The road to success leads through the valley of humility, and the path is up the ladder of patience and across the wide barren plains of perseverance. As yet, no shortcut has been discovered. ~Joseph L. Lamb

Monday, September 15, 2014

Welcome Ashley and Jaeli!!

I would like to welcome Ashley Adams and her daugher, Jaeli, to the SCWDressage gang! Ashley has ridden horses most of her life, and has competed with great success in the Hunters and Medals ring. She is new to the St. George area, and has been on the hunt for both a horse, a home barn, and a trainer. I am so honored and pleased that she has chosen Beau Dazzler, Lava Bluffs Equestrian Center, and me to fill those roles for her right now!! Ashley is a very studious person, with a natural gift and excellent horsemanship skills. Her daughter Jaeli is an absolute joy to be around, keeping me constantly entertained with her insightful comments and stories. Ashley and Jaeli are leasing Daz long term. He fits their needs perfectly, with enough training and energy to teach Ashley a little more about Dressage, and perfect lunge line manners for helping develop a budding seven year old's seat and position. After only six weeks of weekly lessons, Jaeli can already canter, maintain a two point position, post on the correct diagonal, and is even learning to ride at walk and trot off the lunge line. Daz seems to understand completely his role, and stays right under Jaeli at all times, making one hundred percent sure Jaeli really does want him to trot! It takes a special horse to be able to fill both roles...as a true baby sitter horse for a child, and yet is also able to help Ashley learn how to really "work" flying changes and develop collection. The four of us are fully enjoying each other's company right now!


Daz and Jaeli

Classical Dressage in the Modern Age-A Symposium with Gunter Seidel and Gary Rockwell

I am very honored and excited to announce that Frisco Bay and I have been selected as the Second Level demonstration pair at this very exciting Symposium to be held at Millbrook Farm October 18th and 19th. This is such a wonderful opportunity, for riders and for auditors. Gunter Seidel has ridden for the US Olympic Dressage Team three times, and Gary Rockwell has judged the Olympic Dressage event twice.  But you don't need Olympic aspirations to attend this Symposium. Both of these men are widely known and appreciated for their adherence to the classical training system, and this is an opportunity for rider and auditor alike to watch how they handle each horse and rider pair, as they work to improve their classical basis for an improved performance in the show ring. I've always believed that there does not have to be a separation between the ART of training a horse, and the SPORT of training a horse. Read my previous post on this topic here: http://scwdressage.blogspot.com/2013/04/dressage-art-and-sport-of-it.html
These men would agree with that statement, and have proven it in the highest realms of the sport. I strongly recommend attending this Symposium, it will be an experience you will not forget! Find out how at Millbrook's website: http://www.millbrookfarms.com/
I am indebted to the selection committee for choosing us, as well as to everyone who has been an integral part of our career.

Frisco just started under saddle, at Ironhill Farm, Priddis, AB. Thank you Irene Hill for having believed in me. I still miss you every day.


Making the Most of Your Training Dollar

 Let's face it, owning horses is not an inexpensive proposition. Buying the horse is the least expensive thing you'll do as a horse ...