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In This Issue...
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Ollie the Foal Moves to the Big Paddocks
 Who would believe that our new foal, Ollie, is now seven weeks old? She has certainly kept us and plenty of guests entertained, and has become quite a cheeky little horse. We’ve been handling her daily, and she shows signs of being a wonderful addition to the Yarrabin stable in a few years time. She goes out to the big paddocks this week with her Mum, Amber. After a couple of years we will start her, and she should be ready to ride in about 3 to 4 years. You can still come and see her of course, or even help us handle her, because we will need to check on her daily. And remember that Rosie (our pretty Palamino mare) is in foal and should deliver in October. On a sad note, Jack (the horse) passed away in January. He enjoyed his last few months at Barb’s property near Boorowa, and will be sadly missed. One of his proudest moments was having the American Ambassador to Australia ride him. Of course, some of us still bear the scars of his infamous kick!!!
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A Special Treat for Special People – Mothers!!
 Washington Irving, an American writer, once said this of mothers: “A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavour by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.” How are you going to treat your mum this Mothers Day on 14th May. Why not treat your mum to a decadent and relaxing weekend at Yarrabin? We will take care of all the meals, activities and hot spa, and even throw in a bottle of champagne and a box of chocolates….and free riding for Mothers!! For more details, click on the link below:
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Our New Rates – Lower than Before!!
 In a time when everything seems to going up (food, petrol, school fees, tolls), we have reviewed our prices and even lowered many!! We have attempted to standardize our tariff, and have removed the holiday loading. And we have spit children into 3 groups – 3 and under, 4 to 10 and 11 to 17. There are even discounts for backpackers and seniors, and shared adult accommodation. We still offer the same high standard holiday, though there will soon be new additions like mountain bikes and drizabone coats. Ever been spotlighting native wildlife? Join us for a night time adventure as we search for kangaroos and even koalas! Horse rides are always popular, and we have put together some fantastic packages for you to enjoy – like Riders Weekends (with a special moonlight ride), Adults Only weekends (sounds risqué??), and family packages for periods outside holidays. For info all these (and how you could receive a FREE massage!!), email us on holidays@yarrabin.com
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Kids Camps, Cowgirl Adventures and More!!
 Fun, riding, gymkhanas, day rides, bare backing, movie nights, bush dances, great food, and great friends! That’s what Kids Camps are all about. For some of our young guests, if we gave them the choice to sleep with the horses, they would!! Kids come from everywhere – last year they came from as far as Chile and Japan…and loads from Sydney. There is a camp planned for the end of June (still some spots left on that, but will fill over the school holidays so book soon), and more in the December/January holidays. And for all the girls who are too old for our Kids Camps (10 to 15 years), why not be the first to be part of our “Cowgirl Adventures?” It’s a theme we came across when we were with Arianna Strozzi in the US (www.leadershipandhorses.com). This special adventure will be 5 days, and open to girls only, from 15 to 17. We will do heaps of riding and learning, though at a higher level, and also do a few “big girl” activities like yoga and fashion sense. And if you’re an adult thinking “why do the kids get all the fun?” then why not ask about Active Horsemanship Workshops….almost Kids-Camps-for-Adults but with champagne and massages!!!
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Annie’s Riding Tip for April – “Giddy Up!”
 Did you see the article on Yarrabin in the Sydney Sun Herald on Sunday 9th April? It was in the travel section and titled “Giddy-up! Duke and I reign on the range.” A journalist, Rob McFarland, stayed with us, and had a pretty good experience getting back in the saddle. (We are working at loading it on our web site – will let you know separately) So that’s where Annie got her inspiration for this month’s tip!! She says “To increase pace, don’t automatically kick with your heels. Start with a clear INTENTION in your mind, and if you are in tune with your horse, this is often enough to move it on. Then try to gently squeeze with both legs while pushing forwards with your seat. If your horse doesn’t respond, reinforce your aids by tapping with your heels, or if you are using a riding crop, tapping lightly just behind your leg. If you are consistent, your horse will soon learn the proper aids.” Let us know how you go.
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Only 3 weeks left to “Win a weekend for four at Yarrabin”
Everyone loves winning, especially if it is a weekend of riding, relaxing and reconnecting at Yarrabin! So why not join our competition? We have had quite a few entries (a BIG thanks to all who have entered already) and we welcome more. Just send us an email with your thoughts, wish lists and dreams for Yarrabin – and you could win a weekend for 4 at Yarrabin! It can be anything at all – let your imagination run wild! Anyone can enter, you can enter more than once, and we won’t limit what area your wish or idea should be in. Send us an email (to holidays@yarrabin.com) and make sure you include your contact details and age (if under 18). Only three weeks left…..
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Our Puzzle Section
 Last month’s winner of our puzzle ( “Though in theory I am always behind you, I am also around to remind you. But in case it’s your way to give me too much say, I can hamper or, even worse, blind you. What am I?”) was Alisse Grafitti. We had a huge response, with answers ranging from a person’s a**e to your wife, but Alisse was first with the correct answer of “the past.” Well done Alisse! Because some thought last month’s puzzle was too easy, we thought we would have two this month! So for your free horse ride, be the first with the correct answers to these puzzles: 1. One of our horses was tied to a 10 metre rope. How did it manage to eat a pile of hay 20 metres away without biting through the rope? And 2. This thing all things devours: birds, beasts, gnaws iron, bites steel, grinds hard stones to meal, slays kings, ruins town and beats high mountains down.....
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The Loss of a Great Man – Our Mentor Dana Burden
 Yarrabin started in March 1963 after Annie’s Dad, Gavin Christie, spent a year in the US working on “dude” ranches. He spent a deal of that time on Remuda Ranch outside Wickenburg Arizona which was owned and run by Jack and Sophie Burden and their family. Their son, Dana, and Gavin formed a lifelong friendship, with Dana bringing groups of Americans out to Australia, and Gavin taking his family back to Arizona to ride the ranges. Dana also became a close friend of ours, and one of our mentors on our journey into the world of “dude ranching.” He always responded to our newsletters, with a word of praise and constant encouragement, and was keen as always to get back down under to see us and Gavin. We had also formed a partnership with Dana to take a few Aussies back to the US to ride and to raft down the Colorado River. Sadly, Dana lost his battle with brain cancer on 24th Feb 2006. Even at his memorial service, mention was made of his Aussie connection, and his close ties with Yarrabin and Gavin. He was a great man who led a remarkable life. We wish him great riding in the paddocks in heaven. So to you all, as Dana always ended his letters and emails: HAPPY TRAILS Annie and Graeme Phillips (Ph 02 6337 5712)
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No, no, we haven’t actually moved to a new property!! Why would we when we have the most idyllic piece of paradise right herein O’Connell? Fresh air, lively horses, great food cooked by Ian our cook, and loads of wonderful guests! But now it actually takes LESS TIME to drive to Yarrabin from Sydney, so we feel closer! Here are some of the reason why. The M7 tollway has reduced the time from the northern beaches, there have been major road improvements around Wentworth Falls and Leura, AND the road through Tarana (from Lithgow to O’Connell) has seen work as well. That’s the route we are recommending, rather than via Bathurst. Let us know if you need a map or directions. So now it only takes about 1 hour 45 minutes from Penrith – not bad when you think that it was a 5 day trip on the Cobb & Co stage coach back in the 1800’s!!