Manny the Water Horse, Part II

It's a good thing they call Florida the Sunshine State because that was certainly NOT the case in Paso Robles, CA at Twin Rivers HT's. The 3" of rain fell overnight as promised and before noon organizers canceled XC for the day and would re-assess conditions later in the day to determine if they could go on Sunday. Shortly after 1pm the decision was made for organizers; there was no possibility of getting an ambulance on the field, so XC was out.

If possible, it was raining even harder for their stadium round. Footing was sloppy on top, but solid underneath. Manny wasn't sure he could trust it at first and the first few fences was not his usual bold self to a jump. However, after a taking off and landing a few times w/no slipping or sliding he got better and better and by the end was looking for the jumps, going double-clear and moving up to 7th.
http://sharing.theflip.com/session/efa20218e4584afdbf4cfe2fb50bf21d/video/11029004

Manny the Water Horse

Ah, sunny California . . . NOT . . . it rained buckets yesterday in Paso Robles (with 3 add'l inches and gale-force winds forecast for last night). Manny did not like the rain one bit, but went to work and did his job when Sara asked. GOOD BOY, MANNY!

Based on the forecast, the game plan today is to go ahead w/stadium, but most likely scratch XC as he's scheduled to go late in the day. Given Sara's patience in re-building his confidence and how well he's going, we decided it's much better to play another day than risk shaking his confidence.

Regardless, Sara and I were both VERY happy with Manny the Water Horse!

http://sharing.theflip.com/session/5da79675a9065242ddda48a8f83fbb2e/video/11008575

In Germany . . . it's TAZ-MANIA

Taz was introduced to the German breeders last weekend at the Muenster-Handorf Hengstschau (stallion show) and could not have performed better. Regular rider Helmut Schrant was on hand to demonstrate his ability over fences, and it immediately became apparent this was a super idea as Taz jumped easily and w/o effort over everything. While Helmut was interviewed about the stallion's internal characteristics, new regular rider, Kruemel hopped aboard for some spectacular "flag riding"!

The German audience is quite knowledgable about bloodlines and they are thrilled to have access once again to the Condus/Ramzes AA blood . . . that this is combined with Rondo thru his sire line makes his pedigree super-exciting blend for breeders.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIw9W_tdvz0

An AMERICAN Trakehner

Normally this blog covers the offspring of our mares and stallion, but since December 10th, our foundation stallion Tzigane *Pb* has been at Gestuet Majenfelde in Germany under the expert care of Stephanie Herken-Wendt and chief rider, Kruemel and a video they sent today was so special it deserved a post.

Next weekend Taz makes his debut in front of the German breeders at the Muenster-Handorf stallion show. As the 5th ATA-approved Trakehner stallion to be later approved by the Verband, Steffi and Kruemel have a special introduction for him with the German breeders. So next Saturday, Taz will enter with his country's flag flying and a video that came today shows what a great job he'll do representing American Trakehners!