 13, 1968), was a decorated war horse who held official rank in the United States military.

For her exemplary service to the Marine Corps, Reckless was awarded two Purple Hearts (for the wounds received during the Battle of Vegas), a Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, a Presidential Unit Citation with bronze star, the National Defense Service Medal, a Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Korea Medal, a Navy Unit Commendation, and a Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation.

She was officially promoted to Staff Sergeant in 1959 by the Commandant of the Marine Corps.

An American Marine gun crew during the Korean War bought the Mongolian bred mare with their own money and trained her to carry shells for the recoilless rifle they called ‘Reckless’.

They also named the mare ‘Reckless’, and she became their mascot and an indispensable member of their gun crew. Reckless often, under heavy fire, made countless trips delivering ammunition from the supply point to the gun. She would often do this alone.

The photograph on this post is of Reckless beside a 75mm recoilless rifle during the Korean War.

I have also read that Reckless completed 51 solo trips in a single day during the Battle for Outpost Vegas in 1953. The battle raged for 5 days and it is estimated that there were over 1,000 American casualties and twice that number of Chinese during the battle. It is regarded as one of the bloodiest battles in Marine Corps history.

Reckless was also used to evacuate the wounded and was injured twice.

In recognition of her incredible war service, she was presented with a special citation for bravery by the Marines and promoted to Sergeant.

The Marines personally payed for her travel to the United States, where she enjoyed a well-earned retirement pastured at Camp Pendleton.

Reckless died in 1968. There are books about Sergeant Reckless.

Lest We Forget.

Photograph came from Wikipedia.

08/17/2022

"Why do you use Thoroughbreds for ranch work?"

We get this question a lot--from neighbors, reporters, fellow riders. In most people's minds, a Thoroughbred just doesn't "belong" on a ranch, working cattle. A Thoroughbred is "supposed" to be at the track, or maybe in the hunter ring, or galloping across the eventing cross country course. Many people seem to treat a Thoroughbred wearing a western saddle like a circus sideshow.

But to be a great ranch horse, a horse needs to like to work. He has to be game for long days, difficult country and the worst of weather conditions. He needs to be that horse that waits by the gate to get saddled up even when he knows he might not be back until 14 hours and 20 miles have passed.

A great ranch horse will never say no. He doesn't balk at a rushing creek or a steep ravine. He doesn't back down from an angry momma cow. When you've spent 10 hours searching the brush for a stray steer, he still says "heck yes" when you ask him to run it down.

A great ranch horse needs to be part independent problem solver, part patient trail buddy and part trigger-happy gunslinger. He might go from walking on a loose rein to full gallop and then back to a standstill in all of 150 feet. He needs to pay attention and understand the job at hand and be able to do his part without full time direction from his rider. His brain and his body must be in constant synch with the situation at hand. Ranch work is no place for daydreamers.

Great ranch horses are not just beloved friends, but working partners. They are one of the few horses left that truly have a "real job" to do. There are no blue ribbons for riding eight miles in the cold, pouring rain and wind to go doctor that sick calf. There is no trophy waiting at home when you bring the herd home in a blizzard. There is just the appreciation of a job well done by both horse and man.

If you have ever ridden a Thoroughbred for any reason, you know they possess all of the above attributes. They are all heart, all try and all grit. When you add that to the fact they have been bred for hundreds of years to be the greatest athletes the world has ever seen, you cannot find a better animal to set your saddle on.

So maybe the real question should be "Why would you use anything BUT a Thoroughbred for ranch work?"

08/11/2022

Everyone enjoying a morning hack and ride :)

08/02/2022

This for me hits home ❤️

I’m a big believer in setting goals. Mostly because I struggle with the anxiety of feeling like I’m on that never ending hamster wheel of training. Crushing a goal is a great way to earn a sense of accomplishment. I set goals for myself, my clients and yearly goals for my family.
💪 🤠 🐴

Often when setting goals with my clients, they choose to move up a level. There is some weird unwritten rule in the sport of Eventing that makes most people feel like they’re only worthy if they compete at XYZ level. Moving up a level in Eventing is not just nailing a flying change or perfecting a 20m circle, but rather, you must jump bigger fences at a faster pace, which is inherently more dangerous and causes more fear. Oh boy, I said the word FEAR! But fear is a good thing. Fear keeps us safe.

I was chatting with a fellow professional at a Horse Trials yesterday about her competing her super fancy 2* horse at the Training Level this weekend. She point blank said “Ya know, I’m just not that brave anymore!” She has one of the most successful sales programs in the country, attends US Dressage Finals every year with her self-made horses, and yet she still chooses to compete at Training level Eventing.

I thought that was really cool. It is brave to move up a level, but isn’t it also BRAVE to admit that you’re comfortable doing exactly what you’re doing and still having fun? As a coach, you need your students to be honest with their goals. The way that I’d produce a client who wants to move up to Prelim is a much different approach than if their goal is to consistently win at Training Level.

If you are a client of mine, then you’ve heard me say “I have no interest in competing above Prelim.” I am a mother, a wife and I have had a friend die doing this sport. I am gutted to write that, but pretending like it didn’t happen would be a lie. Prelim is where my comfort level stops. I’ve tried to set my own comfort threshold as an example for my students, from the beginning of their time with me.

Whether you’re a student or someone reading this who might feel “unaccomplished” for riding at the same level for years, remember that this sport is supposed to be fun! You are brave to move up a level if you so choose, and you are brave to admit that’s not one of your goals at the moment. We all need to feel validated, supported and worthy of this sport. Sometimes you’re fine doing exactly what you’re doing! Period. ❤️

07/23/2022

07/21/2022

Horses for lease!

Sammy: Lovely been there done that hunter type gelding for lease. "Sammy" is perfect for someone who would like to learn the ropes at the lower levels or just come and enjoy their time at the barn! He has done it all from huntedr/jumper eventing! Loves to trail ride as well! Great confidence builder. Safe and reliable. Half lease is 2-3 days per week- $350/mo, full lease is 5/6 days per week- $500/mo. Both lease packages include 2 lessons per month.

Yager: 15.1 h AQHA gelding. Broke to death, he was a reining horse in his younger days so knows all the tricks. 100% safe I have taught beginners on him and he is tried and true in every way. He also loves to trail ride, and has competed in reining classes, as well as competitive trail classes. Nice opportunity for the right person. Half lease (3 days per week) is $350/mo includes 2 lessons per month. Full lease (5 days) is $550. We also offer lesson packages to all our clients!

06/26/2022

Good read!

"Sometimes, the key to getting the horses going right for their people, is in fact, other horses (and a bunch of carefully managed turnout)." Welcome to the next installment of Thoroughbred Logic. In this weekly series, Anthropologist and trainer Aubrey Graham, of Kivu Sport Horses, will offer insig...

06/11/2022

Love this about him! Out all night with friends ❤️

05/27/2022

"Horses don’t think the same as humans.
Something that’s most unique about the horse, that I love, is not what he possesses but what he doesn’t possess..........and that is greed, spite, hate, jealousy, envy or prejudice.
The horse doesn’t possess any of those things.
If you think about people, the least desirable people to be around usually possess some or all of those things.
And the way God made the horse, he left that out." - Buck Brannaman.

Image of Buck is by Heather Kessler - https://www.facebook.com/kesslerphoto

05/25/2022

“$61.99”

“How much for the Amplify? Not $61.99 A BAG, right?”

“62, yeah. Before delivery and the fuel surcharge.”

This is an actual conversation Em (if you don’t know who that is, she’s my head girl, right hand, the reason your horse gets 5* care here at the farm) and I had this morning. A grim reminder that while horse prices are higher than Snoop Dogg at the Super Bowl, we horse owners are in for a major crash and burn when it comes to the care and upkeep on said horses.

If you’re a regular middle classer and keep your horse at home, you’re already keenly aware; and if you boarded your horse previously you now understand why he wasn’t bedded knee deep and standing in front of 20lbs of alfalfa like he was the 2nd coming of Storm Cat. Champagne taste, beer budget, am I right? Yeah, same here.

If you currently board your horse somewhere, I beg you to read all the foreboding posts about prices going up and being kind to your barn owners. We have been quietly absorbing the price increases in every aspect of horse care and I’m about to lay some hard truths on ya’ll, so buckle up lol.

Grain prices go up WEEKLY. Yes, that’s not an exaggeration here in the NY/CT area. Since January the grain we feed has increased 11-15% depending on the brand and type. Hay went up 13% from the last load we had delivered, and I’m guessing this year’s first cut is going to be easily 33% more than last year. EASILY. Maybe more, I’m trying to be conservative in a market that’s anything but. Shavings, same thing- 16%, and who knows what this next load will be.

Dumpster, that’s gone up. Also the mowers, Kubota, truck and tractor don’t run off love. $7 a gallon anyone?

And lest we forget lumber- those fence boards and posts your angel muffin EATS? Boards- they’re about $16 each, posts are running $32. EACH, PEOPLE! Your sweet Pon Pon, who crashes through gates- yeah those are roughly $250 each at TSC. None of this is including the time and labor of a hungry and disgruntled boyfriend who is fixing the broken fencing at 8:30 at night after a full day of work.

I can tell you here at Stoneleigh we have implemented minor changes to absorb the cost for our boarder where we can. I know every horse owner loves to look in their stall and see copious amounts of hay. You know what you don’t see? How much gets churned into the bedding and s**t and pi**ed on. Trust me, it’s a lot. Same for the paddocks; spend a Sunday here when the big machines come out to strip the fronts of the muck. The waste is sinful. Look, my personal horses are the biggest diva as****es- so now they get a flake at a time. You finish your flake, you get another. Finish that? Boom! Another! But I’m not wasting hay. Also, we use hay nets when applicable, so the hay stays clean and available longer. Please don’t fret if you don’t see hay out in front of them 24/7, and look, with money all things are possible, so if you just can’t stand the thought, then we’re happy to accommodate the visual you need.

If your horse blows through a gate or beavers my boards down to spindles, you’re going to get a bill for it. It’s not personal, it’s horses.

One of my coaches sent an email that her boarding and training prices were increasing-20% to cover costs. It’s an accurate number. Presently. I wouldn’t be shocked if it goes up again if inflation doesn’t shake out. But it was something else she said that resonated with me as well- that her boarding business needed to cover itself and not be supplemented by her lessons and clinic fees. Oh man. Light bulb moment for sure.

I don’t think most boarders understand that- for me personally my lessons and schooling fees go right back into the farm account- I essentially make NO SALARY. I’m clearly not the only pro doing this, and while I’m not complaining, (it’s my farm and I think that’s fair for now) it’s something to think about.

In the coming months you’ll see price changes happening at all levels of the boarding industry- maybe some will do a tiered pricing structure, a la carte services, surcharges or just a general percentage price increase, but it’s coming.

Satire aside, rest assured Em and I will do our best to keep board as affordable as possible without sacrificing the 5* care you’ve come to expect here. We’re not asking for hugs or accolades, just a momentary pause to remember as crazy horse owners, we’re all in this together.

(Horse in photo says he’s not responsible, but ain’t no snitch either 🤣)

05/15/2022

"Intentional riding cannot be a rigid thing -- plans and responses must be flexible. Critical thinking and smart training kicks in here. It is enormously important to, first, be able to recognize when what you are doing is not working, and second, pivot, adjust, or change." Welcome to the next insta...

05/15/2022

Running martingale usage

From time to time the subject resurfaces---Should I use a running martingale?

One time many years ago, I heard Bill Steinkraus discuss this topic, and while I can’t quote him verbatim, here’s what he said in general terms. (If you don’t know who he is, Google him)

Bill said that he usually uses one, and that he feels that has saved him from having many rails down.

“I don’t use a running martingale to control the placement of the head. I use it to control the placement of the hind legs.”

(Copy that ONE line, and paste it somewhere)

He explained that if he was coming to a jump and saw that he needed to shorten the stride, or to create more engagement, he would take a half halt, and if the horse did NOT have a running martingale, the horse would be able to invert, which would put his legs out behind him, rather than underneath him for the desired compression.
Using the running martingale prevented that evasion.

So, if you are looking for the opinion of one of the greatest technicians of all time, here it is, as best as I can remember.

(Edited to add that the martingale must be fitted correctly)

05/13/2022

✨One of my favorite truths ✨

04/21/2022

Plenty of paddock time can actually reduce soft-tissue injury risk, say NJ researchers studying six years of data.

04/12/2022

Hard to believe this filly raced in this state when I purchased her. Fun story we had been at the track for hours- I tried to buy a nice gelding- that didn't work. I went to leave and Meghan said "come back in I found you a filly" and she knew I would never buy one with the pieces together. So I bought her. Now here we are 8 mos later and she's really blossomed. Some time, some love, and some grass and just like that shes a real horse now. She's been a perfect girl since we put her back in work!

04/02/2022

“It’s absolutely mind boggling if you think about it.

Your horse gets absolutely nothing out of being competitive for you. Not a darn thing. Of course horses are bred for specific jobs, or they’re bred to be athletic to a certain degree. However, horses don’t wake up thinking about chasing cans, or cows, or flying over jumps.

They have no idea how much money is added to the pot.

They have no idea that this is a qualifier. They have no idea that this is the short go.

And DESPITE us... DESPITE our nerves, our flaws, our incorrect ques, our huge emotions, they get the job done to their very best ability. Even when we fail them by letting our emotions get in the way, they come back and they try again. For US. Whoa. Let that sink in. If only we could all be so understanding.

To think of an animal that is forgiving and flexible enough to put up with the repetition of practice, the intense nerves of the rider, the stress of hauling and still meet you at the gate for scratches is MIND. BLOWING.

If you haven’t done so lately. Thank your horse.

If you’re successful, thank the horses that put you there and made you. Thank the horses that gave everything they had for you simply because you ASKED them to.

If you’re still on the journey to success, thank the horses that made you fall in love with your sport and who have helped give you the confidence to want to learn more and be better.

We can never stop learning as horsemen and horsewomen, and by continuing our education every horse in our future will be better off.

Next time you head to the arena leave your ego at the door and thank your horse!”

~Samantha Roffers

03/07/2022

This. Over and over.

Anxious or Calm? It starts off their backs.

I have watched thousands of humans deal with horses over the last 70 years. So much of how horses behave has to to with whether or not they are anxious or calm, and so much about whether the horse is anxious or calm depends upon how it is handled---I think---

Watch the way a good horse person catches a horse in a field, how they put the halter on, how they lead the horse, how they handle the horse on cross-ties, how they groom, how they tack up, how they mount, and then, after they are on the horse, how they warm up.

I don’t think with the better horse people you will see much drama. You won’t see yanking and snatching and slapping. You won’t hear lots of yelling. You will see quiet movement, almost deliberate handling, consistency, and when the horse gets tricky, like sticks its head way up to get bridled, there won’t be a big deal, lots of patience.

You won’t see the saddle getting slammed on the horse’s back, or the girth getting cranked tight, maybe the horse being kneed in the belly to “make him let out his breath.”
There just won’t be all that hassle and drama.

And once the rider IS on, you will see calm walking, no insta-contact, no feeling of rush or hurry, or frenzy.

All of this is not about riding skills or training while riding, but it is a prelude to that, and usually how you see a human deal with horses OFF their backs will give you a pretty good clue about what you will see when you watch them ride.

02/22/2022

Good morning ❤️

02/21/2022

So sad.

Virginia lost a lot of farmland last year. According to new data just published by the USDA, Virginia lost farmland at the rate of almost 2,000 acres per week in 2021. There was also a loss of 800 farming operations during the year. That’s a rate of about 15 farms per week.

In 2021:

* The number of farms in Virginia dropped from 42,300 to 41,500
* Acres of farmland dropped from 7.8 million to 7.7 million
* Average size farm changed from 184 acres to 186 acres

Data released 2-18-22 by USDA NASS

02/20/2022

For all the people who turn up to work at 9 am who’ve been up since 5 am doing the horse, for the ones who worry about leaving “l’odeur cheval” in their wake

For the ones who cried in to the neck of their horse when they were upset, the ones who have mended fences in the dark and think bailing twine and duct tape are handy to have in your pocket

We’re the ones who dreamed of a pony for Christmas. These are the memories we share, the dreams we hold, the unconditional love horses have taught us

This is a lifestyle not a hobby

This is a true love ❤️

02/13/2022

https://carsonjames.com

02/02/2022

The most exhausting part of work is the work you have to put in to get the work, and then the work put in to maintain and manage the work, on top of the actual work you get paid for.

For a self employed person your work load could be 8 hours a day, but the working to get the work is sort of round the clock, and the working to maintain and manage the work could be 3-4 hours extra on top of every day.

For most of us it’s 6-7 days a week with long work days, no paid benefits or paid vacation. No sick days, and horses need to be fed on holidays so that’s out too.

We do what we love because it moves us and gives us a beautiful life, and for some of us (raises hand) because we hate being told what to do by anyone.

Appreciate the folks who take care of your horse, because they pretty much work all day to keep them fed, healthy, and going well - work that takes one form or another.

01/30/2022

“Farm work doesn’t make you stronger. It doesn’t make you anything. It reveals you.
There’s gym strong and then there’s farm strong. They’re mutually exclusive. The toughest women you’ll ever meet spend their days on a farm.

There are more uses for twine than you can possibly imagine. You can tie up a hole in a slow feeder, fashion a tail strap for a horse’s blanket, mend a broken fence and use it as a belt.

“Well that certainly didn’t go as planned,” is one thing you’ll say quite a bit.
Control is a mere illusion. The thought that you have any, at any given time, is utterly false.
Sometimes sleep is a luxury. So are lunch and dinner. And brushing your hair.

If you’ve never felt your obliques contract, then you’ve never tried stopping an overly full wheelbarrow of horse manure from tipping over sideways. Trust me, you’ll find muscles that you never knew existed on the human skeleton to prevent this from happening.

When one of the animals is ill, you’ll go to heroic lengths to minimize their discomfort.
Their needs come first. In summer heat and coldest winter days. Clean water, clean bed, and plenty of feed. Before you have your first meal, they all eat.

When you lose one of them, even though you know that day is inevitable, you still feel sadness, angst and emotional pain from the top of your head to the tips of your toes. And it’s a heaviness that lingers even though you must regroup and press on.
You’ll cry a lot. But you’ll never live more fully. You’ll remain present no matter what because you must. There is no other option.
You’ll ask for so many miracles and hold out hope until the very last.

You will, at least once, face-plant in the manure pile. You’ll find yourself saying things like, “we have maybe twenty minutes of daylight left to git ‘er done” whilst gazing up at a nonspecific place in the sky.
You’ll become weirdly obsessive about the weather.
You’ll go out in public wearing filthy clothes and smelling of dirt, sweat and p**p. People will look at you sideways and krinkle their noses but you won’t care.
Your entire day can derail within ten seconds of the rising sun.
You can wash your coveralls. They won’t look any cleaner, but they will smell much nicer.

Farm work is difficult in its simplicity.
You’ll always notice just how beautiful sunrises and sunsets really are.
Should you ever have the opportunity to work on a farm, take the chance! You will never do anything more satisfying in your entire life.”

-Author Unknown

01/16/2022

Beautiful sun rise this am!

01/14/2022

They don’t care.

That’s how I explain horses to potential new owners who inquire with me for advice. I don’t ever want to discourage someone from the adventure of owning horses. But I feel it is my responsibility as a horse woman to look out for their future horses by giving them the harsh reality.

They don’t care if you’re sick.
They don’t care if it’s 0 degrees
They don’t care if you don’t have the money this month.
They don’t care if you’re tired.
They don’t care if you had other plans.
They don’t care if it’s the holidays.
They don’t care if you’re at work.
They don’t care if it’s the middle of the night.

They depend on you. They need fed, every day multiple times a day. They need their stalls cleaned / turned out, every day. They need you to bust ice on freezing days, and bring extra water on hot ones. They need you to care for them when they’re sick, and they are FRAGILE. Seriously, they spend 75% of their life trying to die and vet bills are expensive.

But, it will be your greatest adventure. The right horse will care about you. They will care for you on days you need it most.

So, take lessons, come over and hang out with your horse friends for a day, volunteer to help them out. Make sure it’s something you want to commit to because they didn’t ask to be in your care.

Thanks for coming to my Ted talk.

- Deahanna Raynes