High School Farm

Zephyrus Makes Grand Prix Debut

August, 2008. After coming to High School Farm as an unstarted 7 year old stallion, Zephyrus made his Grand Prix debut at the Coastal Classic I-II, a pair of 3-star USDF recognized dressage shows. Zephyrus (barn name "Ari") has previously been lightly shown at Prix St. George and Intermediare, where he received over 70%. In the Grand Prix, where the horse got comfortable with his new surroundings, Zephyrus received 8's on the trot half pass and piaffe as well as numerous 7's with the judge's comment, "a lot of power there." The next day, he received 64.8% in his first Grand Prix Special. Ari's owner, Kathyrn Conley, was thrilled as she hopes to gain breed licensing for her 11 year old stallion through competition scores. For more information, please contact Mike.

New Video of Mike on Friesian Gelding, Shakespeare, on line

To view them on YouTube, you can link to:
Shakespeare

Balanza Sold 

April, 2008. High School Farm presented Balanza, a beautiful 2002 16.3hh Half-Andalusian mare. at her first dressage show on Feb. 10th. With three good gaits, excellent collection, nicely flowing lateral work as well talent for piaffe / passage, Balanza was successfully shown at Training Level, garnering 7 on her canter work as well as Judge's compliments on her obedience. This month, High School Farm is pleased to congratulate Balanza's proud new owner, an amateur eventing rider from Southern California who would like to learn dressage. We wish them the greatest success as they forge a wonderful new partnership togther!  

Shine Sold

November, 2007. High School Farm congratulates Shine's lucky new owner, a local amateur rider with an interest in taking advantage of Shine's upper level dressage training and FEI experience. At 17, Shine goes to his new home with the clean digital xrays of a very young horse. Louise had Shine since he was 3 1/2 and he was never unsound, so both Farm and Buyer are thrilled at the success of the training program in developing and enhancing the physique and movement of this lovely Appendix Quarterhorse. We will miss him greatly, but he is going to a super home where he will have the chance to teach another aspiring rider and be nearly as totally spoiled as he thinks he deserves!

Diamo Arrives!

In a training agreement with Hesselhof, Mike has brought a promising German Berlin-Brandenburg gelding to California for upper level dressage training and eventual sale as an FEI horse in Europe or the United States.  "Diamo," a 6-year old liver chestnut with top level Westfalen bloodlines, has arrived and is settling in nicely to start his training at High School Farm.  See our Riding Horses page to link to video of this promising youngster in development.

DeRigueur Sold to German Grand Prix Rider

After being purchased in January, 2007 by Ralph-Michael Rash, who was in charge of the German Bereiter liscensing program for 11 years and currently owns the Hesselhof farm near Warendorf, DeRigueur was privately sold once again last spring to a Grand Prix rider in Germany who plans to introduce him as to the International Grand Prix scene a 9 year old.  DeRigueur is Mike's most recent FEI horse; others can be seen on the FEI page on this website. Keep your "Google" on the ready as the 2008 competition year approaches!

Mike Awarded USDF Gold Medal Rider Award

After receiving required scores at Intermediare and Grand Prix, Mike qualified for his USDF Gold medal in 2006 and received the award in 2007. Recipients of Bronze, Silver and Gold USDF awards will be honored at this year's USDF Gala banquet in Orlando, Florida. More information is available on the USDF website.

Regatta Joins the Herd

Join us in welcoming "Regatta," High School Farm's 2007 black Hanoverian filly by Regazzoni out of Shakespeare Farm's champion mare, Pointe Noire. With a charming, friendly disposition, she already loves people, attention and, of course, treats! With these looks, bloodlines and personality, we expect great things from Regatta when she grows up.

 
Zephyrus 1st Grand Prix

Balanza 1st Show Warm-up

Shine, Louise's first horse

Diamo

 DeRigueur training the pirouette.

He is also featured on our Home as well as Training and FEI pages.

"Regatta," newest member of the High School Farm herd.