Hunter Pace BBQ FundRaiser @Middleton Place

Middleton Place Stables/Hunt put on a trail ride and barbecue lunch benefit for the Grand Opening of their new trail complex yesterday.  The farm itself is 80 + acres with over 5,000 acres of trials for riding.  They are offering season passes for horse lovers to enjoy their trials.  Check them out!

I'd like to thank Middleton Place, Mark McElheney and Laura Ross for graciously including me in your fundraiser.  A very big hug and thank you to Amy Brewer for grabbing the reins and organizing this for us both.  Thank you!

I was honored and humbled by how many friends came out and supported the event.  It was lovely to watch you guys ride both in the field and as you went on the trails.  I saw old friends, made new friends.  Thank you all for coming!  I hope you had as much fun riding (and eating!) as I did watching you guys.  Oh, a very special thank you to Laura and Rusty Clark, who came and spent their anniversary riding horses on the trail!  Happy Anniversary to the Clark's!

Thank you to the people who cooked!  It was all delicious!  Gary and Russ cooked the barbecue (2 pigs).  Laura and Brandy made the banana pudding.  Trish made the cookies and brought the fruit.  Amy cooked the corn, baked beans, slaw and rolls.

I am going to do a separate blog post on the silent auction.  But for all who donated, THANK YOU!  To all who bid, THANK YOU.

A very HUGE thank you to all my wonderful friends, old and new, who are helping make my dream of competing for the US Team at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London possible!  I could not do it without you.  I am honored and humbled to call each of you friends. 

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!

Channel 2 News Interview

Sue Selvey and Tal-Shaya (who has the honorable barn name of  "Bargain") have been helping me relearn the ropes since 2008.  Bargain is a Grand Prix dressage horse who has been national champion and has been featured on the front of Dressage Today.  Susan is a judge, and FEI Grand Prix rider, and teaches dressage through PSG levels and lower level eventing.  You can find Susan's website Here  or at www.onetempifarm.com

You can see the interview, done by Andy Wontor of Count on 2 News in Mount Pleasant,  Here.    Thank you to Andy & Count on 2 for this story and to Susan Selvey for loaning me her horse and groom last minute for this occasion!

Pictures of the 2010 Altech FEI World Equestrian Games

I have some wonderful friends from Kentucky, Dennis and Dana.  We were able to catch up a little at a local restaurant while I was in Lexington for the month of WEG.  Dennis was able to get away for a few hours one day and make it to the WEG to watch some of the para equestrians ride.  As we say goodbye to WEG and look forward to the 2012 Olympic Games, here are some pictures Dennis took during his visit.  I keep telling him he should be a professional photographer :D  Thank you, Dennis!  Enjoy!

Dana, me and Dennis after eating at a local Hibatchi place.  Yum!

Trudy Phillips and me chatting before the start of the Grade IV Freestyles

Ha ha!  Needs no 'splainin'

The tedious ride back to the car park.  Thank you to all the wonderful volunteers!

Go USA

Wendy Fryke and Money Penny

View of the full arena and judges

One of the Grad IV riders, not sure who or what country

Full arena view again

Old Glory flying high in good old Kentucky

Warm up

The outside of the German stables

A huge thank you to all the awesome volunteers who carted us - well -everywhere!

Canadian warmups

Another freestyle

 Special thoughts and prayers go out to our Japanese friends, competitors and horses.

Lesson with Bargain

I had a lesson on Tal-Shaya today.  It's not often that I get out to his barn.  His barn name is Bargain.  I BELIEVE he is 24 years young this year.    He is a Grand Prix dressage horse whom I take lessons on when the opportunity arises, which isn't very often lately!  It's been 9 months since I've been to the farm this go round.    He is owned by Susan Selvey (who owns and runs One Tempi Farm in Moncks Corner).  Susan is an FEI level coach.  She is also a judge.  She coaches through the FEI levels in dressage and works with lower level eventers and jumpers.

Anyway, I worked on relearning the piaffe/passage which I have only infrequently worked on since my injury 10 years ago.  Attached is a quick clip of that.  I'm not doing great, but it's a start.

Middleton Stables Presents:

Middleton Stable Presents Their

TRAIL COMPLEX GRAND OPENING EVENT

Over 5,000 acres of scenic trails for ample riding and relaxation!

Please join us for our kick-off event and Benefit Trail Ride, BBQ Lunch and Silent Auction!

When:  Saturday, June 25, 2011

Time:  0830 AM

Where:  Bailey's Field (across from Middleton Stables - Hwy 61)

Cost:  $35/rider or $15 for lunch only (current coggins required)

Don't miss this great opportunity for pleasure/competitive riders alike, of all styles and traditions.  DISCOUNTED Middleton Stables (www.middletonstables.com) Trail Passes will be available.

Please send entry form (I can email you one if you contact me through this blog), copy of coggins (for horses entering property), along with check to Amy Young; 162 Moon Dance Lane; Summerville, SC 29483 by June 23, 2011.  Email for more information:  ayoung162@yahoo.com

 Proceeds going to Middleton Place Hounds @ www.middletonplacehounds.com and Kim Jones (www.disabilitydressage.blgospot.com) through the USPEA.  Come meet members of Middleton Place Hounds and find out why it is so great to be a part of this historic tradition.  Meet Kim Jones and help us send her to the 2012 Olympics as part of the US Para-dressage team!

Who is Kim Jones?  She is a 44 year old Grade II Para dressage rider.  In 2001, she was thrown from her horse and sustained a brain stem/cerebellar injury with C1C2 cord atrophy.  This past year, she was long listed and was an alternate for the United States Para Dressage Equestrian Team for the 2010 Altech FEI World Equestrian Games and is searching for funds and a horse to help the US medal at these games.