Flying W Farms Princess Anastasia

IGGHR #418

Sire: Koning-Friesian x Dam: Glenmar's Amber Bounty-Saddlebred
Black Georgian Grande Mare Foaled 06/18/05

Person wearing a pink shirt and helmet rides a black horse with white leg wraps, on a fenced dirt path with trees in the background.

A person in a pink shirt and black helmet rides a dark horse at a riding arena with jumps and white barriers.

From: Meghan
Sent: Monday, July 05, 2010
Subject: Princess Anastasia
Hey there, I've enclosed some recent pictures of Anya. ! She turned 5 on June 18th!

SEE HER RESULTS DRESSAGE AT DEVON 2009

Black horse with braided mane and tail walking in a sandy arena, led by a person in white attire, backdrop includes light blue buildings and white fence.

Sent: Friday, June 19, 2009
Subject: RE: Prince Alexi

Anya’s birthday was yesterday. She is now 4. Meghan and Anya got a 1st & 3rd place in a dressage show last weekend. Our trainer said Anya is ready to move up a level.

I started a Georgian Grande Horse Group on Facebook. So, far there are 11 members.

Have a good Father’s Day!
Take care,
Eileen

A person in an equestrian helmet and red jacket rides a black horse in an outdoor riding arena. Another rider can be seen in the background.

A close-up of a dark horse's head wearing a bridle, with a rider's hand holding the reins. The background includes a fence, hay bales, and trees.

Person in a pink sweatshirt and black helmet riding a black horse inside a fenced area with a metal-roofed building in the background.

A person riding a dark horse in an outdoor equestrian arena with jumps and a fence in the background.

A person riding a dark brown horse in a fenced outdoor arena. The rider is wearing a helmet, a red jacket, beige pants, and black boots. The background shows bare trees and distant hills.

Person riding a dark horse in an outdoor equestrian arena on a sunny day.

Person in a red jacket and black helmet riding a dark brown horse in an outdoor arena with trees in the background.

Person riding a horse in an outdoor arena with trees in the background.

A person riding a horse through a shallow water puddle in an outdoor, fenced area, surrounded by trees on a clear day.

Sent: Sunday, May 10, 2009
Subject: Pictures of Anastasia

Hey there!
My mom and I had so much fun at your farm yesterday. Thank you for showing us your horses!
I have some of those pictures of Anya being ridden at home that we showed you.
We are so excited about Prince Alexei !!! Thanks again!
Meghan

A person dressed in equestrian attire rides a black horse in a fenced outdoor arena with trees in the background.

A person rides a black horse in an outdoor arena surrounded by a wooden fence and trees.

A person dressed in equestrian attire rides a black horse in an outdoor arena with trees in the background.

A rider in formal equestrian attire rides a black horse on a sandy arena with a background of trees and greenery.

A person in equestrian attire rides a dark horse in an outdoor riding arena. A wooden fence is in the foreground, and trees are visible in the background.

A woman stands beside a dark-colored horse, holding two red ribbons and a lead rope in an outdoor setting with trees and a barn in the background.

A person stands beside a black horse outside, holding a red and white lead rope. They appear to be interacting with the horse near a light-colored building.

A person in a white shirt stands beside a black horse, gently touching its muzzle. The horse is wearing a purple halter and is being led by a person holding a rope. They are outside near a building.

Sent: Sunday, April 26, 2009
Subject: Anya's dressage show

Hey there!
Anya competed in her first show of the season this year.
She got quite tired due to the heat and the fact that her turnout was switched to evenings the night before,
but she still did fabulous and got some great scores.
She got a 63.5% in Intro A and a 69% in Intro B.
She got second in both classes. I was so proud of her!
I've attached some pictures too.
There aren't any of the actual tests because the indoor they were in was too dark, but I have some from her warm-up.
Hope you all are doing well!
Meghan

A person dressed in equestrian attire rides a dark horse in a sandy arena marked with the letter "A," with a wooden fence and trees in the background.

A person in equestrian attire rides a dark brown horse on a wooden bridge in a rural setting.

A person in formal riding attire is riding a dark brown horse in a sandy dressage arena, surrounded by a wooden fence and greenery in the background.

Person riding a dark horse in an outdoor arena. Spectators are seated near a trailer in the background. Trees and a fence line the arena.

A person in equestrian attire rides a dark brown horse in an outdoor arena with a wooden fence and greenery in the background.

A person wearing equestrian attire rides a brown horse in an outdoor setting with a wooden fence and green trees in the background.

Person dressed in equestrian attire riding a dark-colored horse in an outdoor arena with a green forest in the background.

A horse with black hair is wearing a harness, adorned with a white and a red ribbon on its bridle, standing outdoors on a sunny day.

A person dressed in equestrian attire is riding a dark-colored horse along a sandy path with a wooden fence and trees visible in the background.

Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Subject: pics from devon

Hi Fredericka!
I sent the good photos for you from Devon and Anya's first dressage show.
Meghan

Several horses with handlers stand in a row in an outdoor arena surrounded by blue stands and advertisements.

A person holds the reins of a black horse wearing red ribbons, likely in a competition setting. Buildings and trees are visible in the background.

A person in white attire is standing beside a black horse in a sandy outdoor show ring with white fencing and buildings in the background.

A dark horse being led by a person in white attire at an event arena with yellow flowers in the foreground.

A person in white clothing holds the lead of a black horse in an arena with white railings and flowers. There are signs in the background and a small staircase.

Dressage at Devon 2008
2nd place in the Georgian Grande class
2nd in the American Warmblood Society class
6th place in the PHR class
Owner Eileen Childs Handler Bruce Griffin

A person in white leads a dark horse by a rope in an arena with a white fence, while another person observes in the background.

A person in white attire leads a black horse with a numbered tag in an outdoor sandy area with a flower pot and banners in the background.

A person in white attire walks a dark horse in a sandy arena enclosed by white rails, with a potted plant visible in the background.

Sent: Saturday, October 04, 2008
Subject: Dressage at Devon 2008

Hey Fredericka!

I have lots of pictures for you from Devon. Its always fun meeting the Georgian Grande owners! We all seem to have such a passion for the breed. I love talking to other owners.

This year I had so many random strangers coming up to us and saying how beautiful Anya was. They thought she was absolutely gorgeous and were very intrigued by the breed. One woman who had a few friesian stallions kept coming back over to look at Anya and talked to us for a long time. She really liked her. She even wanted a IGGHR brochure! Luckily, my mom brought some with us.

When our handler, Bruce, brought Anya into the ring for her first class the judge asked what her breeding was. When Bruce told her she exclaimed, "Wow!"

She got lots of good comments on her conformation.
Meghan

Anya placed third in the Georgian Grande in hand class at Devon in Sept 2007

Person riding a black horse in an outdoor riding arena with green grass and trees in the background.

A person wearing a helmet and riding outfit is riding a dark-colored horse in an outdoor arena with a white jump pole in the background.

A person wearing a helmet and riding attire rides a dark-colored horse within a fenced area, with grassy fields and trees in the background.

A person wearing a helmet and tank top rides a horse in an outdoor arena with a wooden fence and trees in the background.

A person wearing a helmet, tank top, and riding pants rides a dark horse in an outdoor fenced area near a shed and trees.

Person in a red tank top and white helmet riding a dark brown horse in an outdoor arena with a worn white fence and barn in the background.

Sent: Monday, July 07, 2008
Subject: new pictures of Anya

Hey Fredricka!

I finally have pictures of me riding Anya. She's been doing fabulous and is progressing quickly. I've also taken her on two trail rides now and felt safe on her. Imagine that. Feeling safe riding a 3 year old on the trail!

I plan to try to take her to a breed show in September as well as take her to Devon again this year. But the most exciting thing for me will be taking her to her first under saddle show. I'm going to sign her up for a dressage show in August and do her first test. I can't wait!

Hope all is well at the farm! Tell everyone hi!

Meghan

A dark brown horse with a purple halter stands on grass next to a person holding its lead rope. There is a wooden picnic table and trees in the background.

A watercolor painting depicts a person in an orange jacket riding a black horse near a tree and a stone wall on a winter day.

To: [email protected]
Sent: Thursday, April 10, 2008
Subject: Updates on Princess Anastasia!

Hey Fredricka!

I have a few new updates on Anya and a few new pictures. She's hit quite a growth spurt and is getting huge! She's about 16.2 hands now. She was only 15.3 hands when we took her home ten months ago. Her personality is wonderful and she has a great work ethic. Every time I go to get her out of the field, all I have to do is whistle and she perks her head up and runs to the gate immediately.

I also have a strange story to tell you. I was going through some old things in my room and found a bunch of old artwork from middle school and high school. One particular painting I did jumped out at me. I've enclosed a photo of the painting. Its a picture of an all black horse with a long mane and tail and a very upright neck and headset. The horse even has feathers! It looks just like Anya. The strange part is that I painted it back in middle school before Anya was even born! You can see in the photos I sent you that it was dated and signed on November 15th, 2001. I made it the same month of my 14th birthday. I was only in 8th grade. My mom said I must have known she was coming. I just thought that was quite ironic and had to show you!

Tell everyone at the farm I said hi!
Meghan

Subject: New pictures of Princess Anastasia

Hi George, Fredricka and Robin!

I've enclosed some new pictures of Anya. She has grown even more since I last emailed you and it has only been two months! She's gaining muscle everywhere. Her topline has gotten so nice! I'll send more pictures when I get the chance.

Meghan

A person holding the reins of a dark brown horse, standing in a grassy field with some trees in the background.

A black horse with white leg wraps trotting in a fenced outdoor arena.

A person in a hoodie stands next to a dark-colored horse with a purple halter in an outdoor setting.

A person in a red shirt stands next to a dark horse wearing a bridle, holding several colorful award ribbons.

A person in a striped shirt holds a pink ribbon near a dark horse wearing a bridle and numbered tag at an outdoor event.

A person in white attire and a red tie leads a black horse in a show ring, with spectators watching from behind a white fence.

A person is leading a dark-colored horse by a rope while another person is mounting the horse in an indoor area.

To: [email protected]

Sent: Monday, November 05, 2007

Subject: PRINCESS ANASTASIA'S (ANYA'S first ride!)

Hi Fredricka and Robin!

A lot has happened since my mom has last sent you an email. Devon was so much fun! I loved meeting the other horses from your farm. Baron Von Rossi's stall was right across from Anya's, so we were able to meet and talk with his owner. The best part for me was getting to meet Anya's half brother, Prince of Thieves. He's so beautiful! He's so big and so muscular that some people thought he was still a stallion! I can't wait for Anya to get bigger. She's already grown so much though. She's put on lots of weight and gained muscle from all the long lining we've been doing with her. She's just totally blossomed. Every time I pull my car into the parking lot, which is right next to her field, she whinnies until I come and get her. She'll also continue to call to me if I'm in the barn with my other horse. It's so cute!

I have to tell you about Anya's first ride! I had been putting a saddle on her a lot in the indoor ring, so just in case she decided to buck, she'd have some room. The saddle didn't seem to be bothering her so we started doing it in the cross ties and she completely behaved herself. My mom and I had also been laying across her back a lot when she was hand grazing and she didn't care.

Back on October 22nd I officially got on her back for the first time. I had laid across her back before while my mom walked her in hand and she was great. When I finally swung a leg over I fed her some sugar cubes from her back so she'd know she was doing great. Then my mom asked her to walk forward and she put her head up and backed up a few steps and I thought, "Oh no! Don't rear!" But instead she turned her head around to my side again, begging for more sugar cubes! That was the best and funniest reaction I could have gotten. The second time I rode her she was being especially wiggly that day (probably due to the cold air) and when I got on her there were two other horses in the ring. She still was a perfect little lady when I got on her back again. I couldn't believe it! So now she's been ridden three times and I hope to start being lunged while on her so she starts to learn her commands while under saddle. She already knows voice commands so she should be great.

I've enclosed some pictures of Anya from Devon, her first ride, and a free lunging session with our trainer. I apologize for the fuzzy shots from our first ride, but it was dark and we were in and indoor ring. I'll get some better ones as soon as I can! Thank you George, Fredricka and Robin, again, for this wonderful filly!

Meghan

A black horse with braided mane wears a yellow ribbon on its bridle, held by a person in front of a white stable.

Sent: Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Subject: PRINCESS ANASTASIA - 1st Show

Hi Fredricka & Robin,

Anya made her debut and competed in her first show this weekend. It was the Breed Show at Morven Park on August 5th. She got 69.99% in the two year old fillies class and 70.2% in the Performance Horse Registry class. We thought this was great for her first time out. I was really surprised at how good she was at the show. She acted like she was at home. She even stood quietly on the trailer eating hay while waiting for her next class. We received lots of comments from people about how well behaved she was and how beautiful and elegant she is. Even the judge asked what her breed was. We think is was a very successful first show. Eileen, Meghan & Erin

Sent: Saturday, July 14, 2007
Subject: PRINCESS ANASTASIA - PICTURES

Hi Fredricka & Robin,
Here are a couple of pictures of Anya taken today.
Doesn't she look pretty in a bridle?
Eileen, Meghan & Erin

A dark brown horse with a bridle stands in a grassy area with trees and a wooden fence in the background.

A person in a pink tank top is washing a black horse outdoors, with the horse's head lowered and tethered.

A dark brown horse wearing a fly mask is grazing on grass in a fenced grassy field with barns in the background.

A person in a pink tank top and black pants is holding the reins of a shiny black horse, standing on a gravel area with trees and a fenced field in the background.

A close-up photo of a black horse with a blue halter outdoors, with trees and parked vehicles in the background. A person is partially visible in the foreground.

To: [email protected]
Sent: Monday, July 09, 2007
Subject: Re: WE LOVE PRINCESS ANASTASIA

Hi Fredericka,

Anya is doing great! She is learning so much. She now gets turned out every night and is in during the day, so she is on the same schedule as the rest of the horses in our barn. We have had some hot days and I don't think Anya is used to the humidity here yet. She goes outside at about 4:00, and is sometimes pretty sweaty by the time we get there in the evening, so we hose her off if she seems hot. She is extremely friendly to everyone . When we drive up to the barn she always nickers and comes to the fence. Once she even cantered up to us. We have tried different horse treats to see which ones she likes. She seems to like the sweet ones the best. Her favorites are licorice, butterscotch and peppermint.
If we can get registered in time, Meghan plans to show Anya in hand at Morven Park's breed show on 8/5. We are also thinking about showing her at Devon in September.
Thank you for sending the baby photos of Anya and her mom. Her mom is gorgeous. Erin used the computer to compare photos of Anya and her mom. She discovered that Anya's face is identical to her mom's. She has the same eyes, nose and ears! They are both so beautiful.
We will send some new photos soon.
Talk to you soon,
Eileen

A person with long hair holds a feed bag, feeding a black horse standing in a stable with its head tied to the wall.

A person stands beside a grazing horse on a lead in a grassy area near a stable, with a wooded area and fields in the background.

A black horse with a blue halter stands in a wooden stall, partially eating hay.

A person holding the reins of a dark brown horse standing inside a dimly lit indoor arena.

Sent: Sunday, June 03, 2007
Subject: WE LOVE PRINCESS ANASTASIA
We received this the day after Eileen and Meghan picked Anya up at FWF

Fredericka & Robin,

We finally made it home late last night with Anya. We kept stopping periodically and reassuring her. She really seemed to enjoy us checking in on her. When we offered her a bucket of water she stuck her nose in it and started to play with it! She was in that trailer for 8 1/2 hours, but was SO GOOD. She ate all of the hay in her hay bag during the trip. When she walked off the trailer, she walked right into our barn and started looking around.

She was hesistant to go into her stall at first, but after we took our quarter horse, Lady, in and out a couple of times, she decided it was ok and walked right in. I think when Anya saw Lady eating HER hay, she decided she had better get in there before Lady ate it all up. She was so funny when she was watching Lady. She held her head so high and pricked her ears, she looked like she was about eight feet tall. She really has a presence.

Anya had a successful first day. She is drinking and eating well and even tried a little bit of grain. Our barn was busy with activity and she did great. A dog even walked behind her and brushed against her legs and she didn't even twitch. She grazed outside and walked around the barn and into the wash stall today. In a day or two Meghan is going to give her her first bath. She is such a good girl. She is really smart and calm and very very sweet. She even walked and trotted on the longe line today in the indoor arena. It was really hard to believe she only arrived and stepped off our trailer less than 10 hours ago!

Here are a couple of pictures we took today.
Thank you so much for everything! We love Princess Anastasia!
Eileen, Meghan & Erin