Red Sky Ranch

29/08/2024

Second saddling for Delilah and our first field trip
She was so relaxed about the saddle the first time that we tried on the crossties today and she stood like an old broke horse. I upgraded her to heavier saddle as well
Took her for a walk in the woods at the back of the property and she seemed to enjoy the change of scenery.

28/08/2024

Great demo!

27/08/2024

Where are my little cowgirls and cowboys?
We have 2 lesson openings heading into fall that are available only to young beginner riders.
Openings for ages 5-10 for 30 minute weekly riding lessons
Thursdays 5pm
Fridays 6pm

We cover leading, grooming, tack and more in addition to riding. Please message us here, email or text to schedule!

26/08/2024

***important announcement to all students
No 🍪 for Brody!!*****

Our resident good boy has been suffering from a bad case of the itches. He’s been running himself raw on occasion. He must be having an allergic reaction to something and I’ve been taking variables away until he seems like he’s doing better and unfortunately we’re down to diet. For the time being please refrain from feeding him any treats other than fresh apples and carrots.
I know he’s a Cookie Monster but it’s for his own well being ❤️

26/08/2024

Look who I just got an update on!

Boone (or Cisco as we knew him here) is doing great at his new home. He was gentled here last summer and left early October for his home in NY. His owner Ali Nicole said he’s doing amazing and she’s planning on teaching him the barrel patten soon!

Saying goodbye to these horses is the hardest part but seeing them be loved by others makes it so worth it
First two are Boone in his new home last photo is his tag removal photo from June 2023 🥰

18/08/2024

Show Day!
The horses all had their moments today. Sporty thought he was at the races, Nova left the ring during Jenna’s first test and Brody had a shy/spook/zoomy moment(I’m not really sure what it was 😅)
All of the girls handled it perfectly and recovered beautifully. Kyleigh’s first show of the year and first time showing Brody got a 70 on intro 2! Maddy & Jenna both had one test each that can count towards their year ends. Really can’t ask for a better group of girls!

13/08/2024

Our very own Beth Papada was featured on United States Dressage Federation Official Page!!! Make sure to read her full article too
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

“Big, small, young, old – it shouldn’t matter why they are competing where they are. It could be someone like me, finally living out their childhood dream alongside their daughter, or some parent, using this as a release from the grind of parenthood and work. Maybe they borrowed an old show coat, breeches, or polo, but whatever they did, they made it work.
The first time I heard a stranger wish me good luck before my ride, or congratulate me on a ride, was an instant lift – and it’s contagious. I make sure to acknowledge everyone (or at least try) in the warm-up area or in passing after a test. You do not know what they are going through, or what they did to get here – you might be the reason for their first smile that day…”

After spending 20 years away from horses, a rider from USDF Region 1 shares her journey returning to the saddle and how the dressage community, and a little grey Mustang, welcomed her with open arms after she won her battle against cancer. Read this exclusive here: https://yourdressage.org/2024/07/26/repeat-after-me-stay-in-stay-on/

This story is part of our Month! We have partnered with SmartPak to give away 3 awesome prizes packages for the readers and writers of stories this month. You can enter by commenting on or sharing this story, or any other story in our series. To be entered for the Grand Prize, submit your own story! Get the full details & see the amazing prizes here: https://yourdressage.org/2024/07/01/dressage-for-every-body-smartpak-giveaway/

12/08/2024

Show day!
We started out the morning rough but finished on a high.
Beth took a fall off Brody at the very start of her test because Brody spooked while going down the centerline. She’s ok! I’m sure she’ll be sore tomorrow but she got back on and schooled him afterwards like a true cowgirl ❤️
Jenna and Nova rode Intro C and Training 1. They had some very pretty moments but missed a full canter circle on their first test and had some minor errors on their second test. Far from a bad day but not their best , it’s all part of the journey and these two have come so far in such a short time!
Liana and Sporty had their first show back together since last fall. Sporty was on the lazy side today but they did well considering she’s been working with mainly Brody up until about a month ago. They stayed consistent and earned a 66.5 on both tests!
I already made a post about our little cowgirls but Emma and Addison made their off lead debut and rode Intro 1 today. Brody was a good boy and made both little girls so happy he got a ton of cookies when they were done 🥰

11/08/2024

We had a show today! And an entire recap of the day is due but first I have to brag on my two superstars 😍
From bouncing around on Jingle in 2020 to riding their first off lead test today Addison and Emma were amazing!! Super proud of both girls for working so hard and how far they’ve come.
And of course I have to give credit where credit is due to our favorite grey gelding who took care of these little riders as well ❤️🦄

02/08/2024

Delilah
2020 Pancake HMA Mustang mare standing 14.3hands
Delilah is a bay sabino with large belly spots(more than enough for Pinto registration!) who also has the curly gene. With her summer coat it’s less noticeable but she is full of curls once she gets her winter coat.

Delilah is halter broke, picks up all 4 feet and is great for the farrier. She stands on crossties, good for fly spray and tolerates the hose. She knows basic ground work, lunges walk/trot and has worn a surcingle. I am hoping to start prepping for her first ride soon but am having trouble finding time to be consistent with her.

She is head shy and is difficult to catch if turned out in a large space. These are both issues that will resolve with time and a paitent trainer. She’s only been gentled since April and just needs a little bit more time to come around. I had her with my other mares and she did well with them, higher in pecking order.
Would prefer she goes to a home with mustang experience.
She is branded by BLM but will require an approved application with the USFS.
Located in NJ

28/07/2024

**as of 7/31 we are full and now accepting students onto our wait list- please message us to be to added**

Now accepting new students!
No experienced required we cover everything from ground handling to riding.
Weeknight availability
Message to schedule!

27/07/2024

Tack sale is in full swing! Come on by for some great deals! 83 Mill Ln W, Columbus NJ - we are here till 1pm

26/07/2024

I have competed in western pleasure, horsemanship, English equitation, English pleasure, trail and ranch riding. Something you don’t get with all of those disciplines is feedback from the judge.
With western dressage (and classical) you’re guaranteed to get hand written comments from the judge and at most schooling shows they’re verbally give you some critiques or compliments before you even leave the arena.

Knowing exactly what you did well and what needs more work is an amazing benefit to this sport I love so much!

22/07/2024

Tack Sale!
On Saturday 7/27 we will be having a tack sale.
Saddles, saddle pads, tack, youth show clothes and more
9-1pm
83 Mill Ln W Columbus, NJ

14/07/2024

🥵 we may have melted just a little bit but we got our rides in and had a good time at Suddenly Farm today!

Brody and I won high score for western
Beth and Brody had a nice intro C test
Mina and Nova got their third qualifying score finishing out their year! And tried Intro C for the first time!

The horses got hosed down multiple times through the day and enjoyed ice cubes on top of their normal treats.
If summer could cool down just a bit now we’d all appreciate it 😅

12/07/2024

Thursday evening showing? Why not! We had a fun time at Atlantic co 4H dressage show last night

Brody earned high point for English with Beth and western with me! Beth got her first score in the 70’s and Jenna and Nova had nice rides with great feedback from our favorite western judge Lynn Newton ❤️

08/07/2024

Results are in! Jenna & Nova placed 9th overall for the junior division!! Jenna will be getting a custom jacket as an award on top of her ribbons for placing in all 3 of her classes.
Super proud of both of them for how well they did

Brody and I placed 18th and 19th in our big classes(30 riders) and while I wish we placed a little higher it was a great learning experience. Brody got an 8 for movement on one of our tests which I’m super proud of.

And our all NJ team placed 3rd!

This show was a blast to participate in and we are both already planning for next year.

06/07/2024

When it’s 100 degrees we work on learning to love bath time! Delilah and Echo’s training sessions will be focused around water this weekend. It’s so funny how opposite these two horses are. What Delilah excels in Echo is difficult with and vice versa.
Echo took a good couple minutes of trying to run away before she decided to stand still for the hose. Delilah snorted a few times but said oh wait that feels good and let me spray her down without much fuss.

04/07/2024

Stall available at our favorite boarding facility!

29/06/2024

Delilah is a 2020 mustang mare from Pancake HMA. Stands 14.3 hands and is extremely stocky. She’s unique in every way from her curls to her beautiful sabino coloring. She’s slicked out for summer now but I’ll add some photos of her in her winter woolies to show how curly she can be!

So far she can
-leads, knows basic groundwork
-stands tied
-pick up all 4 feet, trimmed on 6/4
-stands for fly spray/hose

Will be starting saddle school next month and 💲will go up!
She is more on the nervous side but is extremely smart and a fast learner. The type you only have to show how to do it once and she’s got it
I will be picky about where she goes, mustang experience preferred. Experience with green horses required.
BLM branded but requires approved USFS application, not titled.

Walter is a 2010 titled mustang gelding from antelope valley HMA who stands 14 hands
I purchased him in March as potential lesson horse but he didn’t have as much training as they said. Shortly after coming here he was also diagnosed with Lyme. He was treated and is doing well but has been hanging out here for the past few months.
He’s got good ground manners but was nervous when ridden, very spooky and lacks confidence. I was last on him early May and he was riding better than when I first got him. He lives out has been sound and is an easy keeper.
Companion or project home in 3 fig

28/06/2024

We have a couple of openings for new students starting in July!

Beginner through intermediate English and western riding lessons.
30 minute lesson $55 per week. Students must commit to weekly lessons in order to be added to my schedule

Summer lesson openings for
Tuesdays 6pm
Thursdays 5 or 6pm

These times are only guarantee until the end of August when we redo our schedule to accommodate for school in the fall.

26/06/2024

Saddles available!!!

16” Hereford trail saddle FQH bars
SOLD

17” Isabell Wintec dressage saddle with adjustable gullet. Currently has black gullet installed if I have the one you need I can include it. Has some wear and tear but still in good working condition.
$400

Pick up in Columbus, NJ or shipping available at buyers expense

22/06/2024

We may have melted just a little this morning but we got some nice rides in! And all early enough to get the horses home and cooled down before the afternoon heat set in.
Jenna and Nova rode training 1 for the first time and had nice smooth tests. Madison memorized both of her tests and got her highest score of the season. Liana also got her high score for the year
Nice job ladies!

19/06/2024

Score and school at saddlebrook today, luckily we were able to get done before the heat got too bad

This was the first time I had the girls memorize their test and they both did great. No more calling tests for Jenna & Maddy now!

18/06/2024

Things your riding instructor wants you to know:
1. This sport is hard. You don't get to bypass the hard…..every good rider has gone through it. You make progress, then you don't, and then you make progress again. Your riding instructor can coach you through it, but they cannot make it easy.

2. You're going to ride horses you don't want to ride. If you're teachable, you will learn from every horse you ride. Each horse in the barn can teach you if you let them. IF YOU LET THEM. Which leads me to…

3. You MUST be teachable to succeed in this sport. You must be teachable to succeed at anything, but that is another conversation. Being teachable often means going back to basics time and time and time again. If you find basics boring, then your not looking at them as an opportunity to learn. Which brings me to…..

4. This sport is a COMMITMENT. Read that, then read it again. Every sport is a commitment, but in this sport your teammate weighs 1200 lbs and speaks a different language. Good riders don't get good by riding every once in awhile….they improve because they make riding a priority and give themsevles opportunity to practice.

5. EVERY RIDE IS AN OPPORTUNITY. Even the walk ones. Even the hard ones. Every. Single. Ride. Remember when you just wished someone would lead you around on a horse? Find the happiness in just being able to RIDE. If you make every ride about what your AREN'T doing, you take the fun out of the experience for yourself, your horse, and your instructor. Just enjoy the process. Which brings me to...

6. Riding should be fun. It is work. and work isn't always fun.....but if you (or your rider) are consistently choosing other activities or find yourself not looking forward to lessons, it's time to take a break. The horses already know you don't want to be here, and you set yourself up for failure if you are already dreading the lesson before you get here.

7. You'll learn more about horses from the ground than you ever will while riding. That's why ground lessons are important, too. If you're skipping ground lessons (or the part of your lesson that takes place on the ground), you're missing out on the most important parts of the lesson. You spend far more time on the ground with horses than you do in the saddle.

8. Ask questions and communicate. If you're wondering why your coach is having you ride a particular horse or do an exercise, ask them. Then listen to their answer and refer to #3 above.

9. We are human beings. We make decisions (some of them life and death ones) every day. We balance learning for students with workloads for horses and carry the bulk of this business on our shoulders. A little courtesy goes a long way.

Of all the sports your child will try through their school years, riding is one of 3 that they may continue regularly as adults (golf and skiing are the others). People who coach riding spend the better part of their free time and much of their disposable income trying to improve their own riding and caring for the horses who help teach your child. They love this sport and teaching others…..but they all have their limits. Not all good riders are good coaches, but all good coaches will tell you that the process to get good is not an easy one.

*thank you to whoever wrote this! Not my words, but certainly a shared sentiment!

16/06/2024

I’m making it official
This little filly is here to stay 🥰
I told myself I’m only keeping horses who remind me of Brody while gentling and this one is giving Brody a run for his money in ease of training. Echo is allowing me to walk up to her, halter her and is leading extremely well for only her second day of halter training. I’m planning on getting her turnout with Layla and Nova towards the end of this week.

I’m in no hurry to sell Delilah but will be letting her go when the right home comes along. She will make someone an amazing horse one day but I can’t keep them all and sometimes they choose you.

14/06/2024

“There are only two emotions that belong in the saddle; one is a sense of humor and the other is patience.”
-John Lyons

13/06/2024

Reminder
As summer approaches we will be monitoring the weather and will not be riding if combined humidity and temperature is over 150

The first heat wave of the summer is coming on fast!

12/06/2024

Ask me to show you poetry in motion and I will show you a horse. – Author Unknown