Moving to New Jersey!

It's that time again.  We have been here 3.5 years, and it is time to head off on the next adventure.  We will be relocating to New Jersey in two weeks.  Several things played into this move.  This will be a GREAT career opportunity for myself and The Other Half.  I actually applied for and was recommended for a special position within the JAG Corps and I was selected.  The Other Half has a special position in his career field at our new location as well.

Also, my love of the heat here began to decline in the first week of August when Klein got a mild case of anhidrosis.  I have done a lot of reading up on it.  The number one way to manage that is to move the horse to a cooler climate.  Also, the bugs down here just drive her insane.  It has been in the high 80's up until this week, and that makes for eight straight months of bugs.  That's a lot for a sensitive grey horse with half a tail.  Plus when the bugs are out she is just miserable.  This move will give her system a break for a few years.  Yes, there are bugs in NJ, but not for eight plus months out of the year.

We found out about this move a little while ago, but I wanted to wait to post about it until I could write about the best part.  THE PONIES WILL BE HOME!

First, if anyone is looking for a horse property in New Jersey, you need to call Sharon Wristbridge at http://www.southjerseyhorseproperties.com/ ASAP!  She is AMAZING!  I got her name from a friend up there.  Sharon found my friend and her husband their beautiful horse property.  We don't want to buy in New Jersey (Google NJ property taxes) so we were looking for a farm to do a long term lease on.  We had a unique request but Sharon got to work immediately and found us the most perfect place we could have hoped for.  See, it's always worth a try to ask!  Sharon also was super prompt at answering any questions, responding to emails, texts, or phone calls.  We really can't thank her enough, she was wonderful to work with.  She set the bar high.

This past week we drove up to New Jersey to see the farm in person, sign all of the paperwork, and drop two of our vehicles off.  Our little farm is just beautiful!  It has a four bedroom three bathroom house with a two car garage (mandatory for The Other Half), four stall barn with two pastures, a dressage ring, and a bridle path that goes around part of the property. 

 Typical horse person, I took two pictures while inside and the rest are outside!

 

We will be able to look out the front window and see the ponies!!

 

 A stream that runs through the property.

The bridge to the dressage ring.

 

 View off the bridge.

 Part of the bridle path.

 As we were walking around on the bridle path a big six point buck jumped out in front of us.  The owners told us we'll also see wild turkeys, woodchucks, and maybe a fox there.

 Jumps go here.

 The drive way is gated, I love it.

 One of the pastures.

 

 Our barn!!!!

 So excited!

 View from the barn.

 

 Each stall has a heated automatic waterer.

The other pasture.

 A bank, where jumps will go.

 Another pic of the dressage ring.

 My trailer will fit great in there!

Wes will be shipping with Brook Ledge again.  I will take the mares myself.  Wes will be happier there as well.  Poor guy is a polar bear.  Even with his clip, he is sweating before the sun comes up right now.  If we were staying here he would have a full body clip already.

I'm excited.  The area we'll be in is SURROUNDED by horse farms and show venues.  The New Jersey Horsepark will only be 40-45 mins away as well as other venues that hold schooling and recognized horse trials.  Right now I haul a minimum of 70 miles to go to a show, clinic, lesson, etc...  I'm looking forward to shorter hauls and not having to come in the night before so that I'm there for an early ride the next day.  Or sometimes I just get up at 4am and be on the road with the horses by 4:45am.

Overall, I'm excited for new adventures, new places to ride and show.  Sinead Halpin's barn is up there (you better believe The Odd Couple and I will be hitting up her mile long gallop track), so is Marilyn Payne's place.  The beach will be about 45 mins away there too, so we can still go ride on the beach.  Right now it is a 2.5 hour drive away.  There are a couple HUGE wildlife management areas close to us as well, one being 6,800 acres.  There is so much to do!  This is going to be a great move!