A Jolly Time Was Had By All

Thank You Sheldon Feed for sponsoring the prizes for our Jingle Bell Show!

It was with great pleasure that we hosted our Jingle Bell Academy Show and Luncheon last week for our wonderful students here at Dragonfire. We were treated with a fabulous display of what our students have been learning in the Academy, as well as visiting with all of the supportive family members later in the lounge over a delicious lunch provided by Melissa. Not only that, we had absolutely PERFECT WEATHER, something that we have been dreaming about without much success in our Academy Show Series.

a few Pre-show Pophams

riders line up for the judge in a youth class

Those who have their own horse were decked out with holiday spirit and were festively turned out for the show.  Kammy Bhala won the Best Dressed Award, along with a pair of wins in her flat class and pattern at our show.

Kammy and Merlin dressed for success

Mia Bouslaugh has newly partnered with Masto for the season and the match is already drawing accolades with a win in their flat class. His quiet rhythm  is perfect to showcase Mia's growing confidence and grace on a horse.

Christina congratulates Masto and Mia after their big win

Winning the large Advanced Pattern class was Megan Watkins aboard Maggie. Megan did well to keep the pattern even and exact, which really impressed me since they had to perform a four loop serpentine including two canter loops and two trot loops with a halt at the end.

Megan and her family pose with Maggie

Ben Snyder was overwhelmed with his win after a strong performance in the Beginner Pattern aboard Aida. His enthusiastic acceptance of his prize was such a treat to watch, reminding all who were there that horses are so good for a child's soul.

Ben is all smiles after a great ride on Aida

With poise and obvious joy, Daniella Zarate piloted Khan to a win in the walk/trot rail class. Her exuberant smile whilst performing with great style made her stand out to win the Best Performance Of The Show.

Daniella and Khan strutting their stuff

Focus being displayed during a pattern

Happiness is this

Congratulations to all of the riders, as your performances showed how hard you have been working to improve your riding skills. We are very impressed and can't wait to see you all again during our 2012 Show Series!

A Chance To Purchase Morgan Royalty

Morgan Medallion Champion

Miss Ruby Slippers is a beautiful example of the Morgan Horse. She is wonderfully trainable, gorgeous, and loves to show. She is by the great Grand Cru Beaujolais, a many time Western Pleasure World Champion. She is out of Carlyena, who is by World Champion Stallion Carlyle Command. Carlyena is also the dam of such greats as Vendela and Rampage. With bloodlines like that, HOW COULD THIS MARE BE ANYTHING BUT A WINNER??!! Ruby is bred in the purple and is the absolute cream of the crop when it comes to the modern Western Pleasure horse. She has a the grace and finesse of a much more seasoned competitor, and is so beautiful, there is no way you will not be noticed by the judges. Not only that, she is a piece of cake to work! Later on down the road, she will be no doubt make an incredible broodmare. Buy this mare and get ready to take a lot of victory passes. To watch her performing at the Grand National, click here. 

winning at the 2011 Morgan Medallion Regional

winning at the 2010 Far West Regional

Introducing Mr. Chew

A classic beauty

Mr. Chew has it all... striking good looks, top athletic ability, and the sweetest personality you could find. After some time at the Santa Anita Racetrack, he has found a new career here at Dragonfire as a Sport Horse and he is most definitely a barn favorite. It never fails that he is the horse that students stop and pet for hours on end. Mr. Chew will excel as an Event horse, Hunter/Jumper, or Dressage mount as well as be a true friend to his owner. Watch his recent training video here. The savvy shopper would buy him now while he is very reasonably priced as he is definitely a treasure!

 SO SWEET!

Underwood Rules Ram Tap

Merissa Underwood and her zesty mare, Danny California absolutely dominated the November Ram Tap Horse Trials. Merissa seemingly was in no mood to take any prisoners in what was meant to be her final performance at the Training Level, and she started the weekend off in first place with a score of 27.3 in the Dressage. "9" is not a common score to receive in Eventing, but with a stunning go, Merissa and Danny were awarded two "9's" on their test. To watch their Dressage Test, click here. Stadium was equally pretty and with a double clear round, they held their first place. Click here to watch Stadium.

Danny is foot perfect for Merissa in the stadium

To hold their lead for the win, Merissa and Danny need only go fast and clear on Cross Country day, a task easier said than done especially with the pressure of starting off in first place. Luckily, this is by far both Danny and Merissa's favorite phase of the competition and they just smoked around the course without a moment of hesitation. To watch their Cross Country round, click here.

In the end, Merissa gave the performance required to vindicate that she not only was the best in her class, but also had the best score of the entire Training Level division, as well as being named the Best Pony Club Performance of the show. Wow! Go Merissa and Danny... we are so proud of you two!

Dedicated Team

High Times Goes High Profile

High Times at the 2011 Galway International CCI* with a double clear round

High Times has a very distinctive look, one that is hard to forget. Let's admit it, he's got that "it" factor oozing out of every pore...and people are really starting to notice! Recently we were asked for a photo of him for the official American Holsteiner  website homepage, and we couldn't have been more flattered. Check out www.holsteiner.com to see Billy and also to learn more about the wonderful Holsteiner breed. Billy is a 7 year old registered American Holsteiner by Hunter out of Gerda I. Billy is also going to be featured on the Nupafeed USA Official Show Tent in life size. Nupafeed is a fantastic supplement and is vital to Billy's show performance. We love that Billy's cute mug will be traveling around to shows promoting this great company! To learn more about Nupafeed, click here. 

High Times will be life-sized in this Nupafeed advertisement 

And Max Makes Nine...

Stephanie and Hailey Popham with Max

The Pophams have added another member to the family with the purchase of Max. Max's quiet demeanor, peppered with a little zest here and there, is a perfect match for the personality of this charming family of eight. With all of the members riding in the Academy, I think that it is safe to say that Max will stay fit as a fiddle and looking young for years! Congratulations guys.... Welcome to the wonderful world of owning horses!!!

A Stallion For The Future

Dragonfire Wasabi in June, 2011

Are you ready to spice up the Western Pleasure scene? Do you want to give the judges in Oklahoma something to swoon over? Dragonfire Wasabi is YOUR MAN! Already a Regional Grand Champion Stallion himself, Wasabi or "Pepper" as he is known here at Dragonfire, has the proven performance bloodlines that practically guarantee he will be wearing roses in the future. Pepper is by the Multi-titled World Champion Western horse, Grand Cru Beaujolais. His dam, Dragonfire Nova, brings the 9 time World Champion, Dragonfire Kirin, into the mix. Nova herself has produced such Champions as Dragonfire Neferiti and Dragonfire Shaolin.

Dragonfire Wasabi is most certainly one of the most thrilling young prospects out there. He is destined to be under a spotlight wearing silver and roses. We couldn't be more excited to see how many titles will be credited to Pepper's name throughout the years.  Watch his recent Winter play session by clicking here.

A Whole New Dimension

Dragonfire Fourth Dimension

Physics Nerds aren't the only ones who will appreciate this phenomenal young mare. Dragonfire Fourth Dimension is by Minion Millennium and out of Dragonfire Nova. It is no wonder that a combination of these two World Champion producers would create something out of this world. "Demi" is a paternal sibling to our beloved Unanimous World Champion Dragonfire Timeless, and a  maternal sibling to Champions Dragonfire Shaolin, Dragonfire Nefertiti, and Dragonfire Wasabi.  She is beautiful, full of charisma, and ALL CLASS! Take a look at her recent video here. With a very sporadic 60 days under saddle this video shows she wants to be a spotlight performer.