Sign Up Now For Santa Barbara!

If you are planning to show at the 48th Annual Santa Barbara National Junior/Amateur Horse Show, the time to sign up is now! The "Turkey Show" takes place from Wednesday, November 26 through Sunday, November 30. (Horses will be leaving for Santa Barbara on Monday, November 24.)

November Birthdays...

Let's not forgot to celebrate!

Dan Daniels - November 3
Danielle Moorehouse - November 17
Chase Church - November 17 (Celebrating his 21st Birthday!!!)
Jim Cain - November 20
Kassidy King - November 20
Lauren Winklepleck - November 21
Makenna Grierson -November 24
Allie Abney - November 28

Another photo from "Mama" Metz...

More show photos...

Mary Edwards sends a few more pictures from the Year-End show to share.

The Over 40 Old Horse Show Photo Challenge!!

As we await the next batch of Championship show photos, the ESI Reporter is extending a challenge to all ESI riders, ages 40 and over, to submit MUCH YOUNGER show photos of themselves for posting. If you need help scanning old photos, bring them to Margaret at the barn and she will scan and return them to you. Otherwise, just email your pictures to Margaret.

Remember... you must be 40 or over to play, and the photos should be representative of your younger rider self. Let's show our juniors and young amateurs just how great we looked in "the good old days".

First wave of Championship photos

Proud parents, Jan Metz and Jeff Mixer, are the first to submit pictures from last week's show. Enjoy!

Any more show pictures out there?

The Reporter would love to post more photos from the Champsionship Show. If any of our readers took photos that they would like to share, please email them to Margaret ASAP! Thanks!!!

A Reminder from Notable-Equine

Our good friend from Notable Equine, Jim Cain, has asked to remind our riders (and the family members who love them!) there's still a l-i-t-t-l-e time left to order a unique horse and rider photo collage, like this one of Jennifer and Simpson, for the holidays. For more information and prices, go to "Our Favorite Links" at right and click on www.notable-equine.com.

ALL OUR RIDERS ARE WINNERS!

The Reporter sends out congratulations to every member of the ESI Team who competed at the Year-End Championship Show! Our riders' winnings would fill page after page of this blog. (Check out horseshowtime.com for the final ribbon tally.)

Every bit as important, our riders demonstrated grace under pressure from beginning to end, and proved just how tough they can be when put to a big test. Your trainers, your families and your friends couldn't be prouder of you!

A few highlights from Sunday's wonderful world of equitation classes:

Jennifer brought home the Reserve Champion prize in the Junior Horsemanship Medal and eighth in the Equitation Medal.

Nicole placed eighth in the Junior Horsemanship Medal.

Kathryn placed ninth out of thirty-three riders in the Gobie Jumper Medal. She also placed fifth in the 18 and Over Flat Equitation Class riding baby Rocket, who a-l-m-o-s-t got that second flying change in the work-off. (Note to Kathryn: A lead change is just a lead change unless the judge specifies a flying change!)

Persistence paid off for Gracie who placed fifth in the 11 and Under Open Equitation.

Just before her 11 and Under Maiden Equitation Class class Shea announced that she wanted to win first, second or ninth. (She thinks the ninth place silver ribbons are pretty, silly!) She was all smiles when she picked up that Reserve Champion red one.

Back in the "Espri" ring, named for our very own Studly...

It was back to back Mini-Prix wins for Brandee, this year on Buddy.

Also in the Mini-Prix: Becky and Vigo placed third, Maddie and Romeo placed fourth, Brandee and Argentine placed fifth, Kathryn and Faith placed eighth and Kelsie and Ego placed tenth. Congratulations to all!

Remember those push-ups Kelsie struggled with just a couple of weeks ago? They sure paid off. She and Ego won the bigger Gambler's Choice class and got to ride in the Mini-Prix. (All that at their first horse show together!)

Speaking of first shows together... Britt has plenty to be proud of, bringing home lots of ribbons on both Nadine and her new mount, Seduction. (It wasn't one of her horses, it was Britt's scooter that bucked her on her butt into the mud on Sunday!)

And, it wasn't mud that met Euan's butt in the little Gambler's Choice, it was a pumpkin! (Yes, OCHSA is sending you the bill...) On the other hand, our boy perpetual motion machine did find his inner "quiet place" and brought home a third in the Green Rider Hunter class on Sunday. Go Euan and Gigi!

Wasn't it great to see Jessica and Ladino at the show? It's been a long time since she's gotten away from home and we know she's thrilled with her fourth place tie in the 5 Bar Class.

Honorable mention...

Julie and Zia took giant steps forward in their show career together, appearing in hunters, equitation and a jumper class. Audra "rebooted" her own show career with a good ride in the 18 and Over Flat Equitation Class. To our little bit older amateurs, we salute you for showing up and going for it!

Melissa piloted Fiona successfully around the small Gambler's Choice course and realized just how much her "Baby Green" horse has grown up in one short year... (Good Fiona. You didn't try to buck Melissa off in the Flat Equitation!)

And to Jamie... While the judges didn't pick up on just how great you looked in your Equitation classes, the ESI Reporter sure did! Beyond that, the Good Sport Award goes to you for sharing with Gracie the gift of confidence that IS Amazing Grace .

There's all kinds of winners...

Four short stirrup riders were an important part of the ESI contingent to this year's Champsionship show. Tyla and Makenna, who shared the fine and fiesty little Ginger Snaps pony this week were each experiencing their first show away from home. Talk about nerves and stress. (And that was just their parents!)

Makenna held her own in the Cross Rail Division, as well as the Short Stirrup Equitation Flat and Under Saddle. She loves the pink and purple ribbons she earned in those huge classes every bit as much as if they were blue or red.

Tyla, showing over the bigger fences in the Short Stirrup AND Pony classes got a taste of it all - the runaways and the fly-bys. But, did she let that stop her? No. She owned that ring in the Pony Equitation Over Fences classes! She jumped the first fence from a dead stop and nearly spun herself right off Ginger in a roll-back turn. It wasn't the prettiest Equitation trip on record, but she walked out of the ring to a standing ovation from the audience and an eighth place ribbon.

Gracie had her share of frustration, what with going off course in her Short Stirrup Equitation class, but she came back on Saturday and laid down the prettiest 2' Hunter Classic trip you could ask for. What's so special about that you ask? Well... she and Amazing Grace are still just getting to know each other. Gracie jumped her over their first little course together just a week ago.

Shea had a set-back of her own on Friday. After a face-plant at the sixth fence in her Pony Equitation round, she and her mom made a quick stop at the local ER, just to make sure she was okay. In spite of that, Shea came back strong today and laid down a sixth place winning round in the Short Stirrup Hunters.

These four young ladies are part of the future of hunter/jumper riders. They are brave and tough, and the ESI Reporter salutes them for their great successes at the year-end show!

Saturday's 5 Bar Class goes to 5'6"!

If you weren't there to see it, you might not believe it! Those fences got BIG! It's possible that lots of pictures where taken of this class by loyal ESI amateur photographers. PLEASE send copies to Margaret at her email address and we'll post a few! For now, let it be announced that the class ended in a three way tie for first place, with Romeo and Simpson sitting in two of those top spots, as well as a two way tie between Ladino and Seduction in fourth place. Vigo landed in a two way tie for sixth place and Matinee Idol (Rocket) shared a two way tie for eighth.

Things that may go bump in the night....

It's seems that the ESI barn decorators have taken the Haunted Halloween theme to new heights this year. Every day this week new characters and creatures have appeared, some in front of the tackroom and others lounging at the "bar". Here are a couple of the down-right creepiest!

Friday footnotes

This correspondent has grown a little weary as the show progresses. Tonight's report will cover just a few meritorious awards from today's competition... The tack room photo tells the story that there have been lots of prizes awarded to ESI riders for the past three days!

First, please don't fail to congratulate Maiden Equitation Over Fences 13 and Under Reserve Champion, Megan Mixer, when you next see her. And keep your eyes on Jennifer Berg and Kathyrn Pulford on Sunday. Jennifer was awarded a Top 5 Rider Sash in the first round of the Junior Horsemanship Medal class today and will return to ride in the Sunday final round. Kathryn placed among the Top 10 riders in today's Gobie Jumper Medal, and she too will return Sunday morning to ride in the second round.

Our Jumpers placed "one, two, three" in the Modified Jumper Class today with Argentine in first, Romeo in second and Simpson in third.

Thursday's Highlights

What was THE hot ticket for ESI fans at the Year-End Show today? The Modified Jr/Amateur Jumper Class! Our riders swept the first three places with Argentine and Brandee in first, Vigo and Becky in second, and Nadine and Britt in third. Not to be left out, Kathryn brought home fifth and sixth on Faith and Rocket, and Jennifer and Simpson nailed the eighth spot.

Our Preliminary horses added some bling to the tack room wall, as well. Simpson was third, Romeo was fifth and Nadine was sixth.

Some of our younger riders had their "oops" rounds in equitation today. You don't know what an "oops" round is??? That's the not so great trip you just MUST get out of your system before going on and having a really great show.

It was our 14-17 juniors who carried the Equitation torch today. In the Equitation Over Fences, Jennifer was third, Nicole was sixth and Becky was seventh.

Want to know more about today's classes, especially the results of the Hunt Team class? Go to www.horseshowtime.com!

Another Prize Winning Tack Room?

ESI embraces it's inner Halloween theme again this year! Ghouls and goblins are lurking everywhere. In bright daylight, it's not so scary. Be there Friday night at the Progressive Barn Party to see just how spooky things can get after dark!

Wednesday belongs to Concerto

Concerto was the the big winner at the OCHSA Year-End Championship Show on Wednesday - declared Champion in the Judged 2'9" - 3' Warm-Up class, the Pre-Green Hunters and the Pre-Green Hunters Under Saddle. He and Katie also secured the Reserve Champion spot in Low Hunters.
Amazing Grace took her share of top honors, as well, capturing fifth place in the Judged Warm-up class and third in Low Hunters. Rounding out the hunter prizes were Fiona with a 6th in Pre-Green Hunters and Escada with a 10th in Low Hunters Under Saddle.
In the Jumper Ring, Simpson and Jennifer were Reserve Champion in the Judged Jumper Warm-up 3'-3'3", followed by Nadine and Britt in the 10th. spot. Tenth was also the place that Zia and Brandee secured in the Schooling Jumpers.

OCHSA Year-End Championship Show

The 25th Annual OCHSA Year-End Championship Horse Show
October 15-19, 2008
Blenheim Oaks

Twenty three horses! Twenty riders! Five days to prove that ESI has the best hunters, jumpers, and equitation riders around. Even if you aren't showing, come to the Oaks to cheer your friends on, and don't miss the progressive barn party after the classes finish on Friday night! Also, be sure to check the ESI Reporter often for a list of our Champions.

Say hi to Audra and Noah

Have you been around Katie and John long enough to remember Flynn as a three year old? Did you ever watch Katie show Bailey in Baby Green Hunters? Do you remember John with long hair? If so, then you should remember Audra! After a l-o-n-g absence from the ESI family, Audra has come back to us! You may have seen her first on Kathryn's horse, Faith. Now, you can see her riding her own horse, Noah, back to work after pasture lay-up. If you haven't had the chance to get to know her, do so. You'll love her just as much as all of us old-timers do. Welcome Audra and Noah!

October birthdays

Belated birthday greetings to Jan and Craig Metz who celebrated their birthdays on October 1 and Oct 8, respectively!

And, we must not forget shout outs to three juniors celebrating this month:
Melissa Major on October 11
Kendall Cain on October 20
Shea Metz on October 21

Hope you all have/had a terrific day!

horseshowtime.com is your friend!

Do you know all the things you can do with horseshowtime.com?

Of course you can check on Katie and all your friends when they are away at a show. Find the show, go to "Results" and make your request by horse, rider or trainer. Easy!

Want to know your order of go or get an estimate on your class time. Visit horseshowtime.com after 7:00 p.m. the night before your class, find the show, and use "Class Counts" or "Orders" to get your answers.

Let's say you can't remember what classes you are entered in. Yes, horshowtime.com can give you that information, too! Find the show, go to "Search Results" and make your request by horse or rider. All classes that you are entered in should be shown, even those you've not yet competed in.

What? You haven't made friends with horseshowtime.com yet? Find it on now on "Our "Favorite Links". It's just a click away!

ESI Riders Make Cyber-News

In an email received from "Kimbo" Jaussi it was learned that our riders who participated in the clinic in Greenwich CT with Peter Leone were spotlighted on the Smartpak blog. To read the article go to "Our Favorite Links" and connect with Smartpak.