As always, Matt was very busy during the last half of 2008 with competition, clinics, and exhibitions. Thanks go out to our clinic host facilities in New Jersey, Virginia, Texas, and Florida for their wonderful hospitality. Of particular note was the amazing dedication of the riders for the November clinic in New Jersey where temperatures forced Matt to borrow a ski suit to stay warm. Matt is looking forward to revisiting these facilities in 2009, although we may delay New Jersey until ski suits are no longer required.
Pecos was IALHA National Champion at 3rd and 4th level in 2008 with scores in the high 60s. We were also very proud of Pecos’ technically accurate performances at the USDF regional championships where he was fourth place at 4th level. He also did well at his first Prix St. George test in December. Over the last year, we have been impressed at the evolution in dressage judging to appreciate the qualities of non-warmblood competitors. However, there are still a few judges out there who make showing Andalusians a challenge.
Matt and his crew finished off our 2008 exhibition schedule with appearances in the Concert of Dancing Horses at the American Royal in Kansas City, Missouri, and the Central Florida Horse Expo in Ocala, Florida. Pecos is busy training for the first appearance of his Garrocha act in Pennsylvania. He has also been hard at work moving up the levels in dressage, and made a valiant effort for his first one tempi changes last week. Del Amor is also working on his flying changes and should be ready to compete in the upcoming show season.
Our Bay P.R.E stallion Enamorado joined Matt’s entourage in Florida after the IALHA championships. Once Enamorado figured out that neither Matt nor the bugs were life threatening, he appears to have decided being in training and having all night turnout is not such a bad thing after all. We also welcomed two new Lusitano geldings, Versatil and Vento. They are currently training at 2nd level and will make a welcome addition to our competition and sales horse programs. Their affectionate personalities and natural abilities are an excellent match for their new pasture mate, Coral. While Coral is in charge and always gets first dibs on hay, Vento and Versatil keep Coral on his toes with their extended trot and passage competitions. Lucky for Coral, the mares who judge this competition are partial to older, more experienced, and slightly crotchety gentlemen.
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