Smokey's Smokin' News
The weather outside is frightful... Actually, the horses & humans have been enjoying some very mild weather on the farm lately! However, I am sure the snow & the cold is just around the corner! Thank goodness for our cozy indoor! My buddies can keep up with their lessons all winter to be ready for spring & summer horse shows! Hoo-Ray!
Of course when you come for your lessons, don't forget to bring some candy canes for your good friend Smokey! Yum Yum... candy canes are one of my favorite things about winter!
Hay, speaking of my favorite things... something else that's a favorite of mine is coming up on Sunday, December 4th! Our last "Day On The Farm".... (also known around here as a Mini-Camp) of 2011! I hope that all my friends can make it out to visit me that day. We're going with a Christmas theme this time around... We'll be making Christmas ornaments for our craft project and we'll be sippin' hot chocolate too!
Ah, Christmas, Smokey's favorite time of year! The time when we celebrate giving because of God's most special gift to us! Smokey wants everyone to remember the real meaning of Christmas and to keep Jesus in their hearts all year through!
I also want to take a moment to wish all my friends a very, very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy, properous new year!
May 2012 be the best year ever for everyone!
OK... here's your news:
Got a horse-CRAZY kid? We've got you covered!
Camps:
The 2012 summer camp dates are posted & spaces are already limited. Our camps have limited openings & fill up quickly so reserve your child's spot early.
This year we are offering 3 fun-filled day camp sessions and 1 super spectacular sleep-away camp session! Just click on the "Camps" page for more information.
P.A.L. Program:
Camps not enough? Well ok, we also just posted the dates of our next P.A.L. session on the "Other Programs" page.
All children in grades K-8 are invited to join our fun 6-week program. The first class is our Kinder-Rider class which is open to children in grades K-1. The class that follows is open to those in grade 2-8. Both classes cater to children with little or no horse experience. Let your child explore the wonderful world of horses in a safe, fun, & friendly enviornment.
Day On The Farm:
Don't forget to also check out the PAL "Day On The Farm" program. Information is on the "Other Programs" page. Children come for 6 full hours of non-stop horsey fun, including riding lessons! This program is suitable for both beginners & experienced riders.
Our last "Day On The Farm" for 2011 will be on December 4th!
REGISTER EARLY~SPACES ARE LIMITED!
Riding Lessons:
More you say... OK, well don't forget about our riding lessons too. Lessons run all year round; our indoor riding ring ensures that even the weather can't stop us! Both private & group lessons are offered 7 days per week. Children & adults welcome! English & western riders welcome! For more information please check out the "Lessons" page.
Leasing:
Still not enough? For the rider that really can't get enough we also offer leases. This is the perfect way to have a horse without the commitment of owning one. When you lease one of our amazing horses, you'll have exclusive use of that horse in all of your lessons. You are also guaranteed use of that horse in any camps sessions you sign up for, or in any shows we attend. Leases are not limited to the child rider, adults may lease horses too!
Owning:
If all of that isn't enough, Fox Ridge Farm will happily assist you in finding & purchasing a horse of your very own. We love bringing horses & families together. Many times we have free or very low cost horses available... just call the farm at (973)-764-2445 to see if your new best friend is here right now.
OK, well I better run... With so much fun stuff coming up, I need to get ready for the kids!
See you soon everyone,
~Smokey
Friend Us
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Please "friend" us to keep up with the lastest farm happenings!
Just click this link: www.facebook.com/foxridgefarm
Gift Certificates
Looking for the perfect gift for the horse lover in your life?
Well, look no further!
Fox Ridge Farm gift certificates can be purchased in any amount and can be redeemed for lessons, leases, camps, & shows!
New 4-H Club
Our very first 4-H club meeting will be on Wednesday, November 30th at 6:30. Everyone is welcome! Please RSVP so we know about how many will be joining us! If you sign up for our club by January 1st, you can show 4-H with us at the NJ State Fair in August! We look forward to lots of members and a fun year of learning & showing!
New Riders
Welcome to the farm: Briana, Mia, Sam, Kateri, Luke, & Bennen! Welcome back: Dahlia, Angelina, & Christine! Welcome also Nina, Megan, Skylar, Kaya, Isabel, Mikayla, Brittany, Sophie, Abigail, Eitan & Alexander to the wonderful world of horses! Smokey is looking forward to a little one on one time with you all! Welcome, welcome, welcome!
Rider Of The Month
This month we honor Christine Miller. Christine rode with us & even showed with us a leadline rider a couple of years ago. We are thrilled to have her back! She learned her diagonals quickly and has just started cantering! We're so proud of you Christine! Congratulations my friend, on being rider of the month! Smokey loves you!
Horse Of The Month
I am happy to report that after careful consideration, the horses here have voted that Romeo should be named "Horse of the Month" (even though he ripped my purple blanket). Romeo, though fairly new to our lesson program, has quickly become the favorite mount of many! He is a great little guy, who has captured the hearts of our smallest & newest riders! He's slow & steady and does a great job taking care of everyone! If ever a horse deserved the title of "babysitter", this horse does! Not only does he do his job well, but he loves all the little girls who giggle & squeal with delight when they find out that they are riding Romeo in their lesson! Congratulations to Romeo, our horse of the month & our friend.
Fun Stuff
Our Painting Pony
Fox Ridge Farm's very own Prince can hold a paintbrush in his teeth and create beautiful pony masterpieces. The real kicker here is that he also picks his own colors, opens the lids on the paints, and will refuse to paint once he thinks a painting is complete. It's pretty amazing, talk about natural talent, it reminds me of my sliding stops from back in the day... but I digress... Prince prefers wooden handled brushes and will bite down and break ones with plastic handles or throw them on the floor.
Prince's paintings are on display in the barn kitchen, for now that is. Soon the Museum of Modern Art will be banging down his stall door... especially since we all saw him in the November, 2008 issue of HORSE NEWS. We were delighted when HORSE NEWS featured his paintings and wrote about his unique talent.
Prince LOVES showing off for all the children that join us for summer camp! Every Friday we gather around and watch him paint! Each child will take home some pony art made especially for them by Prince.
Here are some pictures of the little man in action:
Choosing his colors
Opening the paint
Creating another masterpiece
Showing off his work
Hot Off The Press
Finally, Prince can stop his bragging... He's not the only one that got into HORSE NEWS. Has everyone seen this issue? Our very own Thor and Lily are superstars! They're on the cover!
How cool is this:
Trail Ride To The Lake
Shout Outs
Trail Ride To The LakeThank you Foley Signs for your support of our rescue horses. Your kindness & generosity is a blessing & truly makes a difference in the lives of the horses we've helped & enables us to keep on helping. Thank you!
Thank you Phoebe for helping Sugar along in his rehab!
Thank you Emily & Emma for keeping the "girls" going for us!
Thank you Taylor for always being the first one to offer help around the farm!
Thank you Dr. Colquhoun for being our farm vet. You loving care of our babies is appreciated. Knowing that you oversee their health puts our minds at ease. The horses here feel great and look wonderful!
Thank you Kenny Leonard for being our farm farrier. Your expertise and perfection in your craft is simply not matched by anyone else. Our horses are grateful that their feet are happy and we are grateful that you're our good friend!
Ok People... now you got it straight, straight from the horse's mouth that is!
I'm outta here,
~Smokey