The Homestedt

Born and raised in Germany, Elly immigrated to the US after receiving her German Bereiter degree. Her wanderlust made her long to travel throughout the US for many years, but horses remained in her life throughout. From talented Warmbloods, to electric Arabians, from obnoxious ponies to classy TBs – wherever Elly lived, horses were not far away.

Towards the late 90’s, Elly decided to settle down in the horsey community of Aiken, SC where she started her horse importing business which quickly grew beyond the boundaries of SC. In 2000 Elly took 2 of her horses and her 3 greyhounds to Germany for several months of intense training. Upon her return, she and her long time supporter Peg Blosser purchased a 52 acres farm in Williston, SC. When a large sum was offered for that farm, Elly and Peg decided to accept it and Elly used her proceeds to purchase her current farm.

Over the years, Elly has had a number of successful horses, such as Step Aside, Dobee Dividend and his son Dobee A Valentine, By Birth, Aadalco, Favouritin – and then there was Noteable. Bred by Kate Nicholsen and owned by Peg Blosser, Noteable (aka Tessa) came to Elly to be sold. A massive chestnut mare without a single white hair, Tessa became Elly’s absolute favorite and thru the years and many, many awards ( and one foal, Reve Dore – 2008 colt by Regulus) later, Tessa retired sound to Dreamtime Farm where she is now the apple of Phaedra Spradlin’s eye – another one of Elly’s longtime supporter and the breeder of 2 of Elly’s other successful show horses, Raison d’Etre and Raison de Joie (2005 USDF Horse of the Year).

Raison d’Etre and Elly became 2004 USEF East Coast Selection Trial FEI 6 year old Champions, as well as North American Futurity Champions – in 2008 they won CDI Inter. 2 at the Palm Beach Derby and in 2009 the Grand Prix at The Zada Cup, The Heidelberg Cup and Aiken Classics, qualifying for Dressage at Devon where he placed 7th. In 2010 Robin Brueckman,, two time Olympian and multiple US Team member qualified with Raison d’Ete for the US WEG Para Team.

Oyente’, Harry and Beckie Butler’s beloved Andalusian stallion came into training with Elly in the Spring of 2004. Together they moved thru the levels, winning numerous USDF Andalusian All Breed HOY honors, from Materiale to FEI level.

In 2009 Oyente’ and Elly scored consistently in the mid to upper 60s at Inter.1 and then moved up to Grand Prix. In 2010 he qualified for both the Andalusian National Championship, as well as Regional Finals at Grand Prix and Grand Prix Freestyle.

 Foxcry Nicodemus, owned by The Foxcry Nicodemus Syndicate has also been an extraordinarily successful partner for Elly – as a 4 year old, he received scores up to 72 % in USDF 4 year old test, beating many warmbloods, as well as placing 11th overall in the Open Division for USDF Materiale Horse of the Year, being the only pony amidst mature Warmblood breeding stallion.

Due to busy breeding seasons in 2009 and 2010, Nick has not been competing. His training continues at home and we will compete whenever times allows.