South Woodstock, VT: Region 1 lucked out with beautiful cool weather and blue skies for the annual ACPS Show at Green Mountain Horse Association. Jill McNicol, DVM was the judge. Grand Champion in Hand was Blue Ridge Flora (Tre Awain DeValera X *Hayselden Persephone [by Hayselden Bacchus]), the Young Stock Champion and Champion Mare, with the Reserve Championship going to Aluinn Durango (Aladdin’s Denver X Patty’s Meredith [by Patty’s Silverdun Velvet]), Champion Stallion. Both are owned by Sarah McRae of Northern Connemaras. Reserve Champion Stallion was Ripleigh Go Bragh (Hideaway’s Erin Go Bragh X Tre Awain Toura Loura [by Tre Awain Donoghoo]), owned by Renee Vaughn, while the Reserve Champion mare was Tower Hill's Breeze (Kilfenora Windy Isles X Tower Hill’s Kathleen [by Chiltern Copa of Tower Hill]), owned by Sally Oxnard. Ripleigh and Breeze were recently the Champion and Reserve of the Connemara Division at the USEF-recognized Northeastern Welsh “Ponies on the Hudson” Show on July 2. Grand Champion Connemara in Woodstock was Bantry Bay’s Kenny (Concord River Clipper X Bantry Bay’s Dark Rose), ridden by Lauren Ochs.

Blue Ride Flora

Aluinn Durango

High Point Dressage was won by Amy Plavin and Windy Hollow Modern Millie (Bantry Bay Kilcullen X Windy Hollow Lilia). Amy was also awarded the Sportsmanhip Trophy. Sally Oxnard, exhibitor and ACPS President says, “This year we had new attractions: a two phase on Sunday, and a Costume Parade on Saturday evening that attracted many exhibitors and spectators. Inspections were also held on Sunday afternoon. The silent auction and the Region 1 store were very successful, the food was great, and the volunteers were outstanding. A great time was had by one and all, and we were all tired and ready to go home.”

Millbrook, NY: Faye Silva has sent the following report on Bantry Bay Devon. Faye says, “Devon, a 22-year-old halfbred, is by Springledge Bantry Bay out of a TB mare, Happy Talk. He is owned by my daughter, Eliza Farren. One of Eliza's students, Katie Wohl, from Sudbury, MA has been eventing Devon this summer. We just got back from Millbrook Horse Trials, where Katie & Devon came in second out of 16 in one of the Beginner Novice divisions. This is their fifth show of the season and so far they have come in fifth out of 18 at King Oak Horse Trials on 5/9/09, second out of 20 at Valinor Horse Trials on 6/14/09, third out of 20 at Stoneleigh Burnham Horse Trials on 7/4/09, and seventh out of 24 at the Beginner Novice Championships at Riga Meadows on 7/19/09. They are currently tied for fifth on the USEA leaderboard for BN Juniors!! We couldn't be more proud of our wonderful boy and he is dearly loved by many people.”

Fountain, FL: Julie Van der Meer has sent the following:

“All I need to know in life I learned from my horse!

When in doubt, run far, far away.
You can never have too many treats.
New shoes are an absolute necessity every 6 weeks.
Ignore cues. They're just a prompt to do more work.
Everyone loves a good, wet, slobbery kiss.
Never run when you can jog. Never jog when you can walk. And never walk when
you can stand still.
Heaven is eating at least 10 hours a day... and then sleeping the rest.
Eat plenty of roughage.
Great legs and a nice rear will get you anywhere. Big, brown eyes help too.
When you want your way, stomp hard on the nearest foot.
Act dumb when faced with a task you don't want to do.
Follow the herd. That way, you can't be singled out to take the blame.
A swift kick in the butt will get anyone's attention.
Love those who love you back, especially if they have something good to eat.”