News Vista del Lago - Pure Spanish Andalusians

REVISION NEWS: We breathed a big sigh of relief on Tuesday when our mare HP Escalante I was inspected by Dr. Jaime Chapa at the revions site of Barbara and Mal Currie's Oak Hill Ranch in Agoura - and passed! What made this so important on this particular revision is that I bought my black mare as a 3-in-1 package. Since she subsequently had the foal she was carrying as well as being bred back to Fandango, we actually had 4 horses' fate riding on this presentation. Obviously I believed she would pass when I bought her, but I have been waiting for over a year to present her and it was time to weigh in. Not only was she accepted into the Spanish Stud Book, but Dr. Chapa took one look at her proclaimed her to be black, not bay as her Spanish records indicated. I had already had a DNA test for coat color performed at UC Davis, but I didn't even get a chance to make the request - Dr. Chapa beat me to it.

It could not have been a more perfect day (except for the traffic getting there). Everything ran like clockwork. The horses were all well behaved and Dr. Chapa had such a calm way around the horses and they definitely repsonded to him. The accomodations were fantastic and we were treated to a lovely lunch after all of the horses had been presented. Thanks to everyone who made this happen.

September, 2007 ~ News from Mimi Zobairi about Centelleo (Fandango D x Jicara II)

Well, just got home from the show. Unbelievable news!! The show was two days, triple rated, and had two separate judges - so on each day he was judged a different judge for 1st level Test 1 and 1st level Test 2. Yesterday, he came out doing some airs above the ground and he ended up receiving a 63.333% from Loris Henry on test 1. But then he calmed and on test 2 he received a 69.444% from Lilo Fore. Today, he was in the groove and he received (!!!!!) a 72.666% on Test 1 from Lilo Fore and a (!!!!) 70.833% on Test 2 from Loris Henry.

This was a show where all the horses were huge warmbloods and the judges were tight with the scores. And, it was his very first 1st level show. I came home with 3 first place ribbons and 1 second place ribbon. Against warmbloods at an all German facility! The judges wrote that he was supple moving, had a willing work ethic, was very forward, harmonious, and they complimented his canter (as usual).

And, the best news is about his steadiness and character. As he was leaving one ring from his test, another riding on a huge horse was having problems. Their horse was bucking, rearing, and refusing to go forward. The judge said they were about to be disqualified. So, Tayo and my rider went to him and led him to the entry of the dressage court. Then, Tayo stood at the corner of the dressage court until the horse was done with his test. Afterward, the other horse's rider and entire entourage thanked us.

Then, today during warm-up, a girl was thrown badly and her horse was galloping at breakneck speed through the indoor arena and no one could catch him. There were about 7 horses in the arena. Tayo and my rider went to head him off and help to stop him. Tayo never spooked or acted up. Then, as soon as someone caught the horse by the reins, Tayo went right back into practicing his test, like nothing happened!

Victory at Yarra Yarra! Centelleo (Fandango D x Jicara II), owned by Mimi Zobairi, blew away the competition at the February 18th dressage show at Yarra Yarra Ranch in Pleasanton, CA. Elizabeth Searle judged this triple rated show and awarded Centelleo with a 72.609 on his Training Level - Test 1 performance and 72.859 on his Training Level - Test 2 go. To top it off, she wrote "Very Attractive Horse" on each test and gave him 8's on all his gaits. Centelleo is now in training with USDF judge and Gold Medalist, Christiane Noelting and will be moving up to First Level. I'll be posting more show results as the season progresses. The Fandango D x Jicara II cross is proving to be a dynamic pairing. We can't wait to see the 2007 result of this breeding!

Congratulations to FIANZA VDL, owner Jean Bohannon and trainer Christy Hopkins of Painted Desert Andalusians for several wins at the IALHA Region One show. Fianza won her Fillies 2 and Under Amateur class with Jean presenting. Christy took Fianza to a Reserve Championship in the Fillies 2 and Under Open class. We are very proud of all three of you - Congrats!!!!

And, Fandango continues his successful breeding program with another 100% conception rate. Thank you to Alex Mejia who purchased Divertida from us. We had bred her and passed her on thinking she was open, but low and behold, the pregnancy was missed and she was in foal when she was checked again on the other end. Great work, Alex!

Unfortunately, two of our own mares slipped, but we had 3 foals and each of our clients had beautiful healthy foals. We have two P.R.E bay fillies and a bay colt. Fandango continues to stamp his offspring with size, color, athleticism and the best temperaments you can ask for. We currently have 4 of our own mares pregnant for 2007. Stay tuned!

Winding up the year. We sold all 2005 babies and found wonderful homes for each of them. We (Fandango) can also boast a 100% conception rate. All of our mares and the mares of our clients are pregnant. We are looking forward to a productive 2006!

We have a lovely new crop of foals this year. Two colts, and get this - a FILLY!!!!! We thought it would never happen. Regalada gave us an exceptional gray filly. This is her nicest foal to date and we couldn't be happier. This little gal is beautifully put together and sweet with lots of spunk. Jicara outdid herself this year (if that's possible) with another tall, big boned bay colt. This guy is a beauty with his dam and sire's charisma. He is solid bay with a small star as his only markings. Very possibly our Fandango replacement. Banbury Bandolera also gave us a bay colt. Another tall boy, this one is a little shy, but boy can he move. Stay tuned.

Nationals! We went to Fort Worth again for Fandango's second trip to the Nationals. Fandango's trainer, Jutta Heinsohn, left California for the big state of Texas (Stargate Sport Horses) so at the end of the summer we had no choice but to send Fandango to her. Jutta tuned him up for the Nationals and worked on Doma Vaquera which they had been working on before she left. They brought home a National Championship in Dressage - First Level, a Reserve National Championship in Dressage - Second Level and another Reserve National Championship in Doma Vaquera - Basico. It was a very successful show for Fandango and he had a great time strutting his stuff.

Fandango went to The Fiesta of the Spanish Horse in Burbank, California, his first show of the 2004 season. This is a relatively big show, combining three shows in one. It offers open dressage, Foundation sponsored classes for the Pure Spanish horse and IALHA Andalusian breed classes.

Trained and ridden by Jutta Heinsohn, Fandango was in the ribbons in every class he entered. On Friday he competed at First Level Open Dressage, bringing home a blue in each of his tests, with the third highest score of the show and the highest score for an Andalusian. His scores qualified him for the Nationals at First Level.

Saturday, he showed in Best Movement with Jutta handling him. He moved with his usual fluid, powerful reach, placing fourth. Later in the day Jutta showed him in Hunt Seat - Open. It was a tough class, big and well represented. Fandango qualified for the Nationals again, with a third place in this class which pleased us to no end.

Sunday was Dressage Suitability, also a good sized class where Fandango delivered a strong, consistent, performance where he placed fourth. Not a bad start for the season!

Our newest addition arrived - a lovely colt out of our mare Oneida and sired by Fandango. This yet unnamed colt is BIG. He has a lovely head and nice long neck, a long sloping shoulder and powerful hindquarter. He is as gentle as can be and promises to be a stunning colt. His dam, Oneida, is a whopping 16.2 mare sired by Jugueton V, a notable Champion of Spain. We are expecting great things from this one. Watch for pictures!