Firstview Farm

November 2011
Derrick went in first at McNairs and clocked around.  I thought the test was competent and consistent, but did not imagine a 70%.  When I went in later with Rubinred I tried to channel a 71%, but second place with a nice 63% is still pretty darn good.

September 2011

Derrick and Rubin have been working hard to get ready for third level, and the wait was worth it as the debuted at the Buckhorn schooling show.  Rubinred got a very nice 63% at third one.  It would have been higher if he hadn't offered several extra (nice) changes!  Derrick was all business and finished with a 70%.  What fun!

November 2010

The boys were confident, grown up and fun at last weekend's GAIG Region I Championships.  Derrick started the show by coming second in the big freestyle class.  We won $200!  Rubin was third in the second level sweepstakes. 

On day two, they BOTH won separate sections of second level test 4 -- with exactly the same impressive score of 68.108%.  Something cosmic there. 

On the last day --  the actual championship--  Rubin finished fifth with a nice 66%.  He was concerned about the spooky indoor arena but stayed on my aids and I was very proud of him.  Derrick unfortunately got really spooked at the in gate of the arena, and his lapses near there caused some 5s and 6s while all the other scores were 7s and 8s.  He finished a respectable 9th with a 65%

The show was inspiring.  It is always good to fill your eye with good horses and riders!

September 2010
Don Derrick earned a 66% and 69% at Second Level test 4 at the Raleigh Labor of Love show, and is now qualified at second level for the GAIGs. The judge's comments on the 69% test was "You've got the idea of up very well. Thank you." with a big smiley face drawn.  After so much coaching from Lynn Leath and Cathy Morelli about the importance of "up and out" it was thrilling to be acknowledged.

See our News Page for details.

July 2010

Rubinred got his second qualifying score (66% at second level, test 4) for the GAIG regionals at the Rise N Shine show in Raeford.  He is really starting to understand the whole show routine and is getting to be a piece of cake to show! The show format was lovely -- every ride was done by 11:00 and a pool party in the afternoon.  I highly recommend it.

July 2010
Our annual trek to Middleburg, VA, for the Region III Connemara show was a blast as always.

Anna Weniger won the training level class with a 62% at Training 1 on C.K. Emily Grey (below).

Anna also rode Aladdin's Delaney to second place in the training level class with her Training Level, Test 3.  We have loved and enjoyed Delaney for four years, but it was time for her to return to her owners, Lauren and Denise Hill, at the end of the show.  A bittersweet parting! (below)

Dawn's student Briana rode Indecent Proposal for the high score of the show -- a whopping 77% at first one!

Anna's friend Anna K. won 3rd place on Delaney in the Purebred under saddle --Anna K. rode well and Delaney was by far the oldest pony out there!  Anna K. also rode Delaney in Intro B and was also third in the junior trail class on Emily -- and it was a big class!

And last but not least, the two Annas put together a Hawaiian Luau theme costume for the Fancy Dress class.

October 2009

Don Derrick finished sixth with a 68% in the first level open championship, and Rubinred was 11th with a 67%.  There were 36 (yes, 36) horses in the class, and I believe not one scored less than 66%. Derrick was the youngest horse in the ribbons at 5.  All the others were 6 and 7 at least. Some tough competition! 

September 2009
Derrick earned a 72% and first place at the Pinehurst Fall Dressage show's Highland's Stakes Class.  He was also high score first level.  The prizes included $150, a blue halter, a gift certificate for a free tack stall, a saddle pad, and a wine glass.  Thanks to Jamie McDevitt for sponsoring the stakes classes!

August 2009
Don Derrick won high score awards at both first and second level at the Buckhorn Farm schooling show August 29.  This outing was Derrick's debut at second level.  Stablemate Rubinred won both of his first level classes as well!

July 2009

Anna and Delaney alongside Dawn and Indy won the freestyle class with their musical Pas de Deux. They got a 73%, the highest score Delaney has ever gotten in her 25 years!

To see the Pas de Deux, click here

As always, Fancy Dress was great. Dawn was The Cat in the Hat riding Emily, the Cleaning Machine. Andrew was the narrator riding Indy, the "book". Anna 1 and Anna 2 were Thing One and Thing Two riding Delaney, the Big Red Box.

Dawn on Emily

 Indy with her signs

 Anna 1 and Anna 2 on Delaney