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

Team DF Earns Top Results At FCHP

High Times and Jennifer McFall

The Fresno County Horse Park has been making vast improvements over the last year and this February they debuted an Advanced class along with their CIC * and ** divisions. Having levels of this calibre available in Northern California is a great benefit to our horses and riders and we cannot thank John Marshall and his crew enough for the investment they have made in our area.

Winning the inaugural Advanced division, was Team DF’s own Jennifer McFall aboard High Times. Billy gave a respectable Dressage test, even though there was a loose horse during his ride that looked like it wanted to join him in the arena! After clear rounds in both the stadium and across the challenging new cross country track, his win was cemented as well as being a great start to the season. Cori Davis and A Golden Effort also started the season off with confident jumping rounds in the Open Intermediate and a sixth place finish. It was good to see this exciting partnership back in action. Dinero successfully tackled his first Intermediate at Fresno with Earl McFall in the irons. His clean cross country run was especially impressive considering that is only the beginning of his second season eventing.

Laurel Meck and Checkpoint Charlie produced a convincing lead in Dressage, and maintained to take the win in their Training level division. At only five years old, Let’s Go DF, was a very impressive and a solid competitor for third place in Training Horse. Ending on his Dressage score, he and Earl McFall are a team to keep an eye on. Sarah Moseley piloted her own Earl of Foxpoint to a sixth place finish in Junior Training. This team keeps improving and look to be contenders at the Training Three Day at Rebecca Farm. Shauna Diller stayed focused with Simply Susie to take away a fourth in their Novice division. This steady and forward duo can always be counted on to finish at the top of their class.

High Times and Jennifer McFall

High Times and Jennifer McFall

High Times and Jennifer McFall

Dinero and Earl McFall

Dinero and Earl McFall

A Golden Effort and Cori Davis

Let's Go DF and Earl McFall

Sarah Moseley and Earl of Foxpoint with Earl McFall

Shauna Diller and Simply Susie

Be Real and Jennifer McFall

Rani D and Mia Bouslaugh

Stoneman DF and Jennifer McFall

Tahoe's Prize DF and Amanda Blake

Tropic Star and Caroline Dein

Kilbarry Prince and Taylor McFall

Jennifer's Next Installment With COTH

Need a little light reading? Check out what our own Jennifer McFall is up to in her latest blog with The Chronicle of the Horse!

Ride Times For Hawley Bennett-January 16, 2016

Our first clinic with Hawley Bennett will be a great one day prep for the beginning of 2016. We are so glad show season is starting! 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 Kammy Bhala
845 AM Group 1
10 AM Group 2
1115 AM Group 3
15 minute break
1245 PM Group 4
2 PM Group 5
315 PM Group 6

Group 1: Jen/Billy, Cori/Ty, Erin Serefini
Group 2: Earl/Dinero, Mia Bouslaugh, Merissa Nielsen
Group 3: Morgan Wennel, Faith D'Allessandro, Earl/Scotty, Amber Forney
Group 4: Amanda Blake, Shauna Diller, Earl/Stoney, Jen/Jimmy
Group 5: Taylor McFall, Miranda Olagary, Sophie Weisman, Michelle Wennel
Group 6: Cat/Emmy, Morgan Wennel, Tanni MacDonald, Cori/Jax

Dragonfire To Host Hawley Bennett January 16-17, 2016

2016 is just around the corner and it is time to start planning for your big season ahead. We have the perfect opportunity for you to sharpen your skills after the Winter break with a two-day jumping clinic with Hawley Bennett! 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 $215 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. 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.

Brownies Sweeten The Day At Dragonfire

Earning Badges!

Today, Dragonfire hosted the Girl Scouts Heart Of Central California Troupe 1702, Brownie Division, for seven and eight year old girls. The youngsters had a wonderful time earning their Horsemanship Badges, while getting to know some of the instructors here at The Academy @ Dragonfire, as well as our trustworthy lesson horses and ponies. Several learning stations went on simultaneously, as the kids rotated through the lessons about the parts of the horse, equipment, grooming and riding skills. It was a wonderful day spent with these new horse enthusiasts!

A little Maybelline love.

Learning the parts of the horse and tack.

Grooming session!

Dragonfire is thrilled to introduce today's youth to the benefits of time spent with horses and the life lessons and skills the equestrian endeavor can offer.