Ocala, FL: Three Connemaras competed at the Ocala Winter II Horse Trials at the Florida Horse Park on the weekend of Feb 13-15. Over 400 horses in all competed on the inviting course. Ballencrief’s Brogan (Landgate Bluebeard X Aladdin’s Winter Promise), a Connemara stallion owned by Jim and Nancy Kilcrease of Ocala and ridden by Nancy earned second place in the Entry Level Division. They were tied for fifth after dressage but had clean stadium and cross country rounds to finish in second place. The halfbred, Balmullo’s Patriot (Concord River Roaringwater Bay X Thoroughbred mare) showing as Fate’s Patriot by Laura Duhamel of Atlanta, was sixth out of 24 in the Novice Horse A Division. They were 16th after dressage but flew around the cross country course and had a clean stadium round to finish in sixth. Rhonda Gailey of Lake City, Fl, riding Healing Springs Limerick (Erin Go Bragh X Rocky Springs Greystone Earrach) rode in the Preliminary Division finishing in 14th place.

Napa, CA: Even though it is a little past Valentine’s Day, Joanie Webster thought all would enjoy this Valentine picture taken by Joanie’s daughter, Lee. The two ‘lovers’ are Stonybrook Belmont aka Monty (*Hearnesbrook Dunoon X Stonybrook Irish Crème) and a top California endurance gelding, Puck, who Lee has in training at her Blue Chip Stables in Penngrove.

Joanie said, “even after the fact, this should bring a smile to any pony owner's lips!”