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News & Horses: "Fruitport"

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News Articles

Major Donation of Hampton Green Farm to Lilley Cares Announced

Kimberly Van Kampen, Spring Lake resident and entrepreneur, announced today that she will donate her 185-acre equestrian property, Hampton Green Farm, in Fruitport to Lilley Cares, the Spring Lake nonprofit founded in 2020.  The turn-over will be complete by mid-summer 2024 when all Hampton Green horses will move south to Ocala, Florida where Van Kampen is establishing a new location for them.   Founded in 1997, Hampton Green Farm has been home to a world-class PRE (Pura Raza Española) breeding program and training facility, and has been a fixture in Fruitport for over 20 years.  In recent years, the farm has served as a venue for local nonprofits to use as a place to hold its events and galas.  The farm has also been a center of equestrian training and sport, focusing on young riders, holding multiple clinics and horse shows.  "During the recession when nonprofits began to struggle, I felt there was more we could do to get them through those tough times," said Ms Van Kampen.  She and her team developed a program called “On The House” to invite nonprofits to the farm and hold their annual events.  Ms Van Kampen and her family foundation paid most of the expenses to allow nonprofits to continue to meet their mission, and get through the lean times.   That program is still active at Hampton Green albeit less active.  "We had events every single summer weekend for a long time," said Ms Van Kampen, "and it was amazingly successful. This was the seed for our plan today: to continue to serve both the equestrian and the nonprofit community but turning over the keys to a nonprofit close to my heart who understands the efforts and will keep it alive." The executive director of Lilley Cares is Joan Mack who was the business manager at Hampton Green until she retired in 2018.  Ms Mack not only understands the "On The House" program, but she managed it in those early busy years.   "I am excited to manage this farm I love so much, and know so well, as well as continue the mission we had when we started our nonprofit efforts in 2008," said Ms Mack.   "I plan to bring horses back -- not Hampton Green horses of course, but horses from other programs, and see horses grazing these fields again."  It will be the mission of Lilley Cares to keep the farm as a nonprofit organization, according to Ms Mack, serving the nonprofit community.  "Of course, to keep the lawns mowed and the lights on we will host weddings here as well as take on boarders in the barns," said Mack, "but our overall mission will be as 501c3 serving other charities." Ms Van Kampen has bred the Spanish horse PRE with major success, sending her horse Grandioso to two Olympics, London and in Rio de Janeiro.  Hampton Green Farm has a second location in Ocala, Florida where Ms Van Kampen has decided to focus her future breeding and competition efforts.  "It is time to focus on one location and Ocala with its World Equestrian Center will be the place for me and my horses and team to direct our work toward our continued goals of world-class breeding and dressage competition.  Two large farms over 1300 miles apart has stretched our resources and I decided that staying in Ocala and expanding our farm here is best for me and my family."  Ms Van Kampen reports that her investments of time and treasure in Spring Lake will continue.  "I have a beloved home in Spring Lake," she said, "and my family gathers here annually.  I will never leave West Michigan completely.  The difference is that my horses won't need to go back and forth, I can come to Michigan and enjoy my time here and not work quite so hard." She continued:   "Donating Hampton Green Farm to Lilley Cares is the culmination of a dream of mine: turning this beautiful farm into a nonprofit venue and a place to work with our local charities who do so much for this community.  This decision is so much better than selling the property and losing its mission."   The plan, according to Hampton Green Farm representatives, is to invite other nonprofit equestrian organizations to come to HGF and hold events, to bring their people together to focus on their mission, as well as continuing to offer the farm and a place for events and clinics.  "We've had some great events out here," said Ms Van Kampen, "some have been coming every year for over 10 years.  We want to keep those relationships alive and healthy."   Lilley Cares will take over management of the farm in the summer of 2024.  Nonprofits interested in holding events at Hampton Green Farm are encouraged to contact Joan Mack through the Lilley Cares website.  "We don't have all the details in place yet," reported Mack, "but we hope to be ready to host events by July 2024." Press release posted on LilleyCares.com see https://www.lilleycares.com/post/major-donation-of-hampton-green-farm-to-lilley-cares-announced

Lendon Youth Dressage Festival Returns to Michigan at Hampton Green Farm, June 28-30, 2019

The annual summer Youth Dressage Festival at Hampton Green Farm in Fruitport, Michigan, will again feature the direction and teaching of founder Lendon Gray, in addition to some very special guests. Now in its ninth year, the Lendon Youth Dressage Festival Midwest has maintained the three day format, featuring a two-day intense clinic for more advanced riders, kown as the TEAM clinic, followed by a one-day three-part competition open to all riders, regardless of level or dressage experience. Sunday's all-youth horse show is open to any rider under 21, and consists of 3 divisions: Written Test, Dressage Test, and Equitation Test. Modeled after the highly successful LYDF held every summer in New York, the Midwest version is a one-day event, preceded by a Saturday night Exhibitor's Dinner featuring United States Developing Grand Prix Trainer Charlotte Bredahl (more about Charlotte below...)! Dates are: Friday and Saturday, June 28-29: TEAM Clinic with Lendon Gray and others Saturday night, June 29: Exhibitors Party—Friends and Parents Invited, Featuring Charlotte Bredahl Sunday, June 30: Lendon Youth Dressage Festival Midwest, 3-Part Competition Where: Hampton Green Farm, Fruitport, MI www.hamptongreenfarm.com The following speakers and commentators will be involved with this year’s event: Lendon Gray, Founder and President of Dressage4Kids: Two-time Olympian Lendon Gray believes dressage is for every horse and rider. Generous, outspoken, and pragmatic, Lendon has devoted her energies to the improvement of all riders (not just the privileged ones) and all horses (even the littlest ones). With the goal that all youths might learn how to become not just better riders, but all-around horsemen, Lendon established Lendon’s Youth Dressage Festival (formerly known as the Northeast Junior/Young Rider Championships) in 1999. Lendon will be training and lecturing to the riders throughout the weekend, as well as overseeing all of the Divisions. Saturday Night Speaker and Dressage Commentator: Charlotte Bredahl is a 1992 Bronze Medalist on the US Olympic Dressage Team, FEI 4* Judge, and new USEF Grand Prix Developing Team Coach. Charlotte works closely with US Senior Dressage Team Trainer Debbie McDonald to produce quality pairs for future United States Team potential. Formerly part of the team of Youth Trainers for USEF, Charlotte has a special passion for young riders and their educational progress. Sunday afternoon Lecturer: Since her childhood riding horses in Spain and following her university studies in communications,Lily Foradohas quickly established herself as an international photojournalist of dressage, becoming an integral player in the promotion of the sport through outstanding photography of the most briliant competition and behind-the scenes-moments between horse and rider. She attends all of the Dressage Championships in Europe and around the world and has received her press credentials for the Tokyo Olympics. We look forward to having Lily Forado with us and having her share her unique experiences, relationships, and lessons learned. Dressage Judge:Merrilyn Griffin, USEF “r” Dressage Judge Equitation Judge: Barbara Crossmyer Reis LYDF Midwest Prizelist and Entry Form now available on the Home Page of this website. Read all information carefully! TEAM riders must apply through the Dressage4Kids website. Information and application available athttps://dressage4kidsorg.presencehost.net/programs/team-program.html All TEAM Riders MUST enter the LYDF on Sunday, June 30.

Idolo Americano 2003-2019

We regret to announce the passing of a member of the HGF family, Idolo Americano. The 16 year old PRE gelding was bred and born in Fruitport Michigan, by Idilio II out of Escapada. Idolo was an impressive young stallion with promise. In 2007 he was the recipient of the Born in America award for top placing US-born stallion at the Devon Breed Show, typically dominated by warmbloods. He went on to be trained by Maria Lithander, who took him to a Region II Reserve Championship at Second Level, then on to Courtney King Dye and Jose Daniel Martin Dockx in Spain. He returned to the United States as a gelding and proceeded to take a number of HGF working students to their first CDIs, USDF training conferences, Palm Beach Derby high point awards and more. His riders over the years included Rachel Chowanec and Katja Creswick. But it was in the hands of Sophia Schults that Idolo found his best partner. They progressed through the international Junior levels to the Young Rider levels, competing regularly at Global Dressage, and in 2018 participating in a NAJYRC and Festival of Champions. Known for an amazing piaffe and passage, Idolo was a generous teacher to all his riders. He passed away last night suddenly after a brief struggle with colic. He was in the hands of the veterinarians and did not suffer. We are all feeling his loss.

Vaquero HGF: First American-Bred Horse to Medal at SICAB

Vaquero HGF: First American-Bred Horse to Medal at SICAB Throughout the year, the PREs of Spain compete in rated dressage shows for qualification in the year-end Copa ANCCE (Breeders Cup) Finals. The top 12 ranked horses of each division are invited to compete against each other for two days at SICAB—the highly visible (un-rated) Dressage Finals held in conjunction with the annual Breed Finals for PRE horses, sponsored by the National Association of PRE Breeders in Spain. Vaquero HGF went into the competition in solid first place in the rankings—having earned his qualifying scores at CDIs at Sunshine Tour, Toledo and other shows. A panel of national judges working at SICAB put him 7th on Day One and 2nd on Day Two, for a finish with the national title of Bronze for the Copa ANCCE 2013 in the 6 Year Old Dressage Division. This is the first time that a PRE horse bred on American soil has achieved such an honor at the annual national celebration of PRE breeders in Spain. Vaquero is a 2007 PRE stallion by Cuatrero IV out of Encina HGF, born at HGF in Fruitport, Michigan. He was sent to Spain in 2010 to begin his training with Daniel Martin Dockx. Together the pair has finished as the top PRE in the official Young Horse Championships of Spain in 2012 and 2013. They are ranked 6th overall (out of 80) at year-end in the RFHE 6 Year Old rankings for Spain, and first among PREs. Daniel and Vaquero are preparing for the Small Tour next year. Photo Credit: TopIberian.com

Summer News at HGF

June is here and HGF Michigan is ready! Spring cleaning is wrapping up just in time for the arrival of our students for their summer program and the last shipment of horses from Florida. Friends from around the country-- and the world-- have planned their summer trips to Fruitport to attend the special events and see the young stock. Four of six 2012 foals are on the ground and Mare Manager Sandy Talbot says they are a strong and lively group. Joan is busy attending to the final plans for over 14 special events to be held at HGF, not least of which is the Lendon Youth Dressage Festival Midwest and the concurrent Emerging Dressage Athlete Clinic in July. Mark your calendars for these important summer dates: Dressage Shows: June 7-10 Fritzens Schindlhof June 22-24 Traverse City June 21-24 Rotterdam July 4-8 Aachen July 10-11 EDAP at HGF July 12 LYDF Midwest August 2-9 London Olympic Games Clinics at HGF*: June 22-23 Lendon Gray June 13-14 Lendon Gray July TBA Lendon Gray TBA Courtney King-Dye *Contact the office if you are interested in riding in any of these clincs. Dressage4Kids Dinner with Robert Dover and Lendon Gray (Open to Public): Wednesday, July 11--6.00 pm $20.00 per person (All proceeds benefit Dressage4Kids) RSVP--231-865-6000

Robert Dover and Dr. Hilary Clayton to Headline the Lendon Youth Dressage Festival Midwest in Michigan

Hampton Green Farm in Fruitport, Michigan, is pleased to announce that Robert Dover will be the speaker at the LYDFM Exhibitor's Dinner on Wednesday, July 11. Robert Dover is the most honored dressage athlete in the United States--a multiple-Olympic and World Equestrian Games medalist for the United States Dressage Team, former Team Trainer for Canada, and founder of the Equestrian Aid Society. His latest passion is the Emerging Dressage Athlete Program, which he founded in early 2011 with Olympic riders Lendon Gray and Courtney King-Dye as a venue to identify and develop potential international talent among America's youth riders. Robert is based in Wellington, Florida, and operates a training business that takes him around the world, in addition to hosting a weekly radio program and daily blog dedicated to issues pertinent to equestrians. HGF is honored also to have Dr. Hilary Clayton as the Educational Lecturer on Thursday afternoon of the LYDFM. Dr. Clayton is the first incumbent of the Mary Anne McPhail Dressage Chair in Equine Sports Medicine at Michigan State University's College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Clayton is a faculty member in the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences and holds academic appointments in the Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and the Department of Materials Science and Mechanics in the College of Engineering. As a veterinarian and researcher, Dr. Clayton's studies on the biomechanics of equine gait have focused on sport horses, including dressage and jumping horses. Some recent work has included videographic studies of Olympic dressage and jumping events and kinematic and kinetic research with some of the world's top dressage riders and horses in the Netherlands. The Lendon Youth Dressage Festival Midwest is a one-day version of the LYDF held every summer in New York--a three-phase competition encompassing a Written Test, a group Equitation class and an individual Dressage test--for youth riders 21 years old and younger. LYDFM Exhibitor's Dinner is open to the public and will function as a fund-raiser for Dressage4Kids. Date: Wednesday, July 11 Time: 6.30 PM Place: Hampton Green Farm, 5440 E. Farr Road, Fruitport, MI 49415 Cost: $20.00 RSVP: 231-865-6000

Time to Register for the Lendon Youth Dressage Festival Midwest and HGF EDAP Clinic

Time to Register for the Lendon Youth Dressage Festival Midwest and HGF EDAP Clinic Registration is now open for the Lendon Youth Dressage Festival Midwest, Thursday July 12 at Hampton Green Farm in Fruitport, Michigan. LYDF Midwest is a one-day version of the internationally acclaimed youth dressage festival held annually in New York. This is the second year of the Midwest version, and this year's show is shaping up to be unforgettable! We are pleased to announce Special Guest Robert Dover--6 time US Olympian, former Canadian National Dressage Coach and co-founder of the EDAP program--for the Wednesday evening dinner speaker and dressage commentator on Thursday. USEF "I" Judge Natalie Lamping will be our dressage judge for the day, with many of the Midwest's dressage trainers also on hand to assist and evaluate riders. LYDF is open to all riders who turn 21 in 2012 and younger. The competition consists of three divisions: a written test based on the LYDF reading list; a dressage test, and an equitation test. Special awards are presented for Best Turn-Out, Best Pony and Breed, Top Scoring Young Trainer, and more. The 2012 HGF EDAP clinic will be conducted two days prior to LYDF Midwest (Tuesday and Wednesday, July 10-11), and all EDAP riders will be required to participate in LYDF. The Emerging Dressage Athlete Program (EDAP)--founded by Olympians Lendon Gray, Robert Dover and Courtney King-Dye--is a series of invitational clinics for youth riders of distinction held around the country. Riders must apply on-line at and submit a video. At the end of the year, 12 riders will be selected to attend the week-long Robert Dover Horsemanship Week in Wellington, Florida. LYDF Midwest Prizelist and Entry Forms are now posted at the links on this Home Page. Register now as space is limited.

Lendon Youth Dressage Festival Midwest 2013--Prize List Now Available

The 2013 Lendon Youth Dressage Festival Midwest, held annually at Hampton Green Farm in Fruitport, Michigan, will begin accepting entries on 1 May. This year's Festival will be held on Sunday, June 23--preceded by the Emerging Dressage Athlete Clinic on June 21-22. We will be making more exciting announcements in the coming weeks, but MARK YOUR CALENDARS, bring your HORSE, TRAINER, and MOM AND DAD, and plan to be a part of this exciting annual YOUTH EVENT! Details below: Lendon Youth Dressage Festival Midwest (LYDFM) What: A one-day version of the Lendon Gray Youth Festival: a highly successful equitation and dressage show for riders under 21 at all levels. To be held on June 23, 2013 at Hampton Green Farm in Fruitport, Michigan. Featuring top international riders as judges, lecturers and commentators. 3 Divisions--a Written Test, a Dressage Test, and an Equitation Test. All ages and levels welcome. Teams may also compete. For more information, see Prize List above or . When: June 23 Where: Hampton Green Farm, MI Special Events: D4K Dinner with a Dressage VIP (to be announced) on Saturday, June 22 Emerging Dressage Athlete Clinic (EDAP) What: A two-day intensive training clinic with Lendon Gray for riders who are selected via application. Riders are selected based on a riding video, copies of tests, an application letter and recommendations. To apply see http://dressage4kids.com/Emerging%20Dressage%20Athlete%20Program.htm When: June 21-22 Where: Hampton Green Farm, MI Special Events: All EDAP riders are expected to attend the D4K Dinner and are expected to compete in the LYDF Midwest on Sunday, June 23.

Four Year Old Vaquero HGF Finishes in Top Five PREs at Spanish National Young Horse Championships

This past weekend in Almeria Spain, Vaquero HGF competed in his second horse show with notable results. He and his rider Daniel Martin Dockx placed in the top five PREs nationally at the Four Year Old Level, and in the top ten for the Four Year Old Championship overall. The first class of the competition had close to 60 horses and was divided into two days. Following the Preliminary Test, fifteen horses would move on to the Finals. Vaquero placed 13th with a score of 6.9. In the Final Test, Vaquero moved up significantly to 7th place with a score of 72.6, giving him a cumulative score of 248.7 and a 9th place overall, and 5th of the PRE Horses nationally at that level. Vaquero is a 2007 gray PRE colt by Cuatrero IV out of Encina HGF (Idilio), born at HGF in Fruitport, Michigan. In late 2010 as a three year old, Vaquero and his pasture mate, Conquero HGF, traveled to Spain to be in training with Daniel Martin. Conquero has yet to be shown. Both horses will continue their training with Daniel at Hipica Dana. Video of the ride and the rest of the Championship can be seen at TopIberian:http://www.topiberian.com/index.php?option=com_seyret[&]Itemid=67[&]task=videodirectlink[&]id=5315[&]lang=es

Lendon Youth Dressage Festival Midwest and the Emerging Dressage Athlete Clinic Bring Aspiring Dressage Stars to Hampton Green Farm

For three days last week, Fruitport Michigan was the place to be for top youth talent and young equestrians with big dreams. On Friday and Saturday, 11 hand-picked riders participated in the first ever Emerging Dressage Athlete Section A Clinic. This program was conceived last winter by three Olympians--Robert Dover, Lendon Gray and Courtney King-Dye--and patterned after the successful program of the same name for young Jumpers. The 11 riders, all under 21 years old and all young women, were given an exam on the first morning based on a reading list, and then two in-depth riding sessions each with Lendon Gray and/or Courtney King-Dye. The riders came from Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, Florida and New York to participate, hoping to be selected for the Section B clinic in November in Wellington with Robert Dover. Not all of the riders were able to bring their own horses, and so mounts were loaned to them from various owners. The level of work was high and the atmosphere intense, but all 11 rode their very best and took away invaluable lessons for the future. Many of the riders brought their own trainers from home, who were able to interact with the clinicians during each session. A dinner on Saturday evening ended with an extended question and answer session between the riders, their trainers and Courtney and Lendon. On Sunday, the clinic riders joined other local riders ages 8 to 21 for the Lendon Youth Dressage Festival Midwest--a one-day competition that involved three components: a written exam, a dressage test, and an equitation class. In spite of a long weekend for some and a demanding show day for all, the enthusiasm among the riders, trainers and parents remained high and the day ended with many awards and personal bests. Congratulations to our Champions and all participants! Our thanks to our staff, volunteers and sponsors for making this possible: Show Manager: Lyn Kendall Show Secretary: Maureen Sharp Assistant Manager: Marilyn Fahringer Dressage Judge: Colleen Haveman HGF Staff led by Joan Mack and Sandy Talbot Parents and Trainers Millbrook Tack Coopersville Hardware [&] Feed A1 Tents West Michigan Veterinary Clinic Ver Duins Printing Sunset Valley Horse Stalls DressageDaily.com Jen Kaiser and Baker College and her nursing students Sycamore Lane Farrier Lendon Gray and Courtney King-Dye Results: Grand Champion (sponsored by Millbrook Tack): Megan Heeder 239.32 Reserve Grand Champion (Sponsored by Millbrook Tack): Chelsea Reed 227.89 Division One (15 and Under) Champion: Chelsea Reed and Lentisco 227.89 Division One Reserve Champion: Chelsea Reed and Kabileno 225.49 Division Two (16 and Older) Champion: Megan Heeder and Simpatico 239.32 Division Two Reserve Champion: Elizabeth Mauer and Wynshire's Valiant 223.58 Millbrook Tack Turn-Out Champion: Emily Gillispie and Goodnight Moon USPRE Champion: Chelsea Reed and Lentisco Hampton Green Farm Young Horse Champion: Megan Levine and Rhomann Coopersville Hardware and Feed Volunteer Award: Jim Guthrie

Lendon Youth Dressage Festival Midwest, with Courtney King-Dye, and Emerging Dressage Athlete Program Clinic, August 5-7

Hampton Green Farm will be the location of the first Lendon Youth Dressage Festival held in the Midwest, as well as the first regional "Section A" Clinic for the new Emerging Dressage Athlete Program, both events to be held during the weekend of August 5-7 at HGF's Fruitport, Michigan farm. Courtney King-Dye will be a Special Guest and Judge. The regional "Setion A" Clinic on Friday and Saturday is for dressage riders under 21 who are interested in working with Lendon Gray and qualifying for the invitational "Section B" sessions in Wellington, Florida with Robert Dover and Courtney King-Dye. (See ). Interested applicants must apply on-line at . The Lendon Youth Dressage Festival Midwest will be held on Sunday and is open to all riders of any discipline under 21. A mini-version of the original, the LYDF Midwest is modeled after the highly successful LYDF held every year in New York in July, which annually draws over 250 youth riders from the United States, Canada and South America and which brings aspiring equestrians together with top judges and professionals who judge them in three categories: A Written Test, Equitation and Dressage. The Prize List for the the LYDF Midwest will be posted on this site shortly and Entry Forms will be available on-line or by emailing . A special dinner on Friday night, August 5, will be a Q and A with Olympian Courtney King-Dye, and open to all her fans. (Cost is $20.00 per person/ RSVP to the HGF office.) For directions and lodging information, see Call the office for more information, and plan to join us for this very special weekend!

Spring News

April and May are traditionally quiet months at HGF in Wellington as the horses wind down from their show season in Florida and the riders take a breather. In April, Ana Gilmour attended her last two weekend seminars as she prepares for her USDF Trainers Certification exam this summer. Maria is experimenting with some play piaffe and passage exercises with the three younger horses, with help on the ground from Juan Matute. We plan to do one more smaller show in Florida before the horses ship up to Michigan on the 20th.As the weather warms up for Spring in Fruitport, our attention turns to our mares and babies. In April, HGF Michigan was the site for PRE Studbook Revision for 11 horses from around the area--five from HGF--- and all passed the keen evaluation of ANCCE vet Ana Gragera. All the young horses are now turned out round the clock and are enjoying the warmer temperatures by rough-housing with their pasture mates and even jumping the occasional fence. Our summer staff is getting ready to work with our large group of two to four year olds who will either begin or continue their education in manners and equitation.We are expecting a good group of babies this year from sires Bolero and Cosaco. The mares are in good health and we should have offspring on the ground in June. Our wonderful vets from West Michigan Veterinary Service pride themselves on 100% accuracy in ultrasound gender prediction--and they have never been wrong at HGF. This year we are expecting one of our largest crops of boys, including a number of bays (castanos) with the most desirable performance bloodlines out of Spain and at HGF--Albero II (Grandioso/Adelante/Cuatrero), Remache (Camaron), and Utrerano (Bolero). Our grays will feature the champion dressage bloodlines of both Cosaco and Idilio, and we expect males and females.Finally, HGF is happy to support and promote the PRE Expo at the end of May in City of Industry, California. We plan to attend this event, hosted by USPRE, which will bring together the largest group of PRE breeders and stock in the country. For more information, see http://www.feriadelcaballoespanol.com/. Upcoming May dates: May 15-17 Grandioso and Courtney at Lamplight CDI in St. Charles, IL May 16-17 May Dressage in Wellington May 21 Stallions arrive in Michigan May 29-31 PRE Expo Check back to stay updated on all our news and activities. Happy Spring!

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