Monocot Farm

22/06/2024

It is time for the best minded young horse to find his person. Feinali SF is a 2019 16/16.1 hand GOV gelding by Feinrich. We have had Finn since he was a weanling and he has always been extremely personable and a barn favorite. No health or soundness issues in his whole life. Very lightly started last fall, then got the winter off. He has been in real work for a few short months and has already been to a big recognized show where he won his training level class with high 60s scores and a 7.5 for gaits. He also seems to show some talent and interest over fences and is great to hack out. This young horse is very suitable for an AA to continue to bring along. He is easy in the barn/pasture, no vices, does all the things, loves attention. Located in Hendersonville NC. 4🥕,🥕🥕🥕. ⛵ only
https://youtu.be/BpeZwweMLCs?si=X5KoBaLSNB0wl5OH

17/06/2024

I had such a good time taking Helen V Frederick 's baby Finn to his first big boy show this weekend!!! He was a super!!

Ashley Guinn gave him a great first outing at the last FRC show and he was confident and rideable this weekend even with all the hustle and bustle of a big show at TIEC 😍

Despite sweltering temperatures and a tough judge, this lovely young horse got in the upper 60s (with a 7.5 for gaits) and a 1st and 2nd in his classes. Not too shabby for being thrown in the deep end after only a few months under saddle 🤩

This awesome kid is starting the search for his new person...and if they wanted him to stay in the barn for a while for some more training, none of us would be sad 🤪💖💖💖💖

27/03/2024

Can't believe it's a whole new year of the always fabulous Foothills Riding Club shows!

I rode 5 horses over the 2 days (I have a problem 🤪🤦).

The 2 on Saturday, who will remain nameless, were plagued by too much tension for their difficult tests. 🙃 But that is what schooling shows are for, right?? 😬

On Sunday the most handsome Zorro was a total superstar!!! Handled his first show like a champ and despite his pilot not creating a crisp/accurate test, scored a 69% and blue ribbon, with great feedback from the judge. The other 2 on Sunday (also remaining nameless) were Sassy!! The stuff they did as asked scored well...but there were too many opinions other than mine 😜🤦

Ashley and Cookie had their first ever outing and he was a total gentleman about the whole experience! They scored as high as 71% and swept all their classes! 💪💪

It was a good weekend of learning and as always we appreciate this wonderful schooling show series!!!

griffith got some nice shots of some of the hooligans 🤩

01/02/2024

My first time using a "big girl" spreader... Who knew watching poo fling up into the air at a rapid rate would be so satisfying 😂🥰💪💪

16/01/2024

Hope everybody finds clever ways to stay warm!! My pony has 😂🥰

11/11/2023

Helen V Frederick 's Destra got to go to her very first big girl clinic with Daniel Stewart today (thanks Foothills Riding Club !!!)

She said that standing still waiting for her turn was Very Hard. But I was Thrilled with how she handled being in a covered for the first time, hearing a loudspeaker for the first time, seeing mirrors for the first time, and seeing a crowd of people sitting in chairs for the first time.

And big thanks to Lollybrook Farm for hosting the clinic. What an amazing facility!

Goooo baby horses!

25/10/2023

Goooo Julio!!!!!! I know how hard he has worked for this: Ah-mazing! I'm so lucky to get to take lessons from this wonderful rider and good human 🤩
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=839778728155246&id=100063693784689&mibextid=ZbWKwL

ORO !! 🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇 🥹🥹🥹

01/10/2023

Traveled to Pinehurst to compete at a lovely show put on by Sporting Services. We are lucky enough to not normally need to travel so far for a show, but these dates worked out well and I'm so glad we came because it was such a lovely relaxed venue and a very well-run show!

Saturday was a bit of a disaster... The Pony of Much Sport was so so so very sporty despite competing in I2 and GP in one day. I think I've determined that there's no way to wear her out 🤪. My back was acting up which led me to apparently sit a bit crooked.... Poor Senegal was very confused and kept thinking I wanted him to canter instead of passage. He's never done that before, so I am positive it was my asymmetry that caused it, but it definitely affected our score.🥴

Today I had improvement with both of them (and me!), with an enormous amount of room for even more. Sport Pony was still sporty, but she was much more obedient and we were able to get a larger amount of the movements done, which led to a 59%. Considering it was still a hot mess, I will totally take it at this point! Senegal also still had too many mistakes but I managed to at least sit balanced enough for him to know that I wanted him to passage, and we were rewarded with a 62%.

I'll say it again, that GP test is hard! I wonder how many times I'll need to ride it on different horses before I feel differently 😝

Thanks to Helen for her help and delicious meals over the weekend!

Gooo ponies!

22/09/2023

Big congrats to the new owner of Brazil!! It is going to be strange to not see his incredibly handsome face in the barn anymore, but I'm excited that he gets to go be a fancy schoolmaster. Big thanks to Charlie for entrusting me with him for all these years.

Every horse that comes through the barn has taught me things about how to be a better trainer, but Brazil has probably taught me more than most, and for that I am forever grateful. I hope he enjoys his next chapter of not having to work quuiittteee so hard 😝🥰🥰🥰🥰

19/09/2023

Sport Pony and I had some company for our hill work tonight 🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃

16/08/2023

Had a bit of big weekend down in Camden...and while I'm disappointed in myself for a few reasons, I can't help but be proud of how far the ponies have come, with still so far to go...

Senegal did Grand Prix for the first time and we scored a 62.7 the first day with so many mistakes and bobbles, but he tried his adorable little heart out.🥰 It was so hot down there... So despite a very abbreviated warm up, I had a very pooped pony the second day which did not allow us to do all the things that we can do...bad judgement call on my end to compete that day 🥴

Brazil moved up to I2 and continued his trend of being easy and rideable at the shows... Also scoring a 62 the first day and unfortunately melting the second day just like poor Senegal.

The Pony of Much Sport also gave Grand Prix a try, and while both days were disaster on paper, I know her well enough to know that we actually made a lot of progress towards getting all that hard work done despite her tension and I think the next show is going to be magical.

It's been four or five years since I've done this level and on an incredibly different horse, so while I know it is just part of the process, I couldn't help but be frustrated with how rusty I was with the GP test...but you guys, there is SO MUCH TO DO IN SUCH A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME 🤪

But enough whining: thrilled with the efforts of these magical creatures and I know there's a lot more in there for all of them, I just have to keep getting better💪

Thanks to High Time Photography for the lovely pictures!

26/07/2023

Helen V Frederick 's Sazerac Will. Not. Keep a fly mask on. But she's a clever girl and has come up with a workable solution 😂. Stella is such a great Auntie 🥰

01/07/2023

Current situation.

20/06/2023

Had a pretty good day at TIEC on Saturday with Brazil, Senegal, and the Pony of Much Sport! Here are some blurry stills from the videos of them looking fancy!

Brazil competed at PSG and I1 and despite a few silly mistakes, he was confident and rideable, scoring 63% in each and a 1st and 2nd place 😎. He was easy to show and oh so handsome as always!

Senegal was uncharacteristically tense (I'm blaming the indoor?) which made some of the work hard for him...but despite it being not at all the test he is capable of, he scored a 61% in the I2 (he was the only one in his class so his blue ribbon doesn't count 🤪), so at least we didn't embarrass ourselves.

Sport Pony was...ehem...Sporty in the IA. Since she was low key running away with me in the trot work, it was hard to show off her passage/piaffe. And then her 2 tempi's were going so well that I got distracted and did 9 instead of the 7 we were supposed to 🥴. But despite that, she still scored a 63% under a no nonsense judge, with some comments that warmed my heart. I'm always a bit nervous about what judges will think of my silly little pony. 🥰

On to the next!

29/05/2023

Now that breeding season is over, it is time to get serious about finding the handsome Brazil a new home. As before, please share! 🥰
Home Made do Retiro: 2011 15.3 Imported Lusitano stallion by the world famous Rubi. "Brazil" is a solid FEI small tour horse with a good start to the GP work. He was leased and shown (with minimal hand holding 😉) by a first level AA over the winter and really showed what a schoolmaster he can be! Despite being used as a breeding stallion, he has not been sheltered and has impeccable ground manners. I believe he would transition beautifully into gelded life. He is safe, not spooky, great out of the arena, and even likes to jump a little! His only requirement is a rider that can use their seat, not the reins, to help him with his balance. Goes well in a snaffle or a double and not hot in the least. No maintenance, easy to live with, no vices. Don't let him being a stallion scare you off-he is a good, sweet boy!! Highest of 🖐 figures. Located in Mills River, NC https://youtu.be/u1TGIw9wwMk

25/05/2023

Big Congrats to Marilyn on the purchase of Josie!!! Thrilled she will be staying nearby and I can't wait to see her transform into a fancy hunter 🤩🥰

17/05/2023

The horses are all being so silly this week! Maggie and Josie were trying to "help" Debbie find a lost shoe. 😂😂😂

16/05/2023

I need advice on getting my pony to take me seriously 😝🥱

10/05/2023

Available! Please share!
Jasmine: 2014 big bodied 15.3 KWPN Mare by Ijsselmeer.
"Josie" is a sweet, safe, straightforward, and flashy girl with untapped potential. She has competed through 2nd level dressage with upper 60s scores and schooled through novice eventing. She absolutely loves to jump and loves all things cross country, but is stuck in a mostly dressage barn. I could see her switching beautifully to a H/J career. With very little practice, mostly has her changes when jumping. Would prefer to be a kick ride, but the right rider is able to sparkle her up. She has taught lessons, loves to hack out, and overall is easy to be around with no vices other than not tolerating having her mane pulled. No maintenance, but does seem happier on regumate. Was supposed to be the next lower level dressage horse for an AA, but a non-horse related injury is forcing new home. Forty 🥕s. Located in Mills River, NC 10 minutes from the Asheville airport.

https://youtu.be/te74bTtphH4

09/05/2023

Another good weekend at Tryon International Equestrian Center & Resort with a different set of horses!

Helen's Josie had her 2nd level debut with scores as high as 67% and winning first and second in her classes! This lovely horse hasn't shown in a while and was such a good girl! 🥰

Charlie's Brazil also got back out after a break from showing. He was a bit distracted with spring being "in the air", but despite some significant bobbles, he tried to pay attention to me and we scored a 63.8 at I1 (he also got a blue ribbon, but we were the only one in that class so I don't think it counts 🤣).

Ashley rode Paula's adorable Joey in his 3rd level debut scoring as high as 65% and winning all of his classes!!

Ashley also rode Sara's Luna at 1st level with scores to 70% and winning all their classes!

Josie, Joey, and Brazil are all looking for their new people. I'll be getting an official ad out for the multi talented Josie soon! If you want more information about Joey, I can put you in touch with Ashley 😃.

Goooo ponies!

24/04/2023

A weekend of lots of firsts at Tryon International Equestrian Center & Resort! And it was great to catch up with folks we haven't seen for a long time!

Senegal moved up to I2 with respectable scores as high as 64.5%. Still need to get those dang 1 tempis more confirmed and not make stupid rider errors, but absolutely tickled with this wonderful horse. Here is his first ever official passage/piaffe tour...always working towards more strength so that his rhythm can remain more consistent, but one judge gave us an 8 for the first piaffe, so we must be on the right track 😉

The Pony of Much Sport gave a first crack at I-A despite not quiiite being ready. The things that went the way I wanted were rewarded, and the things that didn't weren't a total disaster. We managed to pull off a 60.7% which I will take considering the circumstances! 😍

Lebron also gave a first crack at I-A. This level of work is very hard for his adorable little legs...and when he gets so excited at shows it is hard for me to help him, which doesn't create the test he is capable of. Glad we got the first attempt out of the way! Now my homework is to make all the work easier for him at home so that he can show the world what he can do!!! 💪

10/04/2023

Holy moly! This hairy dirty Dude is FOUR today. I can't believe it. He is still more wee then I would like at just barely 14 hands on a really tall day 😣. But since both his parents are 14.1+ I'm holding out hope for one more growth spurt. Otherwise, maybe I'll just chop off my feet so that I can be short enough for him 😜🥰. And before you ask, no, I have done nothing with him other than snuggles. Hopefully later this year I'll have a bit of time to do more 😝

26/03/2023

First Foothills Riding Club show of the year in the books! And man, it was huge! Bigger than most recognized shows! Thanks to everybody that helped pull it off!!

Debbie, Sarah, and Bri all showed improvement on their various horse show jitters and got good feedback from the "S" judge (how many schooling shows do you know of that have "S" judges? We are so lucky!) 🥰

I rode Debbie's Chilli and there was definitely the anticipated tension and some wee amounts of leaping... But she tried to be a good girl for her 3rd level debut and received good scores on the stuff that went the way it was supposed to 🤪.

Onward and upward for the rest of the season!

20/03/2023

ISO Sunday barn help in Mills River. Sole charge, so needs to be experienced with various sport horses and Very reliable. Stalls (although generally not very many), turn in/turn out, stuff hay nets, water, fly masks and sheets, etc. Should take less than 3 hours a.m. and p.m. so there is a significant window in the middle of the day. Because of this, best if someone lives fairly close. Hoping to find someone that can do 2-3 Sundays a month (and would happily hire all of them), and they can be scheduled very far in advance. Room for a lot of future days/work for the right candidate. I pay by the shift, so you can work as slowly or quickly as you want as long as the care gets done. Some weekends horses will be gone at shows, some not, and I pay the same no matter what!

References available from past workers-I don't think it is the worst gig- I hope! 😝

18/03/2023

SO pleased with Helen's Destra today! Only her second time off the farm and she tried so hard to be a good girl! This talented young horse has a TON of power and once she gets the strength and balance to go with it, it's going to be amazing 💪💪🥰🥰🤩🤩

22/02/2023

Presto Change-o! (Pictures taken approximately 30 seconds apart)

20/02/2023

We work with all sorts of sizes here! Helen's Destra is dwarfing my Sport Pony... And they aren't even the biggest and smallest on the property. 😂

14/02/2023

Here are some highlights of Senegal's successful move up to Intermediate-A this weekend at Stable View. Still need to get more confident with the passage, piaffe, and one's, but we didn't embarrass ourselves and as always he was the *best* boy 💞

He also won an award for being best groomed, offered by Purvida Healthy Horse which is pretty fun! 🥰

Thanks to Helen for all the extra help this weekend in the barn! 😘

20/01/2023

My students are pretty much the best. 🤣😍🤩😝

16/01/2023

So proud of Debbie and Helen's Super Sophia for winning Reserve Champion for the year in the Starter CT for Foothills Riding Club !!! And that was without even going to all the shows 🥰💪💪

Sophia is the *best* and Debbie has been a great pilot this year 🤩