Windsong Equestrian

31/12/2024

I spent my last day of 2024 doing something I love the most: Riding on the beach. The cherry on top is I got to share it with some of my favorite people under the sun.

2024 was a wild and bumpy ride but I am so blessed for the people who keep showing up for me and my girls and lifting me up when I need it most. And not to forget our horses who are my greatest teachers and healers.

I can’t wait to see what 2025 has in store for Windsong Equestrian and this safe haven I am so lucky to call “home”.

Cheers to many more horsey adventures! Happy New Years, ya’ll!

💛

27/12/2024

I was able to help make a girl’s Christmas Pony Dreams come true!🎁 I have referred to Crouton as Ava’s pony for a while now but this makes it extra special to make it official.

Congratulations to Ava on her lease of Crouton! And Crouton is a pretty lucky pony to have a sweet girl to call his own.🥰

💛

24/12/2024

T’was the night before Christmas and I'm out at the barn blanketing my horses to keep them all warm.

They're munching on hay, tucked cozy in stalls. Not aware that it's Christmas or a special time at all.

They dream of green pastures from their pine-scented beds. No visions of sugarplums dance in their heads.

This season is special, but the horses don't know. They safely eat their hay out of the cold.

It's nearly midnight now, the songs are all sung, then I remember a story told when I was young.

How our horses can all speak to us with ease and delight, on this very special Christmas Eve night.

I walk to the stable, going thru the barnyard. Reasons unknown, a calling I can’t disregard. I slide open the door stand there and smile. Then slowly I walk down the dimly lit aisle.

A nicker from Odin, a soft snort from Crouton, the twinkle from Spumoni’s bright blue eyes have my heart racing on. Wild wakes from a slumber gently lifting his head then lets out a sigh and goes back to bed.

Next comes Maple and Peaches who prick their ears forward so sweet as they bat their eyes and bed for a treat.

Paddington and Jack come into sight as I reach into my pocket for peppermints that they both crunch with delight. Their breath billows into gentle clouds and I smile knowing all is right because their presence makes me feel warmer as I walk through the frigid Maine night.

I think about parties bright lit and warm, the ones we don't go to because of the farm. And vacations and holidays that we usually don't get, because of the animals and chores to be met.

Walking back to the end of the peaceful barn aisle, I stop to stroke Paddy, and linger awhile.

The horses stop eating, their ears they all lend, and together we all recall some lost friends.

King and Willie watch over us from their cloud feather beds where tonight and always they will rest their heads. And there is one more friend who has joined the heavenly herd; a special dog named Sullivan who spends this Christmas with them in heaven.

I could be at parties with laughter and mirth. But here, where I am right now is the best place on Earth.

Merry Christmas from our herd to yours!🎄

With Love,
Lindsay, Rosie, Daisy, Paddington, Jack, Odin, Crouton, Maple, Peaches, Spumoni, Wild & Georgia.

💛

16/12/2024

What a dream!! I finally got to help this amazing young lady check a big bucket list item off: Ride on the beach. But this beach ride was extra special. We were celebrating Asher's 16th birthday and bringing her heart horse, Jack along for the adventure.

Jack can be a wildcard. He gets really anxious about new scenarios and Asher and I were fully prepared that she would just be walking him like a big dog on the beach. But instead, he absolutely surpassed our expectations. He walk, trotted and cantered like a complete gentleman never placing a hoof wrong.

This behavior was not a fluke. It was due to all of the hard work, love and dedication Asher has put into Jack over the years. No matter how many times Asher has eaten dirt, she never once blames the horse and always does right by him. They have an unbreakable bond and Asher is his human.

Happy Birthday, Ash! I'm so glad I was able to celebrate you!🐎🌊🎈

💛

11/12/2024

Ole Man Winter sure is testing us so far. Snow, rain, ice, repeat.😵‍💫 We have been making the best of it and staying safe. Here's a photo dump of some wintery pictures because the first snow fall of the year is always a little extra magical.❄️

Also, shout out to Crystal and our bombproof ponies for riding under the lights in the snow on Monday night while the kids were on sleds and making snow angels during the lesson.😂

PS Who wants to come out and give us all a mini clinic on skijoring?⛷️

💛

11/12/2024

My body feels like it's 82 but my spirit feels like it is 10. I think much of that is due to horses and today it was amplified because we played in the snow. Sofia turns 4 next week and for her pre-birthday ride, we made shapes in the snow with Maple's tracks. Forever young!⭐️

💛

04/12/2024

We might be quiet here on social media but that doesn't mean things are at a standstill on the farm. Quite the opposite in fact. Gearing up for winter has got to the busiest (and my least favorite) of the seasons.

Organizing blankets, getting heated buckets situated, resting fields, making sure horses are feeling their best in the changing temperatures, frozen manure... Big thanks to Matt and my dad for getting an all-season hydrant installed to make winter water buckets a little less cumbersome.

Enjoy a photo dump from behind the scenes moments from fall while I dream of spring. Only 17 days until the days start getting longer again!!🙏🏼

💛

06/11/2024

Thank you Hannah Marie Photography for capturing me, my girls, and Windsong's OG, Paddington. These photos mean more than I can express.

💛

06/11/2024

Regardless of which side you're on, I know a lot of people are struggling today with sadness and hopelessness. If you need some levity and to block out the world for a minute, come out and hug a horse today. My barn is a place of healing and horse therapy is the best medicine. Peaches is particularly huggable.

Let's find unity, not divide and remember to be kind and gentle with one another.🕊️

💛

05/11/2024

Which one of these is not like the other?🛴 If you know, you know.

Holy smokes! What a show season we had! We wrapped up 2024 with a super fun Hunter Derby on Sunday at the beautiful Rest and Be Thankful. It was something none of us had done before and it's safe to say, we have all caught the bug!

We brought some honorary Windsong peeps with us - Liz & Lilian, who both rode and showed Liz's incredible Thoroughbred, Charlie.

✨Osman & Spumoni✨
5th in Ground Poles

✨Lilian & Charlie✨
4th in Ground Poles

✨Lindsay & Providence Sly Fox✨
9th in 18"

✨Liz & Charlie✨
6th in 2'3"

Henley & Wild put in some incredible jumps. I was not only hobbling on one foot but I was helping as a part of show management so coaching took a back seat. Thank goodness for Crystal and all of her help, coaching, tacking, etc. but Henley had to do much of the schooling on her own. I'm amazed in how far these two have come in less than a calendar year and can't wait to school over more cross-country fences!

And bless Crouton. I went from being in an air-cast to shoving my foot in my tall boot, hopping on and flopping around with basically no right leg. See last photo for definition of He was such a good pony toting me around and not having warmed up over anything in the field. I can't wait to give him a better ride next year and hopefully be less broken.

Thank you to Crystal who got thrown into being show groom. Thank you to Courtney for letting me borrow your shadbelly for my rounds and Emilia for letting me borrow YOUR shadbelly for the victory gallop. I'm so grateful for good friends and community.🫶🏼

Maybe Santa will bring me my own shadbelly this year.🎅🏼

💛

04/11/2024

Life has been full speed ahead and I've been dragging these days with updates!

Last week (or the week before?🤔) we showed at Lucky Clover for their Halloween Show!🍀🎃

✨Rosie & Spumoni✨
1st Leadline Equitation
1st Leadline Pleasure

I'm so proud of Rosie for her last show in Leadline taking two blues! Time slow down...

✨Henley & Wild✨
3rd Walk Trot Equitation
1st Walk Trot Pleasure
3rd Walk Trot Poles
5th MeHJA Walk Trot Poles Medal

✨Lindsay & Spumoni✨
3rd Easy Does It U/S
6th Easy Does It O/F

✨Sam & Spumoni✨
This pair had some excellent rounds and so much growth this season. Sam is a new to us rider and stony of the green just learning how to jump large pony. I'm so proud of how she was able to confidently pilot him in a giant Long Stirrup division this year.

I think the highlight for everyone's day was the costume class. What a fun turnout! I think there were over 30 horse rider pairs and costume. Rosie and peaches were Wilson and rainbow unicorn. Henley and wild were American cowboy and cowgirl. And Sam and Spumoni were the Joker and Harley Quinn.

Thank you as always to Crystal. We love you!🫶🏼

Our show season has come to a bittersweet end. I am looking forward to recharging my batteries and keeping things fresh and fun for our horses and riders in the "off" season.

💛

02/11/2024

Derby Day is TOMORROW! Come join in on the fun!

💛

Get your entries in for the MeHJA Derby Day before they close at 12pm tomorrow! You can find the entry form on our webpage!

30/10/2024

We were long overdue for a barn party so on Saturday, we celebrated fall and Halloween on the farm. I always forget how much this Barn Family and program has grown until I see (mostly) everyone in the same space at the same time. It's pretty wild to think that this started as a side gig during the pandemic.

My heart was filled to the brim seeing kids in costume running around playing, my teens and teens dressing up the horses and going for silly rides in the arena, and parents and family members enjoying food and conversation around the bonfire.

Thank you to the special people who show up and bring the Windsong Magic!🪄

Swipe to see Cowboy Matt getting it done with pumpkin carving.

💛

28/10/2024

Choose to be a cheerleader instead of a bully. The smallest act of kindness or compassion could turn someone's day around and fill your soul with joy instead of hate.

💛

17/10/2024

Horse showing with the funk is not for the faint of heart. I'm nearly fully recovered from Fall Finals but wanted to share some big successes.

✨Rosie & Spumoni✨
3rd place in Leadline Hunter Seat Final.

It was a big turnout of lead liners and Rosie did a great job working on her posting trot rhythm inbetween checking herself out in the mirrors. Jesus take the wheel as I toss this courageous girl into the walk trot ring next year.

✨Henley & Wild Caramelo✨
1st place 11 & Up Walk Trot Final
1st place MeHJA Walk Trot Poles Medal

This new partnership set out to give showing a try this season and to see what Wild the OTTB thought of it all. They knocked it out of the park and I can't wait to see them in Long Stirrup next year.

✨Crystal & Wild Caramelo✨
2nd in Schooling Hunter

Lucy, Sam and Lily had some great moments in the ring and took some knowledge nuggets that we apply during next show season.

I am grateful for Asher who was a helping hand all day long and Crystal who I tagged in as coach on and off as I felt like a puddle of mud.

Thank you to Graystone for hosting another wonderful Fall Finals!🍂

💛

14/10/2024

Beyond grateful to be a part of the MeHJA board.💛💙 I cannot take an ounce of credit to what was brought to fruition yesterday. I have been a shell of myself recently dealing with my own behind the scenes moments but dang, did these gals knock it out of the park. The attention to detail, thought, time and care that went into finals was above and beyond. We love our growing hunter-jumper community and I think yesterday was a beautiful example of that.

I can't wait to round out the year with Lucky Clover's Halloween Show and our First Annual Hunter Derby!!!🤩

💕💕💕
Meg Fox
Courtney Guertin
Jessie Schnell
Maggie Seitz
Hannah Elizabeth Ouellette
Wendy McCann
Kate Bennett
Jessica Douglas

What a day!! We hope that you all got your ponies home safe, sound, and dry (!) and that everyone got some good sleep last night. Thank you to every single rider, trainer, parent, friend, supporter, volunteer, to Tina for feeding us, Hannah for snapping photos and getting video, and the entire Graystone Stables crew, for all of the incredible work you did yesterday and all season long. The weather mostly cooperated, and even though we finished with minutes of murky “daylight” to spare, I think we can confidently say we had a successful Finals!!

Please, please tag us in your photos so we can see everyone’s joyous faces and beautiful ponies!

Get some rest - we have two more events on the calendar! October 27, Lucky Clover is holding a Halloween show with an epic costume class, and November 3, we will be hosting our first ever (and hopefully annual) Hunter Derby Day at Rest and Be Thankful! Hope to see you there!

GREAT JOB, everyone! ✨✨✨

06/10/2024

It was a beautiful sunny day at Graystone for their final show of the season!🌤️

✨Henley & Wild✨
1st Walk Trot Pleasure Classic
2nd Wall Trot Equitation Classic

With minimal prep, like "get on, trot to the ring, your class is starting" prep😅 they marched into the class and shined!

✨Rosie & Spumoni✨
2nd Leadline Pleasure Championship
3rd Leadline Equitation Championship

It's been a really rewarding year as a mom to see how much Rosie has grown. Last year, she was blowing kisses while she was in the ring and constantly making goofy faces, all of which I loved. This year, she can post while holding her reins independently and outside of her braids, gets herself ready on her own. The sass is strong and she has a hard time understanding that she can't canter and jump away from home yet, but she has such incredible horsemanship and sportsmanship. I love the life skills horses are teaching her.

✨Henley & Spumoni✨
I am so impressed with how this young rider balanced 2 horses. Short/Long Stirrup was a huge division and then with her exhausted GPS giving her the incorrect coordinates 🫣 no ribbons were received but Henley made another positive experience for our green-to-fences Spumoni Pony at a show.

Crystal & I raced to make our Hunter U/S class which was HUGE. I think I counted 20 of us in the ring. No pinnings but both of us could not be more pleased with how well-behaved both Wild the OTTB and Spumoni the mystery auction pony were in such a large group.

Thank you Graystone for sharing your beautiful facility with us. Fall Finals is next weekend to wrap up our show season!🏆

💛