News from June, 2010

Liz Hopps McConnell Dressage and her clients had fantastic results at Dressage at Del Mar on June 19/20.

Marian Nilsens fabulous horse Wisdom showed his extreme talent in his 4th level test.  He showed his inexperience with a bit of tension in such a big show environment, but all is forgiven when you see his huge potential in all three gaits, and his lateral work is unstoppable!

Marians young horse Daytyme came along for the ride and he was such a good boy, showing off but also showing maturity beyond his age.  He will be competing next time out!

Corinne Ayers beautiful mare Sydney (shown as Pas de Deux) was fabulous.  She was full of rideable energy and did superbly coming 3rd in her 4th level test with 65%.  Her ride on Sunday was just what you dream of and she came 2nd with a score of over 67%.  I had so much fun with her this show, I was left wishing she was not FOR SALE.

Kathleen Butler with her wonderful partner Galahad had a great show as well.  Galahad has developed so much more strength he absolutely surprised us with his energy and enthusiasm.  Kathleen got 63.4% in her 1st level test on Saturday.  With his new found energy Galahad was fabulous to watch, and his ever present hoard of fans was standing on the side lines watching and silently cheering him on!  The first show I went to with Kathleen and Galahad I was so surprised by Galahads fans, but now I am used to it.  He just has a following of riders who are drawn to how big and handsome, and how honest he is, not to mention his super type and gaits!  Kathleen moved up to 2nd level for the first time on Sunday, and got an impressive 62%, just a couple of points off the winning score!!

I had the pleasure of riding Theo Tang's lovely young Holsteiner gelding, Fabiano.  This was his first show and we wanted to make sure everything went well.  It could not have gone better.  Fabiano was completely focused, I was so proud of him and would not have changed one part of his first ride, which we completed with a score of 75.6%.  The second day he was tired, but still such a good boy with no errors just a little loss of flair.  We completed the second test with a score of 72%.

Fabianos score of 75.6%, from his first ever test at his first ever show was enough to earn him the award for the High Score of the whole show. 

What a great show.  We all had a great time, and everyone worked well together, being supportive and helpful.  Thanks to everyone including our groom extraordinaire, Enrique.

News from April, 2010

I want to welcome Kathleen Butler and her lovely horse Galahad, and her mum Kolette Flynn and Figaro to my dressage training stable at Dove Hollow Dressage Center.  It is such a pleasure to have them and their horses.

We are all enjoying the new footing in my arena.  It holds up to the rain so well, and is super in the dry too!  Thank you Flo and Barbara!

News from March, 2010

Dressage Affaire was our first competition of the season.  Christine Krissoff's Uiver was fabulous at 3rd level, a big jump from Training level the previous year.  He showed he is going to be a great show horse, getting qualifying scores at this big show, with such a leap in levels.

Melodie had a couple of wins at 2nd level.  We will stay at this level just long enough to get qualified and then move up to Third to show off her changes and advanced lateral work.

In Zukunft, owned by Pamela Duffy of Sunsprite Warmbloods, showed us all what she can do finishing the weekend with a 69.05% at Fourth level.  She is such a super mare, and we have such high hopes for her.  Sue Blinks did a great job kicking us into gear to get this great score.

Our next competition will be Del Mar when new clients Kathleen Butler and her lovely horse Galahad will join us, along with Marian Nilsen and her fabulous horse Wisdom.  Just an aside, both of these guys are over 18 H so you will definately see them coming!

News from October, 2009

I was so thrilled to receive a call from Sue Blinks to see if I had any horses I would like to ride in the Morten Thomsen clinic she was organizing for the beginning of October.  The clinic was 3 days and it was fantastic.  Pamela Duffy, owner of In Zukunft, got it right when she called Morten Thomsen a genius.  He helped horse and rider advance in their training in such a calm and rewarding way. 

I think it is testimony of a brilliant trainer when you can take away the information they share and keep up with the improvements.  I have been lucky to be able to ride with two such trainers in the past month or so, I hope the trend continues.  There is a rumour Morten Thomsen will be returning in November and December.  I have our name on the list.  I hope the same can be said for Robert as well!

Damascus has been sold to a client in Michigan.  Karen has been training in clinics with me for five years and I felt I could recommend she purchase the horse based on my experience with him, and some nice photos.  Always a bit scary, but I got a phone call last night from her trainer Anne Zaharias to tell me she had had the best ride and lesson of her life.  I am so happy to hear it!  He is a lovely horse and I hope they have many more such rides!

News from September 2009

Both Fleetwood and In Zukunft were fabulous in a recent clinic with Robert Dover at Dove Hollow Dressage.  It is official, Robert Dover is the Canadian Dressage Coach.  Good news for those of us who are Canadian!!

It was a great clinic, to watch and to ride in.  He has a fantastic calm approach to developing the horse.  I was so very thankful to both of the horses owners to be able to ride with Robert Dover.

This was a good month for friends of mine as they were able to purchase Tric Trak from a client at Dove Hollow.  I know it is a match made in heaven for both horse and rider.  Congratulations!

News from August 2009

Elizabeth McConnell Dressage is moving to Dove Hollow Dressage center in Encinitas!

Fleetwood came first in both of his 3 rd level tests.  He scored 66% on the first day, and then wowed the judges on Sunday with an outstanding test achieving a whopping 75.2%.  Photo to follow asap!!

News from July 2009

Feine Melodie was unbeatable at the Classic Equestrian Center Dressage Competiton in July.  She won both of the 2nd level tests (her first time competing at this level) with scores in the 66 percentile.  She won both of her 1st level tests with 70% and 75%. 

She won the over-all High Point for the competition.

News from November 2008

In Zukunft did a display at the Annual Trakehner Inspection at LAEC mid November.  She was just amazing, wowing the crowd, her owners and her rider.  It was a fantastic showing, as you can see from the photograph!!

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Remington, owned by Linda D'Agati, came 2nd in his first Prix St. Georges.  We competed at the improved showgrounds at Indio  (the footing there is fabulous these days!).  Remy did everything right for his first time at this level.  We were all thrilled and proud of him!!