Happy New Year!

The team here at Windurra would like to wish everyone a very happy 2014 and Year of the Horse! We arrived safely in Aiken after a long drive in the rain and have already given the horses a ride. We're looking forward to the sunshine, and are relieved to have missed the massive snowstorm heading for the Northeast. We are very excited to get the season underway and are looking forward to what we hope will be a very exciting year for all our horses and riders.

Cheers!

List of Horse Trailer-Friendly Truck Stops Between PA and Aiken, SC

As seasoned Aiken veterans by this point, we have done the drive South numerous times and know that advance preparation can make or break your travel plans. In a massive effort to avoid any of the Windurra trucks and trailers running out of fuel en route to Aiken, or getting stuck in a tiny out of the way fuel station, Silva has managed to put together a list of every convenient service station that has diesel and is easy to get in and out of:

I-95

Maryland

Exit 57 Baltimore Travel Center (Baltimore)

Virginia

Exit 33 (US 17) Mapco Express (Fredericksburg)

Exit 89 (Hwy 802) Richmond Travel Center (Ashland)

Exit 83 (US1) Mapco (Glen Allen)

Exit 73 (US 360) Mapco (Richmond)

Exit 58 Pilot Travel Center (Colonial Heights)

Exit 41 U.S Gas (Petersburg)

Exit 33 (Hwy 602) Davis Travel Center (Stony Creek)

Exit 11b (Hwy 58) Sadler travel Plaza (Emporia)

Exit 8 (US 301) Simmons Travel Center (Emporia)

North Carolina

Exit 180 (Hwy 48) Pilot Travel Center (Pleasant Hill)

Exit 168 Oasis Travel Center (Halifax)

Exit 121 (US 264) Kangaroo Express (Wilson)

Exit 107 Kangaroo Express (Kenly)

Exit 106 Wilco Hess (Kenly)

Exit 105 Petro (Kenly)

Exit 75 Sadler Travel Plaza (Dunn)

Exit 61 61 Truck Stop (Wade)

Exit 58 (US 13) Fort Bragg Travel Center (Fayettesville)

Owen Drive Exit Wilco Hess (Fayettesville)

Exit 17 (Hwy 72) Wilco Hess (Lumberton)

South Carolina

Exit 181a (Hwy 38) Flying J Travel Plaza (Latta)

Exit 164 (US 52) Florence Travel Center (Florence)

I-20

Exit 116 (US15) Interstate Shell (Bishopville)

Exit 92 (US 601) Pilot Travel Center (Lugoff)

Exit 71 (US 21) Columbia 20 Travel Center (Winnsboro)

Exit 70 (US 321) Flying J Travel Plaza (Columbia)

Exit 39 Hill View truck Stop (Leesville)

Exit 33 (US 39) Kents Corner (Batesburg)

AIKEN!!!!

Hunt Season

I have very much enjoyed the winter of hunting with the Cheshire Fox Hunt this year. Since  theFair Hill Three Day Event in October, we have managed to get a number of the event horses out galloping up and down the hills in the Cheshire Hunt Country.  I am hoping it has a positive effect on their cross country abilities and their fitness once we start eventing towards the end of January in Aiken.

A special thanks must go to Amy Lindgren (pictured standing in the above photo). Amy has kept Minotaur du Passoir in training with us since he retired from eventing a few years ago.  Through the spring and summer my groom Lindsey worked on his dressage and jumping, and then in the fall and winter he has transformed into a first-flight fox hunter. Min was a superb event horse, but an even better hunt horse.  It was a great honour to ride Min alongside huntsman Ivan Dowling a couple of weekends ago, up with the hounds, as his wing man. 

L-R: Dave, Amy, Boyd and Harry

Today will most likely be my last fox hunt for a good while as we are heading to Aiken in a couple of days.  I had a superb day alongside Dave Leinhauser on Brewster and Harry Walker on Drummond. I have also been lucky enough to event the Walkers' horses Dummond and Brewster in the past.  We were out for three hours and had some great runs, and jumped some good fences. Harry, Dave and myself were accused of 'Larking' when we took on a stone wall (pictured below in the background) that was slightly out of the way towards the end of the day. 

I would like to thank the Cheshire Hunt for a great time of galloping and jumping over the last few months in some of the most beautiful protected land in the US. 

Boyd Martin

Save the Date!!!

Ugly Sweater Extravaganza

Boyd Martin and Dom Schramm

You know it's Christmas when the ugly sweaters come out of hiding.Trading Aces syndicate members Katie and Cuyler Walker put on a sensational "ugly sweater" party last night…hundreds of members of the equestrian community were at their house sporting the least tasteful sweaters money can buy. It’s a wonderful time of the year when fox hunters, eventers, dressage riders, show jumpers and members of the racing community can all bond together and celebrate Christmas. 

-Boyd and Silva

Dr. Mary Griffin and Silva Martin opted for an angelic look

Thanks and Good Luck to Jackson Roberts

A big thanks to steeplechase rider Jackson Roberts for lending a hand with some of the road work for the horses coming back into work for next year. I used to work alongside Jacko at Phillip Dutton's farm before he changed careers into a steeplechase jockey, and I wish him all the best as he relocates to Ireland in the next couple of weeks to further his knowledge of racing.


-Boyd

Holiday Shopping..a Word for our Sponsors

There are a few days left until Christmas, and if you're like most horse people you've been spending so much time at the barn that you haven't had a chance to finish your holiday shopping. Our sponsors have a great selection of products that also make great gifts: Smartpak Equine has treats for your horses, clothing and equipment for you and your horse, and even a few horsey holiday ornaments. They also offer overnight shipping!

Good nutrition is important year-round, but especially during the cold winter months when your horse doesn't have access to fresh green grass. Purina horse feeds will help your horse look and feel his best - and don't forget about Hydration Hay if you're lucky enough to be making the long drive to someplace warm and sunny in the coming weeks.

Enjoy the drive in a Theault horse van, and you'll wish you were on the road even longer. But if you're staying in the cold and wintry north, keep your horse warm and cozy with a Shires rug.

While you're treating your horse, you should also treat yourself! Ariat has super stylish clothing and boots for everyone on your list, and a new Charles Owen helmet or Point Two air vest. will ensure that you ride safely in 2014. Don't forget to protect your horse's legs with a pair of Boyd Martin signature boots from Majyk Equipe!

When you know you look good, you stand up a little taller and ride a little better. Silva loves the stylish clothing from Middy 'N Me. It will always help you stand out from the crowd in the saddle, at the jog or out for the evening to celebrate your victories big and small.

Stuebben and Devoucoux can outfit you and your horses with luxurious saddlery, and an Ecogold pad will keep your horse's back feeling great.

For the ultimate present for you AND your horse, get off to a foot-perfect start to 2014 with a new arena surface. Our friends at Attwood Equestrian Surfaces will advise you through the process and install a surface that will even make the eventers out there look forward to their dressage lessons...

Happy shopping!!

Boyd and Silva