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Dreamcatcher Meadows dressage horses receive new honours

Pemberton stable recognized by two organizations
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hanging with the champ The Dreamcatcher Meadows crew is shown with Dreammaster DMV. Photo submitted

Once again, a small stable near Pemberton has made its mark south of the border.

Dreamcatcher Meadows, owned by Jill Giese and John Dingle, recently received awards from two organizations.

The American Hanoverian Society bestowed its mature mare champion award on Ballerina DMV, who scored 79.75, and its mature stallion award on Dreammaster DMV, who tallied 76.50.

The American Warmblood Society then gave Dreamcatcher Meadows six additional awards.

Dreamcatcher Meadows entries didn't have competition in any of their categories, but in the overall scope of the competition, posted several of the day's high scores.

In the dressage sporthorse in-hand category, Lordsley DMV was the top mature stallion while Dreammaster DMV was second, and Lady of the Dance was first in the mature maiden mares category. In the materiale (performance) category, Royal Tourmalet SPF won first in both the three-year-old and three, four and five-year-old colts and geldings division. Lastly, Lordsley DMV won the four and five-year-old stallions and geldings division.

These honours help to bolster Dreamcatcher Meadows' cachet, as it has won the United States Dressage Federation's Breeder of the Year Award the past two years. Giese deferred credit to the entire team at the stables, saying the well-oiled operation has helped it compete against some imposing competitors.

"We're up against a lot of really big barns and syndicates and large operations," Giese said. "We're honoured to be in that company and come out on top."

Ballerina DMV, in particular, is a jewel in the Dreamcatcher crown, emerging as a reserve champion as a three-year-old rookie before finishing in top position the past two years. Ballerina is owned by Joey and Earls restaurant magnate Bus Fuller.

Giese said the stable entered only three shows last year. Several factors, including the distance traveled to attend competitions, the low Canadian dollar and expenses associated with going international, will keep the number low again in 2015.

"Unlike our American competitors, each horse has to get a vet inspection each time they go across the border," she said. "It's over $100 for each horse.

"We're going to probably end up limiting the number of shows again this year and hope for the same results," she said.

However, the stable will branch into a new division, as Dingle and Dreammaster will compete in FEI-level competitions.

As well, rider Kirsten Mitchell will look to crack Dressage Canada's national team.

"We've been training really aggressively with the under-saddle part of things," Giese said.

Giese added the stable is expecting the births of five foals this year.

Dreaming DMV recovers

In other stable news, there was good news for Dreaming DMV (Bonnie), a mare who suffered serious health problems. In recent years, her life was jeopardized after battling situations ranging from a prolapsed womb to laminitis, an inflammation of the laminae, which joins the coffin bone to the hoof capsule.

However, after undergoing a rare surgical procedure to treat the laminitis, she has made a full recovery.

"She's now out with the other horses during the day and she seems to have made a full recovery," Giese said. "We're so pleased about that."