Newsletters

May, 2004

Dear Members & Friends:

Recently we rediscovered many boxes of photographs, letters and journals belonging to our founder, Deb Dows.  It has been like going back in time and an incredible journey for me.  I want to share with you what she wrote about learning to ride.  I am typing it exactly as Mrs. Dows did.

“Learning to Ride”

"My brother & sister rode but it was never suggested by my parents that I might ride.  I had a bicycle, the property was my bounds so I wandered into the woods or rode around on my bike.  I rarely saw my siblings except at breakfast which was at 7 a.m.

Behind the stable down a steep hill was what my father referred to as the Quarry from where the stone for the stable & Stone Cottage had come from.  The farmhands referred to it as the Hole.  As soon as I had finished breakfast I’d jump on my bike & pedal fast for the Hole where there was a blacksmith shop & the stable that housed the work horses.  I tried to get there in time to watch the horses being hooked-up.  Usually one team was harnessed & then the teamster would drive them, walking behind, to wherever the piece of equipment they had been using had been left the night before.  If I was there the man would lift me up onto the back of the near horse & I got to ride.

One never knew where or when my father would show up.  One morning he showed up just as the teamster was lifting me up onto the big bay.  As his hands were full he had to wait ’til I was settled before tipping his cap & saying, “Mornin, Sir.”  My father asked, “Does she like that?”  “Oh yes sir.  She’s most often here waitin for me.”  “I see,” Pup said & moved off.  When I next saw him I thought it wiser not to mention our earlier & unexpected meeting.  He did not mention it either.

About a week later Pup said to me at breakfast that he would like me to meet him in the field north/east of the stable at 10 o’clock.  Knowing not at all what he wanted of me I made sure I was there at 10.  Time was important to my parents & all 3 of us kids knew well enough we must always be on time.  I went into the field.  Pretty soon Pup came out of the stable leading a large, bay pony with a docked tail & carrying some equipment.  This he put on the ground then he handed me the rope.  He told me the mare’s name was Polly & if I wished to ride I could use her.  First I should learn how to tack her up and take care of her.  Pup then left the field.  I was 9 then & Polly seemed small to me after the team of horses.

Looking back I think Pup must have believed in the “sink or swim” theory.  I had often seen my father riding but never particularly looked at the tack or how it was put on.  Now I didn’t know how or where to start but what I wanted to do was ride so I led Polly to a bit of a dip in the field & crawled on.  She stepped forward as I climbed up so I landed slightly behind where I should have.  Polly backed-up & off I went.  I tried again & the same thing happened, so leaving the tack where it was I led the mare to the stable to get someone to help me.  Two men came out at my call but when I asked for help I was told my Father’s orders to them were that they not help me – as I was the one who wanted to ride it was up to me to figure it out.

Eventually I did.  Polly was old & very patient but she would never stand any pressure behind the saddle, or the saddle too far back.  She had been a driving horse for my father.  Through trial & error I learned & when Pup saw that I was really going to stick with it he gave me riding lessons with Elizabeth Fairchild, a local girl.  She gave me a good start & I went on from there."

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Luckily, Mrs. Dows didn’t believe in the “sink or swim” theory and her legacy to all of us, and those in our future, is this wonderful riding school.  We strive to provide our students with the best foundation for the rest of their riding experience with our fabulous horses, a qualified, caring staff, and the gorgeous facility we have.

At this time, I am asking you to renew your membership if you haven’t already done so this year.  If you have renewed this year, maybe you have a few extra dollars hanging around your checking account that you can part with!  Your membership is an acknowledgement that you believe in and support the mission of the Southlands Foundation and that you have a vested interest in our success.  We need your help to increase the endowment left by Mrs. Dows to secure our future and be able to do some needed improvements to our rings and cross-country fields. 

Please mark your calendars for our Under the Stars Party on Saturday, July 17^th!  This year we are going to have a square dance, so dust off your dancing shoes and practice your two-step!!!  It promises to be a fun evening.

Barn Notes

As many of you know, we had two really great horse shows this month.  We had record participation at both with many outside barns coming.  In addition to the great attendance, the highlight of the May 1^st show was the alumni reunion that took place.  More than thirty former students of Mrs. Dows came and we even had an alumni division of the show.  It was so exciting to see the ring full of people who spent a good deal of their childhood here and for whom Southlands meant so much.  Thanks to the following alumni for attending:

We heard from the following well-wishers:

*Reunion Committee members who worked very hard tracking down everyone!

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The HITS on the Hudson horse show series kicks off this month at its new state-of-the-art facility in Saugerties.  There are many special days planned and it is truly an amazing facility.  We will have riders going the week of June 2 – 6.  Please visit their website for directions and more details, www.hitsshows.com.

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Our requested supplies for this month are Show Sheen, fly spray and double-ended snaps.

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Congratulations to our graduates:   Laura Baker, Amelia Bove, Tina Cordier,  and                                                                     Louisa Pillot

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Thank you to the Baker family for donating all the hanging plants. 

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I am begging that students not wear flip-flops in the barn at any time and tank tops should not be worn for lessons. 

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We are looking forward to an exciting summer season!  Thanks to everyone for your continued support.

Colleen Cruikshank

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