Irish Village at WEG 2010: Demonstrations

From the Horse's Mouth

2011-01-21T14:30:00.000-08:00

I asked our Irish Village Demo Team and Volunteers to email me some of their favorite moments from WEG. Here's what they shared:

Connie Arthur, Demo Rider of Bridon Beale Street RID:
"The last day of the first slot (Day 4 of WEG) I thought we (Bridon Beale Street, myself and the crowd) were a bit bored by the normal routine, so Fleur and I cooked up a bit of excitement... We got into a bit of a "quarrel" during the performance. She asked me to jump again and I refused! Then she told me to just go back to the barn, so I turned a short circle and jumped out over the arena fence. Very fun! Of course, Fleur then apologized and I jumped back in, over the "Fazolis" sign this time! Other than that we had a great time -- Fleur was a doll, the other owners, riders and helpers were wonderful. The barns were nice and it was an honor to be included."

Jayne Whitton, Demo Rider of Grace's Star IDSH:
"The 1st demo when we had a full crowd , everything worked out & the Meet & Greet was there & really interested. Drew & Buddy trying their hearts out - impressive as Buddy had only been jumping a few weeks. Connie & Liam jumping in & out of arena. Having a beer with Fleur when she told me Pudges story. Getting to watch all the awesome demos - I loved the 2 Dans from OZ. Moira's genorosity sharing dressage seats. Wacky weather - 90's to 40' unbelievable. X/C day - Perfect."

Jess Walker, Booth Volunteer and Board Member as Northwest Region Chair of the IDHSNA: "For me being a booth volunteer, there are two things that stick in my mind as being fantastic. The first is during the first show I saw, Fleur was announcing, she had such an enthusiastic voice, the Picnic table...horses jumping that was such a hoot! The fast pace of the demo, and the air of impulsivity....I walked away from that demo in tears, I was just thrilled at what I had just viewed. With the horses intermingling, yet staying focused on their line of jumps. I was proud to be an Irish horse owner and view them at their best. The second thing was the team work from day to day. As many, many problems, coordination needs, and unexpected events, between Fleur, Debbie, Sarah, and the riders, ideas flowed quickly and solutions came fast. The only reason this all worked was the team. Knowing the extreme stress on all of you, and granted, all the volunteers to help put team plans into play, I am just amazed that you all lived through it. Though I have rarely ever been that tired day after day after day, I so looked forward to each and every day up before dawn and not back in bed until 1-3 am. Wow what a ride! The memory of WEG will be with me as long as I live. What I saw at WEG, is what the IDHSNA should be.......I'll leave that right there."

Wouther van Voorthyesan, Demo Volunteer via Holland:
"It was one big moment."

Cheryl Stephens, mother of Demo rider, Gaby Stephens on Glenlord's Laralie RIDSH:

"My WEG moment was the first day of Gaby’s and Lara’s demo. Seeing my 13 year old daughter come galloping into the demo arena on her her dream horse RIDSH Glenlord’s Laralie to the sound of exciting music as Fleur announced her and the audience clapping and cheering.What a proud day and a proud moment for this horse mom! I cried tears of happiness and joy all the way back to the barn!"

Keith Douglas, owner of Demo horse Steeped in Luck RID via wife, Elizabeth:
"I just want to go back to the WEGS and just live there forever. It was a happy time."

Top 20 Moments at WEG: #1 - Fleur Bryan

2011-01-21T09:55:00.002-08:00

For those who have not had the pleasure of meeting Fleur yet, she is truly one of a kind. She was by far the heart and soul of the Irish effort at WEG. She was also our MC for the Demos, along with overseeing practically everything else. It began as an idea in Ireland, and after over two years, became a reality. Throughout, Fleur’s Irish brogue and heavy wit helped us all get through each day. We could write a book full of her colorful sayings, which we referred to as "Fleurisms." A true lover of horses, especially Irish ones, and a friend to everyone who meets her. Thank you, Fleur, for dragging me kicking and screaming into this unforgettable experience. And a special thanks to her other half, Debbie, for keeping our whole contingency fed, full of caffeine, and holding down the fort for 16+ days (she already deserves a medal for putting up with Fleur!).

Top 20 Moments at WEG: #2 - Steeped in Luck & Tom Dvorak

2011-01-21T09:55:00.001-08:00

This duo brought the house down the four days they performed their musical dressage freestyle. There wasn’t even standing room during their performances, and folks could be heard talking about them all throughout the park. We were honored to have an Olympian and Pan Am competitor in Tom Dvorak performing on a purebred Irish Draught stallion to spotlight the caliber and versatility of the breed. Tom’s wife, Ellen, and Steeped in Luck’s owners, Elizabeth and Keith Douglas, were also a total delight and loads of fun. (Photo credit: Alison Wolff Photography)We were also thrilled to have FEI Dressage rider Leslie Bean and FEI World Champion Driver Sterling Graburn of Gayla Driving Center as part of our Demo team.

Top 20 Moments at WEG: #3 - Gina Miles

2011-01-21T09:54:00.001-08:00

While not competing at WEG, Gina Miles (Olympic silver medalist on Irish Sport Horse, McKinlaigh) made a point to come by during our second demo block. Fleur was able to bring her into the ring, where she said hi to the crowd and shared her love for the Irish breed with the crowd. Gina stuck around to sign autographs and say hi to the demo team as well. What a delightful person, superb athlete, and a special treat it was to have her come by.

Photos: Fleur Bryan (top) and Sarah Hooper (bottom) with Gina Miles and her silver medal

Top 20 Moments at WEG: #4 - Dr. Pearse Lyons

2011-01-21T09:53:00.002-08:00

For those who don’t know, Mr. Lyons is the founder and President of Alltech, the title sponsor for WEG 2010. Mr. Lyons is also from Ireland. So, needless to say we were thrilled and delighted when he pulled up to our stalls one day in his Rolls Royce golf cart to drop off some of our volunteers he’d given a lift to after seeing them with an Irish flag. He stayed for a few minutes to visit with us and congratulated us on a good job promoting the Irish horses and Ireland.

Top 20 Moments at WEG: #5 - Meet & Greet

2011-01-21T09:53:00.001-08:00

Organizing the demonstrations was quite an undertaking, and every day brought new challenges and problems. Amidst the chaos, I would find peace each day when the demo’s were over and our team headed into the “Meet & Greet” corral. I would stand at the rail and watch as hoards of kids and adults alike came to the fence to pet our horses and talk with the riders. So many people don’t know about the Irish horse breed, and this was an unbeatable chance for them to not only see, but interact, with the horses and really appreciate their versatility, athleticism, and temperament. It was a moment of great pride for me, for the breed and my demo team, and made me remember each day why we took on this bear of an event.

Top 20 Moments at WEG: #6 - Relay Race

2011-01-21T09:52:00.002-08:00

Fleur finally convinced us in the third block to do a relay race at the end of the demo. Three Connemaras versus three Irish Draught/Sport Horses, doing a line of jumps with a baton and passing it to the next. This turned out to be a huge crowd pleaser and exciting part of the demo. The ponies and horses were neck in neck! But, my favorite moment came when our farthest traveling volunteer, Wouter van Voorthuysen from Holland, grabbed the microphone and told the crowd, “I am Wouter. I am from Holland. We cannot lose! Go horses!”

Top 20 Moments at WEG: #7 - Grand Prix Jumping

2011-01-21T09:52:00.001-08:00

We were so fortunate to be able to showcase Grand Prix jumping horses during several of our demos. Ashley Bailey-Classen brought three of her Irish Sport Horses from Texas, two of which showed their stuff, soaring over the top of the standards. If we’d have had bigger wings, they could’ve done 5 feet+! In the last block, Amy Hunter and Cradilo put on an extremely impressive jumping demonstration, showing what a purebred Irish Draught stallion can do! The crowd was floored and interest abounded over this great duo who are currently competing on the Grand Prix circuit. What a special treat to watch these horses fly.

Top 20 Moments at WEG: #8 - Picnic Table

2011-01-21T09:51:00.002-08:00

One of the Connemara ponies brought a plastic picnic table to jump during their demonstrations. Not to be outdone, the Irish Draught/Sport Horse demo team decided to take it on as well. Several of our brave demo team horse and rider combinations took on the picnic table jump, to the delight of the crowd!

Top 20 Moments at WEG: #9 - Limerick Harriers

2011-01-21T09:51:00.001-08:00

Bless Jim McGinty for loaning us his Limerick Harriers foxhunting video to run in the booth on our big flat screen TV. If you haven’t seen it, you are missing out. Call Jim, he will probably send you a copy. This video literally stopped people in their tracks, and they couldn’t believe what real Irish foxhunting, as seen from a helmet cam, looked like. Horses were jumping giant ditches, riders were falling in the water, children to grandpas alike were out there. This video made so many people stop to ask and talk to the folks in our booth, and you could hear people around the park saying, “you need to go by that Irish booth and see that video.” So, and big thank you to Jim for that contribution, and for all those who made the booth a resounding success.

Top 20 Moments at WEG: #10 - Clinicians

2011-01-21T09:50:00.001-08:00

Everyone who is anyone in the horse world was at WEG. We, as demonstrators, were in the same barn at the clinicians. So, on a daily basis we rubbed elbows with the likes of Clinton Anderson and Pat Parelli and John Lyons, amongst a crazy variety of other demonstrators like the Icelandic horse and the Indian tent peggers. It wasn’t unusual to see a man come around the corner standing on two horses who were dressed in metallic armor, or a train of miniature horses. We saw it all! Clinton Anderson took a particular interest in our demo horses, stopping Connie Arthur to talk to her about Bridon Beale Street,

and John Lyons hilariously tried to do dressage moves with Tom Dvorak and Steeped in Luck in the demo warmup arena. Pat also was even nice enough to invite us to his evening BBQ on several occasions. Fun times.

Top 20 Moments at WEG: #11 - Bridon Beale Street's Grand Exit

2011-01-21T09:49:00.002-08:00

During one of our demonstrations, I’m in the middle of the arena, Fleur is commentating, and all of the sudden Connie Arthur and Bridon Beale Street go stand in the corner. Fleur tries to beckon them out to keep jumping and showing off for the crowd. Connie’s shaking her head “no,” meanwhile; I’m panicking trying to figure out what’s wrong. Then, she proceeds to turn Liam around, take off at a canter, and jump OUT of the demo arena and head for the barns. I’m standing there with my jaw on the ground; Fleur is begging Connie to come back. She does turn around, and jump back into the arena, to the cheers and laughter of the crowd. After the demo, Fleur tells me they had secretly planned the whole thing, they just forgot to let me in on it …. Cause why would the coordinator need to know?? Ha!

(Photos courtesty Alison Wolff Photography)

Top 20 Moments at WEG: #12 - Irish Ambassador to the USA

2011-01-21T09:49:00.001-08:00

We were thrilled to have the Irish Ambassador to the United States, Mr. Michael Colins and his lovely wife visit our booth and attend one of our demonstrations. Mr. Colins commended Fleur and everyone involved for doing such a great job representating and promoting Ireland and its horses.

Top 20 Moments from WEG: #13 William Micklem

2011-01-21T09:48:00.000-08:00

Author of the newly released “Complete Horse Riding Manual,” former national coach for the Irish Horse Board, trainer/director at Gleneagles’ Mark Phillips Equestrian Center, eventing guru, and television commentator and contributor to equestrian journals … it was an honor for us to have Mr. Micklem lecture at WEG, stop by our booth and visit with our Demo team and volunteers. He is truly a legend, an expert horseman, and an outstanding individual.

Follow Mr. Micklem on The Chronicle of the Horse or on his blog or his website.

Top 20 Moments from WEG: #14 - Mechanical Penning Horse

2011-01-21T09:47:00.000-08:00

While WEG was a lot of fun, it was tiring and stressful. So, for stress relief, we always ended up going to the mechanical penning horse. Everyone seems to have a video or picture of themselves on this thing. And, let me tell you, it felt pretty real whizzing and whipping around after the little mechanical calf!

Top 20 Moments from WEG: #15 - Rosemount Farm

2011-01-21T09:46:00.002-08:00

Fonda Eigle, who was part of the Connemara demonstration team with her stallion, Spuddy, was kind enough to open her farm to us as off-site stabling and practice site. What no one was prepared for was the moment we pulled up to her iron gates and drove onto a magnificent farm, hundreds of acres of rolling grass hills and fenced paddocks, a beautiful mansion, and a barn fit for king’s horses. No one wanted to leave. Aside from the gloriousness of the property itself, Fonda was an impeccable and organized hostess and we can’t thank her enough.

Top 20 Moments from WEG: #16 - Wine & Cheese

2011-01-21T09:46:00.001-08:00

The second Saturday night, the Irish Village hosted a Wine & Cheese at the park near our booths. We had a variety of guests, from dignitaries, to competitors, to demonstrators, to park personnel. A good time was definitely had by all. While I won’t into the details, I’ll just mention that Irish feather boas and Mardi Gras beads made an appearance!

Top 20 Moments from WEG: #17 - Feemsters

2011-01-21T09:45:00.001-08:00

If Fonda provided off site stabling for the horses, Paul and Debbie Feemster provided it to many of our volunteers and demo team. They also have a spectacular property and home, and opened it up to us for dinner, wine, and places to sleep. People came and went over the 3 week period, and we had some of our best times sitting around the table, telling stories and recounting the days adventures. The next morning, we’d all carpool to the park, and a whole new round would begin. Thank you Feemsters, for all you did! Along with your beautiful BenMar Bella Blue, who did double duty under saddle and carriage for many of the demos.

Top 20 Moments from WEG: #18 - The Irish Village

2011-01-21T09:44:00.000-08:00

It was the heart and hub of our whole crew at WEG. Bill Appel and Lyn Lindstrom, with the help of Nadia Cook-Grisewood and Fleur, made this IDHSNA booth come to life. It turned out to be a lovely tribute to the breed, full of information, with fun bags and keepsakes books for spectators. We had a ton of interest the whole time. Next to us were the boys at Goresbridge Horse Sales, where a large chunk of Olympic and National level competition horses come from. The Donahues kept us laughing. Nadia and US Eventing Team vet Brendan Furlong had their booth next to the Connemara Society. We were smack dab in the middle of everything, and enjoyed meeting folks from around the world and sharing our love for all things related to Irish horses with them. Great job to everyone that had a hand in the Village.

Top 20 Moments from WEG: #19 - WEG Itself

2011-01-21T09:43:00.000-08:00

While I didn’t have a whole lot of spare time, I did manage to sneak away to view a few of the events. Our demo passes got us in to all the complexes for free, and we were welcome to sit in any open seat. So, I was thrilled to watch Dressage and Show Jumping from the front row. We also were able to get back in the warm up arenas, and watch these amazing competitors up close and personal, schooling before they went on the big stage. Unforgettable. And then there was our crazy weather. Freezing and raining one day, spectacular the next, then unbearably hot. We went through all four seasons in 16 days.

Top 20 Moments from WEG: #20 The Demo Team & Volunteers

2011-01-21T09:42:00.000-08:00

Last but not least, the greatest thing I will take away from the WEG experience is the wonderful people I met and worked with. Our demo horses, riders, and their families, worked so hard to get ready for WEG, make the trip, and pull off phenomenal performances. Our volunteers stood on their feet and talked for hours and helped with setup and takedown and move in and move out. They also made the trip at their expense, and their huge effort and wonderful attitudes are hugely appreciated. I felt so privileged to get to know each and every one of our “team,” and look forward to being lifelong friend and seeing them throughout the years. My deepest thanks. Now, who’s up for a trip to France for 2014 WEG??!

WEG Wrap-up and Thanks

2011-01-21T09:18:00.000-08:00

The AllTech World Equestrian Games 2010, held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, really was the experience of a lifetime for those of us able to attend and be a part of it through the Irish Village, IDHSNA booth in it, or the Demonstrations associated with them. We were there for all 16 days of the Games, including a few days on either end for setup and takedown.

Each day our Demo team performed either a half hour or one hour Demonstration, sometimes combined with the Connemaras. They all came off spectacularly, highlighting the versatility and broad talents of our group of horses and riders/drivers. All the while, WEG was happening around us. The best in the world competed at Dressage, Show Jumping, Eventing, Para-Equestrian, Reining, and Vaulting. Clinicians and other Demonstrators abounded. It was horse heaven!

Our booth and the Irish Village in general were a big hit with the spectators, and we feel we really made huge strides in promoting, marketing, and educating the Irish Horses to the public. And we had fun, made lasting memories and friendships, while doing it! It all would not have been possible without the huge effort of those who volunteered their time, effort, blood, sweat, and tears.

The Irish Village at WEG 2010
Irish Draught Horse Society of North America
Connemara Pony Society
Goresbridge Horse Sales
B. W. Furlong & Associates

Irish Village Core Committee
Fleur Bryan, Mastermind
Sarah Hooper, Demo Coordinator
Bill Appel, Fundraising and Booth

Lyn Lindstrom, Volunteers and Booth

Debbie Feemster, Volunteer and Booth

Nadia Cook-Grisewood, Super Trooper and Booth

WEG Demo Team
Ballynoe Rum – owned by Normandy Farm, ridden by Ashley Bailey-Classen
BenMar Bella Blue – owned by Paul & Debbie Feemster, driven by Sterling Graburn and ridden by Leslie Bean
Braveheart – owned and ridden by Debbie Fullilove, also ridden by Drew Price
Bridon Beale Street – owned and ridden by Connie Arthur
Buddy Satterly – owned by Fleur Bryan, ridden by Drew Price
Celtic Manor Forever Diamonds – owned and ridden by Anne Gaudet
Corocotta de la Galerna – owned and ridden by Bailey Moran
Cradilo – owned by Grace Shaw-Kennedy and ridden by Amy Hunter
Dandelion Diamond Rebel – owned by Skip & Vicki Crawford, ridden by Brittany Fiebrandt
Fergus MacFinn – owned and ridden by Christine McCarter
Fernhill Henry Juan – owned by Normandy Farm, ridden by Madeline Sherck
Glenlord’s Laralie – owned and ridden by Gaby Stephens
Grace’s Star – owned and ridden by Jayne Whitton
Miss Pamela – owned by Moira McCracken, ridden by Leslie Bean
PL Lucky Empress – owned and ridden by Glenda Player
PL Lucky Tammy – owned and ridden by Glenda Player
Sportsfield’s Zebadee – owned by Normandy Farm, ridden by Bre Dorsett
Steeped in Luck – owned by Keith & Elizabeth Douglas, ridden by Tom Dvorak

Demo Team Injured Reserve
KEC Double Diamond – owned and ridden by Jutta Heinsohn
Rebel’s Run – owned and ridden by Emma Wexler

Demo Team Friends and Families
Sharon Gaudet
Dan & Kim Moran
John McMahon
Richard, Karen, & Fred McCarter
Jo Bailey
Cynthia Bowers
Amy Clemmons
Cheryl Stephens
Robin Whitton
Debbie Weakly
Wendy Harrison
Jessica Ganske
Alexandra Gilquist
Elizabeth & Emma Wexler
Jutta Heinsohn
Armando & Adolfo Avila
Ellen Rumball-Dvorak
Dyan Southern
Sharon Taylor
Skip & Melissa Cason-Kinney

Volunteers
Suzanne Schulte
Chad Gogan
Jennifer Jamison
Jim McGinty
David & Priscilla Menard
Ann O’Donnell
Carol Palmer
Angela & Ambra Pira
Gayle Sheahan
Gina Kirby
Laurie Monroe
Nanette Levin
Jess Walker
Wouter van Voorthuysen

Leslie Christian

Jennifer Stevens

Special Thanks
GrafX by Laurie – for designing the Irish Village logo and the beautiful Keepsake Book
Ester Claire – for bringing our horses to life in her drawings that hung in the booth
Fonda Eigle – for providing the Ritz Carlton of off-site stabling and practice area
Dover Saddlery – for providing our saddle pads and horse coolers
Kate Triplett – for designing and producing the fabulous Demo team browbands
Randall Cooper – for his stupendous farrier skills throughout the Games
Gayla Driving Center – for providing all of our driving needs

In Memorium
We tragically lost RID stallions Parkmore Pride and O’Leary’s Irish Diamond, both slated to perform Demos at WEG, prior to the Games. They would have made it only that much more special had they been there. Hugs to Fleur Bryan and Debbie Weakly and Skip and Melissa Cason-Kinney for their losses. We were able to memorialize these fantastic boys in our booth and remember them in the Demos.

Top 20 Moments at WEG

2011-01-06T15:12:00.000-08:00

As Demo Coordinator, I was able to be at WEG for all 16 days and had the pleasure of interacting with not only the Demo team, but our volunteers and the WEG staff. I was able to snap lots of photos from in the Demo ring, and some folks followed my experience via Facebook. When asked to do a WEG writeup for the Irish Draught Horse Society NA's quarterly magazine, The Blarney's annual edition, I started reflecting on my favorite moments from WEG and came up with a top 20 list. I'm going to lay those out a post at a time on the blog here, with additional photos, so everyone can share in my experience. ~Sarah Hooper (McMullen)

Irish Village Demonstration Schedule

2010-09-25T08:16:00.000-07:00

BLOCK ONE

Saturday, September 25

10:00 - 11:00 am IDHSNA Demo featuring:
BenMar Bella Blue - driving
Miss Pamela - dressage
Buddy Satterly - jumping
Bridon Beale Street - eventing
Grace's Star - eventing

4:30 - 5:30 pm Connemara Demo

Sunday, September 26

11:00 - 11:30 am IDHSNA/Connemara Demo featuring:
BenMar Bella Blue - driving
Miss Pamela - dressage
Buddy Satterly - jumping
Bridon Beale Street - eventing
Grace's Star - eventing

Monday, September 27

10:30 - 11:00 am Connemara Demo

11:00 - 11:30 am IDHSNA Demo featuring:
BenMar Bella Blue - driving
Miss Pamela - dressage
Buddy Satterly - jumping
Bridon Beale Street - eventing
Grace's Star - eventing

Tuesday, September 28

10:30 - 11:00 am Connemara Demo

4:30 - 5:00 pm IDHSNA Demo featuring:
BenMar Bella Blue - driving
Miss Pamela - dressage
Buddy Satterly - jumping
Bridon Beale Street - eventing
Grace's Star - eventing

BLOCK TWO

Wednesday, September 29

10:30 - 11:00 am IDHSNA Demo featuring:
Sportsfield's Zebadee - eventing
Steeped in Luck - dressage
Glenlord's Laralie - dressage/jumping
Fergus MacFinn - eventing
Corocotta de la Galerna - eventing
Ballynoe Rum - eventing
Fernhill Henry Juan - eventing

11:00 - 11:30am Connemara Demo

Thursday, September 30

2:30 - 3:00 pm IDHSNA/Connemara Demo featuring:
Sportsfield's Zebadee - eventing
Steeped in Luck - dressage
Glenlord's Laralie - dressage/jumping
Fergus MacFinn - eventing
Corocotta de la Galerna - eventing
Ballynoe Rum - eventing
Fernhill Henry Juan - eventing

Friday, October 1

11:30am - 12:00pm IDHSNA/Connemara Demo featuring:
Sportsfield's Zebadee - eventing
Steeped in Luck - dressage
Glenlord's Laralie - dressage/jumping
Fergus MacFinn - eventing
Corocotta de la Galerna - eventing
Ballynoe Rum - eventing
Fernhill Henry Juan - eventing

Saturday, October 2

4:30 - 5:00 pm IDHSNA/Connemara Demo featuring:
Sportsfield's Zebadee - eventing
Steeped in Luck - dressage
Glenlord's Laralie - dressage/jumping
Fergus MacFinn - eventing
Corocotta de la Galerna - eventing
Ballynoe Rum - eventing
Fernhill Henry Juan - eventing

BLOCK THREE

Sunday, October 3

10:30 - 11:00 am IDHSNA/Connemara Demo featuring:
PL Lucky Empress - dressage
PL Lucky Tammy - dressage
Miss Pamela - dressage
Dandelion Diamond Rebel - eventing
Celtic Manor Forever Diamonds - eventing
Buddy Satterly - jumping
BenMar Bella Blue - driving

Monday, October 4

4:30 - 5:00pm IDHSNA/Connemara Demo featuring:
PL Lucky Empress - dressage
PL Lucky Tammy - dressage
Miss Pamela - dressage
Dandelion Diamond Rebel - eventing
Celtic Manor Forever Diamonds - eventing
Buddy Satterly - jumping
BenMar Bella Blue - driving

Tuesday, October 5

2:00 - 2:30pm IDHSNA/Connemara Demo featuring:
PL Lucky Empress - dressage
PL Lucky Tammy - dressage
Miss Pamela - dressage
Dandelion Diamond Rebel - eventing
Celtic Manor Forever Diamonds - eventing
Buddy Satterly - jumping
BenMar Bella Blue - driving

Wednesday, October 6

5:00 - 5:30pm IDHSNA/Connemara Demo featuring:
PL Lucky Empress - dressage
PL Lucky Tammy - dressage
Miss Pamela - dressage
Dandelion Diamond Rebel - eventing
Celtic Manor Forever Diamonds - eventing
Buddy Satterly - jumping
BenMar Bella Blue - driving

BLOCK FOUR

Thursday, October 7

10:00 - 11:00 am IDHSNA/Connemara Demo featuring:
Braveheart - eventing
Cradilo - jumping
PL Lucky Tammy - dressage
PL Lucky Empress - dressage
Buddy Satterly - jumping
BenMar Bella Blue - driving

Friday, October 8

5:30 - 6:00pm IDHSNA/Connemara Demo featuring:
Braveheart - eventing
Cradilo - jumping
PL Lucky Tammy - dressage
PL Lucky Empress - dressage
Buddy Satterly - jumping
BenMar Bella Blue - driving

Saturday, October 9

10:00 - 10:30 am Connemara Demo

10:30 - 11:00am IDHSNA Demo featuring:
Braveheart - eventing
Cradilo - jumping
PL Lucky Tammy - dressage
PL Lucky Empress - dressage
Buddy Satterly - jumping
BenMar Bella Blue - driving

Sunday, October 10

1:00 - 3:30 pm Farewell performance and Closing Ceremonies

Come get "Up Close and Personal" with the demo horses and riders in the "Meet and Greet" arena in the 15 minute time frame following each demonstration.

Be sure to visit the Irish Village booth to visit with our volunteers, pick up a keepsake book and other goodies!

Congrats to Demo Team: Amy & Cradilo!

2010-09-21T20:42:00.000-07:00

Demo Team Amy Hunter and Cradilo got second place in the Mason City Grand Prix!! Cradilo was sharp, energetic, and gamey, but controllable, focused and listening. According to Amy, "It's been a long road but I think Cradilo and I are finally beginning to really figure things out. And it felt so great to finally show folks what Cradilo is capable of. We've spent so much time working on slow control and power from the hind end, that people thought he wasn't fast. We lost this class by a hundreth of a second to a very fast thoroughbred ... Malone." Watch their video:

You can also check out a partial video of the pair competing in the $75K Evergreen Invitational:

Keep up the great work, Amy and Cradilo!! Look for this pair performing show jumping demonstrations at the World Equestrian Games in conjunction with the Irish Village!

In Memorium: Demo Horse O'Leary's Irish Diamond

2010-08-12T08:20:00.001-07:00

O'Leary's Irish Diamond, RID Stallion ("Irish"): 1994 - 2010

It was with a heavy heart we learned of the passing of O'Leary's Irish Diamond (aka "Irish") just a few short weeks ago. This brilliant stallion touched many lives in his 16 years, not the least of which was his latest job as an ambassador of the breed, as the model for the 2010 RID Breyer Horse.

From a young horse, he had influenced people to take another look at the Irish Draught Horse, and he helped dispel the myth that a large boned horse could not be athletic or competitive in multiple disciplines by excelling in Dressage, Jumpers and Hunters throughout his sixteen years. Irish was bred by Bill and Anna Kennedy in Ireland. His sire Glidawn Diamond (RID) was a son of the famous King of Diamonds (RID). Glidawn Diamond himself passed earlier this year at a grand old age. His dam, Grey Curragong, through her dam-line goes back to Gortlee.

Irish was imported and promoted initially from Ireland in 1997 by James Leary of NM, who adored his horse and closely planned and orchestrated his early Dressage career, through third level, with Jutta Heinsohn in the saddle. Jutta rode Irish for the Irish Inspectors at his performance test, where he earned stellar marks all the way around and had the distinction of becoming the first Irish Draught to be performance tested in Dressage. From that beginning he went on to earn many regional awards as he advanced through the levels of dressage, culminating in completing his dressage career at Prix St. Georges level under then rider/trainer Stephany Fisch of Florida.

In betwixt his dressage career, he also attained awards in jumpers (under Rob Gage) and later hunters as well. Some of his early career awards included:

USDF Performance Certificates in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Levels.
2000 Champion 3rd Level Dressage Assoc. of Southern California.
2002 Open Jumper Champion
2002 Open Modified Jumper Champion
2004 Qualified USDF Regional Championships at Prix St Georges.
Irish was later sold to Melissa Cason-Kinney of Bigfork, Montana of Kinson Stud who not only loved him dearly, but continued his breeding career, campaigned him in Hunters and Jumpers nationally. It is a devastating loss for Melissa and her family who had become remarkably close to Irish and spent much of the last four years making the sport horse world, not just the Irish Draught community, aware of how special O'Leary's Irish Diamond was.
Irish's legacy is not only as the 2010 RID Breyer Horse Model, but his pure and partbred progeny as well. Irish and Melissa were to perform demonstrations in conjunction with the Irish Village at the World Equestrian Games. We are so sorry the world did not get to see them on this stage.
Rest In Peace Irish, "May you be running free in Heaven"

In Memorium: Demo Horse Parkmore Pride

2010-08-11T09:03:00.001-07:00

Parkmore Pride was a 1991 Registered Irish Draught Stallion, standing 16.2 hands, by the Pride of Shaunlara (Milestone ex. Boston Burglar) out of Parkmore Jewel (Atlantic Boy ex. Derryfrench Rose). He was purchased at his first show, when he was 10 weeks old, and he won his class. He also won his class in Dublin that year and beat his mother for the championship in Milstreet before being weaned. Parkmore Pride was approved by the Irish Horse Register in 1996 following performance testing in open competition. He had 28 rounds clear in the 8 weeks. He received excellent scores for his conformation and movement. He competed dressage and mainly Jumping prior to moving to the US in 2002, proving himself to be a very versatile horse. Parkmore Pride was imported to the US from Ireland by owner/rider, Fleur Bryan of Parkmore Stud. Parkmore Pride's first show in the U.S. saw him win the Jumper Championship and slot into the reserve slot in the hunter section at the Annual IDHSNA show. With just 9 inches of bone he was a light, athletic horse with a big elegant jump. Parkmore was conformationally very correct, and was a good straight mover, being light and athletic across the ground. He had an excellent temperament, superb manners on the ground and was an extremely easy horse to ride. He possessed a head-turning presence and an elegance seldom seen in such big horses. Parkmore Pride was the youngest Purebred son of the Pride of Shaunlara, one of the most famous Irish Draught bloodlines. His dam, Parkmore Jewel, was the first Irish Draught mare ever to win the Breeders Championship at the RDS Dublin Horse Show. At 19-years-old he still loved to work, and even though he didn't compete anymore, he still got a buzz when he got on the trailer. Parkmore Pride's 2010 foal crop can be seen at Parkmore Stud in Smithfield, Kentucky, just over an hour from the Horse Park. Parkmore was slotted to perform demonstrations at the World Equestrian Games in conjunction with the Irish Village with owner Fleur Bryan on board, but tragically he was laid to rest on August 10, 2010. It is a huge loss for the Irish Draught Community, Fleur and Debbie, and all of their friends. You will still be able to see his 5-year-old son, gelding Buddy Satterly, performing a demonstration with Fleur.

This was all for you, Pudge! Rest well and look down on us from the other side.

Updated from Demo Rider Glenda Player

2010-08-11T07:22:00.000-07:00

I am having so much fun this summer preparing for the World Equestrian Games! While there this September, I will be doing a musical freestyle with two of my Playland Farm homebreds PL Lucky Empress and PL Lucky Tammy. It has been awesome to see how far these girls have come! Empress started competing in Training 1 classes this spring, and just did her first First-level test this past month! As part of our preparation, we rode with Olympic Gold-medalist Nicole Uphoff-Selke during a clinic at Turning Point Farm this past month. Wow! Did Nicole work us! We worked on 10-meter canter circles as well as mastering our walk-canter transitions. Despite the heat, Empress was a trooper, and we were also able to work on our lengthenings. The weekend after the clinic we practiced our musical freestyle at a PVDA Schooling Show at Celebration Farm. I can’t wait to show off our hard work at WEG!
Tammy is also doing great this summer. At the beginning of the year she started work after having more than a year off to be a mom. We’ve been focusing on the Training-level dressage tests this summer, and Tammy has always brought home a ribbon. She also went to Celebration Farm to practice her musical freestyle and rocked it!
The musical freestyles have been a new challenge for me. I still have some little kinks to work out with the timing of the music (which is completely my fault … I refused to take music lessons when I was younger … I was too busy riding!). Luckily, I have two more months to master the freestyles on each horse before we leave for Kentucky. Working with EquiChord on these musical freestyles has truly enhanced my riding. It has been so eye opening to see how much the horses respond to the music. They get energy from the music and work harder at trying new things. I cannot wait to show the world what these Irish horses can do!

Watch for Glenda doing Dressage demonstration on both Tammy and Empress at the World Equestrian Games in conjunction with the Irish Village!

Spotlight on Demo Rider: Leslie Bean

2010-07-21T16:04:00.000-07:00

Leslie Bean has been riding for 16 years. She began riding at the age of 12 in the hunter/jumper arena. She then began eventing at the age of 18 and began training with United States Olympic Team Coach, Jimmy Wofford in Ocala, Floridain 2004. Leslie's love for dressage grew while she was eventing and she eventually moved to Wellington, FL in 2005 to train in the discipline of dressage full time.

Leslie trained under Catherine Morelli and Cesar Parra for 3 years in Florida. She earned her United State Dressage Federation Bronze and Silver Medals while showing in Wellington, Florida. Leslie moved to Alpharetta, GA in 2006 and began training with Jason Canton. While training under Jason Canton, Leslie had the opportunity to ride with Henk Von Bergen, International Dressage Team Coach from the Netherlands. Leslie also spent time training in the Netherlands and Germany with Jason Canton.
Currently, Leslie is riding with International French Dressage Coach, Christophe Thaellet. Leslie plans to have her personal horse, Apollinaire, qualified for Gladstone in 2011 as well as showing at the FEI Grand Prix level. The dressage building blocks are never complete and can always be built upon on a daily basis. Leslie continues to build on her dressage skills every day and looks forward to learning from other skilled riders and trainers.Look for Leslie on Miss Pamela doing Dressage Demonstrations in conjunction with the Irish Village at the World Equestrian Games.

Spotlight on Demo Rider: Fleur Bryan

2010-07-21T12:48:00.000-07:00

Fleur Bryan was born and raised in the middle of Ireland just 20 miles from the famous Curragh racecourse home of the Irish Derby. Having began riding at the tender age of 2, Fleur quickly developed a passion for and talent with young horses. After graduating from secondary school, Fleur moved to Daffodil Lodge Stud where she trained under the watchful eye of legendary Irish showjumping rider/trainer Iris Kellett, and she began training for her British Horse society certification. After leaving Kelletts, Fleur worked with show hunter horses in Connemara, and event horses in Waterford, before taking a position with International Dressage Judge and Trainer Gisela Holstien. The experience at Holstein's was vast, as all 3 major disciplines were covered in the barn. Fleur had the pleasure of working with Gisela's Olympic Dressage rider daughter, Heike, and showjumper son, Eric, who in the late 1990's held a top 10 spot in the world rankings. Fleur co-owned and mananged Barrowside Stud with her Brother in Ireland for 9 years prior to moving to the U.S. in 2002. There they bred, trained, competed, and sold both showjumpers and event horses, and trained riders. Fleur now co-owns and runs Parkmore Stud, with her partner, Debbie, in the beautiful Blugrass state of Kentucky, where she stood Parkmore Pride, Registered Irish Draught Stallion, and has continued the careful production and training of Irish horses and other breeds. A specialist in English training, Fleur prides herself on her ability to bond with youngsters and turn out horses suitible to be ridden in any discipline by any level of rider. Fleur is the founder of the Irish Village at the World Equestrian Games and will be performing demonstrations on Buddy Satterly and Benmar Bella Blue.

Update on Demo Team: Miss Pamela and Leslie

2010-07-16T15:18:00.000-07:00

Miss Pamela and Leslie Bean competed at Miss Pamela’s first USDF horseshow with much success. Miss Pamela placed first in Training Level Test 3 with a 67.8% and place third in Training Level Test 1 with a 64.2%. Miss Pamela had no issues fitting into horse show life or the atmosphere at the Georgia International Horse Park. She was cool, calm and collected!
Leslie and Miss Pamela rode in a clinic with Dutch Grand Prix rider and trainer, Ron Smeets. Ron Smeets started his riding career training with Sjef Janssen (trainer of Anky van Grusven, who is currently training the Dutch Dressage Team). He spent his early career showing for Holland in many different international competitions. Ron worked with Leslie on creating more movement from behind through a true shoulder-in, spiraling trot circles and being connected with both the inside and outside reins.
Miss Pamela continues to strengthen and progress in her dressage training on a daily basis. Her owner, Moira, she thought should be sure that she was used to all the “strange sounds” she might encounter at WEG. She purchased a “Spookless” CD from Clinton Anderson’s Down Under Horsemanship and played the CD for Miss Pamela, her sister and mom…..It blew their minds!!!! Hopefully, no one brings any pigs to WEG’s Equine Village to see the demonstrations …. Miss Pamela might turn and run right out of the park! Look for Leslie and Miss Pamela performing Dressage demonstrations as part of the Irish Village at the World Equestrian Games.

Spotlight on Demo Team: Debbie Fullilove & Braveheart

2010-07-01T11:18:00.000-07:00

Debbie Fullilove grew up just outside of London in England. As soon as she was old enough to venture out on her bicycle, she located the nearest horses to visit and feed carrots to. Soon, she saved her pocket money and for 50 pence was allowed to ride the horses bareback around the fields. At the age of 10 she had convinced her parents that instead of a family vacation, she and her older sister should take riding lessons at the local riding stables. As they say...'that was all she wrote'......After weekends of she and her sister working 24 hours for a 15-minute bareback ride, her parents sacrificed any further vacations and building a garage for the house, and purchased 'Willard,' a wonderful Connemara pony, from Mr. John Window of Mount Mascal Stables in Bexley Kent. Up until she left England at the age of 36, Mount Mascal Stables was Debbie's second home. She was a member of North West Kent Pony Club and Joydens Riding Club, actively competing in show jumping and cross country events as well as hunting with North West Kent and Ashford Vallley Hunts. Thanks to John Window, Debbie also experienced the thrill of Point to Point racing. As Willard, grew older, Debbie purchased a couple of unbroken TB fillies at Ascot bloodstock sales. At this point an Irish Draught was financially 'out of reach.' Knowing her love for Irish horses, especially greys, John found 'Piglet', a 2-year-old Irish Draught Sport Horse filly, and brought her home, knowing that Debbie would not be able to resist her. He was right. Piglet had an unfortunate accident as a 4-year-old and suffered a fracture of the cannon bone. The long road to recovery led to a discovery of dressage and eventually eventing.

When Debbie's company transferred her to Houston, Texas in 1997, Piglet stayed in England. Eventually, Debbie had to decide - return to England or bring Piglet to Texas. After Piglet arrived, Debbie decided that if she was ever to realize her dream of having a 'horse property,' this was the place to do it. In 1999 she purchased a little house in the middle of 7 acres and named it Deanfield Farm. Her Christmas present that year was a breeding to 'Irish Rover RID', but after numerous attempts, Piglet never had a foal. Piglet is now the most popular horse in Pony Club and is on her third child as the perfect school mistress.
As Piglet never produced a foal, Debbie was still dreaming of her Irish Draught. When she heard about the colt 'Braveheart' in New Hampshire, she was drawn to his bloodlines and his movement. Again, he was financially 'out of reach,' but something kept drawing her back to him. Many months and negotiations later, he was on his way to Texas. As a yearling Braveheart had a playmate, Annie the mule; they are both now 10 years old and remain best friends. Braveheart has led the most 'natural' life as possible as a stallion. He lives with his 'mare' and can closely watch over his other mares and babies. Braveheart is by O'Leary's Irish Diamond RID and is the only male offspring of Kilbline RID, the most 'decorated' mare in North America. Like his sire, Braveheart's bloodlines indicate he would be a phenomenal showjumper and dressage horse, but he has been eventing at the lower levels for the past few years. Debbie fits in training and competing whenever her work schedule allows, as well as maintianing the now expanded Deanfield Farm. Braveheart has hunted and his wonderful temperament has allowed for him to give pony rides for all at the farm. One notable fact is that he has great Irish feet and has always been barefoot. As a testament to Braveheart’s offspring, Doug Willard from Industry, Texas, said of his filly, ‘You’d wear the tires off your truck trying to find nicer one.' As far as Braveheart knows, all his ex’s do live in Texas, but he also has offspring in Virginia, Illinois, Washington, Louisiana and Pennsylvania. He is extremely fertile and is a very popular boy at Texas A&M University where he goes for his collection. He has successfully bred every mare, either fresh or frozen semen, or his favorite, live cover. Frozen semen has been exported to Australia and is available for the coming season.
Braveheart - the Irish horse with the Scottish name, owned by the English lady living her dream in Texas. Watch for Debbie and Braveheart performing demonstrations in eventing, jumping, and dressage in conjunction with the Irish Village at the World Equestrian Games.

Update on Demo Team: Galanta and Oryla

2010-05-28T09:09:00.000-07:00

Demo rider Oryla Ramey showed her Demo horse, Irish Draught Sport Horse gelding, Galanta, at Intermediate Level 2 Dressage for the first time May 15-16, 2010 in California. He won his classes both days, showing all their hard work is paying off!Photo credit: Roncie Weatherington

Oryla and Galanta are extremely excited to have been invited to participate in the USEF Developing Dressage Clinic with Olympic medalist Debbie McDonald June 3-6, 2010. The Developing program has been created to identify and cultivate future US Dressage stars. Participation in these clinics is by invitation only, with riders invited at the direction of the USEF High Performance Dressage Committee.

Oryla and Galanta recently started to work with Olympic medalist Charlotte Bredalhl, who is helping them make some big improvements.

Watch for Oryla and Galanta on the show circuit the next few months, and performing Dressage demonstrations in conjunction with the Irish Village at the World Equestrian Games. See the below video of Oryla and Galanta doing Intermediare I at Dressage at Thermal in February 2010:

Spotlight on Demo Rider: Emma Wexler

2010-05-27T09:14:00.000-07:00

Emma Wexler is the 12-year-old owner/rider of Registered Irish Draught Sport Horse gelding, Rebel's Run. Emma and Rebel teamed up when they met in 2008. Best to hear Emma's first impression straight from her:

"In anticipation of meeting my new horse, I looked up “rebel” on dictionary.com: “a person who resists any authority, control, or tradition.” Knowing this certainly didn’t make me feel any safer in the saddle, as I swung clumsily up onto the back of a 16h, heavily muscled, dappled grey gelding. It was October 2008, and I was just 10-years-old. So far, the most experience I’d had with a jumper was gaping while Jenny Nelson groomed her horses. So this powerful, playful gelding named Rebel was more than my brain could handle, and I was going to try him out. I was apprehensive as we walked tentatively around the ring. The contrast between my mount and I was like night and day. He was calm, confident, and just a touch cocky, while I was small as a flea on his back and had the confidence of a tulip bulb. You could say I was feeling the pressure, as half a dozen trainers sized us up. I’m still unsure how we “passed” the test, but we did somehow, and that’s what counts. Diane Nunn, my trainer at the time, called out something, probably correcting my posture. To be honest, I think most of it passed over my head, I was exhilarated and in awe, I was riding a "Jumper." I was a little intimidated at first - actually, a lot! Rebel had a solid reputation in many different disciplines. He's definitely named 'Rebel' for a reason! He's mischievous, loving, and loyal all rolled together. He'll nibble my hair just to get a reaction."

Emma began showing Rebel soon after. It was at the Late Fall Pima Academy Cup horse show in Tucson where Emma took her first fall off Rebel in the show ring. Rebel, true to form, finished the line perfectly. After realizing Emma was no longer riding him, he trotted around the ring handsomely and controlled, stopping right at her side. From then on, they became fast friends. This season, Emma and Rebel showed well together in many places including Des Moines, Mason City and Chicago--especially over fences. At the MN Hunter Jumper Association year-end awards dinner, Emma won “Best Child Rider” for 2009. Winning the IDHSNA Hunter I award was also an honor for both horse and rider. Emma is so proud of the work she and Rebel have accomplished to date.
Emma lives in Minnetonka, Minnesota, with her mom, Elizabeth, and her Corgi, Sammi. They own three horses: Rebel’s Run, Bam Bam, and Rose. Look for Emma and Rebel performing jumping Demonstrations in conjunction with the Irish Village at the World Equestrian Games.

Spotlight on Demo Horse: Rebel's Run

2010-05-27T08:56:00.000-07:00

Rebel's Run is a 16 hand grey 9-year-old Registered Irish Draught Sport Horse gelding. It has been said that Rebel was born to jump! His sire, Rebel Yell, is by Glenagyle Rebel out of Neaptide, by Seacrest. His grand sire was a Grade A show jumper and successful stallion, before being exported to Zimbabwe, where he was the champion sport horse stallion in “98.” His grandmother is by Seacrest, one of the top show jumping stallions in Ireland and sire of “Cruising.” Rebel’s Run’s dam is Gala Rose, a thoroughbred mare who was off the track, having won 10 races.

Rebel was bred and raised by Gayle Sheahen of Irish Ridge Farm. Gayle originally envisioned Rebel to be her retirement horse, but he excelled so well in competition, she had to see how far he could go. Rebel's professional training began in 2006 with Carlie Beisel, and they placed first in eventing Beginner Novice his second time out. Carlie and Gayle agreed that Rebel's passion was jumping with a "10" jump, so he began focusing on Hunter/Jumper. After six month, Carlie recommended Rebel begin training with Mike and Heather Bonham. The Bonham's daughter, Kels, rode Rebel first at the 2007 Hits Desert Circuit in Palm Spring, California, and ended the season in Syracuse, New York at the Maclay Finals, where Rebel was the youngest horse there. In 2008, he competed in his first Grand Prix at Lake St Louis. That fall Kels said goodbye to Rebel and went on to Harrisburg, PA where she competed against 274 riders to win the 2008 Pessoa/USEF Hunter Seat Medal Final. Rebel headed north to the Fall Harvest show in Minnesota to meet his new owner Emma.Awards
6 yr Old Young Jumpers Championship Midwest League in Lexington KY. 5th place
2007 USEF/USHJD Zone Horse of the Year 5th place
2008 USEF/USHJD Zone Horse of the Year 4th place
2008 Ranked National points 64th for USEF Jr Jumper
Irish Draught Society Year End Awards
2006 Hunter Reserve Championship
2007 Jumping I Reserve Championship
2007 Jumping II Championship
2008 Jumping I Reserve Championship
2008 Jumping II Championship
It was at the Minnesota Harvest Horse Show that Rebel found current owner/rider, Emma Wexler. Emma was 10-years-old at the time. Since teaming up, Emma has ridden him very successfully in the hunter jumper arena. Last year, Emma won the IDHSNA year-end award for Hunter I. She also won the 2009 Minnesota Hunter Jumper Association Best Child Rider award. Since February, they have begun competing at the show jumping level. Right now, they’re competing at levels 0 and 1 and having a great time! Emma is definitely finding her way in show jumping since she made the transition from hunters. Emma and Rebel are beyond excited and working very hard to prepare for their jumping demonstrations in conjunction with the Irish Village at the World Equestrian Games this fall!

Spotlight on Demo Rider: Anne Gaudet

2010-05-11T13:53:00.000-07:00

Demo rider, Anne Gaudet, started asking to ride when she could barely walk. When she was 6, she started vaulting with the New England Valkyries, immediately showing talent and dedication while driving her coach crazy with questionable attentiveness. In contrast to constant distraction at practice, at competitions, Anne would remember everything she’d ever been told and produce impressive performances. Unfortunately, after several years of vaulting (and competing twice at Nationals), Anne sustained repetitive stress injuries that ended her vaulting career.

Fortunately for Anne, she had also started riding ponies and showing with Red Acre Farm in Stow MA., so she still had an outlet for her love of horses. She was a successful competitor at local shows and taught two of Red Acre’s ponies to jump, including a grey paint mare who was a great great grand-daughter of Native Dancer. After moving to Colorado in 2006, Anne purchased her first horse, a TB hunter named Ernie. She showed Ernie in hunter and equitation classes for a season before soundness issues ended Ernie’s jumping days.

When looking for a replacement mount, Anne decided to switch to eventing so she could ride with Martha Deeds of Middleground Farm in Larkspur CO. She found a new partner in Rompope, an aged palomino Spanish Barb/TB who could jump the moon but had never evented before. Anne and Rompope entered 11 events over two seasons, competing successfully at Novice and Training level, in Colorado and then in Illinois, after a family move to a farm west of Chicago.After two seasons of competition, Rompope’s age started to catch up with him and Anne was looking for a new mount again. This time she wanted to find a young horse with the talent to take her through the Young Rider program. After searching the Internet and visiting several barns to look at prospects, Anne found her forever horse at Gina Kirby’s farm in Pennsylvania. Celtic Manor Forever Diamonds ("Ziggy") is a delightful opinionated IDSH mare with athleticism to spare. Ziggy and Anne have quickly come to trust each other while look for challenges to tackle together. Anne took last season off to bring Ziggy along, and now the pair is ready to start gaining competition experience at Novice level. Anne looks forward to continuing up the levels with this talented mare who looks like her sire in slightly smaller package. Look for Anne and Ziggy performing Demonstrations in Dressage, Show Jumping, and Eventing, as part of the Irish Village at the World Equestrian Games.

Spotlight on Demo Horse: Celtic Manor Forever Diamonds

2010-05-11T10:30:00.001-07:00

Celtic Manor Forever Diamonds ("Ziggy") is a 15.2 hand 2004 grey IDSH mare by Flag of Diamonds RID out of Caretaker (TB). She inherited her dam’s size and her sire’s movement and athletic talent. Her breeder, Gina Kirby, reports that she jumped out of her stall, over the wheelbarrow, when only a few days old. That says it all about Ziggy – “never mind the obstacles, I’m on my way.” Ziggy was purchased by junior rider, Anne Gaudet, in March 2009, to be her Young Rider mount in eventing. Ziggy was green but exhibited lovely movement and a determined attitude that fit well with Anne’s own zest for life. The idea of bringing a young horse along, rather than retraining an older mount was appealing to the 15-year old.
Anne and Ziggy have spent the past year working on developing trust and balance. Anne had ridden geldings before Ziggy, and had to master the fine art of “asking” rather than “telling” to get maximum cooperation from the mare. Ziggy was all heart but needed to learn to listen and to wait for Anne’s requests. Ziggy’s balance and turning ability have improved tremendously as she has built muscle and strength through dressage. Her jumping ability was never in question, but it is much easier to get to the fences with her haunches engaged.

The pair have just started to compete and look forward to an exciting season eventing at Novice level this year. Their first official competition is the Fox River Valley Pony Club Mini-Event on May 15.
Anne and Ziggy have qualified to perform Demonstrations in Dressage, Show Jumping, and Eventing as part of the Irish Village at the World Equestrian Games.

Congrats Demo Teams at Holly Hill Horse Trials

2010-04-26T08:55:00.000-07:00

Holly Hill Farm held their Spring Horse Trial April 16-18, 2010, in Benton, Louisiana. Congratulations to Demo team Ashley Bailey-Classen and her Irish Draught Sport Horse gelding, Sportfield Zebadee, who took home First Place in Open Preliminary in a tough field of 18! They had a 23.6 in Dressage, clean stadium and cross country, with 2.8 cross country time faults.

Congraultions also to Demo team Bailey Moran and her Irish Draught Sport Horse gelding, Corocotta, for a Second Place finish in Junior Beginner Novice, in a field of 15. They had a 38.5 in Dressage, and clean stadium and cross country with no time faults. They came short of first by only half a point.

Good job Team!! Look for Ashley and Zeb, and Bailey and Corey, performing Demonstrations as part of the Irish Village at the World Equestrian Games this fall!

In the News: Steeped in Luck & Tom Dvorak

2010-04-26T08:05:00.000-07:00

Demo team, Steeped in Luck and Tom Dvorak, had a spotlight article in Canada's "Horse Sport" magazine's May 2010 Horse Show issue.

The article highlighted how Tom was initially hesitant to take on the big Irish Draught stallion, but has really seen him blossom in training the past three years to compete extremely successfully at the upper levels in both Canada and most recently in Wellington, Florida, winning a Fourth Level Open Championship title there.
Eamon and Tom are consistently getting high scores from the FEI judges, and had a second place finish with a 65% at their first Prix St. Georges competition at Welcome Back to White Fences I! Tom stressed in the article the importance for all riders to be open to all breeds of horses. Tom also noted that Eamon's special qualities are his, "willingness to work, ability to be challenged, and huge heart."

Eamon is owned by Keith and Elizabeth Douglas of Pairadox Farm (become a "fan" of the farm on Facebook!). Eamon and Tom will be performing Dressage demonstrations as part of the Irish Village at the World Equestrian Games.

Spotlight on Demo Rider: Glenda Player

2010-04-14T20:44:00.001-07:00

Demo rider Glenda Player created this video blog to highlight her Demo performances at the World Equestrian Games aboard her Irish Draught Sport Horses, PL Cha Cha and PL Lucky Tammy. Read more about Glenda and her horses at her website www.playlandequestriancenter.com or check out her YouTube channel www.youtube.com/user/playlandfarm.

Congrats Gaby, Bailey & Corocotta!

2010-04-06T18:23:00.000-07:00

Congrats to two of our WEG Demo riders for their success at the USEA Horse Trials at Pine Hill in Bellville, Texas last weekend.
Bailey Moran and her Irish Draught Sport Horse gelding, Corocotta de la Galerna, took home first place in Beginner Novice! They had a 35.5 in Dressage and went clean on Stadium and Cross Country!

Fellow Demo rider Gaby Stephens and her Quarter Horse, Doin a Dash, were right behind Bailey in Beginner Novice, coming in 4th place with a 38 in Dressage, and one pole down in Stadium.

Congrats to Christine & Fergus!

2010-03-24T15:40:00.001-07:00

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!

Spotlight on Demo Horse: Galanta

2010-03-18T07:31:00.000-07:00

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:

Spotlight on Demo Horse: PL Cha Cha

2010-03-15T08:44:00.000-07:00

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!

Spotlight on Demo Horse: Corocotta de la Galerna

2010-03-10T19:31:00.002-08:00

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

2010-03-10T19:31:00.001-08:00

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

Update on Demo Horse: Grace's Star

2010-03-04T13:16:00.000-08:00

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."

Congrats to Ashley & Sportfield's Zebadee!

2010-03-03T12:23:00.001-08:00

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!

Demo Team Photo Shoot: Fergus & Christine

2010-02-22T21:12:00.001-08:00

Photos by: http://www.cherylstephensphotography.com

Update on Demo Horse: Steeped in Luck

2010-02-19T07:40:00.000-08:00

Steeped in Luck traveled with trainer Tom Dvorak to Wellington, Florida, in mid-January. Their first show was the Gold Coast Dressage Opener the last weekend in January where they competed at Fourth Level. Tom and Steeped in Luck were only able to compete two of the three days. Steeped in Luck was 4th on day one and 2nd on day two.

This past weekend, Steeped in Luck competed at Fourth Level at the Wellington Classic Spring Challenge. His competitiveness improved daily placing 4th on Friday, 3rd on Saturday and 1st on Sunday. Steeped in Luck appeared to enjoy the more challenging test which was on Sunday when he attained his highest score of 68.78% and 1st place finish; however, the best news was that Steeped in Luck and Tom's consistency paid off over the three days - they were Fourth Level Champions!!!

Steeped in Luck received a championship ribbon and Tom received a pat on the back; while stallion owner, Keith Douglas, received a black jacket with the logo "Wellington Classic Dressage Spring Challenge". Keith keeps a watchful eye on the jacket that he says cost him "$$,$$$".

Congrats to Tom, Pairadox Farm and Steeped in Luck on their 2010 successes to date! Watch for the this pair doing Dressage Demonstrations in conjunction with the Irish Village at WEG.

Volunteer Contact

2010-02-15T07:21:00.000-08:00

It is now time to organize and establish our volunteer team for the Irish Village at the World Equestrian Games. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact:

Lyn Lindstrom
Volunteer Coordinator
Irish Village at WEG 2010
1399 SW Clevenger Lane
Port Orchard, WA 98367
tllindstrom@earthlink.net
fax: 916.209.9937

Spotlight on Demo Horse: Kiko

2010-02-05T12:11:00.000-08:00

Kiko is a 14.2 hand 7-year-old bay Registered Irish Draught Sport Horse mare, sired by Welcome Diamond RID and out of the mare Moorpark Mystery Date RIDSH. Kiko was bred in Ireland and brough over in utero to northern Virginia by Wendy Ying DVM (http://www.sportcob.com/). She and Kiko then moved to Florida, and when old enough, Kiko was broke to ride and drive. She competed in ridden Dressage Intro level with Wendy and competed in prelim level Combined Driving Events (CDEs) in Florida, earning 1st and 2nd in 2008.
In the summer of 2008, Kiko was purchased by Boo Fitch West. The past two years, Kiko has foxhunted with a junior rider with the Smith Mountain Hounds. She has also competed in Training level Dressage at the IDHSNA Annual Show with professional Dressage trainer, Harriet Peterson of Lynchburg, Virginia, earning Reserve Champion competing against a multitude of different horses, including stallions. Kiko and Boo have competed in CDEs Prelim level at both the National and Local level shows. Kiko is training to compete as a pair in 2010 with a Section D Welsh Cob gelding.
A funny story Boo shares about Kiko was at a CDE in the Fall of 2009 when Kiko was a little behind time on Section A of the marathon. The course wound around farms and turned onto a dirt road. Boo and Kiko happened to turn onto that road right behind an unsuspecting bicycle rider. Kiko saw the biker and immediately raised her head, perked her ears, and became more forward, wanting to follow and stay up with the bicycle. The poor bicycle rider was pedaling faster and faster to get out of the way, and Kiko got faster to keep pace in the race! Boo laughed the whole way to the finish line as they followed and overtook the biker and came in on time.

Kiko has qualified to perform Demonstrations in Combined Driving (driven by Boo Fitch West) and Dressage (ridden by Harriet Peterson), so watch for her in the Demo ring in conjunction with the Irish Village at the World Equestrian Games.

Spotlight on Demo Rider: Christine McCarter

2010-02-05T11:27:00.000-08:00

Demo rider Christine McCarter is a pre-vet student at Texas A&M University and has been riding for 15 years. After 3 years of the trail and western riding, she saw girls jumping and decided that’s what she wanted to do. She began riding English, doing the hunter/jumper circuit. When Christine turned 10, her parents bought her first horse, Doin A Dash (aka: Reckless). Reckless was 5 at the time, but Christine's parents thought she was experienced enough to handle him. The pair started doing the hunter/jumper circuit together and moved up very quickly through it.

Because Reckless was a Quarter Horse, they started doing the English side of Quarter Horse shows. After a year and half competing in the youth Quarter Horse shows, Christine and Reckless qualified together to go to the American Quarter Horse Youth World Show. They went, but never got called back for the final rounds. Reckless and Christine then decided to try their hand at eventing and began training with Nancy Lindsey. They worked their way through Novice and qualified for the Area V Novice Championship and ended up in 4th place at that event. After that, the pair moved up to Training level.

In 2007, Christine got a big, white birthday present, in the form of a beautiful 2 turning 3-year-old Irish Draught Sport Horse, Fergus Mac Finn, or Fergus as he's called. Christine backed him herself and put all the steering, brakes, dressage, and jump in him with the help of her trainer. He had natural talent, so he was very easy to train. Christine began focusing on getting Reckless to the Training 3-day in 2008 and showing Fergus Beginner Novice. She took the two horses to Kentucky in July that year to show at Champagne Run at the Kentucky Horse before she went off to college. Christine took both horses to college with her, so she could keep training them. She then turned her sights to move Reckless up to Prelim and make it to the Young Rider Championship. Reckless ended up getting injured during training and had to be retired from upper-level eventing. Fergus stepped up to the plate at the first fall show in Area V and obtained a 24.5 dressage score and finished on that to win first place. Fergus continued doing well in Beginner Novice and made it to the Area V Beginner Novice Championships the next month. After the championship, Christine moved Fergus up to Novice.

In the summer of 2009, Christine helped train two young Irish Draught Sport horses along with continuing Fergus’s training. In the fall of 2009, Christine and Fergus went to the Area V Novice championship and got 4th place. Now, Fergus has moved up to Training level, with the focus for 2010 to qualify for the Training 3-day. Fergus and Christine have had the opportunity to work with Leslie Law, Karen O’Connor, and Nick Larkin.

Christine, aboard Demo horse Fergus MacFinn, has qualifed to perform Demonstrations in Dressage, Jumping, Eventing, and Foxhunting, so look for the pair in the Demo ring in conjunction with the Irish Village at the World Equestrian Games.

Spotlight on Demo Horse: Fergus MacFinn

2010-02-05T11:22:00.000-08:00

Demo rider Christine McCarter was looking for a young horse to train and compete. She was at a lesson with her trainer and saw a big white horse playing in the pasture. At the time, Fergus MacFinn (aka: Fergus) was a gangly 15.3 hand 2-year-old, but she decided to look at him in the round pen. He was a trooper and did everything he was asked to do. So, Christine's mother decided to buy him for her birthday. He had only done ground work, so Christine was the first to back him. At first, he had no power steering or brakes, but he learned those very quickly. After that he had to learn how to do eventing, but it all seemed to come pretty naturally to him. Fergus is by the RID stallion, Mac's Blue Erin, out of the Thoroughbred mare, High Dynah.

At his first show, Fergus did Green as Grass as a 3-year-old. Now, he has moved up through Beginner Novice and Novice. He is now a 16.2 hand 6-year-old that is running Training level. Fergus has not been a Grand Champion yet, but everywhere he goes everyone loves him.

Fergus is always in training for 3-day eventing. He is ridden anywhere from 4 to 6 times week, doing dressage mainly but jumping once or twice a week. To keep him fit for cross country, he goes on trail rides every couple of weeks, where he gets to do everything from walking, trotting, and galloping.

Fergus’s favorite toy in the pasture is Christine's mom’s minature horse, The Little Duke of Foster, also known as Foster. Fergus likes to play chase the minature and pick up the minature. They are hilarious to watch because Fergus is this big almost completely white horse, and Foster is little black minature. Another funny story Christine tells is one day she and Fergus were riding with some friends, when this woman brings out one of the young horses at the barn. As the group was jumping some of the cross country fences there, the lady decided to try to get the young horse down the bank. The young horse did not want to go. So, Fergus, ever the helper, got behind the horse and pushed the young horse down the bank with his nose. It finally worked! That's Irish ingenuity!

Watch for Fergus and Christine in the Demo ring on behalf of the Irish Village at the World Equestrian Games. They are qualified to Demo in Dressage, Eventing, Jumping, and Foxhunting.

Update on Demo Horse: Bridon Beale Street

2010-02-05T08:08:00.000-08:00

Demo horse, Bridon Beale Street (aka: Liam), has gotten a little break over the winter, as his home state of California has experienced a extraordinary deluge of rain and water. Demo rider, Connie Arthur, has managed to get some work in despite the weather, and Liam has enjoyed learning his flying changes.

Liam's co-owner, Shirley Kahlert, has her new Stoneleigh Farm website up and running at http://stoneleighirishdraughts.com. Check the site out to read more about Liam, his offspring, and the Irish Draught breed.

Update on Demo Rider: Gaby Stephens

2010-02-01T21:49:00.000-08:00

Young Demo Rider Gaby Stephens and her eventing mount, Reckless, participated in an eventing clinic at Pine Hill in Bellville, Texas, over the weekend with Olympic silver medalist, Gina Miles (www.mileseventing.com), rider of famed Irish Sport Horse McKinlaigh!

Although the weather was cold a dreary, all who attended the clinic had a wonderful time and learned an enormous amount.

IDHSNA Stallion Service Auction

2010-01-29T15:44:00.001-08:00

Breedings to Demo stallions Braveheart, Bridon Beale Street, and Cradilo, will be up for bid in the 2010 Irish Draught Horse Society Stallion Service Auction, to be held online February 21 through March 7! Breed your own exceptional purebred or partbred Irish Draught! Auction preview is up, so set up your log in and get ready to bid: www.irishdraughtauction.com

Spotlight on Demo Rider: Tom Dvorak

2010-01-14T14:37:00.001-08:00

Tom Dvorak was born in Germany and began riding as a child. Little did his family know at that time that his passion would take him around the globe with an illustrious Dressage career.

In 1982, his family relocated to Canada, where Tom became a member of the Silver medal winning Canadian Young Riders' team. In 1990, Tom represented Canada at the World Equestrian Game sin Stockholm on his horse, World Cup. In 1993, Tom and Assanti were members of the Gold Medal Team at the North American Dressage Championships, and later qualified to represent Canada at the 1996 World Cup in Los Angeles. That same year, Tom and World Cup were named to the team representing Canada at the Olympic Games in Atlanta. At the end of 1997, Tom won another World Cup Qualifier at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair aboard Clearly Canadian, and the team went on to represent Canada at the 1998 World Cup Finals in Goteborg, Sweden.

The past decade has been another series of accomplishments in the Dressage world. In 2001, Tom competed at the World Breeders Championsips in Verden, Germany, aboard the 5-year-old Fortissimo, placing 17th overall. In 2002, Tom and Lenz were part of the Silver Medal Team at the Cup of the Americas, claiming the Individual Bronze medal. In 2004, Tom teamed up with Ashley Holzer and riding Beaumarchais and Westside Lady, won the Can Am Team Challenge at Devon. In 2007, Tom and Beaumarchais were named to the team representing Canada at the Pan American Games in Rio, bringing home the Silver Team Medal and placing 4th individually.

Tom and his wife, Ellen, call Hillsburgh, Ontario, home. Tom trains out of Gilbrea Stables, owned by Alex Wilson. Look for Tom doing Dressage demos aboard Steeped in Luck in conjunction with the Irish Village at the World Equestrian Games Demonstrations.

Spotlight on Demo Horse: Steeped in Luck

2010-01-14T14:27:00.000-08:00

Steeped in Luck (aka: “Eamon”) is a dark bay 16.3 hand Registered Irish Draught stallion owned by Keith and Elizabeth Douglas of Pairadox Farm (http://www.pairadoxfarm.com) in Canada. Eamon was imported from Ireland in 2002 as a weanling and is by Mount Diamond Flag RID out of Steeple View RID. His pedigree is rich in performance bloodlines including King of Diamonds and Pride of Shaunlara. Although Steeped in Luck's bloodlines are through and through jumper lines, he has demonstrated his versatility showing the past few years in open dressage competition. Eamon was Ontario’s Second Level (2008) and Third Level (2009) Dressage Champion in open competition. In addition to his athletic performance, Eamon is true to breed standard. In 2007, he competed at the North American Irish Draught Annual Show in Chicago. He was entered in 4 classes and won all 4 classes, including the highly competitive in-hand stallion class. Eamon is currently being ridden and trained by Olympian Tom Dvorak from Hillsburgh, Ontario. Eamon and Tom draw attention wherever they go, with judges stopping to inquire on what breed he is and commenting on what a beautiful mind he has. Tom says of Eamon, “as a trainer there is much to admire about him: his temperament is amazing, his willingness to work and learn - exceptional, the capability to collect - it's dead easy for him. He has turned a lot heads.”Eamon and Tom are in Wellington, Florida for the winter season competing at Fourth Level. Their first show was the Jim Brandon Center’s Gold Coast Opener CDI, and Eamon and Tom secured a 4th and 2nd place in competitive Open Division at 4th Level! After a hard day of work, Eamon showed true Irish temperament and laid down and took a snooze while his braids were removed. Eamon was housed in the CDI barn and so inadvertently got his temperature taken by the FEI vet on his rounds. The vet then asked that he be removed from his stall, but not for medical reasons, but because he wanted to take pictures of him with his iPhone to show his friends! Just another example of how Eamon makes new fans and friends everywhere he goes. Look for Tom and Eamon performing Dressage Demonstrations at the World Equestrian Games in conjunction with the Irish Village. You won’t want to miss this pair!

Video: Bridon Beale Street Eventing

2010-01-13T17:11:00.000-08:00

Video of Demo horse, Bridon Beale Street, eventing in California. Look for more of the same at the World Equestrian Games!

Video: Tom Dvorak & Steeped in Luck

2010-01-13T16:52:00.000-08:00

In June 2009, Demo rider, Tom Dvorak, and horse, Steeped in Luck, took home Third Level Reserve Champion at what could be Canada's largest dressage show ever. the pair showed in the OPEN division at Third level for the first time. Class sizes ranged from 17 to 19 horses. Combined scores over the 3 days resulted in Steeped in Luck being awarded Reserve Champion at Third Level.

After completing his 3rd and final test, FEI "I" judge Jane Weatherwax's curiosity got the best of her - she had to ask Tom what breed the stallion was while commenting that his mount had the most BEAUTIFUL MIND! Ms. Weatherwax, who judged the most recent Pan American games, gave Steeped in Luck a 70% in one of his 3 tests over the weekend.

Video: Amy Hunter & Cradilo Win Grand Prix

2010-01-13T16:42:00.000-08:00

On June 6, 2009, Demo horse Cradilo and rider Amy Hunter won their first Grand Prix event in Mason, Iowa. Weather conditions were sloppy, and this was intended to be a warm up event for the pair after taking a month off upon returning from intensive training in Ocala, Florida. The pair ended up having a clean round and taking home their first Grand Prix win! This is the type of excellence you'll be seeing them Demo at the World Equestrian Games.

Spotlight on Demo Horse: Glenlord's Laralie

2010-01-13T12:48:00.002-08:00

Glenlord’s Laralie (aka "Lara") is a 4-year-old 16 hand stunning chestnut Irish Draught Sport Horse mare. The Stephens family in Texas have had Lara since she was weaned. Lara was purchased to be the future upper level event horse of young rider Gaby Stephens. Lara is currently in training for dressage, and when she comes out of dressage training she will begin her jump training. When Lara was a yearling, she went to the American Warmblood Society for inspections and approval. She won the Bronze Medal. She was a judge favorite for her wonderful temperament and her fabulous conformation.
Lara's sire is the late Bridon Glenlord RID. Her Dam is a Jockey Club Thoroughbred/GOV Oldenburg. Lara is proving to be the epitome of the Irish Draught Sport Horse, with her wonderful movement, temperament, and heart. It is a testament to the breed that these horses are trusted with young riders, and Gaby can't wait to show the world what she and Lara can do together at the World Equestrian Games! Look for them in the Demo ring.

Spotlight on Demo Rider: Gaby Stephens

2010-01-13T12:48:00.001-08:00

Gaby Stephens is a 12-year-old horse crazy girl! She has been riding since she was 6-years-old, but really began competitive training starting in 2005 when she started to learn dressage. Gaby and her pony, Royal Spiritual Wind (aka “Spirit”), won countless titles and awards in dressage and open shows since then, competing up to Training level. Gaby was the 2008 Reserve Junior Champion for the Central Texas Dressage Society on Spirit. Gaby and spirit then started eventing together until Gaby outgrew her. Gaby’s current mount is Doin a Dash (aka “Reckless”), an AQHA Appendix who has evented through Training level. Gaby and Reckless will be competing in Beginner’s Novice at USEA shows in the Spring and Summer of 2010.
Reckless will be teaching Gaby the ropes of upper level eventing, and concurrently Gaby will begin her Dressage career with her future upper level event dreamhorse, Demo horse Glenlord’s Laralie (aka “Lara”). Watch for this young rider and horse performing Dressage demonstration at the World Equestrian Games and beyond!

Spotlight on Demo Horse: Fernhill Henry Juan

2010-01-05T13:03:00.000-08:00

Fernhill Henry Juan (aka "Gideon") is a seven year old Irish Sport Horse/Selle Francais cross. Gideon was brought over from Ireland in 2006 when Ashley and her dad made a horse-shopping trip. When Ashley tried him for the first time he was only four years old, had just been broken to ride, and had just had a week and a half off because the trainer had been on vacation. Ashley says even then he was a complete gentleman. She proceeded to be the first one to put him over fences, which he handled like he had done it all of his life. Even though he was so green, he had such an unbelievable natural talent, Ashley and her father knew that this was one they could not pass up. Gideon made the long trip to Texas, and then had to make the even longer trip that we call growing up.
Ashley has taken Gideon’s training slow to allow him to grow up and come into his full potential. In 2007, Gideon took third in the Young Event Horse Trials held at Roadrunner Farms. He started showing in the Hunter/Jumper circuit in 2008 and has since been to a few select shows. Most recently he competed in the 1.15/1.20m jumper classes at both The Great Southwest Hunter/Jumper Show and The Final Chase Horse Show held at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Houston, Texas.

Gideon is quite a large horse, standing at 17.1, but Ashley was watching him stand there like a little lamb while he got body clipped in preparation for a show. He was just standing there half asleep while a guy worked on each of his back legs. He was so unbothered! This is the mind we love about the Irish Horse!!!

Watch for Ashley and Gideon to perform Show Jumping Demonstrations in conjunction with the Irish Village at the World Equestrian Games.

Spotlight on Demo Horse: Sportsfield's Zebadee

2010-01-05T12:56:00.000-08:00

Sportsfield’s Zebadee (aka: "Zeb") is a nine year old Irish Sport Horse/Holsteiner cross. Zeb was brought over from Ireland in 2006 when Ashley and her Dad made a horse-shopping trip. Zeb and Ashley’s first cross-country experience was in Ireland in the cold, misty darkness. Ashley said she could not even see the water jump as they were cantering up to it, but Zeb, being a typical brave Irish horse, cantered straight through it. Ashley knew right then he was one they needed to buy.
Zeb has since been learning the ropes as an upper level event horse. Heather Morris rode Zeb for the majority of 2009, while Ashley finished up her Bachelors degree. Most recently Ashley and Zeb won the Open Preliminary division at Holly Hill Horse Trials in October 2009. After that, Zeb has had a little well-deserved time off and has been brushing up on his dressage moves. Bre Dorset, a FEI dressage trainer, has been helping me put him through his paces. She feels his movement is good enough to be an international dressage horse.

Zeb had a blast competing at Meadow Creek Park in October 2009, even though they had to run in the mud. The stall wall was short enough in front for him to reach his head over and get into Ashley's tack trunk and scatter all of her stuff. He thought it was great! Ashley couldn’t keep anything out or it would have either been confiscated and taken into his stall or thrown into a neighbor’s stall for sharing.
Watch for Ashley and Zeb performing Demonstrations in Dressage, Eventing, and Show Jumping in conjunction with the Irish Village at the World Equestrian Games.

Spotlight on Demo Horse: Ballynoe Rum

2010-01-05T12:48:00.000-08:00

Ballynoe Rum (aka "Rummy") is a thirteen year old Irish Sport Horse by Convinced. He was brought over from Ireland when he was five. Ashley received the ride after her father, Ashley Classen, rode Rummy to a second place finish in the Midsouth Three-Day Event CCI* in 2003. Ashley and Rummy went on to represent Area V in the North American Junior/Young Rider Championships in 2005, where they won a team gold in the CCI**.
Rummy ran his last Intermediate Horse Trial in the spring of 2006. Since then he and Ashley have successfully competed in numerous Grad Prix in the jumper world. During the summer of 2007, Rummy won the Junior/Amateur-Owner classic and placed second in the $25,000 Grand Prix at Brownland Farms. In October of this year, he came second in the $5,000 1.20m Classic at The Final Chase Horse Show held at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center. He has truly proven himself as a well-rounded horse able to fit into any mold that Ashley asks him to step into.

In Fall 2009, Rummy competed at both The Great Southwest Hunter/Jumper Show and The Final Chase Horse Show in Houston, Tx. He took second in the $5,000 1.20m Classic the second week and only had one down in the 1.40m Grand Prix the first week. Since then his show schedule has settled down for the winter, and he and Ashley are getting back to some basic training. Rummy and Ashley participated in a two-day clinic with McLain Ward just before Thanksgiving.
Ashley feels Rummy is one of those wonderful horses because he is so constant in his work ethic. Everyday she works with him, no matter what has happened recently, he always gives her a wonderful ride and is a joy to work with on her team. Watch for Ashley and Rummy to perform Demonstrations of Eventing and Show Jumping in conjunction with the Irish Village at the World Equestrian Games.

Spotlight on Demo Rider: Ashley Bailey-Classen

2010-01-05T12:46:00.000-08:00

Ashley Scott Bailey-Classen is a 23 year old who has, in her short life, certainly learned the fine art of the packing a lot of life into a little span of time. She developed a great propensity for focus and organization early in life in order to be able to travel the United States, Canada and Mexico for her horse shows yet complete a demanding home school program.

At the age of 5 years old she developed a love affair with the horse that would only grow with time into a passion that would consume her decisions concerning her daily existence. She has competed successfully at the FEI CCI*** Level in Eventing and the Grand Prix level of Show Jumping. At a young age she qualified for Pony Finals in the Virginia Commonwealth. She has represented the USEA’s Area V in the North American Young Rider’s Championship for four years. In 2002 her team placed 4th with an 8th Individual placing. The following year in Quebec her team took the Silver metal with a 13th individual placing. Back in Chicago for the 2004 Championships her team once again took the 4th honor with a 15th individual placing for Ashley Scott. The hard work culminated in 2005 when her team won the Gold medal and Ashley Scott won a 6th Individual. The Gold metal was shared with her beloved Irish Sport Horse, Ballynoe Rum. Ashley Scott was, all the while, competing all over the nation where she advanced from being 10th place at the Red Hills CCI** to being the highest placed Young Rider at the Red Hills CCI***. She has been the Young Rider Representative to the USEA for Area V for three years.
Ashley is no newcomer to the Show Jumping arena either. She has been successfully competing in that venue since 1992 and was invited to compete at the coveted La Silla International competition in Monterrey, Mexico. In 2006 she advanced to the Grand Prix level of show jumping and began to train with McLain Ward. Last year she won the Classic at Brownland Farms and took 2nd Place in the Grand Prix once again partnered with Ballynoe Rum. Her most recent outing with Ballynoe Rum resulted in a 2nd place at The Final Chase Jumper Classic.
Ashley Scott’s scholastic achievements have also been very impressive. She home schooled successfully since 1996 to allow time for her demanding training program. She is graduating from North Texas University with a Major in Biology and a Minor in Chemistry in December, 2009 with the honor of Magna Cum Laude. She has now been invited to attend three medical schools as an early decision recipient for the Class of 2014.

The influence of the horses from the Emerald Isle on Ashley’s life began with her first three horses, two Welchs and a Connemara. Since that time she has always had multiple Irish horses to ride in her barn. Due to the sound, sane innate talent of the Irish horse, her family began to breed the Irish Draught and the Irish Sport Horse for her competition horses. For the last eight years Ashley Scott has not only done well on the show circuit, excelled in her studies, but has also managed the operation of the two family farms including the boarding and the breeding operations. She is responsible for the breeding, training and competition planning for each of the 46 horses that currently reside on her farms. Tall order for a small woman but always very well done.
Look for Ashley performing Demonstrations of Dressage, Eventing, and Show Jumping on her three Irish horses - Ballynoe Rum, Sportsfield's Zebadee, Fernhill Henry Juan - as part of the Irish Village at the World Equestrian Games.

Spotlight on Demo Horse: Dandelion Diamond Rebel

2010-01-04T12:54:00.000-08:00

Dandelion Diamond Rebel (aka "Conor") is a 17 hand 9-year-old Registered Irish Draught stallion by Rebel Yell RID out of Ballybehan Beauty RID. Conor was bred in North America at Dandelion Farm (www.dandelionfarm.com), then was owned and competed by Melissa Mysing at Breezy Hollow Hunters (www.breezyhollow.com) in Mt. Hermon, Louisiana, and now is owned by Irvin and Victoria Crawford of Hunters Trap Farm in Boyds, Maryland.
Conor has excellent bloodlines known for their jumping ability and good dispositions. He most enjoys eventing and foxhunting and has competed in and won several events. Conor, ridden by owner Irvin, is currently the senior master's horse leading the field at the Potomoc Hunt. Among his other accolades, he was Grand Champion at the 2008 Upperville Horse Show in Virginia.
Conor had a busy fall of traveling and competing. In early October, he competed and won a division championship at the IDHSNA Annual Show in Lexington, Virginia. He then headed to upstate New York to hunt with the Genessee Valley Hunt. Next, he went south again to hunt with Farmington Hunt in Charlottesville, Virginia, before heading home to lead the field for the Potomac Hunt.
Maybe the "Horse of Kings" title should be bestowed on the Irish Draught breed, as often that is the treatment they get from their owners. While at the IDHSNA Annual Show, Conor was tired from competing all day. So, as the Crawfords were preparing his dinner, he laid down in his stall. So to keep him comfortable, his doting owners placed his feed tub under his nose so that he could rest and eat at the same time! He was total entertainment for his aisle the whole show.

Conor can do it all, so look for him potentially doing demonstrations in Dressage, Eventing, Show Jumping, Hunters, and Foxhunting at the World Equestrian Games, ridden by Melissa Mysing and Brittany Fiebrandt.

Spotlight on Demo Horse: Miss Pamela

2010-01-04T12:23:00.000-08:00

Miss Pamela (Macha Breeze RID x Shakin' JC-TB by Olympic Judge) is an 18.1 hand six-year-old Registered Irish Draught Sport Horse owned by Moira McCracken that has been in Dressage training with Leslie Bean for the past eight months. As a six-year-old she is ready to compete at the first level of dressage, with the hopes of performing at third level by the Games. Miss Pamela was put into consistent training as a five-year-old. She has been trained in the disciplines of arena and cross country jumping in addition to her dressage training. Leslie is currently working with Jason Canton for additional dressage instruction with Miss Pamela. As of January 2010, Miss Pamela is progressing steadily in her dressage training. She has perfected the leg yield, shoulder-in, renver, and traver. Leslie is schooling the walk/canter transition as well as the canter/walk transition, thus the quality of her canter is improving daily.

Moira and Leslie look forward to showing off Miss Pamela's ability to compete in the Dressage arena at the World Equestrian Games during demonstration rides promoting the Irish Draught Sport Horse.

Spotlight on Demo Horse: O'Leary's Irish Diamond

2009-12-02T14:48:00.000-08:00

O’Leary’s Irish Diamond (aka "Irish") is a 16.2 hand 1994 grey Registered Irish Draught stallion, by Glidawn Diamond out of Grey Curragong. Having received the highest scores of the inspection from the Irish Horse Board in 1997 in Ireland, Irish then completed his performance phase in the United States, when for the first time, the Irish Horse Board traveled here.Irish has excelled in the disciplines of Jumping, Dressage, and Eventing. Some highlights include:

*2000 Champion 3rd level Dressage Assoc. of Southern California

*2002 Open Jumper Champion

*2002 Open Modified Jumper Champion

*2004 Qualified USDF Regional Championships at Prix St. George

*USDF Performance Certificates in 1st, 2nd & 3rd level

Irish has arguably the most impressive bloodlines in the Irish Draught Horse world. His sire Glidawn Diamond is by arguably the best RID stallion of our time, King of Diamonds. During his lifetime, King of Diamonds was ranked by the World Breed Federation as the 7th best producer of show jumpers in the World! Some of King of Diamonds offspring include Mill Pearl, Special Envoy, Pinon Muldoon, Joe II, Dury Ladd and Milstreet Ruby. Glidawn Diamond’s dam, Kildalton Countess is by Ben Purple who was also known as a great producer of Grand Prix jumpers and eventers such as Custom Made, winner of Gold in the 2000 Olympics with David O’Conner.

Irish resides at Kinson Stud (www.kindsonstud.com) in Big Fork, Montana, with owner Melissa Cason-Kinney. Irish has many notable progeny, including fellow WEG demo horse, Braveheart, and doesn't mind at all staying very busy during the breeding season these days! Look for Irish to perform Show Jumping and Hunter demonstrations at WEG!

Most recently, Irish was chosen to be a Breyer Horse portrait model for 2010. The model horse is now available for purchase at http://www.breyerhorses.com/products/product.php?item=1277. Everyone at Kindson Stud is very excited about this amazing honor and hope that it heightens the Irish Draught horse breed around the world. Irish will be on display at Breyerfest 2010 from July 23-25 at home of WEG, the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington.

Spotlight on Demo Rider: Amy Hunter

2009-12-01T13:12:00.000-08:00

Amy Hunter has been a horsewoman for almost 30 years, in which time she cultivated a versatile background of teaching, training, managing, breeding, and competing. While she specializes in hunter/jumpers, Amy has formally studied dressage, cross country jumping, racing, and natural horsemanship. She has taught riding at two Universities, through Pony Club, and at several private and commercial hunter/jumper facilities.
Amy has successfully trained and worked with a wide range of breeds and has also managed several private and commerical farms. Amy is particularly proud of her farrier ability and the technical shoeing of her owns horses while showing at the Grand Prix level.
Amy is currently managing her business, Huntington Training Farm LLC (www.huntingtonfarm.org) in Viroqua, Wisconsin, and works primarily from that location, but also shows on the East Coast circuit. Her goal is to consistently compete successfully at the Grand Prix level, to train and instruct a small group of clients, and to further the hunter/jumper sport in the US by continuing to breed, train, and promote the highest quality horses of sport.
Amy is currently leasing WEG demo horse, Cradilo, and will be performing Show Jumping demonstrations on him in conjunction with the Irish Village. Look for Amy and Cradilo on the Grand Prix circuit between now and then!

Spotlight on Demo Horse: Cradilo

2009-12-01T12:29:00.000-08:00

Cradilo is a 17.1 hand, 1,500 pound plus, 16-year-old red chestnut Registered Irish Draught stallion, with plenty of chrome and a strong presence. He was sired by the great Kildalton Gold, out of the mare Brehan Lass. Cradilo was picked out of a field of horses in Ireland at the age of 2 and brought to the States. At age 4, he was taught to jump by his future rider and leasor, Amy Hunter of Huntington Farm in Viroqua, Wisconsin (www.huntingtonfarm.org). Amy was drawn back to Cradilo time and again after that first experience, to breed her horses to him or just spend time visiting with him. When presented the chance to lease him, she jumped on it.

Cradilo is the type of horse that every time he steps into the ring, the entire crowd silences. People don't know who or what he is or where he came from, but something about him demands respect. Yes, he's really big, and he gallops around the field like a war horse lunging into battle; and yes, he has a really cool tail! But, moreso, he powers off the ground in a way that regularly draws ooohhh's and aaahhh's from the crowd; because how can a horse that big get that much air time? It defies reason, yet, he does it, and unleashes incredible, raw strength and athleticism every time. There is more though. People see something in Cradilo they can't quite put their finger on. There is an animation that comes into full play when all eyes are on him, some depth of spirit, some élan vital that is coursing. But, the biggest miracle of this horse is that until a few years ago, he was retired early to stud with an official veternarian stamp of "Done with Competition." Amy Hunter took a chance on Cradilo. Her gut instinct said that he wasn't done competing yet and wanted a chance to show the world what he was capable of. Amy had no idea Cradilo would go Grand Prix, but so they did. And, Cradilo has continued breeding, producing some fantastic Irish Draught Sport Horse prospects by Thoroughbred mares.
Cradilo and Amy's biggest accomplisment to date was winning the Midstate Summer Grand Prix in Mason City, Iowa in June 2009. Continue to look for them on the Grand Prix circuit over the next year, and be sure to come watch them perform Show Jumping demonstrations as part of the Irish Village at WEG in 2010.

Spotlight on Demo Rider: Jayne Whitton

2009-11-30T09:42:00.000-08:00

Jayne Whitton is the rider of demo horse, Graces Star, and owner of Tamzin Farm in Ohio. As a "mature" rider, Jayne appreciates the rewards and challenges of working with young horses. Jayne and her husband are both British, and moved to the US in 1999. Both always had horses, and being 'Brits,' knew about the Irish Draught and Irish Draught Sport Horse breeds and the special qualities they possess.
As a girl, Jayne rode many Irish horses from a very early age. She volunteered, rode, and worked at Mount Farm, which became Penwood, home of Penwood Forge Mill, famous showjumper who was the European Champion back in 1973. At that time, Penwood was big into buying horses from Ireland, trying them, bringing them along, maximizing their potential, and selling them. Forgie's talents immediately got him noticed, so he got to realize his full potential.
Jayne has so many happy memories of her early riding days and the horses and ponies she had the good fortune to be around. Now, as an adult, Jayne's passion remains for eventing, and she is excited to bring her homebred mare, Graces Star, up through the levels and to show her off at WEG.

Spotlight on Demo Horse: Graces Star

2009-11-30T09:08:00.000-08:00

Graces Star (aka "Sadie") is a 2004 Irish Draught Sport Horse mare. Sadie was homebred and born at Tamzin Farm in southwest Ohio and owned by Robin and Jayne Whitton. Sadie is out of an off the track Thoroughbred mare, Sheza Party Doll. In deciding to breed her, the Whitton's were looking for a stallion with correct conformation and proven ability. The Whitton's are both British, so the Irish Draught/Irish Draught Sport horse was a natural fit. With eventing being Jayne's passion, they found exactly the right sire in Registered Irish Draught Sport Horse stallion, Brandenburg's Windstar (http://teamwindchase.com).
Sadie began her eventing career in 2008 with a strong start at Beginner Novice level. In the middle of 2009, she was moved up to Novice level at the Greater Dayton Horse Trial. She had a very successful event, completing with an excellent dressage score to put her in 3rd place. Her most recent event was at JumpStart, and despite the rain, she had a good event and finished 7th.
The Whitton's could not be more pleased with Sadie. She has always had personality to spare and a penchant for mischief. The Whitton's say she is possibly the most curious horse they have ever owned. Recently, Sadie went for a day of jump training, and became entranced with jump trainer, Amanda Miller's new baby, Claire, and the stroller she was in. Sadie was obviously trying to figure out what sort of fences this creature would be taking. Between fences, Sadie would scan the surroundings for the "stroller horse," waiting to see it in action. Despite the distraction, she performed beautifully over the fences, showing off her multi-tasking ability!Sadie has qualified to perform in Dressage, Eventing, and Show Jumping demonstrations at WEG, so be sure to look for her in the ring ridden by Jayne. Sadie's Dressage trainer, Molly Xanthopoulos, and her jump trainer, Amanda Miller, will continue helping her prepare to show off her stuff in 2010!

Spotlight on Demo Rider: Connie Arthur

2009-11-19T07:27:00.001-08:00

Demo rider, Connie Arthur, is the main rider and half owner of demo horse Bridon Beale Street. Connie has been eventing for over 35 years. She owns a breeding farm and event facility, Lone Tree Farm, in Waterford, in central California. She and her friend Shirley Kahlert decided to look for a Registered Irish Draught stallion to stand at Connie's facility. Shirley, who owns and operates Stoneleigh Farm, had taken a short trip to Ireland and had a chance to ride Irish Draught horses and was totally sold on the breed. Connie has done all the training on Liam and is currently competing him in Eventing and Show Jumping.

Connie is an active member of the USEA and a course designer as well. Read more about Connie at www.lonetreefarm.net and look for her in the demo ring at WEG aboard Liam.

Spotlight on Demo Horse: Bridon Beale Street

2009-11-17T15:35:00.000-08:00

Registered Irish Draught stallion, Bridon Beale Street "Liam," was born in Virginia, although both parents (Mountain Pearl RID x Graceland Pride RID) were imported. After doing very little for the first six years of his life, he came to the attention of Shirley Kahlert and Connie Arthur, who picked him out of several young stallion prospects. He was brought to California in September 2006, and thus began his event training.
He did his first horse trials in February 2007, then proceeded to move up through the ranks, qualifying for Championships in all of the first three levels that year. He is currently competing at Training Level and just completed his 18th horse trial without a single cross country jump penalty. Liam has also been competing in Show Jumping and has foxhunted with the Los Altos Hounds.
Liam recently prepared and participated in the Galway (Temecula, CA) 3-day event with steeplechase as the grand finale of the great year. He finished extremely strongly with no time penalties in steeplechase and no jump penalities cross country. His other fall events were Woodside Horse Trials, where he had clean cross country and stadium rounds; and Ram Tap Horse Trials, there being ridden by Yves Sauvignon as a catch ride, where he was first after dressage and again went clean cross country.

Liam is qualified to demo in Eventing, Foxhunting, and Show Jumping, and will be ridden by his co-owner, Connie Arthur. For more info on Liam, go to http://www.lonetreefarm.net/
Liam enjoys his turnouts next to his yearling and weanling children, and it is especially enjoyable to watch them play "lip games" with their father, who loves the social interaction and is very gently with them. Liam has been a fantastic traveler through the mountains, and doesn't shy away from active surf at the beach.