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Our
trip to Batavia, Ohio for the 2007 100 Day Stallion Test started early
in the morning on July 29th at Three Horse Ranch in Eagle, Idaho.
"Jack" (Imparable's barn name) looked at us with curiosity
as we drove up with the trailer. Even though he is a stallion, he
has been quiet enough to live in the close proximity of many other
horses. Prior to being at Three Horse Ranch, he spent a year turned
out with 3 of my other geldings. He is very gentle around other horses. |
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Jack
had a nice relaxing walk in Utah where we dropped him off for the
night to meet his traveling buddies from the West coast for the next
few days. We had a long day to drive to Salt Lake and back, but nothing
compared to his drive to Ohio! A trailer with 4 other stallions from
California, Oregon, and Utah arrived late that night to rest before
departing with Jack for the rest of the drive to Paxton Farms. They
left here on the 30th and arrived at Paxton Farms late on the 1st
of August. A total of four days in a trailer . .wow! |
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Friday,
August 3rd marked the first official day of the 100 day test. I presented
him at the walk and trot for his soundness test. Jack was quite the
gentleman despite all of the excitement with the many people, new
surroundings, and new stallions that were arriving. |
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Each
stallion was officially measured and photographed before being presented
to the attending veterinarian, Dr. Scott Strosnider of Lebanon Equine
Hospital. Jack stood quietly for his picture and measurement (17 hands
at the withers . .wow!). |
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I
toted my saddle and equipment thru the airport and onto each plane
so that I could ride him just a few more times before leaving to go
back home. I got lots of strange looks carrying my saddle bag down
the center aisle of the airplane, but it was worth it! Jack was quiet
and willing to go for a ride at his new home away from home! |
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Sept
22nd marked the official halfway point of the 100 day test. 2004 Olympic
Gold Medalist and 2006 Dressage World Champion, Heike Kemmer traveled
here from Germany to work with the stallions and riders for 3 days.
She taught a dressage clinic on the 20th and 21st and provided some
instruction for the horses as they were each ridden for the mid term
presentation on Sept 22nd. For the next two days, she then taught
clinics to outside riders and horses who were able to haul in for
a few days. |
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I
flew in to Columbus on the 19th and drove down to Paxton Farms early
on the 20th. Jack must have known that he would have a busy few days
as he was napping in his stall when I arrived. He looked at me as
if to say "mom, this is hard work!". I was so excited to
see him after 6 weeks! |
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All
ready to go now! |
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Helmut
Schrandt riding Imparable as Heike Kemmer looks on during the first
day of the dressage clinic. We had beautiful weather! |
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Helmut
showing a nicely balanced canter with Imparable. |
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Helmut
and Imparable at a very active trot. Imparable has had another growth
spurt and has gotten butt high again with his hips appearing to be
a least an inch taller than his withers, making it more difficult
for him to show his usual lift in the shoulder. Despite his temporary
downhill conformation, he is still demonstrating some nice openness
in the shoulders. |
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Helmut
has been doing a lot of lateral exercises with Imparable. I have been
very impressed with his lateral suppleness. His ability and willingness
to learn this seems pretty advanced for a three year old. Prior to
arriving at the 100 day test, he was starting to learn to flex to
the inside and to move off of the outside aids. In just a short amount
of time, Helmut has added shoulders in, haunches in, and leg yeilding
to Imparable's repertoire. In this picture, is is particularly interesting
to note how his outside hind leg has crossed over and is stepping
inside next to his front leg. Imparable has always been very light,
responsive and accepting of the bit, so it is no surprise that he
is so accepting of the leg as well. |
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Helmut
warmed him up for a few minutes beforing entering the presentation
arena. What a trot! |
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Wow
can he jump!!! I was so excited to see how incredible his jumping
aptitude is! I had not jumped him at all prior to the 100 day test
because I did not want to risk injury for such a big horse at a young
age. Imparable is in very capable hands with Helmut Schrandt teaching
him to jump. Imparable was incredibly quiet, willing, and steady going
around the course. He naturally showed great striding and balance.
In this picture, you can see how tight his front feet are and how
significantly he is clearing the obstacle. |
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Imparable
really showed us his ability when presented over the bigger and broader
jumps. He is very bold and confident, but not headstrong. It was nice
to see how much he seemed to enjoy this part of his new career as
a sporthorse. Worthy Opponent's mom, Dana Estes, was kind enough to
send me these pictures of him jumping. Her horse is one of the other
very talented stallions at the test. My photography skills are not
so hot, so thank you Dana for sending me these pix! |
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Ekkehard
Brysch of the ISR Oldenburg association presenting Heike Kemmer with
a gift. Thank you Heike for your wonderful contributions to this year's
100 day Stallion Test!!! This has been the first test in North America
since 2004 and also happened to be the 25th anniversay or ISR Oldenburg
NA. What a wonderful association with such kind, helpful, and knowledgeable
people. Thank you to all of the representatives from ISR Oldenburg
and AHS for making this happen! |
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Imparable's
cheering squad during the wine and cheese reception that followed
the mid term presentation of the stallions. Molly, Jeff, and Renee
Morgenstern are my family away from home! It was also nice to see
Tammy Lickliter. We all used to show horses together in Ohio waaaay
back when I used to beinvolved with AQHA prior to returning to my
roots in dressage and jumping. Thanks for your support! |
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I
visited him on October 19 while visiting in town for a friend's wedding.
Today was cross country day for the stallions at the 100 Day Test.
Imparable has really gained some weight and muscle since the mid term
presentation. Don Kapper of Progressive feeds has done an excellent
job of caring for the stallions' dietary needs. It is hard to believe
he is a three year old in this photo! (Helmut is looking towards the
woods because one of the other riders spotted a raccoon!) |
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Imparable
took every jump with confidence, boldness, ease. He is nice and round
in the topline as he peaks over every jump. |
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He
has incredible clearance in both his front legs and hind legs! Imparable
is quite a steady jumper and has been taught very well by the training
director, Helmut Schrandt. |
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Imparable
showed impressive form of every jump. He handled himself around the
course with good manners, accelerating when asked, but staying quiet
and responsive to his rider. I couldn't be happier with his progress! |
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