Summer Events!!!
Photo credits to Shannon Brinkman.
We had a nice quiet couple of months in June and July but in August we really picked up with competitions. I traveled with Will and Shaw up to Michigan for an event and then over to Illinois for another competition the following weekend. We were gone for a total of 2 weeks. The Michigan event was unfortunately rained out after dressage with both horses sitting in 3rd place. We were able to get a week of lessons in between the events with Jon and Jenn Holling and had a successful show in Illinois. Will and I competed in the Open preliminary and finished 4th. Shaw and I had an unfortunate stop x.c. that ended us in 14th place in the Open Training instead of 2nd if he were clear. The best part of our trip was that Diane, Shaw's owner, was able to meet us for a long weekend in Illinois. It was great spending time with her and for her to finally see Shaw compete.
To make our trip extremely bearable, we purchased a new living quarters horse trailer about 5 days before we planned to leave. Traveling with this new trailer was definitely a change and there's a strong learning curve both my mom and I had to go through, but we're getting it.
Amelia and Winter moved up to Training level this summer. They had a strong showing at the schooling show and look forward to recognized competiton this fall.
Alex's horse Past Due, aka Mick, is also here for training and he's doing super. He'd make someone a very fancy jumper or upper level event horse so check him out on the for sale page!
April and May Events!!!
Leah and Winter Stadium Jumping at Rocking Horse Spring H.T.
A big congratulations to Jordan for winning the Tadpole division at the Rocking Horse Schooling show. Jordan and her pony Sebastian won the dressage with a 31 and did not add any jump penalties to hold onto her lead. We had a lot of horses compete at the FL Horse Park in April. Most notably, Amelia won her Novice division with her horse Whimsical, aka Winter. This was the pairs first show out in just about a year. Congratulations! Finally, Mariana and Jordan both took Pony Club ratings. Mariana passed her C-2 and Jordan passed her D-3. Great job accomplishing those ratings!
The first weekend in May we took Will and Winter up to Poplar Place Farm in Georgia to compete. Will had his 6th consecutive clear show jumping round this year. Winter completed his first Training Level event and it was only his 3rd event this year. He had a competitive dressage test, just 1 rail in show jumping and a clear x.c. round. This horse has always impressed me with his calm attitude and willing mind. The remainder of the month we stayed at home and everyone was ready for the much needed break.
March Events!!!
Leah and Pamiro W., Intermediate H.T. at Rocking Horse Winter III. Photo credits to Xpress Foto.
March followed suit to February and January with lots of horse shows making it an extremely busy month. Will and Shaw have been in good form, finding their rhythm at shows. Winter went to his first show in months and finished in a very competitive 2nd place in the Open Novice division. He is such a good minded horse and so workman like when he is in the competition arena. Oakley also finished in good placing with his rider Brianna in the Beginner Novice division. Congratulations.
Citrus Oaks Farm also had a good showing at the Fannin Hill H.T.'s. Heidi's first time out at the Novice level was extremely successful having won the division. Colleen also had a good show at the pre-beginner novice level finishing 2nd. Amelia had a good dressage and stadium school on Winter to help prepare for the FL Horse Park H.T. Team COF finished 2nd overall. Great job everyone!
Poplar Place can be defined by such unlucky weather. It rained and rained and rained. Will's Intermediate division turned into a combined test with another double clear show jumping round. Shaw was lucky enough to get to run x.c. He had his best dressage score, stadium jumped clean, and despite the underwater footing just added a little time x.c. to finish in his division.
February Events!!!
Leah and Pamiro W. stadium jumping in the Intermediate division at Ocala Winter II. Photo credits to X-press foto.
We have had such a busy season thus far. All the horses jumped well at Ocala Winter II. Most impressively the young horses were cool, quiet, and calm and had good placings. Kildalton's Pride continues to impress me with his consistency. Will and I made the move up to Intermediate and are learning the ropes at the new level but overall it's going well.
We also supported the pony club at their hunter/jumper fundraiser schooling show. Jordan and Heidi had great rounds in the jumper ring. It was also great to see Whimsical back out after having the fall off. We look forward to seeing him compete the rest of the spring season.
Chant de Destin, Oakley, is also having a great Winter season. He was reserved grand champion at the 2'9" - 3' Children/Adult Hunter at H.I.T.S and ribboned the very next day in 2 classes of the Level 1 Jumpers. Both days Oakley was partnered with 2 different 11 y.o. girls. Oakley also finished 10th in the Beginner Novice division at the Rocking Horse Spring H.T. Congratulations to Oakley and Brianna.
January Events!!!
Leah and Hollywood Hotel stadium jumping. Photo credits to Jitka.
We're through January and have already competed at 3 events and a clinic. Congratulations to Mariana for completing her first two Training level events, to Hollywood Hotel for completing his first two Novice level events, and Colleen for completing her first two Entry level events.
I was able to ride with Bo for two days aboard Will. He always knows how to fine tune and push our dressage to the next level. His lessons are so beneficial, if only he were in the U.S. more often.
We have lots planned for this year so check back soon!