Changing of the Guard at Windurra Dressage

 

We are experiencing some big changes here at Windurra Dressage, with my three wonderful girls moving on to the next phase of their lives.

Gracia

 The plan for Gracia Huenefeld was always that she would be working for me for two years and then going home to Nebraska. She’s a wonderful girl, talented with her horses, and a very hard worker. She has a big family in Nebraska and wants do a riding school there. She’s very good with people and horses, so she has all the pieces to make it work.

Scout

Scout Ford went back to college, which was also always the plan. She wants to learn something academically before the riding – she’s a very talented rider and I was hoping she would stay, but she made a good decision returning to school. I miss her very much but I know that she’s taking care of all the things she needs to do, and I think I’ll be seeing her around again in the future!

Kymmy

Kymmy Pullen is probably one of my longest employees, she’s been with me for many years. She’s come a long way in her riding and she’s honest, reliable and fabulous in many ways. She is starting her own business in Exton, PA and I know it’s not easy to go out on your own, but she has what it takes and hopefully her business will take off running.

My new working student Jerusha’s parents just bought a place here in Coatesville, PA. She’s a great person and reminds me a lot of Gracia. She has  taken over a lot of the barn managing and is organizing things, which is GREAT. Also Jessie Crosby, who rode with my friend Michelle Folden in Charleston, has just arrived. Jessie has already improved and come along way, but her goal is to be the best rider she can be. Also Devon Seery is back! She is studying at the University of Delaware and has worked out her schedule so she can come to the barn and work most days. Devon is probably one of the smartest people I know; she finished high school while she was working for me and is doing a bit the same now, so I’m sure she can handle it!

A huge thanks to all the girls for being there for me through this challenging year. They have been with me through a lot of good and bad times, and I am so grateful for their hard work and support. I wish them all the best!

-Silva

Coming Soon: Plantation Field!

Finn McCool SOLD

We are pleased to announce that Finn McCool has been sold to an Adult Amateur rider from Ohio. Silva and I would like to thank Craig and Gloria Callen for putting the horse with us for the past year, and we wish his new owner, Valerie Lopez, all the best.

-Boyd

Farewell and Good Luck to Lindsey Taylor

Boyd, Shamwari and Lindsey in France for the 2014 WEG

I’d like to thank my manager and head groom for past three years, Lindsey Taylor. She’s done an incredible job at Windurra looking after the horses and the farm. We have been through the highs and lows of sport together, through an Olympic Games and World Championships, and she has done an extraordinary job taking care of the everything. Lindsey is the consummate professional and Silva and I would both like to thank her and wish her all the best for her future. 

-Boyd

Boyd on HorseJunkiesUnited.com, Presented by SmartPak Equine

Article: http://horsejunkiesunited.com/?p=87862


Video:

 

Boyd and Shami Finish Eight Place Individually at WEG

Final finish eighth place individually at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy. Huge thanks to all of our supporters, the US team, friends and family who have been there for Silva and I through this year. And of course to Ludgwig Svennerstal for giving Shamwari a great start in life. Special thanks to Lindsey Taylor for taking such good care of Shami. 

Congratulations as well to Kimberly Severson and Fernhill Fearless for their 23rd place finish and Sinead Halpin on Manoir de Carneville for their 38 place finish. It was a tough competition, and the US riders gave it their all. 

-Boyd

Family time at the WEG

[SCORES]

Links:

http://useventing.com/news/germany-wins-dual-world-championship-normandy-team-usa-good-spirits-boyd-martin-places-eighth

http://practicalhorsemanmag.com/article/alltech-fei-world-equestrian-games-eventing-show-jumping-25126?utm_source=PracticalHorsemanFB&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=Facebook

http://useventing.com/news/haras-du-pin-takes-some-surprising-prisoners-riders-agree-cross-country-course-was-fair-test

http://www.chronofhorse.com/article/martin-shines-us-team-fight

http://eventingnation.com/home/three-big-takeaways-from-this-years-weg/

Boyd and Shamwari 9th After WEG Cross-Country

It was a tough day for Team USA, but Boyd and Shammie were undaunted by the misfortune of his fellow American riders as they tackled the cross-country course at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games at Haras du Pin, France this morning. Finishing on 59.9, they are in 9th place going into the show jumping on Sunday. 

[USEF Press Release]

[EventingNation.com]

Photo: Jenni Autry for EventingNation.com

Boyd told The Chronicle of the Horse: "The bright spot for Team USA came at the end when Boyd Martin left the box aboard Shamwari 4.

“My horse is a real trier,” he said. “My plan was to set out and be really steady and see what my horse had left at the end. In hindsight, I probably should have pushed him a bit more at the beginning because he was full of running at the end.”

Martin was able to move up from 17^th after dressage to ninth aboard “Shammie,” adding only 13.6 time faults.

“Coming in I expected this to be the toughest competition in the world, and I think that’s exactly what it was,” said Martin. “I am well mounted on a wonderful horse that has the heart the size of Australia, so I knew it would be a good show.”

Despite his own good result, he was heartbroken for his American teammates. “I feel like we are a team of great horses and great riders,” he said, “but with this course, even the best combinations were having difficulty. I think everyone tried their hearts out, and they should all hold their heads high.”