August 2011

New barn!
This year has flown by! We moved in March, and have been very busy remodeling, building a new barn, and getting our new place up and running. We still have to put in the arena, but everything else is pretty much done. The yearling fillies have gone on to their new homes, so we only brought 4 horses to the new farm with us. We have a lovely FEI sales horse in Charleston with Michelle Folden, and Debit's foal is due this month. I have not been able to ride much at all this year, but started Personality back into work mid July and will keep her going until it is time to return to the breeding shed! Last month I audited the Scott Hassler clinic at Tami Batts' farm in North Carolina, traveling with my dear friend Becky Shealy and her 18 plus hand horse "Tiny" who is a Jasmine Farm sales program graduate. Scott Hassler got really excited about Zen (ridden by Michelle Folden), whom I sold last year after six months where I mistakenly thought he should be a hunter! His new owner literally had tears of joy after hearing all the super things Scott had to say about him. Personality participated in the Marius Schreiner/Spanish Riding School clinic the last weekend of July with Marius riding. The first day was a bit sketchy (Ali was very behind the leg and slammed on the brakes a lot) but the second day was much, much better. Marius also taught my student Daniel on my "pony" Trouble, and we all got a lot of out of it! I wish I had taken photos. I judged a whole bunch in the late winter/early spring, sometimes 2 or 3 shows in a week, and am continuing to judge at least a show per month. I have officially applied for the USEF "r" program so I hope that 2012 is very busy fulfilling those requirements.

The January clinic with the Racewood.net dressage simulator (lifesize mechanical computerized horse) was a huge success. Every rider has asked me to do another clinic, and wants more time on the virtual horse. Future date to be announced.

The Starlight filly earned first premium at the Oldenburg inspection in early July, and later that month the Wynton baby out of my Gribaldi mare earned first premium with the KWPN; this was particularly impressive because she was in the ugliest growing phase possible. My friends who are professional breeders assured me that the prettiest adults often look gangly at these stages, but I was a bit frightened for a while that she was going to grow up with those proportions! They gave her first premium even looking like she did at the time because of her outstanding movement (their words, not mine). Now both fillies are very shaggy but are really turning out to be quite stunning both in looks and movement.

Personality earned Region 3 Reserve Champion with our third level freestyle, which I slapped together in August and showed 3 times before championships. She was coming back from a year of very minimal work to rest an S.I. injury. She is back in full force now, thanks to Henk Van Bergen who figured out at the end of November what the vets could not- she was weak, not lame, and I needed to work through it. I followed his advice and she has been 100% ever since. We showed our first Prix St. Georges in December at Aiken. I was (barely!) pregnant at the time. My latest import, Re Versa, arrived, and I decided to show her in November in Charleston even though I had only ridden her 14 times and had never taken her any where. We earned a 71% at third level test 3! I also showed her in Aiken in December and got good scores (mid 60's) despite a couple spooks (it was very windy; she is normally not a spooky mare at all). She is now in Wellington, Florida (go Jennifer Baumert!). In December, Ali and I showed our first Prix St. Georges, in a snaffle. I completely blew the line of 3's both days (I can't count!! I did 3 three-tempis instead of 5, and the second day, I don't even know what I did- 3-4-5-3 I think??- so earned a 4 on that movement both days. Scores were 58 and 59 both days, so surely when I can count we will easily get at least a 60. I couldn't ask for a kinder, more perfect horse for me. Once again, THANK YOU LINDA!!! And I CAN'T WAIT to see her Moorlands Totilas baby on the ground! The prefix will be NFS as in not-for-sale, ha ha!

n the fall I began some big changes with my lifestyle- cutting down on the number of horses I ride and keep here at the farm, phasing out the schooling shows for 2011, cutting down on my travel-teaching, etc. so that we could prepare for the 2011 arrival of Baby Swygert. So far, the pregnancy has been text-book and easy, so perhaps in hindsight I could have continued to do some shows and more teaching, but I am going to stick to the plan and enjoy a low-key year. I am staying busy teaching the winter eventers and my regular weekly dedicated students, and judging. I am going to keep riding Ali at Prix St. Georges as long as I can (I have my doctor's full blessing for this) but will not do much riding other than her. I will plan on hosting clinics, including the Phony Pony clinic Jan. 29 and the SCDCTA judges seminar on May 15.


Big news around here! I've earned my fifth and final 4th level score above 65% so I can enter the USEF "r" judging program! Thank you Personality and my dear friend Linda in Holland who finds exactly what I am looking for, time and time again.

Speaking of Personality, she is one of the six horses in the entire United States selected for breeding to Moorlands Totilas. They chose from over 150 applications (I'm sure they would have had many more but the stud fee of 5,000 euro is a bit high- but since he has broken every world record in his first year at Grand Prix at just 9 years old, he's worth every penny!). My mare is by Amsterdam (sire of Ashley Holzer's Pop Art among many other top FEI horses) so this should be one special baby.

And speaking of babies, Envy's filly is here- Folie A Deux arrived in April. She was born a bright chestnut but her new hair growth is a dark, dark brown so she will be liver- my favorite color! She was 11.2 AT BIRTH- huge and healthy. California's darling Starlight filly, Sandro's Twilight, arrived on May 19- she is petite and refined and is already dear to my heart.


January 2010

Some new photos on the photo gallery page- check 'em out!

As usual, the upcoming months are busy with clinics in North Carolina, the Summerville area, and Georgia, and judging jobs (Apple Tree in Aiken Feb. 23 (a Tuesday), The Clemson Intercollegiate Benefit show in the upstate on Feb. 27, and the Softwinds show near Columbia on March 27). Still trying to keep the daily ride count at 4 or 5 so I can do what I really love, which is teaching! Hoping to get down the Dressage Masters shindig in Wellington to see Anky and Isabel and the like, but not sure how that is going to play into all the obligations I have here- but I sure appreciate the invite and am going to try to make it work!

Congratulations to Shawna Harding and Brian Quackenbush on their recent engagement and the purchase of their lovely new home!

Today we welcomed Joan Haddon's horse "Aussie" to the farm for some ballet training. .. Wonderful to see her and catch up- she is who introduced me to my sainted Mark so I owe her a lifetime of gratitude, and I can't wait to see what this fancy fellow of hers (the four-legged one!) can do! I'm also enjoying working with Helen Naylor's lovely big mare, and really love that great big farm of the Gillis'- and it is fun to meet so many driving people!

2009 Student Successes:
Lynda Bragg, Walk/Trot Champion with Vulcan- she's thrilled to not be reserve this year, plus she has been riding a new horse, her Appy cross Moonshine. Elodie Huguet, first level junior/YR champion with her new horse Hologram; Tina Pondy, training level adult amateur champion on her lovely black Arabian Nighthawk and has earned some very impressive wins at the recognized Arabian dressage shows. Arielle Ostrov has won a couple SCDCTA eventing awards, and I am tickled pink (pun intended) that she has gone, in her joking words, from being "last after dressage all the time" to being first on several horses at several different shows lately, and winning some CTs/ events. Dianne Ferrari has moved her horse up to Second Level this year, so did not have enough scores at one level to qualify for a year-end award, and Carol Skelton's horse has made a fabulous recovery from a fractured splint bone, and is now back in the show ring- having won the Training Level championship in 2008, she is now blowing thedoors off at first level. Shea hasn't been able to ride or show much this year, with her new full-time job and recent engagement- but we did manage to tweak her choreography on her freestyle and she continues to tweak the music (orchestral Lynyrd Skynyrd!) and she won the freestyle award at the SCDCTA banquet. Kayla Butler has won all 4 of her dressage tests so far on her lovely and very green "Fudge." Alissa Faulkner and her horse Taschi Z/ Parker are schooling second/third level movements after just a couple months of lessons, though they insist on calling themselves eventers since he can, and does, jump the moon (: Wendy James and Amanda Hollar continue to progress and have excitedly purchased their first dressage saddles (: James Green has now done his first "leg yield zig-zags," counter canter half circles, and walk/canter/walk transitions- he was beaming and said "Now I feel like a dressage rider!" and that made me smile for days! His wife Paula is also a lot of fun to teach. Heidi Salloum has started her dressage career and can't wait for her first show on her lovely gelding; int he meantime she travels here to ride my horses occasionally. I know I've left a lot of you out and I'm sorry, just quickly typing this off the top of my head. I am proud of each and every one of you! Let's continue to enjoy the journey!


December 1, 2009

Envy is 7 months along, Cali is 6, and they are both HUGE. This weekend is a busy one with the recognized dressage show. We have 5 going- Personality, Trouble aka Farther in Debt, Vulcan, Dianne Ferrari and Ariadne and Tina Pondy and Nighthawk.

I've been very busying judging the last six weeks, doing the MCG Benefit at the Hippodrome, the Ft. Gordon soldier's benefit show, Jumping Branch horse trials, and TTC in Mocksville, NC's horse trials.

Our Halloween show was HUGE, our biggest show ever. Aileen Daly did a fabulous job judging, and thanks to Alissa Faulkner, Bobbi and Madeline Walker, Mr. and Mrs. Swygert, Jacqueline Wilkinson and Shea Drinkard for helping out.

Amie Osment, football player

Carmen Nespolo, fairy

Volunteeer and dear friend Bobby Walker as Smurfette (unfortunately I don't have a picture of her daughter Madeline who was a killer pirate!)

Elvis!

Kayla Butler on Fudge looking "swashbuckling"

Skeleton horse

Michael Jackson

The Chik Fil A cow!

Me and Minnie Me. She is the Queen Bee and I am the Worker Bee.

Many thanks to Carmen Nespolo for taking these photographs and sharing them!

I finally got my cockatoos, Peska and Triscuit. They "rule the roost" inside the house!

September 09

This month is very busy- I'm judging 3 shows this month in NC, GA and SC. We had to cancel our Sept. horse show, but are looking forward to our big Halloween event.

Envy is now into her 4th month of pregnancy though she is looking more like 8 months, and Cali is a month behind her looking quite fat already herself! I am sure Moorland Totilas' world record score won't hurt the value of Envy and her baby, as Envy is Totilas' sister and the sire is also ridden by the same rider, Edward Gal.

Valerie is continuing her judge's education; students Carol Skelton, Dianne Ferrari and Elodie Huguet all attended Janet Foy's "the View from C" program on September 12 at the Good Horseman Show at the Georgia Horse Park, and learned a TON. We had to leave after the first day because I had a dressage exhibition ride at the big "A" hunter show at Highfield's- which was great fun! I rode Ali to some orchestrated pop tunes including the Pink Panther theme and some Madonna and REM and the best part was I got to wear all my pink! Shea came along as the official sound engineer and groom and did a great job- thanks!

don't I look serious here? Actually I was smiling through most of the ride... and look at Ali's happy floppy ears. I just love this mare!

passage, WHAT FUN!!

and a canter pirouette, yippee!!

 

Congratulations to Kassidy Peacock; she purchased Persona Grata last summer with the hopes of qualifying and attending the USDF Junior/ Young Rider championships- and she achieved her goal!

Envy's pregnancy (to Wynton, see below) continues to progress nicely. She has made it to the 8th week so far.

My former show horse California has returned to Jasmine Farm to live. The kind lady I sold her to, Mary Ann O'Connor of Ocala, Florida, knew how much I love her and how hard it was for me to part with her a few years ago, so when she came up with a soft-tissue injury, Mary Ann kindly returned Cali to me. Thank you, thank you, thank you for your thoughtful, generous gift. I do so love this mare! Cali is now bred to Starlight (pictured here) who has gone to Germany to be ridden by Karin Rehbein, and has an unprecedent 100% premium foal rating so far!




Here's Cali being ridden by a young visitor July 4th weekend:




This same visitor, Saxon, on Trouble:




I'd like to brag on Carol Skelton and her Belgian/Arab cross Royal Beefeater, on their USDF-debut, doing first level and racking up the good scores! The judges gave her high marks on rider position and wrote things like "your horse trusts you" on her test! What a huge compliment!




Wow, we've been busy since the last update. I went to the World Cup in Las Vegas with trainer Amy McElroy and fellow riders Holly Spencer, Dru Ann Brunson, and Lisi Tibrea, which was a great experience but I spent WAY too much money (patent leather custom Der Dau boots, bits, clothes...my Visa was SMOKIN'). As far as the experience with tequila and Jagermeister and the Luxor hotel, WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS, STAYS IN VEGAS (:






I've horse showed a couple times; Envy has gotten some whopping scores 73-76%- and some very naughty scores (gotta love those 4's on submission...). Ali is a rock star every time she goes down centerline but sometimes I ride like a bonehead and make her look bad.








My biggest news is that ENVY IS BRED TO WYNTON- who was at the World Cup as an exhibition horse for the FEI young horse classes. The incomparable Edward Gal rides this 5 year old Dutch stallion- I snapped this photo while we were in Vegas. Can you imagine how awesome this foal is going to be??




My former horse California has also returned to Jasmine Farm; Marianne O' Connor from Ocala was kind enough to let me take her to breed. The chosen sire is Starlight, by Sandro Hit (I can't resist a black Dutch horse can I?) :




April Fool's Day, our mysterious, elusive inhabitant- Ghost Kitty- appeared for her one and only photo shoot- taken by Jonathon Brooks.




In February, right after our HUGE Valentine's Day show, we had a great clinic with Linda, all the way from Holland- riders Dianne Ferrari, Shea Drinkard, Amy McElroy, Lynda Bragg, Arielle Ostrov, Toi Trent, Bishop and Lynn Croft and me all participated in this 3 day educational experience.








Early in March, Ali and Envy went to the Lowcountry Dressage show in Charleston, where Envy won the high score award again (highest score at the entire show) with a 76.4 and a 75.2, as well as getting our first qualifying score for the first level regional championships. Ali won a 4th level class with a 62.093%. Michelle Folden was kind enough to school us, as well as let me stay in her lovely Johns Island house. Her husband rivals mine in terms of "perfect"! And he's a great cook! Many, many thanks!



Two weeks later, Ali and Envy went to the Aiken Dressage show, where Envy won the high score with a 76.8, and we finished our second and final score to qualify for the first level champs in October. Ali was a rock star, as always... we won the 4th level class on Saturday with a 64.4 (I REALLY want a 65% more than I want a blue ribbon... SO CLOSE and yet, so far away!). Sunday I rode like a complete bonehead and went off course, and trotted a flying change, among other pilot errors. Oops! I still left the arena with a smile- I just LOVE riding this girl!







The month ended with a Gunner Ostergaard clinic and the dreaded GREEN PLASTIC CHAIR, in the rain...! We are looking forward to more clinics and shows this spring!



I have been so fortunate over the last few months to have some major “break-through, lightbulb” moments in my riding, thanks to the help of JJ Tate and a week spent in Spain with instruction from Olympian Rafael Soto. A special thank you to Michelle Folden for riding my girls for me while I was gone!






The December USDF show in Aiken awarded Envy yet another high-score award; she won 3 of 4 classes with 12-15 entrants, and got a 2nd in the 4th with a naughty green-horse moment (: I also debuted Personality and rode super conservatively (translated: slow and behind the bit) as I tested the waters to see how she would do off the farm and at a show. She was flawless, so I look forward to actually RIDING her through our next tests and boosting our scores from the low 60's to my needed 65%+ to enter the USDF “r” program!










I PASSED THE 'L' EXAM WITH DISTINCTION; AM NOW WORKING ON THE USEF "r" REQUIREMENTS!

My friend and agent from Holland came to visit for a week; we had a great time; we hosted a riding clinic and a freestyle clinic, which was incredibly well-received and are already planning on a return visit in a few months and already have a waiting list!!


Personality has arrived and she is everything I hoped for! My 11th ride on her was at my Halloween schooling show and dear judge Dru gave her a 9 on gaits and 8's on impulsion and submission, despite my conservative riding!

We had some great costumes at the show. Ballerina Personality led by me the dog, beside Shea Drinkard the Kung Fu fighter; cow Hind Hearted led by farmer Ashtynn Lamp; 1940's bomb plant engineer Nick Bridges leading Truth Is ridden by fairy tale princess Sarah Bridges.








Elodie strikes again!  I have been begging for a year for another mural, and though Elodie has been so busy with her first year of pre-vet school at UGA and a summer interning with a local equine vet, she found the time to do it for  me.  The butterfly is of special significance, as my mother told me before her passing that whenever I saw a butterfly, it was her way of telling me she loves me.  I did not ask Elodie to put the butterfy in; I made no requests whatsoever- because I knew whatever she chose would be perfect, and boy did she prove me right!  GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR PARENTS FOR DOING THIS.  I CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH.  And I'm sure Mom thanks you too (:




3 Jasmine Farm residents attended the Aiken dressage show on Sept. 6 & 7, and out of 10 classes, we brought home 5 blue ribbons. We all had fun and look forward to the December show in Aiken.


On a sad note, it was time for long-time (8 years!?) boarder/student and friend Helen Wells to move her retired-from-dressage horse Tex to a new barn more suited to their non-dressage needs. Helen is a dear friend, a great human massage therapist (if anyone needs a referral, she's GREAT) and we will miss her dearly. I've heard that things are working out nicely at her new digs, and Tex and she are very happy there.


Many congratulations to Lynda Bragg at her very first USDF show, earning the highest score of the whole show in her walk trot tests (69.7!). Her other scores were 67 and 68%. Wow! Lynda also generously allowed Elodie to show Vulcan in some training level classes, where she earned a blue ribbon as well.


Guess whose bought another horse from Holland! This lovely black mare, 11 years old, will be arriving at the farm around mid-October. She is extremely well-bred (Amsterdam/Goodtimes) and has her Preferent status. I am hoping she will be the one to complete my silver medal… maybe even my gold! I trust my contact in Holland so much I bought her off a video and have never seen her in person. I can't wait for her arrival!




What a whirlwind summer it has been!  Just since the end of July, I have been to Piqua, Ohio to visit our family farm up there- it has been in our family for over 150 years!  We pay a gentleman to run the farm, but we still own it.

The Old Farm House:



Our cows! Moo!  I wasn't able to eat steak for a while... the cows were very cute and friendly and I felt guilty ):



Acres and acres of corn & soybeans.  No guilt in eating those at least!:



Then I went to Wellington FL to try a lovely FEI mare, who unfortunately didn't work out.  Then Envy and I  went to Asheville, NC to a show; to Jennifer Baumert's new barn in the Tryon area for an Axel Steiner two-day clinic, which was wonderful and extremely helpful!  Then the Charleston show, and a two day clinic back at Jennifer Baumert's for a Bo Jena clinic on long-lining.


A big thank you to Jasmine Farm's newest rider, John Decker,  for coming out to the farm and hosting a Jasmine Farm Scuba Diving Day!  Mark, Sarah, Shea and I all enjoyed learning this new skill (underwater diving is an integral part of any dressage rider's training...)

Valerie and John:



Shea, smiling as always:



Sarah looks like she is up to no good!:




Aiken is home to a "trick" trainer from Russia, Luba... She has been coming here teaching the horses and me how to do all kinds of fun stuff!  Here is Trouble, my 5 year old "Andalusian" (he does the Spanish walk) learning to paint, spin a rope, and to "tell a lie" (crossing his legs):










I'd like to also mention a farm down the road from me, owned by Chuck and Cindy Lamp. They have a really neat program going,with a petting zoo where they offer birthday parties, pony rides and other fun activities. They'll even bring the party to you! Check them out at www.looserockridingcenter.com .  Everything they've done over there is first rate and they have gone above and beyond to get approved by the state. Their daughter Ashtynn is a student of mine, and the highest recommendation I can give is that we entrusted our beloved miniature donkey to them to add to their petting zoo.  Fiesta is very happy running the show over there!


May 9, 2008- "Envy" and Valerie are pictured in The Chronicle of the Horse, highlighting our achievement as the show's highest scores.

Also in May, "Envy" and Valerie compete at the Dixie Cup USDF horse show at the International Horse Park in Conyers, winning both classes with  a 72% and a 77.2%- the highest training level score and once again the HIGH SCORE OF THE SHOW. 

On June 14-15, Envy competes at the Good Horseman USDF show, winning 3 of 4 classes (coming in second in that fourth class by 0.4 points to our friend Amanda Persons, also riding a lovely Dutch mare!).  Our scores ranged from 69% to 74%, and we ONCE AGAIN- FOR THE THIRD CONSECUTIVE SHOW, AND THE FOURTH OUT OF FIVE SHOWS CONTESTED, EARNED THE OPEN HIGH SCORE OF THE SHOW AWARD. Have I mentioned lately that I love this mare????

Also at this show, they offered a fun dog show, so Minnie Me was entered in "Best Dressed" in her bikini and straw hat:



And we wore matching sunglasses for the "Mini Me Contest"- of course Minnie Me won the Mini Me!




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:

Rank	Horse/Owner	Pts	Total Comps
1	BEDAZZLE / SWYGERT, VALERIE - SC	36	4
2	ZEJA VU / WHITTENBURG, JULIANA - FL	26	7
3	DUCK DUCK MONGOOSE / MIRANDA, MEG - FL	25	5
4	CABELLA / COATES-FIERY, RENAE - AZ	15	3
	DICEMAN / FERRAS, IGNACIO - FL	15	7
6	PARIS MATCH / VON BEHRENS, PAM - MO	8	1

"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!

TIME TO BRAG! The 2006 SCDCTA year end awards for Jasmine Farm: Simpatia and Valerie received two championships for first level (USDF and schooling), third place at third level USDF, and Deficit Spending and Valerie won first place in their itty-bitty-baby division in combined training. 

Student Jordan Raska won the championship for the junior division of first level, with student Elodie Huguet in reserve, and student Helen Wells won Intro level adult amateur championship.  ALL 3 OF MY STUDENTS WHO ARE SCDCTA MEMBERS WON FIRST OR SECOND PLACE IN THEIR DIVISION.   YOU GO GIRLS!!!!