Ring Dedication Party

Dining by candle light at each place setting.

Bill Schoeman welcoming guest Andrea Strauss and Lou Semrad to the party and serving homemade lemonade.

Photos by Julia Kuni Thanks for all of your help!

Ansie Schoeman the "hostess with the mostess" on July 21, 2007. We never caught her still for a picture so we just shot. Ansie had everything totally under control and beautifully presented.

Cloverleaf Cairo 
Cape Town Talent X Chickadee's Miracle

owned by Susie Sublett(in background to the left)

Part of the hors d'oeuvres  table available to guests during the horse show.

One group of guests waiting for the show.

Jake Turner, enjoying everything about the farm, mostly having all the room to run around and have a good time. Quite the gentleman, I think he did sit a few minutes to get a glimpse of his name sake "Turner Jake".

Turner Jake
by Red Hawk and Woman of Distinction

Heading to Louisville in the Two-Year Old Fine Harness Division.

Cloverleaf Master and Commander
Commander in Chief X Woman of Distinction

ASAC Five-Gaited Junior Champion

Heading to Louisville in the Five-Gaited Junior Stallion Division

Cloverleaf Red Baron
by Red Hawk Red Hawk X Rose in Winter

Owned by The Good Group heading to Louisville in the Three-Year Old Three-Gaited class.
Reserve Champion Three-Year Old Three-Gaited at Pro Am Horse Show

Yearlings in the pasture behind the new ring. The were taking it all in.

Ansie's beautiful table set with beautiful flowers and rosemary from her garden, Individual mints, horsehead napkins and Saddlebred table cloths. What a fabulous presentation and what an art on such a breezy evening.

A delicate touch by Annette Schoeman as she follows in her mother's footsteps learning how to entertain so graciously. Annette designed and set up her table for her friends and her mother assistants. You Go Girl!!!!

Saddlebred stenciled on each table cloth,

 Ring Dedication Party

Saturday, July 21, 2007 5:00pm Bill and Ansie gave a party to rival any party orchestrated by the famous Colin Cowey! Complete with American Saddlebreds stenciled on table cloths, horse heads on the napkins, individual herb butters, name plates, rosemary sprigs and after dinner mints for each guest. That was just the dinner table!
This party was an opportunity to introduce American Saddlebred Horses to the members of the Lexington, Georgia community as well as an opportunity for customers and friends to socialize and enjoy the show. It also gave a chance for everyone to see and enjoy the new riding ring built for us amateurs to learn to ride these young horses.
The evening began with homemade lemonade in the aisle of the barn, which was beautifully adorned with horse pictures including a large picture of Valley View Supreme. Ansie had all rooms labeled as to their purpose as the barn is finished. Anel and Marion had their work cut out for them keeping the show going. The horses were turned out beautifully, just as if they were at the World Championship. We are so glad that Anel is back and that Marion has been willing to continue to help at the barn. Both of these ladies are very meticulous, and make a great team. Programs identifying all horses to be exhibited, had been handed out as guests were welcomed. A big thanks to The Good Group for providing such a professional program.



At 6:00pm the Horse Show began with Cloverleaf Cairo owned by Susie Sublett. Cairo is the only son of the Fine Harness stallion Cape Town Talent. Cairo has only been back in training for two months, but he is back on his game and will be ready for Southeastern Charity Horse Show in September. Susie is very excited about getting to see him in the show ring.










Thank you AnLouise for working on such a delightful assortment of wonderful finger foods.for guests during the show. There were quite an array of drinks to go with the fabulous hors d'oeuvres.





There were people everywhere. Several professional and amateur photographers (for which we are very grateful to for saving glimpses of this wonderful evening) were all around the ring and the tables. And of course the sideline trainers, "assisting" Bill with each horse as he brought them into the ring. Some were actually in the chairs which had been set up in the shade watching the show. Annette and her group of helpers were in and out everywhere, knowing just where to be when their help was needed.






The second horse to be presented and the first of the entries headed for Louisville was Turner Jake owned by Ralph Maxwell - also the owner of the local paper the “Oglethorpe Echo”. Turner Jake is the namesake for Jake Turner, Ralph’s grandson, also in attendance along with his parents to see Turner Jake perform, as they will see him in Louisville. I am not sure Jake was impressed with the horse as much as he was with the party, but Turner Jake was quite a star.










The third horse to be exhibited was Cloverleaf Master and Commander owned by Bill Schoeman and March Hall. This exciting stallion is showing great promise as he also heads toward Louisville. Master was the Junior Five-Gaited Champion at ASAC in the Spring.




The fourth horse to be shown was Cloverleaf Red Baron owned by The Good Group and another Schoeman Stables entry for Louisville. This three-year-old three-gaited colt is getting stronger every time he works. His exquisite neck and sharp ears make him a real eye catcher.
The next to the last performance was I'm A Skywatcher owned by Rosehaven Farm. Everyone is very familiar with this great gaited horse that was Five-Gaited Champion at Chattanooga in June . He also won the Denver Junior Five Gaited Stake at Pro Am Benefit Horse Show in April.The final performance of the night and one of the most thrilling was Top Commander. He won the Five Gaited Open and also the Five Gaited Championship at Dixie Cup Horse Show. Bill Schoeman showed the Five-Gaited Champion at the last three shows he attended. Each Championship was aboard a different Stake Horse. Not only does he have great horses, his quality is deep. Who might he ride to the next Five-Gaited Championship???

The Yearlings were watching intently, as if they knew that was what they would be asked to do next year. They will all come in the barn after show season to begin their training. Some may be showing at the next barn party and who knows which one may be Bill's next great Five-Gaited Champion.

Immediately following the Horse Show, the entire group convened at the dinner table as Bob Watkins returned thanks. The buffet that followed was unbelievable with entrees of ham, lamb, smoked turkey and roasted turkey as well as all of the accompaniments that combined South African cuisine with American fare. There were mixed greens and spinach salad, coleslaw, pasta bean salad, potato salad, carrot mousse, zucchini casserole, Moroccan couscous, and curried rice. All of Ansie’s dishes were made with vegetables and herbs from her garden. (All the flowers in the barn and on the tables were from the farm garden as well) Desserts included Neapolitans with strawberry and whipped cream and lemon cake with three different coffees available. The wine flowed and we indulged ourselves much more than we should have. It was a lovely evening with candlelight and music. Ansie did have her hostesses in training assisting her with many details. Annette carefully designed a table perfect for the princess helpers.

Even the weather was absolutely beautiful, very pleasant during the Horse Show and cooler into the evening as we dined at Ansie’s phenomenal tables. We have all known what a great trainer Bill is, but now we know that Ansie is equally as talented a party planner.

Thanks from all of us for an enchanting evening.