Downeast Medal Finals

December 2018
Downeast Medal Finals
September 12-15, 2019
Visit our website for more information about Downeast. We welcome all feedback and suggestions: please email Ginger at ginger@downeastmedalfinals.com

Thank you to all who attended the 2018 10th Anniversary Downeast Medal Finals!
Message from the President
It is hard to believe that it is already December and another year has flown by. I would like to thank everyone for making 2018 the best year ever for DMF. From our wonderful staff, who worked tirelessly throughout the year to put together a fun, relaxed, and affordable final. Our wonderful judges who helped to keep everything moving along and gave us such glowing reports on our riders and trainers (September and October newsletters). The Skowhegan Fairgrounds, McCarthy Enterprises and their support staff for offering us a wonderful showcase for our show. Our faithful exhibitors without whom the show would not continue. Most importantly, all of our sponsors whose generosity allows us to put on this wonderful show. Thank you.

We are already looking forward to DMF 2019. We would like to hear from you about anything you would like to see, so please feel free to contact me at ginger@downeastmedalfinals.com with any thoughts you may have for the show, or if you or someone you know may be interested in sponsoring a scholarship, class, division, or more. Please be sure to look at the website for all sponsorship, vendor, and advertising information.

If you are planning on running shows, please be sure to send in the application that can be found on the website. Then your show will appear in the calendar on our website and newsletter! Keep up with all news DMF by following us on Facebook, Instagram, and subscribing to our newsletter.

Best wishes for a joyous Holiday Season and a fun 2019 show season! Many thanks for DMF 2018, and we are looking forward to seeing everyone in 2019!

-Ginger

We would like to extend our deepest sympathies to Kate McDaniel and her entire family for the loss of her Mom, Rosemary Thompson, from all of us at Downeast Medal Finals.
Get to Know- Peter O'Connor
The 2018 $1000 American National Farm Family 2'3" Hunter Derby at the 10th anniversary Downeast Medal Finals was won by Titan and rider Peter O'Connor. Peter was also the Reserve Champion of the 2018 DMF Modified Adult Medal! In this new Get to Know series, we will be highlighting the champions of our 2018 Medal Finals classes as well as our 2018 Hunter Derbies. Here is what Peter had to say. Congratulations!

"I started riding in my early 30’s when we moved from Boston to Myopia horse country in Ipswich, MA. Having grown up in suburban New Jersey, I had never ridden before and knew nothing about the sport. I took a lesson a week, for almost 20 years, on the wonderful school horses at Ascot Farm. I was finally able to start riding more consistently when my daughter and I bought our first horse Titan 6 years ago as an 11 year old. Titan had had an eventing career up to that point but has found his real passion in the hunter ring, with frequent rides in the country and the beach.  
Now with the guidance of Megan Piermarini and Robin Petersen of Back Bay Farm, I developed the experience - and courage - to show consistently for the first time during the 2018 show season. We had some modest success at the local North Shore shows and finally had a few solid placings at GMHA, coming in 2nd in the Adult Low Modified Hunter and winning the Modified Adult Handy Hunter. Our season culminated this year at the Downeast Medal Finals with a win in the 2’3” $1,000 Hunter Derby and as Reserve Champion in the Downeast Modified Adult Medal. 
The Downeast Medal Finals is an incredibly professional and well-run show. It was competitive but relaxed and, unlike shows of comparable quality, it was also affordable (this is particularly important to me with 3 riders in the family!). But perhaps most importantly, the Downeast Medal Finals was a great time. Between a busy job in Boston and boarding the horses at home, I have to be really selective about the shows I attend. I have come to realize, and value, how unique it is to compete against other accomplished riders and horses where the emphasis is on having fun. We can’t wait to return next year." -Peter O'Connor
Upcoming Shows with Downeast Qualifying Classes
Want to see your show listed here? Fill out our  Downeast Classes Form !
Become a Downeast Medal Finals Sponsor:
All levels accepted and appreciated! 
Visit  www.downeastmedalfinals.com  for more information.
For more information, to list your show with Downeast qualifying classes, to be featured as a Downeast spotlight rider, or to become a sponsor, please email Ginger at  ginger@downeastmedalfinals.com .

Thank you to Spotted Vision Photography and Riitta Fortier for providing us with many wonderful photographs from the Downeast Medal Finals.