February 2025 Newsletter

Dear Friends of Storm Chaser Stables,

I hope this message finds you warm and cozy! Though the weather this week has been beautiful, Winter has certainly made its presence known here at the farm—we’ve been hammered by multiple winter storms this year. These storms have delayed our projects and kept us busy with the daily challenges of horse care in the cold. Despite the weather setbacks, we’re making steady progress and have some exciting updates to share!

Class Delays, Enrollments Open, & Other Program Updates

Due to the ongoing winter weather and project delays, we are pushing back the start of all lessons to April 6, 2025 at the earliest—this includes Team Classes. Please stay tuned for more updates!

• A few Horsemanship Classes still have space available. Once the weather improves, spots are expected to fill quickly! Don’t wait —please complete updated enrollment forms and waivers to reserve your spot!

• Despite class delays, Equestrian Team Commitments for 2025 are still due by March 1st. I will reach out to schedule the first Team meeting after this date. If you’d like to join, be sure to submit your application HERE!

• All students must submit updated enrollment & waiver forms before attending any classes at the new farm. Links to forms:

  • Horsemanship Class Enrollment form

  • Equine Activity Liability Waiver form

Summer Day Camp dates and Farm School Co-Op class options will not be finalized until some additional learning space projects have been completed. We appreciate your patience and will keep you informed as camps and additional classes become available!

Herd Updates: New Additions & More

Two new horses have joined our herd since the last newsletter! Bree is a sweet black and white pinto mare that came to us from a dear friend to join our lesson program as a team mount. Along with her came Tempest, a spunky older Irish Draft X gelding joining us as a retired boarder. We are so excited to welcome these two into our herd!

The whole herd has been getting their share of groundwork, handling, and care time this winter. It has been a challenge with all of the snow, ice, and mud—everything is taking extra time! We are working to help each horse settle into their new environment. While none of the horses are ready to be ridden yet, your favorite horses and ponies of SCS are building their stamina up to be ready for lessons when they resume this Spring!

Farm Progress & Upcoming Projects

Between snow, ice, and high winds with the last couple of storms, keeping up with farm improvements has been a challenge. However, we’ve still managed to make crucial repairs to the barn’s roof supports and put up a temporary holding pen and treatment area in the farmyard. We also acquired a tractor (woohoo!!), which has been a total game changer for getting hay out and stabilizing high-traffic areas with gravel.

Next on the list:

• Constructing permanent run-in shelters for each field to replace our temporary setups

• Transitioning temporary fences into permanent 3-board fencing and enclosing the arena space

• Creating a visitor parking area by the entrance gate

• Interior barn improvements – constructing feed room, kickboards, stalls, and exterior door

While progress is happening, the biggest delays have been due to the three major storms we’ve experienced plus financial constraints. That’s why we appreciate every bit of support, including signing up for upcoming classes, volunteering, or simply spreading the word about what we do. We appreciate you!

Behind the Scenes: New Offerings!

While farm work has been a huge focus this Winter, I’ve also been busy creating printable PDF mindful journaling prompts and coloring pages for our revamped Etsy storefront, Gallop N Grow Printable! Coming soon:

• □ Early Learner Worksheet Packs for little ones

• □️ More mindful coloring pages & journal prompts

• □ Planners for wellness & homeschooling

These resources are designed to support mindfulness, creativity, and early learning—perfect for farm families and anyone looking for engaging, screen-free activities! I’ll be sharing links as new products become available on the farm’s social pages. Keep an eye out for more releases on Etsy and in our merch store!

Community Involvement & Supporting Our Growth

A huge thank you is in order to everyone who has offered support during our transition to the new farm! Every hour of hands-on help, every word of encouragement, and even simply checking in on our progress has kept us on track to make this place special for our community. As we continue working on farm improvements, we’d love to welcome more helping hands. If you’re interested in getting involved, we’d be happy to have you! Just let us know when you’re available and we can work together on fencing, barn projects, or simply visiting to say hello. Just send us a message if you'd like to lend a hand!

We’ve had a lot of interest in ways to support the farm as we continue settling in and preparing to reopen. If you’d like to contribute, supporting and sharing our GoFundMe, signing up for classes, and telling your friends and family about us is a wonderful way to help. Every little bit makes a difference in keeping our programs accessible and ensuring our equine partners have the best care possible!

□ GoFundMe: Growing Future Leaders: Support Our Community Farm School

Equine Lease Program Now Accepting 2025 Applications

We’re excited to offer a limited number of equine lease opportunities! Leasing is a wonderful way to spend more time 1:1 with a horse, focusing on bonding, grooming, groundwork, and skill development beyond regular lesson times. It’s a great option for those looking to deepen their connection with a specific horse and take a more active role in day-to-day care. Several horses are still available for lease and we’d love to help match riders with the right partner. If you’re looking for a more immersive experience, this could be the perfect next step! Please reach out to us with questions or submit your application HERE.

Quick Winter Tip: Staying Warm & Dry Outdoors!

When working or playing outside in winter, layering is key! Start with a moisture-wicking base layer, add an insulating middle layer (like fleece or wool), and top it off with a windproof, waterproof shell to stay comfortable. I also love to add a scarf or wild rag this time of year to keep my neck and face toasty. You won’t want to forget warm socks and a good hat—lots of heat escapes from our heads and feet, which contributes to feeling cold faster!

□ Bonus Tip: When handling horses, avoid thick, bulky gloves that reduce dexterity. A good pair of isotoner or lined leather gloves will keep your hands warm and allow you to safely handle reins and lead ropes!

Mark Your Calendars — Important Dates Below:

• Team Commitments Due March 1st (first team meeting TBD)

• All Horsemanship Classes Resume April 6th — this is a change and is contingent on project completion rate

Despite the challenges we’ve faced this season, we’re so incredibly grateful for you, our little community, and all the encouragement we’ve received. Whether you’re a student, a volunteer, a supporter from afar, or someone who just loves seeing farm updates—thank you for being here!

We’ll continue pushing forward, one step at a time. If you have questions, want to sign up for classes, lease a horse, or volunteer, just reply to this email or reach out on social media.

Looking forward to seeing you all soon!

Storm Chaser Stables

January 2025 Newsletter

Dear Friends of Storm Chaser Stables,

Happy New Year from our herd to yours! Despite the frosty weather, we’re feeling hopeful and energized about the progress we’re making at the new farm. Thank you for your continued patience, encouragement, and support as we work hard to provide a safe and welcoming environment for our horses and community.

What’s Next: Program Updates

As we transition into 2025, all participants—returning or new—will need to complete updated enrollment forms and waivers. We are planning afternoon lessons on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday (Fluvanna pick-up day), and Thursday. If you have any additional questions in the meantime, don’t hesitate to ask! See more updates below about our class offerings, though please keep in mind that all dates remain contingent on the weather and completion of some important farm projects:

• Links to forms:

  • Horsemanship Class Enrollment form

  • Equine Activity Liability Waiver form

• Equestrian Team Classes will resume March 2nd!

  • Excellent option for those looking to travel or compete and refine skills.

  • Riders must be able to safely handle their horse and ride outside of enclosed arena to attend this class level.

  • Please submit an application to the Team HERE!

• Regular Horsemanship Classes resume April 6th!

  • Great for anyone eager to build confidence, expand their knowledge, and deepen their bond with our horses recreationally.

  • Classes will resume only once enclosed training space is completed.

• Community Learning Days are coming soon on Fridays!

  • These unmounted sessions are open to all enrollees and will focus on topics such as horse care, first aid, equine behavior, rider fitness, and more—ideal for students and team members hoping to broaden their understanding of horsemanship beyond the saddle.

• Summer Day Camp dates will be announced once spring weather allows us to finalize our outdoor spaces.

• Farm School Day Program remains on hold until August 2025

  • We appreciate your patience in the meantime and promise to keep you informed as plans develop and class options become available!

Volunteer Shoutout & More Opportunities to Help

We couldn’t have done it all without the generosity of amazing people who’ve come forward to help. We would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to the Chavis Family, the Wallace Family, John Taravella, PG Lewis, and Josh Montgomery for their help with the move. The hands-on support of our community makes all the difference, and we’re truly grateful for every hour you’ve contributed.

If you’d like to lend a hand—whether for a single project or ongoing help—please get in touch with us. Every contribution helps us get closer to reopening! Together, we’ll transform this space into a place that fosters growth, learning, and community.

Winter Projects in Focus

Winter weather often brings extra challenges, and we’re prioritizing a few essential projects right now to keep everyone comfortable and secure:

• Grooming & Holding Pen to ensure we have a designated outdoor space for daily horse care and treatment

• Barn Improvements to include replacing/repairing rafters/trusses, adding an exterior door and interior kick boards, creating a feed room, and constructing an indoor treatment area—our barn will be getting a much-needed makeover!

• Permanent Run-In Sheds needed to provide secure sheltered areas for our herd.

• Arena Construction and Fencing Upgrades are on the horizon but will progress as weather allows and once we acquire a tractor.

Despite the cold, we’re committed to moving forward—one carefully placed board at a time! We appreciate your patience as we work toward creating a safer, more functional space for both horses and humans.

Support Our GoFundMe!

We know not everyone can volunteer on-site, but there are still ways to help. Our GoFundMe campaign aims to cover essential setup costs, keep our programs accessible, and ensure our horses have everything they need. If you’re able to contribute—or even share the link with friends and family—we’d be incredibly grateful. Every donation, even $5 or $20, makes a real difference in our day-to-day operations and future plans!

Equine Lease Program

We’re also excited to announce that applications for our Equine Lease Program are now open for 2025! This is a wonderful opportunity for learners looking to:

• Spend more time 1:1 with a horse bonding, grooming, and working together.

• Practice and refine their skills outside of scheduled lesson times.

• Deepen their connection with a specific horse and become more involved in day-to-day care.

If you’ve been dreaming of a more immersive experience, leasing might be the perfect next step. For more details or to request an application, please reach out to us at stormchaserstables@gmail.com.

Mark Your Calendars — Important Dates Below:

• Team Horsemanship Classes Resume March 2nd

• Regular Horsemanship Classes Resume April 6th

• Community Days Coming this Spring

We truly appreciate your patience and warmth as we work through the challenges of this season. Your support makes this place more than just a farm—it’s a community bound by a love for horses, education, and the great outdoors.

If you have any questions, want to volunteer, or need more information about classes, forms, or our GoFundMe, please feel free to reach out. Together, we can keep our community thriving!

Storm Chaser Stables

November 2024 Newsletter

Dear Storm Chaser Stables Community,

We’re thrilled to announce our upcoming move to a new farm location! This exciting shift brings new opportunities for growth and we’re so grateful for your support during this transition. We’re looking forward to the future and can’t wait to share it with all of you!

In this issue you’ll find details about the move, our temporary closure dates, volunteer opportunities, upcoming fundraiser, and a poll to help shape our 2025-2026 class offerings for Farm School.

Announcing Our New Farm Location!

We’re excited to share that Storm Chaser Stables is officially relocating to a beautiful farm in Dillwyn, VA! Our new address will be updated on our website and social pages in the coming weeks. What you need to know now: Our projected closure dates for all programs at SCS are from November 25, 2024 through January 5, 2025 to allow us time to set up the new facilities. The week after Thanksgiving we will reopen the farm to any volunteers able to help us with projects and transitioning the herd. We’ll keep you updated on our progress and look forward to welcoming you back to an improved space in the new year!

The main concern we have heard from you about our move is the distance away from our current facility. At our new location, we will be within a 20-30 minute radius of the schools in Fluvanna, Buckingham, and Scottsville, placing us in a more central location to all of you. We have a plan in motion to continue serving all of these communities with after school classes and camps! Please feel free to contact us directly if you have any questions, concerns, or thoughts to share on how this transition will affect your student’s classes.

Volunteer Opportunities: Project Leaders and Team Members Needed

As we prepare to transition to the new farm, we’re calling on our community to help make it a space for learning, growth, and connection. We need leaders for immediate projects and 2-3 team members per project to assist with essential setups, including:

• Building temporary and permanent fencing

• Moving the herd — those with trucks please message us!

• Constructing arenas with footing and fencing

• Improving farm entrances with gates and gravel

• Staking out and building trails

• Designing and building obstacles for our jump field and obstacle course

• Planning our future barn with classroom and attached indoor arena

We anticipate opening the new farm to volunteer help the week after Thanksgiving. If you’re interested in leading or joining a team, please reach out! We’re grateful for any assistance, whether big or small. Thank you!

Congratulations to Our 2024 Team!

Last weekend we attended the travel team’s final event of the season. We couldn’t be more proud of their dedication and achievements this year! Incredibly, the team raised over $1250 for their event fees at three student-run bake sales. Students who participated in the full show season were recognized at Westwood Stables and Silver Star Farm for their efforts with various year-end awards. Join us in congratulating our team for a successful season of teamwork and horsemanship!

Interested in the team experience for your child? SCS Equestrian Team membership applications are open for 2025! This opportunity is open to horsemanship students who exemplify our farm’s core values of kindness, safety, horsemanship skillset excellence, and sportsmanship. Contact us to learn more!

Fundraiser to Support Student Access in 2025 and Beyond

We’re committed to making our programs accessible for all students and this year we’re launching a fundraiser to help make that possible. Donations will directly support a scholarship fund for student tuition and create setups that allow more youth to experience the benefits of our programs. Our funding goals include:

• $8,000 - Relocation and setup expenses to ensure we have a stable and accessible home for the farm school.

• $12,000 - Program support and scholarship fund for families who need assistance accessing our classes.

• $5,000 - Funding for learning materials, tools, and supplies to support classes in horsemanship, gardening, self-sufficiency, and more.

• $15,000 - Tractor and equipment (post hole auger, bushhog, arena drag) to maintain safe and functional learning spaces for students and animals.

• $10,000 Fencing and shelters for our horses and other animals and creating secure, engaging areas for hands-on lessons.

You can support us by sharing and contributing to our GoFundMe fundraiser. We truly appreciate your help — we couldn’t make this impact in our community without you!

Help Shape Our 2025-26 Class Offerings

We’re excited to hear from you about the types of classes you’d love to see next year! Potential offerings for our upcoming schedule include:

• Cooking & Culinary Arts

• Nature Study & Exploration

• Yoga & Equestrian Fitness

• Fine Art (Expressive, Watercolor, Botanical, 3-D, & More)

• Horsemanship Clinics & Equine Assisted Learning Courses

Email us with your top choices or suggest additional classes that interest you learner. Your input will help us design a program that best serves our community’s needs!

Mark Your Calendars — Important Dates Below:

• Farm Closure w/ NO Programs Fall Break November 25-29, 2024

• Volunteers Welcome for New Farm Projects December 1-21, 2024

• Farm Closure w/ NO Programs Winter Break December 22-29, 2024

• Anticipated Reopening of Horsemanship Programs January 6, 2025

Thank you for your ongoing support during this transition! We’re looking forward to an exciting new chapter at Storm Chaser Stables and we can’t wait to continue this journey with all of you. As always, please reach out with any questions or ideas, and keep an eye on your inbox for more updates!

Storm Chaser Stables

October 2024 Newsletter

Dear Friends of Storm Chaser Stables,

We have exciting news for the farm! As we look ahead to the next chapter, we wanted to keep you updated on some upcoming developments. These changes bring exciting new opportunities for growth and we can’t wait to share what’s coming next with you!

In this newsletter, you’ll find more details about our annual student art contest, class availability, a special spotlight on one of our exceptional students, and an upcoming transition for the farm. Thank you for being a part of our community!

Annual T-Shirt Design Contest: 2024 Submissions Reopened!

We’re excited to announce that we’re reopening our annual t-shirt design contest! While we had originally planned to wrap things up by the end of summer, life took us on a detour and this project was tabled. We’ve decided to give everyone a little more time to get creative and enter the contest!

Theme: Fun on the Farm with Friends

New Deadline: Submit your design by October 31, 2024

Whether you’ve already submitted or are thinking about creating something new, we’d love to see your design! The winning t-shirt will be featured in our merchandise store as our 2024 Contest Winner. This tradition is a great way to showcase your talent while supporting our horses!

How to Submit:

• Email your design to stormchaserstables@gmail.com by October 31

• Include your name, contact information, and a brief description of your design

After submissions close, we’ll put it to a community vote online—so stay tuned for more details! In the meantime, check out our merchandise shop. Please visit the merch store and consider a purchase to help support our equine partners!

Student Spotlight: Lilly’s Big Accomplishment

We are thrilled to celebrate Lilly Garrett-Redmond, a long-time student that has shown incredible dedication and growth with us. This year she achieved a major milestone by joining the travel team—a huge accomplishment! Since joining she has competed in multiple shows and has exhibited key skills of sportsmanship, teamwork, and horsemanship, of course. Please join us in celebrating Lilly's hard work and success!

Lilly has consistently demonstrated her passion for horses and her commitment to learning. We couldn’t be more proud of her! She’s been a regular participant in our programs over the years ranging from horsemanship to day camp and more. We look forward to seeing her continue to thrive!

Interested in the team experience for your child? SCS Equestrian Team membership applications are open for 2025! This opportunity is open to horsemanship students who exemplify our farm’s core values of kindness, safety, horsemanship skillset excellence, and sportsmanship. Contact us to learn more!

Big News: Our Farm is Moving!

As many of you know, Storm Chaser Stables has grown a LOT over the last four years. This growth now brings an exciting new chapter—we’re moving! While the exact location is still to be confirmed, we are planning to transition to a new farm space that will allow us to expand our programs and continue offering exceptional hands-on learning opportunities for all of our students within the next few months.

During this period of change, the farm will plan to be temporarily closed for a few weeks while we get settled. We will share more details as they become available, but for now, we want to make sure you have the heads-up and can plan accordingly.

We know we will remain open at our current location in November. However, we will be closed for the week of Thanksgiving for our annual Fall Break. Please stay tuned for more updates regarding class schedules and other important dates!

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we prepare for this big move. We’re seeking volunteers to help us set up at the new farm when the time comes. We may need assistance with building infrastructure, caring for animals, and helping to facilitate classes during the transition and beyond. While it’s too early to confirm exact details, if you’re interested in lending a hand, let us know! Your support will make all the difference as we build something even greater. We’re excited to welcome you to our new space soon!

Class Availability Updates!

Horsemanship Class openings are as follows:

• Monday 4:30-6pm - ONE Biweekly Opening

• Tuesday 3:30-5pm - ONE Opening

Farm School Day Program and Co-Operative Classes will continue to be furloughed until 2025. We will update you on these classes as they become available!

Mark Your Calendars — Important Dates Below:

• Horse Show at Silver Star Farm October 19

• Annual T-Shirt Design Contest NEW Deadline October 31

• Year End Horse Show at Silver Star Farm November 9

• Farm Closure w/ NO Programs Fall Break November 25-29

Thank you for being an integral part of the Storm Chaser Stables community. Your support means the world to us!

If you have any questions about our upcoming move, available classes, or how you can get involved, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We will continue to keep you updated through social media and occasional newsletters. We’re excited for what the future holds and can’t wait to share it with all of you!