Our 2010 cover contest winner is Happy Feet, a 5 year old Westphalia gelding, pictured after winning first place, Training level in his first recognized show at the Midsummer Dressage Show in Lake Elmo, MN. Happy Feet, better known as “Howie” is owned and ridden by Amy Eitrheim of Menomonie, WI.

It had rained quite a bit that morning of the show making for a puddle-filled arena. So when “Howie” came to "X" for his first "halt, salute" he gracefully jumped the water hazard before halting and saluting, much to the delight of the audience. Even the judge commented on the test: "nice jump at X, but no extra points".
   
 “Howie” and Amy train with Andrea Feller of Silvermine Farm in Eau Claire, WI.  With her help, they are working on Second level movements, and hope to show this summer at First level, with a goal of qualifying for the Regionals.  Amy is a long-time member of her local dressage club, the West Wisconsin Dressage Association, serving on their board of directors.  She and “Howie” are members of the Westphalia Horse Association, as well as USDF and USEF.  The pair hopes to continue riding, training, and showing for many years to come.

This photo was photographed and submitted by Kay Geraghty of Mondovi, WI. 

“Winning this contest was really fun for me and the dressage riders here in WI. We are a small group but have a great time.  Some of the prize money will be used for the purchase of new camera equipment to take more pictures of my friends and the horses we love”.