The 2025 Dedication to Training award is called Desi’s Spirit Dances!

Anyone (Horse + Handler combination) who enters a class a month for all 12 months of 2025 qualifies for this limited edition profile bade and rosette.

This is a hard won prize. Turning up every month no matter what life or the weather has to say is not for the faint of heart. Last year we had 77 teams complete their dedication award when 221 started.

This year we have had 85 complete with 231 starting!

Congratulations to the following pairs who have completed this years award.

• Tilly Rowlands and Talebolion Dolly
• Alyson Devonshire and Chyvounder Damask Rose
• Jon Perry and Georgie
• Ros Perry and Joey
• Cheryl Van Herk and Miles
• Cheryl Van Herk and Jovie
• Cheryl Van Herk and Buddy
• Merel Huyghe and Berg’s Sep (Binky)
• Jai Hunter and Franklin
• Becky Osborn and Pepping Playboy (Stewie)
• Lisa Rich and Olympus 2
• Gemma Wilkinson and Saxon
• Gemma Wilkinson and Mickey Mouse
• Teressa Griggs and Sweetcorn (Molly)
• Teressa Griggs and Cheeky Dame (Darcy)
• Caroline Carrington and Holloway Mahla (May)
• Rosie Geller-Stevens and Lilly
• Wendy Saunderson and Mollie
• Nancy Ingalls and Chelcee B Wild
• Debra Skaar and Duke
• Alison Parnell and Xavi
• Will Garceau and Wilbur
• Kendra Gale and Rocky
• Denise Jones and Redwings Pip
• Denise Jones and My Laddie
• Lisa Hickman and Prince (Dernahatten Prince)
• Lisa Hickman and Autumn (Elvet Peace Lily)
• Lisa Hickman and Lilly (Jula Mystical Lady)
• Liz Hopley and Midnight
• Cindy Davison and Mary
• Cindy Davison and Bobby
• Cindy Davison and Mollie
• Joy McLeod and Dakota
• Louisa Burke and Jack
• Patty Kramps and Tonka
• Kirsten Gröner and Honey Bee’s Jodani
• Niki Coon and Ellie
• Linda Jewell and Gem
• Mary Ballard and Pepping Playboy (Stewie)
• Kim Gieseke and Annie
• Emily McManus and Leo
• Jacki Honeybourne and Neville
• Sheila Jones and Aro
• Claire Perilli and Jurosslie Rebels Ragamuffin
• Dawn Hernandez and Dalli
• Dawn Hernandez and BGD White Lightening,(Fluffy)
• Dawn Hernandez and Dechali Speaks A Lot
• Kellie Auld and Ovation (Obi)
• Alison Phillips and Shangrila Bailey
• Mara Ashby and Prince of Hearts
• Emillie Long and Rexelle
• Emillie Long and Spacebound
• Emillie Long and Prince
• Freddie McManus and Flick
• Gail Webb and Spotty Bear (Lyndhurst Robbie)
• Karen Wheeler and Oaks
• Henri Senn and Bob
• Henri Senn and Cody
• Sara Watkins and Oxnead Ovation
• Erin Baldwin and Luckey
• Erin Baldwin and Hopscotch
• Erin Baldwin and Dance
• Erin Baldwin and Peanut
• Alex Baldwin and Juno
• Tracey Agnew and Breeze
• Lynn Carter and Chutney
• Hazel Griffin and Dancer
• Pat Aslund and Diva
• Sue Feast and Shiny Like A Spark/Chispa
• Bannor McEwenand Solstice
• Angela Belzner and Gracie
• Angela Belzner and Studley
• Wendy Barros and Squirrel
• Kay Ruymaekers and Honey
• Sabrina Doidge and Misty Lady
• Michele Rumsey and Charlie
• Julia van Ravenzwaaij and Moreno
• Sarah Jones and Pilleybailey Patronus
• Wolfgang Kotheil and A Move Like Impulse
• Alison Lawrence and Juniper
• Deanna Ward and Romeo
• Ida Norris and Lilith T.L
• Sarah Whalley and Saffy
• Annie Weegink and Dís frá Rauöalæk (Dís) 🌈
• Rachel Bennett and Jurl 🌈

This award is dedicated to Desi (Spirits Desert Storm), a spicy little gray Arab gelding who became an inspiration to many in The International Horse Agility Club.

Desi was born at Briarrose Stables in Prince Edward Island, Canada, and remained there to organise and run the stables for all his 19 years.  He began competing in The International Horse Agility Club in the very first year of the Club’s beginnings and continued competing for many years working his way up the levels and winning several year-end awards during that time.

Desi loved the challenge of the obstacles and embraced the sport with his whole heart.  Liberty was by far his favourite! They would go out to the arena, turn up the music and dance together!  His eyes would glow, and his tail and feet would dance over, under and through the obstacles.  He did it with a slightly twisted mixture of joy, obedience and exuberance!

Thanks to the carefully laid out progression of the IHAC, moving into other sports like Working Equitation and Mounted Archery were an easy progression for him. Beth Smith says it was a delight to share her life with him and she would love to tell the world to go dance with your equine partners and see the magic that happens!  Thank you, Desi, for sharing your love of life with the Horse Agility world!