By Barbara Childs

My friend Madeline is here!

I am so happy to have a buddy to graze with and share my territory and plans. She even likes the news I help report – my kind of girl.

Madeline sniffs my ears and in the evening we share munching hay and observe the moon, the stars and listen to the frogs in the stream nearby.  Life is good…

Here are some newsworthy items in the equine world for you.

The Foothill’s Humane Society has acquired several horses, including two older horses (18-20 years old). They are quarter horses and a mare, too. There is a donkey with this group and they need to be adopted as pasture companions. The donkey wants to be a good donkey and needs a human. There is also a pony. Applications are being taken for their adoption. Contact FHS if you are interested at 828-863-4444.

Contact Judith Kearns for info at Green Gait Farm in Tryon for the Colt Starting Clinic with Dave Seay.  A local French chef will prepare lunch. 828-859-5456

Carolyn West will be at Renovatio Farm on April 27 for Ride a Test. If you are interested in riding a dressage test and getting critiqued by her judging, contact Trayce Doubek for times when you can ride a test of your choice: tmdoubek@yahoo.com

On Saturday, March 31, Suzy Stafford, a world champion in carriage driving, will give a clinic for the Carolina Carriage Club at Foxbrier Farm in Laurens, S.C. Getting feedback for your upcoming dressage tests in the competitions will be important in this clinic. This is also a great ADT for beginners, and there will be many people around to answer your questions and point you in the right direction. The dressage will be in the 40×80 grass arena. There is an entry fee. Contact Carol Ann Burns to sign up-cabooh@aol.com.

There is a working student position available at Windbrook Farm in Gowensville. Classical hunter/jumper lessons and training with natural horsemanship is being offered for a talented hard working young rider.  Contact Amanda and Lee Cone at 864-237-8744.

Dale Govus is organizing the April 21 Block House Steeplechase Parade in Tryon.

Nikki Guerazzi has recently suffered a compound ankle fracture and we wish her a speedy healing. Clear View Farm at 105 Smith Rd. in Landrum will hold a benefit for this local rider and competitor on March 31 at 6 p.m.

There is new footing at Latta Plantation in the schooling arenas. All the stalls have new floors in the barn. There is no service charge for entries this spring at the Latta Spring Challenge. This is in acknowledgment of the community’s support at the Harmon Classics in February when mother nature was full of wicked winds and rain.

Holly Hansen is planning a classical symposium on May 12. Hansen is dedicated to preserving the classical art of dressage. Her horses are purebred Portuguese and Spanish in their bloodlines. Contact her at hhclassical@sbcglobal.net

Did you check out the wine at LaBouteille in Tryon? It’s called 14 hands and is from California vineyards. A portion of this wine’s purchase goes to the Wild Mustang Foundation. This wine will also be served with cheese and munchies at FENCE for the reception of the Equitrekking Star Darley Newman this month.

Nicole Watts’ stallion, Zeus, will have three foals coming this spring The mares he covered all have jumping lines. Zeus is a full registered Percheron stallion and gorgeous. He is 3 years old and has been in training with Holly Hansen in classical dressage.

We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Jodi Lees on the passing of her beloved Legato.

I’ve been showing Madeline my recipe box and she has graciously chosen this one for you all – this friend of mine likes her greens.