HGF 2009—The Year in Review:
Hampton Green and its PRE Horses Achieve
National and International Status

2009 has been a year of highlights, of moments of recognition that have symbolized many months and even years of planning and hard work. Looking back over the past 12 months, there has been a significant change in the kinds of successes we are achieving, the levels at which we are finding ourselves ranked, and—as a result—the level of expectation for our horses at all the various venues of competition.[nbsp][nbsp] We don’t tell ourselves that we’ve arrived . . . except at that point where we can now see better where it is we want to go!

The goal of Hampton Green Farm is to develop the PRE Horse into one of the world’s top sport horse breeds, and to become one of the world’s most important breeding operations for equine athletes whose bloodlines are uniquely owned and improved in the United States. The entire HGF team is dedicated to this goal, and all of our activities throughout the year are designed to get us closer, one step at a time.

We have many people to thank for our achievements this past year, and some of their names are mentioned below, while many others work quietly in the background. We want all those who’ve contributed to our accomplishments this year to know that we recognize you and are grateful for your partnership in this most successful year.

And now, 2009 in review . . .

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[nbsp][nbsp][nbsp] --Courtney and Grandioso

[nbsp][nbsp][nbsp] [nbsp][nbsp][nbsp] After close to ten months training together, Courtney King Dye introduced Grandioso to international competition in Wellington in February. At their first show, the results improved with each class, with the pair placing 6th in the PSG, 2nd in the Inter I, and 1st in the Freestyle. They later went on to win both small tour classes at the CDI in Wayne, IL, cementing Grandioso’s invitation to the Festival of Champions at Gladstone in June. A rained-out show prevented the 3rd and final class to distinguish between the many closely scoring Intermediare 1 competitors, but Courtney and Grandioso never-the-less finished Fifth at these National Championships.
[nbsp][nbsp][nbsp] Following Gladstone, Courtney is focused completely on Grandioso’s training for the Grand Prix. A USET clinic this past fall with Kyra Kirkland was particularly helpful and gave Courtney the chance to be assessed by one of the most masterful international trainers. We look forward to an eventual introduction of Grandioso to the Grand Prix ring sometime in 2010.
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[nbsp][nbsp][nbsp] --Continued Success for HGF’s Older Stallions

[nbsp][nbsp][nbsp] [nbsp][nbsp][nbsp] Two of HGF’s foundation stallions—Idilio and Camaron—well known to the HGF family, returned to the show ring in 2009 with renewed success and potential.[nbsp] Camaron’s job last winter season was to introduce Ana Gilmour to the high level of competition in Wellington. The pair rode against many more athletic and larger moving horses, but their correctness and harmonious presentation put them in the top three in all but a few classes all season long. Ana and Camaron finished the year with a First Place for Open Third Level for the USDF/USPRE All Breeds Program.
[nbsp][nbsp][nbsp] [nbsp][nbsp][nbsp] With the help of Lendon Gray, Maria Lithander reworked some of the issues that had developed in HGF Champion Sire Idilio’s FEI training, to the point where Idilio was ready to go back into the show ring in the later part of the season last winter. Work in relaxation and throughness, as well as overall fitness, paid off as the pair topped several classes against some very accomplished horses and riders. Idilio’s PSG scores to 72% last winter placed them in the top 15 horses nationally at the end of the year USDF National Rankings.

[nbsp][nbsp][nbsp] --HGF Debuts Encanto in Spain with National Title

[nbsp][nbsp][nbsp] [nbsp][nbsp][nbsp] Another major highlight for HGF and our breeding program took place in Spain in 2009 with the achievement of Reserve National Champion Developing Horse by HGF-bred Encanto and Daniel Martin. Seven year old Encanto (Evento x Cantora XVI), ridden and trained by Daniel Martin in Malaga, began his show career with three national shows at PSG-Inter 1. Encanto was sent to Daniel in the Spring of 2007 for training, with the goal of having an HGF-bred and co-owned horse to sponsor at the upper levels. Daniel and Encanto made a stunning debut, winning or placing in the top three at large shows in the South of Spain, prior to becoming the only PRE Horse to medal at the National Young Horse Championships in Vejer in October.

[nbsp][nbsp][nbsp] --HGF Young Horses in the Show Ring

[nbsp][nbsp][nbsp] [nbsp][nbsp][nbsp] At home, Maria Lithander and Ana Gilmour brought out three young horses at Training Level. All three maintained averages close to or well above 70% in Wellington and Traverse City.[nbsp] Adelante, with Maria, was the USDF All Breeds Open Training Level Champion with a median score of 70.4. These young horses are continuing to train with Maria and Lendon Gray, and will be seen again in the ring later in 2010.

[nbsp][nbsp][nbsp] --USDF Sport Horse Breed Classes, Traverse City and Devon

[nbsp][nbsp][nbsp] [nbsp][nbsp][nbsp] HGF young stock continued to do well at USDF Sport Horse Breeding Classes. At Traverse City, HGF’s Decoroso was Champion Stallion and Reserve Champion Young Horse, and Idolo Americano was High Score for the entire show. At Devon, Decoroso and Martin Schaudt’s Icono finished Fourth and Fifth Place respectively in the Open Three Year Old Stallions and Geldings Class. Icono went on to win the inaugural PRE Class at Devon, sponsored by USPRE.

[nbsp][nbsp][nbsp] --USEF Dressage Owner National Ranking #12

[nbsp][nbsp][nbsp] [nbsp][nbsp][nbsp] For the first time ever, Hampton Green Farm is ranked at the very top of the United States Equestrian Foundation’s National Dressage Owner Rankings, placing #12 out of 7625 owners. Rankings are achieved via a system where points are earned for placement within each class, with size and type of class taken into account.[nbsp]

[nbsp][nbsp][nbsp] --Michigan Breeding Operation

[nbsp][nbsp][nbsp] [nbsp][nbsp][nbsp] Under the experienced and watchful eye of Breeding Manager Sandy Talbot and her staff, HGF mares safely delivered all healthy foals in 2009 and another group were successfully bred for 2010. Breedings in 2009 were by Bolero and Cosaco, producing many beautiful strong bay colts and several lovely fillies out of daughters of Idilio. HGF Michigan also played host to many new friends and PRE fans this past year, including Scott Hassler, Pam Nelson, Heidi Guian, David and Ulla Sonshine, Laurie Forbes, and more.

[nbsp][nbsp][nbsp] --HGF Horses Around the Country and the World

[nbsp][nbsp][nbsp] [nbsp][nbsp][nbsp] In spite of a poor economy, HGF horses continue to sell, particularly as soon as they are started under saddle. This past year, many of our young stock left for their new homes in places as far away as Christ Church, New Zealand (Carmen and Bibiana), Stuttgart, Germany (Icono and Genio), Bedford, New York (Icaro), Ontario, Canada (Iliado) or as close as Kalamazoo, Michigan (Innato) and Wellington, Florida (Infanta and Huelvana). We’ve seen an increased interest in mares for riding and will be starting a group of three-year old sport mares this summer.

2010 Here We Come!

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[nbsp][nbsp][nbsp] This year we are looking forward to an increased presence in International competition: Courtney with both of her horses, Grandioso and Cuatrero; Maria and Idilio, and Daniel with Encanto at the Sunshine Tour.[nbsp]
[nbsp][nbsp][nbsp] With Ana Gilmour now working as the head of her own training business following her USDF Trainer’s Certification, Maria Lithander is developing her team as they bring along the young horse program. We expect to be a steady presence in the lower level classes throughout the year.
[nbsp][nbsp][nbsp] Lendon Gray’s influence is primary at HGF. She will be continuing her monthly private clinics at HGF, as well teaching several of her own students, including Rachel Chowanec and Annie Morris, on HGF-bred or imported horses. We are also exploring ways to expand our support of Dressage4Kids through events, fundraisers, and training opportunities.
[nbsp][nbsp][nbsp] Hampton Green will be a presenting sponsor again this year at Dressage by the Bay in Traverse City in July. We just simply can’t think of a better place to be in July than Traverse City, Michigan! Come see what it’s all about!

[nbsp][nbsp][nbsp] Finally, whenever we go through this exercise we always return to what matters most to us: the quality of our horses’ lives and care, the interaction we have with our friends and co-workers, and the priority we give to our families, biological as well as what we call the HGF Family. We are grateful to work, laugh, cry, share, celebrate and pick up the pieces with all of the dear people who believe in what we do and who share the vision. We look forward to another year of hard work and steps forward—together.

God Bless in 2010!

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