Endurance Practice (3/21/20)

The quarantine is really getting to a lot of us, including me. Luckily, today felt like summer outside. I just couldn’t stay in the house: So I decided to bring some horses with me. It’s epic photoshoot time (I took a LOT of photos of this ride)! I hope you enjoy!

~~~

It’s time for endurance practice! Usually just Ida and Lolly go, but today Adele and Maggie decided to join in. They started by mounting up in front of the barn,(Friends give friends a leg up!)

and riding about a half mile down the road to the state park where they have endurance practice. Since OTR’s trails are limited, the best endurance practice they get is there.

 

Lolly explained before getting on the trail that the ride is going to last about 5 hours, and will be done all at a walk to conserve the energy of the horses who aren’t used to going so long. And so it is more relaxing, allowing the riders and horses to enjoy the new spring sun!The crew leaves the road and starts on the trail. Jet is the most spunky of the crowd, for sure, and enjoys leading the pack.

from front to back: Ida and Jet (Paint It Black), Lolly and Bel-lah, Maggie and Dee (Travelin Dee), Adele and Moonshade.this first section was edged by boulders but otherwise open to the sun.

The next section went up into the arrays of boulders. The trail was narrow and steep. It was only a short section, so it didn’t cause too much trouble. Jet and Ida handled this like pros! Dusty and dirty already, Jet?

After the tough, cramped rocky section the trail opened up into a broad, sunny field. Lolly cantered ahead to scope out the route, then let everybody catch up.
(it took me a while to notice the huge awesome cloud in the background of this one!!)

Their left turn led them to a loop which passed through a hedge-lined section…(get Moonshade off of Jet’s Butt, Adele! Although Jet apparently doesn’t seem to care.)

…then to a shadier, narrower path lined with dense vegetation…

 

Ida opted to practice navigating through this vegetation. Jet wasn’t sure, but it made for some great photos…

the end of the loop led them back to the original path, by going over a little hill.

They began walking the opposite direction, back where they came, but this time they took a different turn that would also lead them to the road.

flirting, possibly…?

This turn led past a big brick wall, where the crew had a short break.

While Lolly/Bel-lah and Ida/Jet do this all the time, Dee and Moonshade had never done a long ride like this. Dee is a Paint lesson horse and broodmare that we adopted as an ID from Gubbera Park. Lately, she has been doing a few longer rides (she got to go to Blue Whale Equestrian for a couple weeks during the summer and do some beach rides) and Maggie wanted to join, Dee was her pick. Lolly challenged Adele to ride a greener horse for this ride: Moonshade is the teeny-tiniest Pintabian, who is beginning to test the waters of endurance. Both of them were tired by the end, but had fun by the looks of it. what on Earth is Ida thinking about…?  She looks a bit concerned.(Lolly opted to ride bridle less today.)

After the break they rode back the rest of the way to the road, which led them back home.

Like I said previously, the state park is where most of the OTR riders do a lot of their hardcore endurance prep, so you may see them come back here soon! I want to do more of these “practice” posts of the riders doing their thing, not just in endurance, but in other disciplines. I wasn’t very concerned with realism, as you could probably see, but I did have a blast taking these photos (or maybe I wouldn’t have taken so so many, haha!)

My yard in the suburbs is small, and surrounded by houses on all sides. However, I did find some special places to take photos, and I got giddy over a few of them! I’m looking forward to summer, when I can do this more often, especially at the beach. Let me know in the comments what you would like to see next (of if there is a specific horse you would like to see under saddle!!). See you soon!

bonus photo: I put them all on the counter with the fruit after the photoshoot and boy, do they look exhausted! I think it’s time for food and naps, guys.

 

A Little Crazy

Hello everyone! I know it’s been awhile, but I’m here!

I have been trying to get my thoughts in order for the past few weeks regarding the things I need to do and post around my model horse hobby, real ponies that I need to ride, and schoolwork I need to do.

I have done a little, including updating the WFHR to include Hippocampus, posting Other Breeds meets and entering a few horses for races on the Board, and the like. However I still do have a lot I need to do: First of all I still haven’t posted the results for the February 29th flat race meets (super slacker, right?) and I still haven’t posted the classlist for the next hunter/jumper competition. I also have the WFHR/ABRB Fantasy Marathon going on for three years’ worth of competitions from three different disciplines. In addition, there are a few pedigrees I need to finish, and I have been wanting to make detailed pages for every horse on my stud list if I get to it and do general tidying up around the website to make it more professional. There are lots of messy little things that bother me.

That being said, there are also real ponies: my horse, Sierra, has recently done something to one of her hind legs while gyrating in her paddock and we are suspecting it to be some sort of suspensory issue. I have been in and out of the barn to take care of Sierra, ride different horses and help out as much as possible. I have ambitions to join an equestrian team when I hit college so I have been dedicating time to getting my riding up to par.

today I walked by her stall and found this: “you person, you are interrupting my nap…”

Lastly, the elephant in the room: schools are closed in South Carolina and pretty much everywhere else because of the pandemic. I have seven classes to keep up with: AP Bio, Latin 3, AP US History, Orchestra (I’ve been playing cello for almost a decade, fun fact!!), Algebra 2, Digital Art, and AP Literature. I’m a high school junior and having 3 AP Exams to prepare for, plus a major orchestra competition, has taken up a lot of my time.

Well! That was a lot of rambling! My apologies for all that. Are you guys having the same problem because of this pandemic??

The point is, like a lot of people my head is going in all directions so it may take me longer than usual to get things done. However, my hobby and the awesome community I am in touch with through the ABRB and elsewhere keeps me coming back to say hi every day!

Thanks guys for bearing with me. I will do my best to get everything back on track, and for everyone who is also dealing with the pandemic, stay safe. I’ll be back very soon!

Show Summary- Winter Premiere 2020

Thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s Winter Premiere! The summary for this show has been long overdue, but I am super excited to present it! Enjoy!

GENERAL SUMMARY

A general description of the goings-on of the show!

Weather and Atmosphere

The weather on the day of the show was in the middle range for a South Carolina winter, partly cloudy with a low of 38 degrees and a high of 54 degrees. Like most days, it was colder and cloudier in the morning and sunnier in the afternoon. The horses and riders definitely appreciated the occasional warm sunbeam while waiting for their rounds. Since we had participants from all over the world, some people were shivering and some were shedding their layers! For us, a single coat on top of one’s show shirt would suffice. There were limited tourists who came to watch the show, since it had been a while since the last one was hosted, but those that did come found it to be well worth the drive.

Competitors

It should also be noted that this Winter Premiere show in 2020 holds the record for the most visiting stables to attend an OTR Hunter/Jumper show, with a grand total of seven stables coming to compete! What a turnout! The judges and spectators enjoyed seeing some familiar faces from shows past, and a huge crop of brand new competitors and riders!

Facility

The OTR Main Branch, in South Carolina, USA, where the show was hosted, is our biggest and most show-friendly facility. The classes were held in the two outdoor show arenas that are close to the front of the property, which are side by side and have a roofed viewing area in between. Hunters was held in one ring, and Jumpers in another. As the sun was setting, we obliged with our tradition of turning on the string lights along with the arena lights in preparation for the Grand Prix and Hunter Derby. Throughout the day, our guests pulled their trailers into the large field adjacent to the show arena and warmup arena. Exhibitors were also welcome to bring their tack and horses into our heated indoor arena to tack and untack as well as cool off their horses after a day of showing or take pictures with their earnings.

 

STABLE SUMMARIES

These summaries were contributed by individual stables who competed. I absolutely love receiving these and I enjoyed reading and looking at pictures from different stables!

Koni Zavod

Postpalominik, our 4-year-old Ukranian riding horse coming in for untacking. He was entered for the Hunter cross-rails & green horse classes, mostly to get him a little more used to the hustle and bustle of a show, and to gauge how his training is coming along. He’s a quiet, obliging colt at home, but clearly found the new environment more worthy of his attention this time around than the obstacles presented.

Our 6-year-old Shetland Burrafirth Sionnach being cooled. A calm mare broke to ride and drive, usually serving to teach our youngest riders, surprised us this time by coming in 2nd in the Jumper cross-rails. She’s usually either speedy or careful, but rarely both at once!

Like these two, all of our horses participating were green competitors entered to get a taste of the showgrounds and test their training. Clean jumps or good placings were not expected; bending an ear the rider’s way too among all the excitement would, for now, have been quite enough. Still, two youngsters surprised us with their efforts in particular: Ciupaga, the 4-year-old Felin pony, who has shown enthusiasm for jumping throughout her schooling, showed indeed excellent promise by bringing in a Champ & Reserve Champ in the Hunter cross-rails & Green hunter classes. We’d initially wondered whether we were piling too much on in entering her in four classes, but she continued onto the entry-level jumpers too with good concentration and fair results. Who knows what will become of that little thing, growing up! For Otklik, our rather hot 4yo Russian riding horse, it did take the first, cross-rails jumping class to start listening rather to cues than the neighs of fellow colts. Once he got his bearings, though, he brought a clear round in the 2’ jumpers class, winning that one. Well done Klik! For the rest of our youngsters, the event proved an excellent exercise in recalling past training, and while their placings were nothing to boast, we are happy of their efforts as green horses.

 

Mitchell Horse Farm

ANA BAKER AND TAKODA PRIDE- 1st in 2’9 Jumpers

It hasn’t been long since I got back from England with Takoda, as we always go for a bit every year. It’s good practice. Apparently, our trip home was more beneficial than we thought. Takoda has always been a good horse, but pulling an overall win in 2’9 Jumpers was unexpected. I am so incredibly happy with Takoda, and I’m so excited to see how the rest of this season goes in both eventing and jumpers! 

-Ana Baker, Takoda Pride’s owner, and rider

THE MANDALORIAN AND RYAN MCDERMITT- Overall Champ in 1m Jumpers

New horse, new me. That’s what Olivia said, at least. When I started riding The Mandalorian (better known around the barn as Mando), I knew I wanted to quit dressage for a while. Heck, why ride dressage when you have a horse like Mando? Mando really has been a great horse for me, and I just keep learning from him. He’s fast, he’s naughty, but he’s insanely talented, and never fails to teach me something new. These few rounds with Mando were dreamy to say the least and through all the bucks and little tail swishes, those were some of the best rounds I’ve ever had. So, it seems that I finally have a great jumper horse on my hands. 

-Ryan McDermitt, Trainer and Rider of The Mandalorian

QUEEN Z AND OLIVIA MCDERMITT- Overall 1st in 1.05 Meter Jumpers

For Z’s first non-racing competition, I would say that went pretty well. Z has always been a jumper. She raced pretty well, but when I retired her I immediately taught her to jump. And she wasn’t herself when we won. She was WAY quieter and WAY more relaxed than usual. Z is usually an extremely over-the-top mare, throwing bucks, rearing at start gates, and doing dirty stops when she wants to. But I’m not complaining. The amount of scope this horse has is insane, and I’m excited to see where she goes. I’m sure she’ll be great in every way. 

-Olivia McDermitt, Queen Z’s Owner And Rider

 

OTR Stable

We were so excited to start a brand new season of hunter/jumpers by hosting our very own show series! We have been working hard since our last show to make a good debut for the season, but we also made sure to not put too much pressure on our riders. We received a lot of new riders who wanted to learn to jump, and had their first show day with us! Thus, some of our sport ponies were moved from more advanced riders to a schoolmaster role, providing our riders with generally dependable mounts. Below My Little Maya, who finished her sport-pony training last season with Maggie Tollison, is seen With Abel Salyer. It was Abel’s first series of classes over fences, and she said “I would do it again any day.”

Razzel Dazzel is also a proven Hunter mount, who jumped up to top-level hunters with Jack Hillmore. Since Razzel has completed his Hunter training, Jack has begun showing our green Canadian Sport Pony, Burglar of Banff. Razzel, meanwhile, before taking up comps with Jack later in the day, was an amazing first mount for one of our new riders, Dominique Andrada. She won a flat class and completed several good trips over fences at her first show!

Outside of the hunter ring, some of our other riders who compete in eventing or dressage could be seen in the jumper ring. Below is Golden Girl Roxy with owner/rider Amanda Norwood.

Overall, this show was a low-pressure, positive experience for our riders. We enjoyed a barn party after the Grand Prix, and everyone says that they are excited to compete again, so we think we did something right!

 

 

Next Show…

What an awesome Winter Premiere it has been! I am super thrilled with the turnout of horses and stables, and therefore I want to host my next show very soon! The Amethyst Horse Show will be on February 29th (entries close Feb. 28th), also taking place at OTR Main Branch. I will post the classlist two or three days after this post releases (likely Friday or Saturday. I may be slightly delayed due to my stewarding of ABRB races.) We will see you then!

 

Winter Premiere 2020 RESULTS

Whew! Results are finally in for this year’s Winter Premiere! What an exciting show it has been! If you missed out on this one, don’t worry! There is a full season of shows still to come!

Submissions for show summaries are hugely appreciated! Send me a blurb or short story about how your stable did overall or from the point of view of one of your riders, illustrations or photo-show style performance entries of your horses performing or with their awards, or anything else you can think of! Send me your submissions before February 14th via email, comment, or ABRB message system. Thank you!

Here are your results!

 

LOWER LEVEL HUNTERS

Hunter Cross Rails

Round 1 (over fences)

1. Black Market Baby- KZ, rb H. Hurtley
2. My Little Maya- OTR, rb Abel Salyer
3. Postpalominik- KZ, rb J. Sevtschuk 
4. Ciupaga- KZ, rb P. Pelka
5. Burrafirth Sionnach- KZ, rb F. Flint
6. Yanjarra Classic Occasion- GP, rb M. Slingsby

      Unplaced: Dakota Starlight (TVF), CR Golden Tehfat++++/ (GRR), Ba Siri (GRR), Bombel  

      Woda (KZ), Penny Blossom (GRR)

Round 2 (over fences)

1. Ciupaga- KZ, rb P. Pelka 
2. My Little Maya- OTR, rb Abel Salyer 
3. Yanjarra Classic Occasion- GP, rb M. Slingsby
4. CR Golden Tehfat++++/- GRR, rb S. Parkington 
5. Black Market Baby- KZ, rb H. Hurtley
6. Ba Siri- GRR, rb K. Kittredge

      Unplaced: Burrafirth Sionnach (KZ), Bombel Woda (KZ), Dakota Starlight (TVF), Penny   

      Blossom (GRR), Postpalominik (KZ)

Round 3 (flat)

1. Penny Blossom- GRR, rb M.McIntire
2. Bombel Woda- KZ, rb M. Maskiewicz
3. CR Golden Tehfat++++/- GRR, rb S. Parkington 
4. My Little Maya- OTR, rb Abel Salyer
5. Yanjarra Classic Occasion- GP, rb M. Slingsby
6. Postpalominik- KZ, rb J. Sevtschuk

      Unplaced: Ciupaga (KZ), Ba Siri (GRR), Dakota Starlight (TVF), Burrafirth Sionnach (KZ),                                             

      Black Market Baby (KZ)

CHAMPION My Little Maya, 6yo Quarter Pony Mare, pedigree pending

Owner: OTR Stable

Rider: A. Salyer

RESERVE CHAMPION Ciupaga, 4yo Felin pony mare, pedigree pending

Owner: Koni Zavod

Rider: P. Pelka

 

Green Horse Hunter 18” (new starters only)

Round 1 (over fences)

1. Ciupaga- KZ, rb P. Pelka
2. Surly Kin- GRR, rb O. Hope
3. Black Market Baby- KZ, rb H. Hurtley
4. Spirit- GRR, rb M. McIntire
5. Burglar of Banff- OTR, rb Jack Hillmore
6. What Even- ZS, rb P. Shooter

      Unplaced: Bombel Woda (KZ), Our Dance (BCS), Postpalominik (KZ), Reilly’s Gold 

      Princess (GRR), Yanjarra Classic Occasion (GP)

Round 2 (over fences) 

1. Postpalominik- KZ, rb J. Sevtschuk
2. Our Dance- BCS, rb Danny Bailey
3. Bombel Woda- KZ, rb M. Maskiewicz
4. What Even- ZS, rb P. Shooter 
5. Ciupaga- KZ, rb P. Pelka
6. Surly Kin- GRR, rb O. Hope

      Unplaced: Black Market Baby (GRR), Yanjarra Classic Occasion (GP), Reilly’s Gold 

      Princess (GRR), Spirit (GRR), Burglar of Banff (OTR)

Round 3 (flat)

1. Ciupaga- KZ, rb P. Pelka 
2. What Even- ZS, rb P. Shooter
3. Spirit- GRR, rb M. McIntire
4. Our Dance- BCS, rb Danny Bailey
5. Black Market Baby- KZ, rb H. Hurtley
6. Burglar of Banff- OTR, rb Jack Hillmore

      Unplaced: Yanjarra Classic Occasion (GP), Postpalominik (KZ), Bombel Woda (KZ), Surly 

      Kin (GRR), Reilly’s Gold Princess (GRR)

CHAMPION  Ciupaga, 4yo Felin pony mare, pedigree pending

Owner: Koni Zavod

Rider: P. Pelka
RESERVE CHAMPION What Even, 10yo Thoroughbred Mare (St Reims -r x Hey What The -r, Hey Baba Riba -r)

Owner: Zovi Stables

Rider: P. Shooter

 

Hunter 18”

Round 1 (over fences)

1. Dakota Starlight- TVF, rb Jaden Constable
2. Penny Blossom- GRR, rb M.McIntire
3. My Little Maya- OTR, rb Abel Salyer
4. Aragorn- TVF, rb Thomas Kramer Hunter 
5. Ba Siri- GRR, rb K. Kittredge
6. CR Golden Tehfat++++/- GRR, rb S. Parkington 

      Unplaced: Tickled Pink (OTR), Gwyneira (TVF), Nora’s Snowbird (OTR)

Round 2 (over fences)

1. Aragorn- TVF, rb Thomas Kramer Hunter
2. Ba Siri- GRR, rb K. Kittredge
3. Gwyneira- TVF, rb Sal Berntsen
4. My Little Maya- OTR, rb Abel Salyer
5. CR Golden Tehfat++++/- GRR, rb S. Parkington 
6. Dakota Starlight- TVF, rb Jaden Constable

      Unplaced: Tickled Pink (OTR), Nora’s Snowbird (OTR), Penny Blossom (GRR)

Round 3 (flat)

1. Aragorn- TVF, rb Thomas Kramer Hunter
2. Nora’s Snowbird- OTR, rb Ellie Hanover
3. My Little Maya- OTR, rb Abel Salyer
4. Penny Blossom- GRR, rb M.McIntire 
5. Ba Siri- GRR, rb K. Kittredge
6. CR Golden Tehfat++++/- GRR, rb S. Parkington

      Unplaced: Dakota Starlight (TVF), Gwyneira (TVF), Tickled Pink (OTR)

CHAMPION Aragorn (Ledinjadon Tuxedo -r x Land End’s Hermia -r)

Owner: Thundervalley Farm

Rider: Thomas Kramer Hunter

RESERVE CHAMPION My Little Maya, 6yo Quarter Pony Mare, pedigree pending

Owner: OTR Stable

Rider: A. Salyer

 

Hunter 2’

Round 1 (over fences)

1. Set Fire To The Rain- TVF, rb Mary Hummel 
2. Nora’s Snowbird- OTR, rb Ellie Hanover
3. Tickled Pink- OTR, o/rb Adele Marshall 
4. Gwyneira- TVF, rb Sal Berntsen 
5. Aragorn- TVF, rb Thomas Kramer Hunter 
6. Razzel Dazzel- OTR, rb Dominique Andrada

      Unplaced: Bejeweled (TVF)

Round 2 (over fences)

1. Tickled Pink- OTR, o/rb Adele Marshall 
2. Set Fire To The Rain- TVF, rb Mary Hummel 
3. Gwyneira- TVF, rb Sal Berntsen 
4. Razzel Dazzel- OTR, rb Dominique Andrada
5. Aragorn- TVF, rb Thomas Kramer Hunter 
6. Nora’s Snowbird- OTR, rb Ellie Hanover

      Unplaced: Bejeweled (TVF)

Round 3 (flat)

1. Razzel Dazzel- OTR, rb Dominique Andrada 
2. Set Fire To The Rain- TVF, rb Mary Hummel 
3. Nora’s Snowbird- OTR, rb Ellie Hanover
4. Aragorn- TVF, rb Thomas Kramer Hunter
5. Tickled Pink- OTR, o/rb Adele Marshall
6. Gwyneira- TVF, rb Sal Berntsen

      Unplaced: Bejeweled (TVF)

CHAMPION Set Fire To The Rain, 4yo Appaloosa Sporthorse Mare (Maluti Tobys Many Moons -r x Confetti Rain)

Owner: Thundervalley Farm

Rider: Mary Hummel

RESERVE CHAMPION Tickled Pink, Welsh Pony Gelding (pedigree pending)

Owner: OTR Stable

Rider: Adele Marshall

 

Hunter 2’3”

Round 1 (over fences)

1. Sauli- TVF, rb Grier McAlastair
2. Calendar Girl- OTR, rb Steven Hanes
3. Tickled Pink- OTR, o/rb Adele Marshall
4. Razzel Dazzel- OTR, rb Dominique Andrada
5. Legally Blonde- TVF, rb Dan Krastev

Round 2 (over fences)

1. Calendar Girl- OTR, rb Steven Hanes
2. Sauli- TVF, rb Grier McAlastair
3. Razzel Dazzel- OTR, rb Dominique Andrada 
4. Tickled Pink- OTR, o/rb Adele Marshall
5. Legally Blonde- TVF, rb Dan Krastev

Round 3 (flat) 

1. Sauli- TVF, rb Grier McAlastair 
2. Calendar Girl- OTR, rb Steven Hanes
3. Legally Blonde- TVF, rb Dan Krastev
4. Razzel Dazzel- OTR, rb Dominique Andrada 
5. Tickled Pink- OTR, o/rb Adele Marshall

CHAMPION Sauli, 4yo American Sporthorse stallion (Zillionair -r x Rakastan)

Owner: Thundervalley Farm

Rider: Grier McAlastair
RESERVE CHAMPION Calendar Girl, Dutch Warmblood Mare (pedigree pending)

Owner: OTR Stable

Rider: Steven Hanes

 

Hunter 2’6”

Round 1 (over fences) 

1. Calendar Girl- OTR, rb Steven Hanes
2. MHF Zarabella- MHF, rb Emily Jones
3. Sauli- TVF, rb Grier McAlastair 
4. Legally Blonde- TVF, rb Dan Krastev

Round 2 (over fences) 

1. MHF Zarabella- MHF, rb Emily Jones
2. Calendar Girl- OTR, rb Steven Hanes
3. Legally Blonde- TVF, rb Dan Krastev
4. Sauli- TVF, rb Grier McAlastair

Round 3 (flat)

1. Legally Blonde- TVF, rb Dan Krastev
2. MHF Zarabella- MHF, rb Emily Jones
3. Sauli- TVF, rb Grier McAlastair 
4. Calendar Girl- OTR, rb Steven Hanes

CHAMPION MHF Zarabella, 2003 (15yo) Shetland x Connemara Mare, no pedigree

Owner: Mitchell Horse Farm

Rider: Emily Jones

RESERVE CHAMPION Calendar Girl, Dutch Warmblood Mare (pedigree pending)

Owner: OTR Stable

Rider: Steven Hanes

 

Hunter 2’9”

Round 1 (over fences)

1. MHF Magnum’s Pineside Denver, rb Callie Johnson
2. Razzel Dazzel- OTR, rb Jack Hillmore
3. MHF Jigsaw Puzzles, rb Nadia James 

Round 2 (over fences)

1. Razzel Dazzel- OTR, rb Jack Hillmore
2. MHF Jigsaw Puzzles, rb Nadia James
3. MHF Magnum’s Pineside Denver, rb Callie Johnson 

Round 3 (flat)

1. Razzel Dazzel- OTR, rb Jack Hillmore 
2. MHF Magnum’s Pineside Denver, rb Callie Johnson
3. MHF Jigsaw Puzzles, rb Nadia James

CHAMPION Razzel Dazzel, Quarter Pony gelding, pedigree pending

Owner: OTR Stable

Rider: Jack Hillmore

RESERVE CHAMPION Magnum’s Pineside Denver, 2006 (12yo) Welsh Pony Stallion (Brookside Pink Magnum -r x MHF Brooke) 

Owner: Mitchell Horse Farm

Rider: Callie Johnson

 

Hunter 3’

Round 1 (over fences)

1. MHF Magnum’s Pineside Denver, rb Callie Johnson
2. Razzel Dazzel- OTR, rb Jack Hillmore

Round 2 (over fences) 

1. MHF Magnum’s Pineside Denver, rb Callie Johnson
2. Razzel Dazzel- OTR, rb Jack Hillmore 

Round 3 (flat) 

1. Razzel Dazzel- OTR, rb Jack Hillmore
2. MHF Magnum’s Pineside Denver, rb Callie Johnson

CHAMPION Magnum’s Pineside Denver, 2006 (12yo) Welsh Pony Stallion (Brookside Pink Magnum -r x MHF Brooke) 

Owner: Mitchell Horse Farm

Rider: Callie Johnson

RESERVE CHAMPION Razzel Dazzel, Quarter Pony gelding, pedigree pending

Owner: OTR Stable

Rider: Jack Hillmore

 

UPPER LEVEL HUNTERS

Hunter 1.00

Round 1 (over fences)

1. Razzel Dazzel- OTR, rb Jack Hillmore
2. Laramora- SSS (OTR), rb Kathy Atkins

Round 2 (over fences)

1. Laramora- SSS (OTR), rb Kathy Atkins
2. Razzel Dazzel- OTR, rb Jack Hillmore 

Round 3 (flat)

1. Razzel Dazzel- OTR, rb Jack Hillmore
2. Laramora- SSS (OTR), rb Kathy Atkins

No champ/reserve due to low entries

 

Hunter 1.05

Round 1 (over fences)

1. Calendar Girl- OTR, rb Ruby Summerfield
2. Laramora- SSS (OTR), rb Kathy Atkins

Round 2 (over fences) 

1. Calendar Girl- OTR, rb Ruby Summerfield
2. Laramora- SSS (OTR), rb Kathy Atkins

Round 3 (flat)

1. Laramora- SSS (OTR), rb Kathy Atkins
2. Calendar Girl- OTR, rb Ruby Summerfield 

No champ/reserve due to low entries

 

Hunter Derby 1.10

Round 1 (over fences)

1. Calendar Girl- OTR, rb Ruby Summerfield
2. Laramora- SSS (OTR), rb Kathy Atkins

Round 2 (over fences) 

1. Laramora- SSS (OTR), rb Kathy Atkins
2. Calendar Girl- OTR, rb Ruby Summerfield

Round 3 (flat)

1. Calendar Girl- OTR, rb Ruby Summerfield 
2. Laramora- SSS (OTR), rb Kathy Atkins

No champ/reserve due to low entries

 

LOWER LEVEL JUMPERS

Horses with names underlined had a clear round. Horses who go clear in the first round advance to the jump-off to determine the winner. The placings of the class are shown below the results of the two rounds. Results from the two rounds are not included on your horse’s DoD, just placings. DC (Double Clear) indicates that the horse had two clear rounds in a row.

 

Jumper Cross-rails

Round 1

1. Ciupaga- KZ, rb P. Pelka 
2. Burrafirth Sionnach– KZ, rb F. Flint 
3. Burglar of Banff- OTR, rb Chelsea Taylor 
4. Vinka- KZ, rb J. Jaseva

Jump-off

1. Ciupaga- KZ, rb P. Pelka 
2. Burrafirth Sionnach- KZ, rb F. Flint 

PLACINGS

1. Ciupaga- KZ, rb P. Pelka (DC)
2. Burrafirth Sionnach- KZ, rb F. Flint 
3. Burglar of Banff- OTR, rb Chelsea Taylor 
4. Vinka- KZ, rb J. Jaseva

 

Green Horse Jumper 18” (new starters only)

Round 1

1. Vinka– KZ, rb J. Jaseva 
2. What’s Up– ZS, rb P. Shooter 
3. Phantasmal Dream- BCS, rb Sherry Bailey
4. Ciupaga- KZ, rb P. Pelka
5. Jolly Roger- OTR, rb Emelia Moore
6. Burglar of Banff- OTR, rb Chelsea Taylor

      Unplaced: Dutch Roll (KZ), Otikik (KZ)

Jump-off

1. Vinka– KZ, rb J. Jaseva 
2. What’s Up- ZS, rb P. Shooter 

PLACINGS

1. Vinka- KZ, rb J. Jaseva (DC)
2. What’s Up- ZS, rb P. Shooter 
3. Phantasmal Dream- BCS, rb Sherry Bailey
4. Ciupaga- KZ, rb P. Pelka
5. Jolly Roger- OTR, rb Emelia Moore
6. Burglar of Banff- OTR, rb Chelsea Taylor

      Unplaced: Dutch Roll (KZ), Otikik (KZ)

 

Jumper 18”

Round 1

1. Burglar of Banff– OTR, rb Chelsea Taylor 
2. Clothlar*- GP, rb H. Reynolds
3. Aspen Blue- OTR, rb Lucy Martin

No jump-off (only 1 horse clear)

PLACINGS

1. Burglar of Banff- OTR, rb Chelsea Taylor 
2. Clothlar*- GP, rb H. Reynolds
3. Aspen Blue- OTR, rb Lucy Martin

 

Jumper 2’

Round 1

1. Otikik– KZ, rb S. Zvonets
2. Set Fire To The Rain- TVF, rb Mary Hummel
3. Aspen Blue- OTR, rb Lucy Martin
4. Kiiara- TVF, rb Dell Noy
5. Jolly Roger- OTR, rb Emelia Moore
6. Bejeweled- TVF, rb Philip Weiss

      Unplaced: Dutch Roll (KZ)

No jump-off (only 1 horse clear) 

PLACINGS

1. Otikik- KZ, rb S. Zvonets
2. Set Fire To The Rain- TVF, rb Mary Hummel
3. Aspen Blue- OTR, rb Lucy Martin
4. Kiiara- TVF, rb Dell Noy
5. Jolly Roger- OTR, rb Emelia Moore
6. Bejeweled- TVF, rb Philip Weiss

      Unplaced: Dutch Roll (KZ)

 

Jumper 2’3”

1. Mister Mistoffelees– TVF, rb Riley Howard 
2. Aspen Blue- OTR, rb Lucy Martin
3. Kiiara- TVF, rb Dell Noy
4. Clothlar*- GP, rb H. Reynolds 
5. MHF Adrian– MHF, rb Emily Jones
6. MHF Jigsaw Puzzles- MHF, rb Nadia James

Jump-off:

1. Mister Mistoffelees– TVF, rb Riley Howard
2. Kiiara– TVF, rb Dell Noy
3. Aspen Blue– OTR, rb Lucy Martin
4. Clothlar*– GP, rb H. Reynolds
5. MHF Adrian– MHF, rb Emily Jones

PLACINGS

1. Mister Mistoffelees- TVF, rb Riley Howard (DC)
2. Kiiara- TVF, rb Dell Noy (DC)
3. Aspen Blue- OTR, rb Lucy Martin (DC)
4. Clothlar*- GP, rb H. Reynolds (DC)
5. MHF Adrian- MHF, rb Emily Jones (DC)
6. MHF Jigsaw Puzzles- MHF, rb Nadia James

 

Jumper 2’6”

Round 1 

1. Mister Mistoffelees– TVF, rb Riley Howard
2. MHF Tony Stark, rb Olivia McDermitt
3. Golden Girl Roxy– OTR, rb Amanda Norwood
4. MHF Rebel Child, rb Nadia James
5. MHF Adrian, rb Emily Jones
6. Maeve- TVF, rb Kelcey Vernon

      Unplaced: Barnard 33 (MHF), Cocoa Kola (MHF)

Jump-off: 

1. MHF Tony Stark, rb Olivia McDermitt
2. Golden Girl Roxy– OTR, rb Amanda Norwood
3. MHF Adrian, rb Emily Jones
4. Mister Mistoffelees- TVF, rb Riley Howard 
5. MHF Rebel Child, rb Nadia James

PLACINGS

1. MHF Tony Stark, rb Olivia McDermitt (DC)
2. Golden Girl Roxy- OTR, rb Amanda Norwood (DC)
3. MHF Adrian, rb Emily Jones (DC)
4. Mister Mistoffelees- TVF, rb Riley Howard 
5. MHF Rebel Child, rb Nadia James
6. Maeve- TVF, rb Kelcey Vernon

      Unplaced: Barnard 33 (MHF), Cocoa Kola (MHF)

 

Jumper 2’9”

Round 1

1. Cocoa Kola– MHF, rb Aubrey Grey
2. MHF Rebel Child, rb Nadia James
3. Takoda Pride- MHF, rb Ana Baker
4. MHF Tony Stark, rb Olivia McDermitt 
5. Gyda- TVF, rb Sasha Hollis
6. Lennon- TVF, rb William Cande

      Unplaced: Maeve (TVF), Snowmane (MHF), Golden Girl Roxy (OTR), Barnard 33 (MHF)

Jump-off: 

1. Takoda Pride- MHF, rb Ana Baker
2. MHF Rebel Child, rb Nadia James
3. Cocoa Kola- MHF, rb Aubrey Grey

PLACINGS

1. Takoda Pride- MHF, rb Ana Baker (DC)
2. MHF Rebel Child, rb Nadia James (DC)
3. Cocoa Kola- MHF, rb Aubrey Grey
4. MHF Tony Stark, rb Olivia McDermitt 
5. Gyda- TVF, rb Sasha Hollis
6. Lennon- TVF, rb William Cande

      Unplaced: Maeve (TVF), Snowmane (MHF), Golden Girl Roxy (OTR), Barnard 33 (MHF)

Jumper 3’

Round 1

1. Lennon– TVF, rb William Cande
2. Golden Girl Roxy- OTR, rb Amanda Norwood
3. Barnard 33– MHF, rb Olivia McDermitt
4. Snowmane– MHF, rb Aubrey Grey 
5. MHF Running With Scissors, rb Chelsea Jones
6. Gyda- TVF, rb Sasha Hollis

      Unplaced: Takoda Pride (MHF)

Jump-off: 

1. Golden Girl Roxy– OTR, rb Amanda Norwood
2. Lennon– TVF, rb William Cande 
3. Barnard 33– MHF, rb Olivia McDermitt
4. Snowmane- MHF, rb Aubrey Grey 

PLACINGS

1. Golden Girl Roxy- OTR, rb Amanda Norwood (DC)
2. Lennon- TVF, rb William Cande (DC)
3. Barnard 33- MHF, rb Olivia McDermitt (DC)
4. Snowmane- MHF, rb Aubrey Grey 
5. MHF Running With Scissors, rb Chelsea Jones
6. Gyda- TVF, rb Sasha Hollis

      Unplaced: Takoda Pride (MHF)

 

UPPER LEVEL JUMPERS

Horses with names underlined had a clear round. Horses who go clear in the first round advance to the jump-off to determine the winner. The placings of the class are shown below the results of the two rounds. Results from the two rounds are not included on your horse’s DoD, just placings. DC (Double Clear) indicates that the horse had two clear rounds in a row.

 

Jumper 1.00

Round 1

1. MHF Armed And Dangerous, rb Aubrey Grey
2. Valentino– OTR, rb Raye Lawson
3. The Mandalorian– MHF, rb Ryan McDermitt
4. Pine’s Black Pearl– OTR, rb Chelsea Taylor 
5. MHF Running With Scissors, rb Chelsea Jones
6. Snowmane- MHF, rb Aubrey Grey

       Unplaced: Queen Z (MHF), MHF Apollo 11 (MHF)

Jump-off

1. The Mandalorian– MHF, rb Ryan McDermitt
2. Pine’s Black Pearl- OTR, rb Chelsea Taylor
3. MHF Running With Scissors, rb Chelsea Jones
4. MHF Armed And Dangerous, rb Aubrey Grey
5. Valentino- OTR, rb Raye Lawson

PLACINGS 

1. The Mandalorian- MHF, rb Ryan McDermitt (DC)
2. Pine’s Black Pearl- OTR, rb Chelsea Taylor
3. MHF Running With Scissors, rb Chelsea Jones
4. MHF Armed And Dangerous, rb Aubrey Grey
5. Valentino- OTR, rb Raye Lawson
6. Snowmane- MHF, rb Aubrey Grey

       Unplaced: Queen Z (MHF), MHF Apollo 11 (MHF)

 

Jumper 1.05

Round 1

1. Pine’s Black Pearl– OTR, rb Chelsea Taylor 
2. MHF Apollo 11, rb Chelsea Jones
3. Queen Z– MHF, rb Olivia McDermitt 
4. Valentino- OTR, rb Raye Lawson
5. The Mandalorian- MHF, ridden by Ryan McDermitt
6. Loki- MHF, rb Ryan McDermitt

      Unplaced: Python (OTR)

Jump-off

1. Queen Z– MHF, rb Olivia McDermitt 
2. MHF Apollo 11, rb Chelsea Jones
3. Pine’s Black Pearl– OTR, rb Chelsea Taylor

PLACINGS

1. Queen Z- MHF, rb Olivia McDermitt (DC)
2. MHF Apollo 11, rb Chelsea Jones (DC)
3. Pine’s Black Pearl- OTR, rb Chelsea Taylor (DC)
4. Valentino- OTR, rb Raye Lawson
5. The Mandalorian- MHF, ridden by Ryan McDermitt
6. Loki- MHF, rb Ryan McDermitt

      Unplaced: Python (OTR)

 

Jumper 1.10

Round 1

1. MHF Armed And Dangerous, rb Aubrey Grey 
2. Loki- MHF, rb Ryan McDermitt 
3. MHF Apollo 11, rb Chelsea Jones 
4. Python- OTR, o/rb Monica Nelson
5. August Holland- OTR, rb Frida Gowens

No jump-off (only 1 horse clear) 

PLACINGS

1. MHF Armed And Dangerous, rb Aubrey Grey 
2. Loki- MHF, rb Ryan McDermitt 
3. MHF Apollo 11, rb Chelsea Jones 
4. Python- OTR, o/rb Monica Nelson
5. August Holland- OTR, rb Frida Gowens 

Jumper 1.20

Round 1

1. Pretend Ima Bay– OTR, rb Ruby Summerfield 
2. Roma Fade– OTR, rb Lolly Lawson
3. August Holland- OTR, rb Frida Gowens

Jump-off

1. Roma Fade– OTR, rb Lolly Lawson
2. Pretend Ima Bay- OTR, rb Ruby Summerfield

PLACINGS

1. Roma Fade- OTR, rb Lolly Lawson (DC)
2. Pretend Ima Bay- OTR, rb Ruby Summerfield
3. August Holland- OTR, rb Frida Gowens

 

Jumper 1.30

1. MHF Traveller, rb Olivia McDermitt
2. August Holland– OTR, rb Frida Gowens
3. Pretend Ima Bay- OTR, rb Ruby Summerfield
4. Roma Fade- OTR, rb Lolly Lawson
5. MHF Indian Rocker, rb Chelsea Jones 

Jump-off

1. MHF Traveller, rb Olivia McDermitt
2. August Holland- OTR, rb Frida Gowens

PLACINGS

1. MHF Traveller, rb Olivia McDermitt (DC)
2. August Holland- OTR, rb Frida Gowens
3. Pretend Ima Bay- OTR, rb Ruby Summerfield
4. Roma Fade- OTR, rb Lolly Lawson
5. MHF Indian Rocker, rb Chelsea Jones 

 

Jumper Grand Prix 1.50

Round 1

1. Roma Fade– OTR, rb Lolly Lawson
2. MHF Indian Rocker rb Chelsea Jones
3. MHF Sure Shot, rb Olivia McDermitt
4. Pretend Ima Bay- OTR, rb Ruby Summerfield
5. MHF Traveller, rb Olivia McDermitt

No jump-off (only 1 horse clear) 

PLACINGS

1. Roma Fade- OTR, rb Lolly Lawson
2. MHF Indian Rocker rb Chelsea Jones
3. MHF Sure Shot, rb Olivia McDermitt
4. Pretend Ima Bay- OTR, rb Ruby Summerfield
5. MHF Traveller, rb Olivia McDermitt

Jan 25th Hunter/Jumpers- 2020 Winter Premiere Show!

This competition is now closed. If you didn’t get around to entering, there will be another next month! Results will be out shortly.

turnout for this competition is tremendously high: 7 stables have entered horses! I am so thrilled, thank you to everyone who entered! 

ENTRIES ARE NOW OPEN! Get yours in before Saturday, JAN 25th to compete!
Comment below this post, PM me via the Board if you are a member, or email me at awhitm5590@greenvilleschools.us with your entries! Classlist is below.Welcome to a brand new season of Hunter/Jumpers!!! I hope you guys are as excited as I am!! The 2020 Winter Premiere is here and its going to be a good one! Anyone and everyone is welcome to enter, along with any kind of horse. If you’re new to these competitions, make sure to read the guidelines pages:
https://otrbreyers.wordpress.com/how-to-enter/
https://otrbreyers.wordpress.com/hunter-jumper-guidelines/.  https://otrbreyers.wordpress.com/photos-2/

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me before entering.

CLASSLIST

Hunters

Each division shown below, except for the Hunter Derby, consists of three separate classes: two rounds over fences, and one flat class. The Hunter Derby consists of one round over fences. Green Horse entrants should be horses who have never competed before or are in training. These horses can not have competed in past seasons. Classes will be placed from 1 to 10 in Hunter Derby, 1 to 6 in all other classes. Each horse will be placed 1-6 in each class of the division they are entering, and a champion/reserve champion will be named for each division.
Here are some good that will provide more detail on how a hunter class works if you’re unfamiliar:
General info: https://www.usef.org/compete/disciplines/hunter
What the judges look for/scoring: https://practicalhorsemanmag.com/training/what-makes-winning-hunter-round-30510

Lower Level Hunters
Hunter Cross-rails
Green Horse Hunter 18” (new starters only) 9 entered
Hunter 18”
Hunter 2’
Hunter 2’3”
Hunter 2’6”
Hunter 2’9”
Hunter 3’

Upper Level Hunters
Hunter 1.00
Hunter 1.05
Hunter Derby 1.10
Jumpers

Each class shown below will consist of at least one round over fences. If more than one horse goes clear, a jump-off will follow consisting of these clear horses, in which the original course is shortened. The winner of the jump-off wins the class. Classes will be placed from 1 to 10 in Grand Prix, 1 to 6 in all other classes. Horses’ names that are underlined in the results are horses that had clear rounds and advanced to the jump-off.
Here is an article that will provide more detail on how a jumper class works if you’re unfamiliar:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Show_jumping

Lower Level Jumpers
Jumper Cross-rails 3 entered
Green Horse Jumper 18” (new starters only) 5 entered
Jumper 18”
Jumper 2’
Jumper 2’3”
Jumper 2’6”
Jumper 2’9”
Jumper 3’

Upper Level Jumpers
Jumper 1.00
Jumper 1.05
Jumper 1.10
Jumper 1.20
Jumper 1.30
Jumper Grand Prix 1.50

Judging status: Finished with lower level hunters and jumpers

 

A Year in Review

2019 was an exciting year for our stable! 

in January, my ponies celebrated a new year and we started a new season on ABRB, introducing our new starters to the track. We decided to take a hiatus year with our dressage, saddleseat, and endurance programs and focus on flat racing. These 2019 starters included Belledonte and Cardinal! In the real horse world, one day I jumped Indy and the next I had a horrific fall.

 

Cardinal

In February, we had our Winter Premiere Horse Show! This provided me with a chance to practice my art (I will say it has improved since then..) At the real barn I attempted to regain my confidence with Indy this month and rode Thasia and Razz a lot.

Big ABRB wins for this month included Palindrome with a Listed race, and Dances With Wolves in a G3.

Palindrome

Dances With Wolves

 

In March, we had our Clover Field Open show at Gus Stable. I had a photoshoot with my new Celestine and I also painted a clydesdale. This month, Solfo won a Listed race, but other than that it was not the most successful month for racing. In the real horse world, I got super into jumping Thasia and had a few solid lessons.

custom Shire filly by Anna Ruby W./OTR Stable

 

In April, I strayed from the hobby due to my horse situation- We sold Indy and bought Forrest. I still did enter races on ABRB, and came out with some great wins in Stock Horse racing- on the 20th, all three of my competing horses won their races- Little Joe Juco with a G2, Dances With Wolves with a G3, and Cardinal with a C6. Cardinal is slowly climbing the ranks, and so is Belledonte!

Little Joe Juco

Dances With Wolves

Cardinal

 

In May, I collaborated with Mitchell Horse Farm to create a judging system for 3-Day Eventing, and the MHF Premiere 3-Day Event took place, in which many of my horses brought back prizes in their first ever events- I took the opportunity to create a portrait of the OTR Crew! I got to know Forrest a little better, finished up my sophomore year, and went to prom with my best horsey friend.

 

In June, I had my first and only show of 2019 with Thasia. It was an awesome show because I did well in the flat classes and did my first ever class over fences! I completed my 100 hours the day before, and I got my first ever lettering award! The G1 Allowances took place on ABRB, and led to outstanding G1 wins claimed by Dances With Wolves, Soluna, and Antos. These among others qualified during these races for the Major event races as well.

I went to the beach and while there hosted the June Jubilee Horse Show. Blue Whale Equestrian was founded as a branch of OTR to host the event. I did lots and lots of art for this show!

 

July was a very special month, because for my 16th Birthday I went to Breyerfest!! The crew came along, and they had a good time. I came home with lots of loot! OTR had it’s third anniversary party and introduced a new rider to the stable!

 

 

In August, I finally got Photoshop and played around with it a bit. In ABRB, Dances With Wolves won yet another race- this time a G2, and then the MAJOR EVENT RACES, part 1 started up, and Belledonte won the 2-year-old medal!! I was absolutely in awe! What an amazing girl! My confidence with real horses was low at this point, I had ridden Forrest minimally due to fear, and I started my junior year of high school.

 

in September, I finished my first full stablemate-scale tack set and as a result really began to get into mini’s. I began documenting Salvo’s process and I made a mini arena in which to photograph my minis. the Event Races continued, and this time Danzer won the second race of the 3yo series, the Gold Plate Derby! Once again I am surprised and delighted! Danzer got many carrots for this one.

Goldberg

 Mom and I took Forrest to a Buck Brannaman Clinic, where I was honored to watch Buck himself work his horse and help mine and many others. My trainer rode and worked Forrest in the clinic and it was an amazing and educational experience. In the end, Buck told my trainer that Forrest was an amazing horse, but due to his fear was a complete restart. Mom and I, after much thought, decided to look into trading Forrest for an easier horse. After much emotion, the search begins…

 

in October, we found our heart horse– friends, meet Sierra! It was hard to trade in Forrest, but Mom and I are convinced that we made the right choice. Sierra is only five, but she is incredibly quiet, supple and smart and loves her job! I began riding regularly again, getting to know my new horse better and falling in love with her more each day. Also, completely unrelated to horses, I rode in my second mountain bike race with my upstate team and absolutely struggled, but still had a good time! My teammates are such cool people and a lot of them are actually horse lovers!

I continued to work on Salvo and other hobby crafts, while entering more ABRB races. Danzer’s winning streak continued with a G2, and both Detective and Lord’s Fleet Fire, an ID I adopted from Lincolnshire Stables, won a G2 as well. Serpena also won a G3.

 

in November, I rode Sierra more and more, gaining confidence. Isn’t she just precious? I also continued working on Salvo and other projects. in ABRB I entered my horses in their last races for this year: Golden Danzer won yet another G1, reaching the million dollar mark!! Belledonte also had an absolutely tremendous G1 win, ending her stellar 2yo season. Most OTR horses ended their season in November, some with a big bang: Red Means Go, Lord’s Fleet Fire, Dodge Me, Dances With Wolves, Detective Under Cover, Cadere, and Unulan all won their races this month! Amazing!

 

December was a good wrap-up for the year. I recieved my grandparents’ glass cabinet, which I happily filled with horses, including my top ABRB horses. The EoY’s came out on The Board…and we have done amazingly! in Thoroughbreds, Danzer got Champion 3yo Colt/Gelding, Serpena got Champion 3yo Filly, and Belledonte got Champion 2yo Filly, and in Stock horses, Cardinal got Champion 3yo Colt/Gelding! and OTR was awarded Small Trainer of the Year! I am so surprised and delighted, this makes 2019 our best performing season yet!! Woohoo!!!

I made two flower blankets to commemorate Belle and Danzer’s big wins, which I will post about shortly.

Sierra has turned out to be an amazing horse for us, we have absolutely fallen in love with our sweet girl and we can’t wait to see where she takes us next!

What an amazing year it has been. Wishing you all a happy New Year and cheers to a great 2020!

Goldberg

Hello everyone!

This lovely fellow is a project that I started and finished a while ago, but somehow he never made it to my blog. I decided to use my new arena backdrop to catch a few photos.

Here he is!

It was around August and I had a Stablemate TWH body laying around, and Liz invited me over to her house, so I brought him along with a whole slew of paints. I had him mostly done by the end of the weekend.

The most exciting event of the weekend, however, was getting my finger stuck under a beam on the front of a flatbed trailer. We were building a paddock for her horse so he could come back from the vet’s after his leg healed, and we had just finished, but the trailer that was holding the fence panels came off the hitch and slid underneath the truck, so we were trying to move it, and that happened. It was my right hand, so I wasn’t able to draw or paint or do much of anything for a week or two afterwards. I was ready to go once after that week, and that’s when I worked more on Goldberg!

After finishing his paint job, I decided to attempt something I had never done before, at least not in this scale. I assembled a full tack set and topped it off with a rider! It was a challenge trying to make all those teeny tiny buckles work. I made the bridle so it had only one buckle, on the throat latch. The noseband is entirely seperate from the bridle. I tried my best to make tack suitable for the pleasure ring, a cutback saddle and a bridle with a red browband and noseband, and the right kind of bit too. I know now that there should be a piece that goes between the two bit shanks (right??). I will fix that.

The rider was a challenge of its own- I sculpted him with wire and black polymer clay, then painted his face and red shirt under his coat. I made his cattails with black paper.

Of course, there are a few things that bother me. His paint job, now that i’m seeing it in a series of photos, does look a tad too orange. And the tack is a little messy too…but I can say that I have improved since then. In fact, the project that I said I would record here but didn’t, that I finished almost two months ago, has turned out nicely.

I am open to constructive criticism here…I would love to hear your advice! I plan to enter Goldberg and his boy in ABRB Saddleseat comps next season, so I am on the hunt for a pedigree if anyone has one!

I wonder who that is back there…

See you guys in the next post!

Salvo’s Bridle

…so I do have a bad habit of sitting down and getting a lot done, but forgetting to take pictures and document my process (why is it so hard for me?)

anyway, I have the saddle and saddle pad done (mostly, I just need to tweak the girth a little), but I did the bridle before that. I’ll share the pictures I have and do my best to fill you in!

I assembled the bridle in two main pieces: the noseband (that Salvo is wearing above) and the crown piece shown next to Salvo, which has the bit cheeks and throatlatch attached to it.

I then connected the pieces by way of the browband. It looks a bit messy there, but..

it all comes together once it is on his head! I attached the bits with sticky wax after adding reins. As for the tiny buckles, some of them are functional, and some of them aren’t. The two functional ones are the throatlatch buckle, as you can see above (I added a keeper to keep it neat) and one of the noseband buckles.

Breyer has a great tutorial on making an English bridle if you would like a more detailed tutorial, but that was the basic lowdown. I plan on making a detailed tutorial on Mini bridles myself when I get better at making them, but for now, I am trying a few different methods to see what works the best for me.

Stay tuned for the rest of the set.. I will introduce one of my finished projects and continue on Salvo in the next post!

Tutorial: Mini Arena

Lets take a quick detour: I have been getting into mini’s, and I have wanted an arena backdrop for them for a while now, and I’m happy to say that this one has proven useful so far. Here’s a quick and fun tutorial that walks you through how I made it: I hope you enjoy!

The base of my mini-arena is cut out of a lid from a chocolate box, so I already have a corner. You can easily make a similar base with any kind of sturdy material and a little glue.

I want the walls to be taller, so I cut some pieces out of paperboard,and cut them to fit my base.

I use the first piece as a guide to trace the second piece.

I then paint the walls white and glue them in. I use tape at the back to secure the corner together and add a bit more reinforcement.

at this point, if you’re happy with the way it is, you can simply add footing and call it a day.

However, since the way we do things around here is a little extra, let’s add a bit more detail.

I print some logos (in black and white because the color doesn’t work on my printer but you could go either way), then I cut them and glue them to the walls (logos for the Board’s various disciplines, my new fantasy registry, and Golden Rose’s All Breed Model Horse Registry, definitely worth checking out!)

This is one of my favorite parts… take some chalk pastels and brush them along the bottom side of each wall to make the walls look a little weathered from sand and dust.

I then fold paper over some leftover cardboard to get a nice clean edge, cut strips of it,

and glue it around the top to make a neat and tidy railing. This may take some patience because the railing most likely won’t want to stay, I had to hold it in place until the glue dried.

Time for footing! There are many things you could add for footing, including cork board, real sand or dirt, cloth, or clay, but I chose to use kinetic sand. I like the kinetic sand because it’s lightweight, easier to clean up than regular sand, and looks a lot more in-scale.

I use the flat edge of a table knife to smooth the sand down and tidy up the edges and a fork to create drag marks.

use your pony’s foots to make hoof prints!

Ta-da!

I love this corner backdrop because it’s so easy to just pop a horse in there and snap a photo, no matter what is behind it, because that usually gets blurred out. I also love it because it’s so customizable- you can make it as ornate or as plain as you want! I am considering trying to add plants or banners to it in the future.

Also, it’s easy to change between and outdoor and an indoor arena setting with this backdrop: to go indoors, simply place it against a wall or other surface. You could even mount a crowd photo behind it to make it the ultimate show arena!x-tra pony sass!

This is a super easy and functional craft for model horse lovers and anyone else looking to get easy in-scale photos of their horses. If you try it, send me your photos or comment! Thanks for reading!

Salvo Under Saddle Day 3

Let’s get to it!

I started by taking out my painting supplies and knife to fix Salvo’s factory flaws. They consist mostly of pertruding seams, but there are a couple scratches and rubs I will fix as well.

Give your horse a quick bath before you start, so the flaws are more noticeable.

I find that if a seam is small, and you are careful enough, you can simply scrape it flat with a craft knife. After scraping, you can go in with a nail file or sandpaper to smooth it up.

(Notice the white spots where I’ve cleaned up the seams).

When the seams are smoothed, I mix paint until I’m satisfied with the color, And get to repairs! I paint over the scratched plastic where the seams were smoothed and other paint flaws and scratches that were already there.

You can see a couple spots on his belly here that I touched up.     After fixing Salvo’s factory flaws, he looks good but I’m still back and forth about his color.

I think he might be a bit too light to be chestnut. At this point I could try to make him darker with pastels, or primer him and start all over. I want to go with pastels, but I’m unsure if they will properly grip the plastic. What do you guys think? While I debate on that, I’m going to start the bridle!