Fly-Over Farms

06/08/2024

🍾BELMONT DAY!!!!!🍾
🏇🏇🏇🏇

05/18/2024

🌻Preakness Day!!!🌻
🏇🏇🏇🏇

05/04/2024

🌹🌹DERBY DAY!!!!🌹🌹
🏇👑🏇

01/01/2024

Happy New Year from the Fly-Over Farms crew!!! Spot is starting the year off enjoying the weather 😆🤦🏼‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️

11/23/2023

🦃Happy Thanksgiving everyone🦃

08/02/2023

Forgot to give a huge shout out to Christian Milhoan for being an awesome farrier! When Rock decided to grow a boatload of foot making it not possible to go our usual 6 weeks with everyone else, he squeezed us in and got him done so that he would be ready to rock and roll for the TREA show and our freestyle. Rock isn't always the easiest to work with when it comes to standing still and Christian was extremely patient and calm with him, highly recommend him to anyone needing a farrier.

05/14/2023

Happy Mothers Day to all the moms

05/03/2023

Everyone needs to pay attention to this. Two local riders have been seriously hurt this week after falls from their horses. Under no circumstance should you ever sit in a saddle without a helmet on. If you ride English, wear a helmet. If you ride Western, WEAR A HELMET. If you're jumping, you should be wearing a helmet. If you run barrels, you should absolutely be wearing a helmet! If you're out on the trails with your friend, both of you should be wearing a helmet! Check your ego and your coolness factor at the door. A cracked helmet could have been your skull. Not everyone comes away from a fall okay. Some people are left paralyzed and worse yet, some people die. Don't take your life for granted by not wearing a helmet.

04/11/2023

Love this

These are good, so thought I’d share. 💞

20 Lessons From Tony Robbins "Awaken The Giant Within"

1. Controlled focus is like a laser beam that can cut through anything that seems to be stopping you.
2. Most people fail in life because they major in minor things.
3. You are destined for your own unique form of greatness.
4. Any time you sincerely want to make a change, the first thing you must do is to raise your standards.
5. Empowering beliefs-this sense of certainty-is the force behind any great success throughout history.
6. In life, lots of people know what to do, but few people actually do what they know.
7. The most powerful way to shape our lives is to get ourselves to take action.
8. If we want to direct our lives, we must take control of our consistent actions.
9. The power of decision is the father of action.
10. It is in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped.
11. If you don't set a baseline standard for what you'll accept in your life, you'll find it's easy to slip into behaviors and attitudes or a quality of life that's far below what you deserve.
12. True decisions are the catalyst for turning our dreams into reality.
13. Making a true decision means committing to achieving a result, then cutting yourself off from any other possibility.
14. Repetition is the mother of skill.
15. We don't have to allow the programming of our past to control our present and future.
16. Success truly is the result of good judgement. Good judgment is the result of experience, and experience is often the result of bad judgment.
17. Mastery takes as long as you want it to take.
18. There are no failures in life. There are only results.
19. In order to succeed, you must have a long-term focus.
20. God's delays are not God's denials.

04/09/2023

🐰🐣HAPPY EASTER!!! 🐇🐥🥚

03/14/2023

Dressage judges know a lot of things. They’ve spent a lot of hours, money, blood sweat and tears to learn, test and prove they know these things. They are hired to judge you against an unachievable standard (as in we actually pay money for someone to tell us how far we are from being perfect - making that 73% you got in calculus seem pretty darned good).

But back to judges knowing things. They know you’re nervous. The green tinge and clenched butt cheeks gave that away. They know the bell spooked your horse. Even my non-horse husband could see that bend and snap. And they know it’s hard to get all the stars to align so you have the opportunity to fancy prance down centerline. But they are there to judge just how far you are away from being perfect.

Here are some things they don’t know:
That their “slow to develop” is your “yes! we didn’t bolt the diagonal”

That their “rider is leaning left” is your “thank god I got my right boot zipped around my right ankle after that damn baby horse bucked me off”

That their “consistent but needs energy” is you “yahoo! We didn’t draw a crowd wondering if I’d stay on”

That their “low in the poll” is your “finally we didn’t impersonate a llama”

That their “shows potential. Will gain consistency with miles” is your “did you see my 24 year old about buck me off because I clipped him yesterday?”

Moral of the story... Ride your ride. None of us are perfect.

03/14/2023

Well said, reposted from another page.

Hello Monday Morning after Day Light Savings - I have a bone to pick with you.

Seeds of Change for the Horse Sports
By Jaclyn Sicoli

I'm so thankful for those who came before me and the many volunteers who provided the opportunities for our students to be rewarded for their immense effort by VadaNova's Year End Awards at today's member party. Congratulations Abby and Jennifer!

Since I became a professional in 2007, I have given many hours to the USDF group member organizations. Whether I was hosting an event, serving as a board member, scribing at a show, leading the educational committee, or contributing articles, I was passionate about breathing life into the ESDCTA in NJ and then the PVDA in VA. I met special people including friends that have lasted me years and famous equestrians like Christoph Hess, Catherine Haddad Staller, Linda Parelli, Kathy Connelly, Jane Savoie, Debbie McDonald and dozens of judges.

Now that I am a mom, farm owner, and sole business owner my hours are limited and despite my desire to become more involved, my time donated toward VadaNova has been nil. In the meantime, these organizations have faced a few obstacles which have changed their ability to operate and serve us: rising costs for staff and equipment, a dwindling number of competition facilities, limited availability of volunteers, prohibitive association fees, etc. Many of these issues are facing our sport and small businesses including trainers and boarding facilities for example: sourcing raw products from further distances at greater rates, sky rocketing staffing costs, restrictive liability and insurance practices and fees, rising costs for veterinary care and competitions, and increasing value of land and facilities.

And so, things change. Many of these issues are out of our control. Maybe there is something broken about these systems. Perhaps it is inevitable that our sport changes or shrinks over time. Possibly an unfriendly barrier or a confusing process prevents the broader community from getting involved.

Our sport evolved here in the US during different times. Many of the judges and trainers who are retiring now learned from captains and generals of the military - it was hardly a community activity. The militant horsemanship of years past embodied a different culture than the one we are trying to grow today. The "Natural Horsemanship" movement and recent dramatic required-attire rule changes are examples of how the sport continues to change and evolve. If we don't want it to die - it's necessary. The equestrianism of today needs to be relevant, democratic, flexible, and transparent.

A few phrases come to mind here: "be the change you want to see in the world" or "show up for what matters to you". Our horses give us purpose because they need us to care for them. They aren't a chore - they are a choice. For many of us the love for our horses and our riding is the blood coursing through our veins that keeps us alive. By extension, the businesses and organizations that facilitate our sport and our relationship with our horses are our choice. They need us not because we are a slave to that system but because we are part of the system. We are part of the barn where we board and part of the show we attend. That's us. That's our community. And when we bring our energy, ideas, time, money, commitment, friendship, and passion and we show up, we have the power to fill up a void and create a movement.

Please Share and Please Show Up!

03/08/2023

❤

Eine Bitte an die (Berufs)reiter, die viele junge Pferde anreiten und früh vorstellen. Lasst ihnen Zeit, den Hals und die Oberlinie lang zu machen und die Anlehnung auch zu suchen, erst einmal über Takt und Balance zu Zwanglosigkeit und Losgelassenheit zu finden, denn nach der Skala der Ausbildung kommt erst dann die reelle Anlehnung(in sauberer Beizäumung) zustande. Das ist ein Prozess, der etwas Zeit braucht und schon mit dem korrekten, LANG ausgebundenen Longieren beginnt, bei dem das junge Pferd im taktmäßigen ruhigen Vorwärts den Kontakt zum Gebiss beginnt zu suchen und erst in der Tiefe(etwa auf Buggelenkhöhe oder leicht darunter) mit relativ lang gelassenem Hals findet. Erwartet nicht von Beginn an eine Anlehnung, die die Pferde noch gar nicht suchen. Nicht die Hälse kurz machen, damit ihr "was in der Hand habt". Das ist nicht reell! Die jungen Pferde rollen sich auf, eher hoch eingestellt, es kommt zu Gefügestörungen der Halswirbelsäule, schmerzhaften Verspannungen der Hals- und Rückenmuskulatur, Taktstörungen, zu einem Festhalten der Oberlinie, das ein Berühren der Dornfortsätze des Rückens fördert. Fordert Ihr von Beginn an einen deutlichen "Zug an die Hand", dann überfordert ihr die jungen Pferde von Beginn an und macht sie gleich mal zu Korrekturpferden mit kurz gemachten und aufgerollten Hälsen, bald mit falschem Knick als Hinweis auf eine Gefügestörung zwischen C2 und C3. Und junge Korrekturpferde, die sind mit das Traurigste, was wir sehen. Lasst es. Es geht auch anders, braucht vielleicht ein klein wenig mehr Zeit und Geduld. Ich weiss, Zeit ist Geld , aber Geld sollte nicht über dem Wohlergehen der jungen Pferde stehen. (Bild aus den Richtlinien Band1, FN-Verlag).

03/04/2023

02/02/2023

‼️ Video deadline has been extended to March 15th, so don't miss this great opportunity to get 2023 test feedback from 'S' Judge Joan Darnell ‼️

Get familiar with the new tests for 2023 before you have to take them in the competition arena! Submit a video of yourself riding the new test, and USEF 'S' Dressage Judge, Joan Darnell, will provide scores and feedback. You can submit as many tests or as many times as you wish!

More info >> https://bit.ly/3Cawm49

All funds raised will support TDF's Young Rider Dream Program and will be matched by Margaret Duprey and Cherry Knoll Farm!

01/12/2023

Horse Training Notes

If you take up the challenge in becoming a horse trainer then you become deeply entrenched not only in the horse's behavior but more importantly in your own behavior.
This can never be taken lightly, as you discover those well hidden pieces of yourself that aren't always so pleasant to see.

This is where the road forks for many people, they either take on the challenge to improve themselves, or they come to the realization it isn't for them.

That's ok too!

But to those of us who do take on this very worthwhile study, the road is full of hairpin turns and potholes and very rough at times, yet the scenery is so very sweet. From that view we can see and experience things we could not in any other way. Our horses too, will benefit from this as they are forever grazing in the lush fields in the sunshine, and we can gaze upon them knowing they are happy too!

How far you come as a horseman is 'fully' dependent on how far you 'want' to go and it is only 'you' who can do it. How much effort you put in, how honest you can be with yourself is totally up to you. Listening to opinions of others who are not searching for what you are, are not only useless, but harmful and can even weaken your resolve if you let them. So take every piece of advice with a grain of salt and throw out that which does not serve your greater purpose.

Every horse has his own strengths and weaknesses, and although he won't always be the best at something you ask him to do, with the right training, he 'will' do it anyway. This is something often taken advantage of, and because of the horse's generous temperament, he gives of himself even if it injures him to do so. I speak in terms of psychological and physical.
That is one of the most valuable lessons a great horse trainer can learn ;

To never ask the horse to do something for too long or at the wrong time and when he is not ready to do it.

When he is not ready means he is not in the right balance, physical and psychological, to perform what we ask of him.

The aim then is to ask for a little and only of a short duration and reward the horse immediately on the slightest try, and in the right balance.

The horse will often show you 'how' he can do something. That is a very beautiful thing;
to be able to feel this dialogue unfolding.

As a good trainer we should be able to show the horse what we want and then 'allow' him to do it, without any further intervention from us.
Then he will do it willingly with all his power. Many riders often do not recognize the beginning of this dialogue and start to force the horse which shuts him down, rather than building on his confidence.

It won't be perfect at first, because the horse is a beginner and if you want to train him to understand fully, you must start with small steps which instill confidence, and then build on these small steps.

If you were not clear to the horse with your request, he will not understand. Importantly it is paramount that we pause and reflect on what we have done before we insist that he does it. We must also have a clear goal in mind. We modify our request if it is not understood so that the horse can understand more clearly.
This is like building a foundation brick by brick. We make sure that each brick laid is solid. The more solid the foundation the more the horse will also become calm and his enjoyment in learning, greatly increased. Anytime he starts to lose confidence, we simply retrace our steps back to something the horse understands, and go from there.

Riding is like music, it is not the end of the music we want to get to, it is purely enjoying the moment with the music. It is the same with our horses; to enjoy the beautiful music we make together in that moment.
Sometimes we think of a moment as if it were of a short duration, but with better understanding, these moments last longer and longer.

A famous horseman who traveled to Australia many years ago said that one must hurry slowly.

In the same way; If we rush, we lose.

One other thing about horses that must be understood is;
He knows when you have pushed him too far. He knows when you were being unfair. You know that too.

He has a mind , and many a rider has become unstuck because they have treated him like a machine. He's too intelligent for that and will never give the rider his full capacity unless he has been trained with courtesy and respect.

03/18/2021

03/08/2021

Happy Birthday to both of these boys today!!! 10 years difference in age but you'd never know it by their personalities 😂....either way, both got some of their favorite goodies after their workouts and with their dinners! 🥕🎂🍎

03/04/2021

☀️😊

02/09/2021

To improve accuracy in all your half passes…

Align your outside hip, inside hand and the bit with your destination
letter in one straight line. (This will help you remember to use your
inside rein as an indirect rein, not an open one.) Imagine this
line, and you will always arrive at the proper destination in all your
half passes, whether they are shallow or steep, at trot or canter.

—Leslie Webb

01/25/2021

Deedle has now been in our barn for a little over a year, and a part of our lesson program for about 6 months. He has by far exceeded my expectations as a lesson "pony", he truly seems to have found his calling. Can not thank his momma enough for sharing him with us, from big bad racehorse to teacher extraordinaire, he's a pretty amazing guy! 😍🐎