Four Star Farm

08/07/2024

Yesterday was so hard. I very unexpectedly had to say goodbye to Pluto. Pluto has been part of Four Star Farm for 28 years. I bought him in England from Queen Elizabeth when he was 4 for a client. That was an experience! When I first saw him he was such a fun color and then he trotted across the ring and was also soooooo fancy I couldn't resist trying him! I sat on him and he was a perfect gentleman even then and would just walk if anything crazy happened. No spook, no shenanigans just calm and lovely. The canter was uphill and like floating on air. I hadn't ridden very many 4 year olds like that! Even now it is rare to felel that on a youngster and I ride some very nice ones! That client I was shopping for changed her mind....as they sometimes do but I still knew he was special and wanted to bring him home. I put together a group to buy him quickly and his royal blood came to the US to teach so many. I rode him Intermediate eventing and then Prix St. George to get my USDF Silver medal in Dressage. He was always the one to win the Dressage. He went on to teach nearly every client I have ever had in the last 23 years or so. He taught everyone how to do everything from Piaffe steps, flying changes to jumping their first cross rail or competing at their first horse trials. Even in his late 20's when a kid would show him, as soon as he stepped in the ring he was round and steady no matter what. We would laugh about how he knew when it was time to be fancy. He taught camp last week. And this past Sunday I think he had 2 lessons. He was still doing his thing.

Unfortunately yesterday while in turnout a neighboring farm was having a helicopter spray their field. Those of you with horses can probably feel the hair on your neck going up......

He got scared......and he ran around and before anyone could bring him in.... he went down, most likely a hard attack.

I wasn't going to post anything because I am so sad about it....but I realized that there are so many of you that knew him and knew how very special he was.

My sweet Pluto will be missed.♥️

07/01/2024

Lots of enthusiasm, concentrating and learning happening at yesterday's on-site Four Star Farm schooling show. FSF riders choose to ride a dressage test or ride a combined test (dressage and show jumping), and they experience showing in a familiar, encouraging and supportive atmosphere. We watched riders participate for the first time and others progress in dressage and jumping. Thanks to all who entered!

06/19/2024

An enthusiastic group of Four Star Farm June campers are learning horsemanship, riding and horse care with time for visiting foals, wheelbarrow rides and crafts. We love having them at the barn!

05/07/2024

A great weekend cross-country schooling at Twin Rivers then on to the hunter/jumper schooling show at Paso Robles Horse Park. Lots of learning!

04/24/2024

A day in the life of Valley Dressage barn cats in residence with Four Star Farm!

04/21/2024

04/09/2024

Two days old and stunning! Out of Ayoka by Virginian Sky. Trakehner registry requires an "A" name. Suggestions?

04/07/2024

Ayoka finally had her foal! And he is huge! Ayoka is By Laurel out of Adeline by Fleetwater Opposition and the proud Dad of this lovely c**t is Virginian Sky. More pictures coming as he unfolds and discovers his new world!

03/04/2024

It may look as though the rainbow ends in the distance, but those of us who board and ride at Valley Dressage know it's the pot o' gold at the rainbow's end!

02/12/2024

Registration is open for Four Star Farm summer riding camps in June, July and August! We welcome all levels, ages 7-14. Visit https://fourstarfarm.com/what-four-star-farm-offers/riding-camps for details, to pay and register.

02/05/2024

It's time to go gray! Bodega Sky is an eye-catching 2014 model Trakehner gelding, 16.2. He's a charismatic gentleman who checks all the boxes: kind, sensitive in just the right way, trainable and athletic. He is a big mover with loads of talent and can be finished in any direction.
 
He's ideally suited to be a competitive young rider horse or an upper-level prospect for a professional or an ambitious adult amateur in a program.  This past year he has been showing in eventing at the modified level, schooling Preliminary. He also took a junior to her first show at Intro level. Prefers an owner with treats on autoship. See his ProEquest ad at
https://www.proequest.com/horse/bodega-sky and video at https://youtu.be/Kbtr_dd6ZGY?si=RzcoarDRYCcL1d1L.

01/27/2024

FSF instructor Helen loves how young riders are very enthusiastic and eager to learn! "It makes a trainer smile and feel proud when something like posting trot suddenly clicks for them. You see the delight on their faces that their hard work has paid off! Kids entertain me with some pretty funny stories, and I feel I connect well with younger students as they can actually be quite challenging to teach. It's great to watch their progression and see them grow into effective little riders." No doubt color coordination helps! 🥰

01/23/2024

Ram Tap combined test and cross-country schooling to kick off 2024. The rain held off for the most part and Four Star Farm riders had a weekend of working together, learning and slaying some dragons!

01/16/2024

The Jock Paget clinic and cross-country schooling at Ram Tap were a great way to kick off 2024! Limitless Living FSF was in fine form for his first cross-country outing and Leap of Faith FSF was fantastic in the clinic. Thanks to Kim Goto for organizing and Jock for the amazing instruction!

11/26/2023

Come to the Four Star Farm 2023 holiday party at Tack Warehouse on December 15, 6:30 p.m. It's a fun evening exclusive to Four Star Farm. Tack Warehouse provides snacks to enjoy while you're shopping for yourself or the horse-crazy person in your life! Everything in the store is 20% off. See you there!

09/24/2023

Congratulations to Kayla and Endeara for setting a goal of qualifying for the California Dressage Championships and reaching it. They had a great show, and we are proud of them!

09/24/2023

Congratulations to Endeara and Kayla for setting a goal of qualifying for the California Dressage Championships and reaching it. They had a great show, and we are proud of them!

07/14/2023

Another week of Four Star Farm summer camp wrapped up today. We had a great group of youngsters enthusiastic about learning! Riding, barn chores, crafts and horsemanship are all part of the camp mix. Plus meeting the cutest barn resident! One camp session left, July 31-August 4. Camp is a great way to introduce beginners to the world of horses. Visit https://fourstarfarm.com and click on "Camps" to learn more and sign up!

07/09/2023

Congrats to Breeder/Owner Natalie Brady on the birth of REFLECTION FSF (Guildenstern Sol/Radiant Star/Virginian Sky *Pb*)!

📧 Email [email protected]
within 30 days of foaling to receive $10 off registration
✍️ Include name, breeding, DOB, breeder, and owner

The ATA is the only North American Trakehner Registry partnered with the Trakehner Verband & member of the World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses.

07/01/2023

The summer barn fun continues with Four Star Farm July summer camp, July 10-14, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. daily, $680 per camper, 7445 Pitt School Rd., Dixon. Give the horse-crazy youngster in your life a week of immersion in all things horsey. A great way to introduce beginners to the equine world. For ages 7-14. Visit https://fourstarfarm.com, click on "Camps" to pay and register.

06/13/2023

We are getting new footing!
Soooo exciting!
Thank you Gail for taking such great care of us!♥️🐴

05/28/2023

Biscotti successfully had her foal without me! As you can see she smiled at the camera as I watched on the video feed from 80 miles away. She was suppose to wait until after I got back from Woodside!
Thank you to the clients that scrambled to put straw down and call someone that knew what to do!

05/22/2023

Horsemanship class had a great time today learning about handling foals as well as watching the recording of Rabu Reta’s (Japanese for “to fall in love”) birth.
Rabu obviously was enjoying all the attention! She will be one month old this week! As you can see she is growing sooooo fast.
Horsemanship is once a month the third Sunday of the month from 2-4 and is $40 paid via Venmo.

FSF offers English riding lessons - dressage, show jumping and three-day eventing or triathlon.

05/18/2023

It's Four Star Farm's horsemanship Sunday coming up, May 21, 2-4 p.m. Watch video of Rashi's foal being born! Of course learning to groom, tack up and more is always an option for riders who want to improve their skills. All welcome! This is a great introduction to horses for anyone considering lessons. See you at the barn! $49/participant, Venmo -Brady-12.

05/16/2023

We do have a few🥰

05/15/2023

Register now for 2023 Four Star Farm summer riding camps! For ages 7-14, all levels welcome. Youngsters are immersed in all things horsey! Daily activities include riding, vaulting, crafts, barn chores, learning about all that goes into caring for a horse and fun with friends. Located in Dixon California.
June 19-23, July 10-14, July 31-August 4.

9 a.m.-3 p.m. daily, $680/participant/week. Visit fourstarfarm.com and click on "Camps" to learn more and sign up.

04/14/2023

Are you coming? Sunday, April 16, is horsemanship day at Four Star Farm, 2-4 p.m. at the barn! It's a non-riding class that offers two hours of practicing basics, such as leading, grooming, and tacking up for youngsters new to horses and riding. Other topics, particularly the mental aspects of riding, are introduced depending on the participants' skill level. Know friends who might be interested in lessons or want to know more about horses? All are welcome! $40/participant. Venmo Natalie Brady -Brady-12. Last four digits of phone no. are 1119.

02/13/2023

Four Star Farm got creative last night with Kimberly of Santa Cruz. Take a look at all the versions of "The Sapphire Stallion!"

12/04/2022

Who wants to go next year? I am planning to take a group to the most fun Trakehner filled horse event of the year!