Wayne, IL: The friendly ACPS roving reporter “roved” all the way to Chicago on the weekend of September 12 and was lucky enough to see the Winner of the Amateur Training division at the American Event Championships do a fabulous cross country round in fairly scary conditions. Yes, our own Donna Miller and her *ArdCeltic Art were way ahead after dressage with a 23, went clean XC with only three time faults (driver error!) and were clean in stadium for the win. More rain than Chicago had seen in decades made for a somewhat slippery XC track but the sure-footed pony had no trouble! Conditions were so bad, in fact, that after the Training division the rest of the XC rides were cancelled, making the event effectively a two-phase, a drastic measure for the Eventing Championships. However, Rhonda Gaily riding another purebred Connemara, Limerick (Hideaway’s Erin-Go-Bragh X Greystone Earach [by Greystone McErrill]), was also in the Training division and came home with a ninth place. And in the Preliminary Division Piedmont Sundance (TB cross by Balmullo's Beacon), owned by Marion Caldwell and ridden by Marty Whitehouse, unfortunately unable to show off his cross country skills, placed sixth. Photo credit Donna Duckworth.

Des Moines, IA: Lisa Eitzel’s Century Hill's Kieron (Irish Park Caraway Finn x Tatham's Ballinanna) had to contend with some rainy conditions as well. Lisa says, “Braving the same weather that Donna (Miller) had in Chicago, i.e. rain, rain, and more rain... Kieron, now 3, attended his first horse show, the Harvest Moon Carriage Classic, an ADS recognized driving show, shown by his 26 year young very capable trainer. He was entered in six classes in the novice pony division and placed in ALL of them, he got two seconds, three fourths, and a fifth against some very stiff competition. In regards to the beyond soggy footing, Kieron got both seconds in timed events--Cones and Pick Your Route. The cross country class had an obstacle of decoy Canadian geese, some on the left and some on the right and the horse was to pass through the middle. Well, wouldn't you know that a REAL goose decided to land right before Kieron's run so that didn't look quite right, he zigged for a stride then passed right through like a good boy.” Kieron did so well that with this one show that he earned enough points for a Bronze medal in driving.

Eatonton, GA: Rai Pullin reports that Caraway Charlotte (Maplehurst Micheal Macdaire x *Wensum Plum) and her nine year old rider, Grace Bridges, were the crossrail hunter reserve champions at the high point hunter/jumper show last Saturday. Rai says, “Grace has only been riding Lottie for about two weeks as Lottie just recently weaned her filly, Castlewood Clare (by Wildwych Eclipse). I am very proud of the two of them as they received two firsts, one second, and one third. Their most exciting win was the warm up class (an open over fences class) that had almost twenty entries and many fancy warmbloods to compete with!”

Hamilton, GA: Balmullo’s Liffey Lad (Concord River Roaringwater Bay X Balmullo’s Miss Emma [by Aladdin]), owned by Donna Duckworth, a three year old gelding (although the sire of a very cute ½ Percheron colt, Balmullo’s Wondy Pierre) has had his first ever outing. He completed a 2-phase event at Poplar Place farm on September 6 and was the winner of his division, the (ahem) Tadpole division! He won on his dressage score of 28.2. Rider Donna Miller said that Laddie was fabulous, never looking at anything.

Elk Grove, CA: Kat Ong reports that Featherstone Nightsong (Wildwych Eclipse X Coastal Tully Roisin) deserves a BIG CONGRATULATIONS! Kat says, “ She was named Reserve Champion ‘Best of Breed’ at the 2008 Mountain and Moorland show held at Brookside Equestrian Center in Elk Grove at just four months of age. The show had a wonderful turn-out with over ten Connemara entries. Featherstone Nightsong placed Reserve Champion among some of the nicest ponies in our area. We were thrilled to have produced another Champion! The international judge gave Nightsong high praises for her temperament and conformation at such a young age. The fun part is that her sire and dam were both named the Breed Supreme Champions at our Region X show in 2007. This filly foal is following very closely in her parent’s footsteps.” She could hardly have done otherwise!

Canby, OR: Sandi Reynolds of Skyview Farm sent this photo of her favorite barn helper, Gwyneth Roberson, age 6, riding Skyview's Carina (Custusha's Cashel Rock X Sherrie), 21 yrs old. Sandi says, “Gwyneth already cleans stalls and sweeps the barn! In spite of just starting first grade, she also wrote me a "book" this summer called ‘I Ride Horses’.” Plus she is the cutest thing ever!