Dressage Riders Have Firm Seats

SHHHH! Don't tell Barbara... this is her surprise gift from me for her winning efforts

This saying is certainly true for Dragonfire student, Barbara Fleming. She has really been getting in shape with her Morgan partner, Alias, and the two have been setting the open Dressage circuit on fire lately. Flexing her might at both the Golden State Dressage and Dressage In The Almonds Shows, Barbara came away with no less than first place every time. She even grabbed a "9" on a complicated move! I guess that extra weight lifting has really paid off... keep pumping that iron, Barbara!

Congratulations!!!

A huge congratulations goes out to David Harding and Diana Lahr on their purchase of Dragonfire Timeless. This fantastic young champion will no doubt continue his winning ways with Diana in the saddle. All of us at Dragonfire wish you the very best, and can't wait to cheer you on in Oklahoma City.

The new team will be prepared by the very talented couple, John and Belle Hufferd, of Triumph Stables.

Dragonfire Shaolin Voted Best Performance Of Far West

Congratulations go out to Kris Johnsen and Dragonfire Shaolin for being voted the Best Performance of the entire Far West show by the judging panel. Their outstanding drive Saturday night clinched the Open Pleasure Driving Championship and also the adoration of the crowd and the other judges watching. Forest Nealon of Illahee trains this great pair.

Shaolin is out of our great broodmare, and daughter of Kirin, Dragonfire Nova. Nova had an impressive week at the Far West Regionals as a producer. She had three foals by three different studs at the show, all Champions in their respective divisions. Dragonfire Shaolin: Champion of the Open Pleasure Driving, Dragonfire Wasabi: Grand Champion Stallion, and Dragonfire Nefertiti: Champion in both Junior Exhibitor Hunter Pleasure and Amateur Hunter Pleasure. As a matter of fact, all of these horses were undefeated the entire week. Go Dragonfire!

Far West = Fun Times

The Far West Regional Morgan Championships has always been a great show for Dragonfire. Redmond, Oregon features stunning views of mountains, lakes and, my personal favorites, Rockchucks! There are always great friends to share the pool, boat or golf course with, and fantastic eateries to keep you entertained at night after the show. We always enjoy the atmosphere as much as the show itself. But this year was particularly sweet, as Dragonfire won every available championship in the hunter Pleasure division. Go Team!!

Rendition's Thrill A Minute really gave the crowd what they wanted in the Open Hunter Pleasure Championship with Jennifer McFall aboard. This exotic dark bay gelding showed like he owned the ring, even though this was the first show for the young performer. He not only shined on the rail, but he stripped beautifully to be named the Champion for his owner, Illahee, Inc.

Few are as beautiful and accomplished as Dragonfire Timeless. After a stellar year in the Four Year Old ranks, Timeless smoothly transitioned into the Ladies Division at the Far West Regional. Presented by Jennifer McFall and owned by Dragonfire, he won both his qualifier and the Championship, keeping his undefeated record at this show.

At his maiden show under saddle, Merriewold JS Bach gave the winning performance in the Junior Hunter Pleasure Championship. This big and bold four year old was the picture of a gentleman with Devyn Rau presenting. JS will certainly have a long and prosperous career in the show ring as a top Hunter. Owner of JS, Diana Wold of Merriewold Morgans is proving to have a very successful and competitive breeding program.

Speaking of strong breeding programs, ALB Morgans have been producing beautiful youngsters for Sport and Show. One of their first to hit the ring, Lovey of Stilwell, was the reserve winner in the Three Year Old Western Pleasure and was also the Reserve Champion in the Junior Western Pleasure with Earl McFall riding.

Dragonfire Farm is the proud owner and breeder of the Far West Grand Champion Stallion, Dragonfire Wasabi. This stunning yearling was expertly presented by Forest Nealon and Tom Tornatore. No doubt, this colt is destined for greatness, as he is by Grand Cru Beaujolais and out of Dragonfire Nova (dam of Dragonfire Nefertiti and Dragonfire Shaolin).

Going undefeated in five classes was Dragonfire Nefertiti with her two riders, Caroline Dein and Devyn Rau. "Faye" has always been stellar, and this show was no different with wins in Amateur, Ladies Amateur, and Junior Exhibitor Hunter Pleasure. She took both Caroline and Devyn for their first championship victory pass...though I doubt it will be their last! This gorgeous black mare always garners praise from the crowd, much to the delight of owner, Toni Casados.

Dragonfire Is Proud To Present Axiom DF

Axiom DF is a 2010 American Warmblood gelding by the Hosteiner stallion, Ariadus. Arguably one of the most beautiful in the breed, Ariadus received a "9" for type and consistently is praised for the temperaments on his foals. Axiom's dam is Lucid Opposition. Sired by the great Fleetwater Opposition, who has been a dominate force in the Trakehner breed, Lucid Opposition is a sibling to Eventing Olympic greats, Summer Song and Opposition Buzz.

"Max" is brimming with rhythmical movement and step. He is also a very solid citizen who is willing to take on anything you ask of him. He will certainly have a big career ahead of him in the modern sport field. To watch his video, click HERE.

High Times Hits His Stride At The Woodside $15,000 Preliminary Challenge

High Times gave his best all around performance, at his most difficult competition to date, during the 2011 Woodside $15,000 Preliminary Horse Challenge to finish in a strong second place.

After a very quiet and steady Dressage test with Jennifer McFall in the irons, "Billy" was tied for second place with Gina Miles' seasoned Preliminary competitor, Sunsprite Patronus, and just a few points out of first. Following Dressage day, the cross country course was full of technical questions and hills to navigate. Billy overcame most of his desire to study each fence closely before jumping and put in his fastest round yet, with just one second over the time at the finish. This gave Gina the edge to break the tie and go into the Stadium round in second place.

The Preliminary Challenge runs the Stadium on the eve of cross country day during the competitor's party so that all can enjoy the intense battle for the prize money from the comforts of the party tent. So, even though there is a very electric atmosphere, most of the horses are feeling quite fatigued after their morning's exertions, and Billy was no exception. The course had several bending lines and square oxers, but to great applause, High Times gave a beautiful clear round to put the pressure on second and first place. As it was, second place had an unfortunate stop and a rails, so Billy moved up in placings and prize money.

High Times and Jennifer McFall at the second water complex on cross country.

Dropping in.

Across the pond.

Water to water canoe.

CWD Corner out of the water.

A clean Show Jumping round.

Thank you to our DF sponsors: CWD, Nupafeed, KEP and Eurostar

Tim Terrific and Earl McFall

Tim Terrific, a four year old American Thoroughbred, made his debut performance with Earl McFall riding. This stunning steel gray was a super star, finishing the weekend in fourth in his Beginner Novice division.

Tim Terrific and Earl McFall

Danny California and Merissa Underwood after their winning performance.

Merissa Underwood and her lovely mare, Danny California, were also sitting in second place after Dressage in their Training Level division. After a text book, perfect ride across country, they added no more penalties after the stadium round to finish on their Dressage score. This sprung them ahead of the field in the end and they came away with the blue ribbon for first place.

Taylor and Rosie See Red

Taylor McFall and her trusty steed, Rosie took their first "swim in the deep end" at the Starr Vaughn Hunter/Jumper Schooling Show today. In their first ever over fences performance away from Dragonfire, this pair (gulp) was in an eighteen (that's 18! folks!) deep OPEN cross bar class. As she finished, I was so relieved that they just got around with no major mishaps that I remember from my childhood and really had no thoughts of a further prize at the end of the day. But, wouldn't you know it.... they took second place. Ahhh, to be Taylor. TO WATCH THEIR VIDEO CLICK HERE.

anxiously awaiting their class early in the morning

not-so-anxiously awaiting their class in the afternoon

the celebration at the pool after the show