Dear Ranching Enthusiast -

Mothers' Day Brunch at the Ranch will be served:

• this Sunday (May 12)
• from 11 AM until 2PM
• in the main B & B Ranch Dining Room
  

We'll be concocting a whole bunch of terrific food, to celebrate your mom - or if you're a mom - to celebrate you, too.

Either way, if you'd like to attend, we'll be happy to have you in.

Please let us know if you'd like to attend.

Just call:

607-547-5272

Or use the online reservation form to drop us a line.

We're looking forward to catching up, and of course, you're always welcome.

With best wishes for a terrific Mothers' Day Weekend,

Babe & Barb Giombetti

Proprietors, B & B Ranch, Fly Creek

Dear Ranching Enhusiast -

The Kentucky Derby has been run every year since 1875 - and on the first Saturday of May in every year since 1946! 

And did you know that if you attend the Kentucky Derby in person, your mint julep will come from a bottled pre-mix?

Every year more than 8,000 liters of the pre-mix are served at the race!

If you're thinking of mixing up your own race day drinks, try this recipe instead. That's what we'll be doing!

Here are some other quick facts you should know about the Kentucky Derby.

• The Churchhill Downs, where the race is run in Louisville Kentucky, seats 165,000 people! Usually about 80,000 will attend.
• Only the first 21 Kentucky Derbys were 1.5 miles long. Since 1896 the race been but 1.25 miles! 
• Secretariat won the triple crown in 1973, breaking records in all three races! The Kentucky Derby at 1:59.4, the Preakness Stakes at 1:53, and the Belmont Stakes at 2:24.
• Steven Foster's "My Old Kentucky Home" is still performed before each running of the race.
• Richard Nixon was the only US President to attend the race while in office, attending in 1969. 
• The silversmiths who make the Kentucky Derby Trophy spend just about 2,000 hours on the job - every year!
• Experts are particularly watching Super Ninety Nine as an underdog in this year's race. But, please, don't take our word for it.

Come and See.

Join us at the Ranch - Saturday May 4th, 2013

From 4 PM until 9PM for the 139th Run for the Roses!

We'll be watching the race in the main lounge with loads of Raceday Refreshments, Real (good) Mint Juleps and plenty to cheer about.

Bring your friends, your family, and your race day finest! 

Like always, we'll look forward to seeing you back on the Ranch.

Lots of love -

Babe & Barb Giombetti, Proprietors,

B & B Ranch, Fly Creek, New York

PS: If you've visited B & B Ranch recently, please drop by our Google+ page and let people know what you thought - whatever you thought. We're listening, and we're interested and even a few reviews will be a big help. Thanks so much! 

Mitzi's Back - And Better than Ever!

B & B Ranch's first Certified Horsemanship Association Clinic finished just last week! 

All participants successfully tested and were certified at their own levels.

Instructors from Colorado, Iowa, North Carolina, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and New York all braved the cold and learned a lot. The weather was cold and snowy, but there were no complaints and everyone had positive comments about the facilities,the clinic staff, the instruction, the horses, and especially about the FOOD!!!

Mitzi Summers, Resident Instructor at B & B Ranch, led the clinic as she is both a C.H.A. Master Instructor and Clinician. Vicki Williams served as a very competent assistant so that each instructor could be observed independently.

The Second CHA Clinic will be held from March 27 through March 31. This is a standard CHA Clinic aimed at a teaching, testing and certifying procedure. CHA is one of the world's largest certifying organizations, and B & B plans to host another clinic in the early summer to serve the needs of people who needed a summer schedule. Check the Calendar for all other upcoming dates.

If you have any questions about CHA, clinics, or riding instruction, please feel free to contact Mitzi at 315-790-9593, or email summersdressage[AT]aol.com.

Or contact the Riding Club at B & B Ranch.

Dear Ranching Enthusiast -

B & B Ranch is pleased to announce a very special event coming up

April 12th, 13th & 14th, 2013

Sonny Garguilo will lead a weekend clinic on how to "Build a Better Relationship with your Horse through Understanding and Patience!”

Friday evening will include a free demonstration with his horse "Amazing Sis," followed by drinks and questions in the B & B Ranch lounge!

The Friday evening event is free and open to the public and all B & B Ranch Members are invited.

The Saturday - Sunday Clinic will address all the needs and problems of participants and auditors, including foundational ground work for respect, problem issues such as
bucking, rearing, bolting, high headedness, for softness under saddle, yielding to riders cues, & respect in handling on the ground!

• One day Clinic fee is $175.00 (including lunch and use of B & B horses if needed)
  
• Two days - $325.00 including lunch
  
• Audit - $75.00 per day with lunch

To Save Yourself a Spot the Weekend of April 12, 13 & 14,

contact the Riding Club Here!

Or Call (607) 547- 5272

For more on Sonny Garguilo, visit his website here.

50% of this Weekend's Clinic Proceeds will benefit the Equine Rescue League of Cooperstown.

Since it's founding in 2010, the League has rescued no less than 61 Horses from slaughter auctions, cruelty and neglect cases and owner abandonment or surrender. They also do work to educate the public on the responsible ownership of and care for all horses. Visit their website to see some of the horses currently avilable for adoption or to make a donation. They really put any help you can give to good, good use. Even just dropping by their Facebook page can help spread the word about the important work they're doing. 

Lodging Special!

Want to spend the weekend? Of course we'll be happy to put you up. But you've got to book early cause this one is going to sell out.

• All-Inclusive! 
  
• 2 Guests (double occ)
• $1299.00 for 3-days, 2-nights
  
• Including Clinic Fees Mentioned Above!
  
• Clinic Package also includes a luxury suite, 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches
• 2 five-course dinners!
• One hour massage per person
• Indoor stall board for up to two horses!
  
• And use of all ranch facilities - pool, sauna, Jacuzzi
  
• First come, first served, subject to availability
• Taxes and tips are not included
• Regularly priced at $1849.00 - it's a good deal too!
  

Like always, we'll look forward to seeing you back on the Ranch.

Lots of love -

Babe & Barb Giombetti, Proprietors,

B & B Ranch, Fly Creek, New York

PS: Please call ahead or Book Online if you're coming out for Dinner. We've got dinner plans every night until April - and you're not going to believe what's cooking.  

Dear Ranching Enthusiast -

You're Invited!

Response has been so strong that we're throwing a welcome party and Q&A Friday evening for Cliff Schadt in the dining room and lounge area. Cliff has agreed to answer all your questions in an informal setting and we'll be serving food and drinks all evening.

The Saturday/Sunday Clinic will kick off at 8AM on Saturday - so we won't be up too late!

Saturday and Sunday (February 9 & 10) are full clinic days, and Sunday will finish up with dinner and drinks.

The Clinic will begin with Cliff meeting all the participants and horses in the indoor arena between 8 and 9AM and will continue through the afternoon until all the horses are worked.

• Clinic Fee - $175.00 per day (includes lunch) - Riding & horse worked (includes use of B and B horses if needed)

• $50.00 additional fee for use of one of Cliff's horses - prior reservation is necessary!
  

• $75.00 per day audit fee (includes lunch) 

• There's also a special Mother-Daughter rate of $500 for the 2-day Clinic and Lodging -  Double Occupancy - both nights, Friday and Saturday and includes breakfast and dinner  - both Saturday and Sunday, subject to availability. (It's a full weekend - regularly priced at $650 - so it's a good deal too!)
  

• Click here for Online Clinic reservations, or...
  

For Clinic or Lodging  Reservations, Call (607) 547- 5272.

This Clinic is intended for All Breeds & Disciplines and will focus on: 

• Creating a balanced horse with self carriage & soft feel.
  
• Building a braver horse & rider.
  
• Developing an effective, willing partnership with your horse
  
• Behavior problems such as bucking, spooking, rearing, jump refusal, and trailer loading
• Colt starting & development of young horses
  

 Reminder to All Members!

You know already B & B Ranch is not a mass-market operation! That's what makes the food so good! 

You're always welcome to take full advantage of the facilties and the food. But we're better able to feed you if we know you're coming.

• Please let the kitchen know if you're on your way, and hopefully at least two hours before you'll get here. We can't wait to see you again, but we'd like to have things ready! You can also - always - send a reservation online and the kitchen will call you back to let you know we're all good!
  

Like always, we'll look forward to seeing you back on the Ranch.

Lots of love -

Babe & Barb Giombetti

Proprietors, B & B Ranch, Fly Creek, New York

PS: At this writing, there are vacancies for this coming Clinic weekend, February 9 & 10. Take in the whole thing and get some R&R in too. Give us a call if you plan on staying Friday night!   (607) 547- 5272

Dear Ranching Enthusiast -

We're excited to announce a special February training clinic with Western horsemanship trainer, Cliff Schadt.

Sometimes called "Dressage on the Loose Rein," Cliff's experience and expertise have called him to clinics and events all over the United States.

Drawn to ranch life early after growing up in New York state, Cliff worked in Missouri at the Ely Ranch and as a professional cowboy in Oregon. Having studied and worked with noted horsemen Buck Brannaman and Craig Cameron Schadt has made several appearances on Cameron’s popular TV showm Ride Smart on RfD TV, to demonstrating techniques in colt starting, training and problem resolution techniques. 

The February "Vaquero training" clinic is for all levels of riding skill, and will focus on

• Balance in self-carriage & soft feel
• Developing an effective, willing partnership between horse & rider
• Reducing bucking, spooking, rearing, jump refusal, trailer loading problems
• Starting & development of young horses

Almost last minute - auditors are welcome and the whole weekend promises to be something special.

For more information on the February 9th and 10th clinic, check out the Event Details on Facebook, or contact the Riding Club directly.

Mid-Winter Social

We're thrilled to have had so many visitors, new members and guests over the past month.

And we hope to hear back from every one of them, whether it's for dinner, a dip in the pool or just to stop in and shoot the breeze.

If you're among them, please leave us a review on one of the online review sites where ever you normally leave feedback, tips or reviews. We'll be happy to hear what you have to say.

• B & B Ranch on Google +
  
• B & B Ranch on Yelp!

And of course there's always something new going on at our Facebook page! Stop in and say hello! We're always glad to hear from you.

Lots of love -

Babe & Barb Giombetti

Proprietors, B & B Ranch, Fly Creek, New York

PS: Remember, we're serving an outrageously good dinner almost every night of the week. Now you can book online and let us know when you'd like to drop in. And don't miss the dinner photos, they often show up on Facebook the next day!

Dear Ranching Enthusiast -

It's that time of year. We've been working almost all year just to put together a menu that's worthy of the people we're meeting week after week at the Ranch.

Here's how it's shaping up.

Antipasto

• Cheese Plate - a variety of artisan cheeses, meats, fruits, & jams
• Classic Iceberg Salad - smoked bacon, blue cheese, slivers of red onion, roasted shallot vinaigrette
• Shrimp Alexander over sauteed spinach - slow roasted shrimp filled with seasoned goat cheese and carefully wrapped in smoked bacon
• Whitefish  - filled with garlic, anchovies, Italian bread crumbs, sauteed with lemon, tomato, capers, garlic and onions

• Chocolate Mousse Cake
• Lemon Pound Cake
• Raspberry Cheese cake
• Ice Cream

Dear Ranching Enthusiast -

One of the great things about life on the Ranch is that there is always something coming out of the kitchen.

After putting in a day's work, you better believe a lemon pound cake piled that high is going to be good (click the image to enlarge). Our resident Chef, Mark, made it with eggs from neighbor, Anne Brit's farm. Anne's also a B & B member. The fresh mascarpone cheese and butter were delivered the same day by Susan from Olli's Butter in Hartwick, NY. See her terrific "American Made Story" here at MarthaStewart.com.*

The kitchen is right now practicing night and day for the private parties we'll be hosting - and the results are outstanding (not to mention mouthwatering).

Give us a call to book your own dinner, cocktail party or whatever it takes to bring your people together. The holiday season is filling up fast - but there are some choice afternoons, evenings - or even overnights - still open. 

Gift Certificates - December Only

Value Added

B & B Ranch Gift Certificates are available in any denomination you want - and this December we're adding value to every gift certificate purchased. 

• 10% to any gift between $100 - $250.
• 15% to any gift between $251 - $500.
• And a full 20% on top of any gift certificate over $500!

You can send your favorite family member or friend on a full weekend, with meals included or let them go shopping in the store or at the spa. Again, gift certificates can be made out in any amount you choose.

It's a thoughtful gift that your loved ones are simply not going to forget. We're even offering $50 in bonus dollars to anyone who uses the promotion code "HOLIDAY SALE" when they buy any Gift Certificate by December 31, 2012. The Bonus Dollars go towards any product or service offered at the ranch or in the online store. And that's some good food!

To order, just call the Ranch at 607-547-5272. Gift Certificates can be delivered by email or regular post, and we just charge a little extra if you need over-night delivery.

Somewhere You Belong

One of the things we're most excited about is offering real, valuable and timeless "Memberships" so that everyone knows - when they get to the ranch - that they belong here.

That was one of the first things we thought of when we started planning how to run a horse riding farm, CSA and guest house and all the other things that B & B Ranch is becoming.

So... making guests into Members was just a logical next step.

For $99 dollars annually, all our members get unlimited access to all the facilities on the Ranch.

• Dining
• Lounge & bar
• Indoor swimming pool
• Hot tub
• Steam room
• Tennis and basketball courts
• Trails and the pond

Members are then obligated to purchase an additional $400 worth of food and beverage over the coming year - and we only bill the difference if there is one. You get a lot of good food, and full use of the facility, and the club gets another happy member.

• Meals that aren't included in the Room Rates are a daily Prix Fixe, trattoria-style - five courses - for $39.95 for every entree, except for the steaks that go for a cool $49.95. We'll be posting more pictures and recipes on the blog.

We suspect you won't mind coming back after eating here once. Call the same number below for more information on getting some use out of your 2013 membership, starting this month.

Equine Events

Lastly, we hope you heard already about the Chiropractic Clinic for horses, coming up this Saturday (December 8. 2012). 

Auditing the chiropractor presentation is free and open to the public and will include a full PowerPoint to explain everything. We'll also be doing some live demos with the horses... and probably including acupuncture! The fee for lunch is $12-$15 presented by an outstanding chef. If you want to bring a horse, you must call 315-790-9593 for further details and to reserve.

The Certified Horsemanship Association Standard Clinic (March 20 - 24, 2013) is filling up fast! If you've already registered, give us a call for some terrific rates on a room in the guest house.

Call Now to Book Early: 607-547-5272

We've also put a full year's worth of Riding Club Events up on the calendar so you'll know everything that's coming up.

Happy Holidays, and we'll look forward to seeing you back on the ranch!

Lots of love -

Babe & Barb Giombetti

Proprietors, B & B Ranch, Fly Creek, New York

PS:Remember, we're booking holiday parties all through December, and it's an excellent reason to stop in. We'll show you what we're cooking and what to expect.

*Our original mailing incorrectly identified Olli's Handcrafted Cultured Butter as Hartwick Butter. Apologies, and thanks for the excellent butter!

3 Days - All-Inclusive Thanksgiving Weekend On The Ranch

Dear Ranching Enthusiast -

This year has flown by and with 2012 we've seen a lot of things change, a lot of things come about, and a lot of old friends come back around.

We're giving thanks to all of them, and extra special thanks to all the new friends we've met along the way. It really has been a banner year.

If your year went by too quickly, too, here's a special offer that just might turn a last minute Thanksgiving around for the better.

We'll be celebrating the whole weekend after Thanksgiving - and you're more than welcome to join us. In fact - this All-Inclusive weekend package isn't being advertised anywhere else:

November 23, 24 & 25 - we're hosting for two nights and three days in a luxury suite, including all three meals - breakfast, lunch, and dinner - and we're even throwing in a riding lesson so you can take to the trails the same day. The whole thing will set you back just $599.00 per person based on double occupancy. Check out the rooms here.

Just call for more details or to book your suite now:  607-547-5272

We promise meals won't include just left-over turkey (in fact, we have some stellar meals already in the planning stages)! The fact is, we still have a very few Certified Organic Turkeys in stock for shipment prior to Thanksgiving. 

Spanish Black Thanksgiving Turkeys - Still a Few Left!

At just $5.00 per pound plus a shipping charge - these have to go on a first come first serve basis. The birds range between 18 and 25 lbs each. They're unique heritage breed Spanish Black turkeys - and availability is strictly limited. There simply aren't a lot of turkeys this good being served anywhere in the area.

To be certified organic by the USDA, these turkeys had to be raised with access to the outdoors, with no antibiotics, no growth enhancers and only organic feed. That's what makes them taste so good! Read more about our turkeys here.

Or call today to guarantee shipment before Thanksgiving: 607-547-5272

__________________

New Resident Trainer and Instructor

You'll be hearing more, in our Newsletter, on our Facebook Page, and on the Website, as the B & B Ranch Riding Club and Equine Center takes off.

For now, we hope you'll join us in welcoming Resident Trainer and Riding Instructor Mitzi Summers to the B & B Ranch team. You can read more about what make her such an asset to the B & B Ranch community and what makes us so pleased to welcome her skills, attitude and unique training method.

The B & B Ranch Riding Club, under Summers' direction is gearing up to provide:

• Ongoing lessons and training for riders and horses
• Frequent group sessions and clinics
• Instructor-level training
• Miles of seeded trails and full equine boarding, care and instruction for the life of your horse.
  

We'll keep you posted as new events and opportunities come onto the schedule.

Don't hesitate to contact the stables if you have any questions or comments.

______________

We hope you're thanksgiving will be as good as this past year has been.

See you at the Ranch!

Babe & Barb Giombetti

Proprietors, B & B Ranch, Fly Creek, New York

PS: Remember! Our All-Inclusive Thanksgiving Weekend is perfect for visiting family and friends, but we have to do it on a first come first-served basis because availability is limited.

Announcing B & B Ranch's First Ever Centered Riding Clinic,

for Riders of All Ages and Skill Levels

Dear Ranching Enthusiast -

B & B Ranch is a lot of things to a lot of people.

In addition to getting guests more involved with the land, the food and the good life, we're very pleased to be hosting the first Centered Riding Clinic in the Greater Cooperstown Area.

• October 20 & 21, 2012, Mitzi Summers, a Level IV Centered Riding Instructor and CHA Master Instructor & Clinician, will lead the Clinic and Workshop for riders of all skill levels and disciplines.

The clinic will focus on Centered Riding and providing personalized individual instruction. That's for all riders, 12 years of age on up. 

Centered Riding

Centered Riding clinics allow riders to learn to use their own bodies to do whatever is necessry to be able to ride - and ride well.

The techniques of Centered Riding promote suppleness, stability, and clearer aids, making riding more comfortable for both horse and rider. As riders learn and experience the principles through the horse's motions and responses, both horse and rider learn to understand each other better and to work together in harmony. The techniques are designed to increase confidence and enjoyment and to dispel tension, making training far less stressful - for everyone! 

Centered Riding was developed by best selling author, Sally Swift, and Centered Riding Clinics are only offered by Level III & IV Clinicians. This clinic is designed to allow all riders to: 

• Achieve classical principles using body awareness, centering and imagery
• Encompass all seats and styles of riding
• Communicate more clearly - between horse, rider, and instructor

Your Instructor

Mitzi Summers is a clinician, instructor, and trainer who has been around the world teaching people to train their horses. A level IV Centered Riding instructor, Summers has studied with Sally Swift, Charles Grant and Richard Shrake, as well as clinicians in both Classical and Natural Horsemanship. She's held workshops throughout the United States, Europe, and New Zealand, for all levels and types of riding and she frequently trains other instructors.

You can learn more about about your trainer, Mitzi Summers, on her website, and more about the theory and practice of Centered Riding on the official site of Centered Riding, Inc.

Register Now

4 Sessions will be taught over the two days of the Clinic, and discounted registrations fees are available - only until October 15.

• 25 student riders, max, can be accepted
• 10 Lesson horses are available for rental the weekend of the clinic
  

Interested? Just give us a call at 607-547-5272 to register.

B & B Ranch will call back with payment instructions & confirmation.

Need another reason to drive all this way ?

You better believe the fall trees are in full swing. Those yellow areas on the map at right will all be changing to orange and red as the weeks pass.

According to the Fall Foliage Report from ILoveNY.com

Unlike the rest of the country, the northeastern U.S. is particularly blessed with a great variety of broad-leaved trees, which help give the region’s foliage a spectacular color range. Also, New York State has almost as many acres of such trees as the rest of the Northeast combined.

New York State’s vast area means that you can enjoy peak foliage conditions several times during the season in different parts of the state. The change in color from the bright greens of summer to the brilliant hues of fall follows a predictable pattern: It begins high in the Adirondack and Catskill mountains in late August and early September, and spreads out and down across the hills and valleys of the state, ending on Long Island and in New York City in early November. It takes about two weeks for the colors to complete their cycles in any given area, with peak brilliance lasting three to four days in any one spot.

By the time the Centered Riding Clinic is underway, riders will be treated to some truly spectacular natural landscapes. That ought to make the drive worth it, and your stay at B & B Ranch truly something special.

We're looking forward to seeing you back on the Ranch.

Lot's of Love,

Babe & Barb Giombetti

Proprietors, B & B Ranch, Fly Creek, New York

PS: Remember! We've still got great Grand Opening prices - 30% off published rates- on suites through the end of the year. We can't offer these low rates on long weekends or holidays, or on October 20 & 21, but the rest of the season is wide open. Drop us a line. We'd love to hear from you!