
02/03/2023
Remembering James C. Wofford
Such a loss…what an icon. What a horseman.
Eventing legend Jim Wofford died on Feb. 2 at the age of 78. In his memory, we're republishing this article, which ran as a
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Lessons/Training/Clinics/Sales
A friendly, relaxed, training environ
Such a loss…what an icon. What a horseman.
Eventing legend Jim Wofford died on Feb. 2 at the age of 78. In his memory, we're republishing this article, which ran as a
Rain, rain go away,
I have no indoor to ride today!
Far too wet to even hack,
One step forward, two steps back!
😩🙏
Can’t live without this stuff—especially on these wet, raw days: on my hands, hocks—anything that needs warming up and soothing!
Mg12.com.
Hurrah!
Debbie McDonald has been re-appointed USEF Dressage Technical Advisor, aka team trainer, after a one-year hiatus.
Wonderful read:
It is probably pretty unique that a talented rider leaves the Spanish Riding School for a life in the circus. It was exactly what Georg Wahl (1920-2013) did. He is best known and remembered for having been the lifelong trainer of Olympic Champion Christine Stückelberger and her internationally succ...
Carl Hester, Great Britain's most beloved and respected dressage trainer, is back in his tails after almost a one-year break from the competition ring.
We had better steering and balance today, despite blustery winds and colder temps. Good boy, Mr Finn! You picked a good one, Laurey!
Dena and Reya have come such a long way! Some really nice transition work here today to help Reya strengthen behind. Great job, guys!
That pretty much nails it.
And a bit to the left. Can only film as long as phone doesn’t get blown off the mirror frame 😂. Riding babies in the winter, especially 18 hand babies, isn’t for the faint of heart. Grateful for these safe, willing workouts. ❤️
He’s grass green without much steering, but Finn is one, quick learner.
THIS: One of the tips Werndl gave was "don’t be hands or legs off," he said. "While it might be tempting to use a light leg and loose reins to soothe a hot horse, it’s better to keep hands and legs on to maintain contact."
On 6 - 8 December 6-8 2022, Benjamin Werndl, brother of double gold medallist Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and a member of the 2022 German World Championships Dressage Team, held his first clinic in Japan.
❤️
Finn is an absolute sweetheart and a big mush. He’s also very oral at this stage. Trying to tack him up is like trying to put shoes on a toddler 😂
Poignant read
At the end of December 2022, triple Olympic champion Anky van Grunsven gave an interview to the Dutch NRC newspaper in which she talks about her career and the recent passing of her last competition horse, Salinero.
On miserable wet days like this, real estate dreaming is always fun--at least for me! This is probably the most beautiful, private property I've seen. Of course, it's very near Scotland, so probably pouring there as well, lol!
For horse owners who also love their garden, Bleach Green Farm, Alum Waters, Durham is a three-bed equestrian home set in beautiful gardens
Congratulations, Robert Zandvoort!
Bret Wilson Sources Olympic Hopeful for Sabine Schut-Kery
It takes a huuuge horse to make me look normal, and this guy’s pushing 18 hands at 4 yrs old. Glad to get our first ride together under our belt/girth. Well done, Finnegan!!
A bit blustery today, sez Lucas
A really good piece on OTTBs by someone with a lifetime's experience:
https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/features/louise-robson-ex-racehorses-814204?utm_source=Selligent&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20230123_XHH-X_NWL_EO&utm_content=20230123_XHH-X_NWL_EO&utm_term=9078302&m_i=nPTlEbuytCr9Vlog87ywqSj7xkeX0WKrgDjyzsiT3E7gJEALwbZAT1ACjY4S12pCrZMR6bhycGLOO4qKhuQWwFBXuj9NzZnnn7&lrh=7638d24c7c1a15bb574377f7e89365702b0bab483752b29ea3f68a2000a8cec5&M_BT=41209186211457
Throughbred trainer Louise Robson on why ex-racehorses are not for the faint-hearted – and why riders shouldn’t be put under pressure to have one
I love winter light
Few have the success that he has had for decades. And lucky are those who will be able to train with him!
https://www.eurodressage.com/2023/01/22/hubertus-schmidt-retires-competition-sport
There were already several dark omens in the sky, but now it is official: Hubertus Schmidt has announced his retirement as a competitive dressage rider for health reasons. He will continue be strongly involved in dressage sport from the ground.
I see no problem with this!
Gunnar Ostergaard’s memoirs, ‘My Life as a Dressage Trainer…In Three Countries’ is nearly completed and we give you a final tease:
"I continued to teach as many clinics as I could add to my schedule and it’s been a wonderful thing to maintain many of those relationships as well as hearing that I have helped influenced those who went on to become successful professionals. Bill Warren was one. Having met Bill through the clinics that Janet Black—a South African who was already well known in New England as a teacher and judge— organized in Rhode Island. Bill was working diligently to get his judging credentials and needed to compete at Grand Prix to earn his ’S’ license to be able to judge at the FEI levels. Bill, nowadays, is on his way to earning the prestigious, ‘O’ license.
Not all clinics were filled with such noteworthy riders, of course. Some were simply…baffling. For years, my friend, Fran Horn, put together countless clinics for me on Long Island at the rather smart sounding Gold Coast Equestrian Center. Anyone who has ever participated in a clinic knows that tardiness is not suffered and riders are expected not only to be as neat and tidy as their well groomed horses, but punctual to the minute.
At this particular clinic, the slot for the 10:15 lesson rolled around and there was no student to be seen. At 10:20 a big Mercedes pulled up and out stepped a mother and her roly-poly son who then mounted his equally roly-poly pony that was being held by the child’s groom, tacked and waiting. At this point, there were only 30 minutes remaining for his lesson and it was clear the child had no idea how to ride. Pulling my cap down a little further on my brow, I cringed at the thought that one of my high level European colleagues might walk in to see how I was faring as a U.S. trainer!
Doing what I could, I worked on the child’s position as he made it evident by his sullen expression that he wasn’t the least bit interested in having a lesson. The pony carried him safely as he alternately slumped and bounced around in the saddle at walk and trot. I managed to teach them both a few steps of leg yield and was more than a little relieved when the next student appeared on deck a few minutes later. Later in the afternoon, Fran, who always enjoys a good joke, made a point of walking into the arena to interrupt my lesson and relay a message loudly for all to hear: that the kid’s mother “Just called to say his testicles are killing him and what should she do?” I thought for a moment.
“Tell her to get him breeches instead of tight jeans.”"
Part 2 of a really super article. It's far too easy to sling around the phrase, "Circus training" as deragatory after reading this:
https://www.eurodressage.com/2023/01/20/welcome-circus-part-ii-dressage-needs-be-visualised-love
Whomever has seen Fredy Knie senior in the middle of his manège directing a group of horses, showing a horse in High School or the airs above the ground in hand, will not forget it, wether horse or layman. The calmness of man and horses alike, as well as the pride and satisfaction in their faces we...
A veterinarian describes the many ways to treat this complex yet common cause of lameness and poor performance.
There can be only one priority when you arrive in the hay barn to find your son stuck head-down in a haynet holder, legs waving in the breeze, a dog’s paw firmly on his head. And somehow, while howling with laughter, Heather Westgate managed to capture the moment on camera. Heather told H&H 14-yea...
Very cute!
Adrienne Lyle’s Olympic dressage partner, Salvino, is named 2022 USEF International Horse of the Year.
Yes, please. As long as there's an indoor arena for all the rain that comes to Wales...But isn't it glorious?
https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/features/penmynydd-farm-caergeiliog-isle-of-anglesey-813887?utm_source=Selligent&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20230116_XHH-X_NWL_EO&utm_content=20230116_XHH-X_NWL_EO&utm_term=9078302&m_i=ApznJMlN99bzcNFBDLrfwP%2B3nwdCu%2BJFJZUZOxqWUiz896TLs1RenYvnkyhcSFGZs1XygtLb6yVKULbNNqz_W1z_MXOxDLzAA_&lrh=7638d24c7c1a15bb574377f7e89365702b0bab483752b29ea3f68a2000a8cec5&M_BT=41209186211457
Penmynydd Farm is found on the outskirts of Caergeiliog, on the west side of the Isle of Anglesey towards Holy Island. The village of Bodedern, 2.5 miles north east of Caergeiliog, offers day-to-day local shopping, with more extensive amenities found in Holyhead 5.7 miles to the north east. Holyhead...
I think I need to play Einaudi on speakers during every ride!
A little easier when we don’t have to splash through Lake Erie at this end 😂
She put such a smile on my face today ❤️
😂😂
Picking our way around puddles for a few half passes. I love her work ethic after yesterday’s rainy day off and today’s crazy wind ❤️🐴
A blustery, fun day. She’s getting stronger.
You’re right, Lucas! It IS great sleeping weather!
Ilanka rocking her beautiful Le Mieux halter. Now available at The Hayrack!
We really appreciated having Katharine Stancliff out today to help us help Waldo. we put Waldo in Tommy’s jumping saddle as his dressage saddle no longer fits. With a lot of ‘bandaids’ (shims, matte pad) we were able to make Waldo comfy until he gets another saddle. And the difference in Waldo’s demeanor told us everything. Saddle fit is imperative and we’re so lucky to have Katharine’s help.
Got a head shaker?
https://futureplc.slgnt.eu/optiext/optiextension.dll?ID=v32v0Sgo3WO%2BXEdjSN6sqPRWHfY1bHni%2B1w7b%2BwMyG15HhTL8uNWAKsAynwft8JxhZoTKU2P6TAz7RyXgxl7Hv7IJiqSA5N09WbtEKvU
A young horse who became “unrideable” owing to head-shaking has made a remarkable recovery to spring into the new year with a bright future ahead of him
Landrum, SC
29356
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Last ride of a 4 day bootcamp for Laura and JiJi—big progress in keeping JiJi connected and forward in the transitions and leg yields. Delighted for them both 😀
Could not be any prouder of these two. I suggested to Laura that JiJi spend a couple of more days after bootcamp so that I could ride the warm up and help JiJi get straight and ahead of the leg so Laura could feel that and then finish the ride. What a great job she did. Can’t wait to see what their future brings!
I can’t believe how far Dena has come, so quickly, after starting former brood mare, Reya, from scratch. Going to be a lot of fun to watch these two progress!
Way to go, Laura! This bootcamp weekend has really started well with figuring out the soft, straight, balanced connection JiJi needs to offer a lengthening trot. Keeping her hands ‘thinking forward’ with light forearms and supple wrists made a big difference
“THUUUMBS UUP!!” 😂😂 As we work towards 2nd Level with Tommy and Waldo, we have to build on all his First Level accomplishments and add more engagement and collection. Today was all about riding the gears in the canter which lead to a medium canter. Lots of good work today!
Always a BIG relief to get the first, ever canter on your green bean under your belt! Great job, Dena and Reya—can’t wait to see what the future holds for them!
We focused on lengthenings with Waldo and Tommy Robinson today. These aren’t easy for Waldo—yet—as he needs to gain a bit more strength behind, but lots of short bursts of forward and back within the trot are helping him find his rhythm and balance. Good work!
Reya shows us that it’s never too late to begin a dressage career. A former brood mare and companion horse, this Haflinger, owned by Dena, is pea-green. But what a great partnership! Lots of potential here 😊
After his warm up, we focused today’s lesson with Tommy Robinson and Waldo on transitions, transitions, transitions. Always helpful for strengthening and thoroughness, and, as always, keeping your horse straight makes all the difference. Really happy with their progress!
Such a good job by Tommy Robinson and Waldo today! We focused on transitions in all three gaits today and remembering to use our seat and legs first, to help Waldo maintain his straightness and rhythm.
Always fun to have Laura and JiJi back for Bootcamp. Our first ride today was all about moving JiJi’s right shoulder to the left as she tends to be very crooked. This Figure 8 exercise is a great help I’m rectifying the issue and helping JiJi become aligned and straight. Great job!
I always appreciate how Tommy graciously allows me to show hiccups in his riding, as they are helpful, teachable moments for others. He and Waldo did some really nice work today
Canter leg yields are super for suppling and not easy to learn. After a couple of attempts, Tommy and Waldo nail it—especially good as Waldo tends to be resistant to the right leg. Way to go, Tommy Robinson!!
And thank you, Laura, for coming early to film short clips of my ride so I could show the importance of having a horse ahead of the leg and test it by having the ability to ride short, crisp transitions within the gait—all from the seat.
A hard fought victory for Laura today. Until a rider really feels what a properly aligned horse feels like, it’s grasping in the dark to get a horse ‘straight’ and ‘through.’ JiJi has a longtime habit of falling thru her right shoulder when cantering left and if Laura, by mistake, takes too much inside rein when that happens, JiJi will immediately swap leads in the front. But she dug deep, kept trying and was able to keep JiJi just where she needed to be to stay balanced. Great job!
A great first day as Laura and JiJi return for a two day boot camp. Really getting the feeling of riding her mare’s hocks into her hands. Super job!
More props for Tommy Robinson and Waldo yesterday. He rode effectively through one of Waldo’s ‘moments’ into a lovely canter and one of the best downward transitions to trot he’s ever ridden. A real improvement. I’m always so grateful to students who allow me to post their lessons—they know so many other riders have the same issues and are happy to show both their challenges and progress!
I didn’t film very well at all today, ack, but after Waldo was being a bit opinionated, I climbed on to see if I could help him straighten and come ‘through,’ then put Tommy back on so he could experience the feeling of his horse feeling both calm, forward and straight. They looked great together. Super job, Tommy Robinson You’re sitting so deeply and relaxed here!
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