Saddlebred history from Kentucky Vet

Interesting short article on the breed development of the saddlebred!

http://www.equinews.com/article/the-history-of-the-american-saddlebred

Friesian Kuring at Cobbitty

Jeremy Janjic on Django of Cacherel has been raising eyebrows as he progresses up the dressage grades with Lynn and Peter Jenkins' stunning Friesian Stallion. A tribute to trainer Jeremy's skill ...and competitive spirit. Currently in the ribbons at Inter1 and Freestyles!
Now he's being matched by partner Christine Crawford on the Jenkins' younger stallion, Jacana TK.
Seen here, together, performing a crowd-pleasing Pas De Deux at the Kuring at Cobbitty, for the visiting Dutch assessors!!
Beautiful, Guys!!

Be great if Maybellene or Galahad get to this level!!??

Northern spring; eventers emerge!

The snow has melted away in Maryland, USA, and "Rocco" and Lisa and barn-mates "Fantastick" and "Cindy" are in training for the their first event of the year on the first weekend in April.
Looking good!

Hunter Valley Dressage Comp

Megan took Maybellene out for her third competition this morning, riding 3 tests: Prelim 1B, and then two Novice tests 2A and 2B. They settled into their work as the day progressed with scores up to 60%. Didn't quite crack the big 6-O, but rated the comment "quality horse, not yet working; Huge Potential".
The third test was the most workmanlike, as Megan gained confidence and relaxed a bit with Jeremy 'calling' on the sidelines.
Maybellene was really hitting her straps and would probably have gone 'one more round'; it's a learning experience for all concerned as we (Christine, Megan,Jeremy,Maybellene and I) get to know her work habits and application.

Typical subjective 'stuff': the Prelim test was first at 8:30a.m. and Megan was primed to the minute. The rider before her didn't show, so another "reserve lister" took the spot; then the missing rider appeared and 'pushed in' to Megan's spot. By the time she got to ride, the "rude" judge let fly at the 'young rider' about her "lateness", even though she explained she'd been ready-to-go well on time...and penalised her through his scoring!
A tough start to the day. Happens all the time; got to be resilient in all sports/all spheres these days.

Di and Tony Stanley were there with Colonial Hot and Handsome (sired by Brae Galaxy, Laddie's dad) winning the Inter 11 ridden by Jessica Willard. Two other Colonial Park horses peformed well also.

The competition was HOt, Hot, Hot, at all levels, with the top score at 2A of 77%, and 2B at 69% enabling fields of more than 30 horses to receive competition experience and feedback from the judges.

Big week for North Kaludah: Megan, Alex and Georgia at Anambah today (HVDA), Megan , Jeremy and Christine off to Cobbitty for the Friesian Kuring with Django and Jacana tomorrow, then down to Melbourne on Monday with Jazzsong and Django for D&JWTS.

Alex, Georgia and their Dad holding the fort with Lisa....and Maybellene and the rest of the crew!!

In Foal!!

Vet, Peter Tabak, was due to arrive this afternoon to check Cloud. There was an enormous "tropical downpour" from 4 to 5 pm so I expected the appointment to be a wash-out, but..it was all over by the time Pete arrived at 5:30ish. Popped Cloud in the crush and held my breath. All's well! She's healthily in foal to Brae Galaxy, (46days!?)..and I can try not to hold my breath for the next 9.5months!!
Cloud seems very settled; it will be interesting to see how she manages her First!
I'm forever amazed at the instinctive abilities of first-time mothers!

Training on

Christine gave Maybellene a good workout today, insisting on immediate response to the leg; no "fudging" responses to the aids in transitions to canter.

3 Weekends of super dressage!

Super competition coming up!
Christine and Jeremy are at Sydney DC with Jazzsong and Django respectively this Saturday. Flash presentations on Saturday night for those who travel down to SIEC!

The following weekend is Hunter Valley Dressage Club competition at Rutherford grounds, where Maybellene and Megan contest the 1B against at least 2 other Medallion sons, and the Novice 2A and 2B against the likes of Heath Ryan and Emma Armstrong riding Regardez Moi and Jive Magic offspring and Anne-Marie Lowrey and Megan's offsider at North Kaludah, Alexandria Leppien on her own horse, Rivalyn Alairo recently arrived from Emerald in Queensland.
Boy!!
The competition is super HOT!!
Can't wait!!
Wow Megan! You've nothing to lose against those competitors who've been out there much longer than you and super-Maybelle!Just ride her as you do at home and it'll be perfect!!
The following weekend Christine and Jeremy are off to Melbourne for D&JWTS, again with Jazzsong and DJango (and Jacana???...I'm not sure!)..with Megan and Alex in the support roles.
Whoa! Talk about BUSY!!! Go you good things.


http://www.huntervalleydressage.com/competitions.html

Politics is alive and well!!

Coming up to the DJWTS (Dressage and Jumping With The Stars) in Melbourne and NSW riders are reeling!! With the best training in the country, it's hard to qualify when the Sydney judges give 2 qualifying scores out of a field of 30 at Clarendon, in contrast to 26 out of 30 in Queensland gaining qualifying scores from a visiting International judge!
We all know that dressage judging is "subjective", but this seems to add fuel to the argument that we need a "panel of judges" for qualifying events, with perhaps 5 judges and jettison top and bottom scores...as in Olympic judging for gymnastics, diving, etcetera!!

Hot competition

Who needs outside competition when it's so 'hot' close to home?
The North Kaludah trio scored within one mark of each other in the Official 1B test: Alex on Kaludah Glitter (aka "Gary")on 59.8%,
Jeremy on Kaludah Reveal on 59.6%, and
Megan on Maybellene on 59.0%
placing 9, 10, 11th respectively out of 21 entrants.