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In This Issue...
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Take a Minute to Reflect
 Believe it or not, we still have lots of tears at Yarrabin. They are tears that many guests have, both children and adults, when they have to end their holiday with us. Some kids even hide when their parents start to leave! In the recent school holidays, we were very moved on the profound effect some quality time at Yarrabin has on many families, but one in particular. A single Dad and three gorgeous children joined us for a much needed escape from the city and some challenges they were facing. They grabbed our last room – one with two bunk beds – and Dad squeezed in with his kids. You could sense when they arrived that they had some challenges and were stressed and disconnected. But after a few days, they seemed to become at one with each other, and with what life had dealt them. They laughed, smiled, became involved, made friends, improved their riding, and reconnected as a family. It touched our hearts. Amazing what effect Yarrabin has on many people. But it didn’t stop there for us. We took a moment to think how great life is for us. How often do we take that time to reflect – on who we are, what we have, and where we are going? It’s so easy to get caught up in the fast pace of life, to get all worked up over the small stuff, and to lose touch with those who matter. So maybe the tears we see at Yarrabin are a good thing? To show that people have had a chance to find space to reflect and really enjoy themselves, and to come closer as family and friends?
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Welcome to Kristina – plus an invitation for you to escape!
 She’s not only a great horsewoman, she’s chatty, bright and quick with a big smile!! That’s Kristina, our newest member of the Yarrabin crew. We’d like to extend a public warm welcome to her and invite you up to meet her soon. Kristina jumps in everywhere she is needed – from the washing up to marketing to helping with the kids. You’ll probably speak to her on the phone because she has also stepped in to being Annie’s PA! Her passions are horses and people, has done a few horse courses and now even gives some riding lessons at Yarrabin. We’d also like to welcome back Annie’s sister Jo and Sandra – some of you will know them from the times they shared with us at Yarrabin in recent years. Jo probably knows our business better than we do (!) and Sandra has a gift with people and especially children. They both will enthrall you with stories of adventure of their travels through Asia, Africa, Europe and America. We have said goodbye to a couple of other staff – Ian the cook has moved to the warmer climates of Cairns, and Rebecca is now working at another horse place near Bathurst. We thank them for their enthusiasm and help at Yarrabin and wish them the best. Now here’s an invitation for you!! Ever thought of escaping the rat race, having a sea (or should that be tree??) change, or just getting away from it all for a while??? Come on – we all have! But really you can’t…you have commitments, family, a job, friends…..right? Well why not try a short term escape?? We offer working holiday escapes – where you can live with us in our idyllic surroundings, ride horses every day, help around the farm, get in touch with your inner child, cleanse AND even tone up and lose weight!! (ever wondered why Annie is so slim???) Here is your chance! An escape to Yarrabin. You don’t even have to be a great rider – all we ask is that you are quick with a smile and work well in a team…. Let us know if you (or your boss!) needs this chance to re-focus your life. Or maybe you would like a permanent paid position? We are again looking for a cook – someone who has a love of cooking (we have all the recipes) but also enjoys some gardening in the quieter times. Call or email if you are interested!
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Our Winner of our “Win a weekend for four at Yarrabin” Competition
 Thank you so sincerely to everyone who sent a suggestion/wish/dream to enter our recent competition!! We had people email us from all over the world and Australia, and from people who had never been to Yarrabin but wanted to be part of it. Some suggestions have been in place for a while, and others made us stop and think and go “wow – what a GREAT idea!” There were many emails from people who had a dream of coming to Yarrabin one day – and to become part of our Yarrabin Family. If we could offer a prize to all those who touched our hearts we would – but it is just not possible to do so at the moment and stay in business! But we will continue to offer more competitions so please stay tuned. Our latest is a colouring in competition for under 10 year olds – we can email you the drawing if you would like to win a free horse ride at Yarrabin. Now…drum roll,,,,,our prize for best suggestion/wish/dream goes to DAVID REDHILL. David not only made many fantastic suggestions (such as children’s fancy dress weekends, treasure hunts and musical weekends), he recounted a story of his time at Yarrabin as a child many years ago. We all laughed (and Annie’s parents even remembered the incident!) when he told us how he sat on an apple pie at the Bush BBQ one time! He engaged us with his stories, dreams and wishes for Yarrabin. But the line that really sold us (and connects closely with our first article in this newsletter) was: “For me, Yarrabin has always been as much a state of mind as a place.” We look forward to welcoming David and his family back to Yarrabin after almost 35 years.
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Our Puzzle Section
 Thanks also for all the entries in our puzzle competition last month! The puzzles are getting a little harder and you need to get both answers correct to have a chance…plus be lightening quick with emailing us back first!! Our April winner of the free horse ride was Rachel Murray - congratulations! The answers were that the other end of the 10 metre rope wasn’t tied to anything; and the thing all things devours: birds, beasts, gnaws iron, bites steel, grinds hard stones to meal, slays kings, ruins town and beats high mountains down – was time! So here are the two puzzles for May (first correct answer to both receives a free horse ride!!) 1. What can run but doesn't walk, has a mouth but doesn't talk, has a head but doesn't weep, has a bed but doesn't sleep? 2. Mr Smith eats two eggs every day. He never buys any eggs, nobody gives them to him, he doesn’t steal them from anyone, and doesn’t keep hens. Where does he get his eggs from?
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Some Recommended Movies and Reading
 Must be something about Yarrabin, or maybe it’s that Annie loooooooves movies and Graeme loooooooves reading, but we are often asked which movies and books would we recommend! We do show some of these movies during Kids Camps and our Active Horsemanship Workshops. But we thought we would share some suggestions and comments each month via this ezine. Annie recommends a movie called “HIDALGO.” It’s based on a true story and Annie describes it as “thrilling, exciting, a great story!” Frank Hopkins, the greatest long distance racer ever, faces astonishing obstacles on his horse Hidalgo. They race across 3,000 miles of Arabian desert against the finest Arabian horses and riders. A great story of personal triumph, amazing special effects and memorable characters. (The music of Hidalgo even features on our phone recorded message!) And for those of you who enjoy reading – try the “Chicken Soup for the Soul” series. There are about 20 different titles, including “Chicken Soup for the Horse Lovers Soul.” They are short stories – inspirational real life stories that make you reflect on how good you have it. Even Graeme has shed the odd tear or two! Please let us know what you think – or if you have other recommendations for movies or books you would us to share! In the meantime, take a moment to reflect, take some deep breaths, and enjoy life – hope to see you at Yarrabin soon. HAPPY TRAILS Annie and Graeme Phillips (Ph 02 6337 5712)
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Every day is a day full of fun and relaxation at Yarrabin! But there is even more fun starting on Saturday 24th June for 5 days until Wednesday 28th June….our winter Kids Camp! If you have been before, you will know how much fun we have – loads of great activities, bush BBQs, movie nights, gymkhana, day ride, loads of trail rides, and of course quality sessions with Annie in our round yard working on the finer points of riding. If you have never been before, now is the time to sign up! We only take 20 eager kids (and have a ratio of 1 adult per 6 kids) and we only have 8 places left. The camps are for boys and girls aged 10 to 15. Most kids from Sydney catch the XPT train up (leaving Central at 7:10 am) and return on the XPT (arriving Central about 8:50 pm). A staff member accompanies the kids both ways. You will have to be quick to book because we are always over-subscribed. Please call us on 02 6337 5712 or email holidays@yarrabin.com . And don’t forget all the Kids Camps and our new “Cowgirl Adventures" (for 15 to 17 year old girls) over December and January… more info on the link below. And for all those great kids who joined us for the Kids Camps last December 2005 and January 2006, we have loaded the photos onto our website – but you will need to email us for the passwords and instructions!
Did you know we are open every day of the year except Christmas Day? Most people focus on holidaying with us on weekends and school holidays, but we do still offer fantastic riding and country holidays during the week. Plus we often have a few enticing specials (like stay a third day mid week at half price!). If you can’t make mid week, then how about some of our planned activities to look forward to? We are having two “Adults Only” weekends in the next 2 months (16/17 June and 28/29 July) where you can join in the fun for a Kid Free weekend…and some wild partying and horse riding! You don’t have to be single – just an adult! It’s an all inclusive package. Fancy joining us for a day in the saddle? PLUS a hearty pub lunch at the O’Connell Hotel? Sign up for the “Day Ride Weekend” on 26 to 28 May. Feel the wind rush through your hair on some long canters over open paddocks, or just chill out with the peace and quiet of our forest setting. You don’t have to be a fantastic rider, as we can cater for all levels. Or how about enjoying the depths of winter (no it’s really not THAT cold up here!!) and some roaring open fires, for our YULETIDE weekends in August? Not only a big Christmas roast on the Saturday night, but presents for kids under 10! Makes much more sense having a celebration of Christmas with hot dinners in the cold weather! Click on the link below for more info on these theme weekends, and others.
Despite the ongoing drought (yep – we haven’t had decent rain since mid January!!) all our horses are looking great! Hand feeding every day probably helps! The Yarrabin mob currently stands at 33 horses. We have 28 horses “in the line” that work with us every day; Amber and her foal Ollie fattening up in the pastures; Rosie (our Palomino) in foal and excused from work; Sherry is resting but likes to come in every now and then; and Maizy on loan to Annie’s Dad Gavin so he can ride with Annie’s Mum Sue! The latest addition is Major – a solid chestnut quarter horse cross gelding who often gets mistaken for Storm (remember him?). He has come from a mob near Rockley and seems to be enjoying the work and life in the Yarrabin stable. Dice (our ghost Appaloosa) went to Major’s previous owner – he now enjoys higher mountain pastures, lots of green grass, and a gentle ride every now and then! One last horsey thing – it’s the horses birthday on 1st August!! (Can anyone tell us why it is 1st August??) If you have a favourite horse at Yarrabin and you would like us to wish him/her a HAPPY BIRTHDAY for you, let us know or send up a special treat! We’ll take a birthday pic and send it to you!
This month’s riding tip from our guru rider and instructor, Annie, follows on from last month’s tip on how to move your horse on. It’s about slowing down…. Here’s what Annie says: “When you want to decrease pace, don’t just haul on the reins. Tighten your fingers and apply gentle pressure to the horse’s mouth, while at the same time restricting movement with your seat and upper body (pretending you’re a sack of potatoes helps!). Your horse will feel the resistance and want to slow down. Experienced riders can decrease pace by using their bodies only, with very little rein contact!” So try that and see how you go. It takes a little practice but it is a much better and gentler way to control your horse than yanking on those reins! But what about if your horse is WAY out of control we hear you ask? We had a young girl come to us having experienced this, and she decided that bailing was the only option! Guess what….came out with a broken arm!!! We have all experienced this “out of control” feeling, haven’t we? But bailing should never be an option. Heard about the “emergency stop?” Ask Annie next time you ride with us and she will show how to safely and effectively gain control again!