News Archives
News from 2004 and earlier
Clinic for Cece (Dec '04)
Cece and I had a clinic with Grand Prix trainer Patti Becker, whom I have known for 4 years. Patti was the trainer at Evegreen for the first 9 months I was there, and put in a few months of training on Daxx for me.
The day was not without incident. Cece broke the ramp on my trailer so we couldn't get her there. I drove over to the farm to let them know, and arranged transport and a new ride time. We took my trailer to the repair shop and dropped it off. While we were waiting at the barn, friends came and offered us their trailer, so we loaded up Cece and just as I went to get into the truck, I heard a tire with the familiar 'hissssssssss' of a soon-to-be flat. We hurried over to drop Cece off (only a mile away) and I called my father to come rescue me. 4 hours later the flat was fixed.
The clinic itself went well, despite the constant wind and frequent 50 - 60 mph gusts that made the barn shake and humm. Cece was a bit rattled but my constant stroking soon encouraged her, and we had a good ride. Patti rode for several minutes to understand some of the issues we were having. It was a good clinic and Cece has lots of homework to look forward to.
Royal Diamond gelding most expensive horse at Vechta Special Auction! (dec. 13)
Rosselini was the most expensive horse at the 37th Vechta Special. This gray gelding is by Royal Diamond – Oldtimer xx. Royal Diamond offspring continue to do well at the big Oldenburg auctions.
Trip to Paxton (Nov '04)
Inspection photos!
We drove to Paxton for the final days of the Federation Testing November 11 to the 14. What a trip. Cincinnati is a beautiful area, lots of trees, hills, rivers and streams. Our travels took us into the 'rural' areas surrounding Cincinnati and we saw some lovely homes and farms I would love to have. The roads were, shall we say, 'different' as they were quite steep and curvy with no shoulders and sometimes a rather treacherous drop to the side. It left me wishing I was in the corvette, yet also musing their navigability during winter.
Paxton is a beautiful place. Amazing buildings, beautiful grounds. Probably even better in summer than fall/winter. The day we arrived it was rainy and cold, so we checked in to the hotel and decided to stay put so I could prepare for the party. Nervous hostess! Ken and I had decided (rather, guessed?!) on about 150 people. I think we easily had 100, not sure if we hit a full 150 although it was close. Plenty of food and beverage! Lots of wonderful people to meet, food to consume, and photos to take! I couldn't stop eating the chicken quesadillas, and also had way too much cheese cake. The assortment of fresh fruit was devine, and the strawberry-chocolate fondue was also something I had to revisit. Here's a photo of the spread! Chef Jim served up quite the selection!
Friday rolled around quickly and we got lost trying to find Paxton. We nearly ended up in Kentucky. An hour later we arrived in time to see most of the boys presented for their dressage tests. I sat and watched and forgot to video. However, after lunch the jumping started, and I shot hours of video. I ran into the owner of Le Champion, Grace's sire. Her new stallion, LandChampion, Le Champion's younger 3/4 brother, is at Paxton. He looks so much like LC. I think I'm in love!
Friday night was the official Federation party, but we were tired and instead walked to the mall for some food and exercise. We found some wonderful massage chairs, the best money I've ever spent.
Saturday morning was a late morning. Start time at Paxton was 11 am, so we slept in! A quick trip to Walmart for boots (twas muddy and I'd failed to bring my boots) and things (forgot my sunglasses too), and we were off to Paxton. Ken has 3 stallions in the testing, and we wanted to get good video of him on the boys. We found a perfect spot near the water complex, and I was ready for some good video work. I was able to pull some fun photos from the video, although the quality is not good.
Sunday was the final day, when the results were in. Ken did wonderfully, all 3 of his boys were fully approved. Several friends had stallions there, and it was heartbreaking to see many did not pass. Here's Ken with Rubicon.
As soon as the results were final, we headed out. 8 hours of road ahead, with Chicago somewhere in there as well, promising to extend the 8 hours to ?? We were lucky, few traffic jams, and we were back in a reasonable amount of time.
I definately plan to return in 2 years.
We just received the photos from Karen Lietz photography, from the RPSI inspection. Karen is a fantastic photographer.
Cece - beginning to Jump (Oct. 04)
My friend Pam has been helping me to school my 4yo mare, Coeur de Championne HF, or Cece, over fences. We began in early October with trot poles and simple poles and a simple X. Surprising to me, she's taken a real enjoyment from it, and has progressed quickly. I've taken some video of her (on her page or on our sales page) and grabbed a few images from the video.
My favorite photo:
Isn't she totally cute?
Videos of our sale horses
We are working on adding video clips of our horses for sale to our sale page. Check back often as we add clips of the horses, their sires, etc.
Weltissimo wins Championship at his second show! (Sept. 20)
News from Eeyore's owners!
Dear Stephanie,
Eeyore's a star! He went to a Sweet Charity show (a two-day local show) and came home 2-foot hunter champion!
We entered the mini-hunter division and did not expect him to win, frankly, as we trot all lead changes. But all the other entrants were as green as Eeyore, and he was 1st/2nd/3rd in his jumping classes and first in his under saddle, so he's the champ! He never peeked at a jump, always jumped nicely (as high as you have to jump to clear two- ft jumps). His behavior was lovely except . . . .
Eeyore turned off his hearing aid in the under saddle class and performed a Freestyle. When the other horses trotted, he cantered. When they cantered, he walked. He missed every lead. He wouldn't stop cantering until he'd caught up with his buddy, two horses ahead of him. He never went fast but his Stupid-Three-Year-Old Impression was was flawless--His attention was ANYWHERE but on what I wanted him to do. The spectators LOVED it. When he won the class (he may have been the nicest mover but he should've placed LAST), the spectators cheered. May I add that he hacks quite obediently at home.
Anyway, we're thrilled. I can probably take time off in two weeks to take him to another show. Same deal--eight tiny jumps in a row, and won't win unless every other horse trots his lead changes, but Eeyore knows enough now that you can SEE him learning and putting some things together: "Oh, listen to your leg AND keep cantering . . . hmmmm". We've had him go over some 2-ft-6 jumps, and he likes it. Of course, he's 16 hands now (taller at the butt) and can walk over two-ft-six, but he doesn't need to jump bigger jumps yet.
Anyway, I hope and your family and all your horses are well. Eeyore The Champ is in fine shape!
--Lisa A.
Of course this is no suprise to us as Weltissimo is a half-brother to our late stallion, Remarkable!
Reflection by Remarkable, Top colt, RPSI inspection! (Sept. 8)
Reflection by Remarkable was the Champion colt at our RPSI inspection on September 8! He tied with our colt Outrageous HF, and the inspectors broke the tie and named Reflection the top colt! Congratulations to his owner/breeder Pam Prince!
Grace checks in foal!
Our vet confirmed Grace is in foal to the stallion Royal Dance! We may have the only Royal Dance foal coming in 2005 in North America.
RPSI inspection September 8
More information on the RPSI inspection, as well as directions, can be found HERE.
Westfalen Inspection a success! (August 16)
Valerie Ahl of Oregon WI graciously hosted the Westfalen inspection for our area. We had an excellent turnout of mares and foals. Mares, yearlings, and foals presented were:
- 04 Feiner Stern filly o/o a Guarantor mare - owned by Shelley Day, WI
- Royal Champion HF, 04 Royal Diamond colt o/o La Championita by Le Champion, owned by Hopeful Farm Sport Horses, WI
- 04 Freestyle filly o/o a TB mare - owned by Marie Hoffman, IL
- Free at Last, 04 Freestyle colt o/o Grace by Grusus - owned by Eowyn Brewer, WI
- Florianne de la Championne, 03 Freestyle filly o/o Le Championita owned by Valerie Ahl, WI, bred by Hopeful Farm Sport Horses, WI
- Freelance, 03 Freestyle gelding o/o Will o the Wisp - owned by Eowyn Brewer, WI
Mares presented were:
- Will O' the Wisp HF (ES Walk on Top - Giselle v. Gibraltar)- owned by Hopeful Farm Sport Horses, WI
- Grace (Grusus - Romano v. Romanow)- owned by Eowyn Brewer, WI
- TB mare - Owned by Marie Hoffman, IL
All foals/horses were of excellent quality and received great compliments from the inspector. It was nice to see so many Freestyle foals and how prepotent he is for type, topline and swing and elasticity.
Westfalen and RPSI Inspections coming soon! (August 11, 2004)
Just a reminder, this Sunday, August 15 is the Westfalen inspection at Pen yr Bryn Farm in Oregon WI. September 8th is the RPSI inspection. More information on the RPSI inspection, as well as directions, can be found HERE.
Some new photos (July 13 & 28)
I shot some adorable images last night. Check them out HERE.
Thank you Pam for shooting these cute photos of the foals! Enjoy:
Mares bred for 2005! (July 6)
We have several mares bred for 2005 to some fantastic German and North American stallions! Check them out! Many of the foals can be purchased in-utero! This is a superb chance to save thousands of dollars! See our sales page for more information.
Key: Stallion's name (Sire - Damsire) -- Mare's name (Sire - Damsire)
- Stedinger (Sandro Hit - Landadel) -- Replikah (Regulus - Sound of Battle xx) Pregnancy confirmed
- Cantour (Cantus - ) -- Crystal Coronet xx (Coming Ruler xx - Crystal Gaze xx) Pregnancy confirmed
- Harvard (Hohenstein - Cardinal xx) -- La Championita HF (Le Champion - Sound of Battle xx)
- Sempatico (Semper - Ico) -- Ripley xx (Ascendant xx - John's Battle xx)
- Opus (Idocus - Admiral Ferdinand) -- Will O The Wisp (ES Walk on Top - Gibraltar)
- Stedinger (Sandro Hit - Landadel) -- Coeur de Championne HF (Coriander - Le Champion)
Reminder that the Westfalen and RPSI inspections are happening soon! Westfalen inspection is August 15! If you have a horse to bring to the inspections, please let us know ASAP (scroll down the page for more information)!
Brag on Eeyore (again!) (June 7)
We received a lovely email from Eeyore's new owner, after Eeyore attended his first 2-day horse show!
Eeyore's a show horse! He went to a 2-day local show and was a star! He hopped right on the trailer, enjoyed (and contributed to---don't leave any gear where he can get his teeth on it) the chaos of the barn aisle, and was fine with the tractors/tents/strange horses near the show rings. He had to trot on the lunge line Friday, bellowing at the other horses, but after that he hacked just fine. Saturday he didn't even need a quick lunge; we got right on him and he hacked around like a big boy. He jumped three whole crossrails. Sunday we entered him in the Pleasure Horse . . . he missed a lead but was the most relaxed horse in the ring, so he won! Everybody loved him. We hope to take him to a show in the early fall and maybe let him do a 2-foot-high mini-hunter class and trot all the jumps. Hope you and your family & horses are all good. Thanks for breeding Eeyore (who sends kisses)!Congratulations to Eeyore and his owners!!
--Lisa A.
New photos of the colts! (June 3)
We've posted new photos of Ripley and Willow's colts. Scroll down the page a short way and you will see them!!
Willow had a colt! (May 31)
Willow foaled early in the morning, 2:55am on Memorial Day. A lovely chestnut colt by the KWPN stallion Hierarch!! Lovely strong colt with 4 matching socks, a star, and a itty, bitty strip.
New photos of Remarkably Fine (May 28)
Marty M from North Carolina sent in these lovely photos of her yearling gelding Remarkably Fine, by Remarkable. Isn't he gorgeous!! Congratulations Marty!
Ripley's first foal - colt! (May 27)
Ripley foaled May 26! Sneaky mare foaled out in the pasture. He's a strong boy, a bay, with a star and one white hoof. Sire is Olivier, the Dutch stallion by Idocus. Welcome Outrageous!!
Replikah is in foal! (May 25)
We're thrilled that Replikah is confirmed in foal to the Oldenburg licensing champion, Stedinger, for an early 2005 foal! This should be a fantastic foal!!
RPSI Inspection - Photographer (May 24)
We are pleased to say that photographer Karen Lietz will be photographing the RPSI inspection this fall at Pen yr Bryn Farm. For more information on the inspection, Click HERE.
Wisconsin Westfalen Inspection (May 21)
We have the date for the Wisconsin inspection, August 15. This inspection will also be held at Pen yr Bryn Farm. If you would like to come with a horse, please let me know ASAP! Stall space is limited.
Grace foaled a colt by Royal Diamond! (May 20)
Grace foaled a lovely colt (ROYAL CHAMPION, barn name Roo) at 5:05 am! The birth went smooth and quickly, and he was up trying to nurse in a short time. Roo looks to be the same black color as his famous grandsire Rubinstein. Momma and son are doing well!
Reflection by Remarkable! (May 16)
The Westfalen mare, Patrice by Puritano, foaled a lovely bay (going gray!) colt by Remarkable on May 16. This fellow has some LONG legs and a super type and topline! He has a star like his sire and a hind sock like his grandsire Riverman. Congratulations to his breeder, Pam! Meet Reflection:
RPSI Inspection for 2004! (April)
We will be co-hosting an inspection this fall with the RPSI. Pen yr Bryn Farm will be the location, with their brand new barn! Space is VERY limited and is filling FAST, so please let me know if you would like to bring a horse. Click HERE.
News from Weltissimo's Owner (April 27, 2004)
We received a lovely email yesterday from Eeyore's (Weltissimo) owner, Lisa. Eeyore is aiming toward a big career as a show hunter. Today is Eeyore's third birthday and he has accomplished another milestone in life:
Eeyore send kisses & says "Happy Birthday To Me!" He has been an absolute doll. We ride him in the outdoor ring now, even when horses are turned loose being silly in the paddocks where he can see them as we ride. He never turns a hair. His steering coming along well except when his attention wanders. That's OK. He's moving beautifully.
In honor of his birthday tomorrow, we asked Eeyore to jump 2 crossrails today. Let me explain: we've been letting him trot over a pole on the ground, then canter a few steps straight to a second pole on the ground. Well, today we let him trot over a tiny crossrail, expecting to trot to a second crossrail six steps away if he seemed to stay organized. Eeyore popped over the first X with no hesitation, landed in his canter, took the requisite 6 steps, and stepped over the second X perfectly while changing his lead in the air for the upcoming corner! He was perfect--We couldn't be happier! We'll let him trot Xs once a week for a month or two. It would be easy to move his training along faster but we won't . . . but he's still growing (16 hands now!) and there's no need to stress his joints. He's going to be SO FANCY in the hunter ring; you're on my list for photos we get some.
Eeyore will get extra apples tomorrow & I'll give him a birthday kiss for you. I hope you and all your horses are healthy and shiny.
Thanks for breeding Eeyore!
Lisa A.
We are, of course, thrilled to hear such wonderful news about Eeyore! Congratulations to Lisa and Eeyore, and THANK YOU for keeping us updated on Eeyore's progress!
Breeding in 2004 (February 7, 2004)
Well I've made a few choices for the girls for this year's "dates." Unless Replikah is sold, we will try her with Stedinger, the 2003 Oldenburg licensing Champion. He is a son of Sandro Hit out of a Landadel mare (my favorite!).
Ripley has a date with the newly imported stallion Sempatico, standing at Silverwood Farm.
Willow has a date with the Dutch stallion Opus (Idocus - Admiral Ferdinand). Opus is a half-brother to Olivier, whom Ripley is currently in foal to! Idocus is showing Grand Prix Internationally in Holland.
Miss Grace - Looks like she will be bred to the black stallion Harvard (Hohenstein).
New photos of Remarkably Fine (February 2, 2004)
Martha M sent us new photos of her Yearling RPSI gelding by Remarkable. Thanks Marty!
Sad, awful News (January 1, 2004)
We were horrified and saddened today to learn of the tragic loss of Reanna by Remarkable. Tina P. lost her entire barn and 8 horses in a fire on New Year's Eve. Tina also lost her Riverman daughter and 6 other horses, 4 of which were owned by friends. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Tina and her family on their horrible loss.
Rest In Peace Reanna and friends.
Just this side of Heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
--author unknown.
2004 foals coming soon!
The first 2004 by Remarkable is due March 24. The second foal due this spring by Remarkable is due in early May.
My mares are not due to foal until May. The first to foal should be Grace, who is in foal to Royal Diamond. A week later both Ripley and Willow are due a day apart. They are both in foal to Dutch stallions.
Remarkably Fine (Dec. 4, 2003)
Martha M from North Carolina sent us a few images of her Remarkable colt, Remarkably Fine.
Reanna by Remarkable (Dec. 4, 2003)
Tina P. sent us two new images of Reanna, taken during her RPSI inspection where she earned a Silver Premium medal:
She also sent in photos of her Riverman-bred horses to the Hilltop Farm webmaster for posting. Remarkable's daughter, Reanna, is posted along side her sister by Riverman. Click here.
Foals for 2004 (November 4, 2003)
I have created a new webpage for the foals coming in 2004. Click here.
Our young mare, Coeur de Championne HF, has been started under saddle. We sent her to Little Bit Farm over the summer to be started. I now have her back home with me and she is progressing very well in her dressage training. She's an extraordinary mare to ride! We have also done some free jumping with her and she is very talented and scopey over fences!
Inspection Results (September 17)
Inspection results are in! Congratulations to the owners of Remarkable's first two foals. Both Remarkably Fine and Reanna earned Silver Premiums at their RPSI inspections!
On September 15, our young colt, French Kiss HF, earned an 8.0 and Gold Premium at his RPSI inspection. His dam, Replikah HF, earned 48 points and is approved into the Main studbook. She was just 1 point away from Premium!
Our 3 year old mare, Coeur du Championne HF, was approved by the German Oldenburg Verband into their Main studbook, on September 16.
Weltissmo sold (August 1, 2003)
Congratulations to Lisa Allen of Indiana on her purchase of Weltissmo by Werbellin out of I Must Fly **. We can't wait to see you two in the hunter ring!
New Foal Photos (July 12, 2003)
French Kiss
Grace in foal to Royal Diamond! (July 3, 2003)Our Oldenburg mare La Championita or "Grace" is in foal to the Oldenburg stallion ROYAL DIAMOND, full brother to Rohdiamont, and son of the legendary stallion Rubenstein.
New Photos of Reanna by Remarkable (July 2, 2003)
First mare in foal via frozen semen (June 23, 2003)
Email confirmed today that the first mare bred via Remarkable's frozen semen is in foal. We will keep our fingers crossed that she holds onto the pregnancy and we see a foal next year!
Photos of Remarkable's first Colt (June 20, 2003)
Marty M. of North Carolina sent us these newer photos of her colt by Remarkable out of her TB mare Ashtabula Mary. Unfortunately "Mary" passed away just 2 days after this lovely colt was born. He is shown here with Marty's 34yr old gelding.
Grace and Replikah have been bred (June 20, 2003)
Replikah has been bred back to Freestyle for a 2004 foal. We are very pleased with this year's colt and hope we get one just like him next year!
Grace has been bred via frozen semen to the Oldenburg stallion Royal Diamond, who stands in Germany. Royal Diamond is an up and coming young son of Rubinstein. He is shown by American Lisa Wilcox for Gestut Vorwerk, at the FEI levels of dressage.
Willow had her Freestyle foal, a lovely bay colt. We plan to breed her to the Dutch stallion Hierarch for 2004. Ripley will be bred to the Dutch stallion, Olivier.
Photos of our foals (June 15, 2003)
We have some new pictures of our foals from this year:
French Kiss (Freestyle - Replikah)
For Sale
Tragic Loss of Remarkable (May 30, 2003)Dear Friends,
Remarkable has passed over to the Rainbow Bridge today. His death was sudden, unexpected, and a huge loss for us. Thank you all for your kind words. This has been an incredibly difficult time. We are eagerly awaiting his last foal for this year. We have one confirmed pregnancy for next year, and another mare to be checked soon. Very limited frozen semen is being offered to our contract holders. Remarkable joins his mother in the green pastures of Horse Heaven.
Just this side of Heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. 
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
author unknown.
