Ingo Katze's  

Katze now belongs to Melissa Haines member of the Ultimate Piaffe Family!

More pictures below ... 

Meantime, we asked Melissa to tell us a little bit about herself.

My Horse-Ography

            I guess you could say that I was one of those girls who was practically born with horses on the brain. By the age of 9 I had finally convinced my parents into letting me take riding lessons. I started out in the typical horse camp/group lesson scenario, and at the time I had my sights set on being a barrel racer. After a year or so of learning the basics, I converted to an English saddle and decided soon after that maybe I should stick to it for awhile.

            At the age of 11 I started taking riding lessons over at Lake Oswego Hunt Club. Jumping quickly became my discipline of choice, but once I started doing 4’ courses, I decided that jumping was just a little too scary for me! This was about the time when I really started getting curious about Dressage.

            In November of 1996, when I was 13, I started a half lease on a 13 year-old off-the-track Thoroughbred gelding named Camas Flyer (at Marka Farms). Not even a year went by before that barn closed, but luckily we were able to buy Camas. We then moved to Twilight Stables in Tualatin, where I met Tracey Moneta and her daughters. I spent some time at that barn under a western trainer, and also joined the Twilight Twisters 4-H club.

            After 3 years of adventures with Camas, I decided that I had learned all that I could from him, and started looking for a new horse. In July of 1999 I met Jetson, a then 14 year-old Appendix Quarter Horse gelding. Sadly, not long after I bought Jetson, Camas suddenly became very ill and we had to put him down that same day. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever been through.

            With Jetson, under the instruction of Tracey Moneta, I competed in 4-H English, Western, Trail, Showmanship, and also recognized Dressage at Training and First levels. Although he was a very consistent and reliable horse, he never had what it takes to succeed in Dressage. Although he wasn’t the best mover, we still managed to steal the Champion title at Training level and the Reserve Champion title at First level at 4-H Fair. It was during the 4 years that I rode Jetson that Dressage truly became my focal point and passion.

            Aside from the riding aspect of 4-H, I also competed regularly in Horse Bowl competitions, a knowledge contest of sorts. In 2001, I managed to take 1st place at the County, Regional, State, and National competitions! It was truly an amazing year for me, and I totally exceeded my own expectations!

            In June of 2001, at the age of 18, I started working at the Ultimate Piaffe as a working student and began taking lessons from Val Zeek. Not soon after I started working there a wonderful thing happened…Kit was born! Let’s just say that I instantly fell in love with her! With a lot of luck and blessings I was able to buy that beautiful filly, and I am extremely excited to see what the future brings!!! I can’t wait to watch her grow up, and I know that we will learn a lot from each other. I plan on taking her as far up the levels as possible, but it is enough just owning a horse of her quality and character!

Thank you all at The Ultimate Piaffe for everything!!!

-Melissa Haines

 

About Katze

             Ingo's Katze was Reserve Filly Championship at ISR Oldenburg N.A. Evaluation September 9, 2001  8.0 - 8.8- 8.5 = 8.4

             Catinka's 2001 IDEAL was  named INGO'S KATZE (kitten) in honor of Ingo Pape, the World Renowned Breeder who bred her Mom Catinka (Kat) in Germany. Catinka is a 1988 17.2 Hanoverian Mare with an exceptional background. Catinka is a Three Star Mare.

            Mr. Pape is the founder of Hengstation  Pape, Hemmoor, Germany. Mr. Pape recently made his first North American public appearance at Hilltop Farms which imported Catinka from Germany and sold her to Dama Curtright from whom we acquired this exceptional mare for the Ultimate Paiffe Breeding Program.  

          Catinka is a Hanoverian THREE Star Mare. She was Champion at both her Hanoverian and her ISR Mare Inspection. She has two Premium Fillies which have become Premium Mares. One scored 9.0 at her foal evaluation. The other was Champion of the 1997 East Coast Mare Championships. We have high hopes this stunning filly will in years to come live up to her heritage. Ingo's Katze is her first IDEAL offspring. 

        Congratulations to Melissa who must be greatly thrilled to have been presented such a wonderful horse by her devoted fan and loving mother. We are expecting great things in the future!

 

            
                                                                      Photos by Scarlett

 

When she was younger.

 

                                                   

                                   

                                                         

 

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