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In This Issue...
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Spring has well and truly sprung at Yarrabin!!
 2005 is really rushing by, and before you know it, we will be seeing Christmas decorations in all the stores! But that’s already happening! So Christmas and the end of the year fast approaches. Our regular spring rain is back and everything is looking greener than it has for years!! We have a few more fantastic activities planned for this year, but as always they are bound to book out so call us soon. Since our last newsletter, we have continued to work on a wide range of Yarrabin “stuff” (that’s the technical business plan word!!!) including a plan to upgrade our accommodation, a competition for you to let us know your “Yarrabin wish/idea” and some new team members! We would like to welcome to our team Cathy Frost (who has taken on the assistant wrangler position – that’s her in the photo! Her Dad, Greg, was the Yarrabin farrier for many years), Sarah Murray-Leslie (a great horsewoman as well as a whiz in the kitchen), Tamara Allcorn (helping out on the rides), Johanna Lennartsson (a girl from Sweden on a 5 week work experience trip), Karen Casey (now doing our gardens for us – watch out for some major improvements!), Joyce Davis (our new housekeeper who works tirelessly making rooms up), Charlotte D’Arcy and Robin Davis (helping out in the kitchen doing something everyone wants to do – the washing up!!). We are still looking for a live-in cook, so if you are keen or know someone, please let us know. Sue, Annie’s mum, still helps out there and will be a hard act to follow!!
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Riders Weekend 18 to 20 Nov
Ever ridden in the moonlight? A special and magical feeling as you relax, listen to the sounds of the bush, and enjoy a unique experience. Or maybe you enjoy the long canters over open paddocks, with the wind through your hair, as we head to the O’Connell Pub for lunch on a day ride? Well, you can do this, and more, on one of our “Riders Weekends.” We run a couple a year, and the next one is 18 to 20 November. As an extra incentive, the first 3 people to book will receive a complimentary bottle of wine to enjoy by the fire or in the spa. These weekends are popular, and you certainly don’t have to be an “advanced” rider – just be able to rise to the trot and do a little cantering…..
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Kids Camps – Saddle Club for Horse Mad Kids!!
 Probably our largest growing part of the business – and why not? Just imagine 5 days of fun – loads of horse riding and instruction, a gymkhana, a day ride to a picnic spot, activities like a bush dance or talent quest, and even the chance to swim with a horse. And all this with like-minded, horse crazy kids – both girls and boys – aged from 10 to 16! We offer a fully inclusive package – all riding, instruction, meals, accommodation, activities, supervision by trained and happy adults, and the chance to hang with our mob of wonderful horses!! December and January have 5 camps planned, and 3 are full already!! So if you or your child would like 5 days of the best fun, call us and we can send some more information. All you have to do is put them on the XPT from Sydney and we do all the rest. Makes a GREAT Christmas present!!
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Our horses and farm animals
 Here’s an interesting fact – there have been 235 horses through Yarrabin since we started in 1963! The first entry in the original horse book is “Donkey” – a bay mare who passed away in 1991. The final entry – so far – belongs to “Lady.” A grey mare thoroughbred with a wonderful temperament, she arrived in October with “Cricket”, a solid Chestnut standard bred. He is still needing a little work, but Lady is proving popular already. Another addition to the Yarrabin stable is “Kruger” (in the photo with Jess) – a quality Anglo Arab chestnut gelding who has done lots of endurance races. He comes from the stable of Greg and Lou Hamilton – Lou is the daughter of one of Yarrabin’s previous farriers, Ron Hall. Jessica, our 15 year old daughter, has claimed Kruger as her own…so not a guest horse! And he even has a very special blood mark! (Write to Jessica at Yarrabin for more info on this special blood mark!) “Rusty” and “Jack” have retired to some green pasture near Boorowa – our thanks to Barb Manion for offering her love and attention for these retired horses. “Sherry” has moved to Menmuir next door, and become Rosie (our niece) lead pony. On the farm animal front, we have new piglet called Little Babe – she is pink, cute and cuddly and a great mate for Mathilda! Snorkel, our new poddy calf, is the latest to join Harry’s growing mob of cows (Harry is our 13 year old son). We have 4 roosters (please let us know if you would like one!!) and also some new black ducks… Oh – and guess what??? Our palomino mare, Rosie, is almost certainly in foal!!! She has been with a nice natured stallion for the last 2 months (what a life!!!!), so we should have a little foal sometime next August or September!! How EXCITING!! We will keep you posted…
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A super riding tip from Annie
Here’s a new feature of our newsletters – a few tips on riding and preparing for riding from Annie. Let us know any area you wish Annie to cover. Now, to get the best out of your relationship with your horse, you need to clearly communicate your intentions. This means you need to be clear with your ‘aids’ or ‘instructions’. To achieve this clear communication, you need to know where your body is and what it is doing. This is part of what we call “an independent seat.” Have you heard of this? It’s an important part of riding. Time in the saddle (and of course at Yarrabin!!) will help you achieve this. Your riding will change forever!
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A great new competition!! Win a weekend for four at Yarrabin
How would you like to win a free weekend for 2 adults and 2 children at Yarrabin – including free horse riding?? You can win it for yourself or you can donate it to charity, your school (for a raffle) or give it to a friend. This prize is valued at over $1200 and could be yours…. To win, you need to let us know, by email, your wish list or super ideas for Yarrabin. It can be anything – something you would like us to start at Yarrabin, some area that may need improvement, a particular type of ride you would like to see, some suggestions for Kids Camps or for our marketing, or even just a dream you may have about Yarrabin. Anyone can enter, and we won’t limit what area your wish or idea should be in. So let your minds wander!! Send us an email (to holidays@yarrabin.com) and make sure you include your contact details and age (if under 18). The competition will run until 31 January 2006, and we will let you know the winner by 28 February 2006. Anyone can enter – even if you have never been to Yarrabin!
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A final word.. And our best wishes to Dana Burden
 We’d like to request you spare a moment to think of someone who was an inspiration for Annie’s father in launching Yarrabin back in 1963. That special person is Dana Burden, who lives in Arizona USA. Gavin Christie, Annie’s father, spent many a moment in 1962 with Dana when he was working on Remuda Dude Ranch – Dana’s parents’ ranch. Together they worked on the idea of Yarrabin (amazing what a few beers can do!!) and have regularly kept in contact ever since. Sadly, Dana is unwell with a brain tumour, and we offer him our best wishes and hopes for a speedy recovery. Dana certainly has such a positive outlook on life, and the stubbornness of a mule, that we are sure he will overcome this hurdle. We will keep you posted. Our Leadership and Horses workshops are progressing well - please let us know if you would more info on these innovative and often life-changing courses. In the meantime, keep well, keep safe, enjoy life, and see you soon at Yarrabin – where you can ride, relax or re-invent with your family or maybe a work or social group!! Click on the link below to subscribe to our ezine if you haven’t done so already. Happy Trails – Annie and Graeme Phillips and the Yarrabin team
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Have you heard about our Active Horsemanship Workshops? Imagine improving your riding to a level you never believed possible? But not only that, you can also relax with a complimentary glass of champagne in the spa each evening. It’s four days of indulgence and learning, and includes a day ride, some sports riding AND a complimentary massage!!! Comments received from previous workshops include “Brings out your inner child” and “almost meditation-like: very relaxing and calming” and “Wonderful riding and spectacular views!” We only take 8 participants, and you will need a moderate level of riding ability. There is only one spot left so please let us know if you are interested..gif.jpg)
Most people have heard of RSVP – Australia’s largest online dating service now owned by Fairfax Pty Ltd. Loads of fun single people looking for the perfect match. RSVP, through one of their fabulous coordinators, has booked a weekend at Yarrabin for RSVP members. If you’re not a member, you can join for free at www.rsvp.com.au Or maybe you are just thinking about joining or looking for the company of other single people? Then join Mark and the RSVP group on the weekend of 2 to 4 December. We have a very special price, and some fun activities. Spaces are strictly limited. Please contact us and we will give you more details.