Untitled Document

ARCHIVED RESULTS - 2005 & 2006

Penny's progress(10/06)

She is doing so well that my trainer took her to the Lynda Alicki clinic this week. She had a 45 minute session with Lynda Alicki. Penelope was great, very well behaved, got right to work, and made it through the whole session perfectly. Lynda thought she was a very nice mover, that we had a good horse to work with, and how steady she was, and how nice she looked. She was surprised to hear that Penelope was a former broodmare and had only been worked the last year and a half. Penelope held her own against all the very large Warmbloods at the clinic. Very proud moment.
Just wanted to give you an update onPiedmont Penelope . She is wonderful, and really making progress in her training.

We also went to our last show for the year today: GDCTA Sonora Farms, Canton GA, Judge Amy McElroy 'r' Aiken SC . My daughter Crystal ended up riding Penelope in the JR divisions, her new horse was kicked and is now off. They only had 2 days to practice together, but something must have clicked,Intro A 67.5% Intro B 67.6%, and the high score Junior rider of the day award. I rode Penelope in the Intro B 66.7% 1st place!and Training Level 1 59% 3rd place; in T-1 during the freewalk, one of the letters fell over the chain and spooked Penelope, I got her right back and her walk was great. My trainer thought the judge wouldn't mark us down for the spook, but she did and commented about it. Oh well, we had a great day anyhow.

2006 Region V show (10/06)

Sandy Hoffman called me to report that Piedmont Ritzy was 1st in Halfbreds In-hand and was the High-Score Halfbred for the entire show!

"We had a really good time, although the weather was challenging (rain on Friday and Saturday was cold and windy and muddy of course). Foothills Faithfilly was very good for Clare in a crowded walk-trot class and did her first ridden trail class with me (3rd I think). She passed her inspection no problem" (Pat Cunningham)

"Foothills Lorenzo was FIRST!!! in Purebred Geldings 3 and above, in a class of 9 (or maybe 12, I can't remember). He was a real showman and I was really proud of him. He was third in Sport Pony" (Tamme Roberts)

A great weekend for Beacon and Sun (10/06)

Last weekend I was privileged to be able to ride in the USEA Jump Start Horse Trials at the Kentucky Horse Park. It was my first horse trials in 6 years and I rode my favorite equine partner, Balmullo's Beacon. My competition began on Saturday with dressage in the morning and X-co in the afternoon. I was happy with our dressage because, although it was not our best, it could have been much worse. We received a score of 35.5 penalty points, which put us in 6th place, out of 19 starters. The rain came in again on Saturday afternoon (after raining most of Friday night), but that didn't stop Beacon from ripping around the Novice X-Co course, finishing right on the speed time limit of 4:18. Incurring no faults on course, we moved up to 4th. Sunday's stadium was in a very soupy arena, from all the previous rain. Beacon took his time in the treacherous footing, with resulted in stops and time penalties for many riders. However, in his true fashion, Beacon jumped everything clean and within time, really saving my skin on a very bad approach to the last fence, moving us us to 2nd place. I love this pony!!!!

Not only did Beacon move up to finish 2nd in the NR, Div. 2, but also, we are doubly thrilled that his son, Piedmont Sundance, won the NR, Div. 3:-)

Marion Caldwell rode an accurate and steady dressage test on Saturday afternoon, tying them for 2nd place. They put in a beautiful cross-country round on Saturday and faultless stadium on Sunday. The double clear jumping rounds moved the pair to victory!!!

Worth more than her weight in gold (10/06)

Foothill's Ladybug was the 11-17 Senior Beginner Champion at the H.J. Fox Show in Madison, Ga. Ladybug had quite a day as she had to carry three riders in two different divisions because one of the rider's horse was misbehaving. She took home 6 blues, 2 yellows and 4 whites and was ridden by McKenzie Reynolds, McCay Eislie and Courtney Crowe. Ladybug is worth more than her weight in gold and has definitely earned some time off!
ISR/Oldenburg Premium Filly (9/06)

On Tuesday, Angel Johnson presented Beacon's Irish Spring for ISR-Oldenburg Inspection and was awarded the 'Premium Foal' rating. The gray filly, a.k.a. Bubbles, is by Balmullo's Beacon, out of Angel's Oldenburg mare, Walkabout by Walldorf. Bubbles was also Reserve High Score Filly at the Inspections which were held at Stonecrop Farm in NC.

Penny's progress (10/06)

She is doing so well that my trainer took her to the Lynda Alicki clinic this week. She had a 45 minute session with Lynda Alicki. Penelope was great, very well behaved, got right to work, and made it through the whole session perfectly. Lynda thought she was a very nice mover, that we had a good horse to work with, and how steady she was, and how nice she looked. She was surprised to hear that Penelope was a former broodmare and had only been worked the last year and a half. Penelope held her own against all the very large Warmbloods at the clinic. Very proud moment.

Just wanted to give you an update on Piedmont Penelope. She is wonderful, and really making progress in her training.

We also went to our last show for the year today: GDCTA Sonora Farms, Canton GA, Judge Amy McElroy 'r' Aiken SC . My daughter Crystal ended up riding Penelope in the JR divisions, her new horse was kicked and is now off. They only had 2 days to practice together, but something must have clicked, Intro A 67.5% Intro B 67.6%, and the high score Junior rider of the day award. I rode Penelope in the Intro B 66.7% 1st place! and Training Level 1 59% 3rd place; in T-1 during the freewalk, one of the letters fell over the chain and spooked Penelope, I got her right back and her walk was great. My trainer thought the judge wouldn't mark us down for the spook, but she did and commented about it. Oh well, we had a great day anyhow.

2006 Region V show (10/06)

Sandy Hoffman called me to report that Piedmont Ritzy was 1st in Halfbreds In-hand and was the High-Score Halfbred for the entire show!

"We had a really good time, although the weather was challenging (rain on Friday and Saturday was cold and windy and muddy of course). Foothills Faithfilly was very good for Clare in a crowded walk-trot class and did her first ridden trail class with me (3rd I think). She passed her inspection no problem" (Pat Cunningham)

"Foothills Lorenzo was FIRST!!! in Purebred Geldings 3 and above, in a class of 9 (or maybe 12, I can't remember). He was a real showman and I was really proud of him. He was third in Sport Pony" (Tamme Roberts)

A great weekend for Beacon and Sun (10/06)

Last weekend I was privileged to be able to ride in the USEA Jump Start Horse Trials at the Kentucky Horse Park. It was my first horse trials in 6 years and I rode my favorite equine partner, Balmullo's Beacon. My competition began on Saturday with dressage in the morning and X-co in the afternoon. I was happy with our dressage because, although it was not our best, it could have been much worse. We received a score of 35.5 penalty points, which put us in 6th place, out of 19 starters. The rain came in again on Saturday afternoon (after raining most of Friday night), but that didn't stop Beacon from ripping around the Novice X-Co course, finishing right on the speed time limit of 4:18. Incurring no faults on course, we moved up to 4th. Sunday's stadium was in a very soupy arena, from all the previous rain. Beacon took his time in the treacherous footing, with resulted in stops and time penalties for many riders. However, in his true fashion, Beacon jumped everything clean and within time, really saving my skin on a very bad approach to the last fence, moving us us to 2nd place. I love this pony!!!!

Not only did Beacon move up to finish 2nd in the NR, Div. 2, but also, we are doubly thrilled that his son, Piedmont Sundance, won the NR, Div. 3:-)

Marion Caldwell rode an accurate and steady dressage test on Saturday afternoon, tying them for 2nd place. They put in a beautiful cross-country round on Saturday and faultless stadium on Sunday. The double clear jumping rounds moved the pair to victory!!!

Worth more than her weight in gold (10/06)

Foothill's Ladybug was the 11-17 Senior Beginner Champion at the H.J. Fox Show in Madison, Ga. Ladybug had quite a day as she had to carry three riders in two different divisions because one of the rider's horse was misbehaving. She took home 6 blues, 2 yellows and 4 whites and was ridden by McKenzie Reynolds, McCay Eislie and Courtney Crowe. Ladybug is worth more than her weight in gold and has definitely earned some time off!

ISR/Oldenburg Premium Filly (9/06)

I'm so glad to be back in action:-) (8/06)

Last weekend, I was blessed to be able to launch my mini-come-back with my favorite equine partner, Balmullo's Beacon. We signed up for the Jump Start event at the end of Sept., so to help get a handle on my show nerves ,and to see if I could stay in the saddle over the jumps, we did a local combined test. I am pleased to say that we finished 2nd in the Novice division on our dressage score of 34.7 ppts. We lost a few points when his attention wondered to the herd of pasture horses that moved to the rail right beside the dressage arena to graze during our test! I was a bit uptight in general, so I surely wasn't the greatest relaxing influence, but the experience has helped me prepare for our next one. The stadium was a wonderful, flowing and easy to follow course set in a nice big grassy area, so that phase was a breeze.

I am leaving in the morning to school cross-country at the Kentucky Horse Park. I have never ridden there, so am very much looking forward to it:-) Vanessa

No longer a spectator (8/06)

I�ve been more or less a spectator Connemara owner for many years due to family, career and health changes. I�ve been trying to get back my riding legs this year and the weekend of August 19, I FINALLY was able to ride Piedmont Ritzy in
our first dressage show. When I told my trainer I�d entered the Intro test classes, she said we weren�t ready yet. We�re not consistent on the bit, not forward enough, etc. But I still wanted to go and have fun. That we did, Ritzy was calm and
brave, (I was not), we got thru the tests with no major goofs, quite a bit of rider imperfection. We need a lot more work, but at least I know we CAN do this again! Sandy H 06-Aug

Way to go, Sandy!!!

The judge adored her (8/06)

Foothills Ladybug was Reserve Champion beginner crossrails and Champion Equitation w/t/c today at the horsepark. The judge adored her and remarked on what a lovely pony she is.

Big win for Alice and Murphy (8/06)

Alice Andrews rode Murphy, a halfbred gelding by Balmullo's Beacon, to capture victory at Poplar Place Farm on 06/09/2006. They finished on their dressage score of 33.7 in the Open Novice division with 25 starters.
Alice is the manager of Rocking Horse Stables in Alatoona, FL, and is offering Murphy for sale.

Laura earns her C3 Pony Club Rating (7/06)

We survived the C3 rating. It was a three day ordeal and was grueling. Sundance was a good boy � the only six year old there that is for sure. Laura passed the rating, along with her club mates Kelsey and Khaki. Five out of 13 failed and there were lots of tears! I�m sooo glad that is over! No more pony club stress this year. Laura and Sun could go to Pony Club Nationals but she is just too tired and wants to take the rest of the summer off. He probably needs it too.

Laura took Sundance to Eventing Rally which was held during the Midsouth PC HT at the KHP On June 26th. He was a good green boy and Laura�s team was 1st in the novice pony club division and she and Sundance were 2nd in the open horse trial. We were really proud of him. Both Juniper and Sundance are qualified for the AEC novice division. Laura and Sundance have bonded and he is just cocky enough to keep her entertained without being dangerous. Thanks again for my ponies! Marion

Powers wins in Region X (7/06)

Piedmont Powers and I went to our first horse show today. It was the Connemara show and inspections. We took 1st place in three and over halfbred connemaras in-hand and took Champion Halfbred In-hand. What a guy!
The next show we go to, we are going to compete under saddle. We have progressed a lot in our canter work. I am extremely pleased with how well he learns everything. Kathy

Teasel's rise in the eventing ranks (7/06)

Becky Raubacher�s Kent�sTeasel left St. Timothy's School in Baltimore and is currently leased by Valerie Tkacs and training with Danny Warrington. Teasel won her Beginner Novice division at St. Augustine early this spring, placed second in Novice at the Fair Hill Starter Trials, and placed sixth in Training Level at Waredaca on June 3. Becky says they are very proud of Teasel and Valerie, as Valerie has only started eventing and Teasel takes very good care of her, even schooling over a Prelim bank without batting an eye!

Success In-hand (5/06)

6/3/06 Kate (Black Dog's Smokin' Kate) was 1st of 4 in dressage in hand with a score of 75.5%.
As of 6/8/06, Kate is currently 4th in Zone 4, Hunter Breeding 2 year olds.
Really lovely filly!

MayFest Horse Trails (5/06)

Laura and Juniper (Foothills Juniper, pictured below) won their novice division over 15 other entires, at the Mayfest Horse Trials at the Kentucky Horse Park, May 27-28 weekend (RESULTS). They were first after dressage and stayed 1st throughout. Juniper was just fabulous and only 2 seconds off speed faults at novice.

Laura and Sun (Piedmont Sundance) placed 4th in their 16 horse novice division (RESULTS). Good progress for him this weekend in dressage and he did great in stadium and cross country.

Pony Club Jumper Show (5/06)

Laura and Sundance at the Wilderness Trace Pony Club Jumper Show May 20th 2006. Sun (Piedmont Sundance) got lots of ribbons but Foothills Juniper brought home (a cash prize!). No one could beat her in the stakes class - rules were clear and fast wins!

Laura did Sayre School CT which is a USEA recognized show and did training level. You would have been proud. Juniper jumped great and didn't seem at all overfaced... Laura had fun and we rode up in style in our new trailer. Sundance got a ribbon. (5th place)...the course was in grass on a hill side and it was a challenge for him to keep his balance throughout. He seems to enjoy his job and was not nearly as overwhelmed by all the activity this time out.

Penelope's first dressage show (5/06)

We did it, and did it in the pouring rain! Piedmont Penelope was wonderful, we took 2nd place in the Adult Intro B. Crystal rode her in the Jr Intro B and Jr Training Level 1. She was a very good girl and gave us some nice rides. The judge really liked her and she recieved 7's on her gaits and even earned a 8 on her free walk. Still working on the halt--she wants to go go go... She gets better every day. Take Care, Michelle

Hope's First Show under saddle (4/06)

Foothills Hopefilly did VERY well at our show today.
Lake Oconee Equine Center, Eatonton, GA, April 15, 2006:
Beg. w/t - 1st
Beg. w/t/c- 2nd
Beg. champion

Short stirrup w/t/c- 5th
Short stirrup crossrails- 2nd
Short stirrup w/t/c equitation- 3rd

Penny's progress (3/06)
Here are some shots from the Dressage clinic a few weeks ago. click here
Penelope (Piedmont Penelope) was very good, and ended up with a 65% Intro B score.

Area VIII Champions (3/06)

Who is the 2005 USEA Area 8 Jr. Beginner Novice Champion? None other than Laura Burns on Foothills Juniper!!!!

Another great show (1/06)

Just thought I'd share about another show Reilly and Cassie were at today at Galway Downs. http://www.galwaydowns.com/
Jan 15, 2006. Reilly was in the green hunters and amature jumpers, jumping 2'6" in both divisions - receiving a 1st, 2nd and 5th place.. an awesome day for sure!! Reilly is coming along so nicely. Hugs, Mary Jo, Cassie and Reilly

Bucky's first year as an eventer was a Banner year (12/05)

The first thing I wanted to say to you all this time is that I LOVE Bucky (Foothills Waterman) to death! From the first minute I saw him in Southern Pines, I knew he was the one for me! He is SUCH a BLAST! In addition to the shows you saw in the Region III, newsletter, in September, we won our Beginner Novice Division at the Weave a Dream Horse Trails, and were second in our Beginner Novice Division at Seneca Pony Club Horse Trails. For the United States Eventing Associate Year End Awards (USEA), we finished USEA Area II Reserve Grand Champion Adult Amateur Beginner Novice Division, and for the entire USEA, Beginner Novice Masters Division we finished sixth! Dana N

Equitation Champion in Palm Beach County (12/05)

Marissa just won Grand Champion in Short Stirrups Equitation for the entired Palm Beach County Horsmans' Circuit.
Cassie has enough points to win the Gold Medallion this year through ACPS. Region IV Connemara Performance Champion.
Cassie has her USEF Pony Card, Shown at Littlewood Farm Shows in the Children's Pony Division. Michelle D
Balmullo's Cassiopia (Balmullo's Beacon x Blue Hills Morning Star) is currently available for purchase! click here

Thanks Vickie:-) (12/05)

I had the good fortune to be in northern Indiana on business the week before the 2005 ACPS Region V Show in Edinburgh, so I phoned long-time Connemara friend, Vickie Maris, to arrange for a visit to Dawn of Promise Farm on my way back south. This was my first visit to Vickie's farm and what a pleasant day it was:-) I had offered to help her load up ponies for the show, but we delayed the trip for a little while in favor of a ride on her stallion, Kerrymor Madison. By the end of the day I had renamed him "Prince Charming"; he is such a handsome and kind fellow. I have to say that Madison is one of the most comfortable horses I've ever sat on; riding him is like sitting in an EZ chair. I was even afforded the honor of taking him over a few jumps, which he easily and readily took. Vickie said that I am the only other person who has ever jumped him and one of the very few who have ridden him, besides herself. Madison is a sheer joy, an all-around pleasure and a wonderful ambassador for the breed.

After touring the farm with it's lovely creek and riding trails and petting all the wonderful Dawn of Promise ponies, we selected two of them to load onto Vickie's trailer to haul down to the show. I was again honored by Vickie by allowing me to show one of my stallion's own get, Old Carolina's Bitsy (*GUN SMOKE x of Oakfield's Garnet Finch), in the Purebred 2 and under class. Bitsy, who was bred by Alice Kraebber (NC) and purchased by Vickie earlier in the year, was placed 2nd by judge Chris Knox (Idaho), out of class of 7 really wonderful Connemaras. Vanessa M
below: Me and Bitsy - Oct '05 show photo

Reserve Champions at Willowbrook Riding Club (11/05)

Hi Vanessa, I just sent this to Beury.. I thought you'd like to get this update also about Reilly (PF Dunford O'Reilly)!! He's doing great! We just love him!:
Cassie and Reilly did really well at the show this weekend at Willowbrook http://www.willowbrookridingclub.com/.. getting. Reserve Champions.. I'm very proud of both of them! ... they were in the low hunter division - child/adult, jumping 2'3-2'6"

Fun times!! I hope all's well there! God bless you! Mary Jo Bullock (CA)

Pony of the Year in England (10/05)

Vanessa, My pony Gunsmoke Timberland is 6 yrs old now, his birthday was on June 12th. His registration number is BCPS G01728, I have attached 2 pictures of him and myself at the Cornish Foaling Bank show earlier on this year where we won the Cornish Working hunter pony of the year 2005. I bought my 14 hh Dun Connemara gelding in October 2004 off a dealer (Andrew Richards); He imports them in from Ireland. My Pony, Gunsmoke Timberland, his sire is Gunsmoke and his Dam is Little Lass.
Sam Broadbank, England Cornwall

Winner of her first ADS sanctioned show (9/05)

We went to our annual club Driving Pleasure Show this weekend. It was our first ADS fully approved show and we had over 40 rigs entered. Maggie (Foothills Magnolia) went in her first class, Working Pony, and walked out with a first over 18 entries at the *CEDAR CREEK PLEASURE DRIVING EVENT, Cedar Creek Ranch, Greenville, TX.
Turnout Single Ponies Formal or Country Vehicle - 1st place
Working Single Ponies - 5th
Timed Cones Single Ponies - 4th

Another win for the Kentucky duo (9/05)

Foothills Juniper and Laura Burns brought home the blue again. The were 1st place Jr Novice Rider at the Kentucky Classic Horse Trials (Sept 2 - 4) finishing on their dressage score of 26.5 ppts.

Above: Laura and Juniper at the AEC - Sept 05

More Regional Connemara show results (9/05)

2005 Region X , West Coast Connemara Show
TEMPO'S SMOKEY GEM, above w/Misha Wan - 2nd place Mares ages 3 and up - In Hand; Reserve Champion Mare
At the same show, she was 2nd in Training Level Test 1 and 3rd in Training Test 2.

ACPS Region 3 Show, Middleburg, VA
PIEDMONT INDIAN with rider/owner Peyton Morris- 1st place USDF 2002 Intro Test A - Jr; 3rd place USDF 2002 Intro Test B � Jr

FOOTHILLS WATERMAN with rider/owner Dana Norquist - 1st place USDF/USEF 2003 Training Level Test 1; 2nd place
USEA 2002 Novice Level Test C; 3rd place USDF/USEF TOC Tr and above � Senior; and 2nd place The Trail Class � Senior

National Pony Club Champions! (8/05)
Hi V and C, Just returning from national pony club championship held in VA and am trying to wind down after driving half the night. But, good news, Laura's team won the blue and Juniper was a star. Finished on her dressage score, of course! Laura and Juniper also qualifed for the American Eventing Championships and we hope to go in Sept. She will be running the novice course there. Still barefoot and headed for filling her sire's hoofsteps. Had to brag to someone and knew you would appreciate the news. Look for pictures in the chronicle. I also have some cute pictures of Laura and Sun that a photographer took to hopefully put on the cover of a book. A series of books for teens. They may be on the cover of young rider - will let you know. Best regards and thanks again for our wonderful little mare. Marion and Laura (8/7/05)

(see photo in the Chronicle of the Horse page 29, Aug 26 issue, Vol. LXVIII, No. 34)
2005 USPC CHAMPIONSHIPS Score Sheet - NOVICE
Team Midsouth: 1st place (out of 11 teams) with final overall score of 111.60
Marty Whitehouse on Wedlock
Hayley Barbato on Abby Roads
Laura Burns on Foothills Jumper
Katie Shiplett on Just Joe
Kelsey Barbato C2 HM

FFC congratulates our extended Connemara family on their ACPS Regional Show successes! (7/05)

ACPS Region VII Grand Champion In Hand - Foothills Magnolia, owned and shown by Deanne Haggard

Thought you might enjoy a couple of pictures of Maggy. She was AWESOME!

The judges were Katherine Wilkins and Jane Walters (England). There were (I think) ~ 40 ponies entered, which for our scattered region was a tremendous turn out. They came from Texas, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, and Indiana, that I remember.

The one photo is Sam and Maggie in the Produce of Dam class. They didn't do as well as we hoped as the judge didn't feel that they were enough alike to suggest that the mom did it all. (Honestly, it does seem that Maggie favors Queen more and Sam looks more like his dad.) Sam was as sweet and quiet as he could be and the Faith filly was precious! They were both as good as gold.

I cannot thank you enough for producing Maggie. She has been the light of my life. Good job, Mom!!!! In addition to winning the In Hand Championship for Region VII, she also was 2nd in cones (driving), 3rd in driven dressage (our second dressage test ever), 3rd in pleasure driving (since we were tied up so long in In-Hand, we were late getting to the driving and had to go from dressage to cones to pleasure non-stop and she was still pretty hyper after charging around the cones when we got into pleasure driving.....duh!) 2nd in ridden trail, 4th in Pre-green pony under saddle and 3rd in green pony under saddle. I was afraid to jump her because she is (cross your fingers) newly in foal and I didn't want to mess anything up. We should find out Monday if she is in foal for sure. Can you imagine how exciting a Maggie - Erin Go Bragh foal could be? ... if the baby just gets half of Maggie and Go Bragh's attitude and athleticism it will be a world class baby. Deann (7/05)

ACPS Region IV - 1st place Purebred Mare 4 and over - Foothills Maybee, shown by Marion Caldwell

ACPS Region IV - 1st place Pony Jumper Stakes - Foothills Juniper, ridden by Laura Burns; they were also 2nd in Open Jumpers and 4th in Connemaras US, Connemaras OF 2' and Connemaras OF 2'3"

ACPS Region IV Connemara Performance Champion - Balmullo's Cassiopia, owned by Michelle Damon, ridden by Marissa Damone (FL); Marissa earned ribbons in Hunter Ponies US, Hunter Ponies OF 2', Connemaras US, Connemaras OF 2', Open Hunters OF 2', Connemaras OF 2'3" and they were 3rd in the Pony Jumper Stakes!

ACPS Region IV - 1st place Halfbred Connemara 2 and under - Keogh, (by *Gun Smoke) owned and shown by Tollie Banker (TN); this was Keogh's 1st show and he behaved perfectly and looked fabulous!

I thought you would like to see some pics from the (Region 7) show. I had a great time and I'm glad I went. I'm also glad I changed my mind and took Faith (Foothills Faithfilly). It was a really good experience for her. She settled right down and even won the in-hand trail class on Sunday! I was very proud of her for that. She only put one foot wrong on the whole course.

Clare Cunningham - 1st place Lead-Line on Foothills Houston

It was so much fun seeing Maggie there, and such a surprise. Below: L-R Foothills Magnolia and Foothills Houston, with Deanne Haggard (TX) and Pat Cunningham (IL), respectively.

New owner and career change for 'Bucky' (7/05)
Dana Norquist and Foothills Waterman are new to Region III. "Bucky" was purchased from Jennifer Beyer of Elizabethtown, NC, in February to be an eventer. Jennifer had trained and shown him in dressage up to Second Level. In Dana's hands he was second in the Pre-Beginner Novice at Fair Hill, Champion Suitable Field Hunter at the York Country Day School Horse Show (PA) and fifth in Beginner Novice at the Waredaca USEA Horse Trials.

News from Region III (7/05)

At the May Shawan Downs (MD) jumper show, Kent's Teasel won reserve champion, ridden by Kelly Young from the Bahamas, a junior at the St. Timothy's School in Stevenson, MD. Kelly rode Teasel in the 2'3"-2'6" division.

Success in Florida for Marissa and Cassie (6/05)

Balmullo's Cassiopia is currently ranked 2nd on the Hunter in Short Stirrups on the Palm Beach County Horseman's Association circuit in Wellington, Florida. Both Cassie and Marissa showed wonderfully this past weekend. Cassie may just "jump" to the number one spot after this weekend's total points. Marissa is holding on strong to her number 1 spot in Equitation.

Pony Club Debut (6/05)

Here are some pics of Cassie and Reilly at his first, Pony Club show..this is a 1 day CT (combined training) event.. which
is dressage and cross-country.. (minus the show jumping) very fun! I'm very proud of both of them : )

Gremlin saves the day (5/05)

I had entered the CDCTA show at Tri-state in Cleveland, TN, on May 22, with Ladybug to do her move up to Training Level Dressage, but on Saturday she was not trotting sound (hopefully a stone bruise!). Bummer :-( but since I paid my entry fees, I wanted to ride something! So I pulled my old reliable gelding, Fiddler's Gremlin MacDaire, out of the field, cleaned him up and rode him instead. He did quite well, considering that he has not schooled or shown in roughly 9 months.
He was 3rd in both of his classes with a 66.66% in Intro Test B and 62.27% in Training Level Test 1.

Some great news (5/05)

Marissa Damone won all of her Short Stirrups Equitation Classes plus a Medal Class for a total of 4 Blue Ribbons this weekend (4/23-24) in Wellington, Florida at the Palm Beach Horseman's Association which is endorsed by the USEF. She was Grand Champion. The day before in the Hunter Short Stirrups. Marissa and Cassie took Reserve Champion.

Maggie is back in action (5/05)

I took Maggie to the Wit's End Driving Trial.... we were only able to do the cross country phase of the event before we had to leave due to impending thunderstorms... It was Maggie's first competition in 2 years and she was stupendous! Once again I never pushed her, never used the whip, never even clucked at her, and she won the whole thing. She beat all horses, ponies, singles and mutiples. They started a carriage every 3 minutes over the 2 1/2 mile course and she trotted so fast that she only finished a few seconds in front of the Fresian pair that had started before us! I spent two months working her in the fields around our neighborhood, which are soft, to get her muscles and bones all built up and also her wind and endurance. She finished without even breaking a sweat.

Anyway, I will send you pictures of the new, svelt Maggie at her cross country event and I will keep you up to date on the breeding thing. Thanks for the photo of Houston. I really wanted him but the timing just wasn't right. If he even comes close to being the wonderful pony that Maggie has turned out to be he will be wonderful. I could never, ever find another one like her. Thanks so much, Vanessa. Deann

Cassie's new girl (4/05)
Jan Westmark sold her Connemara mare, Balmullo's Cassiopia (Balmullo's Beacon x Blue Hills Morning Star), to Michelle Damone. Right now Marissa and Cassie (pictured below) are on a "Preshort Stirrup" circuit and are doing quite well. In January, they were Grand Champion and in February, Reserve Champion in the same circuit. I am looking forward to meeting them at the Region 4 Connemara show this July!

I'm back in the saddle again (4/05)

With my reduction in our breeding program (less foals and outside mares to manage), my intention is to enjoy my own critters and ride more! So, as nicer weather has come along, I started with my most fun to ride mare, Foothills Ladybug. (I haven't even start back with Beacon yet because he will be leaving in a few weeks for his breeding season in VA). Lady and I went to our first dressage show of the season this past weekend. We're still doing Intro tests because I have just started working on getting that hunter canter of hers to become more balance and shift the weight to the rear engine, so I can maintain balance in those 20 meter circles and get some nice canter-trot transitions. Anyway, this show was at Heatherfield, in Wildwood, GA, and the weather was absolutely aweful. We had unbelievable winds, sleety rain and cooooold. The chain dressage arena was swinging like jump ropes and the letters were tumbling in the wind. The jump standards were even blown over in the warm-up arena and at times it felt like some of the gusts pushed our horses over like the horse trailer feels when passed by a high speed tractor-trailer rig. Most folks managed to get around the ring with relatively few spooks but the weather definitely presented a challenge for everyone. Hats off to all who braved the elements and rode their tests, in spite of the cold wet winds! I am certainly please that we completed our rides; Ladybug earned another 2 blue ribbons with her scores of 67.5% and 68.57% in Intro Tests A and B, respectively. We will move up to Training 1 at our next show, which will probably be in mid-May.

Another great start! (3/05)

Hi Vanessa, I know it's been a long time. Hope you remember me and my mare Rocket. We just started her baby Cricket under saddle (was a little delayed) anyway she went to her very first horse show and won the crossrails class. She did this with only about 20 days of riding. She is wonderful. I love her dearly. She is the easiest horse I have ever trained. She takes to everything right away and she loves to jump. Here is a picture for you. Sorry she has a wooly coat, but it is still a cute picture. Becky

Off to a great start in their show careers together (1/05)

Hello Vanessa, I thought you'd like to see some pics of Cassie and Reilly (PF Dunford O'Reilly) in their first "official" show... they did the crossrails.. and won 1st place in all 5 classes they were signed up for... very exciting!!! Thus making them Champions in their class!!!!
Reilly is great.. he's not even 5 years old yet.. and is acting like a pro... what a great temperment on him... he seems to enjoy this.. : )

I hear you have Penny now... his mom!! so glad...will you breed her to Gunsmoke now?... keep me posted...
we love Penny!! very much and hope to meet her some day! Take care, Mary Jo

Smokey Gem continues her westward journey (1/05)

ACPS West Coast Connemara Show, Watsonville, CA: August 27- 29, 2004
*Tempo's Smokey Gem - ridden by Misha Wan
USDF Intro 1 - Ages 10-12: 2nd place
USDF Intro 2 - Ages 12 & under: 2nd place
Purebred Fillies & Mares - Three Year Old & up: 3rd place - Misha and Rebecca Wan
Prospect Hunters (Connemaras Only), Hunter Under Saddle: 3rd place
Prospect Hunters (Connemaras Only), Bridle Path Hack: 5th place
Prospect Hunters (Connemaras Only), Hunters: 6th place
Prospect Hunters (Connemaras Only), Conformation Hunters: 6th place
Hunters, Riders 10 & under, Showmanship: 2nd place

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