Talbot Run Equestrian Center
June Newsletter 2008

Welcome to Summer! We have lots of fun and exciting activities planned at Talbot Run Equestrian Center for you and your favorite equine friends!

New Lesson Session – Begins June 23. Note that the calendar has been modified to make-up from lessons missed last session due to Memorial Day and the Combined Test Horse Show! Please let your instructor know when you will be out of town – make-up times are flexible as long as we know in advance. In the case of bad weather or excessive heat, we will put a message on the answering machine and also do our best to call you. Payment is due on the first day of the session. $298 for the 9 week session (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday)-$265 for 8 weeks- (Saturday and Monday), $37 per individual lesson. Please place your check in the mailbox in the office.

Camp begins on June 16 – We still have spots available in most sessions…. Let us know if you would like to sign up!

Lease Horses – Want to have your own horse without the hassle of buying one? Leasing is a great option – talk to your instructor to see if you are ready. You (and your parent if under 18) must take a ground lesson with an instructor to learn how to handle your horse. Parents must supervise their child’s riding when leasing a horse. One extra ride/week = $100, two extra rides per week = $200, 3 extra rides per week - $300. Full lease and a stall = $475. 

Working Student Program – Many thanks to all our working students. Next working students lesson – June 21 at 5 pm. (Sorry we didn’t have one this weekend but its too hot!) Let us know if you would like to join us. You must be 12 years old. Work = extra riding time! Working Student Meeting – Sunday, June 15 at 7 pm. New interested and current working students – please plan to attend.

Trail Rides – Sundays in July – keep your eyes open for more info. $35/hour.

Birthday Parties at Talbot Run are becoming very popular. $165 for up to 5 riders. Additional riders are $25/rider. The party includes an exciting lesson taught by one of our instructors with helpers for beginning riders plus the use of our observation room for two hours. Availability on Saturdays or other times that might fit your schedule.

Upcoming Shows:
*  July 27 - Eventing Derby 1 – a great intro. to cross country and dressage. 
*  August 2 and 30 (tentative) – Evening Dinner Jumper Shows – open to all. 18 inches to 3 ft. Prizes for champion and grand champion of series.
*  August 16 – Eventing Derby 2
*  August 24 – Combined Test – Elementary thru Training level.
*  Show Team - Congratulations to all our riders who did great at the Iron Bridge Pipe Opener. Practices - June 20, July 11 and 25, August 1 and 15. New members are welcome! We will be preparing for the hunter show, jumper shows, eventing derbies and the combined test. Best of luck to Pat and Robin at The Ride for Life – a recognized dressage competition in June. They would be happy if you would think about pledging a donation to this cause. 

Burntwoods Pony Club meets on Saturday two times per month. They just completed their Games, C dressage and C Show jumping rally. Riders from Burntwoods qualified for show jumping and dressage National competition in July in Lexington, Virginia! Way to go! New members are welcome. TREC clients in our regular lesson program may lease a horse for Pony Club if interested.

Barn Clean-Up – Don’t forget to sweep up after yourselves in the aisle way and the wash stall.  The water in the wash stall has been left on recently overnight and we have had some flooding in the morning.  If you don’t know how to turn the water off, just ask.  Also, be sure the faucets are securely turned off.  They can leak if you do not turn them off all the way.

If you are the last one here at night, please be sure that the heat is off in the Observation Room and that all lights are off.

Lesson costs:
*  Group Lessons - $265 for the eight week session
*  Individual Lesson / Pay As You Go - $37 per lesson
*  Semi-Private (2 per group) - $345 for eight weeks
*  Private - $60 pay-as-you-go / $465 for eight weeks

Payment is due at the beginning of the session.  No refunds will be given.  Cancellations must be made 24 hours in advance to schedule a make-up.  This is very important, as we are tacking horses and paying instructors to come and teach you, unless we know in advance that you are not coming!

Important Reminders:
*  Be sure to arrive at least 15 minutes early to get your horse up the hill if needed.  Please ask for help if you are unsure about tacking/bridling or need help walking up the hill.

*  All siblings should stay in the Observation Room during lessons.  Children need to be under the direct supervision of an adult.  No running around and making loud noise in the aisle ways ... this scares the horses!  The boarders have asked that you do not pat their horses -- some bite and we would not like to see any accidents.  You are welcome to pat the school horses in the lower barn.

*  When walking down the aisle way, please wait if there is a boarder horse on the crossties in the aisle way.  Wait to pass until the boarder indicates that it is safe.

Leasing:
Look for details about our new Lease Program.  Most of the school horses are available for partial lease.  Talk to Ann or Robin for further information.  This is a great way to try out riding on your own!