Events

Hay Crisis

2011-11-17T20:20:00Z

Just when we solved the financial crisis and then equine herpes, well now there is another...at least for horse owners. You have probably heard rumors by now about the "Hay Crisis". Well it is unfortunately very real. There is an article in Riding Magazine that summarizes the perfect storm of factors that led to this. We are very fortunate to have locked in a field of Pacific Meadow Grass from Oregon that will get us through the shortage, but some barns I predict will have to change their feeding program to feed whatever they can procure. By February there may be no more hay - anywhere. The article doesn't say this, but from what I have found from research, this is a real possibility.

Decisions - For Better or Worse

2011-11-07T17:35:00Z

Someone recently asked me what made Craig and me switch from professional lives, to running an equestrian and training facility, and whether we miss our old lifestyle. We touch on that on our website, but it was definitely a passion for horses, a passion for a promise of a calm lifestyle, and an opportunity to give our girls a chance to ride horses and ponies to their hearts' content. This was especially true of our older daughter, Natalia, who, from the age of 3 or so, talked of nothing but horses. While all the other kids played with baby dolls, she played 'barn' with her horses. I'm not sure if our younger daughter has that same passion, but our older daughter still thrives in the opportunity to play with her ponies. I never thought it would be possible, given the crazy and hectic lifestyle of both of us working full-time, commuting, living in the ever-more expensive Bay Area, but Craig reminded me that anything was possible. A couple of years later, after seeing the beautiful Cypress Ridge Ranch and dreaming of someday providing a new life for our girls, we had the incredible opportunity to start Clermont Equestrian - for better or worse.

Do I miss the 401k plan, the vacation time, the free latte's, the great cafeteria, ho-ho's and all the perks of Genentech? You betcha. But I wouldn't change our decision for the world. It's taught me more than I ever learned in school, my MBA degree or my life in research.

I will be writing about our experience of starting this business, our victories and our struggles, and most importantly, I want to give people an insight in what it's like to run and manage a horse business. Stay tuned....

Congratulations to Davina and Steve!

2011-11-01T18:02:00Z

We love hearing from our happy customers. Here's a touching story that we just had to post. We wish Davina and Steve the best in their marriage, and thank you for updating us on Silver (our first horse we bought for Clermont!)

Dear Anne and Craig,

I hope you are having a wonderful year in Woodside! I attached a wedding photo - Steve and I officially married this past July, and we had my dad walk me, mounted on Silver, down the aisle. (I even cantered him in the dress)!

Silver is doing great - we are in Pacifica now and competing in long-distance trail riding. We even went camping together alone in the Santa Cruz mountains for a week this summer, covering over 80 miles.

I just wanted to say thank you for bringing this wonderful horse into my life. You are both wonderful people and I think of you often.

Sincerely,

Davina & Silver

Summer

2011-08-19T18:39:00Z

Hello everyone! It has been a while since I updated this and so much has happened this summer!

We also had a lot of improvements this summer, improving the main barn tackrooms, added new lights to the tack up area, tons of gravel to the roads and paddocks. We also installed a round pen and added lights to the outdoor ring.

Next week we are getting another four days of tree trimming, mostly around the arena to reduce the noise from the water dripping, thanks to Bill McClenahan - so thanks Bill!

With our outside trainers, it was great to see Georgia Simpson 'back in the saddle', all healed up and coaching and riding again!

Anne and I would also like to welcome trainer Marissa Yolken and her students and several ponies to our facility - they are all so nice - welcome all.

I would also like to congratulate Debbie Peng on her beautiful new horse found by her trainer Petra Beltran.

Brock Clermont wins the 2011 USA Adequan 6 Year Old Jumper Finals in the Hamptons

2011-04-22T23:21:00Z

I am very pleased my younger brother Brock Clermont, who started his training farm in Florida five years ago, recently won the very challenging 6 year old division of the Young Jumper Championships. You can read about it here and see a video. Enjoy!

Clermont at Thermal 2011

2011-03-14T14:02:00Z

Well it was a great start to the 2011 season! We went with six horses who gathered many ribbons, including:

Jessie Woodyard with her young jumper Ovation aka 'Bravo'
Lynda Twomey with her young jumper mare Vedette aka 'Lovey' and new horse jumper Vukido aka 'Kido'
Lauren Kee and her large pony Simply a Duchess aka 'Duchess'
Katherine Cota with her jumper Davinci's Dream aka 'Bailey',
Rachel Quick with her equitation hunter Sir Dudley aka 'Dudley'

Craig Clermont started the horses early in the week, getting them used to the rings including getting Kido high placings in the Level 4. During the weekends everyone gained great ribbons including two reserve champions so that was super exciting! The jumper prospects (young Bravo and Lovey) were tested quite hard in the main Grand Prix ring with Craig on Tuesday of the second week, and they responded with bravery and talent, both clearing the tough 'Level 3' course over all the scary Grand Prix jumps. We also pushed Vukido's jump-off skills in the Level 5 and he responded beautifully, getting second place out a large, tough field of riders and horses. Craig was extremely pleased with all horses and riders, so that was wonderful!

'Bravo'

'Kido'

Vukido begins his GP career

2011-02-26T02:58:00Z

Lynda Twomey's talented new horse from Holland has been a great .95 meter horse for her as she develops her skills at horse shows. He also began his career in the Grand Prix arena with a fast jump-off at Rancho Murieta for a second place finish. This was a great triumph in Craig's opinion since Vukido doesn't have much experience going fast, and he really did 'rise to the occasion'! Now he is in Thermal and continuing to push the training of his speed and scope, garnering consistently high placings in the Level 4 division against tough competition. Lynda is thrilled with Vukido!

World Equestrian Games Videos

2010-10-06T23:39:00Z

Here is Mario DesLauriers winning the speed. Canada's Eric Lamaze, riding Hickstead, qualifies for first for the final four, allowing him a chance to add Worlds gold to his Olympic gold. Video

Summer

2010-06-12T02:06:01Z

When we woke up this morning, the sun was shining bright, the birds were chirping, and it honestly felt like summer was finally here. What a long winter. Makes me wonder how our predecessors, those brave men and women who settled the West did it: months of cold winter and ice, no warm boots or jackets, no cozy homes. Craig and I are pioneers in a sense, but nothing compares! We are so spoiled by modern comforts.

Coaches as mentors

2010-03-19T14:57:00Z

When parents choose who will coach their son or daughter, they are really deciding who will have a major role model influence on them. It is like handing a key to the coach to shape the child's future - for better or worse.

Children and teenagers are very impressionable and looking for not just how to learn the piano, or master a sport like show jumping, but actually How to Live. So if they learn that certain bad behaviors or morals are 'OK' by their coach, it is very hard for parents to reverse that once it has become a learned behavior. Parents should consider such items as:

How honest is the coach?
What are their views on higher education?
Have they completed high school or college?
How are their family values?

All of these factors will be taken on by students, usually in a large way, especially after spending months or years under the care of the coach.

What it takes

2009-12-05T16:52:00Z

Parents sometimes ask me what it takes to be really good. The simplest answer is to look around at other sports, such as swimming or gymnastics, and get a benchmark for the amount of daily practice a child (or adult) needs to do most days. For example, a good swimmer or gymnast will do one hour. A really good one, such as someone who is competitive at the state level, will do two, while someone who wants to be amoungst the best in the country, will do three hours. They do time before and after school. It is the exact same with horses. If a child shows that dedication, then I (as most coaches) will want to help them succeed because it is so exciting to produce a champion and see that person grow in character and fortitude and skill over the years during that extremely challenging journey they commit to. If I have a rider like that, I will find horses or ponies for them to ride, as long as they prove they are serious in the first place.

Updates

2009-11-02T17:42:00Z

I would like to heartily thank our wonderful boarders Dr. Jay Reynolds, Jona and John Woodford for their brave help during the wind storm. They were there right when some panels hit fences. Together, we were able to prevent further damage. Thanks so much - you are true friends.

I would also like to thank my father-in-law, Tolek, for putting up lights for the outdoor jumping ring. Over the next few weeks, we will be adding even more so it is good enough for jumping, but right away you can now lunge or ride on the flat up until 9:45, just like the indoor arena.

Last week Anne and I attended the USHJA Trainer's Symposium in Texas. The clinicians were fantastic, with lots of emphasis on ground-work with poles, gymnastics and overall horsemanship.

This week look to see the future grass ring in the back graded and natural jumps added. Our eventers should love it!

Also, this morning I found this video "The Two Masters" which I highly recommend.

Local Restaurants

2009-10-06T05:05:00Z

For those who don't know yet, just a half mile further down the road from us are two 5 star restaurants! Service, food and atmosphere are super at both. Anne and I love going there for special celebrations. Both open at 5pm.

The first one on the left is the Bella Vista which is open Tuesday through Saturday. It has a great view of the SF Bay.

A bit further on the right is the Mountain House. At the back in the formal area, you can dine while surrounded by Redwood trees - fantastic!

Also, a couple more miles down 92 is Alice's restaurant, which we sometimes enjoy for breakfasts or lunch. The kids can play outside at the back too, since there is a really nice garden area!

Schooling Videos

2009-09-21T04:44:00Z

I am posting short clips of horses in training. Feel free to comment!
YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/ClermontEquest

2nd GREG BEST CLINIC

2009-08-21T17:03:01Z

Like last time the clinic was really good, but too short, especially for Diane Wilcox’s horse who was just seeing big improvements by the end of her two hours. It would have been really good to then continue from that point and make much more progress... For Kendal, she really impressed Greg with her improvements since the last clinic, who told her: "I've never seen the amount of improvement from a student that you have made in just the last six months", which really made her (and me) really happy to hear! And finally, Mary Jo did really well on Spartacus, especially for not riding much in a year or so. She was told to not ‘nag’ so much going to the fence and one of Greg’s trademark contraptions really helped drive that point home! For me, I was warned not ‘over train’ horses, so they have a chance to figure things out on their own, and therefore become more suitable for amateurs to ride later on. Greg, if you read this: Thanks for the great clinic!