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