Envy has done it again, winning  3 blues at the Greater Atlanta Dressage Southern April 12 and 13 with more high scores! The one class we didn't win, we came in second to a horse raised and broke here at Jasmine Farm- Piper, formerly called "Jasmine"- can be viewed on our Congratulations page.  Way to go trainer/rider Jill Allard and congratulations owner Liz Carlin! Also, speedy healing to Jill's lovely mom Teri Larson, whose horse slipped on a trail ride and she suffered a very minor head injury, thanks to her hard hat!


"Envy" was high score of the entire show in Charleston March 15 & 16, and won both her classes with scores up to 73.5%, and that was with an error- my mistake, not hers!  I am SO PROUD of my baby girl at her second show ever!  I have only been riding her for a month as I just imported her in February.  Our first show was the weekend prior, in 40 mph wind gusts and torrentially wet conditions, and she still got a 67, 68, and 71%.  THANK YOU MICHELLE FOLDEN FOR YOUR HELP!  I couldn't and wouldn't have done it without you (:




NEW ARRIVAL:  6 year old black Dutch mare by Gribaldi, just in from Holland. "Envy" is everything I had hoped she would be!




JASMINE FARM PROUDLY ANNOUNCES ITS NEW IMPORT SERVICE
Tired of buying horses and realizing later you paid upwards of 20% in commissions?  Or scared to shop in Europe because you think the horses are too expensive? We have forged a strong relationship with a contact in Holland to help find safe and FAIRLY PRICED warmbloods, and will arrange all the export services for you at a  very reasonable fee.

Valerie and Persona Grata won ALL FOUR of their tests at the Camden Fall Dressage show, earning the fourth level scores for the USDF silver medal.  The plan is to debut at Prix St. Georges in March.  Valerie is also currently importing a couple new horses- updates on those soon!

Many condolences to my old High Point family in Athens on the tragic loss of assistant trainer Kristin Webber.  She was a beautiful rider and a beautiful person, and lucky to work at such a supporting, loving barn.  Especially big hugs to Cindy Thaxton.

Also condolences to my dear friend Robin Kitchens on the loss of her beloved Spats.

Jasmine Farm welcomes trainer Jeremy Shomper- he is the most dependable person I have ever hired!  And a great rider and trainer who always has a smile on his face.  Pictures and biography coming very soon!

Jasmine Farm also welcomes "Minnie Me" the most DARLING puppy in the universe!

  


Results from 2007- Simpatia is Champion USDF Region 3 Musical Freestyle Challenge, Reserve Champion USDF Region 3 Musical Freestyle, and 11th place NATIONALLY! See new photos on the photo gallery page. Persona Grata earned FOUR NINES on his third level test in Ocala.

Check out the current photos of former JF horses Colorado and Belle! By a wierd coincidence, both these Swygertian warmbloods-check out their brands (:- ended up at the same barn north of Atlanta with owners who are friends! I'm very happy for Kim Moulton and Alissa Faulkner. You go girls!


August was a blur, as it began with the loss of my dearest friend, my much loved Mom- after a very difficult summer- she battled valiantly for months but God called her Home.  I know she is happy to be with my Dad once again.  Those of you who know me, know how close we were and what a terrible ordeal this has been.

September brought about better times.... Simpatia's freestyle debut earned a 70% and a blue ribbon at the Buckleigh Farm USDF show... followed over the next few weeks by a 69% at the Good Horseman show in Atlanta and a 68.9% at the Pinehurst show in North Carolina.  Dan Davidson put together the music of Dallas, Bewitched, and Sex and the City for this fun, lively choreography.




Persona Grata earned a blue ribbon and a 70% at third level at the Pinehurst show as well!




October is jam-packed with fun horsey activities- the Gunner Ostergaard clinic on the 2nd,  and judging the Augusta Riding Center show and the MCG Benefit show at the Hippodrome, followed by the USDF Regional Championships the third weekend and our Halloween show the last weekend- hope to see you there!


Janet Salem of Patchwork Farm in Alpharetta, Georgia wrote this in an e-mail about a pony who learned all his ground handling and got started under saddle here- I want to share it as it is better than any ad copy I could think up! "Just wanted to let you know how well Walter is doing.  He is absolutely the calmest, easiest 3 year old I've seen!  He's fine with traffic in the ring.  Today, we taught him to jump over a little crossrail.  Just like everything- no big deal.  You would never know he's so young by how laid back he is.  So thanks for the great start- your work was just right!"


Elodie strikes again!  Chances are, if you find something around my farm that is beautiful, artistic, and requires talent, chances are that Elodie is responsible.  Check out this very cool mural she did for the barn, to fill in the blank wall behind the wash stall area.  She even made a real window door to match the stall windows!  THANK YOU ELODIE!!  You're amazing (and God bless your parents who came out on the muggiest day of the entire year and helped hang this!).




BIG CONGRATULATIONS TO ELODIE HUGUET, SUMMA CUM LAUDE 4.0 FROM SOUTH AIKEN HIGH SCHOOL- she will be attending the Univ. of Georgia, on her way to being a small animal veterinarian, and AMY VARALLO, VALEDICTORIAN, INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE PROGRAM FROM AIKEN HIGH SCHOOL- and a PERFECT SCORE ON BOTH THE SAT AND THE ACT.

 I COULD NOT BE MORE PROUD OF THESE BEAUTIFUL, TALENTED, INTELLIGENT YOUNG WOMEN.  I LOVE YOU BOTH, AND CANNOT IMAGINE JASMINE FARM WITHOUT YOU.




Many thanks to The English Equestrian Magazine- our lucky year-end award winners will be getting a free year's subscription!  Please check them out at www.englishequestrian.biz.


Our much loved Stinky made her trip over the Rainbow Bridge on July 2, after two years of battling kidney failure.  She was happy and pain-free til the end.  We will miss her always.  May she romp and plan forever with her friends who went before her. Til we meet again...




As many of you know, Sara McCormick/ Orchard Hill Farm Ponies sends her top-quality Welsh ponies to me to be started under saddle.  I get two new ponies every 2 or 3 months; I believe I have started about 9 of them so far.  I am very proud to learn that Geoff Teall purchased one of these ponies just a couple weeks after she left my farm!  For those of you who don't know, he is the 2006 United States Equestrian Federation's "Horseman of the Year"- a very big deal!!  He has access to the nicest, best trained hunter horses and ponies in the country, so I am honored (of course Sara's exceptional breeding program gets most of the credit!).  Here's one of her gorgeous ponies that is with me now, on about her 25th ride (I cropped my head out of the picture on purpose!)


I am in mid-kick here, that is why my heels are not down (:




UPDATE FROM THE APRIL CAMDEN USDF SHOW:  VALERIE HAS NOW EARNED HER USDF BRONZE MEDAL (only four easy scores away from the silver...ha  ha).    Also, Persona Grata earned his first score towards qualifying for Regional Championships.   It was my 32nd ride ever on "Percy", and obviously our very first show, so I was tickled PINK (everyone who knows me knows about the PINK!).  And I must brag on my little soul mate Simpatia, who also earned her first qualifying score.  How I love that mare!!

Our filly Bedazzle is currently # 1 in the whole country - this is the USEF current national ranking:

"Persona Grata" will debut at 3rd or 4th 4th level at the Camden show in April... after a fabulous clinic with Gunnar Ostergaard April 4 and 5.  I am having SO MUCH fun with him!  Some days it seems so easy, and I wish I had bought a horse like him years ago, but then I'll have a really "hard" ride and re-think how easy I think it is! 
 
The Easter show was a grand success... lovely weather, great turnout!  I couldn't resist wearing bunny ears...  Thanks to everyone who came out to support the show!



Jenn  sent us this updated photo of Not Quite, purchased from us about 4 years ago. How grown up and beautiful they both look!

The trip to Holland was a huge success-what fun!  The weather was COLD but the people were warm!  It isn't very expensive to go- I spent less than $1000 including airfare, five nights' hotel, and food - though I spent way more at the tack stores.  Riding boots for $130, Keiffer bridles for $120... deals were everywhere!  What didn't fit in my suitcase will arrive shortly - this is me on our first (and only!) ride -



On a sad note, Sandy Driggers phoned to tell me of Tater's passing. He was well into his twenties, so he lived a good long life and was much loved by us all.

Check out Bedazzle's pictures on the sale page - she is undefeated being shown in-hand at the A shows (hunter yearling) so far!