Meet Our 2009 Year End Award Winners

Meredith Richardson and Mlark RVRW, Grand Champion, starter eventing and Intro Level Dressage, Reserve Champion Training Level 1/2 Dressage, 4th, Jumping/Equitation.   After realizing that my first horse wasn't going to be competitive and the fact that we weren't a good match; I searched for months to find the right horse for me. After nearly 9 months, my barn owner told me about a Haflinger for sale. I went to look at Mlark RVRW and it was love at first sit (in the saddle). He was just magnificent and everything I had been searching to find. On September 4, 2008 we became a team. We have competed in combined training, low level dressage, hunter/jumper and even a mini-event. He's the most versatile horse and we have a ton of fun. He's my best friend and I feel blessed to work with such a partner. We had a great show season in 2009. It was so fun to try to better our score each time for OPRC Year End Awards. I'm looking forward greatly to 2010! Meredith is a member of Stayin' Alive Chapter of Champaign, Illinois.

Robyn Dorius and Estrella, Grand Champion Training Level 3/4 Dressage, 3rd place Training Level 1/2.   Estrella is an 11 year old Andalusian mare and we have been together for 7 years. We have been showing at Training Level and we qualified for our first 'big' Regional Amateur Championship show this year, where we placed 10th. It was a neat experience. Estrella is a wonderful mare who always tries her best and I feel blessed to be able to learn on her. I'd like to thank our OPRC members at both the Chapter and National levels for working so hard to give the club a sense of community. And also for having programs such as the Year End Awards and the National Rally which gives us an excuse to have fun with both our horses and our equestrian friends. Robyn is a member of the Vintage Valley Riders, Central Valley, California.

Jan Hill and Bolero, Grand Champion, Training Level 1/2 Dressage
Bolero and I have been partnered up for a year now and I feel very lucky to have this special horse in my life. I'm an older rider who is not very confident on a horse that I don't know. When I got ready to retire Conner (The Wonder Horse), my 21 year old Perch/Morgan cross, I took a chance on a 4 year old off the track Thoroughbred. Yikes! He is the best. He never spooks and is such an easy ride. I hope to do Training Level again in 2010 and then move up to First Level if not in 2011, then in 2012. Conner will always be with me, but we have both found a new friend in this very sweet young horse. Jan rides with the Pinelands Chapter of Atlantic County, New Jersey.

Kay Brady and Homecoming Affair ("Taffy"), Reserve Champion, Training Level 3/4 Dressage. Homecoming Affair is going on 12 and I have had him since he was 3. He is a once in a lifetime horse that has such an honest work ethic. He loves his job and looks forward to anything we do together. I adore my horse and I am very proud of him. He is such a joy to ride! We are a member of the Piedmont OPRC of Jefferson, Virginia.

Beth Major and Art, Reserve Champion, Intro Level Dressage.   Art (registered name Running Fire) is a 20 year old Russian Arab owned by Shannon Scassero. In the year I've been leasing him, we have gone from barely-under-control to winning the Intro and Training level championships at our local dressage club's schooling show series. I credit my instructor, Cindy Mattern, and this gorgeous, smart and sensitive horse. My goal for 2010 is to do some recognized shows and maybe, perhaps, show at First level if I ever learn to sit the trot and breathe at the same time Beth lives in Dillsburg, Pennsylvania and is a member of the Equestrians of Fine Vintage.

Paula Hinshaw and Rappsody, Reserve Champion, Intro Level Dressage. I have owned Rappsody, since April of 2009. She is a mare, chestnut in color. Rappsody is a Zweibrucker,or also known as part of the Rhineland Pfalz Saar warmblood breeding. Her background is mainly dressage, yet she has proven to be a great trail horse and she likes to jump. She's my all around GAL. She has great heart with the willingness to please at all times. I am so excited to continue riding, showing and having memorable times with her. We also look forward to more OPRC competition. Paula is a Vintage Valley Rider of Central Valley, California.

Amy Parsons and Best Surprise, Reserve Champion, Beginner Eventing.   Best Surprise ("Fabio") and I met in 2006 - he was 6 years old. (I won't say how old I was!) I was a trail rider, but I was interested in learning how to event. He was interested in finding a new career, having recovered from a hoof injury that ended his steeple chase racing 2 years previously. My relatives who owned him had told me he was a "beautiful mover, had a good brain, and was very calm for a thoroughbred!" (now I know what they meant by that!) - so I bought him sight unseen and began riding him on the local trails. After a year of that, I began dressage training on him in 2007, and added jumping training in 2008 (which was new for me, not him!) In the fall of 2008 we did our very first horse trial (I thought those baby novice jumps were huge! but was disconcerted to see I was competing against children in pigtails! ) This year we moved up to Novice for horse trials, and Ct's, and training level for dressage tests. We will keep doing Novice Horse Trials next year and work on "staying calm" - (that one's for Fabio) and "remember the test" -- that one's for me! and of course ... "Have Fun" and dont fall off or you owe the instructor (Sophie Wright) a 6 pack! Amy is a member of Piedmont chapter of Jefferson, Virginia.

Mary Duffy and Napoli, 3rd, Training Level 3/4 Dressage.   Napoli is a 7 year old German Riding Pony owned by Yvonne Quiring. I have had the GREAT opportunity to ride him in Training Level at USDF competitions. Napoli is truly a "perfect pony" in every way! Mary is a member of the Vintage Valley Riders of Central Valley, California.

Mary Duffy and Haven, 4th, Training Level 1/2 Dressage.     Mary and Haven, a 5 year old Hackney/Hanoverian cross, have spent many hours at OPRC events this year! Haven is a timid horse by nature, and OPRC has been one of the best experiences that we could have hoped for. With all of the diverse activities that our club and tireless volunteers have sponsored - from trail rides and clinics, cattle sortings, dressage shows, and the national rally - Haven has gained in confidence, courage, and grace. In our dressage tests, he went from spooking, bolting and bucking at the beginning of the year, to becoming confident and elegant by the end. We have had a truly wonderful year! Thank you OPRC for being such a diverse group of equestrians, and thanks to all who have helped Haven and me come a little further down the road! Mary is a member of the Vintage Valley Riding Club.

Catherine Rasmussen and Kit Carson, 3rd, Intro Level Dressage .     I'm a 53 year young Mom, and Wife who finally got back to my love of horses, riding, and just being around them and the Barn. Growing up in Fresno, I lived, ate and breathed everything horses, riding at local stables, eventually as a 15 year old owning my own until I left for college. This began a 30 year break while I became a Mom, and an RN fulfilling my professional goals, getting my Masters and Nurse Practitioner. I teach part-time for Modesto JC's Nursing program and work full-time at one of our local hospitals' Family Birthing center as a NICU nurse.
Of course I love my work, and family, but I needed something else for me. All work and no play.....I was missing my horses, so about 4 years ago I took my then 10 year old daughter to a "Horses for the Holidays" ride at a local Barn, and soon after we were both taking English riding lessons. I haven't looked back since and now lease Kit Carson from OPRC member Mary Duffy. I'm blessed to be involved with these wonderful friends from OPRC! They have been so supportive and of course we have so much fun! My first schooling show was last October 2008, and I have learned and grown so much this last year! Most of all, I found my old dream, dusted it off, and I hope to never lose it again! On with another great year with OPRC and my equine friends!

Jackie Johnson and Harmony Gold, 5th, Intro Level Dressage.     Harmony Gold is a gorgeous 14.2 hand New Zealand Pony (aka small TB mixed with princess) Harmony's stellar riding pony career has spanned 23 years. Brought over from New Zealand at 3 she started by being a Hunter Jumper pony at a famous barn. As long as her rider was confident she was up for the jump, easily clearing 4 feet! If the rider wasn't confident she used her 4 wheel disc brakes to have the rider go over without her. She came to Crispin Farm as a 10 year old and continued to win many ribbons in eventing and dressage competitions. She became a school pony to teach riders how to ride and has done her job well but only doing her job when she was asked correctly teaching her riders really how to ride. "Her highness" Harmony Gold has been my horse for the past few years and she has helped me to become a much more confident and effective rider (ok, so bribes of cut apples and carrots help too) After a hard week of my work, it's wonderful to come out to the barn and have my horse eagerly come galloping to me to get her..... priceless! Thank you Harmony for a fun, learning and loving experience you young 26 year old thing, can't wait to see what we do next year together! Jackie rides with Vintage Valley Riders of Central Valley, California.

Patty Moshanko and The Color of Kells, 3rd, English Jumper.   Patty is president of the Oxford, Pennsylvania chapter of OPRC. She and her Irish Sport Horse The Color of Kells, aka "Paul", are dedicated eventers.

Robyn Dorius and Moriah, 6th, Intro Level Dressage.     Always the 'happiest' pony at the show, Moriah is my 18 year old, 13.3 hand, Paso Fino mare. We have been together for 7 years. Besides trail riding, we have fun competing at dressage schooling shows in Walk-Trot classes, except that we perform the 'paso corto' gait instead of trot. Moriah is both the smartest and most talkative horse I've ever known. She has taught me a lot about horse-human communication through her voice, body language and dramatic facial expressions. It is amazing what horses can teach us. Robyn is a member of the Vintage Valley Riders, Central Valley, California.

Joe Vergas and Quick Lil Jaguar, 5th place, Western.     When my wife and I bought Quick Lil Jaguar as a 6 year old not only was he uneducated, but his job was previously as a little-used guest horse… a guest horse with an issue of spooking on the trails and dropping his guests on their collective butts (which is why he was for sale). After enduring a number bumps, bruises, and a few trips to the emergency room, we broke him of this habit and helped him become brave. Since then he has flourished in the world of judged obstacle competitions (Virginia ’s Crystal Crown series). This year he has expanded his horizons, winning the 2’ Jumping division and coming in 6th in Intro Level dressage at OPRC's National Rally. I am proud of you, my man Jaguar! Joe rides with Piedmont chapter of Jefferson, Virginia.