Alpharetta, GA: Donna Miller has sent an update regarding her imported stallion *Ard Celtic Art (Monaghanstown Fionn X Moydow Lady). Art was the ACPS Horse of the Year last year. Donna says, “Ard Celtic Art spent a month in Florida with Missy Ransehousen, who is an upper level event rider and coach of the US ParaOlympic Dressage team. She honed his dressage skills at 3rd and 4th level in preparation for two dressage shows in Wellington, White Fences and the Palm Beach Dressage Derby. These shows are held on back to back weekends at the Horse Park Equestrian Center, Loxahatchee, Florida. Art was entered in six classes, all Open divisions against top professional riders and their warmblood mounts. Missy and her mom, Jessica Ransehousen, worked hard to greatly improve on the base education I had given Art, so he could be competitive against the stiff competition. Being used to big warmbloods and their movement, I believe they had doubts that he could be competitive, and even as the blue ribbons started coming, Jessica shook her head and told me all the things I need to work on! The fact that she and Missy strive for perfection is what kept Art a notch above much of the competition as he came away with three wins and two second place finishes of the six classes! Three of the scores were above 67%, with one score of 69.2% The added bonus for me was that in between the dressage showing I was able to take show jumping lessons with Holly Mitten in the most beautiful surroundings of Wellington!! The photo is Missy schooling Art on his collection in between shows.”

You can also see a video of Art’s Third Level Test Three on youtube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CY-Fjm9HXbk. Others of the tests may also be available so look for them, too.

Prosper, TX: Julie Holmquest, owner of Stony Glen Stables and Bluebonnet Connemaras, writes that Devon Ridge Calhoun, a halfbred by Bien Mallins Little Ben out of Tucks Precious Gem, went to his second USEF show this past weekend. Calhoun and his 12-year-old rider, Taylor Holmquest, were Reserve Champion of the green ponies and Champion of pony jumpers! Julie says, “They also put the big guys to shame and won the .90 m and were 2nd in the .85m! Hoping to get to Pony Finals this year! We love our ponies!!!!”

Taylorsville, NC: Sue Holland has sent photos of her granddaughters, Aubrie Holland and Sophie Holland, at a recent "timed ride” put on by the Yadkin Valley Hounds. The ride took place the day after the girls had gone on their first fox hunt. Aubrie rode Gately’s Red Robin (Balius Rhyddspence X Gralyn’s Gypsy Rover), a 19-year-old mare. Sophie rode Elphin Chickadee (Maplehurst Michael McDaire X Scottsway Lullaby). Sue says, “The timed ride is exactly like a hunter pace since it is ridden on a flagged course that has assorted jumps. The riders can pick from three divisions, fast, moderate, or slow.

The Yadkin Valley Hounds huntsman rides the course three times at the three different speeds. The huntsman's times are recorded but no one knows what the times are...then the team that comes closest to that time in their division wins. Today was as much fun as the fox hunt yesterday. Aubrie and Sophie were a team for the timed ride.

The girls wanted to do the ‘fast’ division but I said they should just do ‘moderate' as this was their first time out alone without me. Since they were out by themselves they jumped everything that I would have deemed "way too big" for them and were glad that they were able to slow their time ( that would have matched the fast division) down by jumping additional jumps that were not included on their marked trail! The girls WON their division and that made a great day even better. However, Aubrie and Sophie have decided that our jumps at home are now too small for them!”