a Florencio filly

One of the group purchase we made in 2004 at a breeder's farm near Frankfort. 

Rhomance is tall and elegant and will be a super addition to our broodmare band. We will present her to the Oldenburg Society and to the AHS for studbook approval, and will hopefully do the mare performance test as a three year old like all of our other young mares.

SOLD! Congratulations to John McGuire of Elburn, IL!

Show Results

Saphira is leading the nation for USDF and USEF in First Level at the present. Silverwood Farm, May 15-16, 2010 results: First level, test 1, 1st place 79.66% Show high score First level, test 2, 1st place 66.11% First level, test 1, 1st place 76.33% First level, test 4, 1st place 75.52% IDCTA Summer Kickoff Show June 25-27, 2010: Saphira- First level test 1, first place 75.667% First level test 4, first place 75.789% First level test 2, first place 76.667% First level test 4, first place 75.789% Wicket (a.k.a. Whinston): training level test 1, first place 72.174%

Nov 2009 At the Region 2 Championships at Lamplight Farm Oct. 2-4, 2009, Saphira blew everyone away, ridden by Heather McCarthy, owned by John McGuire. Here are her results: USEF tr. 2 sec. A 1st place- 77.143% USEF tr. 4 sec. C 1st place- 70.8% GAIG/USDF Training level championships, open 1st place- 75.4% Woo-hoo!!1/2008 Well, I got a call from John who is very tall and who wanted a tall prospect for dressage. Since I am out of control in the numbers of mares I have, I offered Rhomance to him. She had been off to be broke for just a few weeks. It was love at first sight, and they will have a great competitive career together. Plus John bought Whinston, who will also be tall, to raise for his next year's project. Congratulations!

Owner Comments

Mo, Saphira was grand champion high point in show #3 at Lamplight.She looks unbeatable.Wicket and Heather took blue 72% in his first class with thunder and lightening in the background.I take him solo for gallops in the forest preserve.He has excessive confidence.We will event!! Hope all is good,John M. Here's the results from the show website: IDCTA Summer Kickoff Show June 25-27, 2010: Saphira- First level test 1, first place 75.667% First level test 4, first place 75.789% First level test 2, first place 76.667% First level test 4, first place 75.789% Wicket (a.k.a. Whinston): training level test 1, first place 72.174%

June 2010 Mo,Saphira has competed in two shows at 1st level and was high point.This last weekend she had the highest scores in the show--no one close.Heather was concerned about riding in front of judge Janet Foy three times.Results: 76%,76%,80%.The only comment on the 80% test was "Lucky you to ride her! Nice job" I took her on some hunter rounds at a classy local show.She turned heads there too.;I am not going to bring down Heather's average so I will not be competing. Heather is entered on Wicket (registered by Mo as Whinston) in tr 1 at the next Lamplight his first show.I bring him for a jump lesson once a week with Helmut Schrant.Wicket is truly gifted and secure.I love him. Well that is all for now.I could be more elaborate but I feel there will be much bigger things to write to you about later.I did find the mare I was searching for and knew what she was when I viewed her on the video you made for me.Her achievements are no surprise. I am glad your breeding season is going well and that was a good looking filly on Facebook. Best to you John M. Dear Mo.What a weekend!!!!The Region 2 championships were held at Lamplight in Wayne Illinois in very soggy conditions that did not bother Saphira at all.She was entered in a 30 +entry open training championship class ridden buy our trainer Heather McCarthy who has had an impressive season with clients' horse.I have been reassuring her all summer that Saphira could win regionals.As the season progressed Heather worked hard at bringing on my big moving young mare.She was given the first ride of the morning at 8am.Heather was worried about the statistic that the first rider usually does not win.I of course told her that " cream rises to the top"and she can go in there and "set the bar"There were of course pros in the class with expectations and expertise.One high profile stable had 4 entries ridden by 2 nationally recognized local celebrities. Watching Saphira expressively trotting around the arena past the judges I knew she was on her game.She performed a beautiful but bold test.Heather exited the arena and commented that this was a winning ride.Score 75%.We now had to wait and see how the other fared The next up was a Fresian.I thought it looked pretty good but the group around me said it had alot of action but did not cover enough ground and could not touch Saphira.Score 67%The next wave of riders were in the mid 60 % range and it appeared that Saphira truely had set the bar.The first of our celebrities entered on a sale horse that I noticed in a flyer with a big 79% hanging above the condiments in the restaurant.A little suspense here.The rider was rather good looking and pleasant and judges are full of surprises.,Saphira"s supporters checked their blackberries and when we saw the score was a 70 % we knew that Saphira was looking really good.Going into the last entry the next highest mark was a 72% standing in 2nd with the 70% in 3rd.The final celebrity rider has won so often at so many levels and going last added to the suspense.The horse was behind the vertical going around the outside and corrected coming in. .The first part of the test looked competitive,but as it went on paled.There was a break from canter and finally a very unattractive above the bit turn up center line for a halt. Who says dressage is boring? Next came the awards ceremony.We hustled Heather out of an arena washed the wet sand from her boots in a puddle and got her saddled and mounted in about 2 seconds.Saphira had a big blue ribbon around her neck .Some prominent trainers and spectators commented on her quality. I felt quite moved and somewhat old watching these two young lovely ladies take their victory gallop.It is their time.My wonderful wife Marilyn proclaims that Saphira is the "horse of a lifetime".I am so fortunate that you brought her from Germany and I found you. Hope all is well,John McGuire