Despite the unseasonably cold and very windy weather, Chestnut Hill horses and riders managed to stay calm and focused and netted impressive results!  Six championships, five reserve championships and three medal blues with four medal reds – a terrific tally.

Tylor Nowell had a great show, her highlights included bringing home both the championship and reserve in the Children’s Hunter 13 & Under division on her two new horses, an age group equitation championship, blues from three medals, and a reserve championship on her large pony, “Otteridge Black Hawk.”

Caroline Robbins and her pony, “Right on Time,” brought in their fair share of prizes as well, including championships in the Pony Equitation, and Small/Medium Pony Hunter divisions, a red, yellow and white from three medals.

Daphne and Lucie James each won a reserve championship – Daphne and “Canterbury Brightlight” in Small/Medium Pony Hunter and Lucie and Helicon Fiesta in Cross Rail Equitation.  Kat Taylor and “Maximus” were champions in their Adult Amateur division and also did well in the equitation ring with a second in the PCHA Horsemanship medal.

Congratulations to all competitors and their horses and ponies!

Alexandra Polidora (center) is just one of the many happy riders to hear that assistant trainer Katy Hull (left) will be returning to Chestnut Hill on June 1st after spending the last year in Singapore.  Trainer Beverly Jovais (right) is also delighted.  Katy will focus on riding and giving lessons, and will help manage the barn while the rest of the team is away at shows.  While in Singapore, Katy volunteered at the Riding for the Disabled Association, a therapeutic riding program for disabled kids and adults.

Olivia Jovais (above), the second of trainer Beverly and husband Chris Jovais’ three daughters, graduated from Emory University in Atlanta last weekend.  Olivia majored in Cultural Anthropology and minored in Spanish, and most impressive – she graduated Phi Beta Kappa!  Each year, only about one percent of college seniors, nationwide, are invited to join this prestigious academic honor society.

A huge congratulations to Olivia on this major accomplishment, and good luck on her future endeavors. Congratulations to proud parents Bev and Chris (below with Olivia) as well!

Headlines from the first Woodside show of the season include six championships, three reserve championships, and lots of great medal ribbons.  For a full accounting, click on “Results” in the navigation bar!  Congratulations to all participants – horses and riders alike.

Congratulations to Tylor Nowell on the purchase of Too Cool, a six-year-old 15.3 1/2 hand Hanovarian gelding.  Look for this new team in the Children’s Hunter division, and you’ll also see “Ernie” with assistant trainer Katharina Coleman aboard in the First Year division.  A big thank-you to trainer Scott Stewart for this kind, lovely and talented horse.  Good luck Tylor and “Ernie!”

2009 Antares, Sellerier de France 16″ Close Contact Jumping Saddle for sale.  A beautifully maintained saddle, that is just one year old and in exceptional like-new condition.  It shows little if no wear and is made of full calfskin leather.  It has knee and thigh blocks, and padded knee rolls.  The saddle has an extra 5mm of padding added to the normal 20mm thickness of the front half-panels in contact with the horse.  The flap reads “”09 339,” “MADE IN FRANCE” over “Q O N 16 E” over “RAV +5 M20,” which translates as a 16″ narrow twist deep seat with a regular tree and a regular short flap. $3,600.00 (Plus shipping and insurance.)

FOR ADDITIONAL INFO AND MORE PHOTOS:  Email: kerfin@aol.com or call 415-305-5931

2006 Butet of Saumur, France 16″ Close Contact Custom Jumping Saddle.  A beautifully maintained saddle in excellent used condition, with only the slightest wear to it.  It has full grain leather flaps, with French calf leather on the seat and the padded knee rolls.  There are no thigh or knee blocks for even closer contact with the horse.  The flap reads “”P 16,” over “1 879 06,” over “MADE IN FRANCE,” which translates as a 16″ flat seat with a medium/regular tree and a regular #1 flap.  Butet seats run large and this one measures closer to 17″.  $2,700.00 (Plus shipping and insurance.)

FOR ADDITIONAL INFO AND MORE PHOTOS:  Email: kerfin@aol.com or call 415-305-5931.

Congratulations to Blaire Kingsley on the purchase of Biarritz, a nine-year-old 16.2 hand Oldenburg gelding.  Look for this new team in the junior hunter division.  A big thank you to trainer Michael Tokaruk for this talented horse.  Good luck Blaire and “Fritz!”

Congratulations to Tylor Nowell on the purchase of Proverb – an eight-year old, 16.2 hand Warmblood gelding.  Look for these two in the children’s equitation and medal rings.  A big thank you to Mindy Darst for this very special horse!  Good luck Tylor and “Teddy!”

Riders (from left to right) Alexa Varaday (on Tommy Jovais), Dina Smith (on Toto) and Mia Rudick (on Lorelei) joined the rest of the Chestnut Hill participants in giving the two-day clinic with Olympian Buddy Brown a huge thumbs up.  Buddy (pictured above) started out with a thorough review of the mechanics of a horse’s body, and how a rider’s aids affect those mechanics.  He went on to practice in a variety of positions – full seat, 3/4 seat, half seat and “cowgirl.” He encouraged every participant to think about how their breathing affects their communication with their horse and practiced special techniques to make the rider more effective.  He also often found creative specific fixes for position problems with individual riders.  In addition to offering a wealth of knowledge and ideas, Buddy’s fun, approachable and positive personality made the event a hit.

Congratulations to Bridget Twomey on the purchase of fellow Chestnut Hill rider Blaire Kingsley’s horse – Grasshopper!  The dappled grey Warmblood gelding is a very special horse, and it’s great news that he will remain in the barn.  Good luck to Bridget and “Hopper” in the Adult Amateur division!