2009 brings a challenge

As most of you know, Vivian Millard is Windsor's rider and trainer. It is she who prepared Windsor for the stallion performance testing last year, and who trained and showed Windsor in the hunter and jumper rings, leading to his many performance successes in 2008. From the beginning, there has been a close relationship between this rider and this stallion.

Earlier this year, Vivian was involved in an accident which sidelined her from either riding or competing for the duration of the 2009 show season. She is happily back in the saddle now, and her recovery as a rider can be credited largely to Windsor, who has been the most reliable, most dependable, and easiest horse for her to ride throughout her recuperation. Recently, Vivian worked up her courage to attempt a 1.30m fence, and it was Windsor who carried her over it, landing her safely on the other side.

Whatever accomplishments await them in the coming years, it is this triumph that will be our most treasured.

Two for Two

VDL Ulando H has again produced a winner! First, it was our very own Bovaire who won the 2009 Eastern Canadian Freejumping Competition in the spring. Now, it is Bellagio who is in the spotlight as winner of the very prestigious Governor General's Cup at the 2009 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair!! Congratulations to Wendy and Tom O'Keefe on their happy success, and to all the owners of Ulando offspring, who can hope for great successes in the future!

It's a girl!!!!

We are happy to announce the arrival of Emma, the first filly to be born from our Voltaire x Nurzeus mare, Jimarilla.

Jimarilla comes from a distinguished damline, which has produced many approved stallions and upper level sport horses both in Europe and in North America. After producing four colts in a row, we are thrilled to finally have a filly to carry on this wonderful damline in our breeding program.

Emma's sire is VDL Windsor H, who has stamped this filly with his beautiful refined exterior and wonderful temperament.

2009 Eastern Canadian Free Jumping Competition

Our very own Bovaire (pictured at the top of this blog as a weanling with his mother, Jimarilla) captured the Championship of the 2009 Eastern Canadian Free Jumping Competition on Sunday April 5 at the Royal Canadian Riding Academy in Cedar Valley, ON. The competition's esteemed judge, Torchy Millar, awarded Bovaire a score of 9 for canter & impression, 9 for jumping technique, and 8.5 for scope. We are thrilled that this promising young horse has been added to our own list of freejumping champions: Concorde's Tiantha (2003), VDL Ulando H (2005) and VDL Windsor H (2006).

For more information about the free jumping competition, go to http://www.hanoverianbreedersclub.com/FreeJumping/2009/FreeJumping2009_text.htm

Zoe in Wellington

While most of us have had to put up with another cold winter in Canada, our daughter Vivian has been fortunate in being able to take some of our older horses down to Florida to get them in shape for the upcoming Ontario show season. I had a chance to visit her in Wellington, and took this photo of our 5-year-old mare, Zest de Pomme a.k.a. Zoe (Navarone x Always Out). Zoe is the first horse we bred ourselves. Her sire, Navarone, is by the double Olympic Gold Medal winner, Jus de Pomme. Zoe's dam is the thoroughbred mare Always Out, by Explodent. Always Out had a racing career that spanned 7 years; she retired sound and went on to compete in eventing with an amateur senior. Zoe seems to share her mom's athleticism, stamina and soundness, but we think she may have also picked up some of her grandsire's affinity for jumping. Zoe is currently schooling over a 3'6" course, and doesn't give scary liverpools or wind-blown flags and flowers a second glance. Simple to ride, level-headed and willing, she's an amateur's dream. Vivian is looking forward to taking Zoe onto the A circuit this summer, and after a few miles, hubby is thinking she'd be the perfect senior jumper for him.

Update on VDL Windsor H

July 20, 2008 - VDL Windsor H tops the 5-year-old Canadian Jumper Development class, held at Halton Place, with a winning score of 94. Ridden by amateur rider Vivian Millard, Windsor put in a brilliant round, despite the driving rain and saturated footing. To watch the round on YouTube, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHLkr7ry3Rs

July 12, 2008 - VDL Windsor H is named Vice-Champion of the FEI Dressage Test for 5-year-olds at Cornerstone Horse Show, held at the Caledon Equestrian Park, as part of the Canadian Performance Futurity. Judged not only for movement and suitability for dressage but also submission and rideability, Windsor performed a stellar test despite having only 4 days preparation with his rider, David Marcus. '

August 27, 2008 - VDL Windsor H claims the 2008 Champion Hunter title for the Eastern Zone's 5-year-old divison of the Canadian Performance Futurity. Ridden by amateur Vivian Millard, Windsor once again proves his versatility by top placings across three disciplines.

September 11, 2008 - VDL Windsor H is declared Vice-Champion of the 2008 Canadian Stallion Performance Test, held in Orangeville, ON, giving him full breeding approval with the CWHBA. With a score that reflects his versatility in both dressage and jumping, Windsor obtained top marks for rideability, willingness and character. Test riders cited Windsor as being a very careful and very brave jumper with excellent gaits, who is willing to please and a pleasure to ride.

Introducing..... Dexter!!!

Dexter is our newest addition to the farm. He is by VDL Windsor H (Indoctro x Ahorn), out of our mare Jimarilla (Voltaire x Nurzeus). We are absolutely thrilled with this perfect little package! He has his daddy's handsome looks and calm temperament, and is just starting to get used to those long legs!

Dexter's three-quarters' brother is Bovaire, sired by VDL Ulando H and pictured at the top of this page with their mom, Jimarilla. Not only do Dexter and Bovaire have the same mother, but their sires, Windsor and Ulando, also share the same dam - the keur preferent KWPN mare Fanieta (Ahorn x Amor).