February 2011 News

HORSE SHOW NEWS

Its official! The Lightacres Team has started their 2011 show year, and I must say we started it off with a bang! After many months of practicing, preparing, training, and of course no stirrup work (much to many of the kids dismay), it was time to put all of our learning to the test. We chose to attend the Northern Winter Classic Series 1 as our first competition of the year, and on February 8th, we headed to the Murietta Equestrian Center, excited to show. The excitement grew throughout the week, with some fantastic results.

Grace Mathias started this show season with a Reserve Championship in the Walk/Trot division, as well as a Championship in the Cross Rail Hunter division riding her pony King Arthur. This was Grace’s first time jumping at a horse show. Well-done Grace!

Flor de Maria Rizo got her first Championship ever this weekend in the Short Stirrup division on her own pony Karma. She won three of the four over fences classes Great start to the year Flor!

Joelle Hylton began her year riding two new horses. She won two .75 jumper classes on Ping Pong, owned by Sue Lightner. She had a great time in the jumper ring. She also rode Lutano to a Championship in the Low Child/Adult Equitation, winning both classes. Joelle made the step up to the 3’ ring, doing her first Onondarka Medal Class, and placed second. Good luck this year Joelle!

Bailey Campbell moved up to the 2’6” division at this horse show, riding her new horse Pendleton. She got great ribbons throughout the weekend in both the over fences and the flat. Marisa Metzger also rode Pendleton to a first and second in the Performance Hunters 3’3”. Great job Bailey and Pendleton!

Marisa Metzger rode Sue Lightner’s Pia’sadorable to fifth in the Northern Winter Classic Grand Prix, out of 19! This was Marisa and Pia’s first big class together; and they were double clear.

The equine babies debuted in their assorted new age divisions for the hunter breeding at the NWC. Rascal owned by Sue Lightner and Resplendent owned by Helen McEvoy both did their first classes in the yearling hunter breeding. Each of them won a class out of six yearlings. Rascal won Best Young Horse in Section A, and “Allie” was Reserve Best Young Horse in Section B. What a great start to their hunter breeding careers.

Rendezvous returned to the Hunter Breeding this year as a two year old. She won both of her two-year-old classes. She ended up Reserve Best Young Horse in Section A and Best Young horse in Section B. “Rona” has also begun her education under saddle and spent some time walking around the horseshow with Sue in the tack.

Piorot owned by Emma Townsend started his three-year-old year with wins in both of his classes! Good job “Peter”!

Lightacres had a GREAT first horse show of the year, and we look forward to many more.

HAPPENINGS AT HOME

Congratulations to Sue Lightner on the wonderful article about her in the January 31, 2011, Chronicle of the Horse.

Jack Dormandy has adopted Daisy. Daisy was formally the best friend of Lesley Bulechek’s great hunter Walk the Talk. “Kidd” passed away a month ago and Daisy has been looking for someone to take care of. She met Jack, who is recovering from a broken leg. They have decided to move in together and are enjoying their time very much.

Trail Size aka Frisbee has come to Lightacres to be Payton Potter’s partner. Thanks to Mary Bell for giving Payton the opportunity to lease this wonderful pony. Payton hopes to be ready to compete in the Walk – Trot this spring.

Ashley Norris is counting the months till Life of Riley gives birth. Riley is due in April. Dad is Liocalyon who was just honored with the South Pacific award which is given to the leading jumper sire for the year.

Lightacres welcomes Melissa Brandley and her mare Millie. Melissa comes from Sonoma Valley Stables. Ned and Hope sent Melissa and Millie for Sue to handle her breeding arrangements. Millie will be bred to Ragtime.

CONGRATULATIONS TO MIGGIE AND ANGIE ON THEIR NEW HOUSE!! They have been waiting a long time for this. Thanks so much to all of our clients and friends for the outpouring of furnishings, dishware, linens, etc, etc. to help them to create their new home.