Fairhaven Farm

01/09/2025

Another successful weekend with Kendal, Ice and Grayson at the GDCTA Labor Day Classic 1 & 2. I heard through the grapevine that this was the biggest attended show since Regionals 2020!! Our boys were well aware of the different vibe and congestion but they were perfect gentleman.

Thank you Kathleen Duryea for your great photography and video skills!!

29/08/2025

I was told that the link doesn't work so let's try that again!

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYYVrQZMQvC8Gt50RRA_nif4DIi2vLZ4I&si=kugkNS6m16eFiE3Q

18/08/2025

All Grayson tests ranged between 67.692% and 70.250% which is really good for not showing (to my knowledge) for the last 5 years!

Kendal and Ice ranged between 66.207% and 70.000%.
Again, super solid for their re-debut to recognized show (1 recognized show about 5 years ago!). Way to go Kendal!!! So proud of your hard work and consistent riding to prepare for this.

18/08/2025

Weekend Update! Grayson and Ice **cleaned up** at the River Glen Dressage Show in New Market TN. Congratulations Kendal Duryea on more qualifying scores to help you get to Regionals and lots of fun ribbons! Anyone looking for a nice horse, just reach out to me as Grayson did the same and is for sale.

Thank you Amber Patterson, Michele Horne, the Graves Family (owners of River Glen) and volunteers, TIP Organizers and Wits End Tack Shop for all the beautiful ribbons, hard work, smiling faces and a wonderful weekend overall.

In the attached pics you'll notice Grayson was so relaxed the entire weekend, he couldn't be bothered to pick his ears up for pictures so we took **a lot**. These are just the ones on my phone. Kendal has more!!

Next post.......the trip home! Stay tuned.

17/08/2025

Super proud for Team Fairhaven so far this weekend!! Kendal and Ice turned in amazing scores. This is a recognized show so extra pressure and higher expectations. Not only did they exceed the minimum score for 1 of 4 qualifying tests required for Regionals they also earned multiple TIP awards for their classes and division!!

I rode Grayson for his USDF Dressage debut and he was an absolute unicorn. He also won multiple TIP awards in his divisions and Highpoint of the day for all his Blue ribbons.

Cant wait to see what tomorrow brings😄

12/08/2025

Choosing to sit trot or rise-to-the-trot should be a decision that boils down to "what enhances the horse's natural athletic movement, development of movement and long term athleticism (Training pyramid starting with pure/quality Rhythm, suppleness-- etc).

Theoretically, none of the pyramid can exist without a foundation........ independant hands and seat (in the Fairhaven Farm pyramid this is the "underground" foundation under the pyramid....picture a house being built).

Wondering how to raise your scores at a show? Ask yourself
1) Do I have independent hands and seat?
2) Does my impression/idea of what I'm doing and how I'm doing it (sitting trot?) DIMINISH the horse's big athletic, expressive trot? If the answer is yes- I'm holding him/her back, then practice your sitting trot at home and refrain from diminishing your horse's natural fluid trot at shows-- USEF and USDF have figured this out. Follow their lead!! Take a hint and be especially careful below 2nd Level since sitting trot isn't required before that.

Clearly the pyramid was developed from 100's of years of "what works": Seat affects movement to a degree below 2nd but especially at and below 2nd level, the horse should be light and responsive to the leg & rein aids. These aides are developed/confirmed and the horse has "self go" and "self whoa" which translates to self carriage. Challenge yourself to NOT SiT until you have confirmed big beautiful forward gaits with no interference from lack of independent hands and seat. Prioritize.

Bottom line: The basics of Rhythm and suppleness are more important than *your agenda* of practicing your sitting trot especially at a show. We've all been there and completely "feel you". No judgement from this corner! Just mutual respect for the journey. Just be sure not to inhibit your horse's journey with YOURS!

Get on the longe line (or not if that works for you and your horse but figure it out.......) and develope your independent hands and seat AT HOME. Don't practice these skills at a "SHOW"..........Don't present these skills until they are ready to be "SHOWN".

Dressage Tests are not meant to show the judge what you are struggling with/working on.........they are meant to show the judge what you are competent at or more😀

10/08/2025

10/08/2025

For anyone who was planning on watching tomorrow........Our equine dentist is being admitted to the hospital with maternity issues. We will postpone to another time. I'll keep you posted!

08/08/2025

Phone replaced and back to using my regular number. Sorry for any inconvenience!!

Call now to connect with business.

03/08/2025

My phone has decided to quit charging so if you need me, email [email protected]
I'll check emails every hour or so til I get this resolved.........

Call now to connect with business.

22/07/2025

I didn’t grow up in a barn with chandeliers.
I didn’t get handed imported warmbloods or winter clinics in Wellington.
I rode whatever I could afford, wherever someone would let me ride.

I’ve hauled to shows in rusty trailers older than my horse.
I’ve trained in hand-me-down tack and boots with holes in them.
I’ve patched things together, gear, horses, life, with sheer grit.

No grooms. No sponsors. No trust fund.

Just work. And love. And more work.

Because dressage isn’t supposed to be about glitter and gloss.
It’s about a conversation, one you earn, stride by stride, over years of showing up.
It’s about feel. Patience. Timing. And truth.

I still muck my own stalls, braid my own horse, and coached myself from old VHS videos and borrowed books.
And still, I ride.
And its not for glory.
It's because something in me needs this.

So no, I’m not the polished rider with the perfect setup.
But I am the rider who never quit.
Who showed up when no one was watching.
Who forged something beautiful from sweat, stubbornness, and a secondhand saddle.

Call it blue collar. Call it rough around the edges.
Just make sure you call it dressage.
Because it is.

And it lives in my blood.

22/07/2025

I'm in my late 40's, but I'm just getting started.

To anyone who thinks it’s too late—
Read this like a sword sliding from its sheath.

We ride dressage.
Not TikTok trends.

This isn’t a sport of fast fame.
It’s a war of refinement.
Of sweat, stillness, and writing your story in the dark.
Every scar, every failure, every lameness, every setback, every time you had to start over?
That’s your edge.

So no, you're not too old.
You're just finally dangerous enough to do it right.

Let the kids have their trophies.
We’re here for legacy.

This isn’t a comeback.
It’s an arrival.