2011
FALL
Minnesota Harvest Fall Horse Show
Minnesota Harvest as always was a great show. The weather was fantastic, and this show can be counted on to draw an elite crowd of the very
serious and very good horseman and riders. We brought 4 horses; Cradilo (of course), Seamore, Fatima and Megan's sale pony Peety. Continuing on with the mission
to get Cradilo fit and going again for the Grand Prixs next year, we stuck with the 1.15 classes, and he was first and second (winning a speed class again! ... who says
big can't be fast) and was champion in this division. Fatima did her first 3'3" division (and her first indoor); and was also great. She had one rail
in her first class (to be expected in a move up) but then was double clean and 5th against some serious competition in her 2nd 3'3" class (a video of this
class can be seen on her sale page write up).
Seamore had a great week as well, pulling off multiple double clean rounds and ribbons in the 3'3" and 3'6" division, with both Megan and I (impressive given this was his first
time competing indoors as well). And Peety was a super star pony, being amazingly unphased by his first horse show, and going about in the ring for his
flat classes as if he had been doing it all his life!
Back in the Show Ring
Well, last week we were back at it in the show ring @ the Mason City Iowa Fall show, and what a week we had. We brought 4 horses, Cradilo
(of course), Poseidon's Phantom (Seamore), Fatima by Cradilo, and Quinlan by Cradilo. The biggest news, Fatima was Champion in the Clear Lake Jumpers (an open 2'9"
division). This was very exciting for me, as she went around so beautifully given her young and relatively green status. I felt such a difference this time around
(as opposed to Ocala). Though we didn't do a lot of jumping (and no showing this summer) I did decide to work fairly seriously with her on the flat work, and
it seems to have paid off. She's collecting much nicer, staying more rhythmic, soft and supple through the neck and topline ... it's really nice to see
the quiet slow work (dressage) doing it's job and making the courses easier for her. And this mare is just naturally insanely fast and clean. It's so exciting
to see the best of Cradilo and the thoroughbred blood coming out in this mare. I had to do very little pushing to win those open classes (and to be honest
barely even had to think about rails), and I was so impressed by her unending endurance (4 days of jumping in a row) given the very little jumping we did all summer.
We worked with top trainer Andy Barone, as I'm feeling this mare has an amazing future and want to start her right, and he
told me that he absolutely loved her!; an incredibly flattering compliment for us.
Seamore also had an amazing week. I've been jumping him a little more this summer than the other horses, giving weekly lessons on him
to Huntington Farms student Megan Spreier, and then jumping him myself again a 2nd time during the week. I don't usually use really talented up and coming
young horses for lessons, but these two do so wonderfully together, that it just seemed too good to be true. The good news, all of our issues that surfaced
in Ocala (as a result of the incredibly difficult 5 year old classes we weren't quite ready for) have disappeared. Seamore was really absolutely a star at the show.
Again, not having shown all summer, and not ending on the best of notes in Ocala, he strode in to the ring never having seen it and jumped around beautifully.
Having almost all clean rounds ranging from 2'9" to 3'7", consistently in the ribbons (2nd & 2 3rds in the Clear Lake, Pre-Adult, and Low Adult jumpers) and
carrying 3 different riders 5 days in a row jumping (me, Megan, and a potential buyer!)
I was incredibly impressed by his level headednes and quiet attitude, yet coming out of the stall every day ready to go and jump clean.
Also exciting was getting Quinlan by Cradilo to the shows. This was Quin's first time ever off the farm, and he was such a good boy! He
won Reserve Champion in two year old Hunter Breeding class, and behaved generally like a star. I'm beginning to take for granted the fact that I can
take these young Cradilo never evers, throw them on the trailer, and expect them to be practically perfect; but I still have to remember how rare and
amazing this temperament is. At any rate, we wandered all around the show, lunged in tack, and just generally took it all in. A great start to what I'm sure will be a
very bright future in the horse show world!
Cradilo was also good for being off for so long. Again, I didn't do alot of jumping or fitting work with him this summer, and it definitely showed
in the Grand Prix. Though the ride felt pretty good, we had multiple rails and were out of the ribbons. He did feel particularly good in his warm up class
(he actually won a 3'9" speed class ... that may be a first for us!) and I think my focus on the flat work this summer may have once again paid off there. But,
once that Grand Prix buzzer goes, if Cradilo hasn't been consistently in the ring, he gets pretty exuberant and a lot of the flat work seems to go out the window!
And, with his age and size and past issues, he really needs to be fit to be competitive in the Grand Prixs. So we kind of winged it and it showed. However, it
was still great to be back at it with him (as he has an amazing presence and jump, and the crowd still absolutely loves him!), and reminded me that I do in fact
intend to have one more year going at the Grand Prixs with him. It was a good start after a long hot summer and good motivation to get it in gear again.
Finally, we got home and much to my surprise Red Charisma, Huntington Farms tb mare in foal to Cradilo, showed calcium signs of being
ready to foal within the hour. So after a long week we wound up sleeping in the barn, just to have her not foal of course! Then when we finally got sick of
waiting and just needed a hot shower and a few hours at home, she decided to deliver the next day in the afternoon without any of us catching her!
Doesn't it figure!? How do mares do that? Anyway, the good news is we have a beautiful healthy little filly that I am very excited about. She shows signs
of being incredibly strong and bold (she got up as fast as anything I've ever seen, was nursing within like 20 minutes - and didn't lay back down for a full hour!)
This will be a sister to Quin and Chanel, and having her definitely makes the marketing and selling of the older offspring easier. Brand new pictures of this leggy little
girl (who I think we will name Autumn by Cradilo) are on the offspring page.
So it was great to be back and have such a successful show, and fun to see everyone again. We also had a lot of interest in our breeding
program and sale horses, so this was exciting and good for the financial well being of Huntington Farms. I think the next stop will probably be the Harvest Show in
Minnesota. I don't feel Cradilo is quite ready for that Grand Prix, but we could probably handle the Welcome Stake, and we'll continue on with Fatima
and Seamore in their bright up and coming competitive careers.
SUMMER
Taking a break from showing
For many reasons I don't want to get in to here, we decided to take a break from showing this summer. I must admit, things have been a little
intense for many years, and I really felt I needed to step back and evaluate the feel and tone of this work. It was wonderful to enjoy life a little more,
planting flowers, enjoying the pool, and spending a great deal more time with family than normally is ever possible. I love the showing but the constant training
does keep things a tad on the tense and relentless side!
At any rate, all the horses are doing wonderfully, and we welcomed a new member of the family on June 8th, a beautiful little filly out of June, Shilo by Cradilo.
This little girl has so much personality; it's really beyond me how these babies just keep getting friendlier and bolder, but I'll take it!
We've also spent a huge amount of time this summer working with all the youngstock the farm is accumulating (we're now up to 8, soon to be 9,
4 yrs and under by Cradilo). I have so enjoyed these
up and comings; as the potential, talent, and just general ease of training has trully been a revelation for me. I'm very excited about their futures, as I
feel confident I have many soon to be super stars just waiting for that perfect partner, sitting on this farm right now.
However, it is back to work as we are preparing for one of my favorite shows, Mason City again this fall. It's an extremely user friendly show,
and it looks like the weather this week will be fantastic. We're bringing several of Cradilo's offspring to the shows in the Midwest for the first time,
so it's an exciting time for us. Wish us luck, and more news to come ...
EARLY SPRING
Wrapping up Florida
Well, 2 months in Florida at Hits Ocala has proven to be a very interesting experience with a steep learning curve. The level and quality of
horsemanship at this venue is trully
impressive. There are horses and horseman imported from all over the world, and to say the competition was stiff and the courses were challenging would be a strong
understatement. I knew what I was getting in to with Cradilo, as Grand Prix is never easy, and coming off a long break, the main goal was to simply get him back in to the Grand
Prix ring. I am very happy with our accomplishment in this realm, as by the end of the show he was 8th in the Friday Grand Prix with only one rail. And most importantly;
he felt fit, ridable and well prepped for the upcoming season.
The biggest surprise to me at this show was the level of competition regarding the young horses. The 5 year old class was
incredibly difficult, and many top riders and horses (myself included) were struggling just to get around. Even at the lower open levels, the young horses were
clearly being pushed to be competitive and marketable. I felt a little like I was at the 'Baby Jumping Horse Olympics'. I wasn't quite expecting or prepared for this
level of intensity. It pushed us to accomplish more than I normally would have with Seamore, Deluca and Fate, and I definitely feel as if I now have a strong handle
on their strengths and weaknesses at this early stage. Deluca and Fate both received ribbons in the level 0 and 1, and I now know what will be required for them
to be competitive in the 5 year old class in Florida next year.
John (my right hand man) and Angel did wonderfully in Ocala in the Modified Adult Jumper class. They won 3 classes, recieved two seconds and several
other ribbons as well, and as it turns out, they were the Modified Circuit Champions for Hits Ocala 2011!!! By the end of the show they were bumped up to the Low Adult Jumper including doing several classics, and the entire show never had more than one rail. We at
Huntington Farms are very proud of these two, as all their hard work is really beginning to pay off!
1st and 2nd @ Young Horse Show in Wellington in February!
Deluca and Fatima (Cradilo's two 4 year old mares), were 1st and 2nd at the Young Horse Show @ the Winter Equestrian Festival
in Wellington, FL. They recieved these placings in the 4 year old jumping under saddle class (there was only one of these classes at the entire show) and it
is a huge deal. I was completely shocked, to be honest (especially considering they had just learned to jump courses in the show ring the week before!)
I've believed we were breeding incredible horses, and I've been constantly amazed
by their ability and ease of training, but to have this verified at one of the most presitigious venues in the world for the hunter/jumper sport
was completely overwhelming. And for both Cradilo babies to be in the top two strongly establishes the fact that Cradilo produces
what he is and better in the lighter crosses; a top show jumper, something I've been saying for many years. The whole thing is very exciting,
and I think right now is a good time
to thank all of those who have made it possible to get to this point. You know who you are!:)
Made it to Florida
Well, I'm happy to report, we made it to Florida. After 4 months off from the showing world, enjoying the Holidays and enduring the cold, we are now back at
it. Ocala is a lovely place to be this time of year, and the incredible weather is deeply appreciated. Hits is an extremely user friendly environment, and this year we
are stabled at the show with Cradilo, Deluca and Fatima (his two four year old mares), Angel and Seamore. To have Cradilo's youngsters along side him for the first time ever
at a show is more exciting than I can convey. It's been a life time of work to get to this point, but here we are!
Though we're just beginning to get fit, Cradilo is starting to settle in to the idea of showing regularly again (he's always a little overly exuberant at
the beginning of a show season) and all the youngsters are doing well. Fatima and Deluca made their debut in the show ring last week doing the Baby Green Hunters and
Seamore did his first level 3 (approximately 3'6"). I hope, by the end of Hits Ocala, to have Cradilo back in to the Grand Prixs, the two 4 year olds doing the intro
level jumpers, and Seamore doing the 5 year old Young Jumper Championships.
Also, my right hand, John McMahon is down here with me, competing consistently in the intro am. jumpers on Angel. So though exhausting at times,
it's a pretty exciting time for Team Huntington Farm!
2010
SUMMER AND FALL
Cradilo and I had some wonderful shows this summer and fall. Particularly notable was a Grand Prix in July at Ledges, Chicago, clean and in the ribbons
in the welcome stake and only one rail
(the last unfortunately) in the always challenging Grand Prix. He was also 2nd in the Midstates Fall Grand Prix, being beat in the jump off by only 1/100th of a second,
by the very experienced Grand Prix jumping thoroughbred Malone. He surprised many spectators that had assumed he didn't have speed. Our main issue has always been ridability;
and having settled in to his job by the fall, I was able to let go a little and just let him happily fly around.
We also successfully negotiated our largest Grand Prix to date, the $75K Evergreen Invitational in Milwaukee, WI. This was an exciting accomplishment, considering
the grass footing was terrible after having been rained on all night. About half of the class scratched, and of those that went, many were eliminated. Cradilo was the 2nd to last
to go, and the two before us didn't make it around. The first half of the course was really strong (no rails) but then endurance got the best of us, and he just
didn't have the ability to keep jumping the already huge fences significantly higher to haul himself out of the muck. Regardless, I was extremely proud
to make it around.
And finally, Cradilo made an extremely good impression as a demo horse at the World Equestrian Games. Many international horseman were impressed,
and it appears Cradilo may have an interesting career as a stallion producing abroad. There is even possible talk of a film outlining his extraordinary story.
Only time will tell!
Home at the farm, we continued working with the youngsters, preparing Fatima and Deluca (Cradilo's two four year old fillies) and Seamore (our 5 year old Irish
Dutch gelding) for their lives ahead as show horses. The two four year olds were well started and lightly introduced to the show world, and Seamore did very well around
the 3' range intro level jumper courses.
The five other Huntington Farms youngsters continue to play a lot, get lots of love and treats, and fairly regularly be introduced the idea
of partnering with a human. And I'm glad to report we happily caught two more Huntington Farms broodmares to Cradilo (Red Charisma and June) and are looking forward
with great anticipation to their 2011 foals.
SPRING SHOWS
Spring showing (May and June) this year has been interesting. For Cradilo, 6 months off is a little like starting over in the Grand Prix world. The good news is,
it's much easier and less stressful this time around. I believe the problems that have always been there are being dissected in a way they never have been
before. Given we moved back in to the upper level competition world, using the shows to attain fitness and motivation, and not doing much in terms of the lower warm up
classes for preparation (and not being able to prepare much at home given the outdoor weather) ... I'm happy to be getting around in a reasonable fashion.
It's the balance between control and collection necessary for strategic planning around a big course
verses the freedom required to allow a horse to powerfully jump, feel confident, and to truly want to do the job. It's a very fine line with Cradilo, and more recently
with the valued assistance of some top horseman (Andy and Kim Barone), our focus has been on collection. It's hard having the rails when attempting something new, but I
know in the long run the resultant control we now have will be good for our overall growth.
Seamore, our 4 year old Ramone gelding/irish sport horse has had a good Spring. In serious work for the first time this year,
and debuting in his first jumping show in May, he
finished June up with several high placings (two 2nds and a 3rd) in the Young Hunter classes at Mason City.
Angel, a recently acquired Oldenburg mare, has been doing
wonderfully in the lower jumper classes, having won several classes at Mason City as well.
BABY PICTURES
We finally found time to snap some shots of K-C and Annie ... a picture is posted here on the offspring page,
and several are posted on Cradilo's fan page.