Serendipity's Savannah -- the perfect pony!
Sire:  Oak Hills Country Song   Dam:  Oak Hills Maggie

In the top left photo, you see Savannah at a USDF Show in Winamac, Ind., where she won a first and second in her Intro Level dressage tests and had a great time at the show. She was one of two ponies at the show in a sea of warmbloods. I was really proud of her performance and her saintly attitude. In the photo second from left, you see Savannah asking if she can come in the house. (Sometimes I put the ponies in the yard so I can enjoy the view out the window, but it's hard to keep Connemaras off the porch!) The photo third from left is an image of the two of us having fun at Reg. 5 Connemara Show in Oct. 2002.   

At the Wabash Valley Pony Club Dressage Show and Combined Test, Savannah showed that formal schooling over fences is not always necessary if the jumping hooves belong to a Connemara! She had never jumped a course of jumps prior to this show, but that didn't stop her from putting in a clean and steady round (over cross rails!) and winning her combined test out of 8 competitors. 

Savannah is a Dawn of Promise Farm foundation mare. In October 1997, she was inspected and approved by the breeding stock inspection committee and received her international passport. 

The most fun thing about Savannah is she takes everything in stride. Almost nothing spooks her or causes her worry. An example of this is Savannah's willingness to show over fences at the Wabash Valley Pony Club Show mentioned above. Savannah had only been doing light work over fences - jumping logs in the woods and cavaletti at home. When I cautioned Robin (who was riding Savannah for me since I was show photographer that day) about the lack of over-fences schooling, Robin's response was, "But its Savannah. She won't mind if we school her during the class!" And she didn't. She jumped those brightly painted fences without a second thought and earned first place in her division. 

I took Savannah to several dressage clinics in 1999 and 2000. She is a fast learner and very forward and responsive. In 2001, she was a superstar lesson pony at Dawn of Promise Farm for very young beginner riders. In 2002, she continued as a wonderful lesson pony and also competed with me at the Reg. 5 Connemara Show at the Hoosier Horse Park where she earned many ribbons and was honored with a trophy designating her "Most Saintly Connemara" of the show. This was voted on by the competitors. Micah Baumgartner also competed with Savannah at the show in two Walk-Trot dressage tests. Excellent riding Micah!

In addition to Connemara genetics, we attribute much of Savannah's easy-going nature to her excellent start in life through some gifted trainers and patient, caring riders. Savannah was started under saddle at age three in 1997 by Meghan Doyle. Meghan uses natural horsemanship techniques to train youngsters, starting them slowly and allowing them time to build confidence and respect in their human partners. She does much of her work with ponies and horses at the beginning of their training without bridle or saddle. 

Savannah always attracts a following of children and adults both who love her golden dun color, her intelligent expression and her precocious personality.