SOL ACHIEVES WORLD PEACE!
April 2009 All right, well, not quite (though he would if he could), but lest we fret that Sol's overall high score award his first time out at training level was a fluke, in his first attempt at first level Sol began by winning his first class at the SVDA Spring Fling on April 26, with 69.14% in First 3. Not bad for a horse only started under saddle in late April of last year! With the temperature at an unseasonable 95 degrees, he was a bit tired and flat for First 2, but still earned 66.67% and another blue ribbon. Of course he was a perfect gentleman, as we've come to expect.

GOOD-BYE ARTHUR, TILL WE MEET AGAIN
April 2009 The departure of our home-bred Irish lad Arthur McBride was especially emotional for us; we sold him to our good friend Bob when he was still at his dam's side, so we always knew he'd be going up to New York once he'd grown and had his basic training. Miranda had a special soft spot for Arthur; elastic, forward, and almost too supple, he was an exhilarating challenge at first despite his friendly, mellow temperament. We'll be going up to visit Arthur and Bob in May—and Arthur might very well be coming back to Manor Minor for further training and an introduction to competition once he's had a chance to mature a bit more, and Bob has had a chance to get to know him.

KELLY AND ARABELLA
AT THEIR FIRST SHOW
April 2009 Don't they look elegant? Arabella was in season and a bit tense in her debut at training level, but with Kelly's tactful riding, they scored 63% the first time out, despite a few high jinks from Arabella in the canter. We look forward to hearing about their next outing soon!

CONGRATULATIONS
CYNTHIA AND ABSINTHE!
March 2009 Like her older brother Crooner, Absinthe was sold to the first person to look at her, although nobody could accuse Cynthia of a hasty decision—she came to see her girl over and over again before making up her mind (the best way, in our opinion). Absinthe will be going up to New Hampshire, to train with Grand Prix rider and sought-after clinician Pam Goodrich.

ARENA GARDEN AWASH IN COLOR
February 2009 The dead midwinter is a time to remember the glory of the garden in warmer days, and dream of improvements in the coming spring. Here's the arena bank garden in full flamboyance in mid-May, when it made it a lot easier to keep our eyes up heading down the centerline. We planted many more bulbs (allium, lily, and tulips) here in fall of 2008, so we're hoping 2009 will be a banner year.

ARABELLA FINDS NEW HOME
CONGRATULATIONS, KELLY
January 2009 This is the second horse we've sold for VADACH member Malora Carpenter (see Lorelei, below), and it looks like just as good a match. Miranda had become quite fond of this very elegant mare (who we also started as a four-year-old several years ago) and was anxious to find someone who would appreciate her kindness and sensitivity. It seemed like love at first sight for Kelly Rose, who has the tact to bring out the best in Arabella.

GREAT JOB HEATHER AND LORELEI
November 2008 Heather was riding at intro level when she began training with Krister. But in little over a year, she had not only garnered a number of firsts in training level, but went on to win several blues at first level as well, with a first level high score at the VADACC recognized show to boot. In fact, she won a blue at every show she went to. 2008, however, saw many changes in Heather's life that made it necessary to stop riding. Here's hoping we will see her in the saddle again this year, riding her wonderful mare Lorelei.

CROONER AND LIZ ERWIN EARN 83.5% IN FIRST-LEVEL PAS DE DEUX
November 2008 We were thrilled to have Absalom's high-score achievement one-upped by his older brother! We had plenty of good news about our sold horses in 2008, but this achievement takes the cake. Read about it on Crooner's page.

SOL EARNS OVERALL HIGH SCORE AT HIS FIRST RECOGNIZED SHOW
September 2008 Our home-bred Trakehner cross Absalom (Krister riding) amazed us by taking home the overall high score award at the combined VADACH/VADAF Twin Shows in September–quite a feat for a young horse who had only been started under saddle in April, and had traveled off the farm only once before! Sol was also a perfect gentleman all weekend–our confirmation that quiet, consistent training can be as effective as frequent exposure in producing a horse that handles new situations well.