Post by Allyson on Sept 29, 2008 23:00:00 GMT -5
Fall is my favorite time of year. Probably because I grew up on the east coast...and everyone knows that New England is one of the prettiest places on earth between September-November. The vibrant, gorgeous colors, the sweet smell of harvested fruit... the soft rustle of leaves on the forest floor as you ride on through... man, I want to go back! 
Where I am from, Vernon, NJ, is a cute little town. Nestled up in the northwest corner of NJ, it is what we call a "bedroom community." That is to say, not a whole lot goin on but single family homes.
I learned to ride in Vernon. In fact, Vernon is the reason I began riding. When my parents decided to move up "to the country" I was about 4 years old, with a younger brother on the way. I was pretty upset by the whole idea of moving- because it meant we'd be separating from my grandmother and aunt/uncle and cousin. We had lived in a 4 story building that my grandparents owned- each floor is a 2-3 bed apartment. So adorable.
So, in order to get me excited about moving to this new place, my mother attempted to get me involved in some sort of activity. Dancing failed. Soccer failed (but to be revived in HS). An avid animal lover at the time, she suggested I try horseback riding. OH MY GOSH...are you kidding?! I'd love to! So she made arrangements, which included lying about my age (i was tall for my age, but the barn didn't want kids under 6).
We lucked out for a family who did not know a thing about horses. I was taught at Borderland Farms by Virginia Martin, who to this day I am still a little scared of.
She taught me everything- I still even remember that first lesson. I still can recall the lessons of my youth. The trail rides, mock hunter paces (her favorite, being involved with the Windy Hollow Hunt), and all the school horses. I'll never forget the time when a new boarder brought in her horses, who were sick...which infected some of the lessons horses, and 2 died. I was devastated.
Virginia's horses were saints. She had a horse for every level of ability...and even the quietest lesson horse could be used to challenge the more advanced students- its as if they knew, and tailored their behavior accordingly.
Those horses taught me how to w/t/c and jump with no stirrups or reins. We learned to vault, we learned centered riding before it was popular. Virginia used to go on and on about this Sally woman...and at 8 years old...what the hell did I know? LOL. And the only time I ever got hurt was when there was a substitute instructor.
Her barn will forever be etched in my mind, and on the New Jersey/ New York border. A year (or is it 2 now?) her house burnt down, a tenant ended up passing away. My brother, as a firefighter, was there, and called me, crying. He too grew up at Borderland, not as a student, but as the brother of one. Chasing barn cats and playing in the hay loft. It was a hearbreaking day for us.
Each year when I go home, I always drive by that place. If you are ever in that area- I encourage you to go. Virginia is an amazing woman, and has more stories to tell than anyone I know. Her property is gorgeous, and will always remain a farm as its now in the books as a historical landmark. If you are lucky enough to visit and meet THE Virginia Martin, tell her "Hot Shot" says HI
www.wolfsbane.com/borderland/
Where I am from, Vernon, NJ, is a cute little town. Nestled up in the northwest corner of NJ, it is what we call a "bedroom community." That is to say, not a whole lot goin on but single family homes.
I learned to ride in Vernon. In fact, Vernon is the reason I began riding. When my parents decided to move up "to the country" I was about 4 years old, with a younger brother on the way. I was pretty upset by the whole idea of moving- because it meant we'd be separating from my grandmother and aunt/uncle and cousin. We had lived in a 4 story building that my grandparents owned- each floor is a 2-3 bed apartment. So adorable.
So, in order to get me excited about moving to this new place, my mother attempted to get me involved in some sort of activity. Dancing failed. Soccer failed (but to be revived in HS). An avid animal lover at the time, she suggested I try horseback riding. OH MY GOSH...are you kidding?! I'd love to! So she made arrangements, which included lying about my age (i was tall for my age, but the barn didn't want kids under 6).
We lucked out for a family who did not know a thing about horses. I was taught at Borderland Farms by Virginia Martin, who to this day I am still a little scared of.
She taught me everything- I still even remember that first lesson. I still can recall the lessons of my youth. The trail rides, mock hunter paces (her favorite, being involved with the Windy Hollow Hunt), and all the school horses. I'll never forget the time when a new boarder brought in her horses, who were sick...which infected some of the lessons horses, and 2 died. I was devastated. Virginia's horses were saints. She had a horse for every level of ability...and even the quietest lesson horse could be used to challenge the more advanced students- its as if they knew, and tailored their behavior accordingly.
Those horses taught me how to w/t/c and jump with no stirrups or reins. We learned to vault, we learned centered riding before it was popular. Virginia used to go on and on about this Sally woman...and at 8 years old...what the hell did I know? LOL. And the only time I ever got hurt was when there was a substitute instructor.
Her barn will forever be etched in my mind, and on the New Jersey/ New York border. A year (or is it 2 now?) her house burnt down, a tenant ended up passing away. My brother, as a firefighter, was there, and called me, crying. He too grew up at Borderland, not as a student, but as the brother of one. Chasing barn cats and playing in the hay loft. It was a hearbreaking day for us.
Each year when I go home, I always drive by that place. If you are ever in that area- I encourage you to go. Virginia is an amazing woman, and has more stories to tell than anyone I know. Her property is gorgeous, and will always remain a farm as its now in the books as a historical landmark. If you are lucky enough to visit and meet THE Virginia Martin, tell her "Hot Shot" says HI
www.wolfsbane.com/borderland/