It takes a village....  And Crystal Franklin is a part of my village.  She allows me to bring baked goods to her office and do a "bake sale" as often as I can bring in the goodies.  It might seem like such a little thing.  But, when trying to raise $100,000/year or more, every single little bit helps.  Originally, I was doing this bake sale to raise money to go to Canada and train with Walter Zettl and Eddo Hoekstra in April of this year.  When I fell ill in April and then had surgery, it became apparent that was not going to happen just yet.  June is my recovery month.  So this bake sale has been used to buy the essentials - like wormers, meds, fly sprays, shavings, etc.....  We still plan to go to Canada and will let you know when that is going to happen.  Thank you, Crystal Franklin, for all you are doing to help make a life long dream come true and for looking after my sweet mom when I am not at home.  You are a friend in every sense of the word!

Life at the Wilken Farm

Ghlen's First Selfie

Life at the Wilken Farm is busy and uses every skill for my daily physical therapy.  At the end of every day, I am exhausted and every muscle in my body is screaming.  But it is worth it.  The Wilken Farm is a personal/private farm of some friends of ours and they have allowed Ghlen and me to come here as we continue on our journey back to the sandbox.  They have taken us under their wing, provided a stall for Ghlen and his own personal paddock.  They allow me to stay in their extra bedroom.  I get to feed and take care of their two dogs and eight cats (kind of like the dog and cat nanny!)  They feed me (and I try to feed them some too).  Ghlen is under cameras, so I can see if he is getting into some residual epm trouble and intervene quickly if needed.  These episodes are getting fewer and further between.  They follow instructions regarding his care when I am gone.  THANK YOU, Wilken Farm owners for helping Ghlen and me make our comeback.

Ghlen is improving each day.  I am amazed at where he was and where he is now.  Each day, I allow my heart to sing a little more with Ghlen's comeback from an almost certain grave.  Ghlen is happy here and is in work 3-4 days a week.  Next week, after my surgery, I plan to bump him back up to 6 days a week, allowing each day and how he feels/is doing to dictate whether it will be a strong work day or a light work day.  Ghlen has a pasture just behind his stall we call the big boy pasture because he has become such a big boy with his being brave.  Several years ago, he was, in the words of his owner, "not very brave".  I've spent several years earning his trust, taking him purposefully into situations I knew were scarey for him but safe for us.  He is beginning to trust and to let me lead him and to look to me with questions when he is afraid, rather than taking the bit and bolting, forgetting he has a rider up there on his back.  He is so bold and powerful and now we are beginning to add the brave.  It is an awesome thing to ride such a powerful horse when there is brave behind the power!  I can't wait to show him off to the world again one day soon.  A special thank you to the Wilken's, Lori Northrup, Kathy Marshall, LV Performance, the Equestrian Aid Foundation, KER, Parson's Auto and EquitOtic - and of course, Nancy Stanton. I'm off to try and fundraise to the tune of about $200,000/year minimum....  Contact me if you have any ideas!!!

Nancy Stanton Dressage

Warming Ghlen up at the trot (picture by Lori Northrup)

We are here in Novelty, OH working with the owner who owns most of Ghlen, Nancy Stanton, for the summer, as well as some work with Walter Zettl and Carl Eijkenaar.  Nancy graciously allowed us to come for the summer to get back on track for competition.  We've had a few set backs over the last two years.  Ghlen had a very serious reaction to a spider bite.  Then I was sick for quite a while.  Then the weather did not cooperate at all this winter.  We are both on the mend, the weather is gorgeous up here, I am back in the saddle, and Ghlen & I are back into full time work.  Nancy has patiently helped us begin to get our feet back on the right track and I am forever grateful for her input, profanities (just kidding) and advise.  She is a class act lady who knows how to put fun into dressage without compromising the quality.  Thank you Nancy! I am so grateful to be back in the saddle and back towards aiming for national and international competition soon - both para and able bodied.  We have alot of goals , and therefore, alot of fundraising and looking for sponsorship in our future.

I would also like to thank Colleen Kelley and Lori Northrup, Reggie Summey Transport and Scenic Run Equestrian Center.  Without them all, this trip would not be possible.  It truly takes a village....

Nancy now has an assistant trainer, Meghan Kelley, who is a up and coming dressage trainer.  I have watched her ride and have been impressed with her seat and her knowledge base.

If anyone in the OH area wants lessons or training, feel free to contact me through this blog and I will put you in contact with them!

Meet Ghlenlivet! and Classic Star!

Meet Ghlenlivet, affectionately known as Ghlen or Ghlennie.  He is owned by Greg and Nancy Stanton of Chardon, OH.  Nancy is the Grand Prix trainer at Sendon Way Equestrian Center.  Sendon Way is a family affair with Nancy being the trainer, Sharon being quite involved, and Greg & Nancy and Bob and Bernie living on the property.  The horses have 24 hour care.  Their awesome groom is Alex.

I met them when looking for a horse for purchase when I thought I might have sponsorship to that end.  That ended up falling through, but maybe I can find another way to one day own this lovely, kind hearted, talented boy.  There are not many horses I get on and they immediately feel like a glove.  Umm, not that I could sit his HUGE trot right away, but that he just fit.  He lifted up into me and I was carried by him.  The rhythm from his gait settled into my head where I was able to get my cues to land at the appropriate time without 10 days of practice on him.  (There is alot I have to compensate for the land both sides of my cue at the same moment and in the correct moment of the stride.)  From the moment I saw him, I was smitten and wished there was a way I could own him.  But it was not to be.   I approached them about the possibility of trying to take him to the 2012 Paralympic Selection Trials instead of purchasing him at this time.  God must have been smiling at me, the stars all aligned and the Stanton's graciously offered to take Ghlen off the market until after the Paralympic Games in London.  These people took me in like their own and have graciously made themselves available in every way possible to help this happen.  Look for us in London!

To the Stanton's and Lewis' - from the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for giving me this opportunity with this special boy.  It's been love at first site with him - an instant bond that doesn't happen very often in a lifetime.  Stay tuned!  We plan to knock everyone's socks off :)

----------------

Meet Classic Star!  Star, Starstar, Starmeister has been a horse I have been riding for about 4 years now.  His owner is Beverly Rardin.  She contacted me several years back and told me she had a jumping horse who was getting up in years and knew he had some dressage training (but wasn't completely sure how much - around maybe 4th level)  and would I come work with him to see what kind of dressage he knew and could get back after being out of it for so long.  I needed a horse to ride and she needed her horse to be ridden.  So it was a perfect fit!

I took the first two years to build up his back strength and hind end as he had been ridden in a hunter/jumper frame instead of a FEI dressage frame for the last 10 years or so - give or take.  Gradually, he began to build up his different muscles and began to love his dressage work.  We were starting things like 1/2 passes at the trot and canter, collected and medium canter, 1/2 step trots, etc....  He had obviously had some dressage training up to at least I1.  One day, he began to offer 2 tempi and was so proud of himself!  I didn't ask for it, but I was certainly happy at his exuberance!  After that first day, he would offer 2 tempis whenever he was excited and happy with his work.

Beverly and I began to search for his passport.  We tracked it down and low and behold, Star is not 15 or 16 like we thought, but 24!  Not only that, he was a Grand Prix jumper in his younger years and had attended the big wig shows in Aachen and such.  So we decided to try and make a bid for London with the 24, going on 4 year old.  Only Star had some interim plans.  With his spunk and spirit we all know, he decides that kicking his stall wall might be a fun thing to do.  In the process, he broke his splint bone.  We think he may have at that time also injured his suspensory in that leg because all his xrays had been clean to that point for suspensory injuries.  It's been a process getting him back.  But Star is all heart and loves a job.  Then in the middle of rehabbing him, I had an injury and was out for 4 months.   I'm back.  Star's back.  I am willing to work and see what he can do as long as he is wanting to try and is not injured.  So we are working to get to Selection Trials.  So far, so good...but he has a long way to go to get the stiffness out from being off for so long.  He is also a bit emotional with things, which is new for him.  So I'm taking it one day at a time and seeing what he can do each day.   We are working every day on getting there and I have no doubt as to his "want to" and drive.  It will be fun to give him a chance in his golden years to shine on the international stage one more time.  For me, it's more about the relationship than the goal - so if he ever decides he can't - or if he is in danger of being injured again, we won't do it.  The horse comes first.  Always.  But if he can, then we will.

Beverly has also taken me under her wing and adopted me.  She has done absolutely everything possible to help me, not only with Star, but simply to make it to the Paralympics.  I could not do this without people like her who give so generously and do everything they can to make someone else's dreams come true.  Beverly is a class act and it's an honor to know her and work with her horse.

Star has quite the personality and it is impossible not to love him.  I love him so much.  If I could own him, I would own him too!   I am so proud to ride him and honored to be a part of his life.  To Beverly, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for allowing me to ride him and see what he can do.  He's got too much heart to turn out to pasture and retirement until he says he is ready.  Thank you.

-----

To the Stanton's, Lewis' and Rardins:  I am honored beyond belief that you have entrusted your horses to me.  I get teary eyed everytime I think of the trust you've put in me with your wonderful partners.  I hope to make you all proud of your four legged family members.  Thank you!

$100 Gas Card Gift Goes To....

Beverly Rardin!  Congratulations!

A great big thank you to all who contributed to help me raise money to attend the last requirement in Houston in order to remain eligible for the Selection Trials.  This fundraiser raised about $50 towards that.  Every little bit helps and I am so grateful for everyone who participated.

THANK YOU!

Free Gas!

I am still raising money to try and make it to Houston, TX to the 3* there and then to Selection Trials. The ipod raised $200.  $200 down, $54,800 to go.

Anyone who makes a donation (tax deductible!) in my name to USPEA (our non-profit for our international riders) this month will be entered to win a free $100 gas card.  Every $2 will generate one raffle ticket.  You will be contacted with your ticket numbers.

The dates are from now through the end of the month.  The winner will be notified by phone or email on April 1st with a blog post to follow here not long after.

There are two ways to give:
1.  Donate by clicking on and following the directions of the purple label near the top of this page OR by going to www.uspea.org   Donations MUST be earmarked for Kim Jones or it goes to a general fund and I won't know of your gift.

2.  Paypal as a gift to my email:  kimjonesmaestro@yahoo.com

Thank you so much and good luck!

The Dressage Foundation

The Dressage Foundation is an organization founded by Lowell Boomer in 1989 with the mission: "To cultivate and provide financial support for the advancement of dressage."  Mr Boomer was also the founding organizer of the USDF in 1973.

I had the honor of speaking with him by phone for about an hour and a half in 2010, asking all kind of questions of how to fundraise for competing internationally.  There are not many organizations that help financially with para riders in dressage, but that is changing.

The Dressage Foundation has quite a few avenues for someone wishing to invest  funds and receive a return as well as grants to help athletes, judges and coaches ease the financial burden.  You can check out The Dressage Foundation's website HERE or you can go to www.dressagefoundation.org

If you have any questions, contact me and I'll try to point you in the right direction.  You can also contact them directly by clicking on the contact button on their website.

And the winner is...

Dachia Arritola!  Congratulations on winning the February raffle Ipod Touch!  May you have hours and hours of fun with your new ipod :)

A big thank you to all who participated!  I will be raffling another item for March.  Let me know if you have any ideas!

(I was going to post a video of the ticket being drawn, but am having trouble uploading the video clip.  Here is a picture of the winning ticket.)  Thank you again to all who participated and a huge congratulations to Dachia!

iPod Touch Raffle

Photo from Apple

We are raffling an iPod Touch 8Gb to try and raise funds to compete in Del Mar at the Dressage Affair, Texas, and the Selection Trials.

The raffle cost is $2/ticket.

Drawing is on February 29 at 5pm EST.

Drawing will be videoed and posted.

I will contact the winner and let them choose white or black (the only two colors offered in the iPod Touch) and if they want their name engraved.  The iPod will then be send directly to the winner from Apple.


There are 3 ways to pay:

1) pay pal @kimjonesmaestro@yahoo.com as a "gift".

2) click the purple link on my blog www.disabilitydressage.blogspot.com below the opening picture and follow those directions.  This take you to the USPEA (United States Para Equestrian Association) and will make your donation tax deductible.  Be sure and designate that it goes to me under "special instructions".  Otherwise I will never know you donated and your money will go to a general fund.

OR

3) write a check to USPEA for the amount you want to spend on the raffle and contact me under the comments section of this blog for a mailing address.

Good luck!  Thank you to all who have entered so far!  I couldn't do it without all the wonderful friendships and support I have been given.  Thank you all from the bottom of my heart!

Here's What's Going On!

Mom grooming Lou Sept 2011

Well, alot has been going on, which I will tell you about.  I am still hopeful to make it to selection trials.  But first, let met tell you what is going on in my world.

As you know, we had to pull out of nationals last year.

Star has started with his rehabilitation.

I had a wee bit of a horse accident in December and am not back to riding.  I am hoping to be back in the saddle very soon!

I missed my two Florida 3*'s.  I wasn't able to locate a horse in time.  Not to mention I was not back to riding yet (although if I had found a horse, I would have been there anyway).  There was also the small, wee little issue of not having raised enough funds to get there.

The Colleen Kelly clinic was canceled, but we are working on rescheduling for either May and/or August.  I'll keep you posted.

I have, so far, been unable to raise enough funds to go to Del Mar.  I have to have an entry in by Feb 17, so that does not leave much time to raise the funds.  I'm working on it hard every day though.  After Del Mar, there is only one more 3* left before selection trials.

Even though I made my qualifying score for the Selection Trials for London in 2010, we also have to go to a 3* between Dec of last year and April of this year to remain eligible.

It's getting down to the wire.  If anyone knows of any immediate like, good fundraisers ideas, contact me right away.

Thank you guys for all your encouragement and support these last few years.  I still plan to make it to London!  I'm not sure how, but I still plan to make it.  I plan to not only make it, but make it and kick butt.  Stay tuned.  I'll try to do better with the updates!

Congratulations to all my teammates who have been out sweeping up competitions left and right.  I am so proud of them!

Well, it looks like it's time for an update here!   The horse pictured above was my Radical.  Oh how I miss that boy.

2011 ended with a bang.  Ha, in more ways than one.  I trained with Missy and Jessica Ransehousen for a couple of weeks in September, there was an awesome clinic by Robert Dover in Gladstone, NY,  I took a lesson from Walter Zettl courtesy of Challenged Athletes foundation, I audited another clinic given by Walter Zettl, started rehabbing Classic Star,  finally got to clinic with Karen Rolhf at Michelle Donlick's of Avalo Farm (I've been wanting to for years now), started learning how to make horse hair bracelets, fell off a friend's horse, and did a whole lot of resting and recuperating.  I hope to resume riding this week!

I'm in fundraiser mode now, hoping to make it to Del Mar.  I was registered to compete in FL these last three weeks of January, but was unable to find a horse.  I even had Hope Hand and a few others scouting for a horse for me and did not hear back from any of them of finding one either before the entry deadline.  So I had to withdraw.  I'm hoping for better luck for California!

Fundraisers:
Horse Hair Bracelets!  For a donation of $30, you get a horse hair bracelet made with hair from your horse (if you wish).

Colleen Kelly is coming to town.  For those of you who don't know her, she is an expert in rider biomechanics.  For those of you who know ME, you know that is a big interest of mine, especially with all the compensating I have to do just to live through a day, much less ride!  She also has hooked up with Pat and Linda Parelli - which is a huge plus.  I regularly toot the horn of natural horsemanship and believe it goes such a long way to develop that relationship we all want.  You can find out more about Colleen Kelly here.
SHE WILL BE HERE FOR A LECTURE ON FRIDAY, FEB 10 AND A CLINIC ON SATURDAY, FEB 11!
If you are interested, give me a ring - or comment on this entry form.  I'll get back to you with more information.
Also, I'll be posting a whole post about the up coming clinic once we get the details ironed out!

The road to 2012 has been varied and quite bumpy.  But my nose is still pointed in that direction.  Stay tuned!

Mini Update

Classic Star

I recently had the honor and pleasure of being invited to ride and learn from Walter Zettl at a clinic again.  I also audited a clinic not long after that.  Thank you to Mr. Zettl for offering your 60 plus years experience to teach us all.  Thank you to Mrs. Zettl for all the organizing, packing, editing, and mothering you do.  I love you both.

I also had the honor and pleasure of learning from Karen Rohlf (Dressage Naturally) at Michelle Donlick's Avalo Farm.  It was a great weekend.  Thank you to Karen for coming - and thank you to Michelle for hosting and loaning me De'Jeur (I think I spelled his name correctly)!

If anyone knows of any fundraiser ideas, I am still qualified to be invited to the selection trials next year for the 2012 Olympic Games. I have found a possible horse!!!!!!!  But the funds are still needed.  Let me know!  No idea is too small or too big!  I might be behind in available funds, but once they are there, I still intend to make that team!

Update

It's been quite a while since I've written, so I thought I'd give you guys some updates.

Equifit has this awesome product, ShouldersBack.  My shoulders tend to hutch forward because of all the time I have to spend in a wheelchair.  I've been using it and it is AWESOME!  You can find a ShouldersBack and other products HERE.

The pancake breakfast fundraiser had to be canceled for not enough interest.  We are currently working on a CT, a golf tournament, a spaghetti dinner, and a clinic with Colleen Kelly in February.  Contact me if you are interested in helping with any of these!

Lou is back from PA and is doing well.  I miss him so much.  He was such a sweetie.  Hopefully I can get out to see him in the next week or two.

I had to withdraw from Mexico for lack of funds.  The next competition is Portugal and I need to raise about $15,000 in about a week.  Anyone with any ideas of quick fundraising, let me know :)

Last week, for my birthday, Challenged Athletes Foundation paid for me to ride with Walter Zettl.  I always love learning from him. I rode at Houghton College in New York on a 23 year old horse named ET.  I was able to work again on my flying changes (needs LOTS of work from right to left and my hip tends to get stuck going that direction), canter pirohettes (they are improving a little), piaffe and passage. ET was a lovely partner and I enjoyed learning from Walter.  Thank you Challenged Athletes, Jo-Anne Young, Houghton College, ET, and especially Walter Zettl.  I have a small clip of some of my riding but need to get permission to post.

That's it for updates.  Next month will see if the funds come in for me to compete in Portugal (actually, the next week will tell that), I will audit the clinic Missy Ransehousen and Robert Dover are giving at Gladstone, clinic with Walter again possibly, train with Missy and Jessica Ransehousen.  December will be Portugal and continuing to raise funds and look for a horse.

Thank you all for your friendship and support!

No Mexico For Us

Wellllllllllllll, Lou is back home in his new digs at Heritage Hall, owned by Vicki Hall.  It's a wonderful place and she and the staff take great care of the horses there.  Sara Kinard, Lou's owner, is back from Germany... and my lease of the lovely Lou has come to an end.  I miss him already.

Just to update everyone, I was unable to raise the funds needed to compete in Mexico and have let them know I cannot compete this go round.  The definite entry is due by Friday, and with the little bit of bake sales I've been able to do, it's just not enough.  I will have to aim for Wellington in December - unless a miracle happens before Friday of this week.

Ya'll take care and I will update you soon!

Silent Auction

Shhhhh...Silent Auction

Recently, Amy Young put on a silent auction (in conjunction with putting on the Middleton Place Hunt Trail ride and BBQ to celebrate their grand opening) to help raise funds for my Olympic bid.  Thank you so much to Amy and to all the businesses below for donation items.  I'm humbled by all the community support!

 Thank you to each of the businesses below for the following donations!:

Medicine Wind- Shirt

Black Bottom- gift certificate for Danskos

Linwood Bed and Breakfast- 2 nights and 3 days

Broxton Bridge- hog hunt, clay shooting, camping 2 night rv stay

Amelia Main- equine massage

Holiday Inn Summerville- wine basket

Dr Shambley's office- fall shots and barn call

Brad Hager - house painting

Michelle Donlick- 1 month of training

Trish Russo- lesson package (1month)

Rachel Donnelson- photo shoot

Palmetto Primary Care Physicians- Tiffany Mckeel, FNP- 150 gift cert for the MEDISPA
Jan Taylor - photography session w Capturing Occasions Photos (www.capturingoccasions.smugmug.com)
Agency Owed Realty - Nancy Heide, Property Manger - weekend at IOP condo
Dave and Jennie Irvin - 2 weeks at IOP condo
Owners of CASA condos, Jennifer O'Shields - 4 days/3 nights weekend IOP condo

If anyone wishes to make a monetary tax deductible donation for this quest, please click HERE, click the donate button, and specify under "special instructions" that the donation be made to 'Kim Jones'.

Thank you all for your support :)

Post and Courier Write Up at the Rardin Farm in Mount Pleasant, SC

Photo by Grace Beahm of the Charleston Post and Courier

Jeff Hartzell did THIS write up in the Post and Courier on Tuesday, 6/21/11 (Equestrian Jones Makes an Olympian Comeback).  Thank you, Jeff Hartzell!  The pictures are of a 23 year old horse I have been riding for about two years.  His name is Classic Star.  His owner is Beverly Rardin of Mount Pleasant, SC.

She contacted me a couple of years ago and asked if I'd like to start working with Star on dressage.  She knew he was getting up in years (although we did not know his exact age until we just found and updated his passport) and thought it might be better for him if he lowered him jump height and started doing more groundwork.  We do not know how much dressage training he has had, but he has obviously had some - albeit he hasn't done it for many years.  He's been doing hunter/jumpers for youth and young adults since around 2000.  He was getting better muscle tone for his 1/2 passes at the trot for me in an FEI frame and could do 3-4 steps of a 1/2 pass in an FEI frame before he would get tight and stiff and needed to be allowed to straighten or stretch.  He loved tempi changes and would do 2 tempi changes in a hunter/jumper frame when he was happy in his work.  I was hoping to be able to ride those tempi changes in an FEI dressage frame one day!  Oh! And when we received his passport, we discovered that the Starmeister was a Grand Prix jumper in his younger years!  Go Star man! 

On a side note, Bev has bent over backwards to help me ride Star, to make it to WEG with another horse who was not even her own (Ollie), she has boarded Star at her own farm (Rardin Farm), paid for his vet bills and farrier bills - done anything and everything to help me reach my goals.  I can't say enough good things about her.

However, two weeks ago, Star decided it might be fun to kick the snot out of his stall wall and break the splint bone in his left hind.  Because of a previous, chronic injury to his left front, the decision was made to retire him at the young age of 23 years.  I am sure Beverly will see how he does, and it may be possible for me to ride him again, but for now, we all are looking into getting his leg healed and finding a retirement "job" that he will enjoy.   While he heals, the hunt is on to find another horse for me to partner with.

A very huge thank you to Nicole for helping me saddle and mount all those many times & to Beverly and Jamie Rardin  for allowing me to ride this special horse and bring his dressage prowess back to the forefront in his old age over several years.  It was an honor and a priviledge.

LowCountry Live Segment

I'd like to thank Tessa Spenser, of ABC's Channel 4 Lowcountry Live for including me in her segment on
Friday 6.23.11!  Thank you for allowing me to get the word out about my quest for the 2012 Olympic Games.
I have searched the site high and low for a link to show the segment, but alas, it is not there.  However, I am thankful for any opportunity to share my dreams.  Thank you!

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!

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.