2007

The Carolina winter has finally come home to "roost" so to speak. January was a bizarre aberration of warm sunny days that resulted in mass blooming of flowers and growing grass -- quite an unusual site for this time of the year. However, it's cold here now ... and those flowers aren't looking so good. It's not SO cold that we can't ride ... but nippy, nonetheless. The horses are feeling frisky ... never a good sign for me. I SHOULD go ride; I COULD go ride; I have everything I need except one thing. Unfortunately, what I don’t have is plenty of time. As I get older, I keep thinking that I will become less busy. Surely, with the real estate market on a downward spiral … as the national forecasters daily proclaim, business should be slow. Au contraire – it’s actually QUITE busy here in the Research Triangle area of North Carolina. All real estate is local – keep that in mind – and this area is particularly strong. So – I’m not finding leisure time to take Miss Dominga for a spin.

Dominga, my Hanoverian mare, a bay with giant honey-combed dapples, is about 23 years young. She thinks she’s a filly – and much to my dismay, gets friskier by the moment. A type “A” mare, she’s got me buffaloed … and revels in that knowledge. Every time I think, “Why am I doing this? I’m old – I could get hurt!” … I ride her and realize that she is really a WONDERFUL animal with the most incredible gaits and how lucky I am to have her. Her walk is long and swinging with intent; her trot is flawless: easy and cadenced …. and her canter is like a rocking horse – balanced and rhythmical. I think, hummmm -- I need to find the time to ride more. This is how it’s SUPPOSED to be ….. I’ll find the time. While she may not like that dedication on my part, it will be good for her.

Orange County is a beautiful area of the Triangle – it has appeal (a peel) – couldn’t resist that pun. Adjacent to Durham County and just minutes to Duke and the Research Triangle Park, it’s a lovely area with rolling hills, a generous allotment of both evergreen and hardwood trees – and is actually a little bit like Connecticut in the South. Lots of competitions are held every weekend – whether you’re looking for an event, a show jumping competition or a dressage show, you’ll find it. The beauty of much of North Carolina is that you can ride year round – it might get a bit nippy, you don’t have to have an indoor arena to keep your horse fit. You can fox hunt or simply trail ride and you’ll find plenty of horse enthusiasts in the Triangle. Check out the North Carolina Dressage and Combined Training website, or the North Carolina Horse Council for details about equestrian activities. You’ll find North Carolina is a grand place for riding and enjoying your horses.

If you’re looking for a farm in the Triangle area, give me a call – I’ll be delighted to help you find just the right spot for you and your equine friends! Just call me, Ann Cavallito at 919-357-6678 or email me at ann@pscp.com or ann@the-horse-resource.com so we can chat!