News from the Southlands, May 2021
Executive Director’s Note
Oh wow: it felt as though deep summer hit the Hudson Valley in May! On the first day it hit 90, Southlands hosted the first of its four Wednesday afternoon Summer Schooling Jumper competitions. What an enjoyable afternoon!
Local event and jumper trainers brought young horses and clients new to the jumpers for mileage and lighthearted competition. It was great to see some old friends and new faces. Michele and Jonathan designed some really fun courses.
The overall helpful, easygoing nature of this crowd was evident in the cheering and clapping for all riders and the assistance with course adjustments. We look forward to a busier day on June 16; hopefully more clients will be able to take part as it is near the end of the school year.
FROM OUR TRAINERS
The month of May provided us with a nice start to the 2021 show season. We had a couple of kids compete at the Welwyn Farm HVHJA show on the 1st and quite a few kids and adults joined in at the HVHJA show at Southlands on May 9. We’re looking to add some more opportunities over the summer to attend shows at some of our local venues, such as Old Salem Farm, in North Salem, NY, Gardnertown Farm, in Newburgh, NY, and the HITS circuit, in Saugerties, NY. Stay tuned for announcements, which will appear on the bulletin board that is just outside of the office at TSF.
While showing is small part of what we do at Southlands, it’s a fun and exciting way for our riders to gain valuable experience with their mounts in and out of the saddle, work together as a team and showcase all of the hardwork that our riders put into their lessons. As trainers, Jonathan and I always encourage our riders to view showing as a chance to learn, grow their skills and above all have a good time. Showing is meant to be fun!
This month has also given TSF a chance to open up the program to more riders, due to the reduction of Covid restrictions. We’ve had lots of new riders take their very first riding lessons. That’s really exciting! Watching a new rider interact with their horse or pony, learn how to steer and post to the trot for the very first time is really special. We’re so happy to be able to provide this service again.
The much revered “Mommy & Me” program began this May after a year long hiatus, too. Five tiny tots and their parents have been really enjoying this special program held on Tuesday mornings, with Ashley Capalbo and Madeline Berg at the helm doing a spectacular job. Tish Tagliaferri has joined our team as an instructor, specializing in beginning riders and we welcome her to the program.
For all of our riders, beginner to advanced, our goal as teachers is to hone their skills in the saddle to “Make the difficult habitual, make the habitual easy, make the easy beautiful,” to quote Stanislavski. Happy Spring, everyone!
From The Board
Vassar College students learn about Southlands
Southlands hosted a field trip for Vassar College on May 14th. The class on the nomadic cultures of Central Asia wanted to see horses in their local habitat up close. Susie Williams filled them in on Southlands’ history and mission, and along with board members Michele Tugade and Eve D'Ambra, demonstrated grooming, hand-walking, and the art of being with horses.
Professor Jin Xu and his students came away with a sense of great respect for horses and their riders, which helps them to understand the sweep of history along the fabled Silk Road. There was even a surprise visitor: a rider from a local barn who is Mongolian and grew up with a herd of ponies on the steppes! We hope to host more groups like this in the coming year.
Southlands Community Survey: You spoke, we listened
Thank you for your survey responses. We hear you, and we are working on improvements in facilities and services.
Some immediate things to look out for: upcoming volunteer and volunteer educational opportunities, and a new adult beginner school horse. Much more is coming soon! Look out for an invitation from Allison for a volunteer orientation meeting and June volunteer weekends.
We have already started some barn spring cleaning. The stall fans have been cleaned, the east side stall windows have been washed and we are always trying to catch up with the cobwebs. The initial trail clearing has been completed and soon we will be looking for some weekend volunteers to help do the finishing touches so that anyone who can ride out will be able to do so.
The Dows Family and Life at FoxHollow Farms — Lecture by David Byars
David Byars gave a wonderful presentation, “The Dows Family and Foxhollow Farm,” and spoke of the rich history of the Dows family. Byars shared stories of the young Deborah Dows, her travels with her family, and photographs were shared that provided a rich narrative, leading to what we know today as The Southlands Foundation. This event was hosted by the Rhinebeck Historical Society. In case you missed the May 21 presentation, you can watch it here.