At our winter schooling dressage show competitors had the opportunity to ride each dressage test twice.  The first time was a chance to receive helpful comments and advice from our judge, Lori Barnard, whilst the second time was for real, with marks being awarded and the results announced at the end.

In Class 1, at the Introductory level, everyone rode very calm and accurate tests.  The children were particularly fun to watch as they knew their tests well and made good use of the arena.

Class 2, Training level, proved to be a highly competitive event.  The pressure had already built to fever pitch by the preceding Friday when all the riders came for a pre-show practice.  Horses would not canter or go into the corners, or cantered completely out of the arena.  Others showed off their classical "airs above the ground"!  However, by a miracle, everyone made huge strides in their performance overnight and rode well on the day.  Lori was very kind and encouraging and offered some great tips for general improvement.

Class 3, the more advanced First Level, proved to be a great finale.  Jo Blackmore's enormous hunt horses rose to the occasion and put some fancy moves on the floor.  Instructor Louise Schmitt was thrilled to be up the top of the board on Laurie Lovice's great little horse, Made in Flight (aka Marty), who displayed his very best behavior on the day.  Dan Tighe rode Renee Petrofes' Smooth Touch who tried to step up to the plate but had misread the directions - no flying changes required at this level!  This was particularly noteworthy as Smoothie has resolutely resisted the flying change up until this day.  Special congratulations go to 5th placed Rosina Williams with Cedar Crest Blue.  Because of illness, Rosina had missed all her scheduled lessons and had not ridden at all during the week prior to the test.  She competed and placed while suffering with both bronchitis and a double ear infection.

Special thanks to Lori Barnard for judging; to Helen Van Der Voort for scribing and to Lindsay Aiello, Julia Rubinic and Rosina Williams who all brought an abundance of delicious food.  Lindsay was also instrumental in bringing along her wonderful photographer friend, Shary Connella, who took some splendid shots of all the  riders in action  which can be viewed in the Galleries section of her website: 

For full results from the show, visit our Shows and Clinics page.

Charlie and me

I would say I’m so happy to be part of the Cedar Crest family, but it’s complicated. That is to say, even before I brought my Irish Sport Horse, Charlie, to board here two months ago, I already felt like part of the family. From my first vacation to occasional weekends to getting BHS training, Paul, Gerry and the wonderful staff have always done a superior job of helping me improve my horsemanship. (Can I say horsewomanship?)

When I moved back from California, after two years with Charlie in the Bay area, I decided to board at Cedar Crest for the following reasons:

• Excellent training. I know I can’t get this level elsewhere. I’ve tried. And I appreciate the technique. (Yeah! No more lying on the horse's neck over a jump!)
• Attentive and affectionate horse care. I love that everyone loves Charlie (even though he really is quite easy to love.)
• Excellent work ethic. This is only one example, but Cedar Crest is the only place I’ve trained where they actually bother to move around jumps for a lesson. It seems small but to me it’s a true sign that the team is dedicated to making sure every lesson is tailored to the rider.
•  Intelligence. OK, I’m a snob. I appreciate a lesson that includes bits about the history of the stirrup and the equestrian philosophy of Genghis Khan.
• Relaxed and secure attitude. The overall vibe at the farm is one that reflects a dedication to great riding and horse care, without the negative pettiness that one too often encounters at other show barns. I haven’t figured out why this is the case beyond the fact that Gerry and Paul are perfectly lovely and they hire the right people and attract the best boarders.
• The surroundings: If you haven’t already looked around this web site please do so and you’ll see what I mean. Charlie couldn’t be happier with his enormous paddock and his two turnout buddies.
• The sense of humor: Everyone here has a great sense of humor. Or at least they think I'm funny. Or perhaps they're good at pretending. Whatever the case, it's rare to leave a lesson without a smile.

I am so happy to be here and I hope everyone whom I haven’t met will swing by and say hello when I am around (or just give Charlie a carrot when I am not).

With horses and riders currently wrapped up in several layers, it's nice to think back to those lazy, hazy, "daisy", days of summer.  Ali has put together a video of warmer times at Cedar Crest for us all to enjoy:

Paul and Ali with Jo and her new saddle

A grand farewell party was held in the club room on Saturday, December 17th to celebrate the end of an era, as Jo Blackmore, former barn manager and hunt groom, prepared to set out for pastures new after 12 years exemplary contribution to the Cedar Crest vision.

Jo will be remembered for her hard work, indomitable spirit through every eventuality, her sense of humor and her prodigious memory and it was fitting that, with help from our very generous clients, we were able to present her with a top-of-the-line Devoucoux saddle as a going-away gift.  

 We wish Jo every success in her new life and look forward to Wendy Brooke and her enthusiastic team taking Cedar Crest forward to new heights in 2012.

Bard College rider, Sophie Davies, enjoys a flat lesson on Tom Cruz

A big welcome back for the fall trimester to members of the Bard College Equestrian Team who use Cedar Crest Farm as their training base.  We appreciate their gameness and enthusiasm when they come for their weekly lessons and wish them every success as they contest the upcoming IHSA shows!

Chapel Spring Farm

As of September 1st, 2011 we are now also based at a facility in Free Union, VA in the heart of Farmington Hunt country and just 20 minutes from the center of Charlottesville, the home of Thomas Jefferson and UVA.  We have the use of 8 stalls in the pristine barn at Chapel Springs Farm, a spectacular thoroughbred breeding facility set on a 1,500 acre estate, all of which is open and accessible for trail-riding.  

With just two horses installed at present, we have scope to take full-time boarders and also to offer a base for riders wishing to visit for fox-hunting once the snow curtails that activity up in New York.

For more information, contact Paul at Cedar Crest Farm on 518 398 1034 or Gerry in Virginia on 845 518 0122.

Alison flew up from school in Charlottesville, VA to contest the last HITS show of the summer, taking the blue ribbon in the Child Jumper Hi division on Polka. 

After 10 years of running the public relations department single-handedly, Sweep finally agreed to take on a junior partner who he has undertaken to train to his own high standards.  Born on May 13th, 2011 to  miniature schnauzer parents, Jack and Gretchen, near Jamestown on the Virginian coast, Sparky made the long journey to Cedar Crest aged just 10 weeks.  After a short spell of disorientation he has taken to his new role with gusto although currently his chief duty could be classified as "timewaster-in-chief".

Not content with training his new baby brother in the daily barn routine, Sweep has already taken him to Fitch's Corner Horse Trials and to the HITS where the little chap acquitted himself well although Sweep feels that human beings sometimes overuse the word "cute" as he seemed to hear it a lot on those outings. 

Sparky's current hobbies are chasing cats and chewing on things and his main ambition is to master the art of going down stairs as well as up them.   Sweep is not so keen for him to master this skill as it at least affords him a chance to escape for a well-earned period of repose from his enthusiastic pupil!