Eric's friend, Nora, is working
at Post Time Farm in Ocala.
Nora works at Dutch Manor Stable
She is at Post Time caring for
three horses & riding in
jumping competitions.
Eric, Nora and
her dog, Maggie.
I was expecting to see rows and rows of horse barns and found about fifteen extremely large blue and white roofed tents. A company owns these tents and the stalls inside. It moves the tents from venue to venue and rents the spaces to stables that bring horses to compete.
The Tack Room
Rio with flared nostrils...
He just sneezed on me.
Nick O' Time was
happy to pose for me.
Cisco was pleasant, but shy; unwilling to pose for the lady with the camera.
Nick O' Time and Cisco's owners come to Ocala compete. Nora jumps Rio for his owner.
Horses that compete here are jumpers and hunters. Jumpers run a timed course and they are scored on how effectively they clear barred obstacles. Hunters are judged on their "poise" and movement as they complete their courses.
There are horse
barns
and lots of horse
trailers.
There are RV sites with
water & electric hook ups.
This horse is enjoying
shower time.
The blacksmith
is busy.
The Competition Ring
There are hurdles
and a tented area.
Jumping competitions are very popular and well attended. There are no large purses to be won, as is the case in thoroughbred horse racing. Competitors are here for the love of the sport and are proud of their ongoing progress in the ring.
This trainer has
a booth on site.
Roof repair is
available too.
We had a great place
to park, next to the
Dutch Manor Stable truck.
Post Time is a little city. There's a school for children who are working "the circuit." Ir is in session Monday through Thursday from 8 am to 1 pm. Feed is delivered and distributed. There are tractors moving around hauling away lots of horse pooh; removing the trash; pumping out the RV sewer tanks and Port a Potties.
There are amenities too. Food is available on site. During competitions there are several food stations available where you can have staff "build" deli sandwiches, salads and pasta dishes. Burgers and hot dogs are always available too. Monday through Thursday there is food available, but there is less variety.
Visiting Nora included learning about the temperaments of the types of horses that compete in in jumping competitions. The work day starts early with feeding horses, mucking out stables and exercising the horses. Some horses require training for certain aspects of their competition.. Cold nights require blanketing the horses and pulling down the tent flaps before turning in. Five thirty am comes early and the work is never ending. This is a labor of love.
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