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Post by horseguy on Mar 2, 2016 16:33:20 GMT
For those of you who come here and knew the horses at my old barn, here is an update on Mocha Chip who taught so many new riders and new fox hunters. She is now a Philadelphia "Main Line" show horse and apparently doing well at her new job. Who'd a thought. I have never see her that white. (Still got the evil eye when inconvenienced, like standing for a picture) The saddle pad has a cup of coffee and "Mocha" embroidered under it.
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Post by Maritza on Mar 4, 2016 22:45:18 GMT
Wow she's clean! I remember riding Mocha. I am glad to hear that she is doing well at her new home!
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Drew
New Member
Posts: 6
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Post by Drew on Mar 12, 2016 22:18:29 GMT
Hi Bob! I haven't logged onto the forum recently. This is a great update. We think about your farm often, any updates from Piero, Blaze, Beau, and Candy? Last week-end Meredith participated in her first Pony Club Quiz Rally, her team came in 3rd...after that she said she was going to work harder for next year to get a better ribbon. She will be preparing for a test upgrade in early summer, she loves it.
Audrey was only about 2 1/2 when we lived in Carlisle but she hasn't forgot about Mocha and her "riding lessons" you gave on a lead rope walking around your driveway turnaround. She still asks about Mocha and then says her usual response, which is well known in our house, "Mocha's my best friend in the wide world!". In fact, when she saw this picture she said, "Hey! That's my horse!".
We enjoyed it there, we probably took more than we left. We've moved to a new state and ride in a new place we often think about your farm, excellent instructional methods and skills. We have not found a similar facility, approach, and commitment to riding/horsemanship instruction...and just plain open-ness. It is disappointing.
I can't say that Meredith's current instruction is unsound...or ineffective...it is just very deliberate and regimented, and I know that isn't a bad thing, necessarily, it just seems that some of the fun is lost. For the facilities available, they spend too much time in the arena. For example, they don't just "ride out" the last 5-10 minutes of a lesson, or go down to the creek for water and learn something on the way about footing or whatever might present itself. She seemed to learn more effectively with you riding along to demonstrate. A combination of instruction from a syllabus and teaching things that comes up in the course of riding is probably better.
Our best to you and Karen, Drew
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Post by horseguy on Mar 13, 2016 16:36:44 GMT
Drew, good to hear from you. I'm happy the girls are still so interested in horses. Yes, a lot has changed over the years in terms of teaching riding. Hardly any instructors ride in a lesson anymore. I teach the way I learned. In the military tradition the instructors always rode. My teacher always rode as we went out on "Follow Me" rides.
Beau and Candy are still with us. Beau has grown up nicely, Candy is well and not changed much. Piero went to NJ as a hunt horse, which means he will basically have off all summer. He'll like that. Blaze is out west with your classmate. I heard from Kevin's new owner and she is thrilled with him. They all are doing well.
We are focused on getting Karen's bakery up and running. The State Health Department food license application is in and being processed. Look for me wearing an apron and a puffy baker's hat soon. Best to all your family and have a great summer riding.
Bob
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