Spotlight on Demo Horse: Ballynoe Rum

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.