ECAHS Member News

Oak Lawn Farm Arabians Sale

Due to health reasons, Jack Sims, of Oak Lawn Farm Arabians, in Yale, Virginia has a number of horses that need to find new homes. Many of these horses will go free of charge to approved homes only. If you are looking for some fine, old Lewisfield bloodlines, there are outstanding mares, colts, geldings, and stallions, please give a thought to Jack’s herd. The list can be down-loaded from http://olfarabians.com/saleslist.html. You can reach Jack Sims at 757-377-6998 or by email at OakLawnArab@aol.com.

News from Whispering Hope Farm

QCDX Easters RNB (picture: easter.jpg) As I mentioned in an article in last month’s newsletter, I attended the Al-Marah Winter Forum in November, leaving my head at home and taking my heart along. As a result, and through the generosity of Mrs. Tankersley, I acquired QCDX Easters RNB, a lovely 4-year-old grey mare by Al-Marah Quebec out of Al-Marah MyTern.

Well, Easter arrived on Thanksgiving, just in time for dinner!… And with good reason for being thankful! Holly, the assistant trainer at Al-Marah, and Jason, one of the apprentices, brought Easter here by way of Michigan State, in Lansing, MI, where they dropped off three Al-Marah horses to be used in the breeding program there. However, they had been significantly delayed by a truck breakdown in Missouri, and again in Illinois. So, needless to say, we were more than happy to delay our dinner for a while to get Easter settled in with hers.

Everything here is new for Easter, including the feed, water, trees, climate, and not the least of all, the MUD! But she is acclimating herself quite well. Her new pasture mates are also accepting her. We have been taking that slowly, and with the exception of a few squeals here and there, the process has been pretty uneventful. Soon we will start some groundwork, then under saddle work. We are very excited to have Easter here, and look forward to telling you more about her in the future.

Pat Bobb

Whispering Hope Farm

Columbia, Virginia

New Addition for Nobel Downs Equestrian Center

Heidi Peak, of Nobel Downs Equestrian Center, is the proud new owner of FFC Riverdahnce, Riverdahnce is joining another FFC alumni, FFC Grand Saiyid (aka Nobel Dancer). Nobel Downs Equestrian Center is a full service boarding facility for horses located in St. Stephens Church, Virginia. Heidi can be reached at 540-769-1311. (picture – nob_riv1.jpg)

Heidi Peak

Nobel Downs Equestrian Center

St. Stephens Church, Virginia

Sky Meadow State Park, Paris, Virginia Trail Ride

In November, McKenzie and I decided to go to Sky Meadow and ride the bridle trails. McKenzie took her 3 yr. old Araloosa (48.47% Crabbet), Rocky, and I took my Arabian mare, FFC Lorahlei. Rocky is just starting training under saddle and we took him out to ‘experience’ a new place.

The weather was a bit overcast but relatively warm for November. Sky Meadow is a state park that lies in the Crooked Run valley just south of Paris, Virginia (where Rt. 17 and 50 meet). To the west of 17 lies an historic site and hiking trails that a lot of boy scouts and other hiking groups enjoy. To the east of 17, lies the bridle trails. As you come over the ‘mountain’ going east, at Paris, you will witness one of the most beautiful vistas in all of Virginia as you look south down this little valley.

We pulled in and filled out the park’s registration form (for coggins info) and paid our parking/trailer fee ($7.00 on the weekends, $6 during the week). We then saddled up and out we went! There is parking for about 6-8 trailers, along with car parking. We go by there all the time, and it is very rarely crowded.

The well marked bridle trails are made up of a little over six miles of challenging and scenic riding trails on two loops. There are huge, rolling fields with pathways and trails to follow and wooded trails that go up a steep ridge (shoes definitely needed for this part) that give you breathtaking views. A couple of creeks provide water challenges. The trails can be combined to make as short or long a ride as you want. You will most definitely see deer, they pop up everywhere! Sometimes fox, red-tailed hawks, occasionally you will see one of the valley’s resident bald eagles, and maybe a bear in the distance.

Our ride was mostly uneventful, although we did spot some other riders ahead (rather Rocky did!) coming our way. They were monsters or elephants – even after they were close enough for him to see that they were horses with people too. Lots of snorting and eye-rolling, and finally calming down once he knew they weren’t going to eat him. However, when the deer popped up under his nose – nada – no reaction! Silly boy! Anyway, we had a fantastic 2 hour ride (we did the pasture part for his first time out).

Come on out to Sky Meadow – give us a call. We would love to meet you there for a ride!

Lynn and McKenzie Blake

Mayhem Farm

Winchester, Virginia

www.mayhemfarm.com

Year End Awards

Laura Thomas, Ladamas Arabians is proud to announce that their yearling filly, Khorvette LA was named BRAHA’s 2006 High Point Arabian Filly Champion. She is 43.64% Crabbet. Next year she will return to the Open Halter ring and enter the Sport Horse In-Hand ring with Rob Simpson.

Laura Thomas

Ladamas Arabians

Warrenton, Virginia

McKenzie Blake, Mayhem Farm, is proud to announce that her Araloosa gelding, The Magics a Rockin (Rocky) was awarded Reserve Halter Champion, Part Bred by the Eastern Amateur Arabian Horse Club Society. Rocky is 48.47% Crabbet.

McKenzie Blake

Mayhem Farm

Winchester, Virginia