August 2009
Congratulations to Marilyn Gilligan for earning Champion Mare and becoming an Elite Mare Candidate at the Sullivan Farm Hanoverian Inspection with her leased broodmare, Whimsical Princess (Winterprinz x Diamont). Liberty Dream, owned by Laura Trumbower, also did very well, becoming an Elite Mare Candidate too. Feuertanzer, not to be outdone by the mares, won his Novice division at Full Gallop Farms Horse Trials, finishing on his dressage score of 35.
July 2009
On the 27th of July, Emerald Spring Equestrian Center hosted our annual BWP/NAD Keuring. Full results are posted here, but the highlights included both Earwen, owned by Karen Allen, and Fascination, owned by Laura Trumbower, earning their Select Mare status after successfully completing their Mare Performance Tests, and Illusionist tied for top yearling in the nation. Congratulations everyone and thanks to all the friends who volunteered their time to make the farm look great and help things go smoothly!!
June 2009
Feuertanzer was a star in the clinic with Lucinda Green. He went in the Training Level group and held his own with much more experienced horses. Lucinda even forgot a couple times that I'm a "chicken" dressage rider!! Olivia Bueno and I spent two weeks in Germany, where Olivia earned both her Small and Large Bronze medals with great scores at the Westfalian Riding School. She not only got to ride with Martin Plewa (Reitmeister, coach of the Gold medal winning German Eventing Team in 88 and again in 92, as well as international judge and author of many FN books), but also got to take lessons with Bettina and Andrew Hoy. I enjoyed my two weeks with Hannes Mueller at the German Riding School in Warendorf immensely and brought back all kinds of goodies and training tips.
May 2009
Feuertanzer completed his first Novice Horse Trial at Full Gallop Farm with no jumping faults on xc or stadium and a respectable dressage test. This summer will see him getting ready for the Young Event Horse Championships this fall at Fair Hill, MD.
April 2009
Don Ravel showed remarkable talent in his new profession as a hunter. He came home from his first ever hunter show, the "AA" Aiken Spring Classic, Week 1 and 2 no less, with Championship ribbons in the Baby Greens. Congratulations to the Hofferths!!! And a huge Thanks to Michael Tokaruk, who did such a great job catch riding him in his first hunter experience. Ravel's enthusiasm and talent for the hunters will have him moving up the divisions in no time!
March 2009
Kionus competed at PSG at the Low Country Dressage Show near Charleston. We have a few kinks to iron out yet, but I was pleased overall with our first attempts. Pictures are in the Photo Gallery.
February 2009
Feuertanzer ES was a star this month, winning the 4 Year Old Young Event Horse division at The Ark and claiming Reserve Champion overall Young Event Horse, as well as qualifying in one fell swoop for the National Young Event Horse Championships at Fair Hill in October 2009. His overall score was 75.1, with 8s for jumping ability and scope.
January 2009
Happy New Year!! Fascination ES had her showing debut at Quintynne Hill Farm. It was a lot for a young horse to digest, but she managed to have a smattering of 8s mixed in with some 4s for the bug-eyed moments. She placed second in both her classes and it was a good experience for her overall. I was invited by Lendon Gray to give two lectures and teach a Balimotm exercise class for her Dressage4Kids Weekend Education Program. The two lectures were How We Learn and Task Teaching. Despite a few jitters, it went very well and I enjoyed it immensely.
December 2008
Went to Denver to the USDF Convention to help Vicky Busch and Allison Faso (also Graduate Balimotm Instructors) give the presentation for the Balimotm program. We had a standing room only crowd and everyone seemed to enjoy it!! Merry Christmas :)
November 2008
Went to Toronto to help Joan Adler (fellow Graduate Balimotm Instructor) run the Balimotm booth for the Ontario Equestrian Conference. It was cold, but had a great time meeting lots of new people and talking about Balimotm .
October 2008
Both Compliments and Don Ravel did well at the Region 3 USDF Championships. It was a huge show with terrible weather, my goal was to just put in good solid tests and see the sights. Both scored in the mid-60s and finished in the middle of the pack. They also did their first 2nd level tests and scored in the high 60s. Comliments went to the Young Dressage Horse Symposium with Scott Hassler in Alpharetta, GA the very next weekend and was a star!! We had a great time working with Scott Hassler and look forward to doing the same again.
September 2008
Both Don Ravel and Compliments earned the scores they needed to qualify for Region 3 USDF Championships in October. Kionus earned several scores in the sixties at 4th Level in Pinehurst, getting me my first scores towards my Silver Medal and quailifing for the 2009 USDF Championships at our first show of the season. Compliments was selected to participate in the Young Dressage Horse Symposium with Scott Hassler in Alpharetta, GA in October.
August 2008
Graduated from the Balimo Instructor Program and have also been asked to become Director of the Curriculum. Don Ravel and Kionus made debuts at the GHF/CGF Summer Dressag show in Conyers - Kionus at 4th Level, and Don Ravel at First Level. Both boys did well despite having a tropical storm blow through the area on Saturday, but Don Ravel stole the show, scoring a 75% in one test and at 73% in the other, winning high score for the show. A great start!!
June 2008
Don Ravel strutted his stuff at Quintynne Hill Farm this month, despite the record-breaking heat. He scored a 78% in Training 3 and a 75.6% in Training 4. Scheduling conflicts will keep him out of the show ring until later in the summer, but we're hoping to continue what we've started here.
April 2008
Don Ravel and Kionus did well at Marston Plantation at the beginning of the month despite torrential downpour. Don Ravel scored in the high sixties and mid seventies on his Training level tests and Kionus scored mid sixties at Third level. Kionus also scored in the mid-sixties again at 3rd level at the USDF show in Tryon, allowing me to earn my final scores for my Bronze Medal!!
March 2008
Compliments made the long trip down to Folsom, Louisiana with no fuss or muss and impressed everyone with his level-headedness. The week spent riding with Hannes Mueller as part of the Balimo workshop allowed us to make great strides forward in our training. None of which would be possible if it weren't for Eckart Meyners keeping me tuned up!! Hannes declared Compliments a 'perfect ladie's horse', but said I should hang on to him because I deserved to have some fun too :).
February 2008
Daisy Dukes and Demitri both found a new home in Shenandoah, Va with Heidi Rinker. Daisy will be the new ride for a very talented pony medal rider and Demitri is Heidi's new project horse. Good luck and congratulations!!
Danika ES and Rohan both shipped off to their new home this month in Richmond, Va. Danika ES will become the apple of Lu Ann Homza's eye and Rohan will be Coleen Poertner's new mount. Both are students of Tara Best, who is also the trainer of Calista's rider. Congratualtions everyone and we look forward to all the updates in the future!!
January 2008
Show season starts once again for the hunter/jumpers. Danika ES patiently showed her owner Laura Trumbower how to go around the courses in the Long Stirrup division, bringing home a couple of champion ribbons in the process. Daisy Dukes and her rider Sara Floyd also made a very successful debut at their first show together, bringing back a Reserve Champion in the Long Stirrup their first time out. Rohan made his first hunter/jumper show a great one, earning a Reserve Champion ribbon in the Pre-Greens. Bella Notte came away with the Reserve Best Young Horse for the Hunter Breeding classes in Aiken as well.
The dressage horses had to get it back in gear too - Don Ravel made his Training Level debut with high marks, 73% in both tests, and Etched in Stone, owned by Ingrid Houle, also won his classes with 69% at Intro for his first time out. Congratulations everyone, what a great start to the new year!!
December 2007
Santa left a very handsome young man under my tree - Kionus, a 16.1hh Dutch Warmblood joins my small herd. I hope to be competing with him at 3rd level and up sometime in the near future. Thank you to Mike and Abby for such a wonderful horse. Merry Christmas!!
November 2007
D'Razzle Dazzle found a new rider in Pip Randall of Jacksonville, Fl. Pip is enjoying this sensitive boy's willing attitude. Congratulations Pip!!
October 2007
I was able to spend a week training in Warendorf, Germany with Hannes Mueller, Director and Chief Trainer at the German Professional's Academy. Not only did I (and several other Balimo instructors and graduate instructors) have the personal attention of Hannes Mueller for a week, but had the pleasure of riding some of the nicest stallions I've sat on in a long time. All of us also got a private session with Eckhart Meyners, Professor of Sports Physiology and Body Movement at the University of Lueneburg, Germany and founder of the Balimo program. This was organized through the Balimo Degree Program and was hands down one of the best times I've had both on and off the horse. This trip is definitely going to be one I try to do every year.
September 2007
Dona Violetta found her next rider in Carly Sinderbrand of Burlington, NC. I know the two of them are in for some great times ahead. Congratulations Carly!!
August 2007
Both Danika ES and Venus ISF had their first overnight stay away from home at the PSJ show in Tryon. Both mares handled it well and their riders had a lot of fun trying new classes (anything to not have to ride in the heat of the afternoon!!) Olivia and Venus gave the open hunter classes a try, as well as making their first round in the 3' low schooling jumpers. Sara Floyd rode Danika very successfully in the Long Stirrup division again, bringing back the Champion for the equitation and Reserve Champion for the hunter divisions. The pair also made their debut in the Hopeful Jumper division, bringing back a 5th out of 10 horses. Not bad for a first time both for the horse and rider!
The BWP Keuring at Emerald Spring Equestrian Center went very well, with Danika ES following in her sister's footsteps by earning the title of Select Mare with the BWP by successfully completing her mare performance tests. Daisy Dukes was also presented and gained acceptance into the Belgian Sport Pony studbook, thrilling her owners the Floyds.
July 2007
Danika ES again did very well for Sara Floyd, both in the Long Stirrup and in the Pre-Children's hunter division. This was a debut for both of them in that class. Venus ISF and Olivia Bueno also rode in the Pre-Children's classes and got their feet wet in the Hopeful Jumpers. This was their second show since the Bueno's purchased the 5 year old Dutch mare in February. They still have some kinks to iron out, but all is moving in the right direction.
June 2007
Danika ES did very well with one of our junior riders, Sara Floyd, in the Long Stirrup division at the PSJ show in Highfields, Aiken. She was Reserve Champion of the Long Stirrup Hunter division on the first day and then Champion of both the Long Stirrup Equitation and the Long Stirrup Hunter the second day, including sweeping both hack/equitation on the flat classes. Congratulations Sara and Danika!!!
May 2007
Dona Violetta got her last qualifying score for 1st level at the USDF show at Chateau Elan. Despite the huge turn out and very distracting environment, she scored in the high 60s and will soon be ready to move up to 2nd level. We also have two new stunning fillies at Emerald Spring Equestrian Center, both daughters of Liberty Gold out of a Dederick mare and a Donnershall mare. In the hunter/jumper ring, Danika ES was Reserve Champion in the Pre-Green Hunters (2'6") at her first 'real' show!! She is developing nicely over fences and placing very well in the hacks.
April 2007
Flingh C went off to his new home in Rome, Georgia. Congratulations to Coleen Pridemore. A few weeks later she called us to let us know that she is still thrilled with him and has already taken him to a clinic where he was the star!
March 2007
Compliments and Dona Violetta went to their first USDF show of the 2007 season at Latta Plantation. Both scored consistently in the high 60s and won several of their classes.
January 2007
2006 proved to be a very good year for us - Flingh C was SCDCTA Champion, Training Level, with an average score of 71% - Compliments was SCDCTA Reserve Champion, Training Level, with an average score of 70% - Rohan was SCDCTA Reserve Champion, Second Level with an average score of 63%. Thank you everyone at Emerald Spring Equestrian Center for your support!!
December 2006
The Christmas freestyles at the Marston Plantation show were a big hit again. This year we fielded two Pas de Deux and everyone had a great time. We're looking forward to doing it again next year.
November 2006
The USDF Pumpkin Patch show in Camden was a big success for all involved. Logistically, it was a bit of a trick to have all four horses go, but with a lot of help from friends and students, it went very smoothly. Thanks so much for all your help!! Dona Violetta is coming into her own, winning both her First level classes her first time out at that level. She scored a 9 for her walk and many 8s and 7s. Rohan did very well, scoring a 64% in 2nd 2, probably his most relaxed test yet! Flingh C and Compliments both had their recognized show debut that weekend and were very well behaved, scoring consistently in the high sixties. That pretty much ends the dressage season for 2006. The winter will see us in the jumping ring now with Danika and Rohan.
October 2006
Only half-way through the month and there is much to report. Flingh C and Compliments were at the SCDCTA schooling show at Marston Plantation the 14th of October and both boys did very well. Flingh placed 1rst in T2 with a whopping 75.7% and earned a 69.2% in T4 due to a 3 year old moment :). Compliments did well too, placing 2nd in both tests, consistently scoring 73.8% for T4 and a 73.4% for T2. Both boys will be going to Camden for the USDF Pumpkin Patch schow.
September 2006
The Balimo Seat Clinic with Allison Faso was a big hit. Everyone went home with lots of exercises to improve the seat, and several were able to make dramatic changes that have held over even after the clinic. Rohan and Dona Violetta were both very successful at the Marston Plantation SCDCTA Schooling Show. Dona Violetta pulled off a fabulous 68% in T4 after a flat tire en route left us with only 6 minutes to warm-up. Rohan was the star though, scoring two 72% for 2nd tests 2 and 4.
August 2006
Another year, another BWP Keuring at Emerald Spring Equestian Center. Congratulations to the Hammers, owners of Catalina Beauty, one of the first BWP mares in the US to earn her Elite Label.
July 2006
Dona Violetta made her show debut this month, scoring in the mid-sixties in Training 2 and Training 4 at the Tryon schooling show. Her Mare Inspection at the Sullivan Farm saw her gain entry into the studbook. The Asheville Summer Mountain Getaway Dressage show was her first time out at a recognized dressage show. She was stellar despite all the hub-bub, receiving consistent scores of 66.9% in Training 4 both days, and scoring 6.69 for the 4 Year Old Tests. See the Dressage Sales page for more info.
June 2006
Flingh C and Compliments aquitted themselves well at the Quintynne Hill Farm Show on June 17th. Despite getting their first look at mirrors, both boys scored very well. Flingh scored a 67.7% for T1 and a 72.3% for T2, placing first in both classes. Compliments scored a 66.8% for T1 and a 69.2% for T2, placing second in both classes. Things will slow down for a bit for them the rest of the summer, but they'll be back in action in the fall!!
Flingh C and Compliments made their show debut on June 3rd at the Marston Plantation Schooling Show. They both handled themselves very well, with Flingh consistently scoring 69% for Training Test 1 and 2, Compliments recieved a 61% for Training 1 (a little shell-shocked, the poor lad!) then recovered to earn a 69% for Training 2.
May 2006
Foaling season has arrived and with it three very fancy fillies. First born was Libby, a solid chestnut filly by Liberty Gold out of a Donnerschall mare. She has great suspension and push from behind to go with her in-your-pocket personality. Next on the scene was Bella Notte, a bay filly with white socklets behind. Stunningly gorgeous is the only way to describe her - by Flemmingh out of a Dederick mare. Last but not least was Bekkah, a flashy and athletic chestnut filly by Flemmingh out of a Nicholas mare. This one will excell in dressage and jumping, with her parentage. For more info about these fillies, check out our Sales page.
April 2006
April was spent getting the next group of three year olds started under saddle. Flingh C is proving his lineage with dual talent at jumping and dressage, while Compliments has started to show his promise as a dressage talent. Danika will be our next hunter princess, filling the shoes of her full sister, Catalina Beauty. Yet to be started under saddle (later this summer) will be D'Razzle Dazzle and Demetri, two geldings that will be very interesting hunter/jumper prospects.
March 2006
Rohan made his recognized show debut, scoring consistently in the 60s at First Level. This was a major break through for us, since he came over a year ago walking on his hind legs. The progress he's made has been astounding! We'll be spending the summer fine-tuning, gaining strength and hopefully starting at Second Level in the fall. Callista found a new home in February. She will be ridden by Rachel Harcourt of Williamsburg, VA. Catalina Beauty has been to a few local shows with her new rider, Kayla Hammer, bringing home the ribbons as predicted!!
February 2006
Corina has been introduced to foxhunting
with the Aiken Hunt in Hitchcock Woods. We had a great time and she took to it like a duck to water, jumping
everything she was put to with no hesitation. Callista is now jumping consistently under the rider and will
be making her showing debut in the near future.
January 2006
The new year started off with a bang!! Sterling Royal is now the apple of Tracy Wasicek's eye. Congratulations and we hope to see them out and about the local area. Flingh C and Compliments are getting started under saddle and a few new training horses are in. Corina is getting started over cross-country fences
with an eye to participating in a Lucinda Green clinic in April.
December 2005
Catalina Beauty has started her showing career with her new rider, Kayla Hammer. She took Champion in both her divisions in their first show together, a scant three weeks after her purchase. Congratulations to them both and we look for more of the same in 2006.
December 3rd has kicked off the busy month of December with a Pas De Duex performed by Laura Trumbower on Corina (who did admirably considering it was a last minute
substitution) and myself on Rohan (a SWB I took in a year ago as a rehab project). . We scored a whopping 79.1% for our Pas De Duex at the Marston Plantation Christmas
Show, which I always like to support because the money goes to charity. There were several other musical freestyles performed, all with great fun and sportsmanship. I've neglected to mention it, but there have been two new additions to the sales horse list:
Callista and Richocet, two three year old mares of very high quality. Both are progressing well under saddle.
November 2005
Catalina Beauty found a new home this month. She is now the apple of the Hammer family's eye in Blythewood, SC. Before she left, she debuted in the 3' jumpers, bringing home the ribbons again after clear rounds. Corina made her debut in the jumper classes as well this month, all be it in a lower division. She had double clear rounds, and will continue to go to small schooling shows to gain some more milage.
October 2005
Catalina Beauty was the star once again. She brought home the champion ribbon for the 2'9"-3' division, and that was her first time out at that height!! We're going to spend the rest of the winter
getting her ready to fulfill the requirements for the performance segment of her elite mare status. At the rate she's going, I don't think it will be very hard!
Sterling Royal and Cabana Boy both went to the Marston Plantation show. Sterling has continued to place in the 60s at First Level and Cabana Boy made his debut performing Training Level Tests 1 and 2. He was a very good boy and got nice comments from the judge - scores were in the mid-sixties.
September 2005
Sterling Royal is back in work and now added to our list of sale horses. We went to Marston Plantation the 17th and came back
with a 68% for First Test One and a 67% for First Test Four. A great accomplishment considering how out of shape his is. Wait until he's fit!! Corina made her debut in Combined Training
at this show as well, bringing home a second place with a dressage score of 33.5%.
BWP/NAD Keuring Update
Catalina Beauty was the star!! She not only won her class (3-6 year old mares) at our keuring, she tied for top mare in the nation with a four year old.
Our free jumping presentation was well recieved by the judges. We presented Catalina - picture perfect bascule and technique was their comment, Corina - impressive scope they thought, Cabana Boy - an above average individual in their opinion, and Fling - who they liked, but thought needed to mature a bit yet.
The Belgian judges liked our demonstration so well that they requested a repeat for next year, especially if we added an under saddle presentation. Will have to see what we can do!!
August 2005
Catalina Beauty goes to the PSJ Back to School show in Tryon, NC. The classes were huge (one had 33 entries!), but she managed
to place once in the hack and once over fences. Mostly I was thrilled with how well she handled the whole atmosphere - just completely laid back. And the 'fluffier' jumps were no problem. Flingh C has also arrived from Canada. He's a two year old Holsteiner stallion prospect belonging to Laura Trumbower. His attitude is impressive, very willing and docile. His gaits and jumping technique are what you'd expect from his pedigree (Flemmingh - Caribo - Tumbled xx) - exemplary!! Looks like I'm
in for fun next year! He will be presented to the AHHA, the BWP/NAD, and the NA/WPN next year.
July 2005
Catalina Beauty goes to her first horse show and cleans up, winning two hack classes and the championship in the 2'6" division.
Cabaret gets to school cross-country for the first time at Paradise Farms in Aiken. He was great!
Cabana Boy, a three year old BWP gelding (Nicholas out of an Anglo Trak mare), is progressing under saddle.