Joan Johnston & Lucy

Joshua (or as his passport says: The Much Loved Joshua) is a wonderful horse that has helped beginners learn the ropes because he is such a good longe horse. Joshua's other claim to fame is that he and Joan Johnston won the 1994 Ontario Pre-training Championships. Josh is a 15.3hh bay TB/QH/Percheron with a stripe and is trained to second level.  KRS congratulates Bev Cruikshank and Juanita Karsh on their purchase of TML Joshua and wishes them lots of fun in their new home.

Lacie (known at the shows as Legacie) is yet another extraordinary horse - probably in part because she is Joshua's sister! Lacie is a 15.3hh dark bay TB/QH/Percheron and is trained to a solid second level. With the right rider she can also manage single flying changes.  Nancy Messenger is the proud new owner of Lacie.  Congratulations and happy trails to you both.

These 2 horses have taught countless riders to walk, trot, canter and do cavaletti work. They have been Kars Riding School treasures as well schooled horses and we look forward to continuing classes with them and their new owners.

Poppet is a 15.2hh bay QH/cross mare that has been with the school since 1990. She has taught countless beginners and has also distinguished herself in the show ring with 58 year end awards in the Ottawa Area Dressage Group. Poppet is trained to second level.  She turned 22 in 2007 and retired as sound and as happy as can be.

Joan Johnston & KRS Wessel

KRS Wessel (Wolkenstein 11/Lemon Park/Drosselklang), a 16hh dark bay gelding is Joan Johnston's competition horse. KRS imported him as a three year old in 1999 from Stutteri Godthaab, a breeding farm in Denmark. Wessel has distinguished himself each year earning Ottawa area awards and since the inception of the Dressage Canada Awards Program, has earned his medals and Joan, her rider pins, at every level up to and including gold.   A real highlight for them has been earning the Lauren Diianni Memorial prize for freestyle excellence on two occasions. In 2009, Joan and Wessel made a little history by becoming the first horse/rider combination to win every Dressage Canada award right up to Grand Prix.  To win the GP medal, they had to earn 4 scores above 60% and they crossed this milestone in May of 2009.  Wessel retired in March, 2010 to a beautiful farm in Virginia.

KRS Frederik (Blue Hors Future Cup/Weyden/Palermo) named after the Crown Prince of Denmark, was foaled on January 19th, 2002. He could be said to have come from the Stutteri Godthaab as well since he was imported in utero. His dam, KRS Charisma was sold to a breeding farm in New Jersey. Frederik has been shown at two breeder shows, one at Ashland Farm in September 2002 where he won the foal of 2001 class and the second in 2004, where he placed 2nd in the Dressage Suitability Line Class at the Capital Classic Breeders Show held in Ottawa.  He has even more white on his face than his mother and even more on the legs! And although he doesn't have a blue eye like Charisma, he does have a tiny blue dot in his right eye. A twinkle. 

KRS Frederik started his show career in 2006 with an impressive 76% in the FEI Class for 4 year olds at the Kawartha Lakes Spring Show.  With Jaimey Irwin as his rider/trainer at this stage, Frederik followed this up with three top 4 placings at The Ottawa Spring Classic at First Level.  

KRS Frederik is sold.  He has moved to California with his new owner, Teresa Chang.  Reports are that he has taken to the sunny west coast with delight.  His first score in a California dressage show at Indio was 74.6% and by the end of his first show season (2007) with his new owner he had only first place ribbons on display!  In 2009, Frederik is making his Prix St. Georges debut.

KRS Charisma and her foal KRS Frederik