Photo by Michelle Bloch
February 22, 2012
We had a great weekend with Prima winning the G&C Farm Jumper Derby. It was a fun class, out on the grass over natural obstacles and was the one major class we were aiming Prima at all season. She is a true speed horse and was very much in her element in this class.
I found out today I was named to the US team for the Nation’s Cup in Wellington March 2nd, which is good news. It will be a good preparation for the Olympic Trials a few weeks later. I am named to the team with both Simon and Cortes. My plan right now is to have Cortes do the Nation’s Cup and Simon the WEF and the Grand Prix that week, but we will wait to see how Cortes goes this week before making the final decision.
-Beezie
February 14, 2012
Happy Valentine’s Day! Down in Florida, the horses are all doing well. Zhivago won his 1.40m class last week, a third win for him this season and Simon was solid in the World Cup Qualifier with just one rail. Simon also ended up third in the WEF Challenge on Thursday. Our student, Lydia Ulrich was 5th in her first Young Rider Grand Prix of the circuit and Genevieve Meyer was here showing for her first week and won the Children’s Modified Classic on Sunday.
We’re looking forward to this week’s show, especially the Derby that will hopefully be held on the grass. I’m planning to do Prima in the Derby.
Back home on the farm in Cazenovia, Aidan Killeen is spending a week starting our three year old Thoroughbreds under saddle and teaching Fresco, our two year old colt sired by Ublesco, the basics of lunging.
-Beezie
January 24th 2012
Cortes and Simon were very good all last week. They are right on schedule. Both Simon and Cortes were clear in the WEF class on Thursday. Simon was clear in the jump off as well and placed 9th. Cortes went so well in the first round that we did not go in the jump off with him since he was going in the Grand Prix on Saturday and there were 18 clear in the WEF. We figured the jump off would be very fast, and not what we wanted as a preparation for the Grand Prix. Although Cortes had one down in the Grand Prix, we were happy with how he went.
This week Via Volo, Danny Boy, Zhivago, Prima, Counselor, Wrigley and Markos will be showing. We are looking forward to Via Volo doing the Grand Prix this week.
Aidan Killeen joined us last week from the Dublin Horse Show. He’s here for another week and is doing well riding a few horses and working for us learning the “JMS” way. Stefanie van der Brink is also with us now in Wellington, helping Callie and I exercise horses.
-Beezie
January 10th 2012
1st week of showing begins today at WEF! We are starting light this week as I have to leave for the USEF convention from Thursday evening through Friday night. Cortes C and Simon are doing the 1.40m jump off on Wednesday. They might also do the 1.45m Thursday morning before I leave. I’m planning on also showing both of them in the grand prix Saturday night.
Wrigley will start this year in the 1.30m with Callie Schott. Callie will also show Markos and Counselor in the High Training this week.
All our horses have settled into Wellington well and everyone is very ready to show.
-Beezie
January 2nd 2012
We have had a nice break at home for a few weeks over the holidays and now we are in Florida and ready for the 2012 season to begin!
Our first load of horses left Cazenovia on Sunday and will arrive in Florida today. Our second load leaves Tuesday. We start showing next Wednesday, so this gives all our horses at least a week to settle in.
Looking ahead to 2012, we have some big goals on the horizon. Of course, we are focused on being as prepared as possible for the Team Trials this March. I am hoping Simon, Cortes and Via Volo will all be ready to compete in the Trials. John and I feel they are all up to the task and would make solid Olympic horses for London.
We also have our young horses, many who will be stepping up this season. We are very excited to see what Zhivago, Amadora, Capri and Counselor accomplish this year! Mademoiselle, Prima and Danny Boy will continue to compete in the bigger classes and my assistant rider, Callie Schott, will continue to move up with her mare Wrigley.
Don’t forget that the George Morris Horsemastership Sessions are happening in Wellington this week! www.usefnetwork.com will again be streaming this for free and will archive the videos to give everyone a chance to learn!
-Beezie