In the September 2008 USDF Connection, CPF was listed as a
TOP 10 Breeder of six or more 'Great American Insurance Group/USDFBC' Series Finalists, 1998-2007!
Caravaggio
(Rousseau x Nirvana)
2007 Gelding
Versailles
(Ferro x Nirvana)
2002 Mare
Signature
(Idocus x Nirvana)
1999 Gelding
What is Everyone Up To?
The horses that we bred and raise are a big part of our family . . . . and they stay that way! Their new owners become our good friends and we enjoy staying in touch and hearing about all of the activities.
Listed below are activities and accomplishments of our offspring. We are proud of them and enjoy sharing with you - 'What's Up with . . . . '!
Zabella
(Ferro x Nirvana)
2004 Mare
Arturo
(Rousseau x O'Jazzie MW)
2005 Gelding
Arlington
(Idocus x Nirvana)
2005 Gelding
Undercover
(Ferro x Nirvana)
2001 Gelding
Westar
(Idocus x Nirvana)
2003 Gelding
Cougar
(Con Brio x Compass Course)
1991 Gelding
Django
(Jazz x Nirvana)
2008 Gelding
Rainman
(Raport x Annie)
1991 Gelding
Centaur
(Con Brio x Compass Course)
1993 Gelding
Pilipa
(Riverman x Annie)
Mare
McKenna
(Lemgo x Annie)
1997 Mare
Owned by: Michelle Freels - Loomis, California
-
#1 yearling; 2002 KWPN-NA Keuring
November, 2008 Update -
Carolyn Melka sold 'Spy' to Michelle Freels this past spring. Michelle campaigned him in California this year, where she finished the season at the California Dressage Society (CDS) Annual Championships and the Great American/USDF Region 7 Championships, October 9-12, 2008 in Burbank CA. Undercover won the GAIG/USDF Region 7 amateur third level championship with a 67.44%! He also placed third in the $1000 third level Horse of the Year Championships - adult amateur with a score of 65.915%!
In the October 31st Chronicle of the Horse, Michelle commented "I just have a great time every day riding him (Spy). He's supple and forward and really easy off the leg, and really good in the bridle. He's got a really good work ethic. He goes right to work and does his job."
This was sent to us by Spy's mom - Carolyn:
March 18, 2007 - "This past weekend, we went to our first 2007 show. He show 2nd level tests 3 and 4 on Thu, Fri and Sat. He was absolutely stupendous, so good and so well-behaved. We scratched the last test (L2-T4) just to give him a break. All in all, he got a 65, three 67s, and a 70, four blues and one red. He even won the most beautiful jeweled browband which he wore on Sat for his last test. He looked beautiful.
His next show is in two weeks, back up in Burbank where he will do L2-Tests 3 and 4 again, as well as try to qualify for the FEI 6yo. Last year Jo swore she wouldn't do it again, but here we are."
May 26-28, 2006 - "Spy competed in the USEF/Markel Young Horse Program selection trials at Flintridge Dressage, LaCanada, CA. His scores were 7.72 in the Preliminary Test and 7.48 in the Finale Test!" These scores put Spy on the '2006 USEF/Markel Young Horse Short List'! Congratulations to Carolyn and Jo (Spy's rider) for a job well done!
December 10-11, 2005 Spy went to rub elbows with the big wigs at the L.A. Equestrian Center in Burbank for the Holiday Show. He did so well at TR level a few months ago in Del Mar that Jo (Spy's rider) moved him up to 1st Level, Tests 1 and 2. You will be pleased to hear that he was MUCH more settled at this show-as he doesn't want to look foolish, as he knows all eyes are on him. On Sat, in 1-1 he got a 74.8, and in 1-2 a 74.1. On Sun, we were entered in both again, but decided that we would scratch the second if he did well in the first. How's a 72.2? Needless to say, we were all pleased and he got the rest of the day off. He missed High Point by 2% pts... bummer. The Saturday judge asked Nacho about him, asking about his breeding and if this was Jo's new GP prospect. Kathleen Raine (Jo's trainer) and husband David Wightman are also very impressed. Thanks Carolyn for the exciting report!
Owned by: Elise Mann - Lenexa, Kansas
Elise sent us this email - "At 11pm on June 8th, 2006 Pilipa gave birth to the filly Boheme. Pilipa is an incredible mother. Not at all like what everyone told us maiden mares were like. She's protective of the baby in that she won't let the other horses even look at Boheme, but she still let's me play with her and baby. Peeps even let me milk her so that we could make sure Boheme got first milk. Pictures attached!" While we didn't sell Pilipa directly to Elise - but she is a product of our breeding program and we are proud of the pair. Pilipa has been successful in the Cosequin Breed Program and was the 2004 USDF Region 4 Training Level Champion. Congratulations Elise!
Owned by: Peg O'Meara - Wintzville, Missouri
Cougar has now retired. During his showing career, Peg says that "he has quite a following, he was so impressive looking. He made me look pretty good in the show ring!" His career included: In 1999 he was the Missouri Horse Show Association High Point State Champion at Training Level, average score 69.20%. In 2000 he repeated the title at First Level, average score 64.296%. In 2001 he came in third in the state placings at Second Level. He retired at the end of that year. To gain those titles he competed around the State and was always in the top 3.
Owned by: Stephanie Haggard - Lecompton, Kansas
Stephaine and Rainman found their niche in the eventing world. Rainman showed scope and talent in his fence work, plus lovely balance in the dressage arena. Stephanie has recently retired Rainman so that she can bring along her younger horses. He is a happy camper!
Owned by: Margie Sofro - Sun Valley, Idaho
Marji Sofro purchased Centaur as a 3 year old - it was love at first sight! They currently live in Sun Valley Idaho, where they train with Bob McDonald. Centaur competes occasionally in the hunters, but his main duty is to be Marji's soul mate. We wish them a continuing connection!
Owned by: Pam Levy, High Flight Farm - Locust Grove, Georgia
Owned by: Heidi & Mike Gerry - Lafayette, New York
- #3 foal, 2005 KWPN-NA Keuring
- Res. Champion - 2005 Mid-States Cosequin/USDF Breeder's Colt/Gelding
October 2006 - Heidi reports that Arlington is settling into his new home quite nicely! He is starting to grow and she is excited.
Owned by: Danielle Veasey, Sun Valley Farm - Aberdeen, North Carolina
- 2nd place in the 2 year old filly division of the USDF HOY DSHB in 2004
September 2007 - We heard from Danielle that Versai is again in foal to Idocus! Congrats! We are looking forward to another beautiful foal.
She also reports that Bourban (V's 2006 foal is beautiful, doing great and is starting to fill out.
May 2006 - Danielle reported that Versailles has a colt by Idocus!
Owned by: Jim & Tracy Maher, Eires Own Sporthorses - Paola, Kansas
-
#1 foal; 2003 KWPN Keuring
May 2006 - Westar has developed into a handsome young stallion! Tracy has begun his under saddle training and he is breathtaking in his movement.
I recently visited Tracy and Jim to check in on Westar. WOW is he ever handsome!! At three he is being slowly started under saddle and exhibits the same floating movement he had as a youngster. I can't wait to see him undersaddle!
In 2004 - Westar competed in the Cornhusker Classic Breed show held in Fremont NE. He was the star of the show, winning his yearling class, the Young Colt Champion class, plus being named Grand Champion of the show. Judge Col. Jonathan Burton scoring mark was an impressive 83.5%! Look for Westar at the Cosequin Breeder’s Finals.
Westar won a First Premium at the September 2004 kuering in Indiana, with the jury indicating that they would like for him to remain a colt and return again next year.
Owned by: Ellie Hardesty - Kansas City, Kansas
-
1st Premium- 'Best Young Horse of the Site'
-
#1 KWPN Yearling Colt/Gelding in the USDF/Adequan All Breed Awards for 2008!
October 2009 - Ellie reports that Gio is settling nicely into his new home and is loved by all!
Owned by: Cindy Russell - Columbia, Missouri
-
2001 Mid-States Cosequin/USDF Breeder’s Young Horse Champion
Cindy purchased Signature as a 2 year old and has carefully brought him along in his dressage career. They are a lovely pair and were named the 2004 Training level Champion for the Columbia Dressage and CT Association, as well as earning high ribbons with the Missouri Horse Show Association. This next year looks equally promising. Congratulations Cindy!!
May 2006 - Cindy gave us an update recently on Sig's progress: "I showed at William Woods University yesterday (4/22/06) at the recognized show and Sig was a star! We had a 71% at First 2 and 70% at First 4-our first qualifying score. We won the first class and got third (out of three) in the other one (I don't mind getting 3rd with a 70%-the 3 of us were 258, 256, and 253-very close!) He was just a dream to ride-relaxed and forward. In the first test we got 8, 7, 8, 7 - I was especially proud of his 8 for submission."
Arturo 04/25/2005 Gelding - (Rousseau x O'Jazzie MW)
Owned by: Kerry & Mike Shaw - Surrey BC, Canada
- #1 foal, 2005 KWPN-NA Keuring
- Champion - 2005 Mid-States Cosequin/
USDF Breeder's Colt/Gelding
October 2009 - Arturo is doing great. He is fuzzy and losing his baby look. He is still
not quite 16.3 and has a gorgeous body. I'm loving every minute of our journey together. Arturo was very easy to start. Jonathan Field did his first rides. Arturo was relaxed and curious about the activity of being ridden. When he is confused or unsure he just stops and waits for you to clarify or reassure him. His biggest challenge has been finding his confidence when ridden in a group of unknown horses. So I've signed us up for group lessons, once a week, at a local stable and he is already getting more confident. We are going to start dressage in the fall 2010. I'm interested in training with Karen Hall-Pavicic who has been training with Steffen Peters. Steffen was up here to give a clinic in August and I was impressed with his training methods. I am still planning on having him keured next fall. This year's pictures show us under western tack and doing natural horsemen
activities at a spring clinic. So far I think Arturo is emotionally and mentally more fit then my friend's "traditionally" started 4 year old and is more relaxed when ridden. I just love this guy, he is easy to work with, smart, fun loving, curious and kind. I'm so lucky.
September 2008 - We have heard from Kerry again! - "It's been a while since I last updated you on Arturo. He is doing great. He is about 16.2 now and is going through a bit of a growth spurt. We attended the BC Sporthorse Fall Classic Equine Canada Sanctioned Show last weekend. Arturo was fantastic. He placed 3rd/7 entries in Friday's Dressage Type Division - 3 yr old Stallions/geldings. He was very well behaved but we were a little too laid back so the trot was not his best. On Saturday he placed 2nd/ 9 entries in both the Inez-Propfe-Credo Trophy Class for 3 yr old Dressage Type Horse and the Joy Richardson Trophy Class for 3 yr old Sport Horse Type Horse. I did a much better job of showing his lovely trot. Arturo had many admirers, who thought he was beautiful, breathtaking, kind and wished they owned him. He is just wonderful to work with even when something upsets him - he is very level headed and doesn't stay rattled for very long."
November 2007 - We heard from Kerry and "Arturo was great in the natural horseman clinic last weekend. He tried so hard to do the right thing and stayed very focused. . . . . . Jonathan (the guy who will back him) and Arturo worked very well together. I had quite a few people come up and tell me what a beautiful horse he is and what a kind temperament even when he is rattled. I'm looking forward to taking him back in the spring for more ground work. I got the score sheets from the futurity class, he scored 81 with Ali Buchanan and 84 with Mark Carter for an average score 82.5. Both judges are American. Lowest mark was 7.5 on the movement score from both judges."
September 2007 - Kerry reports that "Arturo and I attended the BC Sporthorse Fall Classic yesterday. The weather was windy and slightly wet. Arturo placed 2nd in the sport horse 2 yr old colts & geldings futurity class." She says that he is doing quite well and that she looks forward to showing him next year.
Django 05/10/2008 Gelding - (Jazz x Nirvana)
Owned by: Charlene Saunders, - Raleigh, North Carolina
- #1 premium, 'Best of Site Dressage Prospect'
- #4 foal/weanling:dressage for the 2008 North American KWPN Kuering tour
October 2009 - Django left our farm October 17 and arrived in North Carolina October 18. Charlene emailed us and reports the following, with pictures!
Well, even though I had said please don't make the party all about me and Django, nobody listened to me. It was a total "baby shower" down to the color coordination and baby cards! They gave me a photo album with his name embroidered on it and some other little things. I had taken some photos of him in the pasture -- there is something wrong with my camera so the edges are a bit fuzzy. (see below)
Halloween fun at the party too (lobster.jpg) -- don't let the expression fool you, Forrest loved the costume and wore it for the whole party. However, the rooster (Pickles) lasted about ten minutes.
Between dressing up my dogs and friends throwing a baby shower for a horse, you might get the impression we're nuts.
It was a lot of fun! Lann's husband does gourmet cooking as a hobby and he made the most delicious chocolate cake (not pictured). We also had a couple different kinds of chili. Nicole (the friend who had bought a rosenthal baby as a weanling a couple of years ago) came beforehand. She really liked him -- liked how he moved, his attitude - how sensible he was. I had put him in the arena so I could show her his gaits, I didn't have a lunge whip with me -- I think I did more running that he did. ;)
Owned by: Ruth Hill-Schorsch - Leslie, Michigan
- 2006 American Royal Sporthorse in-hand Champion
- Top Ten yearling in the 2005 KWPN-NA Keuring
January, 2009 - We heard from Ruth, which she said, "Z is doing well! she is just about 16.2h now and filling out a bit. . . Her last score of the year was a 70% a good improvement. She was 5th in the vintage cup for the dutch this year. Penny is still just loving her!