I have been very blessed to have my jump building business. My customers are some of the best people I’ve ever known and the business helps to pay for all of my horse endeavors…and vet bills.
I was contacted to help add some jumps to our new friends at Hitching Post Farm in late summer. From a few poles it grew to 40 poles, 3 stadium jumps with all the filler, all painted, AND a rolltop for the cross country course.
I wasn’t sure if I could get so much done in time for their show at the end of October. I worked day and night and made it my sole priority. I’d make lists of what needed to be done so I knew I was completing things most efficiently. Even though Stanley was cleared to return to work I had no time for it. Instead I allowed him the space and time to reacclimate himself to home. Over the weeks that I was busy with building and painting he put some weight back on and gained some of his own muscle back through turnout. In hindsight I’m glad I didn’t have the time. It was the right thing for both of us at that time. He didn’t need to start back into heavy work, just the turnout alone helped his body get stronger.
My favorite part of this job getting to bring my vision to life. A little over a year ago I designed a couple of jumps (Woodworking with Wahbee). I never had a chance to paint them because I was always busy with orders. When I showed off the concept, they were in. Now I had a reason to paint and make these jumps reality!
The first of the three stadium jumps was the sea life jump. It came with swooping wings, wavy planks, and cute sea creatures as filler.
The second jump is perhaps my favorite to date. The safari jump! This jump came with a sunburst style set of wings and gate as well as cute safari critters for filler.
The third jump was a lot more classic and still as beautiful as the others. This jump came with a classy pair of wings with a custom Hitching Post Logo. It also came with a custom carved plank and a pair of aqueducts.
In addition to the stadium jumps I also made several other poles both 10ft and 12ft in length.
The final element of this big project was the rolltop. I was commissioned to build a beginner novice height rolltop 12ft wide. As always I build my cross country jumps at home first. Before delivery I label each board and disassemble and once again reassemble onsite. I was so incredibly lucky to have Suzanne traveling with me. She made an excellent assistant as I reconfigured each piece.
We got it done and had some fun while doing it!
Big projects motivate me in a way that others don’t. I go through a phase of thinking I can’t do it. When I do, I come out stronger and so relieved. It’s not great for the cortisol levels but it certainly pushes me to break through each ceiling I create for myself.
I may need to pace myself better in the future, but I am incredibly proud of what I was able to get done!
The Green Horseman 
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