Alure had a really tall Gold Luck colt last night at 8:10 pm (wasn't that considerate of her?). He has a wide blaze and two high stockings behind. We have named him Gholfer, in honor of Jim, and are calling him Arnold, as in Palmer, in honor of Jim's idol. 

SOLD! Congratulations to Lyn Francik, Oklahoma on 2005 purchase #1!

Show Results

At the USDF/Mid-States Regional Finals at Silver Creek Farm in OK on September 8 & 9, Gholfer placed first in his 2 year old colts and geldings class at Silver Creek I. The following day, he won his class, and then was named reserve champion colt/gelding (qualifying him for the Mid States Regionals. He had already qualified for the Southern Regionals). At he finals, he was named USDF/GAIG Mid-States Reserve Grand Champion Colt/Gelding with a score of 81.1%! This may be the first dressage breeding show where both the colt and filly champions are by the same sire!

Hi Mo,
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





Gholfer is ranked 8th in the USDF Horse of the Year for yearling colts in Dressage Sport Horse Breeding. Congratulations, Lyn and Gholfer!
Another Star is Born!

At the Proud Meadows DSHB shows last weekend, it was Gholfer who was the star! He was 4th under General Burton, but Carter Bass really like him the next day. He won the yearling colts & geldings class, and went on to win Reserve Champion for the show, which qualified him for the Southern Series USDF Breeders Championship. There were some wonderful young horses, so we thought that he probably would be out of the ribbons, but we underestimated our boy - he ended up winning 3rd place! I was particularly proud of him, since he had looked so gawky and was so tight back in June. He spent the summer filling into his growth spurt and looks wonderful right now (at least until his next spurt.)

Ghypsy was a trooper and did a good job, but she's looking baby awkward at the moment. She still made the filly championship class at show II, but didn't qualify for the Breeders Champ.

Scores: Gholfer
Burton: Conformation 9.5; Walk 6.3; Trot 7.0; General Impression 8.9; for a total of 77.3
Bass: Conformation 7.8; Walk 7.2; Trot 7.8; General Impression 7.6; for a total of 76.0

At the Proud Meadows Sporthorse Breeders Show I and II in Waxahachie, TX on June 3rd and 4th, Lyn reports that Gholfer placed 4th in the colts and geldings of 2005 class with a score of 67% and 4th in the Hanoverian IBC with a 68.5% under judge Merijane Malouin. In Show #II under judge Deitrich Felgendreher, he was 3rd in the colts and geldings of 2005 with a score of 68.3%. Photos are coming!

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

1/2011 Hi Mo, Hope everything is well at your end, and that you're getting a well deserved rest before the breeding/foaling season gets underway. The new year here is off to a running start, but I'm excited about new possibilities. It's been a hectic year, rebuilding my farm after the tornado. The good news is that my builder says my home should be ready in about a month, so I can finally see light at the end of the tunnel. As you might imagine, there weren't many shows for me this past year. However, I received a pleasant surprise today at Oklahoma Dressage Society's annual meeting & awards luncheon. It seems that despite having the minimum number of scores, Gholfer did well enough to win the Training Level Amateur and Vintage Rider year end awards, with a median score of 65.something %. We also tested First level waters for one ride, with a score of 68.5%, so I feel confident that we should do fairly well this year. Perhaps, with a bit more time to ride(?), we'll be ready to make the move up to Second by fall. Will keep you posted. No matter what, Gholfer is a good boy and is a pleasure to ride. Gladstone is well, but has been mostly living a life of leisure; that will have to end soon, if we're going to get back into FEI shape. He's had a few sessions teaching one of my barn kids to ride. He's so tolerant and kind, although he gives me the occasional look of "mom, do I really have to do this?" Should the time come to sell him, there's no doubt he'll make a wonderful schoolmaster. Love those Gold Luck brains! Lyn April 2009 Hi Mo, It's been a while, but wanted to give you a brief update. I think I've mentioned that Gholfer was behind "schedule" due to my life events. However, I finally started him a couple of months ago, and took him to his first schooling show today. He was a very good boy, although, not surprising for a first outing, a little distracted. Even so, he won both his classes - Intro A with a 72.5% and Intro B with a 65.5%. Did I mention that there was cross country going on at the same time? He took it all in like a trooper! Gholfer is now about 16-2, but I wouldn't be surprised if he grows a little more. He's built nicely uphill, and swings through his entire body. (My first impression of him under saddle was "it's a Cadillac!") He's the most natural dressage horse I've ever sat on, showing every indication of being an outstanding prospect for me. You might also be interested in knowing that Ghypsy and Granville were at the same show, both doing their first 2-phase. Granville came in 3rd in his group (with a rider who isn't very good at dressage.) Ghypsy has only been jumping for a month, mostly to prepare for her inspection later this year, but she came in 2nd. She was very brave on the cross-country, didn't hesitate at any of the jumps. On a humorous note, Gladstone is now jealous of Gholfer. Gholfer is a mootch and always makes a beeline for me, while Gladstone is much more nonchalant (unless it's suppertime.) But if I "dare" to halter Gholfer instead and head toward the gate, Gladstone will come galloping up, as if to say "Hey, that's MY mom! She's supposed to get ME.") They sure can put a smile on our faces, can't they? More later. Take care of yourself and all the newbies! Lyn Francik 10/2007 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 to 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 Hi Mo, 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 Hi Mo, Hopefully, everything is settling down at your end, and less hectic than it's been at mine. I've finally received a couple of pix from the show; still none of Granville. Don't you love the suspension that Ghypsy is showing? Gholfer is better looking than his photo, but it's still kind of nice; at least you can see how much he's grown. I'll send more pictures along later, once I receive the CD, so you can have some for your "album." Both of the Proud Meadows shows were well attended; certainly the largest DSHB in our region so far. Region 9 grows some really fine horses, and the competition offered some very high quality youngsters. Gholfer and Granville were tense and didn't show the judges their best "stuff." Even so, they placed respectably, (3rd, 4th) with good scores, but neither were star material that weekend. (Gholfer had a big growth spurt right before the show, so he did look a little thin and awkward.) However, Ghypsy did really well: under Merijane Malouin, she was 2nd in the fillies of 2004 with a 75.5% and 3rd overall filly in the Filly Championship. On Sunday, under Dietrich Felgendreher, whose placement of horses generally was quite different from Malouin's, Ghypsy won her filly class with a 70.1% and was again 3rd in the filly championship. (There were some lovely 2 year-olds, and Ghypsy looked like the baby she is when she was up against them.) Ghypsy also won the American Hanoverian Society's "High Placing" award both days. Not bad for our team, on the kid's first outing! On another front, I took Gholfer and Ghypsy to the vet yesterday for their yearling radiographs. Both were squeaky clean (Dr. Hance said that Gholfer had "textbook perfect" stifles.) It always makes me breathe a big sigh of relief to get young horses past the "developmental problems" age. More later, Lyn