It is a while since I have given all of you any news here at the farm. We had a great summer even though half the time we thought we were going to drown with all the rain. There is something to be said for not having any foals this year. It gave us ample time to work horses and to start some youngsters.

Firefly and I worked very hard at our dressage this year. We went to four shows and placed in every class with good scores. We even attempted First one this year. She and I have gone back to the drawing board and have spent a lot of time going very long and low, not some thing Morgans particularly like, and coming through the back, opening the throat latch. This has helped Fly enormously. Now she can carry herself and is so light and responsive in my hands when I pick her up.

Queen and I spent many hours in the ring and on the trail. She is a fun mare and every day becomes an adventure. Her canter, which is her weak point had improved enormously. We still have a long way to go but it will come. Slow and easy is my motto.

Anne Genovese, who works for me has put lots of time on LBF Memphis Belle. Belle is now the mare that my daughter in law Catherine rides when she visits with the grandchildren. Catherine is an advanced beginner and feels very safe on Belle. Belle is worth her weight in Gold as she is the safe horse for the ones just starting out. My daughter, an accomplished rider rode her and loved her.

Anne also worked with LBF All That Jazz. Starting her in the round pen. Next spring she will start under saddle.

LBF Diamond Jim Brady by fall was going very well under saddle for Anne. As he is just two she only walked him and then stopped for the winter. Next spring she will pick him up again and take him on the trail. He will be only lightly ridden until he is four. Jimmie would make someone a lovely dressage prospect as well as trail or even eventing. He is an old soul in a very young body and thinks things out. We just love Jimmie.

Then there is Norma Jean, LBF Some Like It Hot. My, but she is a corker. Full of life and convinced that she knows it all after she has done it once. A chip off her mother, Mona's, block. What a hoot she is. Norma puts a big smile on our faces. Though she is not on my sales page yet she is for sale.

My gorgeous mare Catalina came home to me late this fall after having been leased by a young lady who used her as a lower level school master. Now Cat and I are finally having the time together that has alluded us for so many years. She was shown and trained by Cheryl Barry for many years thru third level and working on Fourth. I retired her to breed her and last year she had a beautiful colt.

LBF Red Zephyr was acquired by Cheryl Barry who trained and showed Catalina, for herself. With the economy the way it is I will not be breeding her for another year or two so I decided that she should be my school master. Watch for her in 2010. We will not be doing third level at that point but I sure hope that we will be doing First.

Our horses that have been sold have done some exciting things. LBF Cimmeron Ladd who was bought by Stella Pence in the early summer went to his new home this fall where Stella and Laddie are doing a lot of trail riding and Stella is having a blast with him.

LBF Spiderman owned by Stacie Hoffman have been having a great year at combined driving. In May of 08 they won the preliminary Pony division at Lord Sterling CDE. Then in June 2009 this pair went to the International Bromont CAI-A winning the Preliminary Single Pony division. In September of '09 Spiderman and Stacie took a second at Laurels at Landhope in the Intermidiaire Pony division. We are all extremely proud of this pair and look forward to seeing how they do next year. Congratulations to Stacie and Spiderman

See LBF Apirl's Delight and Erin Amato at the 2008 American Eventing Championships
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOvrSiPBpuE

LBF Hickory Smoke and his owner Esther Fiddes have done it again in '09. In the AMHA Open Competition Program, Pokey took 3rd in both MD and LD, and he is Champion for Extended Distance. He has had quite a year, with the GMHA Trail Horse of the Year award thrown in too!!

LBF Rhett Butler has found a new home this past fall with Jo Johnson, Juaquima a Freno Morgan Stock Hoses, Sanger CA. Jo and I are very much hoping that Rhett will make a good pack and lead horse. Time will tell but knowing Jo and her incredible way of training a horse he will be wonderful at this job. I look forward to hearing much news of their trips into the wilderness in 2010.

Best wishes,