News, Events & Clinics

I'm absurdly happy to introduce another 4-legged wonder into my life. I've just purchased Gambler, who was one of my favorite school horses ever. He's honest, willing, fun and a bit of a goofball. I apologize to all the other students who also love him. (Luckily all of Cedar Crest's school horses are wonderful. I just happen to jibe well with this one.)

And, of course, within 1 week of purchase, Louise has already convinced me do my first jumping and dressage "show". I look forward to more and more progress.

We have a new addition to the barn in Virginia, a 6-year-old Welsh pony mare known to her friends as Zoe.  She has led a very quiet life until joining us at the beginning of October but is showing a great attitude despite having shoes on, getting her teeth floated, being vaccinated and clipped all for the first time!  Once she has learned a few more important things, Zoe will be moving to Cedar Crest north.

After a number of years spent in the lesson program and also carrying hunt groom, Jo Blackmore, out hunting first flight with the Millbrook, Ruby Sparkle has begun a new life as an event horse in Virginia.  She placed 2nd in her first appearance at Novice Level at The Event at Kelly's Ford on the site of a civil war battlefield by the mighty Rappahannock River and then went on to win at The Virginia Horse Trials in Lexington on November 4th, finishing on her dressage score of 32.5.  She was ridden to these successes by Ali Lindsay.

Those of our clients who rode her and had difficulty getting from one end of the indoor arena to the other will appreciate what a big achievement this was for all concerned!

General manager, Wendy Brooke, rode Cedar Crest's Coolnorran Chewy in several classes at the NEDA Dressage Championships held at the HITS show-grounds in Saugerties, New York, September 13th - 16th, 2012. The pair performed admirably, placing 6th and 7th in the top tier of a strong field in their first recognized outing together. Chewy, as always, put his best hoof forward and behaved impeccably throughout, producing scores which were only a few percentage points away from the winners.  His successful future in this discipline seems assured.

Congratulations to Allegra Colman and Otto Berkes who were successful in their respective classes at the annual Lakeville Pony Club show which took place at Riga Meadows Equestrian Center on Sunday, September 16th.

Allegra and Sir Geoffrey, a gelding bred in Canada by her grand-father, took 2nd place in the Junior Jumper Class and 3rd in the Low Jumpers; whilst Otto and the Argentinian-bred, Remonta Hado, placed 2nd in the High Jumpers and won the Open Jumper Stakes.  Otto and Hado also took home the ribbon for placing Reserve Champion in the jumper classes.

The wide open spaces of Chapel Spring Farm in Virginia are working wonders for 24-year-old Penny Sparkle who beat a competitive field of horses and riders to win the Schooling Jumper Class at this classic evening event staged annually at The Barracks Equestrian Center in Charlottesville.  

Showing off her old verve and enthusiasm, Penny and Alison whizzed around the jump-off course to take the blue ribbon!

Penny Sparkle would like to let her many fans know that she went to a combined show-jumping and cross-country show today with Ali and came back with a blue ribbon!  She was very excited to be out in public although she was a bit surprised when asked to leap out of the jumping arena and on to the cross-country course.  

Although she has not been to a competition for a while, Penny has continued to earn her living by giving lessons and taking clients on trail rides.  Clearly life in Virginia agrees with her and she would love you all to visit!

The inaugural hunter derby staged at Coole Park Farm in Millbrook on Sunday, June 24th was won by our own Otto Berkes and his versatile Argentinian Warmblood, Remonta Hado, against strong local competition.  Congratulations Otto!

It was a successful weekend on June 23rd/24th for Ali and Angelo when they topped the leaderboard at the pony club show jumping rally staged at the Virginia Horse Center.  Angelo goes from strength to strength in the jumper ring and the combination are now qualified and set to contest the national championships at the same venue in July.