Equestrian community experiences month of champions, changes Editor's note: Writer Barbara Childs tells of local events throughout our horse country through the eyes, and very long ears, of Dudley the miniature donkey. by Barbara Childs
The shows have been full of riders, horses and ponies and FENCE has been very busy during this show season of new classes and divisions. The hot weather and high humidity temps have not deterred the horses and riders. Michael Kocher rode to victory on Emma for the $2,500 National Hunter Classic at the First TR&HC Jr. Amateur Horse Show. Cate Pleper and Orchard Hills Bit captured the Children’s Hunter Pony Division at Fence. Meanwhile, Nolan Thompson, owner of Catch a Kiss, was also champion. Megan Rosenthal rode both ponies to a classic victory. Congratulations to all. We recently welcomed Susie Dunkley, Robert Zandvoort’s wife, as they both came for his clinic here in Tryon at Joy Baker’s Woodview Farm on Aug. 16-18. Dunkley has ridden in two Olympics in dressage representing Bermuda, her home country. The Motlow Creek Interscholastic Equestrian Association Team is growing with 20 new riders. New riders are Audrey LeClair, Kathryn Hellyer and Liza Goodlett. The Tryon Riding and Hunt Club Show at Fence showed Motlow Creek’s Absolut Peach and Liza Goodlett winning the class in the Pre/Child Hunter Division. Tommy Frick and Morlow Creek’s Lanzelot won Appointments • September 2011 • p. 20
the Grand Champion for the Child/Adult Jumper Division and the High Farm Trophy. Lincoln Russell rode Sally Frick’s Dutch Master to champion the First Green Hunter Division. The Book Shelf in Tryon is open near the coffee shop on Trade Street and you can get all your equine books there. Be sure to check out the books on donkeys - they are my favorites. My new book on "Dudley’s Dream - A Christmas" Tail is coming out soon. My artist illustrator, Bailey West, is working on all the illustrations for my story. Bailey West is Carolyn West’s daughter and she rides, trains and shows in dressage. It is sure to be a winner for children and adults. My editor, Barbara Childs, is my author and writes all my thoughts down in book form. Mary Boyle, daughter of John and Cindy Boyle, is getting married next month. A family wedding at home will make this special day of nuptial celebration beautiful. Congratulations, Mary, from all of us! Charles McDonald Steele is the groom. They will honeymoon in Australia for three months and then live in Germany. Re-Ride, Too will open on Sept. 1 next door to Re-Ride in Green Creek. An art gallery with paintings from Joan McIntire and others will be featured as well as service for leather tack repair from Bar M Leather. Be sure to check out the grand opening day. We are sorry to hear that The Hungry Fox closed Aug. 19. (Continued on page 21)