Fayetteville, Ga:  Rhonda Gailey and  Healing Springs Limerick (Erin Go Bragh X Rocky Springs Greystone Earrach) competed at the Rocking Horse Ranch (Altoona, FL) schooling horse trial last weekend and finished third on their dressage score…..their first time out at Preliminary!! 

Rhonda and Limerick were first at Pinetop Horse Trials in September at Training Level as well.  They also finished in 10th place at the American Eventing Championships. Rhonda says, “He is my joy to ride every day!!! I owe him everything…..”

Fayetteville, Ga:  Megan Buchanan Harris reports that Sparrow's Owen (Grange Finn Sparrow X Appendix Quarter Horse) has made his debut as Megan’s hunt horse this season. He's already been out with the Bear Creek Hounds a number of times, and was a star at their large opening hunt. He's becoming accustomed to his job in the second field, and Megan plans to move him up to first flight before the season ends.

He's becoming a regular jack-of-all-trades; he's training in dressage and eventing with Megan, and doubles as her mother's reliable trail mount.

Alpharetta, Ga:  Donna Miller and *ArdCeltic Art (Monaghanstown Fionn X Moydow Lady) are now confirmed contenders in the ranks of Preliminary eventing. 

Donna decided to bring Art out at Preliminary for a second time after completing the Florida Training Three-Day long format two weeks ago. He finished a solid second place in Florida, and this past weekend went out all business and finished third in the Preliminary Horse division behind Mike Winter and his two horses. 

Donna says, “Art has taught me so much along the way and it is hard to believe that it was just three years ago, almost to the day, that I looked at a scruffy gray colt in Ireland!!!!”  Pictures  from Pine Top Preliminary and the Ocala three day can be seen at  http://hoofclix.smugmug.com/gallery/6680245_WdZk6#428055601_fUixg

Bloomfield, In:   Erin Lemrow has sent this photo of Willow's Ballykiss Angel (Willow Boy x Tower Hill's Cailin) enjoying the snow!  She is now 5 months old.

New Braintree, Ma: ; Kathy Trum-Searah of Trum-Searah Farm and Pat Shields of Dry Brook Farm Harwinton, CT enjoyed showing off their purebreds (P/B) and halfbred(H/B) Connemaras in Clinics and Demos at the Equine Affaire. Kathy and Pat teamed up with the help of family and friends to have six stalls in C barn and a farm booth in the breed pavilion. With great panache, Kathy created an Irish display at the front corner stall of C Barn, welcoming patrons and pony lovers to their stalls and Connemara stall of Region 1. Kathy designed Rainbow flags for every stall front, complete with pot of gold decorations, on all six stalls, which proved to be an eye- catching draw to the public.

Pat and Kathy also produced a Sport Pony Demo in the Mallory Arena that show-cased Harry being driven by Cindy Fletcher. Flash, owned by Janet Chayes, was ridden by Carol Kozlowski and was shown in dressage. Emily Shields rode her beloved, homebred and self-trained 2 -year-old Her 7/8 Connemara DryBrook's Bailey's Cream. Kathy presented her newly backed purebred Connemara, Wild Acres Frankie, in western pleasure. Young stock from four different farms showed off both P/B and H/B Connemara's, RPSI German Riding ponies and a lovely Fells Stallion

Emily showed her half-bred Connemara (half Hanoverian) colt, DryBrook's Moon River, in the RPSI demo and was the English rider in the Sport pony demo on Dry Brook's Bailey's Cream. Bailey was selected to participate in a clinic with Kerry Kuhn, about natural horsemanship. Kerry paid Emily the highest compliment asking for her business card as Bailey was a complete gentlemen. DryBrook Bailey's Cream was an outstanding example of the Connemara's trainability and kindness. He is by Kathy Trum-Searah's stallion, Valley Creek Angeleri. Kathy was in a clinic with Clinton Anderson working Wild Acres Frankie, a five-year-old ;pure bred, who got a lesson on trailer loading. Frankie showed off much to the crowds' delight that trailer loading is not a big deal for a Connemara. Frankie trotted right into the trailer with Kathy before Clinton even began the lesson. Clinton was amazed (and honestly so was Kathy!!!!!). Frankie is a registered H/B Connemara blue-eyed creme gelding. Kathy backed Frankie this summer and he strutted his stuff in western pleasure in the sport pony demo after only being under saddle about 45 days.

Alachua, Fl:  Balmullo’s Mr. Peeps (C. R. Roaringwater Bay X Tullymor’s Shandora) got his heart’s desire for Christmas this year….his own little girl!!  He has been sold to the Gailey’s in Fayetteville, Ga., where 8 yo Rylee will ride him and do Pony Club events with him. Seems like Rylee was pretty happy, too.  Her Mom said, “Rylee is in HEAVEN!!!! She was SO surprised. The next day when I picked her up from school and took her to the barn, she said " Mom, I thought I was still dreaming when I woke up this morning and remembered that Peeps was mine."  Both Rylee’s Mom, Rhonda, and Dad, Rich, are eventers with both competing at the American Eventing Championships this September in Illinois.  So look for Rylee and Mr Peeps to be joining them in the future! 

Exeter, NH:  Sally Oxnard reminds us that the ACPS Board of Governors will meet in January at the Cincinnatti, Ohio, Netherland Plaza Hilton.  The meeting is in conjunction with the USEF meeting and one can register for the USEF meeting at www.usef.org.  The schedule for the Connemara meetings is as follows:

Wednesday,  Jan 14, 3 to 5 PM -  All Breed Forum (USEF)

Thursday, Jan 15, 10 to noon- Breeders Committee (USEF)

Friday, Jan 16, 8 to 10 -  USEF Welsh Connemara Committee Meeting
8 to 12 – Youth Council of the USEF
12 to 2 PM, Athlete Recognition Awards Lunch (USEF)
3 to 6 PM- ACPS Board Meeting- Salon E
 
Saturday, Jan 17, 8 AM to Noon- ACPS BOARD Meeting- Salon B
8 AM to Noon- Youth Council General Session (USEF)