We hope this note finds you all well and enjoying this early start to winter. First, we would like to thank you all for your friendship and support of Maple Ridge throughout 2007. It was a great year and it looks like history will repeat itself with an exciting lineup for 2008.

We start off the year with our Indoor Winter Workshop series-Centered Riding© Basics, What Our Horses Want Us To Know and The Power From Within. In these workshops participants will discover ways to improve balance, confidence, mindfulness, and communication through discussion and interactive exercises. These fun and informative workshops are designed for all levels of horse enthusiasts, from any discipline. They are held on Sundays from 1-3:00 for $35 each.

Our 8-week Yoga/Fitness for Equestrians class will be held on Wednesday evenings from 6:15-7:30. Due to Heidi’s knee surgery the date has been pushed forward to January 31st. The cost of this class is $99.

The 8-week After School Youth Horsemanship class will begin on January 31st. This class will run from 3:45-5:15 and is designed for ages 8 and up. Each class will begin with horsemanship study through activities and games in our classroom, and will wrap up in the barn with chores and feeding. The cost is $99.

Our outdoor season begins with a Round Pen Workshop. This workshop is designed for those new to round pen training and those who want help improving their technique. A great opportunity to get your horse out, traveling and “tuned up”, before the clinic & show season begins. So, learn from yours or one of ours. This workshop is limited to six participants. The cost is $65 to participate and $25 to audit.

Maple Ridge Stable will be present at the Champlain Valley Expo’s “Everything Equine” event this April, promoting our programs and selling our In Harmony With Horses products. Please plan a trip to Essex Junction to enjoy the expo and stop by our booth to visit with Deb & Heidi.

Jon Ensign will be returning from his Montana ranch this season for three clinics. Don’t miss a chance to work with this “Master” of Natural Horsemanship. We guarantee that your work with horses will be forever changed. We start off with two, three-day clinics. The morning Colt Starting/Restarting clinic will focus on starting or restarting young, green or troubled horses. Due to the nature of this clinic we can only allow 10 participants-so don‘t wait to enroll. **The afternoon Horsemanship II clinic is designed for those who have worked with Jon in the past and are ready for more under-saddle horsemanship. The focus will be on gaining control of each quarter, transitions, softening & collection. Participants should be comfortable riding at walk and trot in a group. However, opportunities will be given to work at all three gaits. Contact Heidi for preparatory training sessions if you wish to participate and have not worked with Jon in the past.

Our Fall clinic with Jon will be another Trail Horse Clinic. We will work on building confidence of horse and rider through safe progression from ring to trail. This year we will add new obstacles and spend as much time as possible working out of the ring and on the trail. I think all who attended last fall will agree that a great deal of learning comes from just being able to watch Jon “help“ some horses deal with their own issues.

**Check the website for more details, dates, participation limits and early bird prices/dates on these 3 clinics.

The Maple Ridge Stable Youth Horsemanship Camps are scheduled during July and August. Camps run from 9-3:30 and are open to all levels of riders. To ensure safety and the best possible experience, camps are limited to 8 participants per week. It is very important that our current students have first option, so please enroll early. Camp cost is $300 with a $100 deposit required.

One highlight of 2008 will certainly be the Montana Ranch Experience. Jon and Heidi are collaborating to offer this exciting week at Jon’s ranch near Bozeman, Montana. Participants will enjoy learning how to rope, get a chance to do some cow sorting and cattle work, take a scenic trail ride to a lake for lunch, partake in horse roundups, spend a non-horse day in Yellowstone and an afternoon of shopping in Bozeman. Some meals will be included. The cost is $700 for the week with an early bird rate of $600, if a $300 deposit is received by April 15th. A total of 12 participants will be accepted for this trip. It will be filled on a first come, first served basis.

Heidi will be teaching Maple Ridge’s annual Centered Riding Open Clinic in August. This weekend is open to riders of all disciplines and levels. Participants will explore and develop an understanding of the basics of CR with ground work in the morning and application under saddle in the afternoon. Participants learn skills to help them achieve better balance, ride more comfortably and confidently, and improve communication with their horses. This clinic is limited to 12 participants, with horses and stabling available on a first come, first serve basis. The clinic cost is $300 with an early bird price of $250. Auditors are encouraged and welcomed for $35 per day.

September 1st will bring the annual Guilford Fair Horse Show hosted by Maple Ridge Stable. We are always in need of youth and adult volunteers for this event. Please give us a call if you are interested in learning more about showing or just want to join in the fun.

Again, thank you all for your support of our farm and our programs. We look forward to continued learning, fun and fellowship throughout 2008. Stay well and be safe.

The Potters

P.S. Remember to take advantage of the early bird discounts offered. Further details and registration forms for most of the listed events are currently on our website www.mapleridgestable.com.