Charlottesville, Va. ACPS members Kathy Bridges, Donna Duckworth, Marynell Eyles, Denise and Lauren Hill, Kathy Lucas, Marian McEvilly, and Joanie Webster all attended a Welsh/Connemara Judges Clinic on September 2. They were joined by 14 others, at least one of whom, Deborah Landy of Colorado, hope to be certified as a Connemara judge. Most of the non-ACPS attendees are hoping to be Welsh judges or were fulfilling a continuing education requirement. The clinic was held at the Barracks Farm for the examination of the Welsh ponies and Susan Rinehart’s Oakfields Farm for the Connemara judging portion of the clinic. Dr. Daniel Flynn discussed conformation of both the Welsh and Connemaras, while Catherine Mack was the clinician for the Connemaras, and Cecile Dunn, a recognized Welsh judge, was the clinician for the Welsh. Also included were open discussions of judging philosophy and procedure as well as ethics. Organized by Susan Rinehart, Chair of the USEF Connemara/Welsh Committee, the USEF, and the ACPS Judges Committee, it was designed to begin the process of certification of Connemara judges. The procedure, as outlined in the USEF Connemara rules, involves attending clinics, passing an examination, and acting as a learner judge under two different judges. More on the clinic and information on applying to be a judge will be in the American Connemara magazine.

West Point, Va. While in Virginia, Donna had a rare opportunity to see daughter Alexandra Duckworth-Fraughnaugh perform at the Aria Farm Dressage Schooling Show.

Alexandra’s young Connemara/TB gelding by CR Roaringwater Bay, Chesapeake Bay, was 4th in two very large classes doing the USDF introductory tests. Alexandra is just getting back to riding after having a baby last year.

Phoenix, Az. Jennifer Fitzpatrick (Clearheart Connemaras) reports that this year has been a very exciting one for her and Thurman Clearheart (Aladdin X Tre Awain Bawnia). Jennifer, a small animal veterinarian, and Clearheart moved across the United States, started working with a new trainer (who made them start over from scratch!), moved up to Training level eventing, and are starting to get Clearheart ready for the breeding world. This labor day weekend they traveled to Aguanga, California for the inagural event at 3 Day Ranch. The course was designed by Olympian David O'Connor and proved to be very challenging indeed!

This was only Clearheart's second ever training level event but he placed 2nd, only 0.6 points from 1st. He also placed 2nd in his first training level event last month in Flagstaff, AZ. His dressage is really coming along nicely, they scored only 32 penalty points (or 68% for non-eventers) and that was with a 2 point error on the test. Clearheart was totally fearless on the new course. The cross country was very large and technical, containing many max size fences, combinations, and even a complete coffin complex. Jennifer feels that he definitely showed he has more than enough heart for preliminary level. They are looking forward to competing at the Area X training level championships in Sonoita, AZ in October.