Four Star Farm: Cross-country course, new arrivals, horse camps

SPRING 2013

Jedi jumping on the WSS cross-country course

(Above) Jedi and Natalie jumping on the Woodland Stallion Station cross-country course. More photos and information available on The Event at Woodland Stallion Station Facebook page.

The Event at Woodland Stallion Station

Dear Friends and Fellow Equestrians,

Now is the time to show your support for eventing in Northern California. The dream is a premier, international destination event at Woodland Stallion Station (WSS), and you can help me make it happen. I've raised an initial $35,000 to begin building the course, and the goal is to raise the additional $80,000 for completing the course.

There are a few ways you can help!

All combined tests and cross-country clinics at WSS are fundraisers. Reserve a spot in Natalie's

May 19 cross-country clinic

or enter the June 8 combined test with cross-country schooling on June 9, and you'll be contributing.

In addition, Four Star Farm is offering event sponsorship levels from a $350 entry fee exchange program, which gives you the opportunity to pay for an entry or several cross-country schoolings in advance to help us with the course now, to the $25,000 Title Level, which gives the donor naming privileges. Sponsor a jump for $2,000 to promote your business. Read in detail about all our sponsor benefits.

And tax-deductible donations are accepted through Southern California Equestrian Sports.

Be a part of the action and help build this dream from the start!

All of us have memories of the different times and amazing horse venues that helped shape who we are and how we have grown as equestrians and horse addicts. It is a new era and with the ever dwindling access to land and the economic and political challenges of building a successful event it is imperative that we work together as riders, trainers, coaches, and organizers to preserve our sport. Without our collective efforts, eventing and the beautiful romance we all have with our horses will be inevitably threatened by the economy and the increasing demands of our personal lives. So push the button to purchase your advance entry or schooling credit or the button for a tax deductible donation and be an important part of creating The Event at Woodland Stallion Station!

Warm Regards,
Natalie Rooney

Purchase your $350 advance entry or schooling fees:

Trakehner Rendezvous The pas de deux at the Trakehner Rendezvous

The Trakehner Rendezvous on March 9 featured a pas de deux with Taylor Lindsten riding Jefferson and Natalie riding her stallion, Virginian Sky. Spectators were treated to in-hand and riding demonstrations that showed the athleticism and beauty of the Trakehner breed. Maren Engelhardt, a Trakehner expert from Germany, made a special appearance to talk about choosing the right stallion and the value of Shagya Arabian bloodlines in the pedigrees of our warmblood sporthorses. See more photos on the FSF Facebook page. And coming soon is video from the event!

The Sky Dance concluded the Trakehner Rendezvous

The grand finale at the Trakehner Rendezvous was the beautifully choreographed "Sky Dance," with Natalie riding Virginian Sky and Nicole Chodora. Watch out Cavalia!

Best Kept Secret

A Best Kept Secret no more! This handsome and leggy fellow by Horalas *Pg* arrived on Easter Sunday. He and mother, Barina, are doing well. Barina, already the mother of the approved stallion Bond James Bond, has definitely mothered another stallion prospect in this fabulous youngster. Barina has been bred back to Virginian Sky for a 2014 foal.

Eventful Acres Schooling Trip

Four Star Farmers enjoyed a schooling trip in March to Eventful Acres. Perfect weather and jumps for all levels. Some riders enjoyed their first taste of cross-country fun and the more seasoned riders were reminded of why we love eventing. See more Eventful Acres photos. Start planning for the annual summer Four Star Farm camping trip to Eventful Acres, Aug. 2-4 Please find the registration form online.

On Course

Jedi finished on his dressage score at the Fresno Country Horse Park horse trials in April

Natalie takes her victory gallop after finishing on her dressage score in the Intermediate division at the Fresno County Horse Park horse trials in April.

After a year of rehab following surgery, Jedi returned to the eventing stage at Galway International Horse Trials in March, breezing through Preliminary. Then it was on to Fresno County Horse Park (formerly Ram Tap) where he won the Intermediate division, finishing on his dressage score! Also at Fresno were Four Star Farm eventing first-timers Haley Schott and Frances Dahlberg. They had a great experience. Haley was aboard FSF lesson horse, Simon and Frances rode Captain. Four Star Farm rider Sylvia Fuchs had a great catch ride on Mystic. (See her sale ad below.)
Haley and Sylvia at Fresno County Horse Park horse trials

Haley and Sylvia at Fresno County Horse Park horse trials

WSS Dressage and Combined Test

June 8 with XC Schooling on June 9

Madeleine and her horse Sonata at the schooling combined test on April 6. They came up from the East Bay and shortly thereafter qualified for the CDS Junior Championships at Training Level.

Entries for the June 8 dressage and combined test schooling show open May 1 and close May 30. Get tuned up for your recognized events! Dressage judge is Wendy Rhea, the show jumping show is Amy Young. Download the premium

and send in your entry!

The time allowed for the show jumping courses will be posted and announced. If you have any questions, please contact show secretary Debra Cleveland.

Greg Best Clinic May 10-12

The Best is here May 10-12! Experience Greg's individualized advice. He gives all participants insights into how to create improved partnerships for jumping success. This year's clinics will take place at Four Star Farm in Woodland. Auditing is available! Call 707-312-1119 or email Natalie to reserve your spot.

Horse Camps

Four Star Farm horse camp is the place to be for horse-crazy youngsters! Tuition for beginner and intermediate camps is $485 (sibling discount 10%). Visit the Four Star Farm website to read camp testimonials, watch a previous camp video and download a registration form.

This year's camp schedule is as follows:

Napa

7471 Wild Horse Valley Road

Napa, CA 94558

Dates:

June 10-14
June 24-28
July 15-19
July 29-August 2

Woodland

34274 County Road 20

Woodland, CA 95695

Dates:

June 17-21
July 8-12
August 12-16

Overnight Advanced Camp, Woodland

June 21-25

Scheduled for June 21-25, this is an intensive camp for the serious competitor. You will learn techniques to get the most out of your horse when competing: how to design a warm-up for optimal performance, develop a conditioning program, walk stadium and cross-country courses, identify you and your horse's weaknesses and find ways to shine. Note: The advanced camp is an overnight camp. Tuition for this camp is $650 for use of a Four Star Farm horse, $750 if you bring your own horse (includes stall and bedding, you bring your own hay). Download the advanced camp registration form (pdf).

The Four Star Farm "Fifth Star"

Marjorie Cox gets the Four Star Farm Fifth Star award for Woodland! Natalie's assistant trainer Lindsten Taylor, refers to Marjorie as "the golden child," because she sets a gold standard at the barn. Hardworking and conscientious, Marjorie drives up to Woodland once a week from San Francisco to help with the horses. She's particularly fabulous with the babies. Marjorie is an eager student and soaks up the expertise Natalie offers. Congratulations!

And Lance O'pry gets the Fifth Star award for Napa! Lance's daughter Bianca rides with Linda Betts, the Four Star Farm Napa Instructor. Lance is a huge help, often stepping in when big equipment is required. When Natalie needed to pick up the arena drag from Sonoma County, Lance came to the rescue with a flatbed truck--just one example of his generosity.

Horses for Sale

Farfalle del Cielo Go big, bold and beautiful with Cedar!

A 2007, 17.2h Trakehner gelding, Farfalle del Cielo is big, bold and beautiful with a puppy dog personality. "Cedar" is schooling Second Level dressage and easily jumps 3'6" courses. Large enough for a tall man, sensitive enough for a woman! He has the talent to excel in any discpline. $28,000. View Cedar's video. To schedule a test ride call Natalie, (707) 312-1119, or email.

Belle

An elegant and incredibly athletic jumper, Belle is ready to find a show home. She has the scope and the technique to be either a children's jumper or a hunter. A 2009 Holsteiner chestnut mare with lots of chrome, she stands 15.2 hands and is by the stallion Chaka Khan (by Cor De La Bryere). She is quiet, easy and uncomplicated to ride with an excellent work ethic. $25,000. To schedule a test ride call Natalie, (707) 312-1119, or email.

Protégé

Protégé, aka PJ, is a 2009 Trakehner gelding. He is out of Persnickety (Feuertanzer by Martini and PGN Zimtuition ox by Shah Azim). He is sired by Freudenfest, undisputed champion of his inspection in 1999 in Germany. PJ's granddam, PGN Zimtuition, is a full sibling to several national champion horses. PJ has the potential to be an upper-level dressage horse. He has shown aptitude for piaffe and passage and is very trainable and willing. Uphill mover with an excellent work ethic. He has been hauled everywhere. Trailers extremely well. He is great on the trail, clips, bathes, ponies off an ATV or out a car window. PJ is a warm and fuzzy, very sweet horse who loves to work. 15.2 hands, he rides like a big horse. He has incredible suspension and a very active hindleg. He is easy to deal with and a blast to ride! Would be uncomplicated enough for an amateur or talented enough for a professional. $25,000.To schedule a test ride call Natalie, (707) 312-1119, or e-mail.

Fonteyn

Fonteyn is a 2008 mare by Freestyle out of a show mare by the great Trakehner stallion Enrico Caruso. She is 16.1 and nearly black. Destined for greatness, this young, fancy mare is beautiful and already feels like an upper-level dressage horse with FEI quality gaits. See her newest video. Price: Private Treaty .
To schedule a test ride call Natalie, (707) 312-1119, or e-mail.

Nobie

A registered, purebred Morgan, Nobie is a delightful pony package standing 14.2 hands. He has a permanent pony card, is 12 years old, and with a confident rider aboard will jump the moon. He loves attention and is all about being your partner. Schooling First Level dressage and Training in eventing. $15,000. To schedule a test ride call Natalie, (707) 312-1119, or email.

Ela Hannah Lee Mystic, a registered half Arabian shows great potential

Ela Hannah Lee, "Mystic," is a 6-year-old, 15.2-hand, registered Half Arabian. On her sire's side she is by the Hanoverian stallion Heraklion, who is by the Trakehner dressage star Hohenstein, who is by the super-talented dressage Trakehner stallion Caprimond. On her dam's side, Mystic is out of the Arabian mare Leehana who is by the Arabian stallion Lamolin. Mystic's bloodlines are exceptional for both breeds. She's a beautiful liver chestnut (the color of rich chocolate) and has three very good gaits. She will excel at dressage, jumping or endurance. Although only just starting to jump under saddle, she has shown tremendous potential through the jump chute, easily stepping over 4-ft. oxers with very good technique. She is super on the trail and very quiet and easy to ride. She has a soft mouth and easy to ride "on the bit." She is suitable for an amateur or child. $18,000. To schedule a test ride call Natalie, (707) 312-1119, or email.

Tiempo

Tiempo is a 2006, 16.0 hand beautiful, bay mare. She is purebred Morgan and had an exceptional foal last year. She is schooling First Level dressage and jumps around three-foot courses easily. She is brave, quiet and extremely comfortable to ride. A barn favorite! $20,000. To schedule a test ride call Natalie, (707) 312-1119, or email.