Windsor, CA: Darian and Allen Hall’s Rosewood Farm had a fantastic finish last weekend to an already successful 2007 show season. At the November 16-18th Ram Tap Pony Club Benefit Horse Trial, their pure-bred mare, Tintern Merry Robuck (Tulira Robuck X Wild Thing [by Ferdia]) won her debut event at the Open Beginner Novice level. She added no penalties to finish on her dressage score and was the only pony to compete in her class. This talented mare was started under saddle in April of this year by rider/trainer Kristen Enedy and is coming along exceptionally well. This win was preceded by a great showing at the 2007 West Coast Connemara Show where Merry and her half-sister, Tintern Lilly Robuck (Tulira Robuck X Lady [by Moy Johnny's Pride]), took home several championships and two perpetual trophies, including the prestigious Skip Noonan Trophy, awarded to the mare with the most points in the performance and breed classes.

Kristen, Merry’s trainer, says, “Despite being under saddle for only a matter of months, Merry exhibits the diversity and trainability that is renowned in the Connemara breed and the emphasis of Rosewood Farm’s sport pony breeding program. Rosewood Farm is very proud of Merry and her achievements in 2007 and looks forward to many great things from her in the future."

Mantua, Ohio: Courtney Yeager who represents the ACPS in the newly created United States Equestrian Federation Youth Council has asked that his notice for all the Junior Members of the ACPS be posted again. Says Courtney, “Our goal is to unite youth members, like yourselves, from around the country in growing interest and participation in the sport. As you may have heard already, we are holding an inaugural Youth Convention in January in conjunction with the USEF’s Annual Meeting. Its going to be all day Saturday January 12, 2008 in Louisville, Kentucky.

“Its going to be an amazing opportunity for you to meet some stars among your breeds and disciplines, ask professionals and experts your questions, and meet some other great equine sport enthusiasts. I urge all of you to take advantage of this opportunity and attend. There is a registration form on the USEF’s website, www.usef.org. You have to click on the Youth Council logo and then registration form. Its filling up fast so I urge you to do this as soon as possible. There you can also check out the schedule of events and the list of the amazing athletic panel we’ve chosen.

“If you have any questions whatsoever, I’m here to answer them. My phone number is 440-655-0928 or you can email me at yeager.85@osu.edu. I’m open to suggestions; I’m here to represent you, so let me know what your ideas are and I’ll definitely bring them to the table. I look forward to meeting all of you!”

Jena, LA: The stallion, Glenormiston’s Billies Bay (Castle Baron X Glenormiston Ballycara), with owner/rider Robyn Taliaferro was the reserve champion during the USDF Region 9 South West Dressage Championships in Katy TX, showing First level pony division. Billy, as he is now known by his proud new owner, also placed 5th at the SWDC at Training level. Previously, Billy had not been shown in any type of competition. He was imported from Australia to his first owners in Colorado, then moved to the New Orleans area with Raelin Schenck, then moved to his present location after Hurricane Katrina to train with Robyn under the direction of Betsy Gosling. His first qualifying show was in March where he competed at Training level performing Tests 2 through 4 with an average score above 60%. Subsequent showing for Training level test 4 were in May, with average scores above 60%. Billy has also shown First level, with scores high enough to qualify for the pony division at the SWDC Championships in Region 9. Friend Shannon Tison says, “Measuring only 13.2 this tiny horse has very big things in his future due to his generous disposition, gentle nature, and the kind and steady hand of Robyn Taliaferro.”

Vass, NC: Sandy McShea of Indian Summer Farm writes about a course she took on stallion handling at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine on November 15 and 16. Says Sandy, “(The Two day course) was titled, Just Stallion Handling, it was presented by the Havemeyer Equine Behavior Laboratory at New Bolton Center and addressed stallion care, behavior and handling from a breeding standpoint. As a stallion owner, I found it very informative. It reinforced many of my observations, closed some gaps in my knowledge and gave me practical skills and a point of reference to develop my expectations for my stallion and for colts I will handle in the future. I especially enjoyed the behaviorist point of view and the opportunity to observe the school's semi-feral herd of ponies.

“Lo and behold, what a small world, two of the stallions on staff at the University were Connemaras - *Annilaun Oscar (Loobeen Larry X Annilaun Anna), donated to the University by Gerry Bogaard, and Springhills Eamon (Annilaun Oscan X Tower Hill’s Coleen), owned by Dr. Sue McDonnell, Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist and the head of the Equine Behavior program at New Bolton. Both stallions performed their tasks with classic Connemara cooperation and enthusiasm. Breedings by AI are available (or complete pedigrees, see allbreedpedigree.com.) and proceeds are used to fund special expenses for Penn's vet school residents. (Contact Cheryl O'Sullivan at 610-925-6203.)”

Sandy said that it was mostly hands on breeding stuff – “much more hands on than I ever thought I'd have.” They had class in the morning (2 days) and labs in the afternoon. She also said that the best part was learning that different housing situations can have an impact on the fertility of a stallion. Stallions housed in a male only situation (stallion station type barn) tend to be less fertile than those running with a herd of mares. However, there are good in-betweens. A stallion housed next to or very close to his mares can have his semen improved with that proximity. Geldings next door to challenge and make faces at is good. And, in conjunction with all that, as fertility increases, the testicles grow. “So, size matters.”
The Havemeyer Equine Behavior Lab presents a few short courses throughout the year. All are open to veterinarians and some to owners and breeders. (Google: University of Pennsylvania vet school, equine behavior short course.) Sandy attended a basic equine behavior course there several years ago, which she also found enlightening.