Saturday, February 2, 2013

Lesson Highlights 1/27-2/2: Jumping for joy!

The recent cold weather and lots of snow haven't kept our riders away! We don't have a lot of "news" over the winter months, so we figured we'd highlight particularly awesome lessons each week!
 

- Allie and her dad, Matt, have been doing great with their new horse, Nora! They've been learning to work with her spunky personality, and they both had wonderful lessons this week!

- The Friday night group jumping lesson was excellent this week! The group consisted of Becky & Rufus, Ashley & Mawby, Abby & Nemo, and Ed & Chance. Chance hadn't jumped in a few weeks - he's been busy at vet appointments for a rare (but not painful or threatening!) tooth disorder - so he was happy to pop over a few jumps with the group! Becky is considering making Ru's combined training debut this summer, and they're already looking Starter-ready! Ashley is getting used to Mawby and his excessive enthusiasm, and put in some amazing courses! She took Mawby over his first ever Christmas tree and he was perfect! Definitely a good match! Last but certainly not least, we were happy to have Abby add into the jumping lesson. She flew around the courses with ease even though her pony is about half the size of the others! She and Nemo also jumped the Christmas tree for the first time!


- Jessie and Ed have been turning our indoor ring into a mini cross-country course on Saturday mornings, stacking up all of the poles, standards, blocks, chairs, haybales and Christmas decorations they can find! Here's a video of a few of Jessie and Thunder's jumps today:

 
- Emma had a jumping lesson on Nemo this morning and finished with no "Dusty Bottoms" ribbons this week :) She was extremely poised and confident after her tumble last week and was excited to jump again! She was happy to have control over her "silly pony" and we're so proud of her!


Tuesday, December 18, 2012

2012 ESDCTA Year End Awards

Congratulations to all of our riders on a wonderful 2012 show season! Acheivement awards will be posted soon; here are our high score awards and medals!


Rebecca Kuc
ESDCTA GOLD MEDAL
CHAMPION                                 Third Level Junior                               Rufus
CHAMPION                                 Third Level MFS Junior                      Rufus
ACHIEVEMENT AWARD          Fourth Level                                       Ultimate
ACHIEVEMENT AWARD          Fourth Level                                       Rufus
ACHIEVEMENT AWARD          Training Level                                    High Hopes

Jessica Kuc
CHAMPION                                  Starter Combined Training                Against All Odds
CHAMPION                                 Quadrille                                             Against All Odds
RESERVE CHAMPION               First Level MFS Junior                      Against All Odds
FOURTH PLACE                         Fourth Level Junior                            Grande I Am
ACHIEVEMENT AWARD          Second Level                                     Against All Odds
ACHIEVEMENT AWARD          First Level                                          Against All Odds

Edward Kuc
CHAMPION                                 Novice Combined Training                Just Takin' Chances
CHAMPION                                 Beginner Novice Combined Tr.         Balladeer
FOURTH PLACE                         Beginner Novice Eventing                 Balladeer
ACHIEVEMENT AWARD         First Level                                           Balladeer

Alexandra Bielinski
CHAMPION                                 Starter W/T/C Junior                            Skip, Zip and Zap
CHAMPION                                 Quadrille                                              Starlight

Holly Ahner
ESDCTA BRONZE MEDAL     
CHAMPION                                Quadrille                                             Redford's Big Mac
ACHIEVEMENT AWARD        Training Level                                     Redford's Big Mac

Laurel Perweiler
ESDCTA BRONZE MEDAL
CHAMPION                               Quadrille                                             I Found Nemo
ACHIEVEMENT AWARD       Training Level                                    Starlight

Jill Kuc
RESERVE CHAMPION              Fourth Level MFS Open                     Ultimate
FOURTH PLACE                        FEI Intermediare I Open                      Grande I Am
FIFTH PLACE                             FEI Prix St. Georges Open                  Ultimate

Clara Mehnert
MASTER'S AWARD                   Second Level Sharp as a Tack
THIRD PLACE                            Second Level Adult Amateur               Sharp as a Tack
 
Judith Feller
CHAMPION                                 Starter W/T Open                                 Dolly

Daniella Corrente
RESERVE CHAMPION             Starter W/T/C Adult Amateur             Starlight

Allison Roecker
RESERVE CHAMPION             Starter W/T Junior                              I Found Nemo

Ashley Coleman
ESDCTA BRONZE MEDAL
ACHIEVEMENT AWARD        Training Level                                      Duncan

Haley Schierwagen
ACHIEVEMENT AWARD        First Level                                            Starlight

Melodie Higgins
ACHIEVEMENT AWARD        Training Level                                     Redford's Big Mac

Andrea Ashbey
ACHIEVEMENT AWARD        Training Level                                     Shkittles

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Dark Keioki: 1989-2012

"Keioki"
1989-2012
 
     Earlier this month, the Kuc family and Hidden Creek Equestrian Center had to say goodbye to our oldest horse, a beloved Holsteiner mare named Keioki. Healthy and active throughout her entire life, the vet's best guess is that osteoporosis, not uncommon in elderly mares, caused an otherwise unprovoked fracture in one of Keioki's legs. Thanks to observant friends and great care, Keioki was able to pass entirely peacefully and pain-free.
 
     The Kuc family purchased Keioki in 2005 right before opening Hidden Creek Equestrian Center. Jill planned to begin a lesson program in dressage and jumping, and was looking for a horse for more advanced riders. She also wanted a horse that Ed could pursue jumping and eventing on, learning from the horse's experience but also a more challenging nature than his Quarter Horse, Chance.
 
     Jill and Ed purchased Keioki, then 16 years old, from Beth Ann Adams. Keioki had been trained through second and third level dressage and had a natural knack for jumping. Her feisty, know-it-all attitude made her a challenge, but also a very rewarding horse to ride. Jessie rode Keioki until she entered the lesson program under some of Jill's advanced students. Although she behaved for a variety of riders, she never acted a day over four years old. While that made some riders uncomfortable, she and Ed bonded quickly. Less than a year later, she became primarily Ed's.
 
     Keioki taught Ed how to jump, polish up his dressage, and even contributed quite a few thrills and spills. In 2006, Ed and Jessie decided to try eventing for the first time. With few, homemade jumps at Hidden Creek at the time, Ed and Jessie created makeshift cross-country fences (the most infamous being a line of lawn chairs). Eventually they decided to move from the "DIY" phase, and enlisted the help of Jill and Jessie's trainer, Heather Mason. Heather and the Olijslager family took the Kuc's cross-country schooling at Bucks County Horse Park for the first time in the Spring of 2006, and by summer Ed and Jessie both entered their first horse trials on Thunder and Keioki, who had become fast friends despite Keioki's bossiness towards most horses.
 
     Ed and Keioki placed Third in the ESDCTA Year End Awards for Starter Eventing that year, behind only family and friends (Jessie on Thunder, and Jorgen Olijslager). Ed moved Keioki up to Beginner Novice by the end of the season, and despite some exciting outings, they always had fun. They tried their hand in dressage as well, qualifying for and competing at the ESDCTA Dressage Championships the following year.
 
    While the pair was successful in dressage, they were best known for clearing out a warm-up ring in almost every show. Keioki refused to act her age, and commonly liked to show off her speed and some talented airs above ground while warming up for a dressage test!
 
   Keioki was retired a few years later simply out of courtesy to a wonderful horse. She was healthy and strong, but as she entered her twenties without ceasing her creative antics under saddle, she was retired to avoid the potential of injury. Keioki lived out the last few years of her life plump, happy, and excitable as always. She enjoyed daily turn-out with her long-time best friends, Starlight, Babe, and Kira, typically bossing them around from day to day. They never minded her dominance; Keioki was simply the lead mare at the barn since day one! Keioki received treats and attention every day, was always the most excited horse in the barn to get her grain, and was groomed and cared for regularly by the employees and working students at Hidden Creek. She was happy and comfortable through the day of her passing, never once slowing down, backing down, or acting 23 years old!
 
     In honor of this fabulous horse, we've decided to re-name our barn year end sportsmanship award the "Dark Keioki Award for Sportsmanship." Previous recipients (Allison Roecker, Riley Schreiber, Camryn Martello, Judith Feller, Holly Ahner, Ashley Coleman, Kylie John Klein, Grace Schierwagen, Jessica Giuliano, and Steph Kurtz) as well as future recipients will find their names, by the end of the year, on a special plaque in the barn with Keioki's name on it.
 
     While our hearts break at Keioki's passing, we are honored to have had the priviledge of owning and loving her for over seven years, and watching her unique bond with the other horses and with her primary rider, Ed. Keioki was certainly full of personality and truly one of a kind, and she will be missed at Hidden Creek.


Sunday, September 9, 2012

9/2 Hidden Creek Dressage and Combined Training Show RESULTS

Judges: Lisa Schmidt, R; Cheryl Ash, L
 
*A special congratulations to our CHAMPIONS: Alex Bielinski, Ed Kuc, and Becky Kuc and our RESERVE CHAMPIONS Clara Mehnert and Jessie Kuc
 
*Congratulations to Becky Kuc, who has now earned her ESDCTA GOLD MEDAL
 
*Congratulations to Laurel Perweiler, Holly Ahner, and Ashley Coleman who earned their ESDCTA BRONZE MEDALS

"Nemo & Company" Quadrille Team
1st Place       77.500%       Je. Kuc; H. Ahner; A. Bielinski; L. Perweiler

Alexandra Bielinski & Skip, Zip and Zap
CHAMPION - Starter Dressage
1st Place      67.000%     Intro Test C
1st Place      70.000%     Training Level Test 1

Ed Kuc & Just Takin' Chances
CHAMPION - Combined Training
1st Place      30.435         Novice Combined Training

Becky Kuc & Ultimate
CHAMPION - First Level and Above
1st Place      67.143%        Fourth Level Test 1

Clara Mehnert & Sharp as a Tack
RESERVE CHAMPION - First Level and Above
1st Place       65.142%      Second Level Test 1
1st Place       65.476%      Second Level Test 3

Jessie Kuc & Against All Odds
RESERVE CHAMPION - Combined Training
1st Place       31.000          Starter Combined Training
3rd Place      60.286%       Second Level Test 1

Meagan Garner & Duncan
1st Place       32.187          Baby Green Combined Training

Becky Kuc & High Hopes
1st Place        63.571%       Training Level Test 2
3rd Place        65.000%      Training Level Test 1

Jill Kuc & Ultimate
1st Place         64.342%      FEI Prix St. Georges

Laurel Perweiler & Starlight
2nd Place      65.800%        Training Level Test 3
2nd Place      60.893%        Training Level Test 2

Daniella Corrente & Starlight
3rd Place       65.417%        Training Level Test 1

Melissa Schmedding & Duncan
2nd Place       34.000          Starter Combined Training

Holly Ahner & Redford's Big Mac
3rd Place        60.179%       Training Level Test 2
4th Place        62.600%       Training Level Test 3

Ashley Coleman & Duncan
3rd Place        34.500         Starter Combined Training

Abigial Knudsen & I Found Nemo
2nd Place     35.312            Baby Green Combined Training

Becky Kuc & Rufus
2nd Place      60.286%        Fourth Level Test 1

Allison Roecker & I Found Nemo
3rd Place      62.500%        Intro Test B

Jill Kuc & Grande I Am
1st Place       59.342%         FEI Intermediare I

Kylie John Klein & Impressive Sorcerer
5th Place      61.800%        Training Level Test 3
4th Place      56.875%        Training Level Test 1
5th Place      56.250%        Training Level Test 2

Avery Roecker & I Found Nemo
1st Place      67.941%        Leadline - Walk

Saturday, July 14, 2012

7/14 Hidden Creek Dressage and Combined Training RESULTS

A complete list of results can be found on our "Shows" page at www.hiddencreekequestrian.com

Judges: Amy Gimbel, r; Mary Harrison, L

Ed Kuc & Balladeer
CHAMPION - Combined Training
1st       20.000%             Beginner Novice Combined Training

"Nemo & Company" Quadrille
1st         79.230%            

Alexandra Bielinski & Skip, Zip and Zap
CHAMPION - Starter Level
1st        75.000%            Training Level Test 1
1st        68.750%            Intro Test C

Jessie Kuc & Against All Odds
CHAMPION - First Level
1st       68.621%              First Level Test 1
2nd      69.667%             Musical Freestyle - First Level

Clara Mehnert & Sharp as a Tack
CHAMPION - Second Level and Above
1st        66.429%            Second Level Test 1
1st        69.524%            Second Level Test 3

Becky Kuc & Rufus
1st        70.667%            Musical Freestyle - Third Level
2nd       61.000%            Fourth Level Test 1

Melissa Schmedding & Duncan
RESERVE CHAMPION - Combined Training
1st           30.000%         Baby Green Combined Training

Ed Kuc & Just Takin' Chances
1st         30.870%            Novice Combined Training

Judy Feller & Dolly
1st         69.375%            Intro Test B
3rd         65.938%           Intro Test A

Jill Kuc & Ultimate
3rd          68.500%           Musical Freestyle - Fourth Level

Allison Roecker & I Found Nemo
2nd         66.875%            Intro Test A
3rd          65.625%            Intro Test B

Becky Kuc & High Hopes
RESERVE CHAMPION - Training Level
1st        62.083%            Training Level Test 1
1st        65.800%            Training Level Test 3
3rd       61.071%            Training Level Test 2

Jessie Kuc & Grande I Am
RESERVE CHAMPION - Second Level and Above
1st        62.000%              Fourth Level Test 1
1st        55.375%              Fourth Level Test 3

Holly Ahner & Redford's Big Mac
2nd        64.200%             Training Level Test 3
2nd        63.571%             Training Level Test 2

Daniella Corrente & Starlight
2nd         65.500%             Intro Test C
2nd         58.333%            Training Level Test 1

Meagan Garner & Duncan
1st           58.064%            First Level Test 3

Mackenzie Glenn & Starlight
2nd          56.250%            Training Level Test 1

Shauna Bartholomew & Dani's Bliss
2nd        56.042%            Training Level Test 1

Sunday, July 1, 2012

6/24 Hidden Creek Dressage and Combined Training Show RESULTS

A full list of results can be found on the Shows page at www.hiddencreekequestrian.com


We'd like to extend a special congratulations to our Champions and Reserve Champions from Hidden Creek Equestrian Center.
Champions: Jessie Kuc & Grande I Am (Second Level and Above); Jessie Kuc & Against All Odds (First Level); Becky Kuc & High Hopes (Training Level); Edward Kuc & Balladeer (Combined Training).
Reserve Champions: Clara Mehnert & Sharp as a Tack (Second Level and Above);
Haley Schierwagen & Starlight (First Level); Melodie Higgins & Redford's Big Mac
(Training Level); Allison Roecker & I Found Nemo (Starter); Edward Kuc & Just Takin' Chances (Combined Training).

Judges: Ann Forer, r; Kris McLaughlin, L



Jessie Kuc & Against All Odds
CHAMPION - First Level
1st Place       66.897%          First Level Test 1
1st Place       32.000%          Starter Combined Training
1st Place       64.667%          Musical Freestyle

Jessie Kuc & Grande I Am
CHAMPION - Second Level and Above
1st Place       66.143%          Fourth Level Test 1
1st Place       61.625%          Fourth Level Test 3

Ed Kuc & Balladeer
CHAMPION - Combined Training
1st Place       27.100%          Beginner Novice Combined Training

Becky Kuc & High Hopes
CHAMPION - Training Level
1st Place       32.500%          Baby Green Combined Training
1st Place       63.125%          Training Level Test 1
1st Place       63.000%          Training Level Test 3
Clear Round Jumping - Baby Green
*Becky and Harley are now qualified for the NPASS Championships at Baby Green CT!*

Ed Kuc & Just Takin' Chances
RESERVE CHAMPION - Combined Training
1st Place       28.261%          Novice Combined Training
*Ed and Chance are now qualified for the NPASS Championships at Novice CT!*

Haley Schierwagen & Starlight
RESERVE CHAMPION - First Level
1st Place       66.452%          First Level Test 3
2nd Place      66.207%          First Level Test 1

Clara Mehnert & Sharp as a Tack
RESERVE CHAMPION - Second Level and Above
1st Place       64.143%          Second Level Test 1
1st Place       63.810%          Second Level Test 3

Jill Kuc & Ultimate
1st Place       63.158%           Prix St. Georges
2nd Place      63.833%          Musical Freestyle
 
 
Becky Kuc & Rufus
1st Place         63.289%         Third Level Test 1
2nd Place        59.857%         Fourth Level Test 1

Melodie Higgins & Redford's Big Mac
RESERVE CHAMPION - Training Level
2nd Place      58.929%         Training Level Test 2
2nd Place      61.000%         Training Level Test 3

Ashley Coleman & Duncan
3rd Place      39.500%          Starter Combined Training
*Ashley and Duncan are now qualified for the NPASS Championships at Starter CT!*

Allison Roecker & I Found Nemo
RESERVE CHAMPION - Starter
1st Place       58.125%          Intro Test A
1st Place       59.688%          Intro Test B

Grace Schierwagen & Duncan
3rd Place      63.600%          Musical Freestyle
4th Place      59.828%          First Level Test 1

Mackenzie Glenn & Starlight
1st Place       41.900%          Cross-rail Combined Training
2nd Place      58.542%          Training Level Test 1
*Mackenzie and Starlight are now qualified for the NPASS Championships at Cross-Rail CT!*

Judy Feller & Dolly
2nd Place      56.563%          Intro Test A
2nd Place      57.500%          Intro Test B

Alyssa Wean & Oh Barney
2nd Place      56.452%          First Level Test 3

Saturday, June 16, 2012

6/16 Rhythm and Blues Dressage Show RESULTS

Judge: Patti Thompson, L

Haley Schierwagen & Starlight
1st Place        66.034%            First Level Test 1
2nd Place       61.290%            First Level Test 3
Haley is now qualified for the NPASS Championships at First Level

Grace Schierwagen & Duncan
1st Place        67.200%            Training Level Musical Freestyle
3rd Place       58.103%             First Level Test 1

Laurel Perweiler & Starlight
3rd Place         57.200%          Training Level Test 3

Shawna Bartholomew & Charlie
4th Place         Training Level Test 2
5th Place         Training Level Test 1