• JANUARY 12, 2010: HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

- A big THANK YOU to Ann V. and Jessica R. for helping me closing a chapter of my life.

• OCTOBER 29, 2009: - Nan is in the First International Dressage Forum for the Purebred Lusitano in Lisbon, Portugal. The program looks very interesting with participation of well know personalities of the sport such as Kyra Kyrklund, Dr. Ulf Moller, Dr. Hilary Clayton, Manuel Tavares de Almeida, Daniel Pinto, Mariette Withages, Hayley Beresford and others.  

- Wanted to share with you this E-mail from Deirdre, Lauren's mother:

"Just wanted to thank you for the nice time at championships! Lauren really loves riding with you and enjoys your company too. she is so motivated to ride well and that is because you have taught her so well whether the outcome is good or not. Both Lauren and I know that Dante' has improved SO much this past year even if he didn't stand out at this show- we know how hard you, Lauren and Dante' have worked!" Deirdre Friedland

- The Great American / USDF Region 3 Dressage Championship was held last weekend at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center and impeccably organized by Wellington Classic Dressage. Congratulations to John Flanagan, Noreen O'Sullivan and all their staff for being great hosts. It is a pleasure to be able to ride and coach in a show so well organized! The parties were great too:-). Saddly our participation was not the best. We started with a great win of Lauren and Dante' in Training Level 1 on Thursday but Friday's ride in the Training Level Championship was difficult for the judges: one gave more than 66% the other one gave them 58%. And Saturday's ride in the First Level Championship was difficult for Lauren! My performance was not the best either but I was happy with some of the experience earned through the week. Vinho is really special! To check the scores go to RESULTS 2009 and go to PICTURES 2009 to see us.

- Click here to see the ad that Nan is going to publish in all the Show Catalogs for the Gold Coast and Wellington Classic Dressage series for the 2009/2010 season.

- There is always a moment when you find a nice horse supported by an excellent Team. That's what I have now with Vinho dos Pinhais, owned by Nanette Sexton of South Gate Farm in White Fences, Loxahatchee, FL. Thanks to Trainer Allyn Schiavone, Barn Manager and Groom Miranda van Kol (with help of Kirstie Tindall), Vets Dr. Byron Reid and Dr. Jee Greywal, Chiropractor Dr. Carlos Cortelezzi, Farrier Drew Golden, Saddle Fitter Renna vanDooren.

With Owner Nanette Sexton and Trainer Allyn Schiavone

Great American / USDF Region 3 Championship 2009 - Wellington

Photo: Miranda van Kol 

- Willy (SG's Thyme Will Tell) went to a new home with Svetlana Davis and Stacey Gormley from the Fidelis Foundation. I'm very happy that he is going to be helping kids to develop their riding skills.

- Thanks to Nan for getting a new dressage ring for South Gate Farm.

- CONGRATULATIONS to Lauren: at the Gold Coast Awards Banquet she got GRAND CHAMPION in First Level for the Jr/Yr Division and 4th place in Breed Awards. I'm very proud of her!

- My older sister Rosina was invited by the FEI to judge the World Dressage Challenge in Russia. She had a great time! Here is a picture of the clinic she took with ULLA SALZGEBER (GER) in Peru. At the end of November she is invited to judge in Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic) and she is now nominated to judge ODESUR Games to be held next year in Medellin, Colombia.

- Thanks to Ann and Tony for allowing us to train in their new ring. It's awesome!

- We had our first schooling show of the season at the Caloosa Equestrian Park on September xx. It was REALLY HOT! Thanks to the Caloosa Equestrian Committee and to Ann Hart. Scores are posted on RESULTS 2009.

- Click here to read the article tha the Colombian National Federation published on their web-site about my show with Vinho dos Pinhais. (In spanish)

- A little late but very well deserved: Darlene Moree got from the TWIN RIVERS SADDLE CLUB the SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD. CONGRATULATIONS DAR!

- We had our first show with Vinho do Pinhais at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center in Wellington and theresults were very good. Also Lauren had an excellent show and we achieved our goals of qualifying for Regionals. 

• AUGUST 25, 2009: - Parkland Horseman's Association Year End Banquet was held this past Saturday. Rose Miller got RESERVE CHAMPION in First Level with Tacoma and I got GRAND CHAMPION in Second Level with Tacoma and GRAND CHAMPION in Training Level with Marco The Magnificent. We had a good time with our husbands and here are the pictures:

- I'm really excited to tell you that we are preparing for the first show with Nan's VINHO DOS PINHAIS in September. Allyn Schiavone is helping me again with her great technical knowledge to fix the details. 

- Bad news came from Bruce and Katie Ferguson and I just wanted to let them know that my heart is with them. 

- José María was here again for summer vacation and we had a GREAT time, as usual. I did take some days off and went to Tampa to enjoy a few days of being a family!

- Twin Rivers Saddle Club Year Ends Awards Banquet was held July 18th and they did a great job with the dinner, prizes, awards, raffles, etc. As I told you before Rose got DIVISION GRAND CHAMPION in First Level and GRAND CHAMPION in First Level Test 4 with Tacoma and I got GRAND CHAMPION in Second Level Test 1 with Tacoma.

- We were very pleased to receive the visit of Nicolau dos Passos Jr. (Nico) in Nan's barn. He is a breeder of Lusitanos in Brazil. Check out his web page www.nicolusitanos.com.br 

- This article (click on the world) was published in the May Houston Dressage Society Newsletter thanks to Cheryl Person from Magnolia, Texas. 

• JUNE 24, 2009: - Almost two months without updating!!! Let's start:

- Shows ended for most of us in May. Please check on Results 2009. It was a pleasure welcoming to the ring Barbara with Gidget and Pat with Marco in Caloosa. I did also a Second Level Freestyle with Tacoma. It was a lot of fun and brought me so many nice memories of how I prepared my mare with Juan for the Fourth Level Colombian National Championship back in 2001. Through the summer (besides surviving the hot weather) we are bringing the horses and riders up some levels. It's going to be exciting!

- We are glad to have some summer rated shows organized by Wellington Classic Dressage. Lauren will have enough time to prepare her last qualifying classes for Regional Championships.

- Nan was in Brazil in May attending some of their special events, auctions and expositions. Check out the flyer she took with her to promote our new business. Her horses are working very well and we are looking for the shows in the next season.

- The second clinic in Texas was held at the end of May. I will not stop talking about how nice they are and open to the information I can give them.

- On July 18 we will have the Twin Rivers Year End Awards Banquet and we know already what we are going to celebrate:

ROSE MILLER AND TACOMA - GRAND CHAMPION FIRST LEVEL TEST 4 AND DIVISION GRAND CHAMPION IN FIRST LEVEL!!!  CONGRATULATIONS ROSE!

CARMEN FRANCO AND TACOMA - GRAND CHAMPION SECOND LEVEL TEST 1

- Parkland Horseman's Association had to cancel their last show in May due to rain.  Rose and me were ready to comply with the requirements for the Year End Awards but Suzie Cook (Dressage Director) said they are going to adjust according to the number of shows they organized.

- Check out our new page HORSES FOR SALE

- My older sister Rosina was invited to judge to Guatemala in May and will be going to Russia in September to judge the FEI World Dressage Challenge. Was also invited to give a clinic in Peru last week and went so well they offer her to move and work with them! GOOD JOB! 

- Not horsey news: Juan's son Jose Maria will be here for the summer after graduating from school!

APRIL 28, 2009: - Busy month of April with shows and/or clinic every weekend! Darlene and Andrea are back in the show ring and even if things didn't go as well as we planned, it is very nice to have them back performing.

- Rose did for her fisrt time a Second Level Test on Tacoma and we are all proud of them!

• APRIL 8, 2009: - Finally I could get organized into our new place and started focusing on work again. The show season is about to end and we have the hot summer just here!

-  Thanks to Sue Waycuilis you can click on CLINICS TEXAS to see the pictures.

- The Clinic in Caloosa on April 3, 4 & 5 was a big success! We had many riders and auditors participating. THANK YOU VERY MUCH to the Caloosa Equestrian Committee and Gale Langford for giving me the opportunity to host the clinic. I have to say that we enjoyed the big arena with the new sprinkler system! THANKS SO MUCH also to Rose and Chuck Miller, Darlene Moree, Pat Bennett, Ann Hart and Barbara Acimovic on helping me organizing, setting-up and marketing.  Click on CLINIC CALOOSA.

- Show results of Parkland and Twin Rivers are in RESULTS 2009.

- Lauren Friedland has been getting many awards lately: USDF Rider Performance Award in Training and First Level; USEF Farnam Horse of the Year Region12 Arabian Overall Reserve Champion in Training Level and 5th Place in First Level for FEF Incantation (Dante). CONGRATULATIONS!

- CONGRATULATIONS to my very good friend Marco Bernal  who qualified for the Final of the World Cup in Las Vegas with the mare Diamore. It is the result of many years of hard good work and we are very proud of him. While it would be great to be able to go to Las Vegas and chear for him, it's even better to stay here and ride Halbgott, Maybach, Farewell and other horses Marco has in training. 

- Jenny Longson and Sid are back!

• MARCH 11, 2009: - We had a great time at the Wellington Classic Dressage Challenge II with Lauren and Deirdre and good results too!

-  A big and warm hugh for Darlene who lost her mother on February 28.

• MARCH 2, 2009: - Many new news since the last time I updated the web page. Sorry for the absence but the Season is keeping me busy with many different activities:

- Came back yesterday from Magnolia, Texas. I was giving a clinic at TP Farm organized by Cheryl Person. I got to work with very nice riders and horses that showed a lot of desire to learn and improve. I will give you a full report with pictures in few days.

- Thanks to Nan Sexton I had the possibility to ride again with Charlotte Bredahl-Baker (Bronze Medal Team, Olympic Games, Barcelona 1992 - USDF Platinum Performance Adult Clinic Series). Excellent help for me to ride Sensational and Vinho.

- Free Clover changed home from a nostalgic Janice Rosen to a very happy Katie Ferguson. He is going to be loved in the same way he has been until now.

- I enjoyed very much the USPREA day at Hampton Green Farm. The clinic with Courtney King was fantastic and lunch by Frederick Boyer was great. Party at night at the International Polo Club was a nice way of getting to know some of the members and listen to Ana Gilmour's (One of Hampton Green's riders) powerful voice. Thank you to Kim Boyer and Alex Zilo for the hospitality and friendship.  

- Beautiful set-up and presentation for the Lusitano Collection this year at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center. Nan Sexton went home very happy with one of the horses: Acolito Interagro. 

- I wanted to share with you this e-mail I got on Feb. 12, 2009 from Deirdre Friedland, Lauren's mother:

"Hi!

Lauren was so enthusiastic about her lesson on the way home today! She is really excited about Dante' and his accomplishments and new successes now as well. They are both finally getting the training Lauren always wanted and they both deserved! It is so nice to see Lauren happy about riding each and every time she goes to the barn.

You have renewed her confidence and taught her and Dante' so much in just 6 months! To see her enjoy riding her horse more and more each time she rides makes me very happy! She is enjoying the challenge and loves riding under you.

For all of that I thank you!

Dierdre"

- Two different  schooling shows we did during the month of February with excellent results that you can check on RESULTS 2009.  

• JANUARY 25, 2009: - What a good and well organized show was the Gold Coast Opener Festival CDI! Congratulations to all at GCDA! Was nice to hear the Colombian National Anthem today for Marco Bernal's victory on Halbgott in the FEI Intermediaire I Freestyle. and was nicer to coach Lauren! Here are some great pictures taken from her friend Rebecca:

- I had my first dressage show with Pat Bennett's horse, Marco the Magnificent in Parkland Jan. 19, 2009. HE WAS MAGNIFICENT!

•  JANUARY 15, 2009: - New clients adding to the training program! Welcome to Nanette Sexton and her beautiful Lusitanos Sensational do Retiro and Ubrique. It was a hard day for Nan since she lost her favorite horse VERSEJADOR INTERAGRO. It was very sad to see him going!

- Welcome also to Bruce and Katie Ferguson with Vanek. Long time friends and clients that come to Florida for the Fox Hunting season.

- Rose and Darlene were again showing in Twin Rivers's new location without their trainer. SORRY!

- Very excited about attending the Professional Riders & Trainers Clinic with Hubertus Schmidt Jan. 16 & 17 at the Jim Brandon. I will let you know how it goes.

- For all the ones interested in boarding / riding with me, here are some pictures of the farm where I'm based in Caloosa, Palm Beach Gardens.

6 Stall Center Aisle Barn with run-out paddocks.

A/C Tack Room and Feed room

Round Pen

Dressage Ring

Grass Paddocks (Big and Small)

2 Wash racks

Miles of trails and Equestrian Park very close to the property

• DECEMBER 15, 2008: - Darlene and Rose went (without their trainer) to the Twin Rivers Saddle Club Schooling Show and  and did an excellent job. Check on Results 2008.

• NOVEMBER 21, 2008: - A big and warm hug for Jeffrey Lord for the difficult times he is living this week. 

- THANKS SOOOOOO MUCH to AURORA BOYINGTON of WELLINGTON PHOTO for the great pictures she took during the weekend!

-- I did the first schooling at the show grounds in Wellington with MARCO THE MAGNIFICENT Pat Bennett's horse on November 15. HE WAS GREAT!

-- Wednesday Nov. 12 Pat, Rose, Barbara, Darlene and Juan surprised me with a delicious AJIACO and some traditional colombian desserts for lunch to celebrate my birthday! Absolutely GREAT! THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!! 

- The Twin Rivers Saddle Club Show Season started for us on November 8, 2008. Please go to RESULTS 2008 to see the scores and placings. It was very nice to have Chuck Miller and Pat Bennett supporting us.

• OCTOBER 7, 2008: - We had a great start of the 2008 - 2009 Show Season with the highlight that TACOMA MOVED TO SECOND LEVEL!!!! There are not enough words to describe how proud and happy I feel for the work done with him and Rose. And I have to thank them for believe that a good training program can lead to unbelievable achievements. Please check the RESULTS 2008 page for the scores and placings. See some pictures of the Parkland Show at www.hassilphotography.com

- WELLINGTON DRESSAGE CLASSIC SHOWS and MDC CORPORATION gave me a very nice pair of MDC ULTIMATE STIRRUPS for my support of their show series. BIG THANK YOU to Mr. John Flanagan, Mrs. Noreen O'Sullivan and Mr. Martin Cohen.  

• SEPTEMBER 22, 2008: - Just came back from my short vacation at home with my parents. IT WAS GREAT!
  

- After two successful Year End Awards Banquets for my students, it was time to go for my awards. The Gold Coast Dressage Association held their Banquet on Sept. 13 and it was a great night for me. You can see the awards listed in my HOME page. The most special: the Lund Animal Hospital Sportmanship Award. Here are some pictures taken by Ralph Singer.

• SEPTEMBER 10, 2008 - CONGRATULATIONS  to:

ROSE MILLER and TACOMA: RESERVE CHAMPION IN FIRST LEVEL in the PARKLAND YEAR END AWARDS BANQUET. September 6, 2008.

ANDREA AND JIM PETERSON: Special award for their support to the Parkland Dressage Shows.

•  AUGUST 10, 2008 - My younger sister was here with her family visiting.

- And José María (Juan's son) was here too

- The list of clients has changed, I had to say good bye to two very nice mares...

-We had the Twin Rivers Saddle Club Year End Awards Ceremony July 17. CONGRATULATIONS to :

DARLENE MOREE - Grand Champion in Second Level Test 1 

DR. JANET HIBEL AND VALENTINES N' ROSES - Grand Champion in First Level Test 2

ROSE MILLER AND TACOMA - Reserve Champion in First Level 2 and 3

- The Clinic we did July 11 and 12 in Caloosa was very good. Thanks to Pat Bennett for letting us use her house for the theory/video session! Check out the pictures in PICTURES 2008. Taking the clinic were: Pat Bennett, Rose Miller, Darlene Moree, Barbara Acimovic, Lisa Oliver, Dr. Janet Hibel, Ashley Bennett and Penny Madden.  

• JUNE 11, 2008 - A big THANK YOU to Aurora Boyington of Wellington Photo for the beautiful picture of Sacusca at the May show!
• MAY 27, 2008 - Many news, some good, some bad...

- I finished my show season with Sacusca and Vandalo in a very good way. Special thanks to Debbie, Caroline,  Juaner, Rose, Pam and Jimmy for all the support! Go to RESULTS 2008 to see the scores and placings. There are some pictures with Sacusca in www.wellingtonphoto.com click on "Dressage Galleries", then click on the May 24 show and go to picture 118

- Welcome back to Lisa Oliver and Lank. Lisa is not only one of my first students in Florida but also a very good friend. It's very nice to have her around again.

- And Anita lost another horse... FIRST VALENTINE changed to Debbie's ownership today!

FIRST VALENTINE in our first show in Caloosa

- The bad news: CLAUDIA TÉLLEZ, my very best friend from Colombia, lost her stallion ROCK 'N ROLL on Friday. He was the sire of many good horses I rode for the Téllez family: Romanov, Ramses, Rolex, Rossini. I even trained him for a month. It's very sad to think he is not around any more but he lived a very good life and left many, many, many GOOD sport horses.

• MAY 12, 2008 -  I received the BRONZE and SILVER MEDALS from the USDF!

- I forgot to tell you that Kristin and Anja Rietbrock (my German family/ trainers) were visiting at the beginning of March. Here is a picture at the Challenge of the Americas with Debbie and Juan.

• APRIL 23, 2008 - I'm sorry for the long period of time without updating the web page! Many things happened this month:

- Pat Bennett has a new horse named Marco, she got him in Ocala at Juan Ledgard's stable. After a couple of weeks at Rose's barn she moved him to Debbie's so that we can work together for a month and get to know him well. We have had very nice moments with him and wish Pat all the fun with her new project! Brandy is recuperating very good from her surgery and is starting to walk under tack.

- Gidget is also walking under tack. Barbara got an OK from Dr. Schachter after the last check.

- Debbie got new mirrors at her place and a set of 4 cavalletti. The arena looks beautiful and very professional!

- Debbie has a new barn manager: Jimmy Martinez. FUN TO WORK WITH HIM AND IS GREAT AROUND THE HORSES! We hope he stays for a loooooooooooong time!

- Check out the RESULTS 2008 page. Special remark on Debbie's first show with Sacusca and I showed First Valentine also for the first time!

- And talking about the shows: I had the nice opportunity to work with a group of Diane Cohon's students to help them prepare for their first Dressage Show. It was an unbelievable experience and I hope they had as much fun as I did! 

- We wish Amy Baker good luck at her new job in Indiantown!

- I promise pictures coming in the next weeks...  

• MARCH 10, 2008 - We are very sorry with the sad news: Felina, Barbara's partner for more than 25 years  left us after a very nice and long life (she was 34!).
• FEBRUARY 29, 2009 - Brandy, Pat's mare, had surgery today. She is recovering very well.
• FEBRUARY 18, 2008 - Thanks to the results of the last shows with Evita Rubin in Third and Fourth Level, with Westyn in Second Level and Sacusca and Vandalo Interagro in First Level I am going to be able to get the Bronze and Silver Medals from the USDF!
• FEBRUARY 16, 2008 - A big  THANK YOU!  to all my Caloosa clients that gave me the banner for the shows as a Christmas present!

• FEBRUARY 12, 2008 - The last Twin Rivers show was very good for Rose, Darlene and Janet. They all had nice scores showing a lot of improvement. It was the first time for Darlene in Second Level Test 2. Thank you Barbara for being there!
• JANUARY 28, 2008 - SACUSCA is the new star on the shows: Four classes ridden with her and each one with a 10! The judges love her. The comments are: "It was a privilege to judge such a wonderful test"; "Can I have her? I'll be very good to her" from Barbara Marks and "Fun ride to watch" from Marlene Schneider 
• JANUARY 28, 2008 - It was very nice to have my parents here! Thank you all for understanding I needed time with them! And now: BACK TO WORK...

• JANUARY 14, 2008 - We had another successful weekend. Vandalo was back in a show with me and it was really fun to ride. Evita shows a lot of progress and we had good placings in big classes. Westyn is moving up on the levels and that makes all of us very proud. The star was Sacusca: what a pleasure! 
• JANUARY 13, 2008 - It is always nice when you get news from your students about good results in shows. Darlene, Janet and Rose did a good job without me in the Twin Rivers show. I promise I will be there in February!
•  DECEMBER 20, 2007 - We were yesterday in the Newspaper! In the Wellington Forum of the Sun-Sentinel Palm Beach County edition. Click here to read the article. Pictures to come.
•  DECEMBER 19, 2007 - Anita has one horse less: Debbie bought Sacusca. CONGRATULATIONS and GOOD LUCK!
• DECEMBER 16, 2007 - First time with Evita in a show and was a big success! She behaved like a real show horse. Debbie is VERY HAPPY and I'm even more. Thanks to Debbie, Karen, Ruth and Jimmy for being there and help. And, as always, a big kiss for Juan for the support! 
• DECEMBER 9, 2007 - We participated in another Twin Rivers Saddle Club Show. This time we had new rides (See Results) and there was improvement from the previous shows. The scoring was low but the judge's comments on the tests were very clear and educating.
• DECEMBER 6, 2007 - Gidget is back to her stall after the surgery. She is doing well!
• DECEMBER 4, 2007 - Today is Gidget's surgery. We all hope for the best!

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