Takoda, Jill Murray’s Bay Roan Nokota, has earned two United States Dressage Federation (USDF) performance awards for 2008; Training Level Horse Performance and First Level Rider Performance. These awards are granted when a horse/rider combination has earned qualifying scores of 60% or higher at recognized USDF competitions.

Photo courtesy of Susan J. Stickle

Takoda (Hammer x Lulu), a 10-year-old 17 H Ranch Cross, was bred by Doug Moffitt of Silver Tip Ranch, Montana and Jill purchased him from Blair and Charlie Fleischmann 6 years ago. Jill and Cody train with Dorie Addy-Crow, a USDF Gold Medalist, located in Nottingham PA.

In 2007, Jill and Cody qualified for both the USDF Region 1 Championships and the Colonel Bengt Ljungquist Memorial Championships at Training Level and First Level. Wearing the Nokota® Horse Conservancy emblem on their saddle pads, this eye catching pair get a lot of attention and questions about the Nokota® breed while at East Coast Dressage Shows. Jill has the 3-minute Nokota® history down pat and carries brochures in her Dressage coat pocket at the ready!

“Cody” and Jill are actively promoting Nokotas in Dressage through the USDF. In 2008, the Nokota® breed will be recognized by the USDF in their All Breeds award program. In addition, a Nokota® breed division at Dressage at Devon, a premier east coast USDF Dressage Show, is in the works. At the grass roots level, Jill will be sponsoring a Nokota® high score Dressage award in 2 rider categories, (novice and open), at Blue Goose Stables Dressage Schooling shows in 2008 to generate interest in Dressage for Delaware Valley Nokota® owners.

Jill says she is lonely with the only Nokota® at Region 1 USDF shows and can’t wait until other Nokotas are competing with her! 2008 will see the USDF debut of Jill’s Painted Canyon II colt, Howakhan, at Training Level and Takoda at Second Level and First Level Musical Freestyle.