May 2

	Wonderful Sport Horses' news now moved to http://sporthorseworld.blogspot.com.  I am traveling more this year, and won't be able to always update my website using FrontPage on my computer. It's much easier just to get to the internet and blog!  Hopefully when I am home, I can get more organized to post more video clips too.
	Posted calendar for this year. Dr. Scott collects every other day.  She is a verified shipper, so she can offer same day service if needed, and she sees no issues with the longevity of my stallions collections.  However I want to make sure all breeders knows the exact dates that she will collect.  If you need more info, click here to see Dr. Scott's message.

Mar 5

Rubino and his trainer Nicole Perry were invited to train with USET Team Coach Mr. Klaus Balkenhol again. The same weekend they also competed at the Burbank Grand Prix.  Nicole reported that Rubino felt tired, but they still achieved score 65% and 63%.

Jan 10

	Happy New Year!  We had a busy but joyous holiday break, and now it's back to training and taking care of business.
	Wonderful Sport Horses is donating to two Stallion Service Auctions: American Hanoverian Society and New England Dressage Association.  Each donation includes 3 doses of frozen semen from Montserrat.  The semen dose is valued at $300 per dose, or $800 for 3 doses, allowed up to 3 foals. One live foal guarantee with fresh semen can be optionally purchased.  Thanks to all bidders for supporting these two wonderful organizations.
	2006 USDF Year-end award summary: Weltinvader by Welt Klasse - 5th USDF All-Breed Open First Level with median score of 70.694%. Check out this fancy guy, and his wonderful rider: http://members1.clubphoto.com/violet7124/1330606/guest.phtml Whymsical by Wonderful - 5th USDF All-Breed AA Training Level with median score of 67.308%; by the way Whymsical debuted her first First level test and received 75.556%! (See more of her great accomplishment at: http://www.passingfancyhorses.com/ ) De Nina, grand daughter of Wonderful by De Niro was the USDF  Sport Horse West Coast Series Filly Champion with a score of 82.5% My friend Dr. Pamela Kato on Willy Wolkenstein by Wolkenstein II - 5th USDF All-Breed AA 3rd level with median score 62.619% Where is Rubino in the All-Breed award? Well, his busy owner forgot to declare his breed though his Hanoverian paper is on file with USDF.  He would've been 4th in Open Grand Prix even with his earlier green GP rides.  Well, we're sure he will be even better in 2007. His USDF Region 7 Reserve Champion record definitely confirms it.

2006

Oct 12

Great News from CDS Championship and Great American/USDF Region 7 Championship!  Nicole Perry and Rubino Bellissimo awarded USDF Region 7 Reserve Champion out of 17 entries at Grand Prix level with score 65.729%. We are really excited, especially Rubino just started showing at GP level 6 months ago. They also received a record breaking 0 (no, I didn't miss the 1 in front of the 0; they got 10's before, but this one is the first, and hopefully the last too. ;-) at the CDS Championship ride, but still received 65.313%, and was the 7th out of 14 entries.  Rubino had a bad cough at the extended canter and Nicole couldn't half halt him, and he galloped right past the letter for down transition, so the movement was considered not executed, 0 point. Video will be on line soon.  Stay tuned.

Aug 30

Our family took a 2-week vacation in early August, and of course we ended up spending the next two weeks to do 4 weeks worth of work.  However, some exciting news while we were gone: Ronete Von FoxPaw (Rubino Bellissimo X Bolero mare) bred by Foxpaw farm was Hunter Breeding Program Young Horse Champion for the 5th time in a very large competition. Meanwhile, Rubino Bellissimo qualified for USDF and CDS Annual Championship at Grand Prix level with a score of 69%. Rico by Rubino Bellissimo was awarded premium by German Oldenburg Verband.  A professional dressage trainer, who owns his 3-year-old brother, has made an offer to purchase him. One is just not enough. :-) Click here to see pictures from the inspection. Wonderful presented two 2nd and 3rd generation descendants at Verden Elite foal auction:  Stallone, a suckling colt by Sovenir (Santorini X Argetan) out of Wonderful's SPS daughter West Virginia was sold for an impressive $35,000 US. Laetizia, a filly, by Lauries Crusador out of a Wonderful's grand daughter by Grand Cru went for a very respectable $11,000 US. Weltinvader (Welt Klasse X Vienna Waltz), bred by Bev Nahman, is in the running for the top 10 in the nation at First level.

July 29

We have been busy hosting Asian Game qualifier Mr. Shen to train with our trainer Nicole Perry in the US.  Immediately after our stallion Montserrat came back from breeding, he served as Mr. Shen's school horse.  Mr. Shen believes that he has learned a lot from Nicole and Monti to become a better rider with lightness and harmony.

May 19

	Great results at DG Bar Show.  Rubino Bellissimo and Nicole Perry received 66.25% and was second in a large High Performance Grand Prix class.  They debuted their Grand Prix Special in the High Performance class and received 63.933%.  Rubino continues to build up his strength and consistency for the very highest level of dressage sport.
	Welt Klasse's son Weltinvader has invaded the South East show circuit.  After two years being just a fun horse for his owner, he finally has an official trainer to train and show him.  He is winning every class entered with high marks and already qualified for the USDF regional championship. (Pictures coming...)
	Sponsorship needed urgently for a qualified Asian Game equestrian.

April 21

Nicole Perry presented Rubino Bellissimo in an outstanding Grand Prix debut at Golden State Dressage.  They received a respectable 61.458% in the first ride despite many mistakes at canter zigzag and tempi changes as Rubino was quite hot in that ride.  The second ride they won with a 63.438%, which was judged by two judges who also judged the CDI classes.  We are extremely pleased with the show, and we are also more confident in showing against the top riders and horses.

Congratulations to Gold Star (more info below) and his amateur owner Mr. Shen on their qualification for the Asian Equestrian Games to be held in October.  Mr. Shen won the Prix St. George class in the final qualifying show to gain the last spot of the Taiwanese Natinal Team. Violet and WSH are happy and proud to have contributed to Mr. Shen's quick rise to success on a shoestring budget.

March 20

Video clip of Gold Star (more info below) competed by the Korean rider in the Asian Cup is on-line.  Clip on "Video clips" button on the left to see the video clip listing.

Feb27

Weltwunder by Wonderful crowned Champion at The 51st Annual Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show, the world largest show with 2100 entries from around the world. Weltwunder, who has already earned his Legion of Honor is half way to Legion of Supreme Honor in just two shows.  He scored an incredible score of  90.5%  !!!!!!   Beating every gelding, stallion and colt all ages, all breeds, both amateur and open at the show. 229 horses showed in hand. Just some of the marks he received  9 on head & neck, 9 shoulder/saddle position, walk 9.5, trot 9.5, expression manners 9.2, Balance & harmony 9.3. Click here to see the full report and pictures from his owner Alexis Katz.

Welt Klasse's first foal Wavefront is now a winning 3-day eventer, competing under the name Cinderella Man.  He was discovered by the current owner last summer and started competing only 4 months later, and immediately won or placed highly at novice level.  He just won his first training level with 30 points (70% dressage with no jumping faults) at a Ram Tap trial.

Feb 6

	Just came back from AHS Annual meeting, and it was a blast.  I actually didn't stay for all the events, but I finally got to meet some folks who I've been in contact by phone or email in the past.  Everyone is warm and enthusiastic.  We learned various topics from nutrition, marketing, history between German Hanoverian Verband and AHS, and tons of useful statistics.  We were also treated with a special session on training young horses with Debbie McDonald.  I recommend everyone who's interested in the warmblood breeding industry to participate in the future.
	I missed Dr. Giddens' talk on the Equine ID and tracking, but did catch her afterwards and chatted a bit.  I am very disappointed to learn that our government is still all over the place on this issue, and hasn't put anything together.  With my software engineering background, I do feel this is really sad as it is not very hard to implement using today's computer technologies, but it looks like there are a lot of issues with who's supposed to pay the bills and who can have access or control of what data.  I plan to continue my discussion with her via email.
	Rubino and his rider Nicole Perry were in Walnut, just 30 miles from where AHS annual meeting was held, so I skipped some events to watch them train with USET coach Mr. Klaus Balkenhol, and attended a dinner party offered by the host (Brookside Stables) and the riders to welcome and thank the Balkenhols.  It was a lot of fun!  Nicole and Rubi did really well, perfecting their piaff and passage tour. Pictures and video coming... I know I've been promising, but I sleep only 4 hours a day as is. :-(

Jan 31

	Rubino Bellissimo and Nicole are again invited to train with USET coach Mr. Klaus Balkenhol.  It is at the same time as the American Hanoverian Society annual convention, so I will attend both. Hope to see some familiar faces and perhaps to finally meet the faces of some familiar names.
	Lots of new pictures, video clips and show records sent by owners of horses by our stallions this month.  I hope to find some time soon to post them!
	Gold Star (see history in December) is helping his amateur owner earn qualifying scores for Asian Game!

Jan 1

Happy New Year!  Wonderful Sport Horses' stallion Montserrat arrived at our home base in Portola Valley.  His front feet were injured during the transport from Germany to UC Davis quarantine.  He has made an excellent recovery, and is now being ridden barefeet!

December 24

Merry Christmas!  Season's Greetings!

Gold Star is the Double Gold Super Star at Asia Cup Equestrian Game!  Violet Jen assisted the selection and purchase of Gold Star in Europe for Chinese amateur rider Mr. Shen.  Gold Star was drafted to be the competition mount for the Asia Cup competition.  He helped the Japanese to win Team Gold, and a Korean rider to win Individual Gold in Dressage (riding at Prix St. George level).  No riders in the game won two Gold medals, but Gold Star won Double Gold!  His price increased 20 times after the show. ;-)

October 18

	Rubino Bellissimo's 2005 son won Champion colt at Georgia AHS inspection!
	Rubino Bellissimo's 3-year-old daughter earned MPT score 7.33 with ridability score 8 under owner rider Dr. Haralson.

September 24

Rubino Bellissimo's offspring Rosso D'Oro and Le Rubio had a great show at NEDA Fall Festival /Region 8 Champions / CDI Saugerties Colts and Geldings - Weanlings (11 entries) Le Rubio, 2nd Rosso D'Oro, 3rd New England Sport Horse Breeders' Futurity (27 entires, all ages) Le Rubio, 4th IBC / Trakehner (4 entries) Le Rubio, 1st, 78.5%!

Congratulations to breeders/owners Stefanie Moses and Helen Markoglu!

August 18

Wonderful has three grandchildren in the 31st Elite Foal Auction to be held on 8/19 - 8/21. Don Pepe - Don Picardi X Wonderful X Wendenburg Dennis K - De Niro X Wonderful X Argentan - this is probably a full brother to a very successful breed show winning full sister in California. Donna Dorina - Don Vino X Wonderful X Argentan

July 10

On June 18, Winwood, 1995 gelding by Wonderful, and his owner/rider Heather Bender, were awarded 4th overall out of 12 nationally qualified pairs for 2005 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF National Intermediaire I Dressage Championship.  Congratulations to Heather.

May 23

Wonderful news on show results from all the Wonderful Sport Horses! Regal Dona, 2002 filly (Rubino Bellissimo X Prince Thatch, bred by Julie Ballard-Haralson of Haralson Farm) has been Champion Young Horse two out of two "A" rated Hunter Breeding Shows.  Her owner will guide her to pursue a career in conformation hunter.  Click here to see a picture of Regal Dona.  With Dona's outstanding results, Rubino now is #4 Leading Hunter Sire... quite an unexpected title for Rubino, who's actually a dressage genius mastering Grand Prix at age 9. 2000 gelding Wonderful Pik (Wonderful X Pik Bube, bred by Betsy Arnold of Greenfield Farm) won both of his First Level classes over the weekend at CDS San Francisco Peninsula Chapter Annual show. 2001 half-Arabian gelding Weltwunder (not yet 4 years old) (Wonderful X Bunny Bey, bred by Alexis Katz) was champion again at a championship show in Scottsdale, AZ.  He won his Sporthorse class with 76.5% and the highest score at the show.  He was Top Five Training Level for the Region 7, and in his first time out competing First Level, he received 65.28% for Test 4 under Judge Peter Lert.  Quite an accomplishment for a baby.  Here are some official photos: Sporthorse Champ, Training Level Test, First Level Test. Here is a beautiful portrait of Weltwunder taken at Saguaro Classic where he won Highpoint Dressage Champion.  Here are a couple of pictures from his very first schooling show: First halt in a dressage ring, nice extended walk, with trainer Jackie Alken.

April 11

Weltwunder (Wonderful X Arabian mare Bunny Bey) gave his wonderful performance at Scottsdale Arabian and Half-Arabian show, which had 2100 horse entries!  There were 450 rides for the dressage classes.  Wunder earned one First and two Seconds out of 15-20 horse classes and he was always the youngest horse at tender age of 3 years and 10 months.  He scored in the 70's.  The judges included Hilda Gurney, Jennifer Roth, et al.  According to owner Alexis Katz, Weltwunder is competently schooling First Level with perfectly balanced counter canter loops.  It looks we have yet another dressage genius from our "Wonderful" collection.

Here is an article on Dressage at Scottsdale featuring Weltwunder and an interview with his owner Alexis Katz and trainer Jackie Alken! http://www.bridleandbit.com/artman/publish/article_8423.shtml You can also find a picture of Weltwunder ridden by his trainer/rider Jackie Alken by going to this link: http://www.bridleandbit.com/cgi-bin/artman/exec/search.cgi --> Enter "Weltwunder" in the keyword field.  Click on link Dressage at Scottsdale and you get the article above. Enjoy!

April 8

Winwood by Wonderful and his rider Heather Bender WIN-WIN-WIN at Heidelberg Cup: FEI Prix St. Georges, USEF & GAIG/USDF Qual. (H) McCartney, "I", (C) Lamping, "I", (B) Steiner,"O" 1 Heather Bender Winwood 69.250% 2 Yvonne Barteau Entheos 66.583% 3 Karen Lipp Lipton 64.333% 4 Susan Jaccoma Harmony's Weissmuller 62.167% 5 Cherri Reiber Faraon 31 61.583% 6 Dr. Kristy T.-Lund Nice Catch 61.417% Cheryl Meisner Paganini 61.000% FEI Intermediaire 1, USEF & GAIG/USDF Qual. (H) Lamping, "I", (C) Steiner, "O", (B) McCartney,"I" 1 Heather Bender Winwood 72.250% 2 Yvonne Barteau Entheos 66.750% 3 Karen Lipp Lipton 63.083% 4 Adam Lastowka Oleander 62.250% 5 Dr. Kristy T.-Lund Nice Catch 62.000% FEI Intermediaire 1 Freestyle, USEF & GAIG/USDF Q. (H) Steiner, "O", (C) Lamping, "I", (B) McCartney,"I" 1 Heather Bender Winwood 74.683% 2 Yvonne Barteau Entheos 66.250% 3 Dr. Kristy T.-Lund Nice Catch 62.183%

March 18

Congratulations to Heather Bender for riding Winwood by Wonderful to win the $1500 FEI Intermediaire Freestyle with a score 73.792% at Florida Dressage Classic!

February 20

	Just found out that 4-year-old mare Worlds Fair (Welt Klasse X Lunar Toots xx) was 4th in the USDF All Breeds Award for American Hanoverian Society with a medium score of 69.167% at Training Level.  Congratulations to breeder/owner/amateur rider Anita Olson-Neuhauser.
	Check out For Sale page... new horses for sale.  A His Highness colt out of Worldlady by Wonderful may be available soon.

February 19

The trip to Bangalore, India for my work was very interesting. I really didn't have a lot of opportunity to tour around, but definitely got a flavor of the Indian culture.

The week in Germany was hectic but I loved it. I visited my friend in Stuttgart.  We went to Gestuet Birkhof.  It was beautiful up on the hills covered in a fresh blanket of while snow.  Their young stallions Rubicell, Royaldik, and Denaro were in Munich, so we didn't see them, but had the opportunity to meet a couple of other young stallions.  One by Krack C is a really refined and cute with the sweetest temperament.  Also it was great to meet Heraldik xx, and seeing him really reminded us again why we love TB bloods. He exuberated nobility with beautiful, athletic and dry conformation even at age 23. Then my friend and I traveled north together by train. Another friend came from Braunsweig to meet us in Westerkappeln, where my stallion Montserrat is in training at Stall Kuhlmannhof.  We had a wonderful gathering. I enjoyed riding Monti a lot too.  He is always energetic and forward with super rhythm and activity, yet completely smooth to sit. Perfect for an old lady like me. Unfortunately on my third day of visit, my German trainer Joerg got hurt with a fracture to his shoulder after a mare he was riding lost her footing, tumbled and rolled over him.  Luckily he didn't have anything worse, and the doctor allowed him to ride again in 3 weeks. We visited Ramsbrock's stud farm in search of a young stallion for my friend. All but two stallions were sold. They graciously showed us the two; they were pretty nice, the 3-year-old was quite handsome; it was only the 3rd time he was ridden, and the rider did a super job.  I hope we can make a few clones of this rider to bring back. ;-) Mr. Klaus Balkenhol was quite impressed by Rubino and Nicole at the clinic; as soon as he returned home on Feb. 3rd, he invited my friend and me over to his farm.  What a beautiful place.  Very well laid out and extremely clean.  Everybody was diligently picking up manure as soon as it dropped and picking out the hooves at the riding ring immediately after riding; Mr. and Mrs. Balkenhol included.  Klaus and his wife are so nice that despite being tired from the jet lag, they took us to north of Hamburg to see some horses.  One 3-year-old mare was a WOW-WOW-WOW, and WOW.  Right there, I predicted (but anyone could too :-) that she would be a Bundeschampionat and FEI Young horse championship candidate.  Guess where she is now... Klaus' barn. The night before I left, I went with Joerg's inlaws to the Gestuet Holkenbrink's stallion show.  This is a private stallion show, yet the production is as big as any official verband auction.  It felt like a couple of thousand people showed up; it was crowded with most people could only have standing room.  No wonder they can make millions with horse breeding. My horse friends here in the US watched the video of the show and asked me what we aren't doing right?  Well, we don't have that many sport horse breeders as a start, but we are very hopeful the population will grow.  It was great to see Show Star again after seeing him at the 2003 World Young Dressage Horse Championship.  He looked so beautiful with great elevation and rhythm in his trot, but during extension he was a bit wide behind.  Overall he just looked very fun to ride. They also presented the Oldenburg licensing champion and another young stallion, Come On, with dual talents like their senior stallion Rockwell.  With that lineup, another grand breeding season is in the making.

January 22

My stallion Rubino Bellissimo and his trainer Nicole Perry were invited to participate in a 3-day clinic with Klaus Balkenhol, Geman Olympic Team Gold and Individual Silver medallist and the US Dressage Team coach. Klaus really likes them. I can't go because I am the slave of the team, so have to work to support them, but Rubi's "God Mom" called me a few times and was jumping up and down with joy and excitement about all the compliments Klaus gave. Klaus is definitely a horseman with a lot of respect to breeding and breeders because the very first phone call that came back was because Klaus wanted to get Rubi's breeder's information along with his full bloodlines. We got a couple of low-res pictures taken and sent from the cell phone with Klaus riding Rubi and talking to Nicole - http://www.1derful.com/hanoverian/rubino_bellissimo/klaus_balkenhol/

Update: New hi-res pictures are here: Click here to take a look. Enjoy.

2004

December 5

Weltwunder, 3-year-old gelding by Wonderful out of Arabian mare Bunney Bey, bred and owned by Alexis Katz, attended his very first USDF rated show, and came home with lots of trophies and ribbons!  The judge was Hilda Gurney. Sporthorse Under Saddle: Second out of 13 horses  (This is like material class with multiple horses in the ring at the same time.) Sporthorse Under Saddle Championship: Reserve Champion out of 11 horses.  Hilda rated him with best gaits, but penalized him for  not starting canter when she requested the movement; however, he was boxed in by 3 horses, so his rider actually deliberately asked him to wait until it was clear and safe. 2- and 3-year-old Sporthorse In Hand: First In Hand Championship for Geldings and Stallions of all ages: Champion out of 15 horses, scored 75.5 (4.5 points over Res. Champion) Training Level Test: Second out of 5 horses, 65.5% Training Level Test 4: First out of 5 horses, 68.07%  Highpoint Champion Dressage Horse Open Judges comments for the in hand classes include: Nice uphill, correctly made, well mannered and turned out, talented horse. This is the first time for Weltwunder to compete in a real arena, and he did the dressage tests in horrid rain and muddy ground.  What an accomplishment for a 3-year-old, and only 6 months under saddle.  Congratulations to breeder and owner Alexis Katz, and trainer/rider Jackie Alkin.

October 22

	Fall 2004 issue of American Hanoverian Society magazine features two Hanoverians at USEF Intermediaire Championships: Winwood (by Wonderful) ridden by Heather Bender, and Rubino Bellissimo ridden by by Nicole Perry.  Wonderful Sport Horses is very proud to own Rubino as well as Winwood's sire Wonderful!  Congratulations to the talented riders Heather and Nicole.
	Montserrat's new video clip on line. (This one is pretty big, 6.3 meg, so only recommended to those who have fast download.  If you wish to get a video of all 3 Wonderful Sport Horses' stallions, please click here to order it.

October 11

Praise the Lord for His many blessings! Rubino Bellissimo and Nicole Perry continued their great success at the Annual Championship show since 2001!   California Dressage Society Horse of the Year Intermediaire Freestyle Champion - 74.438% Great American/USDF Intermediaire Freestyle Champion - 72.813% Nicole also rode Rubino Bellissimo's barnmate and trailer buddy, Contester, owned by Adara Partners, to CDS HOY Second Level Champion and Great American/USDF Second Level Champion!  Congratulations to Adara Partners. See complete show results: http://www.glenroys.com/CornerStoneDressage/results/CDS2004/show-results.html Many thanks to Nicole for her great job, and to Contester's co-owner Dara for being Rubino's surrogate mom since I couldn't make the trip. Redhawk Ranch's Rosebud in the news: http://www.oldenburghorse.com/news.html

Mark Muntean Photo

September 12

Look!  "Sandy" from Grease is riding Rubino... Here is an image of them at Dressage in the Wine Country. Photographer Mark Muntean tooks some incredible pictures of Nicole Perry and Rubino Bellissimo at the Stanford Red Barn Festival.   Here are twelve shots on page 8, two on page 9, one on page 16 (my favorite), and six on page 17. (Click on the thumb nail to see a larger image. The gallery will open until September 30.  Let me know which ones you like... I plan to buy some potentially for future advertisements. Enjoy many other great photos: trick riders, FEI rides, all breeds, carriage driving, etc.  Jan Ebeling was giving a clinic in the neighborhood, and he generously gave an I-1 level demonstration ride on a nice Westphalian gelding though the horse has not yet competed at FEI, and Jan only rode him for 10 minutes with the music he heard only once before.  Talking about a great catch rider.  (BTW, the 11-year-old gelding is for sale at $60,000, a steal for an ambitious young rider or amateur.  Call Dara at (650)996-5953 for more information.) Jan Ebeling will come to Portola Valley Training Center routinely for clinics.  Please call Dara (650)996-5953 to book your lessons early!

August 30

Two charity events/exhibitions, two weekends in a row for Rubino and Nicole.  First, the Stanford Red Barn Festival, and then the Dressage in the Wine Country.  Both had great turnouts of huge crowds.  The musical freestyle Nicole performed was based on Grease.  At DWC, Nicole even dressed up and put on a blonde wig to be Sandy, and the crowd just loved the show.  There were many other great performances from all breed parades, pas de deux, quadrilles, cowboy mustang dressage, reining, and many other fun and exciting musical rides.  Video footage coming soon.

The next day, Nicole and Rubino nailed the last score needed for the USDF and CDS Championship for I-1 Freestyle.  The CD actually was broken somehow after playing for about 90 seconds properly.  It was truly a team effort to get the test going.  Thanks to the volunteer at the show to allow us to use the sound system in her Mercedes to broadcast the music because that CD player can play at least part of the CD.  It was the best artistic interpretation of the same 30 seconds repeating 6 times. :-)  Our "music director", Dara, finally told the volunteer to act as a disc jockey and nudged the music forward, so we didn't have the same 30 seconds repeated for the 7th times.  They also stopped the music exactly when the salute was completed with perfect timing and beat!  Nicole was a really good sport, and just went on with the program in spite of the CD trouble and produced a great ride.  What was I doing?  I was just doing my share of breath holding. :-) Whew...

August 6

Wonderful and Rubino Bellissimo have been approved for Oldenburg Verband stallion book I.  Rubino's buddy, Adara Partners' Contester, is also provisionally approved. Inspection video on-line now... Click here to watch video. Congratulations to Redhawk Ranch for receiving premium award for their black filly, Rusebud by Rubino Bellissimo out of Dutch mare Glestrina.  Click here to order a video

August 2

	Well, kind of like the Elvis news... it was last year's news, but I just found out.  Saw this at the new ISR/Oldenburg NA website: WILLIAM: 2000 born colt, by Wonderful out of Faberge, owner/breeder : Dr. Judy Clappison, Langley, Canada 2003: Canadian Sport Horse Breeders Classic, 1st of the 3 year old Open Futurity Under Saddle, Hunter-Type Sport Horse Division, 3 year olds, Senior Champion, Grand Champion, Dressage-Type Sport Horse Division 3 years olds, Senior Champion and Grand Champion and 3rd place Lieutenant-Governer's Cup Congratulations to Dr. Clappison.
	Welt Klasse's son Woodstock Magic (Woody) (out of TB mare Rodan's Princess) continues to excel in Jumping field.  Now competing successfully at 1.15 meter courses and getting clear rounds.  See more info at: http://www.osjs.com/HWoody.htm Congratulations to breeder/owner Pamela Duffy.
	If you received an email  with my current contact information and a request to update your information in my address book, I'd appreciate it very much if you will do it, so we can stay in touch.  The data form is completely secured like the on-line eBay, Amazon, or any banking, bill payment services, but absolutely no financial information is asked. If you did not receive a contact update request and wish to be on my email list, please just click on the flashing email icon to fill out your contact information.  I do not use your information for any other purposes but to communicate horse related information.  I do not share the data with anyone else, and you can request to be removed from my address book at any time. Let's keep in touch for all the Wonderful Sport Horse News!

Jul 2

Elvis sighting in California...  Look! He was riding Rubino Bellissimo.  This is actually from the 2003 Dressage at the Wine Country performance.

Jun 23

	Golden Oak Dressage party will be from 3 PM to 5PM, Saturday June 26 at Barn 9 in Portola Valley Training Center (corner of Alpine Road and Highway 280 at the Menlo Park/Portola Valley border.)  Champagne, wine, and snacks will be served.  Hope you can join us!
	More pictures in the album: Wonderdonner, the 3-year-old full brother of Wunderdonner (see below), is now 6 weeks under saddle.  Click here to see pictures of him ridden by his owner, Jill T.
	Rubino is going to be a grandpa at age 8. :-)  His first son Rubaron's foal is coming soon.  Also new pictures of Rubaron are on-line.
	Walkure by Wonderful is available for sale... Buy her at a bargain price before the training starts.  Click here to look at a short video clip of her impressive trot mechanics.  Super jumping form too.  Take a look at her ad.
	Check out Terri Miller's beautiful pictures taken at the Olympic trial & USEF I-1 Championship:  Nicole and Rubino (slide show) Heather and Winwood (slide show) Terri's Gallery

June 21

Nicole Perry and Rubino Bellissimo are awarded #3 for the USEF I-1 Championship! While I was visiting China, Nicole and Rubino did a fantastic job at the USEF I-1 Championship in San Juan Capistrano.  They were 3rd in the Prix St. George with 67.2%, and 2nd in Intermediaire-1 with 70.1%.  Rubino didn't do as well as usual for the Freestyle because the music was really loud in the ring, and when they entered, the crowd was quite wild after Leslie's superb presentation, so he got too excited and tense; Nicole said that at the extended canter, he gave a big buck that made the audience gasp. Nicole reported that judge Axel Steiner gave commentary for the rides, and he stated that in another year, Nicole and Rubino will be unbeatable!  How exciting to hear that to confirm this pair's talents and training. Winwood unfortunately got spooked in his PSG ride with Heather Bender, and totally lost focus, resulting in a disappointing score.  However, in I-1 they gave a strong come-back performance and was 6th just 0.45% behind Steffen Peters, and recovered even further and became 4th in the Musical Freestyle with an outstanding score of 71.825%.  Congratulates to Heather and Winwood for an excellent effort. Click here to see the full results of the San Juan Capistrano show.  The Grand Prix rides for the USET selection trials were reported to be truly amazing.  It looks like we will have a great team for the Olympics in Athens.   Go USA!

It's too bad that I missed the show, but we'll have a party to celebrate and watch all the video!  Please join us at Golden Oak Farm in Portola Valley Training Center.  More details to come...

June 8

	2004 USEF I-1 Championship final rankings are on-line: Nicole Perry and Rubino Bellissimo are ranked 3rd with score 68.396% Heather Bender and Winwood, by Wonderful, are ranked 4th wit score 68.114% We are so proud of them!
	Pictures from owners of Wonderful's offspring.  Wonderful's US babies are of riding age now... Weltwunder: 3-year-old Arab cross 60 days under saddle and with owner riding him for he 2nd time. W-T-C and collection!  Amazing for such a young horse. Wunderdonner: 4-year-old, also a few months under saddle.  Ridden by owner/rider.  This boy is muscled like a stallion but looks round and very soft.

June 3

	Nicole and Rubino are now 4th in the USET Intermediaire-I Championship rankings!  This is without the drop scores, so the % points will be higher, but we expect everybody else's will too.  Wonderful's son Winwood and his owner/rider Heather Bender are at the 9th place.
	Nicole has moved back to San Francisco Bay Area as of today.  Hooray!  Please note the Semen Request Form contact information changes.  Her cell phone number remains the same, so please use that as the primary contact.
	Wonderful will finally open his breeding season on June 16!  He has recovered beautifully, and appears to be in perfect shape.  No change to his semen request form or procedure.  Thank you all very much for your get-well wishes and patience.
	Violet will be on vacation from June 10 to June 21, and cannot guarantee that your email will be replied promptly until after 6/21.  For all breeding requests, please follow the instruction in the perspective semen request forms for Wonderful and Rubino.

May 31

	Another great show for Nicole and Rubino Bellissimo!  At Flintridge, they were awarded two 2nds and a First! USET Prix St. George: 69%, 2nd out of 14 entries USET Intermediaire Freestyle: 71.042%, 2nd out of 10 entries USET Intermediaire-I: 69.75%, 1st out of 12 entries Click here for a full list of results
	Nicole and Adara Partners Contester were also awarded the Champion of FEI 6 Year Old West Coast Finals with a score of 7.62, and qualified to represent the US for the World Equestrian Breeding Championship.  Congratulations to Adara Partners!

More exciting news!  Nicole, Contester and Rubino Bellissimo are all moving back to San Francisco Bay Area to be closer to home!  We will conduct our breeding and Nicole's training operations as Golden Oak Farm and Golden Oak Dressage!  Stay tuned...

May 17

Nicole and Rubino are just getting better and better!  They won their I-1 classes with highpoints of 71% on Thursday and 75% on Saturday!  On Friday, they debuted their new I-1 Musical Freestyle, and received a score of 76% from FEI judge J. Brown!  We are just thrilled through and through (try saying that 3 times in a row.)  Nicole and Rubino always show very correct and flowing movements, and make everything looks awesome, yet smooth and simple. They repeated their Freestyle performance for the Friday Evening Gala, and just for fun, Nicole spontaneously added even more daring flares, and Rubino was totally on and responded every request.  They really wowed the crowd.  Click here to see the official show results.  We won a couple of breedings, would like to take on partners to use the breedings.  Email us if you're interested.

Just found the updated info about Heather Bender in Who's Who at dressagedaily.com -- http://www.horsesdaily.com/whoswho/bender_heather/index.html.  Hey, she and I share the same birthday...(only several years earlier for me :-)  This article reminds me of my wild days of standing on the horseback trotting and galloping, but with no special equipment, but a saddle pad, made of the green military felt blanket, and not even tied to the horse most of the times.  Don't think I'll do it again, especially with my old bones, but it was certainly fun for a horse crazy teenage girl.  Heather is one amazingly athletic and dedicated horse lover.  I am certainly glad that Winwood is with her, and I wish them the very best!

May 1

	Hooray! Nicole and Rubino did it again at Del Mar National Horse Show!  Out of a field of 28 entries, they were awarded 4th for the CDI intermediaire-I class with a score of 68.333%, even higher than yesterday's 66.5% for the Prix St. George, and again only behind the national members for the US and Canadian teams.  Both Rubino, who just turned 8, and, Nicole only few years out of the YR program, are the youngest among the top competitors also.  Results: http://www.sdfair.com/pdf/horseshow/04dressage_results_cdi_501.pdf
	I couldn't go to the show, but thanks to Del Mar's hi-tech webcam, I was able to watch their ride at home via internet.  At one point I did have to fight for the camera control, but still it was great to be able to watch them real-time from home.
	Nicole also competed Contester, Rubino's barn mate and trailer ride buddy, at second level, and received 2nd place with a great score of 66.486%.  Congrats!

April 30

	Great start at Del Mar CDI - Rubino and Nicole was 4th out of 30 competitors in the CDI Prix St. George class.  They are only behind two USET members and one Canadian team member!  Results at: http://www.sdfair.com/pdf/horseshow/04dressage_results_cdi_430.pdf
	Watch Del Mar Show via webcam http://www.sdfair.com/index.php?fuseaction=calendar.webcam

April 11

	Nicole Perry and Rubino Bellissimo made their CDI debut at the Rancho Murieta CDI, and received excellent results, 4th at Prix St. George, and 2nd at Intermediaire-I, giving them the 8th place in the national standing for USET I-1 Championship.
	Nicole Perry also competed Adara Partner's Devon Stallion Champion, Contester, at Second Level and WON all three classes!
	Wonderful's son Winwood and rider/owner Heather Bender ranked the 7th place in the USET I-1 Championship standing.
	Worlds Fair, a 4-year-old daughter of Welt Klasse, and her amateur owner Anita Olson made their debut at Rancho Murieta.  They received 3 firsts and 1 second at Training with high 60's - 70% scores!

Apr 30 -- Great weekend for Wonderful Sport Horses!

	Rubino Bellissimo was selected by Lisa Wilcox for her to ride at the Lisa Wilcox Symposium on 4/2 - 4/4.  Lisa and Rubino got along immediately.  She didn't even want Nicole to warm him up, and was the only person riding him for the 3 days at the Symposium.  She just hopped on and warmed him up herself in front of the audience.  Lisa taught lessons to the auditors on the importance of rider's seat while riding Rubi.  It was amazing how she could talk and ride at the same time, and at times riding with only one hand with the other gesturing the key points that she was teaching.  Lisa rode him beautifully demonstrating from the basic foundation all the way to piaff and passage in a snaffle and with no whip. She gave a lot of compliments on how lovely, intelligent, and fun Rubino was to ride and how nicely Nicole schooled him; she pointed out usually it was hard for a horse to take a catch rider right away.  Well, Rubino has good training in that department :-) as I ride him, my au pair used to ride him a lot before she went back to Germany, and even my horsey friends from abroad were invited to ride him.  He is just such a cool horse that I can't help but let my friends have a feel of him.  (I can't wait for the official photos.)
	It is also really exciting that I met a few breeders and owners of my stallions' offspring at the symposium. Beverly owns a son by Welt Klasse, Welt Invader.  He is turning 6, and was previously trained and shown by George Williams assistant.  According to Beverly, George considers his gaits international quality.  However, she just moved to Jacksonville, FL, and doesn't have anyone to work with.  She thought about selling him to a show home to fully develop his potential, but George asked her to reconsider as not every amateur could get an opportunity to have a horse with this caliber of gaits yet kind enough to take an amateur rider.  She is still hoping to have a way to fully develop his potential.  Her friend Mary bred her mare to Rubino in early March this year, and we look forward to a nice athletic foal next year. I also met the owner of a Wonderful's son, called Casanova.   She is from Oregon, but I forgot to write down her name.  The gelding is turning 8 this year, and she is competing him at 4th level.  She said she started riding dressage 4 years ago, and bought the horse from a hunter/jumper importer/broker.  Her trainer is not well known and she has been the only student.  Again, poor me, I can't remember his name, but he used to be at the Del Mar area.  she said the trainer test rode Casanova, and told her to buy him no matter what the asking price was.  She showed me a couple of pictures.  A handsome and elegant gelding with much resemblance to Wonderful, but a little bit less white.  I look forward to hearing their successes in the show ring this  year.
	Wonderful's 1995 son Winwood and his trainer/rider Heather Bender had a great weekend at Dressage at Equestrian Estates in Loxahatchee, FL, April 2-4, 2004. Prix St. George - USET Qualifying: First, 69.917% Intermediaire-I - USET QUalifying: First, 71.833% Intermediaire-I Freestyle - USET Qualifying: Second, 71.667%
	Wonderful is doing great.  His external incision is completely healed, but of course it is the internal that matters.  It looks like he is recovering very well so far.  He is basically enjoying his leisure life for now and looks very happy and content.  Of course, we still need to watch him closely and carefully.

March 10

New listings of horses available for purchase!  Also, mare lease and custom foals available.  Click on "For sale" button.

February 29

	Montserrat's frozen semen looks really good, and will be imported to the US in March.  We will build a webpage for him very soon.
	Lisa Wilcox has selected Rubino Bellissimo for her FEI demonstration ride at the Lisa Wilcox Dressage Symposium hosted by CDS San Francisco Peninsula Chapter.  Please come visit and audit this rare educational opportunity for all the dressage enthusiasts.
	Rubino Bellissimo's schedule is available - click here to see it.

February 28

Many of you may have heard the bad news that Wonderful colicked on Feb. 22 and eventually had to undergo surgery on Feb. 23 night.  "A freak case with no known causes" were the words from the vets at UC Davis Vet Medicine Teaching Hospital.  Somehow the colon was trapped between the extraneous space between spleen and kidney.  The attending vet tried using a drug to shrink the spleen and trotting him around in hope of jarring the colon free, unfortunately without success, so surgery became necessary.  Many thanks to the vets' fast action, Wonderful's GI tract was not compromised.  All they had to do was to free the colon.  Wonderful did really well and was kicked out of the hospital only 3 days after the operation.  He looks good now (actually better with all the fasting because he was a bit over weight) if you don't bend down to see the big incision closed by dozens of staples.  However, he needs to stay confined in his stall for a long time, and that itself may negatively impact the general GI health, so we still have to be very careful.  The road to full recovery is still long ahead.  Thanks for all your kind thoughts, prayers, and the powerful (curb chain) jingles.  Please keep them coming.

February 19

	Wonderful Sport Horses' Montserrat (Metternich X Abajo) frozen semen donated to Midwest Breeders Group (Web Auction): 3 doses permitted for 3 foals and LFG backed by Wonderful or Rubino.
	Here is my journal for Anky/Tineke symposium.  Hope you enjoy it.  Just remember English is not my mother tongue, so be kind. :-)

February 15

Wonderful Sport Horses in prints -- The American Hanoverian, Winter 2003-2004 GAIA/USDF Region 7 CDS Annual Championships: Beautiful picture of Nicole and Rubino at their PSG Champion victory gallop. Georgia International Horse Park Inspection - Champion colt by Wonderful out of Main Studbook Holsteiner mare Kyrie by Flemming, owned and bred by Cherie Tatro.  Congratulations to Cherie. The American Hanoverian, Fall editon (I missed it, but this was reported by the breeder) Rosa Bellissima by Rubino Bellissimo - second in the call back only behind a Diamond Hit filly.  Congratulations to breeder Donna Young. CDS Dressage Letters - Feb 2004 - Picture and bio of Nicole and Rubino for Anky / Tineke symposium USDF Connection - USDF Bulletins - Picture - Region 7 Championship PSG open Champions Rubino Bellissimo and Nicole Perry.  Wundrous, 6th Region 1 3rd level Open.

Rubino Bellissimo and Nicole Perry on TV -- Nicole and Rubino were interviewed by Horse TV at Anky van Grunsven/Tineke Bartels Symposium.  No idea when it will be aired.

February 14

	Happy Valentine's Day!
	We had a lot fun and learned a great deal at Anky Van Grunsven and Tineke Bartels Symposium.  Anky is very humorous and Tineke appeared to be serious, but she also made everyone laugh out loud all the time.  Fun as they are, both of them are very serious with their work with the horses and riders.  They always demanded the highest precision on aids, results and even timing to give the reward.  Even though Anky's deep stretching system remains somewhat controversial, everyone agreed that we learned very valuable lessons on horsemanship and dressage training.  I will have a quick summary report very soon!  I promise.  I can tell you that she and I have the same goal - "Be the lazy rider!"  We're lazy riders, so we need to teach the horses to do all the work with only lightest and easiest cues. :-) Here is a snapshot I took after their lesson with Anky on Sunday.  Click on the small picture to see the hi-res image.  Click here to see another one taken after the lesson.  Video clips also on-line.
	Heather and Winwood achieved great results at PSG and I-1 at Wellington Dressage Classic.  USET PSG 65.583%, 5th/11, and USET I-1 65.75% 4th/10.

 

January 19 Congratulations to Heather Bender for her great results of riding Winwood at the Palm Beach Dressage Derby: 2nd (68.25%)at Prix St. George Open GAIG BLM qualifying class and 3rd (67.25%) at Intermediare-I Open GAIG BLM Qualifying class.     Archive 2003 Archive 2001-2002 Archive 1997-2000