Top Ten Finishes at Galway Downs International Three-Day Event

Kristin and Cavaldi

After flying to California to compete at the Galways Downs International three-day event Kristin came home with two top-ten finishes on her two top horses. Cavaldi finished 6th in the CCI3* (61.0) while Ballylaffin Bracken placed 8th in the CCI2* (60.9). In spite of coming down with the flu, Kristin persevered to bring both boys home clear and in the time on Ian Stark's challenging cross-country course during the uncharacteristically rainy and muddy event.

Thanks to the USEF for the traveling grant that made it possible for Ballylaffin Bracken to finish the season with a three-day event, after all of his Pan-Am team training, and to the sponsors and supporters who stand behind Kristin and her horses.

-AMH

Rox and Joey are California-bound

Kristin, Rox (Ballylaffin Bracken) and Joey (Cavaldi) are heading to California on Monday to compete at the Galway Downs International Three-Day Event in Temecula!


Thanks to a grant from the USEF, Rox will be able to join in on the trip to cap off his year with a run in the CIC**. Meanwhile Joey is on track for next year's Badminton CCI**** in England and Kristin is hoping to get in a solid three-star performance for him as they aim for their big goal. Both horses were checked out by the vet yesterday and are sound, healthy and ready for action. A big thanks to Samantha Lendl from PRO for coordinating the flights for all the horses from the East Coast, and to Greg Otteson from H.E. Tex Sutton who takes great care of all of the horses, getting them on and off the planes, when they fly. Stay tuned for updates from this exciting event on the West Coast!

Florida Training Camp

I can’t say enough positive things about the awesome week training in Florida with the Pa-Am Games Team! The group of riders all got along and complemented each other so well. Everyone was so supportive, the horses are amazing, and we all gained so much from the lessons; it was fun to watch everyone improve every day. It was intense but fun - I think the key is that as intense as the training was everyone was enjoying it so much that you almost didn’t feel the pressure. It was a great experience!

On top of all that I gained an incredible amount. Rox is like a different horse, every time I get on him he gets better and better! It’s really neat sitting on him and feeling the difference every day. I don’t have enough nice things to say about the whole experience. Everybody: the selectors, Mark, even David - who has been an alternate before - were so supportive.

Being an alternate is not the easiest place to be – it’s a bit tough and you have to be careful not to let it get to you. You’re putting in all the work and you have to treat each day as if you’re on the team and you’re going. That can get strenuous because you also have to balance that with knowing that you may not go, even though you have to be ready at a moment’s notice. You have to keep yourself in balance, or it could be pretty crushing. It’s a big mental game, as well as the training, that I think I’ve only been able to grow from – it was a strengthening experience. I honestly can’t wait to be there again, working with a team and going for the team.

I will admit I was pretty crushed on Friday when I didn’t get to go. I talked to the selectors and they said it really came down to the fact that they could pick one of us - a toss-up between Lynn and me - but they had to pick one and they felt the other horse had just a little more experience, having done a couple of advanced http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifevents this spring. I’m glad that was the reason why, and I’m still happy with the path that I chose – I chose not to push my horse and do more, because it was better for him, so I don’t think I made any wrong decisions; it was the best path for my horse. Lynn and Donner were more than ready and very deserving of the spot on the team and I’m happy for them.

Now we’re getting ready for Galway, leaving on Monday. Joey was with me through the training camp and I was able to get some lessons with Mark, which was great. I’ve heard nothing but wonderful things about Galway – the new course is supposed to be a lot of fun, and my goal with Joey at age 16 is to have some fun!

-Kristin

Galway Downs International Three-Day Event Draws Riders From Across The Globe

Edited Press Release

Kristin and Joey will be heading to the Galway Downs CCI3* International Three-Day Event, Nov. 4-6 in Temecula, California. A total of 33 horses, representing the United States and five other nations, have been entered in the CCI3*. These riders are seeking world-class competition in the sunny Southern California climate and, for many, a shot at Olympic glory.

U.S. riders are coming to the Galway Downs CCI3* from 11 states, plus California (Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland, Texas, Colorado, Montana, Utah, Arizona and Washington).

Buck Davidson, of Ocala, Fla., has entered Ballynoe Castle RM, the horse he rode at the 2010 Alltech World Equestrian Games and is Davidson’s No. 1 mount for the 2012 Olympics in London. But he’s also entered Park Trader and Titanium at Galway Downs, hoping to have a deep well of qualified horses for the U.S. selectors to observe next spring.

Michael Pollard, of Dalton, Ga., will be just home from Guadalajara, Mexico, as a member of the 2011 U.S. Pan Am Games team, and he plans to bring two of his Olympic hopefuls, Jude’s Law and DV8. Stephen Bradley, of Leesburg, Va., rode on the 1992 Olympic team and is bringing his 2012 Olympic candidate In The Fog. Sandra Donnelly, of Calgary, Alb., has already tasted Olympic glory, and she’s hungry for more, so she’s entered her 2008 Beijing Olympic mount Buenos Aires.

Because it’s the final CCI3* in the world during 2011, the Galway Downs International Three-Day Event has emerged as a key qualifying event for riders from around the world hoping to achieve a qualifying score for the 2012 London Olympics. That’s why Merel Blom of The Netherlands is flying her two horses—Umberto DB and Rumor Has It—halfway around the world.

Ronald Zabala of Ecaudor has entered three horses (Wise Equestrian Brer Fox, Wise Equestrian Master Hill and Che Kairo) as as a step in his Olympic bid. Zabala represented Ecuador at the 2011 Pan Am Games, and now he’s aiming for his first Olympic start.

Two U.S.-based foreign riders are also looking to establish their Olympic credentials. Nina Ligon, of Esmont, Va., is a citizen of Thailand who’s making her first Olympic bid. She trains with Olympic silver medalist Kim Severson and has entered Jazz King and Butts Leon. With his previous rider, Andreas Dibowski of Germany, Butts Leon won team gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

James Alliston of Great Britain has lived in Castro Valley, Calif., since 2009, and he’s entered Jumbo’s Jake, with whom he won the Woodside CIC3* on Oct. 7-9, and Parker, with whom he finished third at Woodside. Jumbo’s Jake and Alliston finished third in the 2010 Galway Downs CCI3*.

Before competition begins, all the horses must be accepted by the ground jury of Angela Tucker of Great Britain, Cara Whitham of Canada, and Jane Hamlin of the United States at the first horse inspection on Thursday, Nov. 3. Competition will begin with dressage on Friday, and Saturday will feature cross-country, the heart of the competition. The event’s climax will come on Sunday, with the show jumping phase.

The total prize money this year is $33,000, with a $21,000 purse in the CCI3*.

Land Rover, the Professional Riders Organization, Del Mar Eventing and Professional’s Choice are the presenting sponsors of the Galway Downs International Three-Day Event.

A portion of the general admission and patron's ticket revenue at Galway Downs will benefit Operation Homefront, the official charitable partner of the Professional Riders Organization Tour and of Galway Downs.

The mission of Operation Homefront is to provide emergency financial and other assistance to the families of our nation’s service members. Since its founding in 2002, Operation Homefront has provided more than $92 million to programs that benefit military families.

General admission for the Galway Downs International Three-Day Event is $8 per day in advance, $10 at the gate. VIP tickets—which include seating in the ringside tent, lunch and a full selection of beverages—are also available for $55 per day in advance. For advance reservations, go to www.galwaydowns.com.

For more information on the Galway Downs International Three-Day Event, visit www.galwaydowns.com or call 951-303-0405. To learn more about eventing, visit the U.S. Eventing Association’s website (www.useventing.com).

Ricardo Million Video

Ricardo Million, 'Max', is a 5 yr old 17h bay gelding ISH by Ricardo Z out of a Voltaire mare. He is just starting out but shows amazing talent for jumpers, eventing or dressage AND is very sane, so he will suit a variety of riders!
973-768-4174 kseventing@yahoo.com

On the Road to Ocala

I'm on the road to Ocala with Rox and Joey for the team training session before everyone ships out to Mexico for the on October 15th. The horses arrive today and Capt. Phillips gets in tomorrow from coaching the US team at Boekelo in the Netherlands and we'll be training with him for the next several days.

I had a great two-day stopover in Aiken to break up the drive; we got down there Thursday night and were able to do some hacking and flat work on Friday, and I had a wonderful gallop on both boys yesterday. It was perfect weather and it worked out well for both of them.

Leading up to the Pan-Ams I feel great and Rox feels great. As Alternates we are ready for anything: everything’s in order and ready to go and we’re packed and organized as if we are going, because if we end up on the team it’s going to be at a moment’s notice. It’s a weird position to be an alternate because you probably won’t go, but you have to be ready anyway.

We have a great team and I don’t want anything to happen to anybody but if it does we’re ready to help out. Rox is going the best he ever has: all this training has been great for him and he’s learning a lot every day. Joey’s tagging along so he can stay with me and stay in training and it’s been nice having him with me – even though I’m taking lessons with Mark on Rox, Joey is benefiting from that too.

The only tough thing about all this traveling is Joey doesn’t travel on a truck and trailer all that well – it’s a lot for him. I’m keeping that in mind and trying to break up the drive, which is why we stopped over in Aiken, and I keep giving him fluids. Rox is generally not a stressed-out horse and he’s handling it all really well.

Phillip has my young horse Ray and is taking him to the Young Horse Championships at Fair Hill, since I won’t be able to ride him there. We’ve been working up to it all year so I’m sorry to miss the event but glad Ray will still get to go. I’m trying to be a good owner and not text Phillip every five minutes. Ray's my baby!

The Irish horses that came over this summer are doing wonderfully, but unfortunately between my schedule and the rain, which caused both events they were entered in to be canceled, they haven’t had a chance to compete since their first schooling trial at the beginning of September. They’re in work with the girls working for me at the farm, and the owners are being patient. They’re doing well and muscled up well, they just haven’t had a chance to show it off yet! If they haven’t sold by then, I’ll take them to Aiken and get them out and showing. http://www.blogger.comhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif/img/blank.gif

We will be home to New Jersey in time to get a couple of weeks of training in before Joey ships to the CIC3* at Galway Downs in Temecula, CA. There are several riders heading out there from the East Coast and Samantha Lendl from PRO is arranging the flights, thank God, because it’s complicated with all the horses flying from different places!

I'll be updating the blog from Florida, so stay tuned for more!

-Kristin

Kristin and Rox Finish 5th at Mandatory Outing

Kristin and Rox finished fifth overall on a score of 52.4 at the Mandatory Outing for the Pan-Am Games team at Richland Park (MI). This morning the vets checked all the horses and we are currently waiting for the selectors' final decision. It will be a sleepless night for Kristin so let's all keep thinking positive thoughts for her and Rox!

-AMH

Click here for complete results

On the Road to Richland Park

We are finally on the road to Michigan for the mandatory outing at Richland Park. We were supposed to leave yesterday morning, but Monday morning Rox had broken out in hives and his legs were swollen like stovepipes. We have no idea what the allergic reaction was too, but thankfully I got the okay to give him something that should be fine with FEI drug testing. We pushed our departure back 24 hours because I didn’t want to put him on the trailer; he didn’t have a temperature but he wasn’t acting like himself. It’s possible that he ate something or breathed something in – there was nothing on his body, just his legs, so hopefully it was just a rare thing. It seems to have gone away now, so we left early this morning. I ride at 8 something tomorrow morning!

It’s been a crazy couple of weeks – two weeks ago he had a couple of joint injections and a week later his leg swelled up. Again it turned out to be nothing but a little reaction, but preventively we put him on antibiotics and it was a little bit of a scare.

Last week we had truck problems and it took 7 hours to get home from Phillip’s. My truck and big trailer were in the shop so I had borrowed a truck and the brakes went out – luckily my trailer brakes were working! Thankfully nothing major has happened but it’s been one thing after another at the barn.

Now we have brakes, we seem to have healthy horses and we’re on the road!

Rox has been great – I got up to Phillip’s for a couple days last week and he feels super. Yesterday when I rode him he felt fine; once the swelling was gone he felt back to normal. I took him for a sprint yesterday and he felt really good.

Joey is also coming along to do the CIC3*. He feels super and he’s happy to be back in work. I think I’m going to aim him for Galway Downs (CA) in November – I’ll see how it goes this weekend. He came back really well from his injury this spring so long term I’d like to try for Badminton again next year.

After Richland we’ll have vet evaluations on Monday and find out sometime after that who made the team for the Pan-Am Games. It’s a big week ahead!

The new horses from Ireland settled in so easily and have gone right to work. They were under muscled when they got here and they’re getting stronger every day. Last week I took them to their first schooling show, a combined test, and they were first and second so that went well. I’m hoping to get them out a couple times in September.

Yesterday Verizon Fios was doing a segment on one of our farriers, Jim Rauch, and the guy interviewing him was going to ask me a couple of questions but then it turned into a long interview with me telling him about eventing, putting a horse through its paces and explaining things, and showing him around the farm! It’s supposed to air sometime next week or the following week on a “community magazine” show for the New Jersey area! I’ll keep everyone posted.

Also we’re still looking for a full-time working student! This would be full-time in exchange for housing in a cottage on the farm as well as coaching. You don’t have to have a horse, since I have some horses we could do lessons on, but you can bring a horse if you have one.

Check back later this week for updates from Richland Park!

-Kristin

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.

Follow Kristin's Preparations for Badminton on the Official USEA Blog!

Kristin is blogging for the official blog of the US Eventing Association, EventingUSA, presented by Arenus, about her preparations for the Badminton Horse Trials in England. She will continue to send updates from the big event! You can follow all the action at the official USEA website. For the first installment, with stories about training in Florida and information about Kristin's latest sponsors click here; for entry number two, all about Southern Pines, click here. Stay tuned for continued updates!

Badminton Qualifications, new sponsors, Aiken update...

So today marks the close of entries to Badminton Horse Trials. With only 48 days left to start of competition, let's just say things are moving pretty quickly!! Let me start with an explanation of the new qualifications to enter this prestigious event!

Badminton CCI **** has put into place another level of qualification for horse and rider. On top of the standard requirements for a 4* under FEI rules, all horses and riders will be required to have finished in the top 25% at CCI *** or the top 50% at a CCI **** during some stage in their career.

straight from Badminton: "The objective is to ensure that Badminton entry is confined to those who have proved themselves capable of being competitive at the highest levels of the sport; and is against the background of considerably more entries being received in recent years than can be accommodated."

So once all entries have been received, which would be by today, they will all be ranked according to points won in FEI 3 and 4 star competitions over the two years preceding the event. The 85 horses with the highest points accumulated will be accepted and all others placed on a numbered waiting list. As withdrawals come in leading up to the event, riders will be placed onto the starting list from the wait list, in order.

As you can see, there are many, many steps trying to even be accepted into this event. These new qualification are on top of the FEI rules (which I stated previously), and that is on top of the fact that one still has to get the 'OK' from their National Federation (USEF) to even apply and send an entry in. That is all besides the fact that it is one of the hardest events in the world, and its in England (so still have to find the $$ to get there), and well, we all know how hard it is to even get to a 4* soundly and truly ready from all aspects of the sport! So sleeping is getting a bit harder at night!!!

Since my entry is officially in, I am happy to say that the USEF has given me permission to ride at Badminton, which in itself is a huge honor because I will be representing the USA! That is a wonderful feeling! Hopefully Badminton will have the list out quickly after the close today, so at least I can realistically see if I am in contention to head over the pond.

I will definitely keep everyone posted as I learn more and hopefully will be making plans to travel!!

Since Rolex is after Badminton this year on the schedule, I will also be entering at KY just in case things do not pan out to head over seas (for reasons that would still enable us to still compete of course).

In other news :) We have a new supplement sponsorship with a wonderful company, Mushroom Matrix!! I tried one of their supplements, ECP Matrix, earlier this year on a young horse that has quite a lot of anxiety, especially while showing. There was an immediate change to his demeanor and work ethic, he all of a sudden could relax and focus more on the work at hand. Even on the ground the 'edge' was just softer, he was not so up tight. So the incredibly generous, Kim at Mushroom Matrix agreed to send me more products to try on my upper level horses. What amazes me is that my whole team has noticed improvements very quickly in all of the horses! They Advanced horses are greatly benefiting from the ECP Matrix as well now. All of the boys are on the Immune Matrix, and George is the healthiest he has ever been!! (Anyone that knows George knows that he usually spend most of Aiken on antibiotics or has something health related going on!)

Rox has finally developed muscling that he has struggled with in the past. He has been able to truly step up his game and the strength he has developed makes me very pleased to have him on the Muscle Matrix!

As you can see, I can't praise this company enough!! My absolute favorite part to this company is that it is all natural, completely organic, no additives! Healthy healthy healthy!! They have a line of products for small animals and humans as well. I have been taking the Immune, daily, and energy supplements and have been healthy, more alert and sharp, and not getting 'worn out' at the end of our long days! That certainly says something!! Check them out, these products are worth trying!! http://www.mushroommatrix.com

So I need to update everyone on the Aiken happenings...

First, Rox will be fine, sorry it has taken me so long to post this, but I wanted to have a clearer picture on what happened. We are incredibly lucky in an incredibly unfortunate situation. Rox took a bad step while giving me a very exuberant flying change on landing side of a warm up fence. In the process he managed to get a minor strain in his LF, no damage (that is the lucky part), just swelling, which still requires time to heal. So he is sound, very cranky and stall bound for a little while longer. I am going to be very careful and conservative bringing him back, he is truly a special horse for me and he has lots ahead of him still :)

George is in fine form and will be starting out next weekend at Full Gallop in the prelim. Ray makes his 2011 debut at novice level this weekend at Sporting Days (home to KSEventing south)! Both horses had a wonderful jump school with Phillip yesterday and are feeling great going into their first events!

Also Joey did his first event of the season at PineTop and I am quite pleased with him. He is feeling fresh and fit....and ready for much bigger jumps!!

Thank you everyone for following along!!

-Kristin

Wellington wrap up and Aiken update

The past few weeks have gone by pretty quickly! We have managed to fit quite a bit in such a short amount of time. The two weeks spent in Wellington were incredibly beneficial for myself and the horses!! A huge thank you to Phillip for setting all of that up for us!

I was fortunate enough to ride with Katie Prudent while in Florida. Let me just say, wow! Learned so much in every lesson, and I felt all of the horses did too! Especially Striker. He is still a bit green in comparison to his stablemates that were with him down there. Being only 7 coming 8, he had a lot to learn and rose to the occasion. I had a different horse after the first week of lessons! It was an eye opener for him and I feel that I came away knowing much more about him and how to continue on with his training. Striker is an Irish horse ( by Maltstriker kwpn) that we imported as an un-broke, untouched 3 year old. He is very talented, and super athletic, but has been a little slow to mature, so I have taken my time with him. Striker is for sale and probably will progress as a show jumper with his incredible jump! I was very lucky to have him with me in FL! Katie worked me hard on my position as well, which I needed. This has made a huge improvement in the horses' jump, particularly Joey.

At the end of the 2 weeks I took each Joey, Rox and Striker into a class at WEF under the watchful eye of Katie. Let me just emphasize how helpful it was to have Katie warm us up, watch our ride and critique! All 3 horses jumped lovely clear rounds, not bad for their first time showing this winter!

We also were very lucky to continue our flat lessons with Betsy Steiner!! So much fun!! Betsy was very kind to fit us in for quite a few lessons. She has a wonderful way of teaching and I find that not only do I learn so much each lesson, but my horses truly enjoy every ride with her! I find myself getting very excited about the dressage work we have been doing, and the best part is that my horses (especially Joey), are really into it!! Joey seems to find a place in this more intense flatwork that makes him relax and really buckle down and work VERY hard! He has always had a great work ethic, but there is something that has changed in him since working with Betsy. He is truly enjoying his dressage work and at times I think is having fun with it! For anyone that knows Joey......this is pretty cool!!! (I'm having a blast too!!)

It was very sad to leave the 80 degree weather, sunny skies and palm trees to head north on Sunday last week, but I can't complain because we only had to go as far as Aiken......NJ is a mess with the horrid winter weather! Back to reality :)

It took a few days to settle, unpack and well....crash for a day after FL! But it was quickly back to work and prepping for the training sessions that start tomorrow. It's been a few years since I have been fortunate to ride with Mark, I'm looking forward to getting started!

Thanks for reading :) I will keep everyone updated on how the lessons are going!!

Kristin

Sponsor Spotlight: Five Star Tack

Kristin has a number of valued sponsors that support her riding endeavors and today she would like to extend her thanks to Five Star Tack. The company produces top quality bridles and strap goods that function beautifully and help Kristin's horses stand out from the crowd. Their business philosophy is also extremely positive, with 20% of profits going to a selection of charities.

"I am honored to be a part of the Five Star Tack Team!" says Kristin. "Not only are their products by far the best quality I have ever used, but Jaime Greene has managed to put in her brilliant designs to create a look that stands out on every horse! Keeps my horses looking stunning at all of their competitions! I can't tell you how many people have stopped us at shows to ask about these beautiful bridles and breastplates, very eye-catching!"

For more information visit www.fivestartack.com. Please note that there is a sale going on until January 28th so now is a great time to check out their products!

HAYGAIN ™ Sponsors Kristin Schmolze Eventing

I have a big announcement: HAYGAIN has graciously signed me on as a sponsored rider!!! I can't tell you how grateful and excited I am to be a part of the HAYGAIN team! I just picked up the unit on our way to Aiken so I will be getting the run down on how to use it this week and will be updating everyone soon! I can't wait to get started!

From the company: HAYGAIN is a revolutionary steaming system that transforms hay into dust-free forage, giving horses a healthier respiratory system and maximizing their performance. Only HAYGAIN ensures steaming the hay to temperatures in excess of 212 degrees Fahrenheit to kill all harmful fungal spores, mites and other organisms, effectively sterilizing while maintaining the hay’s nutritional value.

Clint Joiner, Director for HAYGAIN, says, “HAYGAIN is proud to have Kristin on our Team. She exhibits a high level of skill as a rider, is well respected in her industry and is all around a wonderful ambassador for our product line.” Team HAYGAIN wishes Kristin and her horses the best in 2011!

To learn more about HAYGAIN hay steamers, visit www.haygain.us.

Thank you to HAYGAIN!

-Kristin

Snowbound in Aiken!

We had the usual start to our journey south....a delayed departure day. It seems to be what happens every year due to the weather or other mishaps in the packing/organizing process. So we left NJ on Saturday morning, still kind of snowy, drove through snow in PA and eventually had some clearer skies as we headed south. We arrived in Aiken to rather cold temperatures and by Monday morning, more snow and a whole lotta ice! I'm sitting inside here on Tuesday morning, hiding from the ice skating rink that would lead me down to the barn!

Still, we arrived safely with 9 horses, who got one day of kicking their heels up outside before they got snowed in. We will find a way to get through the ice to keep trotting and try to practice some kind of flat work before heading to Wellington, FL on Sunday. At least the horses have been in pretty steady work through the winter this far.

I am really looking forward to spending some time in Wellington, it should be a great jump start to our season with some intense dressage and show jumping lessons. Four horses will be coming with me on this short journey and we will be back in Aiken on the 30th of January.

I will be posting quite often to keep everyone updated, so please check back soon!!

-Kristin