Rachel's Year in Review!!

2013 is coming to a close, and it's time to step back and appreciate all the accomplishments of this past year.  I have had an excellent year at Blue Hill Farm, with the opportunities to ride and train quite a mix of horses, as well as being promoted to assistant trainer!

I've been competing Hugh Knows, owned by Stonehall Farm in Middleburg VA, at Second Level to prepare him for a career as a Para-equestrian mount.  He is a great competition partner that always puts in a good test and finishes at the top of his classes.

This spring I had some fun starting Rue La La, a 13.3h pony owned by the Thomas Geno Syndicate. She is a fantastic jumper, and could power around the Novice level cross country, having a blast.  She has tons of scope and will make a very competitive eventer or show jumper.

I also started Danny, a 14h TB Welsh cross owned by Lisa Thomas ( our fabulous website designer), for her daughter Kendal.  Danny is an adorable pony who shows much potential for dressage, eventing, or the show hunters. The future looks very bright for Kendal and Danny, and I'm proud and excited to be a part of it. 

This fall I have been asked to ride Margarita, a warmblood mare owned by Elizabeth Bareis, with plans to campaign her at Third Level.  She is a very nice dressage horse, and I look forward to the chance to compete her.  

Also in the barn is Woody, the lovely little warmblood horse from England owned by Pari Nurrish. Woody is a very talented dressage horse that I have had the pleasure of schooling while Pari has been arranging her big move from England back in to the states!

I have also been fortunate to ride for Seema Sonnad for the past few years on two of her horses, Cole and Solo SWF.  Last year we sold Cole, a little horse I brought up to Training Level in eventing, in order to buy Solo SWF.  Although very brave at eventing, we made the decision that he was much more talented as a show jumper, so I now have the opportunity to  to show the HITS circuit in Ocala this winter!  The plan is to gain confidence jumping around 1.20m before putting him on the market to find an upper level event prospect.

Solo SWF

This has been quite a big year for myself and Carlingford Taldi, an Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by Jessica Ransehousen.  Due to an unfortunate accident that ended his upper level eventing career with Missy, Taldi started his new life as a dressage horse a few year ago.  I was lucky enough to get the ride on him and we've moved up the levels together.   This fall at HITS Saugerties, we both made a successful debut at Prix St Georges together.  The scores keep improving each time we go out, and we are preparing for our first CDI in 2014. 

Carlingford Taldi

I now have earned my bronze and silver USDF medals, and can say that I am an FEI level rider.  I know it would not have been possible without all the support from the team at Blue Hill Farm.  Missy and Jessica have been so generous with their horses and time, and it's a privilege to train for them.  Jessica has been my mentor for the past 5 years, and I am excited to take on my goals for 2014 with her help and support!