Becca Scores Highest Career Score To Date!

Rebecca Hart and Schroeter's Romani post Highest Career Score, Dominating Three Days of the 2015 Adequan Global Dressage Festival CPEDI3*

Becca Hart with Schroeter's Romani shined during the 2015 Adequan Global Dressage Festival CPEDI3* winning all three Grade II classes. Photograph by Susan Stickle

Wellington, FL - January 12, 2015 - The 2015 Adequan Global Dressage Festival CPEDI3* featured 13 para-dressage athletes from Grades Ia, Ib, II, III, and IV competing in the Van Kampen Arena at the Global Dressage Festival show grounds, and it was Grade II rider and two-time Paralympian Rebecca Hart who shined with Schroeter's Romani.

Hart earned the highest score of the day on Friday during the Team Test, riding to a score of 73.284 percent. She duplicated her efforts on Saturday for the Individual Test with a score of 72.857 percent, and returned Sunday to ride her Freestyle to her highest career score of 77.917 percent.

"I was really happy with how Romani went," Hart said after the final day of competition. "She was very relaxed in her body and her back, which is what we have been working on from her comments yesterday. To have her rise to the occasion on the third day of competing when she is tired is really great."

Becca Hart with Schroeter's Romani. Photograph by Susan Stickle

Schroeter's Romani is owned by Rebecca Hart in conjunction with Margaret Duprey, Cherry Knoll Farm, Sycamore Station Equine Division, Barbara Summer, the Ruffolos, and Will and Sandy Kimmel. They edged out Lauren Barwick of Canada to take the Grade II victory on both days of competition. If their consistent rides this weekend are any sign of the future for Hart and Schroeter's Romani, the 2016 Paralympic Equestrian competition in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sept. 7-18, is definitely in sight. The Adequan Global Dressage Festival CPEDI3* is one of the qualifiers for the 2016 USEF Paralympic Equestrian Selection Trials.

"I've been asking her to follow through and work with me on the days that my body is tired and she really needs to help me out," Hart said. "She really did that today. A month ago, she really needed me to be there for her, but now she has my back. We both help each other out now, which has been great."

Hart continued, "It was a great feeling. In the warm-up my body was tired since it was the third day. She really had to carry me. I asked her if she could do it for me, and she did it."

Hart is a two-time Paralympian (2008, 2012), two-time World Equestrian Games athlete (2010, 2014), and six-time USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Champion. The 2016 Paralympics are high on her list of goals. She began working with Schroeter's Romani only a year ago after importing the bay mare from Europe. Just a few months later they qualified for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Team, riding in their first international championship together and earning the highest scores for the United States.

Becca Hart with Schroeters Romani. Photo by Susan Stickle

Hart trains with Missy Ransehousen of Blue Hill Farm while home in Pennsylvania, and when she travels to Florida for the winter, she maximizes training by working alongside Todd Flettrich of Cherry Knoll Farm.

With their partnership stronger than ever, Hart knows that her success wouldn't be possible without such a solid team behind her.

"I'm so happy with how things are going and none of it would be possible without my sponsors and my support team at Cherry Knoll Farm," Hart said. "A big thanks to them and the Ransehousens."

For more information on Rebecca Hart and Cherry Knoll Farm, please visit www.cherryknollfarminc.com.

New Year - New Goals For Brigitte and Harper!!

Schooling at Windurra USA

Each year I ask the working students to sit down and think about their goals for the upcoming year.  We are blessed with a hard working and talented young staff here at Blue Hill Farm, and it's important that they take the time to reflect on the prior year and set personal goals for 2015.

Brigitte has been an enthusiastic addition to our program and has worked diligently day in and day out, always with a positive attitude and determination.  2015 is her year to be down in Ocala with Missy, so we know (as I sit here listening to 30 MPH winds) that she is grateful for that opportunity.  Thank you Brigitte for all that you do and good luck with the 2015 show season!!

Brigitte and Harper 2014 wrap-up:

"Harper and I have had a busy but wonderful year!! It started off with a horrible winter with hardly any showing until the end of April. We did 2 Dressage schooling shows at Dunmovin and Blue Goose in January before the weather turned for the worse and shut down much of our winter competition back here in Pa.

Our Eventing season began when the crew returned from Florida and we hit the ground running. Our first event was Fair Hill May 17th where we started out again in BN just to get Harper back in the groove. We scored a 33.5 in Dressage, had a stop at the "evil" water on XC and a rail (my fault) in SJ. We then planned the rest of the year to do Novice because he just needed to try harder.

Our next event was Seneca in Maryland where Harper scored his all time best in dressage with a 28.7 under Missy's watchful eye. We moved onto SJ with high hopes and had a "green" rail but otherwise a beautiful round, only adding some time on XC to finish his first event at Novice on a 49.5 in 10th place.

We then had a fun adventure at our first trip to the Jersey Horse Park.  We went into dressage with  "scary gnomes" at K, earning a respectful 39.0, went double clear SJ and XC, successfully finishing our first Novice on our dressage score to earn 6th place. We finally thought we had figured things out.

Onto Fair Hill, my birthday weekend, and we had a game plan! Dressage we earned a 36.5, with the "scary gnomes" still in the arena but at C this time.  Another refusal and a rail would put us back to where we started, the drawing board.  Try, try again Missy said, so we headed to Seneca once again, but had a repeat of Fair Hill, except the little booger stopped at the first fence!  It was time to rethink our strategy.

Galloping Home at Fair Hill

Now onto the "big boy" event. Missy said he was bored at Novice so we decided to try him at Training.  Onto Radnor Hunt we went where it was raining and cold the entire show! We scored a 32.3 putting us in 2nd after dressage and stadium was really really sloppy.  We didn't have a rail but incurred some time before heading Straight to XC after a quick bridle change. We were going out for a positive experience and NOT a refusal at the 1st fence. He was a complete rock star and we finished 4th overall, not bad for a green horse in the rain and mud with only front shoes!  What a great way to end our 2014 season.

My baby boy has grown up really fast in just the year I've had him. We are now happily settled into our new Ocala location and it's our first trip to Florida with Blue Hill Farm.  We hope to compete and hopefully move up to Prelim in a few short months, as he's going fantastically and is learning quickly. All he needed was a bit more of a challenge!

Thank you to EVERYONE who has helped us get to where we are today and where we are going. I couldn't have done it without any of you, most importantly, my 2 amazing trainers, Missy and Jessica. 2015 is going to be our year for a clean and clear record with amazing dressage scores! Here's to 2015!!!!"

Photo credits Lisa Thomas

Tis The Season To Give Back Through ReaganRydes.Org!!

I recently received an email from our friend, horsewoman and Paralympic groom extraordinaire, Alex Philpin, regarding a very impressive young lady who has developed a foundation to help other children discover the joy of riding.  Through this child's efforts, she has started the foundation, ReaganRydes.org, which raises funds for children to attend their local Wisconsin based YMCA summer camp.

ReaganRydes.org

Riding and establishing a connection with horses goes beyond the barn.  As all equestrians know, the privilege of riding and being connected to horses ingrains in all of us a sense of responsibility, goal setting, humility, compassion and trust.  These lessons for children can last a lifetime, helping them  move beyond fear, learning to trust and take risks, all while enjoying the beauty of horses and ultimately a sense of accomplishment.  This experience for children is priceless.

Alex is Reagan's riding instructor, and while she was here visiting last week at Blue Hill Farm, Missy and I ran in the second of Alex's 3 races to help raise money for this fabulous foundation.  It was an absolutely freezing day, but we had such fun and enjoyed a well deserved warm breakfast after our completion!!!

Missy, Alex & Lisa pre-5K race in NJ!

Alex and Reagan ran in the 3rd leg of her race series back in Wisconsin this past weekend, and I'm so inspired by this little equestrian who has set a goal to raise $50,000 to help other kids in need.  Please check out this letter below from Alex, and go to ReaganRydes.org to buy merchandise for Christmas, which will in turn raise funds for this amazing cause!!!
______________________________________

Reagan & Alex

Hi All,

As many of you know via Facebook or previous emails, I set a personal challenge at the beginning of November, to run three 5K races in a 2 week period. I am happy to report that I reached my goal this morning, completing the Cedarburg Santa Dash.

I am also happy to report that due to the generosity of many of you, to date, "we" have raised approximately $180.00 for Reagan Rides.

For those of you not familiar with Reagan Rydes, it is a non profit organization created by a young riding student of mine, Reagan Romano. Reagan is a 10 year old with a huge philanthropic heart who's goal is to raise $50,000 through donations and the sale of merchandise to give less fortunate kids the gift of going to summer camp for a week.

During my 10 year tenure at the YMCA, I personally witnessed how 1 week of summer camp can totally change a kids outlook on life through building self confidence; creating life long friendships and introducing children to the joy of the great outdoors, some of whom have never been away from the inner city.

For many kids, a week at summer camp is the norm; for some however, it's a once in a lifetime experience that can truly carry them through many of the hardships they have to endure on a daily basis due to poverty, family problems or family illness. If I had not seen the profound impact camp can have on a child with my own eyes, you would not be receiving this email today!

Reagan is fortunate enough to be able to go to camp each summer, however, her dream is that as many kids as possible get to share in the experience that she loves so much. Prior to launching her website in November, Reagan, without the help of her parents, raised approximately $4,000 towards Camp Minikani's Annual Campaign by writing letters to friends and family throughout the US as well as making personal asks.

It is remarkable to me that as an 8 year old, when I asked Reagan what she wanted for Christmas, she replied "I don't need anything, I just want to help less fortunate kids than me go to Camp Minikani instead."

So, I am asking that you consider making a donation of any amount to Reagan Rydes. It doesn't matter if you choose to make a direct gift or purchase some of the cute apparel that is for sale on the website - 100% of your donation will go towards scholarships. Your gift is also fully tax deductible.

Reagan joined me to run my 3rd 5k this morning and helped keep me inspired during the last couple of hills! It is my hope that we can raise enough money through "Turkey Trot" donations to pay for at least one kid to go to summer camp for a week in 2015.

A week of Day Camp is $255.00 per week (only another $75.00 to reach goal)
A week of overnight camp is $735.00 per week ($555.00 to reach goal)

The "Turkey Trot $5.00 for a $5K" will close at midnight on December 25th; of course, Reagan's website will remain "open for business" for many years to come.

To make direct donations, please follow this link:
Turkey Trot for Reagan Rydes and Camp Minikani | Reagan Rydes
While you are at Reagan Rydes please take the time to read Reagan’s story and browse the online store - Great holiday gifts for all to be found at ReaganRydes.org

I am unable to accept donations personally, however, if you know the Romano's, you can also make a donation directly to Rebecca or Frank.  I am so proud of this young lady and all of her philanthropic efforts.

Thank you and have a Blessed Christmas and joyful holiday season,
Alex              

Gigi Gives Thanks!

Last weekend a whole crew of Blue Hill Farm riders and supporters traveled to NYC to help Gigi, Cindy, Brian and Bethany celebrate the inclusion of their wonderful documentary, A Fork In The Road, in the EQUUS Film Festival.  It was a wonderful event and opportunity for our crew to get out of the barn to go celebrate the release of this great documentary!

A note of thanks from Gigi:

"Thanks to Jean Good, Charlotte McIntosh, Kate Moore, Jean and I arrived at the MIST Theater in Harlem in high style, alighting from our own limousine!

Through the bustling lobby, our first stop was the group shot in front of the Equus Film Festival banner! I was so proud to stand there with producer, Cindy Connors, and cinematographers, Brian Troy and Bethany Ditnes, as well as the Blue Hill Gang including Jean Good, Kate Moore, Lisa Thomas and Lauren Sara and, of course, my daughter, Charlotte!

I felt such a warm rush of affection for my friends as they appeared on the big screen, such a long way from Unionville!  A raucous dinner at the Red Rooster in Harlem concluded the celebration!"

Gigi would also like to thank the following group of individuals and businesses who have recently contributed to her competition fund through either donations of financial support, time or services.  Without this group effort Gigi and the team at Blue Hill Farm would not be able to help her reach her dream of qualifying for the Paralympic Team.  Here's wishing everyone a relaxing and Happy Thanksgiving!

Lauren Sara
Cindy Connors
Rich and Lori Wetherhold
Joan Gatter
Jean Good
Charlotte Hendricks
Margery Good
Quaker Maid Meats, Inc.
John Nunn and Bit of Britain
Bayo Nichols and Unionville Tack Shop
Robin and the Embreeville Mill

Announcing Bonnie Kibbie's New Practice - Balanced Care Equine!

Blue Hill Farm is very happy to have a wonderful friend, vet and holistic equine specialist in our midst!  Bonnie Kibbie (wife of course builder extraordinaire Jeff Kibbie) has started her own business and we are big supporters of her competence and ability to provide the best in equine care.  We are so fortunate to have she and Jeff living back in the area!

Here is a bit of background information on Bonnie and her newly founded business!

" I did my undergraduate studies at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia, before moving to the Philadelphia area to attend the University of Pennsylvania for veterinary school.  As a fourth year veterinary student I spent time in Fort Collins, Colorado, where I became certified in veterinary medical acupuncture through the OneHealth SIM program and Colorado State University.

After graduation from vet school I completed an internship at Tennessee Equine Hospital outside of Nashville, Tennessee.  During my internship I was impressed with how much chiropractic care seemed to help the patients my practice saw, and I decided to become certified myself.  I obtained my chiropractic certification through the International Veterinary Chiropractic Association (IVCA), after completing the program of study at Options for Animals College of Animal Chiropractic.

Upon completion of my internship, I accepted a position at John R. Steele and Associates and returned to the southeastern Pennsylvania area.  The sport horses I saw during my time in Tennessee and with Dr. Steele’s practice, combined with my experience with my own horses in the eventing community, reaffirmed my belief in the importance of the chiropractic and acupuncture work I was doing, and ultimately led to my decision to open my own practice, Balanced Care Equine."

Balanced Care Equine offers chiropractic care and acupuncture services, and is in the process of expanding to full traditional care, including dentistry.  You can learn more about her practice by visiting her website: www.balancedcareequine.com, or on her Facebook page: Balanced Care Equine.

Help Support Barneys Balls!!

Thought that title would grab your attention :)  Now for the story...................

Not long ago Cindy Connors, producer of Gigi's documentary, A Fork In The Road, started baking treats for her horse Barney, and they were such a hit when she shared them with friends, she and Lauren Sara decided to turn "Barney's Balls" into a small business that could also do some good for the horse community.

"Cindy and I are good friends and have been riding together for years," said Lauren. "We were inspired by two top athletes, Silva Martin & Margaret “Gigi” Macintosh, whom each faced life threatening/career ending riding accidents. Yet through sheer grit and determination, each recovered and is back competing on an international stage. We are donating a portion of the proceeds from “Barneys Balls” to the US Para Equestrian Association (USPEA), in support of Gigi’s quest for a place on the 2016 Paralympic Team, as well as helping Silva’s favorite cause, LOVE YOUR BRAIN. It’s our small way of treating our horses and in turn giving back."

You can learn more about Gigi’s road back by watching “Fork in the Road”, a short documentary Cindy produced in the fall of 2014 and which is now making the rounds at film festivals.
Link: [Fork in the Road]

Starting this week, one and two-pound bags of Barney’s Balls will be in stock at Embreeville Mill Feed Store in Coatesville, PA and at our website, www.barneysballs.com.

For more information please contact Lauren: 610.649.8094

Barney's Balls make great holiday gifts, so please show them your support!

Gigi's Film Selected For Equus Film Festival in NYC!!

Dear Friends and Supporters!

Gigi is delighted to report that her very moving mini-documentary, The Fork in the Road, has been chosen for screening at the Equus Film Festival on Friday, November 21, 2014 at 2:30 at Theater B. in New York City!!

(More information at Equusfilmfestival.com)

Congratulations to the crew:

directed by: Cindy Connors & Brian Troy

director of photography: Brian Troy

field producer & 2nd unit camera: Bethany Ditnes

field producer: Julia Fisher

editor: Brian Troy

audio engineer: Donna Weinsteiger

Many thanks again to Brian McIntosh, Charlotte, Colin, Cameron and Melissa

Bruce Davidson, Rachel Gross, Mary Hazzard, Pari Nurrish, Jessica Ransehousen, Missy Ransehousen, Lauren Sara, Jan Smith, Lisa Thomas, Susie Tuckerman and the Blue Hill Farm Staff!

If you haven't had the pleasure of viewing this amazing documentary, please take the time to watch!  It is under 15 minutes in length, but gives such insight into the human determination and spirit of our friend Gigi McIntosh.  

We will be scheduling local viewings and fund raising parties in the region in the near future!

Fork in the Road