News Archive Prior news items from the past year in reverse chronological order. Click here to return to the home page

The first show of the year is a great success. Woccelli debuts in Intermediare with great scores and Safire and Felino have their first show with the Hoffmans 2/8/2009 Woccelli rocked the house at Rancho Murietta while showing Intermediare 1 for the first time. On Friday he scored a 65.78% receiving eights on both canter pirouettes, the trot half pass zig zag and also his halts. The only mistake the first day was in the one tempes which is the most difficult movement for him at this time. On Saturday Woccelli was more relaxed and scored a 66.84%. It was a more consistant test overall and the highlight was definately the 11 one tempes that he made look incrredibly easy. The intermediare 2 test contains nearly all the movements from the Grand Prix, in a slightly easier test, so Woccelli is well on his way to being a real Grand Prix horse! Rachel and Ariel Hoffman did their first show with their new mounts Safire and Felino. Rachel showed Training 3 and 4 and placed 2nd and 3rd in her classes. Ariel showed Training 4 and First 1 and placed 1st and 2nd in her classes. Both girls did a fantastic job of showing their horses and they look forward to the coming show season. Alexis, Sandy's groom showed her Thoroughbred, Dance at Third level for the first time. She now has only one third level score left to achieve her bronze medal. Way to go!

Woccelli is Intermediare 1 Horse of the Year Woccelli wins the CDS Championship in Los Angeles for Intermediare 1 10/28/2008 Congratulations to Sandy and Woccelli for winning the CDS Championships at Intermediare 1 and capturing the title of Horse of the Year! Woccelli put in a flawless ride and won with a 70.5%. Woccelli also won the warm up class at Prix St. Georges the previous day. He really had a wonderful show and is going better than ever. The third blue ribbon of the show was won by the amazing tack room designed by Sandy's client, Laura Blanton. The theme was "grape harvest" and included two wine barrels, a wine and cheese plate and many more wine themed decorations. Stay tuned for pictures. Ryan and Donner Starr showed at second level and both came just outside of placing but put in stellar rides. Look for Woccelli next year in the arena showing at Intermediare 2 and possibly Grand Prix at the end of the year.

Ready for Championships Sandy and her students are ready for Championships 10/4/2008 Sandy will be taking four horses with her to L.A. this year. Woccelli will be showing against very stiff competition at Intermediare 1, Ryan will be showing in the the USDF class at second level, and Donner Starr will be showing both CDS and USDF at second level also. Donner Starr is Michelle Vaughn's stallion by Domiro who is now approved by the ISR Oldenburg registry for breeding. Kim Frederick will be showing her Swedish Warmblood Klondyke at fourth level in both the CDS and USDF classes. Congratulations Kim for qualifying at such a high level! Kim is planning on taking Klondyke Prix St. Georges early next year. We are looking forward to haveing a great time in L.A. this year an not having to wade through our dressage tests like last year. Wooo hooo! Be sure to check the website after championships for results and pictures of our fantastic tack room set up in the fall wine harvest theme designed by Laura Blanton and Sandy. Good luck to all!

Sandy and Woccelli win at Pebble Beach Woccelli put in two solid tests at the July Pebble Beach show 7/10/2008 The show at Pebble was a perfect escape from the heat and smoke we have been suffering through in the Sacramento area the past few weeks. Woccelli seemed to appreciate the break also, and was in perfect form for the show. On Friday he put in a very solid test scoring eights for his medium and extended trot and also for his right half pass. Still, a score of 67.5% was not enough to to clinch the winning spot. Cindy Jackson won that class with a score of 68.5% on her beautiful grey horse. Woccelli's next class was on Sunday and he really gave it his all. Sandy and Woccelli were rewarded with a 66% for their very consistant ride and also a first place over seven other competitors. The tough Canadian judge Cara Whitham had very postitive things to say about Woccelli, and Sandy was so pleased with his performance. Woccelli's next show will be at Starr Vaughn Equestrian Center on August 1st and 2nd.

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