Newton of Fintray Dressage and Eventing Training Yard

06/12/2024

I am very proud to have been awarded 3 trophies recently at the BD Scottish presentation night. I wasn’t able to attend, but Sam Turpitt kindly presented me with them earlier this week.
They are the Scottish Performance Directorate overall Points trophy 🏆 , The Hunter trophy for most points for over 40s 🏆 and The Duntarvie Edward trophy🏆 for highest score at the Summer Regionals (Nightlife).
While I have been quiet on social media this year due to a lot going on and losing my father, the horses have consistently been developing nicely at home and been stars when going out and picking up good scores. 🍊🍊
Thanks as ever to Childeric Saddles UK and Spillers for supporting the horses with their fabulous products.

03/10/2024

https://www.orangehorseconsultants.co.uk/sponsorship.html #/

06/08/2024

If anyone is keen to sit in a Childéric saddle that is fitted to you and your horse then grab the opportunity to book in with the hugely knowledgeable Helen Dunning.
She’s also freakishly genius with bits and bitting.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿SCOTLAND - HELEN'S COMING FOR YOU🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

We know how booked up these trips get so we do advise early booking.

Next visit - 30th September - 3rd October

Email [email protected] to arrange a date

29/07/2024

Are you a horse lover and interested in learning more about the care of horses, gaining SQA credits while you’re at it?
I am now taking names for this next new intake of students for this fee waivered National Certificate in Equestrian Studies.
We meet on a Monday evening at 6pm at my yard near Hatton of Fintray for classroom and practical yard based learning.
There will be a maximum number so get in touch quickly to avoid disappointment.
Please WhatsApp me for further information. (Please no PMs. Only WhatsApp or text to the number on the image)
Minimum age is 12 and you will need your Scottish Candidate Number if you attend school. 🐎 🐴 Parents of younger students are very much encouraged to enrol too and to learn alongside your child. Better than sitting outside in your car 😜
Aiming for a late August start.

Please feel free to share.

30/06/2024

Clearing out my lorry and binning a heap of once very expensive hats that are now obsolete.
Anyone interested in these Patey hats? Is there a market for them??

22/06/2024

Beautiful Dance with Me Fürst MFS learning to Piaffe. 🩷
SPILLERS

MFS STUDFARM

17/06/2024

Beris Loose Ring Soft Tongue Arc Snaffle 14cm/5.5”
£35 can post at buyer’s expense.

21/05/2024

For sale.
Aaquine 2004 Ford Iveco Eurocargo (sleeper- cab) 18tonne horsebox with huge living.
Stalled for 4 horses.
Mileage 176,000
Been stored indoors since built
No expense spared for maintenance.
Beautiful lorry only for sale as time has come to downsize.

6 gear manual gearbox
Cruise control
Tilting cab
Navy with white piping leather covered seats.
Cab bed behind seats.
Cut through to living.

Living area:
Sleeps 7
Raised living with under floor storage.
Huge double bed above sleeper cab
Bed behind seats in cab
Huge double bed above shower accessible from living area.
Seating makes into a double bed.
4 ring stove, grill and oven
3 way large fridge with ice box
Speakers and amplifier
Mood lighting
Blow heating
Hot water system (gas or hook up)
Huge amounts of storage and cupboard space
Sink with black glass fold up lid.
Large leather covered seating area to match cab seats. Makes into another double bed.
Microwave
Cubby hole storage unit inside jockey door.
Coat hooks in lower entrance area.
Fold down steps outside door to living.
Loo/shower room
Cassette loo
Shower cubicle with sliding door
Porcelain sink and mirror in bathroom
Blow heating into shower cubicle.

Horse area.
Partitioned for 4 horses.
Robust partitions with horizontal fittings allowing for variation in length of space.
Rug rack
Sky lights
Red lighting night system
Thick rubber flooring undamaged.
Hydraulic ramp
Outdoor tack locker with space for 3 saddles.
3 skirt lockers on driver side
Storage space under living with access from both sides.

£43,000 Ono

Located in Aberdeenshire but can be seen at Somerford Dressage Premier League 24/25/26th May

15/02/2024

2nd hand Jin Dressage stirrups for sale. £70 PM if interested. 🤓

01/02/2024

I’m further stealing these stolen words from some wise Spaniard. It’s a tough industry for sure!

https://www.facebook.com/100049239234770/posts/934466004871365/?app=fbl

Some wise words I have “stolen” from a post I read in Spainish 🥰👍🏼

For all stall holders, coaches, ....
[For all the stall owners/trainers out there!] ]
I learned the long and hard as a pro in the horse business:

1. It's easy to make friends with your customers. They become family you spend a lot of time with. In the end they do what is best for themselves. And for you, these roads may not be the same. Prepare to have your heart broken. That's why: Separate businesses and private relationships.

2. People won't always trust and question your experience. You'll think they know better because they read it in a book or saw it online. Don't try to please everyone, run your stable so you can sleep well at night. Customer opinion may differ from their beliefs. This can mean confrontation, tough conversations and even asking people to move on.

3. Horses are 99% easy. It's the people who come with them that complicate things.

4. Remember to always put the horses in the center.

5. People will always judge you and have opinions. The better you are the more jealous you will be.

6. Success is not measured by ties and placements, but by happy animals and your quality of life.

7. There's always an exception - follow the system that works for you, not what's on the books.

8. If you're upset about someone's car racing in front of the barn, it's time to let that person move on. Your barn should be your happy place. It literally only takes one bad sour apple to ruin the entire atmosphere and dynamics of a stable.

9. Let them go.... If someone moves on, don't get mad. Ignore what they are saying Don't take it personally. Not all stables fit all people.

10. This is also a business. If a person or horse doesn't work for you or the reward doesn't even match your cost it's time for them to go. The exception is that your horses are retired see no

11. Horses have a limited number of jumps, rides or starts. Don't waste your horses. Teach your students that they are not machines. You owe your retired horses a safe, comfortable and dignified ending.

12. Euthanasia is no shame for a horse owner. It's always better a week too early than a second too late. Don't judge anyone by their reasons.

13. Most customers fall into two categories. Those who are "striving" are - open minded and will approach situations head-on. The second one is the quiet guy who doesn't say a word and doesn't talk openly to you about his expectations or problems. You don't know they have a problem until it's too late. The people in between are the customers you want. They'll be there in the long run.

14. Know the value of yourself. KNOW YOUR WORTH. Your time and experience have monetary value. Don't do anything for free even if you like the person. Every bit of time or effort you put into your customers is worth it. So if you don't appreciate your efforts, neither will a customer.

15. Be honest. It's not always easy. But in this business it takes a long time to build a good reputation and seconds to destroy it.

16. Remember horses are dangerous. Always use the best knowledge when working with horses and students. Your life and your own life can change in an instant..

17. Get paid upfront. Keeps some good records. People don’t go grocery store and order food they don’t pay for until next week. Good business practices relate to everyone and establish a framework for their customers.

18. Normalize rising prices. Service industries, especially those like ours, always feel "guilty" for raising prices. You're not here to subsidize someone else's hobby. If your costs went up, so should your prices.

19. You are responsible for it. Your coworkers mistakes are your fault. That's why I keep an eye on what they do.

20. Take time for family and quiet. Many of us are overwhelmed by the stress in this industry. Eventually students and clients come and go. Your family is what you leave behind.

Thank you for reading my mind. I hope this can give some of you support and maybe help some people start their journey in this industry. ]...

Written by Rhea Distefano

Feel free to copy the text (from English to PRL)

18/01/2024

This chap is here for a few weeks of schooling and clearly decided today that his idea of a leg stretch in the sand(snow) paddock needed to involve a heap more stretching than I had in mind. 🫣

17/01/2024

There’s never quite as exciting a day as the one when your new Childéric saddle arrives in a big box and open it up and get to work soaking all the oil into the gorgeous leather and marvel at the incredible craftsmanship!!!
A couple of months ago Helen Dunning listened to a few of my questions and watched me ride in the previous saddle that has been so good for Daisy when she was younger, and suggested a few subtle changes to suit us both now.
For the last 8 weeks or so I’ve been riding in Helen’s little demo saddle while this beauty was being made and tomorrow we’ll get this new one into real use.
Orange horses need brown saddles and seeing as all my horses are orange now it’s time to embrace the change. 😁🍊
I have so much trust in Helen who is so incredibly knowledgeable and experienced and fully committed to wanting the very best for all her clients.
Childeric UK
Orange Horse Consultants