Kristin and Rox Short Listed for Pan-Am Games after The Event at Rebecca Farm

My week at Rebecca Farm personally was fantastic! We had only one unfortunate moment on cross-country that may have scared more spectators then myself and Rox - sorry guys! Though Rox and I were pretty sure we were hitting the ground for just a second after the poor boy misread the vertical jump A into the Western Town,(and yes it really was a full-on, built Western town with a saloon playing music and a church with a bell on top!). I had to circle to get us both back balanced again to make it to the B element safely, which we did and continued on to finish the course with only 2.4 time faults......grrrr, yes it could have been a double clear without the circle.....grrr, ok had to throw that out there :)

But I cannot complain! Getting Rox fit in time was definitely a push, but he felt great and he really rose to the challenge. For a horse that only did one prelim in preparation two weeks before and hadn’t competed anywhere else since Fair Hill CCI** last fall, he felt fantastic!

In the past I have tended to be a bit reserved with Rox and don’t usually kick on with him on cross-country to make the time, but we wanted to show the Pan-Am Selectors what we can do, so I kicked on and I’ve never had him feel so good and really want to be challenged like he did out there. After cross-country he was so happy! After five minutes’ rest he had his head up in the air and wanted to go again! Rox just ate it up and loved it, wanting more! He made me so proud of him!

He had the best show jumping round of his career, over a really big, tough, technical course - definitely Rox's best show jumping to date! He was rideable and had tons of jump and power left - he felt like a million bucks! There were not many clear rounds that day. Jessica Phoenix won the event and had a rail down so even though I was really happy when I picked up my 7th place ribbon, it was hard not to think about how we’d have won if we’d gone clear on cross-country! (Yes, I know it's silly to torture yourself like that, but what can you do?)

Our dressage had been quite a lovely test, scoring a 50.2, though I know we can still improve on that tremendously. I felt a bit rusty myself in the arena just after not competing much this year, so we have some definite homework ahead of us.

But the best news comes next: The selectors liked what they saw enough to place us on the Short List for the Pan American Games!!! Rox checked out well in his vet exam, and so we go on to Richland Park for the mandatory outing!

This has been a dream of mine for so long, and I know we still have quite a lot to improve on and work towards to even have a chance to be part of the final selection, but let me tell you how good it feels right now in this moment to know that my horse and I have been noticed for our hard work and been placed on a USA Team SHORT LIST!! IT FEELS PRETTY DAMN GOOD!!! :)
Congrats to all that have made it this far and been chosen on to the list. We all have work ahead of us to best represent the USA in Guadalajara the fall! Thank you to all of my supporters and sponsors for helping me to get to this point. From Vanessa, Donna, Melissa, and Ashley keeping my business going so I can pursue my dreams and compete, to my family's support, especially that of my mother. My wonderful sponsors, Five Star Tack, County Saddlery, Haygain Haysteamers, Mushroom Matrix, Equine Organix, Running 'S' Equine, and Kedrah House Stud, thank you!
All of my clients, students, horses and friends for helping make this path I am on possible! And especially, Phillip.....I can't do this without having such an amazing and supportive coach by my side!

-Kristin

For complete results click here.http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

Cross-Country at Rebecca Farm 2011

So Rox was pretty amazing today on cross-country at Rebecca Farm, unfortunately we had one moment that led to 20 penalties due to a circle thhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifat I had to make in between an A-B combination. Also he uncharacteristically misread a vertical late on course and hit it pretty hard. It was the biggest save of my life to stay on, yet we finished well and strong!

We still only had 2.4 time faults, so we would have had a double clear. It's a bummer to lose our second place standing after dressage but I have to say, after not competing in so long, Rox has really stepped up and shown me what his potential is!

-Kristin

Kristin Schmolze and Ballylaffin Bracken 2nd after Dressage at The Event at Rebecca Farm

Kristin and Rox are off to a great start at The Event at Rebecca Farm in Kalispell, MT. They are in second place by 0.6 of a point with a score of 50.2 after the dressage phase. After a few months on the sidelines Kristin is excited to be back in the arena.

Shesays, "It's not our best but I'm pleased. I just felt a little bit sloppy in the arena after not competing in so long; I felt I could have helped Rox a little more and been more accurate, but overall he was wonderful!"

Tomorrow Kristin and Rox head out on cross-country at 11:42am. Check back for updates from the event! Also have a look at Kristin's Facebook Fan Page for fun photos from Montana.

-AMH

For Immediate Release: Kristin Schmolze Competes at The Event at Rebecca Farm in Pan-Am Quest

20 July, 2011 – Kalispell, MT - Three-day event rider Kristin Schmolze of Califon, NJ is returning to The Event at Rebecca Farm three-day event in Kalispell, Montana for the second year in a row. Riding her 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse Ballylaffin Bracken, Kristin is competing in the CCI2* with the goal of representing the United States at the Pan-American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico this October.

“Competing on a team is something I’ve been working toward for a long time,” said Kristin. “If things work out, the Pan-Ams, since they are a two-star, are a great first step to representing the US and getting team experience.”

Ballylaffin Bracken (“Rox”) is by Ricardo Z, who stands at stud at Kedrah House Stud in Ireland. Kristin has partnered with Kedrah House to import young Irish horses by Ricardo Z and Lux Z to the United States and has recently brought over a four-year-old and five-year-old to compete and sell. She also ships semen for breeding US mares to both stallions.

Rox was sidelined with a minor tendon strain this spring and Kristin has brought him back slowly to competition. “I talked to [US eventing team Chef d’Equipe] Mark [Phillips] and he felt that because Rox hasn’t been out and been seen this year it would be a good idea to bring him to Montana,” she said. “It was a bit of a push to get him fit in time, but he feels great and we’ll take it one step at a time this weekend.”

The Event at Rebecca Farm is something of a comeback for Schmolze, whose three upper-level horses were all laid off this spring. Cavaldi was headed for the Badminton CCI4* in England when a minor injury just before the event prevented him from making the trip.

In 2010 Kristin took two horses to The Event at Rebecca Farm: Cavaldi finished 13^th in the CIC3* and Castle Jordan placed seventh in the CCI2*.

2011 marks the tenth anniversary of the event at Rebecca Farm as well as the first year that the event has run since the passing of Rebecca Broussard, farm owner and eventing supporter for whom the event is named. “It’s sad but it’s also a wonderful opportunity to celebrate her life,” said Kristin. “This event is one of the nicest in the States – they don’t leave anything undone. The courses are beautiful, the grounds are beautiful and the organizers are very accommodating. The Broussard family also helped sponsor the flight for all of the horses from the East Coast last year and this year.”

Kristin said that Rox was wide-eyed as he walked off the airplane to crowds of people and members of the press with cameras clicking, but he is content to be part of the action again.

About Kristin Schmolze Eventing and Sport Horses

Based at Everbreeze Farm in Califon, NJ and wintering in Aiken, SC, Kristin Schmolze has competed to the four-star level of three-day eventing at the Rolex Kentucky three-day event and the Burghley Horse Trials (England). In partnership with Kedrah House Stud in Ireland Kristin imports young Irish Horses by Ricardo Z and Lux Z and provides shipped semen for breeding to both stallions. She is a member of the USEF “A” training list.

Kristin is proudly sponsored by County Saddlery, Equine Organix, Five Star Tack, Haygain, Running ‘S’ Equine Veterinary Services and Mushroom Matrix.

For more information visit www.kseventing.com and www.kseventing.blogspot.com

Eric Horgan Clinic at Everbreeze Farm and Bake Sale to Benefit Boyd and Silva Martin

ERIC HORGAN CLINIC
July 8‐9‐10, 2011
Hosted by KSEventing at Everbreeze Farm
in Califon, NJ
141 Fairmount Rd West, Califon, NJ 07830
Pricing: ‐ Full 3 days‐ $375
-Daily‐ $150
‐Stabling available at $35/night
‐Private lesson available upon request: $170
‐Local trailering also available
Please contact Kris1n to reserve a spot for the clinic: 973‐768‐4174 or email KSEven1ng@yahoo.com
Eric Horgan has over 20 years of world‐class competitive and training experience, including multiple European, World Championship and Olympic events. A member of Ireland's Olympic Three‐Day Event team at Montreal in 76’, Eric also competed at the 90’ World Equestrian Games in Stockholm, 92’ Burghley 3‐Day Event and the world‐renowned Badminton Horse Trials. He won bronze at the 89’ European Three‐Day Event Champion‐ships and is a two‐9me winner of the Punchestown.
Eric currently coaches several riders competing at the upper levels in both even9ng and dressage. He also works with riders competing in show jumping to assist in resolving their horses' jumping problems. Eric also serves on the Instructors' Certification Committee of the United States Eventing Association. This select committee of professional instructors, coaches and ac9ve event riders has
begun an important effort to develop standards for cer9fica9on of instructors of eventing in the U.S.

2. Bake Sale for Boyd: During the clinic we are asking friends of Everbreeze Farm to donate items (ie: Sandwiches, Snacks, Bagels, Baked Goods/Donuts, Beverages, Horse Treats, and any “Farmer’s Market” items to sell as gifts) to help raise money for Boyd and Silva Martin. Any additional help or exposure is appreciated! Anyone interested can contact Ashley Donayre at aedonayre@gmail.com.