Scotch (Scotchfelder's Fancy: 1989 Anglo-Trakehner) is a big, red guy by Schoenfelder *Ps* out of a TB mare. He has been an awesome partner for Melissa and a tremendous member of the team as he and Melissa have worked their way up the levels together. Scotch was purchased in 2002 from pony club friends; he had semi-retired after successfully doing some Novice and Training level events, as well as pony club activities and a little hunter/jumper stuff. Melissa and Scotch started in Novice and worked their way up the levels together with many successes along the way.

In 2004, they competed in MayFest's Training Level 3-Day, getting their first taste of a full format event. At the 3-day, they earned 2nd place, missing first by only 2 seconds of optimum time! Also in '04, they competed at Training level in the US Pony Club's National Championships, winning team silver with the Midsouth Region Team. And in 2004, they ran their first Prelim together, finishing in 2nd place at Indiana Eventing Association's trial.

In 2005, they competed in a big open division CCI* at Maui Jim Horse Trials, finishing in 7th place and completing their qualifications to represent Area VIII at the 2005 North American Young Riders Championships (NAYRC), where the Area VIII team won the bronze medal in the CCI* championship division. Melissa and Scotch also placed 4th in a CCI* (full format) at Kentucky Classic that year. Their other successes at the Preliminary and 1-star level in 2005 also earned them the Area VIII Preliminary Young Rider Championship.

In 2006, they again had a successful year, finishing in first place at each Prelim trial they entered (including FENCE in South Carolina and Virginia's Spring Horse Trial) and completing their first Intermediate horse trial. They made a second trip to the NAYRC, two rails in showjumping knocking them out of the individual silver medal, but earning them 8th place and finishing with a team silver along with members of the Area VI team. In the fall of 2006, they placed 3rd out of 32 starters in Kentucky Classic's CIC*.

2006 also saw Scotch earning the American Trakehner Association's Preliminary Horse of the Year Award! Check out his magazine photos!!

For 2007, Scotch earned a nice 2nd place at MayDaze and then finished up his Prelim career with Melissa by running at the American Eventing Championships. We cried as they finished that last cross country run together. He really put his heart into it for Melissa. He is a champion!

So now he's going to slow down a bit. He still LOVES those road trips and horse trials. But we think he'll enjoy not having to work quite so hard!

He always be a special and important part of the team!! THANKS, SCOTCH, for all you've done for us!

After Melissa and Scotch's last run together at AECs, Scotch slowed down and took a friend, Kristen, around Novice at Jumpstart Horse Trials at the Kentucky Horse Park. They both had a great time, finishing on Scotch's dressage score with a ribbon!

Scotch is now being proudly leased by Lauren, who is very excited to call him her own. They will spend the rest of the fall and winter getting used to each other: Lauren will work on her jumping skills, with Scotch's steady help and patience. Scotch will enjoy his more leisurely lifestyle; and they will both look forward to some competition next year, including Pony Club activities and Rally.

Have fun together, Lauren and Scotch!