On the Road Again!

Reporting straight from the sleeping quarters of Phillip Dutton’s trailer, cruising down Interstate 95, this is Ryan Wood and Woodstock Eventing! We left Aiken last night around 10pm with a rig full of horses, heading back to True Prospect Farm, in West Grove, Pa. After driving all night, we dropped off our 4 legged cargo, and we’re now heading back down south to run at the Fork before heading back to Pennsylvania for the season. Luckily, I get to take a well needed nap in the tack room while one of Phillip’s working students takes the wheel.

This month has been another busy one. I continued to ride and compete several of Phillip’s young horses, while also focusing on my own group of clients. I’ve been bringing along Frankie, a new and exciting 5 year old TB prospect that I found for owner Charish Campbell of Chesapeake Sport Horses, in Easton, Md. Frankie is showing great promise on the flat and is extremely athletic over the jumps. Check out the new footage on the Chesapeake Sporthorse’s YouTube Channel!

I also continue to train and compete Ann Rawle’s talented young stallion, Avebury WF, who is pictured here schooling at home (photo credit Ellie Rawle) and competing at Pine Top (photo credit www.hoofclix.). He put in an impressive dressage test, jumped double clear stadium and x-country to finish in a respectable 6th place. The Rawle’s have been fabulous supporters, helping me to organize multiple clinics and joining me at the shows to chronicle “Dillons” progress.

Wolf has also been in top form, taking 1st and 2nd at Dressage at High Fields in Aiken this past weekend. I’m running him in the Intermediate division at The Fork, and then we’ll be returning home to True Prospect on the 5th.

Ellie Rawle has put together our own Woodstock Eventing channel on YouTube, so check it out. Many thanks to Ellie Rawle for all of her photographic contributions, videos and enthusiastic support!
Looking forward to spring and hoping to post some good scores this month.

~ Ryan

Devoucoux Custom Saddles Sponsors Ryan & Woodstock Eventing!

Devoucoux Custom Saddles & Woodstock Eventing officially confirm their partnership.  Ryan will join the ranks of other top eventers who chose to ride in these fabulous saddles!

Devoucoux Custom Saddles are created in Biarritz, France, by Jean Michel Devoucoux. A confirmed event rider, Jean Michel made his very first saddle for himself. Indeed, he couldn’t find anything that would meet his demanding needs on the market; saddles that could provide perfect balance, safety and freedom for both horse and rider.

According to Devoucoux, “The Devoucoux brand’s spectacular rise to success has been due to the fact that its range of products meets the needs of riders that have until now been unsatisfied. Devoucoux saddlery products are designed for all riders and all types of mount, whether competition or leisure. ”In less than fifteen years, this ex-apprentice groom from Ciboure, in the Pyrénées Atlantiques, has created a product that has become the world leader in high-end saddles. The Devoucoux image has come to represent luxurious and handcrafted fine French leatherwork throughout the world.”

For more information on this company’s history, success and products please visit their website.

Update from Woodstock Eventing

It’s a busy and exciting beginning of the season for Australian rider, Ryan Wood.  Wrapping up the winter down in Aiken with Phillip Dutton, Ryan has been keeping his riding skills in top form by riding at least 10 horses a day for both Phillip and his own clientele.

This past weekend, Ryan flew home from Aiken to conduct a clinic at Watermark Farm, located in Cochranville, Pa.   Anne & Ellie Rawle, great clients of Ryan’s and owners of their stallion in training, Avebury WF  (pictured left),  hosted this clinic and sent the following excerpt: 


“A break in the fierce winter weather was all we needed for a full day of jumping instruction from Ryan Wood.  A couple of people signed up at the last minute after they managed to dig out their horse trailers on Saturday, and were thrilled with how much they learned.  Ryan's progressive approach and cheerful style kept everyone on track.  Utilizing cavaletti, turning gymnastics, and grids….youngsters and older campaigners benefited from this experience.

Everyone left with the comment "When is he coming back?" So, we are planning for an April clinic, and will let everyone know!  Thank you Ryan for traveling up to the land of endless snowdrifts to provide us with a great day!”

Ryan also has several new prospects that he’s bringing along for the 2010 competition season.  “Frankie”, an impressive OTTB, previously earned over a ½ million on the track & is now showing great promise with his next career as an event horse.  Ryan commented on his fabulous movement & said that he jumps like a stag with incredible scope & athleticism. 

On his last trip home to Australia, Ryan found his most recent import through a friend at a local pub.  Ned Kelly (see previous blog submission), a fabulous TB/Irish Sport Horse cross, was produced by a local breeder & showed such promise that they kept him intact until he was 5 years old.  Ryan found him to be a bit of an undiscovered talent, as the previous owners focused on their breeding program & did not spend much time competing.  The hope is that this young talented horse, who Ryan feels has the total “X-Factor”, will be Ryan’s next advanced level competitor.

It’s also time to return Wynella Wolverine, otherwise known as “Wolf” to upper level action!  After taking a season off to recover from an injury, Ryan is ready to hit the upper levels again.  Many thanks go to Ryan’s sponsor, Kesmarc (Kentucky Equine Sports Medicine and Rehab Center) who helped Wolf in his recovery.  With cutting edge therapies such as the Aquatred, swimming & the Equi Gym, Wolf has quickly returned to his previous conditioning & competition level.  Ryan plans to run him in the Intermediate Division at The Fork in April, as well as the Advanced Division at Fair Hill, with the goal of the Bromont 3* in June! 

Please visit our new YouTube Channel http://www.youtube.com/user/woodstockeventing) featuring Wolf schooling at home, plus we’ll be adding new videos in the near future.