| News |
May 27, 2008
I'm a little behind in my updates as things have been quite busy around here the last couple of weeks. The last two
weekends have been very successful for Fairwind Stables riders! On the 17-18th, we competed close to home at
the Greater Dayton HT. I competed Podge in the Training Horse division where he started with a fantastic dressage
test to put us in 1st! This was a far cry from last year where we were way down on the leader board after dressage.
He went into stadium jumping really well up until we took the bending line to the in-and-out where there was a brick
wall at the first element. I had seen many riders, pros and amateurs alike, having trouble with this jump and so I gave
myself extra time in the turn so he could have a look at it on approach. In spite of my efforts, he still gave it a good
look and took an awkward jump to take out both the first and second element. I don't know how l stayed on for that
one! On Sunday, he went out on XC with a great attitude in spite of me flopping around on his back with a fever and
body aches! We ran around clean but a little slow (he is learning to carry himself better at the gallop and that means
a little slower pace at this point). In a very competitive division, that dropped us down to 10th but I was overjoyed
with how much he'd improved in all phases (especially with a rider that wasn't much help to him!)
Piccolo competed in her second event at the BN level and was much more relaxed in the warm-up this time. She was
having a decent dressage test right up to the point where I had to pick her up from the free-walk in the corner by A
and she was pretty certain she was done with the test and put on the brakes. I finally got her through it to finish the
test but I think she just needed to remind me how green she still is! Stadium jumping was next and, although we had
one very cheap rail (barely a tap and it only fell from the cups on one side), she really made up for her disobedience
in dressage. On Sunday, we returned for XC. She was so good, again in spite of a very sick rider on her back, but
by mid-course, I was too weak to ride like I needed to on a greenie and we had two stops. They weren't bad stops
and I know if I'd sat up and helped her out more, she would more than likely have kept going. I just wanted to get her
around for the experience.
Susie Gertz and Practical Magic had a great weekend in the Novice division. They started with the best test I've seen
from them to date, followed by two clean jumping phases to finish in 4th. Jayne Whitton took her young, homebred
mare, Grace's Star, and competed in the Starter division. I didn't get to see the dressage but the jumping phases
were great even though "Sadie" had some green moments sorting out why there were people sitting next to jumps
out on XC and so on. Calla Morris and Raindrops on Roxanne did their first event together and finished in 8th in the
BN division. Finally, Stephanie Williamson, who had to replace her usual mount with another horse on Friday,
started the weekend with a really nice dressage test. Unfortunately, the stadium phase didn't go as well and they
finished their competitive ride there.
MayDaze HT was this past weekend and nearly as busy. I took Podge in the TH division and he started with a decent
dressage test. We had just about the best warm-up yet but when he went into the ring, where he usually jumps, he
was very on edge and put in a tense test (unusual for him). He continued on to stadium where he jumped the best
yet, clearing everything nicely, but when he went to my bat for an oxer before an in-and-out, he over-reacted and we
missed our line to finish the round with 2 rails. Saturday's XC ride was a blast - another clear round with just a few
time penalties to finish in 8th place. Susie and Practical Magic finished on their dressage score to finish in 4th in NR
and Jayne Whitton and Grace's Star had a successful first run at BN.....left before those results were posted but the
young mare really matured over the past two weekends. Chelsea Costello and Shan competed in the KDA dressage
show taking place at the park too and brought home a 3rd, 5th, and 6th (I think that's right) in First Level tests.
June has some schooling shows and then MidSouth PC HT at the end of the month.
May 10, 2008
I judged the Stillwater Pony Club Hunter show at Twin Towers today. It was a beautiful day and all the horses and
riders did very well. It was fun for me to get my first taste of judging and something I'd like to do again in the future.
Several of my students came out to get their horses used to the ring before next weekend's Greater Dayton Horse
Trials.
April 20, 2008
First of all, I'm a little late in this but welcome to Becca Gentry who will be a part-time working student here this
summer. Becca was here last summer and rode Paprika until she got sold so now she's ready to begin an eventing
career with her new guy, Remington Steele. She is a great asset around here and I'm so appreciative of her help!
Secondly, congrats to Stacy Rothermel who I bought JJ (Glory Days) from 5 1/2 years ago. JJ has returned to the
Rothermel's farm in Illinois and Stacy plans to do some lower-level competing with him. He's been a very special
horse to me and I'm so glad that Stacy will be able to give him the attention he deserves.
There are some new horses going up on the sales page and the calendar is continually updated. There are a bunch
of new students this spring so I'll do my best to get some new pictures posted as I get them (hint, hint to any
students that want to be pictured!)
April 14, 2008
It was great to be back out eventing again this past weekend at Spring Bay. The weekend had a nice balance of
highs and lows and definitely gave me a good idea of what needed to be worked on before the next outing at
Greater Dayton. The most exciting part of the weekend by far is my mare, Piccolo, did her first event finishing with
just 3 time penalties added to her dressage score in 2nd place! Other than being a little excited in the dressage
warm-up, she really settled in nicely and seemed to enjoy her new career as an eventer. I was really pleased with
her in all three phases. I don't think I've ever been prouder of any of my young horses as I know how difficult she
could have been and how hard it was for her to go out and be as relaxed as she was. I expect great things from
Piccolo but will be taking it quite slow this year to make sure she gains a lot of confidence.
Podge has definitely improved over the winter but I think needed this first outing to remember what his job is! His
dressage work was a definite improvement over last fall and he warmed up really well. Unfortunately, we weren't able
to carry that warm-up into the ring! Off to cross country we went and he was quite powerful around the Training
course over jumping everything and shying at patches on the ground - I think he was having a good time! That is,
right up to the coffin where he decided to pop off to the left at the last second in spite of every effort on my part to
ride him strong in knowing how spooky he was acting around the course! I would have stayed on if it has just been
the initial run-off but when he scooted back the other way away from the horse-eating jump judges, I found myself
quickly hitting the ground. I hopped back on and we finished the course from there. He came back out and
showjumped clean on Sunday so he has redeemed the naughty behavior but I'm hoping he'll be more focused on
our next XC course!
Susie Gertz and Elvis also had a great outing this weekend. Their dressage warm-up really showed the
improvements made over the winter and I thought it was a pretty solid test. They had a good XC run just adding
some time penalties to their score and then jumped clean on Sunday. I saw definite improvements in all three
phases and think that they'll be quite competitive this year!
March 24, 2008
This weekend was a great start to our competitive year at the dressage show at Paxton Farm. I took my mare,
Piccolo, for her first show experience. Her behavior was far beyond my expectations and she was relaxed and
steady both in the warm-up and through her test. We entered the USEA test that we'll be doing in 3 weeks at Spring
Bay - Beginner Novice B - and she scored a 62% to finish in 2nd place just behind Susie Gertz and Practical Magic
who won the class! Susie and "Elvis" have been working so hard this winter on the dressage and it really paid off. In
spite the judge having the wrong test for her and Susie and Elvis having to "sprint" back to the trailer to get the
correct test for them, they went into the ring with steadiness and confidence.
Susie also entered her young mare, Zooby, in the in-hand class for experience. They walked away with the blue
ribbon and the confidence that Zooby will be great at competitions once she gains more under saddle experience.
She showed the maturity of a horse that had been competing for years and the judge had some very nice comments
about her conformation and movement.
The other entry from Fairwind Stables was Chelsea Costello and Shan who were back in the ring after a 2-year
hiatus to pick up a 2nd in their First Level class.
We're all so excited to start getting out to some more competitions this spring using the comments from the judge for
improvements. I hope to post some pictures from our weekend on this page this week.
Check out the horses for sale page as I've added Panache, a young Trak/TB gelding who has been an absolute
blast to train. He is very regretfully being sold by his owner through no fault of his own. He has it all - looks, brains,
and athleticism - and just needs someone who is experienced enough to continue his training.
March 17, 2008
With our last snowfall behind us (hopefully!), things are in full swing here at Fairwind Stables. I'm adding some of the
horses in training to the website as they arrive. We start showing this weekend at Paxton's farm in Batavia where
Piccolo will get her first taste of a dressage ring in anticipation of her debut at Spring Bay horse trials in just a few
weeks. Chelsea will be taking Shan in a First Level Class and Susie Gertz has Elvis and her filly, Zooby, entered.
Some new sale horses will be added in the next couple of weeks so keep checking the sales page if you're in the
market. I'm really excited about this season with two fun horses to compete and several talented horses coming in
for training or for sale. Several of my students have been working hard through this long Ohio winter and I expect
we'll have a very competitive bunch this year!
We're also starting to work on a new bank and water jump here at the farm so I'll post pictures on the farm page
once that's completed.
Finally, I've added a survey to the home page that will only take a few minutes to complete and I'm hoping will give
me some great feedback from site visitors.
February 21, 2008
If you are interested in reading news from 2007, it has been archived here. As 2008 gets underway, I'm starting to
make plans for the spring season and set personal goals for the year. Be sure to check out the calendar and if
you'd like coaching at any of the events listed, please contact me. Spring Bay, our first recognized event in Area VIII,
opens next Tuesday, Feb 26th. Make sure to read through the new USEA rule book and know the rules for the new
season.
I spent last week in Florence, Alabama taking lessons with Jim Graham on Podge and Piccolo. I had participated in a
clinic last fall with Jim but this was my first time riding in private lessons with him at his farm. It was a terrific
experience. Jim is a positive, caring instructor who improved my riding and my horses dramatically in just a few days.
He felt that both of my horses have upper-level ability which was great to hear from someone who would know! I
hope to continue to work more with Jim regularly in the future.
Sadly, I returned from the nice, warm weather of the south to snow and ice here in Ohio! However, new horses are
arriving in the next couple of weeks and I feel confident that spring will arrive soon even if it doesn't seem like it
today!
I'm a little behind in my updates as things have been quite busy around here the last couple of weeks. The last two
weekends have been very successful for Fairwind Stables riders! On the 17-18th, we competed close to home at
the Greater Dayton HT. I competed Podge in the Training Horse division where he started with a fantastic dressage
test to put us in 1st! This was a far cry from last year where we were way down on the leader board after dressage.
He went into stadium jumping really well up until we took the bending line to the in-and-out where there was a brick
wall at the first element. I had seen many riders, pros and amateurs alike, having trouble with this jump and so I gave
myself extra time in the turn so he could have a look at it on approach. In spite of my efforts, he still gave it a good
look and took an awkward jump to take out both the first and second element. I don't know how l stayed on for that
one! On Sunday, he went out on XC with a great attitude in spite of me flopping around on his back with a fever and
body aches! We ran around clean but a little slow (he is learning to carry himself better at the gallop and that means
a little slower pace at this point). In a very competitive division, that dropped us down to 10th but I was overjoyed
with how much he'd improved in all phases (especially with a rider that wasn't much help to him!)
Piccolo competed in her second event at the BN level and was much more relaxed in the warm-up this time. She was
having a decent dressage test right up to the point where I had to pick her up from the free-walk in the corner by A
and she was pretty certain she was done with the test and put on the brakes. I finally got her through it to finish the
test but I think she just needed to remind me how green she still is! Stadium jumping was next and, although we had
one very cheap rail (barely a tap and it only fell from the cups on one side), she really made up for her disobedience
in dressage. On Sunday, we returned for XC. She was so good, again in spite of a very sick rider on her back, but
by mid-course, I was too weak to ride like I needed to on a greenie and we had two stops. They weren't bad stops
and I know if I'd sat up and helped her out more, she would more than likely have kept going. I just wanted to get her
around for the experience.
Susie Gertz and Practical Magic had a great weekend in the Novice division. They started with the best test I've seen
from them to date, followed by two clean jumping phases to finish in 4th. Jayne Whitton took her young, homebred
mare, Grace's Star, and competed in the Starter division. I didn't get to see the dressage but the jumping phases
were great even though "Sadie" had some green moments sorting out why there were people sitting next to jumps
out on XC and so on. Calla Morris and Raindrops on Roxanne did their first event together and finished in 8th in the
BN division. Finally, Stephanie Williamson, who had to replace her usual mount with another horse on Friday,
started the weekend with a really nice dressage test. Unfortunately, the stadium phase didn't go as well and they
finished their competitive ride there.
MayDaze HT was this past weekend and nearly as busy. I took Podge in the TH division and he started with a decent
dressage test. We had just about the best warm-up yet but when he went into the ring, where he usually jumps, he
was very on edge and put in a tense test (unusual for him). He continued on to stadium where he jumped the best
yet, clearing everything nicely, but when he went to my bat for an oxer before an in-and-out, he over-reacted and we
missed our line to finish the round with 2 rails. Saturday's XC ride was a blast - another clear round with just a few
time penalties to finish in 8th place. Susie and Practical Magic finished on their dressage score to finish in 4th in NR
and Jayne Whitton and Grace's Star had a successful first run at BN.....left before those results were posted but the
young mare really matured over the past two weekends. Chelsea Costello and Shan competed in the KDA dressage
show taking place at the park too and brought home a 3rd, 5th, and 6th (I think that's right) in First Level tests.
June has some schooling shows and then MidSouth PC HT at the end of the month.
May 10, 2008
I judged the Stillwater Pony Club Hunter show at Twin Towers today. It was a beautiful day and all the horses and
riders did very well. It was fun for me to get my first taste of judging and something I'd like to do again in the future.
Several of my students came out to get their horses used to the ring before next weekend's Greater Dayton Horse
Trials.
April 20, 2008
First of all, I'm a little late in this but welcome to Becca Gentry who will be a part-time working student here this
summer. Becca was here last summer and rode Paprika until she got sold so now she's ready to begin an eventing
career with her new guy, Remington Steele. She is a great asset around here and I'm so appreciative of her help!
Secondly, congrats to Stacy Rothermel who I bought JJ (Glory Days) from 5 1/2 years ago. JJ has returned to the
Rothermel's farm in Illinois and Stacy plans to do some lower-level competing with him. He's been a very special
horse to me and I'm so glad that Stacy will be able to give him the attention he deserves.
There are some new horses going up on the sales page and the calendar is continually updated. There are a bunch
of new students this spring so I'll do my best to get some new pictures posted as I get them (hint, hint to any
students that want to be pictured!)
April 14, 2008
It was great to be back out eventing again this past weekend at Spring Bay. The weekend had a nice balance of
highs and lows and definitely gave me a good idea of what needed to be worked on before the next outing at
Greater Dayton. The most exciting part of the weekend by far is my mare, Piccolo, did her first event finishing with
just 3 time penalties added to her dressage score in 2nd place! Other than being a little excited in the dressage
warm-up, she really settled in nicely and seemed to enjoy her new career as an eventer. I was really pleased with
her in all three phases. I don't think I've ever been prouder of any of my young horses as I know how difficult she
could have been and how hard it was for her to go out and be as relaxed as she was. I expect great things from
Piccolo but will be taking it quite slow this year to make sure she gains a lot of confidence.
Podge has definitely improved over the winter but I think needed this first outing to remember what his job is! His
dressage work was a definite improvement over last fall and he warmed up really well. Unfortunately, we weren't able
to carry that warm-up into the ring! Off to cross country we went and he was quite powerful around the Training
course over jumping everything and shying at patches on the ground - I think he was having a good time! That is,
right up to the coffin where he decided to pop off to the left at the last second in spite of every effort on my part to
ride him strong in knowing how spooky he was acting around the course! I would have stayed on if it has just been
the initial run-off but when he scooted back the other way away from the horse-eating jump judges, I found myself
quickly hitting the ground. I hopped back on and we finished the course from there. He came back out and
showjumped clean on Sunday so he has redeemed the naughty behavior but I'm hoping he'll be more focused on
our next XC course!
Susie Gertz and Elvis also had a great outing this weekend. Their dressage warm-up really showed the
improvements made over the winter and I thought it was a pretty solid test. They had a good XC run just adding
some time penalties to their score and then jumped clean on Sunday. I saw definite improvements in all three
phases and think that they'll be quite competitive this year!
March 24, 2008
This weekend was a great start to our competitive year at the dressage show at Paxton Farm. I took my mare,
Piccolo, for her first show experience. Her behavior was far beyond my expectations and she was relaxed and
steady both in the warm-up and through her test. We entered the USEA test that we'll be doing in 3 weeks at Spring
Bay - Beginner Novice B - and she scored a 62% to finish in 2nd place just behind Susie Gertz and Practical Magic
who won the class! Susie and "Elvis" have been working so hard this winter on the dressage and it really paid off. In
spite the judge having the wrong test for her and Susie and Elvis having to "sprint" back to the trailer to get the
correct test for them, they went into the ring with steadiness and confidence.
Susie also entered her young mare, Zooby, in the in-hand class for experience. They walked away with the blue
ribbon and the confidence that Zooby will be great at competitions once she gains more under saddle experience.
She showed the maturity of a horse that had been competing for years and the judge had some very nice comments
about her conformation and movement.
The other entry from Fairwind Stables was Chelsea Costello and Shan who were back in the ring after a 2-year
hiatus to pick up a 2nd in their First Level class.
We're all so excited to start getting out to some more competitions this spring using the comments from the judge for
improvements. I hope to post some pictures from our weekend on this page this week.
Check out the horses for sale page as I've added Panache, a young Trak/TB gelding who has been an absolute
blast to train. He is very regretfully being sold by his owner through no fault of his own. He has it all - looks, brains,
and athleticism - and just needs someone who is experienced enough to continue his training.
March 17, 2008
With our last snowfall behind us (hopefully!), things are in full swing here at Fairwind Stables. I'm adding some of the
horses in training to the website as they arrive. We start showing this weekend at Paxton's farm in Batavia where
Piccolo will get her first taste of a dressage ring in anticipation of her debut at Spring Bay horse trials in just a few
weeks. Chelsea will be taking Shan in a First Level Class and Susie Gertz has Elvis and her filly, Zooby, entered.
Some new sale horses will be added in the next couple of weeks so keep checking the sales page if you're in the
market. I'm really excited about this season with two fun horses to compete and several talented horses coming in
for training or for sale. Several of my students have been working hard through this long Ohio winter and I expect
we'll have a very competitive bunch this year!
We're also starting to work on a new bank and water jump here at the farm so I'll post pictures on the farm page
once that's completed.
Finally, I've added a survey to the home page that will only take a few minutes to complete and I'm hoping will give
me some great feedback from site visitors.
February 21, 2008
If you are interested in reading news from 2007, it has been archived here. As 2008 gets underway, I'm starting to
make plans for the spring season and set personal goals for the year. Be sure to check out the calendar and if
you'd like coaching at any of the events listed, please contact me. Spring Bay, our first recognized event in Area VIII,
opens next Tuesday, Feb 26th. Make sure to read through the new USEA rule book and know the rules for the new
season.
I spent last week in Florence, Alabama taking lessons with Jim Graham on Podge and Piccolo. I had participated in a
clinic last fall with Jim but this was my first time riding in private lessons with him at his farm. It was a terrific
experience. Jim is a positive, caring instructor who improved my riding and my horses dramatically in just a few days.
He felt that both of my horses have upper-level ability which was great to hear from someone who would know! I
hope to continue to work more with Jim regularly in the future.
Sadly, I returned from the nice, warm weather of the south to snow and ice here in Ohio! However, new horses are
arriving in the next couple of weeks and I feel confident that spring will arrive soon even if it doesn't seem like it
today!
Fairwind Stables
| 505 Ludlow Road; Xenia, OH 45385 (937) 776-1694 Info@FairwindStables.com |
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