2018 and on...

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2017

Our fourth show of the season was attended by Bob alone, finally back in the game, outside of Bozeman Montana. Highpoints were narrowly missed, but the 4 year old KWPN gelding Rhoanoke had scores into the low 70s at Training and First, and the Andalusian gelding had a successful Third level debut with scores into the high 60s!

Our third show of the season took us back to SSHF with 13 horses and 10 riders. Olivia and Indro debuted their Grand Prix freestyle and with scores into the low 70s won the PNW High Performance Grant as well as the FEI Highpoint. Olivia and Ane Shield's JP Zatopec won the Third Level Reserve Highpoint with scores into the high 60s. Ashley Preston and her gelding Fleetwood ISF won the Training Level Highpoint award with scores into the low 70s, as well as the PFG Good Seat Award! Carol Mavros and her gelding First Dance had a successful debut at Intermediate 1 and were the Reserve FEI Highpoint.

Our second show of the season, also without Bob (who went along to coach but not to ride) was to Rebecca Farm in Kalispell, MT where we took 16 horses and 11 riders. Olivia and Indro won the FEI highpoint both days with scores into the high 60s, Olivia and Ane Shield's JP Zatopec won the Second Level Highpoint both days and the Third Level Highpoint on one day, also with scores into the high 60s. Olivia also catch rode Kari Clark's freisian gelding Menno for his show debut while Bob was out of commission and scored into the low 70s at Training and First Levels to win the Reserve First Level Highpoint both days. Ashley Preston and her gelding Fleetwood ISF won the Adult Amateur Highpoint award both days, as well as the Training and First Level Highpoints both days, with all scores into the low 70s. Tessie Baldwin and her Gypsy Vanner/QH Leandros won the Adult Amateur Reserve Highpoint both days as well as the Training Level Reserve Highpoint both days, with scores into the low 70s. Carol and her National Show Horse gelding First Dance won the FEI Reserve Highpoint showing at Prix St Georges. Last, but not least, Stephanie Parrish and her Quarab gelding TTC Back N Style won the Jr/Yr Highpoint award both days with scores into the low 70s at Training and First Levels.


Our first show of the season was to Spokane Sport Horse Farm where we took 11 horses and 9 riders. Bob unfortunately had to sit this one out due to a freak accident with a horse only days before the show, so we went without our captain, as the show had to go on. And go on, it did! Olivia and the Andalusian gelding won the FEI Highpoint Award and the PNW High Performance Grant money for scores into the high 60s at Intermediate II and Grand Prix. Olivia and Ane Shield's Andalusian/Lusitano gelding JP Zatopec debuted at 2nd and 3rd levels to win the Second Level Highpoint and Reserve Third Level Highpoint Awards. Ashley Preston and her KWPN gelding Fleetwood ISF won the Training Level Highpoint with scores into the mid-70s. Lots of good scores and rides from all the others, including students Lori Elverud and Stephanie Parrish having their debut shows with their young horses, Shangri La and Gadget, respectively.



2016


Our crew of 10 horses and 8 riders survived Northwest/USDF Region 6 Dressage Championships at the end of September in Auburn, WA at Donida Farms and we all arrived home safe and sound! Lots of near misses, some downs, some ups—the stuff of big dressage shows! (And I do mean big, with 253 horses entered!) Congrats to everyone on a super year! Already looking forward to 2017!
Results as follows:
Thursday:
Bob and his 5 year old Andalusian gelding Galante placed 4th out of 16 in the NWDC First Level Open,
Olivia and Ane Shield's 8 year old Lusitano/Andalusian gelding JP Zatopec finished just out of the ribbons by less than .1% for 9th in the NWDC First Level Open,
Olivia and JP Zatopec also finished 4th out of 19 horses in the First Level TOC Open Show,
Olivia and her 11 year old Andalusian gelding Indro were the NWDC Intermediate II Champions,
Carolyn Bellamah and her 4 year old KWPN gelding Houdini R placed 5th in the Training Level TOC Open Show Class
Friday:
Bob and his 3 year (the only 3 year old at the show!) Oldenburg gelding Rhoanoke placed 3rd in the 14 horse NWDC Training Level Open,
Bob and Galante placed 4th in the same class, NWDC Training Level Open,
Ashley Preston and her 6 year old KWPN gelding Fleetwood ISF won the 21 horse NWDC Training Level AA,
Carolyn and Houdini R came 5th in the same class, NWDC Training Level AA,
Lori Elverud and her 9 year old AQHA gelding Driftin Red Frostin placed 7th in the large NWDC Third Level Freestyle class (and would have been the Reserve Champs if they'd split the divisions!),
Olivia and Indro finished 4th in the NWDC Grand Prix
Saturday:
Olivia and Indro finished 3rd (missing first by .7%) in the Region 6 Intermediate II,
Olivia and JP Zatopec finished 6th in the 19 horse Region 6 First Level Open,
Bob and Galante finished 4th (less than 1 percentage point out of first) in the same class, Region 6 First Level Open,
Bob and Rhoanoke won the 16 horse Training Level TOC in the Open Show,
Ashley and Fleetwood ISF won the Training Level TOC in the Open Show (first for AA, but right behind Bob by .6%),
Lori and Driftin Red Frostin finished 8th in the Region 6 Third Level Freestyle, all divisions,
Carolyn and Houdini R finished 5th in the Training Level TOC Open Show
Sunday:
Olivia and Indro finished 3rd (.8% out of first) in the Region 6 Grand Prix Open,
Ashley Preston and Fleetwood ISF were the reserve champions (less than .3% out of first) in the 24 horse Region 6 Training Level AA,
Carolyn and Houdini R were right behind them for third in the Region 6 Training Level AA,
Bob and Galante finished 3rd (.7% out of first) out of 15 horses in the Region 6 Training Level Open,
Bob and Rhoanoke were 4th (.9% out of first) in the same class, Region 6 Training Level Open

At the same time that many of us went to Regional Championships, Carol Mavros with two horses and Stephanie Parrish with one horse went to Boise, ID for the Arabian Sport Horse Nationals with great success in HUGE classes!!

Results:
Carol and her National Show Horse gelding First Dance were the Prix St Georges Champions! They were also Top Ten (3rd place) in the Fourth Level AA, and Top Ten (10th place) in the Fourth Level Open
Carol and her 4 year old Danish/Arabian cross mare Donna Elena were Top Ten (10th) in the Training Level Open Junior Horse, 13th (out of 30!) in th Training Level AA, and 14th in the Training Level Open

Stephanie Parrish and her 5 year old Quarab gelding TTC Back N Style were Top Ten (6th) in the Training Level ATR, Top Ten (8th place) in the AAOTR Training Level, Top Ten (7th place) in the First Level AAOTR, and just missed the Top Ten in both the First Level ATR, and Training Level Open 5 Years and Younger

Congrats to our Arab contingent! We missed you at Regionals, though!



In the middle of September Bob took his 5 year old Andalusian gelding Galante SG (bred by Spanish Gate Andalusians and purchased by Bob as a weanling) and Spanish Gate's own 7 year old Andalusian stallion Patriotico SG to Andalusian Nationals in Utah and they cleaned up! Galante was the National Champion in the Training Level Open with a score of 70+%, the National Champion at First Level Open with a score of 72+%, Patriotico was Reserve National Champion at Training Level Open with a score of 66+%, and came in third after a bit of a "stallion moment" in the First Level Open with a 62+%. Bob also won the "Custom Saddlery Most Valuable Rider Award" awarded to "a dressage rider who has an excellent ride, great scores, exemplary horsemanship and sportsmanship, and enhances the show by their participation.", as well as the "Horse Of Course High Score Award" presented to the highest scoring dressage horse (Galante had the two highest scores of the show!) Congrats to him and Joe and Cathy McCarter of Spanish Gate Andalusians!


In the middle of June 12 of us went back to SSHF. Great show for all with more new combinations debuting! Highlights included Bob and the Andalusian Galante earning the highest scores of the show with a 78% under two judges to win the Training and First Level Highpoint awards. Olivia and Indro again won the FEI Reserve Chamion award. Olivia also took the Hanoverian mare briefly out of her semi-retirement to earn the final scores for her USDF Bronze Freestyle Bar and were hugely successful with scores into the mid-70s. Stephanie Parrish and her Arabian EVG Ynyr also earned their second to last score toward their USDF Silver Medal at Prix St Georges, as well as winning the Fourth Level Reserve Highpoint and JR/YR Highpoint awards. Carol Mavros and her NSH gelding First Dance were the Fourth Level Highpoint Champions and Carol also had a successful second outing with her Arab/Danish 4 year old mare Donna Elena. A very good showing for all. There's now a brief lull before a very small group goes to the Bozeman show, and then back to SSHF in mid-July!

The first weekend of June we took 17 horses to the beautiful Rebecca Farm. Lots of good rides under tough judges, with highlights as follows:Bob took three horses, two of whom were going to their first show. His own 3 year old Oldenburg gelding Rhoanoke was like an old pro with scores into the low 70s at Training Level, the Andalusian stallion Patriotico SG owned by Cathy and Joe McCarter of Spanish Gate Andalusians had a great showing and qualified for Andalusian Nationals, and Bob's own Galante (also bred by Spanish Gate Andalusians) was both Training and First Level Reserve Champion. Olivia and Indro kept up the good scores at Grand Prix and won the FEI Reserve Champion Highpoint, and Olivia also debuted JP Zatopec, an 8 year old Andalusian/Lusitano cross owned by Ane Shields to score into the low 70s at first level and just missed out on the highpoint awards. Stephanie Parrish and her Arabian gelding EVG Ynyr debuted at Prix St Georges successfully, congrats! Stephanie and Ynyr also won the Fourth Level Highpoint award as well as the JR/YR Highpoint. Ashley Preston and Fleetwood ISF posted the highest score of the show and won the Training Level Highpoint award as well as the Adult Amateur award. Sonia Carter and her CWB gelding Alerik were the Third Level Highpoint Champions with Lori Elverud and her QH Driftin Red Frostin earning the Third Level Reserve Highpoint.  Nicely done, all. A brief break and then back to SSHF!

At the end of May a group of 12 of us went to our first recognized show of the season at Spokane Sport Horse. We had horses at every level, Materiale through Grand Prix, with several horses making their show debut, many trying new levels, and some reconfirming a level they showed last year. Some of the highlights included Olivia and Indro's successful debut at Grand Prix with scores into the mid 60s. Lori Elverud and her QH gelding Driftin Red Frostin debuting their third level freestyle that Olivia created with scores both days in the low 70s to win the Freestyle Cup Highpoint award. Carolyn Bellamah took the 4 year old Houdini R to his first show, scoring a 77% in the Materiale. Jean Comer and Donauwelle debuted at second level with scores into the high mid 60s. Bob and his 5 year old Andalusian gelding won both the Training and First Level Highpoint awards, and one of us took home the "Better Luck Next Time" award after what was definitely the most impressive start to finish unraveling on their poor horse! A learning opportunity indeed! Off to Kalispell, MT at Rebecca Farm next weekend!

A group of us with 11 horses went to the local dressage schooling show over the last weekend in April. Some were just brushing up on their level from last year, some horses were trying a new level, and four of the horses were going to their first ever outing. It was a great day for everyone and the weather was cloudy and cool but the rain held off! Congratulations to Olivia Chapeski and her coming 11 year old Andalusian gelding Indro on their very successful Grand Prix debut!


2015
Over the last weekend in September we took 8 horses and 6 people to the USDF Region 6/Northwest Dressage Championships outside of Portland at the incomparable Devonwood Equestrian Center. Other than one half day of rain we had glorious weather and, more importantly, uneventful hauls! Bob took the 4 year old Andalusian Galante for the Training and First Level Open, and with the exception of some dicey First levels tests, it was a successful first trip to regionals on a very green horse. Galante put in scores of 68 and 69% to finish just out of the ribbons (by .5% and .01%) in 9th place  out of 22+ horses in both Training Level Championships. Also in the Training and First Level Championships was Olivia and the 6 year old KWPN gelding Elessar, co-owned by Jean Comer. Elessar's scores were all between 70 and 73% and he finished in third place in one Training and one First level class, as well as 7th in a Training Level class and 5th in a First Level class. Olivia also took the 10 year old Andalusian gelding Indro and finished as Champion in the NWDC PSG open with a 70+% score and Reserve Champion by half a percentage point in the Region 6 PSG with a 69+%. They also finished in 4th and 6th in the two Intermediare 1 classes. Debbie Barcus and her KWPN gelding Valentino showed in the First and Second Level Adult Amateur classes and missed the ribbons in the Reg. 6 Second Level class by a tiny margin, as well as finishing toward the top of their big classes (as many as 36!) with scores between 63 and 67+%. Jean Comer and her Hanoverian gelding Donauwelle rode in the Training and First Level AA classes, finishing in 8th place (out of 27) in the Reg. 6 Training Level AA, as well as earning good placings and scores in the mid-60s in her other classes. Carol Mavros and her NSH Gelding First Dance finished off their year at Championships by earning their final score for their USDF Silver Medal! They finished in 6th place in the NWDC Prix St Georges AA class, as well as earning 5th and 4th placings in the PSG classes offered in the open show. Carolyn Bellamah took her KWPN gelding Discotheque and her Hanoverian gelding Pikachu out for the First Level AA Championships. Out of 36 horses she finished 4th with Discotheque and 6th with Pikachu in the Region 6 First Level AA, with scores in the mid to high 60s, as well as 6th with Disco and 7th with Chewy (out of 32 horses) in the NWDC First Level AA, also with scores in the mid to high 60s. A big congratulations to you all on a great year!


Our last two shows of the season went well and now we are just waiting for Regionals toward the end of September. We had seven horses go to the final show at Spokane Sport Horse Farm where we finished up qualifying scores, Orson won the FEI Highpoint, and Carol debuted at Prix St Georges with success! The following weekend a small group of seven horses went to the Powderhouse Dressage Explosion show in Clinton. Despite being socked in with smoke from the wildfires on the first day we had a great show. Sonia Hansen and Alerik earned the last scores they needed for the USDF Bronze Medal, and Carol earned her second to last score at PSG for her Silver Medal-- one more to go! Bob and Galante won the Training and First Level Highpoints, Bob and Orson won the Intermediare 1 Highpoint, Sonia and Alek won the Third Level Highpoint, Carol won the Prix St Georges Highpoint, and Lori and Teak earned yet another Dover Medal! Congrats and thank you to everyone for a great year of traveling and showing! 

 
 
 
We are well on our way through show season, with only two left to go before Regionals in Oregon. We took 14 horses to the July SSHF show that was enormous with something like 92 horses on the grounds. We had horses from Training through Grand Prix, ages 4 through 22! Though we had great success with many classes won there were no Highpoints to collect... Boo! But we've got just about all our people qualified for Regionals and USDF Awards!
At the SSHF June show we took 12 horses and it was a huge show with 77 horses on the grounds. We had unquestionably perfect weather and lots of success. Ashley Preston and her AWS gelding Orson earned their USDF Bronze Medal with their final scores at third level! Olivia and Indro won the FEI Highpoint, Olivia and Jean's Elessar won First Level Highpoint and Reserve Training Level Highpoint, and Olivia won the PFG Good Seat Award which is awarded to the rider who exhibits the most classical and effective seat and hands. Bob and his 4 year old Galante were only .15% away from the First Level Reserve, and earned a 72+% in the 4 Year Old Test, despite some tension in the indoor-- a promising prospect! Laura Nixon and her 22 year old Grand Prix horse won the "Oldest Horse Award" and a well deserved bag of treats!


Show season is well under way with the May shows in Spokane and Kalispell behind us. Our group grows a little each year, and we had 14 and 15 horses at these shows. Among those were some young horses going to their first shows, a first time rider, a few old partnerships returning to the ring after a hiatus, and a lot of horses and riders moving up a level. Firstly, a GREAT BIG congratulations to Lori Elverud and her Quarter Horse Driftin Red Frostin (Teak) on earning their USDF Bronze Medal at their first show out at third level! And Sonia Hansen and her CWB gelding Alerik now need only one third level score left for their Bronze Medal after a successful debut at third! Nicely done you guys! Among lots of great scores and tests, the highpoints from the first two shows include: Olivia and the Dutch Gelding Elessar co-owned by Jean Comer won the Training Level Highpoint with the highest score of the show at a 76+% at SSHF, Lori and Teak won the Dover Medal Award at SSHF, and Laura Nixon and her 22 year old Hanoverian Wanderer won the Oldest Horse Award at SSHF. Laura also missed one of her final scores for her USDF Gold Medal at Grand Prix by mere tenths of a point, but it's in there! At Dressage at Rebecca Farm Olivia and Elessar won the Training Level Highpoint once more, with Ashley Preston and the Draft/WB cross Wibaux taking the Reserve; Bob Chapeski and the 4 year old Andalusian Galante won the First Level Highpoint and earned the highest score of the show with a 75+%; Ashley Preston the the Draft/WB cross Orson won the Second Level Highpoint as well as the Adult Amateur Award, Sonia Hansen and Alerik debuted at Third Level and won the Third Level Highpoint Award, and Olivia and the 10 year old Andalusian gelding Indro won the FEI Reserve Highpoint. We're a week out from our next show, back in Spokane at the lovely venue Spokane Sport Horse Farm, with a slightly smaller group of horses this time! 


 
2014
 
 
The 2014 USDF Year End Awards are final! To be eligible a horse and rider combination need a minimum number of scores, from a minimum number of shows and judges, with at least a 60% median score. These are national award standings out of all the horse and rider combinations in the United States that met the requirements. CONGRATS to all our clients and students who won awards, and all of you who didn't get your last scores or didn't sign up for All-Breeds had better be on top of it next year! I know a big handful of you missed out due to that!
Results as follows: Bob and the Draft/WB cross Orson (who didn't sign up for All-Breeds) were 24th for Vintage riders at Prix St Georges. Olivia and the Andalusian gelding Indro finished 142 (out of ~500) for Horse of the Year (HOY) at Prix St Georges, 42 (out of ~160) at 4th level for HOY, 7th place in the 4th level Musical Freestyle Challenge, and were Champions in the Performance Horse Registry for 4th level Freestyle Open, 4th Level Open, and PSG Open. Olivia and the KWPN gelding Elessar who is co-owned by Jean Comer, finished 107 (out of ~600) at Training Level HOY, and 12th for NA/WPN in Open Training Level- not too shabby for a horse in his first year under saddle! Ashley Preston and the Draft/WB cross Wibaux were 55th (out of ~250) for Training Level AA. Tessie Baldwin and the Gypsy cross Leandros were Champion Training Level AA for the GC&DHA. Carolyn Bellamah and the KWPN gelding Discotheque (who didn't sign up for All Breeds, either) were 40th at Training Level AA. Donna Leik and the KWPN mare Bernadette were 9th in the NA/WPN at Training Level AA, and 119th for Training Level AA. Karra Markley and the Andalusian gelding Khan H were 102 at Training Level AA, and 3rd place for the IALHA Training Level AA. Carol Mavros and the Arabian cross gelding First Dance were 54th at 4th Level AA, 22nd at 3rd level AA, 13th for Vintage 3rd Level, and 16th for Vintage 4th level, as well as champions (x4) at both 3rd and 4th level, in both AA and Vintage, for the AHA. Debbie Barcus and the KWPN gelding Valentino (also no All-Breeds) were 59th at 1st level AA, 21st at Training level AA, 14th for Vintage training level, and 14th for Vintage 1st level. Lori Elverud and the AQHA gelding were 66th at 2nd Level AA, 135th for 1st level AA, 4th place for AQHA AA at 1st level, and champions at 2nd level AQHA AA. Jean Comer and the Oldenburg gelding Donauwelle (again... no All-Breeds) were 71st at AA Training Level, 197 at AA 1st level, 44th for 1st level Vintage, and 28th for Training Level Vintage. And last but not least, Marla Gullickson and the Arab/WB cross Dante, who were one score shy of being eligible for awards, but most likely would have won the AHA 1st Level AA based on their current median, and been up high in the standings for the 1st level AA (next year, with fingers crossed!)
Of these 12 combinations, 4 horses had never shown before, 5 moved up a level, and one of the riders had never shown dressage. Great job to everyone this year, looking forward to doing it again next year!  
 
 
We have returned from our week long trip to Nampa, ID for the Region 6/Northwest Dressage Championships! We took 9 people and 10 horses. Of those 9 people, 4 had been to championships before, and of the 10 horses, only 3 had! We came home with 21 ribbons from 37 rides, with a few just shy of the ribbons. In attendance were Bob and his Perch/Hano cross Orson at 4th and PSG Open, finishing in 7th out of 10-12 in both championships at 4th level, Olivia and Elessar, co-owned by Jean Comer, the 5 year old Dutch horse in his first year of showing, who had a pretty rough go of it and started off well with a 70% to finish just a percentage point out of first in the open class at Training level, and ended with an elimination after jumping out of the arena! Olivia also took her own Andalusian gelding Indro at 4th and PSG Open, and placed in the top 6 in every class, including winning the 4th Open NWDC. Ashley took her 5 year old shire/Hano gelding Wibaux for his first time, and stayed very consistent in the high 60s in all their classes and were just out of first in several of their open classes, and finished 8th in the Reg. 6 Training Adult Amateur class. Also taking a new horse to championships was Lori Elverud and her 7 year old AQHA gelding Driftin Red Frostin, who finished just out of the ribbons in their first level classes, and placed in the top 6 in their Second Level Adult Amateur classes! Carol Mavros and her 13 year old NSH gelding First Dance showed at 3rd and 4th for Adult Amateur, placing in every class, and most notably finishing hundredths of a percentage point out of the reserve champion spot in the 4th Level AA class. Our other first timers were Debbie Barcus and her 12 year old Dutch gelding Valentino, who had a great showing in the Training and First Level AA classes, most notably winning their Training Level NWDC class with a 74 and placing in the top 4 in the rest of their classes! Jean Comer and her 6 year old Hano gelding Daunawelle showed at training and first level AA and while they didn't end up placing, they finished 9th out of 28 horses in the Training AA and had a very successful debut at First 3! Donna Leik and her 9 year old Dutch mare Bernadette also participated in their first championships and had some tricky goes in the Training level AA classes. Lastly, Carolyn and her 6 year old Dutch gelding Discotheque had a great show, winning an 18 horse Training Level TOC class, finishing 4th in the NWDC Training AA, and were the champions of their 28 horse Region 6 Training Level Championships class! There was some stiff competition and some huge classes (20-30 in the AA divisions at training and first, 15+ in the Open Training level, 10-14 in the 4th and PSG open, etc) and for a bunch of first timers we were hugely successful! Looking forward to returning next year with an even bigger group! Congrats to all of you on a fantastic year! 
 
 
 
Someone has really dropped the ball and keeping up on the updates this summer! Oops. In summary, Chapeski Dressage took upwards of a dozen students and horses to six shows this year and boy did we represent! Countless classes won, new high scores achieved, highpoints and scores for Bronze and Silver medals earned, what a very successful year we've had! Many of us took new young horses out (6 in total, I believe) and we have a group of 10 horses headed to Region 6 and Northwest Dressage Championships toward the end of September in Nampa, ID. Of that group 5 have never been to championships before and it's sure to be a treat! Congrats to both Bob and Carol's husband Mike on winning the Good Sportsmanship Award at the SSHF shows for the EXCELLENCE in helping and supporting everyone with a smile on their face. Many of us have qualified for year end awards and All Breeds awards and we're holding our collective breath to see how the final results turn out. Again, congrats, and thank you, to everyone of you who came out to help and ride and support this year. You guys are fantastic!
 
 
Show season is under way and we've gone to two shows. We first went to the Spring Spokane show at Spokane Sport Horse Farm at the end of May with 9 horses. Bob and Orson showed at fourth level and Prix St Georges with wins and scores in the mid-60s and was the Fourth Level Reserve Highpoint. Olivia rode Rio at the same levels with scores into the high 60s and won the Fourth Level Highpoint. Olivia also took the 5 year old Dutch gelding Elessar, co-owned by Jean Comer, to his very first show at training level. Despite a very unsuccessful first day, Elessar redeemed himself by winning his classes with scores into the 70s on the second day and was the Training Level Reserve Highpoint. Tessie and her Gypsy cross Leandros went to their very first dressage show together and scored into the low 60s (Leo was a couple-times-a-year trail horse until late this winter and the progress they've made together is so neat!) Jean and Donal showed at training level with high placings and mid to high 60s scores. Ashley and Wibaux also showed at training level and won 3 of their classes with scores into the low 70s. Carolyn showed her new Dutch gelding Disco for the first time after two years' hiatus on her part and scored into the low 70s with some wins at training level. Lori and her QH Teak showed at first level and debuted at second level with solid scores into the mid 60s. Donna and Bernie also showed at training level with scores into the low 70s. What a great first outing! -- The very next weekend we took 12 horses to the show at Rebecca Farm. Bob and Orson again did fourth level and PSG with consistent mid 60s scores and were the FEI Reserve Highpoint Champion. Olivia rode Rio fourth level, PSG and debuted their fourth level freestyle, winning all their classes with scores just missing the 70% mark. Elessar was more in the swing of things and won his 3 training level classes with scores into the high 70s and was the Training Level Highpoint Champion. Jean and Donal debuted at first level, as well as doing training level, and broke the 70% mark with a 73% at training level, and they were the Adult Amatuer Reserve Highpoint Champions. Ashley and Wibaux also debuted at first level and did training level classes with scores into the high 60s and low 70s. Tessie and Leo continued to improve and won a big training level class with scores into the mid 60s. Donna and Bernie again had scores into the low 70s at training level. Marla and Dante returned on the scene with scores into the high 60s at first level and were the First Level Reserve Champions. Lori and Teak won the First Level Highpoint and had mid to high 60s scores at second level. Debbie M. showed her mare Winnie for the first time in many years and had continual progress at training level with scores into the mid 60s. Carol and Boo won their third level classes and were the Third Level Highpoint Champions, as well as debuting at fourth level and earning the first of their silver medal scores, as well as winning the Fourth Level Reserve Highpoint. Way to go! Last but not least, Debbie B showed her dutch gelding Valentino for the first time at training and first level with scores into the mid 70s and won the Training Level Reserve Highpoint as well as the Adult Amateur Highpoint! Way to go everyone! Work hard, play hard. Mid June we go back to Spokane to do it all again. 
 
2013
 
USDF Awards Standings are now final! A big congratulations to everyone who worked so hard this year to make it happen! Your scores must be high enough and you must have enough scores to be eligible for the Year End Awards. Results as follows: Bob and Orson (who didn't sign up for All Breeds) finished 14th at 4th level with a 63.7% and also 14th at Prix St. Georges with a 63% for the Vintage Cup. Olivia and Gaudenzia (who also didn't sign up for All Breeds) finished 16th (in the country) for Horse of the Year at Fourth Level with a 68.7%, 3rd in the Fourth Level Freestyle with a 71%, and got edged out in the Musical Freestyle Challenge to take Reserve with a 69%. Olivia and Indro finished 21st (out of over 300) for Horse of the Year at 3rd level with a 69% median, and won both the Second Level and Third Level for the PHR. Olivia and Tessie Baldwin's Ned won the AHR Training Level Open with a 70% median. Carol and First Dance (big breath...) finished 13th for the Dover National Merit Award with a 68% median, finished 11th at Third level with a 64% and 9th at Second Level with a 66% for Vintage Cup. Carol and First Dance also finished as Reserve Champion for the AHA Second Level Adult Amateur, Reserve Champion at Third Level for Adult Amateur, and won the Second and Third Level for the Vintage Cup. Marla and Dante (who couldn't qualify for the Adult Amateur because Olivia screwed it up by riding him at one show! Oops..) finished 4th with a 68% in the AHA Open at First Level. Lori and Teak finished first in the AQHA at Training Level Adult Amateur and Open with a 70%, and finished 21st (out of 250) for Adult Amateurs in the country at Training Level. My apologies if I forgot something, but WAY TO GO YOU GUYS!!
 
 
 
At the end of September just three horses went to Auburn, Washington for the Region 6 and Northwest Dressage Championships at Donida Farms. It was the largest championships region 6 has ever had, and classes were HUGE (30+ in some of the lower levels!) The weather amazingly held until the last day when the sky opened and the rains came. Bob rode the Perch/Hanoverian cross Orson in the open Third and Fourth Level Championships. Orson was unfazed by the cool temps, even a bit lazy, but had good scores and ended with two 7th places and a 6th. Olivia took the Andalusian gelding Indro out in the Open Second and Third Level Championships. "Rio" was unfortunately a little distracted by the weather, but placed 6th or higher in every class, including being NWDC Second Level Reserve Champion, and NWDC Third Level Open Champion with a 70.9%. Carol took her National Showhorse First Dance at Second and Third Level in the Adult Amateur division. Even more than Rio, Boo was a bit silly in his classes, but they came away with two 5th places and a 3rd place, despite having up to 20 other horses in their classes. Congratulations to everyone on another wonderfully successful year full of new horses, new levels, and new personal bests. We're already looking forward to Championships in Nampa, ID next year and taking as many as 13 horse and rider combinations! So now we settle in for the long months of cold and dark and prepare to do it all again in spring of 2014.


At the beginning of August a big group went to the PDE show in Missoula. Bob and Orson went out at Prix St. Georges again to earn scores to the mid 60s and the FEI Reserve Highpoint Award. Olivia and Rio debuted at Prix St. Georges to win both classes with high 60s scores and take the FEI Highpoint. Lori and the QH Teak stole the show with score in the low to high 70s to take the Training level Highpoint. Marla and Dante showed at first level again with scores in the low to high 60s. Ellen and Izzy showed training level with scores to the low 70s and the Training Level Reserve Highpoint. Jean and the Oldenburg Daunawelle went to their first recognized show ever and scored to the high 60s in training level. Barbara and Jimmie did their second ever recognized show to win the opportunity classes with low 70s scores. Carol and Boo took the Second Level Highpoint and the Reserve Third Level Highpoint with great scores! For many of us it was the last show of the season, though a small group will go to Spokane the following weekend and just three of us will finish out the year at Championships!

After Missoula only Bob with Orson and Carol with Boo headed to Spokane for the SSHF Show. Bob and Orson debuted at Prix St. Georges and scored a 59 and 62%! Carol and Boo scored consistent mid to high 60s at second and third level and took the Second Level Highpoint, the Third level Reserve Highpoint, and won the Dover Amateur Medal both days! Congrats! The first weekend of August we head to Missoula again with a big group and then may be done until championships at the end of September. Where does the summer go?!
 
The first weekend of July we took a big group of horses to the Powderhouse Dressage Explosion at the Equestrian Park in Missoula. In attendance: Bob and Orson at third and fourth level, Olivia and Tess at fourth and fourth freestyle, Olivia and Rio at second and third level, Olivia with Ned at training level, Ashley and her 4 year old Wibaux at their first recognized show, Ellen and Izzy at their first recognized show, Carol and Boo at second and third levels, Lori and Teak at training and their debut at first level, at Marla and Dante at first level. Everyone enjoyed great success, with the lowest score of the weekend still a 60% and the highest score coming from the Haflinger Ned with a 70%. Orson took the Fourth Level Reserve Highpoint, Tess was the Fourth Level Highpoint, Rio took Second and Third Level Highpoints, and Ned was the Training Level Highpoint. Congrats to all!!
 
 

In the middle of June we went back to Spokane Sport Horse. In attendance was Carol and First Dance, Bob and Orson, and Olivia with Ned, Rio and Tess. Laura and Wanderer had to vet out last minute, unfortunately. It was a toasty weekend but a successful one. Carol got her Bronze Medal with Boo!! Wahoo! Another self-trained non-traditional success story. She also won the Dover Medal both days of the show! Bob and Orson were the Third and Fourth Level Reserve Champions. Olivia won the Good Seat Award (given to the rider who exhibits the most classical and effective seat and hands). Ned ended up the Training Level Reserve Champion, Rio won both Second and Third Level Highpoints, and Tess debuted with her fourth level freestyle to win the Northwest Freestyle Cup. Congrats to everyone on a great show! The first weekend in July we will go to the PDE Summer Fun show at the Equestrian Park in Missoula with a whole gang of horses and riders.


The sun has returned! It's still cooler and rainy but summer is on its way and we've now been to our first two shows of 2013. At the end of May we went to Spokane Sport Horse Farm with 6 horses. Olivia and Rio debuted at third level with scores between 68 and 72 and won the Second Level and Third Level Highpoints. Olivia and Tess debuted at fourth and scored between 67 and 70 to win the Fourth Level Highpoint. Olivia also showed Marla Gullickson's Dante to mid 60s at first level. Bob and Orson showed third and fourth with scores in the mid to high 60s to win the Reserve Third Level Highpoint. Marla and Dante showed at first level and had a new highest score with a 68. Lori took her new horse Teak out at training level to consistent mid 60s scores. Karra and her Dante debuted at first level and did training level with good scores.
The following weekend we took ten horses to Rebecca Farm in Kalispell. Olivia and Tess won the Fourth Level Highpoint, Olivia and Rio won both Second and Third Level Highpoint scoring between a 68 and 75. Olivia took Tessie Baldwin's Haflinger Ned to his first ever dressage show at Training Level and scored between 66 and 74 to win the Training Level Highpoint. Orson and Bob won the Reserve Third and Fourth Level Highpoints and scored in the mid to high 60s. Lori and Teak scored between a 66 and 72 at Training level to win the Adult Amateur Highpoint! Marla and Dante showed at first to scored another new best with a 70% and won the First Level Highpoint. Christina and Princess showed at first level and training with scores into the mid 60s. Karra and Dante also showed at Training and First level and put up good scores despite Dante acting a little off. Carol and Boo debuted at Third Level and scored the first of their third level scores for their bronze medal!! Carol also won the Dover Medal Award for her great scores at second level. Laura and Wanderer returned at Intermediare 1 with scores into the mid 60s to win the FEI Highpoint. What an excellent start to the year for everyone! Congrats!


The winter trudges on... In the middle of January we had a new clinician, Beth Glosten of RiderPilates come for a three day clinic. Friday started with a floor session that covered some history and basics and ended with exercises with a Swiss ball to increase body awareness, demonstrate muscular strengths and weaknesses, and develop better spinal alignment. It was great fun! The following two days were private mounted lessons where Beth helped to improve straightness, balance, suppleness, etc in the saddle by refering back to the floor exercises. She was articulate, patient and enthusiastic and we look forward to having her back!
 
2012
 
USDF Year End Awards are final for Horse of the Year, All-Breeds, Musical Freestyle, Adult Amateur, Vintage and Dover Awards! Results as follows:  Bob Chapeski and the American Warmblood Orson finished 9th for Vintage riders at 3rd level with a 64.8% median, 20th for Vintage at 4th level with a 62.5% median, and won the AWS vintage award at each level. Bob and ...
the TB/Hano cross Dylan finished 23rd at 4th level with a 62%. Olivia Chapeski and the Friesian Quibus fan Beabuorren, owned by Catherine Lindbeck, finished 5th for Training Level Horse of the Year (HOY) out of 398 with a 75.5%, 32nd out of 534 for 1st level HOY with a 71.4%, won the FHANA Training Level Open, and were second at 1st level Open. Olivia and the Azteca Indro were 22nd out of 307 with a 69.6% for 2nd level HOY, 55th out of 534 with a 70.4% for 1st level HOY, and won both levels for the Open in the PHR. Olivia and the Hanoverian Gaudenzia won the Third Level Musical Freestyle Challenge, were 11th out of 313 for 3rd Level HOY with a 69.6%, 6th out of 66 for 3rd Level Musical freestyle with a 71.3%, and came second at both levels in the Open AHS. Carol Mavros and the Arabian cross First Dance were (big breath) 31st in the Adult Amateur 2nd Level with a 65%, 36th in the AA 1st level with a 67.2%, 11th and 8th respectively in Vintage, won the 1st level Vintage in the AHA, were second in the 2nd level Vintage AHA, 3rd in the AHA AA at 1st level, 4th in the AHA AA at 2nd Level, and placed 14th in the Dover Merit Awards with a 67.8%. Lori Elverud and the Hano cross Feldspar (who has no breed declaration) finished on a median score of 65% at first level. Ashley Preston and the Haflinger Goldie Hawnflinger (who did not renew for the Haflinger assoc.) finished with a median of 60.8 at 2nd level and 63.3% at 1st level.



The Mustang Complex fire is now close to 350,000 acres and thoroughly smoked us out in the weeks leading up to Championships, but we rode as often as we could and hoped for the best and off we went to Portland. We had some good rides and some rides that left a little on the table, but all in all it was a wonderful and successful weekend. Classes were big with 250 horses entered, the weather was ideal for riding, and as always the venue at Devonwood Equestrian Centre was beautiful. Results as follows: Olivia and the andalusian Indro won the Northwest Dressage Championships (NWDC) First Level Open with a 69.9%, as well as the USDF/GAIG Region 6 First Level Open with a 67.9%. "Rio" finished out of the ribbons in 9th in the NWDC Second Level Open after a slightly rambunctious ride, and barely stayed awake for an 8th place finish in the Reg. 6 Second Level Open Championships. On Gaudenzia, Olivia was the Third Level Freestyle Champion in both the NWDC and Reg. 6 Championships, which helped to also win the Northwest Cup, given to the rider with the highest average of a freestyle and regular test (69%). Tess held her own in the 17 horse Reg. 6 and NWDC Third Level Open classes for a 4th and 7th place. Lastly, Tess won the Sylvan Perpetual Trophy which is given to the highest scoring Oldenburg or Hanoverian bred in the Northwest. Tess is now the only horse to have won this twice, having first won it in 2008! Bob took only Orson after Dylan had to vet out. Orson had some ups and downs as a green third and fourth level horse in competitive classes and finished with 8th, 9th, 10th, and 15th places in the Reg. 6 and NWDC Third and Fourth level Open classes. Ashley and Goldie Hawnflinger put in some of their best stuff of the year at their first championships together, but Goldie the Haflinger definitely struggled with the stamina needed to put in really stellar tests and finished a respectable 9th, 10th and 12th in the large Reg. 6 and NWDC First and Second Level Adult Amateur classes. Also showing in the Reg. 6 and NWDC First and Second Level Amateur classes were Carol and First Dance and Lori and Feldspar. Lori reached some major goals with Rusty at his first championships, placing 5th in the NWDC Second Level, and 10th and 12th in the first level classes. Carol and Boo had a great go of it, placing 3rd in the Reg. 6 Second Level AA, 4th in the NWDC Second Level AA, Reserve Champion in the Reg. 6 First Level AA, and winning the NWDC First Level AA. Valerie and Alma Boy attended their first ever championships, riding just in the NWDC Training Level AA where they placed 10th. Congrats to everyone who went! Hopefully next year we'll be able to properly prepare in the month leading up to championships!


We have been plagued by smoke from the 265,000 acre fire to the south of us for the last month, but we're doing our best to keep the horses going before we leave for championships outside of Portland, OR at Devonwood Equestrian Centre the last weekend in September. Olivia is taking Tess and Rio, Bob is taking Dylan and Orson, Ashley will take Goldie, Carol will take Boo, Lori will take Rusty to his first Championships, and Val will take Alma to their first Championships ever! It will be great fun to meet up with our west side horse friends and their people... wish us luck!


Got behind on show updates! Our last show of the season was back in Missoula at the Powderhouse Dressage Explosion. Olivia took Maximus at training and first levels, earning two 76s and two 77s and won the Training Level Reserve Highpoint and First Level Highpoint. Rio did second level and his first third level score to win both the Second and Third Level Highpoint. Tess did her freestyle and debuted at fourth and was the Fourth Level Highpoint horse. Bob with Dylan and Orson took home the Reserve awards for both Third and Fourth Level. Ashley rode Goldie at first level, Carol rode at First and Second and was the Second Level Reserve Highpoint. Lori took Rusty, Val had Alma, Christina rode Princess and debuted at first level with great scores into the low 70s. Ellen rode JJ, Laura took Wanderer, and Karra rode Dante.


With heavy hearts we said goodbye to Diem on July 2. At 4 months old he was diagnosed with several severe congenital heart defects and was given to a year of age to live. While he fainted regularly, he enjoyed a full and unencumbered life and lived to five and a half years old. Early in the morning while trotting with his neighbor friend he suffered a major heart attack. He is buried at the barn amongst some trees with his favorite things, grain and horse treats. Diem was extraordinary, my "soul dog", and I spent nearly 24 hours a day with him through all of our time together. I am sad for him and for myself that he had to leave so soon, but he can run wild and free forever now. Take care dear Diem, until I see you again...



In mid-July a small group of us went back to Spokane Sport Horse Farm in Washington. Bob took Orson at third and fourth levels to put up mid 60s scores and was the Third Level Reserve Highpoint Horse. Olivia took Gaudenzia (Tess) at third level and did her third level freestyle to earn scores between 71 and 74% as well as the PFG Good Seat and Hands Award. Sandie took Max at first and second levels, and though he jumped out of the arena in one of her best tests, the pair got some of their highest scores of the season! Carol and Boo did first and second level and won the Dover Medal Award both days as well as the Second Level Reserve Highpoint! It was nice to have a relaxing show for once! Next month we have a show in Missoula and a show in Spokane and then we're done until Championships in September.

At the beginning of July we took a group of 13 horses to the Powderhouse Dressage Explosion show in Missoula at the park. It was near 100 degrees each day! Bob took Orson at third level and was the Reserve Champion Third Level horse and he also took Dylan out at fourth level and was the Fourth Level Champion. Olivia took Gaudenzia (Tess) at third level and did a freestyle for the first time and they were Third Level Highpoint Champions. Olivia also took Indro out at second and first levels and put up scores from 72 to 73% in every class to win First and Second Level Highpoints. She also took Quibus (Maximus) at training and first and earned scores between 70 and 72 and was Training Level Highpoint Champion and First Level Reserve Champion. Laura took Wanderer out at Intermediare 1 to earn a 67%(!) and did an I-1 Freestyle and was the FEI Highpoint Champion. Also attending were Ashley and Goldie at first level, Christina and Princess at training, Val and Alma also at training, Ellen and JJ at second level, Carol and Boo at first and second levels and they were Second Level Reserve Champions, Lori and Rusty at first and second levels, and Sandie and Max also at first and second levels. Despite the heat, everyone got some of their best scores of the year! Congrats to our group!

The following weekend we went to Spokane. How good to be back! Bob again took Dylan and Orson at third and fourth levels and scored in the low to high 60s. Orson was the Fourth Level Reserve Champion and Dylan was the Third Level Reserve Champion and won the Top Scoring Horse Bred and Shown by Competitor award. Olivia took Maximus, who scored in the low to high 70s and was the First Level Highpoint Champion and Training Level Reserve Champion and helped to win the Good Hands and Seat Award. Rio scored in the high 60s to low 70s at First and Second Level and was the First Level Reserve Champion and Second Level Highpoint Champion. Ashley and Goldie scored in the low to mid 60s at First and Second Level. Ellen rode just one day and put up low 60s scores at Second Level. Carol and Boo started slow at First and Second level and then won their classes Sunday with scores in the high 60s and low 70s and also won the Dover Medal award. Karra and Dante kept putting up better and better scores. Congrats all! Now we all have a few weeks off until the Missoula show where we won't have to drive but 20 minutes from the barn! 

Over the second weekend in July we took a total of 13 horses to the Dressage at Rebecca Farm show. In attendance was Bob with Orson and Dylan, Olivia with Gaudenzia, Rio, and Maximus, Ashley with Goldie Hawnflinger, Carol with First Dance, Ellen with Jumping Jack Flash, Lori with Feldspar, Laura with Wanderer, Karra with Dante, Christina with Princess, and Val with Alma Boy. The weather mostly cooperated with cool temps on Saturday and rain on Sunday. Some of the horses thrived, while others... not so much! Maximus returned to the show season after 6 months off, fully recovered from his health fiasco last fall to score between 70 and 79 in training and first level. He was the training level highpoint champion and the first level reserve champion. Rio once again proved himself to not be a cool weather horse and, while occasionally fighting invisible bulls, he scored between a 68 and 72 in first and second levels, and was the First Level Highpoint Champion and Second Level Highpoint Champion. Tess scored between 67 and 72 at third level and was the Third Level Highpoint Champion and helped Olivia win the Good Hands and Seat Award. Dylan seems to be growing up and after only jumping out of the arena once, he scored in the low to mid 60s at Third and Fourth Level and was the Third Level Reserve Champion. Orson's second outing at both third and fourth level saw him to scores in the low to mid 60's as well and he was the Fourth Level Reserve Champion. Goldie was a bit riled at times (with help from Rio), but put up low to mid 60s scores at first and second level. Carol and Boo followed suit, as did Ellen and JJ and Lori and Rusty. Laura and Wanderer scored in the mid to low 60s at their first show of the year at Intermediare 1 and he was the FEI Reserve Champion. Karra took Dante to their first show ever and put up good scores at Training Level, as did Christina and Princess and Val and Alma. Congrats, everyone on a great show with poor weather! 


Our first show of the year was in Billings the last weekend of May. We thought we'd go to region 5 and see a different venue and different horses after almost two decades of going to Spokane. The weather was absolutely horrific. Friday it stayed in the mid 30s with lots of wind and had everything from rain to snow to freezing rain. We woke up to two inches of snow on Saturday that hung around. The arena was basically under water and got more and more slippery as the day went on and the horses dug down to the clay base. The facility was lovely and warm though and we all survived and got to show in down coats for the first time! Olivia took Gaudenzia and for their first time together in 4 years it was quite successful. Tess handled the weather and the footing with her expected grace and scored a 67% at 3-1 and 3-3 the first day, a 64% in 3-2 and hit their stride for a 71% in 3-3 the second day. She was the Third Level Highpoint for Saturday. Olivia also took Rio, whose sensitivity worked against them a little bit in the weather. He went out at second level for the first time and scored a 65% , and then won the 1-3 with a 72% to be First Level Highpoint on Friday. Saturday's 1-3 was fairly messy literally and figuratively in the mud and after only earning a 64% he was scratched from his second ride. Olivia also rode Sandie's SE Galliano in his first 2-3 on Friday in sideways freezing rain and scored a 67%. Olivia was the Highpoint Open Rider for the show. Bob took Orson out at third and fourth level for the first time and scored a 69% at 3-3 and a 67% at 4-3 to win the Third Level Highpoint for Friday. On Saturday Orson struggled a bit more in the mud and scored in the low 60s in each test. Bob also took Dylan, who dropped back to third and fourth level after almost a year off. Dylan scored a 68% in the 3-3 and a 69% in 4-3 on Friday to be the Fourth Level Highpoint. Saturday he scored a 62% in both tests and was again 4th Level Highpoint. Ashley took the Haflinger Goldie Hawnflinger out for the first time in a few years and did Second for the first time and First Level. They won the Dover Award both days! Lori rode Feldspar to some good scores, including a 72% in a class on Friday and was the Adult Amateur Highpoint for the weekend. Sandie and SE Galliano and Carol and First Dance also rode First and Second level with good scores on Friday and decent scores considering the footing on Saturday. The drive home was long and snowy and mildly frightening, but the first show of 2012 is behind us!! 


At the end of May we went to the 4th Annual Backcountry Horseman's Expo at the park for our yearly dressage demo. This was the first year that Olivia had to leave the ever reliable Joust behind. Passado, whose reputation precedes him, took his place. Laura and Fabian also went and ended up doing 95% of the demo by themselves due to Pik have a 30 minute meltdown over the various wagons and parks being pulled around the park. He was able to show the Grand Prix moves that Fabian doesn't yet know at the very end before continuing with his unraveling, but otherwise it was a fairly epic failure. Thank goodness Laura was there or there wouldn't have been a whole lot to watch! Perhaps next year will be better? 



2011

Our trip to Regional and Northwest Championships this year came with its ups and downs. Olivia had to leave behind her most competitive mount, the friesian Maximus, when he fell ill about a week before we left. He is recovering now but the timing could simply not have been worse! Carol Mavros also had to vet out just days before leaving when Boo hurt himself. Also such bad timing! So Bob with Gaudenzia (Tess) and Olivia with Indro (Rio) made the trip alone. Temperatures were in record highs (101!!) over the week in Nampa, Idaho, but it was somewhat of a nice change from the constant downpour we've been used to at Championships. Bob and Tess rode in the Northwest and GAIG/USDF Region 6 second level and third level championship open classes with great results! In the Northwest Second Level Open, Tess came in 5th with a 65% after a bit of a troublesome test, but then redeemed herself in the GAIG/USDF Region 6 Second Level Open by placing as the Reserve Champion with a 68% -- just .3% out of first!! She also was the Northwest and Region 6 Champion Third Level Open Champion with a 66% both times! It was a great way for her to go out with Bob, as the ride has now been handed back over to Olivia. 
Olivia and Rio rode in both the GAIG/USDF Region 6 and Northwest Championships at Training and First Level Open with some tough competition. Rio came in 7th place with a 65% in the Region 6 First Level, 5th place with a 66% in the Northwest First Level, took third in the Northwest Training Level with a 72% (just 1.3% out of first!), and were the GAIG/USDF Region 6 Training Level Reserve Champions with a 70.6% (just a mere, frustrating .2% out of first!)  ---- We hope to return next year with a big group of students and horses at Championships at Devonwood outside of Portland, OR!


Our last show of the year before Championships was again in Spokane. Bob took Ellen's JJ, Merlin, and Tess, and had great results and scores into the high 60s through Third Level. Carolyn and Chewy went out at 4th for the second time, Carol and Boo attended, as well as Ashley and Orson, who also put up scores into the high 60s! Now we all have a month to clean up some tests and fine tune movements before Olivia with Rio and Maximus, Bob with Tess, and Carol with Boo make the drive to Nampa for Championships! 

In the beginning of August the barn took 11 horses to the Missoula dressage show. Olivia rode Rio, who had the highest score of the show with a 75%, Pik/Passado who scored up to 65 at I1, and Maximus who continues to have a very successful year! Bob rode Tess and Ellen's JJ, Ashley rode Orson, Carolyn rode Chewy at 4th for the first time and got their first of four Silver Medal scores! Sandie rode Max to get her highest scores of the year, as did Carol. Laura and Wanderer rode their freestyle for the first time, and Valerie and Alma put up great scores as an event rider at Training Level. In the end, Olivia was Training Level Highpoint with Rio, Maximus was First Level Highpoint, and Passado was FEI Highpoint. Olivia was also the Highpoint Open Rider. Bob was Second and Third Level Highpoint with Tess, Chewy and Carolyn were 4th Level highpoint, and Carol was Adult Amateur Highpoint! Congrats to everyone! Only one more show left before Regionals!

In the middle of July we went back to Spokane yet again. Olivia took Chewy out at 4th level for the first time and scored in the mid 60s, and she and Passado went out at Intermediare 1 to score in the low 60s and Intermediare 2 where things kind of fell apart! Bob took Tess and Merlin to put up more good scores, Ashlet took Orson out at Second and Third level for the first time, both of them debuting at Third, with good scores. Carolyn showed Chewy at 3rd, Sandie took Max out at First, Carol and Boo were continueing to acquaint themselves with Second level, Laura went out at Intermediare 1 with Wanderer to get their best career scores at this level and qualified to do an I1 freestyle!


Over Father's Day weekend in June we all went to Spokane. Bob took Passado out at Intermediare 2 and Merlin out again at Training and First Level, getting good scores into the high 60s. Ashley took her Orson at Second Level and debuted at Third Level with good scores! Olivia took Rio and Maximus again, with the two sharing the highest score of the show with a 72%. Rio was the Training Level Highpoint Champion, narrowly missing the Reserve for First Level, and Maximus was Training Level Reserve Highpoint and First Level Highpoint Champion. Olivia also won the PFG Good Seat and Hands Award. Also attending with good qualifying scores were Sonia and Alek at First and Second Level, Laura and Wanderer at Intermediare 1, Ellen and JJ at First and Second Level, and Carol and Boo at First and Second Level!


A week after our first show in Spokane we went to Kalispell for Dressage at Rebecca Farm. Bob took Gaudenzia (Tess) at Second and Third Level and won the highpoint in both divisions. He also took Fourth Dimension (Merlin) for his first dressage show and put up good scores at Training and First level. Olivia took the Andalusian Rio and the Friesian Maximus again. Rio ended up as First Level Highpoint Champion and Training Level Reserve Highpoint Champion and Maximus scored up to 77% to be Training Level Highpoint Champion, missing the First level Highpoint because he jumped out of the arena in one test! Olivia also won the PFG Good Seat and Hands Award which is awarded to the rider who exhibits the most classical and effective seat and hands. Also in attendance were Sandie and Max, who, despite some tack issues, had great rides and scored into the 60s. Carol and First Dance (Boo) went out at First and debuted at Second Level! Ellen and JJ did First and Second Levels along with Sonia Hansen and Alerik! Sandie won the Adult Amateur Highpoint Award and Sonia won the Junior/Young Rider Highpoint Award and the Second Level Reserve Highpoint Award! Great job everyone!

Our first show was the Spokane Spring Dressage Show in Spokane, Wa. In attendance was Bob and horses Passado and Dylan, Olivia with horses Indro, Quibus fan Beabuorren, and Pikachu, Sandie with SE Galliano, and Carolyn with Pikachu. Dylan debuted at Prix St. Georges with scores in the high 50s, and Passado (Pik) went out at Intermediare 1 and 2 with similar scores. Olivia's Indro (Rio) and Quibus (Maximus, owned by Catherine Lindbeck) debuted at their first dressage show! Maximus had scores between 71 and 77% and won the Training Level and First Level Highpoint Awards. Rio was a little hot and tense but scored in the high 60s and low 70s to be First Level Reserve Highpoint. Pikachu debuted at 4th level under Olivia to earn mid 60s scores and the Fourth Level Res. Highpoint Award! Under Carolyn at 3-3 he scored in the mid 60s as well. Sandie and Max had scores into the mid 60s at First Level, too. We were glad to put the first show behind us! 


Summer has arrived and we are all gearing up for another great show season. Our first outting as a group will be to the Horsemen's Expo at the Equestrian Park on the 21st of May. In past years just Olivia and Joust rode the demo with Bob narrating to demonstrate Training through Grand Prix movements, however this year roughly 8 of us will go with horses of all breeds and levels. Should be interesting to coordinate everyone at once (assuming the pack mule team that goes before us doesn't rattle all the horses first!) Join us at 11:30 for what will surely be entertaining!
We then go the following weekend to Spokane, and the again the first weekend in June to Rebecca Farm. Just about everyone is looking to debut at the next level. With Joust now retired from competition, Olivia has turned her sights to two new baroque horses. "Indro", a 5yr old Andalusian owned by Olivia, will be going to his first ever show at Training and First Levels, and "Quibus fan Beabuorren" (Maximus) a 6yr old Friesian owned by Catherine Lindbeck, will be changing disciplines for his first dressage show at the same levels. Bob will also be looking to take "Fourth Dimension" (Merlin), a 7yr old Oldenburg, to his first shows at the same levels. 

Good luck to everyone and may all your rides be forward and through! 




2010
Year End Awards!
Vintage Horse of the Year:
Bob and Orson, 12th at First Level, 67.303% median
All-Breeds:
Ashley and Goldie, American Haflinger Association First Level Adult Amateur and Open Champion, 63.553% median
Ashley and Goldie, American Haflinger Association Training Level Adult Amateur Champion and Open Reserve Champion, 67.9% median
Bob and Orson, American Warmblood Society First Level Open Reserve Champion, 67.303% median and Third Place at Second Level Open with a 63.75% median
Carol and Boo, American Pinto Horse Association, Training Level Adult Amateur Champions, 66.8% median; First Level Adult Amateur Champions, 65.789% median; as well as taking the Open division at both levels
Sandie and Max. International Andalusian and Lusitano Horse Association Training Level Adult Amateur Champions, 65.2% median; and Third place at Training Level in the Open division.



Northwest and Region 6 Championships!

Our last trip of the year took us to Auburn, WA for the Northwest and Region 6 Championships. The program listed 231 horses that came from Montana, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Arizona, and even Canada. Bob took Ashley Preston's draft cross Orson and his own Hanoverian mare Gaudenzia. Olivia took her own Dutch gelding Joust and it was the pair's final trip down centerline as Joust is now retired. Ashley Preston took her Haflinger mare Goldie and it was Goldie's first time at Championships. Another first timer, Theresa took her Friesian cross mare Galiea. Also, Carol Mavros took her Pinto gelding First Dance. The trip was a success despite a 9 hour drive and rain everyday that made the arenas muddy and in some cases hold big puddles. The results are as follows:
Orson finished in 7th place in the Northwest First level Championships with a 66% and in 7th place for the Northwest Second Level Championship with a 61%. In the Region 6 Championships he finished in 4th for First Level and Second Level with scores of 67% and 63%, respectively.

Gaudenzia had a rough go the first day through the puddles and finished in 9th place in the Northwest Third Level Championship with a 56%. She redeemed herself with a 63% in the Northwest Second Level Championship to finish in 3rd. She finished 9th in the Region 6 Championship at Third Level with a 62% and 3rd again in the Region 6 Championship at Second Level, just above Orson, with a 63%.

Joust's last championships were a great success for him in both the Grand Prix Open and the Grand Prix Freestyle classes. In the Northwest Championship Grand Prix he finished as Reserve Champion with a 59%. The Northwest Grand Prix Freestyle Championship saw him to 1st place Champion with a 62%. In the Region 6 Freestyle Championship Joust was again Reserve Champion by a slim margin finishing with a 63%. The Region 6 Grand Prix Championship found Joust to be a very tired fellow, but he finished with a 60%, just .03% out of the Reserve Champion placing. A great ending to Joust's long and successful career.

Goldie finished 14th out of 26 in the NW First Level Adult Amateur Championships with a 58% and placed 5th out of 21 horses in the NW Training Level Adult Amateur Championship with a 67%. In the Region 6 First Level AA Championship she finished 14th out of 28 horses with a 62%. In the Region 6 Training Level AA Championship Goldie finished in 12th out of 23 with a 61%.

Carol and Boo rode in the same classes as Ashley and Goldie. In the NW Training Level the pair finished 6th with a 66% and finished in 9th place with a  61% for the NW First Level. In the Region 6 First Level they received a 63% for  10th place and an 8th place in the Region 6 Training Level with a 63%. They also won their Open Show First Level class with a 66%!

Theresa and Galiea went for the first time. They finished 14th in the Region 6 Training Level with a 61% and 11th in the NW Training Level with a 63%.
They also finished 5th in the Open Show First Level with a 61%.

Nice job everyone!!