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2008

**Trader's Point proved to be a challenging but interesting experience this year. The week started out well on Wednesday with a clear 1st round and decent jump off leading to an 8th out of 30 in the Level 6. We then attempted a shortened version of the Level 7 ... just to get a good look at the liverpool ... we didn't get enough momentum and he unfortunately landed pretty well into the water with his hind end. Though we jumped this water twice last year, I'm not sure he realized what was underneath him, as the Trader's Point Liverpool has the feel of attempting to jump a dark swamp, and is notorious for being the most difficult in the country.
   Unfortunately, as I would find out later, Cradilo now had, for the first time ever, a real fear of a jump. In Friday nights Grand Prix, unaware of the serious problem we had (I thought if I just rode a little harder we would be fine) he almost stopped and landed hard in the water again (and almost dumped me in it), and I was unable to pull it together for the next couple of fences, had rails, and needed to stop and reorganize to keep going. But we did get around well other than that one incident.
   So, realizing now I had a serious problem, we went out and found a black tarp and had a strong conversation about jumping scary, long dark liverpools. He responded well jumping fabulously in schooling, and I suspected (hoped) he would get the message and jump the liverpool well in Sunday's Grand Prix. What I didn't realize was, he had decided the best course of action would be to run like a freight train and jump everything in front of him and or near him, regardless of whether it was a part of the course, or whether I wanted him to stop.
   Cradilo always seems to be good entertainment for a crowd ... fortunately no small children were hurt and I managed to hang on. Watch the video under the stallion page and you'll see what I mean. Anyway, disappointing from a prize stand point, but a great show as far as learning and overcoming potential problems. And again, the support I had in terms of training and help was really good ... thanks guys!**

**We had a great time at Week III of Horse Shows by the Bay in Traverse City, Michigan. This was our first time at this show, and we were pleasantly surprised to find it was well run and an excellent location. Cradilo felt great all week. We had no rails and came away with a 7th in the Level 6 and had one rail and earned a 10th in the Welcome Stake. The Prix also went well, with one rail and a 11th place. Scott Lenkart (our coach, who won the Prix) was a huge help ... and we seem to have completely overcome our issues with triples. Video of these classes are on Cradilo's web page.
    Fatima, Cradilo's yearling filly, came to Michigan with us. This was her first horse show (only her 2nd time off of the farm) and she was fantastic. She was bathed, clipped, hauled and bridled all in the same week, and was amazingly easy. And, she was 2nd in the yearling hunter breeding in hand class (despite her jumper breeding).

**Annie (Akhal-Teke/Westfalen) had her first colt by Cradilo on Saturday, June 21st ... Grand Prix day in Iowa (it's a good sign!) This leggy colt, named Zin Krishna (barn name Grimes), represents a dream of crossing Tito Pontecorvo's imported Russian Akhal-Teke's and the Irish Draught, and looks to be very special.

** We've had an intense two weeks in June at the A rated show in Mason City, Iowa. Cradilo and I experienced a major learning curve ... we were doing great in the Level 6 and 7 Jumpers during the week (2nd and 3rd) but I had my first in show ring fall at the triple in the first weeks Grand Prix. The triples in the big Prix have been our achilles heel, so it seemed this was the time to face that issue head on. The 2nd weeks Prix had a line of 4 and the same big oxer bending to a triple ... we managed to get around with one rail (not at the triple!) and time faults ... it felt like a major victory. Thanks to Sue Kyllonen and Andy Barone for helping us out!
   Genieva, Rachel Miller and Nigel Wallbanks 4 year old Hanovarian mare, who has been in training since last Spring, was incredible. She was Young Hunter Champion the first week and Young Hunter Reserve Champion and 3rd in the overall points in the Baby Green division the 2nd week, winning several classes and almost always in the top ribbons. These were huge classes with tough and serious competition, so we were thrilled.
   Mary Jo Welsh's Irish Sport Horse mare, Roisin (Book of Secrets), won 3 hunter under saddle classes and allowed me to debut in my first Hunter Derby and ride in the pro equitation class. Considering she just moved up to the Pre-Greens, we were very happy to get around in decent style. This mare has it all ... she's bold, intelligent, has the movement, the jump, is extremely ridable and is proof that the Irish Sport Horse can compete and beat the best, even in the rated hunters.
   Susan Jenson's RID Celtic Moon, the imported 5 year old Irish Draught stallion, who has been in training since last fall, made his first rated show debut doing the Level 0 and Level 1 jumpers. He was extremely manageable at his first big show, and cruised around clean several times (pulling ribbons in all of his classes), or with a rail here or there. Susan's Irish Draught stallion Aston (Rakkish Ladd), who has also been in training since the fall, made his debut as well at his first rated show in the Baby Green Hunters. Aston is a 4 year old not yet graded ... and was a little greener than Moon on the ground. But, he performed wonderfully once in the ring and made a strong positive impression, especially on the judge the first day, who came out to meet him (being a fan of the Irish Draughts!)

**Charm delivered her second foal by Cradilo, a lovely and extremely friendly chestnut filly (that looks to be turning grey) named April on April 17th.

2007

**Cradilo had another good showing at Mason City in September, finishing 8th in the Grand Prix with one rail. Gevieva also had a great showing ... pulling ribbons in almost all of her classes, and winning a Baby Green over fences class.**

**We've had an amazing time at Trader's Point, ranked one of the top 5 horse shows in the US. We got around our first very difficult Grand Prix (there were a lot of stops and rails) with only one unfortunate rail at the end (only 6 rides were clean). I got a little overly excited at the end (frankly, I couldn't believe we were clean) and stopped counting strides to the last line! We were competing against the most accomplished riders in the world (Margie Goldstein, Bezzie Madden) and ended up in the top half of a field of 30 horses. After and since the class, strangers have been coming up to us and telling us they have never seen a horse jump like Cradilo (one person even came up to me and gave me a big hug!) ... it has been very exciting. Genieva, Rachel Miller's just started 3 year old warmblood hunter mare in training also had an amazing showing, getting ribbons in both the Baby Green and Hopeful Hunter hack against very tough competition. Seattle did well also, with only one rail in each of her Level 3 jumping classes.***

** Cradilo received a 5th and 4th in Level 6 and Level 8 jumpers respectively at Equifest I, Lamplight, Wayne, IL.

**Cradilo received a 1st and a 3rd in the Modified Jumper and an 11th place (with one rail) in the $10K Open Welcome Stake at Showplace Summertime in Roscoe, IL.

**Cradilo had a another great showing at Midstates Horse Shows in Mason City, Iowa. We did 3 days of serious jumping, and walked away with three 3rds and a 5th in the Open Jumper Level 6 and 7, and a 7th in our first Grand Prix! For videos see the stallion page.

**Cradilo had a great weekend at Canterbury Farms. It was a surprisingly difficult course, the competition was tough (two world cup horses) and we managed to get around with only two rails and pull a 7th place. To see the video go to the stallion page.

**Huntington Farms 2007 Classic Horse Show has been moved to July 22nd (from June 24th due to a rated show conflict) ... sorry for any inconvenience, prize list and entry form will be available shortly.

** Fatima (CradiloXJune) and Temujin Gage (D'artagnanXGlory) were born May 20th and 21st ... we're very excited about these two new additions!**

**Larry Gage of Glad Farms Morgans has created and is heading up the Amy Hunter-Clark Sponsorship Committee ... thanks Larry for this valiant effort!! If anyone is interested in getting involved, please contact Larry or Adrienne at (608) 624-3446.

**Amy will be holding a clinic at Endless Valley Stables on April 1st, 2007 ... sign up form will be available shortly.