Do you live in or want to visit the Berkshires this summer? Need a safe place for your kids to have fun while you enjoy The Clark Art, Mass MoCA, the Norman Rockwell Museum, go hiking or biking, or visit Trustees of Reservations and other historical sites?

Let your child or teen discover farm life, learn to ride, or advance his or her equitation and horsemanship skills. This year Bonnie Lea Farm is offering two options – Horse Sessions and Farm Sessions.

Life on the farm is about getting your hands dirty and finding a sense of accomplishment. Whether a horse, cow or duck, every animal teaches us – to be more patient, to be calm and caring and to be aware of how our actions affect the animal’s health and behavior.  Life on the farm lets us learn about ourselves, become confident, meet new friends, and have tons of fun.

Bonnie Lea Farm has been nurturing and training riders and horses for over 30 years. We believe strongly in the importance of safety, honesty and riding because it brings joy. We have talented instructors with proven teaching practices and years of continuing education and learning. The Summer Horse Program is a perfect opportunity for beginners to start riding and for intermediate and advanced riders to have the time to focus on their technique and improve riding by improving overall horsemanship.

For 2014, Bonnie Lea Farm is expanding the Summer Program to include Farm Sessions, in addition to the Summer Horse Sessions. Please see our SUMMER PROGRAMS link above for more details on these sessions. We had previous riders that requesting the opportunity to work with a wider variety of animals and younger students not quite ready for the Horse Program. As a result, Farm Sessions for those 5 years and up.

We have already had inquiries for additional weeks and extended days of Farm Sessions. Please let us know if you have any special requests or suggestions so we can try to accommodate where possible. Your feedback is appreciated.

Riders and animals are part of the DeMayo’s extended family, which grows every year. This year, young farmers will join the ranks. We hope to include you in the Bonnie Lea Farm Family!

BRING THE WHOLE FAMILY –

• Meet our horses, cows, goats, chickens, ducks and our newest additions to the farm. We have chicks, calves, and hopefully the foal will have arrived.
• Learn about our Summer Horse and Farm Programs.
• Get details on our lessons, instructed trail rides, leasing, boarding and pony rides.
• Support the IEA team and have a pony ride. ($5 suggested donation).
• Join the BLF Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) Team.
• Discover how you can buy grass fed beef.
• Lesson package special will be available.
• Find out about our Adult lesson schedule.

Due to the many animals at the farm, please leave your dogs at home, but don’t forget to participate in the Humane Race before you come to  the farm!  ( http://humanerace.org/)

Don’t forget to wear your boots!

A few parents of current riders have requested time on the lesson schedule to get back in the saddle.  If you are a beginner or have not been riding in a while, please come join the fun!

Lessons will be available on Sundays at 11 am and Thursdays at 4:30 pm.  You will want to come about 15 minutes prior to the lesson to tack up (with plenty of help if you need it). $45 per lesson. Please be in touch via email, stop by the barn , or call Lisa.  (See Contact page.) The Sunday schedule will likely change during the show season, but it will be a great way to kick off the spring.

Hope to see you soon.

SPECIAL  VACATION LEASE

Available to current BLF youth and adult riders

Lease Packages for April 19 – 27

1.) Lease package includes a maximum of 7 rides including one mandatory lesson. Free rides must take place in the morning between 9am and Noon.      $150 (including lesson)

2.) Unrestricted free ride time, maximum of 7 rides including mandatory lesson.      $200 (including lesson)

 Please see Lisa with questions and horse & rider match approval.

We had a wonderful time meeting new people and seeing friendly faces at the Williamstown Elementary School Camp Fair on Saturday!

Thank you to those of you that signed up for our email newsletter for a chance to win a pony ride. The Pony Ride winner is Molly Polk.

We have already had registrations and are looking forward to a great summer.  In fact, we have had such a great response to our new Farm Program and even had requests for full day Farm Sessions for older students. Let us know if you are interested so we can accommodate as much as possible. Please see our Summer Programs link for more information about our Horse and Farm Sessions and for the REGISTRATION FORM.

Hope to see you soon!

Sunday, March 16, 2014 – Noon to 2 pm

Respect Starts from the Ground
Students of all levels struggle with “reading” horse’s cues, projecting confidence and gaining respect with horses while still remaining calm and kind. Creating mutual respect with your horse creates a safe environment and makes your time together even more enjoyable. Working with your horse in-hand can improve your ride immensely. This clinic can be your first time or a refresher. Come learn techniques to improve your relationship with your horse.

This clinic will help riders of all levels:

• Easily catch your horse
• Have a lighter horse at the end of your rope,
• Make grooming easy,
• Learn body language & how to react,
• Project confidence
• And more.

Bring your horse (and tack) with you. Call Lisa if you need to borrow a horse for the clinic.

RSVP and Questions – email bonnieleafarm@gmail.com, respond on FB or call Lisa.
We hope to see you soon, Sunday.

At Bonnie Lea Farm, we know that learning to ride as a teen or adult can make one uncomfortable and self conscious – but no need to fear! Come join our special summer session and live your dreams.

Teen & Adult Beginner Week – July 14-18

This summer BLF is offering one special week solely for beginner riders, both teenaged and adult, that want to learn to ride or significantly improve their skills.  This special session will help those hesitant or embarrassed to start riding in front of more experienced riders. By the end of the week, riders will be proficient in grooming, tacking up, mounting, dismounting and steering. Most riders will be able to trot, post to the trot and possibly even canter by the end of the week. Students will ride twice a day and learn how to handle horses from the ground and basic care. Students will audit a session of the Greg Best Clinic (Olympic Medalist) on Friday.  Please see our 2014 BLF Horse Program for more details and Summer Program Registration.

FEBRUARY & APRIL VACATION

SPECIAL LEASE OPTIONS

Available to current BLF youth and adult riders

Lease Packages for one or both vacations –

February 15 – 23     &    April 19 – 27

Lease package includes a maximum of 7 rides including one mandatory lesson. Free rides must take place in the morning between 9am and Noon.      $150 (including lesson)

Unrestricted free ride time, maximum of 7 rides including mandatory lesson.      $200 (including lesson)

 Please see Lisa or Cathy with questions and horse & rider match approval.

Here are some highlights for Summer 2014.

• BLF Horse Show is scheduled for June 29. Prize list coming soon.
• Olympian and visiting clinician, Greg Best is returning on July 11, 12 and 13. More details to come.
• Summer Horse Program Registrations are now being accepted
• New Summer Farm Program aimed at ages 5 and up has been added!
• Scheduled lessons, pony rides and guided trail rides will be available all summer.

Two clinics are being offered this December. We hope to see you!

Proper Longeing & Free-Schooling

More effective than just chasing your horse!
Sunday, December 22, 2013

10:00 am – 12 noon

and

Control That Horse!

  Finally be in control
with one rein stops, rope halters and other techniques.

Friday, December 27, 2013

9:00 to 11:00 am

Contact Lisa

(Four One Three-441-6349)

or

 sign-up on the message board in back barn