Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Congrats to Christine & Fergus!

Demo horse and rider team Christine McCarter and Fergus MacFinn competed in the GHCTA Schooling Horse Trials at Pine Hill in Bellville, Texas, on March 7 and won the Preliminary division in their first foray at that level! Keep up the good work the rest of the season, Christine and Fergus!

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Spotlight on Demo Horse: Galanta

Galanta is a 1998 Irish Sport Horse gelding by the Thoroughbred stallion Ballinvella. He was bred by Dan Buckley who resides in County Cork, Ireland. Mr. Buckley is still actively breeding Galanta’s dam, Registered Irish Draught Lissacreasig Star. Owner/rider Oryla Ramey found Galanta in a field with other horses in Ireland during her honeymoon. It was love at first sight. He came galloping across the field to greet her. Galanta and Oryla have been smitten with each other since. Oryla can't say enough about Galanta being a kind hearted, honest to ride horse, and big joker. The grooms call him “El Payaso,” which means "the Clown," because he is frequently into mischief. He likes to get loose, but does not take off running. He only trots far enough ahead of you to prevent himself from being caught— and to make you run! He likes to let himself out of his stall whenever possible, and enjoys socializing with the other horses. He is very cantankerous, but always kind, so he and Oryla play together on walks and in the turn out. Oryla feels it is nice to allow the horse to keep his spirit and encourage his personality throughout the intensive dressage training. Most of all, Galanta is her friend and her partner.
According to Oryla, Galanta is without a doubt, the most special and amazing horse she has ever ridden. Not a day goes by that she is not grateful for having him as her equine partner. He has made countless dreams of success in dressage come true. Since beginning his dressage career at Training level in 2006, Galanta has moved up the levels and won High Point, High Percentage, Championship classes, and Year End awards every season at every level they have competed through Intermediare I. Galanta continues to surprise Oryla with his willingness to learn, work ethic, and continued improvement.
This is Galanta’s 5th season competing in dressage, and Oryla is looking forward to competing him in the small tour classes during the spring at the CDI’s, then moving on to competing at I-2. The pair have been trying to really increase the quality of Galanta’s training. He knows and can easily do all the movements through the Grand Prix. However, Oryla has kept him at PSG/I-1 in order to compete in the Small Tour at the CDI’s. Competing at the CDI level is aiding Oryla's level of expectations and understanding of really training a dressage horse. With the training they are doing now under the guidance of Marie Meyers and on the heels of a few intensive sessions with Robert Dover, Galanta is looking the best he has ever looked. Most recently the pair earned a 66.8% at I-1 in at Thermal, CA on February 13th and are looking forward to many shows during the spring season!

Look for Oryla and Galanta performing Dressage demonstrations in conjunction with the Irish Village at the World Equestrian Games! Above photos courtesy of:


Monday, March 15, 2010

Spotlight on Demo Horse: PL Cha Cha

PL Cha Cha is a 6-year-old chestnut tobiano Irish Draught Sport Horse mare. Her dam is a flashy National Show Horse, and her sire is the talented Registered Irish Draught stallion, It’s the Luck of the Irish. Cha Cha is trained and ridden by owner and breeder, Glenda Player, of Playland Equestrain Center (www.playlandequestriancenter.com).Cha Cha began her competitive career as an eventer in summer 2009 at USEA recognized events and was always in the ribbons! In the of fall 2009, she made a debut appearance in Lexington, Virginia, at the Irish Draught Horse Society NA Annual Show, coming home with a Grand Champion Jumper at Level 2 Jumpers! This fantastic mare knows her job with or with out the rider! She has the willing, athletic work ethic of the Irish Draught with the drive of the Arabian.
Cha Cha is an amazingly confident horse, with a strong work ethic. She is anxiously waiting for the weather in Maryland to break so she can get back into the competition arena. In fact, the other day Glenda was tacking her up, had the saddle on, and had just finished placing the bridle over her head when Cha Cha marched out of the grooming stall and into the attached indoor! She was ready to get to work with or without Glenda!

Watch for Glenda and Cha Cha performing Demonstrations of jumping and eventing as part of the Irish Village at the World Equestrian Games. You won't want to miss this flashy pair!

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Spotlight on Demo Horse: Corocotta de la Galerna

Corocotta de la Galerna (aka: Corey) is a 6-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding owned and ridden by Demo rider, Bailey Moran. The Morans found Corey at Windchase Farms (http://www.teamwindchase.com/), a wonderful place owned by eventing Olympian, Phyllis Dawson.
Corey is 16.2 hands, dapple grey, and loaded with personality. Corey's sire is an Irish Sport Horse named High Scope. High Scope came in 5th in the 2002 Rolex and was one of five horses that jumped clean in the 2000 Sydney Olympics. This explains Corey's wonderful jumping ability.
Corey is currently eventing at the Beginner Novice level and schooling at the Novice level. He is showing tons of potential and will hopefully be a superstar like his dad!
Look for Bailey and Corey in performing demonstrations in Dressage, Show Jumping, and Eventing in the Demo Ring at the World Equestrian Games in conjunction with the Irish Village! Photos courtesy of Manuel Flores and www.cherylstephensphotography.com

Spotlight on Rider: Bailey Moran

Bailey Moran is a fourteen-year-old girl who absolutely loves horses. She started riding at the age of 6 and competed in some hunter shows shortly thereafter. At age 9, Bailey attended her first eventing show as a spectator and she was bitten by the eventing bug.
Bailey started competing as an eventer at the age of 11 on her Welsh/Arab pony named Razzmatazz. In 2009, she was the Beginner Novice High Point Champion for the USEA Area 5 Young Riders. She was the 2009 Beginner Novice Reserve Champion for the USEA Area 5, Jr. Division and she was the 2009 Champion for the Central Texas Eventing Association, Jr. Division. Bailey qualified and competed in the 2009 American Eventing Championships in Wayne, Illinois, an experience that she will never forget.
In January 2009, Bailey was introduced to her soul mate. He was an Irish Sport Horse named Corocotta (Corey) and it was love at first sight. Bailey and Corey have spent the last year getting to know each other. They started competing at the beginner novice level this year and hope to move up to novice this summer. Keep an eye out for this team because they are sure to turn some heads.
Look for Bailey and Corey in performing demonstrations in Dressage, Show Jumping, and Eventing in the Demo Ring at the World Equestrian Games in conjunction with the Irish Village! Photos courtesy of Manuel Flores and www.cherylstephensphotography.com

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Update on Demo Horse: Grace's Star

Demo horse Grace's Star (aka: Sadie) and owner, Demo rider Jayne Whitton, have been battling the extended wintery weather up north. Despite it, they managed to take part in a Nadeem Noon clinic in December. Jayne and Sadie are now getting back to serious work and gearing up for an adult eventing clinic with Denny and May Emerson at Tamarack Hill Farm in March.

Jayne shared a funny Sadie story involving some foxes that decided to meander through Sadie's pasture. Being the curious and ever-watchful Irish that she is, Sadie was on the case immediately, fox "hunting," albeit at a leisurely pace sans rider. Just had to share these cute pictures of "The Fox and the Horse."

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Congrats to Ashley & Sportfield's Zebadee!

Demo horse and rider team, Ashley Bailey-Classen and Sportsfield's Zebadee, placed first in Open Preliminary division at the Texas Rose February Horse Trials in Tyler, Texas, last weekend. The team had a Dressage score of 31.8 and jumped clean in stadium and cross-country. Way to go Ashley and Zeb!