News from the Southlands, March 2021
Executive Director’s Note
AH! We got a hint of spring and thoughts immediately go to outside activities like horseshows! The Southlands Calendar of shows and clinics has been updated. You can find it here.
We are planning to host three Hunter/Jumper shows and three Dressage and Combined Training shows. There is a Stephen Hayes Dressage clinic scheduled as well. Michele, Jonathan and I are looking into some other exciting opportunities: we will be in need of some young, enthusiastic, strong help to pull it off. If you think you can help out on some Wednesday afternoons and evenings in May, June, July and August, please reach out to Jonathan, Michele or me.
Speaking of volunteer opportunities, Southlands is looking to hold some volunteer trainings sessions. We will gear them toward our needs and your interest as members! Please be sure to indicate on the survey you will see at the end of this newsletter, what you may be interested in.
Around the Barn
Congratulations to Jax and family on their lease of Berry: Hiya y’all! My name is Berry (short for Burberry, although some say my official name is Goodfella, which I don't like). Although I am sure you guys know me since I am already famous around here, I just recently came here from another barn. Let me just tell you, this place is heaven. And get this: I even get a cute mare in the stall next to me! Her name is Feera. I don’t know much about her — but I think she’s cute! I am originally from Rhode Island, specifically a barn called Hunter Ridge. It was really nice but I was kept outside most of the time, and now, in Southlands, I get a very lush stall, and I still get to go outside for turnout. I also get to have mirrors in the indoor ring! When I first arrived and Michele let me run around the indoor ring, I just had to constantly look at myself. No one ever told me how handsome I actually was!
Sometimes I get frisky when I haven’t been ridden in a while. Whenever I decide to be frisky Michele makes me run around the ring. And man! It’s a workout! I like my rider, but she lovessss going super-fast and that can get tiring! Especially when it's literally 10:00 in the morning! Well that's all about me — now about my rider Jax. I think she really loves me since she’s constantly trying to hug me, and I think we have really good chemistry! I really like the way we are bonding! If you want to stop by my stall and give me treats I would love that! My favorites are peppermints, apples, and carrots — and don’t get in the way of my feed bucket!
FROM OUR TRAINERS
The big topic of discussion with our riders lately has been “when are we going to be riding outside?” This is the time of year where everyone is antsy to get out of the confines of the indoor ring. Last week gave us some gorgeous, spring-like days with temperatures high enough to finally melt the significant amount of snow that was coating the vast fields of Southlands. Many riders took advantage of the spring-like temperatures to take a much needed stroll down South Barn road. Both outdoor arenas are now free of snow, with the dressage arena in full use for flatwork, weather permitting.
Riding outside after a long winter of being cooped up in the indoor is a very liberating experience. Jonathan taught a few flat lessons outside last week, and I did a flat lesson with a couple of my pony riders over the weekend. One of the children exclaimed, “It just feels so good to be out riding under the sky again!”. I can verify that it feels just as good to be teaching under the sky again! Of course, with all of the melting snow and warmer temperatures comes the inevitable MUD season. Our horses seem to delight in rolling in the deepest, wettest portions of their paddocks. A few of them come in so covered in dried mud that one can only stop and stare…it can be quite impressive! So come to your lesson and ride times prepared to do a little bit of extra currying and shedding of dried mud and hair. Cheers to daylight savings and more spring-like temperatures!
From The Board
This month we celebrate Women's History Month, and our founder, the indomitable Deborah Dows. She was born in 1914, five years before women received the right to vote in the United States and at the cusp of the first world war. The role of women was changing and Deborah Dows from an early age was at the forefront of this re-imagining.
Born into great privilege and storied Hudson Valley lineage, she nonetheless was a pragmatist. She watched as the stock market crash of 1929 slowly eroded her family’s fortunes, until most of the land her father had accumulated was sold off. Deborah Dows was determined to re-establish herself and was able to buy back the South Land of her family’s original acreage which she, on her own in the 1930s and 1940s, grew into a respected horse stable, breeding horses and teaching horsemanship to young and old, from all economic strata. Though women at that time did not enjoy the same rights as men, Deborah Dows never let her dream waver. She believed that taking care of animals and the land would make the world a better place. And she continued to build Southlands’ programs and reputation.
In the 1980s, she solidified her vision by first creating an easement on her land working with Scenic Hudson. Then she incorporated as a not for profit organization so that Southlands could continue to bring joy and inspiration long after she was gone. We celebrate Deborah Dows this month, and every month, for the gifts she continues to give us. We ask you to share your stories and pictures with us at info@southlands.com. We are currently beginning to work on a middle-grade book about Deborah Dows. If you are interested in helping in this effort please let us know.
Fun Feedback
The Southlands board and staff are eager to know how our community engages with the school horses, the programs, and the land Mrs. Dows bequeathed to future generations. As we move into Spring and out-of-doors, we want to know what brings you to Southlands and how we can enhance your experience.
Below is a link to a survey that we ask you take a few minutes to respond to. We will make the results available and use the information for better planning in the future. We look forward to hearing from you. Please click here to participate in our survey.
We are asking that no one under the age of 18 answer individually; please ask your parents to help you fill it out!