2008 News

Blarney Stone Acres' Open House

On December 7, 2008 Blarney Stone Acres held an Open House at Full Circle Dressage in Kentucky. Featured in the Open House was the presentation of 11 Gypsys.  Included in the presentation were three weanlings, four yearlings and four performance horses. Blarney Stone's Rossa, a two year old, was ridden by Maggie Rataj. Blarney Stone's Diana, a four-year-old mare, and Blarney Stone's Sailor, a five-year-old stallion, were ridden by Mary Jo Wicker, and Lady Wisteria, a nine-year-old mare in foal to Blarney, was ridden by Chris Radtke. The highlight of the event was a musical ride featuring Mary Jo on Blarney and Chris on Wisteria. Handlers were Joe Nelson and Jane Proctor, More than 130 people watched the presentation and also enjoyed a barbeque meal. Guests were presented with "Gypsy" scarves.

Heartland Feathered Classic, Indiana

Diana took first place on both the amateur walk/trot Western Pleasure and gypsy walk trot Western Pleasure classes. She also took second place in the gypsy walk trot English pleasure class. Our daughter Kelsey rode her in the youth showmanship,18 and under, class winning a first place ribbon. We are very pleased with Diana as she only had a few weeks under saddle and this was her first show.

Oldham County (KY) Cooperative Extension Service Office

Wisteria visits the Oldham County (KY) Cooperative Extension Service Office to meet kids involved in the horse program.

Wisteria was taken to the Oldham County Cooperative Extension Service Office because in this horse program the children drew names of horse breeds to study. The child who picked Gypsy Horse whined. She wanted another breed. The woman who runs this program, Jane, said no switching. After hearing the story we decided to bring Wisteria. The kids patted and hugged her two by two and they all loved Wisteria.

Meadow Lake Dressage- Lancaster, KY

August 23 & 24, 2008

Blarney is making his way upwards in his show career with top notch professionals. He is competing against breeds that are specifically bred to compete in this sport. At the Meadow Lake Dressage Show he was being shown at a higher level where the judges are tougher and it is much harder than the last level. Overall Blarney did an amazing job.

Blarney's Scores:

First Level, Test 2: 61.111%, 1st

First Level, Test 1: 59%, 2nd

First Level, Test 1: 60%, 2nd

First Level, Test 2: 58.333%,3rd

This was Wisty's first high level dressage show and she did an awesome job. Wisty is a ten year old broodmare and she is taking a break from breeding so that she can compete at these shows. Our horses are the only horses competing at this level in this breed in the country!

Wisteria's Scores:

Training Level Test 1: 66.957, 1st

Training Level Test 1: 67.391, 2nd

Intro B: 67.500, 1st

Intro B: 61.100, 1st

Pistachio's Region 3 Championship '08

At the Region 3 Championships Pistachio stole the show. He was named the Reserve Champion World Cup Baroque Gelding out of 5 horses. All those horses were of top quality and were much bigger and more mature, but he did excellent up against them. Pistachio also earned a 1st place in the Gypsy Cob/Drum Gelding Class.

1. Class 131 - World Cup Baroque Geldings (All Ages) - Reserve Champion (2 of 5)

2. Class 132 - Gypsy/Drum Geldings (All Ages) - 1st Place (1 of 3)

Pistachio's July Dressage Show Scores

Baroque Horse Classic (May 30 - June 1)

1.Gypsy Geldings Open - 1st Place

2. Grand Champion Gypsy/Drum - 1st Place/Champion (No Charge)

Baroque Horse Festival (July 4 - July 6)

1.Gypsy Geldings Open - 3rd Place

Grassroots Dressage Schooling Show (July 12)

1.Sport Horse in Hand - 2nd Place

Mid- Ohio Dressage Association

Delaware, Ohio

Blarney's Scores:

Friday: 63.333%, First Level, Test 2. first place, two entries; 66.8%, Training Level Test 4 Q, 9th place, 13 entries.

Saturday: 61.667%, First Level Test 2, first place, two entries; 68.4%, Training Level Test 4 Q, 2nd place, 11 entries.

Sunday: 63,889%, First Level Test 2, 2nd place, two entries.

Blarney showed under three judges over the weekend. His best test/score was his Saturday TL 4Q. That was amazing -- considering it was Saturday (the most popular day), his biggest class and the toughest competition, and that every good Open TL horse was probably in the class. He's finished with Training Level until the Regional's.

Kentucky Dressage Association- Lexington, KY

May 04, 2008

Friday: 65.33%. 3rd place, First Level, Test 1; 68.8%, 2nd place, Training Level, Test 4, 11 entries.

Saturday: 67%, 2nd place, First Level Test 1, 3 entries; 67.2%, 5th place, Training 4, 13 entries.

Sunday: 65.6%, 3rd place, Training 4, 7 entries.

All of Blarney's scores for the weekend were above 65%, which is fantastic. Obviously, the judges like him.

He has one "Qualifying Score," his 68.8% Friday. That means after he gets another score 68% or higher in that test (Training Level Test 4) he will qualify to show in that class at the seven-state regional show in the fall.

All his work over the weekend was excellent. He beat many older/big horses and absolutely is competitive. All his classes are "Open" which means he competes only against trainer-trained horses ridden by professionals. That raises the bar in quality and performance. His ability to compete is enhanced by his purity of gaits, his sound mind, his work ethic and his talent. His success is not luck or a fluke! Blarney is an athlete who will just get better as he matures.

Also at this show was our mare Wisteria. This was her first show out this year and she took a fourth in the mares halter class.

April 2008

Blarney Stone's Sailor graces the cover of Midwest horse digest. Sailor is helping the world understand what the gypsy horse can do.

Dressage Pony Cup

March 29, 2008

(Blarney's First Show 0f 2008) Blarney was a star, winning both Training 1 and First 1. He scored in the 60s both rides and made no important mistakes. The show took place in Cincinnati, Ohio.