Latest News
Summer 2010
posted by Huxley: Thursday, June 8th at 9:35am
After a long hard winter, summer has finally arrived! Spring was a bumpy ride, but there is lots to look forward to this summer and fall. Vesuvian just made his first debut at Millington CT, hosted through Virginia Horse Trials and Brian and Penny Ross. It was a good outting, with a few green horse moments! Emmy is currently recovering from an injury, but will hopefully be back to work in the next month or so. Octavian is enjoying his new career path as a potential show jumper. We're all working very hard! Perhaps the most exciting news is that of current construction of a few cross country fences and a bank complex. Pictures coming soon! For more detailed news, please check the blog. Happy summer! :)
Winter 2009/2010
posted by Huxley: Thursday, January 7th at 9:00am
After a brief vacation this fall, everyone is back to work. Unfortunately, the weather here in Virginia has been difficult to deal with, we got a huge snow storm a week before Christmas, and we still have snow on the ground, with a forecast of more to come. However, everyone is doing well. Emmy is now under saddle and is a joy to work with. Vesuvian is coming along well and Octavian seems happy to be back from vacation. I'm currently in the process of updating and rearranging a few things on the site, so please be patient if anything is funky. Check the blog for more recent news!
"Octavian is accepted."
posted by Christy: Wednesday July 23 at 5:20pm
Octavian and Huxley trotted through the rain and mud and... were accepted. They were selected to be part of the team and so will go on to represent Area II on Friday, Saturday and Sunday! Though the rain and chill were relentless, all the Area II horses and riders made it through the inspection. They all looked fabulous.
Huxley actually had her ears pierced last week during camp because the team had decided they all wanted to wear pearls during dressage. Just before the jog, I went over to the barn and we got the hoops out of her ears and slipped the pearls in. Then out into the rain they headed. Eventers are nuts. They buy new clothes to wear straight out into the mud. Speaking of which about two weeks ago she brought a new fly sheet home for Octavian and wanted me to look at it. I whipped it out and tossed it over my head to see if it was comfortable and breathable. Huxley glared at me and told me she wasn't quite ready to mess it up. Like I was going to get it filthy. Five minutes later she was out in the barn trying it on Octavian, who actively seeks to coat himself in mud.
I'll post more on Friday after Dressage. For now, I won't bother telling
you any more about the weather. It's better if you see for yourself!
NAJYRC - "Getting Lucky in Kentucky"
posted by Christy: Wednesday, July 22nd
Wow. It's amazing. I thought this week would never get here! So much effort by so many people and from so many directions went into getting Huxley and Octavian to this point. It has been a long road to finally arrive here... and it is also a beginning in its own. Huxley, Octavian, and the rest of the Area II folks at Kentucky Horse Park Monday afternoon after having spent the whole previous week with the rest of the Area II young riders, horses, and coaches. When we got to the barn there was a long line of trailers and, though it had been a long trip, Octavian still had to wait a bit before we could unload him. As is his style, he knocked on the door a few times to let us know this aimless standing was uncalled for. The bustle and business was unlike any event we had been to, as there were trucks, trailers, trunks, people, dogs, saddles, bridles, boots, hay. Everywhere! Despite the raucus, Octavian was none the worse for the wear.
During training camp last week all the riders came up with nicknames for each other. Huxley's is Chariot. They also coined their slogan for this week... "Getting lucky in Kentucky", which has shown up on t-shirts along with their nicknames on the back!
Yesterday Huxley had a lesson with David O'Brien and they got to go in the grandstand. I talked to David and he said Octavian came into the arena, looked around, and puffed up really big and proud. Huxley has been super happy with Octavian and says she has come away from all of her lessons with David having learned so much each time.
I just dropped Huxley off at the barn and she will have another lesson at 11:45 which I plan to watch. I had planned to take pictures, but it is raining a bit - we'll see how it goes and I will try to post pictures tomorrow later.
The ever anxiety provoking jog will be between 3 and 5 this afternoon and all the area II riders went shopping together last week and bought matching dresses. Huxley also had her ears pierced so she can wear pearls for the jog and her dressage test.
Interestingly, as much time as we are spending here, everything is still encompassed by a lot of rushing around! Kentucky Horse Park is huge and beautiful and there is a lot of running time.
Update: June 26, 2009
After months of work and weeks of waiting... just got the news! Huxley and Octavian were selected to be part of the Area II Young Riders and they're going to Kentucky to compete in the NAJYRC CCI* July 22-26. Congratulations to Huxley and Octavian for their achievement and thank you to the many generous donors who pulled together to help her raise money for the team! There is much excitement around the barn.
Octavian enjoyed a celebratory apple and many carrots when he was officially informed. Huxley started searching for a shadbelly, top hat, and dress boots. They are a beautiful pair!
Updates: May 2009
- Huxley and Octavian are looking much better on the flat!
- Black Dog Salvage (Architectural Antiques & Salvage) donated $250 to the Area II Young Rider Team and agreed to sponsor Huxley! Look for their handsome logo on our trailer in the near future. They are located in Roanoke, but ship all over the world. Please check out Black Dog Salvage online.
- May 16 - 17: Huxley and Octavian are excited about their trip to the Young Rider training camp to train with David & Lauren O'Brien. David is known for bringing some tough horses into themselves on the flat. We'll see what he can do with Octavian!
- Vesuvian has been progressing very well. His attitude is surprisingly positive and he is a joy to have around the barn.
Updates: March 2009
- Huxley & Octavian 3rd at Pine Top Winter HT II - JTR
- Huxley & Octavian 8th at Southern Pines II - JYOP
- Huxley & Octavian: demonstration horse & rider for Colleen Kelly Clinic on March 27th at Catawba Equestrian Center
- Fundraising: Party at Catawba Equestrian Center raised another $220!
Congratulations to Julie Georges on her purchase of Equinox!
Vesuvian is Coming!
Huxley found Vesuvian online and looked at him on March 7, 2009. He will be arriving on the farm on Sunday, March 15th. He is a 6 year old off the track thoroughbred with a lovely canter. We'll keep you posted on how he's coming along!
To find out the inside details on what's going on, visit Huxley's blog.
2008 News
The road to
Morven CCI* Blog - Summer 2008: Huxley and Octavian ventured out to be working students for Gabriele Hooten!
- June 2008: Huxley and Octavian returned from Rubicon Farm's June HT where they got a 7th place! Despite the sweltering heat, everything went wonderfully and they received a 40.0 in dressage, a big improvement!
- May 2008: Both events this month went wonderfully, except for a bad stadium round at Difficult Run HT, however, dressage was much improved and both cross country rounds were clean!
- April 2008: The Fork HT went pretty well, great improvement was shown all around.
- March 2008: Huxley and Octavian have started working with two new wonderful trainers, Molly Bull and Gabriele Hooten!
