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2009 RESULTS:
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 Successes:*
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! Michelle and J.J. Tate had that same discussion when they worked with her. 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. And a special thank you to Shea Drinkard, who has gone above and beyond in supporting me whenever I needed it.
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, as seen in this sales video, which makes it clear why I bought this mare!
Sales Video
This is quite a tribute to what a great start Envy got in her first months of training, and what a fabulous job Linda did in trying her out for me, and seeing what she is capable of! Linda will be here in April or May for another clinic. Just a few spots available, so if you are interested, let me know asap! I am grateful and humbled by my dear friends, clients, fellow horse professionals who have encouraged and supported me and my mares (among them, besides the above-mentioned, Jennifer Baumert, , and clinicians Gunnar Ostergaard, Henk von Bergen- Dutch team coach, and Bo Jena-Swedish team coach, and most recently, Shawna Harding, who is hopefully going to campaign Envy for me after the foal is weaned. 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
340 Pine Acres Road
Windsor, SC 29856
803-215-1201
(please no visitors without appointment!)
E-mail Jasmine Farm |
2010 Show Schedule:
Feb. 13 Valentine's Day Show SCDCTA # 11186
PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT HAITIAN EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS
April 3 Easter Show SCDCTA # 11187
June 5 Annual Luau Show SCDCTA # 11188
September 25 Get Beat by the Heat Show SCDCTA #11189
October 30 Our Flagship Halloween Show!! SCDCTA # 11190
December 11 The Christmas/Hannukah/Whatever Your Winter Festivity Preference Show SCDCTA # 11191
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LESSONS:
Tired of being drilled, confused, not getting anywhere? How do you think your horse feels? I can change that.
The proof is in the product: award-winning students with smiles on their faces.
- FACILITY: lovely outdoor arena with full mirrors, watering & sound systems, great footing.
- SCHOOLING SHOWS: SEE TOP OF THIS PAGE FOR ENTRY FORMS!
- JUDGING: USDF “L” graduate “with distinction” & USDF Bronze medalist - 2 scores shy of Silver Medal
- SALES: Beginner-safe ponies thru quality Dutch imports -young investments & schoolmasters. Don't let distance keep you from your dreams. Honest representation GUARANTEED.
- CLINICS: Hosting international FEI trainer from Holland every 3-4 months; innovative Balimo & Riding Right clinicians; hosting SCDCTA freestyle and judging seminar
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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
Cristy Sanders, D.C. of Charleston area Pony Club
Jennifer Baumert, Cloverlea Dressage
Stephanie Von Bidder, Daybreak Farm
STUDENTS/CLIENTS-none of these comments were solicited. I just got them from a few Facebook postings and emails-
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."
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