Scout's Dressage at Lexington SuperBlog

Well, another show bites the dust. Lexington was not prepared for what the S-Martin team was bringing to the table. It was weekend full of lasts, both sad and happy. It was the last show all together before Gracia heads back to Nebraska, but also the last show before Silva is back in the competition ring (yeah budday!). For all that is happening, we had to make it count!

Gracia ended on possibly her best note yet. Everyone present over the weekend got to witness her and Colin’s partnership come full circle when they put in two stellar performances. Day one, they wowed the crowd with a 63% in the PSG Challenge, finishing well against the competition. Day two, they finished second out of ten in the PSG with a 60. 6%!! Talk about stomping out the competition, Gracia and Colin came out on top against many well known professionals in the business, to come second by less than a point! This was such a great weekend for the pair, and we are all excited for her future in the sport. Congratulations!!

Kymmy Pullen also had a phenomenal weekend on all of her rides. On the younger of her two horses, Sir Eastwood, she competed first level and won; gaining huge scores of 70.7% and 77%. On her other horse, Hot Date, Kymmy competed in the third level test one class and came in second with a 68.8% on the first day. On the Second day, Hot Date competed in the third level test two class for the first time ever and came out second with a 73%!!! Kymmy has had both of these horses since they were green broke, and it is incredible to see how well their training has progressed. Kymmy also competed breeders Melinda and Larry Walton-Smith’s young horse, Danke Shoene with outstanding results. Shoene competed at training level and ended up with scores of 65.9% and 72.5%, and he just turned four years old! What an exciting future this young horse has ahead of him. Kymmy’s final ride for the weekend was Sheelagh Christensen’s Comet V. Kymmy and Comet looked on-point this weekend, and it showed when they kicked ass in their first PSG tests together scoring 60.2% and 60.6%!

And then it was down to the remaining three… Anne Laver and Gloria Callen’s horse Brightside showed a glimpse of the unstoppable force he and Silva are sure to make together in the future. What an honor it has been to be able to ride a horse like Brightside (Eddy). He showed his talent this weekend when he scored a 73% and 81%; winning his training level class, and also the high score of the entire competition! What a champ. Red Fury also competed this weekend at training level, gaining scores of 76% and 78%, and winning her training three class. It’s a feeling like no other when a horse decides to work with you as a team in the ring. That is when you can really begin to show off what you got;) Karen and Ellen Kettler’s remarkable horse, Dhouble Scoop, also competed over the weekend at first level. Scoop was amazing, and after a tough class on Saturday with a 61%, he strutted his stuff  came out with 73% on Sunday!! Though he will be greatly missed during his travels to California, we are excited for his owner to enjoy him as much as we have.

Another highlight from the weekend was being reunited with our southern family. It was great seeing Michelle and her team from Stono River Riding Academy, who also had a wonderful showing over the past couple of days.

When reflecting back on the weekend and the weeks leading up to it, its crazy to think how lucky we are to ride such talented horses, and to have trained under such a talented and devoted rider. We stand among the lucky few, and what a privilege it has been.

Shout out to all of the kickass sponsors who have given Silva continued support through her recovery. We couldn’t do all this without you guys!

Ariat

Smartpak

Stubben

Middy N Me

Shires

Charles Owen

Purina

Word.,

SummerScout

ONE WORKING STUDENT AND ONE FULL TIME GROOM NEEDED!!!

Windurra USA is looking to fill two positions immediately!  We are in need of one working student and one full time groom immediately, with at least a 6 month commitment.  We are looking for a couple hard working individuals who are self motivated and have strong horsemanship skills.  Basic living arrangements will be provided and the person can come with or without their own horse. 

For details on the position and to apply please contact Sara at saralucile@gmail.com

Silva To Present Charles Owen Equestrian Role Model Award at Millbrook Horse Trials August 3rd!

Millbrook Horse Trials
Coole Park Farm
10310 Bagnal Amenia Road
Millbrook, NY

PR Contact:
Phoebe Campbell 860 868 9773 914 462 7589
(cell/text) phoebecampbell@me.com

The Millbrook Horse Trials’ and Charles Owen, Inc. announce the first annual Charles Owen Equestrian Role Model Award to be presented to Courtney King Dye on behalf of Riders4Helmets

Millbrook, NY July 12, 2014—The Millbrook Horse Trials recently partnered with Charles Owen, Inc. on a newly created annual award of $5000 to be given to role models in the equestrian community who have been an inspiration to affect change. The recipient will donate the prize to a charity of their choice.   

This year’s award will be given to Olympic Dressage rider Courtney King Dye on behalf of Riders4Helmets.  King Dye suffered a traumatic brain injury in 2010 when the horse she was riding without a helmet tripped and fell.  She spent four weeks in a coma and three months in an in-patient rehabilitation center re-learning how to walk and talk.  She became the catalyst for, and avid supporter of Riders4Helmets.  Courtney remains committed to promoting and advancing the sport of dressage by training, writing articles and donating mentorship time to Lendon Gray’s Dressage for Kids program. She also joined with Robert Dover and Lendon to create the Emerging Dressage Athlete’s program.

The Charles Owen Equestrian Role Model award will be presented at the Millbrook Horse Trials Benefit Luncheon, to be held on Sunday August 3rd , during the Show Jumping phase of the Millbrook Horse Trials.  The theme of this year’s luncheon is “Rider Safety”. Grand Prix Dressage Rider Silva Martin, wife of eventer Boyd Martin, will present the award to Courtney.

“Charles Owen is delighted for the opportunity to be granting a new annual award, Charles Owen Equestrian Role Model Award, to a member of the equestrian community,” said Charles Owen Managing Director, Roy Burek. “Charles Owen’s motto is ‘For A Safer World’ and the company is committed to fulfilling this statement through education and promotion of safe riding. Charles Owen hopes that this new award will encourage more riders to focus on being the best safety role models they can be for future generations. Congratulations to Courtney King-Dye who is the 2014 recipient of the Charles Owen Equestrian Role Model Award – Courtney is donating her $5,000 cash prize to Riders4Helmets and we commend her for her generosity.”

“The Millbrook Horse Trials is committed to being both an important sporting event, and to supporting the equestrian community at large.” Says Louise Meryman, Chair of the Board of the Millbrook Horse Trials.  “We are thrilled that Charles Owen has generously agreed to underwrite this annual award to honor role models who are inspirations to all of us who love horses and equestrian sports.  The theme of this year’s Benefit Luncheon is “rider safety”, and we can’t think of a better partner than Charles Owen and honoree than Courtney King Dye.”

Tickets for the Benefit Luncheon are available at www.millbrookhorsetrials.com. In addition to the Charles Owen Equestrian Role Model Award presentation, the luncheon offers preferred viewing of the Advanced show jumping, a course walk and expert commentary by Marcia Kulak, 4-bar competition hosted by PRO and an exclusive chance to purchase raffle tickets to win an all-inclusive trip to the 2014 World Equestrian Games. Purchasers of ringside seats and tables will also have the opportunity to join a Cross Country course walk on August 1st with Boyd Martin or Phillip Dutton.

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About the Millbrook Horse Trials:
The Millbrook Horse Trials (MHT), a recognized United States Eventing Association (USEA) Event, is an important part of a long equestrian tradition in Dutchess County New York. Recognized among the region's most prestigious annual sporting events, it attracts Olympic-level, world-class competitors from the United States and abroad.  MHT provides all recognized levels of competition from USEA Beginner Novice to Advanced level.

The Millbrook Horse Trials' success in attracting over 4,500 competitors and spectators is a product of its reputation for presenting a well-organized competitive environment, with expertly designed fences and courses, in a beautifully maintained open landscape.

MHT draws enormous numbers of competitors and supports teams from all over the east coast. MHT Advanced competition attracts Olympic-level horses and riders and considerable press attention. Over 500 horses competed in 2013, our largest and most successful year yet. Advanced riders competed for prize dollars and a chance to impress the USEF Olympic Selection Committee.

About Charles Owen, Inc.
Known throughout the world as the leader in equestrian helmet design, Charles Owen, Inc. represents more than 100 years of innovation and style for a safer world. Each Charles Owen helmet is handcrafted using the highest quality materials. With the largest range of helmet styles and shapes, independently certified to up to four international equestrian safety standards, Charles Owen offers a wider range of protection in a potential accident.

For further information, please visit: www.charlesowen.com.

FEI Level Pony For Sale!

Name: Giacomo Casanova
Sex: Gelding
Colour: Bay
Height: 14.2h
Date of Birth: 2009
Sire: Casino Royale K
Dam: Bavarottie
Breed: German Riding Pony

Giacomo Casanova is very talented and high quality Dressage pony who is being trained by Silva's sister, Laura Stigler. He has already placed and won in Germany in the young horse classes with high scores.

His ride-ability and character is outstanding. He is very light in the contact and super easy to sit. He has big potential to be a FEI pony.

Please call Silva for more information 610 806 2721

A Day with Georgia

Silva and Georgia

I had the pleasure to meet Georgia Dluhy this week when she and her mom Amy visited our farm. Georgia is only 13 years old and a hunter/ jumper rider. She had a riding accident in April of this year, similar to mine: her horse slipped while cantering on grass. Things just happen in life.

Like me, Georgia sustained a brain injury, and she is also going through rehab in the same hospital in Bryn Mawr. We are both very lucky that we are going to therapy at Bryn Mawr because they really are the best.

No two brain injuries are the same, and Georgia is struggling with different things in her recovery. It was so nice to meet Georgia and Amy and I know how frustrating the recovery is, but I also know that it is a very short time in Georgia’s life and she will look back on this later and agree with me.

Georgia's Artwork

I hope it helped Georgia to talk to me and I really hope that she is going to focus on other things than horses for now. I have spent a lot of time lately reading about fashion and design and I think it helps to keep your spirits up by focusing on things that you can do, rather than get frustrated with the things you can’t at this time. Georgia is a fabulous artist; I love the picture she drew for me!!

xoxo Silva

Talented Young Event Mare For Sale!

NAME: SBF Eowyn "Wynnie"
SEX: Mare
COLOUR: Chestnut
HEIGHT: 16 hh
DATE OF BIRTH: July, 2009
COUNTRY OF BIRTH: United States
SIRE: Riverman (Dutch Warmblood )
DAM: Jer's Princess (Thoroughbred)
BREED: Dutch Warmblood/Thoroughbred (KWPN 840025200900265)
BREEDER: Stony Brook Farm
PLACE OF BIRTH: New Hampshire

Updated Summer 2014 Schooling Video



SBF Eowyn, also known as Wynnie, is the ideal horse for a professional, young rider or adult amateur looking to be extremely competitive in whatever event they enter. She is very well bred, fathered by the Dutch super-sire, Riverman.

She is a lovely, soft mover and is extremely ride-able and trainable for the dressage; she received a 25.8 at her first event. She is a scopey, careful jumper with a lovely gallop that only needs to be ridden in the softest of snaffles.  She has multiple wins to her name in her early career.

This is an exciting opportunity to purchase a very special horse that will bring you up the levels while winning; rarely does a horse of this quality get offered for sale.

Photo Credit Barry Koster

What Goes Down Must Come Up

Silva and I had a truly testing start to the new year. After great success early in the winter we both found ourselves challenged with the task of recovering from injury after I snapped my leg in half and Silva sustained a head injury. Both of these are obviously huge setbacks, especially in the thick of the season.

When you’re injured it’s an awful feeling because you feel like you’re never going to come back, and you’re watching your competitors get stronger around you. I’m proud to say both Silva and I are starting to get our tails up as we are both coming back to being 100%.

Silva is now sitting on a couple of horses a day, which I think has really re-invigorated her spirits. She’s carefully selected some of the quieter, straightforward horses to get going again. I think that in a short period of time we will see Silva go strength to strength and get back to her best.

I myself have been back to riding for some time now, and while I am still a little bit stiff and sore, I’m at least to a point where I’m full operational and competing all the horses again.

I was thrilled to have Shamwari 4 and Trading Aces - with Phillip Dutton  - put on the WEG team. Both of these horses were specifically purchased with this goal in mind and I feel with great performances at Kentucky and Luhmuehlen they deserve their places on the team. Now that the selection is out of the way both Phillip and I are throwing 110% at keeping the horses as fit as we can, and going as well as we can, to do battle at Normandy in a couple of months.

As we prepare for the WEG, I gave Shamwari ten days off after Luhmuehlen and then put him back to work. He did his first gallop yesterday and Phillip’s had Trading Aces humming along for a fair bit longer and has galloped him a number of times since he’s had more time since now and Rolex. David O’Connor made a trip up to Unionville last week and actually rode both horses and seemed impressed with their current form. I think the way it works is he’ll be going from farm to farm on a weekly basis, helping everyone train.

We’ve some class horses in work here at the farm and I’m thrilled that Mackenna Shea, a three-star rider from Washington, has come to join the team in the goal to get her horse ready for Fair Hill. She was ninth at Bromont and she’s got a really good horse under her in Landioso 12-year-old Bavarian Warmblood (Legendaer I—Aspen, Pilotek) . I’m always a believer in having good riders training around you lifts the bar throughout the barn, and with McKenna and Caitlin here it sets a high standard of riding for our farm.

As usual I’m always on the lookout for really good horses and new supporters to join in on this adventure. I was really impressed with the horseflesh at Luhmuehlen and it was a good reminder that we always have to be on the lookout for top horses in order to stay competitive on a global level.

-Boyd