July News
Another busy Michigan summer! So much is happening and the days are rushing by. Here is a brief summary of the highlights of this month:
--The 2008 foals are all on the ground. This year we have a handsome and strong crop of babies by sires Cosaco, Grandioso, Idilio, Camaron, and Cuatrero. Please call HGF if you are interested in making an appointment to view this year's stock.
--If you have time and are in our area, please drop by during the week of July 21 to meet new Head Trainer Maria Lithander, who will be riding alongside Ana Gilmour and Working Student Lauren Staley. Lauren will be a Junior at Western Michigan University in the fall and is with us this summer to assist with starting the young horses.
--Diaz HGF(2004), now owned and ridden by Kelly Farmer, was this year's Champion of Dressage Suitability at Dressage at Lexington earlier this month. Diaz is by Camaron, out of Escapada. Congratulations, Kelly and Diaz!
--Another HGF horse, Recomendado, imported by HGF and now owned by Joni Cherbo, continues his winning streak and brought home two more blue ribbons at First Level in large classes in Region Eight. They have now qualified for the Championships. Congratulations Joni and Dado!
--HGF imported horse Heroico, owned by Julie Bullen and ridden by Lientje Schueler, received a 70.6% from Judge Fran Dearing at First Level at Dressage at Del Mar last month. Congratulations Julie, Lientje, and Hero!
--HGF imported horse Kabileno XV, ridden by Cheri Reiber and coached by Tom Reed, took 3 Firsts at Fourth Level at the competitive Silver Sands Bridle Club Dressage Show in June. Congratulations, Cheri, Tom, Mary, and Kabi!
--Be sure to cheer on Fuego XII (brother to HGF's Bolero), ridden by Juan Manuel Munoz for the Spanish Team at the Olympic Games. Fuego is the only PRE competing in Hong Kong this year. Fuego was 9th overall at CDIO Aachen last month and we are expecting great things from this pair in the future.
--Update from Aachen, Germany: HGF's Grandioso is there currently with his rider Courtney King-Dye, and he is getting the opportunity of a lifetime to work in the rings with the top horses and riders in the world. He is stabled with the US team, who is in quarantine with the rest of the Olympic horses that are traveling to Hong Kong next month. More on his time there to come . . .
--Look for us at Dressage by the Bay, Traverse City, the week of July 28-August 3. We are bringing a few young horses for the USDF Breed Classes, and also horses for the Dressage Show. See you there!
--Preparations for the Summer Dressage Festival with Lendon Gray and Victor Alvarez and the Chicks-in-Spurs Party are heating up. We have a few VIP tables left (located under the tent and near the dance floor), and are planning a wonderful evening of riding exhibitions, music, and equestrian entertainment from friends and horse lovers all around the area! Travel plans for out-of-town visitors are still being finalized, and we have a few openings due to cancellations for the last three days of Victor's week with us. Please contact Joan in the office (231-865-6000) as soon as possible if you would like to ride with Victor Alvarez or if you would like to purchase a VIP table for the Chicks in Spurs Party. Be sure to mark your calendars for August 9-17, and especially Monday evening, August 11, for Chicks-in-Spurs!
--We continue to have many visitors at the farm, including a bus load of Spanish exchange students from Grand Rapids and the darling future-dressage riders and PRE lovers pictured above!
We are so proud of all of our present and former horses and their wonderful riders who are out there in the show rings around the country and doing so exceptionally well--you are the PRE's best spokesmen! Check back as we update you on more details of the coming Summer Dressage Festival and Party, and more news of visitors and activities here at HGF. Enjoy these long lovely Michigan days!
