Sent: Saturday, May 16, 2009
Subject: FWF Princess Star on Fire

Dear Fredericka,
Many apologies for not providing you with any updates on Princess and I since I purchased her from Kimmie last year! We are both doing quite well.
I must thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for breeding such a wonderful mare! She is truly beautiful, both outside and in, and I consider it a blessing that she is mine! People always ask what her breeding is and who the breeder was!! Much praise from all!

Our first year together has been spent getting to know each other. I am a petite,(4'11"), middle aged rider, relatively new to the sport of dressage. Princess has the best temperment, and tons of patience!! If I ask something incorrectly, I just don't get it correctly- no fuss or bother, like you might get from another horse! She tries to figure out what you want. But when asked correctly, it's awesome! She is uphill, smooth--- the best! My trainers, Marilyn Payne, and Holger Bechtloff, and coach, Annette Longo, all love her and love to ride her! She's got so much talent!

Last season, we went to two local schooling shows at Applewood Farm, here in NJ. and competed at Training Level, tests 3 & 4. At the first show we had scores of 66.000% at test 3, and 64.400% at test 4, Lisa Schmidt judging. The score at the second show was 64.400% (again!) at test 4, Cindy Canace judging. The 66% qualified us for the ESDCTA Championship Show at Training Level , in September, which I felt kind of nervy going to, since I've got virtually no show experience. But we did go, and we WON, out of a field of 21! Our scores were 72.000% at test 3, First Place, judge Susan Jones-Sinelink, and 61.600% test 4 , Fifth Place, judge Elsie Kellerman. (We broke at the canter in test 4, and I was too nervous--didn't get it back at all). So what a thrill to find out that we won the champioship!

We had a fabulous first show of the season this year, on May 3rd, at Bucks County Horse Park. A (gulp) recognized show. It was miserable weather! I rode Princess at Training Level 4, and received a score of 70.800%, First Place, Ann Forer judging! My coach and dear friend Annette Longo rode Princess First Level, test 3 ( score 68.857%, First Place, Pamela Wooding judging) and First 4 (score------75.000%!!!!!!! First Place, Ann Forer judging) Princess won the Championship at First Level!!!

Even more exciting was meeting another Flying W Farms horse at that show- Baron von Rossi- and his owner Leonard, and rider, GiGi. Baron is such a flashy, sweet guy! They also had a terrific day! What nice people.

We have another show coming up on May 27th at Applewood (schooling), and again on June 3rd at Hawk Hollow Ranch (recognized). I am going to be brave and try First Level myself!

I will attempt to send some photos asap. Many thanks again!

Melinda Pesci