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2010 accomplishments:
Earned required fourth levels scores for the USEF "r" judging program. In August I decided to slap together a last minute freestyle, and qualified for championships in two shows, and won USDF Region 3 Reserve Champion and 4th place national ranking with PHR for this freestyle. I also qualified Lynda Bragg's horse Vulcan for Regionals and won SCDCTA reserve champion, training level with a median score of 66.4 (pretty good for a foxtrotter/quarter horse!). In November I showed the mare Re Versa 25 days after import, after riding her a total of 14 times, at third level and earned a 68, 69, and 71% that weekend. Both fillies I bred (Sandro's Twilight by Starlight/Sandro Hit and Folie A Deux out of my Gribaldi mare by Wynton/ Jazz) earned the top ratings possible at their respective warmblood inspections. SCDCTA awards include First place, musical freestyle and fourth place, training level on homebred Farther in Debt.
2009 accomplishments:
USDF Training Level Horse of the Year results- 25th in the entire country, all breeds, all riders- Una Voce, average of 74.2% from just 5 shows through June
KWPN- 3rd in the country, training level- Una Voce
USDF All-Breeds Award, 2nd in the country, 4th level- Personality
Performance Horse/Silver Stirrup RESERVE NATIONAL CHAMPION at Training Level- Una Voce
Performance Horse Reserve Zone CHAMPION- Una Voce
Performance Horse/Silver Stirrup 7th place at First Level- Una Voce, with only 4 scores
Performance Horse/Silver Stirrup 4th place nationally at Fourth Level, Personality
Performance Horse/Silver Stirrup Zone CHAMPION at Fourth Level, Personality
SCDCTA Champion, 4th Level, Personality
SCDCTA winner for THE DETENTE MEMORIAL TROPHY- HIGHEST SCORE TRAINING THROUGH 4TH LEVEL- UNA VOCE 76.8%
Lynda Bragg's foxtrotter/quarter horse who thinks he is a Lipizzaner debuted at training level this year (his 3rd and 4th show ever), and we earned scores in the high 60's at the USDF shows. Farther in Debt,a.k.a. Trouble, has also started his USDF career and scored in the mid-sixties, doing Training Level Test 4 at his first show- not counting a walk/trot outing when he was 3- not bad for a little bitty baby pony!
2008 accomplishments:
SCDCTA champion- Persona Grata, third level open
SCDCTA champion- Una Voce, training level open
Performance Horse Registry NATIONAL CHAMPION and ZONE CHAMPION- Una Voce
GDCTA reserve champion- Una Voce, training level
KWPN national 6th place- Una Voce
IN ADDITION, UNA VOCE-ENVY- imported in February of '08 as a saddle-broke (i.e. green- only been at the trainer's a few months before purchase/import and NEVER taken to any kind of show until me)-won the Good Horseman award for the 3rd highest score for all their shows in 2008; and the Highest score of the whole show for: Lowcountry Classic, Dixie Cup, Holiday on Horseback and Beat the Heat- all USDF recognized shows. Though it was my fanny in the saddle in the show ring, I owe all the people brave enough to sit on her when she was having naughty, green horse moments a huge thank you from the bottom of my heart. And to the people who held onto her bridle while a third person was tossing me into the saddle while she whinnied and "piaffed"- thank you! One of my fondest memories was Michelle Folden at the Charleston show teasing me about showing off her huge trot- when I simply had no brakes or half-halt! Special thanks to Amy McElroy, local trainer and "R" judge and who has helped me from the very first time I learned where "X" is and continues to help me today, as a friend and as a trainer.
So speaking of my mare, I would like to brag on her and on my friend Linda from Holland who makes even bad horses look good, and makes super horses look UNBELIEVABLE.
I am grateful and humbled by my dear friends, clients, fellow horse professionals who have encouraged and supported me and my horses. I am especially thankful for every horse I work with, for I learn something from each of them... but most especially, my deepest gratitude and love to my husband Mark who makes all of my dreams come true, day in and day out. No one could love and appreciate her husband more than I do.
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Valerie
Swygert
USDF Bronze Medalist and
USDF "L" GRADUATE WITH DISTINCTION
we've moved!
201 Pisgah Court
Lexington, SC 29072
803-215-1201
(please no visitors without appointment!)
E-mail Jasmine Farm |
2011 Schedule:
Jasmine Farm is no longer hosting any horse shows to allow Valerie to concentrate on judging and importing.
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LESSONS:
As time allows, I accept select students who truly want to learn. All levels welcome and encouraged. I will work with any age rider and any breed horse, if you truly want to learn! Preference given to students who will take a minimum of 2 lessons per month.
- FACILITY: new arena with GGT footing and mirrors to be built Fall 2011
- JUDGING: USDF “L” graduate “with distinction” & USDF Bronze medalist - 2 Prix St. Georges scores shy of Silver Medal
- SALES: Beginner-safe ponies thru quality Dutch imports - young investments & schoolmasters. Honest representation GUARANTEED.
- CLINICS: Because I now l live in a subdivision on much smaller acreage, Jasmine Farm will no longer host clinicians at our facility, but we hope to partner with area farms for exciting future adventures!
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When I am Old...
I shall wear diamonds
And a wide brimmed straw hat
With silver and leather on it
and I shall spend my social security
On white wine and carrots
And sit in the alley of my barn
And listen to my horses breathe.
I will sneak out
in the middle of a summer's night
And ride the chestnut mare
Across the moonstruck meadow.
If my old bones will allow.
When people come to call I will smile and nod
As I walk them past the gardens to the barn
And show, instead, the beauty growing there
In stalls fresh-lined with straw.
I will shovel and sweat and
Wear hay in my hair as if it were a jewel.
And I will be an embarrassment to all
Who look down on me.
They've not yet found the peace in being free
To love a horse as a friend,
A friend who waits at midnight hour
With nuzzle and nicker and patient eyes
For the kind of woman I will be
When I am Old.
Author Unknown
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SALES - just a small sample of people who have purchased or brokered purchases in the past year. I haven't found the time to go through all the emails I routinely get months and years after the sales, to thank me and keep me updated- but to those of you who send them- I DO keep them, and I very much appreciate it!:
Suzanne Stettler & Chimene Evans, multiple student purchases, instructors at Stoneridge Equestrian Center
Michelle Folden, winner of the National FEI North American 5 year old young horse championship, fellow USDF "L" Graduate with distinction
Becky Shealy- imported a horse with the eequivalent of a 3rd level show record and is overjoyed.
Halliea Milner, trainer Go With It Farm, Alpharetta, GA
Cristy Sanders, D.C. of Charleston area Pony Club
Jennifer Baumert, Cloverlea Dressage: the first horse she brokered for me is Persona Grata, now owned by Kassidy Peacock who has him schooling the Grand Prix! Jenn has since sold 3 more of my horses.
Stephanie Von Bidder, Daybreak Farm, Aiken
Gunner Ostergaard's student Mary Ann O'Connor
STUDENTS/CLIENTS-none of these comments were solicited. I just got them from a few Facebook postings and emails-
I want to tell you how much I enjoyed our lessons this winter. You helped me a lot and have a great knack for communicating with your clients. You are also a very fair and encouraging judge. - Catherine, winter resident from Virginia
I've been watching the WEG video from Universal Sports. As I watch the dressage components I have to thank you for all your training. I mean not just of me and the riding I did, but also as I listened to you explain what was (supposed to be) going on with all levels of dressage. Your education absolutely allows me to understand what I'm seeing and to compare one horse/rider from another. I'm very grateful!- Helen
Elodie, after taking a lesson with a big-name FEI trainer/rider: "He told me the exact same things you do, gave me some of the exact same exercises to work on that you do. He thinks exactly like you. I loved him, but you will always be #1." (disclaimer: though I loved hearing the other trainer an I were on the exact same page, I definitely am # 2! But I love that we have such a great personal relationship that she feels this way).
Tina: On winning an association year end award: "It's because you are so awesome and have such a huge passion for what you do. Thanks for being my trainer!"
Carol: Everyone that is a part of "Team Jasmine" owes so much to our Wonderful Mentor, Trainer, Coach, Advisor, and most of all "FRIEND" Valerie Swygert, who truly makes the sport of Dressage fun..." "You should and deserve to be so proud of yourself and your students...The proof is always in the pudding."
Joan: "Helping others, helps us grow ourselves."
Elizabeth Shea: "Love you Val! We all could not have accomplished any of this without your help and knowledge and always your belief in us. We can do anything because we know you believe we can!"
Helen, voice mail left after I rode her mare 4 times: "I can already tell a difference- she's more supple. Thank you"
James: Thanks for all the help yesterday - really appreciate you!
Cassondra: Thanks for being my teacher, consultant, crazy horse catcher, advisor, horsemanship leader, and best trainer in the world!
Kayla, in an email after a lesson: "(Husband) got home early tonight and i think i just yacked his ear off for an hour. I believe if i say one more thing about my lesson he'll get a hotel. :) It was a good lesson. I got a lot out of it."
Bobby: "Valerie rocks." (I just had to put this in here)
Alissa: "Are you a miracle worker? I think so!"
Dianne: "You are a really, really good teacher- that's why I ride with you!"
Lynda: "You have a gift for teaching, and it is obvious you love what you do and you really care about your horses. Anyone who knows you, knows what great care you take of your animals and how honest and up front you are."
You opened worlds to us we'd never have experienced and made him a legend in the eyes of his admirers who never knew any other dressage horse. He definitely has a fan club here (: - Vulcan's owner
EMAILS FROM THOSE FOR WHOM I'VE JUDGED
"Many compliments on your remarks, you get an "atta girl."- USEF "S" judge
By the way, we loved your dressage judge! The comments she gave were great for the kids to learn from and the whole experience was a positive one.
GREAT JOB!!! We had a blast! I loved Valerie. She had the best test comments I have ever received. Please invite her back again!
Thank you for an awesome first experience. The judges were AMAZING with Isabelle. She is so excited for her next show and is anxious to practice!!
I can provide a long list of references of show organizers who have repeatedly hired me, including Gretchen Verbonic in the Tryon, NC area; the TTC shows in Mocksville, NC; Apple Tree Farm; Sporting Days Farm; Jumping Branch Farm; Augusta Riding Center; Wind Ridge Stables; Spotlight Horse Shows in Alpharetta; Tidelands shows in Charleston. I have also judged at Full Gallop Farm in Aiken, Softwinds Farm in Hopkins; and Cedar Ridge Farm in Blythewood, to name a few.
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