Check out Cyndi riding with a broken foot! :)
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Krissy and the big white marshmellow, Liam...are heading off to compete at their very first recognized event together at Poplar Place in the Open Beginner Novice division. We are all pulling for you from home! Go get'em!
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Adrian and her 4 y/o 16h OTTB mare named Journey will be joining us as a full boarder, claiming one of our rare mare openings. Journey will be pasture mates with China, Seattle and Cody. Please make them feel welcome! :) Thanks Cheri for the pic!
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Krissy and Liam (Grey Goose) headed out to Ashland Farm and participated in the Emma and Mike Winter Eventing Clinic January 14 & 15. She went over her dressage and stadium on Saturday January 14th and then XC on Sunday, January 15th. They got their confidence pumped up to hit up their first recognized horse trial together at Poplar Place the following weekend! Was great to see Mary Bess Sigman (Krissy & Kim's instructor) learn some things at the clinic as well. Great time with some wonderful weather! See pics below. :)
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They have been working hard and are going to the January Poplar Place Horse Trials! Krissy and Liam have been doing their homework and have set their sights on their recognized debut together at Poplar Place...burrrrrr! But the big snow ball will undoubtedly take great care of his mom as they tackle their first venture together. We look forward to seeing them in action. :)
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Krissy, Kim, Kelley and Meaghan were blessed with the opportunity to go to Cavalia's opening night in Atlanta on December 7th. Unbelievable sets, lighting, costumes, music, acrobats, aerialists, and of course HORSES! Various immaculately groomed horses (all geldings and stallions of different breeds) that performed brilliantly with the help of their handlers and riders. After the performance, a question and answer session by lead trainer Benjamin Ailliaud, a reception in the Rendevouz Lounge, and a visit through the stabling area. Extremely humbling and refreshing to witness the time, dedication, and obvious affection that these horses and trainers have for one another. A definate must see! Four hooves up from UCF!
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We have some new boarders and their new horses! Please welcome Danielle & Muffy. Muffy is a 5 y/o paint mare that will be enjoying the trails and eventually be venturing out into some eventing. Muffy will be out with our pasture crew. We also have the arrival of Terry & Art. Art is a 6 y/o arabian gelding that enjoys competitive trail riding with his mom. Art has joined our full board horses. Also, recent arrivals...Beth and Panosh! Panosh is a 6 y/o Holsteiner X mare that is in our pasture crew. Panosh is a new purchase for Beth and they will be doing to bonding time together. WELCOME to UCF!
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Feather will be heading to Doreen Sullivan-Durr's farm to be loved on and ridden by her talented group of riders until he is sold. Feather has been a member of the UCF crew for four years now and has been unfortunately outgrown by our riders. (UGH!) But we know that Doreen and her crew will take fantastic care of our little guy until the right home comes along...a home that will love on and appreciate the talents that this little Theodore O'Connor has to offer! Feather will be leaving on December 4th.
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UCF wishes Carol & Brogan a big CONGRATS on their 1st place win in their Training Division at November's Poplar Place Horse Trials. They finished in 1st on their dressage score of 28.60 in a field of 17 entries. WAY to go!
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Hi – Sorry you guys couldn’t join us for all the fun this past weekend, but sounds like you were busy yourselves at UCF! Except for the 29 degree Friday night and sleeping in the trailer (I DID manage to stay warm, at least!), it was a great weekend. Braiding with frozen fingers Saturday morning was a struggle, but luckily, it was not a beauty contest! I gave Brogan an extra 15 minutes of warmup to help relax him, as he was a little “puffy” coming out of the stall!! I love the new footing at Poplar (is it new? I haven’t been there in a few years!), and by the time we went into the ring, he was working quite well. He gave me a lovely, obedient test, and except for the trot lengthening (which are not his forte), and a late walk transition (why can’t I ever get that movement at the right letter???) he got all 7’s and 8’s!! When the judge said “Nice ride” afterwards, I was hopeful that we scored well!! I was absolutely thrilled to FINALLY break into the 20’s -- after how many years???
My friend in Gainesville called me to congratulate me even before the scores were posted at the show! (the wonders of technology!) Of course, then I had to deal with the pressure of a good stadium round, over a rather large, twisty course with terrain changes (remember, I’m a Flatlander from Florida!). We did the best we could, though, and when I didn’t see a spot, I followed my own advice and just kicked, and Brogan responded! We ticked several rails (alright….CLUNKED a few rails….), but they all stayed up (yes, there must be a Birthday God!) It was not a course that you “flowed” through, but just had to ride it the best you could! (Of course, after my dressage ride, I didn’t care if he’d knocked EVERY rail down !!)
The cross-country course was a little more technical than usual for a Training level course. Nothing exceptionally huge (except for a chevron that used to be on the Preliminary course). I was determined to make the time, since last time we were here we had a few time faults (hills make such a difference!). He sailed around the XC, handling the hills quite well for not being used to them. The only missteps he took were once over a bare patch of ground where a jump used to be, where he looked down and spooked while in a full gallop (a real neck-jerker!), and then coming down to the chevron, studying it and waiting for a signal from me that he was really supposed to take THAT fence! When I said, “Of course!”, then he launched WAY early, making it seem like an advanced-sized fence, so I had to slip my reins and hang on, because I thought we would NEVER hit the ground!! Once over, he got a big pat, and I gathered up my reins and headed to the water complex, which was a little tricky, but my overnight worries dissolved when he handled the in-and-out, sharp turn downhill, and over the narrow log into the water. No problem! He finished 26 seconds under time, easily, and although I was quite winded afterwards from the cold air in my lungs and coughed for the next hour, he was totally recovered by the time we got back to the stall!
So it was an exciting win for us – (since we only were able to do two events this fall because of my TD work). **Carol is training to be a USEA Technical Delegate.** Being on my birthday made it even more special! Now we will spend the rest of the winter doing some schooling shows and trail riding, and he can go back to looking like an overgrown yak with his long winter coat again!
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Dressage @ UCF
Krissy & Liam
"Easy Does It" & Kim
Tim working with Krissy & Liam
Freckles receiving a well deserved scratch from Nicole's grandfather
Saskia & Apache
Christy & Ozzie
Kim & "Easy Does It"
Tim w/Saskia & Apache
Nicole & Freckles w/Tim
Krissy & Liam
Tim & Ozzie
Tim working w/Sharon & Mac
Saskia & Apache w/Tim McKee
Tim working w/Nicole & Freckles
Tim aboard Sharon's Mac
Sharon & Mac
Tim riding Christy's Ozzie
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Krissy, Kelley & Meaghan
Kelley & Patrick
Kelley & Patrick
Kelley & Patrick
Krissy & Liam
Krissy & Liam
Megs, Kels, Krissy w/Mary Bess and another student Kelly
Meaghan & Maggie Magee
Meaghan & Maggie
Meaghan & Maggie
Meaghan & Maggie
Meaghan & Maggie
Sisters Meaghan & Kelley w/Maggie & Patrick
Patrick, Liam, and Maggie Magee
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UCF'ers, Krissy & Liam, Meaghan & Maggie, Kelley & Patrick, Kim as their photographer, and Rolex...headed on out for a XC lesson with Mary Bess Sigman. They all had a blast and learned a bunch! Please enjoy the pictures of their day.
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Kelley's former Beg. Novice/Novice eventing partner went to new owner Bridgette P. in February of this year. By the looks of this pic, they are doing GREAT! So nice to know the horses you sell go to a FANTASTIC home! Thanks Bridgette for the photo and give Teddie a hug from all of us at UCF!
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http://www.reelz.com/trailer-clips/58033/the-greening-of-whitney-brown-trailer/ Check it out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! UCF Stables & Eventing made the trailer for the movie of The Greening of Whitney Brown. They used Gants Feed next door for the scene where the horse (Odd Job Bob) came through the door. They used UCF's driveway for the yellow and black car chase after the girl on the horse and her jumping our front pasture fence into our front pasture! NEAT! We look forward to seeing the movie.
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"Here’s a video of our 30.0% (!!!) dressage ride last Saturday at the 2-phase at the
Fl. Horse Park. Brogan won the Training division! The second phase was a derby course,
starting in the ring with 7 jumps, then a rolltop going out to XC, jumping 10 more XC fences,
and coming back into the ring through a small pond, and jumping 7 more fences! Exhausting
in the extreme heat, but a lot of fun!
Still need work on those lengthening, though – we just can’t seem to get them in the
small arena. Schooling at home, I can get a fairly decent one, but it takes 2 or 3 tries!
Oh well, we will keep trying!"
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Lauren & Feather participated in their very first show together as a pair at the
New Classic Horse Show in Gainesville GA. Their hard work paid off and they won
a blue ribbon in the Amoeba Combined Test Division. A big CONGRATS from UCF!!!
Looking forward to many blues in the future for this pair.
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Kimberly Lennon-Freire is a proud mom! Her daughters loaded
up their horses, Patrick O'Keaghey (a 5 y/o Saddlebred X) and
Maggie Magee (a 13 y/o AQHA mare who has only been jumping for
less than a year) and headed out to Chatt Hills for some XC schooling.
Maybe the girls will lend mom one of their horses..........ha ha...that is
a good one! Here are some pics of their day!
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Sisters Kelley & Meaghan
Maggie & Meaghan warm up in the ring
Meaghan & Maggie with the beautiful barn in backdrop
Maggie & Megs over novice ramp w/brush
Maggie & Megs
Maggie Magee & Meaghan looking fierce!
Ditch...no problem
Maggie & Megs over lincoln logs
Megs very proud of her Maggie
Maggie "Patrick, I don't know about this one!"
Maggie & Megs over novice ramp towards water complex
Kelley & Patrick
Patrick taking jump after coming down hill
Kels and Pat over novice ramp w/brush
Warming up over some stadium fences
Ditch practice
Patrick going down with Maggie looking on
Practicing stadium jumping
Kelley and Patrick's last fence of the day
Kelley & Patrick's 1st fence of the day
Taking on the novice kennel jump
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Chatt Hills Jump Judging
Christy Jump Maintenance Pro
Beth Perkins
Becky Holder and Can't Fire Me
Holder down the sunken road
Christy raking Kim being a dork
Elisa & Traveling Light
Freddie stylin w/Elisa
Imti and his mare's 1st Prelim
Camden chilling like a hunter round
Camden, Cor Magnifique, 1st H.T. with Elisa
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If you are a competitor at a horse trial, you get to experience the opportunity to test all of your
hard work and practice that you and your horse have undertaken. Most likely than not, you
are "in the zone" when you go into the dressage ring, XC course, or stadium ring. As a
competitor, sometimes you really don't get the opportunity to notice all the hard work and effort
that goes into making a horse trial or horse show successful. It all boils down to effective
management but most of all VOLUNTEERS! If you ever get an opportunity to volunteer your time
as a jump judge, scribe, ring steward, bit checker, etc., go for it! It will make you appreciate
the people that put their efforts in and maybe even thank them for their time when you compete
at your next venue. Yes, it is hard at times....but it makes for a wonderful education and an
opportunity to network with fellow eventing enthusiasts. Some horse trials even try and show their appreciation by giving out items such as hats, T-shirts, and free schooling vouchers. Just remember...bring your bug spray, sunblock, comfy chair, a cooler for drinks and snacks,
sunglasses, and your love of the sport.
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Krissy's Liam, aka Grey Goose, was SUPER for his 2nd ever horse trial.
He competed in the Open Novice A Division and started off with a very respectable dressage test (although the scores were "interesting")...
with a 43.10. He was tied in 10th going into XC and then went clean!
This moved him up into 7th out of 13. Liam got to meet his doppleganger
in Saxon Mills in the warm up ring for stadium (see pic). Mary Bess then
piloted Liam around the stadium course, where he shined, moving him into
6th place. This up and comer will be the one to watch! Liam will be moving
up to training level for his next outing!
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Carol Ogden & In Rythm was 1st out of 18 in the Training Rider Division at
Rocking Horse Horse Trials 4/11. Here is her blog! Way to go Ogster & Brogan!!!
"Last weekend was Rocking Horse – what a fun weekend! Gorgeous weather, staying
with friends, and having a wonderful horse – couldn’t get much better! We had a better test
this time than at Pine Top, and I was hoping for a better score – which we got with a 33.6%!
Our canter lengthenings that used to get us 5’s, earned us a 7 and an 8!! (thank you, Andrew!!)
It was even a bigger surprise that we were leading after dressage! (out of 18!)
Stadium was tricky – the ring at RHS is smaller now, and there were jumps EVERYWHERE!
Once we figured out where we were supposed to go, I walked it about 3 times to make SURE!!
There was no time to relax – it was jump and turn, bending lines, big oxers off tight turns –
but FUN!!! Brogan actually does better over a course like that, because we have a small place
to practice at home, and it helps keep him “packaged”!!
He was quite mellow, going out to XC – he didn’t get nervous until about 5 minutes before we
went, so I just stood around and let him chill. He walked up to the start box, walked out, picked
up a trot, and as soon as I asked him to GO, he was ON!!!! He sailed around the course and didn’t
bat an eye at anything – there were some “questions” out there, like a skinny between 2 huge
live oak trees, a 4-stride turning question where you couldn’t see the 2nd fence until you landed
off the first, a half coffin of ditch to a rolltop, a double bounce up, and a corner! What fun! We came
in 22 seconds under time, and ended up winning our division!! Even Bruce Davidson rode by
the washrack afterwards where I was hosing Brogan off, and commented on what a nice ride it looked like! Wow!"
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Carol Ogden & her lovely gelding, In Rhythm, finished on their dressage
score of 35.5 which landed them in 4th out of 25 in the Training Rider
Division at the spring Pine Top Horse Trials! Congrats!!!!!!!
Here is a blog from Carol:
"Well, it was a great weekend -- perfect weather (it DID rain last night during
the night, which cooled things off for XC day today, at least!)
The drive up was uneventful -- about 6 hours. We got there and settled in,
pleasantly pleased to be stabled next to a friend from Tryon
(Ann Lane-Maulden) who I always see at events, but never really get a
chance to visit with her. The junior rider on the other side was a nice gal from Huntsville, Al. with a VERY cute TB horse I really liked. It was great to see
Tara and Doreen (alumni UCF'ers) there too.
Our dressage warmup was quite nice -- relaxed and steady. Our test wasn't
quite as good -- with 4 rings going on, there was a little too much to keep his
interest when he was supposed to be stretching in the walk and trot, but it was
pretty steady and forward (as usual). He didn't switch leads behind on me, and
my figures were at least accurate, at least! It just felt like we were zooming
around this tiny ring and the test was over before I could even catch my breath!
At any rate, we scored a 35.5% -- which put us in 8th place out of 25 in my
division. (the test I did at Fla. Horse Park last time was MUCH nicer and we'd
scored a 40.5%.....I'll never understand dressage judges....)
About an hour later, we jumped stadium. It was in the big arena where you
could really ride forward to the fences (which I was bound and determined
I would do, and not "pick" at him). That resulted in his taking off early over
(of course) the big square oxers, but he sailed over them cleanly and came
back afterwards. We were clean with no time faults, and moved up into 5th
place overnight.
That evening we had dinner with Susan Wainwright, Rachel
(the "kid" from our Kentucky team), and a couple other of her students.
We spent about 2 hours visiting and having fun before crashing for the night.
I didn't ride XC today until 1:30, so Barbie and I walked down to XC and watched
all the Preliminary riders go. A lot of big-name riders were there (those who
rode at the WEG's) and others. They were all winter boarders in Aiken, and
hauled in for the event. (Phillip Dutton, Boyd Martin, Doug Payne, etc.) It was fun
to watch them ride. (Boyd rode 6 horses in one Training division!)
The XC course wasn't quite as hard as it was last time I rode there, and followed
a similar track. Brogan warmed up quite relaxed, but as soon as we left the start
box, he was "on"!! He hit his stride and sailed around the course, taking some big spots and being quite brave. Our only "hiccup" was an up-bank (going uphill), and then a short 2-stride to a big log. Well, he jumped so big onto the bank, that he got about 1 1/2 strides, but got over the big log just fine -- just wasn't as smooth as it should have been! Then we had to gallop along this levee heading towards home,
and there was a jon boat sitting there on the edge of the pond. Barbie had warned
me that a lot of the horses were spooking at it. I couldn't remember if it was there
last time we did the course, but nevertheless, he was really spooking at it! I thought
he was going to veer off into the swamp! I had to stick him a bit to finally get him to gallop by it, and once he saw the next jump up ahead, his mind was back on business! Just got a mild case of whiplash.....
He came in 17 seconds under time, quite easily this time. Barbie said it all looked
like a hunter round! At the end, we crossed the finish line, came down to a walk,
and I could feel him take a deep breath, and he was almost back to normal
breathing in about 2 minutes! (I, on the other hand, was sucking wind for about 5 minutes!!) At least my legs felt strong!
By the time we got him put away and taken care of, the scores were posted,
and we'd finished in 4th place. So, out of 25, I was quite pleased with that.
As usual, it was a blast, and fun to see everyone again."
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Scenes from Pine Top Winter I H.T.
Liam, "We are not in Kansas anymore!"
Alissa, Krissy, and Christy..some of UCF's 1st Gens
Some of the UCF crew walking the stadium course
Our UCF Next Gens plus Rollie model the Training Corner
Mary Bess & Liam half way home
Mary Bess pilots Liam over his 1st fence
Rolex running the course to make sure it is safe for his big white friend
Rolex gives the Novice course a thumbs up!
Liam closes his eyes and trusts Rollie's opinion
Mary Bess looks like a peanut...heee heee
Mary Bess revving up Liam the Grey Goose's engine before dressage
Mary Bess riding Liam and Krissy (proud owner)
Liam & Mary Bess at their last XC fence
Friend of UCF, Heather and her greenie Charlie
Aspiring Training Level Next Gens
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A big congrats goes out to Liam, Grey Goose, for finishing in 7th out of 19 entries on his dressage score of 33.9 in his very first recognized horse trial with Mary Bess Sigman in the irons! Krissy couldn't be prouder of her big guy. He started out with a solid dressage test that landed him in 7th, jumped a very neat and tidy hunter like stadium round which he remained in 7th, and was a steady eddy on his cross country trip with no time penalties which landed him across the board in 7th in grand company in the Open Novice Division. He felt right at home at Pine Top Farm, taking a bunch of naps in between phases and giving his groom, Kate Brown, a giant headache keeping his white....white with four baths!! He received alot of positive feedback from bystanders and other trainers and we look forward to seeing more of the big white marshmellow out and about in Area 3!
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Pine Top Winter Horse Trial I
January 29-30th, 2011
Open Novice Division
1. Alison Eastman-Lawler Appletini
2. Erin Flynn In Sync
3. Rosemary Ganser A Patch on You
4. Kristen Gray Wynella Wolverine
5. Kristen Gray Armania
6. Kristen Gray Makers Mark
7. Megan Howe Makin History
8. Sue Jellum Amazing Grace
9. Boyd Martin Ambassador's Rose
10. Boyd Martin Steady Eddie
11. Boyd Martin Serendipity
12. Boyd Martin Partyboy
13. Boyd Martin Cagney Herself
14. Michael Pollard Beaulieu's Cayenne
15. Caitlin Romeo Nordic Star
16. Mary Bess Sigman My Amelia
17. Mary Bess Sigman Grey Goose (UCF's Big White Marshmellow!)
Ride times for the big boy are as follows: 10:38 Dressage Sat, 1:56 Stadium Sat, 12:04 XC Sunday
18. Carlin Vickery Buzz Lightyear II
19. Virginia Worley McChief
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http://useventing.com/blog/?p=14319
See your favorite top riders give excellent training and riding tips. Enjoy and happy eventing!
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2010 AEC Action
Becky & Comet in the process of bringing home the BLUE!!! (Steve Kennedy photo)
Buck Davidson going to work XC (Steve Kennedy photo)
Lauren Weil all smiles after her XC trip! (photo www.threewaysthreedays.com)
Mary Bess Sigman aboard Guiness (orig. photo by Patti Meason Williams)
Leighton & Freddie TR stadium (photo by Mandy Collins)
Kim, Boyd Martin, and Krissy
Karen O'Conner in Open Intermediate
Carol Ogden & In Rhythm (Brogan)Training XC
UCF Next Gens Natalie, Ginger, Kelley and Megs
Brogan looking handsome
Land Rover Test Drive...weeeee
Open Intermediate XC
Doreen & Flashy looking good
Doreen & Flashy start their stadium round
Krissy and Alissa
Buck Davidson drop into the H20
Becky Holder and Call Me Ollie
Leighton & Freddie had a terrific dressage test
Leighton & Traveling Light getting ready to go down the center line
Doreen braiding Flash before dressage
Sabra w/Finn
Zeus makes himself comfy on Kathleen
Carol & Brogan finish their dressage
Carol & Brogan during dressage
Carol & Brogan into the H20
Krissy helping to get Brogan ready for XC
Looking for the jump out of the water
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Go under www.useventing.com and click on VIDEO: Day 1 Land Rover USEA AEC. You will see at 4:33 minutes into the video, Carol Ogden and her partner Brogan (UCF's featured clinician), tearing up the water complex and then at 5:04 minutes in an interview with Kim/Krissy/Allie's/Kelley's dressage instructor Lauren Weil's interview. Woo Woo!!!! Fun stuff!
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UCF is very excited to have Triple Creek Eventing's, Mary Bess Sigman, come out to give lessons every other week at our barn!! If you want to check her out, www.triplecreekeventing.com. She is a fantastic instructor/trainer and puts you and your horse to work to get the best out of you as a team. Please check our Calendar page for times and availability. Contact Kim at 404-428-4364 if interested in a lesson. :)
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The American Eventing Championships will be held in our own back yard for the next 3 years in Fairburn Georgia at Chatt Hills. Don't miss out on the best of the best competing at a beautiful facility. Also, save your pennies, because the vendors will be there too!!! For more information click on the video link below!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-rTc7ppBCk
Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!
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The GDCTA Schooling Show, at Will's Park, smiled its good fortune for Natalie & Moonie and Ginger & Lilly. Natalie and To The Moon and Back took home their very first blue ribbon together in their second show ever!! They competed in the Amoeba division and put in a good dressage test followed by a great stadium round. Ginger and Lilly went into their VERY first Tadpole division and walked away with 5th place! They had a solid dressage test with an unfortunate refusal at one fence. Coach Candee must be very proud of her girls.....we know that UCF thinks both girls ROCK!!!!!!!! Congrats on your great day ladies.
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Scenes from Chatt Hills 4/2010
Christy caught Kel & Teds in mid air!
Peek a boo Carol
Time for cuddling at Teddie's stall
Meaghan (Kel's sis) with grandparents
Kelley & No Worries dressage
Kelley & Teddie Beg. Novice XC
Dressage (Stressage) for Kelley & Teddie
Teddie closing his eyes wishing for more XC fences
Kelley & Teddie
Carol & In Rhythm warming up
Michael Pollard & Wonderful Will (Advanced)
Cantering through the water complex
Stylin Leighton & Freddie Training Stadium
Waiting for their go in stadium
Carol buttering up the dressage judge ;)
Good looking UCF cheer squad
Carol & Brogan over the TR skinny
"Don't hate me 'cause I'm hunky!" Brogan
Looking stellar
Carol & Brogan getting their 2nd place ribbon!
Brogan & Carol a skip in the park
Leighton & Freedie after XC
Leighton & Freddie go LONG!
Sabra focusing on the last fence
Kels & Teds finished clean on their stadium round
Sabra getting her blue!
XC Beg. Novice Sabra
Tackling the stone wall
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We are so blessed to have such wonderful trails at our facility. Largely if not all due to volunteerism by our fantastic boarders! Valerie has been the "Director of Trails" through the years for UCF and has done a FABULOUS job. She has been joined by Cindi, and Anna as well in the past. The trails are clearly marked, holes and tree roots flagged, trails raked, and new trails are being created. We are VERY thankful and appreciate all of your hard work and contributions! Y'all rock!
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