Aurora Borealis von Jorrit
Photo taken by Brandi Jessen
Aurora Borealis von Jorrit is registered with Friesian Heritage Horse and Sporthorse International (FHH). Born in 2003, she was acquired as an untrained 6-year old by Melissa. 2.5 years later, she has progressed into an impressive and trustworthy mount. She is a superb athlete with an excellent attitude, and boundless energy, yet not spooky and fantastic with children. In an effort to determine her greatest talent areas, she has participated in a variety of competitions over the past year and a half. This variety, allowed her to become the 2010 FHH Performance Division Champion.
A number of nationally sanctioned events contributed to this honor:
AERC: Limited Distance (35): Got a nearly straight “A” report card at our first competition. Came in 3rd out of 19 riders. We were the only “first timers” and most horses were very experienced. Completion time: 4h28m
ACTHA Sainctioned: Ride On Saint Louis Charity Ride
9/18- Placed 6th out of 27
9/19-Placed 3rd out of 17
USEA/USEF Beginner/Novice Eventing 2-competitions
A number of nationally sanctioned events contributed to this honor:
AERC: Limited Distance (35): Got a nearly straight “A” report card at our first competition. Came in 3rd out of 19 riders. We were the only “first timers” and most horses were very experienced. Completion time: 4h28m
ACTHA Sainctioned: Ride On Saint Louis Charity Ride
9/18- Placed 6th out of 27
9/19-Placed 3rd out of 17
USEA/USEF Beginner/Novice Eventing 2-competitions
Zero Sum
Photo taken by Brandi Jessen
Zero Sum is a wild mustang gelding gathered by the BLM in Gerlach, NV. Zero was randomly paired with Melissa for the 2009 Dallas Extreme Mustang Makeover. Zero and Melissa were featured in the independent film by Fish Creek Films, Wild Horse Wild Ride. Along with being featured in such national publications as Variety Magazine and New York Times, it has also received the following national acclaim:
Dallas International Film Festival: Best Documentary Audience Award (2011)
Phoenix Film Festival: Cox Communications Audience Choice Award and the Special Jury Award for Best Cinematography (2011)
Palm Springs International Film Festival: Runner-up for Documentary Audience Award (2011)
Because of Zero’s love for children, he was placed with a county extension officer in Arab, Alabama to serve as a 4-H and family horse in the summer of 2010. Despite the new owner’s credentials, he was starved, and had not seen the farrier in almost a year’s time. Melissa checked in on him in June 2011, and given his condition, demanded that he be returned. 2 licensed farrier appointments and $600 in vet bills later, and he’s well on his way to recovery. He is currently being used as Casey’s main trail horse. Once Casey is confident with him, she will refresh his memory and begin defining his career. Casey hopes that he will be a good AERC endurance horse.
Dallas International Film Festival: Best Documentary Audience Award (2011)
Phoenix Film Festival: Cox Communications Audience Choice Award and the Special Jury Award for Best Cinematography (2011)
Palm Springs International Film Festival: Runner-up for Documentary Audience Award (2011)
Because of Zero’s love for children, he was placed with a county extension officer in Arab, Alabama to serve as a 4-H and family horse in the summer of 2010. Despite the new owner’s credentials, he was starved, and had not seen the farrier in almost a year’s time. Melissa checked in on him in June 2011, and given his condition, demanded that he be returned. 2 licensed farrier appointments and $600 in vet bills later, and he’s well on his way to recovery. He is currently being used as Casey’s main trail horse. Once Casey is confident with him, she will refresh his memory and begin defining his career. Casey hopes that he will be a good AERC endurance horse.
