To inspire the girls going to Rocking Horse on the weekend:

And to point out that Ralph has done Rolex 28 times!!!

Hard at Work

The C1's were studying this weekend at Ashley's house. They worked on their wrapping, vet knowledge, plans for warm-up etc.
We had two special guests speak to the girls. The first was Suzanne Kline who had just returned from the study session the C2's were having in Ocala. Her talk with the girls went over the importance of mental preparation and and a mature approach to the rating. She also encouraged them to go into it as a supportive team.
Our next speaker Marcelo Barros of WB Equestrian: http://www.wbequestrian.com/ donated some of his valuable time teaching the girls about conformation for a jumper. He pointed out important angles, and plumb lines that enable a horse to travel well. He showed us how even a two year old can move brilliantly if he has good conformation. (Special thanks to Gabriela and Joker for their demonstration.) He emphasized that while the right conformation provides the horse with the tools to travel well, it is his 'heart' and mind that decide his jumping potential.

AEC results!!

Jessi and Dungavin ended up in 2nd place in the Junior Novice Division. Job Well Done!
Kirsten Selvig and Ruse de Guerre placed 3rd in Junior/Young Rider Preliminary. Wow! Very impressive!

News from the AEC's

Jessi, with her big win at the ARC, qualified for the Wellpride American Eventing Championships in Raeford North Carolina. This is a clip I found this morning:

"In the Novice Junior/Young Riders Rebecca Preston and Milo moved up from second to first when overnight leader Hannah Owens and Jamberry had a refusal and dropped to 56th place. Jessica Meckes on Dungavin is in second and third is a tie between Shauna Berkner on Curious Cobb and Courtney Bauer on Sheridan Jet Bars."

Stadium competition for this division will be later today and will go in reverse standing order. This means that Jessi will go second to last. Cross your fingers for our fellow pony clubber.


To follow this go to

http://carolinahorsepark.com/aec/results_wed/aec06_results_main.html

Dressage Month on the PC blog:

Gifted 1980-1997 This 17.1 hand Hanoverian ridden by Carol Lavell, rose through the levels earning 5 USDF titles from second level through Grand Prix. He competed at two World Cups, and won team bronze medals at both the '92 Olympics and the '94 World Games Note: Kur Sound track has been replaced Sorry I couldn't get my own dressage test on Scout to load. But this one is very similiar to how I looked:)

NEW PONY!!

It is official: this cute guy is Alex's new partner. He is residing across the road from Retto. Hey girls just remember..."NO RACING ON THE POWERLINE!"

Pony Clubbers go to Georgia

Alex, Ashley (Wekiva Basin) and Jen (Horseketeers) traveled to Georgia for the weekend to compete at the horse trials at Poplar Place. The event was the Adequan Gold Cup Classic. The girls rode great and finished up with Ash 5th and Jen 6th in the junior training division. There was a mexican fiesta party for competitors with a kaoroke bar. When the girls took their turn in front of the crowd Will Faudree jumped up and started singing with them. (He rides with Phillip Dutton and was on the World Cup team with Karen O'Connor) The girls response to him joining them was "He is really cute but not a very good singer." Of course Ralph Hill was a crowd favorite. Here he is at the preliminary water crossing with Spyder.

News from the North

News from Jessi!
These are photos from Jessi and Gavin's first recognized event at Why Not An American the Arc. in North Carolina. They were very impressive with a dressage score of 29.5 and clear jump rounds. They placed first in the novice division!


Way to go Jessi!

Eugene Abello Dressage Clinic

It doesn't get any better than this...Eugene Abello giving a clinic less than an hour away. Wow, that is luck! He is an incredible clinician and the girls just love him. Ashley and Noel both had rides with him as well as some of our friends from Horseketeers. (If anyone has pics of Noel please send them.)
We all look forward to seeing these two come down centerline and showing off their new stuff.


Eugene Abello quote for the day "I know you are in dressage Hell right now, but that is OK."