Mountain Spring Farm

10/12/2025

My words....Only add 1 new thing when they understand the previous things...always like it when I read world renowned trainers say my thoughts!🥰

THE BIG THINGS ARE EASY

Two of the Principles of Training are-

"They need to know the answer before you ask the question", and "Change one thing at a time". It makes for problem free advancing through training. It makes sure that by the time you get to the big things, the so called hard stuff, you are ready for them. If your horse (or you) can do the previous thing well, only then are you ready to move onto the next thing.

Five years ago today in New Zealand I got to try some jumping. I was there to present at a horse expo called Equidays, and they always have an amazing night show. I was asked if I wanted to be a guest competitor in some sort of jumping competition for the night show. I said I'd do it if I could find someone to give me some lessons before the expo.

I had helped the owner of this horse at the previous years expo, the mare jumps well and the owner teaches people to jump. We went to a facility that had a showjumping course as well as a cross country course. This passage below is the owners description of what happened that day, leading up to this photo.

"I love to tell this story about Warwick.

We met up at Little Valley Farm for Warwick to have a go jumping Missy. He had told me that he had never jumped outside of an arena - and only jumped in the arena a couple of times 😳. I knew Missy could do it - wasn’t sure about Warwick.

Warwick looked around all the jumps and asked if Missy could jump everything here. “Yes, she can.” “Can she jump that one?” - pointing at a reasonable jump. “Yes” “What about that one?”
- pointing at this one. “Yes, she can, but it’s more than just her. You need to be able to as well”.

So Warwick started riding Missy. He worked in the arena first, over poles, establishing a rhythm. Then started with one jump and ensured that she maintained balance and control, especially after the jump. Then added another jump - rinse and repeat. After working up to four in a row, he was able to jump an entire course with her going calmly and sensibly.

Then we bumped them up to about 90 cm. Then we went out to the Cross Country course.

Warwick kept asking “Can I jump that one?” Pointing at higher and higher jumps. He wanted to jump this wall, and I told him first he had to do a couple of other exercises. Once he’d done them, he was “now can I do that one? You said I could if I did those others”. “Okay, go and jump that one and canter down the hill to the wall”.

As he came down the hill, he backed off a bit. I yelled “more power”. Warwick did a lovely smooth circle, powering up and re-approached with the right power and great rhythm. And soared over the jump. 😁. He was surprised at how long it took to come down after it - its a down hill landing.

It was amazing to work with Warwick. He may not have done XC previously, but he absolutely understood the fundamentals and that allowed him to do this."

So I didn't do any work on the big jump on the cross country course, but did a lot of rinse and repeat at the little jumps in the arena.(Note-like it says in the crazy TV shows, do not attempt this at home. I'd suggest staying at the little jumps for a long time and really learn the sport, this was just for a one time entry in the night show).

10/12/2025

Look who arrived yesterday to Mountain Spring Farm!! Jem Bobby's Velvet Edition! He's a great mate for Nip!

10/06/2025

I spent an hour this a.m. with a brush and stain..then my Bus Guy comes home and brings out the power tools!! Sprayed in less than an hour!! Love my mini hut! Ready for Nip and his new buddy! 🥰

10/01/2025

It's definitely a process..😊

Tolerance for the discomfort of not knowing -

Like a lot of people, I want to know and know it all now!

I wouldn’t say that I didn’t have patience to learn, or was resistant to basics, but I was extremely frustrated by not understanding concepts immediately. When is this all going to come together? Why are we doing it like this? What does it all mean??

A really good teacher can explain these concepts, but learning is like building - you have to lay a foundation and create scaffolding. Without those laid through repetition and time, there is nothing for the information to “stick” to. Over time, you start seeing patterns, understanding how things relate, and seeing the connections.

But a big part of learning is not just drinking manically from the fire hose of information, it is somewhat a trust fall. If you trust your teacher, and like the results you see or the ways of going and expressions the horses they work with carry - then there is some degree of trusting the process required.

This might mean getting comfortable with not understanding, relaxing into the unknowing, and letting time and repetition do their thing. I have learned over time not to panic when I don’t understand or don’t have a skill I want, and to watch the process unfold over years.

10/01/2025

Offering for sale, Mountain Spring's Ava!

09/24/2025

Ah! So true! Makes me feel better..my stuff is used and not sparkling clean every day....

09/24/2025

I know..I know..but I do trust my training and I trust Nip..

09/24/2025

Thanks for being a top engager and making it on to my weekly engagement list! 🎉 Susan Locas, Jennifer Prosser Stultz, Joy Hamilton, Cookie Fraser...you gals ROCK!!

09/22/2025

"Aren’t you too old for a horse?" — they ask. But that question isn’t really about age. It’s about love. The kind of love that knows no years…

I've been asked more than once: “Maybe you're too old to own a horse?”
And every time, my heart flinches — not from doubt, but from the very question.
Because how can you ever be too old for the one who heals your soul?

Yes, my knees aren’t what they used to be. The saddle feels heavier.
The barn grows colder with each passing winter.
But in the quiet where frost turns gold and breath fogs the air,
I remember who I truly am — through the gaze of a horse.

A horse doesn’t count wrinkles. Doesn’t notice the tremble in my hands.
All that matters to him is that I’m there.
And for that — for trust, peace, and steps in sync —
I’ll endure the pain, the weariness, the rain.

Because in that stillness, where hearts beat with hooves,
I find refuge. I find youth. I find me.
And age? It's not a barrier — it’s just one more reason to treasure every moment.

So when someone asks if it’s too late, I answer:
"It’s never too late for true love."

09/22/2025

Seems we always have productive days! It was a team effort! Now to put some tracks out there and then head out in the fields!