Ride Times For Gina Miles August 4, 2012

Get Ready for a great one day clinic with Individual Olympic Silver Medalist, Gina Miles! Auditors are welcome and the Deer Creek Pony Club will be on hand with a snack bar to keep our hungry clinic goers well fueled and ready to learn. We have space for two more Beginner Novice riders, and one more Preliminary and Above rider. Please let us know if you would like to join!

You could be jumping double clear rounds in front of thousands of adoring fans!

8:30 Group 1: Merissa Underwood, Caroline Dein, Jennifer McFall

10:00 Group 2: Ian Diery, Maddy Rau, Stevie Boblitt, Marta Tabatabai

12:30 Group 3: Sammi Clark, Katie Munson, Erin Critz, Meghan Allen, Dana Todd

2:30 Group 4: Mia Bouslough, Taylor McFall, Hailey Popham

As always, please be ready and warmed up by your ride time so that Gina can give you her complete attention during your lesson.

Montana Madness

After a hiatus last year from the annual West Coast Eventer's pilgrimage to Rebecca Farms, the DF Team was determined not to miss out on all of the wonderful things that Kalispell, Montana has to offer this year in July. Of course, the main reason for going is the second-to-none International Three Day Event at Rebecca Farms. This venue is basically Disneyland for event riders where the only thing missing is possibly speakers at each jump playing your favorite music as you pass by. If you can forgo the music, then you will be delighted with the grounds, attention to detail in every jump from 3*** to Novice, and the unbelievable hospitality. If you have missed this show in the past....Shame on you!

The DF Crew rented a fabulous house for the week and made sure to fit in plenty of sightseeing in between horsie activities. The entertainment in Kalispell and its surrounding areas is endless this time of year, and we had no problem finding something for everyone to enjoy, as well as making a very long list of things to do next year! And after a long day of riding and playing, there is nothing better than a home-cooked meal with friends back at "the cabin".

Camp DF for the week

One of the many beautiful sights on our trip to Glacier Park

Aside from having a wonderful time enjoying Montana, we also had an amazing show!

High Times and Jennifer McFall were unstoppable in the CCI*. Leading from start to finish, "Billy" was completely professional and dominated the division with strong performances in all three phases. This was High Times' first International win, but with a performance like that, he promises much more.

High Times is focused and elegant with Jennifer McFall to lead after Dressage

High Times produces a double clear round cross country to maintain his lead

High Times clinches the CCI* win after a stylish round

Natalie Jensen was also successful in the FEI divisions with her longtime partner, Wrigley. She and Wrigley finished 8th in CIC* with their personal best performance over this tough track. Of course, in Eventing looks aren't everything, but this pair presents a wonderful polish over their tough center which is a delight to watch and icing on an already great cake.

Natalie Jensen and Wrigley are ready to make a splash on the jog lane

Natalie and Wrigley showing their US pride on their way to a great finish

Merissa Underwood and her mare, Danny California, really put it together for this show and gave an incredible performance in the Young Rifer Preliminary. Merissa's focus was determined and steadfast upon a confident but soft ride and Danny responded with a gorgeous clear round cross country. In the end, the two were rewarded with an impressive seventh place ribbon to add to their collection.

Merissa Underwood and Danny California gave a beautiful performance in Dressage

Danny and Merissa exhibiting their trademark boldness 

Claire Jan and her adorable, high-flying Artistic Flaire, ended in fifth in a very competitive Junior Open Training division. Claire has been busy in the Dressage court and it showed with a solid test performed here in Kalispell. In her jumping phases, Claire is much more in command and with her stronger and more positive ride, Ace has responded with faster and cleaner rounds!

Claire Jan and Artistic Flaire fly over the steeplechase fence on cross country

Artistic Flaire stays tidy off the more forward distance

Caroline Dein tackled her first ever long format in the Training Three Day at Rebecca Farms. There's nothing quite like the long format, and your first one is certainly overwhelming with all of the jogs, mandatory gates, and steeplechase to contend with. Not to mention that the Dressage test is harder and there a million people in your class. But Caroline and her lovely mare, Lucid Opposition, came through it like champs and will most certainly carry this great experience forward as they continue to move through the levels.

Caroline Dein and Lucid Opposition are the picture of class in the jog lane

Lucid Opposition shows her heart over the big ditch brush with a good ride from Caroline

Natalie Jensen had a fantastic weekend on her younger mount as well, garnering the tenth place ribbon in the Sr. Open Novice D with Art In Motion. "Spencer" is a top prospect over fences and has really been making progress in the boring sandbox without any jumps in it. He will most certainly continue to improve as he moves up the levels and it becomes less of a Dressage show for him.

Art In Motion is aptly named with Natalie Jensen

The young Rouge et Blanc DF has been the definition of consistency in the Young Event Horse Four Year Old Series. He has scored in the 80's in all three of his YEH competitions with Jennifer McFall while amassing tons of admirers along the way. At Rebecca Farms, he tied for third with a very solid performance over fences. This flashy Morgan/TB cross has upper levels written all over him with his classic form and very trainable temperament.

Rouge et Blanc DF

Rouge et Blanc DF had a fantastic run on the green grass of Rebecca Farms

Rouge et Blanc DF has classic form and great style in his Frilly Fillies Bonnet

Take a flight around the Rebecca Farm Cross Country course!

Gina Miles To Be At Dragonfire August 4th

For one day only Northern California has the chance to learn from Olympic Silver Medalist, Gina Miles. Dragonfire will be hosting a one day clinic featuring Gina's superb teaching abilities over fences as well as a few private Dressage lessons for the very lucky ones that contact us ASAP. You will not want to miss this opportunity to gain intimate access to one of our country's most elite equestrian athletes! The jumping groups will feature both footwork to perfect your stadium round as well as cross country style exercises to intensify your inner warrior, priced at $130. For $165, you can have Gina all to yourself for a personal Dressage workout. Call or email immediately to reserve your space and insure that you will succeed at your next competition!

Frilly Fillies Supplies Style To Dragonfire

Frilly Fillies, the latest addition to our very distinguished list of Dragonfire Sponsors, is for the fashion forward equestrian looking to make an impression in the show ring. These custom bonnets are the top in luxury and fit, with completely personalized colors and monograming available. For your convenience, you can order your bonnets online at http://www.frillyfillies.com/ and make your equine partner look like a winner!

compliment your horse's color!

Frilly Fillies Bonnets WIN!

Manhattan Jubilee Makes A Great First Impression

Manhattan Jubilee

We all know how important it is to make a good first impression in life. Clearly, Manhattan Jubilee, or "Jolie" got the memo because she is amazing at "firsts". This four year old Morgan mare has the soul of a much older and experienced horse, exhibiting an extremely sensible personality that has carried her far in her early career. By two of the most successful Morgan Hunters of all time, Dragonfire Kirin and UVM Columbine, it is most certain that she will find herself on top of her competitions as well.

Most recently, Jolie attended Twin Rivers in Paso Robles for her first cross country school and a derby the next day. As you can guess, she was a super star the whole weekend. Never a spook, never a hurried moment, Jolie's quiet confidence showed in her school, her dressage test, as well as her Beginner Novice Derby round! This sweet and competitive mare is going far and will make someone a partner of a lifetime!