2006Elizabeth and Stephanie and Alison Coyle just returned from a recent trip to California, taken mostly for the purpose of Alison competing in the National finals for Dressage Seat Equitation, 12 yrs. old and under. The trip began with a visit to the Napa Valley where the group stayed with Elizabeth's long-time friend Mary Duenow, a 'R' eventing technical delegate and High School English teacher who graciously agreed to take them wine-tasting and touring the valley.
During these two days Alison also had daily lessons with another friend of Elizabeth's, Heidi Knipe-Lyons of Euro-Quest Farms in Danville. These were taken in order to get to know the horse she would be borrowing for the competition, which was being held in Rancho Murieta near Sacramento on July 28th-30th, 2006. Heidi is an FEI level dressage competitor and trainer who also specializes in importing sport horses and ponies.
After seeing a sample DVD of Alison riding three different horses, Heidi convinced one of her students, Heather Marchman to lend Alison her 9 yr. old Dutch-bred horse "Romulus Augustus" who is a lovely chestnut gelding by Contango. Alison also got to enjoy riding "Monreale" a sport pony that Heidi has for sale who was much more forward than her own pony at home, "Stormy Weather" so this provided her with an opportunity to expand her riding experience. The horses shipped to Rancho Murieta on Thurs. afternoon then Alison did some practice classes on Fri. and went to a welcome dinner with some of the other competitors on Fri. night put on by the U.S.E.F.. She competed in her finals class on Sat. afternoon, and placed 8th in her division.
Congratulations Alison, and a huge thank you to Heidi and Heather for the loan of "Romulus" and all of the hours of planning and help. Everyone felt that this was an invaluable learning experience for Alison and look forward to her contesting the older age division soon.
After returning from Sacramento, the group spent a day and night in San Francisco, then traveled south along the coast to Half Moon Bay to visit a former student of Elizabeth's, Helena Nishkian and her mom. They visited her horses turned out in beautiful Purrisma canyon, then went on to stay at Pacific Grove for two nights, and managed to fit in visits to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Carmel and the Pebble Beach Equestrian center, and finally Big Sur.
On Wed. Aug. 2nd it was finally time for the group to head back to North Carolina, bu ton the way to the Airport they got to visit one more person who helped make the trip happen: Dayna Lynd-Pugh of Flying Tail Farm in Gilroy. Dayna and her partner Shannon Lilley run a successful eventing facility and have always been terrifically welcoming and helpful over the years. Both Dayna and Helena had offered horses for Alison to borrow as well for her competition, and several other people were instrumental in making our trip a success and making us feel welcome, so Thank you All!
This just in, Alison wins the Lendon Gray perpetual trophy for Highest scoring F.E.I. Pony at the Lendon Gray Dressage Festival for Kids in Saugerties, New York on August 12th, 2006!!
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Moore, Stephanie Coyle, and Alison Coyle.