Cole is as cute and quiet as you could want, scoring a 29.5 in the dressage at his first outing in July.
He is easy to hack out alone or in company and has yet to spook at anything, including deer jumping out of the bushes. He has super ground manners, is very easy going with a cute jump and is game without getting fast or excited. Cole is the perfect horse for a kid, junior or small adult who wants to do a bit of everything while being safe, competitive and having fun!
Rachel, Jess & James at Saugerties CPEDI 3*
Photo Credit Lindsay Yosay McCall
As always, Blue Hill Farm has been hopping with a busy balance between horses here on training board, students attending dressage and eventing competitions and the Para riders traveling to Saugerties.
This past month Missy and Jess went up to the Horse Park of Nj, where Missy won her 3rd level test on BG, Jess won her 2nd level test on Hugh Knows and Rachel won her 3rd level test on Taldi! Not bad for a day's work. Steph also ran Dylan at Plantation Field International in the 1* with a solid dressage test and a double clean XC, which put them in 8th going into stadium. Dylan had a bit of a blonde moment coming around the corner to the 2nd which cost them 4 points & time penalties, but they still finished in a respectable 16th place (without touching a rail). Steph & Dylan were also awarded the Top Conditioned award presented by Dr. Peter Blauner!! Slideshow below.
The weekend of the 15th took the Para riders up to the CPEDI 3* at Saugerties, which was held alongside CDI3* & National Championships. James had a huge weekend, winning all 3 of his Grade 4 classes with a 73% in the Freestyle, a 69% in his Individual test and a 69 in the team test. The event also awarded him for the overall best score as well!
Photo Credit Lindsay Yosay McCall
The girls also had a great weekend with Becca taking 3rd on her team test with a score of 65, and winning her Freestyle Grade 2 on Saturday with a 72% and Elizabeth was 4th on Whitney’s Willow with a 65%. On the last day grade 2 Individual test - Becca was 2nd & Elizabeth was 4th. Becca, Elizabeth and Margaret MacIntosh rode the Grade 2 Championship Test (same test used at international events) & the Freestyle, which Becca won. Elizabeth & Gigi both came in 2nd in those two divisions.
The US Para riders also had a fabulous weekend. This was a team qualifier for the US team, with 26 riders from US, Canada, Ireland, Mexico & Bermuda. The US team won with great contributions from our BHF para riders in the National Championships with Becca placing 3rd & Elizabeth placing 10th. On a strategic level our team had the opp to get in front of 3 international judges who were judging at the European Championships in Belgium, so the mindset was tough and they weren’t giving away any marks!
Here's what's on the calendar for our year end events!
Morven Park - Steph on Dillan Prelim & Jeff Kibbie on Loki Intermediate
Loch Moi - Rachel on Cole in the Novice & Madison on Sophia Prelim
Fair Hill - Jeff 2*
Va Horse Trials - Madison/Sophie & Steph/Dillon aiming for Intermediate
GAG Finals down at the Horse Park of Va - 3rd Level
James on Ben Open Pre St George & third level
Jess is riding Hugh Knows - 2nd Level
Missy has also agreed to do the course walk for Radnor Hunt Horse Trials on Friday, Oct. 7th at 5pm at the start box. Come out & join us!!
