We did it!!

Armani is officially a Grand Prix horse! We braved the horrible weather at Yarra Yarra this past Sunday and achieved our first score towards my gold medal, a 64.468%! We only had 15 minutes of warm up due to the incredibly sloppy footing. He stepped up to the plate and I could not be happier with him. I am truly blessed to have a horse like Armani. He has taught me so much over the years and I couldn't imagine my life without him. I am really looking forward to the Premiere show at Rancho Murieta the first weekend in February. We will use that show to get our first score towards Brentina cup. Thank you everyone for all your kind words and encouragement. You are awesome! Until next time,

Ari and Armani

Starting the new year off with a bang!

Hey Everyone! I hope you all are having a great start to the new year. This year Armani and I will be competing in the Brentina Cup division (Young Rider Grand Prix). We hope to finish  the season top 12 in the nation and get an invitation to compete at the 2012 Festival of Champions in New Jersey. We have our first show January 22nd at Yarra Yarra in Pleasanton. We will use this show to try and get my first Grand Prix score towards my Gold Medal!!! We will then compete at the first Northern California qualifier towards Brentina Cup at Rancho Murieta in February. I am so proud of how far Armani and I have come! I was told when I first bought him that he would never be an FEI horse. I always believed in him and now we have made it to Grand Prix together! This never would have been possible without the love and support of my family. I owe so much to them. A big thank you also to my trainers, Heidi Riddle and Heidi Gaian and sponsors, Schleese Saddlery and Buck Fart 'N Run horse cookies. I am really looking forward to this season and will keep you all updated on our road to Brentina Cup!

Ari and Armani