Calendar ~ Winter Session

November 21-25 ....................No Kids’ Afterschool Classes
November 24, 25 Thu/Fri .....Closed for Thanksgiving Day & day after
Decmeber 1, Thurs ..............First Day of Winter Session
December 19-31 ...................No Kids’ Afterschool Classes
December 24, 25 ..................Closed for Christmas Eve & Day
January 1, Sunday ...............Open, New Years Day
January 2, Monday ..............Kids’ Afterschool resumes
February 29, Wed ................Last Day of Winter Session

NEWS

The fall term began with a bang and ended with a sigh of relief. Jackhammers, dump trucks and cement mixers pounded on the concrete, and Chico State students hammered the Red Barn. Thank you all for gently helping the horses through the turmoil. The stables are once again quiet enough to hear quail calling “macgregor” from the mesquite and the cat purring in the sun.

 

SHOW TEAM

Halloween Show
The Livery edge comes from learning on a slew of very different horses, mastering each horse’s bag of tricks. Our riders can handle anything. The proof is in the number of First Places and Reserve Champion prizes our show team kids bring home from local competitions.

We got to see some of their prowess at our home show on October 15. The kids impressed judge Hilary Hayward with clean jumps, elegant equitation, smooth transitions, and good sportsmanship. Serious and focused as they are, they showed their silly side for the costume event at the end of the show with everything from devils to butterflies in full costume for the grande finale.

It is amazing to watch these kids work their way up in just a few years from little britches, barely able to carry a saddle, to stylish equestrians winning blue ribbons over fences. We are proud of you, Team - Go Miwok!

 

Robin and Teddy’s Golden Parachuteteresa

On October 15 under overcast skies, we bade farewell to our two favorite pets, Robin and Teddy. A good crowd came to see the boys off with cake, mug shots and kisses. They are now happily settled at the McArthur’s ranch.

Anybody who has ever tried to drag Teddy past a growth of rich ripe grass or had the reins snapped out of their hands as Robin lunged for a bite beside the trail, will know how much these boys are loving the knee deep grass at their new home.

When we sent out invitations to riders who had loved them over the last twenty years, we got back some wonderful comments. Many told us Robin or Teddy was the first horse they ever rode, or the best horse they ever rode, and one Miwok alum said “Robin was the first horse I fell off of!” They taught generations of students, and we loved them for their boundless sweetness. May the brothers enjoy a long and happy retirement. They earned it.

 

Winter Comings and Goings
 Every winter we send some horses out to enjoy the freedom of pasture. Young ones, particularly, do better at liberty than confined to a small stall during the rainy season. So Uno, Zara and Gus have gone to Petaluma to winter out. Boarded horses, Spy and Bennie, have frecklesbeen retired to Petaluma – well earned after some thirty years of faithful service to their owners. And our beloved Robin and Teddy have gone out to a luxurious retirement with a family in Nicasio.

New at Miwok, a twelve-year-old appaloosa, aptly named Freckles, is already a favorite of the show team, with a sweet temperament, lots of jumping talent, and happy on the trail. Nobody can fill Robin and Teddy’s shoes, but Freckles is a good start.

 

Lead-line Is Back
 We are again offering Lead-line lessons for the little ones, ages 6,7 & 8. These half-hour private lessons are currently given on Saturday mornings - a great way to introduce the young child to horses. If you are interested, give us a call.

 

Winter Classes and Holidays
 Mark your calendars for the first day of winter session, beginning December 1. We will be closed Thanksgiving Day and the day after, November 24-25, and closed Christmas Eve and Day, and we have no kid’s Afterschool classes December 19-31.

Sign-ups now open for Winter; you can use the handy on-line form at MiwokStables.com, or see if you can catch us in the office. We might not be at the desk –after all, we’d rather be riding! Wouldn’t you?

 

Outreach

Chris

Chris rides Molly with the help of Christine and
Alice Steele in the MGH Cancer Unit Program.

 

Chris

We get attached to ourstudents. One of our favorite Outreach students from the Marin General Cancer Recovery Unit, Chris, embodied all the reasons we love to teach these brave ladies – she inspired us with her joyful attitude, humor, and courage.

Chris was in our 2010 MGH class, part of our ongoing Outreach Programs. She adored Molly with a passion, and Molly loved her, too. When she finished her course she hugged us all, kissed Molly on the nose, and we wished her well.

She came back few weeks ago, in a wheelchair, too frail to walk. She had her son and daughter bring her to Miwok for one more visit with Molly. She told me that her time here learning to ride was the best thing that happened to her in her whole life. Chris died a week later. We were privileged to know this great lady, and thankful that our horse Molly brought her joy.