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Captured Moments |
 | | Choctaw Foals at Return to Freedom |
Spring heralds in new life at Return to Freedom. The Choctaws are also known as the Trail of Tears Horses which you can read more about in The Wind Horse's Prayer, my next Horses in Art article. |
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Words of Wisdom |
"...and I whispered to the horse; "Trust no man in whose eye you do not see yourself reflected as an equal.' ..." - Don Vincenzo Giobbe
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Book Barn | |
BELIEVE
by Buck Brannaman
"There's a point in horsemanship when horse and horseman know enough about each other that a third thing, another dimension, begins to be part of the relationship. It's upon this element that the real ride takes place and in Believe we can see the markers along the journey."
--Tom McGuane
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Happy Spring (Contact First Name),
Welcome Sunshine! We've been living between the raindrops here on the West Coast and I must say that even I, Vancouver born and raised with rain in my veins, am so grateful to see the sun. The horses are shedding out -looking their shaggiest - but the birds are loving it, using Grace's soft, downy coat to line their nests.
With all of the rain, I had lots of time to finalize the new website. It is now up and running ... let me know what you think.
There are so many things to share, including an introduction to our new herd member, so let's begin... |
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Messages From the Herd
Xenophon... the first horse whisperer. An ancient Greek writer and soldier known for the sweetness of his diction and his advocacy for sympathetic horsemanship. A symbolic name to be sure and one that invoked tingles when it popped into my head as I watched the powerful black horse step from the trailer. My heart swelled. Welcome Home I whispered.
We walked across the grass together. I could feel the earth shake as he took each step. Xenophon. Is that your name?
Through the gate we went. Into the paddock where Grace snorted from the other side of the fence. I could feel his heartbeat. Feel his breath on my face. Xen. Is that your name?
My family gathered as we watched the black horse settle in. "Hank!" said my husband Greg. "That's a good name for a horse." My daughters rolled their eyes as Greg argued his case, reminding me that I said he could name our next animal (which I thought would be a cat). The black horse joined our human herd, whiffling each of us in turn. Hank. Is that your name?
It's now been 6 weeks since the black horse arrived. Xenophon has stuck, except to Greg, and Xen is perfect as well. He is very "Zen" like, even when he is horsing around with Chiron. Grounded, curious, playful and kind. He is balanced, just like his name ...
Xenophon Hank-aliscious Wallin.
"Nothing of beauty shall ever be obtained
through the use of force."
-- Xenophon
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What's New?
Blackberries Afield:
Here in the lower mainland we often see fields overrun with blackberry brambles but today, I'm tickled to show you a different kind of blackberry field - one that involves a gifted horseman and his handy cell phone. Now I don't even have a cell phone - a dinosaur I know - but have a peek at Jonathan Field's commercials for the BlackBerry Bold. Talk about a marketing campaign to inspire ... and they could not have chosen a better spokesperson. Jonathan is an amazing horseman, teacher and father who is adored and respected in our local community and beyond - far beyond... Way to go Jonathan! We Love What You Do.
Jonathan's 30 second YouTube ad.
Jonathan's 75 second YouTube ad.
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Buck - The Film
"Your horse is a mirror to your soul, and sometimes you may not like what you see. Sometimes, you will." So says Buck Brannaman, a true American cowboy and sage on horseback who travels the country for nine grueling months a year helping horses with people problems.
DO YOU WANT TO SEE THIS FILM?
Presently there are no Canadian dates listed but... if there is enough interest and commitment, I may be able to arrange a local screening of this touching film for mid-late June. Please contact me right away if you'd like to attend or if you think you can help gather a herd :-)
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| Upcoming Workshops....
Become a workshop coordinator and come for FREE!!! Coordinate 4 friends to come with you to any workshop and you come for free - or share the savings amongst the 5 of you.
Maple Ridge, BC (near Vancouver) / June 24-26, 2011
Attend the new and anticipated Whole Brained Horsemanship Clinic: Learn why being whole brained is the key to heightened learning with horses. Transform your relationships with horses right away!!
Maple Ridge, BC / July 9-11, 2011
The Art of Equus: Enahnced Facilitation Program in Equine Guided Development Now taking applications for the 2012 cohort
March - June - September 2012
Maple Ridge, BC / June 16-19, 2011
Maple Ridge, BC / July 15-17, 2011
There are some new offerings on this year's calendar and some familiar favourites. Please check the workshop pages if you're interested in learning more. |
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Thank you as always for your kind support. I'd love to hear what you think of the new website and please let me know if there is anything you'd like to see offered or featured.
Warmly,
Sandra
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