Ocala Horse Trials

There were alot of familiar faces this weekend at the Florida Horse Park. Many frisky ponies as well when the a.m. temperatures dipped down to about 34 degrees. I have included photos of Ralph Hill, Karen O'Conner, Kyle Carter and Darren Chiacchia just because it's fun to see them.


These three were spotted causing trouble at the local Cracker Barrel. Luckily I was able to get them out of town before too much damage was done.
Congratulations to our own Ashley Mancuso and Retto for winning the training division. She finished on her dressage score of 32.

A good video to watch!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9n9wd7P5Apw

Copy and paste this link. I couldnt load the video as it is protected.

Comment contest!

Who can tell me what Absolute is saying in this picture? Submit your entries via email or comment directly to the blog.

Alice in Wonderland

Remember when she ate the cookie that made her too big for the house? This is Jen and Ash playing Alice at the log cabin jump at Poplar Place.
Ok club: send me some pics!

A Sara Sighting!

Sara was home for the weekend. She was spotted working with Alex and Magic. When asked about Auburn she said she "loves it". It's good to see our older girls coming back around to help the younger ones. Thanks Sara!

Thank You to our Esteemed Examiner

What do all of these girls have in common?

That's right! They are C2's!!!!!!!!!

Scenes From Weekend

Rocking Horse Fall Horse Trials were held last weekend. The courses were decorated with spider webs and pumpkins. The weather was beautiful with a crisp feel to the morning air. Our pony clubbers were there "with bells on." Noel and Longleaf shined in their first event. They jumped clear in XC and stadium and ended up with a flashy seventh place ribbon in Beginner Novice division. Ashley and Retto in the Training division had their all time best dressage score and clear XC but then Retto saw the boogieman in the liverpool and stopped to check it out. All in all a great show for both girls. Thanks to everyone that came out to support them!

FUN, INFORMATIVE AND AFFORDABLE

USEA OUTREACH CLINIC
Cross Country, Stadium & More
DECEMBER 3rd, 2006
Rocking Horse Stables: Altoona , Florida

What?: The USEA has offered an outreach clinic with Sara Kozumplik-Dierks (A graduate and 4 star eventer, ICP Level III certified) to the Sunshine Region Pony Clubbers. The clinic is intended to assist pony clubbers in becoming upper level eventers and encourage upper level Pony Clubbers to become USEA certified instructors (ICP). There will be two mounted clinics (cross country and stadium) and one unmounted clinic (Young Riders & ICP).

When & Where?: Sunday December 3rd 8:00 am – 4:00pm (or earlier) at Rocking Horse Stables in Altoona, Florida . How Much?: $40.00 per rider, includes Stall Saturday eve. and Sunday, 3 clinic sessions (with grounds fee) and lunch on Sunday. The USEA is offering their clinician at no charge to our pony clubbers; this is a fantastic opportunity for our region! Auditors and spectators PLEASE join us ($5.00 for lunch. Parents, Instructors, DC’s ) ALL ARE WELCOME!

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."

It is a MOUNTED meeting.

Raechel helps Ashley, Noel, Nicole and Vanessa prepare for upcoming ratings. Everyone is looking really good. The hard work is paying off! Thanks Raechel.

Dates and Times

C2 Prep- Claddagh Farm -Aug 27- mounted- 3:00


Dressage paperwork due in to Deb on Aug 29

Quiz Rally

This is a photo of Noel assisting "Delightful D's" at the "Smithie Table" in the Mega Room. Quiz was held at Grand Cypress Equestrian Ctr. on Sun.
If anyone has highlights from this day, please share. Remember to send any news via my 'horses' email address and I will blog it for you. As long as it is member/horse related then we are interested. Also we need news from the older girls that have moved from the area. Dont want to lose touch after all they have done for us. Please send word.

Monthly Themes

Our blog will have themes based on the month. Aug is profiles. If I dont have yours or its not complete, then please try to get it to me before Sept or it will be out of order. The same applies to rejoining members.
Sept will be dressage month: Send me your favorite dressage or flatwork photo with a 'who what where ' attached and I will post it. Oct will be devoted to horse costume photos. They dont need to be current and you can send more than one.
Another note: this blog is about you, as a club. If you have stories, poems or drawings that you want to share, please let me know. I am setting this up but it is all about you.

Jenna and Mighty Mouse

Alex and Kidd

My pony's name is Just Kidding. I call him Kidd. He is a ten year old P.O.A. gelding.
Kidd was born May 8, 1996 on a POA breeding farm in Florida.
My first memory of him was at Danette's place.
I think that what my pony likes most about me is that I spoil him by giving him treats and food when he doesn't do anything for them.
If he played in a band it would be a rock band.
Just about everything we have done the last 4 years has been pretty cool.
If I could change something to make life better for my pony it would be to give him lots of room to run around, with lots of grass.
The last time I fell off my pony was on a trail ride. lol
If my pony were a Disney character he would be Prince Charming (Yeah Right!)
What impresses me most about my pony is how good or bad he can be when he wants to.

Raechel and Ebony

My pony Ebony is a 5 year old draft cross gelding (thank God). He is a work in progress for sure!:)
I have no idea where he was born.
An interesting thing about Ebony's history is: he was almost starved to death before we got him.
My first memory of him was watching the lady I bought him from beat him back with a wooden spoon to feed him his dinner!
I think that what Ebony likes most about me is that I believe in him.
What I have learned from spending time with Ebony is that sometimes it's good enough to just stay on.
The coolest thing Ebony and I ever did together was Show Jumping Rally 2006.
If Ebony played in a band the music would probably be heavy metal...but he would sing Celine Dion in the shower!
Ebony is happiest when he is eating...or telling other ponies what to do.
If I could change something to make life better for Ebony it would Caviar.
The last time I fell off Ebony was: Ugh...like 3 months ago. (April)
I would love to have a photo of me and Ebony...in a meadow of flowers.
If Ebony were a Disney character he would be Goofy!
What impresses me most about Ebony is his good looks and irresistable charm!

Amber and Whisper

My pony's name is Whisper. He is a 6 year old Cremelo Welsh Pony.
I am not sure where he was born but we bought him in New Smyrna last year.
An ineresting thing about my pony's history is that he was a stallion before we bought him.
My first memory of my pony was when I saw his sweet little face in the crossties. It was as though he was waiting for me.
What I think my pony likes most about me is that I am little and I don't weigh very much so I don't hurt his back.
What I have learned from spending time with my pony is that he is a lot to handle but I can still do it.
The coolest thing my pony and I ever did together was when we accidentally jumped the rock wall at my home bareback. I also like to ride him in the lake.
If my pony played in a band the music would probably be a wild, nonconforming hard rock. His song would be "I'm too sexy for my forelock and I am going to bite you!!!!!!!"
My pony is happiest when he's digging his face into a big bowl of grain!
If I could change something to make life better for my pony it would be that he would not be on a diet and he could eat anything he wanted.
The last time I fell off my pony was last year when we bought him and he bucked big at the canter and gave me a black eye!
I would love to have a photo of me and my pony jumping really big like flying through the air!
If my pony were a Disney character he would be Brair Rabbit, he is fast, cocky, daring, and gets away with everything.
What impresses me most about my pony is how he stomps impatiently on the ground to get my attention and how he is the sexiest, cutest, most ornery and adorable pony in the world with a fun personality.

Noel and Leafy

My pony's name is Longleaf, but I call him Leafy.
Leafy was born in Canada, January of 1994. His first home was a racehorse farm.
I think it is interesting that he was a race horse before he moved to Florida.
My first memory of him was when I saw him for the first time he had been turned out in a field for two years and I liked him regardless of his appearance.
I think Leafy likes that I always massage and scratch him in his favorite spot, his shoulders, after he works hard.
I have learned from spending time with Leafy that if you work hard you can do anything.
The coolest thing Leafy and I did was ride bareback in the rain.
If he played in a band it would be rock music because he's most calm when I play rock music in the barn.
Leafy is happiest when I let him go fast on cross country and play in water.
If I could make his life better I'd make sure he never got sick or hurt.
The last time I fell off him was when we were going cross country and he stopped at a ditch and I fell in the ditch.
I would like to have a photo of us going cross country.
If Leafy was a Disney charactor he would be Stitch from Lilo and Stitch because he has an evil side and only loves me.
What impresses me most about Leafy is his grace, athleticism and spunk.

Nicole and Lottie

My pony's name is Moch Latte. I call her Lottie. She is a 13 year old welsh pony .
My pony was born Oct 12, 1992. ( We don't know the exact date so we celebrate every Oct 12th)
Something that is interesting about my ponies history is that three girls from Wekiva Basin Pony Club have competed with her. (Alex, Ashley and myself)
My first memory of her was refusing a jump! And another jump, and another...
What I learned from spending time with my pony is how to think like her.
The coolest thing my pony and I ever did together was to show those 16 hand horses that ponies can jump too.
If my pony played in a band it would be a rap band.
My pony is happiest when I am currying her butt.
If I could change something to make life better for my pony I would give her more acreage.
The last time I fell off my pony was when I rode her bareback.
I would love a photo of me and my pony riding bareback with me and my two dogs.
If my pony were a Disney character she would be Minnie Mouse because she is mini and she thinks she looks good in everything.
What impresses me most about my pony is how high she can jump and how snotty little Lottie can be.

Ashley and Retto

My pony's name is Ligoretto. That is the name on his papers but a lot of people know him as Jiggy. He is a 12 year old Danish Warmblood.
He was born on a holsteiner farm in Denmark.
An interesting thing about his history is that he flew on an airplane from Germany to Miami. I have never flown even half that far!
My first memory of him was when I was seven, I watched him open the bathroom door at English Acres and Lane was in there. That was really scary.
I am pretty sure what my pony likes most about me is that I hang "Lik Its" in his stall.
What I have learned from spending time with my pony is that he acts like a puppy until he knows it's showtime.
The coolest thing Retto and I have ever done was a dressage lesson with Ralph Hill. He did things that i saw horses do in rolex.
If Retto played in a band it would probably be light rock.
Retto is definitely happiest running cross country.
If I could change something to make life better for my pony I would make it so his skin wasn't so sensitive.
The last time I fell off my pony was...haven't yet. (knock on wood)
I would love to have a photo of me and Retto at Rolex.
If my pony were a Disney character he would be Mufasa from the Lion King.
What impresses me most about my pony is everything - especially his sexy bod :)

Nessa and Absolute

My pony Absolute is a 15 year old grey thoroughbred gelding.
He was born on this planet.
The most interesting thing about Absolute's history before he came to me was that he was a race horse.
My first memory of him was that I hated him because he took off bucking.
I think that what my pony likes most about me is the food I give him and his happiest moments are when he is eating.
If Absolute played in a band it would be a Hip Hop band. tee hee
The coolest thing my pony and I have ever done is cross country and I would love a photo of me and Absolute going over a huge cross country jump!
If I could change something to make life better for my pony it would be: ummmm, i think he is very spoiled as it is, so, he better not be saying anything
What I have learned from spending time with my pony: he can be smart at times
What impresses me most about my pony: that he went from a horse that knew NOTHING now into a horse that is starting eventing!