Villa Rosa

Well it was another fun trip to Florida.  Once again we enjoyed … fantastic shows, fantastic footing, beautiful horses, awesome shopping and great weather.  We had perfect seats for the World Dressage Masters and were lucky to see the royal duel between Charolette (GBR) and Steffen (USA).

They put "Bling" on everything in WellingtonTraffic Jam, Wellington Style

Maria, Juan and Juanito

 

Wellington Traffic Jam

  

The Mother, Janne and FriendsCarl Hester & Wie Atlantico

 

Lounge at Main Arena

At the same showgrounds there was a CDI 3* and national show going on at the same time, so there were hundreds of dressage horses there.  Beside the WDM, the highlight for us was watching Juanito Matute compete in the trials for the FEI Juniors on his new horse Don Diego.  He sent the rest of the field back to school with two decisive wins with 69+%.  Really fun to see.

WINTER WONDERLAND

After much discussion and planning the mother decided to take the plung and bought a house in Wellington.  We  love it there so much and the dressage community there is so fun.  So beginning in 2013 we will take Villa Rosa to the winter wonderland of Wellington, to show and train for a few months in the winter.

The Mother & Dan with "Super Realtor" Marc, at the new house

Community Lake, at the new house

Heidi & Dan take a cruize on the track at PBESC

Covered Arena at PBESC

 

Outdoor court at PBESC..riding in T-shirts in January!!

The inaugural GDF is offering more than $275,000 in prize money for the five international competitions making it one of the richest circuits in the world. In addition to the CDIs with national competitions, the GDF will feature four separate national shows to be held at the newly constructed venue that extends the PBIEC show grounds. 

The GDF encompasses almost 60 acres of the former Palm Beach Polo Grounds. The facility includes four outdoor arenas with world class footing, a covered arena and 200 permanent stalls to be ready for the start of the winter circuit. Future planned improvements include permanent covered spectator seating for the central outdoor arena and a permanent Patrons Club.  There are also plans for another 200 permanent stalls. The permanent barns and the covered arena have been pre-fabricated off site are completed. 

For a full schedule of events for the GDF, please visit www.globaldressagefestival.com and click the link for dressage show information on the main homepage.

- Congratulations to Ari Lopez and her own Armani (aka Corlander II)  on receiving at 64,5% in their very first Grand Prix.  Ari has owned and ridden Armani since he was 3 years-old.  Watch for Ari & Armani competing in the Brentina Cup trails this season.

- Congratulations to Heidi for being accepted into the USEF “S” Judge training program.  This is the highest level of a US National Judge which means that upon passing examination Heidi will be able to judge all classes through the Grand Prix.

Shae & Ronaldo at Villa Rosa

- Congratulations to B & T Farms and Shae Lavazzano on the purchase of Ronaldo.  Ronaldo is 10 yr old Westfalen gelding (Rockwell/Ferragamo) imported from Juan Matute.  Ronaldo has competed through Intermediare I.  Watch for Shae & Ronaldo competing in the NAJYRC Trials & US Junior Championships trials this season.

Ronaldo loves his new girlfriend ....

- Kristine Howe and B & T Farms’ Penaflor will begin a new partnership this month.  Watch for them competing in 4th Level and Prix St. George.

Dressage in the Redwoods is a new show that is going to take place two times per year.  Nov and June.  It is held in the most beautiful setting, in the Santa Cruz mountains… ancient giant redwood trees soar to the sky throughout the property, and beautiful meadows abound.  Combined with the fantastic crisp and clean ocean air it is Really really special!!

There was also a large trade fair which included local artists, wines, food, horsie shops, antique jewelery dealers and lots of other interesting vendors.

On Saturday night the organizers held a fund raiser to benefit the local fire & rescue teams.  The evening performance included:  “What is Dressage?” by Villa Rosa, a few kurs, a reiner with a dressage horse pas de deux, a western drill team and…in true Santa Cruz fashion…an ariel dancer that hung from the ceiling of the indoor arena and performed hanging from silk scarves…after her performance there were fire dancers.  It was really fun, and a nice change of pace.

Everyone from VR had a good show, although lots of rain on Sat night made for a muddy Sunday.

Sami & Flarinus

Heidi and D’Angelo competed in Intermediare I for the first time.  Heidi and D’Angelo also perfomed in the evening performance of “What is Dressage?”

Anne Marie and Gasper also competed in Intermedaire I for the first time, and came home with a good score.  They also perfomed in the evening performance.

Sami and Flarinus had a good showing at Third Level.

Tina and Marquis had a great showing at Fourth Level and met some of their goals.  Marq also performed in the evening performace with Heidi on.  He piaffed and passaged like a pro, but the crowd was really impressed with his one-hoof salute…

Kristine was there with Hot Shot…Hot Shot was a bit overwhelmed by the setting…but he looked beautiful, and Kristine is cool, cool, cool under pressure.

And, Shelley was there on her young Preciosa, who in addition to having a good first outing at First Level, performed in the evening performace.  Preciosa handled the spectators and music so nicely, we were so proud of her.

*** VIDEO COMING SOON ***

The week didn’t start off too great.  The first two days featured horrible weather that included down-pours of rain and high winds (always a great mix with dressage horses).  These first two days produced many a “why are we here?” moments.  Luckily by Friday the weather cleared and we all started to hit our pace.

Rudi is a trooper in the mud...

The biggest highlight of the show was Nancy on her outstanding gelding Rudi Regali.  Nancy just purchased Rudi in the spring of 2011 from Joh Hinnemann & Villa Rosa.  The partnership has blossomed over the past months and at this show they dazzled by winning CHAMPION is all 5 of the divisions they were eligible for.

Rudi shows off one his 5 Championship sashes

Rudi's 1st Honor round of his life..

Other Champions of the weekend included Heidi and Chicago USDF Region 7 Intermediare II Champion,  Jill Thornton and Souvenir CDS Prix St George Amatuer Champion and Brian Hafner and Lombardo CDS Intermediare II Champion.

Jill, Niro, Guenter & Sponsors in the Victory Garden

Heidi with Chicago, Brian with Lombardo and Hilda in Int-2 honor round...

Other Villa Rosa peeps who competed were:  Anne Marie and Gasper, Nancy and Normann, Peggy and Napoleon, Allida and Fred, Vicki and Springfield, Margie and Phil and Shelley & Preciosa.

*** The Haul ***

USDF Region 7 – Intermediare II – Open

CHAMPION – Heidi & Chicago

3rd Place – Brian & Lombardo

CDS Horse of the Year – Intermediare II – Open

CHAMPION – Brian & Lombardo

5th Place – Heidi & Chicago

CDS Horse of the Year – Grand Prix – Am

RESERVE CHAMPION – Nancy & Normann

CDS Horse of the Year – Intermediare I – Open

3rd Place – Heidi & Chicago

CDS Horse of the Year – Prix St. George – Am

CHAMPION – Jill & Souvenir

6th Place – Anne Marie & Gasper

USDF Region 7 – Prix St. George – Am

3rd Place – Jill & Souvenir

CDS Futurity for 5 year-0lds

CHAMPION – Nancy & Rudi

USDF Region 7 – First Level – Am

CHAMPION – Nancy & Rudi

CDS Horse of the Year – First Level – Am

CHAMPION – Nancy & Rudi

USDF Region 7 – Training Level – Am

CHAMPION – Nancy & Rudi

USDF Region 7 – Training Level – Open

3rd Place – Vicki & Springfield

CDS Horse of the Year – Training Level – Am

CHAMPION – Nancy & Rudi 

Elvis ... Champion of Cuteness

Aulways Magic 2011 SHN Lexington, KY

Patience and Aulways Magic made the long trip to the Sport Horse Nationals in Lexington, KY.  The trip paid off and thier successful year in California was topped off by winning,

Reserve Champion – 2nd Level – Open with 68.69%

Top Ten – 1st Level – Open with  68%

Congratulations to everyone from Villa Rosa!  we all had a great show, despite the 100 degree heat.

*** Daumling won all three of his classes and was High Score Champion of the show both days with his top score of 79% ***

AnneMarie & Gasper CC RAAC PSG Champs

Anne Marie and Gasper had two good PSG tests and finished by Winning the Central CA RAAC for Prix St. George.

Shelley & Preciosa CC RAAC Training Level Champs

Shelley and Presciosa had a super ride the last day to win the Central CA RAAC for Training Level with a 69.9%.

Marabou and Heidi won both of the Intermediate I classes with a top score of 70.2%.

Nancy had really good performances on Rudi (72%)… Daumling was the only one that could top them.  Nancy also had good finishes in the Intermediate I with Ralli.

Brian and Lombardo impressed the judges and the spectators with a near flawless Intemediate II on Saturday that scored 72%.

AnneMarie & Gasper ... Happy Winners

Congratulations to Nancy Szakacs and her 5 yr-old RUDI REGALI.  They have been invited to compete at the 2011 Markel/USEF National Young Horse Dressage Championships, to be held at Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne, Illinois August 24 ^. August 28, 2011.

Congratulations to Shelley Clark and her PRE mare Preciosa, on winning the

* High Point Amatuer (Friday)

* High Point Lusitano/Andalusian (All 3 Days)

Cruela Deville riding Belle

As one of the judges at the Coastal Classic this year, my favorite class was the Costume Freestyle.  Pictured above is the 7 yr-old littel girl who won.  She is riding the pony “Belle” (Belle is the dam of Darlyn VR).  She is dressed as Cruela Deville from 101 Dalmations, and Belle is painted up like a dalmation….they performed an Intro level Freestyle to the music from 101 Dalmations…too cute!!!  … Heidi

 Thanks to Amy McCool for this excellent photo.  You can see more photos on her website:

McCool Photography | Equestrian Images  | www.mccoolphotos.com | 310.971.8685