Smokey's Smokin' News
Got a horse CRAZY kid? ~ We've got you covered!
Camps:
The 2010 summer camp dates have just been posted. Our camps have limited openings & fill up quickly so reserve your child's spot early.
This year we are offering 3 one-week sessions. The more sessions you sign up for the more money you save! Just click on the "Camps" page for more information.
P.A.L Program:
NEW AUTUMN PAL PROGRAM STARTING
Camps not enough? Well ok, we also just posted the dates of our next PAL session on the "Other Programs" page...
As well as a new "Day on the Farm" program through the P.A.L.
All children in grades Kindergarten - 8th are invited to join our fun 6 week program. The first class is our Kinder-Rider class and this is open to children in grades K-1st only. The class that follows is open to those in grade 2nd-8th. This program caters to children with little or no horse experience. Let your child explore the wonderful world of horses in a safe, fun, & friendly enviornment.
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 typically run late afternoon-the evening hours Monday-Friday, & and early morning through mid-day on Saturday. For more information please check out the "Lessons" page.
Rider's Club:
A nice addition to riding lessons is our FRRC (Fox Ridge Rider's Club). This club is open to all children taking lessons. We meet once per month to expand our horse knowledge beyond riding. All riders are invited to join the club at any time. It's fun learning about the horses that we love to ride!
Leasing:
Still not enough for your child? 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 half 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 get back to my workout... With so much fun stuff coming up, I need to shed these winter pounds and get ready for the kids!
See you soon everyone,
~Smokey
Horses for Sale:
We currently have 2 BEAUTIFUL horses for sale.
Please check our "Horses For Sale" page for more info on the following horses:
Sissy ~ SOLD
Buttercup ~ SALE PENDING
Camp News:
We were happy to have lots of old friends with us, as well as some new friends this year!
Session 1: Thanks for coming:
Tyler, Caleb, Gianna, Veronica, Julia, Emily S., Abby, Kendall, Avery, Cassady, Jamie, Emily G., Caytlyn, Kelana, & Louren
Session 2: Thanks for coming:
Emily S., Emily B., Phoebe, Lauren, Geena, Amimee, Marlena, Emily F., Renee, Montana, Dahlia, Kelana, Caroline, Veronica, & Julia
Session 3: Thanks for coming:
Selah, Angelica, Kaitlyn L., Kevin, Blake, Kaitlin T., Julia, Anna, Tessa, Carolyn, Veronica, Dahlia, Brandy, Emily N., & Cassidy
Thanks Amber, Katey, Erica, Julia, Kelly, & Casey for all your help with the camps. You guys truly helped to build wonderful memories for all the 2010 campers. THANK YOU!!!
New Horses:
FRF is so happy to have Ty & Abra back for a visit before the boys head off to college with their moms!
Best of luck to Amber & Nicole on their new journey, & as always we wish you many happy & safe miles with Ty & Abra!
Good luck:
Good luck Kayla & Jack as you prepare to head for the New Jersey State Fair this week. Kick some butt guys!!!
New Riders:
Welcome to the farm Catherine, Sage, Julia W., Marina, & Julia G.
Welcome back Katey, Kevin, & Marijoy!
Welcome also Sofia, Julia, Katrina, Jessica, Natalie, Hannah, Josie, Nicolette, & Abby to the wonderful world of horses! Smokey is looking forward to a little one on one time with you all! Welcome, welcome, welcome!
Dairy Queen Trail Ride:
Laurette & Corkey are busy planning a trail ride to Dairy Queen... YUM ~ YUM ~ YUM ~ Make mine a LARGE vanilla cone please & don't forget the rainbow sprinkles!
I'll post the details as I get them... in the meantime here's a picture of Mojo hanging out at Dairy Queen:
Hope to see you all there!
Mommy Lessons:
Fox Ridge Farm would like to offer all the moms of any child that rides here an opportunity to take lessons for the discounted price of $25.
We appreciate all the moms and the running they do for the kids. This is Smokey's way of saying "THANKS MOM"!
Rider Of The Month:
This month we honor Carly. Carly is a sweet girl & friend of the farm who is becoming a lovely rider. One of her best friends is Jingles! Carly has been working on perfecting her canter and has been jumping cross rails, verticals, and even combinations. Congratulations Carly my friend, on being rider of the month! Smokey loves you!
Horse Of The Month:
This month we would like to honor our good friend Hank! Hank is a little bay mini, cute as a button and friendly as can be! He belongs to Gabby Gunther who used to ride him when she was little. Hank is also apparently broke to drive as well. These days Hank hangs out, eats, and dazzles us with his charismatic personality and his insatiable appetite for cookies and snacks. Congratulations my little buddy on being horse of the month!
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:
Some Shout Outs:
Thank you Bud for going above and beyond to make this farm great! The horses and the riders love you and appreciate all your hard work!
Thank you Dr. Laurendeau 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!
Thank you Lorraine Smith (professional equine transporter 908-362-6029) for helping FRF by getting our beloved rescue horses here safely.
"To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die"
On December 23, 2009 we unexpectedly and unfairly had to say goodbye to our friend, Thor. The pain of his passing is indescribable. He was loved dearly and will be missed dearly by all who had the privilege of knowing him. Our farm will never be the same without him.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Chris & Gretchen, Thor's wonderful mom & dad.
Rest in peace Baby Huey
Shane:
Shane would like to thank the following people who graciously contributed to his recovery: Laurette, Al, & Kathleen,Merusi, Michelle & Ben Hoch, Christina & Rob Gerczak, Gretchen & Chris Sly, Elke & Uncle Jamie Gutierrez, Wendy & Cina Gabel, Allison, Paul & Gabby Gunther, Carol Templer, Denise Merusi, Donna Cerio, Laura Quigg, Manibel Arias, Janice Anderson, Kathryn Tracy, Margaret Tremain, Patricia Matteson, & Linda O
Thanks to those who didn't identify themselves and left cash bundled up w/ a little note that said "For Shane" and thanks to those who donated to me and wore ribbons for me at the Play Day on November 29th.
From the bottom of my heart thank you.
~Shane
Ok People... now you got it straight, straight from the horse's mouth that is!
I'm outta here,
~Smokey