News & Updates
New Baby Boy, Decano
June 2014
A bouncing baby boy was born to Montera and Tomillo May 20. Decano has illustrious ancestors on both sides, including Panadero VIII and Leviton. Some day he will be ready to fill those big hooves. He's a bit of a Mama's boy right now, but he loves nuzzling his older sister, Cordoba.
April 2014
What usually takes riders years to accomplish, Francisco did in a year, over two dressage
seasons: he earned both his Silver and Gold USDF Medals on just two Spanish
horses.
He rode to the Silver Medal on Enebro XIV, a 7 year old gelding owned by Lee Burton of
St. Simons Island, GA, at Fourth Level and Prix St. George. He earned his Gold Medal on Tomillo VII, a 13 year old Qualified stallion owned by Dori Derr of Half Moon Dressage Center with winning rides at Intermediare and Grand Prix.
USDF Medals
Upcoming Schedule
May 2014
Half Moon Dressage Center and Francisco García have a busy spring lined up. Because of hot weather, summer is a slow time, but activities pick right back up in the fall.
May 17-18: Clinic at Susan Neilson's Happily Ever After Dressage Barn in West Chester, PA
May 31-June 1: May Day Dressage Show, Aiken, SC
June 14-15: Clinic at Susan Neilson's Happily Ever After Dressage Barn in West Chester, PA
June 21-22: Summer Highland Fling, Tryon, NC
Aug. 23-24: Labor's Reward Classic Dressage Show, Aiken, SC
Aug. 30-31: Eastern Regional Analusian Horse Club/IALHA Breed Show & Morphology, Lexington, VA
Sep. 13-14: Borderline Dressage, Tryon, NC
Sep. 20-21: Clinic at Susan Neilson's Happily Ever After Dressage Barn in West Chester, PA
Oct. 2-5: Region I Championships, Williamston, NC
Oct. 11-12: Atlanta Fall National Show, Conyers Horse Park, GA
Oct. 11-12: Clinic at Susan Neilson's Happily Ever After Dressage Barn in West Chester, PA
Nov. 15-16: Clinic at Susan Neilson's Happily Ever After Dressage Barn in West Chester, PA
Dec. 6-7: Holiday on Horse Dressage Show, Aiken, SC
Clinics
What started as one clinic last March at Happily Ever After dressage barn near Philadelphia, PA has turned into a monthly affair. As word of Francisco's talent and charm spread, more riders have signed up for clinics.
It started last January and February when Susan Neilson, who owns Happily Ever After, decided to come to Aiken for the winter months rather than Florida. She brought three horses with her and, after 5 weeks of instruction, entered the Low Country Dressage show on St. John's Island and scored higher than she ever has in her years of showing those horses. She kind of took Francisco home with her.
Here are a couple of comments from riders who completed the clinic summary:
Gail, when asked if she accomplished her goals, wrote "OMG! Not only did we accomplish more unity ..., I was so excited to begin creating piaffe and passage. I danced with my horse!"
Linda needed help with consistent connection. Goal accomplished? "Absolutely. Very clear -- we now have the tools to move forward. My shoulder-in seemed hugely improved and her forward trot was dreamy."
Francisco also has given two clinics in the Chicago area, in Beaufort, SC and, of course, at Half Moon Dressage Center. We are always exploring more options.
Half Moon Stallions Revised
April 2014
A Revision for stallions and mares recently was held at Solitude Andalusians in Beech Island, SC. Dori took her 5-year old imported stallion Ecuador and Juan Bonillo took his 4-year old stallion Alcazar, who he purchased from Half Moon. Alcazar's dam was imported while she was in foal and actually gave birth to the chestnut colt in quarantine!
A veterinarian flown to the U.S. from Spain by ANCEE, the official stud book for PRE horses, took measurements of everything on their bodies, it seemed, and gave each a score. Then movement on the lunge line was assessed and scored. Both passed the revision with flying colors. The stallions can now boast of being Revised Stallions, suitable for and looking for love.
Southern Comfort Dressage, a Show of Firsts
March 17, 2014
Every one -- and every horse -- has to start somewhere, and this seemed to be the show to do it. Irene Berzak's Larpiero (Ollie) debuted at Third Level, Test 3 with Francisco riding. Also showing Three-3 was Dori Derr on her very own Tomillo VII (Tomi) for the first time, who she whisked away from Francisco who had been riding him at Grand Prix.
Vencedor XLIII (Vinnie) came up from Georgia with his new person, Lee Burton, for their first show together riding FEI Intermediare 1. New to Intermediare 1 is Lee's younger horse, Enebro XIV, ridden by Francisco. Everyone got solid, mid-point scores, truly good for all the newbies.
Low Country - High Score!
March 2014
Low Country Dressage was a great show for Half Moon at St. John's Island in South Carolina on February 22nd & 23rd. Tomillo VII, ridden -- expertly as always -- by Francisco Garcia, scored a new high for them, 71.2% at Grand Prix. Amapolo X, in his second test at PSG, earned a 62.7% with Francisco's guidance. Both horses are owned by Jim and Dori Derr, owners of Half Moon Dressage Center.
Enebro XIV, owned by Lee Burton from St. Simon's Island, Georgia and ridden by Francisco García, scored an excellent 67.7 in their third time at Intermediare-1.
Susan Neilson, who had come to Half Moon from Pennsylvania to train with Sr. García for the winter with her three horses -- two warmbloods and one Iberian -- received the best scores she's ever earned riding her warmbloods.
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