Author: danruccia

Ultimatum (aka “Leanndi”)

SOLD

6 yr. old 16 hd. registered Holsteiner mare with a blaze and four white socks. She moves and jumps like a cat with scope to burn, and could excel in multiple disciplines. Leanndi has three good gaits with a super canter and naturally clean flying changes. She is a sensitive ride with a soft mouth, and needs a tactful, goal-oriented rider to excel and move up the levels with. She is very sensible hacking out, and has great ground manners and excellent feet. She has been started by a professional with a Natural Horsemanship approach, and has had some solid eventing basics with Christian Trainor. Clean digital x-rays are available.

Iris

SOLD

“Iris” is a lovely 12 yr. old, 16 hd. bay Warmblood/TB cross mare. She has clean, current x-rays, is always sound, very kind, and un-mareish. She has shown Training and First level at NCDCTA-recognized shows, and is schooling all 2nd and 3rd level movements with changes started. She is very quiet and sensible on trails, both alone and in company. She has no vices. She has been occasionally used for lessons, jumps small courses well too, and would be an excellent mount for a timid adult amateur or pony clubber. Please see video links, more pictures soon. 12K negotiable.

Stephanie and Dalton

Best wishes for future success and congratulations go to Stephanie Bristol, who recently purchased a new horse named “Dalton” from Karen Mahaffee of Sanford, N.C.. Dalton is a 7 year old chestnut Belgian/T.B. cross with chrome, 16.2 hd. gelding. He had previously been competed through the Novice level of eventing, and has a big “puppy dog” personality to go with his love for jumping. Look for Stephanie and Dalton at the upcoming spring events and dressage shows this season.

Chablis Blanc and Elizabeth

On a sadder note: Elizabeth lost her longtime spotted friend “Chablis Blanc” in the fall of 2007, due to the infirmaries of old age. Chablis was “a good fuzzy” and had also earned the nickname of “one tough old broad” due to her traveling across the country at age 26 non-stop, and arriving in good shape with a whinny of greeting for her owner. She was 31 this year and had competed through Preliminary level eventing, Training level jumpers, and 2nd level dressage.

After her retirement she taught countless kids as well as Elizabeth’s husband, John to ride. Elizabeth had owned her since Chablis was 3 years old. Margaret Rogersand Stephanie Coyle donated a red maple tree, which was planted in her honor on the hill overlooking the dressage arena. She will be remembered fondly by many.

Chablis and Elizabeth

Alison Coyle wins United States Dressage Federation Bronze Medal

: Alison and her pony “Stormy Weather” with the Seldom Scene trophy

: Alison Coyle at the USDF National Symposium shortly after receiving her Bronze medal, with her dad David Coyle

Congratulations to Alison Coyle for recently earning her United States Dressage Federation Bronze medal. This is a big accomplishment for someone who is only now just 15 years old, and was produced while riding a pony and competing against some pretty nice horses and riders. For most people this achievement takes many more seasons of competitive struggle.

Alison and her pony also finished in 4th place at the Region 1 finals held in Lexington, VA. this year in the Jr. 2nd level division. Well done Alison!

Margaret Rogers competes in Region 1 finals

Margaret and Ruby

Congratulations to Margaret Rogers who, in her first season of participating in USEF and USDF recognized competitions, both qualified and competed with “Rubianna” at the Training level of competition at the Region 1 finals.

Elizabeth furthered her educational opportunities by getting additional expert instruction during the entire 2007 year, and is participating in the current U.S.D.F. “Learner” judging program in 2008. The program entails lots of practice, updated reccommended reading, scribing, and sitting hours with “R” judges, as well as a general enthusiasm for evaluating lots of horses and riders!

Two of her favorite recommended reading books so far have been “The Simplicity of Dressage” by Johann Hinneman and Coby Van Baalen for its clear, easy to understand explanations and pictures illustrating the concepts of the training scale, and Ingrid and Reiner Klimke’s “The New Basic Training of The Young Horse,” as it confirms many things she had been taught in the past, but also gives fresh examples of beautifully trained, happy horses executing the exercises throughout.

Some of the excellent horsemen and women that Elizabeth got a chance to receive instruction and help from in 2007 include: Conrad Schumacher, Linda Zang, Steffan Peters, Gretchen Verbonic, Lilo Fore, and Jessica Ransehousen. She looks forward to getting lots more help from her friends and fellow instructors in 2008.