Small farm located in Clarence, NY focused on providing a positive atmosphere for both people and ho
Operating as usual
Had a great time at a jumping clinic with Alfonso this past weekend. It's always a bit nerve racking trying to load the horses up and go somewhere in the middle of winter. They get used to going places in the summer, but sometimes they are rusty after not practicing for a few months. I gave us 45 mins to load up and it took us 10! Even with the rainy weather everything went smoothly and we learned a lot. Hope we can do it again soon!
We have the most magnificent tb mare in our foster and train program currently. Really cannot say enough good things about this girl. She continues to retain and build on all the things she is taught. Often times with these rescues it seems like one step forward, two steps back, but she is constantly moving forward. I didn't really believe in "non-mareish" mares, but she is one. First to greet you and I've never seen her pin her ears. She is a beautiful mover, but that lofty trot has some bounce to it, so a rider with a light seat is a must. She will be with me a bit longer and can be tried here if anyone is interested in meeting her. Feel free to text, call, or message me. Let's find her the prefect home! ❤
Meredith got some adorable pictures of our barn cat enjoying the sunshine 🌞 It sure doesn't feel like November, but we'll take it!
I am late in posting but it was too cute not to share... Scarlett and Squirrel competed in the GVRDC pumpkin derby in the beginning of October. The derby consisted of both stadium and cross country jumps in a field. Scarlett and Squirrel participated in a derby in July also. Although they won an award for best spirit (costume), Squirrel did not like one of the jumps and got disqualified on both of their attempts around the course. We practiced some more cross country jumps and came back stronger and ready for anything this time. They completed both rounds with technically no refusals at the jumps, but Squirrel did try to run out the in gate to be with his new found horsey friends which counted as one. They came away with ribbons and a prize for best costume (pirate and parrot) and it was a great experience all around! Congrats! And shoutout to Scarlett's mom who MADE a parrot costume the night before the show when they couldn't find one at the store!
Leg Up hunter pace! The weather was great and so were the views. Dixie and Duke behaved wonderfully (even if I was a nervous wreck!) Somehow we ended up in 2nd place 😂 Trying to fit in some more horse fun before the weather turns 🍁
Had such a fun and tiring week showing at the Erie County Fair! Meredith Hunt and Dixie did absolutely amazing in the low hunter division. A first, a second, a fourth, and a sixth (out of 15 or more riders!) was enough to result in the two coming home reserve champion after two days of showing. Could not be prouder of horse and rider (I'm not crying, you're crying) And many thanks to all of our support people who kept the farm running while we were away and my toddler happy and rider and trainer fed and hydrated etc etc. The list goes on and on! Couldn't do it without you!
Photos from Tamarack Hill Farm's post
🎯🎯🎯
New foster in for training! I didn't even get to post about the last one before he got scooped up! This guy is quite the hunk, but his manners are defintley lacking. We let him settle in and get used to things for about a week. Now we are going to get down to some business. I'm so excited and grateful to have my dream of having a halflinger in my barn come true even if it's just for a month or two!
Can't believe it's almost May and we woke up to this! It was pretty though. Had to snap a couple pictures. We had a sneak peak of warmer weather this past weekend and now I'm craving more! The horses did not seem happy I was pulling the blankets out... again. I keep telling them it's the last time and mother nature is making me a liar! 😂
The girls were on spring break this week so we decided to have some fun and took a trail ride at Letchworth Trail Rides with the wonderful Daisy. It was lots of fun with great views!
Always have to post our first drag and ride in the outdoor arena for the season! This past Wednesday, the weather was beautiful! I spent all day outside working on the farm and teaching lessons. Even found a halter that went missing last year. Lol This weekend we are unfortunately back to cold and wet, but next week is looking decent and the kids are on spring break so I'm putting them to work 😆
Don't think I ever shared this photo but I look at it often. Meredith made a side by side comparison of Dixie about 3 years apart from her first ride on her to showing her last summer. So proud of both horse and rider! Reminds me that with hard work anything's possible and as I joke with my students "sometimes I know what I'm talking about" 😂
And remember if anyone needs help turning their horse from picture 1 to picture 2, I'm here for you! Shoot me a text or message!
Good news! I've had multiple people ask me to travel to their farm to teach lessons or help with training issues/questions. I hadn't really considered it much before, but since getting multiple requests, I have gotten the proper insurance to teach off property as well as on property! I'm excited to be able to be involved with more horses and their owners now. Feel free to reach out if you need anything. I'd love to meet you!
Meredith Hunt and Dixie rocked it at their lesson yesterday! Getting ready for show season! And junior instructor Lyra was there to help and to make sure the team could overcome distractions in the ring 🤣
It was a very exciting day here at the farm because Scarlett got Squirrel to canter under saddle! We've had him for about a year. We think he might have been used to pull carts and cantering when you're pulling a cart is a no-no (at least I believe so, I don't have any driving experience) so partially I don't think he thought he was allowed to do it and partially I think he is a fat and lazy pony. Lol but now he knows he can do it and we know he can do it so it's going to be a fun summer at horse shows and events!!!
See Squirrel jump! Riding ponies is a much different feel than riding a large horse. I'm getting used to it again, but I'm really enjoying this pony! (And yes I do have my protective vest under my sweater 😂)
Taking some lessons over winter to keep my skills sharp! You can always learn more! A big thank you to Mary Jo for helping me trailer Dixie and being our photographer, patchwork saddlery for the new pessoa saddle that fits my stumpy legs so well, and Linda for helping to bring back my skills and confidence! The lesson did kinda end in disaster, but that's horses for you! Overall, Dixie and I worked well together, the little jump at the end was just too exciting after not jumping all winter and i was not prepared for such a reaction (might post later if I'm feeling brave). Haha
This past weekend we said good bye to the boarder that has been with us the longest, Sweetheart. Her owner decided to move her to a farm closer to where she lives. She came in 2017, shortly after we opened our farm and has been a joy to have stay with us. We are going to miss her so much, but we wish her and her owner all the best in their new location!
This does mean that we now have a stall available for a new horse or pony to join us. Training or full care board available. If you are looking for training board or lessons, we specialize in training thoroughbreds and ponies in the hunter jumper and dressage disciplines, but we are open to having anyone board with us! Feel free to message or call for more information and feel free to pass along our page to anyone you know that might be looking for board in this area 😊
We got quite a bit of snow Monday! Dixie had access to the indoor arena, but prefers to hang out in the snow 😂
"There's something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man". -Winston Churchill
Hope everyone is having a good holiday season!
Tom and I participated in the Halloween dressage show at Chestnut Ridge farm this past weekend. It was only Tom's second time off property and first time at a horse show and he did awesome! It was a little hard for him to focus at times, but overall he held himself together beautifully. My main goal was to not die, but we ended up taking home some ribbons! (Added bonus! Lol) Excited to do some more with him now that we can get him on the trailer and know that he can handle being away from home (for those that don't know Tom, he is an ex race horse rescue that had to overcome a broken leg, herd bound issues, and trailer trauma in order to be at that show. Really quite a feat!)
This past month has been so busy! I'm behind on posting, but I'm going to try and catch up... First, Meredith and I rode in a hunter pace, led by the absolulety fantastic and fearless Jenn and Merlin the percheron. A hunter pace is basically a fast paced trail ride with jumps. We watched the weather all day because there was bad rainstorms predicted. It seemed like the bad weather was going to hold off until we were done, so we went for it but we got caught in a torrential downpour! All we could do was laugh and keep going! We went up and down huge hills, crossed creeks, and ran through a corn field (I would have been completely lost without Jenn. I was just hanging on for dear life Lol) Dixie and Squirrel were both fairly new this this but they did awesome! Such fun memories!
Scarlett and London participated in WNYDA's dressage clinic at Houghton college this past weekend. Both girls did a fabulous job and learned a lot! (My phone camera did not do as great of a job capturing photos, but I had to post something!) So proud of these two for constantly trying to improve themselves and their riding. Keep it up girls! 😊
The last 2 weekends Meredith and Dixie were busy at horse shows. At the Niagara county horse show, we took it slow and worked mostly on Dixie's flat classes because she had a week off due to a small injury right before the show. They took home reserve champion! Then last weekend at skibereen farm we moved up to the low and slow division (about 2 foot jumps) and they took home GRAND champion! Such great work from these two! Couldn't be more proud! Been such a fun summer just enjoying riding after all the hard work and training we have done ❤
Dixie and Meredith did an awesome job at the hasty hills horse show this weekend! Meredith has put in a lot of hard work and it shows! Flat classes have always been a challenge for Dixie. Having a race horse background, horses riding up behind her or passing by her in the show ring has caused her to want to turn the show ring into a race track and take off running. This weekend, they took 2nd in their flat class (among many other high placing ribbons for the over fences classes as well)! Such amazing progress! So proud of these two!
Someone on our farm has a mustache! I've seen posts about horses with mustaches in the past and didn't believe them until now... I've seen it with my own eyes! Do you know who it is?
Tom and Riddick have recently decided that they are best friends! They will often be caught napping together, especially on sunny days!
We had a tree come down in a bad wind storm the other day. Chris chopped it up and asked if it was ok to leave it outside even though the horses could get to it. It was raining and only some of the horses were turned out in the indoor arena so I told him it should be fine, they probably won't even go out there. Our 2 mischievous ponies had to prove me wrong though by running laps at top speed back and forth from the arena to the pasture 😆
Meredith and Dixie did a wonderful job at the first Leg Up horse show of the season! They have come so far and I am so proud! At this first show last season, Dixie had to walk the ground poles because she was so worked up. This year, she went through multiple crossrail courses with no issues! We were prepared for some sass but got none! After so much hard work, now it's time to just have fun and enjoy riding! Congrats!
Dixie and I rode with Chad on Sunday. I was nervous because it was my first outing after taking a year off of riding to have a baby, but Chad was so kind and reassuring and Dixie did beautifully! So thankful to be back in the saddle!
*Warning: Some graphic photos*
We picked up our latest rescue about a month ago. A black and white paint pony with a damaged eye. Was told he is about 6 years old and was an Amish horse. Was sold to a family to be a kids pony, but the "pony-tude" was strong with him. He was a bit young and inexperienced for the family. So we picked him up. Got the opinion of 2 vets that said his damaged eye should be removed to make him more comfortable (He already was blind in it and he was rubbing it on things causing it to get inflamed). He had surgery almost 2 weeks ago and is recovering beautifully! He is such a fun, sweet guy. He will go into training as soon as he's healed. Look for him at shows and other events this summer! Oh, and I asked my 4 year old nephew what to name him and he told me "Squirrel Biter." Was definitely not expecting that. After laughing for a bit, we decided Squirrel actually wasn't a bad name (and I'm no good at coming up with names) So meet Squirrel ❤
Practicing figure eights to work on suppleness and bend at the Chad Basile clinic
Scarlett and Charlie took part in the Chad Basile clinic on Sunday at Dream Bo Stables. At first Charlie thought the work was rather difficult and tedious, but he warmed up to the idea after a little bit. Always fun to learn new techniques and see a horse/pony and rider improve! I think both pony and rider had a few "a-ha" moments that were neat to see ❤ (the camera on my phone doesn't take great pictures but still wanted to share)
Save the Dates! We are pleased to announce our 2021 events.
Feel free to reach out if you have any questions. Most divisions in our hunter/jumper show series will be eligible for year-end awards. Horse/riders must attend any 4 of our events for points to count.
Dixie considering "getting spicy" as we say here after a jump at Cheshire Ridge. She held it together well though! Jumping is fun!
On Saturday, Cheshire Ridge Farm in Bloomfield was kind enough to open their ring for schooling some different types of jumps. Meredith and Dixie went out to practice. After focusing on dressage for the last couple months to get Dixie (and Meredith) stronger and moving better, Dixie was a bit excited about jumping again! We took it slow and focused on keeping Dixie calm. They did an awesome job! Thanks so much to Cheshire Ridge for allowing us to come!
Mama cat tends to follow me around while I do chores or teach lessons (it's pretty adorable!) She found some sun today and it made her very happy. Fence posts make excellent scratching posts!
Dixie and all of us at Blue Skies Farm would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
4050 Ransom Road
Clarence, NY
14031
| Monday | 8am - 8pm |
| Tuesday | 8am - 8pm |
| Wednesday | 8am - 8pm |
| Thursday | 8am - 8pm |
| Friday | 8am - 8pm |
| Saturday | 8am - 8pm |
| Sunday | 8am - 8pm |
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It was a very exciting day here at the farm because Scarlett got Squirrel to canter under saddle! We've had him for about a year. We think he might have been used to pull carts and cantering when you're pulling a cart is a no-no (at least I believe so, I don't have any driving experience) so partially I don't think he thought he was allowed to do it and partially I think he is a fat and lazy pony. Lol but now he knows he can do it and we know he can do it so it's going to be a fun summer at horse shows and events!!!
See Squirrel jump! Riding ponies is a much different feel than riding a large horse. I'm getting used to it again, but I'm really enjoying this pony! (And yes I do have my protective vest under my sweater 😂)
Clarence St. Paul Winter Farmers' Market
Harris Hill Road
Clarence St. Paul Winter Farmers' Market
Harris Hill Road