Farrier James Pfeiffer

One of the many things that makes Chestnut Hill such a special place is the team of horse care specialists we work with to keep our horses happy and healthy.  Meet farrier James Pfeiffer, pictured here with his son, and the horse Capone.

James started riding as a boy mostly because he loved to go fast.  He later rode and competed in three-day eventing , and it was during a horseshow that he met his wife, Andrea.  When they married, they had nine horses between them, so James realized it was “a good deal to learn how to shoe a horse.”

For the first nine years of his career as a farrier, James apprenticed under Bob Lantis, one of the first ten to be inducted into the “International Farrier’s Hall of Fame.”

James continues to shoe the horses in his wife’s training program at Chocolate Horse Farm, in Petaluma, California, as well as for us, and other training programs in the surrounding area.  In 2011, Andrea’s assistant trainer, Kelly Prather, qualified for and competed in the prestigious Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event on “Ballinakil Glory.”

We are fortunate to have such a skilled, experienced farrier on the Chestnut Hill team!

Successfully leased!

Congratulations to Donna Boyajian on the lease of “Impromptu” from fellow Chestnut Hill rider, Emily Lewis, who is now off to college.  We are delighted to keep this sweet and lovely horse in the barn, and very happy for Donna, who has been taking lessons with Beverly for several years and is delighted to now have her own horse to ride.  Congratulations to all and good luck to Donna and “Boone.”

NEW HORSE: Solo

Congratulations to Kristin Loewenthal on the lease of “Solo” (pictured above), a 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding.  Look for these two in the Adult Amateur jumper ring!  A great big thank you to Nina and Mariano Alario for this incredible horse.

New Pony: Junior Mint

Congratulations to Caroline Robbins on the lease of Junior Mint.  This large pony has been quite a find for which we give a big “thank-you” to Stacey Schafer and Ben Guanciale!  Caroline and “Junior” have already been enjoying lots of success in the show ring, as pictured above at Menlo, and are a great match.  Look for these two in the large pony hunters and age group equitation rings!

HMI August Classic Results

The HMI August Classic at Sonoma Horse Park was a great show for Chestnut Hill competitors with tri-color ribbons in the jumpers, hunter and equitation divisions.  Hayley Jacquin and her new pony, “Right On Time” (pictured above) earned their championship in the Short Stirrup Equitation 10 & Under by winning every class in the division! The new duo also brought home a reserve championship ribbon in the Children’s Pony Hunter division, and a red ribbon in the Horse & Hound Pony Medal.

Kristin Loewenthal and her horse, Le Petit, were champions in the Pre-Adult Amateur Jumpers and reserve champions in the Adult Amateur Training Jumpers.

Mia Rudick and Reveille took home their championship in the Children’s Hunter 17 & Under division, and also came in fourth in the $1,000 Rebalance Pilates Children’s/Adult Amateur Hunter Classic.

Making their show ring debut, Madeline Twomey and Guardian Angel (pictured below), brought home a blue ribbon in the Walt Trot division. Congratulations to all!