Fox Tales, January, 2018
Wow, it seems a little strange sending out a "Winter" newsletter when it's 80+ degrees in the middle of January. We DID have three inches of rain a week ago, but so far this has been the warmest, driest winter we can remember.
Please Welcome Haley Morrissey:
Haley on her horse "Bella"
We're very excited to introduce Haley as our new Assistant Trainer. Haley will be giving lessons, riding training horses, and doing the regular work at the barn.
Haley grew up in Anchorage, Alaska, riding and competing in hunter/jumpers and dressage and exploring the mountain trails with her mare Bella.
Horses and teaching are Haley’s passions. She attended college on the East Coast where she studied early childhood education. Haley rode for the IHSA team at St. Andrews University in North Carolina. Haley has helped mentor and teach at children's horse camps, and she has enjoyed her experiences as a volunteer in equine assisted therapy.
During her college years, she worked in Virginia at an eventing and fox hunting sales farm. She did the feeding, turnout, stall cleaning, and general care for 40 horses, and also assisted in riding, showing, fox hunting, and working with the sale horses. While there, Haley gained valuable experience working with young horses and off-the-track Thoroughbreds.
Haley also completed the Legacy of Legends scholarship program where she lived on a ranch in Colorado, learning how to start young horses. She learned to ride and rope and train ranch horses, studying the legendary natural horsemanship traditions of Ray Hunt and Tom Dorrance.
Haley is new to California and is enjoying the sunshine along with her boyfriend Sam and her two dogs, Jordy and Odin, while finishing her education degree.
Please join Mike and Katy in extending a warm welcome to Haley Morrissey. We think she will be a great asset to Hidden Fox Farm.
Jenny Minniti's Retirement Party
HFF trainer / family member Jenny Minniti- Shippey has accepted full-time teaching work at SDSU, and will be "retiring" from working at HFF at the end of January. It's hard to believe it's been over 11 years since she answered a job posting on Craigslist. And don't worry: Jenny & Humphrey & Eli aren't going anywhere. You'll still see plenty of them--and Jenny swears she'll try to not boss you around so much!
Join us for a Celebration of Jenny Potluck Party on Jan. 27th, 3:00 at the barn. We'll meet at the barn, weather permitting, and eat & drink & make merry for a couple of hours. In lieu of gifts, please bring a written fond memory you have of Jenny, and she'll read them all out loud and cry copiously. It's a potluck! Can't make the party, but want to contribute your memory? Email it to Katy!
Horseshow Planning Meeting Saturday, 2/17/2018, at 1:00 p.m. At the Barn.
This is for parents and riders interested in attending this year's horse shows. We will be discussing everything you need to know, from what to wear, what to expect, what to buy, which horse you will be riding, classes you will compete in, fees involved, etc. etc.
Rain Cancellation Policy
Rainy Day Cancellation: If it's raining, or if rain is in the forecast, and you’re wondering if lessons are cancelled, call Katy’s number (619) 933-9543 and listen for the message. Sometimes it's perfect riding weather at the barn, while it's raining at your house. If you miss a package lesson, remember to reschedule it during the same month.
Lesson Schedules: It will be pleasanter to ride mid-day when possible. Remember that lessons need to be done by 5 PM.
Some Reminders
The fire season, which spared us here in San Diego but devastated many of our fellow Californians to the north, is behind us, but let’s remember to stay alert until wet weather comes.
Let's Keep Conserving Water: Maybe we'll get a decent amount of rain this winter, or maybe not. Regardless, we need to continue to conserve water in this desert we live in.
Some News
New Trail: We’ve cut a new loop trail across the north side of the property to give horses and their riders a new challenge. Please use this trail only when there are no lessons in the main arena.
Del Mar National Horse Show and Jumper Grand Prix
April 17-21, 2018 - Western Week.
April 26-29, 2018 - Dressage Week.
May 1-6, 2018 - Hunter/Jumper Week.
There will be three events of particular interest: Night of the Horse is a wonderful show with many entertaining horse performers. The Musical Freestyle is always a thrill, watching the most beautiful and talented dressage horses dancing to music. And lastly, the Jumper Grand Prix is an exciting display of athleticism as horses and their riders race over huge jumps.
https://delmarnational.com/spectators/night-of-the-horse/
https://delmarnational.com/spectators/evening-of-musical-freestyles/
https://delmarnational.com/spectators/grand-prix-of-del-mar/
Please plan to join us for this year's Del Mar Jumper Grand Prix, to be held on Saturday, May 5. We will be buying a block of tickets so we can all sit together. Please let Katy know ASAP if you plan to attend - Tickets are first-come, first-served.
For Your Horse
Exercise: Shorter days and rain often mean the horses get less exercise. Work with us to make sure your horse gets the exercise and care needed to stay fit and healthy.
Blanketing: We get a lot of questions about when to blanket and why. Blanketing is a controversial topic, and is dependent on the expected weather, the type of stall the horse is in, the condition of the horse and coat, and the wishes of the owner. For more on this topic please read: http://csu-cvmbs.colostate.edu/vth/Pages/horse-blanketing.aspx
Summer Camps???
Yes, we will be holding Summer Camps for First-Timers, our Novice Riders, and our brilliant Advanced Riders. No firm dates have been set yet, so let us know what your preferences are! We will be posting the dates as soon as they are available.
