Groom's cake

Boo

We had some scary stuff happen at Steel Prize Stables. A bunch of goblins came riding through the place. Fortunately, Niki's students and some others were able to run them off. When they left they lost their heads so the girls lined them up for us to see.

Thank you for protecting us - it was really scary.

Where does Time Go?

We have had wonderful clinics by Debbie Rodriguez, hosted two TVDCTA Shows, and lost a fantastic horse.  I have some words about Zeus here. Of course, I make promises to keep more up to date!

                                                Zeus

Steel Prize Stables mourns the passing of Seine Majestaet aka Zeus who arrived into this world in Germany with the name of Socrates on the 17^th of June 1981.  We don’t know when the name change occurred but he was imported into the United States as a 5 year old and as of that time all of his records show him as Seine Majestaet.  We think he was called Zucker (Sugar) in Germany, which sounded like Zeus to Americans.  I purchased him in May of 1997 and have enjoyed him every year since then.  I trained and competed him through Grand Prix. He was then retired to the school where he was ridden and competed by adults and children.  It has been lovely to see him being led by children who were about the size of his head, and he has been Sugar to us all.  Zeus left us on Saturday morning, the 6^th of August 2011. He died peacefully in his stall and left a large hole behind in our hearts. However, we know he is delighted to be joining his friends who have gone before.  

Christmas Party

The 27th annual SPS Christmas party was held on 18 December 2010. We were blessed with a sunny day and 45 degrees but unfortunately there was a very strong wind.

There were about 120 guests who came to enjoy the rides, dog agility demonstrations and good food. The first ride was the 8 rider Steel Magnolias quadrille ridden to the Christmas music of Mannheim Steamroller.

Christmas Party Invitiation

The 2010 Christmas Party

is scheduled for 18 December. Please watch for our flyer which will
give details about the party to include the special attractions which
we have planned. Please mark the date.

Debbie Rodriguez Clinic

The weather was gorgeous and the clinic very educational for all of
the riders. Each rider received information to work on improvement
for their level and on the balance and connection needed to perform
best at their level and to move up. We also had an evening gathering
around food and the DVD "Success in the Saddle" which Debbie has just
published. The DVD has three DVD's which cover 6 days of workouts to
improve core strength and flexibility of the rider. We are
definitely inspired to move on and up riding better for ourselves and
our horses.

Debbie Rodriquez Clinic

Debbie Rodriguez will be giving a clinic at Steel Prize Stables on 20
- 21 November. She is a USEF "S" Judge in dressage, a USEF "r"
Dressage Technical Delegate and a USEF "r" eventing Technical
Delegate. There are two 2-day slots open in the clinic; the cost
is $100 per day. Debbie also has a new DVD coming out:
www.SuccessintheSaddle.com and her web site is
www.debbierodriguezdressage.com. Please contact Judith by e-mail or
by phone 256-682-1200 if you would like to ride with Debbie.

Yearling Sale at Keeneland

En Route to WEG

We are enjoying beautiful weather on our drive to Lexington. Looking forward to meeting up with friends when we get there.

Happiness is......

a nice place for the birds to dine.

WEG Departure

Five of us are leaving on Saturday 25 September for WEG and the
dressage venue. We are attending the Opening Ceremonies on Saturday
evening and Keenland on Sunday -- so Judith can get a football fix
from the big screens in the bar! Starting Monday we will be in the
Main Arena for the wonderful week of dressage. All is going well for
Sally and Pacino and we love having him in the barn.

Pacino Arrives at Steel Prize

Sally and Pacino

This is our current front runner, a 13 year old Holsteiner imported three years ago from Holland. We're going back for another test drive on Wednesday.

Day One in Florida

Sally and I visited two farms, rode four horses and fell in love twice. Went to our room and were treated with a basket of wine and cheese to celebrate our shopping day ...and ease our weary seat bones.

The Shopping Spree Begins

Judith and Sally are in Charlotte, waiting for their flight to Gainesville, Florida. There they will be visiting four prospects. Considering airline baggage restrictions, any purchase will have to be shipped. This won't fit in a carry-on.

Hubertus Schmidt Symposium

I am off to Madison, Georgia to the lovely After the Fox Farm to
announce at the Hubertus Schmidt Symposium which is being held this
weekend. There are nine riders who will be working over three days
with Mr. Schmidt. The first day will be private with riders and
clinician, the second with riders, sponsors and clinician, and the
third day open to auditors and all as Mr. Schmidt works with riders
and horses.

Wynalda

The Princess has been laid to rest.

Nikki took this picture because she said that Wynalda was smiling down on us.

Debbie's Students Excell

Our clinician, Debbie Rodriguez, has announced that one of her
students just won the Southeast Regional 4-H Dressage Championships
with a score of 73.888% at First Level Test 2 on her Fresian mare.
Another student got the final score for her Bronze medal at the USDF
show at Raleigh, NC. She also qualified her horse for the GAIG's.

Buck Brannaman Clinic at SPS

All right riders, there is a Buck Brannaman Clinic scheduled at SPS 21 - 24 October 2010.  Point of contact is Kerry Lawrence at 256-658-9244 and the web site is www.brannaman.com.  Auditors are welcome, there is a charge.  Please check with Kerry for more information.  Here is a picture of Buck so get your saddle and check into the web site or call Kerry for more information.