JEF Anna Rose

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Anna schooling at UNH Event Camp, 2011

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 backed and worked lightly under saddle at the walk and trot. I have done the remainder of her training, for better or for worse, myself.

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Our first ride- already a match!

Anna has successfully competed through novice level in eventing (schooling training level questions when in her best form), 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, the US Dressage Federation and has ranked in the US Equestrian Federation’s Horse of the Year program.

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Anna schooling at Denny Emerson’s Tamarack Hill, 2012 (photo credit May Emerson)

Anna’s personality is dominated by the genes of her Connemara ancestors.  She is sensible, willing and adapts to new situations quickly and happily. She can also be a little lazy, and is easily won over by food.

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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 has certainly lived up to those expectations, and we have shared many adventures together. 

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Anna’s first novice at Snowfields HT, Aug 2012 (photo credit: DC Designs)

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.

JEF Anna Rose, competing Third Level circa 2018 (photo by Mily K. Photography and used with kind permission).

Anna will likely soon be stepping down to become a schoolmaster for an up and coming junior or adult amateur. She enjoys hacking out and the benefits of downtime as much as she wants to be on the go, so I expect that she will transition seamlessly into this next stage of her career!

Anna and her longtime stablemate Liatris finishing up a benefit trail ride, Fall 2020

In 2023, Anna was named by the American Connemara Pony Society as its Tre Awain Award winner. 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 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)

Anna showing off her 2020 Ranger 100 Mile Challenge medal.

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 (1oo miles of ridden trail in 100 days) (2023)

From 2020-2023, I rode 1900 miles on trail with these four mares to complete the Warhorse Endurance Pony Express Challenge. A portion of ride entry fees were donated to help keep the Pony Express National Museum in St. Joseph, MO, open during the height of the pandemic. From l-r: JEF Anna Rose, Liatris, Spring Hollow Marquesa, DRF Isabela. Although each mare contributed miles, the majority were completed on Anna and Lee.

 

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