|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Old Age is not a Disease By Laurie Kelly Saturday, August 23, 2008
Cork is a 31-year-old Appaloosa. He came to us from Pat Roach. He was truly a gift! He took charge of our lesson kids when they outgrew Jodie’s pony, Chip. Cork always came to the gate to meet the kids in the afternoon. No one ever had to “catch” him. He trotted if they started to post, he walked when they stopped, he took them around the pond to “warm up and cool down” and he stayed under them, no matter what. Only once can I remember anyone “rolling” off of Cork. We used to say, “no one can fall off of Cork, because he manages to stay under you, wherever you are!”
He has since lived happily in our seniors pasture with my old Hanoverian, Aspen, and with Chip until Chip went to pony heaven in October. On June 30th of this year, Jodie’s birthday, Cork ate his lunch and by mid afternoon became noticeably uncomfortable. A first for him in 15 years. We took him to Auburn large animal clinic almost immediately, based on his age and our lack of proximity to a veterinary hospital. We “pre” discussed that he would certainly not be a candidate for surgery due to his age, but that if there was a twist and they felt nothing more invasive would be necessary, we would consider looking into an exploratory surgery option with great reservation and caution, but nothing further if it went past just repositioning everything. Long story short, it was a lipoma, did require surgery, did require removing some intestine, did go against everything we had said we were not going to do and we did go ahead and operate. The surgeon, whom we had fully expected to suggest euthanasia, shocked us by giving a step by step report on how strong his heart was, how great his attitude was, how good his blood work looked and during anesthesia, he was still handling everything perfectly and we just could not think of a good reason not to go on. As my good friend, also a veterinarian always says, “old age is not a disease.” Cork handled the surgery and recovery beautifully. No real bumps in the road! We kept him in ICU at Auburn ten days post surgery because of his age, but he really, really wanted to come home because his whole little face turned sparkly and happy when Kristine and Gaby arrived at AULAC to bring him home! While he was in the hospital, we sent out daily “Cork reports” to all of his friends. Now that he is home he is loving life and the fact that he is absolutely the center of the SCEC universe. He was wrapped and iced daily for three weeks so his legs didn't get tired and because he got a puffy knee during all of this. He was hand walked four times a day and taken for grass many more! His month of “confinement” is up and he cruises the courtyard all morning while the barn staff is cleaning up. They can all run faster than he can if he starts to wander, but mostly he just hangs around and enjoys life. Not sure how many more years he has, but seeing his face when he got home and watching him visit with Aspen and watching how much he loves the attention from the girls has made it all worthwhile. Click here for more information on Pedunculated Lipoma. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Wencenza Invited to National Young Horse Dressage Championships Friday, August 15, 2008
The Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Program promotes the importance of selective breeding and correct training of horses in the United States, and encourages participation of breeders, riders, and trainers of young horses in dressage competition. The purposes of this program are to encourage the properly structured development of young dressage prospects through the training scale; to identify and recognize outstanding talent and the training of international-caliber horses; and to prepare these horses for future careers at the FEI level and participation on U.S. High Performance teams. 
A series of competitions throughout the U.S. have been designated as Qualifying Competitions for USEF Developing Dressage
programs, which includes the Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Program. Each horse must earn scores in at least
two different Qualifying Competitions. The lowest score from all competitions is dropped and all remaining scores are used to calculate each horse's overall average.
A minimum overall average of 7.2 (72%) must be maintained for consideration to these Championships. The USEF
extends an invitation to the top twenty horse/rider combinations per age division. Wencenza goes into the competition ranked 12th
in 5-year-old division with an average of 7.69 (76.9%).Jodie remarked, "I was riding her the other night and it occurred to me, this will be the FIRST national championship I have ridden in as a professional; without being in an age bracket. I've ridden in national and international divisions for years, but first it was Juniors which is 14-18, then Young Riders which is 16-21, then the Brentina Cup, which is under 28. But, this is the first thing I have qualified for going head to head with anyone else." Also included in that elite top 20 is a good friend's beautiful young mare, Riverside Lady aka "Berry" owned by Robbie Rice. Riverside Lady is actually going into the competition ranked higher than Wencenza in the 5th position. Jodie pointed out, however, "when we get there, we all start with a clean slate." Click here for more information on the Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Program. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
It Takes a Village Wednesday, August 12, 2008
For those of you who do not know, our beautiful Times Square was recently diagnosed with multicentric lymphoma. The cancer was diagnosed based on tests finding multiple cutaneous tumors, lymphoma in his testicles and lymphoma in some lymph nodes as well. His bone marrow appeared relatively clean and nothing was detected elsewhere by ultrasound. It doesn't mean it wasn't there, just that we did not want to do anything more invasive to find it elsewhere. The aforementioned locations proved plenty!! His medical team is assuming it is elsewhere based on these findings, but could not put a finger on it. His immune system is sadly lacking and has been since he was a baby they believe. His "B" cells are basically MIA and because of this, the Immunologist at Cornell University finds him to be a complete and total mystery. Cornell has remained involved and does their own blood work every three or so weeks to study his immune system and his progress.
Caring for him during his chemotherapy is time consuming, but always a pleasure. He is your classic example of the saying, "it takes a village......"!! He is monitored twice a day for temperature, medicated (not counting his chemo) four times a day, fed four small meals a day, and for 48 hours of each week (following his chemo), all contact with him must be done in protective clothing and a foot bath is used coming and going from his stall, his manure is bagged and disposed of in a dumpster, and his blood work is done at least weekly and many weeks more often if we are suspicious of anything. That said, our "village" of Times Square caregivers carry on with amazing love and affection and always have smiles on their faces for him, and he is sure to return the favor. He is incredibly cheerful considering his medical condition and diagnosis, appears to be pain free, AND is still working every day. His version of work...he is groomed and tacked up every day and at a minimum goes for a long, long walk through Kelly Plantation. If he is feeling good and that is most days, he does a little work in the ring. The goal is to keep him happy, strong, and busy without stressing him. He has had a few down days over the last ten weeks and they are recognizable and on those days he takes a break. These days normally follow the intra muscular chemo, which is every other week; the IV chemo (different drug as well as method of administration) does not get him down as much. He has only missed one week of chemo due to low neutraphils and we have only three more until his induction period is over and he is reassessed. Because of his immune deficiency and a few other facts of his case that are unprecedented as far as the oncologist and immunologist can find, the initial prognosis was extremely guarded and no one was really able to talk about the "future" with any optimism. We, on the other hand, have NEVER, EVER told Times Square that he was sick! We have supported him with love and an organic, sugar free diet of treats, but not with sympathy and sadness. He looks daily at his VISION BOARD full of pictures of himself happily playing in the water at Poplar or working in the arena. The VISION BOARD "instructs" his visitors (and he has plenty of visitors), that he needs to be loved and adored but not pitied or treated like a cancer victim!! JUST MAYBE it is working...(maybe the drugs are helping too!) because his cutaneous tumors have all but disappeared; they are probably 90% improved. His nasal discharge and runny eyes are significantly less or gone most of the time and he continues to have good weight and muscle and a good appetite. So, is he out of the woods? Not by a long shot. We are cautiously hopeful that he can pull this off. There are no statistics to bank on because there are no cases to base them on that match him even remotely. We are hoping for remission and know that a cure is not in the cards. Every day is a new day and as long as he appears happy and looks as healthy as he does at this time, we will all soldier on. So, thanks for checking on him and if you took the time to read this, thanks for thinking about him!! Send him positive thoughts and prayers if you will and he welcomes visitors at any time except Tuesday afternoon when he gets his chemo until his 48 hours are up on Thursday. Organic carrots and apples are his favorite!! Thanks a ton. - Laurie Kelly Related Links: [ Photo Gallery ] |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Kalee Keener Headed to 2008 USEF Pony Finals National Championships Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Our own Kalee Keener will be competing in this year's Finals with both of her ponies, Flaschback and Ferazzi. Kalee and Flaschback are currently ranked 4th nationally by the USEF in the Green Pony Hunter-Small Division. Kalee will also be competing in the Pony Medal Final which tests young riders in a head-to-head competition, judging both their equitation and their ability to compete over a technical and demanding course of fences. Jodie and hunter/jumper trainer Christina Schlusemeyer from Quiet Hill Farm in Ocala, FL team up to provide Kalee with a unique combination of Dressage and Hunter training. The hunter pony competition will be judged in three phases with corresponding values: in-hand phase - 25%; under saddle phase - 25%; over fences phase - 50%. The highest-scoring pony overall will be declared grand champion. To learn more about the USEF Pony Finals, visit www.usef.org. To learn more about Kalee, read her bio on the Clients page. Jodie Kelly Dressage proudly supports Kalee Keener and Flaschback in their quest for pony history. Good luck Kalee! |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
BIG NEWS!! - Courtney Qualifies for 2008 Olympics!! Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Steffen Peters & Ravel, Debbie McDonald & Brentina and Courtney King-Dye & Harmony's Mythilus were the top three rider and horse combinations and were nominated and approved by the USEF for the Dressage Team for the 2008 Olympic Games in Hong Kong. Final entries will be made to the USOC on July 15, 2008. In an effort to ensure that the U.S. is well set for the Olympic Games in Hong Kong, the USEF will have Steffen Peters and Courtney King-Dye take both of their leading horses. That means Lombardi II and Idocus will also be leaving on July 10 for Aachen, Germany where the horses will go into quarantine before heading to Hong Kong. Leslie Morse and Kingston have been named as the alternates and will travel with the team to Hong Kong. Courtney extended a special thanks to the many people that have helped her along the journey. Jodie Kelly Dressage, Inc. sponsored a fundraiser in January of this year to help Courtney in her quest to make the 2008 United States Olympic Team. There are certainly exciting times ahead for Courtney! Jodie Kelly Dressage, Inc. and its supporters wishes Courtney well in the pursuit of her dream. Photo courtesy of Sara Leiser, The Chronicle of the Horse - Harmony's Mythilus owned by Harmony Amateur Sports Foundation. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Related Links: [ Courtney's Website ] [ Official USEF Press Release ] [ Dressage Daily Story on Trials Results ] [ Pre-Trials Dressage Daily Interview ] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
A Better Day Sunday, March 23, 2008
Jodie and Manhattan finally had their first official bad day at the Grand Prix on Thursday. Ten minutes before their scheduled ride time, the two were cruising around the warm up ring when a large storm rolled in threatening to dump a little liquid Florida sunshine on their parade. Just before the rider ahead of Jodie went in, show management put a twenty minute hold on the dressage to allow the storm to pass. The three other riders in the warm up ring at the time jammed their horses under a little pavillion that was next to the warm up ring. “Manhattan doesn't jam anywhere under those circumstances, so we hoofed it back to the barn,” recounted Jodie. The CDI horses were competing in the main stadium and was a short ten minute walk to get back to the secured stabling housing the CDI horses. Jodie decided it would be better for she and Manhattan, and for the other competitors, if they went back to the barn instead of chancing putting Manhattan in such a confined area.
“He was amazing after my test, I got after him with my whip a bit and sharpened him up and had some beautiful work. In the past, if I got him too jazzed in the warm up, then he was too tense in the ring. I think he has outgrown that and I can jazz him a little more in the warm up,” noted Jodie. So Jodie's plan going into Saturday's Grand Prix Special test was to get after Manhattan a little bit before her ride. After the ride Jodie recalled, “On my way to the warm up on the long walk, he was walking, not being reluctant, but just making his way there, with very little enthusiasm or expression. I was thinking, oh boy, here we go again. I started my warm up and again, he did his thing, but there was no excitement. He needed some inspiration and it was up to me to inspire him. I started talking to him, telling him how proud I was of him this season and that I know he has been working hard, but I really needed him to rally for this ONE ride. And after that I promised he could have some well deserved R&R.” Jodie continued, “All of this conversation happening while I'm warming up and low and behold his power started to build. I felt his excitement growing and before I knew it, he was power housing around the warm up and had spooked at something and bucked a little; all good signs. And not once did I use my whip. He was inspired! I'm not sure if it was the pep talk for him, or if I started riding differently by hearing the pep talk myself, but I had a fantastic warm up and knew we were ready.” The pep talk worked for both Jodie and Manhattan. The judges awarded them with a score of 62.880%. “It it was as good as he is right now,” Jodie proudly stated. “He tried his heart out. The Grand Prix Special is such a physically demanding test, he gets tired in it and I have to jazz him up a few times during it. Each time, he jazzed right up, unlike the other day. It was a great way to end the season.”
Just like in previous tests, the judges comments were all very positive and awarded her a 7.32% (73.20%). That placed her third behind the winner, Ilse Schwarz aboard Sauvignon with a score of 7.480%, and Silva Martin aboard FS Tiger Lily in second with a score of 7.460%. “She was really good and I am thrilled with her progress. I rode in the young horse training sessions with Scott (Hassler) earlier in the week and he was really, really happy with her,” Jodie recalled. “So, to me, that's almost more meaningful than the scores. He thinks she is going to be a fantastic FEI horse and will have a really great piaffe and passage. Let's hope he's right!” |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Photos and Video by Glenn and Cindy Carpenter Related Links: [ MANHATTAN PHOTO GALLERY ] [ Video 1 ] [ Video 2 ] [ Video 3 ] [ Video 4 ] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Photos and Video by Glenn and Cindy Carpenter Related Links: [ WENCENZA PHOTO GALLERY ] [ Video 1 ] [ Video 2 ] [ Video 3 ] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
KWPN-NA Annual Meeting Features Scott Hassler and Riding Demonstrations by Jodie Kelly Saturday, March 8, 2008
Coach Hassler offered advice on which performance track was appropriate for different types of horses - the national test track of the FEI Young Horse or the Developing Horse track. The goal for this day was to help breeders, riders and trainers evaluate the potential of their young dressage horses. Jodie was asked to bring Wencenza (Contango x Piacenza/Juventus) and Uniek Orame x Moraliene/) out as dressage demonstration horses for Scott Hassler. Wencenza is a five-year-old, 17.1-hand Dutch mare owned by Beth and Roy Godwin of Jolly Bay Farm in Freeport, Florida. Jodie is training and competing Wencenza in the Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Program. Her goal is to qualify Wencenza for the 2008 USEF/Markel Young Horse Dressage Championships in Lexington, Kentucky, this summer. Uniek is a six-year-old, 16.2-hand Dutch gelding owned by Caroline Adams. Caroline is the daughter of Ben and Dawn Adams of Lafayette, Louisiana. Caroline is currently training with Jodie in Loxahatachee while keeping up with her normal school workload. Jodie accompanied Caroline and her family on a trip to Holland this past September 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. Coach Hassler was impressed with both horses. He had seen Wencenza at the beginning of the season and was very enthusiastic about her progress. It was the first time he had seen Uniek and said "it's obvious this horse is an athlete." He also commented, "I would love to get on the back of this one myself." At the end of Uniek's ride, Coach Hassler complemented Jodie on her riding and training skills. He said that both horses were fantastic demonstration horses and that each was exactly where they needed to be given their ages. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Photos by Glenn Carpenter Related Links: [ WENCENZA PHOTO GALLERY ] [ UNIEK PHOTO GALLERY ] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Movin' on Up! Saturday, March 1, 2008
The Palm Beach Derby is a USEF High Performance qualifying competition for the 2008 FEI World Cup Dressage Final and the USEF National Grand Prix Championship/Olympic Games Selection Trials. Some of the best American riders have qualified at the Palm Beach Derby in the past to go on to compete and win at the Olympic Games, the World Cup, World Equestrian Games and the Pan American Games. “It was the best one we've done yet!” Jodie quipped. “Manhattan was such a good boy. The nice thing about it was that I felt like it was as good as we are, right now. The Grand Prix is a very physically demanding test. It's the first time I feel like I have ever challenged Manhattan's fitness.” The five judge panel awarded the pair's performance with a score of 65.2%. "It was a really tough panel of judges, too," noted Kelly. "Because this is another one of the Olympic Games Selection Trials a couple of today's judges will be judging the Olympics. So, I was really pleased to be in the mid-sixties with them." That score placed Jodie and Manhattan eleventh out of what started as forty-seven entries. After the jog and some show day scratches the actual number of competitors today was thirty-four. "We're movin' on up," mused Jodie. “There is lots of room for improvement and I really feel like we can make those improvements. Maybe not this season, but definitely in the future. It's just going to take time for me to understand it a little better and him to get stronger.” |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Photo by Cindy Carpenter | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Back to Livin' Floridays, Blue Skies and Ultra Violet Rays Saturday, March 1, 2008
Jodie's goal is to qualify Wencenza for the 2008 USEF/Markel Young Horse Dressage Championships in Lexington, KY, this summer. To do so, the pair must earn a minimum overall score of 7.2 for consideration to the Selection Trial. This was Jodie and Wencenza's second qualifying competition and Judges Evi Eisenhardt and Uwe Mechlem gave them their second qualifying score of 7.860 (78.60%). "Wencenza was a superstar again," Jodie proudly exclaimed. In two days of competition, Wencenza scored a 78.60 percent and a 77.20 percent in the Markel/USEF Young Horse competition. Going into yesterday's competion, Wencenza was ranked 4th in the Five-Year-Old Division of the 2008 USEF National Young Horse Rankings. Wencenza's owner was equally as excited. "I'll definitely hold on to her. I'm so happy and so proud of her," said the Freeport, Florida breeder. She's just an all-around great horse." Godwin said her long-term plan is for Jodie to take the horse all the way up the levels. "They're a great pair and Jodie loves her too." |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Photo by Cindy Carpenter Related Links: [ DRESSAGE DAILY STORY ] [ 2008 USEF YOUNG HORSE DRESSAGE PROGRAM RANKINGS ] [ SHOW RESULTS ] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
A Mudder of a Horse By Jeff Carpenter Saturday, February 9, 2008
Throw in a sloppy venue and most would consider it a daunting task for even the most seasoned veterans. Surprisingly, eight months after giving birth and just four months after returning to the training ring, Wencenza, a five-year-old, 17.1-hand Dutch mare by Contango out of a Juventus mare owned by Beth and Roy Godwin of Jolly Bay Farm in Freeport, FL, turned out to be a mudder of a horse. In two days of competion in less than ideal conditions, Jodie Kelly, 24, of Destin, FL and Wencenza recorded back-to-back victories in their debut at the ESP Wellington Dressage show this weekend. Today, Jodie and Wencenza topped the field in the FEI Young Horse Test of Choice for Four, Five and Six Year Olds, a qualifying competition for the Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Program. Riding the test for Five-Year-Olds, the pair earned a 7.52 (75.20%) score from judges Gary Rockwell and Michael Poulin to claim the top spot.
“What wasn't underwater was very sticky, slippery mud. It was the most unsettled I have ever felt her in the warm up. I think it was just the combination of everything and the noise of all the horses splashing through the mud that made her nervous. She just hasn’t shown that much, so she was really very anxious and I was a little bit worried about her. We just took it easy and had a very quiet, calm warm-up. I actually ended up riding the test very conservatively, which I’m excited about because we won with that and I know there’s a lot more in her.” Judges Poulin and Rockwell were also impressed, stating that overall they were very encouraged and enthusiastic about Wencenza's training to date. They said she just needs a little bit more time and development. They commented they saw very, very nice steps in her mediums and a nice balance, particularly in her canter, but she lacked consistency. The impressive steps they saw “in between” need to be present on every step. Yesterday, Kelly and Wencenza competed in the USEF Test of Choice for Training, First, and Second Level, and topped the other 12 Open division entries with a score of 72.632% for their ride in First Level Test 4, claiming the win and setting the stage for their weekend outing. Jodie is very excited about the Young Horse Dressage Program. She recently rode Wencenza in a clinic with Scott Hassler, USEF Young Horse Dressage Coach, and hopes to participate in the sessions with him in Florida on March 17-19 at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center South Grounds in Wellington. “Scott was very encouraging about her and he was very, very happy with her training, so it was a really great all around experience,” Jodie recounted. Wencenza will also participate as a demonstration horse at the KWPN conference at the beginning of March, so both are getting a lot of Young Horse experience! Jodie's goal is to qualify Wencenza for the 2008 USEF/Markel Young Horse Dressage Championships in Lexington, KY, this summer. “We’re just going to see how it goes,” she said. “Then the FEI World Breeding Championships in Germany is coming up, but she’s a long way from there, so we’ll see. But it’s definitely something that we have in the back of our minds.” |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Photos by Glenn and Cindy Carpenter Related Links: [ WENCENZA PHOTO GALLERY ] [ PHELPS MEDIA GROUP INTERVIEW ] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Kelly and Manhattan in First Grand Prix Season Saturday, February 9, 2008
“So this year we’re playing with the big boys and it’s been good,” Jodie said. “We’ve held our own. We have a lot to work on, but I’ve been really, really happy with him.” Jodie is currently in Wellington for the season with seven horses, but that’s far fewer than her normal routine back home. “Down here with seven–I’m on vacation, let me tell ya!” she laughed. “At home, usually I have 14 to 16 every day, but I don’t ride them all. I teach lessons too.” Jodie has had training from internationally renowned riders including Toine Hoefs, Debbie McDonald, Steffen Peters, Klaus Balkenhol, Betsy Steiner, Susie Dutta and Anky van Grunsven, but for the most part she works on her own. “On a regular basis, I don’t have anybody at home with me, but Toine Hoefs from Holland has been a huge influence on me bringing Manhattan through the levels,” Jodie related. “He’s also the person that got me started with all the young horses. I used to ride his young ones in Holland every summer." “This season Manhattan and I are working with Courtney King on the Grand Prix. I’m on my own nine months out of the year, but Toine comes over from Holland for clinics. Hopefully I can get Courtney to come for a few clinics after the Olympics – I’m hoping she’ll be tied up (at the Olympics) for the summer!” Kelly added with a grin. Jodie acknowledged that Olympic team aspirations are also on her agenda, saying, “Oh, that’s a goal. Absolutely. I’m realistic about it and I know that it’s probably a long way down the road, but it’s certainly a goal.” Jodie was talking to Susie Dutta after her ride and Jodie said she put into words what Jodie was feeling so well. “Susie said it takes some time before the test stops riding you and you can start riding the test,” Jodie recounted, “That is so true and it is exactly that feeling that I used to have for the Prix St Georges. Right now the Grand Prix is riding me, but I'll beat it and be in charge soon.” |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Photos by Glenn and Cindy Carpenter Related Links: [ MANHATTAN PHOTO GALLERY ] [ PHELPS MEDIA GROUP INTERVIEW ] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Kelly and Manhattan in First CDI Sunday, January 27, 2008
Kelly's Grand Prix mount was Manhattan, a 14-year-old grey KWPN gelding by Uniform that she has trained through the levels since he was two-and-a-half years old. Over the years, Toine Hoefs has been a major influence in Jodie's progess with Manhattan. “Unfortunately, Toine is very busy at home this year and unable to come over,” Jodie sadly reported. “So I asked Courtney King if she had any time that she might be able to give me some lessons this week. She arranged for me to come over Tuesday and Wednesday. We rode through the Grand Prix and then picked it apart. It was really a super lesson.” “This weekend was our first CDI and our first real Grand Prix,” noted Jodie. “Manhattan was such a super star. Thursday was the jog and he of course, passed with flying colors. I then schooled him on my own, since Courtney went home sick. I actually think it was good for Manhattan and me to have some 'together time' since we had had two intense lessons with Courtney. He schooled great.” There were more than thirty riders contending for top honors in the Grand Prix, including several that have represented the United States in various world competitions. Several of the horses were world ranked, but Jodie and Manhattan held their own! The judges award the pair a score of 64.167%. “I rode a very clean Grand Prix test. It wasn't special and there was tons of room for improvement, but it wasn't embarrassing at all.” Jodie and her grey gelding finished in the middle of the pack. “The people were so supportive. Most people that I know and have been showing with for years realized that I was in the Grand Prix and wished me luck on my way to the ring and then stopped me to either congratulate me if they saw it, or ask how it went if they didn't. It was just really neat.” Today, Jodie and Manhattan performed the Grand Prix Special test for the very first time and scored a respectible 63.520% and finished in the top ten. “I was very pleased,” Jodie said. “We certainly didn't win this weekend, but I definitely had my own personal victory.” |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Related Links: [ SHOW RESULTS ] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
It's Time to Head South! Saturday, January 19, 2008
We ALWAYS love visitors down south. Wellington is like Disney world for horse people! If you have never been, I HIGHLY recommend it. It is a town that revolves 100% around horses for 3-4 months out of the year. You are a minority in the town if you are NOT wearing breeches and boots at lunch or are not driving a dually pick up truck. There is a tack shop on every corner and a horse being led down a "bridle trail" everywhere you drive. I will be competing in the Grand Prix with Manhattan!!! It is a leap to do the CDI's in Wellington on an Olympic year, but what have I got to lose. I will also be showing Beth Godwin's mare, Wencenza in the FEI 5-year-old tests. We would love to have anyone come visit any time... Jodie |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Courtney King Fundraiser a Success! Saturday, January 12, 2008
The fundraiser was themed The Road to the Olympics, an Evening with Courtney King. It was an unforgettable evening with entertainment provided by Clark and Company, as well as viewing several of Courtney's memorable 2007 rides on the big screens in the Sports Bar at One Water Place at Kelly Plantation and a silent auction consisting of some truly amazing items. Courtney explained what her road to the Olympics will entail. There are designated CDI's that count as qualifying competitions for the Olympic Trials. Top riders (at those events) compete again for three spots on the U.S. Olympic Dressage Team. The Dressage trials will be held June 21-29 in San Juan Capistrano, California. Through her shows in Europe, both Idocus and Mythilus are already basically qualified to go to the Trails, but they need to show in the qualifiers in Florida to be in front of Olympic judges and hopefully improve their rankings. She also has a third horse, Rendezvous, who will be doing the qualifiers, and although she does not think Rendezvous is a team contender as the Grand Prix is still new to her, the goal for her will be to make the top 12. "I was extremely, extraordinarily impressed with the fundraiser. Jodie did an amazing job... far exceeding any expectations I came in with. The attention to detail, the fun atmosphere, the great food... if anyone ever wants to run for President, Jodie would be a great campaign organizer! I was floored by the generosity of the people in Destin... all of the food and catering donated, all of the drinks donated, the tables bought, my plane ticket donated. It was incredibly touching, and I hope that one day I can help Jodie when it is her time because it is clear to me that all of these people gathered at the fundraiser were there to support her as much if not more than to support me. I really enjoyed the whole group. Thank you, thank you to all those who put so much time and effort into making a great event!" - Courtney King-Dye |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Photos by Glenn and Cindy Carpenter Related Link: [ PHOTO GALLERY ] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
The Road to the Olympics December 16, 2007 DESTIN, FL - Courtney King is a United States Dressage Federation (USDF) Bronze, Silver, and Gold Medalist and a USDF Certified Instructor through Fourth Level. She was named to the USET Olympic Long List in 2000 and to the USEF High Performance Developing Riders List in 2004. Courtney currently counts 15 horses in training with her, including the internationally renowned Grand Prix stallion Brom’s Idocus. She makes no secret that her ultimate goal is to represent the USA internationally and ultimately in the Olympics. She is within reach of realizing her dream but needs our help. Please join us Saturday, January 5, 2008 for a local event to raise funds for Courtney's expenses. This exciting night will include meeting Courtney, previewing videos of her and her international equine partners, heavy hors d’oeuvres and an evening of dancing to music provided by Clark and Company. The event will be held at One Water Place at Kelly Plantation in Destin, FL and Dress is Plantation Casual. Tickets are $100 per person. Sponsorships are also available and include VIP seating, a reserved table for eight and recognition in program for $1,200. Seating and sponsorships are limited so get your tickets early! All sponsorships and donations are tax deductible. If you would like to contribute but cannot attend, please send checks to Jodie Kelly Dressage, Inc at P.O.Box 164, Destin, FL 32540. Make your check payable to Medal Equestrian Foundation and memo your check “Courtney King”. For more information email Jodie or call 850-974-8440.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Photos by Susan J Stickle Related Links: [ One Water Place at Kelly Plantation ] [ Clark and Company ] [ Medal Equestrian Foundation ] [ Courtney's Website ] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Ben's New Girlfriend is Here! December 4, 2007 DESTIN, FL - Ben Adams' new Friesian mare, Julia V, has safely arrived from Holland. After her flight over and two weeks in quarantine, and then her truck ride here, she is settling into life in Florida nicely. Julia was originally started as a carriage horse in Holland and had minimal time under saddle when we bought her. She seems to be taking to the dressage ring nicely and is very happy in her work.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Photos by Kristine Lundblad | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Do You Remember Your First... Monday, November 12, 2007
Jodie has dreamt of her first Grand Prix since the day she bought Manhattan. It was that day that Toine Hoefs told her, "He is going to be a Grand Prix horse." Of course, it was also the same day that Manhattan had bucked Jodie off and eluded her for ten minutes in an indoor. Jodie recalls "I knew it would be a long road, but I vowed then and there that I was going to make him that Grand Prix horse." There have been a few possibilities over the years that might have resulted in Jodie having a trained Grand Prix horse. And as tempting as it was at times, she knew that she wanted Manhattan to be her first. "I wanted my first to be on a horse I had trained myself, so, I waited a few years longer maybe. But some things are worth waiting for.. and it TOTALLY was!" Jodie and Manhattan earned judge's marks of 67.708% on the opening day of the show in their first Grand Prix test. The performance was certainly an event to be celebrated. On day two, the pair followed up with even better marks of 68.750%. "Overall, it all went as perfect as I had hoped, my rides certainly had some mistakes that need working on, but they were both solid rides." The rest of the show was also good with Jodie Kelly Dressage claiming several high point awards. Cindy Carpenter captured the Dutch High Point award with a 73.929% score aboard Utrillo. The judge's marks of 73.684% for Jodie and Wencenza gave the pair the highest score at First level. The Second level High Point award went to Lora Kay Witterstaeter on Preference with a 70.000% mark. Jodie and Manhattan won the FEI High Point award followed closely by Lora Kay and Weltkaar with a 67.750%. It is safe to say that this was the start of a lot of good memories for Jodie Kelly Dressage. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Photos by Glenn and Cindy Carpenter Related Links: [ SCHOOLING DAY PHOTO GALLERY ][ GRAND PRIX &CELEBRATION PHOTO GALLERY ][ CLIENTS PHOTO GALLERY ] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
We Will Miss You, Good Boy Chip! Monday, October 22, 2007
Chip has been a member of the Kelly family for 19 years, I got him when I was 5. When he came to us, his name was Charlie Chip and they called him Charlie, we already had a Charlie in the barn, so we called him Chip, but we didn't like the name "Charlie Chip". Within days, he was officially "Good Boy Chip" because that was all I ever said to him. I dont have any memories that Chip isn't a part of my life. I went to my first dressage show on Chip, my number was 44 and I walked away from that show with a blue ribbon. That became my official number when I competed at Timpoochee, and my lucky number (hence my email address). I still have that bridle number in my trunk, it goes to every horse show with me. Then there was the time that we dressed up like Tinker Bell and Peter Pan. Chip was Peter Pan. He wore the WHOLE Peter Pan outfit, the pointed hat, the sword tied around his middle, even the green tights. We held his tights up with suspenders :-). Mom and I also did a pas de deux with Chip and her horse, Aspen, they look just alike only Aspen is over 17 hands and Chip was around 12.1 or so. We did it to Peter and the Wolf. It was quite a sight. I was so excited that I got to wear my first pair of tall boots so that Mom and I would match. I rode him in the Destin Christmas parade, went all the way to the state finals in 4-H with him, even got my first scores for my bronze medal on him. My memories of Chip go on and on, as they do for SOOOO many kids that he taught to ride. All of the kids that got their start on Chip, I consider the lucky ones. If I had a dollar for every time I heard a kid claim Chip as "theirs", I would be rich. He was one of a kind. I appreciate Kristine and Dr. Williams more than you two will EVER know for making his last day so special and so happy for him. He will be missed by everyone. - Jodie |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Team Kelly in the Ribbons at USDF Region 3 Championships Monday, October 22, 2007
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Photos by Glenn and Cindy Carpenter Related Link: [ DAY 1 PHOTO GALLERY ][ DAY 2 PHOTO GALLERY ][ DAY 3 PHOTO GALLERY ] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
