New Arena 300 feet long!!
Although we will miss Donnell, David and Nate, we have outgrown the Horse Haven at Bear Creek property. We will be moving to the new facility over several months in phases that will cause the least amount of disruption to the horses.
The facility is big enough for more human-herd members!
More photos coming. If you have not already volunteered for the move, sign-up at the barn.
Becky's grown some ears!
Although each person had their own stories about their experience on the trail ride, the majority of the riders had fun and many have signed up again. Thank Ann Devin when you see her for all her hard work in successfully organizing these rides. YOU ARE AWESOME!!
Please send px to put on the Blog for those who do not use Facebook. I know there are many wonderful shots!
I cannot Thank enough the countless volunteers that dedicated their time and financial resources to make this Event so successful. Putting any Event together is a daunting task, but it’s the volunteers who make it happen. THANKS TO All OF YOU!!!
I would also like to thank the following outstanding vendors who partnered with us and generously donated gifts for the silent auction to help us elevate this community Event to a whole new level! There are so many great places, I will have to Blog several times!
Thank you Christopher & Shannon. Owners of Mongo’s Restaurant located 5 minutes from HHABC in Clearview. What a feast! BBQ Ribs-with incredible sauce-, Veggie Skewers with mouthwatering sauces, Burgers and of course, my favorite, the Filet Mignon Sliders !!!! Yummy!! What a treat to have them cater our event and help us raise money for our charities.
Year after year restaurants try to capture the powerfully tempting convergence of casual, delectable, and economical dining. Yet it has eluded all who have tried; until now – Mongos is the exceptional dining experience that has perfected satisfaction of the palette, the pocketbook, and the patrons.
Stop by their restaurant and say hi to Christopher and Shannon and tell them you enjoyed the food at HHABC. They cater small and large events. Way to go & thanks for putting a bright spot in Clearview for the rest of us!
16510 Wa-9 SE Ste 101
(360) 668-4433
Vic Hanging out with Dante “Black Forest” stallion
Thank you Vic and Ursula of Black Forest Stables, Inc. DBA Black Forest Saddles. This fabulous stable and saddle maker is owned and operated by Ursula and Vic Sivitilli, of Black Diamond, Washington. They import and breed the rare breed of horses known as the Black Forest Draft Horses from Germany. “We first came upon treeless saddles after importing our mid-size Black Forest Draft horses into the USA”.
Ursula & Dante
Call Them toll-free1-888-227-5621 Or email them at blackforestsaddles@q.com
These saddles are the ones we use in the HHABC school. They are comfortable for horses and humans alike. Come try one out, and you’ll be singin’ “Back in the Saddle Again.”
Thank you Preservation Kitchen owned by Susan & Gary Southwick near downtown Bothell on old Bothell Way.
Beautiful Preservation Kitchen Restaurant
Preservation Kitchen preserves the traditions of regional eating and drinking, our local history, and old-fashioned hospitality. “We believe that sharing a good meal with friends and family is one of the best ways to spend your time, and that expensive prices, white table cloths and pretentious wine lists are not necessary to achieve a great dining experience. Our menu, which contains seasonal, locally produced, and sustainable ingredients whenever possible, is flexible and affordable enough for a four-course special occasion dinner, or a glass of wine and some house-cured olives on a Tuesday night”.
What a great place for groups or intimate dining in their private cozy rooms upstairs.
Thanks to Kevin Downey, owner of Grazie Ristorante in Canyon Park.
You’ll find everyone at Grazie Ristorante – both the Southcenter and Canyon Park locations – to be friendly and welcoming, with the most knowledgeable staff anywhere. You’ll experience Italian food made with authentic recipes and ingredients just like you were dining in Italy. Only at Grazie Ristorante will you receive five-star service at family prices.
Grazie Ristorante was born in November of 1987. Owner Kevin Downey, with years of experience working in the restaurant industry, took his love of the business and created a unique Italian dining experience, more authentic than any in the Puget Sound area.
This is also a fave eat-out. I love Italian food, and the service rocks! They are so warm and friendly. Even when a “herd” of us show up smelling like “eau de barn cologne” from Ralph (you-know-who)!
May 22 Event Display
Thanks to Kelly and Jason Hampton owners of Party Design.
Party Design is local, privately owned and operated by Kelly and Jason Hampton, founded upon our passion of designing and hosting parties and our very real desire for people to have an extraordinary experience. We take pleasure in creating fabulous themed extravaganzas, making invitations, fun guest favors, perfectly staged decorations and pairing it with excellent food, beverages and entertainment.
What a cool party gift giveaway at the auction. The quality of your display said it all. You guys really know how to throw a “party!”
Call: (425) 232-3837
Who is this “Sweet Pea?”
“Jazzi-tude”
Thank you Barbara Ritzie from Ritzie Photography. I am so impressed with your work. You are able to capture not just one but two personalities of the same horse. I am sooo impressed with gifted artists of film and canvas! Thanks for your enthususiasm and knowledge. I LOVE your work!
To contact Barbara:
E-mail: info@ritziephotography.com
Phone: 425.314.0600
Well, that’s all for tonight folks! I am still recovering. If you students are lucky, my voice won’t return for several more days! Hahaha! You Wish!
I will be posting the donation stats for the Event along with more pictures shortly. Weighing the food is a huge feat. Thanks to Donnell for all her hard work on the Event and putting up with the Tasmanian Devil (me, of course)!To be continued…
“These classes are amazing! I got to feel what the horse feels!”
Frequently, HHABC offers foundational education courses on many topics for students to learn fundamental basics with or without horse partners. Developing advanced skills early in the riding experience helps both the horse and human. It is a goal of the classes to help students transition more quickly from ‘mechanical skills’ with the aids to a natural early approach. Additionally, Practice! Practice! Practice! It is always necessary for proper neuromuscular development. Many students take several classes frequently to practice and help their muscles learn more rapidly.
“The Hands” series of classes are fun, inspiring and easy. “The Hands” beginner class is without the horse. The students learn in pairs and experience what a horse feels with the bit in the hands of a beginner. Skills and knowledge are practiced until each student has role-played horse and rider.
“The best thing I learned was what softness really feels like!” Students enjoy hands-on experiences (no pun intended) with the tools (bits and reins) so they can really feel the horses’ experience. Riders get softer and more awareness is brought to the skill which creates a richer sensory experience.
For more Class descriptions and times being offered look in Pages: HHABC Classes & Clinics.
I ran across this informative video clip exposing what human ambitions have done to some horses. While I have a great deal of respect for riders and trainers of all disciplines who practice kindness, gentleness and patience in their training techniques, some humans are bent on cruel methods that offends even the traditional trainers. I wonder what the horses would say to their owners if given a voice. I wonder what these horses would do to their owners if the bits, spurs, whips were removed and the human faced off with their “partner.” Fortunately horses forgive alot of mistreatment and mistakes if done out of ignorance but with good intentions. I have spent the past 10 years learning the principles and techniques in the second part of the video. Many wonderful humans are “taking the time it takes to take less time” approach to horses (Parelli Natural Horseman). This relationship building results in a cooperative partnership motivated by willingness and loyalty not by the use of fear and intimidation.
I must warn young or sensitive humans the beginning of the video is hard to watch, but hang on for the finish! It is a sample of ALL the wonderful, caring humans connecting with horses in ways that inspire and motivate us to change! Check out the Parelli website for videos and other resources on how naturally our relationship can be with a horse.
A quick note on a controversial video on youtube “exposing” the truth of abuse and the Parelli system with Linda Parelli. After seeing the video and and knowing all the positive results I have enjoyed with the Parelli system, I believe that there is more to this situation with Linda and the horse than meets the eye. Many of the horses brought to the Parelli clinics are troubled and expressing dangerous behaviors only the Parelli’s have the expertise to correct. I have seen far worse in my years with horses and some of it is demonstrated in the video you are about to watch. I find no similarity between Linda and these riders in their methods of communication. I can only speak to the experience and feedback with many horses over the years and who are with me now. I am satisfied and pleased with the Parelli method and fully support all it stands for. VIEW VIDEO CLIP…
Zena “Warrior Princess” and I building a relationship using body language . This 12yo Andalusian/Peruvian mare was the toughest left brain “fighter” I have ever met. I am soooo humbled she chose me as Leader of her herd.
The question begs… Why are some of us so drawn to horses…really?
I believe horses don’t just happen in our lives, along with being stamped in our DNA for some of us lucky ones, they are placed here as substitute teachers for those of us who, for a variety of reasons, are drawn to horses rather than humans for companionship, relationship, and solace. The draw is in fact so strong, that many of us will resort to a number of creative strategies just to be around these lovely creatures to smell, feel and listen to them breathe. Many of our family members think we are on the tip side of nuts (like mine), but they put up with the ever-tiring stories of our horse adventures, and dare I say misadventures. But we don’t mention those for fear they will look askance once again as if to say…”Are you crazy?” after the twentieth “it wasn’t the horse’s fault” or “I fell down the stairs” injury.
Unfortunately, I have learned, at times painfully, that horses don’t see things quite the same way we do.
For me, horses are the quintessential (the pure and concentrated essence) of life. Over the years, they have mirrored and brought my most vile character defects to the surface. They gave me gracious opportunities to examine these defects under a microscope, and address them swiftly or be taught yet another painful lesson. I was soooo “stubborn” at times, I thought about investing in 3 major over-the-counter drug manufacturers. (Thank God for Advil!).
Horses have always been easier for me to talk to, (being the ever quiet nonverbal types), they forgive heartfelt mistakes with ease and suffer the unrepentant eventually, and do it while stuck in their cubicles or pastures forced to endure my needs and wants many times at the risk of life and limb. (More on that another time).
So once again… please share. Why are you so drawn to horses – really?
