News from the Southlands, April 2021
Executive Director’s Note
Spring has sprung at Southlands! Even with the fluctuating temperatures it has been a joy to ride outside a bit, enjoy the sunshine and see the beautiful flowers and animals. April always starts our busier activities. We are looking forward to seeing our patient community members who have been waiting for better weather to return to riding. Please call Sarah in the office to schedule your lessons as the weather starts to stabilize. We thank you again for your patience and look forward to seeing you soon!
As we can spend more time outside and more people complete the vaccine series we are starting to loosen some of the COVID protocols. If you are a regular client, have completed your vaccines and do not need to spend any time in the office, you may bypass temperature and pulse ox readings. Anyone who has not had their vaccines must still swing by the office to have their temperature checked.
Please remember that you must still wear a mask in the barn and social distance. If you are outside and can social distance you may be maskless. Please have a mask with you, in case you cannot social distance. You may choose to ride without a mask when riding outside. We leave the choice up to you. Thank you for working to keep our community safe and healthy.
FROM OUR TRAINERS
Over the last couple of weeks, it’s finally beginning to really look and feel like spring at Southlands. We were able to set a full course of jumps in the big ring early on in the month, which was pretty exciting for all of our riders (not the mention the horses and ponies!). The daffodils are blooming in and around the locust grove, and the forsythia bushes and flowering trees are positively exploding. The grass on the farm has turned a lush, verdant green, which is a most welcome sight after a harsh winter of bitterly cold weather. Anyone involved with TSF should take a minute to walk down by the pond, pause and listen to the multitudes of birds singing. Their chorus is sending out one message: we’re back!
Jonathan and I have begun organizing our plans toward the upcoming schooling jumper series, show season, trail rides, expanding the lesson program and Pony Camp. There’s a lot of stuff going on in the upcoming month, and it’s wonderful to look ahead to a busy calendar. I expect the trails will need some clean-up after the winter, so if anyone is interested in volunteering to help we can organize an afternoon or morning to zip through and get them in order for another full season of enjoyment. Last year thanks to the cleanup efforts of Ron Hill, Nancy Strohsahl, Manuel and Wicho we were able to take many people out into the rolling countryside to enjoy riding outside of the confines of an arena, and it was a blast!
From The Board
Women’s History Month with Liza Donnelly
Celebrated illustrator, visual journalist, and Southlands alum, Liza Donnelly (The New Yorker Magazine, CNN, CBS News) was the special guest for our Women’s History Month Southlands celebration. During her “live drawing” session, Liza discussed the many ways that riding horses can build confidence and courage to pursue one’s own passions. Indeed, in her own life, she broke barriers at a time when there were few female cartoonists and journalists. Today, she continues to inspire women and girls to use their voices for equality and justice.
Southlands members from all generations gathered to celebrate the legacy of Mrs. Dows. Guests shared stories of their days at Southlands, as well as important lessons taught by Mrs. Dows and their beloved mounts - especially the infamous “Billings” who was known to always jump out of his paddocks; when he became too old to do that, he was eventually allowed to roam free on the property!
Through Liza Donnelly’s generosity, prints of her Southlands illustration as well as “Billings” t-shirts will soon be available for purchase at her website, with proceeds donated to The Southlands Foundation.
Sunflower Market — Change for Change
Southlands has been selected to be the featured non-for-profit organization for the Sunflower Market “Change for Change” program. Sunflower is a natural foods market that offers healthy and organic products to the Hudson Valley. During the entire month of May, remember to “round up” your purchase, and make a donation to Southlands! Both Southlands and Sunflower share the same community values focused on respect for the land to promote personal well-being and environmental sustainability.
Look for the Southlands information table at Sunflower on Memorial Day weekend. Be sure to tell your friends to shop at Sunflower during the month of May, and help spread the word about Southlands to members of our local community and to Hudson Valley visitors.
The Dows Family and Life at FoxHollow Farms — Lecture by David Byars
Join us for a wonderful event and learn about our Southlands family history and where it all began! David Byars, author of Our Time at Fox Hollow Farm will share a photo-diary of Tracy Dows and his family during their 30 years at Foxhollow Farm in Rhinebeck. The “south lands” of Foxhollow Farm was inherited by Mrs. Dows, and is what we know today as The Southlands Foundation.
Byars will showcase photos and stories that feature the extraordinary lives of the Dows family and events of the early 20th century. Mark your calendars: Friday, May 21, 2021, at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom. Stay tuned for the Zoom link in upcoming emails and postings. This event is free and open to the public. Hosted by the Rhinebeck Historical Society.