A Visit from Devoucoux

We were very honored that Jean-Michelle Devoucoux made the trip from France to visit us here in Aiken. Jean-Michelle is the founder and owner of the Devoucoux saddle company from Biarritz, France and is the backbone of the company that provide the world's finest saddles. Jean-Michelle not only is the manufacturer of Devoucoux saddles, but used to be a top event rider in France back in his day so he a special passion deep down inside for eventing.

Jean-Michelle spent the day specially fitting a couple of saddles to some of the four-star horses, including Neville Bardos. Neville's back muscles have changed with all the dressage work he has been doing, and Jean-Michelle made a few minor adjustments to make sure that Neville is able to jump and move with freedom and comfort.
Jean-Michelle also gave us all a demonstration on how to correctly fit a Devoucoux five point breastplate. Even though there are a lot of imitations on the market, Jean-Michelle was the inventor of the five point breastplate, which in my opinion is the only product out there that can keep saddles from slipping and sliding without cranking up the girth super tight.
Anyone in the Aiken or Ocala area who is interested in any of the Devoucoux saddles or tack should get in touch with Devoucoux's champion sales rep, Eric Leyssalle, 571-233-6606.

Anyone outside this region, get in touch with the US manager, David Attal, 201-522-5586.

To check out the entire range of Devoucoux products, visit www.us.devoucoux.com.

Thursday Schedule for Bettina Hoy Clinic

Thursday Bettina Clinic

7:30 Jan
8:15 Jan
9:00 Boyd - Nev
9:45 Boyd - Otis
10:30 Alison
11:15 Kevin

12:00 LUNCH

12:45 Boyd - Thomas
1:30 Boyd - Remi
2:15 Emily
3:00 Erin

3:45 FINISH

Bettina Hoy Clinic Schedule for Wed. 2-22-12

Wednesday Bettina Hoy Clinic Schedule:

8:00 Jan
8:45 Jan
9:30 Boyd - Nev
10:15 Boyd - Otis
11:00 Kevin
11:45 Alison

1:30 Boyd - Thomas
2:15 Boyd -Remington
3:00 Sara G
3:45 Erin

Thanks Again Cindy Lawler!

Our friend Cindy Lawler was behind the lens at Paradise this weekend & sent along another magnificent group of photos.  We're so appreciative to Cindy & all of her contributions.  Enjoy the photos!

PHOTO SLIDESHOW!

Paradise Farm Horse Trials

We had another solid weekend of eventing over the last few days at Paradise Farm Winter Horse Trials in Aiken. Several of our young, up-and-coming stars were out competing, as well as a couple of wonderful horses that we have available for sale. The horses did not disappoint, and it was a good outing for all. We enjoyed the company of several owners who came out to cheer us on, and welcomed Abbie Golden, who took a short break from studying at college in Pennsylvania to compete her horse, Spenser, in the Open Preliminary division.

A big congratulations goes to George and Gretchen Wintersteen for their lovely Irish horse, Ballyneety, who won the Open Novice B division! This is the second straight win for this horse following a win at Full Gallop Horse Trials last week. We are excited about the future for this horse after the wonderful beginnings of his American career here in Aiken!

We have a great group of horses for sale, including Freedom's Pride, Bacardi and Ladylovesdiamonds, who all had a successful weekend and look to be strong eventing candidates. Contact Boyd if you are interested in any of these fabulous horses.

Our thoughts are with Denise Lahey and Pierre Colin, who tragically lost their horse, SBF Zamboni aka "Mick", over the weekend. Please know that we are thinking of you during this difficult time.

Results are as follows:

Open Preliminary

Arundel, owned and ridden by Abbie Golden, 12th

Open Training A

New Cadet, owned by Anne Hennessey and ridden by Boyd Martin, 13th

Open Training B

Ricochet EDF, owned by Lisa Samoylenko and ridden by Caitlin Silliman, Withdraw

Open Novice A

Waranga, owned by Amy Lindgren and ridden by Boyd Martin, 5th
Bacardi, owned by Sandy Issler and ridden by Caitlin Silliman, 17th

Open Novice B

Ballyneety, owned by Gretchen and George Wintersteen and ridden by Boyd Martin, 1st
Ladylovesdiamonds, owned by Ann Nawn and ridden by Sara Gumbiner, 7th
SBF Balboa, owned by Denise Lahey and Pierre Colin and ridden by Caitlin Silliman, Withdraw

Open Novice C

Quinn Himself, owned by Bonnie Stedt and ridden by Boyd Martin, 4th
Freedom's Pride, owned by Elizabeth Carey and ridden by Boyd Martin, 10th
SBF Cortez, owned by Denise Lahey and Pierre Colin and ridden by Caitlin Silliman, Withdraw

Open Beginner Novice A

Fergus Himself, owned by Bonnie Stedt and ridden by Sara Gumbiner, 11th

For Sale: Hidden Promise

NAME: Hidden Promise
SEX: Gelding
COLOUR: Brown
HEIGHT: 16.2
DATE OF BIRTH: 2003
COUNTRY OF BIRTH: USA
BREED: Thoroughbred
BREEDER: Nina Fout
PLACE OF BIRTH: Virginia
OWNER: Windurra LLC
PHOTO SLIDESHOW

Hidden promise was purchased by Windurra as a project. He shows a lot of quality with three fantastic gaits and is a true gentleman. He is a surprisingly comfortable for a horse with such big movement and he is one of our most low maintenance horses in the barn and at the shows. So far in his dressage career he has competed successfully at third level in Wellington, with plans to move up to fourth level at the end of February. This would be an incredible horse for a young rider, amateur, or professional. He would take an ambitious rider easily up to FEI level, and at the same time he is a great easy going hack horse.

Inquiries, please contact Silva by phone 610 806 2721 or email

Rembrandt is For Sale!

Sadly, our awesome working student, Devon Seery, is going on to pursue her higher education in the fall.  Her wonderful Dutch Warmblood, Rembradt, will remain in competition with Silva until he is sold.   This is a fabulous horse for a competitive AA or Young Rider, so don't miss out!!

NAME: Rembrandt
SEX: Gelding
COLOR: Bay
HEIGHT: 16.1h
DATE OF BIRTH: April 4 2002
COUNTRY OF BIRTH: Denmark
SIRE: Loudini
DAM: Regitze Birk
BREED: Danish WB
BREEDER: Pia Graugaard-Jensen
OWNER: Devon Seery

Rembrandt is large bodied 16.1h, 2002 Registered Danish Warm blood Gelding. Since being imported from Denmark he has made his mark as a dressage horse in the USA with his young rider earning the 2012 BLM First level Championship and GAIG Training level Championship. He is currently being trained and competed by Silva Martin in Aiken SC and FL for the remainder of winter. He is competing at 3rd level and will be moving up to fourth shortly, consistently scoring in the high 60s. This horse is quiet, uncomplicated and packed with personality. He is great for the AA or young Rider and he is always happy to work. This one is too good to pass up!

See his full sales listing here.

Inquiries, please contact Silva by phone 610 806 2721