News, Notes, Musings, Observations...
August 9, 2011... The 'dog days' of August are upon us - have you had enough of the heat and humidity yet...? We are anxiously looking forward to Fall, and the cooler weather it brings. Meanwhile, we are humming right along with summer camp, lessons and workouts, and horse showing. Our students are active on the Suffolk Horse Show Association circuit, and are chasing points in the Virginia Horse Shows Association leading up to the Associate Championship Show in November. Our boarders are at the barn early in the morning to ride when it's cooler. Alas, there's no rest for the weary - our staff (yours truly and his better half) still have to put up with the daily grind of feeding, turnouts, maintenance and other tasks that must be done regardless of the level of discomfort. It's what we do to make your experience here the best it can be.
Check out the horse shows page for the schedule for the remainder of the River Birch Farm show series. Our next show will be on Sunday, September 4. Hope you can make it - should be another great show.
September also means back to school for the kids. We will have a special lesson plan package deal for new clients - just give Ann a call for the details. This package is perfect for beginners of all ages, or perhaps you're just returning to riding after taking a break. No matter, just call Ann to schedule your days and times.
This fall, we will be completing some projects around the barn which we've had in mind for some time. We think you'll like and appreciate the 'new' look. We know we will...
May 13, 2011... Ah yes, Friday the 13th. You aren't superstitious, are you...? Carry a horseshoe charm for good luck...? Have one mounted on your barn...? Just remember to point it upwards to catch and hold the good luck...!
Our 2011 show series is in full swing and getting better as the season progresses. If you haven't tried us yet, you are missing quite an opportunity. The competition is a lot of fun, the food is great and everyone has been raving about all the photos of the shows posted at the Jones and Lockett Photography site ( www.jonesandlockett.com ). Our next series event is Sunday, June 5. Also, we are hosting a Suffolk Horse Show Association show on Saturday, May 28. And, you are likely to see members of our team at many of the local shows at Amazing Grace Stables, Topline Horse Center, Carlton Farms, plus the SHSA circuit and selected VBHSA events. Busy, busy, busy...
Our lesson program is also growing, now that the weather has warmed up. We still have open slots in the schedule, so give us a call today...!
It won't be much longer before summer is here, and that means horse camps. We have two scheduled so far - see our Camps page for more details.
For more news, be sure to 'find us on Facebook' - our fanpage is at www.facebook.com/river.birch.farm Check us out...!
February 2, 2011... Ground Hog Day - The resident rodent "River Birch Rick" awoke to overcast skies and did not see his shadow - HURRAH, only six more weeks of winter. After last summer's heat wave and this winter's record snowfalls, we deserve an early spring.
Catching up on events... Lexington Associate Show was great, and all our riders were fantastic! River Birch Farm sponsored the Short Stirrup Hunter division for 2010 - watch for our listing and ad in the VHSA 2011 Yearbook. Our 2010 Show Series Awards Party was postponed several times and finally happened in January - lots of good fun, awards and prizes, and everyone appeared to be having a great time.
Our 2011 Show Series got off to a good start last Sunday - our best winter show ever, and the weather couldn't have been any better - lots of sunshine until late afternoon, only a slight breeze (everyone knows how breezy we get out here), and just a bit nippy by the end of the show. Attendance was also up - our concessioneers ran low on offerings by mid-afternoon, but Subway saved the day. Jones and Lockett set up their mobile photography lab on-site and took competition & still shots all day for previewing in their trailer. Quite impressive... Photos are on their website www.jonesandlockett.com
Our next show is Sunday, February 27. The prize list is on our website, and also will be posted to Notes on our facebook page (www.facebook.com/river.birch.farm) - check it out and 'like' us if you please, and tell your friends, too. We'd love to have you out for a show (or two, or three, or all of them), so consider joining the River Birch Farm Show Series for annual awards, prizes, and more...
That's all for now, hope to see you on Facebook...!
October 8, 2010... Wow... I can't believe it's been another three months since I've posted to this page. It seems the older I get, the faster the time goes. Or maybe the busier I am, the less time I have to reflect. But I will say, partially in my defense, that I have spent much of my spare time setting up and posting to our new Facebook Fanpage (www.facebook.com/river.birch.farm), which is where you will probably see more recent news on what's going on at River Birch Farm.
The summer passed by so quickly, and there were times when we thought we might dry up and blow away for lack of rain. We sweated (literally, believe me) through two horse camps and three shows in July and August during a period of record heat with virtually no relief. The barn was full to overflowing with boarders, and it seemed the arena was in constant use.
Now that falll is finally here, things have settled down quite a bit. Our temporary boarders have moved on, the 2010 show series is done, but time marches on. We still have to complete the SHSA show season, and the Lexington Associate Championship show is just around the corner in November.
We do have a couple stalls available, so if you're in need, give us a call...
July 16, 2010... We have been extremely busy at River Birch Farm for the past several months... three horse shows, the Lexington summer associate show, summer camp, new boarders, and recently performing rain dances (apparently we are not very good at dancing...). Our VHSA Associate shows in May, June and July were on the small side, not unlike many of the shows in Tidewater this year. BUT, everyone has had a great time and we've certainly enjoyed seeing everyone return time and again. We also appreciate seeing new faces at each show.
Our July summer camp finished up this week -- our students had formal group riding lessons and individual instruction each day, plus time for arts/crafts, demonstrations and 'free time' (mostly spent running around the arena until they were exhausted...). Thursday they were treated to an afternoon pool party at Carla's, and Mitch White brought in pizzas and soft drinks for lunch on Friday (thanks, Mitch...!). Next camp is scheduled for August 9-13, and we still have slots available.
April 11, 2010... Lots of smiles from the River Birch Farm gang returning from the Suffolk Horse Show Association show at Bit by Bit Farm today...! A beautiful day for a horse show, too. Hats off to everyone 'in the ribbons.' The results:
Kaitlin Neiger/Seattle Grace:
3rd and 5th in Green Hunter
2nd and two 3rds and Reserve Champion in Children's Hunter
Alyssa Vergili/Goodness Gracious:
1st, 3rd, 4th and Reserve Champion in Beginner Equitation
Kaitlin Vergili/Steppin' Out:
4th, 5th and 6th in Beginner Equitation Over Fences
Kerri Alphin Bailey/River's Edge:
Three 1st and Champion in Hunter Pleasure
Three 1st and Champion in Green Pleasure
Mallory Francis/Goodness Gracious:
Three 1st and Champion in Maiden Walk-Trot Equitation
Trhee 1st and Champion in Beginner Pleasure
Barrett Rose/Steppin' Out
Three 2nd and Reserve Champion in Maiden Walk-Trot Equitation
Three 2nd and Reserve Champion in Beginner Pleasure
Ashlyn Edwards/Lil' Girl's Dream
3rd and two 4ths in Maiden Walk-Trot Equitation.
Nice going, ladies...!
April 2, 2010... The results of the March 28 show have been posted to the Horse Shows page, and the updated points summary for River Birch Farm members have been uploaded to the Points page. It was a long day on Sunday -- we didn't put the barn back together and return to the house until after 9 p.m. -- but we were very happy with the turnout. Peg Seals and Laura Wright brought a big group over from Freedom Farm, and Breckenridge Manor, Bridlewood Farm, Fox Ridge Farm, LunMore Farm, and our regular gang from River Birch Farm were well represented. It was a LOT of fun, and we hope everyone made it home okay. We look forward to seeing everyone back here for more shows. And if you haven't tried us yet, come on out to the next show -- we think you'll be back, too...!
March 30, 2010... Where does the time go...? Our January show was postponed a week due to weather, and subsequently cancelled altogether when it snowed the following weekend. February brought snow to the area for straight three weekends. Hard to compete with mother nature when she is that persistent. We finally caught a break by the end of the month, and the February 28 show went off without a hitch. It was great to see so many people return from last year's show series, and there were quite a few newbies in the bunch. Based on the feedback, it appears everyone had a great time. Elaine Butler Catering has been providing our concessions so far this year, and the food has been absolutely fantastic. We can't wait to see what she puts together for the next show on May 23. And about the next show -- we have commitments from a number of local businesses, charities, vendors, etc. to set up at our 'Spring Classic' show on Sunday, May 23. We will be posting more details later, but if there are any vendors out there who would be interested in tent space, please contact us.
January 17, 2010... Our first newsletter appears above. We hope this is the first of many that will showcase the events at River Birch Farm. We also hope to include features on the facilties and services we offer. We would appreciate your feedback and suggestions.
January 12, 2010... Pre-enter now for the first River Birch Farm 2010 Series Horse Show scheduled for Sunday, January 31. See the Horse Shows page for prize lists and entry information. Note the new start times for the winter schedule shows on January 31, February 28, and March 28.
Also, it's time for our River Birch Farm Show Series Membership Drive -- see our Show Series Points page for details. Remember to renew or join as soon as possible for your points to begin accumulating -- no points will begin to accrue until you are paid up, and no retroactive points either...!
January 11, 2010... A much belated Happy New Year to everyone -- sorry for the extended break.
We've been very busy at River Birch Farm in the past couple months. The Halloween Horse Show was a lot of fun -- the costume class was a big hit -- see the pix posted on our Photos page.
We completed a very successful 2009 Show Series, held our Year-End awards party, distributed ribbons and prizes, and had a great time visiting with everybody.
We have three new boarder horses in the barn: Savannah, Crosswood, and Zima. Please come visit them and say hello if you haven't already. We still have room available, so please contact us for boarding details.
Casper and Jasper (our friendly goats) are enjoying their new digs -- we built a new fenced enclosure and "goat house" especially for them near the barn. They appear to love it...!
Smokey (the 'uni-goat') is unimpressed -- he pretty much goes where he wants around here -- acting more like a big dog than a goat most of the time...!
We have a new kitten in the barn -- Sweet William -- he was wandering around the SPSA transfer station in Franklin for a week or so around Thanksgiving -- the attendants thought maybe someone had abandoned him, so we agreed to take him. He is settling in nicely -- and Emma is gradually getting used to him.
October 12, 2009... Pre-enter now for the Halloween Horse Show on October 31. Special Costume Class at Noon. Food Drive to benefit Franklin/Southampton Cooperative Ministries. Stay tuned for details of the Pumpkin Decorating/Carving Contest...!
September 14, 2009... What a beautiful day for a horse show...! Our friends from Fox Ridge Farm, Topline Horse Center, and several other barns in the area came over for a great day of competition and fun. Thanks to everyone who made it possible, including a shout-out to the Drakes at Grayson & Emma's Garden Center, who stepped in at the last minute to coordinate the concessions, and to Blair Bunn of Turtle Creek Horse Transportation, who graciously donated bags of shavings for our Division Champions.
September 7, 2009... We are taking pre-entries for our next River Birch Farm 2009 series horse show scheduled for Saturday, September 12. Email your info to manager@riverbirchfarm.com or call 757-653-7817. Hope to see you here...!
September 7, 2009... Happy Labor Day, everyone -- fire up those grills and get cookin'...!
September 6, 2009... Wow, what a day...! We hosted a Suffolk Horse Show Association open/hunter show on Saturday the 5th, and it was a fantastic event...! The turnout was great -- over 50 horses & ponies competed -- and the food was delicious and plentiful. The Horsefeathers 4H Club state team members provided concessions, and it appeared they sold out by the time they left in the late afternoon. Lots of smiles all around -- now that's what a horse show is all about...!
August 18, 2009... Our next horse show is scheduled for Saturday, September 5. It will be a Suffolk Horse Show Association event, and will also be VHSA Associate Rated. Prize Lists and entry information will be posted to the SHSA website at www.shsava.org -- you will have to pre-enter at their website using the on-line registration forms.
August 17, 2009... Even though the show on Sunday was one of our smaller turnouts, we very much appreciated the support from all who attended. Many thanks also to the Franklin-Southampton Relay for Life team for providing great food and refreshments -- we hope to have them back for another show this fall.
August 11, 2009... For the River Birch Farm horse show on Sunday, August 16, we need to have your pre-entries not later than 5 p.m. on Thursday the 13th. The Franklin-Southampton Relay for Life folks are working the concession stand, and we need an early headcount so they can prepare. So, don't delay -- make plans to attend the show, and be sure to come hungry. The show starts at 9 a.m., and concessions will be ready at 10. Join us in supporting Relay for Life...!
August 10-11, 2009... Eight young campers braved the heat and humidity but had a terrific time at the horse camp on Monday and Tuesday. Campers enjoyed formal horseback riding lessons and 'fun rides', a demonstration on horse hoof trims and shoeing by the farrier, and decorated their own horseshoes and Christmas ornament. They also had fun spraying each other at the wash rack while hosing down their mounts. I think they got wetter than the horses...!
August 3, 2009... Our horse camp scheduled for August will be a mini-camp to be held on Monday and Tuesday, August 10-11, from 8 a.m. till noon. See our 'camps' page for more details.
August 1, 2009... Pre-enter now for the River Birch Farm horse show on Sunday, August 16. Send entries to manager@riverbirchfarm.com or call 717-653-7817.
July 24, 2009... Many thanks to the Genesis Enrichment Program for a great afternoon on Thursday. Over twenty kids enjoyed horseback rides, and helped with grooming and leading their ponies to/from the arena. We all had such a great time -- hurry back...!
June 12, 2009... The River Birch Farm horse show scheduled for June 13 has been cancelled. Make plans now to join us on Saturday, July 18 for our next show.
May 5, 2009... The River Birch Farm horse show scheduled for Saturday, May 9 has been postponed. We will update the site as soon as we decide on the new date.
April 14, 2009... The Suffolk Horse Show Association will be at River Birch Farm for a horse show on Sunday, April 19. See their website at www.shsava.org for more details and registration information.
April 8, 2009... the 'shows' page has been updated to include the remainder of the 2009 schedule. Please note the earlier start time: 9:00 a.m. And PLEASE remember to bring copies of your current Coggins results -- VA State Law says you cannot show without them...!
April 6, 2009... thanks to everyone for a fantastic show on Sunday...! The weather was simply perfect! We hope everyone had a great time. We're looking forward to seeing you again at our May 9 show.
March 11, 2009... What a difference a week makes... The February 28 show was postponed due to weather (cold, rain) and subsequently rescheduled and held on March 8, which turned out to be quite warm and breezy. No matter -- the show was a success...! We welcomed some new friends, and rejoiced in seeing old friends return. From all accounts, everyone had a really good time. Thanks to all -- hope to see you again in April.
February 15, 2009... Pre-entries are being taken for the show on Saturday, February 28. Call or email your information and we'll sign you up. Even if you don't pre-enter, please let us know you're coming so we can give the concessions vendor a more accurate attendance projection. Thanks...!
February 1, 2009... Despite the frigid conditions, yesterday's horse show was quite a success. After delaying the start long enough to re-groom the arena, we managed to get things going with the open/working hunters before noon. The afternoon was filled with equitation and pleasure classes. Our concessions vendor reported brisk sales and sold out virtually all the hot food and beverages. Our thanks to everyone who braved the elements and turned out. Also, our congrats to the riders -- Well Done...!!!
River Birch Farm 2009 Show Series Memberships are available...! We will have forms at the registration desk at the show on Saturday. Points accumulated during the 2009 Winter Series and 2009 Show Series will be combined to determine end of season awards and prizes. Join now...!
January 26, 2009... We are accepting pre-entries for the show on Saturday, January 31. Call or email your entry information and we'll get you signed up. See you on Saturday...!
January 3, 2009... Have you seen the announcement on our Show Page for the 2009 Winter Show Series? Check it out for prize list and entry information. Our first event of the season is Saturday, January 31. Hope to see you here...!
January 1, 2009... Happy New Year..!
December 27, 2008... Today's Holiday Horse Camp was quite a success -- ten campers spent an action-packed day of horseback riding, fun and games, watching demonstrations, and just plain ol' goofing off. We're sure the parents were thankful to get them out of the house and into the fresh air...! Here's looking forward to Spring Break Horse Camp -- stay tuned for details.
December 25, 2008... Merry Christmas, everyone...! We hope Santa found you and left you lots of presents and goodies...! We have been enjoying your cards, letters, treats, and gifts -- thanks so very much for thinking of us.
December 8, 2008... well ok, so here we are - our new website is up and running, sort of... it's still a work in progress, so try to check back periodically as we tweak things and add content. we invite your suggestions and contributions, especially any photos you would like to see on the site. we have spaces available on the lessons, boarding, and camps pages.
