Woodleaf, NC: Angel Barber of Tender Mercy Farm is proud to announce that her half-bred Connemara, Neila, by Ballywhim An Luan (*Rocky X Hideaway’s Legacy) out of an Oldenburg Mare (Walkabout by Waldorf) was presented for inspection to the ISR/ Oldenburg North American Registry.

At the inspection, Neila held her ground against 21 Oldenburg foals and was given the overall score of 8.3. This was the third highest score, and she was awarded the Premium Foal Award.

Westmoreland, KS: Bob and Pattie Stadler wrote to say that their stallion, JEF Sir Lancelot (Tre Awain Dobh Mc Duff X Macks Greystone Erin’s Pride), won the Novice Horse Division of Heritage Park Horse Trials on August 23 & 24 in Olathe, KS. This was his second Novice competition. Lance placed sixth at his first Novice competition at Catalpa Corners Charity Horse Trials in Iowa on August 8. Lance qualified for the American Eventing Championships and Bob and Pattie were looking forward to taking him to his first national competition. Unfortunately, due to a family emergency in Louisiana they had to cancel it for this year. On the bright side Pattie's mother, who was seriously ill, has recovered enough to leave the hospital. Patti says, “There's always next year and we hope to experience the thrill of the AEC's with Lance next September.”

Wayne, IL: Emily Daily was at the American Eventing Championships several weeks ago (see the ACPS Weekly Pony News for 9/21/08), where she was the Press Officer for the AEC. Emily is originally from Goode, VA where she and her mother raise Connemaras and her mother has a pottery studio. Emily took notice of all the Connemaras competing in the Championships, especially her pony’s full brother Ridgetop O'Rian (Aladdin’s Denver X Blue Hills Egan) with Bridget Morse-Karzen. Although out of the ribbons, they finished on their dressage score in the Novice Junior division. The photo was taken by Emily. Emily is also the Managing Editor of Eventing USA magazine, Communications Specialist at the USEA, and the editor of the online magazine Eventing USA Online (www.useventing.com/blog). She has a premium Connemara mare, Ridgetop Cady O' Daly (full sister to Ridgetop O'Rian), who she competes Training level eventing. They are aiming for Preliminary.

Devon, PA: For the third year in a row, Pam Liddell and a Kynynmont Connemara took the blue ribbon in the Connemara division at the Dressage at Devon show. The results were as follows
1. Kynynmont Kerrigan (*Gunsmoke X Kynynmont Arianna),
Pam Liddell 74.000%
2. Erin Terra's Dream Believer (Balmullo’s Gallagher X Erin Terra’s Dare to Dream),
Michelle Haas 71.600%
3. Tre Awain Gypsy Rainbow (Tre Awain Ginger Blue X Tre Awain Ballydoon Beauty), Nicole Perin 68.100%
4. Erin Terra's Rockette (Moxley Duncan X Hohnhorst Madeline),
Nicole Perin 66.800%

Spruce Grove, Alberta, Canada: Jocelyn Davies of Devonridge Farm sent an update on one of their stallions, Bantry Bay’s Dillon (Bantry Bay’s Ace X Concord River Minute Maid). Jocelyn says, “Dillon has been busy back showing the last couple of weeks. He went to Provincial Dressage Championships and also to the Amberlea Harvest Show in mid-September. He was entered in two Jumper divisions and Level 1 Dressage Open Senior Division. He was Champion 2'6" jumper, Reserve Champion 2'9" Jumper and Reserve Champion Dressage. I couldn't have been more happy with him.” Jocelyn also said that she just bought a new computer and had no trouble uploading to You Tube for the very first time. The links to see Dillon perform are below.

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=FetULB3Arik
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=3sW44rRKKx8
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=uzoYbHicOCk
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=6aGGYRW0ZF0

Brisbane, Australia: Sue Clark of Glenormiston Connemaras sent this photo of her Connemara clones….no, not really clones! Just beautiful broodmares. Sue says she has to have them all microchipped as she is the only one that can tell them apart.

United States Equestrian Federation Announces 2nd Annual Youth Convention

Release: July 02 2008

By Matt Fine

Continuing their success from 2008, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Youth Council will host the 2nd Annual USEF Youth Convention in Cincinnati, OH, as part of the USEF Annual Meeting. On Saturday, January 17, 2009, hundreds of youth athletes from the Federation's 28 breed and discipline backgrounds will come together to participate in a day-long convention culminating with a dinner and dance for convention attendees and USEF Youth Sportsman's Award finalists.

The 2009 Youth Convention will commence with a keynote address by Olympian and USEF President David O'Connor. O'Connor's accomplishments include being a three-time Olympic medalist with an Individual Gold, a Pan American Games Team Gold Medal and a World Equestrian Games Bronze Team Medal. Now retired from riding competitively, O'Connor trains horses and riders and acts as an FEI Eventing Course Designer. O'Connor's knowledge, experience and humor will provide an inspiring start to a day designed to educate and unite the future leaders of equestrian sports.

Breakout sessions emphasizing leadership, the pursuit of excellence in horsemanship, collegiate opportunities and careers in the equine community will provide attendees with additional opportunities to learn from and engage with some of the equine world's elite. Sessions topics this year will include college equestrian programs and opportunities (NCAA/IHSA/IDA), breed and discipline question and answer sessions, veterinary medicine and many more topics.

Additionally, a Star Power Panel will bring together eight top athletes from USEF recognized breeds and disciplines. They are Archie Cox (Hunter/Jumper), Robert Costello (Eventing), John Crandall (Endurance), Jim Lowry (Morgans), Devon Maitozo (Vaulting), Sue Blinks (Dressage), Mary Trowbridge (Arabians and National Show Horses), and Rob Byers (Saddlebreds). The stars of the equestrian world will be talking with convention attendees about their experiences and backgrounds as they answer questions and share their passion for horses.

Space will be limited to the first 150 registrants. Forms will be available soon so check the Youth Council webpage by following the "Youth Council" link on the USEF website at www.usef.org. For further information, please contact Joyce Hamblin, Youth Council Program Manager at jhamblin@usef.org or (859) 225-6939.