July 1998 – Materilprufung, Cologne, Germany.
Happy Hour earned 6th place in this prestigious under-saddle competition
against 26 "graded" stallions (3-year-olds). He had
only been under saddle for several weeks and was being presented
as one of Induc's offspring.
August 1999 – PVDA Annual Breed Show, Upper Marlboro, MD.
Reserve Champion – Stallions
2nd – 4-Year-Old & Older Stallions
& Geldings
September 1999 – Dressage at Devon, Devon, PA.
Happy Hour placed very well amidst very steep, well-established and
seasoned competition. Dressage at Devon is the largest and most prestigious
breed show in the U.S., and was the largest in the world this year with
respect to number of entries. In the 4-Year-Old & Older Stallions class,
he placed 6th with excellent marks for his movement, elasticity and
balance. In addition, he went on to win
the IBC for Trakehners out of a field of 15 or 16 other Trakehners.
Again, he received excellent comments on his type, balance, movement
and his excellent manners.
March 2000 – Equilibrium Horse Center Winter Schooling Series,
Crofton, MD.
1st – Training Level 1
– 69.09%
1st – Training Level 2 –
70.83%
This was Happy Hour's very first under-saddle competition in the U.S.,
a practice for his next competition, which will be USDF/AHSA recognized.
As always, he was a true gentleman and quite a proud showman, and again,
he captured everyone's eyes and heart!
April 2000 – VADA/NOVA Spring Dressage, Morven Park, VA.
1st – Training Level 1
– 64.545%
2nd – Training Level 2 –
69.166%
This was Happy Hour's very first recognized competition against a field
of older and more seasoned competitors. Numerous 8's were earned during
the two test rides, in addition to 8's for his gaits. Some comments
from judge Barbara Wiefelstede include: "lovely horse; super expression"
and "a pleasure to watch; very talented..." He handled the competition
environment like a pro and was absolutely stunning to watch. As numerous
onlookers commented – "he is a real looker!"
May 2000 – PVDA Spring Competition, Upper Marlboro, VA.
3rd – Training Level 1 – 68.686%
4th – Training Level 1 – 68.868%
3rd – Training Level 2 – 75.000%
In his Training 2 class, Happy Hour scored mostly 8's and a 9 for the
specific movements, and 8's for his gaits and impulsion, with excellent
comments. This was only his 2nd recognized competition in a large field
of very seasoned and tough competition. As always, he handled the competition
environment like a pro, was a real gentleman, and showed incredible
willingness.
June 2000 – VADA/NOVA Breed Show, Leesburg, VA.
Reserve Champion – Stallions
1st – 4-Year-Old & Older
Stallions
2nd – 4-Year-Old & Older
Stallions U/S
2nd – Dressage Suitability
As always, Happy Hour's performance and attitude was outstanding during
this breed show despite the heat, humidity and chaotic environment.
He was a true "champion" in all respects. He earned First Place amidst
a field of very good and competitive stallions. Needless to say, we
are very proud of him – as always!
August 2000 – PVDA Breed & Dressage Show, Upper Marlboro, MD.
Reserve Grand Champion – Show
Reserve Champion – Mature
Horse
Reserve Champion – Stallions
1st – 4-Year-Old & Older
Stallions
5th – Training Level 4 – 62.400%
3rd – First Level 1 – 64.640%
Happy Hour was competed by Marija Trieschman at Training Level 4 and
First Level 1 for the very first time in very large classes comprised
of very competitive and well-known horses and professional riders. The
Training 4 class alone had 25 entries. He went on to score even better
in the more difficult class – First Level 1. He received very favorable
comments from the judge and never set a foot wrong. His trot lengthenings
and transitions were especially beautiful. Both tests were very elegant
and fluid.
October 2000 – Amercian Warmblood Society (AWS) Inspection, Newmarket,
VA.
We took Happy Hour to the AWS Inspection to hopefully gain entry into
another registry, primarily as a convenience to prospective clients.
Happy Hour received a "Silver Medal",
in addition to being the 2nd highest scoring horse (the highest was
a 2000 foal by just a couple of points).
Happy Hour received outstanding marks and comments from the evaluator
and was approved with flying colors. Not many stallions are approved
for this registry. We were very impressed with the format and the level
of detail the inspector went into with each and every horse. The inspector
had many positive comments to the audience regarding Happy Hour's very
high quality as a stallion. His scores were as follows:
Walk – Purity & Correctness – 8.625
Walk – Quality of Gait – 9.375
Trot – Purity & Correctness – 10.0
Trot – Quality of Gait – 10.30
Disposition – 8.50
In addition, the inspector demonstrated to the audience (with Happy's
assistance) those traits he possesses that are so much desired when
breeding: #1 was temperament – they place very high value on a stallion's
disposition and willingness. In addition, Happy Hour so very nicely
demonstrated his lovely uphill/powerful, and very elastic, supple, and
ground-covering movement with great pleasure.
Needless to say, we are very pleased with these results. As always,
Happy Hour was incredibly accommodating and showed everyone his stuff!
October 2000 – CDCTA Horse Trials, The Plains, VA
Our deepest thanks, sincere appreciation, admiration and respect go
out to our young fellow, HAPPY HOUR and to
his wonderful, talented and kind young rider, Tammy Wolfe. We had the
great pleasure to meet Tammy in 1999, and we not only became a team
to prepare Happy for this ATA performance testing, but we also became
good friends. Tammy and HAPPY HOUR did not
have many opportunities to school together due to HAPPY’s breeding & competition schedule and Tammy's college schedule. It’s
amazing just how much they accomplished with minimal opportunity to
train. We were very thankful to have been introduced to Tammy and we
felt we could trust her to be correct, kind and tactful in her training
of HAPPY HOUR. Tammy was 19-years old and
a very talented rider (soon to be retiring from the horse scene &
off to the Army for a while...). This particular competition was our
last opportunity to complete HAPPY’s Novice Testing as Tammy was due to be off to boot camp soon, so the
pressure was even more intense for all of us. Not only did we have that
pressure – Tammy was quite sick (walking pneumonia!). Despite this,
Tammy realized the tremendous importance of this event to us and really
rose to the occasion, as did HAPPY HOUR.
Their dressage test was super – they earned many very complimentary
comments, even though Tammy will say herself that dressage is definitely
not her forte (she says dressage makes her nervous, but she is very
comfortable jumping over Prelim. fences...). The next hurdle (about
an hour later) was the cross-country. Tammy and I walked the course
and it was quite tough! The terrain was what worried me the most, but
Tammy felt confident she and HAPPY HOUR would
be just fine as they had previously schooled over quite varied terrain.
The wind was blowing about 25-30 mph, so that added to the excitement.
My husband and I could only see the very first cross-country jump and
then the rest was up to the powers above. It seemed like an eternity
passed when we finally saw Tammy and HAPPY coming
over the hill to the next to last jump. It was such a relief to see
Tammy and HAPPY galloping over the last jump
and coming through the finish line!
It was then time for the stadium jumping (about 35 minutes after the
cross-country). The timetable for this entire event was incredibly tight
(3+ hours to complete all phases). There was barely enough time for
Tammy to change clothes and walk the stadium course. Once again, the
two of them rose to the occasion (as tired as they both were) and rode
a flawless stadium test. They earned loud cheers from the crowd when
Tammy urged HAPPY HOUR over a couple of fences
as she could feel he was getting tired, and even more loud cheers when
they successfully completed the course. They were one of only 3-4 horse-rider
teams out of about 24 who had a clear round in the stadium jumping.
Some very important things were reconfirmed in our minds during this
event – one, the incredible willingness and heart that all of these
horses have for us humans, particularly in light of what we ask of them;
two – and as always, the incredible heart and soul that our young stallion, HAPPY HOUR possesses. While our fellow was
not formally “observed” for 97 days prior to this event,
he once again very consistently demonstrated his total willingness,
versatility, athleticism, trainability, rideability and his huge heart
(traits his lineage has been known for throughout the world for generations).
He always demonstrates these and other most desirable traits without
fail, and consistently passes them on to his children. It is the “test
of time” that determines a horse’s success as a high quality
breeding stallion. He is ridden by amateur and professional alike and
always gives 120%. HAPPY HOUR is not really
built to be a cross-country jumper, but he gave it everything he had
with such incredible willingness and trust in his rider – and
he seemed to have a great time. And for such a “green” jumper,
he displayed excellent form and bascule over each obstacle. Tammy said
that during the cross-country phase, all she could do was hang on to
his mane as she could not catch her breath, and that HAPPY
HOUR got her through the entire course. They were truly an awesome
and inspiring team and HAPPY HOUR was (and
remains) an excellent representation of the Trakehner breed. Everyone
came up to see him and pet him and all asked what breed of horse he
was, as he was quite different than the other horses. Needless to say,
he really capitalized on all of the attention – he loves it!
I cannot express my love, thanks and feelings adequately in words for
both HAPPY HOUR and Tammy. This young gal,
as sick as she was, gave it everything she had because she knew how
important this was to us and because was is so fond of HAPPY
HOUR (and still is – she visits him as much as possible).
There is a tremendous commitment of all horse owners, but I believe
even more when one has a stallion. This entire experience broadened
our horizons and gave us a renewed appreciation of just how difficult
it is to properly promote a young stallion. What a day it was! A huge
congratulations to HAPPY HOUR and Tammy as
they both truly deserved it!
2000 Year-End
PVDA Year-End Awards – Training Level – High
Score Champion – 75%
which he earned in Training Level 2 at the PVDA Spring Recognized Competition,
held in May 2000.
AWS Bronze Medal out of
all the mature stallions presented in-hand during 2000 in the country.
May 2001 – PVDA at Hunter's Creek, Mt. Airy, MD.
1st – First Level 1 –
67.143%
3rd – First Level 3 – 63.143%
Almost 2/3's of the marks were 8's, inclusive of the Collective Gait
mark which was also an 8
July 2001 - Dressage at Lexington, Lexington, VA
1st – First Level Test
1 – 67.50% (12 rides), Judge – William Soljentyes (S)
6th – First Level Test 4 – 64.706% (23 rides), Judge – Carter Bass (R)
High Score First Level
August 2001- PVDA Breed Show, Upper Marlboro, MD
3rd – Four Year Old & Older Stallions Showing In-Hand Only
September 2002 – Dressage at Devon Breed Show, Devon, Pennsylvania
Champion – American Warmblood
Society (AWS) IBC Class – 79.10%
Reserve Champion – American
Trakehner Association (ATA) IBC Class – 77.10%
Handler: Russell Oden, Oden Sport Horses, Texas
Happy Hour received excellent comments regarding his lovely head, expression,
very strong & harmonious top line; strong shoulders & wither;
very elastic, uphill and ground-covering movement; excellent overstride
at walk. He received an "8" for conformation and an overall
score of "8." A great thanks to Russell for yet another fabulous
handling of Happy Hour!
2002 Year-End
Midwest Trakehners Year-End Awards – Stallions In-Hand – Reserve
Champion
based on score of only 1 competition – Dressage at Devon Breed Show
National AWS Year-End Awards – Stallions In-Hand – 4th
based on score of only 1 competition – Dressage at Devon Breed Show
April 2003 – VADA/NOVA Spring Dressage, Leesburg, VA
2nd – First Level
Test 4, ABIC Qualifier – 68.611%, Judge – Maryal Barnett (S)
5th – First Level Test 4, ABIC Qualifier – 65.000%, Judge – Lisa Schmidt
(R)
June 2003 – Dressage at Heavenly Waters, Bel Air, MD
ATA High Score – First
Level Test 3, BLM Qualifier – 67.714%, Judge – Sally O'Connor
1st – First Level Test 3,
BLM Qualifier – 67.714%, Judge – Sally O'Connor
2nd – First Level Test 4,
ABIC Qualifier – 67.222%, Judge – Sally O'Connor
July 2003 – USDF Region 1 Adult Clinic w/Walter Zettyl,
Upper Marlboro, MD
Happy Hour & our instructor
were selected to participate in the USDF Region 1 Adult Clinic conducted
by Walter Zettyl that took place over this past weekend. While Happy
and I were selected and rode in the 2002 Walter Zettyl Symposium last
year, I was unable to ride at this clinic. We are very, very pleased
and proud that Happy Hour once again rose to the occasion in doing an
outstanding job of representing the Trakehner breed in the most positive
light – the type of positive publicity our breed needs and deserves.
His movement and way of going was just superb – a sheer joy to observe
by all. And as always, Happy gave at least 120% with what appeared to
be great pleasure. We received many complements from clinic attendees,
and as always, Herr Zettyl was absolutely wonderful and most inspirational.
And I'll never forget as he said to our rider & the audience, ..."you
are a very lucky and fortunate person to ride such a wonderful horse
as he"... What a fabulous weekend for all!
August 2003 – PVDA Recognized Breed Show, Upper Marlboro, MD
1st – 4-year-old &
older Stallions in-hand
Champion – Stallions
Reserve Champion – Mature
Horse
HAPPY HOUR's son PERFECT HOUR (aka "Peter
Parker"):
2nd – Colts & Geldings
of 2003
November 2003 – Fall VADA/NOVA Championship Dressage Show, Morven
Park, VA
ATA High Score Award
1st – Second Level Test
1, Judge – Joan Humphrey (S)
1st – Second Level Test
2, Judge – Lorraine MacDonald (S)
2nd – Second Level Test
1, Judge – Joan Humphrey (S)
December 2003 - “Through The Judge’s Eye” Dressage Forum
with Linda Zang, sponsored by Dressage Today and the PVDA, Morven
Park, VA
HAPPY HOUR was invited to participate as
a team to demonstrate the proper execution of Second Level, Test Four.
Submission of a video of the horse & rider performing at their indicated
level, a rider biography, and performance/training information on each
horse were the criteria for selection of participants in this forum.
All horse/rider teams were selected by Ms. Zang.
2003 Year-End
Midwest Trakehners Year-End Awards
First Level – Champion
Second Level – Champion
USDF All-Breeds Awards
HAPPY HOUR's first son KOSMISCH
earned the #1 placing in
the US for 2-Year Old Trakehner Colts & Geldings – A very BIG congratulations
to his owners/breeder, John & Kari Cassel, Little Rock, AR.
August 2004 – Morven Park Summer Recognized Breed Show, Leesburg,
VA
1st – 4+ Year Old Stallions
(showing in-hand and under saddle)
Champion – Stallions
Champion – Mature Horse
3rd – 4+ Year Old Stallions Under Saddle – 70.5%
(this was the first time Britta has ever ridden Happy Hour with the
exception of a warm-up the evening prior to this competition. KUDOS to Britta and Happy Hour – what a lovely display of elegance, class
and a most uphill and energetic ride! Britta is a lovely and very correct,
tactful, soft and effective rider. Both Britta and Happy received the
most complimentary remarks from the judge and it was a ride most pleasurable
to watch by all. Our sincere thanks and appreciation to Britta and Happy
Hour!
P.S. This was Happy Hour’s first in-hand competition in a year,
and his first under-saddle competition since November 2003.
September 2005 – Made in the Shade Dressage, Williamston, NC
1st – Second Level 3
September 2005 – VADA/NOVA Autumn Recognized Dressage Competition,
Leesburg, VA
1st – Second Level 1
1st – Second Level 2
July 2006 – EEMI Summer Recognized Dressage Competition, Leesburg, VA
1st – Third Level Test 1, 67.778%
Competition High Score – Third Level
June 2007 - Dressage at Heavenly Waters, Baltimore, MD
2nd - Third Level Test 3, 63.023%
July 2007 - PVDA Ride For Life, Upper Marlboro, MD
2nd - Third Level Test 3, 60.930%
July 2007 - EEMI Dressage Summer Classic, Leesburg, VA
4th - Fourth Level Test 1, 58.140%
August 2007, EEMI Summer Fling Dressage, Leesburg, VA
5th - Fourth Level Test 2, 58.00%
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