Savannah visits St. Anthony's Health Care Center

My dear Savannah did a wonderful thing on Dec. 11, 2007, when she accompanied me to visit my dad, Jim, and the other residents of St. Anthony's Health Care Center. I wrapped her feet in Vetrap to give her some traction on the hallway floors, and we headed in the back door along with the activities director to make some personal visits. Savannah is a pro pony therapist and did a lovely job of adjusting her head height and her activity to the ability of each resident who wanted to pet her.

Watch a future issue of the American Connemara for a complete story. If you'd like to see other photos, you'll find an album here. www.imageevent.com/vjmarisphotos/ponyinnursinghome

Three cheers for Connemaras!

Vickie

New Connemara video posted

I have just completed a new video that features the youngsters at Dawn of Promise Farm. You'll see video and still photos of Dawn's Alannah Madison, Dawn's Molly and Dawn's Jeremiah McLane. It is about 8 minutes in length. Have fun watching! Vickie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1p0NAmpG3s

Conor, the Wonder Connemara

Conor continues to wow me with his kind personality and his love of being around his human. I'm blessed that his human is me!

A few evenings ago, I went to the gate to call him in so we could go riding. He and his pasture buddy, a Warmblood mare named Whimsical, came galloping in at full speed, heels flying. I stood in a state of readiness to move in case either one of them didn't get the brakes on in time. I didn't want to be a pasture pancake.

Well, no worries. Conor skidded to a stop with plenty of space for his human. Whimsical passed on by and stopped a few feet beyond me, also within a safe distance. Conor was getting a forehead rub from me when his pasturemate decided to take off running in response to the mare next door who had started to buck and run.

But my good, good pony, still unhaltered, stood quietly in front of me - while his frolicking friends left him in the dust - and waited for me to put his halter on. He also walked quietly to the gate with me while the others continued their pasture play. I just think this behavior from a four-year-old pony is amazing. His herd instincts had to have been telling him to join in their fun, but he was able to override those thoughts with his desire to hang out with me.

If you'd like to see more photos of this adorable Connemara pony, visit the farm website:

http://www.dawnofpromisefarm.com/conoralbum2.html

Thanks for reading.
Vickie Maris

New photos of Jeremiah, Alannah and Molly

I was out Tuesday evening videotaping the youngsters for a few people who have expressed interest in them. Dawn's Molly (April 21, 2007), Dawn's Alannah Madison (April 6, 2006) and Dawn's Jeremiah McLane (June 9, 2007) were stars for the video camera. I've saved a few video clips from the taping out at my photo website. You'll also find photos that are stills captured from the video. Enjoy!

www.imageevent.com/vjmarisphotos/foals2007

Dawn's Brennainn in jumper arena with Jodi

Here is an email sent in by Jodi who owns Dawn's Brennainn (Kerrymor Madison X Realta [Aladdin X *Gloves Maire]). Jodi is having a great time with Brenn as she advances his training over fences and continues preparing him for an eventing career. Jodi - thanks so much for sending in the story and the great photo of you and Brenn! Keep up the good work and give Brenn a pat for me. Vickie

Vickie - Brenn is really coming into his own. Being my first to raise, I am just amazed at how he is maturing mentally, not just physically.Thanks for being a terrific breeder -Jodi

_________________

Two weekends ago Brenn (Dawn's Brennainn - 2002) and I moved up to Intermediate Jumpers at the Delaware Show. He did great! You know, you reach that point with your horse where he just knows what is going on, he takes you over the fence. He even looks for the fastest, easiest distance.It all clicks. You are riding high - in all senses of the word. Smile on your face. Knowing that dynamo Connemaras are the greatest.

Then, you look for jump #12 and you are lost... I know Connemaras can read. We just haven't gotten past 10 yet... I circle. I'm still lost. Where the heck is jump #12. Am I really at jump 12? Did the jump-off have a 12? The whistle blows. "Thank you number 184". OH dang. It was going so well. No rails down. Good pace. Good track. Best pony.

It sucks nearing 40. I'm telling you, I started taking vitamins the next day. I'm doing the Times Crossword. My trainer, who is always so positive told me."You looked great. You made it look so easy." That's my goal. Make it look easy and GET AROUND THE COURSE. Jeez, I felt like an idiot. But nothing can overpower that partnership that Brenn and I achieved that day.We did get a courtesy 5th place ribbon. But I took home something far more valuable than that - the best dang pony at the show. The one that carries you through it and still has a smile on his face, ready for whatever you ask.

This Saturday we're doing our second event at Redtail Ridge in Alexandria, Ohio. I am highly confident that we will do well. There are only 10 jumps in the Stadium portion. I'll keep you posted on the outcome.Jodi from Granville, Ohio

To see archive photos of Brenn, visit the Dawn of Promise Farm website: www.dawnofpromisefarm.com/brennainn.htm

First published: Sept. 20, 2007

Here's a cute photo of Brenn as a baby . . .

Loughin Aragorn "Conor" featured in ACPS news

Loughin Aragorn (I call him Conor) was recently featured in the weekly news section in the American Connemara Pony Society website. I sent in a short story about his training this spring at the University of Findlay and our adventure to an open show in Crawfordsville, Indiana in May.

Just yesterday, I took him over to Red Gate Stable for a dressage clinic. We took a lesson with Reta Conor.

Conor was such a good pony. It was his first time in a dressage arena which didn't phase him in the least. The onlookers were very impressed with his gorgeous, horse-size gaits and his cuteness. We hope to go back for another lesson the next time Reta is in town.

Check out the link for the story about Conor and photos of his year so far. Cheers! Vickie

http://www.acps.org/news/member7-22-07.htm

First published: July 30, 2007

Connemara riding on the beach

Dawn's Woodland Robin (Kerrymor Madison X Serendipity's Savannah) is demonstrating in these new photos from his owner Kim, just how fun it is to have a Connemara pony in your life. A beach to gallop along isn't bad either! Thanks for these gorgeous photos Kim. And thanks for giving Robin such a sweet life.
If you'd like to see more images from this ride, please visit the Dawn of Promise Farm website. I've posted several on a new page for Robin. Enjoy! Vickie

First published: July 11, 2007

Dawn's Woodland Robin - 1st place with Kim in their first event!

Eventing with Connemaras out West - Dawn’s Woodland Robin (Kerrymor Madison X Serendipity’s Savannah) competed in his first event in June 2007 with his owner Kim Lessor. They entered the Nervous Novice, 2 foot Division of the Deary, Idaho event. Here is Kim’s account of the weekend . . .

“We had our dressage ride on Friday night after getting rained on in the warmup and also delayed due to the dressage arena blowing away in high winds. Just a few riders after me the skies opened up and poured rain so that the rest of the dressage rides for the evening had to be postponed until the next morning. Despite everything Robin ended up with a 63.7% which put us in second place. (The winning dressage ride took place the following morning in the beautiful sunshine.)

The stadium jumping was the next morning before cross-country. Robin went clean although we had a near stop at a very suspicious-looking red box. On the cross country course, Robin was having the time of his life. He galloped forward with great enthusiasm and didn't have a problem with any of the jumps. Of course I took the dry option on the water jump. I think I probably could have gotten him into the water, but I wanted to make sure he had a fun time his first time out and he is somewhat timid about water. Anyway, to make a long story short we won the Nervous Novice division and we had the time of our lives.”
Congrats to Kim and Robin!

(Thanks to Carl for the photos.) Click on Robin's name to visit his page in the Dawn of Promise Farm website.

First published: July 3, 2007

Dawn's Alannah Madison, yearling Connemara filly

This is Dawn's Alannah Madison. We call her Alannah. She is a lovely dark shade of buckskin or dun. Alannah turned one year old in April. She is enjoying life in the field with her new little sister, Dawn's Molly, and her mum, Serendipity's Savannah. She and Molly actually like to spend more time with their Aunt Jenny than they do with their mum. They all get handled every day and they just love attention. Alannah and Molly both hold a lot of potential as future combined training or dressage horses. Several new photos are posted at the farm website. Enjoy! Vickie

First published: June 29, 2007

Old Carolina Bitsy delivers her first foal!

Old Carolina Bitsy gave birth on June 9, 2007 at 11 a.m. Her new foal is a bay colt sired by *The Quietman. He is very brave and will trot right up to me when he's turned out in the yard or paddock. He is also a talker - always greeting his people visitors.

First published: June 13, 2007

Comments:

Vickie,
Bitsy's baby is so adorable!!! Hope all is going well. Will write more later.
Megan
Posted by: Megan K. July 04, 2007 at 01:01 AM

Obviously, the finest Connemara colt ever born. Look at his features, he must have inherited them from his grandmother. Alice
Posted by: Alice Kraebber July 04, 2007 at 09:01 AM

Dawn's Amber Glow in First Dressage Show!

Dawn's Amber Glow, born in 2000 at Dawn of Promise Farm, is having a wonderful new career in dressage with her owner, Megan, who is 13. Amber went to live in Oklahoma with Megan in September 2006. They placed third in their first dressage test! Congrats to Amber and Megan.

If you'd like to see the above photos in a size that you can actually see without a magnifying glass, simply click here and view the album in full size from Dark Horse Photography:
http://www.ods2007day1.photoherald.com/index.php?id=22&wedding_id=109572&current_photo_id=24

I ordered prints for the DPF Alumni Wall at Dawn of Promise!

Go Amber and Megan. Looking forward to hearing more about your adventures this summer.
Vickie

Amber's sire: Kerrymor Madison by Lynfields KiltuckAmber's dam: Serendipity's Jenny by Camus John's Gladiator

First published in other blog: May 18, 2007

Indiana Dressage Classic at Foxton in June 07

The Indiana Dressage Classic will be held at Foxton Farm in Romney, Indiana, 6/16-17, 2007. There is another dressage show scheduled at Foxton on 8/11-12, 2007. For details, contact: bonna@volte.org

First published May 17, 2007


Comments:

This sounds like fun! Where in Indiana is Foxton? Will hold a Dressage Breeding Stock class or only under saddle classes?erin
Posted by: Erin May 25, 2007 at 07:58 PM
Erin - It looks like this show does not include in-hand, breeding classes. I'll post a link to the prize list in another post so you can check it out. Foxton is located in Romney, Indiana, just a few miles east of St. Rd. 231 (in between Lafayette and Crawfordsville). Vickie
Posted by: Vickie May 25, 2007 at 11:23 PM

Kerrymor Madison is 20 this year

Kerrymor Madison is resident Connemara stallion of Dawn of Promise Farm and a beloved riding partner. He is registered with the American Connemara Pony Society and has produced over 50 get.

He is dark brown, 15 hands, and a wonderful athlete who has excelled in many disciplines. He was the 2002 winner of the An Tostal Trophy in the ACPS Hall of Fame for his outstanding performance. Madison has a lovely head, neck, topline and haunches that you'll see in nearly all of his offspring. He is kind, loyal and a joy to know and love.

Dawn of Promise Farm usually has one or two youngsters available for sale who are sired by Madison.

You can find photos of his offspring at the farm website: http://www.dawnofpromisefarm.com/

or at my photography website:

www.imageevent.com/vjmarisphotos (several albums including Alannah's album include video clips)

Connemara filly, Molly, is three weeks old!

Dawn's Molly Madison is now three weeks old. She is just a peach - curious, calls to us from the pasture when she sees us coming to the gate, and loves to be groomed. Her sweet personality is 100% Connemara! New photos are going on the website today and I've already placed several new images at the photo website:
www.imageevent.com/vjmarisphotos/foals2007

Originally posted: May 14, 2007

Connemaras at Upperville Show

A Connemara division is included this year in the Upperville Colt & Horse Show in Upperville, VA, on Saturday, June 9, 2007. The pre-entry deadline for the Connemara division is June 8 at noon. http://www.upperville.com/rules_breeder_connemara.asp

Originally posted: May 11, 2007

Welcome to the Dawn of Promise Farm blog!

Welcome to the Dawn of Promise Farm blog -- a source for links and resources of interest to the Connemara enthusiast and to those in the care of a beloved Connemara pony! When updates to the Dawn of Promise Farm website take place, you can learn about them here.

I am archiving the original posts to my first blog, here in this blogger.com blog so you still have access to the first posts in 2007.

Enjoy! Vickie