Melissa Johnson and Salsa

Congratulations go to Melissa Johnson and her horse “Salsa Roja”in their first season of dressage competition. They earned both their qualifying scores for the Adult Amateur division of the Training Level Region One finals, and they won one of their divisions of Training test 3 at the Rise and Shine dressage show with a 68.8%. The pair also scored a 63.4% their second time ever riding First level test 1, placing them 4th in that division.

Alison Coyle and Bari

A big congratulations go out to Alison Coyle and her horse “Bariton,”who earned their final score at the Prix St. George level for their U.S.D.F. Silver medal at the Rise and Shine dressage show on July 16th. Well done Alison!

Anna Spinnenweber and Ruby

Congratulations to Anna Spinnenweber and her horse“Rubianna,” who were the Holiday Classic Dressage Reserve Grand Champions in 2010, with 3 firsts and 2 second places. The pair won both the Dressage Seat Equitation and the Suitability for Dressage classes.

Keena Mullen and Summer Berry

Congratulations to Keena Mullen and “Summer Berry,” owned by Leah Byrnes, who finished 4th in the NCDCTA Adult Amateur First level championships at the Labor of Love show on Sept. 4th and 5th. Keena is a PhD candidate at NC State and former pony clubber who has now been pursuing her goals in dressage with limited time between all of her other commitments.

Summer Berry also scored a 73+% inTraining level test 3 with her other Adult Amatuer, rider Lisa Kim, at the Buckhorn dressage show the previous weekend. Good work ladies!!

Emily Lanier and Sam I Am

Congratulations to Emily Lanier and “Sam I Am” for finishing first in the NCDCTA First level championships for Jrs. at the Labor of Love show in Raleigh, on Sept 4th and 5th, and also for placing first in the dressage seat equitation class at Pinehurst last weekend with a score of 75%. This qualifies them for the Region One semifinals in November. The pair has also qualified for championships at First level, and has won their division of First level test 3 with a score of 70+%. Good luck at regionals, Emily and Sam!

Maddie Burns and Pockets

VHF is currently signing up kids for our Pony School Summer Camp being held from July 5th to the 9th. Cost is $250.00 per child for the week and includes horsey activities, crafts, information, and riding from 9AM-12:30PM on those days. Call for more information.

Followup: The Pony School Summer Camp was a huge success! The campers had daily grooming sessions and riding lessons, participated in fun, horse-themed learning activities, and made unique horse-themed crafts.

Michelle and Charlee

Congratulations to Michelle Frazier and her horse “Quid Pro Quo”(aka “Charlee“), a 17.1 hand 5-year old off the track Thoroughbred who began eventing last year. They placed 2nd at the recent Longleaf Pines Horse Trials, at their first Training Level horse trials together. In the fall of 2009, he competed at Novice for the first time and was quite successful, qualifying for the American Eventing Championships, earning his USEA Eventing Silver Medal, and receiving the USEA Blue Ribbon Award.

Congratulations to Catie Wiener and “Jonson,” who placed 2nd in the NCDCTA Horse of the Year awards (commonly known in dressage circles as HOY) in 2009, at the Jr/YR. 4th level, and recently competed in her first Prix St. Georges class.

Elizabeth, Alison Coyle, Dr. Cesar Parra, and Catie Wiener on Jonson during the clinic in November at VHF

Victory Hill Farm proudly welcomed Dr. Cesar Parra back for a third time, on Nov. 11th and 12th, for a clinic. Dr. Parra has competed at the Olympics, World Championships, and the World Cup Final, as well as at prestigious international shows such as CHIO Aachen. He earned the team silver medal at the Pan American Games and has won more than 300 FEI classes.

Dr. Parra has a thriving coaching and training business at his Performance Farm in Whitehouse Station, NJ and Jupiter, FL. His students have earned NAYRC medals, USDF Year End Championships through grand prix, USDF Gold Medals and have qualified for the USEF National Freestyle Championships at grand prix and the USET National Championships. Dr. Parra has studied classical dressage extensively with the world’s best trainers, including Dr. Volker Moritz, Hubertus Schmidt, Herbert Rehbein, Sigfried Peilicke, and Herbert Kuckluck. He has recently become a U.S. citizen and added to his long list of victories with a string of CDI wins, including Devon.

Anna and Ruby

Anna Spinnenweber and her horse “Rubianna” enjoy their first blue ribbon, earned in the Intro B division at the Antares dressage show Oct. 31st.