Developing Riders Clinic with Debbie McDonald

I rode Stately in the Developing Riders clinic with Debbie McDonald in Wellington, Florida yesterday and this morning. I had two great lessons with Debbie: Stately was amazing, as always. We worked mostly on the basics and Debbie gave us some good exercises.
She agrees that Stately not only has the physical ability but also has the right head for it. She could not believe how smart he is. All the things we worked on on the first day were no issue the next.

Debbie says that it is very important for us to keep working on the basics and Stately's strength . He is so smart that he will learn anything very fast and when he gets strong enough he is going to be amazing.
The best thing about Debbie's lessons is that she is not trying to change too much. Michael and I have a good program for Stately and she just kept it pretty much the same. She says Stately looks great and we are on the right track!

Of course Faye came to watch us go and to be the groom! Thank you Faye! If anybody is looking for a groom, she is amazing! But unfortunately for the rest of you, between being a groom for Eliza and me she is pretty busy!

Stately, my mum, ( who is visiting), and I are now on our way back to Aiken.

Silva

For Sale: Freedom's Pride

NAME: Freedom's Pride

SEX: Mare

COLOUR: Bay

HEIGHT: 16.3hh

DATE OF BIRTH: 1/1/05

SIRE: Freedom Z

BREED: Hanoverian / Irish cross

BREEDER: Acorn Hill Farm, VA

PLACE OF BIRTH: USA

OWNER: Biz Carey

'Libby' is a super classy mare who oozes talent and ability. She is bred to perfection with a blend of Hanoverian, Irish sport horse and Thoroughbred.

She has beautiful correct movement for the dressage, and a super scopey, bold, careful jump. This is a horse with a great future.

Please call Boyd for more info 610-806-2381

Silva's Wellington Classic Sunshine Challenge Report

Photo of Silva and Duvent courtesy Cindy Lawler

We had a good weekend in at the WCSC. It was very hot and humid, but I guess we should not complain since it's better than the cold and the snow!Rosa Cha won both her third level classes with over 70%. She loves to show off and turns it up every time we go to a show. She loves to be braided and groomed and I swear she winks at the spectators and judges as she goes around the ring!
The girls and I decided that if Rosa was a person she would be doing beauty pageants for sure.

Hidden Promise was great again this weekend. He is such a great horse to have at the shows: low maintenance in every way! Promise showed third level for his second time this weekend; yesterday he placed second in a huge class with 67%.

Jeff did great in the Prix St George. He is such an impressive, powerful horse and the judges love him. We finished third in a big, competitive field with 69%.

Duvent performed a very nice test on Friday in the Prix St George. This show is very electric and there is a lot going on. Duvent needs more time and needs to see more places like this; he is going to be great once he gets more confident. We scored 65% and finished seventh.

Party Boy was very excited about the surroundings at this amazing place. I am sure he has never seen anything like it before. He was nervous but handled himself pretty well in the training level tests; we finished second on Friday with a 66% and fourth on Sunday.
Poor Markie came down with cellulitis on Thursday. His leg is huge and very painful. He is doing much better already but Kymmy and Markie unfortunately did not get to show. (Check out the photo of Kymmy and Markie at Gas station - Kymmy had to get him of the trailer a few times to let him walk around a little for his big leg.)

I would like to thank my girls for doing such a great job this weekend! We also had Kymmy's parents, CarolAnn and Scott, helping out a lot. Thank you for a fun weekend!

Silva

Friday Evening Party and Saturday Schedule

Two days in to the Bettina Hoy clinic we all had a great time at the reception held this evening at held at the home of Neville Bardos syndicate members George and Gretchen Wintersteen. A good time was had by all of the riders, grooms, owners and clinic supporters. We're all looking forward to our lessons tomorrow.

-Boyd

Here's the schedule:

Jan Byyny 8:00
Jan Byyny 8:45
Allison Springer 9:15
Kevin Keane 10:00
Erin Sylvester 10:45
Sara Gumbiner 11:30
Boyd Martin 1:00 (Nev)
Boyd Martin 1:45 (Otis)
Boyd Martin 2:30 (Thomas)
Jessica Hampf 3:15

Bettina Hoy Clinic Friday Schedule

Allison Springer on Arthur Taking Instruction from Bettina Hoy

Schedule for Friday, January 27

8:00 Emily Van Gemeren & Berkeley
8:45 Will Coleman & Twizzel
9:30 Kevin Keane & Fernhill Flutter
10:15 Jan Byyny & Why Not
11:00 Jan Byyny & Syd Kent
11:45 Jessica Hampf & High Society
12:30 Lunch
1:15 Allison Springer & Arthur
2:00 Boyd & Remi
2:45 Boyd & Neville
3:15 Boyd & Otis

Silva, Crew and Horses Arrive in Wellington, FL

Kymmy, Devon, Scout, (our new working student) , seven horses and I have arrived in Wellington, Florida to compete this weekend. Kymmy and I trained with Michael Barisone this morning and the horses were great. Michael is a huge help; I got a lot out of the lessons and the horses did great.

We have: Stately, Duvent, Jeff, Rosa, Promise, Curtis and Markie here.

We start showing tomorrow at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center. There is a lot going on at that place this weekend; our show, the Wellington Classic Dressage, is combined with the World Dressage Masters and the grounds are packed!

Wish us luck!
Silva

Bettina Hoy Clinic January 26-28, 2011 at Bridle Creek Farm in Aiken

Image of Bettina Hoy from www.HoyTeam.com

We are inviting some of the best horses and riders in Aiken, including potential Olympic horses that’ll be heading to Kentucky later this spring, to a three-day clinic with German rider Bettina Hoy. Everyone is welcome: owners and grooms are free and there is a $20 auditing fee for others.

Bettina is one of the best riders and trainers of all time; she and her husband Andrew, who rides for Australia, have both ridden at the Olympics and World Championships and have numerous wins around the world. She has flown over from Germany especially to come to Bridle Creek Farm for the clinic, tomorrow through Saturday.

Friday afternoon is a beer, wine and cheese "Meet Bettina" party – anyone and everyone is welcome from 1-3pm to enjoy this occasion with us.

For GPS Navigation please use this address:
Colbert Bridge Road
1139 Colbert Bridge Road
Aiken, SC 29803

Check out the schedule below for Thursday's rides so that you can come see your favorite horses and riders in action. The schedule for each day will be posted on our blog the night before. Stay tuned for more information.

Schedule

8:00 Jan Byyny (Syd Kent)

8:45 Boyd Martin (Ying Yang Yo)

9:30 Jan Byyny (Why Not)

10:15 Boyd Martin (Neville Bardos)

11:00 Boyd Martin (Otis Barbotiere)

11:45 Kevin Keane (Fernhill Flutter)

LUNCH (Drag Ring)

12:45 Will Coleman (Twizzel)

1:30 Will Coleman (Nevada Bay)

2:15 Allison Springer (Arthur)

3:00 Erin Sylvester (No Boundaries)