​    The pre-purchase veterinary exam is the last step and deciding factor in purchasing a horse.  Whether the horse is intended for pleasure or performance, the exam is an important indicator of the animal’s health and soundness and a predictor of future soundness and a nutritional program going forward.  Despite popular belief, pre-purchase exams are optional. However, in this professional’s opinion they should not be.  You never know what lurks beneath the surface, and I like for my clients to be well informed considering the scope of the investment they are about to make.
    A standard pre-purchase exam identifies any problems or potential for problems with the horse. Keep in mind that the exam presents  a snapshot of the horse on one particular day.  Things happen and horses can become sick or injured the next.  It’s important that buyers remain realistic in their expectations.  Not all horses are perfect and almost always have some sort of problem or flaw. For instance,  older horses will have more wear and tear than a young horse.  Buyers must be mindful of what they are willing to deal with and what they can afford to work with.

Folsom, LA - I am pleased to announce that we will be holding the 2020 North American Danish Warmblood Association (NADWA) inpection at Runnymede Farm in September.  Due to the closing of Oak Hill Ranch, we have opted to take over the reins and provide those local breeders and owners the opportunity to have their horses inspected without having to travel a great distance to do so. 

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, we are unable at this time to give an exact date.  Read more via the NADWA website at the link below. 

NADWA Next Inspection Dates

Wellington, FL -  Freyja of Riverview made her FEI debut in the National portion of the Adequan Global Dressage Festival this year.  Being quite green with unconfirmed 3 and 4 time changes, she still held her own in a field of well established professionals and Olympic riders. Debuts are not always smooth.  Over the previous years of competing, it has been a bit of a struggle to figure out her energy levels and warm-up requirements due to many factors such as heat, cold, and travel stress.  This year we took much of that out of the equation.  Previously, we had to travel 6+ hours for each show and 13+ for US Dressage Finals.  Being based in Wellington at IDA Farm, we are a 10 minute drive from the show grounds, making showing much less stressful for both of us.  We could also enter a National or CDI show every weekend whereas, previously, we could only get in four shows between January and the end of May.  

At the end of it all, Freyja and I took her scores from the beginning of our season and bumped them up significantly by the end.  Unfortunately for the COVID-19 pandemic, our show season, as well as everyone else's, has come to a halt.  I have made the decision to forego the rest of the show season (when it opens up) in order to concentrate on making her small tour debut at Global next Spring. 
(PC Susan J. Stickle)

​By Katie Tharp-Hebert
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After our Great American Insurance Group/USDF Regional Dressage Championships placing, everyone kept asking, “Are you going to go?” to which I replied, “Of course! Why wouldn’t I?”  Turns out, not everyone who qualifies goes, for a whole host of reasons.  It’s too far, it’s too cold, etc.  I desperately missed doing the big shows and was dying to get back into it.  We were used to long drives, but going from showing in almost 100 degrees in Houston for the Region 9 Championships, we were NOT mentally or physically prepared for the frozen tundra that is US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan®.  We came away from the competition with many things to do “next year.”  Here are a few tips we picked up to have a successful and stress-free show.
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I am very please to announce that, even though Freyja and I were unable to place in our Third Level Championship at US Dressage Finals, we did come away with a High Point Breed award for the Friesian Horse Association of North America (FHANA).  Very proud of this horse!  

Via YourDressage.org:

Friesian Horse Association of North America

• National Levels, Adult Amateur Division – Eagle fan Bosksicht; Julie Roche, owner/rider           
• National Levels, Open Division – Freyja of Riverview; Katie Tharp-Hebert, owner/rider
• FEI Levels, Open Division – Tjaarda 483; Ellisa Kroll, owner/rider

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yourdressage.org/2019/11/15/2019-us-dressage-finals-presented-by-adequan-recap-and-results/

Folsom, LA - We will be temporarily relocating to Wellington starting in mid-January 2020 until the end of February to complete most of our show season in one convenient spot.  

Katy, TX - ​ It's a tough field for a Friesian in dressage.  If it's one thing Freyja and I have proven it's that a Friesian can hold it's own against the warmbloods at the top of their game and we proved that at the GAIG/USDF Region 9 Championships in Katy, TX this month.  

First off, the temperature got up to 95 degrees (the "real feel" actually being 103) and our ride was in an outdoor arena, meaning our warm-up had to be short and hit all the points it needed to.  It's always tricky gauging how much energy she has, and how long it will last.  Thanks to years of trial and error as well as a good nutritional plan and amazing supplements from Arenus, that has become much easier.  

We went in to the ring with an amazing feeling and a confidence that we could get it done.  Everything went smoothly and the flying changes were there.  Her energy held up until the square halt at the very end.  Regardless of what the judges would think, I was incredibly proud of Freyja for giving her all, and for behaving like an old pro (which in past championships was not always the case).  However, the judge at C had a huge smile on his face as we came down the final centerline...

We ended up with a 69.8% overall (Judge at E gave a 69.25 and Judge at C gave a 70.375) and a Reserve Champion placing in a class of 16 professionals, earning the super Friesian and I an automatic invite to the 2019 U.S. Dressage Finals in Lexington, KY. ' Ecstatic' doesn't even begin to describe the feeling! 

I have to thank my husband Glenn first of all, for being so supportive, for playing groom, driver, and for helping me to believe in my abilities on a daily basis.  A big thanks to Kim Gentry of Bits N Such Equestrian for getting us settled with a new sponsor saddle from Custom Saddlery, and loaning us her personal Icon Alpha until it arrives. Thank you to Arenus Animal Health for your exceptional nutritional advice and for providing us with the excellent supplements we need to be our best.