NEWS 2022

Absolutely amazing surprise present from husband to wife. I couldn't be happier with how things turned out for him and for them. Thank you to all involved!

I truly had a blast showing Henry in Grand Prix this past weekend at the Wellington Spring Classic, despite the shocking low score given. It's just a few weeks that I've been riding him, and I feel like I served a sloppy plate of scrambled eggs instead of a beautiful omelet... BUT... still the ingredients are all there and he is so much fun! 😉 ❤ So grateful to Mary for giving me this opportunity! To Carlos for your long-distance coaching and support teaching me how to ride the horse you trained To Kim for trailering and support all around To Lou for coaching To Iana for taking your time to come video in a very tight day To Jen and Emily for making my horses look so good To Lily and Sue for wonderful pictures, you make me look like I know what I'm doing ❤ To all my friends that showed up to cheer on me and those that cheered from far away, including my family ❤

Had a great time giving a clinic at Marlys Munnell's beautiful farm in Midland, Texas. Thanks so much Marlys for hosting me and Bobo Wroe for all you do, from organizing, riding 3 horses, driving, feeding me, etc. Great job to all the riders, it's fantastic to see the progress you do during the lessons and through the years that I've been going there. Thanks so much, Allison Isbell Lillis, for dinner on Saturday, it was delicious!

WE DID IT! We had a clean, safe, Grand Prix test with "Henry" (Vangens Star-Light) in a very competitive class on Saturday at the Gold Coast Dressage Association (GCDA) May Dressage show held at Palm Beach Equine Sports Complex. I have very little to none experience at this level, but this horse has a heart of gold and an unflappable temperament. My friend Carlos Salguero Ocaña trained him since he was 5 years old, and he did such an amazing job that I can keep him going. Still working on his strength and our coordination and timing, but what a nice feeling, he really makes you feel you belong there! Forever grateful to his owner Mary Hankey for these opportunities! And so thankful with all my village: Kim, Sue, Emily, Iana, Jen, Lou, Ali, Francesca, Juan Carlos, Thomas, ... it wouldn't be possible without all of your support ❤ Thank you to show organizers, officials, staff and volunteers. It was a show with a busy but great atmosphere. Kudos to the facility for their footing: we had so much rain on Friday and rings were perfect all weekend. Henry is available. You can find more information by clicking the button below.

UNO (Universo do Bosque) you are one of a kind, you didn't put a foot wrong while being with us and were a joy to have around. I'm very sad to see you go back home but happy your human Mom will enjoy you again. Thank you Sue for letting me have him for the last two and a half years. Thank you, Kim and the guys at the farm, Emily, Naomi, Jen, Thomas, Juan Carlos, Michele, Chelsea, Phill, and everyone else that made part of his life while he was in my training program.

What a weekend... I'm a USDF Gold Medalist!! 🍾🥂🥇
Thank you Mary for letting me ride Henry thank you Carlos for telling me how to ride the horse you trained thank you Sue for eyes on the ground Kim for transportation, pictures and all the care and support you give us thank you Jen and Emily for making him look so good thank you Iana for coming to video thanks so much to all my friends that came to watch and those that couldn't but were supporting from the distance thank you to all that said a nice comment about my rides thank you Amy for letting us show at your place thank you Gold Coast Dressage Association for a very nice show. THANK YOU, HENRY, FOR A WEEKEND I WILL NEVER FORGET.

Welcome Santiana (aka Lola) and Erika Wager to the program.

Lola is a Hanoverian mare born in 2014.

Will be available for sale soon

Chubby was a star in his Third level debut this weekend at the White Fences Summer II show. Scored in the mid 60s with details that can be improved but very happy with the overall picture. I've been riding him for a few months now and having tons of fun developing this very smart and fun PRE, owned by my friend Iana Gonzalez. Gracias! Thanks Sue, for being eyes on the ground at the show and Kim, Evan for coming to watch and support. I'm pretty sure you heard him say "thank you" many times #talkinghorse

Thank you, Adam for another awesome show!

So proud of you, Carly, and Eb! Big improvements this show, and we are still at the very early stages of development of your talents. The best thing is how you keep it honest, real and fun! Keep going ❤

Beyond proud of my dear friend Bobo Wroe for becoming CHAMPION at National Dressage Pony Cup in PSG and Inter 1 Open with Moogli. Awesome job and well deserved!!!

My first two rides in Grand Prix Special were that: VERY SPECIAL! After the most terrifying experience I have gone through at a show, we pulled it together and produced 2 nice tests with great moments and still tons of room for improvements (scored 64.468% and 69.362%). There are not enough words to express my gratitude towards Mary, Henry's owner (Vangens Star-Light) for allowing me to fulfill so many dreams in such short time. And to Carlos who has been coaching, supporting and helping me understand the horse he trained so well. Grateful too to all the village: Sue, Kim, Emily, Lou, Jen, Iana, Carolyn, Thomas, Juan Carlos, Shannon, Isa, my family and my friends that support, help and cheer on us. Henry: you are one of a kind and I hope your next person will see how wonderful you are! Thanks so much to all at the Wellington Classic Dressage show! By the way, I was alone in both classes... still super proud

This means a lot to me:

"Congratulations are to Carmen Franco who rode Vangens Star-Light to the win in the Grand Prix Special at the Wellington Classic Dressage Classic Tropics I Dressage show hosted at the Global Dressage show grounds. The win earned the pair the Vita Flex Victory Pass Award last weekend. Now riding the Grand Prix Special is no easy task, but Carmen pulled off the lovely ride after a harrowing morning. Earlier that morning, Vangens Star-Light escaped his stall and ran off the show grounds, crossed the road to visit the Tackeria and then headed down nearby South Shore Road and was finally caught at the Fire Station. No one was hurt but Carmen was rightfully shaken, yet none of that showed in their winning performance".

Thank you Vita Flex!

Three months after injuring her knee at the gym, Emily is finally back riding. We are all happy!

What a fantastic time I had giving a clinic for the first time at Andrea Vassallo's farm in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Wonderful group of people and horses that worked in Dressage and Working Equitation. The place is really beautiful, and the food was outstanding! Looking forward to more!

To see more pictures, click on the button below to go to the album published on Facebook.