Mile High Horse Ranch

Meet Zoffany or “Austin,” the winner of our special award for the oldest horse to finish on their dressage score! Twenty-one year old Austin, a thoroughbred and warm blood cross is owned and ridden by Jessica Dallow. The pair placed first in our open starter division this year.
Jessica got Zoffany “Austin” as a three-year-old in Alabama, in 2006. She hoped he’d make a hunter, but he turned out to like the jumpers more and she showed him in the jumpers across the South. Jessica is from Colorado and came back in 2021; Austin came too. She wanted to try something different so they started eventing. She thinks he loves cross country (although he knows when she gets nervous); dressage not so much. They are working to move up to Beginner Novice this season.
She writes that he’s quirky: he jumps in rather unorthodox form, has always been a bit of a spook, and can still be hard to catch. And he is the pickiest eater ever. He loves night check time, when we give everyone apples and carrots before bed. He lives with a crew including her husband’s elderly trail horse, 4 mini donkeys, and three goats. She feels lucky to have had him as partner for as long as she has.
Congratulations to both Jessica and Austin. You have an incredible partnership and we look forward to seeing it grow.
The prize for our oldest horse is a custom painting by Colorado artist and equestrian, Jenny Slade.

Picture credit: JJ Sillman (1st picture) and Sadie Thorpe (2nd picture)

Congratulations to our Open Starter Division winners!

1st: Jessica Dallow and Zoffany
2nd: Elizabeth Gillmor and Meet George Jetson
3rd: Irina Rapport and Petite Soleil
4th: Kasey Douglass and The Leprechaun
5th: Laura Hanson Chepel and Link
6th: Barb Gasper and Beaucoup
7th: Kaylyn Hottel and Southwestern Hope
8th: Karen Marley and Daisy Chain
9th: Nancy Rush Isbell and Piper’s Sonatina

Congratulations to Jessica Dallow and Zoffany for winning the award for the oldest horse to finish. Zoffany is a 22 year old horse who finished on his dressage score. The prize is a custom painting of Zoffany by artist Jenny Slade. Stay tuned for more information on their story.

Starter cross country pictures are up on Zina’s page. Check them out: https://zbalash.zenfolio.com/p341454931

Photo copyright Zina Balash. Used with permission.

Congratulations to our Starter Junior Division winners!

1st: Raven Rockwell and To B in Silver
2nd: Aspen van der Zee and Full Medal Detail
3rd: Sawyer Raley and Pretty Stormy
4th: Maerin Grout and G*i Go Bandit
5th: Emmalyn Eppler and Goldie Pony
6th: Zachary Zirker and Big Sky Sweet William
7th: Tessa Tucker and Fernhill Bijzonder
8th: Natalie Ruggles and Calico Bay B Z

Starter cross country pictures are up on Zina’s page. Check them out: https://zbalash.zenfolio.com/p341454931

Photo copyright Zina Balash. Used with permission.

Mile High Horse Trials cross country photos are up for all divisions! Check them out!

Thank you to Zina Balash for these fantastic photos and for generously donating a photo to each division winner. Division winners- reach out to Zina when you are ready to select your favorite photo!

Zina Balash Photography WELCOME! Thank you for visiting my photo gallery. I am a photographer and digital artist based in Denver with a special fondness for all things equine. These albums are updated frequently, so please check back often! Most images are available for purchase. Please click on the small thumbnail size im...