Friends  Parker

 

Some of our readers might well remember when we started our riding program in Winston-Salem all those years ago!

 

For generations, the Lovell name had been synonymous with world class show horse training. But when Ms. Parker decided to open our doors to the public and teach beginners nearly two decades ago, people in the Saddlebred industry openly laughed at us. We were among the first in the industry to establish a large scale riding lesson program. Even Cash's mother, "Mamoo", was skeptical. "Nobody's going to pay you their hard-earned money to learn to ride a horse!"

 

We love you Mamoo, in spite of your prediction!

Academy Nationals First Big Meeting of 2010
June 18th, 6:30-8:00 pm

The 2010 Academy Nationals Team is now forming -- and we need YOU to make it special!

 

If you're interested in competing in the 2010 Academy Nationals show in Murfreesboro, TN -- the biggest show in the world for Academy riders -- then please mark your calendar.  Our first meeting for prospective Nationals Team Members will be held Friday, June 18th, from 6:30 to 8 pm. We'll meet at the barn, and over pizza, we'll discuss all the details.

 

Please come armed with questions. Academy Nationals this year will be held Halloween weekend,  Oct. 29 - 31. And oh the costume party we will throw!!   For our seasoned moms and show riders, please be with us to help answer questions, give your input and share incredible photos from the 2009 CLS Pirate Party! If you haven't yet participated in the Academy Nationals experience, don't worry. We will do our level best to make sure that you're well prepared.

 

At our meeting, we will give out Academy Nationals information packets, travel information and be available to answer any and all questions.

 

Please email Ms. Parker ahead of time and let us know if you're planning to attend. parker@cashlovellstables.com  Hope to see you there!

 

Cash Lovell Stables and Make-A-Wish Join Forces!
A big part of our mission at CLS is to channel our riders' passion for horses into making a difference in our community and our world. Our motto is "Horses Raise Great Kids." And we see the proof of this every day. As a parent, one of my biggest goals is teaching our children to be thankful -- to appreciate their blessings. And to understand that if you are blessed, then you have a responsiblity to be a blessing.

 

CLS Mom Kim Stewart shares my feelings. With her help, the CLS Team has decided to take on a huge project for the second half of 2010. With our CLS family's help, we want our children to grant the wish of Make-A-Wish child. The average cost of granting a child's wish is $6,000. So that's our fundraising goal.

 

It could be taking a trip to NASA. Or attending the Super Bowl. Or enjoying front row seats at the World's Championship Horse Show!

 

Every dime that we raise through our CLS summer and fall fundraisers (including the Fall Fun Show), will go into our special Make-A-Wish Fund. We're asking that you and your children help us.

 

We're kicking off this special partnership on Thursday night, June 17th, at the barn. We're calling it "Fun Thursday" instead of Fun Friday, because all of our Fridays are booked this month!

 

So please join us for "Fun Thursday!" At the beginning of the meeting, we will hear from the folks from Make-A-Wish. Parents, if you can stay for this portion of the meeting, we would greatly appreciate your input. Then you can slip out, and the Little Bits will eat our pizza and have our regular Fun Friday/Thursday horsey fun!

 

A sign-up sheet is posted and you can sign up online too by clicking below. So please join us!

 

The regular Fun Friday Fee of $10 per child can be added to your barn account.

 

See you from 6:00 to 9:00 pm!

 

Literally, there are hundreds of children with whom we will meet at these upcoming events. Please help us to introduce these children to horses in a safe, friendly and inviting way!

 

Here are the dates:

 

All volunteers will earn Lovell's Loot for use toward future lessons!  We hope to hear from you!  parker@cashlovellstables.com.

Team Leader Sonya Marion (left) with Riding Instructor Kathryn Rodosky

Race for the Cure Team Wins Big Time
We are so proud of the CLS Race for the Cure Team and our leader Sonya Marion. Sonya reports that the CLS team members combined with Sonya's other outside team members raised over $5,000 and made the top 20-team ranked for dollars raised. Congratulations to everyone. And thank you for participating in this wonderful event. To see pictures from the Race From the Cure on our Shutterfly Picture Page, click here.

Notice to Show Riders: Videographer coming Saturday, June 19
We're in the midst of producing a Cash Lovell Stables promotional video! And on Saturday, June 19, we will be taping our Show Horse Riders. Please put this on your calendar and plan to be at the barn so we can include you in our video!

 

Be sure to wear nice jods and a sharp, collared shirt. Clean boots, please. And be sure to arrive as early as possible!

Sign up Now for Fun Summer Camps!
Our summer camps are booking up fast but we do have some spaces available in our two July camps for beginner/intermediate riders.  Please talk with your instructors today, and learn more by visiting our website.

Read more about summer camps...
Almost sold out! Grab the last spots!!!

Little Tots Camp for 3, 4 and 5 year-olds
July 19-21, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Fee: $290.00
Intermediate Riding Camps
First Session: July 5-9, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm, Fee $450.00
Second Session: July 26-30, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm, Fee $450.00

Advanced Riding Camp Details Announced

 

DATES: Tuesday-Saturday, August 3-7, 2010

It's official: Show riders from as far away as Wisconsin and Massachusetts are flying in to spend a week at CLS. And you're invited to join them for this -- our most arduous and fascinating week of camp EVER!

 

 

We will welcome an instructor from the American Vaulting Association to inaugurate our week of training. Leading our camp throughout will be master trainer and equitation instructor, Ms. Cindy Mugnier, President of the American Morgan Horse Association. And for the first time EVER, Cash Lovell himself will teach alongside Cindy. They will be ably assisted by our team of CLS Instructors, as well as visiting instructors who are coming to CLS to hone their own teaching and training skills.

 

Each day, in addition to rigorous saddleseat lessons, riders will learn the rudiments of vaulting. This involves intense balance, body control, oneness with the horse, and patient, well-planned body movements on horseback.

 

Historically, vaulters (once known as trick riders) have been among the most accomplished horsemen and horsewomen. We're excited for our riders to hone their saddleseat skills by incorporating lessons from this artistry on horseback.

 

Don't worry. We'll also enjoy plenty of the fun, foolishness and frivolity that have made our camps legendary. Yes, this includes the World's Championship Whipped Cream Fight, the midnight rides, the body massages and pedicures -- just to name a few!

 

Due to the intensity of the riding portion of this camp, it will only be open to seasoned show riders. This means riders with at least two full years of showring experience in either the show horse ring, or the academy ring.

 

This will be an OVERNIGHT CAMP. But for our local riders, there is the option NOT to stay overnight. Please talk with Ms. Parker about the options and differences in pricing.

 

This camp will be groundbreaking. If you are interested in finding out more, please let Ms. Parker know ASAP. Spots are limited. Registration for this camp only will close on Saturday, June 19th.

 

 

NOTE: Some CLS show riders will attend a riding camp with Sheri Brandl, of Equitate, in Oconomowoc, WI. this same week. If you are interested in being part of this exciting "exchange camp", please talk with Parker ASAP.

 

Upcoming Shows
We have several shows coming up and one big change.

1. BLOWING ROCK (June 10-12) We WILL be taking Academy riders to Blowing Rock. Many of our Show Riders will be riding at this event, as well.  The show is next week, so if you are an academy rider an you have not signed up, please e-mail Parker today at parker@cashlovellstables.com.

Ms. Sondra and Academy Rider Felicia (wearing her fabulous new vest!)

For a Blowing Rock Show Sheet, click here.

2. CHARLOTTE CHARITY (June 24-26) This will be an old-timey, outdoor horse show -- just perfect for tailgaiting!  If you want to sign up, please click here for online registration or e-mail Parker at parker@cashlovellstables.com to sign-up.



For a Charlotte Charity Show Sheet, click here.

To go to our Horse Show Page or to download a Horse Show Calendar, click here.

Mitch takes his first ride!

New Pictures and Video
1. Click here for our Shutterfly Picture Page. You'll find new pictures from Little Asheville, Asheville Lions, Race for the Cure, Tanglewood Steeplechase and more
2. The pictures on the CLS website are constantly changing. Click here for the Picture Page.
3. See Ms. Parker in a new video for Forsyth Family! Cute and has some great video of our riders!
4. Show Riders and Academy Riders who participated in the Asheville Lions show should go online to Doug Shiflet's website and buy the incredible pictures of themselves!!! Click here to go to the Shiflet website.

Results From The Asheville Spring Show
Note from Parker: There were two shows in Asheville in May. This show, the Asheville Spring Show, was the first. And man alive, was it a ball! As Cashlyn has taken to saying lately, Team CLS "rocked"!

Show Riders helping out with the Academy Show. Pictured: Emily McKay, Jake Butts and Sydney Cearley.

Special Thank You To Academy Helpers
Many of our Show Riders have been pulling "double-duty" at our shows recently. First they show their own horses. Then they pitch in to help the CLS Academy riders. We want to say THANK YOU to all of these riders including: Jake Butts, Emily McKay, Sydney Cearley, Carver Semans, Kirsten Wright, Sarah Martin, Chloe Marion, Chris Hawley, Caroline Anderson, Lindsay Jones, Stella McAuley, Lauren Riggins, Sharon Wilson and Ashley Stewart. Also, we offer our sincerest thank you to CLS Mom Kim Stewart, who has become our fearless organizer and our most spirited and inspiring cheerleader! Thank you, Kim!

New Show Rider Kirsten Wright. Photo credit: Doug Shiflet

Over 1,000 Friends on Facebook! Wow!
 The Cash Lovell Stables Facebook page now has over 1,000 friends -- love it! Special thanks to Kim Stewart -- the brains behind our Facebook page. And also thank you to the many Barn Moms who do such a fantastic job posting pictures, putting up show information, links of interest, etc. We love creating a community of fans for our barn, and a forum on which to share pictures, news and well wishes. If you haven't joined the CLS Facebook or Twitter pages, click the boxes below. Thank you for joining us!

CLS Mom Training for a First Triathalon
Just want to send a "shout-out" to CLS mom Leigh Ann McKay who has now lost 25 pounds and is training for her first Triathalon. About six months ago, Leigh Ann started walking around the neighborhood. Which led to running, which led to well, a new wardrobe and a big weight loss!  Congratulations Leigh Ann -- you are an inspiration to us!

Horses Raise Great Kids
Ramblings from Ms. Parker:

There they stand, giggling, dripping sticky icy pop juice on my keyboard, and using up all my copy paper to draw horses. Argh. I run a bunch of stinky kids out of my office.

 

Next, I march outside and find the pasture flooding because some of my little munchkin helpers got "busy" playing horse show and forgot to turn off the water. (Aaah, I think. The $800 water bill last month is beginning to make sense.)

 

I stomp back into my office feeling oh so annoyed and self-important. And on my desk I find two reminders of what's really important. First, there is a note from a little girl whose family is moving away this summer. She tells me, in pink crayon, how much she loves the barn, and that leaving it will be harder than leaving anything else, even her school friends and neighbors. Gulp.

 

I sit down at my computer and open my email. I try to ignore the way my fingers repeatedly stick to the keys . . . 

 

Greeting me is a note from Lois Williams. Her daughter, Alyssa, has been a Little Bit for many years now. Like so many of my favorite children, Alyssa loves a horse. And like so many of my favorite children, she's never been to an Academy Show -- much less participated in one. Alyssa is there every time I need her. She's the world's greatest pony ride helper. She works birthday parties too, and camps, always smiling, always unleashing her wicked sense of humor at just the right hot, smelly, tired moment.

 

As you may know, CLS riders can earn Lovell's Loot by working in and around the barn. They can spend it on lessons, tack, shows, etc. I wondered why Alyssa had never used any of her Lovell's Loot. In the email, I learned why.  

 

Alyssa asked if she could "donate" her Lovell's Loot -- all $300 worth -- back to the barn, to be used to pay for riding lessons for a child whose parents might not be able to afford the lessons. "She really wants to do this," said Alyssa's mom.

 

There are children in this barn every week whose families are suffering. It's long been part of my mission to quietly help them. But to have a child reach outside herself, to understand her blessings and want to honor those blessings by helping another child . . . well. You might guess how this affected me. 

 

I saw Alyssa a few days later. She bopped into my office, wearing a big grin and filthy t-shirt that smelled like soggy horse poop. Alyssa had one question for me:

 

"Got any icy pops?"

 

I do love my world.