News

Congratulations to Allegra,  shown here with Simply Simon, her “Main Man” , i.e. trusty Academy Schoolmaster, for this module. Allegra completed all the requirements of GoldStar II just before heading back to school. Well done!

Riders at this year’s Horsemanship Camp were busy! Nine campers passed a total of 13 modules from GoldStar I, II, III and ShootingStar I! GoldStar is Cricket Hill’s modular achievement program for Riding and Horsemanship. Click here for more information. While riders work individually with their instructors throughout the year on GoldStar, Horsemanship Camp is a great opportunity to concentrate on their skills development in a fun atmosphere with others.

Friday afternoon’s production highlighted everyone’s new skills for the admiring audience of parents and friends. Passing GoldStar I were Katie, Emily, and Kylie:

Martha, Meg and Julia completed GoldStar I and II:

 

Julia went on to finish GoldStar III. Tasha, Willa, and Giulia received certificates for ShootingStar I:

Lendon’s Youth Dressage Festival is always action-packed. Team members are named in the winter and spend months honing their knowledge & skills. Last minute study and practice are concentrated in our Dressage Workshop just the week before. With their strong relationships of mutual support and sportsmanship, this team’s showing at the competition made us all proud!

Each competed in her own age-level division, with 3 scores for the dressage test, equitation, and written test. This year, for the first time, every team member won a ribbon in her division – even first timers Eleni and Caitlin! The team placed 4th in its division, another accomplishment.

Eleni and Giulia also showed in Prix Caprilli (jumping) with Ray, and Caitlin and Bandit handily negotiated the obstacles in the Dressage Trail Class. Behind the scene, parents pitch in to help Jane & Sue keep the production smooth and flowing, and a good time is had by all!

The weather held out for a very successful Dressage Day at Cricket Hill. The schedule was quite full, with 40 rides and a Dressage Seat Equitation class of 7! In addition to our Cricket Hill contingent, we had competitors come from four different barns, all  enjoying themselves and complimenting show management. Classes were pinned to 6th place, and special awards were provided by Horse Leap, Amenia NY. Click here for results.

Wendy Luscombe is a pioneer again! Over two decades, she has championed non-traditional breeds in the Open Dressage world, first Arabs and now, Norweigan Fjords. Her article “Koriakin of Narnia: Dressage Star” was featured in last month’s Fjord Herald. Koriakin and Wendy’s accomplishments in 2007 were lengthy and impressive. Included were the East Coast Pony Riders Cup Champion Amateur and Reserve Champion Open, and New England Dressage Association Training Level Amateur Champion, against Warmbloods, to name a few.

And the pair have started off this year with great wins at the ESDCTA Open Dressage Show in Allentown NJ, including Hi-Score Amateur Champion at First Level! Koriakin was joined by his stablemate, Kingston, also a Fjord, who successfully made his showing debut and was named Amateur Reserve Champion at Training Level! Wow…congratulations to all!

About this time every year, we arrange a “Ride-Critique-Ride” for our dressage riders interested in showing. This year, Margaret Freeman, S Judge, helped riders from Training to Fourth Level. First, Margaret judged a test of the rider’s choice, then gave some tips – perhaps concentrating on one or two movements – on how to ride that test better. After practicing, horse and rider rode the test again to try to improve their score, and they did! Paddy Rossbach, Wendy Luscombe, Lise Gottwald, Palmer Irving, Kristin McLallen, Jane Rodd, Eleni Econopouly, Krys Schrom, Stephanie Kleinbauer, Ann Sanders,  Sarah Morgan, Carol Swanson.