To Clinic? Or Not?

Ok, requests are coming in for us to host more clinics this winter! That is awesome! We'd love to open our doors and have several great days of learning for our students and clients!!

The only snag is the weather that we've been having! The cycle of weekend storms has us a bit backed off - we do not want to risk anyone or their horses on roads that are not clear and safe to travel.

So if we were to offer a Training Day would that work?

We can arrange a schedule with demo riders and lessons. Handouts, a small lecture in the house...it's possible! But if the weather is not fit for travel - we do not want anyone to feel pressured to attend.


And thus the debate continues...please let us know what you think about Saturday January 18th as a possible date. info@watermark-farm.net

If you would rather just dive in and schedule a lesson - that would be fine, too! We have openings in the afternoons and weekends at the moment! Give us a shout with a day and time that would work for you!

Feeling the Post Holiday Blues?

Are you feeling the Post Holiday Blues? Has the chilly weather got you down? Is your ring/riding area frozen and bumpy?

That's ok!

We've got a way to help you shake off the winter doldrums! It's time to get into a program and get cracking on improving your riding! That is a definite pick me up and will help to make the days brighter!


From now until the end of January, we are lowering our Lesson Fees -
Ellie's Private Lesson Fee is reduced to $60.
           Semi-Private is $45 per horse/rider.
           Group Lessons are $25 per horse.

Anne's Private Lesson Fee is $90.
            Semi-Private is $50 per horse/rider.
            Group Lessons are $25 per horse/rider.
            Private Lesson on an FEI Schoolmaster is $100.

A Lunge Lesson is reduced to $60.  (WF horse)

Our Club Membership is lowered as well!
$150 gets you unlimited scheduled use of the Arenas* as a Single Membership!
Family Membership is $200!

If that Club Membership is feeling like too much of a commitment - our Ring Use Fee is now just $20!

This was the indoor temperature on a 40* day!

So it's time to pack up your riding gear, grab your helmet and get to working on your seat and overall fitness! Please be sure to call ahead to use the arena - our place is hopping and we don't want you to feel crowded!


These prices are only applicable through the end of January 2014!



* - Outdoor availability will vary depending on the weather.

Tis the Night Before Christmas (Watermark Style)

I'll freely admit - I changed some of the names to make it more personal with the horses that "talk" to me each evening. Original can be found @Horse Listening. NO copywrite infringement intended!!!
http://horselistening.com/2012/12/24/the-night-before-christmas/





Night Before Christmas (Watermark Style)

It’s the night before Christmas and I’m out in the barn
Blanketing my horses to keep them all warm.
They’re eating their dinners, tucked cozy in stalls,
Not aware that it’s Christmas, or any day special at all.
They dream of spring pastures from their pine-scented beds.
No visions of sugarplums dance in their heads.
But we people are thinking of merry parties and such
Quickly doing our tasks so we don’t miss too much.
This season is special, but the horses don’t know.
They munch on their hay safe out of the snow.
I finish my chores and head on inside
To get ready for dinner and my family’s yuletide.
It’s nearly midnight, the carols are sung.
I remember a story told when I was young
How at midnight on each Christmas Eve
The barnyard creatures can speak to us with ease.
I am called to the barn.
I slosh through the snow.
can’t really explain;
I know I must go.
I slide open the door, and stand there and smile
Then slowly walk down the dimly lit aisle.
A nicker from Dolce, a soft snort from Lacey,
Sweet, gentle Liam gives me a wink
Daisy rustles her bedding, Oz comes into sight
Even Dillon gives a greeting as I walk through the night.
I thought about parties bright lit and warm,
The ones we don’t go to cause we have the barn
And vacations and holidays that we usually don’t get
Cause we have the animals and chores to be met.
Walking all the way to the end of the aisle
I stop to stroke McDreamy and linger awhile
He snuffles my face, hot breath on my skin
And I look around at the others, my horses, my friends.
I could be at parties with laughter and mirth
But where I am right now is the best place on Earth.

From Our Barn to Yours…….Merry Christmas….

Copied from http://horselistening.com/2012/12/24/the-night-before-christmas/ Original written By Doris Elradi

Unsure of what to get your dressage enthusiast this Holiday Season? How about...

If you are in a panic as to what to get your heart's darling for this season of giving - have you considered...

A) Riding Lessons

From lunge lessons to FEI Schoolmasters - we're here to help make your riding goals come true!

We offer lunge lessons, instruction on the double lunge system, Group Lessons, Private and Semi-Private Lessons and the have a few FEI Schoolmasters available for Private Sessions.

B) A Custom Foal

Pick any of our Broodmares and breed your own Champion!

C) A Young Horse

Your very own 'clean slate' to bring along as you choose!

 D) A nice Third or Fourth Level Horse

 We have several horses that are working solidly at Third and Fourth Level! They're ready to go out and compete in the New Year! How fun to begin 2014 with a ready made equine with a bunch of training and mileage!

Give us a call or pop an email to info@watermark-farm.net to discuss what is of interest and we'll do what we can to ensure happiness is part of your Holiday Season!

A change in the wind...

I'm not sure that I believe in reincarnation or past lives, but I do recognize my flaws and try to keep a handle on how to improve on a personal level. Throughout my life I have had a great deal of trouble practicing this skill known as "patience". I am a go-getter by nature and it is torture to have to sit still while doing nothing. Seriously. Repetitive tasks set my teeth on edge unless there is dramatic improvement/productivity/something fantastic to show for the effort. Cleaning stalls - no problem - they look great when they're done! Ditto cleaning tack! Cleaning the house - not so much! Taking a day off and lounging around - OMG get me a spoon! I want to pull my eyeballs out after a half an hour of practicing this "Doing Nothing" stuff. Sheer torture... It is becoming somewhat easier to smile, breathe deeply and relax into the idea that an hour from now/this afternoon/tomorrow/next week is not far away and time marching forward is inevitable. Totally a "Patience Grasshopper" state of reality...thank goodness mom (Anne Rawle) is like Mr. Miyagi and coaxes it out of me!

So you may be curious what has brought on this rambling discussion of doing nothing and practicing that pesky patience skill...

Well, I am currently practicing patience containing some very big news that I would love to share with all my friends! Soon, soon...I am hoping to share with you all. Very soon. But not yet. Soon. *deep breath* It has quite a bit to do with the horses (of course)! The only teaser I can offer up is a bit of video from a light school the other day but it's not the real meat of why waiting is important...but it is a glimmer of hope that practicing patience has its rewards!



The strength Wyatt needs to have a show quality passage and someday a piaffe to match is still developing. Slowly - which is where the patience is so rewarding. I can feel him relaxing into the effort and mentally he is 110% with me and focused on working so hard to please me. Such a good, good horse!! And there are quite a few others who are making the same effort now! Good horses make everything better! :) Even waiting for things to do what they need to do and then tell the world what's going on! :)  (can you guys tell it is soooooo hard to not say anything????)

In the meantime, Happy Riding!