Thursday July 21, 2005

Silverwood Farm Dressage – An Oasis in the Heartland

A Full Day for Howard Nelson and Lisa Froehlig and a Happy Staff

As the sun begins to peer over the horizon, the first signs of activity begin at 5:30 AM, as Silverwood Farm owners Howard Nelson and Lisa Froehlig begin their weekend routine. Howard is on his tractor watering the arenas which have won the USDF Footing Award (when it existed) for 6 years in a row. Lisa collects the trash, then, sets out a large container of complimentary coffee and cookies for everyone, outside the show office all day. Then she takes care of her own horses preparing for a full day of competition. When she is not warming up and doing tests on her horses, she’s helping volunteers, setting up the music for the freestyle rides, and just taking care of anything that comes up.

And, at the end of the day, after the judges have been wined and dined, Howard can be found on his tractor irrigating the arenas, as Lisa drives around the property on their golf cart, making sure everything is picked up and ready for the next day.

It’s a family affair too. Howard’s granddaughter Elizabeth spends her summers on the farm, and happily joins the “runner crew” who bring scores to the office.

Show secretary Lisa Cannata efficiently keeps things moving accommodating changes and additions, and maintaining the website with ride times, updates, results and show services. Then shoe is always taking more entries for upcoming shows. Once in awhile she can also manage to fit in a ride herself, choosing to go without a score as she is technically a show official.