Busiest week of the Aiken winter season is a wrap!

We just wrapped up the busiest week of our Aiken spring season. We had a 6 horses showing at March Madness I held at Highfields in Aiken on Thursday and Friday with Quinn (owned by Debi Crowley) spending some time jumping this week in the Welcome Stake on Friday as well as the 1.35m Mini Prix held on Sunday.

Vandiver on his way to 8th in the $5k Mini Prix on Sunday Afternoon - Photo by Laura Fazio

Quinn jumped well in today's $5k mini prix to finish in 7th #showjumping #eventer video thanks to @prairiestm

A video posted by Doug Payne (@dpequestrian) on Mar 6, 2016 at 12:06pm PST

Our jumpers all finished up great with a full results below. In particular I was very proud of both Quinn and Leo (owned by Kristin Michaloski) , both eventers, who more than held their own in the show ring! Both are jumping more confidently and I can't wait to see them in action in a few weeks at the Carolina International. 

Following both Thursday and Friday at Highfields we headed over to Sporting Days on Saturday with Missy (owned by Robbie Peterson), Marshal (owned by Wendy Luce), Cascor (owned by Stephen Blauner), Quincy(owned Jane Dudinsky) and Rio (owned by Jim Green). All were a bit wild for dressage, but jumped in great form to finish as follows: 

Preliminary: Missy 1st, Rio 4th and Marshal 10th

Beginner Novice: Quincy 7th and Cascor 1st

Quinn jumped well in today's $5k mini prix to finish in 7th #showjumping #eventer video thanks to @prairiestm

A video posted by Doug Payne (@dpequestrian) on Mar 6, 2016 at 12:06pm PST

Back again to Sporting Days on Sunday morning where both Quantum finished 4th and Jess & PJ finished 6th in Training. Following cross country we headed home for a quick power nap below. 

Power Nap with Bacon

Quinn finished up the weekend with just 1 down in the Mini-Prix to finish in 8th. We're heading back to Highfields this week to jump getting and getting the eventers ready for Pine Top our next outing! 

September Update - Wins at Bruce's Field & Plantation Field CIC**

Quinn on XC in the Plantation Field CIC** - Photo by Rough Coat Photography

We've been on the road not stop it seems over the past few months with some great performances for both the jumpers and eventers. At the moment we're split just about 50/50 between the two. It's a great mix that, along with the new Tryon facility along with Bruce's Field opening up in Aiken has allowed us to alternate between the two disciplines.

Bruce's Field - Aiken, SC - The Evening Following Eli's $25,000 Grand Prix

We were lucky enough to show at Bruce's Field inaugural show in Aiken just a few weeks back. The highlight of the week was Portugal's (aka Confire La Pomme) move up to the 1.30m classes. Impressively he also managed to win in his very first class!



Following Bruce's Field we head north to Unionville, Pa for the Plantation Field CIC** with both Big Leo (Lysander owned by Kristin Michaloski in partnership with Doug) and Quinn (Vandiver owned by Debi Crowley in partnership with Doug). Quinn was slated to run in the CIC*** but I found out just before heading north that we still needed at CIC** prior to our CIC*** debut despite our 5th place finish in the Five Points Advanced Horse Trials (Raeford, NC).

Both horses were excellent but Leo stepped up to the big stage with a massive statement on dressage day with a 31.7! He was well ahead of the 70 horse field and never gave up the lead finishing with his first CIC** win!

Leo on XC at the Plantation Field CIC** - Photo by Jenni Autry/Eventing Nation

Leo on SJ winning the Plantation Field CIC** - Photo by Jenni Autry/Eventing Nation

Quinn was also quite good, he wrapped up the weekend in 9th place. On to Morven Park (Leesburg, Va) and the CIC*** this coming weekend along with 8 others from DPE. The jumpers are laying low for the next couple of weeks. They will be back in action the week following Morven.

Updates to follow...

-Doug

Quantum will remain with DPE & Eli's 5th Place $25k Aiken Grand Prix

I'm beyond exited to announce that long time friends and unbelievable supporters Susan and Dave Drillock have just purchased half of our next generation superstar Quantum Leap ensuring he'll remain with us indefinitely. Quantum has been with us for 3 years at this point and is a member of the family. He was bred by Didi Callahan of Maryland and purchased as a yearling just after the Fair Hill International CCI.

Quantum - Day 4 under saddle last fall

I've started countless horses in the past, but Quantum is by far the most easy going, agreeable baby I've had the pleasure of working with. Aside from his personality, he has the talent needed to develop into our next superstar. He is out of a full thoroughbred, Report to Sloopy mare, related to John William's Sloopy and by Quite Capitol a Holsteiner stallion. He is 78% thoroughbred and an excellent jumper and mover.

Quantum at his First Novice at Sporting Days

I'm convinced that in order to develop world class competitors without bankrupting us in the process, horses have to be identified as early as possible, started correctly and not rushed. Quantum was started last fall, at this point he's evented 3 times, one Beginner Novice and two Novice. He's yet to have a jumping penalty and finished up his last novice in 3rd place! He will have a quiet spring in hopes of ramping up for the USEA 4 year old Young Event Horse Championships this fall. Check back for updates both here and on Facebook (www.facebook.com/dpequestrian) for photos and progress reports!


In other news, Eli owned by Mike Rubin had a great showing this past weekend in Aiken. He wrapped up the week finishing an excellent double clear to finish 5th in tough conditions in the $25,000 Deitrick Grand Prix. I couldn't be prouder of him, this was his second grand prix of the year and second top 8 finish! I'm still working to refine how I ride him on course, and how best to prepare him in warm up in order to maximize his potential. This was an important stepping stone, he is one incredible horse. I'm very lucky to have the opportunity to work with him. Certainly couldn't ask for more!



We had a number of other horses both at the horse show from Wednesday through Sunday at Highfields as well as a schooling event at Sporting Days on Saturday. This coming week is no less chaotic, we're in town Monday and Tuesday, heading over to the show Wednesday and then off to Kentucky for Rolex! For those lucky enough to attend, please make sure to stop by the Eventing Nation tent on Saturday around noon for book signing and rider trivia with Jessica!

Further reports coming soon!
-Doug

Making the most of opportunities in Aiken

Aiken is one of, if not the best locations in the country to develop and instill confidence in horses. This weekend was a prime example of the versatility it offers. We took the jumpers to Highfields for the March Madness jumper show on Thursday and Friday. Then the eventers were off to Sporting Days Farm Horse Trials on Saturday and Sunday morning wrapping up just in time to head back for the final 1.30 meter mini prix at Highfields. 

Nate in Dressage at Sporting Days

Our horses were excellent throughout the weekend. All of which would never have been possible without the exceptional help of help of Jess, Michelle, Alex, Tess & Nicole as well as the master of event scheduling Mary Caldren at Sporting Days. The results speak for themselves!

Jumpers at PSJ:
Jimmy Choo ( Madeline Reich) and Confire la Pomme (Barbara Calabro) won classes at 1.10m & 1.15m Thursday and Friday. 

Eli (Mike Rubin - Breezy Hill South) finished 7th in Friday's $5k 1.25m Welcome Stake & 3rd in Sunday's $5k 1.30m Mini-Prix

Eli's 3rd place finish in the 1.30m mini prix 

Eventers at Sporting Days:
Novice: 2nd Quantum Leap (Doug), 3rd Winter Carnival ( Emily van Gemeren), 2nd Call Me Waylon (Ann Wilson) and 7th Marshal M Dillon (Wendy & Fred Luce, Doug)
Training: 1st Absaluut Annabelle (Jane Dudinsky), 3rd Zephyr, 4th Reddina Cooley (Lucia Strini) and 2nd Patrick (Kathleen Sullivan)
Preliminary: 7th Lysander (Kristin Michaloski, Doug)

Zephyr show jumping at Sporting Days - He is also offered for Sale below!

Annie's Dressage Test on the way to her first win of the year!

Farm Progress and a Location Change:

Last week we took a quick trip up to the new farm to stake out all of the buildings and arenas. It turned out to be an unusually snowy trip, but well worth it in the end. Although you think you've got it all mapped out perfect on paper, we quickly realized that some of the building locations had to be tweaked to better suit the land. We were also very lucky to be joined by our excavators and arena contractors Shane Doyle and Clint Bertalan this trip and the last. Both have brought to the table tremendous incite and I'm certain our final layout will be far more efficient, useful and frankly beautiful as a result. 

As for the location change, on our return trip we began thinking about our schedule going forward. We were lucky enough to have the opportunity to rent an incredibly facility in Aiken, details soon to follow, for the foreseeable future. It would offer ideal conditions, weather as well as riding surfaces and training opportunities for our horses. With them in mind, we've decided to remain here in Aiken until we are able to move the horses into the new farm in Rougemont, NC. Hopefully our permanent return to NC will be this summer. 

Although up in the air at the moment, we are planning to spend a few days every other week in NC to teach as well as keep tabs on the building process. Details to come soon, but if you are interested please shoot me a quick email at doug@dpequestrian.com

Working Student Position Vacancy:
Being that we now plan to remain in Aiken we have one vacancy for a working student to join our team. Bring your horse along, housing included and take advantage of the vast opportunities Aiken has to offer! Must be 18 yrs or older. If you're interested please email Jess your resume and a short video of your riding if possible to jess@dpequestrian.com

Horses For Sale:
We've just updated out sales page here...we have a bunch of great horses for sale, both eventers as well as jumpers. There are a few more to be posted soon, so if you don't see something that might peak your interest please don't hesitate to contact us directly. 

Aiken is in Full Swing

We are in full competitive swing down here in Aiken, hence the seldom updated blog. Although we should garner much sympathy from most this winter this past week has been downright freezing!

Our horses have had a great start this spring. We've been to two jumper shows at Highfields here in Aiken as well as our first event of the season at Paradise Farm. I've picked 3 of the most exciting performances so far...

The first is Eli (owned by Mike Rubin) who finished 2nd in the $5,000 Welcome Stakes and 6th in the $10,000 Mini Prix.




Second on the list was Marshall's (owned by Fred & Wendy Luce as well as Doug) first event at Paradise. He had a very good outing at the beginner novice.

Last but not least was Quantum's great performance at PSJ as well as his first event at Paradise in the beginner novice level. Unfortunately following a discussion with our accountant we are forced to sell Quantum. I hate to do so, but we are left without a choice at the moment. I'm completely convinced he will make an excellent partner for someone. If you might be interested, click here for details. 



We are heading back to PSJ with the jumpers for a schooling show this weekend. The eventers will be back in action next week at Sporting Days Farm Horse Trials in Aiken.