In other news,

Brittanie Hardy & Wonderbaar are Open Novice Champions for the United States Eventing Association Area II!

http://www.usea2.net/competitions/points/190-2010-year-end-points-participant-photos

Brittanie Hardy & Wonderbaar ended 4th for Novice from the United States Equestrian Federation for their zone, and 13th nationally!

Listed on USEA Area II:

Novice Open – Champion

Rider name/Owner: Brittanie Hardy
Horse’s Name/nickname: Wonderbaar / Wanda
Age/Sex/Breed/Sire/Dam: 7/Mare/Dutch Warmblood/Sir Sinclair/Karma

Brittanie is 23 years old from Fairfax Station, VA.  She has competed up to Intermediate level eventing on her now-retired horse, Happenstance, and competed third level dressage with her mom’s horse, Irish Crossing.  After working with a young horse & assisting with the Central Piedmont Pony Club during college, she graduated and spent 8 months as a working student for Phillip Dutton.  After returning home to Virginia in April, she spent the summer working for Cathy Fredrickson and in August achieved her “H-A” with the United States Pony Club.  She has also dabbled in hunters, jumpers, foxhunting, and trail riding.

I purchased “Wanda” in January, 2010, and we had a fantastic start to the season after winning the Difficult Run Horse Trials at Novice.   Unfortunately, we had a series of bloopers as I spent the summer beginning to really get to know her and she began to get to know me as well.  We had a rough time at Waredaca trying to get down a bank complex, but I was absolutely thrilled when we worked it out at Rubicon.  My plans for 2011 are to continue at Novice and hopefully move up to Training by mid-summer/fall.  I’m not in any hurry, and I think as soon as we “click” together she’ll be unbeatable!  She’s already a blast just to work with at home.  Wanda LOVES “Stud Muffins” (like rider, like horse!). She will reach out and give kisses for them.  I want to thank Cathy Fredrickson and Christy Wise from Millwood Farm Equestrian Center for their dedication in my training this summer.  They have been fantastic in helping Wanda and I both mentally and physically.  I also want to thank my parents for their support over the past 23 years.  Without them I wouldn’t be where I am today, and neither would Wanda.  To my dad: I promise I’ll move out someday!!