After Margaret and I had such a fun time at the fall hunter pace, we opted to go again this spring! This time, while I rode Rejoice again, Margaret rode her horse Jester and had a friend ride Ladyhawke. All Kennebec Morgans!! Jester and Rejoice have the same dam and Jester and Lady share the same sire. Unfortunately instead of a lovely late spring day, we had one of the first intensely hot and humid days of the year. It was definitely a bummer, but the ride was mostly in the shade of the woods and we had a great time! most of the fences were 3' coops but we found a small log and this hay to jump haha Until we didn't. 😑 We brought along a third friend who rode Margaret's older mare, Ladyhawke. She's a good rider but hasn't known Ladyhawke for very long and didn't realize how much of a cranky boss mare she could be at times. She kicked Jester right in the front leg just about halfway through the ride, and while the cut itself ended up not being a big deal in the
As a small child, I begged my parents for a horse for as long as I can remember. They finally gave in to riding lessons, thinking I would take a few and lose interest. Hahaha parents, you are so funny.
I started riding at the ripe old age of six, at a local Morgan breeding farm known as Joydale Morgan Farm owned by a woman named Joy and her husband Doug. I was lucky to ride a variety of Morgans (and a few other breeds here and there) and learn how to start young horses. I was taught "balance seat" and the basics of dressage and jumping. I attended my first three phase event as a groom for the "older girls" at the barn when I was eight and I was completely hooked. At age nine, I was allowed to be the first rider to sit on my project filly, which was super exciting and as I taught her the basics of riding, I thought I could convince my parents to buy her for me; sadly, she was sold the following year.
My first horse, Joydale Sparklerslas, was originally born at Joydale, and she came to become mine when I was thirteen and she was ten, as J & D heard about one of their horses in a bad situation. My parents finally caved and I got my first very own horse! Of course, with Ellie in my life now, it is full circle back to Joydale, as Sparky came from the Kennebec lines.
I credit my love of eventing and Morgan horses to my formative years at Joydale. I learned so much from Joy and Doug. They gave me opportunities that I will always be grateful for and taught me to be the best horsewoman and caregiver I can be.
I lessoned, attended summer camps, and eventually gave summer camp lessons at Joydale throughout my college years. Even when I moved my horses to my own farm when I graduated from college, I still taught summer camp for a few years.
I miss being a kid at Joydale. :-)
I started riding at the ripe old age of six, at a local Morgan breeding farm known as Joydale Morgan Farm owned by a woman named Joy and her husband Doug. I was lucky to ride a variety of Morgans (and a few other breeds here and there) and learn how to start young horses. I was taught "balance seat" and the basics of dressage and jumping. I attended my first three phase event as a groom for the "older girls" at the barn when I was eight and I was completely hooked. At age nine, I was allowed to be the first rider to sit on my project filly, which was super exciting and as I taught her the basics of riding, I thought I could convince my parents to buy her for me; sadly, she was sold the following year.
My first horse, Joydale Sparklerslas, was originally born at Joydale, and she came to become mine when I was thirteen and she was ten, as J & D heard about one of their horses in a bad situation. My parents finally caved and I got my first very own horse! Of course, with Ellie in my life now, it is full circle back to Joydale, as Sparky came from the Kennebec lines.
This is me, about to do a dressage test on Kennebec Chief, Sparky's sire. |
I lessoned, attended summer camps, and eventually gave summer camp lessons at Joydale throughout my college years. Even when I moved my horses to my own farm when I graduated from college, I still taught summer camp for a few years.
I miss being a kid at Joydale. :-)
One of my first lessons on Joydale Pollyanna! |
aw this is great! sometimes i miss being a kid at the barn too ;)
ReplyDeleteYes! The best times! :-)
Deletelove all the Morgans :) I am so jealous (I think your Morgans were nicer than ours LOL) HA HA HA
ReplyDeleteNOOOO, I saw your posts and your Morgans were gorgeous!!! :-p
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