SCWDressage

Chop Wood, Carry Water

2012-01-17T11:12:00.000-07:00

This is a famous Zen story, and I excerpt it here from the book "Zen Mind, Zen Horse", by Allan J. Hamilton, MD.
"In a famous Zen story, a pupil approaches a great teacher and asks what activities he should undertake in order to reach 'satori', or enlightenment.
The old Zen master answers: 'Chop wood and carry water.'
After ten years of faithfully carrying out these duties, the frustrated pupil returns and tells his master, 'I've done as you asked. I have chopped wood and carried water for ten years, but still I have not attained enlightenment! What should I do now, O Sage One?'
The master answers, 'Continue to chop wood and carry water, my son.'
The pupil faithfully returns to his duties. Another ten years pass. During that decade, the student matures and reaches satori. He returns to see his old master wearing a simple smile on his face.
'Master,' he says, 'I have reached satori, and now I am an enlightened being. What should I do now?'
The master answers, 'Continue to chop wood and carry water then, O Enlightened One.' The pupil bows deeply and retires to his wood and water."
You see, dressage(horsemanship, good riding, et al) is not a destination. It is a journey. It is day in and day out of chopping wood and carrying water. Just because riders like Steffen Peters and Edward Gal have achieved greatness at the highest levels of dressage competition does not mean that each and every day they don't have to go out and start each horse from the beginning. They start with rhythm, relaxation, and connection. They build on those qualities to develop impulsion, suppleness, straightness and collection. Every day. Every ride. Every half halt. If you go out and run your horse through all of its tricks every day and never chop your wood and carry your water first, you will very quickly have a sore, bored, tight, clever horse who knows how to do only enough to end the ride as soon as possible. Take the time it takes, skip no steps. Neither should you languish...there is no such thing as perfection, so don't stifle your horse's enthusiasm and playfulness with demands of robotic perfection. But if you go out every single ride and make sure your horse's muscles are supple and loose, and that it moves freely forward in a clear and steady rhythm, accepting contact with the bridle, you will be well on your way to achieving satori. Namaste, my friends.

2011 Summary on the Horses & Riders of SCWDressage

2012-01-07T19:01:00.002-07:00

Frisco Bay at the Halloween CCEC Schooling show

This winter has been the mildest-and driest-many in this area have seen in a very long time. It's been great for training horses, though probably not so great for those running cows on BLM land. I'd like to take a minute to update what everyone has been up to, and of course brag a little on my gals and horses.

Brenda Whiteley and Cookie(Poetic Justice) have had a banner year for 2011, and it was both of their first show season competing in recognized Dressage competition. Cookie accomplished all the following from the age of just over 3.5 through the fall of her 4 yr old year. Though Brenda had made a transition to Dressage from the Hunter/Jumper world several years ago, she had previously only competed at the local schooling show level. Even in 2010, she only entered in the "Opportunity" classes at the recognized shows. So, what follows is a laundry list of this pair's phenomenal achievements for 2011:
~CHAMPION-USDF All-Breeds/American Warmblood Registry-Open Training Level
~Reserve Champion-Las Vegas Chapter-CDS-Amateur Training Level
~Champion-Color Country Equestrian Club Vintage Training Level
~Reserve Champion-Color Country Equestrian Club Vintage First Level
~Qualified-and participated-USDF Regional Championships-Training Level
~Qualified-and participated-CDS Regional Adult Amateur Championships
~USDF Horse Performance Certificate-Training Level
~USDF Rider Achievement Award-Training Level
~Represented the Las Vegas Chapter at the CDS Adult Amateur Clinic series with Donna Richardson.
~Two Vintage High Point awards
~Brass plates from CDS for both Brenda at I and Training and First levels
~Cookie, with me aboard, also earned an Open High Point award, Reserve Champion with LVC-CDS at First level, and assisted me in completing my Rider Achievement Award at First level.
This young mare is a bright star and a pleasure to train. I'm honored to be a part of this team.

Karen Martz and Tanner have continued to develop their bond. They have become the seasoned pair in our barn to ride out with if you want to go on a trail ride. Of course, Karen uses all that she learns in her dressage lessons to complement her horsemanship skills, keeping her safe on the trails. They competed in our local schooling show series as well as participated in all three of the clinics SCWDressage organized. In the last couple of months, Karen and Tanner have reached a new level in their connection and throughness, and we are looking forward to the 2012 schooling shows with great anticipation. Tanner has been schooling much of the First level work in his training sessions with me, and has gone from being a totally unbendable mack truck four years ago to a soft, supple, sensitive big boy. As my very first full training client, Karen deserves great respect for her dedication and committment to becoming an educated and responsible horsewoman.

Sarah Glidden has had a trying year. While I have continued to ride & train her horse, Daz(Beau Dazzler, she has spent little time in the saddle. She took an unplanned dismount in April, which resulted in two compressed vertebrae. That needed a few months to heal, but before she could really get back in the saddle, it came to light that her family needed her help in a very big way. Her year old grandaughter was diagnosed in July with delayed myelation. This is a very serious disease, not unlike cerebral palsy, that causes developmental delay and will be a life long challenge for little Avery. Fortunately, Sarah was able to take a leave of absence from work and head to Park City to help with all the physical therapy that was required. Avery has a long road ahead of her, but I am so glad Sarah was able to go and be a part of the education and therapy process. Sarah has bravely faced many heartbreaks and challenges in her life, and is an inspiration to me. I am humbled to be able to help her keep her horse. He makes her happy, and that makes me happy. I did compete Daz in the local schooling show series, and he finished the year as the Open Second level Champion. I also competed him at one recognized show early in the year, at First level. He was a very good boy, earning me yet another CDS brass plate for scores above 60%. He is schooling everything in Third level, and of course is now helping Sarah regain her saddle-fitness.

Jenny Campos has moved to southern California! After some trying personal times and much soul-searching, she decided to take a year for herself. She was born and raised in southern Utah, and this time in California is a wonderful opportunity for her to grow, and hopefully blossom. She did compete at four recognized shows in the 2011 season at First level, and did very well with her first season. She finished with scores as high as 68%. I have kept her amazing Latvian Warmblood gelding, Brendijs, going in full training. Jenny has decided to sell Brendijs, so I have spent the last few months since returning from Canada getting him fit, strong, and bringing him up the levels a bit. He has very easily handled the work, moving rapidly from Second level into Fourth level. I competed him at the Las Vegas Fall Fling in Fourth level test 1, and we earned excellent scores, particularly considering it was both of our debut at the level. We brought home a 66.7 and 67.4. I'm pretty happy with that, and plan to continue to show him until the perfect home can be found for him. He'd make a wonderful schoolmaster, but also is talented enough for a new professional to get some experience at the medium levels. I have him schooling everything in Prix St. Georges. Good Lord willing and the creek don't rise...maybe he and I will make an FEI debut in the spring???!!! While I miss having Jenny at the barn, I wish her much happiness in life and hope California treats her well.

Barbara Repta, the owner of Bergdalen Marit, has moved back to Park City with her husband. She made the brave but agonizing decision to discontinue riding in light of the progression of dementia. "Petunia" has moved to Las Vegas and is being leased by Samantha Slinkard, a very talented young lady. I feel this pair is the perfect match, and while I know Barb misses her pony, Petunia is in very good hands with Samantha.

SCWDressage welcomes a new addition to the gang, in Mariellyn Berry. She owns a really nice AQHA gelding named PKS Sugar("Skeeter"). He has been in full training with Ryon Gardner, who owns Lava Bluffs. Mariellyn has her sights set on Western Dressage, a rapidly growing discipline. Mariellyn is a delight to work with, has become a wonderful friend to me, and I look forward to seeing this pair compete in the upcoming schooling shows, where we will add the new Western Dressage tests to the lineup.

I competed my kiddo, Frisco Bay, in his first two shows in November. He is a travelling pro already, having gone to Canada for the past three summers. At 3.5, he was the youngest horse entered in the Arizona Dressage Association's Fall Fiesta. He was also the youngest horse entered at the Las Vegas Fall Fling. We showed at Training level tests 2 & 3 at these two shows. Our path has been a little bumpy, with scores ranging widely! Our first test of his career, in Scottsdale, resulted in a 50% and a near-elimination after repeated disobediences. He just could not understand why he had to be by himself in that ring, when all the other horses were next door in the warmup ring. Twice I had to bring him to a complete halt in order to avoid an unplanned exit of the arena! Can you say "effective use of the outside rein?!" Frisco gradually got the hang of his job, gained some cofidence, and we eventually edged our scores up to 64%. I'm wondering if that was the widest percentage swing of the show?! Our next show went significantly better, with Frisco having a lot of confidence in his job, and making a big step up in his scores. He earned 69's on both tests on Saturday, and our final test of 2011, at the Las Vegas show, resulted in a 70%. My first ever 70% in recognized competition. On a 3 year old. At only his second show. Frisco has earned one score needed to qualify for the Regional Championships, in the Open division, which requires a 68%. I hope he continues to progress, and gains consistency and confidence. I plan to show him at least a couple more times at the Las Vegas shows this winter and spring. Frisco and I were the Open Intro Champions for our local schooling show series for 2011. By the way, I must mention I really like the new addition to the Intro tests...test C is a very well designed test, perfect for youngsters and timid riders.

SCWDressage organized three clinics and two schooling shows in 2011. Our clinicians were Blondie Brimhall, Trisha Kerwin, & Stephanie Brown-Beamer. These ladies also judged all three of the schooling shows in 2011, allowing riders who had participated in the clinics to get feedback on their progress from these wonderful instructor/judges. I can't thank Ryon and Holly Gardner, owners of Lava Bluffs Equestrian Center, enough, for their support of my efforts. And Color Country Equestrian Club provides a great opportunity for the local dressage community to gain much-needed experience in dressage shows without having to break the bank. I also can't do any of this without the love and support of my wonderful husband, Dow. He made oatmeal for me every morning in Scottsdale...and took me out to dinner every night. I am grateful to all those who make all this possible for me, and look forward to another great year in 2012.

Dressage for the 21st Century, by Paul Belasik

2011-11-12T13:22:00.000-07:00

This is one of my favorite books, and I am currently re-reading it for perhaps the 6th time. I'm sure I'll read it many more times before I am done with my riding career! I want to share a couple of super excerpts from the book. The first is just a wonderful explanation of collection vs. extension, and is found on page 93. It reads: "If a horse cannot immediately lengthen the trot, there is a good chance that the previously collected trot had no power. If nothing can be let out, nothing was being stored up. Collection and extension should be like the proverbial cannon-the same amount of gunpowder, only a different angle of the barrel." In other words, slow is NOT collection. Contained power IS.The next excerpt is more about the philosophy of training horses and riders. It is a philosophy I personally hold dear. I do not encourage my clients to run out and buy highly trained horses that are trained far above their current riding levels for a reason. I instead encourage my clients to become an integral part of the training process, and I try to demonstrate to them through my own dedication and hard work that learning to ride well, and train your horse, is a years-long process that takes committment and time. The excerpt is found on page 133, and reads: "The underlying theme of this book has been to explain how the classical system is a continuous process. There is a complex layering of skills and a dovetailing of excercises. Unless one trains horses all the way through, it is impossible to really understand the way the training must fit together and what is more and what is less important along the way. All along, there has been the inherent warning that all theory must yield a cohesive whole, or the trainer can become infatuated with interesting but unworkable fragments. The tendency in the beginning is to want to climb the ladder as quickly as possible. Some riders think that a lot of experience at Grand Prix will automatically fulfill the requirements for experience at the lower levels. Well, it won't. There is no substitute for experience at every level: each has its own importance and, in some cases, the lower levels are more important. So long as the rider is seduced by the glamorous notion of high school, there will be a problem. This is not just some psychological problem of too large an ego. The problem is one of pragmatic importance and it has a real physical dimension, which is that the horse knows that the rider does not really care about the fundamentals, about doing the simple things right. The horse knows that it can wear the rider out with a little dragging of the feet. This rider will bore easily." Belasik goes on to say: "Part of being a teacher is to do the teaching and not let the students control the curriculum. Like the horse, if the students know that the teacher doesn't really care about the fundamentals, about doing the simple things right, they also know that they can wear the teacher down with a little feet dragging. The teacher will bore easily. A student might think 'If I procrastinate a little, then I can do something that is more fun.' Any school of horsemanship that is based in such 'fun' demeans the blood, sweat and tears of such as La Broue and Newcastle and Gueriniere, who gave us classical dressage. There can be great joy in riding, but it is set up with great work. The study of equitation is school, not entertainment." I could not have said it better myself, and is a salve to my still raw wound of losing my very educated partner far too young...developing a horse through to the upper levels of competitive dressage takes not only many years of hard work, but also, a lot of luck. I could easily go out and "buy my ride" and be showing in a tophat and tails right now. But I won't...because I know how important it is to fully understand every layer of this onion, despite the blood, sweat and tears involved. Thank you Paul Belasik for staying true to the core principals of this amazing discipline. And thank you to my current very dedicated clients for trusting that there are no shortcuts, that the tortoise always wins the race of developing horses and riders.

Poetic Justice and Brenda Whiteley

2011-08-16T18:40:00.002-06:00

Ok I have to just take a moment to brag! I've just returned from the California Dressage Society's Regional Adult Amateur Championships in Del Mar, CA. Brenda did a great job, and learned a lot. It was her first dressage show of this calibre, with 22 riders in her class. On Saturday, she and Cookie put in a solid, steady ride, finishing in 8th place with a 67.2%. On Sunday, we worked in the warmup to develop more elasticity, suppleness, and throughness. Brenda did a super job getting Cookie put together into a much more polished, professional looking degree of balance and connection. Unfortunately, Cookie did remind us that she is only just barely four years old, finding some invisible monsters in the H corner of the arena. She'd already been in that same arena the day before! Brenda had a little trouble getting her into that courner throughout the test, which created a few problems. That being said, Brenda remained poised and tactful, never punishing Cookie or getting restrictive with the hand. She just kept her legs on, hands forgiving, and sent her confidently forward...like a pro. This is the kind of riding Cookie will learn from. There is nothing to fear, most especially not her rider! Because the quality of the warmup work was so high, and Cookie was thus moving much more brilliantly and staying much more connected, they still managed a 64.8. Overall Cookie was a real trooper and behaved herself far better than many horses with much more show experience. This was only her fourth show! As a result of these scores that Brenda and Cookie earned, in combination with scores that they have earned in the three previous shows, they have accomplished four very amazing feats for such a novice pair. Brenda has now earned a USDF Rider Achievement Award at Training Level. Cookie has earned a USDF Horse Performance Certificate at Training Level. Brenda and Cookie have qualified for the USDF Regional Championships. And, Cookie will earn a national ranking in the USDF All-Breed Awards, for the American Warmblood Registry, at Training Level. Their median score will be approximately 66.4%, and at the present moment that places them in first place nationally! Additionally, Cookie has earned two Vintage High Points for Brenda, and one Open High Point for Stacy...before she even turned four years old. This is an amazing young mare, with tremendous heart and beautiful movement, and Brenda is to be commended for her hard work and committment. Dressage is not easy, nor is bringing along a young horse. I am so proud of them both, and pleased to be a part of this amazing team.

What, Really, is Collection?

2011-07-26T21:09:00.003-06:00

Ask a hundred different riders, whether they are dressage riders or reiners, or cowhorse people, or hunter/jumper riders, even natural horsemen, and they will all give you a different definition, and yet, they are all seeking it.
I was telling my student and BFF about a month ago that I wanted to write a blog post about how I personally define collection. Then I got busy packing to head north, and didn't get it posted. In the meantine, she had lent me a book called "Dressage, Naturally" by Karen Rohlf. Karen was a longtime student of Anne Gribbons and has competed at the highest levels of dressage. But she left the conventional avenues of dressage training to pursue a study of the Parelli system. What came of that study is brought together beautifully in this book. Why am I mentioning this book now, during my attempt to discuss how I define collection? Well, because for the very first time, in all the reading I've done, and I've done lots of reading, I have never once seen anyone describe collection the way I would describe it, until I read this book.
Are you on the edge of your seat, waiting for my(and her) definition??!!
Collection is nothing more than balance. To me. If I could get my clients to understand one thing about collection, it is that it has absolutely nothing to do with framing your horse into a pose or slowing down the gaits or even the stereotypical picture of a "collected" horse. What you are seeing, when you picture that stereotype, is nothing more than a horse who has been brought, little by little, step by step, ride by ride, year after year, into a heightened degree of balance, self-carriage, throughness(I call it maleability), engagement, and straightness. There is a reason collection is at the top of the pyramid. You don't wake up one day and say to your horse: "Now we must be collected." And then proceed to arm wrestle him into a pose that fits your image. Karen, in her book, goes on to say that she would rather not talk about collection as a destination, but rather a journey. What we are all really after is actually not necessarily the height of collection(seriously, how many of us, and our horses, will really make Grand Prix or perform the airs??). No, what we are all really after is: "collectibility", the possibility to collect, the balance improving degree by degree.
So how do we achieve this? Well, that is a work in progress, for every rider, and every horse. Collectibility is your gradual development of your horse's balance. By developing all the tiers of the training pyramid thoroughly, you teach your horse to become more and more balanced onto his hindquarters, more and more light in his shoulder, and more and more maneuverable with lighter and lighter aids.
This is not an easy process. It doesn't happen overnight. And depending on how you picture that collection, whether you eventually want to ride a piaffe/passage tour or you want to ride a rundown to a sliding stop, you must take the time to develop your horse's rhythm, relaxation, contact, impulsion, suppleness and straightness until he has become so rideable and balanced that the collection you need to get that task done is just "there". The amount of collection needed to do a medium trot to collected trot transition at Second level is not the same as the amount of collection needed to get that piaffe/passage tour done at Grand Prix. But if you don't ride that medium trot to collected trot transition well at Second level, then you are not setting your horse up for the piaffe/passage later. You have to ride today's work very well if you want tomorrow's work to be better. So the next time you ride, consider this. Rather than saying to yourself "gee I wish my horse had an easier time staying collected.", instead think about what is missing from your horse's way of going that prevents him from staying balanced enough to keep his weight on his haunches and off his forehand. Is he overloading his left shoulder? Is he giving you neckbend rather than body bend to the right? Are his haunches to the inside when you canter? Is he stepping through equally with both hind legs? Does he "stop" in the downward transitions and fall into your hands, or does he step more deeply underneath his mass and transition down like a feather falling from the sky? These are the kinds of questions you have to ask yourself, as a student of horsemanship generally and dressage specifically. Not once in a while, either, but every ride, every stride. If you are in the saddle, you'd better be asking questions, if you want that coveted perfect balance of collection.
Here's to balance and collectibility, in riding, and in life!

An Interesting Debate I had with a Friend and Student

2011-05-02T11:42:00.002-06:00

I have had an ongoing debate with a friend, who from time to time also takes lessons from me. She has come to dressage by way of other disciplines. I am copying my response to her concern as to why a particular ride that was not very accurate did not have many comments from the judge regarding that. And why she got good scores on a couple of movements, that she thought weren't necessarily all that wonderful. Here is my response:
"Read the top part of your Training level test: "To confirm that the horse's muscles are supple and loose, and that it moves freely forward in a clear and steady rhythm, accepting contact with the bit." It does not say: "To confirm that the horse can be ridden in an accurate pattern and that the rider is completely accurate." It isn't about the pattern, dressage is simply not about the pattern. It's about the quality of the gaits, which are expected to be improved rather than corrupted by correct riding, and the quality of the connection. It's about the horse-making sure the horse goes forward with clear, clean gaits, and accepts the bit. He doesn't even have to be completely ON the bit, just, accepting. Every level beyond Training level, includes that statement above as a prerequisite to the additional requirements of the level. The judges expect to see young horses and beginning riders at Training level, neither of whom can be expected to always hit their marks, so to speak. They deliberately make transitions between markers rather than at markers, until the hardest test, and even then, a judge would MUCH rather see a correctly forward-to-the-connection transition a little bit early or late, than exactly at the mark. They tell us this specifically in the L course. Now if you can do all that, AND get your transitions bang on, that's when you see scores of 68 and higher. And frankly, it DOES take tremendous effort and correct riding by the rider to keep a horse's gaits pure and clear, especially if you have a horse that does not naturally have great gaits, or a horse that has very big gaits. You would be surprised at how many riders make their horses' canters and walks impure, either through tension, or through not letting the horse move out to a steady contact because they are unable, or afraid, to ride their big moving horses forward. Judges are taught to severely penalize impure gaits-that goes to incorrect riding and training. That is why one rider got a very low score, despite a dead accurate ride. She is so tense and fearful, and so severely restricts her horse’s movement that she has even made her horse's trot impure. And I don't mean just going uneven or unlevel in the trot lengthenings either, a common problem due to lack of thoroughness and connection. I mean he ambles instead of trots. He didn't do that two years ago. It's also probably why you got a 4 on one of your walk scores. I had a horse come to me whose walk and canter had both been made completely lateral by the previous trainer. She did not know what to do with his big gaits, so she rode them out of him. Nor did she know how to keep him connected over his topline, and so he'd also go reinlame in the trot lengthenings. I have fixed the canter-but it is much harder to fix the walk once it's ruined-and I still have times where he goes lateral in it. This is a horse that was born with 8 gaits. So you see, gaits absolutely, unequivocably, go to training. His 8 gaits can easily be made 5 gaits. Your horse has a tendency to get lateral in walk and canter, but he naturally has 7 gaits. You didn't have to go out and buy a fancy horse to get 7 gaits. No one does. A 7 means your horse has "fairly good" gaits. 8 is only just "good". Incorrectly ridden, your horse’s gaits can easily become a 5, even a 4. The gaits ARE all about the training-the preservation of the gaits and in fact the IMPROVEMENT of the gaits during the training is the hardest part of this sport. Accuracy: Janet Foy called it the pennies in your pocket, vs. the gaits and the connection, which are the silver dollars and fifty cent pieces. If you halt exactly where you are supposed to, but your horse hits the hand and goes onto the forehand because you slammed on the brakes just to hit your mark, you will, under a correctly trained judge, always get a lower score for that, than a horse that halts a litle bit before or after X, but halts softly onto his haunches and stays connected, balanced, and engaged because the rider took the time needed to seek correctnesss in the transition. Besides, it's really hard to see from C if the rider exactly hit X. We've had this debate before and I know how you feel, but I am telling you, that is not how dressage judges are trained. We are developing lifelong athletes that are expected to reach their peak between the ages of 12 and 18. Our best athletes that go to the Olympics are not even ALLOWED to be there unless they are at least 7 years old. If all dressage trainers worried about was accuracy, they could not keep horses sound that long. Now let's face it, a rider who rides correctly enough to keep the horse going forward to the connection in a clear and steady rhythm, and keeps her horse supple and loose, generally also is able to get her half halts through easily enough that her accuracy happens as a direct result of the correctness of the rest of the work. In other words, it should be a byproduct of correct training, rather than the goal. You don't have to agree with me(and it's not me, but rather the entire classical dressage theory), but this is how we are taught to judge. So, even if you don't agree, at least you now know enough to understand why you might get the scores you get, and why I emphasize the quality of your horse's movement when I teach you. His canter is VERY different when you sit back and keep his hind legs loaded-he gets much more uphill with much more airtime, the difference between a 5 canter, and an 8 canter, and that right there is an example of how the riding directly affects the gaits. That is why you got a 9 on that canter circle-you must have not only been accurate, but you must have kept your weight back over his haunches and showed a balanced, uphill, active canter with plenty of suspension. Congratulations! Good job."

Show Report, Las Vegas Winter Fling Feb. 19/20, 2011

2011-02-26T13:51:00.003-07:00

Congratulations to Brenda Whiteley and Poetic Justice for earning the High Point Vintage award! Brenda rode Training Level Test 3-Q to a 67.2% on Saturday, Training Level Test 2 to a 67.5% on Sunday, and Training Level Test 3-Q to a 68.888% on Sunday. She has earned one of two scores required to qualify for the USDF Regional Championships. She has also, with her scores from this show and the November show, now qualified for the California Dressage Society's Adult Amateur Championships, with the Southern Championship show to be held in August in beautiful Del Mar.

I'd also like to congratulate Jenny Campos and Brendijs on their very first Recognized competition. Jenny has been successful at the schooling level, and decided it was time to up the ante. She learned a lot and has gained some valuable insight. I expect wonderful things from this pair. Their scores were very respectable, and will only improve.

Lastly, I'd like to thank Brenda for choosing me to help her bring along her lovely young mares. In 2009, her mare Bold Rhythm Rules(Ruby) helped me earn the final scores needed to obtain a USDF Rider Performance Award for Training Level. I had already earned three of those scores on my own mare, Charisma, in 1999 and 2000, prior to moving to Canada. I'm happy to report that as of this last show, and of course pending final verification from USDF, I have now earned all scores needed for a Rider Performance Award at First level, thanks to the scores I earned at the November show and this show, on Poetice Justice(Cookie). I earned two scores previously on Charisma, and earned the remaining two with Cookie. I can honestly say that I earned these awards, along with the Rider Performance Award at Second level, exclusively on horses that I trained myself. While not everyone agrees, to me as a professional in this industry, this is an important distinction, to be able to say I trained the horses that I rode.

You Can Lead a Horse to Water.....

2011-02-26T13:15:00.003-07:00

Ever wonder why some people seem to make their way despite less than ideal circumstances, and others, with all the support in the world, just languish? I truly believe there are two different kinds of people. There are those who wait for knowledge/success/dreams to come to them. Sometimes it does, and sometimes it doesn't, often with just a difference between good luck and bad luck. And there are those who actively pursue knowledge, work smartly towards success, and never take their eye off their dreams. I believe we make our own luck to a certain extent. Yes we have to have a little help from Lady Luck herself, but, if you aren't currently existing in a place to receive that help, then it will be wasted and pass you by. It amazes me when someone will say to me, "I'd like to ride such and such level", and they could not if their lives depended on it recite to me what is required of that level. The information is all out there, folks. And with the internet, information has never been so very easy or inexpensive to obtain. If you want to progress more rapidly than you have ever dreamed possible, take advantage of every resource available to you. When you take your riding lessons, do you ever go home and write down notes about them? I do, and always have. Do you read your score sheets, make note of common themes in problem areas, and go home and work on those before the next show? Or do you throw your hands up and decide to wait to find another judge who might be more forgiving of your particular faults? Or worse, decide to stick with schooling shows? Do you avoid challenging yourself with harder work, more lessons, more shows, more clinics and instead sit passively on the sidelines thinking "oh that looks so easy, why doesn't that rider just DO what the instructor is saying?!"? Or do you stay home "schooling" at whatever level you think you are schooling and never go out there and be forced to get it done under the lights? It's not confirmed until you can get it done in front of a judge with everyone watching. You don't have to have a lot of money to improve. Even if you are very limited in how many lessons you can take, there are always going to be ways to get education inexpensively. I mean seriously, if you have enough money to own a horse, you can certainly find a way to afford SOME instruction and the ODD show or clinic. I can't think of a trainer who wouldn't trade a lesson for some help around the barn, or some skill or service you provide that would be of benefit to them. How many of your peers' lessons have you watched this week? Do you show up, ride your horse and gab at the grooming racks, or, do you stand out in the weather with the trainer watching the other riders? I challenge each of you to take initiative in every facet of your life. Need to lose some weight? Walk a little bit more, eat a little bit less, do some extra chores around the barn or join an exercise group. Not strong enough or fit enough get the most out of your lessons? See the previous answer. Just not flexible enough to keep your legs long and in the correct position? Join a yoga class or save some money and look up equestrian specific stretching routines online. And then actually DO those stretches. Don't know what the trainer is talking about when she schools the students at a higher level than you? Ask!! Or better yet, go home and read about it. Read the FEI handbook. Read the Dressage Rules and the Dressage Glossary. Is your trainer going to be involved in some kind of higher education course? Try to get yourself volunteered as a groom, auditor, or just a tagalong. Be humble, but TAKE INITIATIVE. As Thomas Jefferson said: "He who knows best, knows how little he knows." Seek knowledge, it's out there just waiting for you.

Christmas Fun

2011-01-06T08:36:00.003-07:00

We got together for a little Christmas party organized by Brenda. The original plan was to go for a trail ride together and then over to Brenda's for a gift steal party. But it rained, and rained some more! We had rain fall approaching record levels in December, but that didn't stop us from having some fun. Since we couldn't really ride, we decided to take silly pictures of the horses instead. Jenny, Barb and Linda weren't able to make it, but Arnie, Barb's husband, was a good sport and filled in for a picture! Later we went over to Brenda's and had a really nice party. Everyone decided they liked the gifts they brought the best so we each chose our own! The girls all pitched in and bought us a Simultalk 24G system...so no more shouting into the wind, and no more pretending they can't hear me ;) It's been really helpful, the girls love that I can talk to them more quietly and that I can get more information to them, in time enough for it to actually make a difference!

The girls had a successful year at the Color Country Equestrian Club Dressage schooling show series. I am proud of their hard work, and we are already planning for next year. Check out the Photos tab for some show pictures of the girls.

USDF "L" Program

2010-11-14T10:56:00.004-07:00

Just over a year has passed since the A Session last October in Park City, UT, and now I have completed the entire course. I took the final exam last weekend in Scottsdale, AZ. It has been an amazing and transforming journey. I will never be the same. Obviously I hope I pass, maybe even with distinction, but irrespective of how my final standings shake out, I have learned so much, and am a different rider, horse trainer, and coach because of this program. If I could get one message across, it would be: JUST DO IT. If a program is put on by your GMO, or a neighboring GMO, you must sign up. Honestly, had I known how time consuming and expensive it was going to be, I probably would not have done it. My annual "Stacy's Hobby" budget was blown to bits this year, in part because of this, so know going in: it is a big committment. But there is nothing you can do for yourself as a coach or ambitious rider in this country that is better for your base of knowledge than this program. It is very widely respected throughout the world, for good reason. Every minute and every dime is worth it. You will leave with so much information, and so much deeper an understanding of many aspects of the sport of dressage. When I first signed up for this program, I did so with the thought that this would prepare me for USDF Instructor Certification, which I had set as a goal a couple of years ago, after realizing(and being rather taken aback by that realization) that people really can just hang out a sign and call themselves a dressage instructor and trainer. I was a little surprised that instructor certification required that you already have four years of experience, and when my GMO, the Utah Dressage Society, mentioned the possibility of an L Program, I immediately said I would sign up. I knew that I needed real information and real training by a respected organization. Of course there are apprenticeship opportunities out there, I had done two such apprenticeships. What I came away with was this: where was the standardization?? My degree is in education. I wanted an education, not opinions...and not just any education either. I wanted a relevant and respected education, for the discipline I chose: Dressage, in the "classical" format, with competitive applications. I believe competitive and classical dressage should not be different, and this program proves it. I have had some very good instructors through the years. But this program, the USDF "L" program, provides a depth of scientific knowledge and real world experience that draws from many backgrounds. An entire panel puts together the instruction manual, and it is updated yearly. It is very thorough. There are no superstitions or opinions...it's all very specific, and you will never ride, coach, or train the same again if you go through this program. I would even support requiring this program of anyone who receives remuneration for the instruction of Dressage, I believe it is that good.
If you sign up for the "L" Program, expect to be challenged, to step out of your comfort zone, to realize you've been wrong about some things you thought you knew, to meet some amazingly dedicated leaders in our sport, and to connect with a class from all walks of life and make lasting friendships. There is no way the instructors can possibly be paid enough for this job. If you think the job of a judge is grueling, what these instructors take on, for the love of the horse and the discipline(there can't be any other reason!), is mind-boggling. The USDF "L" Program brings together great minds, big hearts, and an outstanding curriculum. Yes it is the first step on the path to being a Dressage judge. But you do not need to have a desire to be a judge to do this. In fact, this program is probably even more valuable to coaches than it is to prospective judges. The trickle-down effect of getting this information out there could transform our sport. You-any of you...riders, trainers, coaches...should absolutely take advantage of this amazing opportunity. Yes it might take time from your students, but ask mine: every minute I spent working on this program was worth a thousand minutes of greatly increased effectiveness in my ability to communicate on a much more sophisticated level with them. They definitely got their money's worth from my time spent away. And the horses I ride are thanking me too.

Ride Your Horse, Not The Test

2010-10-27T15:37:00.002-06:00

I've been studying really hard for the Final Exam of the "L" Program, which I take next weekend, November 5th & 6th. One of the concepts the instructors really wanted us to understand is how important the General Impressions are. It is easy to sit and give a "play by play" of what is happening. But, can we actually assess and communicate to the rider what is missing from the picture, as it relates to the Training Scale, and the General Impressions? While accuracy is very important-it increases the difficulty and shows careful preparation-it is like the pennies in your pocket as compared to the dollars and fifty cent pieces...those being the Gaits and the training of the horse. At Training Level, there's not much to it, and riding with accuracy, both in your figures and the placement of your transitions, will earn you very respectable scores even with an average horse. But as you go up the levels, the expectations increase exponentially: the Gaits must not only be preserved, but enhanced; the degree of balance and self-carriage expected increases; the need for absolute acceptance of the aids and connection is imperative to proper development of the horse's musculature; and thus, the rider must quickly shift roles from being a benevolent leader at Training level, to becoming very effective with her aids in such a way to improve all of the aspects laid out in the General Impressions. Have you actually read the General Impressions on your test sheet? Have you read the directives of the movements? Have you read the purpose on the top of the test sheet? Have you read the Dressage rule book? Do you know what the purpose and essence is of each movement that you ride? If you read this information, really read it and try to understand it, you will quickly realize that how you influence your horse, how you train him, how you present the aids and the contact, are the most important part of this sport. Sheri Dumonceaux always told me "It isn't about the movements". I always tell my riders "Pretty is as pretty does".
The point I'm trying to make is this...the next time you are schooling, don't just go through the motions and ride your test movements. Know why certain things are required at certain levels. Take the shoulder-in for example. Once it is introduced at Second level, this movement becomes an integral part of the rest of your dressage career. Do you even know why you have to show this movement? Do you know what its purpose is? What is the essence, it's most important reason for being?? And more importantly, do you realize that you don't just wake up one day and decide your horse will now be required to demonstrate shoulder in? Have you been preparing your horse, day after day, ride after ride, circle after circle, to lower and engage his inside hind leg? If you have, well, shoulder in will "be there" when your horse's balance and the coordination of your aids reaches that level of sophistication. If instead, you've been allowing his hind legs to swing out as you round corners or make turns, if you've not developed control over his shoulders in the leg yields, if you've failed to pay attention to whether or not he truly stretches into your outside rein and yields his body to your inside leg, then shoulder in will bedevil you. Your horse will wonder why, suddenly, he has to show balance, bend, honest connection to the outside rein, and load his inside hind leg, and you will encounter much resistance. You may find yourself contorting your legs and body in a vain attempt to get the angle, bend, and uphill balance inherent in the movement. Think of the shoulder in in terms of the General Impressions. Does the horse maintain the regularity in his trot? Does he show freedom and elasticity with his shoulder? Does he lower the inside hip, thereby engaging the hind legs and improving the uphill balance? Does he accept the inside leg and go confidently into your outside rein? If so, the picture you will present is a horse that is working with a soft inside rein, has a slight bend-just enough to allow the inside hip to lower and step toward the center of gravity(underneath your inside seatbone), has the impression of growing taller at the wither and more compact in his body, and shows a marked increase in freedom of the forward reach of the front legs as well as a deepening of the flexion of the hind legs as they take more weight during the stance phase. Because you have developed his understanding of the connection from inside leg to outside rein over the years, your position will remain subtle and correct with no crossed or restricting reins or exaggerated leg positioning, because your horse has gradually built up the strength needed to do this well, and is confident and obedient, offering himself lightly to your aids, letting them through. All this comes together to produce cadence and balance, and over time will develop a very straight, collected horse moving in an uphill balance with a great deal of confidence in the connection to his rider. Here is an excellent photo of just such a shoulder in, with all credits due to Heather Mason, Flying Change Farm, and the photographer: www.flyingchangefarm.com/Photos/D@P.BF2E0015.jpg
So the next time you ride...ask yourself, can I get "there", whatever you perceive "there" to be, from "here"? Are you setting your horse, and yourself, up for success, by always riding him, and not just the test?

Las Vegas Schooling Show

2010-10-26T09:47:00.002-06:00

Brenda and I took Cookie down to Las Vegas for their schooling show this past weekend. We showed in the same classes as at the CCEC schooling show last weekend. I think we did very well, in heavy competition. Brenda earned a 66+% in Training level test 1, winning a very large class. She earned a 65% on Training level test 4, placing second, again in a very large class and with some much more mature horses as competition. I rode First level test 1, with the goal of riding her a bit more forward than at last weekend's show. Our early trot work was a little less bold than I would have liked, but this time I think the nerves were all mine. As I settled in and realized she was really going to need to be pushed this time, I rode more boldly, and all the work improved. We had a couple bobbles in the canter work, she was getting tired, but all in all turned in a nice performance. We earned a 64.6%, and second place, in a good-sized class against much older, more mature horses. I was happy with her trot lengthenings-they need more power, scope and steadiness but the quality is there, and I was also very happy with her straightness, something that is not always a given when riding a young horse, and her throughness is really starting to come along. This was an excellent dress rehearsal for the Fall Fling in November. We will only show her in two tests each day, now that she is getting the hang of this show thing and settling in faster. Brenda will ride Training level test 4 with an eye toward qualifying for the Regional Championships and the CDS Adult Amateur championships. I will ride First level test 1, with an eye toward preparing Cookie for the USEF and FEI 4 Yr Old tests by May. Dressage...selling hope!

CCEC October Schooling Show at Lava Bluffs, and CCEC Year End Results

2010-10-21T14:07:00.005-06:00

Thanks to all the hard work everyone put in, our last show of the season went off without a hitch. It was a small entry but that made for lovely gifts for every single rider, and very nice championship prizes. Each rider was given a gift bag from GEMTack , http://www.gemtack.com/ containing samples of Effol leather care products, clear braiding elastics, and BeetTreats from Emerald Valley http://www.emeraldvalleyequine.com/, along with a set of polo wraps embroidered with the logo of Lava Bluffs Equestrian Center http://lavabluffs.com/. All this just for showing up! Champions received a 50 lb. bag of Omega Grand Complete from OmegaFields http://www.omegafields.com/ or a set of three pairs of pearl earrings from Morgan Jewelers http://www.morganjewelers.com/stores/ut/telegraph-market/. Champions of the show were: Intro Level-Sarah Glidden and Beau Dazzler with a score of 67.5; Training Level-Brenda Whitely and Poetic Justice with a score of 70.87; First Level-Linda Thompson and Master with a score of 66.579; and Second Level-Linda Thompson and Master with a score of 63.784. Show High Point was Brenda Whitely and Poetic Justice with a score of 70.87, and Reserve High Point was Stacy Williams and Bergdalen Marit with a score of 68.696. Many thanks to our judge, Trisha Kerwin, our scribe, Beth Hart, the Gardner family for all the hard work getting everything ship-shape, Cindy and Mary Ellen for video-taping the rides, and Jenny Campos for running the show-day operation for me so I could concentrate on the horses and riders. Thanks to Linda for helping Jenny with the scoring, and for managing the year end tabulations. Thanks to all my girls for all your help, to me, as well as to each other. We have a very cohesive, supportive group and I am both prideful of, and humbled , by this.
As we close out the show season, the results are in for the year end awards with Color Country Equestrian Club in the Dressage category.
Intro Level Champion: Brenda Whitely and Poetic Justice
Intro Level Reserve Champion: Sarah Glidden and Beau Dazzler
Training Level Champion-Vintage: Brenda Whitely and Poetic Justice
Training Level Reserve Champion-Vintage: Karen Martz and Tanner
Training Level Champion-Open: Stacy Williams and Anvil's Rethel
Training Level Reserve Champion-Open: Stacy Williams and Bergdalen Marit
Training Level Champion-Cowboy: Karen Dixon and Easy Hollywood Buck
First Level Champion-Amateur: Jenny Campos and Brendijs
First Level Reserve Champion-Amateur: Linda Thompson and Master
First Level Champion-Open: Stacy Williams and Beau Dazzler
Second Level Champion: Linda Thompson and Master

Congratulations to all! Linda, Brenda and I will head into the beginning of the 2011 USDF show season now. Linda's goal is to show Second level at the recognized shows. Brenda and I will start Cookie's official show career, Brenda with an eye toward qualifying for the Regional and CDS Adult Amateur Championships at Training level. I will ride Cookie at First level, to test the waters to see if we can begin the spring of 2011 campaigning Cookie in the USEF 4 Yr Old Young Horse test. It is a big challenge, one I don't take lightly. I am very excited for this talented young mare's future.

We Do Not Own Tomorrow

2010-10-14T11:11:00.002-06:00

We also cannot live in yesterday. All we have is now. This isn't to say that we should not plan and prepare for the future, of course I would never suggest that. All I want to say to myself, and to my audience, is, BE HERE NOW. Live, right now. Enjoy, right now. Cherish, right now. Pursue your passion, right now. You cannot know what tomorrow brings.

As I stood in the Indian Summer sun Tuesday afternoon dragging back the edges of the arena, a hot, laborious, but necessary job, I had to come to grips with the fact that I am about to ride in the first dressage show of my riding career without my mare. I remembered all our trials, and all our successes, both as friends and as a riding partnership.

My sadness is not only for the loss of my best friend for 12 years, but also, the loss of what I had hoped would be our future. It may sound crazy, with all we'd been through, for me to have even dreamed of a future show career. I did cherish every moment, but every dressage rider is a pursuer of hope. Dressage is all about selling hope, the future. We just cannot forget about today in pursuit of our tomorrows. Charisma is the first horse I've brought through the levels of dressage. We made our way to Third level on three separate occasions, knocked back once by the joy of a foal, a second time by colic surgery, and the third try at Third level was the charm. The 2010 show season was our best ever. This summer, we were nailing our four and three tempis, and schooling the pirouette canter. On my last ride before she died, it clicked, she got it, the rhythm of the tempis, and we even managed a one tempi. I dared to hope for Fourth level in the fall, I dared to dream of Prix St. Georges in the spring, I was already picturing myself in tails. Those dreams were gone in an instant. I am now "relegated" to showing at the basic levels again, with a variety of client horses. Should I hide under a rock and refuse to come out again until I can perform at the same level or higher? No, because you know what I've come to understand? I don't own tomorrow. I just don't. I can hope, dream and plan. But I must be humble. I'd better live today. I can go ride my clients' wonderful horses this weekend, these horses who have each come together to heal my broken heart , and I can cherish the gifts they each have to give me. I will ride my heart out, give each horse my every breath and thought, and try to perform the most compelling Training and First Level tests we can muster. We will ride for today, and let tomorrow come as it may. We will ride in Charisma's honor. I miss you so much Charisma. I will never forget you.

Do Not Forget What You Already Know

2010-09-22T19:05:00.003-06:00

Here is a fun picture of Frisco playing while I am riding Charisma. He was such a funny and cute baby! I've been sorting through all my Charisma related stuff lately, trying to get everything organized so that I can create a little "shrine" if you will. I happened upon my journal from when I was a working student for Sheri Dumonceaux, and once I started reading, I could not stop. I can ride her in my memory, when I read my notes. I remember it all like it was yesterday. And what I most need to remember is this....I cannot forget all that I already know. Charisma was "The Great One", my Professor. I feel very guilty that such a kind and noble mare had to be my guinea pig. Maybe it is because only a kind and noble mare could remain so generous as I grew, and change with me. So much, really almost everything, of what I have learned, I have learned with Charisma. So long as I continue to learn, and to teach what I have learned to clients, I can continue to share her great gift with others. She will live forever this way. I write a lot, it helps me learn, so I've always made notes from my lessons, even when I first was learning. I still have all my notes. It is hard to believe that going forward, when I write about what I am learning, I will not be writing about it with Charisma included in the experience. I hope and pray that I have many, many years ahead of me to write more, except that Frisco will be the star. Everything that I learn going forward will be without her, however it will be BECAUSE of her...her gift to me. I hope to make myself worthy. Everything she taught me will cast a hue on everything new that I learn.
Today-well actually yesterday-was my first experience with learning something from Frisco. He has been the easiest horse in the world to start, almost couldn't wait to be ridden. So easy that, I tend to overlook the ground manners, because it is SO FUN to ride him, and in my mind he is still that hilarious and adorable colt you see in the picture above. So I just think to myself...he'll grow up eventually, no need to be stern with him when most of the time he is so good. But yesterday, he just walked away when I removed the halter to put the bridle on. You can't really punish at that moment, because then the horse will just run away-he was loose afterall!! I managed to wrestle the bridle onto a thousand pound moving target, and then drag him to the mounting block. He wasn't really doing anything bad or trying to get out of being ridden, he just wanted to play with my stuff on the ground and go see the horse at the other tie rack. He is a kid afterall, and a social butterfly. Once at the mounting block, he was ready to go!! To go out and see everything...so much so that he kept walking off. Still I wasn't in a position to punish him, because I'd kind of set the tone already. I just ignored all the crap, and we went on with our ride, which as usual was really great. Did I mention he loves to be ridden?! But I realized we needed to go back to kindergarten on certain things. So I decided that today, I would tack him up as usual, all except for the bridle, and put him in the round pen. I've mentioned that Frisco loves to be ridden. Have I mentioned how much he hates the round pen?! He knows that's for bad ponies, and plus, he can't see a damned thing, it's boring. I sent him around a few minutes each direction until I was really sure his attention was on me. The second I allowed it, he immediately turned to me for approval and I allowed him to come to the center. I removed his halter the way our second favorite cowboy taught us...head DOWN. Then, I put his bridle on the same way...head DOWN. He knows when I put pressure on his neck, he is to drop his head for me. He didn't forget a thing. Then we went to the mounting block. A couple taps with the whip on his chest, then a patient minute spent standing once I was in the saddle, and he was allowed to quietly walk off to see the exciting world. Horses don't forget. People do. The next time you are having a problem with something, something you thought had already been dealt with, you need to take the time to step back. In the end, it will be the fastest way. Our kindergarten session lasted all of ten minutes today. Go back to the beginning, rack your brain for the answers, read your old notes, try to remember what your trainer said. You probably already know it, and your horse is just patiently waiting for you to remember.

On the Loss of my Beloved Mare

2010-09-14T14:24:00.008-06:00

Time finally caught up, I thought we could beat the odds. I really did, because we always have. I was wrong this time. Charisma colicked again. She had another "episode" on the morning of September 1st, a Wednesday, but she was fine when I left at 3:30, just like all the other episodes. She ate her supper and was fine at night check. Thursday morning the barn manager found her, she was already in shock. It was too late. The vet came, he didn't want to take her to surgery. He talked to Dr. Schur in Las Vegas, her surgeon, gave her the details, and they both said it would not likely go well. I had told myself I would not put her through a second surgery, but I think I needed to hear it from them too, because my heart was not willing to face this. We had to set her free. Dow, and BJ were there, we held her, and, Frisco and her friends Casper and Blue stood quietly by. She rests at Ironhill, Priddis, Alberta. "Devastated" does not do justice to the loss we feel.

I need animals in my life, I think they make us more human. Losing them, knowing full well that we will outlive them, and still being willing to give our hearts to them, I've never known another way of being. It's too easy to avoid the pain. How shallow would that make me? Deep down, I knew this was coming, she has never been right since the surgery. On her good days, and it was mostly good days, she was better than she ever had been before. We had our best show season ever, and aside from that, we both cherished our time together. But on her bad days, it was clear that all was not well. Selfishly, I am angry, and feel cheated, that my self-perceived dedication and devotion could not have garnered me even more time. But I must be thankful for the time I got, I can't become bitter for having tried, and yet ultimately failing. I have some guilt that I could maybe have made different decisions. I don't think I could have done MORE, just, maybe, different. Hindsight is 20-20. Any decisions I made were because I thought at the time with the information I had that it was the right decision, that much I do know. All I can do is learn all there is to learn from this lesson. I realize that if I only have 14 more years with Frisco, if he only lives to 16 like his mother, or God forbid, less, I for certain must set about now to assure that my horse leads the happiest life possible. I've learned so much about diet, nutrition, and equine management in the past year. I can't forget these lessons. Even if I never own another horse, and it's possible that I won't, I can apply all this knowledge to the one horse I do still own, and my clients' horses, to make him, and them, the happiest, healthiest equine athletes he, and they, can be.
I am trying to figure out why I feel compelled to ride them, that maybe Charisma would have been happiest had I not brought her back as a riding horse, if I'd just turned her out to pasture instead she maybe would have lived. Logically, I know this would not have saved her, but, I can't help this guilt I feel. I think I must want to be one with them, to be a part of them, not just brush them and admire them, sort of like some people need to climb the mountains rather than just sit on the deck and enjoy the view of them. The universe surely had to know, I was not one to just be a horse owner, when it sent me Charisma. I will have to make certain Frisco retains the wonder and intrigue for being ridden that he has now. The discipline of dressage is unique in that the whole purpose and aim of the riding is to develop a longterm, close partnership with your horse, to develop a system of communication that involves no words, only a highly sophisticated sequence of physical indicators, so minute that they are invisible to a bystander. To lose a dressage horse is to lose years upon years of study, practice, and education...it is an irreplacable partnership. My horses have always been members of the family, so I have not only lost a family member, but a highly educated dance partner. The years it will take to establish this same level of communication with Charisma's son is a bit daunting at the moment.

When I walked through the woods with BJ and Charisma after my dog India(BJ's mother) died, I believe she visited us, in the form of a beautiful waxwing, who followed us from branch to branch. I've never seen a waxwing travel by itself, before, or since. When my grandfather died, I saw a raven circling inside a double sundog. I've never seen that before, or since. I know Charisma will visit me once more. In fact, I do not believe she is done here, I am sure she will be back.
This will make me a better, deeper, more spiritual person, I am sure of it. I can't believe I married the one person in the world who loves animals as much as I do, in the same way. Many spouses would be kind and supportive, but, how many would shed every tear with you? Share every emotion, from fear, guilt, anger, denial, to the good emotions, the good memories? We all were meant to be together...we are a chain of souls meant to link up. The links break but we will always be bound, and will keep looking for each other. I believe we have been together before, and will be again, all of us. I must believe this. I don't think I can cope with the loss without this hope.

When the Student is Ready, the Master Appears

2010-08-15T20:57:00.005-06:00

In the "L" Program study material there is a diagram depicting three different cycles. One is a bicycle with the tagalong bike behind, that two people can ride. One is a standard bicycle. And one is a unicycle. There is also another set of diagrams. One depicts the commonly seen drawing of a horse travelling on a bent line, with each foot falling as though the horse was a train on train tracks. Haven't we all been told that's how our horses should travel? Like a train on train tracks? The other depicts that same horse, but with the inside hind leg and the outside foreleg setting tracks down onto a single line, as though the horse was moving on a bent tightrope. The point of these diagrams is this: in order to gain greater access to all the parts of your horse, you must be able to narrow its base of support. The inside hind leg and outside fore leg must adduct towards the midline of your horse when travelling on a bent line. The only part about the train on tracks being correct is that you want your horse to do this without leaning in or out, and all the carts on the train have to stay in line. If you only ever ride your horse with the hind feet following exactly in line with the forefoot of the same side, the most you can ever hope for is a level balance, you will never get your horse's forehand lightened enough to develop an uphill balance. So how then do you get that horse's balance uphill and keep it from leaning in or out? Well, in addition to narrowing the base of support, you also must shorten your horse's base of support...you have to slowly, step by step, bring the center of mass over the inside hind leg until your horse feels as though you are riding a unicycle. That sounds hard, doesn't it? Why would we want to bring our horses to such a fragile state of balance? Well, to gain access to his body. When we can keep our horses working towards a shorter, narrower base of support, that inside hind leg, then we have ultimate control over what happens next. And amazingly, when you really have your horse balanced over that inside hind leg, that quest for lightness of the forehand just happens.
I rode in a clinic with Crystal Kroetch this weekend, my second clinic with her. It was the first time in all the lessons I've taken that an instructor brought up that concept of bringing the inside hind and outside fore more onto a single line. I'd already been struggling with it, after studying it in our first "L" session, trying to figure out just how to make that happen. Turns out the missing ingredient was getting Charisma's base of support not just more narrow, but also shorter, and not by stopping the front end, but by riding the hind legs more and more underneath her, a little bit more every step, a little bit more every circle, a little bit more every day. Did she get-WE get-a little wobbly at times and feel like we might tip over? You betcha. That's where that core strength must come into play. If you tip the balance bar(the reins) too aggressively, you will fall flat. Little adjustments...a little outside thigh here, a little inside calf there, a little more push with the seat and calves-but don't get tight!, a little vibration on the rein she(we) like to hang on, et voila! ...a few steps of heaven. Bask, then, back to work. I remember looking in the mirror at one point during the lesson, while working shoulder-in. I was getting good feedback from Crystal, and in the mirror, Charisma suddenly looked just like a video I've never forgotten of Edward Gal riding VDL Prestige in shoulder in. The massive stallion suddenly looked very tall and slender. Now, we are certainly not in that league, don't get me wrong, but it's amazing how an image can stick in your mind, and you don't know why, and then one day it becomes "crystal" clear why it was so inspiring. Edward Gal had narrowed and shortened that mighty stallion's base of support so much that he was balanced over the inside hing leg just as though he were sitting on a unicycle. I remember being awed at how easy and light it looked. Now I know why.
I have said it to my students a million times...if you want to be a tourist, buy your husband a convertible, park yourself in the passenger seat, and watch the beautiful world go by. Dressage is not an easy discipline. You have to ride a 1300 lb animal, be precise, consistent, fair, strong, soft, flexible, and all the while keep breathing and look like you are doing nothing. Best learn to ride with your mind and not your might! You will make mistakes but that is how you learn. Mark Twain said "Education consists mainly of what we have unlearned." Stay humble and willing to leave your comfort zone. As for me, I plan to buy a unicycle for crosstraining :)

The Leg Yield Demystified

2010-08-13T12:56:00.007-06:00

Below is a link to a super article by Jane Savoie regarding the leg yield. In watching various horse/rider combinations during my L Program education, I am realizing this is a commonly misunderstood and therefore improperly ridden movement. The leg yield, along with lengthenings of stride, develop the thrust(pushing power) that is necessary at First level, and is a prerequisite to the carrying power required of Second level and beyond. It teaches the horse to adduct with the inside hind leg, knowledge he will need when you begin to develop the shoulder-in. Only when the horse learns to keep the inside hind leg underneath its center of mass will it then learn to lower that inside hip, which will allow him to develop the carrying power necessary for collection and cadence. Well ridden, with a nicely filled outside rein and a high degree of submission to the inside leg, this is also a super suppling and submission exercise for more advanced horses. Be creative: leg yield away from the rail, or, leg yield in one direction, straighten, and leg yield back, in a zig zag. This should provide you with an excellent clue as to which hind leg your horse can better adduct, valuable information for future development of straightness. You can also, when encountering resistance to the outside rein, turn that into a counterflexion and ride leg yield with nose to the rail. Keeping the distance covered in each direction symmetrical will also create muscle balance in your horse, and you. Start with a little and develop your horse's suppleness over several requests. But don't forget, forward before sideways, so never allow your horse to fall sideways. If the shoulders begin to lead too much(and anytime it is more than you decided, it is too much), half halt on the outside aids-more leg than rein. While the crossover of the legs is the essence of the exercise, do not sacrifice the thrust this exercise creates for the sake of sideways motion. Your horse's feet should not drag or create dust, and when you complete a well-ridden leg yield, you should feel your horse bounce lightly into your outside rein and carry forward with a nice cadence for at least a few strides. Scroll down to the bottom of this blog and find a picture of Anvil's Rethel, a rare white dun Norwegian Fjord, at just this perfect moment after a leg yield to see the beautiful cadence he has carried forward from the exercise. A well-timed subtle pet with the inside hand will reward your horse for this higher degree of balance, engagement and self-carriage, reaffirming that lightness we all seek. Enjoy!
http://www.janesavoie.com/ezine/issue29.html#article

Too Much of a Good Thing?

2010-08-05T20:18:00.003-06:00

I am always game to try different approaches and hear about alternative ways to resolve common riding problems. But the increasing popularity of "western dressage" and the proliferation of "natural horsemanship" guru's needs to be considered from all angles. I strongly believe that these different forms of riding can be very useful to those of us in the dressage community. I personally hired a working cow horse/reining trainer(who also happens to be a good friend I'd seen start colt after colt) to start my 2 yr. old. Will I keep all the things he taught Frisco? No. But, his help was invaluable to me, and I have taken many things he taught Frisco and reformulated them into a more dressage-specific language, and applied them to other horses. One of my longest-term clients(who again happens to be a good friend whom I'd seen start filly after filly) has a significant amount of experience with Parelli and its offshoots. These two people have filled a huge void in my education as a rider and instructor, by giving me wonderful background in some things dressage riders frequently overlook...ground manners, yielding to pressure, and ground work designed to establish the human as the leader.
But after sitting in the Utah Dressage Society's "L" Program D-2 session this past weekend and watching rider after rider go around the arena with zero contact on the reins, and the impact of that approach on the harmony of the picture, I think I must play devil's advocate with the whole "lightness/yield to pressure" mindset that seems to have infiltrated our sport. OF COURSE we seek lightness. OF COURSE we need our horses to yield to pressure. But, this sport requires a significant amount of core strength, self carriage, and balance from both the rider as well as the horse. One of the most important aspects of our sport, sitting just above rhythm and relaxation on the training pyramid, is...CONNECTION. It is simply impossible to correctly develop a dressage horse's musculature over the course of many years without it. Muscles can only develop when they are engaged and asked to work. Slack toplines and slack reins do not equal relaxation my friends. Sawing the reins in the quest for a yield to pressure does not develop acceptance of the bridle. It only irritates the poor horse, making him wonder when next his teeth will be chattered, and is a dead giveaway to the judge that the connection of your seat to your horse's back is non-existent. The only way a horse can carry itself around the arena with the rider bearing only the weight of the reins in her hands is if that horse, and that rider, are so completely engaged in their cores, and so completely in balance with each other, that the horse no longer needs the support of the reins, and can "push back" from the bit, in 100% self carriage. I saw a lot of slack reins, or worse, long reins, but, not one horse did I see pushing itself back off the bit and carrying itself with a rider in perfect harmony. I dare say this misguided obsession with light reins is actually more detrimental to the horse's back and brain than the tight, short reins of a horse being ridden front to back. At least the latter horse knows he's not going to get a punch in the mouth at the end of the long side, and has a shot at bracing his back and underneck to protect himself against that death grip and the inevitable behind the vertical position of the rider as she digs her seat bones in a quest for "forward". Neither picture sounds very pleasant, does it? Neither is on the right track when it comes to that third tier of the training pyramind, connection. All I'm asking, fellow riders, is that you consider all the ramifications when you try new things. There is a reason why all the old books, all the old masters, all the old school trainers, demand that you learn to use your seat and position correctly. There are simply no shortcuts in this sport. Don't be seduced!

Utah Summer Games 2010

2010-07-23T15:59:00.002-06:00

I am a month late in posting about the Summer Games, but I suppose better late than never! I can't begin to put into words how proud I am of my gals. Each of them worked very hard in the months preceding the show, to set personal goals, and make a plan to achieve those goals.
The weather was great, the organization was great, and the judge, Marlo Vivenzio(a current L Program Participant), put everyone at ease, even those with horses who were a little nervous.
I don't have all the pictures in yet, but I will post a few that I do have to the pictures page.
Karen has made the full switchover from western to dressage, having just bought a dressage saddle, half chaps and paddock boots, and breeches, in May. It's a big change to have to re-learn the seat, position, and aids, when the saddle changes so drastically. But it has been a great transformation, she and Tanner look fantastic together. Karen improved her score, and had to demonstrate her horsemanship and tact, because Tanner was not his usual go along, get along self this day. Even with her making the wise and quick decision to trot through the entire left canter portion of her test, she still managed a very respectable 58.6 on Training Test 2. That is amazing considering this choice meant she had three 0s to over come. But Tanner's "8" gaits came through, and he remained much more reliably on the bit for her than he ever has before. Believe me, I know, this is not an easy horse to keep going forward onto the bit, there is just a lot of real estate to get packaged!
Brenda rode Cookie(Poetic Justice is her real name) in her third show. Cookie is just three, but has a super work ethic and beautiful conformation and gaits. Brenda earned a 69% on Intro B, and a 71.3% on Training Test 1.
Sarah rode in only her second show ever, but looked like she'd been doing it all her life. She waltzed into the ring with a mere 10 minutes warmup and knocked out a 66% on Intro B with her amazing Arabian, Daz(Beau Dazzler).
Jenny and Brendijs improved their scores in First level drastically from the May show, with a 71.3% on First level test 1, and a 70.6% on First level test 2. The difference from May 1 to June 25 in Brendijs' balance and gaits was remarkable. Jenny worked very hard with me to bring out the best in this talented horse.
Linda capitalized on Master's high level of obedience and rode two extremely accurate tests, earning a 69.210% on First level Test 4, and a 67.020% on Second level Test 2. Linda and Jenny are of course always the most impeccably turned out riders at any show.
I was also very happy with the horses I rode. Marit, at just her second show, first away from home, made me very proud, bettering her scores from the May 1 show by about 1% each, on both Training level Tests 1 and 2, earning a 65 and a 68 respectively. She was the first horse in the ring at 7am, and understandably tense, so, all in all, I am really happy that she remembered her training and behaved very well for me. I rode a second Norwegian Fjord, named Rethel, that is owned by Lisa Pedersen, in the show. I had one ride on him the day before the show, but this horse has "been there, done that", and had no trouble adjusting to what I asked of him. He is an extremely rideable and talented horse. I have become a fan of Fjords, I must admit, they are a lot of horse in a small package. They have the ability to move like a warmblood, and always turn heads. I love this breed, but they do require a rider with some core strength. Rethel turned in fantastic scores, and in fact we were Open High Point together, with a 71.1% and a 71.3% on Training level Tests 1 & 2. I also rode Sarah's horse, Daz, in First level Test 4. He is such a SHOW HORSE, loves to show off and was really "up" for me. What a fun horse to ride. We earned a 69.211%. A horse like this, who can go gangbusters for me, as up and electric as I want him, and then turn around an hour later and quietly carry his very green owner around through a walk/trot test, is a rare horse indeed. He is a dream horse for Sarah.
The girls worked hard, and so did their ponies. We had a great time, enjoying each other's company, and that's the most important thing. I think we represented our home barn, Lava Bluffs Equestrian Center, very well indeed.

Saying Goodbye is Never Easy

2010-07-12T18:43:00.002-06:00

I am sad to report that my friend Jenny's mare, Jazzy, had to be humanely euthanized this morning, following a 24 hour-long battle with colic. Colic is a very scary word to those of us who love these big, brave, and surprisingly fragile creatures. Of the horses I've mentioned on this blog, four have suffered serious colics, and two died. The reasons tend to remain a mystery, but often, we can point to a recent stress or poor or uneducated care. Jazzy had foaled two months prior, and torsion colic is extremely common in mares within the first four months of foaling, for the obvious reason that their gut had to make room for a baby, and then, must migrate back into a fairly large space. That's the logical reason, but we'll really never know. Daz had been living in a field while leased by a young girl, and was not getting enough food, therefore developing a serious sand colic. His did not require surgery but it was touch and go for a few days. Mystic went too fast to even dream of getting her to a facility, and we will never know why she colicked. And of course my beloved Charisma battled a full torsion for 12 hours before she was on the surgery table. She had just made a two day trip in a trailer, returning to very hot temperatures, and I am fairly sure this caused her a great deal of stress and dehydration. The ensuing complications have been a constant source of stress, not to mention expense, nonetheless, I am thankful for each new day with her. I will never forget the morning I saw the sunrise reflected in her eyes as she nuzzled my foot to wake me, and I knew she'd live. Worth every second of stress, every night spent in a lawn chair outside an ICU stall, and every penny, but no place for the weary heart to tread, that is for sure. Surgery doesn't guarantee success, and, the complications can be endless and costly. Ten months later, I still have many a sleepless night and heart stopping episode to go through, as her body continues to sort out the internal changes. I pray to get her to the "magic" 12 months post-surgery, supposedly the point of proof that your horse is now no more likely to colic than any other horse-not much consolation actually. Weigh it all out, friends, and do what your heart tells you. We will all miss Jazzy very much, but we all, those of us who knew her, knew that surgery was not an option for her, and I have deep admiration and respect for my friend Jenny, who made a very difficult decision to free her mare from pain. Jenny provided love and good care to this OTTB rescue, and, thankfully, will get to go forward with her stunning son, Fabulux, by Rulon(Arthos). My thoughts are with you Jenny, and still with you Kayla. For those interested, here is a super article discussing the different types of colic, and has valuable information for what to do.
http://www.horsechannel.com/horse-health/colic-surgery-guide-20107.aspx

Number 1 in the US!!

2010-07-01T11:44:00.002-06:00

Well for now anyway :)
http://www.usdf.org/awards/preliminary/allbreedsResults.asp
Charisma is currently ranked number one, USDF All-Breed Awards, for the International Sporthorse Registry/Oldenburg N.A.'s Open Second Level Division. More than likely, she will be edged out as more horses qualify through the show season. So, we will revel in this short moment of glory!

USDF Bronze Medal!!!

2010-06-21T20:50:00.003-06:00

Charisma, Dow, BJ & I travelled to Heber City, UT, for the Sage Creek 1 & 2 shows this past weekend. The weather was perfect, and the stars aligned. Charisma and I earned the final score we needed for the requirements of the USDF Bronze medal. This medal requires six scores, two at First level, two at Second level, and two at Third level, of 60% or better, under six different judges, six different shows. I am thrilled to have achieved this goal with a horse that I trained myself. I've learned all the ropes of dressage on Charisma, and it means a lot to me, after her very trying winter, to have this medal with only her name on it. She has tried her heart out for me for all these years. We should also now have enough scores, with a high enough median average, to wind up with a ranking for the USDF All Breed Awards, for her breed registry(International Sporthorse Registry/Old. N.A.), in the Open Second Level division. Check out the latest photos I added to the Photo page, from the show. The whole family will make the trek to Alberta for the summer on Sunday.

Las Vegas Dressage Spring Fling III

2010-05-26T09:21:00.002-06:00

Charisma and I had a really successful show. She remained comfortable and happy throughout the weekend, the most important thing right now. I can't believe she lived, never mind, is back in the show ring. But the icing on the cake was the score we earned on Saturday to complete her requirements for the USDF Horse Performance Certificate for Second Level. I guess I can officially call her a Second Level Schoolmaster. And Sunday, we earned a 60.5% on Third level test 1. We now only require one more score for my USDF Bronze Medal. Patience and perserverance, not to mention, lots of luck along the way.
Brenda showed her 3 year old filly Poetic Justice, by Paganini, in the Training level Opportunity class. Cookie as she is better known behaved herself like a seasoned show horse. She's never seen mirrors or a judge's booth but after a couple of looks, went about her business like a pro. They came away with really strong scores for a first show-64+% and 62+%. As she gets stronger and steadier in the connection, and is better able to show off her gaits, these scores will only go up. I look forward to their future with great hope.

Dynamite!!

2010-05-11T12:07:00.002-06:00

During my recent trials and tribulations with helping Charisma regain her health, as well as, in dealing with age related setbacks with my nearly 14 year old Sheltie, BJ, I have "discovered" Dynamite products. My friend, Jennifer Smith, has long been a distributor, and recommended the products, first for BJ, and later, for Charisma. Count me sold. So much so that I am now a distributor myself. If you would like to learn more about the products, please check out this link.
www.dynamitemarketing.com/stacywilliams
Dynamite's products are natural and pesticide free. They are manufactured in a facility that contains zero cross-contamination with other livestock feeds. Certain additives to cattle feed can be deadly to horses, even in microscopic amounts. I highly recommend Free and Easy for your horse, dog, or even yourself. The aloe vera in this product is also wonderful for your horse's gutt, aloe being an excellent natural way to prevent ulcers. I also highly recommend Dynamite for horses, as a high end multivitamin and mineral product. A little goes a long way. And say good bye to pelleted horse feed products with contents you cannot pronounce. Pelleted Grain Ration is a very clean, natural pelleted horse ration that is easily digestible, and again, a little goes a long way.
I am thrilled to be a part of the team. Orders can be placed directly on my website link above.

Thank You Stephanie & Marlo!

2010-05-02T14:56:00.003-06:00

We had a great time at the CCEC Dressage at Lava Bluffs yesterday! I'd like to thank our judges, Stephanie Brown-Beamer, and Marlo Vivenzio, for making the trip down from Salt Lake and Heber City. I am grateful to Color Country Equestrian Club for continuing to support Dressage in our community, as interest does continue to grow. We are a small group, but, dedicated. Special thanks to Ryon and Holly Gardner for being such wonderful hosts and letting us take over Lava Bluffs for the day. I am really proud of everyone...Karen earned her best score yet as she continues to improve and become a partner with Tanner. Sarah made her show ring debut, and did an outstanding job. You've never seen anyone so lazer-focused! Brenda debuted her lovely three year old American Warmblood filly, Poetic Justice, by Paganini, to rave reviews from the judges, earning the Vintage High Point award and the third highest score of the day. I'm very proud of my horses...Charisma was really showing off her gaits in our Third Level ride, earning 65.384%. Maret, better known around the barn as Petunia, proved herself to be a real show horse. This was her first show, and she came within less than a percentage point(66.785%) of earning me the Open High Point, edged out slightly by the very talented Arlene Cunningham and her amazing mustang, Boots. I also rode Beau Dazzler, a 14 year old Arab gelding. This was his first dressage show, and he had not set foot in a show ring in some 9 years. He did me very proud, earning extremely solid scores of 64.5% and 65.135% on First level tests 1 & 2. Of course our favorite Cowboy, Ryon Gardner, had to keep all us Dressage Diva's humble by earning the highest score of the show, with a 68.477%. I must say, the Cowboy Dressage riders were very lovely to watch, the Dixons' and Ryon all doing a stellar job in unfamiliar territory. I thoroughly enjoyed my first foray into the world horse show management, and slept like a dead woman last night!

NEVER, ever, ever, ever....GIVE UP.

2010-04-16T10:09:00.002-06:00

When I worked for Sheri Dumonceaux the winter of 2005/2006 as a working student, there was a cartoon she had pegged to her cork board in the barn. It was of a Heron attempting to swallow a frog, and the frog is reaching out of it's mouth, choking the Heron. I always thought that was a hilarious take on what I hold as a very important strong suit for me-perserverance. I don't quit. Neither does Charisma. Neither have my clients, Karen, Sarah, Brenda & Barbara. Neither has my dear friend Irene. I like fighters.
Charisma and I entered our first recognized show since her colic surgery. Despite the fact that we are still attempting to determine the root cause of some complications she continues to have(adhesions are tops on the list of theories at the moment-a not uncommon problem), we are firing on all cylinders, on her good days. I am learning to be really grateful for those, and, be her advocate and caretaker on the bad days. I take not one second of my time with her for granted. I am learning to take not one second of every day, with everyone, for granted. I am pleased to report, that under a strong judge, Donna Richardson, we were able to achieve some of our highest scores. All scores were 61% or better at Second level, and what that means is I have now earned enough scores to obtain my USDF Rider Achievement certificate at Second level. And Charisma now only requires one more score to earn her USDF Horse Performance Certificate at Second level. This is a demanding award-ten scores of 60% or better, under four different judges, with at least four tests being the highest test of the level. I'm proud to say, WHEN she receives this award, she will have earned it by performing at the test 3 and test 4 of the Level, an even more stringent bar to reach. Judges expect a horse performing these tests to be looking like they are ready to move on to Third level. I aim to have this certificate for her on my wall by summer...that's the plan anyway, good Lord willing, and the creek don't rise. No matter what the universe has in store for us, we WILL, we CAN, we will never, ever, ever, ever, GIVE UP.

Latest Gleanings from my progress in the "L" Program

2010-02-22T10:32:00.006-07:00

The third weekend in February, at the Las Vegas Winter Fling II held at Cooper Ranch, I was privileged to scribe for and sit with Melissa Creswick, another very popular S judge, from Clovis, California. If you've followed my blog, you know that I've also already sat with Janet Curtis.

While the Utah Dressage Society is the organizer of this "L" Program, I live closer to the Las Vegas Chapter of the California Dressage Society. So, much of my training and showing revolved around this club. While the UDS has been amazing in hosting this program, I must say, I have been very surprised and humbled at the excitement and support shown by LVC-CDS with regard to my participation in this program. They have gone out of their way to facilitate my learning and seem genuinely enthusiastic about the prospect of having another graduate in their midst. They are doing all they can to help me prepare. I am very grateful for that!

When I sit and scribe at these shows, I am able to get insight not only into how to judge through Second level, but, through Advanced. The Prix St. George class was as big as the Training level Test 4 class. This is very important for me, in the learning process, because I am asked to watch a cross section in a single day. I am able to see the progression up the levels, and why certain things asked for at Training level through Second level really do matter if a rider wants her horse to be successful at the Advanced levels. Seeing this cross section in a single ring over a 7-8 hour period is really bringing the correlation home to me.

Melissa wanted riders to demonstrate clear transitions. Like Janet Curtis, she was not afraid to use the spectrum-as likely to give a 4 as a 9, when earned. I think this confidence is a hallmark of a well-seasoned and successful judge. She believed very strongly that a horse at Second level must be able to show a clear transition from canter to walk, or from medium to collected, if it is to be successful at the higher levels. She felt excessive reward of extravagent gaits at this level could easily doom this horse having a double bridle put on far too soon, in a misguided effort by the rider to move on to Third level too soon. What I loved about her judging style is that in everything she did, her comments, her scores, etc., she kept the future in mind for that particular horse. She was very careful to address the things most relevant. She reminded me several times to make dead sure I commented in such a way as to not send that horse home to be tortured. While Janet Foy had also discussed this in our B Session, seeing the theory in practice made a huge impression on me. She also stressed to me that comments must be framed in such a way that I do not promote hand riding. No question, she sees far more of this than she would like to see. And yet, she made certain I understood that the rider is my employer. I have to figure out a way to say what needs to be said in a way that the rider will look to herself to find a way to improve, without being unnecessarily harsh. I have found this to be my biggest challenge in this process. I want to pile all responsibility onto the rider, and in so doing, I will find it very difficult to ever give many scores of 6 or better to the rider. While it is true that the entire training process and the ride is the responsibility of the rider, nonetheless, I must take into account that each horse comes with its own set of challenges. I will need to have compassion, for the horse, as well as the rider. I found it interesting that Melissa would not remove her coat so long as the competitors were required to wear their coats.

A personal realization is also making itself known to me through this process. While I've always known, conceptually, that the judge can only judge what she/he sees in that seven minutes of time, sitting in the judge's booth is really bringing that home to me. So, to all you riders out there, and, note to self: realize that, the judge has no idea your horse has been sidelined for years, or, what your horse's breeding is, or its history and baggage. Even if she does know, she is not supposed to know, and therefore, must judge accordingly. So, if your goal is a safe and respectable 60% for the ride, be sure that you can perform all the criteria to a satisfactory degree at home nearly all the time. Also, don't get your feelings hurt if your score is not what you'd hoped. Read your tests and try to understand what the judge wants you to take from his or her comments, without any emotion. Understand that it's much more fun for the judge to be able to hand out higher scores, so, perhaps consider that in your choices. Or, if you know for sure you and your horse might never be capable of having "the look", but, you want to learn by progressing, develop a thick skin,and, try to progress in such a way as to not frighten your horse or make him feel insecure. Always take the time to prepare your horse, whether in the moment of the test situation, or, day to day in your training. Never take your horse up the levels too fast, it will only hurt their confidence at best, their bodies at worst. The judges cannot give you a gift because you've come a long way with your training, or your horse has issues to overcome. Bear this in mind, be grateful for what means progress to you, and, try very hard to understand what the judges want you to know.

USDF "L" Program

2010-02-05T14:27:00.007-07:00

In the whirlwind of the last months, between actually studying and preparing for sessions A & B; getting my mare back to good health and the inevitable hours of research involved in making sure her diet is perfect; and keeping up with my clientele and life in general, I have not taken time to write about my experience thus far with the "L" Program.
I mentioned in a prior post months ago that I'd been fortunate to qualify for the program, and more importantly, land a spot in the current program being organized by the Utah Dressage Society. Seems there are not nearly enough programs to go around(we have candidates flying in from Ontario, Maryland, and California!), and I must again express my deepest thanks to the UDS for taking this on. It seems UDS has managed to draw more auditors than any other program.
We have now put two sessions in the books. Session A was taught by Sandy Howard, Session B by Janet Foy. Session A, hosted by The Promontory in Park City, UT, focused much of the information on the rules, conduct as a judge, judging methodology, and biomechanics. Session B, hosted by Sage Creek Equestrian in Charleston, UT, focused on judging criteria for gaits and paces, movements and figures, and discussed in detail the criteria of Training through Second level. Both sessions included the opportunity to view demonstration rides, and to practice honing not only our eyes(which frankly should be fairly honed at this stage in our learning), but also honing our ability to process visual input into a relevant comment and score to what we see, in a very short amount of time. The amount of territory these two sessions has covered is expansive. The scope of this program is impressive-I can't recommend it enough, to anyone-any aspiring trainer, judge, or amateur. The information is theoretical and practical, instantly useful. You will leave each session with enough knowledge to process for years. You do not have to be a candidate! Just audit, believe me, it is WORTH IT! The instructor judges who take on this task and agree to be a part of the education process of our judges are to be commended. This is a grueling job for them, so one can only assume they are doing this not for the money but for the betterment of the sport in our country. Our program for training judges is recognized worldwide for its thorough preparation of dressage judges.
There is no way I could do justice to the amount of information covered in this program in a single, or even daily, blog post. So, I won't attempt it. What I will do is attempt to stress to the riders I work with what the judges really want to see. The next time you think the judge has it in for you, make a point of offering to scribe at the next show. Among the requirements for this program are hours serving as a scribe, and hours "sitting" with a licensed judge. I have been able to sit with Janet Curtis already, and also served as her scribe. Trust me, folks, these judges want in the worst way to see a good ride. They want to give good scores. They do not enjoy being mean. Please don't make them work very hard just to find something nice to say. It is more often than I realized very hard for them to do this. Help yourself as a rider, help your horse, and make the judges happy, by actually reading the directives for the level at which you choose to ride. Read the definitions of the movements, it's all available for free to members on the USEF website! Know the directives for the movements, understand what the essence of each movement is, and understand the essence of the level at which you seek to ride. Know the Training Pyramid. Understand how it applies to your scores. Here's a tip: acceptance of the bridle is a requirement in dressage! Yes, even at Training level! Know where the movements begin and end. Prepare your horse for every transition and movement. Know where your horse's hind legs are. Know what your horse and you need to do, biomechanically speaking, to meet the criteria of the movements. Be honest with yourself if your horse's gaits are not clear. It really does matter! Dressage is not the movements-it's the quality...of the gaits, the connection, the riding, the execution of the criteria. Know what those numbers mean...10-Excellent; 9-very good; 8-good; 7-fairly good; 6-satisfactory; 5-marginal; 4-insufficient; 3-fairly bad; 2-bad; 1-very bad; 0-not performed. Next time you are happy with a 60%, enjoy that happiness for a moment, but when you go home, sit down and study that score sheet and really try to understand what the judge wants you to know. In the end, are you REALLY happy with just Satisfactory??? Maybe. Maybe your horse is not ideal for the sport. It is an Olympic sport afterall. Maybe you've just moved up a level. Maybe you or your horse has come back from injury or other reason to be sidelined. Maybe you don't get to train with a trainer on a regular basis. We all have our burdens to bear. Regardless of your station in life and as a dressage rider, consider this: Would it not be more noble to develop a very high quality Training level horse than to mindlessly move up the levels with no understanding of the requirements?
I challenge each of you: Pursue excellence in your riding and training. Believe me, you will not be viewed as a hero if you keep moving up the levels despite low scores. Judges would much rather see a good(80%-yes, 80% is only just "good"!) Training level ride than a marginal(50%) First level ride. When you look at it in light of this, does that 57% on Training level test 1 really seem like something to write home about? Now believe me, there is absolutely no shame in riding your average horse, and in being happy with a 57%. Like I said, we all have to start somewhere. Maybe a 57% on your horse is a 67% on another horse. And this certainly is not to say that riders should not be happy when they are consistently scoring above 60%, do not misunderstand. I am not minimizing anyone's accomplishments here, but at the same time, keep perspective. But as Janet Foy so aptly pointed out, this is an Olympic sport. The reality is, if your horse lacks the natural, God-given conformation and scope to its gaits necessary to perform the hardest movements with the greatest ease, then to expect the judge to be Santa Claus and give you 70% on a horse that doesn't even track up in the working trot or remain pure in its canter rhythm is unrealistic. There are some that will, from time to time, but do not expect this. I challenge you to be thorough and positive in your training. I also challenge you to be realistic in your expectations.
I started this program with no other goal than to learn as much as possible and make myself a more viable candidate for USDF Trainer certification. After two sessions, I now deeply desire to become a judge. I see it as an opportunity to, again as Janet Foy said so perfectly, "sell hope". Only those candidates who pass with distinction will be eligible to continue on to become a candidate for "r" designation-the right to judge through Second level at National competitions. This is no given. The last program, of ten candidates, only saw two pass with distinction. Regardless of my final evaluation by the instructors, I will leave this program deeply transformed as a trainer and rider.
I cannot thank enough the UDS, the USDF, the instructor judges, the hosting facilities, the demonstration riders(who by the way have to hear a lot of bad judging as we muddle through!), and the judges who allow candidates to sit with them. These people and groups make our education possible. They are what make our judge training program the envy of the world. I am humbled and honored to have my foot in the door.

A little bit about Frisco Bay's Sire, Fidertanz

2010-01-28T05:15:00.004-07:00

FIDERTANZ;Licensed for Westphalia, Rhineland and OldenburgRhineland, Bay, Born 2002, 16.1 hands
He was the top star of the 14th Westphalian stallion licensing in 2004. With standing ovations he left the arena and became champion stallion. .His exceptional basic gaits, brilliant jumping manner, balanced nature and perfect conformation hasn’t given rise to any doubt about this victory. His sire Fidermark won the stallion performance test, was National Young Horse Champion, winner of the Optimum and Grand Prix tests. His dam sire Ravallo also won the stallion performance test with a total index of 155 points (dressage 157.52 points – 1st range, jumping 127.7 points – 5th range). Frühlingstraum II has been regarded as one of the pillars of the Westphalian breeding. With Romadour II Fidertanz has been inbred three times to the famous Ramzes x. Fidertanz’ dam, grand dam and grand-grand dam were state premium mares. Lots of approved stallions and highly successful sports horses derive from this damline. The Westfalian licensing champion of 2005, Fidertanz, was proclaimed Hauptpraemium Sieger during the stallion parade. Out of a group of 7 stallions, Fidertanz was selected as best stallion. Owned by Wahlers and Böckmann, Fidertanz scored well in his performance test and the Oldenburg Verband was especially impressed with his first crop of foals. Reason enough to make him the Hauptpraemium winner. In 2004 he was the unequivocal winner of his licensing in Westphalia , showing off his outstanding gaits, excellent jumping ability, correct conformation and easy temperament. He completed his 30 day tests at Neustadt-Dosse as the winner of the testing. As a three year old at the 2005 Bundeschampionate he finished second, scoring 9.5 for conformation, 9 for trot, 9 for canter, 8 for walk , and 9.5 for rideability. His sire Fidermark was reserve champion of the North Rhine-Westphalian approval in 1994, won the Warendorf state stallion performance test in 1995 convincingly, and in 1996 he won the German Federal Championship of four-year-olds. Under Marlies van Baalen he was highly successful through Grand Prix dressage competitions. He not only produced the 2004 NRW champion stallion Fidertanz, but also the Westphalian champion mare Falbala. Very unfortunately, Fidermark died at much too young an age in 2003. Fidertanz's damsire Ravallo was the 1990 winner of the stallion performance test in Medingen, with a total index of 155 points (dressage 157.52 points – 1st , jumping 127.7 points – 5th ). These scores were among the highest ever awarded at a performance test. He produced four approved sons in several breeding areas and many state premium mares. His offspring are known for versatility and talent at advanced levels. The grandam, state premium mare Frühlingssonne, also produced highly successful showjumpers as well as an approved stallion Disconot (by Diamantino). Fidertanz's maternal grand dam's sire Frühlingstraum II, who was awarded the I b premium at the DLG Show, was the 1970 approval champion in Westphalia, and spent many years stationed at Wadersloh. Frühlingstraum II produced a number of highly decorated mares, approved stallions and numerous performance horses for the North Rhine-Westphalian breeding region. The third dam, state premium mare Romana, produced the two approved stallions Frederiko (by Furioso II; private stallion Rhineland) and Paradiso (by Pilot; private stallion Rhineland ). Her sire was DLG winner Romadour II, a very versatile sire. Romadour was sire of the four time Olympic dressage horse Rembrandt, as well as numerous top showjumpers. Fidertanz derives from the damline of the mare Astfläche (by Assing I). This line is of Hanoverian origin. Apart from numerous advanced level sports horses, it also produced the approved stallions Faveur (Warendorf state stallion), Graditz (Dillenburg state stallion), Graphitan (private stallion Hanover, NED), Latent (private stallion Hanover), Orlando (Celle state stallion), Rastellani (private stallion Hesse), Remoir (private stallion Westphalia) and Royal Highness (private stallion Hanover) as well as the successful dressage horse Way Ahead/Alix Denkhaus and the internationally successful showjumper Filou le Rouge/Jörg Kreutzmann.
JANUARY 2010 - CROSIADORE FARM'S FIDERLINE IS THE TOP MARE OF THE 2009 INSPECTION SEASON

The mare being honored with the Graf Anton Günther von Oldenburg award for the top mare of 2009 inspection season was bred by Zuchtstall Kotschofsky in Vechta, Germany, and is owned by Nancy Holowesko of Crosiadore Farm in Trappe, Maryland. Fiderline is sired by Fidertanz, the 2004 Westphalian licensing champion. Fiderline's mare line is excellent as well. Her dam, Anna Karina is by the impressive stallion, Harvard, who is well known for his talent, type, and temperament which he scored a perfect 10 for in his performance test. Fiderline won the Mare Performance Test with the highest scores of either MPT, and was considered "competitive with the best mares in Germany" according to Katrin Burger of the Oldenburg Verband.

http://www.hwfarm.com/Stallions/urls/fidertanz.htm
Here are some photos of Fidertanz.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1917656&id=713909459
And, here is a photo of Frisco Bay at 8 months.

Persistence and Determination

2010-01-27T11:28:00.006-07:00

"Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unawarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone...has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race." ~Calvin Coolidge, 30th President of the United States

On that note, here are some photos captured from video my dearest friend and client Karen took for me on January 17th this year. This is Charisma, just 23 days back under saddle, 3 months and 23 days post surgery. This is no ordinary horse. The frame her fuzzy coated winter ears put around my view of the world is my favorite view. Every breath, every step, every half halt, every movement, EVERY RIDE is a gift that I never take for granted. Thank you Charisma.

The Golden Girls!

2009-11-28T20:57:00.004-07:00

I've had a new addition to my gang, Barbara Repta. She lives in Park City, and has a trainer up there, but, has rented a home in St. George for the winter. When she came out to Lava Bluffs to introduce herself and take a look around, she almost apologetically told me her age. I quickly told her not to think a thing about it, that I didn't currently have a client under the age of 50. Her response was, "Oh my gosh, don't you find that depressing?". I said absolutely not, in fact I find it inspiring. I hope and pray I am still riding for as long as I can clamber into the saddle, and these ladies never let me forget what is possible. Not only that, I love how eager and appreciative they are. I think I am extremely lucky to have such a dedicated bunch, regardless of their riding goals. The one thing they have in common is a desire to learn to ride, respect for their horses, respect for my time, and a strong appreciation for my efforts to stay on top of my game and find new and better ways to convey information. They always finish their lessons with a thank you. I am lucky to have them.

I've introduced Brenda and Karen in previous posts, and they have been riding with me longest. Karen is actually one of my first clients as a professional. But I haven't introduced Sarah Glidden, Beth Hart, or Barbara Repta yet.

Sarah, like Karen, did not ride or own horses growing up, or even in early adulthood. She owns a 14 year old Arabian gelding named Daz, and at the age of 64 is only just learning to ride. Her horse was bought for her granddaughter years ago, but something in her heart told her to find a way to keep this horse in her life. She’s had to sacrifice a lot to keep him, but it has been worth it and she can pilot this little power house with sheer grit you will not find on a golf course.

Beth has worked with many young horses over the years and loves teaching youngsters the basics. Her background has been primarily western disciplines, and for many years she was heavily involved in the breeding of Appaloosa's, and later Paints. While she no longer starts young horses, she still owns two geldings, Clu and Charger, that she cares for entirely herself. She does all her own farm chores and repairs, and works too!

Barbara owns and rides a 9 year old Norwegian Fjord mare named Petunia, and at 69, can ride circles around most people a third of her age. Let me tell you, from first hand experience, that if you can ride Petunia, you can ride any horse. She's talented and beautiful, and knows it, but she has definitely read the book, and if you don't ride 100% correctly, she isn't doing it!

Last Saturday, I had the girls out for a photo shoot, a short trail ride, and some drill riding in the arena. I must stay, they were beautiful riding in formation. From left to right in the group photo in the arena are: Brenda & Ruby, Sarah & Daz, Beth & Clu, Karen & Tanner, Barbara & Petunia, and myself on Charisma, who can't wear a saddle yet but is loving this new walk only plan.

Charisma and I are the 2009 Open Second Level Reserve Champions with LVC-CDS!

2009-11-26T07:04:00.003-07:00

It's official, we earned Reserve Champion for 2009 at Second Level with the Las Vegas Chapter of the California Dressage Society! And the icing on the cake is that when I go to collect my award, I will only have tears of joy.

Check out the website for full results.

http://dressagelasvegas.org/awards.aspx

Notecards make a great holiday gift!

2009-11-11T09:12:00.004-07:00

I have always wanted to make my own set of note cards, and finally got around to it. Check out the four graphite drawings on the sidebar. I will be selling packages of ten for $20, plus shipping. You can have each pose included, or, just one pose, or otherwise choose your own mix. Just shoot me an email and I'll get those put in the mail for you.

September 26th, 2009, a day I'll never forget.

2009-11-09T20:23:00.004-07:00

This was the day that all my plans for the next few show seasons to come evaporated in an instant. It was on this day that Charisma, my stalwart mare, showed that even she could be frail. She suffered a full torsion colic, and surgery was required. I've written several "docu-dramas" about the events. Most anyone who knows me has already read two of them. Most anyone who knows me also knows that today, six weeks and one day post surgery, Charisma is doing very well. I am incredibly lucky to still have her, lucky for all the blessings she has brought to my life. I am so very sad at the prospect I might never set foot in a show ring with her again. I have not missed a show season in 11 years with this horse, the horse that never gets sick, never comes up lame, always the picture of health and strength. Not even while pregnant, or nursing a foal, did I have to give up a show season on this horse. But all the ribbons, achievements, and scores are meaningless now. They are just little feathers in my cap of vanity, I realize that. Charisma is much thinner now, her coat no longer sleak, her muscles no longer rippling, no longer the epitome of elegant power. BUT, she is gradually regaining strength, regaining weight, and regaining herself. We have always had a good bond, but now, we are very close. As much as I adore her son, there will never be another horse that holds a candle to this mighty mare they named Charisma. She has touched many lives, impressed many people, even vets and technicians who work with animals every single day were amazed her grace and intelligence. This beautiful photo was taken by Wendy Wyatt, who not only is a very talented photographer, but also the technician responsible for monitoring Charisma's vital signs and anesthesia during her colic surgery. Here is a link to Wendy's website: http://www.bestfriendphotog.com/-/bestfriendphotog/default.asp

Video Clips from my most recent lesson with Shelley

2009-09-06T14:31:00.006-06:00

If your pony tail isn't flying, you aren't cantering!! I told one of my students this once. So I thought it would be fun to share these pictures and video clips from my latest lesson with Shelley. My pony tail was definitely flying! I was lucky enough to have my friend Cathy Deane available to record it. I got a kick out of how expressive Shelley was having to be to get me to ride more boldly. Some of this work went really well, so I've saved these videos as a reminder later when I'm riding on my own again. Here are links to a couple of video clips.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qO9vzH__Gqg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auZa6o1nBuA

USDF "L" Program comes to the Utah Dressage Society!

2009-09-06T09:56:00.002-06:00

I am very excited for the opportunity to participate in the upcoming USDF "L" Program being organized by the Utah Dressage Society. Details about the program itself may be found on USDF's website. Here is a link: http://www.usdf.org/education/judge-training/lprogram/index.asp
Details regarding participation through the UDS program, which begins October 23 & 24, 2009, can be found here: http://www.utahdressagesociety.net/eml_L_program2009.htm
This program will take me a little over a year to complete. I am very grateful to the Utah Dressage Society for their tireless efforts to better the sport in our state.
I've already begun reading the materials. This program is not just for people who want to be a judge, although it is the first step. If you are a serious competitor, or, have a keen desire to learn more about the melding of competition, theory, biomechanics, and art, this is a great program. I haven't even sat in my first class yet, and already feel my brain expanding with information. I highly recommend it from an educational standpoint.

Edmonton Gold Rush Show and CDI

2009-08-28T12:51:00.002-06:00

Here is a link to the website for the Edmonton Gold Rush Show and CDI. There are rider biographies, full results for both the open Gold level show(the same as a National show in the US, riders received full recognition from Equine Canada and Dressage Canada), as well as the CDI.
http://www.edmontongoldrushdressageshow.com/index.html
I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to watch the first CDI in Alberta. Saturday, my grooming duties thankfully were complete just in time for me to watch the entire entry. I also caught most of it on Friday. In my eyes, the standouts were Travolta, Lymrix, Pfalstaff, Pikardi, and Picasso, Jr. I was also very inspired by Jennifer Parks and Morgen. Oslo and Lyndsey Seidel-Wassaner continue to make headway in the National ranks. I've admired and watched this pair since she first earned the ride on this horse. Thankfully, she was able to buy him.
Travolta, a hot number sired by Jazz, was bought by his rider at one of the warmblood sales in Alberta several years back. He is absolutely beautiful, brilliant, really a dazzling horse to watch. Joni Lynn Peters rides him with a superb mix of bravado and tact. When he focuses, he's nearly unbeatable. He is young yet, so, watch for this pair, a real bright star on the horizon for Canadian dressage, already long-listed to the Team.
Lymrix is owned & ridden by Crystal Kroetch. He's a gorgeous bay horse, powerful and has "the look". Crystal rides him very well, and has already been extremely successful with him both in the US on the California show circuit and in Canada. Expect to see this pair earn a Team Canada listing.
Pfalstaff is a very beautiful creature, dark chestnut in color, with lots of chrome to complete the perfect picture. He's very correct, obedient, and is gifted with a super build and natural gaits. Wendy Cristoff makes no mistakes, and the pair swept their Int. 2 and GP classes.
Pikardi, ridden by Bonny Bonnello, should also be mentioned here. While he did not win his Int. 2 or GP class, bear in mind, he is ridden by a very decorated Canadian rider, is young, and only just began schooling the I-2 and GP this January. They will certainly be a force to be reckoned with once his work is confirmed. He is certainly not lacking in brilliance and talent, and with such a pilot as Bonny, he is well on his way. The pair is already long-listed to Team Canada.
Picasso, Jr, is a beautiful dappled grey horse, with an extremly uphill build, a very forward way of going, has lovely gaits and shows great submission and work ethic. He's a horse anyone would watch and want to ride. I'd own him in a minute! He gave his rider, Diana Ducevik, his absolute attention and heart. He clearly loves her. Diana has hopes of qualifying for the Pan Am Games, and I would love to see such a pair make the team.
Oslo and Lindsey continued their winning ways, and continue to represent Canada as a Young Rider Team. Oslo's training has continued very well and he is looking powerful and brilliant. He works for Lindsey with his every breath, it's a joy to watch them. The two have already earned a long-listing with Team Canada.
While not the winning pair, in fact, the last placed pair in each class, I was very moved and inspired by Jennifer Parks and Morgen. Morgen is, like my own horse, half Holsteiner, half Thoroughbred in blood. Their build and look is very similar. Jennifer is an open rider, but like me, her students consist entirely of Training level riders, and most of them are also Vintage riders. While she does have a longer history than I in dressage, having actually earned a berth on the Canadian YR team at one point, she did serve to inspire me to keep chipping away at this sport. Training horses and riders is not her full time job, in fact she is a school teacher, as is her husband Greg. They are a lovely couple, who work hard, and Greg supports her every step of the way. I relate to this entire team in many ways, also having a husband who thinks we're amazing no matter what scores we bring home. What Morgen and Charisma lack in brilliant movement and ideal conformation, they make up for with a burning desire to please their riders. They are beloved pets first and foremost. The rest is icing. Jennifer did a super job in both the PSG and Int. 1 tests, capitalizing on correct and obedient work. I thanked her for the inspiration. I am now sure we can do it, too. Lest you "pooh-pooh" scores in the high 50s, please realize this pair was being compared to pairs that you will be seeing on Canada's team. Until you do it yourself, you have no idea how hard it is to make a line of 3s & 2s with the whole world watching on a horse that does not have ideal conformation by a rider who seldom gets outside instruction. It ain't easy. Jennifer gets my utmost respect and admiration.
Some "stars" were in attendance as well, including Leslie Reid and Dr. Thomas Ritter, both there in support of riders who train with them. It was great to see Edmonton draw such a luminous dressage crowd. I haven't sat in an audience this full at a dressage show, outside of the FEI World Cup!
Next year, Alberta hopes to host two CDI's, with Amberlea Meadows and Edmonton Area Alberta Dressage Association again hosting one, and with the Calgary Area Alberta Dressage Association also hoping to organize one, to make for a great draw for Team hopeful riders in the entire North American West. Watch the Alberta Dressage Association's website for the latest news! http://www.albertadressage.com/EN/

More Lesson Gleanings!

2009-08-28T10:05:00.003-06:00

Yesterday I had another lesson with Shelley, and Irene also double-teamed us, so it was a very intense hour. We did not work on any movements, we can do them, Charisma knows them. I asked them to help me with the "qualities". We need to show greater impulsion, submission, uphill balance, self-carriage, and greater carrying behind. So they spent the hour helping me develop a very cadenced, lovely trot, and then we worked on the canter. Charisma's trot work has come so far that I can truly ride with the weight of the reins now, and we just needed to coax that little something extra out of her, that really says "we belong here". Her canter work has also improved, but is not her best gait. They helped me ride her into a very round, rolling, jumping canter. I must be more brave! I've made some notes, that actually mostly reiterate what they've already been teaching me, but more in depth, and, with a deeper understanding for the requirements of the level. I've decided to enter the Alberta Provincial Championships being held at the Parkland Dressage Festival in September. I don't care how we place or score, my goal is for the tests to flow, and the movements to literally "be there", so that I can concentrate on riding each step and coaxing the best qualities out of my horse. We have been schooling all the Fourth level work now for the last month, so I am looking forward to being able to ride Third level with my head, and not my brawn. Of course in dressage, it is always recommended to show a level or two below what you are schooling at home. But when you only have one horse, and you have learned everything on that one horse, and you don't have access to daily training, you wind up riding beyond your level most of the time. I am happy that this year, I reached a point where I've been able to show Charisma at Second level, and not have to struggle. I've been able to enjoy it. I am now looking forward to having that same luxury at Third level.
Here are my notes from yesterday's lesson:

Charisma avoids the difficulty of loading the inside hind in transitions by straightening her body and losing the line of the circle. Practice all transitions with the feeling of travers, and use the outside aids actively, to keep the bend. By keeping the bend in the transitions, this increases the strength of the inside hind, developing power, which results in greater cadence. Also, if she is not allowed to straighten during the transition, she cannot use her neck against me to press up. The horse's neck muscles are very strong when they are straight. Keep her bent. Her neck is beautiful when it's correctly working for me, so seek to make her look as lovely as possible, by riding very precisely. Make that judge WANT to ride my horse.
When all is well in the trot work and I want to look for more cadence & expression, I need to engage my outside aids again, connect that inside hind with a bouncing lower leg to that outside rein, and ask for more honest work behind. The difference between Charisma’s trot when she is just going, and when I engage her hind legs, is night & day, from a very plain but correct trot, to a brilliant, bouncy trot that really says “we belong in the medium levels”. This will build power & expression over time. Seek to coax every ounce of movement out of her at every step.
In the canter work, don’t ever ride in auto-pilot. Yes there must be self carriage, but in order to coax the best three beat collected canter out of Charisma, I must keep my lower legs very loose, and literally ask for more jump every single stride. Use the seat & weight to keep her straight, and let the bouncing lower legs encourage her to jump uphill at every step. Improve the activity with every stride.
Continue to watch turns, lower and open the outside rein even, to keep her bending through turns and not escaping behind by straightening.
Keep the hands up over the wither, out in front, light and active, so as not to allow her to lean down, or worse, that I don’t pull her down. If I need to lower my hands, lower my outside hand, but keep my inside hand higher, so she can’t lean in on it.

My next post will be about the CDI in Edmonton! Stay tuned!

Life at Ironhill

2009-06-29T14:50:00.003-06:00

Dow, BJ, Charisma, Frisco, & I settled in to our digs in Alberta in short order. We arrived on Monday, June 22nd, late in the evening. By Thursday, I was packing up to attend the Calgary Area Alberta Dressage Association's Annual show with the gang from Ironhill, this time serving as groom to my friend, Irene Hill. Irene and I met during a Tom Dvorak clinic at Horizon Equestrian Centre early in 2006, hit it off and quickly became fast friends. She and her husband were in the process of building a new facility, which is now very close to complete, with only odd projects left. Here is a link to Irene's website: http://ironhill.ca/ The horses and I are really enjoying the benefits of the Hills' vision of a high end dressage facility. There are acres of rolling pasture, turnout fields, aspen groves and evergreen stands, and miles of prepared trails. Irene is showing three horses this year: Montevideo, an 11 yr old Hanoverian gelding she has trained to Intermediare I herself; Moxie, a 6 yr old Hanoverian mare, half sister to Monty, she also trained herself, to Third level; and Valentino II aka Rudy, a 7 yr old KWPN gelding that Irene bought as a re-training project.
I have been taking lessons with Irene, as well as with the head trainer, Shelley Malbeuf, and I've had the privilege of not only riding Charisma with them, but also Monty and Moxie. It's been a fabulous learning opportunity. I also watch other lessons, and with three riders in the barn riding at advanced levels, it is extremely inspiring and helpful for my own growth as a rider. With only six weeks left to go in our stay, I'm trying to absorb all I can. Charisma's strength and straightness have really come along. Frisco has spent the summer with the herd of yearlings, and Dillon is his best friend. They are all getting fat off the lush stand of grass.
Next weekend I will go with the Ironhill gang to serve as barn groom at the first CDI*** to ever be held in Alberta. http://www.albertadressage.com/EN/shows.php
That will be an exciting opportunity to see the top riders and horses in Western Canada and I'm looking forward to it!
Below are some notes I've taken from my lessons so far. I'll have more to add in the next six weeks, but enjoy these for now.

Establish a more honest bend(check the right shoulder for better right bend) before transitions, and keep the bend through the transition.
Keep the bit moving, keep the jaw softening, keep the arms soft.
If it isn’t done in shoulder-fore, it isn’t dressage.
Slow the tempo, so as to allow the hind legs to catch up, and ultimately, to carry.
Do not use harsh rein aids no matter how much the horse is bearing down, it simply doesn’t work. Instead, MOVE the bit, as well as the jaw, via the arms. The “take ten teeth out” methodology is not acceptable in correct riding. Use your mind, not your might.
The rein connection must remain dynamic in all transitions, but especially downwards.
While the leg must stay on the horse, it must just drape. NEVER pinch, hold or clamp. Give a couple of big slaps with the sides of the calf if the horse is dull to the driving aids, and teach the horse to work from the smallest leg aid and mostly from the seat. Tempi changes won’t happen if you can’t ride off the seat.
To collect, stretch tall from belly button up(chest up-shoulders back & down), sit very deep with seatbones, repeatedly-tuck the belly button in towards the backbone, tightening the glutes, and keep the legs soft and long. Stay light with the reins and active with the fingertips. Ask each stride at first, then encourage the horse to hold it on its own. Ask-RELEASE.
Tempi changes: “1-2-3-Aid-Change”=Four tempi’s. “1-2-Aid-Change”=Three Tempi’s. Use canter one stride, walk one stride, to get the feel of the rhythm for two tempi’s. Unless the horse responds instantly to the aid, the count will NOT work. Sharpen the horse up to the seat & leg first.
Half Passes-do not hold with the aids. Ask-release, ask-release, and get big responses to little aids. This holds true with everything, but half pass gets especially stuck if you hold with any aid-reins, legs, seat, all must ask/release in the rhythm.
The lightest aids yield the best results, because then the rider can keep her position correct, therefore being a better help to balance the horse, and the weight aids become very heightened in their effect.
Keep the elbows bending and soft, and keep the horse very round no matter what. Only add difficulty so long as you can keep the roundness.
Hands light, “carry” them out over the wither, keep the reins short and keep the bit moving. Do not give her one split second to settle onto the bridle.
Ride the corners and turns very carefully, keep the outside leg guarding and don’t let the haunches lose the line of travel by falling out. Losing the haunches to the outside in turns and corners gives away critical power.
Ride off the rail, in shoulder-fore and/or shoulder-in.
When riding flying changes across the diagonal, keep the new outside shoulder pushed away from the new outside leg, so she doesn’t try to suck to the track, compromising the straightness and thus the quality of the change itself.

Goodbye Mystic

2009-06-18T16:20:00.003-06:00

And just like that, we have to say goodbye to Mystic. My sincerest sympathy to Kayla. She was fine at 11:30 am today, noticed rolling just after noon, but she was in full colic by that time, and by 4:15, her heart could take no more. She'll be with Goldie under the big juniper in their field. Rest in peace little grey girl.

Brenda & Ruby Are Adult Amateur Reserve High Point at Utah Summer Games!

2009-06-15T19:11:00.002-06:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8awpimjOik
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wy1LClpKnZw
Brenda and Ruby did very well at the Utah Summer Games under Judge Thann Hanchett, earning a 60+%, and a 64+%, on Training Level Tests 3 & 4, good enough to be the Reserve Amateur High Point. Ruby is proving herself to be a wonderful, reliable, happy show partner at a very young age.

Jennifer Campos and Brendijs, a Latvian Warmblood, also earned very good scores, in the low 60s, on Training Level Tests 2 & 3. This is a fairly new partnership, and Brendijs has a very special life story that instantly won Jenny's heart. He won my heart as well, the minute I sat on him. I'm so glad the two of them are together. Here are links to their videos.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnOLl6INZf4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9mvSBOc0j0

Karen Martz and Tanner turned heads too! They are a gorgeous pair in their show garb. Karen has now officially joined the ranks of the horse show gang and we are thrilled to have her. Karen rode in a locally popular class called Cowboy Dressage...when in Rome!! They rode Training Level Test 1 and Tanner was a very good boy. Karen is thrilled to have progressed so far in the last couple of years, and I could not be more proud of her. I do believe she's also caught the show bug!
Now, not only did Tanner perform like a good boy for Karen, but he was then recruited by me to help catch his barn mate & next door neighbor, who had escaped at the show. I honestly do not think things would have ended so well had Tanner not been willing to march up into the woods to find his friend. Bella came right to him, and he helped her calm down enough to let herself be caught. I can't thank Karen enough for turning his reins over to me and trusting me to bring him back in one piece.

Kayla Volksen and Mystic are JR/YR High Point at the Utah Summer Games!

2009-06-14T13:18:00.005-06:00

I met Kayla when I kept Charisma at Al and Anita Painter's from July 2007 through March 2008. I had moved Charisma there so she could have pasture during her pregnancy. Kayla rode Anita's mare, Goldie, a Celle Francais that had competed very successfully in the past in Dressage & Jumpers. During that time period, one of the horses I had in training was Mystic, who belonged at the time to Rachel Stratford. Mystic is a very athletic Thoroughbred mare who had done a lot, and had not had the easiest of paths. I rode her for four months, and on some days, I could ride everything in Second level. On other days, I couldn't get a canter depart. I just patiently tried to show Mystic a new way of reacting, and show her that her efforts would be rewarded. I even showed her in one schooling show, and she did in fact leave the arena, something she'd been known to do in the past. She didn't get punished, I just re-entered the ring, thanks to an understanding judge, and schooled her tactfully, then, rewarded her for getting her head back in the game. I knew she could blossom under the right rider. I promised her I'd find that rider for her. As the universe would have things, Kayla watched me ride her in a clinic with Gail Alterwitz, and it was love at first sight. Kayla has a gift for working with sensitive horses. She is patient and kind, and a very tactful rider. So, arrangements were made, and Mystic became Kayla's horse. That was last summer. Since then, Goldie passed away, breaking Anita's heart. But, Anita never lets life get her down, so she and Kayla set about to change Mystic's mind about life and work. I gave Kayla a few lessons last summer, and then again in preparation for the Utah Summer Games. We agreed that she should only ride one test, and she should practice it a million times, so that Mystic knew exactly what to expect. We came up with game plans to reduce tension at every step, and by the time the show rolled around, Mystic was very confident in her job. Kayla rode beautifully through Training Level Test 1, under Judge Thann Hanchett. Mystic gave it her best, and the pair came away with a remarkable 69.56%, at Kayla's first dressage show. Here is a link to the video of that ride. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTaYx8_TIPc

Many people who had known Mystic for years could not believe they were watching the same horse. I'd say this little grey mare with a giant heart has found a person with equal heart to bring out the best in her. Kayla will be entering her Sophomore year in college in the fall, and will be moving up towards Salt Lake, taking Mystic with her. Anita and I are just glad we'll get to see them in the summers.

Article Submitted to the Utah Dressage Society Newsletter

2009-06-02T10:27:00.002-06:00

In accordance with the terms of my award of a Training Scholarship, I prepared the following article, which will be published in the next UDS Newsletter.

“Ride like a Pro, Stacy. Don’t leave that corner to chance.” These were the words Charlotte Nord-Nielson left me with as I entered the arena on March 7th to show Second Level Test Four under the esteemed General Jonathan Burton. Brilliant. Deceptively simple. Charisma had spooked in that corner repeatedly during our schooling session with Charlotte the day before. The old Stacy would have just hung on and hoped for the best, and the old Charisma would have, without fail, spooked in that corner. Not this day, and never again.

I’ve been trying to get a ride with Charlotte since the first time I attended a show hosted at Cooper Ranch, the barn in Las Vegas, NV, where she is the head trainer. I watched her students compete, and earn very good scores, and every one of them, to the rider, rode like champions, no matter what level. Some rode very talented horses. Some rode horses less Dressage-suited. But it didn’t matter about the horse, because every one of them rode up centerline boldly, leaving nothing to chance. That is the brilliant, deceptively simple, secret to riding well. Leave nothing to chance.

Two weeks prior, I took a lesson with Charlotte, the day before a show. It was my first lesson with her. Was I crazy to ride with someone new the day before a show? No, because, I knew I had to make major changes, if I was to make progress. What did I have to lose? I wasn’t even scoring in the 60s yet. I was in the saddle, walking on a loose rein, when Charlotte walked up. She asked me to go ahead and take up the rein. Right away, I got the usual “no” from Charisma, pressing up with her giant neck and getting a-rhythmic. Charlotte immediately asked me to start paying attention to the rhythm in the walk before I did another thing. Once again, deceptively simple. Why would I let this slide? This should be easy. Some trainers have asked me to be very aggressive with this horse, but, this is a boss mare. Like Kyra Kyrklund says, you have to make three applications, and after 11 years of riding her, I’m rather used to having my applications turned down.
After sorting out the walk rhythm, Charlotte asked me to trot on. Right away, she asked me to pay attention to the rhythm, to keep it steady, and, to slow the tempo down. Charisma tends to hurry the trot. Charlotte said that when she gets too quick, she loses the expression in her trot. I know this, but, I always ride like a passenger, wondering why my horse won’t just offer a slower, more cadenced trot. I showed some of the slower, more expressive trot I’d been working on at home, and Charlotte said it was lovely. I said I’d been working on that, but wasn’t sure if it was right. She said I needed to trust my instincts more. Charlotte made me pay attention to every footfall, make note of where the hind legs were at all times, and be very clear about my expectations. Inevitably, Charisma would press up, or carry the haunches in, all to avoid the real work. Each time, Charlotte patiently asked me to correct the haunches, and keep her round on both reins, even when on a circle or in a lateral movement. I’ve been told all these things, but, Charlotte’s presentation is unique. She will ask the rider to correct something. She will ask nicely. She will repeat the request, nicely, until you do it, and then, she’ll say thank you. And she’ll tell you to thank your horse. Interesting.

We then moved on to the canter work. Right away, Charisma used her neck against me in the canter. I’m so used to having my applications denied, that I’ve developed this system of spending a long time on the canter, being popped out of the saddle because of tension, and hoping it will just get better if I just keep holding on and hoping for the best. Wrong. In response to Charisma’s denial of my application, Charlotte didn’t do the usual “Get in there and make her do it!” routine that has yet to work in 11 years. This approach of Charlotte’s was a pleasant departure, and I was so grateful. Instead of asking me to force her head down, she patiently instructed me to keep thinking of riding her haunches on a slightly larger track than the shoulders, and she kept saying it quietly, until, I did it. Also, she repeated as many times as necessary that I was to keep her round on both reins, especially the right rein on the left canter, our nemesis. She was so gentle and patient with her voice that I finally wondered to myself, why I didn’t do what she was asking the first time?! It would take being more demanding of myself as a rider, and, it would require that I expect, from now on, to have my applications accepted by my boss mare. I suddenly got her round on BOTH reins, with the haunches traveling correctly in line with the shoulders, and voila, the canter was round enough, slow enough, engaged enough, and straight enough. A beautiful, melodic, “THANK YOU, STACY” was my reward from Charlotte.

We worked on our shoulder in, travers & renvers, as well as our walk turns on the haunches, and, our simple changes. Another teaching method of Charlotte’s is to ask her riders to “Ride the belly”. Now, when you are done laughing at how silly this sounds, I’ll explain. All done? Okay, here’s what she means. Charlotte wants the rider to use her legs to hug the horse’s barrel, keeping her leg on at all times, so she can feel what the horse is going to do before it is too late to correct. She wants the rider to focus on what’s happening behind the saddle. Are the hind legs responding to the leg aids? In addition to this, she reminded me frequently to keep my seat plugged into the saddle, so I could use it to guide her, and not get pushed out of the saddle. Keeping my legs working correctly made this task much easier. It isn’t that I didn’t know these things, it was just that I would isolate the seat as being separate from the legs, when, it’s nearly impossible to ride with a deep seat if the legs have to stay in constant contraction to get an aid through. She had me using my legs so much more effectively, that I was able to keep the hind legs working with light aids, and then I could use my upper legs & seat to guide Charisma much more smoothly through the lateral work. And here’s the most interesting side effect of “riding the belly”. In all the years I’ve taken lessons on this horse, I have probably been told no less than one million times to shorten my reins. Why is this? I have quiet hands, I keep my fingers closed, the reins shouldn’t keep slipping through my fingers. It’s because, Charisma can be so very strong in the bridle that it would take Arnold Schwarzenegger himself to keep the reins the correct length, if Charisma’s hind legs are not engaged. Charlotte only had to ask me once, but by the end of the thirty minute lesson, my reins stayed the correct length simply because my horse was engaged enough behind, and slow enough in her tempo to maintain balance, that she was not pulling them through my fingers. She hasn’t asked me to shorten my reins since. And when I ride on my own, I see that, when the hind legs are engaged enough, I frequently find myself riding with nothing but the weight of the reins in my hands. Now when I apply a rein aid, it actually goes through, because I haven’t been hanging on for dear life trying to keep her head down. My right shoulder is thanking Charlotte every day now. So is my horse’s mouth. All this that I’ve discussed was covered in thirty minutes. I am accustomed to riding for an hour trying to get half this amount of work accomplished. The interesting thing is that it was all so simple. It was not EASY, I was glad the lesson was only thirty minutes, but, it was so simple. No pounding sand, no aching back, no numb fingers. Ah, lightness. It took a couple of days for everything to come together, but by the last ride of the weekend, we improved our scores dramatically.

Over the course of the show weekend, and the ensuing two weeks until our next lesson and show weekend, I faithfully applied the laundry list of principals set out in a scant thirty minutes. I used video to ensure I was doing everything right. By the time I saw Charlotte next, she was very pleased with the improvement in the canter, and Charisma was MUCH steadier & softer in the bridle, while remaining in a better uphill balance, more engaged behind. It was during this second lesson that we were able to deal with the Mr. Hyde side of Charisma-that spooky dominant mare who is always looking for danger.

It was a windy day, there were mirrors in this arena, and, faux ivy in the letter boxes, waving around in the wind and reflecting themselves in the mirrors. Nearly every horse was spooking, but the difference was, once they saw it and dealt with it, they moved on. Charisma has always been one to continue to spook even after she’s been allowed to see the scary object several times. She’s an intelligent, kind horse, not terribly hot-natured, so, there must be a rider reason why this continues to be a problem when she is nearly 15 years old and has seen far more of the world than most horses. Charlotte handled this issue with her usual diplomacy. Her sing-song voice quietly, patiently, instructed me through it. I was to ride her “in position” when approaching the known scary corner, and as I rode through the corners, use as much inside leg as it was going to take-LOTS-to keep her bent correctly through that corner no matter how scared she was. I was to keep her round on BOTH reins, even if I had to ride the short side & corner in shoulder fore. I was to keep my legs around her belly, feeling for changes before it was too late, scanning her body for fear, and replacing it with gentle, firm, & precise aids to keep her bending around my inside leg and paying attention to my requests. I continued to employ this method throughout the weekend as Charisma found more scary corners in the warmup ring. By the time I rode up centerline and saluted General Burton, I knew what to do. I knew Charisma was not going to counterbend, or press up with her neck, or jump sideways. How did I know? Because, I rode that belly. I kept her round on both reins. I rode like a pro. I didn’t leave that corner to chance. I rode every step of it. My legs scanned her barrel for tension and asked her to release it before it was too late. Application……ACCEPTED. The second she released the tension, I thanked her with softening muscles. I even spoke quietly under my breath, so the judge couldn’t hear. What did I say to her? “Thank you, Charisma.”

Awards!

2009-06-02T09:45:00.005-06:00

According to the Las Vegas Chapter of the California Dressage Society current rankings, Charisma and I are, at this time, listed as Reserve Champion, for the Open Second Level division.

I have also, thanks to Ruby and Charisma, now earned enough scores to achieve a USDF Training Level Rider Award. This just goes to show-never throw away your old tests!! I've held on to Charisma's Training level tests all these years, finally to have Ruby help me earn my fourth and final score some eight years later.

Ruby and I Earn Open Reserve High Point at the Las Vegas Dressage Spring Fling II!

2009-06-01T16:46:00.002-06:00

While Brenda was away in Germany with her daughter, I took Ruby to the show in Las Vegas. This was Ruby's first recognized show. She behaved like an old timer, earning solid scores for her debut: 60.4(despite a miscue in the first canter depart and a spook at some flowers waving in the breeze) on Training Test 3, 62.8, & 61.2, both on Training Test 4. Ruby is staying with me for the month, while Brenda is away, and so that she can prepare for the Utah Summer Games June 12.

Third Level (RE)Debut

2009-05-05T16:45:00.004-06:00

Charisma and I made our (re)debut at Third Level at the Cooper Ranch Schooling show on May 2nd, 2009. We'd entered the recognized show at another farm the same weekend, but, that show was cancelled, so, I decided to make it a training weekend and get some deeper instruction with Charlotte Nielson. I am thrilled to death with our comeback. Charisma last showed Third level in November of 2007, while 6plus months pregnant. It was not our best effort. But, that's what you do when you only have one horse(and are apparently more stubborn than average)! Charisma has come a long way, and so have I. We earned a 61.794. Charisma was extremely obedient and focused, and apart from losing the canter(and collection) at one point, she proved to be very much ready for the demands. Here's a link to the video of that ride:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVpwgzfUCF8
Charlotte helped us with our collected canter, flying changes, and keeping the impulsion in our trot half passes. The three days of schooling with her were incredibly helpful. I have my homework until next time.

Brenda Whitely and Bold Rhythm Rules(Ruby)

2009-05-05T16:18:00.002-06:00

Ruby is a 2004 APHA/Thoroughbred cross mare. Her dam, Ebony, is Oldenburg approved, and produced the Western High Point Foal for American Warmblood Registry in 2007, bred to Pagannini. Ebony is a locally very well known jumper, excelling in sport prior to becoming a mother. Ruby's sire, Apache, is known for producing good minds and athletic horses. Ruby has lovely natural cadence and a super canter. She inherited her mother's jumping ability, too! She's just shy of 16 hands now, and still growing. Brenda brought her to me last summer to begin her basic training. She'd already been well backed, trail ridden, and had been taken to several natural horsemanship clinics for ground work. So, Ruby was primed for beginning her dressage career. We had a great time together last summer, and I really missed her when she went home. She is a pleasure to handle and work with, and very fun to ride. But, Brenda lives close by, and we continued to work together regularly, Brenda taking as many lessons as time allowed through the winter. Brenda and I showed Ruby last fall at two Color Country Equestrian Club Dressage schooling shows, getting her much needed show experience. Ruby did great! Normal youthful exuberance aside, she learned her job and quickly got the hang of things, earning very solid scores well into the low 60s at Training level tests 1 & 2. Brenda took Ruby to the Cooper Ranch Schooling Show in Las Vegas on May 2nd, 2009, and showed her in Training Level Tests 3 & 4. I'm proud of these two. Ruby is a worker bee, and Brenda is a super rider. These two have a very bright future ahead of them. They earned a respectable 57plus on their first ride, Training test 3, and a 63.2 on Training Level test 4. Look out world! Here's a link to video of this ride: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01e-R9jmY4g

Dancer

2009-05-05T15:51:00.003-06:00

Dancer is a 9 year old black gelding owned by Suzanna Hanson, of Draper, UT. We are not entirely sure of his breeding, but, by the looks of his mane & tail, and eyes, and general way of going and conformation, we feel strongly he is half Friesian, half Thoroughbred. Suzanna has owned him for over a year, but has spent most of this time rehabbing him from a diagnosis of Navicular Syndrome, as well as, a broken jaw. Prior to Suzanna's ownership, as far as we know, he was mostly a backyard pet, with little regular riding, much less training. Suzanna decided, upon getting Dancer well, that she'd like to pursue Dressage with him. She chose me to send him to for the winter, to get her out of the snow several weekends a month. So, on January 30th, she dropped him off in St. George at Lava Bluffs, having never met me in person, and we had our first lesson with him on February 1st. From there, I determined that due to the physical challenges Dancer had faced, he was greatly imbalanced in his musculature, one side being far less developed than the other, and he also had a head tilt. He had difficulty taking the canter as well, due to the lack of muscling. I warned Suzanna this may only go so well, but I did not yet realize how truly eager to please this horse was. He did not know much, and had a few harmless tricks up his sleeve that had possibly worked in the past to convince a rider he was not going to do something. But, overall, he is kind, willing, has a very attractive way of going, lovely articulation of both front & hind leg, beautiful head & features, and the coveted jet black coloring. With patient, slow, careful work, I spent the first thirty days just getting Dancer used to a routine, developing his work ethic, and building muscle. For the remaining two months of work, I introduced higher & higher expectations in his transitions between gaits, his committment to the bridle, and the strength of his topline. By the end of the second month, I was able to sit on his back more and more in the trot, as he developed the necessary strength to carry me. By the beginning of the third month, it was apparent I had a real over-achiever on my hands, and Suzanna felt it would be wise to finish the training I'd started with a schooling show, so we made plans to enter him in the Cooper Ranch Schooling Show held May 2, 2009. By the time the schooling show came around, I'd had time to introduce Dancer to changes of lead through trot, leg yield, and lengthening of stride in trot and canter. He will need to continue on this path of strength building with Suzanna, as she takes him home and begins to work with Jan Lawrence of Millbrook Farms regularly. Dancer had a very respectable debut, at his very first show. We earned a 61.579 on Training Level test 1, and a 55.7 on Training Level test 2. A few minor disobediences that harkened to our first 30 days popped up under the pressure of a show situation at only 90 days of training, but, those will go away with continued good work. The important thing is, he has a fabulous temperament for a show horse, and Suzanna will have the pleasure of going to shows with him and not having to worry about a horse that is fearful, spooky, or high strung. She can focus on the movements and learn the discipline, on a really good guy. We all need a really good guy in our lives! Here is a link to video I've posted on Youtube of one of the rides.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKcrVNEobRI

April 2009

2009-04-30T10:08:00.004-06:00

Frisco Bay is a week shy of one year. Brenda took pictures for me yesterday. He's 14.2 1/2 hands high.

Thought for the week.

2009-04-22T11:14:00.002-06:00

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved. ~Helen Keller

Karen & Tanner

2009-04-21T21:13:00.003-06:00

Karen has been doing great this year, progressing in her riding by leaps and bounds. Tanner has turned into a real schoolmaster and is so good for her. We've been practicing riding Training Level Test 1 in Karen's lessons, so that she can learn how to prepare for transitions, and how to ride Tanner is such a way that she can show his abilites. We took some video Monday. I am so pleased with Karen's progress. I've been working with Tanner since September, 2007, but it was not until May of 2008 that Karen had really been able to ride very much. She is a new rider, having taken up the passion as an adult. It has been a great journey so far for both of us. We are sure glad we found each other.

2009-04-14T07:31:00.002-06:00

Easter Weekend show, Las Vegas Dressage Spring Fling I: Judge Louise Koch.

I rode Second level Tests 3 & 4 on Saturday(59.767 & 59.763), and Second level Test 4(62.380) on Sunday. We earned respectable scores, not as high as I'd hoped, but, that's showing. I did learn a lot, and I did realize that my work the past month on getting the canter straighter had paid off when the comment from the judge on our left medium canter on Sunday was "straight". YAHOO!!! We actually earned 7s on our medium canters Sunday. That's very good for us. One of these shows, I'll put together all the things we did right at each show into one amazing ride. The judge was kind enough to allow questions during her break on Sunday, if we were done showing. She explained to the group of us standing there that we all needed to develop more impulsion, but KEEP the half halt coming through. She suggested to ride the flying changes with the thought of medium canter in the change. She challenged us to ride a medium canter to collected canter, then flying change. The group standing there were all amateurs, riding Third level, except myself. I'm familiar with the movement of medium canter across the diagonal to collected canter/flying change, in much of the upper level tests, but, I have known that will not be an easy feat. So, more work ahead. I also realized that I do not breath nearly as clearly in the show ring as I do at home, and that makes it very hard for Charisma to hear me. Judge Koch pointed that out to us that the horses are used to us breathing when we ride, but when we sit stiff as a board, concerned about our equitation, for a show, the horse is very confused because now they can't hear us and all they feel is this rigid board in the saddle. So, I applied that today in my ride. I normally do think about my breathing, I've always taught the horses to come back from a simple exhale. But today, I made a point of breathing as though I were in yoga class. As usual, we often know what to do, but, fail to do it to the extent needed. We are often too timid, afraid to make a mistake. I promise your horse will forgive you, if you make a mistake in an effort to help yourself or the horse, because they do understand when we are trying, and they will in turn try for us.

Thought for the week.

2009-04-08T18:00:00.002-06:00

I think what I represent is achieving what you want in life. It’s a matter of attitude. Some people have a negative attitude, and that’s their disability. ~Marla Runyan, Elite Runner( who happens to also be blind)

April 2009

2009-04-07T09:56:00.004-06:00

Some snapshots from video I took during a schooling session April 4.

March 2009

2009-04-04T21:31:00.006-06:00

NEWSFLASH: I HAVE BEEN AWARDED A TRAINING SCHOLARSHIP BY UTAH DRESSAGE SOCIETY! I plan to use this scholarship towards further lessons with Charlotte Nord-Nielson. I learned so much in one 30 minute session, and was really challenged to face the sport psychology aspect of riding, without that actually being the topic of our lesson.

Two weeks after the February show, I attended another show in Las Vegas, this one hosted by La Madre Equestrian Center and organized by Desert Dressage Association, a new GMO. I rode only one test each day, both days riding Second Level Test 4, in an attempt to get our second qualifying score for Regional championships. The judge was General Jonathan Burton. We earned very good scores both days, and I am thrilled with our overall improvement in accuracy. Charisma has become much more rideable and submissive, and I have put a lot more effort into expecting her to accept the work. It is funny how horses(read-people) will very often live up(or down) to our expectations. In the past, my prior trainers would have called her unwilling, unable, unsubmissive, and not rideable. I've had a very reknowned international judge and clinician stand on the ground and tell me "She just doesn't try for you." Who am I to argue with such an authority? And Charisma would inevitably live up to these expectations. But, she is not a pair of old jeans, to be thrown out and replaced with a fancier, more spectacular pair that will make my butt look good no matter how big it gets. And so, I made a conscious decision to set aside all negative thoughts, and simply work on what I COULD fix: me. Could I ride better? Absolutely! Could my position improve? Definitely! Could I be more precise in my aids? No question! Could I be more thorough in my daily training? Positively! How many times have I been told: Charisma can't do the work; She can't carry herself uphill; She doesn't try; She doesn't have the right kind of movement. And she lived down to these expectations, without fail. But, once my attitude changed, once I decided scores no longer mattered, whether or not Charisma could ever look like "those" horses no longer mattered, as soon as I decided to just work on ME, I suddenly had a very willing, focused partner. All that mattered was...the journey; the education; the bonding; the pride. And for the third show in a row, that horse layed down the best effort she had in her body, FOR ME. Did we get our second qualifying score? No, not quite. Four tenths of a percentage shy on Saturday(63.6%), and, two tenths of a percentage shy on Sunday(63.8%). While I can't deny I was initially disappointed, the reality is, at no point in our career together have we ever worked this much in harmony or been this undeniably consistent. And not just run of the mill consistent, but, consistently GOOD. I was actually happier with some aspects of the rides than I was about the ride at the prior show that earned us a 64.2. And the most important improvement of all, that tells me we are finally on the right track in the training, is that, at neither of the last two shows did we receive a single comment that the carriage was not uphill enough for the level. I now feel very strongly that, while we are doing very well, we can still do better. "It can always be better" is no question the mantra of dressage...but, while I always understood "it" needed to be "better", I never thought we could be better. That feeling, that we CAN, has created a quantum shift in my approach to training my horse, and all horses. Success is relative. For the likes of Courtney King-Dye, consistently scoring above 60% at Second level would seem very inconsequential. But, we all have to start somewhere, and it isn't as easy as it may seem, when you are not riding a horse with extravagent gaits and extreme talent for the sport. I know one thing, I will never doubt a horse's abilities again, but will instead look more to the intangibles: character; heart; the rider's influence; diet and overall happiness; and a basic desire to please.

Feb 2009

2009-04-04T09:48:00.005-06:00

NEWSFLASH-WE EARNED THE OPEN HIGH POINT AWARD AT THE LAS VEGAS WINTER FLING II, FEB. 21/22, UNDER MELISSA CRESWICK.

After the January show, I set about to work on the things that did not go as well as they needed to in the Second level tests. I needed to improve the overall uphill balance, and, submission. I also needed greater obedience and accuracy. I used video almost daily to be certain that what I felt in the saddle looked like it needed to look to the judge. Perception and reality are often very far apart! By the time the February show rolled around, I felt we could break into the 60s at Second level. I was even bold enough to pay the qualifier fee on the test 4, both days. I had a lesson on Friday, Feb. 20, with Charlotte Nord-Nielson, and then rode Second level tests 3 & 4 on Saturday under Judge Melissa Creswick. It went pretty well, Charisma was obedient and reliable. I was really happy with how much more reliable she has become in the show ring. We earned a 60.930 on test 3, and, 59.524 on test 4. So, PROGRESS, once again. We continued to show improvement. I had my rides video'd, and studied them that night, reading through my tests, to see how best to impress Judge Creswick the next day, and to also analyze myself what areas I wanted to work on. It occurred to me, as I was watching the video, and reading the test comments, that there were actually a lot of "dead zones" where the judge wasn't scoring. I realized I was missing out on lots of great opportunities to really check that Charisma was paying attention to me. I don't know why I've never realized this before. I was leaving way too much on the table! Sunday, I entered the ring bound and determined to use every step to my advantage. It went really well, and by the time I halted and saluted, my thought was "Huh, that went pretty well, but I actually think we can do even better." It was not a thought of ungratefulness, just, very matter of fact: not bad, but better is still possible for us, and frankly it was exciting to feel that way. I've honestly never felt so hopeful about our future. The ride wound up earning us a 64.286! Good enough to earn our first qualifying score to attend the Regional Championships. This show, I feel, was a pivotal show for me as a rider.

NEWSFLASH: TANNER AND I WERE NAMED COLOR COUNTRY EQUESTRIAN CLUB'S 2008 OPEN TRAINING LEVEL DRESSAGE CHAMPIONS!

Feb 28, I organized a "Ride a Test" fun day at the barn and invited a few friends out to practice their tests. In attendance were Brenda Whitely, Beth Hart, Suzannah Hanson, Sarah Glidden, Jenny Campos, Arly Cunningham, Gail Veley and two of her students, and Laura and Deni Lojko. I rode Charisma through Third Level test 1; and I also rode Dancer(Suzannah), and Daz(Sarah). Dancer had just been in training with me since Feb. 1, so, it was a little early to expect much of him, other than, to introduce him to the idea of there being people sitting around the arena and more excitement in the air in general. He struggled a little bit to stay attentive, but, he lacked enough tools in his toolbox at such an early stage in our work. I am very hopeful for this horse, he's a real tryer, and very neat mover. He's got some physical issues he's had to overcome in life, and yet, he still is willing to give it a try. That's all I ask. Daz and I rode through First level test 3, and overall I was pretty happy with him. That horse has the heart of a lion, a lot of horse in a small package, and I'm so happy to have him in my life. I've been working with him since November. He came to me for training after recovering from a very bad colic, and about half a year off from work. He was so weak at first that holding the lead behind was very difficult. He's really muscling out now. Brenda did really well on her mare, Ruby, and we are hoping to begin showing her at the Las Vegas shows this spring. Here they are practicing Training Level test 3 a week later:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQhhg9PK6JA I was really excited to get to know Beth's horse, Clu, better. He's super cute. All in all, everyone seemed to have a good time, and, it was good experience for the horses and riders to get out and work under a little bit of pressure, without there being so much on the line.

January 2009

2009-04-03T22:01:00.003-06:00

Charisma and I attended the Las Vegas Winter Fling I, hosted by Cooper Ranch, on January 17th & 18th. We rode First Level Tests 3 & 4, and, Second Level Tests 3 & 4. While we'd competed up to Third level before her foal, at this point, I am more concerned about bringing her back to full strength carefully, and more correctly. I am no longer riding just for myself, I now ride for my clients as well. It is important that we are successful, and that includes not overfacing my horse with too many expectations before she is ready.

The judge was Barbi Breen-Gurley this weekend. We earned slightly better scores all around, over our last show. With the 62. 105% on First Level Test 4, we've now earned all the scores we need at First Level towards my USDF Bronze Rider medal. Though I've earned these scores for First AND Second Level twice over in Canada while a USDF member, because the shows were not USDF recognized, those scores cannot count. We have earned our Dressage Canada Bronze Medal at First Level, and, Silver Medal at Second Level. I just want to take this time, while bringing her back from her foal, to earn the scores we need in the US at First and Second Level, before we move on to Third Level. Hopefully, this patient approach will set us up for success down the road.

Welcome to my Blog

2009-04-03T21:51:00.003-06:00

I will update this blogspot regularly, posting the latest happenings of my horses, Charisma and Frisco Bay, as well as my clients' and friends' horses.