2008 Hilltop Farm Foaling Report
May 2008: Hilltop Stallions Shine at Buck's County
April 2008: Spring Dressage at Morven Park
April 2008: Hulsebos Saddles Dates Confirmed
April 2008: Team Hilltop Finishes Out Their Florida Season
April 2008: Team Purina Mills Wins Challenge of the Americas
March 2008: Zonnerhall Wins at White Fences
March 2008: Cabana Boy Shines Again
March 2008: Werbellin & Donarweiss Earn ISR/Oldenburg Stars
March 2008: Cabana Boy Sets the Standard at the Palm Beach Dressage Derby
Feb 2008: Bugatti Hilltop Now Approved GOV
Feb 2008: Wellington Classic Spring Challenge
Feb 2008: Chris Hickey - Equiery Dressage Rider of the Year
Feb 2008: Welcome Back to White Fences
Feb 2008: Chris Hickey - COTH Dressage Horseman of the Year
Jan 2008: Bugatti wins at Intermediare I; Regent debuts at Grand Prix
Jan 2008: 2008 Show Season Off To A Running Start
HILLTOP STALLIONS SHINE AT BUCK's COUNTY
Chris Hickey rode Greengate Farm’s Donarweiss GGF to a score of 72.000% and a second place in the PSG test at Dressage at Bucks County Horse Park on Sunday May 4th. Judge Michael Kierkegaard rewarded the pair with comments like “elastic, consistent bend and rhythm, regular and active…”
Michael Bragdell and Royal Prince rode their first 4th Level Test together and won with a score of 69.070%. Judge Pamela Wooding commented “Elegant, athletic horse with clearly developed self-carriage”.
Jocelyn Wiese also had a successful show. Riding Summit Sporthorses’ German Riding Pony stallion, Popeye, Jocelyn received a 62.632% for second place in 2nd Level Test 2 and a 63.721% for third place in 2nd Level Test 3. Jocelyn also came home with a score on 67.436% and a second place finish on Nancy Dillon’s Erin Go Get’Em in 3rd Level Test 1. She and her own horse, Lamborghini, made their debut at Intermediaire I scoring a 68.000% and a second place.
Several Hilltop students also competed at Bucks County. Jennifer Huber and Vito won their 3rd Level Test 2 class with a score of 68.462. Barb Strawson and Prosecco also came home with a blue and a score of 66.136% in the 4th Level Test 2. Tiffany Mohr and Chanson (by Cabaret) placed second in 2nd Level Test 3 with a score of 64.651. Michael Bragdell’s student Kendle Buffington riding Remora earned a 5th place in the Training Level Test 3 with a score of 62.800%. Congratulations to all!!
Spring Dressage at Morven Park
Trainer Michael Bragdell got Hilltop’s regular show season off to a running start this weekend at VADA/ Nova’s Spring Dressage Competition in Leesburg, Virginia. He came home with several wins, including two first place finishes on Selten-HW, Cadence LLC’s young stallion, in the USEF Four Year Old Test. Michael and Selten scored a 8.2 on Sunday and an impressive 8.7 on Saturday, receiving comments such as “super horse”, “active, expressive” and “impressively talented” from Judges Betsy Berry, Lorraine MacDonald and Brenda Minor.
Michael also brought home blues with Rendezvous HTF, bred by Hilltop and owned by Brenda Mendenhall of Pennsylvania, and Sundance, owned by Judy Kurz of New Jersey. Michael and RV won Saturday’s Training Level Test 3 with a score of 72.400% and Sunday’s First Level Test One with 75.000%. Sunday’s performance also won them High Score of the Day! Michael and Sundance won Saturday’s Training Level Test Four with a score of 68.400% and came in fourth on the same day in First Level Test One with a 62.333%.
Chris’ student Nancy Dillon riding her gelding Erin Go Get’Em, had a very successful show as well. She and Go Get’Em placed second in both Saturday’s Adult Amateur Third Level Test One and Sunday’s Third Level Test Two, scoring a 66.667% and a 62.821% respectively. Her rides were even more impressive due to the fact that she was a last minute fill in for trainer Jocelyn Wiese who was sick and unable to attend. Way to go Nancy and Go Get’Em!
Confirmed Date for Hulsebos Saddles Visit
Hulsebos Saddles will be visiting Hilltop Farm on April 19th and 20th. They will be available for fittings, reflocking, and any other repairs needed. For anyone interested in trying Hulsebos Saddles, there will be many demo saddles available. Space will fill quickly for this event, so please contact Natalie for more information.
Team Hilltop Finishes Out Their Florida Show Season
Team Hilltop ended their Florida show season with a bang. Before heading back to Hilltop, Chris showed Brenna Kucinski’s Regent at the WEF Dressage Classic CDI. They placed 12th in the Grand Prix with a score of 64.542 and 3rd in the Grand Prix Special with 63.160%. We look forward to seeing much more of Regent at Grand Prix!
For the last show of his Florida season, Chris chose Dressage at Equestrian Estates. Riding Greengate Farm’s Donarweiss GGF at Prix St.Georges both Friday and Sunday, Chris scored a 65.500% for 4th place and a 63.000% for 6th place respectively. Chris also showed Cece Sutton’s four year old gelding Zonnerhall and brought home a 3rd place in Saturday’s Training Level Test Two with a 76.071% and a 4th place in Sunday’s Training Level Test Four with a 67.600%. Several of Chris’ students also had a successful show at Equestrian Estates, including Jessie Paine’s 3rd place finish in the Adult Amateur Intermediaire I riding Mirakel to a score of 61.750%. Jennifer Huber also added to her wins, taking 1st place in Adult Amateur Grand Prix with Al Pacino. Congratulations to all and welcome home!
Although, Chris shipped all of his training horses home, his student, Jennifer Huber, stayed south for one final show, White Fences IV. Riding Vito, Jen won Saturday’s Second Level Test Three with a score of 74.419%, and on Al Pacino, won the Adult Amateur Grand Prix with a 70.833%! Congratulations Jennifer- what a way to end your Florida season!
Team USA Purina Mills wins Challenge of the Americas
The Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, Florida hosted the seventh annual Challenge of the Americas to benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation on March 8th. Chris Hickey, riding his student Jennifer Huber’s horse Al Pacino, was a member of the musical quadrille for Team USA Purina Mills which counts for 60% of the overall score. Performing to a Blue Angels themed soundtrack, Team USA Purina Mills won the quadrille as well as the whole competition. What could be better than great dressage for a good cause!!
Zonnerhall Wins at White Fences
This year’s Welcome Back to White Fences III proved to be a great place to start Zonnerhall’s show career. Chris rode the four year old gelding owned by Cece Sutton to a win with a 70.000% in the Training Level Test Four. Judge Adrienne Pot commented “prompt, steady, fluid and elastic… a beautiful horse!” Way to go Chris and Zonnerhall!
Cabana Boy once again stole the show at the Wellington Dressage Classic Challenge II and came home with two blue ribbons. On Saturday, Chris and Cabana won the Third Level Test One with a 75.641%. Then on Sunday, they received another impressive 80.200% in the FEI Six Year Old Test.
Chris and Donarweiss GGF showed both days at Prix St.Georges and received two solid, mid-sixties scores and a fifth place on Sunday. His scores this weekend bring Donarweiss a step closer to completing his performance requirements for AHS prior to his inspection this summer. Donarweiss will be competing in one more Florida show, Dressage at Equestrian Estates, before heading home to start his breeding season.
Chris’ students also brought home several ribbons. Jenn Huber and Al Pacino won the Adult Amateur Grand Prix on Saturday with a score of 62.083% and came in second on Sunday in the Grand Prix Special with a 62.200%. Dorie Addy-Crow and Rotterdam earned a second place finish in Saturday’s Prix St.Georges with a 66.750% and a third in Sunday’s Intermediaire I with a 65.750%. Vanessa Krikava also came home with a blue ribbon, winning Sunday’s First Level Test Two on Royal Replay with a score of 67.500 and a fourth in the First Level Test Four on Donna Calimba with a score of 70.526%. Congratulations again to all!
Werbellin & Donarweiss Earn Stars from ISR/Oldenburg
ISR/OldenburgNA has a Star Award program for stallions that recognizes exceptional achievements. Werbellin, who has already earned stars for his conformation and 100-day test scores, has also earned his 3rd star for his successful FEI dressage career. Never scoring lower than 62.583% at Prix St. Georges, and with scores as high as 75% at Intermediare I, this was a well-deserved award and we look forward to his continued competitive success!
Greengate Farm's other stallion, Donarweiss GGF, has just received his 1st star from ISR/Oldenburg for his conformation score at his initial inspection. He is currently in FL and getting close to completing his performance requirements for his Lifetime Approval with ISR/Oldenburg.
Cabana Boy Sets the Standard for Six Year Olds
at the Palm Beach Dressage Derby
Chris and Cabana Boy (by Contucci) wowed the crowds with their commanding win of the FEI 6 Year Old Test on Friday. Judges Rockwell “O”, Eisenhardt “O” and Mechlem “O, retired” rewarded Chris and Cabana’s performance with a score of 80.200% and comments of "expressive horse”, “convincing in all 3 gaits” and “horse always very confident”. We are looking forward to a great show season with Cabana Boy this year.
Chris also showed in the CDI, riding Bugatti at PSG, I1 and I1 Freestyle and Regent at Grand Prix. Chris and Bugatti received solid scores including a 65.167 and a 6th place in their first performance of their I1 Freestyle, even though they were working through a few of the communication errors that always come with new partnerships. Chris was also happy with Regent’s first CDI at Grand Prix, saying “I was very pleased with Regent - to do this well for a 1st yr Grand Prix horse in this kind of company makes us very proud!!!"
Jennifer Huber won Friday’s Open Second Level Test 3 on her horse Vito with a score of 67.442%. Meanwhile, Dorie Addy-Crow and BW Forte (by Festrausch) also had a good show, including placing second out of nine in the Open First Level Test One with a score of 67.667%. Congratulations again Jenn and Dorie!
Bugatti hilltop NOW approved gov
Bugatti Hilltop continues to impress us since his importation to the US this past fall, and we are proud to announce that he also impressed the GOV inspection committee! During their recent visit to Florida, Bugatti was granted his lifetime approval. Mare owners breeding to Bugatti can now choose between AHS, ISR/Oldenburg, SWANA, and the GOV when it is time to register their offspring.
Wellington Classic Spring Challenge
Chris and Regent had a fantastic show this weekend at the Wellington Classic Spring Challenge. During only their second outing at Grand Prix on Saturday, Chris and Regent finished second in the Open Grand Prix with a 70.417%. They followed that with a win on Sunday in Regent’s first ever Open Grand Prix Special scoring a 70.800%! Chris says that although they are doing the qualifiers, they will not be aiming for Hong Kong due to the fact that Regent is just starting to compete at Grand Prix.
Chris and Donarweiss continued their successful partnership with two more strong showings at Prix St. Georges. They finished third in Saturday’s open PSG with a 68.000% and ended the weekend with a 63.750% on Sunday in the FEI Test of Choice.
Many of Chris’ students also scored well at the show. Dorie Addy-Crow won Saturday’s First Level Test One on BW-Forte by Festrausch with a score of 73.000%. Rita Brown and Daktari had two solid showings at Grand Prix including a 65.417% on Saturday which completed her USDF Gold Medal. In the Adult Amateur division, Jennifer Huber and Al Pacino took home a second in the GP with a 63.750, while Jessie Paine rode Mirakel to a fourth place finish in Saturday’s I1 with a score of 66.250%. Jennifer also took home a fifth place in the Open Grand Prix Special on Sunday with an excellent score of 65.200%.
Chris Hickey - Equiery Dressage Rider of the Year
2007 was an incredible year for Chris Hickey and we've just learned that because of his accomplishments, he has been selected as the Maryland Dressage Rider of the Year by The Equiery. Thank you to The Equiery and Beth Collier and congratulations Chris!
The Welcome Back to White Fences show is a popular one in Wellington, and Team Hilltop had a strong presence this year. Chris and Donarweiss had a very successful first outing at Prix St. Georges this past weekend. Donarweiss was steady and consistent through the entire weekend and scored a 68.5% on Saturday and a 68.25% for 2nd place on Sunday. Joan Humprey commented "lovely prospect", while Charlotte Trentelman stated "impressive horse". It was a wonderful start to Donarweiss's FEI career and an important step in his stallion licensing.
Chris was also busy coaching at the show. Rita Brown and her horse Daktari (who turned 18 at the show!) made their Grand Prix debut and earned two 2nd places with a 61.25% in Saturday's FEI Test of Choice, and a 62.97% in Sunday's Open Grand Prix. Jen Huber riding Al Pacino, also came home with two 2nd's from Saturday's Grand Prix AA (64.375%) and Sunday's FEI Test of Choice AA (68.6%). Way to go Rita & Jen!
chris hickey - COTH Dressage Horseman of the Year
The February 1st issue of the Chronicle of the Horse had some exciting news - Hilltop Farm's Chris Hickey was selected as their Dressage Horseman of the Year. With the move to Hilltop Farm, capturing the USEF National Intermediare I Championships, two Gold Medals at the Pan American Games, competing at the World Championships for Young Horse, the USEF National Championship for FEI Five Year Olds, and many other high-scores and championships it has been quite a year. Congratulations Chris!
Bugatti Wins at Int. i; regent Debuts at Grand Prix
Chris and Bugatti started the Gold Coast Opener off with a win in the Open Intermediare I on Saturday, scoring a 68.875%. On Sunday, the pair continued their success with a score of 66.875 and a 3rd place finish in the FEI Test of Choice. Chris and his Pan-Am partner, Regent, made their Grand Prix debut. With owner Brenna Kucinski watching, they received solid scores, including a 4th place finish on Saturday with a score of 63.750%.
2008 Show Season Off to a Running Start
Chris and Cabana Boy started off their 2008 show season with a win at the Wellington Classic Dressage Challenge I. In his first outing at 3rd 3, Cabana Boy scored an impressive 72.558% under judge Barbara Marks with comments like “Wow!..I love him!” and “..giant strides, steady tempo.. bold and straight..”. Chris and Donarweiss continued the success of their new partnership, scoring a 70.000% at 4th 1 and a 2nd place finish under Dinah Babcock.
Chris’ students also had a successful show. Jen Huber and Al Pacino showed the Grand Prix Special on Sunday, garnering a score of 63% for a 4th place. Amy Stuhr rode Dinar to a first place finish in Saturday’s Pre St. Georges Test with a score of 70.750% and in Sunday’s I 1 Freestyle with a score of 71.5% earning her a write up in Dressage Daily (http://horsesdaily.com/news/dressage/2008/08wcd/index.html). Congratulations Jen and Amy!
NEDA
2007 Year-End Awards
for Hilltop Trainer & Hilltop Students
Jocelyn Wiese, Hilltop’s newest trainer, and along with her partner Lamborghini, claimed three of NEDA’s Year End Awards for 2007, including Champion 4th Level Jr/ YR (68.889%), Champion PSG Jr/ YR (69.850%), and Champion USEF Freestyle Jr/ YR (70.350%). Way to go Jocelyn!!
Several of Chris’ students were also recipients of NEDA Year End Awards. Heather Quinn on Ask Me Anything was Reserve Champion 3rd Level Adult Amateur (63.953%). Jessie Paine and Mirakel won the Champion Intermediare I for the Adult Amateur division (65.500%). Jennifer Huber and Al Pacino were Champions in both Adult Amateur Intermediare II (65.122%) and Adult Amateur Grand Prix (66.875%).
Congratulations to all on a great year!
2008 Hilltop Farm Foaling Report
-
March 3rd - It's a filly! Congratulations to Double H Farm on the birth of a beautiful filly by Orlando and out of Quick Star. With these bloodlines, we're sure she will be a super star in the show jumping ring. ~ Sydney update - this filly is stunning! She captivates visitors with her looks and exudes the class that her parents have demonstrated in their careers.
-
Hilltop Farm is proud to announce the addition of a colt by Royal Prince out of Corisma (Cor Noir – Our Charlie II xx) to Kay & Lloyd Lamp. Early Sunday morning on April 6, she had a smooth delivery and was right on time for her due date. The colt expresses the long legs and short coupling of his sire Royal Prince. He has had his first adventure outside already and has already learned just what he can do with those long legs!
-
He's here! The very first Comic Hilltop FRH foal to be born at Hilltop Farm arrived on Sunday, May 4th. Out of the lovely mare EM Roxette (Rubinstein - Werther), we expected a good temperament, but we've never had a foal this friendly and engaging with people. His charm and charisma have won everyone over and the staff is already fighting over him.
Copyright © 2002-2008 Hilltop Farm, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
Hilltop logo is trademark of Hilltop Farm, Inc.
Sorry - No Photo Use Permitted
Designed by Joshua Stike
Links | Contact Us | Directions | Employment Opportunities