On July 13, Marydell Farms three-year-old filly, Donna Hall MF, traveled to Raleigh, N.C., to be presented for inspection by the American Hanoverian Society. This was the first daughter of Don Principe to be presented and Marydell Farm representatives were hopeful that she would excel.

Not just any mare can be bred in this registry she must first meet a minimum standard. Donna was inspected by Harmut Wilking of Diepoltz, Germany, and Vanessa Carlson of Oklahoma. The comments on her type, conformation and gaits were more positive than expected and Donna Hall MF became one of a handful of top mares to receive the designation Elite Eligible with a score of 7.66. Only about 10 percent of all mares ever inspected will receive that accolade. Donna was also the highest scoring mare of the day and went home with the champion ribbon.

July 14 saw another Don Principe daughter, Divine Destiny, another three-year-old owned and bred by Anita Crause, travel to Columbia, S.C., to do her inspection. Once again, a daughter of Marydell Farms stallion outshone the other mares present. DD, as she is known, went home with the high score of the day and became Elite Eligible.

Only two days later, Marydell Farm traveled to Lexington, Virginia to the Dressage at Lexington Breed Show.

Four horses contested their age and gender open classes and all four triumphed with top scores, earning the top three and the fifth highest of the show.

Donna Hall MF won her three-year-old filly class with a score of 79.5 percent and went on to be the second Reserve Filly Champion.

Delacroix MF, a two-year-old son of Don Principe out of Stellar Hit MF, a Sandro Hit daughter, also showed his style. Winning with a score of 77.7 percent, Doc as he is known on the farm, went on to be the Colt Champion and second Reserve Young Horse.

EM Rising Star MF, an eight-year-old broodmare, traveled along with her filly form this year and won the broodmare class, showing that age does not make a difference in a top quality horse. Rising Star won her class with the second highest score of the show – 79.9 percent and took home both Mare Champion and Mature Horse Champion titles. She was outscored only by her own daughter, Quintessa MF.

Quintessa MF, by Quaterback, at only three months old, was a little superstar herself. Taking the six hour trailer trip in stride as well as the hustle of being in a show barn with the big horses, being bathed and braided for the first time, Quintessa exhibited her grace and character.

Receiving a score of 81.4 percent, the only score above 80 and the highest of the show, Quintessa had the blue in her class and went on to be the Foal Champion.

Impressing the judge, Dinah Babcock of Texas, Quintessa stole the show quite literally. Taking the honor of Young Horse Champion paled in comparison to the exhibition she put on in the grand championship round. Her handler throughout the day was Brendan Curtis of Wilmington, N.C. Curtis had to compete in an under saddle class scheduled at the same time of the grand championship, so Christine Smith took the leadline of this filly and ran all out.

Due to her placing and score, Quintessa MF also took home High Placing Hanoverian and Highest Score Born in the U.S.A. honors.

Virginia Tech has an equine breeding program and Dr. Rebecca Splan brought her team to this large and prestigious show. These young ladies helped out the other exhibitors by braiding where needed as well as showing a 2010 Don Principe colt, Denali VT, and his dam, Dom Perignon. Denali VT took home top placing in his open class and was Reserve Foal Champion as well as winning the Oldenburg class. The team also scored well and swept the amateur handler class.

All of these horses have now qualified for the regional championships at the biggest breed show in America, Dressage at Devon this coming September. The Marydell Farm horses will travel to Devon, Pa., on September 20 to compete with the top horses in the country.

Don Principe is also winning blue ribbons. With Jennifer Marchand, Prince made his Intermediare II debut in New Jersey on July 22. Three classes resulted in three blues and scores of 66, 67, and 68.9 percent. Topping this was news recently that Prince and Jen will be attending and competing at USET Gladstone, N.J., for the Collecting Gaits Farm National Intermediare I Championships.

Marydell Farm will be featured in the EPNet photography seminar this fall for professional equine photographers. They welcome visitors at all times. Marydell Farm was ranked reserve Champion in both USDF and USEF Breeders for 2009.