Our red-headed Aussie broodmare has a new home in Virginia

Betty at her new home in VA

Melinda Walton and Larry T. Smith have imported our finest broodmare from Australia to join their mares in Middleburg, VA.

Betty Barkley is by Brentano II out of Jasmine (Rosa Cha W's dam), and is in foal to Heath Ryan’s GP stallion Regardez Moi - who is Rosa Cha W's sire, so this foal will  be a 3/4 sibling to Rosa. 

Betty had never left the farm in Australia before she boarded the truck to Sydney, a flight to LA connecting to NY, and then a truck to VA. She arrived in excellent condition to her new home in the US.

Melinda and Larrry have been wonderful supporters of Silva’s riding and also have bred some incredible horses, which Silva has been lucky enough to produce and compete. We are happy that Betty has such a fantastic new home and wish everyone well!

Boyd and Silva

Sir Donovan Sold

British event rider Philippa Humphreys, based in Michigan, recently purchased Peter Barry's Irish Sport Horse Sir Donovan. We've been lucky to have Don in the barn since the end of last year and I competed him in four events, with the best result finishing 4th at the Red Hills CIC***.

Originally I planned to run the horse at the Rolex Kentucky CCI4*, but due to my current state of health Peter and I decided it would be best to sell him. I wish Philippa all the best and a big thanks to Peter for allowing me to ride a great horse.

-Boyd

Read more at The Chronicle of the Horse

From the Sidelines at The Fork

Photo of Phillip Dutton and Trading Aces courtesy EventingNation.com

For the first time I attempted to do The Fork Horse Trials as a spectator/owner/coach, and it was a very different perspective for this great event. First and foremost, I’ve gotta say, Phillip Dutton is one of the greatest blokes in the world to risk his neck competing my three horses without having ridden them prior to the event. He’s a humble champion, always helping everyone out behind the scenes and he did a fantastic job on all three of my horses. 

Shamwari was fantastic in dressage; he had a course error in show jumping and then schooled well around the three-star cross-country. Trading Aces was equally brilliant, and Phillip and I decided to run him full throttle around cross-country and he handled it well, and won the advanced by a mile. The one I was probably most impressed with this weekend was Otis Barbotiere; there’s no question he’s fitter, sounder and stronger than ever. He was unbelievable in all three phases and I can’t tell you how excited I am to have him back in the mix.

My team of four-star girls that I coach: Caitlin Silliman, Lillian Heard and Erin Sylvester, all were awesome. All three of these girls are class riders who all had the perfect outing in the run-up to Rolex. I’m very pleased for all of them because I feel like they’re all in line to do well in a couple of weeks.

Lastly I want to send my condolences to one of my best friends, Will Coleman, who sadly lost his horse Conair after a fall on cross-country. I’ve watched Will pour 110% of his energy into Joey since getting the ride on him last year and it was brilliant to watch how much the horse had improved. It was just a tragedy, not only for Will but the people who supported the horse. I can tell you, it takes an unbelievable amount of energy, effort and support to gain the ride on a horse of that caliber.

-Boyd Martin

Phillip Dutton and Shamwari 4 Lead the CIC3* at The Fork after Dressage

"Big Phil" and Shammie are off to a great start at The Fork!

[Story: EventingNation.com]

http://cdn.eventingnation.com/eventingnation.com/images/2014/04/Phillip-Dutton-Shamwari-640x455.jpg

Boyd's Horses Off to Great Start at The Fork with Phillip Dutton in the Irons

Read all about Phillip Dutton catch riding Boyd's horses at The Fork CIC in Norwood, NC. Jenni Autry interviews them both for EventingNation.com:

 http://eventingnation.com/home/phillip-dutton-steps-in-to-help-injured-boyd-martin-at-the-fork/?doing_wp_cron=1396564285.9270510673522949218750

http://youtu.be/OZOJA9tUsZY

Thank you Jenni!

Opportunity Available at Windurra Eventing

 Windurra Eventing is on the search for a very specific person who wants to be part of the future of the sport of eventing in this country. Make no mistake, this position is not suitable for 99% of the people out there. 

As history shows, the majority of established eventing legends are a product of a program. I am a firm believer that the only way a talented rider turns into a champion is through thousands of hours of grueling work, surrounded by brilliant trainers, horsemanship, riders, sponsors and owners. To get a complete understanding on how to be successful in all aspects of running a business and being a great trainer, you have to immerse yourself in a system that is the equivalent to getting a university degree. This apprenticeship is more than just riding lessons, it involves years of experiencing all aspects of what it take to be America's next top eventing rider.

I am offering a working student position to a desperately hungry young rider who is committed to a long-term working agreement. To start out, we ask you to pay for your horse's hard expenses. As time goes on, this role historically has turned into a paying position with us. I believe this is a great opportunity for someone out there to get an understanding of what is involved in all aspects of eventing. This role is particularly suited to someone who is an accomplished rider who wants to learn the intricacies of the top levels. Please understand that this job involves a lot of ground work, assisting with the management of the farm and horses. 

If this sounds like something for you, please email our Operations Manager, Lindsey Taylor. 

Lindsey Taylor

Lindseyktaylor@yahoo.com

630-338-3331

For Sale: SBF Eowyn

Cross-country with Boyd Martin

SBF Eowyn is a very well bred mare is by the Dutch Warmblood stallion Riverman out of an American Thoroughbred Jer’s Princess. Wynnie carries blood from all the important jumping breeds of Europe: Voltaire, Furioso, Nimmerdor, Farn and Gotthard, all great progenitors of modern jumper breeding. Her sire, Riverman, descends from the preferent stallion Voltaire on his dam’s side and Goodtimes on his sire’s side. Voltaire was an exceptional International Grand Prix show jumper, second in the World Breeding Ranking of Showjumping Sires, with the most offspring of any stallion at the Olympic games in Atlanta and has produced some of the best show jumpers in the world.  Good Times has been influential in both the dressage and show jumping world.   Wynnie’s dam, Jer’s Princess, descends from Princequillo who is known as the best long distance runner in American Thoroughbred racing history   http://www.horsetelex.com/horses/pedigree/1602910?levels=5

Wynnie as a foal

This breeding has given Wynnie incredible power, movement and scope. She is both a beautiful, supple mover -- she received a 25.8 at her first event -- and an excellent jumper, never incurring a jumping penalty.  She is scopey, careful and brave with a fabulous gallop that only needs to be ridden in the softest of snaffles. Wynnie also has a wonderful temperament, making her extremely rideable and trainable.

Wynnie placed second at the Young Event Horse three-year-old series.  This winter Wynnie started competing in Aiken, SC.  She won her first event finishing on her dressage score of 25.8; placed second in her second event finishing on her dressage score of 32.1; and won her first Novice event, finishing on her dressage score of 27.  Wynnie is the ideal horse for any rider looking to be extremely competitive in whatever event they enter while moving up the levels.  Wynnie is the sister to seven-year-old SBF Cortez who is currently competing at the Intermediate level.

Video:  http://youtu.be/Sus7tCVpBq0