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Agape Dressage
Well, despite the usual travel trauma (one trailer flat on the way up and one on the way back), Agape Dressage had a good show in Flagstaff. The weather was beautiful throughout and it gave us our first rain on the 3rd. The temperature dropped so much on Wednesday that some of us actually got cold-almost didn't recognize that feeling at first. Though I did hear a few people complaining of the heat, I'll take 85-90 any day over 110. Many thanks to Robin and Mel Ritter who opened their home to us on the 4th for our second annual 4th of July get-together.
On Friday, I earned my final qualifying score in the Freestyle Division on Bogotta+/ and gave him the rest of the weekend off. I had some wonderful rides on Robin's mare, Pride, at 2nd level earning 5 scores between 63-70%. After Regionals, look for Robin in the show ring again on Pride.
Lucy Ziurys and Star Fleet rode all of the 2nd level tests for the first time and did a great job earning scores up to 61%. Following the show, Lucy decided that although this 2nd level thing was difficult, she could do it!
Beth High and Noah quietly stole the show winning four Second Level tests and placing 2nd in the other two with some excellent scores. They are now fully qualified at 1st and 2nd level for Regionals and I expect them to "tear it up" in October at CARA.
Lynn Boice rode Annette Davis' mare, Bella, at Training Level in their first show together. This was Bella's first show since May of last year. After only riding Bella for 4 weeks, there were still a few kinks to work out, but, overall, they did very well including a 62% at Training 4.
Nancy Orta rode Saloma+ in First Level and did great, placing in all four of her tests with scores over 60%.
Anna Calek and Kaibab had a great showing at First Level and in the
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Freestyle. In the open division Anna had scores up to 64.7% at First 4. In the Freestyle on Saturday, Anna and Kai finally learned how to dance together and wowed the crowd with a beautiful performance earning them first place with a 75%!
The week was only marred by a few strange horse incidents. Saloma+ had a minor tie-up on Wednesday, probably due to the altitude and her age, which was quickly taken care of by the local vet.
Then, on Friday, Lucy's horse, Fleet, did one of the strangest things I've seen in awhile. He somehow managed to pierce his nose with the metal handle of a feed bucket while the handle was still attached to the bucket. Panic ensued. Thank goodness, Ellie Stine-Masek was there with bolt cutters. Kevin Gilmartin's brute strength snapped the metal handle and I gently threaded about 10 inches of the metal through poor Fleet's nose. By the next day, it was already sealing back up.
Sunday morning, Beth High discovered that Noah had a backdoor neighbor. Another horse had gotten cast in the middle of the night and busted through the wood paneling. The two, fortunately friendly, geldings were nosing each other and generally wreaking havoc on the already busted wood frame.
Finally, on Sunday, we discovered that Saloma+ was again sick, this time with a mild colic. We got her home and thanks to Lynn and Nancy's efforts (and the vet's) she is up and trucking.
Thankfully, there isn't another show until October for the whole group, although Anna is threatening to go to LA for "Cool August Nights". We at Agape want to wish everyone a safe and relaxed summer. Enjoy those monsoons while they last!
Jennifer Parker
P.S. Congratulations to Lynn on her purchase of Bella from Annette Davis! Welcome to new students Brett Cadden, Cassie Price, and Katharine Cross our show groom extraordinaire.
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Rancho Del Corazon
It has been a very busy spring and summer season for Rancho Del Corazon. Ellie has been traveling to California frequently to pursue her " S" judging card. These trips have been to the National Judges Forum and Freestyle Symposium at LAEC in February; co-judging training sessions with Hilda Gurney at the CDI at LAEC in March; and the formal training program at Del Mar with Natalie Lamping and Marianne Ludwig in April.
Ellie started competing on her new horse, Ascott, at the ADA Spring Show at First and second level. He earned his first qualifying score for Regionals at ADA and another score at the TDC Beat the Heat Show. At the Flagstaff Show in July Ascott earned his first blue ribbon with a 67% at First Level Test 4.
Terri Wayne's Freisian, Hortensius (Hotse) has continued his winning at Training Level. He has consistently scored over 70% and even earned a 70% for his first time at First Level.
Glenda Toll's Oldenberg mare, Wjuanita, came to the ranch after the TDC May Show to have some polishing work done before Flagstaff. Glenda moved into their new summer home in Durango, and luckily has been spared from the forest fires in the area. Wjuanita and Glenda came together at Flagstaff and performed well at First Level with a 64% and 66%!
Vanessa Prilesson, Ellie's working student and groom, graduated from Catalina Foothills High School in May as an National Honors Society member. Vanessa came down to the ranch to help with the spring cattle work and to help Ellie school the young horses. She will be attending Oregon State University in the fall.
(Continued on page 5)
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