News
The Road to the Olympics
December 16, 2007

Courtney King and Mythilus at Devon 2007 Courtney King and Idodus at Wellington 2007 Courtney King and Mythilus at Wellington 2007
DESTIN, FL - Courtney King is a United States Dressage Federation (USDF) Bronze, Silver, and Gold Medalist and a USDF Certified Instructor through Fourth Level. She was named to the USET Olympic Long List in 2000 and to the USEF High Performance Developing Riders List in 2004. Courtney currently counts 15 horses in training with her, including the internationally renowned Grand Prix stallion Brom’s Idocus.

She makes no secret that her ultimate goal is to represent the USA internationally and ultimately in the Olympics. She is within reach of realizing her dream but needs our help. Please join us Saturday, January 5, 2008 for a local event to raise funds for Courtney's expenses. This exciting night will include meeting Courtney, previewing videos of her and her international equine partners, heavy hors d’oeuvres and an evening of dancing to music provided by Clark and Company.   The event will be held at One Water Place at Kelly Plantation in Destin, FL and Dress is Plantation Casual.

Tickets are $100 per person. Sponsorships are also available and include VIP seating, a reserved table for eight and recognition in program for $1,200. Seating and sponsorships are limited so get your tickets early! All sponsorships and donations are tax deductible.

If you would like to contribute but cannot attend, please send checks to Jodie Kelly Dressage, Inc at P.O.Box 164, Destin, FL 32540. Make your check payable to Medal Equestrian Foundation and memo your check “Courtney King”.

For more information email Jodie or call 850-974-8440.

Photos by Susan J Stickle  Related Links: [ One Water Place at Kelly Plantation ] [ Clark and Company ] [ Medal Equestrian Foundation ] [ Courtney's Website ]
Ben's New Girlfriend is Here!
December 4, 2007

DESTIN, FL - Ben Adams' new Friesian mare, Julia V, has safely arrived from Holland. After her flight over and two weeks in quarantine, and then her truck ride here, she is settling into life in Florida nicely. Julia was originally started as a carriage horse in Holland and had minimal time under saddle when we bought her. She seems to be taking to the dressage ring nicely and is very happy in her work.

Jodie Kelly and Julia V Jodie Kelly and Julia V Jodie Kelly and Julia V Jodie Kelly and Julia V
Do You Remember Your First...
Monday, November 12, 2007

Jodie Kelly and Manhattan
Jodie Kelly and Manhattan
ESCAMBIA COUNTY, FL - Do you remember your first childhood crush? Your first Christmas memory? Your first pony ride? We all experience many 'firsts' in our lives. When Jodie Kelly entered the ring Saturday afternoon to perform a Grand Prix test will certainly be one of those 'firsts' that she will treasure forever.

Jodie has dreamt of her first Grand Prix since the day she bought Manhattan. It was that day that Toine Hoefs told her, "He is going to be a Grand Prix horse." Of course, it was also the same day that Manhattan had bucked Jodie off and eluded her for ten minutes in an indoor.

Jodie recalls "I knew it would be a long road, but I vowed then and there that I was going to make him that Grand Prix horse." There have been a few possibilities over the years that might have resulted in Jodie having a trained Grand Prix horse. And as tempting as it was at times, she knew that she wanted Manhattan to be her first. "I wanted my first to be on a horse I had trained myself, so, I waited a few years longer maybe. But some things are worth waiting for.. and it TOTALLY was!"

Jodie and Manhattan earned judge's marks of 67.708% on the opening day of the show in their first Grand Prix test. The performance was certainly an event to be celebrated. On day two, the pair followed up with even better marks of 68.750%. "Overall, it all went as perfect as I had hoped, my rides certainly had some mistakes that need working on, but they were both solid rides."

The rest of the show was also good with Jodie Kelly Dressage claiming several high point awards. Cindy Carpenter captured the Dutch High Point award with a 73.929% score aboard Utrillo. The judge's marks of 73.684% for Jodie and Wencenza gave the pair the highest score at First level. The Second level High Point award went to Lora Kay Witterstaeter on Preference with a 70.000% mark. Jodie and Manhattan won the FEI High Point award followed closely by Lora Kay and Weltkaar with a 67.750%.

It is safe to say that this was the start of a lot of good memories for Jodie Kelly Dressage.
Photo Galleries:
[ SCHOOLING DAY GALLERY ]
[ GRAND PRIX & CELEBRATION GALLERY ]
[ CLIENTS GALLERY ]
Blue Angel Open Dressage Show, November 10, 2007, Escambia County, FL
Rider  Name
Horse  Name
Division
Place
Score
Jodie Kelly
(Owner: Beth Godwin, Freeport, FL)		 Wencenza First Level Test 4 - Open 1 70.789%
Jodie Kelly Manhattan FEI Grand Prix B 2003 1 67.708%
Jodie Kelly
(Owner: Alexandra Howard, Destin, FL)		 Vinkenhove Nelson Second Level Test 4 - Open 1 60.283%
Cindy Carpenter Utrillo Training Level Test 1 - AA 1 73.043%
Cindy Carpenter Utrillo Training Level Test 4 - AA 1 67.708%
Michelle Sheridan Rouxletto Second Level Test 4 - JR/YR 1 59.048%
Lora Kay Witterstaeter Peninna Second Level Test 1 - JR/YR 2 64.737%
Lora Kay Witterstaeter Peninna Second Level Test 3 - JR/YR 1 70.000%
Lora Kay Witterstaeter
(Owner: Laurie Kelly)		 Weltkaar FEI Musical Freetyle - Juniors 1 65.500%
Blue Angel Open Dressage Show, November 11, 2007, Escambia County, FL
Rider  Name
Horse  Name
Division
Place
Score
Jodie Kelly
(Owner: Alexandra Howard, Destin, FL)		 Vinkenhove Nelson Second Level Test 4 - Open 1 68.095%
Jodie Kelly Manhattan FEI Grand Prix B 1 68.750%
Jodie Kelly
(Owner: Beth Godwin, Freeport, FL)		 Wencenza First Level Test 2 - Open 1 68.333%
Jodie Kelly
(Owner: Beth Godwin, Freeport, FL)		 Wencenza First Level Test 4 - Open 1 73.684%
Cindy Carpenter Utrillo Training Level Test 2 - AA 1 73.929%
Cindy Carpenter Utrillo Training Level Test 4 - AA 2 63.600%
Michelle Sheridan Rouxletto Second Level Test 4 - JR/YR 2 57.859%
Lora Kay Witterstaeter Peninna Second Level Test 2 - JR/YR 3 66.486%
Lora Kay Witterstaeter Peninna Second Level Test 4 - JR/YR 1 60.476%
Lora Kay Witterstaeter
(Owner: Laurie Kelly)		 Weltkaar FEI Junior Individual Test 1 67.750%
We Will Miss You, Good Boy Chip!
Monday, October 22, 2007

Laurie, Jodie and Good Boy Chip
Jodie Kelly and Good Boy Chip
DESTIN, FL - I am so sad to share this news with you, but we had to put our dear little pony, Chip, down last night. Over the past several weeks he had become quite "wobbly" in his hind legs. We have been treating him with Dex, but his wobbliness was caused by some form of spinal compression that was either caused by a shifting of his vertebras or a tumor that was pressing on his spinal cord. Either way, in a 29 year old pony, there was little that could be done about it. Sunday morning he was unable to get up at all. When they did get him to his feet, he was not able to stand on his own. I was at Regionals, so Kristine was first "on the scene". She was AMAZING and spent ALL day with him. Dr. Williams was there shortly after and spent much of the day with him getting him up and rotating him to his other side. He was still very happy and eating everything in sight last night when I finally made it home from the horse show. I spent a few hours with him and then Dr. Williams came back around 2:00 in the morning to put him down. His last day was a glorious one, with many of his former kid riders coming by to visit him and bring him cookies. He was dignified to the last minute when he went to sleep with his head in my lap.

Chip has been a member of the Kelly family for 19 years, I got him when I was 5. When he came to us, his name was Charlie Chip and they called him Charlie, we already had a Charlie in the barn, so we called him Chip, but we didn't like the name "Charlie Chip". Within days, he was officially "Good Boy Chip" because that was all I ever said to him. I dont have any memories that Chip isn't a part of my life. I went to my first dressage show on Chip, my number was 44 and I walked away from that show with a blue ribbon. That became my official number when I competed at Timpoochee, and my lucky number (hence my email address). I still have that bridle number in my trunk, it goes to every horse show with me.

Then there was the time that we dressed up like Tinker Bell and Peter Pan. Chip was Peter Pan. He wore the WHOLE Peter Pan outfit, the pointed hat, the sword tied around his middle, even the green tights. We held his tights up with suspenders :-). Mom and I also did a pas de deux with Chip and her horse, Aspen, they look just alike only Aspen is over 17 hands and Chip was around 12.1 or so. We did it to Peter and the Wolf. It was quite a sight. I was so excited that I got to wear my first pair of tall boots so that Mom and I would match. I rode him in the Destin Christmas parade, went all the way to the state finals in 4-H with him, even got my first scores for my bronze medal on him. My memories of Chip go on and on, as they do for SOOOO many kids that he taught to ride. All of the kids that got their start on Chip, I consider the lucky ones. If I had a dollar for every time I heard a kid claim Chip as "theirs", I would be rich. He was one of a kind.

I appreciate Kristine and Dr. Williams more than you two will EVER know for making his last day so special and so happy for him. He will be missed by everyone. - Jodie
Team Kelly in the Ribbons at USDF Region 3 Championships
Monday, October 22, 2007

Jodie Kelly and Manhattan
OCALA, FL - Top equestrians gathered at HITS Post Time Farm in Ocala, Florida on October 20-21 to ride for individual honors in the Great American Insurance Group/United States Dressage Federation Region Three Championship. Hosted by the Emerald Coast Chapter of the Deep South Dressage and Combined Training Association, the championship featured riders from Training Level through Grand Prix, including Freestyle and featured open, adult amateur and junior/young rider divisions. Year after year, Jodie Kelly and her clients consistently finish in the ribbons at the USDF Region 3 Championships. 2007 was no different.
Related Link: [ DAY 1 PHOTO GALLERY ][ DAY 2 PHOTO GALLERY ][ DAY 3 PHOTO GALLERY ]
2007 Region 3 Championships, October 20, 2007, Ocala, FL
Rider  Name
Horse  Name
Division
Place
Score
Jodie Kelly Manhattan FEI Intermediare II - Open Championship 1 67.439%
Jodie Kelly
(Owner: Beth Godwin, Freeport, FL)		 Wencenza Training Level - Open Championship 3 67.400%
Jodie Kelly
(Owner: Alexandra Howard, Destin, FL)		 Vinkenhove Nelson First Level - Open Championship 6 67.632%
Lora Kay Witterstaeter Peninna Second Level - JR/YR Championship 8 59.286%
Lora Kay Witterstaeter Peninna JR Dressage Seat Medal Semi-Final 5 70.000%
Lora Kay Witterstaeter
(Owner: Laurie Kelly)		 Weltkaar JR Team Test Championship 3 64.000%
2007 USDF Region 3 Championships, October 21, 2007, Ocala, FL
Rider  Name
Horse  Name
Division
Place
Score
Jodie Kelly Manhattan FEI Intermediare II - Open 1 66.341%
Jodie Kelly
(Owner: Alexandra Howard, Destin, FL)		 Vinkenhove Nelson Second Level Test 1 - Open 1 68.158%
Jodie Kelly
Owner: Beth Godwin, Freeport, FL)		 Wencenza First Level Test 4 - Open 2 64.737%
Lora Kay Witterstaeter
(Owner: Laurie Kelly)		 Weltkaar FEI Musical Freestyle 2 588.750%
Cindy Carpenter Utrillo Training Level Test 1 - AA 2 70.870%
Cindy Carpenter Utrillo Training Level Test 2 - AA 1 65.000%
Cindy Carpenter Utrillo Training Level Test 4 - AA 8 61.200%
Michelle Sheridan Rouxletto Second Level Test 3 - JR/YR 1 68.372%
Michelle Sheridan Rouxletto Second Level Test 4 - JR/YR 3 62.381%
Zabaco Finds New Home
Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Jodie Kelly and Zabaco
Photo by Kristine Lundblad
DESTIN, FL - Congratulations Debbie Olson on purchase of Zabaco! Zabaco is by the late stallion Contango out of a Juventus mare. He was awarded First Premium at the 2006 KWPN Keuring. Zabaco's full sister, Wencenza, was 2nd nationally for the DG Bar Cup last year. She is now in full training with Jodie. See her photo gallery on the Horses page.
Gandy Dancer - 1989-2007.
September 28, 2007

Lola Latson and Gandy Dancy
PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL - You were taken from us too soon, we will miss you.


Somewhere

Somewhere, somewhere in time's own space
there must be some sweet pastured place
where creeks sing on and tall trees grow
some Paradise where horses go.

For by the love that guides my pen
I know great horses live again.

-Stanley Harrison
A Unique Dutch Boy
September 14, 2007

Caroline Adams and Uniek
Congratulations Caroline Adams on purchase of Uniek!  Uniek is Caroline's beautiful new 2001 Dutch Warmblood gelding.  Jodie recently accompanied Caroline and her family on a trip to Holland where she had arranged for Caroline and her parents to look at several horses through Toine.  Together they decided that Uniek was the horse for Caroline.

Caroline's dad, Ben, also fell in love with a Fresian mare named Julie.  Julie should be arriving at Southern Cross shortly so be sure to check back for pictures of his lovely mare.

Be sure to visit the photo gallery below for additional pictures of Uniek and Caroline. Look for this pair coming down center line next show season.
Related Link: [ PHOTO GALLERY ]
Isn't She Lovely
September 27, 2007

Kristine Lundblad and Cover Girl
DESTIN, FL - Cover Girl has arrived from Holland!  Cover Girl and her proud mom, Kristine.  Cover Girl is settling in to her new home at Southern Cross.
It's a Boy!
September 14, 2007

Utrillo
Congratulations Cindy Carpenter on purchase of Utrillo!

Utrillo is a 2001 Dutch Warmblood gelding out of Neptune, an Iron Spring Farm stallion. After an extensive search in the US and Holland, Jodie found Utrillo in an eventing barn in Pennsylvania and felt he was the horse for Cindy. Cindy was impressed by his capabilities and personality.

Utrillo is well on his way to being a super dressage partner for Cindy. Look for this pair in the show ring next season.
Related Link: [ PHOTO GALLERY ]
KWPN Breeding News
September 13, 2007

Uniform
The preferent KWPN licensed stallion Uniform has passed away after a heart attack.  The 29-year old stallion was born in the stables of Ad Biemans, spent his entire life at Stoeterij 't Vierspan and passed away there as well.

Uniform
Uniform is by the thoroughbred Wahtamin xx out of Liris (by Eros). He was licensed in 1981 and won the stallion performance test scoring above 8 for all segments of the test.  Uniform put a significant stamp the Dutch warmblood breeding by producing many international dressage horses including Robert Dover's Olympic mount Metallic and the FEI horses Baboon, Centurio, Lovely Surprise, Denderos, and Furiant.

Uniform is also the sire of Jodie's Grand Prix mount Manhattan.
 Related Link: [ Eurodressage.com Article ]
It's a Girl!
September 9, 2007

Cover Girl Baby Shower
Congratulations Kristine Lundblad on purchase of Cover Girl!

Our Kristine Lundblad recently purchased a foal from Holland.  It was just one of those meant to be kind of things.  She told Toine at the beginning of summer that she was possibly interested in a foal, if the right thing came along.  Two weeks ago, he called and described a foal that amazingly enough filled every box on her check list of wishes.

The foal is a black filly by Toine's stallion, Uptown.  The mother line is Toine's former approved stallion Juventus, that is now owned by Iron Spring Farm.  Kristine has named her baby Cover Girl.

Jessica John's and her mom receive full credit for this great idea.  As you all know, Kristine has been around the barn as long as almost anyone, riding and helping everyone with their horses.  She has waited a long time to call something her very own and she is SOOOO excited she can hardly stand it.

As helpful as she has been with everyone's horses, we wanted to make her very first baby's arrival special.  The Johns were gracious enough to host a baby shower in their home.
Related Link: [ PHOTO GALLERY ]
Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Dressage Festival of Champions
June 21, 2007

Jodie Kelly and Lora Kay Witterstaeter: Teacher and Student Share Gladstone Experience

Jodie Kelly and Manhattan
GLADSTONE, NJ - Kelly competed in this year’s Brentina Cup on a 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding named Manhattan (Uniform out of Tasjadana) that she trained herself.

Lora Kay Witterstaeter and Weltkaar
The pair had a great showing, finishing third with a score of 63.689 and behind first-place finishers Elizabeth Austin and Olivier and second-place finishers Nicholia Zamora and Nimbus.

One of her students joined her at Gladstone and was a competitor in the National Junior Dressage Championship. That young rider, Lora Kay Witterstaeter, 17, is riding Kelly’s former young rider mount Weltkaar. The pair finished fourth in the Junior Championships.

Photos by PhelpsPhoto.com  Related Link: [ DressageDaily.com Article ][ PHOTO GALLERY ]

Jodie Kelly and Manhattan finish 2nd in WEF Dressage Classic
March 25, 2007

Jodie receives congratulations from Toine
WELLINGTON, FL - Jodie Kelly and Manhattan finished 2nd with a score of 61.057% in FEI Test of Choice at WEF Dressage Classic in Wellington, FL.
Jodie Kelly and Her Former Buckeroo Take Blue in Intermediaire II
March 11, 2007

Jodie and Manhattan
WELLINGTON, FL - Jodie Kelly and Manhattan took the win in the FEI Open Intermediaire II in the Wellington Classic Dressage Challenge II with a score of 66.90 percent.  It was the very first Intermediaire II for Jodie and for Manhattan.

Photo by PhelpsPhoto.com  Related Links: [ DressageDaily.com Article ]

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