Summer Fort Classic 2018

We went up to the beautiful Thunderbird Show Park this week for the Summer Fort Classic, and despite the smoke, we still had a fun and successful week. Danner and I once again showed in the 3'3" junior hunters and the medals under 3'6". Our junior hunters went very well, which Danner won the Handy in. Over this weekend was the first time I got to work with the head trainer of Thumbs Up Farm, John Turner. He introduced several small ways to change my riding, which helped me improve tremendously over the weekend. We've developed the most this show than we've ever had before. I particularly enjoyed watching my videos throughout the week and seeing how the small tweaks John had been making made an enormous difference in my riding. To make this week happen, I'd like to thank my parents and grandparents, John Turner, Quinn Partridge, Jessica Friedman, and all the riders at Thumbs Up Farm.

The Country Classic 2018

After being with the Thumbs Up Farm team for merely a week, showing with them came up quick and was a smooth transition. This show was my first time down at the showgrounds in Wilsonville, and I was impressed by the layout of the grounds. We competed once again in the 3'3" junior and the medals under 3'6". This show was particularly fun since Danner came from a barn not too far from the show grounds, so I enjoyed talking to Danner's past owners and finding more about his history.

We started in the age group equitation, and we put in consistent rounds and even won the flat. We later won the THIS medal as well as a 1.0 jumper round. Our junior hunters went well over the weekend, and Danner won the Handy. This show was enjoyable, and a very smooth transition into the Thumbs Up team, and I'm excited for what's to come. I want to thank my parents, Quinn Partridge, and the rest of the Thumbs Up Farm team for welcoming me with open arms.

The Move from Blue Heron Farm to Thumbs Up Farm

I want to start this post off by thanking Ruel Johnson for treating me so well the past eight years at Blue Heron Farm and for making me the rider I am today. I am forever grateful for BHF in how they developed me as a young rider and bringing out my work ethic. After eight good years, I am ready to take my riding career to the next level and have decided to move Danner to Thumbs Up Farm out of Redmond, Washington, with trainers John Turner, Keri Bailey, Quinn Partridge, and Jack Hammond. I am super excited to see where they will take me and how my education will deepen. This move could not have happened without the support of my parents and the encouragement of Blue Heron Farm. I am excited for this next chapter in my career.

Alpine Preview 2018

The Cascade Horse Shows have been a favorite of mine, so having fun at this show was a given. Danner and I stepped up this show into the 3'3" Junior Hunters and the 3'3" medals. We also competed in our second derby in which we placed 7th and were the highest placing junior/amateur! One of the many reasons I love this horse show is because they have a class called the "Derby Cross." In which you go into the hunter ring, and you ride a handy hunter course, and then you walk directly into the jumper right and ride a jumper course. Danner and I competed in this class, and we were the highest scoring hunter round and placed fourth overall! Danner also won the NCEA medal and the Jump Seat medal! I was thrilled with how Danner went this show, and I would like to thank my parents, Maggie Blackmon, Zandi Lougheed, Ruel Johnson, and Tara Johnson, for making this week possible! 

Canadian Premier 2018

My first show of the year back with Danner! We showed in the children's hunters and equitation, the THIS medal, the USHJA National Hunter Derby, and the CET 1.0 mini medal. As my first show back with Danner for nearly a year prior, I was eager to get back into the ring. I was also ecstatic to compete in my first national hunter derby with Danner, which was the first class in which we competed. Throughout the week, I was impressed by Danner and myself on how we stepped up into the ring after nearly a year away. Our children's equitation day came and went with some excellent moments but also room to improve throughout the weekend. We competed in the 1.0 CET mini medal on Saturday morning, we had two unfortunate rails, so I was sure we were out of the ribbons. We flatted and ended up second! Our children's hunters over the weekend got better and better with each round, and I ended on Sunday super happy with how Danner went and how we improved over the four days.

To make this show happen, I would like to thank my parents, Tara Devlin, Ruel Johnson, and Maggie Blackmon, for making the week phenomenal! 

Tami Masters Clinic 2018

This weekend I participated in the Tami Masters clinic hosted at Cottingham Farm on Bainbridge Island, WA. This clinic was my first time riding with Tami, so I was very excited to hear what she had to say. The first day, I learned a "true bend," and that opened my brain to many exercises I'm ecstatic to try at home. The first day was a lot of grid work and gymnastics to get us thinking about placing our horses and where they place their feet. This exercise helped me think about the technicality of the placement of my horse and utilize the space between jumps. After a successful first day, Danner retired with a bucketful of grain and lots of pets.

Second day, we have a course set up outside with a mix of combinations, lines, and bending lines. Also, including my favorite jump, a plank with the cover of jaws painted on it. Now the argument "the jump is going to eat me" is relevant. Anyways, we warm up over a quiet one stride with a halt at either end, an excellent warm-up to get the horses and us thinking of settling after a jump and going very straight. We worked on a lot of tighter turns and making sure our horses had a real bend. We ended on jumping three spooky jumps: the shark jump, a stand-alone a-frame, and a brick wall. Danner was such a good boy this weekend, and I'd like to thank Tami Masters, Stephanie Garrard, and Tenille Icard for such a successful weekend.

2017 in review

Wow, 2017 has been such a year of learning and growth for me. I am the luckiest girl to have purchased my first horse, Andante. I got the excellent opportunity to catch ride Teenage Heart Throb owned by Remy Tait. I am so excited about what 2018 has in store for my riding and how much more I can learn from many different people. I want to thank Tara Devlin, Ruel Johnson, and Remy Tait for the opportunities brought to me in 2017. Happy New Year!

Jeff Cook Clinic at Archway Equestrian

My first clinic! I am super lucky to be able to have attended the Jeff Cook clinic at Archway Equestrian. Danner and I were in the 3-foot section of the two-day clinic, and we learned so much. The day before the clinic, I hacked Danner in the beautiful arena, and he felt slightly up, but manageable so I didn't think much of it. The first day of the clinic, oh boy, Danner was a fire breathing dragon and peaked at every jump, romped around, and jumped everything just about a foot bigger than it was. Not used to my horse being like that, I had a whole lot of fun with a different ride and learned a bunch of things I would not have learned if Danner was his usual self.

Nonetheless, I would rather my arms not be sore whenever I ride, so I lunged him the next morning, and he was a different horse. He was an absolute dream to ride, and I got to work on my heels, my seat, and anything Jeff had to comment on in my riding. I learned things that I've never thought of, and I'm so lucky to have been taught by someone with so much experience in the equestrian industry. I would also like to thank Archway Equestrian for letting us stay at their barn and for the excellent care our horses received. I hope to do more clinics in the future and learn from whoever I can!

Octoberfest 2017

After the first week of school, it was refreshing to get away for the weekend to a horse show. Unable to show Danner, I was lucky once again to catch ride Teenage Heart Throb "Romeo" in the USHJA 2'6". A smaller show, I was focused most on providing Romeo with consistent rounds and giving him the ability to show off at his best. Romeo impressed me with his rideability and his education in his third show ever. He came back when I asked him and compressed but kept his impulsion when I asked. The step in the lines heeded no problem at all this show, and he earned himself the champion in the USHJA 2'6". I'd like to also congratulate fellow barn mate Hana Hemmingway for her 3rd place in the derby on Freyjal. Blue Heron Farm had many first time showers at this horse show, and everyone did great! I want to thank Remy Tait for letting me pilot Romeo. I'd also like to thank Hana Hemmingway for letting me room with her last minute. This show was an excellent ending to my show season, and I'm incredibly grateful for the extraordinary opportunities I've gotten this season!

Photography courtesy of Remy Tait

Evergreen Classic 2017

A super fun show, this show was filled with times at the river and watching jaw-dropping hunter rounds. I love these show grounds considering they have the vast open fields and the river in the back, which we can cool off in after a hot day. I was glad we were schooling on the same footing we were competing on, as last year we were schooling on grass. I was lucky enough to catch ride Teenage Heart Throb "Romeo" in the rated pony hunters. His first time in the rated ponies and doing the rated pony step, I was a little concerned about how well we were going to make it down. My concerns proved correct; the first two schooling days, we had trouble making it down the lines. By the time we started showing, we had figured out how to keep enough impulsion to jump well still but a ground-covering step to make it down the lines. The mid-day heat made even the smallest adjustments seem difficult. Romeo got tired quicker, but he gave his all, and he earned reserve champion in his first time in the rated ponies. This show was an excellent opportunity to pilot Romeo in the rated ponies, and I am super grateful for this learning opportunity.

Overall, this show was incredibly fun with swimming in the river, watching the mini Grand Prix, and showing in the rated ponies. I'd like to especially thank Remy Tait for my catch ride on Romeo and contact her for more info about him!

Alpine Preview 2017

I was unable to show Danner at this show, so I was grateful to catch ride Teenage Heart Throb "Romeo" for Remy Tait in the children's ponies. This show was Romeo's first show he was competing in, and I was honored to pilot him in it! Despite a small amount of green moments, Romeo was wonderful at his first show! He got champion in the Children's ponies and is looking to do the rated ponies at his next show. He is for sale, contact Remy Tait for more information and watch him next at Evergreen Classic horse show. I am incredibly grateful to catch ride Romeo in the children's ponies, and a huge thank you to Remy Tait! 

photography courtesy of Remy Tait

Swiftwater Invitational 2017 June 13th-17th

One of my favorite show grounds, this Cascade Horse Show, is beautiful, and the trails are always pleasant. My first show after school got out; this show was filled with laughs and memorable moments. Danner and I competed in the children's horses, and we were our most consistent yet. Although we haven't been top placings every time, we've learned more and more about how to work successfully with each other each round. Each day, we improve on from the day before, and I was the most confident I have been showing Danner. We enjoyed the beautiful trails provided by the park and a very relaxing time aside from showing in the ring. I am delighted with how much Danner has taught me, and I'm more than excited to see where we will go in the future.

Canadian Premier 2017

As usual, my time showing in Thunderbird Show Park was top quality, these show grounds are to die for, absolutely beautiful. Taking what we learned from our first show, Danner and I had much more successful rounds while still learning from every trip in the ring. While I wasn't in the saddle, I spent a lot of my time watching the other riders and learning from their rounds as much as I could. Enjoying our nightly walks and pampering time, Danner and I grew together substantially this show. Danner got us a reserve champion in the children's equitation, and he could not have been better. I learned more about how my horse reacts in the ring and how I can successfully use myself to get the most out of our ride. I'd say this was a successful show for the both of us!

Spring National Inaugural Hunter Jumper 2017

This show was my first horse show with my new horse, Andante "Danner." We competed in the children's horses' and children's equitation. It was a phenomenal learning experience, and I feel much more prepared for the next time we enter the show ring. We came across many challenges this show, which forced me to learn and think about what I am doing and how I can improve. My highlight of this show was, no doubt, winning my age group in the equitation challenge, then placing eighth overall. I am super grateful for this experience as my first show with my horse, and I can't wait to see what the next one will bring us. 

Welcome to the family, Andante!

I'm excited to announce the purchase of my first horse, Andante (previously Imaginex). He is a dark bay 16.3 Swedish Warmblood x Thoroughbred, and we got him from Creekside Stables in Wilsonville, Oregon. I am ecstatic for what I will learn from Andante "Danner" and how he will help me progress as a rider. We plan to compete in the children's hunters and equitation as my first time showing a horse! I am so grateful for this opportunity with this beautiful horse and catch us showing in the northwest!

2016 in review

Photography courtesy Whitney Coudrey

2016 was a fantastic year for me; I learned so much and got many fantastic opportunities. Thanks to my trainers and those around me. I was grateful to catch ride the small pony What's Up Doc for owner Jimi Norton and to lease and show Milo for one of my trainers, Ruel Johnson. As well as opportunities to show, I was lucky enough to learn how to handle many different situations with green horses at my home barn. This year has been the best so far riding wise, and I can't wait for what 2017 has in store for me in the children's horses and beyond.

October Classic 2016

Milo and I as "the 12th pony"

My final show with Milo and What's up Doc for the season; this show was a sweet ending to my show season with the ponies and a fun show. I took Milo in the medium rated ponies and the pony equitation, and I took What's up Doc in the small ponies. Both ponies were very good to school, especially Doc, as we figured out his lead changes. Since they worked quite a bit this show, both ponies were very lazy, and I had to use spurs on both of them when they usually are content without spurs. Milo and I had a lot of fun the costume contest and placed second with our "12th Pony" costume, second only to fellow barn mate Hana Hemingway.

Equitation day rolled around, Milo and I had some excellent moments, and some not so good moments but ended up Reserve Champion in the Pony Equitation! Saturday, the ponies were phenomenal in the hunters, and Doc ended up on top in the under saddle and in an over fences class. Milo was incredibly rideable, and I could never have asked more of him. Since we had qualified for the equitation final on Sunday, Milo and I packed around the class, and he was responsive as could be. We waited for results, and Milo and I had won the equitation final, what a way to end my career in the ponies! Doc ended his last show with a Reserve Champion in the pony hunters and a very happy pony. Overall, the ponies were phenomenal for this show, and I am fortunate to ride these beautiful geldings for the season. I want to thank my trainers Tara Devlin and Ruel Johnson, for all their help. As well as Jimi Norton for the fantastic opportunity of showing her talented pony, What's up Doc.

Evergreen Classic, 2016

What a fun, but hot, this show was. I was lucky enough to ride Milo in the medium rated ponies and the pony equitation, and I rode What's up Doc in the small ponies. This show was at Meadow Wood Equestrian Center and had access to a refreshing river for competitors to escape the heat. Schooling days went terrific with the ponies; they both got used to schooling on grass and showing in dirt. They showed in the schooling ponies on Wednesday and Thursday in which Doc got champion and Milo got Reserve Champion in! This show was off to a great start, and the ponies were better than I could ever ask of them.

Friday, equitation day, was very successful with Milo and I winning every equitation round and snagging the champion as well. Milo was an absolute gem in his low round, as well. Over the next two days, Milo and Doc jumped their tails off in the hunters, and Milo was champion there as well. The two ponies showed me what they could do this show and helped me gain confidence as well as them. My proudest moment of this show was getting overall high point pony rider with Milo and having very consistent rounds with Doc. I was very impressed with my ponies and myself this show, and it makes me excited about how we will do at our last show in October.

Western Family, Thunderbird, 2016

What a fun show this was; it was my first time at the Thunderbird Show Park, and I was very impressed. Even though I was in the muddy pony ring, the experience that these showgrounds provide is like none other. I rode Milo in the medium rated ponies and the pony equitation, and I rode What's up Doc in the small rated ponies. The weather was not on our side this horse show; we had rain every day with only short breaks of clouds. Both Milo and What's up Doc schooled nicely in the mud, but I had to learn to adjust my ponies step so they would keep impulsion without getting heavy or breaking in the footing. 

Equitation day rolled around, and Milo was as responsive as could be, and I went into the ring confident. Overall I was thrilled with how Milo was for me. We were second in our first equitation over fences, third in our second equitation over fences, and we were second in the flat. I couldn't be happier with how Milo was, and he got us a reserve champion in the pony equitation. Saturday, showing was good with the ponies, and both were very consistent and responsive, earning us some middle of the road placings that I was happy with. The next day, Milo was jumping out of his skin, and Doc got almost every lead change. In the first round of Milo's classic, he won the class with a 78 and some phenomenal jumps. What I was most happy with Milo is that he was soft and responsive without getting quick and rushy. With Doc, he had his best round yet in his second round of the classic. He jumped everything beautifully and got all but his last lead change, earning him a 79 in the second round. 

To review, I was delighted with how both ponies performed, and I had a lot of fun at this show. These show grounds are a must-see for competitive equestrians as they are gorgeous and very well run. I look forward to my next visit to these grounds.

Alpine Preview, 2016

Right after school ended, I headed to Cle Elum, Washington, to show Milo and Doc at Alpine Preview. As usual, I did both ponies in the rated ponies and Milo in the 2'6" open low hunter. First schooling day was pretty good, Ruel came to school us and all went well. On the first day of 2'6," schooling went super, Milo was fabulous, and we ended up winning one class and getting third in the second over fences round. I'm super proud of how we did because it was out of 18 entrees, including professionals, and the judge decided should Milo be on top. The second day of schooling 2'6", we came out with a second and a third and we didn't do the flat. I was sitting where our tent is set up, and I see my trainer bike down with a champion in her hand, and she points to me and says, "good job," and I was so confused. We ended up champion in the 2' 6" schooling hunters!

The next day, equitation started, and it did not go how we wanted. We cantered in for our warm-up hunter, and it went pretty well, we ended up second; but then, we went for our equitation over fences, and we started with two beautiful jumps, and we turned the corner for a bending line, it was raining and windy, and Milo saw something from the corner of his eye and spooked to the right, past the jump. He did that two more times, and we were excused, I was devasted: but it happens to everyone, and not every round can be how I want it to be. Next two days, hunters. First hunter day went awesome; Milo jumped everything, got third in our under saddle, and was super rideable; we walked back with a first, second, and third. Second hunter day went great as well, we got second in our first classic round with an 80, second in our second hunter round and first in our second round of the classic with a 79, winning the classic. After points were calculated, Milo ended up Reserve Champion in the pony hunters!

Doc and I didn't have a quite as a successful show, but he was equally excellent, we did the schooling 2'3" but didn't place in any classes due to some missed lead changes. In our first hunter round, we had a couple missed lead changes, but he didn't try to pull through my hands at all, a huge improvement! The second hunter round, we got all our lead changes, but I held him back too much to the single oxer, and we chipped it badly, but he was excellent with his lead changes! In the under saddle, he got a second under Malena Delgado, thanks, Malena! Overall, Alpine Preview was a considerable improvement for Doc, and I could not have asked more from him.