I made a few changes to the cabins. They now have hand made dressers with 8 large drawers so each student gets 2 drawers. I also had mirrors installed above the dressers, so the girls can groom properly. We noticed a big change in the overall appearance of the older campers.
My new toy, the golf cart has been a real treat. Everyone wants a ride in it, but they have to fight for space with Hershey, Rudy and Barkley. Every time I start it the dogs come running. I always have passengers. It has been very useful as I am always bringing supplies from the house to the camp. Not using the motorcycle as much. I have trained Barkley to ride in the basket. He looks so cute sitting in the milk container that is strapped on the back of the Honda. Will take a picture and put it on the site for all to enjoy. Also one of the golf cart with all the critters sitting in it.
Speaking of critters, the squirrels are very busy this week. Winter must be fast approaching as they are firing the pine cones down from the trees and fighting each other as they run to store them. I often wonder how they remember where they put them all as they are always going in different directions. We had to move a couple of horses when we were tacking up as they got spooky when the pine cones starting dropping on them.
We still have a lot of deer. They seem to hang out here all year and are even eating with the horses. I spotted a mom with 2 fawns last week. They must have been late arrivals as they still had their spots. We have one deer that is very tame. A few weeks ago she was grazing right by the gate to the top ring during the show. If you have attended one of our shows you know how much activity there is, with the loud speaker and the students all lined up, picture taking etc. but nothing seemed to bother this deer. She is always hanging out in the paddocks, even when the kids are cleaning them.
My fall programs are filling up quickly. The Parent/child weekend is completely full, and I have a few spots left for the Women’s Weekend Getaway. I have 6 women staying for the extra days to make it the 5 day adult camp. (September 21 – 26) If you are interested in attending let me know as there is still room.
The 2002 schedule is now up. I have had to increase my rate for next year because of rising costs, especially the huge increase in the cost of hay. The farmers tell me it is all due to the Alberta drought and exporting hay to the U.S. I guess it all comes down to supply and demand. With the warm rainless summer we had this year. I have been feeding hay in the field since the middle of July. Some previous years, I didn't feed the horses in the field until October.
I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to all my customers. I thoroughly enjoy what I am doing. Everyone is just great. Must say something about horsey people. The children are all so special. It is very rewarding to see the enthusiasm and the progress that is made with each session, as well as to read about previous students in the horsey magazines that had their start with us and are now competing in major events. I would also like to thank my staff, without them we would not be so successful. A special thank you to Dawn who came back for the last 2 weeks to fill in, also Jessi for the good instruction and of course Angie my daughter. I would not be here if it wasn't for her. Also thanks to Lorne, the man in my life, for always being there for me, Donna for the help in the kitchen and Ella for the weekend care for the students.
I would like to announce the engagement of Angie and Mike. Wedding will be sometime in February , hopefully somewhere warm so I can have a holiday for a change.
Thanks again and will update soon
Sincerely,
Hilda