Congratulations to Kaylin Faidi on the purchase of her new pony, Lakeview Minuet, a 10 year-old Welsh pony.  Look for “Cookie” and Kaylin in the medium hunter and equitation divisions this year.  Thanks to Kim Stewart, Stacey Schaefer and Ben Guanciale for this great pony.  

Congratulations to sisters Lucie and Daphne James on their lease of “Hal.” Lucie will show him in the short stirrup division, and Daphne will show him in the small pony division. Thanks to Corrine Miller and Huntover and Mark Bone for this lovely Welsh pony.

Chestnut Hill riders won reserve champion in the Pre-Green Hunter, Children’s Pony Hunter, Short Stirrup Pony Hunter and Schooling Pony Hunter divisions.  Grace McLaughlin and Capito, won the very competitive CPHA Foundation Equitation Medal.  Blaire Kingsley and Gran Turismo brought home the red ribbons in the PCHA 14 & Under and National Child Medals.  Bridget Twomey was awarded the prestigious “Best Adult Rider” award.   Click on “Results” for a full listing! 

Congratulations to Dina Smith on her purchase of “Limo,” a 15 year-old Thoroughbred. Look for Limo and Dina in the Modified Adult Hunters. Thank you to Laura Gerst for this wonderful horse.

Chestnut Hill riders brought home championships and reserves in the Adult Amateur Hunters 18 – 45, Short Stirrup Pony, Schooling Pony Hunter and Training Hunter divisions.  Ashely Delgado was third in the USEF Pony Medal and WIHS Pony Medal.  Blaire Kingsley and Gran Turismo were third in the National Child Medal, 4th in the Marshall & Sterling Child Medal, and sixth in the CPHA Foundation Equitation and PCHA 14 & Under Medals.  Grace McLaughlin and her new equitation mount Capito, placed third in the CPHA Child/Adult Medal.

Congratulations to Bridget Twomey on the purchase of “Brady,” an 8 year-old Oldenburg. Look for this new pair in the Adult Amateur division. Thank you to Jeff Katz for this wonderful horse.

Dressage rider and trainer Tanya Vik gave a two-day clinic to Chestnut Hill riders on February 2 and 3rd. Vik competed in the 2007 Intermediare Championships in Gladstone, NJ and recently earned a spot on the Developing Rider List for the USET. Clinic participants were given private one-on-one coaching, working on goals appropriate for their horse and ability. Pictured below: Tanya on her horse Divinity 3 at the 2007 Gladstone Championships.

Thirty-year veteran horse trainer and judge, Otis Brown gave a two-day clinic for Chestnut Hill riders on January 26 & 27. An alternate for the 1964 Pan American Games, and trainer of four Olympic riders, Brown brought his unique blend of humor, passion for training and unrelenting perfectionism to the clinic. Pictured below: Otis Brown, Kat Taylor on Olivier, Ligeia Polidora on Incanto, assistant trainer Katharina Coleman, trainer Beverly Jovais, Bridget Twomey on Finishing Touch, and Sidney Conroy on Quattro.

Chestnut Hill riders participated in a clinic with sports psychologist and equitation competitor Tonya Johnston to prepare for the coming show season. The video taped sessions focused on implementing sports psychology techniques – including visualization and setting performance goals – into both flat and jumping exercises. Following the mounted phase, Tonya reviewed each group’s video tape to deepen the lessons learned. Pictured below: Josey Hamren on Sausalito, trainer Beverly Jovais, Blaire Kingsley on Gran Turismo, Tonya Johnston, and Grace McLaughlin on Olympic.

Congratulations to Grace McLaughlin on the lease of Capito, a 13-year old Holsteiner. Thanks to Holly Scapa for this delightful horse. Look for Grace and Capito in the children’s equitation and medal rings in ‘08!