Ramblewood Farm

11/11/2024

We just got back from a great weekend at Equine Affaire in Massachusetts. We were in our element! So many great clinicians and great shopping opportunities. The highlight clinicians were Tic Maynard and Daniel Stewart. The girls also went to a great clinic to learn all sorts of new stretches for their ponies. The weather was beautiful and our VRBO house was just perfect! I think we left a few things on the shelves up there, after all the shopping we did, but not sure.😅
Can't wait to see what next year holds!

10/28/2024

The PaceMaker hunter pace was fun with this crew this year. We did it a little different than years in the past. We went slowly and only walked and trotted a little. We took our time and looked for hidden pictures and just socialized and goofed around. It was so much fun hearing giggling girls enjoy their horses, beautiful weather and each other.
The costumes at the end were wonderful and well thought out. Mika and Tuleya came home with 2nd and 3rd out of 11 contestants! Great day!!

10/20/2024

What a fun night we had last night! Thanks to my brother Dan, Tuleya and I got to join him for the final night of the Pennsylvania National Horse show. It started with the adorable leadline, then an amazing demonstration by Guy McLean and his brumby horses and finally the Grand Prix. What an exciting night! We saw amazing talent from both riders and horses. Those jumps were tough and huge.

10/06/2024

Yesterday a small group ventured out in the early morning dark mist to head to the Beaufort Hunter Trials. We ended up having a great day with beautiful weather. I told Mika, Riley and Tuleya that they were basically on their own because I was showing also.( first time in over 10 years). There was a huge amount of learning done yesterday by all of us.

Justin had his first show experience with me and he was a little overwhelmed by all that was going on, until I tacked him up and he said to me "now I know why I'm here, ok, let's do this." He was an amazing baby and did well in spite of me getting in his way. I was so amazed by him and so pleased.

Tuleya, has a new pony to her and has a tough learning curve to overcome. Scout tried his best and the pair looked so cute. Tuleya had such great horsemanship skills that she knew when to pull up and excuse herself when he wasn't feeling great. Kudos to her for caring for her new pony.

Riley and Mika both had fun on Tuck and Whip. Tuck was not thrilled with the outside course jumps so Riley shifted gears and Rocked the ring and got champion in her division. Tuck did not look 25! He was so happy!

Mika had a feisty Whip on the outside course and navigated some tough times and did a beautiful job. She took 3rd in a flat class that was filled with big, beautiful horses! She then also went to the ring and took champion in a big division.
Everyone was willing to roll with the punches. It was a fun day! Of course it was great to have the amazing support and paparazzi that loves to join us.

10/06/2024

Make Them Carry Their Saddle
A father of a darling girl and I were talking last week and he said that he wanted his daughter to ride more and not have to do the work part of the catching, grooming, and saddling. I smiled as I explained.
Riding horses is a combination of strength, timing, and balance. Kids in this country are physically weak (unless they are actively involved with weight training and physical conditioning 4+ times a week.)
When you walk out to the field, you are clearing your stress from being under fluorescent lights all day; feeling the sun soak into your bones. As your body moves on uneven surfaces, it strengthens your legs and core.
When you groom your horse (especially currying), you are toning your arms and stabilizing your core.

When you carry your saddle, your arms, chest, and back are doing isolated strengthening work.
Being near horses, calms and makes you tune into the splendor of these empathetic animals.
When you ride at a posting trot, it’s equivalent to a slow jog calorie burn wise.
After a lesson, the riders are physically tired and mentally quiet and balanced.
Horses feel your heart beat and mirror your emotions back.
Riding large and somewhat unpredictable animals makes you resilient and pushes your expectations.

Working with horses is so much more than learning how to ride.
So parents, make your children carry their saddles. Don’t do the hard parts for them, as long term it actually hurts them. To advance with their riding, they must get stronger. You can help by doing the high parts.
I love having you all at the farm, and am so grateful to get to share these fascinating animals with you.
Hannah Campbell Zapletal

09/22/2024

Well, a bunch of us set off for a fun paperchase today, but it sure didn't go like we thought it would! 20 minutes into the ride we ran into ground bees. Not just some, but enough yellowjackets to halfway cover 4 horses!! After lots of pawing ,snorting, bucking, kicking and rubbing on each other, we made it out of there. Lydia, Sasha and Ally were such troopers. Unfortunately Lydia hit the ground but was very brave and was able to take good care of herself and her pony anyway. The horses were so good considering what happened. Justin, my baby thoroughbred, was an angel. He stood still when I needed him to, even being in pain. He let me help the other girls and horses. What a good boy!
The rest of the ride had a few bumps in the road but was pretty good. The kids got to do a few jumps and some cantering. It was a first time doing this for Lydia and Sasha, so they got initiated quickly but I promised them that they all aren't like this. Great kids and great horses made it a great time in spite of the bees. STUPID BEES!!!!

09/14/2024

The last outside movie night is in the books! We ended with the 1968 Disney film called The Horse in the Gray Flannal Suit. It was a hit! S'mores by the firepit were a sticky dessert before heading home.
The spooky looking moon reminded us that it was Friday the 13th, but the weather couldn't have been more perfect for this. It was a fun night to finish up the outdoor movie season.

09/09/2024

Ramblewood had it's first Mother-Daughter ride today. What a great time! The horses were good, the weather was perfect and the moms(and grandmom) were game to give it a try. It was good for the moms to see why their kids love what they do here. The girls helped the moms get comfortable on their horses then ended with showing them how to untack and groom. A little wine and cheese (and soda) was available to help make it extra fun. I think this needs to be an annual thing!😁

09/06/2024

Welcome to Ramblewood, Scout! We needed some color in our herd! We are so happy to have you here. And, welcome back Tuleya and family! We are looking forward to having a great Fall with this pair added to our Ramblewood family!

08/30/2024

Last Saturday we got together and tried to entertain the horses with some ground obstacles. We had pool noodles, bridges, tarps and Hula hoops along with many other things. Unfortunately I was so busy with my horse that I didn't get many pictures. We ended the fun morning with riding a few minutes ba****ck and letting the horses graze.
It was a nice activity after a stressful week of starting back to school!

08/30/2024

Hot summer days, call for a cool summer activity. I'm not sure who enjoyed it more, horses or kids!

08/19/2024

Congratulations to Riley on the purchase of Tuck. Riley has been wanting Tuck for a long time and her parents made her dream come true today and gave her Tuck for her birthday! What a great pair these two are. Now the true fun begins! Congrats Riley!

08/12/2024

I had the most amazing day today!
I took 7 students and 6 ponies to a schooling show. Up at 4, out the driveway at 6 and warming up at 7:15. We have done that many times before, but today was different.
What I witnessed today just blew me away! The amount of learning and progress shown in 1 year for some and 2 or 3 years for others just amazed me. Not only did they ALL show the judge how good they can be but also showed kindness, support, perseverance, comradery, and the love for their animal. The smiles shined through even when the going got tough.
During the day two different trainers commented to me about what a great group of kids I had. That in itself made my day. I am so glad others can see what I see. I was so proud to call all of them Ramblewood kids!
Ramblewood has an amazing support crew surrounding these amazing girls and I will never take that for granted. They all make things run like a well oiled machine.
Ramblewood kids and horses rocked the ring today!
A day like today makes it all worth it!

07/26/2024

Ramblewood is having a summer outside movie night this Saturday. It's a country type drive in😅.
It's open to all our students past and present, family members and friends of Ramblewood.
Come on out on a beautiful evening and enjoy a fun horse movie with friends.
8:30 pm- 11:00pm. $20/ person and bring a snack to share. Pizza, soda and water is provided. Please RSVP to Betsy

06/22/2024

"Wondering if you should get her that pony, wonder no more!

Riding families have always known horses are good for kids, but now research is proving it. One study, sponsored by the American Youth Horse Council, found that equestrian activities do indeed enhance a range of life skills in children.

The study looked at youngsters involved in 4-H, Pony Club, the American Quarter Horse Youth Association, or the National High School Rodeo Association in one eastern and one western state. Results of the study, published in February 2006, found a significant positive relationship between horsemanship skills and life skills.

If your child likes animals and you’re concerned about that child’s problem solving, goal-setting, or decision-making skills, then definitely get him or her involved with horses."

Written by Ann Swinker, Ph.D. - professor in Animal Science at Penn State University and one of the study’s co-authors.
Photo by Larson Performance Horses

05/26/2024

We had a very enthusiastic group get to the barn at 6am to head to Codorus State Park for a foggy ride. We wanted to beat the holiday weekend rush and the heat. We did both and had a great time. These girls were a lot of fun to ride with this morning! Thank you Justin and Maura for being our hauling and pit crew.

05/15/2024

We had a brave group head down for a Sunrise Tour at Pimlico track at 7am this morning. There was no sun but no rain either(until it drizzled on us at the end). The girls got to stand in the start gates, feel how lightweight the jockeys vest and saddle were and even got to see Mystic Dan himself doing his morning workout. Ended up being a great time.

05/09/2024