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LAFAYETTE, LA
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Caroline is the daughter of Ben and Dawn Adams of Morgan City, Louisiana. Jodie accompanied Caroline and her
family on a trip to Holland in 2007 where she had arranged for Caroline and her parents to look at several horses through Toine Hoefs. Together they
decided that Uniek was the horse for Caroline.
Caroline and Uniek spent the winter season of 2008-2009 in Wellington, FL with Jodie. They spent the summer training with Jodie at Southern Cross in
Destin, FL. Caroline shadowed Kristine and Jodie all summer long working at the barn. And when we say she worked, we mean she WORKED!!!!
The theme for the summer for this young lady was WORK HARD, PLAY HARD. Caroline never missed a day at the barn, never bowed out even a minute before Kristine and
Jodie were done and did so with a smile on her face.
Jodie saw Caroline blossom in the summer of 2010 into an amazing horse woman. She rode Uniek fantastic, along with everything else Jodie put her
on. She and Gaby Collins tacked up and untacked, cold hosed and hand walked more than any 12 or 13 year old has ever done.
On top of working at the barn till the wee hours of the morning, Caroline never missed a day at the beach or a jetski ride or a Sunday at Crab Island." - Jodie Kelly
In 2009, Caroline and Uniek captured the USDF Region 9 Training Level Championship for Jr/YR. Then in 2010, they
returned to the Regional Championships in Region 9 to claim the Championship at First Level for Jr/YR.
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“I saw Caroline blossom in the summer of 2010 into an AMAZING, and I do mean an AMAZING, horse woman. She rode Uniek fantastic, along with everything else I put her
on.” - Jodie Kelly
2010 USDF Region 9 Training Level Dressage Champion for Jr/YR
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NAVARRE, FL
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Alexis has been riding since the age of 4 and rode hunter jumpers until the age of 11 when she began eventing and dressage.
She began riding at Southern Cross in the summer of 2007 with her 19-year old thoroughbred gelding, Tucker and in the winter of 2007 started with her 14-year old thoroughbred mare, Annie.
Alexis has 21 years of riding experience and has been teaching for the past 9 years to students of all levels and ages.
Alexis began her dressage training with Judy McGaun in Clarksville, MD while taking jumping instruction from Niki Johnson of Frederick, MD. Alexis competed to Novice level and 1st
level dressage before leaving for college. While in her first year at college Alexis left the world of horses behind for one semester and realized she could not do without.
So she began training and working with young horses at a local barn in Blacksburg, Va.
The summer after her freshman year Alexis came home to work as a Senior Riding instructor at Potomac Horse Center in Potomac, MD. While working at Potomac Horse Center Alexis was
able to work and teach riders of all levels, disciplines, and ages. She especially had fun working with the summer camp and show team while there.
Alexis is currently giving dressage and jumping lessons out of Forever Sky Ranch in Milton Florida as well as many other facilities in the surrounding area.
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SOUTHPORT, FL
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Cindy has been riding since she was 8-years old. She has been training with Jodie since she purchased her 9-yr old, 17.2h Oldenburg gelding by Riverman named Raconteur,
in early 2005.
Cindy and Raconteur qualified for the USDF Region 3 Dressage Championships in their first two show seasons topped off
by a top 10 finish in the AA Training Level Championship in 2006. After the 2006 Championships, Cindy's 9-year old Oldenburg gelding wasn't sure he wanted to move up
the levels. Raconteur just wasn't sure Dressage was his sport. So, he had all of 2007 and most of 2008 off to 'find himself'. Raconteur returned
to the Dressage ring at the November, 2008 Blue Angel Dressage Show capturing the High Point award for the show with a score of 73.600%.
With Jodie's help and expertise, Cindy purchased her second dressage partner in 2007, Utrillo. Utrillo is a 16.3h Dutch Warmblood gelding by Neptune. In their
first two outings at Training Level in 2007, the pair recorded an average score of 70.870%.
Cindy qualified both of her horses for the USDF Region 3 Dressage Championships in 2009. Raconteur at both
Training and First Level and Utrillo at First Level. Cindy and Utrillo finished 8th in the First Level Championships in the Adult Amateur division.
Cindy and Utrillo were Dover Medal National Merit Award Winners in 2010. The pair finished the year ranked 28th among all Adult Amateurs in the United States
competing at Second Level.
Cindy and her husband, Glenn, own Morningstar Farm - a small private farm in Southport, Florida. Cindy trailers to Destin weekly for lessons. Her husband
maintains the Jodie Kelly Dressage website.
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Cindy and Utrillo were Dover Medal National Merit Award Winners in 2010 and finished the year ranked 28th among all Adult Amateurs in the United States competing at Second Level.
8th in the 2009 USDF Region 3 First Level Dressage Championships for Adult Amateurs
10th in the 2006 USDF Region 3 Training Level Dressage Championships for Adult Amateurs
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GADSDEN COUNTY, FL
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Carol spent most of her equestrian life as a “barn mom” while her children rode and showed. It was only when they were grown that she bought her first Grand Prix Schoolmaster named
“Nike” so she could begin to learn Dressage.
After only eight months of owning Nike, Carol was diagnosed with breast cancer which pulled her away from the sport for almost two years. Upon returning to riding, Nike had to be retired due
to an injury and ultimately he had to be put down. Her future in this sport was looking very dismal.
She found Decorated Debut, “Duncan”, in 2008 only to find out that he came to her with more issues than any rider should ever have to deal with, much less an amateur. So after
a very defeated two years of trying to learn to ride him, combined with the assessment of some of the best, most decorated dressage riders being, “he is NO amateur's horse - you need to sell
him.” Carol found herself wondering if maybe tennis or golf would be a better option for a hobby.
Carol had started to train with Jodie Kelly in late 2009. They both decided in order to sell Duncan, taking him to Wellington for the season was the best option. Well,
after Jodie had him in full training for three months things began to turn around. This, combined with Carol's unending love for Duncan, brought Carol to the decision to keep pushing
in hopes they would become better partners. Happily, following the patience and training Jodie has invested in both Duncan and Carol they earned their
USDF Bronze Medal this year along with the DSDCTA 3rd
Level Adult Amateur Championship, SWDEA 3rd Level Championship for Adult Amateurs and the
SWDEA 3rd Level High Point Award for 2010.
Duncan is a 15-year-old Hanoverian that has competed through I-1 prior to Carol buying him. His sire is Dominator out of Domingo and his Dam is
Decorated Letters. They enjoy living at WC Dover Farm in Gadsden County, FL.
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2010 Accomplishments
USDF Bronze Medal
DSDCTA 3rd Level Adult Amateur Championship
SWDEA 3rd Level Championship for Adult Amateurs
SWDEA 3rd Level High Point Award
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NICEVILLE, FL
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Lily has been riding all her life, showing initially from age 5 in hunter/jumper and western pleasure with her 11 hand Welsh pony, Gambit.
She began dressage training at age 7, and with Gambit was crowned the 2005 DSDCTA, a
USDF Region 3 GMO) Grand Champion in the Sport Horse
Pony Division. The following year the pair was once again honored by the DSCTA as
the Grand Champion of the Introductory Level Junior Division (age 21 and under).
She has continued to show Gambit in hunter/jumper and combined training, but late in 2006 found her new dressage partner Heart of Gold, a 13.2 hand palomino pony. With
her new pony, Lily was named the DSCTA 2007 Grand Champion at the Introductory Level in the Junior
Division and 2007 Reserve Champion at the Training Level in the Junior Division.
Lily began training with Jodie in 2008 at age 9, and under her guidance finished in the top 15 in the 2008 USDF
Region 3 Training Level Championship in the Jr/YR Division with a score of 59.2% and also finished 5th in the Jr Dressage Seat Semi-Final
for riders 13 and under with a score of 60.5%.
Lily rode her pony, Heart of Gold (“Puck”) in the 2011 National Dressage Pony Cup Championships, a United States Dressage Federation (USDF) recognized show, endorsed by the
USEF. The show was attended by dressage ponies of all breeds and pony riders of all ages from across
the U.S.
Lily and Puck won the title of 2011 Grand Champion for Dressage Training Level Junior/Young Rider, and 2011 Grand Champion for Dressage First Level
Junior/Young Rider. Lily also won the overall High Point Award for the show for “Current Pony Club Rider”.
Lily also competed at the 2011 GAIG/USDF Region 3
Dressage Championships finishing in 6th place in the Dressage Seat Equitation class aboard her new mount Feinbrand's Fantom. Lily has only owned Feinbrand's
Fantom for a couple of months so the other Jr/YR competitors should watch out for this pair once they have had a little more time together as a team.
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2011 - Grand Champion for Dressage Training Level Junior/Young Rider and Grand Champion for Dressage First Level Junior/Young Rider at 2011 National Dressage Pony
Cup Championships.
2011 - 6th Place in the Dressage Seat Medal Class for riders 13 and Under at the GAIG/
USDF Region 3 Dressage Championships.
2008 - DSDCTA 5th Place in JR Dressage Seat Semi-Final for Riders 30 and Under
2008 - DSDCTA Top 15 USDF
Region 3 Training Level Championship in the Jr/YR Division
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DESTIN, FL
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In June of 2005 Ali made a trip to Holland with Jodie in hopes of finding my perfect horse and she found him in Belgium. Nelson is a Belgium Welsh and according to Ali,
“he is perfect in every way.”
Nelson was a young 4-year-old stallion when the Howard's purchased him. Ali decided to start training Nelson for the show ring in October 2005. He was a little
green but immediately took to the show scene and has not looked back.
Jodie and Nelson have won numerous awards at the USDF Region 3 Dressage Championships in the Open Division.
In 2006 they were the Training Level Dressage Champions, finished 6th in the 1st Level Dressage Championships in 2007 and were Reserve Champions 2nd Level in 2008.
Even though Jodie and Nelson posted scores in the middle 70's while qualifying for the 2010 USDF Region 3 Dressage Championships at 3rd
Level, a second regional championship was not to be. A simple bookkeeping error kept them from competing for the Championship. Instead, they captured top honors in the Open
Show at 4rd Level, Test 1 with a score of 70.000% besting the horse and rider combination that won the Championship at that level.
“Jodie has done an amazing job with my horse, Vinkenhove Nelson. She is an awesome trainer.” - Ali Howard
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2010 - Top honors at the USDF Region 3 Dressage Championships and Atlanta National Fall Dressage Show at 4rd Level, Test 1
2008 - USDF Region 3 Dressage Championships 2nd Level Reserve Champion
2007 - USDF Region 3 Dressage Championships 1st Level Championships - 6th place
2006 - USDF Region 3 Dressage Championships Training Level Champion
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NICEVILLE, FL
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Most little girls dream of owning their own horse. This dream can last well into adulthood; many people who never had a chance to ride, when young, find themselves able to buy a
horse later in life. After postponing her dream to ride in order to give her daughter the opportunity to pursue her riding dreams, Tammy was able to purchase her first horse in
2003. Her daughter, Erin, was a teenager at the time and Tammy found that when Erin got on her horse and rode away she talked about her life, good and bad, with the people with
which she rode.
"I needed to be that person, the one she was getting advice from, not someone else," Tammy recalls, "so I got my horse. It worked, our bond only got stronger. I
ALWAYS wanted to ride, but couldn’t afford for both of us to have lessons. I am inspired by my daughter, she’s my hero. I want to ride/be like her one
day!"
The horse Tammy purchased in 2003 was Kist Bayou, a thoroughbred gelding off the track. He raced for three years in seven different states, won a fair amount of prize
money and was actually registered for the Breeder's Cup. Tammy stables Kiss at Eglin Air Force Base and trains with Jodie on her regular visit to the Base on
Thursdays.
"Kiss has great movement but lacks confidence. Jodie challenges both him and me, pushing us to the edge of our abilities without pushing us over the edge.
I truly appreciate her ability to maintain that balance and understand the personal challenges and limitations that are specific to our situation. Jodie is a very
talented instructor and I'm grateful to have the opportunity to train with her.” - Tammy Key
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DESTIN, FL
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Kristine has been riding since the age of 8 and originally started out on the path of becoming a hunter/jumper rider. Eventually her family moved to Florida and found
both Southern Cross and the Kelly Family, who have turned into her extended family for nearly the past 11 years. She was introduced to Jodie and realized how just one
person can make a difference; her perception of dressage changed significantly and she wanted to become a dressage rider.
Kristine fell in love with the sport after only a few lessons with Jodie, experiencing her genuine commitment toward her students and her innate ability to instruct different
horse and rider combinations at any level.
“Jodie is my best friend, my boss, my trainer and my mentor. She in an incredible, passionate, and hard-working individual who motivates and inspires me to be the
best rider I can be - and I am proud to say that my foundation in dressage has come from her. She taught me to understand the sport in a way I never had before and I
owe everything I know today to her.”
With Jodie’s help, Kristine was able to achieve multiple high point ribbons, training level regional champion, USDF
2nd level Jr/YR reserve national champion, and her bronze medal.
At the end of 2007 Jodie assisted Kristine in purchasing a filly from Holland, Cover Girl, through Toine Hoefs. She plans on having Jodie break Cover Girl in the
spring of 2010!
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2006 - USDF Region 3 Dressage Championships Jr/YR Training Level Reserve Champion
USDF 2nd level Jr/YR Reserve National Champion
USDF Bronze Medal
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MALBIS, AL
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Savannah started riding with Jodie with a punky, Dutch warmblood pony in 2003. She is a former eventer turned dressage teen. She rode the pony through first
level. After outgrowing the pony, she turned to a Friesian mount.
Savannah rode only in exhibitions for a number of years because juggling school, varsity volleyball and riding became difficult. The experiences at the National Horse Show
in front of major crowds became her outlet in the horse world.
Now Savannah is riding once again under the coaching of Jodie. She is riding a ster Friesian mare that has the Sport Predicate from FPS. Klaske is
the only mare in the United States that has that special designation that means she was shown successfully at 4th level.
Savannah and Klaske are looking to finish the required scores for the bronze medal this year- after volleyball season!
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MALBIS, AL
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Teresa Simmons began riding with Jodie in 2003 with her Friesian gelding Matthais. It was the first time she began showing at recognized shows. The first show with
Matthias was at Chateau Elan and was very intimidating. It took all of Jodie’s encouragement to get them both through the show with terrific scores at Intro level!
Now Matthias is working on flying changes to win some blue ribbons at 3rd level. Matthias and Teresa worked with Jodie in Wellington during the winter season of 2008.
Teresa earned her bronze medal in 2007. She bought an FEI gelding, Supermann, to help her work through the
USDF medal program. Jodie is working with her and Supermann patiently helping the partnership grow in understanding
and classical skills. Supermann and Teresa earned 2 scores this spring toward the silver medal and are looking forward to the next show season to debut at Prix St Georges.
Teresa, Matthias, Supermann, Savannah and Klaske have their home stable at Southern Cross Farm in Malbis, Alabama, and commute to Destin for lessons.
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2007 - USDF Bronze Medalist
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SOUTHPORT, FL
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Kimmie Taylor has been riding since before kindergarden. Her Dad bought a mini pony that she rode on her farm in Iowa. After marrying, Kimmie lived in Adana, Turkey
for 5 years before moving back to the states and settling in Colorado. She moved from Colorado to Florida in 1998, where she was first introduced to Dressage by Sandy
Filippi and was bit by the Dressage bug. Her husband's work then took them to the Tacoma, WA area for 3 years where she trained with Kari McClain (R Judge), then with Jennifer
Schrader Williams who is working to qualify for the Olympics. Before training with Jodie, Kimmie schooled in Germany at a Riding Hall and then in the states, with Bill Woods
(R), Jan Gill (R), and Richard Williams.
Kimmie trained her latest mare, Princess Fire on Star, from a yearling up to 3rd level Dressage. Showed her at rated shows winning the USDF All Breeds award 3 years in a row,
Region 6 Great American Insurance Championships 3 years in a row placing in the top 10, Sliver Strip Awards with performance horse Region 6 placing first and second, 3 years in a row.
Numerous awards thru our Local GMO, EI Region 6. Kimmie has recently purchase an Oldenburg that she will be starting from
the ground up.
Kimmie has served as vice president of her chapter in her local GMO. Kimmie is a
USDF associate instructor and has shown competitively in two regions, taking lessons on both sides of the Atlantic.
The USDF Board of Directors appointed Kimmie the Director for Region 3 in 2010.
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2010 - USDF Region 3 Director
USDF Associate Instructor
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FT WALTON BEACH, FL
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Ellen rode horses as a kid, then found horses again as a young adult in her 30's. She discovered dressage at Gray Lily Farm in Havana, FL with Debbie Lillibridge, an event
rider. In 1994, Ellen moved to Ft Walton Beach and chose Southern Cross Equestrian Centre as the ideal location to board Dusty her appendix quarter horse.
After several years of forcing her trusty steed to be a dressage horse, he discovered the hunter world with Ellen's daughter, Lora Kay. Ellen then purchased Jappy,
a Dutch Warmblood, through Jodie Kelly Dressage. The pair won the high point trophy in 2005 at the Blue Angel Dressage Show in Pensacola, FL. Jappy and
Lora Kay also had a successful Junior season in 2006, qualifying for the North American Junior Championship team.
After being sidelined for two years to recover from a suspensory injury, Jappy was poised to capture the 2008 USDF Region 3
Training Level Championship in the Adult Amateur Division only to be sidelined again by a case of cellulitus on the first day of competition. He quickly recovered and is
currently on his way back to qualifying for next year's Championships.
Ellen served as President of the Emerald Coast Chapter of Deep South Dressage and Combined Training Association and the USDF
Region 3 Youth Coordinator for many years.
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Former USDF Region 3 Youth Coordinator
Former DSDCTA Emerald Coast Chapter President
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FT WALTON BEACH, FL
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Lora Kay has been riding since she was three, having started out with hunter/jumper ponies. She has been with Southern Cross since she was five years old, competing in both dressage and
hunter/jumpers.
Jodie has been the main influence on Lora Kay's riding. She coached her through the years and helped Lora Kay land a spot on the Region 3 North American Junior Team in 2006 and
2007.
Lora Kay finished 4th at the USEF Dressage Festival of Champions held at Gladstone, NJ in 2007 in the Junior
Championships on Jodie’s former Young Rider mount Weltkaar.
Lora Kay is currently attending college at the Art Institute in Tampa, FL. She still hopes to qualify for NAYRC
in the future with her current mount Weltschatz, another Weltmeyer star!
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2007 - 4th Place USEF Dressage Festival of Champions
2006-2007 - USEF Region 3 North American Junior Team Member
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DESTIN, FL
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Gabriella has been riding with Jodie since she was 7.
In 2008 Gaby worked her way into the top 150 in the standings for the prestigious Marshall & Sterling League's Child Horse Medal. The Marshall & Sterling
League currently has over 2,500 members. The League's members compete at more than 220 shows nationwide throughout the year for an invitation to the East Coast
Finals at the Washington International Horse Show and the West Coast Finals in California.
She also won the National Children's Medal Class at HITS 2008 in Ocala, FL and qualified for National Junior Hunter finals. At only 12-years of age, Gaby was one of
the youngest to be competitive in the Junior Division. The National Children's Medal is a 3-foot equitation class.
Gaby trains with Jodie and Christina Schleusemeyer out of Quiet Hill Farm in Ocala, FL. She and her horse Phantom are now competing together in the Juniors 3'6" and
Equitation divisions. She purchased the 10-year old Dutch Warmblood by Concorde in May 2007.
She is a 2011 ASPCA Maclay Finalist. The
ASPCA Maclay Finals are to be held at the 128th Alltech National Horse Show at the Kentucky Horspark in
Lexington, KY. Gaby She is one of only nineteen qualifying for the prestigious event from Region 3.
The ASPCA Maclay is called the “proving ground of champions” and the ultimate test for America’s young
riders. Those who win it often go on to ride professionally, and the roster of winners reads like a who’s who of equestrian sports. For spectators, it is poetry in motion,
where horse and rider seem to float effortlessly through difficult maneuvers. For the young competitors, it is about grace and style and a tremendous amount of dedication and hard work.
Gaby spends her summers training with Jodie at Southern Cross in Destin, FL.
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“I saw Gaby blossom in the summer of 2008 into an AMAZING, and I do mean an AMAZING, horse woman. She tacked up and untacked, cold hosed and hand walked more than
any 12-year old has ever done..” - Jodie Kelly
2011 - ASPCA Maclay Finalist
2008 - Top 150 for Marshall & Sterling League's Child Horse Medal
2008 - National Children's Medal Class Winner at HITS in Ocala, FL
2008 - Qualified for National Junior Hunter Finals
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DESTIN, FL
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Kalee and Paige are the daughters of Nancy and Don Keener. Ages 11 and 8, these young riders travel to various shows across the Southeast competing against some of the top
riders and trainers in the area.
Kalee has been riding since she was 5-years old. She is currently showing two horses; Flaschback and Ferazzi. Among her accomplishments in 2008 are
a Championship at the Coastal Classic, Reserve Champions in the Pony Equitation Division at the RMI Mid-Florida Series, Reserve Circuit Championship - Pony Equitation Division
at the RMI Mid-Florida Series, Champion - Small Green Pony Hunter Division at the HITS V Ocala Winter Finals, Circuit Championship - Schooling Pony Hunter Division at
HITS V Ocala Winter Finals, and a Reserve Championship at the Jacksonville National show.
In 2008, Kalee and Flaschback were ranked fourth nationally by the USEF in the Green Pony Hunter-Small Division and competed in the prestigous USEF Pony Finals
National Championships in Lexington, KY. Kalee was also 29th on USEF's new Leading Owner Rankings for 2008.
Her sister, Paige, also had a successful 2008 aboard her pony, Would You Please. The highlights of the year's show season included a Championship in the
Short Stirrup Hunter Division at the Ocala Masters, a Circuit Reserve Championship in the Short Stirrup Equitation Division at Ocala HITS V Ocala Winter Finals, a 3rd place
finish in the Short Stirrup Division at the RMI Mid-Florida Series and a Reserve Championship in the Coastal Classic.
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2008 - Top 5 National Ranking in USEF Green Pony Hunter-Small division
2008 - Competed in USEF Pony Finals National Championships
2008 - Ranked 29th on USEF Leading Owner Rankings
2008 - Champion Short Stirrup Hunter Division at Ocala Masters
2008 - Circuit Reserve Chmapion, Short Stirrup Equitation Divison at Ocala HITS V Ocala Winter Finals
2008 - Reserve Champion in Coastal Classic
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