The annual southbound migration for Harris Hill is complete!
Every year the logistics of this trip differ a little bit. This year we had some new variables to consider, and more than a few extra boxes to pack. First, Deywi (my fiancé and barn manager, though if you asked him I am sure that he would tell you his job description also includes chauffer, chef, therapist, and overall cruise director, at the very least!) set off with all of our furniture and personal items loaded into our two-horse trailer and our three dogs in the truck with him.
Deywi arrived in Florida first and got a little head start on setting up the house and the barn. I stayed behind in New York for two extra days, before loading my car onto a car carrier and the horses onto a commercial van. I hopped on a plane that same afternoon so that Deywi and I would both be there to meet the horses the next morning. (Lucky me! This is the first year that I have managed to get out of the drive to Florida, and I did not miss it at all!)
The biggest change this year is that we moved into our own house in Wellington. Packing up all of our worldly possessions was overwhelming at times (not to be outdone by the unpacking!). But we are very excited to have a little place to call ours and make our own. There is so much traveling that goes along with horse showing, and sometimes it can make you feel like a bit of a gypsy. We’ve grown very accustomed to some degree of packing and moving every six months or so, with a lot of hotel rooms and rental apartments along the way.
I’ve really been craving a little more stability, a little more of a “normal” home life to anchor the fast-paced horse show world that I love. Very simply stated, someplace where our stuff could stay put. I also just wanted to experience that sort of “normal” next step in my evolvement as an individual.
Luckily, our realtor is a horse person and a friend, so she was prepared and unfazed by me approaching first time home ownership like I was buying a horse. Can’t you get them to do a lease-purchase? When is the vetting, I mean inspection?
Wellington is a place that we always come back to each year for an extended period of time, no matter where our summer travels may have taken us. And honestly, with the show being held at the same facility all winter, it is the place where we have the ability to sleep in our own bed for the most consecutive nights. We are definitely not 100 percent settled in yet, but we’re putting it together slowly.
We may or may not be watching TV on the floor still, but there are horse photos on the wall so in my mind this house is officially a home. Only horse people would understand my priorities here.
ADVERTISEMENT
The horses arrived safely and are settling into their new home as well. They are still enjoying their post-indoors vacation, so they are a bit fuzzy and fat but very happy nonetheless! We rented some stalls at a lovely, peaceful facility just a few miles from the horse show, as well as a set-up at the showgrounds for when we are actively showing.
Showing Knockout in the green conformation at Old Salem in May. I can’t wait to see what 2015 brings!
Photo by The Book LLC
I think that it will be a nice balance and distinction for the horses, between when they are training and relaxing and when it is time for them to be in real “show mode.”
I am looking forward to getting fired up with the horses again after their break, and am very excited to see what 2015 will bring.
Jennifer Bliss had a very successful junior career, which included achievements such as earning USEF Pony Finals championships and national year-end championships in the pony and junior hunter divisions, and top 15 placings in all the major equitation finals. A professional rider and trainer whose focus is on the hunter ring, she began her own business, Harris Hill Farm, in 2007. She especially loves developing special young hunters, and teaching junior and amateur clients. To find out more about Jennifer please visit www.harrishillfarmllc.com and read all her blog entries.
