The Saddle Network Sponsors Dragonfire

The Saddle Network combines meticulous cataloguing, registering and identification for your saddles and equipment. Not only are your saddles visibly tagged with a QR code easily read by any smart phone to deter theft, but all of the information and pictures of your saddle are stored for use by the authorities and insurance. If a loss or theft is reported, The Saddle Network uses the power of social media to immediately alert the equestrian community of the theft.  Check out their website at www.saddlenetwork.com and join today!

Safety First!

The new KEP Italia Cross Country Skull Cap is here! We truly appreciate this wonderful sponsor that has our well being at the top of their list. KEP helmets are the best when it comes to safety ratings, comfort, and style. See what all the fuss is about and call Didem at DKT Saddlery to try one on! Her number is 408.472.0409

KEP looks particularly fabulous in DF colors!

"Go Billy Go": FEI Diary For High Times

Time, it seems, has NOT been on my side in regards to Billy's FEI Diary. I hate being a victim, even if it is just the victim of a moment passed, as these moments in my career are precious to me. For shame that I have not detailed these experiences while they were fresh, instead of months later when they are reworked by my warped sense of reality and resemble something more like Sylvester Stallone at the end of a Rocky movie. Luckily, I have video documentation that will keep the memory alive and accurate.

Our trip up to Montana this July was magical from the start, with several of our Dragonfire Team members getting together and renting a fabulous vacation home near Flathead Lake. We spent time together exploring the area and Glacier Park, and evenings cooking and gabbing. The magic continued with what I would call a break through performance for Billy in the Dressage. He was calm, "mostly focused" (those judges' boxes did have stripes all over the tops), and was very rideable. He began the weekend in the lead of a large group in the Rebecca Farm CCI* division.

Billy's jumping phases at Rebecca were equally wonderful, with a clean cross country that was confident and within the time. His show jumping was less aggressive, something that both of us continue to work on, and really quite classy. The rail he had down at the last was completely a rider error as I knew I had two rails in hand to win it, and since I had been clean thus far, I hurried the bending line and let him cut in, getting us a bit close. I would have loved to end the show on my Dressage score, but was thrilled all the same to have won our first FEI together.

Billy doesn't get what all the fuss is about

So now I head to our first CCI** together at Galway downs. Our last run at The Twin Rivers Open Intermediate is what I will be playing in my head leading up to our round on Saturday, as I hope to repeat that feeling. I will also try to recreate our show jump round there, minus that nasty case of last-fence-itis.

Dragonfire Delights That Ram Tap Shall Remain

Ram Tap, the country's longest running Eventing facility has had a near brush with being discontinued. Luckily for all of us in Northern California, Ram Tap has been purchased to continue as an equine facility that will provide Eventing, Dressage and Jumper venues for many years to come. I know for Earl and I, we both have a soft spot for the place, as it was the first place we both moved up to Preliminary and Intermediate, as well as our first CCI* back as kids. And now,  Ram Tap has also been the site for several our younger DF Team members to get their first recognized event under their belt. What a treasure this facility in Fresno has been for us!

DF riders Mia Bouslaugh, Hailey Popham, Taylor McFall, Makena Graber, and Maddy Rau after a successful show

 

Maddy Rau and Aurio Secto

Maddy and Aurio have set themselves up for a great showing at the upcoming Training Three Day at Galway, with a big win last weekend at Ram Tap.  After one of their best performances in Dressage, the duo were well within striking distance with a second place score. And after a blazing good round cross country, Maddy set herself well ahead to win the blue in Junior Training.

Hailey Popham and Dragonfire Lotus

Hailey Popham looked like a pro aboard Dragonfire Lotus in the Junior Intro to Beginner Novice. After a solid fourth in dressage, Hailey piloted her borrowed horse through two double clear rounds and finished the weekend in second place. We couldn't be more proud of her efforts.

Mia Bouslaugh and Rani D

Also finishing our her Dressage score was Mia Bouslaugh and her new mare, Rani D. You would never have known that these two have had very little time together, as they were focused and in sync the whole weekend. Their fifth place finish in the Intro to Beginner Novice is but a glimpse of the great things to come.

Makena Graber and Mr. Chew

Of our four first-timers at a recognized event, three of them finished on their Dressage scores, including Makena Graber aboard her Mr. Chew.  In a very large field of Junior Beginner Novice competitors, Makena was calm, cool, and collected to place fifth on the final day. In fact, of Makena and Mr. Chew's three competitions together, this is their third fault-free weekend!

Taylor McFall and Roses Are Blue

After an unfortunate rerouting on cross country, Taylor McFall made up for lost time by blazing around the rest of the course with Roses Are Blue in the Junior Intro To Beginner Novice division. Surely, she won't make that mistake again, and she more than made up for it with one of the prettiest show jump rounds of the day on Sunday.

Unfortunately not pictured is Megan Soske and her handsome hunk of a chestnut, Windfall. Megan has had a long hiatus from the eventing circuit but the thrill of the jumping has called her back, and with great results! The pair finished the weekend with a fourth place in the Senior Beginner Novice and a serious case of the Eventing Bug.

Introducing Stilwell Kingsley V

At just three years of age, Stilwell Kingsley V has already amassed a show record that could put most senior horses to shame. "King" has been shown in three separate shows, two of them Regional Championships, and has won in Dressage, Hunter Pleasure, and in Sport Horse In Hand. In fact, he has an UNDEFEATED lifetime career. King's super quiet attitude and smoldering good looks certainly have helped him in his success. But his most impressive quality has to be his athletic ability, particularly in the canter. We think he has what it takes to go all the way in Dressage, but he most definitely has the good looks and the famous Morgan versatility that could take him in any direction. By Summitry and out of Woodgate Martha V (who is by UVM Springfield) it really is no surprise that King is a true class act. If you are looking for a partner of a lifetime, look no further than Stilwell Kinglsey V.

Morgan beauty at it's finest

The start of his winning ways this season

 Check out these recent videos of King at play and at work.

                         

High Times Has A New Sponsor

High Times will now be enjoying the many benefits of eating soaked hay. As the demands of Billy's training regimen increase through his International career, his feeding program becomes more and more crucial. The laborious tradition of soaking hay has long since been followed in England and Europe for their high performance horses, but leave it to American ingenuity to find a way to make it fully automated and hassle free! And unlike "steamed" hay, that presents fire hazards as well as cooking the nutrients out of the hay, The Soaker preserves all of the essential minerals and nutrients while it washes away the debris and sugars.


SO WHY SOAK HAY?

SAVE MONEY:
Horses tend to eat less, eat longer, and require less supplementation when fed soaked hay.  Soaking hay is a proactive approach to your horse's health.

SHINY COAT:
Allows for zinc and copper to be more readily absorbed by reducing competing minerals.

HOOF HEALTH:
Allows for hoof building blocks to be more readily absorbed and utilized by the horse. Reduces sugar and inflammation and encourages proper hoof growth and function.

ALLERGIES:
Reduces particulate matter and impedes the inhalation of allergens by 90%. Increases immune system health. Studies show same reduction as steaming.

HEAVES (COPD) (RAO):
Reduces particulate matter and impedes inhalation of mold, spores, dust, etc by 90%. Studies show same reduction as steaming.

INTESTINAL HEALTH:
Slows down eating, softens hay to alleviate damage of digestive tract, neutralizes pH, and encourages proper digestion and gut health.

REDUCE SUGAR:
Soaking hay can reduce sugar in hay by up to 30%. Excess sugar suppresses the immune system, promotes inflammation, and raises insulin levels.

REDUCE POTASSIUM (HYPP):
Soaking can reduce Potassium by up to 50%. Potassium is considered a competing mineral, although necessary, too much Potassium inhibits the absorption of other important minerals.

HYDRATION:
One flake of hay can hold up to 2 gallons of water. This reduces risk of Colic, Choke, and Impaction. Encourages proper metabolic function, reduces dehydration, and increases performance.

WEIGHT MANAGEMENT:
Horses maintain proper weight due to increased water content of soaked hay and reduced sugar.

OLDER HORSE:
Wet hay is easier to chew.

JOINT HEALTH:
Reduces inflammation by reducing sugar content and maintaining proper hydration promotes circulation.

IMPROVED BEHAVIOR:
Alleviates the high’s and low’s of feed by reducing the amount of sugar, toxins, and competing minerals.

IMMUNE SYSTEM:
By reducing sugar, allergens, toxins, and competing nutrients, the body is able to focus on staying healthy and thriving.

TENDON, LIGAMENT, MUSCLE HEALTH:
Maintaining proper hydration levels promotes optimum circulation. The reduction of sugars allow for tendons, ligaments, and muscles to stay limber and strong.

High Times and his Soaker

Check out www.justsoakit.com for more information and ordering.

Introducing Axiom DF

Axiom DF

Axiom DF is another example of the exciting string of young event horse prospects available at Dragonfire.  "Max" is a two year old gelding that is very quiet, very kind, and very BIG!  He is by the Holsteiner stallion, Ariadus who is from Accord II, a 100 Day Test champion. He received a "9" on type and "8's" on both front and hind legs; a score seldom seen. Ariadus' granddam is the dam of CAPITOL, legendary sire from Holstein. Ariadus was 4th at the 1995 stallion approvals in Neumunster. He is a Premium rated stallion with 54 bonits. Ariadus is the most beautiful stallion we have seen. He is now ranked THIRD in USEF jumper sires!

Max's dam, Lucid Opposition is just a 7 year old mare, currently going Preliminary with a Young Rider, and is sired by the outstanding Trakehner stallion FLEETWATER OPPOSITION. She is a paternal sibling to  Opposition Buzz, Gold Medalist from the 2012 British Olympic squad.

Axiom DF has balanced gaits, a strong frame, and a wonderfully quiet attitude. He has a rhythm that can't be rushed and is a horse that will make any rider shine!