News
2011 A Year in Review
I wanted to write
something for our website trying to summarize the year that our clients and our
horses have had. It never ceases to amaze me how every year I have the
opportunity to meet more wonderful people through my horses. The contacts I’ve
made this past year have been amazing. I have new friends both human and
equine. Not to mention the number of dogs and cats that have managed to find
homes through my kind hearted boarders and their circles of friends.
As always, the best laid plans don’t always work out. But 2011 got off to a great start. Way better than its predecessor! And it pretty much stayed that way throughout the year. Hopefully the good karma will hold out for an even better 2012. So 2011 was a first on many levels for our clients and their equine partners, both for our dressage riders and our event riders. Fly N Bayou aka Adam made his long awaited debut at Intermediate, with a 4th place finish at Poplar Place Farm’s November Horse Trials. Adam continues to impress me and has really grown up to be an amazing athlete. Looking forward, I hope a two star is in our future and after that who knows? Special mention goes out to Phyllis Kramer and Uniek aka Chuckles, who completed their first Prelim horse trials in great style. It has been a long time coming for this pair and I look forward to seeing them get more and more competitive at this level. Laura Duhamel and Fate’s Patriot aka Patrick also debuted at Prelim and have had a very successful season. Two of my riders reached major milestones in their eventing journey. Meghan Cameron completed two USEA Horse Trials with Starbuster aka Buster and Amy Alexander completed her first USEA Horse Trial with her new horse, Hail Yes! aka Hailey. Huge pat on the back to Meghan and Starbuster, and Amy and Hail Yes, looking forward to seeing you guys up and at them again in 2012. Kelly Rousey and her new horse, Roman, had a great first year competing together. Welcome back to Montclair and eventing Kelly! Our group of young riders at the farm worked hard all year. We had a great showing at the GDCTA schooling show at the Horse Park in October and at Malone Farms in December. Congratulations to Grayson, Marley, Tori, Madison, and Olivia. We are so proud of you! Our dressage riders at the farm had an impressive 2011 under the expert guidance of Hokan Thorn. Special mention goes to Moses the wonder pony who not only helped his owner Joni Zecola obtain her USDF Bronze Medal but also made his debut at Prix St. Georges with Hokan. So glad I got to watch him! It was a very special moment. Young Rider Claire Ertel and her Off The Track Thoroughbred Razzmatazz competed at the USDF Regional Championships in Florida, placing in both her Training level and First level Championship classes. 2012 will see this pair out and about at Second level. Montclair Stables working student/barn manager, Hattie Clark, competed Jennifer Ward’s mare Qastalia very successfully at both First and Second levels. Hattie had a great show season with Leah resulting in many blue ribbons, lookout for them at Third level this coming year. And of course Hokan excelled with his own Gabrielle. It was Gaby’s first season in the show ring and she picked up too many high point awards to mention! Special thanks goes out to our wonderful team of vets and farriers that work so hard to keep our horses sound and happy. This list includes the vets from Piedmont Equine, Countryside Animal Hospital, Dr. Grisel from the Atlanta Equine Clinic, and Dr. Harden from Winner’s Circle Vet Clinic. Our farriers include: Eric and Lucas Gilleland, Steve Schmidt, and Wayne Nunn. Thanks also go to Bronwyn Watts' Equine Sports Massage. I am sure I have forgotten to thank many people who have helped me throughout this past year. I apologize in advance and hope that you all don’t hold it against me. On a closing note, we have managed to find and sell many wonderful horses this past year. To everyone who has purchased a horse through us we wish you all the success for a wonderful 2012 with your new equine partners. So here’s looking forward to happy horses and happy riders for the coming year. Watch this space to see what we are up to in 2012. | 
Nicky and Fly N Bayou
Nicky and Isa Rockstar at Pinetop HT October 2011
Laura and Fate's Patriot at Pinetop HT November 2011
Meghan and Starbuster at Pinetop HT October 2011
Amy and Hail Yes! at Pinetop HT October 2011
Congratulations to new partners Addison and P.C.
Tori and Paddy at GDCTA Schooling Show
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Best of friends: Valerie and Mazzi
Honorable mention go to Valerie Levin and her OTT Thoroughbred gelding, Maserati Under the Stars a.k.a. Mazzi, who joined us last April. Although Mazzi has issues from an injury he sustained as a yearling, he is thriving under the teamwork of dressage training with Hokan, jumping lessons with Nicki, chiropractic work with Dr. Harden and good shoeing by Bent Tree Forge. Both horse and rider have increased confidence and harmony. We are looking forward to seeing the pair in their first dressage show in the Spring.
