Lilia, on the left, and Bluebell

Saugerties, NY: At the second annual USEF Connemara Division at the North East Welsh Pony Association show at HITS on the Hudson on July 1, Champion Mare in Hand was Windy Hollow Lilia (Seaborne’s Flagship X HH Greystone Irish Wind), owned by Amy Plavin and shown by Katherine Short on their way to the World Equestrian Games. Reserve Champion in Hand was Blue Ridge Bluebell (on the right in the photo) ( Landgate Blue Beard X Blue Ridge Arabelle). Bluebell is owned and was shown by Linda Haines.

Champion Halfbred in Hand and ridden champion was Ivydell Prudence who was back for a second great year. She is by Balius Turlough X Arab mare, and is owned by Paulette Moak. (Sally Oxnard photo)

West Winfield, NY: Mary Lou Thall writes the following: “I received an email from Kim Stover who owns Tricreek Greystone Laughlin, Lucky, that they have been selected to represent the United States at the World Singles Driving Competition in Italy. He just won his division at the Garden State CDE and has been competing consistently at selection trials. He is the son of Greystone McErrill (Hideaway’s Greystone Alex X Erin’s Lassie [by Toureen Laddie]) who stood here at Triple Creek Farm for many years. His dam was the Thoroughbred mare, Wise Precept. Errill's grandson, Thor's Toy Truck, was also in competition to go. He may still be selected as an alternate. This is not the first time that Greystone McErrill has produced world class get as his son and brother were gold medal winners in Austria in 1991 in pairs driving.

“This is a very exciting time for Connemara's!”

Middletown, Ohio: Steph Burk and Celeste Phares participated in the Tazmanian Trot 16 mile novice competitive trail ride at Paint Creek State Park in Bainbridge Ohio on Saturday June 5th. Of course, they didn't succeed alone; doing all the hard work were (left) *Kilfenora Brighanna Day ("Bri") (Windy Day X Mac's Bar [by Dun Aengus]), owned by Grey Haven Farm of Middletown and currently being leased by Celeste, and (right) Hillside Lily Brown (*Bobby Brown X Moxley Cream Soda [by Blue Ridge Traveller]), owned by Steph. Both mares completed the ride in great shape, totally sound, with very few points off except for slightly elevated heart rates, but as it was only Bri's second CTR and Lily's first - and they were excited by all the activity - both riders were happy with the results. Bri was in 10th place and Lily in 6th. Steph says, “We are looking forward to more competitive trail rides on these wonderful mares in the near future.”

Bloomington, IN: Erin Lemrow writes, “Yesterday was not only one of the hottest days of the year, but a very special one too. Shammer Gypsy Queen (*Ballinaboy Eamon X Kingstown Brigid) foaled a stunning dun colt in the early morning hours before daybreak. He is one of the nicest foals we've had to date. I absolutely love him, especially his coloring. His coat looks to be a silvery dun with a line right down his back!” He has been named Willow’s Thunder Ashes. He is by Erin’s Willow Boy (*Chiltern Colm X Sillbridge Miranda [by Thunderbolt]). A super cute photo is on Erin’s website. http://www.willowrunconnemaras.com/