Riverhouse Hanoverians » News

Training and Competing in Wellington!!!

riverhouse — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 21:25:22 +0000

Nora is currently in the second week of her three month stay in Wellington, FL. She is there to train with Kathy Connelly and learn as much as she can about training top grand prix horses. Bretone, Farleight, Bahai, Banderas, and Lauren Hampton’s Amalie (formerly Nora’s Amanta) are the lucky equines to be at Betsy Juliano’s gorgeous Havensafe Farm. At the end of the month, Jeanie’s Wilde Card (Wilber) will swap places with Banderas, for his chance to train and show in Wellington. Happy learning!

2011 Show Season in Pictures

riverhouse — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 00:21:08 +0000

As River House prepares for the 2012 show season, take a look back at pictures from the 2011 show season…

Strong Showing by River House Horses in National and Regional Year End Awards!

riverhouse — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 18:29:19 +0000

Nora rode several River House Hanoverian horses to Regional and National Year End Awards…

2011 Regional Awards:

The New England Dressage Association Year End Awards banquet is this Saturday. The River House Hanoverians crew will be in attendance to collect multiple awards as Nora and Farleight are also participating in the NEDA Fall Symposium with Kyra Kurkland as a demo pair this weekend. Nora and Farleight were the NEDA Year End Champions for the Intermediare I with a median score of 71.184%. Nora and Bretone will also be receiving NEDA Year End Champion honors for the Grand Prix Freestyle with a median score of 71.463%. And Bretone’s handsome 4 year old son, Barcelona RH, is the NEDA FEI Young Horse Champion with a median score of 75.8%. Once again, YAY Tony babies!

2011 National Awards:

For the fourth year in a row, Bretone was the American Hanoverian Society Adequan All-Breeds National Champion for the Grand Prix Freestyle, with his 71.463% median. Unfortunately, Nora missed the deadline to submit Farleight’s registration papers and so missed out on being the AHS Adequan All-Breeds National Champion for Intermediare I. He had the scores, but not the paper work, so Nora will be kicking herself for a while for that one! In the USDF/Adequan Horse of the Year standings for Intermediare I, Farleight was ranked ninth nationally. Bretone was also ranked ninth nationally in the USDF/Adequan Horse of the Year standings for the Grand Prix Freestyle. Multiple horses ranked in the top 10 nationally! Great job River House horses!

Willa Wows the Judges at the 24th Annual River House AHS Inspection

riverhouse — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 22:03:04 +0000

The 24th annual American Hanoverian Society Inspection at River House Hanoverians went off with out a hitch on the 16th of August, 2011. The night before the big event, River House hosted the traditional wine and cheese party for breeders, spectators, guests and the Inspection committee – including Vanessa Carlson and Hugh Bellis-Jones from the AHS and Konrad Boeth from the Verband. The following morning, the inspection began with a breed and conformation lecture using EM Weide, a grand prix mare by the late great Weltmeyer, as the model. This lead into the free jumping for the Mare Performance Test, followed by the studbook inspections, the under saddle portion of the MPT, and the presentation of the 2011 foals for registration. River House’s new broodmare, Wait and See (Wolkentanz/Wanderbusch), proved to be the star of the day. Affectionately known as Willa, Wait and See received both the High Score awards of the day for the studbook inspection as well as the Mare Performance Test. Willa earned an overall score of 8 in her studbook inspection – with highlights including 9′s on her walk and trot & 8′s on her neck, saddle-position, foreleg, and overall impression. Willa excelled in the jumping portion of the MPT – earning a 9 on technique and an 8.5 for ability. Nora has been having a blast riding Willa and the mare showed off beautifully in the undersaddle portion of the MPT – earning a 9 on her trot, an 8 on her walk, and an 8.5 for rideability. River House is very excited to see the little red powerhouses Willa and Bretone will produce!

Barcelona RH Finishes Thirteenth in the Nation!

riverhouse — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 02:26:42 +0000

Poor baby Banana has had a whirl-wind first show season, with just two recognized shows under his belt before heading to far off lands for the National 4 Y.O. Young Horse Championships. Throughout it all, Banana has been a total trooper. After his big week of shipping from New Hampshire to Illinois and placing so well in the warm-up class, Banana was a bit tuckered out for the championship class today. However, he still managed to finish 13th out of the top 15 four year olds in the country – not bad for a red country bumpkin from NH on his first trip to the big city! Although Banana was too tired to show his best gaits, he did receive praise for his submission and relaxed, over-striding walk. River House is very proud of Bretone’s baby Banana!

Barcelona RH Comes in 6th Among the Top 15 Four Year Olds in the Nation!

riverhouse — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 22:31:49 +0000

River House’s four year old Bretone gelding, Barcelona RH (AKA Banana), competed in the USEF National Young Horse Championship warm-up competition today and placed 6th out of the top 15 four year old dressage horses in the country. Way to go Banana! Below are a few snap shots of Banana and his stylish green ribbon after the awards ceremony and victory lap. Check out this link to Dressage Daily to see a picture of Nora and Banana, as well as other championship competitors, at the veterinary inspection yesterday – Dressage Daily Gallery

Banana strikes a pose after finishing 6th out of the top 15 four year olds in the country.

Nora is all smiles after Banana's victory lap!

Barcelona RH Goes to The USEF National Young Horse Championships in Illinois.

riverhouse — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 01:45:10 +0000

Barcelona RH (Bretone / SPS Weltfee II [Weltmeyer]), affectionately known as Banana, is in Wayne, IL this week to compete in the USEF National Championships for four year old dressage horses. The top fifteen horses in each age division are invited to the national championships at the Lamplight Equestrian Center. Banana arrived in IL yesterday and passed the veterinary inspection and jog today. Tomorrow he competes in a warm-up class and will perform in the championship test on Saturday. Below are a couple pictures of Banana and Nora before the jog. Nora’s main man, Farleight, was named second alternate for the National Developing Horse championships for 7-9 year old horses – i.e. he was 17th in the nation – but, unfortunately, did not get to attend the championships.

Banana having a breath freshening mint before meeting the judges at the jog.

Banana and Nora preparing for the jog.

More Blues, High Scores, and even a TEN for River House at the 40th Annual GMHA Dressage Days!

riverhouse — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 20:28:27 +0000

Jeanie and Nora returned to GMHA at the end of July to ride five River House horses, while Verne coached many students. Farleight and Nora had a super weekend – winning all three classes they entered. On Friday, they garnered fourteen 8’s on their way to bringing home the blue in the Intermediare I with a 69.868%. This score also earned them the FEI Level High Score of the Day. On Saturday, Farleight and Nora had a repeat victory in the Intermediare I – this time scoring fifteen 8’s and two 9’s on their way to a 71.184%. The 71+% was good enough for FEI Level Reserve High Score of the Day as well as FEI Reserve High Score for the entire show. To top off an already stellar weekend, Farleight was a star in the Developing Horse Qualifier on Sunday – winning with a 70.882%. Good Boy! All of his efforts in the Developing Horse Qualifiers this year were enough to earn Farleight an alternate spot for the National Championships in Lamplight. Nora and Jeanie’s Wilde Card (AKA Wilber) had a strong start to the show with a win in a large Open Prix St. Georges class on Friday with a 65.395%. Wilde Card also had a strong showing in the Developing Horse Qualifer, on Sunday, placing third with a 64.706%. Wilde Card has been doing a great job in his first year of FEI level competition. Bretone (AKA Tony the Stalliony) had another great show at Grand Prix. He put in a solid Grand Prix test, in the scorching heat, to win the class on Friday. Bretone also put in a strong freestyle performance on Saturday to secure the win with a 71.463%. Bretone’s excellent one tempis were rewarded with a TEN! [Bretone also performed his freestyle at Vermont Dressage Days to earn a second qualifying score for the regional championships. He won the blue there with a 72% and received the comment: “a pleasure to watch a strong freestyle with such good technicals!”]. Barcelona RH (AKA Banana), River House’s four year old Bretone gelding, won his USEF 4 y.o. Qualifier with a 77.8% – earning him a place at the National Young Horse Championships in Illinois. Jeanie and Moleibi RH had a strong show at fourth level – winning both a fourth level 2 class and a fourth level 3 class. All in all, another strong show for River House! Check for pictures later.

Great Success at GMHA June Dressage with Barcelona RH, Bretone, Farleight, Moleibi RH and Wilde Card!

riverhouse — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 19:45:23 +0000

This is just some of the loot from the GMHA June show - Way to go River House!

For a barn that loves to work with mares, it was a bit odd to head to the show with five guys (four geldings and a stallion). However, the River House boys put in some stellar performances at the GMHA Dressage Show, June 17-19, and we couldn’t be more proud of them!

Barcelona RH, AKA Banana, (4 y.o. Bretone/Weltmeyer) was a perfect gentleman and a total star at his first recognized show. Nora rode him to wins in both of his USEF 4 Year Old tests, including the qualifier, where he scored a 7.58 (trot 7.8, walk 7.6, canter 7.4, submission 7.5, general impression 7.6) and received very positive comments. This impressive score looks to put him in a qualifying spot for the national championships. Yay Tony babies! This score also gave Nora both the High Score GMHA and CVDA member awards.

Bretone, AKA Tony the Stalliony, (Brentano II/Salut) was better than ever, winning both the Grand Prix and the Grand Prix Special with Nora. In the Grand Prix he won with a 66.383%, earning seven 8′s including an 8 on his gates and Nora’s position and the comment ” wonderful riding and exceptional horse”! In the Grand Prix Special, Tony again brought home the blue on a 67.708%. Once again he earned numerous 8′s on his exceptional canter work as well as three 9′s on his expressive and straight tempi changes – garnering the final comment “a pleasure to watch such straightness!” Good boy Tony!

Farleight (9 y.o. Friendship/Lemon Tree xx) and Nora had a very successful weekend, winning the Prix St. Georges and the Intermediare I and placing second in the Developing Horse Qualifier. Farleight won the PSG on Friday with a 68.553% – earning a handful of 8′s and good comments. On Saturday, he put in a solid Developing Horse Test for a 67.500% and second place, with good comments including “very well ridden, lovely horse!” This score looks to move him up in the national rankings. Farleight really stole the show on Sunday when he won the Intermediare I with a 71.447% – earning ten 8′s and one 9 and the comment “a pleasure to watch”! This score was enough to give Farleight FEI High Score of the day and of the whole show!

Jeanie guided Moleibi RH (8 y.o. Maronjo/Rubinstein I) through his fourth level debut – confidently winning both the 4-1 and the 4-3 and placing second in the 4-2. He received solid scores in the sixties, including a 65.143% in the 4-1. Moleibi’s 4-3 was good enough to earn the Open Fourth Level High Score award on Sunday. A great start at the level! Moleibi got fabulous comments including: “A lot of talent and power”, “handsome capable horse”, “lovely elastic horse, quality mover”, and “quality horse!”.

Wilde Card, AKA Wilber, (8 y.o. by Weltmeyer) did very well in his second appearance at the Prix St. Georges level with Nora. Yes, he is still Jeanie’s horse and she is kindly letting Nora play with him. So, no, Nora hasn’t completely stolen him… yet. Much to Wilber’s dismay, he was the only one to come home from the show without a blue ribbon (everyone else had TWO!), but he put in a solid PSG test and a lovely Developing horse test to earn a 65.921% and a 65.441%, respectively. He earned several 8′s in each test and has really stepped up to the PSG level quickly and easily. Good job Jeanie and Nora – Team Tame Wilber?!

Congratulations to Anne Hennessey and her Mimi RH (Maronjo/Argentan) for their excellent performance at their first show. They earned AA High Score Training Level honors on Sunday, as well as Reserve AA High Score Training Level for the whole show, with a 69.167%! Great job!

Verne also coached many students at this GMHA show. River House congratulates all of them on a great weekend!

River House Welcomes Three Lovely Bretone Foals!

riverhouse — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 21:00:23 +0000

On June 11th, SPS Mijou (Matcho x / Argentan) gave birth to an adorable bay filly that we are calling Belita RH. Belita, or “Little Beauty”, is a diminutive little diva. She is super sweet, but has lots of spunk too!

Belita RH looking ADORABLE

What a CUTE face

"Ooh CAMERA! I must look cute!"

One day later, on June 12th, SPS Weltfee (Weltmeyer/Lord Udo xx) delivered a stunning, chestnut colt. Bacardi RH is a tall, leggy colt with a gorgeous head and neck and a lot of presence. Like our other Weltfee/Bretone foals, Bacardi looks to be a very good mover.

Bacardi RH - Another gorgeous Tony face!

Bacardi RH showing off his handsome physique

On June 21st, EM Gleucksfee (Glorieux/Grafenburg) had an elegant, bay colt. Bramble RH, is a lovely red bay with perfect markings – four white socks and a star! Bramble is tall and refined and seems to have a very amiable personality.

Bramble RH Resting on his 1st Day in the Big Wide World

Bramble RH Flexing His Handsome Neck

4 White Feet!