Back to Aiken following a great week at Meadow Creek in Texas!

This was the unbelievable situation Helmut Boehme and I found ourselves in on our drive back to Dallas from Meadow Creek this afternoon. Having a heads up that thunderstorms were on the horizon we decided to run XC on 1:30 min intervals today rather than the customary 2 mins. This allowed us to wrap up before the major rain hit. Or should I say what started as rain. We hopped in the car and headed north towards the DFW airport when the bottom dropped out. I've not been in a thunder and lightning rain, hail, sleet storm before, and even if I had, the magnitude of this was exceptional! We managed to arrive at the airport with what should have been hours, but was just minutes to spare. 

I'd to thank Robbie and Brad as well as the countless volunteers who kept everything running smoothly especially in today's less than ideal conditions!

I'm airborne at the moment, and planning the hectic week ahead. Jess and my wedding is just a few short weeks away. Aside from the final loose ends with the party, we need to head to Raleigh this week to find a house!

We'll also be back at PSJ late in the week for the $15k mini prix, check back for updates and results!

-D 

Quick inflight update!

I’m in the air somewhere between Atlanta and Dallas heading to Texas to judge for the weekend. Since the last update, Tali had his first Advanced run of the year. He was exceptional, especially in trying conditions! He wrapped up the day with a win. Not a bad way to start off 2014! All of the others competing on the weekend were excellent. All finished well continuing our top 5 finish steak in 2014.



Monday and Tuesday following I had the great opportunity to ride in the George Morris clinic held at Boyd’s place. It was a great chance to ride with one of the greatest coaches this country has seen. It was an excellent reminder of how much the basics position flaws can negatively influence our horses performance. I came away refreshed and motivated to continue to improve my riding and jumping. As he said in casual conversation, in a stressful environment we can not always rely on instinct, but our basics will always be there at our disposal. They have to be perfect!

Tali is back in the game

Morning Sunrise at Pine Top

Tali's first outing of the year wrapped up today at Pine Top. While still a little rusty, he showed a number of great signs of progress. His video is below:

Following our successful outing at Pine Top, just about home I received a call from a good friend and local vet Sarah Thompson asking if I was close enough to make it in time to ride her horse in the Cupid Classic's $5k Welcome Stakes. Just in the nick of time, I was able to drop Tali and Michelle off and make it to the show. Qatar was excellent, having jumped him once a month earlier I wasn't exactly sure what to expect. He finished up in 6th!

Back to Pine Top tomorrow to ride Susan Cipolla's de Kooning in Novice and Sunday in the $10k Mini-Prix at the Cupid Classic on Eli owned by Mike Rubin.

Equestrian Social Media Awards

We were lucky enough to be nominated as a finalist in the Equestrian Social Media Awards, so we need your vote! Click here to vote for us!

Chronicle of the Horse Blog

The most recent blog posted on the Chronicle of the Horse's website can be viewed here.

The first book is on the way to the printers!

Two years in the making the book is in print! Details coming soon regarding availability, tentative date is early March.

A wait list is on Trafalgar's site by clicking here.

Rex's helmet cam video from the YEH-5 finals

I'm not sure how I lost this one, but I've just come across Rex's helmet cam video from the 2013 YEH-5 finals at Fair Hill.

As many are aware, Rex was purchased by Virtus with the help of a new partnership between DPE and Downes Howard's Howard Equestrian. For more information about the syndicate and Rex click over to our horses page.

While Rex is not for sale, we are more than happy to help you find a perfect partner for your future. Contact Doug with any questions or inquiries.

We've arrived in Aiken, ready to get going!

The rig all cleaned up with new DPE logo and Cavalor (http://www.cavalor.com/us-en)

As I alluded to in my previous post, we've finally arrived in Aiken. Following one of the most chaotic, hectic weeks we're finally just about unpacked and organized. Moving our lives, and barn was an epic challenge which I'm very happy to say is now behind us! We've spent the last week and a half unpacking, cleaning, organizing and tying up loose ends. While stressful, it has given me time to reflect on the past successes and failures with business and life. There is an opportunity to start anew and I'm looking forward to it without a doubt!

Heading into the winter/early spring season for me is always a great time of year. Just like our move south, I've always found it a time for reflection. What went well with my horses and where I fell short. A back to the basics theme seems to pervade my winter training. Figure out what root flaws have limited my performances, and fix them without the stress of a competition looming in the near horizon.

In planning our next months, if you find yourself in the area, feel free to stop by. I'm happy to help whomever is determined to improve regardless of level. We also have limited training spots for your horse starting January 1st. Let me know if you have any questions, it's amazing how much can be accomplished in a short period of time down here in Aiken. We've got access to a number of training facilities, schooling and recognized shows and events. Green horses can be exposed, not only to all of the common questions but to varied terrain not seen in other locals. It's the perfect jump start to your season!

More information can be found at DPEquestrian.com or give Doug a call at 908.399.9112

2013 Wrap-up Stats and More

Tali at Fair Hill International CCI*** Photo thanks to Alex Thayer via EventingNation's Who Jumped it Best

Details coming soon but I'm happy to report we've arrived in Aiken following one of the most chaiotic weeks of my life. With the tremendous help of Stacey Rogers who drove my car down form NJ and helped us unload the limitless piles of horses, equipment, jumps etc... Jess, Michelle, Katie and I have uprooted from NJ on our way to Raleigh, NC via Aiken, SC through April.

In reviewing the results from 2013 I was shocked and humbled. It's very easy to take a biased look at your horses from week to week, but these statistics seem to speak for themselves! Our total starts were down from last year due to my hand surgery in April, but every other statistic has improved. This is also the very first year I've ever had 100% of my XC rounds finish without jumping faults.

Not only am I incredibly lucky to have such a great group of horses, but a fabulous support and ownership team. Our owners include, Jane Dudinsky, Fred and Wendy Luce, The Virtus Syndicate, Kristin Michaloski, Kristen Burgers, Larry and Amelia Ross. DPE's support system includes, Sue Donatosky, Greg Staller (Running 'S' Equine), Michelle Novak (DPE's Manager) and our working students Jorgan Olijslager and Katie Cantine. I'm afraid I've missed countless others have contributed as well and I greatly appreciate their efforts.

Tali finishes 4th in his first CCI*** at Fair Hill - Chronicle Blog

Tali cooling off after XC in the vet box with Katie (L) and Joan (R)

My latest blog is now up on the Chronicle of the Horse's website, read by clicking here.

The Chronicle Blog - Many new beginnings...

Photo via EventingNation & Ab3 Photography

Click here the following link for the details! 

NJ Horse Trials, Millbrook, Virtus...

DPE's summer season is in full swing. We've had a crazy few weeks. Following the cancellation of Stuart horse trials, we rerouted a bunch of them to NJ horse trials as our final prep before Millbrook. 

Most notable and best performer of the two weeks was the Ross' Crown Talisman. Tali jumped around a great, conservative round at NJ and finished off with a great 9th place effort as his first advanced. Below is a full listing of results. It's an incredible group of horses, every horse entered in at both events finished in the top 10 of their division!

The other stand out at Millbrook was Royal Tribute's 15.2. Tribute is owned by Kristen Burgers, Larry and Amelia Ross and Doug. He's still ramping up to full competitive form, but this was one excellent way to kick it off!

Tali's XC and Show Jumping from Millbrook is found below, awesome especially considering this was his first advanced!



Aside from compeition we also have some very exciting news that Virtus-DPE has, with the tremendous help of the USEF Event Owner's Taskforce, has purchased a fabulous 5 yr old gelding. Below is a video of Lisnahall Imperier known around the barn as Rex. The following video was shot yesterday at the Ridge's schooling show. We're in the process of syndicate formation and will be up and running within the next few weeks. I can't thank the task force enough for their assistance, he wouldn't be here without them.

Rex is slated to compete this coming weekend at Waredaca in the YEH-5 qualifier, so check back for more details and results. He's certainly going to grab some attention!

EN Blog Post

Check my most recent blog on Eventing Nation

The long walk home with Tom after galloping, what a perfect day!

Almost there!

New Jumps!

I've been very lucky over my career to date not to miss more than a day or two to injury so this month+ has been an experience to say the least. I've always said you have to make the most of the opportunities presented to you. I don't think my inbox has been empty for years, our jumps are now painted (with the tremendous help of Jess and Michelle) and my book which has been in the works for a bit over a year is nearing completion. Physically, I've been on the stationary bike and working out my core, in hopes of being more fit than ever for the return. I've not been this productive outside of horses in such a short period of time ever!

It's seemed like an eternity since I've last ridden, but alas it's only been 5 weeks. Lucky, in so many ways my collateral ligament which I tore out of my index finger is healing very well. It should be ready to go this coming week! I'm planning to start with the more experienced and predictable horses, then slowly reintroduce the slightly more feral ones. The risk will be there for some time, I'm doing my best not to rip an anchor out which was used to tie the ligament back in place. Fortunately, I have a brace/cast which will allow me to ride without much trouble.

Our horses have been enjoying the lighter schedule save a few who have been kept in full work by my savior Jess :). Without her, I'm not sure what I would have done! In some ways the timing couldn't have been better. Our guys have been running since Jan and were just about due for their spring break before the summer action. I'm in a very unique position, where they are all qualified for anything in the near future, and have had tremendous success this spring. (details can be found here) I couldn't be happier with their progress.

I'm taking it day by day, but tentatively it looks like the full string should return to action at Stuart in July.

Check back soon for updates...

-D

Fair Hill - Rolex, podcast and more...

Rio schooling in Aiken

We have finally arrived and settled in NJ. We just returned from a very successful weekend at Fair Hill where the Doug & the Luce's Cossino Rio finished in 3rd in training. In preliminary, Jane Dudinsky's Cellar Door finished 3rd, Nicole Carolan's Topgun finished a very close 2nd to Big Leo aka Lysander owned by Kristin Michaloski & Doug who won!

We've also got a brand new podcast online at the following link.

For all who are planning to attend Rolex, I will be leading a course walk tentatively at 4 pm on Friday.