Ready or not, fall is here. When checking for pencils and notebooks, don't forget to check your riding equipment. Is your helmet still comfortable? Do your paddock boots still fit? If so, you are ready to get back to riding every week, seeing your old friends (both human and equine) and making new ones.

You may want to have a bag ready to go containing your helmet, boots, change of clothes, water bottle & a snack. If you come right to the barn from school or work, you'll arrive with everything you need. Remember to dress for the weather and that you will be expending a lot of energy, so try to eat something before you ride and stay hydrated.

Arriving a little early (if you need help grooming or tacking) is preferable than arriving late, as your instructor won't be able to leave the ring once riders are mounted. Remember that grooming, tacking and untacking time is built into the lesson time. A Pony School lesson that starts at 4:00 (and runs till 5:15) gives riders 15 minutes to groom and tack, 45 minutes of saddle time and 15 minutes to untack and cool out. Community Lessons have an hour of saddle time.

As some of you know. Mattie broke her leg, so other instructors will be helping fill in for her until she can trot sound. Get well, soon, Mattie!

Parents, if you bring a rider's sibling(s) with you , keep in mind that it is very distracting to our young riders if kids are running around while they are trying to concentrate. Also, while we acknowledge the bamboo forest is a great playground, there are usually ponies being ridden in the ring right next to it.  To them, a rustling sound there means that pandas are about burst out of the bamboo. This puts them on high alert and we like them relaxed. Thanks for understanding.

 

Cloverbuds' first meeting is Saturday, Sept. 25th from 2 to 4 PM, for riders ages 6 to 9. There is so much to learn about horses! (Other dates: Oct. 23, Nov. 13, Dec. 11) Cost is only $20 per session.

 

If your rider is in year-round school, Track Out Camp begins for those in Track 1  Sept. 27 - 29, from 1 to 3 PM. Get a discount for bringing a friend (another bonus: you will get to share your love of horses.)

You MUST register beforehand for the Video Evaluation Clinic on Sept.11.  Watch yourself ride while discussing your riding with Thom. He can point out what your instructors are talking about. Seeing is believing!

There will be a session of In the Judge's Box for Equitation on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 3rd from 1 to 3PM. This will be basically the same format as the Hunter series but more condensed (since now you already know how hunters are judged.) Cost: $35 ($75 for a family of three)

The Riding School Barn is closed on Sundays to everyone but boarders.

Please call the Main Office: 919-851-1118 if you need more information.

 

Once riders acquire some basic skills, interest in showing sometimes arises. The idea of showing and all it entails can be overwhelming but we can help give you a realistic idea of what it takes.

As you know, MacNair's Country Acres offers a variety of showing opportunities - from Riding School Shows (for our students only) to very competitive USEF rated shows held all along the East Coast. How do you know if you (or your child) are ready to compete? If you are, what type of show would suit you best? What do you need in order to show? What time commitments are required? Can you afford it?

On September 23rd at 6:30 PM, we will hold an informational forum to address any showing questions you may have. No previous show experience is necessary to attend.

Cost: FREE but we do ask that you register if you plan to attend (we want to email some information beforehand so you can prepare questions.)

Thursday, September 23 at 6:30
in the Country Acres' lounge

Hope to see you there!

4-H Fun Days are Oct 2, Nov 6, Dec 22 and Jan 22 from 12:30 to 3:30. These are opportunities for current 4-H members to immerse themselves in horses. They will get to feed, turn-out, clean tack & stalls, groom, wrap, etc. An optional lease ride is offered from 3:30 to 5:00 for $40. You must register through the office - don't miss out!

New Members Meeting for MacNair's 4-H Club will be on Sept 30th at 7:30 in the Country Acres' lounge. Prospective members and their parents will have any questions answered and be given a new member package. All are welcome. (New members may participate in all activities once they have completed the registration process.)

4-H Clinics open to all riders will be
held Oct 9, Nov 13, Nov 20, Dec 18, and Jan 8.

Show Team Try-outs will be on Jan 30 with the last practice Jan 29.

For 4-H information, please
contact the office:

919-851-1118

Laura Pendleton and Vico won all their classes and came away high point 4th level for both shows. Laura used these shows to assess Vico's strengths and to see where he could improve. Scores of 8's on his half-passes and 7's on his canter pirouettes especially pleased his rider. At Raleigh Dressage II Vico and Laura qualified (with a 64.31%!) for the Col. Bengt Ljunquist Memorial Championship to be held in Oct. at the VA Horse Center. Way to go!