Thus ends an AMAZING dressage diary for 2006. Starting in January, when Ange first got Eclipse, who had never had any formal dressage training up to that point, I don't think anyone imagined the years triumphant end. Gunner Ostergaard knew this horse would "rise through the levels quickly" based on a clinic Ange did with Gunner in early March, and BOY was he RIGHT!!! We are still awaiting USDF, AMHA and MDA year end dressage award results, but we will post them as soon as they are available. Ange and Eclipse had a very successful training level period this spring with scores in the mid 60s, with some 8s on the canter work (a difficulty for many Morgans). As they moved on to Second Level this fall (Ange...what ever happened to First Level??? :), Ange and Eclipse continued to earn in the low 60s, culminating in this championship.
Although Eclipse IS very talented, he could not have done this except under the wise tutelage of you, Ange. You are a talented rider, an astute trainer - who knows when to push horse AND rider!, and now, a dear dear friend. I look forward to grooming for you and Eclipse next year when we set our sights on the prestigious Lunquist Medal awards at Second Level (we just missed qualifying for BLMs this year at training level by 2% in his last training level test in Sept.)
Eclipse ended the year with several year end awards, including:
4th place; USEF Region 10 at Training Level
6th place; OVCTA (Olney Valley Combined Training Assoc) Second Level and above category
One of 8 Morgan Dressage Association high point award winners for Training Level
6th place; Morgan Dressage Association Training Level Awards
AMHA High point award; 11th place out of 14 with an average of 64.54 pts
Thank you dear readers for being with us through this amazing journey. Please return in 2007 as Ange and Eclipse continue their endeavors. Eclipse will stand to a limited number of outside, approved mares in 2007, so if you are interested in a possible breeding contract please contact Kate soonest at Ensignsgrace@hotmail.com.
October 1, 2007 : Ange and Eclipse got off to a late start this year because Kate was
pre-occupied with other issues and didn't want to give Eclipse back!!! But,
in May, Eclipse left home and returned to his second home with Ange Bean.
But inspite of this, record so far is VERY impressive!!
SUDDENLY FARM DRESSAGE: (August 22). Eclipse competed at
First Level Test 3 and 4 at this recognized show with his trainer Ange Bean
and posted scores of 64.57 and 63.68 in their tests. The scores were high enough
to win High Point Morgan Award and overall Reserve Champion!! Not bad for
first time out this year (no schooling show...no time!!) Eclipse and Ange
also qualified for the prestigious Lunquist Medal Awards (BLMs) at first
level during this show!!
DRESSAGE AT STONE TAVERN -- Over Labor Day weekend, the weather could NOT have been
better for dressage at NJ Horse Park. The competition was EVIL...but it was
another chance for Eclipse to test his mettle against the "big boys" and he
came through BIG TIME! His average scores at first and second ran from
59-64% -- VERY consistent and not much difference between his first and
second level scores. Eclipse was placed 6 out of 10 in his Second Level Test 4 on Saturday, 2nd out of 6 on Sunday in his Second Level 3 class, and 2nd out of 4 for Second Level 4. He also
qualified for BLM for Second level at this show (!!) and our decision is
that this is the level he will compete in October at BLM.
So given only two shows, Eclipse is qualified for BLMs at both first and
second level...like I said, not a bad year!! So stay tuned and we will
report on our return to NJ for BLMs in October! Wish us luck!!
November 5, 2007: Eclipse did it!! On November 5th, 2006 Eclipse and Ange competed in the Oley Valley Combined Training Association Championship Show and won the Second Level Championship class. In order to qualify for the OVCTA dressage championship at Second Level, Eclipse needed 3 scores from 3 different judges at Second level, all above 60% which he did at previous shows. Ange and Eclipse took a 58.6 to win the Championship class. Counter Canter was a bit of a challenge as Ange has been schooling flying lead changes in prep. for Third Level work next year...so Eclipse just thought she meant "change leads"...which he did. Fortunately judge had a sense of humor and seemed to understand what was going as as she wrote in the comments "change of lead not necessary..."! :) |