As of Spring 2010, Amanda is now the North Carolina Dressage and Combined Training Eventing Chairperson.
She serves the eventing community providing more clinic, championships, and awards opportunities. Check out the NCDCTA website and join today!
Amanda and Ravel competed through Third
Level Dressage, just one score shy of her bronze medal!
Amanda and Connor
received many awards and recognition this year. They qualified for a CIC*.
Thanks
for a great 2010, next year can only be better! BIG thanks to all my students, owners, sponsors, and supporters!!!
Timex Fall Series 2010
We had many riders participate in this year's timex series. Our own, Jennie Dirienzo won the series
for Maiden Senior winning a director's chair, championship ribbon, and a timex watch! Check out what she wrote in the
NCDCTA newsletter!
Jennie Direnzo of Clayton, NC was the winner of the Maiden
Senior division and she added, “Baby, my Shire/QH cross gelding, and I began eventing at the Maiden level last year
and we have steadily gained confidence since that time. When I read about the Timex series, I was very excited about participating.
Although I knew I couldn’t attend the first event, I made a commitment to attend the remaining three and hoped that
would be enough to be competitive. Maiden at both FenRidge and TTC required that we perform the Intro A dressage test and
the stadium and cross-country jumps were no higher than 2 feet. Baby and I were very comfortable with both the dressage test
and the height of the jumps and we were able to place in the top three in both events. I was so proud of my boy! Then came
CHP and I was quite nervous. The dressage test was Beginner Novice A and I had been having a little trouble picking up my
left lead canter. Also, when I walked the cross country course some of the jumps, which were up to 2’3”, looked
really big and the course seemed much longer than both FenRidge and TTC. Could Baby and I do this? Well, it turned out that
we could! Not only did Baby pick up his left lead canter but he received an 8 on that movement. He sailed through the cross
country course and was 1 of only 2 horses that went clean. I could not have asked for a better day. Not only had I placed
1stat CHP but we come in 1st in the Maiden division of the Timex series. What a successful Fall. Now
I only have to quiet my friends who tell me it is time to move up!”
CHP Starter HT, November 21, 2010
Congratulations to all students who competed in the event. Full results here!
Kelly Daniels and I made the quick 24 hour trip to Aiken, SC for her first Preliminary. Jumping
Branch is the best move-up course with its open and inviting courses. She put in a good dressage test, keeping it together
in those counter-canters, only one rail stadium, and clean cross-country with great time! The icing on the cake was
she took home the blue! Couldn't have been a better day!
MidSouth Three-Day and Horse Trials, KY, October 21-24,
2010
Kelly and I loaded up and headed to KY. Kelly competed in her first Training
level 3-day. Kelly learned so much about how valuable the long format is and how it works. She went double clean
endurance day and steeplechase was thrilling! She only added 4 SJ penalties to finish 15th out of a huge field of competitors.
Connor competed in the Preliminary HTs. He put in a good dressage test, but totally rocked the cross-country with a
double clean round!! He also finished 15th out of a big division. We also competed in the team challenge, so our
team finished an impressive 3rd.
Fenridge Farm HT, October 17, 2010
Full
Results HERE! Congrats to all who competed! Amanda Miller Atkins, Emily Dressler, Claudia Hall, Jennie Dirienzo,
Tracy Ruff, Jessica Hales, Heather King, Hope Almy, and Ashley Williams.
MacNair's Country Acres, October 10, 2010
Amanda and Connor won the Preliminary CT and Lantz won the Novice CT. Jenna and Celli finished
4th in both Intro A and B. Jennie Dirienzo finished 3rd in the Maiden CT with a 33.5! Katie Bradley finished 2nd
in the BN CT with one of her best dressage scores to date. Nicki Wrench finished 3rd and 5th in Intro A and B with great
scores. Kelly practiced her dressage with Yank and Rom for top placings in her classes.
Hillcrest Horse Trials, September 18, 2010
The crew had a great event! Claudia Hall, Emily Dressler, Jennie Dirienzo, Megan Carper, and Ashley
Williams competed. Everyone did great, some experienced their first event, others gaining mileage! Pictures can
be viewed here by Jena Bruno.
MacNairs Country Acres, August 8, 2010
It was hot, hot, hot at this show, and so was the competition. In the Maiden CT, Jennie
Direnzo and Baby took 1st place with a score of 30.5. Emily Dressler and Bugsy
earned 4th place with 37.5, and Margaret Maher and Hailey's Comet took 5th, with 39.5. Tracey
Ruff and Last Laugh grabbed 6th place with their score of 37. Amanda Miller Atkins
showed Wine NDiamonds in Training Level 4 with a score of 55.6 for a 5th place finish, as well as First Level 1,
with 1st place and a score of 53.33.
MacNairs Country Acres, June 20, 2010
The Miller Eventing Team was out in force again, with Jena Bruno and
Celli B making their dressage debut with a score of 61.5 in Intro A placing 5th, and a score of 61 in Intro B, placing
4th! Emily Dressler also debuted with her mount Bugsy, tying for 4th in Maiden CT. Brittany
Alston and Snickers achieved 1st place in Training CT, finishing with a score of 36.8. Laura Whalen
and Angel came in 3rd inTraining Level with a score of 63.04, and earning a 10 on their centerline!
Fenridge Farm Horse Trials, May 30, 2010
Another hot sunny day in NC, and a great day for spectators and competitors alike at
Fenridge Farm. Claudia Hall and Kismet took the plunge and competed in their first horse trials,
earning a 47.5 in dressage. Jennie Direnzo and Baby took 2nd place in the Maiden Combined Test.
Katie Bradley placed 2nd in her division with no time faults, clean stadium and xc, and a score of 44.5 in
dressage. Carrie Parker and her gelding Tate Tanka (Tornado) also competed in their first horse
trial.
Jennie and Baby
Claudia and Kismet
Carrie and Tornado
MacNairs Country Acres, April 18, 2010
In their first dressage tests of the year, Claudia Hall and Perhaps
Its Kismet placed 4th in Intro A with a score of 56, then placed 5th with 55 points in Intro B. Margaret
Maher and Hailey's Comet placed 6th in Intro B with a score of 54. In the Training Combined Test, Amanda
Miller Atkins and her new partner Connor of Clearfield placed 2nd with a score of 40.9.
Jennie Direnzo and Baby took 6th place in the Maiden CT with a score of 43.
Katie Bradley and Frisky Business garnered 6th place with a score of 47.5 in the Beginner Novice
Division. Ali Sears and Teach the Wind placed 3rd in Novice with a score of 43.
Claudia and Kismet
Amanda and Connor Ali and Windy
You can view more photos of the April 18th show here.
MacNairs Country Acres, March 28, 2010
The first MacNairs show of 2010 was a great way to start the season, with Jennie
Direnzo and Baby finishing first in Maiden CT with and Training Level Dressage. Brittany Alston
and Snickers also placed first in Training CT. Katie Bradley and Frisky Business took 4th
place in the Beginner Novice Division with a score of 41.
Clinic at Bypass Stables, January 31- February
1, 2009
With such a wet winter already, we were so lucky to have wonderful weather for the clinic.
All the lessons went great from start to finish. We had Mary from M & M tack shop in Raleigh do a saddle fitting demonstration on Saturday. We also had Dr. Baker from 3H Vet do a lecture on nutrition and soundness in the event horse. Both were very informative and enjoyed by all. Everyone
received a private flat lesson, group stadium jumping, pacing, and cross-country. Dover Saddlery gift certificates were given out in each group for the rider closest to optimum time. Pictures can be viewed at the
following links.
Sterling went to sharon oaks to compete in three jumping classes and two flat classes.
He got much needed experience and really shined! The more time he was in the show ring, the better and better he
got. Look out for this pony, he is very talented.
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Christmas Party, December 22, 2008
I wanted to thank everyone for coming out to the 2nd Annual Christmas Party. We had great food
and presents. Thanks again to Lindsey for opening her home to everyone. I put together a picture video for the
year 2008. Enjoy!
MacNair's Country Acres, November 23, 2008
It was a bitter cold morning, so we had some frisky and stiff horses. Clover competed in the Novice
Division. She received a 43 in Dressage and a great clear jumping to finish 4th. Brittany Alston and Snickers
jumped clear in the Novice CT to finish on their dressage score of a 37.5 to finish 3rd. Katrina competed in the Beginner
Novice Division and won the dressage with a 32.1, had one rail in stadium to drop them to second. Jennie Direnzo and
Baby made their dressage debut together. They received a 61.5 in Intro A to finish 3rd and a 64.5 in Intro B to finish
3rd. Susan Moore and Dirk took a fourth and fifth in Intro A and B. Virginia Miller and Sterling had a great test
in the covered arena to finish 7th in Intro B. Charlotte Meli finished second in the Maiden CT with an incredible 30.0!
Ann Cooper and Mack rode in First Level Test 2 and finished 2nd.
Congratulations to ALL for the year-end awards for MacNair's....
Beginner Novice CT- Katrina Grant- Grand Champion
Maiden CT- Laura Whalen- 5th Place
Maiden CT-Charlotte Meli- 6th Place
Novice CT- Grete Majerle- 4th Place
Intro Level- Susan Moore- 3rd Place
First Level- Ann Cooper- 4th Place
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The Ark Horse Trials, October 25-26, 2008
The Ark was rainy and chilly to start, making the footing conditions less than ideal. Many riders
withdrew, but Dorset Woods continued on in the Open Novice Division, despite the weather. He received a 33 in Dressage
and had good jumping rounds to finish 6th overall. You can view his pictures below.
Brittany Alston rode Snickerdoodle in the Open Novice Division. She had her
best dressage score to date with a 35.5. They had good jumping rounds as well to finish 9th.
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Fenridge Farm Horse Trials, October
19, 2008
Dorset Woods competed in the Open Novice Division and received
a 30 in Dressage and had clear jumping rounds to finish second overall. His video is below.
Katrina Grant competed in her first horse trial at the Beginner
Novice Level. Her dressage score was a 32.6 and had clear jumping rounds to finish second.
Laura
Whalen also competed in her first horse trial at the Maiden Level. She received a 33.5 in Dressage, clear stadium, but
unfortunately missed a fence cross-country. They won't forget it next time!
MacNair's Country Acres, October 12,
2008
Katrina Grant won the beginner novice division with a 29.5, to top
the leader-board in the year end standings.
Laura Whalen and Angel also won
their maiden division with a 31.0, moving her up to fifth for the year end points.
Freedom
in Love entered her first show in Intro Test A, and had a great test to finish in sixth place.
Susan Moore and Dirk finished 3rd and 5th in their intro dressage tests to put them in 2nd place for the year end
points.
Virginia Miller and Sterling had a great test to earn second place out
of eight in Intro Test B.
Charlotte Meli had her best dressage to date
with a 34.0. She finished 4th overall with a clear jumping round.
Hillcrest Horse Trials, October 11, 2008
Cherry and I hit the road early to compete in the Open Training Division. She rode to a 38.0 in Dressage, which is her
best score to date, getting 7s on her lengthening and walk. She was great cross-country, the only one to make time.
She also jumped a clean stadium round to finish 2nd overall.
Katrina Grant, once again, won her Beg Nov Division
with a 29.5! She is currently 3rd in the year-end point standings. Check out their video
HERE.
Miss Alicia Lark owned by June Wood and Last Laugh owned by Tracey Ruff competed
in the Beg Nov Division. They both finished on their dressage score of a 40.5 to tie 5th together! Ali's Video and Doc's Video
Dorset Woods owned by Susanna Stevens finished 3rd in the Novice CT. Dorset's Video
Avalon owned by Ashby Mitchell competed in Intro B, finishing 7th in her first show.
Avalon Video
Laura Whalen and Angel won their dressage with a 34.5. They had a clear jumping
round, but an added circle, dropped them to second. Angel DressageAngel Jumping
Grete Majerle and Wonderfuel had a great day finishing 2nd in the Novice CT.
Jerica Ballas and Bert received a 39.0 in dressage and finished their jumping round in their first
Beg Nov CT.
Susan Moore and Dirk won Intro Test A with a 64.0. They are currently
ranked 2nd in the Year End Standings.
Virginia Miller and Sterling scored a 62.0
in Intro Test B to earn a 4th place ribbon in a large class of eleven competitors.
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Pinehurst
Horse Trials, September 6-7, 2008
Hurricane Hanna definitely made her mark
while coming through NC during the night and Saturday morning, causing the competition to be delayed until noon. Leaving
behind 6 inches of rain, the Pinehurst track held up great. Cherry competed in the Open Training division. She
put in a decent dressage test, nice show-jumping round, and a tactful cross-country to finish 5th overall. Click Here For Photo Slide Show
MacNair's Country Acres, August 10, 2008
Katrina Grant competed in the Beginner Novice CT and had an amazing dressage test to score a 28.9! She finished
up with a clear jumping round to win the division.
Laura Whalen had to use
Raleigh as a last minute substitute mount for her first combined test. She put in a good dressage test and finished
her jumping round to a 5th place.
Brittany Alston and Grete Majerle competed
in the Novice CT, both putting in great tests and jumping rounds to finish 5th and 6th respectively.
Charlotte Meli took Becca in their first Maiden Combined Test and finished 6th.
Susan Moore debuted with Dirk in their first
dressage tests together. They scored an impressive 65.0 to finish 2nd in Intro A.
She later did their Intro B test, only to improve her score to a 72.0, to win
the class!
Cherry and I hit the road early to compete in the Open Training Division. She rode to a 38.0 in Dressage, which is her
best score to date, getting 7s on her lengthening and walk. She was great cross-country, the only one to make time.
She also jumped a clean stadium round to finish 2nd overall. 
Katrina Grant competed in the Beginner Novice CT and had an amazing dressage test to score a 28.9! She finished
up with a clear jumping round to win the division. 
Charlotte Meli took Becca in their first Maiden Combined Test and finished 6th. 
!