Fountain, FL: Julie Vandermeer reports that three-year-old Ivydell Isabell (Balius Turlough X Big Bear’s Lily [by Rose Hill’s El Lasto]) made her show debut in September at the Northwest Florida Chapter of the Deep South Dressage and Combined Training Association Fall Show. The show was held at Willow Bend South in Cottondale, Fl. Bill Woods, “R” Ocala, was the judge. In this show, the ponies are also shown individually on the triangle. Julie says, “Isabell entered two in-hand classes, Sport Horse Fillies, and Sport Pony, and much to my delight we came home with two blue ribbons! The only place the judge marked her down was in free movement at the trot; and he scolded her handler for not running fast enough to show her to her best advantage.”

Palm Beach Gardens, FL: Janet Hibel has written to say that Balmullo’s Cassiopeia (Balmullo’s Beacon X Blue Hill’s Morning Star) qualified for the USDF Region 3 Championships at the Wellington Classic Fall Challenge Dressage with a 64% in Training Level Test 4. She also got marks of 65% and 62% in Training Level Test 3 and her second-day Training Level Test 4 respectively. They also were part of the winning team for the Team Championship. Janet says,”Got lots of training ahead to compete in the Regionals!!”

Orion's Dunaire

Loveland, CO: Julie Keahy has sent this news from Region VIII. “Several of the halfbred offspring of Skyview’s Orion (Custusha’s Cashel Rock X Lady Rigel [by Gilnocky Drumcliffe]) that live in Colorado have been out and performing well this summer. Lee Thomas’ Orion's Starman started his new career as a dressage horse this summer, and has so far entered four training level classes at two shows, and won 1st place in each class. He was high point open horse (for all levels) at the second show, and high point open horse for the three-show series even though he only competed at two of the shows! Two other of Orion’s offspring competed at the Northern Colorado Horse Trails at Tomora. Orion’s Dunaire had a great two days over fences. Unfortunately the dressage judge failed to appreciate his pony charms and he finished seventh for the championships at Novice level. Young Anna Gilbertson’s Orion’s Skydancer also had a great weekend. They finished tenth in the Novice division.”

Colville, WA: Kelsie Staeheli and husband Paul drove to Spruce Grove, Alberta, to Devon Ridge Farm, where they left Wildwych Strider & Wintermist Mountain Charm for training. Coming home with us them was KD Kiana(M.G.R.M. Mick O'Lean O'Flynn X Dain's Dooley [by Daeshars Cashel-Rae Rock]), born & raised in Canada at Ken and Diane Harding’s Rockin’ K Dee Ranch. Kelsi says, “This big bay pony mare has joined our herd and made new friends with the girls already here at Jolly Fir Line Farm.”

AC-Samson af Engvang at Poitiers

Bremen, Germany: May Reiman reports that The Northern German Connemara-Show was held on August 29 in Verden. May says, “There was a big fair with numerous contests and shows. Our show was judged by Clive Evans from Ireland. About 50 ponies were shown. Our five year old stallion AC-Samson af Engvang aka Sammy (Skousboe Morning Rock X AC-Soft Jewel af Engvang [by Øxenholm Godot ] ) is back from France, where he did well at the big Connemara show in Poitiers, judged by Sean Dunne from Ireland. There, Sammy was second in the class of 4-10 year old stallions behind the later Reserve Supreme Champion and won the Championship of the Regions, the class where the Supreme Champions of the regional shows earlier in the year were judged together. We are very happy to have Sammy back, though we think it was a huge chance for him to be able to breed abroad at such a young age. He bred excellent mares at the Dundee stud where he was standing, amongst them were Clifden and French Champions, so we are very much looking foward to his foals next year.” Sammy has his own website: www.ac-samson.com

Warrnambool, Australia: While foaling season is still quite a ways off for the Northern Hemisphere, Australia and New Zealand are in the midst of their foaling season. This very cute photo was sent by Diane Brown of Greenlich Connnemaras in southwestern Australia. It is Greenlich Merlin (Newlands Flanagan X Bonnahburra Royal Mascot). The interesting pedigrees of both his parents can be found at <http://www.allbreedpedigree.com>
It is the first foal for both and the second for Greenlich Connemaras who are anxiously awaiting Merlin’s half sibling. Makes me wish Spring would hurry up!!