August 2016 - Wow! What a great night we had at the 'Join the Journey' Fundraiser on July 23rd. Read a note from Barbara and see lots of pics of the evening over at Barbara's Facebook page.
June 2016 - Team Strawson proudly announces our Join the Journey Fundraiser, Saturday, July 23, 2016, 5-8pm. Help us raise funds for Barbara's next International Dressage Partner!
December 2015 -Barbara receives a PVDA Scholarship to attend the Mary Wanless teacher training. Thank you to the PVDA!
Summer 2015
Barbara and Amicelli receive their highest Grand Prix score together! At the Dressage by Chance show, they earned a 74% with their Grand Prix Freestyle winning the FEI Musical Freestyle Challenge sponsored by Dark Star Sheppards for having the highest scoring FEI freestyle. They won Musical Freestyle Reserve High Score, sponsored by Jane Gates, for having the second highest freestyle score of the entire show.
Barbara and Ivan received a top score of 75.526% in the Intermediare 1, at the Dressage at Heavenly Waters horse show. They received the high FEI award and also the high score Friesian award.
Barbara and Ivan also won top honors at the Dressage by Chance Show. They won the FEI High Score award, sponsored by South Mountain Equine, by winning their Intermediare 1 test with a 69.079%.
May 2014 - Amicelli and Barbara start the season off right with a win in the Grand Prix Freestyle with 72.7% at the Heavenly Waters show in Maryland.
January 2014 - Barbara is now accepting campaign horses for the 2014 season at her exciting new facility, Misty Gleann.
Barbara received her Gold Freestyle Bar. This is for accomplishment in performing freestyles at the Intermediare and Grand Prix levels.
November 2013 - Barbara and Amicelli are Reserve Champions in the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Musical Freestyle at the BLM Championships.
October 2013 - Barbara and Amicelli were invited to the Inaugural USDF Dressage Finals. They finished 7th in the Grand Prix Freestyle and 9th in the Grand Prix.
Horses move to Barbara and Brian's new facility, Misty Gleann!!
April 2013 - Barbara receives grant eligibility with the American Horse Trials Foundation, Inc.
March 2013 - Barbara was a guest on the Dressage Radio Show. You can listen to the show (Episode #199) here: Barbara Strawson on the Dressage Radio Show.
Barbara returns from the Florida Show Circuit.
Winter 2013 - Barbara and Amicelli take on the Florida circuit.
Fall 2012 - Barbara and Amicelli compete at Dressage at Devon and the BLM championships.
August 2012 - Barbara and her husband Brian move to their new home in Clarksburg, MD. Horses relocate to WindCrest Farm.
July 2012- Barbara’s student, Jennifer Foulon, aboard her horse Little Granny, made the team to attend the North American Junior/Young Rider Championships. Barbara attended with Jennifer in July.
June 2012 - Barbara Strawson receives her USDF Gold Medal.
Barbara’s student, Jennifer Foulon, qualified for the National Junior Championships during the Festival of Champions at the USET headquarters in Gladstone, NJ. Barbara attended with Jennifer.
May 2012 - Barbara and her new Grand Prix partner Amicelli make their debut.
January 2012 – Alley Oop joins Team Strawson.
December 2011 – Barbara and Jennifer Foulon welcome Amicelli to Team Strawson. Barbara and Jennifer jointly own Amicelli. Amicelli and Barbara will be competitive partners and are looking forward to the 2012 season.
Barbara welcomes Dinah to Team Strawson.
Barbara attended the USDF National Convention and Symposium in San Diego, CA.
Mar 2011 –Now is a great time to bring out those exercise clothes and prepare for the upcoming show season.
Dec 2010 – Team Strawson had a busy and successful fall season!
BLM and USDF/GAIG Region 1 Championships
Barbara and Floete, owned by Norma Lynn Fox, wrapped up the season with a Reserve Championship in the Second level Musical Freestyle at both the BLM Championships and the GAIG/USDF Region 1 Championships. They danced their way to the tunes of Michael Jackson, edited and choreographed by Equichord. They were 8th in the 3rd level BLM Final. In addition, at the Region 1 competition, they won several of their open 3rd level classes, including 3rd level test 3, which Floete competed for the first time.
Barbara's students were also very successful!
Jennifer Foulon, on her own Ferrero, took home the Second Level Junior BLM Reserve Championship and the Third Level Junior Championship! Her success continued at the GAIG/USDF Region 1 Championships where she was Reserve Second Level Junior Champion as well as 8th in the First level Championship. She was also reserve in the USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals. This means Jennifer was second in our region and has qualified to compete in the Dressage Seat Finals this summer.
We were very proud to see Nancy Mayorga and her own Sundance compete in their first BLM Championships. Nancy rode a beautiful test in her very competitive first level class receiving several 8's! Nancy and Sundance had some fabulous placings in their open classes this weekend.
Clinics and Events
- Barbara rode Trust Me, owned by Deri Jeffers, in a clinic with Debbie McDonald held at Wyndham Oaks in Boyd, MD. Not only did they learn a lot, but they had a lot of fun as well.
- Barbara took Jennifer Foulon to ride in the USEF Youth & Pony Rider Clinic with Lendon Gray, held at Riveredge West in Chesapeake City, MD
- Barbara and Norma Lynn Fox's Floete gave a Third level test 2 demo ride, for the Axel Steiner new test riding clinic hosted by the PVDA at Wyndham Oaks.
Sep 2010 – Barbara and Team Strawson finished off the summer show season with a bang!
Barbara, in her first outing with Trust Me, owned by Deri Jeffers, won the 4th level high score award at the PVDA Loch Moy show. The following weekend at Morven Park, they again achieved high score at 4th level for the entire weekend, with a score of 71.591%.
Also, riding Floete, owned by Norma Lynn Fox, Barbara won high score for Third level at the Loch Moy show. Both horses qualified for the BLM Championships.
At Loch Moy Jennifer, riding her own Ferrero, competed for the first time at third level, winning 3rd level test 2 and also qualifying for the BLM championships. The following weekend Jennifer earned her final scores for her USDF Bronze medal.
Nancy Mayorga also qualified her Sundance for the BLM Championships with a score of over 70% in Hughsville, MD.
July 2010 – Barb has been invited to participate in the USEF Dressage Talent Search Program. Debbie McDonald will observe promising horse and rider combinations.
May 2010 – We are excited about the upcoming Transformational Boot Camp, here at Turning Point Farm, MD, on Aug 6-8.
December 2009 – Barb earned the USDF Silver Musical Freestyle Bar, based on her freestyle scores through USDF Fourth Level.
Barbara received the 2009 Region One Award for Outstanding Achievement at the FEI Levels. Barbara was selected by the GMOs of Region One for this award.
November 2009 – Degas and Barbara and their rides at the 2009 BLM and USDF Region 1 Championships are covered by Dressage News Network.
October 2009 – ESDCTA Garden State Classic Show and CBLM Championships: Degas and Barbara won the Winslow Therapeutic Riding Unlimited Perpetual Trophy for High Score at Intermediaire I.
We've moved! Our new facility is located at Turning Point Farm in Clarksburg, MD. We will continue to provide innovative programs customized to heach horse and rider, and provide a variety of clinics!
Region 1 GAIG/USDF Championships: Degas and Barbara brought home the Reserve Prix St. George Championship, the Intermediare Freestyle Championship, and was 4th in the Intermediare 1 Championship.
2009 BLM Championships Results:
First Level Championship: 68.429% - Jennifer Foulon on Ferrero
PSG Reserve Champion: 69.211% - Barbara Strawson on Degas
Intermediate 1 Freestyle Champion: 71.00% - Barbara Strawson on Degas
Intermediate 1 Champion: 69.05% - Barbara Strawson on Degas
Most Elegant Rider: Barbara Strawson on Degas - Second year in a row! This award is sponsored by Betsy Steiner Dressage.
September 2009 – PVDA Loch Moy at Loch Moy in Adamstown, MD. Results:
Barbara debuted Degas at Intermediare II, taking home third place. Barbara also earned a 71.053% aboard Norma Lynn Fox’s Floete at First Level 4 and placed second at Second Level 3.
July 2009 – The Dressage at Lexington results:
Barbara and Degas earned 3rd place with a 70% in the Intermediare I Challenge and won the Prix St. Georges division with a 65%. The pair also ended up fourth overall in the Prix St. Georges Challenge.
Floete and Barbara earned a 71% at First 3, securing them a spot in the First Level BLM Championships. The pair also got a 68.158% at First Level 4, putting them on their way to the Region 1 Championships as well.
June 2009 (update)– The 2009 Jill Hassler-Scoop Memorial Dancing Horse Challenge was a huge success, as a part of the PVDA Ride For Life. This charity event helped to raise money to The Johns Hopkins Avon Foundation Breast Center.
June 2009 – Barbara and her trusty crew are hard at work finalizing the Dancing Horse Challenge at the Ride for Life. It is shaping up to be quite a show, and Barbara has been doing the media circuit.
Here is her TV and online appearance schedule:
Channel 9 - Wednesday, June 17th, 2009 at 9:00am on 9 News Now. The Channel 9 News Team offers a report on the latest local, regional, statewide and national news events of the morning along with weather and traffic updates.
Channel 25 - Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009 at 9:55am.
Interview on Horse Girl TV ...Check it out! In case you don't already have your seats reserved for you and several hundred of your closest friends, please visit the Ride for Life web site. Stay tuned for the Newsletter to be published later this summer.
June 2009 – Barbara and Norma Lynn Fox's Floete earned a 70% at First Level 3 and a 64% at Second Level. Floete and Ferrero both qualified for BLM divisions as a result of this weekend's scores.
May 2009 – Results of the Raleigh CDI, May 29-30, Raleigh, NC:
Barbara and Marianne Campano's Degas placed Third in the CDI's Prix St. Georges and Intermediare I Freestyle. The pair earned a 66.491% and 69.650%, respectively, less than 0.5% below Second Place in both classes. They also earned a 63.772% in the I-1 class.
May 2009 – Results of the PVDA show at Morven Park, May 16-17:
Judi Rosenfeld's Zivona ISF and Barbara took 3 out of 4 wins in their First Level 1 and 2 classes, with a 69.444%, 67.778%, 67.667% and 65.333%
May 2009 – Hilary is now a qualified USDF Associate Instructor, after completing her USDF Workshops in Riding, Lungeing, and Teaching. Congratulations, Hilary!
April 2009 – Barbara and Degas finished their Florida tour with great success, taking home two firsts and a second at Dressage at Equestrian Estates, winning the Prix St. Georges with a 70.2% and the I-1 Freestyle with a 66.750%. They also took Second in the Intermediare I with a 67.895%.
Earlier in the season, at Welcome Back to White Fences I and II, the pair took 5th in the PSG with a 67.368%. At the Palm Beach Dressage Derby, they earned a 65.789% in the PSG, 63.684% in the I-1 and 63.684% in the Freestyle. At the WEF Dressage Classic, they ended up 9th in a competitive field for the PSG with a 64.526%, then earned a 64.737% in the I-1 and a 65.550% in the I-1 Freestyle.
Barbara was one of only eight riders this year to earn their USDF Silver Bar, for high scores earned in Fourth Level Musical Freestyle classes. Many thanks to Equichord for designing the freestyles that earned this award.
February 2009 – Barbara heads south to West Palm Beach, Florida, to compete in the Florida circuit. Thank you to the Culpepper Farmer's Coop for donating Degas's feed for the 2009 Florida Campaign!!!
January 2009 – On January 31st, Judi Rosenfeld hosted a cocktail party and fundraiser to support Barbara's 2009 Winter Show Season in Florida. Barbara appreciates all her generous supporters – Thank you all! Plus, everyone had a great time!
December 2008 – Barbara attended the USDF Convention and Symposium (with Kyra Kirkland), December 4-7th.
October 2008 – Degas, Prosecco, and Wie Vom Andern Stern thrilled their owners and Barbara with their performances at both the BLM and GAIG/USDF Dressage Regional Championships. In addition, Barbara was awarded "Most Elegant Rider", an award sponsored by Betsy Steiner and Equilates. Selected by the judges, this award is presented to the professional rider who 'has the best seat and position and the most effective aids, creating a picture of harmony'.
GAIG/ USDF Region 1 Dressage Championships:
Degas earned Reserve Prix St. George Champion with a score of 71%, and placed 3rd in both the Intermediare I Musical Freestyle Championship and the Intermediare I Championship.
Prosecco earned Reserve Fourth Level Musical Freestyle Champion and placed 8th in the Prix St. George Championship.
Wie Vom Andern Stern earned blue ribbons (1st place) in both Third Level Test 1 and Test 2.
Col. Bengt Ljungquist Memorial Championship Region Finals:
Degas earned 3rd place in the Prix St. George Championship, 4th in the Intermediare I Musical Freestyle Championship, and 7th in the Intermediare I Championship.
Prosecco was awarded Champion in the Fourth Level Championship, with a lovely musical freestyle compiled and choreographed by Equichord. In addition, Prosecco placed 7th in the Fourth Level Championship.
Wie Vom Andern Stern placed first at Third Level Test 3 and eighth in the Third Level Championship
June 2008 – The Jill Hassler-Scoop Memorial Dancing Horse Challenge, as a part of the PVDA Ride for Life Benefit Dressage Show, was a wonderful success. Thank you to all that supported this important, worthy cause!
June 2008 – Nicole Uphoff-Selke was guest speaker and celebrity judge at the PVDA Ride for Life Benefit Dressage Show. In addition, Nicole conducted two clinics and provided coaching at the show.
April 2008 – Dressage Today published Achieving Your Goals, an article by Barbara Strawson with Jessica McTaggart, in their April issue, on page 36.
March 2008 – On Mar 15-16, Barbara and Hilary were demo riders for the L-Judges program hosted by the PVDA, with International judge Janet Brown-Foy. Barbara rode Amy Lynch’s Ferrodonis, and Hilary rode both Jennifer Foulon’s Ferrero and Mary Mease’s Urgus. They both received some great comments and were excited to be right on track for the show season.
March 2008 – Our newest team member, Degas, owned by Marianne Campano, will be in training with Barb for the next 2 years while Marianne and her husband, Clay, must be stationed in Korea. Look for them in the FEI ring this year.
January 2008 – Barbara, and her assistant, Hilary Moore, attended the FEI Trainer’s Conference with Jan Brink in Loxahatchee Florida. They found it to be a very educational and inspirational experience.
January 2008 – In conjunction with the trainer’s conference, Hilary Moore was selected from a competitive field of the nation’s top young riders, to attend a very unique opportunity, the Graduate Young Rider’s Program. She was 1 of only 20 young riders selected to attend a panel discussion with top USA equestrians, including Carol Lavell and George Williams, and other equestrian professionals to learn all aspects of becoming a professional trainer.
October 2007 – Heike Kemmer's her first visit to the United States for a Oct 6–7 Clinic was a huge success.
June 2007 –The Jill Hassler-Scoop Memorial Freestyle Challenge was a great success and the PVDA Ride for Life Benefit Dressage Show raised over $45,000 for cancer research, and donated these funds to the Johns Hopkins Avon Breast Center, MD.
May 2007 – Barbara hosted a clinic with Nicole Uphoff for the last two weekends in May at Wyndham Oaks and it was a great success!
March 2007 – Barbara partnered with Kerrits as a Kerrits Team Rider. She will have information about all their equestrian clothing. Talk to her about their newest items!
March 2007 – Dressage Today included a photograph of Barbara riding Socrates in the article, "Learn About the 2007 Test Changes". The article reviews the New Test Clinic given by Axel Steiner, where Barbara demonstrated a Third Level test. Socrates impressed the crowd with his extended trot, which Axel Steiner said "could not have been done better". He also commented on the very clear differences the pair showed between collected, medium and extended gaits.
October 2005 – At the Regional BLM Championships, Barbara earned top honors with Prosecco as the Third Level Champion and Black Hawk as the Second Level Champion. At the USDF Region I Championships, Prosecco earned the third spot in the Third Level Championship.