Vass, NC: Sandy McShea of Indian Summer Farm reports that Conneleigh Carys McMor (Dallen McMor of Greystone X Ballywhim Keliane [by Tre Awain Dobh McDuff]) , broodmare/budding event packer, entered her first ever show, a combined test ( jumping and dressage), yesterday and came away with a third out of eight entrees in her Maiden class. Sandy says, “First and second were tied. Ridden by Pippa Moon, Carys was 0.5 from the winning score! She acted as if showing was something she’d been doing her whole life! She trailered out alone in the morning, tied to the trailer between classes (also alone) and seemed to blossom in the show environment. We are so proud! It has been wonderful fun watching her evolution.

The picture is from her dressage. Her clear stadium round is posted on youtube.com under “Indian Summer Farm”.

Flor D'Lune (Age one)

Brown’s Valley, CA: Max and Lisa Gerdes of Redbud Ranch wanted to share an update on four of their Wildwych Eclipse offspring. Three-year-old halfbred, Redbud’s Moonrock (Wildwych Eclipse X EM Palladia), along with his two-year-old purebred pasture-mate, Redbud’s Celtic Tiger (Wildwych Eclipse X Glenormiston Amelia), traveled to Fresno where they met up with a third offspring of Eclipse, two-year-old halfbred filly, Stellaluna (Wildwych Eclipse X Lady Continuet). The three youngsters represented their sire admirably in the first of the West Coast USEA/IDSHA Future Event Horse Series (FEH). All three ponies scored very well and placed well under FEI Sporthorse/Eventing Judge Janis Linnan. The high scorer for team Redbud was their three-year-old Redbud’s Moonrock who qualified for the Western Regional Future Event

Horse Championships to be held later this season. "Rocky," as he is known, has traditionally scored very well and last season was both the West Coast Champion FEH and national high scoring two-year-old FEH gelding. The two younger ponies, "Stella" and "Tiger" also showed great promise with each youngster placing fourth in their respective divisions.

Redbuds Moonrock (age three)

The USEA/ IDSHA Future Event Horse Series focuses on yearlings, two and three year olds and their potential for becoming quality performance horses. Judging criteria is based on correct conformation and quality and correctness of gaits.

A fourth representative of her sire, Flor D'Lune (Wildwych Eclipse X Fleur Dilis LCA), a Connemara/Arab, attended the 63rd Annual Sport Horse Show held at Rancho Murietta on this past Friday with her owner/breeder Max Gerdes of Redbud Ranch. The filly was the lone yearling to compete in a field of two- and three-year-olds in the amatuer divisions. "Flora,"as she is called, took 1st prize in a decisive win under USDF "S" Judge Marlene Schnieder.

Fountain, FL: The always entertaining Julie Van der Meer, long time breeder of Connemaras and Arabs, had a surprise this spring. Her Connemara mare, Ivydell Isabel (Corner Oak Reveille X Big Bear’s Lily), secretly pregnant for almost 11 months, produced a very handsome half-Arabian colt. Julie explains how this came about. “Shadow, a very well bred Arabian, is the daddy. I got him last spring because I wanted to breed one last Arabian foal from my Arabian mare, Zenith. I had a paddock behind the barn for him, and explained to him that he was expected to stay inside, and I would bring Zenie to him for a romantic interlude when the time was right. That lasted two days -- the first morning after he arrived the herd of inquisitive girls had bashed his gate down, but he was still inside. My husband, Detlef, who wasn’t too keen on acquiring Shadow, used some rather picturesque language about the situation, including some snarky remarks of the ‘I told you so!’ variety. We repaired the fence, reinforced it with rebar and giant logs, telephone poles, fence panels, etc. The next morning, with Shadow working from the inside and the ‘ladies’ pummeling from the outside, they had turned our hard work into pretzels, and all were frolicking merrily. Shadow had his way with all the mares and even poor Rocky, a gelding, who tried to explain that he wasn't like that. Shortly thereafter, Dr. George came out and did brain surgery on Shadow and also gave Isabel the ‘Arabian-spermatazoa-expelling’ shot. I wanted Zenie to be pregnant and I didn’t care if Poppy (Connemara/TB) was pregnant so they didn’t get the shot. This February I had the vet check Zenie and Poppy for pregnancy, and both were open, so I decided no babies were meant to be for this year. I assumed that the shot had worked for Isabel. In March and the first part of April, I started riding Isabel, and was grooming her belly when I realized that she had been keeping secrets. Ivydell Jesse James appeared on the scene just two weeks later. Isabel is a WONDERFUL mommy and JJ is as cute as a button -- he's bay right now, with a tiny star, a few zebra markings on his legs (!) and eye goggles that indicate he will be turning gray soon. I've bred lots of Arabians, and never had one with zebra markings before, so we are canvassing the neighborhood to find out if someone is harboring a fugitive zebra.”

Amston, CT: Carolyn McEvitt would like to alert all to a wonderful opportunity to support breast cancer research. Carolyn says, “The 10th annual Ride for the Cure is coming up on October 3, 2010 at Tyrone Farm in Pomfret, CT. I have competed in this event for the last four years with both my Connemara half-breds and we always have such a great time. This is a fabulous day and the ride is always spectacular, even when it rains! Galloping over the fields and trotting through the woodlands really makes one appreciate how fortunate we are to ride such wonderful, sturdy mounts. There are even drops, banks, coops and more that those of us with a cross country spirit may jump. I think humans and ponies alike are reluctant to have it end, even if you have been in the saddle for more than three hours!! My teammate, Meg Brauch, and I have raised over $3000 each year in donations. It is definitely a worthwhile cause and the satisfaction comes from all the appreciation shown you when you finish the course. You not only are treated to a great luncheon with door prizes, but, more importantly you are showered with heartfelt thanks. It is just astonishing how many strangers will come up to you, tears in their eyes, and thank you from the bottom of their soul for doing the Ride. That alone is why I do the Ride. It matters. I would just love to see more of our Connemara pony lovers out there supporting it! So, maybe I will see you on course in October!!”

Event Name: 2010 Ride for the Cure - CT
Event Date: October 3, 2010
Event Location: Tyrone Farm, Pomfret, CT
Website: www.komenct.org
Contact Email: ride@komenct.org
Contact Phone: 860-728-5500

Alachua, Fl: Vanessa Morgan was visiting Balmullo Farm this weekend to pick up a cart and harness so she can begin driving. As she stepped out on the porch in the morning she was greeted by two ponies wanting to come into the house! They were in the yard for a bit of lawn-mowing duty. The ponies are Balmullo’s Liffey Lad and Balmullo’s Isabelle.