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CAPITOL CITY
Well our first show since Thermal went pretty well. Great footing, organisation, ring crew and the professionalism all of the staff there overall make this a wonderful show.
We just popped in to do a couple of classes before the Grand Prix which is the first leg of the Triple Crown. (No clients as they're all doing Del Mar.)
Arezzo, who i got from John Perez two days before, was, as expected a superstar, and a pleasure to ride. Two 3rds and a win in the 1.45m just backed up what i already knew about this horse, he's a star of the future.
Caballo was magnificent. He schooled a bit fresh in the 1.20 and 1.30 although was clear, so we did the Hunter Derby Warm Up. He had a blast, although apparently bucking in the hunter ring is frowned upon!
Lariccello was great a clear in his warm up, a 2nd in the 1.45 was a good start.
Whoopy!! Super, if fresh warm up, then was his spectacular self to win the Grand Prix with Duncan. Caballo was 4th with fastest time one down in the jump off. Larry had a rail in the first round to finish a credible 8th.
Next stop one of my favorite venues...........Del Mar.
H.I.T.S THERMAL ROUND UP
I've been a little lax in my updates, sorry although it's been quite well documented on our Facebook page.
Thermal continues VI, V and VI pretty much as the rest of the show had gone.
Ordella Royale winning practically every level 5 she went in, and showing amazingly well in the Ch divisions with Maddison Newman. This mare is unbelivably still with us! For sale or lease. Check out her videos and decide how much you'd like to win.
Cardano loving his 'new job' of Ch jumper was placed every time out, don't forget he's for Sale or Lease........ He's a winner.
Gretchen excelled herself; Viscaya consistently placing in the lows, as was Hemingway and Country Boy, she had a great show.
Simone getting re-aquainted with Camsa went great, there's nothing to say about Fortuna except amazing, and, Dondero super consistent in the level 4s' ready for a great 2011.
Kristie was awesome with Enzo, (which didn't please the people lining up to buy him!!) Clear after clear, we are very excited for this pair.
Ingrid was great. Santos is an absolute angel. These pair are a delight to have at the barn. The lows were turning out to be easy for them by the end of the show.
Not forgetting Leandor Z who is now at John Frenchs' barn on 'trial' for a month. This lovely horse went from totally green to getting really good marks in the 'hunters' with myself (Helen) on board. (snooze you lose!)
The sales went incredibly well (see the sales/lease page). We said goodbye to our own Abso Q, who went to Vegas, and WorldWide 2 who went off to be a 'happy hunter/equitation' star at Anne Sellingers barn.
H.I.T.S THERMAL III
Another super week of great weather and great showjumping;
Thermal has grown up so much, it's a pleasure to show here. The 'baby' horses all went from strength to strength in their level 2s & 3s. Kristie and Enzo improving daily.
Ingrid and Santos just a time fault in the Low AO Classic. Gretchen 4 with Viscaya and a left instead of right turn on Country Boy left them with a 4 +time!!.
Simone was solid with Dondero and Fortuna all week, can't wait for her to move up.
Madison did us proud in the Ch jumpers with Cardano and Check Me Out. Cardano double clear in the classic for 5th, CMO just having the first fence down, great start for this 7yr old with our 12yr old jockey.
Mr Whoopy had just a rail and a time fault, in the 'up to height' world cup qualifier, jumped an amazing round in the biggest indoor GP i've jumped in my time in Ca.
Larry had the 1st and last fence down, Caballo, a little fresh from his week off, had the 1st (hmmmm might be something to do with the jockey............me!) and a skinny when i was chasing the time.
Picollino 27 came back with a blue ribbon almost every day, and his rider had the biggest smile on her face in the level 3s.
Nice end to the 1st half............ Roll on part 2.
H.I.T.S THERMAL II
Week II over already;
We had another great week for the Outwoods Farm riders.
Simone, Gretchen and Kristie did us proud getting good ribbons in all of their divisions.
Kristie and Enzo having their first ever trip to Thermal and Enzos' 2nd year showing.
Picollino was solid in the Childrens' under 15 division with the HUGELY talented Maddison.
Mr Whoopy good ribbon in his first indoor GP for 5th, Caballo was 9th in that one and Lariccello 4 faults.
Gretchen won a level 4.
Ordella Royale won an incredibly competitive (70 starters) level 5, Destino and Duncan 2nd.
Valido won the level 4 then the next day was 6th in the USET with Jamie again. (somebody needs to buy this versatile horse)
For Your Eyes Only got his horse show debut in the level 2. This horse has a huge future.
World Cup night saw an incredible field of quality. 11 Clear from 30 starters, in an up to height, technical course from one of my favorite course dedigners, Bernardo. Caballo finished 4th, he was the fastest 4 in the jump off, behind Rich, Richard and Karl, but in front of Harley, Meredith, Gabi and Charlie. Like i said a quality field
Saturday was finished off with a SuperBowl party courtesy of JP.
I credit the indoor shows, and especially the concentrated jumping at this level in Thermal for the West Coasts great showings at the World Cup Finals.
H.I.T.S THERMAL I
What a great start to the year;
Beautiful weather, even more improvements to the showgrounds makes this 'The Place To Be' for serious winter competition. Early starts and late finishes, (you want to finish by lunchtime drive on by to Arizona), but it's all worthwhile.
First week saw Destino get good ribbons in the level 4&5, Ordella Royale the same, Valido placing level 5, Mr Whoopy good ribbons in the Friday GP, Lariccello unlucky 4 faults in both GPs, Caballo 6th in Sundays' $50,000 GP behing JP.
Picollino 27 won the under 15 childrens in great style with Maddie.
Check Me Out won the 'up to height & over' 7&8yr old in jumper 1 and the GP ring. What a lovely horse.
Abso Q was 2nd to 'Sam' in the 7&8yr olds in the main ring.
I made a showing in the Hunter ring, just long enough to get Worldwide II leased to The Singh family where he is already winning in the Hunter/Eq divisions.
Leandor Z was super brave & super impressive in his first ever hunter classes.
The babies all got a chance to go around in the ticketed warm up, a welcome addition to this years schedule.
Guvenor was good in the low hunters, and VALIDO was placed 5th in the USET Saturday morning in the GP ring with his 'catch' rider Jamie Sailor.
Dondero great with Duncan and well placed with new owner Simone.
Viscaya winning everything in her way with Duncan, and a couple of nice ribbons with Gretchen.
Hemmingway and Country Boy tag teaming for ribbons in the leveal 4s'.
Phew................ roll on week II
HALF MOON BAY CLINIC
A beautiful sunny day in HMB, lots of enthusiastic riders, and plenty of spectaters made this (again) a delightful experience.
Six groups all different levels with two things in common, a will to learn and plenty of talent to work with.
We didn't start until 3 but the time went quickly. I have so much fun doing these clinics, this is where it all begins for many, The Pony Club. It is such an important start for a lot of kids, and many a top rider today started their career in the Pony Club.
Thank you to Sylver, Kathy and Merissa as always fo
r the great organization, and the coffee and cookies!
Craig and Anna Claremont graciously lent us their incredible indoor again, which we are totally grateful for.
THERMAL
Well we're back at work and gearing up for Thermal, can't wait. This show goes from strength to strength every year. Great prize money, great competition all the top West Coasters, Canadians, a few coming from the East Coast and the foreigners that fin
d their way there.
This show 'raises' your game, to compete with the 'creme de la creme' and for us at Outwoods Farm, there's nothing on this coast at this time of year to compete with H.I.T.S Thermal.
We are delighted that all of our clients and horses will be going for the entire 6 weeks, so if you're looking for a nice horse, come find us in permanent barn 10.
Half Moon Bay Clinic
I had two lovely clinics in Half Moon Bay in November and December. Thanks to all who turned up in such terrible weather, and to Claremont Equestrian Centre for the use of your superb indoor.
Everybody who turned up, and more importantly turned up with coffee, thank you!!
I always have fun doing these clinics and judging by the response for the next one before Thermal, so do you guys. Thank You to all who organize them, participate and host these events.
Contact myself or Duncan if you are interested in us giving a clinic at your facility, or would like to come to ours for trailer in lessons/clinic/flat or jumping lessons.
LA NATIONAL
lAEC is a show i've been competing at since i came to California in 2003, and i have to say is always one of the best World Cup atmospheres. The LA crowd love a good jump off.
WCE
We had an absolutly delightful week here. Dondero being placed indoors and in the 'renovated' trails end ring with Simone. Cardano had flashes of genius! He was super all week inspite of having to be ridden for the first time in a Hackamore because of sensitive mouth. more LA 
SACRAMENTO INTERNATIONAL
This Dale Harvey/Rudi Leone show is the highlight of my year.
Perfect footing, great 'fun' classes, amazing prize money, after parties, top course desi
gner, value for money VIP section.........top show.
We started off with the amateurs in the annex ring, which was a mixture of fortunes, but all in all pretty good.
Enzo, 1st ever indoor class won with Duncan and was well placed with Kristie, being clear in most of his classes, and just the JOKER down on Saturday in the Grand Prix ring.
Destino was his usual amazing self, clear rounds,
more Sacramento
LAS VEGAS
A convoy of trucks, 13 hours on the road(what a beautiful drive) and we hit Vegas.
We had all in all a very good show.
Alex Del Toro at his first ever A rated show was a little star, starting off on Paige Kirwins Premonition (which she very kindly lent to Alex for the show) with a great clear round in the 1m10 for 5th place.
more Vegas
HITS Saugerties VIII
40 horse/rider combinations qualified to compete in this historical $1,000,000 class and we were honored to be a part of it. Caballo after a fabulous Thermal finished 6th overall in the qualification list.
We walked the course the night before, maybe a bad idea........ My good friend Lee called me as we walked and mentioned that " you can now say you've jumped the Olympics!!" Hmmmm nice thought to go to bed on.