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Awards
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Last Updated: Jan 26, 2010 - 8:45:12 AM |
Shakespeare RSF wins the 70 Day Test and Fhitzgerald places fifth!
Jan 15, 2010 - 10:24:03 AM
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OK, let's talk about being nervous. From the moment I loaded both of my stallions on to the horse van to take them to Oklahoma, they were never out of my mind. It was definately a BIG DEAL. Both stallions had been licensed to breed, but a passing score from the stallion test was required for full, lifetime approval. They would lose their breeding license if they didn't pass. I fully support this system of testing breeding animals for the sporthorse market, but this was the first time since they were foals that their care and training was out of my hands. I tried to be a good owner and not pester Barbara Sikkink, the manager, Summer Stoffel, the owner and Harold Hoffmann, the Training Director. Actually, I only spoke with Harold once. I would text Barbara maybe once a week, but I assumed no news was good news and I never spoke with Summer. What could I do, anyway? Everything was totally out of my hands. The team at the farm was really super. Barbara always answered my emails and the occassional phone call, and I had a good feeling that the stallions were receiving great care. The stadium jumping finals were held at the end of November, and I went without Jim to watch. The stallions all looked in super condition, the staff and riders were wonderful and I was so relieved. The two days of the test, each stallion was warmed up on the flat by their regular riders. Shakespeare's rider was Claudia Schmidt from Germany and Fhitzgerald's rider was Andreas (Andy) Misch from Germany. After the warm up, each stallion was jumped over the course by their regular rider. Both stallions looked great, and seemend really happy showing good form and flying changes. Then one test rider per stallion rode the same course. The same thing happened on day two with the other test rider. After doing the course, the test rider had the option to increase the height of a vertical and an oxer if they had a good feeling. Both test riders opted to ride both of my boys over the larger jumps. Fhitzgerald jumped 1 meter 40.
Shakespeare jumped 1 meter 30.
These are BIG jumps, folks!
Jim and I both went the weekend of the finals. I needed Jim to remind me to breathe and we were so proud to be owners of such good stallions. Dressage went well for both.
One of the test riders made a point to come meet us to tell us what a fabulous ride she had on Shakespeare and to congratulate us on breeding and owning such a wonderful stallion.
Cross country day was really exciting and the weather was really COLD! We got to be friends with the other stallion owners (misery loves company) and it was fun to cheer each others' stallions on. Fhitzgerald was a MACHINE cross country and we found out what Andy had been telling us- F Scott loved the cross country!
Shakespeare did good, too.
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Shakespeare- cross country jump |
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The free jumping day was a little nerve wracking. Harold used the whip with Shakespeare and he got scared and crashed one jump. (Shakespeare is an over achiever and wants to do the right thing. He'll worry if he thinks he's been wrong). He came back fine, and looked confident the next time through.
F Scott looked sassy and good in form and skill.
The evening banquet was held in the covered ring and it was still so cold that we all ate dinner with our long underwaear, heavy coats, hats and gloves on. Try holding a fork with winter gloves on while you're shivering.... Silver Creek Farm provided fun entertainment to watch. Each stallion was led into the ring wearing a cooler embroidered with the stallion test logo and a neck ribbon while the announcements were made. Fhitzgerald was 5th overall. Shakespeare was the overall winner and the winner of the dressage. Jim and I received a large crystal vase and a smaller crystal vase as an award.
The rest of the evening was a blur. The following day, both stallions were looked at and approved by the RPSI and the Old- ISR. The stress wasn't over for us until the stallions arrived off of the shipping van bright eyed and healthy in Pennsylvania. Our new trainer, John, loves riding both. Perhaps we should pursue an eventing carreer for F Scott? We hope to get Shakespeare in the dressage show ring and maybe in the FEI 6 year olds. F Scott will make an appearance in the dressage ring too.
Here are some of the scores that the boys received at the test:
Fhitzgerald: 9 character, 8.5 temperament, 9.0 trainability, 7.5 trot, 9 canter (buth under saddle and cross country), 8 walk, 8 rideability, 8.5 free jumping, 8.5 stadium jumping, 9 cross country jumping, 8.75 rideability (test rider)
Shakespeare RSF: 9.5 character, 9 temperament, 9.5 trainability, 8.5 trot, 9 canter (8.5 under saddle and 9.5 cross country), 8 walk, 9.5 rideability, 8 free jumping, 8 stadium jumping, 8.5 cross country jumping, 9.25 rideability (test rider)
Take a look at Shakespeare's and Fhitzgerald's individual pages for photos and videos.
