|
 |
U.S. Nationals, 2009 Cheryl Lane-Caron & Symphony RB |
The Cranberry Knoll Arabians & NSH Trip to Tulsa was more than eventful. Our goal was to go show them know what a REAL NOR'EASTER is like! This
show was bittersweet in so many ways for us.
During my competitions in Tulsa, I planned to have a piece of my Mom, Sandy who
unfortunately was not be able to see me show at the Nationals. Sadly, we
had to place her in a Memory Care Facility the week of the Hudson Valley Show this past May.
I wore an Alzheimer's Awareness pendent in her honor on my show hack
lapel and on my costume! One of her dreams was to go back to watch the
Nationals again and to see me show Symphony at the Nationals.
 |
U.S. Nationals, 2009
Cheryl Lane-Caron & Symphony RB Top 5 HA/AA Native Costume |
She had
said: "That mare is something and with you riding her, REALLY SOMETHING and your going to
go places with her!" "You will go all the way with that mare".
My mom owned Fairlane Farm in CT and loved, bred and showed Arabians most of her life as
her 1st Arabian was Gartarde from Black Watch Farms. She owned some of
the famous National level show horses as the top ten park mare, Glenayre Katrinka,
Lewisfield Lulu++, the imported dam of LuLu, *Michelia who was also the dam of Lewisfield
Magic+/. The imported mare, *Cheran also gave us a Multi-Regional
Champion foal and that was, SL Count Anthony+/. The crabbett lineage
was her passion.
In addition, I had a piece of my Aunt Barbara (Sandy's sister) with me as I was wearing her "Live, Love & Laugh" pendent (Famous slogan of Dr. Bernie Siegal who assisted with my aunt's care at Yale) that my uncle gave to me after her passing from her battle with cancer.
 |
U.S. Nationals, 2009 Cheryl Lane-Caron & Symphony RB HA/AA Show Hack Finals |
I was fortunate to have competed only one other time in 1988 at the Nationals as one really needs a near perfect team to compete at that level. I had trained, qualified and showed my aunt and uncle's Arabian stallion, SL Count Anthony+/. We traveled to Louisville, KY together (Cheryl, Sandy, Barbara & Uncle Ron) even though my aunt was very ill from chemotherapy, she said she wouldn't miss it for the world to see her horse that she bred, raised and trained by her niece compete at that level. She made the trip but passed very shortly after (3 months later).
This show is not only for my own personal achievement but also for my Mom & Aunt Barbara, two of the most influential people who guided me in the wonderful world of arabian horses!
Naturally, I couldn't have done any of this (especially the driving) without the support of my wonderful husband John (who rarely sees me...I am always in the barn), Uncle Ron who has been like a father to me, my brother, Jon, sister, Karen, all of my great friends and all of my students who make this all worth while!
Our plan was to give it our best shot and show them what we are really made of here in the Northeast! Boston may have the Patriots, the Red Sox, the Celtics, the Bruins, the Pops but best of all.....they have Symphony RB! As my slogan says; "it's all about the fun"! We did just that came home with a US Top Ten in The Open Costume Class, made it all the way through to the Finals in the ever so grueling Open Show Hack, got the ever popular "must have" bomber award jacket from the Hat Lady and had FUN, FUN, FUN!
Jess and Frosty Earn Merit Awards 2011 |
Return to Top of Page |
A dream doesn't become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work. -Colin Powell
Jesselyn is truly the embodiment of this quote. The entire Cranberry Knoll Crew could not be any more proud of Jess who, in her two short years of showing, has earned the Amateur Horseman of Merit Champion Award from the Arabian Horse Association!
The Horseman of Merit Champion is awarded to any amateur individual AHA member participant who has accumulated 75 or more points. At least 30 of the points must have been won in Showmanship, Breeding and In-Hand classes and 30 of the points must have been won in any one or more of the following: performance classes (includes driving), dressage, equitation, combined driving, eventing, pleasure (carriage) driving, racing, competitive trail or endurance rides.
 |
Above photo by Don Stine |
 |
2011 Region 16 HA/AA Country English Pleasure AT Champ - RESERVE CHAMPION
2011 Region 16 HA/AA English Trail Horse AT Champ - RESERVE CHAMPION
2011 Region 16 HA/AA Sport Horse Geldings In-Hand AT Champ - RESERVE CHAMPION
2011 Region 16 HA/AA Mounted Native Costume - RESERVE CHAMPION
2010 Region 16 Arabian Sport Horse Stallions In-Hand AT Champ - CHAMPION
2010 Region 16 HA/AA Sport Horse Geldings In-Hand AT Champ - TOP FIVE
2010 Region 16 HA/AA Sport Horse Geldings In-Hand Champ - CHAMPION
2010 Region 16 HA/AA Sport Horse Under Saddle AT Champ - RESERVE CHAMPION
Click Here to see Jess's letter from the Arabian Horse Association.
Cheryl Lane-Caron, Julie Dugas, Pinebrook Jack Frost+ and Jesselyn Dugas |
Jesselyn Dugas and Pinebrook Jack Frost+ |
"I came to know Jesselyn over the 2010 winter season when she wanted to show Arabians and entered my riding program. Jess is an “Old Soul” and is by far one of the most responsible young adults I know, as well as the most attentive, honest and hardworking student I have encountered. She understands balance between her education and play time as she will take time off riding to complete reports for school or programs within her school system. There are times in the barn after she rides and I ask; “Where is Jess”? The response is, she is in the office completing areport due 2 weeks from now. This dedication is a rarity and Jess possesses it!
Whether back at the barn, at a schooling show or National Event, she helps everyone out. When at a show and I can’t find her, she is either helping a fellow rider, at the ring rooting for a friend, in the wash basin scrubbing dirty horses, lunging a horse, cleaning tack or simply mucking a stall. She never once gripes and always says “yes” to help others out. She never says “no” to help anyone out. She is every riding instructor’s dream student & I am proud to say she is my student & friend! She is open minded! Although partial to the Arabian breed, Jess never casts judgment of what style of riding, breed of horse they are riding or is sees someone in need ALWAYS offers to help whether she knows the individual or not!
While always respectful, Jess has challenged my own thinking at times and is not one to settle for the "easy explanation." She listens attentively during her lessons and gives me her all. I fully trust her judgment decisions around the horses and have made the personal decision to lease my personal National Champion horse, Symphony RB to further her showing career. Jess always has a positive attitude and congratulates other competitors.
I trust Jesselyn’s judgment with every aspect of her daily activities. Jess is a kind and caring individual with a healthy balance of eagerness and endless patience. She is a team player in every sense of the term, who possesses a high standard of morals and ethics. Not only is she an exemplary student in my riding program, but she dedicates as much time as necessary to excel in her scholastic studies as well. Jess is an “A” student, honorary member of the National Honor Society as well as a member of FFA program at the Bristol Agricultural School with veterinary school on the college horizon.
In December of 2011, Jess received her AHA Amateur Achievement-Horseman of Merit Award in her 2 show seasons on the Arabian circuit with Cranberry Knoll! She earned this honor with Pinebrook Jack Frost, Moonshine Malachi, Symphony RB in 10 different divisions! I personally am pleased that Dottie Paquette referred Jess to me and I have had the pleasure to have her be a big part of my life. None of this could have been achieved if it were not for her loving Mom, Julie, and grandparents, Sharon & Jimmy, who attend every show, lesson & banquet!"
-Cheryl Lane-Caron
