Working Student Brigitte Aickelin Looks Forward to 2014!

2012 was a tough year for me and my Prelim eventer, Chip, who was having issues on the flat and wasn’t progressing.  I needed to find a training program which would help us improve, and that’s how I ended up applying for a working student position at Blue Hill Farm.  I sent my resume and before I knew it, I was moving from Georgia to Pennsylvania in the dead of winter. Which might I add wasn’t the smartest decision because it is SO much colder here than in  Georgia.  Regardless, I have been at Blue Hill since January 2013 and have loved every minute of it!

Chip

I have learned so much from both Jessica and Missy during my time here. They helped me make the tough decision to retire Chip from upper level Eventing in early fall of this year.  I made the long trek back to Georgia to get his half brother, Harper, to become my new training project. Harper is 4 years old, and so far is progressing quickly and loving every minute of learning the ropes of eventing. I’ve had him in training for 2 months and we are learning everything about each other, one day at a time.

Harper

My 2013 show season didn’t go as planned since Chip was not progressing, and during that time I rode Blue Hill horses, Harry and Margarita, in dressage shows. Harry taught me a ton as far as fixing my position and Margarita and I learned the ropes together. My plan is to finish this year strong on Harper and do some schooling shows before it gets too cold. 

Harper learning to jump!

2014 I plan to be competitive at the Beginner Novice and Novice level in the spring and early summer before moving up to Training by the fall of 2014. I hope to be able to go to Ocala for a month or two this winter, to compete and hone my skills so I can be really competitive in Area 2 in the spring and summer.

Even though 2013 was a tough year for me, I plan to finish it out strong and with a huge smile on my face. I know 2014 will be bigger and better; it can only lead to great things for my future competitions and my eventing career. I couldn’t have done any of it without the help of the BHF crew, my friends and most importantly, my family. Here’s to a great 2014 competition season!

Working Student Brigitte Aickelin Looks Forward to 2014!

2012 was a tough year for me and my Prelim eventer, Chip, who was having issues on the flat and wasn’t progressing.  I needed to find a training program which would help us improve, and that’s how I ended up applying for a working student position at Blue Hill Farm.  I sent my resume and before I knew it, I was moving from Georgia to Pennsylvania in the dead of winter. Which might I add wasn’t the smartest decision because it is SO much colder here than in  Georgia.  Regardless, I have been at Blue Hill since January 2013 and have loved every minute of it!

Chip

I have learned so much from both Jessica and Missy during my time here. They helped me make the tough decision to retire Chip from upper level Eventing in early fall of this year.  I made the long trek back to Georgia to get his half brother, Harper, to become my new training project. Harper is 4 years old, and so far is progressing quickly and loving every minute of learning the ropes of eventing. I’ve had him in training for 2 months and we are learning everything about each other, one day at a time.

Harper

My 2013 show season didn’t go as planned since Chip was not progressing, and during that time I rode Blue Hill horses, Harry and Margarita, in dressage shows. Harry taught me a ton as far as fixing my position and Margarita and I learned the ropes together. My plan is to finish this year strong on Harper and do some schooling shows before it gets too cold. 

Harper learning to jump!

2014 I plan to be competitive at the Beginner Novice and Novice level in the spring and early summer before moving up to Training by the fall of 2014. I hope to be able to go to Ocala for a month or two this winter, to compete and hone my skills so I can be really competitive in Area 2 in the spring and summer.

Even though 2013 was a tough year for me, I plan to finish it out strong and with a huge smile on my face. I know 2014 will be bigger and better; it can only lead to great things for my future competitions and my eventing career. I couldn’t have done any of it without the help of the BHF crew, my friends and most importantly, my family. Here’s to a great 2014 competition season!

What A Year for David Ziegler, BG and Topper!!

We're gathering the year end wrap ups from all of our Blue Hill riders, to let our supporters know about the year in review and plans for 2014!  As always, it's been a busy year with many challenges and accomplishments.  David Ziegler is going to start us off with his year in review.  Well written David!

David & BG at Jersey Fresh
Photo Credit Becca Hart

"What a year! Reflecting on it now, I cant believe all that has happened in 10 months.  BG and I stormed onto the event scene after a year long hiatus on both our parts, placing in the top of all our competitions, BG showed us this old guy was not looking for an early retirement after having been successfully campaigned around the world at the 4* level.  We are looking forward to coming back in the spring season to qualify for the NAYRC, and (fingers crossed) an autumn advanced!

Topper Strutting His Stuff!
Photo credit Terri Miller

From galloping across fields at unmovable objects, to pirouettes in the 20x60, Topper had an equally impressive season.  We kicked the year off with winning High Point 4th level at Morven Park in May, then we put our nose to the grindstone and contested our first Prix St.
George in July with great results! The rest of the season was spent with numerous successes in the Prix St George across the North East, it is incredible to think that in 17 months Topper went from being an upper level event horse to an FEI Dressage horse. This winter we plan on spending January in Wellington competing in the CDI's, gathering our qualifications to compete at the NAYRC in the Dressage!

Topper
Photo Credit Terri Miller

Campaigning 2 horses at the top levels of 2 disciplines is no easy task, but through all the support of our team at Blue Hill Farm and my partnership with SCES, my training is progressing and the financial strain has been eased.  Donations are greatly appreciated to help me own the podium in 2014, and eventually seek to be long listed to the CDN dressage or eventing teams!"