Exciting news!

Chuck and I want to congratulate the Granger family on the purchase of Hailey's Comet. "Freddie" will be Eliza Granger's new competition horse, and we could not be happier with his new home! Freddie has had a super summer and fall, and we look forward to seeing how far he and Eliza can go.



Stewie posing with his friend Jane Murray



Yesterday Eliza, Emily Mullins and I xc schooled at the CHP. Stewie had a blast showing the younger ones how it is all done, and Emily and Eliza had solid schools. It is such a good opportunity to jump around CHP's fantastic xc courses, and I always wonder why more people don't take advantage of it!

CHP's beautiful terrain



Eliza and Freddie warming up



Next for Holly Hudsepth Eventing is a trip to Poplar Place HT this coming weekend, then the season will wrap up with one more eventing clinic November 18-20 at Equiventure Farm. This about the 9th one I have done at Equiventure Farm, and Saturday night's cookout should not be missed. Chuck is our super chef and this clinic's dinner will be a low country seafood boil, along with a few cocktails :)



Emily and Merlin tackling the ditch



2 more great sponsorships!

I am happy to announce that Holly Hudspeth Eventing has two new sponsors, Kentucky Horsewear and Only Fools & Horses. First off, Holly's horses are lucky to be wearing the new Kentucky boots. These boots are the latest in shock absorption, are very durable, and fit fantastic. Kentucky has both cross country and show jumping boots, as well as bell boots and tendon grips. These products have been a hit in Europe, and are now available in the US. Please visit http://www.legacyequestrianoutfitters.com/ for more information on this product and a way to pick them up!

Next is a recent partnership with a new tack shop in Durham, NC called Only Fools and Horses. It is  conveniently located in NC, and carries all the latest in horse wear, clothing, tack, horse products and more. This amazing new store is also carrying the best invented feed, Cavalor! Please visit their website at http://www.thebesttack.com/, or stop by the store at 2945 South Miami Blvd-Suite #120-Durham, NC 27703, phone number is 919-237-1948.

Holly Hudspeth Eventing wants to say "thank you" to Cavalor, Devoucoux, Prime Performance Nutrition, Kentucky Horsewear, and Only Fools & Horses for their support. It is an honor to be part of so many world class companies!

The Ark Horse Trials

I am happy to say we had another rewarding horse show weekend at The Ark in Monroe, NC. Stewie finished 2nd in the OP, after tying for first in dressage with a 30. With the break from competition he (so far) has been settled in the ring. I am sure the lack fitness has helped too, but whatever the case, Stewie's behavior is fantastic! What has not changed though, is his enthusiasm on the cross country and in the show jumping. We picked right up where we left off together, and he could not have felt more game and eager. Our young horse Freddie was also a star, leading from start to finish in the novice on a 29. He has changed so much over the last few months, and really seems to be figuring it all out. What I am most impressed with is his movement on the flat. I am a die hard Tb lover, and to get one with Freddie's movement is such a bonus!



Thanks Devoucoux for my saddles!



Working student Maxine Preston had another solid weekend on the reliable Ned Divine, finishing 2nd in the JT. My long time student Eliza Granger rode really well, but her mare Caribou was not playing this weekend. Eliza has alot of raw talent, and we will be looking for a horse to compliment that. Ryann Quigley decided not to run her Intermediate horse Moose on the xc due to some hard ground, but had a solid dressage and show jumping. Lexy Pingree was 2nd in the novice behind Freddie, and new student Haley Parsons did a good job on her tough catch ride.



Stewie also represents his favorite feed, Cavalor

 Thanks to The Ark horse trials for a nice show and friendly people. The show ran on time, gave out free tack stalls, and had some of the most time efficient scoring I have seen. It was also entertaining to see all the exotic animals, and our horses definitely left there less reactive to their environment! Next time we will have to stay for the fabulous party held on Saturday night.

Heeeeeeeeeee's Back!

Well, after must anticipation from yours truly, Last Monarch has made it back! He competed for the first time since March at the CHP starter trials last weekend in the training combined test. Many of you know he had a bad fall in March when I was pregnant, and needed surgery to remove some bone chips in his left knee. Stewie's entire spring and summer has been filled rehabbing, getting turned out again, and coming slowly back to work. Being pregnant was challenging enough, and seeing my super horse injured was devastating. I think the worst part was not knowing if he would be back to normal, physically or emotionally. This past weekend was a chance to get him out and break the ice, and he was a star!



Stewie at a past CHP Advanced HT



While training level is easy for him, he felt his feisty little self and jumped super. I also cantered him around the novice cross country course, and was so proud I was able to hold him out of the box! When I pulled up Chuck and Hailey greeted me at the finish line, and asked me "What is wrong? Was he not good?" I managed to say through my tears, "He was perfect." I cannot explain how spectacular it was to leave the start box on him again, and I look forward to many more! Stewie is continuing to make his come back this fall at The Ark, VAHT, and Poplar. VAHT will be his first big track as he tackles the intermediate course there.

Congrats to Maxine Preston 4th Tr HT, Alex Marchi 3rd N HT, and Emily Christopher 1st BN CT. Stewie was also 1st in the TR CT and our young horse Hailey's Comet won the N HT. Thanks to CHP for another great show!

Five Points HT, a Cavalor party, and good friends

It was another fun weekend down at CHP for the Five Points horse trials. We all arrived Friday afternoon to set up, walk courses, and get ready for the weekend. It was a very busy, with 9 students and myself riding. Lucky for me Chuck was there to help with everything, mainly our amazing little girl Hailey. He did scoot off for a night of ECU football with friends, and had a blast. I need to thank my friend Jane Murray for all the hours of babysitting during the event. She was a HUGE help, and I could not have done it without her. It was also great to hang out with Karen O'Connor, Max Cockran, and Shannon Kinsley, all of whom I have not seen in quite a while. These ladies are always entertaining to say the least, and they did not disappoint. Unfortunately, they do cut into my much needed sleep schedule!

I want to congratulate all my students on a super show. This spring I have become so fortunate to have people in the program who are true team players. What I mean by this is, people who really support each other and want others to succeed. Seeing everyone ringside supporting one another is important. It is the glue to a solid team. One of my favorite sayings is, "there is no "I" in team". And I want to thank all my students for understanding and believing in that.

Another fabulous part of the weekend was Cavalor's Saturday afternoon champagne and chocolate party. Anna Studenny came all weekend to answer questions about the company and it's products. I was also on hand to offer first hand experiences with Cavalor, and talk about all the positive effects it has had on the health of my horses. The gathering was well received, and people seemed to really enjoy the get together.

So without further ado, congrats to the following:

Carrie Parker 10th BN
Hailey's Comet 5th ON (our young horse)
Diana Abernethy 1st NR
Maxine Preston 12th TR
Kim Rushton 1st TR
Eliza Granger 21st TR
Britney Alston 14th TR
Cindy Deporter 23rd TR
Lexy Pingree 5th PR

Cavalor, a hurricane, and a clinic all in one!

Maxine and Ned



Eliza, rider and professional ring raker!







It was another fun filled weekend at Equiventure Farm for an HCH eventing clinic! With hurricane Irene nearly curtailing the festivities, everything went off fairly well. Saturday required some effort of the spectators and riders, as they stood on the standards to help keep them upright! Luckily, there was only a 2 hour window where things were tough and I needed this assistance. All the craziness aside, the riders rode great, learned new training methods, and made solid improvements. They each had a dressage lesson, cross country schooled over Equiventure's amazing course, and practiced their show jumping skills. A big part of the three days was focusing on rider responsibility, and learning how to make the sport of eventing as safe as possible. Saturday night we had a pizza party, along with a special guest and friend, Anna Studenny. Anna is a representative for Cavalor feeds, and came to answer any questions about the feed. She also brought goodie bags for all the riders. I am so fortunate to be a part of the Cavalor team, and could not be happier with the way my horses look and feel. She was also very impressed with the condition of all the horses in my barn. It just goes to show how important proper nutrition is. I am very lucky to have Cavalor, Devoucoux, and Prime Performance Nutrition in my corner. I can't thank them all enough for all they do for me.

Thanks to all the riders who came out to ride in the clinic. I had many repeat students, and a few new faces as well. I am proud of all the changes made and lessons learned.

Riders:

Kalin Fraker                 
Kim Rushton

Beth Peters                        

Chris Grudger

Kristin Neill                        

Lauren Hannah

Eliza Granger                      

 Maria Owens

Corey and the super pony

Sarah Stahmer

Leah Granger                      

Alex Machey

Bradi Granger                    

Corey Overcash

Marty Fisher                      

Maxine Preston







Maria back in action with Shadow after having her baby Mason



Marty and Brennan



Kalin Fraker

Back in the saddle

I now have a better appreciation for rider fitness! After being back in the saddle a week from Hailey's birth, I rode our young horse Hailey's Comet, in the BN horse trials at the CHP starter trials last weekend. Although the weather was a bit hot, I had no idea I was that out of shape! It really hit home how important rider fitness is, for the safety of both horse and rider. Being a bit loose in the saddle, I was sure glad to be jumping under 3 feet. Luckily, our boy Freddie was fantastic. He was solid in all three phases, and it felt great to be back competing. I have also been back on Stewie, and after the close call he had this spring, it was indescribable to look between his ears again! I have sure missed riding Stewie, and am eager to get him out competing this fall.



The girls and I walking the show jumping 



A few students accompanied me to the CHP for a bit of practicing before we head to Fair Hill horse trials in August. Maxine Preston, Allie Mestnik, Eliza Granger, Kim Rushton, and Lauren Hannah all did really well. Mazine, Eliza, and Kim did their first training combined test, and all jumped super. It is so rewarding when hard work pays off, and all these girls have been working!

As usual, the CHP did a great job hosting the show, and I want to thank all the volunteers who came out and helped in the heat! You all are amazing, and we really appreciate it.

Freddie taking in the view