The upcoming New Year wraps up the first full year of Claire Affleck Training.  I sincerely thank all of you for your continuing and generous support of myself and the farm.  Owning a horse farm has been a lifelong dream and with your help, it has become a reality for me. Thank you for your continued support and participation. Have a joyous and peaceful holiday season!

I would like to announce the retirement of Chris’s great grey pony, Shadow.  When Shadow first came into our lives she was a lesson pony here at the barn.  She was sweet enough for the special needs children, quite enough for beginners, and lively enough for the even most experienced rider to appreciate! While Shadow was patient with the beginner lesson students, there was nothing she loved more than a good gallop to a big jump! Shadow eventually came up for sale and she was lucky enough to have Chris buy her. Living at Chris’s barn was like being at a spa! Shadow enjoyed lush green pastures, long trail rides through the woods, finding logs to hop over, streams to cross, and fields to gallop in. Shadow even became Chris’s mount for hunter paces and fox hunts this past year! What a stunning team they made! Now Shadow has made her way to her original home in Vermont where she will enjoy her retirement years. We will all miss her terribly but if any pony has earned a retirement, it’s our Shadow!

On Saturday Patrick and I attended the Michael Page clinic in Ithaca at If Only Farm.  Michael won the ASHA Medal Finals, rode in three Olympic Games (winning 2 gold and one bronze medals) and competed in three Pan Am Games (winning two gold medals). 
We had a blast riding with this energetic and dynamic horseman.  He stressed improving on the basics of position, which in turn improves function and effectiveness.   Pat rode Lucky and I rode Suki.    Lucky and Suki jumped great and were very well behaved.  Pat rode beautifully, receiving a lot praise.  We both learned a lot and look forward to working on some new skills.  Next time I would love for more of us to participate in the clinic.  Those that don’t wish to ride should come to audit the clinic.  You observe and learn a tremendous amount from watching and listening. I’m already really looking forward to this event next year!