JEF Anna Rose is a 2004 Connemara/Trakehner cross, bred by Ginny Winkler of Journey’s End Farm in Gardner, NY. She came to live with me at the age of six, having only been lightly backed.
When I met Anna, I was looking specifically for a Connemara/warmblood cross. I wanted a sport horse with the temperament and “all around” attitude of the Connemara with some of the additional movement and athleticism of the warmblood. Anna certainly lived up to those expectations, and we have shared many adventures together.
Anna successfully competed through novice level in eventing, jumpers to 0.90m and Third Level dressage. She has earned numerous awards and accolades throughout her career from the American Connemara Pony Society, the US Eventing Association, and the US Dressage Federation, and has ranked in the US Equestrian Federation’s Horse of the Year program.
Anna schooling at Denny Emerson’s Tamarack Hill, 2012 (photo credit: May Emerson)
Anna spent the summer of 2014 with me at Denny Emerson’s famed Tamarack Hill Farm in Strafford, Vermont. We have ridden in clinics with equestrian luminaries such as Michael Page, Jan Ebeling, Jen Verharen, Jan Conlon, Cindy Canace, Conrad Schumacher, Nancy Guyotte, Jeremy Steinberg and the late Verne Batchelder.
Anna retired from active competitive pursuits in 2020 to focus on pleasure trail rides and hunter paces. I’m sure she would step up to work in the ring again if asked, but as a wonderful, steady go-to type of gal, she seems pretty content to take life these days at a slower pace.
Anna and her longtime stablemate Liatris finishing up a benefit trail ride, Fall 2020
In 2023, Anna was awarded the Tre Awain Halfbred Performance Award by the American Connemara Pony Society, and joined its Hall of Fame. This lifetime achievement award is presented annually to a halfbred Connemara in recognition of a career of outstanding achievement in both competitive and non-competitive endeavors.
Anna with the Tre Awain Award Perpetual Trophy. This lifetime achievement award is sponsored by DJ Moore and Laura Balding.
JEF Anna Rose Notable Career Accomplishments
American Connemara Pony Society Hall of Fame inductee: Tre Awain Award for Halfbred Performance (2023)
American Connemara Pony Society: silver medals in eventing and jumpers; Award of Excellence in dressage (the Society’s highest discipline achievement level)
US Eventing Association: silver medals at the beginner novice (2012) and novice (2013) levels. Qualified for and competed at the Area I Championships 2012/2013.
US Dressage Federation: Connemara All Breeds Award Program Reserve Champion First Level Musical Freestyle (2016)
US Equestrian Federation: Ranked 4th for Halfbred Connemara Dressage Horse of the Year (2016)
Ranger 100 Mile Challenge (100 miles of ridden trail) (2020)
Journey 100 Mile Challenge (20/100 miles of ridden trail, in partnership with my other four mares) (2020)
Ranger 100 Mile Challenge (100 miles of ridden trail) (2021)
Cante Tinza 100 Mile Challenge (100 miles of ridden trail) (2021)
Tevis Cup Virtual Ride (100 miles of ridden trail in 100 days; 6th horse to complete the required miles) (2022)
Starlight 100 Mile Challenge (100 miles of ridden trail) (2022)
Tevis Cup Virtual Ride (100 miles of ridden trail in 100 days) (2023, 2024, 2025)
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