WE'RE GOING TO MISS YOU JAMES!!

James on Ben
Photo Credit Lindsay McCall USPEA 

It's with heavy hearts that say goodbye to a long standing part of the Blue Hill family......as James Dwyer heads back to Europe after spending 8 years with the Ransehousens!

James has been such an integral part of the Blue Hill scenery, and we will miss his warm personality and dry sense of Irish humor!!  There are big things brewing for James in Europe, and we will have a full report on his new adventures next week, so stay tuned.

So although we're sad to see him go, we are very excited for the next chapter in his life!!

MD HORSE EXPO & CHRONICLE ARTICLE!

It seems that Missy and Jessica are getting lots of recognition these days, and for good reason!  They both are fabulous in their respective disciplines and they are both fabulous instructors.

First I want to mention Missy's recent article on page 54 of the January 21st edition of The Chronicle.  If you've received yours in the mail, please flip right to the article.  We will have the online edition shortly!!  

Last weekend, both Jessica and Missy were featured clinicians at the Md. Horse Expo, held in Timonium, Md.  They lectured and taught at the Expo on both Friday and Saturday, presenting in front of a large group of attendees.  The expo had a variety of clinicians who were chosen for their chosen expertise in the disciplines of dressage, eventing, hunter/jumper, and a number of western as well.

Each day Missy and Jessica presented one lecture topic and then taught one mounted session to several different volunteer riders who ranged in riding experience and levels.  Their topics were as follows:

Missy Day 1
Lecture -  Basic Fitness Work for Horse and Rider (Intro - Training Level)
Mounted - Proper Jump Training Progression (Ground polls & gymnastics)

Missy Day 2
Lecture - Cross Training Horse & Rider for The Season's First Event
Mounted - Take Your Jumping to the Next Level (Ground polls to related distances) 



Jess Day 1

Lecture - Rider’s Influence in Effective Aid Giving - Lower Level Figures & Movements
1st and 2nd Level Tests
Mounted - Basic Work on Rider’s Position for Proper Half Halt
Walk, Trot & Canter

Jess Day 2


Lecture - Test Movements As Seen Through the Judge’s Eyes
2nd and 3rd Level
Mounted - Riding Test Figures for Better Judge's Scores
2nd and 3rd Level

 

Both ladies did a fabulous job teaching 4 very different horse and riders in a rather small ring, in front of stands full of spectators.  Attached are a couple video clips of their mounted sessions on Day 2.  Several of the riders approached them after the demo and were thrilled to have the opportunity to ride with the Ransehousens.  We're so lucky at Blue Hill Farm to have regular access to training at this level!

SALES & LEASE HORSES!

SALES HORSES

CARLINGFORD BOUNCER

2006, 16.3H Imported Irish Sport Horse Gelding

"Bouncer" has competed through training level (3'3") eventing, easily winning on the flat and showing impeccable form over fences. He is extremely quiet and easy to ride, and is honest and brave to the fences. Bouncer is a gorgeous equitation and hunter prospect, who goes in the ring with no prep, and would make a fabulous Derby prospect! No spook or vices, hacks out quietly. $75k

Video Link

BEAU TANGO

2007, 17.1H KWPN Gelding by Contango
(Sire of Steffen Peters' Ravel)

Currently jumping 3' courses quietly and schooling first level dressage. Beau hacks quietly alone or in company and happily crosses creeks and goes along roads. Easy and uncomplicated, "Beau" is suitable for dressage or hunter/jumpers and would be perfect for a tall child or adult. Currently being aimed toward a career as an equitation mount.

Sweet and quiet to handle in the barn. No vices or issues.

$25K

Photo Gallery Link

SUPER NOVA

16h 2001 Bay TB Gelding

"Ben" is the perfect first 1* horse for a young rider or lady rider. Ben has successfully taken two young riders through the CCI* level and competed at Intermediate.

Safe and uncomplicated, Ben is a forward ride with a big engine and is a ton of fun. Plenty of scope to show jump at 4'+. Sweet and pleasant to handle in the barn and hacks out quietly.

TB Pedigree 

Video

$35K

LEASE HORSES

CARLINGFORD'S SIMPLY HARRY

17h 2006 Imported ISH Gelding

Harry has competed at the novice level in Florida and in Area II, easily completing in the low thirties. He is ready to move up to training level eventing, but would also excel as a dressage horse or show jumper. Harry has foxhunted and shown in the equitation divisions in New England with a junior. He is simple and uncomplicated enough for an amateur or young rider. A truly solid citizen ready to excel in the discipline of your choice.

Photo Credit Xpress Foto

Gymnastic Schooling Video! 

Please email Blue Hill Farm or call 610-486-6357 if you are interested in any of these fabulous horses!

Waredaca Horse Trials, a Combined Test, and Hurricane Sandy!

What a crazy week it's been! Everyone at Blue Hill has been preparing and bracing for Hurricane Sandy while getting ready for the Blue Goose combined test and Waredaca Horse Trials.

Saturday began by welcoming new boarder Lauri Albert and her horse Donner Tanz. Lauri and Donner compete in dressage at first level, and are looking forward to moving up the levels under Jessica's guidance.

Rachel and Seema took their horses Solo SWF and VS Pass Play (Keegan) to do the Training level combined test at Blue Goose Stable. Solo did his first show with Rachel and behaved very well. Solo is switching from a career as a show jumper to eventing, and Rachel is very pleased with his progress. Keegan completed his first Training level dressage test and show jump course in fine style. Look for both pairs to be very competitive out eventing next year!  

Sunday was a very early morning with three horses going to Waredaca. Jeff Kibbie's Loki was Missy's first ride of the morning. Jeff has been at Waredaca all week building the course for the horse trial and training three day, so Missy competed Loki in the Preliminary for him. Loki scored a 35.9 on the flat and had a good show jump round with one rail down. Missy gave him an easy ride around the cross country to finish clear with some time.

Steph rode Diligence in her first Prelim since her accident last fall. They had a slightly tense dressage test, but Dylan had some very good moments. A spook in the show jumping brought down two rails, but Dylan jumped well, and loped around the cross country easily. They will compete in the Prelim at Virginia next weekend before heading to Florida for the winter with Missy.

Missy and Garrybritt Ike had an excellent dressage to sit in fourth place on a 24.1. Ike show jumped well in the TH division with one down at the liverpool. Ike had a green moment on cross country but was overall a star, and Missy is thrilled with his maturity around the course. Stay tuned for big things from this pair!

 Missy and Ike at Waredaca

Next weekend is the last two shows of the season for Blue Hill. Bonnie Kibbie is riding her husband's Advanced horse Loki in the Novice, and Rachel Gross and Carlingford Simply Harry will compete in the Novice as well. Missy will head down to the Virginia Horse Trials to coach Jason Racey and The Dodger in the CCI* and Steph Cauffman and Diligence in the OP. 

To everyone riding out the storm, stay safe!  

Watch U.S. Paralympian Rebecca Hart On Good Morning America October 10th with Co-Host Ann Romney

Watch U.S. Paralympian Rebecca Hart On Good Morning America October 10^th with Co-Host Ann Romney

New York, NY - October 8, 2012 - On Wednesday October 10^th, U.S. Paralympian Rebecca Hart of Unionville, Penn. will be showcased on ABC's Good Morning America. Hart will accompany Ann Romney, wife of Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney in New York's Times Square. Mrs. Romney and Rebecca Hart will be speaking about how horses have provided a unique form of therapy for them. Both equestrians will also touch on the 2012 London Paralympics and the equestrian sport. Mrs. Romney will be co-hosting the 8 a.m. (Eastern Time) news hour with George Stephanopoulos on Wednesday where she is filling in for Robin Roberts, who is on extended medical leave.

Rebecca Hart, horse Lord Ludger (owned by Jessica Ransehousen), and U.S Parlaympic Chef d'Equipe Missy Ransehousen will present a previously recorded segment from October 8th showcasing the Paralympic Dressage duo at Blue Hill Farm. In addition to Rebecca Hart and Lord Ludger's Times Square debut, Ann Romney will accompany Hart riding Ireland's Bronze Medal Team horse, Orlando, owned by James Dwyer.

Both Rebecca Hart and James Dwyer were recent competitors at the 2012 London Paralympics in Para-Dressage. Rebecca Hart earned a 4^th in the team competition, 5^th place in the freestyle, and 11^th place in the individual test competition. Rebecca Hart was part of the seventh-place U.S. Paralympic Team featuring the late Jonathan Wentz and NTEC Richter Scale, Donna Ponessa aboard Wes Dunham's Western Rose, and Dale Dedrick on Bonifatius.

James Dwyer was one of the four athletes representing the Bronze Medal Ireland team. Alongside James Dwyer and horse Orlando were Eilish Byrne aboard Youri, Geraldine Savage on Blues Tip Top Too, and Helen Kearney on Mister Cool.

As an elite equestrian and co-owner of 2012 U.S. Olympic Dressage horse Rafalca ridden by Jan Ebeling, Ann Romney can relate to Hart's and Dwyer's recent accomplishments and therapeutic use of riding. Ann Romney, who was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1998, is an advocate for Multiple Sclerosis. Mrs. Romney began riding as a form of therapy and found it to benefit her life in many ways. Hart and Mrs. Romney met in June 2012 where Hart was presented with the 2012 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championship. "This whole year has been a whirlwind," noted Hart. I met Mrs. Romney in June, rode down the Prime Meridian at the London Paralympics for my team in August, met the President of the United States in September, and now will be riding in Times Square. You don't often get asked to ride in Times Square and I am very excited for this opportunity."

The program is scheduled on ABC's Good Morning America Wednesday October 10^th at 8 a.m. (Eastern Time). Please check your local listings for your local ABC channel.

View the June 2012 press release about Ann Romney presenting Rebecca Hart her award by clicking this link. 

For press related inquiries, comments or questions please e-mail Lindsay McCall atLindsay@uspea.org.

Jonathan Wentz 1990-2012

Jonathan Wentz 1990-2012

RELEASE: October 1, 2012
AUTHOR/ADMINISTRATOR: USEF Communications Department

Lexington, KY- The United States Equestrian Federation mourns the loss of a great competitor and advocate for para-equestrian sport. Jonathan Wentz passed away September 30, 2012.

Wentz had recently returned from London where he was a member of the U.S. Team that earned seventh place at the 2012 Paralympic Games. At those Games, Wentz also finished fourth in the Individual Test and fifth in the Freestyle Test in Grade 1b competition riding Kai Handt’s NTEC Richter 

Jonathan Wentz and NTEC Richter Scale at the 2012 Paralympic Games (Shannon Brinkman)

Scale. These strong results earned Wentz the distinction of being the highest-placed American equestrian at either the London Olympic or Paralympic Games. 

Wentz enjoyed an extremely successful career with NTEC Richter Scale a horse that carried him to the World Championships, Paralympic Games and a National Championship. In 2010, the pair represented the U.S. for the first time at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian and the following year they claimed the USEF 2011 USEF National Para-Equestrian Championship. In 2012, the combination earned Reserve Champion honors at the 2012 USEF National Para-Equestrian Championships and Paralympic Selection Trials prior to travelling to London. Additionally, Wentz finished in sixth place with Silvano at the 2012 National Championship.

In addition to competing at the highest level, Wentz was tireless advocate for his sport. He served on the USEF Youth Council representing para-equestrian and was a member of the USEF Para Equestrian Technical Committee. Additionally, he served as an ambassador for hippotherapy, therapeutic riding, and para-equestrian dressage from an early age.

Wentz was also a student at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX with a keen interest in political science, history and the law.

"The Federation sends our deepest sympathies and condolences to the Wentz family. Jonathan was great competitor and outstanding role model for all in equestrian sport. He will be greatly missed," said John Long, USEF CEO.

A celebration of Jonathan's life will be held Saturday, October 6, 2012 at the Grace Bible Church, 11306 Inwood  Rd, Dallas TX, 75229. 

Plantation Field CIC Update

The horse trials division of the Plantation Field CIC and H.T. finished up on Saturday evening. Jeff Kibbie with Loki and Megan Lynn with Hoosier Daddy both finished well in competitive Intermediate divisions.

Megan and Hoosier have their game faces on before Cross Country

After finishing fourth in the Preliminary division of the American Eventing Championships, Megan and Hoosier traveled from their home in Kentucky to Blue Hill for a week of training to prepare for Plantation. They were rewarded in dressage on Friday with a 27.6 and had a well-ridden show jumping round despite a few rails to sit overnight in tenth place.

Jeff Kibbie and Loki are back in Pennsylvania after a summer of traveling for Jeff's business as a course builder and designer, Equi-Sport Services. Jeff and Loki earned a 41.6 in dressage and maintained their position with two rails down in a very difficult show jumping course.

Megan and Jeff had to wait until 5:15 and 5:30 PM on Saturday to contest the Intermediate XC. Late in the day there was some concern about shadows on the jumps, but storms began to roll in before their rides. Despite the light being a bit dim, the temperature dropped a bit and the rain held off, creating good conditions for their rides. Megan went first and had a superb clear round to finish with a few time penalties in tenth place. Jeff and Loki looked like the seasoned partnership they are to finish double clear and move up eleven positions into sixth place. Congratulations to both pairs!

Megan is traveling back to Kentucky today with her mother and Hoosier. We will miss her and hope she comes back soon!