While I was in Verden, Germany for the World Champion Young Horse competition, I saw the Hanoverian year old stallions compete as well. The classes were run like the US Materiale with three horses going at once. My very favorite, and the winner by the way, was the young stallion, Lemony's Nicket. He's a beautiful bay by Londonderry out of a Weltmeyer mare.
Well . . . I must have great taste because I've just read that he sold for 900,000 Euro at the Verden auction to none other than Harmony Sport Horses of the US.
He will apparently stay in Germany for now. Look for great things from this handsome young man! I have a special feeling about him.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Sunday, September 4, 2011
10 reasons I like the drought
1. No mosquitoes (or at least very few)
2. Haven't cleaned my horse's feet in three months.
3. No mowing.
4. Clean horses.
5. No muddy paw prints on the kitchen floor.
6. Fire ants are suffering
7. I now sit outside at night for dinner
8. Haven't had sauna in the arena (much)
9. Have put off replacing gutters to the tune of 5K
10. And the number one reason I like the drought . . . no rain rot/scratches/dew poisoning on the horses!
2. Haven't cleaned my horse's feet in three months.
3. No mowing.
4. Clean horses.
5. No muddy paw prints on the kitchen floor.
6. Fire ants are suffering
7. I now sit outside at night for dinner
8. Haven't had sauna in the arena (much)
9. Have put off replacing gutters to the tune of 5K
10. And the number one reason I like the drought . . . no rain rot/scratches/dew poisoning on the horses!
Friday, September 2, 2011
travels abroad
This august I traveled to the Netherlands, Germany and Finland for the most wonderful "horsey" vacation . Well, actually I was teaching in Finland but got in lots of sightseeing as well.
The first event was the world championship of young horses in Verden. This was my third year to attend and the horses and riding were the best. In the past, the judges seemed to reward tension and "passagy" trots if they produced brilliance. That has thankfully changed. In most cases, the warm-ups and the rides presented very good basics with incredible impulsion and confidence. Of course these were young horses with rowdy crowds, so some tension is inevitable.
In the end, the fabulous mare, Woodlander Farouch from Great Britain won the 5 yr. champs, while Astrix from the Netherlands repeated his win from the previous year and took home the 6 yr old title.
You can watch both on youtube!
More later including pics!
The first event was the world championship of young horses in Verden. This was my third year to attend and the horses and riding were the best. In the past, the judges seemed to reward tension and "passagy" trots if they produced brilliance. That has thankfully changed. In most cases, the warm-ups and the rides presented very good basics with incredible impulsion and confidence. Of course these were young horses with rowdy crowds, so some tension is inevitable.
In the end, the fabulous mare, Woodlander Farouch from Great Britain won the 5 yr. champs, while Astrix from the Netherlands repeated his win from the previous year and took home the 6 yr old title.
You can watch both on youtube!
More later including pics!
Monday, June 6, 2011
cool breeze
When it's 100 degrees outside, a cool breeze would be a nice thing, right?
Here's an idea: When you ride, lift your chin high. Open your throatlatch, just like we want our horses to do when they stretch. If you do this, you'll feel and air move over your neck and throat and it really will make a difference. The good news is that it will also improve your riding posture and your horse's impulsion and throughness, It sounds like such a small thing but the result can be powerful.
Give it a try and let me know how it goes.
Marie Morgan
http://solstice-farms.com/
Here's an idea: When you ride, lift your chin high. Open your throatlatch, just like we want our horses to do when they stretch. If you do this, you'll feel and air move over your neck and throat and it really will make a difference. The good news is that it will also improve your riding posture and your horse's impulsion and throughness, It sounds like such a small thing but the result can be powerful.
Give it a try and let me know how it goes.
Marie Morgan
http://solstice-farms.com/
Friday, May 13, 2011
quadrille lessons
You can see the finished product on the website: http://solstice-farms.com/
It really looks great but it has been a journey!
The quadrille lessons were different for everyone but we all ended up with better horses and better riding skills. Loverboy had to learn to play well with others, he had a tendency to pin his ears when Furiant came close. After the third or fourth week of practice however, Mary and I were "Clinking stirrups" regularly. As his rider, I had to learn to stop worrying that he might kick another horse. They all seemed to get into the herd thing and got along.
Many horses had to learn to speed up or lengthen their stride on command. Others needed to collect.
We all learned the meaning of "dress right and left"
Mostly we learned to ride as a team. In this highly individual sport, it was perhaps the best lesson yet.
Thanks to Emee for inspiring us!
It really looks great but it has been a journey!
The quadrille lessons were different for everyone but we all ended up with better horses and better riding skills. Loverboy had to learn to play well with others, he had a tendency to pin his ears when Furiant came close. After the third or fourth week of practice however, Mary and I were "Clinking stirrups" regularly. As his rider, I had to learn to stop worrying that he might kick another horse. They all seemed to get into the herd thing and got along.
Many horses had to learn to speed up or lengthen their stride on command. Others needed to collect.
We all learned the meaning of "dress right and left"
Mostly we learned to ride as a team. In this highly individual sport, it was perhaps the best lesson yet.
Thanks to Emee for inspiring us!
Monday, May 9, 2011
Mother's Day Out a great success!
Whew! The last two weeks have been a whirlwind.
Following the HDS spring classic and CDI, we hosted our annual charity event, "Solstice Farms Mother's Day Out Dressage" show.
The show was great fun with a huge silent auction, an entertaining Pas de Deux, and the first public performance by the Solsisters Quadrille.
Thanks to all our volunteers we put on a very competitor friendly show with wonderful concessions, organic carrots with tops for all first place winners, open arena for schooling, complimentary test calling with our great sound system and music to help everyone relax.
The "Mother Ride" participants were treated to wine coolers made with our home grown fresh mint.
Our donors were so generous for the silent auction (and so were the bidders!)
Familytime Crisis and Conseling Center, our charity helped out with the concessions and auction. It looks like they will make even more money than last year to support their shelter.
Thanks to all who made this possible!
Following the HDS spring classic and CDI, we hosted our annual charity event, "Solstice Farms Mother's Day Out Dressage" show.
The show was great fun with a huge silent auction, an entertaining Pas de Deux, and the first public performance by the Solsisters Quadrille.
Thanks to all our volunteers we put on a very competitor friendly show with wonderful concessions, organic carrots with tops for all first place winners, open arena for schooling, complimentary test calling with our great sound system and music to help everyone relax.
The "Mother Ride" participants were treated to wine coolers made with our home grown fresh mint.
Our donors were so generous for the silent auction (and so were the bidders!)
Familytime Crisis and Conseling Center, our charity helped out with the concessions and auction. It looks like they will make even more money than last year to support their shelter.
Thanks to all who made this possible!
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Happy Easter and great expectations!
Happy Easter!
There's so much to look forward to this spring and so many changes.
We are attending and sponsoring the HDS Spring show and CDI* next weekend. Watch the CDI* and have a complementary glass of Solstice Farms CDI Cabernet.
Then, "Mother's Day Out" follows closely on May 8. This is our dressage show and silent auction to benefit "Familytime Crisis and Counseling Center". Check the website, http://solstice-farms.com for prize list and links.
Congratulations to Emee Ermel on the purchase of Sir Walkabout, a very exciting young horse from Walkabout Farms in Willis.
Watch for more updates and news including upcoming regular clinics with Debbie Bowman.
There's so much to look forward to this spring and so many changes.
We are attending and sponsoring the HDS Spring show and CDI* next weekend. Watch the CDI* and have a complementary glass of Solstice Farms CDI Cabernet.
Then, "Mother's Day Out" follows closely on May 8. This is our dressage show and silent auction to benefit "Familytime Crisis and Counseling Center". Check the website, http://solstice-farms.com for prize list and links.
Congratulations to Emee Ermel on the purchase of Sir Walkabout, a very exciting young horse from Walkabout Farms in Willis.
Watch for more updates and news including upcoming regular clinics with Debbie Bowman.
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