November Update
"Well- we capped of the year with an unexpected win! Izzy won the Prix St George at the Indoor Championships! It was a bit of a surprise, but a nice one!!! And I didnt get a single error!!! We still have alot to improve on...But I think we are improving gradually.
We have been having a bit of time off, playing at the beach (Izzy still isnt convinced that dressage horses should get their toes wet!) and going for bushrides (kangaroos are a tad scary!) Will get back into the swing of things in the near future so we are ready for the Summer Series! "

Shona and Izzy take to the beach

October Update
"State Championships...well...It was freezing cold and raining, inside and out! Izzy was super all weekend- and placed in the top 4 in every test we completed.
 We managed to improve on our previous PSG score by almost 2% on the first day, Then Sunday was still great on Izzys side...despite being VERY tired, he pushed on and did his best...However, I managed to eliminate us with errors... So will be doing lots of test practice before our next outing!!!
Hopefully- Both horses will next be out at the Indoor championships/Young Horse finals in November."

Shona and Izzy at the States, photo courtesy Duncan Pratt Photography

September Update
"Well- Anita already broke the news...Dorado had his first show at the Swan Valley Dressage Young Horse Qualifier, and surprised me by winning! I was so proud of him, but honestly never expected to even place after watching the other horses warm up, was just happy with his attitude to the outing...So- very happy with him...I hope he continues to enjoy his outings in the future!"


Young Dressage Horse Winner, Dorado Photo courtesy of Lisa Atkins Photography.

 August Update

"The competions have started again!
We survived our first show in 3 months with a super win in the Advanced indoor qualifier at Horsemens! Izzy added a few additional movements, but overall the quality of work was pretty good!
This result gave me the confidence to enter our first PSG at the Spring Gala two weeks later, and whilst there is alot of room for improvement (alot of silly rider mistakes), we will only get better with practice! I was a little overwhelmed with the quality and experience of the other horses/riders in the class, and was very happy with our 6th place!
Izzy wont have another outing before the states in another month..
Dorado will be attending his first official show, at the SVDA Young Horse Qualifier at the end of September...I think I have to give my sponsor a bottle of wine if I fall off?"

Shona and Dorado, photo credit Amy Dawson of Duncan Pratt Photography

 July Update
"There aren't many official shows happening at the moment, but that's a great opportunity to take youngsters out for training days!  I took Izar's 3yo half brother Dorado (by Ex Libris) to his first outing at an unofficla hsow at the SEC recently.  He was very well behaved, scoring a 67% for his very first dressage test!  Despite a few scary moments (horses come in orange? and yellow? eek!) he settled well into his work and had a good introduction to the show world.  I look forward to getting him out and about to a few more often in the future."

Shona and Izar at the revamped SEC, photo courtesy of HorseplayPhotos

May/ June Update
"Not much has been happening since my last update!  We attaended the Bella Equestrian Twilight Dressage on 15th May, and despite a complete balls up in the draw, which saw me being on Izzy for almost 2 hours warming up, we still did a fair test and came 2nd.  There have been no local competitions on here since, so we went for a training day on 27th June at the SEC to try out the new surface- I ahve to say I love it!  Nice and springy!!  So we had a good result, as the judges noticed a lot of improvement since the last time they saw us, which I was very happy with. 
The next comp for us will be mid August with any luck!"

April Update
"Why is it that the temperature rises in April??  Bring on Winter!
We had a local show at the beginning of April, we didn't get a very good score- although I was very please with how Izzy scored in the tough conditions.  So this has given me a wake up call, and we have been working very hard since!
Easter Weekend took us to the Nicholas Fyffe Clinic, where we took a step back and worked on the basics.... I feel like I am riding a new horse!  Can't wait until the next one!
Now we are looking forward to the Bella Equestrian Twighlight Dressage on May 15th- hope the weather has cooled off by then!"


Izzy warming up in his smart Clarendon Dressage Pro Boots at the 2009 Summer Series.

photo by Stacy Crowley

March Update
"The Summer Series ended well for us.  I am very happy with how Izzy went, and we finished 2nd overall on the leaderboard- not bad for a baby horse! 
We have made some headway with training at home, with some beautiful elevation and expression developing... I hope that one day soon we can reproduce that at competition!
Our next competition out is the first week in April so there will be more news after that."

Janaury 28, 2009- The year so far...
"Is it January already? Izzy has been working very smoothly through November and December, considering he has been on box rest babysitting his little brother.  Christmas brought a beautiful riding day and theie first day of unrestrained turnout! Best pressie I could have had- two happy ponies!
The new year started for us with the EFA Awards Night, which unfortunately I could not attend, as I had to compete at 8am the following morning.  (maybe I need lessons from an eventer!?)  We were fortunate enough to win the 2008 Bates High Point Elementary Award, and was also nominated for Volunteer of the Year.  This capped off a very sucessful year for Izar and I, and I hope we can continue in 2009!
The 2009 dressage season started at the Summer Series on 10th January- bright and early.  Izar powered through his advanced test like a pro- it was only his 4th start at advanced-and I was so proud of him.  The judges seemed to like it too as we were awarded equal 1st!  Such a positive start to the new year.
The next show was on 16th January, a very hot and steamy 40degrees Fridat afternoon!  Unfortunately the heat did affect us a bit (well, me anyway), and our performance wasn't as smooth as it could have been.  Still, we finished a credible 4th in an experienced field. 
I hope it's not as hot this weekend!"

 November 1-2, 2008- Swan Valley Dressage Finals

Shona and her horse Izar competeted over the weekend in Medium and Advanced classes at the finals held at the SEC.  The weather was fabulous, if a little on the warm side, with clear skies and bright sunshine.  Izar went very well for Shona, with the pair finishing 2nd and 3rd in their two Advanced classes, and winning their Medium classes on both Saturday and Sunday.
Shona and Izar were awarded the Swan Valley Dressage Medium Championship!
Many thanks to Sara Botten for the photo above from the event.