We bid a fond farewell to 2009...

... and welcome 2010!
The ESI Reporter sends wishes to all of the ESI family
for a most prosperous, safe, healthy and Happy New Year!

Another beautiful Mary Edwards sunset...

...very appropriate as the sun sets on 2009. The Reporter wants to thank Mary for all the many, many photos she has provided over the past year!

Seasons Greetings...

to all from the ESI Reporter!

THE Holiday Party...

By all accounts, this year's ESI Holiday Party was THE party of 2009. (And this group throws a lot of parties!) The ESI Reporter was thrilled to receive these great pictures of the whole gang, taken by our dear friend, Wilma Blakely. "HOLIDAY SEASON 2009" has been officially kicked off by the ESI family!

Two Year-End Videos from Ansley...

Ansley had hoped to show these at the ESI Christmas party, but ran into technical difficulties. Just cut and past them into your browser and enjoy her tremendous efforts!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bs5e3K7-Bjo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUaKy5V-VPY

Don't miss them!

Day 3 Of Anne Kursinski Clinic Group 2...

Day 3 of Anne Kursinski Clinic - Group 1...

Day 2 of Anne Kursinski Clinic...

Once again, thanks to Mary E. for the pictures!

Anne
Kursinski
schools
Ladino...

Day 1 of Anne Kursinski Clinic...

The ESI Reporter send thanks to Mary Edwards for photos from the Anne Kursinski Clinic!

What Happens When You Forget Your Course...

Thanks, Jeff Mixer, for this photo reminder :)

Ortega Tack Says Thank You To ESI...

Fred's Ortega Tack and Feed is throwing an exclusive ESI Holiday Open House on Thursday, December 10, from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm. Food and beverages will be served, and everything in the store will be discounted 10 - 20%! What a great way to party with your ESI friends AND get in a little more Christmas shopping! Don't miss it.

Anne Kursinksi Clinic...

Famed Olympic rider, Anne Kursinski, is holding a clinic for ESI riders on December 4, 5 and 6th. The cost for this unique opportunity to learn from one of the the superstars of the US Olympic Team is $750.00 for all three days. Space is limited. Riders who want to participate should sign up with Katie immediately!

Mark Sunday, December 13th on your calendar...

That's the date of the ESI Christmas party, being held at The Derby, Deli and Dueling Piano Bar in Mission Viejo! For directions to The Derby, go to www.Derbymv.com.
More information on the ESI Social Event of the Season will be available soon from the ESI Reporter!

MaKenna's "Mac and Cheese" Birthday...

Mac and Cheese and Pizza! Does birthday party food get better than that?
The whole ESI gang turned out to help Makenna celebrate her birthday on Sunday!

"Baby it's cold outside..."

Those nighttime temps have been dropping lower and lower. If you haven't already brought your blanket back to the barn, please do so immediately. Your horse will thank you for it!

I.E.L. Shows 3 and 4...

The ESI Reporter apologizes for being a week late in reporting on our band of merry I.E.L. riders. On the weekend of November 7 and 8, Jennifer and Simpson, Euan and Romeo, and Ansley and Casper returned to Blenheim for two more days of competition on the Varsity Jumper level.
On Saturday, Jennifer and Simpson brought home two first place ribbons. Ansley and Casper picked up fourth and eighth place awards, and Euan and Romeo earned third, fourth and ninth place ribbons.
On Sunday, Ansley and Casper placed third, fourth, sixth and ninth in their classes, while Euan collected third, fifth and ninth place ribbons on Romeo.

Congratulations to all three of our ESI riders!

From our friends at Notable Equine...

HOLIDAY PHOTOGRAPHS

Notable Equine/Notable Moments Photography is available for holiday pictures of you, your family, your horse, your pets.

Let's grab some shots at your favorite locations!
Call Jim at 949-439-4039 to schedule your appointment today!

Special package this year includes your on-location shoot and a CD of the pictures for you to have. $249.00
Call today!

Halloween - ESI Style...

...means lots of pumpkin carving! Winning first place was Britt, and Maddie Melsheimer's creation took second. (Both included ESI in their carving.) Our kids never turn down a chance to celebrate together and it looks like, as always, a great time was had by all. Special thanks to Don Major for supplying the pictures!

"Celebrate, Celebrate" November Birthdays...

The fall and winter social season is just getting started. We do not want to forget these special birth dates!
Dan Daniels - Nov. 3
Ally Causky - Nov. 17
Jim Cain - Nov. 20
McKenna Grierson - Nov. 24
Allie Abney - Nov. 28

Make all your friends feel special on their day!

Worming clinic...

The fall worming clinic will take place on Tuesday, October 27 and the barn will be closed on Wednesday, the 28th. Lessons will resume on Thursday.

Mary's Championship Show Youtube Presentation...

Not only did Mary take lots of great pictures at the Championship show, she put together a slide-show for youtube!
Check it out here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8rVDkkBiTg

Sunday's Results...

In the Mini Prix, as previously reported, Buddy was Champion, Ego placed fourth, Romeo, placed sixth, Day Light 99 and Shea W. placed seventh, and Simpson placed eighth. Quite a sweep for the ESI jumper contingent!
In the lower Gambler's Choice, Faith placed first and Razz placed fourth. And, in the higher Gambler's Choice, Ego was Champion again this year, with Seduction taking the Reserve ribbon, Rocket placing third, Ladino placing fourth, Cruising in fifth, Nadine in seventh and Wolfy in eighth.
In the Medal finals... Kelsie placed tenth in the Gobie Jumper Medal. Ally placed fourth in the OCHSA Junior Equitation Medal, and Audra placed second in the OCHSA Senior Equitation Medal.
In the Flat Equitation ring...
MaKenna brought home the seventh place ribbon in her age group Limit Equitation class, and Nina placed ninth in her Novice age group, but brought home the Champion ribbon in Maiden Equitation 15-17. Shea collected the fourth place ribbon in the 15-17 Open Equitation on the Flat, and Audra also collected the white ribbon in the 18 and Over Open Equitation/Flat.

OCHSA Championship Show 2009 was a triumph for all our riders. We couldn't be any prouder of them! Just wait and see what they have to bring in 2010!!!

From the Cains, specially requested by Katie...

Katie entitled this "Mary In the Morning"

Janet sends her Championship photos...

... of Audra in CWD class. And pics from the 5 Bar Class.

From Madison's Facebook album direct to you...

Around the barn at the Championship show...

Our prize winning Costume Class riders...

Also from the "Madison Facebook" collection.

Stolen from Ally's Championship Show Album on Facebook...

The Reporter WILL be doing more "thieving" from Facebook!

Sunday's Championship Show Results...

As off 11:00 a.m. Monday morning, horseshowtime.com has not posted Sunday's results, soooo the ESI Reporter can pass along what was heard at the barn yesterday. Congratulations to Brandee and Buddy on their Mini-Prix win, and to Kelsie and Ego for their fourth place ribbon in that class. And, congrats, as well, to Audra, for placing second in the final round of the OCHSA Adult Horsemanship Medal. Other results will be posted as soon as possible!

Our lead-liner...

Ciara waving at the crowd on James in the OCHSA Championship Show Lead-Line Class.

A correction from Saturday's results...

Sharp-eyed Ansley caught the mistake - maybe because she was a little surprised to read that she had shown in the Walk Trot! It was Aislyn that was third in the Walk Trot Equitation On The Flat, and Majesty brought home the Championship ribbon in the Walk Trot Pleasure!

Mary's Mini Prix pictures from Sunday...

A belated Happy Birthday...

to Mary Edwards who celebrated yesterday (Saturday the 17th)! We know that everyone wishes her many happy returns of the day, and sends her thanks for all the great photos she has provided the ESI Reporter from this and many other horse shows. Happy Birthday Mary, and many, many thanks!

Saturday's Championship Show Results...

Saturday was a great day for our riders at the Championship show!
Ansley and Majesty, their first time at Year-End, brought home a first in Walk Trot Pleasure and third in the Equitation. Our two other pony riders Makenna and Shea brought home their own prizes. Ginger was seventh in the Pony Hunters Under Saddle and Lady was ninth in the Short Stirrup Hunters.
Concerto and Zia were fifth and tenth respectively in the Childrens Hunters, and Concerto and Remington brought home fifth and sixth in the Childrens Hunters Under Saddle. Concerto was also tenth in the 3 Foot Hunter Classic. And, Denmark received the tenth award in the 3 Foot 3 Inch Hunter Classic.
In the first round of the OCHSA Equitation Medal, Ally placed fifth and will go into the final round. Close behind her were Jennifer in eighth place and Kendall in ninth.
In the CWD Flat Equitation Challenge, Makenna placed eighth in the 11 and Under group, Shea Wigert and Nina received sixth and ninth respectively in the 15-17 group, and Audra placed third in the 18 and Over Group.
In the 5 Bar class, Brandee and Buddy brought home the Championship, with Seduction and Casper tying for Reserve Champion. Rocket placed fifth and Romeo was seventh.
Another terrific day for the ESI team at the OCHSA Championship Show!

A few more from Mary on Saturday at Year-End...

Audra, Melissa, Euan, and "the Peanut Gallery" made it into Mary E's photo hit parade today.

Three Jumper Championships at Year-End...

Three Jumper Championship ribbons came home to ESI yesterday at the OCHSA Championship Show. Ally and Razz won their Children's Jumper Class, while Katherine and Faith brought home the tri-color in the AA Jumpers. And, Kelsie and Ego completed the set of three with her win in the Junior/Amateur Jumpers. Additionally, Nadine was third in the Childrens, Rocket was fifth in the AA Jumpers, and Simpson was fifth in the Modified Open Jumpers.
Kelsie and Jennifer placed ninth and tenth respectively in Round 1 of the Gobie Jumper Medal. The final round takes place promptly at 8:00 a.m. Sunday.
In the first round of the OCHSA Horsemanship Medals, Kendall and Melissa placed fourth and fifth in the Junior class, while Audra placed fifth with the Amateurs.
In Pony land, Makenna and Shea placed fourth and sixth respectively in the Short Stirrup Equitation Flat, and MaKenna brought home a ninth in the Pony Equitation Flat.
Not to be excluded, our Junior/ Amateur Hunters Fiona and Cruising place eighth and ninth respectively in their class over fences, and Fiona placed fifth in the Under Saddle.
Another great day for all our riders at the OCHSA Championship Show!

Friday's Championship photos from Mary...

Our pal Mary has been great about getting to the show each day and sending pictures to the Reporter. Here are some of the many she sent today!

Thursdays Championship Show Results...

... as best as the Reporter can make them out from horshowtimes.com :)

In the hunter ring, Remington brought home an eighth place ribbon in the Modified Jr/Amateur Hunters under saddle.

In Equitation, starting with the pony kids, Shea Metz was third and MaKenna was eighth in their Short Stirrup Equitation Over Fences out of a huge class of riders!
Ally was second and Melissa was fifth in the Open Equitation O/F 13 and Under; Shea Wigert was third in 14-17 class, and Audra was seventh in the 18 and Over division. Many of our riders competed in the Hasco Oil Co Junior/Amateur Equitation Classic. We're pleased to announce that Melissa placed fourth in that class, Kendall seventh, and Audra ninth.

As for the jumpers, in Pre-Training, All Razzed Up placed second, Casper sixth and Wolfy, with Euan on board, brought home the seventh. In the Training class, Nadine was fourth and Razz was tenth. In the Modified Jr/Amateur Jumpers, Simpson placed first, Razz placed second, Nadine, placed fourth, Faith placed ninth and Casper tenth. And, in the Preliminary Jumpes, Ego brought home the fifth place ribbon.

Congratulations to all our riders on another great day at the Championship Show!

PS - Can anyone pass along the results of the Hunt Teams to Margaret at the ESI Reporter? Thanks!

Thursdays Photos by Mary from Year-End Show...

Ace photographer, Mary Edwards, was on the scene again on Thursday, capturing moments from the equitation classes and the pony riders preparing for their Hunt Team!

More photos from Wednesday at Year-End...

More Wednesday photos. Ansley, hope it is okay that I stole these from Facebook ;)

Wednesday Results - OCHSA Champsionship Show...

In the Hunter Rings - Concerto was placed first in the Judged 2'9-3' Hunter Warm Up Class, with Denmark placing tenth. Concerto was awarded his own tenth place in the Low Hunters Under Saddle. In the 3' - 3'3" Hunter Warm Up Class, Fiona place fifth and Denmark, again, placed tenth. In the Modified Working Hunters, Fiona placed fifth to Concerto's sixth place ribbon. And, Fiona and Denmark placed eighth and ninth in the Regular Working Hunters. In the Regular Working Hunters Under Saddle it was Concerto, Fiona, Denmark placing seventh, eighth and ninth in a very big class.

In Jumper land, in the Judged Jumper Warm-up 2'6" - 2'9", Remington, Leopold, Leo, Fire and Zia were all in the ribbons. And, in the Judged Jumper Warm-up 3' - 3'3", Ladino and All Razzed Up placed fourth and eighth, respectively. And, finally, in the Schooling Jumpers class, Casper placed tenth.

Keep checking back for results and lots of pictures (we hope) from the 2009 OCHSA Year-end Championship Show!!!

Photo request...

Since the editor of the ESI Reporter will not be in attendance at this year's Championship show, she is counting on many of our regular followers, who also happen to be great photographers to keep us in pictures! Thanks, in advance, for whatever you all can send on for posting!!!!!

Photos from OCHSA Championship Show Day 1...

Thanks to Mary Edwards we have a few photos from Wednesday at the OCHSA Year-End Championship Show 2009. That's Katie's niece, Jillian, on Island Rock. And we all recognize John on Concerto in the Under Saddle and on Casper!

OCHSA CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW - "HERE WE COME"...

Another video from Ansley...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2gsfwLa0g8

Vaulting? Maybe not...

Check out this latest video from Ansley. Could be our riders need to stick with what they know :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5scVUn8HqEc

Wish I could get this in here in hypertext - but you all know how to cut and paste. (Don't you?)

Sunday Show Results...

Our E.I.L. riders, Jennifer, Ansley and Euan were all in the ribbons again on Sunday at Blenheim in Varsity Jumpers.
At the Signature show, Melissa brought home an eighth place ribbon in the Golden Horse Medal finals, gaining lots of great experience with Denmark in the process.
The Reporter sends out congratulations to all four of our riders for their weekend victories!

Saturday at Signature...

Melissa and Denmark traveled to San Diego County to the Signature Horse Show.
On Saturday she placed second and third in the Junior/Amateur Hunter classes, and fifth in the first round of the Golden Horse Medal Finals. We'll post Sunday's results as soon as possible!

Saturday, Oct. 3 I.E.L.

Jennifer on Simpson, Ansley on Notorious (Casper), and Euan on Gremlin are all competing in Varsity Jumpers this weekend at Blenheim in the first two shows of the I.E.L. season. All three riders received multiple ribbons including two firsts for Jennifer, a third for Ansley, and sixth and seventh places for Euan, who is just getting acquainted with Gremlin. News on Sundays show will be posted soon!

October birthdays...

A belated wish to Jan Metz, who celebrated on the 1st.
And we must celebrate:
Craig Metz - Oct. 8
Melissa - Oct. 11
Kendall - Oct. 20
Shea Metz - Oct. 21

Happy Birthday to all!

September birthdays...

The reporter made it just under the wire - wishing Kira Merwald a Happy Birthday today, September 22. And we must remember to wish Miguel a happy day on the 28th!

ESI invades the Western show for Sit-A-Buck...

Another Ansley video you just must see!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v578JIV04CY

Copy and paste into youtube - you'll love it!

Orange Coast Cooler Show at Sycamore...

Lots of ESI riders took part in the Cooler show over the weekend at Sycamore, working on those last minute qualifications for the Year-End Championship show!

Starting with the pony riders - Aislyn and Majesty were in the ribbons in all their Walk/Trot classes, and she brought home the blue in both Equitation Over Rails and Under Saddle.
Shea on Lady and MaKenna on Ginger were cleaning up in the Short Stirrup and Pony Hunter Divisions, and MaKenna even piloted Ginger around to a third place ribbon in Pony Jumpers! Lady was Reserve Champion in Short Stirrup and Champion in Pony Hunters!

Gwen showed Zia in the Low AA and AA Hunters, collecting ribbons in both divisions, as well as showing in her first OCHSA Horsemanship Medal.

Audra on Fire, as well as Maddy on Remington and Concerto were continually in the ribbons in the Childrens/AA Hunters. And Maddy came back on her two in the Modified Jr/Amateur division, sharing ribbons with Melissa on Fiona and Jaime on Grace.

Melissa and Fiona were also in the ribbons in the Modifed Hunters, and Fiona, Concerto and Denmark swept the Working Hunter Division!

In equitation - Jaime and Audra brought home prizes in the open flat equitation classes, as did Ally her age group Open Equitation Over Fences. Audra won Saturday's OCHSA Equitation Class, and she, Ally, Melissa and Jaime were all in the ribbons in that class on Sunday. It was Jaime who brought home the top prize in the CPHA Childrens/Adult Medal, and Melissa won the Golden Horse.

On to the jumpers - Ansley and Casper were in the ribbons in Level 1, Level 2-3 (a blue) and Modified Jr/Amateur Jumpers. Ally rode Ladino to a ribbon in Level 2-3 and a first in Childrens Jumpers. She was also in the ribbons on Razz in Level 1, Level 2-3, Children's and the Modified Jr/Amateur class. New comer Shea Wigert placed on Wolfy in the Love 2-3, 3-4, and Childrens Jumpers. And, Maddy successfully showed Remington in Level 1, Leopold in Level 0, Level 1 and the Low Childrens, and then came back on Romeo with good ribbons in Level 3-4, Level 4-5, and a second place in the Mini Prix.

Congratulations to all our riders! (And apologies to anyone the Reporter may have missed...)

Day-trippin' to the Blenheim Fall Tournament...

Four of our jumper riders - Brandee, Britt, Kathryn and Kelsie hauled into Blenheim on Friday and then again on Sunday. We want to congratulate Kelsie on her 7th place in Childrens Jumpers, plus a 2nd place finish in the $1000.00 Childrens Jumper Classic on Sunday. And, Brandee also brought home a Classic ribbon on Sunday, placing 7th in the $5000.00 Jr/Amateur Owner Jumper class.

Nina Thornton on Horses and Riding...

Well to me, horses and riding are everything. I can not see myself or imagine what my life would be with out horses and riding. To me, riding is not just a sport or a hobbie, it a lifestyle, a choice, and a commitment. Horses and riding have taught me more than I have ever expected or belived possible, and they have always been there to guide me through my life. There are many reasons I love horses, however one of the biggest is because they are a guideline and something I know I will always have in my life. I have no idea where I would be now without horses, riding, and ESI; and I would like to thank them for helping me become the person I am today.

Nina. The Reporter owes you a better picture! We'll take care of that soon, promise!