Ride Times for Hawley Bennett June 17, 2016

Our next clinic with Hawley Bennett will be a great one day prep for the upcoming Event at Rebecca Farm. We are so glad she could make it out! Remember to be a little early so that you can be warmed up and ready for your ride. Auditors are welcome, and free of charge.

8 AM Group 1

900 AM Group 2

1000 AM Group 3

15 minute break

1115 PM Group 4

1215 PM Group 5

130 PM Group 6

215PM Group 7

Group 1: Daniela Zarate, Taylor McFall/SirUP, Tanni MacDonald/Grandin

Group 2: Caroline Dein/Zoey, Taylor McFall/Prince, Jen McFall/Jimmy

Group 3: Faith D'Allessandro, Amanda Blake, Earl McFall

Group 4: Tanni MacDonald, Cori Davis/Jax, Jordan Ballinger

Group 5:  Marissa Neilsen, Linka Parlee, Jen McFall/Stoney, Caroline Dein/Felix

Group 6: Stephanie Nicora, Meghan Lawrence

Group 7: Jen McFall/Billy, Cori Davis/Ty

Dragonfire's Young Talent Shines At Woodside

The Spring Event at The Woodside Horse Park can be counted on to provide exciting performances across the divisions, with California's top barns traveling to the picturesque hills of the Bay Area to take part in The Preliminary Challenge. Along with their best entries for this unique class that offers generous prize money at the Preliminary level, riders look forward to galloping the cross country in Woodside at every level from Beginner Novice to Advanced.

This year, Dragonfire was at the top of the class in the Novice divisions with several of their candidates for the Young Event Horse Series.

Stoneman DF and Jennifer McFall

Leading his division from start to finish, Stoneman DF, handily won the Novice Horse at woodside. His rhythmical dressage test scored a 27.2%, which he held for the remainder of the competition with two double clear rounds. This full Thoroughbred, by Grindstone out of Smiler, is really starting to come into his own and has truly discovered the joy of eventing. We expect that he will be a superior upper level mount in the future. His next outing will be the 5 Year Old YEH as well as the Novice Three Day at Rebecca Farm with Jennifer McFall.

Stoneman DF in his clean show jumping round

Stoneman DF

Be Real and Jennifer McFall

Another exciting prospect from Dragonfire, Be Real, ended in second place in the Open Novice. This five year old Irish Sport Horse gelding by Ramiro B (sire of Ballynoe Castle RM) and out of a Puissance mare (half brother to Master Imp) has a lovely cadence and a superior temperament. Be Real can be counted on to come away with a score in the 20's and Woodside was no exception, as he laid down a brilliant 21.5%. An unfortunate rail in stadium knocked him down to second place, but he was still on a solid score of just 25.5%. His double clear cross country secured the red ribbon for the weekend. He will challenge his barn-brother at Rebecca Farm in both the Five Year Old YEH and the Novice Three Day, with Jennifer in the irons.

Be Real

Tropic Delight and Caroline Dein

Caroline Dein has to be thrilled with her family's homebred, Tropic Delight. This stunning Trakhener mare is by E. H. Lehndorff's and out of Tiger Lily. At just four years old, she shows much promise for the future. Her dressage test was good enough to be standing in second place in the Novice Horse division, but a single time fault in the show jumping moved her down to third. Although green, she tackled the cross country with vigor and came away double clean and ready for more! She will next contest the Four Year Old YEH in Kalispell, at Rebecca Farm.

Tropic Delight

We are very excited to be bringing along such talent, and are grateful for the positive venues available to us to showcase them at. On to Kalispell!

Dragonfire To Host Hawley Bennett June 17, 2016

Need a little mid-season refresher, especially before Rebecca Farms? We are happy to have Hawley Bennett coming to Dragonfire Friday, June 17th, to give us a one-day jumping clinic. Hawley's enthusiastic teaching style gives every rider that boost in confidence they need, while our facility boasts a giant ring with superior footing, perfect for Hawley's intricate and extensive exercises.

Be a part of this sensational rider's team as she continues to set the international scene on fire and learn from her vast experience. The clinic fee is $115 for intimate sized groups that will guarantee that Hawley will be able to give you the attention you need to improve. Make checks out to Dragonfire and send to 13247 Orange Rd. Wilton, CA 95693 to reserve your spot now, along with your experience level. Spaces in the clinic will not be held without payment.

There will be no refunds on clinic fees unless your spot can be filled from a wait list. Late entries will only be accepted if space warrants, and will be on a CASH basis only.

Introducing Chosen One DF

We are positively thrilled to introduce Chosen One DF! This spectacular Holsteiner colt is by the incomparable Grand Prix Show Jumper, Coconut Grove xx, and out of the mare, Cheerleader (Diarado/Cassini II). "Uno" is blessed with the all of the looks and talent that his royal blood could bestow, including a kind and willing temperament.

"Uno" stretches out for his first time

Chosen One DF pc: Nokomis Photography

Uno is by Coconut Grove who won the young horse competition of Colombia in 1993 and was Reserve Champion in both the National Jr. Rider and Young Rider Championships in 1994. From 1995-96 he won numerous Open Jumper classes and small Grand Prixs as well as three consecutive National Show Jumping Championships in Colombia from 1997 to 1999.

He was champion in the Bolivarianos Games 1997, Champion in the1998 Toyota Cup, a World Cup Qualifier, Reserve Champion in the Centro American Games of 1998, and Reserve Champion in the 1998 World Cup Qualifier in Venezuela. Coconut Grove was the Best South American Horse and placed Team 5th in the 1999 Pan Am Games, was 3rd in the 2000 $100,000.00 U.S. Open Jumper Championships, and 6th in the 2000 WEF Challenge Cup Grand Prix.

He won the Biltmore Welcome Stake and was 2nd in Modified Jumper - Upperville 2000 and 5th in the Grand Prix of Wellington in 2001. He ranked 3rd in the 1999/2000 American Grand Prix Association Rookie of the Year Championships based on only six starts. In his career, Coconut Grove qualified for all major show jumping events: the Olympics, World Cup, American Invitational and the American Grand Prix Association Championships.

Coconut Grove

With a quality pedigree, an outstanding performance record and sound conformation, Coconut Grove exemplifies the best of what an exceptional thoroughbred stallion has to offer. Coconut Grove is the first Thoroughbred stallion in the U.S. to be granted a breeding license by the American Holsteiner Horse Association and the American Hanoverian Society. He has 100% positive approval status with 9 European, 9 U.S. and 1 Canadian Registry, the only thoroughbred in U.S. history to accomplish this feat. In 2005, he was chosen for the highly selective Hanoverian Jumper Breeding Program. In 2014, Coconut Grove was posthumously approved by the American Trakhener Association. Coconut Grove is often described as "amazing" in editorial columns. He was a very agile and careful jumper, had abundant scope, and his jumping technique was excellent.

Diarado

Diarado

Uno's dam, Cheerleader, is by Diarado who is brilliant in his type, superior in his appearance and possesses extremely precious bloodlines: Diarado enchanted the experts at the Holstein stallion approvals. A winning stallion from top to toe, combined with fantastic movements and a jet black coat. His abilities seem endless - effortless, quick and superior with an ideal bascule he was the topic of every conversation at the Holstein stallion approvals. Like pearls on a string he combines the big names of the Holstein breeding through his dam which is by the outstanding sire Corrado out of a Contender-Lord-Ramiro dam. Amongst the highly successful descendants of the grand Holstein lineage 318 d2 are the international show jumpers Cabrio/Toni Hassmann, Morales/Dr. Michael Rüping and numerous licensed stallions such as Corofino I and II, Coriano, Crawford, Chello I and II as well as the licensing-champion Camiros (sire of Maya Black's Doesn't Play Fair). His sire Diamant de Semilly ridden by Eric Levallois was member of the French gold winning team at the world championships in Jerez and won the team silver medal at the European championships the following year. Bred for performance, he has been consistently named "best sire of young horses" at the French championships in Fontaineblau . He can look upon an entire armada of international top-class horses and by now belongs to the most sought after sires in France. Grandsire Le Tot de Semilly was also internationally successful and is considered to be one of the best show jumping producers in France.

Diarado Video

Cassini II

Cheerleader's damsire is Cassini II, the full brother of Cassini I (Capitol/Caletto II/Mahmud; Stamm 3389). Injured when younger, it has taken time to prove himself, but is now very sought after because of his talented offspring. They are of a modern type and very attractive. Cassini II is considered a better producer than Cassini I.

Chosen One DF, "Uno"

With the best talent of the past from both the Thoroughbred and Holsteiner in his pedigree, the future is bright for this youngster, without a doubt!

Introducing Incantare DF

Incantare DF

We are extremely pleased to announce the arrival of our first foal of 2016, Incantare DF! This stunning filly is our first foal out of a daughter of The Twain and is by the stallion, Mighty Magic. She is the product of years of careful planning. "Candy" represents the direction of our breeding program and our dedication to produce athletes capable of representing the United States at the International level.

Sire: Mighty Magic

 In 2010, Mighty Magic was the World Champion of seven-year old event horses in the CCI 2** at Le Lion d’Angers, France, after having taken silver the year before at the same venue in the class for six-year olds. He is a son of Mytens xx, a breeding stallion that has combined like hardly any other stallion the marvellous thoroughbred type with the popular warmblood qualities, rideability and show jumping potential . Mytens xx presented a spectacular leg and back technique as well as a tremendous scope over the jumps. Dam’s sire Heraldik xx was one of the best refining stallions in earlier breeding history and very popular all over Germany. He was of special interest for breeding event horses, and is responsible for many of today's Olympic and WEG champions. The granddam Fiona VIII was bred to Contender and gave birth to the advanced level jumper Conradin 3 with whom Janne-Friedericke Meyer started to participate at international competitions in 2005. Heraldik xx can be frequently found in the first generations of successful international event horses. Lavall I carries a high percentage of thoroughbred blood as well. At times, he successfully competed for the Danish national team. Together with Ladalco, the winner of his stallion licensing, again you can find an increased thoroughbred influence further down in the pedigree via Ladykiller xx, Sacramento Song xx, Anblick xx and Waldenser xx. And that’s not all: In fifth, sixth and seventh generation, there are Mephisto, Laertes and Cornett, three more representatives of the Manometer xx, Ladykiller xx and Cottage Son xx –lines. There is almost 90% thoroughbred blood in Mighty Magic’s pedigree. On his dam side, Mighty Magic is a representative of the Holstein line 1947 that produced the following important breeding stallions for different breeding areas: Alibi de Laubry (Netherlands), Angriff (Holstein), the fantastic Cambridge (privately owned stallion in Holstein), Consens (privately owned stallion in Holstein), Contini (Warendorf state stud stallion), Exkurs (Holstein, Netherlands), Lehnsherr GL (privately owned stallion in Rhineland), Leon (Holstein) as well as Quick Dancer I and II (privately owned stallions in Baden-Württemberg).

Mighty Magic in his winning round at Lion

Mighty Magic

Incantare's dam is full thoroughbred, sired by The Twain, who boasts the bluest of blood from across North America, Europe, New Zealand and Ireland. His sire, Green Dancer, was a stakes winner in France, winning the French Classic before retiring to stud. He went on to Kentucky for breeding, where he sired many million dollar winners, as well as steeplechase stars. Green Dancer was named the French Leading Sire in 1991. The Twain brings the blood of NIJINSKY to the front of his papers as his grandsire. During Nijinsky’s brilliant career, he became an English Triple Crown winner, set a European earnings record, was Europe’s Horse of the Year in 1970, and was syndicated for a world-record price. He was historically important for establishing the international reputation of his sire, Northern Dancer. Retired to stud at Claiborne Farm in Kentucky, Nijinsky was the Leading Sire in Great Britain, Ireland and eventually the Leading Broodmare Sire in North America. Sir Tristram, sire of The Twain’s dam, was the greatest Thoroughbred stud in New Zealand racing history. He was Irish-bred and raced in Ireland, England, France and also in the U.S. in the Kentucky Derby. He was then bought and retired to stud in New Zealand, where he sired over 140 stakes winners and an extraordinary 45 group one winners, including three Melbourne Cup winners. One of the most sought after performance sire lines of modern day breeding, Sir Tristram’s influence has been incredibly widespread, particularly in International Show Jumping and Eventing.

Classic Twain DF, Champion Young Event Horse, sired by The Twain

At just one day old, Incantare DF is already showing the strength and happy attitude of her ancestors before her, and we are thrilled with this result!

Congratulations Dayna!

We are thrilled for Dayna Lynd-Pugh of Flying Tail Farm and her acquisition of the 2016 DF foal by The Twain out of Highland Empress! Dayna is a true connoisseur of fine Irish eventing lines, and she now will have the very top pedigree available stateside.

Full sibling ~  yearling colt, Master Twain DF 

Out of the mare, Highland Empress (BY MASTER IMP, OUT OF A CAVALIER ROYALE/CLOVER HILL MARE), this foal will possess the blood of Ireland’s very best, with close up relations including William Micklem’s stallion, Jackeroo, Zara Phillips’ High Kingdom, Karen O’Connor’s Mandiba, Clayton Fredrick’s Ben Along Time, Mary King’s Imperial Cavalier, and Tiana Coudray’s Ringwood Magister.

This foal is by The Twain, our Nation’s best bred Thoroughbred stallion for Eventing. The Twain is by Green Dancer, who was a stakes winner in France, winning the French Classic before retiring to stud. He went on to Kentucky for breeding, where he sired many million dollar winners, as well as steeplechase stars. Green Dancer was named the French Leading Sire in 1991. The Twain brings the blood of NIJINSKY to the front of his papers as his grandsire. During Nijinsky’s brilliant career, he became an English Triple Crown winner, set a European earnings record, was Europe’s Horse of the Year in 1970, and was syndicated for a world-record price. He was historically important for establishing the international reputation of his sire, Northern Dancer. Retired to stud at Claiborne Farm in Kentucky, Nijinsky was the Leading Sire in Great Britain, Ireland and eventually the Leading Broodmare Sire in North America. Sir Tristram, sire of The Twain’s dam, was the greatest Thoroughbred stud in New Zealand racing history. He was Irish-bred and raced in Ireland, England, France and also in the U.S. in the Kentucky Derby. He was then bought and retired to stud in New Zealand, where he sired over 140 stakes winners and an extraordinary 45 group one winners, including three Melbourne Cup winners. One of the most sought after performance sire lines of modern day breeding, Sir Tristram’s influence has been incredibly widespread, particularly in International Show Jumping and Eventing. THE TWAIN IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO OVER 40 RECENT WEG, OLYMPIC, AND 4**** TOP TEN FINISHERS, SUCH AS:

The Foreman
Gin & Juice
Calico Joe
Donner
All Luck
Toy Town
Critical Decision
Casoar des Touches
Nullabor
Mayhem III
Primmore’s Pride
Bonza Puzzle
Poilu
Brandenberg’s Joshua
Connigar Bay
Hide And Seek II
Over To You
Moon Fleet
Hyppolyte
Upstage
Orient Express
Carousel Quest
Two Thyme
Call Again Cavalier
Lamicell Charizard
Woodburn
Balmoral K.S. Roscoe
Kirby Park Allofasudden
Yeoman’s Point
Lenamore
Shaabrak
Snip
Silence
La Biosthetique Sam
Lead The Way
Theodore O’Connor
Courageous Comet
Tipperary Liadnan
Neville Bardos
Calico Joe
Donner

Master Twain DF

Master Twain DF

We simply cannot wait to see what the future holds for this baby in Dayna's capable hands. Congratulations Dayna!!!

Congratulations Arnell Sporthorses!

Earl McFall and Dinero at Galway Downs

We are very pleased to announce that Arnell Sporthorses has purchased Dinero for top international rider, Rebecca Braitling, to campaign at the upper levels of eventing. This full Thoroughbred has shown his incredible scope and ability for the sport in a very short time, and is most certainly going to shine in Bec's talented hands. Dinero began his career with Canadian Olympian, Hawley Bennett, and continued his education with Earl McFall through the Intermediate level. Arnell Sporthorses is known for their taste for upper crust horses, and Dinero is no exception to their rule. Congratulations to all!

Bec and Dinero make a beautiful pair