Welcome Brigitte Aickelin!

Brigitte Aickelin Aboard Chip

NAME: Brigitte Aickelin
DOB - 08/09/1993
With BHF since January 2013
Discipline: Eventing
Horse: Forty Six Peaks (Chip)
2004, 17.0h TB Gelding

Bridgitte Aickelin is our newest recruit at BHF. Coming to us from Cumming, Georgia she began eventing at the age of 8. She found her first event horse, Baskin, at the age of 10, who taught her the ropes at the lower levels. Her current horse, Chip, came straight from the track and began his competitive career at BN Pony Club Eventing Rally with Brigitte.  He progressed quickly and they quickly moved up the levels to their first Prelim together in February 2012, at Pinetop Farm in GA.

Chip and Bridgitte have shown in many pony club training level events and at PC Championships in 2011, as well as the AEC's, in 2012 at the Prelim level. Their goal at BHF is to complete their first 1* together by fall of 2013. We're happy to welcome Bridgitte to the team at BHF!

PLANTATION FIELD SPRING HT WRAP UP!

The entire crew at BHF had a successful run at Plantation last weekend. For this roving reporter, it was so great to see everyone back in town after what seemed to be an eternal winter back here in Pa!

David and BG continued their quest for qualification for Young Riders, and showed us that they will clearly be in real contention. They led the Intermediate through dressage and stadium, then had just 3.2 time faults on XC to finish in second at their second Intermediate run! Next stop Fair Hill and then Jersey Fresh. They clearly have their work cut out for them in order to qualify, but both are looking fit and up to the job.

Peter Berk, who hails from Ct. but trains with Missy in Ocala, stopped off to compete at Plantation on his way home from Florida. He led the training division after dressage and stadium, unfortunately navigating a wrong fence on XC which ended his winning ways, but we know next time he'll be out of the start box with a vengeance!

Our friend Jason Racey, who rides out of Radnor, also had a very respectable day on Dodger, who finished 7th in the Prelim division!

I apologize to Jason and Peter for not being on course for their pictures, but hope to catch them in action at an upcoming event.  Stay tuned for more spring updates........LT

Check out the photo album of David and BG on FB!

Plantation Field Full Results

DAVID ZIEGLER AND BG'S NEXT CHAPTER IN LIFE!

Rising 20 (and hopefully has stopped growing) and hailing from Beiseker Canada, near Calgary, David Ziegler joined the Blue Hill Farm team as a working student approximately a year ago.  Prior to joining BHF, David has had a life rich in horses and multiple disciplines.  His Mom has ridden both english and western, showing in equitation & jumper divisions before competing on the western paint horse circuit. 

The whole family has ridden western (David has two sisters, one his twin) but David started pony club at 7 and caught the eventing bug early.  Lots of boys in that area rode western or did the jumpers, but he focused on eventing from the beginning.   Initially he got a taste for eventing through pony club, riding through his D1 rating, until 2006 when he left to train seriously within the Canadian event world.

Topper at Prelim

He started to show jump with Marilyn Dixon (Irish eventing team), evented with Sandra Donnelly (highest placed Canadian at Beijing) and Lorraine Lafraimboise (former Canadian eventing team coach).  In 2009/10 he headed to Ocala to ride with Leslie Law, as his sisters had since switched to eventing, and his older sister was a working student for Leslie for 3 years. His mother rented an apartment in Ocala in 2009 and all kids went with Mom to Florida, while attending the Rockyview Virtual School.  They were not new to this winter migration, as the  prior 2 winters they lived in Ca and show jumped at HITS Thermal.  

During the winter of 2010/11, David started to train with Missy in Ocala, returning home in the spring to finish high school.  Later that year, he received a call from Missy that Steph had been hurt and would he be willing to start early as a working student.  The next day in Nov 2011, he hopped on a plane and came to Blue Hill Farm!

BG Making Prelim Look Like Short Stirrup!!

During this time Missy was bringing BG back into training and Feb 2012 they ran at Rocking Horse & then Advanced at Poplar, where he unfortunately pulled his hamstring on XC.   BG returned home to recover and his ability to return to the 4* level was in question.  Missy and Jess decided that it was best to retire him from the top level and to re-evaluate an appropriate career for the horse who has successfully competed in France, England & brought home a 3rd place prize from Rolex in 2008.

Last winter David asked Missy whether she would potentially lease him out to a young rider, as it became clear that would be a great direction for BG.  He was not necessarily plugging for his own career, but was curious about this school master’s next move.   Missy replied that he would only go to a perfect home.  They never discussed it again, but in Aug David was asked to get in the tack to bring BG slowly back for conditioning work.  The relationship solidified and soon they had competition plans.  At one point David O’Connor actually called to see if they would lease him out to his YR program, but it appeared that BG (Big Guy) had found his next eventing partner in a 6’4” young man from Canada!

David showing upper level form!

With the goal of prepping David and BG for Young Riders, a plan was put into action to qualify. With the FEI rule changes, in order for David & BG to compete at future championships, BG needed to have his nationality changed to that of his rider, so for $1 and a cup of maple syrup, BG was "sold" to David and is now a Canadian!

He recently ran the combined Prelim test at the Florida Horse Park where he was in the lead before withdrawing prior to XC.  David joked that at the next event he took off in dressage & was a wee bit strong!  BG decided he wanted to get done the dressage done early & the medium trot was anything but medium!  He was fabulous in show jumping, marching right in without a warm up, jumping clear with 1 time fault.  

They had a ton of time on XC because BG was so strong that David contained him to show jumping canter.  Even with these time faults, he came off course feeling amazing.   Afterwards  David went over and hugged Missy, telling her that he felt like a child from the Make a  Wish Foundation who had just checked off his final bucket list items!  

The ultimate goal with BG is to run a 2 CIC & 1 CCI 2* to qualify, but finding qualifying events this year for Young Riders in mid July may prove challenging.  They can’t do Bromont because of visa restriction, as once they leave the US, they can't re-enter. 

David’s own horse, Peninsula Topman (aka Topper) is also in the cards for Young  Riders.  This is the horse he brought to BHF, who has run a CCI 1* before the decision was made to focus on the dressage.  He’s a talented jumper with perfect form but not enough bravery on XC, so their sites are set on qualifying in dressage for YR’s.  They plan to qualify for Devon this fall,  take him to Wellington next year and to qualify in 2014.  Perhaps that year we will see the first ever Young Rider to qualify both a horse in Dressage and Eventing?!

I asked David for a bit of feedback on his experience at Blue Hill Farm since joining as a working student, and having first hand knowledge of their barn community, his commentary is spot on!  

“ Blue Hill has the best working student position on the continent, as everyone is family. It’s not just tacking up horses and slave labor, there is a real focus on improving your riding, not just on your own horse, but every horse you ride.  Something that so many other programs lack. Missy has had more influence on my riding than anyone else and there's no place I'd rather be.  

Riding BG has shown me the end result of Missy and Jessica’s training program, and I aspire to the challenge that one day I'll be able to produce horses as well as they do. I feel that since having the ride on BG, my own riding on Topper has improved exponentially.”

In the immediate future BG and David will run Intermediate this upcoming weekend at Poplar.  They’re hoping the bigger fences will make the XC a bit more ride-able.  The rest of the BHF crew will be at Poplar as well, with Steph running the combined Int/Prelim, Megan Lynn running 2* and Kathleen Sullivan taking both her horses in the Training.

Good luck and safe riding to the entire BHF team this weekend!  Next stop Pennsylvania.  We can’t wait to have everyone back home!!

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!