2007 Regional Championships

Hello,

Well the season is finally winding down. We just finished with our regional championships. Warado was wonderful despite some nasty weather and mucky footing. He was a little star behaving beautifully and working hard through the less then ideal conditions. We had a wonderful group of friends, students and supporters to cheer everyone on.

The weekend started out with our Northwest 1st level championship class. We had a super warm up and over all a solid test. The mud puddles proved a bit difficult in our canter work with a couple of balance problems and a break into the trot. We ended up with 69% and a fourth place. Saturday we had our Great American 1st level Championship which for me was a real disappointment. Warado felt great and as I went down center line I had a sick feeling about how deep the footing had become due to the rain. I started my first lengthening and pulled up. I asked the judge for permission to withdraw and she completely understood. I just couldn't risk him in it. It was a tough decision but in the end I knew it was the right one.

Later that day we had our 2nd level NWDC test and he was very well behaved no major mistakes just a little lack of expression. He scored a 67% and was again fourth.

Sunday was a little more exciting. The rain was really pouring and huge lakes had developed in the arena's. Fortunately the arena I was in on Sunday was wet but firm.
We were aloud to warm up with in the arena because of the lack of space now around the outside due to the addition of a third dressage court with in the enclosed sand arena. I spent about two minutes cantering through the lakes to get Warado accepting of the new obstacles. We went down center line and he did a super job. One little cross canter in one of my movements and the rest was very nice. He ended up Reserve Champion with a 73% in his Great American 2nd Level. Receiving a 76% from one judge and 69% from the other.

Paula and Solo did a beautiful job as well taking 3rd in her PSG with a 64.7%
Paige and Dan-o Had a super weekend winning there NWDC 1st level, NWDC 2nd Level, Great American 2nd Level, and was reserve in her Great American 1st level Championship in the junior/yr division
Diana and Elegancia were Reserve Champions for both there NWDC and Great American 3rd level AA classes
Kimmie and Princess were very satisfied with their 1st level AA classes
Meghan and Poet, Teresa with Durk and Marika, and the rest of the gang made for a really enjoyable weekend.

Special thanks to Lucas for staying at the show to watch the horses over night and give Warado and extra carrot good night!

Janet Foy Clinic

Well the weeks are flying by this year. I can't believe it is already September. Wistar and I went to the Janet Brown-Foy clinic the weekend which was inspirational and great fun. We worked a lot on the quality of the transitions into and out of Piaffe and Passage. Wistar was a champ. He has gained so much strength in the last couple of months. His rhythm has improved (my rhythm) and he is very active behind. I still just need a bit more lift with his front legs. We also worked on the quality of his schooling canter. Being able to stay consistent and controlled within a working pirouette. It was really fun.

Just an update since the last blog. WEC was a lot of fun for Paige, Paula, and Ashley. Paige and her pony Dan-O did a great job with their 2-4Q with a 66.9% and winning the class. She also won her very first 3-3. She did a great job through the weekend and ended up qualifying for second level at championships. Paula had a fantastic ride on Phirst Solo taking nd in her FEI class with a 65.5% at Intermediare One. Way to go Paula!!! Ashley and Little Dub (Windtalker) had a great 2nd show. Ahsley took 3rd in her T-4 class and we were all very proud of the pair. Everyone did great and now we look forward to the championships.

Summer fun

Hi there,

Hope you are all well. Wistar and Warado are doing really well. We are heading to the last show before championships up at Whidbey Is. this weekend. Warado is doing a couple of second level test to finish up his year end award requirements. He is all qualified for first and second level this year. Championships will held at Donida Farm Equestrian Center the last weekend of September.

Also coming to the show with us is Paige who will be attempting her first third level 3 test with her pony Dan'O. Paula will be showing Solo at I-1 and Ashley is showing her boy at training and first level. We will get some pictures and post. Should be a fun show.

Wistar is doing great. He is getting so strong. we took this picture of he and I the other day after doing a new photo shoot of Warado. He is so adorable!!!

Jennifer

Getting back to it!

Hi guys,

Hope you are all well. It's been quite some time since my last update. I'm sorry about that. A lot has happened in the last couple of months. Back in April right before the big LA CDI Wistar and I had a couple of road blocks. Two weeks or so before our show he had the untimely misfortune of a hot nail in his left front foot. We fixed the problem as quickly as we could but it did not seem to get better and eventually abscessed. We were very careful to keep him quiet and low key until we could continue to get him checked out and grow his feet out a bit. For the past couple of weeks we have just been focusing on getting him as healthy as possible. It has been tough but I am happy to say that he and I are up and running and doing great. He is my bud and I love him. Every day with him is such a treat.

I will keep you posted on our show season when it is determined and we hope to get back down to LA to train with Krissy Harrison this winter and/or to Idaho with Debbie McDonald. Next Spring I hope to take a big group down with me to show and train. It should be a lot of fun.

A quick update about Little Man. He has been wonderful. Taking up quite a bit of breeding slack for Wistar(Poor Guy). He went to WEC last month and won his classes at first and second level. He is getting very strong. We will be showing this weekend at Champagne Classic. Also Ashley(my assistant)will be competing her horse Windtalker and Paula Helm will be debuting her I-1 test this weekend on Phirst Solo. I have to tell you that she did her first set of PSG's two weeks ago at Whidbey and she scored a 64% and a 65.25% and achieved her silver medal. I was so proud of her. We will have a big great group there this weekend at Champagne and would love it if you can make it out to say hi and help cheer everybody on.

Well that about covers it for now. Hope you and your ponies are all well.

Talk to you soon,

Jennifer

Warado wins his first time out at second level

Hello again,

All and all it was a good show and I am happy to report that "Little Man" won his second level test with a 72.1 % He was very forward and in front of my leg. I thought he did a wonderful job with the more difficult movements. I am working hard to develop more strength with him and more consistent cadence in the trot work .

The US League Final was taking place during the weekend. Paula, Keshia, Ashley, and I had a great time watching the Grand Prix on Saturday. On Sunday we helped Paula and Keshia pack up and they headed toward home. We were sad to see them go. We were fortunate to make it back to the show in time to see Krissy get a 66% in the Grand Prix Special with Rociero. She had a beautiful test. Then it was the freestyles. We got to see who would represent the US at World Cup in Vegas this coming April. It looks like it will be Steffen Peters, Courtney King, Leslie Morse, and Wild card Cathrine Haddad.

Monday morning we head off to Redding for our first lay over. We had a wonderful stay at "The Paddock" in LA. Krissy and Debbie were fantastic and I can't wait to work with them in the future. Right now the plan is to rest a little in April and focus on getting the Grand Prix really solid with Wistar and hopefully compete later this season at that level. Warado will continue to train and we will think about what competition is next. Thank you for all of your support and I can't wait to get home and see everybody.

Jen

Festival of the Horse

Hi there,

Well some unfortunate news to report. I had to cancel Wistar from the CDI this weekend. He unfortunately developed a hoof abscess in his left front hoof that we were not able to remedy before the show. He has been fantastic and I was very disappointed especially with all of the progress we have made. I am very thankful that it is a short term problem and that we will be back on track here shortly. We are heading home after the show back to Roy and everyone is very excited to get home and get back to work.

On the brighter side. "Little Man" is being so super at the show. Friday we did a 1st level test and he came in 1st with a 68.7%. Today Saturday he was very in front of my leg and expressive and won his first level test with a 71.7%. Tomorrow we are doing are very first second level test. He has been getting stronger and stronger since I have been down here and he is really understanding the concept of sitting in the canter. We will see how he does. He has been a real trooper.

Kiesha made it down safely yesterday and has been helping Ashley, Paula and I at the show and will be helping drive home with Paula tomorrow. They should be home on Tuesday night and have been so much fun having down here with us. I will let you know how Warado does tomorrow. Until then I hope all of you are well and I will see you soon.

Jennifer

Update!

Hi everyone,

Sorry for the delay in updating the blog. The horses are doing great. Chris Butanko was here again last Monday to shoe the boys and that went well. Thanks Chris for spending two days down here away from your business to help us out.

Wistar had his first warm up show of the season. We decided to start th season in the small tour being that it is a Pan Am year. We are working diligently on the Grand Prix at home hoping he will be ready to bring out the 2nd half of the year. We will see how the first two shows go and update our plan accordingly. In our PSG we had a somewhat consistent test which brought in a 65% from the panel of three judges. He was a little high especially in our medium canter down the long side. Yee-Haw he was feeling good. He needed a bit more relaxation in the canter work.

The next day in the I-1 I was absolutely thrilled with his performance. He was fantastic. He scored an overall score of a 66% which put us in 7th of the 24 entered for the day. All and all it was a very good first show out. It let me know what I had to work on for the next month and I feel really good about the CDI coming up in the next two weeks which is what will really count. I have been implementing some changes in my training since working with Debbie McDonald and Chrissy Harrison and we are still working on developing a more subtle connection. So that first show really helped us all know where we lack strength.

Little Man was a very super boy at the show as well winning his first class of the weekend with a 70.7% at first level. On day two he was able to get a 69% and finished third. On Sunday I took a lesson with Chrissy and Wistar and schooled Warado before packing up and taking them back to the farm. We had a great time. Paula pulled into the show on Saturday evening with Solo. Just arriving from Summervale Farm. Solo was tired but looked great and was very perky.

Well that's all for know. Next show is March 30, 31, and 1st. It is a CDI at the LA Equestrian Center. Charlene was planning on flying down for it. Kiesha who helps out with some riding at the farm will be flying down to help out at the show and drive back home with Paul and all of us. Thanks Kiesha. And we can't wait to see you Char (and Kiesha).

Jen