Walkin' in a Winter Wonderland...

Who said horseback riding was just a fair weather sport? Not Alicia and Jess. They used the new powder to take Button and Jay out for a spin to make new tracks.

Aren't They Cute as a "Button"?

Fox Brook Farm Bed and Breakfast welcomes Alicia Weisman and her mare Button as its newest boarders. Those of you following the Oakrise jumping series will remember pictures of Alicia and Button flying around the course and jumping to the sky. You will see them betwixed and between the two farms. Say hello.

Mack Hill Fall Show 2008 is a Huge Hit

The Mack Hill students really put on a show for all of the spectators today. Through 20 classes, the students competed with their best efforts. And was it impressive. Pictured from left to right are the Champions (red and blue rosette) and Reserve Champions (red and yellow rosette) for the day (Krista, Anna, Lauren, Katie, Libby, Julia, Emme, Emma and Charlotte). Congratulations to all who competed. Many thanks to the parents who helped with critical activities all day long. We had fun and we hope you did too.

For pictures of the day click here

Look Who Is Learning To Jump... QT

Our western pleasure star-- Just Call Me QT ("QT")-- is on to new things.  This dead broke push button Palomino Quarter Horse was showing signs of boredom with his regular routine.  So, we tried something new.  Hitting the rails.  Much to our surprise, he is a willing jumper who is eager to please and learn.  While it may be true that old dogs don't learn new tricks, this horse is.  Stay tuned for updated on how he progresses.

Oak Rise Jumping Show-August 2008

Another great day for the Mack Hill Riders at the final Oak Rise jumping show for the season.  Click here for pictures of the day 

Here Jess S. takes Liam over the rails

Mack Hill's New Project-- Jilly May

Jilly May has just arrived from down south.  She is a three year old blue roan registered paint from the bayou of Louisiana.  She is an imprint foal which makes her very comfortable around people.  Make sure you pay this little sweetheart a visit.

Hello Liam

Mack Hill welcomes Sophisticated Impulse ("Liam")(Ridden here by working student Shanna).  He is a a 16.2 hand 7 year old liver chestnut quarter horse.  He is a cousin of Lee sharing Barpasser as a grandfather.   Liam is a hunter under saddle with a long and low trot.  He is a kind and gentle guy who has been learning to hit the fences.  Make sure you check him out when you are next at the farm.

Say hi to Treyburn

Treyburn is a 17.1 hand quarter horse appendix currently on trial from Townsends Training Farm. This gentle giant jumps 3'6" and has a fluid hunter under saddle stride. He will be in contention in any show he enters. Come watch this big boy float around the ring.

Do You Have a License For That Thing?

That Tommy is a working horse.  Here, Katie and Scott are taking him for a spin to check out all of the lessons he learned during his 3 months in Amish Country, Pa.  A huge Mack Hill "Thanks" to Craig and Kelly MacCorquodale who have helped us in too many ways to list as we take on this new challenge.  

We Got Us a Princess....

Mack Hill welcomes Fancy S'mancy a/k/a "Princess" who is on trial at Mack Hill for the next two weeks.  She is 16.2 hands and double registered as a Paint and Pinto. She is 11 years old and ready to start jumping.  Her owner bought her from Townsends Training Farm and showed her in both English and Western classes in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.  Those who have ridden her already say that she "floats" through her gaits and is a very comfortable ride.   And she is a looker... 

What Color is Chexy?

Many have asked "what color is Chexy?" Well, the answer is grulla (or sometimes spelled grullo). Grulla, which is pronounced "grew-ya", has the following characteristics.  The body is slate colored (bluish gray as the blue heron) from light blue gray to  brown-ish shade.  Points and dun factor markings are black. A dorsal stripe is required.  The word grulla is Spanish and I am told translates in English to "crane."  Indeed, when Chexy gets a bath, his blue coloring shines through.  Some have stated that the grulla coloring is the rarest of all horse body coat colors.  Chexy seems to know this by the way he proudly prances around the show ring like he is "somethin' else." What a ham.   

    

Look Whose Coming Home!

This week we heard from Theresa Connolly who is finishing up her first year of college in Colorado.  She will be back at Mack Hill teaching lessons for the summer.  Maybe she will compete in a show or two as well.  We have missed her smiling face, infectious laugh and wicked sarcasm.  She will be back just in time to put us all back in our place.   (Theresa riding Tucker in the Barn Fund Series in New Boston last summer)

Is Western Your Pleasure?

With the new Souhegan Riders english/hunter team officially launched, some have asked if a western team will follow. Instructor Jess Ellia is willing to coach a western team if there is sufficient interest. The team would be open to middle and high school students from around the Souhegan Valley. In addition to training session with coach Jess, the team would compete in at least one show over the summer. Please let us know by email (info@mackhill.net) whether you would like to participate in a western team if one is organized. Alternatively, please let us know if you would like to participate in any of the upcoming western shows that Mack Hill will be attending. (Coach Jess on Chip at the Barn Fund Series in New Boston)

Look at that Cowgirl Ride.....

This is none other than barn manager and western instructor Gabe Senter taking Dawson through his paces up the front pasture at Mack Hill. Those two were moving!  For more pictures of these two flying around the property, click here.

"Cash" Check or Charge...

"Cash" is a 7 year old 15.3 hand bay quarter horse.  We brought him here to be an all around show horse for daughter Katie.  She had different plans and has fallen back in love with Chexy. So Cash has become one of the stars for the Souhegan Riders team.  Here, one of our working students, Liz from Massachusetts, is showing off Cash's long legs.  He is another gem from Townsends Training Farm. 

He Wants to "Blaze" a New Trail

Blazing into 2000, or "Blaze", is an 8 year old 16 hand red dun quarter horse.  He has been part of the lesson program at Mack Hill since we opened.  He is a forward mover with a real hunter style.  As much as we would like him to be a slow-moving head down western pleasure horse, he much prefers being an english boy.   Here, Mack Hill Student Meghan Farley of Amherst, shows us why.  

"Elvis" is in the building....

Elvis is 4 1/2 year old Welsh pony cross.  He stands at 14.1 but wants to jump to the sky.  Given his young age, we are slowly building his jumping capabilities.  Here, Cassie Farley of Amherst (top) and Alex Torcia of Bedford (bottom) is taking him through some jumps.  He is a super cute mover and his colors make him a standout in the ring.  We have high hopes for his prospects in the show ring.

He's Back.....

Mack Hill welcomes back our Clydesdale, Tommy.  He is a 16.2 hand 11 year old behemoth of a horse.  For the past several months he has been in Amish Country Pennsylvania learning how to be a road safe driving horse.  His work down there is clear because he has returned a muscle bound buff stud (well, he is still a gelding)!   One question: What happened to his tail?  Those Amish are tough.  Our thanks to our friends Kelly and Craig MacCorquodale who brought him safely to and from Pa for his training.  Reports to follow as we see his driving skill first hand. (Instructors Lauren Smith riding Tommy and Mercy Zaveri)

Bye Bye Bailey

Mack Hill says goodbye to our favorite Hafflinger, Bailey. He is off to his new home in New Boston where he is retiring from giving lessons and will be spoiled by one rider. Thanks for the memories, old friend.