News, Events & Clinics

We have been busy competing the horses down in Virginia where there are more shows and events every weekend than it is possible to go to.  Calvin Lewis and our homebred mare, Ruby Sparkle, won a highly competitive Green Hunter Championship at a charity horseshow in Free Union on May 27th whilst on the same weekend, Ali and Angelo II placed 3rd at novice level at the Virginia Horse Trials.  

The previous weekend, Angelo placed 2nd in two 3'6" schooling jumper classes in Richmond.

Cedar Crest had a good start to the horse trials season at the Kent School event on May 20th.  Wendy Brooke, who has been hiding her jumping light under a bushel for a few seasons, competed Renee Petrofes' Smooth Touch in a novice division and finished in 6th place.  As well as competing, Wendy took time out to coach young rider, Allegra Coleman, who struggled with her dressage but then had a clear show-jumping and cross-country round on Sir Jeffrey Amhurst.  She was thrilled by the experience and is looking forward to more events with the Canadian Sport Horse who was bred in Canada by her late grand-father.

Mountain Skyline Pony Club A Team

Congratulations are due to the Mountain Skyline Pony Club A Team who, under their captain Courtney Kerns, were victorious in the recent Old Dominion Region Dressage Rally held at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington.  Riders were scored not just on their dressage rides but also on their stable management skills.  

Making a significant contribution to the team's overall success was Alison Lindsay riding Chewy, who won both their First Level Tests and also went on to score 73.32% in the First Level Freestyle to Music class.  Ali's routine, which she rode to the iconic sound of Glen Miller and his band, came off perfectly despite limited time and opportunity to prepare for it.  

Thanks are due to the many individuals who were involved in organizing the rally and to the parents of MSPC members who acted as volunteers and chaperones over the course of the weekend.

The dogwoods are in full bloom down here in Virginia and the horses at our Free Union farm are all in fine fettle.  Why not come down for some spectacular trail-riding in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and stay locally at the luxurious Foxfield Inn?   Visit their website at www.foxfieldinn.com to find out more about this award winning bed-and-breakfast.  I look forward to seeing you soon and showing you the delights of Charlottesville and the surrounding area!

Gerry

It's been nearly 17 years since I took my BHS Stage I exam and I now feel motivated to study for my Stage II.

I am that much older now and my career prevents me spending as much time as I would like at the barn.  I retired my throughbreed mare and left her in good company 7 years ago in Lincolnshire, England, but I feel that I should brush up on my equine skills and knowledge to develop more confidence and a better understanding around horses.

I would like to pass by the end of the year, so fingers crossed it all works out. I know that I will get good support and encouragement from the staff at Cedar Crest.

Lindsay Aiello

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.

RESULTS

 Class 1 Introductory Test C

1st   Maggie Berkes riding Nacari                         72.75%

2nd Mia Colman riding JoJo                                  69.75%

3rd Tim Helwick riding Angelo                               65.75%

4th  Maddie ? riding Bewitched                              61.75%

Class 1A Introductory Test B

1st  Phoebe Green riding Raindrops on Rosie

Class 2 Training Level Test 3

1st  Otto Berkes Jnr riding Remonta Hado       74.81%

2nd  Jo Blackmore riding Harley                            69.61%

3rd  Maggie Berkes on Nacari                              64.2%

4th  Tim Helwick riding Angelo                             59.4%

5th  Lindsay Aiello riding Tom Cruz                     57.4%

6th Julia Rubinic riding Charlie                            56.4%

CLASS 3 First Level Test 1

1st  Jo Blackmore riding Doc

2nd Louise Schmitt riding Made in Flight

3rd  Otto Berkes Jnr riding Remonta Hado

4th Pam Lyon riding Cachet

5th  Rosina Williams riding Cedar Crest Blue

6th  Dan Summer Tighe riding Smooth Touch

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.