Happy Holidays from South Coast~

    2013 has been a great year at South Coast. We've had a number of great horses (and their awesome owners) come through our training programs this year from a not-exactly-young thoroughbred mare that her owner was almost convinced she would be deemed a brood mare (Yes, Lisa and Maybelle, I'm talking about you!), to a lovely Palomino gelding who is now loving dressage with his new owner. My eyes were opened up more to the realm of true western pleasure horses while I got the pleasure of working with Janine and Nobie. The small black pony, Rooster, who was broke and started through South Coast last year is now a leased and loved lesson pony at Milestone Farm in Austin - I love stories like that! If I sat here and wrote at all of them, we'd be here for quite some time!
    I can't go on without mentioning the best part about the year, and that is Wringo Star coming home after 3 1/2 years. The story is all over the place, and you can stay updated with it here www.facebook.com/groups/BringWringoHome . A day that was made possible by so many people, none of which will or have gone unnoticed. Before I settled on the name South Coast (which represents 'home' in North Carolina, by the way), it was a toss up between that and "Fawringo Farm" meaning For Wringo. There is still a big possibility I may name the property Fawringo, and the training South Coast.... we'll see what 2014 brings!
      This year was also the beginning of another chapter for us, when in August we opened South Coast Customs & Consignments (and if you haven't checked it out yet, like us on facebook! www.facebook.com/SouthCoastConsignments ) I've been having a lot of fun letting my creative side out to run wild!
    Our South Coast team has grown this year, too. We welcomed two working students, Hailee - a tough, smart, hardworking kid whose riding ability grows just as quickly a her horsemanship skills; and Jessica Alderette (www.JLeighHorseTraining.weebly.com). Jess is a student at Texas A&M, and recently started her own training business, but still works very closely with South Coast, and I don't know if I'll ever let her go! She is a very talented, well rounded rider that competes in both Dressage and Barrel Racing. We've also 'brought in' two other talented young ladies that are a big part of our support system, Megan Herrington (www.TotalBalanceEquineMassage.com) who keep the horses comfortable and my motivation going, and Danielle Meyers (www.MeyersSportHorseServices.com) a very talented dressage and combined training trainer that helps me keep adding to my bag of tricks.
    As this year comes to a close, I am nothing but thankful for the last 365 days, and excited for the next. Plans to continue property improvements, including a second arena, and covered outside stalls. Talks of doing an obstacle challenge/hunter pace series are also in place, so keep your eyes open for more information on that. Im also excited to get back in the show ring after about a year off bringing green horses along, and maybe find myself a new barrel horse along the way. It's been a great year, with great horses and great friends and I look forward to tackling 2014 with the simple mentality of 'but better' Just like 2013... but better.

Happy Holidays everyone!