A Young Career Off to a Winning Start

Devyn Rau piloted her young mount, Miss Jeanie C, to a first place finish at the Eventful Acres Fall Horse Trials. This ultra-sensible four year old mare is by Dragonfire Kirin and out of a race bred TB dam. Kirin has crossed onto TB and Warmblood mares beautifully, producing tractable and athletic mounts. Devyn has brought "Jeanie-the-Genius" along herself, and we have no doubt that this team will have many more successes to write about in the future! Congratulations Devyn!!!

Dragonfire Sizzles in Santa Barbara

It would be an understatement to say that Santa Barbara is one of the best places on the West Coast to show horses. While the town most certainly provides fun-in-the-sun daytime adventures and a friendly atmosphere for eating and nightlife, it is the great competition that makes the Morgan Medallion a show not to miss. Every class seems to have a past World Champion in it and each rider is turned out impeccably. Team Dragonfire not only gave many stylish performances, but also had a fantastic time doing it!

Merriewold Hanah with Earl McFall

Earl McFall and Merriewold Hanah presented a picture of power and grace in the Working Hunter division that was unstoppable. Hanah's flair over a fence combined with Earl's experience proved too tough for the competition as this pair won the Working Hunter Under Saddle, The Low Warm Up Hunters and also the Low Working Hunters. Proudly owned by Merriewold Morgans, Hanah is well on her way to establishing herself as one of the best sport horses in competition with wins in Dressage as well as over fences.

Taylor McFall

Ironforge Aire Command and Taylor McFall

Ironforge Aire Command and Taylor McFall

In one of the most entertaining classes of the show, young Taylor McFall really gave it her all in the Walk/Jog/Trot Pleasure Championship. After working the kinks out in the qualifiers with her partner, Ironforge Aire Command, Taylor was really up for the challenge of competing against the older and more experienced riders. The crowd and the judge alike could really see that she was "feeling the rhythm" in her championship. The announcement that Taylor and Ace had won the Reserve Championship was met with great approval from the stands and a teary eyed congratulations from her coach Melissa Votaw.

Rosy Outlook and Earl McFall

Rosy Outlook continued her winning ways under the guidance of Earl McFall. This perky, but sensible chestnut filly has a smooth and forward motion that gives her definite advantage over her competition. Bred to be a sport and show winner, she is by Dragonfire Kirin who not only won World titles in Dressage but also the Open Hunter World Championship, and is out of a Holiday Compadre daughter. Compadre was also a show/sport crossover with Open Western Pleasure World Titles along with victories in Reining. Rosy gave winning performances all week with a win in Dressage Suitability and in the Three Year Old Hunter Pleasure. She then went on the be named the Reserve Hunter Pleasure Junior Horse Champion.

Dragonfire Timeless and Jennifer McFall winning in a CWD saddle

Dragonfire Timeless is living up to his family's winning reputation with a red-hot season in his first year on the circuit. By the ever popular Minion Millennium who has produced World Champions in Park, In Hand and Hunters, and out of the beautiful Raintree Ala Bella, "Timmy" is a serious class act. When this colt hits the ring he inspires comments from the crowd about his square and smooth uphill motion, and also his obvious ease in which he performs his paces. Timeless gathered up more victories at the Morgan Medallion with the win in the Four and Under Hunter Pleasure and the Junior Hunter Pleasure Grand Championship, to go along with his Far West Championship.

Dragonfire Nefertiti and Jennifer McFall

Dragonfire Nefertiti and Jennifer McFall take a victory pass in a CWD saddle

The Ladies Hunter Pleasure Championship, along with the qualifier, went to Dragonfire Nefertiti and Jennifer McFall. Owned by Antonia Casados, 'Faye' is an undeniable beauty in the Hunter division. Every season this mare gets better and better, as she combines sexy good looks with tons of heart. Dragonfire is extremely proud of this perennial winner and granddaughter of our senior stallion, Dragonfire Kirin.

Not pictured, Macy McCallion piloted her own Chehelam Cassanova to a Reserve Championship victory in the Amateur Hunter Pleasure. Macy is one of the most elegant riders, with long legs and impeccable poise. Cassanova is as steady as he is forward, and the two of them make a lovely picture.

Dragonfire Heats Up The Motherlode Show

The Motherlode Show in Rancho Murieta, CA over Labor Day Weekend always promises to be "hot" with friendly competition. This year was no different as the Dragonfire Team brought the temperatures up with steamy performances in several different divisions. By the end of the show many lessons were learned, ribbons were won, and friendships were cemented by the common bond of enjoying great horses.

Stilwell Thunder

Earl McFall started us off with big wins for ALB Morgans. The yearling stud, Stilwell Thunder, was beautiful for the win in the Sport Horse Two and Under Stallions class. A son UVM Springfield, Thunder is as confident as he is good looking. At his first ever show, he was a model citizen and was not intimidated in the least when he went back in for the Grand Championship against the matured studs. Thunder then took the Grand Champion Stallion title, no easy feat for a yearling.

Lovey of Stilwell

Lovey of Stilwell, a two year old filly also by UVM Springfield, was up next and also gave a great show. Led by Earl McFall, Lovey was the blue ribbon winner in the Two and Under Sport Horse Mares class. This adorable bay trimmed in white then strutted her stuff in the championship to be named the Reserve Grand Champion Sport Horse Mare. Both ALB Morgans and Paradise Morgans (owners of Springfield) have a lot to celebrate after these big wins!

At their first ever rated Dressage show, Kammy Bhala and Toni Casados, hit the court with gusto. Kammy, aboard Iron Forge Aire Command, was all business and accuracy in Opportunity Training Level Test 2. Toni, riding her own Whitmor's Magnitude, was uber-focused to keep her mount on track and doing all of the movements at the appropriate times. These ladies efforts were well rewarded with a first place nod going to Kammy and the second place going to Toni. Way to go!

Dragonfire Lotus

Another maiden voyage was made at the Motherlode, this time for the young mare, Dragonfire Lotus. At her first ever Dressage show, she scored an amazing 68.92% in Training Level Test 2!!! Ridden by Jennifer McFall, she was as cool as a veteran in the show arena and ultra stylish. This three year old Morgan, sired by Dragonfire Kirin, promises to have the same illustrious career he had in the Sport Arena.

High Times

High Times and Jennifer McFall were the high scorers of the show with a 72% in First Level Test 3. The six year old Holstiener gelding has the most eye-catching gaits, which make him hard to resist. Combine his gaits with bold riding, and you have a recipe for victory. He not only won First 3, but also won First Level Test 4.

Ragtime Mi Oro Double and Makena Graber with Traci Graber

Makena Graber, after spending the majority of the season with her new mount Ragtime Mi Oro Double at the Academy @ Dragonfire Show Series getting invaluable experience, was ready to hit the bigger shows. With great support from her loving family, Makena "jumped into the deep end" with great success! "Sugar" was as adorable as they come, as she rose to the challenge and gave some of her best performances. With roaring applause from her family and barn-mates, Makena won the Junior Exhibitor Hunter Seat Equitation. Coached by Melissa Votaw, she was so poised and collected, you would have never known that this was her first Class A show with Sugar. As if that weren't enough, this team also gathered up the Reserve Junior Exhibitor Hunter Pleasure Championship sash.

Natalie Jensen was absolutely thrilled with her baby's performance. Art in Motion, a four year old gelding by Dragonfire Kirin, was stellar at his first ever show. Art in Motion is pictured to the left over fences and to the right proudly receiving his awards. Gathering top ribbons in both Dressage and jumping, it's hard not to compare this youngster to the great Dragonfire Kublakhan. His fantastic gaits and extravagant jumping style will certainly take him a VERY long way. Shown by Natalie, "Spencer" won the Low Working Hunter Reserve Championship.

Our Star Academy Riders from left to right: Taylor McFall, Alyssa Hansen, and Katie Sipes

The real stars of Dragonfire, were a select group of our Academy riders tackling the Opportunity 13 and Under Junior Exhibitor classes. These little professionals were expertly coached by Melissa Votaw, in what were some of the biggest classes of the show. Their enthusiastic determination easily brought compliments from the crowds and kudos from the show officials. Alyssa Hansen, riding Whitmor's Magnitude was solid for a red ribbon in the Equitation class. Her strong position and ring savvy give her an obvious advantage. Katie Sipes, paired with World Champion Celeste Aida, was called out as the reserve winner in the Pleasure class. This was a very pleasing picture, as Katie had a beautifully forward rhythm going on Aida, and looked every bit the part of a young equestrienne. Taylor McFall piloted Iron Forge Aire Command for sixth place in both of these great classes.