ASHAG E-Newsletter                                                                                           February 2015
Welcome to the Newsletter!
This year's Communication Committee welcomes the ASHAG membership and the friends of the Am. Saddlebred Industry to the 2015 newsletter format. This new vehicle will allow the hard working team to produce an estimated six editions of the newsletter for 2015. We believe the more news and information we the Saddlebred community share, the greater the enthusiasm for our wonderful industry will become throughout the state of Georgia and the nation.

As an option, a member of ASHAG may request this newsletter to be USPS mailed to them at the address the association has on file. Please notify us for a hard copy at ashag@windstream.net or (770) 310-9947. Of course, you can print the email copy directly from your own computer upon receipt.

Please continue to provide barn news on an ongoing basis to Rachel Griffis, 2015 editor, rgriffis75@gmail.com so it can be added to the next newsletter.
ASHAG Nomination Forms

Please don't forget to submit your ASHAG High Point Forms! These can be found at:

 

http://www.ashag.org/forms.html

 

Please contact Tiffany Smith at tiffanydawnsmith@hotmail.com with any concerns or questions! 
Meet the 2015 Board

President: Kitty Bell

Vice President: Sallie Turner

Recording Secretary:

Robin Carr

Corresponding Secretary: 

Rachel Griffis

Treasurer: Mallory Sanders


Board of Directors: Cyndi Hocking, Tiffany Mobley, Mary Anne Jones, Jennifer Worthy, Jennifer Nelson, Caitlin Jarriel, Kathrin Egner, Debbie Smetana and Stan Silvert

 

UPHA Rep: Deanna Edgy  
Thanks for Your Support!

Don't miss a chance to support the American Saddlebred horse in the state of Georgia!

 

Thank you all renewing ASHAG members and welcome to the people joining ASHAG for the first time. The ASHAG Board of Directors appreciates your support and pledges to continue the tradition of keeping ASHAG connected to its members and supporting the Am. Saddlebred industry in the state of Georgia.

Here are some of the missions that your membership dues sustain:

  •  ASHAG sponsored shows in the state of  Georgia
  • ASHAG's importance as the main contact for the distribution of information throughout the state about the American Saddlebred
  • The opportunity for exhibitors, owners, and trainers to compete for High Point awards
  • The availability of Academy classes to nurture and develop novice riders
  • The solid reputation of our state's official organization as a Charter Club under the American Saddlebred Horse Association - and since we are an Affiliate Charter, ASHAG members receive a discount on ASHA membership; join ASHAG then join ASHA as a member of an affiliate Charter

Email addresses are very IMPORTANT!

 

Help ASHAG make your dollar go farther!

 

ASHAG will continue to reduce US postage costs by using email correspondence whenever possible. We are trying to switch the newsletter over to email, unless you request a paper version of course! We don't want to leave anyone out!
 

Please be sure to provide a legible email address and indicate your acceptance of communications via email.

You are IMPORTANT!

 

Anyone involved with American Saddlebreds knows what a special blessing these horses have been in our lives. Anywhere we 'horse folks' go across this wonderful US of A, we have friends because of our involvement with these amazing animals. No matter where life takes us, there is always a special connection to other Saddlebred enthusiasts. Thank you for helping us keep ASHAG as a viable resource for everyone who owns, trains, breeds, or just simply loves the American Saddlebred horse.

Contact Us:

ashaginfo@gmail.com 

or send newsletter stories and other questions to: Rachel Griffis (rgriffis75@gmail.com) 

Link to ASHAG Website
Saturday Night Gala

Amanda's Recognition
Annual ASHAG Awards Banquet
"Celebrating Saddlebreds 2014"- February 21-22, 2015. Please join us at the beautiful State Botanical Gardens in Athens, Georgia for a fun filled weekend as we Celebrate Saddlebreds 2014! The Banquet Committee has been hard at work planning events for the entire family. Send in your reservations for each event and don't miss out on the fun!
See www.ashag.org for more information and registration.
State Botanical Garden (Site of Awards Banquet)
National UPHA Convention in Savannah
By: Amanda Ward
The UPHA National Convention was held January 14-17 in beautiful Savannah, Georgia.  UPHA Chapter 17 was honored to co-host the convention with UPHA Chapter 16.  This was a historic year for the UPHA National Convention as this was the first time that the American Saddlebred Horse Association has joined in as guest of the UPHA National Convention.  The week started out with the USEF Judges clinic having 57 in attendance which is a record high for this clinic! 

On Thursday night, Helen Rich of Tampa, Florida hosted a Welcome Party that will be remembered for a long time.  This event was held at the beautiful Charles H. Morris Center.  Event Mix Promotions was a wonderful party coordinator for this years convention. Taylor Phelan, a recent contestant on NBC's The Voice, opened the night followed by the ever talented Rhett Akins of Valdosta, Georgia, a top songwriter who now lives in Nashville with 18 number one hits to his name. This was a tremendous treat for everyone in attendance.

Amazing topics and brainstorming sessions were held Friday and Saturday.  During the Friday luncheon, Christy Parker was honored with winning the UPHA Chapter 17 National Chapter Honor Person of the Year.  The Pro-Am Benefit Horse Show was the winner of the UPHA Chapter 17 National Horse Show of the Year.  Friday night, Amanda Ward was honored as being the recipient of the Shirley Parkinson Trainer Achievement Award.  Pro-Am and Gasparilla's Show Manager Scott Snider was honored with the UPHA National Show Manager of the Year Award.

During the ASHA Luncheon on Saturday, many of our Georgia stars were honored as the winners of Region 10 High Point Awards.  Region 10 includes Georgia, Florida and Alabama. We had two big winners from our state winning the Overall for their categories...Georgia's own Tuffy Commander won the ASHA Open Three Gaited National Champion for owner and trainer Tina Gunby Smith as well as being the winner of the Region 10 award for Open Three Gaited.  The National Reserve Champion for Hunters went to Highland's Surprise, owner Melissa Heres.  They were also the Region 10 winners for Hunters. 
 
The Open Five Gaited for our region was Our All-Star for Jim and Kay Harrell with the Amateur Five Gaited going to Ken Follett for owner Frank Jones.  The Juvenile Three Gaited award for our region was won by RF Bella Notte for Victoria McVey.  In the Three Gaited Open Park Division, the winner was Hillcroft Rare Heir for Kristin Panos. In the Park Pleasure Division, our winner was Callaway's Embarkation for owners John Goda III and Jeanie Waddell.  In the Three Gaited Country Pleasure Adult Division, the Region 10 winner was Glider Supreme for owner Christy Parker.  Another South Georgia winner was Bunny Braun winning the Saddleseat Equitation Division for our region. Carole Downs is the owner of the Open English Pleasure winner for our region was This Way Out.

The Saturday night awards Gala was a Masquerade Gala with the theme of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.  Event Mix Promotions did an amazing job with the set up of the Saturday night Gala which was fun for all!

Congratulations to all of our award winners from the great state of Georgia that were honored at this years gathering.  UPHA Chapter 17 would like to thank each and every person that assisted in making this convention such a huge success and helped our unique state shine for everyone!
 UPHA Convention 2015
Show Committee Update

                       

We hope everyone had a wonderful 2014 Show Season. The 2015 ASHAG Show Committee invites you to "Kick Off the Season" at Golden Isles Riding Academy's new location. This will be their 3rd Annual Horse Show. We are very excited to see their new home and we hope to see many faces there. Please see the ASHAG website for their class list and any contact information that is needed.

The Show Committee has made a few changes this year. We have added the new point category of Hunt Seat Equitation. We have also changed the Walk and Trot Equitation to 12 and under to mirror the change that the American Saddlebred Horse Show Association did last year. The ASHAG website has the current 2015 Nomination forms with those changes. Please check the website periodically for Horse Show dates, class lists and for high point information. We will post points within 30 days of receiving the results from each individual show. If you see any discrepancy in the points, please fill out the High Point Inquiry form and follow the directions listed.
 
Just a reminder to anyone that is hosting an ASHAG Sanctioned horse show this year; please email your class list to the show committee chair no less than 40 days before your horse show. The email address that it should be sent to is tiffanydawnsmith@hotmail.com. The Show Committee must approve the class list before it can be published to the ASHAG membership. The class list must be out 30 days or more prior to the horse show.


 

WE HOPE EVERYONE HAS A SUCCESSFUL

2015 HORSE SHOW SEASON.

"SEE YOU IN THE RING"

 

              Tiffany Smith

              2015 ASHAG Show/Points Chairman

Barn News
An Update on Revere Stables
                           By: William and Jennifer Jeffers


Hello ASHAG Family and friends,

 

Just want to say right from the start how impressed I am with the ASHAG Organization. I am not a Saddlebred owner, but have felt very welcome as a hunt seat rider on any other horse breed that I choose to bring to the shows. I enjoy so much the other breeds I've seen, including all the different ponies and minis shown at Pine Heaven Horse Show in the fall. Fun!

 

Our little Tonka, the Appaloosa Pony, did very well for his first show there at PHS. I am very proud of my gutsy Marion for riding him so well. We have been cart training Tonka over the last year. He is doing fabulous. Hannelie Pooley has been an awesome addition to our @Revere Team. She has been training Tonka on his "Tonka work days" that happen weekly without fail.

 

Hannelie is an immigrant from South Africa. Her story is amazing and continues daily to inspire us all. She is one hard worker!!!. Hannelie is a wonderful leather craftsman and has made Tonka's harness fit perfectly. She drives Tonka, also. He was entered in the Christmas Parade in Richmond Hill, Georgia this past year.  Tonka did very well pulling Joseph, my son, as the carriage driver and Betsy Ross played by Marion Jeffers. A sight to behold and a "Star Spangled Christmas" it was.

 

So much has happened @Revere this year and sometimes I can't remember what occurred first. We bought the farm so to speak. Ha! Ha! I know you guys are laughing at that, but it has been great. I do enjoy the work. It is extremely peaceful and I love connecting with the horses on my own property. What a joy!!!  I think what really motivated us was a horse named Remington. He is a pure bred Morgan Horse that I feel very privileged to own. He fits well with our American Theme being that Morgans were the very first American bread horse. He has done exceptional well his first year with us. A true dream!  We are very excited to have had trainer invitations in Atlanta. He is a wonderful jumper, taking 3 feet with ease. His training is going well.

Tonka is also jumping 2 feet and loves being a big boy now. He tries to act like Remington. It's funny to watch. Stable Bros! Anyway, Remington came to us from Cordele, Georgia. A trainer from another barn advised me I needed a show horse. However, my horse "Scout It All Out" was doing just fine. He won a Championship at Golden Isles, so I was pretty content. Nevertheless, I listen to the trainer and shopped for a horse online. I came across Remington performing on a jumping course and loved his style and conformation. What a beauty!

 

At the time our barn was not suitable for Remington, so the work began. We tore down the roof of the old barn with sledged hammers and a bilge ax. I think we all took out some good frustrations on that 'ole barn. Yes, I have pictures. All we do for the love of a horse! I am extremely proud of us. We rock!!!  Additionally, we now have a round pin that is painted nice and white and two trials around the property. One is called "Buck Tooth Billy Trail". There is an unique legend about this trail. Can't tell it here, but ya'll come and visit, ya hear.

 

Thanks also, to Hannelie and David Pooley who have dedicated themselves to the fine establishment called Revere. Hannelie has started a business called "Remington Leather Creations".  If you need something repaired, by all means give us a call (912) 572-5421. 

 

ALL'S WELL! Says the Town Crier @Revere Stables.

Congratulations!
Ashley Brandies Makes USEF Young Riders Team
                                                           By: Christy Parker

Pine Haven is extremely proud that Ashley Brandies was selected to compete on the 2015 United States Equestrian Federation Young Riders Team! A total of 63 riders tried out from around the country. The US Saddle Seat Equitation Young Riders Teams were created by The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) with the purpose to develop riders for future Saddle Seat World Cup competitions.
  
During years that the Saddle Seat World Cup competition is not held, members of the Young Riders Teams will represent the United States in international competitions. The team will compete against South Africa and Canada June 26-28, 2015 in New Orleans, LA. Her barnmate Rachel Rafolski was part of the 2011/2012 World Cup teams that won double gold while competing in Parys, South Africa.
 Update from Ward Stables!
By: Amanda Ward

Ward Stables LLC is thrilled to announce the sale of Sultan's Sonadora to Dr. Greg and Kim Elwell for their daughter Carson.  Look for this amazing team in the Juvenile Show Pleasure Division in 2015!
Brian Reimer Stables Christmas Party Fun!
Kim and Kitty
Santa Left an Egg?

Brian Reimer Stables News
                                                              By: Susan Reimer

 

Reimer Stables wishes to congratulate their 2014 High Point winners. We are all looking forward to the Awards banquet in February at the Athens Botanical Gardens.  

 

2014 has been busy year!  We are excited about Clem and Debbie Smetana's purchase of the beautiful 2 year old filly, Daenerys. Congratulations to Kitty Bell on the purchase of a junior prospect, I'm Very Firsty. Sam and Liz Smith are looking forward to 2015 with their 3 year old colt, Vino. Ted Horn congratulates Shelby Reimer on her purchase of the 4 year old, Force of Nature. Kim Burnsworth hit the show ring in 2014 with her new road pony, Lieutenant Dan.
  
It was great to see Georgia Shannon back in the saddle showing in Park with Lenox Square! Bridget Silvert and her mare, Mint Julep Time, are making strides in Juvenile Pleasure. High, Wild, and Handsome with Johannah Roberts had a successful show year in the pleasure division. We welcome Isabella Broyles to the Academy 8 and under Walk and Trot division. 

Eleven foals were born in 2014 and we are expecting 9 more in 2015. There are several interesting prospects in training preparing for the show season. Looking for a new horse? Shop locally and come to Reimer stables for your next purchase!
Lynn's Legacy
By: Caitlin Jarriel

In 1972, Lynn Pace started Dixie Stables.  Little did she know, she was also starting a legacy.  For over 40 years, Lynn has taught men and women of all ages how to ride, show, and love American Saddlebreds. Lynn's unconditional love for her students and barn family (two legged and four) has touched the lives of so many. 

 

In January, she passed the reins of her operation over to Caitlin Jarriel.   Caitlin has been her student since the age of 13.  She has ridden for multiple barns across Georgia, but actually started riding at the same barn as Lynn-Sea Island Stables.  Caitlin looked up to Marvin Long and his daughter, Amy.  When she came to Dixie Stables, she added another role model, Lynn Pace.   Owning and operating a stable became a distant dream for Caitlin as she attended college.  Lynn told her, "Get an education, get a job, and then you can get back into horses."  

 

Caitlin did exactly that.  She attended Mercer University and obtained her degree in International Financial Management and Economics.  She received her masters in Business Administration while attending Georgia Southern University and worked full time as a Risk Management Officer for The Heritage Bank.   She also met her husband, Chris Jarriel, who has recently picked up the habit of loving and showing saddlebreds.  Caitlin has done multiple internships at different barns.  She loves learning about all aspects of the saddlebred industry. 

 

Don't worry though...  Lynn's not going anywhere!   But there will be a barn name change.  Caitlin's dream came true as she opened Southern Legacy Stables at Dixie Stables this January.  She hopes to continue Lynn's legacy and her wish is that she too can one day turn the operation over to one of her students.  

 

 

                         

 

Lori Schmidt, Lisa R. Jones and Red Moon Rising
Melissa, Highland's Surprise and Sugar

Geoffrey Rosenberger and

J.P. (Cloverleaf Jaguar Paw) 


Creekside Farm-Aragon, Georgia 

                                By: Judy Sanders                                        

 

Happy New Year from everyone at Creekside Farm!  Oops...We're jumping the gun a bit.  Let's go back to 2014.  The 2014 show season ended with a bang.  Melissa Heres (Lisa's daughter for those of you that do not know) showed her beloved Highland's Surprise for the first time at the St. Louis National Charity Horse Show.  Melissa showed Surprise in the inaugural Working Hunter Classic Finals. She was 3rd in Part One, Over Fences, and earned enough points in Part Two, On the Flat, to win an overall Second Place.  Melissa and Surprise also qualified for the ASB Saddle & Bridle Hunter Seat Classic Finals. They rode a wonderful class and earned a 4th place ribbon. 

Melissa will enter college in the fall, and although she will enjoy riding Surprise around the farm, she has decided to retire her 26 year old best friend at the Pro Am Charity Horse Show in April.  Everyone is invited to give Surprise the retirement he so well deserves.

 

After a short winter respite, Creekside is in full training mode.  Show season will be here before we know it.  Returning to the show ring in 2015, all in the Five Gaited Amateur Division will be Kay and Jim Harrell's Our All-Star, Frank Jones's Ken Follett, and Lori and Larry Schmidt's beautiful Cloverleaf Elegant Belle (who had a 3 month spa vacation at the Schmidt's Rosehaven Farm) and Red Moon Rising.

 

Creekside is not short of young horses.  Entering the ring for the first time in the Junior Five Gaited Division are Cloverleaf Jaguar Paw (Red Hawk Red Hawk X Phinomenal Effect) owned and being readied for Judy Sanders and CC Common Cape Town (El Dorado's Stonewall Jackson X My Sister Violet) owned by Trent Capps and Lisa Rosenberger Jones.

 

Keep an eye out for these talented three year olds.  For the Five Gaited Division, all owned by Frank Jones, are El Gato Malo (SA Tom Cat X My Roberta), Siri (I'm First X Dancing Nightly), and Postcard From Paris (My Royal Charm X Warrior's Wild Thang).  Returning in the Three Gaited Division, also owned by Frank Jones, is Black Caviar (Santana Hosanna X Factory Girl).  The Lisa Rosenberger Jones owned Hunter Prospect is A Royale Match (My Royale Charm X Paris Match).

 

Last but not least, Creekside introduces Geoffrey Rosenberger as Farm Manager.  Geoffrey brings his equine expertise to Georgia after working in the thoroughbred industry in Kentucky. Welcome to Georgia, Geoffrey!

 

Creekside is looking forward to seeing everyone at the ASHAG banquet, "Celebrating Saddlebreds 2014" in Athens, Georgia on February 21st.
 

Happy riding everyone!
Golden Isles Riding Academy News
By: Kelli Jordan

"Happy New Year" to everyone.  All of us here at GIRA have been busy, busy, busy over our winter break trying extremely hard to have our new barn ready for our annual horse show on March 7th. It's the first ASHAG show of the season for all of us down here in the Southeast and it has lit a fire under our tails to get the construction done and moved in.

  

The new 16 stall barn is only 5 miles from the current facility, but it's on 50 (FIFTY) beautiful acres and will feature a nice wide indoor aisle-way and square pen to work inside, 2 indoor wash racks, a lounge and kitchen area for our amazing customers, a nice locker room for the kids with tables for them to do homework when the bus drops them off, large grass filled pastures, miles of trails, two ponds and wildlife all over. We are so excited and welcome all of you to visit anytime. You can also bring horses down for a fun weekend and go riding on the beach, which is only 25-30 miles away.

 

In addition to trying to get the new barn completed, we've also welcomed two new performance 

horses into our program.  You all know the lovely Kay Henderson and soon you will get to meet her new mare Lady Gaga. Lady Gaga, only a five year old, is drop dead gorgeous.  Watch out for this new pair in the Country Pleasure division this year.

 

Kay Henderson is a familiar name around the show ring and soon Amalia Hanly will be too. Amalia's parents, Kim and Mark, purchased Day On The Town from Angela Head at Tina Smith's Mountain Laurel Saddlebreds as a Christmas present.  Every ASHAG-er seems to have followed "'Dia's" successful career and we are so excited to have her call GIRA home.  Between Amalia Hanly on Day On The Town and Brooklynn Kapella on I'm The Real Deal, we hope to be a force to be reckoned with in the 10 & Under Equitation classes.

 

We all look forward to seeing you at the shows and would love for you to visit us at our new barn. Happy Showing everyone!
Bluff Creek News!
By: Mary Anne Jones

Happy New Year to everyone from Bluff Creek Stables. We have all enjoyed the holidays will all of our students enjoying lots of saddle time-both for fun and practice.

 

We had several "Barn Days" (which they all love), with slumber parties and bowling nights and of course out to lunch or dinner with the whole gang at our favorite place, Sunbury Crab Company. We have had several fun trail rides on some beautiful but breezy days here on the farm, "switching" horses in lessons, practicing advanced pattern work on and off the rail, and lots of group lessons. We have plans in the spring to take more beach rides when it warms up a bit. With show season right around the corner we back to work focusing on our horses and riders and very excited to have several new faces added to our Show Team here at Bluff Creek.

 

Congratulations to Sara Kate Garett on the purchase of her beautiful ASB Gelding "Nuttin' to It". A BIG thank you to Maria Gilman and Don Judd for helping us put this exciting new team together. We look forward to seeing SK and "Blue" in the ring this spring!

Also, we purchased for our Academy Division, Radiant Event, who arrive at Bluff Creek early in February. We look forward to putting him together with several of our riders.

 

We are happy to congratulate 4 of our riders: Tehya Bly, Sydney Prindiville, Lori Harden, and Sara Kate Garrett on winning High Point Awards aat the ASHAG Awards Banquet being held at The State Botanical Garden of Georgia in Athens. We are very proud of our girls and appreciate their hard work. Also, a shout out to all of our parents for all they do for "the team" throughout our show season. A big thank you to everyone who worked so hard to make this such a fun and educational weekend for all as we honor the top Saddlebred riders and horses in our state.

 

All of us had a wonderful time attending and being a part of the 2015 UPHA Convention which as held in the beautiful Savannah, Georgia. The meeting were very imformative and well attending. Te site of the convention being walking distance to River Street and wonderful restaurants made it most convenient for friends to gather and have time to "catch up". The family events which included trolley tours on Friday and a River Boat cruise on Saturday were also popular. It have everyone a glimpse of this classic southern city both from the trollies and from the deck of the River Boat. Thank you to everyone that made this convention a success. We are looking forward to the next one being held in Boston 2016 and definitely plan to attend.

 

We wish all of you the best in 2015 and look forward to seeing everyone at the upcoming shows. As always if any of you are every down our way, please give us a call and drop by- we'd love to have you for a visit here at Bluff Creek. 
2015 High Point Horse Shows
March 7- Golden Isles Riding Academy- Brunswick, GA- Contact: Kelli Jordan at info@goldenislesridingacademy.com or visit http://goldenislesridingacademy.com/

March 21- Southern Legacy Stables- Allenhurst, GA-https://www.facebook.com/southernlegacystables
 
April 1-4- Pro Am Benefit Classic- Perry, GA- http://www.proamhorseshow.com/
 
April 25- Wildwood Stables- Jesup, GA- https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wildwood-Stables/210562792406929
 
April 30- May 2- The Dixie Cup- Conyers, GA- http://www.thedixiecup.com/
 
May 23- Pine Haven Stables- Brunswick, GA- http://www.phstables.com/

 June 26-27- Northeast GA Foothills Charity Horse Show- Gainesville, GA-http://northeastgacharityhorseshow.com/

June 28- MidSummer Classic- Gainesville, GA- http://www.ashag.org/
 
September 16-19- Southeastern Charity Horse Show- Conyers, GA-http://southeasterncharity.com/
 
October 11- GA National Fair- Perry, GA- http://www.ashag.org/
 
October 24- Bluff Creek- Midway, GA- https://www.facebook.com/BluffCreekStables
 
November 20-22- GA Fall Classic- Perry, GA- Contact Bruce Payton at bp5gaited@bellsouth.net  
ASHAG | 770-310-9947 | ashag@windstream.net | http://ashag.org
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Monroe, GA 30655-5946

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