Donations requested...

As most of you know, Sycamore based trainer, Patty McCarty, was seriously injured in a riding accident several weeks ago. After extensive surgery and a two week hospital stay, most of that time in ICU, Patty is now at home going through a very slow and challenging recovery. Her prognosis is currently unknown.
Her accident has caused a severe financial crisis for Patty and her family. Funds are being collected to help ease this financial burden. If you wish to help, checks made payable to "Patty McCarty" can be left in a specially mark box in Katie and John's office, the Sycamore office, or given to Mary Ketcham. We know that Patty and her family will be extremely grateful for whatever assistance any of the ESI family can offer.

Monday at the Memorial Day Classic...

Finally got all the results from Monday's classes in L.A. Melissa got more ribbons in her age group Small Junior Hunters, as well as a seventh in her Equitation on the Flat.
She also won one of her age-group Equitation Over Fences classes!
Kathryn placed seventh in the $1000.00 Childrens/Adult Jumper Classic. And the Reporter wants to send out a special note of congratulations to Brandee who, with Buddy, competed in her first Grand Prix on Monday! We know that it was the first of many.

Special keepsakes for the equistrian...

(As of 9:50 this morning, the complete results from Monday at the Memorial Day Classic have not been posted at HorseshowTimes.com. The Reporter will check later and try to post all ESI winnings for our readers.)

In the meanwhile... we would like to bring to your attention an old ESI friend, Gayle Garvin, who operates the company Keepsake Ribbons Quilts. Check out the website at http://www.keepsakeribbonquilts.com/ for all kinds of information on the great quilts she makes from horse show ribbons.

Sunday at the LA Memorial Day Classic...

Prizes to Fiona and Melissa in the Small Junior Hunters added to the tack-room ribbon count on Sunday. In addition, Katie and La Garanco were second in the 1.25 M Jumper Class and Britt and Seduction brought home the third place ribbon inthe Low Jr/Amateur Owner Jumpers!

Happy Memorial Day...

Saturday at the Memorial Day Classic...

On Saturday in Los Angeles, Katie and La Garanco took top honors in the 1.25M Jumper class, while Brandee and Buddy placed third in the Amateur Owner Jumpers. Congrats to you both. We're looking forward to more great reports from the last two days of the show.

Kira's Birthday Bash...

Kira's birthday Bash On The Grass on Saturday had a whole lot going on. The festivities began with lots of pizza and soda for the kids and adults alike. (The adults had their own brand of carbonated beverages as well!) Then, it was time to pin the tail on the donkey - or pin the tail on John was what THAT game was being called... It was McKenna, Arielle and Kira who all took prizes in the first event. Once everyone had time to digest their pizza, all the makings for ice cream sundaes were placed on the table, with prizes for the those who created the best ice cream master pieces. (Perhaps the prize should have been for the those who made the most disgusting sundae and finished it without becoming ill???) Kira's parents made sure there were lots of prizes on hand (hoof-picks, sweat scrapers, body sponges, etc.) for the winners in every contest.

Whipped cream and whiplash...

How many ESI juniors do you think will dive face first into a pie pan filled with whipping cream! Lots of them if there's the chance that there's money to be found under the foam! Several of the tins had five, ten and more dollar bills in plastic bags at the bottom. No hands guys! While the kids cleaned up, Gwen and Janet showed their prowess with hula hoops. Other events not pictured included apple diving for the horses, and a pinata begging to be burst. Thanks to Chris and Mark, Kira's birthday celebration was THE party of the year. (So far...)

LA Memorial Weekend Classic...

Six horses - Fiona, Faith, Buddy, Vigo, Seduction and La Garanco - left Thursday for the Memorial Weekend Classic Horse Show at the LA Equestrian Center. On Friday, Kathryn and Faith were 3rd, in the 1.10M Jumper Class and Vigo and Becky, and Seduction and Britt placed 5th and 6th respecitively. Watch the ESIReporter for more results!

Mother's Day Brunch - Pancakes for All...

It wasn't just our beloved ESI moms who enjoyed "Pancakes by Berney" this Mother's Day!

May birthdays...

Just under the wire...
Madi Melscheimer celebrated her birthday on May 9
and
Olivia Killian on May 10.
(Any more May birthdays out there?)

Calling all ESI moms...

Join your ESI family for a Mother's Day Brunch on the Grass, this Sunday morning around 10:00 a.m.

May and June Horse Show Dates...

Sign up sheets are now being posted for the following May/June Horse Shows:

Victory Horse Show at Blenheim - May 16-17
Memorial Day Classic at L.A. Equestrian Center - May 21-25
Orange Coast Cooler Horse Show at Sycamore Trails - May 30-31
Blenheim June Classic I - June 3-7
Blenheim June Classic II - June 10-14
Blenheim June Classic III - June 17-21
Blenheim Red White & Blue Classic - June 24-28

(If you want to go, let Katie and John know! Sign up today!)

New faces...

... actually not all that new, but the Reporter has been remiss in cyber-welcoming weekend riders Isabella Goldstein and Arielle Blumberg, here seen aboard Socks and Island Rock. They are both assets to our ever-growing pony group and we're glad to have them as part of the ESI family. Please make them feel at home, all you other pony riders, and the rest of the gang, too!

A very belated ESI cyber-welcome...

... to Kira Merwald and her horse Chamonix. The two of them took part in the Sycamore show last weekend, their ESI debut, and thanks to Mary Edwards we have a picture of them to share with you all. (Many apologies from the editor of the Reporter, Kira. You and my camera never seemed to be in the same place at the same time.) Let's all make her feel very welcome in her new barn home!