Callas -

 

Took a lesson last weekend and my pal Shari got some nice pics. It's a little sad what a year of no lessons does to one's position, but it was fun anyhow and very good for Callas!

 

Callas hits the trails! No photos yet, but Callas has started trail riding. She is a little nervous and very alert, but is being a really good girl. Today we walked through a puddle. She had to think about it, but worked it out and quietly walked through. I think she is going to be an awesome trail horse once she gets a little mileage. Yesterday (and today) we encounted deer. Lots and lots and lots of deer. She spooked in place and stared very intently, but with a little effort, I got her attention back and she was great!

Okay - here's a goofy trail ride pic from Henry's camera phone. Not flattering for either one of us, but you can see that we are having fun! Callas was watching some other horses at the trailers at Morgan Run.

 

From our jumping lesson. It was an evening lesson and by the time the warmup was done, it was too dark to get any decent photos, but a nice pic of her trot warmup!

 

From her first schooling show. She was wonderful - totally unphased by traffic, bugling stallions and bunches of ponies running around. Thanks to Toni for piloting her around her tests so nicely.

Halt on the center line. Square and attentive.

Nicely active

Pretty girl!

Trot circle.

She has such a beautiful canter.

Callas Maria is a beautiful, black filly by Caruso ( Casaretto/Foxtrott) x Graziella (Rubinstein I /Furioso II). She is a tall (16.3) substantial filly, solid black with just enough chrome - note her four low white socks and a perfect star to complete the look. A 2003 model, she turned four in March.

This young mare has been started slowly and correctly by Angela Sasso. She has an excellent flatwork base and is going beautifully. Just started over fences, she is showing great boldness and enthusiasm for jumping.

With three impressive gaits - a correct and ground-covering walk, expressive trot and gorgeous flowing canter - she is ready to specialize in the discipline of your choice. In addition to her work in the ring, she has been lightly hacked. She is a bold forward mare - a real pleasure to ride.

3/16/2008 Callas prety much had the winter off. Bad weather and icy footing made consistent work impossible. Callas has just started back to work and is legging up.

9/1/2007 Callas is back home in Maryland in training with Siobhan Byrne. We are glad to have her home and she is doing beautifully.

 

7/15/2007 Callas did her first dressage schooling show! What a little star. Angela gave her a fun ride with no pressure and she still got a 61% (Tr1) and 64% (Tr2). The judge loved her gaits, presence and attitude!

4/20/2007 Callas is at a hunter barn this week for some intensive work over fences. They are loving her attitude o/f and she is already showing canter changes! What a gal!

Callas back home in Maryland. August 2007. Snapshot on the farm.

Trot work with Angela. March 2007

What a beautiful girl! Conformation shot. March 2007

Callas jumping - from a video clip. Early Spring 2007. Cute front end, eh?

Callas at John's - Fall 2006. First trail ride! This is pretty bombproof for a youngster!

First ride for baby girl! Summer 2006

Baby Callas at two years old. So expressive!

Her sire, Caruso, was approved by the German Westfalian Verband in 2000. His pedigree is an interesting combination of Holstein, Selle Francais and Westfalian bloodlines. His grandsire, Calypso I, is regarded as one of the top sires in Holstein who, as almost no other in that region, produces horses that are successful both in dressage and jumping. Caruso is black and stands 16.3 HH. In 2002, Caruso was Stallion Champion as well as Mature Horse and Reserve Grand Champion at the two USDF breed shows he competed in, with scores up to 82%. Caruso has now returned to Europe and is performing there.

Her dam, Graziella (Rubinstein I/Furioso II) is a liver chestnut GOV mare with impeccable bloodlines. She was sired by the legendary Rubinstein I out of the States Premium (SPS) Mare Glaeddis (FuriosoII). Graziella (Grace) was born 1997 and imported from Germany in 2000. She had an impressive show career at Training and First Levels. She won the 3 year old mare Materiale Class at Devon. As a 4 and 5 year old, Graziella qualified for and placed well in Regional Finals classes and won several Materiale and Suitability classes.