2010 Sponsors, Fundraising Gurus and Friends/Family

I've given posts to each of my coaches and the grooms that have helped me along the way this year. Now I would like to say thank you to all the many individuals who have encouraged me along the way. If I have missed you, PLEASE forgive me, and PLEASE let me know so I can add you. It is totally a mistake if your name has not been mentioned!

A huge thank you to my individual sponsors for 2010. I could not have done what I did without your financial support! Thank you!
* Allene Wiley
* Ashley Farrell
* Beverly Rardin
* Bill and Marilyn Goff
* Children of the Georgetown, SC YMCA
* Dolores Reynolds
* Gwen Siegrist
* Kathy Giannocopoulos
* Kim Sturgeron
* Laura Clark
* Leon and Nancy Nobles
* Linda Sandoe
* Mary Beth Bennett
* Mary Lenhart
* Melissa Phillips
* Mike Kelly
* Polly McKnight
* Rae Lee
* Robin and Kathy Marshall
* Rodney Spence
* Shirley McGreal

A special thank you to my fundraising gurus for 2010! I never would have been able to raise the money to do what I did without your tireless help. Thank you!
* Kim Sturgeon
* Lori Reed
* Sheila Spinx


Also a huge thank you to all my family and friends. I could not have this without your awesome friendships! Thank you all!
* Amanda Forbus
* Andrew Lenhart and Michael Bland
* Ann Jones Gilman
* Ashley Doscher
* Barb Hutchison
* Barnaba and Barbara
* Betty Dean
* Bob and Kelly Parr
* Brandon Jones
* Bryan Tesh
* Carolyn Martel
* Chainey Briar Farm; Ridgeville, SC
* Correy Fore
* Dachia Arritola - The Healthy Horseman
* Dave and Barbara Rippon
* Dave Garino
* Dave Jones 1
* Dave Jones 2
* Dave Jones 3
* Dick and Jan Knight
* Donna Karianen
* Georgetown Kraft Credit Union
* Gigi Nutter
* Gwen Jones Hanger
* Hardy and Robin Brown
* Harry and Peggy Jones
* Heather Bertauski
* Helen Geromette
* Igor of IPPL
* IPPL; Summerville, SC
* Jack and Mary Jane Tesh
* Jackie Durr
* Jan Taylor
* Jennifer Zimmerman
* Jodie Donohoe
* Josh Guin
* Josh Jordan
* Julia Jacobs
* Karen Vasquez
* Kay Johnson
* Kemper Jones
* Laura Miller
* Lauren Barwick
* Lauren Griffin
* Lia Aybood
* M&M Kahler and family
* Marian Reads
* Marilyn Gilligan
* Marissa and Doug Jones
* Mark Delegge
* Mary and Bucky Lenhart
* Mary Ann Martin
* Mel Spivey
* Melissa Standifer
* Mike and Jackie Stout
* Mike and Pam Collins
* Mike Steinmetz
* Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs
* Murray and Brenda Presley
* Nancy Hilburn
* Nell
* Pam McCoy
* Peggy Jones
* Rebecca Wilkin
* Reva Murphy
* Rob and Andrea Lenhart
* Rob Chaffart
* Rob Coker
* Robin Marcinko
* Robin Monn
* Rusty and Becky Fort
* Sandra and Paul Snyder
* Sara Fitzgerald
* Steve Nelson and Pete Vitale
* Theresa Doherty
* Theresa Partilla
* Tim and Ann Nelson
* Tracey Gordon
* Tracey Rowe
* Vanessa Hinson
* Zoe of IPPL

A special hug and thank you to my mom, Jean Jones, for taking the time to care for my animals while I am gone, even though some of them are aging and require special attention. Luv u mom! Thank you!

Merry Christmas

May the Peace that came that first Christmas be with you now and always. Merry Christmas everyone!

2010 Grooms

A huge thank you to all the grooms that helped me in 2010. You guys are the hidden heros of our sport. You are always behind the scene, the hidden caretakers of our horses and the helpers of we who drool. Thank you so much for all your help, patience, kindessness and work - on behalf of Ollie and of myself. Thank you. You don't get enough credit for all the work you do. You feed, bath, water, clean, tack, untack, walk, and keep the well being of the horse all day and all night, every day and every night, if need be. Thank you doesn't sound enough.

* Blaine
* Carolyn
* Jen Cain
* Jes Brumfield
* Laura Clark
* Nicole Anderson
* Rachel
* Sandra McLeod
* Steph Coffield

2010 KER US World Equestrian Games Teammates

A huge congratulations to the 10 WEG riders and the 5 alternates.

* Barbara Grassmeyer
* Becca Hart
* Elizabeth Pigott
* Erin Alberda
* Holly Bergay
* Jennifer Baker
* Jonathon Wentz
* Kathy Groves
* Kim Decker
* Laura Goldman
* Mary Jordan
* Robin Brueckmann
* Susan Treabess
* Wendy Fryke

It was a pleasure and an honor to get to know each of you a little better. I look forward to competing with you again, raising the bar for the US, and this time, competing with you in the London Olympics. Best wishes to each of you for a Merry Christmas and a Happy and healthy new year!

Michelle Donlick

I cannot thank Michelle Donlick enough for her friendship, her input, and her willingness to bend over backwards to help any and all of her friends to attain the goals they have for themselves. She is one of the most selfless people I have ever met. And she is one hell of a natural horsemanship horsewoman.

She has done everything from loan me her Level 4, Preliminary eventing horse free of charge, to letting me ride any of her 20-30 horses on her farm that she deems safe enough for me to ride, to dropping everything to take me to a Walter Zettl clinic (twice!), and allow me to take one of her horses each time. She is an amazing woman and I never would have been able to do the things I have done or made it as far as I have without her input and generous help. I am always at a loss for words to thank her. She is just an amazing woman.

You can find her website here:
(www.avalofarm.com)
or you can click on her name to the right and find her website.

She is awesome with the horses and one of the most giving people I have met. The people of Avalo Farm rock!

Michelle, thank you from the bottom of the heart! Me luvs you girl :)

Walter Zettl

I first "met" Walter Zettl when I was a teenager (1984??). I somehow came across his new book "A Matter of Trust". There was no dressage training in my area, and dressage was sort of poo pooed. But it was something I wanted to learn - and I wanted to learn it in the correct manner. When I came across his book, I immediately began teaching myself and my horses after his methods (secretly, of course!). I also dreamed of meeting him and learning from him one day, but had no idea how to make that come about.

In 2001, I had my horse accident and feared I would never, EVER meet him since I was disabled. Fast forward to 2003. I had begun to get back on a horse and relearn to get my balance. By 2005, I was beginning to be able to actually ride a little instead of just sitting as a passenger.

My parents had some friends, Rob and Kathy Marshall of Nova Scotia. They used to tell me that I should go visit the Marshall's in Nova Scotia, as they had a horse farm. I never went - until.... In 2005, they came to visit us. Kathy and Rob went with me to see my horse. She asked all kinds of questions of me about my riding before my accident, what my goals were, etc.... I let slip that I had always wanted to ride for Walter Zettl but would never get the opportunity now that I had had my accident and was disabled. I had no idea I was talking to the one woman who spearheaded getting FEI level dressage into Nova Scotia. I just knew she was quite knowledgeable!

Before they left to go home to Nova Scotia, they invited me to their farm. Not only did they invite me, they paid for my round trip air ticket. So we set a date, got the tickets, and Kathy arranged for me to have daily lessons on an FEI horse at the Atlantic Dressage Development Center with a girl named Pam and a a 17.3 hand Whestphalian horse named Foster. A couple of days before my departure, Kathy calls me and says, "Guess what?" As fate would have it, Walter was slated to come teach at the same barn and at the same time I had chosen to come to Nova Scotia. He was teaching Saturday and Sunday. I could only come audit the Saturday as my plane left the next day. They (ADDC and Kathy/Rob) encouraged me to write a letter to Walter Zettl, which I did, and they gave to him. Upon reading the letter, he offered to tack me on as the 9th rider of Saturday's clinic.

This is how I first met Walter and his wife, Heide. I have had the privilege of keeping in touch with them regularly since then. Either through auditing clinics of his, riding for him, or keeping up by phone and email. It has been an honor that someone of their caliber has taken the time to keep up with lil' ole me. I continue, even as a disabled rider, to attempt to pattern my riding after his teachings, as I believe in them deeply.

Thank you Walter and Heide for your continued friendship and for the opportunity to learn from you whenever I can. It has, and continues to be, a life changing experience.

Sharon Schneidman

PHOTO BY JOHN C HUTCHINS

Sharon Schneidman is has been the U.S. Para Dressage assistant coach at the 2008 Hong Kong Olympic Games, at the 2010 World Equestrian Games (held in Lexington, KY), and will be the assistant coach for the 2012 London Olympic Games. She has an extensive background of coaching, training and competing for over 40 years and has competed through the FEI Grand Prix level in North America. She and her husband own and run Westmanton Stables in Colorado. You can find the link to their website here:
(http://www.westmantonstables.com/index.htm)

It has been an honor and a privilege to learn from her on the few occasions I have. Often she has been right there giving last minute advise just before going into the ring to compete. I look forward to learning more from her over the next several years.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am thankful to God for all my teammates, coaches, supporters, friends and family!

Jessica Ransehousen

Jessica Ransehousen needs no introduction. Anyone with any interest in dressage knows she is an American icon for the dressage world. She is Missy's mom (our team coach). When Missy was away, she would give me lessons each day. When Missy was teaching me, she was also often present, giving her advise as well. They both complement each other in their styles of teaching. Missy sees the very fine details. Jessica sees the whole picture. Together, it is awesome. It was and is an honor and a privilege to learn from two such greats in the sport. Thank you, Jessica! I plan on many such more lessons with both of you.

Copy and paste the following link in your browser to find their website and read more about Jessica Ransehousen.

http://bluehillfarmpa.com/Pages/Jessica.html

Missy Ransehousen

Missy Ransehousen is our national team Para coach and I had the honor of training with her on a daily basis from the end of July until the 2010 WEG. Below is an account of some of her history - taken from the Blue Hill Farm website. You can find that website at: http://www.bluehillfarmpa.com/index.html


"Missy established herself as an outstanding rider early in her career. As a Young Rider, she brought home the Gold Medal from the 1988 Young Rider Championships, where she was also awarded the Good Sportsmanship Award. She received the Markham Trophy, USET's Highest Placed Young Rider at Fair Hill CDI*** in 1989 and continued to focus on her riding career in 1995 as a member of the Three Day Event Team for the Pan American Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina. There the Team won the Silver Medal.

Since then Missy has continued to build upon her own career and has developed a strong training program with a barn full of dedicated clients & students.

BG at Rolex 08 Her current competitive partners are Carlingford's Taldi and Critical Decision, otherwise known as BG(Big Guy), who has successfully competed in France, England & brought home a 3rd place prize from Rolex in 2008. B.G can also be seen in the dressage ring competing at 3rd & 4th level and in February 2009 he was high score 3rd Level at the Palm Beach Dressage Derby! In 2010 he returned again to achieve High Score at 3rd Level and won his 4th Level II class as well! He is a multi-talented horse who is the 2009 Silver Stirrup National Award Champion for Advanced Level 3 Day & 3rd Level Dressage.

In addition to being a successful competitor, Missy excels in the training and coaching fields. Student after student can attest to her commitment to give back to the sport she loves. Just ask any member of the United States Paralympics Team! Missy has been the team’s devoted coach for the last three Olympics, even setting aside her own Beijing Olympic Team bid to honor her commitment to the Paralympics squad.

Missy was selected as the coach for the 2000 Paralympics Team in Sydney and continues to serve as their dedicated coach. She coached the US Para Team to first place at the Pacific Rim Championships in 2006, served as Olympic coach for Athens in 2001, as well as the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games."

Thank you, Missy, for your many hours of patient instructions. I hope to do better and better under your careful tutelage.

Jean Thornton

I met Jean Thornton in my search for a horse after Radical died. My search led me to Conversano II Aloha II, a 21 year old GP Lipizzan stallion. Jean has graciously given me two lessons on "Lou" when I was in the Daytona, FL area. I am hoping to go back and look at Lou soon to see if we might be potential partners - IF I can find some sponsorship. Jean is a very good coach with a very good eye. I was honored she took time out of her schedule to teach me. You can read more about her at: www.palominowarmbloods.com

Thank you, Jean, for taking the time to teach me on your awesome Lou. I do hope to be back one day soon.

Dawn Jensen

I met Dawn in Columbia while Radical was being used at Claudia Garner's as a vaulting horse/working student judge (inside joke). I found her lessons to be spot on, even though I was practically drooling from my injury, and have been taking lessons from her ever since, albeit it quite intermittently.

Dawn is a USDF Silver and Bronze Medalist, she is a Balimo Graduate Instructor and is now Director of Curriculum for Balimo, she is a FN Trainer B trained in Germany, and is a German Silver and Bronze Medalist.

I continue to take lessons from Dawn when I can make it to her area, (which is not very often at all, unfortunately). I consider her a friend and a great instructor with alot of knowledge and a wonderful eye.

You can find her at: www.thecomepletesporthorse.com

Thank you, Dawn, for your continued friendship and help along the way - even if I still drool occasionally.

Claudia Garner

In 2001, I was injured after falling off a horse. Long story short, the diagnosis ended up being brainstem/cerebellar injury with C1C2 cord atrophy. Not long after my injury, I sent my horse up to Columbia,SC to board with Claudia Garner. She owned a dressage barn, is licensed in her native Germany as a trainer and instructor (Bereiter FN) and as a judge for horse shows in all disciplines. At that time, she was having working students come and work for her, so I knew my horse would have some work to do while I did the work of relearning - well - everything. You can read more about her at: www.equinesoundness.com

In 2003, two years after my injury, I decided it was time to get back up on my horse. I got myself into his stall, hauled myself up onto his hay manger, and wriggled and struggled to get my body onto him. He was an angel and stood perfectly still without halter or lead rope. When I finally told someone I had gotten back on Radical, of course, everyone was horrified that I had done it alone. With no halter and bridle. In the stall. Claudia, who had been using Radical as a vaulting horse, decided to start putting me back on Radical while she lounged him with the vaulting surcincle on him. I would drive everyone crazy by forgetting to hold on as he trotted and cantered. I'm sure, with my lack of balance, looking back now, that I caused many a heart attack. But Claudia was patient(well, most of the time ;) ), and I did start getting my seat back.

I don't have any pictures of me and Radical at Claudia's - or of Claudia herself. But above is a picture of Dawn Jensen riding Radical as a 3 1/2 year old in Claudia's indoor arena (Dawn was a trainer there for a period of time - more about her in another post).

A huge thank you to Claudia for your many, patient hours of getting me back in the saddle and starting to get the feel of a horse again!

Pennsylvania

Below is a post I found that was never posted once I arrived in PA to train with Ollie for WEG. It was an awesome experience and I will be returning to PA every other month to continue my training. Ollie is now permanently retired and I hear he is loving his new life. A huge thank you to Jennifer, Bill, and of course to Ollie for offering this experience of a lifetime to this Para rider! Long life, love and happiness to each of you.
------------------------------

I've arrived in PA and Ollie will arrive tomorrow morning. It's beautiful up here. Rolling hills, not too muggy, cool looking houses and buildings, and really nice people.

Friday I arrived and hung out with some friends, Saturday went to NYC to a party with some friends, Sunday rested, and Monday went to Blue Hill Farm to get used to the layout - so I wouldn't be so dizzy when Ollie arrived. The grooms were wonderful. I also got to watch Missy ride several horses, Jessica ride a horse, watched Becca ride, and a few others. It was really cool. I go later today to roll wraps, clean tack and ride another horse. I'm happy to be here and can't wait to learn everything I possibly can.

Can't wait to see Ollie again either! I didn't think I'd fall in love again after Radical. But alas, I am in love...again. :)

More to follow!

Fascination is owned by Bill Conour, of Carmel, Indiana. His wife, Jennifer, does all the handling of "Ollie". They have been tremendously generous in allowing me to ride Ollie for the WEG qualifier in Canada, the United States Para Selection Trials in Wayne, Illinois and now training as an alternate for WEG. I cannot thank them enough for generously allowing Ollie to come into my life. This is truly a once in a lifetime experience.

Ollie has a wonderful personality. He has begun to nicker sometimes when he sees me. He twirls my hair in his tongue when he is bored or when he thinks I should move faster with things. He will stand with his his huge head hanging over my body and wheelchair and let me fall asleep on his shoulder - sometimes he falls asleep too. He is very careful when I ride him and feels it is his duty to NOT do anything more than a small trot..he realizes I am disabled and I have to convince him each time to step it up a notch, lol.

In his younger years, he won 3 riders their gold medal, qualified 6th one year at the Pan Am Games selection trials, showed in Wellington in both Grand Prix jumping and Grand Prix dressage - winning at them both. He now packs this Para rider around safely and is teaching me the ropes of re-learning to ride all over again. He is a 23 year old Dutch Warmblood and has come out of retirement 3 times, the final one to try and help us both make it to WEG. He is an awesome boy and I'm tremendously grateful to have learned from him and to have befriended him.

Shelley Van den Neste

I cannot continue this blog without honoring the coaches and friends who have helped me so very much. This blog post is to honor and thank Shelley Van den Neste. I met her about 2 years ago, when I found that Walter Zettl was having a clinic at her farm. I emailed her and asked if she had an opening and if she might have a horse I could lease for the clinic. She did. (I forgot to tell her I was disabled, lol. Walter did that for me, ha ha.)

Since then, I have traveled to FL whenever I could make it to take some lessons from her.

More recently, when Michelle Donlick's horse, Babe, went lame, and it was apparent I would need a new mount (2 weeks before the last World Equestrian Games qualifier), I called her up and asked if she had a horse I might could take. She did! However, this mount (Windsor's Mira) also went lame (5 days before we left - which is how I ended up riding "Ollie" - another story!)

Shelley flew to Canada with me (well not exactly WITH me...she got diverted to Philly and then bumped off her flight). I then promptly got lost, driving round and round the airport trying to find her friggin gate at the Canadian airport to pick her up when she finally arrived. THEN her luggage and the horse's luggage got lost. THEN, we took over an hour finding our hotel room the next night when we moved into the athletes' hotel. THEN, when I went to pay, my credit card company thought my card had been stolen and the motel could not take my payment with my only credit card I had brought. That was straightened out, and, well, the whole trip was, well, interesting. Shelley braved it all and even laughed at all my attempts to make it funny anyway, lol. So many things went wrong, we started making private jokes about anything and everything and laughing about it all.

I can't say enough good things about her. She is a great coach, a good friend, and I never would have qualified for the Selection Trials without her help. Oh, and I would have never made it up that hill 1,000 times without the help from my GBE helper!

You can see her blog by going to http://sunrisefarms.blogspot.com/

You can see her website by going to http://www.srfsporthorses.com/

If you live in FL, she is a great coach who doesn't skip steps in the training of her horses or riders.

Thank you, Shelley :)

Auction of 2 Riding Lessons from GP Rider/Coach from Moncks Corner

PHOTO BY JAN TAYLOR - Susan Selvey and Tal-Shaya piaffe

Hi. My name is Kim and I am new to blogging. First, there are many, MANY people to thank and recognize. Please be patient as I do this. I will get around to thanking each and every one of you for your friendship, support, and sponsorships! Thank you!

I am starting this blog out with an auction. Let me explain.

I am a disabled rider and I, along with my mount, Fascination, (owned by Bill and Jennifer Conour of Indiana) am an alternate for the United States Para Equestrian Team slated to compete in the 2010 Alltech World Equestrian Games this fall. My teammates and I are all working hard to raise funds to train and compete at these Games. (Or in my case, be READY to compete, should the need arise.)

There is a local GP rider, FEI level coach and judge in Moncks Corner named Susan Selvey, pictured above riding her GP horse, Tal-Shaya. She coaches through the FEI levels in dressage and works with lower level eventers and jumpers. She is offering two lessons up for auction to help me raise money to train and compete. I have taken several lessons from her over the last three years as I was able, and have learned so much from her. She is patient, has a good eye, and adapts her teaching style to fit her students' style of learning. She keeps a well run barn, and her horses are happy, safe, well fed, and well looked after. Her farm is in Moncks Corner, called One Tempi Farm. You can find her website at: http://www.onetempifarm.com/

Here is how it will work:
1. You can bid online on the comments section here under this post for 2 lessons with Susan, with the highest bid winning. Bids end on Saturday, August 21, 2010 at 7pm.

2. Leave your email address and I will contact the highest bidder and make arrangements. I have to approve entries before they are posted, so emails do not have to made public.

3. The lesson is at her farm on your horse. Or you can arrange with her to take at her farm on one of her horses after winning.

4. Starting bid for two lessons is $50 total. The winner will make their check out to USPEA and mail to me - OR they can donate directly online by clicking the "donate" button at the website www.uspea.org. But they must specify that the donation is to go to Kim Jones. Either way, the donation will be tax deductible.

Start your bidding and thank you so much for your support!