I do not want to make this a post just about Lynda Ovaert's EJ because all four of the horses and riders that attended the FRC schooling show yesterday did us proud, but I am going to go on just a bit about the training process. For those of you that know me you know that I am all about giving the horses the hard work and patience that they require, as much as they require. It hasn't been easy to practice what I preach at times with EJ, but we have persevered. EJ arrived not having been kindly handled and so when we have entered the ring Submission, especially willing cooperation and attention and confidence, were always circled. Yesterday, for the first time, we rode our first test and he was with me. I did my final halt and salute and actually cried. You would have thought we just rode a Grand Prix test and not Training Level Test 2. We earned a 60.517%. Before his second test I had extra time, so we walked the perimeter of the show grounds for 30 minutes, before entering the schooling ring, working on relaxing his mind and his back, his second test, Training Level Test 3 went even better earning a 64.40%, seven of 13 movements were a 7.0 or above. There is no mention of attention and confidence, harmony or willing cooperation; he needs to improve at "readily accepting contact with the bit" but i believe that we are on our way!

Lynda also showed her Faguiero at First level test 1 achieving her goal of over 60% and really starting to look like a team. Well done. Eleanor Kezywda joined the NDSH team as a working student on April 1. She rode Cocoa in her(Ellie's) first ever dressage show and earned at 66.75% at Intro Level Test C. They also rode Training Level test 1 but encountered a few challenges in the canter work which lowered the score a bit. It was a job well done. Virginia Williams brought her mare, Rosebud, for the experience away from home. After a break from serious work due to "life" happening Rosebud and Virginia are both getting back in shape and we look forward to seeing them back in the ring, possibly before years end.

I had the pleasure of showing Lynda Ovaert's Fagueiro for the first time at Third level this weekend. He was tense, particularly in the changes and the walk, on day one but made some very significant improvements on day 2. Our scores ranged from a 58.378% to a 63.783% on day two.

September was a busy month filled with highs and lows but the The American Hanoverian Society inspection at Oakwood Farms was definitely a highlight. I was fortunate to pilot Ann Schafer's lovely 2018 Hanoverian mare Bibi to the successful completion of her Mare Performance Test. In 2021 Bibi earned a 7.5 at her mare inspection making her a Premium Eligible Mare and one of the top 25 Hanoverian mares in the US and a site champion. In September, she earned an overall 7.05 marking the successful completion of the second requirement and deeming her a Premium Candidate. Finally, she must have a Hanoverian registered foal and she will join the elite ranks of Hanoverian Premium Mares. Ann bred both Bibi and her dam Dona Rosa. Congratulations Ann!

Thank you Madison Ibach and Tryon International Equestrian Center & Resort for the spotlight! It was my pleasure to speak with you.

Article written about Lucille:

https://tryon.com/article/rider-spotlight-lucille-m-sullivan?fbclid=IwAR3bc6y2t80EbwYGDoxP9gLywv0GflDKCuwlVh_xEefkBSoZ9o0lG4HykKw