Elimika Sport Ponies
April 28th, 2010-
Wow has the time flown by, we are full swing into spring and looking towards summer activities. An update has been long overdue! I recently had the pleasure of working with Wylie’s dam, Fieldstreams Chelsea Cooper, to restart her under saddle after her successful breeding career. Keep your fingers crossed for one more full sibling to Wylie for next year. I have also started two Section B welsh ponies under saddle who are a future driving pair. Owned by Sarah Bates of New York, they are lots of fun and very adorable, I will post pictures of them soon!
New video has been posted on youtube of Wylie and updates have been made to both Wylie and Merlot’s sales pages. Please check out the videos at www.youtube.com/elimikasportponies. If you are on facebook, please join the Elimika Sport Ponies fan page as that may be updated more frequently with pictures and show results! http://www.facebook.com/Elimika. More news to come as show season is approaching and the ponies finish shedding their winter coats!
October 24th, 2009-
The show season is officially done for Elimika Sport Ponies. We finished up strong at Dressage at Devon with Wylie earning 6th place in the suitability for four year olds and 8th place in the four year old stallion and gelding materiale class.
I was very pleased with how rideable Wylie was in the challenging environment of the Devon showgrounds. He placed well among the groups of high quality horses and had a great group of fans cheering for “the pony!” Wasabi also showed at Devon in the ISR-Sport Pony class. While it was not his best showing, he continues to impress us with his brave and confident attitude but also willingness to work. Every handler who has worked with Wasabi has commented on how well behaved and cooperative he is. As he matures and relaxes in the show environments he will surely be a show stopper!
After Devon we switched gears and headed down the road to Olde Hope Farms Oktoberfest event! It had been years since I had competed here and forgot how much fun eventing is. We took Clovercroft Come As You R (Lola) to do the elementary horse division. She placed 2nd in dressage
with a 23.6%! She received almost all 7’s and 8’s in a very consistent and elegant test for a three year old. Stadium jumping was a blast but a few overwhelming obstacles on cross country eliminated us from the final placings. I am looking forward to doing more events at Olde Hope in the future!
On a different note, I want to congratulate Irish Tulip on the sale of two ponies that have been on my website. Talywern Casanova, the 5 year old welsh cob has been sold to New Hampshire! I wish his new owner the best of luck in the driving arena with “Cas.” I also send best wishes to the new owners of Clovercroft Come As You R (Lola)! She will be moving to Virginia to continue her training. We hope to see her in the show ring in the coming seasons!
I have had the pleasure of working with Ginny Palmer’s six year old gelding Tucker over the past few months and am excited to share his progress. We got some new photos of him the other week that I had to share! Tucker is by Wicked Courtjester out of a welsh mare.
This coming weekend is the annual fall welsh show at Irish Tulip. Starting Friday the 30th at 9 am, the show will run through Sunday afternoon. There will be breed classes, under saddle performance classes, and open driving classes. There are over 100 ponies entered and activities planned for competitors and spectators. Please see www.irishtulip.com for directions and schedules!
September 20th, 2009-
We are heading out for Dressage at Devon tomorrow and looking forward to one last show before we buckle down and get to some serious training this fall! It has been an enjoyable summer with talented ponies to watch progress and fun events to show off what we have accomplished. 
The latest excitement surrounds the young stallion Wasabi, owned by Rob and Thea Hall. At the Hilltop Farm inspection on August 28th he received his certified breeding license from the ISR-Oldenburg registry with a score of 217 points! This was the second highest score of the six stallions presented. He showed special talent in the free jumping portion of the test where he cleared the final oxer with room to spare! He followed up that outing with a 4th place finish in the ISR-Oldenburg class at the Stone Tavern Breed Show on September 3rd with a 72.3%! He is also going under saddle and we are looking forward to developing him through the off season. Rob and Thea also have two mares in foal to Wasabi for 2010 foals that are sure to be athletic little sport ponies!
Lastly, we welcomed the young gelding Tucker in for training the beginning of this month! Owned by Ginny Palmer of Pennsylvania, Tucker is an adorable chestnut with flaxen mane and tail by Wicked Courtjester out of a welsh mare. He is progressing quickly and may be offered for sale next spring.
August 16th 2009-
It was a hot but successful weekend at the Fair Hill Sport Horse Breed show in Fair Hill, Maryland. Saturday started early with Wasabi’s 
first outing in the 3 year old colts and geldings class. He is pictured at left being handled by Rob Hall. He handled the busy environment well and received 3rd place. He came back in the afternoon for the ISR- Oldenburg class and earned a 70.1% for 5th place. He scored a 7.5 for conformation and a 7.4 on his trot! He will be presented for his certified breeding license at the ISR-Oldenburg inspection on August 28th and 29th at Hilltop Farm.
Saturday afternoon was a highlight as Wylie and I won the Suitability class! He was the only pony in a class of 6! He gets better and better at every show and really impressed the judge with his fancy trot and elegant type. He also earned 2nd 
place in the colt and gelding materiale class with a 68.8%. Sunday afternoon Wylie had another strong showing in the suitability class finishing 2nd and took 4th place in the materiale class. It was fun to have a show a little closer to home as I had a number of friends and family come out to cheer me on! Thank you to all that were there to share in the ponies progress and success!
August 1st, 2009-
A few pictures from the National Dressage Pony Cup in Wilmington, Ohio
Gabrielle, Merlot, and myself after her 3rd place finish with a 68.5% in Intro test A! (Left) Merlot and I getting our picture taken with Judge J. Ashton Moore after winning the pony suitability class. (Right)
Wylie and I during the 4 and 5 year old colt/gelding materiale class on Friday
July 30th 2009-
Just a quick update to share that we arrived safe and sound in Ohio after a 10 hour drive! Wylie settled right in to the routine winning the 4 and 5 year old colt and gelding materiale with a 68.5%! We start first thing in the morning with the open materiale and the pony materiale classes with Wylie. Merlot has his first outing in the show ring in the afternoon in the suitability class. I will post more details tomorrow but time for bed right now!
July 14th 2009-
We arrived back in Maryland on Sunday night after another successful day of showing. Merlot started off the day with a 6.45% in the FEI 4 year old test giving him first place. The judge loved his face and thought he showed great potential. Merlot also pushed through the fatigue to get a 68% in Training test 4 for 4th place. Watermark put in two strong tests and earned a 2nd place in training test 1 with a 64.783%. I am so pleased with all three of the ponies we had at Lexington and am looking forward to the Dressage Pony Cup in Wilmington, Ohio the end of this month!
July 11th 2009-
Another exciting day down here in Lexington! Watermark took 5th place in her training 1 test after tackling some show nerves. Her second test of the day was a highlight as she was consistent and relaxed earning a 68% and placing third in a full class of professionals. Mr. Merlot was up next in our first shot at the FEI 4 year old test. After realizing I memorized the wrong test, we made it through the correct test with the help of Thea’s reading skills and earned a respectable 6.1%. Merlot’s Training level test 4 was much later in the afternoon and the heat and fatigue were challenging. Although we had some tension he scored a 65.5%. The quality of horses and riders at this show is amazing and inspiring. I am looking forward to my rides tomorrow and pleased with the experience I have gained from participating at this show!
July 10th 2009-
Greetings from Dressage at Lexington! The show was off to a great start with mild weather and three talented ponies to present to the judges. I would like to thank Thea Hall and Phyllis Hamilton for giving me the opportunity to show their talented ponies. I would also like to acknowledge Thea Hall for her excellent show organization. Without her, I would not be able to ride so many classes in one weekend!
Wylie Courtjester made his debut in the 4 and 5 year old colt and gelding materiale class and earned a respectable 6th place in a full class of talented horses. The judge even commented on his “amazing canter.” Following the materiale class, I made a quick switch to Mr. Merlot for the 4 year old suitability. With no time for warm-up we went right in to the big colliseum and as always had fun and added a few spectators to our fan club! He received 3rd place. Last to go this morning was the lovely mare Watermark in the 4 and older mares under saddle. She took in the show environment like a pro and held her own against the big mares to earn 3rd place! Rounding out the afternoon, Watermark returned to the colliseum for the 4 years and older yeld mares class. Handled by Bruce Griffin of Griffin Sport Horses, she earned 4th place with a 69.1%. I am looking forward to a full day tomorrow and will post results in the evening!
June 15th 2009-
On June 13th and 14th Mr. Merlot and I had a fun weekend at our first recognized show of the season, 
DVCTA Dressage at Fair Hill. We competed in training level test 3 and 4 on both Saturday and Sunday with hopes to receive a qualifying score for the GAIG Region 1 Championship. Competing for the first time in the open division as a professional, Merlot and I proved we can compete with the big boys by winning all 4 tests. His final test of the weekend, training level test 4, earned an outstanding 74.4% from judge Brian Ross. He received two 9’s and numerous 8’s for his forward and free movements. This was the highest score of the entire show and earned us the high score training level award as well as the high score young horse award! Many thanks to groom Gabrielle DiRusso for helping make the weekend a success. Look for Merlot to be competing in the FEI Test for 4 year olds as well as first level later this summer.
Also this past weekend, Clovercroft Come as You R attended the
Bel Air Welsh Classic and was Reserve Champion Adult Hunter! This was her first time competing over fences. Thanks to Susie Eastman for doing a lovely job presenting this mare.
On the first of this month we welcomed Phyllis Hamilton’s beautiful mare Watermark in for training. Watermark (pictured right) is a seven year old Wicked Courtjester mare that has produced two outstanding foals and is a talented performance pony as well. She will be offered for sale so please check the sales page for updates.
May 29th 2009-
Mr. Merlot has had a busy month showing under young rider Gabrielle DiRusso. Gabrielle is an eager young rider developing her skills in dressage and combined training. She is a member of St. Augustine Pony Club and has goals to
compete up the levels in eventing. She and Merlot attended the Welsh Show in Harrington, DE on May 16th and brought home the Champion title of the Half Welsh Pleasure division. This was only Gabrielle’s 3rd time riding Merlot! Also in this division was Clovercroft Come as You R in her under saddle debut. She brought home the reserve champion prize! The following weekend Gabby took Merlot to the USPC schooling show at Fair Hill and won her Intro B test with a stellar score of 68% and earned a 65.7% in Training 1.
May 21st 2009-
I am pleased to share the arrival of Wylie’s half brother, Ferrari Flame! A stunning bay colt that is by Forrest Flame out of the Connemarra x Thoroughbred mare Fieldstreams Chealsea Cooper was born on May 19th. This colt is owned and bred by Teresa Schmehl. He will be inspected and branded ISR-Oldenburg Sport Pony later this summer and is offered for sale.
May 15th 2009-
The show season is rolling along and I have great results to share. On April 25th it was 90 degrees for the Delaware Pony Club schooling show at Fair Hill. It was a strong outing for Mr. Merlot and Wylie. Wylie scored a 75% in his first introductory test. The lovely picture of Wylie on the home page was taken in the warm up at Fair Hill! I was very pleased with how he handled the environment and am looking forward to more outings with him. Mr. Merlot was the star of the day winning his training level test 3 with a 76.4% for the highest score of the entire show and followed up with a 69.6% in training level test 4.
May 2nd took us to Dressage at Blue Waters in Chesapeake City where once again Merlot came out on top! He received first place in both tests with scores of 68.8% in training 3 and a 72% in training 4. He was training level champion and high score of the entire show. Merlot is consistently receiving 8’s on gaits! At the same show, Wylie was in the Sport Horse Prospect class and while working through his show nerves was able to show the judge his beautiful gaits and earned a 7.8%.
April 20th 2009-
So much has happened in the last month! The long awaited spring weather has arrived and brought with it many changes for Elimika Sport Ponies. It is with great excitement that I announce the newest addition to Elimika Sport Ponies, Wylie Courtjester. I have fallen in love with Wylie's talent and personality over the past month, and he will be my personal competition pony. Check back often for show results. Many thanks to Teresa Schmehl for breeding and raising Wylie. Wylie’s dam, Field Streams Chelsea Cooper, is expecting a foal by Forrest Flame next month!
We also welcomed Kay Dommel’s mare, Forte, into training. Forte is a lovely five-year-old mare by Forrest Flame. She will be transitioning from her western
lifestyle into a show pony.
I would like to congratulate Thea and Rob Hall on their success in the driving arena, with a new mare Nova (pictured right). Nova has been in a conditioning program which gives her the ability to work through all three phases of combined driving events.
Due to the growing number of ponies in training, I have made the decision to move Elimika Sport Ponies to a full time operation, run out of Irish Tulip Equestrian Center! This lovely facility has the amenities needed to give ponies a well rounded program. Thanks to Thea and Rob Hall for accomodating my growing business. Of course,
I would not be successful if it weren't for my mentors, Linda Santomenna and Emily Covington. I have enjoyed my years at Blue Waters Farm, and will be forever thankful for the education I received from such talented and genuine people.
Guiding Eyes Annabelle, a female black lab born on January 7th, was delivered to me at the end of March. She is a smart and enthusiastic puppy that is destined for great things.
March 20th 2009-
This year is off to a great start. For my spring cleaning I have re-done the website to keep it simple and informative. I will be making updates to the sales page so stay tuned. In an effort to make more frequent updates I will make this news section more casual. Recent show results, new ponies, and other happenings will be posted here. I am looking forward to the show season and am excited to share the lovely ponies I have in training with you.
Merlot is going well with two schooling shows under his belt and so far has not been outscored. At his latest show, Winter Dressage Fest at C-Line Stables, he earned the Training Level champion prize with two scores in the 70%’s. We will be doing more shows, both schooling and recognized so watch this page for results.
I am happy to welcome Wylie back to Blue Waters Farm after some time off. He quickly got back in the routine and has matured a lot over the winter. Many thanks to Teresa Schmehl for giving me the opportunity to work with such a talented pony.
Things have been busy over at Irish Tulip Equestrian Center. In the early stages of the starting process are three young ponies. Wasabi (pictured below), by Wicked Courtjester, is an e
xciting stallion prospect who will be started under saddle this spring and presented to the ISR Oldenburg registry as well as the North American Sport Pony Registry for his breeding license. Wicked Z is a lovely sport pony mare who came to me in January. After having two foals it is time for Z to add riding to her list of talents. The current plan is to start her under saddle and offer her for sale. Lastly, Clovercroft
Come as you R a.k.a. Lola is an adorable half welsh filly that will make a wonderful childrens hunter pony. She will be added to the sales page as soon as we get some pictures.
Completely unrelated but still very exciting is the recent graduation of Vale, the puppy I raised for Guiding Eyes for the Blind. Vale, a lovable black lab is now a guide dog working in Massachusetts with his blind owner Brian. After attending the graduation ceremony and seeing what a difference these dogs can make in a persons life, I will return to the puppy raising group in Delaware to begin the journey of raising my third Guiding Eyes puppy.
