* Brian and Lombardo:  70% in the Brentina Cup qualifier … this will move Brian to #1 on the ranking list and Ari #2…the battle is on!  Brian also had a beautiful Grand Prix on Sunday to score 69%.

* Ari and Corlander:  65% in the Brentina Cup qualifer solidifies her top ranking going into the final at Gladstone.

* Jaclyn and Fynnemann:  Jaclyn rode Heidi & Joh’s Fynnemann to top scores in First Level 75% & 73% and 8.1 in the FEI 5 yr-old Qualifier for the US Young Horse Championships.

* Jaclyn and Rivaal:  Earned the last Grand Prix score to earn Jaclun her USDF Gold Medal.

* Shae and Ronaldo:  Placed 4th in both the NAJYRC Junior Team Qualifier (66%) & the NAJYRC Junior Individual Qualifier. 

* Shelley and Preciosa:  Earned their scores to earn Shelley’s USDF Bronze Medal!

* Fiona and Laurio:  Continued their meteoric rise through the levels by earning their USDF Bronze Medal.

* Sandy and Bolero: Earned their first Prix St. George score towards thier USDF Silver Medal.

* Margaret and Rociero:  Treatened to win the Intermediare I with thier score of 64%.

Congratulations to Kirsten Ridgway of Sebastapol, CA on the purchase of D’Angelo.  D’Angelo is an Elegant, Imported, Hannoverian Gelding.  By Defacto – Donnerhall.  12 yrs, 16.3h, Liver Chestnut with 4 white socks and blaze.  D’Angelo has an extensive show record with lots of success thru Intermediare I, including recent scores of 66% at PSG with Young Rider.

video training:  http://www.youtube.com/watchv=zqRSeIvvToY

video competing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6kePbuKrfc

video training with YR: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TKYpNf2lE0

CDI:  Shae on Ronaldo and Sami on Flarinus competed in their first CDI.  Both competing in the FEI Juniors division.  On day one, Shae on her new mount Ronaldo, had a mistake free test  to earn 4th place, only 2% off of the winner.  We were all thrilled with their first international outing.  Current Rankings for the US National Championships for Junior Riders can be found at 

http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/breedsdisciplines/discipline/alldressage/juniorInfo.aspx

Brentina Cup:  The US Under 25 Grand Prix Division (aka Brentina Cup) was hotly contested between 3 Villa Rosa-ites:  Brian on Lombardo, Ari on Corlander, and Jaclyn on Rivaal.  In the end Brian’s 65.8% narrowly beat out Ari’s 65.8%.  Placings in the class:  1 Brian, 2 Ari, 3 Jaclyn. 

National Current Rankings for the Brentina Cup found at: 

  http://www.usef.org/documents/disciplines/dressage/rankings/2012/BrentinaRanking.pdf                                       .

As of April 9, 2012 Ari stands 1st and  Brian stands 3rd.

 National Show: In the national show Heidi competed Tina’s Marques de Espana in thier first  Open Prix St. George, thier clean test earned 2nd place with a 63%, Anne Marie competed her Gasper in the Amatuer Intermediare I, Margie competed Ragtime in the Intermediare I Freestyle and Kristine debuted on her new partner LoneShark at 4th Level.

Evening Entertainment:  The Highlight of the Evening Entertainment was definately Anne Marie and Margie’s Pas De Deux.  We look forward to seeing this again with new upgrades like the riders wearing belly dancing costumes, and live belly dancers around the arena..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpDYCsa6y-k&feature=g-upl&context=G272463fAUAAAAAAAAAA

Beau in his dressage days...

Many of you will remember Beau….a clydesdale that belonged to the Ellwanger Family.  In addition to pulling a cart, trail riding and being an awesome member of their family, Beau was also trained dressage for many years (by Heidi).  Recently Beau has found a new home and a new purpose.  Below you can read his glowing review and see him featured in a newspaper article and video.

“Not only does his new mom Corie love him to pieces, but twice a week she shares him with The National Center for Equine Facilitated Therapy (NCEFT).  Corie works at NCEFT as a Therapeutic Riding instructor, and Beau helps teach wounded veterans how to ride.  Here’s a link to an article in the Mercury News in which Beau was photographed, as well as video taken during this week’s riding lesson.”

 Article: http://www.mercurynews.com/san-mateo-county-times/ci_19890138

Video: http://youtu.be/HWCFC8Z9K08

* Ari and her Corlander II (aka Armani) won the Brentina Cup qualifier with 71+%, and scored over 65% in the Grand Prix to earn their USDF GOLD MEDAL 

Laurie & Ari

Fiona & Laurio with their trainer Zola

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 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 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.

Congratulations to Lynn McKinney of Spruceview Hannoverians in Alberta, Canada, on the purchase of Bandera.  Bandera is a gorgeous and talented Palomino Lusitano Stallion by Saphiro.  4 yrs (DOB May 2008).   Good conformation, very up-hill, beautiful head & face and three good/competitive gaits.  Exceptionally well-balanced canter.  Very under with hindquarters and good ability to collect.  Extremely gentle, well-mannered, super smooth to sit.

Bandera’s video: http://youtu.be/hLTOAPZ_OtI

Congratulations to Debbie Bennett of Parker, Colorado on the purchase of Super Hero.  Hero is an extraordinary moving PRE gelding, Imported from Spain.   His outstanding gaits earned him a berth in the US National Young Horse Championships.      

TOP 15 finisher at the FEI Five-Year-old Championships for Young Dressage Horses.  Successfully competed Training, 1st and 2nd Level with scores +/- 70%.  Currently preparing to compete 3rd & 4th level.

See his video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sj4f7nxd5uk

To see all our “Horses for Sale” videos please visit our YouTube.com Channel (vrdressage channel).  Click on the link below:

http://www.youtube.com/user/vrdressage#p/u

Once on our channel, there are small thumbnails of the the videos on the right hand side of the screen, there is also a clickable “see all”.  Use this to search all our videos.

If you have trouble with the link above you can search vrdressage from the YouTube home page. 

FOR SALE:  Nearly new dressage saddle.  Maker: Albion, Style: Ultima SLK, LH, Size: 17.5, Tree: MW Color: Black. Like new condition, used only 4 months. Purchased for $3500.00, selling for $2500.00, sale includes Albion Legend girth, 28″.  Poodle not included. 

Call or Email Rosalie at (707) 933-1368 – mjandrj@yahoo.com.

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 ***

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%