Clermont Equestrian - Premiere Peninsula Boarding, Training, Lessons

Hay Crisis

November 17, 2011

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

November 07, 2011

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!

November 01, 2011

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