Holiday Greeting 2008

It has been a good, but interesting year for all involved in B-Eventing. It seems as if we have hit every hurdle--and yet come out on the other side with a smile and another lesson learned! First, I want to give a huge thank you to Asheley Ireland and Lucy Cheney. Their commitment to thebusiness and myself this year has been one of the best gifts I could receive. If it had not been for their unwavering support and help, I would not have survived the year. I am extremely lucky to have some great clients and friends that support me through everything. It is at the end of the year one reflects on those who are always there. You are only as good as your team-- and I have one amazing team!!!


There is a lot of news from 2008 to report. The highlights are:

• We had a great winter in Aiken in 2008. Lots of success and lots of friends made. We are going down again this winter for a shorter period of time, but with hopes of the same success.


• Tomcat (Joey), who was injured after his two-start at Red Hills in March, is back in work and looking great.


• As you can see the B-Eventing website is up and running. A HUGE thank you goes to Lisa Hall of Sheltie 5 Productions http://www.sheltie5productions.com/ for all of her help with the site.We have two new horses on the B-Eventing team for me to compete.


• Little Oliver, owned by Pam Eckelbarger, was purchased from Bobbie Griener this summer. Oliver has done two Novice events, finishing off with a 6th at the New Jersey Horse Park in October. He is showing a lot of potential and Pam and I are very excited about him for next year. Fernhill Silver Springs (Dex) owned by Heidi Beaumont is a young Irish horse. He shows a ton of talent, and we hope he continues to develop that talent has he gets older.


• Clinics in Maine this year were a huge success. A huge THANK YOU to Pam and Kevin Eckelbarger for the use of their facility. I really enjoy the group that comes there to train, and Pam and Kevin's continued maintenance of the field--even when the weather was not 100% perfect—is superb. I am looking forward to continuing to teach there next summer. Another BIG thank you to Michele and George Cheney's farm Rest and Be Thankful; I was lucky enough to do some teaching there this summer and good times were had. Thank you for the use of your great ring and jump storage!


• The biggest news for 2008 is in 2009 year I will be starting with a new direction for the business with a full-time teaching position at Gathering Farm in Hamilton, MA. http://www.gatheringfarm.com/. I will move the business to the farm on a full-time basis, starting when I return from Aiken in April. Gathering is moving in a new direction. They are stepping away from strictly a boarding facility to more of a training and competition facility. This is a big change for Gathering and me, but I am extremely excited about it. I will be doing a lot of teaching while still being able to compete my horses, continue to travel to Maine to teach, and travel south for the winter. Change is exciting and Gathering is offering me an opportunity to change in an exciting new direction.


• Finally, I could not close out the year without thanking my sponsors and friends of B-Eventing—old and new--for their support: HoofPix Sport Horse Photography and Adams Pet Supplies; John and Betsy Brandt, The Lenna's, Heidi Beaumont, The Merriall's. I am so appreciative of theirbacking and look forward to their involvement with the B-Eventing team in 2009 and beyond.

Look forward to seeing all of you again in 2009. As always, feel free to contact me if I can offer assistance to you and your horse as you continue the journey with your horse!