Help Fund Farrah & Sinead in 2015
Donation protected
Forrest Nymph, or "Farrah", is a 14.2h New Forest Pony mare owned by Beth Davidson and ridden by 4 Star Event Rider and 2014 US Eventing Team Member (WEG), Sinead Halpin.
A message from owner, Beth Davidson
Three day eventing in the equestrian world is rather like a triathalon: Horse and Rider set out to master three disciplines. The New Forest Pony, Forrest Nymph (Farrah) is the first purebred NFP to ever compete to the CCI** level (Intermediate). The goal is for Farrah and her World Equestrian Games Rider (Sinead Halpin) to compete at Advanced and the CCI*** level.
Just over a year ago, I set out to find the right rider to help the pony realize her full potential. Forrest Nymph, or “Farrah” is not your typical 14.2 hand New Forest kid’s pony: she is red and sassy and thinks she is a full sized horse and eats cross country courses for breakfast.
I found that match Farrah needed in a rider with Sinead, a rider who brings empathy and tact with good humored determination. Sinead and I agreed to partner for one year with the goal to syndicate her by the end of 2014.
After successfully completing one training, five preliminary, three intermediate, one CIC 2* and one CCI 2* together, Sinead and the pony have proven that heart beats size anyday. Competing against full sized horses, the pony and Sinead never finished out of the top ten in national competitions! Their CIC 2* at Plantation resulted in a finish of 18/83 and at Fair Hill's CCI 2* (arguably the most difficult in the nation), they finished 41/111.
I believe that this pair can go far together. However, the journey has been a challenge financially. I am a biologist by day and the owner of Black Dog Farm in Plant City, Florida where I run a breeding program for Connemara Sport Ponies. Committing to this partnership and upper level expenses has been tough and has required sacrifices from my family to make ends meet. Sinead has also supported a lot of expense out of pocket, because she believes in the pony and believes ponies have a place in the Eventing world. We had hoped to syndicate Farrah in 2014, but have not been successful to date.
Over the next two weeks, Sinead and I are asking all fans, supporters, fellow eventers and pony enthusiasts to jump on board to help this partnership continue in 2015. We'd like to give them a shot at Advanced in summer/fall of 2015, but without outside assistance, we will have to place Farrah up for sale. It’s not every day that an underdog gets a shot, but I believe in the pony, I believe in Sinead, and I believe that the pair has a lot to show the eventing world!
Due to the generous donations from sponsors, we will be running a Facebook auction on Farrah's page with the following items:
For our US followers:
-2 breeding doses to the New Forest Pony stallion "Wicked Courtjester" generously donated by Lesley Feakins, breeder of Farrah (frozen doses only).
-1 breeding dose to the Connemara stallion "WH Topgun" generously donated by Nancy Kilcrease.
-1 Horsemanship 101 package which includes 1 ground work lesson with Tik, 1 rope halter, and 1 training scale DVD generously donated by Tik Maynard .
-2 lessons with Ashley Leith , 3 Star Event Rider and certified ICP Level III instructor through the U.S. Eventing Association’s Instructor Certification Program.
For our European followers:
-Up to 5 breeding doses to the New Forest Pony stallion "Carlo" , the grandsire of Farrah, generously donated by Hengstenhouderij Reilink.
If you have something you would like to donate, please email Beth Davidson .
Q&A with Sinead:
Q: Describe Farrah in a few words.
A: Confident, Fierce and Fearless.
Q: What is your most memorable moment with Farrah?
A: Trotting into the arena at FairHill CCI ** Show jumping was probably one of the most memorable experiences with Farrah so far. I had a moment of, Oh my god this little pony just jumped around one of the toughest CCI**s in the US and is trotting into this show jumping arena without a doubt in her mind she should be here.
Q: What has been your biggest obstacle to overcome as a pair?
A: Getting Farrah to trust me is still an on going process. It took me the best part of 6 months to get her to just respect me enough to cooperate in daily training but handing over her trust is not something she takes lightly. Every day she is trusting me a little more and more. The last few minutes of cross country at Fair hill she was tired and we just took our time and made it home together, I think that strengthened her trust in me. She has already come out softer this year.
Q: What is it like looking up at fences as you approach them?
A: It took me a while to get comfortable jumping fences bigger than Farrah but she is such a firery little thing I didn’t have much of chance to think twice about what was in front of us!
Q: What do ponies offer the sport of Eventing?
A: Ponies are catty little things that have footwork, brains and self-preservation what else do you need in an eventer! I think more young riders should look to find ponies to take them through the levels. I have learned how to really take on fences with Farrah, she has helped my cross country riding immensely.
Q: What is in store for 2015?
A: I am really looking forward to 2015 with Farrah. Last year was first about getting to know her and again gaining some ground as far as respect and trust. This year we are starting in a really good place so im eagar to see what we can accomplish! We will aim for another 2 star this spring and if all goes well possibly advanced in the summer.
Tentative 2015 spring season for Farrah and Sinead
Farrah just returned from vacay and will be debuting her Spring season in February!
-Feb 6-8 Ocala Horse Properties (OP)
-Feb 13-15 Rocking Horse II (OI)
-Mar 4-8 Red Hills CIC 2*
-April 2-5 The Fork (OI)
-May 6-10 Jersey Fresh CCI 2*
SHE/Pony in the press & media:
From owner, Beth Davidson on Finding the Right Match
October 2013, Sinead Halpin Gets Ride on Super Pony
January 2014, Forrest Nymph Thriving with Sinead Halpin
February 2014, Catching Up with Sinead Halpin and Forrest Nymph at Pine Top
May 2014, Tuesday Video from SpectraVet: Forrest Nymph Takes on Intermediate
May 2014, Wednesday Video from Kentucky Performance Products: Sinead Halpin and Forrest Nymph
September 2014 Super Pony Forrest Nymph Marks Another Milestone with Sinead Halpin
September 2014 SpectraVet Performance of the Week: Super Pony Forrest Nymph
October 2014, One To Watch: Forrest Nymph Will Show Her Pony Power At The Fair Hill CCI**
October 2014, Halpin and Farrah -- size doesn't matter for this eventing combo
Upcoming Press
February 2015, Feature in Native Pony Magazine (UK)
Spring of 2015, Feature in ISR Oldenburg Magazine
Plantation CIC 2* September 2014
Photo Gallery
Thank you to all of the photographers who have contributed photos of Farrah and Sinead. All photos were taken from Sinead's website and Facebook.
Stay Connected
Follow the journey on Facebook @forrest nymph
Follow Sinead on Twitter @sinead_c_halpin
Follow Black Dog Farm
Interested in joining the team? Email Beth Davidson for syndication information!
A message from owner, Beth Davidson
Three day eventing in the equestrian world is rather like a triathalon: Horse and Rider set out to master three disciplines. The New Forest Pony, Forrest Nymph (Farrah) is the first purebred NFP to ever compete to the CCI** level (Intermediate). The goal is for Farrah and her World Equestrian Games Rider (Sinead Halpin) to compete at Advanced and the CCI*** level.
Just over a year ago, I set out to find the right rider to help the pony realize her full potential. Forrest Nymph, or “Farrah” is not your typical 14.2 hand New Forest kid’s pony: she is red and sassy and thinks she is a full sized horse and eats cross country courses for breakfast.
I found that match Farrah needed in a rider with Sinead, a rider who brings empathy and tact with good humored determination. Sinead and I agreed to partner for one year with the goal to syndicate her by the end of 2014.
After successfully completing one training, five preliminary, three intermediate, one CIC 2* and one CCI 2* together, Sinead and the pony have proven that heart beats size anyday. Competing against full sized horses, the pony and Sinead never finished out of the top ten in national competitions! Their CIC 2* at Plantation resulted in a finish of 18/83 and at Fair Hill's CCI 2* (arguably the most difficult in the nation), they finished 41/111.
I believe that this pair can go far together. However, the journey has been a challenge financially. I am a biologist by day and the owner of Black Dog Farm in Plant City, Florida where I run a breeding program for Connemara Sport Ponies. Committing to this partnership and upper level expenses has been tough and has required sacrifices from my family to make ends meet. Sinead has also supported a lot of expense out of pocket, because she believes in the pony and believes ponies have a place in the Eventing world. We had hoped to syndicate Farrah in 2014, but have not been successful to date.
Over the next two weeks, Sinead and I are asking all fans, supporters, fellow eventers and pony enthusiasts to jump on board to help this partnership continue in 2015. We'd like to give them a shot at Advanced in summer/fall of 2015, but without outside assistance, we will have to place Farrah up for sale. It’s not every day that an underdog gets a shot, but I believe in the pony, I believe in Sinead, and I believe that the pair has a lot to show the eventing world!
Due to the generous donations from sponsors, we will be running a Facebook auction on Farrah's page with the following items:
For our US followers:
-2 breeding doses to the New Forest Pony stallion "Wicked Courtjester" generously donated by Lesley Feakins, breeder of Farrah (frozen doses only).
-1 breeding dose to the Connemara stallion "WH Topgun" generously donated by Nancy Kilcrease.
-1 Horsemanship 101 package which includes 1 ground work lesson with Tik, 1 rope halter, and 1 training scale DVD generously donated by Tik Maynard .
-2 lessons with Ashley Leith , 3 Star Event Rider and certified ICP Level III instructor through the U.S. Eventing Association’s Instructor Certification Program.
For our European followers:
-Up to 5 breeding doses to the New Forest Pony stallion "Carlo" , the grandsire of Farrah, generously donated by Hengstenhouderij Reilink.
If you have something you would like to donate, please email Beth Davidson .
Q&A with Sinead:
Q: Describe Farrah in a few words.
A: Confident, Fierce and Fearless.
Q: What is your most memorable moment with Farrah?
A: Trotting into the arena at FairHill CCI ** Show jumping was probably one of the most memorable experiences with Farrah so far. I had a moment of, Oh my god this little pony just jumped around one of the toughest CCI**s in the US and is trotting into this show jumping arena without a doubt in her mind she should be here.
Q: What has been your biggest obstacle to overcome as a pair?
A: Getting Farrah to trust me is still an on going process. It took me the best part of 6 months to get her to just respect me enough to cooperate in daily training but handing over her trust is not something she takes lightly. Every day she is trusting me a little more and more. The last few minutes of cross country at Fair hill she was tired and we just took our time and made it home together, I think that strengthened her trust in me. She has already come out softer this year.
Q: What is it like looking up at fences as you approach them?
A: It took me a while to get comfortable jumping fences bigger than Farrah but she is such a firery little thing I didn’t have much of chance to think twice about what was in front of us!
Q: What do ponies offer the sport of Eventing?
A: Ponies are catty little things that have footwork, brains and self-preservation what else do you need in an eventer! I think more young riders should look to find ponies to take them through the levels. I have learned how to really take on fences with Farrah, she has helped my cross country riding immensely.
Q: What is in store for 2015?
A: I am really looking forward to 2015 with Farrah. Last year was first about getting to know her and again gaining some ground as far as respect and trust. This year we are starting in a really good place so im eagar to see what we can accomplish! We will aim for another 2 star this spring and if all goes well possibly advanced in the summer.
Tentative 2015 spring season for Farrah and Sinead
Farrah just returned from vacay and will be debuting her Spring season in February!
-Feb 6-8 Ocala Horse Properties (OP)
-Feb 13-15 Rocking Horse II (OI)
-Mar 4-8 Red Hills CIC 2*
-April 2-5 The Fork (OI)
-May 6-10 Jersey Fresh CCI 2*
SHE/Pony in the press & media:
From owner, Beth Davidson on Finding the Right Match
October 2013, Sinead Halpin Gets Ride on Super Pony
January 2014, Forrest Nymph Thriving with Sinead Halpin
February 2014, Catching Up with Sinead Halpin and Forrest Nymph at Pine Top
May 2014, Tuesday Video from SpectraVet: Forrest Nymph Takes on Intermediate
May 2014, Wednesday Video from Kentucky Performance Products: Sinead Halpin and Forrest Nymph
September 2014 Super Pony Forrest Nymph Marks Another Milestone with Sinead Halpin
September 2014 SpectraVet Performance of the Week: Super Pony Forrest Nymph
October 2014, One To Watch: Forrest Nymph Will Show Her Pony Power At The Fair Hill CCI**
October 2014, Halpin and Farrah -- size doesn't matter for this eventing combo
Upcoming Press
February 2015, Feature in Native Pony Magazine (UK)
Spring of 2015, Feature in ISR Oldenburg Magazine
Plantation CIC 2* September 2014
Photo Gallery
Thank you to all of the photographers who have contributed photos of Farrah and Sinead. All photos were taken from Sinead's website and Facebook. Stay Connected
Follow the journey on Facebook @forrest nymph
Follow Sinead on Twitter @sinead_c_halpin
Follow Black Dog Farm
Interested in joining the team? Email Beth Davidson for syndication information!
Organizer
Beth Davidson
Organizer
Plant City, FL
