July at Flying Colours

July has been a great month for Flying Colours horses and riders. The weather has been super and the bugs not too bad. We’ve been riding in the outdoor arena very often this month.

The first 2 weeks have been taken up with fine tuning our tests. Our kurs are being tweaked and in some cases written and rewritten!

The weekend of the July 12/13, we trekked down to Kestrel Ridge to school in their rings. Dara Talsma, riding Mascottie (Scottie) at third level, and Lindsey Stroh, riding Paddy, Edel, and Watson, were up at the crack of dawn to school their mounts and then they put on their judging hats and sat at C for the rest of the day.

Scottie learned showing was not about big jumps anymore! He did super and came home with work attitude!

Lindsey’s baby mount, Watson (4 yr old), owned by Pat Sullivan, proved to us all why we love him. This was his first trip off the farm. He handled everything like a seasoned competition horse. Nothing fazed him, trailering, stabling, riding, wash rack, nothing!

Lindsey Stroh on Pat Sullivan's 4 yr old Canadian Warmblood gelding, Watson. This is Watson's first time off the farm and he was a superstar!!!

He is going to be a star for Pat in the future.

Lindsey also rode her first/second level horse, Edel, owned by Donna Gent. Edel was her typical steady wonderful self. She is muscling up nicely and has started to show us some engagement as her trot and canter are improving! She has the most amazing temperament and will make Donna a wonderful show horse.

Lindsey Stroh on Donna Gent's Edel. Lindsey cracked the 70% mark at First Level on this lovely mare. She is the Res Champion First Level for Alberta 2003. Congratulations Lindsey, Edel, and Donna!!

Lindsey has made us all proud and decided to show Paddy Grand Prix. He schooled very well this weekend and will be ready for her debut at the GP level this weekend at the Kestrel Ridge show!

July 20 and 21 found some Flying Colours horse/riders at Klondike Days in Edmonton for a dressage demo. Dara Talsma, Carol Robinson, and Angie Golley (FCS) were joined by Scott Varnhagen (Sherwood Meadows) and Sanna Hodgson (Miquelon Meadows). Willis Kachuk was our very capable commentator. All the horses did very well amidst the sheep, mini chuck wagons, ferris wheel, and the ferociously scary mechanical bull!!! The arena and crowds were a cinch once we got them there!

July 24, 25, 26, 27 found us at Kestrel Ridge Farms for their summer festival. It was a very successful show for FCS. Carol Robinson rode on Friday and placed in the ribbons, just behind Edel on Struedel and just behind Fargo on Monty. Carol is now on maternity leave till December 4. What a great job she has done this season with both of her wonderful horses! Watch for this talented rider next year, showing both of her horses with 2 babies watching Mom from the sidelines!

Lindsey Stroh joined the Grand Prix club and piloted Paddy around the GP ring for a very respectable 59%! Congratulations to both of them! Lindsey’s goal for her 1st Level mount, Edel, owned by Donna Gent was to break 70%. She met and exceeded her goal with a 71% on Sunday. That placed the pair 3rd overall at 1st Level. Congrats on a great show.

Lindsey Stroh on her Grand Prix mount Paddy. This is Lindsey's first time at the Grand Prix level and they both did great!! 59.8% for her 1st GP! Congrats Lindsey.

Dara Talsma and Mascottie debuted this season at 3rd Level. This is Dara’s first trip down centre line in 2 years and she handled the pressure with style and grace! She and Scottie brought home a wonderful cooler as Reserve Champion 3rd Level. Congratulations!

Angie Golley and Fargo were wonderful again this show. She and her big grey are unbeatable at 4th Level!! They both just get better with each show. The pair came home with first place ribbons and the cooler for Champion at 4th Level!!!! Congratulations Angie!!

Sunday, August 3, FCS has a dress rehearsal for the Provincial Championships planned for the outdoor ring! The outdoor and indoor rings will be up and we’ll fine tune our tests!

2003
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2004
News Archive:

April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December