Ups and Downs

Well once again it has been far too long since I last updated the news. Spring in the NW eventing community was started on a very sad note with the death of Robert Leyen. His passing hit everyone at Aspen Farms very hard as we had all come to rely on and enjoy his presence and sense of humor in the barn. I still find myself looking for him at the events only to sadly realize I will not find him. Montana especially was not the same without Robert, his family and Marge. We all miss him dearly. Every time I have a great xc ride I think of Robert and the grin on his face as he galloped around on Marge, waving and chatting to the crowd as he went!.Robert took a keen interest in and was very supportive of the students of Aspen Farms and I think he would be proud of their accomplishments this season. Some of the highlights the 2008 season were; Chelsey Sevigny rode Aeorlite to a 1st place finish at AFHT on a dressage score of 18.4. Laura Johnson and Simon Says won the OI division at WIPC HT Jonathan and Chelsey Sevignys Independence, 1st place WIPC HT Lindsey Scharmachs Forbidden won the 4 year old Young Event Horse at Rebecca Farm while Ellen Guthries Ideal Life was 2nd in the 5 year old section, both with myself aboard. Forbidden was also 3rd in the ON at RF. Tiger Time and I won his first ever event at RF in the ON. Lexy Funk and her lovely new horse, Notting Hill, won the Training at RF Ellen Guthrie was 4th in the ON aboard Sunny and had a very successful first novice on Ideal Life. Whitney Weston won her division of Training at RF with Ginn Fizz, purchased from Hawley Bennett. Anne Rowland and Aviator were 3rd in the JN at RF and had a personal best performance in all three phases at Caber. Chauncy and I finished 10th in his first CCI*, 6th in his CIC* and most recently were 3rd in the OP at Caber. Hunterville, owned by Kate Pond, ridden by myself, was 7th in his first OI at RF and was brilliant XC over quite a challenging track. Josh Lacy finished 3rd in the JT at Caber Farms with a great XC ride. Char Paashe and Aspen were 3rd in the ON at Caber. Jonathan and Whitney Westons Royal Heights were 3rd in the OT at Caber. Alisa Sprouffske and Tonga Coral placed 8th in the BN at Caber. It has been great to see everyone riding so well. Horses sold by Aspen Farms have also had good results including Alexa Perkiel and Cover Charge (Taos) with several placings at the prelim level and Sarah Clancy and Piko with a 5th place and a 1st place in their first 2 novices. Aspen Farms Horse Trials was a great success again this time, with much improved weather conditions! Everyone seemed to enjoy our version of the team competition, and we certainly enjoyed watching it so I think we will keep the format for events to come. Plans are being made for changes to the course for next year as well as additions of new parking and stabling areas. We are planning for spring and fall events next year. We are very lucky to have such an amazing group of volunteers, thank you very much to each of you! It will be the last quiet fall here at Aspen Farms before the start of the fall event so Jon and I are taking advantage and joining Jean and Jim Moyer for a trip to Germany in October. I am sure we will see many fantastic horses and wish we were staying longer! We will be joining friends at a wedding out east instead of competing at NW so we wish everyone the best of luck there. I will do my best not to let another 6 months go by before the next news post!!!