2018
February - I bought myself a Rose for valentines day! Richmonds Rossette is a 2009 Hanoverian mare by Richmond. Sweet as can be and loves to work! A little too spicy for the hunter ring. I’m hoping she will accept the challenge of dressage. So far so good! Photo Credits - Cindy Sydnor

October
I lost my buddy Foreigner. Such a kind, generous soul!

I may have lost my desire to compete but I never tire of the journey of daily training.  My pony power Hunter, a.k.a. The Little Professor has learned so much.  Piaffe, flying changes, lateral movements, and most of all how to travel like a big horse.  He brings me so much joy. Photo Credits - Cindy Sydnor

Hunter/Jumper and Eventing students work hard at their dressage.

Triangle Equestrian Vaulting horses, Manitoba and Canaday, cross train with dressage and long lining. 

Various dressage students working hard!

2016

At the beginning of each new year I take the time to update my website.  I use this photo page as a recap of the past year.   Its a great way to look back and reflect on all that happened.  No year ever goes by without a few bumps in the road but thats what allows us to appreciate the fun times that were had and the successes that were made.  2016 was a year of change for some of us but change can often lead us to new and exciting adventures.  May 2017 be full of great surprises!

2016 New Partners
Congrats to Susan Redmond and her new Hanoverian mare Rhapsodie (Grazios by Rapture R).  Thank you Karla Foss of Hillview Hanoverians for breeding such a lovely sweet mare and entrusting her into our hands and training program.

Congrats to Liz Rooks and her new mare Nik Of Time.  Swedish Warmblood / Arab cross mare by LA Baltic Sundance. Sorry to say she is a tad over pony size.  Otherwise, we would have them in the dressage pony classes for sure!  I look forward to seeing these two bond and develop a partnership for many years of fun ahead. 

Narda Croughwell has a new “temporary” partner.  We are so grateful to Robin Wherry for entrusting us in the lease of her special horse Cori while she is busy with her new addition of twin baby boys.  Cori has a wonderful work ethic and rideability.  He has taught Narda so much in a short amount of time.  

Congrats to Narda Croughwell in the fine breeding of her Hanoverian mare Lyla to Stibby-Me (German Riding Pony).  Sweet Like Me (a.k.a. Charlie) is precious with a huge people personality.  It goes without saying as to why this little cutie holds a special place in my heart.  I’m excited to watch her grow and mature.

2016 Random Pictures

Tonya Bruno had a fantastic season with her homebred Morgan Matton Majestic (aka Pete).  Their list of accomplishments for 2016….
- Reserve Amateur First Level USDF All Breeds; 5th place overall at First Level All Breeds (Open, JR/YR, AA)
- Reserve Champion for Morgan Dressage Association First Level AA
- they earned a spot in the 70%Club of NCDCTA with 2 70%+ scores 
- National Pony Cup they were 11th out of 49 AA at First Level and
- they finished 10th for NCDCTA Horse of the Year at First Level

Arlene Delong and Pumpkin Jack

Kim Grier and Channing - welcome to NC from Texas!

Bailey and Hunter - October 2016 (photo credit to Cindy Sydnor)

Andrea Selch, coach of Triangle Equestrian Vaulting.  Her daughter Helen Selch and team.

When Helen isn’t vaulting she may be taking dressage lessons from me on her pony Beauty or on another of their vaulting mounts.

Andrea Selch on her boy Manitoba (PMU Draft cross)

Congrats to Vikki Nicpon and Waterman for earning the scores needed at Prix St. George to receive their USDF Silver Medal. Hard work does pay off!

2015
A fun and productive year for ALL.  For me, It seemed to be a year geared more toward coaching students than actually  competing myself but its a role that I have come to really enjoy.  Quality training is always our #1 focus and priority but being rewarded in the show arena can be fun too.  I have many students who have no interest in showing but who also work just as hard to succeed and to reach their goals however big or small they may be.  

HUNTER …..fall show in Pinehurst, NC competing at 1st Level. 

2015
Deb Ferraro, owner of Jabato, was VERY generous in lending her VERY special horse to Kathryn Redmond for part of the season. Katie was in need of a few scores at 2nd level in order complete her goal of earning her USDF Bronze medal.

2015 JR Scene
Izze Long and Oce had a great 2015 show season.  They finished the year in 2nd place for 2nd Level Jr/Yr NCDCTA Horse of the Year.  They took the championship ribbon at 2nd Level Jr's at the NCDCTA Championship show in Williamston, 8th place at 2nd level Jr's at Regional Championships in Lexington, VA, and 3rd for Dressage Seat Eq. (Jr's) Regional Championships in Lexington.  It has been fun to watch this pair grow and develop over the past couple of years. 

Maya Montani and Choco had a memorable year.  They stayed busy in many different arenas.   Early in the season they made their debut at 2nd level and in the fall they wound down the year as a demo rider for the Gerd Heuschmann Symposium.  Their biggest and greatest accomplishment was passing the USPC Nat'l "B" Certification Traditional track of All 3 disciplines….dressage, cross country, and stadium.  I couldn't have been more proud of them both. 

Tonya Bruno had a great season with her wonderful homebred Morgans.  Matton Majestic, (a.k.a. Pete), shown below, was very solid and grown up at Training and 1st level.  Her mare Whippoorwill Felicity had a very respectable season at 2nd level (so pics to show).

2014
Not a big competition year for Stibby-Me but I would like to share a sample of a few of his foals that were born in 2014

2014 Adult Scene
For several of my adult amateur students the annual Eno Horse Masters Camp is a highlight.  Three full days to immerse themselves and to focus on their horse, their riding, and their learning.  Pictured here is Arlene Delong riding Pumpkin Jack and Liz Rooks riding Tanzen and many of the campers enjoying the Thurs. evening exercise class.

Congrats to Vikki Nicpon and Waterman for earning their USDF Bronze Medal 

2014 Jr. Scene
Wow, what a great year for the Jr's and a ton of fun we had.  Labor of Love Dressage show is such a highlight for the kids.  Our team, The Pink Panthers were strong competitors.  Their costumes were great.  Cat & Izze had fun performing a Pas de deux to the tunes from The Pink Panther soundtrack.

Izze Long and Oceano had a strong season at 1st level with consistent scores in the mid to high 60's.

Catherine Horrigan and Ultima had a great season at 2nd level.   She also rode a 1st level musical freestyle to the music from Frozen.  Year end awards….. NCDCTA HOY 2nd level Jr/Yr., NCDCTA HOY Jr/Yr. Musical Freestyle, 3rd place USDF 2nd level Jr/Yr., 6th place USDF Musical Freestyle 1st level.  Can't do much better than that!

Maya Montani & Chocolate Martini also had a year to be proud of.  They had a great competition year both in dressage and eventing.  Also, Maya received her USPC Nat'l C3 certificate (Traditional track 3 riding phase).

2013
Stibby-Me continues to be a star.  We showed just a few times this year at PSG.  Our focus has been and continues to be the day to day training.  The collection that is required at the FEI is getting easier for him as he continues to get stronger.  He is very happy in his work so our plan is to keep on going

2013
Foreigner - We did it!!  I got my USDF Gold Rider Medal thanks to Foreigner.  Not sure what our plan for 2014 will be but he is stronger and happier in his work than ever before.  I will let him decide if he wants to continue with another season at Grand Prix.  It's up to him! :)

2012
Stibby-Me - We didn't do much showing this year but we worked hard with our training.  Photos from a clinic at Braeburn Farm with Gerhard Politz.  Photo taken by Pat Girard.

2012
Foreigner - Well we did it!!  We closed out the year with our 1st GP test receiving a score of 60+%.  1 score towards our USDF Gold Medal.  One more score to go!  Various photos by Pat Girard and Cindy Sydnor taken during clinics at Braeburn Farm with Gerhard Politz

October 2011
Bailey & Foreigner at Gerhard Politz clinic at Braeburn Farm.  Photos by Cindy Sydnor.

May 2011
Dressage At The Meadows, Doswell, VA,  Stibby & I made our debut with a 3rd level musical freestyle ridden to Walt Disney music.  We were very pleased to have won the Blueskies Environmental $500 Musical Freestyle Challenge class with a 70.9%.

Day Dream Me (Stibby Me x Dulce Carmen) - Born in 2008.  Bred by Debbie Malinowski of Wellsmont Farm.  Louise Rascoe and I purchased Dreamy in May 2011.  We just had to have her!!  She is a typical Stibby offspring not just in color but in her personality and happy go lucky work ethic.  She is a training and sales project but I am having too much fun with her to let her go just yet!

April 2011
Around The World in 80 Days.  A musical performance produced by the Equestrian Department at Averett College, Danville, VA.  Foreigner & I were proud to be the opening number dressed as the pilot who travels the world in a hot air balloon. 

At the last minute Foreigner was substituted for a school horse and got to participate in the 12 horse drill to the Macarena ridden by an Averett student.  He loved it!!  He got to follow in line nose to tail, didn't have to work on the bit, and he looked great in his fluorescent leg wraps and tail ribbon. 

Last Updated: March 20, 2019