2011
It seems as though there is never enough time to keep things updated! Blogs, websites, facebook, the list is endless. 2011 is more than halfway through. It's been a relatively quiet year with just a handful of events for the THF team. In June, we made the trek to Corvallis, Oregon to attend the Inavale Horse Trials. With just 2 horses in tow, this was the first event of the season for Izzy ("Cimply Spot On") and the second event of the season for Oliver ("Rendition"), with his owner in the irons. His owner Cynthia purchased Oliver last fall as a late 4yr old. He's a handsome grey Hungarian warmblood gelding that was unbroke to ride when he came to us. It has been a delight to watch his grow through the past year.

Both horses put in solid performances at Inavale with no jump faults to finish on their dressage scores! Izzy and I were 3rd in the Open Novice on a 28.3, while Cynthia and Oliver brought home the blue! A wonderful weekend.

Most recently, we attended the Woodside Summer HT (August 12-14th) with 4 horses. I rode Oliver in his first Novice where a solid dressage, a clean x-c, and just 2 rails in sj, put us 8th in a very competitive division. Fellow THF rider Catie, and her lovely mare, Mamma Mia (previously owned and trained by me) had a phenomenal dressage. A 26.5, a clean x-c, and just a handful of time penalties in stadium to finish 2nd in the Jr. Novice. A new eventer, Anne, competed in her first event with 3 solid phases in the Beg. Novice and finished 8th as well. Lastly, Jordan and her horse Everett were sadly forced to withdraw after the dressage due to a hot nail. Jordan and Everett have worked very hard this summer and I'm looking forward to their next event.

The next event on the schedule is Woodside in Oct, where I hope to finally get Izzy back out on the competition scene. Until then....
-Meg

October

I'm not sure how it is already October. Where did the summer go? 2010 has flown by! The summer has been spent teaching lessons and summer camps at California Riding Academy, a lesson program based out of the Portola Valley Training Center. I am teaching there for those students who do not own there own horses. In addition, I'm happy to report that I am teaching and training several clients at Portola Pastures. Please contact me for more information on lessons or training at either of these places or at any other facilities in the bay area. I am willing to travel!

The summer show season had it's ups and downs. I was fortunate enough to take my young horse, Izzy, to Inavale (Oregon), Rebecca Farm (Montana), and Woodside. We began the year with a 3rd place at Ram Tap in BN and finished the year with a 3rd place at Woodside in the TRAINING HORSE division! Needless to say, I am very proud of my young girl. Izzy is now enjoying a winter break in Washington state where she's in pasture with her mom and baby brother.

A big congratulations to all of my students for a great Fall Woodside. Becky and her mare were 3rd in their first ever event, Tricia and Somer 4th (also their first event), with Pam rounding out the BN in 5th, and Cynthia making her Novice debut with a clean x-c.

Additionally, Cynthia purchased a new horse just 2 weeks ago. A 4yr old Hungarian Warmblood who I'm very excited to work with. This young horse has only been ridden a handful of times so the winter will be spent establishing solid basics. He will be one to look for in the show ring next year.

Congratulations to all on a successful season.

- Meg

Clermont Equestrian Center!

Now offering lessons at Clermont Equestrian Center! They've got plenty of lesson horses and ponies plus summer camps and horses/ponies for lease. Covered arena, lights, mirrors, big paddocks, pasture and MORE! Very excited about this new opportunity!

Check it out www.clermontequest.com

General Updates...
Just a few quick notes on the happenings at Tally Ho Farms. Spring is well under way and while rain is in the forecast for tomorrow, it's already May and the Woodside Horse Trials are just around the corner.
THF took a trip the first weekend in May to Twin Rivers for a hunter/jumper show on Saturday, followed by x-c schooling on Sunday. All the horses and riders were great and there are plenty of pictures and videos posted on the Facebook page, be sure to check it out!
3 THF riders are entered in the Woodside HT, Inavale is less than a month after that, followed by Montana! I don't know where the time goes but I am excited about the new group of horses and riders and there is more in the works...
If anyone is looking for lessons, training, needs horses ridden, conditioned, you name it, contact me.
Enjoy the sun!
-Meg

Ram Tap Recap!

Izzy competed at her first event this weekend at Ram Tap in Fresno, Ca. Friday's dressage was better than I could ever have imagined. She was so relaxed and steady in all her gaits, gave me the best free walk to date, earning us several 8's in our test. We finished the dressage with a 33 to put us in 1st!
I was most worried about stadium, as Izzy has had very little arena jumping in her very short career. Leading up to the weekend we'd not even done a whole course. I was lucky enough to get some help from Heather Bailey (of Phoenix Farms) and she helped us both relax in the warm-up, giving Izzy lots of confidence. Once on course Izzy was all business. She never even looked at the fences! We had fence 3 down, got in a bit deep and I picked at her, taking her focus away. I should have just let her do her job :) The rail down dropped us to 3rd.
X-C came soon enough and Izzy happily galloped around the course like a champ. She thought nothing of the fences, went through the water bravely, and made the jumps all feel easy. The grin on my face could be seen for miles as I crossed the finished. I have finally brought along one of my own from birth to competition and couldn't be happier. Looking forward to a FUN summer of showing. I know Izzy will keep surprising me with how much she already knows.
- Meg

Rain?

Don't forget that this unseasonable wet weather can cause our horses to not drink enough water. Try adding electrolytes to their grain or give them a sloppy bran mash as a special treat. Be on the lookout for signs of colic!

Twin Rivers h/j show May 8th!

I'm going to the Twin h/j show on May 8th. May stay overnight for some x-c on Sunday. If anyone is interested in going or just needs a ride let me know! I have made a hotel reservation (just in case).

Conditioning!

There's a great article about conditioning in the latest issue of "Eventing" (USEA magazine). Check it out!

Ram Tap schooling April 17 and 18th

I'm going to Ram Tap for some much needed fun cross country schooling on April 17 & 18th. It feels as though this winter just won't end, I am so ready for a good gallop! I still have space in the trailer and am happy to trailer, teach, or offer training to anyone interested, contact me for more details/info and a special weekend pricing package! - Meg

California Trail Ride

Izzy and I hit the trail today with Tricia and her horse Somer. This was Izzy's first trail ride in California and she handled the bikes, hikers, dogs, and traffic like a pro. Looking forward to many more rides with good friends this summer!

"Just One More" aka Ian

Spending a few days at the farm. Bought grain, did some spring cleaning, and took a few minutes to play with my horses. Ian, aka "Just One More", my 2009 Formula One foal will be 1 on March 29th. He's certainly a typical boy, into everything, and follows his big sister around like she's the best thing since bran mashes!

Changes!

2010 has started off with a bang! Lots of winter training in Ocala, Fl, and then Aiken, S.C. Lucky doesn't even begin to describe how I feel for having had these opportunities. When I returned home in February, I realized that there were some key elements that weren't being focused on in my training program. With all of that in mind, I'm refocusing my business and will now be teaching/training from a variety of facilities, vs running my business exclusively from Stanford. I'm also going to do my best to update my blog on a more regular basis so please check back for updates soon! I'm excited for the 2010 season to begin. Be sure to look for "Cimply Spot On" in the show ring.

Sunny Florida!

I've been in Florida for 2 weeks now and the experience has been amazing to say the least. I've been very fortunate in my riding career to have a great support system, one that allows me to call upon old friends, no matter what. Eleven years ago, I worked for Cathy Wieschhoff in Lexington, Ky, as a working student. At the end of 2009 I felt the need to improve and refresh my own riding skills. I called Cathy and without hesitation she graciously offered for me to come to Florida for some winter training with her. Cathy trains from the beautiful Longwood Farm, located next to Karen and David O'Connors winter training facility. I've been spending my days helping care for Cathy's horses, getting lessons, galloping in the fields, and the best part, watching riders of the highest caliber take lessons. I'm looking forward to the Ocala Eventing clinics this week, which will be held at Longwood where Cathy is based. I feel so incredibly fortunate to have had this experience and am so glad I've got the best clients in the world who encouraged me to go and do this.

- Meg

FLORIDA!

2009 has been a year full of changes and challenges. While the horses and riders are all making progress, I've found myself wanting more. So after some long conversations and soul searching, I've found an opportunity to increase my own skills, as a rider and trainer. This winter I'll be taking some time for myself so that I can become a better rider and trainer. So that I can bring everyone up another level and so that I can refocus to help myself and those around me achieve their goals.

My flight has been booked and I'll be heading to Florida for 2 1/2 weeks of training with Cathy Wieschhoff and her trainers, Karen and David O'Connor. I am beyond excited to have this opportunity to ride with some of the best in the country. I'll be taking lessons, riding, watching, learning, and absorbing all that I can during my time there. I will be leaving January 18th, returning February 4th. Stay tuned for more updates and my Florida Blog! - Meg

It's been a busy year and the 2009 show season has finally come to an end. We finished the year off with a trip to the Ram Tap Championships in Fresno. Holly (riding Rigs) and Gill (on Cash) were both qualified for the Novice Championship class. Both riders put in competitive dressage tests, Holly with a 32.5 and Gill with a 35.5, however x-c day wasn't meant to be. Holly had a very good go until about 2/3 of the way around the course when a small down bank into the water surprised Rigs and they had a very uncharacteristic stop on course. Holly made a good recovery to finish with just the one stop. Holly did have a fabulous sj round on Sunday, but finished out of the ribbons. Cross country day never came to be for Gill and Cash, when Saturday morning Cash came out of his stall very lame. Luckily after some probing by the show vet, it was determined he had an abscess. So Cash was withdrawn before the fun even began. Look out for them next year!

The best part of the show was Bob riding his own Lady Claire. Despite a few minor spooks in the dressage, Bob rode Claire around x-c and stadium with determination to finish on their dressage score! This was their first recognized away event and the first time Bob has completed a recognized show. I am so proud of Bob!

The summary of the event is for me very indicitive of the way the year has gone. A pleasant surprise, a hiccup, and an unavoidable lamness. I am very much looking forward to 2010!

BOYD MARTIN CLINIC (Meg and Allison Hulme's "Georgie" tackle the corner during the Boyd Martin Clinic)

Tally Ho Farms hosted a clinic taught by Boyd Martin on July 4th and 5th focusing on stadium and cross country. The whole of the THF family is thankful for such an incredible opportunity to ride with one of the best in our sport. Despite a few unintended dismounts throughout the weekend, everybody had fun and we are all well on our way learning how to “ride better”. For more info on the clinic, visit Boyd's blog http://boydandsilvamartin.blogspot.com/

After an incredibly successful event, we spent an extra day at the farm letting the horses enjoy some well deserved down time.

Kelsey and Ian, June 2009. What color is he?

Izzy and Mia meetMy Washington Herd

Ian meets the THF girls, he gets all the girls! THF on the trail. Washington June 2009On the lake at our Farm

Alexa Wolf & Kalypso's Page WIN the T3D at Inavale!

I can't even begin to express just how prous I am of this pair, all the hard work has paid off in spades! Alexa and Kalypso not only took home the blue at this incredibly tough event, but also brought home a new saddle, piles of prizes, and the award for Best Conditioned Horse. Congratulations Alexa, you have finally learned to "Ride Better"

(Julie, Danielle and Meg hanging out in the tent at Inavale)

Inavale Horse Trials:
Four THF riders and horses traveled some 600 miles to Oregon for the Inavale Horse Trials. This was THF’s first time at this event and the facility and the competition certainly did not disappoint!

Emily had a last minute swap of horses due to her horse’s sudden lameness. Having only ridden Mia the night prior to leaving, Emily stunned us all by pulling through and taking Mia around her first novice. The pair scored a respectable 34.5 in dressage, made it around a large novice course despite a couple stops, and finished the event with a double clear stadium. She couldn’t have done better. Way to go, Emily!
Holly and Rigs put in a good test, earning a 35.5 in dressage. Holly’s riding is really starting to move into a new level. They got around cross country double clear and made it look easy. The pair put in a double clear stadium round to move them up to a second place finish in her novice division.
Alexa and Kalypso also rose to the occasion in the training half star. Alexa earned a 32.5 to put them in 4th out of a HUGE field of riders including several professionals and also earned an 8 on rider in her collective marks. She rode aggressively around the entire cross country course with just 0.8 time penalties to move them into 3rd. After being double checked by the vets in the 10 minute box for an unusually low temperature, Kalypso was cleared to return to his stall. The following day, Alexa rode a double clear stadium to move them into first place. In addition to winning the half star, Kalypso was awarded for being the best conditioned horse.
Danielle and Ash rounded out the THF group with some awesome riding. Danielle has been working really hard on the flat with Ash and the work is beginning to pay off. While their score was a 43.3, she nailed her halt and rein back and the quality of all the gaits has been so greatly improved. The x-c course was big, sharing many of the fences with intermediate. Danielle and Ash attacked the course, skipping around double clear! They have moved up 9 places to put them into 5th. Danielle was one of only a couple riders out of all the preliminary divisions to finish cross country without any time penalties! She and Ash put in a double clear stadium to finish in fourth.

Danielle and "Fen Cera" 4th, JYOP

Holly and "Ragazzo", 2nd Jr. Novice B

Emily and "Mamma Mia" THF Superstars, Jr. Novice A

Inavale Final Results
1st – Alexa and Kalypso’s Page, Training ½ Star and Winner of Best Conditioned Horse
2nd- Holly and Ragazzo, Junior Novice B
4th – Danielle and Fen Cera, Young Rider Open Preliminary
THF Super Heroes! - Emily and Mamma Mia, Junior Novice A

Meg and Claire Alexa and Kalypso Danielle and Elmer

Danielle and Ash