Hilltop News
Don Hill Joins ISR/Oldenburg NA Star Awards Program
Guest Stallion, Don Hill (Don Gregory – Hill Hawk xx) is now enrolled in the ISR/Oldenburg Star Awards Program. Don Hill joins the program already having earned two out of the five possible stars. In the summer of 2011, Don Hill was named the Reserve Champion Stallion of Licensing at the Hilltop Farm ISR/Oldenburg Inspection. His score of 222 points earned him his first star within the Star Awards Program. Don Hill’s extensive performance record in FEI dressage competitions in Europe earned him a second star within the program. We look forward to the continued success of Don Hill and his offspring! (January 2012)
World Dressage Masters
Negro son, Valegro (Negro x Maifleur) owned by Carl Hester, made an impressive United States show debut with rider Charlotte Dujardin at the World Dressage Masters. Valegro and Dujardin earned a second place finish in both the Grand Prix and the Grand Prix Freestyle. In the Freestyle Valegro finished with a score of 83.650%, only .05% behind the leader. It has been a record-breaking year for Dujardin and Valegro and we wait with great anticipation to see what highlights this second year of Grand Prix competition brings for the talented duo. (January 2012)
De Feiner Star Wins Third Level Debut
De Feiner Star kicked off the Florida show season to a fantastic start on January 14-15th, when he made his Third Level debut under trainer Christopher Schuerfer. Earning scores of 70.395% and 70.132%, De Feiner Star placed 1st in Saturday’s Third Level Test 1 and 2nd in Sunday’s class. His medium and extended gaits earned 9's and 8.5's. As Christopher commented, “I am very pleased with his progress over the last couple training months.” (Jan 2012)
Riverman Wins USEF South Pacific Award
The influence of a stallion is marked not only by the stallion's success but most importantly by the success of his offspring. Riverman's (Redfort x Alexis III/Landego) offspring set him apart as truly an exceptional sire as they continue to excel in the dressage, eventing, hunter, and jumper rings at all levels of competition. This year Riverman has been honored as the USEF/PHR South Pacific Sire. The South Pacific award is donated by Joan Irvine Smith after her international Grand Prix competitor and stallion South Pacific. It is given annually to the leading US-based jumper stallion. Hilltop Farm is very excited that Riverman has been honored with this prestigious award and would like to thank all of the breeders who chose to breed to Riverman over the years. His achievements as a sire could not have been made possible without you! (Jan 2012)
De Feiner Star Earns Two Stars from ISR/OldenburgNA
Hilltop Farm is excited to announce that De Feiner Star has been named a two-star stallion in the ISR/Oldenburg Star Awards Program. De Feiner Star, owned by Gregory Strait and Melinda Brown, joined the Hilltop Farm Guest Stallion program in this fall and will be available for breeders in 2012. The Star Awards Program has become a great way for the ISR/Oldenburg to recognize exceptional stallions, mares, and breeders. Stallions earn stars for a variety of achievements including Conformation, Stallion Performance Test results, Sport Performance Results, Foal Evaluations, and the Success of Mature Offspring. We are excitedly awaiting his first breeding season in 2012. (Jan 2012)
USEF Leading Sire Awards for Royal Prince & Riverman
The accomplishments of our stallion’s offspring never cease to impress us. Through the USEF Leading Sire system we have been able to better keep up with the show careers of our stallion’s offspring as well as evaluate the success of our stallion’s offspring in many different venues from competition throughout the United States. This year, Royal Prince (Rohdiamant - Prince Thatch xx) and Riverman (Redfort – Landego) earned special recognition through the USEF Leading Sire Rankings. Based on the 2011 competition results of Royal Prince’s offspring, he has won the USEF Dressage Breeding Sire of the Year for the fourth consecutive year. This is a remarkable achievement for Royal Prince. We believe Royal Prince is the only stallion to have won any USEF Leading Sire division for four consecutive years. Riverman, a cornerstone of the Hilltop Farm breeding program, earned the USEF/PHR South Pacific Award for being the leading US-based Jumper Sire of 2011. This award is presented by Joan Irvine-Smith in honor of her great stallion South Pacific. Riverman offspring continue to showcase their versatility, earning ribbons in many different competition arenas. Riverman’s offspring also earned him a 4th place finish in the USEF Leading Eventing Sire, 13th place in the Leading Hunter Sire, and 10th place in the Leading Half-Arabian Sire of the Year.
Royal Prince and Riverman were not the only Hilltop Farm stallions to bring home many USEF awards for the competition efforts of their offspring. Hilltop stallion, Contucci (Caprimond – Lungau) also earned high placings in a number of categories: Contucci was 9th place for Dressage, 11th place for Dressage Breeding, and 22nd in the Eventing rankings. Bugatti (Bergamon – Rubinstein) earned an 8th place finish in the Dressage Breeding Sire rankings; as well, Donarweiss GGF, owned by Starr Vaughn Equestrian and bred by Greengate Farm, finished in 5th place in Dressage Breeding rankings.
These accomplishments could not have been made possible without the dedicated competition and breeding efforts of our many breeders. Thank you for your trust and devotion to our stallions throughout the years! We look forward to your continued success in the 2012 show season! (January 2012)
Hilltop Guest Stallions Earn Multiple Year End Awards
The 2011 show season was filled with many exciting accomplishments for Hilltop Farm Guest Stallions De Feiner Star (De Laurentis x Feiner Dance/Feiner Stern), Donarweiss GGF (De Niro x SPS Highlight/Hohenstein), and Popeye (PS Pour l’Amour x SPS Nice Touch/Night Star I). Owned by Gregory Strait and Melinda Brown, De Feiner Star ‘s accomplished show record proves him to be an exciting new addition to the 2012 stallion line-up. In 2011 De Feiner Star has earned multiple year end awards including USDF Reserve Champion Materiale Horse of the Year for 4 & 5 Year Old Stallions and Geldings; as well as an 11th place in the USDF Awards for the FEI Five Year Old test. In the GOV All Breeds Awards De Feiner Star earned the Championship in 4&5 Year Old Stallion Materiale and a 4th Place finish in the FEI Five Year Olds. Donarweiss GGF had an impressive first season at Grand Prix under Chris Hickey’s ride. Donarweiss finished the season ranked 30th in the USDF Awards for Grand Prix Horse of the Year and in the AHS All Breeds Awards Donarweiss earned a 3rd place finish for the Open Grand Prix. Pony stallion Popeye, owned by Summit Sporthorses, finished his show season with a Reserve Champion finish at the BLM Finals competing at Fourth Level. We couldn’t be prouder of these three stallion’s accomplishments in 2011. With the 2012 show season already underway we are already filled with anticipation for another exciting year! (December 2011)
Year End Awards: Hilltop Farm
While many of the horses competed by Hilltop Farm trainers are not owned by the farm, we do always own a select few for our trainers to develop and compete. This year the Hilltop Farm horses did especially well – earning many year end awards. The Hanoverian stallion, Bugatti (Bergamon x SPS Raffinesse/Rubinstein I), competed under trainer Michael Bragdell this season. Bugatti and Michael finished the season with a 3rd place finish at Region I Prix St. Georges Final and an exciting Reserve Championship at Prix St. George at the BLM Finals. Trainer Chris Hickey competed four-year old Bugatti mare Balissa HTF (Bugatti x EM Comtesse/Contucci) and Royal Prince gelding Ripley HTF (Royal Prince x SPS Komtess V (aka Rivita)/Riverman) to excellent results. Balissa HTF earned a 10th place finish in the USDF 4 & 5 Year Old Mare Materiale Horse of the Year and a 4th Place in the USDF Awards for the USEF Four Year Old Test. Ripley HTF finished his first show season with a 5th Place finish in the USDF 4 & 5 Year Old Stallion/Gelding Materiale Horse of the Year rankings. Also under Chris Hickey’s ride were Witness Hilltop (Hamlet – Burggraaf) and Douglas Hilltop (Dr. Jackson D – Walt Disney). In Witness’s first season with Chris the pair earned 18th place in the USDF Intermediaire I Horse of the Year rankings and 21st in the USDF Muscial Freesetyle Intermediaire I Challenge. Douglas Hilltop finished the season ranked 24th in the USDF Grand Prix Horse of the Year rankings. The youngest of the Hilltop horses to compete was the Contucci foal Cha Ching HTF (Contucci x EM Contesse (aka Cha Cha)/Cordoba). Cha Ching HTF impressively earned the USDF/GAIG Foal Championship and the Devon Foal Championship at Dressage at Devon. Here’s to just as wonderful of a year in 2012! (December 2011)
Douglas Finishes 3rd in Harsefeld, Germany
Chris and Douglas continued on their successful European trip this past weekend. The pair traveled to Harsefeld, Germany for another competition and Douglas placed third in S/8-level Test. Chris noted, “I was pleased with the test even though we had two small mistakes. Douglas was quiet, relaxed, and allowed me to ask for more big swing and expression while still being able to give in the reins.” This was another show that we would have had to ship in/out on each day, BUT yet again, we were saved by our friends! Laura Gammell, who worked for us last winter in FL, now works for Dolf and Manuella Keller where the show was being held. So Laura was able to arrange stabling for Douglas! The Keller’s were extremely accommodating and we were all grateful for their hospitality. While Christine took Douglas back to Morten’s home in Denmark, Chris boarded a plane to come home to Hilltop for a couple of days of training here. There’s no time to rest! (December 2011)
Chippendale Finishes 2nd in Roosendaal
Chippendale (Lord Leatherdale – Negro) earned a well deserved 2nd place finish in the second leg of the KWPN Stallion Competitions at Roosendaal held on December 14th. Chippendale improved upon his score at Hengelo to earn a score of 83.0%. His canter was once again a highlight of his test – with a quick and active hindleg. Congratulations to Van Olst Stables! (December 2011)
Valegro (Negro – Gershwin) Wins Olympia World Cup Grand Prix
Negro son, Valegro, and rider Charlotte Dujardin have accomplished yet another impressive win when they commandingly won the Olympia World Cup Grand Prix. The pair not only impressively won the class but created a new personal best with a score of 80.0%, beating some of the most accomplished British riders. Charlotte commented “Valegro has all the movement and power.” Coach and fellow competitor, Carol Hester, spoke of Valegro saying “he is among one of the best horses in the world.” Valegro’s next competition will be the World Dressage Masters in Florida – we can’t wait to see this pair’s continued success! (December 2011)
Chippendale Finishes 2nd in Hengelo
The first leg of the KWPN Stallion Competitions was held November 30th in Hengelo and Chippendale (Lord Leatherdale – Negro) showed himself off well to earn 80.5 points and second place. He has gained in strength since his 4th place finish at the PAVO Cup Finals and the expression in the trot and canter was a true highlight of his test. Congratulations to Van Olst Stables! (December 2011)
Royal Prince Earns 5th Star with ISR/OldenburgNA
Hilltop Farm is honored to announce that Royal Prince (Rohdiamant - Prince Thatch xx) recently was awarded his fifth star under the ISR/Oldenburg Star Awards Program for Stallions. Royal Prince joins only three other stallions who have achieved five stars; two of which include Hilltop Farm's Bugatti and Parabol. The ISR/Oldenburg Star Awards Program was developed to recognize exceptional stallions, mares, and breeders. Stars are earned for a variety of different achievements in a stallion's career.
Royal Prince had already achieved his four star status through his conformation, stallion performance test results, competition record, and foal evaluations. Royal Prince has earned his final star through the outstanding success of his mature offspring. Royal Prince's offspring continue to renew our confidence in Royal Prince as a sire. His offspring have dominated in many breed shows - earning him the title of Dressage Breeding Sire of the Year for three consecutive years! (December 2011)
Horse & Classic Tournament – Elmshorn, Germany
November 18th was a productive start to Chris Hickey’s European Tour when he took Douglas Hilltop to Elmshorn, Germany for the Horse & Classic Dressage Tournament. Proving what a small world that the horse world really is, Chris heard in English just as he was entering the ring – “Oh, Chris so nice to see you here. Have fun showing in Germany!” After the class he found Ina Lehmann, the mother of Lara Lehmann who we had the pleasure of meeting when she spent a number of months this fall at Summit Sporthorses with Ilona English. As Chris commented, "You can go half way around the world and see someone you know."
Held at the beautiful home of the Holsteiner Verband, the Elmshorn show was a great learning environment for Douglas. Since there was no stabling available on-site, Judith and Weiger De Boer (close friends of Morten’s) graciously offered Chris stabling nearby. Traveling back and forth to the show, tacking up on the racetrack, and showing in the nighttime and in the indoor were all new experiences for Douglas and he handled them well. Morten Thomsen’s help at the show was invaluable and Douglas was able to show better relaxation throughout the test despite all the new elements for him at this show. In a good Grand Prix field, Chris and Douglas earned a 64.9% and finished 9th overall. Chris was pleased with the ride and it sets the stage for the next step in their training. (November 2011)
Hilltop’s 20th Anniversary Celebration
It’s hard to believe that it really has been 20 years already. When Jane MacElree first purchased the stallions Cabaret and Nureyev, she had no idea of what would evolve in the coming years, but what a journey it has been! On October 29th Jane, the Hilltop staff, and many of our friends, family, and clients celebrated our 20th Anniversary with a wonderful party at the farm. An unexpected, early winter snow storm affected travel for people from Virginia to New England that had been planning on coming, but there were still almost 200 people in attendance. Now that’s dedication! Door prize drawings from Oxford Feed & Lumber, Unionville Equine, Smartpak, the Mill of Bel Air, Select Breeders Services, Hulsebos Saddles, and of course Hilltop Farm made for some very lucky attendees! The highlight of the day was of course the Stallion Presentation. We were fortunate that Laroche, De Feiner Star, and Don Hill were all able to still attend given the weather, but it was an excellent opportunity for breeders to see these Guest Stallions in person. Video highlights of Donarweiss with his new rider Genay Vaughn, as well as clips for the Van Olst and Haras de Brullemail stallions brought together our complete line-up. Thank you all for your continued support over these 20 years. We are looking forward to what the future will bring. (November 2011)
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| Hemmingway | De Feiner Star | Bugatti |
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| Contucci | Riverman |
USDF Region 1 Championship
We finished out the recognized show season October 21-22 at the USDF Region 1 Finals in Lexington, VA. Brenda Mendenhall rode her own Rendezvous HTF (Regazzoni x Primavera/Donnerhall) to a 6th place in Training Level 3 and a 3rd place in Training Level 2 with a 65.714%. Michael also had a very good weekend with his two mounts – Bugatti and the 7-year old Bugatti son Boxster A. With Bugatti, Michael finished in 3rd place for the USDF Region 1 Prix St. Georges final with a test that both he and Chris were very pleased with. On Saturday, Michael and Bugatti entered their first Intermediaire I test together and earned a strong score of 66% and finished in 4th place. Iris Aberbach’s Boxster A (Bugatti x Winsome A/Weltbekannt) was last year’s Reserve Champion at Training Level for USDF Region 8 with Michael and this year improved on that result winning the USDF Region 1 First Level Championships with a 73.548%! Congratulations to Michael and Iris! (October 2011)
Offspring Excel in Eventing at French National Finals
International stallions Quite Easy and Jaguar Mail were well represented at the National Finals for Young Event Horses in Pompadour, France. Jaguar Mail was once again the stallion with the most offspring (15) competing in the event. Twiggy Bougaux (Jaguar Mail – Dastaan) earned a 3rd in the 4-5 Year Old Amateur Final while Stella des Grilles finished 4th in 5-6 Year Old Amateur Final. In the Championships for 4 Year Olds – Criterium International Tresor Mail (Jagaur Mail – Iowa) finished 3rd. The five-year old son of Jaguar Mail, Sirejaguar de Koeur (Jaguar Mail – Double Espoir) earned a 3rd place finish in the 5 Year Old Championships and won the Criterium for 5 Year Olds.
Quite Easy was equally as well represented by his offspring. Reybahne de Mezel (Quite Easy – Grenat de Grez) placed 4th in the 6 Year Old Amateur Final; however, the most exciting was Ramsa Villa Rose (Quite Easy – Voltaire) who earned the triple crown of Pompadour. The six year old gelding, Ramsa Villa Rose, won the French Championships of 6 Year Olds, the Criterium National, and the Criterium International CCI* with owner/rider Eric Vigeanel. A week prior, Ramsa Villa Rose earned a bronze team medal at the Junior European Championships with Pin Up De Mail by Jaguar Mail. The exciting accomplishments of both Quite Easy and Jaguar Mail make us very proud to have them as part of our stallion line-up. We can’t wait to see the future accomplishments of both their European and American offspring! (October 2011)
BLM Championships
The 2011 BLM Championships and Garden State Classic show were a wonderful finish to the season for Hilltop trainer Rebecca Cord. With Cackie Vroom’s Derby, bred by Summit Sporthorses, Rebecca placed 1st in the First Level Test 1 on Friday and 5th in the Training Level 2 Test with a 71.4% and finished 3rd in the BLM Training Level Championships with a 71.964% on Saturday. Riding Janet Rubino’s Lusitano gelding Sombrero Do Top, Rebecca was 5th in the BLM Finals at Prix St. Georges and won Saturday’s Open PSG class with a 68%. Summit Sporthorses’ pony stallion Popeye also finished out his season on a high note. Together with Rebecca he won the Fourth Level Test 2 Open class with a 70.8% and was Reserve Champion for the BLM Finals at Fourth Level. Michael Bragdell and Bugatti continued a very successful fall campaign with a Reserve Championship in the Prix St. Georges BLM Finals. Congratulations! (October 2011)
