More Kitty photos!

Sally came over today between downpours and had a lovely school with Kitty splish splashing in the outdoor.








They did quite a bit of jumping but I had to jumpcrew in the puddles, so mom was manning the camera for that...
















But this is the biggie...I finally had the time to scan in the cross country photo from Jumping Branch... LOOK at those RAINDROPS!!!!

Chris & Amante at their clinic!

Mom's student (and our good friend) Chris participated in a clinic at her barn over the past weekend with her youngster, Amante...

They've been partners since he was just a wee-laddie and look at how her baby boy has grown up and is doing big things with his momma!







They have a lovely counter canter -




Don't they just look great together???



Three cheers for Chris and Amante!!!

Little Wizard is doing great!

Since it is my birthday today, we took the afternoon and went to visit Oz at Roddy's...wow! He is doing great! WTC (knows his leads) and just being a star about keeping his mind on his work rather than the ladies. He officially turns 3 on May 20th, so he is just ahead of the game! Good boy Ozzle!

Video link - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruAtrZHY9xk



So without further ado - photos!

Exciting Day!

My little boy Wyatt pulled out all the stops this morning! :)

We have been polishing First Level Test 3 for a few weeks...smoothing out the transitions, making accurate figures and precise corners and everything is exponentially better every time we go through the test. Great progress, right?

He motored through that test again this morning - not perfect but certainly acceptable for the first horse on a brisk spring morning after being in all night. Mom then read Second Level Test 1 and we went through that test, too! Again, not a big deal - no big hiccups, no resistance or problems. (YAY) *does happy dance*

So then we went through Third Level Test 1. I did simple changes rather than flying changes and the collected trot was not 'really' collected but more of a big, forward European style show trot...he was an angel. Now Wyatt turns 5 on April 28th. We've never even practiced those test patterns. So those run throughs were cold, no prep, without any real planning...what a wonderful horse he is!! He's a marvelous, fun, kind horse who adores doing test patterns. Whodathunkit? Some days he is Mr. Grumpy Pants when we first start out but we march down the centerline and the sun comes out from the moment we turn at A! He is a fascinating horse and such a star!!! YAY for Wyatt! So of course, he got some extra carrots and curry time - he loves to be groomed...especially in front of his turnout buddies who watch him standing in the cross ties! I believe he mocks them the whole time I am with him. Such a character!

On another interesting side of the horse world of Watermark Farm - Mom spoke with Roddy yesterday.
Little Wizard WF is fantastic!!! After just a few rides 'Oz' is walking, trotting and cantering and beginning to trail ride with confidence. His hormones are not an issue (always good news with a young colt) and he is focused and obedient with a rider! We are taking the cameras and camcorder over to see him go on Tuesday, so just a few days until I get to see my baby boy all grown up with a rider!! :)

So don't laugh...I was all excited to blog about Oz this morning and then Wyatt and I had such a special ride...bummer for Oz, I guess! LOL

As promised....baby photos!

Here is a link to Tawna's baby photos of Whreflection by Waldaire!

http://www.goldenventurefarm.com/1GVFWhreflection.htm

Is she not just too cute???

Congratulations to Dorit & Hermann Kothe!

http://www.eurodressage.com/reports/shows/2009/mar_cdn-zandhoven.html

The link above has a lovely article on the Dream of Glory x Ritual mare from Dorit & Hermann's breeding program, Daianira, making her Grand Prix debut. With the long list of successful competitions already behind them, it comes as no surprise...


This link - http://www.eurodressage.com/reports/shows/2004/04wcyh/rep_5yo_daianira.html will give you some of the highlights of her 5 year old year!

Congratulations to the Kothe's!!!

As You Wish WF Update!

Sally just called!

Kitty got a 34 in Dressage, had a clean stadium & clean cross country. Sally had high praise for her composure, improved technique over fences and was thrilled with their 6th place finish! Their division was quite large, so as it was Kitty's second time out, we couldn't be prouder of their accomplishments together! The first place horse finished with a 29.5, so Kitty was 3.5 points out of the winning position...not too shabby for her 2nd outing at Novice!

It is worth mentioning that it was pouring rain throughout their day, so the call was fairly brief - with several more horses to ride Sally has had a long day! She had a total of 9 horses that day and won a Preliminary division, had a 2nd and a 5th in another and then Kitty...a very successful outing for Team Cousins.

Congratulations and thanks to Sally, Nat and the rest of Team Cousins for their hard work! Safe travels and we look forward to seeing you in a few days back here in PA!

New website for Hengstation Kothe!

Dorit & Hermann have redone their website! It is wonderful and has many photographs of the most illustrious Dressage Royal youngsters undersaddle!

http://www.alsenhof-hengste-kothe.de/


Please take a few minutes to look it over and enjoy the new information on this lovely stallion's offspring!

These images are of Desperado OLD and Nadine Plaster of Pferd24 at the World Championship for Young Horses in Verden, Germany. They are the WC Five Year Old.
















This is Scarlett (x Werther) as a foal -






And then as a mare completing her Mare Inspection











Darrantino is enjoying competition success in Holstein under rider Lena Knaup -










This is Doringcourt competing down in New Zealand -










Damsey has had a successful start to his riding career as well having competed at the WCYH and the Bundeschampionate each year for the Leatherdales.






This is the Danish stallion Uno Don Diego...he is another wonderful example of the type and quality of Dressage Royal's offspring.

A First for Waldaire!!

Tawna and I just got off the phone with big news!

Wally has a new daughter!!! The most important details are that she is healthy, strong, correct and, oh yeah, A PALOMINO!!! New Baby is out of Chloe - a cremello Saddlebred, so the only color New Baby could be is PALOMINO! She has a stripe and three socks, so the chrome fairy paid her a visit. This is Chloe's first foal - she has adjusted to being a mom with style and is very proud of her creation...if you would like to take a peak go to www.goldenventurefarm.com and click on Camera 1. If the video player won't load, use IE to download & view (Firefox wouldn't cooperate for me).

Photos will follow as soon as I get them!