New Sales Horse: Ricochet EDF

NAME: Ricochet EDF
SEX: Mare
COLOUR: Bay (w/2 hind fetlock socks)
HEIGHT: 15.3hh
DATE OF BIRTH: 6/29/2005
COUNTY OF BIRTH: Bedford, MA, USA
SIRE:  Resonanz (by Rhodiamont)
DAM:  Rhyme (by Clover Hill ISH)
BREED:  Oldenburg/ISH
BREEDER:  Eleazer Davis Farm, Inc.
PLACE OF BIRTH: Bedford, MA USA
OWNER: Lisa Samoylenkom / Eleazer Davis Farm.

Cheti is super talented, nice moving and unbelievable jumping young horse. She is a real lady that has the ability to take an accomplished rider as far as they want to go in either dressage, show jumping or eventing.

She was bred by her owner Lisa Samoylenkon of Belford MA. and trained professionally from the get go. She is bred beautifully with jumping and dressage lines from Germany and Ireland in her pedigree. In the right hands this could be one of America's top young horses.

Please call Boyd for more info 610-806-2381

Happy Holidays

We would like wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year - and what a year! 2011 will definitely be remembered for us for a long, long time. It was the ultimate of highs and lows.

This past year was probably the toughest year for us with all of the tragedies that hit us in the middle of the year. Without a doubt, we could not have survived it without the hundreds of people that supported us through the tough times. One thing we learned is that when things go bad, you see people's true colors. We would like to thank everyone that chipped in to help us out.

We would especially like to thank the wonderful people that worked for us this year. We had the best team in the world that really rallied when times were tough. Without this awesome group of people, we could not have produced the outstanding results that we saw with the horses this year.

We would also like to pay tribute to the awesome owners that provide these spectacular horses for us to train. Without these horses, we would be nothing.

So thank you, and good luck for 2012!!

Boyd & Silva

Thanks to Our Hard Working Staff!

We're starting to gather bios and pictures of our hard working staff here at Windurra USA!  A big thanks goes out to all the staff here at our barn & we're excited to start posting their bios on our website.

Here are the first two entries:

Dressage Staff

NAME: Kymberly Pullen

HOMETOWN: Sugar Land, TX

WINDURRA SINCE: 2/2011

JOB DESCRIPTION:
Grooming, Riding and Hauling

Kymmy graduated Texas A&M University with a degree in Animal Science and Business. She began by riding and competing in the hunters, but has been competing in dressage since college.

Kymmy has brought her own horse along to WIndurra to work under the tutalage of Silva. Wiedermark "Markie" , is a 18.1h hanoverian gelding, who she has had since he was 4. Kymmy has brought him up through the levels to Prix St. George with their debut at Intermediare coming in the Spring of 2012 and their first CDI during the summer.

Eventing Staff

NAME: Lindsey Taylor

DOB: 3/14/1986

HOMETOWN:. 

Saint Charles, IL

WINDURRA SINCE: 1/2011

JOB DESCRIPTION: 

Head Groom and Operations Manager

Lindsey got hooked on horses while she was a freshman at Wheaton College at the age of 18. Looking for something to distract her from her schoolwork, she attended a mini event that her younger sister was competing in. She got the idea that riding might be a fun extra-curricular activity and began taking once a week lessons with Pat Bunge at a small eventing barn, Red Roses Farm in Saint Charles, IL. 

One thing led to another and she was soon leasing a horse and competing in local events. She rode a borrowed horse in a clinic with Becky Holder during this time and was impressed by the enthusiasm, expertise and attention to detail that Becky brought to her teaching. Lindsey decided to pursue a working student position with Becky in 2008 and 2009, during which time she learned an immeasurable amount about eventing at it's highest levels, and became quite interested in grooming and horse care.

READ MORE......

It's All About Giving at This Time of Year

NJ Star Ledger has run a fabulous article in the sports section about giving back to the local horse community throughout the holiday season.  They also give a nice nod to Neville's nomination for Horse of the Year noting that, "Neville Bardos, who survived a devastating barn fire in May, has to be the odds-on favorite for the U.S. Equestrian Federation's international horse of the year honors."


There is also mention about fellow competitor Lisa Marie Fergusson loss of Smart Move this past week down in Wellington Florida.  Through the SCES (who raised over $50K for us in the aftermath of the TPF fire), a fundraising account has been set up to help Lisa, and is posted on Eventing Nation.  Please consider helping another rider in need this holiday season.


Check out the full article here & have a wonderful Christmas!

On the Way Home from Germany

I am on the plane home to the USA ! I have Internet on this Lufthansa flight.
It's great!! Here is a pic of my neighbor on the plane!

I am sorry that we have not blogged more about Ash and Mintie's Germany trip.
Overall it was a great experience for Ash, but it was also very disappointing.

Ashlea and Mintie did a nice test on Friday but Mintie was not quite right in the trot. The canter work was great. They had no mistakes and Ash rode very well. After we got the score sheet back and the judges also commented on Mintie being not quite right behind, we decided to scratch him from the freestyle. It was heartbreaking for Ashlea but at the end of the day we have to do what's right for the horse.

Ash and all of us have been working so hard to get to Frankfurt, but horses are
horses and not machines. And that is why we love them so much!!!
Ashlea has learned so much from this whole experience and she has handled the situation amazingly well! There will be many more international competitions for Ashlea and the next time all she learned from this trip will help her.

I am looking forward to getting home and riding again! Only 3 more hours to go....

Silva

Travels in England and an Exciting New Import

I've had a fantastic couple of months away from the intense eventing competition schedule, which has allowed me to enjoy one of my passions: finding new, exciting young prospects.

Enjoying a pint with Dave

Recently Katie Walker, Dave Leinhauser and I had a wonderful couple of days in England scouring the country for horses.

Brian Hyslop

We were lucky enough to be guided by our new team Chef de Equipe, Brian Hyslop, who was in charge of the heavy social schedule that consisted of dinner parties, fox hunting and many team meetings at the pubs we passed by. We were also very fortunate that Rachael Wakefield from Uptown Eventing lined up around 35 top class young event horses for us to try.

Katie Walker sizing up one of the enormous hedge jumps in the Quorn Hunt field

One of the highlights of our four-day trip was the opportunity to hunt with the very prestigious Quorn Hunt. Dave and I borrowed horses from Irish eventing Olympian Mark Kyle.

Hunting with Mark Kyle

We hunted huge hedge fences, trappy iron gates and ditches that sent shivers down my spine over some of the most beautiful country in Leicestershire County for over four hours. I was very impressed not only by the superb country we rode, but the quality of the horses seen in the hunt.



Finally our horse shopping ventures were a success! Upgrade is a stunning five year old gelding that really stood out from the rest of the bunch. He is seven-eighths English Thoroughbred and one-eighth Irish Sport Horse. He is a very elegant mover which I think the dressage judges will be impressed with. His jump has good technique and scope to spare. All in all, Dave, Katie and I felt this horse showed the potential of a future four-star champion.

I am very fortunate for Katie and Cuyler Walker to purchase this exciting horse. He will fly to America just before the new year and join the other Walker event horse, Brewster. I hope to start eventing him sometime in February. It would also be a real thrill if I could move him up to Preliminary at the Plantation Field Horse Trials in the fall, as the Walkers are the landowners and event organizers of this great event.

-Boyd

A Gift of Art from Bramble Hollow Fine Arts

The entire crew at Windurra USA would like to thank Angela Deppe for her beautiful gift to Lillian Heard, a sculpture created out of polymer clay from a picture of Lillian on Ariel during one of their dressage tests.  I've attached a picture of the piece from Angela, which was mailed to Lillian's parents this past week.

The following is a description of Angela's business and choice in artistic medium for this sculpture.  Thanks again to Angela for all of her efforts in creating this beautiful piece!

"My business is called  Bramble Hollow Fine Arts, at www.bramblehollow.com or on facebook as Bramble Hollow Fine Arts.  I live in Sykesville, Maryland.  

Right now my sculptural art is strictly realistic portraiture, with a nod to Eastern and classical influences as far as composition and decorative elements.  My art background consists of two semesters of figurative sculpture at Towson State, a summer course at painting at The Mitchell School in Lutherville, MD with Richard House in 2000 - where I learned how to see -and most recently a course of plein air painting with Tim Bell in Easton, MD.

When I was a child, music was the family passion so there was nothing left for other pursuits. I became self taught in anything that caught my fancy - from wood burning and psanky, to watercolor and oils.  I listened very, very well at Pony Club, and wore out the how-to books in the public library.  In fact, the Pony Club moms used to call me 'Princess Daisy', because I earned my pony's hay with the premiums from my 4-H art contest winnings every year.  As an adult I took up carriage driving and was an adept student if I won the occasional spot for a clinic...wore out my volume of Centered Riding and Podhasky's books such that I won the Laurels as my first CDE with a pony I trained myself, as a green driver.

I can't help but bring that same determination to my dream business here, which shows in my ability to capture a resemblance...portrait artists aren't simply recreating beauty or expressing their own interpretation - they have to convince, as well.  I work from photos, but a solid understanding of anatomy and biomechanics gives me an edge in creating a image that celebrates the cycle of energy inherent in every pose or stride.  The artistry in my work is buried in the bas relief...I can manipulate the viewer to focus on this, lead their eye to that through detail and profile.  I want them to marvel at how different it looks from every angle and with every change in the light, so that it appears to be many works of art in one.

So much of our lives is spent in front of a flat screen - a sculpture is two dimensions closer to reality."

If interested in commissioning Angela for your own piece, her contact info is attached!

Boyd 9th in the World in HSBC Rankings

Congratulations to Boyd on finishing 2011 in the top ten elite event riders in the world! He finishes ranked ninth with 345 points, joining top riders from around the world in the upper echelon of the sport. For complete ranking information click here (be sure to scroll down for the list).

Vote for Neville for USEF Horse of the Year!!!

Lexington, KY - To reach the highest level of excellence in equestrian sport takes talent, perseverance, a tremendous spirit and often, unwavering courage. In 2011, six horses have shown the world those qualities and more. And on January 13, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) will bestow two of them with the prestigious title of Horse of the Year, the highest honor the USEF awards a horse. This year - a change from years past - both a national and international horse will win. The six champions have earned their place on the elite list as USEF Horses of Honor, and each will be recognized at the USEF Horse of the Year Awards gala and dinner in January - part of the USEF Annual Meeting - at the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza in Cincinnati, OH. It will be up to you to choose the two special horses, selecting from a range of talents and from across the Federation's breeds and disciplines. Your vote will help determine the champions that join the pantheon of past winners including reining horse Gunners Special Nite (2010); dressage horse Ravel (2009); driving horse Jamaica (2008); eventer Theodore O'Connor (2007); show jumper Authentic (2006); and dressage horse Brentina (2005).    Neville Bardos. StockImageServices.com. Neville Bardos (Mahayaa x Zambia) 1999 Australian Thoroughbred Gelding Owner: Neville Bardos Syndicate 2011 marked a year of tragedy for eventing rider Boyd Martin. He lost six horses in a horrific barn fire on Memorial Day but was able to save five. One of those saved was Neville Bardos. The failed Australian racehorse was trapped in the fire for nearly 45 minutes before Martin was able to pull him out. Neville suffered burns and severe smoke inhalation that required extensive rehabilitation. The prognosis was grim, but he fought through it and defied every odd. He made a miraculous recovery to return to competition two months later. Martin lost his father and father-in-law over the summer and he set a big goal for Neville to try to get him through the tragedy. Neville and Martin went on to not only compete in the CCI4* at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials - but they placed seventh out of 81 entries in September. He jumped only one of nine double-clear cross-country rounds over arguably the world's toughest cross-country track. Voting Is Now Open! Two of these six exceptional horses will be honored as the overall 2011 USEF Horse of the Year, a mark of distinction that will last a lifetime. Now, it is up to you to decide who will receive the top tribute in 2011. Simply visit http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/hoty/Default.aspx and type in your email address to access the voting portal. Voting will end at Midnight [ET] on Monday, January 2, 2012. For more information regarding the Equestrian of the Year program or any of the six Horses of Honor, contact Trisha Watkins, USEF Awards Manager, at 859.225.6944 or tlwatkins@usef.org.

Three-Year-Olds Finish Marathon Trip from Australia

A shipment of four three-year-old horses finally arrived at the farm today after a lengthy trip from Australia. Silva and I bred all of these horses in Australia, and with the help of a few investors they made the voyage without too much trouble.

The two dressage horses are:
Hannah Montana (pictured above) - 3-year=old filly by His Highness out of Rosa Cha. Rosa is one of Silva's top up and coming young horses. Thanks to Sarah Reese of Malvern, PA for helping us get her here.
Junno (above) - 3-year-old filly by Jive Magic, who happens to be Jeff the Chef's sire, out of a Wolkenstein II mare, that was also the dam of Fendi, a horse that we sold here in the States two years ago. Thanks to Faye Woolf for getting her here.

The two event horses are:

Wallaroo (photo above) - 3 year gelding by Stacatto, who happens to also be the sire of Stuart Tinney's Adelaide 4-star winner Panamera . He is out of Brilliant Silva, the dam of Waranga, and also by Brilliant Invader who sired Olympic and World Champion Ready Teddy. Wallaroo is 75% Australian Thoroughbred and 25% Dutch Warmblood. Thanks to Amy Lindgren for helping me get this stunning horse on the plane.
Ray Price (above) - 3 year old gelding by Raise A Stanza who has sired many 4-star horses in Australia, out of Fair Fiona, a mare that we sold last year that both evented and did dressage with Silva. Ray Price is the name of a tough Australian Rugby league player. Ray is also 75% thoroughbred and 25% Dutch Warmblood. Big cheers to Amy Lindgren for helping me get this guy here.

All in all, it took 13 days of travel to get these young horses from Lochinvar, NSW in Australia to Sydney airport, then to LAX, then to Kentucky by truck, then up to our place in Cochranville. All of the horses looked exhausted from the trip. They were all glad to see some green grass and a paddock after being locked up for so long. My plan is to leave them here in PA for the winter to recover, then start them up in the spring when we get back from Aiken.

Cheers,
Boyd

The Journey to Germany

Ashlea , Mintie , Donna and I have arrived in the Mecca of Dressage: GERMANY!

Mintie traveled very well, with Ashlea and Donna on the plane with him. I got here a day earlier and borrowed my sister Laura`s car and trailer and drove to Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam to pick up the three of them.

We then drove back over the border to Germany; Mintie is staying at Laura's barn in Willich, Germany until we leave for Frankfurt on Wednesday or Thursday morning.

Ashlea rode Mintie lightly today and he looks great. Tomorrow we will start working harder and focus on the test that she will ride on Friday morning and the Freestyle that she will ride on Sunday.

We will keep everybody posted. Fingers crossed!!!!

Silva

The Night of Nights at the USEA Convention

The last leg of the USEA Annual Convention in Nashville, TN featured the awards dinner hosted by eventing legend Jimmy Wofford. While Buck Davidson took home most of the loot, we managed to snag a couple of awards, most notably with super groom Lindsey Taylor walking away with the 2011 USEA Christine E. Stafford Groom of the Year Award last night, along with lucy Beard of Kalispell, MT. There are two winners for this award - a professional and amateur. Lindsey won the jacket, shown in the photo below, and $500.(This is not to be confused with the PRO award, which Lindsey also won!) Jimmy noted in his presentation that Lindsey groomed for me at all 175 of my eventing starts this year.
My good mate and vet, Dr Kev Keane took home the Advanced Amateur Rider of the Year and the Adult Amateur Rider of the Year which landed him a brand new saddle.

I received the Advanced Rider of the Year thanks to a lot of success with a large pool of Advanced horses that I rode throughout the year, including the indomitable Neville Bardos, Otis Barbotiere, Ying Yang Yo, Cold Harbour, Last Monarch and Remington XXV. I am very lucky to have had the opportunity to ride this great group of horses this past year.
I was surprised at the end of the evening to win an award for showing courage and resilience in the past year of eventing. Jimmy spoke very kindly of my ups and downs in 2011 and talked about Neville's comeback to top level competition at Burghley after the fire. It is a magnificent trophy that weighs a lot!

All in all it was a brilliant convention.
Boyd

PRO Salutes Lindsey!

Myself with Lindsey and Karen O'Connor

Last night my groom Lindsey Taylor was awarded the award for Best Groom in the USA at a cocktail party at the American Eventing Association's annual convention in Nashville, Tennessee. There was a huge turnout for the awards night, at which Karen O'Connor presented Lindsey with a silver cup and a check for $5,000.00. PRO also donated $500 to charity for the occasion. Lindsey made a sensational speech thanking PRO for the award.

A huge thanks Lindsey for all that you do!

-Boyd

Training Solutions from Top Event Riders

Boyd took part in this popular seminar at the USEA Convention in Nashville, TN this year. Click here to read the audience's questions and answers from the panel of top riders.

H.H. Lancaster arrives from Canada

A big congratulations must go to Ron & Densey Juvonen and Justina & Art Dodge on their purchase of a very, very impressive 5-year-old gelding: H.H. Lancaster is a Canadian-bred, 17hh Thoroughbred/Hanoverian/French cross gelding that Silva and I found on a tour of horses a couple of weeks ago in Ontario.
.
Silva and I spent a few days cruising around Canada searching for horses. Waylon
Roberts had Lancaster in training at Dreamcrest Equestrian thanks to Sue Ockendon. Lancaster looks to be a super mover and a scopey jumper that has plenty of ability. The plan is to get to know him and start eventing him midway through the season in Aiken next year.



His name was thought up between the two couples of owners: Ron and Densey own Henley House Stables and Art and Justina are from Lancaster....thus H.H. Lancaster. Again, a big thanks to the new supporting sets of owners!

On our way home from looking at around 50 horses
we managed to do a little sightseeing at Niagara Falls.

-Boyd

Boyd Featured in Sports Illustrated Olympic Coverage

FROM SPORTS ILLUSTRATED:

Boyd Martin's favorite saying, no matter the circumstances, is, "It could always be worse."

But for the U.S. equestrian team member and 2012 Olympic hopeful, that saying was barely applicable when he nearly lost all of his horses and staff when his barn caught fire at the end of May.

"[The saying] just says so much about his attitude," says the head manager of his horses and stables of just over a year, Lindsey Taylor. She pauses to reflect, "He kind of stopped saying that for awhile after the fire. I think it took a lot out of him, everything that we lost."

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/olympics/12/06/Boyd-Martin-Olympic-hopeful/index.html#ixzz1fxegtS6N


Rider Boyd Martin rallies after fire nearly burns Olympic dreams - SI.com - Olympics

Memorial for Horses Lost in Fire

A big thanks must go to the owners of the six horses that were lost in the Memorial Day fire at True Prospect Farm.

Each owner has purchased a pear tree in memory of their horse, and the trees have been planted along the driveway at our farm in Cochranville, PA. The trees were organized by Charla's owner, Densey Juvonen.



Smartpak Equine were also nice enough to make plaques with each horse's name on it, which are mounted on stones. I think that this is a great way to memorialize the wonderful horses that were lost in the fire. As time goes on the tragedy becomes more distant, however the horses will never be forgotten.

Silva Improving 'The Party Boy'

There are many 'perks' to be married to Silva, one of them being that she is an amazing dressage trainer. She spends most of her days training and teaching pure dressage horses, but I often manage to get a helping hand .

"Party Boy", otherwise know as Curtis, is owned by Fernanda Kellogg and Nick Meyers of Millbrook, New York. He is a stunning looking American Thoroughbred that oozes with talent and class. He is athletic, bold and gorgeous and looks to be one of my up and coming horses for the future.

This year I managed to take him from Training to Preliminary in eventing. He is a super jumper, but the one phase in the events that he has struggled with has been the dressage: I found him a little stiff, and a little stuck in his body, and I have not had much luck improving his scores over the past six months. This has been heartbreaking as I always have the feeling that this horse could be the real deal. So I have had to call in the dressage trainer to take over the ride....

Silva has been working with him the last month and has improved him hugely. He is moving better, looks more relaxed and "through" and looks like he is now enjoying the work. I plan to leave him with Silva for the next month or two, and really get him up to par in his dressage before I start eventing him again. Check out the above youtube.com video of him working with Silva at home last week.

Let this be a lesson to any up and coming eventing lad looking for a future relationship.....

Boyd

Treat Yourself for the Holidays - Videos on Sale!!!

It's the beginning of the holiday shopping season and we're all stressed out about sending out Christmas cards and deciding what presents to get for our family and friends.  Why not be a little self indulgent and treat yourself to some instructional videos?!  Now is the time to snuggle up with a cup of hot chocolate and improve your riding skills!

Come backstage at the Red Hills International Horse Trials to gain understanding into upper level methods for preparing for your competition. Regardless of your level, these tools & strategies can be applied to your pre-game warmup so you can improve your dressage score and conquer the cross country!!  So go ahead and treat yourself this season........and the price is right!!

Both Series 2 Videos are on sale for $9.95 throughout the month of December.

1. Preparing for the Dressage Phase



2. Preparing For A Successful Cross Country Ride!

Competition Horse: New Cadet

NAME: New Cadet
SEX: Gelding
COLOUR: Brown
HEIGHT: 16.2hh
DATE OF BIRTH: 4-23-05
COUNTY OF BIRTH: USA
SIRE: Private Terms
DAM: Couloir (by Nepal)
BREED: American Thoroughbred
BREEDER: Jimmy Hawkins
PLACE OF BIRTH: Lexington, KY
OWNER: Mrs Anne Hennesey, VT



Caddy is nothing short of what I would call a 'Raw Athelete'. I believe if we lived in medieval times, I would like to ride this horse to battle. He is bold, powerful and very tough.

I found Caddy in Atlanta Georgia, shortly after the memorial day fire. My coach, Phillip Dutton had spotted him while teaching a jumping clinic at another American Olympian's farm at Julie Richards. He came home and said to me that he had found 'your kind of horse'. I flew down there and liked him from the get go.

Anne Hennesy has been a long time supporter and friend. She has owned some fantastic horses in the past with Benwald and the late Summer Breeze. Both Anne and I were devastated in loosing Summer, and it was a tough job finding a horse to take her place. I knew when I got Caddy she would love this horse.

Even though Caddy is a failed race horse, and originally was discovered at a horse rescue facility, I believe he is the real deal. He has the movement and look for dressage, a serious jump and gallops with ease. I really enjoy training this gelding and have high hopes for him.

Talented Young Horse for Sale - Bacardi!

NAME: Bacardi
DOB: April 5, 2006
SEX: Gelding
COLOUR: Bay
HEIGHT: 17.0 hh
BREED: Dutch WB
(KPWN-NA 840025 200600417)
SIRE: Sir Sinclair
DAM: Rideau Hall
PLACE OF BIRTH: Pennsylvania
OWNER: Sandy Issler

Bacardi is a handsome 5 year old, 17.0hh registered Dutch Warmblood (KWPN) bay gelding who is blessed with wonderful gaits and the ability to jump. This exciting young horse is loaded with talent, has received excellent training from some of the best trainers in the country and has had a great start to his career.

Bacardi's training began with natural horsemanship where he was desensitized, learned manners, respect, and some cool tricks. As a 4 yo, Bacardi was given a wonderful start in dressage with trainer Dorie Addy-Crow. Bacardi went with Dorie to Florida for further training and for the 2010-2011 dressage show season where he competed in many top prestigious USDF/USEF shows at Training Level with scores into the 70s. Bacardi also competed in dressage shows with his amateur owner and is currently schooling first and second level movements. He also finished 12th in the country at Training Level in the USDF-KWPN-NA 2011 Final Award Standings.



As talented as this elegant fellow is for dressage, Bacardi really wants to jump. Bacardi is currently in training with Boyd Martin to develop him into an eventing horse. With his wonderful dressage background, intelligence, and athletic jumping ability, Bacardi shows great potential as an eventing horse. He has no vices. Bacardi clips, loads, has excellent feet, is good for farrier and vet and enjoys hacking in his spare time.

Please call 610-806-2381 to set up an appointment to see Bacardi!

Congratulations to Lindsey Taylor for Winning PRO Liz Cochran Memorial Groom's Award

Press Release from PRO

Lindsey Taylor Selected as First Honoree of the PRO Liz Cochran Memorial Groom's Award

Lindsey to be Honored at the PRO Awards Reception on December 9th

Vero Beach, FL - November 28, 2011: The Professional Riders Organization is very pleased to announce that Lindsey Taylor, head groom for Boyd Martin, has been selected as the recipient of the inaugural PRO Liz Cochran Memorial Groom's Award. Lindsey will be honored December 9, 2011 at 6:00 PM at the PRO Awards Reception at the Sheraton Music City Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee site of the 2011 USEA Convention. Lindsey will receive an engraved silver bowl, a $5,000 cash award, and PRO will donate $500 to a cancer charity of Lindsey's choice in memory of Liz Cochran.

The PRO Liz Cochran Memorial Groom's award will be offered annually to an outstanding groom of a professional member of PRO who has had a large influence on their rider's career and the health and well-being of the horses under their care. Nominees should epitomize the example set forth by Liz Cochran, who groomed professionally for Abigail Lufkin and sadly lost her life to cancer. The following criteria is used to evaluate the nominees: the groom always puts the horses first; immaculate turnout of horses at home and competitions regardless of level; communicates effectively with owners, riders, students and staff; rallies a positive stable atmosphere both at home and away; has an infectious, positive attitude; shares their knowledge of the job in a effort to educate others; demonstrates that no job is beneath them; is well presented in their attire and courteous in both manners and speech; and enhances their rider's career.

Karen O'Connor spearheaded the award envisioning formal recognition by fellow professionals that would not only honor the outstanding qualities of professional grooms, but also reward them with a significant cash prize. The nominees put forward by riders for the 2011 PRO Liz Cochran Memorial Groom's Award included Emma Ford (Phillip Dutton) and Nate Varcoe-Cocks (Will Faudree). Mark Hart, Chair of the PRO Awards Committee summed up what was a very challenging decision: "All of the nominees are extremely worthy of winning this award and it was very difficult to choose one winner. Given the incredibly trying circumstances that Lindsey faced this year with the fire in Boyd's barn, and the incredible way she has dealt with every situation she has been challenged with, the committee felt that this was her year to be honored in what we know will be a long career." Other members of the PRO Award Committee include: Mary Coldren, Rick Dunkerton, Faye Woolf, Joanie Morris, Evie Dutton, Laura VanderVliet and Sara Kozumplik.

In nominating Lindsey, Boyd expressively described her outstanding qualities: "I believe the events that led up to, during and after the Memorial Day barn fire separates Lindsey from the rest of the list of candidates. This lady was able to deal with the tragedy of the loss of the horses that died, also rehabilitating the injured ones that survived, whilst working out of a number of barns, and was still able to fulfill her energy of the competition horses that were unaffected, all at the same time without complaint, negativity, or fuss, which impressed me more than anything." In 2011 Boyd calculated that he had 175 eventing starts, which Lindsey groomed for, braiding 2,050 braids from the big international-three day events like Rolex, Burghley and Boekelo to horse trials like Sporting Days, Waredaca and Loch Moy. Boyd pointed out that during this time Lindsey worked nine weeks straight without a day off because "her commitment is bordering on the line of obsession."

Thanksgiving Day Hunting

Thanksgiving day this year was once again a fantastic day out hunting here in Pennsylvania. The Cheshire Hounds Thanksgiving Day Fox Hunt has become a favorite day on my yearly calendar. This year I anticipated a challenging day of jumping, so I came well mounted. I pulled out the seasoned 4-star campaigner and veteran field hunter, Remington XXV to tackle the famous Cheshire country.

Gretchen Wintersteen (left) with Boyd on Remi

Since competing Remi at Boekelo in the Netherlands in late October, he had a few weeks off, then came back in to gentle work. I hunted him alongside his owners, Ron and Densey Juvonen, once a week in the second and third field for him to get the understanding of hunting again during the past month.

We had a fantastic day out, where we got to gallop and jump along with all sorts of members of the community. There were famous huntsmen, jockeys, racing trainers, land owners, businessmen and women and equine enthusiasts among the riders. Legendary race trainer Michael Dickerson chose to join the hunt on foot, a number of times overtaking me with lightning speed!

I have a new level of appreciation and respect for Stuart Malone, who took an almighty crash at a three-railer. I was expecting the hunt to call in the Medics, but Stuart chose to walk it off, re-mounting and continuing the hunt. Gladiatorial stuff!

I spent the majority of the hunt just off the pace, enjoying the action with some friends in the beautiful weather. I stayed with a fun group of riders including Katie Walker and her son Harry, (Brewster's owners), Dave Leinhauser,(fox hunter genius trainer of all time), Neville Bardos Syndicate members Ron & Densey Juvonen, Gretchen Wintersteen, race rider and former Cheshire Whip Nial Malloy and Unionville super vet Peter Blauner.

Silva watching the hounds in action

Without doubt, we are very lucky to have such wonderful open country in this area: a fantastic way to spend Thanksgiving day.

-Boyd

Meet Windurra's Newest Member: Erin Lehman

We are very happy to announce the newest member of our team, Erin Lehman! Erin is from Ames, IA and will be joining Boyd's crew in Aiken, SC for the three-month winter season.

Erin has an impressive background including extensive experience in Pony Club, a position as a working student for Susan Harris and a riding education with John Staples. She is currently a Senior in high school and will be graduating early, this December, to begin working towards her riding and horse management goals. She hopes to pursue a career in the horse industry, riding event horses and coaching event riders. She has demonstrated a strong work ethic and a desire to learn.

Her horse, Super Fly, will also be joining us in Aiken. Erin and Super Fly have been together for a year and have just successfully completed their third preliminary horse trials together. Erin's riding goals for 2012 include completing a one star and competing at the intermediate level by the end of the year. She also hopes to achieve her HB and B Pony Club ratings during the coming spring or summer.

We are excited to have such a dedicated, enthusiastic, and ambitious new team member joining us in Aiken this winter! Congratulations, and welcome, Erin!

-Lindsey Taylor

Note from blog administrator: Erin is a teenage girl. Considering the tone of previous comments, please think before posting and keep your comments respectful. -AMH

Silva and Aesthete Named to USEF Developing List

Silva and "Stately"
Photo courtesy Cindy Lawler

Congratulations to Silva and Aesthete, the 6-year-old gelding owned by Faye Woolf, on being named to the USEF Developing Horse/Rider List with an average score of 8.72 (Young Horse Division).

For the complete list please click here

Position Available: Working Student for Boyd Martin

The Farm in Aiken

Want to spend the winter in Aiken, South Carolina
in the heart of the high-performance eventing scene?
Boyd has an opening for a working student!

This is a temporary position, beginning January 1, 2012 and ending March 25, 2012, with the possibility of an extension for the right individual. The ideal candidate for must be enthusiastic about working extremely long hours, six to seven days per week. The work is hard, and consists of stall cleaning, grooming horses, tacking and untacking horses, and general barn and farm clean-up. However, the hardworking individual will have unlimited opportunities for learning horsemanship and riding of the highest quality from Boyd and his crew.

Boyd trains out of Ilene Boorman's beautiful farm in Aiken, SC, which is part of the prestigious Bridle Creek equestrian development. The farm provides the perfect setting for intense training of horse and rider by boasting amenities such as a brand new jump field, a large riding ring with excellent footing for flat work and nearby cross-country schooling obstacles. The barn is gorgeous and the spacious turn-out fields are second to none. The surrounding development has endless trails for hacking and fitness work.

Barn Interior

The candidate for this position may bring one or two horses at a cost of $35 per day, per horse. Shared housing is available at an affordable cost.

In exchange for hard work, the working student will receive training in the form of dressage lessons from Caitlin Silliman and Boyd Martin and jumping lessons from Boyd Martin. The candidate will also gain valuable knowledge about the highest levels of horsemanship by working day-to-day alongside Boyd and his staff in the barn.

Interested individuals should contact Lindsey Taylor at lindseyktaylor@yahoo.com. Please send a resume or description of previous work and/or riding experience.

Boyd has Three Horses on the USEF High Performance Training Lists

The USEF Eventing High Performance Training Lists have been revised for the upcoming 2012 season and Boyd is thrilled to own half the A list, with Otis and Neville, and to be part of the B list with Ying Yang Yo.

I spoke with Boyd this morning and all of the upper-level horses are currently back in work, and Remington will be getting back to his roots when he joins the Cheshire Fox Hounds in Unionville, PA for their Thanksgiving Hunt this week. Eventing fans fear not, however: Remi and his talented stable buddy Cold Harbor will both be back in action with the listed horses to show the eventing world what they've got in 2012.

Regarding the training list, according to the USEF, "Athlete/Horse combinations will be invited to participate in training sessions this winter with U.S. Chef d'Equipe and Technical Advisor Capt. Mark Phillips. Preparation for and success at the 2012 Olympic Games were the Eventing Selectors and the High Performance Committee's highest priorities in developing these lists."

A List

Phillip Dutton (West Grove, PA) and Bruce Duchossois' Mighty Nice
Mighty Nice is a 7-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding

Sinead Halpin (Oldwick, NJ) and Carriag LLC's Manoir de Carnville
Manoir de Carnville is an 11-year-old Selle Francais gelding

Boyd Martin (West Grove, PA) and the Neville Bardos Syndicate's Neville Bardos
Neville Bardos is a 12-year-old Australian Thoroughbred gelding

Boyd Martin (West Grove, PA) and the Otis Barbotiere Syndicate's Otis Barbotiere
Otis Barbotiere is a 9-year-old Selle Francais gelding

B List
Hannah Sue Burnett (The Plains, VA) and Jacqueline Mars' Harbour Pilot
Harbour Pilot is an 8-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding

Jan Byyny (Purcellville, VA) and her own and Jo and Richard Byyny's Inmidair
Inmidair is a 12-year-old New Zealand Thoroughbred gelding

Will Coleman (Gordonsville, VA) and Jim Wildasin's Twizzel
Twizzel is a 15-year-old Westphalian gelding

Tiana Coudray (Ojai, CA) and Jatial Inc.'s Ringwood Magister
Ringwood Magister is a 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding

Buck Davidson (Ocala, FL) and Sharon Will's Absolute Liberty
Absolute Liberty an 8-year-old Thoroughbred x Oldenburg Mare

Buck Davidson (Ocala, FL) and Carl and Cassandra Segal's BallyNoe Castle RM
BallyNoe Castle RM is an 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding

Buck Davidson (Ocala, FL) and Sherrie Martin's The Apprentice
The Apprentice is a 7-year-old Oldenburg gelding

Phillip Dutton (West Grove, PA) and Nina and Tim Gardner's William Penn
William Penn is a 9-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding

Phillip Dutton (West Grove, PA) and Team Rebecca LLC's Ben
Ben is a 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding

Will Faudree (Hoffman, NC) and Jennifer Mosing's Pawlow
Pawlow is a 12-year-old Irish Thoroughbred gelding

Will Faudree (Hoffman, NC) and Jennifer Mosing's Fernhill Gloster Rebel
Fernhill Gloster Rebel is a 10-year-old Irish Thoroughbred Gelding

Becky Holder (Palmetto, GA) and Melissa and Phil Town, and Tom Holder's Can't Fire Me
Can't Fire Me is a 12-year-old Thoroughbred gelding

Shannon Lilley (Gilroy, CA) and The Lilley Group's Ballingowan Pizazz
Ballingowan Pizazz is an 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding

Marilyn Little-Meredith (Frederick, MD) and Raylyn Farm Inc.'s RF Rovano Rex
RF Rovano Rex is a 13-year-old Hanoverian gelding

Boyd Martin (West Grove, PA) and Boyd Martin and Faye Woolfe's Ying Yang Yo
Ying Yang Yo is a 15-year-old Thoroughbred gelding

Clark Montgomery (Fairburn, GA) and Holly Becker, Kathryn Kraft and Jessica Montgomery's Loughan Glen
Loughan Glen is an 8-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding

Karen O'Connor (The Plains, VA) and The O'Connor Equestrian Syndicate's Mr Medicott
Mr Medicott is a 12-year-old Irish Sport horse gelding

Julian Stiller (Thatcham, Berkshire UK) and her own and Jules Delvecchio's Chapel Amble
Chapel Amble is a 14-year-old Hanoverian mare

Jolie Wentworth (Martinez, CA) and Tracy Bowman's Good Knight
Good Knight is a 9-year-old Canadian Sport Horse gelding

It is anticipated that training sessions will be held in California, Florida, and South Carolina; dates will be finalized and published in December. Training sessions will be open to the public. Auditors are welcome and asked to please be respectful of lessons and the property on which they will be held.

Boyd and Silva will be heading to Aiken, SC in January, 2012 to train and compete on the winter eventing and dressage circuits, respectively.

-AMH