Who has a rider that has always wanted to go to Junior Hunter Finals??? Apollo’s Gold is qualified for Junior Hunter Finals and is available for LEASE. This horse who has an outstanding track record with strong placing at WEF, Saugerties, and he placed his first time going to finals last year is available. This horse loves his job, loves to be in the show ring, has auto change, and has solid miles at the 3”3. All he needs is a rider who would like to show him at Junior Hunter Finals. Serious inquiries from trainers only. He is currently located in PA were he can be tried. PM for more details. For faster response text 1-856-297-6610.
Who is looking for a very sweet mare? This OTTB with papers, 12 years old, 15.3 hands is shown in this video with 70 year old rider. Horse has shown in the jumpers. Would make a good hunter for schooling show level series. She loves soft leg and hands, therefore she is NOT suitable for a beginner rider or a kid coming of a pony. She would be best suited for a teen/adult that wants to have a super nice jumper but doesn’t have a huge budget. She is micro chipped and has a USEF number. She was off all winter so needs to be brought back into consistent work. Very sweet no lunging required just get on and go type. She is very brave and has an auto change. For all Event riders she would really do well and love that. She MUST go to a forever type home. She is priced way below what she should be. She just deserves someone who can give her the attention and love she deserves. Serious inquiries only. She is located in Palmerton, PA 18071. For faster response text to 1-856-297-6610. More video available.
What a peaceful day schooling at The Ridge. First time back for 2024. All of the horses are back in work and getting ready for Garden State Horse Show. Valentino was super. The grounds at The Ridge look phenomenal as always. It should be a great show!
Who needs a small packer saint? This pony has not been out for three days and was very kind with the tiny 5 year old on her back. Tinker Belle always does the right think to keep the little children safe. This mare is SAFE, honest, and is one that takes care of the little little children. Tinker Belle, age 14 just under 12 hands has been teaching the 3,4,5 year old tiny riders the ropes while exuding the upmost confidence and respect for her riders. She did some lessons over the winter but due to weather was not worked consistently. There is tons of video with other child riders. She rides alone, with others, on a lunge line, off. Great for cross rails could be worked up to short stirrup in consistent program. She is located in Palmerton, PA. She is available for L or S to forever type of situation. Please PM or text for faster response. 1-856-297-6610.
Yesterday was a break-through day for “Ringo”. We have taken our time with this young horse letting him grow and mature. It seems like with horses there is always something. This guy had a small mishap last year so we decided to give him off and concentrate on our other horses. It made me so happy to have him back at home and at peace. I would like to thank Wyatt Stugart “White Cap Show Horses” based in Montgomery PA. He did an outstanding job with him over the winter months. If anyone is looking for training, boarding, or lessons I would reach out to them. It is really exciting to see young professionals that are so devoted to a horses program. I am so excited to work with such a talented and motivated trainer that will accomplish a lot in our sport. It is nice to see the new generation shining so bright. Behind every horses success there is always a team of very special people. I am so blessed to have so many of them.
What did we do leading up to the eclipse? Well all the horses got to go out and relax. Yes it was a week long process to be able to get them out without them running around like lunatics. They loved the fresh grass and the warm sun. Today was a really nice day for here at 65 degrees. Our guys got to enjoy the sunshine. Finally they can start to unwind.
We are so proud of Elliena and “Apollo’s Gold”’for finishing the WEF 2024 season with consistent rounds and great ribbons. This horse is always game no matter what. It started pouring on them in second trip but regardless Ellie nailed it. Thank you so much to the entire team for making the experience with him so productive.
Thank you to the Colvins, Caroline for making sure we always got there, Olvin our barn help, and Leah Patipa our vet. Huge congratulations to Elliena for working so hard and getting some really great ribbons in such a super competitive division.
Congratulations to Ellie and “The Contender” for winning the first class over fences yesterday. This video is so super special as it is a culmination of all of the work that our team has put into him. The trip was beautiful and exemplifies the perfect hunter trip. Before getting to Wellington this horse had not stepped into a show ring. Now he is getting all of the pieces of the puzzle. Thank you to Tori & Brigid Colvin for doing a stellar job with this team. It hard to believe this horse just turned 5. He has an amazing career ahead of him.
This small pony mare is looking for her next child that she can teach the ropes to. She is super kind, always helps the rider out type. Perfect for super little kids that need a confidence builder they can learnt to trot, canter, and jump cross rails on. This pony is the same no matter were you take her. No lunging or prep needed. Video with various little children riders. She is just under 12 hands and 14 years old. PM me or text for faster response to 1-856-297-6610. She can go on paid trial.
It’s my turn to show Contender again this week. From the ground it’s always easier said than done. I know what I want to make
happen but the gears are not all there. He felt so stuck to the ground today. After being here for so many weeks 2”9 starts to look like cross-rails. Everything shrinks. We are working on his adjustability and getting him lengthening without running. I know I have to slow myself down also. I love having Bridget on the ground constantly pushing for better. She is amazing to work with. Let’s hope the weather holds out tomorrow and we can show. The rain this season has been horrendous because it is a always a torrential downpour. Happy thoughts!! Let’s do the rain dance.
We are so proud of Elliena and “Apollo’s Gold” for an outstanding ride today! First trip out of the gate was an 83. The handy was spectacular she was sitting in first and then got bumped to second by one point. So they took a 2nd and 5th place finish today over fences out of the nations best Junior hunters. Thank you so much to Tori & Bridget Colvin for taking this team to the top.
Apollo Farms Ltd would like to congratulate Elliena Apollo and her “Apollo’s Gold”. There second time ever showing in the International Arena was today for the 3”3 Junior Hunter classic. This team has never shown in rain, especially pouring rain. Elliena handled it like a pro. Gold was a little more animated than usual but did an outstanding job. She rode an exceptional round scoring an 82. They ended up placing 6th in the Classic out of 25 riders. Her second time in the International Arena, pinning both times. Thank you so much to Tori and Bridgette Colvin for coaching this team. They just keep getting better and better.
Today was the best ride I have had so far. I could see everything and feel exactly were I needed to be. Valentino felt smoother then ever. He has such a huge stride it is deceiving. I literally have to crawl to make things work out correctly. God willing we will be in the show ring next week. Can’t wait.
We are so proud of Elliena and “Apollo’s Gold” for placing 5th in the Junior 3”3 Hunter Handy with a score of 83. A great class of 28 comprised of nations top junior horses.
Back at the show grounds to school. For my non-horsey friends on Tuesdays at the show grounds they open up all the competition rings so you can get the horses in to practice. Despite the wind blowing everything all over the place, Valentino stayed focused. He gets a little tripped up jumping the smaller stuff but with each ride he is getting better and better. He is definitely one of those that needs more time to get it. I have to admit that is frustrating. Then again every horse is different. This is a huge lesson for me in patience and taking it super slow. He is really sweet and really tries his best which is all you can ask for.
Back to Valentino. He is very sweet and always wants to do the right thing. He just gets over loaded very easily so we have been taking everything one step at a time. Right now we are working really hard on getting him to jump slower from the base. Then on top of it I have to work on staying more still with my body. This guy can feel like a cement truck sometimes so it is a really challenging thing. As a jumper rider I want to naturally sit get him in my hand and jump, at least when one gets tricky or behind my leg.With him I can’t do that because it takes away his natural form over the jump. We are letting him stretch out and just figure it out with no contact on his mouth. Just building his confidence. Every ride keeps getting better and better. I love being challenged and I love learning. At the end of the day it will make me a much better rider. I am getting better with my body but it is still very much a work in progress.
Update on Valentino. We have been working really hard and I love this clip he was super soft and relaxed today. We are working on him and also on me. It is amazing how in a hand full of rides there is a huge difference in everything. Love this exercise Brigette had me work on. Totally getting off his back, loose feel of his mouth, and just inviting him to jump instead of forcing. So I fixed one part of my body position,, now onto another. One step at a time. 
It’s amazing how many bad habits you get into when you don’t have anyone helping you on the ground. This video was from yesterday. When I tell you I could have rung out my shirt like it just came out of a lake, no exaggeration. It has been raining and I left my raincoat on,,, it was like riding in a trash bag. Then on top of that I am working on my position and form. I did not realize till now that because of my broken ankle I had been putting all of my weight on my right leg. I am fixing it with no irons and lots of two point. It is getting better. Ya know I thought I was in really good shape, NOT. When I was done riding yesterday I felt like I needed an oxygen tank. Then today we ended up schooling again at 2”6 and let’s just say that I feel like I got ran over by a train. I guess because it has been so damp, mushy, and wet everyday my body feels achy? Maybe I am just getting old who knows. The reality is I have been flatting and prepping mostly for last couple years and well I need to sharpen my pencil. Today was a great school at 2”6 Val could care less about height which is nice, we are just trying to get a better jump out of him. When he uses himself it is really nice. We are going to try another set up and keep working on it. I got a compliment from Tori and her Mom today, on one jump and a line. Now if I can sit still and just put it all together. I have made it my personal goal that I will be solid and quiet even if my legs fall off from no irons work. At least I am improving, and eventually will get stronger. I can’t believe I used to jump the 1.20,,, hmm ya that was like 7 years ago. I am happy to be coming back to the show ring and even happier that I get to work with the best hunter rider/trainer in the world . I can already feel a huge difference.
