Rolling Stone Farm I CLIENT UPDATES
 
rsf sign
Stallion Foal Lists

Client Updates

We love to receive letters, pictures and emails from our clients updating us on the horses they have purchased or bred through our farm. With so many of our "children" out in the world, keeping track of them is a daunting task. It is very gratifying to see so many of them doing so well and living up to their owner's dreams. It certainly makes all the effort, planning, dreaming and occasional heartache worthwhile!

Here are some of our favorite updates...

<<  Page 2 of  5  >>

 
Just Livingston  2002 Oldenburg Gelding  
 sire  Loerke      dam  Just Wanda 
Owned by:   Gert Stearns
 
Livingston has had another really good year. He has won or plaaced in all his classes at first and second level. He was 3rd in the regional finals at first level and has qualified for the 2008 finals at second level. He shows good aptitude for collected work and his changes are getting better by the day. He has quite balanced medium gaits and it looks like his extended gaits won't be a problem. I'm looking forward to his full sibling in 2008. Gert 
  Photo
 
Fhreelancer  2005 Hanoverian Gelding  
 sire  Florencio      dam  Lafayette 
Owned by:   Rolling Stone farm
 
Hi Mo! I have been thinking about you and your men in OK (all three of them!). My fingers have been crossed for health, soundness and success. Thanks for the pix of Lance--I'll check again, but the foal pic from Germany didn't make it. Lance has been GREAT! He and Lava (Lance probably wonders how Hhamilton got so small) have been turnout buddies since Tuesday (2 to 6 hours a day). They are so good together! Lance is probably the sweetest horse I have ever known. He was lunged on Tues then lunged and ridden Wed, Thurs and Sat. He has been a gem; level-headed and so willing. He's amazing--the arena which is non-fenced sits in the middle of the macadam driveway, the gravel drive, the woods, and cornfield (yes, the corn is still standing and it makes scary sounds in the wind). Lance seems so aware of his surroundings so it is wonderful that he can hold it together especially with the weather being less than stellar, ok, let's be more accurate: 30mph winds pretty much suck when the mercury is hovering around 34 degrees. Thank you so much! I have attached a pic of Lance with Mini-Hhamilton (Lava). Enjoy! Jo  
  Photo
 
Whuthering Heights  2004 Hanoverian Filly  
 sire  Widmark      dam  EM Giadonna 
Owned by:   Jennifer Pass, Coplay PA
 
Hi Mo,
Heidi had a good year this year. Our lessons with Cara have really helped to get us on track for third level. We can do everything required, just need to work on basics to make everything better. We even had some fun at the Region 1 Adult Team Championships in early Nov hosted by PVDA. Attached is a pic of the beautiful horse you bred taken at the PVDA show!

Hope you had a great time in Germany. See you soon.

Jenny
 
  Photo
 
Whirlpool  2003 Hanoverian Gelding  
 sire  Widmark      dam  Glimmer 
Owned by:   Julia Greifeld, ridden by Sara Schmitt
 
Hi Mo, just wanted to tell you that I took Whirlpool to his first show and althought it was a schooling show he was as great as great could be and got a 81% I am amazed by this horses temperament. I have never dealt with such a young horse before. I think he is going to spoil me. I am going to show him a few more times and take him to devon and turn him back out for the winter. Sara 
  Photo
 
EMC Whindlass  2003 Hanoverian Mare  
 sire  Widmark      dam  EM Ghloria 
Owned by:   Rolling Stone Farm
 
Hi Mo, Looking at your website, it looks like you have been busy. I love to see all your babies. I thought you might like to know the latest on Lass. We worked on our dressage, but as I moved up the levels, she seemed less interested. We got through third level, but never had her heart in it. I had the jumper trainer at the barn, where I ride, start to jump her. Well she was a natural and a star. Her very first jumper show she was reserve champion! I realized that it was her first love. She was so much happier jumping than any time she was in the dressage ring. I am too old to jump anymore! I sold her last month to a young girl who is eventing her. She took her to work with Dennie Emerson and he loved Lass. It makes me so happy to find her the right job. I miss her and all her big personality, but she is loved and happy. She is living in Winston Salem NC and I do get to see when she comes to Georgia for dressage lessons. I have purchased a wonderful Wurttemberger school master, who has no interest in even going over a ground pole! In the past six months he has helped me get both my bronze and silver medals. I hope you and your family all are well. Since I bought Lass, we also have had 4 grandchildren, which means ponies will have to come soon! I love seeing your babies and thought you might like to know where one of them is now. Trying to stay warm, and I am sure it is the same for you. Sincerely, Christine Felker  
  Photo
 
Dhoppler  2002 Hanoverian Gelding  
 sire  Don Frederico      dam  EM Alectra 
Owned by:  
 
Well, JoAnne is having a ball in FL and her first time out in the show ring was very successful. She won her second level test one at the Welcome Back to White Fences Show on 2/21/09 with a 70.0%. I got to visit with JoAnne when I was there to scribe for the Palm Beach Dressage Derby and I took this conformation photo. 
  Photo
 
EM Ghamma Ray  2002 Hanoverian Mare  
 sire  Gold Luck      dam  Anike 
Owned by:   Paul Hyland and his daughter, Rachel
 
Mo, I Thought I would update you on current events with Ghamma Ray. Rachel & Pat Gregory are working very hard with Ghamma Ray ... 5 to 6 days/week. Ghamma Ray is starting to show her Jumper skills! We have never taken Ghamma Ray to a horse show off the property since we bought her in October of '07 because she was just getting back under saddle when we found out she was pregnant in April of '08, then she was doing the Mom thing till October of '08, so this was her first show 18 months later (with a 14 year old rider) off property. Yesterday Rachel & Pat took Ghamma Ray to a "B" rated Jumper show with a small class at Old Salem Farm in New York. Rachel rode (all the other riders were late teens or 20's) in 2 classes - 3 events at 2.5 feet, and 3 events at 3 feet. She & Ghamma Ray rode all 6 events clean and took 1st in all 6 events, and obviously won both championships!! They thought about riding in the 3.5 ft events but thought to quit while they were ahead on their first time out. Rachel is thrilled that her patience & hard work is paying off, and Ghamma Ray's skills as a Jumper are starting to show! Dad got 6 coffee cups for the effort ... one for each blue ribbon. Note - We occasionally get a note from the owner of the colt ... Rocky/Confidential ... they are going through the process of raising him to be a performance horse. FYI Paul  
  Photo
 
EM Gaudenzia  2002 Hanoverian Mare  
 sire  Gold Luck      dam  Angelina 
Owned by:   Kathryn Miller
 
Hello! I was researching my horse and her sire (Gold Luck) and came across a page on your website where people had written letters to keep in touch with you guys regarding their horses. I now own Gaudenzia (technically my father does, I suppose, but she is in full training with me). We've had her for about a year and after some retraining of connection problems (what a long lovely neck she has that likes to crink up like an accordian!) and an undeveloped canter, she has turned into what I consider a "horse of a life time". Tess, as we call her, has been to two shows now in the Northwest and at both shows had the highest scores of the show under four different judges. Her training level median so far is a 78% and her first level median is a 77%. My goal is to make her Horse of the Year, wish us luck! She is such a phenomenal mare. I've never ridden anything so level headed, composed, kind, clever, willing. She is entirely unflappable, loves to show off, I've never had any kind of naughty moments on her, nothing could be improved about her personality (other than her irrational fear of clippers!). To top it all off she has three strong, uphill, elastic, cadenced gaits... she's just fabulous. Just wanted to let you guys know that one of Gold Luck's babies is taking the Northwest low level show scene by storm! Thank you and wish us luck on our Horse of The Year bid! -Olivia Chapeski of Chapeski Stables, Florence, Montana
 
  Photo
 
Ghabon  2001 Hanoverian Gelding  
 sire  Gold Luck      dam  Whichita 
Owned by:   Nicole Salazar
 
Hello Mo and Jim, I just came across your website. My horse was a baby of yours from 01! It was really fun to see pictures and learn about both Gold Luck and Wichita! I've known Ghabe since he was a youngster. My husband is a trainer here in MN. He started him for Jennifer that purchased him from you. When Jennifer decided to sell him through my husband in the Hunter/Jumper market, he wanted to keep him around! He had one of the young girls that rode with him try him out and they purchased him as a Hunter. He was still so green when they bought him, but he ended up bringing her all the way from Long Stirrup to the Junior Hunters and 3'6 Equitation. Last Fall, they decided that they would have to sell him prior to Siara going off to College this Fall. We couldn't imagine after having him around for so long, seeing him go somewhere else! We love him so much, that we decided to buy him ourselves!!! The timing was just right that I was ready for a new horse for me. I've switched him over to the Jumper ring and he is doing great! I truly adore this horse. He is a fun and sweet guy...a complete goofball. I just wanted to give you an update on him. I think it is really neat how you keep track of them and have a great website. It was fun to look through at all of his relatives! Kind Regards, Nicole Salazar  
  Photo
 
Ghuiness Stoudt  1999 Hanoverian Gelding  
 sire  Gold Luck      dam  EM Windhover 
Owned by:   Alexandra Wilson, FL
 
11/22/08
Hi Mo

Just wanted to give you an update on Ghuinn.

Julie rode him at the October ADA show in Phoenix.

Ghuinn was Reserve Champion Region 5 Training Level 2008 and High Point First Level with 73.0
Hope things are going well and Happy Thanksgiving.

-alex and Ghuinn
 
  Photo
 
Grande I Am  1996 Hanoverian Gelding  
 sire  Gold Luck      dam   
Owned by:   Jill Kuc
 
In September 2003, Jill wrote:
I saw the picture of Grande and I on your web site. Thought you might like an update on our shows. Last year (2002) we finished 10th at Training Level at BLM and were Reserve Champion for Training Level at the ESDCTA Championships. We also finished third overall for Training Level at ESDCTA's Year-End Awards.Two weekends ago, we were representing ESDCTA on the First Level team at the Region 1 Adult Team Competition in Maryland. Our team won first place (as did all of the ESDCTA teams) and Grande and I were First Level Champions with a high score of 68.889%.This year, in addition to showing First Level, we have been competing in First Level Musical Freestyle with all of our scores being 66+ to 67+%. We have qualified at First Level and at First Level Freestyle for both BLM and ESDCTA Championships this year and are qualified at Training Level, First Level and First Level Freestyle for the Region 1 GAIC Championships (formerly called ABICs). I'll let you know how we do.

Thanks for breeding horses like him. He's a dream come true (most days). I'll update you more at the end of October after all of the championships are done. Thanks for posting us on your site - it was neat to see us there. 
  Photo
 
Ghalileo  2002 Hanoverian Gelding  
 sire  Gold Luck      dam  Poppaea 
Owned by:   Jan Templeton
 
Hi Mo- Hope you are well. I am sending you an update on Leo (I have been meaning to do this for awhile...) He is doing very well and I am having a good time with him. Unfortunately, I need to sell some of my horses and he is the most saleable. By the way, Woody and I are doing PSG--we have developed quite a relationship. He is 18 this year and still has his BMOC attitude toward the world. Hopefully, it will keep him going for years to come. I did a clinic recently with Jeanne McDonald and she LOVED Leo. She said she knew you. You are probably in the middle of foaling. Good luck. I also wish you some good uninterrupted hours of sleep. Thanks, Jan Templeton  
  Photo
 
Lhitigator  2005 Hanoverian Gelding  
 sire  Loerke      dam  EM Rhwanda 
Owned by:  
 
8/30/09 Hey Mo, LJ has been going to lots of over fences shows and doing very well, his lead changes are incredible when he gets them right but sometimes he likes to play too much through them and will miss. He was 3rd in one of his classes out of about 15 today! He's such a good boy! I attached some pictures of him at a hunter show and over a jump in his first jumper course EVER. He was entered in the For Sale class at Quentin but the day ran so slow that they moved it to the jumper ring and he shocked me with how relaxed he was. Gum and Scoop are getting bigger and bigger everyday it seems, I look at pictures of them when they first got here and I hardly recognize them.  

 
Lars Q  2001 Hanoverian Gelding  
 sire  Loerke       dam  Gutte Wette 
Owned by:   Patricia Care
 
 
  Photo
 
All Star  1999 Hanoverian Gelding  
 sire  Armin      dam  Basilica 
Owned by:   Jennifer and Stewart Schwartz
 
Hi Mo, you asked for an update and here it is. We've been to two shows and have done well at both. This past weekend at Dressage at Fair Hill we were consistently in the ribbons at Training Test 4, with our highest score being a 68%. The classes were large and the company was very impressive. Allie (pronounced All-Lee) has become the love of my life and gives the best horsey hugs on the planet. The comments we've received from the judges include, "you two will be incredible", and lovely pairing. Thanks for pairing us up. Florence  
  Photo
 
Ghita  1998 Hanoverian Mare  
 sire  Gold Luck      dam  EM Pikante 
Owned by:   Taryn Briones of Bothell, WA
 
Hi Mo! I can't believe it has been over four years since I was at your place. How time flies! I'm not sure if Judy has updated you about Ghita, but I thought I would incase she hasn't! I guess I will start at the beginning! After purchasing Ghita, she was sent to Bonny Bonnello in Alberta for training. I joined Ghita and Bonny in December of 2003, and again in the summer of 2004. After several months of training, we returned to the U.S. and competed at Dressage at DevonWood. Here, we went away with the highest score of the entire show: a 77.407% at First Level! In 2005, we had a quiet year at Second Level. In 2006, I began working with Jeremy Steinberg at Traumhof, who has been absolutely vital to everything that I have achieved with Ghita. Fast-forward to 2007, and Ghita and I competed at the FEI Junior level. We traveled down to California with Jeremy to show and went away with several wins. After shows in California, Washington, and Idaho we ended up as the #2 qualifier in the nation for the USEF National Championships at Gladstone. Ghita traveled all the way to New Jersey, and we finished as the USEF National Junior Dressage Reserve Champions! We were even fortunate enough to receive some warm up help from Klaus Balkenhol. Ghita and I also participated in the USDF FEI Trainer's Conference with Jan Brink in California at the end of October 2007. Ghita is currently doing very well, and we are working on the PSG stuff. I'm planning on trying out for Young Riders this year. Right now we are probably going down to California in April to show in a couple CDIs. Just wanted to let you know that Ghita is doing super. Let me know if you want some pictures. Hope all is well with you! Looking forward to hearing from you. Taryn  
  Photo
 
Larisa LS  2005 Hanoverian Filly  
 sire  Loerke      dam  Treveri 
Owned by:   Camilla Keis Cornwall
 
Dear Mo, I wanted to update you on Larisa LS, a beautiful filly by Loerke bred by Susan and Fran Lynch that I purchased last summer. She just turned 3 this month, and she has developed into a really nice horse as you can see. I am starting her under rider next week, but she has been worked in hand and on the lunge for several months now. She has incredible balance in her canter, and nice suspension and power in the trot. She is such a delightful horse, always willing and trying her absolute best. She loves to please. I will let you know how she does under rider and send some more pictures. I am planning on bringing her for inspection at one of the sites this summer. Sincerely, Camilla Cornwell  
  Photo
 
Ghotcha  1996 Hanoverian Gelding  
 sire  Gold Luck      dam  Alure 
Owned by:   Lisa Weekley
 
Ghotcha has had a very successful show season from Training through Intermediare I. He is schooling Grand Prix . Excellent piaffe, solid one tempi's, schooling passage.



Ghotcha is truly a special horse. He possesses all the qualities for a competitive Amateur with the gaits and brilliance required by a top Professional. Ghotcha has an FEI Passport and is currently qualified for Region 2 PSG Championships.



Ghotcha was raised from a weanling and trained by USDF Silver Medalist till the age of 9. He has since been in training with USDF Gold Medalist Ken McGrath. A good home is a MUST!
 
  Photo
 
EM Ghenoa  2003 Hanoverian Mare  
 sire  Gold Luck      dam  Anike 
Owned by:   Sandra Werkheiser, Northampton, PA
 
Hi Mo:
Ghenna and Ghale were very good girls today in the Dressage at Stone Tavern Sport Horse Breeding Show at the Horse Park of New Jersey, Allentown, NJ. Ghalewind won the 3yo fillies class with a 74.7% and Ghenoa was second with a 74.4% which included a 7.8 on conformation and 7.5 walk (yay!) and 7.5 overall impression. Trot was a bit downhill for 7.0.

Then in the Hanoverian class they flip flopped and Ghenoa got a 74.7% with a better trot score of 7.5 and Ghale had a 74.3% beating the 3rd place - a 10yo World Cup I stallion.

It was a very small show and there were only 3 in each of their classes, but the top score we saw from the open classes was 77%, so actually they were probably in the top 5 or 6 score-wise. Overall the fillies/mares scored much higher than the colts. We were in the call back for the filly championships and both had good rounds but the winner was a yearling filly and reserve was a 2006 filly.

Ghenoa was so good in the ring - I was surprised how well she stood and Lisa Basselini the handler was great, She said Ghenna was one of the nicest horses she handled all day and she"really knew her stuff." which is funny considering it was her first show this year. She was a little wound up outside the ring, but relaxed as soon as she got in the indoor.

I was proud of her - she walked past all the scary stuff and stabled well. There were some really nice horses schooling for the performance division and we saw Carole with Ghradine arrive.

Sandy


Ghenoa received a conformation score of 8 in her first DSHB show as a yearling, and in 2005 received a 1A Premium at the MAHB Hanoverian Mare Show with very good comments on her type, head, neck, expression, and elasticity.

Hi Mo,
It was an incredible day and one I would not have dreamed would come true in a million years.

This is my first Hanoverian mare and when you buy a baby at 3 weeks old, all you can do is hope and endure the yearling and 2yo years with your eyes covered! Just to have Ghenoa do so well in the company of the mares that were there just makes it more of an honor and the people in the MAHB are fantastic breeders and horsepeople and have outstanding mares there always. This is the BEST show and the most fun every year win or lose and I bought this filly just so I had a mare to bring to the party every year!

Still pinching myself. It took all morning to judge the mares and they had to split the walk rings for the inspection, then called all 23 mares back into the indoor at the same time which was an experience in itself. Then they called each one up from lowest to highest and reviewed the scores which was hugely educational. I kept expecting to hear our name called, but the numbers dwindled down and there were 4 horses left. They called the next mare who was standing next to me, and when she left it dawned on me we were the only ones in the ring and the other mares were already done and just waiting until the end and were gone. I had no idea until I heard Mo yell and I saw my husband jumping up and down!

The judges were George Walker and Vanessa Carlson. Their comments were that she was harmonious, and even though the smallest mare (but mighty!! ~15.2 ) her length of leg, neck, back, etc were all proportional. The scores were 8's for head, neck, typiness/femininity, impulsion/elasticity and overall development and 7's for saddle position, frame, foreleg, hindleg, correctness and walk.

Then we did the mare show and she was first in the 3yo class, Champion Hanoverian, Reserve Mature mare (topped by Sandy Johnson's nice Dutch mare Opus 12 by Rubinstein/Rampal), then she caught her energy back and had another nice go in the championship class and was named overall Grand Champion.

Special thanks to Bruce Griffin and his wife who handled Ghenoa so well. To Kate Palmquest for the scrumptious food on Saturday, Paul Cohen for sponsoring everything, Klaus and Jessica Schengber for the fabulous handpainted awards.

I will always cherish this as this mare is a true queen in every sense
 
  Photo
 
Ghibralter  2003 Hanoverian Gelding  
 sire  Gold Luck      dam  EM Whitney Q 
Owned by:   Jocelyn Mitchell
 
Hi Mo, By now I am sure that you have been told that amid many tears and much sadness Rocky was euthanized at Mid Atlantic last Friday. It has been a devastating time though I know that I did everything for Rocky that could be done and sharing it with others and hearing their stories is making it all a little more bearable. It all started when Rocky fell in a muddy, flat, dry lot at my trainers on Friday Feb 27th but he was still able to walk and trot though he was lame on his left hind. I bought him home on Tuesday since any training was unlikely to happen and we promptly left to go on a family vacation skiing in Breckenridge. Sue thinks that he had a problem getting up during the night on Saturday and by Sunday morning he was unable to bear weight on his left hind and once again Quakertown were called. He then spent time at Quakertown Vet Hospital where they were unable to help him so on Wednesday I then took him to Mid Atlantic Vet Clinic in New Jersey as they could do bone scans. It was found that he had a complete fracture of the pelvic floor near the hip joint, probable multiple fractures elsewhere in the pelvis, a damaged hip joint and probable damage to the main ligament that could have helped hold everything together. In the end the decision to release him from his pain was an easy one but he was such an integral part of my daily life that it will take some time to come to terms with everything. However life will go on, the barn still needs doing and my little thoroughbred Mac is providing and great mane to cry on. Wayne, is being a superb support, my trainer called last night and we had an encouraging talk and, as Joanna my daughter says, every cloud has a silver lining, one just has to find it. Rocky was a wonderful horse with a perfect temperament and he taught me a great deal. At our last show together, the Garden State Classic, we pinned in virtually every class and even won one of the Training Four classes with a 71.2% and he qualified to compete in the 09 championships. In 09 my plan had been to also qualify him at First Level and move on to Second Level by the end of the year as he already had canter/walk/canter transitions nailed, all his canter work was unbelievably balanced and finally we had just started to get that long awaited spectacular shoulder in. I am so sad that my ride is over but he will always be a part of my life and my dressage learning process. Thank you for breeding such a great friend, partner and superstar. Jocelyn  
  Photo
 
Ghlacier  2002 Hanoverian Mare  
 sire  Gold Luck      dam  Piper 
Owned by:   Lauren Dearlove of Lovettsville, VA
 
Dear Mo, Thanks for calling me about Ghlacier. She is a very nice mare. I raised her outside with another filly and aside from a bout of rainrot last winter she has had a super life. She has a kind eye, a beautiful face and her body is well proportioned. (She probably will end up under 16 h.) But the show stopper is her movement, it is just lovely, without a doubt the best of all my horses. I do not think I will get her to inspection/performance this fall. I will keep you posted if anything changes. Best wishes, Suzie  
  Photo
 
Gholfer  2005 Hanoverian Colt  
 sire  Gold Luck      dam  Alure 
Owned by:   Lyn Francik, Oklahoma
 
Hi Mo, Just wanted to let you know that Gholfer is currently 25th vintage 1sr level in the UDSF preliminary awards standing (89th amateur.) Nothing spectacular, but good enough. Gladstone didn't show enough to qualify for USDF, but he did well at the KDEA show in June. Moving him up to I-1 this weekend. It's just a 1 day recognized show, so it won't really count for anything, but I thought I'd see what we need to work on. Most of it is easy for him, although his sense of humor always makes tempis a challenge, LOL. Who knows, if he and I both stay sound, perhaps theres a gold medal in our future. Lyn  
  Photo
 
EMC Ghypsy  2005 Hanoverian Filly  
 sire  Gold Luck      dam  EM Dew Berry 
Owned by:   Lyn Francik, Oklahoma
 
Hi Mo,
It's taken me a while, but here's the news I promised to get to you. It's a bit lengthy, so if you want to use any of it, it'll probably need to be pared down.



Big wins for Ghypsy and Gholfer! Youngsters are successful at the USDF/GAIG Mid-States Regional Final.



We loaded Ghypsy and Gholfer in the trailer and headed up the turnpike to Silver Creek Farms the weekend of September 8th - 9th. It was an inauspicious beginning: Lyn's garment bag was left behind, we drove through torrential rains (which produced a record-breaking 7' in the Tulsa area) and then had to deal with the MUD! However, horses and humans took it in stride, and managed to make it to the arena tired, but on time. At Silver Creek I under judge Janine Malone, Gholfer won the 2-year old colts/geldings class (74.6%), and Ghypsy placed a respectable 3rd in her filly class (75.3%.)



The following morning, the "kids" had settled in and were ready to show their stuff at Silver Creek II. With handler Shane Pinney, Ghypsy put in her best run of the year, and General Burton showed his approval with a score of 84.4%, which put her in the winner's circle. Ghypsy then went on to win the show�s filly championship, which qualified her for the Mid-States Regional Final. She also finished the show as Reserve High-point (a mature stallion was higher) and earned the AHS award for the show's highest scoring Hanoverian.
Not too willing to let his "little" half-sister claim all the spotlight, Gholfer had a great run, too. He won his class with 83.4%, and went on to become reserve champion colt/gelding, which qualified him for the Mid-States finals. We then had to make a decision about which USDF/GAIG Final to enter, since Gholfer was also qualified for the Southern Region. After a short debate, we decided to enter Gholfer in the Mid-States.



At the Finals, we found ourselves stacked up against some stiff competition. Offspring of many famous stallions were represented: Londonderry, Contucci, Riverman, Royal Prince, Argentinus, Flemmingh, Rousseau and Fuerst Gotthard, to name a few.



Gholfer strode into the ring with confidence, willing to prove the merit of his breeding. Since he had shown and done well under both judges at previous shows, we hoped he'd have a shot at a good placing, and he didn't let us down. Head held high, he turned in a round that earned a combined score of 81.1%, which was good enough to win the USDF/GAIG Mid-States Reserve Grand Champion Colt/Gelding. We were thrilled!

Ghypsy has grown in awkward spurts, and her conformation scores haven't been as high as her gait scores, so we didn't have high expectations for the championships. We hoped Ghypsy's great gaits would earn her a respectable placing, though. When the announcer called out the 6th - 3rd places and we didn't hear our number, we figured it was over. I was disappointed, but proud, nonetheless. Our filly showed what she was made of, and that really was good enough for me. So, as the reserve champion placing was announced, we turned and were heading out of the ring when we heard our number called. With a final combined score of 80.2%, Ghypsy was the USDF/GAIG Mid-States Region Grand Champion Filly! Our butt-high princess had shown the world that she could move on springs and win judges' hearts!
What a weekend! It's unlikely that we'll ever again have an experience to equal it, so we're savoring the moment. Once again, we owe a debt of gratitude to the wonderful stallion, Gold Luck and his owner, Mo Swanson.



Lyn




Foaling season is here, and you're probably up to your eyeballs. It looks like you've got a bunch ready to hatch right about now. Good choice of theme for this year, and I can�t wait to see pictures of your latest additions!



It's been quite a while, so I thought you might like an update on the kids. They're all fine and growing. Gladstone finally has enough muscle to look like a grownup at 8; I gritted my teeth and came up with the courage to put the stick on him this winter - he's 17-3 so we can safely say he's "almost" 18 hands. In spite of the ridiculous height, he's very balanced & athletic. I almost gave the horses up completely this winter, after losing my Dad, who was my greatest fan & supporter. But I know that's not what he would have wanted, so I got after it again.



One of the things that helped get me back in the saddle was when Gladstone and I were selected to ride for Region 9 in the USDF Adult Clinic with Jane Savoie. I'm sure you know what a wonderful speaker and communicator Jane is, so you can imagine how honored I felt to be selected. We had a wonderful weekend in Louisiana, complete with good Cajun food.



Friends & I enjoyed ourselves in Las Vegas for the World Cup, then it was back into high gear at home, getting ready for the shows in Arkansas last weekend. It was worth it, since we had a great show. Once again, I took 3 Gold Luck offspring to a show and lived to tell about it!



At the First Annual ASBA (Arkansas Sport Horse Breeders Association) Sporthorse Classic under Bill Solyntjes, Ghypsy was 2nd place in the 2 year old fillies, with an overall score 72.6%. After the show, Bill told my husband that he really, really liked her, but she's at an awkward stage of development. This was reflected in her conformation score, which is what pulled her overall down. General Impression score was 7.5 with comment of "pure basic gaits - quiet temperament."



Our little rising star, Gholfer, started his day by winning the 2 year old colts & geldings class with a 76.2%. He went on to win the Colt Championship, so he's now qualified for the USDFBC championships in the fall. And to put icing on the cake, he ended up as Reserve Champion of the show! He got an 8.0 for his walk, and a 7.8 for General Impression with comment "Shows quality movement and willing attitude." While we were waiting for the ribbons to be presented, Bill approached me and told me what a nice horse I had, and said that Gholfer was the only horse he (Bill) had seen at the show who really moved through his back. Sounds like a dressage prospect to me!



Not to be outdone by his younger half siblings, Gladstone was entered in the ADS Country Classic I & II. We finished my Bronze Medal on our first ride under Bill with a 62.562% at 3rd level test 1. (It's only taken me 40 years to get it done!!!) Gladstone is the love of my life - he gives me that "first horse" feeling. Our ride may not have been something to set the dressage world on fire, but for me it was one of those rare, magical moments. When we halted for our final salute, I didn't know whether to shout or cry. It was an emotional moment, and it felt like my Dad was there, sharing it with me; to get the score we needed for our Bronze was just icing on the cake.



Our other rides were also quite good; a qualifying score for GAIG at 3rd 3 from Bill (60.930%) and we finished the weekend with a good ride for Arlene Rigdon (61.025%.) What makes it even better is knowing that we have all the pieces in place. As long as we both stay sound, our Silver medal is in striking distance. Gladstone does all the tempis (even 1's) and he just needs a little more strength to polish the pirouettes. As soon as I can figure out how to count, we�re moving up to 4th level.



Granville didn't get to go to the show, since he's getting started back under saddle. I'll report on his progress later, but you might like to know that he's as elegant and beautiful as ever.



Bobby Morse, who handled the young horses for me, asked me to pass along a "hello" to Tiffany from him.



Back to work for me. Take care of all those wonderful babies & don't wear yourself out too much!



Lyn





 
  Photo
 
Lhebanon  2001 Hanoverian Gelding  
 sire  Londonderry      dam  EM Windover 
Owned by:   Louise Hall of Berryville, VA
 
Hi Mo,

You're absolutely correct about his knees. The heat was too much for him that day. In fact, he doesn't do very well in the summer. I'm going to put him on electrolytes to see if that helps. If you have any suggestions I'd greatly appreciate it.

Neo's knees do come up when jumping, but never tightly tucked like a true hunter/jumper. The larger the fences the more he uses himself. He's so big that he doesn't really try that hard when the fences are low. (He stands over 18 hands. My stick doesn't go any higher.) I've really got to wake him up and give him leg to get him where I need him to be. Anyway, jumping is not what I bought him for. He's my dressage horse and is doing wonderfully at it. We jump for fun and to help break up the monotony of the flat work. I try not to do too much. I've attached a photo taken at a combined training show this past May. You'll see his knees are a little better, but still not where they should be.

I'm having the time of my life with Neo. He means the world to me. There hasn't been or ever will be another horse in my life that means so much in so many ways. Neo is my dream come true.
Thank you again for breeding and selling me such a wonderful horse.
Louise Hall
 
  Photo
 
Ghouda  2007 Oldenburg Colt  
 sire  Gold Luck      dam  EM Dhewpoint 
Owned by:  
 
Hi Mo, I just wanted to send you some new pictures of the Ghouda man. He has not grown much coat now that it is getting cold, so he has his own bran new rain sheet, medium blanket and heavy winter blanket. He is wearing his sheet in the pictures, and I thought you would like to see him in it. Also I wanted you to see how much he plays with the other horses now, they where all running around last night right before bring them in, and he is the one that starts it. It is so funny to see him come over the hill before the others. Hope all is well with you. Amanda Smith  

<<  Page 2 of  5  >>