The Competition Highlights from 2016!

Audi

2005 KWPN gelding (Sir Sinclair - Idocus) bred by Nancy Murray, owned by Emily Donaldson

• USDF Horse of the Year, 7th place Fourth Level with a median score of 69.329%
• USDF All Breeds Award, KWPN-NA 4th place at Fourth Level 
• USDF Silver Medal
• Dressage at Devon, A-Beckett Challenge Trophy
• Dressage at Devon, Sebastiaan Memorial Challenge Trophy given to the High Score Dutch Warmblood
• Dressage at Devon, 1st place Fourth Level Test 2 Open on Sunday
• GAIG/USDF Region 1 Fourth Level Open Champion
• Invitation to attend the USDF Dressage Finals at Fourth Level
• PVDA Ride for Life, KWPN-NA High Point
• PVDA Ride for Life, Fourth Level Open High Score
• Dressage at Dunmovin June, Fourth Level Open High Score
• Dressage at Heavenly Waters, Fourth Level Reserve Champion
• Qualified for GAIG/USDF Regional Championship at Fourth Level
• Qualified for CBLM Championship at Prix St. Georges
• Qualified for CBLM Championship at Fourth Level
• Fair Hill International CIC3* Test Ride

 

Beaujolais 75 

2009 Hanoverian gelding (Bugatti Hilltop - Contucci) bred by Doug Beacham, owned by Emily Donaldson

• USDF All Breeds Award, American Hanoverian Society 3rd place at Second Level
• USDF Horse of the Year, 22nd place Second Level with a median score of 70.125% 
• U.S. Dressage Finals, 4th place Second Level Open
• Fair Hill International CCI2* Test Ride
• GAIG/USDF Region 1 Championship, 6th place at Second Level Open
• Dressage at Dunmovin June, Second Level Open High Score
• Wildcard recipient to attend the USDF Dressage Finals at Second Level
• Dressage at Heavenly Waters, Second Level Reserve Champion
• Qualified for GAIG/USDF Regional Championship at Second Level
• Qualified for CBLM Championship at Second Level
• Qualified for the USEA American Eventing Championships at Novice
• Dressage at Dunmovin April, Second Level Open High Score
•  Plantation Field April Horse Trials, 1st place Novice Horse

 

Campione

2011 Oldenburg gelding (Cunningham - Valley Crossing xx) bred by Laura Shannon, owned by Elaine DiMarco

• USDF All Breeds Award, International Sporthorse Registry/Oldenburg NA 4th place at Training Level
• U.S. Dressage Finals, 7th place Training Level Open
• U.S. Dressage Finals, International Sporthorse Registry/Oldenburg NA National Levels Open High Score
• U.S. Dressage Finals, Region 1 Regions Cup Team, Reserve Member
• Dressage at Devon, 6th place 4 & 5 Year Old USDFBC/GAIG Materiale Championship
• Dressage at Devon, 2nd place 4 & 5 year old Materiale
• Dressage at Devon, 2nd place 5 year old Suitability to be a Dressage horse
• GAIG/USDF Region 1 Training Level Open Champion
• Invitation to attend the USDF Dressage Finals at Training Level
• GAIG/USDF Region 1 Championship and NCDCTA Autumn Leaves Friday Open High Score
• Dressage at Blue Goose, Training Level High Score
• WPDA Summer Sizzler Encore, Training Level Reserve Champion
• PVDA Ride for Life, ISR/Oldenburg High Point
• Dressage at Heavenly Waters, Overall High Score Adult Rider
• Dressage at Heavenly Waters, Training Level Champion and Reserve Champion 
•  Dressage at Heavenly Waters, ISR/Oldenburg High Score Champion
• Qualified for GAIG/USDF Regional Championship at Training Level
• Qualified for CBLM Championship at Training Level

Plantation Field April Horse Trials 2016

We had a successful first outing for 2016 at the Plantation Field April Horse Trials. Bunny (Beaujolais 75) won the Novice Horse Division on his dressage score of 23 after clean stadium and cross country rounds. And I had the pleasure of coaching my working student, Camryn White, who was competing in the Training TB division with her mare Devil I Do. It was great to get back in the show ring- we are looking forward to a fun year ahead. Thank you to my team of friends, family and supporters for helping to make this weekend a success. I owe a special thank you to Malvern Saddlery, Success Equestrian, Antarès Sellier, Schockemöhle Sports and Purina for helping us to be our very best!

Thank you to Mark Donaldson for the wonderful photos.

Antarès Sellier USA

I am excited to announce that I have partnered with Antarès Sellier USA as one of their sponsored riders. It's an honor to represent a company that produces saddles of such exceptional quality, fit and craftsmanship. If you're in the market for a new saddle, I highly encourage you to take a look at Antarès. They offer multiple styles in their dressage and jumping lines, and can customize a saddle so that it's tailored specifically for you and your horse. Antarès also produces gorgeous bridles and equipment that is of the utmost quality. Take some time to look through their website to see everything Antarès has to offer: http://www.antares-sellier.com/

Do what you love and love what you do

With the closure of the 2015 show season upon us, I thought now would be a good time to check in and clear away the cobwebs on the old blog which has fallen silent this summer. This year was by far the absolute best I've had as a rider and trainer. I am feeling especially fortunate these days to be surrounded by so many wonderful horses, clients, coaches, family and friends. I know that it's trite to say it takes a village, but it really does. I came into this area a year and a half ago, with more expenses than I had income. I was scared about my future as a professional and carried a lot of self-doubt about my ability to establish myself as a trainer among so many top professionals. Fast forward to today and I'm a little amazed that things are going as well as they are. That's not because I doubt my ability as a rider and trainer, I don't, but I didn't think I would be able to find a niche that's as comfortable as the one I have found.

I am appreciative to every single person out there who has played a role in helping me to get my feet on the ground. I believe that success is driven by passion and hard work, but it must be complimented by good people who will stand alongside you, believing in you every step of the way. So to all of you I say, thank you!

Here are some highlights from the 2015 competition season. I'm already chomping on the bit for 2016 to get here!

USDF Horse of the Year, 13th place at Third Level with a median score of 70.5% (Audi)
USDF Horse of the Year, 39th place at Training Level with a media score of 72.7% (Beaujolais 75)
USDF All Breeds Award, KWPN-NA Reserve Champion at Third Level (Audi)
CBLM Championship, 1st place at Training Level (Beaujolais 75)
CBLM Championship, 3rd place at First Level (Beaujolais 75)
Dressage coach for Eva Crossman and Winter Tanz, 8th at CBLM Championship Jr/Yg First Level
GAIG/USDF Regional Championship, 4h place at Training Level (Beaujolais 75)
GAIG/USDF Regional Championship, 8th place at Third Level (Audi)
Wildcard recipient for the USDF Dressage Finals at Third Level (Audi)
Dressage at Devon, 2nd place Fourth Level Test 1 (Audi)
Dressage at Devon, 5th place Fourth Level Test of Choice (Audi)
Dressage at Devon, 1st place Suitable to Become a Dressage Horse 6yo (Beaujolais 75)
Dressage at Devon, 4th place 4yo & Older Stallions and Geldings Under Saddle (Beaujolais 75)
Qualified for CBLM Championship at Third Level (Audi)
Qualified for the USEA American Eventing Championships at Novice (Beaujolais 75)
Bucks County Horse Park Fall Horse Trials, 3rd place Open Novice (Beaujolais 75)
Dressage at Stone Tavern I (Friday), Fourth Level Champion (Audi)
Dressage at Stone Tavern I (Friday), Training Level Champion (Beaujolais 75)
Dressage at Stone Tavern I (Saturday), Fourth Level Reserve Champion (Audi)
Dressage at Stone Tavern I (Saturday), Training Level Reserve Champion (Beaujolais 75)
Fair Hill August Horse Trials, 7th place Open Novice (Beaujolais 75)
Dressage coach for Camryn White and Devil I Do at their Training Level debut at Fair Hill HT
Dressage at Blue Goose III, High Point First Level (Beaujolais 75)
Dressage at Blue Goose III, High Point Training Level (Beaujolais 75)
Dressage at Blue Goose III, High Point Fourth Level (Audi)
Region 1 Youth Championship, High Score Alumni Division (Audi)
Dressage at Blue Goose II, High Point Third Level (Audi)
Plantation Field June Horse Trials, 1st place Open Novice (Beaujolais 75)
Dressage at Heavenly Waters, Training Level High Point Reserve Champion (Beaujolais 75)
Dressage at Blue Goose I, High Point Third Level (Audi)
Plantation Field May Horse Trials, 1st Place Beginner Novice Horse (Beaujolais 75)
Demo Rider Hassler Dressage Charles DeKunffy Clinic
Fair Hill International May Starter Trials, 1st Place Open Beginner Novice (Beaujolais 75)
Dressage coach for Allie Blyskal Sacksen and Sparrow's Nio at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event

Heydeeho

Somebody pinch because it's almost June! Whaaaat? Things have been busy with a capital B U S Y! I'm enjoying the abundance of competitions and clinics being held so close to home. Bunny has proven to be a good little event horse winning both the Beginner Novice Fair Hill Starter Trials and Plantation Field Horse Trials on his dressage scores. I'm going to bump him up to Novice next month and will just focus on keeping his confidence up. He just turned 6 years old on May 13th so he's still a youngster. Audi is in a bit of an ebb and flow state these days. I don't know what to make of it, but his flying changes are getting better and better when we are focused so that's at least good.

I have a full barn with 8 horses in my care/training. It's a great feeling to think that just a year ago I moved east with no job or reliable source of income, and here I am, a year later with a very successful teaching and training business. I'm very fortunate to be doing so well. My clients have been wonderfully supportive and a joy to work with. Life is good.

Bunny at Plantation Field May Horse Trials (Photo by Mark Donaldson)

Bunny at Plantation Field May Horse Trials (Photo by Steve Berkowitz)

Bunny at Plantation Field May Horse Trials (Photo by Steve Berkowitz)

Camryn and Petra at Plantation Field May Horse Trials (Photo by Mark Donaldson)

Camryn and Petra at Plantation Field May Horse Trials (Photo by Mark Donaldson)

Jumping with Jimmy

Bunny and I have been making great progress with our jumping thanks to Jimmy Wofford. I've been fortunate to ride with him during his monthly visits to Melissa Stubenberg's Kealani Farm.

Here is some footage from our clinic last week:

Just breathe

This past weekend I had the opportunity to ride my horses Bunny and Audi in a clinic with Richard Lamb. The clinic was held at Fox Mill Farm and had an eclectic mix of horses and riders with various experience, goals and backgrounds. I found that aspect of the clinic to be particularly pleasing because it made everything super down to earth without a drop of pretentiousness- and it was further proof that no matter who you are or where you're going, the basics of dressage will always be your bread and butter.

Since I wasn't familiar with what Richard is like as a trainer,  I went into the clinic with an open mind, excited to see what would happen. I felt a bit vulnerable, but in a really good way, kind of like I was a kid again. Richard did an exceptional job assessing me and my two horses. He zeroed in on my fault of looking down and gave some good tips about how to address that issue, and further explained how it will improve the manner in which both Bunny and Audi carry themselves. He also pointed out that I tend to hold too long with my thighs int he half halt, thus causing the horses to become braced in their backs. I had to think more about keeping my calf down and on, while engaging my core and keeping my hands up and out in front with my closed thumb for the half halt. Richard stresses breathing along with eyes up as two key pieces to riding a horse straight and uphill. It's pretty amazing how often I hold my breath when I ride. I guess I will be singing while I ride from now on!

We worked over poles on Saturday and then small courses on Sunday. It was pretty cool to feel the transformation over the two days. I started to become much more aware of my body in a different way than I had been before. And the kicker was feeling Audi start to jump, like really jump. I mean the fences were tiny, but he started to use his body is new way. He always seemed like a clutz over jumps in the past so I was thrilled to finally feel him settle into the concept. As Richard said, it was good for him both mentally and physically. My students Camryn and Mary Kate also participated in the clinic and got some good takeaways from the experience.

I owe a big thank you to John and Lea Reynolds for providing me with the opportunity to ride with Richard and to Denise Maillie for organizing the clinic.

The final group on Sunday aka "two bays and two grays"