Silver Medal Earned!

Duke and I showed the Prix St George in Estes Park in August, earning my USDF Silver Medal. Thanks Duke, you’re the best!

Emily and Duke showing their first FEI test at Estes Park

We had a great weekend at the show! Duke and I went out at 4th level, and despite some show nerves on my part, and those SCARY indoor arenas ( that’s what Duke says) we came home with two Qualifying scores and three first place ribbons ( 3 for 3!). Not bad for our first time out at 4th level.

Emily and Duke wearing our three blue ribbons..

Heather had an OUTSTANDING show, with scores of 67 and 68, winning the Adult Amateur High Point award for the second show in a row! She rode her 2nd level test 3 for the first time, won her classes, and qualified for State Championships and Regionals. Great job Heather!

Heather and Padraig wear 3 of their 4 blue ribbons

Quantum Leap went along for the experience and was AMAZING! He warmed up on Friday in the indoor while they were unloading giant potted TREES from a flatbed in the middle of the arena!!! He worked right in there with the big boys, braved the dairy barn, hacked all over the property, and was relaxed enough to take his mid morning nap in his stall. What a hero! I love him so!

Emily and Quantum Leap in the Dairy barn at the Expo.

Here are a few more pictures from this weekend.

Quantum Leap and Duke decided to be buddies. So cute!

Duke grooms me back as I curry his shoulder, what a sweetie!

The boys. Magnificent!

Everyone loves this silly picture. Duke yawns after getting some rubbing from Quantum Leap

Quantum Leap went to his first Sarah Hall clinic! He was a superstar, tried hard, kept a great attitude, not fearful, just SUPER! Thanks Quantum Leap. Here’s a little clip for his fans!

Here is a short clip of Duke and I. It had been a while since posting anything ( 6 months! ) so I thought I’d put up something a bit more current.  He is doing great and I am thrilled. We are preparing for the upcoming show season, and having a lot of fun.

Emily and Duke enjoying thier ribbon at Regionals

We had an eventful show in Scottsdale for the Region 5 Championships!

Friday night it rained over an inch and flooded everything. Very beautiful to see that much rain in the desert!  All the competition arenas were moved under cover, so the show DID go on, but we all had to be flexible and resilient. Most folks warmed up in the RV parking lot, ( like skiing moguls!) or you could choose 6 inches of slick mud.

Emily and Duke pose with their Reserve Champion ribbon and saddle pad.

I got to ride in the Equidome for several of my rides, which was kind of  cool because it’s such a nice venue, but Duke was very tense and afraid. The raised seating and flickering light was scary for him. We had scores from 6o-64%, with the better scores being ridden in the outside covered arenas – not the Equidome.

Despite the Equidome and the lack of warmup, Duke and I managed a Reserve Championship! Congratulations to Karen Lencyk, Region 5 Champion. See my videos. or visit youtube for a short clip of the ceremony.

Heather did a great job in the arduous conditions with some good scores in the mid 60′s and some good placings in super tough company!

Heather and I went to the RMDS Championship in Colorado. Heather did fabulous, placing 5th in VERY competitive field of 18.I had a high score of 68%, and a 67.179 in the championship class. In that class, I tied for 2nd place with two others, only .04 points from the winning rider. So we all did good! I shared a third place ribbon, and the tie breaker took the reserve.

"Heather waits with her class for the Camptionship awards ceremony and victory gallop! "

" After a test."

"Emily and Duke pose with their ribbon."

Heather and I went to the gorgeous town of Estes Park. Heather did great with scores in the mid 60′s. Duke and I won 4 out of 5 classes with scores in the low 60′s. Great to be around such extremely tallented riders, horses and international judges. I had three judges for every single ride! Great experience. What a beautiful place, well worth the drive!

Duke and Emily debut at the Luna Rosa NMDA schooling show. We showed Third level tests two and three, scoring 64.6% and 66.1% respectively. I couldn’t have been happier with Duke’s availability and his happy attitude! A fun time was had by all, a big thank you to all my supporters!

" Duke with one of his blue ribbons". What a pretty boy.

Paula helps me with my stock tie...Thanks Paula!

We had a lot of fun at the first Santa Fe Equestrian Center Fun Day show. THANKS to the SFEC for the Fun Day!!

" Heather gets a hand full of blues! Fun!".

"I'm so proud of my ladies! Great job Aimee and Heather!"

"working piaffe with Andrew's help"

Attended a wonderful, challenging clinic at Santa Fe Sport Horses this weekend. WHAT a great teacher, and what fun we had. Thank you Andrea for hosting and organizing this clinic!