Katy, TX: As was reported here on December 12, 2011, Maddie McElduff, with the help of her beloved Connemara cross pony, Orion's Rosealene ( Skyview’s Orion X Charosa Bask [Arab]), was named the USEA 2011 National Junior Beginner Novice Rider of the Year for achieving the highest point total at that level. Luanne McElduff, Maddie’s mother, writes, “Maddie recently traveled to Nashville, TN, to the USEA Awards dinner, to be honored with all the other Leaderboard winners including such riders as Boyd Martin and Buck Davidson.

‘Rosie’ also earned her place on the Beginner Novice 2011 Horse Leaderboard finishing with a national third place ranking. Maddie and Rosie continue to train hard in Fulshear, Texas and will be moving up to the Novice level for 2012."

Luanne also sent more photos of Rosie and Maddie.

Atlanta, GA: Laura Duhamel sent an update on her halfbred gelding, Balmullo’s Patriot (Concord River Roaringwater Bay X TB) who she events as Fate’s Patriot. Laura says, “Patrick, as I call him, is doing great. We are going preliminary now! He loves jumping and especially cross country!! I am planning on a CCI one star this spring. He did his first prelim in May and placed 4th. We qualified for the AECs in 2010 and 2011, completing both years at training level. We are hoping to be qualified this year at preliminary. I am including some photos of our last show, Thanksgiving, 2011, at Pine Top, running preliminary. As you can see he loves his job and is a fantastic jumper and soooo smart!!! I am thinking we might run intermediate in the fall. I love my pony!!!!”

Morannes, France: Elise Ziegler writes the following: “For once I have some big news I would like to share with everyone! An American Connemara Pony just arrived in France a couple of days ago. After a very long quarantine, a plane ride and long hours in a truck, Wildwych Oleander (*Glenormiston Amelia X *Gunsmoke) finally arrived at her destination in Morannes, France… A couple of months ago, my family and I decided to move back to France after 5 years spent in the USA. It was a no-brainer at the time that we would bring Ole with us on this big trip, so I am glad that we could actually afford it. She is now well settled into her new home, which is only temporary for now. She is at the Haras de Beauce and is being ridden and taken care of by Marine De Schepper until I find us a new home. Hopefully it will be soon enough that she will be able to compete in the Young Ponies Championship this year. We'll see!”

Cyberspace: A group of Connemaras and their junior riders recently won the Quadrille at the very prestigious Olympia horse show in London. You can see their winning ride at http://tinyurl.com/7xamc2f.

And for a real treat watch this dressage test. You will be surprised! http://tinyurl.com/7eapk2m