At In Your Dream Farms RIFNA Show

Kylie and I got to visit the

Kylie and Governor Deal

We ALL wear helmets at the horse shows!

As much as we were looking forward to it – the weather is not cooperating with us!

The forecast for Saturday is a high of 51! Plus we have had so much rain that the ground is just too wet for anyone to be on and not get soaked! We really don’t think it would be a good idea to get kids and adults out in the pasture and play in the mud – especially when it was cold!

Ryan slides in the mud!

All of the entries were very good, and a few were exceptional – but the contest judges agreed they best written story was from Maureen Hallford and the prize is awarded to her for telling a very moving story, and writing it very well.

Special mentions go to:
Kathy Caniff, Josephine Lau, and Ginger

In case you haven’t had the chance to read it – here it is!

Thanks for all the entries! And we look forward to a ‘Spring’ Family Festival…

Mere Words Cannot Describe…
by Maureen Hallford

I’ve fallen in love…with a place where dreams blossom. A place and a people where your disability, affliction, or addiction can be freed. The smell of the barn, the sound the water, and the breeze on your face wrap every inch of your soul and body. To walk with horses by your side, to watch them run and roll in the pastures now covered with sand fills you with an uncommon found energy in your spirit. I love this place…

Mere words cannot describe…how a dream came to life.

As a small girl growing up in Wisconsin, I dreamed of a life with horses. But as most parents do…a childhood dream that was expensive wasn’t one that was going to happen. With occasional trail rides and a year of lessons when I was 13 would have to do. Dream done….

After having two children I witnessed with my own eyes, the dreams and imagination of a child. I never knew what it meant to “live thru your child’s dream,” until my daughter blessed me with hers. There was a sense of completeness…fulfillment….calmness and love when she was able to ride her first horse. How sweet and innocent the love a child when they begin to breathe the dream.

Mere words cannot describe…how God led us to this place. In search for a dream we hap haphazardly stumbled upon a place like no other. My daughter constantly talked about riding an Appaloosa. She had a picture of one in a book and pointed to it, “Mommy, what is this horse?” “That’s what I want.” The dream had a name.

As we drove down the long drive to the barn, not knowing what we would find, and without an appointment, the dream began to live. Her name was Tessa, an Appaloosa Pony. How sweet the dream.

Mere words cannot describe….how the blood rushes thru my veins and my soul breathes at this place. As I brush Callie, her eyes wide, watching me…I feel her warmth. The flick of her tail, the stomp of her hoof as she shoos away flies… I feel her speak. She is powerful and beautiful, yet gentle and loving. I have fallen in love…with this place and it’s people. The dream lives here…at High Country Stables.

You guys trying to make Shelly feel bad? I thought for sure there would be lots of stories about how Shelly and the barn have meant something special to someone!

But all 7 stories have come from Paulding.com and none are about the stables! What about Christmas parades and parties, lessons, shows, Perry, birthday parties?

There are some good stories that have been submitted, (just click ‘Comments’ on the last post), but there is still plenty of time to submit a story!

Everything is almost back to normal after the great flood. Lessons are going later – the lights are starting to be used for night lessons, horse blankets are beginning to make their annual appearance, and long sleeves and sweaters are needed during the evening.

Fall is here!

We are looking for the best horse story – (preferably about High Country Stables) – but we will let any horse story enter!

This story should be optimistic and heart warming – how someone bonded with a horse, or a horse helped someone, or how someone grew up with a horse. Maybe how a trainer or teacher at a barn was a big influence or mentor in a life…

Something like that..

Just add a comment – post it here (so everyone can read it!) and we will choose from here.

We reserve the right to make the final decision but it might depend some on how many times the story is read. We are also running this contest on paulding.com.

The winner will be announced here and on the blog on Tuesday October 12. All entries must be in by noon on that day!

Good luck!

We had to settle for Saturday October 17th from 5-8 pm. It is the only weekend we had left between horse shows, Scouts and trips!

And as you asked, we were able to lower the cost quite a bit by changing the activities some. We were surprised at how many folks wanted pony and horse rides- so we added that in. With rides, games, live music, great food and marshmallows at the fire it promises to be a really nice Saturday fall evening at the stables!

Don’t wait to reserve your place! Click here to do that now…

Fall Camp Schedule is Posted
You can see the fall (and even spring) camps are up! Just look over to the right! of the page.

Calling All Boarders!
For some reason (is it the economy?) we are not getting calls from riders wanting to board their horses lately… Please think of us as you talk horses with your friends.

Thanks to everyone for helping us have a really great summer! We are very grateful for your continued support.