Our expectations were high since we have heard so much about it. Often that is the kiss of death but it is an amazing venue and the show is run like no other in that we have been to in the U.S. Four impeccably groomed, enormous (I mean really enormous) grass arenas that groundskeepers keep in perfect condition while the classes are going on they are putting down dirt, fixing divots, making sure the footing is as perfect as possible for each rider. The jumps were big and beautiful and unusual and the course designers put everyone to the test.

 

For the two weeks we were there the weather could not have been more cooperative. The competition was incredibly fierce in all divisions. Eric Lamaze, Beezie Madden, Rodrigo Pessoa, Jill Henselwood, Ian Miller, Will Simpson and Mario Deslauriers had multiple mounts in all the classes. The courses were extremely tough, technical and the time allowed in every class was tight. All classes had some combination of water, bank jumps, grobs, and liver pools. The bank in the Speed Derby was so steep that even a top notch skier might have found it daunting.

 

The Derby’s in all divisions were brutal….very long courses with multiple combinations and the jumps were set big so there simply was no room for error.  Julia had yet another clean round with Triviant in the Junior/Amateur Speed Derby Classic and was just out of the ribbons.  Kaitlin was first to go in the 1.30 Fast Track Derby on Taboo with a clean round in a fast 104 seconds.  She finished up in 6^th place after all 48 had gone which was a a great showing for Taboo, who Is only 7 years old and by far the youngest  horse in the class.  Taboo, owned in partnership with Spy Coast Farm, was also 5^th in the Akita Drilling Power and Speed Class held in the Meadows on the Green ring.  She was extremely fast in 36.6 seconds but the Canadians were hard to hold down and Taylor Bland was the winner nearly 2 seconds faster than the rest of the field.

 

 

Its All That They Claim It To Be

Pacino - 4th Yearling Other Than Thoroughbred Colts & Geldings

 

Pacino's Pedigree

7th Pennsylvania-Bred 2-Year Old Fillies

 

More on Fantasia

Viva La Salsa SCF 4th Yearling - Other Than Thoroughbred – Fillies

Viva Voltaire x La Rumba

 

More on Salsa

Little Emir at La Baule. They finished in top ten in two classes during their first stop on the European Tour.

 Shane Sweetnam on Amaretto D'Arco in La Baule, France.

 

Shane has started his European FEI Nation's Cup Tour and has been a top team player for Ireland.  He has held up his end of the results with Amaretto D'Arco, Rolette and Little Emir.  The coach has had great accolades for Shane during his maiden tour.  In La Baule, France, May 14-17 the first leg of the 2009 Tour, Amaretto D'Arco and Shane had a clear round in the Grand Prix and ended up just out of the money with a 4-fault jumpoff.  An amazing showing for their first international event.  In the Nation's Cup, Shane and D'Arco had only 5 faults.  Although Ireland didn't make it into the 2nd round, Shane's individual performance was excellent.  See results Grand Prix at La Baule

 

They moved onto the FEI Nation's Cup in Rome, Italy and helped his team to a 6th Place finish, again riding Amaretto D'Arco.  Rolette had a top 10 win in Rome as that partnership continues to come together.