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Monday, May 19, 2008

On the Scene: Lamplight CDI 3***
Coverage brought to you by DressageDaily's Mary Phelps - a Markel Equine Insurance Specialist

Amanda Johnson is Enjoying Her New Neighborhood

Since leaving Iowa last year, Johnson has based herself at Silverwood Farm in Camplake, Wisconsin. The farm is owned by Lisa Froehlig and Howard Nelson. Froehlig also rides and took a reserve championship in Prix St. Georges competition at the Lamplight CDI. "Their farm is wonderful and they are great people," Johnson said of Froehlig and Nelson. "All of the people up here are very nice."

For Johnson, the move to Wisconsin was made easier by the fact that Barrie Anderson allowed her to take Pip with her. It meant that Anderson lost her own ride. "When we were in Iowa, she would ride him a few times a week. When I left I asked if I could take him along and she agreed. So, I have to thank her for that," Johnson said. "We're just doing this a year at a time until she wants him back."

No doubt, Johnson is hoping that won't be for awhile as she certainly thinks quite highly of Pip. "He's very willing and steady in everything that he does. He doesn't really have any faults and has three really good gaits. He can do everything for at least a 7. It's just up to me to keep the test really steady and that's how he does well," she said.

Johnson's Intermediaire Freestyle victory, ridden to a medley of music from James Bond films, was especially sweet to her as she designed the freestyle by herself. "I created it over several months – picked the music and did the choreography. And the judges seemed to like it. Winning with it was pretty neat, pretty special." She and Pip rode the Freestyle last year, but Johnson said the improvement in the horse has made it so much better.

Something else that is special to Johnson when she's in the show ring is the browband on her bridle. It's made from the tail hair of her horse that carried her successfully through Young Rider competitions. That horse, Glissade, had been her partner for 10 years before she had to put him down. The browband was created by Janet Quinn of Crown Jewels Design. "People have made bracelets and such with horse hair, but I wanted something more unique and there is a fad now of having more unique and beautiful browbands," Johnson said. "It was a two-year process of figuring out how to do it and weave the hair and put it together. But I wanted something of Glissade that would be with me when I show."