Kanopolis State Park, Kansas: Kay Wolfe and Glynmary Rose Mary ( by Tre Awain McGill [T.A. DeValera X T.A. Hobbie Grey] out of arab mare) participated in the 2006 National Arabian and Half Arabian Championship Competitive Trail Ride, Oct 21/22. Mary Rose received Half Arabian Reserve Championship with the 2nd highest score of horses in both divisions. The ride was to be 65 miles over 2 days at a 6 mph average pace. However, the ride was cut short on Saturday after 26 miles due to the forecast of sleet, which would have proved hazardous in the canyons. Sunday's ride continued as planned with 30 miles. Horses were able to maintain the 6 mph average speed.< The terrain consisted of rolling prairie, hills, rocky canyons, deep stream crossings (due to beaver dams); footing included some clay, some rock, and sand. The temperature had been 70 degrees at Friday's check in, but by 7:30 Saturday morning, it had dropped to 45 degrees with blustery rain. The temperature dropped to 28 overnight and at Sunday morning's start was 35 degrees. By Sunday noon, it was 65 degrees, sunny with gorgeous fall colors to to seen with the hills and lake as a backdrop. Said Kay, "Saturday morning starting out in the rain, wind, and the vegetation of multi-colored green/brown, I pretended we were in the hills of Connemara, suddenly I felt much warmer." Way to go Kay and Mary Rose!

Davis, CA: Recently Approved Stallion Wildwych Eclipse (*Glenormiston Flurry Knox x *Wildwych Dreamtime) made his ridden debut over the weekend of November, 5th at “Dressage on Campus”, held at the University of California, Davis. The benefit Show was held in the newly constructed Dressage Arena that overlooks the Universities Cross Country Course and Jumping Stadium. The “tulle mist” lifted, and the California sun shown just in time for a nine a.m. ride time.

With just three weeks training under saddle, Wildwych Eclipse, a 2006 USDF/ACPS All Breeds Award Winner (DSHBS), competed at Introductory Level performing tests A & B. The three year old was very capably ridden by owner Max Gerdes of Redbud Ranch to achieve scores of 62.5 and 65.714 percent, taking home 3rd and 1st, respectively. Eclipses scores included an “8” for his walk, and the comments “Lovely Fellow-Wonderful Future!” from USDF “L” judge Patty Schofler.

Clifden, Ireland: This year’s October sale of Connemara Ponies held annually in Clifden, Ireland, was the biggest ever! The sale had to be stretched out over 4 days to accommodate the 1.045 lots. The highest price, 13,000 euros (about $16,000) went for Brenda McCully’s 4 yo mare, Casheel Puddle (Tubber Patrick X Coisdeel Dawn) who is in foal to Forestview JJ. Several of P.J. Watson’s ponies brought very good prices. A filly by Laerken’s Cascade Dawn in foal to Boden Park Finard sold for 9,000 euros. A yearling filly by Cascade Dawn went to Henry O’Toole for 8,400 euros. A riding gelding by Castleside JJ sold for 6,000 euros.