We at Chestnut Hill do not have a breeding program, but the barn next door does, which is fun. There are a few new little Arabian foals running around that are too adorable.  Here’s a little tyke whose mother is very alert to the fact that they are being watched.

Mom stands guard while the little one relaxes by nursing.  You’ll notice the other foal is totally conked out asleep next to his mother, without a care in the world.  Babies enjoy such profoundly deep naps, it makes some of us jealous!

These miniature horse foals are spending their first days in the tall grass of a farm along Lakeville Highway in Petaluma, and they may just be so dang cute as to be deemed illegal.

This little one looks like Misty of Chincoteague in miniature. (You did read that book didn’t you? More or less than 100 times? Or, was there another horsey book you read a million times over as a kid?)

Fuzzy little one here does not want to let his very tired Mom take a load off, and is trying a variety of nifty moves to get her up on and on her feet so he can nurse.  (Is he a foal or a puppy? Look at that woolly coat! Hysterical.)

Maybe biting her on the ear will work.

Or a front leg over her neck?

He finally won the battle, but we missed the shot.

Hope you enjoyed this little interlude of ridiculously adorable baby horses living in the heaven that is Sonoma County in the springtime!

Chlarissa and all the horses are getting out to graze on the spring’s glorious grass.  It’s the height of the season, and wildflowers are everywhere.

Reggie is also enjoying the spring grass, and he likes having a next door neighbor.

Reggie wishes he could open the gate!

Chlarissa is curious.

Reggie turns to his pasture-mate, last year’s lamb, Clark, to get advice on how to proceed.

Hmmmm….

By this time, Chlarissa is busy grazing again.

Legendary rider, trainer coach and founder of the on-line learning system, Equestriancoach.com, Bernie Traurig, returned to Chestnut Hill for a fantastic two-day clinic. Bernie reached the top of the sport in all three of the International Equestrian Olympic disciplines (Show Jumping, Dressage and Eventing) was inducted into the National Show Hunter Hall of Fame in 2009, and is a master teacher and clinician.

He worked tirelessly to connect with each rider, and identified what each person already knew how to do well, so he could build on those basics. He then calmly and with great enthusiasm and encouragement introduced flat and jumping exercises and classic teachings to boost riders’ confidence, and ultimately, their abilities. He also gave numerous mounted demonstrations to provide riders a visual of the points he was stressing.

This was Bernie’s fourth clinic with Chestnut Hill, and he gets better and better every time. Everyone benefitted greatly, and we can’t wait to have him back.

Congratulations to Sidney Conroy on the lease of fellow-rider Madison Bradshaw’s horse, “Twist n’ Shout.” Look for Sidney and her lovely new mount in the Adult Amateur Hunter and Equitation divisions this year. That’s “Quinn” above with Sidney’s daughter Kelly in the irons, and Quinn standing below with Sidney on the ground and Kelly.  Good luck to this great new team!

Congratulations to Madison Bradshaw on the purchase of Ithaca, a lovely eight year-old Swedish Warmblood mare.  A big thank you to Ilan Ferder for this lovely horse.  Look for Madison and “Moofy” in the 1.30 jumper division!

HITS Thermal was fantastic this year.  The horses and riders performed well (including Caroline Robbins and her horse, Stir It Up, pictured above, who were 2nd-half circuit reserve champs in the Equitation 11 & Under division), everyone came home with lots of pretty ribbons and awards, we bought lovely new horses and found great homes for a few sale horses, and most importantly – the Chestnut Hill team had fun.  Please take a moment to check out the results on our website at: http://www.chestnuthillca.com/results.shtml

Chestnut Hill will host a one-day clinic with Mental Skills coach, Tonya Johnston on Saturday. Tonya teaches performance strategies to help riders effectively accomplish the skills that the trainers have been working to instill. Beverly has seen the value of Tonya’s work for many years, and encourages riders to continue their work with Tonya on a one-to-one basis over the course of the season.

Congratulations to trainer Peter Breakwell on the purchase of Madison Bradshaw’s horse, Corralino (pictured above at the 2011 Young Rider Championships, and below in a 1.75 m five-bar class at last year’s Sacramento show) for his student.  Look for more from this lovely horse and his new owner in the jumper ring in 2012!

We are delighted to welcome new client Selena Weinstock and her mount, Celtic King, a nine year-old Irish Sport horse that Selena imported from Ireland as a three year-0ld!  Selena and King compete in three-day eventing, and are moving up to the Preliminary level this year, but have come to Chestnut Hill for a few months to work on their show jumping.   Interestingly, Selena started riding with Beverly at the tender age of eight, and jumped her first jump on retired lesson pony, Pacheco (pictured below)!  Welcome Selena and King (and kudos Pacheco)!

Congratulations to Caroline Robbins on the purchase of Kingas Star, a nine year-old, 15.3 hand Holsteiner gelding.  Look for these two in the Children’s Hunter and Equitation rings this year.  A big thank you to Wendy Brownlee of Brownlee Equestrians of Reno, NV.  Good luck to Caroline and Kingas!