December 2007 Congratulations to the following 2007 NCDCTA HOY award winners: AA Third Level - Karen Bates and La Luna - Champion Open Fourth Level - Monika Schnacke and Cardelano - Champion Jr./YR FEI Dressage - Ryan Eskridge and Rubin - Reserve Champion; Bonnie Efird and Magie Noir (3rd) AA FEI Dressage - Karen Bates and Diam Khan - Reserve Champion; Valerie Heckrodt and Aireyano (5th) FEI Prix St. Georges - Monika Schnacke and Cardelano (3rd) FEI Grand Prix - Monika Schnacke and Prince Pommery (HM) Musical Freestyle - Ryan Eskridge and Rubin (6th) Monika Schnacke and Cardelano 2007 NCDCTA HOY 4th Level Champions & 3rd place Prix St. Georges Photo Credit: Dreamphoto

November 10-11, 2007 Pumpkin Patch Dressage Camden, SC We had a huge turnout at this show along with some terrific results! Congratulations to trainer Diane Ritz and her students: Ryan Eskridge and her horse, Rubin, debuted at Intermediare II with scores of 64.1% and 65.6%! Ryan and Diane have brought Rubin along from Fourth level and Ryan is planning to ride Rubin Grand Prix in 2008!!! Ryan also rode the 4 year old Freuhling, owned by Barbara Ritz, earning two firsts and a second showing training level with scores of 75.0%, 71.3% and 67.1% Bonnie Efird, with her own Magie Noir, won the Prix St. Georges both days with scores of 69.0% and 72.0%. Karen Bates and Diam Khan showing Intermediare II earned a 58.8% on Saturday then came back strong on Sunday placing 1st out of 8 with a 70.0%! Monika Schnacke had both her boys at this show and she said Pommes allowed his younger brother to shine. Monika and Prince Pommery riding the Grand Prix earned scores of 57.9% and 60.0%. Monika's younger horse, Cardelano, moving up the levels in leaps and bounds debuted at Intermediare I with scores of 64.25% and 66.0%! Melodie Griswold and Duke of Branscome continue to work on improving their scores at second level and everyone enjoyed having their favorite test reader at a show again! Jenny Buchanan and Rafael and Jami Edwards and Hermes earned great scores at First Level coming home with at least one blue ribbon apiece! Jenny and Rafael's scores ranged from 61.3% to 70.0% and Jami and Hermes' scores ranged from 60.8% to 66.5%. Trainer Lindsay Staiano riding Donna Nelson's Gypsy Rose Lee, earned scores of 63.4% and 66.5% at Second Level. Lindsay's student, Victoria Breece and her horse Fudge, earned scores of 58.9% and 60.5% at Second Level. This was Victoria and Fudge's first time back in the show ring in 5 years! Congratulations to everyone!!!

November 3-4, 2007 River Glen Horse Trials New Market, TN Amber Duncan and her young horse, Aviator (Frye) placed 2nd out of 11 at the River Glen Horse Trials in their first outing moving up to Novice. They earned a terrific score of 30.5% in dressage and went double clean cross-country. They had one rail down in stadium, finishing with a 34.5% and 2nd place! Trainer Lindsay Staiano and her horse, Top Gun, placed 5th out of 13 in the the Open Intermediate division. Congratulations to both Amber and Lindsay! Amber and Frye

October 6-7, 2007 NCDCTA Horse Trials at the Fork Norwood, NC Congratulations to Nancy Jennings and Snowball for their 3rd place in the Beginner Novice division. Nancy and Snowball, one of our experienced foxhunting pairs, have been having fun braving centerline and taking on eventing! In the Open Beginner Novice division, Elizabeth Hart with Madison Avenue came in 2nd place and Amber Duncan with Aviator (Frye) came in 5th place. Elizabeth Hart riding Centerstage, came in 4th place in the JR/YR Preliminary division. Congratulations to all three riders and their trainer, Lindsay Staiano! Nancy and Snowball Photo Credit: Hoofclix

October 1, 2007 Pinehurst Fall Dressage Show Pinehurst, NC It was fantastic to see Monika Schnacke and Prince Pommery (Pommes) return and perform the Grand Prix this past weekend. It has been a long journey back after Pommes had been sidelined with an injury. Not only did Monika and Pommes come home with two blue ribbons – they also earned the final score needed for Monika’s USDF Gold Medal. Congratulations! Photo Credit: Dreamphoto

September 22-23, 2007 Borderline Dressage Show Tryon, NC Congratulations to Karen Bates and Diam Khan who earned scores of 59.8% and 60.5% and a first place for their debut at Intermediare II. Photo Credit: WNCPhoto

August 11-12, 2007 Fall Horse Trials at the Ark Monroe, NC Amber Duncan and her new horse, Aviator (aka Frye) came in 5th place out of 15 riders in the Open Beginner Novice Division. Frye is a 4 year old Hanoverian/Thoroughbred who certainly seems happy with his new mom and career. Amber and Frye train with Lindsay Staiano at Hidden Spring - congratulations! Amber and Frye Photo Credit: Equestrian Impressions

August 6, 2007 2007 North American Jr. and YR Championships Lexington, VA Bonnie Efird and Magie Noir (Maggie), Ryan Eskridge and Rubin and Holly Shook and Capetown (Mike) qualified to represent Region 1 at the 2007 NAJYRCs, held in Lexington, VA. Congratulations to Ryan and Rubin, who placed 4th out of 45 riders in the individual test in an extremely competitive field of Young Riders! In the Juniors, Bonnie and Maggie rode well and came home members of the Bronze Medal team! Unfortunately, due to an injury, Holly and Mike were unable to compete. Congratulations to all 3 riders for their hard work and dedication! Ryan and Rubin June 2007 USEF Festival of Champions Gladstone, NJ Bonnie Efird and Magie Noir came home the overall junior champion! Their overall score for the Junior Team Test was 65.4% and they received a 68.85% for their Junior Individual Test. Holly Shook and Capetown came in 3rd place overall in the Young Rider division and Ryan Eskridge and Rubin came in 9th place in the same division. Congratulations to all three riders and their trainer, Diane Ritz. Bonnie Efird and Magie Noir April 28-29, 2007 Poplar Place Farm, Georgia Congratulations to Ryan Eskridge and Rubin for earning a 67% that was the high score in the Jr/YR FEI Prix St. Georges division. March 5, 2007 Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI*** Holly Shook and Capetown scored a 70.5% winning the FEI YR Musical Freestyle. This came after top placings in the YR team test and the YR PSG. Bonnie Efird and Magie Noir won the FEI Jr. Team and Individual tests with a 67.2% and a 69% respectively. Congratulations to both Holly and Bonnie! February 23, 2007 2007 ZADA Florida Dressage Classic Congratulations to trainer Diane Ritz riding Mitzi Presnell's young horse, Sandro Simian for earning the blue ribbon in the Third Level Test 2 class with a 64.103%. Diane and Simian Photo Credit: Equestrian Impressions