Hawley... Headbands... Team Shirts... OH MY!

As if it wasn't exciting enough that we are having the one and only, Hawley Bennett, here to clinic tomorrow and Sunday, we are also having a bevy of our clients and sponsors wares for you to peruse. So bring you checkbooks!!

We have Team Sponsors The Soaker and The Saddle Network lined up to show you the benefits of automatically (I like that part!) soaked hay and keeping your tack safe by tagging your saddles.

We have Team DF shirts and yoga pants, as well as couture standing wraps, for sale to help support Billy's big FEI schedule this year.

For our horse's and our own heads, Frilly Fillies will have custom bonnets to make your equine partner look like a star, and Karen Jensen has adorable knitted headbands to keep you warm!

And don't forget that Deer Creek Pony Club will be on hand to keep you from getting hungry with a full snack bar both days!

Ride Times For Hawley Bennett

Hey, I left my Range Rover in that ditch!

Time to kick it into gear for 2013, and Dragonfire is doing it in style! We are so excited that the date is fast approaching for the Hawley Bennett Clinic at Dragonfire!

Please be warmed up and ready before your ride time starts so that you can get the full benefit of your time with Hawley. The Deer Creek Pony Club will be on hand with a snack bar including lunch items, so you will be able to stay the day and watch the rest of the lessons without starving to death.  To answer your questions about their products, Dragonfire Sponsors, The Soaker, and Saddle Network will be on hand to help you with your needs. Also, we are inviting our riders to a potluck dinner up at the house on Saturday night so that everyone can spend some quality time with Hawley and ask her all kinds of questions about what it feels like to represent her country in International Three Day Eventing. Please email Jenny at dragonfirefarm@frontiernet.net to let us know how many in your party are planning on coming to dinner ASAP so that we can be prepared.


Saturday 1/26                                                      Sunday 1/27
8:00: Caroline Dein  (dressage)                           8:00: Dana Todd (dressage)
8:30: Kammy Bhala (dressage)                             8:30: Kammy Bhala (dressage)
9:00: Group 1                                                      9:00: Group 1
10:15: Group 2                                                   10:15: Group 2
Lunch                                                                 Lunch
12:00: Group 3                                                   12:00: Group 3
1:15: Group 4                                                     1:15: Group 4
2:30: Group 5                                                     2:30: Group 5
3:45: Group 6                                                     3:45: Group 6
7:00: DINNER


Group 1: Jen McFall (Billy), Natalie Jensen (Wrigley), Haley Abbett
Group 2: Dana Todd, Caroline Dein (Lucy), Cori Davis (Ty), Danielle Casalett,  Maddy Rau (Aurio-Sunday only)
Group 3: Earl McFall (Tim), Natalie Jensen (Spencer), Jen McFall (Roger), Jessica Bylsma
Group 4: Kristi Alameda, Makena Graber, Mia Bouslaugh, Amanda Blake
Group 5: Cori Davis (Nick), Earl McFall (Daisy), Caroline Dein (Cricket)
Group 6: Jen Azevedo, Earl McFall (Manny), Taylor McFall, Lara Port, Maddy Rau (Joey-Saturday only)



Let's learn and grow! Onward and upward!!

The Academy @ Dragonfire Welcomes Mighty Maybelline

Maybelline and Taylor McFall soar over a fence during a lesson

We are proud to announce the addition of Mighty Maybelline into the Academy @ Dragonfire! As her name suggests, this spunky little pony loves her job and and is a great teacher for the young members of our team. For those of you considering having your children join our program, here is a rider's view of what it is like to take Maybelline through a course.

Above is a video from a helmet cam worn by Taylor McFall as she pilots Maybelline over a series of obstacles. To schedule a lesson with the Academy, call Cheron at 916.204.4247

Mark Your Calendars

2013 is here, and what better to do on a rainy Winter day than coordinate your year with the 2013 DF Show Schedule? Clinic dates will be added as the season progresses; please keep an eye out for updates. Of course, the listed shows are not set in stone, so we would love to hear what you would like to do. Let us know what your 2013 goals are, so that we make sure to help you achieve them by going to the right qualifiers!

Jan 19-20 Pippa Funnell Clinic @ Galway
Jan 26-27 Hawley Bennett Clinic @ DF
Feb 2-3 Galway Downs Horse Trials BN-OI
Feb 15-17 Fresno Horse Trials Intro-OP
March 1-3 Twin Rivers Horse Trails BN-A
March 15-17 3 Day Ranch Intro-AI (only if really needed!)
March 23-24 Hawley Bennett @ DF
March 28-31 Galway Downs International Horse Trials N-A, CIC*, CIC**, CIC***
April 10-14 Twin Rivers International Three Day BN-A, CCI*, CCI**, CIC***
April 24-28 Rolex Three Day Event (possible attendance)
April 26-28 Fresno Horse Trials Intro-OP, FEH (if not at Rolex)
May 8-12 Jersey Fresh International Three Day CIC**, CIC***, CCI**, CCI***
May 10-12 Galway Downs Horse Trials BN-I, YEH (if not at Jersey Fresh)
May 24-26 Woodside Horse Trials BN-A, Preliminary Challenge
June 8-9 Copper Meadows Horse Trials BN-OI (only if really needed!)
June 19-22 Far West Regional Morgan Horse Show
July 24-28 Rebecca Farm International Three Day N-OI, T3D, FEH, YEH, CIC*, CIC***, CCI*, CCI**
Aug 9-11 Woodside Horse Trials BN-A, YEH
Aug 14-17 Morgan Medallion Regional Horse Show
Sept 6-8 Copper Meadows Horse Trials BN-OI (only if really needed!)
Sept 18-22 Twin Rivers Horse Trials BN-A, Training Challenge, YEH Championship
Oct 4-6 Woodside International Horse Trials BN-A, CIC*, CIC**, CIC***
Oct 12-19 World Championship Morgan Horse Show
Oct 31-Nov 3 Galway Downs International Three Day N-OP, T3D, CCI*, CCI**, CCI***
Nov 15-17 Fresno Horse Trials Intro-OP

HAPPY SHOWING!!!

2012 Student Of The Year: Caroline Dein

Caroline Dein and Lucid Opposition

We are very proud to announce that Dragonfire's 2012 Student Of The Year is Caroline Dein. Caroline's sunny disposition and colorful exterior are a perfect balance to her determined inner-self, creating a person that is always a joy to be around and an asset to any team. Caroline's self deprecating humor would keep the public clueless of her talent, but those of us that know her are well aware that she and her young mare, Lucid Opposition, are headed for greatness. Achieving her lofty 2012 goal of finishing the year out at the Preliminary level amidst moving away for her first year of college  was done with a smile and the desire for more.

A goal achieved or the beginning of something special?

The lengths that Caroline would go to in moving up to Preliminary would impress even the most dedicated, including driving up from Santa Barbara to Woodside and back just to meet us for cross country schooling. And when it would have been easy to give up, Caroline forged ahead learning from the past, whether the mistakes were hers or not.

A proud moment

The 2012 season ended for Caroline and Lucy with a fourth place finish in the Open Preliminary at the November Ram Tap Horse Trials. Certainly, that finish is a glimpse into a very exciting 2013 for these two. We look forward to seeing what you can do Caroline! Congratulations!

Dragonfire To Host Hawley Bennett

Dragonfire is kicking the new year off right by hosting a Hawley Bennett-Awad clinic January 26-27,  2013. With her extraordinary accomplishments on all of the Canadian Teams including the Pam Ams, WEG's and the Olympics, this elite equestrienne hardly needs an introduction! Her drive and her youthful energy is not only unsurpassed in the industry it is also infectious as she has had a hand in several top young rider's careers.

With her keen eye and direct teaching style, Hawley will undoubtably give you a clinic to remember.

The clinic fee is $215 for two days of intimate sized groups that will guarantee that Hawley will be able to give you the attention you need to improve. The Dragonfire facility also boasts a fantastically large ring with several types of stadium and cross country type obstacles that will give you the challenge you desire. Auditors will be just as pleased with the large seating area on the raised berm and a sound system to hear all of Hawley's instruction. The auditing fee is $10 per person for both days.

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. Make checks out to Dragonfire and send to 13247 Orange Rd. Wilton, CA 95693 to reserve your spot now, along with your experience level. VERY limited stabling is available for those traveling over distance for $40/day.

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.

"Go Billy Go": FEI Diary For High Times

Upon arrival I already felt a sense of achievement. 

Let the triumphant horns sound, as Billy has returned home to Wilton as a legitimate Two Star horse. Not only did he handle all three phases (and the jogs) like an absolute professional, he devoured the relentless cross country course with aplomb. The fact that he was the youngest and truly the least experienced horse to reach a top five placement in the CCI** at the 2012 Galway Downs International Three Day was a thrilling end to a wonderful season.

Before the show started Billy and I were signed up to ride with the incomparable Buck Davidson Jr. at Kingsway farm. I can't be more grateful to my coach Hawley Bennett-Awad for organizing this great clinic every year, her tireless efforts are not lost on me. It seems that Billy was feeling a bit apprehensive about his reunion with Buck this year, as getting to the clinic was possibly more difficult than the actual clinic. So extensive were his shenanigans walking (I use that term loosely) to Kingsway from Galway, that Earl considered hooking up the trailer to come retrieve me. Ahhhh... the joys of a fit horse. The up side was that even though I was a bit late, my horse was already warmed up! Buck's challenging exercises served two purposes,  to sharpen us up before the big show and to give Billy a place to channel his abundant enthusiasm before Dressage.

Our Dressage test came late Friday morning, during the glorious Southern California sunshine and warm temperatures we all dream of when wearing a top hat. I was very pleased with Billy in this test, he was relaxed and listening... what more can a girl ask for? Although, he did slip on some packed and wet footing coming off our first centerline, and I think that slip made him a little tentative and I felt I couldn't push him quite as aggressively as I wanted. At any rate, his efforts were definitely appreciated by the judges and we were in second place, just 0.5 behind the leader, in a strong field of 29 starters.

Billy was happy to do his job in the Dressage court.

Relaxed and submissive are Billy's two new favorite words.

Billy is becoming expert at the dramatic square halt to finish.

With Dressage out of the way, I had the chance to really go over my 9+ minute course that Billy and I were due to tackle the next afternoon. Needless to say, it was the longest course that we would ever have stepped hoof on, and I was grateful for the tough conditioning program Hawley had put us on. The course itself was challenging, with few let up fences, and several combinations at the end that would test a tired horse and rider.

Saturday afternoons: The only time I don't mind a sweaty shirt.

Our run Saturday afternoon went off without a hitch. All of the fences went exactly according to plan, and with a little added encouragement from me, Billy was the fastest he's ever been and only picked up a few time penalties. We ended the day full of confidence and remained in second place, less than a rail away from the new leader. Aside from the obvious satisfaction one feels from being in such a high position, I felt enormously proud of our round. I rode with precision and focus, and Billy dug deep and truly tried his sweet little heart out for me. It was a cross country ride I will relish for years to come.

Billy looking very stylish flying one of the single fences on course.

One of the last combinations on course where Billy was still flyin' HIGH!

The corner following and Billy is right on target.

My fabulous 2012 CCI** Pit Crew.

With the stadium course being set on several short distances and all but one fence was on a related line, it was time to practice that new "patient" stride we had been working on. My goal was to not have a building step that unravels by the end of the course. Ultimately we accomplished that goal, but had a very cheap rail in the middle of the triple, but managed to leave the last fence up which has plagued us for most of the season. All of the top riders had a rial, but unfortunately I also added three time penalties to my score with that quieter round. My second place became fifth, but behind two Advanced horses and two Pan Am horses, so I really could not be disappointed with my ribbon.  After my initial irritation in myself wore off over the time faults, I took solace in the notion that if I had gone faster I would have most likely have two rails and eight faults!

Still full of jump on the third day.

A clean final jumping effort for the end of our season.

And so now I can be thankful for this wonderful horse that has come into my life who is showing me that he would like more of this adventure. I am thankful to my support team: my family that is behind me all the way, Hawley who pushes me for more,  and all my girls that I can virtually feel willing me over every fence. My sponsors have been right there with us too: CWD provides me with the best saddles available, Nupafeed USA gives Billy the "quiet" he needs for Dressage and the energy for cross country, The Soaker helps Billy stay hydrated and feeling his best, Frilly Fillies Custom Bonnets make us look boss, DKT Saddlery keeps my head safe and cool with KEP Italia helmets and my bum trim with Eurostar breeches, Kentucky boots keep Billy's precious legs bubble wrapped at all times, and The Saddle Network keeps my mind free from worry as I know my tack is protected from theft. My sincere appreciation goes out to you all. Here's to 2013 and all of it's possibilities!!!

My favorite picture from the show. My husband and my champion walking back from cross country.