Huge congratulations to my student, Rebekah McCormick, on her success at PVDA's Dressage at Loch Moy competition. She competed her lovely mare, Lisianthus (also known as "Lizzy"), at Second Level for
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Pik Halla Finds A New Owner
Congratulations to Christine K. on her new horse, Pik Halla. They are a great match and I am sure Pik Halla will be a wonderful teacher for her! He’ll be staying here at GoodNess Ridge for a month or two so he and Christine can get to know each other.
VADA/NoVA Autumn Show
I took Amy Stika’s GOV stallion Routinier to the VADA/NoVA Autumn Show September 10-11. I was feeling a wee bit unprepared coming into this show as I had surgery on August 22nd and was out of the saddle for almost two and a half weeks. But, I really wanted to get one last show in prior to the BLM Finals and GAIG Region 1 Finals, so off we went.
The footing held up well to the torrential rains of the past weeks, but “Roo” was not too thrilled with the deeper footing on Saturday. Still, we had a fairly clean test for a 63.947% and second place in the Intermediare I.
Thanks to the combination of warm sunny weather and a nice breeze, the rings had dried out quite a bit by Sunday. Roo was much happier and we had a super go in the Intermediare I, for a score of 67.105% and first place. Thanks so much to owner Amy Stika for the opportunity to ride this wonderful horse. He is a treasure!
Rudy Debuts at Third Level!
Marsha Mason-Thies’ Holsteiner gelding Rulet, aka “Rudy”, made his Third Level debut at the EEM Summer Fling August 7th & 8th. Rudy was a pro, doing his flying changes in the ring like he’d been doing them forever! Congratulations, Marsha. Onward to Fourth Level and Prix St. Georges!
Dressage at Lexington
I took Amy Stika’s Oldenburg stallion, Routinier (Rohdiamant x Inschallah), to Dressage at Lexington over the weekend. “Roo” was a superstar. We won the Intermediare I on Saturday, and were 4th in a huge Intermediare I class (over 20 horses!) on Sunday. Thanks so much to JJ Tate for the great coaching!
15 Minutes of Fame
Amy Stika’s GOV stallion Routinier and I were asked to do a dressage demo for a TV promoting PVDA‘s Ride for Life benefit show. It was a lot of fun, and “Roo” was a superstar as always. You could not ask for a more perfect gentleman of a stallion. You can check out the video on WBAL’s website.
Callas Maria Has a New Home
The ’03 Westfalen mare, Callas Maria, left for her new home last weekend. Congratulations to her new owner! We hope to see you out and about at shows this year.
EEMI Summer Classic
We had a great time at the EEMI Summer Classic at Morven Park! My Mom came to visit and check out the East Coast show scene, and she was a huge help as well.
This was the first show ever for Barbara Pallacorolla’s lovely GOV gelding, Decatur. He took it all in stride and while he had some bobbles due to inexperience, he still managed to score a 70% in First Level Test 3 to qualify for the BLM Championships. What a guy! I must thank my Mom for helping him overcome his fear of the judge’s stand. She sat in it while I schooled on Friday and fed him sugar! After half a box of sugar cubes, Decatur was thinking that the judge’s stand was pretty awesome.
Bobbin Kreider’s Allelujah was super as always, and scored a 71% in Training Level Test 4. She was first or second in nearly all her classes.
Marsha Mason-Thies rode her wonderful Holsteiner gelding, Rulet, at Second Level. They are improving steadily, and she rode Rudy to a 60% in Second Level Test 3. Yeah Marsha!
Last but certainly not least, HUGE congratulations to Michele Wellman, who rode Shari Glickman’s Baronessa at Third Level to attempt to finish her USDF Bronze Medal. Not only did she get her scores, she rocked! Michele and Nessie received scores of 62, 67 and 68% to place second twice and third once. Michele did an amazing job, as she had only ridden Nessie about 15 times (if that!) prior to the show. Congratulations again.
Allelujah In The News
While Allelujah has turned into a wonderful show horse, she had a very rough start to life and almost didn’t make it. Born dysmature and unable to stand to nurse after her dam contracted placentitis, it was recommended that she be euthanized. Obviously, Lulu has a fighting spirit! You can read the whole story on the Oldenburg Horse website.
Yay Mom!
I am not the only dressage rider in the family – my Mom rides as well. She just competed in her first show in 15 years! Congratulations, Mom. Here she is with her adorable PRE gelding, Hungaro 10, fondly known as “Schluffi”. Note how impressively white he is! I need to make her come groom for me.
