July 14, 2008
After an extremely fun and educational 2-day Linda Allen clinic, the riders were eager to apply their new tools in the show ring.  Woodside in June provided that opportunity.  In spite of the extreme heat, everyone rode well and had a great time.  Show highlights include:

     Champion Long Stirrup: Marie De Alcuaz & Atlanta

     Champion Low Adult Equitation: Lindy Dunlap & Ringo

     Champion AO Hunters (both weeks): Lauren Long & Magnolia

     Reserve Champion Low Adult Hunter: Lindy Dunlap & Ringo

     Reserve Champion Junior/AO Jumpers: Morgan Raleigh & First Light

May 26, 2008
Windy Hill just returned from another great show at Pebble Beach. Big thanks to the Etterman family for hosting a very enjoyable and tasty dinner at their beautiful home in Carmel. In addition to a spread of appetizers, Al was turning out plate after plate of fabulous chicken and Judy’s lasagna was scrumptious (Judy – send us the recipe!). Our news updates always include a comment about the weather and this post will be no exception…the weather was sunny and absolutely fabulous! Congratulations to the following horses and riders:

     Champion Low A/O Hunters: Rotterdam & Chris Panarites
     Champion Low Jr/AO Jumpers: First Light & Morgan Raleigh
     Champion Jr/Am Modified Jumpers: Mango & Melissa Nielsen
     Winner, Hudson & Co Medal: Bravo & Elyse Anderson
     Reserve Champion Low Jr/AO Jumpers: Octopus & Morgan Raleigh    

     Reserve Champion A/O Hunters: Magnolia & Lauren Long
     Reserve Champion Children's Modified Jumpers: Timon & Ashley Barker
     Reserve Champion Green Pony Hunters: Power Play & Jessie Etterman
     Reserve Champion Level 5: Country Boy & Susan Russell
     Reserve Champion Long Stirrup Equitation: Razzmatazz & Pat Bennett
     Reserve Champion Long Stirrup Hunter: Razzmatazz & Pat Bennett
  
With a great horseshow under our belt we are looking forward to a visit from with Linda Allen kicking off with an evening lecture and discussion on the topic of course design followed by a 2-day clinic.

April 4, 2008
Holy cow…it’s already April! There is so much to report! A warm welcome to Elyse Anderson and her 2 horses Bravo and Penny Lane. Congratulations to Natasha Johnston on the lease of Findlay and Elaine Nelson on the lease of Paris. There’s quite a bit of baby activity at the barn. Alisa Shen had a beautiful baby girl named Maya who announced her arrival when Alisa’s water broke at Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas! We are also looking forward to babies from Kathy Lord who is expecting a boy in May and Tera Meyer who is keeping everyone guessing on the sex of the baby she’s expecting in June.

Windy Hill is off to a great show season after a week at Pebble Beach with no rain and a pile of ribbons! On Saturday afternoon the group gathered for a little party to celebrate Nikki’s 30th birthday. Congratulations Nikki! Here are the show highlights:

     Champion Junior Modified Hunters: India Ink and Claudia Wack
     Champion Junior Hunters: India Ink and Claudia Wack
     Champion Sm/Med Children’s Pony Hunters: Hey Nonny Nonny and

       Jacqueline Porter
     Winner of the NorCal 3’ Jr/Am Medal: Summertime and Jessica Etterman
     Reserve Champion Amateur Modified Hunters: Lauren Long and Magnolia
     Reserve Champion Children’s Hunters 14 -17: Summertime and Jessica

       Etterman

     Reserve Champion Junior Modified Hunters: Penny Lane and Elyse

       Anderson

Natasha Johnston had a great inaugural show on her new horse Findlay. She had ribbons in every class and was 3rd in the Children’s Hunter 14 – 17 Classic! Elyse Anderson riding Bravo was 2nd in the Horse and Hound Medal and 3rd in the Norcal 3’ Medal. Juliet Porter had a number of beautiful rounds on her pony Lionheart and competed in a good size field of ponies to win the Children’s Pony warm up. Elizabeth Everitt on Commemorate moved up to the Amateur Modified Hunters and received quite a few 2nd places in that division. Morgan Raleigh rode her jumpers Octopus and First Light to 2nd and 3rd in the $500 Junior Modified Jumper Stake.

Click here to see pictures from the horseshow. 

 

December 27, 2007
December was a busy month at Windy Hill.  Dec 14-15 we had a clinic with Paul Bennett.  Everyone had a fantastic time and worked very hard.  Then, that Sunday, everyone gathered for the annual Windy Hill Holiday Party.  Big thanks to Keith Barker for creating and showing an amazing DVD of the Windy Hill year in pictures and videos set to music.  Also, after a month of voting we enjoyed hearing the results awarding horses and riders in various categories such as Sportsmanship, Most Dramatic Moment, Congeniality, and Best Dressed.

One of the most popular features of the Holiday Party is the silent auction put on by the Leg Up Club (The LUC).  The LUC is comprised of the “barn kids” and is focused on raising money for college funds for Windy Hill grooms’ children.  This year the silent auction raised just over $4000!  Some of the hot items were a sailing trip on the bay, a weekend at a cottage in Carmel, jewelry, candy gift basket, horse show survival kit, mosaic planter, purses, custom jumps, books, smoked salmon, custom portrait of your horse, and much more.  Thanks to everyone that donated an item and congratulations to the highest bidders! 

The Leg Up Club

Pictured left to right:  Ashley Barker, Claudia Wack, Aimee Raleigh,
Jessica Etterman, Natasha Johnstone, Jacqueline Porter, Morgan Raleigh,
Juliet Porter and Coryanne Hicks
  Not pictured: Talia Matityahu and Hannah Hollinger

November 9, 2007
Wow, what a way to end the year! The Pebble Beach weather was incredible, the riders took home a boatload of ribbons and everyone had great time.  Following are the many show highlights.

     Champion Modified Adult Hunters: Rotterdam and Chris Panaritis
     Champion Low Hunter: Magnolia owned by Lauren Long
     Champion Short Stirrup Hunters 10 & Under: Hey Nonny Nonny and  

       Jacqueline Porter 
     Reserve Champ. Modified Adult Hunter: Magnolia and Lauren Long
     Reserve Champ. Adult Amateur Hunter 18-35: Magnolia and Lauren Long
     Reserve Champion Children's Hunter 13 & Under: Summertime and 

       Jessie Etterman
     Reserve Champ. Low Pre Adult Jumper: Ruby Sky and Elizabeth Everitt
     Reserve Champ. Low Jr. Jumper: First Light and Morgan Raleigh

Other winners included:
     Commemorate owned by Elizabeth Everitt won two blues in the 1st Year

     Green Hunters
     Luxury and Kaitlyn Biear were 1st in the Pre Children's Jumpers
     Razzmatazz and Pat Bennett were 1st in the Long Stirrup Hunters
     India Ink and Claudia Wack received 1st in the Modified Under Saddle
     Starwood and Morgan Raleigh received 1st in the Modified Jr. Hunters

So They Say with Coryanne Hicks and Tuscany with Natasha Johnston had nice rounds and brought home ribbons in the Children's Hunters 14-17.  Juliet Porter and Lionheart stepped up to the Children's Pony Hunter division and were awarded with good ribbons.

Important Reminder!!! The Windy Hill Holiday Party is December 16th so be sure to RSVP to Laura or Nikki.  Also, don’t forget to turn in your votes for the various horse and rider favorites and memorable moments! The results will be announced at the Holiday Party and trophies will be awarded to the winners.
 

October 4, 2007
While the barn was host to the Cattle Baron’s Ball, a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, many of the horses headed up the street for the Woodside Fall Finale.  Everyone rode really well and had a great time in the process.  Here are the highlights: 

     Champion 1st Year Green Hunter:  Commemorate owned by Elizabeth
     Everitt

     Champion Modified Jr. Hunter:  Starwood & Morgan Raleigh
     Reserve Champion Modified Jr. Hunter:  India Ink & Claudia Wack

     Champion Jr. Hunter:  Starwood & Morgan Raleigh

     Champion Rusty Stirrup:  Paparazzi & Chris Goldner

     Reserve Champion Rusty Stirrup:  Razzmatazz & Pat Bennett

     Champion 1.00m Ch/AA Jumper:  Marlstone & Lisa Ragan

     Reserve Champion .90m Ch/AA Jumper:  Timon & Ashley Barker

Lindy Dunlap won the Flat Equitation, won the Foxfield and placed 2nd in the PCHA Adult medal riding her horse Ringo.  Juliet Porter was riding great when she “met some resistance” from her pony partner…but Juliet rose to the occasion and came back to finish 2nd in the Short Stirrup Equitation.  Morgan Raleigh was riding Oliver, a newer mount, but that didn’t stop her from winning the WCE and getting 2nd in the Pickwick Medal.  Elizabeth Everitt had great rounds in the AA Hunters including a 1st over fences.  It was great to have a few newcomers at the show including Chris Goldner riding Eddie who is 21 years old and still winning the under saddle!  Elaine Nelson won a Rusty Stirrup Hunter class.  Jacqueline Porter rode her new pony Hey Nonny Nonny and won a Short Stirrup Hunter class. 

July 31, 2007
Windy Hill had a successful show at the Pebble Beach Equestrian Classic. Highlights from the show include:
     Champion Jr. Modified Hunter: India Ink & Claudia Wack
     Champion AA Hunter 51 & Over: Commemorate & Elizabeth Everitt
     Reserve Champion Low A/O Jumper: Country Boy & Susan Russell
     Reserve Champion Short Stirrup Hunter 10-17: Dance with Me & Juliet

     Porter

The best part of the show was the barn dinner hosted by the Johnston’s at the Lodge at Pebble Beach. The evening began with a cocktail hour on the deck of the Library Room overlooking the golf course and the ocean as the sun set in the background. Then everyone was treated to a beautiful and delectable dinner consisting of crab claws, lobster tail, clams, mussels, seafood orzo salad, and prime rib.  Dinner was followed by a desert buffet of chocolate mousse, s'more tortes, key lime pie, and mixed berry cobbler tortes. After dinner, some ventured to the deck for cigars and drinks of their choice. Everyone had a wonderful evening!

We would also like to welcome the following new horses!
     Summertime owned by Jessie Etterman and showing in the Children’s

     Hunters
     Churchill owned by Nancy Hoffman and showing the in the A/A Hunters

July 6, 2007
Two weeks at The Oaks provided a beautiful facility with fun and challenging courses.  Elizabeth rode 2 great rounds and was 4th in the AA Hunter Classic on Commemorate.  Greg was 5th in the AA Jumper Classic on First Light.  Morgan was 6th in her first Modified Jr/Am Jumper Classic riding Octopus.  Lauren won both of her AA U/S classes on Magnolia and received ribbons including a 2nd over fences.  Claudia was rewarded with ribbons including 3rd in a very competitive Large Jr. 15 & Under class on India Ink.  Jessie placed in every Green Rider and Low Children's class on Decker and took home ribbons in the Large Pony division on Dance with Me. 

June 4, 2007
The Windy Hill’ers attended a well deserved show without rain at the Pebble Beach Challenge.  A big thank you to Ida and Mark Johnston for hosting a lovely cocktail hour where we watched the beautiful sunset from their suite patio.  Everyone enjoyed the beach setting…especially Mimi who had a great time playing in the tide pools.

Hats off to the following riders!
     Reserve Champion 1st Year Green: Commemorate
     Champion Short Stirrup Equitation: Lionheart
     Reserve Champion Short Stirrup Hunter: Lionheart
     Reserve Champion A/A Hunters: Magnolia
     Reserve Champion Children's Hunters: Serendipity
     Reserve Champion Level 5 Jumpers: Country Boy
     Champion Long Stirrup Equitation: Luxury
     Reserve Champion Long Stirrup Hunters: Luxury

Jessie and Dance with Me were 1st in the Large Pony U/S and the Large Pony Hunters.  After taking a year off to decorate her house, Lindy and Ringo had a beautiful comeback placing in a number of classes.  Natasha and Tuscany mastered the strides in the Children's Hunters and were rewarded with great ribbons.  Claudia was battling a migraine but held in there to snag a 2nd in the Jr. Hunter U/S on India Ink.  Amanda and TR 66 moved up to the Jr/Am Modified Jumpers with ease. Morgan swooped in Sunday and after week without riding, took 1st in the Children's Jumpers and then moved up a division to take 3rd in the Jr/Am Modified Jumpers on Octopus!

The barn continues to grow as we welcome the following new horses.
     Magnolia owned by Lauren Long
     Ulrich owned by Chris Panaritis
     Joy Ride owned by Katrina and Kaitlin Biear
Other new horses are in the works...stay tuned!

January 2, 2007
2006 was another exciting and successful year for everyone at Windy Hill.  We enjoyed new horses, new riders, lots of ribbons and most importantly, many many good times.  Now, for the updates...

Year End Highlights

     Champion PCHA Junior Hunter 14 & Under:  Starwood & Morgan Raleigh

NorCal Year End Awards:

     Champion Junior Hunter 14 & Under:  Starwood & Morgan Raleigh

     10th place Junior Hunter 14 & Under: India Ink & Claudia Wack   

     (its worth noting that Claudia leapt to 10th with only 2 shows on this

     new mount)

     9th place Adult Amateur Hunters:  Atlanta & Lauren Long

     5th place Children's Pony Hunters: Dance with Me & Jessica Etterman

     10th place Large Pony Hunters: Dance with Me and Jessica Etterman

     5th place Modified Jr/Am Jumpers: First Light & Greg Raleigh

     NorCal Medal Finals: 6th place Candeur & Morgan Raleigh

Congratulations to Morgan Raleigh on the purchase of her new jumper Octopus and a warm welcome to Chris Panaritis and his horse Johnny Flash (aka Sox). 

With winter at our doorstep, we are very excited about the arrival of our new Euro-Walker.  At first, some of the horses had a good time pretending it was the boogie monster but now all of the horses are using it well and I would even go as far as saying enjoying it! 

Thanks to Laura and Nikki for hosting another wonderful (and very yummy) Windy Hill Christmas party.  This year, the barn kids/young adults held a silent auction and raised $3100 for the grooms kids’ college fund.  Nice job everyone!

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