The VHF Junior Team of Alison Coyle, Catie Wiener, Emily Pate, and Stephanie Bristol had a great outing at the Dressage in The Sandhills show on May 8th–10th, 2009.

Alison and her horse “Bariton” won her F.E.I. Jr. Individual and Team tests with scores of 62.43% and 63.28% respectively, and then were placed 2nd in their F.E.I. Jr. freestyle on Sunday with a 63.87%. After successful shows at March Magic and FENCE as well, she is now qualified to compete at the North American Junior Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC’s). Congratulations Alison!

Catie and her horse “Jonson” earned a 60.69% in her division of 4th level test 1 Open on Saturday, placing 4th, and then on Sunday earned a 60.23% in 4th test 2, placing 3rd. This was the pair’s second outing at 4th level. Way to go Catie!

Emily Pate and her horse “Aravis” earned a 65.2% and 65% on Friday, placing 5th and 1st in Training level test 4 and First level test 1. On Saturday they were 3rd in 1st level test 1 with a 62.66%, and also won Training level test 4 with a 77.6%. Emily was the Junior Training level high scorer. We were all envious of the judge’s remarks, “That was the nicest test I’ve ever judged.” Look out for these two as they progress up the levels.

Stephanie Bristol and her horse “Dalton” earned a 67.2% and 67.2% on Saturday, placing 3rd and 4th respectively in Training level tests 3 and 4. On Sunday they blew away the competition and placed 1st in training level test 4 with a 70.4%, and earned their first qualifying score for Region 1 championships. Awesome job Steph!

Elizabeth and “Summer Berry” also made their debut together at Training level. This was Summerberry’s first recognized dressage show. She won her division on Saturday of the OpenTraining level test 2 division with a 70.35%, and then on Sunday received a 68%, placing 3rd in the Open Training level test 4. SummerBerry is currently offered for sale and/or for lease. Elizabeth hopes to compete her in June at 1st level unless some lucky person buys her first!

Anna and Ruby

Congratulations to the Spinnenweber family (Fred, Bobbi, and daughter Anna, of Apex, N.C.), on their purchase of “Rubianna” aka Ruby from Elizabeth and Victory Hill Farm. Ruby had been used as a successful show and lesson horse for more advanced riders at the farm, previously earning her USDF certificate of merit at Training level with Margaret Rogers and Elizabeth, and is schooled through 2nd level and Beginner Novice Eventing. She will be ridden by both Bobbi and Anna, and shown primarily by Anna.

Stephanie and Elizabeth after the exam

Elizabeth is now an “L” graduate with distinction after all the practice time and study from the past year. She couldn’t have done it without the support of all of her friends. She specifically wishes to thank Stephanie Coyle, who accompanied ad scribed with her at the final exam and practiced scoring;Margaret Rogers, who practiced scribing several times with videos and at horse shows; Sue Walker, who scribed during her D-1 and D-2 sessions; Susie Weidman, who let her come and practice judge at her schooling show; Eliza Sydnor, who organized the program; and all of the generous show organizers here in N.C. who allowed her to sit on the sidelines and practice at their shows. She is really glad to have had this educational opportunity and is looking forward to being able to judge schooling shows in 2009.

Catie and Jonson take a break at the show in Williamston.

Congratulations to Catherine (Catie) Wiener for earning her U.S.D.F. Bronze medal in 2008 while riding her horse “Jonson,” as well as getting their feet wet in the F.E.I. Jr. division. Additionally, Catherine managed to earn some prize money in the Children’s Jumper division at a Greensboro Hunter/Jumper show last summer. Well done, Catie!

Jenna and Sullivan

Congratulations to Jenna Isley on the purchase of “Vantage Point” aka Sullivan. Jenna is a working student for Elizabeth at the farm who plans to event at the Beginner Novice level as well as compete in the Low/schooling hunters and schooling dressage shows.

Alison and Bariton

Congratulations to Alison Coyle on the purchase of “Bariton” from Leslie Lammers of Ann Arbor, Michigan. He is a 12 yr. old Canadian Sporthorse gelding that Alison plans to compete in the F.E.I. Jr. division and 4th level in 2009, and then progress to the F.E.I. young rider’s division and Prix St. George level after that. She is working hard and getting used to having a “full-sized fuzzy” to ride now!

Teri and Stormy

Congratulations to Teri Toelcke of Fort Morgan, Utah on the purchase of super pony “Stormy Weather” from Alison Coyle. Good luck in Region 8, Teri!

Together, Stormy and Alison won Reserve Champion NCDCTA HOY Award Jr. 3rd level 2007 / 4th place Region 1 Jr. 2nd level 2007 / Champion NCDCTA HOY Award 2006 Jr. 2nd level / High Score F.E.I. Pony Award “Seldom Scene trophy” Lendon Gray’s dressage festival 2006 / Champion NCDCTA HOY Award 2005 Jr. 1st level / 6th place BLM finals Jr. 1st level 2005