April 27, 2009

News Update

2009 is off to a BRILLIANT start for Shamrock Horsemanship. The horses are happy and healthy and the barn is bright and busy. Our program continues to grow and flourish, and our show team could not be representing us any better!

We have several new show competitors that I would like to congratulate on their recent successes. Sarah, Victoria, Madison, Ashley, Brittney and Meredith, I am very proud of how well you have done at the Copper State, EVAHA and AZPtHA open shows, and I can't wait to see how far your show careers take you. And Julia and Melinda - thanks for making Shadow look so great out there!

Also, big congrats go out to Kendra and her student Jess, who took a blue on Biscuit his first time in the show pen with an SHA student! Great job!

Congratulations are also in order for Cyndy Kountz on her recent opportunity to lease the AMAZING appaloosa gelding More Sundown, better known as Champ. Champ and I had a blast winning the Western High Point at the last Copper State show and I can't wait to get him back out in the ring. Great job to Megan and Alyssa too, who were able to make the top 2 placings in nearly all of their classes at that show. We were able to take home both English and Western High Point that day - awesome!

SHA also had a great time at the Carousel Charity Show in March, where Megan and Michelle showed Fortunes Fate and Star of Neferset in the JTR Arabian Hunter Pleasure and Eq classes. The girls placed well in all of their classes, and Michelle and Neffi took the blue in Equitation with some phenomenal riding. Beautiful work, ladies!

Even with all of these great accomplishments, there is still even more great news!

SHA students Michelle McQueen, Megan Manning, and Heather Martin all competed at the AHA Region VII Pre-Show and Championships at the end of April and were absolutely FABULOUS with their horses Star of Neferset, Fortunes Fate and First Fortune. After a great pre-show that included a win in Eq and a reserve in Hunter Pleasure along with several solid placings in Sport Horse, the results for the Region VII Championships were:


Megan Manning and Fortunes Fate:
Region VII Arabian Sport Horse Under Saddle Open TOP 5
Region VII Arabian Sport Horse Under Saddle ATR CHAMPION
Region VII Arabian Sport Horse Under Saddle JTR RESERVE CHAMPION


Heather Martin and First Fortune:
Region VII HA/AASport Horse Under Saddle Open CHAMPION
Region VII HA/AASport Horse Under Saddle ATR RESERVE CHAMPION
Region VII HA/AASport Horse Under Saddle JTR CHAMPION
Region VII HA/AA Sport Horse In Hand Gelding Open TOP 5
Region VII HA/AA Sport Horse In Hand Gelding ATH TOP 5

The girls really held their own against some gorgeous horses and tough competition in huge classes, and I am just so proud of them.

There's just something about those chestnut Fortunes! :-)


Summer is coming up quickly, and I am working on a schedule that will keep us as cool as possible while still having the opportunity to ride. If you have any questions about scheduling, just let me know! Also, there is still room in our June summer camps, which cover topics from beginner horsemanship all the way up to show prep and judging. Click here for registration information.

Thanks again to everyone for all of your support, and I look forward to seeing you out at the barn! Take care!

 ~Kelli Metcalf