Piedmont Ritzy
TFC HB933 XXXI
15.1 h Connemara-TB mare, born 6/23/94, left us in 2016

This was taken at the Summit Equestrian Center Charity Show near Fort Wayne last Saturday (June 2012).
Several children of various abilities put her thru her paces and she was a gem for all. Sandy Hoffman


Just wanted to give you an update on Ritzy's (almost) new job. She's on a trial lease right now in training to be a therapy horse. They told me today she's doing well with all their "props", they're introducing her to "wiggly and off-balance" riders (the trainers are doing this so far, she hasn't had any handicapped riders yet). So far she's taking everything in stride. They said they feel she will be a real "asset to their program". All that Parelli stuff we played with is coming in really useful now.
They hope to get her worked into the program by an Open House scheduled in a few weeks. I'll try to get some pictures of her at work for you.
I hope this works out - it's a wonderful facility, good knowledgable trainers, and they take pains to see the horses are well-cared-for and happy. She's also close by, I can visit whenever I want and keep an eye on her.

 SIRE
  &

  DAM

C.R. Roaringwater Bay
   X

 Flashy Pam (TB)
     

 

Sandra Hoffman writes: Piedmont Ritzy has recently embarked on a new career as a therapy horse. She has passed her trial period and training, and has become a favorite of some of the little girls in the program. According to Allison, the program director at Summit Equestrian, she is so careful and seems to know when she’s carrying precious cargo. She even lets the children lead her from their wheelchairs. We’re proud of her - she’s such a sweet girl! (12/10)

Hi Vanessa - Ritzy seems to be in her element as a therapy horse - she gave her first therapy lesson last week and acted like she'd been doing it for years. The kids and trainers love her.

2009:

2008:

2006:

 

ACPS Region V show, Hoosier Horse Park, IN, October 2006
1st place Halfbreds In-hand
Champion Halfbred  Sandy and Ritzy at their first-ever dressage show! August 2006:

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!!!

 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

 

 

 

2005:

 

 

Ritzy is such a pleasure to work (play) with. The picture is Ritzy and Kate, a working student, who has been riding Ritzy quite a bit in her lessons. She gets along so well with Ritzy and is doing a great job riding her. They've even started jumping a little. Ritzy seems to really enjoy working with her. We still do a little sidesaddle, too... I'm going to try to take her to the Region 5 show in October. I'm looking forward to meeting a lot of the other pony-people that I've read so much about. Sandy H. (7/04)

 

 

Still have Piedmont Ritzy - she's a fun pony, doing well, took her to a sidesaddle clinic and she was perfect. She was the only one the trainer would let her six-year-old daughter ride side-saddle.

 

(Ritzy is) a true cross. She has the "easy-keeping" of the pony - she carries a lot of weight and I'd really have to either work her very hard or practically starve her to keep her lean. Stays fat sassy and healthy on just good pasture. She has very classical nice conformation, quite a bit of bone, but a very elegant look as well. Sandy H. 2001


 2002 photo

 

 

Piedmont Ritzy attended the Connemara Fun Fest in Oct '98 in Lafayette, IN, where she entered and placed in the following classes with owner Sandy Hoffmann:
1st place - Connemara Halfbreds of Any Age, In-hand
1st place - Walk-Trot Pleasure Class, Green Ponies
2nd place - Halfbred Connemara Pleasure

 

 

 HOME